bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Value of Serum Interleukins in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Nickavar Azar , Valavi Ehsan , Safaeian Baranak , Amoori Parisa , Moosavian Mostafa
Published: December 2020

Pro-inflammatory cytokines have been suggested in the pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), with conflicting results. This study was performed to identify alteration of different serum interleukins (ILs) in children with INS, and their predictive value in response to steroid treatment.
Three groups of children (27; steroid-sensitive INS, 21; steroid-resistant INS, and 19 healthy controls) with normal serum C3, negative serologic tests of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immune deficiency virus (HIV), and parasitic infections were included in this study. Serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and IL-18 were measured, using quantitative colorimetric sandwich ELISA kits. Children with secondary nephrotic syndrome, inflammations, systemic disorders, and chronic kidney disease were excluded.
The serum concentration of all ILs; except IL-13 and IL-18; was significantly higher in children with INS, compared with the healthy controls. Serum IL-2 had the highest sensitivity of (95.24%) in patients with INS. All of the serum ILs had acceptable accuracy in children with INS, compared with the control group. The serum concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 was significantly higher in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS), compared with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). All of these ILs had acceptable accuracy for the prediction of steroid response in patients with INS.
Our findings suggested the pathogenic role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with INS, of which IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were accurate biomarkers for the prediction of steroid response in these patients.
The Subject of Disciplinary Jurisdiction in Work Relations: Concentrated and Distributive Systems of Disciplinary Power
Authors:   Professor of the Department of Service and Labor Law of the Povolzhsky Institute of Management Named After P.A. Stolypin — Branch of the RANEPA LL.D., Associate Professor, Presnyakov Mikhail V. , Channov Sergey E ,   Head of the Department of Service and Labor Law of the Povolzhsky Institute of Management Named After P.A. Stolypin — Branch of the RANEPA LL.D., Professor
Published: December 2020

The article analyzes the distribution of powers to exercise disciplinary power in the public service between various subjects of disciplinary jurisdiction. The authors conclude that there are two approaches – concentrated and distributed systems of disciplinary power. At the same time, they identify the problems of using the first of these systems in quite large and numerous state bodies. In this regard, they formulate proposals for delineating the powers to impose specific disciplinary penalties on different types of public service, depending on the severity of the offense committed between different subjects of disciplinary jurisdiction.
The Meaning of the Principles of Proceedings in Administrative Offense Cases
Authors:   Senior Lecturer of the Department of State and Legal Disciplines of the Volga-Vyatka Institute (Branch) of the Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL) PhD (Law), Nobel Artem R.
Published: December 2020

The article provides a comparative analysis of views on the ways and forms of consolidating the principles. The position is substantiated that the objectification of the principles of proceedings on the cases of administrative offences in the legislation on administrative offenses is carried out through textual and semantic methods of normative expression. The author presents his own system of the principles of proceedings on the cases of administrative offences and substantiates their importance in determining the grounds for administrative responsibility, imposing a sentence, organizing production, evaluating the legality and validity of decisions taken as a result of the consideration of cases of administrative offenses and the review of decisions made on them.
The Administrative Procedure Regulation of Ensuring the Safety of the Circulation of Pharmaceuticals
Authors:   Chief Research Scientist of the Department of Administrative Law and Administrative Procedure of the Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences LL.D., Professor, Kobzar-Frolova Margarita N. , Shevyrev Dmitriy N. ,   Junior Research Scientist of the Department of Administrative Law and Administrative Procedure of the Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: December 2020

The activities of state and non-state institutions and organizations that form the health care system are aimed at improving the health of the population and are largely based on the quality and safety of drugs circulation. The study of regulatory legal acts, the implementation of which is focused on ensuring the safety of drug circulation, allowed the authors to reveal the essence of the concept of ensuring safety and its administrative and procedural nature
The Mechanism of the Legal Regulation of the Organization and Movement of Road Traffic (Priorities and Advantages Related to Participation in Road Traffic)
Authors:   Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation Adviser to the President of the Russian Association of Motor Insurers LL.D., Professor, Yakimov Aleksandr Yu.
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the consideration of important components of the mechanism of the legal regulation of the organization and implementation of road traffic. These include priorities, advantages associated with participation in road traffic, restrictions associated with participation in the specified process, and requirements for road users and vehicles. Based on the analysis of the provisions of the Traffic Rules of the Russian Federation and other regulations from the perspective of a systematic approach, the author examines the totality of these components and their interrelationships. The existing shortcomings of the legal regulation of the organization and implementation of road traffic are revealed. Taking into account the results obtained, proposals are formulated to improve the legal regulation mechanism under consideration.
Values and Education in the Roma Communities
Authors:   Dr. Psychologist, Președinte Asociaţia PRO ROMA, Romania, Herțanu Margareta
Published: December 2020

