bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid PET/MRI in Staging Endometrial Cancer: Diagnostic and Predictive Value in a Prospective Cohort
Authors: Ironi Gabriele , Mapelli Paola , Bergamini Alice , Fallanca Federico , Candotti Giorgio , Gnasso Chiara , Taccagni Gianluca , Sant'Angelo Miriam , Scifo Paola , Bezzi Carolina , Rancoita Paola Maria Vittoria , Mangili Giorgia , Bocciolone Luca , Candiani Massimo , Gianolli Luigi , De Cobelli Francesco , Picchio Maria
Published: June 2021

Purpose. Assessment of deep myometrial invasion (MI) and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is of utmost importance in preoperative staging of endometrial cancer (EC). Imaging parameters derived respectively from MRI and PET have shown good predictive value. Aim of the present study is to assess the diagnostic performance of hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI in EC staging, with particular focus on MI and LVSI detection.Methods. Prospective monocentric study including 35 patients with biopsy-proven EC undergoing preoperative 18F-FDG PET/MRI for staging purpose. Histological examination was the reference standard. PET (SUVmax, SUVmean40, MTV40, TLG40) and MRI (volume index-VI, total tumor volume-TTV, tumor volume ratio-TVR, ADCmean, ADCmin) parameters were calculated on the primary tumor, and their role in predicting histological findings (grade, high- vs. low-risk groups, LVSI, MI, p53 hyper-expression) was assessed through a ROC analysis.Results. 18F-FDG-PET/MRI identified the primary tumor in all patients. In the LVSI detection, PET/MRI demonstrated high accuracy, specificity and negative predictive value (sensitivity=0.8571, specificity=0.9286, accuracy=0.9143, NPV=0.9630, PPV=0.7500). Assessment of MI using PET/MRI correctly staged 27 patients, showing a good positive predictive value (77.1%; sensitivity= 0.7273, specificity=0.8462, accuracy=0.7714, PPV=0.8889, NPV=0.647). VI, TTV, and TVR significantly predicted risk groups (p=0.0059, 0.0235, 0.0181, respectively). VI, TTV, TVR, MTV40 and TLG40 significantly predicted LVSI (p=0.0023, 0.0068, 0.0068, 0.0027, 0.0139, respectively). Imaging was not able to predict grading, MI nor p53 hyper-expression.Conclusion. 18F-FDG-PET/MRI has good accuracy in preoperative staging of EC; PET and MRI parameters have synergic role in preoperatively predicting LVSI, with MRI parameters being also predictive for EC risk groups.
Wildfire-mitigating power shut-offs promote household-level adaptation but not climate policy support
Authors: Mildenberger Matto , Trachtman Samuel , Howe Peter , Stokes Leah , Lubell Mark
Published: June 2021

Unmitigated climate change threatens to disrupt energy systems, for example through weather- and wildfire-induced electricity shortages. Public responses to these energy crises have the potential to shape decarbonization trajectories. Here, we estimate the attitudinal and behavioral effects of Californian power shut-offs in 2019, intended to reduce wildfire ignition risks. We use a geographically targeted survey to compare residents living within outage zones to matched residents in similar neighborhoods who retained their electricity. Outage experience increased respondent intentions to purchase gas or diesel generators and home battery systems, but reduced intentions to purchase electric vehicles. Respondents blamed outages on their utility, not local, state, or federal governments. However, outages did not change climate policy preferences, including willingness-to-pay for either wildfire or climate-mitigating reforms. Our findings show that, in reaction to some climate-linked disruptions, individuals may undertake adaptive responses that, collectively, could exacerbate future climate risks.
Cellulose-Synthesizing Machinery in Bacteria
Authors: Tajima Kenji , Imai Tomoya , Yui Toshifumi , Yao Min , Saxena Inder
Published: June 2021

Cellulose is produced by all plants and a number of other organisms, including bacteria. The most representative cellulose-producing bacterial species is Gluconacetobacter xylinus (G. xylinus), an acetic acid bacterium. Cellulose produced by G. xylinus, commonly referred to as bacterial cellulose (BC), has exceptional physicochemical properties resulting in its use in a variety of applications. All cellulose-producing organisms that synthesize cellulose microfibrils have membrane-localized protein complexes (also called terminal complexes or TCs) that contain the enzyme cellulose synthase and other proteins. The bacterium G. xylinus is a prolific cellulose producer and a model organism for studies on cellulose biosynthesis. The widths of cellulose fibers produced by Gluconacetobacter are 50‒100 nm, suggesting that cellulose-synthesizing complexes are nanomachines spinning a nanofiber. At least four different proteins (BcsA, BcsB, BcsC, and BcsD) are included in TC from Gluconacetobacter, and the proposed function of each is as follows: BcsA, synthesis of a glucan chain through glycosyl transfer from UDP-glucose; BcsB, complexes with BcsA for cellulose synthase activity; BcsC, formation of a pore in the outer membrane through which a glucan chain is extruded; BcsD, regulates aggregation of glucan chains through four tunnel-like structures. In this review, we discuss structures and functions of these four and a few other proteins that have a role in cellulose biosynthesis in bacteria.
Transferring the Sandwich Principle to Instructional Videos: Is It Worth the Effort?
Authors: Bock Anna , Thomas Christina , Heitzer Marius , Winnand Philipp , Peters Florian , Lemos Martin , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: June 2021

