bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ekstrakurikuler Baca Tulis Al-Qur’an Pada Siswa Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus
Authors: Sari Nisa Maya , Mahfudh Mahfudh
Published: January 2021

Inclusive school is a school that combines children with special needs with other normal children in one class and this school was implemented in Kediri two years ago SMPN 05 Kediri. In order to make it easier for children with special needs to understand the teachings of Islam at school, the school organizes extracurricular writing the Qur'an every Thursday. This study uses qualitative research methods with a case study approach because researchers want to see and understand directly how the extracurricular process is carried out. Data collection techniques, researchers used interviews, observation and documentation. With this extracurricular, children with special needs little by little can already recognize the Hijaiyah letters and read the book Iqra.

 

Sekolah inklusi merupakan sekolahan yang menggabungkan anak berkebutuhan khusus dengan anak normal lainnya dalam satu kelas dan sekolahan ini sudah terlaksana di Kediri dua tahun yang lalu SMPN 05 Kediri,. Agar anak berkebutuhan khusus lebih mudah memahami pelajaran agama Islam di sekolah, pihak sekolah mengadakan ekstrakurikuler bca tulis Al-Qur’an setiap hari kamis. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus, karena peneliti ingin melihat dan memahami secara langsung bagaimana proses ekstrakurikuler tersebut terlaksana. Teknik pengumpulan data, peneliti menggunakan wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi.  Dengan adanya ekstrakurikuler ini, anak berkebutuhan khusus sedikit demi sedikit sudah bisa mengenal huruf Hijaiyah dan membaca buku Iqra
Upaya Meningkatkan Prestasi Belajar Siswa Pada Mata Pelajaran Aqidah Akhlak Melalui Pendekatan Contextual Teaching And Learning
Authors: Istiqomah Hascita
Published: January 2021

This study aims to improve student achievement in Aqeedah Akhlak through the Contextual Teaching and Learning approach. This research is a class action research carried out in two cycles in the first cycle conducted 2 meetings while in the second cycle conducted 1 meeting. Each cycle consists of planning, implementing actions, observing and reflecting. Data on student learning pest obtained through student test results at the end of cycle I and cycle II, the results of learning activities are seen by racing on the guidelines for student activity observation sheets and teacher activities. The indicator of the success of this study is to improve student learning achievement in the subject of aqidah moral through the Contextual Teaching and Learning approach. Seen at an average value of 86.31 with a classical completeness percentage of 89.43%. The application of the Contextual Teaching and Learning approach can improve student achievement in class III MI Assa'adah Labuapi District, West Lombok Regency Academic Year 2017/2018.

 

[Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkann prestasi belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran Aqidah Akhlak melalui pendekatan Contextual Teaching and Learning(CTL). Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) yang di laksanakan dalam dua siklus pada siklus I dilakukan 2 pertemuan sedangkan pada siklus II dilakukan 1 pertemuan. Masing-masing siklus terdiri dari tahap perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi dan refleksi. Data pestasi belajar siswa di peroleh melalui hasil tes siswa pada akhir siklus I dan siklus II, hasil aktivitas kegiatan pembelajaran dilihat dengan berpacu pada pedoman lembar observasi aktivitas siswa dan aktivitas guru. Indikator keberhasilan penelitian ini yaitu meningkatkan prestasi belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran aqidah akhlak melalui pendekatan Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL). Dilihat pada nilai rata-rata 86,31 dengan presentase ketuntasan klasikal yaitu 89,43%.Penerapan pendekatan Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar siswa kelas III MI Assa’adah Kecamatan Labuapi Kabupaten Lombok Barat Tahun Ajaran 2017/2018]
Program Kemandirian Guru Dalam Meningkatkan Kepercayaan Masyarakat
Authors: Muslimin Muslimin , Ubaidila Syafik
Published: January 2021

This type of research is descriptive qualitative. According to Kirt and Miller in his book Lexy J. Moleong, "Qualitative research is that researchers have studied the phenomena studied by natural settings. Therefore, the data raised in the form of description with words, both oral and written language. While the data collection method uses observation, interviews / interviews and documentation. Then analyzed using descriptive / data exposure. From the results of data exposure, research findings and discussion can be seen that: {1} the increase in teacher independence in MI Al Munir Gadungan Village is seen in several activities, namely [a] through preparation of learning by preparing RPP in accordance with applicable SK and KD, [b] increase teacher creativity in developing learning strategies. [c] teacher creativity in choosing and using learning methods ,. [d] The creativity of the teacher in selecting and using learning media is very important to do, [e] the creativity of the teacher in class management. Classroom management with preventive and curative techniques, [f] teacher creativity in assessment; and [g] teacher creativity in improvement and enrichment programs. {2} The factors that support and hinder the teacher's personality improvement program.

