bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of elevated CO2 levels on lung immune response to organic dust and lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Schneberger David , Pandher Upkardeep , Thompson Brooke , Kirychuk Shelley
Published: April 2021

Workplaces with elevated organic dust levels such as animal feed barns also commonly have elevated levels of gasses, such as CO2. Workers exposed to such complex environments often experience respiratory effects that may be due to a combination of respirable factors. We examined the effects of CO2 on lung innate immune responses in mice co-exposed to the inflammatory agents lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and organic dust. We evaluated CO2 levels at the building recommended limit (1000 ppm) as well as the exposure limit (5000 ppm). Mice were nasally instilled with dust extracts or LPS and immediately put into chambers with a constant flow of room air (avg. 430 ppm CO2), 1000 ppm, or 5000 ppm CO2 enriched air. Results reveal that organic dust exposures tended to show decreased inflammatory responses with 1000 ppm CO2 and increased responses at 5000 ppm CO2. Conversely, LPS with addition of CO2 as low as 1000 ppm tended to inhibit several inflammatory markers. In most cases saline treated animals showed few changes with CO2 exposure, though some changes in mRNA levels were present. This shows that CO2 as low as 1000 ppm CO2 was capable of altering innate immune responses to both LPS and organic dust extracts, but each response was altered in a different fashion.
Undifferentiated colonic neoplasm with SMARCA4 germline gene mutation and loss of SMARCA4 protein expression: a case report and literature review
Authors: Duan Huanli , Gao Wei , Wang Leiming , Cao Feng , Teng Lianghong
Published: April 2021

Background

Nonsense mutation or inactivation of SMARCA4 (BRG1) is associated with a monomorphic undifferentiated histological appearance in tumors at different sites. The association between SMARCA4 alteration and undifferentiated colonic carcinoma needs to be further elucidated.

Methods

A 61-year-old male patient presented to the hospital with intermittent epigastric pain in the right upper abdomen and abdominal distension. The enhanced computed tomography detected a mass in the hepatic flexure of the colon and multiple liver metastases.

Results

The right hemicolectomy contained a 4.5-cm undifferentiated malignancy with cells arranged in sheets, abundant necrosis, and areas showing rhabdoid morphology. The immunohistochemistry result showed that these tumor cells were focally positive for cytokeratin (CK), CK8, and CK18; however, diffusely positive for vimentin, P53, Fli-1, and SALL-4. Notably, tumor cells showed a heterogeneous loss of SMARCA4 expression pattern and intact SMARCB1 expression. Next-generation sequencing showed a germline SMARCA4 c.3277C>T(p.R1093*)mutation, somatic APC mutation, and no abnormal SMARCB1 gene. The tumor exhibited microsatellite stability, negative PD-L1 expression, and few infiltrating CD8 + T cells. The patient died a month later after surgery.

Conclusions

We presented a rare case of undifferentiated colonic neoplasm with loss of SMARCA4 protein expression and germline SMARCA4 mutation. Moreover, the role of SMARCA4 alterations in tumor diagnosis and treatment was also summarized.
The impact of different preanalytical methods related to CA 15-3 determination in frozen human blood samples: a systematic review
Authors: Coppola Luigi , Cianflone Alessandra , Pane Katia , Franzese Monica , Mirabelli Peppino , Salvatore Marco
Published: April 2021

Background

The determination of CA 15-3 is useful for monitoring breast cancer patients. Several retrospective studies determined CA 15-3 levels in frozen samples to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of novel biomarkers in relation to breast cancer; however, freeze-thaw cycles, as well as preanalytical variables before sample storage, are not always reported. Here, we analyzed the current scientific literature to identify possible critical aspects related to CA 15-3 determination in frozen-stored human serum/plasma samples.

Methods

We obtained data from 4 different bibliographic databases: Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. We followed the PRISMA guidelines to screen and select the eligible articles discussed in the final revision.

Results

Initially, 674 scientific papers were evaluated, and after the application of the screening and eligibility criteria, 18 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The analysis reported an important level of heterogeneity concerning the preanalytical phase before sample storage.

Conclusion

Although advances in healthcare have been achieved using certified workflows in medical diagnostics, standardized preanalytical processes are not always applied when referring to frozen-stored biosamples. Biobanks will guarantee the best possible conditions for the storage of human biological samples to be used in clinical research. The use of certified bioresources will favor the optimal development and introduction of new disease biomarkers.
Infant and young child feeding practices in Ethiopia: analysis of socioeconomic disparities based on nationally representative data
Authors: Geda Nigatu Regassa , Feng Cindy Xin , Janzen Bonnie , Lepnurm Rein , Henry Carol J. , Whiting Susan J.
Published: April 2021

Background

Undernutrition among children is a priority area of public health concern in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices among children 6–23 months.

Method

Data were drawn from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). A total of 3240 children aged 6–23 months were used for the present analysis. The outcome variable was IYCF practice score (ranging 0–7) which was constructed based on the linear and combined effects of four sets of variables: breastfeeding, avoidance of bottle feeding, diet diversity score and minimum feeding frequency. IYCF practice score was further recoded into three categories. Proportional odds regression was used to assess the determinants of IYCF category.

