bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Framework for the Culture of Scientific Research
Authors: Dewey Jessica , Roehrig Gillian , Schuchardt Anita
Published: October 2021

This article describes the development of a framework identifying 31 cultural aspects of scientific research categorized as either Practices, Norms/Expectations, or Values/Beliefs. The framework was developed through a systematic literature review, and evidence of validity with biological researchers was collected.
Predicted Cure and Survival Among Transplant Recipients With a Previous Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Engels Eric A. , Haber Gregory , Hart Allyson , Lynch Charles F. , Li Jie , Pawlish Karen S. , Qiao Baozhen , Yu Kelly J. , Pfeiffer Ruth M.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

A previous cancer diagnosis is a negative consideration in evaluating patients for possible solid organ transplantation. Statistical models may improve selection of patients with cancer evaluated for transplantation.

METHODS

We fitted statistical cure models for patients with cancer in the US general population using data from 13 cancer registries. Patients subsequently undergoing solid organ transplantation were identified through the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We estimated cure probabilities at diagnosis (for all patients with cancer) and transplantation (transplanted patients). We used Cox regression to assess associations of cure probability at transplantation with subsequent cancer-specific mortality.

RESULTS

Among 10,524,326 patients with 17 cancer types in the general population, the median cure probability at diagnosis was 62%. Of these patients, 5,425 (0.05%) subsequently underwent solid organ transplantation and their median cure probability at transplantation was 94% (interquartile range, 86%-98%). Compared with the tertile of transplanted patients with highest cure probability, those in the lowest tertile more frequently had lung or breast cancers and less frequently colorectal, testicular, or thyroid cancers; more frequently had advanced-stage cancer; were older (median 57 v 51 years); and were transplanted sooner after cancer diagnosis (median 3.6 v 8.6 years). Patients in the low-cure probability tertile had increased cancer-specific mortality after transplantation (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.48 to 2.93; v the high tertile), whereas those in the middle tertile did not differ.

CONCLUSION

Patients with cancer who underwent solid organ transplantation exhibited high cure probabilities, reflecting selection on the basis of existing guidelines and clinical judgment. Nonetheless, there was a range of cure probabilities among transplanted patients and low probability predicted increased cancer-specific mortality after transplantation. Cure probabilities may facilitate guideline development and evaluating individual patients for transplantation.
The First Derivative of the Electroencephalogram Facilitates Tracking of Electroencephalographic Alpha Band Activity During General Anesthesia
Authors: Obert David P. , Hight Darren , Sleigh Jamie , Kaiser Heiko A. , García Paul S. , Schneider Gerhard , Kreuzer Matthias
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND:

Intraoperative neuromonitoring can help to navigate anesthesia. Pronounced alpha oscillations in the frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) appear to predict favorable perioperative neurocognitive outcomes and may also provide a measure of intraoperative antinociception. Monitoring the presence and strength of these alpha oscillations can be challenging, especially in elderly patients, because the EEG in these patients may be dominated by oscillations in other frequencies. Hence, the information regarding alpha oscillatory activity may be hidden and hard to visualize on a screen. Therefore, we developed an effective approach to improve the detection and presentation of alpha activity in the perioperative setting.

METHODS:

We analyzed EEG records of 180 patients with a median age of 60 years (range, 18–90 years) undergoing noncardiac, nonneurologic surgery under general anesthesia with propofol induction and sevoflurane maintenance. We calculated the power spectral density (PSD) for the unprocessed EEG as well as for the time-discrete first derivative of the EEG (diffPSD) from 10-second epochs. Based on these data, we estimated the power-law coefficient κ of the PSD and diffPSD, as the EEG coarsely follows a 1/fκ
distribution when displayed in double logarithmic coordinates. In addition, we calculated the alpha (7.8–12.1 Hz) to delta (0.4–4.3 Hz) ratio from the PSD as well as diffPSD.

RESULTS:

The median κ was 0.899 [first and third quartile: 0.786, 0.986] for the unaltered PSD, and κ = −0.092 [−0.202, −0.013] for the diffPSD, corresponding to an almost horizontal PSD of the differentiated EEG. The alpha-to-delta ratio of the diffPSD was strongly increased (median ratio = −8.0 dB [−10.5, −4.7 dB] for the unaltered PSD versus 30.1 dB [26.1, 33.8 dB] for the diffPSD). A strong narrowband oscillatory alpha power component (>20% of total alpha power) was detected in 23% using PSD, but in 96% of the diffPSD.

CONCLUSIONS:

We demonstrated that the calculation of the diffPSD from the time-discrete derivative of the intraoperative frontal EEG is a straightforward approach to improve the detection of alpha activity by eliminating the broadband background noise. This improvement in alpha peak detection and visualization could facilitate the guidance of general anesthesia and improve patient outcome.
Empires of Xolotl: Two Opening Compositions of the Codex Xolotl
Authors: Offner Jerome A.
Published: October 2021

