bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Well-being of Polish university students after the first year of the coronavirus pandemic: The role of core self-evaluations, social support and fear of COVID-19
Authors: Turska Elżbieta , Stępień-Lampa Natalia
Published: November 2021

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic represents an unprecedented situation in the most recent history. It has had a number of negative consequences for individuals and for whole societies. Individual effects of the pandemic include not only loss of life and of physical health, but also deteriorated quality of life.

Objective

This study examines the effect of core self-evaluations (CSE), social support and fear of COVID-19 on the well-being of university students in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted an online survey on a nationwide group of 1,000 students of Polish universities. The survey was carried out between 1 and 15 March 2021. The respondents filled out the following set of tools: World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, Core Self-Evaluations Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale.

Results

The findings showed that core self-evaluations (CSE) were significantly positively associated with well-being in each of the four domains studied: physical health (r = 0.519), psychological (r = 0.763), social relationships (r = 0.465) and environment (r = 0.496). Similarly, social support correlated positively with physical health (r = 0.277), psychological health (r = 0.306), social relationships (r = 0.552) and environment (r = 0.496). Fear of COVID-19 correlated negatively with well-being in the domain of physical health (r = 0.188), in social relationships (r = 0.042) and with regard to the environment (r = 0.071), the correlations were weak. However, the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and well-being in the psychological domain was not confirmed.

Conclusion

The findings point to the significant role of CSE and the role of social support in the perceived quality of life of young people during the pandemic. They provide valuable data concerning individuals who are particularly vulnerable to the adverse psychological effects at the time of the pandemic. They also prove that research conducted to explore other factors protecting individual well-being in difficult situations, including that of the pandemic, should be continued.
PERSONA: A personalized model for code recommendation
Authors: Nguyen Tam The , Nguyen Tung Thanh
Published: November 2021

Code recommendation is an important feature of modern software development tools to improve the productivity of programmers. The current advanced techniques in code recommendation mostly focus on the crowd-based approach. The basic idea is to collect a large pool of available source code, extract the common code patterns, and utilize the patterns for recommendations. However, programmers are different in multiple aspects including coding preferences, styles, levels of experience, and knowledge about libraries and frameworks. These differences lead to various usages of code elements. When the code of multiple programmers is combined and mined, such differences are disappeared, which could limit the accuracy of the code recommendation tool for a specific programmer. In the paper, we develop a code recommendation technique that focuses on the personal coding patterns of programmers. We proposePersona, a personalized code recommendation model. It learns personalized code patterns for each programmer based on their coding history, while also combines with project-specific and common code patterns.Personasupports recommending code elements including variable names, class names, methods, and parameters. The empirical evaluation suggests that our recommendation tool based onPersonais highly effective. It recommends the next identifier with top-1 accuracy of 60-65% and outperforms the baseline approaches.
Characterizing multidimensional poverty in Migori County, Kenya and its association with depression
Authors: Starnes Joseph R. , Di Gravio Chiara , Irlmeier Rebecca , Moore Ryan , Okoth Vincent , Rogers Ash , Ressler Daniele J. , Moon Troy D.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Narrow, unidimensional measures of poverty often fail to measure true poverty and inadequately capture its drivers. Multidimensional indices of poverty more accurately capture the diversity of poverty. There is little research regarding the association between multidimensional poverty and depression.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered in five sub-locations in Migori County, Kenya. A total of 4,765 heads of household were surveyed. Multidimensional poverty indices were used to determine the association of poverty with depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) depression screening tool.

Results

Across the geographic areas surveyed, the overall prevalence of household poverty (deprivation headcount) was 19.4%, ranging from a low of 13.6% in Central Kamagambo to a high of 24.6% in North Kamagambo. Overall multidimensional poverty index varied from 0.053 in Central Kamagambo to 0.098 in North Kamagambo. Of the 3,939 participants with depression data available, 481 (12.2%) met the criteria for depression based on a PHQ-8 depression score ≥10. Poverty showed a dose-response association with depression.

Conclusions

Multidimensional poverty indices can be used to accurately capture poverty in rural Kenya and to characterize differences in poverty across areas. There is a clear association between multidimensional poverty and depressive symptoms, including a dose effect with increasing poverty intensity. This supports the importance of multifaceted poverty policies and interventions to improve wellbeing and reduce depression.
Evaluation of several serum interleukins as markers for treatment effectiveness in naïve HIV infected patients: A pilot study
Authors: Jianu Cristian , Itu-Mureşan Corina , Drugan Cristina , Filipescu Irina , Topan Adriana Violeta , Jianu Mihaela Elena , Morar Ioana Iulia , Bolboacă Sorana D.
Published: November 2021

