bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Estimation of Parkinsonian Vowel Quality through Acoustic Feature Assimilation
Authors: Gaballah Amr , Parsa Vijay , Cushnie-Sparrow Daryn , Adams Scott
Published: July 2021

This paper investigated the performance of a number of acoustic measures, both individually and in combination, in predicting the perceived quality of sustained vowels produced by people impaired with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Sustained vowel recordings were collected from 51 PD patients before and after the administration of the Levodopa medication. Subjective ratings of the overall vowel quality were garnered using a visual analog scale. These ratings served to benchmark the effectiveness of the acoustic measures. Acoustic predictors of the perceived vowel quality included the harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR), smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPP), recurrence period density entropy (RPDE), Gammatone frequency cepstral coefficients (GFCCs), linear prediction (LP) coefficients and their variants, and modulation spectrogram features. Linear regression (LR) and support vector regression (SVR) models were employed to assimilate multiple features. Different feature dimensionality reduction methods were investigated to avoid model overfitting and enhance the prediction capabilities for the test dataset. Results showed that the RPDE measure performed the best among all individual features, while a regression model incorporating a subset of features produced the best overall correlation of 0.80 between the predicted and actual vowel quality ratings. This model may therefore serve as a surrogate for auditory-perceptual assessment of Parkinsonian vowel quality. Furthermore, the model may offer the clinician a tool to predict who may benefit from Levodopa medication in terms of enhanced voice quality.
TAG (Tube and Graft) Sandwich Technique: A Novel Single-Stage Scleral Reinforcement and Aqueous Drainage Tube Implantation
Authors: Ahmed Faisal , Mohamed Nada G.
Published: July 2021

Purpose. Refractory glaucoma patients continue to require surgical intervention in the form of trabeculectomy surgery or glaucoma drainage device (GDD). Those patients that require a GDD but have thin sclera or scleromalacia present a challenge. Methods. In this article, we present a novel “TAG sandwich” single surgical procedure in which thinned sclera is reinforced with a pericardial patch graft (“bottom layer of the sandwich”) allowing safe implantation of the GDD (“the tube sandwich filling”) and then placing another patch graft on top of the tube part of the GDD (“top layer of the sandwich”). The surgery was performed on an open-angle glaucoma patient with a generalized thin sclera and uncontrolled intraocular pressure despite maximal topical medication and oral acetazolamide. Results. Reinforcing a compromised sclera with a pericardium patch graft allowed the safe implantation of a glaucoma drainage device. The patient’s intraocular pressure was safely controlled at 7 mmHg almost 1-year postsurgery without intraocular pressure-lowering drops. Conclusions. This scleral strengthening procedure can be considered by readers in other ocular surgeries where there is a risk of scleral perforation, as well as part of a combined surgery where refractory glaucoma patients with thin sclera require scleral reinforcement to allow for safer implantation of a glaucoma drainage device.
Blood’s Concentration of Lead and Arsenic Associated with Anemia in Peruvian Children
Authors: Linares Ana Maria , Unrine Jason M. , Thaxton Wigging Amanda , Tantalean Juan C. , Radulescu Vlad C.
Published: July 2021

This exploratory, descriptive cohort study (N = 60) determined lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) blood concentrations in Peruvian children and their association with hematological parameters of iron-deficient anemia (IDA) and anthropometric measurement. The mean age of children was 10.8 months (SD = 4.7) and ranged from 3 to 24 months old. Anemia (Hb levels below 10.5 g/dL) was found in 20% of this cohort. Additionally, microcytosis (MCV < 70 fL) was present in 54%, and hypochromia (MCH < 23 pg) in 42% of the group of children. Chi-square analysis showed that 88% of the children with anemia also had microcytosis and hypochromia (

p
<
0.001

). Pb and As were detected in 100% of the infants’ blood samples, and the concentrations were significantly higher in older infants than in younger ones. Pb and As were not associated with the sex, anthropomorphic parameters, or infant hemogram changes. Infants who received iron supplementation were 87% less likely to have low Hb compared with those who did not (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02–0.88,

p
=
0.04

). Herbal tea intake was significantly associated with microcytosis and hypochromia. Our finding uncovered that hematological parameters for anemia are modified in Peruvian children with high levels of microcytosis and hypochromia. Concentrations of Pb and As were above method detection limits in all Peruvian children, but these were not associated with IDA or anthropometric measurements. A large study, including other variables, would benefit from allowing a more complex model predicting anemia in Peruvian children.
Generating Functions for Some Hypergeometric Functions of Four Variables via Laplace Integral Representations
Authors: Younis Jihad , Bin-Saad Maged , Verma Ashish
Published: July 2021