Only one of two opening compositions in the Codex Xolotl has been recognized. The conventional version shows the entry of Xolotl, Nopaltzin, and six lesser rulers into the Basin of Mexico from near Tula, Hidalgo, followed by settlement at Xoloc and later a place that will become Tenayuca. The manuscript’s two larger fragments, assembled correctly for the first time, show Xolotl and Nopaltzin observing and moving across a more settled eastern basin into regions to the south ranging from Puebla to Morelos, notably including Cuernavaca. At the same time, they and their six followers are shown settled among caves in the western basin around the future Tenayuca. The two Chichimecs attract fellow Chichimecs from the Cuernavaca region to the Tepetlaoztoc region and trouble ensues. These two realizations of a Chichimec vision of empire are well recorded by the remarkable Aztec graphic communication system. Its portrayal of changes to different ways of life over the centuries reveals an interplay of an oral gathering and hunting culture with a settled society, recording the Chichimec experience and their own way of life with their combined oral and graphic system. Elements of the Chichimecs’ visions of empire endure throughout the Codex Xolotl as its messaging power shines across the contact period and into early colonial times.
Cellular senescence limits translational readthrough
Authors: del Toro Neylen , Lessard Frédéric , Bouchard Jacob , Mobasheri Nasrin , Guillon Jordan , Igelmann Sebastian , Tardif Sarah , Buffard Tony , Bourdeau Véronique , Brakier-Gingras Léa , Ferbeyre Gerardo
Published: October 2021

The origin and evolution of cancer cells is considered to be mainly fueled by DNA mutations. Although translation errors could also expand the cellular proteome, their role in cancer biology remains poorly understood. Tumor suppressors called caretakers block cancer initiation and progression by preventing DNA mutations and/or stimulating DNA repair. If translational errors contribute to tumorigenesis, then caretaker genes should prevent such errors in normal cells in response to oncogenic stimuli. Here, we show that the process of cellular senescence induced by oncogenes, tumor suppressors or chemotherapeutic drugs is associated with a reduction in translational readthrough (TR) measured using reporters containing termination codons withing the context of both normal translation termination or programmed TR. Senescence reduced both basal TR and TR stimulated by aminoglycosides. Mechanistically, the reduction of TR during senescence is controlled by the RB tumor suppressor pathway. Cells that escape from cellular senescence either induced by oncogenes or chemotherapy have an increased TR. Also, breast cancer cells that escape from therapy-induced senescence express high levels of AGO1x, a TR isoform of AGO1 linked to breast cancer progression. We propose that senescence and the RB pathway reduce TR limiting proteome diversity and the expression of TR proteins required for cancer cell proliferation.
Η συσχέτιση της ενεστώσας (state) ψυχοπαθολογίας στην υπέρταση
Authors: Ρώτας Βασίλειος
Published: October 2021

Ο μεγάλος επιπολασμός της ιδιοπαθούς αρτηριακής υπέρτασης στο σύγχρονο πληθυσμό, η ανάγκη της έγκαιρης θεραπευτικής αντιμετώπισης προς την πρόληψη των σοβαρών επιπλοκών της και οι θεραπευτικές δυσκολίες που συχνά αντιμετωπίζονται καθιστούν επίκαιρη την αναζήτηση συσχετίσεων που θα μπορούσαν να διαφωτίσουν τους μηχανισμούς της και ιδανικά να εμπλουτίσουν τη θεραπευτική μας προσέγγιση. ΜΕΘΟΔΟΛΟΓΙΑ: Συγκριτική στατιστική αξιολόγηση των βασικών διαστάσεων της ψυχολογικής υγείας μέσω του ερωτηματολογίου SCL-90-R, ανάμεσα σε άτομα με νέα διάγνωση αρτηριακής υπέρτασης και σε ταιριαστούς εθελοντές με φυσιολογική αρτηριακή πίεση.. ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ: Το δείγμα συμπεριέλαβε 25 νορμοτασικούς και 80 υπερτασικούς συμμετέχοντες. Οι διαφορές που ήταν στατιστικά σημαντικές βρίσκονταν στην διάσταση της εχθρότητας κατά τη σύγκριση μεταξύ νορμοτασικών και υπερτασικών γυναικών (4,7±3,0 και 11,4±5,9, με p<0,01), καθώς και στην διάσταση του ιδεοψυχαναγκασμού, κατά τη σύγκριση μεταξύ νορμοτασικών και υπερτασικών αντρών συμμετεχόντων (7,3±4,7 και 12,9±7,1) με p<0,05. ΣΥΖΗΤΗΣΗ: η διάσταση της εχθρότητας εμφανίζεται σε γυναίκες με αρτηριακή υπέρταση σε ποσοστό άνω του διπλάσιου σε σύγκριση με τις γυναίκες που δεν εμφανίζουν αρτηριακή υπέρταση. Μεταξύ των αντρών, μια άλλη διάσταση, αυτή του ιδεοψυχαναγκασμού, εμφάνιζε στατιστικά σημαντική αύξηση στους πάσχοντες από αρτηριακή υπέρταση συγκριτικά με τους νορμοτασικούς.
Spectral processing and optimization of static and dynamic 3D geometry
Authors: Αρβανίτης Γεράσιμος
Published: October 2021

