bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Potential of Probiotics –Lactobacillus Plantarum UBLP40 and Bacillus Clausii UBBC07 on Thioacetamide-Induced Acute Hepatic Encephalopathy in Rats
Authors: Patel Chirag Amrutlal , Shahgond Lalita , Thakur Khushboo , Sarkar Dipta , Acharya Sanjeev R , Patel Priyanshi
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or hepatic coma is an onerous, not utterly understood complication accompanying both acute and chronic liver dysfunction and/ or presence of portosystemic shunting. In HE, hyperammonemia and inflammatory responses are believed to act in synergism. Probiotics, Lactobacillus plantarum UBLP40 and Bacillus clausii UBBC07 reduce small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and hyperammonemia, thereby preventing the development of HE. Methods: The effect of probiotics-Lactobacillus plantarum UBLP40 (107CFU/day, 14 days) and Bacillus clausiiUBBC07 (107CFU/day, 14 days) combination and standard drug-lactulose (2.5 ml/kg in 3 divided doses, 14 days) was studied in thioacetamide (250mg/kg for 3 days) induced acute HE in rats by measuring behavioural parameters, biochemical parameters (serum AST, ALT, ALP and ammonia level), neurochemical parameters and histopathology study in brain and liver. Results: In contrast to only thioacetamide treated rats, probiotics treatment substantially (p<0.001) reduced liver function parameters i.e. serum AST, ALT, ALP, and ammonia, improved behaviour parameters, i.e. decreased motor disruption, improved memory impairment. Probiotics treated rats have also shown a substantial improvement in parameters of oxidative stress, i.e. decreased lipid peroxidation and increased glutathione level in brain tissue and ameliorate the histopathological changes induced by thioacetamide in brain and liver.Conclusions: It can be concluded based on the findings that the combination therapy of Lactobacillus plantarum UBLP40 and Bacillus clausiiUBBC07 proves to be effective in acute hepatic encephalopathy in the preclinical stage and further studies are required to assess this therapy potential in the clinical stage.
Reproductive Factors and the Risk of Incident Dementia: Results From the UK Biobank
Authors: Gong Jessica , Harris Katie , Peters Sanne A E , Woodward Mark
Published: March 2021

Background: To examine the risk of incident all-cause dementia associated with reproductive factors in women, and the number of children in both sexes; and whether the effects vary by age, socioeconomic status (SES), smoking status and body mass index in the UK Biobank.Methods: A total of 273,265 women and 228,966 men without prevalent dementia from the UK Biobank were included in the analyses. Cox proportional hazard regressions estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for reproductive factors with incident all-cause dementia.Results: Over a median of 11.3 years follow-up, 1,680 dementia were recorded in women and 2,021 in men. Adjusted HRs (95% confidence intervals (CIs)) for dementia were 1.20 (1.08, 1.35) for menarche <12 years, and 1.24 (1.10, 1.39) for menarche ≥15 years compared to 13 years; 0.86 (0.74, 1.00) for ever been pregnant; 0.80 (0.69, 0.93) for each abortion; 1.29 (1.12, 1.49) for menopause at <47 compared to 50 years; 1.13 (1.01, 1.27) for hysterectomy; 0.80 (0.72, 0.90) for oral contraceptive pills use; and 1.56 (1.40, 1.73) for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use. The U-shaped associations between the number of children and the risk of dementia were similar for both sexes. There was evidence for early (natural and artificial) menopause, and a greater number of children were associated with a higher risk of dementia among women of relatively lower SES only.Conclusions: Shorter cumulative endogenous estrogen exposure in women is associated with higher dementia risk, although female biological factors involved in childbearing are unlikely to account for risk variation.
Impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function, brain functional segregation, and integration in patients with mild cognitive impairment according to amyloid-beta deposition and APOE ε4-allele
Authors: Kang Dong Woo , Wang Sheng-Min , Kim TaeYeong , Kim Donghyeon , Na Hae-Ran , Kim Nak-Young , Lee Chang Uk , Lim Hyun Kook
Published: March 2021

Background: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (anodal-tDCS) is known to improve cognition and normalise abnormal network configuration during resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We evaluated the impact of sequential anodal-tDCS on cognitive functions, functional segregation, and integration parameters in patients with MCI, according to high-risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD): amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition and APOE ε4-allele status. Methods: In 32 patients with MCI ([18F] flutemetamol-: n = 10, [18F] flutemetamol+: n = 22; APOE ε4-: n = 13, APOE ε4+: n = 19), we delivered anodal-tDCS (2 mA/day, five times/week, for 2 weeks) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and assessed the neuropsychological test battery and resting-state fMRI measurements before and after 2 weeks’ stimulation.Results: We observed a trend for impact of an anodal-tDCS-by-Aβ retention interaction on MMSE score changes. Baseline Aβ accumulation tended to be negatively associated with word list recognition score changes. We found a significant effect of tDCS-by-APOE ε4-allele interaction on changes in the functional segregation parameter of the temporal pole. Baseline Aβ deposition associated negatively with change in global functional integrity of hippocampal formation. There was a significant difference in brain functional segregation and integration parameters between MCI patients with and without high-risk factors of AD.Conclusions: Thus, anodal-tDCS could help to improve cognitive function and enhance restorative and compensatory intrinsic functional changes in MCI patients, modulated by the presence of Aβ retention and the APOE ε4-allele. Trial registration: This study is registered with the Clinical Research Information Service of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCT0006020). Registered on 24 March 2021—retrospectively registered.
Fundamental Relationships of Executive Functions and Physiological Abilities with Game Intelligence, Game Time and Injuries in Elite Soccer Players
Authors: Scharfen Hans-Erik , Memmert Daniel
Published: March 2021