Background: Applying sandwich principle to lectures has proven to be more effective for learning outcomes than classical lectures. Supposedly, this teaching format also leads to a beneficial knowledge transfer when applied to other teaching formats. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the sandwich principle on instructional videos and how its use was evaluated by students.Methods: Participants (n = 51) were randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups were given a test to assess the baseline level of knowledge. Afterwards, the control group watched the normal instructional video on cleft lips and palates, while the sandwich group watched the same video modified according to the sandwich principle. The participants then had to answer 30 single-choice questions to assess their knowledge gain and evaluate the instructional video. Long-term retention of the knowledge was tested again 6 months later using the same test questions.Results: Comparison of the pre-test and post-test results of both groups showed significantly increased test scores (p < 0.0001). Regarding long-term retention, the mean test scores were still significantly higher in both groups than before watching the video (p < 0.0001). The evaluation showed that the students highly appreciated the modified video and found the interruptions for repetition of previously learned knowledge useful.Conclusion: The hypothesis that the modification of instructional videos according to the sandwich principle would lead to an improved learning outcome could not be proved subjectively or objectively. Nevertheless, the teaching format was highly appreciated by the students and may have increased their motivation to learn with instructional videos.
The Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage Ⅳ Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Liao Quanhui , Shen Shaoxin , Ma Xijing , Dai Guisen , Lu Geng , Chen Canmin
Published: June 2021

Background and objectives The purpose of the present study was to comprehensively analyze the prognostic value of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in stage IV HCC patients. Methods HCC patients were recognized in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. The effects of adjuvant CT on HCC patients were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses. Results A total of 490 HCC patients were enrolled in this study and the median follow-up time was 2.69 months (range: 0–102 months). 34.3% (168) HCC patients received adjuvant CT, of which 58.6% (287) received local destruction, 25.5% (125) were partial resection and 15.9% (78) underwent liver transplantion. Multivariate analysis showed that chemotherapy (P <0.001), surgery (P <0.001), year at diagnosis (P = 0.004), grade (P <0.001) and fibrosis score (P = 0.039) were independent factor of cancer specific survival (CSS), and that chemotherapy (P <0.001), surgery (P <0.001), year at diagnosis (P = 0.005), grade (P <0.001) were independent factor of overall survival (OS). Survival curves confirmed that patients achieved an increased OS or CSS from adjuvant CT (P <0.05). Conclusions Our results concluded that compared to surgery alone, stage IV HCC patients could profit from adjuvant chemotherapy. High quality prospective trials are necessary to further confirm our results.
Factors for Treatment Success in Anisometropic Amblyopia: Effect of Refractive Errors of the Amblyopic Eyes
Authors: Choi Daye Diana , Kim Dae Hee , Kim Ungsoo Samuel , Baek Seung-Hee
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To investigate the factors for treatment success in anisometropic amblyopia according to the spherical equivalent (SE) type of amblyopic eyes. Methods: Medical records of 397 children with anisometropic amblyopia aged 3 to 12 years during 2010~2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Anisometropia was defined as ≥1 diopter (D) difference in SE, or ≥1.5 D difference of cylindrical error between the eyes. According to the SE of amblyopic eyes, patients were categorized into hyperopia (SE ≥1D), emmetropia (-1< SE <+1) and myopia (SE ≤-1D) groups. Treatment success was defined as achieving interocular LogMAR visual acuity difference < 0.2. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors for treatment success.Results: Significant factors for the amblyopia treatment success in hyperopia group (n=270) were younger age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% confidence interval, CI) = 0.60 (0.41-0.88)], larger astigmatism of sound eye [aOR (95% CI) = 0.04 (0-0.78)], better BCVA in amblyopic eyes at presentation [aOR (95% CI) = 0.01 (0-0.16)], longer follow-up period [aOR (95%CI)=1.1 (1.04-1.17)], and no comorbid strabismus [aOR (95%CI)= 0.25 (0.06-0.99)]. In myopia group (n=68), older age [aOR (95% CI) =0.45 (0.20-0.97)] and worse BCVA in amblyopic eyes [aOR (95% CI) = 0.04 (0-0.61)] were inversely associated with higher odds of treatment success. There was no significant factor for treatment success in emmetropia group (n=59).Conclusions: The type of refractive error of amblyopic eyes at presentation affects the factors for treatment success of anisometropic amblyopia.
DRAXIN as a Novel Diagnostic Marker to Predict the Poor Prognosis of Glioma Patients
Authors: Liu Zhendong , Liu Runze , Cheng Xingbo , Liu Binfeng , Zhu Yongjie , Zhao Yaoye , Han Zhibin , Wang Jialin , Wang Hongbo , Lian Xiaoyu , Gao Yanzheng
Published: June 2021

