bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frontal sinuses as tools for human identification: a systematic review of imaging methods
Authors: Pereira Julia Gabriela Dietrichkeit , Santos Juliane Bustamante Sá , Sousa Silmara Pereira de , Franco Ademir , Silva Ricardo Henrique Alves
Published: April 2021

The frontal sinuses are potential evidences for human identification because of the inherent distinctiveness of their morphology. Over the last decades, several techniques emerged to enable the visualization and analysis of the frontal sinuses via bi- and three-dimensional imaging. This systematic review aimed to compile different methodological approaches found in the scientific literature to contribute to human identification. Three examiners revisited the scientific literature in order to find imaging techniques for the visualization of the frontal sinuses applied to human identification. The standard search strings built-up from a PICO question identified 404 unique articles in the following databases Medline/Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs and Scielo. Based on eligibility criteria applied during title, abstract and full-text reading, the sample reduced to 19 articles. The articles were published between 1987 and 2019 by research groups from 10 different countries. Computed tomography was used in 37% of the techniques, while the remaining (63%) techniques used skull radiographs. The techniques were highly heterogeneous and varied between metric analysis, direct image superimposition and morphology code-based systems. The authors considered their techniques useful for human identification and reported accuracy rates from 13 to 100%. Most of the studies revealed low risk of bias. More advantages were related with the techniques based on direct image superimpositions and three-dimensional visualization. Forensic experts must be aware of the use of frontal sinuses for human identification, especially when three-dimensional images are available as ante-mortem and post-mortem evidences for superimposition and comparison.
Privacy-oriented cryptographic primitives and protocols for electronic voting
Authors: Γροντάς Παναγιώτης
Published: April 2021

Προτείνουμε τις Δημόσια Ελέγξιμες Υπο-Συνθήκη Τυφλές Υπογραφές (ΔΕΥΤΥ), ένα νέο κρυπτογραφικό σχήμα, που συνδέει την επαλήθευση μιας ψηφιακής υπογραφής με δημόσια διαθέσιμα δεδομένα. Κατά τη διάρκεια της υπογραφής, ένα κατηγόρημα που σχετίζεται με αυτά τα δεδομένα ενσωματώνεται στην υπογραφή, έτσι ώστε η τελευταία να ισχύει εάν και μόνο εάν το κατηγόρημα αποτιμάται ως αληθές. Η επαλήθευση πραγματοποιείται από έναν προκαθορισμένο επαληθευτή, με ισχυρό τρόπο, με τη χρήση ενός ιδιωτικού κλειδιού επαλήθευσης. Το απόρρητο του χρήστη που ζητά την υπογραφή προστατεύεται πληροφοριοθεωρητικά, τυφλώνοντας το προς-υπογραφή μήνυμα. Επιπλέον, για να αποφευχθούν επιθέσεις από κάποιον κακόβουλο υπογράφοντα ή επαληθευτή που αγνοούν το κατηγόρημα, η δημιουργία και ο έλεγχος των υπογραφών μας συνοδεύονται από στοιχεία με τη μορφή μη-διαδραστικών αποδείξεων μηδενικής γνώσης που αναγκάζουν συμμόρφωση προς το πρωτόκολλο. Ορίζουμε ένα μοντέλο ασφαλείας για να αποτυπώσουμε τις εγγυήσεις των υπογραφών μας και παρέχουμε μια υλοποίηση. Χρησιμοποιούμε τις ΔΕΥΤΥ σε ένα πρωτόκολλο απομακρυσμένης ηλεκτρονικής ψηφοφορίας. Η υπο-συνθήκη επαλήθευση μας βοηθά να δημιουργήσουμε ανώνυμα διαπιστευτήρια που επιτρέπουν στο σύστημά μας να αντιμετωπίζει επιθέσεις εξαναγκασμού στο υπόδειγμα πολλαπλών ψήφων ανά ψηφοφόρο σε συνδυασμό με ανώνυμα κανάλια και μια στιγμή ιδιωτικότητας. Κατά τον εξαναγκασμό, μία ψηφοφόρος χρησιμοποιεί ψεύτικο διαπιστευτήριο για να συνοδεύσει την επιλογή της, ενώ όταν ο εξαναγκαστής δεν παρακολουθεί, μπορεί να εισάγει την πραγματική ψήφο της που συνοδεύεται από έγκυρο διαπιστευτήριο. Φυσικά, μόνο η ψήφος με το έγκυρο διαπιστευτήριο θα μετρηθεί. Όλες οι αλληλεπιδράσεις είναι μη διακρίσιμες από τον εξαναγκαστή, ο οποίος δεν μπορεί να πει ποια ψήφος μέτρησε. Τα αποδεικτικά στοιχεία που δημιουργούνται από τις ΔΕΥΤΥ, μαζί με τα συνήθη αποδεικτικά στοιχεία που χρησιμοποιούνται σε συστήματα ηλεκτρονικής ψηφοφορίας, επιτρέπουν σε κάθε ψηφοφόρο να επαληθεύσει μεμονωμένα ότι η ψήφος καταχωρήθηκε σωστά και μετρήθηκε. Η καταμέτρηση των ψήφων, επιπλέον, είναι καθολικά επαληθεύσιμη, από οποιαδήποτε ενδιαφερόμενη οντότητα. Η συνολική αρχιτεκτονική του συστήματος μας, παρέχει επίσης ισχυρότερες εγγυήσεις για την προστασία της μυστικότητας της ψήφου, καθώς, σε αντίθεση με τη συνήθη πρακτική στις ηλεκτρονικές ψηφοφορίες, δεν υποθέτουμε ότι οι καταμετρητές τηρούν το απόρρητο της ψήφου. Αυτό μας επιτρέπει να επεκτείνουμε την μυστικότητα εναντίον ενός υπολογιστικά αδέσμευτου αντιπάλου. Γενικεύουμε τα ευρήματά μας για να εκφράσουμε μοντέλα ασφαλείας για αέναη προστασία μυστικότητας, που λαμβάνουν επίσης υπόψιν τα διαθέσιμα δεδομένα που διαρρέονται από την υλοποίηση του πρωτοκόλλου.
Vorwort
Authors: Lassau Guido
Published: April 2021