Generating functions plays an essential role in the investigation of several useful properties of the sequences which they generate. In this paper, we establish certain generating relations, involving some quadruple hypergeometric functions introduced by Bin-Saad and Younis. Some interesting special cases of our main results are also considered.
1‐Nitropyrene Induced Reactive Oxygen Species–Mediated Apoptosis in Macrophages through AIF Nuclear Translocation and AMPK/Nrf‐2/HO‐1 Pathway Activation
Authors: Su Chun-Hung , Ho Yung-Chuan , Lee Min-Wei , Tseng Ching-Chi , Lee Shiuan-Shinn , Hsieh Ming Kun , Chen Hsin-Hung , Lee Chien-Ying , Wu Sheng-Wen , Kuan Yu-Hsiang
Published: July 2021

1‐Nitropyrene (1‐NP), one of the most abundant nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro‐PAHs), is generated from the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous organic compounds. 1‐NP is a specific marker of diesel exhaust and is an environmental pollutant and a probable carcinogen. Macrophages participate in immune defense against the invasive pathogens in heart, lung, and kidney infection diseases. However, no evidence has indicated that 1‐NP induces apoptosis in macrophages. In the present study, 1‐NP was found to induce concentration‐dependent changes in various cellular functions of RAW264.7 macrophages including cell viability reduction; apoptosis generation; mitochondrial dysfunction; apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) nuclear translocation; intracellular ROS generation; activation of the AMPK/Nrf‐2/HO‐1 pathway; changes in the expression of BCL‐2 family proteins; and depletion of antioxidative enzymes (AOE), such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) These results indicate that 1‐NP induced apoptosis in macrophages through AIF nuclear translocation and ROS generation due to mitochondrial dysfunction and to the depletion of AOE from the activation of the AMPK/Nrf‐2/HO‐1 pathway.
Early Cracking Risk Prediction Model of Concrete under the Action of Multifield Coupling
Authors: Jin Caiyun , Liu Jianglin , Wang Zigeng , Li Yue
Published: July 2021

Through the adiabatic temperature rise experiment, the adiabatic temperature rise of concrete with hydration time was recorded. Based on the maturity degree theory, the relationship between the hydration degree of the concrete and the equivalent age was determined. Then, the hydration degree prediction model of the concrete′s early elastic modulus and tensile strength was established. The local temperature and humidity of the concrete were measured by the shrinkage experiment, and based on the capillary water tension theory, a temperature‐humidity prediction model for the early shrinkage of the concrete was designed. According to the ratio of the creep deformation and elastic deformation of concrete which were obtained through the restraint ring experiment, a model for predicting the early creep coefficient of concrete was proposed. Based on the coupling effect of “hydration‐temperature‐humidity,” a prediction model of early cracking risk coefficient of concrete under multifield coupling was proposed. Finally, several groups of slab cracking frame experiments were carried out, and the cracking risk prediction results of concrete were consistent with the actual situation, which indicated the correctness of the early cracking risk prediction model of concrete.
Clostridium difficile Infection Leading to Intestinal Pneumatosis in a Patient with a Recent Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Local Recurrence: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Uchiyama Angel Ayumi Tome , Lopes Moisés de Souza Martins , Vana Maira Nacimbem Marzinotto , Peixoto Renata D’Alpino
Published: July 2021

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) causing pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare event, described mostly in immunocompromised patients. We present the case of a 65-year-old female diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who underwent a duodenopancreatectomy with lymphadenectomy and adjuvant gemcitabine and capecitabine. Four months after the end of chemotherapy, she experienced abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhea which became aggravated within 6 months. CT scans revealed diffuse intestinal pneumatosis and recurrence of ductal adenocarcinoma. We hypothesize that local pancreatic cancer recurrence may lead to gastrointestinal dysmotility with consequent increased risk for CDI. The patient had almost complete resolution of PI during the CDI treatment, thus we believe that the CDI was directly responsible for PI in this case.
Genotype-Phenotype Analysis of 8q24.3 Duplication and 21q22.3 Deletion in a Chinese Patient and Literature Review
Authors: Sun Huihui , Wan Naijun
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Copy number variants (CNVs) are responsible for many patients with short stature of unknown etiology. This study aims to analyze clinical phenotypes and identify pathogenic CNVs in a patient with short stature, intellectual disability, craniofacial deformities, and anal imperforation. Methods: G-banded karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was used on the patient to identify pathogenic causes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to explore the abnormal genetic origin. Literatures were searched using identified CNVs as keywords in the PubMed database to perform genotype-phenotype analysis. Results: Cytogenetic analysis revealed a normal karyotype 46,XY. CMA detected a 6.1 Mb duplication at 8q24.3 and a 3.6 Mb deletion at 21q22.3. FISH confirmed that the abnormal chromosomes were inherited from paternal balanced translocation. We compared phenotypes of our patient with 6 patients with 8q24.3 duplication and 7 cases with 21q22.3 deletion respectively. Conclusions: A novel 8q24.3 duplication and 21q22.3 deletion was identified in a Chinese patient. Genotype-phenotype analysis demonstrated that patients with 8q24.3 duplication and 21q22.3 deletion had specific facial features, intellectual disability, short stature, and multiple malformations.
AA Amyloidosis in the Course of HIV Infection: A Report of 19 Cases Including 4 New French Cases and a Comprehensive Review of Literature
Authors: Breillat Paul , Pourcher Valérie , Deshayes Samuel , Buob David , Cez Alexandre , Michel Pierre-Antoine , Boffa Jean-Jacques , Langlois Vincent , Grateau Gilles , Georgin-Lavialle Sophie
Published: July 2021

