bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Transformative Potential of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Authors: Akestoridi Katerina , Seatzu Francesco
Published: October 2020

This work consists in a critical examination of an argument which purports to prove that unless the mainstream model which dominates the development industry changes, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will become a missed opportunity to eradicate poverty. The work is structured into three sections (plus an introduction and a conclusion) as follows: section one provides an overview of the previous UN policy agenda, the Millennium Development Goals; section two examines the SDGs framework as articulated in the 2030 Agenda. Building upon the latter, section three inquires why socio-economic growth should be the sole measure of human progress.
Wie digitalisiert man Bilder mit Blick auf die digitale Langzeitarchivierung?
Authors: Pfeiffer Michel J.
Published: October 2020

Der Text geht der Frage nach, welche spezifischen Anforderungen eine digitale Langzeitarchivierung an Bilddaten stellt. Denn nicht jedes digitale Bild ist in situ archivwürdig, nur weil dessen Format als ‚archivwürdig‘ eingestuft wird. Vielmehr geht es um qualitative Merkmale, welche sich messen lassen, um die geforderte Archivqualität zweifelsfrei, transparent und nachvollziehbar zu überprüfen. Dies sollte sowohl in der Gegenwart als auch in der Zukunft gültig sein.
Das erweiterte Potenzial von Bildungsdaten
Authors: Husfeldt Vera , Schiller David , Alt Sharon
Published: October 2020

Je mehr Bildungsdaten wir sinnvoll kombinieren und verwenden können, desto mehr können wir über das Lernen und über die Qualität unseres Bildungssystems aussagen. Eine interdisziplinäre Forschendengruppe der Fachhochschule Graubünden (FHGR) hat sich im Rahmen ihres Projekts „Virtual Educational Observatory“ (VEO) zum Ziel gesetzt, das Potenzial von Bildungsdaten durch die Verknüpfung und Weiterverarbeitung vorhandener und zukünftig anfallender Quellen zu erweitern. Der Beitrag beschreibt die Voraussetzungen und Ziele des soeben begonnenen Projekts und geht dabei auch auf die Einbettung in die aktuelle Bildungslage ein, die durch die Corona-Epidemie entstanden ist.
Optimierung von Unternehmensbewertungen durch automatisierte Wissensidentifikation, -extraktion und -integration
Authors: Weichselbraun Albert , Kuntschik Philipp , Hörler Sandro
Published: October 2020

Unternehmensbewertungen in der Biotech-Branche, Pharmazie und Medizintechnik stellen eine anspruchsvolle Aufgabe dar, insbesondere bei Berücksichtigung der einzigartigen Risiken, denen Biotech-Startups beim Eintritt in neue Märkte ausgesetzt sind. Unternehmen, die auf globale Bewertungsdienstleistungen spezialisiert sind, kombinieren daher Bewertungsmodelle und Erfahrungen aus der Vergangenheit mit heterogenen Metriken und Indikatoren, die Einblicke in die Leistung eines Unternehmens geben. Dieser Beitrag veranschaulicht, wie automatisierte Wissensidentifikation, -extraktion und -integration genutzt werden können, um (i) zusätzliche Indikatoren zu ermitteln, die Einblicke in den Erfolg eines Unternehmens in der Produktentwicklung geben und um (ii) arbeitsintensive Datensammelprozesse zur Unternehmensbewertung zu unterstützen.
Numerische Simulation – von der Formel zum bunten Bild
Authors: Mundani Ralf-Peter
Published: October 2020

Numerische Simulation dient der Vorhersage und Analyse komplexer physikalischer Zusammenhänge, die im Gegensatz zum meist (deutlich) teureren Experiment am Rechner durchgeführt wird und damit beliebig oft wiederholt werden kann. Auf Basis mathematischer Modelle wird die Lösung eines Problems mithilfe numerischer Verfahren berechnet und zum besseren visuellen Verständnis in graphischer Form als Bild oder Film dargestellt. Im vorliegenden Beitrag soll hierzu die gesamte Prozesskette – von der Formel zum bunten Bild – am Beispiel der Hochwassersimulation aufgezeigt werden.
Prophylactic effect of aquatic extract of stevia on acetic acid induced-ulcerative colitis in male rats: a possible role of Nrf2 and PPARγ
Authors: Mostafa Abeer F. , Elalfy Mahmoud M. , Shata Ahmed , Elhadidy Mona G.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease. Several studies demonstrated that inflammation and oxidative stress play significant role in the pathogenesis of this disease. This study aimed to determine the protective effect and possible mechanism by which stevia affects the course of experimentally induced colitis.

Methods

Male rats were received stevia 20, 40, 80 mg/kg/day before induction of colitis by intra-rectal administration of 2 mL of 4% acetic acid, AA. Macroscopic and histopathological examination of the colon were done. Colonic content of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) activities and serum levels of interleukin (IL)1- β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assessed. Real time-PCR (RT-PCR) was done to determine the expression of NF-κB, Nrf2 and PPARγ genes. Spontaneous contraction and effects of increasing concentrations of acetylcholine and stevia have been studied on the isolated colonic segments.

