bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Nanoparticles on Seed Germination, Growth, Phytotoxicity and Crop Improvement
Authors: Verma Deepak Kumar , Patel Sapan , Kushwah Kalyan Singh
Published: December 2020

The interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and plant cells are one of the most important aspects that are involved in the development of plant nanotechnology. The NPs released in plant cells inevitably interact with the basic organelles of plant cells. Because thousands of studies have addressed plant transformation, conversion, regeneration, accumulation and phytotoxicity of different types of NPs and even their transmission across the food chain, most of the important issues in the field of nanotechnology in plant interactions have remained for a long time. In this review, uptake and translocation pathways of NPs in plants, phytotoxicity, interactions, improvement and transformation are systematically reviewed. In particular, analytical nanotechnology and methodology and future approaches to related fields are proposed.
Impact of Agricultural Practices and their Management Techniques on Soil Carbon Sequestration: A Review
Authors: Chahal Harmandeep Singh , Singh Amanpreet
Published: December 2020

Carbon emissions through various sources possess a great threat to the environment. An increase in carbon concentration in the atmosphere resulted in increased temperature. Escalating warmness in the environment started melting of glaciers, day by day water level in oceans also increasing at an alarming rate. Forests, oceans and agricultural soils act as a sink for atmospheric carbon. Sinking sites help in making the balance of various gases in the atmosphere. Managing agricultural soils provides a good opportunity for more carbon storage. Adoption of conservation tillage, incorporation or on surface management of crop residue and balanced fertilization helps in reducing carbon removal from soil. More organic matter means more humus formation and more carbon retention in soil. Such management practices not only boost soil carbon-storing capacity but also increase soil fertility through hiking nutrient availability to plants and microbial populations in the soil. Higher plant growth results in more assimilation of CO2 in the photosynthesis process.
O sentido de empoderamento na publicidade da Avon
Authors: Mota Maria Aparecida Dos Santos
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo pretende investigar o modo como a noção de empoderamento é mobilizada pela publicidade da marca de produtos de beleza Avon, e observar se a ideia defendida pela Avon vai ao encontro da concepção defendida pelo movimento feminista. Para isso, objetiva-se analisar a direção de sentido que esta palavra ganha na publicidade da campanha Empodere-se!, e como tal direção faz trabalhar o sentido de empoderamento do movimento feminista. A fim de alcançar esse objetivo, este artigo terá como corpus de análise a definição de empoderamento, proposta pela Avon, apresentada em uma espécie de glossário na campanha Empodere-se!. Para tal, conta com aporte teórico da Análise do Discurso de linha francesa e faz uso, especialmente, das noções de formação discursiva e sentido. Para conceituarmos empoderamento feminino, buscaremos aporte em algumas teóricas feministas, entre elas: Joice Berth (2018), Cecília Sardenberg (2006) e outras.
Out of Sight: imagem e vestígio
Authors: Antelo Raul
Published: December 2020

O filme de Joachim Lang sobre A Ópera dos três vinténs (1928) acompanha as lutas que Brecht teve de enfrentar para adaptar sua famosa ópera no início dos anos 30. Brecht e Kurt Weill, compositor da trilha sonora, assinaram um contrato com a Nero-Film para uma adaptação cinematográfica, mas o filme nunca aconteceu. Acusado de plagiário e encrenqueiro, Brecht sempre tomou esses rótulos como elogios. Sua análise do processo foi além do litígio em si e desvendou questões sobre as relações entre arte, lei e comércio.
KETERLIBATAN AYAH DALAM PENGASUHAN ANAK
Authors: Wijayanti Resti Mia , Fauziah Puji Yanti
Published: December 2020

Pengasuhan tidak hanya tugas seorang ibu, melainkan juga ayah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh gambaran mengenai keterllibatan ayah dalam pengasuhan anak, melalui kuisioner terbuka yang ditujukan pada ayah yang memiliki anak usia 0-8 tahun melalui Google form. Sebanyak 75 partisipan ayah dari anak usia 0-8 tahun terlibat dalam penelitian ini. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan keterlibatan ayah dalam mengasuh anak sangat tinggi. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan pengakuan responden sebanyak 94,7% menjawab sudah terlibat dalam mengasuh anaknya. Hal ini di perkuat juga dengan pengasuhan yang dilakukan secara bersama antara ayah dan ibu cukup tinggi. Sebanyak 88% partisipan penelitian menyatakan bahwa pengasuhan anak menjadi tugas bersama antara ayah dan ibu. Terkait waktu ayah bersama anak, sebanyak 42,7% ayah menjawab selalu meluangkan waktu luang, disaat tidak ada kesibukan. Faktor penghambat untuk Ayah terlibat secara langsung dalam mengasuh anak adalah tuntutan pekerjaan (83,8%).Parenting is not only the duty of mothers, but also fathers. This study aims to obtain an overview of the fathers’ involvement in parenting, through an open questionnaire aimed at fathers who have children ages between 0 and 8 years old through Gform (google form). A total of 75 fathers were involved in this study. The results show the involvement of fathers in taking care of their children. The father’s involvement level in parenting is very high, as evidenced by the fact that 94,7% of the participants answered that they involved in parenting their children. This is also strengthened by the high level of equally shared parenting between fathers and mothers since 88% of respondents state that parenting is shared task between fathers and mothers. Regarding the time fathers spent with their children, 42,7%, of the fathers answered that they always spent their free time with their children. The father’s direct involvement in parenting their children is hampered by their job demands (83,8%).
The Political Economy of Health: Revisiting Its Marxian Origins to Address 21st-Century Health Inequalities
Authors: Harvey Michael
Published: December 2020

The “political economy of health” is concerned with how political and economic domains interact and shape individual and population health outcomes. However, the term is variously defined in the public health, medical, and social science literatures.