Introduction: HIV infection has been recently retained as an unclear cause of AA amyloidosis. Our aim was to investigate cases of AA amyloidosis associated with HIV infection to understand if it could be considered as a cause of AA amyloidosis. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted as well as retrospective study from French cases collected from our national reference center for AA amyloidosis. Results: Altogether, 19 patients with AA amyloidosis and HIV infection were found with 68% of men and median age at amyloidosis diagnosis of 38 years (range 28–75 years). Clinical presentation was nephrotic syndrome in 94% (n = 17/18). Among patients with renal involvement and assessable outcome (n = 17), 11 (64.7%) progressed to chronic kidney disease, with 6 (35%) end-stage renal disease. Seventy-five percent of patients had uncontrolled HIV infection and 71.4% CD4 counts <400/mm3 at amyloidosis diagnosis. Repeated or chronic bacterial or fungal infection was found in 47% of cases and a history of parenteral drug use in 55% of patients. Three patients had no classical or at least no suspected AA amyloidosis cause found or reported. Conclusions: AA Amyloidosis is a rare condition in HIV patients with common renal involvement and significant risk of progression to chronic renal insufficiency. Because of the frequency related to other inflammatory conditions in this population, HIV is probably not an independent risk factor for AA amyloidosis.
Does COVID-19 Worsen the Semen Parameters? Early Results of a Tertiary Healthcare Center
Authors: Koç Erdem , Keseroğlu Buğra Bilge
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic which may affect multiple organs and systems including testes and disrupt the gonadal functions. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on the semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in infertile men. Methods: The study included 21 patients who were evaluated in Ankara City Hospital, Andrology Clinic, for male infertility and have had the diagnosis of COVID-19. All the patients were evaluated in terms of semen parameters. The follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone (T) levels were also evaluated in 8 of the patients. The results were presented through 2 dependent group analyses, based on the data of the patients collected before and after the diagnosis of COVID-19. Results: None of the patients needed to be hospitalized at any time through the course of COVID-19. There was a significant decrease in semen volume, percentage of total motility, percentage of progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology after COVID-19 (3 [1–8] vs. 2.5 [1.5–5], p = 0.005; 48.6 ± 22.1 vs. 34.7 ± 20.7, p = 0.001; 35.1 ± 21.7 vs. 21.8 ± 15.9, p < 0.001; 6 [3–24] vs. 5 [3–18], p = 0.015; respectively). There was also a significant decline in T level of the patients after the diagnosis of COVID-19 (350.1 ± 115.5 vs. 289.8 ± 103.3, p = 0.009). Conclusion: COVID-19 may have unfavorable effects on the gonadal functions and may lead to further deterioration of the semen parameters in infertile men, which should be considered through the evaluation for infertility.
Controlling Major Portal Vein Invasion Progression during Lenvatinib Treatment by Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yoshida Ryoi , Koroki Keisuke , Makishima Hirokazu , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Ishino Takamasa , Ogawa Keita , Nakagawa Miyuki , Fujiwara Kisako , Unozawa Hidemi , Iwanaga Terunao , Fujita Naoto , Sakuma Takafumi , Kanzaki Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kazufumi , Kanogawa Naoya , Kiyono Soichiro , Nakamura Masato , Kondo Takayuki , Saito Tomoko , Nakagawa Ryo , Suzuki Eiichiro , Ooka Yoshihiko , Nakamoto Shingo , Tawada Akinobu , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Arai Makoto , Kaneko Takashi , Wakatsuki Masaru , Kato Jun , Tsuji Hiroshi , Kato Naoya
Published: July 2021

Macrovascular invasion (MVI), including portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), is strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While recommended standard treatment for patients with advanced HCC is systemic therapy, various treatment approaches, including resection, transarterial chemoembolization, and radiation, have been empirically suggested to improve prognosis by eliminating or controlling MVI. Herein, we report our experience of a case with advanced HCC where MVI was controlled by carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) while on systemic therapy, resulting in a prolonged survival. A female patient with HCC in her early 60s had multiple intrahepatic lesions (maximum 60 mm in diameter) with PVTT. The PVTT of this patient had reached the main trunk of the portal vein despite the use of lenvatinib. The other intrahepatic lesions of the patient, except PVTT, had been controlled by lenvatinib. Therefore, hoping to control PVTT, we attempted CIRT. The patient resumed lenvatinib therapy after the irradiation. During lenvatinib re-treatment, no evident progression of PVTT was observed in the patient.
Gender Equity in Leadership and Conferences of the Stroke Society of Australasia
Authors: Carcel Cheryl , Woodward Mark , Anderson Craig S. , Delcourt Candice , Bernhardt Julie , Gall Seana
Published: July 2021

