bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Bars
Authors: Orchard Amory
Published: September 2020

This paper explores the depiction of the historic Dionne Quintuplets and the modern-day Gosselin Sextuplets in order to demonstrate how the emergence of mass media (e.g., television, photography, and print) made these children’s likeness into commodities. The author also focuses on consent and freakification of aspects related to the nuclear family and gender roles.
The First of its Kind
Authors: Cross Lauren , Seitz Lauren , Walter Shannon
Published: September 2020

The Village Nègre, one of the largest exhibitsin the 1889 World’s Fair, was home to over fourhundred indigenous people from various Frenchcolonies. Throughout this paper, the authorsdiscuss how the Village Nègre was used by theFrench to draw a line between the “civilized” andthe “savage.” The Village also served as a form ofcolonialist propaganda while further establishingEuropean dominance.
"What am I?"
Authors: Carducci Jessica , Haste Allison , Longenberger Bryce
Published: September 2020

This paper explores the life of Karl Hohmann, anintersex individual who lived in Germany in themid-1800s. Hohmann was examined as a medicalspecimen throughout his adult life as doctors atthe time believed he was a “true lateral hermaphrodite.” The authors examine the way that culturalbeliefs about gender and sex intersected in thenineteenth century.
Gender Performance
Authors: Germann Olivia
Published: September 2020

This paper explores how gender performance inthe freak show grew into the modern drag sceneas we know it today. By examining some of themodern elements of drag, it is possible to see howthese performers circumvented the laws, prejudices, and discrimination aimed towards them tocreate a booming industry where drag queensappear on national television and are treated withthe respect that they had previously been denied.
The Cinematic Killer: Cameras and Peeping Tom
Authors: Wilde Madison
Published: September 2020

In Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom, cameras are delegated the role of antagonist. Cameras become the movie’s monsters, murdering women and their identities. These murders reflect flaws of and anxieties preoccupied with technological advancements in documentary film during the middle of the 20th century. The terror cameras cause in Peeping Tom showcases the danger in believing in an objective lens.
Zombies Say More Than "Uungh": A Walker's Social Commentary
Authors: Walter Shannon
Published: September 2020

The spike in zombie cinema in recent years is thought to be due to the fact that cultural and social anxieties are on the rise. This paper explores how zombie film and television comments on these anxieties and forces its audience to think about the world around them. It specifically focuses on The Walking Dead and how this famous television show utilizes villains and villainous behaviors to comment on our current, violent, and desensitized state of society.
The Cultural Significance of "Jack and the Beanstalk"
Authors: Grosh Madeline M.H. , McBride Aidan S. , Ross-Wilcox KJ
Published: September 2020

“Jack and the Beanstalk” is a widely known fairy tale with a longstanding tradition of rewrites to fit the cultural norm. Andrew Lang’s version from 1890 is just another such version of the classic story. However, his version has distinct influence from the culture around him at the time, namely those of Marxism and British imperialism mindsets, which were wildly influential at the time. It is within these cultural ideologies that Lang’s Jack exists, as Jack the oppressor and Jack the oppressed. Along with other artifacts of the time, this paper seeks to position Lang’s version against the Marxist and British imperialist influences to paint a full picture of the cultural significance of “Jack and the Beanstalk.” Madeline
Villainy and Women: A Critical Edition of James Baldwin’s “The Quest of Medusa’s Head”
Authors: Grosh Cassandra , Patterson Noah , Weeks-Foy Maggie
Published: September 2020

Tales of Medusa typically end in her death, but, if all she does is die, why are the stories about her? Through analyzing Medusa’s story with a feminist lens, readers can see that her life is dictated by the men around her—she is hideous because a man rapes her and is killed because a man desires her head. Medusa has become a comparative symbol for women who break from gender roles and defy the patriarchy. This edition analyzes restraints placed upon Medusa, and all women, with particular focus on literature from the nineteenth century.
The Fate of a Materialistic Buddhist: A Cultural Editioin of "Jikininki" by Lafcadio Hearn
Authors: Cavanagh Natali , James Sarah , Walter Shannon
Published: September 2020

Lafcadio Hearn has written and adapted many Japanese folktales that explore religious and cultural traditions of the civilization. "Jikininki" tells the tale of a Buddhist priest who encounters a cursed, corpse-eating ghost. The authors examine the depiction of this corpse-devouring moster, its relation to teh cultural forces in rural Japan, and the representation of a fear of losing both the global Zen Buddhist and rural traditions through selfish mistreament and material desires.
Oppression, Storytelling, and Resistance in Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale
Authors: Hershman Olivia
Published: September 2020

Using the scholarship of James Berger, David Hogsettte, and other academics, this paper explores various contemporary issues seen throughout Bruce Miller’s TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. Investigating the Hulu series through the lens of post- apocalyptic and feminist theory, this paper examines the way that the series portrays female oppression, focuses on the power of storytelling in resistance struggles, and acts as a call for action to modern society to end the oppression of women. Examining the relevance of The Handmaid’s Tale in the time of the #TimesUP and #MeToo Movements, the essay provides a new context in which to view women’s oppression in modern society.
Locals Collection
Authors: Hastings-King Stephen
Published: September 2020

