bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matriz de competências relacionadas aos medicamentos para o enfermeiro em unidade de terapia intensiva*
Authors: Belarmino Géssika Moreira , Renovato Rogério Dias
Published: January 2021

Objetivo: construir uma matriz de competências relacionadas aos medicamentos para o enfermeiro em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Método: pesquisa qualitativa que empregou a técnica do grupo nominal com 21 enfermeiros que trabalham em UTI de hospitais de Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu em 2018. Para subsidiar a análise dos dados de acordo com o conceito de competências, aporte teórico desta pesquisa, foi realizada leitura pormenorizada dos relatórios, blocos de anotações e resultado da técnica em comparação com a literatura pertinente. Resultados: na construção da matriz foram estabelecidas sete competências: autonomia profissional, conhecimentos científicos, conhecimentos da indicação do medicamento, conhecimentos técnicos, educação continuada, nove certos na administração segura de medicamentos e responsabilidade. Conclusão: a matriz de competências poderá subsidiar a implementação de futuras estratégias de aprendizagem com propostas de desenvolvimento das mesmas, tanto no campo profissional como no ensino em suas diferentes esferas.
CHUKWUMA ANYANWU: DRAMATIC REFLECTIONS ON THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY
Authors: Imiti Aghogho Lucky
Published: January 2021

Drama performs various roles in the society. One of such roles is the re-presentation of past events. These past events are historical antecedents which a given society is meant to be abreast of in order to cut a proper walking path for the future, either to avoid pitfalls of the past or uphold a certain standard. Likening drama to a mirror, this paper discussed the reflective nature of drama in the Nigerian society. Through the use of the literary method, Chukwuma Anyanwu’s dramatic texts, Stunted Growth, The Battle, Another Weekend, Gone! and Broken Image, were analysed to ascertain how well the playwright was able to project the Nigerian society through these works. It was discovered that the plays were well crafted by the author and that they mirrored the Nigerian milieu. It was therefore concluded that members of the society, especially the political class, should learn from these plays and build a society that is devoid of intimidation, corruption, oppression of the masses and the mass media, in order for democracy to thrive.
MASS MEDIA AS WEAPONS IN CONTENDING TERRORISM IN NIGERIA
Authors: Oju Enakeno Victoria
Published: January 2021

Terrorism has been of global concern in recent times. The problem is not only a great challenge and a threat to the security and stability of a nation; it hampers overall growth and development. In spite of government’s counter-terrorism interventions and responses, as well as interventions from other nations and bodies, the issue of terrorism in Nigeria appears to be rising, which calls for more holistic approaches in tackling the menace. This study is an attempt to contribute to the ongoing interventions to combat the current challenge of terrorism, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. The paper, therefore, attempts to expose and explore various ways the media can be used to instigate a radical transformation towards curtailing terrorism and achieving a terrorism-free state. The study adopts the action research method as a research methodology. It is also predicated on the Agenda-setting theory as well as the cultivation theory. Findings from this study reveal that the aim of terrorists is to create insecurity, destabilise the country to make it ungovernable. This study thus in examining the power of the mass media in the curtailing of terrorism concludes that the mass media are lethal weapons for contending terrorism.
LAOS NATIONAL IDENTITY CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE OF RE-ORIENTALISM: A CASE STUDY OF THE 2020 LAOS NATIONAL TOURISM VIDEO
Authors: YeonKyung Lee
Published: January 2021

The formation of national identity by the Lao government has been unsuccessful due to globalization since 2000. The Lao government realized this and decided to shift its focus to the economic dimension as a means to unite the Lao people. In the 2000s, the West had a major influence on Laos representation, but after the 2008 economic crisis in the United States, Laos prioritize the trade with China and South Korea. As the global economic environment changed, Laos needed to attract the attention of Asian tourists. In this situation, re-orientalism becomes a cultural strategy exclusive to Asian countries. Simultaneously, re-orientalism shows a shift in the nature of Laos' national identity; from essentialism to pragmatism. As the study case, the 2020 Laos national tourism video shows that re-orientalism emphasizes primitive images and simple pleasures to reproduce a common representation of Laos as a spiritual and asexual Beautiful Buddha country. Each of these re-orientalism tools, directly and indirectly, affects the economic benefits of Laos.
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY (SOCIAL MEDIA) IN INCREASING THE AWARENESS OF HEALTHY LIFE STYLES AND STRENGTHENING SOCIAL INTERACTIONS: AN EFFORT TO HANDLE COVID-19 IN THE MICRO ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Wijayanto Eko
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the interaction patterns and culture of society. The pretext of limiting interactions as the key to handle COVID-19 certainly has various challenges in its implementation in society. Regulators have promulgated various global and national policies (in macro level). It is necessary to ascertain whether the policy can be conveyed and implemented correctly at the micro-level in the community, which has various social and cultural characters. Neighborhood Association (known as Rukun Warga in Indonesia), as the smallest community in society, is undoubtedly the spearhead in ensuring all global and national policies can be carried out correctly. The advancement in technology with social media as its main strength can certainly facilitate various scenarios for preventing COVID-19, as long as it is well utilized. Human cross-checks remain the key to filtering this abundant amount of information. This research intends to study how the role of technology in bridging global information regarding the prevention of COVID-19 can be conveyed well to micro-communities such as Neighborhood Association, as well as seeing the role of the association in sorting out the information presented by technology and making it a COVID-19 prevention treatment according to local wisdom and community character. This study found that technology (especially social media) played a significant role in delivering information and socialization to the Neighborhood Association level. Also, the association has various ways of translating global and national socialization into a treatment that impacts society's compliance regarding social interactions according to health protocols. Furthermore, the author also found that the globally proclaimed restriction for social interactions strengthens social interaction at the Neighborhood Association's micro or environmental level.
BRIDGING SUSTAINABILITY AND POLICING TO BALINESE ORMAS CONFLICT: AN INTEGRATIVE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Sudama I Nyoman , Meliala Adrianus E. , Laksana Chrysnanda Dwi , Hamid Supardi
Published: January 2021

