bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of neutropenia evaluated in terms of the D‐index on invasive fungal disease while on empiric or preemptive antifungal treatment strategy in the early phase after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kimura Shun‐ichi , Nakamura Yuhei , Kawamura Masakatsu , Takeshita Junko , Kawamura Shunto , Yoshino Nozomu , Misaki Yukiko , Yoshimura Kazuki , Matsumi Shimpei , Gomyo Ayumi , Akahoshi Yu , Tamaki Masaharu , Kusuda Machiko , Kameda Kazuaki , Wada Hidenori , Sato Miki , Terasako‐Saito Kiriko , Tanihara Aki , Nakasone Hideki , Kako Shinichi , Kanda Yoshinobu
Published: July 2020

Background

We retrospectively evaluated the association between the D‐index, which reflects both the depth and duration of neutropenia, and proven/probable invasive fungal disease (IFD) early after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) at our center (n = 394).

Methods

The D‐index was defined as the area over the neutrophil curve during neutropenia. The cumulative D‐index from the start of neutropenia until the development of infection (c‐D‐index) was also evaluated as a real‐time assessment of neutropenia.

Results

There were 19 cases of early proven/probable IFD before and within 1 week after engraftment. Fifteen cases (78.9%) were seen as breakthrough infection while on empiric (n = 7), preemptive (n = 4) or prophylactic (n = 4) antifungal administration with mold‐active agents. The c‐D‐index and lower performance status were identified as independent significant predictive factors for IFD. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the D‐index and c‐D‐index were more accurate than the simple duration of neutropenia and as accurate as the duration of profound neutropenia for predicting IFD. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the c‐D‐index using an appropriate cutoff (CO) value (10 644) determined by ROC curve analysis were 73.1%, 63.2%, 9.1%, and 97.9%, respectively. The advantage of the c‐D‐index to cumulative days of neutropenia in terms of positive and negative predictive values seemed to be small.

Conclusions

The appropriate CO value for the c‐D‐index for predicting IFD was as high as 10 644 in allogeneic HSCT with a more frequent use of empiric antifungal therapy. The c‐D‐index is useful for assessing the risk of breakthrough IFD.
Discordant courses of COVID‐19 in a cohabiting couple of lung transplant recipients
Authors: Desmazes‐Dufeu Nadine , Coltey Bérengère , Amari Lyria , Gouitaa Marion , Touzery Camille , Reynaud‐Gaubert Martine , Chanez Pascal , Cassir Nadim
Published: July 2020

COVID‐19 is a novel infectious disease caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 that emerged in late 2019 and which is now a pandemic. Solid organ transplant recipients are perceived to be at increased risk of severe COVID‐19 due to their chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) and to their associated conditions. Scarce data are available on the optimized management of ISDs in these patients and on its impact on presentation, clinical course, viral shedding, and outcome. We report here two cases of COVID‐19 in a cohabiting couple of lung transplant recipients for cystic fibrosis, who had different ISDs management and who developed discordant courses of their disease. Our findings suggest that the degree of their immunosuppression might be a reason for their different course and that ISDs might prove partially protective.
Unique organization of photosystem II supercomplexes and megacomplexes in Norway spruce
Authors: Kouřil Roman , Nosek Lukáš , Opatíková Monika , Arshad Rameez , Semchonok Dmitry A. , Chamrád Ivo , Lenobel René , Boekema Egbert J. , Ilík Petr
Published: July 2020

Photosystem II (PSII) complexes are organized into large supercomplexes with variable amounts of light‐harvesting proteins (Lhcb). A typical PSII supercomplex in plants is formed by four trimers of Lhcb proteins (LHCII trimers), which are bound to the PSII core dimer via monomeric antenna proteins. However, the architecture of PSII supercomplexes in Norway spruce[Picea abies (L.) Karst.] is different, most likely due to a lack of two Lhcb proteins, Lhcb6 and Lhcb3. Interestingly, the spruce PSII supercomplex shares similar structural features with its counterpart in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii [Kouřil et al. (2016) New Phytol. 210, 808–814]. Here we present a single‐particle electron microscopy study of isolated PSII supercomplexes from Norway spruce that revealed binding of a variable amount of LHCII trimers to the PSII core dimer at positions that have never been observed in any other plant species so far. The largest spruce PSII supercomplex, which was found to bind eight LHCII trimers, is even larger than the current largest known PSII supercomplex from C. reinhardtii. We have also shown that the spruce PSII supercomplexes can form various types of PSII megacomplexes, which were also identified in intact grana membranes. Some of these large PSII supercomplexes and megacomplexes were identified also in Pinus sylvestris, another representative of the Pinaceae family. The structural variability and complexity of LHCII organization in Pinaceae seems to be related to the absence of Lhcb6 and Lhcb3 in this family, and may be beneficial for the optimization of light‐harvesting under varying environmental conditions.
Interaction of the Xanthomonas effectors XopQ and XopX results in induction of rice immune responses
Authors: Deb Sohini , Ghosh Palash , Patel Hitendra K. , Sonti Ramesh V.
Published: July 2020

