bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality and Its Determinants in Adult Patients with End-stage Liver Disease on Waiting List for Liver Transplantation: A Preliminary Report on Baseline Data
Authors: Bagheri Lankarani Kamran , Honarvar Behnam , Rouhezamin Mohammad Reza , Raeisi Shahraki Hadi , Seifi Vahid , Geramizadeh Bita , Salahi Heshmatollah , Nikeghbalian Saman , Shamsaeefar Alireza , Keshani Parisa , Malekhosseini Seyed Ali
Published: May 2021

Background: Prevention of death in patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) is a major concern to prioritize organ allocation. Since the model for the end-stage liver disease (MELD) and its modifications have many shortages, there is a need for further refinement of the allocation strategy. Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the predictors of mortality in LT candidates in a more comprehensive manner with the possible implications to improve the care of such patients and assist in developing better strategies for organ allocation. Methods: In the current cohort study, 544 adult LT candidates with end-stage liver disease were followed up for a mean of 12 months in three-month intervals. Data analysis was performed in Nutritionist, SPSS, and R software, using Kaplan-Meier, Cox proportional hazard (HRC), and LASSO Cox regression hazard (HRL) tests. Results: The mean age of the patients was 46.7 ± 13.7 years; the majority were male (n = 336, 61.7%). At the end of the study, 414 (76.1%) subjects were still alive and 130 (23.9%) dead. The cumulative percentages of death were 33.1%, 57.7%, and 79.2% after 3, 6, and 12 months of waiting for a donor, respectively. Although there was a strong association between having hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) (HRC = 4.7, HRL = 1.8), a history of myocardial infarction (MI) (HRC = 3.3, HRL = 1.6), low-carbohydrate (CHO) diet (HRC = 2.7, HRL = 1.5), and mortality, it was weak for MELD score. Moreover, a serum level of CA 125, high polymorphonuclear (PMN) count, weight loss, a high level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), positive hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, high mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of red blood cells, ascites, and edema of gallbladder wall had association with mortality in LT patients. Conclusions: In addition to MELD score, HPS, a history of MI, low CHO intake, weight loss, ascites, PMN, CA 125, ALT, hepatitis B surface antigen, MCV, blood urea nitrogen, and gallbladder wall thickness are predictors of mortality in LT candidates and need to be considered in the LT allocation system.
Rediscovery of “Liodon” asiaticum Répelin, 1915, a Mosasaurini (Squamata, Mosasauridae, Mosasaurinae) from the Upper Cretaceous of the vicinity of Jerusalem – Biostratigraphical insights from microfossils
Authors: BARDET Nathalie , DESMARES Delphine , SÁNCHEZ-PELLICER Raquel , GARDIN Silvia
Published: May 2021

Briefly mentioned in 1915 by the palaeontologist Répelin, the mosasaurid Liodon asiaticum Répelin, 1915 was found by a missionary to Africa, Father Ruffier, in Late Cretaceous strata near Jerusalem (without further details on the exact provenance). This material was never described in detail, figured, or revised and was recently rediscovered in the collections of the Muséum d’histoire naturelle of Marseille (Provence, southern France). Here we describe and figure for the first time this material, which now includes more specimens than the original lot mentioned by Répelin, and we propose new systematic assignments for the identified specimens. First of all we demonstrate that the five original vertebrae briefly described by Répelin represent a composite assemblage and are not diagnostic at the specific level. Thus Liodon asiaticum should be considered a nomem dubium. The most complete and diagnostic specimen belongs to a Mosasaurini (Mosasaurinae) incertae sedis, close to Mosasaurus Conybeare, 1822 and Plotosaurus Camp, 1951, as shown by the unique configuration of its frontal-parietal-postorbitofrontal complex. The two other specimens are identified as indeterminate Mosasaurinae. The study of several groups of microfossils (calcareous nannofossils, planktonic foraminifera and palynomorphs) found in the white chalk preserved with most of the bones constrains the age of these mosasaurid remains to the lower part of the middle Campanian (C. plummerae (Gandolfi, 1955) / G. rosetta (Carsey, 1926) and CC18 / UC14-15a Zones). This corresponds to the local Mishash Formation that crops out extensively East of Jerusalem (Mount of Olives and surroundings). Father Ruffier probably collected these bones in one of the outcrops of this formation, possibly not very far from where he worked and lived (Saint-Anne Community in Jerusalem). These chalky levels, common in the Middle East, represent a shallow and rather open marine environment, possibly near-shore.
Edgar A. Poe y las artes: el ideario artístico sugerido a través de "The Assignation"
Authors: Jaquero Esparcia Alejandro
Published: May 2021