This could result in confusion about the term and its associated tradition, thereby constituting a barrier to its application in public health research and practice.

To address these issues, I survey the political economy of health tradition, clarify its specifically Marxian theoretical legacy, and discuss its relevance to understanding and addressing public health issues. I conclude by discussing the benefits of employing critical theories of race and racism with Marxian political economy to better understand the roles of class exploitation and racial oppression in epidemiological patterning.
New Semi-Quantification Approach for Dopamine Transporter Scan: Quantification of Accumulation by Examining the Approximate Image
Authors: Ito Yoshinori , Fujita Naotoshi , Hara Kazuhiro , Tada Tomohiro , Abe Shinji , Katsuno Masahisa , Naganawa Shinji , Kato Katsuhiko
Published: December 2020

BackgroundSemi-quantitative analysis is used to evaluate the degree of tracer binding to the striatum in dopamine transporter (DaT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In DaT SPECT, it is difficult to evaluate the accurate tracer accumulation due to the partial volume effect (PVE). In this study, we propose a novel semi-quantitative approach for measuring the amount of accumulation by examining the approximate image. Using the striatal phantom, we verified the validity of a newly proposed method that can accurately evaluate the tracer accumulations in the caudate and putamen, separately.MethodsThe left and right caudate/putamen regions, and the whole brain region as the background (BG) region were identified in computed tomography (CT) images obtained by SPECT/CT imaging, and the positional information of each region was obtained. The SPECT-like images were generated by assigning assumed accumulation amounts to the left and right caudate/putamen and BG regions based on the positional information. By changing the assumed accumulation amounts assigned to each region, the SPECT-like image, which was approximated to the image obtained by the SPECT imaging, was examined. The accumulation amounts assumed, when the generated SPECT-like image approximated the most to the image actually obtained by the SPECT imaging, were determined as the accumulation amounts in each region. We evaluated the correlation between the count density calculated by the proposed method and the actual count density of 123I solution filled into the striatal phantom, and verified the validity of the proposed method. In addition, the specific binding ratio (SBR) and caudate-putamen ratio (CPR) computed by the proposed method were compared with the theoretical SBR and CPR calculated by the count density of the 123I solution filled into the striatal phantom.ResultsThe count density calculated by the proposed method and the count density of 123I solution filled in the striatal phantom had an extremely strong positive correlation (r=0.997, p < 0.001). The SBRs computed by the proposed method were overestimated. However, the obtained CPRs were very similar to the theoretical CPRs.ConclusionsThe proposed method was able to compute the accurate accumulation amounts in the caudate and putamen, considering the PVE.
Emodin Prevented Depression in Chronic Unpredicted Mild Stress Exposured Rats by Targeting miR139-5p/5-Lipoxygenase
Authors: Zhang Teng , Yang Can , Chu Jiang , Ning Linna , Zeng Peng , Wang Xiaoming , Shi Yan , Qin Baojian , Qu Na , Zhang Qi , Tian Qing
Published: December 2020

Background: Compelling evidences have highlighted the role of inflammation as a possible mechanism linking stress to depression. Anti-inflammatory treatment might block the occurrence of stress-induced depression. Emodin, a natural active compound extracted from rhubarb, has the biological activity of anti-inflammation. Here, the effect of emodin on the depressed young male rats and the underlying mechanism were studied. Methods: The proteomics analysis of hippocampi, which were taken from depression (Dep) rats, depression resistant (Res) rats and control (Ctrl) rats after 7 weeks’ chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS), were performed. We also screened out depression susceptible (DeS) rats and stress insensitive (Ins) rats at the end of 5th week in CUMS. While exposed to CUMS, DeS rats received daily emodin (Emo, 80mg/kg) or vehicle treatment (Veh) for 2 weeks.Results: Inflammation was suggested by the proteomics analysis of hippocampi taken from Dep rats, Res rats and Ctrl rats. Emodin obviously improved the depression behaviors and a series of pathological changes in hippocampus, such as hippocampal neuron and spine loss, microglia activation, increased interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and the activation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). Furtherly, we demonstrated that emodin inhibited its excess inflammatory responses possibly by targeting miR139-5p/5-LO and modulating the downstream glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Conclusions: These results established a key role of miR139-5p/5-LO in the development of depression and provided an important evidence that emodin may be a candidate agent for the treatment of depression.
Removal of acidic Yellow Dye of wastewater by Moringa Peregrina
Authors: saraei negar , Ghazani Mostafa Tizghadam
Published: December 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Identification of key pathways and genes in obesity using bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking studies
Authors: Joshi Harish , Vastrad Basavaraj Mallikarjunayya , Joshi Nidhi , Tengli Anandkumar , Vastrad Chanabasayya Mallikarjunayya , Kotturshetti Iranna
Published: December 2020

