bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of LCTI on China's low-carbon transformation from the spatial spillover perspective
Authors: Li Wenchao , Xu Jian , Wang Zhengming , Yang Jialiang
Published: November 2020

China has conducted a long-term low-carbon technology innovation (LCTI), but there was a faster increase of CO2 emission in 2017 and 2018 than in 2016, which has lead scholars to doubt the effect of LCTI on CO2 emission. This paper builds a spatial auto regression (SAR) model with provincial panel data from 2011 to 2017 to calculate the spatial spillover effect of China's LCTI on regional CO2 emission. The results show that regional LCTI can reduce the local CO2 emission, but will increase the CO2 emission of adjacent regions due to spatial spillover effect. This produces the uncertainty of the promotion effect of LCTI on China's low-carbon transformation. Therefore, this paper suggests innovation resources should be appropriately and evenly distributed among regions to avoid their agglomeration in few regions.
Mining the red deer genome (CerEla1.0) to develop X-and Y-chromosome-linked STR markers
Authors: Frank Krisztián , Bana Nóra Á. , Bleier Norbert , Sugár László , Nagy János , Wilhelm Júlia , Kálmán Zsófia , Barta Endre , Orosz László , Horn Péter , Stéger Viktor
Published: November 2020

Microsatellites are widely applied in population and forensic genetics, wildlife studies and parentage testing in animal breeding, among others, and recently, high-throughput sequencing technologies have greatly facilitated the identification of microsatellite markers. In this study the genomic data of Cervus elaphus (CerEla1.0) was exploited, in order to identify microsatellite loci along the red deer genome and for designing the cognate primers. The bioinformatics pipeline identified 982,433 microsatellite motifs genome-wide, assorted along the chromosomes, from which 45,711 loci mapped to the X- and 1096 to the Y-chromosome. Primers were successfully designed for 170,873 loci, and validated with an independently developed autosomal tetranucleotide STR set. Ten X- and five Y-chromosome-linked microsatellites were selected and tested by two multiplex PCR setups on genomic DNA samples of 123 red deer stags. The average number of alleles per locus was 3.3, and the average gene diversity value of the markers was 0.270. The overall observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.755 and 0.832, respectively. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) ranged between 0.469 and 0.909 per locus with a mean value of 0.813. Using the X- and Y-chromosome linked markers 19 different Y-chromosome and 72 X-chromosome lines were identified. Both the X- and the Y-haplotypes split to two distinct clades each. The Y-chromosome clades correlated strongly with the geographic origin of the haplotypes of the samples. Segregation and admixture of subpopulations were demonstrated by the use of the combination of nine autosomal and 16 sex chromosomal STRs concerning southwestern and northeastern Hungary. In conclusion, the approach demonstrated here is a very efficient method for developing microsatellite markers for species with available genomic sequence data, as well as for their use in individual identifications and in population genetics studies.
Low prevalence of bloodstream infection and high blood culture contamination rates in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Yu David , Ininbergs Karolina , Hedman Karolina , Giske Christian G. , Strålin Kristoffer , Özenci Volkan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In the management of COVID-19, knowledge is lacking on the frequency of secondary bacterial infections and on how empirical antibiotic therapy should be used. In the present study, we aimed to compare blood culture (BC) results of a COVID-19 patient cohort with two cohorts of patients without detected COVID-19.

Methods

Using a retrospective cohort study design of patients subjected to BC in six tertiary care hospitals, SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from March 1 to April 30 in 2020 (COVID-19 group) were compared to patients without confirmed SARS-CoV-2 during the same period (control group-2020) and with patients sampled March 1 to April 30 in 2019 (control group-2019). The outcomes studied were proportion of BC positivity, clinically relevant growth, and contaminant growth.

Results

In total 15,103 patients and 17,865 BC episodes were studied. Clinically relevant growth was detected in 197/3,027 (6.5%) BC episodes in the COVID-19 group compared to 717/6,663 (10.8%) in control group-2020 (p<0.0001) and 850/8,175 (10.4%) in control group-2019 (p<0.0001). Contamination was present in 255/3,027 (8.4%) BC episodes in the COVID-19 group compared to 330/6,663 (5.0%) in control group-2020 (p<0.0001) and 354/8,175 (4.3%) in control group-2019 (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

In COVID-19 patients, the prevalence of bloodstream bacterial infection is low and the contamination rate of BC is high. This knowledge should influence guidelines regarding blood culture sampling and empirical antibiotic therapy in COVID-19 patients.
Hepatitis B vaccination status and knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Hepatitis B among preclinical medical students of a medical college in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Dhan Bahadur , Khadka Manita , Khadka Manoj , Subedi Prarthana , Pokharel Subashchandra , Thapa Bikash Bikram
Published: November 2020

Background

Hepatitis B imposes a major public health problem with an increased risk of occupational exposure among unvaccinated health care workers. This study was conducted to determine the Hepatitis B vaccination status, along with the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Hepatitis B, among preclinical medical students of a medical college in Nepal.

Materials and methods

This descriptive study was conducted among preclinical students of a medical college in Kathmandu, Nepal from 6th July to 14th July 2020. The whole sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire which was emailed to individuals and analyzed with the statistical package for social sciences version-22.