In this observational pilot study, we investigated the impact of Dolutegravir, Raltegravir, Elvitegravir (Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors, INSTIs), or boosted Darunavir (a Protease Inhibitor, PI) in combination with two nucleoside reverstranscriptase inhibitors (Emtricitabine/Tenofovir disoproxil or Lamivudine/Tenofovir disoproxil, NRTI) on four interleukins (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-21) as immune activation markers in naïve HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus)-infected patients during the first six months of combined standard-of-care antiretroviral therapy (cART). Newly diagnosed with HIV-infected subjects and without any disease that could affect the immune activation markers were evaluated. The patients’ physicians recommended the cART as standard-of-care and the ILs were measured before cART and six months of cART. The levels of CD4+ T-cells count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio significantly increased at six months (P-value<0.02) regardless of the drugs, INSTIs or PI. However, a CD4+/CD8+ >1 was observed in 25% of patients treated with Raltegravir and half of those treated with Dolutegravir. At six months of cART, viral load was detectable in only 6/31 individuals. IL-21 had an undetectable level in 30/31 patients after six months of cART. Our results suggest the potency in restoring immune markers in HIV-infected patients with all investigated drugs. Dolutegravir showed a tendency to statistically significant changes in IL-4 and IL-10. A clinical trial with random allocation of medication and an extensive follow-up is needed to replicate this research and validate the usefulness of evaluated ILs as markers of cART effectiveness.
Serologic titers to Leptospira in vaccinated pigs and interpretation for surveillance
Authors: Schommer Susan K. , Harrison Nicholas , Linville Michael , Samuel Melissa S. , Hammond Sabrina L. , Wells Kevin D. , Prather Randall S.
Published: November 2021

Diagnosis and surveillance of pathogenic Leptospira is difficult as organisms may be intermittently shed and in small numbers. Therefore, serologic testing by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is the primary screening method for leptospirosis. While a MAT titer ≥1:100 is considered to be a positive result, interpretation is complicated by the use of commercial vaccines in pigs. Most guidelines for interpretation of MAT titers in pigs were published in the 1970’s and 1980’s, prior to the development of the current multivalent vaccines. We evaluated MAT titers in routinely vaccinated healthy research pigs compared to their unvaccinated cohorts. Our study confirmed previous reports that the Pomona serovar elicits minimal antibody response even after a second booster 6 months after initial vaccination. However, MAT titers of ≥1:3,200 were detected as early as 4 weeks post initial vaccination for serovars Bratislava and Icterohaemorrhagiae and remained as high as ≥1:1,600 prior to booster at 24 weeks post vaccination. Our study determined that high levels of MAT titers can occur from vaccination alone and high titers are not necessarily indicative of infection. Therefore, the interpretation of MAT titers as indicators of Leptospira infection should be readdressed.
Cross-sectional study on the prevalence of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and its association with health conditions and risk factors among hospitalized multimorbid older patients
Authors: Papazoglou Dimitrios David , Baretella Oliver , Feller Martin , Del Giovane Cinzia , Moutzouri Elisavet , Aujesky Drahomir , Schwenkglenks Matthias , O’Mahony Denis , Knol Wilma , Dalleur Olivia , Rodondi Nicolas , Baumgartner Christine
Published: November 2021

Background

Older adults with chronic conditions are at high risk of complications from influenza and pneumococcal infections. Evidence about factors associated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among older multimorbid persons in Europe is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of these vaccinations in this population.

Methods

Multimorbid patients aged ≥70 years with polypharmacy were enrolled in 4 European centers in Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ireland. Data on vaccinations, demographics, health care contacts, and comorbidities were obtained from self-report, general practitioners and medical records. The association of comorbidities or medical contacts with vaccination status was assessed using multivariable adjusted log-binomial regression models.

Results

Among 1956 participants with available influenza vaccination data (median age 79 years, 45% women), 1314 (67%) received an influenza vaccination within the last year. Of 1400 patients with available pneumococcal vaccination data (median age 79 years, 46% women), prevalence of pneumococcal vaccination was 21% (n = 291). The prevalence of vaccination remained low in high-risk populations with chronic respiratory disease (34%) or diabetes (24%), but increased with an increasing number of outpatient medical contacts. Chronic respiratory disease was independently associated with the receipt of both influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.16; and PR 2.03, 95%CI 1.22–3.40, respectively), as was diabetes (PR 1.06, 95%CI 1.03–1.08; PR 1.24, 95%CI 1.16–1.34, respectively). An independent association was found between number of general practitioner visits and higher prevalence of pneumococcal vaccination (p for linear trend <0.001).

