bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
diopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Review on Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms
Authors: Joshipura Akshat , Salmataj S A Salmataj S A
Published: April 2022

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease characterized by extracellular matrix accumulation and altered mechanical properties of lung tissue. Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is attracting considerable attention due to disease acceleration and substantial mortality. The biomechanical properties of tissues are sensed and responded to by mechanotransduction pathways that facilitate sensing of changes in mechanical cues by tissue resident cells and convert the mechanical signals into downstream biochemical signals. In this review pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin pathway, TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and EMT in IPF, VEGF and its relation with PI3K–Akt signalling pathway, PI3-Akt pathway, PDGF Signalling Pathway, Hippo/YAP signalling, JAK/STAT pathway, Rnd3/p190/Rho-Gap pathway have been discussed. This review also covers current therapeutic strategies in relation to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Hospitalized COVID 19 Patients – A Study in a Tertiary Care Covid Centre in Eastern India
Authors: Talukdar Manas , Dasgupta Senjuti , Osta Manish
Published: April 2022

Background Corona Virus Disease -2019 (COVID-19) has jeopardised human life globally for last more than one year due to its high infectivity and tendency to develop sudden deterioration of cases by complicated pathophysiology. Some cost effective markers are necessary to predict severity so that timely appropriate management can be given. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in blood is such a common parameter that has been previously used to predict severity in various conditions like cardiovascular diseases and sepsis. Our objective was to estimate total White blood cell count (TC) and NLR in hospitalised COVID-19 patients and to find out their role to predict severity. Methods This observational cross sectional study was done on hospitalized COVID-19 adult patients where patients were categorized into moderate and severe cases as per guideline of Govt. of India. TC and Differential count were estimated by automated cell counter and NLR was compared in these two groups by unpaired t test to find out their significance. Results Out of total 175 cases, 49(28%) were categorized as severe while rest 126 (72%) patients were in moderate category of disease. The mean ± standard deviations of TC (X103/µl) and NLR for moderate disease were 8.85±4.60 and 5.57±6.80 respectively while those for severe disease were 12.78±6.54 and 12.99±12.21 respectively. Both the parameters have statistically significant difference between two groups (p <0.001). Conclusion TC and NLR were significantly higher in severe cases compared to moderate cases and hence they can be utilised to triage COVID-19 cases at an early stage.
Development of a quasi-collimated UV LED backlight for producing uniform and smooth 3D printing objects
Authors: Lin Ding-Zheng , Lee Ching-Ming , Zhang Zi-Jain , Yu Ping-Hung , Jeng Jeng-Ywan
Published: April 2022

3D printing techniques have great potential in the direct fabrication of microfluidic and many kinds of molds, such as dental and jewelry models. However, the resolution, surface roughness, and critical dimension uniformity of 3D printing objects are still a challenge for improvement. In this article, we proposed a 405nm light emitting diode (LED) backlight module based on stacks of structured films, and the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the angular distribution of this module is reduced to less than ± 15°. Compared with the commercial lens array optical module, the ten points intensity uniformity of an 8.9” build area is improved from 56% to 80%. Moreover, we found that the surface roughness and the sharpness of the edge of the printing objects are also obviously improved by our novel quasi-collimated LED backlight module. These features give us a promising way for the application of microfluidics and micro-optics components in the future.
12 Gbit/s indoor optical wireless communication system with ultrafast beam-steering using tunable VCSEL
Authors: Wu Lican , Han Yaqi , Li Zhi , Zhang Yuan , Fu H. Y.
Published: April 2022

Optical wireless communication (OWC) using line-of-sight connections has great application potential for indoor scenes due to its advantages of high data transmission speed and privacy. In our proposed system, we use infrared tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) as light source, array waveguide gratings (AWG) combined with 6 × 6 integrated optical fiber arrays as a router to realize ultrafast beam-steering and high capacity point-to-point data transmission, which makes the indoor OWC system compact, low-cost, and easy to install. The high tuning rate of VCSEL enables the channel switching to be completed within 1.7 µs. Based on the modulation format of non-return-to-zero on-off keying (NRZ-OOK), a data rate of 12 Gbit/s per channel can be realized with high sensitivity through 3.1 m free space when the detected optical power is low. The system is proved to be a flexible link with high-speed communication for mobile terminals in a limited space.
Incorporating global dynamics to improve the accuracy of disease models: Example of a COVID-19 SIR model
Authors: AlQadi Hadeel , Bani-Yaghoub Majid
Published: April 2022

Mathematical models of infectious diseases exhibit robust dynamics, such as stable endemic, disease-free equilibriums or convergence of the solutions to periodic epidemic waves. The present work shows that the accuracy of such dynamics can be significantly improved by including global effects of host movements in disease models. To demonstrate improved accuracy, we extended a standard Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model by incorporating the global dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extended SIR model assumes three possibilities for susceptible individuals traveling outside of their community:

• They can return to the community without any exposure to the infection.

• They can be exposed and develop symptoms after returning to the community.

• They can be tested positively during the trip and remain quarantined until fully recovered.