Results

A total of 181 students participated in the study out of 198, giving a response rate of 91.4%. Among the study participants, only 67 (37%) were fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B while 71 (39.2%) were never vaccinated. For the majority (74.6%) of the non-vaccinated participants, the main reason for not getting vaccination was a lack of vaccination programs. Half the study participants (n = 92, 50.8%) had good knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hepatitis B. The median knowledge, attitude and practice scores towards Hepatitis B were 61.00 (57.00–66.00), 20(18.00–21.00) and 21(19.00–23.00) respectively.

Conclusions

The majority of preclinical medical students were not fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B and only half of them had acceptable knowledge, attitude and practice towards Hepatitis B, which makes them vulnerable to the infection. This might represent the situation of not only Nepal, but also all South Asian countries, and creates concern about whether students take the vaccination programs seriously. Since unavailability of vaccination program is the main cause of non-vaccination, we strongly recommend the provision of the Hepatitis B vaccination program to the preclinical medical students.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii tubulin-gene disruptants for efficient isolation of strains bearing tubulin mutations
Authors: Kato-Minoura Takako , Ogiwara Yutaro , Yamano Takashi , Fukuzawa Hideya , Kamiya Ritsu
Published: November 2020

The single-cell green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtiipossesses two α-tubulin genes (tua1andtua2) and two β-tubulin genes (tub1andtub2), with the two genes in each pair encoding identical amino acid sequences. Here, we screened an insertional library to establish eight disruptants with defectivetua2,tub1, ortub2expression. Most of the disruptants did not exhibit major defects in cell growth, flagellar length, or flagellar regeneration after amputation. Because few tubulin mutants ofC.reinhardtiihave been reported to date, we then used our disruptants, together with atua1disruptant obtained from theChlamydomonasLibrary Project (CLiP), to isolate tubulin-mutants resistant to the anti-tubulin agents propyzamide (pronamide) or oryzalin. As a result of several trials, we obtained 8 strains bearing 7 different α-tubulin mutations and 12 strains bearing 7 different β-tubulin mutations. One of the mutations is at a residue similar to that of a mutation site known to confer drug resistance in human cancer cells. Some strains had the same amino acid substitutions as those reported previously inC.reinhardtii; however, the mutants with single tubulin genes showed slightly stronger drug-resistance than the previous mutants that express the mutated tubulin in addition to the wild-type tubulin. Such increased drug-resistance may have facilitated sensitive detection of tubulin mutation. Single-tubulin-gene disruptants are thus an efficient background of generating tubulin mutants for the study of the structure–function relationship of tubulin.
Instability-negative pressure loss model of gas drainage borehole and prevention technique: A case study
Authors: Qi Qingjie , Jia Xinlei , Zhou Xinhua , Zhao Youxin
Published: November 2020

The internal collapse of deep seam drainage borehole and negative pressure loss represents a serious technical problem affecting gas drainage. To address this problem a creep model of coal around borehole was established based on the plastic softening characteristics of coal. The final collapse time of the borehole was determined and used to derive the three stages of the borehole collapse process. The model of negative pressure loss in drainage borehole was established according to the theory of fluid dynamics, the model of methane gas flow and the creep model of the coal around the borehole. The relationship between the negative pressure loss of drainage and the change of borehole aperture was derived, thereby revealing the main influencing factors of the negative pressure loss in the borehole. A drainage technique named “Full-hole deep screen mesh pipe” was introduced and tested to prevent the collapse of borehole and reduce the negative pressure loss. The result shows that after the borehole was drilled, the borehole wall was affected by the complex stress of the deep coal seam, the coal surrounding the borehole collapsed or presented the characteristics of creep extrusion towards the borehole. The “Full-hole deep screen mesh pipe drainage technology” could effectively control the collapse as well as the deformation of the borehole and reduced the negative pressure loss. Compared with the traditional drainage technology, the methane gas drainage concentration was increased by 101% and the gas flow was increased by 97% when the methane gas was drained for 90 days, the gas drainage efficiency increased significantly.
Impact of virtual reality anatomy training on ultrasound competency development: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hu Kai-Chun , Salcedo Daniel , Kang Yi-No , Lin Che-Wei , Hsu Chin-Wang , Cheng Chung-Yi , Suk Fat-Moon , Huang Wen-Cheng
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in health professions education has increased dramatically in recent years, yet there is limited evidence of its impact on educational outcomes. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of VR anatomy instruction on the ultrasound competency of novice learners participating in a ultrasonography workshop.

Method

We designed a VR-enhanced ultrasonography training program and utilized a plane transection tool to interact with a three-dimensional (3D) VR model of the human body which facilitated the 3D conceptualization of the spatial relationship of anatomical structures, leading to faster and better development of ultrasonographic competency. This was a randomized control study which enrolled third-year medical students (n = 101) without previous exposure to formal or informal ultrasonography training. The participants were randomly divided into an intervention and control group. We assessed participants’ competency through ultrasound performance stations on live subjects, we also measured anatomical and ultrasound image identification ability using multiple choice tests.

