bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the immunogenicity & protective efficacy of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates in non-human primates
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Labanya , Yadav Pragya D. , Gupta Nivedita , Mohandas Sreelekshmy , Patil Deepak Y. , Shete-Aich Anita , Panda Samiran , Bhargava Balram
Published: December 2021

Background & objectives:

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a global public health crisis and research groups worldwide are engaged in developing vaccine candidates to curb its transmission, with a few vaccines having progressed to advanced stages of clinical trials. The aim of this systematic review was to compare immunogenicity and protective efficacy of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates tested in non-human primate (NHP) models.

Methods:

Literature on effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in NHP models reported on PubMed and preprint platforms (medRxiv and bioRxiv) till October 22, 2020, was searched with the following terms: coronavirus vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, nonhuman primate, and rhesus macaque.

Results:

Our search yielded 19 studies, which reported immune response elicited by 18 vaccine candidates in NHP. All the vaccines induced detectable neutralizing antibody (NAb) titres in the serum of vaccinated animals, with some showing effective viral clearance from various organs. The vaccinated animals also showed nil to mild histopathological changes in their lungs compared to placebo groups in the trials that performed necropsy.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our findings highlighted onset of quick immunogenicity and protective efficacy of mRNA-1273, followed by Ad26.CoV2.S, NVX-CoV2373, BNT162b2, RBD and BBV152 vaccine candidates in preclinical trials as compared to the others. NHP data also showed correlation with clinical trial data available for a few vaccines. Preclinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in NHPs yielded promising results, with some candidates faring better than others.
Experiences of Indian Council of Medical Research with tick-borne zoonotic infections
Authors: Mourya Devendra T. , Yadav Pragya D. , Patil Deepak Y. , Sahay Rima R. , Rahi Manju
Published: December 2021

Emergence and re-emergence of several pathogens have been witnessed by this century in the form of outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics. In India, the influencing factor that promotes dissemination of emerging and re-emerging viral infections is the biogeographical zones: a megadiverse country, characterized by varied geographical, climatic conditions and ever-changing socio-economical and geopolitical issues. These influence the movement of humans and animals and add layers of complexity for the identification and timely management of infectious diseases. This review focuses on two tick-borne infections: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and Kyasanur forest disease (KFD). In the last two decades, these viruses have emerged and caused outbreaks in different parts of India. KFD virus was initially identified in 1957 and was known to be endemic in Karnataka State while CCHF virus was first identified during 2010 in Gujarat State, India. These viruses have managed to emerge in new areas within the last decade. With changing epidemiology of these arboviruses, there is a probability of the emergence of these viruses from new areas in future. The investigations on these two diseases under the One Health focus involved early detection, quickly developing diagnostic tools, identifying stakeholders, capacity building by developing collaboration with major stakeholders to understand the epidemiology and geographical spread in domestic animal reservoirs and tick vectors in the affected areas, developing laboratory network, providing diagnostic reagents and biosafety and laboratory diagnosis training to the network laboratories to control these diseases.
Biothreat & One Health
Authors: Kotwal Atul , Yadav Arun
Published: December 2021

There is an increased connectedness among humans, animals, and the environment and the current pandemic has taught the interlinking of the health of humans, animals and the planet. This inter-connectedness and factors like population growth, migration, urbanization, and climate change contribute significantly to the enhanced probability of emergence of previously unknown wildlife source pathogens at any place, any time, and without warning. Lurking in the background is the massive potential for the deliberate use of biological agents as weapons by State or non-State entities. Biological weapons have been used in wars since antiquity, however, newer research and techniques have led to these being real threats with a vast potential of harm to humans, animals, and crops. Over a period, it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate between deliberate and natural biothreat incidents. The response to both types is alike to safeguard lives, livestock, crops and the environment and reduce the consequent socio-economic ramifications. Biothreat may be targeted towards humans, animals, or crops, or all these concurrently. Every country including India is at risk of biothreat. The concept of one health is thus essential for responding to emerging infectious diseases or biothreats. Comprehensive surveillance for early detection, reporting and early concerted action is needed for prevention and blunting the effect of biothreats, which require close coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders within each country as well as globally.
Emergency preparedness for public health threats, surveillance, modelling & forecasting
Authors: Bedi Jasbir Singh , Vijay Deepthi , Dhaka Pankaj , Singh Gill Jatinder Paul , Barbuddhe Sukhadeo B.
Published: December 2021

In the interconnected world, safeguarding global health security is vital for maintaining public health and economic upliftment of any nation. Emergency preparedness is considered as the key to control the emerging public health challenges at both national as well as international levels. Further, the predictive information systems based on routine surveillance, disease modelling and forecasting play a pivotal role in both policy building and community participation to detect, prevent and respond to potential health threats. Therefore, reliable and timely forecasts of these untoward events could mobilize swift and effective public health responses and mitigation efforts. The present review focuses on the various aspects of emergency preparedness with special emphasis on public health surveillance, epidemiological modelling and capacity building approaches. Global coordination and capacity building, funding and commitment at the national and international levels, under the One Health framework, are crucial in combating global public health threats in a holistic manner.
Giant cell tumor of hyoid bone
Authors: Bihani Ameya , Thiagarajan Shivakumar , Chaukar Devendra , D'Cruz Anil K.
Published: December 2021

