bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual convex time preferences: Lab, field and high schools
Authors: Branas-Garza Pablo , Prissé Benjamin
Published: May 2021

We introduce the Visual Convex Time Preferences (VCTP) task, a new tool for measuring time preferences that synthesizes the simplicity of Multiple Price List (MPL) and the precision of Convex Time Budget (CTB) tasks. We evaluate VCTP in three environments: lab, field and high school. The lab experiment suggests that VCTP improves the precision of time preferences without increasing task time or decreasing subject consistency. The field experiment partially replicates the results, since subjects make little use of the additional precision. The high school experiment shows that younger populations find it difficult to perform both the MPL and the VCTP, but older teenagers use the advantage of VCTP at no cost. Overall, the results indicate that the task successfully measures time preferences but should be adapted to specific populations.
Nodulation Alleviates Water Stress in Vachellia Sieberiana
Authors: Telford Elizabeth Mary , Stevens Nicola , midgley Guy , Lehmann Caroline
Published: May 2021

Species in the genus Vachellia (Fabaceae) have a global tropical and sub-tropical distribution. Numerous Vachellia species are currently observed to be expanding their indigenous ranges and increasing in dominance globally, suggesting an overarching driver. Most Vachellia species enhance nitrogen uptake mutualistically via specialized root nodule structures. Nodules contain N2-fixing rhizobia that consume host supplied carbon to catalyse atmospheric N2 into a plant useable form, a key element in plant growth. The rhizobial mutualism of some Vachellia species may be vital to understanding changing patterns of ecological success observed across the savanna precipitation gradient. Here, we investigated how the seedling root development and physiology of two dominant savanna woody species, the arid-adapted Vachellia erioloba and the mesic-adapted Vachellia sieberiana, responded to simulated drought events. Seedlings of both species were grown at 4%, 8% and 16% soil moisture content (SMC) for four months. Seedling growth and allometry of arid-adapted V. erioloba was unresponsive to water stress treatments, and no nodulation was observed, reflecting a fixed higher relative investment in belowground biomass. In contrast, V. sieberiana roots were nodulated, but developed the highest nodule biomass and growth rate when grown at the lowest soil moisture (4% SMC). These patterns suggest that effective life history strategies for the arid-30 adapted species precludes the need for rhizobial mutualism, possibly due to more “open” N cycling and lower competitive interactions in arid systems, while the more “closed” N cycling in mesic savannas, and higher competitive stress, may favour nodulation, especially under low water supply that limits root access to soil nitrogen, and signals a more competitive environment and an advantage from N2-fixing.
The Impact of Different Radiotherapy Techniques on Treatment Outcome of Hypopharyngeal Carcinomas in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: AYDIN BARBAROS , Cetinayak Oguz , Cakir Asli , Umay Cenk , Akturk Nesrin , Karabay Nuri , Akman Fadime
Published: May 2021

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the outcomes of different radiotherapy techniques used in routine clinical practice for the radical treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer and the improvement of outcomes over the last decades.Methods: We compared 2D-RT, 3D-CRT and VMAT techniques and the improvement of outcomes over the last decades in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with curative radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy between January 1992 and December 2016. Eighty-one patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The median follow-up time was 15 (2-266) months. Radiotherapy technique (p=0.049, p=0.025), KPS (p <0.001, p=0.002), nodal stage (p=0.012, p=0.026) and clinical stage (p=0.029, p=0.035) were statistically significant factors affecting overall survival and local regional relapse-free survival in multivariate analysis. Grade 2-4 early and late side effects were significantly more frequent in Group I (2D Conventional Radiotherapy) (%20.3) patients than in Group II (3DCRT, IMRT and VMAT technique) (%3.1) (p=0.04, p=0.038).Conclusion: KPS, stage and advanced RT techniques independently affected outcomes significantly. Side effects are significantly reduced with advanced RT techniques.
Ratio Between Lactobacillus Plantarum and Acetobacter Pomorum on the Surface of Drosophila Melanogaster Adult Flies Depends on Cuticle Melanisation
Authors: Mokeev Vladislav , Wang Yiwen , Gehring Nicole , Moussian Bernard
Published: May 2021

Objectives
As in most organisms, the surface of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is associated with bacteria. In order to study the genetic parameters of this association, we developed a simple protocol for surface bacteria isolation and quantification.
Results
On wild-type flies maintained in the laboratory, we identified two persistently culturable species as Lactobacillus plantarum and Acetobacter pomorum by 16S rDNA sequencing. For quantification, we showered single flies for DNA extraction avoiding the rectum to prevent contamination from the gut. Using specific primers for quantitative PCR analyses, we determined the relative abundance of these two species in surface wash samples. Repeatedly, we found 20% more L. plantarum than A. pomorum . To tentatively study the importance of the cuticle for the interaction of the surface with these bacteria, applying Crispr/Cas9 gene editing in the initial wild-type flies, we generated flies mutant for the ebony gene needed for cuticle melanisation and determined the L. plantarum to A. pomorum ratio on these flies. We found that the relative abundance of L. plantarum increased substantially on ebony flies. We conclude that the cuticle chemistry is crucial for surface bacteria composition. This finding may inspire future studies on cuticle-microbiome interactions.
Concept of a Fast Breeder Reactor To Transmute MA and LLFP
Authors: Wakabayashi Toshio
Published: May 2021

