bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Walter Benjamin e a aventura surrealista
Authors: Mataveli Danilo
Published: May 2021

As experiências artísticas do movimento surrealista na primeira metade do século XX foram determinantes para a formulação de conceitos-chave na obra de Walter Benjamin. Foi a partir dessas experiências que o filósofo pensou noções como a iluminação profana, a embriaguez e a possibilidade duma política poética. Neste ensaio, procuramos rastrear em diferentes textos do autor as principais ideias e fundamentos para a elaboração dessas categorias. Também voltamos aos precursores do surrealismo, Baudelaire e Rimbaud, numa espécie de leitura arqueológica em busca das referências indicadas por Walter Benjamin em seus trabalhos.
Gênero e subjetividade em O Dominó Preto e Diário, de Florbela Espanca
Authors: Patoléa Monteiro Bárbara
Published: May 2021

Resenha do novo volume das Obras Completas de Florbela Espanca, publicado pela Edições Esgotadas
EM DOIS TEMPOS: A CRÍTICA DE AUTORIA NEGRA NO INÍCIO E NA ATUALIDADE DA LITERATURA BRASILEIRA
Authors: Da Cruz Nayara Batista
Published: May 2021

Com o advento das lutas do Movimento Negro, o apagamento de narrativas e identidades negras começa a perder estabilidade nas mais variadas esferas sociais. A partir desse contexto, o presente artigo tem por objetivo discutir a produção crítica nacional a partir de dois autores-críticos negro-brasileiros, Machado de Assis e Conceição Evaristo, levando-se em consideração suas proposições, que serão recuperadas e consolidadas em sua produção ficcional. Para isso, foram selecionados seus respectivos textos, “Notícia da atual literatura brasileira” (1873) e “Gênero e Etnia” (2005), e estudados a partir da comparação com suas produções literárias. A escolha desses autores buscou recuperar exemplos da autoria negra dos séculos XIX e XXI, comprovando a atuação desse segmento específico em nossas letras.
Múltiplas linguagens, mídias e letramentos em ação
Authors: Ferreira Mariana Lettieri , Pesce Lucila
Published: May 2021

RESENHA ROJO, Roxane; MOURA, Eduardo. Letramentos, mídias e linguagens. São Paulo: Parábola Editorial, 2019.
A relação escritor-leitor nas obras do OuLiPo
Authors: Silva Natália Ubirajara , Sanchotene Virgínia Crivellaro
Published: May 2021

O presente artigo tem como objetivo estudar a relação entre escritor e leitor nas obras do grupo francês OuLiPo. Formada por escritores e matemáticos, essa Oficina de Literatura Potencial propõe uma literatura com bases matemáticas através do inventário e da invenção de contraintes – regras ou restrições autoimpostas. A partir da discussão dos conceitos de jogo, arquitetura labiríntica, imanência, coleção e dialogismo, bem como da análise de algumas obras de autores do grupo, questionamos o papel do leitor nesse jogo.
O uso de smartphones no ensino e na aprendizagem da língua inglesa: o que dizem os professores?
Authors: Ribeiro Daniele Alves , Do Espírito Santo Diogo Orlando Elias , Lima Leonardo Jovelino Almeida de
Published: May 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo principal verificar e discutir a visão dos docentes quanto ao uso de smartphones em sala de aula. Assim, este trabalho está norteado pela pesquisa de cunho bibliográfico e baseado na análise qualitativa, e contou com o levantamento de artigos, monografias e dissertações de mestrado que objetivam trazer percepções e opiniões de docentes sobre o uso de smartphones em sala de aula. A partir de nossas análises e discussões, entendemos que, mesmo que haja o interesse no trabalho com smartphones em sala de aula por parte de muitos docentes, a questão da formação e da conscientização para os benefícios da aprendizagem móvel ainda parece ser uma discussão necessária e de suma importância.
Casamento e independência em As Três Irmãs (1862), de Camilo Castelo Branco, e Senhora (1875), de José de Alencar
Authors: Sales Bruna De Oliveira , Costa Gregory Magalhães
Published: May 2021

A partir d’As Três Irmãs (1862), de Camilo Castelo Branco, e Senhora (1875), de José de Alencar, pretende-se analisar os percursos das protagonistas desses romances – Jerônima e Aurélia, respectivamente –, com especial atenção aos momentos de ruptura das moças com o ideal de mulher que vigorava na época, por meio de uma perspectiva comparatista de viés histórico. Podemos considerá-las avessas às tendências oitocentistas, pois Jerônima desde jovem decide não se casar e Aurélia, após se tornar milionária, compra seu marido como forma de fazê-lo ver que ela agora é uma mulher poderosa. Apesar de estarem separadas pelo Oceano Atlântico, elas se unem pelas suas personalidades transgressoras como resposta às sociedades patriarcais que estavam inseridas e pela temática do casamento.
A orientação argumentativa em textos multimodais: a intertextualidade como critério de análise
Authors: Nogueira Bruno Huann da Silva , Ranieri Thaís Ludmila Da Silva
Published: May 2021

