bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of infection dynamics of foot-and-mouth disease virus strain O/CATHAY in pigs and cattle
Authors: Nishi Tatsuya , Morioka Kazuki , Kawaguchi Rie , Yamada Manabu , Ikezawa Mitsutaka , Fukai Katsuhiko
Published: January 2021

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O, topotype CATHAY is a known porcinophilic virus that has caused devastating damage to the pig industry. However, the minimum infectious dose via a natural infection route in pigs, the infection dynamics in cattle, and risk of viral transmission from infected cattle to pigs have not been quantitatively analyzed. The FMDV strain O/HKN/1/2015 was serially diluted and inoculated into pigs via an intraoral route to determine the infectious dose. We found that a 104.0 tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) of the virus was insufficient, but 105.5 TCID50 was sufficient to infect pigs via the oral route. While cows inoculated with the strain showed increased temperature in their feet, typical clinical signs including vesicular development were not observed. The cows showed short-term and low levels of viremia and virus excretion only before the detection of virus neutralizing antibodies. FMDV genes were not detected in esophageal-pharyngeal fluid from cows after 14 days post inoculation. No genetic insertions that could be associated with host adaptation were observed in viruses isolated from infected cows. These findings indicate that cows infected with FMDV of O/CATHAY have a low risk of viral transmission or persistence. Information on the dynamics of virus infection is essential for ensuring the rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease, and its surveillance.
Factors associated with breast cancer screening intention in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Divya , Shibanuma Akira , Kiriya Junko , Hirachan Suzita , Ong Ken Ing Cherng , Jimba Masamine
Published: January 2021

Background

Breast cancer burden is increasing in low-income countries (LICs). Increasing incidence and delayed presentation of breast cancer are mainly responsible for this burden. Many women do not participate in breast cancer screening despite its effectiveness. Moreover, studies are limited on the barriers associated with low utilization of breast cancer screening in LICs. This study identified breast cancer screening behavior and factors associated with breast cancer screening intention among women in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 women living in five municipalities of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Data were collected from July to September 2018, using a structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted among women selected through proportionate random household sampling. This study was conceptualized using the theory of planned behavior, fatalism, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity. The outcome variables included: the intention to have mammography (MMG) biennially, the intention to have clinical breast examination (CBE) annually, and the intention to perform breast self-examination (BSE) monthly. Analysis was conducted separately for each outcome variable using partial proportional odds model.

Results

Out of 500 women, 3.4% had undergone MMG biennially, 7.2% CBE annually, and 14.4% BSE monthly. Women with a positive attitude, high subjective norms, and high perceived behavioral control were more likely to have the intention to undergo all three screening methods. Similarly, women were more likely to have intention to undergo CBE and MMG when they perceived themselves susceptible to breast cancer. Conversely, women were less likely to have intention to undergo CBE when they had high fatalistic beliefs towards breast cancer.

Conclusion

Women in this study had poor screening behavior. The practice of breast self-examination was comparatively higher than clinical breast examination and mammography. Multidimensional culturally sensitive interventions are needed to enhance screening intentions. Efforts should be directed to improve attitude, family support, and fatalistic belief towards cancer. Furthermore, the proper availability of screening methods should be ensured while encouraging women to screen before the appearance of symptoms.
Novel genetic variants of inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Almarzooqi Farida , Souid Abdul-Kader , Vijayan Ranjit , Al-Hammadi Suleiman
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are prevalent in tribal cultures due to frequent consanguineous marriages. Many of these disorders are autosomal recessive, resulting from founder mutations; hence they are amenable to prevention. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of novel variants of IEI found among Emiratis.

Methods

This retrospective data collection study reports novel variants of IEI detected by diagnostic exome sequencing. Pathogenicity prediction was based on scoring tools, amino acid alignment, and Jensen–Shannon divergence values.

Results

Twenty-one novel variants were identified; nine were frameshift, three nonsense, four intronic (one pathogenic), and five missense (two pathogenic). Fifteen variants were likely pathogenic, of which 13 were autosomal recessive and two uncertain inheritance. Their clinical spectra included combined immunodeficiency, antibody deficiency, immune dysregulation, defects in intrinsic/innate immunity, and bone marrow failure.

Conclusion

The described novel pathogenic variants are core to a planned national screening program that aims toward IEI prevention. Future studies, however, are needed to confirm their natural history in individual patients and estimate their prevalence in the community.
Effects of short-term travel on COVID-19 spread: A novel SEIR model and case study in Minnesota
Authors: Levin Michael W. , Shang Mingfeng , Stern Raphael
Published: January 2021

The novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 was first identified in Hubei Province, China in December, 2019. Within a matter of months the virus had spread and become a global pandemic. In addition to international air travel, local travel (e.g. by passenger car) contributes to the geographic spread of COVID-19. We modify the common susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed (SEIR) virus spread model and investigate the extent to which short-term travel associated with driving influences the spread of the virus. We consider the case study of the US state of Minnesota, and calibrated the proposed model with travel and viral spread data. Using our modified SEIR model that considers local short-term travel, we are able to better explain the virus spread than using the long-term travel SEIR model. Short-term travel associated with driving is predicted to be a significant contributor to the historical and future spread of COVID-19. The calibrated model also predicts the proportion of infections that were detected. We find that if driving trips remain at current levels, a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases may be observed in Minnesota, while decreasing intrastate travel could help contain the virus spread.
Cross-cultural perception of female facial appearance: A multi-ethnic and multi-centre study
Authors: Voegeli Rainer , Schoop Rotraut , Prestat-Marquis Elodie , Rawlings Anthony V. , Shackelford Todd K. , Fink Bernhard
Published: January 2021