The long-term issues of nuclear power systems are the effective use of uranium resources and the reduction of radioactive waste. Important radioactive wastes are minor actinides (MA: 237 Np, 241 Am, 243 Am, etc.) and long-lived fission products (LLFP: 129 I, 99 Tc, 79 Se, etc.). The purpose of this study was to show a system that can simultaneously achieve the breeding of fissile materials and the transmutation of MA and LLFP in one fast reactor. Transmutation was carried out by loading innovative Duplex type MA fuel in the core region and LLFP containing moderator in the first layer of the radial blanket. Breeding was achieved in the core and axial blanket. As a result, it was clarified that in this fast breeder reactor, a breeding ratio of about 1.1 was obtained, and MA and LLFP achieved a support ratio of 1 or more. The transmutation rate was 10.3%/y for 237 Np, 14.1%/y for 241 Am, 9.9%/y for 243 Am, 1.6%/y for 129 I, 0.75%/y for 99 Tc, and 4%/y for 79 Se. By simultaneously breeding fissile materials and transmuting MA and LLFP in one fast reactor, it will be possible to solve the long-term issues of the nuclear power reactor system, such as securing nuclear fuel resources and reducing radioactive waste.
Fetal Cardiac Parameters for Predicting Postnatal Operation Type of Fetuses With Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Park Suyeon , Won Hye-Sung , Kim Rina , Kim Mijin , Yu Jeong Jin , Park Chun Soo , Yun Tae-Jin , Jung Yewon , Harbi Usamah Al , Lee Mi-Young
Published: May 2021

Background: To assess fetal cardiac parameters predictive of postnatal operation type in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Methods: Echocardiographic data obtained in the second and third trimesters were retrospectively reviewed for fetuses diagnosed with TOF between 2014 and 2018 at Asan Medical Center. The following fetal cardiac parameters were analyzed: 1) pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) z-score, 2) right pulmonary artery (RPA) z-score, 3) aortic valve annulus (AVA) z-score, 4) pulmonary valve peak systolic velocity (PV-PSV), 5) PVA/AVA ratio, and 6) RPA/descending aorta (DAo) ratio. These cardiac parameters were compared between a primary corrective surgery group and a palliative shunt operation followed by complete repair group. Results: A total of 100 fetuses with TOF were included. Only one neonatal death occurred. Ninety patients underwent primary corrective surgery and 10 neonates underwent a multistage surgery. The PVA z-score, RPA z-score, and RPA/DAo ratio measured in the second trimester and the PVA z-score, RPA z-score, and PVA/AVA raio measured in the third trimester were significantly lower in the multistage surgery group, while the PV-PSV as measured in both trimesters were significantly higher in the multistage surgery group. Conclusion: Fetal cardiac parameters are useful for predicting the operation type necessary for neonates with TOF.
Integrated Analysis of mRNA and Long Noncoding RNA Profiles in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Cui Han , Duan Ruirui , Niu Hongtao , Yu Tao , Huang Ke , Chen Chen , Hao Ke , Yang Ting , Wang Chen
Published: May 2021

Background: Bronchial asthma is a heterogeneous disease with distinct disease phenotypes and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in numerous functionally different biological and physiological processes. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in patients with asthma and further explore the functions and interactions between lncRNAs and mRNAs.Methods: Ten patients with asthma and 9 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. RNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We performed microarray analysis to evaluate lncRNA and mRNA expression. The functions of the differentially expressed mRNAs were analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. A global signal transduction network was constructed to identify the core mRNAs. An lncRNA–mRNA network was constructed. Five mRNAs showing the greatest differences in expression levels or high degrees in the gene-gene functional interaction network, with their correlated lncRNAs, were validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: We identified 2,229 mRNAs and 1,397 lncRNAs between the asthma and control groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis identified many pathways associated with inflammation and cell survival. The gene-gene functional interaction network suggested that some core mRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. The lncRNA–mRNA co-expression network revealed correlated lncRNAs. CXCL8, FOXO3, JUN, PIK3CA, and G0S2 and their related lncRNAs NONHSAT115963, AC019050.1, MTCYBP3, KB-67B5.12, and HNRNPA1P12 were identified according to their differential expression levels and high degrees in the gene-gene network. Conclusions: We identified the core mRNAs and their related lncRNAs and predicted the biological processes and signaling pathways involved in asthma.
Immune-Related DNA Methylation Data-Based Molecular Classification Associated with the Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xiong-Wen , Yan Qian , Ye Bao-Qian , Wang Bo-Qing , Zheng Wen-Jiang
Published: May 2021