Rule One: an ideological crisis is many things but one thing it is not is an ideological crisis.
Ian Carter, Anna Elisabetta Galeotti & Valeria Ottonelli (eds.), Eguale Rispetto (Milan: Bruno Mondadori, 2008)
Authors: Johnstone Rachael L.
Published: September 2020

The key to this collection of articles is its title: Equal Respect. According to the editors, the essays are intended to shed light on the following questions, from a philosophical perspective: “What does respect for persons indicate? What is the basis of respect for others? What is the relationship between respect and other political values? How should the request for respect of citizens be translated into the public sphere and the rights of obligations of citizens?” (XIII)[1] Unsurprisingly, the milestones around which most of the articles relate are Kant, Williams, Rawls and Sen.
Eligio Resta, Diritto Vivente (Bari: Editori Laterza, 2008)
Authors: Cantaluppi Carlo
Published: September 2020

Eligio Resta is the accomplished author of many books of philosophy of law, and his new volume certainly succeeds in keeping with the high standard of quality that fellow scholars and Italian readers have come to expect from him. The title itself, Living Law, gives us a first idea of what the book is about. Professor Resta endeavours to explain what sort of life enlivens the law, and how this life self-differentiates from the law’s cold and rigid enforcement.Dealing with life in the field of law means not only dealing with life within the law, but also with the life of the law.
Trend of Betel Leaf Production in Bangladesh: Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Mahfuza Eshrat Jahan , Sayem Sheikh Mohammad , Hassan Md Fuad
Published: September 2020

Betel leaf is one of the important cash crops that gaining popularity in recent time in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to identify the present and future production pattern of betel leaf in Bangladesh as well as its prospects and challenges. Secondary data of 29 years from 1991 to 2019 have been used to specify the production pattern and forecasting of betel leaf at national level by using deterministic, stochastic and dynamic time series model. While the primary data were collected from three sub-districts of the Rajshahi district namely Bagmara, Durgapur and Mohanpur to identify the prospects and challenges through SWOT analysis. This study found significant relationship among betel leaf production, price and annual average temperature of Bangladesh. A total of six growth models of different types were used for forecasting production, cultivation area, and price of betel leaf. Based on the model selection criteria cubic model, quadratic model, and growth model were chosen for initial forecasting of betel leaves production, cultivation area, and price respectively. Among the stochastic model auto regressive integrated moving average ARIMA (0, 1, 0) was fitted well to forecast the production. Finally, a dynamic regression model of ARIMA (1, 1, 0) with dynamic regressors has been used to forecast the production of betel leaf from 2020 to 2023. Forecast values range minimum 202770.41 tons to 296217.14 tons with 95% confidence interval. All the best-fitted models revealed that the production of betel leaf has an upward trend in the future. At the end SWOT analysis was implemented to identify the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats involved in betel leaf farming which will be helpful for making future national level policy options. Diseases control at the betel leaf garden and access to credit for initial investments were identified as the major challenges for this enterprise.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(2): 209-223,  August 2020
Microbiological Quality Assessment of Marketed Broiler Meat in Different Markets of Dhaka City
Authors: Sultana Mst Tasmim , Mukta Ashrifa Akter , Biswas Lita , Rana Md Masud
Published: September 2020

The present research work was undertaken to assess the bacterial quality and to know the prevalence of zoonotic bacteria from broiler meat samples sold in Krishi market, Bihari camp market, Agargaon market, Taltola market and SAU (Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University) mini bazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January to May 2018. After processing of samples primary culture was done in nutrient broth and nutrient agar media then pure culture was obtained from different selective media. Total Viable Count (TVC), Total Coliform Count (TCC) and Total Salmonella Count (TSC) in broiler meat of different broiler markets were determined. Mean of TVC, TCC and TSC for the Krishi market, Agargoan market, Taltola market, Bihari camp market and SAU Mini market were 5.67, 4.32, 2.96 log10 CFU/g, 5.88, 4.64, 3.56 log10 CFU/g, 6.10, 4.68, 3.78 log10 CFU/g, 6.68,4.87, 3.84 log10 CFU/g and 5.84, 4.25, 3.13 log10 CFU/g respectively. The prevalence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Were 74% and 42% respectively. E. coli isolates were showed sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (91.6%), Gentamycin (87.5%), Azithromycin (66.66%), and Tetracycline (58%) and resistant to Penicillin (79.16%) then Amoxycillin (75%), Streptomycin (75%) and Ampicillin (58.3%). Highest resistant pattern was showed by Tetracycline (58%), Streptomycin (72.72%), Penicillin (72.72%) and Amoxycillin (63.63%). Highest resistant pattern showed by Amoxycillin (71.42%) and Penicillin (71.42%). This study revealed that broiler meat sold at some local markets of Dhaka city were contaminated with multiple species of multidrug resistant bacteria which may risk for human health.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(2): 261-266,  August 2020
Seroprevalence of Zoonotic Protozoa Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Food Animals of Chattogram Division
Authors: Nahar Sultana Fizun , Saha Ramesh Prasad , Ashfia Khan Md , Debnath Asish Kumer , Rahman AKM Anisur , Talukder Md Hasanuzzaman
Published: September 2020