 

[Jenis penelitian ini adalah kualitatif diskriptif. Menurut Kirt dan Miller dalam bukunya Lexy J. Moleong, “penelitian kualitiatif adalah udaha peneliti mendalami fenomena yang diteliti dengan seting natural. Karena itu, data yang dimunculkan berupa diskripsi dengan kata, bahasa baik lisan maupun tulisan. Sedangkan metode pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, wawancara/ interview dan dokumentasi. Kemudian dianalisis menggunakan deskriptif / paparan data. Dari hasil paparan data, temuan penelitian dan pembahasan dapat diketahui bahwa:  {1} peningkatan kemandirian guru di MI Al Munir Desa Gadungan terlihat dalam beberapa kegaitan yaitu [a] melalui persiapan permbelajaran dengan penyusunan RPP sesuai dengan SK dan KD yang berlaku, [b] meningkatkan kreativitas guru dalam mengembangkan strategi pembelajaran. [c] kreativitas guru dalam memilih dan menggunakan metode pembelajaran,. [d] Kreativitas guru dalam memilih dan menggunakan media pembelajaran sangat penting untuk dilakukan, [e] kreativitas guru dalam pengelolaan kelas. Pengelolaan kelas dengan teknik preventif dan kuratif, [f] kreativitas guru dalam penilaian; dan [g] kreatifitas guru dalam program perbaikan dan pengayaan. {2} Faktor yang mendukung dan menghambat program peningkatan kepribadian guru]
Pendidikan Spiritual Dalam Tradisi Istighosah Santri Pondok Pesantren Al Mahrusiyah III Ngampel
Authors: Hasim Fuad , Nurfalah Yasin
Published: January 2021

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui bagaimana pendidikan spiritual dalam tradisi istighotsah santri Pondok Pesantren HM Al-Mahrusiyah III Ngampel. Pendidikan spiritual merupakan pendidikan yang menanamkan rasa cinta kepada Alloh di dalam hati seseorang yang menjadikannya mengharap ridho Alloh, baik di setiap ucapan, perbuatan, sikap dan tingkah laku. Itighotsah merupakan pengharapan adanya pertolongan dari Alloh, karena Alloh lah yang maha penolong segalanya dan hanya Alloh yang maha mengabulkan atas segala macam kebutuhan manusia yang menjadi keinginan serta kebutuhannya.  Pada penelitian ini penulis menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif diskriptif yang beranjak ari dua pertanyaan, yaitu ; 1) Bagaimana Proses Kegiatan Istighotsah 2) Bagaimana Perubahan Spiritual yang Dirasakan Setelah Mengikuti Istighotsah. Dengan adanya pertanyaan yang menjadi rumusan masalah tersebut, peneliti memperoleh hasil sebagai berikut: 1) Tahap pra istighotsah, dilakukan pengoprakan. Tahap istighotsah, ada tiga bagian didalamnya, pertama Muqodimah, yaitu sholat sunat Tasbih, Witir dan Hajat. Kedua Isi, yaitu tawashul, tahlil dan membaca dzikir. Ketiga Penutup, membaca Hisbus Salamah, Hisbun Nasar dan do’a istighotsah. Tahapan pasca istighotsah. Melaksanakan sholat subuh berjama’ah. 2)  menenangkan jiwa, karena di dalamnya terdapat hal-hal yang mendatangkan ketenangan, seperti sholat sunat, dzikrullah dalam pembacaan tahlil, tahmit, tasbih, takbir dan sholawat.
Certification of a Pilot with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Authors: Jagathesan Tania , OBrien Michael , Rattray Alexander
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a rare hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. This is a report of a pilot with this condition with a discussion of the challenges for the regulator in the assessment for medical certification of pilots with a neurological disability.CASE
REPORT: A pilot with CMTX1 declared his condition to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority when his brother was diagnosed with the same condition. Apart from high arched feet and some difficulty playing sports, he had no problems until his mid-forties, when he very slowly developed
increasing weakness with foot dorsiflexion and later wasting and weakness of the small hand muscles. He reported no problems with any flying activity. On clinical examination, it seemed likely that the disability would have an impact on his ability to undertake all the flying tasks of a commercial
pilot, including those required in emergencies.DISCUSSION: A modified Medical Flight Test (MFT) specifically tailored by the regulator to test areas of functional impairment allowed the successful certificatory assessment of a pilot with this condition; an approach which could apply
to any pilot with a rare neurological disability.Jagathesan T, OBrien M, Rattray A. Certification of a pilot with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(2):124126.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Hypogravity Simulation
Authors: Sriharan Sindujen , Kay Gemma , Lee Jimmy C.Y. , Pollock Ross D. , Russomano Thais
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND: Limited research exists into extraterrestrial CPR, despite the drive for interplanetary travel. This study investigated whether the terrestrial CPR method can provide quality external chest compressions (ECCs) in line with the 2015 UK resuscitation guidelines during
ground-based hypogravity simulation. It also explored whether gender, weight, and fatigue influence CPR quality.METHODS: There were 21 subjects who performed continuous ECCs for 5 min during ground-based hypogravity simulations of Mars (0.38 G) and the Moon (0.16 G), with Earths
gravity (1 G) as the control. Subjects were unloaded using a body suspension device (BSD). ECC depth and rate, heart rate (HR), ventilation (VE), oxygen uptake (Vo2), and Borg scores were measured.RESULTS: ECC depth was lower in 0.38 G (42.9 9 mm) and 0.16
G (40.8 9 mm) compared to 1 G and did not meet current resuscitation guidelines. ECC rate was adequate in all gravity conditions. There were no differences in ECC depth and rate when comparing gender or weight. ECC depth trend showed a decrease by min 5 in 0.38 G and by min 2 in 0.16 G. Increases
in HR, VE, and Vo2 were observed from CPR min 1 to min 5.DISCUSSION: The terrestrial method of CPR provides a consistent ECC rate but does not provide adequate ECC depths in simulated hypogravities. The results suggest that a mixed-gender space crew of varying
bodyweights may not influence ECC quality. Extraterrestrial-specific CPR guidelines are warranted. With a move to increasing ECC rate, permitting lower ECC depths and substituting rescuers after 1 min in lunar gravity and 4 min in Martian gravity is recommended.Sriharan S, Kay G, Lee
JCY, Pollock RD, Russomano T. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hypogravity simulation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(2):106112.
A Framework for Multinational Medical Support for the International Space Station: A Model for Exploration
Authors: Doarn Charles R. , Polk James D. , Grigoriev Anatoli , Comtois Jean-Marc , Shimada Kazuhito , Weerts Guillaume , Dervay Joseph P. , Taddeo Terrance A. , Sargsyan Ashot
Published: January 2021

