bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stuttering and Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Study of 2.2 Million Adolescents
Authors: Tsur Avishai M , Hershkovich Shir , Zucker Inbar , Lutski Miri , Pinhas-Hamiel Orit , Vivante Asaf , Fischman Maya , Amir Ofer , Rotchild Jacob , Gerstein Hertzel C , Cukierman-Yaffe Tali , Friedensohn Limor , Mosenzon Ofri , Derazne Estela , Tzur Dorit , Tirosh Amir , Afek Arnon , Raz Itamar , Twig Gilad
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To investigate the association between stuttering in adolescence and incident type 2 diabetes in young adulthood.

Methods

This nationwide population-based study included 2 193 855 adolescents of age 16 to 20 years who were assessed for military service between 1980 and 2013. Diagnoses of stuttering in adolescence were confirmed by a speech-language pathologist. Diabetes status for each individual as of December 31, 2016, was determined by linkage to the Israeli National Diabetes Registry. Relationships were analyzed using regression models adjusted for socioeconomic variables, cognitive performance, coexisting morbidities, and adolescent body mass index.

Results

Analysis was stratified by sex (Pinteraction = 0.035). Of the 4443 (0.4%) adolescent men with stuttering, 162 (3.7%) developed type 2 diabetes, compared with 25 678 (2.1%) men without stuttering (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6). This relationship persisted when unaffected brothers of men with stuttering were used as the reference group (adjusted OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.01-2.2), or when the analysis included only adolescents with unimpaired health at baseline (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7). The association was stronger in later birth cohorts, with an adjusted OR of 2.4 (1.4-4.1) for cases of type 2 diabetes before age 40. Of the 503 (0.1%) adolescent women with stuttering 7 (1.4%) developed type 2 diabetes, compared with 10 139 (1.1%) women without stuttering (OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 0.48-2.20).

Conclusions

Adolescent stuttering is associated with an increased risk for early-onset type 2 diabetes among men.
Improving Executive Function of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Cycling Skill Acquisition
Authors: TSE ANDY C. Y. , ANDERSON DAVID I. , LIU VENUS H. L. , TSUI SHERRY S. L.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Executive dysfunction has been widely reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although studies have clearly documented the cognitive benefits of physical exercise on cognition in children, similar studies in children with ASD are scarce. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of cognitively engaging exercise and noncognitively engaging exercise on executive function in children with ASD.

Methods

Sixty-two children diagnosed with ASD (50 males and 12 females, M
age = 9.89 ± 1.53 yr, M
height = 1.43 ± 0.15 m, and M
weight = 44.69 ± 11.96 kg) were randomly assigned into three groups: learning to ride a bicycle (n = 22), stationary cycling (n = 20), and control (n = 20). Four executive function components (planning, working memory, flexibility, and inhibition) were assessed.

Results

Results revealed significant improvements in all executive function components in the learning to ride a bicycle group (Ps < 0.05) but not in the other two groups after controlling for age and IQ.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the value of cognitive engagement in exercise programs designed to improve cognition in children with ASD.
Which is the optimally defined vestibular cross-section to diagnose unilateral Meniere’s disease with delayed post-gadolinium 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI?
Authors: Connor Steve , Hulley Kate , Burd Christian , Amin Nikul , Pai Irumee
Published: January 2021

Objectives:

Delayed post-gadolinium 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI is used to support a diagnosis of Ménière’s disease (MD) with the ratio of the endolymphatic space (ES) to the sum of the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces (SEPS) on a cross-section through the vestibule being a key diagnostic criterion. It was hypothesised that the exact definition of the vestibular cross-section would influence the ES: SEPS ratio, its ability to diagnose MD, and its reproducibility.

Methods:

Following institutional approval, 22 patients (five male, 17 female; mean age 52.1) with unilateral MD and delayed post-gadolinium 3D FLAIR MRI were retrospectively analysed. Two observers measured the ES and SEPS on predefined axial (superior and inferior) and sagittal vestibular cross-sections. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation (ICC) were analysed for the ES:SEPS ratios.

Results:

The area under the curve (AUC) was decreased for the ES:SEPS ratios on the superior axial section through the vestibule (AUC 0.737) compared to the inferior axial (AUC 0.874) and sagittal sections (AUC 0.878). The resulting optimal thresholds (sensitivities/specificities) were 0.21 (0.66/0.75), 0.16 (0.77/0.9) and 0.285 (0.75/0.96). The reproducibility was excellent for all measures with ICCs of 0.97, 0.98 and 0.99.

Conclusion:

Inferior axial or sagittal vestibular cross-sections are more accurate for the diagnosis of MD ears and have excellent reproducibility.