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoan parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep, goats and cattle in Chattogram division. In his study a total of 220 sera samples from different animals were collected from different herds of Chattogram division. Among the 220 samples, 184 sera were examined for T. gondii antibody by indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA) (ID Screen® indirect ELISA kit, IDvet Laboratories, Inc., France) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Samples with more than 50% S/P were considered as positive for T. gondii. The overall prevalence of T. gondii was 13.59%. The highest prevalence of T. gondii was found in goat 16%, sheep 13.04% and cattle 11.90%. The highest prevalence (36.36%) of T gondii infection was observed in sheep aged >5 years compared to other age groups. Similarly, the highest seroprevalence was found in >18 months old sheep (16.067% compared to <6 months group (5.88%) and pregnant (19.63%) and non-pregnant sheep (11.76%). In contrast to cattle and sheep, the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in goats were highest in 6 months to 18 months age group (20.83%) compared to >18 months age group (9.09%). Results indicate that T. gondii infection in food animals in Chattogram division is widespread. Further investigation on the isolation and characterization of T. gondii from the aborted fetus and its zoonotic potential on human population is imperative. The undercooked meat and raw milk of these food animals may serve as a potential source of T. gondi infection for humans.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(2): 275-281,  August 2020
Post-Harvest Handling Practices Impacted on Microbiological and Sensory Quality Attributes of Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium Rosenbergii in the Distribution Chain in Bangladesh
Authors: Haider Md Golam , Sarkar Md Shirajul Islam , Jarin Jasmin Akter , Hasan Muhammad Mehedi , Alam AKM Nowsad
Published: September 2020

To understand the effect of post-harvest good handling practices on prawn(Macrobrachiumrosenbergii) quality, data were collected from stakeholders involved indistribution chain by semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion and transectwalking at Kishoreganj and Mymensingh. Most used containers were split bamboo basket(39%), split bamboo basket with polythene lining (18%), plastic crate (12%), styrofoamcrate (8%) and rectangular metal container (12%). 15%, 25%, 10%, 100% and 7% largeprawns were water washed and 9%, 35%, 22%, 100%, 60% large prawns were icedimmediately after harvest, later in fishing trip, immediately after landing, at wholesalehouse before transportation and during retail sale, respectively. Bacterial counts of waterused for ice preparation, ice crushed mechanically and on soil floor collected from BhairabBazar and Karimganj were 6.58±1.87×103, 4.77±0.19×102, 4.12±2.06×103 cfu/ml and4.82±1.56×102, 6.01±1.61×101, 6.90±1.61×102 cfu/ml, respectively. Ice melted watercollected after unpacking prawn containers at Mymensingh, transported from BhairabBazar and Karimganj, had 5.90±1.95×107 and 6.32±2.06×108 cfu/ml bacterial counts,respectively; indicated unhygienic handling environments. However, existing post-harvesthandling practices produce prawns acceptable for consumers as sensory assessment forprawns showed the quality defect points of 1.0 (Excellent), 2.1 (Good), 2.3 (Good) and 2.9(Good) at harvesting, landing, wholesale and retail shop, respectively.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(2): 321-328,  August 2020
Present Status of Aquaculture and Socio-Economic Condition of Fish Farmers in a Rural Setting in Bangladesh
Authors: Fagun Iftekhar Ahmed , Rishan Sakib Tahmid , Shipra Natasa Tasnia , Kunda Mrityunjoy
Published: September 2020

The socio-economic condition of fish farmers was assessed in the HabiganjSadarupazila, Habiganj, Bangladesh to determine the constraints and vulnerability of thecommunity in term of aquaculture. Data from 30 fish farmers were collected duringJanuary to May 2019. Among surveyed farmers, most of the pond size (37.61%)ranged between 0.02 ha to 0.06 ha and 63.33% of ponds under single ownership. Mostof the farmers were interested to stock rohu, catla, mrigal along with other species andaverage stocking density was found to be 16236 fry/ha. All farmers provided feeds forthe cultured species and 73.33% farmers have taken measures against diseaseoutbreak. The highest production was estimated as 6.19 MT/ha/year and lowestproduction was 0.54 MT/ha/year. Highest income of farmer was reported as 5,00,000Tk/ha/year and the lowest as 74534 Tk/ha/year. Highest 34.38% farmers in the studyarea reported high cost of feed is the most important constraint. The study indicatedthat majority of fish farmers (33.33%) were in age structure of 31-40 years. Similar tothe religious profile of the population, Muslims (93.33%) dominated the ownership.Among all the farmers, 40% received primary level education. The study revealed that60% of farmers lived in joint families with tin shed house (43.33%). All farmers hadelectricity in their house and at least one mobile phone. Among the farmers 53.33%have good sanitary facility and 83.33% farmers had own tubewell for drinking waterfacility. 50% farmers received health service from village doctor and 33.33% farmersreceived technical training on fish farming.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(2): 329-339,  August 2020
Hotel Impossible
Authors: Kinsella John
Published: September 2020