All over the world, the Roma continue to be shrouded in secrecy. Their way of life, habits, clothing, ornaments, etc. are aspects that remain unknown. Where do the Roma come from and what are they looking for in our country, how have they settled, are questions that most of the nations in which the Roma have settled, have asked themselves. Some have found the answers; others are still looking for them.
Beauty in Diversity – Our Special Children
Authors:   Preschool teacher, Grădiniţa cu Program Prelungit „Dumbrava Minunată”, Fieni, România, Valcea Catalina-Elena , Suditu Petruta-Raluca ,   Director /Preschool teacher, Grădiniţa cu Program Prelungit „Dumbrava Minunată”, Fieni, România, Popescu Daniela-Georgeta ,   Preschool teacher,Grădiniţa cu Program Prelungit „Dumbrava Minunată", Fieni, România
Published: December 2020

The integration of the children with disabilities is a strong point of our kindergarten, which wants to ensure a warm and welcoming space for all the pupils, irrespective of their functional diversity, so they can achieve individual and social growth through the journey of the preschool cycle. The true inclusive education happens from people and between people. Every teacher that works in any kindergarten or school must have the desire to accept the special children, to accept their uniqueness and respect their right to be different. Knowing how to grasp and enhance the differences between children is indispensable in an effective educational environment, capable of bringing up the motivation, the energy and the engine of learning and gaining new acquisitions. In order to be inclusive, we - teachers need to accept responsibility for special children learning and for their proper integration by using the most relevant methods and techniques, respecting every disabled child’s needs. Our daily activity needs to be based on an individualized, calibrated and detailed work plan, built in a strong connection with to the needs, potential and skills of each pupil. Being part of an international Erasmus+ Project and local partnerships on the subject, we become more skilled and opened in our work with special children and we strongly desire to spread our experience to our colleagues from Romania and Europe. We want to put an end to all the stories of non-acceptance in the educational systems.
Analysis of the Ways to Infiltrate Basketball Culture in Sports Basketball Training in Higher Vocational Colleges
Authors: Hu Xianghua
Published: December 2020

Cultural inheritance is one of the basic goals of education. In the physical education of higher vocational colleges, basketball culture, as an important part of culture, is also a part of education that should be inherited. At present, sports basketball training in higher vocational colleges is more of a single basketball skill teaching, focusing on the training of students' basketball skills and tactics. However, the teaching penetration of basketball culture is seriously insufficient, which is not conducive to the inheritance of basketball culture. It cannot play an active role in improving the basketball literacy of students in higher vocational colleges. In this regard, this article analyzes the connotation of basketball culture, combined with the current situation of basketball culture teaching in sports basketball training in higher vocational colleges, and explores the infiltration and development of basketball culture in sports basketball training in higher vocational colleges.
Research on the Development Path of Kindergarten-based Curriculum With Liangshan Yi Culture
Authors: Xiong Lijuan , Geng Hongye
Published: December 2020

As the tradition and wisdom of Yi people, Liangshan Yi culture is an important resource for kindergartens in Liangshan Yi area to develop curriculum. This article analyzes the educational value and development principles of Liangshan Yi culture integrated into kindergarten curriculum, and proposes a kindergarten curriculum development path that integrates Liangshan Yi culture from five aspects: theme activities, regional activities, environmental creation, life activities, and resources outside the kindergarten.
Research on the Current Situation of Development and Utilization of Marine Fishery Resources
Authors: Yang Chaojie , Yang Lixia , Li Jinling , Wu Enni , Su Ruo , Su Yue
Published: December 2020

Since the reform and open-up, China’s marine fishery has developed rapidly, but it has also caused some practical contradictions. The focus is on the contradictions between overfishing and depleted fishery resources, and the continuous decline of marine fishery resources. The environmental destruction of marine resources and the sanitation and safety of marine aquatic products restrict the sustainable development of marine fisheries in the future. This article discusses the current situation of the development and utilization of marine fishery resources in China, and proposes some optimization measures for marine management in view of the current difficulties faced by marine fisheries.
On Laws of Nature
Authors: Yu Yiwei
Published: December 2020

Natural laws are at the heart of contemporary academic studies. Yet, the basic question on what is accounted as a law is still open to debate among philosophers of science. This paper provides a survey on three representativephilosophical accounts of laws of nature —— the regularity (Humean) account, the necessitarian account by David Armstrong and the best system account of laws by David Lewis. By pointing out the disputes among these views whichstem from the dilemma pointed out by van Frassen – the tension between the problem of inference and the problem of identification, this paper provides a clear way to compare these accounts and a guidance for further research.
Discussion on the Application Strategy of "Live Class MOOC" in English Teaching
Authors: Dai Ningxi
Published: December 2020