Vorwort des Kantonsarchäologen Guido Lassau.
Ausgrabungen und Funde im Jahr 2012
Authors: Bernasconi Marco , Helmig Guido , Hüglin Sophie , Matt Christoph , Scholz Till , Spichtig Norbert
Published: April 2021

Berichte zu den archäologischen Untersuchungen der Archäologischen Bodenforschung Basel-Stadt im Jahr 2012.
Tätigkeitsbericht für das Jahr 2015
Authors: Lassau Guido
Published: April 2021

Der Tätigkeitsbericht des Kantonsarchäologen bietet einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Kennzahlen und die Arbeiten in den verschiedenen Abteilungen der Archäologischen Bodenforschung im Jahr 2015.
10-year longitudinal study of malaria in children: Insights into acquisition and maintenance of naturally acquired immunity
Authors: Addy John W.G. , Bediako Yaw , Ndungu Francis M. , Valetta John Joseph , Reid Adam J. , Mwacharo Jedida , Ngoi Joyce Mwongeli , Wambua Joshua , Otieno Edward , Musyoki Jennifer , Said Khadija , Berriman Matthew , Marsh Kevin , Bejon Philip , Recker Mario , Langhorne Jean
Published: April 2021

Background: Studies of long-term malaria cohorts have provided essential insights into how Plasmodium falciparum interacts with humans, and influences the development of antimalarial immunity. Immunity to malaria is acquired gradually after multiple infections, some of which present with clinical symptoms. However, there is considerable variation in the number of clinical episodes experienced by children of the same age within the same cohort. Understanding this variation in clinical symptoms and how it relates to the development of naturally acquired immunity is crucial in identifying how and when some children stop experiencing further malaria episodes. Where variability in clinical episodes may result from different rates of acquisition of immunity, or from variable exposure to the parasite.

Methods: Using data from a longitudinal cohort of children residing in an area of moderate P. falciparum transmission in Kilifi district, Kenya, we fitted cumulative episode curves as monotonic-increasing splines, to 56 children under surveillance for malaria from the age of 5 to 15.

Results: There was large variability in the accumulation of numbers of clinical malaria episodes experienced by the children, despite being of similar age and living in the same general location. One group of children from a particular sub-region of the cohort stopped accumulating clinical malaria episodes earlier than other children in the study. Despite lack of further clinical episodes of malaria, these children had higher asymptomatic parasite densities and higher antibody titres to a panel of P. falciparum blood-stage antigens.

Conclusions: This suggests development of clinical immunity rather than lack of exposure to the parasite, and supports the view that this immunity to malaria disease is maintained by a greater exposure to P. falciparum, and thus higher parasite burdens. Our study illustrates the complexity of anti-malaria immunity and underscores the need for analyses which can sufficiently reflect the heterogeneity within endemic populations.
Estimating the cost of congenital Zika syndrome to families and healthcare providers in Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco, Brazil: results of a case-control study
Authors: Pinto Márcia , Fernandes Silke , Barros Letícia , Valongueiro Sandra , Moreira Maria Elisabeth Lopes , Barreto de Araújo Thália Velho , Jofre-Bonet Mireia , Entringer Aline , Lyra Tereza Maciel , Kuper Hannah
Published: April 2021

Background: Children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) have a wide range of additional healthcare needs. This study aimed to estimate the direct costs of CZS from the health provider and family perspectives, and the indirect costs for families, in two Brazilian states: Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco.

Methods: A case-control study was undertaken between May 2017-January 2018 recruiting 174 cases with severe CZS, 41 with mild/moderate CZS and 269 children with no CZS, across the two sites, from existing studies. The primary caregiver was interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect information on healthcare use and costs incurred during the previous 12 months. In Rio de Janeiro, health care utilization data was also extracted from electronic medical records. We estimated direct and indirect costs incurred as a result of CZS from the perspective of the health system and families.

Results: Children with CZS accessed more healthcare facilities and reported longer travel and waiting times than children unaffected by CZS. Total costs from the health provider perspective of outpatient visits, were highest for children with severe CZS (U$1,411) followed by children with mild/moderate CZS (U$264) and children without CZS (U$107). This pattern was apparent for direct costs incurred by families, while median indirect costs were low. Families of children with CZS reported high levels of catastrophic expenditures; Expenses incurred by families to meet their child’s needs as a proportion of household income was 30% (IQR=14%-67%, p<0.01) for children with severe CZS, 11% (IQR=4%-33%, p<0.01) for mild/moderate CZS, and 1% (IQR=0%-8%) for controls. Costs incurred by families were generally higher in Rio de Janeiro than Pernambuco.

