bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes Microvascular Complications: An Overview of Epigenetic Modifications
Authors: Aggarwal Neerja , Kumar Kare Pawan
Published: January 2021

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are two serious and long-standing microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) whose burden is increasing worldwide due to increasing burden of T2DM. Several factors which may predispose to the development of DN and DR are persistent hyperglycemia and its consequences such as formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), activation of hexosamine pathway, polyol pathway, uncontrolled blood pressure, increased oxidative stress, age, family history of kidney disease or hypertension, ethnic background etc. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of these complications are complicated and not completely understood yet. Hence it is the demand to discover newer approaches to treat these devastating complications completely. Recently, various epigenetic modifications, which are the transmissible alterations in the expressions of a gene, are being studied to understand the pathophysiology of diabetic vascular complications. Metabolic and environmental factors may lead to dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms which might further affect the chromatin structure and related expressions of a gene, which may lead to diabetes-associated complications. Therefore, it is the need to explore its role in vascular complications in the current scenario. In this chapter, various epigenetic studies with regard to DN and DR, epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) approach, and starting clinical material for such studies have been discussed. We have also summarized the better understanding of epigenetic alterations and their role in microvascular complications of diabetes through this chapter. The better understanding of epigenetic mechanisms and their role in diabetic microvascular complications could be used in clinical management of DN as well as DR or could be helpful to improve the available therapies for these complications.
Organic Volatile Compounds Used in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Petrus Mioara , Popa Cristina , Bratu Ana-Maria
Published: January 2021

Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath is non-invasive method and appears as a promising tool for metabolic monitoring. Diabetes is a complex syndrome, metabolic diseases that is characterized by hyperglycemia associated with major changes in lipids and proteins. The pathophysiology of the link between diabetes, hypertension, inflammatory syndrome and oxidative stress is complex. We conducted a study and applied quantitative analysis of exhaled ethylene and ammonia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a healthy control group. For breath gas analysis, a very sensitive CO2 laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (CO2LPAS) was applied. The concentration of exhaled VOCs differed between T2DM patients and healthy group, in particular, T2DM patients exhaled significantly higher amounts of ethylene and ammonia compared to healthy control group. The data obtained by the CO2LPAS system revealing that the increased breath VOCs has a close relationship with high glucose levels and with healthy complications.
Formulae of Sediment Transport in Unsteady Flows (Part 2)
Authors: Yang Shu-Qing
Published: January 2021

Sediment transport (ST) in unsteady flows is a complex phenomenon that the existing formulae are often invalid to predict. Almost all existing ST formulae assume that sediment transport can be fully determined by parameters in streamwise direction without parameters in vertical direction. Different from this assumption, this paper highlights the importance of vertical motion and the vertical velocity is suggested to represent the vertical motion. A connection between unsteadiness and vertical velocity is established. New formulae in unsteady flows have been developed from inception of sediment motion, sediment discharge to suspension’s Rouse number. It is found that upward vertical velocity plays an important role for sediment transport, its temporal and spatial alternations are responsible for the phase lag phenomenon and bedform formation. Reasonable agreement between the measured and the proposed conceptual model was achieved.
Weight Regain and Insufficient Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: A Call for Action
Authors: Elhag Wahiba , El Ansari Walid
Published: January 2021

Despite successful weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS), weight regain (WR) may occur on long term following most bariatric procedures, with 20–30% of patients either failing to reach their target weight goals or failing to maintain the achieved weight loss. Significant WR has important health consequences, including the reversal of the improved obesity-related comorbidities and psychological function leading to decreased quality of life. Given the challenges faced by these patients, there is a need for multidisciplinary approaches to deal with WR. This chapter addresses the issue of WR among bariatric patients. It starts with the various definitions of insufficient weight loss and WR and the prevalence of weight regain by type of bariatric procedure. The chapter then explores the underlying causes as well as the predictors of WR. It will also outline the behavioral and psychotherapeutic, dietary and exercise strategies employed in the prevention of post-surgery WR. The chapter will then highlight the non-surgical and surgical approaches used in the management of WR. The chapter will conclude with a summary of the findings emphasizing that WR is complex and multifactorial, requiring multidisciplinary and multimodal dietary, behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical management strategies tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient.
Disaster Management Process Approach: Case Study by BOSS for Disaster Response under COVID-19
Authors: Yasui Arisa , Numada Muneyoshi , Krishna Chaitanya
Published: January 2021

