bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land Rights and Women’s Rights in Morocco
Authors: Eddouada Souad
Published: March 2021

Over the last two decades, women leaders known as sulāliyāt from various parts of rural and semiurban Morocco, have been in the vanguard of local contestations over the privatization of communally held land. The stand taken by these rural women against neoliberal privatization policies sometimes puts them in direct confrontation with urban women reformers, whose claims in favor of a universal feminism reveal a value system outside local customary understandings of morality, gender, and land. This article aims to account for the emerging female leadership of the sulāliyāt that operates outside urban centers, but also beyond the universalist language of feminism related to abstract notions of female autonomy and gender equality. Deeply rooted in socioeconomic issues, including land expropriation and the displacement of local peasant populations in the name of reform, development, and a public common good, sulāliyāt tie gender dynamics to the intersectional structural inequalities produced and reproduced by land privatization and by the alliance between the open-market economy and patriarchal political authoritarianism. This article explores the subaltern agency of the sulāliyāt through an interdisciplinary examination of their leadership. The sulāliyāt challenge to official narratives of development and universalist human rights signals their capacity to formulate alternative local meanings of land ownership.
Addiction Becomes Normal in the Late Twentieth Century
Authors: Park Jaeyoon
Published: March 2021

In the past four decades, the discourse on addiction in the United States has dramatically changed. Most scholarly and popular accounts have depicted this change as an instance of “medicalization,” whereby medical definitions and imperatives have displaced those of morality, war, or criminal justice. This article seeks to revise that dominant characterization. In fact, the medicalization trend is only one part of a broader discursive shift, in which addiction has been normalized as a form of attachment and conduct—rendered ordinary, even predictable or natural, for a human life. The article reveals this shift through a set of historical readings across four venues in the period 1980–1993: scientific research, diagnostic protocols, judicial practice, and political rhetoric. More than an empirical advance, this shift in addiction discourse reflects a novel construction of the subject in our time.
Pericyte mechanics and mechanobiology
Authors: Dessalles Claire A. , Babataheri Avin , Barakat Abdul I.
Published: March 2021

Pericytes are mural cells of the microvasculature, recognized by their thin processes and protruding cell body. Pericytes wrap around endothelial cells and play a central role in regulating various endothelial functions, including angiogenesis and inflammation. They also serve as a vascular support and regulate blood flow by contraction. Prior reviews have examined pericyte biological functions and biochemical signaling pathways. In this Review, we focus on the role of mechanics and mechanobiology in regulating pericyte function. After an overview of the morphology and structure of pericytes, we describe their interactions with both the basement membrane and endothelial cells. We then turn our attention to biophysical considerations, and describe contractile forces generated by pericytes, mechanical forces exerted on pericytes, and pericyte responses to these forces. Finally, we discuss 2D and 3D engineered in vitro models for studying pericyte mechano-responsiveness and underscore the need for more evolved models that provide improved understanding of pericyte function and dysfunction.
Effects of food intake and hydration state on behavioral thermoregulation and
locomotor activity in the tropidurid lizard Tropidurus catalanensis
Authors: Padilla Perez Dylan J. , de Carvalho Jose E. , Navas Carlos A.
Published: March 2021

Theoretical models predict that lizards adjust their body temperature through
behavioral thermoregulation as a function of food availability. However,
behavioral thermoregulation is also governed by interactions among physiological
and ecological factors other than food availability, such as hydration state, and
sometimes it can even conflict with the locomotor activity of animals. Here, we
aimed to investigate the role of food intake and hydration state on behavioral
thermoregulation and voluntary locomotor activity in the lizard
Tropidurus catalanensis. We hypothesized that food
intake can influence behavioral thermoregulation via an interaction with hydration
state. We also hypothesized that lizards should endeavor to spend as little time
as possible to reach their preferred body temperature to defend other
physiological and/or ecological functions. We collected lizards in the field and
brought them to the laboratory to measure the preferred temperature selected in a
thermal gradient and the total distance traveled by them in fed and unfed
conditions and with variable hydration state. Our results showed that food
consumption was the most important predictor of preferred temperature. In
contrast, either the hydration state alone or its interaction with food
consumption did not have important effects on the lizards’ thermal preference.
Also, we found that the total distance traveled by lizards was not affected by
food intake and was barely affected by the hydration state. We provide an
experimental approach and a robust analysis of the factors that influence
behavioral thermoregulation and locomotor activity in a tropical lizard.
Population characterization and parasitological assessment of the giant African snail (Achatina fulica) in urban areas of Cartagena, Colombia
Authors: Cano-Pérez Eder , Torres-Pacheco Jaison , Barraza-Quiroz Luis , Morelos-Muñoz Jorge , Gómez-Camargo Doris
Published: March 2021

Background: The giant African snail, Achatina fulica, is an invasive species recognized for being a serious agricultural pest and an intermediary vector for diverse parasites that cause diseases in humans. The knowledge of the state of African snail populations in urban areas is of great ecological and public health importance. Therefore, our objective was to characterize the status of giant African snail populations present in the city of Cartagena, Colombia, including the assessment of nematode parasites in the specimens.