Conclusions: Families of children affected by CZS in Brazil may need additional public health resources and social benefits to protect them from incurring catastrophic expenses while meeting the needs of their children.
Assessment of Maximum Sensitivity of Acoustic Emission Technique
Authors: Terentyev Denis , Ivanov Valery
Published: April 2021

Knowledge of the ultimate sensitivity of the acoustic emission (AE) method is useful in studies of the mechanisms of plastic deformation of the structure, the formation and development of micro-, meso- and macro-cracks, as well as continuous processes, such as the outflow of liquids and gases, friction and a number of others. Analysis of literary data on assessment of limit sensitivity at identification of AE sources was carried out. It has been shown that when using standard resonant piezoelectric transducers with a frequency bandwidth of 30 ± 10 kHz, the ultimate sensitivity is the fraction of the nanometer in the displacement of the surface of the object and the unit micron of the size of the microcrack during its formation and hopping development. When testing industrial facilities, in many cases the level of external noise is significantly higher, the detection of defects decreases and amounts to a fraction of a millimeter. However, an increase in the energy and amplitude of AE signals as the defect develops in the vast majority of cases leads to the fact that when a crack reaches dimensions that begin to threaten the strength of the monitored object, AE signals are reliably detected by the equipment. Knowledge of the maximum sensitivity of the AE method makes it possible to compare it with other NDT methods by this parameter.
A Multilevel Simulation Optimization Approach for Quantile Functions
Authors: Wang Songhao , Ng Szu Hui , Haskell William Benjamin
Published: April 2021

A quantile is a popular performance measure for a stochastic system to evaluate its variability and risk. To reduce the risk, selecting the actions that minimize the tail quantiles of some loss distributions is typically of interest for decision makers. When the loss distribution is observed via simulations, evaluating and optimizing its quantile can be challenging, especially when the simulations are expensive as it may cost a large number of simulation runs to obtain accurate quantile estimators. In this work, we propose a multilevel metamodel (cokriging)-based algorithm to optimize quantiles more efficiently. Utilizing nondecreasing properties of quantiles, we first search on cheaper and informative lower quantiles, which are more accurate and easier to optimize. The quantile level iteratively increases to the objective level, and the search has a focus on the possible promising regions identified by the previous levels. This enables us to leverage the accurate information from the lower quantiles to find the optimums faster and improve algorithm efficiency.
A EXPANSÃO DA COVID-19 NA BAIXADA FLUMINENSE – RJ: SEUS CAMINHOS E EFEITOS SOCIAIS NA PERIFERIA
Authors: Rocha André Santos da , De Sousa Gustavo Mota , Fortes Alexandre , De Oliveira Leandro Dias
Published: April 2021

Introdução:  O contexto da pandemia do novo coronavírus apontou para a importância de compreender a expansão geográfica desta doença, seus caminhos e efeitos, em especial nos territórios periféricos. Objetivo:  Analisar e visibilizar os impactos da pandemia na porção da periferia oeste da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, conhecida como Baixada Fluminense. Métodos (opcional):  Baseado no método qualiquantitativo, utilizamos dados da Covid-19 disponibilizados pela Secretaria Estadual de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro nos primeiros meses da pandemia [março, abril e maio do ano de 2020], e realizamos uma análise da produção territorial da região de estudo para avaliar os efeitos e impactos do avanço desta doença. Resultados: Construção de mapas de calor da incidência da Covid-19 pelos bairros dos municípios da Baixada Fluminense que demonstraram as centralidades e os caminhos da doença pelos territórios periféricos, e produção de gráficos com o número de contaminados e novos casos em perspectiva comparada de parte da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. Conclusão: A expansão geográfica do novo coronavírus tem revelado que as periferias metropolitanas são espaços privilegiados de contaminação, os dados apresentados demonstram um rápido crescimento do número de casos nessas áreas. Outrossim a maior incidência corresponde aos territórios que apresentam os caminhos de circulação metropolitana, maior centralidade no contexto dos municípios, grande adensamento populacional e maior vulnerabilidade econômica e social.
COUNTRY–CITY AND RURAL–URBAN RELATIONS IN THE TWENTIETH-FIRST CENTURY
Authors: Marafon Glaucio José , Fortes Gabriel Bias , Seabra Rogério
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The thought regarding the countryside/city relationship in modern times implies going beyond the past representations concerning the rural space, that is, overcoming the dichotomic proposal, conceived within a context of reaffirmation of the urban logic, and thus recognizing the city and the city/countryside couplet as elements bonded by the same, though diverse, logic, typical of the space production under the rule of capitalism. Objective: The work aims at systemizing a reflection on the countryside/city and rural/urban couplets, based on the understanding that the countryside and the city may be associated to the same flow of spatial production insofar as the terms rural and urban are articulated with each other, involving subjective aspects as identity, form and rhythm of life, relation with nature and social interactions among the agents that reproduce (or even reinvent) such subjectivities. Results: In spite of the dissociation between the rural/urban and countryside/city binomials, the academic debate can still find traces of the previous paradigm from the observation of territories whose rural/rural and city/urban association coincide. Conclusion: As the countryside and the city are consolidated as material structures based on the patterns of land-use and occupation, the rural and the urban transit to the immaterial sphere becoming constructions and social practices - both dynamic and changeable - that can occur both in the countryside and the city alike. This enables the existence of localities presenting aspects related both to the rural and the urban contexts, such as urbanized fields and rural cities, bearing in mind that these aspects (urbanities and ruralities) do not concern the technological level itself, but the constructions and social practices that sustain the urban or rural characters (or both).
Acetylation of Histone and Modification of Gene Expression via HDAC Inhibitors Affects the Obesity
Authors: Sharma Deepika , Sharma Swati , Chauhan Preeti
Published: April 2021