Result

Participants in the intervention group (median = 16; interquartile 13 to 19) had significantly higher scores in ultrasonography task performance tests than the control group (median = 10; interquartile 7 to 14; Mann-Whitney U = 595; P < 0.01). In sub-group analysis, the intervention group performed significantly better in the six out of ten ultrasound tasks. Participants in the intervention group also had greater improvement in ultrasonographic image identification MCQ tests than the control group (Mann-Whitney U = 914; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study suggests that VR-enhanced anatomical training could be of significant benefit in ultrasonography training by promoting a better understanding of the spatial relationships of anatomical structures and the development of early psychomotor skills transferable to the handling of ultrasonographic probes.
Inferior vagal ganglion galaninergic response to gastric ulcers
Authors: Zalecki Michal , Juranek Judyta , Pidsudko Zenon , Mogielnicka-Brzozowska Marzena , Kaleczyc Jerzy , Franke-Radowiecka Amelia
Published: November 2020

Galanin is a neuropeptide widely expressed in central and peripheral nerves and is known to be engaged in neuronal responses to pathological changes. Stomach ulcerations are one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Impaired stomach function in peptic ulcer disease suggests changes in autonomic nerve reflexes controlled by the inferior vagal ganglion, resulting in stomach dysfunction. In this paper, changes in the galaninergic response of inferior vagal neurons to gastric ulceration in a pig model of the disease were analyzed based on the authors’ previous studies. The study was performed on 24 animals (12 control and 12 experimental). Gastric ulcers were induced by submucosal injections of 40% acetic acid solution into stomach submucosa and bilateral inferior vagal ganglia were collected one week afterwards. The number of galanin-immunoreactive perikarya in each ganglion was counted to determine fold-changes between both groups of animals and Q-PCR was applied to verify the changes in relative expression level of mRNA encoding both galanin and its receptor subtypes: GalR1, GalR2, GalR3. The results revealed a 2.72-fold increase in the number of galanin-immunoreactive perikarya compared with the controls. Q-PCR revealed that all studied genes were expressed in examined ganglia in both groups of animals. Statistical analysis revealed a 4.63-fold increase in galanin and a 1.45-fold increase in GalR3 mRNA as compared with the controls. No differences were observed between the groups for GalR1 or GalR2. The current study confirmed changes in the galaninergic inferior vagal ganglion response to stomach ulcerations and demonstrated, for the first time, the expression of mRNA encoding all galanin receptor subtypes in the porcine inferior vagal ganglia.
On the nature of eye-hand coordination in natural steering behavior
Authors: Navarro Jordan , Hernout Emma , Osiurak François , Reynaud Emanuelle
Published: November 2020

Eyes and hand movements are known to be coordinated during a variety of tasks. While steering a vehicle, gaze was observed to be tightly linked with steering wheel angle changes over time, with the eyes leading the hands. In this experiment, participants were asked to drive a winding road composed of bends with systematically manipulated radii of curvature, under regular and automatic steering conditions. With automatic steering, the vehicle followed the road, but the steering wheel and participants hands did not move. Despite the absence of physical eye-hand coordination in that condition, the eye and [what the hands should have done] to produce the action on the steering wheel were found to be coordinated, as under regular steering. This result brings a convincing piece of evidence that eye movements do more than just guiding the hands. In addition, eye-hand coordination was also found to be intermittent, context and person-dependant.
Chitosan and cottonseed processing method association on carcass traits and meat quality of feedlot lambs
Authors: da Silva Magalhães Tamires , Santos Edson Mauro , de Freitas Júnior José Esler , Santos Stefanie Alvarenga , dos Santos Pina Douglas , Cirne Luis Gabriel Alves , Pinto Luis Fernando Batista , Mourão Gerson Barreto , dos Santos Soares Franklin Delano , Leite Laudí Cunha , Ruiz Alba Henry Daniel , Tosto Manuela Silva Libanio , Carvalho Gleidson Giordano Pinto de
Published: November 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the association of cottonseed processing method with chitosan on carcass traits and meat quality of lambs finished in feedlot. Eighty lambs with an average body weight of 20.6 kg, with 04 months of age, were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. The factors were represented by two cottonseed processing method (whole or ground) and two levels of chitosan (0 and 136 mg/kg BW). The association of cottonseed processing method with chitosan in the lamb diet did not affect (P>0.05) carcasses traits. The pH, color, cooking losses, shear force, and proximate composition of meat were also not affected (P>0.05) by the processing method of cottonseed or its association with chitosan in the lamb diets. There was an increase in palmitoleic (c9-C16:1; P = 0.01) and conjugated linoleic (P = 0.02) fatty acids when ground cottonseed was associated with chitosan. Ground cottonseed associated with chitosan increases the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in the meat of feedlot lambs.
A novel G protein-coupled receptor for starfish gonadotropic hormone, relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide
Authors: Mita Masatoshi , Matsubara Shin , Osugi Tomohiro , Shiraishi Akira , Wada Azumi , Satake Honoo
Published: November 2020

