bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Od „Indeksu” do „Hutnika”: Bibliografia druków ciągłych drugiego obiegu wydawniczego w Krakowie i Małopolsce 1976-1990
Authors: Marchewczyk Wojciech
Published: February 2022

FROM INDEKS TO HUTNIK: BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE POLISH INDEPENDENT PRESS CIRCULATION IN CRACOW AND LESSER POLAND, 1976–1990 In response to the lying propaganda and aggressive communist censorship of the Polish People’s Republic, many communities, ideologically and socially diverse, started publishing independent prints outside the reach of the state control apparatus. They became part of the independent publishing movement existing in the years 1976–1990, whose impressive development fell in the 1980s. This book is the first comprehensive bibliography of the clandestine journals in Cracow and Lesser Poland. It is the result of many years of work of the Center for Research and Documentation of Polish Struggles for Independence in Cracow related to the acquisition and development of independent prints. The bibliography contains descriptions of over 750 Cracow and Lesser Poland titles of magazines, newspapers, services and bulletins published by various spontaneous structures of the anti-communist opposition – from the Independent Self-governing Labor Union “Solidarity” and related organizations through student and youth formations such as the Independent Students’ Association and the Federation of Fighting Youth to emerging new political parties (Confederation of Independent Poland and the Polish Independence Party) as well as other independent environments.
Język, tekst, komunikacja: Studia i szkice
Authors: Labocha Janina
Published: February 2022

LANGUAGE, TEXT, COMMUNICATION: STUDIES AND OUTLINES The book presents chosen articles of Prof. Janina Labocha, written in 1981–2019, and published earlier in scientific journals and collective volumes. It consists of three parts: „Syntax, linguistic pragmatics, text linguistics”, „Polish-Czech linguistic borderland” and „Varia”. The book contains 37 texts in total.The book contains also a biographical note of the Author, complete bibliographical list of the celebrating person’s works and recommendation of the volume for publication, written by Prof. Bogusław Dunaj.
Misinformation and Disinformation in Modern Warfare
Authors: Chang Yanling , Keblis Matthew F. , Li Ran , Iakovou Eleftherios , White Chelsea C.
Published: February 2022

Assessing Distorted Information in Modern Warfare

Distorted information (misinformation and disinformation) has long been a part of warfare (see the writings of Sun-Tzu). However, the study of the ever-increasing use of distorted information in modern warfare has been rather limited. In “Misinformation and Disinformation in Modern Warfare,” Chang, Keblis, Li, Iakovou, and White model instances of today’s battlespace as a partially observable game with three agents, a leader and two followers, and examine the benefit to the leader (e.g., a military command) of modulating the communication of information between (i) followers who are adversaries and (ii) followers who are allies. Counter to intuition, the study shows that only under certain conditions is it optimal for the leader to degrade (enhance) the quality of the information communicated between adversarial (allied) followers. The developed methodology is applied to warfare instances encountered in the Battle of Mosul.
Osteoarthritis in canines part 2: physical rehabilitation
Authors: Goldberg Mary Ellen
Published: February 2022

Osteoarthritis is a developmental disease that progresses as the canine ages. While incurable, there are ways to help mitigate the severity of the disease. Geriatric patients often have pain, lowered mobility, and decreased quality of life. Utilisation of clinical metrology instruments (CMIs), published pain management guidelines, multimodal medications, published quality of life scales, and the use of physical rehabilitation modalities/techniques enable the dog to live a full life. The dog's advancing age does not have to cause abrupt cessation of activities that all family members enjoy. Environmental modification and client education allow dogs to enjoy their entire life with their families.
How to reduce anaesthetic risk in geriatric patients
Authors: Brashear Megan
Published: February 2022

As medicine continues to evolve and improve, veterinary patients are living longer lives. This means more medical care for geriatric pets, and potentially more anaesthetic procedures. The veterinary team needs to be comfortable anaesthetising and monitoring these pets and can achieve this comfort through training, education, and practice. By increasing knowledge, veterinary nurses can instil confidence in the patient's family.
On the structure of isometrically embeddable metric spaces
Authors: Nowak Kathleen , Ortiz Marrero Carlos , Young Stephen
Published: February 2022

Since its popularization in the 1970s, the Fiedler vector of a graph has become a standard tool for clustering of the vertices of the graph. Recently, Mendel and Noar, Dumitriu and Radcliffe, and Radcliffe and Williamson have introduced geometric generalizations of the Fiedler vector. Motivated by questions stemming from their work, we provide structural characterizations for when a finite metric space can be isometrically embedded in a Hilbert space.
Sustainable Development—International Framework—Overview and Analysis in the Context of Forests and Forest Products—Competitiveness and Policy
Authors: Hyytiä Annika
Published: February 2022

Green marketing in forest products (e.g., by certified forest products) can be done by forest certification while sustainable development may be seen as an opportunity in new markets. Innovations to meet customer needs in key markets have an effect on company competitiveness. The bioeconomy policy accounts very much for the sustainable use of biomass resources.

Sustainable development can include certification and trade. Green approaches to accentuate sustainable development and stakeholder collaboration is key to an emerging bioeconomy. Customers as stakeholders are linked with sustainable development and green business entities during the policy making phase. Marketing and communication in the green business sector is essential for sustainable product development and offers new market opportunities.