Comprehensive disaster response processes need to be managed and progress communicated to avoid ineffective management such as duplication with stakeholders, amendments as a result of leaders’ incomplete instructions, and waiting without instruction from the EOC (Emergency Operation Center). As there is existing research on standardization and systematization of disaster response processes, a pure paper-based SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) is challenging to use in actual and practical situations concerning the standard workflow based on the SOP. For effective disaster management, this study developed a Business Operation Support System (BOSS). The BOSS characteristics have the standard workflow chart based on the related documents and experiences, such as the SOP, concerning manuals/documents, past experiences, and knowledge. The overview, checkpoints, necessary documents, related information systems linked to the disaster management plan, and document formats are defined in every workflow. Even for the young or non-experienced individuals, the BOSS can support the responders through the processes for necessary actions during disasters. This research aims to compare the effect of responses to the 2019 massive rain disaster in Kawasaki city, with or without the BOSS. First,a comprehensive workflow focusing on shelter management under the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) workshop with Kawasaki city staff and community people in the BOSS was created. Second, experiments (with or without the BOSS) were carried out to analyze the differences and the BOSS effect. “With the BOSS” means that the responders can follow the workflow in the BOSS for shelter management. “Without the BOSS” means that the conventional paper-based manuals are used for the operations. Two types of manuals in Kawasaki city were used; one guides the expected shelter management points, and the other contains the explanation about COVID-19. Members of both teams comprise one leader and two staff. As a result of the experiments, the big difference between the two teams is the leader’s behavior. Because the BOSS team leader instructed the different staff works following the BOSS workflow, the BOSS team responded to more kinds of works compared to the manual team. The role of all members of the BOSS team was evident. On the other hand, the manual team responded to one work by all members, including the leader, without the leader’s instruction. Due to no instruction from the leader, a period of waiting was observed in the next work manual. This research obtained that the leader’s instructions’ effect caused the effective responses by quantitative analysis of the demonstrative experiment. For future research, the leader’s behavior and decision-making should be analyzed for BOSS’s effective operation and team-building.
Legal and Administrative Aspects of Forest Pest and Disease Control in Japan
Authors: Matsushita Koji
Published: January 2021

Approximately 40% of Japanese forests are softwood plantations consisting of trees such as Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), and several varieties of pine (Pinus spp.). Policies and programs related to forest pests and diseases are important for growing forest plantations. Damage caused by the pine bark beetle (Monochamus alternatus) has been a long-standing problem in Japan. Forest damage caused by the pine bark beetle was first found in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1905. Since then, the area of damage has expanded gradually to all prefectures. Damage caused by pine bark beetles became serious during and just after the end of the Second World War. In 1950, the Natural Resource Section of the General Headquarters of the Allied Forces, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ/SCAP) made recommendations for how to control forest pests and diseases. The first act was enacted in 1950, although the control of forest pests was initially addressed as part of the first Forest Act of 1897. Several important reasons for why the Japanese government has failed to stop the expansion of the damaged area can be found in GHQ recommendations: the lack of coordinated programs, underutilization of damaged trees, and shortcomings of forest-management plans.
Gums—Characteristics and Applications in the Food Industry
Authors: Aires da Silva Diego , Cristine Melo Aires Giselle , da Silva Pena Rosinelson
Published: January 2021

Gums, or polysaccharides, are complex carbohydrates, soluble in water, which can form gels and mucilages. They have high molar mass and can be formed by galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, galacturonic acid, among others. They have gelling characteristics, thickening, moisture retention, emulsification and stabilization. Polysaccharides are widely used in the formulation of food products, due to their wide versatility. Its diversity of applications is closely linked to its chemical structures. The characterization of structural molecules allows the knowledge of the properties of polysaccharides or glycoconjugates. In this sense, this chapter addresses knowledge about chemical, molecular, rheological, thermodynamic characteristics that are extremely important to identify the use and applications of polysaccharides in the context of elaboration and innovation in the food industry.
Business Process Linguistic Modeling: Theory and Practice Part I: BPLM Strategy Creator
Authors: Stašák Jozef , Kultan Jaroslav , Schmidt Peter , Abu Urinbasarovich Mukhammedov
Published: January 2021