Methods. Sites were visited following information from citizens affected by the presence of the African snail. The specimens were collected and transported to the laboratory; subsequently, they were weighed, measured, and classified by size. Dissections of lung tissue and soft organs were performed to search for and identify nematode parasites. Size measurement between the sampled sites was statistically compared and density and biomass indicators were established.

Results. In total, 204 snails were collected distributed among four sites within Cartagena city. Of these, 50% were juvenile specimens (10-40 mm). The size of the specimens showed significant differences between the sampling areas. The calculated density was between 0.0019-0.68 ind/m2 and the biomass between 3.92-48.75 kg/ha. No presence of nematode parasites was observed in these specimens.

Conclusions. Densities and biomasses of A. fulica in Cartagena do not reach levels considered highly harmful. On the other hand, although no parasites were found in these snails, it is relevant to continue with studies on the human health risks that represent the presence of this invasive species in urban areas of Cartagena.
Case Report: Successful revascularization in massive pulmonary embolism with a large protruding thrombus and dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Susilo Hendri , Julario Rerdin , Dyah Kencono Wungu Citrawati
Published: March 2021

Pulmonary embolism is a potentially life-threatening condition. Despite advances in diagnostics, lack of consensus and delays in determining the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism are still important problems. We report the diagnosis and management of a 37-year-old man suffering from massive pulmonary embolism, a large protruding thrombus, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Echocardiography showed dilatation of all cardiac chambers, a large protruding thrombus in the right atrium to the inferior vena cava, impaired left and right ventricular systolic function, and global hypokinetic of the left ventricle with eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. A thoracic computerized tomography scan showed pulmonary embolism with infarction. The patient’s blood pressure was 60/40 mmHg and heart rate was 110 bpm. The patient was diagnosed with high-risk acute pulmonary embolism. We gave him hemodynamic support and reperfusion therapy with a loading dose of 250,000 units of Streptokinase followed by 100,000 units/hour for 24 hours. After revascularization, the patient's hemodynamic condition improved. The diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism is based on clinical symptoms, hemodynamic changes, or radiological examination. Unstable hemodynamic underlies high-risk stratification. Hypotension or shock results from obstruction of the pulmonary artery which causes increased right ventricular afterload and acute right ventricular dysfunction. Reperfusion with thrombolysis therapy could provide good outcomes in this patient. Prolonged anticoagulation should be given to prevent the recurrence of venous thromboembolism.
Safety and effectiveness of early cardiac rehabilitation in a stroke patient with heart failure and atrial fibrillation: a case report
Authors: Lee Sang Cheol , Ko Eun Jae , Lee Ju Yeon , Hong Ae Lee
Published: March 2021

Stroke patients have reduced aerobic capacity. Therefore, intensive structured exercise programs are needed. We report the case of a patient with stroke and cardiac disease who underwent early inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR). A 38-year-old male patient with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cerebral infarction underwent a symptom-limited exercise tolerance test (ETT) without any problems on day 45 after admission. He completed a 2-week inpatient program and an 8-week home-based CR program. Follow-up ETT showed increased exercise capacity. The present case might be the first to report a safely performed CR program in a patient with stroke and cardiac comorbidity in Korea. Systematic guidance is needed for post-stroke patients to receive safe and effective CR for the secondary prevention of stroke and cardiovascular risk.
Discriminatory Pricing of Over-the-Counter Derivatives
Authors: Hau Harald , Hoffmann Peter , Langfield Sam , Timmer Yannick
Published: March 2021

For the first time, new regulatory data allow precise measurement of price discrimination against nonfinancial clients in the foreign exchange derivatives market. Consistent with the theoretical literature, transaction costs vary systematically with measures of client sophistication. The median client pays 10.9 pips more than blue-chip companies because of its lower level of sophistication, which compares with a sample average effective spread of 6.9 pips. However, price discrimination is fully eliminated when clients trade electronically on multidealer platforms. We also document that less sophisticated clients incur additional costs when trading with their relationship bank and in fast-moving markets, but only for bilaterally negotiated contracts.

This paper was accepted by Haoxiang Zhu, finance.
Intraroute Resource Replenishment with Mobile Depots
Authors: Hof Julian , Schneider Michael
Published: March 2021