Results

The proportional odds regression analysis showed that IYCF scores significantly decreased by 5% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93–0.97) for every unit increase in the child’s age. Households with fathers of primary and secondary and above level education were 1.37 times (95% CI: 1.14–1.66) and 1.67 times (95% CI: 1.26–2.23) more likely to be in the high IYCF category than in the poor IYCF category. The likelihood of being in the high IYCF practice category decreased for non-working mothers by 30% (AOR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.59–0.83) compared to those working in gainful employment. The chance of being in the high IYCF practice category decreased by 29% for households with no access to radio (AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.59–0.85). Those with medium and rich/richer wealth category were 1.54 times (95% CI: 1.22–1.94) and 1.40 times (95% CI: 1.11–1.75) more likely to belong to high IYCF practice category than being in poor IYCF category. For every unit increase in health service utilization, the chance of falling in higher IYCF category increases by 1.15 times (95% CI: 1.08–1.23). The chance of falling in higher IYCF practice category decreases for rural residents by 37% (AOR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.47–0.84) compared to those residing in urban areas.

Conclusion

For a child, the first two years is the time span during which linear faltering of growth is most prevalent and the period when the process of becoming stunted is almost complete. This study recommends improving access to women for gainful employment, provision of economic support to poor rural women, education and promotion of nutrition messages using most accessible media and boosting the positive role of fathers in child feeding practices.
Exploring entrepreneurial culture and its socio-cultural determinants: in case of Woldia University graduating students
Authors: Ebabu Engidaw Abriham
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore entrepreneurial intention and its determinants: in the case of Woldia University graduating students. To achieve its objectives, the study employed a descriptive and explanatory research design, and in the study, a cross-sectional study was conducted through a mixed research approach. The target population of the study was 223 regular first-degree 2018 graduating students of Woldia University, Management Department, and their instructors in the study area. The sample size was 143 respondents. The study result showed that majority of the respondents did not plan to start their own knowledge-based business. This was essentially due to the lack of competence in transforming ideas in to practice and commercializing it to create their own business. Correspondingly, prodigious attention should be given to have an entrepreneurial orientation in the contents and methods of teaching at all levels of education systems primary, secondary, and higher educational institutions and use different awareness-raising mechanisms in the country.
When your host shuts down: larval diapause impacts host-microbiome interactions in Nasonia vitripennis
Authors: Dittmer Jessica , Brucker Robert M.
Published: April 2021

Background

The life cycles of many insect species include an obligatory or facultative diapause stage with arrested development and low metabolic activity as an overwintering strategy. Diapause is characterised by profound physiological changes in endocrine activity, cell proliferation and nutrient metabolism. However, little is known regarding host-microbiome interactions during diapause, despite the importance of bacterial symbionts for host nutrition and development. In this work, we investigated (i) the role of the microbiome for host nutrient allocation during diapause and (ii) the impact of larval diapause on microbiome dynamics in the parasitoid waspNasonia vitripennis, a model organism for host-microbiome interactions.

Results

Our results demonstrate that the microbiome is essential for host nutrient allocation during diapause inN. vitripennis, as axenic diapausing larvae had consistently lower glucose and glycerol levels than conventional diapausing larvae, especially when exposed to cold temperature. In turn, microbiome composition was altered in diapausing larvae, potentially due to changes in the surrounding temperature, host nutrient levels and a downregulation of host immune genes. Importantly, prolonged larval diapause had a transstadial effect on the adult microbiome, with unknown consequences for host fitness. Notably, the most dominant microbiome member,Providenciasp., was drastically reduced in adults after more than 4 months of larval diapause, while potential bacterial pathogens increased in abundance.

Conclusion

This work investigates host-microbiome interactions during a crucial developmental stage, which challenges both the insect host and its microbial associates. The impact of diapause on the microbiome is likely due to several factors, including altered host regulatory mechanisms and changes in the host environment.
Evaluating receiver contributions to acoustic positional telemetry: a case study on Atlantic cod around wind turbines in the North Sea
Authors: van der Knaap Inge , Slabbekoorn Hans , Winter Hendrik V. , Moens Tom , Reubens Jan
Published: April 2021

Background

The effect of individual acoustic receiver contributions to animal positioning is a crucial aspect for the correct interpretation of acoustic positional telemetry (APT). Here, we evaluated the contribution of each receiver within two APT designs to the number of tag signals detected and the position accuracy of free-ranging Atlantic cod, through data exclusion of single receivers from the analysis. The two APTs were deployed around offshore (ca 50 km) wind turbines at which 27 individual cod were tagged.

Results

We found that the exclusion of data from an APT receiver that was positioned within the movement area of the individual fish reduced the number of tag signals detected and the position accuracy of the set-up the most. Excluding the data from a single receiver caused a maximum of 34% positions lost per fish and a maximum increase in core area of 97.8%. Single-receiver data exclusion also caused a potentially large bias in the reconstruction of swimming tracks. By contrast, exclusion of a receiver that was deployed within 50 m from a turbine actually improved fish position accuracy, probably because the turbine can cause signal interference as a reflective barrier.

