bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors determining cognitive, motor and language scores in low birth weight infants from North India
Authors: Upadhyay Ravi Prakash , Taneja Sunita , Ranjitkar Suman , Mazumder Sarmila , Bhandari Nita , Dua Tarun , Shrestha Laxman , Strand Tor A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Children born with low birth weight (LBW) tend to have lower neurodevelopmental scores compared to term normal birth weight children. It is important to determine factors that influence neurodevelopment in these low birth weight children especially in the first 2–3 years of life that represents a period of substantial brain development.

Methods

This secondary data analysis was conducted using data from LBW infants enrolled soon after birth in an individually randomized controlled trial (RCT) and followed up till end of 1st year. Neurodevelopmental assessment was done at 12 months of corrected age by trained psychologists using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd edition (Bayley-III). Factors influencing cognitive, motor and language scores were determined using multivariable linear regression model.

Results

Linear growth (i.e., length for age z score, LAZ) [cognitive: Standardized ẞ-coefficient = 2.19, 95% CI; 1.29, 3.10; motor: 2.41, 95% CI; 1.59, 3.23; language: 1.37, 95% CI; 0.70, 2.04], stimulation at home [cognitive: 0.21, 95% CI; 0.15, 0.27; motor: 0.12, 95% CI; 0.07, 0.17; language: 0.21, 95% CI; 0.16, 0.25] and number of diarrhoeal episodes [cognitive: -2.87, 95% CI; -4.34, -1.39; motor: -2.62, 95% CI; -3.93, -1.29; language: -2.25, 95% CI; -3.32, -1.17] influenced the composite scores in all three domains i.e., cognitive, language and motor. While increase in LAZ score and stimulation led to increase in composite scores; an increase in number of diarrhoeal episodes was associated with decrease in scores. Weight for height z scores (WHZ) were associated with motor and language but not with cognitive scores. Additionally, a negative association of birth order with cognitive and language scores was noted.

Conclusions

The findings indicate the possible importance of promoting nutrition and preventing diarrhoea as well as ensuring optimal stimulation and nurturance at home for enhancing child development in LBW infants.
C1ql1 is expressed in adult outer hair cells of the cochlea in a tonotopic gradient
Authors: Biswas Joyshree , Pijewski Robert S. , Makol Rohit , Miramontes Tania G. , Thompson Brianna L. , Kresic Lyndsay C. , Burghard Alice L. , Oliver Douglas L. , Martinelli David C.
Published: May 2021

Hearing depends on the transduction of sounds into neural signals by the inner hair cells of the cochlea. Cochleae also have outer hair cells with unique electromotile properties that increase auditory sensitivity, but they are particularly susceptible to damage by intense noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, and aging. Although the outer hair cells have synapses on afferent neurons that project to the brain, the function of this neuronal circuit is unclear. Here, we created a novel mouse allele that inserts a fluorescent reporter at theC1ql1locus which revealed gene expression in the outer hair cells and allowed creation of outer hair cell-specificC1ql1knockout mice. We found thatC1ql1expression in outer hair cells corresponds to areas with the most sensitive frequencies of the mouse audiogram, and that it has an unexpected adolescence-onset developmental timing. No expression was observed in the inner hair cells. Since C1QL1 in the brain is made by neurons, transported anterogradely in axons, and functions in the synaptic cleft, C1QL1 may serve a similar function at the outer hair cell afferent synapse. Histological analyses revealed thatC1ql1conditional knockout cochleae may have reduced outer hair cell afferent synapse maintenance. However, auditory behavioral and physiological assays did not reveal a compelling phenotype. Nonetheless, this study identifies a potentially useful gene expressed in the cochlea and opens the door for future studies aimed at elucidating the function of C1QL1 and the function of the outer hair cell and its afferent neurons.
Valuation of health losses of women with multiple roles using a well-being valuation approach: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Kumagai Narimasa
Published: May 2021

Unpaid housework among married working couples is largely done by women in Japan, causing health losses due to work-to-family conflict. However, monetary values for the poor health condition of working mothers with multiple roles have not been explored. The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of health conditions on life satisfaction (LS) among middle-aged Japanese men and women and attach a monetary value to self-assessed poor health (SAPH). The well-being valuation approach applied monetary values to health losses among middle-aged working persons, using a total of 6,779 married workers drawn from a nationwide 6 wave (2007, 2009, 2011–2014) longitudinal data from the Japanese Life Course Panel Survey of Middle-aged Persons. Female workers having multiple roles as employees and housewives, who spent at least 35 hours per week on market work are defined as women with multiple roles. LS was used as a proxy of individuals’ subjective well-being. Considering the endogeneity between SAPH and LS, I used the two-stage residual inclusion approach with generalized residuals. Major findings are (1) health losses of women with multiple roles were 1.47 times of the equivalent household income; larger than those of men with multiple roles, and (2) health losses of women with multiple roles can be reduced by around 9.5% of the equivalent household income if the spouse shares the housework by engaging in frequent cleaning of the house. Taking health losses of women with multiple roles into consideration, middle-aged men should reconsider the allocation of work attributable to the attitudes toward gender roles.
A fast and effective detection framework for whole-slide histopathology image analysis
Authors: Ruan Jun , Zhu Zhikui , Wu Chenchen , Ye Guanglu , Zhou Jingfan , Yue Junqiu
Published: May 2021