The business activities provided within any firm or company should be checked and controlled continuously, while two principal approaches should be applied: (a) qualitative monitoring, (b) quantitative evaluations, while KPI indicators play a role of principle importance within business quantitative evaluation in order to make adequate decisions. However, adequate applications form KPI creation and further processing seem to be very significant and important. We have designed a conceptual model of application denoted as BPLM Strategy Creator in form of expert system (ES) operating based on principles closely related to business process linguistic modeling approach, where linguistic sets and PBPL Equation play a role of principle importance. Our contribution contains such application description from qualitative, quantitative and design point of view. The ES qualitative description contains references to appropriate math relations and algorithms postulated within a subsequent section. Both sections are accompanied by the case study, which indicates how the math relations and algorithms might be applied within BPLM Strategy Creator functionality. However, those sections are accompanied by ES structure and functionality description as well, which represent the BPLM Strategy Creator mean or facility.
COVID-19 Outbreak and Co-Movement of Global Markets: Insight from Dynamic Wavelet Correlation Analysis
Authors: Omane-Adjepong Maurice , Paul Alagidede Imhotep , Bosco Dramani John
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has in its short existence caused economic downturn and affected global markets. As would be expected, the occurrences of global crises or shocks often heighten uncertainties in international markets and increase correlations among them. Yet, not much is known of the actual impacts of COVID-19 on the behavior of global markets. This piece attempts to investigate whether the COVID-19 crisis has had any impact on the interrelationship structure of international markets using the cross-wavelet squared coherence and a dynamic wavelet correlation technique. It emerges that co-movements of the pairwise series become stronger (0.70–0.89) during the heightened periods labeled as epidemic and pandemic phases of COVID-19, than that of the periods that mark the pre-COVID-19 era (−0.49–0.36), hence announcing the influence of the crisis and eroding prospect of benefiting from a hedge instrument and/or a diversifier. Again, we observe that stock market-Global REITs have been the most influenced pair, showing significantly peaked co-movements (0.63–0.87) during the distinct phases of COVID-19. We attribute these developments to the loose monetary and financial measures implemented by central banks of the world. The findings hold important implications for economic and financial actors regarding diversification, hedging, and investment risk management.
Study of Water and Sediment Quality in the Bay of Dakhla, Morocco: Physico-Chemical Quality and Metallic Contamination
Authors: Anhichem Mimouna , Benbrahim Samir
Published: January 2021

The present study contributes to the evaluation of the impact of the various activities developed around the Bay of Dakhla in Morocco through the study of the physico-chemical quality of the waters and sediments of the Bay. For this purpose, a spatial and temporal monitoring of the physicochemical and metallic pollution indicator parameters was conducted between May 2014 and March 2015. The main physicochemical descriptors of water quality were monitored, namely: temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved O2, nutrients (ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates) and chlorophyll (a). A qualification of the waters of the Bay was drawn up based on water quality assessment grids. The quality of the sediments was assessed through the determination of granulometry, the total organic carbon content and the contents of the main metallic trace elements (cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, copper and zinc). The results of the present study show the beginning of nutrient enrichment of the water bodies of the bay, especially the stations located near the urban area, where 1.83 mg l−1 of nitrates, 0.37 mg l−1 of phosphate and 7.42 μg l−1 of chlorophyll (a) were recorded. For the sediment, the maximum concentrations of metallic trace elements were recorded in the station near the harbour basin. These results allowed to establish a quality grid for the waters of the bay, generally qualified as “Good”, except for the sites located near the urban area for which the quality is qualified as “Average”. The sediment quality of the bay was assessed according to the criteria established by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. The levels of metallic trace elements remain below the toxicity thresholds, except for the sediments taken from the harbour basin.
E-Learning Acceptance: Online Teaching Degree Earners and What Principals Think
Authors: Applegate Christopher
Published: January 2021

Online education continues to increase in popularity and one degree currently offered is a bachelor degree of education. Once students graduate, they will begin to seek employment. Those seeking positions in K-12 education settings do not know if they have the same opportunity to get hired as someone from a traditional degree program. Previous researchers on this topic have failed to address the issue of an online degree earner getting hired. Based on the growth of online education, it was necessary to find out if K-12 principals’ perceptions of online education programs may prevent graduates of online teacher programs from successful employment. The purpose of the qualitative critical case study was to explore how K-12 principals’ perceptions directly related to the hiring of licensed graduates with bachelor degrees from online teaching programs. The results identified numerous factors related to principals making hiring decisions of teacher candidates, however, where or how they complete their degrees is not one of them. The study became more pertinent with the arrival of Covid 19 in the United States and school districts moving to an online learning environment.
Silicon Use in the Integrated Disease Management of Wheat: Current Knowledge
Authors: José Dallagnol Leandro , Elizabeth Román Ramos Andrea , da Rosa Dorneles Keilor
Published: January 2021

Silicon (Si) is a benefic element for higher plants such as wheat (Triticum aestivum) in which it is accumulated in the shoot tissues. In this crop, leaf diseases and spike diseases are the cause of yield losses, and therefore several studies had been conducted under field and greenhouse conditions to demonstrate that plants supplied with Si reduced most of the diseases damage due to the amelioration of the plant defenses. However, the benefits of Si depend on its accumulation in the plant’s tissue, which is influenced by the availability of the element in the soil as well as the up-take ability of the wheat cultivar. In this chapter we present the current knowledge about the mechanisms of Si absorption and its accumulation in different tissues of the wheat plant, the most studied options for silicate fertilization, and the benefits of Si on grain yield. We also present some insight of the effect of Si-supply in wheat on the reduction of main leaf and ear diseases, bringing evidence and explanation of the defense mechanisms involved. In addition, we provide an overview of the Si effect on the physiology (gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and carbohydrate metabolism) of the wheat plant. Finally, questions have been raised about the Si uses as fertilizer that still needs to be answered. We recognized that some studies have enhanced our understanding of Si providing evidence of the Si use as disease management strategy, but further research is needed to make the Si uses a simple task for wheat growers under field condition.
How Abiotic Stress Conditions Affects Plant Roots
Authors: Kul Raziye , Ekinci Melek , Turan Metin , Ors Selda , Yildirim Ertan
Published: January 2021