Humans extract and use information from the face in assessments of physical appearance. Previous research indicates high agreement about facial attractiveness within and between cultures. However, the use of a narrow age range for facial stimuli, limitations due to unidirectional cross-cultural comparisons, and technical challenges have prevented definitive conclusions about the universality of face perception. In the present study, we imaged the faces of women aged 20 to 69 years in five locations (China, France, India, Japan, and South Africa) and secured age, attractiveness, and health assessments on continuous scales (0–100) from female and male raters (20–66 years) within and across ethnicity. In total, 180 images (36 of each ethnicity) were assessed by 600 raters (120 of each ethnicity), recruited in study centres in the five locations. Linear mixed model analysis revealed main and interaction effects of assessor ethnicity, assessor gender, and photographed participant (“face”) ethnicity on age, attractiveness, and health assessments. Thus, differences in judgments of female facial appearance depend on the ethnicity of the photographed person, the ethnicity of the assessor, and whether the assessor is female or male. Facial age assessments correlated negatively with attractiveness and health assessments. Collectively, these findings provide evidence of cross-cultural variation in assessments of age, and even more of attractiveness, and health, indicating plasticity in perception of female facial appearance across cultures, although the decline in attractiveness and health assessments with age is universally found.
Reliable, scalable functional genetics in bloodstream-form Trypanosoma congolense in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Awuah-Mensah Georgina , McDonald Jennifer , Steketee Pieter C. , Autheman Delphine , Whipple Sarah , D'Archivio Simon , Brandt Cordelia , Clare Simon , Harcourt Katherine , Wright Gavin J. , Morrison Liam J. , Gadelha Catarina , Wickstead Bill
Published: January 2021

Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a severe, wasting disease of domestic livestock and diverse wildlife species. The disease in cattle kills millions of animals each year and inflicts a major economic cost on agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Cattle AAT is caused predominantly by the protozoan parasitesTrypanosoma congolenseandT.vivax, but laboratory research on the pathogenic stages of these organisms is severely inhibited by difficulties in making even minor genetic modifications. As a result, many of the important basic questions about the biology of these parasites cannot be addressed. Here we demonstrate that an in vitro culture of theT.congolensegenomic reference strain can be modified directly in the bloodstream form reliably and at high efficiency. We describe a parental single marker line that expressesT.congolense-optimized T7 RNA polymerase and Tet repressor and show that minichromosome loci can be used as sites for stable, regulatable transgene expression with low background in non-induced cells. Using these tools, we describe organism-specific constructs for inducible RNA-interference (RNAi) and demonstrate knockdown of multiple essential and non-essential genes. We also show that a minichromosomal site can be exploited to create a stable bloodstream-form line that robustly provides >40,000 independent stable clones per transfection–enabling the production of high-complexity libraries of genome-scale. Finally, we show that modified forms ofT.congolenseare still infectious, create stable high-bioluminescence lines that can be used in models of AAT, and follow the course of infections in mice by in vivo imaging. These experiments establish a base set of tools to changeT.congolensefrom a technically challenging organism to a routine model for functional genetics and allow us to begin to address some of the fundamental questions about the biology of this important parasite.
A host cell long noncoding RNA NR_033736 regulates type I interferon-mediated gene transcription and modulates intestinal epithelial anti-Cryptosporidium defense
Authors: Li Juan , Jin Kehua , Li Min , Mathy Nicholas W. , Gong Ai-Yu , Deng Silu , Martins Gislaine A. , Sun Mingfei , Strauss-Soukup Juliane K. , Chen Xian-Ming
Published: January 2021

The gastrointestinal epithelium guides the immune system to differentiate between commensal and pathogenic microbiota, which relies on intimate links with the type I IFN signal pathway. Epithelial cells along the epithelium provide the front line of host defense against pathogen infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Increasing evidence supports the regulatory potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in immune defense but their role in regulating intestinal epithelial antimicrobial responses is still unclear. Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite that infects intestinal epithelial cells, is an important opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and a common cause of diarrhea in young children in developing countries. Recent advances in Cryptosporidium research have revealed a strong type I IFN response in infected intestinal epithelial cells. We previously identified a panel of host cell lncRNAs that are upregulated in murine intestinal epithelial cells following microbial challenge. One of these lncRNAs, NR_033736, is upregulated in intestinal epithelial cells following Cryptosporidium infection and displays a significant suppressive effect on type I IFN-controlled gene transcription in infected host cells. NR_033736 can be assembled into the ISGF3 complex and suppresses type I IFN-mediated gene transcription. Interestingly, upregulation of NR_033736 itself is triggered by the type I IFN signaling. Moreover, NR_033736 modulates epithelial anti-Cryptosporidium defense. Our data suggest that upregulation of NR_033736 provides negative feedback regulation of type I IFN signaling through suppression of type I IFN-controlled gene transcription, and consequently, contributing to fine-tuning of epithelial innate defense against microbial infection.
Cálculo de la capacidad de carga y capacidad de acogida turística multicriterio para la reserva biológica El Encenillo, Guasca, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Authors: Gutiérrez-Fernandez Luis Fernando , Martínez-Daza Sofía , Gómez Acosta Camilo , Gil Perez Verónica , Cabezas Pinzón Laura Viviana
Published: January 2021