In numerous practical vehicle-routing applications, larger vehicles are employed as mobile depots to support a fleet of smaller vehicles that perform certain tasks. The mobile depots offer the possibility of keeping the task vehicles operational by supplying them en route with certain resources. For example, in two-echelon distribution systems, small task vehicles are used to navigate narrow streets and to deliver/collect goods or to collect waste, and larger vehicles serve as mobile depots to replenish the goods to be delivered or to receive collected goods or waste at the outskirts of the urban area. Accessibility constraints may also be imposed by regulations on emissions, which make some areas only accessible for environmentally friendly vehicles such as, for example, battery-powered electric vehicles. Especially if the respective refueling infrastructure is sparse, mobile refueling stations seem to be an interesting alternative. In this paper, we introduce the vehicle-routing problem with time windows and mobile depots (VRPTWMD) to capture the routing decisions of the described applications in a generalized fashion. The VRPTWMD is characterized by fleets of task vehicles (TVs) and support vehicles (SVs). The SVs may serve as mobile depots to restore either the load or the fuel capacity of the TVs that are used to fulfill the customer requests. We present a mixed-integer program for the VRPTWMD with which small instances can be solved using a commercial solver. Moreover, we develop a high-quality hybrid heuristic composed of an adaptive large neighborhood search and a path relinking approach to provide solutions on larger problem instances. We use a newly generated set of large VRPTWMD instances to analyze the effect of different problem characteristics on the structure of the identified solutions. In addition, our approach shows very convincing performance on benchmark instances for the related two-echelon multiple-trip VRP with satellite synchronization, which can be viewed as a special case of the VRPTWMD. Our heuristic is able to significantly improve a large part of the previous best-known solutions while spending notably less computation time than the comparison algorithm from the literature.
A Visual Servo Control Method for Tomato Cluster-Picking Manipulators Based on a T-S Fuzzy Neural Network
Authors: Liang Xifeng , Peng Ming , Lu Jie , Qin Chao
Published: March 2021

Highlights

A T-S fuzzy neural network was applied to the visual servo control system of a tomato picking manipulator.

The T-S fuzzy neural network structure was designed, and collected data were used to train the neural network model.

A visual servo control system for the picking manipulator based on the neural network was designed and tested.

The T-S fuzzy neural network was superior to a BP neural network in visual servo control of the picking manipulator.

Abstract. To reduce the computational load of image Jacobian matrix estimation and to avoid the appearance of singularity of a Jacobian matrix in the visual servo control of a picking manipulator, a T-S fuzzy neural network algorithm is proposed to replace the image Jacobian matrix. This better fits the hand-eye relationship by combining the knowledge structure of fuzzy reasoning with the self-learning ability of a neural network. The T-S fuzzy neural network was trained and tested by collecting the variation data of image features and joint angles; after training, the T-S fuzzy neural network was used to predict the joint angles of the picking manipulator. Simulation results show that the square sum of training errors and testing errors were 0.017 and 0.032, respectively, after training the T-S fuzzy neural network. A T-S fuzzy neural network controller was applied to the visual servo system of the picking robot, and the test results show that the average difference between the end-effector and the ultimate target location of the visual servo system based on the T-S fuzzy neural network controller was 0.0037 m, which was 79.44% less than that of the visual servo system based on a BP neural network. The final average error of image features was between 0.52 and 3.25 pixels, which was 74.932% less than that of the visual servo system based on the BP neural network. Keywords: Picking manipulator, Tomato clusters, T-S fuzzy neural network, Visual servoing.
Non-Destructive Evaluation of Salmon and Tuna Freshness in a Room-Temperature Incubation Environment Using a Portable Visible/Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer
Authors: Cui Jinshi , Cui Chengxun
Published: March 2021

Highlights

While freshness is a critical value of food quality, its assessment requires complex methods, which are costly and time-consuming.

In this work, it is demonstrated that spectral responses obtained from a portable VIS/NIR imaging spectrometer can be used to predict food freshness using a CNN-based machine learning algorithm.

In the food industry, the method can assess real-time food freshness nondestructively and cost-effectively.

Abstract. There has been strong demand for the development of accurate but simple methods to assess the freshness of foods. In this study, a system is proposed to determine the freshness of fish by analyzing the spectral response with a portable visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) imaging spectrometer and a convolution neural network (CNN) machine learning algorithm. Spectral response data from salmon and tuna, which were incubated at 25°C, were obtained every minute for 30 h and were categorized into three stages (fresh, likely spoiled, or spoiled) based on the time and pH. Using the obtained spectral data, a CNN-based machine learning algorithm was built to evaluate the freshness of the experimental samples. The accuracy of the spectral data in predicting the freshness was ~84% for salmon and ~88% for tuna. Keywords: CNN, Fish, Freshness, pH, Spectral data, VIS/NIR.
Modeling Evapotranspiration of Winter Wheat Using Contextual and Pixel-Based Surface Energy Balance Models
Authors: Khand Kul , Bhattarai Nishan , Taghvaeian Saleh , Wagle Pradeep , Gowda Prasanna H. , Alderman Phillip D.
Published: March 2021

Highlights

Three contextual-based (CB) and two pixel-based (PB) models were evaluated to estimate ET of rainfed winter wheat.

Instantaneous available energy estimation and ET upscaling impacted model performance.

The CB models performed better at instantaneous and daily scales compared to the PB models.

ET estimation biases increased during low vegetation and drier conditions, especially for the PB models.