Hotel Impossible is the puzzle-world of global capital Pilgrim enters looking for comfort, discovering instead various trials and tribulations on his way through an unresolvable Hell of Whiteworld. As it spreads and occupies the planet, a super-charged colonialism of the now, there's a paddock in the Western Australian Wheatbelt where Sister is waiting, keeping life going as they knew it, but it was always a different kind of life, out of keeping with the conservative rural community around it, a community with its corruptions and invasiveness. Discovering purpose in resisting corruption, Pilgrim decodes his way through the hotel via CERN and Lake Geneva, arriving back ‘home’ to confront the offices of colonial mining corruption. Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress is a de-map in a world of constant remapping and overlays, and Escher and Penrose are clues to possible solutions, but in the end only the land itself and truths outside colonialism can offer any way through without ongoing acts of appropriation, cultural-theft, and the deceptions of ‘fictionalising’ reality.
The Artificial Intelligence Era its Seismic Potential to Create a Job Displacement Conundrum
Authors: Patrawala Rishabh
Published: September 2020

The AI era research paper takes a deep dive into the other spheres of work apart from tech that AI and machine learning will impact. For the paper, I have taken a top down approach,by understanding the global scenario of how AI is working its ways through the world in general before moving onto AI in India in particular. The intention was mainly to signify the employment plight that will be a concerning matter for all of us in the not too distant future. The reforms of digital India and the continued development of the AI institute of Hyderabad coupled with increased competitiveness in market would ensure that automation may become a daily adversary of ours. It is important to understand the principles of automation by supercomputers like IBM Watson or basic AI software that are efficient and cost effective in cases. The census shown that in a need to gain more market share the companies would not hesitate to cut any loose ends.The global factors of brexit, trade wars and especially tech start-up growth have ensured technology a more AI centric approach. Other technology also works hand in hand with AI in the form of block chain, IoT or even big data analysis will be the future pillars driving nation-wide growth. Such changes are especially harmful to people with blue-collar jobs, not mention the fact that India is predicted to grow as the largest economy in the future and have the highest population in the world. An AI imprint will certainly become a recipe for disaster in this case. Thereby I considered what could be the macro as well as micro implications of this in all our major sectors and finance in particular.
Market Analysis and Feasibility Study of Commercial Office Space in Micro-Market of Panvel
Authors: Nagargoje Shekhar , Pawar Gargi , Waghela Niyati , Kulkarni Saurabh
Published: September 2020

Panvel city is an upcoming real estate investment destination due to its excellent connectivity to major cities like Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Pune. It has wide scope of development due to proposed infrastructure projects and presence of Industrial hub. This study aims to understand the robust nature of this city along with the sustainability of the real estate business here. Various research methodologies have been used which include primary and secondary research. The analysis carried out gives us an idea of the scale of challenges pertinent to our micro-market and their prospective solutions. These theories have been translated into potential future scenarios for sustainable economies.

The final output of the research is to present the approaches based on urban theory model and Impact Assessment study of upcoming Navi Mumbai International airport which would boost the commercial real estate business in sustainable manner by taking into consideration factors of sustainability which aresocial (recognising the needs of everyone) and economical (maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment).
The Impact of Class and Income on Attitudes Towards Women’s Careers and Career Choices
Authors: Patel Vimee
Published: September 2020

The status of women is defined by the cultural norms and not their monetary status. But if we compare their monetary status with their cultural status, we come across a very strange result. Regardless of the class she belongs to, she is free and independent only for two reasons. Either she can be happily ambitious, or she is in need of money and has no other source. Equality of gender still does not exist. It might never exist, according to the culture we follow. Male domination will still be in fashion, women will still have to act within the boundaries of cultural norms and this will continue until the women of our nation raises their son with the values of eliminating dominance of the female gender. Also, for this to happen, a woman herself needs to understand and accept her importance of existence. The change in the psychology and acceptance power of both women and men will bring about existence of 'woman empowerment‘, until then, these two words will merely remain just two words.
Robotic Process Automation: Concept, Benefits, Challenges in Banking Industry
Authors: Pokharkar Asmita Pramod
Published: September 2020

The banking and financial industry is in the midst of digital disruption. The industry is further challenged by the need to optimize cost, build scale and deliver swift responses to service requests. However, banks are not able to innovate due to fragmented processes and multiple legacy IT systems that manage these processes. In addition, banks also have to be compliant to regulatory requirements and maintain data privacy while processing a large number of documents and personal data.

Robotic process automation (RPA) or "automation" describes logic driven robots that execute pre-programmed rules on mostly structured and unstructured data to some extent.