Conclusions

We recommend that an exploratory small-scale study like the one presented here be conducted before embarking on a larger-scale APT study. By excluding the data of single receivers from the positioning analysis, we were able to explore the suitability of a receiver set-up for the movement patterns of our target species. Furthermore, when a receiver is lost from an APT during deployment, the data should be treated with care as our results show that changes in triangulation outcome can lead to considerable differences in swimming tracks and home range estimates.
An analysis of the graph processing landscape
Authors: Coimbra Miguel E. , Francisco Alexandre P. , Veiga Luís
Published: April 2021

The value of graph-based big data can be unlocked by exploring the topology and metrics of the networks they represent, and the computational approaches to this exploration take on many forms. For the use-case of performing global computations over a graph, it is first ingested into a graph processing system from one of many digital representations. Extracting information from graphs involves processing all their elements globally, which can be done with single-machine systems (with varying approaches to hardware usage), distributed systems (either homogeneous or heterogeneous groups of machines) and systems dedicated to high-performance computing (HPC). For these systems focused on processing the bulk of graph elements, common use-cases consist in executing for example algorithms for vertex ranking or community detection, which produce insights on graph structure and relevance of their elements. Many distributed systems (such as , ) and libraries (e.g. , ) have been built to enable these tasks and improve performance. This is achieved with techniques ranging from classic load balancing (often geared to reduce communication overhead) to exploring trade-offs between delaying computation and relaxing accuracy. In this survey we firstly familiarize the reader with common graph datasets and applications in the world of today. We provide an overview of different aspects of the graph processing landscape and describe classes of systems based on a set of dimensions we describe. The dimensions we detail encompass paradigms to express graph processing, different types of systems to use, coordination and communication models in distributed graph processing, partitioning techniques and different definitions related to the potential for a graph to be updated. This survey is aimed at both the experienced software engineer or researcher as well as the graduate student looking for an understanding of the landscape of solutions (and their limitations) for graph processing.
Successful laparoscopy-assisted repair of a rectovaginal fistula after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a report of two cases
Authors: Ohta Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Kyozo , Mizukuro Tomoyuki , An Byonggu , Zen Yumi , Nishina Yusuke , Terada Yoshitaka , Kitamura Naomi , Akabori Hiroya , Fujino Mitsuhiro , Mekata Eiji
Published: April 2021

Background

Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) after low anterior resection for rectal cancer is troublesome and refractory. Although various surgical procedures have been previously described, no definitive procedure has shown a satisfactory outcome. We present two consecutive Japanese patients who underwent successful surgery for an RVF after low anterior resection.

Case presentation

The patients were two women (61-year-old and a 64-year-old). They were admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of fecal discharge from the vagina after low anterior resection using the double-stapling technique for rectal cancer. They were diagnosed with RVF. Local surgical procedures, including diverting ileostomy, were unsuccessful in previous hospitals. Therefore, we performed laparoscopy-assisted repair of the RVF. In both patients, laparoscopically robust pelvic adhesions were dissected, and the sigmoid colon was transected at just oral side to the RVF. Thereafter, in combination with a perineal approach, the rectum, along with a previous anastomosis and fistula, were completely removed. Surgeries were completed after vaginal repair, redo coloanal anastomosis, and interposition of the dissected connective tissue. In both patients, the postoperative courses were uneventful. They complained of neither recurrence of any RVF nor fecal incontinence 1 year and 10 months after diverting stoma closure.

Conclusions

A laparoscopy-assisted procedure with reanastomosis and interposition of the perineal connective tissue can be an effective treatment for RVF after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.
Association Between Short-, Intermediate-, and Long-term Mortality and Myocardial Injury After Noncardiac Surgery After Hip Fracture Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort
Authors: Vacheron Charles-Hervé , Hentzen Julie , Fauvernier Mathieu , Fessy Michel , Chaudier Philippe , Landel Verena , David Jean Stephane , Incagnoli Pascal , Piriou Vincent , Friggeri Arnaud
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND:

For more than 20 years, hip fracture 1-year mortality has remained around 20%. An elevation of the postoperative troponin peak within 72 hours (myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery [MINS]) is associated with a greater risk of short-term mortality in the general population. However, there seem to be conflicting results in the specific population who undergo hip fracture surgery, with some studies finding an association between troponin and mortality and some not. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association of MINS and the short- (before 28th day), intermediate- (before 180th day), and long-term (before 365th day) mortality after hip fracture surgery.

METHODS:

We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery from November 2013 to December 2015. MINS was defined as postoperative troponin peak within the 72 hours >5 ng/L. Four MINS subgroups were defined according to the value of troponin peak (ie, ≥5–<20, ≥20–<65, ≥65–<1000, and ≥1000 ng/L). To document the association between the different mortality terms and the troponin peak, odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR (aOR) associated with their 95% confidence interval (CI) with the log of the scaled troponin peak within 72 hours were estimated, with and without patients presenting a postoperative acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and adjusted HR (aHR) of death between the no MINS and MINS subgroups. The adjustment was performed on the main confounding factors (ie, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] physical status, dementia status, age, and time from admission to surgery).

RESULTS:

Among 729 participants, the mean age was 83.1 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.8) years, and 77.4% were women; 30 patients presented an ACS (4%). Short-, intermediate-, and long-term mortality were at 5%, 16%, and 23%, respectively. The troponin peak was significantly associated with all terms of mortality before and after adjustment and before and after exclusion of patients presenting an ACS. HR and aHR for each subgroup of troponin level were significantly associated with an increased probability of survival, except for the 5 to 20 ng/L group for which aHR was not significant (1.75, 95% CI, 0.82-3.74). In the landmark analysis, there was still an association between survival at the 365th day and troponin peak after the short- and intermediate-term truncated mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

MINS is associated with short-, intermediate-, and long-term mortality after hip fracture surgery. This could be a valuable indicator to determine the population at high risk of mortality that could benefit from targeted prevention and possible intervention.
Appetite and Energy Intake Regulation in Response to Acute Exercise
Authors: HALLIDAY TANYA M. , WHITE MOLLIE H. , HILD ALLISON K. , CONROY MOLLY B. , MELANSON EDWARD L. , CORNIER MARC-ANDRE
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to determine if energy intake and appetite regulation differ in response to an acute bout of resistance exercise (REx) versus aerobic exercise (AEx).