INTRODUCTION: In the 1990s, Canada, member states of the European Space Agency, Japan, the Russian Federation, and the United States entered into an international agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station. Among the many unique infrastructure challenges,
partners were to develop a comprehensive international medical system and related processes to enable crew medical certification and medical support for all phases of missions, in a framework to support a multilateral space program of unprecedented size, scope, and degree of integration. During
the Shuttle/Mir Program, physicians and specialized experts from the United States and Russia studied prototype systems and developed and operated collaborative mechanisms. The 1998 NASA Memoranda of Understanding with each of the other four partners established the Multilateral Medial Policy
Board, the Multilateral Space Medicine Board, and the Multilateral Medical Operations Panel as medical authority bodies to ensure International Space Station (ISS) crew health and performance. Since 1998, the medical system of the ISS Program has ensured health and excellent performance of
the international crewsan essential prerequisite for the construction and operation of the ISSand prevented mission-impacting medical events and adverse health outcomes. As the ISS is completing its second decade of crewed operation, it is prudent to appraise its established medical framework
for its utility moving forward in new space exploration initiatives. Not only the ISS Program participants, but other nations and space agencies as well, concomitant with commercial endeavors in human spaceflight, can benefit from this evidence for future human exploration programs.Doarn
CR, Polk JD, Grigoriev A, Comtois J-M, Shimada K, Weerts G, Dervay JP, Taddeo TA, Sargsyan A. A framework for multinational medical support for the International Space Station: a model for exploration. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(2):129134.
The Political Role of Philippine Children and Young People as Represented in Youth Fiction
Authors: Faire Rita
Published: January 2021

Lualhati Bautista's Dekada '70 (1983) is a mainstay of Philippine high school reading. It tells the story of Amanda Bartolome and her five sons during the titular decade as they live under the shadow of Martial Law. And while youth activism is at the core of Dekada's narrative, existing scholarship on the book does not adequately reflect this. This article begins the work of addressing this gap by identifying schemas of Filipino children's and young people's participation in the socio-political sphere through the characters of the Bartolome brothers and reading them through the lens of Diane M. Rodgers's typology of children as social movement participants.
Children's Literature as a Front in the War on Terror: Ineffective Policy, Ineffective Literature
Authors: Austin Sara , Wainscott Ann Marie
Published: January 2021

Morocco is often praised for its proactive and innovative CVE (countering violent extremism) programme. This article analyses a three-part Arabic-language book series, Maʿ Naṣir wa Basma [With Nasir and Basma], produced by an organ of the Moroccan religious bureaucracy, the Mohammedan League of Religious Scholars, that ostensibly seeks to discourage adolescents from being susceptible to recruitment to VE (violent extremist) organisations. Starring two young Moroccan children, these books portray jihadists as old, ridiculous, or inept and the main characters as in need of protection by a paternalistic state, leaving children, especially young men, underprepared for the recruiting efforts of such organisations. The books emphasise state intervention over child action, suggesting the books are directed more at Western investors in need of reassurance than at children, supporting the critique made by some observers that CVE is more about security theatre than preventing violence.
Ethical standards for distribution of Covid-19 relief aid
Authors: Kabuk Vincent Stephen
Published: January 2021

The surge of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) brought both physical and mental anguish to humanity. It has claimed lives within a short period more than any phenomenon the world had ever witnessed throughout history. The pandemic has exerted direct consequences on the social and economic lives of the globe. These make the whole world live in continuous trepidation. As the entire human race is hopeful of eradicating the menace, humanitarian measures are put in place to promote people's welfare and happiness by providing material and logistic assistance to those in need. Indeed, there has been a tremendous response to the global call to ameliorate the pandemic's general human suffering. Nonetheless, the distribution patterns of the relief aid in countries like Nigeria has raised a lot of concerns, where a more significant chunk of the target group has not benefited from the relief aid considering the considerable amount claimed to have been shared by the government. As a result of this, the paper considers certain egalitarian principles that will serve as regularizing parameters in the distribution of COVID-19 relief aid.
”Du har skött dig bra”: Återkoppling inom arbetsplatsförlagt lärande utifrån yrkeselevers upplevda läroplan
Authors: Wyszynska Johansson Martina
Published: January 2021