Background: The combination of epigenetic drugs and immunotherapy should be able to develop an optimal treatment plan for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet its mechanism is still in the preliminary exploration stage. The purpose of this study is to analyze the DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of immune-related CpG sites to identify the molecular subtypes and CpG sites related to the prognosis of HCC. Methods: In this study, the DNA methylation and gene expression datasets were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, together with immune-related genes downloaded from the immunology database and analysis portal database to explore the prognostic molecular subtypes of HCC. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis was used for selecting the significant methylation sites, and the consensus clustering was performed to find the best molecular subtype associated with the survival of HCC. Next, we used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm to construct a prognostic-related model and performed internal verification. Finally, we explored the levels of 16 immune-related genes expression correlate with the infiltration levels of immune cells in HCC. Results: By performing consistent clustering analysis on 830 immune-related CpG sites in 231 samples of a training set, we identified seven subgroups with significant differences in overall survival. Finally, 16 classifiers of immune-related CpG sites were constructed and used in the testing set to verify the prognosis of DNA methylation subgroups, and the results were consistent with the training set. Using the TIMER database, we analyzed 16 immune-related CpG sites expression with the abundance of six types of immune infiltrating cells and found that most are positively correlated with the level of infiltration of multiple immune cells in HCC. Conclusions: This study screened potential immune-related prognostic methylation sites and established a new prognosis model of HCC based on DNA methylation molecular subtype, which may help in the early diagnosis of HCC and developing more effective personalized treatments.
Spectrum of Germline RET Variants Identified by Targeted Sequencing and Associated Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 Susceptibility in China
Authors: Qi Xiaoping , Zhao Jianqiang , Fang Xudong , Lian Bijun , Li Feng , Wang Huihong , Cao Zhilie , Zheng Weihui , Cao Juan , Chen Yu
Published: May 2021

Background: Germline RET mutations and variants are involved in development of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). The present study investigated a spectrum of RET variants, analyzed genotype-phenotype relationships, and evaluated their effect on the MEN2 phenotype in Han Chinese patients. Methods: Targeted sequencing detected germline RET variants in 697 individuals, including 245 MEN2, 120 sporadic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), and 15 pheochromocytoma (PHEO) patients and their 493 relatives. In silico analyses and classifications following ACMG-2015 were performed. Demographic, clinical variant types, and endocrine neoplasia molecular diagnosis records were also analyzed. Results: Nineteen different RET mutations (18 point and 1 del/ins mutations) in 214 patients with MEN2A (97.7%) or MEN2B (2.3%) were found, of which exon 11/10 mutations accounted for 79% (169/214). Nineteen compound mutations were found in 31 patients with MEN2A. Twenty-three variants (18 single and 5 double base substitution/compound variants) non-classification were also found. Of these, 17 ( 3 of pathogenic, 10 of uncertain significance, 2 of likely benign and 2 as benign) were found in 31 patients with MTC/PHEO. The remaining 6 variants (4 of uncertain significance and 2 of likely benign) found in 8 carriers had no evidence of MEN2. The entire cohort showed MEN2A-related PHEO, all occurring in exons 11/10, particularly at C634. Kaplan-Meier curves showed age-dependent penetration rates of MTC and PHEO, and occurrence rates of PHEO in patients with exon 11 mutations were all higher than those within exon 10; these bilateral PHEO were always associated with exon 11 mutations (all P < 0.05). While patient offspring had PHEO, parents with MEN2A had none, the frequency was approximately 10%. Interestingly, at least 6.8% of families were adoptive. Also, 3 non-hotspot RET variants (R114H, T278N, and D489N) appeared with high frequency. Conversely, polymorphism S836S was absent. Conclusions: These data are largely consistent with current evidence-based recommendations in the clinical practice guidelines. Diversity of RET variants or carriers may involve a different natural disease course. Further large-scale targeted sequencing studies will serve as an accurate and cost-effective approach to investigating MEN2 genotype-phenotype correlations for discovery of rare or unknown variants of RET.
Registered Cooperatives and Local Government Unit in the Province of Nueva Ecija Philippines: Status, Participation and the Way Forward
Authors: Gabriel Arneil , Sarmiento Raymund , Viernez Maridel
Published: May 2021

This study described the status of registered cooperatives in Nueva Ecija using descriptive–correlational research and a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. This study found out that majority of the respondent cooperatives are operating for more than 25 years; with more than Million authorized capital; have annual net surplus of P1.2 Million or more; are multi–purpose; and with more than 100 members. The Local Government Units(LGU) are active in teaching the members of the cooperatives to abide rules and guidelines and in supporting the role of cooperatives in the province. However, they should provide aid to cooperatives to efficiently deal with their problems. Additionally, the LGU is informing the cooperatives about their rights and responsibilities. They are not suppressing cooperative members’ opinions and they accept queries coming from the cooperative members. Decision–making responsibilities regarding cooperative matters with the aid of the government were shared by the officers of Cooperatives and LGU. The LGU trust the cooperatives by giving full degree of power of all the benefits that are provided to them by the government. Likewise, cooperatives have no systematic source of authority and influence over the LGU. Despite of the difference in responses of the respondents in non–participation and citizens power, they are similar in tokenism as level of participation. Cooperatives that are new in existence, with low capitalization and with less number of members needed high degree of participation with their members and high degree of partnership and support with the Local Government Units (LGUs). The respondents recognized the help of the LGU in their promotion and in providing trainings but intensified aid and empowerment of the cooperatives are requested by the members and officers to the LGUs. Lastly, the respondent- cooperatives requested that establishment of cooperative office, strengthened tie-up with the LGU, information dissemination on cooperativism, increase aid and funding and partnership with other entities are means to heightened cooperatives participation in development.
Stress and associated factors among frontline healthcare workers in the COVID-19 epicenter of Da Nang city, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Nhan , Le Duong Dinh , Colebunders Robert , Fodjo Joseph Nelson Siewe , Tran Trung Dinh , Vo Thang Van
Published: May 2021