Likewise, strategy and policy are important to be competitive in the business environment. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) philosophy is one strategy that can enhance competitiveness and trade in the bioeconomy market, and can also be a driver in marketing and sustainable development.

This article is qualitative research based and covers research articles and literature found in key academic databases such as Proquest, Academic Search Complete [EBSCO], Agris, CAB Abstracts, SCOPUS [Elsevier], Web of Science [ISI] and Google Scholar and other internet sites).

The bioeconomy means the use of renewable biological resources from land and sea, like crops, forests, fish, animals and micro-organisms to produce food, materials and energy (EU 2021). International and national policies of Green Economy definition can be found at the UN, Green Growth at the OECD and the Bioeconomy at the EU Web pages.
How the governance of and through digital contact tracing technologies shapes geographies of power
Authors: Metzler Ingrid , Åm Heidrun
Published: February 2022

In this article, we use the COVID-19 pandemic to study governance through digital technologies. We investigate ‘digital contact tracing’ (DCT) apps developed in Austria and Norway and find their emergence, contestation and stabilisation as moments in which norms and values are puzzled through, and distributions of power change. We show that debates on DCT apps involved disputes on ‘digital citizenship’, that is, on the scope and nature of data that authorities are allowed to collect from citizens. Remarkably, these disputes were settled through the enrolment of a framework developed jointly by Apple and Google. Software became akin to a constitution that enshrined understandings of good citizenship into technological design, while also being a means through which geographies of power materialised. This article contributes to literature on technological governance by showing how the rising salience of technologies in governance transform political geographies and, as a consequence, democratic lives.
Global Data on Ear and Hearing Screening in an Intellectual Disability Population
Authors: Willems Melina , Acke Frederic , Lannon Beth , Leyssens Laura , Maes Leen , Marks Luc
Published: February 2022

Intellectual disability (ID) and hearing loss are frequent comorbid conditions, although otological problems often go unnoticed until picked up by screening. In the hearing program of Special Olympics (SO), athletes with ID are screened for otological problems. By retrospective analysis of all SO meetings between 2007 and 2017, more than 100,000 screenings could be included. Cerumen impaction was found in 40.7%, middle ear problems in 29.5% of those who failed hearing screening, and hearing loss confirmation in 26.9%. Prevalences for different world regions and country income groups are provided. The results emphasize the high prevalence of hearing loss in this ID population. Awareness among health care workers and active screening are required to reduce health disparities among this disadvantaged population.
Numerical calibration method for a multiple spectrometer-based OCT system
Authors: Miao Yusi , Song Jun , Hsu Destiny , Ng Ringo , Jian Yifan , Sarunic Marinko V. , Ju Myeong Jin
Published: February 2022

The present paper introduces a numerical calibration method for the easy and practical implementation of multiple spectrometer-based spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) systems. To address the limitations of the traditional hardware-based spectrometer alignment across more than one spectrometer, we applied a numerical spectral calibration algorithm where the pixels corresponding to the same wavelength in each unit are identified through spatial- and frequency-domain interferometric signatures of a mirror sample. The utility of dual spectrometer-based SD-OCT imaging is demonstrated through in vivo retinal imaging at two different operation modes with high-speed and dual balanced acquisitions, respectively, in which the spectral alignment is critical to achieve improved retinal image data without any artifacts caused by misalignment of the spectrometers.
Distance and depth modulation of Talbot imaging via specified design of the grating structure
Authors: Zhang Zhenghui , Lei Biao , Zhao Guobo , Ban Yaowen , Da Zhengshang , Wang Yishan , Ye Guoyong , Chen Jinju , Liu Hongzhong
Published: February 2022

For positioning Talbot encoder and Talbot lithography, etc., properties
manipulation of Talbot imaging is highly expected. In this work, an
investigation on the distance and depth modulation of Talbot imaging,
which employs a specially designed grating structure, is presented.
Compared with the current grating structure, the proposed grating
structure is characterized by having the phase layers with uneven
thicknesses. Such a specific structural design can cause the offset of
Talbot image from its nominal position, which in turn generates the
spatial distance modulation of self-imaging and imaging depth
expansion. Theoretical analysis is performed to explain its operating
principle, and simulations and experiments are carried out to
demonstrate its effectiveness.
SIM reconstruction framework for high-speed multi-dimensional super-resolution imaging
Authors: Zeng Hui , Liu Guoxuan , Zhao Rong
Published: February 2022