Objectives: The study’s aim was threefold: examine 1) the relation between executive functions and coach-rated evaluation of game intelligence; 2) the predictive value of cognitive and athletic performance parameters concerning playing time, and 3) injuries to analyze fundamental associations of soccer expertise across all ages.Design/Methods: A sample of 172 elite soccer players (12-34 years of age) performed tests assessing multiple-object tracking, working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition. Endurance-performance at the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT), ability to repeatedly perform intense exercises (RIEA) and maximal anaerobic performance parameters (squat jump, countermovement jump, drop jump, sprint) were also measured. Game intelligence game time and injury incidence were tracked.Results: Working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, and a total cognition score showed correlations with game intelligence, and the same parameter, along with selective attention and game intelligence, were also correlated with game time. Sprint and RIEA were connected with game time, whereas contact injuries only correlated with sprint, and noncontact injuries with sprint and performance-IAT.Conclusion: Especially executive functions represent fundamental associations with game intelligence and game time across all age groups but not with injury incidences, whereas certain physiological abilities may contribute to more game time and less non-contact injuries depending on age.
The effect of adding CsCl content on physicochemical properties of (GeS2–Sb2S3)100-x(CsCl)x (0 ≤ x ≤ 40 mol%) chalcohalide glasses
Authors: Boukhris Imed , Kebaili Imen
Published: March 2021

The physico-chemical properties of (GeS2–Sb2S3)100-x(CsCl)x (0 ≤ x ≤ 40 mol%) chalcohalide glasses were theoretically studied. The band gap (Eg) of the studied glass system was estimated and was found to increase by adding the CsCl content. Furthermore, the positions of the valence band and conduction band edges was determined. The results reveal that the molar volume (Vm) of the studied samples increased while the density (ρ) and the number of atoms per unit volume (N) decreased with increasing the CsCl content. The overall coordination number (CN), constraints number (Ns) and overall mean bond energy () were computed using the chemical bond approach and were found to decrease. In contrast, the number of lone-pair electrons (LP) and cohesive energy (CE) increased. Finally, the glass-transition temperature (Tg) was also estimated based on the overall mean bond energy, and was found to decrease with increasing the CsCl content.
The First Case Report of a Rare Gastric Plexiform Fibromyxoma: Histological Images With an Infiltrative Growth Pattern of Diffuse Infiltration in Stomach.
Authors: Li Zhenyu , Jiang Qingming , Guo Dongfang , Peng Yangling , Zhang Jing , Chen Xinyu
Published: March 2021

Background: Plexiform Fibromyxoma (PF) of the stomach is a very rare mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. We report the first case of PF which was confirmed after surgical resection pathologically. Case summary: The tumor was characterised microscopically infiltrative and diffuse growth into the smooth muscle bundles of the muscularis propria by multinodular and plexiform within myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the tumor cells were positive or weakly positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA), vimentin and H-caldesmon, and negative for desmin, CD117, CD34, CK-20, Pan-CK, Dog1, S100, ER, PR, and CD10. No mutations of C-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) were detected in our case. No genetic disruption of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Conclusion: So we mainly relied on the morphological and immunohistochemistry findings and made the final diagnosis of PF.
The Clinicopathological Significance and Prognostic Value of Obg-Like Atpase 1 (OLA1) in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wang Juan , Zheng Zihan , Cao Qinghua , Liu Xiufen , Wang Zhiqing
Published: March 2021

Backgroud Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1) is a member of the Obg family of P-loop NTPases and has recently been detected in several human cancer cells. However, its expression type and clinical relevance in gastric cancer remains unclear. Methods In the present study, 2 datasets downloaded from the open Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to evaluate the mRNA level of OLA1 in gastric cancer. Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR further validated the mRNA expression in gastric cancer tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed on gastric cancer tissue microarray to assess OLA1 protein expression type, prognostic value, biological significance and its association with Snail in 334 patients of gastric cancer. The prognostic value of combination of OLA1 and Snail has been evaluated. Results The results showed that OLA1 mRNA and protein were elevated in gastric cancer tissues. High expression of OLA1 was significantly associated with aggressive features, such as tumor size, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P = 0.0146, P = 0.0037, P < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, high levels of OLA1 predicted worse overall survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that high expression of OLA1 was an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.573; 95% confidence interval, 0.376–0.872; P = 0.009). Additionally, OLA1 expression was positively correlated with Snail, and combination of them revealed improved prognostic accuracy for gastric cancer patients. Conclusions Our results suggested that OLA1 high expression was considered as an independent factor for the prediction of unfavorable prognosis in gastric cancer patients, and we believe that OLA1 could serve as a biomarker of poor prognosis and a novel target in treating gastric cancers.
Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) with diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) in prostate cancer: Prevalence and clinical significance of incidental findings
Authors: Kumasaka Soma , Motegi Shunichi , Kumasaka Yuka , Nishikata Tatsuya , Otomo Masami , Tsushima Yoshito
Published: March 2021

