bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Categorical Imperative and Not Being Unworthy of the Event: Ethics in Deleuze'sDifference and Repetition
Authors: Lawlor Leonard
Published: January 2020

This essay starts from a consideration of Deleuze's theory of time. It begins with the empty form of time. But the essay's aim is to understand Deleuze's reversal of Platonism in his 1968 Difference and Repetition. There is no question that the stakes of the reversal of Platonism are ontological. But I argue that what is really at stake is a movement of demoralisation. The essay proceeds in three steps. First, we determine what sufficient reason or grounding is, for Deleuze. Sufficient reason is struck with an irreducible ambiguity. It is this ambiguity in sufficient reason that allows it to be taken advantage of, to be used by representation and good sense for a moral purpose. The second part of the essay will therefore concern ‘the moralisation of sufficient reason’. Its focus will be good sense. But then, third, we must understand Deleuze's ‘demoralisation of sufficient reason’, which necessarily passes through others. Like sufficient reason, others are ambiguous, at once lending themselves to what cancels differences, and opening the way towards difference and intensity. The third step focuses on what Deleuze calls ‘the ethics of intensive quantities’. In the Conclusion, I examine Deleuze's famous, almost cliché, definition of ethics as not being unworthy of the event and, through the empty form of time, I connect it to Kant's formalistic ethics.
Summer seasonality of enterovirus infection incidence in population of different climatic zones and its causes
Authors: Sergevnin V. I. , Tryasolobova M. A.
Published: January 2020

The data of scientific literature about seasonality of enterovirus infections (EVI) among the population of different climatic zones in the world were studied. It was determined that seasonal intensification of the epidemic process of EVI is widespread in warm months, which is due to biological features of enteroviruses, for whose survival in external among favorable conditions are high temperature and increased humidity.
Temporomandibular disorder and other causes of orofacial pain: first international classification and new treatment perspectives
Authors: Latysheva N. V. , Filatova E. G. , Danilov Al. B. , Parsamyan R. R. , Salina E. A.
Published: January 2020

The diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain is in many cases a complex task due to difficulties in history taking, multi‑faceted pathology, psychiatric comorbidities and psychosocial factors involved in such pain. Neurologists tend to overdiagnose trigeminal neuralgia. However, other types of neuropathiс orofacial pain are also common. Moreover, neurologists are often unfamiliar with the temporomandibular disorder and tend to neglect this extremely prevalent cause of orofacial pain. Correct understanding of the causes of orofacial pain is vital not only for treatment selection, but also to minimize the risk of adverse events associated with unnecessary madications. Moreover, untreated orofacial pain often becomes chronic and treatment resistant. Many patients in this case would require physical therapy, pharmacological treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy and other support options. The aim of this paper is to review the new International classification of orofacial pain as well as the prevalence, pathophysiology and treatment of the temporomandibular disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, persistent idiopathic facial pain, burning mouth syndrome and other forms of orofacial pain.
PEMBELAJARAN BOUNDED INQUIRY LABS UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PENGUASAAN KONSEP DAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR ANALISIS SISWA PADA TOPIK HIDROLISIS GARAM
Authors: Suparjono Henrikus , Pursitasari Indarini Dwi , Heliawati Leny
Published: January 2020

Hidrolisis garam merupakan salah satu materi pelajaran kimia yang diajarkan di kelas XI SMA. Sebagian besar (60%) siswa menyatakan materi hidrolisis garam tergolong sukar.Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menerapkan pembelajaran bounded inquiry labs untuk meningkatkan penguasaan konsep dan kemampuan berpikir analisis siswa pada topik hidrolisis garam. Metode dalam penelitian ini adalah kuasi eksperimen dengan desain Nonequivalen Pretest-Posttest  Control Group Design. Ada dua kelompok sampel yaitu kelompok eksperimen dan kelompok kontrol yang dipilih secara purposive sampling. Kelas kontrol dengan pembelajaran langsung dan kelas eksperimen dengan pembelajaran bounded inquiry labs. Instrumen sudah divalidasi dan reliabel. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis secara deskriptif dan inferensial. Hasil penelitian yang terdiri dari penguasaan konsep dan kemampuan berpikir analisis menunjukkan terdapat kenaikan N-gain antara kelas kontrol dan kelas eksperimen. Hasil uji statistik dengan uji t-Test  diperoleh signifikansi (sig.(2-tailed)) sebesar 0,019 untuk penguasaan konsep dan 0,002 untuk kemampuan berpikir analisis, yang berarti < dari 0,005 menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antara penguasaan konsep kelas kontrol maupun kelas eksperimen. Hasil ini diperkuat dengan tanggapan siswa yang menyatakan siswa lebih termotivasi dalam mengikuti pembelajaran BIL dan mereka terbantu dalam pencapaian nilai ulangan yang labih baik. Kata Kunci: Penguasaan Konsep, Kemampuan Berpikir Analisis, Bounded Inquiry Labs, Hidrolisis Garam
SISTEM PENUNJANG KEPUTUSAN PEMILIHAN INDUK AYAM KUB TERBAIK DENGAN METODE FUZZY DAN VIKOR
Authors: Teguh Muhammad , Setyaningsih Sri , - Mulyati
Published: January 2020