O presente trabalho propõe uma interface entre os postulados da Linguística Textual e a Análise da Argumentação no Discurso (CAVALCANTE, 2016; MACEDO, 2018 e OLIVEIRA, 2020). Por esse prisma teórico, nosso foco é mostrar como a categoria textual de intertextualidade pode indicar uma orientação argumentativa na modalidade de coconstrução em textos multimodais (AMOSSY, 2011 e CARVALHO, 2018). Para essa investigação, contamos com duas charges selecionadas do jornal virtual O Tempo. Os resultados corroboram que essa categoria é útil para se perceber a orientação argumentativa e também aponta para diferentes graus de argumentatividade.
Thinking in Archipelagic Terms: An Interview with John Brannigan
Authors: Brannigan John , Santos Brigida Marcela , Verçosa Thayane , Ribeiro Nunes Gabriela
Published: May 2021

John Brannigan is Professor at the School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin. He has research interests in the twentieth-century literatures of Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales, with a particular focus on the relationships between literature and social and cultural identities. His first book, New Historicism and Cultural Materialism (1998), was a study of the leading historicist methodologies in late twentieth-century literary criticism. He has since published two books on the postwar history of English literature (2002, 2003), leading book-length studies of working-class authors Brendan Behan (2002) and Pat Barker (2005), and the first book to investigate twentieth-century Irish literature and culture using critical race theories, Race in Modern Irish Literature and Culture (2009). His most recent book, Archipelagic Modernism: Literature in the Irish and British Isles, 1890-1970 (2014), explores new ways of understanding the relationship between literature, place and environment in 20th-century Irish and British writing. He was editor of the international peer-reviewed journal, Irish University Review, from 2010 to 2016.
Apresentação
Authors: Ribeiro Nunes Gabriela , Santos Brigida Marcela
Published: May 2021

Apresentação da edição 35.
Weighing change
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: May 2021

With implementation of the revised EYFS and Baseline Assessment all set for September, there has been much conflicting advice coming from the mainstream and specialist press. Sue Allingham provides a balanced view on what to consider.
How to value fairness
Authors: Cowley Sue
Published: May 2021

Anti-racism and equity have become a defining focus for education in the last year. In line with this, how can early years settings better support children by building their inclusive practice?
Completely ‘in flow’
Authors: Siraj-Blatchford John , Brock Lynnette
Published: May 2021

Building upon children's chosen interests and operational schemes is key to creating an inclusive setting in which all children can learn and have fun, including those who may have a perceived ‘special need’.
Mueller matrix ellipsometer based on discrete-angle rotating Fresnel
rhomb compensators
Authors: Bian Subiao , Cui Changcai , Arteaga Oriol
Published: May 2021

A spectroscopic Mueller matrix ellipsometer based on two rotating Fresnel rhomb compensators with a nearly achromatic response and optimal retardance is described. In this instrument, the compensators rotate in a discrete manner instead of continuously rotating, and this allows for a well-conditioned measurement even for low intensity samples. Moreover, in this configuration, the exposure time of the CCD detector can be varied within orders of magnitude without interfering with the dynamics of the compensator rotation. An optimization algorithm determines the optimal set of discrete angles that allows the determination of the Mueller matrix in the presence of noise. The calibration of the instrument is discussed, and examples of experimentally determined Mueller matrices are provided.
Comparison of the sensitivity by SPR in a metal-ITO-BlueP/TMDC structure
Authors: Liao Jianfei , Han Lei , Xu Chaoyu
Published: May 2021

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on blue phosphorus (BlueP)/transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) of two-dimensional (2D) materials is proposed to increase the performance. In this sensor, BlueP/TMDCs are coated on indium tin oxide (ITO) and different metals (Au/Ag/Cu) to improve the sensitivity. By optimizing structural parameters, with the

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4 layers, 228 nm ITO, and 25 nm Au thin film, which is 6.77 times that of the Au-ITO structure and 54.40 times that of the traditional SPR of Au thin film. The SPR sensor has potential applications in disease diagnosis, drug development, gene sequencing and treatment, environmental monitoring, food safety testing, doping testing, and other fields.
On the space-time statistics of motion pictures
Authors: Lee Dae Yeol , Ko Hyunsuk , Kim Jongho , Bovik Alan C.
Published: May 2021

It is well known that natural images possess statistical regularities that can be captured by bandpass decomposition and divisive normalization processes that approximate early neural processing in the human visual system. We expand on these studies and present new findings on the properties of space-time natural statistics that are inherent in motion pictures. Our model relies on the concept of temporal bandpass (e.g., lag) filtering in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and area V1, which is similar to smoothed frame differencing of video frames. Specifically, we model the statistics of the differences between adjacent or neighboring video frames that have been slightly spatially displaced relative to one another. We find that when these space-time differences are further subjected to locally pooled divisive normalization, statistical regularities (or lack thereof) arise that depend on the local motion trajectory. We find that bandpass and divisively normalized frame differences that are displaced along the motion direction exhibit stronger statistical regularities than for other displacements. Conversely, the direction-dependent regularities of displaced frame differences can be used to estimate the image motion (optical flow) by finding the space-time displacement paths that best preserve statistical regularity.
Time-resolved spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with CMOS SPAD sensors
Authors: Kufcsák A. , Bagnaninchi P. , Erdogan A. T. , Henderson R. K. , Krstajić N.
Published: May 2021