Conclusion

Uptake of influenza and particularly of pneumococcal vaccination in this population of European multimorbid older inpatients remains insufficient and is determined by comorbidities and number and type of health care contacts, especially outpatient medical visits. Hospitalization may be an opportunity to promote vaccination, particularly targeting patients with few outpatient physician contacts.
Knockout of Anopheles stephensi immune gene LRIM1 by CRISPR-Cas9 reveals its unexpected role in reproduction and vector competence
Authors: Inbar Ehud , Eappen Abraham G. , Alford Robert T. , Reid William , Harrell Robert A. , Hosseini Maryam , Chakravarty Sumana , Li Tao , Sim B. Kim Lee , Billingsley Peter F. , Hoffman Stephen L.
Published: November 2021

PfSPZ Vaccine against malaria is composed of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoites (SPZ) manufactured using aseptically reared Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. Immune response genes of Anopheles mosquitoes such as Leucin-Rich protein (LRIM1), inhibit Plasmodium SPZ development (sporogony) in mosquitoes by supporting melanization and phagocytosis of ookinetes. With the aim of increasing PfSPZ infection intensities, we generated an A. stephensi LRIM1 knockout line, Δaslrim1, by embryonic genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9. Δaslrim1 mosquitoes had a significantly increased midgut bacterial load and an altered microbiome composition, including elimination of commensal acetic acid bacteria. The alterations in the microbiome caused increased mosquito mortality and unexpectedly, significantly reduced sporogony. The survival rate of Δaslrim1 mosquitoes and their ability to support PfSPZ development, were partially restored by antibiotic treatment of the mosquitoes, and fully restored to baseline when Δaslrim1 mosquitoes were produced aseptically. Deletion of LRIM1 also affected reproductive capacity: oviposition, fecundity and male fertility were significantly compromised. Attenuation in fecundity was not associated with the altered microbiome. This work demonstrates that LRIM1’s regulation of the microbiome has a major impact on vector competence and longevity of A. stephensi. Additionally, LRIM1 deletion identified an unexpected role for this gene in fecundity and reduction of sperm transfer by males.
Eosinophils mediate SIgA production triggered by TLR2 and TLR4 to control Ascaris suum infection in mice
Authors: Nogueira Denise Silva , de Oliveira Luciana Maria , Amorim Chiara Cássia Oliveira , Gazzinelli-Guimarães Ana Clara , Barbosa Fernando Sérgio , Oliveira Fabrício Marcus Silva , Kraemer Lucas , Mattos Matheus , Cardoso Mariana Santos , Resende Nathália Maria , Clímaco Marianna de Carvalho , Negrão-Corrêa Deborah Aparecida , Faria Ana Maria Caetano , Caliari Marcelo Vidigal , Bueno Lilian Lacerda , Gaze Soraya , Russo Remo Castro , Gazzinelli-Guimarães Pedro Henrique , Fujiwara Ricardo Toshio
Published: November 2021

Human ascariasis is the most prevalent but neglected tropical disease in the world, affecting approximately 450 million people. The initial phase of Ascaris infection is marked by larval migration from the host’s organs, causing mechanical injuries followed by an intense local inflammatory response, which is characterized mainly by neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration, especially in the lungs. During the pulmonary phase, the lesions induced by larval migration and excessive immune responses contribute to tissue remodeling marked by fibrosis and lung dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the relationship between SIgA levels and eosinophils. We found that TLR2 and TLR4 signaling induces eosinophils and promotes SIgA production during Ascaris suum infection. Therefore, control of parasite burden during the pulmonary phase of ascariasis involves eosinophil influx and subsequent promotion of SIgA levels. In addition, we also demonstrate that eosinophils also participate in the process of tissue remodeling after lung injury caused by larval migration, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis and dysfunction in re-infected mice. In conclusion, we postulate that eosinophils play a central role in mediating host innate and humoral immune responses by controlling parasite burden, tissue inflammation, and remodeling during Ascaris suum infection. Furthermore, we suggest that the use of probiotics can induce eosinophilia and SIgA production and contribute to controlling parasite burden and morbidity of helminthic diseases with pulmonary cycles.
TikTok teens: Turbulent identities for turbulent times
Authors: Rogers Louisa G.
Published: November 2021

Through the examination of two subcultural fashion trends spawned on the micro-vlogging platform TikTok, this article will consider how the mythic functions of the archetypal ‘clown’ and ‘rebel’ have been redeployed by Generation Z TikTok users in an attempt to push back against prevailing beauty ideals. These short-form film performances reveal the specular world-view of a demographic that is as used to being watched as it is watching others. The bulk of TikTok’s content revolves around viral trends; dances that spread by mimesis, hashtags that agglomerate universally relatable human experiences and the usual aspirational travel and fashion material. Those that break away from this mould find themselves in algorithmically led micro-communities (self-termed ‘core aesthetics’), which form satellites around more popular content forms and occasionally gain virality themselves for their freakishness or downright surrealism. The ‘clown’ and ‘rebel’ are still seen as liminal characters in the social space – affording them certain freedoms from the visual dominance of celebrity culture but also requiring certain compromises; existing at the fringes is, by definition, to be excluded and ‘othered’.
A 3D RANGE MODULATOR FOR ULTRA-SHORT PROTON FLASH IRRADIATION
Authors: Kourkafas Georgios , Bundesmann Juergen , Denker Andrea , Fanselow Timo , Röhrich Jörg , Heufelder Jens , Weber Andreas
Published: November 2021

Background and aims

In the pursuit of optimal parameters for FLASH irradiation, all components involved in the beam delivery should be compatible with requirements spread in an extreme and wide unexplored regime. Aiming for minimal total irradiation times with modulated proton beams, which deliver a flat depth-dose distribution along tumors, a static range modulator has been developed to accommodate ultra-short beam durations regardless of their time structure. The design goals were set to match the functionality of the rotating wheel used for in-vivo and in-vitro FLASH investigations at HZB.