Results

Stevia ameliorated colitis not only histopathologically but also it decreased the level of TNF-α, IL-1β, TBARS, MPO and the expression of NF-κB which were significantly increased in the AA group. The concentration of GSH, SOD, CAT and expression of Nrf2 and PPARγ were significantly increased with stevia. Moreover, stevia showed a relaxant effect on the colonic contractility which was increased in AA group. These all effects of stevia were more prominent with its highest dose.

Conclusion

Our results explored that, stevia acts protectively against UC by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which mediated by up-regulation of Nrf2 and PPARγ with downregulation of NF-κB. We suggest that stevia has the potential for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as UC.
Identification of a space- and time-dependent source in a variable coefficient advection-diffusion equation from Dirichlet and Neumann boundary measured outputs
Authors: Sebu Cristiana
Published: October 2020

This paper considers the inverse problem of identifying an unknown space- and time-dependent source function

F
⁢

(
x
,
t
)

F(x,t)

in the variable coefficient advection-diffusion equation

u
t

=

(

D
⁢

(
x
)

⁢

u
x

)

x

-

(

V
⁢

(
x
)

⁢
u

)

x

+

F
⁢

(
x
,
t
)

u_{t}=(D(x)u_{x})_{x}-(V(x)u)_{x}+F(x,t)

from the Dirichlet

ν
⁢

(
t
)

:=

u
⁢

(
ℓ
,
t
)

\nu(t):=u(\ell,t)

and Neumann

f
⁢

(
t
)

:=

-

D
⁢

(
0
)

⁢

u
x

⁢

(
0
,
t
)

f(t):=-D(0)u_{x}(0,t)

,

t
∈

(
0
,
T
]

t\in(0,T]

, boundary measured outputs.
This problem was motivated by several important real-world applications in the field of contaminant hydrogeology, and the novel analysis presented here is highly relevant to problems of practical interest.
The input-output operators corresponding to the Dirichlet and Neumann measured boundary data are introduced.
The inverse problem is then formulated as a system of operator equations consisting of these operators and the measured outputs.
The compactness and Lipschitz continuity of the input-output operators are proved in the relevant classes of admissible source functions ℱ and

F
r

\mathcal{F}_{r}

.
These results together with the derived trace estimates allow us to show the existence of a quasi-solution of the inverse source problem as a minimum of the Tikhonov functional, under minimal regularity assumptions with respect to the source function and other inputs.
An explicit gradient formula for the Fréchet gradient of the Tikhonov functional is also derived by means of an appropriate adjoint problem.
Clinical guidance and perinatal care in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Afshar Yalda , Silverman Neil S. , Han Christina S. , Platt Lawrence D.
Published: October 2020

Pregnant women may be at risk for more severe manifestations and sequelae of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). At this time, there remain significant evidence gaps to allow for comprehensive counseling of pregnant women and their families, specifically regarding the risks of gestational-age specific maternal outcomes and potential risks of intrauterine or peripartum viral transmission to the fetus or newborn. As maternal fetal medicine providers and consultants, we are uniquely positioned to mitigate the risks associated with maternal infection and to guide the care for infected pregnant women by being able to provide the most current evidence-based recommendations. Such care requires incorporating the rapidly evolving data regarding this virus and its impact on pregnancy, as well as taking a stand to advocate for best scientific and clinical practices to optimize both women’s health and public health during this pandemic.
Advances in the role of miRNAs in the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhang Guanyu , Li Yiran , Xu Jiasheng , Xiong Zhenfang
Published: October 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the skeletal system in the clinic. It mainly occurs in adolescent patients and the pathogenesis of the disease is very complicated. The distant metastasis may occur in the early stage, and the prognosis is poor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs of about 18–25 nt in length that are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of genes. miRNAs can regulate target gene expression by promoting the degradation of target mRNAs or inhibiting the translation process, thereby the proliferation of OS cells can be inhibited and the apoptosis can be promoted; in this way, miRNAs can affect the metabolism of OS cells and can also participate in the occurrence, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence of OS. Some miRNAs have already been found to be closely related to the prognosis of patients with OS. Unlike other reviews, this review summarizes the miRNA molecules closely related to the development, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of OS in recent years. The expression and influence of miRNA molecule on OS were discussed in detail, and the related research progress was summarized to provide a new research direction for early diagnosis and treatment of OS.
LncRNA NEAT1 promotes gastric cancer progression via miR-1294/AKT1 axis
Authors: Wu Dianchao , Li Hui , Wang Junfeng , Li Hua , Xiao Qihai , Zhao Xiaofeng , Huo Zhibin
Published: October 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were reported to promote the development of gastric cancer (GC). Nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) played a great role in diverse cancers, but the mechanism of NEAT1 in GC remains indistinct. NEAT1 and AKT1 were distinctly up-regulated and miR-1294 was down-regulated in GC tissues and cells. Cell proliferation and metastasis were refrained but apoptosis was promoted in GC cells after knockdown of NEAT1. NEAT1 negatively regulated miR-1294 expression, and the miR-1294 inhibitor reverted the si-NEAT1-induced effect on GC cells. NEAT1 modulated AKT1 expression through miR-1294, and the si-NEAT1-induced effect was relieved by AKT1. NEAT1 affected phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway via regulating miR-1294 and AKT1. NEAT1 could modulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis in GC cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway via the miR-1294/AKT1 axis, showing the great potential for NEAT1 as a valid biomarker in the progression and treatment of GC.
Conflict Externalization and the Quest for Peace: Theory and Case Evidence from Colombia
Authors: Galindo-Silva Hector
Published: October 2020