We present a first spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system deploying a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based, time-resolved line sensor. The sensor with 1024 pixels achieves a sensitivity of 87 dB at an A-scan rate of 1 kHz using a supercontinuum laser source with a repetition rate of 20 MHz, 38 nm bandwidth, and 2 mW power at 850 nm centre wavelength. In the time-resolved mode of the sensor, the system combines low-coherence interferometry (LCI) and massively parallel time-resolved single-photon counting to control the detection of interference spectra on the single-photon level based on the time-of-arrival of photons. For proof of concept demonstration of the combined detection scheme we show the acquisition of time-resolved interference spectra and the reconstruction of OCT images from selected time bins. Then, we exemplify the temporal discrimination feature with 50 ps time resolution and 249 ps timing uncertainty by removing unwanted reflections from along the optical path at a 30 mm distance from the sample. The current limitations of the proposed technique in terms of sensor parameters are analysed and potential improvements are identified for advanced photonic applications.
Ultimate conversion efficiency of second harmonic generation in all-dielectric resonators of quasi-BICs in consideration of nonlinear refraction of dielectrics
Authors: Ning Tingyin , Li Xin , Zhang Zhongshuai , Huo Yanyan , Yue Qingyang , Zhao Lina , Gao Yuanmei
Published: May 2021

We investigate second harmonic generation (SHG) in all-dielectric resonance nanostructures of high-Q factors assisted by quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BICs). The typical resonators, e.g., guided-mode resonance gratings and asymmetric metasurfaces, fabricated by AlGaAs were numerically studied with the consideration of nonlinear refraction of AlGaAs. The resonance peak and line-shape of linear transmission and SHG spectra in the resonators can be dramatically changed under intense pump intensities. The SHG conversion efficiency in the nanostructures working at quasi-BICs is much lower than the traditionally expected values without considering the nonlinear refraction of dielectrics. The ultimate SHG conversion efficiency is finally obtained. The investigation has the significance for the design and understanding of efficient nonlinear metasurfaces of high-Q factors.
Gas-induced differential refractive index enhanced guidance in hollow-core optical fibers
Authors: Kelly T. W. , Horak P. , Davidson I. A. , Partridge M. , Jasion G. T. , Rikimi S. , Taranta A. , Richardson D. J. , Poletti F. , Wheeler N. V.
Published: May 2021

Hollow-core fibers (HCFs) are a potentially transformative fiber technology, where light is confined within a hollow core surrounded by a cladding composed of air holes defined by glass membranes. Dramatic reductions in the minimum losses achieved in a HCF are driving forward their application in low-latency data transmission and ultra-high-power delivery, and maximizing their performance is of increasing interest. Here, we demonstrate that introducing an extremely small gas-induced differential refractive index (GDRI) between the gas within the core and cladding regions of a HCF enables dramatic changes to a HCF’s optical properties, including loss, bend loss, and modality. Within this work, we focus on a tubular HCF and demonstrate through experiment and simulations that the confinement loss of this fiber can be reduced by a factor of 5 using a differential pressure of only 6.7 bar. Understanding GDRI is critical for applications where the gas content within the fiber is actively controlled. Moreover, GDRI provides a new means to control the optical properties of a HCF post-fabrication, opening up new areas of design space and providing a tool to tailor and enhance the optical performance of even state-of-the-art HCFs.
Instant FLIM enables 4D in vivo lifetime imaging of intact and injured zebrafish and mouse brains
Authors: Zhang Yide , Guldner Ian H. , Nichols Evan L. , Benirschke David , Smith Cody J. , Zhang Siyuan , Howard Scott S.
Published: May 2021

Traditional fluorescence microscopy is blind to molecular
microenvironment information that is present in a fluorescence
lifetime, which can be measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging
microscopy (FLIM). However, most existing FLIM techniques are slow to
acquire and process lifetime images, difficult to implement, and
expensive. Here we present instant FLIM, an analog signal processing
method that allows real-time streaming of fluorescence intensity,
lifetime, and phasor imaging data through simultaneous image
acquisition and instantaneous data processing. Instant FLIM can be
easily implemented by upgrading an existing two-photon microscope
using cost-effective components and our open-source software. We
further improve the functionality, penetration depth, and resolution
of instant FLIM using phasor segmentation, adaptive optics, and
super-resolution techniques. We demonstrate through-skull intravital
3D FLIM of mouse brains to depths of 300 µm and present the first
in vivo 4D FLIM of microglial dynamics
in intact and injured zebrafish and mouse brains for up to 12 h.
Comparative study between photodynamic therapy with urucum + Led and probiotics in halitosis reduction–protocol for a controlled clinical trial
Authors: Motta Pamella de Barros , Motta Lara Jansiski , Costa da Mota Ana Carolina , Leal Gonçalves Marcela Letícia , Silva Tamiris , Momolli Marcos , de Andrade David Casimiro , Santos Fernandes Kristianne Porta , Mesquita-Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Deana Alessandro Melo , Wainwright Mark , Prates Renato Araujo , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Bussadori Sandra Kalil
Published: May 2021

