bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Start-upy telemedyczne w Polsce — trendy i kierunki rozwoju
Authors: Cuda Anna
Published: December 2020

The Polish medical market reports a growing demand for innovative solutions in the field of health protection — the use of information and communication technologies in the provision of medical services contributes to an increase in their efficiency and effectiveness. Telemedicine is data transfer and the provision of medical services to patients remotely, using new technology solutions. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the current situation of the telemedicine market in Poland, especially new technology startups devoted to telemedicine solutions, and to identify investment trends. Technology development should be a process of targeted changes aimed at improving a certain process, bearing in mind the auxiliary and, above all, the increasingly crucial nature of new technologies in the process of patient treatment by specialists in the field of medicine. This study has been conducted in order to ascertain the attitudes of investors with capital of more than 50,000 euro, to the changing technological environment, which is intended to improve the provision of medical services and contribute to an increase in the quality of healthcare, and their willingness to invest in startups in the telemedicine industry.
Fantasía epicúrea
Authors: Konstan David
Published: December 2020

En este artículo, examino el papel de la phantasia en la teoría epicúrea de la percepción y el pensamiento. Aprovechando de los fragmentos, recién editados, de la Peri phuseôs de Epicuro, y de nuevas interpretaciones de la función de phantasia según Aristóteles, además de textos transmitidos de Epicuro y de Lucrecio, considero problemas altamente discutidos tales como la manera en que los eidôla o simulacra se reducen de tamaño para que puedan entrar en el ojo, y los canales por los cuales se transmiten desde el ojo a la mente. Trato también de la naturaleza de la phantastikê epibolê , es decir, “la proyección de la phantasia ”, y su función en las actividades de pensar y recordar.
Mario Vegetti (1937-2018)
Authors: Gastaldi Silvia
Published: December 2020

Obituario
Koselleck y la filosofía de la historia en el siglo XVIII
Authors: Rohbeck Johannes
Published: December 2020

El objetivo de este ensayo es el de realizar una apreciación crítica de la teoría de la historia de Reinhart Koselleck centrándome en sus investigaciones sobre la historiografía y la filosofía de la historia del siglo XVIII. Intentaré mostrar que Koselleck no siempre obra con justicia respecto a las citas de las fuentes que maneja. En este sentido, el artículo que aquí se presenta contiene una buena dosis de análisis filológico tanto de los propios textos de Koselleck como de aquellos de los que él se sirve para apoyar sus argumentos. Resultará de este análisis una crítica muy ambivalente.
Descubriendo el románico alavés. La colección fotográfica de Federico Baraibar y Lorenzo Elorza
Authors: Jiménez López Jorge
Published: December 2020

Esteban Vega, R., Gondra Aguirre, A., López de Muniain Iturrospe, G., Mellén, I., Ortiz de Urbina Montoya, C., Soto Madrazo, J., Descubriendo el románico alavés. La colección fotográfica de Federico Baraibar y Lorenzo Elorza, Vitoria: Sans Soleil, 2019, 302 págs., ISBN 978-84-120097-1-2 [Reseña]
New Quantum Diodes with Superconducting Properties at Non-Freezing Temperatures, and Their Computing Applications
Authors: Ishiguri Shinichi
Published: December 2020

Two opposed p–n diodes are connected with another junction that causes cancellation of the electric field in the depletion layer of each diode by the field of the other diode. This derived quantum diode is called the A system. Another dual diode, constructed by the same process but with the p- and n-types positioned as duality, called the B system. When a bias voltage is applied between the A and B systems, Lorentz conservation imparts a momentum (i.e., a wave number) to the carriers in the absence of any internal voltage. Thus, a superconducting bias current density appears without the need for cooling. The reappearances of electron–hole pairs on the junction surfaces are assumed to be described by entire wavefunctions normalized by the band gap. Based on the bias superconducting current, NOT and NAND gates were constructed from the quantum diode systems. Numerical calculations revealed that the constant phases of the entire wavefunctions of the p-and n-types converged. Accordingly, it was clarified that Bose–Einstein condensation and the Meissner effect (described by the London equation) occurred in the quantum diode systems. Moreover, the systems exhibited rectification characteristics and a switching speed of the order of 10-14 s. Combining this switching property with the large bias superconducting current (of the order of several V), we developed NOT and NAND gates with direct quantum correlations among many qubits, which are unaffected by random and thermal noises. These gates have memorization and initialization properties and are compatible with existing and accumulating programing algorithms. Moreover, when harvesting a divergent current output from these systems, the bias superconducting current and memorization property preserve the formed quantum correlations.
Modeling and Simulation of Tsunami Impact. a Short Review of Recent Advances and Future Challenges
Authors: Marras Simone , Mandli Kyle
Published: December 2020