With the rapid development of information technology and the popularization of Internet, traditional English teaching class has gradually exposed some shortcomings that cannot stimulate the enthusiasm and autonomy of contemporary students. Actively explore the application strategies of live class MOOC in English teaching can help to resolve this dilemma. This article analyzes the basic concepts, important significance and application strategy of live class MOOC in English teaching, which can help to improve the effectiveness of English teaching.
Exploring the Higher Vocational English Teaching Model under the Curriculum Ideological and Political System
Authors: Huang Hua
Published: December 2020

In higher vocational English education, in addition to cultivating students’ four basic English skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, teachers should also combine humanities and ideological and political education to cultivate students’ moral cultivation and basic political consciousness, so as to promote students’ moral, intellectual, physical, and comprehensive development of. This article analyzes the higher vocational English teaching mode under the curriculum ideological and political system, and proposes relevant measures and suggestions to improve the higher vocational English ideological and political education based on the actual problems, in order to play the function of higher vocational English teaching and educating people.
Theoretical Research and Technical and Tactical Practice of Basketball Teaching in Colleges
Authors: Huang Weifeng
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, colleges and universities in our country pay more and more attention to physical education. Basketball is one of the most popular sports in colleges and universities, and its teaching theory research and teaching reform have gradually become the key content of college physical education. This article first explains the current problems in college basketball teaching, and then puts forward some suggestions on how to improve the basic theoretical teaching level of college basketball, and analyzes the practical application of basketball techniques and tactics in colleges and universities in order to provide a broad range of college sports Teachers provide some useful suggestions in basketball teaching.
The Role of Tutors in College Students' Participation in Subject Competitions
Authors: Li Qingsong , Gao Huishan , Wen Qian , Li Yingchao
Published: December 2020

With the advancement of quality education and teaching reform in our country, subject competition has become one of the important ways to test the country and industry to test the reform and effectiveness of education and teaching in colleges and universities. The hard work of students and students in the subject competition is important, but the hard work and correct guidance of the instructor are also indispensable. The author combined his own team leadership experience to discuss from nine aspects including publicity and team formation, rules and interpretation, theory and practice, profession and interest, data and technology, topic and scope, appearance and performance, conclusion and reply, attitude and summary, etc. Provide instructors and participating college students with their own insights and experiences.
Investigation On The Application Of Japanese Culture Introduction In The Teaching Of Japanese In Two Foreign Languages
Authors: Yu Pei
Published: December 2020

The language is the carrier of a country's culture and represents the cultural expression of a country. It focus on the introduction of Japanese culture in the teaching of Japanese in colleges and universities, which is conducive to the effective development of Japanese teaching and helps students to improve the level of cross-cultural communication and the ability of Japanese application. This paper will firstly analyze the shortcomings of Japanese teaching in colleges and universities, explain the importance of cultural introduction to Japanese teaching, and finally put forward the application strategy of introducing Japanese culture into Japanese teaching in colleges and universities so that it can improve the quality and efficiency of Japanese teaching in colleges and universities.
Study on the Strategies of Ideological and Political Education for College Students in the New Era from the Perspective of Network Public Opinion
Authors: Wang Lu
Published: December 2020

With the development of network technology, the influence of "Internet public opinion" is also increasing. Based on its own openness, sharing and other characteristics, Internet public opinion will not only have a positive impact on the college student group, but also easily cause a negative impact on the college student group. In order to make better use of the positive effects of online public opinion, this article focuses on the two aspects of "problems in ideological and political education for college students in the new era" and "strategies for ideological and political education for college students in the new era from the perspective of online public opinion". The power of "public opinion" can better carry out the ideological and political education of college students in the new era.
Mineração de textos científicos: análise de artigos de periódicos científicos brasileiros da área de Ciência da Informação
Authors: Ferreira Márcio Henrique Wanderley , Correa Renato Fernandes
Published: December 2020

Este trabalho analisa artigos de periódicos científicos brasileiros da área de Ciência da Informação sobre a mineração de textos e descoberta de conhecimento em textos. Os artigos analisados são indexados pela Brapci ou Scielo e contêm os termos compostos mineração de texto ou descoberta de conhecimento nos metadados, além de abordarem especificamente a aplicação de técnicas de mineração de textos. A metodologia da pesquisa é de natureza exploratória, bibliográfica, e quali-quantitativa, pautada nos procedimentos de estudo métrico e análise de conteúdo. Como resultados, discute-se a distribuição temporal dos trabalhos, as entidades de afiliação dos autores, além de caracterizar os procedimentos metodológicos e resultados dos trabalhos relativos à mineração de textos científicos. Conclui-se que ao longo de 18 anos, 28 trabalhos foram publicados sobre a extração de conhecimento por meio da mineração de textos. Dentre estes, 13 tratam da mineração de textos científicos, dos quais nove tem natureza aplicada, sendo esses analisados mais profundamente.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF TRAUMA AND OPERATIONAL INTERVENTIONS FOR PROXIMAL FEMORAL FRACTURES
Authors: MAKEDONSKAYA Marina V. , Semikin Dmitry P. , Mordovin Sergey A. , Petrukhin Sergey A.
Published: December 2020