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is locally aggressive tumor occurring in the epiphysis of long bones. GCTBs are uncommon tumors in the head-and-neck region and rarely involve hyoid bone. We report a case of GCTB of hyoid bone. The patient presented with swelling in left submandibular region. The tumor was surgically excised after initial denosumab therapy. Despite adequate resection and rehabilitation, he was tube dependent. Subsequently it was found that the patient had a coexisting myotonic dystrophy, unknown to exist with GCTB of hyoid. Eventually, the patient succumbed to respiratory failure secondary to myotonic dystrophy. GCTB hyoid is a rare presentation posing a diagnostic dilemma. Ours is the first case to report the use of denosumab for GCT in head-and-neck region. Myotonic dystrophy Type I and GCTB are both known to result from abnormality of closely situated foci on chromosome 19.
The regulatory effect of cabazitaxel on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Eryilmaz Isil Ezgi , Eskiler Gamze Guney , Egeli Unal , Cecener Gulsah
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical mechanism that promotes cancer cells to metastasis. Therefore, EMT regulation has become an important target in anticancer therapy approaches in recent years. However, in metastatic prostate cancer (PC), the EMT regulatory effect has not fully understood for cabazitaxel (Cbx), a third line taxane-based chemotherapeutic for metastatic castration-resistant PC.

Aim:

In this study, we investigated the antimetastatic and EMT-regulatory effects of Cbx on hormone-sensitive metastatic PC cells.

Materials and Methods:

The anticancer effects of Cbx were assessed by WST-1 and Annexin V analysis. The antimetastatic effect of Cbx was evaluated by wound healing and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction through EMT-mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) markers as well as EMT-repressor microRNAs (miRNAs) in Cbx-treated LNCaP cells.

Results:

Our results showed that, in addition to its apoptotic and anti-migratory activities, Cbx exhibited the EMT-repressor effects through the prominent downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and Snail levels as EMT-promoting factors, and the significant upregulation of the certain miRNAs, including miR-205, miR-524, and miR-124, which play a role in EMT-repressing by targeting regulators of the EMT-associated genes.

Conclusion:

Although further evaluations are needed to improve the findings, we showed that, in addition to its classical taxane function, Cbx has a regulatory effect on EMT-MET cycling in hormone-sensitive metastatic PC.
A retrospective study on role of HSG in evaluation of female infertility
Authors: Nishat Huma , Singh Kalpana , Tiwary Bhawana , Kumari Shubhanti , Shashi Kumari , Kumari Manisha
Published: December 2021

Aims and Objectives:

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is one of the investigations used to evaluate female infertility. The objective of this study was to assess the role of HSG in evaluation of female infertility.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective study conducted at IGIMS, Patna. The data collected were the infertile patients in whom HSG procedure performed among the women attending between November 2016 and November 2018 were included.

Results:

The study included a total of 130 cases of infertile women, in which 70% of cases were of primary infertility and 30% were of secondary infertility. About 83% of cases were of normal tubes with bilateral spillage.

Conclusion:

The retrospective study showed that HSG is a safe, lesser invasive, and cost effective and a valuable diagnostic procedure.
PCL avulsion – ORIF by CC screw. Case series – Our experience at IGIMS
Authors: Kumar Manish , Kumar Anjani , Sharma Jaya , Sharma Gangdayal , Kumar Santosh
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures are not a very common injury but among the avulsion fractures around the knee, PCL avulsion is very common followed by anterior cruciate ligament avulsion. Various treatment modalities have been described in the literature right from nonoperative to operative fixations.

Materials and Methods:

A series of 7 patients having isolated PCL avulsion fracture were selected for this study. Two of them refused treatment of any types. The remaining of the five patients was treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using CC screw through the posterior approach.

Results:

All patients were followed up for 1 year. Union was achieved in all the cases. At the end of the study, all were able to squat easily and could extend the knee fully. Lysholm score was excellent in three patients and good in two patients.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that ORIF using a CC screw with a washer is a good mode of fixation, giving good functional recovery and stable knee.
HPV vaccination program
Authors: Kumari Pratibha , Kumari Satya , Rani Jyotsna , Abhilashi Kavya , Sinha Setu , Pankaj Sangeeta , Devi Seema
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, infecting three of four individuals at least once in their lifetime. The virus exists in more than 200 morphogenic strains, and some of these variants are oncogenic. HPV is detected in virtually all cases of cervical carcinoma. HPV vaccination against high-risk HPV types is expected to reduce the burden of cervical cancer, but for this, it has to overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges in its way.