Roots are generally subject to more abiotic stress than shoots. Therefore, they can be affected by such stresses as much as, or even more, than above ground parts of a plant. However, the effect of abiotic stresses on root structure and development has been significantly less studied than above ground parts of plants due to limited availability for root observations. Roots have functions such as connecting the plant to the environment in which it grows, uptaking water and nutrients and carrying them to the above-ground organs of the plant, secreting certain hormones and organic compounds, and thus ensuring the usefulness of nutrients in the nutrient solution. Roots also send some hormonal signals to the body in stress conditions such as drought, nutrient deficiencies, salinity, to prevent the plant from being damaged, and ensure that the above-ground part takes the necessary precautions to adapt to these adverse conditions. Salinity, drought, radiation, high and low temperatures, heavy metals, flood, and nutrient deficiency are abiotic stress factors and they negatively affect plant growth, productivity and quality. Given the fact that impending climate change increases the frequency, duration, and severity of stress conditions, these negative effects are estimated to increase. This book chapter reviews to show how abiotic stress conditions affect growth, physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics of plant roots.
Visibility-Based Technologies and Methodologies for Autonomous Driving
Authors: Easa Said , Ma Yang , Elshorbagy Ashraf , Shaker Ahmed , Li Songnian , Arkatkar Shriniwas
Published: January 2021

The three main elements of autonomous vehicles (AV) are orientation, visibility, and decision. This chapter presents an overview of the implementation of visibility-based technologies and methodologies. The chapter first presents two fundamental aspects that are necessary for understanding the main contents. The first aspect is highway geometric design as it relates to sight distance and highway alignment. The second aspect is mathematical basics, including coordinate transformation and visual space segmentation. Details on the Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) system, which represents the ‘eye’ of the AV are presented. In particular, a new Lidar 3D mapping system, that can be operated on different platforms and modes for a new mapping scheme is described. The visibility methodologies include two types. Infrastructure visibility mainly addresses high-precision maps and sight obstacle detection. Traffic visibility (vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists) addresses identification of critical positions and visibility estimation. Then, an overview of the decision element (path planning and intelligent car-following) for the movement of AV is presented. The chapter provides important information for researchers and therefore should help to advance road safety for autonomous vehicles.
Update on Genes Associated with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Vallverdú-Prats Marta , Alcalde Mireia , Sarquella-Brugada Georgia , Cesar Sergi , Arbelo Elena , Brugada Josep , Brugada Ramon , Campuzano Oscar
Published: January 2021

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a rare genetic entity characterized by progressive fibro-fatty replacement of myocardium leading to malignant arrhythmias, syncope, and sudden cardiac death. Mostly it affects the right ventricle, but cases have also been described with biventricular and even isolated left ventricular involvement. The disease affects mainly young males and arrhythmias are usually induced by exercise. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy has a genetic origin and is basically caused by deleterious alterations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins, especially plakophilin-2. To date, more than 400 rare genetic alterations have been identified in 18 genes, mainly with autosomal dominant inheritance, but some recessive forms have also been reported (Naxos disease and Carvajal syndrome). A comprehensive genetic analysis identifies a rare variant as potential cause of the disease in around 60% of patients, suggesting the existence of unknown genes as well as other genome alterations not yet discovered. Genetic interpretation classifies some of these rare variants as ambiguous, playing an uncertain role in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. This makes a proper translation of genetic data into clinical practice difficult. Moreover, incomplete penetrance and variable phenotypic expression makes it difficult to arrive at the correct diagnosis. In the present chapter, we focus on recent advances in the knowledge regarding the genetic basis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
The Significance of Family-of-Origin Dynamics for Adults’ Health and Psychological Wellbeing: The Perspective of Bowen Family System Theory
Authors: Cepukiene Viktorija
Published: January 2021

