bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between metabolic and immunological disorders in experimental acute tetrachlomethane, ischemic and alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Litvinova E.S. , Konoplya A.I. , Kholimenko I.M. , Gavriliuk V.P. , Kocar A.G.
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of metabolic and immunological disorders in acute tetrachlomethane, ischemic and alcoholic liver damage modelled in adult Wistar male rats weighing 120-160 g. After evaluation of metabolic and immunological parameters at the local and systemic levels, and correlation analysis was used to establish the relationship between the dynamics of the indicators against the background of experimental pathology models. The close correlation between the studied immune and metabolic parameters recognized for the tetrachlomethane, ischemic and alcoholic liver damage shows the existing “tension” between the indicators of immune and metabolic status. Such close correlation between the studied immunological and metabolic parameters at the system and local levels can serve to assess the severity of the disease, its prognosis, treatment effectiveness and preventive measures.
Influence of prisoners’ mental health on the relational climate of prisons
Authors: Calles-Rubiales N , Ibáñez del Prado C
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Entry into prison involves adapting to a prison culture that is sometimes altered by the effect of imprisonment. Prisons are overcrowded and hold large numbers of inmates suffering from mental disorders and difficulties of adaptation, who affect the delicate equilibrium of the prison environment and can worsen the relational climate. Material and method: Several bibliographical databases on the influence of the mental health of adult inmates on the prison relationship climate and existing interventions in this regard that have been published in the last 15 years were reviewed. This data was complemented by other information obtained from the online bibliographic indexes of the Ministry of the Interior. Results: There is little literature on the influence of mental health on the relational climate of prisons and existing interventions. However, what literature there is does respond to a current prison reality where inmates with mental health problems have an increased risk of victimization and also a greater predisposition to penitentiary misconduct that causes violations of rules and the consequent application of disciplinary sanctions that lead to segregation. Discussion: The dysfunctional behaviour of such inmates, as well as the stigmatized treatment they receive, negatively impact the prison social climate, generating pathological relational styles and distorting the prison environment. This creates a need for an adequate number of programs and interventions of sufficient quality to prevent and mitigate their consequences.
Extensive vascular thrombosis in immunocompetent patients with acute cytomegalovirus infection: a case report of a peculiar phenomenon
Authors: Ayada Gida , Sahaf Levin Gal , Gottesman Tamar , Lev Shaul
Published: November 2020

Background: acute Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the immunocompetent usually asymptomatic or may present as a mononucleosis syndrome, but sometimes it is present as colitis, meningitis, encephalitis, or as ocular involvement and others. Thrombosis is considered an extremely rare manifestation described only in a scarce number of case reports.

 

Case presentation: a 30-years-old immunocompetent patient present with extensive vascular thrombosis shortly after a diagnosis of CMV infectious mononucleosis was established. Other than morbid obesity, no other risk factors existed. Therapeutic anticoagulation was associated with clinical improvement.

 

Conclusion: CMV infection can be associated with acute venous thrombosis in immunocompetent patients. An active search for both underlying prothrombotic conditions and other organ involvement sounds reasonable and should be treated, if found, accordingly.
Los efectos de la comercialización de la educación superior en las trayectorias laborales de los docentes universitarios colombianos
Authors: Salazar Omar Cabrales , Pérez Vianney Díaz
Published: November 2020

El artículo es fruto de la investigación: Trayectorias laborales intergeneracionales y perspectivas sobre el trabajo docente universitario en Colombia. Con un enfoque cualitativo y el método biográfico de investigación social enfocado en las trayectorias laborales, indagó sobre las consecuencias que la comercialización de la educación superior, han dejado en el trabajo de los profesores universitarios de cuatro ciudades de Colombia. Se analizaron tres cohortes intergeneracionales en tres muestras focales de profesores universitarios, a quienes, por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas se les preguntó por las consecuencias generadas por la comercialización de la educación superior en su trabajo como generador de los ingresos y constructor de la identidad. Se analizan las políticas de la calidad e internacionalización, como sistemas que operativizan los nuevos modelos de gestión en las universidades, generando un incremento en la carga laboral de los docentes que conducen a aumentar la precarización del trabajo profesoral, promoviendo la competitividad, la desmejora en su calidad de vida y la dilución de su identidad profesoral.
«Praga è sola»: il Sessantotto in Cecoslovacchia raccontato dalla stampa italiana (gennaio 1968 – settembre 1969)
Authors: Bellifemine Onofrio
Published: November 2020

La Primavera di Praga è stato uno degli eventi più significativi del 1968, capace di lasciare larghe tracce nella storia del ‘900 europeo. Analizzando i principali quotidiani e riviste italiane del periodo, questo saggio intende fornire un’interpretazione delle linee di lettura, delle analisi e delle cronache giornalistiche più interessanti di quell’evento. Particolare attenzione è stata dedicata a tre momenti che hanno avuto una particolare importanza nello svolgimento dell’intera vicenda: la caduta di Novotný e l’ascesa di Dubček; il consolidamento del gruppo riformista; l’intervento armato sovietico e la reazione della stampa italiana.
L’oeil-araignée. Sistemi descrittivi come scatole ottiche nei "Salons" di Diderot. Una lettura a partire dalle tesi di Hamon
Authors: Crivella Giuseppe
Published: November 2020