Methods

Having the form of a ridge filter extended to an additional dimension, a hexagonal-pyramid pattern was configured to an incoming beam of 23 MeV energy with > 1 mm radius, in order to create a 6 mm uniform field with a flat dose range of 5 mm at the target. The manufacturing was done with a 3D printer using VeroWhite, a material similar to PMMA. The lateral and distal dose distribution of both modulators were measured using a Markus Chamber (PTW-Freiburg, Germany) in a water phantom and a radioluminescent screen mounted in front of CCD camera, respectively.

Results

The developed modulator created very flat dose distributions as designed, with negligible differences to the reference rotating wheel. The positioning tolerances were evaluated as relatively relaxed, with offsets of 2 cm and an angle of 5 degrees not compromising the desired performance.

Conclusions

The developed static modulator allows systematic proton FLASH studies on small organs using a broad range of timing schemes, disentangled from temporal and spatial incoherencies.
'Naming the Baby':
Authors: Kyratsou Chrysi , Sotiraki Katerina , Prezotto Joseane , Brkljačic Marko
Published: November 2021

The article focuses on the local music and dance of Zoupanochoria, a cluster of villages lying on the boundaries of the different geographic areas of the Greek parts of Epirus and Macedonia. Identifying music with either side of the boundary results in contestations over locals’ identity and sparks dispute over symbolic belonging to distinct musical traditions and their geographic origin. The research shows that musicians blend elements (tunes, rhythms, instrumentation) of both music traditions. Based on the repertories performed in two community festivities, the article relates their different structure and organization with alternative expressions of belonging and shows the resolution of dispute and discontent that the local dance Lotzia provides. This border situation resonates metaphorically with the Greek tradition to name the newborn baby after one of the grandparents, thus signifying bonds with the family. However, highlighting bonds with a specific part of the family can engender disputes. This metaphor can be applied to many forms of community solidarity-building in Greece and the wider Balkans, as the one examined here.
Borders and the Limits of Authority
Authors: Hayden Robert M.
Published: November 2021

In this article I introduce a variety of social, political and economic collectivities to analyze ways in which their interactions are influenced by borders as the territorial delimitations of legal authority, or jurisdictions. The limits of authority within such collectivities are seen in the overlapping grants of authority that impact them. To the extent that borders delineate spheres of legitimate action by governments, they can be defensive of the rights of people within them as well as protective of the rights of governments to impinge on those same rights, or both simultaneously.  Borders can thus be constraining of those who cannot easily pass across them, yet simultaneously unconstraining of international actors who may be predatory on those who expect their state to protect them. If we are to understand borders, boundaries and cognate phenomena, we need always to take both sets of relations into account.
Cambios en las prácticas de liderazgo escolar bajo un sistema de accountability: El caso de Chile
Authors: Rojas Jorge , Carrasco Diego
Published: November 2021

Los sistemas de rendiciones de cuenta han sido una política educativa orientada para la mejora escolar. Bajo este contexto, el estudio examina los cambios en dos prácticas de liderazgo escolar con la introducción de la política de rendiciones de cuenta en Chile. Considerando las respuestas de los docentes de matemáticas de cuarto básico, se construyen dos escalas para evaluar las prácticas de monitoreo académico y apoyo docente implementado por los líderes escolares entre el 2009 al 2012. Desde un análisis multinivel se evaluó los cambios de prácticas de liderazgo considerando el contexto de rendimiento académico y vulnerabilidad social de las escuelas. Los resultados indican que se produjo un cambio significativo en el monitoreo académico bajo la política de accountability no así el apoyo docente realizado por los directivos. Las implicancias de estos resultados indican que el monitoreo académico se normaliza en las escuelas, especialmente en las que no estaban realizando monitoreo, aunque sin afectar el apoyo profesional docente quedando en dudas el apoyo pedagógico y la sustentabilidad de los impactos de la política de rendiciones de cuenta.
Patients profile of traumatic amputation: an analysis of factors that can help or prevent the treatment adherence
Authors: Castelli Isabela
Published: November 2021

Amputee surgeries refer to the removal of totally or partial part of an organ. There are few illnesses that can lead to an amputation: cancer, diabetes, infections and traumas. We should stand out about the traumatic amputees’ patient’s profile: young, on working age and with no previously known disease. In the United States of America, are estimated 185.000 amputations per year which 45% are provoked for traumatic accidents. It’s estimated that by the year of 2050 the total number of amputees will reach about 3.6 million people. That makes the attendance and follow-up of amputees a public health issue. It is essential that an amputee patient be evaluated and monitored by a psychological professional. These study analysis 11 traumatic amputees and the factors that influenced adherence. The results show that social factors, type of amputation and use of drugs are the principal factors to be considered.
TEACHING MATERIALS OF INDONESIAN LANGUAGE BASED ON COMPETENCE
Authors: Hasibuan Ahmad Laut , Harahap Rosmawati , Harahap Nurhayati
Published: November 2021