Obesity is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide. Its progression rate has remained high in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to diagnose important differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated in its development, which may be used as novel biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for obesity. The gene expression profile of E-MTAB-6728 was downloaded from the database. After screening DEGs in each ArrayExpress dataset, we further used the robust rank aggregation method to diagnose 876 significant DEGs including 438 up regulated and 438 down regulated genes. Pathway enrichment analyses and Gene Ontology (GO) were performed by online tool ToppCluster. These DEGs were shown to be significantly enriched in different obesity related pathways and GO functions. Then, the mentha, miRNet and NetworkAnalyst databases were used to construct the protein–protein interaction network, target genes - miRNA regulatory network and target genes - TF regulatory network. The module analysis was performed by the PEWCC1 plug‐in of Cytoscape based on the whole PPI network. We finally filtered out HSPA8, ESR1, YWHAH, RPL14, SOD2, BTG2, LYZ and EFNA1 hub genes. Hub genes were validated by ICH analysis, Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and RT-PCR. Finally molecular docking study was performed. The robust DEGs linked with the development of obesity was screened through the ArrayExpress database, and integrated bioinformatics analysis was conducted. Our study provides reliable molecular biomarkers for screening and diagnosis, prognosis as well as novel therapeutic targets for obesity.
Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, Anti-Migration and Anti-Invasion Activity of Diphyllin Heterocyclic Derivatives
Authors: Shen Weidong , Chen Haijiao , Wu Miaomiao , Zhang Ting , Zhu Li , Zhao Yu
Published: December 2020

Background:

Diphyllin, an arylnaphthalene lignan lactone, isolated from many traditional medicinal plants, has
been reported to possess anticancer and antiviral activities. Natural diphyllin and its glycosides were identified as potent
vacuolar H+
-ATPase (V-ATPase) inhibitors.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to design and synthesize a series of heterocyclic derivatives of diphyllin as novel
anticancer agents.

Methods:

The targeted heterocyclic derivatives of diphyllin were synthesized from diphyllin employing etherification
reaction and N-substitution reaction. Cytotoxicity of these compounds on four cancer cells was assessed by MTT assay. The
inhibitory activity of V-ATPase of compound 3n was measured on MGC-803 cells. Anti-migration and anti-invasion
abilities were assessed by transwell invasion assay and scratch wound assay.

Results:

Most of these derivatives displayed potent cytotoxicity on four cancer cells at submicromolar concentrations. The
most potent derivative 3n has been shown to inhibited V-ATPase activity, migration and invasion abilities on MGC-803
cells at 0.75 mM.

Conclusion:

The collective results clearly indicate that heterocyclic derivatives of diphyllin inhibit the viability, V-ATPase
activity, migration and invasion of the MGC803 cells. The current findings provide valuable insights for the future
development of novel diphyllin derivatives as anticancer agents.
Abstentions Phenomenon (Golput) Direct Local Election
Authors: Suwardi Suwardi , Budiyanto Azis
Published: December 2020

The phenomenon of the "Golput" occurs in each election fluctuation, sometimes up and down, sometimes influenced by various factors. This research uses the literature study method by summarizing some documentation related to Indonesia's phenomenon of abstentions. Factors that cause voters not to give their voting rights are political, ideological, and identity factors. But abstentions can also be influenced by an improperly organized election system. From the results of this study, someone behaves abstentions from the technical aspects due to voters' technical constraints. It prevents them from exercising their right to vote, for example, having other activities at the same time on election day so they cannot come to the voting place. Golput is a person's attachment to voting in the general election process based on psychological factors, sociological factors, and rational voter factors. On the political aspect, abstentions have reasons such as distrust of the party, and candidates do not believe in a better chance. Meanwhile, if viewed from one aspect, identity can see based on religion, education level, age, gender, etc. In terms of faith, a person decides to abstain because party is expected not to be elected as a candidate. For example, Christian tends not to choose a party that carries Islam, such as the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP), and others. In contrast, most nationalist candidates or political parties are considered less representative to accommodate their aspirations. Then abstentions will be the final choice taken.
Reto de las mipymes para incursionar en el marketing digital en tiempos de COVID-19
Authors: Ochoa Guevara Sandra P. , Medina Acero César , Santamaría Burgos Lina Y. , Ramírez Campos Deily I. , Paramo Renza Edward A. , Ochoa Guevara Nancy E.
Published: December 2020