Advances in knowledge:

The choice of vestibular cross-section influences both the ability to distinguish MD from asymptomatic contralateral ears, and the optimum threshold ES:SEPS value.
Aportaciones desde el español y el portugués a los marcadores discursivos Treinta años después de Martín Zorraquino y Portolés
Authors: Fuentes Rodríguez Catalina , Martí Sánchez Manuel , Messias Nogueira Antonio
Published: January 2021

Es una obra colectiva en la que un nutrido número de notables especialistas en ambas lenguas han analizado estas unidades. Está llamada, por ello, a constituir una referencia en la historia del estudio de los marcadores discursivos. Precedida por un prólogo de Ignacio Bosque, la obra se organiza en cuatro grandes partes. La primera se dedica a direcciones actuales en el estudio de los marcadores discursivos. En la segunda se describen diversas unidades, algunas de ellas poco habituales en los inventarios o privativas de alguna variedad del español. La tercera parte la conforman trabajos centrados en la variación dialectal que experimentan algunos marcadores. Finalmente, la última parte tiene como objeto el contraste entre algunos marcadores españoles y portugueses.
Análisis de la propuesta de Reglamento sobre los principios éticos para el desarrollo, el despliegue y el uso de la inteligencia artificial, la robótica y las tecnologías conexas.
Authors: Lazcoz Moratinos Guillermo
Published: January 2021

On 20 October 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution (2020/2012(INL)) with recommendations to the Commission regarding artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies, which included a legislative proposal for a Regulation on the ethical principles for the development, deployment and use of these technologies. The content of this proposal undoubtedly follows from the regulatory vision that the European Commission has maintained in documents such as the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence (COM(2020) 65 final) or the Ethical guidelines for trustworthy AI drawn up by the High-Level Expert Group on AI. Given this new legislative horizon, it is more necessary than ever to address a constructive criticism on the proposal, highlighting the possibility of reformulating its markedly soft-law character despite its location in a regulatory source of general application and directly applicable, such as regulations, or the adopted approach for certain key principles such as human supervision or discrimination.
Simultaneous 4-phase-shifted full-field optical coherence microscopy
Authors: Žurauskas Mantas , Iyer Rishyashring R. , Boppart Stephen A.
Published: January 2021

A new method is presented for full-field optical coherence tomography imaging, which permits capturing single shot phase sensitive imaging through simultaneous acquisition of four phase-shifted images with a single camera using unpolarized light for object illumination. Our method retains the full dynamic range of the camera by using different areas of a single camera sensor to capture each image. We demonstrate the performance of our method by imaging phantoms and live cultures of fibroblast, cancer, and macrophage cells to achieve 59 dB sensitivity with isotropic resolution down to 1 μm, and displacement sensitivity down to 0.1 nm. Our method can serve as a platform for developing high resolution imaging systems because when used in conjunction with broadband spatially incoherent light sources, the resolution is not affected by optical aberrations or speckle noise.
Radar-lidar ratio for ice crystals of cirrus clouds
Authors: Wang Zhenzhu , Shishko Victor , Kustova Natalia , Konoshonkin Alexander , Timofeev Dmitry , Xie Chenbo , Liu Dong , Borovoi Anatoli
Published: January 2021

Simultaneous measurement of lidar and radar signals returned from the same cirrus clouds is a prospective method for retrieving the cloud microphysics, i.e. size and shape of the ice crystals constituting the clouds. In this study, the ratio of the backscattered signals of lidar and radar called the radar-lidar ratio has been calculated for the first time for typical shapes of ice crystals and wide distribution of the crystals over their sizes. It is shown that it is the lidar-radar ratio that is most sensitive to crystal sizes while the lidar depolarization ratio is most sensitive to crystal shapes.
Joint-peaks demodulation method based on multireflection peaks of a few-mode fiber Bragg grating for reducing sensing error
Authors: Yao Kun , Lin Qijing , Jiang Zhuangde , Zhao Na , Tian Bian , Peng Gang-Ding
Published: January 2021

A few-mode fiber Bragg grating (FM-FBG) inscribed in a few-mode fiber (FMF) can maintain multiple reflection peaks due to the stable multiple modes in FMF. This paper studies the sensing characteristics of multiple reflection peaks for a four-mode FBG (4M-FBG) and innovatively proposes a joint-peak demodulation method based on one FM-FBG to reduce measurement error in temperature or strain sensing. This joint-peak demodulation method, theoretically explained and experimentally verified, provides the possibility of generating miniature sensors with high measurement accuracy and stable measurement performance. The potential of 4M-FBG for simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature is studied in this paper. By measuring the changes of wavelength and intensity of the reflection peaks, temperature and strain can be measured effectively.
Swallowtail-type diffraction catastrophe beams
Authors: Teng Houan , Qian Yixian , Lan Yanping , Cui Wentao
Published: January 2021

We demonstrate a universal approach for generating high-order diffraction catastrophe beams, specifically for Swallowtail-type beams (abbreviated as Swallowtail beams), using diffraction catastrophe theory that was defined by potential functions depending on the control and state parameters. The three-dimensional curved caustic surfaces of these Swallowtail catastrophe beams are derived by the potential functions. Such beams are generated by mapping the cross sections of the high-order control parameter space to the corresponding transverse plane. Owing to the flexibility of the high-order diffraction catastrophe, these Swallowtail beams can be tuned to a diverse range of optical light structures. Owing to the similarity in their frequency spectra, we found that the Swallowtail beams change into low-order Pearcey beams under given conditions during propagation. Our experimental results are in close agreement with our simulated results. Such fantastic catastrophe beams that can propagate along curved trajectories are likely to give rise to new applications in micromachining and optical manipulation, furthermore, these diverse caustic beams will pave the way for the tailoring of arbitrarily accelerating caustic beams.
Linearly-polarized pulsed Nd-doped fiber MOPA at 905 nm and frequency conversion to deep-UV at 226 nm
Authors: Corre Kilian Le , Robin Thierry , Barnini Alexandre , Kervella Louanne , Guitton Pascal , Cadier Benoit , Santarelli Giorgio , Gilles Hervé , Girard Sylvain , Laroche Mathieu
Published: January 2021