To examine the predictive accuracy of the extended SIR model, we studied the prevalence of the COVID-19 infection in six randomly selected cities and states in the United States: Kansas City, Saint Louis, San Francisco, Missouri, Illinois, and Arizona. The extended SIR model was parameterized using a two-step model-fitting algorithm. The extended SIR model significantly outperformed the standard SIR model and revealed oscillatory behaviors with an increasing trend of infected individuals. In conclusion, the analytics and predictive accuracy of disease models can be significantly improved by incorporating the global dynamics of the infection.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in febrile patients from an endemic region of dengue and chikungunya in Peru
Authors: Tarazona-Castro Yordi , Troyes-Rivera Lucinda , Martins-Luna Johanna , Cabellos-Altamirano Felipe , Aguilar-Luis Miguel Angel , Carrillo-Ng Hugo , del Valle Luis J. , Kym Sungmin , Miranda-Maravi Sebastian , Silva-Caso Wilmer , Levy-Blitchtein Saul , del Valle-Mendoza Juana
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The rapid expansion of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has raised serious public health concerns due to the possibility of misdiagnosis in regions where arboviral diseases are endemic. We performed the first study in northern Peru to describe the detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies in febrile patients with a suspected diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya fever.

Materials and methods

A consecutive cross-sectional study was performed in febrile patients attending primary healthcare centers from April 2020 through March 2021. Patients enrolled underwent serum sample collection for the molecular and serological detection of DENV and CHIKV. Also, serological detection of IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was performed.

Results

464 patients were included during the study period, of which (40.51%) were positive for one pathogen, meanwhile (6.90%) presented co-infections between 2 or more pathogens. The majority of patients with monoinfections were positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgM with (73.40%), followed by DENV 18.09% and CHIKV (8.51%). The most frequent co-infection was DENV + SARS-CoV-2 with (65.63%), followed by DENV + CHIKV and DENV + CHIKV + SARS-CoV-2, both with (12.50%). The presence of polyarthralgias in hands (43.75%, p<0.01) and feet (31.25%, p = 0.05) were more frequently reported in patients with CHIKV monoinfection. Also, conjunctivitis was more common in patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgM (11.45%, p<0.01). The rest of the symptoms were similar among all the study groups.

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies were frequently detected in acute sera from febrile patients with a clinical suspicion of arboviral disease. The presence of polyarthralgias in hands and feet may be suggestive of CHIKV infection. These results reaffirm the need to consider SARS-CoV-2 infection as a main differential diagnosis of acute febrile illness in arboviruses endemic areas, as well as to consider co-infections between these pathogens.
Household and context-level determinants of birth registration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ebbers Anne Lieke , Smits Jeroen
Published: April 2022

While according to the United Nations birth registration is a human right, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) only half of new-born children currently have their birth registered. To gain insight into the reasons behind this low registration rate, we study the role of determinants at the household, sub-national regional and country level, using self-reported birth registration data on 358,842 children in 40 SSA countries. While most of the variation in reported birth registration is due to factors at the household level, context factors are found to play an important role as well. At the household level, poverty, low education, restricted autonomy of women, and belonging to a traditional religion are associated with lower odds of being registered. Lack of professional care during pregnancy, delivery, and early life also decrease the odds of being registered. Important factors at the context level are the average number of prenatal care visits in the local area, living in an urban area, the kind of birth registration legislation, decentralization of the registration system, fertility rates, and the number of conflicts. To improve registration, the complex dynamics of these factors at the household and context level have to be taken into account.
Experimental study on fire characteristics in cable compartment of utility tunnel with natural ventilation
Authors: Bai Z. P. , Yao H. W. , Zhang H. H.
Published: April 2022

The fire characteristics under natural ventilation in the cable compartment of the utility tunnel are studied. A series of small-scale fire experimental tests are conducted to obtain the maximum temperature below the ceiling of different ignition vertical heights and cable types. In this paper, the ceiling temperature decay and heat release rate (HRR) are studied in the cable compartment of utility tunnel. Through experimental tests, the fire characteristics of placing the fire source on the near wall side 3.0 m away from the shaft of the utility tunnel cable compartment are studied. The results showed that under the action of natural ventilation, with the decrease of fuel quantity, the mass loss of cable decreases, and the maximum temperature below the ceiling of the cable compartment in the utility tunnel decreases. ZRYJV cables burn more sufficient combustion than RVVR cables. A new empirical association for total HRR is proposed. Those experimental test results are used as validation data for the newly proposed empirical correlation of total HRR. This paper hopes to provide some basic fire safety references for the utility tunnel planning of the urban underground cable compartment.
A study of forecasting tennis matches via the Glicko model
Authors: Yue Jack C. , Chou Elizabeth P. , Hsieh Ming-Hui , Hsiao Li-Chen
Published: April 2022