Kampung Unggul Superior Chicken (KUB) is a native native chicken selection from the Animal Research Center (Balitnak). KUB chicken has the advantage of low incubation and high egg production, so it becomes a parent producer of many DOC (female line). Currently consumption of native chicken meat and eggs in the community from year to year has increased while its production has not been able to fully meet the needs of the community. Some of the problems in maintaining KUB hens are not optimal body weight, length of time in laying eggs and even a small amount of egg production quality from selected prospective broodies originating from KUB hens who have high productivity in laying eggs. to overcome these problems, an application system is needed, one of which is a decision support system application. This application can provide recommendations in the selection of the best KUB hens so that the hens can be maintained intensively so that the supply of chicken meat and eggs can meet the needs of the community. There are several methods that can be used to determine the selection of the best KUB Parent, including using the Vikor method. Vikor is used to overcome the problem of complex multi-criteria systems that focus on ranking and selection of an alternative, while to determine the weighting using the Fuzzy Method. The results of this study are in the form of an application system that can help breeders / enclosure technicians in determining the selection of the Best KUB Chicken Parent. The level of system accuracy using the Vikor and Fuzzy methods was obtained at 77.2% of the 9 test data used.
Experiential Learning: Justice System Officials as Co-Educators
Authors: Pahre Jennifer
Published: January 2020

Most students are interested in the operation of our courts. They want to know how crimes are investigated, how criminals are prosecuted, convicted and sentenced, and how (and how well) prisons operate. Unfortunately, the people with the best experience to address these topics are not usually found on campus. But with some advanced planning, they can become partners in a meaningful experiential education collaboration. This paper briefly reviews the experiential theory behind this undergraduate field class, and the mechanics of its operation.
Student Attitudes about E-Texts: Engagement, Reading Compliance, and Political Interest
Authors: Slocum-Schaffer Stephanie
Published: January 2020

In recent years, great enthusiasm has been expressed about the digital textbook, but do students actually like it? Student attitudes about e-textbooks have been the most-investigated aspects of the academic digital platform, but while many early studies suggested that most students actually preferred paper texts to electronic ones, later studies have produced mixed results. Since students’ feelings about the text may also have a significant impact on their engagement with a course’s subject matter, it is essential to examine not only what attitudes students hold about the digital text platform, but also the impact of those attitudes on their academic experience. Using data from a study of students in introductory political science courses, this research explores student attitudes toward the digital textbook and the impact of these attitudes on student engagement with the text, the likelihood that they will complete the assigned reading, and their interest in politics.
Building Community-Engaged Learning into the Online Political Science Classroom
Authors: Rees Kristoffer , LaForge Chera
Published: January 2020

Translating community engagement activities from face-to-face courses, where students share a common space and community, to online courses, which lack a shared place, is challenging. This paper presents two approaches that have been used to successfully connect online undergraduate students to their communities and increase their level of civic engagement. Both of these approaches focus on building attachment to place as an alternative to service learning that leads to higher civic engagement. The success of these approaches in terms of student satisfaction and learning outcome attainment also demonstrates how alternatives to service-learning based civic engagement efforts in online classrooms can be more attainable and accessible for online students and for non-traditional students.
Development of an Indigenous Perceived Favouritism Scale for University Students
Authors: Ehsaan Saba , Arooj Naz Mahwesh
Published: January 2020

The aim of the study was to develop an indigenous scale on the phenomenon of perceived favouritism among university students. A list of 98 items was compiled after reaching saturation level by interviewing 25 university students of BS, individually. Then redundant items were excluded and 39 items were retained. For empirical validation, five experts were approached and after empirical validation, a scale of 38 items was prepared. The pilot study was conducted on 25 university students of BS and revealed that the participants did not face any major problem about comprehension of the scale. Then the scale was administered to the sample of 200 university students for establishing psychometric properties. Results of the scale factor analysis showed significant KMO value and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant and indicated correlation between the items. Three factors were retained through principle component analysis varimax rotation and labelled as Preference, Extra Involvement, and Discrimination.The concurrent validity of Indigenous Perceived Favouritism Scale with What Is Happening In The Class Scale (Chionh & Fisher, 1998) was found to be significant. Indigenous Perceived Favouritism Scale is, thus, dependable and valid scale for measuring perceived favouritism among university students.
Genome-wide Association Study and Genomic Prediction for Fusarium graminearum Resistance Traits in Nordic Oat (Avena sativa L.)
Authors: Haikka Hanna , Manninen Outi , Hautsalo Juho , Pietilä Leena , Jalli Marja , Veteläinen Merja
Published: January 2020