An increasing number of evidences have shown that the carcinogenic effect of DRAXIN plays an important role in the malignant process of tumors, but the mechanism of its involvement in glioma has not yet been revealed. The main aim of this study is to explore the relationship between DRAXIN and the prognosis and pathogenesis of glioma through a large qualities of data analysis. Firstly, thousands of tissue samples with clinical information were collected based on various public databases. Then, a series of bioinformatics analyses were performed to mine data from information of glioma samples extracted from several reputable databases to reveal the key role of DRAXIN in glioma development and progression, with the confirmation of basic experiments. Our results showed high expression of the oncogene DRAXIN in tumor tissue and cells could be used as an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in glioma patients and was strongly associated with clinical risk features. The reverse transcription-quantitative PCR technique was then utilized to validate the DRAXIN expression results we obtained. In addition, co-expression analysis identified respectively top 10 genes that were closely associated with DRAXIN positively or negatively. Finally, four drugs that may have inhibitory effects on DRAXIN were gained by Cmap drug analysis. To sum up, this is the first report of DRAXIN being highly expressed in gliomas and leading to poor prognosis of glioma patients. DRAXIN may not only benefit to explore the pathogenesis of gliomas, but also serve as a novel biological target for the treatment of glioma.
Prediction of Different Interventions on the Burden of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in China: a Dynamic Modeling Study
Authors: Xu Ao , Wen Ze-xuan , Wang Yue , Wang Wei-bing
Published: June 2021

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. The World Health Organization adopted the “End TB Strategy”, whose goal is to end the global TB epidemic by 2035. However, achieving this goal will be difficult using current prevention and control measures.Methods. A Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model that distinguishes drug-sensitive (DS) and drug-resistant (DR) TB in the entire Chinese population was established. Goodness-of-fit tests and sensitivity analyses were used to assess model performance. Predictive analysis was performed to assess the effect of different prevention and control strategies on DR-TB and achieving the goal of the End TB Strategy: 90% fewer cases of DR-TB by 2035.Results. We used parameter fitting to determine the basic reproduction number of the model as R0 =0.6993. Chi-square test results indicated good model fits for the reported incidences of DS-TB (χ2=0.144, P=1.000) and DR-TB (χ2=0.076, P=1.000). The predictive analysis led to four major projections for the number of cases by 2035. First, if the transmission rate of DR-TB patients reaches 0 during the infectious period, there will be 208,754 fewer cases (failure to achieve to goal). Second, if the progression rate of latently infected people reaches 10%, there will be 255,075 fewer cases (92.2% lower than in 2015). Third, if the overall treatment and cure rate of patients with DS-TB improves to 100%, there will be 150,482 fewer cases (failure to achieve the goal). Fourth, if the cure rate of DR-TB increases to 40%, there will be 253,198 fewer cases (91.5% lower than in 2015).Conclusions. We assessed several prevention and control measures for DR-TB. Interventions that target acquired DR and improvement of the cure rate of DS-TB have limited efficacy. However, interventions that target primary DR-TB, such as reducing the probability of transmission and the rate of disease progression in patients with DR-TB, have better efficacy. Improving treatment compliance and the cure rate of patients with DR-TB can also contribute to attaining the goal of the End TB Strategy.
Developmental potency of goat embryos produced by intra cytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization.
Authors: Bori Joygeswar
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to standardize novel intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique, production of goat embryos by ICSI, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and comparison of their developmental potency. Immobilized sperm from epididymal semen with breaking tail were injected to mature metaphase ii oocytes by sharp micropipette of 5 µm diameter, as well as in vitro fertilization was carried out. Icsi and IVF derived zygotes were cultured in rvcl-blast-bsa media after chemical activation with ionomycin, chx and 6-dmap. Sham injection was used as a control group. Results suggest that immobilized sperm with breaking tail microinjected by sharp injection pipette after chemical activation is an efficient approach for goat embryo production by ICSI. Satisfactory survival rate (83.2%) was found by using sharp injection pipette of 5 µm diameter. Chemical activation with ionomycin, chx and 6-dmap was found effective with activation rate of 63.33%. Developmental rate of 2 cell, 4–8 cell, 8–16 cell, morula, blastocyst in ICSI and IVF group was 74.44%, 63.33%, 44.44%, 23.33%, 14.44% and 65.16%, 57.42%, 49.03%, 38.71%, 23.23%, respectively. Upon comparison, significantly higher (p < 0.05) percentage of cleavage was found in ICSI group than IVF (73.40 ± 3.12% vs. 64.06 ± 2.44%, respectively). However, morula and blastocyst percentage was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in IVF group than ICSI (23.20 ± 2.73% vs. 37.90 ± 3.15% and 14.56 ± 1.75% vs. 21.05 ± 2.09%). It can be concluded that ICSI with sharp micropipette of 5 µm diameter can be applied to assisted reproduction for in vitro goat embryo production.
Umgangsweisen mit den Schulschließungen und dem ‚Homeschooling‘ im Kontext der Corona-Pandemie – Orientierungen von Schulleitungen inklusiver Grundschulen zum Lernen auf Distanz
Authors: Kowalski Marlene
Published: June 2021