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the COVID-19 response stand a higher risk of experiencing psychosocial distress amidst the pandemic. Between July and September 2020, a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in Vietnam with Da Nang city being the epicenter. During the outbreak, HCWs were quarantined within the health facilities in a bid to limit the spread of the COVID-19 to their respective communities. Using the stress component of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), we assessed the level of stress among HCWs in Da Nang city. Between 30th August and 15th September 2020, 746 frontline HCWs were recruited to fill an online structured-questionnaire. Overall, 44.6% of participants experienced increased stress and 18.9% severe or extremely severe stress. In multivariable analysis, increased stress was associated with longer working hours (OR=1.012; 95% CI: 1.004–1.019), working in health facilities providing COVID-19 treatment (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.04-2.39), having direct contact with patients or their bio-samples (physicians, nurses and laboratory workers; OR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.02-1.99), low confidence in the available personal protective equipment (OR=0.846; 95% CI: 0.744–0.962), and low knowledge on COVID-19 prevention and treatment (OR=0.853; 95% CI: 0.739-0.986). In conclusion, many frontline HCWs experienced an increased stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang city. Reducing working time, providing essential personal protective equipment, enhancing of the knowledge on COVID-19 will help to reduce this stress. Moreover, extra support is needed for HCWs who are directly exposed to COVID-19 patients.
Epidemiological associations with genomic variation in SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Rahnavard Ali , Dawson Tyson , Clement Rebecca , Stearrett Nathaniel , Pérez-Losada Marcos , Crandall Keith A.
Published: May 2021

The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of the COVID-19 pandemic and evolves to evade both host immune systems and intervention strategies. To diminish the short-term and long-term impacts of coronavirus (CoV), we investigated CoV differences at the nucleotide and protein level and CoV genomic variation associated with epidemiological variation and geography. We divided the CoV genome into 29 constituent regions for this analysis. Our results highlight the variation of CoV variants of lineage and show that nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3) and Spike protein (S) have the highest variation and greatest correlation with the viral whole-genome variation, which makes these two proteins potential targets for treatments. S protein variation is highly correlated with nsp3, nsp6, and 3'−to−5' exonuclease. Country of origin and time since the start of the pandemic were the most influential metadata in these differences. Host sex and age are the lowest in terms of explaining the virus genome variation. We quantified variation explained by regions of the CoV genome across different CoV viruses including, SARS-CoV-2, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), other severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV (SARS-related), and bat-derived severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronaviruses (Bat-SL-CoV). We found that Spike protein and nsp3 explain most of the variation among these viruses; they are also among the genomic regions with the highest number of sites under natural selection. Our results provide a direction to prioritize genes associated with outcome predictors, including health, therapeutic, and vaccine outcomes, and to inform improved DNA tests for predicting disease status.
Transfusion practices for patients with sickle cell disease at major academic medical centers participating in the Atlanta Sickle Cell Consortium
Authors: Winkler A.M. , Josephson C.D.
Published: May 2021

The Atlanta Sickle Cell Consortium represents more than 2600 pediatric and adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, area receiving care at four major locations, each providing comprehensive care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Both transfusion services that support these sites use two levels of prospective phenotype matching to decrease the rates of alloimmunization. Although exact rates are unknown and are currently under investigation, alloimmunization occurs infrequently with the exception of chronically transfused SCD patients, who represent the minority of active SCD patients. With increasing availability, red blood cell genotyping will be used in the near future both for determination of predicted patient phenotypes and for provision of genotypically matched donor units.
Immunohematology

2012;28:24–6.
The ISBT 700 series of low-incidence and 901 series of high-incidence blood group antigens
Authors: Reid M.E.
Published: May 2021

The International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party on Terminology for Red Cell Surface Antigens developed a terminology that brought order to the chaos of antigen names. They classified antigens into three categories: systems, collections, and series. This review summarizes the early decisions of the Working Party with an emphasis on the 700 series of low-incidence antigens and 901 series of high-incidence antigens.
Immunohematology

2011;27:131–135.
RHCE*ceAR encodes a partial c (RH4) antigen
Authors: Halter Hipsky C. , Lomas-Francis C. , Fuchisawa A. , Reid M.E.
Published: May 2021

The Rh blood group system is highly complex both in the number of discrete antigens and in the existence of partial antigens, especially D and e. Recently, several partial c antigens have been reported. Here we report findings on an African American man with sickle cell disease whose RBCs typed C+c+ and whose plasma contained anti-c. Hemagglutination tests, DNA extraction, PCR-RFLP, reticulocyte RNA isolation, RT-PCR cDNA analyses, cloning, and sequencing were performed by standard procedures. RBCs from the patient typed C+c+ but his plasma contained alloanti-c. DNA analyses showed the presence of RHCE*Ce in trans to RHCE*ceAR with RHD*D and RHD*Weak D Type 4.2.2. The amino acid changes on RhceAR are such that a C+c+ patient made alloanti-c. This case shows that RhceAR carries a partial c antigen and illustrates the value of DNA testing as an adjunct to hemagglutination to aid in antibody identification in unusual cases.
Immunohematology