Background
Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) is now recommended as a first-line staging modality in prostate cancer patients, and the widespread use of DWIBS may lead to an increased frequency of incidental findings. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of incidental findings detected on whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) with DWIBS in patients with prostate cancer.
Methods
Data from 124 patients (age, 76.5 ± 5.6 years; range, 60–90) with pathologically confirmed prostate cancer, who underwent WB-MRI between December 2016 and April 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. Findings unrelated to prostate cancer were considered as incidental findings and categorized into two groups based on their clinical implications, as follow: imaging follow-up or additional examinations was required (significant incidental findings) and no need to additional work-up (non-significant incidental findings). A Chi-square test was performed to compare the differences in the prevalence of significant incidental findings based on age (≤ 75 and > 75 years old).
Results
A total of 334 incidental findings were found, with 8.1% (n = 27) as significant incidental findings and 91.9% (n = 307) as non-significant incidental findings. Significant incidental findings were more frequent in patients over 75 years old than those of 75 years old or younger (28.6% vs 11.1%, p = 0.018). Nineteen of the 27 significant incidental findings (70.4%) were observed on non-DWIBS sequences.
Conclusion
Clinically significant incidental findings, which required imaging follow-up or additional examinations, were commonly observed in patients with prostate cancer on WB-MRI/DWIBS.
Activation maps of convolutional neural networks as a tool for brain degeneration tracking in early diagnosis of dementia in Parkinson's disease based on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Suwalska Aleksandra , Siuda Joanna , Kocot Szymon , Zmuda Weronika , Rudzinska-Bar Monika , Polanska Joanna
Published: March 2021

Objective: Identification of Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients at risk for development of dementia is crucial for early intervention. Today, advanced, time-consuming and expensive imaging techniques (such as DaT-SCAN-SPECT) are used for diagnosis. The study aimed to prove the usefulness of convolutional neural networks (CNN) for the identification of brain areas related to the progress of cognitive impairment by using standard Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences. Results: T1&T2 sequences of 18 patients were used in the pilot study. The activation maps were generated and the brain regions most involved in the classification process were identified that showed areas potentially significant in the diagnosis of cognitive impairment severity. The cerebellum was proven significant for distinguishing the above-mentioned classes in relative cerebellum volume (ANOVA p-value=0.0038 with large effect size η2=0.5254) and folding (p-value=0.0031, η2=0.5357) which is consistent with reports by other authors. Our analysis demonstrated that the convolutional neural networks combined with the proper image preprocessing pipeline could be used for feature extraction in MRI sequences and can successfully support the identification of the disease-specific abnormalities of the brain image.
miRNA Profiling in Human Precision-cut Lung Slices (PCLS))
Authors: Niehof Monika , Reamon-Buettner Stella , Danow Olga , Hansen Tanja , Sewald Katherina
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveHuman precision cut lung slices (PCLS) are widely used as an ex vivo model system for drug discovery and development of new therapies. PCLS reflect the functional heterogeneity of lung tissue and possess relevant lung cell types. We thus determined the use of PCLS in studying non-coding RNAs notably miRNAs, which are important gene regulatory molecules. Since miRNAs play key role as mediators of respiratory diseases, they can serve as valuable prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers, and in therapeutic interventions, of lung diseases. A technical limitation though is the vast amount of agarose in PCLS which impedes (mi)RNA extraction by standard procedures. Here we modified our recently published protocol for RNA 29 isolation from PCLS to enable miRNA readouts. Results The modified method relies on the separation of lysis and precipitation steps, and a clean-up procedure with specific magnetic beads. We obtained successfully quality miRNA amenable for downstream applications such as RTqPCR and whole transcriptome miRNA analysis. Comparison of miRNA profiles in PCLS with published data from human lung, identified all important miRNAs regulated in IPF, COPD, asthma or lung cancer. Therefore, this shows suitability of the method for analyzing miRNA targets and biomarkers in the valuable human 38 PCLS model.
Simulation-based Boot-camp Improves the Self-efficacy of Newly Inducted Hospital Residents and Interns 
Authors: Rajani Mehak Ismail , Docherty Charles , Almas Aysha , Khalid Farah , Alam Salman
Published: March 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Construction of a Prognostic Signature in Ewing’s Sarcoma: Based On Metabolism-Related Genes
Authors: Wu Bo , Zhu Dong , Yu Bo , Hou Yuanyuan , Wang Hongyu , Jiang Yuting , Fu Zhaoyu
Published: March 2021