Abstract. Surface energy balance (SEB) models based on thermal remote sensing data are widely used in research applications to map evapotranspiration (ET) across various landscapes. However, their ability to capture ET from winter wheat remains underexplored, especially in practical applications such as integrated resource management and drought preparedness. Investigating winter wheat ET dynamics is important in agricultural regions such as the Southern Great Plains of the U.S., where winter wheat is extensively cultivated. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of five fully automated SEB models, three contextual-based (CB) and two pixel-based (PB), in estimating instantaneous and daily ET of winter wheat by comparing the model results with flux tower observations. The CB models included Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL), Mapping Evapotranspiration at high Resolution with Internalized Calibration (METRIC), and Triangular Vegetation Temperature (TVT). The PB models included Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) and Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB). Model evaluation during two winter wheat growing seasons (2016-2018) using 28 Landsat images showed that the instantaneous ET estimates from METRIC and TSEB had the smallest (RMSE = 0.14 mm h-1) and largest (RMSE = 0.27 mm h-1) errors, respectively. At the daily scale, SEBAL was the best performing model (RMSE = 1.0 mm d-1), followed by TVT (RMSE = 1.1 mm d-1), METRIC (RMSE = 1.2 mm d-1), SEBS (RMSE = 1.3 mm d-1), and TSEB (RMSE = 1.5 mm d-1). Overall, the CB models provided smaller errors than the PB models. Larger errors in daily ET estimation were observed during low vegetation and drier conditions, especially for the PB models. Keywords: Flux tower, Landsat, Southern Great Plains, Water use.
Open-top axially swept light-sheet microscopy
Authors: Kim Bumju , Na Myeongsu , Park Soohyun , Kim Kitae , Park Jung-Hoon , Chung Euiheon , Chang Sunghoe , Kim Ki Hean
Published: March 2021

Open-top light-sheet microscopy (OT-LSM) is a specialized microscopic technique for high throughput cellular imaging of large tissue specimens including optically cleared tissues by having the entire optical setup below the sample stage. Current OT-LSM systems had relatively low axial resolutions by using weakly focused light sheets to cover the imaging field of view (FOV). In this report, open-top axially swept LSM (OTAS-LSM) was developed for high-throughput cellular imaging with improved axial resolution. OTAS-LSM swept a tightly focused excitation light sheet across the imaging FOV using an electro tunable lens (ETL) and collected emission light at the focus of the light sheet with a camera in the rolling shutter mode. OTAS-LSM was developed by using air objective lenses and a liquid prism and it had on-axis optical aberration associated with the mismatch of refractive indices between air and immersion medium. The effects of optical aberration were analyzed by both simulation and experiment, and the image resolutions were under 1.6µm in all directions. The newly developed OTAS-LSM was applied to the imaging of optically cleared mouse brain and small intestine, and it demonstrated the single-cell resolution imaging of neuronal networks. OTAS-LSM might be useful for the high-throughput cellular examination of optically cleared large tissues.
Preparation of a silver nano-tripod structure by a tilting angle deposition technique and its SERS application
Authors: Song Yuhang , Wang Qin , Luo Ying , Cao Wenxi , Cao Zijin , Yan Changchun , Lu Aixia , Han Caiqin
Published: March 2021

A silver nano-tripod (AgNT) structure with a high-density “hot spots” distribution was fabricated by a tilting angle deposition technique. The electric field simulation distribution showed that the electric field enhancement of the AgNT structures is optimal when the tilting angle is 72°. Such AgNT substrates were successfully obtained experimentally when the included angle between the silver vapor and the normal of the sample platform was set to 86°. R6G and CV were used as probe molecules to investigate the SERS activity of AgNT, which revealed that the detection limits of AgNT for R6G and CV were 2.24×10−8 M and 4.01×10−8 M, the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 4.26% and 4.44%, and the enhancement factors (EFs) were 9.58×106 and 1.16×107, respectively. The AgNT substrates with simple preparation and high distribution density of “hot spots” illustrate a good application prospect in environmental monitoring.
Silicate-clad heavily Yb3+ doped phosphate core multimaterial fiber with a high gain per unit length for mode-locked fiber laser applications
Authors: Tang Guowu , Zhang Yingtao , Yang Dongliang , Lin Wei , Huang Wenhua , Le Tu , Wu Fan , Yan Na , Qian Qi , Wei Xiaoming , Yang Zhongmin
Published: March 2021

Silicate-clad heavily

Y
b

3
+

doped phosphate core multimaterial fiber (MF) was successfully drawn by using a molten core method, which has a high gain per unit length of 5.44 dB/cm at 1.06 µm. What is more, an all-fiber-integrated passively mode-locked fiber laser based on a 5 cm long MF was built. The mode-locked pulses operate at 1055 nm with a period of

∼

555

p
s

, and the fundamental repetition rate is 1.787 GHz. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we demonstrate the realization of a mode-locked fiber laser with a gigahertz fundamental repetition rate based on a silicate-clad heavily

Y
b

3
+

doped phosphate core MF.
Transformation cavities with a narrow refractive index profile
Authors: Ryu Jung-Wan , Cho Jinhang
Published: March 2021

Recently, gradient index cavities, or so-called transformation cavities, designed by conformal transformation optics, have been studied to support resonant modes with both high

Q

-factors and emission directionality. We propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, design method for transformation cavities to realize a narrower width of the refractive index profile, a great advantage in experimental implementations, without losing the benefits of conformal mapping. We study resonant modes with both high

Q

-factors and directional emission in newly designed transformation cavities, where the refractive index profile is 50% narrower than in previously proposed transformation cavities. By varying a system parameter with a fixed maximal value of the refractive index profile inside the cavity, the width of the refractive index profile narrows, the

