bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Root Development of Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell. Seedlings from Seed and Stem Cutting Propagation Methods at Nursery Stage
Authors: Hassan Affendy , Balachandran Parveena , Khamis Khairiyyah R.
Published: June 2021

Macropropagation using cutting for larger multiplying seedlings is cheaper and efficient instead of clonal seeds for uniform plant material seedling production. However, information on root growth of Eucalyptus pellita at early development from seed and stem cutting of E. pellita seedlings is still lacking. With such information, it is useful for forest plantation company management in enhancing the understanding of strategies to optimize yield production with the appropriate agronomic or silvicultural approach in the field of planting. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare the root development of two different types of propagation seedlings of E. pellita and to study the effect of various nitrogen concentration levels on two different types of propagation of E. pellita seedlings. The study was conducted using E. pellita seedlings from two different types of propagation, namely, seed and stem cuttings, along with three different nitrogen concentrations (0, 50, and 200 kg N ha−1). Shoot biomass, root intensity (RI), total root intensity (TRI), root biomass, root length density (RLD), and specific root length (SRL) were recorded. Dried shoot biomass, RLD, and SRL of E. pellita seedlings using stem cutting were significantly higher (

P
<
0.05

) compared to seed, whereas there were no significant differences (

P
>
0.05

) for root biomass, TRI, and RI between the propagation types of E. pellita seedlings. In conclusion, E. pellita seedlings from stem cutting were greater in terms of root distribution compared to propagation by seeds at the nursery stage, and 50 kg N ha−1 was the optimal nitrogen concentration level from the considered levels to be applied to the E. pellita seedlings.
Baicalin Magnesium Salt Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury via Inhibiting of TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Lin , Yang Lukun , Xie Xiaowei , Zheng Hongyue , Zheng Hangsheng , Zhang Lizong , Liu Cuizhe , Piao Ji-Gang , Li Fanzhu
Published: June 2021

Baicalin (BA) magnesium salt (BA-Mg) is a good water-soluble ingredient extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. This study is aimed at investigating whether BA-Mg could exert a better protective effect on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and illuminate the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Mice were intraperitoneally administrated with equimolar BA-Mg, BA, and MgSO4 before LPS inducing ALI. Lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected for lung wet/dry ratio, histological examinations, cell counts, and biochemical analyses at 48 h post-LPS exposure. Meanwhile, the protein expressions of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and proinflammatory cytokines in lung tissues and lung bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were detected. The results showed BA-Mg pronouncedly ameliorated LPS-induced inflammatory response and histopathological damages, elevated antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD), and downregulated myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels through the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation. Moreover, the effect of BA-Mg was significantly better than that of BA and MgSO4 in ameliorating symptoms. Overall, BA-Mg can effectively relieve inflammatory response and oxidative stress triggered by LPS, indicating it may be a potential therapeutic candidate for treating ALI.
Soft Computing and Decision Support System for Software Process Improvement: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Xiaolong He , Huiqi Zhao , Lunchao Zhong , Nazir Shah , Jun Deng , Khan Adnan Shahid
Published: June 2021

Software project development is very crucial, and measuring the exact cost and effort of development is becoming tedious and challenging. Organizations are trying to wind up their project of software development within the agreed budget and schedule successfully. Traditional practices are inadequate to achieve the current needs of the software industry. Underestimation and overestimation of software development effort lead to financial implications in the form of resources, cost of staffing, and budget of developing the software project. Soft computing (SC) approaches and tools deliver an addition of techniques for anticipating resistance to the deception, defect, incomplete truth for traceability and ambiguity, low arrangement cost, and strength. A large amount of SC approaches is prevailing in the literature to accomplish way-out to difficulties precisely, practically, and speedily. The approaches of SC can give better prediction, high performance, and dynamic behavior. SC deals with computational intelligence which integrates the concept of agent paradigm and SC. The proposed study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of the approaches, tools, and techniques of SC used in the literature. The study presented a comprehensive review by searching the defined keywords in the popular libraries, filtered the paper, and obtained most relevant papers. After the selection of the papers, the quality assessment process of the included papers has been done in order to determine the relevancy of the papers. The study will help researchers in the area of research to devise novel ideas and solutions to overcome the existing issue on the basis of this study as evidence of the literature.
SS‐Drop: A Novel Message Drop Policy to Enhance Buffer Management in Delay Tolerant Networks
Authors: Rehman Obaid ur , Abbasi Irshad Ahmed , Hashem Hythem , Saeed Khalid , Majeed Muhammad Faran , Ali Sikandar
Published: June 2021