Η γεωμετρική επεξεργασία τρισδιάστατων αντικειμένων έχει μεγάλο ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον σε ένα ευρύ φάσμα εφαρμογών που σχετίζονται με την υπολογιστική όραση και τα γραφικά, όπως για παράδειγμα στην αυτόματη κίνηση robot στον χώρο, την αναγνώριση τρισδιάστατων αντικειμένων, την κατηγοριοποίηση, την εξαγωγή χαρακτηριστικών και άλλες. Η δημιουργία νέας γενιάς οικονομικών αισθητήρων, που έχουν αναπτυχθεί τα τελευταία χρόνια, έχει παίξει σημαντικό ρόλο στην προσέλκυση ενδιαφέροντος από διάφορες περιοχές, οι οποίες έχουν σκοπό να αναπτύξουν εφαρμογές που να κάνουν χρήση της 3D πληροφορίας επωφελούμενες των πλεονεκτημάτων που προσφέρει μια πιο ολοκληρωμένη αναπαράσταση του κόσμου (3D αναπαράσταση) σε σύγκριση με την εικόνα και το video. Οι υπάρχουσες προσεγγίσεις που σχετίζονται με την επεξεργασία 3D αντικειμένων, απαιτούν, σε σημαντικό βαθμό, ειδικές παρεμβάσεις από τους χρήστες και επίσης είναι αρκετά χρονοβόρες για να χρησιμοποιηθούν σε εφαρμογές πραγματικού χρόνου. Στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να παρουσιάσει αλγορίθμους που μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν αποτελεσματικά και ωφέλιμα σε πλήθος χαμηλού επιπέδου εφαρμογών που αφορούν την επεξεργασία 3D γεωμετρίας όπως (ανακατασκευή επιφάνειας, απομάκρυνση έκτοπων σημείων, αποθορυβοποίηση, συμπίεση) σε εργασίες που αφορούν την αναγνώριση προτύπων (εντοπισμός σημαντικών σημείων και χαρτογράφηση βάση γεωμετρικής σημαντικότητας) καθώς και σε υψηλού επιπέδου εφαρμογές (εντοπισμός 3Dαντικειμένων σε σκηνές μερικής αποτύπωσης), λαμβάνοντας επίσης υπόψην διαφορετικούς τύπους 3Dμοντέλων (στατικά και δυναμικά νέφη σημείων, στατικά και δυναμικά 3D αντικείμενα πλεγματικής αναπαράστασης).
Breastfeeding assessment tools for at-risk and malnourished infants aged under 6 months old: a systematic review
Authors: Brugaletta Concetta , Le Roch Karine , Saxton Jennifer , Bizouerne Cécile , McGrath Marie , Kerac Marko
Published: October 2021

Background: Many small and malnourished infants under 6 months of age have problems with breastfeeding and restoring effective exclusive breastfeeding is a common treatment goal. Assessment is a critical first step of case management, but most malnutrition guidelines do not specify how best to do this. We aimed to identify breastfeeding assessment tools for use in assessing at-risk and malnourished infants in resource-poor settings.

Methods: We systematically searched: Medline and Embase; Web of Knowledge; Cochrane Reviews; Eldis and Google Scholar databases. Also the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), CAse REport guidelines, Emergency Nutrition Network, and Field Exchange websites. Assessment tool content was analysed using a framework describing breastfeeding ‘domains’ (baby’s behaviour; mother’s behaviour; position; latching; effective feeding; breast health; baby’s health; mother’s view of  feed; number, timing and length of feeds).

Results: We identified 29 breastfeeding assessment tools and 45 validation studies. Eight tools had not been validated. Evidence underpinning most tools was low quality and mainly from high-income countries and hospital settings. The most comprehensive tools were the Breastfeeding, Evaluation and Education Tool, UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative tools and CARE training package. The tool with the strongest evidence was the WHO/UNICEF B-R-E-A-S-T-Feed Observation Form.

Conclusions: Despite many possible tools, there is currently no one gold standard. For assessing malnourished infants in resource-poor settings, UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative tools, Module IFE and the WHO/UNICEF B-R-E-A-S-T-Feed Observation Form are the best available tools but could be improved by adding questions from other tools. Allowing for context, one tool for rapid community-based assessment plus a more detailed one for clinic/hospital assessment might help optimally identify breastfeeding problems and the support required. Further research is important to refine existing tools and develop new ones. Rigorous testing, especially against outcomes such as breastfeeding status and growth, is key.
Case Report: The resiliency journey of a Vietnamese female sexual abuse survivor: an exploration in life history
Authors: Giang Thien-Vu , Le Duy-Hung , Nguyen Thanh-Huan , Huynh Van-Son , Nguyen-Thi Diem-My
Published: October 2021

Currently, the studies on sexual abuse trauma, and resilience in Confucian survivors are still limited. The purpose of this study is to explore the resilience of Confucian women after sexual abuse trauma to provide evidence to support in counseling and psychotherapy practices. The article describes the resiliency story of a Vietnamese Confucian female survivor who was abused by her brother from the age of 8 to 16. The life history approach used in qualitative narrative research was applied in this study. The researcher identified two factors that strongly influence the survivor’s resilience: (1) the effectiveness of passive education in the general education curriculum is oriented to both competence and quality development; and (2) an authentic understanding of the core Confucian philosophical doctrine: the neutrality and the self-nurture. Based on the findings, we propose a 7-stage flow diagram of a Confucian women's resilience following sexual abuse. These findings provide important evidence-based practice for counselors and clinicians in supporting and intervening for sexually abused Confucian women and contribute to the impact of studies on religious and spiritual factors affecting the resilience of sexual abuse survivors.
Prospective cohort study of the predictive value of inflammatory biomarkers over clinical variables in children and young people with cancer presenting with fever and neutropenia
Authors: Phillips Bob
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Fever during chemotherapy induced neutropenia is a common and potentially life-threatening complication of the treatment of childhood cancer. Predictions of poor outcome could be enhanced by incorporating serum biomarkers of inflammation at presentation and reassessment.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted of children under 18 years old, being treated for cancer or a cancer-like condition, who presented with fever (≥ 38.0°C) and neutropenia (neutrophil count < 0.5*109/L). Clinical features were recorded, along with three experimental inflammatory biomarkers: procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Outcomes included serious medical complications (SMC): any infection related mortality, critical care and organ support, severe sepsis, septic shock, significant microbiologically defined infection, or radiologically confirmed pneumonia.