The link between sustainability and policing has not been widely discussed and systematically analyzed in conflict resolution to gain long term goals of post-conflict recovery and reconciliation. A fairly large cross-disciplinary literature has developed and proposed a multi-dimensional notion of sustainability in organizational performance including public services and law-enforcement activities. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework to bridge sustainability practices and policing activities in the background of Balinese mass organization conflict. A conceptual literature review is adopted to customize diverse connections of sustainability, policing, and hence conflict. The results of the research show that the policing activities may place a stronger focus on conflict resolution by developing sustainable conflict transformation when there are regular conflict potential and a dynamic changing environment. The primary conclusion of this paper is that the relationships between sustainability practices and policing activities rely on divergent factors, including social dynamics, culture, organizational structure, and institutional landscapes.
REDUCING CRIME THROUGH THE THEATRE: AN ANALYSIS OF FOLUKE OGUNLEYE’S JABULILE
Authors: Akaenyi Nkiruka Jacinta
Published: January 2021

This study examines the connection between family conditions and the criminal behaviours of children. Over the years, drama has been used to address the socio-political, economic and security challenges in different societies. The goal of these dramatists is to chart the way forward for a harmonious political, economic and social system. It is in this wise that, Foluke Ogunleye used her knowledge of drama to address serious issues affecting the progress and stability of the nation. This study finds that the explosion of crime in the nation is linked to the fragile family system surrounding the children’s upbringing by their respective families. This paper analyzes one of Foluke Ogunleye’s plays, Jabulile in an attempt to educate Nigerian families on what is expected of them as far as the issue of national security is concerned. This is done with the recognition that the family is the first unit of socialization. This study recommends that proper socialization of children by their parents is therefore a stepping stone for a harmonious socio-political system.
RETHINKING THE HUMANITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERTEXUALITY AND ADAPTATIONS WITHIN THE DIASPORIC CONSTRUCT
Authors: Gbilekaa Saint E. T. , Ejue Olympus G.
Published: January 2021

Drastic socio/political and economic changes in the world have perhaps led to global mass migration, transcontinental transport or scattering of people away from their established or ancestral homeland. This obviously explains the vitality that has characterized the creative impetus of intertextuality and adaptation mechanics used by certain Nigerian diaspora dramatists over the years as group identity formation and social pattern of identity politics and cultural belonging in expressing universal human concerns. The question however is; has the adaptation of classical or historical plays to the dawn of modern play texts by Nigerian diaspora dramatists reinforced the Nigerian culture? The condition is foregrounded on the mind-set of most literary critics, who now seek to know where ‘home’ actually is, or what ‘rights’ and/or ‘entitlements’ an indigene-settler within the diasporic framework can celebrate in terms of human diversity or uniformity as they provide an insight into a world that is different from their own. It is this conceptual and cross platform reflections on themes and context within the diasporic construct of trans-textual adaptation, cultural citizenship vis-à-vis national or global idea of developing culture across borders that the paper attempted to interrogate. Using adaptation theory as its framework, the paper adopts a qualitative method of investigation. It is assumed that, the likes of Wole Soyinka, Ola Rotimi, J.P. Clark, Femi Osofisan, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, Athol Fugard, Efua Sutherland and a host of others had adapted foreign play texts in order to engender socio/political interrelatedness based on their diasporic experiences and worldviews. The paper, therefore, concludes that; Diaspora formations have actually influenced theatre practice in Nigeria nay Africa through play-texts adaptation paradigms as vehicles that can be supportive of constructing peaceful societies.
REPRESENTATIONS OF FOREIGNERS AND JAPANESE NATIONAL IDENTITY AT THE 1964 OLYMPICS IN IDATEN
Authors: Pratama Himawan
Published: January 2021