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae uses several type III secretion system (T3SS) secreted effectors, namely XopN, XopQ, XopX and XopZ, to suppress rice immune responses that are induced following treatment with cell wall degrading enzymes. Here we show that a T3SS secreted effector XopX interacts with two of the eight rice 14‐3‐3 proteins. Mutants of XopX that are defective in 14‐3‐3 binding are also defective in suppression of immune responses, suggesting that interaction with 14‐3‐3 proteins is required for suppression of host innate immunity. However, Agrobacterium‐mediated delivery of both XopQ and XopX into rice cells results in induction of rice immune responses. These immune responses are not observed when either protein is individually delivered into rice cells. XopQ‐XopX‐induced rice immune responses are not observed with a XopX mutant that is defective in 14‐3‐3 binding. Yeast two‐hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co‐immunoprecipitation assays indicate that XopQ and XopX interact with each other. A screen for Xanthomonas effectors that can suppress XopQ‐XopX‐induced rice immune responses led to the identification of five effectors, namely XopU, XopV, XopP, XopG and AvrBs2, that could individually suppress these immune responses. These results suggest a complex interplay of Xanthomonas T3SS effectors in suppression of both pathogen‐triggered immunity and effector‐triggered immunity to promote virulence on rice.
FORGETTER2 protein phosphatase and phospholipase D modulate heat stress memory in Arabidopsis
Authors: Urrea Castellanos Reynel , Friedrich Thomas , Petrovic Nevena , Altmann Simone , Brzezinka Krzysztof , Gorka Michal , Graf Alexander , Bäurle Isabel
Published: July 2020

Plants can mitigate environmental stress conditions through acclimation. In the case of fluctuating stress conditions such as high temperatures, maintaining a stress memory enables a more efficient response upon recurring stress. In a genetic screen for Arabidopsis thaliana mutants impaired in the memory of heat stress (HS) we have isolated the FORGETTER2 (FGT2) gene, which encodes a type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C) of the D‐clade. Fgt2 mutants acquire thermotolerance normally; however, they are defective in the memory of HS. FGT2 interacts with phospholipase D α2 (PLDα2), which is involved in the metabolism of membrane phospholipids and is also required for HS memory. In summary, we have uncovered a previously unknown component of HS memory and identified the FGT2 protein phosphatase and PLDα2 as crucial players, suggesting that phosphatidic acid‐dependent signaling or membrane composition dynamics underlie HS memory.
Genomic basis of white pine blister rust quantitative disease resistance and its relationship with qualitative resistance
Authors: Weiss Matthew , Sniezko Richard A. , Puiu Daniela , Crepeau Marc W. , Stevens Kristian , Salzberg Steven L. , Langley Charles H. , Neale David B. , De La Torre Amanda R.
Published: July 2020

The genomic architecture and molecular mechanisms controlling variation in quantitative disease resistance loci are not well understood in plant species and have been barely studied in long‐generation trees. Quantitative trait loci mapping and genome‐wide association studies were combined to test a large single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set for association with quantitative and qualitative white pine blister rust resistance in sugar pine. In the absence of a chromosome‐scale reference genome, a high‐density consensus linkage map was generated to obtain locations for associated SNPs. Newly discovered associations for white pine blister rust quantitative disease resistance included 453 SNPs involved in wide biological functions, including genes associated with disease resistance and others involved in morphological and developmental processes. In addition, NBS‐LRR pathogen recognition genes were found to be involved in quantitative disease resistance, suggesting these newly reported genes are qualitative genes with partial resistance, they are the result of defeated qualitative resistance due to avirulent races, or they have epistatic effects on qualitative disease resistance genes. This study is a step forward in our understanding of the complex genomic architecture of quantitative disease resistance in long‐generation trees, and constitutes the first step towards marker‐assisted disease resistance breeding in white pine species.
Geographies of stigma: Post‐trafficking experiences
Authors: Laurie Nina , Richardson Diane
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the relationship between human trafficking and geographies of stigma based on qualitative research in Nepal. It explains how geographies of stigma circumscribe the agency of those who return from having experienced trafficking, affecting their livelihoods and mobilities. It examines processes of spatial differentiation, territorialisation and scalar hierarchies in relation to the production and navigation of stigma.
Incorporation of extracorporeal photopheresis into a reduced intensity conditioning regimen in myelodysplastic syndrome and aggressive lymphoma: results from ECOG 1402 and 1902
Authors: Foss Francine M. , Wang Xin Victoria , Luger Selina M. , Jegede Opeyemi , Miller Kenneth B. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Whiteside Theresa L. , Avigan David E. , Gascoyne Randall D. , Arber Daniel , Wagner Henry , Strair Roger K. , Hogan William J. , Sprague Kellie A. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Litzow Mark R. , Tallman Martin S. , Horning Sandra J.
Published: July 2020

Background

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory cellular therapy which has been shown to induce a tolerogenic state in patients with acute and chronic graft‐vs‐host disease. ECOG‐ACRIN explored the activity of ECP as a part of a reduced intensity conditioning regimen in two multicenter trials in patients with MDS (E1902) and lymphomas (E1402). While both studies closed before completing accrual, we report results in 23 patients (17 MDS and 6 lymphoma).