The article examines upper secondary students’ experiences of assessment in workplace-based learning. The research question is how the students express their self-experienced progression through their participation in feedback in workplaces. In a focus group interview study, 70 students from the Child and Recreation Programme in 10 Swedish schools participated when they were halfway through their education. Four themes emerged as the students reconciled and bridged over the discontinuities between assessment in school and in workplace-based learning. These comprised making sense of 1) explicit and 2) inconspicuous feedback, 3) a suitability for the job, and 4) a vocational attitude that was childcare or customer-oriented. The students engaged in self-assessment directed at open-ended goals of personal self-discovery and in relation to people-cantered service occupations. In line with the findings, a more generous and encompassing or divergent view of assessment of vocational becoming in workplace-based learning is advocated.
INFLUENCE OF STOCHASTIC FACTORS ON THE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF TRANSPORT FLOWS. PART 2
Authors:   Priazovskyi State Technical University, Burlakova Galina , Ganzheev Dmitry ,   Priazovskyi State Technical University
Published: January 2021

The article describes the existing problems of uncertainty in the system of operational redistribution of traffic flows, considers stochastic factors that are different in nature and features of the effect on the transport system, which require consideration in the operational management of traffic flows, as well as the features of their influence on the short-term state of the transport system. A simplified classification of stochastic factors is given, algorithms for the connection of these factors with each other and with indicators that are already taken into account by the management system are given, the nature of the influence is indicated. Statistical data samples are analyzed and the basics of methods for working with them are indicated. For the most common stochastic factors, such as the number of traffic accidents on city road networks and weather and climatic features of the region, methods for generating graphic materials and mathematical approximations are proposed, and formulas for calculating some random variables are recommended, including using limits in the framework of the phase theory of traffic flows. Cartograms with the help of which it is possible to establish stochastic dependences of climatic changes and changes in the ecological state by the example of Mariupol are given. It is proposed for practical use a detailed block diagram of identifying stochastic factors, the formation of information arrays, their analysis and the supply of control signals to the operational management system. The diagram shows a clear differentiation of the primary and secondary stochastic data arrays, and their recommended links to the operational process control system of the transport process are indicated. Using the stated theoretical foundations, it becomes possible to increase the efficiency of the city’s transport system by optimizing the processes of the operational redistribution of traffic flows on the road network and making changes to short-term planning processes. Keywords: stochastic factors, road transport, traffic flow, transport system, transport planning, management, regulation.
THE SECOND STANDARD ON VISCOUS PETROLEUM ROAD BITUMENS: ITS CONTENT AND PERSPECTIVE
Authors:   the Department of Technology of Road-Construction Materials Kharkov National Automobile and Highway University, Zolotaryov Viktor , Pyrig Yan ,   the Department of Technology of Road-Construction Materials Kharkov National Automobile and Highway University, Galkin Andrey ,   the Department of Technology of Road-Construction Materials Kharkov National Automobile and Highway University
Published: January 2021

The first Ukrainian standard ДСТУ 4044 “Viscous petroleum road bitumens. Technical conditions” was implemented in 2002. According to its content and list of indicators, it met the level of the oil refining industry of Ukraine and the state of the road industry. In addition to conventional indicators, it included additional indicators of adhesion and mass content of paraffins. The indicator for paraffin remained unregulated, because there was neither acceptable method nor necessary equipment, and in generally an intention of manufacturers and users to apply it. The standard referred to in the article differs from the previous one by the principle of assigning indicators and their list. This is largely due to Ukraine’s accession to the European Free Trade Association and the deepening of scientific knowledge on predicting the behavior of bitumen under different conditions and their impact on the properties of asphalt concrete. Accordingly, the limits of normalization of bitumen grades on the depth of needle penetration were changed, which led to an increase in amount of grades from 4 to 5. Using the dependence of the penetration index on the softening point temperature, its new normative values are ordered. The Fraas breaking temperature provided by the standard is slightly lower than that normalized EN 12591 which is due the climatic conditions of Ukraine. The rate of adhesion of bitumen to the surface is normalized, which quantitatively characterizes the adhesion of bitumen to the mineral substrate, the least favorable for interaction. It is proposed to determine the indicators of technological aging by the RTFOT method. The standard contains additional indicators to be determined according to the harmonized European standards ДСТУ EN 12607-1 and ДСТУ EN 13302 (methods for determining the dynamic viscosity). Additional standards include equal viscous heating temperatures of bitumen in the production of asphalt mixtures and their compaction. The first is the temperature, which corresponds to a bitumen viscosity of 0.5 Pas, the second is 10 Pas. Elongation at a temperature of 0 ºC is included in the standard as a certain analogue of the breaking temperature. Based on the fact that at this time the next European standard is in the final stage before approval, the values of additional indicators can be included into this standard after adjusting their values with European ones based on the characteristics of bitumen used in Ukraine. Keywords: bitumen, depth of needle penetration, softening point temperature, adhesion, ductility, cohesion, heating.
Hospitalization and Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure Treated With Sacubitril/Valsartan vs. Enalapril: A Real-World, Population-Based Study
Authors: Pathadka Swathi , Yan Vincent K. C. , Li Xue , Tse Gary , Wan Eric Y. F. , Lau Hayden , Lau Wallis C. Y. , Siu David C. W. , Chan Esther W. , Wong Ian C. K.
Published: January 2021

Background: The effect of sacubitril/valsartan on survival and hospitalization risk in older patients with heart failure has not been explored. We aimed to investigate the risk of hospitalization and mortality with the use of sacubitril/valsartan vs. enalapril in patients with heart failure.