A challenged network is one where traditional hypotheses such as reduced data transfer error rates, end‐to‐end connectivity, or short transmissions have not gained much significance. A wide range of application scenarios are associated with such networks. Delay tolerant networking (DTN) is an approach that pursues to report the problems which reduce communication in disrupted networks. DTN works on store‐carry and forward mechanism in such a way that a message may be stored by a node for a comparatively large amount of time and carry it until a proper forwarding opportunity appears. To store a message for long delays, a proper buffer management scheme is required to select a message for dropping upon buffer overflow. Every time dropping messages lead towards the wastage of valuable resources which the message has already consumed. The proposed solution is a size‐based policy which determines an inception size for the selection of message for deletion as buffer becomes overflow. The basic theme behind this scheme is that by determining the exact buffer space requirement, one can easily select a message of an appropriate size to be discarded. By doing so, it can overcome unnecessary message drop and ignores biasness just before selection of specific sized message. The proposed scheme Spontaneous Size Drop (SS‐Drop) implies a simple but intelligent mechanism to determine the inception size to drop a message upon overflow of the buffer. After simulation in ONE (Opportunistic Network Environment) simulator, the SS‐Drop outperforms the opponent drop policies in terms of high delivery ratio by giving 66.3% delivery probability value and minimizes the overhead ratio up to 41.25%. SS‐Drop also showed a prominent reduction in dropping of messages and buffer time average.
Comprehensive Analysis of Differentially Expressed Long Noncoding RNA-mRNA in the Adenoma-Carcinoma Sequence of DNA Mismatch Repair Proficient Colon Cancer
Authors: Li Wenkun , Li Qian , Ge Jiang , Wang Yun , Li Nanshan , Lao Yueqiong , Wang Yadan , Liu Kuiliang , Guo Chunmei , Lin Wu , Jiang Guojun , Wei Nan , Wang Canghai , Liu Hong , Wu Jing
Published: June 2021

DNA proficient mismatch repair colon cancer (pMMR CC) is the most common subtype of sporadic CC. We aimed to investigate the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in pMMR CC carcinogenesis. In the present study, we conducted transcriptomic analysis of lncRNAs-mRNAs in five low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), five high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN), four pMMR CC, and five normal control (NC) tissues. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathway, and coexpression network analyses were performed to elucidate the functions of lncRNAs and mRNAs as well as their interactions. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate five dysregulated lncRNAs in a large set of colon tissues. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the performance of the candidate lncRNAs. A set of 5783 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 4483 differentially expressed mRNAs were detected among the LGIN, HGIN, pMMR CC, and NC samples. These differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were assigned to 275 significant GO terms and 179 significant KEGG enriched pathways. qRT-PCR confirmed that the expression of five selected lncRNAs (ENST00000521815, ENST00000603052, ENST00000609220, NR_026543, and ENST00000545920) were consistent with the microarray data. ROC analysis showed that four lncRNAs (ENST00000521815, ENST00000603052, ENST00000609220, and NR_026543) had larger area under the ROC curve (AUC) values compared to serum carcinoembryonic antigens, thereby distinguishing NC from pMMR CC. In conclusion, several lncRNAs play various roles in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and may serve as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of pMMR CC.
Disentangling Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Obrochta Chelsea A. , Murphy James D. , Tsou Ming-Hsiang , Thompson Caroline A.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Colorectal cancer is curable if diagnosed early and treated properly. Black and Hispanic patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to experience treatment delays and/or receive lower standards of care. Socioeconomic deprivation may contribute to these disparities, but this has not been extensively quantified. We studied the interrelationship between patient race/ethnicity and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) on receipt of timely appropriate treatment among patients with colorectal cancer in California.

Methods:

White, Black, and Hispanic patients (26,870) diagnosed with stage I–III colorectal cancer (2009–2013) in the California Cancer Registry were included. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of race/ethnicity and nSES with three outcomes: undertreatment, >60-day treatment delay, and >90-day treatment delay. Joint effect models and mediation analysis were used to explore the interrelationships between race/ethnicity and nSES.

Results:

Hispanics and Blacks were at increased risk for undertreatment [Black OR = 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23–1.57; Hispanic OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.08–1.27] and treatment delay (Black/60-day OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.57–2.02; Hispanic/60-day OR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.38–1.64) compared with Whites. Of the total effect (OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.07–1.24) of non-white race on undertreatment, 45.71% was explained by nSES.

Conclusions:

Lower nSES patients of any race were at substantially higher risk for undertreatment and treatment delay, and racial/ethnic disparities are reduced or eliminated among non-white patients living in the highest SES neighborhoods. Racial and ethnic disparities persisted after accounting for neighborhood socioeconomic status, and between the two, race/ethnicity explained a larger portion of the total effects.

Impact:

This research improves our understanding of how socioeconomic deprivation contributes to racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer.
Role of Tumor-Infiltrating B Cells in Clinical Outcome of Patients with Melanoma Treated With Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib
Authors: Brase Jan C. , Walter Robert F.H. , Savchenko Alexander , Gusenleitner Daniel , Garrett James , Schimming Tobias , Varaljai Renata , Castelletti Deborah , Kim Ju , Dakappagari Naveen , Schultz Ken , Robert Caroline , Long Georgina V. , Nathan Paul D. , Ribas Antoni , Flaherty Keith T. , Karaszewska Boguslawa , Schachter Jacob , Sucker Antje , Schmid Kurt W. , Zimmer Lisa , Livingstone Elisabeth , Gasal Eduard , Schadendorf Dirk , Roesch Alexander
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Although patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma can experience long-term survival with BRAF- and MEK-targeted agents or immune checkpoint inhibitors over 5 years, resistance develops in most patients. There is a distinct lack of pretherapeutic biomarkers to identify which patients are likely to benefit from each therapy type. Most research has focused on the predictive role of T cells in antitumor responses as opposed to B cells.