The 2020 Olympics are not Tokyo's first experience of hosting the Games. Previously, the city hosted the 1964 Olympics. This historical background generated nostalgia for the 1964 Olympics ahead of the 2020 Olympics. The 1964 Olympics are remembered for exposing Japanese society to various interactions with foreigners, which eventually provided the setting for expressions of Japanese national identity through comparisons between "us" (Japanese) and "them" (foreigners). In this sense, representations of foreigners, and their roles as essential elements of Japanese national identity discourse, have been the integral parts of 1964 Olympics nostalgia. Ahead of the 2020 Olympics, numerous popular culture forms depicting the 1964 Olympics were produced in Japan. One notable work was the television drama IDATEN Orimupikku Banashi (hereafter: IDATEN), broadcast by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) from January-December 2019. The drama depicted Japan's Olympic movement from the 1912 to 1964 Olympics and featured a wide variety of foreign characters. IDATEN's portrayal of the 1964 Olympics features not only foreign countries widely represented in Japanese popular culture, such as the US, but also less featured countries such as Indonesia and the Republic of the Congo. This article analyzes depictions of these three nations to examine critically the role of representations of foreigners in Japanese national identity discourse within the drama. It argues that as a drama produced ahead of the 2020 Olympics IDATEN signifies the aspirations of 21st century Japan rather than reflecting the actual situation during the 1964 Olympics, especially in how it portrays Japan through the country’s relations with other countries.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Urinary Albumin to Creatinine Ratio as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Disease in Metabolic Syndrome Patients
Authors: Iqbal Shahid , Mittal Anju , Kumar Sudeep , Sah Sumesh Prasad , Mustafa Imran , Sharma Manju
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a condition that increases the risk of cardiac disease, diabetes, hypertension and may be associated with microalbuminuria. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and to determine albumin to creatinine ratio as a predictor of cardiovascular disease in metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted from February 2019 to January 2020 in the Department of Biochemistry and Outpatient Department of Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Out of enrolled 795 subjects, 452 were male and 343 were female. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was calculated on the basis of metabolic syndrome criteria. Anthropometric parameters like age, weight, height, blood pressure and the biochemical parameters including fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), urinary albumin, serum creatinine and urinary Albumin to Creatinine Ratio were measured in study population. SPSS version 16 was used for statistical analysis and student independent sample t-test was used for comparing differences amongst the variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 795 subjects, 152 patients (19.12%) were hypertensive, 85 patients (10.69%) were diabetic and 29 patients (3.65%) were hypertensive with diabetic. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was around 18.11% (144 subjects), out of which 52.78% were female and 47.22% were male. Out of 144 Metabolic Syndrome subjects, 23 subjects were diabetic, 32 were hypertensive, 14 were diabetic with hypertensive and 75 were others. The mean levels of urinary albumin creatinine ratio were increased significantly in metabolic syndrome subjects and the increase in urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (uACR) was more in metabolic syndrome subjects having Diabetes and Hypertension both. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the microalbuminuria is associated with metabolic syndrome. The microalbuminuria was found to be more significant in metabolic syndrome subjects who were diabetic with hypertensive as compared to diabetic or hypertensive alone.
Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Selected Antioxidant Enzymes and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
Authors: Joshi Basant , Singh Sangeeta , Sharma Preeti , Mohapatra Tapan , Kumar Pradeep
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Cigarette Smoking (CS) is the single greatest preventable cause of disease and death and is rich in Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (ROS and RNS). These can cause the production of other free radicals, which, in turn, initiate lipid peroxidation and cause several diseases. Free radical scavenger enzymes namely Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) represent the enzymatic part that have the ability to inhibit oxidative stress by scavenging the highly destructive free radicals. Aim: To study the effect of CS on selected antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress biomarkers. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted from September 2016 to September 2019 in which total of 284 healthy (without any systemic diseases) cigarette smokers (cases) in the age group of 18-60 years compared with age and sex matched 284 nonsmokers (controls) were included in the study. Estimation of serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA), Malondialdehyde (MDA) by Thiobarbuturic Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), SOD by water soluble tetrazolium salt 1, GPx and CAT by colorimetric method. The analysis was carried out using the SPSS 19.0.2 program for windows. Unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyse all the data for statistical significance. Results: The mean Serum MDA and 8-OHdG levels were significantly raised 7.47±1.84, 63.41±22.44 as compared to nonsmokers (3.90±1.03, 40.04±20.14) and serum SOD, Gpx and CAT levels were decreased 62.55±19.97, 44.45±16.60 and 12.92±10.16 in cigarette smokers as compared to nonsmokers 274.04±68.37, 208.56±75.63 and 127.82±18.68, respectively. These differences were also found to be statistically significant in cigarette smokers according to duration and number of cigarette smoked at the level of <0.05. Conclusion: Cigarette Smoking, especially long-term smoking may leads to significant changes in the enzymatic antioxidant defense systems of smokers. Discontinuation of smoking and general awareness needs to be created to minimise the risk of smoking related diseases.
Teachers as targets of student bullying: Data from China and the United States
Authors: Qiao Bixi , Patterson Meagan M.
Published: January 2021