Obesity is due to imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Adipose tissues are the main site for the fat storage as well as for dissipation. There are two types of adipose tissues: white adipose tissue, which store fat as triglyceride, brown adipose tissue, which burns the fat into energy through the thermogenesis due to uncoupling protein1 present in inner mitochondrial membrane. Histone acylation causes changes in the chromatin structure without causing any change in the deoxyribonucleic acidsequence and thus regulate gene expression.Histonedeacetylase causes the deacylation of histone and interfere with function of histone. Thus histonedeacetylase inhibitors alter the expression of thermogenic gene encoding uncoupling protein 1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ and also causes browning or beiging of white adipose tissue and increases the energy expenditure.
Antidepressant and Anxiolytic profiles of Cymbopogon Flexuosus Ethanolic extract in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress induced in rats
Authors: Nomier Yousra , Asaad Gihan F. , Alshahrani Saeed , Safhi Seham , Medrba Layla , Alharthi Najd , Rehman Zia , Alhazmi Hassan , Sanobar Syeda
Published: April 2021

The chronic mild stress (CMS) model in rats is a classic example to further understanding of human psychopathology. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activity of Cymbopogon Flexuosusethanolic extractagainst CMS model induced in rats. The ethanolic extract of dried leaves of C. flexuosus was subjected to GCMS analysis using Thermo Scientific GC/MS equipped with AS 3000 auto samplers, trace ultra-GC and ISQ detector for determination of phytoconstituents. Rats were divided randomly into 7 groups (n=6). Group 1 was kept as normal unstressed rats given saline, Group 2 was unstressed rats given fluoxetine (1mg/kg), Groups from 3 to 7 were subjected to CMS model. Rats of group 3 served as control +ve. Thirty minutes before behavioral assessment, groups (4-7) were given fluoxetine (1mg/kg), extract at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg (p.o) respectively. Antidepressant and anxiolytic activities were assessed by activity box, open field activity, light and dark box and elevated plus maze. The neurotransmitter serotonin was determined in serum. The ethanolic extract of C. flexuosus at the doses of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg significantly ameliorated all the behavioral deficits that originated as a result of CMS. The group given C.flexuosus at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed the best effect among all other treated groups. Similar results were obtained on determining the serotonin levels in serum. It was concluded that the plant extract possesses a potential antidepressant and anxiolytic effect against chronic mild stress induced in rats.
Optical configuration of an N ∶ 2N reversible decoder using a LiNbO3-based Mach–Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Awasthi Shashank , Chowdhury Barnali , Haider Zuhaib , Ali Jalil , Yupapin Preecha , Metya Sanjeev Kumar , Majumder Alak
Published: April 2021

These days when integrated circuit (IC) designers are facing an uphill
task in limiting energy/heat dissipation, reversible computing is
emerging as a potential candidate with vast application in fields like
nanotechnology, quantum-dot cellular automata, and low power IC.
Optical reversible logics have turned up to offer high speed and low
energy computations with almost no loss of input information when a
certain (arithmetic or logical) operation is performed. This paper
explores an optical implementation of an optimized Fredkin gate that
is employed to design an

N
:

2
N

reversible decoder. The optical
designs have been carried out using the electro-optic effect of a
lithium niobate (

L
i
N
b
O

3

)-based Mach–Zehnder
interferometer under the beam propagation method (BPM) with
Optiwave’s OptiBPM tool. The mathematical model of output power
of these designs is also performed along with its validation in
MATLAB.
Passive optical device to treat age-related macular degeneration and its cognitive perception aspects
Authors: Gotthilf-Nezri Dana , Bonneh Yoram S , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: April 2021

In this research we present a basis for a solution for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) patients. The proposed solution is a binocular passive optical device composed of a contact lens and spectacles, both coated by light-reflecting material in order to generate a Fabry-Perot-like resonator. This bounces the light rays several times between the two surfaces, achieving optical simultaneous magnifications for near and far distances as needed for AMD patients in early stages of the disease. Our work has two parts: numerical simulation of the magnification achieved by the device and a clinical experiment, with non-AMD patients, in which we examined visual skills with simultaneous magnifications. The numerical simulations proved mathematically that the device can produce several different magnifications simultaneously, Zemax simulations confirmed this. In the clinical study, simultaneous vision was found to have little effect on visual acuity, but slightly increased reaction time to stimuli. Thus, the proposed device may improve visual capabilities of AMD patients, allow patients in stages where the peripheral retina still functions to use these areas to maximize their remaining visual potential and thus function better in everyday life.
A novel yeast hybrid modeling framework integrating Boolean and enzyme-constrained networks enables exploration of the interplay between signaling and metabolism
Authors: Österberg Linnea , Domenzain Iván , Münch Julia , Nielsen Jens , Hohmann Stefan , Cvijovic Marija
Published: April 2021