The concepts have been around for nearly a decade, and they have advanced quickly. In financial services, insurance carriers have used RPA in claims processing for quite a while. Capital market firms are now turning to automation to reduce costs, provide better service, and even make complex regulatory implementations work more efficiently.

Financial institutions can reduce cost, improve quality of service and scale the existing resources to the major population. All services will be available and operate 24/7 basis. This paper explains the basic concept, advantages, challenges of Robotic process automation in banking with the help of case study method in banking industry.
Competitive Market Conditions: Hospitality in the Upmarket Neighborhood of Juhu
Authors: Jadhav Pranav , Patil Shraddha , Kulkarni Parag , Nagargoje Shekhar
Published: September 2020

Sustainable development (SD) was defined for the first time in 1987 in the report "Our common future" as "Development...that...meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". In today‘s competitive business environment where technology pays a large role in enabling the business to be held locally and overseas, it becomes easier to win customers. The goal is to focus on productivity by generating more sales and margins compared to its market rivals.

By continuously keeping a balance among the social and economic dimensions, this paper will focus on the need to extend an already existing management system or develop a new one in order to improve sustained development as well as cover the principles of sustainable development to achieve the factor of sustainability in the changing market scenario.

Market delineation and Sustainability Analysis of Juhu to identify the most profitable and competitive use of real estate property such as hospitality which is legally and physically possible, financially feasible, maximally productive while the micro- market should be able to absorb this property to show its highest value in terms of use and profitability to the investor as well as stand at large in fulfilling the major aspect of sustaining.
Millennial Workforce: Personality Traits and Motivating Factors
Authors: Kumar Radhika Kiran
Published: September 2020

Children born in the 80s and 90s, the Millennials are today‘s 20 to early-30-somethings, poised to make up the majority of the workforce by 2025, and already an important part of the working population. The Millennials, also known as Generation Y, Gen Y and at least a dozen other labels, is now the largest single generation (35%) in the workforce. That makes Millennials a force to be reckoned with. That is a problem for companies who are still trying to figure out how to attract, manage, and retain a younger generation with very different values than the Baby Boomer. Millennials can no longer just be a buzzword thrown around the board room like a hot potato - it is time for organizations to embrace the new workforce majority and start understanding millennials in the workplace, and as a result, embrace the new world of work.
Consensus-Based Core Set of Outcome Measures for Clinical Motor Rehabilitation After Stroke—A Delphi Study
Authors: Pohl Johannes , Held Jeremia Philipp Oskar , Verheyden Geert , Alt Murphy Margit , Engelter Stefan , Flöel Agnes , Keller Thierry , Kwakkel Gert , Nef Tobias , Ward Nick , Luft Andreas Rüdiger , Veerbeek Janne Marieke
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Outcome measures are key to tailor rehabilitation goals to the stroke patient's individual needs and to monitor poststroke recovery. The large number of available outcome measures leads to high variability in clinical use. Currently, an internationally agreed core set of motor outcome measures for clinical application is lacking. Therefore, the goal was to develop such a set to serve as a quality standard in clinical motor rehabilitation poststroke.

Methods: Outcome measures for the upper and lower extremities, and activities of daily living (ADL)/stroke-specific outcomes were identified and presented to stroke rehabilitation experts in an electronic Delphi study. In round 1, clinical feasibility and relevance of the outcome measures were rated on a 7-point Likert scale. In round 2, those rated at least as “relevant” and “feasible” were ranked within the body functions, activities, and participation domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Furthermore, measurement time points poststroke were indicated. In round 3, answers were reviewed in reference to overall results to reach final consensus.

Results: In total, 119 outcome measures were presented to 33 experts from 18 countries. The recommended core set includes the Fugl–Meyer Motor Assessment and Action Research Arm Test for the upper extremity section; the Fugl–Meyer Motor Assessment, 10-m Walk Test, Timed-Up-and-Go, and Berg Balance Scale for the lower extremity section; and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and Barthel Index or Functional Independence Measure for the ADL/stroke-specific section. The Stroke Impact Scale was recommended spanning all ICF domains. Recommended measurement time points are days 2 ± 1 and 7; weeks 2, 4, and 12; 6 months poststroke and every following 6th month.

Discussion and Conclusion: Agreement was found upon a set of nine outcome measures for application in clinical motor rehabilitation poststroke, with seven measurement time points following the stages of poststroke recovery. This core set was specifically developed for clinical practice and distinguishes itself from initiatives for stroke rehabilitation research. The next challenge is to implement this clinical core set across the full stroke care continuum with the aim to improve the transparency, comparability, and quality of stroke rehabilitation at a regional, national, and international level.
RETRACTED: CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated OC-2 Editing Inhibits the Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Lu Tongyi , Zhang Ligang , Zhu Wenhui , Zhang Yinmei , Zhang Simin , Wu Binhua , Deng Ning
Published: September 2020

