bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility and Value Creation: Empirical Study in Palestine
Authors: Sleibi Randa , Abdelkarim Naser
Published: July 2021

This study empirically evaluates the potential relation between strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) dimensions and strategic value creation and establishes an order of importance of these dimensions according to Palestinian public shareholding corporates listed on Palestine Exchange. This is a quantitative research that analyzes corporates’ responses on a descriptive and correlational questionnaire designed specifically for the research purpose.Cross-sectional analysis revealed important correlations between the strategic value and CSR dimensions across various sectors, such as a strong positive correlation with Proactivity in the Banking sector, a moderate negative correlation with Voluntarism in the Industrial sector, a strong positive correlation with Visibility in the Investment and Services sectors and no correlation in the Insurance sector. The order of preference with respect to dimensions also varied among sectors: the most important dimensions for the Banking, Industrial, Investment, Services and Insurance sectors were Visibility, Centrality, Voluntarism, Centrality and Proactivity; Respectively.
Targeting Reputation: A New Vector for Attacks to Critical Infrastructures
Authors: Giacomello Giampiero , Preka Oltion
Published: July 2021

A substantial portion of critical information infrastructures in advanced economies comprises former public utilities, which in the 1980s/90s were fully or partially privatized, a change justified mainly on economic efficiency grounds. This entailed that these utility companies had to compete in the free market, thus being exposed to the same risks/opportunities as private companies. Much like businesses in other industrial sectors, utility companies have increasingly joined social media over the last decade, as ‘digital’ visibility through social networking platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram has become fundamental. The new (privatized) utilities have relied on marketing and ad campaigns to promote their business and generate revenues. Trust and reputation for companies are primary resources to attract new customers and/or keep old ones, especially for companies with a wide customer base. Trust and reputation are difficult assets to preserve on social media, as they can be subject to negative attacks, including fake campaigns. This paper is a probe that explores a potential attack vector to critical infrastructures via weakening customer and investor trust in (the now private) utilities by blemishing CII-utilities’ reputation on social media. More specifically, the paper considers the possibility of attacks that have the potential to undermine the stability and reliability of critical infrastructures and advances a preliminary justification of why that may happen. We do this by looking at cases in which negative social media campaigns with fake content have been successfully implemented via digital tools.
Study of the Behavior of Gold and Accompanying Chemical Elements in Weathering Profile on a Quartz Vein in Mintom (South Cameroon, Central Africa)
Authors: Mbenoun Aurélien Manfred , Ngon Gilbert François Ngon , Mbog Michel Bertrand , Fouateu Rose Yongeu , Bilong Paul
Published: July 2021

The present study, which focuses on the behavior of gold and its accompanying chemical elements developed on an alteration profile, is carried out in a humid equatorial zone at Mintom in South Cameroon (Central Africa). The methodology used to achieve the results obtained focused on the description of the morphology of the outcrop, the petrography of the rock studied, the study of heavy minerals accompanying gold in the weathering materials on smear slides, mineralogical analysis of weathering materials by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of gold and geochemical analyzes by ICP - AES and ICP - MS of weathering materials. The main results obtained from this methodology inform us that on the petrographic level the main rock studied is the gold-bearing quartz vein located in Zom, consisting mainly of quartz and opaque minerals. Morphologically, the weathering materials developed on this granite basement present an advanced ABC-type profile characterized by a significant thickness (4 to 6 m). The morphological and chemical characters of the gold particles have evolved from the mineralized zone to the surface. This development was marked by an increase in blunt, rounded grains. Morphoscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the gold particles have shown hollow, blunt to sub-blunt grains, non-evolved free particles, and evolved free particles, respectively. In most samples of weathered material gold is found in association with chemical elements such as Ag, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, V and figure 10 show identical behavior between these chemical elements and gold, but particularly between silver and gold, which would testify to an identical origin. Au concentrations are very high in most samples of weathering material. Also, these samples of altered materials with a high proportion of gold (0.01 to 2.28 ppm) also present high concentrations of silver (Ag) which justifies that the occurrence or the gold deposit is associated with silver and can be exploited as a geochemical parameter to prospect for gold in the study area.
Glaube und Kultur
Authors: Ezimakor Jude
Published: July 2021

How do faith and culture interact? Using the example of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria, Jude Ezimakor explains their interplay and shows how the Christian faith can connect with human culture to give an authentic testimony of faith in concrete everyday experience.