Tsunami modeling and simulation has changed in the past few years more than it had in decades, especially so with respect to coastal inundation. Among other things, this change is supported by the approaching era of exa-scale computing, whether via GPU or more likely forms of hybrid computing whose presence is growing across the geosciences. For reasons identified across this review, exa-scale computing efforts will impact the on-shore, highly turbulent r\'egime to higher degree than the 2D shallow water equations used to model tsunami propagation in the open ocean. This short review describes the different approaches to tsunami modeling from generation to impact and underlines the limits of each model based on the flow r\'egime. Moreover, from the perspective of a future comprehensive multi-scale modeling infrastructure to simulate a full tsunami, we underline the current challenges associated with this approach and review the few efforts that are currently underway to achieve this goal. A table of existing tsunami software packages is provided along with an open Github repository to allow developers and model users to update the table with additional models as they are published and help with model discoverability.
Nanoencapsulation of Pomegranate Extract to Increase Stability and Potential Dermatological Protection
Authors: Yepes-Molina Lucia , Hernandez Jose Antonio , Carvajal Micaela
Published: December 2020

Pomegranate extract (PG-E) has been reported to exert a protective effect in skin due to its antioxidant activity. Ingredients rich in phenolic compounds are unstable in extract solutions and, therefore, the use of a suitable nanosystem to encapsulate this type of extract could be necessary in different biotechnological applications. Thus, we investigated the capacity of Brassica oleracea L. (cauliflower) inflorescence vesicles (CI-vesicles) to encapsulate PG-E and determined the stability and the antioxidant capacity of the system over time. In addition, the protective effect against UV radiation and heavy metals in HaCaT cells was also tested. The CI-vesicles had an entrapment efficiency around 50% and accelerated stability tests did not show significant changes in the parameters tested. The results for the HaCaT cells show the non-cytotoxicity of the CI-vesicles containing PG-E and their protection against heavy metals (lead acetate and mercuric chloride) and UV-B radiation through a reduction of oxidative stress. The reduction of the percentage of deleted mtDNA (mtDNA4977, “common deletion”) in UV-treated HaCaT cells due to the presence of CI-vesicles containing PG-E indicates the mechanism of protection. Therefore, the effects of CI-vesicles loaded with PG-E against oxidative stress support their utilization as natural cosmeceuticals to protect skin health against external damage from environmental pollution and UV radiation.
Evaluation of Seasonal and Drought Conditions Effect on Satellite-based Precipitation Data Accuracy over Different Climatic Conditions
Authors: Qureshi Salman , Koohpayma Javad , Firozjaei Mohammad Karimi , Kakroodi Ata Abdollahi
Published: December 2020

Abstract: The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and then Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) are the most important and widely used data sources in the forecasting of drought, flood, and water resources management. However, since this sensor’s data is primarily used for tropical regions, it is necessary to evaluate the accuracy for optimal use of the data across varying climatic and physiographic conditions. In this study, the accuracy of the satellite data for a span of 17 years (2000-2017) for three climatic zones has been explored using synoptic ground station data. The climates include a) arid and low rainfall, b) semi-arid and low rainfall, and c) humid and high rainfall. We evaluated satellite data accuracy in drought and wet conditions based on the Standard Precipitation Index (S.P.I.) and different seasons. For available ground control stations, 13 stations were used in the humid, seven stations in a semi-arid climate, and 12 stations in the dry climate. The results show that the monthly precipitation product of GPM (IMERG product) and TRMM (TMPA/3B43 product) overestimate the rainfall. In the arid climate, the precipitation is estimated 43%, in the semi-arid environment 50%, and in the humid weather 11% more than the ground-based data on average. Therefore, to use satellite data in different climates, it is necessary to make corrections to obtain precise results. Based on 32 ground stations, the correction coefficient has a positive relationship with average precipitation and altitude and an inverse relationship with the latitude. Further in-depth investigations showed that the accuracy of satellite data in wet conditions is higher than the accuracy of normal circumstances, and the accuracy of normal conditions is more accurate than drought conditions. Besides, the accuracy of satellite data in wet or dry conditions increases with increasing time scales. The highest accuracy was obtained for a 12-month time scale and the lowest accuracy for the 3-month time scale of drought conditions in the arid climate.
A Model of Factors Determining the Attitude Towards Learning Communicative Competences of The Nurses
Authors: Iwanow Lucyna , Jaworski Mariusz , Gotlib Joanna , Panczyk Mariusz
Published: December 2020

The aim of study was to assess empirical model of factors determining the attitude towards learning communicative competences among nurses participating in the program of speciality training courses. A research by method a cross-sectional study. A representative group of the 1,010 Polish registered nurses that took part in the postgraduate education course answered self-report survey (three instruments: NEO-PI-R questionnaire, Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS) and Empathy Understanding Questionnaire of other people (KRE II)) between beginning of March to the end of May 2018, which was evaluated using path analysis. The research results conducted confirmed the soundness of the created theoretical model (χ2 = 0.278, P = 0.598, RMSEA <0.05). It was proved that learning communicative competences in nurses is determined with factors such as professional experience, emphatic tendencies and the intensity of agreeableness, whereby these factors are bound with each other creating a homogeneous network. The developed model demonstrated that the skills can be shaped most effectively on an individual attitude based on positive mentoring in work environment..
A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Framework for Prediction of Drug Exposure in Malnourished Children
Authors: Sjögren Erik , Tarning Joel , Barnes Karen I. , Jonsson E. Niclas
Published: December 2020