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo principal realizar una comparación entre dos metodologías para calcular el número máximo de visitantes que pueden ingresar diariamente a un área natural en donde se realiza turismo, para establecer las fortalezas y debilidades de cada una. Como caso de estudio se seleccionó la reserva Biológica El Encenillo ubicada en el municipio de Guasca, departamento de Cundinamarca – Colombia. Las metodologías utilizadas fueron la Capacidad De Carga Turística (CCT), ampliamente utilizada, pero que en la actualidad ha ido cayendo en desuso y se le tacha de subjetiva y el Cálculo de Acogida Turística Multicriterio – CATUM, que sigue un método basado en la ponderación de los factores de corrección mediante el Proceso Analítico Jerárquico (Analytic Hierarchy Process - AHP), aplicado en 3 niveles de consulta: Sui validatio, Scientatis validatio y Societatis validatio, como mecanismo para reducir la subjetividad.
El inventario turístico: un instrumento de gestión territorial sustentable del turismo en atractivos naturales del estado de San Luis Potosí, México
Authors: Ortíz Liñán Mónica Elena , Vázquez Solís Valente
Published: January 2021

La presente investigación propone criterios para desarrollar un esquema de gestión territorial con base en la actividad turística del biodiverso estado de San Luis Potosí, entidad federativa localizada en la porción central de la República Mexicana, desde una perspectiva sustentable, a partir de un diagnóstico detallado y minucioso del comportamiento actual para proponer alternativas de diversificación económica para la población local mediante el emprendimiento de proyectos turísticos ambientales. En la primera parte se expone un marco teórico conceptual y los antecedentes relativos a las formas en que se ha llevado a cabo la gestión del sector en el estado, enmarcadas por una discontinuidad en la acción pública de las políticas sexenales. Posteriormente, se presenta un detallado inventario de recursos y atractivos turísticos de la entidad, diferenciados por los atributos geográficos que los individualizan, procedimiento apoyado en el análisis de materiales cartográficos y documentales indagados en fuentes oficiales, así como de trabajo de campo en las cuatro regiones de la entidad.
Análisis de la dispersión del gasto turístico en destinos sobreexplotados a través del uso de nuevas tecnologías: el caso de Granada, España
Authors: Vena Oya Julio , Castañeda García José Alberto , Rodríguez Molina Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2021

El propósito de este trabajo es el estudio de la dispersión geográfica del gasto realizado por los turistas domésticos en un microdestino cultural como es la ciudad de Granada, España. Para ello, se realiza un análisis de regresión de clases latentes para tratar de identificar los factores que afectan a dicha dispersión. Dichos gastos fueron representados en diferentes mapas de calor para poder observar las zonas sobreexplotadas de la ciudad. Respecto a los resultados, se identificaron dos segmentos los cuales difieren en cuanto a la dispersión del gasto, con base en su edad y visitas previas al destino. La elevada presión turística de este tipo de destinos está comenzando a ser un grave problema para los mismos, por ello esta investigación trata de aportar conclusiones relevantes en cuanto a la gestión de dichas aglomeraciones, así como para la identificación de localizaciones de interés, las cuales procuren una correcta instalación de los servicios turísticos.
Segmentación del turista deportivo: el caso del espectador de la Fórmula 1
Authors: Aragonés Jericó Cristina , Küster Boluda Inés , Vila López Natalia
Published: January 2021

El trabajo pretende identificar grupos de turistas de un evento deportivo, el GP Europa de Fórmula 1, con relación a su motivación para el consumo deportivo y características básicas que definen dichos grupos para conocer los perfiles de turista de un gran evento deportivo. Para caracterizar a los sujetos se utilizó el análisis clúster con una muestra de 148 asistentes al evento, turistas nacionales e internacionales. Los resultados obtenidos muestran la existencia de cuatro grupos de sujetos bien definidos: los sociales (formado por los que obtienen fuertes connotaciones sociales asistiendo al evento, el 17,6% de la muestra), los ostentosos (son el 17,5% de la muestra, que sin una motivación especial para asistir destacan por sus ingresos netos mensuales elevados), los intrépidos (compuesto por el 37,8% de la muestra, movidos por la adrenalina y la emoción de la experiencia) y los experimentados (se trata del 20% restante, grandes conocedores del evento deportivo). A partir de ello se puede concluir que los turistas de un evento deportivo tienen características diferenciales y comportamientos de consumo distintos que deben tenerse en cuenta por los tomadores de decisiones del sector turístico.
Indicators and risk factors of infectious laryngotracheitis in layer hen flocks in Algeria
Authors: Salhi Omar , Messaï Chafik Redha , Ouchene Nassim , Boussaadi Iman , Kentouche Hassiba , Kaidi Rachid , Khelef Djamel
Published: January 2021

Background and Aim: Since 2017, there have been epidemics with respiratory disorders in the laying hen farms in Algeria, as signs and lesions, respiratory difficulties, and hemorrhagic tracheitis, which closely like laryngotracheitis. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, serological, and clinical indicators, as well as the risk factors, of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in layer hen flocks in Algeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1728 layer hens were sampled randomly from 48 poultry houses. Blood samples were collected from each hen at the wing vein area, and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was done using an IDvet® kit.