Results

Biomarker assessments were undertaken in 43 episodes of fever and neutropenia, from 31 patients aged between four months and 17 years old (median six years): 20 were female and 22 had acute leukaemia. Five episodes of SMC were noted. PCT, IL-6 and IL-8 had poor individual discriminatory ability (C-statistic 0.48 to 0.60) and did not add to the value of clinical risk stratification tools. Insufficient data were collected to formally assess the value of repeated assessments.

Conclusions

Incorporating serum biomarkers of inflammation at presentation of episodes of fever with neutropenia in childhood does not clearly improve risk stratification. Repeated assessments over time may be of value.
Początki konspiracji wojskowej i cywilnej na Wileńszczyźnie w latach 1939-1941
Authors: Głogowski Aleksander
Published: October 2021

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE MILITARY AND CIVIL UNDERGROUND IN THE VILNIUS REGION IN 1939-1941 The first years of the occupation of the Vilnius Region were an unusual period in terms of the history of the Polish Underground State and the Polish armed resistance movement. This area was occupied after September 17, 1939 by the Soviet Union, but part of it was transferred to the Republic of Lithuania, along with which it was re-incorporated into the Soviet Union. The Lithuanian occupation was a considerable challenge both for the Polish authorities in exile and for the inhabitants of the Vilnius Region. Meeting such a challenge required certain diplomatic talents (not to worsen the situation of Poles living in this area) as well as knowledge of the relations in the area, which was a problem for the Polish authorities in France, and especially in Great Britain. The Polish inhabitants of the Vilnius Region considered the legal status of their land to be illegal occupation, while the Lithuanians claimed that thanks to a new agreement with the USSR, the period of occupation of these lands by Poles ended. These opinions, together with the mutual resentments and stereotypes flourishing for nearly 20 years, made the peaceful coexistence of two nations difficult, or even impossible. The government of the Republic of Poland tried to prevent the attempts to start an anti-Lithuanian uprising, not wanting to provoke the other two occupiers into military intervention. To this stage, it sought an intermediate solution between the abandonment of any conspiracy (which carried the threat of forming armed groups beyond the control of the legal Polish authorities) and its development on a scale known, for example, from the German or Soviet occupation. The Vilnius Region was to become the personnel and organisational base for the latter. The dilemma was resolved without Polish participation at the time of the annexation of the Republic of Lithuania by the Soviets. Then the second period of the Soviet occupation began, characterised by much greater brutality than the first one, with mass arrests, executions and deportations. The policy of repression primarily affected the pre-war military staff and their families, who were the natural base for the resistance movement of the intelligentsia. Fortunately, this process ended at the time of the German aggression against the USSR. Those that survived the period of the “second Soviet invasion” could in the new conditions continue their underground activities and prepare for an armed uprising in the circumstances and in the manner indicated by the Home Army Headquarters and the Polish Government in London.
Armia Krajowa na Kresach Północno-Wschodnich II Rzeczypospolitej a partyzantka żydowska
Authors: Iwanow Mikołaj
Published: October 2021

THE HOME ARMY IN THE NORTH-EASTERN BORDERLANDS OF THE SECOND POLISH REPUBLIC AND JEWISH PARTISANS The main impetus for the participation of Jews in the Soviet partisan movement was the German terror aimed at the total destruction of the Jewish populace. For many Jews, joining Soviet partisan units was the only way of rescue. Several dozen Jewish partisan units fought in the forests of Belarus. At the beginning of 1944, in the Baranów district, Jews constituted 12% of the total number of 8,492 Soviet partisans. In the Lidzki region, where 4,892 partisans operated, 28% of them were Jews. In total, throughout the Belarus Socialist Soviet Republic, Jewish partisans constituted about 5.7% of Soviet units, according to official statistics. It is estimated that over 20,000 Jews fought in Soviet partisan units. However, the share of Jews in the leadership positions was much greater. According to incomplete data, 134 people of Jewish origin held the positions of commanders, commissars and chiefs of staff in partisan units and brigades. The participation of Jews was also significant in the propaganda apparatus of the Soviet partisan movement (they were editors of newspapers and other underground partisan publications). Jews in Soviet partisan units found themselves in the middle of a guerrilla war between the Home Army and the Soviet partisans in the forests of Belarus. It was an armed conflict caused mainly by the German Holocaust policy and the Soviet destruction of all signs of Polish national life in the borderlands. This war was based on the principle: “the enemy of my enemy is my ally”, and was full of mutual crimes. Both Jews and Poles fell victim to the deadly struggle between two powerful totalitarian regimes: the Soviet and the German ones. They were, however, victims of unequal status. For Jews, losing this fight meant extermination, for Poles – a military-political defeat and loss of sovereignty.
Maria Krzeczunowicz (1895-1945?). „Prawa ręka” gen. Tadeusza Bora-Komorowskiego – prolegomena
Authors: Król-Mazur Renata
Published: October 2021