Introduction and Aim: Internationally, women are underrepresented as leaders in major scientific organizations and conferences. We aimed to determine gender differences in leadership roles and annual scientific conferences of the Stroke Society of Australasia (SSA). Methods: In a retrospective review of SSA data (2014–2019), committee members were obtained through the SSA Web site, and moderators, speakers, and award recipients were identified from SSA annual scientific conference programs. Gender was determined by name inspection and Web search. Absolute numbers and proportions of women and men were recorded for all roles examined, overall and per year. Associations between representation of women in conferences and percentage of women in speaking roles were tested using multinomial regression. Results: Presidential leadership of the SSA was held by men in 2014–2016 and 2019 and women in 2017–2018. SSA committee membership was predominantly women (55%), being lowest (47%) in 2014 and 2019 and highest (65%) in 2017. There was a wide gender variation at scientific conferences, with 41% of keynote speakers being women overall, from 20% in 2016 to 75% in 2015. From 2014 to 2019, 55% of all speakers were women, ranging from 32% (in 2016) to 71% (in 2015). A higher percentage of women as speakers or moderators was associated with a program committee with over a third of its members composed of women (p ≤ 0.044). Conclusions: Representation of women varied from 2014 to 2019 in the SSA organization and its conferences, although men are more often elected president in the organization and women are less often keynote speakers. When more women were included in the program committee, the representation of women as speakers increased.
The Effects of Science Intervention Material in the Academic Performance of Junior High School Students
Authors: Jordan Carlo Vincent J.
Published: July 2021

The researcher being a science teacher identified problems encountered by the students namely; low mean proficiency scores in science grade 10 during the first quarter examination, lack of interest during discussion and frequent absenteeism among students. The Division mean proficiency score target is 68 but the grade 10 students only obtained a score of 60 which is behind the target of the department. Science intervention material was conceptualized and created by the researcher based on the least mastered competencies. This material was utilized as intervention to address the problem of poor academic performance. The 15 respondents who received the science intervention material obtained M=27.9, SD=3.13 compared to the 15 respondents in the control group who obtained M=14.37, SD=9 demonstrated significantly better scores, t = - 21.29, p = <.00001. Intervention material based on least mastered compe-tencies is an effective method of improving the academic performance of students.
Avaliação do impacto do tempo de espera para admissão em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva no desfecho clínico do paciente crítico
Authors: Tessari Patricia , Longo Morgana , Mendes Mariana Laís , Floriano Maria Luiza , Fabre Larissa , Westphal Glauco Adrieno , Rosso Deorgelis
Published: July 2021

Este estudo tem por base a premissa de que com um maior número de leitos de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) disponíveis o tempo de espera para admissão em UTI é menor, o que resulta no melhor desfecho clínico, justificando, portanto, a importância do presente estudo. Objetivo: Avaliar se o tempo de espera no Departamento de Emergência até a admissão em UTI tem influência no desfecho clínico do paciente crítico. Metodologia: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, do tipo antes e depois, realizado em um hospital público do município de Joinville/SC no ano de 2019. Foram incluídos os dados referentes aos pacientes adultos admitidos na UTI com até 72 horas de espera no Departamento de Emergência desde a chegada ao hospital. Comparou-se o último trimestre de 2017 (fase 1), período durante o qual havia 14 leitos de UTI no hospital, e último trimestre de 2018 (fase 2), período durante o qual havia 30 leitos de UTI. Resultados: Analisaram-se 173 prontuários elegíveis de 2017 e 2018. Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no tempo decorrido na emergência até a admissão em UTI entre 2017 e 2018 (mediana de 22 vs. 15; p=0,0002). A diferença estatística também foi relevante para a mortalidade em até 24 horas após a admissão em UTI, comparando-se os dois anos em questão (9,61% vs. 2,47%; p=0,04). Não houve diferença estatística significante na mortalidade hospitalar entre 2017 e 2018 (34,6% vs. 35,5%; p=0,57). Também não houve diferença estatisticamente relevante entre os demais parâmetros analisados.  Conclusão: Comparando-se 2017 a 2018, percebeu-se que o tempo de espera pelo leito de UTI diminuiu, bem como a mortalidade em até 24h da admissão intensiva. No entanto, isto não se refletiu na mortalidade hospitalar.
Um curso de história da música para estudantes de medicina?
Authors: Guimarães Francisco Silveira
Published: July 2021

A participação em atividades lúdicas e reflexivas poderia aumentar a resiliência dos estudantes ao estresse associado ao curso de medicina. Nesse sentido, a música poderia facilitar o desenvolvimento de sentimentos e atitudes, como inclusão social, equilíbrio, atenção, imaginação e reflexão essenciais à prática clínica. Neste artigo relatamos nossa experiência com a disciplina optativa “Introdução à história da música erudita ocidental”. Ela é oferecida anualmente aos estudantes de medicina desde 2015. As avaliações anônimas recebidas por 62,5% dos 64 estudantes que frequentaram a disciplina até o momento evidenciaram uma elevada satisfação (100% de avaliações caracterizadas como boa ou ótima) e o reconhecimento de sua importância para a formação médica (95% de avaliações caracterizadas como boa ou ótima). Estes resultados são encorajadores para a continuidade da disciplina e a introdução de atividades optativas similares no currículo da nossa Faculdade.
Fibrous Caps in Atherosclerosis Form by Notch-Dependent Mechanisms Common to Arterial Media Development
Authors: Martos-Rodríguez Carlos J. , Albarrán-Juárez Julián , Morales-Cano Daniel , Caballero Ainoa , MacGrogan Donal , de la Pompa José Luis , Carramolino Laura , Bentzon Jacob F.
Published: July 2021