Materials and Methods:

In May 2018, HPV immunization program was started in the Department of Gynecology Oncology, IGIMS, PATNA – a tertiary care center of Bihar for daughters of hospital employees and their relatives of age group 9–26 years of age. A total of 60 girls got vaccinated under this program.

Results:

About 80% of the parents who got their daughters vaccinated in the study were aware of cervical cancer, but they lacked knowledge about HPV – the causative agent of cervical cancer. About 50% of them were not aware of existence of any vaccine against it. Young adolescent girls were not aware of this vaccine either.

Conclusion:

Three-dose schedule was a major barrier to the delivery and uptake of the HPV vaccine. Had a single dose of HPV vaccine been effective that would have been important logistics advancement. Lack of knowledge about vaccine is a problem that leads to low vaccination coverage.
Efficacy of cervical orthoses in improving neck control of growing children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Kumar Raj , Prakash Achintya
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to perform a literature review evaluating the efficacy of cervical orthosis in maintaining correct head posture and neck control in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A literature search has been conducted using the following word or phrases: CP in children, head support, neck control, and orthosis. Database search included PubMed, CINAHL, O and P Library, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Only four literatures met our search criteria indicating very limited evidence in this area, with only one relevant literature in the last 5 years. Almost all studies advocate the beneficial effect of orthosis in maintaining correct head posture and improved neck control, but number of studies and level of evidence are insufficient. Furthermore, there are very limited recent literatures available, and future studies are required with appropriate orthotic devices and strong research design.
Bilateral focal osteoporotic marrow defect associated with adenomatoid odontogenic tumor of mandible
Authors: Ranjan Shashi , Issar Rashmi , Masthan K. M. K. , Babu N. Aravindha , Singh Priyankar , Singh Kumar Tathagat
Published: December 2021

A case previously treated by surgical enucleation for adenomatoid odontogenic tumor involving from right parasymphysis to left parasymphysis region of mandible in a young female patient 3 years back reported with pain over left posterior region of mandible in a private dental clinic. Clinical examination revealed no dental pathosis in involved area. Panoramic radiograph revealed irregular multilocular radiolucency with foci of radiopacity with sclerotic borders involving periapical region of canine to second molar teeth till lower border of left side mandible. Incidentally, similar radioluceny was seen over the right posterior side of mandible periapically. Previously enucleated midline lesion revealed normal healed area without any sign of recurrence. As the lesion seemed to be bilateral, radiographical differential diagnosis was difficult, and lesions included were florid cementosseous dysplasia, multiple odontogenic keratocyst of basal cell nevus syndrome, ameloblastoma, and metastatic tumor to jaw. Histopathologically, the left posterior lesion was diagnosed as focal osteoporotic marrow defect, and right side lesion was considered as same. We are reporting a case of bilateral focal osteoporotic marrow defect along with previously enucleated adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, and purpose of this case report to correlate a relationship between the two different lesions whether focal osteoporotic marrow defect arise in response to adenomatoid odontogenic tumor or is incidental finding.
Mucormycosis during COVID-19 era
Authors: Kishor Kunal , Pawar Shashi Singh , Kumar Manish , Raj Shraddha , Sinha Dinesh Kumar , Kumar Deepak , Kumar Abhishek , Kumar Abhinandan , Anand Anupam , Swati  , Nasir Yasmin , Pankaj Sangeeta , Singh Rajesh Kumar
Published: December 2021

Backgrounds and Aims:

In April − May 2021, India has witnessed a large number of cases of mucormycosis during the second wave of COVID-19 infection both in recovered patients and those in the active phase of disease. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, drugs-induced immunosuppression, posttransplantation, and hematological malignancies are the major risk factors for both severe COVID-19 and mucormycosis. This unprecedented rise in COVID-19 infection led to a near collapse of the health-care system with severe shortage of treatment facilities including health-care staff and infrastructure. COVID-19 has highlighted several loopholes in the present health-care system. Most of the existing workforce had to be diverted to treat this disease and its complications. Our aim is to analyze the various clinicopathological characteristics of patients with mucormycosis and COVID-19 by an oncology department in association with the multidisciplinary team of a tertiary care center during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective observational study was conducted at the oncology ward of a tertiary care center. All biopsy-proven mucormycosis patients were enrolled in the study. A detailed history along with comprehensive clinical examination and imaging studies was done. Surgical intervention and medical management were done by a multidisciplinary coordination team as per the ICMR protocol.

Results:

Forty-five patients were enrolled in the study. All cases of mucormycosis occurred in COVID-19 recovered patients. The median age was 52 years. Diabetes mellitus was present in 38 of 45 cases (84%). Periorbital swelling, ocular pain, ptosis, and loss of vision were the main presenting complains. The maxillary sinuses were the most common sinuses affected (45%). Intraorbital extension was seen in five cases (11%). Intracranial extension was seen in nine cases (20%). All patients had received steroids during the COVID-19 treatment.