I study the relationship between the likelihood of a violent domestic conflict and the risk that such a conflict “externalizes” (i.e. spreads to another country by creating an international dispute). I consider a situation in which a domestic conflict between a government and a rebel group has the potential to externalize. I show that the risk of externalization increases the likelihood of a peaceful outcome, but only if the government is sufficiently powerful relative to the rebels, the risk of externalization is sufficiently high, and the foreign actor who can intervene in the domestic conflict is sufficiently uninterested in material costs and benefits. I show how this model helps to understand the recent and successful peace process between the Colombian government and the country’s most powerful rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Thermal and mechanical behavior of SBR/devulcanized waste tire rubber blends using mechano–chemical and microwave methods
Authors: Ali Magdy A. M. , Raslan Heba A. , El-Nemr Khaled F. , Hassan Medhat M.
Published: October 2020

The engagement of waste tires rubber as source of raw materials for different applications can be a partial solution to the great environmental problems caused by these products. In this study, waste tire rubber was devulcanized using both mechano–chemical and microwave methods. This process was achieved using different concentrations of 2-mercapto benzothiazole disulfide (MBTS) and tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) as a devulcanizing agent and different microwave devulcanizing times. The optimum content of both MBTS, TMTD and suitable microwave treatment time to make continuous film were noted. The devulcanized waste rubber was then added, at different concentrations, to virgin styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR). The thermal properties and dynamic mechanical behaviors were investigated for all blends. The thermal analysis proved that natural and styrene butadiene rubber are the main two constituents of the waste tire rubber utilized in this study. The mechanical behavior of the SBR blends remarkably improved by using 20 phr waste rubber (WR) devulcanized by 2 phr MBTS and by exposure for 2.2 min to microwaves. Storage modulus, tearing strength and tension set behaviors notably improved for all SBR/WR blends by irradiating with gamma ionizing radiation with a dose of 100 kGy and further improvement could be attained by increasing the dose up to 200 kGy.
Platonic Perfectionism in John Williams’Stoner
Authors: Gåvertsson Frits
Published: October 2020

I argue that given a plausible reading of John Williams’sStoner(2012 [1965]) the novel throws light on the demands and costs of pursuing a strategy for self-realisation along Platonic lines which seeks unification through the adoption of a single exclusive end in a manner that emulates the Socratic maieutic teacher. The novel does not explicitly argue either for or against such a strategy but rather vividly depicts its difficulties, appeal, and limitations, thus leaving the ultimate evaluation up to the reader.
Towards a semiotic model of interlingual translation
Authors: Rędzioch-Korkuz Anna M.
Published: October 2020

The discipline of translation studies has been recently challenged with powerful incentives from other sciences. This tendency has become visible especially in the context of more and more interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary methodologies, which have changed the profile of translation research to a considerable degree. It has also shifted the perspective with which scholars perceive key concepts of the discipline, many of which have become rather unpopular if not completely outdated. However, it seems true that instead of rejecting old terms translation scholars should try to reconcile the old and new by adopting more general frameworks that would allow them to re-interpret or re-write the existing knowledge. Moving intellectual investigations beyond the level of natural languages, semiotics may offer this framework. The article is an attempt to show the potential of a semiotics-based model of interlingual translation and to support the hypothesis that every act of translation is semiotic by nature. To this end it outlines the most significant ideas of semiotic approaches to translation studies and semiotics, with special attention to translation semiotics and semiotics of culture. This in turn helps to draft a working model of interlingual translation and its constraints.
Analysis of Carreau fluid flow by convectively heated disk with viscous dissipation effects
Authors: Malik Rabia , Sadaf Hina , Dastar Fiza
Published: October 2020

The primary motive of this study is to examine boundary layer flow of Carreau fluid over a convectively heated disk stretching with nonlinear velocity. The flow is assumed to be two dimensional. Moreover, viscous dissipation possessions are taken into description. The dominating nonlinear differential equations involving partial derivatives are changed into nonlinear differential equations involving ordinary derivatives by applying suitable transformations. Numerical outcomes for velocity and temperature are obtained from MATLAB’s built-in solver bvp4c and presented graphically and in tabular form.
High-pressure synthesis and crystal structure of HP-Al2B3O7(OH)
Authors: Vitzthum Daniela , Widmann Ingo , Plank Markus , Joachim-Mrosko Bastian , Huppertz Hubert
Published: October 2020

Orthorhombic HP-Al2B3O7(OH) was synthesized in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions of 12.4 GPa and 1200 °C, respectively. Its structure is isotypic to that of Ga2B3O7(OH) and has been determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature. HP-Al2B3O7(OH) crystallizes in the space group Cmce (Z = 8) with the lattice parameters a = 10.3124(4), b = 7.3313(3), c = 10.4801(5) Å, and V = 792.33(6) Å3. The compound has also been characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy.
Deletion of the Gene Encoding the NMDA Receptor GluN1 Subunit in Schwann Cells Causes Ultrastructural Changes in Remak Bundles and Hypersensitivity in Pain Processing
Authors: Brifault Coralie , Romero Haylie , Van-Enoo Alicia , Pizzo Don , Azmoon Pardis , Kwon HyoJun , Nasamran Chanond , Gonias Steven L. , Campana Wendy M.
Published: October 2020