In particular, he explores the question of who Jesus Christ is for a particular community of believers and what meaning he can convey in their contemporary lives and their particular cultural life situations. In this way, Christology begins to merge Orthodoxy and Orthopraxis with the question: How does faith come alive in a particular social-cultural context in order to develop it?
Intrathoracic Renal Ectopia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Khalili Mitra , Rouzrokh Mohsen , Ghadiri Mohammad Sadegh , Ansari Roya , Alerasol Saeed
Published: July 2021

: Renal ectopy is a rare phenomenon, which its diagnosis may be delayed due to an asymptomatic condition. The ectopic kidney may even have a normal functional state; however, because of occurring kidney blockade, the risk for kidney stones and even failure may be raised. In many cases, the diagnosis is completely incidental and is based on the request of radiography and sometimes, CT scan even for other reasons. In the therapeutic approach, in cases of kidney blockage, or urine backing up to the kidney, the surgical intervention is highly recommended by excisional removing the mass. Herein, we described a case of ectopic intrathoracic kidney initially presented with mild respiratory distress that was ultimately diagnosed by CT scanning and removed surgically.
Treatment of Advanced Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Quaglino Pietro , Fava Paolo , Tonella Luca , Rubatto Marco , Ribero Simone , Ferro Maria Teresa
Published: July 2021

The introduction in clinical practice of new drug compounds both targeted therapies anti-BRAF and checkpoint inhibitors have largely improved our potential to manage advanced metastatic melanoma patients. This has led to a significant improvement in terms of response rates and particularly in the overall survival (OS). The long-term results of trials with follow-up data of patients treated with targeted or immunotherapies reported median OS rates around 24 months, with 5-year survival rates around 35-40%. As to the drugs currently available and reimbursed by the Italian National Health System, 3 combinations of anti-BRAF/anti-MEK inhibitors are available (dabrafenib/trametinib, vemurafenib/cobimetinib and the most recently introduced encorafenib/binimetinib). As for checkpoint inhibitors, first line immunotherapy is represented by anti-PD1 blockers (nivolumab and pembrolizumab), whilst the anti-CTLA-4 ipilimumab can be used as second line immunotherapy. The decision-making factors that define the best treatment approach in stage IV patients with metastatic melanoma include the mutation pattern, performance status, high/low tumor load, brain metastases, progression pattern (low/fast), and availability of clinical trials. This review will analyze the current therapeutic tools adopted for the treatment of metastatic melanoma patients. It will then focus on the latest results obtained by novel treatments (checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies) which can be used in the clinical daily practice.
Sartre and the Transformation of Victimhood in Saint Genet
Authors: Welten Ruud ,   DePaul University
Published: July 2021

In this contribution, a poetical transformation of victimhood is explored as described by Jean-Paul Sartre in his Saint Genet, a study of the writer Jean Genet (1910–1986). First, the question is answered what Sartre, who famously wrote “There are no innocent victims,” has to say about victimhood. Second, an outline is given of the context of Jean Genet’s work and the role he plays in Sartre’s thinking. There is a clear line from Sartre’s earlier study of Baudelaire to Saint Genet. Both authors try not to reject the judgement that has been passed on them but to affirm it, to turn this affirmation into an art. Third, already in his Baudelaire, but even more in Saint Genet, Sartre describes the merge of the victim and executioner as a mystical enterprise. Moreover, like Baudelaire, Genet transforms the idea of the convict and evil into a language dedicated to flowers. This leads to a transformation from victimhood to poetry.
Foreground and background in the narrative discourse of Luke's Gospel: Some remarks on the function of the Greek imperfect and pluperfect indicative tense-forms
Authors: Du Toit Herman Carel
Published: July 2021

The distinction between foreground and background in narrative discourse is a pervasive phenomenon in the literatures of the world, and languages have a variety of devices to indicate this distinction. These include, amongst others, the use of specific tense-forms of the verb, morphosyntactic features, the distinction between events and non-events, lexical verb types (achievement, accomplishment, activity, state, etc.), voice, and word order. The use of the tense-forms of the verb to indicate foreground and background has been studied in depth in a variety of languages. In the last three decades there have been a number of studies on the Greek of the New Testament, following the upsurge of interest in the aspect and time characteristics of Greek in the early nineties of the previous century. This study focused on the function of the Greek imperfect and pluperfect indicative tense-forms (henceforth, imperfect and pluperfect) to indicate foreground and background in the Gospel of Luke’s narrative discourse. The study also included embedded narratives, such as the parables of Jesus. It did not include direct and indirect discourse, and comments by the author. The findings are that the major function of the imperfect in the Gospel of Luke’s narrative discourse is to provide background information, and particularly to set the scene for events in the main storyline. In this function the link between the imperfect and background information is very strong. The imperfect also typically occurs in the introduction of participants in a scene by means of presentational articulation, in situations where background details are provided, and in epilogues. The imperfect appears in explanatory clauses too, but the aorist indicative is also used. In a few instances the imperfect is used to express foreground information. Although occurences of the pluperfect are rare in Luke’s Gospel, it is used a few times to express background information, especially to set the scene and to provide background details. It is rarely used to indicate foreground information, and occurences are restricted to verbs like oἶδα, ἵστημι, εἴωθα, etc., where the pluperfect has the force of an aorist indicative. In a number of instances the function of the pluperfect is purely descriptive, for example, as part of a restrictive relative clause.
Afrikaanse taalvariasie: Uitdagings vir regverdige meting van jong kinders se taal
Authors: Southwood Frenette , Oosthuizen Helena
Published: July 2021