Results: The flocks showed 56.25% seroprevalence. Clinical signs and gross lesions of ILT suspect cases included respiratory signs characterized by hemorrhagic tracheitis and sinusitis; conjunctivitis; egg drop; and a low mortality rate varying from 5% to 20%. Statistical analyses showed the effect of risk factors on the seropositivity for ILT in 48 layer flocks. When the vaccination was not applied, flocks were significantly more seropositive by 54% (odds ratio OR=1.54, p=0.01) compared to vaccinated flocks. Furthermore, flocks with poor hygiene were more seropositive by 68% (OR=1.68, p=0.002) compared to those with good hygiene. Finally, flocks with decreased egg production between 10% and 30% were significantly more seropositive by 42% (OR=1.42, p=0.04) than those with egg production >30%.

Conclusion: The serological survey revealed anti-ILT virus antibodies, signifying the circulation of this virus in layer hen farms in Algeria. Correct vaccination protocol, strict biosecurity measures, rapid diagnosis, and detection of latent carriers are necessary to control and eradicate the disease from layer farms.
Emberierőforrás-menedzsment gyakorlatokkal kapcsolatos kutatások a lean termelés irodalmában (Researches on human resource management practices of lean production literature)
Authors: Losonci Dávid
Published: January 2021

A lean termelési rendszer szociotechnikai megközelítése szerint a lean technikai elemei (technikai alrendszer) a kimagasló teljesítményt nyújtó munkaerő-szervezési rendszer (HPWS) gyakorlataival (szocio alrendszer) kapcsolódnak össze. A tanulmány ezt a megközelítést MacDuffie (1995) szervezetilogika-koncepciója alapján mutatja be. A lean termelési rendszer munkaerő-szervezési rendszerével kapcsolatosan négy témakört tekint át: (1) a lean termelési rendszer munkaerő-szervezési rendszerekre gyakorolt hatását, (2) a HPWSgyakorlatok használatát és (3) teljesítményhatását, végül a (4) munkásokra gyakorolt hatásokat. A feldolgozott koncepcionális és empirikus munkákban valamennyi pontban számos ellentmondás fedezhető fel. _____ According to the socio-technical view of lean production lean system is built on both technical and human resource practices (subsystems). The concept of organizational logic developed by MacDuffie (1995) describes how lean techniques and high performance working systems practices mutually suppose each other in lean environment. This study reviews four fields of human issues in relation to lean production: (1) the impact of lean system on work organization; (2) the use HPWS practices and (3) their impact on operational performance indicators in lean producers; (4) the impact of lean production on workers. The review of empirical and conceptual studies points out that there are many contradictions regarding the above points.
Consideraciones en la estimación de costes de un sistema de atención domiciliaria para la atención de la dependencia en Chile.
Considerations in estimating costs of a home care system for dependency care in Chile
Authors: Matus-Lopez Mauricio , Cid-Pedraza Camilo
Published: January 2021

El envejecimiento de la población ocurrido en los países ricos se está produciendo ahora en algunos países en vías de desarrollo. En América Latina, todo indica que este proceso se desarrollará más rápido, con peores estados de salud y menos recursos económicos que los de los países que hoy disponen de un sistema de cuidados a la dependencia. Chile es uno de los países latinoamericanos que se acerca más rápidamente a un punto de quiebre que presione la implementación de políticas formales de cuidados. Por ello, es necesario iniciar un proceso de evaluación de costes e impacto de estas posibles políticas. El objetivo de esta investigación fue realizar una estimación de coste de un sistema inicial para el cuidado de personas dependientes en Chile.

The ageing population in rich countries is now occurring in some developing countries. In Latin America, everything indicates that this process will develop faster, with worse health states and fewer economic resources than those in countries that now have a dependency care system. Chile is one of the fastest approaching Latin American countries to a breaking point that pushes for formal care policies. Therefore, it is necessary to initiate a process of cost and impact assessment of these possible policies. The objective of this research was to make a cost estimate of an initial system for the care of dependents in Chile.
Mudanças climáticas e ações individuais mitigadoras dos impactos em ambientes aquáticos
Authors: Lima Luiza Raquel Fernandes , Crispim Maria Cristina Basílio
Published: January 2021