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) holds great promise for live cell imaging applications due to its potential to obtain multidimensional information such as intensity, spectrum and polarization (I, λ , p) at high spatial-temporal resolution, enabling the observation of more complex dynamic interactions between subcellular structures. However, the reconstruction results of polarized samples are prone to artifacts because all current SIM reconstruction frameworks use incomplete imaging models which neglect polarization modulation. Such polarization-related artifacts are especially prevalent for SIM reconstruction using a reduced number of raw images (RSIM) and severely undermine the ability of SIM to capture multi-dimensional information. Here, we report a new SIM reconstruction framework (PRSIM) that can recover multi-dimensional information (I, λ, p) using a reduced number of raw images. PRSIM adopts a complete imaging model that is versatile for normal and polarized samples and uses a frequency-domain iterative reconstruction algorithm for artifact-free super-resolution (SR) reconstruction. It can simultaneously obtain the SR spatial structure and polarization orientation of polarized samples using 6 raw SIM images and can perform SR reconstruction using 4 SIM images for normal samples. In addition, PRSIM has less spatial computational complexity and achieves reconstruction speeds tens of times higher than that of the state-of-the-art non-iterative RSIM, making it more suitable for large field-of-view imaging. Thus, PRSIM is expected to facilitate the development of SIM into an ultra-high-speed and multi-dimensional SR imaging tool.
Proof-of-principle demonstration of sequential 3 → 1 quantum random access code via cascaded measurements
Authors: Fang Wei , Li Jian , Wei Min , Zhang Chun-Hui , Wang Qin
Published: February 2022

Quantum random access code (QRAC) serves the communication task to encode a long message into a quantum system and allow the receiver to decode the initial information with a higher success probability than classical random access code (RAC). Here, we present an experimental demonstration of sequential 3 → 1 QRAC in the prepare-transform-measure scenario with one sender and three independent receivers. The experimental results show that, in the 3 → 1 QRAC scenario, three receivers can independently decode the initial information with an average success probability higher than the classical RAC.
Extruded TOPAS hollow-core anti-resonant fiber optimized for THz guidance at 0.9THz
Authors: Phanchat Natthawat , Talataisong Wanvisa , Klokkou Nicholas , Chitaree Ratchapak , Apostolopoulos Vasilis , Beresna Martynas , Brambilla Gilberto
Published: February 2022

A hollow-core anti-resonant fiber for the THz regime is proposed and demonstrated. The proposed fiber is the hexagonal core shape which is directly extruded using a conventional 3D printer. Experimental results show that by using cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), the proposed fiber design provides a low attenuation of ∼3 dB∕m at ∼ 0.86 THz and ∼15 dB∕m at ∼ 0.42 THz.
Sub-10 fs pulse generation by post-compression for peak-power enhancement of a 100-TW Ti:Sapphire laser
Authors: Kim Ji In , Kim Yeong Gyu , Yang Jeong Moon , Yoon Jin Woo , Sung Jae Hee , Lee Seong Ku , Nam Chang Hee
Published: February 2022

We demonstrated sub-10 fs pulse generation by the post-compression of a 100 TW Ti:Sapphire laser to enhance the peak-power. In the post-compression, the laser spectrum was widely broadened by self-phase modulation in thin fused silica plate(s), and the induced spectral phase was compensated with a set of chirped mirrors. A spatial filter stage, consisting of two cylindrical lenses and a spherical lens, was employed to reduce the intensity modulation existing in the laser beam, which effectively suppressed intensity spikes induced by self-focusing. The laser beam was post-compressed from 23 fs to 9.7 fs after propagating through a 1.5 mm fused silica plate, resulting in the peak-power enhancement by a factor of 2.1.
Giant 2D-chiroptical response in an achiral metasurface integrated with black phosphorus
Authors: Zeng Yali , Xu Jinying , Xiao Wen , Yang Zhilin , Chen Huanyang , Liu Yineng
Published: February 2022

In this work, we proposed a black phosphorus (BP) achiral metasurface and theoretically study the chiroptical response arising from extrinsic 2D-chirality in the mid-infrared regime. The achiral metasurface is composed of a monolayer BP sheet sandwiched by a silver ring array and dielectric spacer stacking on a silver substrate. The giant circular conversion dichroism (CCD) of the achiral metasurface is allowed at oblique incidence for the cooperative interaction of BP anisotropic surface plasmon modes and localized surface plasmons in metal rings, and the integrated BP can dynamically modulate the chiroptical response by controlling the doping concentration of BP. Furthermore, we found that a multiband phenomenon for CCD response occurs when tuning the thickness of the spacer. The proposed hybrid achiral metasurface provides more flexible opportunities to realize active polarization modulator, biosensor and chiral detection.
Inherent intensity noise suppression in a mode-locked polycrystalline Cr:ZnS oscillator
Authors: Bu Xiangbao , Okazaki Daiki , Ashihara Satoshi
Published: February 2022

We developed a diode-pumped, mode-locked polycrystalline Cr:ZnS oscillator using single-walled carbon nanotubes as a saturable absorber. The oscillator exhibits self-start mode-locking operation, generating sub-100 fs pulses with an average power of 300 mW. We found a unique feature in which the intensity noise originating from relaxation oscillation is suppressed by inherent second harmonic generation in polycrystalline Cr:ZnS. The observed noise suppression is reproduced by a theoretical model that includes an instantaneous nonlinear loss.
Enhanced photothermoelectric detection in Co:BiCuSeO crystals with tunable Seebeck effect
Authors: Wang Fan , Lv Yangyang , Xu Yanming , Cao Lin , Chen Lida , Zhang Chi , Yao Shuhua , Xu Jinlong , Zhou Jian , Chen Yanbin
Published: February 2022