We present the first frequency-quadrupled linearly-polarized Q-switched neodymium-doped fiber laser generating > 500 mW average power at 226 nm. For this purpose, an amplified Q-switched oscillator using novel large-mode-area (LMA) fibers and generating up to 24 W average power (15 kW peak power) at 905 nm was developed. Two nonlinear frequency conversion stages using a LBO crystal for SHG and a BBO crystal for FHG generate respectively up to 4.9 W average power in the deep blue at 452 nm and a maximum of 510 mW average power in the deep ultra-violet (DUV) at 226 nm. Performance limitations and further improvements are discussed.
High-precision cavity spectroscopy using high-frequency squeezed light
Authors: Junker Jonas , Wilken Dennis , Huntington Elanor , Heurs Michèle
Published: January 2021

In this article, we present a novel spectroscopy technique that improves the signal-to-shot-noise ratio without the need to increase the laser power. Detrimental effects by technical noise sources are avoided by frequency-modulation techniques (frequency up-shifting). Superimposing the signal on non-classical states of light leads to a reduced quantum noise floor. Our method reveals in a proof-of-concept experiment small signals at Hz to kHz frequencies even below the shot noise limit. Our theoretical calculations fully support our experimental findings. The proposed technique is interesting for applications such as high-precision cavity spectroscopy, e.g., for explosive trace gas detection where the specific gas might set an upper limit for the laser power employed.
Optical frequency generation using fiber Bragg grating filters for applications in portable quantum sensing
Authors: Macrae Calum D. , Bongs Kai , Holynski Michael
Published: January 2021

A method for the agile generation of the optical frequencies required for laser cooling and atom interferometry of rubidium is demonstrated. It relies on fiber Bragg grating technology to filter the output of an electro-optic modulator and was demonstrated in an alignment-free, single-seed, frequency-doubled fiber laser system. The system was capable of frequency switching over a 30 GHz range in less than 40 ns, with

∼

0.5

W

output power and amplitude modulation with a

∼

15

n
s

rise/fall time and an extinction ratio exceeding 80 dB. The technology is ideal for enabling high-bandwidth, mobile industrial, and space applications of quantum technologies.
Cascaded SSB comb generation using injection-locked seed lasers
Authors: Yokota Nobuhide , Yasaka Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

We investigate a novel concept of cascaded single side band (SSB) comb
generation for improving the carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), which
degrades when the bandwidth of the SSB comb becomes wider.
Wavelength-multiplexed seed lasers are simultaneously modulated in a
recirculating frequency shifter loop with an SSB modulator, an
Er-doped fiber amplifier, and a fiber Bragg grating whose reflective
notch filter nature enables seed lasers to be synchronized through the
injection locking (IL). A maximum CNR improvement of 11.3 dB is
experimentally demonstrated under the IL condition. The proposed
technique effectively improves the CNR of wide-bandwidth SSB
combs.
Gold-induced photothermal background in on-chip surface enhanced stimulated Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Reynkens Kristof , Clemmen Stéphane , Zhao Haolan , Raza Ali , Vanackere Tom , Stassen Andim , Van Daele Michiel , Dendooven Jolien , Baets Roel
Published: January 2021

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and stimulated Raman spectroscopy (SRS) are well established techniques capable of boosting the strength of Raman scattering. The combination of both techniques (surface enhanced stimulated Raman spectroscopy, or SE-SRS) has been reported using plasmonic nanoparticles. In parallel, waveguide enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been developed using nanophotonic and nanoplasmonic waveguides. Here, we explore SE-SRS in nanoplasmonic waveguides. We demonstrate that a combined photothermal and thermo-optic effect in the gold material induces a strong background signal that limits the detection limit for the analyte. The experimental results are in line with theoretical estimates. We propose several methods to reduce or counteract this background.
Optical back-action on the photothermal relaxation rate
Authors: Ma Jinyong , Guccione Giovanni , Lecamwasam Ruvi , Qin Jiayi , Campbell Geoff T. , Buchler Ben C. , Lam Ping Koy
Published: January 2021

Photothermal effects can alter the response of an optical cavity, for example, by inducing self-locking behavior or unstable anomalies. The consequences of these effects are often regarded as parasitic and generally cause limited operational performance of the cavity. Despite their importance, however, photothermal parameters are usually hard to characterize precisely. In this work, we use an optical cavity strongly coupled to photothermal effects to experimentally observe an optical back-action on the photothermal relaxation rate. This effect, reminiscent of the radiation-pressure-induced optical spring effect in cavity optomechanical systems, uses optical detuning as a fine control to change the photothermal relaxation process. The photothermal relaxation rate of the system can be accordingly modified by more than an order of magnitude. This approach offers an opportunity to obtain precise in situ estimations of the parameters of the cavity in a way that is compatible with a wide range of optical resonator platforms. Through this back-action effect, we are able to determine the natural photothermal relaxation rate and the effective thermal conductivity of cavity mirrors with unprecedented resolution.
Rogue wave light bullets of the three-dimensional inhomogeneous nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: He Jingsong , Song Yufeng , Tiofack C. G. L. , Taki M.
Published: January 2021