Resumen: El legado literario de Edgar Allan Poe ha sido asociado por la cultura popular, más que por la historiografía, al mundo gótico y la escritura de terror. No obstante, muchos estudios actuales inciden en la amplitud de temáticas presentes en la obra del escritor bostoniano. Ello se debe en parte a la formación adquirida como revisor literario en prensa y la satisfacción por aprender tanto los sucesos histórico-artísticos europeos y orientales como los novedosos progresos científicos desarrolladas durante el siglo XIX. En este sentido, las referencias al mundo de las Bellas Artes son constantes en su obra, configurando en algunos casos la acción misma de sus narraciones. Pretendemos examinar cómo, desde un lenguaje cuidado y experto, sugiere al lector una idea del coleccionista ideal y de sus criterios estéticos a lo largo del cuento “La cita”.Abstract: The literary legacy of Edgar Allan Poe has been identified by the popular culture, rather than the historiography, as belonging to the Gothic universe and the horror tales. However, many current studies have noted the variety of topics present in the work of the Bostonian. This is partly due to the training acquired as a literary reviewer when working in several journals and newspapers, and his interest for being well informed about European and Eastern historical and artistic facts and the pioneering scientific discoveries of the 19th century. In this sense, the references to the Fine Arts are constant in his work, being in some cases the very core of his narrations. We intend to examine how, with a careful and expert language, he presents the reader a picture of the ideal collector and his aesthetic principles throughout the tale "The Assignation."
Las conversiones religiosas en Granada en época moderna y contemporánea
Authors: Carvajal Contreras Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2021

Resumen: El presente artículo trata de exponer el fenómeno de la diversidad religiosa en la ciudad de Granada, desde la conquista de la misma por los Reyes Católicos en 1492 hasta la actualidad, pasando por las diversas etapas históricas, mediante una perspectiva antropológica. Una vez producida la conquista definitiva, se lleva a cabo una progresiva cristianización de la capital y del Reino de Granada. La Granada post-renacentista, la de época barroca, presenta una población ya marcadamente cristianizada, aunque es aún destacable la labor inquisitorial. Este panorama se extiende a lo largo del siglo XVIII, cuando algunos viajeros extranjeros comienzan a visitar la ciudad, muchos de ellos de religión protestante, y esta será también una constante en los viajeros del siglo XIX. Ya en el XX, especialmente a partir de la segunda mitad del siglo, será cuando se produzca una mayor llegada de religiones foráneas que resultarán atractivas para la conversión, esta vez ya no forzosa sino voluntaria, creando una imagen más plural de la ciudad.Abstract: This article deals with the fact of the religious diversity in the city of Granada, from its conquest by the Catholic King and Queen in 1492 up to now, and going through the different historical stages, with and anthropological perspective. Once Granada was definitely conquered, a progressive christianization of the city and its Kingdom was carried out. Post-renaissance Granada, in the baroque period, has population markedly christianized, although the inquisitorial work is still remarkable. This panorama extends all along the XVIII century, when some foreing travellers, many of them protestans, began to visit the city, as many of the travellers in the XIX century. In the XX century, specially in the second half, it will take place a greater arrival of foreign religions which will be attractive for people to convert to them. However, this time, it will not be a forced but a voluntary conversion, thus creating a more plural image of the city.
Diplomática y e-Diplomática: Pasado y futuro de la validación documental
Authors: Sánchez-González Antonio , De-la-Prada-Espina Diego
Published: May 2021

Resumen: La tesis planteada en el presente artículo mantiene la plena validez del metadato como elemento de validación de los documentos en los nuevos soportes y formatos digitales actuales, del mismo modo que la Diplomática -en cuanto a ciencia del documento- se servía, como hoy, de unos elementos de validación documental que los hacían y hacen auténticos e indubitados en soportes físicos como el pergamino o el papel. De ahí que tracemos aquí una breve evolución del sistema de validación documental a partir de la Edad Media, para demostrar que el documento considerado auténtico era lo que decía ser, con el fin de poner en conexión esos tradicionales elementos de validación con los elementos actuales, a través de los metadatos, con idéntica funcionalidad de garantizar la integridad y fiabilidad de los modernos documentos digitales. Para ello, nos acercamos primeramente a los documentos en soporte físico a través del análisis de sus suscripciones, signos, monogramas, ruedas, signaturas y sellos. Posteriormente, como contribución a lo que podíamos denominar e-Diplomática, valoramos las formas digitales de validación, que se produce a través de los metadatos de la gestión de los e-documentos, acercándonos al origen de su legitimidad como elementos que avalan que sean auténticos, disponibles y fiables.Abstract: The thesis proposed in this article maintains the full validity of metadata as an element of validation of documents in the new digital media and formats of today, in the same way that Diplomacy -as far as the science of the document- used, as today, elements of documentary validation that made them and make them authentic and indubitable in physical supports such as parchment or paper. This is why we trace here a brief evolution of the document validation system from the Middle Ages, to demonstrate that the document considered authentic was what it claimed to be, in order to connect these traditional elements of validation with current elements, through metadata, with the same functionality of guaranteeing the integrity and reliability of modern digital documents. To this end, we first approach documents on physical support through the analysis of their subscriptions, signs, monograms, wheels, signatures and seals. Subsequently, as a contribution to what we could call e-Diplomatic, we valued the digital forms of validation, which are produced through the metadata of the management of e-documents, approaching the origin of their legitimacy as elements that guarantee that they are authentic, available and reliable.
Materialist and post-materialist concerns and the wish for a strong leader in 27 countries
Authors: Lima Marcus E. O. , de França Dalila X. , Jetten Jolanda , Pereira Cícero R. , Wohl Michael J. A. , Jasinskaja-Lahti Inga , Hong Ying-yi , Torres Ana Raquel , Costa-Lopes Rui , Ariyanto Amarina , Autin Frédérique , Ayub Nadia , Badea Constantina , Besta Tomasz , Butera Fabrizio , Fantini-Hauwel Carole , Finchilescu Gillian , Gaertner Lowell , Gollwitzer Mario , Gómez Ángel , González Roberto , Jensen Dorthe Høj , Karasawa Minoru , Kessler Thomas , Klein Olivier , Megevand Laura , Morton Thomas , Paladino Maria Paola , Polya Tibor , Renvik Tuuli Anna , Ruza Aleksejs , Shahrazad Wan , Shama Sushama , Smith Heather J. , Teymoori Ali , van der Bles Anne Marthe
Published: May 2021