Il testo si propone di analizzare le modalità di funzionamento dei sistemi descrittivi nei Salons di Diderot. Recuperando il fitto reticolo di definizioni operative messe a punto da Philippe Hamon nel noto testo Du descriptif, il nostro studio sviluppa una serie di analisi finalizzate a mettere in luce la distanza della prassi descrittiva di Diderot rispetto alle enunciazioni teoriche della trattatistica retorica a lui anteriore o coeva, puntando l’attenzione soprattutto su un uso assolutamente originale del pantonimo all’interno dei Salons.
Étude de l’incipit dans "Enfance" de Nathalie Sarraute et "Les mots" de Jean-Paul Sartre
Authors: El Azouzi Sallem
Published: November 2020

L’incipit peut répondre à un amas de questions qui concernent les enjeux du jeu autobiographique dans un récit de vie. Il peut comprendre un pacte de données culturelles, où des lectures de l’autobiographe sont affichées. Ces données visent à retrouver l’orientation d’un écrivain vers l’écriture. Il est parfois basé sur des stratégies d’ambiguïté vis-à-vis d’un lecteur étonné face au flou. L’incipit, dans ce cas, fait voir une autobiographie basée sur un dialogue avec un double. Le présent travail se veut une lecture comparative de l’incipit de deux œuvres : Les mots de Jean-Paul Sartre et Enfance de Nathalie Sarraute.
Algunos problemas metodológicos y teóricos de la enseñanza de la sintaxis del español como asignatura universitaria (ELE)
Authors: Stehlík Petr
Published: November 2020

El artículo se ocupa de algunos problemas de carácter metodológico y/o teórico a los que se enfrentan los docentes de sintaxis como asignatura académica (obligatoria dentro del programa de Filología Hispánica en los países no hispanohablantes) y que resultan, en su mayoría, de la evidente falta de una concepción unificada de la sintaxis del español. Según intentamos mostrar, esta circunstancia se traduce en una considerable diversidad terminológica, definitoria y clasificatoria que presentan los manuales (y las gramáticas) publicados en España, lo cual, a su vez, dificulta la exposición de los fundamentos teóricos al igual que la selección de materiales didácticos apropiados.
Spatio-temporal analysis of land cover changes in the evergreen and semi-evergreen rainforests: A case study in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Authors: Mamnun M. , Hossen S.
Published: November 2020

The main purpose of this study is to describe the spatio-temporal analysis of land use and land cover status and to identify land cover changes, especially of deforestation and degradation in evergreen, semi-evergreen rainforests of Chittagong Hill Tracts from 1988-2018 by using Landsat 8 OLI-TIRS and Landsat 5 TM satellite imagery. The ArcGIS v10.5 and ERDAS Imagine v15 software were used to process satellite imageries and assess quantitative data for land-use change assessment of this study area. The study revealed that the area of forest land and water body decreased by 17.92% and 5.43% respectively from 1988-2018. On the other hand, the area of agricultural land, barren land and settlement increased by 45.66%, 312.08% and 240.01% respectively. If the present condition remains constant, the projection of future land-use/ land cover changes for the next 15 years will predict that more than 7.37% dense forest (2253.83 ha) land will be decreased and 19.60% agricultural will be converted to other land uses. This study suggests that proper policy should be adopted urgently to conserve residual forest coverage and restore it to regain its past appearance.
Fattening steers in confinement: Evaluation of productive performance through simulation of feeding strategies
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Asunción. San Lorenzo, Ocampos Olmedo Diego Avilio ,   Paraguay, Paniagua Alcaraz Pedro ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción. San Lorenzo; Paraguay, Tobal Claudio ,   Universidad Nacional de La Pampa; General Pico; Argentina, Alonzo Griffith Luis Alberto ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción. San Lorenzo; Paraguay
Published: November 2020

A simulation model was designed in order to serve as a management tool to estimate the rate of change in live weight in confined steers. The main components of the production system integrated in the model were the animal, the environment and the diet. The quantified biological interrelationships are summarized in the voluntary consumption of dry matter and nutritional balances of metabolizable energy and digestible protein. The potential consumption estimated by the physiological maturity dependent on the zebu, bullfighting or hybrid animal biotype, sex and age was corrected by indexes related to the size of the food particle and actual digestibility of the diet. This was estimated through the development and validation of indexes and correction functions considering the level of tannins, silica, crude protein and non-structural carbohydrates together with the particle size taken from data tables of the Cornell model. The confidence of the model to predict the increase rate in live weight was evaluated by means of the t student test with experimental data from 12 batches of steers of breeds of early physiological maturity, during 119 days. The daily gains of average weights of the model presented a similar trend to the observed data (P: 0.65). In addition, the regression analysis between simulated and observed variables presented a similar trend both for estimating consumption (R2 = 0.62) and for estimating daily weight gain (R2 = 0.58). The model allows evaluating process innovations to determine production functions related to live weight in different scenarios incorporating variables such as bovine biotype, modified diet quality based on its digestibility, particle size, and environmental temperature.
Image of a woman in Turkish picture of the world
Authors:   Baku State University, Huseynova Ulviya H.
Published: November 2020