Background

Halitosis is a term that defines any foul odor emanating from the oral cavity. The origin may be local or systemic. The aim of the proposed protocol is to determine whether treatment with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and treatment with probiotics are effective at eliminating halitosis.

Materials and methods

Eighty-eight patients, from 18 to 25 years old with a diagnosis of halitosis (H2S≥112 ppb, determined by gas chromatography) will be randomly allocated to four groups (n = 22) that will receive different treatments: Group 1 –treatment with teeth brushing, dental floss and tongue scraper; Group 2 –brushing, dental floss and aPDT; Group 3 –brushing, dental floss and probiotics; Group 4 –brushing, flossing, aPDT and probiotics. The results of the halimetry will be compared before, immediately after, seven days and thirty days after treatment. The microbiological analysis of the coated tongue will be performed at these same times. The normality of the data will be determined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data with normal distribution will be analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Non-parametric data will be analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The Wilcoxon test will be used to analyze the results of each treatment at the different evaluation periods.

Clinical trail registration

NCT03996044.
Time series models for prediction of leptospirosis in different climate zones in Sri Lanka
Authors: Warnasekara Janith , Agampodi Suneth , Abeynayake Rupika
Published: May 2021

In tropical countries such as Sri Lanka, where leptospirosis—a deadly disease with a high mortality rate—is endemic, prediction is required for public health planning and resource allocation. Routinely collected meteorological data may offer an effective means of making such predictions. This study included monthly leptospirosis and meteorological data from January 2007 to April 2019 from Sri Lanka. Factor analysis was first used with rainfall data to classify districts into meteorological zones. We used a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model for univariate predictions and an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model for multivariable analysis of leptospirosis with monthly average rainfall, temperature, relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR), and the number of rainy days/month (RD). Districts were classified into wet (WZ) and dry (DZ) zones, and highlands (HL) based on the factor analysis of rainfall data. The WZ had the highest leptospirosis incidence; there was no difference in the incidence between the DZ and HL. Leptospirosis was fluctuated positively with rainfall, RH and RD, whereas temperature and SR were fluctuated negatively. The best-fitted SARIMA models in the three zones were different from each other. Despite its known association, rainfall was positively significant in the WZ only at lag 5 (P = 0.03) but was negatively associated at lag 2 and 3 (P = 0.04). RD was positively associated for all three zones. Temperature was positively associated at lag 0 for the WZ and HL (P < 0.009) and was negatively associated at lag 1 for the WZ (P = 0.01). There was no association with RH in contrast to previous studies. Based on altitude and rainfall data, meteorological variables could effectively predict the incidence of leptospirosis with different models for different climatic zones. These predictive models could be effectively used in public health planning purposes.
Characterizing low effort responding among young African adults recruited via Facebook advertising
Authors: Olamijuwon Emmanuel Olawale
Published: May 2021

Multiple studies have successfully used Facebook’s advertising platform to recruit study participants. However, very limited methodological discussion exists regarding the magnitude of low effort responses from participants recruited via Facebook and African samples. This study describes a quasi-random study that identified and enrolled young adults in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa between 22 May and 6 June 2020, based on an advertisement budget of 9,000.00 ZAR (US $521.44). The advertisements attracted over 900,000 views, 11,711‬ unique clicks, 1190 survey responses, and a total of 978 completed responses from young adults in the three countries during the period. Competition rates on key demographic characteristics ranged from 82% among those who attempted the survey to about 94% among eligible participants. The average cost of the advertisements was 7.56 ZAR (US $0.43) per survey participant, 8.68 ZAR (US $0.50) per eligible response, and 9.20 ZAR (US $0.53) per complete response. The passage rate on the attention checks varied from about 50% on the first question to as high as 76% on the third attention check question. About 59% of the sample passed all the attention checks, while 30% passed none of the attention checks. Results from a truncated Poisson regression model suggest that passage of attention checks was significantly associated with demographically relevant characteristics such as age and sex. Overall, the findings contribute to the growing body of literature describing the strengths and limitations of online sample frames, especially in developing countries.
Iron activates microglia and directly stimulates indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase activity in the N171-82Q mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Donley David W. , Realing Marley , Gigley Jason P. , Fox Jonathan H.
Published: May 2021