There is evidence that democracies are under threat around the world while the quest for strong leaders is increasing. Although the causes of these developments are complex and multifaceted, here we focus on one factor: the extent to which citizens express materialist and post-materialist concerns. We explore whether objective higher levels of democracy are differentially associated with materialist and post-materialist concerns and, in turn, whether this is related to the wish for a strong leader. Testing this hypothesis across 27 countries (N = 5,741) demonstrated a direct negative effect of democracies’ development on the wish for a strong leader. Further, multi-level mediation analysis showed that the relation between the Democracy Index and the wish for a strong leader was mediated by materialist concerns. This pattern of results suggests that lower levels of democracy are associated with enhanced concerns about basic needs and this is linked to greater support for strong leaders.
Thermal delousing in anaesthetised small Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts: A case study showing the viability of anaesthesia prior to delousing for improved welfare during treatment for salmon lice
Authors: Folkedal O , Utskot SO , Nilsson J
Published: May 2021

Delousing treatment for salmon sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is considered a significant welfare concern in farming of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), where both industry and legislative bodies prompt for better methods. Currently, the most common method is thermal delousing, where fish are crowded, pumped into a vessel and exposed to ~28-34°C for ~30 s. Physical collisions occurring as a result of a loss of behavioural control lead to acute stress. Crowding triggers vigorous escape behaviour as salmon respond not only to treatment but also to being channeled to and from the treatment zone. A sequence of events considered to cause mortality and poor welfare. The present case study was motivated by an urgent need for delousing in groups of small salmon post-smolts in experimental research. For this purpose, a simple, small-scale system for thermal delousing was constructed, including anaesthesia to alleviate behavioural responses. The anaesthetised fish showed little behavioural response to thermal treatment, strong appetite within hours, and negligible mortality. The described method is regarded as a welfare-friendly alternative to industrial delousing in smaller fish groups, for example, in experimental research. We would encourage detailed research aimed towards gaining a deeper understanding of the welfare effects of anaesthesia prior to treatment for delousing.
Animal welfare during a period of intensification: The views of confinement and alternative pig producers
Authors: Molnár M , Fraser D
Published: May 2021

In Hungary, where intensive and non-intensive pig production co-exist, in-depth interviews were used to explore the views and priorities of pig producers regarding animal welfare and ethical animal production. Farmers using confinement systems and those with alternative, non-confinement systems shared certain core values such as attachment to animals and to traditional community values. Both groups agreed on most key elements of animal welfare (health, nutrition, etc) but had different priorities for how to achieve these within their production systems. Alternative producers considered unconfined, semi-natural environments important for animal welfare, and confinement producers with medium-sized operations (400-600 sows) generally agreed. Only the three largest producers (> 1,000 sows) expressed strong confidence in confinement methods. Different producers emphasised different features for ensuring animal welfare. Producers with large-scale confinement systems depend strongly on staff and automation and require the means to find and retain good staff. Those with medium-scale confinement systems see automation and personal involvement with animals as crucial, and they need economic conditions that allow herd size to remain within their personal capacity. Those operating alternative systems see small herds and non-confinement systems as crucial for animal welfare and need markets that encourage such systems. Subsidies, regulatory systems and technological developments would need to be tailored to meet the different needs in order for producers to improve animal welfare in the different systems and according to their own values and priorities. Medium-scale confinement producers could better act on their values if economic conditions allowed them to use more natural systems.
Establishing consensus on the best ways to educate children about animal welfare and prevent harm: An online Delphi study
Authors: Muldoon JC , Williams JM
Published: May 2021