Tennis is a popular sport, and professional tennis matches are probably the most watched games globally. Many studies consider statistical or machine learning models to predict the results of professional tennis matches. In this study, we propose a statistical approach for predicting the match outcomes of Grand Slam tournaments, in addition to applying exploratory data analysis (EDA) to explore variables related to match results. The proposed approach introduces new variables via the Glicko rating model, a Bayesian method commonly used in professional chess. We use EDA tools to determine important variables and apply classification models (e.g., logistic regression, support vector machine, neural network and light gradient boosting machine) to evaluate the classification results through cross-validation. The empirical study is based on men’s and women’s single matches of Grand Slam tournaments (2000–2019). Our analysis results show that professional tennis ranking is the most important variable and that the accuracy of the proposed Glicko model is slightly higher than that of other models.
Solving large break minimization problems in a mirrored double round-robin tournament using quantum annealing
Authors: Kuramata Michiya , Katsuki Ryota , Nakata Kazuhide
Published: April 2022

Quantum annealing has gained considerable attention because it can be applied to combinatorial optimization problems, which have numerous applications in logistics, scheduling, and finance. In recent years, with the technical development of quantum annealers, research on solving practical combinatorial optimization problems using them has accelerated. However, researchers struggle to find practical combinatorial optimization problems, for which quantum annealers outperform mathematical optimization solvers. Moreover, there are only a few studies that compare the performance of quantum annealers with the state-of-the-art solvers, such as Gurobi and CPLEX. This study determines that quantum annealing demonstrates better performance than the solvers in that the solvers take longer to reach the objective function value of the solution obtained by the quantum annealers for the break minimization problem in a mirrored double round-robin tournament. We also explain the desirable performance of quantum annealing for the sparse interaction between variables and a problem without constraints. In this process, we demonstrate that this problem can be expressed as a 4-regular graph. Through computational experiments, we solve this problem using our quantum annealing approach and two-integer programming approaches, which were performed using the latest quantum annealer D-Wave Advantage, and Gurobi, respectively. Further, we compare the quality of the solutions and the computational time. Quantum annealing was able to determine the exact solution in 0.05 seconds for problems with 20 teams, which is a practical size. In the case of 36 teams, it took 84.8 s for the integer programming method to reach the objective function value, which was obtained by the quantum annealer in 0.05 s. These results not only present the break minimization problem in a mirrored double round-robin tournament as an example of applying quantum annealing to practical optimization problems, but also contribute to find problems that can be effectively solved by quantum annealing.
Does a humoral correlate of protection exist for SARS-CoV-2? A systematic review
Authors: Perry Julie , Osman Selma , Wright James , Richard-Greenblatt Melissa , Buchan Sarah A. , Sadarangani Manish , Bolotin Shelly
Published: April 2022

Background

A correlate of protection (CoP) is an immunological marker associated with protection against infection. Despite an urgent need, a CoP for SARS-CoV-2 is currently undefined.

Objectives

Our objective was to review the evidence for a humoral correlate of protection for SARS-CoV-2, including variants of concern.

Methods

We searched OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Biosis Previews and Scopus to January 4, 2022 and pre-prints (using NIH iSearch COVID-19 portfolio) to December 31, 2021, for studies describing SARS-CoV-2 re-infection or breakthrough infection with associated antibody measures. Two reviewers independently extracted study data and performed quality assessment.

Results

Twenty-five studies were included in our systematic review. Two studies examined the correlation of antibody levels to VE, and reported values from 48.5% to 94.2%. Similarly, several studies found an inverse relationship between antibody levels and infection incidence, risk, or viral load, suggesting that both humoral immunity and other immune components contribute to protection. However, individual level data suggest infection can still occur in the presence of high levels of antibodies. Two studies estimated a quantitative CoP: for Ancestral SARS-CoV-2, these included 154 (95% confidence interval (CI) 42, 559) anti-S binding antibody units/mL (BAU/mL), and 28.6% (95% CI 19.2, 29.2%) of the mean convalescent antibody level following infection. One study reported a CoP for the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant of concern of 171 (95% CI 57, 519) BAU/mL. No studies have yet reported an Omicron-specific CoP.

Conclusions

Our review suggests that a SARS-CoV-2 CoP is likely relative, where higher antibody levels decrease the risk of infection, but do not eliminate it completely. More work is urgently needed in this area to establish a SARS-CoV-2 CoP and guide policy as the pandemic continues.
Ad26.COV2.S prevents upregulation of SARS-CoV-2 induced pathways of inflammation and thrombosis in hamsters and rhesus macaques
Authors: Aid Malika , Vidal Samuel J. , Piedra-Mora Cesar , Ducat Sarah , Chan Chi N. , Bondoc Stephen , Colarusso Alessandro , Starke Carly E. , Nekorchuk Michael , Busman-Sahay Kathleen , Estes Jacob D. , Martinot Amanda J. , Barouch Dan H.
Published: April 2022