Conclusion:

Poorly controlled diabetes and indiscriminate use of immunosuppressive drugs including steroids have emerged as predisposing factors for causation of mucormycosis in COVID-19 disease. In suspected cases, early initiation of therapy and rapid reversal of underlying predisposing risk factors play a key role.
Post-COVID rhino-cerebral mucormycosis
Authors: Arun Nidhi , Choudhary Annu
Published: December 2021

Mucormycosis emerged as major post COVID complication in India. Its management involves Amphotericin B and surgical debridement. Anaesthesia becomes challenging in such patients due to compromised patients, extensive surgery and side effects of Amphotericin B. We present the successful management of a rhino-cerebral mucormycosis patient with lidocaine infusion.
Stress among current and future dental practitioners during COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Singh Nimmi , Singh Devika , Mishra Navin , Singh Priyankar , Kumar Sanjay , Sharma Arbind
Published: December 2021

Aim:

The aim of this study is to assess the psychological effects of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic among the dental practitioners and students of dentistry.

Materials and Methods:

A questionnaire was prepared using the Google forms which were circulated among the dental surgeons. Statistically analysis was performed. The responses were then tabulated.

Results:

A total of 247 responses were received. Among them, the majority of the participants had moderate stress, i.e., 33.2% and 15.8% were suffering from severe stress. The major reason for stress of loss of income, liabilities to pay loans, and how and when to resume work.

Conclusion:

Social support is an important protective factor to reduce mental stress. The implications for the management of such situation during the pandemic should be given thought.
Impact of foundation course on students
Authors: Siddharth Kumar , Sunita  , Kumar Manish , Kumari Rekha
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

A new competency-based curriculum was rolled out across medical schools in India from the year 2019. It aims at transforming the way an Indian medical graduate is taught and assessed. This study was aimed at assessing the impact of a month-long foundation course, a new element of the curriculum, at the beginning of the 1st year. The foundation course aims to bring students from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds on an equal footing for their way ahead.

Materials and Methods:

The study was designed as quasi-experimental. Freshly admitted undergraduate students were included in the study. Students with an attendance of <60% during the foundation course were excluded from the study. A questionnaire (having 2 sections) was used, one to assess computer knowledge (10 questions) and a 17-item 5-point Likert scale to assess opinion on various domains as envisaged in the foundation course. They also rated their overall impression of the foundation course. The students attempted the questionnaire before and then again after the completion of the foundation course. Data from 91 paired subjects (66 males, 25 females) were analyzed using t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, etc.

Results:

There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) change in mean computer scores after 1 month. A few statements on the scale, such as the importance of handwashing, indicated the previous knowledge of the students. A statistically significant change in opinion was observed in some statements on ethics, professionalism, etc.

Conclusions:

Foundation course will help students become more professional in their approach to modern medicine. It makes them realize the importance of ethics, communication, and gender sensitization.
Burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among obstetrics and gynecology resident physicians in the Philippines
Authors: Ang Angeli Anne C. , Soriano-Estrella Agnes L.
Published: December 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Physician burnout (BO) is an increasing global concern due to its rising prevalence and effect on patient care.

OBJECTIVE:

This study determined the prevalence of BO, compassion fatigue (CF), and compassion satisfaction (CS), among residents of obstetrics and gynecology in the Philippines, and identified the factors associated with these.

METHODS:

This was a cross-sectional study, which used stratified random sampling. The strata comprised public and private hospitals that were subdivided into Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and National Capital Region. From these, 33 training hospitals were randomly selected, which served as clusters wherein all resident physicians of obstetrics and gynecology were invited to answer either an online or printed version of the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Majority of the 311 participants included had average level of BO (n = 281, 90.4%), CF (n = 237, 76.2%), and CS (n = 213, 68.5%). CS was negatively correlated with burnout (r = −0.31, P < 0.001) and CF (r = −0.34, P < 0.001), whereas BO and CS were positively correlated (r = +0.48, P < 0.001). Type of institution, sleeping hours, and interrupted leaves were the common factors that yield significant differences in BO (P = 0.037, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001) and CF (P = 0.002, P = 0.043, and P = 0.005). Significant differences were observed in CS scores in terms of age (P = 0.016), marital status (P = 0.038), child dependents (P = 0.006), level of training (P = 0.005), and location and type of institution (P ≤ 0.001 and P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION:

There is a need to develop active awareness of BO and CF among resident physicians to effect interventions at the individual and institutional level.
Logistical concerns faced by frontliners in obstetrics and gynecology during the COVID-19 pandemic in a COVID-19 referral hospital in the Philippines
Authors: Alcazaren Bernadette Ann S. , Habana Maria Antonia E.
Published: December 2021

INTRODUCTION:

The COVID 19 infection has greatly affected health care delivery in the Philippines. However, the concerns of healthcare workers have yet to be explored

Objective:

This study determined the logistical concerns of the residents and fellows of an academic government hospital that serves as a COVID-19 referral center in the Philippines.