Das mit Inklusion verbundene Ziel der Partizipation von allen Kindern an Lern- und Bildungsprozessen wurde im Kontext des durch die Corona-Pandemie notwendig gewordenen Lernen auf Distanz bzw. ‚Homeschooling‘ erheblich auf die Probe gestellt. Im Beitrag wird der Frage nachgegangen, wie inklusive Grundschulen mit den Herausforderungen der Schul-schließungen und der Unterbrechung des gemeinsamen Unterrichts umgehen. Dazu werden erste Ergebnisse aus einer qualitativ-empirischen Studie zu „Inklusions- und Exklusions-prozessen an Grundschulen während der Corona-Zeit“ vorgestellt: In zwei Fallbeispielen werden die Erfahrungen von Schulleitungen mit den Schulschließungen und dem Lernen zuhause dokumentarisch-methodisch rekonstruiert. Die Schulleitungen werden hierbei als zentrale Repräsentanz ihrer Schule betrachtet, sodass die Rekonstruktion des institutionellen, schulkulturellen Orientierungsrahmens, also der verinnerlichten Handlungs- und Deutungs-muster der Schule im Vordergrund steht. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass die Schulen zuerst organisations- und kommunikationsbezogene Herausforderungen wahrgenommen und erst in einem zweiten und dritten Schritt die lern- und leistungsbezogene Teilhabe der Schüler*innen und die Bereitstellung von differenziellen Lernangeboten als zentrale Aufgabe betrachtet haben. Abschließend werden aktuelle Herausforderungen der Schaffung von inklusiven Lerngelegenheiten im Kontext der Corona-Pandemie diskutiert.
 
Abstract
The general aim of inclusion to facilitate learning participation of all children has been enormously challenged by homeschooling and distance learning during the coronavirus lockdown. In this paper, the question of how primary schools deal with the challenges of the school lockdown and how they promote participation of all children during this period of time will be elaborated. Based on the qualitative study „Processes of Inclusion and Exclusion on Primary Schools during the Coronavirus Pandemic“ two case studies of schools will be discussed. Therein, school principals report on their experiences with the lockdown and homeschooling. Their statements will be analysed with the Documentary Method. Considering the school principals as the key representatives of their school, the focus is on analysing the school cultural orientation frame. The results highlight that schools are mainly handling with challenges in organising the general learning process and communicating with students. Hence, learning participation is considered being important after having managed these requirements. Based on the results, general challenges of inclusive learning contexts, especially with regard to distance learning, will be discussed.
A comment on instantons and their fermion zero modes in adjoint QCD_2
Authors: Smilga Andrei
Published: June 2021

The adjoint 2-dimensional QCD
with the gauge group SU(N)/Z_NSU(N)/ZN
admits topologically nontrivial gauge field configurations associated
with nontrivial \pi_1[SU(N)/Z_N] = Z_Nπ1[SU(N)/ZN]=ZN.
The topological sectors are labelled by an integer
k=0,\ldots, N-1k=0,…,N−1.
However, in contrast to QED_2QED2
and QCD_4QCD4,
this topology is not associated with an integral invariant like the
magnetic flux or Pontryagin index. These instantons may admit fermion
zero modes, but there is always an equal number of left-handed and
right-handed modes, so that the Atiyah-Singer theorem, which determines
in other cases the number of the modes, does not apply. The mod. 2 argument [1]
suggests that, for a generic gauge field configuration, there is either
a single doublet of such zero modes or no modes whatsoever. However, the
known solution of the Dirac problem for a wide class of gauge field
configurations indicates the presence of k(N-k)
zero mode doublets in the topological sector
k. In this note, we demonstrate in an explicit way that these modes are not
robust under a generic enough deformation of the gauge background and
confirm thereby the conjecture of Ref. [1]. The implications for the
physics of this theory (screening vs. confinement issue) are briefly
discussed.
Visual Pleasure in Kawabata Yasunari's Novella House of the Sleeping Beauties
Authors: Sari Ida Purnama , Udasmoro Wening
Published: June 2021

The research discussed visual pleasure in Kawabata Yasunari’s novella “House of the Sleeping Beauties”. Women, whensubject to the male gaze, had often been the objects of sexual and visual pleasure. The novella described the nyotaimoripractice, in which sushi was served on the nude body of a woman for the object of male visual and sexual pleasure. Theresearch sought to dissect and explore visual pleasure in literary work and its central positioning. Using Laura Mulvey’stheory of male gaze and visual pleasure, and feminist literary studies, it employed content analysis as a method to uncover the phrases and paragraphs depicting visual pleasure in the novella. Firstly, the research finds that in practicing visual enjoyment, men use women as the objects of pleasure and fantasy. Secondly, men position women, their female bodies, and sexuality as markers of castration.
Character Education in an Acehnese Cultural Saga: Hikayat Prang Sabi
Authors: Herman RN , Mukhlis Mukhlis , Parlindungan Firman , Lisyati Lia , Nuthihar Rahmad
Published: June 2021

The research sought to understand the value of patriotism in the Hikayat Prang Sabi by using a qualitative approach. Hikayat was referred to narratives (saga) of war rooted in Acehnese cultural tradition, and Prang Sabi in Acehnese language meant ‘Holy War’. As a literary work, Hikayat Prang Sabi embodied the concept of jihad, which was usually sung during the time of war in the Acehnese history: Portuguese in 1511, Dutch in 1873, Japan in 1942, and the Republic of Indonesia in 1976. The source of the data was verses or stanzas of Hikayat Prang Sabi that contained patriotic values. These verses were then treated as the unit of analysis. A hermeneutic approach was employed to analyze the data. The findings show that Hikayat Prang Sabi contains two types of patriotic values: national and religious. National value refers to the sense of nationalism, ethnicity, and humanity. Religious value, on the other hand, displays the value of spirituality, prophecy, and peace. These values indicate the foundation of thinking and doing of the Acehnese people manifested in a literary work, which then can be transferred into the notion of character education.
Questioning Strategies in English Literature Lectures in an Indonesian University
Authors: Rido Akhyar , Kuswoyo Heri , Nuansa Sandi
Published: June 2021