Objective:

Atheromatous fibrous caps are produced by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that are recruited to the subendothelial space. We tested whether the recruitment mechanisms are the same as in embryonic artery development, which relies prominently on Notch signaling to form the subendothelial medial SMC layers.

Approach and Results:

Notch elements were expressed in regions of fibrous cap in human and mouse plaques. To assess the causal role of Notch signaling in cap formation, we studied atherosclerosis in mice where the Notch pathway was inactivated in SMCs by conditional knockout of the essential effector transcription factor RBPJ (recombination signal-binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region). The recruitment of cap SMCs was significantly reduced without major effects on plaque size. Lineage tracing revealed the accumulation of SMC-derived plaque cells in the cap region was unaltered but that Notch-defective cells failed to re-acquire the SMC phenotype in the cap. Conversely, to analyze whether the loss of Notch signaling is required for SMC-derived cells to accumulate in atherogenesis, we studied atherosclerosis in mice with constitutive activation of Notch signaling in SMCs achieved by conditional expression of the Notch intracellular domain. Forced Notch signaling inhibited the ability of medial SMCs to contribute to plaque cells, including both cap SMCs and osteochondrogenic cells, and significantly reduced atherosclerosis development.

Conclusions:

Sequential loss and gain of Notch signaling is needed to build the cap SMC population. The shared mechanisms with embryonic arterial media assembly suggest that the cap forms as a neo-media that restores the connection between endothelium and subendothelial SMCs, transiently disrupted in early atherogenesis.
Religionskritik in Gottfried Kellers Erzählwerk
Authors: Elsaghe Yahya
Published: July 2021

Gottfried Keller’s reservations about the church and religion, which remarkably did not stand in the way of his installation as a national writer or at least were partly overlooked in the course of a self-congratulatory reception, can be studied in the prime example of the famous novella interlude of Meretlein, as it is found in both versions of Green Henry. The investigation of the interlude here is based on the various media and sources which shaped the novel character. The conglomerate in which they come together in this character is unraveled by recourse to the earlier and earliest literature on Keller.
Nach dem „Great War“
Authors: Stuchtey Benedikt
Published: July 2021

This essay is concerned with the philosophical, ethical, political and other forms of criticism directed at Western European imperialism after the First World War. By concentrating on the British case it looks at the structural and individual critique coming from members of the British political and academic elite as well as from media representatives. Debates about imperial rule and the right of conquest confronted the very nature of European empires and questioned their continuation if they were not ready for reform. While anticolonial arguments from the colonial “peripheries” in times of the “Wilsonian moment” were the rule and globally organised, “metropolitan” sceptics of empire were not only in the minority but also somewhat out-dated because they often connected to Victorian understandings of imperialism. Thus, they need to be seen both in nineteenth-century intellectual traditions and in their own right at a crucial time after the First World War when questions of the global order needed to be negotiated.
The Double Mistaken Identity of Colonial Literature
Authors: Arenas Pacheco Carlos Diego
Published: July 2021

Although postcolonial approaches in world literature and translation studies have produced much necessary scholarship, they have in general disregarded the historical ‘native’ author and translator working in colonial or semicolonial settings. Studies on Urdu literature in the 19th century, for instance, focus mostly on the role of British Orientalists. Drawing upon Allen’s trans-indigenous project, I propose to read the historical ‘native’ text approaching it with a concept drawn from Amerindian ethnohistory: ‘double mistaken identity’ (DMI). While ‘native’ intellectuals might have unwittingly contributed to furthering the cause of Western colonialists, DMI allows for two perspectives to coexist in the ‘native’ text, one of which is a ‘native’, non-hybrid perspective. I take the failed colonial project in 16th-century Japan as a model, focusing on a translation that both Urdu and Japanese intellectuals undertook: that of Aesop’s Fables. There is a case for considering ‘native’ literature fully colonial, fully ‘native’, and fully global.
Riberazantaena, a new hydraenid genus from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae)
Authors: BILTON DAVID T.
Published: July 2021

A new genus, Riberazantaena gen. nov., is erected to accommodate Protozantaena grebennikovi Perkins, 2009 and Riberazantaena latissima sp. nov. from the South Pare Mountains in Tanzania. Both species are apparently endemic to Eastern Arc mountain forests, adults living terrestrially in damp leaf litter. Protozantaena Perkins, 1997 is redefined in light of the description of the new genus, and a revised key to genera of Parhydraenini is provided.
A new species of the lichen moth genus Tigricollis Singh & Kirti, 2016 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) from eastern Indonesia
Authors: SPITSYN VITALY M. , SPITSYNA ELIZAVETA A. , BOLOTOV IVAN N.
Published: July 2021