Malnutrition in children is a global health problem, particularly in developing countries. The effects of an insufficient supply of nutrients on body composition and physiological functions may have implications for drug disposition and ultimately affect the clinical outcome in this vulnerable population. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling can be used to predict the effect of malnutrition as it links physiological changes to pharmacokinetic (PK) consequences. However, the absence of detailed information on body composition and the limited availability of controlled clinical trials in malnourished children complicates the establishment and evaluation of a generic PBPK model in this population. In this manuscript we describe the creation of physiologically-based bridge to a malnourished pediatric population, by combining information on a) the differences in body composition between healthy and malnourished adults and b) the differences in physiology between healthy adults and children. Model performance was confirmed using clinical reference data. This study presents a physiologically-based translational framework for prediction of drug disposition in malnourished children. The model is readily applicable for dose recommendation strategies to address the urgent medicinal needs of this vulnerable population.
Design and Analysis of a Mechanical Ventilation System Based on Cams
Authors: Calderón Jesús , Rincón Carlos , Agreda Bray , Jiménez Juan José
Published: December 2020

A mechanical ventilation system is a big support for breathing complications, in which an external solution is quite necessary to keep oxygen compensation in the patients. Its knowledge is well widespread and different equipment has been developed. However, they are very expensive and their quantity in medical centers is not sufficient, especially in Peru. Hence, it has been required to develop new methods to provide oxygen by a low cost equipment; Protofy, a research group from Spain, designed one of the first low cost mechanical ventilation systems which was medically validated by its government. In this sense, a redesign of the mechanical ventilation system was carried out according to the local requirements and available technology, a different airbag resuscitator with different properties and geometry, but maintaining its working concept based on a cam compression mechanism. Sensors and a display were added to improve the performance with a control algorithm for the rotation frequency and to show the ventilation curves over time to the medical staff. It was necessary to develop a mathematical model to relate the behavior between ventilation curves for a patient and physical variables of the design, especially in the epidemic COVID 19, that many countries are dealing with at the time research is being conducted. The mechanical ventilation system was redesigned, fabricated, and tested measuring its ventilation curves over time. Results indicate that this redesign provides a sturdy equipment able to work during a longer lifetime than the original. The replicability of the ventilation curves behavior is assured, while the mechanism dimensions are adapted for a particular airbag resuscitator. The mathematical model of the whole system can predict satisfactorily the ventilation curves over time and was used to provide the air pressure, volume, and flow as a function of the rotation angle measured by sensors.
Life Cycle Assessment of Hot Mix Asphalt Production with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Washington State
Authors: Zokaei Ashtiani Milad
Published: December 2020

This study is an attempt to create a framework, using the best available inventory data, to perform lifecycle assessment (LCA) on asphalt pavement production. In particular, the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) as an end-of-life product of deteriorated pavements is under consideration. Following ISO 14000 series standards, the framework constitutes the four major LCA steps in defining goal and scope, lifecycle inventory analysis, environmental impact assessment, and results interpretation. Three different scenarios in which varying portions of RAP are incorporated into hot mix asphalt production are to be compared. The system boundary of this study is limited to the construction and rehabilitation phases and ignores the vehicular use phase. It was found under this study that since high RAP mixtures require more frequent and aggressive maintenance activities, the overall footprint of asphalt pavements constructed with higher RAP contents is also higher. This would necessitate more efficient design procedures and protocols for mixtures produced with high RAP contents to compensate for their lack of long-term performance.
Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Primary School Children: Inactive Lessons are Dominated Maths and English
Authors: Daly-Smith Andy , Hobbs Matthew , Morris Jade , Defeyter Margaret Anne , Resaland Geir Kare , McKenna Jim
Published: December 2020

Background: A large majority of primary school pupils fail to achieve 30-minutes in-school moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The aim of this study was to investigate MVPA accumulation and subject frequency during academic lesson segments and the broader segmented school day. Methods: 122 children (42.6% boys; 9.9±0.3yrs) from six primary schools in North East England, wore uniaxial accelerometers for eight consecutive days. Subject frequency was assessed by teacher diaries. Multilevel models (children nested within schools) examined significant predictors of MVPA across each school-day segment (lesson one, break, lesson two, lunch, lesson three). Results: Pupils averaged 18.33±8.34 minutes of in-school MVPA and 90.2% failed to achieve the in-school 30-minute MVPA threshold. Across all school-day segments, MVPA accumulation was typically influenced at the individual level. Lesson one and two - dominated by Math and English - were less active than lesson three. Break and lunch were the most active segments. Conclusion: This study breaks new ground, revealing MVPA accumulation and subject frequency varies greatly during different academic lessons. Morning lessons were dominated by the inactive delivery of Math and English, whereas afternoon lessons involved a greater array of subject delivery that resulted in marginally higher levels of MVPA.
An Update on Self-Amplifying mRNA Vaccine Development
Authors: Blakney Anna , Geall Andrew , Ip Shell
Published: December 2020