Approximately 5% of children show a language delay (Law, Boyle, Harris, Harkness and Nye 2000), and there are indications that this figure is higher in South Africa, especially amongst very young children (Van der Linde, Swanepoel, Sommerville, Glascoe, Vinck and Louw 2016). There are no adequate instruments with which to ascertain which young Afrikaans-speaking children will require assistance to overcome future language-related academic problems. This article reports on the challenges experienced owing to Afrikaans language variation during the development of a parent questionnaire with which the language acquisition of young children can be measured. This questionnaire comprises questions on early developing communicative gestures, first words, and early grammatical constructions, and parents are requested to indicate on the list which gestures, words and constructions their child comprehends and/or produces. The length of the questionnaire needs to be contained, because the completion of the questionnaire should remain a realistic task for parents, also for those with low literacy levels. Decisions regarding the inclusion or exclusion on the questionnaire of the words found in specific varieties of Afrikaans are however often not straightforward. Existing language assessment instruments the world over typically discriminate against children who are not part of the dominant culture and language community. Given South Africa’s stained history with regard to the recognition of speakers of non-standardised language varieties (cf., e.g., Hendricks 2012; Williams 2016), the compiling of a valid parental questionnaire is non-negotiable. It is thus necessary to consider carefully which words should appear on the list, because a good parental questionnaire can contribute to culturally and linguistically fair language assessment of young Afrikaans-speaking children. Such a questionnaire will assist in identifying children who struggle to acquire their language and who need extra assistance in order for their language to improve sufficiently before the commencement of their school careers. That way, they will have a better chance of accessing the curriculum, of experiencing academic success, and of having a sufficiently long school career to realise their potential.
A filantropia como gênese da Educação Especial
Authors: Lehmkuhl Márcia De Souza
Published: July 2021

O objetivo deste estudo é discutir a filantropia como a gênese da Educação Especial a partir das Associações de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (Apaes). As Apaes, como instituições para o atendimento das pessoas com deficiência, foram se popularizando e se disseminaram, constituindo, gradativamente, um sistema de Educação Especial, com a existência de mais de duas mil unidades espalhadas em todo o país, com federações estaduais e uma federação nacional. Como campo empírico, elegeu-se a revista Mensagem da Apae no período de 1974 a 2016, totalizando 105 edições. Para analisar o conteúdo das revistas, buscaram-se as contribuições de Gramsci (2001; 2014), delimitando categorias de análise, como Estado Integral e hegemonia. A partir das análises, dividiu-se o período histórico em três momentos ligados à filantropia: filantropia tradicional, profissionalização da filantropia e a nova filantropia e o “terceiro setor”. Concluiu-se que a filantropia acompanha a Educação Especial desde os seus primórdios, embora tenha sofrido modificações ao longo do tempo, e que a marca da deficiência é que define a ajuda aos desvalidos, a caridade e a benemerência. O atendimento às pessoas com diagnóstico de deficiência intelectual e múltipla em instituições privadas filantrópicas, especialmente nas Apaes, deu-se com o aval do Estado.
O intérprete de Libras educacional como mediador de subjetividades nas aulas de matemática
Authors: Santos Rayssa Feitoza Felix dos , Farias Daniella Rodrigues de
Published: July 2021