We discover single and homocentric optical spheres of the three-dimensional inhomogeneous nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with spherical symmetry, which is a novel model of light bullets that can present a three-dimensional rogue wave. The isosurface of this light bullet oscillates along the radius direction and does not travel with the evolution of time. The localized nature of rogue wave light bullets both in space and in time, which is in complete contrast to the traveling character of the usual light bullets, is due to the localization of the rogue wave in the one-dimensional NLSE. We present also an investigation of the stability of the optical sphere solutions. The lower modes of perturbation are found to display transverse instabilities that break the spherical symmetry of the system. For the higher modes, the optical sphere solutions can be classified as stable solutions.
GABA quantification in human anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Weis Jan , Persson Jonas , Frick Andreas , Åhs Fredrik , Versluis Maarten , Alamidi Daniel
Published: January 2021

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain. It has been shown that altered GABA concentration plays an important role in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The main purpose of this study was to propose a combination of PRESS and MEGA-PRESS acquisitions for absolute GABA quantification and to compare GABA estimations obtained using total choline (tCho), total creatine (tCr), and total N-acetyl aspartate (tNAA) as the internal concentration references with water referenced quantification. The second aim was to demonstrate the fitting approach of MEGA-PRESS spectra with QuasarX algorithm using a basis set of GABA, glutamate, glutamine, and NAA in vitro spectra. Thirteen volunteers were scanned with the MEGA-PRESS sequence at 3T. Interleaved water referencing was used for quantification, B0 drift correction and to update the carrier frequency of RF pulses in real time. Reference metabolite concentrations were acquired using a PRESS sequence with short TE (30 ms) and long TR (5000 ms). Absolute concentration were corrected for cerebrospinal fluid, gray and white matter water fractions and relaxation effects. Water referenced GABA estimations were significantly higher compared to the values obtained by metabolite references. We conclude that QuasarX algorithm together with the basis set of in vitro spectra improves reliability of GABA+ fitting. The proposed GABA quantification method with PRESS and MEGA-PRESS acquisitions enables the utilization of tCho, tCr, and tNAA as internal concentration references. The use of different concentration references have a good potential to improve the reliability of GABA estimation.
Palmitate induces fat accumulation via repressing FoxO1-mediated ATGL-dependent lipolysis in HepG2 hepatocytes
Authors: Zhao Naiqian , Tan Huiwen , Wang Li , Han Le , Cheng Yanli , Feng Ying , Li Ting , Liu Xiaoling
Published: January 2021

Obesity is closely associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and elevated serum palmitate is the link between obesity and excessive hepatic lipid accumulation. Forkhead box O-1 (FoxO1) is one of the FoxO family members of transcription factors and can stimulate adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and suppress its inhibitor G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) expression in the liver. However, previous researches have also shown conflicting results regarding the role of FoxO1 in hepatic lipid accumulation. We therefore examined the role of FoxO1 as a downstream suppressor to palmitate-stimulated hepatic steatosis. Palmitate significantly promoted lipid accumulation but inhibited lipid decomposition in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. Palmitate also significantly reduced FoxO1, ATGL and its activator comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) expression but increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ (PPARγ) and its target gene G0S2 expression. FoxO1 overexpression significantly increased palmitate-inhibited ATGL and CGI-58 expression but reduced palmitate-stimulated PPARγ and its target gene G0S2 expression. FoxO1 overexpression also inhibited lipid accumulation and promoted lipolysis in palmitate-treated hepatocytes. Overall, these results indicate that FoxO1-mediated ATGL-dependent lipolysis may be an effective molecular mechanism in protecting hepatocytes from palmitate-induced fat accumulation.
Enhancing web search result clustering model based on multiview multirepresentation consensus cluster ensemble (mmcc) approach
Authors: Sabah Ali , Tiun Sabrina , Sani Nor Samsiah , Ayob Masri , Taha Adil Yaseen
Published: January 2021

Existing text clustering methods utilize only one representation at a time (single view), whereas multiple views can represent documents. The multiview multirepresentation method enhances clustering quality. Moreover, existing clustering methods that utilize more than one representation at a time (multiview) use representation with the same nature. Hence, using multiple views that represent data in a different representation with clustering methods is reasonable to create a diverse set of candidate clustering solutions. On this basis, an effective dynamic clustering method must consider combining multiple views of data including semantic view, lexical view (word weighting), and topic view as well as the number of clusters. The main goal of this study is to develop a new method that can improve the performance of web search result clustering (WSRC). An enhanced multiview multirepresentation consensus clustering ensemble (MMCC) method is proposed to create a set of diverse candidate solutions and select a high-quality overlapping cluster. The overlapping clusters are obtained from the candidate solutions created by different clustering methods. The framework to develop the proposed MMCC includes numerous stages: (1) acquiring the standard datasets (MORESQUE and Open Directory Project-239), which are used to validate search result clustering algorithms, (2) preprocessing the dataset, (3) applying multiview multirepresentation clustering models, (4) using the radius-based cluster number estimation algorithm, and (5) employing the consensus clustering ensemble method. Results show an improvement in clustering methods when multiview multirepresentation is used. More importantly, the proposed MMCC model improves the overall performance of WSRC compared with all single-view clustering models.
Concurrence of stunting and overweight/obesity among children: Evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Farah Alinoor Mohamed , Nour Tahir Yousuf , Endris Bilal Shikur , Gebreyesus Seifu Hagos
Published: January 2021