Gonadotropic hormones play important regulatory roles in reproduction. Relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) is a gonadotropin-like hormone in starfish. However, a receptor for RGP remains to be identified. Here, we describe the identification of an authentic receptor for RGP (RGPR) in the starfish, Patiria pectinifera. A binding assay using radioiodinated P. pectinifera RGP (PpeRGP) revealed that RGPR was expressed in ovarian follicle cells. A RGPR candidate was identified by homology-searching of transcriptome data of P. pectinifera follicle cells. Based on the contig sequences, a putative 947-amino acid PpeRGPR was cloned from follicle cells. Like the vertebrate relaxin family peptide receptors (RXFP 1 and 2), PpeRGPR was a G protein-coupled receptor that harbored a low-density lipoprotein-receptor class A motif and leucine-rich repeat sequences in the extracellular domain of the N-terminal region. Sf9 cells transfected with Gαq16-fused PpeRGPR activated calcium ion mobilization in response to PpeRGP, but not to RGP of another starfish Asterias amurensis, in a dose-dependent fashion. These results confirmed the species-specific reactivity of RGP and the cognate receptor. Thus, the present study provides evidence that PpeRGPR is a specific receptor for PpeRGP. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification of a receptor for echinoderm RGP.
The gestures of Hermes: Federico Fellini as an interpreter and circulating agent of images
Authors: Pintor Iranzo Ivan
Published: November 2020

Based on its relationship to comic books, this article proposes an iconographic study of the public figure of Federico Fellini in terms of the Hermes archetype. With the aim of explaining how Fellini’s image has been interpreted from different visual perspectives, I consider two basic questions: what relationship does Fellini have to the images of himself and of Italian culture? And why have images in Fellini’s films and his own public image been the object of constant reinterpretations in film, advertising and on social networks? Focusing on the rereading of Fellini’s image in the comics of Milo Manara, this article explores a phenomenon that distinguishes Fellini’s filmmaking: his role as a circulator of images of classical and popular culture out of the past and into the future. The figure of Hermes, the god of mediation, constitutes the archetype through which we can understand this central role of Fellini.
‘Mon cher Fédérico’: Fellini and the Cannes Film Festival
Authors: Coladonato Valerio
Published: November 2020

Between the mid-1950s and the mid-1960s, the Cannes Film Festival contributed to the rise of Federico Fellini’s image as an internationally acclaimed Italian auteur. This article situates the relationship between the director and the festival within the respective cultural, industrial and historical contexts. First, it discusses the role of festival director Robert Favre Le Bret in selecting and promoting Italian auteur cinema. Then it focuses on how the system of co-production between Italy and France impacted Fellini’s work and the Festival’s embrace of his films. Finally, it examines how the French press constructed the image of Fellini as an ‘intellectual celebrity’. By grounding the analysis in documents from the Cinémathèque Française (French Film Archive), the Archivio Centrale dello Stato (Central State Archive) in Rome, and other primary sources from both Italy and France, this article provides a synergic view of the conditions for the emergence of Fellini’s public image through the Cannes Film Festival.
Sotto il segno di Federico Fellini, Paolo Fabbri (2019)
Authors: Leotta Alfio
Published: November 2020

Review of: Sotto il segno di Federico Fellini, Paolo Fabbri (2019)

Bologna: Luca Sossella Editore, 85 pp.,

ISBN 978-8-89735-648-6, p/bk, €15.00
Tilapia viscera hydrolysate extract alleviates oxidative stress and renal damage in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertension rats
Authors: Riyadi Putut Har , Atho'illah Mochammad Fitri , Tanod Wendy Alexander , Rahmawati Irma Sarita
Published: November 2020

Background and Aim: Hypertension is closely related to oxidative stress conditions, which increases malondialdehyde (MDA) expression and renal damage. Tilapia viscera hydrolysate extract (TVHE) contains compounds and peptides that act as antioxidants. This study aimed to investigate TVHE therapy effect on MDA levels and renal histological conditions in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertension rats.

Materials and Methods: Tilapia viscera were defatted and hydrolyzed using Alcalase enzyme to obtain TVHE. TVHE antioxidant activity was measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. Fifteen Wistar male rats were divided into five groups: Normal control (without induced DOCA-salt), DOCA-salt, DOCA-salt+Captopril 5 mg/kg body weight (BW), DOCA-salt+TVHE 150 mg/kg BW, and DOCA-salt+TVHE 300 mg/kg BW. MDA level and renal histology were observed in each group.

Results: TVHE half maximal inhibitory concentration values ranged from 3.87±0.35 μg/mL to 42.03±3.55 μg/mL, which were identified as in the very strong Blois category. TVHE and captopril therapy reduced MDA expression significantly (p<0.05) compared to DOCA-salt only. TVHE and captopril therapy also improved glomerular damage in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension rats.