Fusarium head blight (FHB) and the accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin induced by Fusarium graminearum and other Fusarium fungi cause serious problems for oat production in the Nordic region (Scandinavia, Fennoscandia). Besides toxin accumulation, FHB causes reduction in grain yield and in germination capacity. Here, genomic approaches for accelerating breeding efforts against FHB and DON accumulation were studied. Resistance-related traits included DON content, F. graminearum DNA (relative to oat DNA) content (qFUSG) measured with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Fusarium-infected kernels (FIKs) and germination capacity (GC). Plant germplasm used in the study consisted of mostly breeding lines, and additionally, a few cultivars and exotic accessions. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction, enabling genomic selection (GS) on the resistance-related and collected agronomic traits, were performed. Considerable genetic correlations between resistance-related traits were observed: DON content had a positive correlation (0.60) with qFUSG and a negative correlation (−0.63) with germination capacity. With the material in hand, we were not able to find any significant associations between markers and resistance-related traits. On the other hand, in genomic prediction, some resistance-related traits showed favorable accuracy in fivefold cross-validation (GC = 0.57). Genomic prediction is a promising method and genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) generated for germination capacity are applicable in oat breeding programs.
A Mixed Data-Based Deep Neural Network to Estimate Leaf Area Index in Wheat Breeding Trials
Authors: Apolo-Apolo Orly Enrique , Pérez-Ruiz Manuel , Martínez-Guanter Jorge , Egea Gregorio
Published: January 2020

Remote and non-destructive estimation of leaf area index (LAI) has been a challenge in the last few decades as the direct and indirect methods available are laborious and time-consuming. The recent emergence of high-throughput plant phenotyping platforms has increased the need to develop new phenotyping tools for better decision-making by breeders. In this paper, a novel model based on artificial intelligence algorithms and nadir-view red green blue (RGB) images taken from a terrestrial high throughput phenotyping platform is presented. The model mixes numerical data collected in a wheat breeding field and visual features extracted from the images to make rapid and accurate LAI estimations. Model-based LAI estimations were validated against LAI measurements determined non-destructively using an allometric relationship obtained in this study. The model performance was also compared with LAI estimates obtained by other classical indirect methods based on bottom-up hemispherical images and gaps fraction theory. Model-based LAI estimations were highly correlated with ground-truth LAI. The model performance was slightly better than that of the hemispherical image-based method, which tended to underestimate LAI. These results show the great potential of the developed model for near real-time LAI estimation, which can be further improved in the future by increasing the dataset used to train the model.
Treatment of WASTEWATER from the Tannery Industry in a Constructed Wetland Planted with Phragmites australis
Authors: García-Valero Amalia , Martínez-Martínez Silvia , Faz Ángel , Terrero Martire Angélica , Muñoz María Ángeles , Gómez-López María Dolores , Acosta José A.
Published: January 2020

Constructed wetlands (CWs) can remove a high amount of pollutants from wastewater, and therefore play an important role in water purification. In this study, a pilot system to improve the traditional treatment of industrial wastewater from the tannery industry was tested. The main objective of this research was to remove nitrogen, phosphorus, boron, and chromium from a tannery’s industrial wastewater using a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSFCW) formed from three cells, planted with Phragmites australis and operated in batch mode as an ecofriendly system. P. australis was selected due to its ability to adapt to climatic conditions, its wetland and management characteristics, and its high capacity for pollutant absorption. The concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorus (TP), boron (B), and chromium (Cr) were analyzed in both wastewater and purified water, and the removal efficiencies were calculated. In addition, both the absorption capacity of P. australis in the aerial and root parts and the adsorption capacity of substrates (gravel and washed sand) were analyzed. Results showed that the concentrations of TP and Cr decreased in the wastewater at both hydraulic retention times (HRTs) tested (3 and 7 days), with 3 days being the most effective, showing removal efficiency values of 78% and 48% for TP and Cr, respectively. However, concentrations of TKN and B were not statistically reduced at either HRTs. Regarding the absorption capacity of P. australis, the highest absorption efficiencies for TKN and TP were reported at 7 days in the aerial part of the plants. In contrast, B was retained in roots at HRT of 3 days. Finally, Cr was more significantly absorbed at 3 days by P. australis. Moreover, the substrates also played important roles in the adsorption of nitrogen and boron. Therefore, CWs planted with P. australis could be used as an ecofriendly technique to the reduce pollution load of the wastewater from tannery industry, especially for P and Cr, although in order to increase the removal efficiency of B and N, the combination with other plant species and different retention times should be tested.
Pre- and Post-Race Intestinal Microbiota in Long-Distance Sled Dogs and Associations with Performance
Authors: Tysnes Kristoffer Relling , Angell Inga Leena , Fjellanger Iselin , Larsen Sigrid Drageset , Søfteland Silje Rebekka , Robertson Lucy J. , Skancke Ellen , Rudi Knut
Published: January 2020