Methods: This was a population-based cohort study using the Hong Kong-wide electronic healthcare database. Patients diagnosed with heart failure and newly prescribed sacubitril/valsartan or enalapril between July 2016 and June 2019 were included. The risk of primary composite outcome of cardiovascular mortality or heart failure-related hospitalization, all-cause hospitalization, heart failure-related hospitalization, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality were compared using Cox regression with inverse probability treatment weighting. Additional analysis was conducted by age stratification.

Results: Of the 44,503 patients who received sacubitril/valsartan or enalapril, 3,237 new users (sacubitril/valsartan, n = 1,056; enalapril, n = 2,181) with a diagnosis of heart failure were identified. Compared with enalapril, sacubitril/valsartan users were associated with a lower risk of primary composite outcome [hazard ratio (HR) 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45–0.75], heart failure-related hospitalization (HR 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45–0.77), all-cause mortality (HR 0.51; 95% CI, 0.36–0.74) and borderline non-significant reductions in all-cause hospitalization (HR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.70–1.04) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.63; 95% CI, 0.39–1.02). The treatment effect of sacubitril/valsartan remains unaltered in the patient subgroup age ≥ 65 years (73%).

Conclusions: In real-world settings, sacubitril/valsartan was associated with improved survival and reduced heart failure-related hospitalization compared to enalapril in Asian patients with heart failure. The effectiveness remains consistent in the older population.
Identification of Protein Subcellular Localization With Network and Functional Embeddings
Authors: Pan Xiaoyong , Li Hao , Zeng Tao , Li Zhandong , Chen Lei , Huang Tao , Cai Yu-Dong
Published: January 2021

The functions of proteins are mainly determined by their subcellular localizations in cells. Currently, many computational methods for predicting the subcellular localization of proteins have been proposed. However, these methods require further improvement, especially when used in protein representations. In this study, we present an embedding-based method for predicting the subcellular localization of proteins. We first learn the functional embeddings of KEGG/GO terms, which are further used in representing proteins. Then, we characterize the network embeddings of proteins on a protein–protein network. The functional and network embeddings are combined as novel representations of protein locations for the construction of the final classification model. In our collected benchmark dataset with 4,861 proteins from 16 locations, the best model shows a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.872 and is thus superior to multiple conventional methods.
Morphological and Molecular Assessments of Bobtail Squids (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae) Reveal a Hidden History of Biodiversity
Authors: Fernández-Álvarez Fernando Á. , Sánchez Pilar , Villanueva Roger
Published: January 2021

Molecular species delimitation assists taxonomic decisions for challenging species, like cryptic species complexes. Bobtail squids (Family Sepiolidae Leach, 1817) are a very diverse group of benthic and nektonic small to medium size cephalopods with many taxonomic questions to solve. In this study we provided new sequence data for 12 out 17 Mediterranean bobtail squid species including all the genera present i n the area. Other relevant species from other parts of the world were used as comparison. The combined use of several molecular species delimitation methods consistently showed a picture of hidden biodiversity within this family which hinders the use of molecular data isolated from morphological characters. On the one hand, those methods provided contrasting results for the number of recognized species of some morphologically well-defined species. We suggest this can be an effect of recent speciation phenomena followed by an intense morphological drift. On the other hand, cryptic biodiversity was detected among members of several monophyletic clades assigned to the same nominal species, pointing to recent speciation phenomena without a parallel morphological evolution. Although Mediterranean bobtail diversity has been extensively studied for more than a century, a new species ofStoloteuthisVerrill (1881) was discovered and described here, both using molecular and morphological methods. This new research stresses the necessity of combined morphological and molecular studies to correctly assess cephalopod diversity. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:57AFBB38-18EA-4F80-B1D4-73519C12694F.
The Everyday Life of Patients With Tuberculosis in the Concentration Camp of Mittelbau-Dora (1943–1945)
Authors: Kiosze Philipp , Steger Florian
Published: January 2021