2010;26:57–59.
Relativistic density-functional theory based on effective quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Toulouse Julien
Published: May 2021

A relativistic density-functional theory based on a Fock-space effective quantum-electrodynamics (QED) Hamiltonian using the Coulomb or Coulomb-Breit two-particle interaction is developed. This effective QED theory properly includes the effects of vacuum polarization through the creation of electron-positron pairs but does not include explicitly the photon degrees of freedom. It is thus a more tractable alternative to full QED for atomic and molecular calculations. Using the constrained-search formalism, a Kohn-Sham scheme is formulated in a quite similar way to non-relativistic density-functional theory, and some exact properties of the involved density functionals are studied, namely charge-conjugation symmetry and uniform coordinate scaling. The usual no-pair Kohn-Sham scheme is obtained as a well-defined approximation to this relativistic density-functional theory.
Analysis of the causes and effectiveness of whole blood transfusion procedures carried out in dogs and cats in 2014-2018 in a Polish veterinary clinic
Authors: WOJTAŚ JUSTYNA , GARBIEC ALEKSANDRA
Published: May 2021

Nowadays, veterinary medicine develops as quickly as human medicine, and companion animals are treated as family members. As a result, advanced procedures, such as blood transfusions, are used more frequently to save animal life. The present study analyzes blood transfusions carried out in dogs and cats in 2014-2018 in a veterinary clinic for small animals in Poland. The number of transfusions performed, indications for their implementation due to disease, as well as the effects of this procedure, are discussed. This method of treatment, although potentially life-saving, is not always effective and carries a risk of adverse reactions.
Mechanism of Curcuma longa and Its Neuroactive Components for the Management of Epileptic Seizures: A Systematic Review
Authors: Choo Brandon Kar Meng , Shaikh Mohd. Farooq
Published: May 2021

Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is a tropical herbaceous perennial plant of the family Zingiberaceae
and contains curcuminoids, sesquiterpenoids and monoterpenoids as its major components.
Given the broad range of activities that Curcuma longa possesses and also its use as a traditional
epilepsy remedy, this review attempts to systematically review the experimentally proven activities
of Curcuma longa and its bioactive components, which are related to the management of epileptic
seizures. Using the PRISMA model, five databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect,
SCOPUS and SpringerLink) were searched using the keywords [“Curcuma longa” AND
“Epilepsy”] and [“Curcuma longa” AND “Seizures”], leaving 34 articles that met the inclusion
criteria. The present systematic review elaborated on the experimentally proven potential of Curcuma
longa components, such as an aqueous extract of Curcuma longa itself, Curcuma longa oil
and active constituents like curcuminoids and bisabolene sesquiterpenoids found in Curcuma longa
with anti-seizure potential. Using human equivalent dose calculations, human treatment parameters
were suggested for each component by analysing the various studies in this review. This review
also determined that the principal components possibly exert their anti-seizure effect via the
reduction of corticosterone, modulation of neurotransmitters signalling, modulation of sodium ion
channels, reduction of oxidative DNA damage, reduction of lipid peroxidation, upgregulation of
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated inhibition. It
is anticipated that this review will help pave the way for future research into the development of
Curcuma longa and its neuroactive constituents as potential drug candidates for the management of
epilepsy.
Off-label Uses of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Authors: Jannini Tommaso B. , Lorenzo Giorgio D. , Bianciardi Emanuela , Niolu Cinzia , Toscano Massimiliano , Ciocca Giacomo , Jannini Emmanuele A. , Siracusano Alberto
Published: May 2021

:

Psychiatric drugs have primacy for off-label prescribing. Among those, selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are highly versatile and, therefore, widely prescribed. Moreover,
they are commonly considered as having a better safety profile compared to other antidepressants.
Thus, when it comes to off-label prescribing, SSRIs rank among the top positions. In this review,
we present the state of the art of off-label applications of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,
ranging from migraine prophylaxis to SARS-CoV-2 antiviral properties. Research on SSRIs provided
significant evidence in the treatment of premature ejaculation, both with the on-label dapoxetine
30 mg and the off-label paroxetine 20 mg. However, other than a serotoninergic syndrome,
serious conditions like increased bleeding rates, hyponatremia, hepatoxicity, and post-SSRIs sexual
dysfunctions, are consistently more prominent when using such compounds. These insidious side
effects might be frequently underestimated during common clinical practice, especially by nonpsychiatrists.
Thus, some points must be addressed when using SSRIs. Among these, a psychiatric
evaluation before every administration that falls outside the regulatory agencies-approved guidelines
has to be considered mandatory. For these reasons, we aim with the present article to identify
the risks of inappropriate uses and to advocate the need to actively boost research encouraging future
clinical trials on this topic.
Análisis comparativo sobre los métodos alternativos para la solución de conflictos a partir de la legislación de los Estados de la República Mexicana
Authors: Tamez González Gerardo , Montalvo Herrera Daniela J. , Leyva Cordero Oswaldo , Hernández Paz Abraham
Published: May 2021