Study Design and Methods

Patients received 2 days of ECP followed by pentostatin 4 mg/m2 /day for two consecutive days, followed by 600 cGy of total body irradiation prior to stem cell infusion. Immunosuppression for aGVHD was infusional cyclosporine A or tacrolimus and methotrexate on day +1, +3, with mycophenolate mofetil starting on day 100 for chronic GVHD prophylaxis.

Results

All patients engrafted, with median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment of 15‐18 days and 10‐18 days respectively. Grade 3 or 4 aGVHD occurred in 13% and chronic extensive GVHD in 30%.

Conclusions

These studies demonstrate that ECP/pentostatin/TBI is well tolerated and associated with adequate engraftment of neutrophils and platelets in patients with lymphomas and MDS.
Association between weight change during initial chemotherapy and clinical outcome in dogs with multicentric lymphoma
Authors: Lee Wei‐Shan , Lee Jih‐Jong , Liao Albert Taiching , Kao Chia‐Lien , Wang Shang‐Lin
Published: July 2020

The majority of the known prognostic factors in dogs with lymphoma have been evaluated before treatment commences or at the time of diagnosis. Prognostic factors evaluated during the initial phase of treatment are less described but may provide important clinical information. In this retrospective study, 82 canine lymphoma patients were categorized according to the weight change between diagnosis and after 5 weeks of chemotherapy. Dogs that gained greater than 5% or lost greater than 5% of initial body weight were categorized as increased‐ or decreased‐weight groups, respectively. Those in which weight changed less than 5% were categorized as the maintained‐weight group. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) in the increased‐weight group, maintained‐weight group and decreased‐weight group was 226, 256 and 129 days, respectively. The decreased‐weight group had significantly shorter PFS than the increased and maintained groups (P= .023,P= .003, respectively). The median survival time (ST) in the increased‐weight group, maintained‐weight group and decreased‐weight group was 320, 339 and 222 days, respectively. There was no significant difference in ST among the three groups (P= .128). In Cox‐regression results, weight change group and initial body weight were significant risk factors associated to PFS (P= .007,P= .001, respectively) while only patient's initial body weight was a significant risk factor to ST (P= .013). In conclusion, evaluation of initial body weight and weight changes over time can provide valuable information regarding PFS and ST in dogs with multicentric lymphoma.
Comparison of the prothrombin time‐derived and Clauss assays for the measurement of plasma fibrinogen in hospitalized dogs
Authors: Hasiuk Michelle H. , Russell Karen E. , Jeffery Unity
Published: July 2020

Background

Accurate measurement of fibrinogen is necessary for detecting bleeding tendencies and inflammation. The Clauss assay determines fibrinogen concentration from its inverse relationship with thrombin‐induced clot times. PT‐derived assays determine fibrinogen concentrations from changes in the optical density during a routine prothrombin assay and allow determination of fibrinogen without additional reagents. This method has not been assessed in clinically ill dogs.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the agreement between the Clauss and PT‐derived fibrinogen assays and compare the ability of the assays to predict surgery‐associated transfusions and discriminate between dogs with and without bleeding.

Methods

Retrospective medical record review identified 200 dogs with a variety of underlying diseases with results from both assays. The two assays were compared using Passing‐Bablok regression, and the ability of the assays to identify bleeding and predict the need for transfusions was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses.

Results

The PT‐derived assay displayed constant (y‐intercept, 32 mg/dL; 95% CI 18‐41) and proportional (slope, 0.79; 95% CI 0.75‐0.82) bias compared with the Clauss assay. The Clauss assay reported lower values than the PT‐derived assay at lower fibrinogen concentrations and higher values at higher concentrations. Comparing the area under the ROC curve did not detect significant differences in the ability of the two assays to discriminate between dogs with and without bleeding or predict the need for surgery‐associated transfusions.

Conclusions

The PT‐derived and Clauss assays are not interchangeable, and the Clauss assay could be more sensitive to hypofibrinogenemia in dogs.
Emotions and beliefs arising from replacement blood donation may hinder transitioning to exclusive voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation
Authors: Charles Kenneth Sterling , Harrilal Rakesh , Singh Stephanie , Gomez Kimberly , Hall Ronald , Danielle Zoe , Gopeesingh Samir , Gonzales Christian , Guy Kendra , Morain Kristin , Mohammed Riyad , McClure Kiara , Mansoor Anthony , McIntyre Brennan , Maraj Chnique , Maraj Nirvan , Chantry Andrew Douglas
Published: July 2020

Background and objectives

For many developing countries, achieving exclusive voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation requires converting an existing pool of family replacement donors consisting of individuals recruited by health professionals and persons they recruited. This study was done to evaluate emotions and beliefs in these two groups and their effect on future blood donor intentions.