After surgery for proximal hip fractures, patient treatment takes long months. Given the features of the fracture, the age of the patient, the duration of treatment, the psychological state, as well as the presence of comorbidities, there is a problem of restoring limb function in the distant period after the injury. Aim : to analyze the long-term effects of osteosynthesis of proximal hip fractures in terms of limb function. Material and methods : we carried out assessment of presence of restriction of lower extremity function by analysis of expression of limitation of motion amplitude in hip joint of operated extremity and expression of post-traumatic hypotrophy of hip muscles. Results : we detected pronounced hypotrophy of the hip muscles in 19.7 % of cases, pronounced decrease in the amplitude of movements in the hip joint in 21 % of cases, in 3 % of cases hip ankylosis was formed. Conclusion . Based on the analysis, we can conclude that there is insufficient activation of patients after surgical treatment of proximal hip fractures, which can be associated with both objective and subjective causes.
Impact of Differential Privacy and Census Tract Data Source (Decennial Census Versus American Community Survey) for Monitoring Health Inequities
Authors: Krieger Nancy , Nethery Rachel C. , Chen Jarvis T. , Waterman Pamela D. , Wright Emily , Rushovich Tamara , Coull Brent A.
Published: December 2020

Objectives. To investigate how census tract (CT) estimates of mortality rates and inequities are affected by (1) differential privacy (DP), whereby the public decennial census (DC) data are injected with statistical “noise” to protect individual privacy, and (2) uncertainty arising from the small number of different persons surveyed each year in a given CT for the American Community Survey (ACS).

Methods. We compared estimates of the 2008–2012 average annual premature mortality rate (death before age 65 years) in Massachusetts using CT data from the 2010 DC, 2010 DC with DP, and 2008–2012 ACS 5-year estimate data.

Results. For these 3 denominator sources, the age-standardized premature mortality rates (per 100 000) for the total population respectively equaled 166.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 162.2, 170.6), 166.4 (95% CI = 162.2, 170.6), and 166.3 (95% CI = 162.1, 170.5), and inequities in the range from best to worst quintile for CT racialized economic segregation were from 103.4 to 260.1, 102.9 to 258.7, and 102.8 to 262.4. Similarity of results across CT denominator sources held for analyses stratified by gender and race/ethnicity.

Conclusions. Estimates of health inequities at the CT level may not be affected by use of 2020 DP data and uncertainty in the ACS data.
Assessment of Polymer-Induced Clogging Using Microfluidics
Authors: Sugar Antonia , Torrealba Victor , Buttner Ulrich , Hoteit Hussein
Published: December 2020

Polymers have been successfully deployed in the oil and gas industry in various field implementations, including mobility control in waterflood, flow divergence, and well conformance control. However, lab and field applications of polymer injections often encounter polymer-induced formation damage related to pore-throat clogging from polymer entrapments, leading to permeability reduction. This phenomenon manifests as a loss of injectivity, which can diminish the recovery performance. The polymer interaction mechanisms with porous rocks are not fully understood. In this work, we use microfluidics to assess formation clogging induced by polymer flood. Microfluidic techniques offer convenient tools to observe polymer flow behavior and transport mechanisms through porous media. The microfluidic chips were designed to mimic the pore-size distribution of oil-bearing conventional reservoir rocks, with pore throats ranging from 1 to 10 µm. The proposed fabrication techniques enabled us to transfer the design onto a silicon wafer substrate through photolithography. The constructed microfluidic chip, conceptually known as “reservoir-on-a-chip,” served as a 2D flow proxy. With this technique, we overcome the inherent complexity of the 3D aspects of porous rocks to study the transport mechanisms occurring at the pore scale. We performed various experiments to assess some mechanisms of polymer-rock interaction related to the sizes of the polymer molecules and pore throats. The polymer flow behavior was compared to that of the waterflood baseline. Our observations showed that prolonged injection of polymer solutions could clog pore throats of sizes larger than the measured mean polymer-coil size, which is consistent with lab and field observations. This finding highlights a limitation in some polymer screening workflows in the industry that suggest selecting the candidate polymers based solely on their molecular size and the size distribution of the rock pore throats. This work emphasizes the need for careful core-flood experiments to assess polymer entrapment mechanisms and their implication on short- and long-term injectivity.
Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China: Lessons Learned and Continuing Development
Authors: Guo Hu , Song Kaoping , Liu Shaopeng , Zhao Fengxiang , Wang Zhengbo , Xu Yang , Liu Jiangbin , Tang Engao , Yang Zhaopeng
Published: December 2020