The current study took a cross‐cultural perspective in understanding the phenomenon in which teachers are bullied by students, comparing Chinese and U.S. teachers. The survey examined Chinese (n = 154) and U.S. (n = 61) teachers' experiences of being bullied by students or witnessing other teachers bullied by students in the past year. Approximately one‐third of teachers in both China and the United States reported being the target of student bullying, with relational and verbal bullying the most commonly reported types. More U.S. teachers experienced physical bullying than Chinese teachers, whereas more Chinese teachers experienced sexual bullying than U.S. teachers. U.S. teachers were more likely than Chinese teachers to report that their school had a bullying policy and that they had reported bullying behavior to school administrators.
Absorption in Invariant Domains for Semigroups of Quantum Channels
Authors: Carbone Raffaella , Girotti Federico
Published: January 2021

We introduce a notion of absorption operators in the context of quantum Markov processes. The absorption problem in invariant domains (enclosures) is treated for a quantum Markov evolution on a separable Hilbert space, both in discrete and continuous times: We define a well-behaving set of positive operators which can correspond to classical absorption probabilities, and we study their basic properties, in general, and with respect to accessibility structure of channels, transience and recurrence. In particular, we can prove that no accessibility is allowed between the null and positive recurrent subspaces. In the case, when the positive recurrent subspace is attractive, ergodic theory will allow us to get additional results, in particular about the description of fixed points.
Low profile REBOA device for increasing systolic blood pressure in hemodynamic instability: single-center 4-year experience of use of ER-REBOA
Authors: McGreevy David T. , Sadeghi Mitra , Nilsson Kristofer F. , Hörer Tal M.
Published: January 2021

Background

Hemodynamic instability due to torso hemorrhage can be managed with the assistance of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). This is a report of a single-center experience using the ER-REBOA™ catheter for traumatic and non-traumatic cases as an adjunct to hemorrhage control and as part of the EndoVascular resuscitation and Trauma Management (EVTM) concept. The objective of this report is to describe the clinical usage, technical success, results, complications and outcomes of the ER-REBOA™ catheter at Örebro University hospital, a middle-sized university hospital in Europe.

Methods

Data concerning patients receiving the ER-REBOA™ catheter for any type of hemorrhagic shock and hemodynamic instability at Örebro University hospital in Sweden were collected prospectively from October 2015 to May 2020.

Results

A total of 24 patients received the ER-REBOA™ catheter (with the intention to use) for traumatic and non-traumatic hemodynamic control; it was used in 22 patients. REBOA was performed or supervised by vascular surgeons using 7–8 Fr sheaths with an anatomic landmark or ultrasound guidance. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased significantly from 50 mmHg (0–63) to 95 mmHg (70–121) post REBOA. In this cohort, distal embolization and balloon rupture due to atherosclerosis were reported in one patient and two patients developed renal failure. There were no cases of balloon migration. Overall 30-day survival was 59%, with 45% for trauma patients and 73% for non-traumatic patients. Responders to REBOA had a significantly lower rate of mortality at both 24 h and 30 days.

Conclusions

Our clinical data and experience show that the ER-REBOA™ catheter can be used for control of hemodynamic instability and to significantly increase SBP in both traumatic and non-traumatic cases, with relatively few complications. Responders to REBOA have a significantly lower rate of mortality.
Increased crystalloid fluid requirements during zone 3 Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) versus Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet (AAJT) after class II hemorrhage in swine
Authors: Brännström Andreas , Dahlquist Albin , Gustavsson Jenny , Arborelius Ulf P. , Günther Mattias
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Pelvic and lower junctional hemorrhage result in a significant amount of trauma related deaths in military and rural civilian environments. The Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet (AAJT) and infra-renal (zone 3) Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) are two options for resuscitation of patients with life threatening blood loss from and distal to the pelvis. Evidence suggest differences in the hemodynamic response between AAJT and zone 3 REBOA, but fluid management during resuscitation with the devices has not been fully elucidated. We compared crystalloid fluid requirements (Ringer’s acetate) between these devices to maintain a carotid mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 60 mmHg.

Methods

60 kg anesthetized and mechanically ventilated male pigs were subjected to a mean 1030 (range 900–1246) mL (25% of estimated total blood volume, class II) haemorrhage. AAJT (n = 6) or zone 3 REBOA (n = 6) were then applied for 240 min. Crystalloid fluids were administered to maintain carotid MAP. The animals were monitored for 30 min after reperfusion.

Results

Cumulative resuscitative fluid requirements increased 7.2 times (mean difference 2079 mL; 95% CI 627–3530 mL) in zone 3 REBOA (mean 2412; range 800–4871 mL) compared to AAJT (mean 333; range 0–1000 mL) to maintain target carotid MAP. Release of the AAJT required vasopressor support with norepinephrine infusion for a mean 9.6 min (0.1 µg/kg/min), while REBOA release required no vasopressor support.