MARIA KRZECZUNOWICZ (1895-1945?) – “THE RIGHT HAND” OF GENERAL TADEUSZ BÓR-KOMOROWSKI – PROLEGOMENA The aim of the work is to outline the figure of Maria Krzeczunowicz (aka “Dzidzia”, “Dzidzi”, “Wanda”, “Roma”, “Maria Rzewuska”, “Maria Piotrowska”), a landowner who during World War II rendered great services to the Home Army of the Kraków Area, as well as to the courier activity in the “South” section. The author focuses on presenting her underground work in the country (ZWZ-AK Kraków Area) and in the ZWZ-AK foreign military contact base in Budapest. The article outlines her activities as an emissary and courier. A hypothesis was put forward about the possible cooperation of M. Krzeczunowicz with British intelligence. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic situation at the time of writing this text and the related limitations in the availability of source materials, it was not possible to fully describe the figure of this wonderful woman. The author had to be limited to only providing a biographical outline – many issues were not touched at all or only signalled. Therefore, this work is a starting point for further, in-depth research on the biography of one of the most trusted associates of Gen. Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski and at the same time the most trusted courier of the Polish independence underground.
Cutoff Threshold Decisions for Classification Algorithms with Risk Aversion
Authors: Hupman Andrea C.
Published: October 2021

Classification algorithms predict the class membership of an unknown record. Methods such as logistic regression or the naïve Bayes algorithm produce a score related to the likelihood that a record belongs to a particular class. A cutoff threshold is then defined to delineate the prediction of one class over another. This paper derives analytic results for the selection of an optimal cutoff threshold for a classification algorithm that is used to inform a two-action decision in the cases of risk aversion and risk neutrality. The results provide insight to how the optimal cutoff thresholds relate to the associated costs and the sensitivity and specificity of the algorithm for both the risk neutral and risk averse decision makers. The optimal risk averse threshold is not reliably above or below the optimal risk neutral threshold, but the relation depends on the parameters of a particular application. The results further show the risk averse optimal threshold is insensitive to the size of the data set or the magnitude of the costs, but instead is sensitive to the proportion of positive records in the data and the ratio of costs. Numeric examples and sensitivity analysis derive further insight. Results show the percent value gap from a misspecified risk attitude increases as the specificity of the classification algorithm decreases.
Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome in COVID-19
Authors: Salvotti Francesca , Poiatti Francesco , Bressa Stefano , Montani Giovanni , Nardin Matteo , Rizzoni Damiano
Published: October 2021

Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare disorder and its pathophysiology has puzzled clinicians for years. Few cases of POS are described in COVID-19 patients in the literature, with a high variability of conditions related to the syndrome.  In this article, we report the case of a patient admitted to our hospital for SARS-CoV-2 interstitial pneumonia, who developed POS during the hospitalization.
A new species Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 from Bolivia (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini)
Authors: RATCLIFFE BRETT
Published: October 2021

Cyclocephala vulcanorum is described as a new species from the Refugio Los Volcanes in Santa Cruz de la Sierra Department in Bolivia. A description, a diagnosis separating the new species from similar species, illustrations, and a distribution map are provided.
MoS2/graphene van der Waals heterojunctions combined with two-layered Au NP for SERS and catalysis analyse
Authors: Lu Weixi , Liu Lu , Zhu Tiying , Li Zhaoxiang , Shao Mingrui , Zhang Chao , Yu Jing , Zhao Xiaofei , Yang Cheng , Li Zhen
Published: October 2021

MoS2-plasmonic hybrid platforms have attracted significant interest in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and plasmon-driven photocatalysis. However, direct contact between the metal and MoS2 creates strain that deteriorates the electron transport across the metal/ MoS2 interfaces, which would affect the SERS effect and the catalytic performance. Here, the MoS2/graphene van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWHs) were fabricated and combined with two-layered gold nanoparticles (Au NP) for SERS and plasmon-driven photocatalysis analyse. The graphene film is introduced to provide an effective buffer layer between Au NP and MoS2, which not only eliminates the inhomogeneous contact on MoS2 but also benefits the electron transfer. The substrate exhibits excellent SERS capability realizing ultra-sensitive detection for 4-pyridinethiol molecules. Also, the surface catalytic reaction of p-nitrothiophenol (PNTP) to p,p-dimercaptobenzene (DMAB) conversion was in situ monitored, demonstrating that the vdWHs-plasmonic hybrid could effectively accelerate reaction process. The mechanism of the SERS and catalytic behaviors are investigated via experiments combined with theoretical simulations (finite element method and quantum chemical calculations).
Latency-associated Peptide Degradation Fragments Produced in Stellate Cells and Phagocytosed by Macrophages in Bile Duct-ligated Mouse Liver
Authors: Inoue Ikuyo , Qin Xian-Yang , Masaki Takahiro , Mezaki Yoshihiro , Matsuura Tomokazu , Kojima Soichi , Furutani Yutaka
Published: October 2021