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a dominant CAG-repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. Microglial activation is a key feature of HD pathology, and is present before clinical disease onset. The kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation is activated in HD, and is thought to contribute to disease progression. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) catalyzes the first step in this pathway; this and other pathway enzymes reside with microglia. While HD brain microglia accumulate iron, the role of iron in promoting microglial activation and KP activity is unclear. Here we utilized the neonatal iron supplementation model to investigate the relationship between iron, microglial activation and neurodegeneration in adult HD mice. We show in the N171-82Q mouse model of HD microglial morphologic changes consistent with immune activation. Neonatal iron supplementation in these mice promoted neurodegeneration and resulted in additional microglial activation in adults as determined by increased soma volume and decreased process length. We further demonstrate that iron activates IDO, both in brain lysates and purified recombinant protein (EC50 = 1.24 nM). Brain IDO activity is increased by HD. Neonatal iron supplementation further promoted IDO activity in cerebral cortex, altered KP metabolite profiles, and promoted HD neurodegeneration as measured by brain weights and striatal volumes. Our results demonstrate that dietary iron is an important activator of microglia and the KP pathway in this HD model, and that this occurs in part through a direct effect on IDO. The findings are relevant to understanding how iron promotes neurodegeneration in HD.
Hunter-Gatherers in context: Mammal community composition in a northern Tanzania landscape used by Hadza foragers and Datoga pastoralists
Authors: Wood Brian M. , Millar Riccardo S. , Wright Nicholas , Baumgartner Joshua , Holmquist Hannah , Kiffner Christian
Published: May 2021

In many regions of sub Saharan Africa large mammals occur in human-dominated areas, yet their community composition and abundance have rarely been described in areas occupied by traditional hunter-gatherers and pastoralists. Surveys of mammal populations in such areas provide important measures of biodiversity and provide ecological context for understanding hunting practices. Using a sampling grid centered on a Hadza hunter-gatherer camp and covering 36 km2of semi-arid savannah in northern Tanzania, we assessed mammals using camera traps (n = 19 stations) for c. 5 months (2,182 trap nights). In the study area (Tli’ikain the Hadza language), we recorded 36 wild mammal species. Rarefaction curves suggest that sampling effort was sufficient to capture mammal species richness, yet some species known to occur at low densities in the wider area (e.g. African lions, wildebeest) were not detected. Relative abundance indices of wildlife species varied by c. three orders of magnitude, from a mean of 0.04 (African wild dog) to 20.34 capture events per 100 trap-nights (Kirk’s dik dik). To contextualize the relative abundance of wildlife in the study area, we compared our study’s data to comparable camera trap data collected in a fully protected area of northern Tanzania with similar rainfall (Lake Manyara National Park). Raw data and negative binomial regression analyses show that wild herbivores and wild carnivores were generally detected in the national park at higher rates than in the Hadza-occupied region. Livestock were notably absent from the national park, but were detected at high levels in Tli’ika, and cattle was the second most frequently detected species in the Hadza-used area. We discuss how these data inform current conservation efforts, studies of Hadza hunting, and models of hunter-gatherer foraging ecology and diet.
Adherence to cardiovascular pharmacotherapy by patients in Iraq: A mixed methods assessment using quantitative dried blood spot analysis and the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale
Authors: Alalaqi Ahmed , Lawson Graham , Obaid Yaseen , Tanna Sangeeta
Published: May 2021

This study evaluated the adherence to prescribed cardiovascular therapy medications among cardiovascular disease patients attending clinics in Misan, Amara, Iraq. Mixed methods were used to assess medication adherence comprising the Arabic version of the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and determination of drug concentrations in patient dried blood spot (DBS) samples by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Three hundred and three Iraqi patients (median age 53 years, 50.5% female) who had been taking one or more of the nine commonly prescribed cardiovascular medications (amlodipine, atenolol, atorvastatin, bisoprolol, diltiazem, lisinopril, losartan, simvastatin and valsartan) for at least six months were enrolled. For each patient MMAS-8 scores were determined alongside drug concentrations in their dried blood spot samples. Results from the standardized questionnaire showed that adherence was 81.8% in comparison with 50.8% obtained using the laboratory-based microsample analysis. The agreement between the indirect (MMAS-8) and direct (DBS analysis) assessment approaches to assessing medication adherence showed significantly poor agreement (kappa = 0.28, P = 0.001). The indirect and direct assessment approaches showed no significant correlation between nonadherence to prescribed cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and age and gender, but were significantly associated with the number of medications in the patient’s treatment regimen (MMAS-8: Odds Ratio (OR) 1.947, 95% CI, P = 0.001; DBS analysis: OR 2.164, 95% CI, P = 0.001). The MMAS-8 results highlighted reasons for nonadherence to prescribed cardiovascular pharmacotherapy in this patient population whilst the objective DBS analysis approach gave valuable information about nonadherence to each medication in the patient’s treatment regimen. DBS sampling, due its minimally invasive nature, convenience and ease of transport is a useful alternative matrix to monitor adherence objectively in Iraq to cardiovascular pharmacotherapy. This information combined with MMAS-8 can provide clinicians with an evidence-based novel approach to implement intervention strategies to optimise and personalise cardiovascular pharmacotherapy in the Iraqi population and thereby improve patient health outcomes.
Traditional Chinese Medicine as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Zhenzhen , Liu Wangyi , Gao Hongzhi , Chen Wanjia , Ge Wenshu , Li Fang , Deng Yueyi
Published: May 2021

Background

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults involving multiple targets and factors. The effect of conservative nonimmunosuppressive or immunosuppressive therapies is unsatisfactory and with many side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate immune function and improve kidney function.