Ovarian cancer is the leading cancer-related cause of death in women worldwide. It is of great relevance to understand the mechanism responsible for tumor progression and identify unique oncogenesis markers for a higher chance of preventing this malignant disease. The high-expression OC-2 gene has been shown to be a potential candidate for regulating oncogenesis and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer. Hence, we wished to investigate the impact of OC-2 gene on ovarian cancer aggressiveness. CRISPR/Cas9, a gene editing tool, allows for direct ablation of OC-2 at the genomic level, and we successfully generated OC-2 KO cell lines from SKOV3 and CAOV3 cells. In an apoptosis assay, OC-2 KO induced the apoptosis activation of tumor cells, with the up-regulation of Bax/Caspase-8 and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. Consequently, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC-2 KO cell lines were significantly inhibited. Assays of qRT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression levels of pro-angiogenic growth factors VEGFA, FGF2, HGF, and HIF-1α and the activation of Akt/ERK pathways were significantly down-regulated at the loss of OC-2. In the xenograft model, OC-2 KO potently suppressed the subcutaneous tumor growth, with the inhibition exceeding 56%. The down-regulation of CD31 and relevant pro-angiogenic growth factors were observed in OC-2 KO tumor tissues. Taken together, OC-2 depletion negatively regulated the ovarian cancer progression possibly by apoptosis activation and angiogenesis inhibition. This work revealed a pivotal regulator of apoptosis and angiogenesis networks in ovarian cancer, and we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system to the transcription factor pathway for developing a broad-acting anti-tumor gene therapy.
Translation of Irrigation, Drainage, and Electrical Conductivity Data in a Soilless Culture System into Plant Growth Information for the Development of an Online Indicator Related to Plant Nutritional Aspects
Authors: Ahn Tae In , Yang Jung-Seok , Park Soo Hyun , Moon Heon Woo , Lee Ju Young
Published: September 2020

Electrical conductivity of the growing media or drainage indicates the nutritional conditions in the cultivation system. However, the nutrient uptake phenomenon has not been related well to the soilless culture system. Herein, we report on the design, theoretical analyses, and verification of a method for an online indicator related to plant nutritional aspects. Models for simulating nutrient and water transport in a porous medium were constructed for analyses of the nutrient uptake estimation method. In simulation analyses, we summarized the theoretical relationships between flow rates of total nutrients in a substrate and nutrient uptake. For concept validation, we conducted a greenhouse experiment for correlation analysis with the growth of tomato plants, conventional nutrient, and water management indicators, and developed online indicators related to plant nutritional aspects. Onsite application of the indicator showed a higher correlation with tomato yield than conventional management indicators, such as transpiration, irrigation, drainage ratio, leaching fraction, and electrical conductivity of drainage. In addition, to assess the usability of a nutrient uptake indicator as an onsite decision-making technique, data normalization was conducted. Through this, the time series responsiveness of a nutrient uptake indicator to the yield change was confirmed.
Physiological and Molecular Characterization of Crop Resistance to Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Boscaiu Monica , Fita Ana
Published: September 2020

Abiotic stress represents a main constraint for agriculture, affecting plant growth and productivity. Drought and soil salinity, especially, are major causes of reduction of crop yields and food production worldwide. It is not unexpected, therefore, that the study of plant responses to abiotic stress and stress tolerance mechanisms is one of the most active research fields in plant biology. This Special Issue compiles 22 research papers and 4 reviews covering different aspects of these responses and mechanisms, addressing environmental stress factors such as drought, salinity, flooding, heat and cold stress, deficiency or toxicity of compounds in the soil (e.g., macro and micronutrients), and combination of different stresses. The approaches used are also diverse, including, among others, the analysis of agronomic traits based on morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical studies, and transcriptomics or transgenics. Despite its complexity, we believe that this Special Issue provides a useful overview of the topic, including basic information on the mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance as well as practical aspects such as the alleviation of the deleterious effects of stress by different means, or the use of local landraces as a source of genetic material adapted to combined stresses. This knowledge should help to develop the agriculture of the (near) future, sustainable and better adapted to the conditions ahead, in a scenario of global warming and environmental pollution.
Outpatient Antibiotic Dispensing for the Population with Government Health Insurance in Syria in 2018–2019
Authors: Aljadeeah Saleh , Wirtz Veronika J. , Nagel Eckhard
Published: September 2020

Little is known about antibiotic uses at the population level in Syria. The aim of our study is to present outpatient antibiotic dispensing (OAD) patterns and rates for patients with health insurance in the parts of Syria that are controlled by the Syrian government using different indicators. Outpatient data on all dispensed antibiotics for 81,314 adults with health insurance were obtained and stratified according to age, sex, governorate and annual season. OAD was mainly expressed as the number of defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1000 people per day (DID). OAD patterns were assessed according to the anatomical therapeutic classification (ATC) and the Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification. OAD was 20.13 DID. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and clarithromycin were the most dispensed antibiotics (5.76 and 4.4 DID, respectively). Overall, a predominant consumption of broad-spectrum antibiotics was noted. The Watch group of the AWaRe classification had the biggest percentage of OAD (13.26 DID), followed by the Access and the Reserve groups (6.55 and 0.17 DID, respectively). There was a significant difference in OAD between the sex and age groups. The seasonal and regional variations in OAD were also significant. Broad-spectrum antibiotics dispensing was high compared to other studies from different countries. These results are concerning, as they can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
An Efficient Network for Surface Defect Detection
Authors: Lin Zesheng , Ye Hongxia , Zhan Bin , Huang Xiaofeng
Published: September 2020