Patients and Methods:

We conducted prespecified exploratory biomarker analysis using gene expression profiling and digital pathology in 146 patients with previously untreated BRAF V600–mutant metastatic melanoma from the randomized, phase III COMBI-v trial and treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib who had available tumor specimens from screening.

Results:

Baseline cell-cycle gene expression signature was associated with progression-free survival (P = 0.007). Patients with high T-cell/low B-cell gene signatures had improved median overall survival (not reached [95% confidence interval (CI), 33.8 months–not reached]) compared with patients with high T-cell/high B-cell signatures (19.1 months; 95% CI, 13.4–38.6 months). Patients with high B-cell signatures had high B-cell infiltration into the tumor compartment, corresponding with decreased MAPK activity and increased expression of immunosuppressive markers.

Conclusions:

B cells may serve as a potential biomarker to predict clinical outcome in patients with advanced melanoma treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib. As separate studies have shown an opposite effect for B-cell levels and response to immunotherapy, B cells may serve as a potential biomarker to facilitate treatment selection. Further validation in a larger patient cohort is needed.
Characteristics and Spatially Defined Immune (micro)landscapes of Early-stage PD-L1–positive Triple-negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Carter Jodi M. , Polley Mei-Yin C. , Leon-Ferre Roberto A. , Sinnwell Jason , Thompson Kevin J. , Wang Xue , Ma Yaohua , Zahrieh David , Kachergus Jennifer M. , Solanki Malvika , Boughey Judy C. , Liu Minetta C. , Ingle James N. , Kalari Krishna R. , Couch Fergus J. , Thompson E. Aubrey , Goetz Matthew P.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Programmed death ligand 1 [PD-(L)1]-targeted therapies have shown modest survival benefit in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). PD-L1+ microenvironments in TNBC are not well characterized and may inform combinatorial immune therapies. Herein, we characterized clinicopathologic features, RNA-based immune signatures, and spatially defined protein-based tumor–immune microenvironments (TIME) in early-stage PD-L1+ and PD-L1− TNBC.

Experimental Design:

From a large cohort of chemotherapy-naïve TNBC, clinicopathologic features, deconvoluted RNA immune signatures, and intraepithelial and stromal TIME (Nanostring GeoMX) were identified in subsets of PD-L1+ and PD-L1− TNBC, as defined by FDA-approved PD-L1 companion assays.

Results:

228 of 499 (46%) TNBC were PD-L1+ (SP142: ≥1% immune cells-positive). Using PD-L1 22C3, 46% had combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 1 and 16% had CPS ≥10. PD-L1+ TNBC were higher grade with higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL; P < 0.05). PD-L1 was not associated with improved survival following adjustment for TILs and other variables. RNA profiles of PD-L1+ TNBC had increased dendritic cell, macrophage, and T/B cell subset features; and decreased myeloid-derived suppressor cells. PD-L1+ stromal and intraepithelial TIMEs were highly enriched in IDO-1, HLA-DR, CD40, and CD163 compared with PD-L1-TIME, with spatially specific alterations in CTLA-4, Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING), and fibronectin. Macrophage- and antigen presentation–related proteins correlated most strongly with PD-L1 protein.

Conclusions:

In this early-stage TNBC cohort, nearly 50% were PD-L1+ (SP142 companion assay) while 16% were PD-L1+ with the 22C3 companion assay. PD-L1+ TNBC had specific myeloid-derived and lymphoid features. Spatially defined PD-L1+ TIME were enriched in several clinically actionable immune proteins. These data may inform future studies on combinatorial immunotherapies for patients with PD-L1+ TNBC.

See related commentary by Symmans, p. 5446
The Efficacy of Resin Hemoperfusion Cartridge on Inflammatory Responses during Adult Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: He Zijian , Lu Hongyu , Jian Xuhua , Li Guanhua , Xiao Dengke , Meng Qingqing , Chen Jimei , Zhou Chengbin
Published: June 2021

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the resin hemoperfusion device (HA380 hemoperfusion cartridge) on inflammatory responses during adult cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: Sixty patients undergoing surgical valve replacement were randomized into the HP group (n = 30) with an HA380 hemoperfusion cartridge in the CPB circuit or the control group (n = 30) with the conventional CPB circuit. The results of routine blood tests, blood biochemical indexes, and inflammatory factors were analyzed at V0 (pre-CPB), V1 (CPB 30 min), V2 (ICU 0 h), V3 (ICU 6 h), and V4 (ICU 24 h). Results: The HP group had significantly lower levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Significant estimation of group differences in the generalized estimating equation (GEE) models was also observed in IL-6 and IL-10. The HP group had significantly lower levels of creatinine (Cr), aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBil) compared to the control group. The estimation of differences of Cr, AST, and TBil all reached statistical significance in GEE results. The HP group had significantly less vasopressor requirement and shorter mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay time as compared to the control group. Conclusion: The HA380 hemoperfusion cartridge could effectively reduce the systemic inflammatory responses and improve postoperative recovery of patients during adult CPB.
Amyloid Proteins in Plant-Associated Microbial Communities
Authors: Gómez-Pérez Daniel , Chaudhry Vasvi , Kemen Ariane , Kemen Eric
Published: June 2021