Background

Nutrition transition in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has led to shift in childhood nutritional outcomes from a predominance of undernutrition to a double burden of under- and overnutrition. Yet, policies that address undernutrition often times do not include overnutrition nor do policies on overweight, obesity reflect the challenges of undernutrition. It is therefore crucial to assess the prevalence and determinants of concurrence stunting and overweight/obesity to better inform nutrition programs in Ethiopia and beyond.

Methods

We analyzed anthropometric, sociodemographic and dietary data of children under five years of age from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A total of 8,714 children were included in the current study. Concurrence of stunting and overweight/obesity (CSO) prevalence was estimated by basic, underlying and immediate factors. To identify factors associated with CSO, we conducted hierarchical logistic regression analyses.

Results

The overall prevalence of CSO was 1.99% (95% CI, 1.57–2.53). The odds of CSO was significantly higher in children in agrarian region compared to their counter parts in the pastoralist region (AOR = 1.51). Other significant factors included; not having improved toilet facility (AOR = 1.94), being younger than 12 months (AOR = 4.22), not having history of infection (AOR = 1.83) and not having taken deworming tablet within the previous six months (AOR = 1.49).

Conclusion

Our study provided evidence on the co-existence of stunting and overweight/obesity among infants and young children in Ethiopia. Therefore, identifying children at risk of growth flattering and excess weight gain provides nutrition policies and programs in Ethiopia and beyond with an opportunity of earlier interventions through improving sanitation, dietary quality by targeting children under five years of age and those living in Agrarian regions of Ethiopia.
Epidemiology and clinical presentation of glaucoma in a referral facility in Ghana: Any lessons for public health intervention?
Authors: Kyei Samuel , Obeng Patience Asantewaa , Kwarteng Michael Agyemang , Assiamah Frank
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical profile of patients living with glaucoma and receiving care in a tertiary eye center in Ghana. This was a hospital-based retrospective study of clinical records of glaucoma patients from January 2010 to December 2019. The study involved collating demographic information of patients, clinical presentation, and the management of glaucoma. A total of nineteen thousand (19,000) charts were retrieved from the eye center’s archives. Out of these, 660 (3.5%) records of patients qualified for the study and were analyzed. There were 398 (60.3%) males and 262 (39.7%) females. Their ages ranged from 9 to 86 years (mean age = 47.30; SD ± 16.86 years). The averages of ocular parameters of 1,320 eyes (660 patients) were visual acuity = 0.26 ± 0.55 logMAR; intraocular pressure: 17.31 ± 6.11 mmHg; cup-to-disc ratios: 0.67 ± 0.17 D; and the average retinal nerve fibers thickness was 95.03 ± 21.74 μm. The mainstay of treatment was the sole use of medication. Males were the major group receiving glaucoma care at the tertiary level. Glaucoma cases included juveniles but the mean age suggests most were of adult-onset. Socio-demographic characteristics affected the diagnosis and management of glaucoma among patients receiving care at a referral center. Public health, stakeholders, and policymakers’ interventions can help identify individuals with glaucoma.
Assessment of efficacy of mutagenesis of gamma-irradiation in plant height and days to maturity through expression analysis in rice
Authors: M. T. Andrew-Peter-Leon , Ramchander S. , K. K. Kumar , Muthamilarasan Mehanathan , Pillai M. Arumugam
Published: January 2021

Introduction of semi-dwarfism and early maturity in rice cultivars is important to achieve improved plant architecture, lodging resistance and high yield. Gamma rays induced mutations are routinely used to achieve these traits. We report the development of a semi-dwarf, early maturing and high-yielding mutant of rice cultivar ‘Improved White Ponni’, a popular cosmopolitan variety in south India preferred for its superior grain quality traits. Through gamma rays induced mutagenesis, several mutants were developed and subjected to selection up to six generations (M6) until the superior mutants were stabilized. In the M6 generation, significant reduction in days to flowering (up to 11.81% reduction) and plant height (up to 40% reduction) combined with an increase in single plant yield (up to 45.73% increase) was observed in the mutant population. The cooking quality traits viz., linear elongation ratio, breadthwise expansion ratio, gel consistency and gelatinization temperature of the mutants were similar to the parent variety Improved White Ponni. The genetic characterization with SSR markers showed variability between the semi-dwarf-early mutants and the Improved White Ponni. Gibberellin responsiveness study and quantitative real-time PCR showed a faulty gibberellin pathway and epistatic control between the genes such as OsKOL4 and OsBRD2 causing semi-dwarfism in a mutant. These mutants have potential as new rice varieties and can be used as new sources of semi-dwarfism and earliness for improving high grain quality rice varieties.
Effect of container shape on freeze concentration of apple juice
Authors: Yoda Tsuyoshi , Miyaki Hiroshi , Saito Tomoaki
Published: January 2021