Convolutional neural networks (CNN) have achieved promising performance in surface defect detection recently. Although many CNN-based methods have been proposed, most of them are limited by the few samples available for training, and the imbalance of positive and negative samples. Hence, their detection performance needs to be further improved. To this end, we propose a multi-scale cascade CNN called MobileNet-v2-dense to detect defects more efficiently. Specifically, the multi-scale cascade structure used in our network can help capture the weak defect semantics that may be lost in the deep network. Then, we propose a novel asymmetric loss function to further improve detection performance. Lastly, a two-stage augmentation method effectively enlarges the training dataset. Experimental results show that, compared to the state-of-the-art, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) score of our method increased by 0.16.
Study on the Early Warning Methods of Dynamic Landslides of Large Abandoned Rockfill Slopes
Authors: Qiao Nan , Duan Yun-Ling , Shi Xiao-Meng , Wei Xue-Fei , Feng Jin-Ming
Published: September 2020

The excavation of large-scale underground projects produces a large amount of rubble waste material that is temporarily deposited near the project site, which forms a large-scale waste rockfill artificial slope. The slope has a granular structure, thus, during excavation and trans-shipment, surface shallow landslides may frequently occur. Existing contact monitoring methods such as buried sensors and GPS (Global Position System) are difficult to apply to the monitoring of rockfill landslides. Therefore, there are no appropriate early warning methods for waste rockfill slope landslides during dynamic transfer. Here, we used ground-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar to monitor the deformation of a rockfill slope during the excavation and transfer processes as a proposed method for the early warning against landslides on rockfill slopes during dynamic construction based on the radar interference measurement results. Through data cleaning and data interpolation, the line of equal displacement was generated, and the cross-sectional area of the equal displacement bodies of landslides was calculated. In addition, we established a four-level early warning grading standard, with the rate of change of the cross-sectional area of the equal displacement body as the early warning index, and realized real-time dynamic early warning of waste rockfill landslides during excavation and transportation. Finally, five landslide examples were used to verify the proposed warning method. The results show that the warning method can make an early warning 8–14 min before the occurrence of landslide, which can effectively avoid the appearance of catastrophic events.
Lipid Extraction Maximization and Enzymatic Synthesis of Biodiesel from Microalgae
Authors: Fattah I.M. Rizwanul , Noraini M.Y. , Mofijur M. , Silitonga A. S. , Badruddin Irfan Anjum , Khan T.M. Yunus , Ong Hwai Chyuan , Mahlia T.M.I.
Published: September 2020

Microalgae has received overwhelming attention worldwide as a sustainable source for energy generation. However, the production of biofuel from microalgae biomass consists of several steps, of which lipid extraction is the most important one. Because of the nature of feedstock, extraction needs special attention. Three different methods were studied to extract algal oil from two different algae variant, Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp. The highest percentage oil yield was obtained by ultrasonication (9.4% for Chlorella sp., 6.6% for Spirulina sp.) followed by the Soxhlet and solvent extraction processes. Ultrasonication and Soxhlet extraction processes were further optimized to maximize oil extraction as solvent extraction was not effective in extracting lipid. For ultrasonication, an amplitude of 90% recorded the highest percentage yield of oil for Spirulina sp. and a 70% amplitude recorded the highest percentage yield of oil for Chlorella sp. On the other hand, for Soxhlet extraction, a combination of chloroform, hexane, and methanol at a 1:1:1 ratio resulted in the highest yield of algal oil. Afterward, the crude algae oil from the ultrasonication process was transesterified for 5 h using an immobilized lipase (Novozyme 435) at 40 °C to convert triglycerides into fatty acid methyl ester and glycerol. Thus, ultrasonic-assisted lipid extraction was successful in producing biodiesel from both the species.
Repositioning Natural Antioxidants for Therapeutic Applications in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Marrazzo Pasquale , O’Leary Cian
Published: September 2020

Although a large panel of natural antioxidants demonstrate a protective effect in preventing cellular oxidative stress, their low bioavailability limits therapeutic activity at the targeted injury site. The importance to deliver drug or cells into oxidative microenvironments can be realized with the development of biocompatible redox-modulating materials. The incorporation of antioxidant compounds within implanted biomaterials should be able to retain the antioxidant activity, while also allowing graft survival and tissue recovery. This review summarizes the recent literature reporting the combined role of natural antioxidants with biomaterials. Our review highlights how such functionalization is a promising strategy in tissue engineering to improve the engraftment and promote tissue healing or regeneration.
pH-Channeling in Cancer: How pH-Dependence of Cation Channels Shapes Cancer Pathophysiology
Authors: Pethő Zoltán , Najder Karolina , Carvalho Tiago , McMorrow Roisin , Todesca Luca Matteo , Rugi Micol , Bulk Etmar , Chan Alan , Löwik Clemens W. G. M. , Reshkin Stephan J. , Schwab Albrecht
Published: September 2020