El presente arti?culo es el resultado de una investigacio?n comparativa en el tema de Me?todos Alternos para la solucio?n de conflictos de cada Estado. De la comparacio?n se localizan diferencias importantes entre definiciones y procedimiento de aplicacio?n, siendo la mediacio?n el me?todo alternativo que esta? presente en la mayor cantidad de los Estados; agregado a que la Reforma Constitucional dejo? la puerta abierta para que se legislara de acuerdo a las necesidades propias de cada entidad. Particularmente el Estado de Coahuila, destaca porque adema?s de la mediacio?n, la conciliacio?n, la negociacio?n y el arbitraje, tambie?n incluye la evaluacio?n neutral como me?todo alternativo.
Palabras clave: Me?todos Alternativos para la Solucio?n de Conflictos, Mediacio?n, Conciliacio?n, Justicia Restaurativa.
Abstract
The present article is a comparative research analysis of Alternative Methods for the Solution of conflicts of each Mexican State. This research found important differences between definitions and application procedure, and the mediation is the alternative method that is present in the largest number of States; plus the constitutional reform left the door open for it to be legislated according to the needs of each entity. In particular, the State of Coahuila emphasizes that in addition to mediation, conciliation, negotiation and arbitration, it also includes neutral evaluation as an alternative method.
Keywords: Alternative Methods of Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Conciliation, Restorative Justice.
Resumo
O presente artigo e? resultado de uma pesquisa comparativa sobre Me?todos Alternativos para a Soluc?a?o de Conflitos de cada Estado. Desta comparac?a?o se localizam diferenc?as importantes entre definic?o?es e procedimentos de aplicac?a?o, sendo a mediac?a?o o me?todo alternativo que esta? presente na maior quantidade dos Estados; agre- gado a que a reforma constitucional deixou a porta aberta para que se legislasse de acordo com as necessidades pro?prias de cada entidade. Particularmente o Estado de Coahuila destaca porque ademais da mediac?a?o, a conciliac?a?o, a negociac?a?o e a arbitragem, tambe?m inclui a avaliac?a?o neutral como me?todo alternativo.
Palavras chave: Me?todos Alternativos para a Soluc?a?o de Conflitos, Mediac?a?o, Conciliac?a?o, Justic?a Restaurativa.
Criticismo reto?rico: teori?a, aplicacio?n y cri?tica
Authors: Cardozo Mindiola Cristian
Published: May 2021

Resumen

El presente arti?culo busca describir el enfoque hermene?utico conocido como “criticismo retorico”, analizar sus presuposiciones, aplicar el enfoque a la carta de Filemo?n y por ultimo ofrecer una cri?tica del enfoque. Este estudio muestra que el criticismo retorico resulta ser una herramienta u?til para la hermene?utica literaria ya que en reaccio?n a los movimientos que colocan el significado del texto en la comunidad que lo crea, el criticismo retorico busca determinar las intenciones del autor y los elementos que e?l uso? para hacer persuasivo su discurso.

Palabras Clave: Reto?rica, Filemo?n, Hermene?utica, Biblia, Historia.

Abstract

This article seeks to describe the hermeneutical approach known as "rhetorical criticism", analyze its presuppositions, apply the approach to the letter of Philemon and finally offer a critique of the approach. This study shows that rhetorical criticism turns out to be a useful tool for literary hermeneutics since in reaction to the movements that place the meaning of the text in the community that creates it, the rhetorical criticism seeks to determine the intentions of the author and the elements that he used to make his speech persuasive.

Keywords: Rhetoric, Philemon, Hermeneutics, Bible, History.

Resumo

O presente artigo busca descrever o enfoque hermene?utico conhecido como “criticismo reto?rico”, analisar suas pressuposic?o?es, aplicar o enfoque a? carta de Filemon e por u?ltimo oferecer uma cri?tica a esse enfoque. Este estudo mostra que o criticismo reto?rico resulta ser uma ferramenta u?til para a hermene?utica litera?ria ja? que esta? em reac?a?o aos movimentos que colocam o significado do texto na comunidade que o cria. O criticismo reto?rico busca determinar as intenc?o?es do autor e os elementos que ele usou para fazer persuasivo o seu discurso.

Palavras chave: Reto?rica, Filemon, Hermene?utica, Bi?blia, Histo?ria
Factors influencing the scientific production of university professors: a systematic review
Authors: Barros Bastidas Carlos , Turpo Gebera Osbaldo
Published: May 2021

Abstract

This article presents a bibliographical review of empirical studies of the factors influencing the scientific production of professors, with the objective of characterizing scientific production in the university and its determining factors. It was carried out through the analysis of articles that present the situation of institutions of higher education. To find these articles, search strings were used in various databases, including Scopus, Scielo, Taylor and Francis, and inclusive and exclusive terms were used to delimit the articles found. An analysis is provided of the factors influencing scientific production, based on type of institution training and professional development, as indicators of their essential characteristics.

Keywords: Training, teaching, researchers.