Syrian golden hamsters exhibit features of severe disease after SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 challenge and are therefore useful models of COVID-19 pathogenesis and prevention with vaccines. Recent studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection stimulates type I interferon, myeloid, and inflammatory signatures similar to human disease and that weight loss can be prevented with vaccines. However, the impact of vaccination on transcriptional programs associated with COVID-19 pathogenesis and protective adaptive immune responses is unknown. Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 challenge in hamsters stimulates myeloid and inflammatory programs as well as signatures of complement and thrombosis associated with human COVID-19. Notably, immunization with Ad26.COV2.S, an adenovirus serotype 26 vector (Ad26)-based vaccine expressing a stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, prevents the upregulation of these pathways, such that the mRNA expression profiles of vaccinated hamsters are comparable to uninfected animals. Using proteomics profiling, we validated these findings in rhesus macaques challenged with SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 or SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351. Finally, we show that Ad26.COV2.S vaccination induces T and B cell signatures that correlate with binding and neutralizing antibody responses weeks following vaccination. These data provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of Ad26.COV2.S protection against severe COVID-19 in animal models.
Parvovirus nonstructural protein 2 interacts with chromatin-regulating cellular proteins
Authors: Mattola Salla , Salokas Kari , Aho Vesa , Mäntylä Elina , Salminen Sami , Hakanen Satu , Niskanen Einari A. , Svirskaite Julija , Ihalainen Teemu O. , Airenne Kari J. , Kaikkonen-Määttä Minna , Parrish Colin R. , Varjosalo Markku , Vihinen-Ranta Maija
Published: April 2022

Autonomous parvoviruses encode at least two nonstructural proteins, NS1 and NS2. While NS1 is linked to important nuclear processes required for viral replication, much less is known about the role of NS2. Specifically, the function of canine parvovirus (CPV) NS2 has remained undefined. Here we have used proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) to screen for nuclear proteins that associate with CPV NS2. Many of these associations were seen both in noninfected and infected cells, however, the major type of interacting proteins shifted from nuclear envelope proteins to chromatin-associated proteins in infected cells. BioID interactions revealed a potential role for NS2 in DNA remodeling and damage response. Studies of mutant viral genomes with truncated forms of the NS2 protein suggested a change in host chromatin accessibility. Moreover, further studies with NS2 mutants indicated that NS2 performs functions that affect the quantity and distribution of proteins linked to DNA damage response. Notably, mutation in the splice donor site of the NS2 led to a preferred formation of small viral replication center foci instead of the large coalescent centers seen in wild-type infection. Collectively, our results provide insights into potential roles of CPV NS2 in controlling chromatin remodeling and DNA damage response during parvoviral replication.
Enhancement of the antifungal activity of some antimycotics by farnesol and reduction of Candida albicans pathogenicity in a quail model experiment
Authors: Sachivkina Nadezhda , Senyagin Alexander , Podoprigora Irina , Vasilieva Elena , Kuznetsova Olga , Karamyan Arfenia , Ibragimova Alfia , Zhabo Natalia , Molchanova Maria
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim: Clinical strains of microorganisms, including pathogenic yeast-like fungi (YLF), are resistant to currently used antifungal agents. Thus, it is relevant to study the combinations of existing antimicrobial drugs and a medicinal extract of plant origin (farnesol). In previous studies, farnesol showed a relatively strong anti-biofilm effect against Candida albicans. This study aimed to determine how much the resistance profile of non-biofilm microorganisms can change.

Materials and Methods: Six clinical isolates of C. albicans and one reference strain were used to study the interaction of farnesol with the most used antimycotics. To determine the sensitivity of YLF to antimycotic drugs, such as nystatin (50 μg), amphotericin B (10 μg), ketoconazole (10 μg), clotrimazole (10 μg), voriconazole (10 μg), fluconazole (25 μg), miconazole (10 μg), and intraconazole (10 μg), the classic disk diffusion method was used. In the second stage, one of the six strains was used to simulate candidiasis of the gastrointestinal tract in an in vivo quail model. As an unusual experimental design, this study investigated the effects of pretreated C. albicans in quails, not the in vivo pathogenicity of C. albicans, after treatment with farnesol.

Results: The resistance profiles of Candida strains did not improve with farnesol in all strains. All concentrations of farnesol (100, 50, and 25 μM) demonstrated a fungistatic effect (i.e., an increase in drug sensitivity) in 23 of 56 (7×8) cases (41%). The remaining 54% demonstrated no changes in the resistance to antifungal drugs or deterioration of the indicators in rare cases (5%). At 100 μM farnesol, sensitivity improved in 33 of 56 cases (59%). Candidiasis or the severity of clinical disease of the quail digestive tract developed to a lesser extent if fungi were treated with farnesol.

Conclusion: Farnesol does not always show a positive result on single cells without biofilm in the laboratory. However, in a biofilm or an in vivo model with biofilms, farnesol can be considered a new antimycotic drug or an additive to existing antimycotics.
Does remittance spur economic growth?
Authors: Vusal Ahmadov
Published: April 2022

Worker remittances are the second largest source of external finance for
developing countries after FDIs, which has increased interest in measuring
their effect on economic growth in underdeveloped economies. In this study,
I analyze the causal relationship between remittances and economic growth
in two post-socialist countries - Armenia and Georgia, which experienced
significant emigration after the collapse of socialism. To minimize
endogeneity problems, I employ POLS (pooled ordinary least squares) and FE
(fixed effects) estimations in assessing the effects of remittance on
economic growth. Data set covers the 1997-2019 period. Results show that
remittances have a positive effect on economic growth in these small
post-socialist economies.
A review of the Balanced Scorecard method through comparing the relevant literature of selected European countries
Authors: Vágner Viktor
Published: April 2022