Although our understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in different diseases is improving, our knowledge regarding how the gut microbiota affects functioning in healthy individuals is still limited. Here, we hypothesize that the gut microbiota could be associated with sled dog endurance-race performance. We investigated the gut microbiota in 166 fecal samples from 96 Alaskan Huskies, representing 16 teams participating in the 2016 Femund Race (400 km) in Norway, relating the microbiota composition to performance and metadata derived from questionnaires. For 16S rRNA gene sequencing-derived compositional data, we found a strong negative association between Enterobacteriaceae (dysbiosis-associated) and Clostridium hiranonis (normobiosis-associated). The teams with the best performances showed both the lowest levels of dysbiosis-associated bacteria prior to the race and the lowest change (decrease) in these bacteria after the race. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that normobiosis-associated bacteria are involved in resilience mechanisms, potentially preventing growth of Enterobacteriaceae during the race.
Effect of Melatonin on the In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes, Development of Parthenogenetically Activated Embryos, and Expression of Genes Related to the Oocyte Developmental Capability
Authors: Yang Ling , Wang Qingkai , Cui Maosheng , Li Qianjun , Mu Shuqin , Zhao Zimo
Published: January 2020

Melatonin treatment can improve quality and in vitro development of porcine oocytes, but the mechanism of improving quality and developmental competence is not fully understood. In this study, porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured in TCM199 medium with non-treated (control), 10−5 M luzindole (melatonin receptor antagonist), 10−5 M melatonin, and melatonin + luzindole during in vitro maturation, and parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos were treated with nothing (control), or 10−5 M melatonin. Cumulus oophorus expansion, oocyte survival rate, first polar body extrusion rate, mitochondrial distribution, and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione of oocytes, and cleavage rate and blastocyst rate of the PA embryos were assessed. In addition, expression of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), tumor protein p53 (P53), BCL2 associated X protein (BAX), catalase (CAT), and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. The results revealed that melatonin treatment not only improved the first polar body extrusion rate and cumulus expansion of oocytes via melatonin receptors, but also enhanced the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation of PA embryos. Additionally, melatonin treatment significantly increased intraooplasmic level of glutathione independently of melatonin receptors. Furthermore, melatonin supplementation not only significantly enhanced mitochondrial distribution and relative abundances of BMP15 and CAT mRNA, but also decreased intracellular level of ROS and relative abundances of P53 and BAX mRNA of the oocytes. In conclusion, melatonin enhanced the quality and in vitro development of porcine oocytes, which may be related to antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
Pechiche (Vitex cymosa Berteo ex Speng), a Nontraditional Fruit from Ecuador, is a Dietary Source of Phenolic Acids and Nutrient Minerals, in Addition to Efficiently Counteracting the Oxidative-Induced Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Guevara Mabel , Valdés-Silverio Luis A. , Granda-Albuja María G. , Iturralde Gabriel , Jaramillo-Vivanco Tatiana , Giampieri Francesca , Santos-Buelga Celestino , González-Paramás Ana M. , Battino Maurizio , Álvarez-Suarez José M.
Published: January 2020

Pechiche fruits (Vitex cymosa Berteo ex Speng) from Ecuador were studied to determine their phenolic acid profile, nutrient minerals and capacity to protect primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) against oxidative-induced damage. Up to five phenolic acids were identified, with homovanillic acid as the main one. Vitamin C, β-carotene and lutein were also determined. Phosphorus and potassium were the main macrominerals, while iron was the principal micromineral. HDFa were preincubated with a crude pechiche extract (PCext) and then subjected to oxidative stress. The activity of five antioxidant enzymes, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP levels and lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were used as markers of oxidative damage. Preincubation with PCext for 24 h allowed for the significant reduction of intracellular ROS levels, improved the intracellular ATP levels and protected lipids and proteins against oxidative damage (p < 0.05). Additionally, preincubation with PCext was also able to significantly (p < 0.05) improve the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase, compared to the stressed group without pretreatment. The results obtained in this study suggest the potential of pechiche as a source of bioactive compounds, as well as its beneficial effect against oxidative stress.
Proposal of an Automated Mission Manager for Cooperative Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Lucas Martínez Néstor , Martínez-Ortega José-Fernán , Rodríguez-Molina Jesús , Zhai Zhaoyu
Published: January 2020

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for ocean interventions. Typical operations imply the pre-loading of a pre-generated mission plan into the AUV before being launched. Once deployed, the AUV waits for a start command to begin the execution of the plan. An onboard mission manager is responsible for handling the events that may prevent the AUV from following the plan. This approach considers the management of the mission only at the vehicle level. However, the use of a mission-level manager in coordination with the onboard mission manager could improve the handling of exogenous events that cannot be handled fully at the vehicle level. Moreover, the use of vehicle virtualization by the mission-level manager can ease the use of older AUVs. In this paper, we propose a new mission-level manager to be run at a control station. The proposed mission manager, named Missions and Task Register and Reporter (MTRR), follows a decentralized hierarchical control pattern for self-adaptive systems, and provides a basic virtualization in regard to the AUV’s planning capabilities. The MTRR has been validated as part of the SWARMs European project. During the final trials we assessed its effectiveness and measured its performance. As a result, we have identified a strong correlation between the length of mission plan and the time required to start a mission ( ρ s = 0.79 ,   n = 45 ,   p 0.001 ). We have also identified a possible bottleneck when accessing the repositories for storing the information from the mission. Specifically, the average time for storing the received state vectors in the relational database represented only 18.50% of the average time required for doing so in the semantic repository.
Numerical Investigation of the Combustion Characteristics of an Internal Combustion Engine with Subcritical and Supercritical Fuel
Authors: Song Yukun , Zheng Zhaolei , Peng Tao , Yang Zhanfeng , Xiong Weidong , Pei Yiqiang
Published: January 2020