The research aimed to investigate the questioning strategies used by lecturers in English literature lectures an Indonesian university and how they were manifested. Applying the qualitative approach and Rido, Ibrahim, and Nambiar’s conceptual framework in 2015, the research analyzed three lectures of English literature consisting of prose, literary criticism, and drama. Data were collected through 300 minutes of video-recordings. The findings reveal that the lecturers employ various types of questions such as display, referential, follow-up, and rhetorical questions. The lecturers manifest the questions by rephrasing questions first, then nominating students, asking questions to the entire class, encouraging students to initiate questions, and moving closer to students when asking questions. The questioning strategies help the lecturers to lead the discussion, check students’ understanding, offer the students to share ideas, and improve students’ participation. As a result, the students become active in expressing thoughts, sharing ideas, and even initiating questions. The research can be a guideline for lecturers to create meaningful and interactive lectures to produce competent and critical students.
The Use of Audiobooks in Developing Seventh-Grade Students' Reading Skills (A Case Study for EFL Students)
Authors: Nuraini Hery , Daniarti Yeni , Taufiq Rohmat
Published: June 2021

The research was conducted to develop students’ reading skills by using an English story with Audiobooks. It seemed that the teachers could overcome if they were proficient in utilizing the internet and computer applications in the students’ learning process because the students enjoyed the gedgets. In a sense, teachers should integrate supportive technology, problem-based approaches, and higher-order thinking skills. Based on these problems, the researcher was interested in developing students’ reading skills by using Audiobooks apps. Moreover, the research investigated that students could significantly develop their reading skills by reading English stories with Audiobooks apps. It aimed to investigate the students’ reading skills could significantly be developing by reading English stories with the Audiobooks app. The research applied a case study as the qualitative research method. The participants were three students from seventh-grade students. The researchers collected and analyzed the data from observations, tests, and interviews. Based on the finding and discussion, it can be concluded that the participants have achieved and exceeded in Standard Minimum Score (KKM). Besides, the students are enthusiastic and comfortable reading English stories with Audiobooks application in the learning process.
Comparison of the anesthesia effects of ketamine, dexmedetomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam with or without tramadol in cats
Authors: LIANG YUE , WANG ZHENGRU , LI LIUYANG , LI JIPENG , MA XINWU , CHEN SHULIN , YIN YUPENG , LU DEZHANG
Published: June 2021

This study investigated the analgesia effects of intramuscular injection of ketamine, dexmedetomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam combined with tramadol (KDZT) and compared the efficacy of this combination with that of ketamine, dexmedetomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam (KDZ) in Chinese local mongrel cats. Ten cats were tested twice as a comparison between the two groups, and the interval between the two groups was more than a week. The animals received ketamine (10 mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (10 μg/kg) and zoletil (5 mg/kg) combined with or without tramadol (2 mg/kg) for anesthesia in separate tests. Heart rate, respiration rate, non-invasive systolic pressure, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, rectal temperature, subjective pain scores and venous blood-gas were measured simultaneously. The induction time, recovery time of the righting reflex, standing and walking, the time during the anesthesia period were recorded. Cardiopulmonary variables changed after injection, some of which were significantly different from baselines before anesthesia induction. Values regarding blood gas changed after intramuscular administration, and significant differences were found between two groups at one of the timepoints. Both KDZT and KDZ provided adequate analgesia in cats. The induction period of two anesthetic mixtures was within 1-3 min and could effectively maintain anesthesia for 75-175 min. The change of physiological parameters remained within a biologically acceptable range and was not significantly different between the two groups. The use of KDZT resulted in better anesthesia, with shorter anesthesia induction period and longer anesthesia period compared with KDZ. No side effects were observed, no rescue analgesic was required.
BASE INDUSTRIAL DE DEFESA: A COMPETITIVIDADE INTERNACIONAL DAS EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS DE EQUIPAMENTOS DE USO INDIVIDUAL
Authors: Marcos Brustolin Vitelio
Published: June 2021

Neste artigo é formatado um conceito de “equipamentos de uso individual, com base nos documentos norteadores das Forças Armadas do Brasil. Em seguida são apresentadas as maiores empresas do mundo desse segmento, buscando oportunidades de mercado. Na sequência é realizado um mapeamento das empresas brasileiras que atuam na área, incluindo a sua estrutura produtiva, porte, localização e capacidade de inovação. A metodologia empregada é de: 1) análise de dados governamentais; 2) questionário para empresários; 3) entrevista presencial em uma amostra de empresas; 4) pesquisa bibliográfica. Nas conclusões são elencadas possibilidades de políticas públicas para contemplar a Base Industrial de Defesa do Brasil, com foco nas empresas desse segmento.
ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH COVID-19 CASES IN CENTRAL SOUTH AMERICA
Authors: Brunelli Thais , Paiva Sophia , Siqueira Angélica , Santana Cleyton , Curvo Luís , Marques João , Rodrigues Thiago
Published: June 2021