Pathologists generally pan, focus, zoom and scan tissue biopsies either under microscopes or on digital images for diagnosis. With the rapid development of whole-slide digital scanners for histopathology, computer-assisted digital pathology image analysis has attracted increasing clinical attention. Thus, the working style of pathologists is also beginning to change. Computer-assisted image analysis systems have been developed to help pathologists perform basic examinations. This paper presents a novel lightweight detection framework for automatic tumor detection in whole-slide histopathology images. We develop the Double Magnification Combination (DMC) classifier, which is a modified DenseNet-40 to make patch-level predictions with only 0.3 million parameters. To improve the detection performance of multiple instances, we propose an improved adaptive sampling method with superpixel segmentation and introduce a new heuristic factor, local sampling density, as the convergence condition of iterations. In postprocessing, we use a CNN model with 4 convolutional layers to regulate the patch-level predictions based on the predictions of adjacent sampling points and use linear interpolation to generate a tumor probability heatmap. The entire framework was trained and validated using the dataset from the Camelyon16 Grand Challenge and Hubei Cancer Hospital. In our experiments, the average AUC was 0.95 in the test set for pixel-level detection.
Microbial corrosion of DSS 2205 in an acidic chloride environment under continuous flow
Authors: Tran Thi Thuy Tien , Kannoorpatti Krishnan , Padovan Anna , Thennadil Suresh , Nguyen Khai
Published: May 2021

Corrosion under flow conditions is a major problem in the transportation industry. Various studies have shown the direct impact of different flow rates on bacteria biofilm formation, mass transfer and resulting different corrosion behaviour of materials in neutral environments. However, little is understood on corrosion under acidic flow conditions. This study investigated the impact of an acidic artificial seawater environment containingDesulfovibrio vulgarison DSS 2205 microbial corrosion under different velocities (0.25 m.s-1and 0.61 m.s-1). Experiments containing no bacteria were performed as controls. Bacterial attachment was observed by optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Materials corrosion was assessed using open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. Pits formed after potentiodynamic test were observed under SEM. The largest area of bacterial attachment was found on coupons immersed at a velocity of 0.25 m.s-1; however, the corrosion rate was lower than at higher velocity. Shallow pits occurred in the metal coupons when bacteria were present, while deep pits occurred in the controls. The study indicates the positive impact of biofilm formation in corrosion prevention of materials under acidic condition. The nature of corrosion behaviour of duplex stainless is discussed.
Neoadjuvant radiotherapy for locoregional Siewert type II gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: A propensity scores matching analysis
Authors: Zhou Yuan , Tian MengXiang , Güngör Cenap , Wang Dan
Published: May 2021

Objective

To analyze the effect of neoadjuvant radiotherapy (nRT) on prognosis in patients with locoregional Siewert type II gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEA).

Method

All patients pathologically diagnosed as Siewert type II GEA between 2004 and 2015 were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Final Results (SEER) database. We analyzed the impact of different treatment regimens on the prognosis in each stage. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) method. Multivariate Cox model and propensity score matching was further used to verify the results.

Results

4,160 patients were included in this study. The efficacy of nRT was superior to that of adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT) (p = 0.048), which was the same as that of surgery combined with chemotherapy (p = 0.836), but inferior to the overall survival (OS) of surgical treatment alone (p<0.001) in T1-2N0M0 patients. Patients receiving nRT had distinctly better survival than those receiving surgical treatment alone (p = 0.008), but had similar survival compared with patients treated with aRT (p = 0.989) or surgery combined with chemotherapy (p = 0.205) in the T3N0/T1-3N+M0 subgroup. The efficacy of nRT is clearly stronger than that of surgical therapy alone (p<0.001), surgery combined with chemotherapy (p<0.001), and aRT (p = 0.008) in patients with T4 stage. The survival analysis results were consistent before and after propensity score matching.

Conclusion

In these carefully selected patients, the present study made the following recommendations: nRT can improve the prognosis of patients with T3N0M0/T1-3N+M0 and T4 Siewert type II GEA, and it seems to be a better treatment for T4 patients. Surgery alone seems to be sufficient, and nRT is not conducive to prolonging the survival of Siewert II GEA patients with T1-2N0M0 stage. Of course, further prospective trials are needed to verify this conclusion.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of animal producers towards antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in Oromia zone, north eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebeyehu Daniel Teshome , Bekele Demisew , Mulate Belay , Gugsa Getachew , Tintagu Tarekegn
Published: May 2021