The everyday life of patients with tuberculosis in the main prisoner infirmary of the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp is analyzed historically-critically by medical records, documents of the Schutzstaffel (SS) physicians, contemporary medical textbooks and memoirs of former inmates from partly international archives. To compare the medical treatment in the three phases of the concentration camp, the representative months of February 1944, July 1944 and January 1945 were examined. The analysis shows that SS hygienists inspected the place for fear of a collapse of the V-2 rocket production. The primitive medical infrastructure was slowly expanded after its founding in 1943. SS physicians and medics led and supervised the treatment provided by inmates. These were in an ethical dilemma between cooperation with the SS and commitment to the sick prisoners. The Tuberculosis Department was used for isolation. Sputum diagnostics and X-ray equipment were utilized as selection tools. Infectious patients laid usually for weeks in the same bed with two other patients. Significantly more resources were available, however, for non-infectious tuberculosis patients. The therapy was based on the medical expert opinion of the time and was mainly symptomatic such as fever reduction. Rest and vitamins should make prisoners fit for the armament industry. Patients with tuberculosis had a high death rate. The prisoners who survived were discharged, but often did not recover. Several thousand prisoners were selected for transports, which led to special concentration camps for seriously ill prisoners (Lublin-Majdanek, Bergen-Belsen) and the subcamp Boelcke-Kaserne. There, they often died of catastrophic conditions or were killed.
Assessment of Behavioral Characteristics With Procedures of Minimal Human Interference in the mdx Mouse Model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Engelbeen Sarah , Aartsma-Rus Annemieke , Koopmans Bastijn , Loos Maarten , van Putten Maaike
Published: January 2021

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene resulting in loss of functional dystrophin protein. The muscle dystrophin isoform is essential to protect muscles from contraction-induced damage. However, most dystrophin isoforms are expressed in the brain. In addition to progressive muscle weakness, many DMD patients therefore also exhibit intellectual and behavioral abnormalities. The most commonly used mouse model for DMD, the mdx mouse, lacks only the full-length dystrophin isoforms and has been extensively characterized for muscle pathology. In this study, we assessed behavioral effects of a lack of full-length dystrophins on spontaneous behavior, discrimination and reversal learning, anxiety, and short-term spatial memory and compared performance between male and female mdx mice. In contrast to our previous study using only female mdx mice, we could not reproduce the earlier observed reversal learning deficit. However, we did notice small differences in the number of visits made during the Y-maze and dark-light box. Results indicate that it is advisable to establish standard operating procedures specific to behavioral testing in mdx mice to allow the detection of the subtle phenotypic differences and to eliminate inter and intra laboratory variance.
Risk Factors of New Cerebral Infarctions After Endovascular Treatment for Basilar Artery Stenosis Based on High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Luo Jichang , Li Long , Wang Tao , Yang Kun , Feng Yao , Yang Renjie , Ma Yan , Gao Peng , Yang Bin , Jiao Liqun
Published: January 2021

Objective: The current study aims to analyze the risk factors of new cerebral infarctions in the distribution of basilar artery (BA) detected by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after endovascular treatment in patients with severe BA stenosis.

Methods: Data was collected from the electronic medical records of patients with severely atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis (≥70%) who underwent endovascular treatment. The plaque characteristics, including the plaque distribution, plaque burden, plaque enhancement index, remodeling ratio, and stenosis degree, were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The characteristics of the procedure, such as the type of treatment, balloon diameter, balloon length, stent diameter, and stent length, were analyzed.

Results: A total of 107 patients with severe basilar artery stenosis (≥70%) who underwent endovascular treatment were enrolled. The study participants included 77 men and 30 women, with an average age of 61.6 ± 8.1 years. The rate of postoperative new cerebral infarctions was 55.1% (59/107), of which 74.6% (44/59) were caused by artery-to-artery embolism, 6.8% (4/59) due to perforator occlusion, and 18.6% (11/59) were caused by a mixed mechanism. Twelve of 59 patients had ischemic events, with nine cases of stroke and three cases of transient ischemic attacks (TIA). The plaque burden in the DWI-positive group was significantly larger than that in the DWI-negative group (3.7% vs. −8.5%, p = 0.016). Positive remodeling was more common in the DWI-positive group than in the DWI-negative group (35.6% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.028). Smoking was inversely correlated with the rate of new cerebral infarctions (odds ratio, 0.394; 95% confidence interval, 0.167–0.926; p = 0.033).

Conclusion: The plaque characteristics are not associated with new cerebral infarctions in the distribution of BA, although a large plaque burden and positive remodeling are more likely to appear in patients with new cerebral infarctions after BA stenting, which warrants further studies with a larger sample size. As for smoking, the inverse correlation with new cerebral infarctions in the BA territory needs large-scale prospective randomized controlled trials to verify.
Enhanced GABAergic Inhibition of Cholinergic Interneurons in the zQ175+/− Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease
Authors: Lim Sean Austin O. , Surmeier D. James
Published: January 2021

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that initially manifests itself in the striatum. How intrastriatal circuitry is altered by the disease is poorly understood. To help fill this gap, the circuitry linking spiny projection neurons (SPNs) to cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) was examined using electrophysiological and optogenetic approaches in ex vivo brain slices from wildtype mice and zQ175+/− models of HD. These studies revealed a severalfold enhancement of GABAergic inhibition of ChIs mediated by collaterals of indirect pathway SPNs (iSPNs), but not direct pathway SPNs (dSPNs). This cell-specific alteration in synaptic transmission appeared in parallel with the emergence of motor symptoms in the zQ175+/− model. The adaptation had a presynaptic locus, as it was accompanied by a reduction in paired-pulse ratio but not in the postsynaptic response to GABA. The alterations in striatal GABAergic signaling disrupted spontaneous ChI activity, potentially contributing to the network dysfunction underlying the hyperkinetic phase of HD.
Management of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Using Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy With Osmotic Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption: Retrospective Analysis of the Sherbrooke Cohort
Authors: Iorio-Morin Christian , Gahide Gérald , Morin Christophe , Vanderweyen Davy , Roy Marie-André , St-Pierre Isabelle , Massicotte-Tisluck Karine , Fortin David
Published: January 2021