Concentrating fruit juices by freezing supports the maintenance of both nutrients and flavors. Development of the freezing concentration process has introduced equipment such as centrifuge or block freezing systems, which are suitable for large-scale commercial processing. However, the necessary characteristics of freeze concentration methods for juices include simplicity and low cost. This study examined the effects of different container shapes on the processes of freezing and melting. The shape of the container was found to be more important than the melting temperature, across a relatively large scale. Furthermore, the nutrient procyanidin B2 and saccharides were concentrated. The methods concentrated juice components under low cost conditions without complex equipment. This research thus not only offers benefits for commercial juice preparation but also provides new insight into effects of shape differences in concentration technologies.
Statin use and outcome risks according to predicted CVD risk in Korea: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jung Hae Hyuk
Published: January 2021

Background

The validity of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk calculators in decision for statin therapy has not been fully evaluated at a population level. This study aimed to examine the net benefits of statins according to predicted CVD risk.

Methods and findings

A cohort of 40 to 79-year-old Korean adults without CVD was generated from the National Health Information Database 2006–2017. Major CVD event rates and all-cause mortality in 58,265 users who initiated statins during 2007–2010 were compared with those in 58,265 nonusers matched on propensity scores, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2017. Additionally, simulation was performed for the population-based cohort of 659,759 adults. CVD risk was predicted using the 2018 revised Pooled Cohort Equations. In propensity score-matched cohort, the CVD hazard ratios (95% CIs) in occasional, intermittent, and regular statin users were 1.06 (0.93–1.20), 0.82 (0.70–0.97), and 0.57 (0.50–0.64), respectively. The corresponding mortality hazard ratios were 1.01 (0.92–1.10), 0.87 (0.78–0.98), and 0.71 (0.66–0.77), respectively. In stratified analyses, the relative risk reductions were similar, irrespective of age, sex, or predicted CVD risk. Accordingly, absolute risk reductions were greater in higher risk categories. In 6-year follow-up simulation cohorts, regular statin use could reduce 17 CVDs and 28 deaths in 1000 adults with a 10-year risk of ≥10.0% vs 10 CVDs and 14 deaths in 1000 with ≥2 major risk factors. However, in actual adults with a risk of ≥10%, statin use was insufficient and estimated to reduce 3 CVDs and 4 deaths in 1000. Limitations of this study include assessment of medication use based on the prescription data, lack of information on the intensity of statins, and limited generalizability to individuals with very old age or other ethnicity.

Conclusions

CVD risk calculators were valid in decision-making for primary prevention statin therapy. Proper risk assessment and regular statin use in patients at high predicted risk would reduce outcome risks much more than present in Asian populations.
Methionine supplementing effects on intestine, liver and uterus morphology, and on positivity and expression of Calbindin-D28k and TRPV6 epithelial calcium carriers in laying quail in thermoneutral conditions and under thermal stress
Authors: de Moraes Lanuza Ribeiro , Delicato Maria Eduarda Araújo , da Silva Cruz André , Pereira da Silva Hugo Thyares Fonseca Nascimento , de Vasconcelos Alves Clara Virgínia Batista , Campos Danila Barreiro , Saraiva Edilson Paes , Perazzo da Costa Fernando , Guerra Ricardo Romão
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to provide the performance, localization and expression of the epithelial calcium transporter channels Calbindin-D28k (Calb) and TRPV6, and of the morphology of the digestive and reproductive system of laying quail under heat stress (HS), and with methionine supplementation (MS). This study characterized the positivity (immunohistochemistry) and expression (real-time PCR) of calcium channels in the kidneys, intestine and uterus of 504 laying quails under different MS (100, 110 and 120%) and temperatures (20, 24, 28 and 32°C). The animals under HS (32°C) had lower villus height, villus:crypt ratio, and goblet cell index in the duodenum and jejunum, fewer secondary and tertiary uterine folds, smaller hepatic steatosis, and increased number of distal convoluted renal tubules (CT) positive to Calb, and increased positivity in proximal CTs. Deleterious effects of HS were minimized with MS for: duodenal crypts, number of goblet cells of the jejunum, number of uterine folds, decreased Calb positivity in intestines and kidney, increased positivity of Calb in the uterus and increased TRPV6 gene expression in the kidney (P≤0.05). Epithelial calcium transporters were altered due to less need for calcium absorption and reabsorption due to more calcium available with the MS, increasing egg production in HS and quality in termoneutrality (P≤0.05). MS further increased intestinal villus absorption area and height, increased steatosis, decreased Calb positivity in the intestine and kidney, increased uterine positivity of Calb, and increase Calb and TRPV6 expression in the kidney (P≤0.001) under thermoneutrality. It was concluded that the use of MS (120%) is justifiable in order to partially reverse the deleterious effects of HS on the production, in the epithelial calcium carriers, and in the digestory and reproductive morphology of laying quail.
Presidentes outsiders y ministros neófitos: un análisis a través del ejemplo de Fujimori
Authors: Carreras Miguel
Published: January 2021