Purpose

To evaluate the total effective rate, curative rate, recurrence rate and adverse events of TCM alone or TCM as an adjunctive therapy for IMN.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing either TCM alone or the combination of TCM to western medicine (WM) therapies for patients with IMN were retrieved by searching English and Chinese database. Risk of bias summary was used to assess the methodological quality of eligible studies. Dichotomous data were presented using odds ratios (OR). The primary outcome measure was the total effective rate. Secondary outcomes included curative rate, recurrence rate and adverse events.

Results

29 RCTs involving 1883 participants met the inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant difference between the therapy of TCM alone and WM on the total effective rates (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 0.80–4.98; P = 0.14) and curative rate (OR: 1.66; 95%CI: 0.66–4.22; p = 0.28). However, compared to basic treatment or immunosuppressive therapies alone, results showed that TCM as an adjunctive therapy had beneficial effects on the total effective rate (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.38–4.86; P = 0.003 and OR: 3.01; 95% CI: 2.25–4.04; P < 0.00001) and curative rate (OR: 3.01; 95%CI: 1.24–7.28; p = 0.01 and OR: 1.73; 95%CI: 1.10–2.71; p = 0.02). In addition, the combination of TCM treatment could reduce the recurrence rate (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.12–0.68; P = 0.004) and adverse reactions (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.27–0.54; p < 0.00001).

Conclusion

The results indicate that TCM is well-tolerated for the treatment of IMN. However, there remains a need for large-scale and high-quality trials.
Endoscopic application of mussel-inspired phenolic chitosan as a hemostatic agent for gastrointestinal bleeding: A preclinical study in a heparinized pig model
Authors: Yoo In Kyung , Kim Keumyeon , Song Gawon , Koh Mi-Young , Lee Moon Sue , Yeniova Abdullah Özgür , Lee Haeshin , Cho Joo Young
Published: May 2021

Marine mussels secrete adhesive proteins to attach to solid surfaces. These proteins contain phenolic and basic amino acids exhibiting wet adhesion properties. This study used a mussel-inspired hemostatic polymer, chitosan-catechol, to treat gastrointestinal bleeding caused by endoscopic mucosal resection in a heparinized porcine model. We aimed to evaluate the hemostatic efficacy and short-term safety of this wet adhesive chitosan-catechol. We used 15 heparinized pigs. Four iatrogenic bleeding ulcers classified as Forrest Ib were created in each pig using an endoscopic mucosal resection method. One ulcer in each pig was untreated as a negative control (no-treatment group). The other three ulcers were treated with gauze (gauze group), argon plasma coagulation (APC group), and chitosan-catechol hemostatic agent (CHI-C group) each. The pigs were sacrificed on Days 1, 5, and 10, and histological examination was performed (n = 5 per day). Rapid hemostasis observed at 2 min after bleeding was 93.3% (14/15) in the CHI-C group, 6.7% (1/15) in the no-treatment group, 13.3% (2/15) in the gauze group, and 86.7% (13/15) in the APC group. No re-bleeding was observed in the CHI-C group during the entire study period. However, a few re-bleeding cases were observed on Day 1 in the no-treatment, gauze, and APC groups and on Day 5 in the gauze and APC groups. On histological analysis, the CHI-C group showed the best tissue healing among the four test groups. Considering the results, chitosan-catechol is an effective hemostatic material with reduced re-bleeding and improved healing.
A systematic scoping review of the methodological approaches and effects of pesticide exposure on solitary bees
Authors: Lehmann David M. , Camp Allison A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Pollination services provided by solitary bees, the largest group of bees worldwide, are critical to the vitality of ecosystems and agricultural systems alike. Disconcertingly, bee populations are in decline, and while no single causative factor has been identified, pesticides are believed to play a role in downward population trends. The effects of pesticides on solitary bee species have not been previously systematically cataloged and reviewed.

Objectives

This systematic scoping review examines available evidence for effects of pesticide exposure on solitary bees to identify data gaps and priority research needs.

Methods

A systematic literature search strategy was developed to identify and document reports on solitary bee pesticide exposure-effects investigations. Literature was subsequently screened for relevance using a Population, Exposures, Comparators, and Outcomes (PECO) statement and organized into a systematic evidence map. Investigations were organized by effect category (lethal effects on immatures, lethal effects on adults, sublethal effects on immatures, and sublethal effects on adults), species, pesticide class, and publication year.