Many experiences show that the students’ achievement in Indonesian language is far from being satisfactory.    The results of the 2018 national examination  showed decrease. Decreasing the results of national examination of Indonesian subjects requires a systematic effort to improve the students competence  of the national examination on the future. The research aims at       developing  materials teaching of Indonesian language based on competence for high school students. This study uses a research & development design conducted  in three cycles, namely  (1) a preliminary study to observe the ability of high school students, 2) planning includes the activities of deciding objectives,  competency formulation, both core and basic competencies, material for each competency, and learning and evaluation steps. (3) the development of teaching materials and validated by experts. The validation result of competency-based Indonesian teaching material  is  good. This shows that the appropriateness of its content is in accordance with the module and students' needs, the element of language has fulfilled the element of readability and has clarity of information, the presentation has fulfilled the elements of clarity of purpose and systematicism, and the graphic uses the specified fone.
A Peep into the History and Experiences of the Cooperative Movement in Zambia
Authors: Mundia Mukwalikuli , Wamundila Sitali , Siakalima Daniel , Nkonde Chewe , Simui Francis
Published: November 2021

This study is a reflection on the history and experiences of cooperative movement in Zambia in three stages (the colonial era, from 1914 to 1963, the post-colonial era from 1964 to 1990 and the cooperative movement in the liberalized economy in Zambia, from 1991 to present). The study used secondary data from various studies. The thrust of this study explored the history and experiences of cooperative movement in Zambia and how the economic and political changes affected the cooperative movement in Zambia. This information is very critical, especially to those who would want to enhance and harness the cooperative movement in Zambia. Emergent from this study is the continued political and econmic influence on cooperatives. Cooperatives were noted to be struggling to cope with the stiff competition, which was due to the liberalization of the economy in the country. The current poor performance by cooperatives was attributed to the failure to swiftly change from the 1964 to 1991 era, where cooperatives were operating as channels for distrusting government resources in a closed economy. Thus, it is recommended among others that, Government should stop the issue of imposing projects on the cooperative communities, business ideas should come from the cooperatives members themselves as a way of entrenching business ownership. In addition, cooperatives societies should start being innovative in order for them to be able stand the stiff competition which is due to the liberalization of the economy.
An Assessment of the Staff Strength of the University for Development Studies in the Light of the Standards Recommended by the National Council of Tertiary Education for Teaching Staff in Ghana's Public Universities
Authors: Kassima Bawah A. , Abdallah Yussif
Published: November 2021

The paper examines the staff strength of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in the light of the standard recommended by the National Council of Tertiary Education (NCTE) for staffing in Ghana's public universities, with an emphasis on Teaching Staff (TS). The study uses the University's 2020/2021 Academic Year payroll data, which was analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2016 for Windows. The study found that, apart from the Lecturer rank that had a staff surplus of 65, the rest of the ranks consisting of Professor, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer ranks did not meet the recommended standard by NCTE.  The study also revealed that the number of female TS was much lower than that of their male counterparts for all ranks. The paper recommends that University Management should encourage all TS to publish more articles in reputable journals along with community service and teaching; in order to facilitate their promotion to higher ranks. The University should target candidates with final degrees for further recruitment in order to reduce the long waiting period required for staff with a master's degree to rise to higher ranks.
Optimal Control of a Dengue-Dengvaxia Model: Comparison Between Vaccination and Vector Control
Authors: Mentuda Cheryl Q.
Published: November 2021

Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted disease. It is due to the four types of viruses (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4), which transmit through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus female mosquitoes during the daytime. The first globally commercialized vaccine is Dengvaxia, also known as the CYD-TDV vaccine, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur. This paper presents a Ross-type epidemic model to describe the vaccine interaction between humans and mosquitoes using an entomological mosquito growth population and constant human population. After establishing the basic reproduction number ℛ0, we present three control strategies: vaccination, vector control, and the combination of vaccination and vector control. We use Pontryagin’s minimum principle to characterize optimal control and apply numerical simulations to determine which strategies best suit each compartment. Results show that vector control requires shorter time applications in minimizing mosquito populations. Whereas vaccinating the primary susceptible human population requires a shorter time compared to the secondary susceptible human.
Exerting control: the grammatical meaning of facial displays in signed languages
Authors: Siyavoshi Sara , Wilcox Sherman
Published: November 2021