Objective: By combining the expression profiles of metabolism-related genes (MRGS) with clinical information, the expression quantities of MRGS and the influence on development and prognosis were systematically analyzed, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical study on the prognosis of Ewing's sarcoma.Methods: MRGs expression profiles of 64 patients with Ewing's sarcoma were obtained from the GEO dataset. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify metabolization-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related with prognosis in Ewing's sarcoma patients. Then, multivariate Cox analysis was used to calculate novel prognostic markers based on metabolism-related DEGs. Finally, the new prognostic index was verified on the basis of the prognostic models.Results: Univariate Cox regression analysis identified 20 metabolization-related DEGs, 9 of which were significantly associated with Ewing's sarcoma patients' overall survival. Subsequently, we used nine metabolism-related DEGs to construct metabolism-related prognostic signature for patients with Ewing's sarcoma. Based on the 9 DEGs regression coefficient, we put forward the formula of each patient's risk score, and then divided the patients into high-risk group and low-risk group. The results indicated that the survival rate and survival time were higher in the low-risk group and lower in the high-risk group. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that risk score index was indeed an independent prognostic factor for Ewing's sarcoma. In addition, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for overall survival was 0.985. And a nomogram model was established.Conclusion: The experimental results suggest that the 9 metabolism-related DEGs marker may be effective in predicting the prognosis of Ewing's sarcoma to some extent, helping to individualize treatment of patients at different risks.
Fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia in patients with hematologic diseases and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia: a retrospective study
Authors: ZHU Lixia , Wang Lulu , Zhang Yuping , Chen Rongrong , Li Xueying , Sun Jianai , Zhou De , Zhu Mingyu , Zheng Xiaolong , Li Li , Zhu Jingjing , Xie Mixue , Yang Xiudi , Yu Wenjuan , Tong Hongyan , Zhu Honghu , Xie Wanzhuo , Jin Jie , Xiujin Ye
Published: March 2021

Background
Fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia is one of the most severe manifestations of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM) infections. Here, we aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of SM bacteremia and to identify the risk factors of hemorrhagic pneumonia caused by SM in patients with hematologic diseases.
Methods
The clinical records of 55 patients diagnosed with hematologic diseases and SM bacteremia were retrospectively reviewed. We compared patients’ clinical characteristics and outcomes between the hemorrhagic pneumonia group and non-hemorrhagic pneumonia group.
Results
Twenty-seven (49.1%) patients developed hemorrhagic pneumonia. The overall mortality rate of SM bacteremia was 67.3%. The 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with hemorrhagic pneumonia than those without hemorrhagic pneumonia (85.2% and 50.0%, respectively, P = 0.003). Compared with the non-hemorrhagic pneumonia group, patients in the hemorrhagic pneumonia group were older and showed clinical manifestations as higher proportions of isolated SM in sputum culture, neutropenia and elevated procalcitonin. Multivariate analysis showed that neutropenia, high levels of procalcitonin, prior tigecycline therapy within 1 month were independent risk factors associated with hemorrhagic pneumonia.
Conclusions
Hematologic patients with SM bacteremia who have neutropenia, high level of procalcitonin and prior tigecycline therapy within 1 month should be early treated with combined effective antibiotics and best supportive interventions to avoid life-threatening hemorrhagic pneumonia.
Virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from urinary tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bunduki Gabriel Kambale , Heinz Eva , Phiri Vincent Samuel , Noah Patrick , Feasey Nicholas , Musaya Janelisa
Published: March 2021

Background
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are amongst the most frequent causes of urinary tract infections. We report a systematic review and meta-analysis of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of UPEC isolated from urinary tract infections.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using PRISMA guidelines (Research Registry ref 5874). Data were extracted from PubMed/MEDLINE and ScienceDirect databases for studies published from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2019. Studies reporting antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of UPEC isolated in confirmed urinary tract infections (≥ 105CFU/ml) were eligible. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of UPEC were estimated using random-effects meta-analysis model. Estimates with 95% confidence intervals, I-square (I2) statistic, and Cochran’s Q test were computed using the score statistic and the exact binomial method by incorporating the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation of proportions.
Results
Our search returned 2,504 hits, of which 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis, totalling 1,888 UPEC isolates. Highest antimicrobial resistance rates were observed among the antibiotic class of tetracycline in 69.1% (498/721), followed by sulphonamides in 59.3% (1119/1888), quinolones in 49.4% (1956/3956), and beta-lactams in 36.9% (4410/11964). Among beta-lactams, high resistance was observed in aminopenicillins in 74.3% (1157/1557) and first generation cephalosporins in 38.8% (370/953). Meanwhile, virulence factors with highest prevalence were immune suppressors (54.1%) followed by adhesins (45.9%). Taken individually, the most observed virulence genes were shiA (92.1%), CSH (80.0%), fimH/MSHA (75.3%), traT (75.1%), sisA (72.2%), iucD (65.7%), iutA (61.8%), kpsMTII (60.6%), and PAI (55.2%).
Conclusions
The increased antibiotic resistance of UPEC isolates was demonstrated and suggested a need for reassessment of empirical therapies in urinary tract infections treatment caused by this pathogen. In addition, this pathotype exhibited diverse surface and secreted virulence factors.
Revisiting Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Levels: A Circadian Heart Rate Variability-based Approach
Authors: Alkhodari Mohanad , Jelinek Herbert F. , Saleem Shiza , Hadjileontiadis Leontios J. , Khandoker Ahsan H.
Published: March 2021