Background

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) are rare and aggressive CNS tumors. Current management involves high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) typically administered intravenously (IV), despite the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which significantly decreases its bioavailability. Cerebral intra-arterial chemotherapy (CIAC) coupled with osmotic BBB disruption (OBBBD) can theoretically circumvent this issue.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL treated with HD-MTX-based CIAC+OBBBD at our center between November 1999 and May 2018. OBBBD was achieved using a 25% mannitol intra-arterial infusion. Patients were followed clinically and radiologically every month until death or remission. Demographics, clinical and outcome data were collected from the medical record. All imaging studies were reviewed for evidence of complication and outcome assessment. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to compute remission, progression-free survival (PFS) as well as overall survival times. Subgroup analyses were performed using the log rank test.

Results

Forty-four patients were included in the cohort. Median follow-up was 38 months. Complete response was achieved in 34 patients (79%) at a median of 7.3 months. Actuarial median survival and PFS were 45 months and 24 months, respectively. Age, ECOG and lesion location did not impact outcome. Complications included thrombocytopenia (39%), neutropenia (20%), anemia (5%), seizures (11%), stroke (2%), and others (20%).

Conclusion

CIAC using HD-MTX-based protocols with OBBBD is a safe and well-tolerated procedure for the management of PCNSL. Our data suggests better PFS and survival outcomes compared to IV protocols with less hematologic toxicity and good tolerability, especially in the elderly.
A Comparison of the Current N2 Classification and a Modified N2 Categorization in TNM Staging of Esophageal Cancer Patients
Authors: Xi Kexing , Yu Hui
Published: January 2021

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of the current N classification and a modified N2 categorization in TNM staging of esophageal cancer (EC) patients.

Methodology

A total of 2753 EC patients were enrolled in the study: 2283 EC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and 470 separate Chinese patients were used to verify the results of the SEER database. X-tile software was employed to determine the optimal cutoff points of the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in the N2 category. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the survival risk factors.

Result

Patients in the N2 category were divided into two groups based on the number of metastatic LNs. Patients with three and four metastatic LNs were categorized as N2a, while those with five and six metastatic LNs were categorized as N2b. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate in the SEER database was 71.5%, 42.3%, 23.6%, 17.2%, and 10.7% for patients with N0, N1, N2a, N2b, and N3, respectively (P<0.001). Furthermore, a separate Chinese cohort was enrolled to validate the revised N2 category. Additionally, the 3-year OS rate was 71.5%, 42.3%, 23.6%, 17.2%, and 10.7% for patients with N0, N1, N2a, N2b, and N3, respectively (P<0.001).

Conclusion

The current N2 category should be further divided into two groups (N2a and N2b) to provide more accurate prognosis information that could further help in developing personalized therapeutic strategies.
Case Report: A Delayed Diagnosis of Congenital Syphilis—Too Many Missed Opportunities
Authors: Khafaja Sarah , Youssef Yolla , Darjani Nidale , Youssef Nour , Fattah Captain Mohammad , Hanna-Wakim Rima
Published: January 2021

Congenital syphilis remains a significant public health problem nowadays. We describe the presentation of an infant with a delayed diagnosis of congenital syphilis, with a negative initial non-treponemal test. Our aim is to shed light on the incidence of missed prevention, the importance of awareness, maternal screening, and early diagnosis.
Case Report: Intracranial Hypertension Secondary to Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Authors: Doxaki Christina , Papadopoulou Eleftheria , Maniadaki Iliana , Tsakalis Nikolaos G. , Palikaras Konstantinos , Vorgia Pelagia
Published: January 2021

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a common cause of acute flaccid paralysis, is characterized by a rapidly progressive, usually symmetric weakness of the extremities. Headache and intracranial hypertension (ICHT) are very rare complications of GBS. Herein we report our current case of an obese girl with typical signs of GBS associated with autonomic dysfunction, cranial nerve deficits and increased intracranial pressure (ICP). We also perform a systematic study presenting and discussing previous case reports of GBS associated with ICHT, papilledema or hydrocephalus, highlighting the differences of the current case compared to previous studies. Although intracranial hypertension is a rare complication of pediatric GBS, clinicians should promptly detect it. Obesity may be a predisposing factor, given the strong association between idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and weight gain. Neurological evaluation, fundus examination and low threshold for intracranial imaging should be an integral part of medical practice in case of obesity, headache or visual changes in GBS patients.
Impact of Implementing CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy on P2Y12 Inhibitor Selection and Clinical Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Real-World Study in China
Authors: Zhang Yi , Shi Xiu-Jin , Peng Wen-Xing , Han Jia-Lun , Lin Bai-Di , Zhang Ru , Zhang Yun-Nan , Yan Jia-Lin , Wei Juan-Juan , Wang Yi-Fan , Chen Su-Wei , Nan Nan , Fang Zhen-Wei , Zeng Yong , Lin Yang
Published: January 2021

Background: CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LOF) alleles reduce the effectiveness of clopidogrel in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. However, the clinical impact of implementing CYP2C19 gene-guided pharmacotherapy is unclear, especially among the Chinese population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate P2Y12 receptor inhibitor selection and clinical outcomes upon implementation of CYP2C19 genotype-guided pharmacotherapy in current clinical practice.