Este artículo describe la crisis que las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas han experimentado en todo el país durante la emergencia sanitaria (COVID-19), a raíz de la baja producción y la reducción en las ventas. Se busca observar los efectos de la incorporación del marketing digital empresarial que se convierte en un mecanismo para solucionarla problemática y para romper la brecha digital en estas empresas, entendida desde la diferencia socioeconómica entre aquellas comunidades que tienen accesibilidad a las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación y aquellas que no. Parala compilación de información se emplea un análisis exploratorio, comparativo y descriptivo de las principales investigaciones sobre la relación entre marketing digital empresarial y el rendimiento obtenido en el desarrollo empresarial, compromiso de los trabajadores, posicionamiento, satisfacción del consumidor y rendimiento financiero; además los autores de este estudio plasman sus criterios para contribuir a eliminar esta brecha digital. Los resultados demuestran que, a pesar de la existencia de grandes divergencias, las empresas que hoy debido a la crisis están tratando de mostrar su capacidad tecnológica digital y de conectividad van a ser beneficiadas con un aumento en sus ventas y su sostenibilidad en el mercado con una prospectiva internacional.
Using Bromide Data Tracer and HYDRUS-1D to Estimate Groundwater Recharge and Evapotranspiration under Film-mulched Drip Irrigation in an Arid Inland Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Chen Wenling , Wang Jianjun , Liu Yanfen , Jin Menggui , Liang Xing , Wang Zaimin , Ferré P. “Ty”
Published: December 2020

Accurate estimation of groundwater recharge (GR) and evapotranspiration
(ET) are essential for sustainable groundwater resources management,
especially in water-limited arid and semi-arid regions. In the Manas
River Basin (MRB), water shortage is the main factor restricting
sustainable development of irrigated agriculture, which relies heavily
on groundwater. Film-mulched drip irrigation significantly changes the
pattern and dominant processes of water flow in the unsaturated zone,
which increases the difficulty of estimating GR and ET. To better
estimate GR and ET under film-mulched drip irrigation in the MRB,
bromide tracer tests and soil lithologic investigation were conducted at
twelve representative sites in the MRB. A one-dimensional variably
saturated flow model (HYDRUS-1D) was calibrated at each site using
groundwater evaporation data inferred from the bromide tracer tests. The
results showed that average annual groundwater evaporation in
uncultivated lands calculated from bromide trace tests was 25.55 mm.
Good simulation accuracy was achieved between the observed and simulated
evaporation. Model calculations showed that the annual GR was within 5.5
to 37.0 mm under film-mulched drip irrigation. The annual ET was within
507.0 to 747.1 mm, with soil evaporation between 35.7 to 117.0 mm and
transpiration between 460.9 to 642.3 mm, respectively. The portion of
the soil evaporation for the total ET was within 7% to 16% and more
than 70% of the precipitation and irrigation water was used by the
cotton plants. Spatial variations in soil lithology, water-table depth,
and initial soil water content led to the spatial differences of GR and
ET in the MRB. Our study indicated that bromide tracer tests may be used
to evaluated ET in the arid and semi-arid oases. The combination of
bromide tracer tests and one dimensional variably saturated model can
enhance reliability for estimation of GR and ET under film-mulched drip
irrigation not only in the MRB, Northwest China but also the other
similar arid inland basins around the world.
Cheating for the Cause: The Effects of Performance-Based Pay on Socially Oriented Misreporting
Authors: Hobson Jessen L. , Sommerfeldt Ryan D. , Wang Laura W.
Published: December 2020

We examine the effect of performance-based pay on misreporting intended to benefit a social mission. We show that performance-based pay decreases people's propensity to misreport for a social mission in a not-for-profit setting (Experiment 1). We similarly show that in a for-profit setting, performance-based pay also decreases misreporting propensity for a social mission, although not for a non-social mission (Experiment 2). Finally, using a framed field experiment with participants attending a conference hosted by a real charity, we show that performance-based pay reduces actual misreporting when misreporting leads to more donations for the charity (Experiment 3). These results are consistent with our theory suggesting that, relative to fixed pay, performance-based pay imposes additional costs on misreporting employees' self-concepts of benevolence and honesty.

JEL Classifications: C93; J33; L31; M4; M52.
Interphotoreceptor Retinol-Binding Protein Ameliorates Diabetes-Induced Retinal Dysfunction and Neurodegeneration Through Rhodopsin
Authors: Chen Jianglei , Shao Yan , Sasore Temmy , Moiseyev Gennadiy , Zhou Kelu , Ma Xiang , Du Yanhong , Ma Jian-xing
Published: December 2020

Patients with diabetes often experience visual defects before any retinal pathologies are detected. The molecular mechanism for the visual defects in early diabetes has not been elucidated. Our previous study reported that in early diabetic retinopathy (DR), rhodopsin levels were reduced due to impaired 11-cis-retinal regeneration. Interphotoreceptor retinol-binding protein (IRBP) is a visual cycle protein and important for 11-cis-retinal generation. IRBP levels are decreased in the vitreous and retina of DR patients and animal models. To determine the role of IRBP downregulation in the visual defects in early DR, we induced diabetes in transgenic mice overexpressing IRBP in the retina. IRBP overexpression prevented diabetes-induced decline of retinal function. Furthermore, IRBP overexpression also prevented decreases of rhodopsin levels and 11-cis-retinal generation in diabetic mice. Diabetic IRBP transgenic mice also showed ameliorated retinal oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and retinal degeneration compared with diabetic wild-type mice. These findings suggest that diabetes-induced IRBP downregulation impairs the regeneration of 11-cis-retinal and rhodopsin, leading to retinal dysfunction in early DR. Furthermore, increased 11-cis-retinal–free opsin constitutively activates the phototransduction pathway, leading to increased oxidative stress and retinal neurodegeneration. Therefore, restored IRBP expression in the diabetic retina may confer a protective effect against retinal degeneration in DR.
SGLT2 Inhibition Does Not Affect Myocardial Fatty Acid Oxidation or Uptake, but Reduces Myocardial Glucose Uptake and Blood Flow in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial
Authors: Lauritsen Katrine M. , Nielsen Bent R.R. , Tolbod Lars P. , Johannsen Mogens , Hansen Jakob , Hansen Troels K. , Wiggers Henrik , Møller Niels , Gormsen Lars C. , Søndergaard Esben
Published: December 2020