The importance of evaluating companies and measuring their performance is evidenced by a number of cases, for example, global phenomena going on currently. Not so long ago, in 2013, the European Parliament and the Council adopted the Directive 2013/34/EU, which is mandatory and provides comparable and clear financial statements of companies. Therefore, the study applies mainly the method of scientific literature synthesis and compares studies carried out in various Central and Eastern European countries. They are related to the use of the Balanced Scorecard performance measurement method applied in stock companies. In parallel, the perspectives of key stakeholders are also reviewed based on their published reporting practices. The comparison shows that the Balanced Scorecard method is really suitable for external users. Important information, measures and performance indicators can be reported and analysed using the company’s annual reports.
The growth of influencer marketing
Authors: Al-Zoubi Munif Mohammed
Published: April 2022

Social media has changed our day to day life in so many aspects, and especially with COVID19 forcing people to stay at home, the use of the internet and platforms has increased dramatically. We now use social media for communication, learning, entertainment, and even for work purposes. There has been a significant increase in the number of people on all social media platforms, and this increase in the number of users viewing all sorts of content gave rise to influencers or “leaders of opinion”, i.e. experts in certain fields with many followers viewing their content. Influencers in many cases have the ability to affect the decision-making process of their followers, which caused many organizations to turn to them, giving them partnerships and sponsorships in exchange for influencers marketing their products/services. In this study, a comparison is attempted between the two biggest influencer marketing platforms, Tiktok and Instagram, and an attempt is made to give businesses who are thinking of using influencer marketing a better understanding of this phenomenon. The paper also aims to help businesses that already have an influencer marketing strategy in place realize if their current platform is most suitable to their business. This study uses qualitative research, as the data has been gathered through the multiple interviews with different types of businesses, influencers and social media experts.
Aid for trade policy effectiveness and the middle income
Authors: Acheampong Timothy Yaw
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for all countries and donors
to re-evaluate the effectiveness of development policies as countries
across the globe seek to reverse the negative growth rates and set their
economies back on the path of recovery following the worldwide recession
caused by the pandemic. The Aid for Trade (AfT) policy commenced in 2006
with the objective to promote economic growth in developing countries
through export expansion. AfT has 3 main components, namely, Aid for
Policies and Trade Adjustments, Aid for Trade Infrastructure, and Aid for
Building Productive Capacity. Considering that economic growth is a
prerequisite for escaping the Middle-Income Trap (MIT), this study seeks to
investigate the potential role of AfT in helping countries escape the MIT
by answering the following question: How has each of the 3 components of
AfT impacted economic growth in middle-income countries? To answer this
question, data for 73 middle-income AfT beneficiary countries over the
period 2008-2018 were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression,
dynamic panel regression, and quantile regression models. The findings
suggest that AfT can contribute to growth but it cannot be relied upon as
the main engine of growth and vehicle for escaping the MIT.
The impact of the demographic transition on poverty reduction in Central Asia
Authors: Kurbanova Muyassar
Published: April 2022

Central Asian countries are experiencing a demographic transition due to the shrinking fertility and mortality rates and are at the stage of getting benefits from the demographic tailwinds with an increased working-age population share. This potential may convert the transition into economic growth and poverty reduction. Although all countries' economies grow, poverty reduction stagnated. The main question is whether this stagnation is due to an increase in the working-age population and whether the region can utilize this benefit to reduce poverty through accumulating human recourses. This paper analyzes the main channels that impact demographic change with the human capital in the socio-economic situation and the poverty rate of Central Asian countries by using cross-section data from the period 2000 to 2019 using the fixed effects method. The results suggest that the share of working-age population, human capital, GDP per capita, and female labor force participation rate will reduce poverty in the region.
Concepciones didácticas en el campo de las ciencias naturales de futuros profesores de Educación Primaria Rural
Authors: Zabalegui Maria Fernanda , Fabro Ana Patricia
Published: April 2022

El estudio de las concepciones posibilita conocer desde qué miradas los docentes planifican y llevan a cabo sus prácticas. En la presente investigación se propone identificar y analizar las concepciones didácticas en el campo de las Ciencias Naturales de los estudiantes avanzados del Profesorado de Educación Primaria con orientación rural, de la Facultad de Humanidades, Artes y Ciencias Sociales de la Provincia de Entre Ríos, Argentina. Para ello se observaron y analizaron diecisiete clases de práctica en terreno en cuatro escuelas rurales. Los resultados dan cuenta de que los futuros docentes se posicionan desde modelos didácticos activos y alternativos basados en la indagación y en la resolución de problemas.La investigación permite evidenciar además que los futuros maestros rurales desarrollan clases innovadoras y participativas, superando los obstáculos del trabajo en simultáneo que requiere el plurigrado.
Análisis preliminar de las concepciones de estudiantes ingresantes sobre actitudes y valores ético-morales de la profesionalidad veterinaria
Authors: Alzola Paula , Felipe Antonio
Published: April 2022