As mudanças climáticas, com o aumento da temperatura do ar, afetam o funcionamento dos ecossistemas, principalmente dos aquáticos, que tendem a aumentar a eutrofização pela elevação da evaporação e dos processos metabólicos internos no sistema aquático. Sendo assim, ações que levem à melhoria da qualidade de água são essenciais, para poder-se manter os ecossistemas aquáticos e seus serviços ecossistêmicos. Para mitigar esses efeitos este trabalho visou duas ações e avaliar a percepção sobre o descarte e tratamento de esgoto de uma comunidade ribeirinha ao Rio Cuiá; para favorecer a sensibilização ambiental realizaram-se palestras e oficina de construção de fossa ecológica, um Círculo de Bananeiras, para diminuir a entrada de nutrientes no rio.
Um pouco de lagarto, restinga e mudanças climáticas: conversando sobre conservação ambiental com a Educação Básica
Authors: Cosendey Beatriz , Militão Catia , Figueira Maira
Published: January 2021

Esta pesquisa é parte de uma tese de doutorado que buscou investigar a influência da crise climática e degradação ambiental na preservação de uma espécie de lagarto de restinga e a importância do fator social para a manutenção do ambiente. Visto que as restingas estão entre os ecossistemas mais ameaçados do país devido à sua localização costeira, discutimos aqui uma proposta de projeto de conservação desenvolvida com alunos do 6° ano de uma escola municipal da região litorânea do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Desenvolvemos um cronograma com atividades lúdicas que abordassem os principais impactos presentes neste ambiente e suas consequências para o ecossistema e população local, priorizando o debate a partir do conhecimento prévio dos alunos.
Editorial Revista Ambiente & Educação
Authors: Roberto Machado Carlos , Cruz Portugal Gisleine , Botton Barcellos Sérgio
Published: January 2021

Com satisfação trazemos o terceiro número do ano de 2020 da Revista Ambiente & Educação com o “Dossiê: Fenômenos ambientais costeiros em tempos de mudanças ambientais globais”. A organização foi realizada pelo Grupo de Pesquisas e Estudos em Educação e Gestão Ambiental, Mudanças Climáticas e Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável em áreas litorâneas – RIBOMBO, coordenado pelo Prof. Dr. José Vicente de Freitas (FURG) e pela Prof. Dra. Sandra Lestinge (UFPI). . Esse Dossiê reúne a partir de artigos pesquisas e práticas abordar a natureza costeira em sua própria historicidade, reconhecendo seus fenômenos, a partir das singularidades que compõem tal biodiversidade; como também um horizonte da ação antrópica sobre esses ecossistemas, fator que colabora para o acirramento de conflitos, que vão desde a ocupação humana da costa, como suas formas de uso ao longo das últimas décadas e suas possíveis implicações no cenário das mudanças ambientais globais. O presente debate ganha ainda mais relevância quando visa subsidiar o campo da Educação Ambiental dentro de uma discussão que, até então, permanece restrita ao universo das ciências naturais. É nesse contexto que esse dossiê visa destacar a produção acadêmica em ambos os campos e em suas conexões, qualificando o debate acadêmico e fortalecendo ações.

Além disso, após o Dossiê trazemos nesse número, como sempre, uma série de artigos submetidos ao fluxo livre da Revista com diferentes temas, enfoques, escopos teórico-metodológicos de pesquisa sobre a educação ambiental no Brasil. Além disso, destaca-se a diversidade regional dos autores e estudos apresentados que abarcam do sul ao norte do país.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Pregnancy
Authors: Moosavi Sarvee , Pimentel Mark , Wong Melissa S. , Rezaie Ali
Published: January 2021

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects a significant percentage of the general population and is more common in women. A large proportion of women affected with IBS are of childbearing age; however, there is a paucity of studies and guidelines to specifically address the epidemiology, course, maternal/fetal prognosis, or management of IBS in pregnancy. This scarcity of literature on IBS and pregnancy poses significant challenges to healthcare providers in counseling and managing patients. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the current literature and knowledge gaps regarding the effects of pregnancy on IBS and vice versa, along with the efficacy and safety profiles of commonly used IBS diets and medications in pregnancy. The management of pregnant women with IBS should be multidisciplinary, with emphasis on education and judicious use of dietary modifications and pharmacologic options that are deemed relatively safe during pregnancy.
Childhood and Adulthood Passive Smoking and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in Midlife: A 31-year Cohort Study
Authors: Wu Feitong , Pahkala Katja , Juonala Markus , Jaakkola Johanna , Rovio Suvi P. , Lehtimäki Terho , Sabin Matthew A. , Jula Antti , Hutri-Kähönen Nina , Laitinen Tomi , Viikari Jorma S.A. , Magnussen Costan G. , Raitakari Olli T.
Published: January 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Identifying early life risk factors remains key to the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver (hereinafter “fatty liver”) in adulthood. However, the longitudinal association of childhood passive smoking with adult fatty liver is not studied. We examined the association of childhood and adulthood passive smoking with fatty liver in midlife.

METHODS:

This was a 31-year prospective cohort study of 1,315 participants. Information on childhood passive smoking (parental smoking) was collected in 1980 (aged 3–18 years) and 1983 and adulthood passive smoking in 2001, 2007, and 2011. Fatty liver was determined by ultrasound in 2011 (aged 34–49 years).