Many animal welfare organisations deliver education programmes for children and young people, or design materials for schoolteachers to use. However, few of these are scientifically evaluated, making it difficult for those working in this field to establish with any certainty the degree of success of their own programmes, or learn from others. There has been no guidance specifically tailored to the development and evaluation of animal welfare education interventions. Accordingly, a three-stage online Delphi study was designed to unearth the expertise of professionals working in this field and identify degree of consensus on various aspects of the intervention process: design, implementation and evaluation. Thirty-one experts participated in Round 1, representing eleven of 13 organisations in the Scottish Animal Welfare Education Forum (SAWEF), and eleven of 23 members of the wider UK-based Animal Welfare Education Alliance (AWEA). Seven further professionals participated, including four based in Canada or the US. Eighty-four percent of the original sample participated in Round 2, where a high level of consensus was apparent. However, the study also revealed areas of ambiguity (determining priorities, the need for intervention structure and degree of success). Tensions were also evident with respect to terminology (especially around cruelty and cruelty prevention), and the common goal for animal welfare to be part of school curricula. Findings were used to develop a web-based framework and toolkit to enable practitioners to follow evidence-based guidance. This should enable organisations to maximise the quality and effectiveness of their interventions for children and young people.
Volumetric Analysis of the Articular Eminence Pneumatization Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: QUEZADA Milushka , PAUCAR Jean , LEÓN Roberto , GUERRERO Maria Eugenia
Published: May 2021

Objective: To assess tomographic features of mastoid cell pneumatization (MCP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials and Methods: To evaluate 659 CBCTs (500 women and 159 men) of the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology service of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Dental Clinic, between 2014 – 2015. The age group was between 7 to 79 years-old. The classification of Al Faleh and Ibrahim was also used to assess the degree of pneumatization, and the statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.
Results: The frequency of MCP was 76.2 % (502 cases). The highest frequency was found for grade 0 and 2, the highest frequency was found in the 6th decade of life and great predominance was found for the female sex. However, no statically significant differences were found with respect to the gender.
Conclusion: MCP prevalence was 76.2% and CBCT became the gold-standard that allows an adequate evaluation of this anatomical variant.
Three-Dimensional Volumetric/ Linear Analysis and Axial Classification of Root Resorptions Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Study
Authors: KOŞAR Tuğba , GÜNAÇAR Dilara Nil , KÖSE Taha
Published: May 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the volumetric-linear analysis and to present a new axial classification of root resorptions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods: A total of 43 teeth with root resorption (external cervical resorption (ECR) (n=27), external replacement resorption (ERR) (n=4) and internal root resorption (IRR) (n=12)) from 34 patients were included in this study. On CBCT images of teeth, the volume of total tooth and resorption for the volumetric analysis, the widest lengths of resorptions and the amount of thinnest dentin thickness around them for the linear analysis were measured, and volumetric/linear measurements were compared according to age and gender. In addition, the eight regional axial classification was performed, and these regions were compared. Data were evaluated using Shapiro-Wilk, Pearson’s r., Kruskal-Wallis and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner post-hoc tests. Significance was set at p=0.05 for statistical analysis.

Results: No significant difference was found between the volumetric and linear measurements of ECRs, ERRs, and IRRs. No difference between genders in volumetric and linear measurements of ECRs and IRRs, except total tooth volume, was higher in males than in females in ECRs (p
Competitive coordination of the dual roles of the Hedgehog co-receptor in homophilic adhesion and signal reception
Authors: Yang Shu , Zhang Ya , Yang Chuxuan , Wu Xuefeng , El Oud Sarah Maria , Chen Rongfang , Cai Xudong , Wu Xufeng S , Lan Ganhui , Zheng Xiaoyan
Published: May 2021

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling patterns embryonic tissues and contributes to homeostasis in adults. In Drosophila, Hh transport and signaling are thought to occur along a specialized class of actin-rich filopodia, termed cytonemes. Here, we report that Interference hedgehog (Ihog) not only forms a Hh receptor complex with Patched to mediate intracellular signaling, but Ihog also engages in trans-homophilic binding leading to cytoneme stabilization in a manner independent of its role as the Hh receptor. Both functions of Ihog (trans-homophilic binding for cytoneme stabilization and Hh binding for ligand sensing) involve a heparin-binding site on the first fibronectin repeat of the extracellular domain. Thus, the Ihog-Ihog interaction and the Hh-Ihog interaction cannot occur simultaneously for a single Ihog molecule. By combining experimental data and mathematical modeling, we determined that Hh-Ihog heterophilic interaction dominates and Hh can disrupt and displace Ihog molecules involved in trans-homophilic binding. Consequently, we proposed that the weaker Ihog-Ihog trans interaction promotes and stabilizes direct membrane contacts along cytonemes and that, as the cytoneme encounters secreted Hh ligands, the ligands trigger release of Ihog from trans Ihog-Ihog complex enabling transport or internalization of the Hh ligand-Ihog-Patched -receptor complex. Thus, the seemingly incompatible functions of Ihog in homophilic adhesion and ligand binding cooperate to assist Hh transport and reception along the cytonemes.
KSR1- and ERK-dependent translational regulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Rao Chaitra , Frodyma Danielle E , Southekal Siddesh , Svoboda Robert A , Black Adrian R , Guda Chittibabu , Mizutani Tomohiro , Clevers Hans , Johnson Keith R , Fisher Kurt W , Lewis Robert E
Published: May 2021