Conclusion

Zone 3 REBOA required 7.2 times more crystalloids to maintain the targeted MAP. The AAJT may therefore be considered in a situation of hemorrhagic shock to limit the need for crystalloid infusions, although removal of the AAJT caused more severe hemodynamic and metabolic effects which required vasopressor support.
Glucocorticoids dexamethasone and prednisolone suppress fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23)
Authors: Feger Martina , Ewendt Franz , Strotmann Jörg , Schäffler Holger , Kempe-Teufel Daniela , Glosse Philipp , Stangl Gabriele I. , Föller Michael
Published: January 2021

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone mainly secreted by bone cells. Its most prominent effects are the regulation of renal phosphate reabsorption and calcitriol (active vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3) formation, effects dependent on its co-receptor αKlotho. Besides these actions, further paracrine and endocrine effects exist. The production of FGF23 is regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3, parathyroid hormone, dietary phosphate intake, iron status, as well as inflammation. Glucocorticoids are hormones with anti-inflammatory properties and are, therefore, widely used for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and malignancies. The present study explored whether glucocorticoids influence the production of FGF23 in vitro as well as in mice. Fgf23 transcription was analyzed by semi-quantitative real-time PCR. Serum concentrations of FGF23 and 1,25(OH)2D3 were measured by ELISA. Urinary phosphate and Ca2+ excretion were determined in metabolic cages. As a result, in UMR106 rat osteoblast-like cells and in MC3T3-E1 cells, both, dexamethasone and prednisolone, downregulated Fgf23 transcription and FGF23 protein synthesis. Dexamethasone increased Dmp1 and Phex (encoding FGF23-regulating genes) as well as Nfkbia (encoding NFκB inhibitor IκBα) transcription in UMR106 cells. In mice, a single injection of dexamethasone or prednisolone was followed by a significant decrease of serum C-terminal and intact FGF23 concentration and bone Fgf23 mRNA expression within 12 h. These effects were paralleled by increased renal phosphate excretion and enhanced 1,25(OH)2D3 formation. We conclude that a single glucocorticoid treatment strongly downregulates the FGF23 plasma concentration.

Key messages

Glucocorticoids dexamethasone and prednisolone suppress the formation of bone-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in vitro.

The effect is accompanied by an upregulation of Dmp1, Phex, and IκBα, negative regulators of FGF23, in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells.

Glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-486 attenuates the effect of dexamethasone on FGF23, Dmp1, and Phex.

In mice, a single glucocorticoid dose suppresses FGF23 and enhances 1,25(OH)2D3 (active vitamin D).
Molecular dynamics simulation of the Pb(II) coordination in biological media via cationic dummy atom models
Authors: Tolbatov Iogann , Marrone Alessandro
Published: January 2021

The coordination of Pb(II) in aqueous solutions containing thiols is a pivotal topic to the understanding of the pollutant potential of this cation. Based on its hard/soft borderline nature, Pb(II) forms stable hydrated ions as well as stable complexes with the thiol groups of proteins. In this paper, the modeling of Pb(II) coordination via classical molecular dynamics simulations was investigated to assess the possible use of non-bonded potentials for the description of the metal–ligand interaction. In particular, this study aimed at testing the capability of cationic dummy atom schemes—in which part of the mass and charge of the Pb(II) is fractioned in three or four sites anchored to the metal center—in reproducing the correct coordination geometry and, also, in describing the hard/soft borderline character of this cation. Preliminary DFT calculations were used to design two topological schemes, PB3 and PB4, that were subsequently implemented in the Amber force field and employed in molecular dynamics simulation of either pure water or thiol/thiolate-containing aqueous solutions. The PB3 scheme was then tested to model the binding of Pb(II) to the lead-sensing protein pbrR. The potential use of CDA topological schemes in the modeling of Pb(II) coordination was here critically discussed.
Effect of sucrose replacement and resistant starch addition on textural properties of gluten-free doughs and biscuits
Authors: Di Cairano Maria , Caruso Marisa Carmela , Galgano Fernanda , Favati Fabio , Ekere Ndy , Tchuenbou-Magaia Fideline
Published: January 2021