Analysis of heart failure is important in clinical practice to ensure coronary artery disease (CAD) patients will be provided with appropriate timely treatment. The current gold standard, echocardiography, although reliable, provides a once-off left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurement but does not provide information about heart function the during day / night cardiac cycles. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of heart rate variability (HRV) features in classifying CAD patients into multiple LVEF groups through a new index, HRV ejection fraction (HRVEF) and its agreement to established norms. A total of 92 heart failure patients were included in this study. HRVEF groups optimized on hourly basis through Jenks natural breaks algorithm exhibited a consistent pattern with a goodness of variance fit (GVF) of more than 0.70 accuracy during the late-night to early-morning (01:00-08:00) and evening (17:00-23:00) time periods. At these hours, several HRV features were found significant in differentiating between HRVEF groups using statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. These features include the successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), low and high frequency (LF, HF) power, standard deviation of normal heartbeats (SD2), short-term scaling exponent (alpha1), and percentage of normal heartbeats in alternation segments (PAS). This study paves the way towards new LVEF guidelines based on the association between LVEF and HRV features for a better demonstration of the circadian cardiac function at different LVEF levels in CAD patients.
Effects of Positioning Conditions on Material Properties In Powder bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Kayacan Mevlüt Yunus , Yılmaz Nihat
Published: March 2021

Among additive manufacturing technologies, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) is considered the most widespread layer-by-layer process. Although the L-PBF, which is also called as SLM method, has many advantages, several challenging problems must be overcome, including part positioning issues. In this study, the effect of part positioning on the microstructure of the part in the L-PBF method was investigated. Five Ti6Al4V samples were printed in different positions on the building platform and investigated with the aid of temperature, porosity, microstructure and hardness evaluations. In this study, martensitic needles were detected within the microstructure of Ti6Al4V samples. Furthermore, some twins were noticed on primary martensitic lines and the agglomeration of β precipitates was observed in vanadium rich areas. The positioning conditions of samples were revealed to have a strong effect on temperature gradients and on the average size of martensitic lines. Besides, different hardness values were attained depending on sample positioning conditions. As a major result, cooling rates were found related to positions of samples and the location of point on the samples. Higher cooling rates and repetitive cooling cycles resulted in microstructures becoming finer and harder.
Pros and Cons of Self Driving Vans - A Real Life Motorway Case Study Analysis from Great Britain
Authors: Nandakumar Ramjit
Published: March 2021

Given the speculations that autonomous vehicles are sure to take over the transport sectors in the near future, this study micro-simulates the impacts of automating the freight vehicle VAN using the micro-simulation software AIMSUN at SAE Level 4 on an existing motorway network in the United Kingdom using real road network conditions and traffic information. This study analyses the impacts of automation of vans in different levels of automation penetrations (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) with heterogeneous traffic conditions on traffic parameters such as speed, time and different environmental factors such as CO2, NOx, PM and VOC. For better understanding the impacts of automation, analysis along the motorway was carried out along different stretches of the motorway between two junctions. In this study, the impacts of automation of van in different road characteristics such as congested stretches, stretches with slope and flat stretches were also analyzed in detail. The study highlights that with an increase in van automation penetrations, traffic parameters such as speed and time are positively impacted while negative impacts on environmental conditions are observed along the motorway stretches.
Identification of Optimum Operational Parameter Levels for Plain Basin, Corrugated Basin and Compartmental Basin Solar Stills
Authors: Gnanaraj Sundararaj Joe Patrick , Ramachandran Solaisamy
Published: March 2021