Los críticos del sistema presidencialista señalan que la llegada al poder de outsiders es uno de los peligros del presidencialismo. Este trabajo analiza el impacto de los presidentes outsiders para la composición del gabinete. El argumento central es que los outsiders tienden a nombrar ministros técnicos e independientes. Los outsiders no tienen la voluntad o la capacidad para negociar con otras fuerzas políticas porque no tienen una socialización política. Además, una estrategia de confrontación con los partidos establecidos les da más réditos políticos y electorales. En este artículo, se aporta evidencia empírica a partir de un análisis detallado de los gabinetes peruanos en el period 1980-1995. Se comparan los gabinetes de dos presidentes que eran líderes partidarios (Belaúnde y García) con los gabinetes de un outsider (Fujimori). También se analizan las consecuencias de tener un gabinete compuesto mayoritariamente por independientes para el funcionamiento de ese gabinete.
Balance económico-social de 50 años de Revolución en Cuba
Authors: Mesa-Lago Carmelo
Published: January 2021

Este trabajo sintetiza los cambios de la política económica cubana entre 1958 y 2008; explica las dificultades para contrastar indicadores en los dos años e introduce técnicas para enfrentarlas; evalúa el desempeño con 84 indicadores normalizados (económicos internos y externos, y sociales), y compara el ordenamiento cubano en América Latina en 1958 y 2008. Concluye que la mayoría de los indicadores económicos empeoró bajo la Revolución, mientras que la mayoría de los indicadores sociales mejoró; entre 1989 y 2008 dos tercios de todos los indicadores se deterioraron; en el ordenamiento regional de Cuba, todos los indicadores económicos descendieron o quedaron igual, mientras que la mitad de los indicadores sociales ascendió y la otra mitad descendió o se estancó.
El impacto de las políticas nacionales en los rediseños de los sistemas de gobernanza petrolera en Ecuador y Venezuela
Authors: Le Calvez Marc
Published: January 2021

RESUMEN: El tercer choque petrolero (1999) favoreció las aspiraciones nacionalistas de varios gobiernos de la región amazónica andina en el sector petrolero. El objetivo de este estudio consiste en explicar los contrastes en los procesos de rediseño de los sistemas de gobernanza petrolera entre Ecuador y Venezuela, a partir del análisis de las políticas nacionales de cada uno de estos países. ABSTRACT: The third oil boom (1999) supported the nationalist aspirations of some governments in the Amazon-Andean Region. The main purpose of this article is to explain the differences in the process of redesign of the oil governance systems between Ecuador and Venezuela, from the perspective of the national policies of each country.
Inconsistencias contaminantes: gobernación electoral y conflicto poselectoral en las elecciones presidenciales del 2006 en México
Authors: Schedler Andreas
Published: January 2021

RESUMEN: Cuando partidos o candidatos derrotados rechazan el resultado de una elección, casi invariablemente aseveran haber sido víctimas de fraude. La democracia les exige aceptar su derrota, el fraude los libera de esta exigencia. En muchos casos, es difícil para ciudadanos y observadores evaluar la veracidad de sus acusaciones. Como argumenta el presente ensayo, la presencia de inconsistencias en el ámbito de la gobernación electoral tiende a alimentar el fuego del conflicto poselectoral de manera significativa. Las inconsistencias hacen que sea muy fácil sembrar dudas sobre la elección y muy complicado despejarlas. Para ilustrar su efecto contaminante, el ensayo examina de manera detallada las inconsistencias administrativas y judiciales que alimentaron las acusaciones de fraude en la controvertida elección presidencial del año 2006 en México. ABSTRACT: Losing parties or candidates almost invariably claim to be victims of fraud when they refuse to accept the results of an election. Democracy demands that losers consent to their defeat; fraud sets them free to reject it. In many cases, though, citizens and observers have a difficult time in assessing the veracity of their claims. As the present essay argues, the presence of inconsistencies in the realm of electoral governance tends to significantly aggravate such postelectoral disputes. To illustrate their contaminating consequences, the essay closely examines the administrative and judicial inconsistencies that fed allegations of fraud in the controversial 2006 presidential elections in Mexico.
Género, ocupación y estructuras del hogar de la migración dominicana y ecuatoriana en España y Estados Unidos
Authors: Domingo Andreu , Esteve Albert
Published: January 2021

Con datos censales de Estados Unidos de América y España, en este artículo se comparan las estructuras ocupacionales y de los hogares de la población dominicana y ecuatoriana en los dos países. La finalidad principal del trabajo es investigar (I) si las diferencias en el grado de feminización de los flujos migratorios hacia ambos países responden a una cuestión de la demanda del mercado laboral y (II) si ha tenido implicaciones en la estructura de los hogares de estos migrantes. Los resultados sugieren que las características del mercado laboral del país de destino podrían estar detrás de la composición de género de los flujos migratorios hacia España y Estados Unidos. En relación con los hogares, la presencia de las mujeres en hogares complejos y sin núcleo es mayor en aquellos colectivos más feminizados. Estas diferencias se mantienen cuando se introducen variables de control como la edad, los años de residencia y el nivel educativo de los/las inmigrantes.
¿Modelos familiares de aquí o de allá? Pautas de cohabitación entre las mujeres latinoamericanas en España
Authors: Cortina Trilla Clara , Bueno García Xiana , Castro Martín Teresa
Published: January 2021