METHODS:

This is a cross-sectional, online survey administered to the trainees of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

RESULTS:

Eighty-seven participants were included in the study. Mean age was 30.7 ±3.7. Most were single, female and resident doctors. Eighty-one percent agreed there was easy access to food and water during duty and that the food and water provided by the hospital were adequate. Fifty-four percent agreed that they feel safe going to and from the hospital. However, fifty-five percent disagreed to feeling safe from COVID-19 within the hospital. A high majority of the participants agreed that they have access to personal protective equipment but only fifty-eight percent agreed that the supply was adequate. The top 5 logistical concerns identified were: (1) safety and security, (2) food, (3) supply of personal protective equipment, (4) water, and (5) transportation.

CONCLUSION:

Although provisions on basic needs and protective equipment were adequate, trainees still felt unsafe from COVID-19 within the hospital. Both the government and hospital administrators must continue to work together to improve strategies to address concerns of frontliners.
Adjuvant Imatinib Treatment for 5 Years versus 3 Years in Patients with Ruptured Localized Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Kang Sora , Ryu Min-Hee , Bang Yeong Hak , Kim Hyung-Don , Lee Hyung Eun , Kang Yoon-Koo
Published: December 2021

Purpose Three years of adjuvant imatinib is the standard treatment for resected gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with rupture, but the recurrence rate is prominently high. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of 5-year adjuvant imatinib compared with 3-year treatment in patients with a ruptured GIST following surgical resection.Materials and Methods A total of 51 patients were included in the analysis. The assessment of GIST rupture was based on Nishida’s classification. Twenty patients who were diagnosed before November 2013 were treated with 5 years of imatinib, and 31 patients who were diagnosed after November 2013 were treated with 3 years of imatinib. We retrospectively compared the clinical outcomes of the two groups.Results Baseline characteristics and the incidence of the adverse events were generally comparable between the two groups. During a median follow-up duration of 43.8 months and 104.2 months in the 3- and 5-year group, 8 and 9 patients had a disease recurrence, respectively. The 5-year group showed better recurrence-free survival (RFS) than the 3-year group. In multivariate analysis, low mitotic index was a significant independent favorable prognostic factor for RFS, while 5-year imatinib treatment was marginally associated with a favorable RFS.Conclusion Five years of adjuvant imatinib treatment in patients with ruptured GIST was associated with favorable survival outcomes with manageable toxicity profiles. Our findings warrant validation and confirmation in future studies.
Cohomology of hyperfinite Borel actions
Authors: Bezuglyi Sergey I. , Sanadhya Shrey
Published: December 2021

We study cocycles of countable groups

\Gamma

of Borel automorphisms of a standard Borel space

(X, \mathcal{B})

taking values in a locally compact second countable group

G

. We prove that for a hyperfinite group

\Gamma

the subgroup of coboundaries is dense in the group of cocycles. We describe all Borel cocycles of the

2

-odometer and show that any such cocycle is cohomologous to a cocycle with values in a countable dense subgroup

H

of

G

. We also provide a Borel version of Gottschalk–Hedlund theorem.
Isolated circular orders of PSL(2,$\mathbb{Z}$)
Authors: Matsumoto Shigenori
Published: December 2021

We give a bijection between the isolated circular orders of the group

G=\operatorname{PSL}(2,\mathbb{Z})\approx (\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z})*(\mathbb{Z}/3\mathbb{Z})

and the equivalence classes of Markov systems associated to

G

. As applications, we present examples of isolated circular orders of the group

G

.
FATORES DE RISCO PARA DOENÇAS CARDIOVASCULARES E ESTADO COGNITIVO EM IDOSOS DO SUDOESTE DO PARANÁ
Authors:   Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Campus Realeza, PR, Brasil., Vieira Gabriella Aparecida , Scheid Viviane Neusa ,   Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Campus Realeza, PR, Brasil., Naszeniak Thalia Fernanda ,   Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Campus Realeza, PR, Brasil., Koehnlein Eloá Angélica ,   Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Campus Realeza, PR, Brasil.
Published: December 2021

The aging process causes miscellaneous changes in the human body, including neurological changes, such as the decline in cognitive capacity. Studies report a probable relationship between cardiovascular disease (hereinafter, CVDs) and dementia, as both share common risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cognitive status in elderly people of the southwestern Parana. Cross-sectional, quantitative study carried out with elderly people, both sexes, aged 60 or over, residing in three municipalities of the Southwest Region of Parana. Sociodemographic and clinical statistical data were realized through interviews. Cognitive assessment was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination – (hereinafter, MMSE) and the functional capacity of the research participants was assessed using the Pfeffer questionnaire – (QPAF). The risk of cardiovascular diseases was assessed by factors as: lifestyle, medical history and waist circumference (WC). The research data was composed by 82 elderly people, being 74.4% of them female, with a prevalence of age between 60 and 70 years. Of the interviewees, were 7.3% smokers, were 68.3% sedentary and 48.8% reported having cardiovascular disease. The presence of cognitive decline was present in 20.7% of the elderly and the frequency of risk for cardiovascular diseases, assessed by WC, was observed in 87.8% of the sample. This frequency of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases was elevated in the studied sample, however there was no association with the presence of cognitive decline.
Soğuk Hava Odasında Evaporatör Yerleşiminin Depo Ürünlerine Etkisinin CFD Analizi
Authors: BALKAN Fevzi , AKSOY Ayşe
Published: December 2021