There is a need to develop low-sugar healthy products. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of maltitol and inulin as sucrose replacement alongside resistant starch (RS) and green banana flour (GBF) on the texture and physical properties of gluten-free doughs and biscuits formulated with buckwheat, sorghum and lentil flours. These properties are important to predict the dough workability, how easy the biscuits could be mass-produced and determine consumers’ acceptability. Results showed that partial and complete substitution of sucrose could be achieved and appropriate concentration of resistant starch or green banana flour contributed to better dough and biscuit texture. RS content showed the biggest influence on dough stickiness and biscuit hardness and could be used to correct the negative effect of sucrose replacement and to maximise both the dough processability and biscuit acceptability.
Effect of boiling on classification performance of potatoes determined by computer vision
Authors: Ropelewska Ewa
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of potato boiling on the correctness of cultivar discrimination. The research was performed in an objective, inexpensive and fast manner using the image analysis technique. The textures of the outer surface of slice images of raw and boiled potatoes were calculated. The discriminative models based on a set of textures selected from all color channels (R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, Z, U, V, S), textures selected for color spaces and textures selected for individual color channels were developed. In the case of discriminant analysis of raw potatoes of cultivars ‘Colomba’, ‘Irga’ and ‘Riviera’, the accuracies reached 94.33% for the model built based on a set of textures selected from all color channels, 94% for Lab and XYZ color spaces, 92% for color channel b and 92.33% for a set of combined textures selected from channels B, b, and Z. The processed potatoes were characterized by the accuracy of up to 98.67% for the model including the textures selected from all color channels, 98% for RGB color space, 95.33% for color channel b, 96.67% for the model combining the textures selected from channels B, b, and Z. In the case of raw and processed potatoes, the cultivar ‘Irga’ differed in 100% from other potato cultivars. The results revealed an increase in cultivar discrimination accuracy after the processing of potatoes. The textural features of the outer surface of slice images have proved useful for cultivar discrimination of raw and processed potatoes.
Complete genome sequence of lovastatin producer Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 and evaluation of genomic diversity among A. terreus strains
Authors: Ryngajłło Małgorzata , Boruta Tomasz , Bizukojć Marcin
Published: January 2021

In the present study, the complete genome of a filamentous fungus Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 was sequenced, assembled, and annotated. This strain is mainly recognized for being a model wild-type lovastatin producer and a parental strain of high-yielding industrial mutants. It is also a microorganism with a rich repertoire of secondary metabolites that has been a subject of numerous bioprocess-related studies. In terms of continuity, the genomic sequence provided in this work is of the highest quality among all the publicly available genomes of A. terreus strains. The comparative analysis revealed considerable diversity with regard to the catalog of biosynthetic gene clusters found in A. terreus. Even though the cluster of lovastatin biosynthesis was found to be well-conserved at the species level, several unique genes putatively associated with metabolic functions were detected in A. terreus ATCC 20542 that were not detected in other investigated genomes. The analysis was conducted also in the context of the primary metabolic pathways (sugar catabolism, biomass degradation potential, organic acid production), where the visible differences in gene copy numbers were detected. However, the species-level genomic diversity of A. terreus was more evident for secondary metabolism than for the well-conserved primary metabolic pathways. The newly sequenced genome of A. terreus ATCC 20542 was found to harbor several unique sequences, which can be regarded as interesting subjects for future experimental efforts on A. terreus metabolism and fungal biosynthetic capabilities.

Key points

• The high-quality genome of Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 has been assembled and annotated.

• Comparative analysis with other sequenced Aspergillus terreus strains has revealed considerable diversity in biosynthetic gene repertoire, especially related to secondary metabolism.

• The unique genomic features of A. terreus ATCC 20542 are discussed.
Abatacept as salvage therapy in chronic graft-versus-host disease—a retrospective analysis
Authors: Wertheimer Tobias , Dohse Marius , Afram Gabriel , Weber Daniela , Heidenreich Martin , Holler Barbara , Kattner Anna-Sophia , Neubauer Andreas , Mielke Stephan , Ljungman Per , Holler Ernst , Herr Wolfgang , Edinger Matthias , Martínez Antonio Pérez , Fante Matthias , Wolff Daniel
Published: January 2021

The immunomodulatory fusion protein abatacept has recently been investigated for the treatment of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) in a phase 1 clinical trial. We analyzed the safety and efficacy of abatacept for cGvHD therapy in a retrospective study with 15 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and received abatacept for cGvHD with a median age of 49 years. Grading was performed as part of the clinical routine according to the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) consensus criteria at initiation of abatacept and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months thereafter. The median time of follow-up was 191 days (range 55–393 days). Best overall response rate (ORR) was 40%. In particular, patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome showed significant clinical improvement and durable responses following abatacept treatment with a response rate of 89% based on improvement in lung severity score (n= 6) or stabilized lung function (n= 4) or both (n= 3). Infectious complications CTCAE °III or higher were observed in 3/15 patients. None of the patients relapsed from the underlying malignancy. Thus, abatacept appears to be a promising treatment option for cGvHD, in particular for patients with lung involvement. However, further evaluation within a phase 2 clinical trial is required.
A machine learning-based branch and price algorithm for a sampled vehicle routing problem
Authors: Furian Nikolaus , O’Sullivan Michael , Walker Cameron , Çela Eranda
Published: January 2021