This study aimed at optimizing or maximizing the distillate production in plain basin, corrugated basin and compartmental basin solar stills by integrating them with optimum level of the four operational parameters - Mass of Heat Storage Material, Basin Water Depth, Basin Cover Thickness and External Mirror Position. The efficiency of the parameters is not uniform and it differs from still to still due to variation in the structure of the basin. Further, the most efficient level in a parameter differs from still to still. A particular basin water depth which is highly productive in plain basin still may not suit well for corrugated or compartmental basin still. To find out the optimum parameter levels, the 4 operational parameters and the four levels of each parameter were combined as per L16 orthogonal array and the distillate production under different combination of operational parameter levels were analyzed using S/N ratio analysis, mean response method, analysis of variance and regression analysis. The analysis revealed that the optimum mass of heat storage material was 16 kg in plain basin, 12 kg in corrugated basin and 10 kg in compartmental basin still. The efficiency of corrugated basin and compartmental basin solar stills was maximum at a lower basin water depth of 15 mm and 10 mm respectively. But plain basin still efficiency was maximum at a higher basin water depth of 20 mm. The optimum basin cover thickness was 4 mm in all the solar stills, in spite of a difference in the structure of the basin. In the same way, the distillate production was maximum when the external mirrors were positioned on the two sloping sides of the solar still (east and west direction). The expected production from the solar stills integrated with the optimum parameter levels was estimated using regression analysis and mean response method. The average distillate production which was 3304, 3493 and 3629 ml/m2.day in the modified (not with optimum parameter levels) plain basin, corrugated basin and compartmental basin solar stills respectively, improved to 6414, 7153 and 7629 ml/m2.day respectively when they were modified with optimum parameter levels and the increase in production was 94 %, 105 % and 110 % respectively.
Fruit juices acts as biocatalyst in efficient synthesis of potentially bioactive imidazoles
Authors: Gulati Susheel , Singh Rajvir , Sangwan Suman
Published: March 2021

An efficient and eco-friendly itinerary for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives (3a-3h) from reaction between substituted aldehydes (1a-1h), benzil (2a) and ammonium acetate (2b) in presence of Citrus limon L. juice, Vitis vinifera L. juice and Cocos nucifera L. juice has been carried out. The purity of compounds was confirmed by melting point and thin layer chromatography. All synthesized compounds (3a-3h) were characterized by 1HNMR, FTIR and CHN spectral techniques and tested for in vitro herbicidal activity against Raphanus sativus L. (Radish seeds). The compounds (3a-3h) were also evaluated for their antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by poisoned food techniques method. Antibacterial activity was also determined against Erwinia cartovora and Xanthomonas citri by inhibition zone method. From activity data, it was observed that compounds 3f and 3c were found most active against Raphanus sativus L. (root) and Raphanus sativus L. (shoot) respectively. Compound 3d was found most active against Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus at highest concentration. Compound 3b has shown maximum inhibition zone i.e. 2.10-7.10 mm against Erwinia cartovora at 2000 µg/mL concentration. Maximum Xanthomonas citrii growth was inhibited by compounds 3c showing inhibition zone 1.00-5.00 mm at highest concentration.
The effect of flexible work arrangements on ethical decision-making
Authors: Normasari Pradita Sita Devi , Sjabadhyni Bertina
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to compare the impact of different types of flexible work arrangements (flextime and telecommuting) on ethical decision-making. Ethical decision-making is when individuals use their moral basis to determine what is right and wrong in a given situation. It involves an awareness of moral dilemmas and consideration of the consequences of decisions. Flexible work arrangements are offered to promote individuals’ ethical decision-making by balancing their needs at work and outside work, such as spending time with family. This research was conducted on 185 employees and used a quantitative approach that utilizes experimental methods with a post-test-only design. Employees’ ethical decision-making was measured using two vignettes. Data analysis was conducted using the independent sample t-test parametric statistical technique. The study results indicated a t-value of 4.21 and a significance level of 0.00 (p-value 0.05), which showed that this study's working hypothesis was acceptable. It concluded that there were differences in ethical decision-making between two types of flexible work arrangements: flextime and telecommuting groups.
The role of grit and parent-child communication in career adaptability
Authors: Wibowo Doddy Hendro , Ambarwati Krismi Diah , Crescenzo Pietro
Published: March 2021

The transition period from school to the world of work is a critical time that affects determining one's career. This study aims to examine the role of grit and parent-child communication in students’ career adaptability. Using a purposive sampling technique, the study involved 218 High School (SMA) students and 124 Vocational High School (SMK) students in Salatiga, Indonesia. The measurement instruments used in the research were the career adaptability scale, grit scale, and parent-child communication scale. The results show that the R-value was 0.595 and the adjusted R squared (R2) value was 0.354. The significance value generated from the regression test was 0.000 (p0.05). Based on the calculation results, it can be concluded that grit and communication between parents and children together play a significant role in career adaptability. The research implication is that students’ grit and effective parent-child communication should be developed to improve career adaptability.
Institutional Roles of Teachers in the Region: between Conformism and Nonconformism
Authors: Golovchin Maksim
Published: March 2021