RESULTS:

The prevalence of fatty liver was 16.3%. Both childhood and adulthood passive smoking were associated with higher risk of fatty liver, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, childhood socioeconomic status, and adulthood physical activity and alcohol consumption (relative risk = 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.97 for childhood; 1.35, 1.01–1.82 for adulthood). Individuals with persistent exposure to passive smoking between childhood and adulthood had the highest risk (relative risk = 1.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–3.45) compared with those without passive smoking in either childhood or adulthood.

DISCUSSION:

Passive smoking in both child and adult lives are associated with increased risk of adult fatty liver, suggesting that the prevention of passive smoking should start as early as possible and maintain throughout lifetime.
Baby Steps in the Right Direction: Toward a Parental Leave Policy for Gastroenterology Fellows
Authors: Feld Lauren Deborah
Published: January 2021

The American Board of Medical Specialties announced in July 2020 the adoption of a parental leave policy for residents and fellows allows for a minimum of 6 weeks of leave. This policy includes caveats: vacation and/or sick leave can be applied toward these 6 weeks, this leave can only be utilized once during training (whether for parental, caregiver, or medical leave), and this policy only applies to training programs of 2 or more years' duration. Although the new existence of a parental leave policy is a step in the right direction, trainees are in need of a more robust and evidence-based policy. There are particular challenges to be addressed in the male-dominated and procedural field of gastroenterology, in which women are underrepresented and female gastroenterology trainees are more likely to have career decisions limited around the availability of parental leave. This article reviews the evidence supporting the creation of a parental leave policy for gastroenterology fellows, with potential benefits to individual trainees as well as the field, in order to promote equity, recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in gastroenterology.
The Microcontroller Implementation of the Basic Fractional-Order Element
Authors: Oprzędkiewicz Krzysztof , Rosół Maciej , Żegleń-Włodarczyk Jakub
Published: January 2021

The paper presents the implementation of the basic fractional order element sγ on the STM32 microcontroller platform. The implementation employs the typical CFE and FOBD approximations, the accuracy of approximation as well as duration of calculations are experimentally tested. Microcontroller implementation of fractional order elements is known; however, real-time tests of such implementations have been not presented yet. Results of experiments show that both methods can be implemented at the considered platform. The FOBD approximation is more accurate, but the CFE one is faster. The presented experimental results prove that the STM32F7 family processor could be used to develop the embedded fractional-order control systems for a broad class of linear and nonlinear dynamic systems. This is crucial during the implementation of the fractional-order control in the hard real-time or embedded systems.
Attitudes Towards COVID-19 Pandemic. Culture as Behavioral Driver under Risk and Uncertainty
Authors: Paprocki Rafał
Published: January 2021

The article deals with the issues of cultural determinants of decisions under risk and uncertainty, with emphasis on consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the crisis response has been based on D. Kahneman’s prospect theory, which was used to compare social behaviors in Poland, Italy, Great Britain and Singapore at an early stage of the pandemic. The main purpose of the considerations is to present the scale and level of impact of cultural determinants on national survival and security strategies against the COVID-19 crisis. The analysis and diagnosis of national survival strategies facilitates creation of products in accordance with behavioral and cultural determinants of consumer attitudes and preferences. In addition, the article presents some automatic systems supporting personnel management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemporary technological solutions monitoring employee behavior in the working environment can be implemented to increase the level of mental well-being and sanitary safety.
Artillery Supported by Infantry: The Royal Artillery at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse
Authors: Timpanaro and Victor Pidermann Michael
Published: January 2021

This paper analyzes three questions concerning the Royal Artillery at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse: how many artillery pieces were used during the battle, which units were employed, and what role the Royal Artillery played in relationship to its parent organizations, the British Army and the British Board of Ordnance. Each of these topics have been seldom discussed, especially in connection to the narrative of the Battle of Monmouth. It is hoped that these inquiries can provide some clarity on the Royal Artillery’s part in the battle, and might spark new efforts of research by future scholars of the American Revolutionary War.            In examining these points, careful attention was made in discussing the overall structure of the Royal Artillery and offering a comparison/contrast with its opponent: the Continental Artillery. The main primary source consulted in this discussion was the official Papers of Brigadier-General James Pattison, commander of Royal Artillery forces in North America. These research endeavors resulted in a concrete number of guns used during the Monmouth campaign, some strong indications for the particular units employed, as well as some new insights concerning the traditional interpretation of the battle that may require future analysis.
Photographers of the Civil War Era: Theodore Gubelman of Jersey City
Authors: Saretzky Gary D.
Published: January 2021

The Civil War greatly increased what later became known as “picture hunger.” To meet the demand, 235 new photo galleries started in New Jersey between 1861 and 1865, among them that of the ambitious German immigrant Theodore Gubelman of Jersey City. Although many of the Civil War era photographers did not make the medium their long-term career, Gubelman took advantage of changing trends and technology to remain in business into the next century.
Joseph Bonaparte and the Jersey Devil: A Numismatic Odyssey
Authors: Veit Richard
Published: January 2021

Archaeological excavations at Cedar Bridge Tavern in Barnegat, New Jersey resulted in the recovery of a four reale coin minted by Joseph Bonaparte while King of Spain. This article examines the coin in its historical context, with particular emphasis on a legendary encounter between Bonaparte and the Jersey Devil.
The 1926 Lake Denmark Explosion: An Extraordinary Mishap That Changed Military Safety Standards
Authors: Winston Rachael
Published: January 2021