The interplay between nutrient-induced signaling and metabolism plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis and its malfunction has been implicated in many different human diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders. Therefore, unraveling the role of nutrients as signaling molecules and metabolites together with their interconnectivity may provide a deeper understanding of how these conditions occur. Both signaling and metabolism have been extensively studied using various systems biology approaches. However, they are mainly studied individually and in addition, current models lack both the complexity of the dynamics and the effects of the crosstalk in the signaling system. To gain a better understanding of the interconnectivity between nutrient signaling and metabolism in yeast cells, we developed a hybrid model, combining a Boolean module, describing the main pathways of glucose and nitrogen signaling, and an enzyme-constrained model accounting for the central carbon metabolism ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, using a regulatory network as a link. The resulting hybrid model was able to capture a diverse utalization of isoenzymes and to our knowledge outperforms constraint-based models in the prediction of individual enzymes for both respiratory and mixed metabolism. The model showed that during fermentation, enzyme utilization has a major contribution in governing protein allocation, while in low glucose conditions robustness and control are prioritized. In addition, the model was capable of reproducing the regulatory effects that are associated with the Crabtree effect and glucose repression, as well as regulatory effects associated with lifespan increase during caloric restriction. Overall, we show that our hybrid model provides a comprehensive framework for the study of the non-trivial effects of the interplay between signaling and metabolism, suggesting connections between the Snf1 signaling pathways and processes that have been related to chronological lifespan of yeast cells.
Identifying typologies of diurnal patterns in desk-based workers’ sedentary time
Authors: Kurosawa Sayaka , Shibata Ai , Ishii Kaori , Koohsari Mohammad Javad , Oka Koichiro
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify typologies of diurnal sedentary behavior patterns and sociodemographic characteristics of desk-based workers. The sedentary time of 229 desk-based workers was measured using accelerometer devices. The within individual diurnal variations in sedentary time was calculated for both workdays and non-workdays. Diurnal variations in sedentary time during each time period (morning, afternoon, and evening) was calculated as the percentage of sedentary time during each time period divided by the percentage of the total sedentary time. A hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method) was used to identify the optimal number of clusters. To refine the initial clusters, a non-hierarchical cluster analysis (k-means method) was performed. Four clusters were identified: stable sedentary cluster (46.7%), off-morning break cluster (26.6%), off-afternoon break cluster (8.3%), and evening sedentary cluster (18.3%). The stable sedentary cluster had the lowest variations in sedentary time throughout the day and the highest amount of total sedentary time. Participants in the off-morning and off-afternoon break clusters had nearly the same sedentary patterns but took short-term breaks during non-workday mornings or afternoons. The evening sedentary cluster had a completely different pattern, with a longer sedentary time during the evening both on workdays and non-workdays. Sociodemographic attributes such as sex, household income, educational attainment, employment status, sleep duration, and residential area, differed significantly between groups. Initiatives to address desk-based workers’ sedentary behavior need to focus not only on the workplace but also on the appropriate timing for reducing excessive sedentary time in non-work contexts depending on the characteristics and diurnal patterns of target subgroups.
High ELF4 expression in human cancers is associated with worse disease outcomes and increased resistance to anticancer drugs
Authors: Kafita Doris , Daka Victor , Nkhoma Panji , Zulu Mildred , Zulu Ephraim , Tembo Rabecca , Ngwira Zifa , Mwaba Florence , Sinkala Musalula , Munsaka Sody
Published: April 2021

The malignant phenotype of tumour cells is fuelled by changes in the expression of various transcription factors, including some of the well-studied proteins such as p53 and Myc. Despite significant progress made, little is known about several other transcription factors, including ELF4, and how they help shape the oncogenic processes in cancer cells. To this end, we performed a bioinformatics analysis to facilitate a detailed understanding of how the expression variations of ELF4 in human cancers are related to disease outcomes and the cancer cell drug responses. Here, using ELF4 mRNA expression data of 9,350 samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer project, we identify two groups of patient’s tumours: those that expressed high ELF4 transcripts and those that expressed low ELF4 transcripts across 32 different human cancers. We uncover that patients segregated into these two groups are associated with different clinical outcomes. Further, we find that tumours that express high ELF4 mRNA levels tend to be of a higher-grade, afflict a significantly older patient population and have a significantly higher mutation burden. By analysing dose-response profiles to 397 anti-cancer drugs of 612 well-characterised human cancer cell lines, we discover that cell lines that expressed high ELF4 mRNA transcript are significantly less responsive to 129 anti-cancer drugs, and only significantly more response to three drugs: dasatinib, WH-4-023, and Ponatinib, all of which remarkably target the proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase SRC and tyrosine-protein kinase ABL1. Collectively our analyses have shown that, across the 32 different human cancers, the patients afflicted with tumours that overexpress ELF4 tended to have a more aggressive disease that is also is more likely more refractory to most anti-cancer drugs, a finding upon which we could devise novel categorisation of patient tumours, treatment, and prognostic strategies.
De novo assembly of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium carcinus brain transcriptome for identification of potential targets for antibody development
Authors: Crooke-Rosado Jonathan L. , Diaz-Mendez Sara C. , Claudio-Roman Yamil E. , Rivera Nilsa M. , Sosa Maria A.
Published: April 2021