Materials and methods

Cross‐sectional, descriptive, questionnaire‐based surveys were administered by two medical student research groups. Survey 1 assessed persons recruited by health professionals to serve as or recruit replacement donors and Survey 2, individuals recruited by patients or their relatives to be replacement donors.

Results

The majority of Survey 1 participants experienced negative emotional reactions to being asked to solicit and actually asking persons to serve as family replacement donors (72·3% and 50·2%, respectively). The proportion that would serve as a replacement donor increased from 55·9% to 74·1% (P < 0·001). Among Survey 2 participants, 61% (P < 0·001) would more willingly donate blood if directly approached by the person in need.

Conclusion

Emotions and beliefs arising from family replacement donation encouraged future replacement donation intention.
Comparative study of impact of animal source on physical, structural, and biological properties of bone xenograft
Authors: Gashtasbi Fatemeh , Hasannia Shahriar , Hasannia Sadegh , Mahdi Dehghan Mohammad , Sarkarat Farzin , Shali Abbas
Published: July 2020

Background

Due to the unique features of xenografts including large supply from donors, minimal risk of human disease transmission, and the lower cost of preparation and production compared to autografts and allografts, they are considered as attractive alternatives to traditional bone grafts. The animal source accessibility and production process have a direct correlation with the cost and quality of the final product. To evaluate whether the animal source of the bone has any effect on the physicochemical and histological properties of the final xenograft, three deproteinized bone grafts were prepared from sources that are easily available in Iran, including the bovine (DBB), camel (DCB), and ostrich (DOB).

Methods

In the current study, three bone substitute materials intended to serve as bone xenografts were derived from the cow, camel, and ostrich using the thermochemical processing procedure. The physicochemical properties, in vitro cytocompatibility and in vivo bone regeneration capability of the prepared deproteinized bone grafts, were assessed and compared with OCS‐B as an approved product in the global market.

Results

The physical tests confirmed the hydroxyapatite nature of the final products. SEM and BET analysis showed morphological and structural differences between the products due to differences in the animal sources. In vitro studies showed the prepared deproteinized bone was free of processing chemicals and was biocompatible with mouse fibroblast and myoblast cell lines. In vivo studies revealed that the bone formation capability of the DBB, DCB, and DOB has no significant difference with one another and with OCS‐B despite their structural differences. The DCB showed the highest graft residue after two month. No signs of immunogenicity were observed in the study groups compared to the blank group.

Conclusion

DBB, DCB, and DOB may offer a favorable cell response and bone regeneration similar to those of commercial bovine bone material.
Choice of Further Education and Career Counselling at Primary Schools as Viewed by Pupils
Authors: Ďurišová Libuše
Published: July 2020

Aim of this empirical study is to provide a complex view of pupils on the issue of choice of further education and career counselling at primary schools in Zlín District. Attention is mainly paid to the provided services in the field of career counselling, factors influencing the choice of further education, people from which the pupils most often accept advice and help, sources of information which are used most often to support choice of profession and choice of further education, time when the career counsellors start working with pupils and their parents, level of support in the educational area Man and the World of Work in the area of shaping ideas about the further education and further profession, attitude of pupils to the level of influence of school on the parents and their ideas how should the career counselling at primary schools look like. In the survey there were quantitative and qualitative data combined in the sense of methodologically mixed design of sequential nature. Data collection was realized in three steps through context analysis of the text (N = 71), printed non-standardized questionnaire (N = 192) and semi-structured focus group (N = 6). Both quantitative and qualitative analysis implied that pupils in the course of decision making process attribute about the same level of significance to the family and to pedagogical workers. Quantitative analysis among others implied that teachers, along with the parents, are the crucial elements of advice and help provision and also that the career education and predominantly provision of individual counselling to the pupil and the parents is not on the sufficient level. Qualitative analysis showed the attitude of pupils to the question whether school can or cannot influence parents’ visions of further education of their children and the ideas of pupils about the form of career counselling at primary schools.
Analysis of Behavior With Features of Addiction and Primary Prevention for Full-time Students at Masaryk University
Authors: Kachlík Petr
Published: July 2020