Abnormalities in interactions between sensory neurons and Schwann cells (SCs) may result in heightened pain processing and chronic pain states. We previously reported that SCs express the NMDA receptor (NMDA-R), which activates cell signaling in response to glutamate and specific protein ligands, such as tissue-type plasminogen activator. Herein, we genetically targetedgrin1encoding the essential GluN1 NMDA-R subunit, conditionally in SCs, to create a novel mouse model in which SCs are NMDA-R-deficient (GluN1– mice). These mice demonstrated increased sensitivity to light touch, pinprick, and thermal hyperalgesia in the absence of injury, without associated changes in motor function. Ultrastructural analysis of adult sciatic nerve in GluN1– mice revealed increases in the density of Aδ fibers and Remak bundles and a decrease in the density of Aβ fibers, without alteredg-ratios. Abnormalities in adult Remak bundle ultrastructure were also present including aberrant C-fiber ensheathment, distances between axons, and increased poly-axonal pockets. Developmental and post radial sorting defects contributed to altered nerve fiber densities in adult. Uninjured sciatic nerves in GluN1– mice did not demonstrate an increase in neuroinflammatory infiltrates. Transcriptome profiling of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) revealed 138 differentially regulated genes in GluN1– mice. One third of the regulated genes are known to be involved in pain processing, includingsprr1a,npy,fgf3,atf3, andcckbr, which were significantly increased. The intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) was significantly decreased in the skin of GluN1– mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SC NMDA-R is essential for normal PNS development and for preventing development of pain states.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTChronic unremitting pain is a prevalent medical condition; however, the molecular mechanisms that underlie heightened pain processing remain incompletely understood. Emerging data suggest that abnormalities in Schwann cells (SCs) may cause neuropathic pain. We established a novel mouse model for small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in whichgrin1, the gene that encodes the NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) GluN1 subunit, is deleted in SCs. These mice demonstrate hypersensitivity in pain processing in the absence of nerve injury. Changes in the density of intraepidermal small fibers, the ultrastructure of Remak bundles, and the transcriptome of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) provide possible explanations for the increase in pain processing. Our results support the hypothesis that abnormalities in communication between sensory nerve fibers and SCs may result in pain states.
Business Groups, Political Connections, and Regime Change in Pakistan
Authors: Shoukat Ayesha , Gomez Edmund Terence
Published: October 2020

This article explores how the political connections cultivated by Pakistan’s business groups contributed to their rise as key actors in the corporate sector. Such connections have long been used by business groups in developing countries to secure access to economic rents from politicians in power. We examine the basis of selection of business groups for state patronage under military and civilian-led regimes, as well as the extent to which such ties have contributed to their rise as Pakistan’s leading enterprises. A historical analysis is provided of these groups, with a focus on a financial review of their publicly listed companies. We find that emerging business groups actively resort to rent-seeking activities by colluding with ruling elites, while also using multifaceted networking to protect and enhance their presence in the corporate sector.
Cyclical Youth-Led Conflict as an Early Warning Indicator
Authors: Legassicke Michelle
Published: October 2020

The dynamics of conflict are shifting. In the 2011 World Development Report, the World Bank stated that conflicts are now increasingly cyclical and intractable events; 90 percent of the civil wars that occurred in the 2000s were fought within countries that had experienced a domestic conflict in the past 30 years (World Bank, 2011). Countries are more likely to experience cycles of violence due to the persistence of weak state structures that cannot extend their reach into peripheral regions, leading to local instability (Kingston, 2004). Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the international community observed several states – in which external actors provided 50 percent of those states’ overall revenues – relapse into civil war (Call, 2012). Given the significant investment by the international community in peacebuilding projects in post-conflict states – whether democratic reforms, economic reforms, capacity building, or sustainable development – there needs to be a significant increase in research focused on civil war recurrence, as the trajectory of post-conflict states cannot be guaranteed without sustainable peace.
Refugee Youth and Mental Health: Principles for Resettlement Support
Authors: Pelley Emily
Published: October 2020

The issue of young people on the move has attracted significant international attention as the amount of displacement due to armed conflict has steadily increased in recent years. The UNHCR reports that 68.5 million people have been displaced worldwide, with just over half of them being under the age of 18.1 Armed conflict often forces families to flee their homes and communities in search of safety. For those who can go to a new country there are both benefits and challenges to navigate. The experiences of youth displacement because of armed conflict is an area that needs further research.This paper explores the current situation of youth displacement and the importance of informed mental health support throughout their transition experience in a new country. A young person’s resilience through the experience of integrating into a new home is not merely a description of their personality but a combination of the personal and social resources that can positively impact their well-being. This social ecological perspective of resilience is a useful framework for responding to the needs of young refugees.
Commentary: “We Must Be Ready for Revenge”: The Real Value of Childhood in North Korea
Authors: Huish Robert
Published: October 2020

The Korean Children’s Union is not designed to nurture nor to inspire its members through friendship, camaraderie, or duty. It is meant to belittle, to intimidate, and to instill the belief that the supreme leader is all powerful. It rigorously instructs children that to be an individual is meaningless. No child is unique. Each one is just like the other. Replaceable, disposable, and ultimately? Worthless.
Letter from the Editor
Authors: Johnson Dustin
Published: October 2020