Soğuk hava depoları, gıdaların tazeliklerinin korunması hususunda büyük öneme sahiptir. Gıdaların besin değerlerini koruyabilmeleri, oda havasının doğru sıcaklık ve nemde şartlandırılmasına bağlıdır. Sıcaklık ve nem dengesi evaporatörlerden ortama sağlanan şartlandırılmış hava ile gerçekleştirilir. Bu çalışmada; soğuk hava depolarında, soğuk havanın depo ortamına dağılımını sağlamak amacıyla kullanılan evaporatörlerin odaya yerleşim yerlerinin, sıcaklık ve hız dağılımlarına hava akışının sebep olduğu ürün kayıplarına etkisi incelenmiştir.
Deneysel çalışma, içerisinde narenciye bulunan soğuk odada gerçekleştirilmiştir. Deneysel çalışmalarda elde edilen veriler, aynı depo şartları için CFD programında simüle edilerek karşılaştırılmış ve sonuçların örtüştüğü ve kullanılabilirliği belirlenmiştir. Çeşitli evaporatör konumlandırmaları simüle edilerek, sıcaklıkları ve ürün istifleme şartları belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Evaporatörün tek duvarda konumlandırılması durumunda; ürün istiflenmesi ile şartlandırılmış hava dağılımı ve sıcaklık rijit olmamaktadır. Evaporatörlerin dar duvarlarda karşılıklı konumlandırılması durumunda, ürün istiflemesinin deponun orta kısmında ve uygun aralıklarda yapılmasının daha uygun olacağı belirlenmiştir. Evaporatör yerleşiminin geniş tek duvarlarda olması, sıcaklığın eşit dağılmasını sağlarken diğer yandan üründe nem kaybına sebep olabilir.
Soğuk hava tesisi kurulması esnasında veya mevcut soğuk odalarda, ürün istifleme biçimleri ile hava akımlarının ve sıcaklık dağılımlarının öncelikle CFD analiz programıyla simüle edilmesi, ürün kayıplarında azalma, enerji tasarrufu, zaman ve işletme maliyetinde kazanımlar elde edileceği düşünülmektedir.
Empowerment of Farmers: The Role of Actor and the Persistence of Coffee Farmers in Rural Pattongko, Indonesia
Authors: Hasdiansyah A. , Sugito Sugito , Suryono Yoyon
Published: December 2021

Many farmers' empowerment has failed because the process is rigid, instructive, and uses too many techniques that are not following the local conditions of the community. Therefore, the empowerment process must be improved to be able to make farmers empowered and independent. For this reason, it is necessary to explore how the learning process and the involvement of actor in the empowerment process are needed. The subjects of this study consisted of eight farmers and one empowerment actor. The method used is qualitative through in-depth interviews, observation, and document review. All data were transcribed, organized, then analyzed to produce conclusions. The findings of this study include: (1) Empowerment of coffee farmers is carried out with a situated learning strategy so that the knowledge and skills of farmers are easily developed; (2) Empowerment actor encourage farmer participation through the use of coffee farmers' social networks so that social solidarity is realized among coffee farmers; (3) The habit of coffee farmers supports the empowerment process and is free to explore their ideas; (4) Technology supports empowerment and makes the learning process more attractive to coffee farmers.
Academics’ Understandings of the Literacy Needs of International Graduate Students
Authors: Creely Edwin , Chowdhury Raqib , Southcott Jane
Published: December 2021

This article critically explores the understandings about the English academic literacy needs of international graduate students from the perspective of academic teaching staff in a Faculty of Education at a large Australian university. Research suggests that international graduate students for whom English is another language, on coming to English speaking countries, acquire English academic literacies as part of a complex set of academic competencies needed for successful graduate study. In this study, 16 academic teaching staff participated in focus groups and revealed their understandings and practices about academic literacies in the context of their experiences of working with international graduate students as teachers and supervisors. Emergent thematic analysis and Bourdieu’s ideas of doxa, field, and habitus were used to examine the data. Findings revealed a range of beliefs about what international graduate students need regarding academic literacies and language support, and some contestation about the role of the academic in providing literacy support. This suggests challenges of consistency in graduate teaching and learning, and the need for greater clarity concerning what equitable support international students are given.
MOLECULAR MODELING OF 5‐[(AMIDOBENZYL)OXY]‐ NICOTINAMIDES AS SIRTUIN 2 INHIBITORS USING ALIGNMENT- (IN)DEPENDENT 3D-QSAR ANALYSIS AND MOLECULAR DOCKING
Authors:   University of Belgrade, Faculty of Pharmacy, Djokovic Nemanja , Postolovic Ana , Nikolic Katarina
Published: December 2021