Bowen family system theory describes family interactional processes that are carried across the generations and determine an individual’s level of autonomy and emotional reactivity as well as the global functioning of the family. According to the theory, any personal, health-related, or relational issues can be explained as a result of diffused anxiety produced by destructive interactional patterns among family members. Although many studies are revealing the relationship between early family life experiences and functioning in adulthood, there is still a lack of studies exploring the complex mediational models based on Bowen theory that would reveal associations between different family-of-origin variables and adults’ health as well as psychological well-being. The chapter defines the main assumptions of Bowen theory as well as summarizes the main results of three studies demonstrating how family and personal factors defined by Bowen theory, such as family emotional system, triangulation, differentiation of self, relate to adults’ health and psychological well-being.
Overview of the Principles and Practices of Open Access Publishing
Authors: Hassan Abdelrahman Omer
Published: January 2021

This chapter provides an overview of the principles and practices of open access (OA) publishing. It discusses various aspects of this emerging mode of scholarly publishing, including the definition of Open Access and its different types and models in addition to its growth and impact. The chapter also highlights the implications of open access publishing on copyright issues and how creative commons licenses are used to deal with this issue. The main focus of the chapter is to outline and discuss the different advantages and benefits of open access publishing, refuting a number of myths and misconceptions about OA publishing, and to highlight how authors and researchers can benefit from publishing their intellectual works in an open access channel. The chapter adopts the literature review as a methodology and a tool of data collection.
Origins and Developments of the Open Access Books
Authors: Capaccioni Andrea
Published: January 2021

The open access books (OAB) are a product of the research that in recent years has gained its place in scientific publishing and open access (OA). Both have gone from initial diffidence (for different reasons) to a growing interest. In the first part of the article, we present the most recent data relating to this kind of publication while in the second one the OAB phenomenon is examined within a more general evolution of the OA. In this way there seems to be a link between the open access monographs and the diffusion of models increasingly distant from the original mission of the OA.
Medical Ethics
Authors: Yvonne Buowari Dabota , Kazeem Kanmodi Kehinde
Published: January 2021

Medical ethics is very important at this time of medicine due to the covid-19 pandemic which has caused a lot of mortality and morbidity world wide. Medical is important in guiding clinicians and other healthcare workers not to cause harm while caring out their duties. There are various aspects of medical ethics such as negligence, do not cause harm, beneficent and others. Not practicing medical ethics has caused some physicians to face litigation by their patients and clients and also face medical disciplinary boards. Some have even been suspended from medical practice for a number of months or years or even have their names struck off from the register of the licensing board of their country.
School Conflicts: Causes and Management Strategies in Classroom Relationships
Authors: Valente Sabina , Afonso Lourenço Abílio , Németh Zsolt
Published: January 2021

Conflicts cannot cease to exist, as they are intrinsic to human beings, forming an integral part of their moral and emotional growth. Likewise, they exist in all schools. The school is inserted in a space where the conflict manifests itself daily and assumes relevance, being the result of the multiple interpersonal relationships that occur in the school context. Thus, conflict is part of school life, which implies that teachers must have the skills to manage conflict constructively. Recognizing the diversity of school conflicts, this chapter aimed to present its causes, highlighting the main ones in the classroom, in the teacher-student relationship. It is important to conflict face and resolve it with skills to manage it properly and constructively, establishing cooperative relationships, and producing integrative solutions. Harmony and appreciation should coexist in a classroom environment and conflict should not interfere, negatively, in the teaching and learning process. This bibliography review underscore the need for during the teachers’ initial training the conflict management skills development.
Rolefulness and Interpersonal Relationships
Authors: Kato Daiki , Suzuki Mikie
Published: January 2021

We developed the new psychological concept of Rolefulness and it is a defined as “the continuous sense of role satisfaction we have in our daily lives.” Rolefulness includes 2 sub factors of “social rolefulness” and “internal rolefulness.” Social rolefulness is role satisfaction based on social experiences such as interpersonal relationships. Internal rolefulness is a role satisfaction that is formed by internalizing social rolefulness and it includes identity and confidence. First, we introduce the theoretical background and developmental process of rolefulness. Second, the statistical study of relationship between rolefulness and maladjustment is shown. Then, the example of application in the area of education and art therapy is introduced. Finally, the future application of rolefulness for our social lives and social science studies is discussed.
Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ikram Muhammad , Raza Ali , Shahbaz Atif , Ijaz Haleema , Ali Sarfraz , Haider Ali , Tayyab Hussain Muhammad , Haider Junaid , Ahmed Rafi Arslan , Ali Salamat
Published: January 2021

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are referred to as carbon nano-architecture allotropes, with wrapped graphene sheets forming a cylindrical structure. CNTs are either developed by metals or narrow-band semiconductors with rolling graphene sheets in various ways. Researchers have dedicated a great deal of attention to understanding the fascinating properties of CNTs over the years, and possess certain peculiar properties, such as a high degree of stiffness, a wide ratio of length to diameter, and remarkable toughness, and are employed in a number of applications. These properties can be enhanced by scheming the diameter, nature of walls, chirality, length of CNTs which is rolled up, and depending on the synthesis process. This chapter extensively covers the various properties of CNTs and how it influences to desired applications and also explains numerous methods of synthesis and processing of CNTs with advantages and some drawbacks.
Prevalence of Demodex in Association with Ocular Signs and Symptoms: Evidence from a Large Population of Male Soldiers Living in Garrison
Authors: Fatourechi Ali , Fakhri Maryam , Shirzad Keyvan , Khosravi Keyvan , Makateb Ali
Published: January 2021