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) activation is involved in various pathogeneses, such as fibrosis and malignancy. We previously showed that TGF-β was activated by serine protease plasma kallikrein-dependent digestion of latency-associated peptides (LAPs) and developed a method to detect LAP degradation products (LAP-DPs) in the liver and blood using specific monoclonal antibodies. Clinical studies have revealed that blood LAP-DPs are formed in the early stages of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to identify the cell source of LAP-DP formation during liver fibrosis. The N-terminals of LAP-DPs ending at residue Arg58 (R58) were stained in liver sections of a bile duct-ligated liver fibrosis model at 3 and 13 days. R58 LAP-DPs were detected in quiescent hepatic stellate cells at day 3 and in macrophages on day 13 after ligation of the bile duct. We then performed a detailed analysis of the axial localization of R58 signals in a single macrophage, visualized the cell membrane with the anti-CLEC4F antibody, and found R58 LAP-DPs surrounded by the membrane in phagocytosed debris that appeared to be dead cells. These findings suggest that in the early stages of liver fibrosis, TGF-β is activated on the membrane of stellate cells, and then the cells are phagocytosed after cell death:
A hard day’s night: Patterns in the diurnal and nocturnal foraging behavior of Apis dorsata across lunar cycles and seasons
Authors: Young Allison M. , Kodabalagi Sangamesh , Brockmann Axel , Dyer Fred C.
Published: October 2021

The giant honey beeApis dorsatais unusual in being able to forage during both the day and the night. To date, the extent of this unique nocturnal foraging behavior and the environmental factors correlating with it have not been deeply investigated. We conducted the first systematic investigation into the nocturnal behavior ofA.dorsatain Southern India by tracking the daily and nightly foraging activity ofA.dorsatacolonies in an urban environment for 8 months, over multiple seasons and lunar cycles. We found strong evidence thatA.dorsatacan behave in a manner that is “cathemeral” (active over the entire diel cycle) when environmental illumination is sufficient for nocturnal flight. However, workers were not always active even when the environment should have been bright enough for them to forage, suggesting that their nocturnal foraging behavior was also affected by seasonal changes in resource availability. The foraging activity observed during the day versus twilight versus night differed between seasons; notably, nocturnal activity rates were higher than diurnal activity rates during the winter. We found that at our study siteA.dorsataroutinely exhibits both diurnal and crepuscular activity, foraging just as intensely during the short twilight hours as during the day. The high foraging activity observed during the twilight and nighttime hours shows thatA.dorsatacolonies can extend their foraging beyond the daylight hours and reveals that foraging during these dimly lit hours is an integral part of their foraging ecology. This evidence of the importance of nocturnal and crepuscular foraging byA.dorsatapaves the way for future studies examining the role of this species in nocturnal pollination networks, the contribution of nocturnal foraging to colony-level nutrition and energy budget, and the evolution of this unusual behavior. Future work comparing nocturnal activity in light polluted urban environments versus unpolluted natural environments is particularly encouraged to determine the generalizability of these findings.
Automated quality assessment of cognitive behavioral therapy sessions through highly contextualized language representations
Authors: Flemotomos Nikolaos , Martinez Victor R. , Chen Zhuohao , Creed Torrey A. , Atkins David C. , Narayanan Shrikanth
Published: October 2021

During a psychotherapy session, the counselor typically adopts techniques which are codified along specific dimensions (e.g., ‘displays warmth and confidence’, or ‘attempts to set up collaboration’) to facilitate the evaluation of the session. Those constructs, traditionally scored by trained human raters, reflect the complex nature of psychotherapy and highly depend on the context of the interaction. Recent advances in deep contextualized language models offer an avenue for accurate in-domain linguistic representations which can lead to robust recognition and scoring of such psychotherapy-relevant behavioral constructs, and support quality assurance and supervision. In this work, we propose a BERT-based model for automatic behavioral scoring of a specific type of psychotherapy, called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), where prior work is limited to frequency-based language features and/or short text excerpts which do not capture the unique elements involved in a spontaneous long conversational interaction. The model focuses on the classification of therapy sessions with respect to the overall score achieved on the widely-used Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS), but is trained in a multi-task manner in order to achieve higher interpretability. BERT-based representations are further augmented with available therapy metadata, providing relevant non-linguistic context and leading to consistent performance improvements. We train and evaluate our models on a set of 1,118 real-world therapy sessions, recorded and automatically transcribed. Our best model achieves anF1score equal to 72.61% on the binary classification task of low vs. high total CTRS.
Electronic cigarette use among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria: Prevalence, associated factors and patterns of use
Authors: Erinoso Olufemi , Oyapero Afolabi , Amure Mary , Osoba Moyosoore , Osibogun Olatokunbo , Wright Kikelomo , Osibogun Akin
Published: October 2021

Background

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have emerged in the Nigerian market, and if used without supervision, may have damaging effects on the physical and mental health of users. Therefore, there is a need to determine the patterns of use, especially among adolescents and young adults. This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with electronic cigarette use, as well as the relationship between their use and anxiety among adolescents and young adults in Lagos, Nigeria.

Method

An online cross-sectional study among participants aged between 15–35 years. The survey had three sections: sociodemographic information, the pattern of e-cigarette use, and a 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with e-cigarette use. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Statistical analysis was done using STATA-15.0 software.

Results

Data from a total of 949 respondents was analysed. Participants had a mean age of 23.36 years (±3.97) and were predominantly female (55.64%). The prevalence of e-cigarette ever-use was 7.9% (95% CI: 5.8,10.0). Older age and being male were independently associated with higher odds of e-cigarette use. After adjusting for age and sex, alcohol use (p<0.001), friend’s use (p<0.001), and other tobacco product or substance use (p:0.05) remained significantly associated with higher odds of e-cigarette use. There was no association between anxiety levels and e-cigarette use.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a higher likelihood of e-cigarette use among alcohol consumers, poly-tobacco or substance users and individuals with friends who use e-cigarettes. Health providers and policy makers in Nigeria might consider preventive measures aimed at young adults with the identified risk factors, as well as close monitoring of trends in e-cigarette use in the coming years.
Treatment failure to sodium stibogluconate in cutaneous leishmaniasis: A challenge to infection control and disease elimination
Authors: Silva Hermali , Liyanage Achala , Deerasinghe Theja , Chandrasekara Vasana , Chellappan Kalaivani , Karunaweera Nadira D.
Published: October 2021