Amyloids have proven to be a widespread phenomenon rather than an exception. Many proteins presenting the hallmarks of this characteristic beta sheet-rich folding have been described to date. Particularly common are functional amyloids that play an important role in the promotion of survival and pathogenicity in prokaryotes. Here, we describe important developments in amyloid protein research that relate to microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions in the plant microbiome. Starting with biofilms, which are a broad strategy for bacterial persistence that is extremely important for plant colonization. Microbes rely on amyloid-based mechanisms to adhere and create a protective coating that shelters them from external stresses and promotes cooperation. Another strategy generally carried out by amyloids is the formation of hydrophobic surface layers. Known as hydrophobins, these proteins coat the aerial hyphae and spores of plant pathogenic fungi, as well as certain bacterial biofilms. They contribute to plant virulence through promoting dissemination and infectivity. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity is an interesting outcome of the amyloid structure that has potential application in medicine and agriculture. There are many known antimicrobial amyloids released by animals and plants; however, those produced by bacteria or fungi remain still largely unknown. Finally, we discuss amyloid proteins with a more indirect mode of action in their host interactions. These include virulence-promoting harpins, signaling transduction that functions through amyloid templating, and root nodule bacteria proteins that promote plant-microbe symbiosis. In summary, amyloids are an interesting paradigm for their many functional mechanisms linked to bacterial survival in plant-associated microbial communities.
Hair Growth in a Patient with Alopecia Areata on Tocilizumab
Authors: Walker Chloe J. , Flanagan Kelly E. , Pathoulas James T. , Pupo Wiss Isabel , Senna Maryanne M.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Tocilizumab (TCZ), a recombinant humanized antihuman monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling, is often utilized in the management of autoimmune disease. Few reports have demonstrated hair growth changes in patients on TCZ. Case Presentation: Herein, we review the literature and report a 21-year-old woman with progressive alopecia areata (AA) presenting with AA improvement while on TCZ for concomitant posterior uveitis. Discussion: Our case demonstrates the potential ability of TCZ to disrupt IL-6 signaling involved in AA, leading to hair loss and regrowth.
COVID-19 Infection and Acute Kidney Injury: Cause or Complication?
Authors: Cassia Matthias Arnaldo , Casazza Roberta , Napodano Pietro , Cozzolino Mario
Published: June 2021

Management of COVID-19 infection is the trend topic in the scientific community and case identification is a key step to contain the pandemic. While pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome represent the typical severe manifestations of the disease, atypical presentations pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for physicians, especially when diagnostic tests are repeatedly negative. Clinical picture of COVID-19 patients is often complicated by bacterial infections or thrombotic events. Here, we present and discuss a case report identified in our center as example of a challenging diagnosis and 2 uncommon complications: severe hyponatremia and acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy, caused by parenchymal damage and with a possible direct involvement of the virus.
Oral Myofunctional and Articulation Disorders in Children with Malocclusions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Thijs Zoë , Bruneel Laura , De Pauw Guy , Van Lierde Kristiane M.
Published: June 2021