Background: The Demodex mite is the most common ectoparasite on human skin. It’s a matter of debate whether this colonization should be an area of concern and can cause pathologic consequences or, in contrast, Demodex should merely be considered as an innocent saprophytic organism living on the skin. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ocular Demodex infestation in a large population of male soldiers with a similar range of age, in whom we expected a high transmission rate due to environmental factors and close contacts. Besides, we evaluated the correlation between Demodex and ocular clinical manifestations. Methods: In total 903 soldiers living on a military base in Iran were enrolled in this epidemiological cross-sectional prevalence study conducted in the summer of 2020. Data were collected using a questionnaire on ocular symptoms, and participants were assessed for the presence of Demodex spp. Results: A total of 904 males with a mean age of 21 ± 2 years (ranging from 19 to 25) were included. The overall prevalence of Demodex infestation was 77.2% (86.8 and 26% in patients with and without blepharitis, respectively). Of 698 patients who were positive for Demodex, 58.6% reported eye discomfort, whereas it was experienced by 23.9% of Demodex negative participants, the difference was statistically significant (P-value < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a strong association between the prevalence of Demodex spp. and symptoms, in particular itchy eyes. However, some patients are asymptomatic. This finding supports the notion that the number of mites may be important concerning the manifestation of clinical signs of blepharitis; however, the role of Demodex spp., as a commensal, should not be overlooked. Treatment should not be aimed at full eradication of the mite but rather restoring the ocular ecology to a balanced state.
The Impact of Library Instruction on Undergraduate Student Success: A Four-Year Study
Authors: Rowe Jennifer , Leuzinger Julie , Hargis Carol , Harker Karen
Published: January 2021

During a four-year period, librarians collected student data by card-swiping undergraduate students who attended one of the core English composition class-based one-shot instruction sessions provided at a large state-supported doctoral-granting university. Data for students who attended library instruction was anonymized and compared to the same data points for students who were enrolled in the English class but did not attend library instruction. The authors compared student success indicators for the control and treatment groups (GPA, pass or fail status in course, and retention) and found a positive correlation between attending library instruction and student success.
Emergency Sugammadex Reversal in an 850-G Premature Infant: A Case Report
Authors: Efune Proshad N. , Alex Gijo , Mehta Sonia D.
Published: January 2021

Sugammadex is a novel reversal agent for the neuromuscular blocking agents rocuronium and vecuronium; it has been shown to rapidly and completely reverse neuromuscular blockade for rocuronium and vecuronium, even when the blockade is profound. We present the case of a 2-week-old, 850-g infant born at 25 weeks' gestation, who presented to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy and repair of ileal atresia. Anesthesia was induced and neuromuscular blockade with 1.2 mg/kg of rocuronium was administered. The neonate experienced rapid oxyhemoglobin desaturation and progressively became very difficult to mask ventilate. Direct laryngoscopy failed to result in successful intubation of the trachea and ventilation became impossible. To reverse the effects of rocuronium, 16 mg/kg of sugammadex was administered. Immediately after, the infant resumed spontaneous ventilation and was able to maintain adequate oxyhemoglobin saturation between 90% and 95% with supplemental oxygen. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful reversal of neuromuscular blockade, with sugammadex, in an emergent situation after failure to intubate/ventilate an extremely low birth weight infant.
Evaluation of QTc Interval Effects of Antipsychotic Medications for Intensive Care Unit Delirium in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Hutchins Lisa M. , Shipman Andrakeia , Zimmerman Kanecia O. , Heath Travis S.
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVE

Intensive care unit delirium is an increasingly recognized problem in pediatric patients. Controversy exists regarding the safety and efficacy of antipsychotic medications for this indication. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for QTc interval prolongation in pediatric patients treated with antipsychotics for ICU delirium.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric ICU or pediatric cardiac ICU and diagnosed with ICU delirium between October 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015. Patients were included if they received at least 1 dose of an antipsychotic for the treatment of delirium after a positive screen using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium scoring tool.