The research objective was to determine the institutional roles chosen by the teachers in the Vologda Oblast, as well as the social and professional phenomena that shape these roles. The study featured the degree of trust that teachers put on local institutions and their participation in the implementation of institutional rules. The agents were clustered according to their institutional roles based on a sociological online survey of the local teacher community. The obtained classification showed that teachers are more likely to choose the role of opportunistic agents that tend to support new institutions but stick to traditions in their professional activities. The formation of such institutional roles as nonconformists, conformists, and opportunists depends largely on the social and professional well-being of the agents, which, in the case of nonconformism, acquires conflict features. The opportunism displayed by the teaching community can be associated with an attempt to avoid conflicts with colleagues and management. Maximum protection from deviant behavior can improve the educational environment if introduced in the process of institutional planning.
Digital Environment of Higher Education in Russia: Objective Conditions and Subjective Perception of Distance Learning by Students in a Situation of Increasing Risks
Authors: Zinurova Raushanya , Nikitina Tatiana
Published: March 2021

The article introduces a comprehensive study of distance learning in higher education during the pandemic. The authors analyzed the readiness of universities to implementing e-learning platforms. They focused on the legal and organizational aspects of digital environment. The authors studied relevant interviews given by heads of higher educational institutions in various media sources. The research objective was to develop and perform a formalized interview with full-time students of Russian universities. The study made it possible to identify a wide range of issues that affect the passage to distance learning, as well as to define the prospective directions and problem areas of the digital environment at universities as part of domestic digital economy. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the development of tasks for a successful transfer of universities to distance or blended learning.
Rhizobial isolates in active layer samples of permafrost soil of Spitsbergen, Arctic
Authors: Karlov Denis , Sazanova Anna , Kuznetsova Irina , Tikhomirova Nina , Popova Zhanna , Osledkin Yuriy , Demidov Nikita , Belimov Andrey , Safronova Vera
Published: March 2021

Twenty-nine strains were isolated from two samples of the permafrost active layer of the Spitsbergen archipelago. The estimated number of bacteria ranged from 4.0⋅104 to 1.7⋅107 CFU∙g-1. As a result of sequencing of the 16S rRNA (rrs) genes, the isolates were assigned to 13 genera belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria (classes α, β, and γ), Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. Six isolates belonged to the rhizobial genus Mesorhizobium (order Rhizobiales). A plant nodulation assay with seedlings of legume plants Astragalus norvegicus, A. frigidus, A. subpolaris and Oxytropis sordida, originated from Khibiny (Murmansk region, Russia) and inoculated with Mesorhizobium isolates, showed the inability of these strains to form nodules on plant roots. Symbiotic (sym) genes nodC and nodD were not detected in Mesorhizobium strains either.
Time Code in Modern Art: Discoursive Analysis of Temporal Art-Projects
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Lola Galina N. , Aleksandrova Tatiana I. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: March 2021

The article explores the influence of the concept of time on modern art practices, as well as the impact of digital media on the ability of art to anticipate the future. The methodology of discourse analysis is used as a tool to reveal temporal characteristics and the communicative potential of relevant art projects. The digital age creates a simultaneous world in which one can perceive the future by being deeply involved in the present moment. Contemporary artists have the ability to grasp changes hidden from the majority, and to formalize them in works of art. The simultaneous perception of time becomes the clue to the development of this ability, while the concept of time becomes the clue to understanding the message contained in the work of art. As a result, the task of the researcher is to discover the temporal dimensions of the relevant art projects and to examine the nature of interaction between the viewer and the work of art. Taking this into consideration, special attention should be given to the method of involving the viewer in the semantic space of the artwork. The subject of analysis is the communicative model of the artwork, which is presented as a flexible, mobile semantic structure that activates the viewer’s imagination and his ability to improvise. The methodological framework for understanding the communicative model was the neo‐pragmatism theory of social action and practice-oriented social semiotics. The interpretation of the work of art as a communicative event actualizes the discourse analysis that allows us to perceive the artwork in its dynamics and to explore its’ temporal dimensions. At the same time, the discourse analysis is represented not only as an effective research tool, but also as a resource that helps the artist, the researcher and the viewer to develop a flexible and conceptual mindset.
The Human Person as a Social and Interpersonal Being According to the Most Significant Representatives of the Lublin Personalism
Authors: Kosche Michał
Published: March 2021

The article constitutes an attempt to present the synthetic understanding of the person as a social and relational being based on the Lublin conception of personalism of late twentieth and early twenty-first century. The analyses of the social horizon of the person cannot be limited to one, however brilliant, perspective. Person needs to be illuminated using cognitive lights of various kinds to approach a broad range of information relevant to it. The personalism of the Lublin School, which is characterised by a multiplicity of methods and forms of the description of a person, while preserving a certain common axiomatic and axiological foundation, is perfectly suited for this. Moreover, in line with the hermeneutic method of a “medium ground,” to describe the personal being personalists from Lublin such as Wincenty Granat, Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II or Czesław Stanisław Bartnik have utilized both philosophical and theological data. Deriving methodological inspiration from the masters mentioned above, the whole inquiry featured in this article is divided into two parts. They include the analyses of philosophical and theological horizons of understanding the social and interpersonal dimension of the person.
Wiralizacja i wirtualizacja liturgii? Studium przypadku transmisji Mszy św. w czasie pandemii
Authors: Szczepaniak Maciej
Published: March 2021