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered a transcriptional process that induces a switch in cells from a polarized state to a migratory phenotype. Here, we show that KSR1 and ERK promote EMT-like phenotype through the preferential translation of Epithelial-Stromal Interaction 1 (EPSTI1), which is required to induce the switch from E- to N-cadherin and coordinate migratory and invasive behavior. EPSTI1 is overexpressed in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Disruption of KSR1 or EPSTI1 significantly impairs cell migration and invasion in vitro, and reverses EMT-like phenotype, in part, by decreasing the expression of N-cadherin and the transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin expression, ZEB1 and Slug. In CRC cells lacking KSR1, ectopic EPSTI1 expression restored the E- to N-cadherin switch, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth. KSR1-dependent induction of EMT-like phenotype via selective translation of mRNAs reveals its underappreciated role in remodeling the translational landscape of CRC cells to promote their migratory and invasive behavior.
Model Organisms in Cancer Research-Powers and Limitations
Authors: Adusumalli Ravi
Published: May 2021

Background: Cancer is a term that is used to describe a wide range of diseases, but they all have some characteristics in common. The goal of this review is to highlight the most commonly used cancer models as well as their role in tumor biology. Although each model has inherent powers and limitations in faithfully mirroring the complexity of tumorigenesis, there is no perfect single model for cancer. Main body: Oncologists can learn about the tumor microenvironment, gene mutations, and complex physiological systems using model organisms for cancer research. The widespread use of model organisms in cancer research has greatly improved understanding of how mutations in humans lead to cancer. Human cancer cell lines, drosophila, yeast, and mice are among the model organisms used to study cancer. However, these model organisms have flaws that can cause the tumor microenvironment to be falsified and restrict the defined targets in translational studies. Conclusion: The overwhelming message from various animal models allows us to better understand the state of the disease and develop new cancer treatments. Mice are a good substitute and surrogate for patients in the evaluation of diagnosis and prognosis among the various model organisms used in cancer research.
Pattern of Mosquito Borne Parasitic Infection in the Night Blood Samples of Patients with Elevated TNF-α of> 5.0 pg/ml
Authors: Folaranmi Olaniyan Mathew , Busayo Ojediran Tolulope , Fn Ozuruoke Donatus
Published: May 2021

Study Background: Plasmodium spp., (Protozoan) and Wuchereria bancrofti (Nematode) are transmitted by mosquitos to cause insect borne diseases known as malaria and Lymphatic filariasis/Elephantiasis. Apart from the social implication of these parasitic infections the infections can also elicit immune responses. Aim and Objective: This work was therefore designed to determine the pattern of mosquito borne parasitic infection in the night blood samples of patients with elevated TNF-α of > 5.0 pg/ml. Materials and Methods: Seventy (70; aged 31 – 76 years; Male- 35; Female-35) volunteers with plasma TNFα of 5.8 ±0.7 pg/including age-matched control participants ( n= 50 ; TNFα of 2.2 ± 0.3 pg/ml). All participants were negative to Acid Fast Bacilli, ant-HCV, HBsAg and HIV tests were recruited for the study. Night blood samples and sputum samples were obtained from the participants. Blood sample was used for determination of TNFα, HIVp24ag-Ab, anti-HCV, HBsAg by ELISA and identification of Plasmodium and Wuchereria by Geimsha thick blood film staining while sputum samples were used for the demonstration of Acid Fast Bacilli by Ziehl Neelsen staining. Results: The results showed a frequency of Plasmodium spp., in individuals with plasma TNF-α of 5.8 ±0.7 pg/ml as 31.4%(22) as against a frequency of 18%(9) in subjects with plasma TNF-α of 2.2 ± 0.3 pg/ml.. The results also showed a frequency of 5.71%(4) and2%(1) Wuchereria bancrofti in subjects with plasma TNF-α of 5.8 ±0.7 pg/ml and TNF-α of 2.2 ± 0.3 pg/ml. respectively. The overall frequency of parasitic infection obtained in both test and control subjects include: 33.3% (40)Plasmodium spp., and 4.2%(5) Wuchereria bancrofti.The overall results from both test and control subjects also showed a gender distribution of 20%(24) and 13.3%(16) Plasmodium spp.,in female and males respectively while a distribution of 1.7%(2) and 2.5%(3) Wuchereria bancrofti in females and males respectively. Conclusion: This work revealed increase in the frequency of Plasmodium spp. and Wuchereria bancrofti infections with increase in plasma TNF-α while the overall frequency of parasitic infection obtained in both test and control subjects was found to be 33.3% (40)Plasmodium spp., and 4.2%(5) Wuchereria bancrofti with possible variations in regional and gender distributions. Mosquito borne parasitic infection of Plasmodium spp., was found to be more prevalent in patients with elevated TNF-α of> 5.0 pg/ml.
Event detection in finance using hierarchical clustering algorithms on news and tweets
Authors: Carta Salvatore , Consoli Sergio , Piras Luca , Podda Alessandro Sebastian , Reforgiato Recupero Diego
Published: May 2021