This work aims to evaluate the possible relations between the confirmed daily cases of COVID-19 and the environmental parameters for the Cuiabá-Várzea Grande conurbation in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The data sets used to cover the rainy-dry periods, from January to December 2020, were achieved from a database of government institutions, and processed through the Spearman correlation test. Our results showed that atmospheric pressure and fire radiative power has a significant positive correlation, suggesting that these parameters favor the transmission of COVID-19. On the other hand, the relative humidity of the air and the total column of water vapor showed a significant negative correlation with the number of confirmed daily cases of COVID-19, which indicates that the water vapor present in the atmosphere acts in the regulation of virus transmission. Thus, taking into account the results obtained, there is a need for collaborative policies and measures among the three spheres of executive power in Brazil, to act in the surveillance of fire cases, which can favor the transmission of COVID-19. In addition, prevention and protection measures aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus continue to be indispensable.
Analysis of water quality at hydrographic basin scale using satellite images, co-occurrence matrices and Bayes classifier
Authors: Silva M. G. G. , Silva D. J. , Costa P. D. , Silva R. C. , Cassimiro T. E. B. , Amorim L. S. , Rocha D. A. , Peixoto Z. M. A.
Published: June 2021

Given the increased risks of water scarcity and the presence of polluting agents in water resources, this paper aims at the development and presentation of a computational tool capable of assessing water quality based on digital processing techniques applied to satellite images. Initially, a database was created for Brazilian regions, consisting of hydrographic basins' satellite images associated with the Water Quality Index (WQI), according to the criteria established by the National Water Agency (ANA). Hitherto, the database consisted of 85 images, 61 were used in the training stage and 24 in the testing stage. In both stages, the images were subjected to thresholding using Otsu's Method, binarization, linear expansion on saturation, application of a Laplacian filter, extraction of characteristics by using co-occurrence matrices and classification by the Bayes Discriminant. Such techniques were also implemented on a computational platform in the MATLAB® environment, responsible for the interface between the system and users. The proposed system presented an approximate 70% success rate regarding the classification of WQIs, which can be improved as more information is made available to improve the databases.
Green synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles using Allium cepa peels for degradation of Congo red direct dye: an environmental remedial approach
Authors: Rafique Muhammad Asim , Kiran Shumaila , Javed Sadia , Ahmad Ikram , Yousaf Sumaira , Iqbal Nazar , Afzal Gulnaz , Rani Fouzai
Published: June 2021

Direct dyes are used in different textile operations and processings. The textile industries are disposing of unused direct dyes into the aquatic environment which is posing a serious alarming threat to aquatic lives. The current study deals with the synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles using Allium cepa peels aqueous extract. Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synthesized NiO-NPs were used to remove Congo red direct dye. Various experimental factors like concentration of dye and nanoparticles, pH, and temperature were optimized. Congo red direct dye was decolorized up to 90% at optimized conditions (Congo Red Direct dye concentration 0.02%, catalyst dose 0.003 g·L−1, pH 6, and temperature 50 °C). The real textile industry effluent disclosed 70% decolorization at optimized conditions. The percent reduction in total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was found to be 73.24% and 74.56% in the case of Congo red dye catalytic treatment and the percent reduction in TOC and COD was found to be 62.47% and 60.23%, respectively, in the treatment of textile effluent using nickel oxide nanoparticles as a catalyst. Treated and untreated dye samples were exposed to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectral analyses too. The reaction products were studied by degradation pathway.
Perfil, organograma e controle acionário das empresas listadas na B3
Authors: Maciel Emily Tavares Pessoa , Callado Antônio André Cunha
Published: June 2021

O presente estudo objetivou fazer uma análise de informações das empresas, listadas na Brasil, Bolsa e Balcão (B3), variáveis relacionadas ao tempo de constituição, tempo de registro na Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM), receitas de venda de bens e/ou serviços, número de empregados, número de colaboradores, disponibilização de organograma e estrutura do organograma, como também variáveis relacionadas ao controle acionário das empresas, com o intuito de identificar características pontuais das organizações, conjuntamente à existência ou não de organograma, e às características acionárias empresariais. A pesquisa caracterizou-se como exploratória, descritiva e quantitativa. Percebeu-se que o tempo médio de constituição das empresas é de 41 anos, que elas apresentam uma média de 22 anos de registro na Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, contam com uma média de 7.300 empregados, viu-se que apenas 102 empresas (23,94%) disponibilizavam organograma nos seus sítios institucionais ou documentos e quase a totalidade de empresas pesquisadas contam com o controle acionário brasileiro.
Why Are Digital Health Care Systems Still Poorly Designed, and Why Is Health Care Practice Not Asking for More? Three Paths Toward a Sustainable Digital Work Environment
Authors: Persson Johanna , Rydenfält Christofer
Published: June 2021