Pandemia koronawirusa wywarła ogromny wpływ na życie wielu społeczeństw. Ograniczenia dotknęły również liturgii – źródła, z którego wypływa moc Kościoła. W wielu miejscach świata dostęp do tego źródła został ograniczony lub wręcz zagrodzony przez obostrzenia władz cywilnych.Wydawane przez biskupów zalecenia zawierały często propozycję, aby parafie ze swoich świątyń transmitowały w mediach społecznościowych niedzielną Mszę św. Niniejsze studium przypadku jednej polskiej diecezji (poznańskiej) pokazuje skalę zjawiska transmisji. Duża ich liczba, nawet z małych parafii, świadczy o potrzebie identyfikacji wiernych z własną parafią. Autor przekonuje, że Kościół umiał zareagować na sytuację kryzysową, dokonując swoistej „rewizji” duszpasterskiej. Jego zdaniem konieczna jest jednak formacja odbiorców, by zażegnać niebezpieczeństwo wiralizacji i wirtualizacji liturgii.
Algae as a Source of Bioactive Compounds to Prevent the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Popović-Djordjević Jelena B. , Katanić Stanković Jelena S. , Mihailović Vladimir , Pereira Antia G. , Garcia-Oliveira Paula , Prieto Miguel A. , Simal-Gandara Jesus
Published: March 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complicated metabolic disorder characterized by
hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. It is considered a new pandemic and its control
involves numerous challenges. Although many of the measures are based on improving
life habits, diet is also of vital importance due to bioactive compounds present in food. In
this regard, several raw materials have been investigated whose bioactivities seem to
slow the progression of this disease. Within these matrices, there are algae of importance,
such as brown algae, showing to have beneficial effects on glycemic control. These pieces
of evidence are increasing every day due to the development of cell or animal models,
which lead to the conclusion that bioactive compounds may have direct effects on decreasing
hyperglycemia, enhancing insulin secretion and preventing the formation of
amyloid plaques.
Janus Kinase Inhibitors: A Review of Their Application in the Vitiligo
Authors: Niu Chao , Xie Hunjun , Aisa Haji Akber
Published: March 2021

The small-molecular inhibitors targeted JAks (JAK inhibitors), could modulate the cytokines-mediated signaling via JAK-STAT pathway, which plays a important role in immune regulation and cell proliferation. The JAK inhibitors are previously designed and synthesized to treat diseases involved with hematologic and immune system. Increasing evidence shows that they are quite effective in atopic dermatitis (AD), alopecia areata (AA), psoriasis, vitiligo, and other autoimmune-induced dermatologic conditions. Currently, many JAK inhibitors possessing anti-vitiligo activity are being investigated in laboratory and clinically. In this view, we would like to summarize so we review the applications of these inhibitors with emphasis on profile of vitiligo, clinical efficacy, dosages, development of new candidates and adverse events through available literatures.
O lugar da História e Cultura de África no espaço da sala de aula no ISART avaliação, aprendizagem e investigação
Authors: Agostinho Yuri Manuel Francisco
Published: March 2021

The scope of this experience report in the classroom converges on three points. The first point will focus on the evaluation of the discipline History and Culture of Africa, general aspects, and concerning the teacher. The second point will deal with the representation of the contents learned in the classroom. On the third point, we want to follow the personal trajectories of students around teacher-led research. The subjects researched are second-year students of the Instituto Superior de Artes of the Visual Arts and Fashion Design courses. The research methodology included questionnaires, individual and collective interviews in addition to documentary and bibliographic research.
¿Historia o leyenda? Lectura de fuentes y obtención de evidencias en el alumnado de Educación Secundaria
Authors: Ponce Gea Ana Isabel
Published: March 2021

In this study, we define as an objective to determine the preference of the students for history or for legends when they work evidence that is opposite to the version of the narrative transmitted by the popular memory. With this purpose, we conducted qualitative research with 83 students aged twelve to thirteen years about their narratives. For the analysis, we delimit categories related to the reading of sources, the obtaining of evidence, and the creation of discourses. The results show that a conflict between the evidence tends to be solved by the conservation of the legend. Thus, it is essential that students work on their historical thinking skills in order that emotional aspects do not falsify the image of the past.
Educación Histórica y competencias educativas en la formación universitaria
Authors: Molina-Torres Maria Pilar
Published: March 2021

The aim of this work is to promote the proximity of the students of the Master’s Degree in Secondary teaching staff of the University of Córdoba with respect to the concept of heritage and the implementation of didactic itineraries in their university training. For our proposal, an interactive teaching-learning is established that gives the possibility to the students to work in an investigative way the exits of the classroom. The study sample is made up of 107 students of the subject Learning and teaching the corresponding subjects in Social Sciences: Geography and History. According to the results of the pre-test and the post-test, the understanding of the geographical space, its historical formation process, and the ways of life developed in it, have been very useful to link the students of the MAES with their immediate environment and also contribute to the understanding of the historical dynamics that shape it.