BiCuSeO is a widely-used thermoelectric material recently proved to be an appealing candidate for broadband photothermoelectric (PTE) detection. Developing a simple and scalable route for advancing PTE properties is therefore essential to explore the full potential of BiCuSeO. Here we systematically demonstrated that Co3+ atomic doping strategies in BiCuSeO single crystals (Co concentration of 1%, 2% and 4%) could modulate the Seebeck coefficient and thus strongly improve the performance of BiCuSeO PTE photodetectors across visible to infrared spectral regions. Benefiting from these strategies, a large enhancement on photovoltage responsivity is achieved and the response time of a 4% Co:BiCuSeO PTE photodetector is one order of magnitude faster than those in most of PTE photodetectors. Also, Co:BiCuSeO PTE photodetectors show good stability with changeless photoresponse after being exposed to air for three months. Therefore, the controllable atomic doping of BiCuSeO with tunable PTE properties as well as fast and broadband photodetection provides the feasibility for facilitating ongoing research toward PTE devices.
Broad temperature range ferrielectric liquid crystal as a highly sensitive quadratic electro-optical material
Authors: Pozhidaev E. P. , Minchenko M. V. , Kuznetsov A. V. , Tkachenko T. P. , Barbashov V. A.
Published: February 2022

A chiral smectic liquid crystal in which a ferrielectric phase with a helix pitch p0 less than 125 nm exists over a temperature range of at least from −3°C to +36°C has been developed. Such a wide temperature range (including room temperatures) of the ferrielectric phase with a subwavelength helix pitch has been achieved for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, which creates opportunities for the practical use of ferrielectric liquid crystals. A quadratic electro-optical effect caused by deformations of the helix in an electric field is observed in the ferrielectric phase, and the Kerr coefficient, which reaches almost 200 nm/V2, is significantly higher than the same coefficient for the blue phase and for the smectic C* phase, which means a higher sensitivity of the developed ferrielectric liquid crystal to the electric field. The electro-optical response time does not exceed 300 

μ

s at room temperatures for this ferrielectric liquid crystal.
microRNA-142 guards against autoimmunity by controlling Treg cell homeostasis and function
Authors: Wang Wei-Le , Ouyang Ching , Graham Natalie M. , Zhang Yuankun , Cassady Kaniel , Reyes Estefany Y. , Xiong Min , Davis Alicia M. , Tang Kathie , Zeng Defu , Boldin Mark P.
Published: February 2022

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical in preventing aberrant immune responses. Posttranscriptional control of gene expression by microRNA (miRNA) has recently emerged as an essential genetic element for Treg cell function. Here, we report that mice with Treg cell–specific ablation of miR-142 (hereafter Foxp3CremiR-142fl/fl mice) developed a fatal systemic autoimmune disorder due to a breakdown in peripheral T-cell tolerance. Foxp3CremiR-142fl/fl mice displayed a significant decrease in the abundance and suppressive capacity of Treg cells. Expression profiling of miR-142–deficient Treg cells revealed an up-regulation of multiple genes in the interferon gamma (IFNγ) signaling network. We identified several of these IFNγ-associated genes as direct miR-142-3p targets and observed excessive IFNγ production and signaling in miR-142–deficient Treg cells. Ifng ablation rescued the Treg cell homeostatic defect and alleviated development of autoimmunity in Foxp3CremiR-142fl/fl mice. Thus, our findings implicate miR-142 as an indispensable regulator of Treg cell homeostasis that exerts its function by attenuating IFNγ responses.
Identification of a novel cationic glycolipid in Streptococcus agalactiae that contributes to brain entry and meningitis
Authors: Joyce Luke R. , Manzer Haider S. , da C. Mendonça Jéssica , Villarreal Ricardo , Nagao Prescilla E. , Doran Kelly S. , Palmer Kelli L. , Guan Ziqiang
Published: February 2022

Bacterial membrane lipids are critical for membrane bilayer formation, cell division, protein localization, stress responses, and pathogenesis. Despite their critical roles, membrane lipids have not been fully elucidated for many pathogens. Here, we report the discovery of a novel cationic glycolipid, lysyl-glucosyl-diacylglycerol (Lys-Glc-DAG), which is synthesized in high abundance by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS). To our knowledge, Lys-Glc-DAG is more positively charged than any other known lipids. Lys-Glc-DAG carries 2 positive net charges per molecule, distinct from the widely described lysylated phospholipid lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (Lys-PG) that carries one positive net charge due to the presence of a negatively charged phosphate moiety. We use normal phase liquid chromatography (NPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS/MS) and genetic approaches to determine that Lys-Glc-DAG is synthesized by the enzyme MprF in GBS, which covalently modifies the neutral glycolipid Glc-DAG with the cationic amino acid lysine. GBS is a leading cause of neonatal meningitis, which requires traversal of the endothelial blood–brain barrier (BBB). We demonstrate that GBS strains lacking mprF exhibit a significant decrease in the ability to invade BBB endothelial cells. Further, mice challenged with a GBSΔmprF mutant developed bacteremia comparably to wild-type (WT) infected mice yet had less recovered bacteria from brain tissue and a lower incidence of meningitis. Thus, our data suggest that Lys-Glc-DAG may contribute to bacterial uptake into host cells and disease progression. Importantly, our discovery provides a platform for further study of cationic lipids at the host–pathogen interface.
The correlation between cell and nucleus size is explained by an eukaryotic cell growth model
Authors: Wu Yufei , Pegoraro Adrian F. , Weitz David A. , Janmey Paul , Sun Sean X.
Published: February 2022