For this volume of Allons-y we asked young authors to write about how armed conflict impacts children in the countries on International Crisis Group’s ten conflicts to watch in 2018 list. Much has changed in these conflicts since then, but all continue to do grave harm to children, which we struggle to address in the aftermath. The militarization and abuse of children are often used by autocratic regimes and armed groups to further their aims, and the trauma can have a lasting impact on the children and their societies. The four papers and their accompanying commentary in this volume illustrate these challenges and collectively highlight the importance of prevention.The authors, all young scholars who are in or have recently completed graduate school, wrote about the ways in which children are ripped from their communities in order to be used for military and political ends in armed conflict, and the difficulties of repairing these harms afterwards, whether in countries affected by armed conflict like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or when people flee as refugees to new lands. The first two papers explore how children are weaponized: Peter Steele writes about the North Korean Songbun system that militarizes children from birth, and Airianna Murdoch-Fyke writes about the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war targeted at girls in the DRC. Both methods are designed to disrupt a child’s connection to their family and community. The last two papers explore the difficulties of addressing the resulting trauma: Arpita Mitra writes about the failures of the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration process in the DRC, and Emily Pelley writes about the difficulties of aiding young refugees exposed to wartime violence when they come to Northern countries such as Canada. Collectively, these papers highlight the need to invest more in prevention of wartime abuses, rather than scrambling to catch-up and repair the damage already done.While it may be cliché to say that young people are the future, it is also the truth, and it is important for them to have platforms to discuss and present their ideas and contribute to the most pressing challenges facing our world. Whether it is young politicians challenging our complacency on climate change, students fighting for safer schools, young activists towards peace in their countries and around the world, or young scholars such as the authors of this volume, we must turn to and support the younger generations who are invested in making a better world for themselves and all of humanity. In this spirit, Allons-y seeks to pair the academic and practical work of young people with the commentary of those who are more experienced in their field to demonstrate how young people can contribute to and create a brighter tomorrow.
Ghrelin in the lateral parabrachial nucleus influences the excitability of glucosensing neurons, increases food intake and body weight
Authors: Zhang Caishun , Yuan Junhua , Lin Qian , Li Manwen , Wang Liuxin , Wang Rui , Chen Xi , Jiang Zhengyao , Zhu Kun , Chang Xiaoli , Wang Bin , Dong Jing
Published: October 2020

Ghrelin plays a pivotal role in the regulation of food intake, body weight and energy metabolism. However, these effects of ghrelin in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) are unexplored. C57BL/6J mice and GHSR−/− mice were implanted with cannula above the right LPBN and ghrelin was microinjected via the cannula to investigate effect of ghrelin in the LPBN. In vivo electrophysiological technique was used to record LPBN glucose-sensitive neurons to explore potential udnderlying mechanisms. Microinjection of ghrelin in LPBN significantly increased food intake in the first 3 h, while such effect was blocked by [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 and abolished in GHSR−/− mice. LPBN ghrelin microinjection also significantly increased the firing rate of glucose-excited (GE) neurons and decreased the firing rate of glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons. Additionally, LPBN ghrelin microinjection also significantly increased c-fos expression. Chronic ghrelin administration in the LPBN resulted in significantly increased body weight gain. Meanwhile, no significant changes were observed in both mRNA and protein expression levels of UCP-1 in BAT. These results demonstrated that microinjection of ghrelin in LPBN could increase food intake through the interaction with growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in C57BL/6J mice, and its chronic administration could also increase body weight gain. These effects might be associated with altered firing rate in the GE and GI neurons.
Sleep deprivation and diet affect human GH gene expression in transgenic mice in vivo
Authors: Jarmasz Jessica S , Jin Yan , Vakili Hana , Cattini Peter A
Published: October 2020

Human (h) growth hormone (GH) production studies are largely limited to effects on secretion. How pituitary hGH gene (hGH-N/GH1) expression is regulated is important in our understanding of the role hGH plays in physiology and disease. Here we assess for the first time the effect of sleep deprivation (SD) and high-fat diet (HFD) on hGH-N expression in vivo using partially humanized 171hGH/CS transgenic (TG) mice, and attempted to elucidate a role for DNA methylation. Activation of hGH-N expression requires interactions between promoter and upstream locus control region (LCR) sequences including pituitary-specific hypersensitive site (HS) I/II. Both SD and diet affect hGH secretion, but the effect of SD on hGH-N expression is unknown. Mice fed a HFD or regular chow diet for 3 days underwent SD (or no SD) for 6 h at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 3. Serum and pituitaries were assessed over 24 h at 6-h intervals beginning at ZT 14. SD and HFD caused significant changes in serum corticosterone and insulin, as well as hGH and circadian clock-related gene RNA levels. No clear association between DNA methylation and the negative effects of SD or diet on hGH RNA levels was observed. However, a correlation with increased methylation at a CpG (cytosine paired with a guanine) in a putative E-box within the hGH LCR HS II was suggested in situ. Methylation at this site also increased BMAL1/CLOCK-related nuclear protein binding in vitro. These observations support an effect of SD on hGH synthesis at the level of gene expression.
EVALUATION OF ANTI-CRYPTOCOCCAL ACTIVITY OF BACITRACIN
Authors: Singh Karuna , . Neelabh
Published: October 2020