Signed languages employ finely articulated facial and head displays to express grammatical meanings such as mood and modality, complex propositions (conditionals, causal relations, complementation), information structure (topic, focus), assertions, content and yes/no questions, imperatives, and miratives. In this paper we examine two facial displays: an upper face display in which the eyebrows are pulled together called brow furrow, and a lower face display in which the corners of the mouth are turned down into a distinctive configuration that resembles a frown or upside-down U-shape. Our analysis employs Cognitive Grammar, specifically the control cycle and its manifestation in effective control and epistemic control. Our claim is that effective and epistemic control are associated with embodied actions. Prototypical physical effective control requires effortful activity and the forceful exertion of energy and is commonly correlated with upper face activity, often called the “face of effort.” The lower face display has been shown to be associated with epistemic indetermination, uncertainty, doubt, obviousness, and skepticism. We demonstrate that the control cycle unifies the diverse grammatical functions expressed by each facial display within a language, and that they express similar functions across a wide range of signed languages.
Usage of intermingled skin allografts and autografts in a senior patient with major burn injury
Authors: Luo Hongmin , Bian Huining , Sun Chuanwei , Zheng Shaoyi , Xiong Bing , Huang Zhifeng , Liu Zuan , Ma Lianghua , Li Hanhua , Chen Huade , Lai Wen
Published: November 2021

Mortality rate in older adults following extensive burn injury is extremely high, and management of these patients is challenging. One of the main problems is that autologous split-thickness skin grafts are scarce and the wounds cannot be covered quickly and effectively. Intermingled skin grafting is a low-tech and economic method, which not only maximizes the use of precious autologous skin but also prevents the wounds from infection and consumption. Herein we present a case of extensive burn injury in a 68-year-old female successfully treated with intermingled skin grafting. The patient was accidentally burned by gas flame, resulting in a major burn injury covering 80% of her total body surface area. Early burn wound excision was performed and the wound was temporarily covered with irradiated porcine skin in the first week after injury. Autologous stamp-like skin grafts were applied to the wound bed 4 weeks after injury. In this operation, the results were not satisfactory. The take rate of the skin grafts is only about 50%. We covered the wounds with intermingled skin allografts and autografts 8 weeks after injury: autografts (0.5 cm × 0.5 cm) + fresh close relative’s allografts (1 cm × 1 cm) + cryopreserved allografts (2 cm × 2 cm).
Increasing the Image Sharpness of Light Microscope Images Using Deep Learning
Authors: Krawczyk P. , Jansche A. , Bernthaler T. , Schneider G.
Published: November 2021

Image-based qualitative and quantitative structural analyses using high-resolution light microscopy are integral parts of the materialographic work on materials and components. Vibrations or defocusing often result in blurred image areas, especially in large-scale micrographs and at high magnifications. As the robustness of the image-processing analysis methods is highly dependent on the image grade, the image quality directly affects the quantitative structural analysis. We present a deep learning model which, when using appropriate training data, is capable of increasing the image sharpness of light microscope images. We show that a sharpness correction for blurred images can successfully be performed using deep learning, taking the examples of steels with a bainitic microstructure, non-metallic inclusions in the context of steel purity degree analyses, aluminumsilicon cast alloys, sintered magnets, and lithium-ion batteries. We furthermore examine whether geometric accuracy is ensured in the artificially resharpened images.
A new luminescent metal-organic framework with 2,6-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)naphthalene and biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylic acid
Authors: Liu Zhi-Qiang , Liu Ran-Ran , Jin Heng-Hui , Lei Long-Wen , Wang Zhi-Ping , Shi Lei
Published: November 2021

In this work, a novel metal-organic framework (MOF) based on 2,6-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)naphthalene (L) and biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3bptc), namely [Co(L)(Hbptc)(H2O)] (1), has been prepared. 1 has a distinct infinite chain structure, further linked together by winding interactions to give the three-dimensional (3D) network structure. 1 was characterized by X-ray crystallography, infrared spectra (IR) spectroscopy, elemental and thermal analysis. Photoluminescence studies revealed that 1 shows a strong emission at 361 nm upon excitation at 290 nm at room temperature. Moreover, 1 can efficiently detect Fe3+ ions by luminescence quenching.
X-ray photoemission studies of the interaction of metals and metal ions with DNA
Authors: Mishra Esha , Majumder Subrata , Varma Shikha , Dowben Peter A.
Published: November 2021

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to study the interactions of heavy metal ions with DNA with some success. Surface sensitivity and selectivity of XPS are advantageous for identifying and characterizing the chemical and elemental structure of the DNA to metal interaction. This review summarizes the status of what amounts to a large part of the photoemission investigations of biomolecule interactions with metals and offers insight into the mechanism for heavy metal-bio interface interactions. Specifically, it is seen that metal interaction with DNA results in conformational changes in the DNA structure.
TMS Reveals Dynamic Interaction between Inferior Frontal Gyrus and Posterior Middle Temporal Gyrus in Gesture-Speech Semantic Integration
Authors: Zhao Wanying , Li Yanchang , Du Yi
Published: November 2021