The first-line treatment for Leishmania donovani-induced cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Sri Lanka is intra-lesional sodium stibogluconate (IL-SSG). Antimony failures in leishmaniasis is a challenge both at regional and global level, threatening the ongoing disease control efforts. There is a dearth of information on treatment failures to routine therapy in Sri Lanka, which hinders policy changes in therapeutics. Laboratory-confirmed CL patients (n = 201) who attended the District General Hospital Hambantota and Base Hospital Tangalle in southern Sri Lanka between 2016 and 2018 were included in a descriptive cohort study and followed up for three months to assess the treatment response of their lesions to IL-SSG. Treatment failure (TF) of total study population was 75.1% and the majority of them were >20 years (127/151,84%). Highest TF was seen in lesions on the trunk (16/18, 89%) while those on head and neck showed the least (31/44, 70%). Nodules were least responsive to therapy (27/31, 87.1%) unlike papules (28/44, 63.6%). Susceptibility to antimony therapy seemed age-dependant with treatment failure associated with factors such as time elapsed since onset to seeking treatment, number and site of the lesions. This is the first detailed study on characteristics of CL treatment failures in Sri Lanka. The findings highlight the need for in depth investigations on pathogenesis of TF and importance of reviewing existing treatment protocols to introduce more effective strategies. Such interventions would enable containment of the rapid spread of L.donovani infections in Sri Lanka that threatens the ongoing regional elimination drive.
Crafticulation as a method of knowledge creation
Authors: Lahti Henna , Fernström Päivi
Published: October 2021

Our aim in this article is to introduce the idea of ‘crafticulation’ as a part of scientific method and to present a case study related to it. A novel course, Materializing in Craft Science, was offered in the first year of the craft teacher master’s degree at the University of Helsinki. The aim of the course was to pilot a method of crafticulation by materializing theoretical mind maps. Crafticulation consists of the words, ‘craft’ and ‘articulation’ and further, crafticulation is seen as a part of practice-led research in which craft plays a key role in eliciting a wide spectrum of knowledge. Our research question is how crafticulation emerged in students’ inquiry processes. The research data included twenty individual mind maps, materializations and reflections of the course. Based on theory-driven data analysis, the results indicated that many students used crafticulation for demonstration purposes. For example, they tested the connection between their craft-making process and well-being. Another approach was to convey a certain experience by way of crafticulation. In some cases, crafticulation was linked to analogies and metaphors in learning theoretical concepts. Furthermore, the students found new avenues in which to reflect research topics and to deepen their inquiry processes.
Weaving and dyeing: The traditional crafts of the Yi people of Meigu Liangshan, China
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Yiping
Published: October 2021

This article explores the making process and inheritance of a mysterious and unique Chinese folk craft tradition, the art of weaving and dyeing among the Yi people of Meigu Liangshan. From field research in Meigu Liangshan whose textile weaving and dyeing is relatively well preserved, we explore the national cultural significance and scientific connotation contained in this tradition by focusing on the making process of two representative woven and dyed wool products, pizhan and caerwa. We also reveal the relationship between the developments of this craft tradition and society. We find that the weaving and dyeing of the Yi people is a combination of art and science, which contains a large number of textile, dyeing and finishing knowledge and skills, which are gradually declining with the development and change of Chinese society as a whole. Based on this situation, we analyse the reasons why weaving and dyeing amongst the Yi of Meigu Liangshan is endangered and give some suggestions for the future preservation of this craft.
Haverá (ainda) um Papel para Reguladores Independentes?
Authors: Da Silva José Amado , Cardadeiro Eduardo
Published: October 2021

Embora proliferando há três décadas, a independência dos reguladores ainda não é completamente compreendida como uma instituição administrativa na governação dos Estados modernos. Tem fundamentação na teoria neoclássica, mas a economia institucional e dos custos de transação, bem como as perspetivas da economia política também têm dado contributos relevantes. Para melhorar o trade‑off entre independência e responsabilização, têm sido propostas várias condições na nomeação e funcionamento dos reguladores, mas o debate mantém‑se aceso. Os autores debatem a integração dos reguladores na organização do Estado, a sua legitimação, e discutem as competências e deveres compatíveis com essa legitimação e com a sua responsabilização. Finalmente, definem condições necessárias à adequada integração dos reguladores nas instituições do Estado e propõem um “triângulo” para suportar a regulação independente.
Défice Tarifário, Rendas Excessivas e Privatizações
Authors: Confraria João
Published: October 2021