Polymer flooding is one of the most promising chemical enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) techniques. It offers a high incremental-oil-recovery factor (IORF), low cost, and wide reservoir applicability. The first large commercial polymer-flooding application began in Daqing Oil Field and remains the largest polymer application in the world. However, encouraged by the success of previous field applications and new findings regarding the viscoelasticity of polymers in the reduction of residual oil saturation (ROS), high-concentration high-molecular-weight (MW) polymer-flooding (HCHMW) field tests have been conducted in many oil fields in China. Although some of these field tests in Daqing are well-documented, subsequent progress has seldom been reported. Moreover, recent references about the latest polymer-flooding applications in China reveal that HCHMW has only a limited application in Daqing. This is not in agreement with previous reports and expectations, especially given that viscoelasticity has been drawing increased attention. This paper explains why HCHMW is not currently widely used. New types of amphiphilic polymers are also field tested in China. Lessons learned from polymer-flooding practices in offshore reservoirs, heavy-oil reservoirs, and conglomerate reservoirs are given to help reduce risks and costs of polymer flooding in the low-oil-price era. EOR techniques in post-polymer-flooding reservoir field tests are also compared. In addition to providing useful information for engineers, this paper helps clarify some misconceptions—such as injecting the most viscous polymer possible—in polymer-flooding implementations, according to polymer-flooding practice in China. Annual oil production using polymer flooding as well as polymer utility factors (UFs) are given. Various technical parameters, such as polymer slug, viscosity, IORF, oil-increase factor (OIF), and water-cut decrease, are provided to better understand polymer-flooding evaluation as well economics.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus Supplementation Exerts A Synergistic Effect on Tacrolimus Efficacy by Restoring Th17/Treg Imbalance in Lupus-Prone Mice via the SIGNR3 Pathway
Authors: Kim Da Som , Park Youngjae , Choi Jeong-Won , Park Sung-Hwan , CHO MI-LA , Kwok Seung-Ki
Published: December 2020

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by tissue-binding autoantibodies and immune complexes. Tacrolimus (Tac), also known as FK506, is an immunosuppressant used in the treatment of lupus; however, it induces T-cell imbalances. Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) is reported to have therapeutic efficacy in immune-mediated diseases via T-cell regulation. This study investigated whether a combination therapy of LA and Tac improves the therapeutic efficacy of Tac by ameliorating T-cell imbalance in an animal model of SLE. Eight-week-old MRL/Mp-Faslpr (MRL/lpr) mice were orally administered with 5 mg/kg of Tac and/or 50 mg/kg of LA daily for 8 weeks. Caecal microbiota compositions, serum autoantibodies levels, the degree of proteinuria, histological changes in the kidney, and populations of various T-cell subsets in the spleen were analysed. Results: MRL/lpr mice presented with significant gut microbiota imbalances, which were subsequently recovered by the combination treatment of Tac and LA. Double negative T-cells, a pathogenic subset of T-cells, in the peripheral blood and spleens of MRL/lpr mice were significantly decreased by the combination therapy. The combination treatment also reduced serum levels of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies and immunoglobulin G2a, and renal pathology scores were markedly alleviated. The combination therapy induced Treg cells and decreased Th17 cells both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro treatment with LA induced the production of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, programmed death-ligand 1, and inerleukin-10, which was partially mediated by the induction of the specific intracellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing non-integrin homolog-related 3 (SIGNR3) receptor. Conclusions: The present findings indicate that LA augments the therapeutic effect of Tac and restores Th17/Treg balance in a murine model of lupus. Accordingly, the combination treatment of Tac with LA could be a promising therapeutic candidate for lupus.
Population Genetic of Anopheles Arabiensis Patton(Diptera: Culicidae) the Malaria Vector in the Republic of Sudan.
Authors: Mustafa Mashair , Jaal Zairi , Kashawa Sumia Abu , Nor Siti Azizah Mohd
Published: December 2020