Background: Relationships between malocclusion and orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD), as well as malocclusions and articulation disorders (AD) have been described, though the exact relationships remain unclear. Given the high prevalence of these disorders in children, more clarity is needed. Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between OMD (specifically, bruxism, deviate swallowing, caudal resting tongue posture, and biting habits), AD, and malocclusions in children and adolescents aged between 3 and 18 years. To conduct a systematic review, 4 databases were searched (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus). The identified articles were screened for the eligibility criteria. Data were extracted from the selected articles and quality assessment was performed using the tool of Munn et al. [Int J Health Policy Manag. 2014;3:123–81] in consensus. Using the search strategy, the authors identified 2,652 articles after the removal of duplicates. After reviewing the eligibility criteria, 17 articles were included in this study. One of the included articles was deemed to have an unclear risk of bias, whereas all other articles were considered to have a low risk of bias. The articles showed a relationship between anterior open bite and apico-alveolar articulatory distortions, as well as between anterior open bite and deviate swallowing. For the biting habits, bruxism, and low tongue position no clear conclusions could be drawn. Key Messages: The current review suggests a link between specific types of malocclusion and OMD and AD. However, more high-quality evidence (level 1 and level 2, Oxford Levels of Evidence) is needed to clarify the cooccurrence of other OMD, AD, and malocclusions.
Serum Testosterone Levels Are Not Modified by Vitamin D Supplementation in Dialysis Patients and Healthy Subjects
Authors: Ulrich Christof , Trojanowicz Bogusz , Fiedler Roman , Kraus Frank Bernhard , Stangl Gabriele I. , Girndt Matthias , Seibert Eric
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Low serum testosterone is related to increased mortality in male dialysis patients. An association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels with concordant seasonal variation has been described, but it is undecided whether vitamin D supplementation improves testosterone levels. Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind manner, we investigated the effects of an oral vitamin D supplementation in healthy subjects and hemodialysis patients on testosterone levels. One hundred three healthy individuals received cholecalciferol 800 IE/day (n = 52) or placebo (n = 51) for 12 weeks. Thirty-three hemodialysis patients received cholecalciferol adapted to their serum levels following current guidelines (n = 15) or placebo (n = 18) for 12 weeks. Results: In healthy individuals, 25(OH)D3 levels rose significantly in the verum group (38.1 ± 13.7 vs. 72.5 ± 15.4 nmol/L, p < 0.001), whereas in the placebo group, levels dropped (37.7 ± 14.7 vs. 31.9 ± 13.1, p < 0.001). Testosterone levels did not change significantly (verum, males: 20.9 ± 6.6 vs. 20.5 ± 7.9 nmol/L, p = 0.6; verum, females: 0.9 ± 0.5 vs. 0.92 ± 0.5, p = 0.4; placebo, males: 18.5 ± 10.2 vs. 21.8 ± 16.5, p = 0.07, placebo, females: 1.6 ± 4.2 vs. 1.6 ± 4.9, p = 0.6). In dialysis patients, the mean cholecalciferol level was only 32.3 ± 17.8 nmol/L, with only 2% of the values being within the normal range. Cholecalciferol levels normalized in the verum group (29.4 ± 11.2 vs. 87.8 ± 22.3, p < 0.001), whereas levels dropped further in the placebo group (33.6 ± 16.6 vs. 24.6 ± 8.0 nmol/L, p < 0.001). Testosterone levels did not change significantly (verum, males: 8.0 ± 3.7 vs. 7.8 ± 3.8, p = 0.8; verum, females: 1.3 ± 1.0 vs. 1.2 ± 1.0 nmol/L, p = 0.5; placebo, males: 11.9 ± 5.0 vs. 11.6 ± 4.0 nmol/L, p = 0.6; placebo, females: 0.8 ± 0.5 vs. 0.7 ± 0.4 nmol/L, p = 0.8). Conclusion: Serum testosterone levels in hemodialysis patients and healthy individuals are independent from vitamin D status and cannot be significantly increased by cholecalciferol supplementation.
Da etnografia multissituada à “plataformizada”: aproximações entre antropologia e estudos de plataforma
Authors: Gonçalves Italo Vinicius
Published: June 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir como as noções de “plataforma” e “plataformização” (da web e do social) podem nos ajudar a rever práticas etnográficas, especialmente aquelas realizadas em contextos online. Argumento que as aproximações dos campos da antropologia e da comunicação podem trazer impactos positivos às discussões de ambas as áreas. Para isso, apresentarei um breve panorama dos estudos de plataforma de modo a introduzir estas noções. O artigo se debruçará sobre algumas pesquisas que aliaram o método etnográfico a tais estudos. A proposta é que eles nos permitam repensar o que chamamos de “campo etnográfico”, tal qual a ideia de “etnografia multissituada”, trazida por Marcus (1995) (comumente empregada em trabalhos antropológicos online), considerando seus desdobramentos ao ser friccionada à noção de plataformização. Conclui-se que, através da utilização desses conceitos, nossas teorias e práticas virtuais adquiram novas dinâmicas, contornos e significados.
A imersão oculta em plataformas online: uma experiência antropológica a partir dos estudos de recepção
Authors: Vieira Junior Luiz Augusto Mugnai
Published: June 2021

A partir da experiência de um estudo antropológico que consistiu na confecção de uma pesquisa de doutorado sobre a recepção da transexualidade nas mídias digitais, o presente artigo tem como objetivo descrever sobre os procedimentos de imersão em plataformas on-line, do mesmo modo, refletir a prática e o comportamento on-line do/a antropólogo/a de ser um/a observador/a oculto/a digital. Para tal, descrevo de forma mais detalhada sobre como foi proceder durante quatro anos em campo on-line fornecendo reflexões sobre a observação antropológica no campo digital e seus artefatos de pesquisa para a sua realização. A sociedade e a cultura têm sido marcadas e intensificadas pelas mídias digitais; é o anúncio do digital constituindo a vida cotidiana. Frente a esse cenário, descrever o campo on-line, observar o digital e refletir sobre as relações sociais intermediadas por uma tela de computador ou de celular têm sido, cada vez mais, um exercício recorrente e desafiante para os estudos sócio- antropológicos.
Narrativas Periféricas
Authors: Braz Sandra Regina Ramos
Published: June 2021

O texto apresenta reflexões a partir de relatos territoriais. Traz informações relevantes do processo histórico sobre o acesso à educação, o perfil do alunado na universidade, e os desafios enfrentados para a manutenção desses alunos na trajetória escolar. Assim, convida o leitor a tomar contato com o livro que originalizou o texto/resenha, de modo a conhecer a obra que explicita a problematização sobre o perfil dos estudantes universitários.
Piercing the Smoke Screen: Dualism, Free Will, and Christianity
Authors: Murray Samuel , Murray Elise , Nadelhoffer Thomas
Published: June 2021