The aim of the research studies presented here was a description and analysis of potentially addictive behavior in a sample of full-time students at Masaryk University and its possible prevention. There were 3 anonymous questionnaire studies , first charted in a sample of 9,993 respondents experience with addictive drugs of legal and illegal type, their opinions and attitudes. In the second study there were interviewed 2,475 people on issues aimed at potentially hazardous activities, especially virtual drugs. The third investigation in a sample of 2,176 people concerned primary prevention activities at the University, their efficiency, attractiveness, student involvement. The collected data were electronically recorded and subjected to statistical processing (descriptive statistics, chi-square test and its modifications, Fisher exact test). The results showed that the most commonly used addictive substances in the sample were alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, cannabis, to lesser extent also hallucinogens, depressants not requiring prescription and dancing drugs. Respondents normally work with a computer, internet and mobile phone, usually an hour a day. One fifth of the sample was addressed with addiction prevention, almost exclusively in the classroom. In primary prevention there are used mainly monologue lectures on the issue of alcohol and nicotine, which lack feedback, interactivity, adequate length, continuity and systematicity.
Student Participation in Communication as a Product of Teacher—Student Interaction
Authors: Šeďová Klára , Šalamounová Zuzana
Published: July 2020

Goal of this study is to explore whether the way of teacher—student interaction influences student’s participation in the educational communication. Research has proved that students participate in the educational communication unevenly and that the level of their participation strongly correlates to their school performance. In this study based on the microanalysis of videorecords of educational communication we show that participation patterns are socially constructed and they are a product of interaction of students and their teachers. We analyze two examples of students with similar characteristics (lower school performance), one of which participates in a very limited way and he is not able to participate in discussions about more difficult topics, the second then participates in a large extent and he is able to introduce new ideas and to formulate sophisticated arguments. On the collected data we show that difference is caused by the different behaviour of their teachers, who differ in the level of assistance provided to the students and also in the way they label the students in communication.
Research on Organizational Climate of the Faculties Providing Teacher Training
Authors: Grecmanová Helena , Dopita Miroslav
Published: July 2020

This contribution focuses on the organizational climate of universities and their facultiepp. After providing theoretical background for the topic of organizational climate and description of research realized abroad and its methods, the development itself of the tools for research on perception of the organizational climate of faculties providing teacher training by the academic workers is introduced. It is represented by a concept of three versions of a questionnaire and one sheet of semi-structured interview. Research tools are characterized and their specifications are provided. For illustration purposes, descriptions and interpretations of results of realized research at three faculties are provided. Because of the nature of the topic the results cannot be compared. Data gathered during this phase of the research do not enable to define standardpp. Descriptive statistics therefore represent the basis for the interpretation. Process of lifelong learning and education is applied also in the university environment as one of the factors influencing the organizational climate at the workplacepp. Concerning the academic workers lifelong learning and education is implicitly expected.
Heteronormality in Relation to Socialization and Adoption of Children by Homosexual Parents
Authors: Tománek Pavol
Published: July 2020

This study explores opinions and attitudes of heterosexuals on the right of homosexual couplesto marry and raise children. The study reflects the benefits of children, brought up by gay parents. The study also provides a concise probe into the empirical research problems. The research sample consisted of 342 participants who identified themselves as heterosexual. Most respondents stated that they supported the right of homosexual couples to marry, however, recognition of the right to adopt children by homosexual couples was met with a rather unfavorable opinion. Disapprovement to the equal parental rights for homosexual couples based mainly on concerns about the children growing up and being raised by homosexual parents.
Care of Elderly Germans Suffering from Dementia and other Diseases in Private Social Welfare Institutions in Poland — A Case Study
Authors: Horáková Nicole , Kajfosz Jan
Published: July 2020

The European society is getting older and nobody knows how to deal with this problem. There are different models from family care, special housing for elderly to professional institutional care, which has the disadvantage of being very expensive. In Germany we have noticed in the last two or three years a special trend to send old people suffering from dementia to foreign countries, because these people need intensive care and the social services for example in Poland have a high standard. The aim of our survey is to dismantle, by the example of the private care institution situated in Poland, Upper Silesia which specializes on German customers, the social practices associated with placing the elderly in such institutions and also the methods of constructing meanings of these practices providing clarity in the various groups that take part in this process. To reach this aim we used qualitative field research, including discourse and narrative analysis of various materials (interviews, promotional texts, websites), which beside other things allowed us to reconstruct the media image of the surveyed residences for the elderly and show it in a wider context.
On Being a Scientist, Private Lives and their Harmonization
Authors: Zormanová Lucie
Published: July 2020

Women in the high academic positions represent an elite group of women, whose experience has not been described separately in the Czech sociological context yet. The university environment is historically masculine denoted area, which women entered with many difficulties. Despite of opening of this academic area to women, we still see the high vertical segregation at the high academic positions. The interviews were ment to show how women reflect their own experience. The article deals with the work-lifebalance. All of the respondents have developped a very strong tie to their profession, which helps them overcome barriers in their professional growth, that are caused by problems arising from the reconciliation of family and work responsibilities. Their view of own and other women position is rather optimistic, with limited gender sensitivity.
Corporate Education Lecturersʼ Wiew of the Factors of Success of their Educational Activity
Authors: Procházka Miroslav , Vítečková Miluše
Published: July 2020