The similarities and differences in the combustion and emission characteristics of supercritical- and subcritical-state fuel injection conditions of an internal combustion engine was clarified. The effects of fuel state on temperature, pressure, turbulent kinetic energy, heat release rate, NO, and soot in the cylinder during the operation of the internal combustion engine were simulated. Ignition occurred faster, and the peak temperature in the cylinder was achieved in shorter time under the supercritical-state fuel injection condition than under the subcritical condition. The cylinder pressures in both states peaked at the same time, but the value of pressure in the supercritical fuel state was larger than that in the subcritical state. Furthermore, the turbulence in the supercritical fuel state was more intense than that in the subcritical state. The intense turbulence was beneficial to fuel and air mixing. NO emission increased, and soot emission decreased in the supercritical fuel state. The results show that supercritical fuel can be fully mixed with air to reduce the local concentration area in the cylinder, improve the combustion performance of the engine, and greatly reduce pollutant emissions.
A Coding-Free Software Framework for Developing Lightweight Web Data Management Systems
Authors: Yang Can , Pan Shiying , Li Runmin , Liu Yu , Peng Lizhang
Published: January 2020

Increasingly more enterprises are intending to deploy data management systems in the cloud. However, the complexity of software development significantly increases both time and learning costs of data management system development. In this paper, we investigate the coding-free construction of a data management system based on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) architecture, in which a practical application platform and a set of construction methods are proposed. Specifically, by extracting the common features of data management systems, we design a universal web platform to quickly generate and publish customized system instances. Then, we propose a method to develop a lightweight data management system using a specific requirements table in a spreadsheet. The corresponding platform maps the requirements table into a system instance by parsing the table model and implementing the objective system in the running stage. Finally, we implement the proposed framework and deploy it on the web. The empirical results demonstrate the feasibility and availability of the coding-free method for developing lightweight web data management systems.
Influence of Phase Change Phenomena on the Performance of a Desiccant Dehumidification System
Authors: Yaningsih Indri , Wijayanta Agung Tri , Thu Kyaw , Miyazaki Takahiko
Published: January 2020

Demands of standalone dehumidification systems have been increasing in order to realize energy savings in air-conditioning processes. In a desiccant dehumidification system, the water vapor from the moist air undergoes a phase change phenomenon, this being from vapor to adsorbed phase, a process analogous to latent heat exchange. The energy exchange involved in such a process is often significant—up to 80% of the total energy exchange. In this study, the influence of the phase change phenomena involved in a desiccant dehumidification system was evaluated experimentally, along with the performance investigation under low desorption air temperatures of 308, 318, 328, 338, and 345 K. The system was driven by a constant adsorption temperature of 293 K. The dehumidification ability, latent heat ratio, and latent effectiveness were employed as key performance indexes. The results showed that with the increased desorption temperature, the latent heat ratio decreased, whereas the dehumidification ability and latent effectiveness increased. The highest latent heat ratio was found to be 0.61 at the desorption temperature of 308 K, whereas the highest latent effectiveness was obtained at the desorption temperature of 345 K. A suitable temperature for the effective and efficient dehumidification was observed to be 318 K for the current system.
Laser Vision Correction for Regular Myopia and Supracor Presbyopia: A Comparison Study
Authors: Pajic Bojan , Cvejic Zeljka , Massa Horace , Pajic-Eggspuehler Brigitte , Resan Mirko , Studer Harald P.
Published: January 2020

A study to compare femto-presbyLASIK to standard myopia femto-LASIK refractive surgical correction with a total of 45 candidates was performed. The goal was to identify a more specific set of indications for presbyopia LASIK treatments. The results showed thoroughly good uncorrected visual acuity for myopia (decimal: 1.01 ± 0.15) as well as for presbyLASIK (decimal: 0.78 ± 0.17) corrections. Astigmatism was comparable in both groups and did not change significantly from preoperative (0.98D ± 0.53 SD) to postoperative (1.01D ± 0.50 SD). Our study results suggest, that presbyLASIK treatment is as safe and effective as regular LASIK myopia correction and can hence be recommended to treat presbyopia.
Implementation of an Off-Axis Digital Optical Phase Conjugation System for Turbidity Suppression on Scattering Medium
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Zhiyang , Zhao Haihan , Liu Chao , Zhang Haoyun , Xue Bin
Published: January 2020