Planning of operations, such as routing of vehicles, is often performed repetitively in rea-world settings, either by humans or algorithms solving mathematical problems. While humans build experience over multiple executions of such planning tasks and are able to recognize common patterns in different problem instances, classical optimization algorithms solve every instance independently. Machine learning (ML) can be seen as a computational counterpart to the human ability to recognize patterns based on experience. We consider variants of the classical Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows and Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem, which are based on the assumption that problem instances follow specific common patterns. For this problem, we propose a ML-based branch and price framework which explicitly utilizes those patterns. In this context, the ML models are used in two ways: (a) to predict the value of binary decision variables in the optimal solution and (b) to predict branching scores for fractional variables based on full strong branching. The prediction of decision variables is then integrated in a node selection policy, while a predicted branching score is used within a variable selection policy. These ML-based approaches for node and variable selection are integrated in a reliability-based branching algorithm that assesses their quality and allows for replacing ML approaches by other (classical) better performing approaches at the level of specific variables in each specific instance. Computational results show that our algorithms outperform benchmark branching strategies. Further, we demonstrate that our approach is robust with respect to small changes in instance sizes.
Flow-structure identification in a radially grooved open wet clutch by means of defocusing particle tracking velocimetry
Authors: Leister Robin , Fuchs Thomas , Mattern Philipp , Kriegseis Jochen
Published: January 2021

The volumetric defocusing particle tracking velocimetry (DPTV) approach is applied to measure the flow in the sub-millimeter gap between the disks of a radially grooved open wet clutch. It is shown that DPTV is capable of determining the in-plane velocities with a spatial resolution of $$12\;\upmu \mathrm{m}$$

12

μ
m

along the optical axis, which is sufficient to capture the complex and small flow structures in the miniature clutch grooves. A Couette-like velocity profile is identified at sufficient distance from the grooves. Moreover, the evaluation of the volumetric flow information in the rotor-fixed frame of reference uncovers a vortical structure inside the groove, which resembles a cavity roller. This vortex is found to extend well into the gap, such that the gap flow is displaced towards the smooth stator wall. Hence, the wall shear stress at the stator significantly increases in the groove region by up to $$15\%$$

15
%

as compared to the ideal linear velocity profile. Midway between the grooves, the wall shear stress is around $$4\%$$

4
%

lower than the linear reference. Furthermore, significant amounts of positive radial fluxes are identified inside the groove of the rotor; their counterpart are negative fluxes in the smooth part of the gap. The interaction of the roller in the groove and the resulting manipulation of the velocity profile has a strong impact on the wall shear stress and therefore on the drag torque production. In summary, this DPTV study demonstrates the applicability of such particle imaging approaches to achieve new insights into physical mechanisms of sub-millimeter gap flow scenarios in technical applications. These results help to bring the design- and performance-optimization processes of such devices to a new level.

Graphic abstract
Collision and separation of nickel particles embedded in a polydimethylsiloxan matrix under a rotating magnetic field: A strong magneto active function
Authors: Schmidt Henrik , Straub Benedikt B. , Sindersberger Dirk , Bröckel Ulrich , Monkman Gareth J. , Auernhammer Günter K.
Published: January 2021

In order to function as soft actuators, depending on their field of use, magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) must fulfill certain criteria. To name just a few, these can include rapid response to external magnetic fields, mechanical durability, mechanical strength, and/or large deformation. Of particular interest are MREs which produce macroscopic deformation for small external magnetic field variations. This work demonstrates how this can be achieved by just a small change in magnetic field orientation. To achieve this, (super)paramagnetic nickel particles of size ≈ 160 μm were embedded in a non-magnetic polydimethylsiloxan (PDMS) (661–1301 Pa) and their displacement in a stepwise rotated magnetic field (170 mT) recorded using a video microscope. Changes in particle aggregation resulting from very small variations in magnetic field orientation led to the observation of a new strongly magneto-active effect. This configuration is characterized by an interparticle distance in relation to the angle difference between magnetic field and particle axis. This causes a strong matrix deformation which in turn demonstrates hysteresis on relaxation. It is shown that the occurrence strongly depends on the particle size, particle distance, and stiffness of the matrix. Choosing the correct parameter combination, the state can be suppressed and the particle-matrix system demonstrates no displacement or hysteresis. In addition, evidences of non-negligible higher order magnetization effects are experimentally ascertained which is qualitatively in agreement with similar, already theoretically described, particle systems. Even at larger particle geometries, the new strongly magneto-active configuration is preserved and could create macroscopic deformation changes.
Developmental malformations in Huntington disease: neuropathologic evidence of focal neuronal migration defects in a subset of adult brains
Authors: Hickman R. A. , Faust P. L. , Rosenblum M. K. , Marder K. , Mehler M. F. , Vonsattel J. P.
Published: January 2021