The article is devoted to the image of a woman in the Azerbaijani-Turkic picture of the world. It is noted that this concept is complex and ambiguous. The central concept representing an image of the woman in Azerbaijan-Turkic Paremiology is “woman” which in language consciousness of the people associates with a word arvad. In the Azerbaijan language the word qadın which, however, is not comparable to a lexeme arvad neither from the point of view of common use, nor from the point of view of the associations steadily characterizing a place of concept of a language picture of the world is common also. The connotation of linguistic units serving the verbalization of the concept of “woman” is divided into positive and negative. One would assume that the negative connotation is associated with Islamic influence, but the facts indicate the national character of the ideas. Islamic mentality, on the contrary, gives women a place of honor in the world. Most likely, the concept as a whole is affected by the masculinity of the concept. It should also be noted that in the language the manifestation of the concept “woman” is dynamic, it is represented in a wide range and varies both in the semantic and stylistic terms.
Media as a desire in contemporary poetic production
Authors:   Ivanovo State University, Gorelov Oleg S.
Published: November 2020

The article analyzes the principles of surrealism shown in the modern media environment and contemporary poetry: the discovery or production of the paradoxality of the surrounding reality; the overcoming the binary nature of subject-object relationships (this may concern the boundary between intimate and social); as well as the working with the concept of desire and its specific realizations. With the example of V. Bannikov’s poetic project, options for representing the media as desires are considered. In particular, digital media, like the art world itself, are not sterile, but bodily, emitting erotic energy. Bannikov’s subject lives in media, letting in “chaos of thickets”, sensuality and imperfection. Constant search (changes of poetic style), constant desire becomes one of the variants of the isomorphism of Bannikov’s poetic text with the media environment. The innovative poetics of contemporary poetry is faced with the demand of the new in media and FoMO syndrome; the satisfaction of this desire remains the only constant. The medial nature of Bannikov’s language machine of desire is also manifested in the interpretation of his poems as recordings of dreams, oneiric reports on the events of the day. Dream poems offer fragmentary recollection and a secondary processing of reality.
Cross-cultural dialogue (Review of V.V. Nicolova’s book)
Authors:   Moscow State University of Humanities and Economics, Grigoryev Nikolay Yu.
Published: November 2020

The review goes into the monograph of the Bulgarian researcher V.V. Nikolova, dedicated to one of the most essential problems of modern human sciences — the problem of interaction and mutual influence of different national cultures. The monograph explores the processes of influence of Russian culture, primarily Russian dramaturgy, on Bulgarian culture. First of all, in this research, a new concept of establishing and development of the national Bulgarian book publishing was created. The author revealed the special role of Russian dramaturgy publications in this process. The special attention is paid to the translation issues.
Literature Review: Quarantine and Lockdown During Covid19 Outbreak Impact on Mental Health Problem
Authors: Gracia Dea Rosa , Rubetta Erica Rosa
Published: November 2020