Antimicrobial resistance is the failure of antimicrobial’s effect against the growth and multiplication of microorganisms. Imprudent and over antimicrobial use (AMU) aggravates antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antimicrobials are massively used in animal production as compared with AMU in human health sectors. This research was done with the objective of assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) status of animal producers towards AMU and AMR. A Cross-sectional study design and questionnaire were conducted and both qualitative and quantitative data analyses were used. The logistic regression was used to test the effect of each predictor variable on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participants. Out of 571 animal producers, the majority (80.2%) of them were not knowledgeable and 85.3% of the animal producers had a negative attitude towards the AMU and AMR. Likewise, the practice of 78.5% of the animal producers were practice improperly towards AMU and AMR. All the questions that were designed to assess the KAP of the animal producers were significantly associated (P<0.05) with each respective category of KAP. The educational status of animal producers was negatively correlated (OR = 0.38) with all their knowledge, attitude, and practice of AMU and AMR, but sex has a positive correlation (OR = 2.89) with both the knowledge and practice of animal producers. In conclusion, the animal producers in the Oromia zone had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding AMU and AMR. The animal producer’s attitude and their practices were negative and improper respectively. As a result, consecutive awareness creation on both AMU and AMR is recommended and integrated AMU governance in animal production is recommended to be applied.
Listening to the wind of change: The implications of the 2019 general election for the Portuguese party system
Authors: Lopes José Pedro
Published: May 2021

This article offers an overview of the Portuguese general election of October 2019 and of its impact in the ongoing evolution of the Portuguese party system. The election results are interpreted by looking at the socio-economic and political context in which it took place, as well as the protagonists, issues and party positions of the electoral campaign. Additionally, the process leading to the formation of the socialist minority government is also examined. It is argued that changing patterns have mostly been reverted and that the party system that comes out of this election is a more stable one. This was mainly due to institutional constraints that limit the potential of change. Nevertheless, the increasing role of the left-right cleavage, alongside the entrance of new parties in parliament might pave the way for future realignments of the Portuguese party system.
Dictatorship and the Electoral Vote: Francoism and the Portuguese New State Regime in Comparative Perspective, 1945-1975, Carlos Domper Lasús (2020)
Authors: Pinheiro Teresa
Published: May 2021

Review of: Dictatorship and the Electoral Vote: Francoism and the Portuguese New State Regime in Comparative Perspective, 1945-1975, Carlos Domper Lasús (2020)

Eastbourne: Sussex Academic Press, 267 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-84519-987-6, h/bk, £75.00
Hacia la legitimidad ética de la decisión jurídica: los principios de ética judicial (CGPJ, 2016)
Authors: Vicente y Guerrero Guillermo
Published: May 2021

En la actualidad hay una tendencia generalizada a subrayar la importancia de los componentes éticos y de moralidad presentes en la decisión jurídica. En España dicha corriente se ha materializado en la adopción, por parte del Consejo General del Poder Judicial, de los Principios de Ética Judicial en diciembre de 2016. Este trabajo considera su operatividad como guía en el desempeño de la jurisdicción. También algunas de sus carencias y posibles peligros. Se presta especial atención a la Comisión de Ética Judicial, reflexionando sobre los valores que deben orientar la práctica judicial y sobre los nuevos retos éticos que afronta la judicatura en España.
Laicidad liberal y laicismo
Authors: Ruiz Miguel Alfonso
Published: May 2021

El texto prosigue un debate oral con Manuel Atienza recuperado en su prólogo a un reciente libro de Giovanni Blando. En este libro se recoge mi tesis, contra la que reacciona Atienza, de que la laicidad apropiada en un Estado aconfesional es una laicidad liberal o neutral, situada entre dos extremos: la llamada laicidad positiva, que es una forma de confesionalidad encubierta, y el laicismo, entendido como una forma de laicidad no liberal y no neutral hacia las religiones. El debate gira sobre todo en torno a esta última categoría.
Objetividad de los deberes y razones para la acción. Notas desde el externalismo
Authors: Figueroa Rubio Sebastián
Published: May 2021

En el trabajo se explora cómo un externalismo respecto de razones para la acción contribuye a comprender la relación entre agentes y normas. Para ello, primero se presenta la distinción entre externalismo e internalismo; segundo, se revisan las dificultades del internalismo para explicar la objetividad de los deberes y; finalmente, se defiende al externalismo de la crítica según la cual no puede dar cuenta del principio «debe implica puede».
Sozialismus und Zionismus
Authors: Müller Hans-Harald
Published: May 2021

Arnold Zweig and Walter A. Berendsohn, who were in correspondence with each other between 1909 and 1968, continuously sought to convert the other to their beliefs. Around 1910 Zweig wanted to convert Berendsohn to Zionism as coined by Buber, while his views changed after his exile in Palestine, when he tried to win Berendsohn over to communism. Berendsohn, for his part, wanted to convince Zweig of social democracy around 1910, but after traveling Palestine in the 1950s tried to convince Zweig of Zionism. Viewed retrospectively, both appear as idealistic German intellectuals whose eagerness to reform society in 1910 led them in very different directions due to their individual experiences especially in and after the Second World War.
Juden auf der Oberen Donau: Transport und Verkehr im Österreich des frühen 18. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Rauscher Peter
Published: May 2021