Neuropathologic hallmarks of Huntington Disease (HD) include the progressive neurodegeneration of the striatum and the presence of Huntingtin (HTT) aggregates that result from abnormal polyQ expansion of the HTT gene. Whether the pathogenic trinucleotide repeat expansion of the HTT gene causes neurodevelopmental abnormalities has garnered attention in both murine and human studies; however, documentation of discrete malformations in autopsy brains of HD individuals has yet to be described. We retrospectively searched the New York Brain Bank (discovery cohort) and an independent cohort (validation cohort) to determine whether developmental malformations are more frequently detected in HD versus non-HD brains and to document their neuropathologic features. One-hundred and thirty HD and 1600 non-HD whole brains were included in the discovery cohort and 720 HD and 1989 non-HD half brains were assessed in the validation cohort. Cases with developmental malformations were found at 6.4–8.2 times greater frequency in HD than in non-HD brains (discovery cohort: OR 8.68, 95% CI 3.48–21.63, P=4.8 × 10-5; validation cohort: OR 6.50, 95% CI 1.83–23.17, P=0.0050). Periventricular nodular heterotopias (PNH) were the most frequent malformations and contained HTT and p62 aggregates analogous to the cortex, whereas cortical malformations with immature neuronal populations did not harbor such inclusions. HD individuals with malformations had heterozygous HTT CAG expansions between 40 and 52 repeats, were more frequently women, and all were asymmetric and focal, aside from one midline hypothalamic hamartoma. Using two independent brain bank cohorts, this large neuropathologic series demonstrates an increased occurrence of developmental malformations in HD brains. Since pathogenic HTT gene expansion is associated with genomic instability, one possible explanation is that neuronal precursors are more susceptible to somatic mutation of genes involved in cortical migration. Our findings further support emerging evidence that pathogenic trinucleotide repeat expansions of the HTT gene may impact neurodevelopment.
Pyloric, pseudopyloric, and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasias in autoimmune gastritis: a case series of 22 Japanese patients
Authors: Wada Yasuhiro , Nakajima Shigemi , Kushima Ryoji , Takemura Shizuki , Mori Naoko , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Nakayama Takahisa , Mukaisho Ken-ichi , Yoshida Akiko , Umano Shinji , Yamamoto Kazuo , Sugihara Hiroyuki , Murakami Kazunari
Published: January 2021

There are two types of pyloric gland-like metaplasia in the corpus of stomach: pyloric and pseudopyloric metaplasias. They show the same morphology as the original pyloric glands in H&E staining. Pseudopyloric metaplasia is positive for pepsinogen (PG) I immunohistochemically, whereas pyloric metaplasia is negative. Recently, spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM) is proposed for pyloric gland-like metaplasia mainly in animal experiments. SPEM expresses trefoil factor family 2 (TFF2) and is often considered synonymous with pseudopyloric metaplasia. We reviewed consecutive 22 Japanese patients with autoimmune gastritis (AIG) to investigate TFF2 expression in pyloric and pseudopyloric metaplasias by counting all pyloric gland-like glands in biopsy specimens taken from greater curvature of the middle corpus according to the Updated Sydney System. Pyloric metaplasia was seen in all the 22 cases, and pseudopyloric metaplasia was found in 15 cases. Of 1567 pyloric gland-like glands in all the cases, 1381 (88.1%) glands were pyloric metaplasia glands, and the remaining 186 (11.9%) glands were pseudopyloric metaplasia glands. TFF2 expression was observed in pyloric or pseudopyloric metaplasia glands in 20 cases. TFF2 expression was recognized in 409 of 1381 (26.9%) pyloric metaplasia glands and 27 of 186 (14.5%) pseudopyloric metaplasia glands (P<0.01, chi-square test). In conclusion, SPEM was not always the same as pseudopyloric metaplasia in human AIG, and the majority of metaplasia in AIG was not pseudopyloric but pyloric metaplasia.
Differential contributions of left-hemispheric language regions to basic semantic composition
Authors: Graessner Astrid , Zaccarella Emiliano , Hartwigsen Gesa
Published: January 2021

Semantic composition, the ability to combine single words to form complex meanings, is a core feature of human language. Despite growing interest in the basis of semantic composition, the neural correlates and the interaction of regions within this network remain a matter of debate. We designed a well-controlled two-word fMRI paradigm in which phrases only differed along the semantic dimension while keeping syntactic information alike. Healthy participants listened to meaningful (“fresh apple”), anomalous (“awake apple”) and pseudoword phrases (“awake gufel”) while performing an implicit and an explicit semantic task. We identified neural signatures for distinct processes during basic semantic composition. When lexical information is kept constant across conditions and the evaluation of phrasal plausibility is examined (meaningful vs. anomalous phrases), a small set of mostly left-hemispheric semantic regions, including the anterior part of the left angular gyrus, is found active. Conversely, when the load of lexical information—independently of phrasal plausibility—is varied (meaningful or anomalous vs. pseudoword phrases), conceptual combination involves a wide-spread left-hemispheric network comprising executive semantic control regions and general conceptual representation regions. Within this network, the functional coupling between the left anterior inferior frontal gyrus, the bilateral pre-supplementary motor area and the posterior angular gyrus specifically increases for meaningful phrases relative to pseudoword phrases. Stronger effects in the explicit task further suggest task-dependent neural recruitment. Overall, we provide a separation between distinct nodes of the semantic network, whose functional contributions depend on the type of compositional process under analysis.