La enseñanza del profesionalismo y la construcción de profesionalidad es uno de los ejes de los nuevos diseños curriculares en carreras de medicina humana y veterinaria a nivel internacional. El objetivo de este trabajo fue indagar las concepciones de los estudiantes ingresantes a la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires en relación con actitudes y valores ético-morales específicos de la profesionalidad médica veterinaria. Se administró una encuesta con escala tipo Lickert a 80 estudiantes. La mayoría de los estudiantes ubicó en elevados valores de importancia los principios generales de la ética, de actitudes y valores frente a los clientes, a los animales, al trabajo y hacia sí mismos de los profesionales veterinarios. Los resultados indicarían la presencia de una base cognitiva importante que permitiría incluir de manera explícita el trabajo con capacidades, habilidades y valores profesionales en los planes de estudio desde el momento mismo del ingreso.
QUANDO O MENOS É MAIS: O IMPACTO DO TÍTULO DO ARTIGO NO INTERESSE DOS LEITORES
Authors: Oliveira Anselmo Gomes de , Silveira Dâmaris
Published: April 2022

QUANDO O MENOS É MAIS: O IMPACTO DO TÍTULO DO ARTIGO NO INTERESSE DOS LEITORES
FATORES DE HETEROGENEIDADE DO POTENCIAL ANTIOXIDANTE DA PRÓPOLIS DA ABELHA APIS MELLIFERA: UMA REVISÃO
Authors: Cruz Fernanda Baldomir da , Martins Diegue Henrique Nascimento , Ferreira Juliana de Freitas , Magalhães Pérola de Oliveira , Silveira Dâmaris , Fonseca-Bazzo Yris Maria
Published: April 2022

As abelhas produzem a própolis a partir de materiais balsâmicos coletados das plantas. Trata-se de um produto natural com diversas funções dentro da colmeia. Atualmente, a ciência já comprovou várias ações biológicas desse material, tal como antioxidante. Porém, ainda há desafios no que concerne a padronização de técnicas de coleta, preparo da amostra, análises, controle de qualidade, dentre outros, dificultando o uso da própolis pela indústria. Essa revisão investigou os possíveis fatores de heterogeneidade do potencial antioxidante da própolis, considerando todo o processo de obtenção, desde origem das colmeias até formas de extração da própolis de abelha Apis mellifera. A busca desta revisão foi realizada nas seguintes bases de dados e ferramentas de busca: SciELO, Google Acadêmico, PubMed, MEDLINE, Catálogo de Dissertações e Teses da CAPES, BVS, CRD, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus e Cochrane Library. Foram incluídas publicações em português, inglês e espanhol (2011 a 2021). Foram obtidos 173 trabalhos que comprovaram importante atividade antioxidante do extrato de própolis de A. melífera. Porém, os resultados numéricos de potencial antioxidante diferiram muito entre si. Os principais fatores de heterogeneidade encontrados nas metodologias foram: local e época de coleta (sazonalidade), raça da abelha, tipo de própolis ou sua fonte botânica, e preparo do extrato (solvente, tempo e metodologia de extração).
POTENCIAL ANTINEOPLÁSICO DO ÁCIDO CARNÓSICO ENCONTRADO NA ESPÉCIE Rosmarinus Officinalis L., LAMIACEAE (ALECRIM): UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA
Authors: Da Silva Iran Alves , Sultanun Rozana Firmino de Souza , Da Silva Felipe Stallone , Vila Luana Raide Sanguineto , Barbosa Talismania da Silva Lira , De Melo Clêidiane Clemente , Laurentino Carolayne da Silva , Da Silva Jamicelly Rayanna Gomes
Published: April 2022

O ácido carnósico é um dos principais diterpenos fenólicos antioxidantes presentes no alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), com destaque no potencial antineoplásico. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar na  literatura o potencial antineoplásico do ácido carnósico presente  em Rosmarinus officinalis L. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo narrativo, em que foi realizada uma revisão de literatura nas bases de dados: SciELO, ScienceDirect, PubMed e Google Acadêmico, utilizando as palavraschave: Rosmarinus officinalis, ácido carnósico, antineoplásico e fitoterapia no  período de 2015 a 2020. Rosmarinus officinalis L. apresenta diversas ações farmacológicas, dentre elas, antioxidante e antitumoral, conferidos pelos compostos ácido carnósico, carnosol e rosmanol. O efeito antioxidante relacionado a esses compostos fenólicos evita o estresse oxidativo celular e a proliferação celular descontrolada que poderia culminar em um câncer. O ácido carnósico, nesse sentido, é conhecido por exibir atividade anticâncer eficaz contra várias linhas de células tumorais: leucemia e câncer de mama, próstata, pulmão e fígado. É uma molécula capaz de inibir a proliferação e a capacidade de migração em células colorretais humanas por meio da inibição da ativação da uroquinase plasminogênio, enzima esta, responsável pela dissolução dos coágulos de fibrina, incluindo migração celular e inflamação. Nessa revisão foram identificadas as ações quimiopreventivas e antitumorais do ácido carnósico contra melanoma, leucemia, câncer de cólon, pulmão, próstata e fígado, células neoplásicas de neuroblastoma e de glioma.
Przekaz ustny w rodzinie wiejskiej
Authors: Żebrok Przemysław
Published: April 2022