The article focuses on the competences of lecturer of adult education in relation to the formulation of requirements leading to his successful educational activity. It provides an answer to how the corporate education lecturers perceive their competences, what they consider crucial, what is reflected in the lesson planning and development of competences of the lecturer during corporate education of adults. It presents results of the survey research realized in the form of mind map processing and their further content analysis. Research sample consisted of 41 lecturers of further education who through the mind map described areas which they consider crucial for performance of their profession. Based on the results a competence model was created which represents a simplified formulation of what the lecturers consider important in relation to their successful educational activity.
Implicit Attitudes of Upper Secondary Vocational School Teachers to Nature
Authors: Horáčková Marie
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study is to present selected results of the research which as a whole examined pro-environmental attitudes of secondary vocational school teachers as a precondition of biophile teaching orientation. By previous research it was established that teachers' attitude towards this topic influences their teaching strategies. Presented study examines implicit attitudes of secondary vocational school teachers towards the nature. The results of the study are presented after presenting theoretical background dealing with the pro-environmental attitudes in the context of biophile teaching orientation and brief overview of research conducted in the Czech Republic and abroad. Empirical part of this study examines implicit attitudes of 201 teachers towards the nature using projective method, specifically the sentence completion test. The chosen method allowed to identify inner, indirect, spontaneous and uncontrolled attitudes of secondary vocational school teachers towards the nature. Based on the analysis we conclude that implicit attitudes of teachers from chosen secondary vocational school are not pro-environmental but rather anthropocentric.
French Lower Secondary School—Collège
Authors: Váňová Miroslava
Published: July 2020

The paper deals with the comprehensive lower secondary school—Collège de France. It describes its origins, objectives, current configuration, development and present problems. In this context the author highlights the importance of this school level in terms of school system characteristics as well as in terms of different ways of addressing currently important problems such as grade retention, social and performance homogeneity or heterogeneity of class groups as well as social and performance diversity of educational institutions of this level. With regard to the fact that French system of education is not commonly known to the wider teaching public, the author initially presents the current state of this type of school as a result of a series of reforms and innovations which this school went through since its origin in the 70s of the 20th century, and which were primarily aimed at deepening its internal differentiation, while retaining its original goals of a school for all eleven to fifteen-year-old pupils. On this basis, the author shows the persisting problems coming from the great social and intellectual heterogeneity of pupils of this school type. These problems are documented in the form of opinions of various participants in the educational process, especially teachers and educators—researchers as well as in the form of results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). In conclusion, the study presents the expected development in solving all the mentioned problems.
Level of Critical Thinking of Students of Selected Faculty of Humanities
Authors: Martincová Jana
Published: July 2020

Primary goal of this article is to provide a summary of theories dealing with critical thinking and critical thinking abilities. Secondary goal is identification of the level of critical thinking based on the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as a research tool. The article consist of two parts. The first part provides primary theoretical ground for critical thinking and its analysis concerning the components (abilities, competences) of critical thinking. Second part presents quantitative research focused on identification of the level of critical thinking of students of selected faculty of humanities, verification of data normality and analysis of differences between the level of critical thinking and study specialization. Research sample consists of 472 respondents (181 of educational study specialization, 163 of linguistic study specialization, 128 of health care study specialization). In the conclusion the author of the article provides summary of results and possible recommendations for practical use.
Prefrontal dopaminergic system and its role in working memory and cognition in spinal cord‐injured rats
Authors: Kheyrkhah Hasan , Soltani Zangbar Hamid , Salimi Omid , Shahabi Parviz , Alaei HojjatAllah
Published: July 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

How does spinal cord injury affect prefrontal cortex function and the expression of dopamine receptors?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Spinal cord injury impaired cognitive function, which was associated with reduced dopamine receptor expression in the prefrontal cortex.

The effect of spinal cord injury (SCI) has been studied widely in paraplegia and motor areas of the brain, but its mechanisms in memory and cognitive impairment remain controversial. Here, we focused on the impact of SCI on prefrontal performance via dopamine levels and receptors. We divided 18 male rats into three groups, i.e. control, laminectomy and SCI groups. Laminectomy and SCI were induced at T10 of the spinal cord. One week later, after locomotor recovery, the novel object recognition and T‐maze (spontaneous alternation) tests were applied. After behavioural assessments, the rats were killed and their brain tissues harvested. According to the behavioural findings, cognitive function was impaired in the SCI group (P < 0.05). Also, SCI significantly increased the dopamine level and decreased the expression of dopamine receptors in the prefrontal cortex 2 weeks after injury (P < 0.05). Given the role of dopamine in cognition, SCI could impair novel object recognition and spatial working memory via dopaminergic systems.
Imaging appearance of post umbilical venous catheter displacement: liver collections in children
Authors: Keven Ayşe , Kabaalioğlu Adnan , Durmaz Emel , Çeken Kağan
Published: July 2020

Umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) have become a part of routine perinatal care. In the case of its misplacement, extravasation into liver parenchyma might be observed and unusual findings might be detected and a suspicion of tumoral lesions emerges during the ultrasound examination. To avoid the unnecessary liver biopsies and catastrophic complications of UVC misplacement in the pediatric population, clinicians and radiologists must be familiar with the radiological findings. We aimed to present sonographic and computed tomographic images of liver collections resulting from UVC malposition
Interpregnancy and interbirth intervals and all-cause, cardiovascular-related and cancer-related maternal mortality: findings from a large population-based cohort study
Authors: Weisband Yiska Loewenberg , Manor Orly , Friedlander Yechiel , Hochner Hagit , Paltiel Ora , Calderon-Margalit Ronit
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Scarce research is available regarding the association between interbirth intervals (IBI) and long-term maternal health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. We aimed to assess whether IBIs were associated with all-cause, CVD-related and cancer-related mortality.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study in the setting of the Jerusalem Perinatal Study. Women with at least two consecutive singleton live births in 1964–1976 (N=18 294) were followed through 2016. IBIs were calculated as the interval between women’s first and second cohort birth. We estimated associations between IBIs and mortality using Cox’s proportional hazards models, adjusting for age, parity, maternal education, maternal origin and paternal socioeconomic status. Date of last menstrual period was available for a subset of women. We assessed the interpregnancy interval (IPI) for these women and compared the models using IPI and IBI.

Results

During 868 079 years of follow up (median follow-up: 49.0 years), 3337 women died. Women with IBIs <15 months had higher all-cause mortality rates (HR 1.18; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.33) compared to women with 33-month to 68-month IBIs (reference category). IBI and CVD mortality appeared to have a J-shaped association; IBIs of <15, 15–20, 21–2626–2632, 33–68 and ≥69 months had HRs of 1.44, 1.40, 1.33, 1.14, 1.00 and 1.30, respectively. No substantial association was found with cancer mortality. Models using IPIs and those using IBI were similar.

Conclusion

Our results support the WHO recommendations for IPIs of ≥24 months and add additional evidence regarding long-term CVD mortality.
Biometric Systems Utilising Health Data from Wearable Devices
Authors: Khan Saad , Parkinson Simon , Grant Liam , Liu Na , Mcguire Stephen
Published: July 2020

Health data are being increasingly sensed from the health-based wearable Internet of Things (IoT) devices, providing much-needed fitness and health tracking. However, data generated also present opportunities within computer security, specifically with biometric systems used for identification and authentication purposes. This article performs a systematic review of health-based IoT data collected from wearable IoT technology. This involved performing research in the underlying data sources, what they are collected for in terms of their health monitoring, and the underlying data characteristics. Furthermore, it explores existing work in computer security using these data sources, identifying key themes of work, key limitations, and challenges. Finally, key opportunities are provided as summaries to the potential of health-based IoT data, highlighting challenges that are yet to be addressed, which motivate areas of future work.
Applying Multiple Level Cell to Non-volatile FPGAs
Authors: Liu Ke , Zhao Mengying , Ju Lei , Jia Zhiping , Hu Jingtong , Xue Chun Jason
Published: July 2020

Static random access memory– (SRAM) based field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are currently facing challenges of limited capacity and high leakage power. To solve this problem, non-volatile memory (NVM) is proposed as the alternative to build non-volatile FPGAs (NVFPGAs). Even though the feasibility of NVFPGA has been confirmed, the utilization of multiple level cells (MLCs) has not been fully exploited yet.

In this article, we study architecture of MLC-based NVFPGAs, and propose five cluster structures. To give detailed comparisons and extensive discussions, we conduct experiments for area, performance and leakage power evaluation. Based on explorations of the characteristics of MLC-based NVFPGAs, we further present MLC-aware timing-driven packing method to improve delay. In critical paths, our proposed method reduces the overhead of the additional delay in slow MLC cells. Experiments show that, compared to SRAM-based FPGAs, the proposed architecture with the proposed CAD flow can reduce the area, critical path delay and leakage power by 31%, 10%, and 95%, respectively.
Long-Term Tea Consumption Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Elderly Chinese from Rural Communities
Authors: Xu Cailian , Bi Mingchao , Jin Xuemei , Zhu Manhui , Wang Guohui , Zhao Ping , Qin Xiao , Xu Xun , Sun Xiaodong , Ji Na , Du Jinxia , Xu Jiaowen , Guo Yang , Ma Qinghua , Song E.
Published: July 2020