Background Anopheles arabiensis is a member of An. gambiae complex and a main malaria vector in Sudan. There is no sufficient An. arabiensis population genetic data available an understanding of vector population structure and genetics are important to the malaria vector control programs. The objective of this investigation is to study the population structure, gene flow and isolation by distance among An. arabiensis for developing control strategies Methods Mosquitoes were collected from six sites in Sudan using pyrethrum spray catch of indoor resting mosquitoes. Anopheline mosquitos were identified morphologically and based on species specific nucleotide sequences in the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacers (IGS). Seven microsatellite loci published An. gambiae primers were used to amplify the DNA of An. arabiensis samples. Results PCR confirmed that An. arabiensis was the main malaria vector found in the six localities. Of the seven microsatellite loci utilized, six were found to be highly polymorphic across populations, with high allelic richness and heterozygosity with the remaining one being monomorphic. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations were found in 21 out of 42 tests in the six populations due to heterozygotes deficiency. Bayesian clustering analysis revealed two gene pools, grouping samples into two population clusters; one includes four and the other includes two populations. The genetic distances between pairs of populations ranged from 0.06 to 0.24. Significant F ST was observed between all An. arabiensis populations . Kr population indicated high genetic differentiation (F ST ranged from 0.17 to 0.24). High gene flow (Nm= 1.6–8.2) was detected between clusters. There was evidence of a bottleneck event in the Hj population. No isolation by distance pattern was detected among populations. Conclusions This study revealed low levels of population differentiation with high gene flow among six An. arabiensis populations in Sudan.
Assessment of Neuropsychological Function in Veterans with Blast-related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Sub-concussive Blast Exposure
Authors: Clausen Ashley N , Bouchard Heather C , Workgroup VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC , Welsh-Bohmer Kathleen A. , Morey Rajendra A
Published: December 2020

Objective: Nearly 20% of Veterans report deployment-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) with most deployment injuries stemming from blast exposure. While Veterans with TBI report cognitive complaints and may acutely display impaired neuropsychological performance, there is little evidence examining the effects of so-called sub-concussive blast exposure, which does not meet clinical symptom criteria for mild TBI during the acute period following exposure. We compared chronic effects of combat blast-related mild TBI and combat-related sub-concussive injuries on neuropsychological performance in Veterans.Methods: Post-9/11 Veterans with sub-concussive (n=33) and mild TBI (n=26) from combat-related blast-exposure in addition to and without control Veterans (n=33) without combat-related blast-exposure, completed neurocognitive assessments of intellectual and executive functioning, processing speed, response inhibition, and working memory via NIH toolbox. Veterans also completed assessment of current clinical psychopathology. The Quantification of Cumulative Blast Exposure was used to assess the number of blast exposure and their severity as well as non-blast-related head injuries. Veteran’s self-reported their history of non-blast head injuries and current medication. Huber Robust Regressions were employed to compare neuropsychological performance across groups. Results: Veterans with combat-related mild TBI and sub-concussive blast exposure displayed significantly poorer performance on measures of processing speed compared to controls. After adjusting for PTSD symptoms, those with combat-related mild TBI exhibited slower processing speed than controls; however, this result was not statistically significant after FDR correction.Conclusion: Veterans in the mild TBI group exhibited poorer processing speed and working memory relative to controls even when controlling for PTSD. However, cognition did not significantly differ between the sub-concussive and control groups or between sub-concussive and mild TBI groups. These results suggest that traditional cognitive assessment may not be sensitive enough to detect long-term effects of sub-concussive blast exposure.
LncRNA DUXAP8 promotes the progression of laryngeal cancer through targeting miR-384/ POU2F1 axis
Authors: Yan Zhanfeng , Wen Xiaohui , Dai Jinsheng , Liu Jinfeng , Hao Pengpeng , Wang Ningyu
Published: December 2020

Background

Laryngeal cancer is the highest incidence of head and neck cancers in the world. Increasing evidences have demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the progression of laryngeal cancer. Despite of the essential role of lncRNA DUXAP8 in many human cancers, its function and specific mechanisms in laryngeal cancer are poorly understood.
Methods

Differentially expression analysis of lncRNAs in GSE59652 dataset was performed by using limma package of R language. The expression of DUXAP8, miR-384 and candidate mRNAs was evaluated by qRT-PCR. Luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were performed to determine the direct correlation between DUXAP8, miR-384 and POU2F1. Cell proliferation of laryngeal cancer cell lines TU212 and TU177 cells was evaluated by using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and EdU staining assay. Xenograft tumor model in vivo and rescue experiments were performed to explore the function and mechanisms of DUXAP8 in laryngeal cancer.
Results

The expression of DUXAP8 in tumor tissues was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. High level of DUXAP8 was closely correlated to the worse prognosis of laryngeal cancer patients. Knockdown of DUXAP8 inhibited the proliferation of TU212 and TU177 cells in vitro, as well as tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, overexpression of POU2F1 significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of sh-DUXAP8 on cell proliferation of TU212 and TU177 cells. In addition, sh-DUXAP8 significantly decreased the expression of DUXAP8 and POU2F1, while increased miR-384 expression in tumor tissues compared with sh-NC group.
Conclusion