Prior to 1926, the American Table of Distances did not adequately take into consideration the potential for munition storage facilities to exceed capacities. This study aims to provide an overview of the construction and use of munition storage facilities and examine how the American Table of Distances would dramatically change due to the 1926 explosion at the Lake Denmark Naval Ammunitions Depot. The historical literature examining the correlation between the American Table of Distances and storage capacities is limited, and independent inquiries by the United States Government and first-person accounts of the explosion exist. However, these sources had not been collectively assembled into a study to provide historical context. From this research, it can be determined that it was only a matter of “when” would a disaster strike, as storage facilities up and down the eastern seaboard were experiencing exceeded capacities. This disaster, while unnecessary, provided an opportunity for the Army to respond, make changes, and ultimately allow the government to update outdated safety standards. Additionally, this study serves the dual purpose of highlighting the newly established Navy Hill Historic District associated with the unfortunate disaster and its important legacy.
Important NJ African American Resources from the Revolutionary War Era
Authors: Kozel Sue
Published: January 2021

TBD
A War Against Disease and Despair: Immigrants, Nurses, Soldiers, and the Transformation of Patient Care on Ellis Island During World War I
Authors: Radice Ryan
Published: January 2021

Located on what is today New Jersey soil, the hospital facilities on Ellis Island, run by the Public Health Service (PHS) to treat immigrant patients, were a medical marvel of their time. While known primarily for its use as an immigration facility, Ellis Island went through several major changes from the time war was declared in Europe in 1914, to the time that the last military members left the Island in 1919. During the First World War, Ellis Island and its associated hospital facilities would be the victims of German terrorism, a mobilization point for thousands of Red Cross nurses bound for the frontlines, and a debarkation hospital that was the first stop home for countless sick and wounded soldiers returning from the battlefield. This paper examines how the PHS, the Red Cross, and the Army Medical Corps tried to protect public health, screen immigrants for disease, and care for our military casualties, all under the tension and strain of a world war and a global pandemic.
Alberto Germanò, L’Istituto di Diritto Agrario Internazionale e Comparato: la storia, Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli 2017
Authors: Budzinowski Roman
Published: January 2021

.
On the theory and practice of thin-walled structures
Authors: Vashakmadze Tamaz
Published: January 2021

The basic problem of satisfaction of boundary conditions is considered when the generalized stress vector is given on the surfaces of elastic plates and shells. This problem has so far remained open for both refined theories in a wide sense and hierarchic type models. In the linear case, it was formulated by I. N. Vekua for hierarchic models. In the nonlinear case, bending and compression-expansion processes do not split and in this context the exact structure is presented for the system of differential equations of von Kármán–Mindlin–Reisner (KMR) type, constructed without using a variety of ad hoc assumptions since one of the two relations of this system in the classical form is the compatibility condition, but not the equilibrium equation. In this paper, a unity mathematical theory is elaborated in both linear and nonlinear cases for anisotropic inhomogeneous elastic thin-walled structures. The theory approximately satisfies the corresponding system of partial differential equations and the boundary conditions on the surfaces of such structures. The problem is investigated and solved for hierarchic models too. The obtained results broaden the sphere of applications of complex analysis methods.
The classical theory of finding a general solution of partial differential equations of complex analysis, which in the linear case was thoroughly developed in the works of Goursat, Weyl, Walsh, Bergman, Kolosov, Muskhelishvili, Bers, Vekua and others, is extended to the solution of basic nonlinear differential equations containing the nonlinear summand, which is a composition of Laplace and Monge–Ampére operators.
The Epistemology of Collective Testimony
Authors: Townsend Leo
Published: January 2021

In this paper, I explore what gives collective testimony its epistemic credentials, through a critical discussion of three competing accounts of the epistemology of collective testimony. According to the first view, collective testimony inherits its epistemic credentials from the beliefs the testimony expresses—where this can be seen either as the beliefs of all or some of the group’s members, or as the beliefs of group itself. The second view denies any necessary connection to belief, claiming instead that the epistemic credentials of collective testimony derive from the reliability or truth-conduciveness of the statement that expresses the testimony. Finally, the third view claims that the epistemic credentials of collective testimony derive from the fact that it involves undertaking a collective commitment to trustworthiness, which makes the group susceptible to rebuke and blame if its testimony is not trustworthy. I argue that this last account holds the most promise for preserving what is distinctive about testimonial knowledge while still underwriting a robust epistemology of collective testimony.
On identities involving generalized harmonic, hyperharmonic and special numbers with Riordan arrays
Authors: Koparal Sibel , Ömür Neşe , Duran Ömer
Published: January 2021

In this paper, by means of the summation property to the Riordan array, we derive some identities involving generalized harmonic, hyperharmonic and special numbers. For example, for n ≥ 0,

∑

k
=
0

n

B

k

k
!