Aim. To investigate the association between variables related to tea consumption (duration, frequency, and type) and the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Methods. A rural community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Weitang Town, Suzhou, China. People aged 60 years or above were invited to complete the survey. All eligible patients underwent detailed eye examination. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was diagnosed and graded based on the retinal fundus imaging. Diabetes was defined as fasting glucose concentrations of ≥7.0 mmol/L or self-reported diagnosis of diabetes. Information about tea consumption such as duration, type, and frequency, together with demographics and lifestyle characteristics, were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire interview. The association between tea consumption and the risk of DR was determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results. Among the 5,281 participants, 614 had diabetes mellitus (prevalence of 11.63%). The prevalence rate of DR was 10.38% in the diabetic population and 1.04% in the general population. Compared with non-tea consumers, the crude OR values for DR in subjects with long-term and short-term tea consumption were 0.34 (95%CI=0.14‐0.82, p=0.016) and 1.64 (95%CI=0.74‐3.64, p=0.221), respectively. When adjusted for age, gender, and other confounders, consumption of tea for ≥20 years was associated with reduced odds of DR (OR=0.29, 95%CI=0.09‐0.97, p=0.044). Thus, long-term tea consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of DR. There was no statistical significance between frequency or type of tea consumption with DR (p>0.05). Conclusion. Elderly diabetic Chinese residents who consumed tea for more than twenty years had a lower risk of DR compared to non-tea consumers. The long-term tea consumption may be an independent protective factor for DR. However, further studies are warranted to examine the association.
Information Investment and Sharing in a Two-Echelon Supply Chain under Government Subsidy and Consumer Preference for Energy-Saving Products
Authors: Li Jinxi , Yi Yuyin , Yang Haishen
Published: July 2020

This study establishes a two-echelon supply chain with one manufacturer who invests in energy-saving products (ESPs) and one retailer who sells the products and may possess demand-forecast advantage. Considering government subsidy and consumer preference for ESPs and a random demand, we develop a four-stage Stackelberg game model to research the optimal strategies of the information investment and sharing of the retailer and the energy-saving R&D of the manufacturer. The results show the following: (1) When incurring a low information investment cost, the retailer is willing to invest in information acquisition techniques, while the retailer agreeing to share market information is related to the government subsidies and the probability of a high demand. The optimal strategy for the retailer is to share information when the probability of a high demand is less than 50% and the government subsidies for ESPs are high. Otherwise, the optimal strategy is not to share information. (2) The manufacturer not always expects the retailer to share information, which depends on the probability of a high demand and manufacturing cost. Especially, when the probability of a high demand is less than 50%, only a manufacturer incurring high cost will expect. (3) If the retailer refuses to share the information, the manufacturer can motivate the retailer to change his/her decision by sharing the information investment cost.
Relationship of Serum Levels of IL-17, IL-18, TNF-α, and Lung Function Parameters in Patients with COPD, Asthma-COPD Overlap, and Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Kubysheva Nailya , Boldina Marina , Eliseeva Tatyana , Soodaeva Svetlana , Klimanov Igor , Khaletskaya Anastasia , Bayrasheva Venera , Solovyev Valery , Villa-Vargas Luis Alfonso , Ramírez-Salinas Marco Antonio , Salinas-Rosales Moisés , Ovsyannikov Dmitry Yu. , Batyrshin Ildar
Published: July 2020

Determination of markers of systemic inflammation is one of the important directions in the study of pathogenesis and improvement of diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma-COPD overlap (ACO), and bronchial asthma (BA). The aim of our work was a comparative study of the features of changes in serum levels of IL-17, IL-18, and TNF-αin patients with COPD, ACO, and BA with various severity of the disease, as well as evaluation of the relationship between the level of these cytokines and lung ventilation function. A total of 147 patients with COPD (n=58), ACO (n=57), and BA (n=32) during a stable period have been examined in this study. The control group included 21 healthy nonsmokers with similar sex-age indicators. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-18, and TNF-αwere determined by ELISA. The concentrations of these cytokines in the circulation in the studied patients with COPD, ACO, and BA were higher than those in healthy nonsmokers (p≤0.001). IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the blood serum were comparable in all examined patients. The mean TNF-αconcentrations in the circulation in COPD and ACO were significantly higher than those in BA (p<0.001). In patients with COPD, the levels of IL-17 and TNF-αincreased progressively against the background of a decrease in numerous spirometric indicators, which allows us to consider these cytokines as systemic biomarkers of disease severity. In BA, the inverse correlations between the level of IL-17 and FEV1/FVC (%) and FEV1 have been found. In patients with ACO, the increase in IL-18 levels was associated with a decrease in FEV1 and TNF-αwith FEV1/FVC (%). These findings indicate that IL-17, IL-18, and TNF-αcan participate in the mechanisms of systemic inflammation and the genesis of disorders of airway obstruction in COPD, AСO, and BA. An increase in the levels of IL-17 and TNF-αmay be associated with impaired bronchial patency in COPD and BA. The established associations of the IL-18 concentration in the blood serum and FEV1 only in patients with ACO allow using the level of IL-18 as a potential marker of the degree of impaired airway obstruction in this disease.