The toll registers of Aschach in Upper Austria covering the period from 1627 to 1775 are an outstanding series of sources for the history of transport and trade in the early modern Upper Danube basin. At the Aschach toll station each vessel shipping up- and downstream the Danube as the most important traffic route in the Upper-German and Austrian area had to pay dues. The information comprised in the toll registers enables us to reconstruct the movement of goods and people between the Austrian Danube region and its neighbouring countries. This study analyzes the significances of the Upper Danube as a traffic route for Jews in the 1st half of the 18th century. Especially the Viennese Court Jews used the waterway for the supply of the Imperial army in Hungary with provisions and other military goods. They also received foodstuff, beverages and other consumer products via the Danube. Jewish traders, especially from Prague, used the Danube for their frequent journeys to the fairs in Linz, whereas other Jewish travelers on their way to Vienna or even further frequently embarked on vessels in Regensburg.
Can Targeted Child Benefits Affect Fertility? Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Lyssiotou Panayiota
Published: May 2021

This paper contributes to the literature on whether targeted cash child benefits can affect fertility and, specifically, induce families to have more than two children. We exploit the introduction of a monthly non-means tested cash child benefit paid only to families with at least four children. We apply a quasi experimental methodology since the reform is expected to have increased births offourthchild relative to births ofthirdchild or higher than four. We find robust evidence that the reform increased significantly the treated family’s probability to have a (fourth) child by about 5% and had no effect on births greater than four. In the post reform period, the control group’s probability to have a (third) child was not significantly different than before the reform. In particular, the finding that the probability of birth among parities greater than four was not affected by the reform supports that what we are estimating is a response of the targeted family to the introduction of the child benefit and not a change in the fertility preferences of families with many children. Other changes (besides the reform) had a negative effect on the probability to have a child that was reversed only for the birth offourthchild among treated families due to the economic incentives created by the reform.
Characterizing Jacobians via the KP equation and via flexes and degenerate trisecants to the Kummer variety: An algebro-geometric approach
Authors: Arbarello Enrico , Codogni Giulio , Pareschi Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

We give completely algebro-geometric proofs of a theorem by T. Shiota, and of a theorem by I. Krichever, characterizing Jacobians of algebraic curves among all
irreducible principally polarized abelian varieties. Shiota’s characterization is given in terms of the KP equation. Krichever’s characterization is given in terms of trisecant lines to the Kummer variety.
Here we treat the case of flexes and degenerate trisecants.
The basic tool we use is a theorem we prove asserting that the base locus
of the linear system associated to an effective line bundle on an abelian variety is reduced.
This result
allows us to remove all the extra assumptions that were introduced in the theorems by the first author,
C. De Concini, G.Marini, and O. Debarre, in order to achieve algebro-geometric proofs of the results
above.
Conceptual metaphor and media bias: a critical metaphor analysis of British and American mainstream media reports on the Hong Kong riots
Authors: Ji Xuan
Published: May 2021

This article makes a comparative analysis of the use of metaphors in the Hong Kong riot reports by British and American mainstream media. The analysis reveals the conceptualization process of events and finds that the use of metaphors is mainly concentrated in the war domain, the flare domain, and the natural forces domain.
Financial literacy, institutions and education: Lessons from the German reunification
Authors: Davoli Maddalena , Hou Jia
Published: May 2021

A growing body of literature highlights the importance of financial literacy in affecting household choices. However, much fewer studies focus on understanding the determinants of different levels of financial literacy. Our paper contributes to filling this gap by analyzing a specific determinant, i. e., the educational system, to explain the heterogeneity of financial literacy scores across Germany. The results suggest that the lower financial literacy observed in East Germany can be partially attributed to the different institutional framework experienced during the Cold War, more specifically, to the socialist educational system experienced in East Germany, which affected specific cohorts of individuals. By exploiting the unique set-up of the German reunification, we identify education as a channel through which institutions and financial literacy are related in the German context. In support of this hypothesis, we find that individuals exposed to the Eastern educational system exhibit

12

%

12\hspace{0.1667em}\%

to

21

%

21\hspace{0.1667em}\%

lower financial literacy scores compared with the households in the control group, not exposed to such system.
The effects of financing rules in pay-as-you-go pension systems on the life and the business cycle
Authors: Scharrer Christian
Published: May 2021

Empirically, revenues of public pension systems are more volatile than expenditures. Therefore, the question arises how the social security authority should buffer its revenues and adjust its contributions over the business cycle. This paper studies the corresponding effects on the life cycle of households and the business cycle in a large-scale overlapping generations model. In particular, the labor supply is endogenous and takes the intertemporal links between contributions and pension benefits into account. Sluggish adjustments of contribution rates that are implemented by adjusting a financial buffer stock both stabilize an economy and decrease the volatility of lifetime utilities of most workers and retirees, in contrast to sole adjustments of contribution rates. However, changes of consumption, capital income, or lump sum taxes, which aim to balance public pension budgets, improve the allocation of aggregate risk across cohorts for people up to an age of at least 71 years.
Refining performance and recession of Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners
Authors: Han Xiao-wei , Zhang Zong-biao , Zhang Rui-ying , Wang Peng
Published: May 2021

Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners were synthesized by the in-situ exothermic dispersion method using TiO2, C, Al and La2O3 powders as raw materials. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the microstructures of the Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners. Commercial pure aluminum was refined by the Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners, aimed at investigating refining performance and the resistance to recession. The results show that the Al–TiO2– C–La2O3 refiner with 0.2% La2O3 is composed of α-Al, blocky Al3Ti, dispersive Al2O3 and TiC, which has a better refining effect on commercial pure aluminum than the Al– TiO2–C refiner. The average grain size refined by the above refiner is about 80 μm and it performs better and has a longer refining effect. The grain structure refined by Al–TiO2– C–La2O3 becomes finer within 5 min and remains the same after 120 min, while refined by the Al–TiO2–C refiner the equivalent times are 10 min and 30 min respectively.
Efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment protocol in gouty arthritis – a clinical study
Authors: Vaprath Kuniyil Aswathi Rajan , Soman Devipriya , Kundagol Mahesh C. , Chacko James
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Gout is an inflammatory response to the Monosodium urate crystals formed secondary to hyperuricaemia. The prevalence of gout has increased in recent years. The current conventional medical management aims at symptomatic management. In Ayurveda, gouty arthritis has similarity to Vata-Pittadhika Vatarakta, owing to its comparable aetiology and clinical features and treatment was planned accordingly. The present study is designed to evaluate the combined effect of Ayurvedic formulations and therapy in reducing the signs and symptoms and uric acid level in Gouty Arthritis.

Methods

The study was a single group pre–post test design. The patients diagnosed on the basis of ACR EULAR Gout classification 2015 criteria. They were given Guduchi Siddha Ksheeravasthi (Therapeutic enema), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) Kashaya (diluted decoction) and Punarnava Guggulu. Assessment of pain was done by Visual Analogue Scale and serum uric acid level was assessed on day 1 and on 31st day. Also, the change in symptoms were analyzed before and after the treatment. This study has been registered in the clinical trial registry-India.

Results

The obtained data were evaluated using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. A significant improvement (p=0.0001) was observed in VAS scale (98.77%), serum uric acid levels (57.81%), subjective parameters. Moreover, erythrocyte sedimentation rate was observed to be normal level as compared to baseline of the therapy also with an enhancement of hemoglobin (Hb) levels.

Conclusions

Thus, the present study revealed that Ayurvedic therapeutic interventions can play a major role in the management of gouty arthritis.
Evaluation of general body temperament and uterine dystemperament in amenorrhoea: a cross-sectional analytical study
Authors: Sultana Arshiya , Rahman Khaleequr
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Amenorrhoea in women of reproductive age may be an indication of an undiagnosed and chronic condition. The concept of temperament is a fundamental component of health preservation and diagnosis of various disease conditions including amenorrhoea in Unani medicine. Dystemperament is the commonest cause of various diseases. Therefore, general body temperament and uterine dystemperament in amenorrhoea was determined.

Methods

A prospective, single-centre, cross-sectional observational study from June to November 2019 was conducted in 80 patients of reproductive age with amenorrhoea ≥60 days. Validated questionnaire for the assessment of women’s general body temperament and clinical features of uterine dystemperament was used. The data were analysed by appropriate statistical analysis.

Results

The age of patients with amenorrhoea ranged from 14 to 50 years. The most prevalent general body temperament was cold (57.5%) and wet (60%). Cold and wet general temperament was more common at the age of 21–30 years (30 and 36.25%), 60–90 days of amenorrhoea (33.75 and 32.5%) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (47.5 and 50%). The most prevalent uterine dystemperament was cold and dry (95%). A significant correlation between general temperament with age, amenorrhoea and BMI >23 kg/m2 was noted. Moreover, the cold temperament of the body had a significant correlation with cold uterine temperament (r=0.864, p<0.001).

Conclusions

This study corroborated the claim of Unani scholars that cold and wet general and uterine temperament is more common in amenorrhoea and obesity. However, amenorrhoea can also occur in normal and other temperaments.
A study of effect of Centella asiatica on oxidative markers in the hippocampus of offsprings born to alcohol-fed pregnant rats and the correlation with their cognitive functions
Authors: Mitha K.V.  , Yadav Saraswati Jaiswal , Bolumbu Ganaraja
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Alcohol consumption causes several harmful effects on the organs, which is hugely understated. Many deformities occur in the fetus when pregnant mothers indulge in alcoholism. Alcohol is a known teratogen, hence organ formation, particularly development of parts brain critical for cognitive function may be affected. The oxidative brain damage also could contribute to reduced cognitive efficiency of brain exposed to alcohol. In this study, effect of Centella asiatica in relieving the oxidative brain damage in offspring of alcohol fed mother rats was evaluated.