Introduction: COVID-19 is a unique disease that was first confirmed in Wuhan, Wubei, China in late 2019 and within 6 months the virus spread rapidly throughout the world. The obscurity in overcoming this virus is the background of the interventions applied. Several interventions conducted, such as nationwide lockdowns, quarantine and isolation. In addition to avoid the virus transmission, these interventions also have psychological impacts that affect the mental health. Methods: We did a review of the mental health outcomes referring to several interventions amid COVID-19 outbreak using two databases. Out of 302 papers found by the search engine, 5 articles were counted in this review. Discussion: Most reviewed researches proclaimed adverse mental health problems, along with anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Stressors consist of infection fears, grieves, boredom, stigma, faulty information, short sleep duration, and minimum social activities. Several researchers have proposed abiding effects. Conclusion: Social interventions which are imposed limit the process of meeting the needs of human life. It is crucial to point out the mental health of the population and take charge to diminish its adverse effects for the time being. Therefore, the Government needs to implement a strict and fair policy, especially on the issue of community survival. Public health protocol socialization needs to be done, especially in controlling the transmission of viruses in public places, such as malls, public transportations, schools, workplaces, and many other.
Management of Solid Medical Waste on One of the Covid19 Referral Hospitals in Surabaya, East Java
Authors: Wardani Rani Ayu , Azizah R.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: e Covid19 virus has an outer lipid sheath that is not tolerant towards disinfectants, but this virus can quickly infect humans with a fairly high mortality rate. The increasing Covid19 patients directly proportional the amount of solid medical waste production in hospitals. This study aims to identify the health protocol in solid medical waste management in one of the Covid19 patient referral hospitals in Surabaya, East Java. Method: We used descriptive observational research with secondary data for the data compiling method. The obtained data were then compared with the 2020 Guidebook on Waste Management in Referral Hospitals, Emergency Hospitals, and Public Health Centers that Handles Covid19 Patients, issued by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Result and Discussion: Research results showed that the management of all solid medical waste yielded from the Covid19 Special Isolation Room is directly infectious, went through the incineration process using an incinerator with the primary burner set at 800o C and the secondary burner set at minus 1.000o C. The usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by medical waste trolley carriers was inappropriate. The officers only used surgical masks, head caps, gloves, shirt, and work shoes, without using any apron. Conclusion: Health protocol for medical waste management in one of the Covid19 patient referral hospitals in Surabaya, East Java has been implemented, but the usage of PPE by medical waste trolley carriers was still inappropriate.
The Effect of Movement Control Order During Covid19 Pandemic on Air Quality and Gas Emissions: A Review
Authors: Maruf Muhammad Azmi
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 or novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) happened in December 2019, the number of cases has been rapidly increasing. To reducing the speed of infection, nations around the world have been doing movement control order (MCO) to their city for some time. The evidence shows that MCO can help many countries controlling the pandemic. The other effects of MCO is a change in air quality and gas emissions. The current study made for collecting evidence of how MCO affect air quality and gas emissions in several areas. This study aimed to explore if there are any positive and negative effects of movement control order (MCO) to air quality and gas emissions of areas that doing so. Discussion: During the movement control order (MCO) period, human outdoor activities have significantly reduced, affecting industrial operations reduction significantly, transportations, and other activities like constructions that leads to reduction of emissions. But there is increase of O3 and indoor pollution because of household activities increase. Many countries show that there are changes in air quality because of changes in human behaviour during movement control order. Conclusion: Current Studies concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic brings changes in air quality and emissions, as MCO, quarantine, and lighter traffic affect to better air quality outdoor, but, there is also increase of indoor pollutions. It is recommended that human should to maintain air quality by making reduction of unnecessary activities that make air quality worse.
Influence of Selection Dimentions of Cross Functional Teamwork to Relational Coordination in Muhammadiyah Hospital Surabaya
Authors: Iyik Be Jihan Adella
Published: November 2020

Latar Belakang: Tim Lintas Fungsi  merupakan metode yang efektif dalam organisasi. Rumah Sakit Muhammadiyah Surabaya menerapkan tim lintas fungsi dalam manajemen rumah sakitnya. Dengan menggunakan metode tim lintas fungsi  organisasi berusaha untuk meningkatkan koordinasi dan rentang integrasi, meningkatkan waktu pengembangan teknologi dan mengurangi tingkat ketidakpastian. Permasalahan yang diangkat yaitu belum optimalnya kinerja Rumah Sakit Muhammadiyah Surabaya dengan rata-rata BOR masih dibawah 60%, kunjungan rawat jalan masih belum mencapai target (10%-20%), serta penurunan pemanfaatan penunjang medik sebesar 12,4% pada tahun 2011. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh Dimensi Seleksi Tim Lintas Fungsi terhadap Relational Coordination di Rumah Sakit Muhammadiyah Surabaya tahun 2012.  Metode: Penelitian dilakukan di RS Muhammadiyah Surabaya dengan desain penelitian observasional deskriptif. Jenis penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian cross sectional. Responden adalah anggota dari 12 Tim Lintas Fungsi di RS Muhammadiyah Surabaya sebanyak 29 responden. Teknik pengumpulan data melalui kuesioner dan wawancara. Hasil: Hasil dari penelitian ini yaitu pemilihan staf dari masing-masing unit kerja untuk menjadi anggota Tim Lintas Fungsi di Rumah Sakit Muhammadiyah Surabaya secara keseluruhan dipilih oleh manajemen. Sebesar 58,33% pelaksanaan seleksi tim lintas fungsi mengindikasikan relational coordination yang kuat. Kesimpulan: Disimpulkan seleksi tim lintas fungsi yang baik dapat mempengaruhi terjalinnya Relational Coordination yang kuat.
the impact of language use bullying on Indonesian students' language development
Authors: Farid Rezqan Noor , Hadisyah Andriany
Published: November 2020

Bullying is an issue that is difficult to be eliminated even in high education level. Bullying in high education may interfere the learning processes. Some of the students think that bullying is common. However, some others think that it is a bad situation for them. The study was conducted in University of Muhammadiyah Banjarmasin. The subject of this study is students of Intensive English Class. Case study is implemented to collect in-depth information about bullying factors in Intensive English Class. From indepth interviews that were conducted, the researcher found out that bullying factors included aspects of humiliation and mocking, intimidating, Ignoring, and Criticizing one’s appearance or background. The impacts found are considered safe and not severe since bullying in language use only caused shyness and not affecting the development of English learning.
Students' Attitudes Towards Psychological Help-Seeking
Authors: Ramdass Mala , Birbal Roland , Joseph-Alleyne Gail , Harripaul Cyril
Published: November 2020