Cryptococcosis is amongst potentially deadly diseases whose impact has aggrandized with the advent of AIDS and antifungal resistance. Antifungals used presently are short of broad spectrum activity and furthermore are involved in several side effects. Henceforth, the present manuscript focuses on the evaluation of antifungal activity of bacitracin against Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, the causative agent of the disease.     
Minimum inhibitory concentration, flow cytometric analysis and confocal microscopy were used to determine the in-vitro fungal susceptibilities. Light microscopy was used to determine the changes in the micromorphology of the fungal organism. Swiss mice were used for testing the efficacy of bacitracin in-vivo.
Bacitracin showed cidal activity against C. n. grubii at 5.5 mg/ml which is on the higher side but on testing under in-vivo conditions it was observed that doses as high as 15 mg/kg bw/day did not show any adverse effect in the body. Better survival rate of the bacitracin treated mice, lowering of the fungal load and changes showing improvement in the tissue morphology depicts the mild anticryptococcal activity of bacitracin.
Although, bacitracin has proved to be a potent antifungal yet there are several limitations like low bioavailability and its peptide nature.  However, these problems can be limited by developing suitable analogs of the compound.
Ein Kampf gegen Windmühlen
Authors: Papsdorf Christian , Jakob Sebastian
Published: October 2020

Der vorliegende Beitrag fragt auf Basis von Leitfadeninterviews mit Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen erstens danach, welche Algorithmen von ihnen im Rahmen der alltäglichen Internetnutzung wahrgenommen werden. Zweitens analysiert er die Kriterien, die der Bewertung von Algorithmisierungsprozessen zugrunde liegen. Drittens untersucht er, welche Praktiken die Nutzer entwickeln, um mit Überwachung durch Algorithmen umzugehen. Den drei Forschungsfragen liegt ein mehrdimensionales Analysekonzept von Algorithmen zugrunde. In Kombination einer medien- und techniksoziologischen Perspektive lassen sich Algorithmen hinsichtlich sieben Dimensionen strukturieren und untersuchen. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass Algorithmen vor allem dann als Bereicherung wahrgenommen werden, wenn sie neuartige Funktionen bieten, wenn ihr Einsatz den Usern frei steht und gestaltet werden kann, wenn sie komplexe Funktionen ausführen und ihr Handeln transparent ist, wenn die Ergebnisse ihres Handelns verbesserte Qualität oder Quantität aufweisen, und wenn sie die User entlasten. Vier Praktiken lassen sich im Umgang mit Überwachung unterscheiden: Strategien zur Auflösung von kognitiver Dissonanz, ein partieller Nutzungsverzicht, der Wechsel des Mediums und die Anpassung der Technik. Sie schützen die User allerdings nur unzureichend vor Überwachung.
Sunshine Boulevard, in the middle of nowhere: Einfamilienhäuser und Carports – die Werbebilder der Fertigteilproduktion in Deutschland
Authors: Caplan Anne
Published: October 2020

Seit Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts ist das suburbane, freistehende Einfamilienhaus mit Auto ein Ausweis von Stabilität, Familialität, gutem Leben und Konsum. Die vorliegende Forschung analysiert die Printwerbung von Fertighaus- und Carportherstellern in Deutschland. Das Sample umfasst zehn Kataloge der Jahre 2014 bis 2016 von insgesamt vier Fertighaus- und drei Carportherstellern. Die Firmen wenden in ihren Werbekatalogen folgende Strategien an: 1. Die angebotenen Häuser werden von der weißen Mittelschicht bewohnt. In Bezug auf dargestellte Aktivitäten und räumliche Situationen zeigen sie eine stereotype Geschlechterordnung. 2. Die Fertighaushersteller statten ihre Häuser und Gärten mit teuren Designklassikern der Moderne aus und konterkarieren damit die Utopie der Fertigteilproduktion, wie sie u.a. vom Bauhaus proklamiert wurde: Der Gedanke, gute Gestaltung zu demokratisieren und zu popularisieren wird hier zu reinem Dekor, das Häusern Exklusivität verleihen soll. 3. Die Kataloge präsentieren das Haus von der Rückseite, also dem Garten, ohne Nachbarschaften oder andere Gebäude in Sicht. Mit Adressen wie „Kastanienallee” findet eine Abgrenzung zu urbanen Wohnsituationen statt. Insgesamt wird ein Leben präsentiert, dass in jeglicher Hinsicht freistehend ist: ohne nachbarschaftlichen Kontext, ohne städtische Anbindung und auch ohne Straßen, die das häusliche Leben mit der Außenwelt verbinden. Werbung vermittelt immer etwas über menschliches Begehren, in diesem Fall: Eine Visualisierung von Privatheit, die ohne ein öffentliches Leben als Gegenüber auskommt.
Belanglose Bilder - Vom Viral zum Internet-Mem
Authors: Herion Giannina
Published: October 2020