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Beneficial effects have been attributed to increased ketogenesis, reduced cardiac fatty acid oxidation, and diminished cardiac oxygen consumption. We therefore studied whether SGLT2 inhibition altered cardiac oxidative substrate consumption, efficiency, and perfusion. Thirteen individuals with type 2 diabetes were studied after 4 weeks’ treatment with empagliflozin and placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Myocardial palmitate and glucose uptake were measured with 11C-palmitate and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). Oxygen consumption and myocardial external efficiency (MEE) were measured with 11C-acetate PET/CT. Resting and adenosine stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) were measured using 15O-H2O PET/CT. Empagliflozin did not affect myocardial free fatty acids (FFAs) uptake but reduced myocardial glucose uptake by 57% (P < 0.001). Empagliflozin did not change myocardial oxygen consumption or MEE. Empagliflozin reduced resting MBF by 13% (P < 0.01), but did not significantly affect stress MBF or MFR. In conclusion, SGLT2 inhibition did not affect myocardial FFA uptake, but channeled myocardial substrate utilization from glucose toward other sources and reduced resting MBF. However, the observed metabolic and hemodynamic changes were modest and most likely contribute only partially to the cardioprotective effect of SGLT2 inhibition.
Clinical Impact of Residual C-Peptide Secretion in Type 1 Diabetes on Glycemia and Microvascular Complications
Authors: Jeyam Anita , Colhoun Helen , McGurnaghan Stuart , Blackbourn Luke , McDonald Timothy J. , Palmer Colin N.A. , McKnight John A. , Strachan Mark W.J. , Patrick Alan W. , Chalmers John , Lindsay Robert S. , Petrie John R. , Thekkepat Sandeep , Collier Andrew , MacRury Sandra , McKeigue Paul M.
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the relationship of residual C-peptide secretion to glycemic outcomes and microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

C-peptide was measured in an untimed blood sample in the Scottish Diabetes Research Network Type 1 Bioresource (SDRNT1BIO) cohort of 6,076 people with type 1 diabetes monitored for an average of 5.2 years.

RESULTS

In regression models adjusted for age at onset and duration, effect sizes for C-peptide ≥200 vs. <5 pmol/L were as follows: insulin dose at baseline, 9% lower (P = 2 × 10−17); HbA1c during follow-up, 4.9 mmol/mol lower (P = 3 × 10−13); hazard ratio for hospital admission for diabetic ketoacidosis during follow-up, 0.44 (P = 0.0001); odds ratio for incident retinopathy, 0.51 (P = 0.0003). Effects on the risk of serious hypoglycemic episodes were detectable at lower levels of C-peptide, and the form of the relationship was continuous down to the limit of detection (3 pmol/L). In regression models contrasting C-peptide 30 to <200 pmol/L with <5 pmol/L, the odds ratio for self-report of at least one serious hypoglycemic episode in the last year was 0.56 (P = 6 × 10−8), and the hazard ratio for hospital admission for hypoglycemia during follow-up was 0.52 (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

These results in a large representative cohort suggest that even minimal residual C-peptide secretion could have clinical benefit in type 1 diabetes, in contrast to a follow-up study of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) intensively treated cohort where an effect on hypoglycemia was seen only at C-peptide levels ≥130 pmol/L. This has obvious implications for the design and evaluation of trials of interventions to preserve or restore pancreatic islet function in type 1 diabetes.
Dapagliflozin and the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: An Exploratory Analysis From DAPA-HF
Authors: Inzucchi Silvio E. , Docherty Kieran F. , Køber Lars , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Martinez Felipe A. , Ponikowski Piotr , Sabatine Marc S. , Solomon Scott D. , Verma Subodh , Bělohlávek Jan , Böhm Michael , Chiang Chern-En , de Boer Rudolf A. , Diez Mirta , Dukát Andre , Ljungman Charlotta E.A. , Bengtsson Olof , Langkilde Anna Maria , Sjöstrand Mikaela , Jhund Pardeep S. , McMurray John J.V.
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE

The sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality and worsening heart failure in the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA-HF) trial. This report explores the effect of dapagliflozin on incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the cohort without diabetes enrolled in the trial.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The subgroup of 2,605 patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), no prior history of diabetes, and an HbA1c of <6.5% at baseline was randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo. In this exploratory analysis, surveillance for new-onset diabetes was accomplished through periodic HbA1c testing as part of the study protocol and comparison between the treatment groups assessed through a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