Results

A comprehensive literature search of Web of Science and ProQuest Agricultural & Environmental Science supplemented by targeted internet searching and reference mining yielded 176 reports and publications for title and abstract screening and 65 that met PECO criteria (22 included lethal and 43 included sublethal effects endpoints). Relevant design details (pesticide, test compound configuration, study type, species, sex, exposure duration) were extracted into literature inventory tables to reveal the extent endpoints have been investigated and areas in need of additional research.

Conclusions

Evidence mapping revealed diversity in the pesticides and endpoints studied across the database. However, dilution across bee species, lack of complementary laboratory work and paucity of replicated investigations complicate efforts to interpret and apply available data to support pesticide risk assessment.
Prognostic value of FGFR1 expression and amplification in patients with HNSCC: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Yao , Ai Li-Sha , Zhou Liu-Qing
Published: May 2021

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) has recently been identified as a promising novel therapeutic target and prognostic marker in different types of cancer. In the present study, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the correlation between FGFR1 and the survival outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched for relevant studies in order to explore the prognostic significance of FGFR1 in HNSCC. Hazards ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were collected to estimate the correlation between overexpression and amplification of FGFR1 and survival outcomes of HNSCC patients. Nine studies including 2708 patients with HNSCC were finally selected for the meta-analysis. The results indicated that FGFR1 predicted poor overall survival (OS) (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.49–2.61, P<0.001) in HNSCC patients. Futhermore, FGFR1 was related to poor OS in human papillomavirus (HPV) negative HNSCC not in HPV positive HNSCC patients. Subgroup analysis stratified by molecular abnormalities, such as overexpression or amplification showed the similar results. The present study demonstrated that HNSCC patients with FGFR1 overexpression and amplification were more likely to exhibit poorer survival.
Biomarkers representing key aging-related biological pathways are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and all-cause mortality: The Framingham Study
Authors: Castro-Diehl Cecilia , Ehrbar Rachel , Obas Vanesa , Oh Albin , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Xanthakis Vanessa
Published: May 2021

Background

Increased oxidative stress, leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortening, endothelial dysfunction, and lower insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 concentrations reflect key molecular mechanisms of aging. We hypothesized that biomarkers representing these pathways are associated with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis and all-cause mortality.

Methods and results

We evaluated up to 2,314 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age 61 years, 55% women) with available biomarkers of aging: LTL, circulating concentrations of IGF-1, asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), and urinary F2-Isoprostanes indexed to urinary creatinine. We evaluated the association of each biomarker with coronary artery calcium [ln (CAC+1)] and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). In multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, higher ADMA levels were associated with higher CAC values (βADMA per 1-SD increase 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.11, 0.39]). Additionally, shorter LTL and lower IGF-1 values were associated with higher IMT values (βLTL −0.08, 95%CI −0.14, −0.02, and βIGF-1 −0.04, 95%CI −0.08, −0.01, respectively). During a median follow-up of 15.5 years, 593 subjects died. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, LTL and IGF-1 values were inversely associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratios [HR] per SD increase in biomarker, 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.99, and 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.98 for LTL and IGF-1, respectively). F2-Isoprostanes and ADMA values were positively associated with all-cause mortality (HR per SD increase in biomarker, 1.15, 95% CI, 1.10–1.22, and 1.10, 95% CI, 1.02–1.20, respectively).

Conclusion

In our prospective community-based study, aging-related biomarkers were associated with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis cross-sectionally and with all-cause mortality prospectively, supporting the concept that these biomarkers may reflect the aging process in community-dwelling adults.
Closed for business: The mortality impact of business closures during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Bongaerts Dion , Mazzola Francesco , Wagner Wolf
Published: May 2021

We investigate the effectiveness of business shutdowns to contain the Covid-19 disease. In March 2020, Italy shut down operations in selected sectors of its economy. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that municipalities with higher exposure to closed sectors experienced subsequently lower mortality rates. The implied life savings exceed 9,400 people over a period of less than a month. We also find that business closures exhibited rapidly diminishing returns and had large effects outside the closed businesses themselves, including spillovers to other municipalities. Overall, the results suggest business shutdowns are effective, but should be selectively implemented and centrally coordinated.
Trends of community-based systemic antibiotic consumption: Comparative analyses of data from Ethiopia and Norway calls for public health policy actions
Authors: Gutema Girma , Ali Seid , Suleman Sultan
Published: May 2021