Meme, Satire und Humor sind eng miteinander verbunden und fester Bestandteil der digitalen Alltagskultur. Das Internet-Mem #KiyiyaVuranInsanlik (auf Deutsch sinngemäß „Menschheit, an die Küste gespült”) bildet einen Ausnahmefall, da es sich auf die Fotografien eines toten Kindes bezieht. Anhand der Fotografie des auf der Flucht ertrunkenen zweijährigen Alan Kurdi, welches über die sozialen Medien um die Welt ging, stellt der Artikel Fragen zum Umgang mit den Bildern und Memes in sozialen Medien: Warum teilen und verändern Menschen die Fotografien? Warum nicht? Welche Folgen hat die Verbreitung? Welche bildethischen, -rechtlichen oder -ökonomischen Überlegungen in Bezug auf die Verwendung von digitalen Bildern in Kommunikationsplattformen lassen sich ableiten? Dieser Text nimmt diese Fragen auf und reformuliert sie ausgehend von der Theorie des punctums von Roland Barthes bildtheoretisch. Was passiert mit den Fotografien? Wie verbreiten sich diese im Netz? Wie verändert der soziale Umgang mit den Fotografien im Internet die Bildaussagen?
„Try not to cry“ – Memes, Männlichkeit und Emotionen
Authors: Oswald Sascha
Published: October 2020

Auf dem Imageboard 9gag.com werden Sprachcodes und popkulturelle Referenzen als Stilmittel eingesetzt, um ästhetische Wahrnehmungs- und Handlungsräume im Netz zu erzeugen, in denen sich die Nutzenden als Kommunikations- und Sehgemeinschaft erfahren. Die MemeKommunikation stellt hier ein prägendes kommunikatives Muster dar. In der Untersuchung des Try not to cry-Memes zeigt der Artikel, wie im Rahmen kollektiver, partizipatorischer Bild-Praktiken der Gefühlsausdruck des Weinens und die damit verbundenen Emotionen bei Männern erörtert und ausgehandelt werden. Eine besondere Rolle spielen dabei die metakommunikativen Funktionen bildspezifischer Eigenschaften und humorvoller Rahmungen, die es den Nutzenden ermöglichen, stigmatisierte Themen zu artikulieren. Der Artikel beschreibt, wie die Meme-Praxis auf 9gag das Reden über männliche Tränen ermöglicht und so einen digitalen Artikulationsraum für männliche Gefühle schafft.
Das Projekt Indernet - die Entwicklung eines Community-Portals
Authors: Goel Urmila
Published: October 2020

Im Jahr 2000 wurde das Indernet, ein Internetportal von deutschsprachigen Inder_innen der zweiten Generation für Inder_innen (der zweiten Generation), gegründet. Im Jahr 2017 besteht es als Blog und Facebook-Seite weiter. Der Artikel analysiert welche Entwicklungen das Internetprojekt seit seiner Gründung durchlaufen hat. Er konzentriert sich hierbei insbesondere auf die Rolle der Redaktion im Umgang mit technischen Entwicklungen, Zugriffszahlen und den Ansprüchen der Nutzer_innen. Dabei zeichnet er nach, wie die Redaktion zur ethnopolitischen Unternehmerin im Sinne Brubakers wurde.
Consumption of Psychoactive Substances among Teenagers in Schools in Conakry, Republic of Guinea
Authors: M DOUKOURE , K SOUMAORO , MT KEITA
Published: October 2020

Introduction : The use and abuse of psychoactive substances (SPA) in the adolescence age has become a major public health concern. In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of the consumption of psychoactive substances, to identify the different substances consumed as well as the motivations underlying this consumption.

Methods: It is a 6-month cross-sectional prospective study carried out in two public Junior Secondary Schools in Conakry. It involved 600 students and the sampling was simple random. Were included in this study, all the students of the two Junior Secondary Schools retained following the sampling; and having correctly completed the questionnaire and returned it. To carry out this work, we proceeded to a simple random sampling by drawing lots.

Results: The prevalence of SPA consumption was 35.5%, boys were read represented (64.8%), the age groups 12 – 16 years and 17 – 20 years were the most affected 41% each). In the majority of students (72%), parents were separated and 72% of them had repeated at least once. The most consumed substances were only cannabis (24%) and tobacco (8%), the combination tobacco + cannabis represented 44% and irregular consumption of these substances was the most frequent (66% for cannabis and 63% for the tobacco). The first experience of these substances was very early in 21% for cannabis and 49% for tobacco.

Conclusion: The consumption of psychoactive substances constitutes a real public health problem. A study of all the schools in the capital city and at the national level seems essential to situate the extent of the phenomenon and analyze the various factors involved in order to provide appropriate solutions.
Fortalecer os Cuidados Paliativos durante a pandemia de Covid-19
Authors: Tritany Érika Fernandes , Souza Filho Breno Augusto Bormann de , Mendonça Paulo Eduardo Xavier de
Published: October 2020

A pandemia de Covid-19 (doença do coronavírus) vem impondo grandes desafios. Além dos impactos econômicos e sociais, o crescente número de casos e óbitos, a sobrecarga dos serviços de saúde e a situação de vulnerabilidade a qual estão expostos os trabalhadores da saúde têm gerado uma enorme onda de sofrimento. Nesse contexto, os serviços de saúde, a população atendida e os trabalhadores da saúde podem se beneficiar de uma abordagem de cuidado baseada nos Cuidados Paliativos. Os Cuidados Paliativos visam à promoção, à prevenção e ao alívio do sofrimento; à promoção de dignidade, à melhor qualidade de vida e à adaptação a doenças progressivas. Assim, apresentamos reflexões sobre os desafios impostos pela pandemia e a importância dos Cuidados Paliativos neste momento, compreendendo a necessidade de sua adoção como abordagem transversal, incluídos em todos os serviços da Rede de Atenção à Saúde, bem como inseridos na formação profissional em saúde.
CALCULATION OF 2-DIMENSIONAL PWR MOX/UO2 CORE BENCHMARK OECD NEA 6048 WITH SRAC CODE
Authors: Luthfi Wahid , Pinem Surian
Published: October 2020