Resumen

Este arti?culo presenta una revisio?n bibliogra?fica de los estudios empi?ricos de los factores que influyen en la produccio?n cienti?fica de los profesores, con el objetivo de caracterizar la produccio?n cienti?fica en la universidad y sus factores determinantes. Se llevo? a cabo a trave?s del ana?lisis de arti?culos que presentan la situacio?n de las instituciones de educacio?n superior. Para encontrar estos arti?culos, se utilizaron banco de datos, incluidos Scopus, Scielo, Taylor y Francis, y se utilizaron te?rminos inclusivos y exclusivos para delimitar los arti?culos encontrados. Se proporciona un ana?lisis de los factores que influyen en la produccio?n cienti?fica, segu?n el tipo de capacitacio?n de la institucio?n y el desarrollo profesional, como indicadores de sus caracteri?sticas esenciales.

Palabras clave: educacio?n,educar,investigadores

Resumo

Este artigo apresenta uma revisa?o bibliogra?fica de estudos empi?ricos dos fatores que influenciam a produc?a?o cienti?fica dos docentes, com o objetivo de caracterizar a produc?a?o cienti?fica na universidade e seus fatores determinantes. A pesquisa foi feita atrave?s de ana?lises dos artigos que apresentam a situac?a?o das instituic?o?es de educac?a?o superior. Para encontrar estes artigos, foram usadas base de dados incluindo Scopus, Scielo, Taylor e Francis, termos inclusivos e exclusivos foram utilizados para delimitar os artigos encontrados. Foi providenciado uma ana?lise dos fatores que influenciam a produc?a?o cienti?fica, baseado no tipo de treinamento da instituic?a?o e desenvolvimento profissional, como indicadores de suas caracteri?sticas essenciais.

Palavras-chave: educac?a?o, lecionar, pesquisadores
La filosofi?a y la naturaleza
Authors: García Marín María Eulalia , Garcés Giraldo Luis Fernando
Published: May 2021

En este texto se presentara?n las dos maneras en que el ser humano se ha relacionado a lo largo de la historia, con la naturaleza y lo que ello implica en cuanto las valoraciones, las acciones y las consecuencias que se derivan de ello. Las cuales podemos llamar: la concepcio?n Gaia y la mentalidad antropoce?ntrica.

PALABRAS CLAVES: relacio?n hombre-naturaleza, ecosof i?a, ecofilosofi?a, ecoe?tica.

Abstract

In this text, we present the two ways in which the human being has been related throughout history, with nature and what it implies in terms of the valuations, actions and consequences that result from it. Which we can call: The Gaia conception and the anthropocentric mentality.

KEYWORDS: Man-nature relationship, Ecosophy, Ecophilosophy, Echoetics.

Resumo

Neste texto, apresentaremos duas maneiras nas quais o ser humano se relacionou ao longo da histo?ria com a natureza e no que isso implica em quanto a valores, ac?o?es, e as conseque?ncias que se derivam dele, as quais podemos chamar: a concepc?a?o de Gaia e a mentalidade antropoce?ntrica.

PALAVRAS CHAVE: Relac?a?o homem-natureza, Ecosofia, Ecofilosofia, Ecoe?tica.
Изменение формы наноостровка при селективной эпитаксии
Authors: Дубровский В.Г.
Published: May 2021

A model is developed for the changes in the nanoisland shape in selective area epitaxy. The model is based on the minimization of the surface energy at a given volume. The geometry considered is an island restricted by the two (101) and (112) side facets and (001) facet at the top, with the facet size changing with the island volume. The calculations are presented for the facet lengths, the corresponding aspect ratios and fractions of the surface areas of the competing facets.
Analysis of Keywords Used in Internet Searches for Melanoma Information: Observational Study
Authors: Nanda Japbani K , Hay Jennifer L , Marchetti Michael A
Published: May 2021

Background

The internet is an accessible resource for health care information and is often used by patients to learn about melanoma. The keywords that are used in internet searches can reflect internet users’ interest in specific topics and the public’s awareness of health-related issues.

Objective

This study aims to describe the most frequently used keywords, questions, and corresponding websites in internet searches for melanoma.

Methods

This is an observational study using data retrieved from Google Trends, Alexa Internet, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and SE Ranking for the keywords “melanoma” and “skin cancer.”

Results

Average search interest as per Google Trends was greater for the keyword “skin cancer” than for the keyword “melanoma.” Searches for the top 25 keywords in 3 databases resulted in 34 unique melanoma keywords and 33 unique skin cancer keywords. Melanoma keywords were most frequently related to clinicopathologic classification (n=11, 32%), and skin cancer keywords were most frequently about diagnosis (n=14, 42%). Questions about the prognosis of melanoma appeared most frequently among the most popular melanoma questions, but general questions or questions about the diagnosis of melanoma contributed the greatest proportion of searches by search volume. Skin cancer question searches were most commonly about diagnosis. The highest proportion of searches for popular melanoma and skin cancer keywords most frequently sent traffic to websites from nonprofit organizations and media companies, respectively.