In eukaryotes, the cell volume is observed to be strongly correlated with the nuclear volume. The slope of this correlation depends on the cell type, growth condition, and the physical environment of the cell. We develop a computational model of cell growth and proteome increase, incorporating the kinetics of amino acid import, protein/ribosome synthesis and degradation, and active transport of proteins between the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm. We also include a simple model of ribosome biogenesis and assembly. Results show that the cell volume is tightly correlated with the nuclear volume, and the cytoplasm-nucleoplasm transport rates strongly influence the cell growth rate as well as the cell/nucleus volume ratio (C/N ratio). Ribosome assembly and the ratio of ribosomal proteins to mature ribosomes also influence the cell volume and the cell growth rate. We find that in order to regulate the cell growth rate and the cell/nucleus volume ratio, the cell must optimally control groups of kinetic and transport parameters together, which could explain the quantitative roles of canonical growth pathways. Finally, although not explicitly demonstrated in this work, we point out that it is possible to construct a detailed proteome distribution using our model and RNAseq data, provided that a quantitative cell division mechanism is known.
Quantitative modeling identifies critical cell mechanics driving bile duct lumen formation
Authors: Van Liedekerke Paul , Gannoun Lila , Loriot Axelle , Johann Tim , Lemaigre Frédéric P. , Drasdo Dirk
Published: February 2022

Biliary ducts collect bile from liver lobules, the smallest functional and anatomical units of liver, and carry it to the gallbladder. Disruptions in this process caused by defective embryonic development, or through ductal reaction in liver disease have a major impact on life quality and survival of patients. A deep understanding of the processes underlying bile duct lumen formation is crucial to identify intervention points to avoid or treat the appearance of defective bile ducts. Several hypotheses have been proposed to characterize the biophysical mechanisms driving initial bile duct lumen formation during embryogenesis. Here, guided by the quantification of morphological features and expression of genes in bile ducts from embryonic mouse liver, we sharpened these hypotheses and collected data to develop a high resolution individual cell-based computational model that enables to test alternative hypotheses in silico. This model permits realistic simulations of tissue and cell mechanics at sub-cellular scale. Our simulations suggest that successful bile duct lumen formation requires a simultaneous contribution of directed cell division of cholangiocytes, local osmotic effects generated by salt excretion in the lumen, and temporally-controlled differentiation of hepatoblasts to cholangiocytes, with apical constriction of cholangiocytes only moderately affecting luminal size.
Goal management training and psychoeducation / mindfulness for treatment of executive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: A feasibility pilot trial
Authors: Giguère-Rancourt Ariane , Plourde Marika , Racine Eva , Couture Marianne , Langlois Mélanie , Dupré Nicolas , Simard Martine
Published: February 2022

Introduction

As there is currently no pharmacological treatment for Parkinson’s Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI) with executive dysfunctions, specific cognitive interventions must be investigated. Most previous studies have tested bottom-up cognitive training programs but have not shown very good results.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to test ease of implementation, differential safety and preliminary efficacy of two top-down (strategy-learning) home-based, individualized, cognitive interventions: Goal Management Training (GMT), adapted for PD-MCI (Adapted-GMT), and a psychoeducation program combined with mindfulness exercises (PSYCH-Mind).

Methods

This was a single-blind block-randomized between-group comparative study. Twelve PD-MCI with mild executive dysfunctions were divided in four blocks and randomly assigned to any of the two interventions. The participants were included if they had PD-MCI diagnosis (no dementia), with stabilized medication. Both groups (Adapted-GMT and PSYCH-mind) received five intervention sessions each lasting 60–90 minutes for five weeks. Measures were collected at baseline, mid-point, one-week, four-week and 12-week follow-ups. Executive functions were assessed with the Dysexecutive questionnaire (DEX) and the Zoo Map Test (ZMT). Quality of life (QoL) and psychiatric symptoms were also evaluated. Repeated measures ANCOVAs (mixed linear analysis) were applied to all outcomes.

Results

There was one drop out, and both interventions were feasible and acceptable. Despite the small sample size limiting statistical power, patients of both groups significantly improved executive functions per the DEX-patient (Time: F(4,36) = 2.96, p = 0.033, CI95%: 10.75–15.23) and DEX-caregiver scores (Time: F(4,36) = 6.02, p = 0.017, CI95%: 9.63–17.23). Both groups significantly made fewer errors between measurement times on the ZMT (Time: F(3,36) = 16.66, p = 0.001, CI95%: 1.07–2.93). However, QoL significantly increased only in PSYCH-Mind patients at four-week follow-up (interaction Time*Group: F(4,36) = 5.31, p = 0.002, CI95%: 15.33–25.61).