This review will explore the four major pillars required for design and development of an saRNA vaccine: antigen design, vector design, non-viral delivery systems, and manufacturing (both saRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNP)). In will report on the major innovations, preclinical and clinical data reported in the last five years and will discuss future prospects.
Identification of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Leaves and Fruits of Actinidia Arguta Accessions From Northeastern China
Authors: Tan Changhua , Wang Zhigang , Feng Xiuli , Irfan Muhammad , Liu Changjiang
Published: December 2020

Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. is abundant of vitamin C and bioactive compounds with high antioxidant activities. In this study, eight wild A. arguta accessions from different areas in Northeast China were collected. Some bioactive compounds were examined on the different tissues of different germplasms including four kinds of leaves, petioles and fruits. The method of UPLC-MS was used to detect the flavonoid compounds. The results showed that some bioactive compounds including vitamin C, soluble sugar, free amino acid, total phenolics and flavonoids content showed significant differences between six tissues of A. arguta accessions and showed significant variability with maturity. In eight accessions, the highest vitamin C content was found in young apical leaves of ‘CBS-6’ (7.47 mg/g fresh weight), and the highest soluble sugar content was in fruits of ‘CJ-1’ (196.52 mg/g fresh weight) and the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoids content were in young apical leaves of ‘CBS-11’ (3.48 mg/g fresh weight) and of ‘CBS-3’ (2.00 mg/g fresh weight), respectively. Ten flavonoid compounds including kaempferol, isorhamnetin and quercetin were detected in leaves, petioles and fruits. The total content of flavonoids were highest in young apical leaves (10219.84 µg·g-1) and the lowest in fruits (78.75 µg·g-1). Based on the comparison of the contents of several bioactive compounds, the two accessions ‘CJ-1’ and ‘CBS-8’ had relatively outstanding performance, and in the comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidant activity among different tissues, the young leaves had the strongest antioxidant activity. These results highlighted the antioxidant potentialities of A. arguta leaves as a major source of phenolics and vitamin C as well as flavonoids. It provided a theoretical basis for the utilization of leaves of A. arguta.
Major Prosthetic Factors Influencing the Prognosis of Implant Prosthodontics. A Systematic Review.
Authors: Montero Javier
Published: December 2020

Background: The treatment plan of prosthetic restorations supported by dental implants require comprehensive scientific knowledge to deliver prostheses with good prognosis, even before the implant insertion. This review aims to analyze the main prosthetic determinants of the prognosis of implant-supported prostheses. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted with a PICO question: "For partially or complete edentulous subjects treated with implant-supported prostheses, which prosthetic factors could affect clinical outcomes?". A literature search was performed electronically in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus and Cochrane Library with the following equation [PROGNOS* OR RISK] FACTOR IMPLANT DENTAL, and by hand search in relevant journals and throughout the selected papers. Results: This revision was carried out based on 50 papers focused on several prosthodontics-related risk factors that were grouped as follows: implant-connection, loading protocol, transmucosal abutments, prosthetic fit, provisionalization, type of retention, impression technique, fabrication technique, and occlusion. More than a half of the studies were systematic reviews (30%), meta-analysis (16%) or prospective evaluations of prosthesis with various kinds of events (18%). But also narrative reviews of literature (14%) and in vitro/animal studies (16%) were found. Conclusions: The current literature provides insufficient evidence for most of the investigated topics. However, based on the accumulated data, it seems reasonable to defend that the best treatment approach is the use of morse taper implants with transmucosal abutments, recorded by means of rigidly splinted copings through the pick-up technique, and screwed by milled prosthesis occlusally adjusted to minimize functional overloading.
Factors That Cause the Dispute of Land Alienation Using the Institutional Approach
Authors: Manaf Azima , Ramli Zaimah , Saad Suhana
Published: December 2020