RESULTS

For the 26 patients included, the median change in QTc interval on treatment was −4 msecs. Two patients (8%) had QTc interval prolongation while on antipsychotic therapy. No risk factors were identified in these 2 patients that put them at increased risk for QTc interval prolongation.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of QTc interval prolongation in pediatric patients who were treated with antipsychotics for ICU delirium was low. There is need for future research to determine which pediatric patients are at risk for QTc interval prolongation when antipsychotic medications are used for the treatment of ICU delirium.
Occurrence of Hyperbilirubinemia in Neonates Given a Short-term Course of Ceftriaxone versus Cefotaxime for Sepsis
Authors: Hile Garrett B. , Musick Kaitlin L. , Dugan Adam J. , Bailey Abby M. , Howington Gavin T.
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVE

Ceftriaxone and cefotaxime are appealing options for the treatment of neonatal infections. Guidelines recommend cefotaxime as the cephalosporin of choice in neonates because of ceftriaxone's potential to cause hyperbilirubinemia. Unfortunately, due to cefotaxime discontinuation, providers must choose between alternative antibiotics. Clinicians at our institution adopted a protocol allowing for the utilization of cefepime and ceftriaxone for the management of neonatal sepsis. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia between ceftriaxone and cefotaxime in the treatment of neonatal infections beyond the first 14 days of life.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of patients receiving ceftriaxone or cefotaxime for the treatment of neonatal infections. Patients were 15 to 30 days old at the time of antimicrobial administration and received at least 1 dose of ceftriaxone or cefotaxime during hospital admission. Patient characteristics and bilirubin levels were compared between ceftriaxone and cefotaxime.

RESULTS

The analysis included 88 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in age, gestational age, weight, and baseline total calcium and bilirubin levels. Normal baseline bilirubin levels increased to an abnormal level after antibiotic administration in 2 patients in the cefotaxime group and 1 patient in the ceftriaxone group. The median number of doses of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone were 3 and 2, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Patients who received a short-term course of ceftriaxone did not have a higher likelihood of developing hyperbilirubinemia compared with those who received a short-term course of cefotaxime during their hospital stay.
The importance of antioxidant status in gastric intestinal metaplasia
Authors: Danis Nilay , Ozkan Aysegul , Karatas Fatih , Cakici Cagri , Yigitbasi Turkan , Sevencan Nurhayat , Kayhan Burcak
Published: January 2021

Background: Oxidative stress status in different cancer types was investigated before, but not studied in gastric intestinal metaplasia to the best of our knowledge. Purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a difference between oxidative stress status in patients with intestinal metaplasia (IM) compared to individuals without IM, we compared the serum levels of disulfide (SS), total thiol (TT) and native thiol (NT). Methods: This was a prospective, non-randomized casecontrol study including 67 patients with histopathologically confirmed IM and 60 individuals demographically matched in terms of age, gender, BMI, smoking status, and chronic diseases as control group. Results: The mean NT, TT and NT to TT (NT/TT) ratios were statistically significantly higher in IM group compared to controls ((351.71 ± 81.9 mol/L vs. 271.82 ± 54.13 mol/L, p=0.000), (391.5 ± 92.69 mol/L vs. 308.59 ± 55.53 mol/L, p=0.000) and (0.89 ± 0.6 vs. 0.87 ± 0.29, p=0.022), respectively). The mean SS to TT (SS/TT) ratio was significantly lower in IM group than control group (0.050 ± 0.31 vs. 0.060 ± 0.014, P=0.022). Median SS and mean SS/NT ratio was similar in both groups (16.3 (3.3-78) vs. 18.3 (10-32.7), p=0.271 and 0.055 ± 0.041 vs. 0.070 ± 0.019, p=0.068, respectively). In ROC analysis, cut off value of SS/NT for IM was found 0.062, in regression analysis, SS/NT <0.062 was found as an independently prognostic marker for IM (OR, 2.38; 95%CI: 1.168-4.865, P=0.017). Conclusions: SS/NT ratio lower than 0.062 was found as an independently prognostic marker for IM. This ratio could help to distinguish which patients should be followed closely for gastric cancer.
Fotografia rizomática:
Authors: Machado Daniel , Moraes Taiza Mara Rauen
Published: January 2021

Propomos no artigo o alinhamento do conceito de rizoma de Deleuze & Guattari à fotografia, compreendendo-a como um artefato cultural possível para estudos culturais. A fotografia rizomática é apresentada como articuladora da história, da cultura e da memória.
Arte e Tecnologia:
Authors: Oliveira Suzzana Magalhães de
Published: January 2021