Methods

In this study we fed alcohol (5 g/kg body weight, 30% w/v) to a group of pregnant Wistar rats during gestation period, and another group served as control. Four groups of rats (n = 6 each) were selected from the offspring of these mother rats. The groups were, control, positive (treated) control, untreated and treated from alcohol-fed mother. Their cognitive parameters were tested in water maze, shuttle box and compared. Further their oxidative status was evaluated by estimating malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, total antioxidants and glutathione reductase (GSH) in hippocampus.

Results

The results suggested that there was significantly high cognitive performance in maze test and shuttle box memory retention in rats treated with C. asiatica water extract and the antioxidant levels were high in their hippocampus.

Conclusions

The outcome of the study suggested that C. asiatica produced beneficial effects in reversing the alcohol induced brain damage in pregnancy.
Dense images of the power maps for a disconnected real algebraic group
Authors: Mandal Arunava
Published: May 2021

Let 𝐺 be a complex algebraic group defined over ℝ, which is not necessarily Zariski-connected.
In this article, we study the density of the images of the power maps

g
→

g
k

g\to g^{k}

,

k
∈
N

k\in\mathbb{N}

, on real points of 𝐺, i.e.,

G
⁢

(
R
)

G(\mathbb{R})

equipped with the real topology.
As a result, we extend a theorem of P. Chatterjee on surjectivity of the power map for the set of semisimple elements of

G
⁢

(
R
)

G(\mathbb{R})

.
We also characterize surjectivity of the power map for a disconnected group

G
⁢

(
R
)

G(\mathbb{R})

.
The results are applied in particular to describe the image of the exponential map of

G
⁢

(
R
)

G(\mathbb{R})

.
Reconstructing Malice in the Law of Punitive Damages
Authors: DeGirolami Marc O.
Published: May 2021

Punitive damages present two related puzzles. One concerns their object. If they are punitive, their object is to punish tortfeasors. If they are damages, their object is to compensate tort victims. If they are both, the problem is to reconcile these different objects in applying them. A second puzzle involves their subject. Punitive damages are awarded for egregious wrongdoing. But the nature of that egregiousness is nebulous and contested, implicating many poorly understood terms. The two puzzles are connected, because the subject of punitive damages will inform their object. Once we know the type of wrongfulness that punitive damages deal with, we can understand better whether and how they are punishing, compensating, or both. This Article reconstructs one of punitive damages’ central subjects: malice. In so doing, it clarifies one key object of punitive damages: to offer redress to a victim of cruelty. Malice is a ubiquitous textual element in the state law of punitive damages. But there has been little scholarly commentary about what malice means for punitive damages. Drawing from the common history of tort and criminal law, this Article identifies two core meanings of malice: a desire or motive to do wrong, and a disposition of callous indifference to the wrong inflicted. Though distinct, these meanings broadly coalesce in the concept of cruelty. The Article argues that this reconstructed account of the wrong of malice represents a powerful justification for awarding punitive damages. Malice as cruelty as a justification for punitive damages also fits within a broader view of tort law as redress for specific private wrongs. But malice as a subject of punitive damages clarifies and enriches this account of their object. A victim of a tort done with malice, and who is aware of it, has been wronged more gravely than a victim of a tort done without malice and is, therefore, entitled to greater redress.
First record of Blanford’s Fox Vulpes cana (Blanford, 1877) from Iraq
Authors: Ahmed Soran A. , Al-Sheikhly Omar F.
Published: May 2021

The Blanford’s Fox Vulpes cana (Blanford, 1877) is an enigmatic carnivore of Asia and East Africa with sporadic and disjunct distribution in the Middle East. It was suspected to occur in western Iraq, but no confirmed records have been made. In October 2020, the first confirmed occurrence of Blanford’s Fox was made during a camera-trap survey in Xoshk Mountain in northern Iraq (Kurdistan) and is described in this account.
Synthesis and crystal structure of the novel chiral acetyl-3-thiophene-5-(9-anthryl)-2-pyrazoline, C23H18N2OS
Authors: Usman Rabia , Khan Arshad , Refat Moamen S. , He Nongyue
Published: May 2021

C23H18Cl4N2OS, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 16.872(3) Å, b = 10.414(2) Å, c = 10.589(2) Å, V = 1860.5(6) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0588, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1464, T = 293 K.
Good, bad and ugly genes? Science matters, also in terms of terminology and word usage
Authors: Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: May 2021

Our words shape our thinking, our thinking creates action. Scientific terms can be particularly influential when used in everyday language in terms of allegedly scientific arguments that back certain views or actions. Such use can be especially toxic when the terms refer to concepts that are ill-defined, outdated or questionable themselves. The term “good genes” represents an exemplary case in this regard. It refers to the belief system of eugenics and implies a moral perspective. The latest political debates demonstrate how easily such terms and concepts are employed to induce racist thinking and action; in the end it may even result in specific medication, selective investment in medical treatment, and so ultimately impacting the life and death of patients. Science has the obligation to explicitly opt-out from such lines of argument, and to routinely check and re-think its theories, concepts and vocabulary.
Nanoparticles in enhancing microwave imaging and microwave Hyperthermia effect for liver cancer treatment
Authors: Maamoun Walaa , Badawi Mohamed I. , Aly Ayman A , Khedr Y.
Published: May 2021

Hyperthermia therapy is a promising therapy for liver cancer treatment that utilizes external electromagnetic waves to heat the tumor zone to preferentially kill or minimize cancer cells. Nevertheless, it’s a challenge to realize localized heating of the cancer tissue without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. This research proposes to utilize nanoparticles as microwave absorbers to enhance microwave imaging and achieve localized hyperthermia therapy.