Research on the folk psychology of free will suggests that people believe free will is incompatible with determinism and that human decision-making cannot be exhaustively characterized by physical processes. Some suggest that certain elements of Western cultural history, especially Christianity, have helped to entrench these beliefs in the folk conceptual economy. Thus, on the basis of this explanation, one should expect to find three things: (1) a significant correlation between belief in dualism and belief in free will, (2) that people with predominantly incompatibilist commitments are likely to exhibit stronger dualist beliefs than people with predominantly compatibilist commitments, and (3) people who self-identify as Christians are more likely to be dualists and incompatibilists than people who do not self-identify as Christians. We present the results of two studies (n = 378) that challenge two of these expectations. While we do find a significant correlation between belief in dualism and belief in free will, we found no significant difference in dualist tendencies between compatibilists and incompatibilists. Moreover, we found that self-identifying as Christian did not significantly predict preference for a particular metaphysical conception of free will. This calls into question assumptions about the relationship between beliefs about free will, dualism, and Christianity.
Five new Myxomycetes (Myxogastria) records from Turkey
Authors: BABA HAYRİ
Published: June 2021

Myxomycetes samples were obtained from Adana and Hatay provinces of Turkey. As a result of field and laboratory studies five myxomycetes species are reported as new records. Three of the new records (Arcyria cerradensis, Craterium aureonucleatum and Diderma spumarioides) were found as natural sporophore in the area. The other two species (Cribraria spinispora and Perichaena quadrata) were grown in the laboratory by moist chamber culture method. Short descriptions, habitats, localities, collection dates, fungarium numbers and images of the taxa are given. This work has contributed to Myxobiota of Turkey.
Millettia puerarioides Prain (Fabaceae: Millettieae), a species with cauliflorous inflorescences newly recorded from China

Authors: SONG ZHUQIU , PAN BO , ZHANG TING , TAN YUNHONG , ZHANG YONGSHENG , YANG ZUWEI , XU DONGXIAN
Published: June 2021

Millettia puerarioides Prain within the tribe Millettieae (Fabaceae) is a poorly known species and it was previously reported only from Myanmar. This species was recently found also in Yingjiang, Yunnan Province, China. The inflated pods with large seeds place it in Millettia section Macrosperma Dunn, but specimen examination and field investigations showed that it has inflorescences arising from leafless nodes and directly from the trunk (i.e. rami- and caulinascent inflorescences), which is similar to the species in the genus Fordia from the same tribe. This inflorescence type has been considered to be a rare character for Asian plants of the subfamily Papilionoideae, showing the close connection between Millettia and Fordia.
An overlooked diversity—the Costellariidae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda) of the Miocene Paratethys Sea
Authors: HARZHAUSER MATHIAS , LANDAU BERNARD
Published: June 2021

The Miocene Costellariidae of the Paratethys Sea are revised. In total, 39 species in seven genera are recorded herein, documenting an unexpected diversity of these marine gastropods. The α-diversities of up to 14 species and basin-scale γ-diversities of up to 28 coeval species reveal the Central Paratethys as a unique diversity hot-spot for Miocene Costellariidae. Palaeobiogeographic relationships with the adjacent Proto-Mediterranean Sea are low at species level, and absent for Eastern Paratethyan and north-eastern Atlantic faunas.                Antithala nov. gen. and Fedosovia nov. gen. are described as new genera. Bellardithala nov. nom. is introduced as new name for Micromitra Bellardi (1888) [non Meek, 1873]. Eight species are described as new: Antithala claviformis nov. sp., Antithala filipescui nov. sp., Bellardithala kovaci nov. sp., Bellardithala baluki nov. sp., Bellardithala fedosovi nov. sp., Bellardithala dacica nov. sp., Pusia confunda nov. sp., and Vexillum transalpinum nov. sp. Lectotypes are designated for Mitra badensis Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. brevior Friedberg, 1911, M. fuchsi Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. intermittens Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. januszkiewiczi Friedberg, 1928, M. lapugyensis Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. laubei Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. michelottii Hörnes, 1852, M. moravica Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. neugeboreni Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. partschi Hörnes, 1852, M. pseudorecticosta Boettger, 1906, M. sturi Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, M. szobbiensis Halaváts, 1884.
Development of the Extratropical Response to the Stratospheric Quasi-Biennial Oscillation
Authors: Rao Jian , Garfinkel Chaim I. , White Ian P.
Published: June 2021

Using the Model of an Idealized Moist Atmosphere (MiMA) capable of spontaneously generating a Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO), the gradual establishment of the extratropical response to the QBO is explored. The period and magnitude of the QBO and the magnitude of the polar Holton-Tan (HT) relationship is simulated in a free-running configuration of MiMA, comparable to that in state-of-the-art climate models. In order to isolate mechanisms whereby the QBO influences variability outside of the tropical atmosphere, a series of branch experiments are performed with nudged QBO winds. When easterly QBO winds maximized around 30 hPa are relaxed, an Eliassen-Palm (E-P) flux divergence dipole quickly forms in the extratropical middle stratosphere as a direct response to the tropical meridional circulation, in contrast to the HT mechanism which is associated with wave propagation near the zero wind line. This meridional circulation response to the relaxed QBO winds develops within the first 10 days in seasonally-varying and fixed-seasonal experiments. No detectable changes in upward propagation of waves in the midlatitude lowermost stratosphere are evident for at least 20 days after branching, with the first changes only evident after 20 days in perpetual midwinter and season-varying runs, but after 40 days in perpetual November runs. The polar vortex begins to respond around the 20th day, and subsequently a near-surface response in the Atlantic sector forms in mid-to-late winter runs. These results suggest that the maximum near-surface response observed in mid-to-late winter is not simply due to a random seasonal synchronization of the QBO phase, but also due to the long (short) lag of the surface response to a QBO relaxation in early (mid-to-late) winter.
Random Sampling in Corpus Design: Cross-Context Generalizability in Automated Multicountry Protest Event Collection
Authors: Yörük Erdem , Hürriyetoğlu Ali , Duruşan Fırat , Yoltar Çağrı
Published: June 2021