The study is intended to signal changes in the way of communication in a rural family, including the problem of shrinking or even disappearance of traditional oral communication. For centuries, this message has determined the transmission of broadly understood culture, including traditions and customs. At present, the spoken word, one of the typical features of peasant culture, is being forced out of family life for the sake of other forms of communication. The forum for exchanging thoughts, opinions or views has moved from the family table to the Internet, and the activity in conducting conversations is focused primarily on social media or various types of discussion forums.
New triple-mode high-amplitude Delta Scuti variables
Authors: Khruslov Anton V.
Published: April 2022

I present a detection of four new triple-mode high-amplitude Delta Scuti variables, pulsating in the fundamental, first, and second overtone modes. This is a new addition to the ten known cases in the Galaxy. I used the data of ASAS-SN and analyzed them using the WinEfk code by V. P. Goranskij. Light elements and parameters of the light curves were obtained.
Die Bibliotheken, die Welt der Bücher und die heutigen Trends: Haben traditionelle bibliothekarische Angebote überhaupt noch eine Zukunft?
Authors: Bisig Urs
Published: April 2022

Mit der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung wächst der Informationssektor immer schneller, die Orientierung darin wird immer schwieriger und anspruchsvoller, und der Komfort für die druckaffinen Leser nimmt ständig ab. Im Beitrag wird gezeigt, wie das Bibliothekswesen mithelfen kann, diese Entwicklung besser zu bewältigen. Der Autor ist der Meinung, das Ziel der Bibliotheken sollte nicht nur sein, möglichst bald Teil der E-Welt zu werden, sondern vor allem auch, diese intelligent zu ergänzen.
circ_0062491 alleviates periodontitis via the miR-142-5p/IGF1 axis
Authors: Wang Chunlin , Gong Junxia , Li Dai , Xing Xianghui
Published: April 2022

CircularRNAs (circRNAs) are collectively involved in periodontitis. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of circ_0062491 in osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs and provide a novel method for periodontitis treatment. mRNA and protein expression levels were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red S (ARS) staining were used to detect the activity of osteogenesis. Furthermore, the interactions between miR-142-5p and circ_0062491/IGF1 were verified by a luciferase reporter assay. circ_0062491 was suppressed in PDL tissues of periodontitis patients and overexpressed in osteogenesis-induced PDLSCs. Upregulated circ_0062491 promoted osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. miR-142-5p was verified to be a target of circ_0062491, and the overexpression of miR-142-5p suppressed the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs induced by circ_0062491 Additionally, miR-142-5p targeted IGF1, and silenced IGF1 abrogated the effects of suppressed miR-142-5p on osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. In conclusion, circ_0062491 acted as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs via the miR-142-5p/IGF1 axis.
Crystal structure of 5-nitroquinazolin-4(3H)-one, C8H5N3O3
Authors: Shi Lei , Wang Yu-Jiang , An Jun-Chao , Li Bin , Hu Ji
Published: April 2022

C8H5N3O3, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.1778(16) Å, b = 7.0270(10) Å, c = 12.518(2) Å, β = 92.930(6)°, V = 806.3(2) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F
2) = 0.0469, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1353, T = 298 K.
Tunning matrix rheology and mechanical performance of ultra-high performance concrete using cellulose nanofibers
Authors: Sun Hui , Que Zichao , Wei Huinan , Zhou Ao , Peng Xuan , Cui Wei , Wang Xi
Published: April 2022

With the growing demand for sustainability and rapid development of nanotechnology, nanocellulose materials extracted from natural plants have attracted great attention. The incorporation of nanocellulose materials leads to a change in viscosity and yield stress on ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Rheological parameters affect the mechanical strength and steel fiber distribution of UHPC significantly. Therefore, it is essential to adjust the matrix rheology within an appropriate range through nanocellulose materials. This study aims to propose a novel method to optimize steel fiber distribution and mechanical properties of UHPC by adjusting the matrix rheology with cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) suspensions. The relationship among CNF concentration, steel fiber distribution, and the mechanical properties of UHPC was established. Test results showed that the failure mode of UHPC containing CNFs changed from single cracking to multiple cracking, accompanied by 11–23% enhancement in tensile strength. With the increase of CNF concentrations, the probability density distribution functions of steel fiber orientation showed the trend toward the distribution with a larger inclination. The addition of CNF suspensions effectively reduced the number of steel fibers settling to the bottom of the specimens. Scanning electron microscopy analyses demonstrated that the nanoscale reinforcement by CNFs was conducive to improving the mechanical properties of UHPC.
Progress in epitaxial growth of stanene
Authors: Ochapski Michał W. , de Jong Michel P.
Published: April 2022

With the rise of graphene, other elemental 2D materials have received a massive increase in interest in recent years. However, while theoretical models of free-standing materials predict exotic properties, often outshining those of graphene, the experimental field struggles with the synthesis of such materials. Epitaxial growth has become the main method used in experiments, as the consensus in the scientific community is that such materials require a stabilizing support. In this context, a substrate material suitable for supporting a 2D layer while preserving its topological properties is a key factor in the process. In this review article, our focus is directed to substrates for an elemental topological 2D material from group IV – stanene. We present the current state of the experimental field and give an outlook on future possibilities investigated in density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Political Theology from Satan to Legitimacy
Authors: Monateri Pier Giuseppe
Published: April 2022