A realistic 3D abdomen model has been segmented using 3D Slicer segmentation software, and then the obtained segmented CAD model exported to Computer Simulation Technology (CST STUDIO) for applying the Finite Element Modeling (FEM). Next investigating both imaging and treatment capability. Finally, the specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature distribution were computed without nanoparticles and with different types of nanoparticles such as gold (GNPs) and silver nanoparticles at frequency 915 MHz.

By comparing the achived results, it was seen that Silver nanoparticles can make a great enhancement in raising the temperature. However, this result was unsatisfactory but, after adding gold nanoparticles the temperature exceed 42°C, at frequency 915 MHz which is achieving the hyperthermia treatment without harming the nearby healthy tissue, GNPs also can achieve a great enhancement in SAR result
A Variationist Analysis of Second Language Spanish Trill Production
Authors: Daidone Danielle , Zahler Sara
Published: May 2021

The current study examines the production of the Spanish trill by advanced second language (L2) learners using a variationist approach. Findings indicate that learners produced less multiple occlusion trills than native speakers and their variation was not constrained by the same factors as native speakers. Phonetic context conditioned the use of the multiple occlusion variant for native speakers, whereas frequency and speaker sex conditioned this variation for learners, and in the opposite direction of effect as expected from previous native speaker research. Nevertheless, the majority of tokens produced by learners were other variants also produced by native speakers, and when the variation between native and non-native variants was examined, learners’ variation was conditioned not only by frequency, but also phonetic context. Some of the phonetic contexts in which learners produced non-native variants were comparable to those in which native speakers were least likely to produce the multiple occlusion trill, indicating that articulatory constraints governed variation in trill production similarly for both groups. Thus, although L2 learners do not exhibit native-like trill variation, they appear to be developing toward a more native-like norm. These insights provide support for adopting a multifaceted variationist approach to the study of L2 phonological variable structures.
Practical Issues of Fostering National Identity in a Distance learning Course on the Example of the Course «Information Technologies in Physical Culture and Sports»
Authors:   National State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Health, named after P. F. Lesgaft, Bordovskiy Pavel Georgievich , Predovskaya Mariya Mihailovna ,   National State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Health, named after P. F. Lesgaft, Zavaruhina Larisa Anatolievna ,   Saint-Petersburg State Budget Professional Educational Academy of music named after N. A. Rimskiy-Korsakov, Fedulova Liliya Rifatovna ,   Ulyanovsk State University of Education
Published: May 2021

At the present time, all over the world, including in Russia, the question of fostering national identity, knowledge and respect for one’s national history, understanding and real assessment of current social events is quite acutely raised. In our article “Fostering national identity in the educational process with the use of distance education technologies in the field of physical culture and sports”, the problem of this issue was identified. The purpose of the article is to experimentally test certain issues of targeted influence on students’ awareness of belonging to Russian culture, instilling pride in the achievements of their compatriots, both for historical events and for real achievements in the field of information technology. Research methodology and methods. Standard methodologies were used in this work for the study of social processes based mainly on modeling various social situations, both in historical terms and at the present time. Research methods: analysis of literary sources, survey, testing, mathematical methods of processing research data. To implement the task, a distance course was used in the discipline “Information technologies in physical culture and sports”. On its basis, special training tasks and a control system were developed. Conclusion. On the basis of the study, conclusions were drawn regarding the optimization of the educational process and recommendations for the practical implementation of issues of fostering national identity in higher education.
Formation of Foreign language Communicative Competence of Bachelor Students in the Conditions of Remote Interaction
Authors:   Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University named after K. Minin, Tsvetkova Svetlana Yevgenyevna , Malisheva Elena Yurievna ,   Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University named after K. Minin
Published: May 2021