Q

-factors become higher, and the near and far field patterns maintain their properties, namely, conformal whispering gallery modes and bidirectional emission, respectively.
Adaptive sigmoid-like and PReLU activation functions for all-optical perceptron
Authors: Crnjanski Jasna , Krstić Marko , Totović Angelina , Pleros Nikos , Gvozdić Dejan
Published: March 2021

We present an approach for the generation of an adaptive sigmoid-like and PReLU nonlinear activation function of an all-optical perceptron, exploiting the bistability of an injection-locked Fabry–Perot semiconductor laser. The profile of the activation function can be tailored by adjusting the injection-locked side-mode order, frequency detuning of the input optical signal, Henry factor, or bias current. The universal fitting function for both families of the activation functions is presented.
Behavior of SPPs in chiral–graphene–chiral structure
Authors: Zhao Rui , Li Junqing , Zhang Qiang , Liu Xingguang , Zhang Yingjie
Published: March 2021

In this Letter, considering the chiral–graphene–chiral structure, we investigate the more universal dispersion relation covering the achiral cases, the effect of the chirality of a medium, and the chemical potential of graphene on the behavior of graphene surface plasmon polaritons (GSPPs) and transverse spin density, which is key to understanding the lateral optical force. This research is dedicated to looking for a regulating mechanism based on chirality and graphene to apply in devices of information processing and biosensor for identifying molecular chirality. We found the averaging effect of chirality in both sides of graphene in tuning the behavior of GSPPs. We believe this work can make contributions to enrich SPP theory and benefit the development of novel detection techniques for chiral molecules based on graphene.
Wide-field-of-view optical detectors using fused fiber-optic tapers
Authors: Alkhazragi Omar , Trichili Abderrahmen , Ashry Islam , Ng Tien Khee , Alouini Mohamed-Slim , Ooi Boon S.
Published: March 2021

Photodetectors used in wireless applications suffer from a trade-off
between their response speeds and their active areas, which limits the
received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Conventional light-focusing
elements used to improve the SNR narrow the field of view (FOV).
Herein, we demonstrate a versatile imaging light-focusing element
featuring a wide FOV and high optical gain using fused fiber-optic
tapers. To verify the practicality of the proposed design, we
demonstrated and tested a wide-FOV optical detector for optical
wireless communication that can be used for wavelengths ranging from
the visible-light band to the near infrared. The proposed detector
offers improvements over luminescent wide-FOV detectors, including
higher efficiency, a broader modulation bandwidth, and indefinite
stability.
An elasticity-curvature illusion decouples cutaneous and proprioceptive cues in active exploration of soft objects
Authors: Xu Chang , Wang Yuxiang , Gerling Gregory J.
Published: March 2021

Our sense of touch helps us encounter the richness of our natural world. Across a myriad of contexts and repetitions, we have learned to deploy certain exploratory movements in order to elicit perceptual cues that are salient and efficient. The task of identifying optimal exploration strategies and somatosensory cues that underlie our softness perception remains relevant and incomplete. Leveraging psychophysical evaluations combined with computational finite element modeling of skin contact mechanics, we investigate an illusion phenomenon in exploring softness; where small-compliant and large-stiff spheres are indiscriminable. By modulating contact interactions at the finger pad, we find this elasticity-curvature illusion is observable in passive touch, when the finger is constrained to be stationary and only cutaneous responses from mechanosensitive afferents are perceptible. However, these spheres become readily discriminable when explored volitionally with musculoskeletal proprioception available. We subsequently exploit this phenomenon to dissociate relative contributions from cutaneous and proprioceptive signals in encoding our percept of material softness. Our findings shed light on how we volitionally explore soft objects, i.e., by controlling surface contact force to optimally elicit and integrate proprioceptive inputs amidst indiscriminable cutaneous contact cues. Moreover, in passive touch, e.g., for touch-enabled displays grounded to the finger, we find those spheres are discriminable when rates of change in cutaneous contact are varied between the stimuli, to supplant proprioceptive feedback.
Integrating contextual sentiment analysis in collaborative recommender systems
Authors: Osman Nurul Aida , Mohd Noah Shahrul Azman , Darwich Mohammad , Mohd Masnizah
Published: March 2021

Recently. recommender systems have become a very crucial application in the online market and e-commerce as users are often astounded by choices and preferences and they need help finding what the best they are looking for. Recommender systems have proven to overcome information overload issues in the retrieval of information, but still suffer from persistent problems related to cold-start and data sparsity. On the flip side, sentiment analysis technique has been known in translating text and expressing user preferences. It is often used to help online businesses to observe customers’ feedbacks on their products as well as try to understand customer needs and preferences. However, the current solution for embedding traditional sentiment analysis in recommender solutions seems to have limitations when involving multiple domains. Therefore, an issue called domain sensitivity should be addressed. In this paper, a sentiment-based model with contextual information for recommender system was proposed. A novel solution for domain sensitivity was proposed by applying a contextual information sentiment-based model for recommender systems. In evaluating the contributions of contextual information in sentiment-based recommendations, experiments were divided into standard rating model, standard sentiment model and contextual information model. Results showed that the proposed contextual information sentiment-based model illustrates better performance as compared to the traditional collaborative filtering approach.
Identification of individual components of a commercial wheat germ acid phosphatase preparation
Authors: Moorman Veronica R. , Brayton Alexandra M.
Published: March 2021