This study examined factors that may influence students' willingness to seek professional psychological help from the counselling services provided at a university. The study further investigated the relationship between sex, age, status of students (part-time, full-time), place of residence (urban, rural) and ethnicity and perceived barriers to seeking psychological help.The study used a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design conducted across two phases. In Phase One, a questionnaire survey was used to measure barriers to seeking professional help from a random sample of 925 students. In the second qualitative phase, focus group interviews were conducted with students to explore in a more in-depth way reasons put forward in the survey for not seeking professional psychological help.Statistical tests for the first phase were means, t-tests, ANOVA and Pearson Moment Product Correlation. Results showed that students viewed privacy, access, and trust issues as the most important barriers to seeking psychological help. There were also significant differences with regard to stigma, privacy and trust issues based on sex, age, year group, full-time/part-time status and ethnicity. Significant high to moderate correlations were found between all four factors. Qualitative findings supported factors examined in the first phase. However, other themes emerged such as lack of time, preference for solving one's own problems and preference for other sources of support.
Smart Hard Hats: Sensing for Worker’s Safety in Dangerous Work Environments
Authors: Ul Haq Ehsan
Published: November 2020

Accidents and mishaps in industrial environments like construction, mining, and transport are rampant - mainly due to human negligence and improper monitoring of the workplace. In this paper, we address the safety of workers operating in dangerous environments by improving their situational awareness. According to Occupational health and safety rules, everyone must wear hard hats while on site. Our main idea is to make the hard hats smart by incorporating miniature-sized Doppler radars sensing the users’ surroundings. These Doppler radars are lightweight, rugged, and consume low-power compared to vision-based solutions. This paper discusses the observability of range from Doppler frequency measurements and the magnitude of estimation errors introduced by the human head, walking, and working motions. We present the framework to estimate the position of walls and targets surrounding the worker. For testing, we simulated an indoor environment with randomly moving workers. Experiments showed that once observability conditions are met, human head and walking movements can be handled through added noise in the system. We also present an innovative idea of using two Doppler radars to obtain the estimators’ initial estimates, reducing the estimation error to less than 5cm and convergence time by more than 80
Project-Based Learning and the Acquisition of Competencies and Knowledge Transfer in Higher Education
Authors: Granado-Alcón María del Carmen , Gómez-Baya Diego , Herrera-Gutiérrez Eva , Vélez-Toral Mercedes , Alonso-Martín Pilar , Martínez-Frutos María Teresa
Published: November 2020

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the body of knowledge about Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology in higher education by describing and analysing interrelations between competencies, and their contribution to knowledge transfer (KT) and students’ rating of the project. The sample consisted of 464 students from the Universities of Huelva (N=347; 74.8%) and Murcia (N= 117; 25.2%), enrolled in the second year of a degree in either Infant or Primary Education. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire comprising a total of 53 items measuring General, Specific and Transversal competencies, as well as students’ rating of the project. Competencies were selected from the course programmes for the degrees in Infant and Primary Education. Preliminary results showed that competencies were moderately to highly acquired after PBL, and that students reported notable KT as well as a positive assessment of the project. KT showed a high degree of association with students’ ratings and was established as a key factor in learning and learner satisfaction in higher education.
Bitcoin Analysis and Forecasting Through Fuzzy Transform
Authors: Guerra Maria Letizia , Sorini Laerte , Stefanini Luciano
Published: November 2020

Sentiment analysis to characterize properties of Bitcoin prices and their forecasting is here developed thanks to the capability of the Fuzzy transform to capture stylized facts and mutual connections between time series having different nature. Six years of daily Bitcoin Prices and Google Trends are analyzed in order to establish new perspectives in the management of their dynamics.
Frequency Response Function Shape Differences as a Sign of Bricks Destruction – Control and Measurement
Authors: Żółtowski Mariusz , Napieraj Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

In this article authors shows chosen problems of technical state diagnosis with the use of identification and technical diagnostics methods such as experimental modal analysis. Relations between methods of dynamic state evaluation and methods of technical state evaluation were indicated. Example modal analysis results illustrate the complexity of projecting dynamic state researches into diagnostic researches of state evaluation.
Trajectories of Cotton Fiber Initiation: A Regulatory Perspective
Authors: Prakash Pravin , Srivastava Rakesh , Prasad Priti , Tiwari Vipin Kumar , Kumar Ajay , Pandey Shatrujeet , Sawant Samir V.
Published: November 2020