In the current age of overwhelming information and massive production of textual data on the Web, Event Detection has become an increasingly important task in various application domains. Several research branches have been developed to tackle the problem from different perspectives, including Natural Language Processing and Big Data analysis, with the goal of providing valuable resources to support decision-making in a wide variety of fields. In this paper, we propose a real-time domain-specific clustering-based event-detection approach that integrates textual information coming, on one hand, from traditional newswires and, on the other hand, from microblogging platforms. The goal of the implemented pipeline is twofold: (i) providing insights to the user about the relevant events that are reported in the press on a daily basis; (ii) alerting the user about potentially important and impactful events, referred to as hot events, for some specific tasks or domains of interest. The algorithm identifies clusters of related news stories published by globally renowned press sources, which guarantee authoritative, noise-free information about current affairs; subsequently, the content extracted from microblogs is associated to the clusters in order to gain an assessment of the relevance of the event in the public opinion. To identify the events of a day d we create the lexicon by looking at news articles and stock data of previous days up to d−1 Although the approach can be extended to a variety of domains (e.g. politics, economy, sports), we hereby present a specific implementation in the financial sector. We validated our solution through a qualitative and quantitative evaluation, performed on the Dow Jones’ Data, News and Analytics dataset, on a stream of messages extracted from the microblogging platform Stocktwits, and on the Standard & Poor’s 500 index time-series. The experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposal in extracting meaningful information from real-world events and in spotting hot events in the financial sphere. An added value of the evaluation is given by the visual inspection of a selected number of significant real-world events, starting from the Brexit Referendum and reaching until the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.
A new SLA-aware method for discovering the cloud services using an improved nature-inspired optimization algorithm
Authors: Heidari Arash , Jafari Navimipour Nima
Published: May 2021

Cloud computing is one of the most important computing patterns that use a pay-as-you-go manner to process data and execute applications. Therefore, numerous enterprises are migrating their applications to cloud environments. Not only do intensive applications deal with enormous quantities of data, but they also demonstrate compute-intensive properties very frequently. The dynamicity, coupled with the ambiguity between marketed resources and resource requirement queries from users, remains important issues that hamper efficient discovery in a cloud environment. Cloud service discovery becomes a complex problem because of the increase in network size and complexity. Complexity and network size keep increasing dynamically, making it a complex NP-hard problem that requires effective service discovery approaches. One of the most famous cloud service discovery methods is the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm; however, it suffers from a load balancing problem among the discovered nodes. If the workload balance is inefficient, it limits the use of resources. This paper solved this problem by applying an Inverted Ant Colony Optimization (IACO) algorithm for load-aware service discovery in cloud computing. The IACO considers the pheromones’ repulsion instead of attraction. We design a model for service discovery in the cloud environment to overcome the traditional shortcomings. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed mechanism can obtain an efficient service discovery method. The algorithm is simulated using a CloudSim simulator, and the result shows better performance. Reducing energy consumption, mitigate response time, and better Service Level Agreement (SLA) violation in the cloud environments are the advantages of the proposed method.
Media exposure predicts acute stress and probable acute stress disorder during the early COVID-19 outbreak in China
Authors: Luo Yu , He Xiangcai , Wang Shaofeng , Li Jinjin , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2021

Background

The COVID-19 has led to unprecedented psychological stress on the general public. However, the associations between media exposure to COVID-19 and acute stress responses have not been explored during the early COVID-19 outbreak in China.

Methods

An online survey was conducted to investigate the relationships between media exposure to COVID-19 and acute stress responses, and to recognize associated predictors of acute stress responses on a sample of 1,450 Chinese citizens from February 3 to February 10, 2020. Media exposure questionnaire related to COVID-19 was developed to assess media exposure time, media exposure forms and media exposure content. The Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ) was used to measure acute stress responses, including continuous acute stress symptom scores and the risk of probable acute stress disorder (ASD). A series of regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Longer media exposure time and social media use were associated with higher acute stress and probable ASD. Viewing the situation of infected patients was associated with higher acute stress, whereas viewing the latest news about pandemic data was associated with lower odds of probable ASD. Being females, living in Hubei Province, someone close to them diagnosed with COVID-19, history of mental illness, recent adverse life events and previous collective trauma exposure were risk factors for acute stress responses.