Conclusion

Both interventions were easily implemented and proved to be safe. Because both interventions are arguably cost-effective, these pilot findings, although promising, need to be replicated in large samples.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT04636541.
Deep reinforcement learning stock market trading, utilizing a CNN with candlestick images
Authors: Brim Andrew , Flann Nicholas S.
Published: February 2022

Billions of dollars are traded automatically in the stock market every day, including algorithms that use neural networks, but there are still questions regarding how neural networks trade. The black box nature of a neural network gives pause to entrusting it with valuable trading funds. A more recent technique for the study of neural networks, feature map visualizations, yields insight into how a neural network generates an output. Utilizing a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with candlestick images as input and feature map visualizations gives a unique opportunity to determine what in the input images is causing the neural network to output a certain action. In this study, a CNN is utilized within a Double Deep Q-Network (DDQN) to outperform the S&P 500 Index returns, and also analyze how the system trades. The DDQN is trained and tested on the 30 largest stocks in the S&P 500. Following training the CNN is used to generate feature map visualizations to determine where the neural network is placing its attention on the candlestick images. Results show that the DDQN is able to yield higher returns than the S&P 500 Index between January 2, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Results also show that the CNN is able to switch its attention from all the candles in a candlestick image to the more recent candles in the image, based on an event such as the coronavirus stock market crash of 2020.
Effects of clown visits on stress and mood in children and adolescents in psychiatric care—Protocol for a pilot study
Authors: Zemp Martina , Friedrich Amos-Silvio , Holzmeier Lorena , Seebacher Simone , Rössler Maggie , Nater Urs M.
Published: February 2022

Scientific evidence has shown that healthcare clowning can decrease the level of stress and anxiety in pediatric patients. However, little attention has been devoted to the potentially beneficial impact of clown visits in the child and adolescent psychiatry setting. Therefore, this pilot study aims at investigating short-term effects of clown visits by RED NOSES Clowndoctors Austria on stress and mood levels of children and adolescents in psychiatric care. The sample will consist of approximately 50 children and adolescents in inpatient psychiatric wards who receive clown visits on a weekly basis over four consecutive weeks. The examined intervention, i.e., the clown visits, is an integral part within the selected psychiatric institutions. Using a non-controlled pre-/post-test design, the level of salivary cortisol and self-reported stress and mood will be measured as primary outcomes before and immediately after each clown visit. Additionally, self-reported effects on care staff at the health care facilities will be assessed based on a questionnaire after each clown visit within the same time period of four weeks. Secondary outcome measures (i.e., health-related quality of life, emotional and conduct problems, perceived chronic stress) will be assessed at baseline and at close-out assessment after the four intervention weeks. Further control variables and potential moderators are included at baseline. Due to the nested data structure, multilevel modeling will be used to analyze the data. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the stress-reducing and mood-improving effects of clown visits on inpatients in child and adolescent psychiatry. Results will be relevant for the design of future large-scale RCTs and might provide valuable implications for the use of healthcare clowning to reduce stress and improve mood in children and adolescents in psychiatric care. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04844398).
Can social support buffer the association between loneliness and hypertension? a cross-sectional study in rural China
Authors: Yazawa Aki , Inoue Yosuke , Yamamoto Taro , Watanabe Chiho , Tu Raoping , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Hypertension has reached epidemic levels in rural China, where loneliness has been a major problem among community dwellers as a consequence of rural-to-urban migration among younger generations. The objective of the study is to investigate the association between loneliness and hypertension, and whether social support can buffer the association (i.e., stress buffering theory), using cross-sectional data from 765 adults (mean age: 59.1 years) in rural Fujian, China.

Methods

Social support was measured as the reciprocal instrumental social support from/to neighbors and the reciprocal emotional support (i.e., the number of close friends that the respondent could turn to for help immediately when they are in trouble). A mixed-effect Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator was used to investigate the association between loneliness, social support, and hypertension.

Results

Analysis revealed that those who were lonely had a higher prevalence ratio for hypertension (prevalence ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval 0.99–1.26) compared to those who reported not being lonely. There was an interaction between social support and loneliness in relation to hypertension. Specifically, contrary to the stress buffering theory, the positive association between loneliness and hypertension was more pronounced among those who reported higher social support compared to those who reported lower support (pfor interaction <0.001 for instrumental support).

Conclusion

The results suggest that being lonely despite high levels of social support poses the greatest risk for hypertension. This study did not confirm a buffering effect of social support on the association between loneliness and hypertension.
Rats as pets: Predictors of adoption and surrender of pet rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica) in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Hou Cheng Yu , Protopopova Alexandra
Published: February 2022