Land management and community involvement are two main elements in ensuring the absence of conflict between landowners and agencies. Disputes between owners and agencies will be the biggest obstacle in the land development effort. Therefore, this article aims to address the cause of landowners’ objections against land alienation using the institutional approach. To enable the researchers to understand the root causes of landowners' objections against the alienation of land using the Communal Grant method, the institutional approach has been adopted to identify the issue of the objection. Therefore, questionnaires for 100 landowners were distributed in two villages in Semporna district in Sabah. The purpose is to obtain their views on the cause leading to the dispute of land alienation using the Communal Grant method. The Likert scale was used to enable community rankings on issues that can be understood according to the level of seriousness of the population's views on the issue of using Communal Grants in native customary land alienation. The study results explain that there are four factors that drive objection of the Communal Grant land alienation which involves the formal factors. The findings explained that there are 4 formal provisions which lead to the community's objection against Communal Grants, namely the native customary lands (NCR) act, provision of Communal Grants, provisions in the land ownership and land allocation in Sabah Land Ordinance.Due to numerous objections among native customary peoples concerning the native customary land alienation using Communal Grants, the government has acted in substitution with a fair method of individual ownership for the native customary peoples. This situation explains that disputes in land ownership can be a threat to the country if it cannot be resolved in ways and methods acceptable to the native customary community. This study will benefit the government and NGO’s to alert and focusing on barriers in the context of local community land laws. Communal grants are intended to address land issues in Sabah.
Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome, a Post-Infectious Neurologic Complication of COVID-19: Case Series and Review of Literature
Authors: Emamikhah Maziar , Babadi Mansoureh , Mehrabani Mehrnoush , Jalili Mehdi , Pouranian Maryam , Daraie Peyman , Mohaghegh Fahimeh , Aghavali Sharmin , Zaribafian Maryam , Rohani Mohammad
Published: December 2020

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome is a heterogeneous constellation of symptoms ranging from full combination of these three neurological findings to varying degree of isolated individual sign. Since the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), neurological symptoms, syndromes and complications associated with this multi-organ viral infection have been reported and the various aspects of neurological involvement are increasingly uncovered. As a neuro-inflammatory disorder in nature, one would expect to observe opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome after a prevalent viral infection in a pandemic scale, as it has been the case for many other neuro-inflammatory syndromes. We report seven cases of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome presumably para-infectious in nature and discuss their phenomenology, their possible pathophysiological relationship to COVID-19 and diagnostic and treatment strategy in each case. Finally we review the relevant data in the literature regarding the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome and possible similar cases associated with COVID-19 and its diagnostic importance for clinicians in various fields of medicine encountering COVID-19 patients and its complications.
The Most Recent Common Ancestor of Modern Humans was Born in Eurasia
Authors: cabrera vicente
Published: December 2020

Ancient DNA has given a new vision to the recent history of human evolution. However, by always relying on the information provided by whole genome sequencing, some relevant relationships between modern humans and its archaic relatives have been misinterpreted by hybridization and recombination causes. In contrast, the congruent phylogeny, obtained from non-recombinant uniparental markers, indicates that humans and Neanderthals are sister subspecies, and that the most recent common ancestor of modern humans was not of African origin but Eurasian.
Psikoterapi dalam Pendekatan Psikosufistik (Pendampingan Santri Berkebutuhan Khusus di Pesantren Bait As-Shuffah An Nahdliyah Rembang)
Authors: Yuliatun Yuliatun
Published: December 2020

This article discusses the development of psychotherapy conducted at an Islamic boarding school. The study of the dynamics of students with special characteristics in Islamic boarding schools is still very limited. This article aims to reveal psychotherapy in the handling of students with special needs at Bait As-Shuffah An Nahdliyah, an Islamic boarding school in Rembang. The subject is a student with special needs and this student receives therapeutic care because of the need for intensive care and to explore further the student’s problems and conditions. Data obtained through observation and interviews. Through a qualitative descriptive analysis approach, the results show that Bait As-Shuffah An Nahdliyah has applied psychotherapy in a psychological and also an Islamic approach, especially in a psychosufistic approach. This shows that there is a development in Islamic boarding school's assistance models that refers to combining the application of interventions with psychological concepts and the Sufism concepts.
Atlas of the inhabitants of the pseudo-littoral of the Sea of Azov – Black Sea coast of Crimea
Authors:   A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Kopiy V. G. , Bondarenko L. V. ,   A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS
Published: December 2020

The pseudo-litoral zone of the Crimean coast of the Black Sea region was explored. The study areas were located in the latitudinal direction from the extreme western point – the coast of Yarylgach Bay (the village of Mezhvodnoe) – to the extreme eastern point – Cape Takil. A study of the macrozoobenthos of the pseudo-litoral zone of the Sea of Azov was carried out in Rifov Bay and in three bays of the Kazantip Natural Reserve. The studied areas differed not only in hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics, but also in the degree of anthropogenic load. According to our data, in the pseudo-litoral zone of the Sea of Azov – Black Sea coast of Crimea, macrozoobenthos was represented by the following taxonomic groups: Polychaeta (33 species), Crustacea (36), and Mollusca (18). Representatives of Ascidiacea, Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Oligochaeta, Pycnogonida, and Chironomidae were also registered, and their species determination was not carried out for a number of reasons; nevertheless, their presence was noted at the studied stations. Data on the distribution, ecology, and biology of species found in the study region are presented.The book will be interesting for hydrobiologists, zoologists, ecologists, students of biological faculties, and a wide range of readers.
Social Media and Modernist Authority: The Hauntology of Facebook
Authors: Best Will
Published: December 2020