What is the most optimal way of creating a gold standard corpus for training a machine learning system that is designed for automatically collecting protest information in a cross-country context? We show that creating a gold standard corpus for training and testing machine learning models on the basis of randomly chosen news articles from news archives yields better performance than selecting news articles on the basis of keyword filtering, which is the most prevalent method currently used in automated event coding. We advance this new bottom-up approach to ensure generalizability and reliability in cross-country comparative protest event collection from international and local news in different countries, languages, sources and time periods, which entails a large variety of event types, actors, and targets. We present the results of comparing our random-sample approach with keyword filtering. We show that the machine learning algorithms, and particularly state-of-the-art deep learning tools, perform much better when they are trained with the gold standard corpus from a randomly selected set of news articles from China, India, and South Africa. Finally, we also present our approach to overcome the major ethical issues that are intrinsic to protest event coding.
Leveraging Collaboration in Pediatric Multidisciplinary Colorectal Care Using a Telehealth Platform
Authors: Lopez Joseph J. , Svetanoff Wendy Jo , Rosen John M. , Carrasco Alonso , Rentea Rebecca M. ,   the Comprehensive Colorectal Center of Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Pediatric colorectal problems often require complex multidisciplinary care (MDC), which has been affected by the SARS-CoV-2-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We describe our utilization and implementation of telehealth (TH) for pediatric colorectal surgery MDC visits and collate patient satisfaction using TH compared to in-person (IP) visits.

Methods

Implementation of a single-institution MDC TH platform to perform patient visits on February 1, 2020 was studied. Following 6 months of implementation, TH visits’ characteristics were compared with IP visits in the 3 months before implementation by patient volume, length of clinic visits, and patient satisfaction survey results.

Results

Before implementation, 152 (100%) of clinic visits were IP. During the implementation, 87 (37.7%) were TH visits. Seventy-four (49%) were MDC visits, 17 (23%) of these using the TH platform. Each TH visit’s median length was 25 minutes (IQR 15-30), while the median length of IP visits was 45 minutes (IQR 30-45). Pre-implementation satisfaction scores were 88.6% positive, while satisfaction scores after implementation were 96.8% positive. None of the patients who utilized the TH platform had an unplanned hospital admission within 24 hours of being seen.

Conclusion

Our experience demonstrates that the TH platform can provide an efficient avenue for established patients and families to receive highly complex multidisciplinary follow-up care. High levels of patient satisfaction indicated that TH should become part of the routine care plan for patients who require long-term or consistent follow-up.
Prison Visitation and the Likelihood of Post-Release Employment
Authors: Fahmy Chantal , Gricius Matthew , Chamberlain Alyssa W. , Wallace Danielle
Published: June 2021

Formerly incarcerated people have a difficult time finding employment upon release. Research has suggested the effectiveness in utilizing one’s social capital and social networks, particularly through family, as a means of securing stable employment post-prison. However, the social connections necessary—maintained via prison visitation—are often weakened due to long-term incarceration and multiple prison stints. Data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) are used to investigate whether individuals were able to find employment within 3 months after release. Results suggest that individuals who have committed serious crimes likely have more strained family relationships; making family members’ willingness to vouch for employment on their behalf, less likely. Implications regarding policy and practice for corrections and reentry are discussed.
Study on stability of filling wall under lateral large-span composite hinge fracture of hard critical block
Authors: Li Chenghai , Liu Yajie , Bai Jianbiao , Ge Qing
Published: June 2021

There is still a lack of mature researches on the stability mechanism, influencing factors and control technology of the gob-side filling wall, and systematic researches on the cracking forms and characteristics of the stope roof and the stability of the filling wall are rather insufficient. This paper is aimed at investigating the deformation law of the filling wall under the large-span composite hinge fracture of the hard critical block and solving the difficulty that the large-span critical block lateral fracture poses to gob-side entry retaining. Research methods such as theoretical calculation, mechanical analysis, numerical simulation and field test were adopted comprehensively in this study. When the large-span critical block B is divided into two or three parts, its force on the immediate roof decreases with the increase in the number of segments. Meanwhile, as the number of segments grows, the displacement and axial stress of the filling wall both decrease gradually; the tensile failure weakens relatively, while the shear failure changes slightly. Moreover, both the number of shear cracks and the number of tensile cracks in the filling wall are positively correlated with the strain. When the critical block divided into four parts, the amount of lateral displacement is about 190 mm, and the axial displacement reaches the minimum (about 235 mm). The stability of the filling wall along the gob-side entry is closely related to the lateral fracture span of the stope roof. Under the lateral fracture of the hard critical block, a smaller span of the lateral fracture of the critical block corresponds to a smaller force on the filling wall and a weaker damage to the filling wall. The field test result verifies that cleaving the large-span critical block into smaller segments is conducive to reducing surrounding rock and filling wall deformation.
Robust Receptive Vocabulary Instruction for Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities Who Use AAC
Authors: Geist Lori , Erickson Karen
Published: June 2021