Methods

Physically inactive adults (n = 24, 35% ± 2% body fat, 50% female) completed three conditions: AEx (walking at 65%–70% heart rate max for 45 min), REx (1 set to failure of 12 exercises), and sedentary control (SED). Each condition was initiated in the postprandial state (35 min after breakfast). Appetite (visual analog scale for hunger, satiety, and prospective food consumption) and hormones (ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)) were measured before and 30, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min after a standardized breakfast. Area under the curve was calculated using the trapezoid method. Ad libitum energy intake was evaluated at a lunch meal after the 180-min measurements.

Results

No differences in ad libitum energy intake (REx, 991 ± 68; AEx, 937 ± 65; SED, 944 ± 76 kcal; P = 0.50) or appetite ratings (all, P > 0.05) were detected. The area under the curve for ghrelin, PYY, and GLP-1 were all lower after REx versus AEx (ghrelin: 130,737 ± 4928 for REx; 143,708 ± 7500 for AEx (P = 0.006); PYY: 20,540 ± 1177 for REx, 23,812 ± 1592 for AEx (P = 0.001); and GLP-1: 1314 ± 93 for REx, 1615 ± 110 for AEx (P = 0.013)). Neither exercise condition significantly differed from SED.

Conclusions

Acute REx lowers both orexigenic (ghrelin) and anorectic (PYY and GLP-1) gut peptides compared with acute AEx. Ad libitum energy intake did not increase compared with SED in either exercise condition, indicating both exercise modalities have appetite and energy intake suppressing effects. Future work is needed to determine if exercise of differing modalities influences chronic appetite regulation.
Are computed-tomography-based hematoma radiomics features reproducible and predictive of intracerebral hemorrhage expansion? an in vitro experiment and clinical study
Authors: Chen Kai , Deng Lijing , Li Qing , Luo Liangping
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

To identify reproducible hematoma radiomics features (RFs) for use in predicting hematoma expansion (HE) in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods:

For test–retest analysis, three syringes with different volumes of blood collected at the same time (to mimic homogeneous hematoma) and a phantom (FT/HK 2000; Huake, Szechwan, China) containing three cylindrical inserts were scanned seven times within 6 h on the same CT scanner. Three additional syringes with mixed blood collected at different time points (to mimic heterogeneous hematoma) were tied together with the first three syringes as well as the phantom were scanned using modified CT acquisition parameters for intra CT analysis. A coefficient of variation below 10% served as the cutoff value for reproducibility. Finally, reproducible and potentially useful RFs were used to predict HE in 144 acute ICH patients, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) used to evaluate their diagnostic performance.

Results:

A total of 630 RFs including 18 first-order, 24 gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), 16 gray-level run length matrix (GLRLM), five neighborhood gray-tone difference matrix (NGTDM), 63 Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG), and 504 Wavelet features were evaluated. In the test-retest analysis, the percentages of reproducible RFs ranged from 42.54% (268/630) to 45.4% (286/630) for the three homogeneous hematoma samples and 79.05% (498/630) to 81.43% (513/630) for the phantom. In the intra-CT analysis, the percentages varied from 31.43% (198/630) to 42.38% (267/630) for the six hematoma samples and 48.89% (308/630) to 53.97% (340/630) for the phantom. In the in vitro experiment, 148 RFs were reproducible for all hematoma samples in both the test-retest and intra-CT analyses; however, only 80 were statistically different between homogeneous and heterogeneous hematoma samples. Finally, HE occurred in 25% (growth >6 ml, 36/144) to 31.94% (growth >3 ml or 33%, 46/144) of the patients. The AUCs in predicting HE ranged from 0.625 to 0.703.

Conclusions:

Only a few CT-based RFs from the in vitro hematoma were reproducible and can distinguish between homogeneous and heterogeneous hematomas. The use of RFs alone to predict HE in acute ICH showed only a moderate performance.

Advances in knowledge:

Using an in vitro experiment and clinical validation, this study demonstrated for the first time that CT-based hematoma RFs can be used to predict HE in acute ICH; nonetheless, only a few RFs are reproducible and can be used for prediction.
Εξορυκτικές δραστηριότητες, χώρος και τοπικές κοινωνίες κατά την περίοδο της κρίσης
Authors: Πετράκος Κωνσταντίνος
Published: April 2021

Σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να διερευνήσει τους μετασχηματισμούς του χώρου, των κοινωνικών και των οικονομικών σχέσεων λόγω της επικείμενης λειτουργίας του έργου εξόρυξης της Ελληνικός Χρυσός στη ΒΑ Χαλκιδική, σε μια περιοχή που περιλαμβάνει δεκαέξι οικισμούς, οι οποίοι ανήκουν διοικητικά στο Δήμο Αριστοτέλη. Αναζητούνται οι μηχανισμοί που καθιέρωσαν τη ΒΑ Χαλκιδική ως ένα μεταλλευτικό πεδίο εκμετάλλευσης του ορυκτού της πλούτου και δημιούργησαν τις προϋποθέσεις της σημερινής κοινωνικής πόλωσης υπέρ και κατά του έργου εξόρυξης της Ελληνικός Χρυσός. Η θέση που αναπτύσσεται στη διατριβή υποστηρίζει ότι, στην περιοχή μελέτης, το εξορυκτικό κεφάλαιο αποτελεί το βασικό μηχανισμό-διαμορφωτή συγκρουσιακών χωροκοινωνικών συνθηκών. Το εξορυκτικό κεφάλαιο επηρεάζει και κατευθύνει τις χωροταξικές πολιτικές, την κοινωνική διαστρωμάτωση και την τοπική αγορά εργασίας. Ο χώρος, ο οποίος έχει εξελιχθεί σε εργαλείο για να υπηρετηθεί ο εξορυκτικός κλάδος, εργαλειοποιείται περαιτέρω με την τρέχουσα επένδυση, η οποία υλοποιείται στη συγκυρία της οικονομικής κρίσης. Η έρευνα δεν περιορίζεται στην τοπική κλίμακα αλλά προσπαθεί να αναδείξει την αλληλοτροφοδότηση όλων των κλιμάκων, από το τοπικό στο παγκόσμιο και από το παγκόσμιο και πάλι στο τοπικό. Η θεωρητική ανάλυση μελετά την εξόρυξη ως μέρος της αναπτυξιακής διαδικασίας και εστιάζει στη μονιμότητα των διαδικασιών της πρωταρχικής συσσώρευσης και στις κριτικές θεωρίες του χώρου, ώστε να περιγραφούν οι διαδικασίες γύρω από την εντατικοποίηση της εξόρυξης. Η εντατικοποίηση των εξορυκτικών έργων συσχετίζεται με τη συσσώρευση του κεφαλαίου μέσω της χρηματιστικοποίησης της εξόρυξης, της υφαρπαγής της γης και των γεωγραφιών της άνισης γεωγραφικής ανάπτυξης. Τα φαινόμενα διάρρηξης των τοπικών χωρικών ισορροπιών και της κοινωνικής συνοχής εξαιτίας εξορυκτικών έργων αναδεικνύουν το ρόλο των χωρικών πολιτικών και της γενικότερης οικονομικής συγκυρίας. Η έρευνα εμπλουτίζεται με δύο περιπτώσεις από το διεθνές πλαίσιο της εξόρυξης, μέσω δύο ερευνητικών επισκέψεων που πραγματοποιήθηκαν, στην Cochabamba της Βολιβίας και στη Rosia Montana της Ρουμανίας. Στη διατριβή, δίνεται ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα στο ρόλο που διαδραματίζει η μεταλλευτική πολυεθνική Eldorado Gold (η μητρική εταιρεία της Ελληνικός Χρυσός) για την κατανόηση της πραγματικότητας στη ΒΑ Χαλκιδική σήμερα. Όπως περιγράφεται, η συγκεκριμένη πολυεθνική εταιρεία εξόρυξης επηρεάζει όλα τα χωρικά επίπεδα ανάλυσης και προσφέρει τις απαραίτητες διασυνδέσεις μεταξύ παγκόσμιου και τοπικού επιπέδου. Το έργο εξόρυξης στη ΒΑ Χαλκιδική δείχνει ότι η κυκλοφορία του κεφαλαίου υιοθετεί ταυτόχρονα επίσημους και ανεπίσημους τρόπους, προκειμένου να εδραιώσει την εξουσία του και να επεκτείνει τις ζώνες εκμετάλλευσης σε χώρες υπό καθεστώς κρίσης. Η οικονομική κρίση και τα μνημόνια στα οποία υποβλήθηκε η οικονομία της χώρας αποτέλεσαν μία ευκαιρία για το πολυεθνικό εξορυκτικό κεφάλαιο. Από τότε μέχρι σήμερα, έχει ήδη διαμορφωθεί το κρίσιμο σημείο επιλογής του αναπτυξιακού μοντέλου για την περιοχή μελέτης.
Tätigkeitsbericht für das Jahr 2014
Authors: Lassau Guido
Published: April 2021

Der Tätigkeitsbericht des Kantonsarchäologen bietet einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Kennzahlen und die Arbeiten in den verschiedenen Abteilungen der Archäologischen Bodenforschung im Jahr 2014.
Vorwort und Impressionen
Authors: Lassau Guido
Published: April 2021

Vorwort des Kantonsarchäologen Guido Lassau und Impressionen aus dem Berichtsjahr 2015.
Der Spitalfriedhof und das Bürgerspital zu Basel
Authors: Hotz Gerhard , Zulauf-Semmler Marina , Fiebig-Ebneter Verena
Published: April 2021

Zwischen 1845 und 1868 diente der St. Johanns-Park als «Spitalgottesacker» des Basler Bürgerspitals. Anlässlich der Neugestaltung des Geländes in den Jahren 1988/89 und der aktuellen Ausgrabung im Jahr 2015 wurden über 40 % der insgesamt 2561 Gräber aufgedeckt. Die untersuchten Skelette stellen damit eine weltweit einzigartige Serie dar. Unter anderem dank der Überlieferung der Krankenakten im Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt konnten 80 % der Bestatteten identifiziert werden. Diese aussergewöhnliche Datengrundlage bietet neue Möglichkeiten zur Erforschung der Lebensbedingungen der Basler Unterschicht um die Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts.
Fundchronik: Ausgrabungen und Funde im Jahr 2015
Authors: Allemann Martin , Bernasconi Marco , Spichtig Norbert , Steiner Susan
Published: April 2021

Berichte zu den archäologischen Untersuchungen der Archäologischen Bodenforschung Basel-Stadt im Jahr 2015.
Inter-site and interpersonal diversity of salivary and tongue microbiomes, and the effect of oral care tablets
Authors: Maruyama Hugo , Masago Ayako , Nambu Takayuki , Mashimo Chiho , Takahashi Kazuya , Okinaga Toshinori
Published: April 2021

Background: Oral microbiota has been linked to both health and diseases. Specifically, tongue-coating microbiota has been implicated in aspiration pneumonia and halitosis. Approaches altering one's oral microbiota have the potential to improve oral health and prevent diseases.