Highly biographical Modernist author profiles on Facebook seem to adopt or encourage a purely biographical, Genius Cult-esque understanding of the relationship between an author and that author's work. This is initially problematic, as authorial intent is a particularly complex issue of consideration for many of the authors currently haunting Facebook. This article thus establishes the paradoxical view on author-ity of three such authors -- T. S. Eliot, Marianne Moore, and James Joyce -- and examines how such Facebook profiles undermine and simplify the arguments made by these authors both through their critical and creative works. It then suggests that, by mere nature of being present on Facebook, these profiles may indeed engage in teasing out the very same paradox that these Modernists proposed in the first place, using Derrida's Hauntology to examine Facebook as a textual space both of biography and self-prosthesis. The argument ultimately seeks to propose that all Facebook users are indeed just such spectres haunting digital spaces.
Dissemination of Carbapenem-resistance and Plasmids-encoding Carbapenemases in Gram-negative Bacteria Isolated from India
Authors: Manohar Prasanth , Leptihn Sebastian , Lopes Bruno S. , Ramesh Nachimuthu
Published: December 2020

Carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is an ongoing public-health problem of global dimensions leaving very few treatment options for severely infected patients. This study focuses on the dissemination of plasmid-borne carbapenemase genes in Gram-negative bacteria in Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 151 non-repetitive isolates belonging to 11 genera were collected from a diagnostic center in Tamil Nadu. E. coli (n=57) isolates were classified as, Enteropathogenic (n=12), Enteroaggregative (n=9), Enterohemorrhagic (n=8), Enterotoxigenic (n=3), Enteroinvasive (n=1) and unclassified E. coli (n=24). Of the 45 Klebsiella species, 14 were K1 whereas 11 were K2 serotype and in 20 Klebsiella serotype could not be determined. Other isolates (n=49) consisted of P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, E. cloacae, A. baumannii, S. marcescens, A. xylosoxidans, P. mirabilis and E. meningoseptica. Of the 151 isolates, 71% (n=107) and 68% (n=103) were found to be resistant to meropenem and imipenem respectively. The most prevalent beta-lactamase gene was blaNDM-1 (21%, 12/57) followed by blaOXA-181 (16%, 9/57), blaGES-9 (n=8), blaOXA-23 (n=7), blaIMP-1 (n=3), blaGES-1 (n=11) and blaOXA-51 (n=9). The unusual presence of blaOXA-23 was seen in E. coli (n=4), and blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51 (IncA/C) in K. pneumoniae (n=3). Plasmid incompatibility (inc/rep) typing results showed that the plasmids carrying resistance genes (n=11) belonged to IncX, IncA/C, IncFIA-FIB and IncFIIA groups. E. coli and K. pneumoniae were able to transfer plasmid-borne carbapenemase via conjugation. This study highlights the prevalence of carbapenem resistance and the acquisition of plasmid-borne carbapenemase genes in Gram-negative bacteria highlighting the role of plasmid transfer in disseminating resistance.
Aminophosphonate mineralisation is a major step in the global oceanic phosphorus redox cycle
Authors: Murphy Andrew , Scanlan David , Chen Yin , Bottrill Andrew , Bending Gary , Hammond John , Wellington Elizabeth , Lidbury Ian
Published: December 2020

The planktonic synthesis of reduced organophosphorus molecules, such as alkylphosphonates and aminophosphonates, represents one half of a vast global oceanic phosphorus redox cycle. Whilst alkylphosphonates tend to accumulate in recalcitrant dissolved organic matter, aminophosphonates do not. Thus, we hypothesised unknown pathways for the uptake of aminophosphonates must exist in seawater. Here, we identify three novel bacterial 2-aminoethylphosphonate (2AEP) transporters, named AepXVW, AepP and AepSTU, whose expression is independent of phosphate concentrations (phosphate-insensitive). AepXVW, is found in diverse marine heterotrophs and is ubiquitously distributed in mesopelagic and epipelagic waters. Unlike the archetypal phosphate-regulated phosphonate binding protein, PhnD, the newly identified AepX is heavily transcribed (~100-fold>PhnD) in the global ocean independently of phosphate and nitrogen concentrations. Collectively, our data identifies a mechanism responsible for the oxidative step in the marine phosphorus redox cycle and suggests 2AEP may be an important source of regenerated phosphate, which is required for oceanic primary production.
Contrasting heat stress response patterns of coral holobionts across the Red Sea suggest distinct mechanisms of thermal tolerance
Authors: Voolstra Christian , Valenzuela Jacob , Turkarslan Serdar , Cardenas Anny , Hume Benjamin , Perna Gabriela , Buitrago-López Carol , Rowe Katherine , Orellana Monica , Baliga Nitin , Paranjabe Sumi , Banc-Prandi Guilhem , Bellworthy Jessica , Fine Maoz , Frias-Torres Sarah , Barshis Daniel
Published: December 2020