Crustaceans are major constituents of aquatic ecosystems and, as such, changes in their behavior and the structure and function of their bodies can serve as indicators of alterations in their immediate environment, such as those associated with climate change and anthropogenic contamination. We have used bioinformatics and a de novo transcriptome assembly approach to identify potential targets for developing specific antibodies to serve as nervous system function markers for freshwater prawns of the Macrobrachium spp. Total RNA was extracted from brain ganglia of Macrobrachium carcinus freshwater prawns and Illumina Next Generation Sequencing was performed using an Eel Pond mRNA Seq Protocol to construct a de novo transcriptome. Sequencing yielded 97,202,662 sequences: 47,630,546 paired and 1,941,570 singletons. Assembly with Trinity resulted in 197,898 assembled contigs from which 30,576 were annotated: 9,600 by orthology, 17,197 by homology, and 3,779 by transcript families. We looked for glutamate receptors contigs, due to their main role in crustacean excitatory neurotransmission, and found 138 contigs related to ionotropic receptors, 32 related to metabotropic receptors, and 18 to unidentified receptors. After performing multiple sequence alignments within different biological organisms and antigenicity analysis, we were able to develop antibodies for prawn AMPA ionotropic glutamate receptor 1, metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 and 4, and ionotropic NMDA glutamate receptor subunit 2B, with the expectation that the availability of these antibodies will help broaden knowledge regarding the underlying structural and functional mechanisms involved in prawn behavioral responses to environmental impacts. The Macrobrachium carcinus brain transcriptome can be an important tool for examining changes in many other nervous system molecules as a function of developmental stages, or in response to particular conditions or treatments.
Microbiome research in general and business newspapers: How many microbiome articles are published and which study designs make the news the most?
Authors: Prados-Bo Andreu , Casino Gonzalo
Published: April 2021

The microbiome is a matter of interest for science, consumers and business. Our objective is to quantify that interest in academic journals and newspapers, both quantitatively and by study design. We calculated the number of articles on the microbiome from the total number of biomedicine articles featured in both PubMed and Spanish science news agency SINC, from 2008 to 2018. We used the Factiva database to identify news stories on microbiome papers in three general newspapers (The New York Times, The Times and El País) and three business newspapers (The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and Expansión), from 2007 to 2019. Then, we compared news stories with microbiome papers in PubMed, while also analyzing the frequencies of five study design types, both in the newspapers and in the papers themselves. Microbiome papers represented 0.8% of biomedicine papers in PubMed from 2008 to 2018 (increasing from 0.4% to 1.4%), while microbiome news published by SINC represented 1.6% of total biomedical news stories during the same period (increasing from 0.2% to 2.2%). The number of news stories on microbiome papers correlated with the number of microbiome papers (0.91, p < 0.001) featured in general newspapers, but not in business ones. News stories on microbiome papers represented 78.9% and 42.7% of all microbiome articles in general and business newspapers, respectively. Both media outlet types tended to over-report observational studies in humans while under-reporting environmental studies, while the representation of systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials, randomized controlled trials and animal/laboratory studies was similar when comparing newspapers and PubMed. The microbiome is receiving increasing attention in academic journals and newspapers. News stories on the microbiome in general and business newspapers are mostly based on research findings and are more interested in observational studies in humans and less in environmental studies compared to PubMed.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii increases following fecal microbiota transplantation in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Björkqvist Olle , Rangel Ignacio , Serrander Lena , Magnusson Cecilia , Halfvarson Jonas , Norén Torbjörn , Bergman-Jungeström Malin
Published: April 2021

Objective

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective treatment forClostridioides difficileinfection (CDI). However, the fecal transplant’s causal components translating into clearance of the CDI are yet to be identified. The commensal bacteriaFaecalibacterium prausnitziimay be of great interest in this context, since it is one of the most common species of the healthy gut microbiota and produces metabolites with anti-inflammatory properties. Although there is mounting evidence thatF.prausnitziiis an important regulator of intestinal homeostasis, data about its role in CDI and FMT are relatively scarce.

Methods

Stool samples from patients with recurrent CDI were collected to investigate the relative abundance ofF.prausnitziibefore and after FMT. Twenty-one patients provided fecal samples before the FMT procedure, at 2 weeks post-FMT, and at 2–4 months post-FMT. The relative abundance ofF.prausnitziiwas determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The abundance ofF.prausnitziiwas elevated in samples (N = 9) from donors compared to pre-FMT samples (N = 15) from patients (adjusted P<0.001). No significant difference in the abundance ofF.prausnitziibetween responders (N = 11) and non-responders (N = 4) was found before FMT (P = 0.85). In patients with CDI, the abundance ofF.prausnitziisignificantly increased in the 2 weeks post-FMT samples (N = 14) compared to the pre-FMT samples (N = 15, adjusted P<0.001). The increase persisted 2–4 months post-FMT (N = 15) compared to pre-FMT samples (N = 15) (adjusted P<0.001).

Conclusions

FMT increases the relative abundance ofF.prausnitziiin patients with recurrent CDI, and this microbial shift remains several months later. The baseline abundance ofF.prausnitziiin donors or recipients was not associated with future treatment response, although a true predictive capacity cannot be excluded because of the limited sample size. Further studies are needed to discern whetherF.prausnitziiplays an active role in the resolution of CDI.
Comprehensive mutagenesis identifies the peptide repertoire of a p53 T-cell receptor mimic antibody that displays no toxicity in mice transgenic for human HLA-A*0201
Authors: Trenevska Iva , Anderson Amanda P. , Bentley Carol , Hassanali Tasneem , Wiblin Sarah , Maguire Shaun , Pezzella Francesco , Banham Alison H. , Li Demin
Published: April 2021