Methods: Here, we designed a study that allows simultaneous monitoring of the salivary and tongue microbiomes during an intervention on the oral microbiota. We applied this study design to evaluate the effect of single-day use of oral care tablets on the oral microbiome of 10 healthy individuals. Tablets with or without actinidin, a protease that reduces biofilm formation in vitro, were tested.

Results: Alpha diversity of the tongue microbiome was significantly lower than that of the salivary microbiome, using both the number of observed amplicon sequence variants (254 ± 53 in saliva and 175 ± 37 in tongue; P = 8.9e-7, Kruskal–Wallis test) and Shannon index (6.0 ± 0.4 in saliva and 5.4 ± 0.3 in tongue; P = 2.0e-7, Kruskal–Wallis test). Fusobacterium periodonticum, Saccharibacteria sp. 352, Streptococcus oralis subsp. dentisani, Prevotella melaninogenica, Granulicatella adiacens, Campylobacter concisus, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae were the core operational taxonomic units (OTUs) common to both sites. The salivary and tongue microbiomes of one individual tended to be more similar to one another than to those of other individuals. The tablets did not affect the alpha or beta diversity of the oral microbiome, nor the abundance of specific bacterial species.

Conclusions: While the salivary and tongue microbiomes differed significantly in terms of bacterial composition, they showed inter- rather than intra-individual diversity. A one-day usage of oral care tablets did not alter the salivary or tongue microbiomes of healthy adults. Whether the use of oral tablets for a longer period on healthy people or people with greater tongue coating accumulation shifts their oral microbiome needs to be investigated.
A Prescriptive Machine-Learning Framework to the Price-Setting Newsvendor Problem
Authors: Harsha Pavithra , Natarajan Ramesh , Subramanian Dharmashankar
Published: April 2021

The approach to data-driven optimization described in this paper was developed when the authors were part of an IBM project team working with the U.S. Department of Energy, Pacific National Laboratory, and various energy utility partners on an initiative to develop a smart energy distribution infrastructure. Within this broader scope and based on the data collected in some initial controlled experiments, the paper specifically addresses the design and optimization of real-time price incentives to consumers to manage their electricity demand and determine the energy capacity to be provisioned by the utility. This latter problem fits into the well-known price-setting newsvendor problem framework, and our goal was to replace the simplistic methods in the literature by more realistic data-driven methods to take into account the data-collection capabilities and the modeling complexity of real-world applications. Our aspirations for the paper are (1) to introduce data-driven, distribution-free approaches to decision-making problems and (2) to motivate scalable conditional value-at-risk regression-based approaches for these problems.
A INSERÇÃO DAS ÁREAS VERDES NAS UNIDADES AMBIENTAIS DA CIDADE DO RECIFE: UMA REFLEXÃO SOBRE A CONSERVAÇÃO DA GEODIVERSIDADE NO ESPAÇO URBANO
Authors: Uchôa Marta Elizabeth Guerra Corrêa , Corrêa Antônio Carlos De Barros
Published: April 2021

Introdução: A necessidade de preservação da geodiversidade assumiu um papel de destaque nas ciências geográficas e da terra ao longo da última década. Esta questão é de particular interesse quando se consideram as aglomerações urbanas, sedes de regiões metropolitanas como Recife. Objetivo: A pesquisa buscou aferir como as Unidades Ambientais do Recife estão representadas nas áreas verdes públicas do município, e como essas têm servido à multiplicidade de usos que se esperam delas junto à população. Resultados: A maioria dos usuários dos parques entrevistada afirma que a quantidade de áreas verdes existentes na cidade é suficiente, no entanto apontam para problemas no estado de conservação, acessibilidade entre os diversos bairros e unidades ambientais que integram o município. Conclusão: O trabalho demonstra a desigualdade com que parques e áreas verdes públicas no Recife são tratadas por parte dos órgãos públicos competentes, além de apontar para o sentimento dos seus usuários em relação à situação atual dessas áreas no tocante à sua manutenção, preservação e oferta pública de lazer.
Effects of TNFα receptor TNF-Rp55- or TNF-Rp75- deficiency on corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis in the mouse
Authors: Maier Anna-Karina B. , Reichhart Nadine , Gonnermann Johannes , Kociok Norbert , Riechardt Aline I. , Gundlach Enken , Strauß Olaf , Joussen Antonia M.
Published: April 2021