Conclusions

These findings confirmed the associations between indirect media exposure to pandemic events and acute stress responses. The governments should be aware of the negative impacts of disaster-related media exposure and implement appropriate interventions to promote psychological well-being following pandemic events.
Role of Immunohistochemical Markers p53 and Ki-67 in Grading of Glial Tumours: A Prospective Study
Authors: Singh Aparna , Bhardwaj Aparna , Kaushik Sanjay , Kishore Sanjeev , Acharya Seema
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Gliomas are the tumours of neuroepithelial tissues and are named according to their cell of origin. Squash cytology and sterotactic biopsies with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining form the backbone of diagnosis, nevertheless recent advances in Immunohistochemistry (IHC) have revolutionised the way gliomas are diagnosed and graded. Aim: To evaluate expression and correlation of p53 and Ki-67/MIB 1 amongst a series of gliomas diagnosed morphologically according to World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumours 2007. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective study conducted over a period of 18 months from December 2016 to May 2018 at a tertiary care centre in Uttarakhand, India. The study group comprised all consecutive cases of glial tumours that were clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed as Gliomas during this period. Histopathological sections were made from formalin fixed tissue and stained with H&E and grading was done according to the WHO grading system 2007 for CNS neoplasms. Subsequently, IHC sections were taken on poly L-lysine coated slides and IHC staining of p53 and MIB1 (Ki-67) was performed. The IHC scores were calculated and correlated with histopathological grade. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0. Results: A total of 40 cases of glial tumours diagnosed on histopatholgy were included in the study. They showed M:F ratio of 1.22:1 with peak age incidence of 21-30 years. Astrocytoma, grade IV was the most frequent diagnosis followed by grade II on H&E. On IHC, grade II diffuse astrocytomas, grade III Anaplastic Astrocytomas (AA), and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) demonstrated a mean p53 positivity of 29.5, 50.83 and 47.66, respectively and a Ki-67 positivity of 32.5, 48.33 and 58.08, respectively. For ependymomas grade I, II and III the mean p53 positivity was 9, 5.26 and 12, respectively and the mean Ki-67 positivity was 2, 7.93 and 40, respectively. Amongst oligodendrogliomas grade II and III showed a p53 positivity of 6 and 8.25 and Ki-67 positivity of 12 and 30.5, respectively. A stronger correlation was found between an increase in histologic grade and proliferation markers. Conclusion: Histologic grade was the most important prognostic factor with respect to patient survival in glial neoplasms. The immunopositivity for p53 and Ki-67 correlated well with histological malignancy grade in all glioma subtypes, but a considerable overlap of proliferative index was observed between different subtypes.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression as a Prognostic Marker in Breast Carcinomas
Authors: Jayashree B , Nagarajan Priyathersini , Johnson Thanka
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is over expressed in a variety of malignant tumours and their expression and activity are often associated with tumour aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. It serves as a prognostic marker in breast carcinoma regardless of patient age, disease stage, malignancy grade, or hormone receptor status and modulation of MMP-2 expression and activation provides a new mechanism for breast cancer treatment. Aim: To evaluate the expression of MMP-2 in breast carcinoma tumour cells and peritumoural stroma and also to analyse the findings with the existing other prognostic markers of mammary carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective study conducted on paraffin blocks of 90 cases of invasive breast carcinoma specimens received in the Department of Pathology, Sri Raamachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research a tertiary care centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2012 to June 2017. Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-2, Oestrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR) and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) was done. Statistical analysis was done on the data collected by using the software GNU-PSPP version 0.10.1. Pearson Chi-square test was used to determine significant clinicopathological differences between MMP-2 expression in positive and negative tumours. Differences were considered statistically significant when p-value was <0.05. Results: The study included 90 cases of histological proven invasive breast carcinoma. The study parameters include age, clinical staging, histopathological grade, lymphnode status, molecular subtype and MMP-2 expression in invasive breast carcinoma. Out of 90 cases, 62 cases were positive for MMP-2 and 18 cases were positive for peritumoural stroma, 30 cases were negative for MMP-2 in tumoural cells and 72 cases were negative surrounding the peritumoural stroma. Conclusion:Present study showed high MMP-2 immunohistochemical expression in breast carcinomas. There was a statistically significant association of increased MMP-2 expression with tumour stage. There was also a statistically significant association of MMP-2 in the tumour and stroma with High Grade Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (HGDCIS). There was an increased expression of MMP-2 in Luminal A subtype. Low expression was seen in the other molecular subtypes. In view of these findings and association with other studies in the literature, the present study demonstrates that the expression of MMP-2 in tumour and stromal cells could serve as a parameter of poor prognosis in breast cancer.
ESPORTES DE AVENTURA E EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA: APROXIMAÇÕES COM A EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL
Authors: Iacznski Luiz Antônio , De Paula Figueiredo Juliana , Preichardt Duek Viviane
Published: May 2021

O artigo objetiva descrever uma experiência com os esportes de aventura na Educação Física Infantil, com ênfase na construção de equipamentos. A experiência foi desenvolvida com um grupo de crianças entre quatro e cinco anos em uma instituição de Educação Infantil de Florianópolis/SC. Os esportes de aventura abordados foram slackline, surfe, escalada e parkour, utilizando-se equipamentos construídos com materiais alternativos e adaptados à faixa etária. O trato pedagógico dos esportes de aventura na Educação Infantil foi possível mediante a construção e adequação de equipamentos e espaços, além do estabelecimento de parcerias com outros profissionais da instituição. Conclui-se que a experiência possibilitou aprendizagens e favoreceu a aproximação e ampliação de conhecimentos acerca dessas práticas corporais na Educação Infantil.
O CURRÍCULO DA EDUCAÇÃO DE JOVENS E ADULTOS EM INSTITUIÇÕES PENAIS: A PERCEPÇÃO DE PROFESSORES
Authors: Voigt Jane Mery Richter , Xavier Dhuan Luiz
Published: May 2021