The epidermal cells on the surface of the cotton ovules undergo differentiation to produce fibers, which are single-celled hair-like protrusions resembling the plant trichomes. The initiation of these unicellular fibers from the cotton ovule surface is a complex and tightly regulated process. The initiation step is the cell fate-determining stage, which leads to the commitment of cells that eventually developed into fibers, thus becomes the most crucial phase in fiber development. The in-depth knowledge of molecular regulation is a prerequisite to get a clear view of the fiber initiation process's genetic and epigenetic control. The identification and functional validation of cotton fiber initiation-related genes, few fibreless mutants, transcription factors, microRNAs, epigenetic regulators, as well as the elucidation of the role of phytohormones as signaling molecules, has played a significant role in understanding the cotton fiber initiation process at the molecular level. This review focuses on the comprehensive information regarding the genetic and epigenetic regulation of cotton fiber initiation. Thus, the review will provide readers insight into mechanistic details that operate during cotton fiber initiation.
Phylogenetically Diverse Escherichia Coli Strains From Chicken Co-Harbour Multiple Carbapenemase Encoding Genes (blaNDM-blaOXA-blaIMP)
Authors: Aklilu Erkihun , Harun Azian , Banga Singh Kirnpal Kaur , Ibrahim Shamsaldeen , Kamaruzzaman Nor Fadhilah
Published: November 2020

Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been public health risk in several countries and recent reports indicate the emergence of CRE in food animals. This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence, resistance patterns, and phylogenetic diversity of CRE E.coli from chicken. Routine bacteriology, PCR detection of E.coli species, multiplex PCR to detect carbapenemase encoding genes and phylogeny of CRE E. coli were conducted. The results show that 24.36 % (19/78) were identified as CRE based on the phenotypic identifications of which 17 were positive for the tested carabanemase genes. The majority, 57.99% (11/19) of the isolates harbored multiple carbapenemase genes. Four isolates harbored all blaNDM blaOXA, blaIMP, five and two different isolates harbored blaNDM and blaOXA, and blaOXA and blaIMP respectively. The Meropenem, Imipenem and Ertapenem MIC values for the isolates ranged from 2g/mL to ≥256g/mL. Phylogenetic grouping showed that the CRE E.coli isolates belonged to five different groups; groups A, B1, C, D and unknown. The detection of carbapenem resistant E.coli in this study shows that CRE is has become an emerging problem in farm animals, particularly, in poultry farms. This also implies the potential public health risks posed by CRE from chicken to the consumers.
Presentation of Oil and Gas Spatio Temporal Big Data Visualization Techniques as Tools to Aid in Spatio Temporal Models
Authors: Wigwe Marshal E. , Watson Marshall C.
Published: November 2020

Several oil and gas industry applications of artificial intelligence have been presented in the last decade. Machine learning techniques take center stage in most presentations. Prior to performing the actual modeling in data analytic project, the first three steps in the data analytic lifecycle involve planning, data preparation and model planning. Data visualization is an important aspect in the model planning phase as it aids in selecting variables that are important for modeling and in deciding the appropriate choice of ST model to use. Hence, it is important to invest time and resource to carry out this aspect of the project in order to delineate patterns in the dataset. Researches conducted in this area in the oil and gas industry have not maximized the power of visualizations, particularly when it comes to spatio-temporal data analysis.

In this paper, we present applications of spatio-temporal exploratory data analysis for oil and gas datasets using ST-plots, applied on dataset from four unconventional formations in the US: Bakken, Marcellus, Eagleford and Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations in the Delaware Basin. Several plots are presented, including space-time plots, animations, Hovmöller diagrams,temporal histograms, and boxplots – capturing variations in oil and gas production across space and time.

In the first plot, we show variation in yearly oil production across space with different panels representing time domains. This plot shows the development of an area with few wells in the initial stages and additional wells in later stages. Colors can be added to capture the magnitude of the yearly oil/gas production, normalized with days produced. Areas of the field that contribute to higher production becomes apparent. Animations can be used to present this data monthly as is typical in production data reported to state agencies. For unconventional formations, further normalization can be done with the number of completion stages or lateral length. Hovmöller diagrams are good alternatives with space on the x-axis and time on the y-axis. This plot enables us capture spatial (in)dependence of the dependent variable and can suggest the use of space as a covariate in the final model. Another plot that could be useful is the temporal histogram, in which the third dimension is time. This plot could be useful in deciphering a suitable model for the data and clearly show if the distribution or average changes over time. We highlight how these plots aid in variable selection for spatio-temporal modeling of production data.

These plots are not the typical plots used in presenting oil and gas data and hence the application is new in this regard, in addition to the temporal histogram and boxplots which are new additions.
Nesting Biology of Urban Cooper’s Hawks in Alameda County, California
Authors: Pericoli Ralph V. , Karsten Emma L. , Fish Allen M. , Briggs Christopher W.
Published: November 2020