Semantic processing is an amodal process with modality-specific information integrated in supramodal “convergence zones” or “semantic hub” with executive mechanisms that tailor semantic representation in a task-appropriate way. One unsolved question is how frontal control region dynamically interacts with temporal representation region in semantic integration. The present study addressed this issue by using inhibitory double-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) or left posterior middle temporal gyrus (pMTG) in one of eight 40 ms time windows (TWs) (3 TWs before and 5 TWs after the identification point of speech), when human participants (12 females, 14 males) were presented with semantically congruent or incongruent gesture-speech pairs but merely identified the gender of speech. We found a TW-selective disruption of gesture-speech integration, indexed by the semantic congruency effect (i.e., a cost of reaction time because of semantic conflict), when stimulating the left pMTG in TW1, TW2, and TW7 but when stimulating the left IFG in TW3 and TW6. Based on the timing relationship, we hypothesize a two-stage gesture-speech integration circuit with a pMTG-to-IFG sequential involvement in the prelexical stage for activating gesture semantics and top-down constraining the phonological processing of speech. In the postlexical stage, an IFG-to-pMTG feedback signal might be implicated for the control of goal-directed representations and multimodal semantic unification. Our findings provide new insights into the dynamic brain network of multimodal semantic processing by causally revealing the temporal dynamics of frontal control and temporal representation regions.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPrevious research has identified differential functions of left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and posterior middle temporal gyrus (pMTG) in semantic control and semantic representation, respectively, and a causal contribution of both regions in gesture-speech integration. However, it remains largely unclear how the two regions dynamically interact in semantic processing. By using double-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to disrupt regional activity at specific time, this study for the first time revealed critical time windows when the two areas were causally involved in integrating gesture and speech semantics. Findings suggest a pMTG-IFG-pMTG neurocircuit loop in gesture-speech integration, which deepens current knowledge and inspires future investigation of the temporal dynamics and cognitive processes of the amodal semantic network.
Numerical simulation of a sinking ship scenario based on archaeological records
Authors: Rudan Smiljko , Radić Rossi Irena
Published: November 2021

Over the past decade, photogrammetric recording and virtual 3D modelling have evolved as a standard practice in documenting shipwreck sites. Exploiting the same methods, we can attempt to virtually reconstruct the dynamics of an accident leading to the creation of an archaeological site. By applying modern engineering tools capable of deploying multi-body system dynamics to simulate the damaging, capsizing and/or sinking of a ship, we can model and analyse the various possible scenarios of an incident occurring to an ancient merchantman. Subsequently, we can establish the correlation between the characteristics of the actual shipwreck site, and the outcome of the numerical simulation of the assumed scenario.
Exercise does not improve insulin resistance and mitochondrial characteristics together
Authors: Genders Amanda J , Kuang Jujiao , Marin Evelyn C , Saner Nicholas J , Botella Javier , Jacques Macsue , McConell Glenn K , Andrade-Souza Victor A , Chagolla Javier , Bishop David J
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mitochondrial content and respiratory function and whole-body insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Male Wistar rats were given either a chow diet or an HFD for 12 weeks. After 4 weeks of the dietary intervention, half of the rats in each group began 8 weeks of interval training. In vivo glucose and insulin tolerance were assessed. Mitochondrial respiratory function was assessed in permeabilised soleus and white gastrocnemius (WG) muscles. Mitochondrial content was determined by the measurement of citrate synthase (CS) activity and protein expression of components of the electron transport system (ETS). We found HFD rats had impaired glucose and insulin tolerance but increased mitochondrial respiratory function and increased protein expression of components of the ETS. This was accompanied by an increase in CS activity in WG. Exercise training improved glucose and insulin tolerance in the HFD rats. Mitochondrial respiratory function was increased with exercise training in the chow-fed animals in soleus muscle. This exercise effect was absent in the HFD animals. In conclusion, exercise training improved insulin resistance in HFD rats but without changes in mitochondrial respiratory function and content. The lack of an association between mitochondrial characteristics and whole-body insulin resistance was reinforced by the absence of strong correlations between these measures. Our results suggest that improvements in mitochondrial respiratory function and content are not responsible for improvements in whole-body insulin resistance in HFD rats.
Can antioxidants protect against chemotherapy in a rat spermatogonial stem cell line?
Authors: Allen Caroline M , Lopes Federica , Mitchell Rod T , Spears Norah
Published: November 2021

Lay summary

Boys administered chemotherapy to treat cancer are at risk of damage to their healthy testicular tissue, which can lead to infertility in adulthood. Researchers are therefore investigating treatments to protect the testis during cancer treatment. Here, cells originating from rat testicles were cultured for 4 days and exposed to chemotherapy drugs with or without antioxidants for the final 2 days. Antioxidants can reduce cellular damage by inactivating toxic compounds. Here, antioxidants such as melatonin or n-acetylcysteine were tested against chemotherapy agents cisplatin, doxorubicin, or vincristine. Cultures were repeated four times, with cell survival measured at the end of culture. The antioxidants were not damaging and partially protected against cisplatin, although not doxorubicin. Surprisingly, n-acetylcysteine enhanced vincristine-induced damage. The results suggest that using antioxidants to protect the testis could have either beneficial or harmful effects when given alongside different chemotherapy drugs: this is important, considering that patients are often treated with multiple drugs.
Crystalline structure analysis of all-cellulose nanocomposite films based on corn and wheat straws
Authors: Bian Hongxia , Yang Yanyan , Tu Peng
Published: November 2021