Corals from the northern Red Sea, in particular the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA), have exceptionally high bleaching thresholds approaching >5°C above their maximum monthly mean (MMM) temperatures. These elevated thresholds are thought to be due to historical selection, as corals passed through the warmer Southern Red Sea during re-colonization from the Arabian Sea. To test this hypothesis, we determined thermal tolerance thresholds of GoA versus Central Red Sea (CRS) Stylophora pistillata corals using the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) to run a series of standardized acute thermal stress assays. Relative thermal thresholds of GoA and CRS corals were indeed similar and exceptionally high (~7°C above MMM). However, absolute thermal thresholds of CRS corals were on average 3°C above those of GoA corals. To explore the mechanistic underpinnings, we determined gene expression response and microbiome dynamics of coral holobiont compartments. Transcriptomic responses differed markedly, with a strong response to the thermal stress in GoA corals versus a remarkably muted response in corals from the CRS. This pattern was recapitulated in the algal symbionts that showed site-specific genetic differentiation. Concomitant to this, a subset of coral and algal genes showed temperature-induced expression in GoA corals, while exhibiting fixed high expression, i.e. front-loading, in CRS corals. Bacterial community composition of GoA corals changed dramatically under heat stress, whereas CRS corals displayed consistent assemblages, indicating distinct microbial response patterns. Our work demonstrates distinct patterns underlying thermal tolerance across spatial scales, even for the same species and ocean basin. We interpret the response of GoA corals as that of a resilient population approaching a tipping point in contrast to a pattern of consistently elevated thermal resistance in CRS corals that cannot further attune. Such response differences suggest distinct thermal tolerance mechanisms that affect the response of coral populations to ocean warming.
Consent for the discontinuation of life-prolonging treatment in cancer patients: a retrospective comparative analysis before and after the enforcement of the Life Extension Medical Decision law
Authors: Chung YuJin , Beom JinHo , Lee JiEun , Park Incheol , Cho Junho
Published: December 2020

Background The Life Extension Medical Decision law enacted on February 4, 2018 in South Korea was the first to consider the suspension of nonsensical life-prolonging treatment, and its enactment raised big controversy in Korean society. However, there is no study on whether the actual life-prolonging treatment for patients has decreased after enforcing the law. This study aimed to compare the provision of patient consent before and after the enforcement of the law among cancer patients who visited a tertiary university hospital's emergency room to understand the effects of the law on cancer patients' clinical care. Methods This retrospective single cohort study included advanced cancer patients over 19 years of age who visited the emergency room at a tertiary university hospital. The two study periods were as follows: from February 2017 to January 2018 (before) and from May 2018 to April 2019 (after). The primary outcome was the average length of hospital stay. The consent rate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), intubation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were the secondary outcomes. Results The average length of hospital stay decreased after the law was enforced, from 4 days to 2 days (p= 0.001). The rates of direct transfers to secondary and nursing hospitals increased from 8.2% to 21.2% (p=0.001) and from 1.0% to 9.7%, respectively (p<0.001). The rate of provision of consent for admission to the ICU decreased from 6.7% to 2.3% (p=0.032). For CPR and CRRT, the rate of provision of consent decreased from 1.0% to 0.0% and from 13.9% to 8.8%, respectively, but the differences were not significant (p=0.226 and p=0.109, respectively). Conclusion According to previous research, for patients wishing only conservative treatment, the reduction in hospital stays at tertiary hospitals ultimately reduces the physical, emotional, financial burdens and also improves the quality of end-of-life at home or in a hospice facility. In this context, this research ultimately show that the purpose of the LEMD law has been achieved. Further research in several hospitals including those patients who completed the consent after hospitalization is needed to generalize the clinical implication of the LEMD law.
On-chip high-speed coherent optical signal receiver based on photonic spin-Hall effect
Authors: Lei Ting , Zhou Changyu , Wang Dawei , Xie Zhenwei , Cai Boyuan , Gao Shecheng , Xie Youpeng , Du Luping , Li Zhaohui , Zayats Anatoly , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: December 2020

The use of coherent optical signal processing in long-distance optical communication systems has dramatically increased data capacity enabling encoding of multiple-bit information in the amplitude and phase of a light beam. Direct detection of phase information of a high-speed modulated light remains challenging and requires an external, local oscillator for referencing, which is expensive for short-reach optical communications, for example, in datacenters. The availability of less complex integrated photonics devices for coherent signal detection would alleviate this bottleneck. On the other hand, phase information of coherent, orthogonally polarized light beams can be extracted from their polarization states and it is, therefore, possible to achieve phase measurements via fast polarization detection. Here we demonstrate an on-chip, high-speed coherent optical signal receiver enabled by spin-orbit coupling in Si-photonics circuitry. In a coherent communication experiment with up to 16 Gbaud/s rate, the high-speed quadrature phase-shift keying signals detected by a Si nanodisk based polarisation measurements at multiple wavelength in the C-band were recovered with a bit error rate below the forward error correction threshold. The proposed on-chip nanodisk coherent receiver shows promise in high-speed coherent optical communication applications where phase detection is required at low cost and small footprint.
Lack of association between vitamin D insufficiency and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection
Authors: Davoudi Alireza , Najafi Narges , arabi Mohsen , Tayebi Atefe , Nikaeen Roja , Izadyar Hamideh , Salar Zahra , Delavarian Leila , Vaseghi Narges , Daftarian Zahra , Ahangarkani Fatemeh
Published: December 2020