Due to the light scattering effect, it is difficult to directly achieve optical focusing and imaging in turbid media, such as milk and biological tissue. The turbidity suppression of a scattering medium and control of light through the scattering medium are important for imaging on biological tissue or biophotonics. Optical phase conjugation is a novel technology on turbidity suppression by directly creating phase conjugation light waves to form time-reversed light. In this work, we report a digital optical phase conjugation system based on off-axis holography. Compared with traditional digital optical phase conjugation methods, the off-axis holography acquires the conjugation phase using only one interference image, obviously saving photo acquisition time. Furthermore, we tested the optical phase conjugate reduction performance of this system and also achieved optical focusing through the diffuser. We also proved that the reversing of random scattering in turbid media is achievable by phase conjugation.
Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds during the OCTAVE Campaign: Sources and Distributions of Formaldehyde on Reunion Island
Authors: Rocco Manon , Colomb Aurélie , Baray Jean-Luc , Amelynck Crist , Verreyken Bert , Borbon Agnès , Pichon Jean-Marc , Bouvier Laetitia , Schoon Niels , Gros Valérie , Sarda-Esteve Roland , Tulet Pierre , Metzger Jean-Marc , Duflot Valentin , Guadagno Christian , Peris Guillaume , Brioude Jérôme
Published: January 2020

The Oxygenated Compounds in the Tropical Atmosphere: Variability and Exchanges (OCTAVE) campaign aimed to improve the assessment of the budget and role of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) in tropical regions, and especially over oceans, relying on an integrated approach combining in situ measurements, satellite retrievals, and modeling. As part of OCTAVE, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured using a comprehensive suite of instruments on Reunion Island (21.07° S, 55.38° E) from 7 March to 2 May 2018. VOCs were measured at a receptor site at the Maïdo observatory during the entire campaign and at two source sites: Le Port from 19 to 24 April 2018 (source of anthropogenic emissions) and Bélouve from 25 April to 2 May 2018 (source of biogenic emissions) within a mobile lab. The Maïdo observatory is a remote background site located at an altitude of 2200 m, whereas Bélouve is located in a tropical forest to the east of Maïdo and Le Port is an urban area located northwest of Maïdo. The major objective of this study was to understand the sources and distributions of atmospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) in the Maïdo observatory on Reunion Island. To address this objective, two different approaches were used to quantify and determine the main drivers of HCHO at Maïdo. First, a chemical-kinetics-based (CKB) calculation method was used to determine the sources and sinks (biogenic, anthropogenic/primary, or secondary) of HCHO at the Maïdo site. The CKB method shows that 9% of the formaldehyde formed from biogenic emissions and 89% of HCHO had an unknown source; that is, the sources cannot be explicitly described by this method. Next, a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to characterize the VOC source contributions at Maïdo. The PMF analysis including VOCs measured at the Maïdo observatory shows that the most robust solution was obtained with five factors: secondary biogenic accounting for 17%, primary anthropogenic/solvents (24%), primary biogenic (14%), primary anthropogenic/combustion (22%), and background (23%). The main contributions to formaldehyde sources as described by the PMF model are secondary biogenic (oxidation of biogenic VOCs with 37%) and background (32%). Some assumptions were necessary concerning the high percentage of unknown HCHO sources of the CKB calculation method such as the biogenic emission factor resulting in large discrepancies between the two methods.
Reactivation of VX-Inhibited Human Acetylcholinesterase by Deprotonated Pralidoxime. A Complementary Quantum Mechanical Study
Authors: da Silva Jorge Alberto Valle , Pereira Ander Francisco , LaPlante Steven R. , Kuca Kamil , Ramalho Teodorico Castro , França Tanos Celmar Costa
Published: January 2020

In the present work, we performed a complementary quantum mechanical (QM) study to describe the mechanism by which deprotonated pralidoxime (2-PAM) could reactivate human (Homo sapiens sapiens) acetylcholinesterase (HssAChE) inhibited by the nerve agent VX. Such a reaction is proposed to occur in subsequent addition–elimination steps, starting with a nucleophile bimolecular substitution (SN2) mechanism through the formation of a trigonal bipyramidal transition state (TS). A near attack conformation (NAC), obtained in a former study using molecular mechanics (MM) calculations, was taken as a starting point for this project, where we described the possible formation of the TS. Together, this combined QM/MM study on AChE reactivation shows the feasibility of the reactivation occurring via attack of the deprotonated form of 2-PAM against the Ser203-VX adduct of HssAChE.
The Relationship between Expressive Language Sampling and Clinical Measures in Fragile X Syndrome and Typical Development
Authors: Shaffer Rebecca C. , Schmitt Lauren , John Thurman Angela , Abbeduto Leonard , Hong Michael , Pedapati Ernest , Dominick Kelli , Sweeney John , Erickson Craig
Published: January 2020