DUXAP8 acted as a sponge of tumor suppressor miR-384 and then upregulated POU2F1 expression, thereby promoted the development of laryngeal cancer. Our findings suggest that DUXAP8 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for laryngeal cancer.
MicroRNA Expression Signature and Target Prediction in Familial and Sporadic Primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Xiaogang Tan , Zhu Jie , Liang Cui
Published: December 2020

Background: Primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PMAH) is a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome, usually characterized by functioning adrenal macronodules and increased cortisol production.Methods: To screen and analyze the microRNA profile of PMAH, so as to elucidate the possible pathogenesis of the disease, MiRNA microarray was used to test the tissue samples from familial patients with PMAH , sporadic patients with PMAH and normal controls of other non-tumor adrenocortical tissues, to identify characteristic microRNAs expression signatures. Random selected miRNAs were validated by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the key signal pathways and miRNAs involved in PMAH pathogenesis were analyzed by gene ontology and pathway analysis.Results: Characteristic microRNA expression signatures were identified for familial patients with PMAH including 16 differentially expressed microRNAs and sporadic patients with PMAH including 8 differentially expressed microRNAs respectively. RT-PCR assay confirmed the chosed miRNAs expression, suggesting the high reliability of miRNA array. Pathway analysis showed that the most enriched pathway was renal cell carcinoma pathway. Overexpression of miR-17，miR-20a and miR-130b may be inhibit glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in the PMAH pathogenesis.Conclusion: We have identified the miRNA signature in in Familial and Sporadic patients with PMAH, The differentially expressed miRNAs may be involved in the mechanisms of PMAH pathogenesis. Specific miRNAs, such as miR-17，miR-20a and miR-130b may be new potential targets for further functional studies of PMAH.
Association of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-associated protein with prognosis in patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Chao , Tang Wenhao , Tu Yanyuan , Yuan Zurong , Wang Wei , Wu Zhaokun , Xiao Li , Gu Yan , Wang Weiyi
Published: December 2020

Background：Pancreatic cancer is difficult to cure and many factors influence patient prognosis, of which autophagy is a recent research hotspot, and GABARAP plays a key role in autophagy, which has been found to interfere with cancer cell survival and metastasis in a variety of tumours. In this study, we analysed the correlation between GABARAP and patient prognosis in pancreatic cancer, as well as its correlation with clinicopathological parameters and its impact on the efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients.Methods: The pancreatic tissues of 76 pancreatic cancer patients after R0 resection were screened according to the criteria, and the expression levels of GABARAP were determined by using immunohistochemistry (MaxVision) to label the pancreatic cancer tissues and normal pancreatic tissue around carcinoma in these two types of specimens, and the relationship between GABARAP and other factors and the disease-free and overall survival of patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment was evaluated by single factor survival analysis and Cox regression analysis.Results：The expression ratio of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissue was drastically higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue adjacent to cancer. Cox regression model evaluation showed that GABARAP and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were the overall survival of patients after radical pancreatic cancer Period independent prognostic indicators and both are protective factors for the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Further data analysis found that postoperative chemotherapy drastically increased the total patient Survival period in GABARAP-negative patients but had no drastically effect on the patient's relapse-free survival period.Conclusion: The expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues was drastically up-regulated, and patients with high expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues had better prognosis, but had no drastically effect on the relapse-free survival of patients after radical operation of pancreatic cancer. The expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues and Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is an independent indicator of patients' prognosis after radical pancreatic cancer resection. Both are protective factors. The high expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer may indicate that the adjuvant chemotherapy is low benefit.
Caracterização hidrogeoquímica do aquífero fissural no município de Uauá, Bahia - Brasil
Authors: Nascimento Sérgio , Gomes Maria Conceição , Ribeiro Ricardo
Published: December 2020