Wheat germ acid phosphatase (WGAP) is a commercial preparation of partially purified protein commonly used in laboratory settings for non-specific enzymatic dephosphorylation. It is known that these preparations contain multiple phosphatase isozymes and are still relatively crude. This study therefore aimed to identify the protein components of a commercial preparation of wheat germ acid phosphatase using mass spectroscopy and comparative genomics. After one post-purchase purification step, the most prevalent fifteen proteins in the mixture included heat shock proteins, beta-amylases, glucoseribitol dehydrogenases, enolases, and an aminopeptidase. While not among the most abundant components, eight unique dephosphorylation enzymes were also present including three purple acid phosphatases. Furthermore, it is shown that some of these correspond to previously isolated isozymes; one of which has been also previously shown by transcriptome data to be overexpressed in wheat seeds. In summary, this study identified the major components of WGAP including phosphatases and hypothesizes the most active components towards a better understanding of this commonly used laboratory tool.
Distribution patterns of Acidobacteriota in different fynbos soils
Authors: Conradie Tersia Andrea , Jacobs Karin
Published: March 2021

The Acidobacteriota is ubiquitous and is considered as one of the major bacterial phyla in soils. The current taxonomic classifications of this phylum are divided into 15 class-level subdivisions (SDs), with only 5 of these SDs containing cultured and fully described species. Within the fynbos biome, the Acidobacteriota has been reported as one of the dominant bacterial phyla, with relative abundances ranging between 4–26%. However, none of these studies reported on the specific distribution and diversity of the Acidobacteriota within these soils. Therefore, in this study we aimed to first determine the relative abundance and diversity of the Acidobacteriota in three pristine fynbos nature reserve soils, and secondly, whether differences in the acidobacterial composition can be attributed to environmental factors, such as soil abiotic properties. A total of 27 soil samples were collected at three nature reserves, namely Jonkershoek, Hottentots Holland, and Kogelberg. The variable V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using the Ion Torrent S5 platform. The mean relative abundance of the Acidobacteriota were 9.02% for Jonkershoek, 14.91% for Kogelberg, and most significantly (p<0.05), 18.42% for Hottentots Holland. A total of 33 acidobacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. The dominant subdivisions identified in all samples included SDs 1, 2, and 3. Significant differences were observed in the distribution and composition of these OTUs between nature reserves. The SD1 were negatively correlated to soil pH, hydrogen (H+), potassium (K+) and carbon (C). In contrast, SD2, was positively correlated to soil pH, phosphorus (P), and K+, and unclassified members of SD3 was positively correlated to H+, K, and C. This study is the first to report on the specific acidobacterial distribution in pristine fynbos soils in South Africa.
Antibody kinetics and clinical course of COVID-19 a prospective observational study
Authors: Bläckberg Anna , Fernström Nils , Sarbrant Emma , Rasmussen Magnus , Sunnerhagen Torgny
Published: March 2021

Background

Serological response and association to clinical manifestation is important for understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

Materials and methods

A prospective observational study was conducted where antibody responses of IgG and IgA towards SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were studied over time in patients with COVID-19. Possible associations between antibody titers and outcome were analyzed.

Results

Forty patients with COVID-19, hospitalized at Skåne University hospital, Sweden, between April and June 2020 were included. IgG antibody responses were detected for all patients with the highest levels four weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis. Levels of IgA were generally higher at diagnosis and decreased towards baseline 4 weeks after confirmed COVID-19. Patients with severe COVID-19 had higher levels of antibodies directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein compared with patients with mild disease.

Conclusion

IgG and IgA antibodies towards the spike protein follow different kinetics during COVID-19 and patients with severe disease develop higher antibody levels.
Evaluation of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in non-human primates infected with SHIV or SIV
Authors: Iwamoto Nami , Patel Bhavik , Song Kaimei , Mason Rosemarie , Bolivar-Wagers Sara , Bergamaschi Cristina , Pavlakis George N. , Berger Edward , Roederer Mario
Published: March 2021

Achieving a functional cure is an important goal in the development of HIV therapy. Eliciting HIV-specific cellular immune responses has not been sufficient to achieve durable removal of HIV-infected cells due to the restriction on effective immune responses by mutation and establishment of latent reservoirs. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are an avenue to potentially develop more potent redirected cellular responses against infected T cells. We developed and tested a range of HIV- and SIV-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell reagents based on Env-binding proteins. In general, SHIV/SIV CAR T cells showed potent viral suppression in vitro, and adding additional CAR molecules in the same transduction resulted in more potent viral suppression than single CAR transduction. Importantly, the primary determinant of virus suppression potency by CAR was the accessibility to the Env epitope, and not the neutralization potency of the binding moiety. However, upon transduction of autologous T cells followed by infusion in vivo, none of these CAR T cells impacted either acquisition as a test of prevention, or viremia as a test of treatment. Our study illustrates limitations of the CAR T cells as possible antiviral therapeutics.
Safety of changes in the use of noninvasive ventilation and high flow oxygen therapy on reintubation in a surgical intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Abrard Stanislas , Jean Lorine , Rineau Emmanuel , Dupré Pauline , Léger Maxime , Lasocki Sigismond
Published: March 2021