O défice tarifário e a possibilidade de haver rendas excessivas têm sido a principal fonte de polémica sobre a intervenção do Estado no setor elétrico nos últimos 25 anos e foram objeto de uma Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito, cujo Relatório, assim como as declarações de voto dos partidos, são uma fonte de informação bem sistematizada sobre o que se passou. Neste trabalho, discutem‑se os fundamentos e as consequências da política de défices tarifários e de políticas que conduziram ao que tem sido considerado como rendas excessivas. Sobre a política de défices tarifários não se encontram fundamentos nem de eficiência, nem de equidade e é duvidoso que se possa justificar com base num argumento de estabilidade tarifária, que foi o argumento mais utilizado formalmente. A criação de rendas excessivas tem no mercado de eletricidade os efeitos negativos associados ao poder de mercado. Numa perspetiva de equilíbrio geral, é possível fundamentar uma política de rendas excessivas com base em critérios de eficiência, mas não foi esta a abordagem seguida pelos governos portugueses que poderá ter estado mais centrada na obtenção de vantagens eleitorais com aquela política. Em sentido diferente, pode-se considerar que em 1995 foi adotado um modelo de regulação contratual que pode gerar a criação de rendas, sem que estas devam ser consideradas como excessivas. Concluindo, qualquer que seja a interpretação dada ao trabalho da Comissão, a sua principal utilidade parece ser a de evidenciar formas de melhorar o processo de decisão pública.
Veículos Autónomos e Transporte Público
Authors: Murta Daniel
Published: October 2021

A tecnologia de Veículos Autónomos (AV) é anunciada como possível e segura no futuro. A implantação generalizada proporcionaria reduções drásticas nos acidentes e nas necessidades de estacionamento, duas vantagens para a sociedade, principalmente nas cidades. O papel do AV no total que é viajado e, portanto, no congestionamento, energia e emissões é ambíguo, podendo ser negativo. Livrar os motoristas da guiar, servir (melhor) os que não guiam, vai sobrecarregar o sistema. A menos que os AVs partilhados reduzam a taxa de motorização (difícil, incerto), aumentem a partilha e não afastem as pessoas do transporte público – o que requer planeamento, tributação e subsídios. Caso contrário, com menos custo e mais conveniência, o tráfego pode duplicar.
Wound healing by topical application of Momordica charantia L. formulations on mice
Authors: Sagástegui-Guarniz William Antonio , Silva-Correa Carmen R. , Villarreal-La Torre Víctor E. , González-Blas María V. , Sagástegui-Guarniz Walter O. , Calderón-Peña Abhel A. , Aspajo-Villalaz Cinthya L. , Cruzado-Razco José L. , Hilario-Vargas Julio
Published: October 2021

Background and Aim: Momordica charantia is mainly characterized by its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to evaluate the healing activity of gel and cream formulations based on M. charantia on induced wounds in mice.

Materials and Methods: Acetonic extract of M. charantia was prepared and incorporated into gel and cream formulations. Mus musculus Balb/c (n=30) with induced injury were distributed into five groups: Group I (control – day 7), Group II (control – day 14), Group III (1% gel – day 7), and Group IV (1% gel – day 14) to which 1% M. charantia gel was dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively, Group V (1% cream – day 7) and Group VI (1% cream – day 14) to which of M. charantia 1% cream were dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Time of wound closure was determined during the experimentation; rats were euthanized with sodium pentobarbital 60 mg/kg/pc v.ip. for obtaining skin samples for histopathological analysis.

Results: Groups IV and VI showed a higher percentage of wound closure on day 14, and in histopathological analysis, effect was greater in Group VI with the presence of fibroblasts and abundant collagen and elastic fibers.

Conclusion: M. charantia gel and cream showed wound healing activity on induced wounded mice; the most effective treatment was M. charantia 1% cream formulation.
Inversion of Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Using Polarization Measurements of Vegetation
Authors: Yao Haiyan , Li Ziying , Han Yang , Niu Haofang , Hao Tianyi , Zhou Yuyu
Published: October 2021

In vegetation remote sensing, the apparent radiation of the vegetation canopy is often combined with three components derived from different parts of vegetation that have different production mechanisms and optical properties: volume scattering Lvol, polarized light Lpol,
and chlorophyll fluorescence ChlF. The chlorophyll fluorescence plays a very important role in vegetation remote sensing, and the polarization information in vegetation remote sensing has become an effective way to characterize the physical characteristics of vegetation. This study analyzes
the difference between these three types of radiation flux and utilizes polarization radiation to separate them from the apparent radiation of the vegetation canopy. Specifically, solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence is extracted from vegetation canopy radiation data using standard Fraunhofer-line
discrimination. The results show that polarization measurements can quantitatively separate Lvol, Lpol, and ChlF and extract the solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. This study improves our understanding of the light-scattering properties of vegetation canopies and
provides insights for developing building models and research algorithms.
Pesquisas produzidas no Brasil sobre educação e cidadania: um estudo do tipo estado da arte
Authors: Silva Assis Leão da , Caú José Nildo Alves , Oliveira Maria Dayana Lopes de
Published: October 2021

O artigo se propõe a identificar as problematizações realizadas no Brasil, nos anos de 2014 a 2018, quanto à temática educação e cidadania, com a finalidade de mapear o estado da arte e apresentar as contribuições dos trabalhos analisados. O estudo se caracteriza como uma pesquisa bibliográfica. Os trabalhos examinados, 7 teses e 10 dissertações, foram obtidos por meio de consulta à Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações. O estado da arte, nesse artigo, foi dividido em dois momentos. Primeiramente, foram analisados os dados objetivos dos trabalhos selecionados, por meio da identificação e quantificação desses dados. No segundo momento, foram realizados os aprofundamentos das teses e dissertações. Os resultados revelaram, dentre outras coisas, um número reduzido de pesquisas, denotando a necessidade de novas problematizações quanto ao tema proposto, especialmente articuladas aos interesses da juventude.
Editorial - Special edition 2019-2
Authors: Vacca-González Harold
Published: October 2021

Editorial - Special edition 2019-2