The group of 5‐[(amidobenzyl)oxy]‐nicotinamides represents promising group of sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) inhibitors. Despite structural similarity, representatives of this group of inhibitors displayed versatile mechanisms of inhibition which hamper rational drug design. The aim of this research was to form a 3D-QSAR (3D-Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) model, define the pharmacophore of this subgroup of SIRT2 inhibitors, define the mode of protein-ligand interactions and design new compounds with improved predicted activity and pharmacokinetics. For the 3D-QSAR study, data set was generated using structures and activities of 166 5‐[(amidobenzyl)oxy]‐nicotinamides. 3D-conformations of compounds were optimized, alignment-independent GRIND2 descriptors were calculated and 3D-QSAR PLS models were generated using 70% of data set. To investigate bioactive conformations of inhibitors, molecular docking was used. Molecular docking analysis identified two clusters of predicted bioactive conformations which is in alignment with experimental observations. The defined pharmacophoric features were used to design novel inhibitors with improved predicted potency and ADMET profiles.
Alfred Baring Garrod e o começo da reumatologia moderna
Authors: Iglesias Antonio , Fajardo Estefania , Caballero Uribe Carlo
Published: December 2021

Nesta Entrevista con la Historia falaremos com o Alfred B. Garrod, que fez importantes contribuições para o estudo da gota e da nomenclatura das doenças reumáticas, introduzindo o termo artrite reumatóide hoje utilizado, entre outras contribuições para a medicina, sendo um dos precursores da reumatologia moderna.
Alfred Baring Garrod and the beginnings of modern rheumatology
Authors: Iglesias Antonio , Fajardo Estefania , Caballero Uribe Carlo
Published: December 2021

In this Interview with History we will talk with Alfred B. Garrod, a person who made important contributions in the study of gout and the nomenclature of rheumatic diseases. He was the person who introduced the term rheumatoid arthritis used today, among other contributions to medicine. Garrod is one of the precursors of modern rheumatology.
A Hybrid Model of Photovoltaic Power Stations for Model Ling Tasks of Large Power Systems
Authors:   Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Tomsk Polytechnic University, RUBAN Nikolay , RUDNIK Vladimir ,   Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Tomsk Polytechnic University, RAZZHIVIN Igor ,   Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Tomsk Polytechnic University, KIEVEC Anton ,   Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Tomsk Polytechnic University
Published: December 2021

Renewable energy sources are being actively penetrated in the global energy sector, with the main growth being achieved by new photovoltaic power stations. At the same time, the influence of photovoltaic power stations on the operation of power systems is known. This is primarily due to the inconstancy of the weather, which leads to a decrease in the output of each specific photovoltaic panel and power station as a whole. To study the effect of partial shading of photovoltaic panels on the parameters of its operation, various models of the current-voltage characteristics of photovoltaic cells are used in the world, while detailed two-diode models show the best results. The use of detailed models allows to get complete information about the processes in a variety of photovoltaic panels of a power station, as well as other elements of it, such as a voltage converter. This makes it possible to assess the impact of these processes on the external power system. However, for detailed modelling of large photovoltaic power stations as part of power systems, it is necessary to use powerful software and hardware systems. Such systems include the Hybrid real-time power system simulator. This simulator is a multiprocessor installation that provides a solution to the aggregate model of the power system through the use of three approaches to modelling: digital, analogue and physical. The article presents the results of experimental studies of software and hardware tools for modelling a photovoltaic power station, developed on the basis of a hybrid approach to modelling electric power systems.
Status and Trends of Power Devices
Authors:   Prof. Eng., Doctor Honoris Causa of Military Technical Academy of Romania and of Technical University of Republic of Moldova (Chișinău), BĂJENESCU Titu-Marius I. ,   Romanian Academy „Tudor Tănăsescu” Prize Laureat
Published: December 2021

Advances in power semiconductor technology have improved the efficiency, size, weight, and cost of power electronic systems. Power integrated circuits have been developed for the use of power converters for portable, automotive and aerospace applications. New materials (SiC and GaN) have been introduced for advanced applications. They increase the output power density per area or per volume, reduce the consumption of natural resources, and increase the efficiency of electric systems. Especially the effects of SiC devices are dramatic. The paper reviews the state of these devices in terms of higher voltages, higher power density, and better switching performance.
Facial Emotions Recognition in Machine Learning
Authors:   Facultatea de Electronică, Telecomunicații și Tehnologia Informației, Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti, BOLCAȘ Radu-Daniel , DRANGA Diana ,   Facultatea de Electronică, Telecomunicații și Tehnologia Informației, Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti
Published: December 2021