At baseline, the mean HbA1c was 5.8%. At 8 months, there were minimal changes, with a placebo-adjusted change in the dapagliflozin group of −0.04%. Over a median follow-up of 18 months, diabetes developed in 93 of 1,307 patients (7.1%) in the placebo group and 64 of 1,298 (4.9%) in the dapagliflozin group. Dapagliflozin led to a 32% reduction in diabetes incidence (hazard ratio 0.68, 95% CI 0.50–0.94; P = 0.019). More than 95% of the participants who developed T2D had prediabetes at baseline (HbA1c 5.7–6.4%). Participants who developed diabetes in DAPA-HF had a higher subsequent mortality than those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory analysis among patients with HFrEF, treatment with dapagliflozin reduced the incidence of new diabetes. This potential benefit needs confirmation in trials of longer duration and in people without heart failure.
Ketones in Pregnancy: Why Is It Considered Necessary to Avoid Them and What Is the Evidence Behind Their Perceived Risk?
Authors: Tanner Helen L. , Dekker Nitert Marloes , Callaway Leonie K. , Barrett Helen L.
Published: December 2020

Current dietary advice for women with gestational diabetes mellitus is to avoid diets that result in elevated ketone levels. This guidance stems from a concern that maternal ketones are associated with poor fetal and childhood outcomes, including reduced childhood intelligence quota. The evidence behind these guidelines is conflicting and inconsistent. Given that dietary counseling is the initial treatment strategy for women with diabetes in pregnancy, it is important that clinicians understand the concern regarding maternal ketones. This review examines the physiology of ketogenesis in pregnancy, the prevalence of elevated maternal ketone levels, and the relationship between maternal ketones and fetal and childhood outcomes.
English - Algerian Arabic Code-switching in EFL Classroom: Case of EFL Teachers and Students in the Department of English at Tlemcen University, Algeria
Authors: Zohra ADDER Fatima , BAGUI Hayat
Published: December 2020

The main aim of the present paper is to provide an in-depth look at the relationship between English and Algerian Arabic (L1) in an EFL classroom in the department of English at Tlemcen University, Algeria. In this regard, the researchers try to determine the reasons and functions behind the use of Code-Switching among EFL teachers and students of English to Algerian Arabic. To conduct this research work, the researchers collected data through an interview that was conducted with 16 teachers of Comprehension and Oral Expression, Literature, and Civilization in the Department of English at Tlemcen University in Algeria, and supported by a classroom observation of students with the same teachers. Findings revealed that the use of Algerian Arabic is inevitable. Teachers’ responses exhibit negative attitudes towards English-Algerian Arabic code-switching in class, but they do not deny its integration as a pedagogical necessity to explain difficult words and expressions that are hard to be grasped in the target language. The results also showed that teachers peacefully attempt to get their students accustomed to lectures delivered in English solely by avoiding translation and applying the direct method of TEFL. Furthermore, they declare that infrequent use of AA is beneficial to foster students’ academic achievements and language skills development.
Higher Education Languages of Instruction in Morocco and their impact on the Receptive Vocabulary Size of Moroccan EFL Master Students
Authors: Agrram Abdelaziz
Published: December 2020

Having a clear vocabulary profile of Moroccan master students might reveal where these participants stand compared to other countries. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the effect of languages of instruction in Morocco (e.g., Arabic vs. French) on the receptive vocabulary size of EFL Moroccan master students (e.g., departments of letters, science, and law). To this end, Meara’s (2010) Yes/No test was used as an instrument to measure the overall vocabulary size of these participants. A total of 325 EFL master students took the aforementioned test. The main research question is: Does the medium of instruction have any effects on the receptive vocabulary size of these students? Descriptive statistics were employed to calculate the overall receptive vocabulary size of test-takers. It was found that Moroccan EFL master students have a total of (M= 2293) lemmas. An independent samples t-test was run to check for any statistical significance. The t-test statistic reveals that the significance level is less than the p-value (t=-4.068, p< .05, df= 323). Thus, it was concluded that there was a statistically significant difference between the French group and the Arabic group. The results of this study confirm that students who were instructed in French (M= 2417, sd= 903, N=185) outperformed the other students who were taught in Arabic (M= 2058, sd= 903, N= 140). In the current study, among various suggestions, it is proposed that the volume of 30 hours in the English module is not sufficient and should be complemented with vocabulary-based activities.
Gobernabilidad democrática de la defensa: civiles y militares en Brasil, 1985-2018
Authors: Bustamante Matias
Published: December 2020

El artículo muestra cuál ha sido la evolución de la gobernabilidad democrática de la defensa en Brasil; la que se abordará en tres periodos: el primero; desde la transición democrática hasta la creación del Ministerio de Defensa en 1999; el segundo; desde la instalación del Ministerio hasta su reforma en 2010; y el tercero contemplará la reforma del Ministerio hasta la elección de Jair Bolsonaro. Se plantea que Brasil ha tenido una débil gobernabilidad democrática de la defensa y logrado una aparente consolidación durante los gobiernos del PT; la que se fue rápidamente degradando. Este trabajo realizará una narración de la gobernabilidad democrática de la defensa guiada por las nociones teóricas de las relaciones entre civiles y militares.
Strategi Pemasaran Perguruan Tinggi Pada Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Palu
Authors: Malarangan Hilal , Salim Mohammad , Haekal Ahmad
Published: December 2020