Knowledge of how to design digital systems that are ergonomically sound, high in usability, and optimized for the user, context, and task has existed for some time. Despite this, there are still too many examples of new digital health care systems that are poorly designed and that could negatively affect both the work environment of health care staff and patient safety. This could be because of a gap between the theoretical knowledge of design and ergonomics and the practical implementation of this knowledge in procuring and developing digital health care systems. Furthermore, discussions of digitalization are often at a general level and risk neglecting the nature of direct interaction with the digital system. This is problematic since it is at this detailed level that work environment and patient safety issues materialize in practice. In this paper, we illustrate such issues with two scenarios concerned with contemporary electronic health care records, based on field studies in two health care settings. We argue that current methods and tools for designing and evaluating digital systems in health care must cater both to the holistic level and to the details of interaction and ergonomics. It must also be acknowledged that health care professionals are neither designers nor engineers, so expectations of them during the development of digital systems must be realistic. We suggest three paths toward a more sustainable digital work environment in health care: (1) better tools for evaluating the digital work environment in the field; (2) generic formulations of qualitative requirements related to usability and for adaptation to the user, context, and task, to be used in procurement; and (3) the introduction of digital ergonomics as an embracing concept capturing several of the ergonomic challenges (including physical, cognitive, and organizational aspects) involved in implementing and using digital systems.
Changes in Anxiety and Stress Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis of a Japanese Social Question-and-Answer Website
Authors: Shirabe Ritsuko , Okuhara Tsuyoshi , Yokota Rie , Okada Hiroko , Goto Eiko , Kiuchi Takahiro
Published: June 2021

Background

The changing pattern of anxiety and stress experienced by pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown.

Objective

We aimed to examine the sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We performed content analysis of 1000 questions posted on the largest social website in Japan (Yahoo! Chiebukuro) from January 1 to May 25, 2020 (end date of the national state of emergency). The Gwet AC1 coefficient was used to verify interrater reliability.

Results

A total 12 categories were identified. Throughout the study period, anxiety related to going outdoors appeared most frequent, followed by anxiety regarding employment and infection among family and friends. Following the declaration of the state of national emergency at the peak of the infection, infection-related anxiety decreased, whereas anxiety about social support and mood disorders increased. Stress regarding relationships appeared frequent throughout the pandemic.

Conclusions

The sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan changed during the pandemic. Our results suggest the need for rapid communications in the early phase of a pandemic as well as long-term psychosocial support to provide optimal support to pregnant women in Japan. Health care professionals should understand the changing pattern of requirements among pregnant women.
Staking a Claim: Mineral Mining, Prospecting Logics, and Settler Infrastructures
Authors: Tollefson Hannah
Published: June 2021

Background: Various jurisdictions around the world have adopted online mineral staking platforms, designed to create a seamless process for acquiring mineral rights. This article considers how territory is mediated through staking practices and emerging digital prospecting procedures by tracing the implementation of Mineral Titles Online, Canada’s first web-based mineral title interface.

Analysis: The article draws on archival materials, explores legal cases, and analyzes the staking application to examine how this practice reconstructs settler colonial logics.

Conclusion and implications: The staking application operates as an infrastructure of ongoing colonial extractivism, yet is open to various forms of political intervention—as demonstrated by communities who undermine its intended use.
From Labrador to Leipzig: Film and Infrastructures along the Fur Trail
Authors: Jekanowski Rachel Webb
Published: June 2021

Background: Since 1919, the Hudson’s Bay Company has sponsored films to document and advertise its trading operations. Films such as Hudson’s Bay Company Centenary Celebrations (1919), The Heritage of Adventure (1920), and Leipzig Exhibition footage (1930) offered views of North American landscapes and Hudson’s Bay Company trading posts and department stores alongside ethnographic footage of Indigenous Peoples.

Analysis: Drawing on archival research conducted at the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives and textual film analysis of these “fur films,” this article theorizes their production and circulation within settler visual culture.

Conclusions and implications: Tracing the films’ paths from the Eastern Arctic to Montréal, and from London, England, to Leipzig, Germany, this article demonstrates how these moving pictures participate in the entanglement of settler and infrastructural projects that characterize early twentieth-century Canada.
A Retrospective Assessment of the Initial Phase of Covid-19 and Its Implemented Treatment Strategies
Authors: Sadhukhan Pinkan , Sutnga Innocent , Bingari Bharjil , Choudhury Ananta
Published: June 2021

Coronaviridae is a typical type of viral family comprised of an exceptionally huge RNA genome with a characteristic appearance and a noteworthy propensity to move from creatures to people. Since the start of the 21st century, three exceptionally contagious and pathogenic coronaviruses have traversed the species boundary and caused lethal pneumonia, exacting serious episodes, and causing human wellbeing crises to an unfathomable extent. The COVID-19 pandemic, presumably, is the most wrecking one, over the most recent 100 years after Spanish influenza. To the quick assessment of the various methodologies for a capability to evoke defensive resistance and well-being to shorten undesirable resistant potentiation, which assumes a significant function in this virus's pathogenesis. Considering the forthcoming public health crisis, researchers around the globe are consolidating their logical scientific possessions and offering initial information in an unprecedented way. In this review, we have tried to summarize some of the SAR-nCoV2 treatments that essentially focus on the potential drugs including Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Favipiravir, Remdesivir, Chloroquine phosphate, Hydroxychloroquine, Arbidol, and so on. Other potential vaccine developments with their difficulties associated and their current status are also being addressed.