En el contexto del intenso crecimiento de los flujos de inmigración internacional en España, el propósito de esta investigación es establecer en qué medida las inmigrantes latinoamericanas reproducen en España patrones propios de las pautas conyugales de sus países de origen. A tal efecto, se utilizan para el análisis de la cohabitación la Encuesta Nacional de Inmigrantes, la Encuesta de Población Activa y el registro de nacimientos del Movimiento Natural de la Población, todos para el año 2007. Los resultados constatan la alta prevalencia de las uniones consensuales entre las mujeres latinoamericanas. En cuanto a los factores sociodemográficos que influencian la propensión a la cohabitación, los resultados muestran importantes similitudes entre mujeres españolas y latinoamericanas, excepto en el efecto del nivel.
La calidad de la democracia paraguaya: un avance sobre caminos tortuosos
Authors: Barreda Mikel , Bou Marc
Published: January 2021

En el marco de una preocupación cada vez mayor por analizar la calidad de las nuevas democracias, este artículo se ocupa de examinar el caso de Paraguay. Se trata de una democracia poco atendida en la literatura especializada aunque su interés está creciendo como consecuencia de la derrota electoral del Partido Colorado (en el poder desde 1947) en las presidenciales de abril de 2008. Para llevar a cabo este trabajo, se parte de una reflexión teórica y metodológica en torno a la noción y la medición empírica de la calidad democrática. Al realizar el análisis de la democracia paraguaya se atiende a cinco dimensiones fundamentales: derechos políticos y libertades civiles, Estado de Derecho, rendición de cuentas, responsiveness y participación. La conclusión general es que es una democracia de baja calidad, distanciada del promedio latinoamericano. Para explicar este bajo nivel de calidad democrática se presta atención a tres tipos de explicaciones, que están relacionadas: unas referentes a la estructura socioeconómica del país, otras a las características de sus instituciones políticas (sobre todo, la relevancia del clientelismo) y, finalmente, otras relativas a los intereses y estrategias de los partidos políticos.
¿Necesita São Paulo una política exterior? Hegemonía, diplomacia y paradiplomacia en Brasil
Authors: Medeiros Marcelo de Almeida
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo argumenta dos cosas. Por un lado, que la condición hegemónica del estado de São Paulo en el seno de la federación brasileña lo predispone a una acción paradiplomática endógena. Por otra parte, alega que esta acción paradiplomática endógena coincide con un fenómeno de desconcentración (y no de federalización) de la diplomacia nacional. La conclusión a la que se llega es que si la desconcentración paulatina de la diplomacia brasileña exige un esfuerzo capitalizado de la paradiplomacia endógena, esto no significa que para maximizar las ganancias la paradiplomacia exógena no deba ser implementada. La hegemonía del estado de São Paulo no justifica un comportamiento poco expresivo respecto a una elaboración coordinada de la estrategia de gestión de sus negocios extranjeros.
«La bachata del gay volador»: el desafío a la (homo) sexualidad y la identidad dominicana en la música de Andy Peña y en «bachata del ángel caído» (1999) de Pedro Antonio Valdez
Authors: Méndez Danny
Published: January 2021

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El proceso de democratización paraguayo: avances y resistencias
Authors: Uharte Pozas Luis Miguel
Published: January 2021

El presente texto, teniendo como referente las nuevas conceptualizaciones que se están realizando en América Latina en torno a la democracia en los últimos tiempos, pretende realizar un balance del proceso de democratización que se ha desarrollado en Paraguay, tras la histórica derrota electoral del Partido Colorado en las elecciones presidenciales de abril de 2008. Se identifican brevemente las razones de la victoria de la heterogénea coalición de partidos liderada por el exobispo Fernando Lugo y, posteriormente, se presenta una evaluación provisional del proceso de democratización en tres de sus dimensiones: democratización política, democratización social y participación ciudadana.
Cooperación Sur-Sur para el desarrollo: las relaciones Brasil-África en la promoción de las políticas públicas (2003-2012)
Authors: Pinho Carlos Eduardo Santos
Published: January 2021

A diferencia de los modelos clásicos de cooperación para el desarrollo promovidos por los países ricos (cooperación Norte-Sur-CNS), la cooperación Sur-Sur (CSS) se concibe como una asociación horizontal entre países que comparten problemas y desafíos similares para el desarrollo. Brasil, que durante décadas fue receptor de ese tipo de ayuda, afirma tener una mejor comprensión de las necesidades de los países pobres. Desde 2003, ese país ha profundizado sus relaciones con el África subsahariana, tanto a partir de la proyección de sus empresas como por medio de la «internacionalización›› de las políticas públicas. A pesar de las «limitaciones›› y «tensiones›› de esa modalidad embrionaria de CSS, el artículo argumenta que Brasil está contribuyendo substancialmente al desarrollo del continente africano.