Reintubation after weaning from mechanical ventilation is relatively common and is associated with poor outcomes. Different methods to decrease the reintubation rate post extubation, including noninvasive ventilation, and more recently high-flow oxygen (HFO) therapy, have been proposed. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety of introducing HFO in the post-extubation care of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We conducted a single-center cohort study of extubated adult patients hospitalized in a surgical ICU and previously mechanically ventilated for > 1 day. Our study consisted of two phases: Phase 1 (before the introduction of HFO from April 2015 to April 2016) and Phase P2 (after the introduction of HFO from April 2017 to April 2018). The primary endpoint was the reintubation rate within 48 hours of extubation. In total, 290 patients (median age 65 years [50–74]; 190 men [65.5%]) were included in the analysis (181 and 109 in Phases 1 and 2, respectively). The results of the post-extubation use of noninvasive methods (noninvasive ventilation and/or HFO) were not significantly different between the two phases (41 [22.7%] versus 29 [26.6%] patients; p = 0.480), however these methods were implemented earlier in Phase 2 (0 versus 4 hours; p = 0.009) and HFO was used significantly more often than noninvasive ventilation (24 [22.0%] versus 25 [13.8%] patients; p = 0.039). The need for reintubation within 48 hours post extubation was significantly lower in Phase 2 (4 [3.7%] versus 20 [11.0%] patients; p = 0.028) but was not significantly different at 7 days post extubation (10 [9.2%] versus 30 [16.6%] patients; p = 0.082). The earlier implementation of noninvasive methods and the increased use of HFO beginning in Phase 2 were safe and effective based on the reintubation rates within the first 48 hours post extubation and after 7 days.
El dispositivo transicional: de las administraciones de la incertidumbre a las nuevas socialidades emergentes
Authors: Castillejo Alejandro
Published: March 2021

En este texto quisiera situar la discusión sobre la Justicia Transicional (JT) en el marco de lo que definiré, con una visión etnográfica, como “escenario transicional”. Quisiera argumentar que lo transicional, más allá de un lenguaje formalizado y codificado que constituye el campo hegemónico de la Justicia Transicional, hace referencia un fenómeno cultural y social en la medida en que las categorías que constituyen el mundo o las categorías en las que lo habitamos se derrumban para producir otras. El “escenario transicional” constituye una matriz de análisis de lo que en esencia es la administración de la incertidumbre. El texto nace de mi trabajo etnográfico en diversos lugares, particularmente Sudáfrica, Colombia y Perú, y se concentra en entender el escenario transicional como un dispositivo. Plantea además que dicho escenario implica la reinscripción del Estado sobre sí mismo a través de una serie de prácticas de espacialización, nominación y territorialización, para lo cual trae a colación ejemplos de Colombia. Al final, plantea la necesidad de una agenda de estudios críticos de las transiciones políticas.
Victimes ou actions: itinéraires occultes d'ETA
Authors: Guibet Lafaye Caroline
Published: March 2021

Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) es la organización clandestina que ha tenido la mayor duración de vida en Europa Occidental. Hasta la fecha, todos los estudios estadísticos relativos a ella se han realizado sobre la base del censo de sus víctimas. En este artículo presentamos una base de datos original construida en torno a sus acciones que permite poner de relieve los límites de ciertas opciones metodológicas y proponer un análisis refinado de las opciones estratégicas del grupo a lo largo de sus sesenta años de existencia. El presente estudio contribuye así a descubrir aspectos de la estrategia del colectivo que se han pasado por alto en la literatura, ya sea las modalidades de su respuesta a la lucha contra el terrorismo, el apoyo a los movimientos sociales desde los años ochenta a los años 2000, o los ataques contra los intereses económicos españoles, que son perjudiciales en términos materiales pero no costosos en términos de vidas humanas.
Profitlehetőségek az Európai Unió széndioxid-kereskedelmi rendszerében – az EU ETS tapasztalatai Magyarországon
Authors: Fazekas Dóra
Published: March 2021