Whereas much research has been conducted on rats in their roles as pests and laboratory animal models, little is known about rats in their role as companion animals. However, rats have become the third most common companion animal admitted to the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) shelter system after cats and dogs. This paper analyses 5 years of province-wide rat admission and outcome data (n = 3,392) at the BC SPCA. Most rats that entered BC SPCA shelters were white, sexually intact, and pups less than 6 months old. Rats were mostly relinquished by their owners, and the most common surrender reasons were due to owner-related issues and housing issues. Reasons for euthanasia were primarily poor health and neonatal age. A multiple linear regression model found that rats that were either senior, albino, unhealthy, seized by humane officers, or born onsite tended to stay longer in shelters (F[12, 1466] = 9.565, p < .001, adjusted R2= .06). Time to adoption for albino rats was 79% longer than for white rats. These findings help us understand the preferences of rat adopters and why the rat-human relationship may fail. Results may also be useful to improve the quality of life for pet rats by identifying programs to reduce their length of stay in animal shelters. Finally, our study highlights new questions for welfare research in an understudied companion animal–the pet rat.
Maf/ham1-like pyrophosphatases of non-canonical nucleotides are host-specific partners of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases
Authors: Valli Adrian A. , García López Rafael , Ribaya María , Martínez Francisco Javier , Gómez Diego García , García Beatriz , Gonzalo Irene , Gonzalez de Prádena Alfonso , Pasin Fabio , Montanuy Inmaculada , Rodríguez-Gonzalo Encarnación , García Juan Antonio
Published: February 2022

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), dubbed the “Ebola of plants”, is a serious threat to food security in Africa caused by two viruses of the familyPotyviridae: cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan (U)CBSV. Intriguingly, U/CBSV, along with another member of this family and one secoviridae, are the only known RNA viruses encoding a protein of the Maf/ham1-like family, a group of widespread pyrophosphatase of non-canonical nucleotides (ITPase) expressed by all living organisms. Despite the socio-economic impact of CDSD, the relevance and role of this atypical viral factor has not been yet established. Here, using an infectious cDNA clone and reverse genetics, we demonstrate that UCBSV requires the ITPase activity for infectivity in cassava, but not in the model plantNicotiana benthamiana. HPLC-MS/MS experiments showed that, quite likely, this host-specific constraint is due to an unexpected high concentration of non-canonical nucleotides in cassava. Finally, protein analyses and experimental evolution of mutant viruses indicated that keeping a fraction of the yielded UCBSV ITPase covalently bound to the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) optimizes viral fitness, and this seems to be a feature shared by the other members of thePotyviridaefamily expressing Maf/ham1-like proteins. All in all, our work (i) reveals that the over-accumulation of non-canonical nucleotides in the host might have a key role in antiviral defense, and (ii) provides the first example of an RdRP-ITPase partnership, reinforcing the idea that RNA viruses are incredibly versatile at adaptation to different host setups.
La filosofía de las instituciones de Arnold Gehlen. Una reivindicación
Authors: Baciero Ruiz Francisco Tadeo
Published: February 2022

Arnold Gehlen es una de las figuras rectoras de la Antropología filosófica como corriente filosófica característica del siglo XX. En su obra de 1956 Urmensch und Spätkultur [Hombre primitivo y cultura tardía], Gehlen desarrolla una sofisticada “filosofía de las instituciones” en la que discierne su origen y valor antropológico para el ser humano, quien, como ser biológico caracterizado por su fragilidad y “carácter no fijado”, necesita de un apoyo exterior para su conducta, apoyo que es proporcionado por las instituciones como marco de un conjunto de acciones reguladas y obligatorias que confiere integración y continuidad a las sociedades humanas. La cultura de la “subjetividad” que invade las sociedades occidentales contemporáneas amenaza la funcionalidad de las instituciones y su carácter protector para la persona.
El delito de incitación al odio (artículo 510 cp): quo vadis
Authors: Landa Gorostiza Jon Mirena
Published: February 2022

El delito de incitación al odio del artículo 510 del Código penal español está inmerso en un debate doctrinal y jurisprudencial que no ha hecho sino agudizarse después de su última reforma en el año 2015. En esta contribución se hace una propuesta para su cabal interpretación en clave de protección de colectivos; se intenta diagnosticar en qué punto se encuentra la jurisprudencia a la hora de señalar los límites del ámbito de prohibición y, por último, se sugiere una orientación de futuro que pueda neutralizar los riesgos de una expansión sin límites de este precepto.
Endurance exercise training suppresses myostatin upregulation and nuclear factor-kappa B activation in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Erekat Nour S. , Al-Jarrah Muhammed D.
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim: Muscle atrophy is common in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although myostatin has been implicated in muscle atrophy, its expression in PD skeletal muscle has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the influence of PD induction and exercise training on myostatin expression in the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle.

Materials and Methods: Thirty albino mice were randomly selected and separated into three groups of 10 mice each: Sedentary control, sedentary PD (SPD), and exercised PD (EPD). 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and probenecid were used to induce chronic parkinsonism in the PD groups. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of myostatin and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in gastrocnemius muscles of all three groups.

Results: Myostatin expression and NF-κB nuclear localization, indicative of its activation, were significantly (p<0.01) higher in gastrocnemius skeletal muscle in the SPD group than in the control and EPD groups. Concomitantly, the average cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the SPD albino mice was significantly smaller (p<0.01) than in the control and EPD groups, indicating muscle atrophy.