Conclusion: TVHE has antioxidant ability, decreased MDA level, and decreased glomerular damage in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension rats.
Theoretical And Practical Gaps In Policy Making Process In Five Organizations
Authors: Yusof Nor Ashikin Mohamed , Asnam Sri Widias , Anas Aini Suzila , Mustapha Nur Suraya , Emran Natrah , Azman Nor Azalina
Published: November 2020

Policy making is an integral part of policy studies. Theoretically the process of developing a policy document is neither easy nor simple. Far from merely copying the policy provisions of other countries, the process of developing a policy document must go through specific steps and procedures commonly known as policy cycle with each cycle serves specific functions. Although bench-making study is highly encouraged, it is also preferable for policymakers to align the policy making exercise in accordance to proven theory, model, method and process. Not many know about all these processes and steps. Some very senior and seasoned policymakers even think that there is no need for them to learn and pursue knowledge in policymaking simply because they have long years of practical experiences in developing, formulating, implementing, enforcing and subsequently analyzing and evaluating policies. This article reports case studies involving five national policy documents and internal policies at several key governmental department and organizations. The findings from the study enables the researchers to make a comparison between the theory of policy making and the practice of policy making in Malaysia. The findings show that there is still a huge gap between theory and practice in policymaking and policy studies in Malaysia. There are instances where few policy makers or top management personnel choose not to follow or ignorant about the steps of policy cycles. Although policy studies might have a very bright future in Malaysia but the journey in educating relevant parties would be a long one beginning with a correct perception and willingness to change attitudes.   

 
Keywords; policy studies, policy cycle, policy making process
Predicting Potential Co-Authorship Using Random Forest: Case of Scientific Publications in Indonesian Institute of Sciences
Authors: Rahmaida Rizka , Saefuddin Asep , Sartono Bagus
Published: November 2020

Research collaboration is one of the strength in research management due to its advantages in quantity and quality of the research. Co-authorship network is one of the proxies to evaluate the emerging research collaborations. Co-authorship that happens for the first time among a pair of author plays an important role as the key of success for their co-authorship in the future. Therefore, the research aims to build a model predicting new co-authorship as potential co-authorship. This research used scientific articles in Indonesian biodiversity research published in Scopus during 2006-2015. New co-authorship of between 4,628 pair of authors were analyzed in terms of their similarity in co-authorship network, research interest, and community to predict whether a pair of author will have a new co-authorship in future. Random forest classifier was used to build the model after applying 10-fold cross validation in various parameter and random undersampling technique as preprocessing procedures. The result shows that the similarity in network, community network, and research interest and becomes good features to predict the potential co-authorship among a pair of author. Furthermore, paired authors that predicted to be co-authored and involving authors from Indonesian Institute of Sciences are identified as the potential patners recommended for development of research teams.
Neuromarketing, a marketingkutatás új iránya
Authors: Varga Ákos
Published: November 2020

Jelen tanulmány bemutatja a marketingkutatás kibontakozóban lévő egyik új irányának, a neuromarketingnek a hátterét, elméleti összefüggéseit és etikai vonatkozásait, valamint a neuromarketing-kutatások során alkalmazott eszközökkel összefüggő paradigmákat és ezek alkalmazhatóságát, elsősorban az fMRI- kutatásokra koncentrálva. A különböző diagnosztikai eszközök, eljárások alkalmazásai más és más megközelítéseket igényelnek, amelyek alapvetően behatárolják a kutatási design kialakításának lépéseit. Az eredmények eltérő információkat szolgáltatnak a neuromarketing-kutatások során az alanyok közvetlen inger-válasz reakcióiról, így a levonható következtetések, illetve ezek összevetése mélyebb megértéshez vezethet többek között a fogyasztási szokások, illetve a különböző döntési helyzetekben adott válaszok mögött húzódó motivációkról.
Neuronal Firing and Waveform Alterations through Ictal Recruitment in Humans
Authors: Merricks Edward M. , Smith Elliot H. , Emerson Ronald G. , Bateman Lisa M. , McKhann Guy M. , Goodman Robert R. , Sheth Sameer A. , Greger Bradley , House Paul A. , Trevelyan Andrew J. , Schevon Catherine A.
Published: November 2020

Analyzing neuronal activity during human seizures is pivotal to understanding mechanisms of seizure onset and propagation. These analyses, however, invariably using extracellular recordings, are greatly hindered by various phenomena that are well established in animal studies: changes in local ionic concentration, changes in ionic conductance, and intense, hypersynchronous firing. The first two alter the action potential waveform, whereas the third increases the “noise”; all three factors confound attempts to detect and classify single neurons. To address these analytical difficulties, we developed a novel template-matching-based spike sorting method, which enabled identification of 1239 single neurons in 27 patients (13 female) with intractable focal epilepsy, that were tracked throughout multiple seizures. These new analyses showed continued neuronal firing with widespread intense activation and stereotyped action potential alterations in tissue that was invaded by the seizure: neurons displayed increased waveform duration (p< 0.001) and reduced amplitude (p< 0.001), consistent with prior animal studies. By contrast, neurons in “penumbral” regions (those receiving intense local synaptic drive from the seizure but without neuronal evidence of local seizure invasion) showed stable waveforms. All neurons returned to their preictal waveforms after seizure termination. We conclude that the distinction between “core” territories invaded by the seizure versus “penumbral” territories is evident at the level of single neurons. Furthermore, the increased waveform duration and decreased waveform amplitude are neuron-intrinsic hallmarks of seizure invasion that impede traditional spike sorting and could be used as defining characteristics of local recruitment.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAnimal studies consistently show marked changes in action potential waveform during epileptic discharges, but acquiring similar evidence in humans has proven difficult. Assessing neuronal involvement in ictal events is pivotal to understanding seizure dynamics and in defining clinical localization of epileptic pathology. Using a novel method to track neuronal firing, we analyzed microelectrode array recordings of spontaneously occurring human seizures, and here report two dichotomous activity patterns. In cortex that is recruited to the seizure, neuronal firing rates increase and waveforms become longer in duration and shorter in amplitude as the neurons are recruited to the seizure, while penumbral tissue shows stable action potentials, in keeping with the “dual territory” model of seizure dynamics.
Disruption of Conscious Access in Psychosis Is Associated with Altered Structural Brain Connectivity
Authors: Berkovitch Lucie , Charles Lucie , Del Cul Antoine , Hamdani Nora , Delavest Marine , Sarrazin Samuel , Mangin Jean-François , Guevara Pamela , Ji Ellen , d'Albis Marc-Antoine , Gaillard Raphaël , Bellivier Frank , Poupon Cyril , Leboyer Marion , Tamouza Ryad , Dehaene Stanislas , Houenou Josselin
Published: November 2020