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α is an inflammatory cytokine likely to be involved in the process of corneal inflammation and neovascularization. In the present study we evaluate the role of the two receptors, TNF-receptor (TNF-R)p55 and TNF-Rp75, in the mouse model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis. Corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis were induced by three 11–0 intrastromal corneal sutures in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice and TNF-Rp55-deficient (TNF-Rp55d) and TNF-Rp75-deficient (TNF-Rp75d) mice. The mRNA expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, Lyve-1 and TNFα and its receptors was quantified by qPCR. The area covered with blood- or lymphatic vessels, respectively, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry of corneal flatmounts. Expression and localization of TNFα and its receptors was assessed by immunohistochemistry of sagittal sections and Western Blot. Both receptors are expressed in the murine cornea and are not differentially regulated by the genetic alteration. Both TNF-Rp55d and TNF-Rp75d mice showed a decrease in vascularized area compared to wild-type mice 14 days after suture treatment. After 21 days there were no differences detectable between the groups. The number of VEGF-A-expressing macrophages did not differ when comparing WT to TNF-Rp55d and TNF-Rp75d. The mRNA expression of lymphangiogenic markers VEGF-C or LYVE-1 does not increase after suture in all 3 groups and lymphangiogenesis showed a delayed effect only for TNF-Rp75d. TNFα mRNA and protein expression increased after suture treatment but showed no difference between the three groups. In the suture-induced mouse model, TNFα and its ligands TNF-Rp55 and TNF-Rp75 do not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of neovascularisation and lymphangiogenesis.
Modelling COVID-19 transmission in supermarkets using an agent-based model
Authors: Ying Fabian , O’Clery Neave
Published: April 2021

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early March 2020, supermarkets around the world have implemented different policies to reduce the virus transmission in stores to protect both customers and staff, such as restricting the maximum number of customers in a store, changes to the store layout, or enforcing a mandatory face covering policy. To quantitatively assess these mitigation methods, we formulate an agent-based model of customer movement in a supermarket (which we represent by a network) with a simple virus transmission model based on the amount of time a customer spends in close proximity to infectious customers (which we call the exposure time). We apply our model to synthetic store and shopping data to show how one can use our model to estimate exposure time and thereby the number of infections due to human-to-human contact in stores and how to model different store interventions. The source code is openly available under https://github.com/fabianying/covid19-supermarket-abm. We encourage retailers to use the model to find the most effective store policies that reduce virus transmission in stores and thereby protect both customers and staff.
Influence of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Histamine Receptor 2 Antagonists on Blastocystis ST3 and Selected Microorganisms of Intestinal Microbiota In Vitro
Authors: Lepczyńska Małgorzata , Dzika Ewa , Chen WenChieh , Lu Chien-Yu
Published: April 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine receptor 2 (H2) antagonists are commonly prescribed medications. Association between PPIs and alteration of the gut microbiota has been reported. Blastocystis, the most common intestinal protozoan worldwide, occurs in both healthy and symptomatic people with gastrointestinal or cutaneous disorders, with controversial pathogenicity. The current study was aimed to investigate the influence of PPIs and H2 blockers on the in vitro proliferation of selected intestinal bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

METHODS:

Cultures of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, and Blastocystis subtype 3 were treated with different concentrations of respective medications in vitro, and the numbers of microorganisms were quantified and compared.

RESULTS:

Pantoprazole and esomeprazole exerted a significant inhibition on Blastocystis and C. albicans, especially at higher concentrations, which were even more effective than metronidazole. On the other hand, treatment with pantoprazole caused an increase in proliferation of L. rhamnosus and E. coli. There was no influence of H2 blockers on the examined microorganisms.

DISCUSSION:

PPIs, such as pantoprazole, can be a potential treatment in the prophylaxis or eradication of Blastocystis and C. albicans.
Many Paradoxes of My Gastroenterology Practice
Authors: Sonnenberg Amnon
Published: April 2021

A paradox describes the clash between 2 seemingly reasonable prepositions whose joint occurrence appears impossible. Like any other human endeavor, medicine is also filled with paradoxes that await resolution. This editorial lists several common paradoxes frequently encountered by clinical gastroenterologists. These examples illustrate the interplay between risk and benefit, cost and effect, disease and cure, and escape and exposure. It is hoped that addressing these paradoxes and trying to resolve their underlying contradictions will ultimately lead to a more efficacious and rational delivery of healthcare.
Przyszłość już była. Dystopie w najnowszym kinie science fiction Ameryki Łacińskiej
Authors: Racięski Bolesław
Published: April 2021

This paper examines the various ways in which contemporary Latin American science fiction films contest the neocolonial and neoliberal narratives, dominant in the region since the 20th century. I identify and examine strategies that filmmakers employ to challenge the common understanding of such notions as time, modernity and technological progress. I outline the visions of dystopias presented in the examined films, while also analyzing the counter-narratives introduced by filmmakers, which are mostly focused on creating a new, hybrid identity for a future citizen.
TRAJECTORIES OF DISSOCIATIVE EXPERIENCES IN ADOLESCENT FEMALES EXPOSED TO CHILD MALTREATMENT: INFLUENCE OF FRONTAL EEG ASYMMETRY
Authors: Hassan Raha , Macmillan Harriet L. , Schmidt Louis A.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Dissociative experiences resulting in disruptions in the integration of an organized sense of self are one consequence of childhood maltreatment, and is associated with psychopathology and maladjustment across development. Despite the consequences of dissociative experiences, we know relatively little about the physiological factors associated with the development of dissociative experiences in children exposed to maltreatment.

Methods: Using a 3-wave short-term prospective design, we examined the influence of resting frontal alpha asymmetry at rest on the trajectory of dissociative experiences in a sample of adolescents exposed to documented child maltreatment (N = 55; Mage= 15.93, SDage= 1.02).

Results: Adolescents with greater relative left frontal alpha asymmetry at rest exhibited increasing trajectories of dissociative experiences over one year.