In recent decades Cooper’s Hawks have successfully colonized urban landscapes, where there may be ample prey but also a greater prevalence of disease in their prey. We searched for nesting Cooper’s Hawks in and around Berkeley, California, from 2002 to 2010, locating 95 nests, 89 of which successfully fledged at least one nestling. On average, each nest produced 3.6 fledglings. We evaluated the possible effects of the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae on Cooper’s Hawk reproduction from the proportion of potential prey items brought to Lindsay Wildlife Experience that tested positive for the parasitic disease. We did not find a correlation between T. gallinae in potential prey species and nest success (i.e., if the nest fledged any offspring) or reproductive success (i.e., number of fledglings produced). Similarly, we did not find a relationship between reproductive success and distance to parks or percent of impervious surface within 500 m of the nest. The high reported rates of reproduction and high densities of Cooper’s Hawk in Berkeley and neighboring Albany suggest a robust population, and we did not find evidence that T. gallinae influences its reproductive success.
A qualitative exploration of the experience and quality of life of patients, and their family carers, admitted to a specialist eye hospital with microbial keratitis
Authors: Tranter Shelley Anne , Cabreras-Aguas Maria , Riddell Mandy , McCulloch Joanna , Riley Therese , Watson Stephanie , Perry Lin
Published: November 2020

Background: Microbial keratitis is a vision-threatening condition requiring intensive treatment. Understanding patients’ and carers’ experience during and after hospitalisation can inform improvements in care and outcomes. This study explored the vision-related quality of life, and the experiences of patients with microbial keratitis and their family carers when admitted to a quaternary referral eye hospital in AustraliaMethods: The study employed mixed methods, including qualitative interviews and a survey in hospital and a telephone interview post-discharge. A convenience sample was recruited of 33 patients with microbial keratitis who presented to hospital between March and October 2017, and 10 of their family carers. Semi-structured interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Patient participants completed the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire – 25 (NEIVFQ-25).Results: Qualitative analyses identified two main themes: Saving sight, with subthemes of costs of saving sight, and travel and transportation; Safe-guarding home and normal life with subthemes of family, work and pastimes. A group mean NEIVFQ-25 score of 74 was similar to other ophthalmic disease groups but pain scores were higher.Conclusion: Findings provide insights into the experiences and often unspoken concerns of microbial keratitis patients and their family carers, revealing the priority and the associated costs of saving sight, and the implications for family and lifestyles. These patients reported similarly reduced vision-related quality of life but greater pain compared to other ophthalmic groups. Findings point to ways to improve their experience and potentially reduce the high rates of unplanned representations of this patient group.
Enhanced eosinophilic inflammation associated with antibody and complement-mediated pneumonic insults in severe COVID-19
Authors: Kim Dong-Min , Seo Jun-Won , Kim Yuri , Lee Jooyeon , Park Uni , Ha Na-Young , Koh Jaemoon , Park Hyoree , Lee Jae-Won , Ro Hyo-Jin , Yun Na Ra , Kim Da Young , Yoon Sung Ho , Na Yong Sub , Moon Do Sik , Lim Sung-Chul , Kim Choon-Mee , Jeon Kyeongseok , Kang Jun-Gu , Jeong Hyeongseok , Kim Jungok , Cheon Shinhyea , Sohn Kyung Mok , Moon Jae Young , Kym Sungmin , Lee Myung-Shin , Kim Hyun-Je , Park Woong-Yang , Shin Hyun-Woo , Kim Hye-Young , Cho Chung-Hyun , Jeon Yoon Kyung , Kim Yeon-Sook , Cho Nam-Hyuk
Published: November 2020

Despite the worldwide effect of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the underlying mechanisms of fatal viral pneumonia remain elusive. Here, we conducted kinetic profiling of respiratory leukocytes and associated inflammatory mediators to show that severe COVID-19 is associated with delayed but enhanced eosinophilic inflammation when compared to mild cases. In addition, we confirmed increased Th2-biased adaptive immune responses, accompanying overt complement activation, in the severe group. Moreover, enhanced antibody responses and complement activation was associated with disease pathogenesis as evidenced by formation of immune complexes and membrane attack complexes in airways and vasculature of lung biopsies from a fatal case, as well as by enhanced hallmark gene set signatures of FcgR signaling and complement activation in myeloid cells of respiratory specimens from severe COVID-19 patients. We also observed expression of viral antigen in lung epithelial and endothelial cells without producing viruses during late stage of COVID-19, indicating abortive viral infection which may further fuel antibody responses and aggravate immune-complex-mediated inflammation. These results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection may drive scripted specific innate immune responses, including eosinophilic inflammation, and subsequent pulmonary pathogenesis via enhanced Th2-biased immune responses, which might be crucial drivers of severe pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.
Early Immune Responses and Prognostic Factors in Children with COVID-19: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Lu Wenjie , Lu Wenjie , Yang Li , Yang Li , Li Xiong , Li Xiong , Qi Shanshan , Qi Shanshan , Zhang Aiping , Zhang Aiping , Sun Ming , Sun Ming , Chen Zhi , Chen Zhi , Zhang Lannan , Zhang Lannan , Li Jianxin , Li Jianxin , Xiong Hao
Published: November 2020