A presente pesquisa estuda o(a) profissional intérprete de Língua Brasileira de Sinais (Libras), em sua atuação de mediar subjetividades presentes nas aulas de matemática. Assim, o objetivo da investigação consistiu em analisar as subjetividades que perpassam pela atuação do(a) intérprete de Libras nas aulas de matemática. A metodologia adotada para esta investigação foi a observação de aulas de matemática e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Para a análise dos dados, optou-se pela Análise do discurso (AD), que alinhada à abordagem pós-estruturalista, fundamenta os conceitos-chave da pesquisa. Percebe-se que o(a) intérprete assim como os demais atores ou atrizes do processo educacional estão em constante devir, deparando-se em sala de aula com suas próprias subjetividades assim como de estudantes, professores(as) e as trazidas pela matemática, que possui uma linguagem própria. Portanto, o(a) intérprete de Libras encontra-se em meio a diversas subjetividades e, é nesse contexto, que ele ou ela desempenha seu papel de mediar línguas – não apenas –.
Inicio de las transiciones a la adultez de jóvenes de segunda generación de origen mexicano en el sur de California
Authors: Narváez Jiménez María del Rosario
Published: July 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es conocer cómo inician los jóvenes de segunda generación de origen mexicano sus transiciones a la adultez, tomando como ejes de análisis las trayectorias educativas en sus comienzos y partiendo de dos instituciones sociales como sus principales influencias, la familia y la escuela. El enfoque biográfico, concretamente los relatos de vida desde la perspectiva etnosociológica de Daniel Bertaux, ha sido el encuadre desde el que se ha llevado a cabo el análisis y la interpretación de los datos. El trabajo de campo se ha desarrollado en el sur del estado de California, en 2016 y durante un periodo de seis meses. Los jóvenes entrevistados fueron 51, pero en este trabajo se utilizarán los relatos de siete de los informantes.
Book Reviw: A Trio of Strategies for Success: A Review of Mathematics Education at Highly Effective Schools That Serve the Poor: Strategies Charge
Authors: Becker Joanne Rossi
Published: July 2021

Mathematics Education at Highly Effective Schools That Serve the Poor: Strategies for Change. (2007). Richard S. Kitchen, Julie DePree, Sylvia Celedón-Pattichis, and Jonathan Brinkerhoff. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. xvi + 231 pp. ISBN 0-8058-5689-7 $27.50 (paperback), ISBN 0-8058-5688-9 $69.95 (hardcover).
Editorial: Mathematics Education Research as an International Enterprise
Authors: Heid M. Kathleen
Published: July 2021

Investigating the teaching and learning of mathematics is an international enterprise, and the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education regularly benefits from the insightful contributions of reviewers and authors from every corner of the earth. JRME has long been considered one of the top international journals in mathematics education research with a worldwide community of researchers in mathematics education among its authors, reviewers, and readers. As a matter of practice, the Editorial Panel of the journal seeks international scholars to help in reviewing submissions. Reviewers regularly advise authors on how to expand their articles for a broader audience and identify those articles that are likely to have a global appeal. Over the past few years, a major source of advice was been the JRME International Advisory Board (IAB): Janet Ainley, Toshiakira Fujii, Koeno Gravemeijer, Lucia Grugnetti, Gilah Leder, and Renuka Vithal. In addition to providing reviews on a regular basis, the IAB has the responsibility for advising the Editorial Panel on maintaining the international visibility and responsiveness of the journal. During the past year, using Internet capabilities and careful coordination of timing, we were able to involve members of the IAB in a portion of the regular meeting of the Editorial Board.
Development of Distortion Modeling Methods for Large Welded Structures
Authors: Yang Y. P. , Castner H. , Kapustka N.
Published: July 2021

Two distortion modeling methods, mapping plastic strain and lump-pass modeling, were developed and validated for predicting distortion on large welded structures to reduce the computation time. The mapping plastic-strain method requires two kinds of models, local models and a global model. The local models are analyzed to predict plastic strains and the global model is analyzed by mapping the plastic strains to predict distortions. The lump-pass modeling method includes two kinds of analyses: a thermal analysis and a thermomechanical analysis. The thermal analysis is conducted to predict temperature history. The thermomechanical analysis is performed to predict distortion by inputting the predicted temperature history.
Alternatives for Joining Stainless Steel to Reduce Cr(VI) Emissions and Occupational Exposures
Authors: Paulson K. P. , Wang J. , Topham N. , Wu C. Y. , Alexandrov B. T. , Lippold John C. , Es-Said O. S.
Published: July 2021

Welding stainless steel generates hazardous air pollutants. Two technologies were developed to reduce these HAPs. The first, Tetramethylsilane is added to the welding shield gas, and welding proceeds as normal. Reactive oxygen species are consumed and the resulting metal fume particles are encapsulated. In the second technique, new chromium-free welding consumables are introduced nearly eliminating Cr(VI) in the welding fume.
Mechanical Bending Process and Application for a Large Curved Shell Plate by Division Multi Point Forming
Authors: Hwang S. Y. , Lee J. H. , Ryu C.
Published: July 2021