N/A
Evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function in a non-human primate animal model with chronic exposure to methamphetamine
Authors: Li Haiyuan , Chen Jianheng , Lu Nihong , Gao Zhenhua , Yang Li , Shen Jihong
Published: July 2021

Psychostimulants, such as amphetamine-type stimulants, induce alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis function. In this study, we sought to investigate the changes in the HPT axis using a wellcharacterized non-human primate model after chronic exposure to methamphetamine
(MA). The data collected from 10 adult monkeys were retrospectively studied, assigning them into two groups—the control group (saline) and MA group. MA was injected for 4 weeks with gradually increasing dose, and later injected maintenance doses for 24 weeks. We collected and tested
the blood samples on a weekly basis for T4, free T4, T3, free T3, TSH, TgAb, and TPOAb. We used western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques to test the protein and mRNA expression of bcl-2, Bax, and thyroid stimulating hormonereceptor. The MA
group had significantly higher levels of T4, FT4, T3, and TSH than the control group. However, no significant difference was observed in FT3, TGAb, and TPOAb. Compared with the control group, most of the thyroid from the MA group consistently showed markedly disordered structure: varied size,
lymphocytic infiltration, and local fibrosis. In the MA group, the protein and mRNA expression of Bax were significantly higher than the control group, whereas the protein and mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and TSH-R were significantly lower. These results indicate that chronic exposure to MA can
lead to changes in the HPT axis function and induce apoptosis or other microdamage to the thyroid gland in a non-human primate model.
Study on compressive properties and chloride permeability of ultra-high-performance concrete
Authors: Guo Baolin , Jiang Ruishuang , Wang Baomin , Liu Shuai , Guo Yongzhi
Published: July 2021

In this work, two UHPC premixes were applied in investigating compressive strength and chloride permeability. Results indicated that the compressive strength of UHPC increased with content of steel fiber in standard curing. Compressive strength of type-A premix specimen with 2.0 vol%
steel fiber was more than 150 MPa after heat curing. All UHPC in the experiment showed low chloride permeability under heat curing. Compared with type-B premix, the type-A premix had greater advantages in mechanical property and chloride permeability. In addition, the low porosity and dense
microstructure of UHPC specimen were detected by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. Furthermore, it was found that the introduction of fiber could refine the pore size distribution of specimen.
Thermal performance of silica aerogel-filled double-layer glazing in a subtropical climate
Authors: Lv Yajun , Qin Yiming , Wang Julian , Yin Kui , Huang Huanchun , Huang Yu
Published: July 2021

Heat gain through glazing is a major source of the space cooling load in subtropical cooling-dominant climates. Application of energy-efficient glazing systems can significantly reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning in summer. Thus, it has become a popular research topic.
In this study, a sample of silica aerogel glazing was developed and prepared. Two identical insulated boxes were then constructed; one faÇade was equipped with the aerogel glazing sample and the other was prepared with a conventional double-layer glazing. An onsite measurement of the
boxes’ internal thermal properties was then conducted. The two boxes were placed within the same outdoor environment. The temperature, humidity, and enthalpy values were calculated with the boxes facing different orientations and in a variety of weather conditions. The performance of
the silica aerogel glazing was then evaluated by both experimental and theoretical analysis. The results of this study will provide a basis for aerogel glass building application guidelines.
[ARTICLE WITHDRAWN] Characteristics of pathogenic microbes in lung microenvironment of lung cancer patients without respiratory infection nano-medicine treatment
Authors: Zhang Miao , Zhang Yan , Han Yaguang , Zhao Xin , Sun Yi
Published: July 2021

THIS ARTICLE WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE PUBLISHER IN JULY 2021
Study on pharmacokinetics of nimodipine nano-controlled release agent modified by host-guest reaction of β-cyclodextrin in rats
Authors: Fu Xiaoxiu , Ma Lin , Cao Yang , Xu Hengzhong , Guo Yan
Published: July 2021

Nimodipine (NIMO) has been identified as a second-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist. NIMO’s specificity for the cerebrovascular smooth muscle contributes to its broad usage in treating ischemic cerebrovascular diseases in the elderly. Therefore, enhancing NIMO’s
therapeutic effect and reducing its adverse reactions caused by short-term repeated use have become a focus of research. As a result, a new controlled-release preparation of NIMO, the carboxymethyl chitosan/nimodipine-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticle (Nano-NIMO), was constructed
based on hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. The novel composite Nano-NIMO preparation could significantly improve the stability of NIMO in rat plasma, achieving an absolute bioavailability as high as 62.3%, which is three times that of the traditional NIMO oral preparation. Therefore, Nano-NIMO
is expected to provide a new direction for the preparation of modified controlled-release Nano- NIMO agents.
Novel application of agarose in cultivating microorganisms in the stomach and rapid drug susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Sun Qijuan , Li Chengbo , Xu Xiaona , Zhao Haitao , Liu Chenguang
Published: July 2021