Keywords:
Clinical features and management strategies of Meningitis in adult patients: A hospital based study from Kuwait
Authors: Al Shammri Suhail , Chattopadhyay Arpita , Chadha Geeti , Zayada Ahmed , Al Shaifan Faisal , Rotimi Vincent , Abu Qoora Amr
Published: June 2021

Introduction: High mortality rate of meningitis has been reported in Kuwait, however, limited data is available describing this disease in adult patients. With this background, we conducted a prospective study on patients admitted with meningitis, with an objective to describe the risk factors, clinical presentation, disease course and outcome; focus given on diagnostic problems and consequent management difficulties.

Methods: Our team diagnosed, managed and documented hospital records of patients (n=44) admitted with suspected meningitis at a referral hospital during 2010-12. Detailed information was collected regarding clinical presentation, CSF analysis, treatment, hospital course and outcome as per Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results: Bacterial, viral, and tuberculosis (TB) meningitis were seen in 22.8%, 52.3%, and 15.9% of patients. Clinical features of our cohort were consistent with available literature. Positive identification of organism by culture, gram stain, or antigen test was possible in only 6 patients i.e. Streptococcus pneumonae-(n=3), Streptococcus agalactiae-(n=2), Neisseria meningitides-(n=1). CSF polymerase chain reaction was detected positive for Enterovirus RNA, and Herpes simplex virus DNA for one patient each. Empirical antimicrobial treatment directed against common causative organisms was the mainstay of management of bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis was managed symptomatically. TB meningitis patients were administered anti-tubercular treatment. As per GOS, 38(85.4%) patients recovered with no neurological deficit. Six patients recovered with mild to moderate deficit. Conclusion: Low positive culture rates and inability to identify pathogens have been a diagnostic challenge faced by our team. Strong clinical suspicion, early empiric antibiotic and dexamethasone therapy perhaps contributed to very good recovery in our study.

Keywords: Meningitis, Kuwait, Clinical Suspicion, Antibiotic, Dexamethasone
The United States - China Rivalry and the BRI
Authors: Blanchard Jean-Marc F.
Published: June 2021

The article describes the United States - China rivalry and Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through a fine-grained review of primary materials such as major US policy documents and speeches by and media interviews with key American foreign policy decisionmakers, as well as the selective use of secondary materials such as think tank studies and articles in scholarly publications. It shows that the BRI has fueled the bilateral rivalry since its birth in 2013 and that the rivalry, in turn, has affected US views about the BRI. Under President Barack Obama, the US took a muted stance towards the BRI, expressing modestly cooperative sentiments regarding it. In contrast, under President Donald Trump, Washingtons posture towards the BRI dramatically changed with his administration frequently denigrating the BRI, raising it in major security and foreign policy documents, initiating competing development schemes such as the BUILD Act, and building closer cooperation with allies against Chinas venture. Despite its angst about the BRI, however, the Trump administration never launched any large-scale countermeasures. This article contributes to clarifying the situation by correcting some factual errors in past analyses and updating the general understanding about the Trump administrations response. It systematically contemplates how internal and external economic, political, and ideational factors affected the Obama and Trump administrations responses to the BRI, demonstrating that such factors shaped or shifted US policy or bounded its form and intensity. These factors, being similar to those stressed by neoclassical realists who emphasize the role of leaders as interpreters within limits of the external environment and responders to it subject to various domestic constraints, provide a foundation which is used to speculate about the USs probable response to the BRI under President Joseph Biden, Jr.
Type B Lactic Acidosis in a Solid-Tumour Malignancy Without Liver Metastases
Authors: Preti Beatrice , Deluce Jasna , Srivastava Siddhartha
Published: June 2021

Malignancy-induced type B lactic acidosis is a rare, yet fascinating, cause of refractory acidosis in patients with cancer, often unresponsive to usual medical treatments. Case reports usually discuss the paraneoplastic phenomenon in hematologic malignancies; however, we present the case of a 72-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer, who initially presented to hospital with an elevated lactate in the absence of acidosis. She appeared to improve with fluids; however, she then represented 2 weeks later with a severe metabolic acidosis and undetectable high lactate level. Ultimately, the patient did not respond well to supportive care, and the decision was made to pursue comfort-directed therapy.
RésuméL’acidose lactique de type B induite par une tumeur est une cause rare, mais extrêmement intéressante, d’acidose réfractaire chez les patients cancéreux et qui, souvent, ne répond pas aux traitements médicaux habituels. Les études de cas traitent généralement du phénomène paranéoplasique des tumeurs malignes hématologiques; toutefois, nous présentons le cas d’une femme de 72 ans atteinte d’un cancer du sein métastatique, qui s’est d’abord présentée à l’hôpital pour un taux élevé de lactate dans le sang, mais sans acidose. Son état a semblé s’améliorer grâce à un apport de liquides; toutefois, elle s’est présentée de nouveau à l’hôpital deux semaines plus tard pour une acidose métabolique grave et un taux élevé de lactate indétectable. Au bout du compte, la patiente n’a pas bien répondu aux soins de soutien, et il a été décidé d’appliquer les soins de confort.