Curved hull plates of marine vessels have been fabricated by skilled workers using line heating or flame bending method. Recently in Korean shipyards, mechanical bending such as multi-point press forming or die-less forming has been tried to replace the flame bending since the mechanical bending is more efficient than the flame bending. This paper discusses a multiple point pressing machine composed of a pair of reconfigurable punches in order to achieve the rapid forming of curved hull plates and presents how forming information is obtained from the given design surface. Although the mechanical forming can be efficient in the metal forming, springback after pressing is a phenomenon which must be carefully considered when quantifying the process variables. If the springback is not accurately controlled, the fabricated shell plate cannot meet assembly tolerance. In this study, the proper stroke of each punch is determined by an iterative process of sequential pressing and springback compensation from an unfolded flat shape to its given design surface. It is finally aimed to develop an integrated system that can automatically perform the springback compensation process and calculate strokes of punches of the double sides’ reconfigurable multiple-press machine. The deformation is numerically simulated by elastic-plastic FEA and springback compensation adjusts the offset of pressing punches from the deformation results and the design surface. For the practical application, a software configuration has been implemented to automatically calculate the strokes of pressing punches for the division multi-point forming work from the given design surface of a curved shell plate. The present study also provides several experiments of real forming processed by the suggested process.
Safety, preparedness and ice management for accidental spills in pack ice
Authors: Sandkvist Jim
Published: July 2021

Safety and environmental aspects combined with complete remoteness put extra demands on shipping and hydrocarbon exploitation activities in the Arctic. The operator, the ship has to be prepared for often extreme weather and ice situations. This includes not only technical matters as hull design, polar classes, ice forces but also organisation, knowhow, plans and effective management must be fully involved.

The remoteness itself emphasizes the fact that one has to rely on his own resources only, his knowledge, experience and crew when unexpected situations appear. You cannot call for extra supply, tools, fuel, rescue, etc. in accidental situations. The situation must be handled with available resources, following implemented, prepared, manned and trained plans. According to statistics from the Arctic Council, accidents in the Arctic regions occur, involving groundings, collisions, fire, among others. Even though the traffic increases the volume of spilled oil has decreased during the last two decades. In order not only to fulfil governmental demands and regulations for planned activities, a pro active safety approach is needed in order to become capable to handle a spill in pack ice. Risk analysis and safety management may identify and minimize risks, but we have to be prepared for dealing with the consequences when the spill appears.
Numerical Modeling of Dynamic Stability Events on a High Speed Catamaran
Authors: Kery Sean , Webster Michael , Prange Janelle
Published: July 2021

A dynamic stability event— not to be confused with ordinary or damaged transverse stability—is a sudden and seldom occurring event that can result from an unusual dynamic response in some combinations of speed, heading, ship motions phase and wave field. This paper defines several dynamic stability events and describes a process developed to investigate them. The process involves model tests, numerical analyses, and a high speed catamaran test vessel. The strengths and weaknesses of model testing are compared to numerical analyses, and the overall validity of the results are discussed.
Concept Development, Detailed Design and Construction of the Three Forty Three – North America's Most Powerful Fireboat
Authors: Allan R. G. , Harford K. D. , Noon D. , Bjerkeset J. , Dalton J. , Siegel W.
Published: July 2021

This paper reviews the process of the complete design development, from concept to completion of the largest and most capable fireboats in North America, and among the largest in the world, for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). The Three Forty-Three is the first of two new fireboats to this design built at Eastern Shipbuilding Inc. of Panama City, Florida and delivered in May 2010. The second vessel is due for completion later in the year. As the result of an international design competition, Robert Allan Ltd. was selected to provide complete engineering and design services for the new boats, from initial concept through detailed engineering design and a comprehensive value engineering process. The scope of services also included the support of FDNY through every stage of major component procurement and the shipbuilding contract award. Robert Allan Ltd.’s shipyard supervisory staff also acted in the capacity of Owner’s Representatives on-site in the shipyard throughout the entire construction process. These major, fast response fireboats were designed to specifically address the fire-fighting and rescue needs of the greater New York harbour, including the New Jersey shore. This includes the capability within the vessel to respond to any CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) incident. The fireboats are designed for a response speed of 17.4 knots, with a low-wake, 12 knot cruising/patrol speed. The powering, seakeeping, and wake generation characteristics of the semi-displacement hull form were all verified in an extensive model-testing program. The resulting propulsion system is a unique quadruple screw, CPP configuration. The paper focuses on the various initial studies performed to establish the basic design configuration, the model testing and performance verification process, the value engineering studies performed, the many unique design features of the fire-fighting and emergency response capability of these vessels and the performance trials results. Finally, the challenges of managing a major shipbuilding project for a major civic Government Client such as FDNY concludes the paper.
Single-cell analysis of mosquito hemocytes identifies signatures of immune cell subtypes and cell differentiation
Authors: Kwon Hyeogsun , Mohammed Mubasher , Franzén Oscar , Ankarklev Johan , Smith Ryan C
Published: July 2021