Political theology is often the subject of debate. In this contribution we will trace an alternative declination of this concept in modern political thought. Starting from James I’s thought, the article will show the most arcane and heterodox sides of sovereignty and the multiple configurations of the political body.
Law, Politics, and Liberal Hope: A Literary and Anthropological Analysis of Secular Society
Authors: Mullender Richard
Published: April 2022

This essay argues that efforts to accommodate religion within the contemporary liberal-democratic and secular state give rise to difficulties that liberals struggle to understand. It also argues that practical impulses that exhibit intensity of the sort present in religion threaten to destabilize the operations of the contemporary liberal-democratic state. This essay develops these arguments by reference to Hilary Mantel’s novel A Place of Greater Safety (a fictionalized account of the French Revolution). In this novel, Mantel explores Maximilien Robespierre’s ambiguous relationship with the Christian faith. As well as drawing on Mantel, this essay also makes use of Milan Kundera’s novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Kundera’s account of the ‘Grand March’ of the political left provides a basis on which to explore practical impulses that are reminiscent of religion in their intensity and that threaten to destabilize the liberal-democratic state. The two literary reference points that feature in this essay also provide resources with which to probe the contributions to contemporary liberal political philosophy made by Richard Rorty, John Rawls, and Ronald Dworkin. The result is an analysis that supports the conclusion that contemporary liberal-democratic states may be destabilized by practical impulses that, in their intensity, have affinities with religion. This essay also finds support for this conclusion in the writings of Stanley Fish and Carl Schmitt. Fish and Schmitt each argue in terms that give expression to a pessimistic political anthropology. This pessimistic political anthropology throws light on the difficulties that those who wield power within the liberal-democratic state face when they seek justly to accommodate religion. These difficulties lend plausibility to an observation made by John Adams (one of the founders of the USA): ‘[t]here is a germ of religion in human nature’ and it is ‘strong’.
The Good, the Bad, and the Needy: Discourses of Helpfulness after the 2020 Earthquakes in Croatia
Authors: Kersten-Pejanić Roswitha
Published: April 2022

When heavy earthquakes hit southcentral Croatia at the end of December 2020, the general readiness to help those who lost their material everything, or even loved ones, was remarkable. People and institutions all over the country (self-)organized relief actions, ranging from fundraising to packing their toolboxes and heading towards the affected regions. Based on the rich media coverage ensuing these so-called Petrinja earthquakes, named after the town that was most affected, the author analyzes the discourse of helpfulness triggered by the disaster. As she shows, this discourse revealed not only a great affective momentum regarding the survivors of the catastrophe (“the needy”), but also clearly moralist stances of what was deemed right (“the good”) as opposed to wrong (“the bad”) with regard to how people sought to help.
Forecasting Migration and Integration Trends Using Digital Demography – A Case Study of Emigration Flows from Croatia to Austria and Germany
Authors: Jurić Tado
Published: April 2022

This paper was created as a result of the observed instability of external emigration data from Croatian official data in comparison to data from the statistical offices of the European Union (Eurostat) and Germany (DESTATIS). In this study, the author presents a descriptive analysis of alternative data sources (big data), which could be useful for determining emigration flows from Croatia to Austria and Germany, as well as for estimating and forecasting. The second goal of this paper is to show that this approach can be useful for assessing the degree of cultural assimilation/integration of Croatian emigrants using the tools of Google Trends and Facebook Analytics. To estimate the model, linear regression was used to measure the correlation between the number of searches (x) and the number of moves (y) evidenced by the official statistics.
Epilogue
Authors: Goatly Andrew
Published: April 2022

This Epilogue represents some thoughts and reactions to this collection of articles. It falls into four sections. (1) A discussion of the term Anthropocene in relation to degrees of anthropocentrism. (2) A comparison of the varied approaches, positive or not, to ecological discourse analysis. (3) Observations on the challenges posed by a dominant consumer capitalist ideology, with which “environmental” movements sometimes compromise, and the authors’ stances towards them. (4) A contextualisation of some recurring discourse techniques evident in the collection – proximity, visual communication, framing, narrative and metaphor – within a cognitive framework distinguishing between similarity and contiguity meaning systems.
Homer and Ancient Narrative Time
Authors: Kahane Ahuvia
Published: April 2022

This paper considers the nature of time and temporality in Homer. It argues that any exploration of narrative and time must, as its central tenet, take into account the irreducible plurality and interconnectedness of memory, the event, and experienced time. Drawing on notions of complexity, emergence, and stochastic behavior in science as well as phenomenological traditions in the discussion and analysis of time, temporality, and change, and offering extensive readings of Homer, of Homeric epithets and formulae, and of key passages in the Iliad and Odyssey, the paper argues against chronological notions of linear (“numbered”) time and progression and in favor of a complex, dynamic temporal “geometries” of Homeric temporality. The paper concludes by briefly extending the argument to the wider domain of ancient time in general. Homer is a fundamental point of reference in the ancient world. Thus, Homeric temporality—irreducibly complex—affects the cognition and perception of time throughout the whole of antiquity.