Agarose is a promising tool for encapsulating areas as a kind of neutral polysaccharide. The purpose of this work is to expand the application of agarose. In this work, agarose microparticles for encapsulating microorganisms were introduced to the stomach through a novel water-in-water
(w/w) emulsification method. Sequencing techniques were performed for the identification and characterization of bacteria, and drug-susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori through gel microdroplets growth assay and traditional Oxford cup method was conducted. Results indicated
the presence of three phyla, eight genera, and more than 30 species in the samples. The correlation values of the traditional Oxford cup and GMD methods were 87.5% and 90%, respectively. The proposed encapsulation technology as efficient substitution for traditional Oxford cup method promised
to be applicable for the isolation and cultivation of gastric flora. Compared to other methods, this new method showed advantages when mainly due to time simplicity of the whole process. The direct drug susceptibility test based on the novel encapsulation technology is a promising tool for
the rational and flexible use of drugs in clinical practice. Furthermore, this work was an early exploration for the combination of encapsulation technology and agarose.
Engineering an alginate/β-glycerophosphate/dextran injectable hydrogel-delivery for cardiac therapies after acute myocardial infarctions
Authors: Meng Deping , Diao Chunmei , Liang Liyan
Published: July 2021

Human mesenchymal stem cell therapy (hMSCs) enables the transmission of alginate (A)/dextran (D)/β- glycerophosphate (β-GP) to the human myocardials infarcts. The fabricated hMSCs-AD@β-GP exhibited pixelation rate, pore size, absorbency, and aggregation rate values of
65.3%, 146.2%, 92.0%, and 29.1% with 1%, respectively. The hMSCs-AD@β-GP produced were physiochemically examined and were found to be highly stable, verifying the usefulness of the nanomaterials for cardiac regenerations. The in vitro studies of hMSCs- AD@β-GP hydrogels have
indicated that the cell survival ratio improved, and the positive findings of ejection fraction, fibrosis, and vessel density with lowered infraction size indicated that the heart regenerative activity also improved significantly after myocardial infraction. The synergic effect of the hydrogel
with hMSCs-AD@β- GP may, therefore, be suitable to treat patients with severe myocardial infarctions.
Numerical simulation and application of micro-nano bubble releaser for irrigation
Authors: Zhang Yubin , Wei Zhengying , Xu Jing , Wang Huafeng , Zhu Huomei , Lv Huanpei
Published: July 2021

In oxygenated irrigation, there are problems of large oxygenated bubble particles, low oxygen concentration in water, and mismatch with current irrigation systems. In this paper, numerical simulation of micro-nano bubble releaser was carried out and the development of oxygenated irrigation
equipment was studied. The release method of dissolved gas was selected to generate micro-nano bubbles after comparing different micro-nano bubble generation methods. The basic structure of the core-component releaser of generating micro-nano bubbles was initially determined. Effects of different
structures of the release device on water aeration performance were studied by CFD analysis method. An optimal structure of the releaser was determined with orthogonal experiments based on a single factor experiment. The structural parameters included a throat of a 3 mm diameter, a 2 mm thick
turbulent cavity, a six-degree exit angle, and two outlets. Optimal inlet and outlet pressure difference of the release device was 0.3 MPa. The bubble had an average particle size of 373.1 nm as measured. The release device was fabricated by 3D printing technology and the micro-nano bubble
aeration irrigation device was developed. The system function test was carried out. Under the standard state, the performance parameters of the micro-nano bubble aerator included the maximum oxygen concentration of 11.4 mg/L, a total oxygen transfer coefficient of 0.4139 min-1,
0.0114 kg/h oxygenation capacity, and 60.81% oxygen utilization rate. The device had advantages of a high oxygen-increasing efficiency and a small volume, making it quite prospective in the field of oxygenated irrigation.
Zinc Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Rapid Detection of Toluene Gas at Room Temperature
Authors: Wang Chih-Chia , Liu Chiu-Hung , Hsieh Hsuan-Hua , Tang Chih-Wei , Wang Chen-Bin
Published: July 2021

In this study, a nanostructured zinc oxide/reduced graphene oxide (ZnO/rGO) composite was deposited on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as a toluene gas sensor at room temperature. A series of ZnO, rGO and ZnO/rGO sensing materials was fabricated and characterized by X-ray diffraction
(XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. There was significant efficiency of the ZnO/rGO composite on the sensing performance for toluene. For specific gas fluxes, the nanostructured ZnO/rGO offered sufficient paths and region for vapor diffusion and adsorption. The
sensing test results illustrated that the nanostructured ZnO/rGO composite showed significant enhancement in the frequency shifts (△f) for toluene comparing to pure ZnO and rGO. Also, the ZnO/rGO-coated QCM sensor displayed a fast response (both the response and recovery times < 30
s) and reproducibility for sensing toluene gas at room temperature. We believe that the novel insights on ambient temperature gas sensing on nanostructured ZnO/rGO composite could provide a new strategy for preparing a highly efficient sensing materials.
How effectively do drought indices capture health outcomes? An investigation from rural Australia
Authors: Austin Emma , Kiem Anthony S. , Rich Jane , Perkins David , Kelly Brian
Published: July 2021