Mosquito immune cells, known as hemocytes, are integral to cellular and humoral responses that limit pathogen survival and mediate immune priming. However, without reliable cell markers and genetic tools, studies of mosquito immune cells have been limited to morphological observations, leaving several aspects of their biology uncharacterized. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize mosquito immune cells, demonstrating an increased complexity to previously defined prohemocyte, oenocytoid, and granulocyte subtypes. Through functional assays relying on phagocytosis, phagocyte depletion, and RNA-FISH experiments, we define markers to accurately distinguish immune cell subtypes and provide evidence for immune cell maturation and differentiation. In addition, gene-silencing experiments demonstrate the importance of lozenge in defining the mosquito oenocytoid cell fate. Together, our scRNA-seq analysis provides an important foundation for future studies of mosquito immune cell biology and a valuable resource for comparative invertebrate immunology.
Transcriptomic encoding of sensorimotor transformation in the midbrain
Authors: Xie Zhiyong , Wang Mengdi , Liu Zeyuan , Shang Congping , Zhang Changjiang , Sun Le , Gu Huating , Ran Gengxin , Pei Qing , Ma Qiang , Huang Meizhu , Zhang Junjing , Lin Rui , Zhou Youtong , Zhang Jiyao , Zhao Miao , Luo Minmin , Wu Qian , Cao Peng , Wang Xiaoqun
Published: July 2021

Sensorimotor transformation, a process that converts sensory stimuli into motor actions, is critical for the brain to initiate behaviors. Although the circuitry involved in sensorimotor transformation has been well delineated, the molecular logic behind this process remains poorly understood. Here, we performed high-throughput and circuit-specific single-cell transcriptomic analyses of neurons in the superior colliculus (SC), a midbrain structure implicated in early sensorimotor transformation. We found that SC neurons in distinct laminae expressed discrete marker genes. Of particular interest, Cbln2 and Pitx2 were key markers that define glutamatergic projection neurons in the optic nerve (Op) and intermediate gray (InG) layers, respectively. The Cbln2+ neurons responded to visual stimuli mimicking cruising predators, while the Pitx2+ neurons encoded prey-derived vibrissal tactile cues. By forming distinct input and output connections with other brain areas, these neuronal subtypes independently mediated behaviors of predator avoidance and prey capture. Our results reveal that, in the midbrain, sensorimotor transformation for different behaviors may be performed by separate circuit modules that are molecularly defined by distinct transcriptomic codes.
Processing of the ribosomal ubiquitin-like fusion protein FUBI-eS30/FAU is required for 40S maturation and depends on USP36
Authors: van den Heuvel Jasmin , Ashiono Caroline , Gillet Ludovic C , Dörner Kerstin , Wyler Emanuel , Zemp Ivo , Kutay Ulrike
Published: July 2021

In humans and other holozoan organisms, the ribosomal protein eS30 is synthesized as a fusion protein with the ubiquitin-like protein FUBI. However, FUBI is not part of the mature 40S ribosomal subunit and cleaved off by an as-of-yet unidentified protease. How FUBI-eS30 processing is coordinated with 40S subunit maturation is unknown. To study the mechanism and importance of FUBI-eS30 processing, we expressed non-cleavable mutants in human cells, which affected late steps of cytoplasmic 40S maturation, including the maturation of 18S rRNA and recycling of late-acting ribosome biogenesis factors. Differential affinity purification of wild-type and non-cleavable FUBI-eS30 mutants identified the deubiquitinase USP36 as a candidate FUBI-eS30 processing enzyme. Depletion of USP36 by RNAi or CRISPRi indeed impaired FUBI-eS30 processing and moreover, purified USP36 cut FUBI-eS30 in vitro. Together, these data demonstrate the functional importance of FUBI-eS30 cleavage and identify USP36 as a novel protease involved in this process.
A new smart healthcare framework for real-time heart disease detection based on deep and machine learning
Authors: Elwahsh Haitham , El-shafeiy Engy , Alanazi Saad , Tawfeek Medhat A.
Published: July 2021

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most critical heart diseases. Accurate analytics for real-time heart disease is significant. This paper sought to develop a smart healthcare framework (SHDML) by using deep and machine learning techniques based on optimization stochastic gradient descent (SGD) to predict the presence of heart disease. The SHDML framework consists of two stage, the first stage of SHDML is able to monitor the heart beat rate condition of a patient. The SHDML framework to monitor patients in real-time has been developed using an ATmega32 Microcontroller to determine heartbeat rate per minute pulse rate sensors. The developed SHDML framework is able to broadcast the acquired sensor data to a Firebase Cloud database every 20 seconds. The smart application is infectious in regard to displaying the sensor data. The second stage of SHDML has been used in medical decision support systems to predict and diagnose heart diseases. Deep or machine learning techniques were ported to the smart application to analyze user data and predict CVDs in real-time. Two different methods of deep and machine learning techniques were checked for their performances. The deep and machine learning techniques were trained and tested using widely used open-access dataset. The proposed SHDML framework had very good performance with an accuracy of 0.99, sensitivity of 0.94, specificity of 0.85, and F1-score of 0.87.
Development of a homogeneous time-resolved FRET (HTRF) assay for the quantification of Shiga toxin 2 produced by E. coli
Authors: Nakamura Keiji , Tokuda Chikashi , Arimitsu Hideyuki , Etoh Yoshiki , Hamasaki Mitsuhiro , Deguchi Yuichiro , Taniguchi Itsuki , Gotoh Yasuhiro , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Hayashi Tetsuya
Published: July 2021