T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibodies have expanded the repertoire of antigens targetable by monoclonal antibodies, to include peptides derived from intracellular proteins that are presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules on the cell surface. We have previously used this approach to target p53, which represents a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy because of the high frequency of its deregulation by mutation or other mechanisms. The T1-116C TCRm antibody targets the wild type p5365-73 peptide (RMPEAAPPV) presented by HLA-A*0201 (HLA-A2) and exhibited in vivo efficacy against triple receptor negative breast cancer xenografts. Here we report a comprehensive mutational analysis of the p53 RMPEAAPPV peptide to assess the T1-116C epitope and its peptide specificity. Antibody binding absolutely required the N-terminal arginine residue, while amino acids in the center of the peptide contributed little to specificity. Data mining the immune epitope database with the T1-116C binding consensus and validation of peptide recognition using the T2 stabilization assay identified additional tumor antigens targeted by T1-116C, including WT1, gp100, Tyrosinase and NY-ESO-1. Most peptides recognized by T1-116C were conserved in mice and human HLA-A2 transgenic mice showed no toxicity when treated with T1-116C in vivo. We conclude that comprehensive validation of TCRm antibody target specificity is critical for assessing their safety profile.
Cold stress triggers premature fruit abscission through ABA-dependent signal transduction in early developing apple
Authors: Lee Youngsuk , Do Van Giap , Kim Seonae , Kweon Hunjoong , McGhie Tony K.
Published: April 2021

Fruit abscission is a complex physiological process that is regulated by internal and environmental factors. During early development, apple fruit are exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations that are associated with premature fruit drop; however, their effect on fruit abscission is largely unknown. We hypothesized that fruit abscission is triggered by cold stress and investigated the molecular basis of premature fruit drop using RNA-Seq and metabolomics data from apple fruit undergoing abscission following cold stress in the field. Genes responsive to abscisic acid signaling and cell wall degradation were upregulated during abscission, consistent with the increased abscisic acid concentrations detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We performed ex vivo cold shock experiments with excised tree subunits consisting of a branch, pedicel, and fruit. Abscission induction occurred in the cold-stressed subunits with concurrent upregulation of abscisic acid biosynthesis (MdNCED1) and metabolism (MdCYP707A) genes, and ethylene biosynthesis (MdACS1) and receptor (MdETR2) genes in the pedicel. Another key finding was the activation of cytoplasmic streaming in abscission-zone cells detected by electron microscopy. Our results provide a novel insight into the molecular basis of fruit abscission physiology in response to cold stress in apple.
Género y poder en Argentina. Las elites ejecutivas de Fernández de Kirchner, Macri y Fernández
Authors: Canelo Paula Vera
Published: April 2021

El artículo analiza el vínculo entre género y poder en las elites gubernamentales del Ejecutivo Nacional durante las presidencias de Fernández de Kirchner (2011), Macri (2015) y Fernández (2019) en Argentina. El estudio sistemático de 857 ministros, secretarios y subsecretarios muestra el grado de participación femenina; las tendencias a la masculinización/feminización de las áreas de gestión y las dependencias, y la relación entre cargo y género, identificando qué “techos de cristal” obstaculizan la paridad.
Prevalence and Persistent Shedding of Fecal SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Patients With COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yawen , Cen Mengsha , Hu Mengjia , Du Lijun , Hu Weiling , Kim John J. , Dai Ning
Published: April 2021

INTRODUCTION:

The prevalence and shedding of fecal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA indicate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and likely infectivity. We performed a systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence and the duration of shedding of fecal RNA in patients with COVID-19 infection.

METHODS:

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Chinese databases Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data up to June 2020 were searched for studies evaluating fecal SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including anal and rectal samples, in patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The pooled prevalence of fecal RNA in patients with detectable respiratory RNA was estimated. The days of shedding and days to loss of fecal and respiratory RNA from presentation were compared.

RESULTS:

Thirty-five studies (N = 1,636) met criteria. The pooled prevalence of fecal RNA in COVID-19 patients was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI] 34%–52%). Higher proportion of patients with GI symptoms (52.4% vs 25.9%, odds ratio = 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.7) compared with no GI symptoms, specifically diarrhea (51.6% vs 24.0%, odds ratio = 3.0, 95% CI 1.9–4.8), had detectable fecal RNA. After loss of respiratory RNA, 27% (95% CI 15%–44%) of the patients had persistent shedding of fecal RNA. Days of RNA shedding in the feces were longer than respiratory samples (21.8 vs 14.7 days, mean difference = 7.1 days, 95% CI 1.2–13.0). Furthermore, days to loss of fecal RNA lagged respiratory RNA by a mean of 4.8 days (95% CI 2.2–7.5).

DISCUSSION:

Fecal SARS-CoV-2 RNA is commonly detected in COVID-19 patients with a 3-fold increased risk with diarrhea. Shedding of fecal RNA lasted more than 3 weeks after presentation and a week after last detectable respiratory RNA.
Editorial
Authors: Danelon Márcio
Published: April 2021

É com enorme satisfação que trazemos ao público a edição de número 68 da Revista Educação e Filosofia. Nesta edição ,apresentamos o profícuo dossiê Entre o governo das diferenças e os corpos ingovernáveis: potência da vida na educação, organizado pelo Professor Pedro Pagni, da Unesp (Marília), cuja proposta emerge uma reflexão crítica sobre o problema da democracia e do governo das diferenças na biopolítica neoliberal, colocando em questão o suposto perigo do ingovernável como um dos desafios filosófico-educacionais do tempo presente. Convidamos a todos acompanhar a apresentação deste dossiê.