The mixed uranium-plutonium oxide fuel (MOX/UO2) is an interesting fuel for future power reactors. This is due to the large amount of plutonium that can be processed from spent fuel of nuclear plants or from plutonium weapons. MOX/UO2 fuel is very flexible to be applied in thermal reactors such as PWR and it is more economical than UO2 fuel. However, due to the different nature of neutron interactions of MOX in PWR, it will change the reactor core design parameters and also its safety characteristic. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of SRAC2006 code system in generation of cross-sections and calculation of reactor core design parameters such as criticality, reactivity of control rods and radial power distribution. In this study, PWR MOX/UO2 Core Transient Benchmark is used to verify the code that models a MOX/UO2 fueled core. SRAC-CITATION result is different from DeCART by 0.339% from. SRAC-CITATION result of single rod worth in All Rods Out (ARO) conditions are quite good with a maximum difference of 6.34% compared to BARS code and 4.74% compared to PARCS code. In All Rods In (ARI) condition, SRAC-CITATION results compared to the PARCS code is quite good where the maximum difference is 9.72%, but compared to BARS code, it spikes up to 33.24% at maximum difference. In the other case, overall radial power density results are quite good compared to the reference. Its maximum deviation from DeCART code is 5.325% in ARO condition and 6.234% in ARI condition. Based on the results of these calculations, SRAC code system can be used to generate cross-section and to calculate some neutronic parameters. Hence, it can be used to evaluate the neutronic parameters of the MOX/UO2 PWR core design.Keywords: MOX/UO2 fuel, Criticality, Power peaking factor, SRAC2006
A descriptive research audit of the long term developmental outcomes of 30 infants with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) who received hypothermia at a secondary Hospital in South Africa
Authors: Stark Suzanne , Van der Vyver Desiree , Gretschel Pamela
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Hypothermia is a neuroprotective strategy proven to reduce death and disability in children presenting with HypoxicIschemic Encephalopathy (HIE). Little evidence exists regarding the long term developmental outcomes of infants who receivedhypothermia within a secondary hospital in South Africa.Method: Drawing on a descriptive research audit this paper describes the development (up to five years) of 30 infants with HIE who received hypothermia at the George hospital in South Africa. Developmental outcomes were measured at 3, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months using the Strive Towards Achieving Results Together (START) and at 48 and 60 months using the Early Childhood Developmental Criteria (ECDC). Summary data (variables considered risk factors) were collected retrospectively. The associations between this data and developmental outcomes are described.Results: Twenty children presented with typical development, eight presented with cerebral palsy (CP) and two were lost to follow up. A significant association between a severe HIE score and CP was found (p=0.0005). The children performed equally in fine motor, gross motor and cognitive abilities at four years with poorer outcomes in cognitive and fine motor abilities recorder at five years. The perceptual activity both age groups struggled with the most was directionality. .Conclusion: The results of the research audit support the need for long-term occupational therapy follow-up of children with HIE to monitor their development and provide specific interventions to promote their development and prevent barriers to learning.  This paper also advocates the need for occupational therapists working in the public health sector to have access to standardised assessment tools which allow them to closely monitor the development of infants who present with HIE at birth.
Key words: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, hypothermia, developmental outcomes, environment
Responsiveness of the Activity Participation Outcome Measure in adult patients with Traumatic Brain Injury in an acute private neurological rehabilitation setting in South Africa
Authors: Camp Alison , Casteleijn Daleen , Thupae Dineo
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Acute neurological rehabilitation aims to reduce the burden of care of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and increase their activity participation. Tracking change throughout the rehabilitation is essential for funders of the service as well as the patient. Valid, reliable and responsive outcome measures are thus needed for accurate measurement of change.This study compared the responsiveness to change of the Functional Independence Measureâ„¢+ Functional Assessment Measure (FIMâ„¢+FAM) with the Activity Participation Outcomes Measure (APOM). This was administered TBI patients in the acute neurological rehabilitation phase in a private health care facility in South Africa.Method: A quantitative, prospective, longitudinal cohort design was used. A sample of 24 in-patients over 12 months was scored weekly on both outcome measures. The responsiveness between the APOM and FIMâ„¢+FAM was tested using the dependent t-test for paired samples and the effect size from admission to discharge was calculated with the standardised response mean.Results: Both measures were responsive to change and tracked improvement in activity participation (APOM) and reduction of burden of care (FIMâ„¢+FAM). No significant statistical difference was found between the responsiveness of the two measures, however positive changes were reported in each individual patient.Conclusion: Although both measures are responsive to track change in TBI patients, the APOM includes more specific items that occupational therapists address in rehabilitation. The lack of a measure of physical components in the APOM makes it a difficult to be the only one to use in an environment where there is a high physical burden of care in patients. However, the APOM could be used in conjunction with other impairment-based scales that target physical components. It is recommended that more occupational therapists use the APOM with TBI populations.
Key words: Activity participation outcome measure, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Acute neurological rehabilitation, responsiveness