At present the requirements to the level of foreign language training in a non-linguistic higher school are determined by the necessity of students to master foreign language communication skills. One of the most significant methods of professional foreign language training optimization and intensification is an intensive use of new information and communicative technologies in the process of education. The purpose of the article is to consider the system of assessment technologies, in particular, training and control tests of the electronic course, implemented in blended and distance learning conditions, providing control and assessment of the formation of foreign language communicative competence of undergraduate students of non-linguistic profiles in conditions of remote interaction. The article reviews the problem through scientific-pedagogical and methodological literature. The article also provides an overview of theoretical and empirical research strategies. The results of the article discuss the peculiarities of the functioning of the electronic educational and methodical complex (EEMC) in blended and distance learning. The description of the system of test tasks for the development and control of lexical and grammatical aspect of speech; receptive and productive types of foreign language speaking activity (reading, listening, speaking) are given in the research. Theoretical and practical value, its correspondence to the aims and questions of the investigation concludes the article.
Features of Willed Self-Regulation of Students In the Conditions of Distance Learning
Authors:   Anapa Branch of the Moscow Pedagogical State University, Bystrushkin Sergey Konstantinovich , Seliverstova Seliverstova ,   Anapa Branch of the Moscow Pedagogical State University, Geniatulina Elena Vladimirovna ,   Anapa Branch of the Moscow Pedagogical State University, Khlystova Veronika Gennadievna ,   Anapa Branch of the Moscow Pedagogical State University, Gribtsova Lyudmila Semyonovna ,   Anapa Branch of the Moscow Pedagogical State University, Tyutereva Irina Anatolievna ,   Anapa Branch of the Moscow Pedagogical State University
Published: May 2021

Problem and purpose. The article actualizes the problem of the features of volitional self-regulation of girls studying in the specialties of secondary professional education in the context of distance learning. The purpose of the article is to study the psychological characteristics of volitional self-regulation in students in conditions of distance learning using information technologies. Methodology. Methods of empirical research of psychological characteristics of volitional self-regulation of personality, statistical and comparative methods of analysis were used in the work. The study of the problem of volitional self-regulation of the personality allows to solve the problems of correcting the psycho-functional structure of the personality on the basis of which students build an algorithm for the upcoming information, technical and educational activities. In the context of distance learning, volitional self-regulation becomes a decisive condition for the successful mastering of knowledge in solving educational problems and improving professional skills. The results of the study show that most of the students in the specialties of secondary professional education consciously relate to the distance learning mode, show persistence, active independent initiative in mastering the educational material. A low level of volitional self-regulation, self-control, psychological activity and reflection of students causes a decrease in working capacity, does not ensure the sustainability of interest in educational activities, interferes with the implementation of educational tasks, makes it difficult to independently control personal motives for learning, coordinate their actions in accordance with changing conditions. Conclusion. It was revealed that students in the process of adaptation to the conditions of distance learning, depending on the individual, psychophysiological characteristics of the body, use the possibilities of changing the level of volitional self-regulation and psychological activity, which allows them, first of all, to maintain the mental state of emotional comfort, reduce the level of psycho-emotional stress and respond adequately to new learning conditions.
Preparation of amphiphilic mesoporous carbon-based solid acid from kraft lignin activated by phosphoric acid and its catalytic performance for hydration of α-pinene
Authors: Xie Junkang , Han Qiaoning , Feng Bo , Liu Zuguang
Published: May 2021

An amphiphilic mesoporous carbon-based solid acid (LCx-SO3H) with high specific surface area was prepared from kraft lignin that was carbonized using a phosphoric acid treatment. It was found that the specific surface area, pore structure, and amphiphilic nature of the catalyst was effectively controlled through adjusting the phosphoric acid dosage during lignin carbonization. Under optimum preparation conditions, the specific surface area, pore volume, and average pore size of the catalyst were 282.2 m2/g, 0.26 cm3/g, and 6.73 nm, respectively. The performance of this solid acid catalyst for the hydration of α-pinene was characterized via gas chromatography analysis. The conversion of α-pinene and the yield of α-terpineol during hydration reaction were as high as 95.3% and 55.3%, respectively; these results were greater than the results from other hydration methods with sulfuric acid and commercially available solid acid catalysts (e.g., Amberlyst-15). After five recycles of the carbon-based solid acid without regeneration, conversion of α-pinene decreased from 95.3% to 92.6%, and the yield of α-terpineol decreased from 55.3% to 47.6%. These observations indicated that the solid acid catalyst derived from kraft lignin carbonization has high potential as a hydration agent for α-pinene.
Effect of various compounding methods on acid red 18050- melamine modified urea formaldehyde resin compound as wood modifier
Authors: Shi Yuan , Lyu Wenhua , Wang Xueyu , Liu Qiangqiang
Published: May 2021

In order to simultaneously improve the strength and decoration properties of plantation wood, a multi-effect modifier was prepared by compounding acid red 18050(G) with melamine-modified urea formaldehyde resin (MUF). Various compounding methods for MUF synthesis such as adding dye with the first part urea (U1G) or with the second part urea (U2G), or direct blending with MUF resin (BG) were tested. Chinese fir plantation wood was impregnated with these modifiers separately, and its color, color fastness, and dyeing mechanism were studied. The results showed that G had good compatibility with MUF and could prolong its storage time, and all compound modifiers exhibited permeability and coloring effect on Chinese fir wood. Compared with G-dyed wood under the same conditions, all the compound dyed wood had better color fastness to water, and the U2G-dyed was the best, the color fastness to xenon light of U2G dyed wood was greatly improved.. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis showed that compared with MUF-modified wood, the dye affected MUF hydroxyl-methylation reaction in U1G, lowered the polycondensation degree, and extended its storage time. The dye might have promoted the ionic reaction between resin amino and dye sulfonic groups in U2G, thus displaying better color fastness.