Tissue acidosis plays a pivotal role in tumor progression: in particular, interstitial acidosis promotes tumor cell invasion, and is a major contributor to the dysregulation of tumor immunity and tumor stromal cells. The cell membrane and integral membrane proteins commonly act as important sensors and transducers of altered pH. Cell adhesion molecules and cation channels are prominent membrane proteins, the majority of which is regulated by protons. The pathophysiological consequences of proton-sensitive ion channel function in cancer, however, are scarcely considered in the literature. Thus, the main focus of this review is to highlight possible events in tumor progression and tumor immunity where the pH sensitivity of cation channels could be of great importance.
lncRNAs–mRNAs Co–Expression Network Underlying Childhood B–Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Affinito Ornella , Pane Katia , Smaldone Giovanni , Orlandella Francesca Maria , Mirabelli Peppino , Beneduce Giuliana , Parasole Rosanna , Ripaldi Mimmo , Salvatore Marco , Franzese Monica
Published: September 2020

Long non–coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key gene regulators in the pathogenesis and development of various cancers including B lymphoblastic leukaemia (B–ALL). In this pilot study, we used RNA–Seq transcriptomic data for identifying novel lncRNA–mRNA cooperative pairs involved in childhood B–ALL pathogenesis. We conceived a bioinformatic pipeline based on unsupervised PCA feature extraction approach and stringent statistical criteria to extract potential childhood B–ALL lncRNA signatures. We then constructed a co–expression network of the aberrantly expressed lncRNAs (30) and protein–coding genes (754). We cross–validated our in–silico findings on an independent dataset and assessed the expression levels of the most differentially expressed lncRNAs and their co–expressed mRNAs through ex vivo experiments. Using the guilt–by–association approach, we predicted lncRNA functions based on their perfectly co–expressed mRNAs (Spearman’s correlation) that resulted closely disease–associated. We shed light on 24 key lncRNAs and their co–expressed mRNAs which may play an important role in B–ALL pathogenesis. Our results may be of clinical utility for diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes in paediatric B–ALL management.
Best Practices in the Development of Transversal Competences among Youths in Vulnerable Situations
Authors: Villardón-Gallego Lourdes , Flores-Moncada Lirio , Yáñez-Marquina Lara , García-Montero Roberto
Published: September 2020

(1) Background: The aim of Second Chance Schools (E2Cs) is to provide employment-focused training for young people who left compulsory education without any formal qualifications by encouraging them to pursue initial vocational training. Transversal Competences (TCs) are important for enabling the social inclusion of young people in vulnerable situations by promoting their entry into the labour market. However, TCs are not always systematically developed. The objective of this study is to analyse good practices in inculcating these skills in this group of young people. (2) Methods: In-depth case studies were conducted in six best-practice schools. The following methods were used in the studies: questionnaires to school; a checklist to analyse the teaching materials used: an interview with the people responsible for the programme; an interview with students; and a questionnaire to representatives from the business sector. (3) Results: The six E2Cs attached great importance to TCs, which were taught specifically through a student-centred, active, varied and collaborative methodology that was periodically reviewed and adapted to students’ needs. TCs were evaluated before, during, and after the process was completed. (4) Conclusions: The results identified specific key elements for promoting the development of TCs that could be transferred to other schools and, consequently, could have implications for education policies in this field.
Process Simulation for Li-MnO2 Primary Battery Recycling: Cryo-Mechanical and Hydrometallurgical Treatments at Pilot Scale
Authors: Schiavi Pier , Baldassari Ludovica , Altimari Pietro , Moscardini Emanuela , Toro Luigi , Pagnanelli Francesca
Published: September 2020

Li primary batteries are currently treated along with other Li batteries in several big pyro- metallurgical plants in Northern EU countries. Nevertheless, pyro-metallurgical processes do not allow for Mn and Li recycling and present negative environmental impacts, on the other hand hydrometallurgical processing can potentially ensure the integral recovery of all materials in Li primary batteries. In this work, preliminary experimental findings obtained in the LIFE-LIBAT project (LIFE16 ENV/IT/000389) are reported. In this project, end of life Li(0)-MnO2 batteries were cryo-mechanically treated and then the metals were recovered by a hydrometallurgical process. Representative samples of end of life Li(0) batteries were characterized by type and composition. Batteries were stabilized in an N2 bath and then crushed, sieved, and magnetically separated in the SEVal pilot units. Separated fractions (fine fraction, magnetic coarse fraction, and non-magnetic coarse fraction) were chemically characterized for target metal content (Li and Mn). Fractions were first treated for Li extraction and recovery, then the fine fraction was also leached for Mn recovery. Mass balances evidenced a 55% recycling rate and process simulations outlined profitability in the potentiality range in agreement with battery collection fluxes.