Discussion: Our results are discussed in the context physiological indexes of emotion dysregulation associated with dissociative experiences in youth exposed to child maltreatment.
Total Number and Ratio of GABAergic Neuron Types in the Mouse Lateral and Basal Amygdala
Authors: Vereczki Viktória K. , Müller Kinga , Krizsán Éva , Máté Zoltán , Fekete Zsuzsanna , Rovira-Esteban Laura , Veres Judit M. , Erdélyi Ferenc , Hájos Norbert
Published: April 2021

GABAergic neurons are key circuit elements in cortical networks. Despite growing evidence showing that inhibitory cells play a critical role in the lateral (LA) and basal (BA) amygdala functions, neither the number of GABAergic neurons nor the ratio of their distinct types has been determined in these amygdalar nuclei. Using unbiased stereology, we found that the ratio of GABAergic neurons in the BA (22%) is significantly higher than in the LA (16%) in both male and female mice. No difference was observed between the right and left hemispheres in either sex. In addition, we assessed the ratio of the major inhibitory cell types in both amygdalar nuclei. Using transgenic mice and a viral strategy for visualizing inhibitory cells combined with immunocytochemistry, we estimated that the following cell types together compose the vast majority of GABAergic cells in the LA and BA: axo-axonic cells (5.5%-6%), basket cells expressing parvalbumin (17%-20%) or cholecystokinin (7%-9%), dendrite-targeting inhibitory cells expressing somatostatin (10%-16%), NPY-containing neurogliaform cells (14%-15%), VIP and/or calretinin-expressing interneuron-selective interneurons (29%-38%), and GABAergic projection neurons expressing somatostatin and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (5.5%-8%). Our results show that these amygdalar nuclei contain all major GABAergic neuron types as found in other cortical regions. Furthermore, our data offer an essential reference for future studies aiming to reveal changes in GABAergic cell number and in inhibitory cell types typically observed under different pathologic conditions, and to model functioning amygdalar networks in health and disease.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTGABAergic cells in cortical structures, as in the lateral and basal nucleus of the amygdala, have a determinant role in controlling circuit operation. In this study, we provide the first estimate for the total number of inhibitory cells in these two amygdalar nuclei. In addition, our study is the first to define the ratio of the major GABAergic cell types present in these cortical networks. Taking into account that hyperexcitability in the amygdala, arising from the imbalance between excitation and inhibition typifies many altered brain functions, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and autism, uncovering the number and ratio of distinct amygdalar inhibitory cell types offers a solid base for comparing the changes in inhibition in pathologic brain states.
The Professional Counselor: Author and Article Characteristics from 2011 to 2019
Authors: Williams Dorrie , Melanson Marcella , Erford Bradley T.
Published: April 2021

This meta-study evaluates publication patterns and trends occurring in the first 9 years of The Professional Counselor (TPC). Both author (e.g., gender, domicile, employment setting, top individual and university contributors) and article characteristics (e.g., topic, research design, participant type, sample size, statistics) are identified, with a particular focus on research articles. Almost 64% of lead authors and all authors were women, 92.1% of lead authors were affiliated with universities, and 3.4% of lead authors were internationally domiciled. From 2011–2019, the University of Central Florida featured the greatest number of lead authors, and the top author overall was Dr. Kathleen Brown-Rice. About 58% of published works were research articles, and of those, 69% used quantitative design methodology. Nearly all coded research variables were stable over time, except for participant types, as the proportion of adult participant samples increased while undergraduate participant samples decreased over time.
Self-Reported Symptoms of Burnout in Novice Professional Counselors: A Content Analysis
Authors: Cook Ryan M. , Fye Heather J. , Jones Janelle , Baltrinic Eric R.
Published: April 2021

This study explored the self-reported symptoms of burnout in a sample of 246 novice professional counselors. The authors inductively analyzed 1,205 discrete units using content analysis, yielding 12 categories and related subcategories. Many emergent categories aligned with existing conceptualizations of burnout, while other categories offered new insights into how burnout manifested for novice professional counselors. Informed by these findings, the authors implore counseling scholars to consider, in their conceptualization of counselor burnout, a wide range of burnout symptoms, including those that were frequently endorsed symptoms (e.g., negative emotional experience, fatigue and tiredness, unfulfilled in counseling work) as well as less commonly endorsed symptoms (e.g., negative coping strategies, questions of one’s career choice, psychological distress). Implications for novice professional counselors and supervisors are offered, including a discussion about counselors’ experiences of burnout to ensure they are providing ethical services to their clients.
Conmemoraciones periféricas en barrios segregados en Santiago de Chile: Efectos sociopolíticos en la configuración de comunidad
Authors: Olivari Vargas Alicia , Badilla Rajevic Manuela , Reyes Andreani María José
Published: April 2021

Este artículo analiza los efectos sociales y políticos de la producción de memoria en la construcción de comunidad y fortalecimiento de la identidad en barrios periféricos y segregados de la ciudad de Santiago. A partir de un estudio cualitativo que considera el análisis de 55 entrevistas con jóvenes que habitan algunos de estos territorios y de observación participante de actividades conmemorativas del golpe de Estado desarrolladas cada 11 de septiembre, se analizan repertorios de conmemoración del pasado reciente de Chile a través de las cuales estos jóvenes interactúan y producen el territorio. Estos repertorios de memoria generan, por una parte, espacios de participación y ciudadanía fortaleciendo el sentido de pertenencia territorial, y por otra, gatillan conflictos hacia el interior y exterior del barrio que pueden reproducir experiencias de segregación. El artículo concluye ilustrando la complejidad de la construcción de comunidad en estos territorios históricamente segregados.