Conclusion: The present data are the first to indicate a correlation between PD induction and myostatin overexpression and NF-κB activation in the gastrocnemius muscle, potentially promoting the muscle atrophy commonly seen in PD.
The Proportion of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Using Berlin Questionnaire and STOP-BANG Questionnaire
Authors: Thomas Juhin , Shenoy Saritha J. , Madhavikutty Geethadevi
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disease but remains underrecognized in India. Polysomnography is the gold standard test in the diagnosis of OSA but it is difficult to perform and not frequently done. Simple questionnairebased diagnostic tools can be included in the screening procedure of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) to detect the need for further OSA evaluation. The present study was undertaken to find out the proportion of OSA in CAD patients using Berlin’s and STOP-BANG questionnaires. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the proportion of OSA in CAD patients among 70 known cases of CAD referred from the Cardiology department of Government Medical College, Kottayam and 70 normal healthy adults as controls using Berlin and STOP-BANG questionnaires and the results were analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS Among individuals with CAD, 20 %, 51.4 %, 28.6 % were found to be at high, intermediate and low risk for OSA whereas 2.9 %, 31.4 %, 65.7% were only found to have a high, intermediate and low risk for OSA in the control population as per STOP-BANG questionnaire. Around 37.1 % and 62.9 % were found to be at high and low risk for OSA among the CAD patients, whereas in the control group 11.4 % and 88.6 % were at high and low risk for OSA respectively. Hence the proportion of OSA (high risk as per the questionnaires) in CAD patients was 20 % and 37.1 % as per STOP-BANG and Berlin questionnaires respectively. The mean score obtained in CAD patients was 3.31 whereas that in normal individuals was 2.04, using the STOPBANG questionnaire. Similarly, it was 2.97 in CAD patients and 1.11 in normal individuals as per the Berlin questionnaire (P-value =0.001). CONCLUSIONS Increased risk of OSA in CAD patients compared to the normal individuals mean score for OSA was significantly high in CAD patients than in the control group. KEY WORDS OSA, CAD, Polysomnography, STOP BANG Questionnaire, Berlin Questionnaire.
Expression of E-cadherin in Colorectal Cancer and Its Association with Morphological Features
Authors: Hydru Shahina Parambattu , Das Nisha M.
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer is associated with a good prognosis and uncovering the biological mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and progression of this cancer form the recent focus of research. E-cadherin is one of the strong intercellular adhesion molecules in epithelial cells and one of the best characterized markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The objectives of this study were to assess the pattern of expression of E-cadherin in colorectal cancer in patients from a medical college in Kerala, India and also determine the association between the expression of E-cadherin and different morphological parameters as well as the grade and stage of the tumour. METHODS All specimens of histologically diagnosed colorectal cancers received in the department were included in the study. Immunohistochemical staining of formalinfixed paraffin-embedded tissue was done. The intensity of E-cadherin staining was scored and analyzed for different tissues. Frequency tables of different variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. The significance of the correlation between different variables was assessed using Fischer’s exact test. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 43 specimens of histologically diagnosed colorectal cancers were analyzed for the study. The mean age of the participants was 58 years. Majority of the tumours were < 5 cm in size. Both homogenous (55.8 %) and heterogeneous staining (44.2 %) were noted in the E-cadherin staining pattern among the participants. In patients with low E-cadherin index, 12 of them showed a heterogeneous pattern of expression. E-cadherin expression was not statistically associated with tumour differentiation in the patients. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant difference in E-cadherin expression between low and highgrade tumours of colorectal cancer. High-grade tumours showed a more heterogeneous staining pattern correlating with increased invasiveness of the tumour. The heterogeneous pattern of staining in E-cadherin among adjacent cells of tumour results from reduced expression of the protein in the tumour. KEY WORDS E cadherin, Colorectal Cancer, Cancer Marker.
A Study of Surfactant on 100 Preterm and Late Preterm Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome Admitted in Paediatric Department During the Period January 2018 - June 2019
Authors: Rapaka Sujatha Devi , Kunche Satya Kumari
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common condition in preterm and late preterm neonates with age less than or equal to 34 weeks or weight < 1.5 kgs need some intervention like intubation, and administration of surfactant. Early administration of surfactant can give better outcome. We wanted to assess the outcome of babies administered with surfactant. METHODS New-born babies with respiratory distress admitted to NICU, Department of Paediatric, King George Hospital, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, were enrolled in this case control study. A total of 100 neonates of both sexes who were admitted with respiratory distress syndrome of < 35 weeks and < 1.5 kg were included in the study. RESULTS Out of 100 neonates, most of the neonates 34 (66.6 %) in the surfactant group and 37 (75.0 %) neonates in the control group were between 30wks to 32wks of GA respectively. 12 (25.0 %) in the surfactant group and 10(19.4 %) in the control group were between 27wks. to 29 wks. of GA respectively. Very less 4 (11.76 %) in the surfactant group and 3 (8.10 %) in the control group were between 32 wks. of GA to 35 weeks respectively. CONCLUSIONS The study concludes that among spontaneously breathing premature infants treated with INSURE, decreases the need for subsequent MV by 22 %. The higher birth weight, the use of antenatal steroids, the lower RDS score at the time of procedure and the early use of surfactant are the good predictors in the INSURE success group. KEY WORDS RDS, Preterm, Intubation, Surfactant (INSURE), GA (Gestational age), MV (Mechanical ventilation), Pulmonary Haemorrhage, CPAP.