A área de estudo está situada no domínio hidrogeológico do embasamento cristalino fissural, sendo constituído predominantemente por gnaisses-migmatitos e intrusões máficas, inseridos na região semiárida do estado da Bahia que apresenta índice pluviométrico médio de 481 mm/ano. A salinização da água subterrânea é um problema de suma importância para a população do município de Uauá uma vez que não existem outras alternativas hídricas na região. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi estudar o processo de salinização da água subterrânea a partir dos seus cátions e aníons principais. Os processos que removeram e produziram os principais íons responsáveis pela salinização da água subterrânea são resultados da decomposição intempérica com troca iônica entre a água subterrânea e os minerais albita (Na), dolomita (Mg) e silicatos ferromagnesianos (Mg), calcita (Ca) e anortita (K). Cloretos provem principalmente das chuvas e das águas servidas que penetram no sistema de fraturamento. A alta concentração de todos as espécies estudadas é consequência das altas taxas de evapotranspiração e a baixa pluviosidade anual produzidas pelo clima semiárido da região. O modelamento geoquímico mostrou precipitações de CaCO3 e CaMgCO3 sob a forma de calcita, aragonita e dolomita, entretanto em alguns poços (28%) pode-se verificar a presença de HCO3- dissolvido quase sempre quando o pH é inferior a 8,0. Verificou-se a presença de Ca2+, Na+ e Cl- dissolvido em todos os poços estudados enquanto o Mg2+ foi verificado em 72% e o SO42- em 38%.
An Integrated Hardware and Software Application to Support Wound Measurement Using a 3D Scanner and Image Processing Techniques
Authors: Tassanavipas Kriangkrai , Natsupakpong Suriya
Published: December 2020

Aim:

To build wounds volume(3D) and area(2D) measuring system and device.

Background:

The measurement of the wound depth has been troublesome due to difficulty fo the procedures, physicians mostly avoid inspecting the wound depth as it could cause wound inflammation and infection.

Objective:

To build a contactless device for measuring wound volume and develop the system to support the wound treatment process which offers precise measurement and wound healing progression.

Methods:

Build a machine to control and stabilize 3D-scanner over the wound using a servo motor and apply the image processing technique to calculate the wound's area and volume. Comparing the machine accuracy by using Archimedes's principle testing with various wound model sizes, made from folding clay and pork rinds.

Results:

The device and system generate an error value of less than 15% which is within a satisfactory level.

Conclusion:

Knowing the wound depth is vital for the treatment, direct contact to the wound area can cause inflammation, infection, and increase time to heal. This device will help physicians to get more insight into the wound and improve the treatment plan for the patients.

There are certain limitations to be considered for future work. Firstly, different software components used in the image processing and estimation process could be integrated to enhance user experience. Secondly, it is possible to apply Machine Learning techniques to identify the wounded area on the wound image file.
Measuring the Urgency  of Asymmetric Local Elections (Pilkada) in Papua
Authors: Fatoni Agus
Published: December 2020

The local elections (Pilkada) had been implemented since 2005 in Papua, are deemed incapable of resolving problems. On the other hand, the direct local elections' political costs are not small, both from the state's budget and from the candidates to the regions. Implementing direct local elections sometimes creates ineffective governance, especially in areas that do not yet have a mature democracy. The ongoing local democratic system is also often colored by conflict. This research focuses on the urgency of the asymmetric regional election in Papua. This research will explain how important asymmetric local elections (Pilkada) is applied in Papua. Moreover, this study uses a library method and a qualitative approach. The results of this study found several reasons for direct local elections, not yet satisfactory results. Democratization in Papua is still not well consolidated. This research concludes that the warning to hold asymmetric local elections in Papua needs to be considered. However, these choices are not final—contemporary decisions in preparing communities' political and social structures.
Salário e Relações Humanas no Trabalho
Authors: De Almeida Carneiro Ennor
Published: December 2020

Em conclusão, para manter relações humanas harmoniosas no trabalho, é indispensável cooperação entre empregados e empregadores, ambos conscientes da dependência recíproca que os associa. Os acordos coletivos são a mesa-redonda onde se reconciliam interêsses em conflito e se firmam alianças honestas e duradouras.
Wearables in the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What Are They Good for? (Preprint)
Authors: Bent Brinnae , Dunn Jessilyn P
Published: December 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Recently, companies such as Apple Inc, Fitbit Inc, and Garmin Ltd have released new wearable blood oxygenation measurement technologies. Although the release of these technologies has great potential for generating health-related information, it is important to acknowledge the repercussions of consumer-targeted biometric monitoring technologies (BioMeTs), which in practice, are often used for medical decision making. BioMeTs are bodily connected digital medicine products that process data captured by mobile sensors that use algorithms to generate measures of behavioral and physiological function. These BioMeTs span both general wellness products and medical devices, and consumer-targeted BioMeTs intended for general wellness purposes are not required to undergo a standardized and transparent evaluation process for ensuring their quality and accuracy. The combination of product functionality, marketing, and the circumstances of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have inevitably led to the use of consumer-targeted BioMeTs for reporting health-related measurements to drive medical decision making. In this viewpoint, we urge consumer-targeted BioMeT manufacturers to go beyond the bare minimum requirements described in US Food and Drug Administration guidance when releasing information on wellness BioMeTs. We also explore new methods and incentive systems that may result in a clearer public understanding of the performance and intended use of consumer-targeted BioMeTs.