O seguinte texto aborda a relação da arte contemporânea com outras disciplinas. Ele faz parte de uma série de entrevistas que compuseram uma pesquisa realizada entre 2017 e 2018 para a dissertação de mestrado de Suzzana Magalhães de Oliveira, sob orientação da professora e pesquisadora Céline Berthoumieux para a Universidade Lumière – Lyon II, na França. O diálogo apresentado, com o músico e artista visual Robert Henke, traz uma reflexão sobre como a troca entre a arte e outras áreas de conhecimento, bem como a colaboração com outros criadores e pesquisadores, pode influenciar diretamente no trabalho e no pensamento do artista. Os pontos aqui expostos permitem compreender melhor a transdisciplinaridade na arte, suas dificuldades e aprendizados.
A New Cost Management System for Construction Projects to increase Competitiveness and Traceability in a Project Environment
Authors: Toosi Hossein , Chamikarpour Arezou
Published: January 2021

Un nuevo sistema de gestión de costes de proyectos de construcción para aumentar la competitividad y la trazabilidad para entornos de proyectos.
El objetivo principal de la investigación es utilizar nuevos métodos de cálculo de costes en los proyectos de construcción para reducir y controlar las desviaciones de costes y algunas limitaciones que presentan los modelos tradicionales. La hipótesis de la investigación se basa en la capacidad sinérgica del cálculo de costes basado en actividades centradas en el rendimiento, en combinación con el método de cálculo de costes objetivo para fomentar la competitividad del sistema de control de costes para entornos de proyectos. El método se elaboró para controlar los gastos directos y generales del proyecto durante su ejecución. Se realizó una entrevista con 26 directores financieros en dos o cuatro ocasiones entre junio de 2016 y mayo de 2017 con el fin de validar y modificar el método. Siguiendo una entrevista semiestructurada, el método propuesto contribuyó a aumentar la precisión, la certidumbre y la rastreabilidad de los costes y proporcionó la integridad del sistema contable, técnico y operacional. Además, se analizan las desviaciones y se reducen los costes al considerar las condiciones competitivas y estratégicas. También se limita el coste objetivo de los paquetes de trabajo y se genera una alerta al finalizar cada uno de ellos. Además, de acuerdo con el test de Friedman, existe una capacidad competitiva significativa en comparación con el método convencional de control de costes en los proyectos y también se aplica en un estudio de caso.

This research proposed a new method for project cost management based on Competitiveness and traceability in a case study and operational situation. The research hypothesis is based on the synergistic ability of performance focused activity-based costing in combination of the target costing method for encouraging competitiveness cost control system for project environments. The method was developed to control, direct and overhead costs of the project during its progress. Also, it uses the feature of activity-driven and different resource drivers to determine the types of costs with the effect of time driver for each activity. An interview was conducted with financial managers during two to four times with the aim of validating and modifying the method. According to a semi-structured interview, the proposed method contributed to increase the precision, certainty, traceability of costs and provided the integrity of the accounting, technical and operational system. It also analyzes deviations and reduces costs by considering competitive and strategic conditions. It's also limiting the target cost of work packages and causing an alarm on the completion of each. According to Friedman test, there is a meaningful competitive ability compared to the conventional cost control method in the projects and it is also implemented in a case study.
Interplay of opposing fate choices stalls oncogenic growth in murine skin epithelium
Authors: Sandoval Madeline , Ying Zhe , Beronja Slobodan
Published: January 2021

Skin epithelium can accumulate a high burden of oncogenic mutations without morphological or functional consequences. To investigate the mechanism of oncogenic tolerance, we induced HrasG12V in single murine epidermal cells and followed them long term. We observed that HrasG12V promotes an early and transient clonal expansion driven by increased progenitor renewal that is replaced with an increase in progenitor differentiation leading to reduced growth. We attribute this dynamic effect to emergence of two populations within oncogenic clones: renewing progenitors along the edge and differentiating ones within the central core. As clone expansion is accompanied by progressive enlargement of the core and diminishment of the edge compartment, the intraclonal competition between the two populations results in stabilized oncogenic growth. To identify the molecular mechanism of HrasG12V-driven differentiation, we screened known Ras-effector in vivo and identified Rassf5 as a novel regulator of progenitor fate choice that is necessary and sufficient for oncogene-specific differentiation.
Reconsidering the evidence for learning in single cells
Authors: Gershman Samuel J , Balbi Petra EM , Gallistel C Randy , Gunawardena Jeremy
Published: January 2021

The question of whether single cells can learn led to much debate in the early 20th century. The view prevailed that they were capable of non-associative learning but not of associative learning, such as Pavlovian conditioning. Experiments indicating the contrary were considered either non-reproducible or subject to more acceptable interpretations. Recent developments suggest that the time is right to reconsider this consensus. We exhume the experiments of Beatrice Gelber on Pavlovian conditioning in the ciliateParamecium aurelia, and suggest that criticisms of her findings can now be reinterpreted. Gelber was a remarkable scientist whose absence from the historical record testifies to the prevailing orthodoxy that single cells cannot learn. Her work, and more recent studies, suggest that such learning may be evolutionarily more widespread and fundamental to life than previously thought and we discuss the implications for different aspects of biology.