Background Early diagnostic indicators and the identification of possible progression to severe or critical COVID-19 in children are unknown. To investigate the immune characteristics of early SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and possible key prognostic factors for early identification of critical COVID-19, a retrospective study including 121 children with COVID-19 was conducted. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subset counts, T cell-derived cytokine concentrations, inflammatory factor concentrations, and routine blood counts were analyzed statistically at the initial presentation. Results The T lymphocyte subset and natural killer cell counts decreased with increasing disease severity. Group III (critical cases) had a higher Th/Tc ratio than groups I and II (common and severe cases); group I had a higher B cell count than groups II and III. IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, SAA, and procalcitonin levels increased with disease severity. Hemoglobin concentration, and RBC and eosinophil counts decreased with disease severity. Groups II and III had significantly lower lymphocyte counts than group I. T, Th, Tc, IL-6, IL-10, RBC, and hemoglobin had relatively high contribution and area under the curve values. Conclusions Decreased T, Th, Tc, RBC, hemoglobin and increased IL-6 and IL-10 in early SARS-CoV-2 infection in children are valuable indices for early diagnosis of disease severity. The significantly reduced Th and Tc cells and significantly increased IL-6, IL-10, ferritin, procalcitonin, and SAA at this stage in children with critical COVID-19 may be closely associated with the systemic cytokine storm caused by immune dysregulation.
Lombardy, Italy: COVID-19 second wave less severe than the first? A preliminary investigation
Authors: Borghesi Andrea , Golemi Salvatore , Carapella Nicola , Zigliani Angelo , Farina Davide , Maroldi Roberto
Published: November 2020

The much-heralded second wave of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has arrived in Italy. Right now, one of the main questions about COVID-19 in Italy is whether the second wave will be less severe than the first. Currently, the answer to this question remains open. According to the Italian Ministry of Health website (COVID-19 – Situation in Italy), it would appear that in Italy the COVID-19 second wave is less severe and deadly than the first one was. However, this difference could be affected by several factors, including the different number of swabs performed in the two waves, as it is approximately seven to eight times higher in the second wave. Therefore, it is not yet clear whether the COVID-19 second wave in Italy, specifically in Lombardy, is less severe and deadly than the first wave.In order to answer this challenging question, we decided to quantify the radiographic severity of COVID-19 pneumonia during the second wave and compare it with that of the first wave. In addition, to further test whether the severity of the second wave is indeed lower than that of the first one, we compared the use of mechanical ventilation between the two waves.
Multi-Targeting Approach in Selection of Potential Molecule for COVID-19 Treatment
Authors: Velagacherla Varalakshmi , Suresh Akhil , Mehta Chetan H , Nayak Yogendra , Nayak Usha Y
Published: November 2020

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now a pandemic which began in Wuhan province of China. Drug discovery teams around the globe are in a race to develop a medicine for its management. For a novel molecule to enter into the market it takes time and the ideal way is to exploit the already approved drugs and repurpose them to use therapeutically.Methods: In this work, we have attempted to screen selected molecules that have shown an affinity towards multiple protein targets of COVID-19 using Schrödinger suit. Molecules were selected from approved antiviral, anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory classes. The viral proteins selected were angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), main protease (Mpro) and spike protein. Computational tools such as molecular docking, prime MM-GBSA, induced-fit docking (IFD) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to identify the most suitable molecule that forms a stable interaction with the selected viral proteins.Results: The ligand-binding stability for the viral proteins PDB-IDs 1ZV8 (spike protein), 5R82 (Mpro) and 6M1D (ACE2), was in the order of Nintedanib>Quercetin, Nintedanib>Darunavir, Nintedanib> Baricitinib respectively. The MM-GBSA, IFD, and MD simulation studies infer that the drug nintedanib has the highest binding stability among the shortlisted molecules towards the selected viral target proteins. Conclusion: Nintedanib, which is primarily used for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, can be considered for repurposing and used in the management of COVID-19.
Risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease and death in patients aged 70 and over: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Fagard Katleen , Gielen Evelien , Deschodt Mieke , Devriendt Els , Flamaing Johan
Published: November 2020

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid reorganization of hospital care. In our hospital, the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was introduced as a result of these reorganizations. A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate whether typical geriatric risk factors, such as frailty, comorbidity, living situation and cognitive decline, have added value compared to conventional risk factors in predicting severe COVID-19 disease and in-hospital death.Methods: In patients aged 70 years and over, an online geriatric assessment questionnaire was launched, from which the CFS was scored by the geriatrics team. Additional clinical data were collected from the electronic medical records. Baseline characteristics were described with descriptive statistics. Associations were analysed with uni- and multivariable analyses.Results: One hundred and five patients were included, median age 82 years. CFS scores were 1-4 in 43, 5-6 in 45, and 7-9 in 17 patients. Univariable analysis showed age, CFS, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), age-adjusted CCI and cognitive decline associated with in-hospital mortality. Male gender, obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, cancer and hypertension were not significantly associated. In multivariable analysis, CFS and cognitive decline were independent predictors for in-hospital mortality. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, presence of respiratory symptoms on admission and male gender were associated with severe disease (univariable analysis). Conclusion: Through action of the geriatrics team at the time of rapid changes in the hospital, the frailty concept was introduced in the COVID-19 hospitalization units. A retrospective analysis shows that geriatric risk factors exceed conventional risk factors for predicting in-hospital mortality.