Drought is a global threat to public health. Increasingly, the impact of drought on mental health and wellbeing is being recognised. This paper investigates the relationship between drought and wellbeing to determine which drought indices most effectively capture wellbeing outcomes. A thorough understanding of the relationship between drought and wellbeing must consider the: (i) three aspects of drought (duration, frequency and magnitude); (ii) different types of drought (e.g. meteorological, agricultural, etc.); and (iii) the individual context of specific locations, communities and sectors. For this reason, we used a variety of drought types, drought indices, and time windows to identify the thresholds for wet and dry epochs that enhance and suppress impacts to wellbeing. Four postcodes in New South Wales (NSW), Australia are used as case studies in the analysis to highlight the spatial variability in the relationship between drought and wellbeing. The results demonstrate that the relationship between drought indices and wellbeing outcomes differs temporally, spatially and according to drought type. This paper objectively tests the relationship between commonly used drought indices and wellbeing outcomes to establish if current methods of quantifying drought effectively capture wellbeing outcomes. For funding, community programs and interventions to result in successful adaptation, it is essential to critically choose which drought index, time window and wellbeing outcome to use in empirical studies. The uncertainties associated with these relationships must be accounted for and it must also be realized that results will differ based on these decisions.
A cautionary tale: CVE policy actors managing risk in Australian schools
Authors: Stahl Garth , Baak Melanie , Schulz Samantha , Peterson Andrew
Published: July 2021

There exists an unsettling relationship between Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and formal schooling today that remains under-researched and largely unproblematized. This article draws on semi-structured interviews with state level policy actors as they implement a federally funded, small-scale grant to develop Restorative Practice in four Australian schools. The approach – as a form of Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) – was intended to guard against student behaviours deemed ‘at risk’. The data suggest that policy makers are vigilant in conducting their work in relation to a conception of risk and draw on a repertoire of skills when operating in an ‘in-between’ space between federal prerogatives and local communities. Beck’s work on risk and Bourdieu’s notion of habitus inform the analysis. The article focuses on how the habitus of policy actors is brought into tension as they navigate the politicized space of their employment by focusing on four overlapping areas – evidencing the affective dimension, guarding against stigma, strategic use of language and coordinating institutions.
Leptospira infection among human-close-contact animals in different geographical areas in Vietnam
Authors: Mai Le Thi Phuong , Dung Luu Phuong , Than Phan Dang , Dinh Tran Van , Quyet Nguyen Tu , Hai Hoang , Mai Tran Ngoc Phuong , Hanh Nguyen Thi My , Ly Nguyen Khanh
Published: July 2021

Leptospirosis is a neglected disease in Vietnam. Only a few studies have evaluated the status of Leptospira infection in both humans and animals. To our knowledge, this is the first serological survey of Leptospira in both domestic and wild animals, which may act as reservoirs of this agent. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Leptospira in animals that are in close contact with humans in different geographical areas in Vietnam. Sera were collected from 1205 individual animals of six species, including buffaloes, cattle, cats, dogs, swine, and rats. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) against 25 serovars of Leptospira spp. has been employed to detect serovars of Leptospira among the studied population. Overall, 44.2% of buffaloes, 24.9% of cattle, 10.2% of swine, 32.9% of dogs, 12.2% of cats, and 16% of rats were seropositive. A total of 17 different serovars were detected, of which serovars Hebdomadis and Canicola circulated in all the studied animal species. Variability of the predominant serovars circulating in animal species and in different geographical areas of Vietnam has been noted. We conclude that this study showed a high prevalence of Leptospira circulating in animals that are in close contact with humans, raising an alert of the important sources of pathogenic leptospires transmission to humans in Vietnam. These findings prove an imperative need for effective measures for disease prevention.
The Effects of Multi-Domain Interventions on Cognition: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ahn Sangwoo , Chung Jae Woo , Crane Monica K. , Bassett David R. , Anderson Joel G.
Published: July 2021

This review aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-domain interventions on cognition among individuals without dementia. Multi-domain interventions refer to those combining any single preventive measure such as physical activity, cognitive training, and/or nutrition to prevent dementia. Seventeen studies were included (n = 10,056 total participants; mean age = 73 years), eight of which were rated as strong in quality while the other nine showed moderate quality. The standardized mean difference (SMD; d) was used to calculate the effect size for each included study. Multi-domain interventions consisting of physical activity, cognitive training, cardioprotective nutrition, and/or cardiovascular health education exerted beneficial effects on global cognition, episodic memory, and/or executive function with very small to moderate effect sizes (0.16–0.77). Nurses may consider combining these components to potentially stave off dementia. Future research is warranted to identify the optimal multi-domain intervention components that can induce clinically significant beneficial effects on cognition.