According to global neuronal workspace (GNW) theory, conscious access relies on long-distance cerebral connectivity to allow a global neuronal ignition coding for conscious content. In patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, both alterations in cerebral connectivity and an increased threshold for conscious perception have been reported. The implications of abnormal structural connectivity for disrupted conscious access and the relationship between these two deficits and psychopathology remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which structural connectivity is correlated with consciousness threshold, particularly in psychosis. We used a visual masking paradigm to measure consciousness threshold, and diffusion MRI tractography to assess structural connectivity in 97 humans of either sex with varying degrees of psychosis: healthy control subjects (n = 46), schizophrenia patients (n = 25), and bipolar disorder patients with (n = 17) and without (n = 9) a history of psychosis. Patients with psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychotic features) had an elevated masking threshold compared with control subjects and bipolar disorder patients without psychotic features. Masking threshold correlated negatively with the mean general fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts exclusively within the GNW network (inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus, cingulum, and corpus callosum). Mediation analysis demonstrated that alterations in long-distance connectivity were associated with an increased masking threshold, which in turn was linked to psychotic symptoms. Our findings support the hypothesis that long-distance structural connectivity within the GNW plays a crucial role in conscious access, and that conscious access may mediate the association between impaired structural connectivity and psychosis.
Human sperm tsRNA as potential biomarker and therapy target for male fertility
Authors: Chen Xiaoxu , Sun Qian , Zheng Yi , Liu Zidong , Meng Xiangqian , Zeng Wenxian , Lu Hongzhao
Published: November 2020

Infertility caused by male factors is routinely diagnosed by assessing traditional semen parameters. Growing evidence has indicated that the tsRNAs carried in sperm act as epigenetic factors and potential biomarkers for the assessment of sperm quality. We recently demonstrated that tRNAGln-TTG derived small RNAs played notable roles in the first cleavage of a porcine embryo. However, the function of human sperm tRNAGln-TTG derived small RNAs as a diagnostic biomarker and its role in early embryo development remains unclear. In this study, we found that human sperm tRNAGln-TTG derived small RNAs were highly associated with sperm quality. By microinjecting the antisense sequence into human tripronuclear (3PN) zygotes followed by single-cell RNA-sequencing, we found that human sperm tRNAGln-TTG derived small RNAs participated in the development of a human embryo. Furthermore, Gln-TTGs might influence embryonic genome activation by modulating noncoding RNA processing. These findings demonstrated that human sperm tRNAGln-TTG derived small RNAs could be potential diagnostic biomarkers and could be used as a clinical target for male infertility.
Impacto de la Pandemia por SARS-CoV2 sobre la Educación
Authors: Jiménez-Sánchez Carlos
Published: November 2020

It describes the impact of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic on education and proposes some scenarios where the Universidad Nacional can contribute to mitigate the damage and participate in the construction of the post-pandemic scenario.
Pediatrician Guidance in Supporting Families of Children Who Are Adopted, Fostered, or in Kinship Care
Authors: Jones Veronnie F. , Schulte Elaine E. , Waite Douglas ,   COUNCIL ON FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION, AND KINSHIP CARE, Springer Sarah , Szilagyi Moira Ann , Forkey Heather , Fortin Kristine , Greiner Mary V. , Harmon David , Partap Anu N. , MPH MD , Sagor Linda Davidson , Staat Mary Allen , Thackery Jonathan D. , Zetley Lisa W.
Published: November 2020

The child welfare system strives to provide children and adolescents in foster care with a safe, nurturing environment through kinship and nonkinship foster care placement with the goal of either reunification with birth parents or adoption. Pediatricians can support families who care for children and adolescents who are fostered and adopted while attending to children’s medical needs and helping each child attain their developmental potential. Although this report primarily focuses on children in the US child welfare system, private and internationally adopted children often have similar needs.
Type and Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Alexopoulos Dimitrios , Varlamos Charalampos , Benetou Despoina-Rafailia
Published: November 2020

Complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients are a high-risk population for ischemic complications. Antiplatelet therapy in such patients remains controversial, as the beneficial effects of more potent agents use or prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) on atherothrombotic complications are hindered by a concomitant increase in bleeding rates. The aim of this article is to describe ischemic and bleeding outcomes associated with complex PCI procedures and to compare different types and durations of DAPT regimens in terms of safety and efficacy outcomes. Issues concerning special patient groups, such as those with left main, chronic total occlusion, or bifurcation lesions, are discussed.
Public school students at a clear disadvantage in English language vocabulary production
Authors: Castro-García Damaris
Published: November 2020

The aim of the present study is to offer a comparative perspective on the level of attainment of productive vocabulary in three different high school settings in the Costa Rican educational system. The study compares the results obtained in two tasks that demand controlled production and free productive vocabulary from students who attend these schools. The vocabulary was measured through the Productive Vocabulary Levels Test (PVLT) and a free composition, respectively. The first school is a school where content based instruction is implemented. The second school, a semi-private school, offers more hours of instruction of English as a Foreign Language than the minimum required by the Ministry of Education, although English is not used to teach non-language subjects. In the third school, a public school, the minimum number of hours officially required is offered to the students (532 hours). The results in the controlled productive vocabulary task and in the free composition favor, by far, the performance of the students who are taught using English as a medium of instruction. These results point to a much-needed change in the teaching methodology of EFL in Costa Rica, especially when it comes to the teaching practices implemented in most public schools.
Avaliação do processo de biocorrosão de ligas metálicas em diferentes corpos hídricos
Authors: Kuhn Claudio Rafael , Foster Helena Bettin , Oswald Caroline , Toralles Ricardo Peraça , Vaz Bernardo dos Santos
Published: November 2020

Biocorrosão é uma palavra utilizada para expressar a participação de diferentes tipos de micro-organismos nos fenômenos de corrosão, podendo ocorrer em aerobiose e/ou anaerobiose. Vários micro-organismos produzem metabólitos que influenciam no processo de corrosão, interferindo em diversas atividades industriais, suas instalações e equipamentos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a contaminação de ligas de aço carbono por micro-organismos responsáveis pela biocorrosão expostos à água potável estéril e água da Laguna dos Patos na cidade de Pelotas, RS. As amostras (cupons ou corpos de prova) foram submersas nas amostras de águas em biorreatores estáticos durante 42 dias. Foram pesquisados micro-organismos como bactérias produtoras de ácidos e bactérias heterotróficas totais, sendo estas incubadas tanto em meios aeróbios quanto em meios anaeróbios, além da contagem de fungos. Constatou-se que o tempo de exposição dos corpos de prova foi a variável de maior importância (p<0,05) no crescimento microbiano, independente do metabolismo (aeróbio ou anaeróbio) ou grupo de micro-organismo.
Palavras-chave: Corrosão microbiologicamente induzida; biofilme; biocorrosão; bactérias produtoras de ácidos; aço-carbono.
Combination therapy with azathioprine, cyclosporine and ketoconazole in a dog with concurrent pemphigus foliaceus and hyperadrenocorticism – Case report
Authors: Yun Taesik , Koo Yoonhoi , Kim Sanggu , Kim Hakhyun , Kim Soochong , Kang Ji-Houn , Yang Mhan-Pyo , Kang Byeong-Teck
Published: November 2020

A 10-year-old, spayed female Shih Tzu dog presented with a history of progressive erythema and multiple crusts developing 85 days previously. The dog had been diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) 55 days prior to presentation and was treated with oral trilostane (2.86 mg/kg, once daily) that was discontinued due to a poor response. In addition to generalised alopecia, erythematous plaques and crusts were noted on the trunk, head and footpads. Lesional impression smears revealed numerous acantholytic cells and non-degenerated neutrophils. Histopathological findings demonstrated subcorneal pustules with acantholytic cells and intact neutrophils. On the basis of these findings, we diagnosed pemphigus foliaceus (PF) with concurrent HAC. We wished to avoid glucocorticoids and, therefore, prescribed oral, once-daily azathioprine (2 mg/kg), modified cyclosporine (7 mg/kg) and ketoconazole (5 mg/kg). By day 71 post-treatment, the erythematous crusts had almost disappeared and the alopecia had improved considerably. However, by the subsequent follow-up examination on day 99, the clinical signs had reappeared due to the tapering of cyclosporine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing concurrent PF and HAC in a dog. Combination therapy with azathioprine, modified cyclosporine and ketoconazole was effective, and should be considered for dogs diagnosed with concurrent autoimmune diseases and HAC.
Quem é mais homem? A construção de masculinidades rivais na animação a Bela e a Fera (1991) da Disney
Authors: Baliscei João Paulo
Published: November 2020

Os artefatos visuais tais como as imagens publicitárias, cinematográficas e artísticas balizam os modos como os sujeitos percebem os/as outros/as, o mundo e as masculinidades valorizadas e desvalorizadas visualmente. Em que medidas a representação de masculinidades heróicas se difere da representação de masculinidades vilãs? Para apresentar respostas a esse questionamento, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa de caráter documental e analítico, cujo o objetivo foi analisar a construção visual e a performance de personagens masculinos enquanto herói e vilão. Sob os fundamentos dos Estudos da Cultura Visual e dos Estudos das Masculinidades, foram analisadas cenas da animação A Bela e a Fera (1991), da Disney, cujo protagonismo e antagonismo são, ambos, desempenhado por personagens masculinos. Ao final, ressaltaram-se a agressividade, a competição e a não demonstração de afetos na personalidade de Fera e Gaston e reclama-se pela ampliação de representações masculinas.
O lugar da comunicação na construção da Rede de Bancos de Leite Humano do Distrito Federal
Authors: Raupp Roberta Monteiro , De Almeida João Aprigio Guerra , Guimarães Maria Cristina Soares
Published: November 2020