O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar reflexões acerca das percepções de professores sobre o currículo da Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) em instituições penais. O aporte teórico está pautado nos estudos curriculares e nos que abarcam a educação no sistema prisional. Esta pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa, obteve os dados por meio de entrevistas com cinco docentes que atuam na EJA de uma instituição penal na região norte de Santa Catarina. Os resultados apontam para a necessidade do desenvolvimento da autonomia curricular dos professores, uma vez que o currículo da escola formal, muitas vezes, não atende às necessidades dos estudantes encarcerados, que constituem uma das esferas mais marginalizadas de nossa sociedade.
DO DIREITO DE VIVER AO DE EXISTIR: UMA REFLEXÃO ACERCA DE OBRA DE CHARLES GARDOU
Authors: Rodrigues de Araújo Naim
Published: May 2021

Falar-se-á, aqui, sobre “A sociedade Inclusiva: falemos dela! Não há vida minúscula”; a obra é de autoria de do professor da Universidade de Lumière-Lyon II, Charles Gardou. O autor dedica seu trabalho antropológico às diversidades e fragilidades humanas. Na obra aqui em epígrafe nos convida a refletir sobre o que de fato é uma sociedade inclusiva; relembra a segregação histórica sofrida pelas pessoas com deficiência e questiona se realmente vivenciamos uma sociedade equânime em termos de direitos à diversidade Humana. Para Gardou (2018) é preciso mais do que a garantia do direito de existir; é necessário, pois, que os recursos sociais estejam disponíveis/acessíveis a todos os seres humanos – não basta estar presente, é preciso partilhar os recursos disponíveis – pois assim como ressalta Gardou (2018, p.27) o conjunto de bens sociais “não são prerrogativa de ninguém”.
State-wise Production Performance of Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice in India
Authors: Udhayakumar M. , Karunakaran K. R. , Thilagavathi M. , Ashok K. R.
Published: May 2021

The present study was designed to evaluate the state wise Basmati and non-Basmati rice production performance in India. The study is based on the time series data on area production and yield which were compiled from various sources for a period of 39 years (1980-81 to 2018-19). The sate wise analysis considers for the major basmati and non-basmati production sates by merging the newly divide states to parents’ sates like Telangana to AP etc. While considering overall period in basmati area (6.01%) production (10.55%) and yield (4.28%) shows positive growth rate with 1 per cent level of significance. Allover India shows positive growth rate like area (0.24%), production (1.95%) and Productivity (1.70%) with 1 per cent level of significance. For India, in overall period it is more stable as Area (2.89), Production (6.07) and yield (4.5) give low instability percent. Special attention program is need to enhance the production of rice in Assam and Orissa were two states are in lowest category in terms of productivity, so effects may be taken to increase the productivity in Assam and further increase from medium to high productivity states in case of Andhra Pradesh.
Outbreak of COVID-19: Impact on Socio-Economic Condition of Shrimp Farmers in South-West Coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmmed Shawon , Washim Mizanur Rahman , Rubel A. K. M. Shafiqul Alam , Islam Md. Latiful
Published: May 2021

Aims: The study investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on livelihood status of coastal Shrimp farmers using farm size, production and income of South-west Bangladesh.

Study Design: This study is empirical in its design. Data on socio-economic factors were collected randomly from selected Shrimp farmers.  Both open and closed ended questionnaire and directed to the Shrimp farmers of South-west coastal region of Bangladesh.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out at Khulna district (seven selected Shrimp farming locations; viz., Paikgacha, Lasker, Goroikhali, Lata, Kapilmuni, Amadi and Koyra) of Bangladesh for a period of five months during pandemic of COVID-19 (April-August, 2020).

Methodology: The key data were collected from face to face interview of 120 respondents. A brief outline about the nature and aim of the study was given to each respondent before the interview was commenced. The information of the respondents were written in the questionnaire immediately after completing the interview. Collected data were tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel (version 2016).

Results: Most of the respondents were middle aged (68 %) and living in nuclear families (71 %). Majority of the Shrimp farmers were illiterate (53 %). A greater proportion (66 %) involved in small scale Shrimp farming as a primary occupation followed by moderate (27 %) and large scale (7 %) Shrimp farming. More than half of the respondents earned >20000 BDT (USD$ 1 = 85 BDT) in each month before the pandemic. The production activities were seriously hampered due to unavailability of inputs including aquamedicine, disinfectants, labor crisis, seed and feed, growing the price of production materials and interrupted communication etc. due to the pandemic. However the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic reduced the production from their Shrimp ghers, drastically curtailed the market price, and consequently greatly compressed their income and livelihoods.

Conclusion: The pandemic known as COVID-19 has had a catastrophic impact on human activities, with the Shrimp farming sector being no exception. This study revealed that the socio-economic and income status of the Shrimp farmers was noticeably vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, large numbers of farmer families were unable to fulfill their minimum needs (food, income, and medical care).