Background

A protective effect of vitamin D against COVID-19 is under investigation. We aimed to analyze the effect of vitamin D sufficiency on clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection.
Methods

In this retrospective study we analyzed the vitamin D levels of COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Razi Hospital (an infectious disease referral center in Mazandaran province in north of Iran) from February to March 2020. Overall, a cutoff point of 30 ng/mL was used for the definition of vitamin D sufficiency.
Results

153 patients were analyzed in this study who had laboratory documentation of a 25(OH) D level at the time of hospitalization. In total, 62.7% (n-=96) of the patients had a 25(OH) D level of less than 30 ng/mL and 37.25% (n = 57) had a 25(OH) D level of more than 30 ng/mL. In total, 49% (n = 75) of the patients suffered from at least one underlying disease. Vitamin D sufficiency was not associated with a statistically significant lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes of COVID-19 such as duration of hospitalization, lung involvement, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, invasive and non-invasive ventilation, the severity of disease or death.
Conclusions

Sufficient vitamin D levels were not found to be protective against adverse clinical outcomes in patients infected with COVID-19.
Corona children studies "Co-Ki": First results of a Germany-wide registry on mouth and nose covering (mask) in children
Authors: Schwarz Silke , Jenetzky Ekkehart , Krafft Hanno , Maurer Tobias , Martin David
Published: December 2020

Background: Narratives about complaints in children and adolescents caused by wearing a mask are accumulating. There is, to date, no registry for side effects of masks.Methods: At the University of Witten/Herdecke an online registry has been set up where parents, doctors, pedagogues and others can enter their observations. On 20.10.2020, 363 doctors were asked to make entries and to make parents and teachers aware of the registry. Results: By 26.10.2020 the registry had been used by 20,353 people. In this publication we report the results from the parents, who entered data on a total of 25,930 children. The average wearing time of the mask was 270 minutes per day. Impairments caused by wearing the mask were reported by 68% of the parents. These included irritability (60%), headache (53%), difficulty concentrating (50%), less happiness (49%), reluctance to go to school/kindergarten (44%), malaise (42%) impaired learning (38%) and drowsiness or fatigue (37%).Discussion: This world's first registry for recording the effects of wearing masks in children is dedicated to a new research question. The frequency of the registry’s use and the spectrum of symptoms registryed indicate the importance of the topic and call for representative surveys, randomized controlled trials with various masks and a renewed risk-benefit assessment for the vulnerable group of children: adults need to collecticely reflect the circumstances under which they would be willing to take a residual risk upon themselves in favor of enabling children to have a higher quality of life without having to wear a mask.
Metallomic Profile in Non-cirrhotic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Supports a Phenomenon of Metal Metabolism Adaptation in Tumor Cells
Authors: Cano Luis , Bertani Stéphane , Island Marie-Laure , Cerapio Juan Pablo , Ruiz Eloy , Pineau Pascal , Monbet Valérie , Boudjema Karim , Taxa Luis , Casavilca-Zambrano Sandro , Ropert Martine , Turlin Bruno , Loréal Olivier
Published: December 2020

Our group has previously described a particular form of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in non-cirrhotic liver (HCC-NC) developed in Peruvian patients Our aim is to analyze the HCC-NC from clinical-biological findings in two different cohorts (Peruvian and French) and the link with metallomic profile. Clinical, histopathological and also tumoral (T) and non-tumoral liver (NTL) samples of 38 Peruvian and 45 French patients were studied. Twelve metals were assayed using ICP/MS: Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Mo, Cd, Pb, and Sn. Possible associations between metals and survival were also evaluated. Overall, results show clearly differences between both cohorts. Mean age were 41 ± 20 and 68 ± 9 years-old for Peruvians and French, respectively. 80% of Peruvian patients were positive for the HBsAg, versus 9% in French patients. Metals concentrations were higher in the NTL of Peruvians (p < 0.05) compared to the French. In both cohort metal concentrations were lower in HCC areas compared to NTL, excepted for Cu for which mean concentration was increased in HCC (p < 0.05). Se concentration in HCC was associated with better survival only in Peruvians. Our data shows, in both HCC-NC cohorts, that the process of hepatic tumorigenesis impact similarity the metallomic profile in tumor.