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a major intestinal pathogen and causes serious gastrointestinal illness, which includes diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. The major virulence factors of STEC are Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2), which belong to the AB-type toxin family. Among several subtypes of Stx1 and Stx2, the production of Stx2a is thought to be a risk factor for severe STEC infections, but Stx2a production levels vary markedly between STEC strains, even strains with the same serotype. Therefore, quantitative analyses of Stx2 production by STEC strains are important to understand the virulence potential of specific lineages or sublineages. In this study, we developed a novel Stx2 quantification method by utilizing homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (HTRF) technology. To determine suitable “sandwich” assay conditions, we tested 6 combinations of fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to Stx2 and compared the HTRF signal intensities obtained at various incubation times. Through this analysis, we selected the most suitable mAb pair, one recognizing the A subunit and the other recognizing the B subunit, thus together detecting Stx holotoxins. The optimal incubation time was also determined (18 h). Then, we optimized the concentrations of the two mAbs based on the range for linearity. The established HTRF assay detected 0.5 ng/ml of the highly purified recombinant Stx2a and Stx2e proteins and the working range was 1–64 ng/ml for both Stx2a and Stx2e. Through the quantification analysis of Stx proteins in STEC cell lysates, we confirmed that other Stx2 subtypes (Stx2b, Stx2c, Stx2d and Stx2g) can also be quantified at a certain level of accuracy, while this assay system does not detect Stx2f, which is highly divergent in sequence from other Stx2 subtypes, and Stx1. As the HTRF protocol we established is simple, this assay system should prove useful for the quantitative analysis of Stx2 production levels of a large number of STEC strains.
El presente como archivo: inscripciones del futuro en el artivismo prepandémico
Authors: Verzero Lorena
Published: July 2021

El artículo parte de la pregunta sobre los futuros que nos es posible imaginar y, para tantear alternativas, se centra en prácticas de activismo artístico desarrolladas hasta el inicio de la pandemia por Covid-19. La indagación sobre experiencias artivistas se funda en la hipótesis de que se trata de prácticas que encarnan en sí mismas elementos particularmente especiales para imaginar y construir futuros alternativos a los que nos ofrece el status quo. Se profundiza en el análisis de algunos casos en los que la autora misma ha intervenido, como modo de exponer la potencia transformadora de la conjunción entre cuerpo y palabra, experiencia y reflexión crítica.
“Escribir no es solamente inspiración, sino también decisión”, entrevista a María Inés Zaldívar
Authors: Bustos Bárbara
Published: July 2021

Sobre su recopilación Década (2009), editada en España, la autora española Selena Millares escribió: “La navegación poética de Zaldívar supone una personal y madura exploración en el tan erosionado territorio de la palabra . . . y la lectura de cada poema se convierte así en un apretón de mano, un arrimar el hombro al de un amigo, un sentirnos en casa”. Profesora de Castellano, se doctoró en Literatura en la Rutgers University y hasta la fecha enseña, especialmente literatura medieval y del Siglo de Oro español y poesía chilena en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Su primer poemario fue Artes y Oficios (1996), al que le siguieron cinco publicaciones sin contar la más reciente, Mano abierta (2018). La escritura poética, tal como consta en la presentación de su último libro de ensayos Lecturas de poesía chilena (2019), es para ella un “ejercicio vital e irrenunciable”.
Coping strategies and chiropractic student perceived stress
Authors: Zhang Niu , Henderson Charles N.R.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To investigate coping strategies adopted by chiropractic college students and how these strategies affect student-perceived stress levels.

Methods

Four hundred seven (407) 1st-quarter students were recruited during 2014 and 2015. The validated Brief COPE inventory was used to assess coping strategies during the 1st week of classes. Perceived Chiropractic College Stress (PCCS) was assessed via a modification of Vitaliano Perceived Medical School Stress survey instrument. The modified coping instrument was administered during the 1st quarter (PCCS1) and 6 months later during the 3rd quarter (PCCS2).