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui strategi pemasaran perguruan tinggi yang ada di IAIN Palu. Dan untuk mengetahui Tinjauan ekonomi Islam terhadap strategi pemasaran perguruan tinggi yang ada di IAIN Palu. Dalam penelitian ini, penulis menggunakan jenis penelitian deskriptif dan pendekatan kualitatif. lokasi penelitian terletak di kampus IAIN Palu, sumber data diperoleh dari data primer dan data sekunder yang relevan dengan permasalahan yang diteliti. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah observasi, wawancara,dan dokumentasi. Sedangkan teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah reduksi data, penyajian data dan verifikasi data. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, dapat dikemukakan bahwa IAIN Palu menggunakan strategi promosi. Strategi promosi merupakan suatu bentuk menyampaikan dan mengkomunikasikan suatu produk kepasar sasaran, untuk memberi informasi tentang keistimewaan kegunaan, dan yang paling penting adalah keberadaan kampus IAIN Palu. Dalam tinjauan ekonomi Islam, melihat strategi pemasaran perguruan tinggi yang diterapkan IAIN Palu merupakan bentuk promosi yang dibolehkan dalam hukum Islam. Karena tidak bertentangan dengan syariat serta tidak mengandung unsur kedzaliman dan kemudharatan.
Symbolic Annihilation Terhadap Tiga Tipe Perempuan Era Victoria dalam Hetty Feather Karya Jacqueline Wilson
Authors: Kusumaningrum Ayu Fitri
Published: December 2020

Narasi perempuan dapat ditemukan dalam berbagai macam media sejak berabad-abad lamanya. Mulai dari yang dinarasikan oleh laki-laki sampai yang dituliskan oleh perempuan sendiri, media menampilkan bermacam-macam narasi perempuan. Novel anak, sebagai salah satu bentuk media, sebenarnya juga tak luput memotret narasi perempuan dan isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan gender lainnya, meski penelitian terhadap sastra anak masih terpinggirkan dalam kalangan komunitas sastra. Penelitian ini kemudian melihat adanya narasi perempuan yang dimusnahkan dalam novel anak Hetty Feather karya Jacqueline Wilson. Menggunakan teori symbolic annihilation yang digagas Gaye Tuchman dan beberapa konsep pendukung mengenai tipe-tipe perempuan era Victoria, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi bentuk-bentuk symbolic annihilation terhadap tiga tipe perempuan era Victoria. Penelitian ini kemudian menemukan adanya trivialization, omission, dan condemnation terhadap sosok angel in the house, fallen woman, dan new woman dalam Hetty Feather.Kata kunci:Era Victoria;narasiperempuan;media;sastraanak[The Symbolic Annihilation of Three Types of Victorian Women in Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather] Women’s narratives can be found in various types of media for centuries. Starting from one narrated by men to one written by women themselves, the media presents a variety of women’s narratives. Children’s novels, as one form of media, actually also capture women’s narratives and other gender-related issues, although research on children’s literature is still marginalized within the literary community. This research, then, examines the existence of the annihilation of women’s narratives in a children’s book Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson. Using the theory of the symbolic annihilation proposed by Gaye Tuchman and some supporting concepts about types of Victorian women, this study aims to identify the forms of the symbolic annihilation of three types of Victorian women. This study, then, finds that there are trivialization, omission, and condemnation acts toward angel in the house, fallen woman, and new woman in Hetty Feather.
Fast and uncoordinated suburbanization of Vilnius in the context of depopulation in Lithuania
Authors: Ubarevičienė Rūta , Burneika Donatas
Published: December 2020

Like many other Central and Eastern European countries Lithuania has been experiencing significant socio-spatial transformations since the 1990s. One of the most prominent of these transformations is associated with the residential suburbanization of its major cities. The suburbs are the only areas in Lithuania where the population has been growing in recent decades, while the country has lost almost one quarter of its population. Although, extensive urban growth is a common feature for all large Lithuanian cities, it is more noticeable in Vilnius. Due to its historical and geographical context, Vilnius, and the region surrounding it, is in an area where rural-urban transformation also means transformation of the social, ethnic, and political landscape. The aim of this article is to obtain more insight into the recent process of the fast, but weakly controlled, residential suburbanization of Vilnius. The focus is on understanding the scale of suburbanization and its impact on the social and physical environment. In this study, we use quantitative data on population and residential constructions as well as presenting some visual material. Our results show that the new suburban-style settlements are spatially dispersed. New residential areas have emerged within the city limits, along its administrative boundary as well as in the most peripheral parts of the Vilnius metropolitan region. In terms of the morphology and physiognomy, a great suburban diversity exists in and around Vilnius, and different building styles are mixed creating a rather chaotic landscape, with little interference from urban planners and no clear vision for the future.
Towards Explainable Classifiers Using the Counterfactual Approach - Global Explanations for Discovering Bias in Data
Authors: Mikołajczyk Agnieszka , Grochowski Michał , Kwasigroch Arkadiusz
Published: December 2020