Robust vocabulary instruction is an important part of comprehensive English language arts (ELA) instruction. Vocabulary instruction supports students in learning the meaning of words to build a receptive vocabulary that they can rely on to comprehend the words they read and hear. Many students with significant cognitive disabilities (SCD) and complex communication needs (CCN) struggle to read or understand grade-level words, concepts, and texts. Explicit vocabulary instruction can play an important role in addressing this area of need. Addressing the vocabulary needs of students with SCD and CCN in a comprehensive way calls for a greater investment of instructional time to build their receptive vocabulary and conceptual understandings of new vocabulary. It calls for leveraging the high frequency expressive vocabulary students are likely to have available on their augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to make meaningful connections and demonstrate their understanding of new vocabulary. The aim is successful comprehension across ELA and other academic domains through a robust and expanding receptive vocabulary that extends beyond the words commonly programmed onto AAC systems. Finally, vocabulary instruction should be one part of a comprehensive approach to ELA instruction, with substantial time and effort also devoted to reading and writing instruction so that one day students with SCD and CCN can use spelling and writing to bridge the gap between the words they know and the words they have access to use expressively.
Developing Social Knowledge to Support Reading Comprehension in Elementary Students With ASD
Authors: Henry Alyssa R. , Solari Emily J.
Published: June 2021

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience associated difficulties in reading comprehension. This may be due to the social nature of fictional texts, which require the reader to interpret what characters are thinking and feeling and to make inferences about the cause and effect between events in a story. This paper outlines strategies that teachers can use to assist their learners with ASD in reading comprehension, including activating social background knowledge, encouraging series and familiar genres, identifying and teaching figurative language, and using graphic organizers to support perspective-taking. These strategies are tailored to the social phenotype of children with ASD to best address the underlying difficulties that may be impeding their reading comprehension.
Suspected Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artesunate in Cameroon: A case report
Authors: Nkwabong Elie , Tseunwo Claudine , Nkene Mawamba Yvette
Published: June 2021

Malaria in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. The first-line treatment for severe malaria in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is parenteral artesunate, according to WHO recommendations. Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to artesunate has not yet been noted in our country. We report a case highly suspicious of such. A pregnant woman presented with the clinical signs of malaria. After paraclinical confirmation of the diagnosis, she was admitted and injectable artesunate was given for 72 h at the recommended dosage, with antipyretic without any improvement. Artesunate was therefore replaced by parenteral quinine, with favourable evolution. Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to artesunate might be present in our country. This patient provides a warning about possible artesunate resistance, and this calls for careful monitoring of other cases of malaria been treated with this drug to ascertain the possibility of resistant cases.
An uncommon variant of erythema nodosum leprosum responding well to methotrexate: Report of two cases
Authors: Rani Seema , Singh Sweta , Agrawal Diksha , Sardana Kabir , Ahuja Arvind
Published: June 2021

Reactions in leprosy are acute inflammatory episodes that can be classified as type I or type II. Recognition and timely management of these patients is critical to avoid permanent disability. We present two cases of erythema nodosum leprosum, presenting with recurrent atypical features, responding well to a low dose of methotrexate.
Emotional consequences of hate incidents: experiences of a South African cohort
Authors: Marais Amori , Nel Juan A , Govender Rajen
Published: June 2021

The consequences of hate incidents are far greater than transgressions without an underlying bias motive. The powerful emotional and psychological effect observed in victims of hate rests in the perpetrator attacking the identity or an unchangeable characteristic of a victim. Within South Africa, these effects are compounded by the country’s legacy of discrimination and oppression; thus, the potential consequences of hate victimisation within this context extend beyond the emotional. This justifies differential retributive and restorative measures following such incidents; however, legislative and policy frameworks to respond to hate victimisation are only in the beginning stages. The scarcity of empirical research on hate incidents and their consequences in South Africa renders this investigation the first of its kind. The researchers aimed to determine the demographic and situational variables that put individuals at a higher risk for experiencing emotional consequences as a result of hate victimisation. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression modelling were used to analyse data ( n = 409, Mean Age = 31.5). Results indicate a higher vulnerability of emotional consequences if a victim is exposed to economic consequences, if the offender is known to the victim, and if the victim identifies as Black African. Sex and type of incident (hate crimes, hate speech, and intentional unfair discrimination) showed no significant relationship with emotional consequences. The results enable greater insight into victim experiences of emotional consequences and motivate prioritising psychosocial health care, targeted interventions, and relevant legislative and policy frameworks for victims and communities affected by hate incidents.