A Rede de Bancos de Leite Humano do Distrito Federal é a única no mundo a atingir padrão de autossuficiência em leite humano. O restante do Brasil opera com um déficit de 45%. Buscou-se conhecer as práticas de comunicação dos bancos e suas relações com a autossuficiência. Identificou-se 11 grupos e práticas específicas, agrupados em alcances e limites das mesmas. A comunicação com as mães foi o principal demarcador para a autossuficiência, seguido da forte presença do trabalho em rede. Destacou-se a produção, circulação e apropriação dos sentidos sociais, mediante diálogo, acolhimento, leis e parcerias, espaços de interlocução, medidas equânimes no cuidado e acesso à informação.
Workforce diversity and organizational performance – a study of European football clubs
Authors: Tworek Katarzyna , Zgrzywa-Ziemak Anna , Kamiński Robert
Published: November 2020

Diversity management is viewed as one of the sources of competitive advantage, but the relation between workforce diversity and organizational goals is not indisputable. In-depth analysis of literature in this field does not allow for a clear answer concerning the nature of this relation (there is not a lot of empirical research available, and more importantly, they have significant limitations). The paper presents the results of empirical research aimed at exploring the relation between workforce diversity and organizational performance, which seem to break through the major limitations of previous studies in this area, i.e. the association of organizational performance mainly with financial results and the domination of American authors (60% of studies were conducted in the USA, a country with a specific culture). The research subjects of this article are European football clubs, which can be treated as a model for the management of contemporary organizations (the study covers 166 clubs from 10 countries). The obtained results clearly indicate the lack of dependency between workforce diversity (considered using two dimensions of primary identity – nationality and age) and the achieved results (considered using their place in the final table of the 2016/17 season and the total number of points). It was concluded on this basis that, in organizations free from discriminatory prejudices (which is the case for most football clubs), diversity management is somewhat vacant
Intellectual Freedom and Libraries: A Quantitative Discourse Analysis
Authors: Darvish Hamid
Published: November 2020

United Nation published Human Rights Declaration in 1948. The most important part of the Human Right Declaration is that, everyone has the right to search and receive information at any time. To this respect, libraries play a significant task in disseminating information (Knowledge) to each individual. An exploratory approach is applied to selected discourses from organizations such as IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), ALA (American Library Association) and TLA (Turkish Librarians’ Association) to find out if there is a coherent relation among texts, by applying Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) technique. Results yield that there existed a positive relation among discourses.
School Libraries in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Mccutcheon Sevim
Published: November 2020

Libraries are important in supporting the curriculum and educational mission of schools. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the current status of a private primary school’s library in Istanbul, Turkey, and to formulate recommendations for improvement. This case study was accomplished through a mixed method involving questionnaires and observation. A survey with semi-structured questions was administered to students, teachers, and the librarian regarding their perceptions of the school library and their desires for the school library. Questionnaires administered to teachers and the librarian of its sister school provide a counterpoint. Observations provided information about the current functional level and nature of usage of the library. The survey was administered in 2007 with a follow-up visit in 2008. The research achieved the specific, practical purpose of identifying areas for development and potential challenges to that development in the school’s library, taking into account the input of its constituents. It also provides suggestions for those who might pursue broader research about the needs and future possibilities for school libraries in Turkey.
Türkiye’de Hukuk Bilgisine Erişim
Authors: Dedeler Bezirci Pervin
Published: November 2020

Günümüzde toplumsal gelişmeler ve küresel etkileşimler ile bilgi kaynaklarında teknolojinin etkisinin yoğunlaşması her alanda olduğu gibi hukuk alanında da kaynak sayısının artmasına bunun paralelinde erişim yollarının çeşitlenmesine yol açmaktadır. Hukuk bilgisinin kullanıcılarının büyük bir çoğunluğunu akademisyenler, avukatlar, hâkimler, hukuk öğrencileri ve hukuk müşavirleri oluştururlar. Hukuk bilgisi kullanıcılarının beklentileri ve talepleri yüksektir. Bilgiye ihtiyaç duyulduğu anda ulaşılabilmeli, edinilen sonuçlar geçerliliğini yitirmemiş olmalı, bilgiler mutlaka doğru, eksiksiz ve detaylı olmalıdır. Bu unsurların sağlanabilmesi için hukuk kaynaklarına erişim yol ve yöntemlerini bilmek ve uygulamak büyük önem arz etmektedir. Bu makalede de Türkiye’de hukuk bilgisine erişim konusu açıklanmaya çalışılacaktır. Öncelikle genel bilgiye erişime ilişkin kavramlara ve hukuk kavramlarına kısaca değinildikten sonra Türkiye’deki hukuk kaynaklarına erişim anlatılacaktır.