Language impairment is a core difficulty in fragile X syndrome (FXS), and yet standardized measures lack the sensitivity to assess developmental changes in the nature of these impairments. Expressive Language Sampling Narrative (ELS-N) has emerged as a promising new measure with research demonstrating its usefulness in a wide range of ages in developmental disabilities and typical development. We examined ELS-N results in FXS and age-matched typically developing (TD) controls along with cognitive, adaptive, and clinical measures. We found the groups differed significantly on all ELS-N variables. Cognitive abilities were related to lexical diversity, syntactic complexity, and unintelligibility for the FXS group, but only verbal abilities were related to syntactic complexity in TD. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology was related to less intelligibility in speech. Measures of hyperactivity were related to increased talkativeness and unintelligibility. In addition, FXS males in comparison to FXS females were more impaired in cognitive ability, ASD symptoms, hyperactivity, and anxiety. This study extends the previous ELS research, supporting its use in FXS research as a measure to characterize language abilities. It also demonstrates the relationships between ELS-N variables and measures of cognitive, adaptive, ASD symptoms, and clinical symptoms.
Formation of Future Educators’ Professional Training for Introducing Social Experience by Means of Innovative Technologies of Education to Senior Preschoolers
Authors: Shkabarina Marharyta , Melnychuk Liliya , Koval Vadim , Stupnitska Svitlana
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the paper is to reveal the peculiarities of the introduction of innovative education technologies in the process of training future pre-school teachers in the field of the socialization of preschoolers, and to verify their effectiveness by experimental means. During the research, the methods of analysis and synthesis of philosophical, psychological and pedagogical sources in the field of professional training of the future teacher were used: modeling and designing, to determine the theoretical and methodological foundations of the research and development of innovative technology for the training of future teachers to familiarize preschoolers with social environments; studying and generalizing the current state of the professional training of future teachers of pre-school institutions to familiarize preschoolers with social reality; comparison and classification to determine the essential characteristics, criteria and levels of readiness of future pre-school teachers for the socialization of preschoolers; pedagogical experiment with qualitative and quantitative analysis of results, in particular, the statistical criterion of K. Pearson (x2). The results of the diagnosis led to the need to implement innovative educational technologies into the process of the professional training of future teachers of pre-school educational institutions in three stages: diagnostic and propaedeutic, motivational, activity–creative.
Suitability of Eye Tracking in Assessing the Visual Perception of Architecture—A Case Study Concerning Selected Projects Located in Cologne
Authors: Lisińska-Kuśnierz Małgorzata , Krupa Michał
Published: January 2020

This article discusses the visual perception of selected buildings located in the historic centre of Cologne, Germany, that have been designed by outstanding architects. It presents eye-tracking research, both from a theoretical perspective and that of its application potential in, among other fields, psychology, management, architecture and urban planning. It also presents an experiment which was performed to evaluate the suitability of eye tracking in the assessment of the visual perception of architecture and its surroundings, utilising the case study method and members of Generation Z as the subject population. Analysis of the experiment’s results enabled the authors to formulate commentary on findings concerning typically observed attractors and distractors in the perception of architecture and its surroundings depending on context-specific conditions. The study provided evidence of the suitability of eye tracking in the assessment of the visual perception of works of architecture and indicated the possibility of continuing research concerning the assessment and shaping of the state of awareness and knowledge of architecture and urban planning, which can significantly affect public participation in urban governance.
A Comprehensive Review of Calcium Electroporation—A Novel Cancer Treatment Modality
Authors: Frandsen Stine K. , Vissing Mille , Gehl Julie
Published: January 2020

Calcium electroporation is a potential novel anti-cancer treatment where high calcium concentrations are introduced into cells by electroporation, a method where short, high voltage pulses induce transient permeabilisation of the plasma membrane allowing passage of molecules into the cytosol. Calcium is a tightly regulated, ubiquitous second messenger involved in many cellular processes including cell death. Electroporation increases calcium uptake leading to acute and severe ATP depletion associated with cancer cell death. This comprehensive review describes published data about calcium electroporation applied in vitro, in vivo, and clinically from the first publication in 2012. Calcium electroporation has been shown to be a safe and efficient anti-cancer treatment in clinical studies with cutaneous metastases and recurrent head and neck cancer. Normal cells have been shown to be less affected by calcium electroporation than cancer cells and this difference might be partly induced by differences in membrane repair, expression of calcium transporters, and cellular structural changes. Interestingly, both clinical data and preclinical studies have indicated a systemic immune response induced by calcium electroporation. New cancer treatments are needed, and calcium electroporation represents an inexpensive and efficient treatment with few side effects, that could potentially be used worldwide and for different tumor types.
Multifaceted Roles of Caveolin-1 in Lung Cancer: A New Investigation Focused on Tumor Occurrence, Development and Therapy
Authors: Shi Yu-Bo , Li Jun , Lai Xing-Ning , Jiang Rui , Zhao Rui-Chen , Xiong Li-Xia
Published: January 2020