Cellulose solution and nanocellulose were prepared from corn straw and wheat straw and then used to fabricate an all-cellulose nanocomposites film (ANF). The crystal structure (CS) of ANFs was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). Cellulose-I and cellulose-II were found to coexist within regenerated cellulose films (RCF) and ANFs. With the change of nanocellulose content, the proportions of cellulose-I and cellulose-II changed. Cellulose transformation was found to depend on the raw material and the preparation method. When cellulose solution was prepared from corn straw that had been extracted, the cellulose type tended to be transformed from cellulose-I to cellulose-II; the proportion of cellulose-I showed a tendency to increase when nanocellulose content exceeded 1.5%. When the dissolved cellulose had been treated by an acid-alkali method, the results did not follow a clear pattern. However, when cellulose solution was prepared from wheat straw, under extraction method, the cellulose type tended to transform from cellulose-I to cellulose-II; under acid-alkali method, cellulose-I did not follow a clear pattern with nanocellulose content. Though the small amount of nanocellulose can’t dominate the content of cellulose-I, it could cause an increase in disorder of the cellulose matrix.
An overview of the obtaining of biomass-derived gamma-valerolactone from levulinic acid or esters without H2 supply
Authors: González Giselle , Area María C.
Published: November 2021

Gamma-valerolactone (GVL) is a highly reactive keto-lactone and a promising platform biomolecule, used as an additive for food and fuels, green solvent, and fuels precursor, among others. Its production from biomass usually involves hydrogenation and subsequent cyclization of levulinic acid or its esters. The process of conventional hydrogenation requires high pressures and temperatures, an external hydrogen source, and scarce noble/precious materials as catalysts. However, it could be produced under mild conditions, using bifunctional metal-acid catalysts with high metal dispersion and meso or microporosity, high surface area, temperatures lower than 200 °C, pressures ≤ 1MPa, and secondary alcohols (such as isopropanol) as hydrogen donors. The catalytic transfer hydrogenation followed by cyclization (CTHC) of levulinic acid (LA) and its esters (LE) to produce GVL using secondary alcohols as H donor is a great alternative. Variables involved in CTHC such as raw material, time, temperature, and type of catalyst, mainly transition metals and their combinations, are reviewed in this work.
A literature review on cold-formed steel-timber composite structures
Authors: Moritani Fabiana Y. , Martins Carlos E. J. , Dias Alfredo M. P. G.
Published: November 2021

State-of-the-art steel-timber composite structures (STC), using cold-formed steel (CFS) and cross-laminated timber (CLT), are considered in this review. Literature on this type of construction solution is reviewed to provide an overview of the characteristics and advantages of STC. Previous experimental and numerical studies with STC structures, mainly composite solutions with CFS beams and CLT panels, are discussed to assess the behavior of this structural typology. A comprehensive description of the connection systems performance in different STC structures is also provided. Furthermore, the design and analytical methods currently available are presented. Likewise, details on aspects related to dynamic properties and fire resistance are discussed.
PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS OF LOGARITHMIC AND RHYTHMTHERAPY ON THE DISORDERS OF FLUENCY AND THEMPO-RHYTHMIC ORGANIZATION OF SPEECH OR STUTTERING
Authors: Petrova B.
Published: November 2021

The relationship between logarithmic and rhythm therapy is multifaceted, which explains the good opportunities for their application in a primary school in students with fluency and tempo-rhythmic organization of speech, which form the picture of development- stuttering. Research related to the pedagogical aspects of this application is relevant, as the problem is analyzed mainly theoretically as related to other scientific fields. This article presents methods for corrective work, which is also the concept of this framework of speech therapy rhythmic: object, subject, goal and tasks. A theoretical analysis on the topic was made and a study of the role of logarithmic and rhythm therapy from the point of view of pedagogues in primary school was presented.
Тhe results are analyzed in terms of their applicability and adequacy to the learning process and pedagogical practice.
PRESCHOOL PEDAGOGY CONFRONTED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS CHALLENGE
Authors: Georgieva-Hristozova V.
Published: November 2021

The current theoretical paper is a brief reflection with an analytical bias and a descriptive nature, aimed at registering the likely difficulties and presumed risk consequences for preschool children as a result of physical and social isolation in emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic. It applies to parents, students of pedagogical specialties, professionals in the field of education, and is a modest attempt to summarize the hypothetical adverse effects of the social recession in these days of a worldwide hardship. The view of these problems signals to the pedagogical specialists the negatives of the pandemic, unfolding the horizons of their timely preparation and readiness to deal with the influence of isolation on the socialization of children. At this stage, such a theoretical organization is devoid of pretensions to present the complexity of the problem, as well as to be comprehensive in reasoning, despite of a clear sense of the possibility for them to proliferate in a variety of directions, each of which deserves special attention and in-depth analysis.