Conclusions

We identified common keywords, questions, and websites used to access information about melanoma on the internet. These data may help health care providers and public health professionals when educating and counseling patients and the public about skin cancer.
Using Computational Methods to Improve Integrated Disease Management for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Protocol for a Secondary Analysis
Authors: Luo Gang , Stone Bryan L , Sheng Xiaoming , He Shan , Koebnick Corinna , Nkoy Flory L
Published: May 2021

Background

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impose a heavy burden on health care. Approximately one-fourth of patients with asthma and patients with COPD are prone to exacerbations, which can be greatly reduced by preventive care via integrated disease management that has a limited service capacity. To do this well, a predictive model for proneness to exacerbation is required, but no such model exists. It would be suboptimal to build such models using the current model building approach for asthma and COPD, which has 2 gaps due to rarely factoring in temporal features showing early health changes and general directions. First, existing models for other asthma and COPD outcomes rarely use more advanced temporal features, such as the slope of the number of days to albuterol refill, and are inaccurate. Second, existing models seldom show the reason a patient is deemed high risk and the potential interventions to reduce the risk, making already occupied clinicians expend more time on chart review and overlook suitable interventions. Regular automatic explanation methods cannot deal with temporal data and address this issue well.

Objective

To enable more patients with asthma and patients with COPD to obtain suitable and timely care to avoid exacerbations, we aim to implement comprehensible computational methods to accurately predict proneness to exacerbation and recommend customized interventions.

Methods

We will use temporal features to accurately predict proneness to exacerbation, automatically find modifiable temporal risk factors for every high-risk patient, and assess the impact of actionable warnings on clinicians’ decisions to use integrated disease management to prevent proneness to exacerbation.

Results

We have obtained most of the clinical and administrative data of patients with asthma from 3 prominent American health care systems. We are retrieving other clinical and administrative data, mostly of patients with COPD, needed for the study. We intend to complete the study in 6 years.

Conclusions

Our results will help make asthma and COPD care more proactive, effective, and efficient, improving outcomes and saving resources.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/27065
Analysis of Keywords Used in Internet Searches for Melanoma Information: Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Nanda Japbani K , Hay Jennifer L , Marchetti Michael A
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

The internet is an accessible resource for health care information and is often used by patients to learn about melanoma. The keywords that are used in internet searches can reflect internet users’ interest in specific topics and the public’s awareness of health-related issues.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the most frequently used keywords, questions, and corresponding websites in internet searches for melanoma.

METHODS

This is an observational study using data retrieved from Google Trends, Alexa Internet, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and SE Ranking for the keywords “melanoma” and “skin cancer.”

RESULTS

Average search interest as per Google Trends was greater for the keyword “skin cancer” than for the keyword “melanoma.” Searches for the top 25 keywords in 3 databases resulted in 34 unique melanoma keywords and 33 unique skin cancer keywords. Melanoma keywords were most frequently related to clinicopathologic classification (n=11, 32%), and skin cancer keywords were most frequently about diagnosis (n=14, 42%). Questions about the prognosis of melanoma appeared most frequently among the most popular melanoma questions, but general questions or questions about the diagnosis of melanoma contributed the greatest proportion of searches by search volume. Skin cancer question searches were most commonly about diagnosis. The highest proportion of searches for popular melanoma and skin cancer keywords most frequently sent traffic to websites from nonprofit organizations and media companies, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified common keywords, questions, and websites used to access information about melanoma on the internet. These data may help health care providers and public health professionals when educating and counseling patients and the public about skin cancer.
Federated Learning for Thyroid Ultrasound Image Analysis to Protect Personal Information: Validation Study in a Real Health Care Environment (Preprint)
Authors: Lee Haeyun , Chai Young Jun , Joo Hyunjin , Lee Kyungsu , Hwang Jae Youn , Kim Seok-Mo , Kim Kwangsoon , Nam Inn-Chul , Choi June Young , Yu Hyeong Won , Lee Myung-Chul , Masuoka Hiroo , Miyauchi Akira , Lee Kyu Eun , Kim Sungwan , Kong Hyoun-Joong
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Federated learning is a decentralized approach to machine learning; it is a training strategy that overcomes medical data privacy regulations and generalizes deep learning algorithms. Federated learning mitigates many systemic privacy risks by sharing only the model and parameters for training, without the need to export existing medical data sets. In this study, we performed ultrasound image analysis using federated learning to predict whether thyroid nodules were benign or malignant.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the performance of federated learning was comparable with that of conventional deep learning.

METHODS

A total of 8457 (5375 malignant, 3082 benign) ultrasound images were collected from 6 institutions and used for federated learning and conventional deep learning. Five deep learning networks (VGG19, ResNet50, ResNext50, SE-ResNet50, and SE-ResNext50) were used. Using stratified random sampling, we selected 20% (1075 malignant, 616 benign) of the total images for internal validation. For external validation, we used 100 ultrasound images (50 malignant, 50 benign) from another institution.

RESULTS

For internal validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve for federated learning was between 78.88% and 87.56%, and the AUROC for conventional deep learning was between 82.61% and 91.57%. For external validation, the AUROC for federated learning was between 75.20% and 86.72%, and the AUROC curve for conventional deep learning was between 73.04% and 91.04%.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that the performance of federated learning using decentralized data was comparable to that of conventional deep learning using pooled data. Federated learning might be potentially useful for analyzing medical images while protecting patients’ personal information.