Além deste dossiê, trazemos ao público um conjunto de oito artigos de diversos pesquisadores brasileiros e estrangeiros e que versam sobre diversas e importantes temáticas para a Filosofia e para a Educação.
O lugar próprio no espaço impróprio: o negro, o judeu e o comum
Authors: Silveira Paulo Henrique Fernandes
Published: April 2021

O lugar próprio no espaço impróprio: o negro, o judeu e o comum

Resumo: No pós-guerra, uma série de intelectuais que residiam na França, alguns deles, como exilados ou expatriados, travaram um intenso debate a respeito das condições do negro e do judeu. Jean-Paul Sartre formulou uma das questões centrais desse debate: haveria uma essência da negritude ou do judaísmo? Para Frantz Fanon, Maurice Blanchot, Jacques Derrida e Edmond Jabès, a negritude e o judaísmo podem ser compreendidos a partir das experiências do exílio e da expatriação. Esse artigo pretende reconstruir esse debate e analisar a importância do não-pertencimento para as concepções de comunidade e comum desenvolvidas por Jean-Luc Nancy, Giorgio Agamben e Jacques Rancière.

Palavras-chave: Negro. Judeu. Expatriação. Não-pertencimento. Comum.

El lugar propio en el espacio impropio: el negro, el judío y el común

Resumen: En la pos-guerra, una serie de intelectuales que vivían en Francia, algunos de ellos, como exilados o expatriados, trabaran un intenso debate a respecto de las condiciones del negro y del judío. Jean-Paul Sartre formuló una de las preguntas centrales de ese debate: ¿habría una esencia da negritud o de judaísmo? Para Frantz Fanon, Maurice Blanchot, Jacques Derrida y Edmond Jabès, la negritud y el judaísmo pueden ser comprendidos a partir de las experiencias de exilio y de la expatriación. Ese artículo pretende reconstruir ese debate y analizar la importancia del no-pertenencia a las conceptos de comunidad y común desarrolladas por Jean-Luc Nancy, Giorgio Agamben y Jacques Rancière.

Palabras-clave: Negro. Judío. Expatriación. No-pertenencia. Común.

The proper place in the improper space: the black, the jewish and the common

Abstract: In the postwar period, a number of intellectuals residing in France, some of them as exiles or expats, the intellectuals engaged in an intense debate about the conditions of the black and the jewish. Jean-Paul Sartre formulated one of the key questions of this debate: Is there an essence of blackness or judaism? For Frantz Fanon, Maurice Blanchot, Jacques Derrida, and Edmond Jabès, blackness and judaism can be understood from the experiences of exile and expatriation. This article aims to reconstruct this debate and analyze the importance of non-belonging to the conceptions of community and common developed by Jean-Luc Nancy, Giorgio Agamben, and Jacques Rancière.

Keywords: Black. Jewish. Expatriation. Non-belonging. Common.

Data de registro: 11/12/2019

Data de aceite: 26/08/2020
„Człowiek jest czemś, co przezwyciężone być powinno”. Dyskurs historiozoficzny 2001: Odysei kosmicznej
Authors: Klejsa Konrad
Published: April 2021

Drawing upon classic works on Kubrick’s 2001, the author ponders various strategies of interpretation which have been adopted to decipher the film’s discourse. The title category of historiosophy indicates one of the possible interpretational paths: the one associated with the Nietzschean notion of humankind stuck in a liminal stage between an animal and the overman. The author claims that such an understanding was typical of the late 1960s, and he pursues his argument with a close analysis of several sequences from the film, focusing on the formal devices which present the human protagonists as weak and lackluster, while the animal, the technological and the extraterrestrial characters are depicted as vital and irrepressible.
Czechosłowackie podróże w czasie – od filmowej lekcji przyrody do normalizacyjnej zwariowanej komedii
Authors: Guzek Mariusz
Published: April 2021

Czechoslovakian film fantasy has its own canon comprised of various works, the successes of which were recorded by press industries around the world. They picked up various threads, but the most interesting one seems to be the theme of time travel, as represented by three films: A Journey to the Beginning of Time (1955), I Killed Einstein, Gentlemen (1969) and Tomorrow I’ll Wake Up and Scald Myself with Tea (1977). They were produced in different production conditions and placed in different genre assumptions, and they referred to the tradition of science fiction developed by popular literature in different ways. The text tries to define their status as part of the achievements of national cinematography, indicate structural components, and briefly discuss their reception, both critical and audience.
David Avidan’s Message from the Future. Nuclear fantasies of the galactic poet
Authors: Pietrzak Maciej
Published: April 2021

David Avidan’s Message from the Future (1981) is one of few Israeli science fiction films ever made. This ambitious project of the well-known avant-garde poet has been forgotten for many years, as a result of a financial and artistic failure of the movie. The paper shows Avidan’s doomed film as an interesting cultural text that can be read as the director’s commentary on the Israeli reality of his time. Contrary to the artist’s claims about the global ambitions of the picture, Message from the Future is immersed in the local, exploring it under the guise of narrative structures borrowed from Hollywood. The text analyzes a precise deconstruction of the plot patterns characteristic for the classic American SF films from the 1950s, which Avidan adjusted to the Israeli sociopolitical landscape at the turn of the seventies and eighties.