Methods: This was a single-center observational cohort study. Adult percutaneous coronary intervention patients who received CYP2C19 genetic testing (*2, *3, *17 alleles) were included. Ticagrelor was recommended for patients with a LOF allele. Factors related to P2Y12 inhibitor selection were determined by logistic regression. The primary endpoint was major cardiac or cerebrovascular adverse events (MACCE) within 12 months. MACCE and clinically significant bleeding events (BARC ≥2) in the LOF-clopidogrel group, non-LOF-clopidogrel group, and non-LOF-ticagrelor group were compared with those in the LOF-ticagrelor group. The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was adjusted in a Cox regression analysis to eliminate confounding factors.

Results: Among 1,361 patients, 826 (60.7%) had a LOF allele. Patients with a LOF allele were more likely to be prescribed ticagrelor (multivariate-adjusted OR 1.349; 95% CI 1.040 to 1.751; p = 0.024). The MACCE rate was higher in the LOF-clopidogrel group than in the LOF-ticagrelor group (7.8 vs. 4.0%; log-rank p = 0.029; IPTW-adjusted HR 2.138; 95% CI 1.300–3.515). Compared with the LOF-ticagrelor group, the non-LOF-clopidogrel group showed no significant difference in MACCE rate (5.8 vs. 4.0%; log-rank p = 0.272; IPTW-adjusted HR 1.531; 95% CI 0.864–2.714). Among the patients treated with ticagrelor, there was no significant difference in the MACCE rate between the LOF group and non-LOF group (4.3 vs. 4.0%; log-rank p = 0.846; IPTW-adjusted HR 1.184; 95% CI 0.582–2.410). There was no significant difference in the incidence of clinically significant bleeding events among the four groups.

Conclusion: This study confirms that efficiently returned CYP2C19 genotype results did partially guide cardiologists to prescribe ticagrelor for patients with a LOF allele, and that clopidogrel had a higher risk of MACCE than ticagrelor in these patients, which provides support for the implementation of CYP2C19 gene-guided antiplatelet therapy in clinical practice.
Genetic Ablation of G Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channels Prevents Training-Induced Sinus Bradycardia
Authors: Bidaud Isabelle , D’Souza Alicia , Forte Gabriella , Torre Eleonora , Greuet Denis , Thirard Steeve , Anderson Cali , Chung You Chong Antony , Torrente Angelo G. , Roussel Julien , Wickman Kevin , Boyett Mark R. , Mangoni Matteo E. , Mesirca Pietro
Published: January 2021

Background: Endurance athletes are prone to bradyarrhythmias, which in the long-term may underscore the increased incidence of pacemaker implantation reported in this population. Our previous work in rodent models has shown training-induced sinus bradycardia to be due to microRNA (miR)-mediated transcriptional remodeling of the HCN4 channel, leading to a reduction of the “funny” (If) current in the sinoatrial node (SAN).

Objective: To test if genetic ablation of G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium channel, also known as IKACh channels prevents sinus bradycardia induced by intensive exercise training in mice.

Methods: Control wild-type (WT) and mice lacking GIRK4 (Girk4–/–), an integral subunit of IKACh were assigned to trained or sedentary groups. Mice in the trained group underwent 1-h exercise swimming twice a day for 28 days, 7 days per week. We performed electrocardiogram recordings and echocardiography in both groups at baseline, during and after the training period. At training cessation, mice were euthanized and SAN tissues were isolated for patch clamp recordings in isolated SAN cells and molecular profiling by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blotting.

Results: At swimming cessation trained WT mice presented with a significantly lower resting HR that was reversible by acute IKACh block whereas Girk4–/– mice failed to develop a training-induced sinus bradycardia. In line with HR reduction, action potential rate, density of If, as well as of T- and L-type Ca2+ currents (ICaT and ICaL) were significantly reduced only in SAN cells obtained from WT-trained mice. If reduction in WT mice was concomitant with downregulation of HCN4 transcript and protein, attributable to increased expression of corresponding repressor microRNAs (miRs) whereas reduced ICaL in WT mice was associated with reduced Cav1.3 protein levels. Strikingly, IKACh ablation suppressed all training-induced molecular remodeling observed in WT mice.

Conclusion: Genetic ablation of cardiac IKACh in mice prevents exercise-induced sinus bradycardia by suppressing training induced remodeling of inward currents If, ICaT and ICaL due in part to the prevention of miR-mediated transcriptional remodeling of HCN4 and likely post transcriptional remodeling of Cav1.3. Strategies targeting cardiac IKACh may therefore represent an alternative to pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmias seen in some veteran athletes.