The paper proposes summarized attribution-based post-hoc explanations for the detection and identification of bias in data. A global explanation is proposed, and a step-by-step framework on how to detect and test bias is introduced. Since removing unwanted bias is often a complicated and tremendous task, it is automatically inserted, instead. Then, the bias is evaluated with the proposed counterfactual approach. The obtained results are validated on a sample skin lesion dataset. Using the proposed method, a number of possible bias-causing artifacts are successfully identified and confirmed in dermoscopy images. In particular, it is confirmed that black frames have a strong influence on Convolutional Neural Network’s prediction: 22% of them changed the prediction from benign to malignant.
Polyphenol Rich Sugar Cane Extract Inhibits Bacterial Growth
Authors: Ahtesh Fatah B , Stojanovska Lily , Feehan Jack , de Courten Maximilian PJ , Flavel Matthew , Kitchen Barry , Apostolopoulos Vasso
Published: December 2020

Plants that are primarily used as a food source commonly have undervalued biological properties beyond the basic supply of nutrients. One important example of this are the antimicrobial properties of plants. Inclusion of natural and food grade antimicrobial ingredients in recipes to prevent food spoilage and disease transmission, or in cosmetic products to prevent transient and pathogenic bacteria would have world-wide public health implications. A patented natural polyphenol rich sugar cane extract (PRSE), is marketed as a high anti-oxidant and polyphenol ingredient, but its anti-microbial activity has not been reported previously. We determined the anti-bacterial properties of PRSE on common human pathogens relating to a range of diseases including food poisoning, tooth decay, acne and severe skin infections using disc/well diffusion experiments. Our findings indicate that PRSE is an efficient antimicrobial, which could be included at differing dosages to target a range of food borne and environmental pathogens.
Synthesis of HoFeO3 Nanomaterials by Citric Acid Sol-gel Method
Authors: Tien Nguyen Anh , Vuong Bui Xuan , Tuan Loi Nguyen
Published: December 2020

In this study, HoFeO3 nanomaterials with very small particle sizes (< 50 nm) were synthesized using citric acid sol-gel method through hydrolysis of Ho3+ and Fe3+ cations in hot water. Single-phase HoFeO3 was generated after calcination of the as-prepared powder at 750 and 850°C during 1 hour. The UV-Vis spectra at room temperature presented strong areas absorption in the range of 300 ÷ 600 nm with small band gap energy (Eg = 1.93÷2.25 eV). The obtained HoFeO3 nanomaterials exhibited a soft ferromagnetic behaviour with a magnetic coercivity of 33.2 OE.
EVOLUCIÓN DEL CONTROL DIFUSO DE CONVENCIONALIDAD
Authors: Hernández Merly Martínez
Published: December 2020

El control difuso de convencionalidad ha ido expandiendo el manto de protección de los derechos humanos, desde la descripción de esta herramienta, hasta comprometer, sucesivamente, a todos los entes y agentes de los Estados parte del Sistema Interamericano de Derechos Humanos, por lo que representa para los operadores jurídicos la frontera del conocimiento actual en Latinoamérica.Palabras clave: Derechos humanos, control de convencionalidad, Sistema Interamericano, difuso.
CIVIL REGISTRY OF MINOR TRANSGENDER IN BRAZIL AND SPAIN
Authors: Vieira Tereza Rodrigues , Molins M. Esperança Ginebra , Almeida Natália Cilião de
Published: December 2020

This article aims to reflect on the adequacy of the name and gender in the Civil Registry of the minor transgender in Brazilian law and Spanish law, since the problem seems to be appeased only with regard to the transgender person of legal age and capable. Spain is slightly ahead of Brazil in this matter, as it already has a constitutional decision in favor of the smallest transgender, however, both countries still do not present rules applicable to these individuals, nor does it have pacification in the judiciary on the subject. Thus, through qualitative methodology, with an emphasis on bibliographic and normative research, elements are presented to bridge the legislative gap in relation to the smallest transgender, in both countries, aiming to alleviate the arduous and slow march of these individuals to ensure the adequacy of the first name and gender, justifying the present study. In this perspective, preventing the desired adequacy may constitute a restriction of their fundamental rights, in addition to preventing the free development of the minor's personality according to their gender.
Functional recovery following surgery for chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Merrill Sarah A. , Khan Daniel , Richards Alexandra E. , Kalani Maziyar A. , Patel Naresh P. , Neal Matthew T.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Among the elderly, chronic subdural hematoma is a relatively common neurosurgical condition. Presenting symptoms range from headache and focal neurological deficits to seizure and coma depending on location and extent of brain compression. Functional recovery following surgery for chronic subdural hematoma is central to quality of life and ongoing health for elderly patients; however, there is a paucity of data regarding functional recovery in this population.

Methods:

In this study, the physical activity of patients who underwent surgical evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma was surveyed, as well as participation in physical therapy following surgery. In total, 38 patients completed the survey.

Results:

Of the 30 patients who exercised regularly before surgery, 28 (90.3%) returned to exercise within 1 year after surgery. Of 13 patients who reported playing hobby sports before surgery, 9 (69.2%) returned to those sports. 17/38 (44.7%) patients participated in physical therapy after surgery. 35/38 (92.1%) of patients reported that the surgery improved their quality of life.

Conclusion:

The majority of patients who underwent surgery for chronic subdural hematoma were able to return to exercise within 1 year. Participation in physical therapy was associated with return to exercise and sports. Further study is needed to determine which factors contribute to a return to baseline levels of physical activity following surgery for chronic subdural hematoma.