Facial expression recognition (FER) is a field where many researchers have tried to create a model able to recognize emotions from a face. With many applications such as interfaces between human and machine, safety or medical, this field has continued to develop with the increase of processing power. This paper contains a broad description on the psychological aspects of the FER and provides a description on the datasets and algorithms that make the neural networks possible. Then a literature review is performed on the recent studies in the facial emotion recognition detailing the methods and algorithms used to improve the capabilities of systems using machine learning. Each interesting aspect of the studies are discussed to highlight the novelty and related concepts and strategies that make the recognition attain a good accuracy. In addition, challenges related to machine learning were discussed, such as overfitting, possible causes and solutions and challenges related to the dataset such as expression unrelated discrepancy such as head orientation, illumination, dataset class bias. Those aspects are discussed in detail, as a review was performed with the difficulties that come with using deep neural networks serving as a guideline to the advancement domain. Finally, those challenges offer an insight in what possible future directions can be taken to develop better FER systems.
Artificial Intelligence Enhancements in the field of Functional Verification
Authors:   Facultatea de Electronică, Telecomunicații și Tehnologia Informației, Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti, DRANGA Diana , BOLCAȘ Radu-Daniel ,   Facultatea de Electronică, Telecomunicații și Tehnologia Informației, Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti
Published: December 2021

Functional Verification is one of the main processes in the Research and Development of new System-on-Chip. As chips are becoming more and more complex, this step becomes an extensive bottleneck which can vastly delay the chip mass production. It is a mandatory step as the design needs to not contain any faults, to ensure proper functioning. If this step is bypassed, large major financial losses and customer dissatisfaction can happen later in the process. Additionally, if the verification process is prolonging for a long period of time, to achieve a higher quality product, it will also cause a financial impact. Therefore, the solution is to find ways to optimize this activity. This paper contains a review on how Artificial Intelligence can reduce this blockage, taking into consideration the time spent on implementing the verification environment and the time of attaining the aimed coverage percentage. The engineer will take a decision on which causes of time-consuming processes presented in the paper will be reduced, depending on project specifics and his or her experience. A candidate for optimizing the training of the Neural Network is the Nvidia’s Computer Unified Device Architecture (CUDA). CUDA is parallel computing platform that make use of the GPU, peculiarly of the CUDA cores located inside Nvidia GPUs.
The Beginnings of the Cooperation of Free Royal Towns in the Kingdom of Hungary in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
Authors: Németh István H.
Published: December 2021

The study presents the possibilities and framework for cooperation between towns in Hungary through the operation of the Town League of Upper Hungary. The cooperation of towns in the Kingdom of Hungary happened primarily through regional relations. At first, the basis for cooperation was provided by common economic interests, but this area broadened considerably in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. After the battle of Mohács (1526), the towns of Hungary became full members of the Hungarian Estates. The Kingdom of Hungary, which was part of the Habsburg Monarchy, gained considerable autonomy in internal politics. This was based on a compromise with the Habsburg rulers to ensure protection against the Ottoman Empire. The free royal towns were the least influential members of this country that had strong Estates. Nevertheless, cooperation between the towns became nationwide. The diets provided the forum for all free royal towns in the country to represent their common interests in a coordinated way. There are traces of this nationwide cooperation as early as the mid-sixteenth century, but it was from the early seventeenth century that it was the strongest. The reason was that in those decades state taxes were becoming heavier and more burdensome for towns. This nationwide cooperation was not only manifested in the field of taxation, but from the first quarter of the seventeenth century onwards, it increasingly extended to religious matters. In the background, there was the increasing recatholization of the Habsburg Monarchy. In this special matter, close links were forged also with the otherwise strongly anti-urban lower nobility.
Tax Policy of the Fourth Estate?
Authors: Sterneck Tomáš
Published: December 2021

The study deals with questions of the political cooperation of Moravian territorial lord’s towns (the Moravian Fourth Estate) in the sixteenth and early seventeenth century. This issue is viewed through the prism of political negotiations about the very high tax burden on the towns. After an outline of the structure of the estate-organized society of the Moravian Margraviate and the role of territorial lord’s—royal and chamber—towns in it, the article introduces the natural and fiscal burdens weighing down the urban organisms and escalating in line with the wars of the Habsburg Monarchy against the expansive Ottoman Empire. The burden on Moravian towns was much heavier than on other segments of the estate-structured society. This was the basis for the towns’ concerted efforts to find relief, which manifested itself during the Fifteen Years’ War with the High Porte in 1593–1606. Surviving sources offer detailed documentation of the 1604 negotiations, when at the initiative of Brno, an attempt was made to counter the pressure of the higher estates that intended to further increase the tax burden on territorial lord’s towns. However, these negotiations illustrate that effective joint action of the town representations was hindered by individual municipalities’ particular interests. Individualism generally exacerbated the towns’ weak position in the political system of the time. In the broader coordinates of early modern Europe, in the Bohemian lands, urban space was less developed and the bourgeoisie was significantly weaker than in their Western and Southern European counterparts. Therefore, the limited coordination of the territorial lord’s towns in the fight against the higher estates did not lead to the desired results.