Studies on antibiotic utilization trends are invaluable because they offer data for evaluation of impacts of antimicrobial stewardship policies. Such studies help determine correlations between the use of specific antibiotic classes and trends in emergence of resistance (resistance-epidemiology). This study aims to quantify the consumption systemic antibiotics (J01)—in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID)—in Ethiopia’s public healthcare sector (2016–2020). By so doing, it attempts to capture the extent of population exposure to antibiotics in the country. Data were also compared with those from Norway to establish rough estimate of the country’s status vis-à-vis some globally acknowledged better practices with regard to optimal use of antibiotics. Raw data obtained from registers of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency were converted into DDD, per the standard methodology recommended by WHO. To control for population size, antibiotics consumption data were presented as DID. Since official population census data for Ethiopia were not available for the study period, population projection data from the World Bank were used. Community-based consumption of systemic antibiotics increased from 11.02 DID in 2016 to 12.83 DID in 2020 in Ethiopia—an increase by 16.4%. Moreover, analysis of a log-linear regression model showed that the average growth rate in the community-based systemic antibiotics consumption per year between 2016 and 2020 was about 3.3% (R2 = 0.89). The highest percentage change in community-based systemic antibiotics consumption happened for glycopeptides (J01XA) and the fourth generation cephalosporins (J01DE)—1300% and 600% compared to the baseline year (2016), respectively. At product level, 9 antibiotics constituted the common domain in the list of medication cocktails in the drug utilization 90% (DU90%) for the study period. Community-based consumption of systemic antibiotics for Ethiopia and Norway showed opposite trends, calling for public health policy actions in Ethiopia.
Crystal and solution structures reveal oligomerization of individual capsid homology domains of Drosophila Arc
Authors: Hallin Erik I. , Markússon Sigurbjörn , Böttger Lev , Torda Andrew E. , Bramham Clive R. , Kursula Petri
Published: May 2021

Synaptic plasticity is vital for brain function and memory formation. One of the key proteins in long-term synaptic plasticity and memory is the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc). Mammalian Arc forms virus-like capsid structures in a process requiring the N-terminal domain and contains two C-terminal lobes that are structural homologues to retroviral capsids. Drosophila has two isoforms of Arc, dArc1 and dArc2, with low sequence similarity to mammalian Arc, but lacking a large N-terminal domain. Both dArc isoforms are related to the Ty3/gypsy retrotransposon capsid, consisting of N- and C-terminal lobes. Structures of dArc1, as well as capsids formed by both dArc isoforms, have been recently determined. We carried out structural characterization of the four individual dArc lobe domains. As opposed to the corresponding mammalian Arc lobe domains, which are monomeric, the dArc lobes were all oligomeric in solution, indicating a strong propensity for homophilic interactions. A truncated N-lobe from dArc2 formed a domain-swapped dimer in the crystal structure, resulting in a novel dimer interaction that could be relevant for capsid assembly or other dArc functions. This domain-swapped structure resembles the dimeric protein C of flavivirus capsids, as well as the structure of histones dimers, domain-swapped transcription factors, and membrane-interacting BAK domains. The strong oligomerization properties of the isolated dArc lobe domains explain the ability of dArc to form capsids in the absence of any large N-terminal domain, in contrast to the mammalian protein.
Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Seomun GyeongAe , Lee Juneyoung , Park Jinkyung
Published: May 2021

Background

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are classified as a possible carcinogenic factor (Group 2B). This study assessed the association between ELF-MFs and childhood cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Three databases were searched in January 2020. We conducted a meta-analysis for the association between the ELF-MFs exposure level and childhood cancer.

Results

A total of 33 studies were identified. Thirty studies with 186,223 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Children exposed to 0.2-, 0.3-, and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.49), 1.22 (95% CI 0.93–1.61), and 1.72 (95% CI 1.25–2.35) times higher odds of childhood leukemia. In childhood brain tumors, children exposed to 0.2-μT had a 0.95 (95% CI 0.59–1.56) times higher odds, and those exposed to 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.25 (95% CI 0.93–1.61). Children exposed to 0.2- and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.10 (95% CI 0.70–1.75) and 2.01 (95% CI 0.89–4.52) times higher odds of any childhood cancers.

Conclusions

Significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MFs and childhood leukemia. Furthermore, a possible dose-response effect was also observed.
De novo transcriptome assembly of the green alga Ankistrodesmus falcatus
Authors: Schomaker Rachel A. , Dudycha Jeffry L.
Published: May 2021

Ankistrodesmus falcatusis a globally distributed freshwater chlorophyte that is a candidate for biofuel production, is used to study the effects of toxins on aquatic communities, and is used as food in zooplankton research. Each of these research fields is transitioning to genomic tools. We created a reference transcriptome for ofA.falcatususing NextGen sequencing andde novoassembly methods including Trinity, Velvet-Oases, and EvidentialGene. The assembled transcriptome has a total of 17,997 contigs, an N50 value of 2,462, and a GC content of 64.8%. BUSCO analysis recovered 83.3% of total chlorophyte BUSCOs and 82.5% of the eukaryotic BUSCOs. A portion (7.9%) of these supposedly single-copy genes were found to have transcriptionally active, distinct duplicates. We annotated the assembly using the dammit annotation pipeline, resulting in putative functional annotation for 68.89% of the assembly. Using available rbcL sequences from 16 strains (10 species) ofAnkistrodesmus, we constructed a neighbor-joining phylogeny to illustrate genetic distances of ourA.falcatusstrain to other members of the genus. This assembly will be valuable for researchers seeking to identifyAnkistrodesmussequences in metatranscriptomic and metagenomic field studies and in experiments where separating expression responses of zooplankton and their algal food sources through bioinformatics is important.