Lung cancer is one of the most common and malignant cancers with extremely high morbidity and mortality in both males and females. Although traditional lung cancer treatments are fast progressing, there are still limitations. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a main component of caveolae, participates in multiple cellular events such as immune responses, endocytosis, membrane trafficking, cellular signaling and cancer progression. It has been found tightly associated with lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis resistance and drug resistance. In addition to this, multiple bioactive molecules have been confirmed to target Cav-1 to carry on their anti-tumor functions in lung cancers. Cav-1 can also be a predictor for lung cancer patients’ prognosis. In this review, we have summarized the valuable research on Cav-1 and lung cancer in recent years and discussed the multifaceted roles of Cav-1 on lung cancer occurrence, development and therapy, hoping to provide new insights into lung cancer treatment.
Early Changes in Circulating FGF19 and Ang-2 Levels as Possible Predictive Biomarkers of Clinical Response to Lenvatinib Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chuma Makoto , Uojima Haruki , Numata Kazushi , Hidaka Hisashi , Toyoda Hidenori , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tada Toshifumi , Hirose Shunji , Atsukawa Masanori , Itokawa Norio , Arai Taeang , Kako Makoto , Nakazawa Takahide , Wada Naohisa , Iwasaki Shuitirou , Miura Yuki , Hishiki Satoshi , Nishigori Shuhei , Morimoto Manabu , Hattori Nobuhiro , Ogushi Katsuaki , Nozaki Akito , Fukuda Hiroyuki , Kagawa Tatehiro , Michitaka Kojiro , Kumada Takashi , Maeda Shin
Published: January 2020

Predictive biomarkers of the response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to Lenvatinib therapy have not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to identify clinically significant biomarkers of response to Lenvatinib therapy, to target strategies against HCC. Levels of circulating angiogenic factors (CAFs) were analyzed in blood samples collected at baseline and after introducing lenvatinib, from 74 Child-Pugh class A HCC patients who received lenvatinib. As CAF biomarkers, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), FGF23, and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Significantly increased FGF19 (FGF19-i) levels and decreased Ang-2 (Ang-2-d) levels were seen in Lenvatinib responders as compared to non-responders (ratio of FGF19 level at 4 weeks/baseline in responders vs. non-responders: 2.09 vs. 1.32, respectively, p = 0.0004; ratio of Ang-2 level at four weeks/baseline: 0.584 vs. 0.810, respectively, p = 0.0002). Changes in FGF23 and VEGF levels at four weeks versus baseline, however, were not significantly different in responders versus non-responders. In multivariate analysis, the combination of serum FGF19-i and Ang-2-d was the most independent predictive factor for Lenvatinib response (Odds ratio, 9.143; p = 0.0012). Furthermore, this combination biomarker showed the greatest independent association with progression-free survival (Hazard ratio, 0.171; p = 0.0240). Early changes in circulating FGF19 and Ang-2 levels might be useful for predicting clinical response and progression-free survival in HCC patients on Lenvatinib therapy.
Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism of Spontaneous Senescence in Primary Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Pakuła Martyna , Mały Ewa , Uruski Paweł , Witucka Anna , Bogucka Małgorzata , Jaroszewska Natalia , Makowska Nicoletta , Niklas Arkadiusz , Moszyński Rafał , Sajdak Stefan , Tykarski Andrzej , Mikuła-Pietrasik Justyna , Książek Krzysztof
Published: January 2020

Spontaneous senescence of cancer cells remains a puzzling and poorly understood phenomenon. Here we comprehensively characterize this process in primary epithelial ovarian cancer cells (pEOCs). Analysis of tumors from ovarian cancer patients showed an abundance of senescent cells in vivo. Further, serially passaged pEOCs become senescent after a few divisions. These senescent cultures display trace proliferation, high expression of senescence biomarkers (SA-β-Gal, γ-H2A.X), growth-arrest in the G1 phase, increased level of cyclins D1, D2, decreased cyclin B1, up-regulated p16, p21, and p53 proteins, eroded telomeres, reduced activity of telomerase, predominantly non-telomeric DNA damage, activated AKT, AP-1, and ERK1/2 signaling, diminished JNK, NF-κB, and STAT3 pathways, increased formation of reactive oxygen species, unchanged activity of antioxidants, increased oxidative damage to DNA and proteins, and dysfunctional mitochondria. Moreover, pEOC senescence is inducible by normal peritoneal mesothelium, fibroblasts, and malignant ascites via the paracrine activity of GRO-1, HGF, and TGF-β1. Collectively, pEOCs undergo spontaneous senescence in a mosaic, telomere-dependent and telomere-independent manner, plausibly in an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. The process may also be activated by extracellular stimuli. The biological and clinical significance of pEOC senescence remains to be explored.
Zebrafish Avatars towards Personalized Medicine—A Comparative Review between Avatar Models
Authors: Costa Bruna , Estrada Marta F. , Mendes Raquel V. , Fior Rita
Published: January 2020

Cancer frequency and prevalence have been increasing in the past decades, with devastating impacts on patients and their families. Despite the great advances in targeted approaches, there is still a lack of methods to predict individual patient responses, and therefore treatments are tailored according to average response rates. “Omics” approaches are used for patient stratification and choice of therapeutic options towards a more precise medicine. These methods, however, do not consider all genetic and non-genetic dynamic interactions that occur upon drug treatment. Therefore, the need to directly challenge patient cells in a personalized manner remains. The present review addresses the state of the art of patient-derived in vitro and in vivo models, from organoids to mouse and zebrafish Avatars. The predictive power of each model based on the retrospective correlation with the patient clinical outcome will be considered. Finally, the review is focused on the emerging zebrafish Avatars and their unique characteristics allowing a fast analysis of local and systemic effects of drug treatments at the single-cell level. We also address the technical challenges that the field has yet to overcome.