H

(

n
.
k
,
α

)

=
α
H

(

n
+
1
,
1
,
α

)

-
H

(

n
,
1
,
α

)

,

\sum\limits_{k = 0}^n {{{{B_k}} \over {k!}}H\left( {n.k,\alpha } \right) = \alpha H\left( {n + 1,1,\alpha } \right) - H\left( {n,1,\alpha } \right)} ,

and for n > r ≥ 0,

∑

k
=
r

n
-
1

(

-
1

)

k

s

(

k
,
r

)

r
!

α

k

k
!

H

n
-
k

(
α
)

=

(

-
1

)

r

H

(

n
,
r
,
α

)

,

\sum\limits_{k = r}^{n - 1} {{{\left( { - 1} \right)}^k}{{s\left( {k,r} \right)r!} \over {{\alpha ^k}k!}}{H_{n - k}}\left( \alpha \right) = {{\left( { - 1} \right)}^r}H\left( {n,r,\alpha } \right)} ,

where Bernoulli numbers Bn and Stirling numbers of the first kind s (n, r).
Electronic and magnetic properties of Fe-doped GaN: first-principle calculations
Authors: Abdalla Adam S. , Khan Muhammad Sheraz , Alameen Suliman , Eisa Mohamed Hassan , Aldaghri Osamah
Published: January 2021

We have systematically studied the effect of Fe co-doped on electronic and magnetic properties of wurtzite gallium nitride (GaN) based on the framework of density functional theory (DFT). It is found that GaN doped with Fe at Ga site is more stable than that at N-site. We calculate the electronic structure of pure and single Fe doped GaN within GGA and GGA + U method and find that Fe doped GaN is a magnetic semiconductor with the total magnetization of 5μ

B
. The magnetic coupling between Fe spins in Fe-doped GaN is an antiferromagnetic (AFM) under the super-exchange mechanism.
Elections in V4 countries after 30 years. Features of 2019–2020 electoral campaigns
Authors:   Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vedernikov Mikhail , Shishelina Lyubov ,   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Habarta Andrei ,   MGIMO-University
Published: January 2021

The collective monograph, written by leading Russian specialists in Central Europe, provides an overview of the election campaigns of 2019–2020 in the Visegrad group countries (Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic). The analysis is based on the elections of different levels in these countries, as well as on the elections to the European Parliament in 2019; i.e. 30 years after the first free elections in the «post-socialist countries». The key trends of electoral behavior of the region’s residents during the latest election campaigns are identified, as well as the main directions of the region’s political evolution in recent years. For the first time, the attention of researchers is focused on the transformation of the political process under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zagovor i obrana kemije u djelu Frana Bubanovića
Authors: Raos Nenad
Published: January 2021

Stav nekemičara prema kemiji je dvojak: pozitivan i negativan. Pozitivna percepcija kemije proizlazi iz njezine korisnosti (u tehnici, farmaciji, medicini, poljoprivredi), a negativna ponajviše iz straha od opasnih kemikalija (eksploziva, otrova). Na primjeru hrvatskog popularizatora znanosti Frana Bubanovića (1883. – 1956.), prvog profesora kemije na zagrebačkom Medicinskom fakultetu, pokazano je kako, da bi kemija bila najšire prihvaćena, nije dovoljno samo ukazivati na njezine uspjehe nego i otklanjati uzroke straha od kemije i kemikalija (kemofobija). Uz prikaz Bubanovićeva stava prema kemiji analizirani su uzroci kemofobije, kako u njegovo tako i u naše vrijeme.
Kako steći predodžbu o veličini atoma i iona
Authors: Sikirica Milan
Published: January 2021

U kemiji i nastavi kemije rabe se veličine pikometar i Avogadrov broj. Nastavnici lakoćom izgovore ili napišu, a učenici napamet nauče i reproduciraju te veličine, bez predodžbe o tomu koliko je 10−12 ili 1023. U ovom je radu pokazano kako vlastitom aktivnošću, u ovom slučaju rješavanjem jednostavnih problemskih zadataka iz područja strukturne kemije, učenici mogu samostalno doći do spoznaja o veličini atoma i usporediti ih s veličinama poznatih makro objekata. Time bi se spriječilo učenje napamet o veličinama čestica fundamentalno važnih u području nastave prirodnih znanosti. U ovo digitalno doba uz “nastavu na daljinu” i digitalizirane udžbenike suvremena škola ne treba tiskane udžbenike i “razrede”, već laboratorije i radionice te sportske dvorane i sportske terene gdje će učenici znanja, vještine i sposobnosti stjecati vlastitom aktivnošću.
Possibility to determine highly precise geoid for Egypt territory
Authors: Gad Moamen Awad Habib , Odalović Oleg , Naod Sofija
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an attempt to consider whether it is possible to determine a geoid at the centimetre level in the territory of Egypt based on recently available global and local gravity field data. The paper has two main objectives. Firstly, the paper overviews previously published geoid solutions, while the second objective investigates the performance of the recent global geopotential models (GGM) in Egypt. The existing geoid solutions have illustrated that there is an insufficient distribution of data which is sampled inconsistently. At this time, data deficiency still exists, and to overcome it, we have selected a "data window" and applied the Least Square Collocation (LSC) technique. The outcome from LSC was interesting and acceptable, and we obtained a "sample" geoid that has a standard deviation of 11 cm for the external control points.