Jelen cikk az Európai Unió szén-dioxid-kibocsátás-kereskedelmi rendszere (European Union Emissions Trading Scheme – EU ETS) próbaidőszakának magyarországi tapasztalatait mutatja be.1 Bevezetőként áttekinti a rendszer működését, majd a sokakat foglalkoztató kérdést elemzi, miszerint a rendszer kizárólag adminisztratív terhet jelent-e a hatálya alá tartozó vállalatoknak, vagy profitlehetőséget tartogat számukra. A cikk vizsgálja, hogy az EU ETS milyen hatást gyakorolt a részt vevő vállalatokra: ösztönzött-e innovációt, befolyásolta-e a szektorok versenyképességét, volt-e hatással a költségekre, s hogy hordozott-e változást a cégek operatív és befektetési döntéseiben. A cikk megállapítja, hogy a kibocsátáskereskedelem a feladatokon túl komoly üzleti lehetőséget jelent az EU-s rendszerben érintett vállalatok számára. A kibocsátási egységek megfontolt, a vállalati beruházáspolitikával összehangolt felhasználásával jelentős bevétel teremthető a kibocsátás-csökkentésből. A rendszer próbaidőszaka Magyarországon ugyan nem volt jelentős hatással a vállalatokra, hosszabb távon azonban minden érintettnek figyelembe kell vennie a szén-dioxid értékét befektetési számításaiban. A magyarországi vállalatok, a szükségesnél nagyobb kiosztás miatt a próbaidőszakban rövid távon nagy hasznot realizálhattak. Hosszú távon azonban megváltozik a helyzet – az Európai Unió 2012-től nagymértékben csökkenti a térítésmentesen kiosztandó szén-dioxid-egységek mennyiségét.
Aspirin Reduces the Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Oral Nucleos(t)ide Analog
Authors: Hui Vicki Wing-Ki , Yip Terry Cheuk-Fung , Wong Vincent Wai-Sun , Tse Yee-Kit , Chan Henry Lik-Yuen , Lui Grace Chung-Yan , Wong Grace Lai-Hung
Published: March 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Aspirin may reduce the risk of chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients receiving antiviral treatment. We aimed to investigate the impact of aspirin on reducing HCC risk in patients treated with first-line oral nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs; entecavir and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate).

METHODS:

We conducted a territorywide, retrospective cohort study in NA-treated CHB patients between 2000 and 2018 from the electronic healthcare data repository in Hong Kong. Subjects were classified into aspirin users for at least 90 days during NA treatment (aspirin group) or no aspirin or any other antiplatelet use during follow-up period (no aspirin group). Incidence rates of HCC and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in 2 groups with propensity score matching with 1:3 ratio.

RESULTS:

Of 35,111 NA-treated CHB patients of mean age of 53.0 years and 61.6% men, sixty-nine (4.0%) and 1,488 (4.5%) developed HCC at a median (interquartile range) of 2.7 (1.4–4.8) years and 3.2 (1.8–6.0) years in the aspirin group and no aspirin group, respectively. A duration-dependent association between aspirin and the risk of HCC was observed (subhazard ratio [sHR] 3 months–2 years: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–0.92; sHR 2–5 years: 0.63; 95% CI 0.43–0.94; sHR from ≥5 years: 0.41; 95% CI 0.18–0.91). Patients who took aspirin for ≤2 years had significantly higher risk of GIB (sHR: 1.73, 95% CI 1.07–2.79) than those not receiving aspirin. The risk of GIB started declining with the longer use of aspirin and becoming insignificant for ≥5 years' use (sHR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.19–3.21).

DISCUSSION:

Long-term aspirin use is associated with a lower risk of HCC in a duration-dependent manner in NA-treated CHB patients without a significant increase in the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects.
Immobilization of Crude Polyphenol Oxidase Extracts from Apples on Polypyrrole as a Membrane for Phenol Removal
Authors: Murniati Anceu , Buchari Buchari , Gandasasmita Suryo , Nurachman Zeily , Hardian Arie , Triani Dera
Published: March 2021

This research aims to make a polypyrrole (PPy) membrane and crude extract of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as a membrane of mPPy/PPO apple extracts. The membrane of PPy/PPO-apple extract has been synthesized by the electrodeposition method. The electrolyte composition consists of a mixture of 0.10-0.20 M pyrrole (Py) and 50-100% PPO apple extract, which is stable using 50 mM of phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.80-7.00 and room temperature. The electrodeposition process is used 400 mesh steel gauze anode ST-304 and carbon plate cathode. Electrodeposition is carried out at potential = 5.00-6.00 V; current = 0.02-0.25 A; the distance from both electrodes = 1.00-2.00 cm for 300-500 seconds. The results from the deposition of PPy/PPO apple extract of the anode are a membrane of mPPy/PPO-apple extract, with total enzyme activity (U) = (957,1441, 2287 and 1754) using 2.00-5.00 mM phenol as a substrate which is measured based on the UV-visible spectrophotometric method. PPy and mPPy/PPO-apple extracts were characterized by SEM and SEM-EDS. The membrane of mPPy/PPO-apple extract can be used to remove phenol in industrial wastewater samples is 50-65% with a filtration capacity of 500 mL for 2 hours.
Platelet-rich fibrin: Basics of biological actions and protocol modifications
Authors: Pavlovic Voja , Ciric Milan , Jovanovic Vladimir , Trandafilovic Milena , Stojanovic Predrag
Published: March 2021

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) represents second generation of platelet concentrates, which has gained increasing awareness in recent years for regenerative procedures. This biologic additive is completely autologous, easy to prepare, has minimal expense, and possesses prolonged growth factor release, together with several other advantages over traditionally prepared platelet concentrates. Since its introduction, various protocols for PRF preparation have been proposed with different amounts of growth factors and other biomolecules necessary for wound healing. However, reference data about potential effect of some PRF components on hard and soft tissue healing are still conflicting. The current article intends to clarify the relevant advances about physiological role of certain PRF components and to provide insight into the new developmental approach. Also, this review summarizes the evolution of platelet concentrates and biologic properties of different modifications of PRF procedure.