Results

Mean perceived stress levels were greater after 6 months. Although perceived stress increased more for females than for males over that period, it was not statistically significant. Male and female coping strategies differed only in the preferential use of emotional support by females. Students generally adopted active coping strategies (eg, active coping and planning) rather than avoidant strategies (eg, substance abuse). Regression analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between avoidant-emotion coping and PCCS1 with a weaker positive correlation between problem-focused coping, sex, and PCCS1. Avoidant-emotion coping also demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with PCCS2. Neither sex nor the 3 coping strategies were predictors of PCCS change (PCCS2 – PCCS1).

Conclusion

This study is a starting point for exploring the relationship between perceived stress and coping behaviors in a chiropractic training institution. Students generally used healthy adaptive coping strategies with minimal sex differences. Avoidant-emotion coping appears to be a reliable predictor of PCCS, with sex being a poor predictor.
Perceptions of chiropractic students regarding interprofessional health care teams
Authors: Knieper Matthew J. , Bhatti Judy L. , DC Elissa J. Twist
Published: July 2021

Objective

To describe perceptions of knowledge of interprofessional teams and value of interprofessional education (IPE) among 3 distinct years of chiropractic students at 1 chiropractic college.

Methods

A 24-item cross-sectional survey was administered to 247 chiropractic students in years 1–3 within a single institution. Surveys included 5 demographic questions and the 19-item Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). The RIPLS collected information on perceptions and value of interprofessional health care in a health care training program. Each question is scored on a 1–5 scale, with 5 indicating a stronger agreement. Multivariable analysis was used for comparison.

Results

Out of a total 321 eligible students, 247 (148 male) students completed the survey from year 1 (n = 66), year 2 (n = 102), and year 3 (n = 79), respectively. Most students (68%) were 18–25 years old. The mean compiled score of all 3 years (n = 231) was 77.2 (SD = 9.1). Each individual's year scores were as follows: year 1 (n = 60, mean = 79.7, SD=7.4), year 2 (n = 95, mean = 76.9, SD = 9.1), and year 3 (n = 76, mean = 75.4, SD = 9.9). Of the 247 students who responded, 87% of participantsagreed with “shared learning with other health care students will increase my ability to understand clinical problems.”

Conclusion

Most participants demonstrated a positive response to IPE and collaborating with health care teams. Participants in earlier years demonstrated a more positive response compared to later years. While positive perceptions to IPE were demonstrated, chiropractic students lacked knowledge and understanding of their role within an interprofessional health care team.
Activation of ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase by Ca2+
Authors: Parry Martin A.J. , Schmidt C.N.Godfrey , Keys Alfred J. , Gutteridge Steven
Published: July 2002

Purified RuBP carboxylase requires activation by reaction with CO2 and a divalent metal ion. Mg2+ is the most effective metal ion, and is probably involved in activation in vivo. Ca2+ is reported not to be an activator. Several oxyanions, including phosphate esters, are effectors of activation of RuBP carboxylase by Co2 and Mg2+. It is now shown that Ca2+ is an effective activator of RuBP carboxylase and that PO4
3−, FBP, NADPH and 6‐phosphogluconate are effectors of this activation. The ratio of oxygenase to carboxylase activity of enzyme activated with Ca2+ is similar to that for the enzyme activated with Mg2+.
Separation and characterization of two extracelluar H2O2‐dependent oxidases from ligninolytic cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Kuwahara Masaaki , Glenn Jeffrey K. , Morgan Meredith A. , Gold Michael H.
Published: July 2002

Two H2O2‐dependent oxidases found in the extracellular medium of the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium were separated by chromatography on blue agarose. The first enzyme fraction to elute from the column generated ethylene from 2‐keto‐4‐thiomethylbutyric acid (KTBA) in the presence of veratryl alcohol, and catalyzed the α,β cleavage of the diarylpropane 1‐(3,4‐diethoxyphenyl)1,3‐dihdyroxy‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)propane (I). During the diarylpropane cleavage, 18O from 18O2 was incorporated specifically into the α‐position of the product 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)1,2‐dihdyroxyethane (III), suggesting that this enzyme is an H2O2‐dependent oxygenase. The second enzyme which binds to blue agarose is an Mn2+‐dependent, lactate‐activated peroxidase. The enzyme catalyzed the oxidation of phenol red, o‐dianisidine, Poly R, and a variety of other dyes. It was also capable of decarboxylating vanillic acid.
The primary structure of the 70 kDa subunit of bovine soluble guanylate cyclase
Authors: Koesling Doris , Herz Joachim , Gausepohl Heinrich , Niroomand Feraydoon , Hinsch Klaus-Dieter , Mülsch Alexander , Böhme Eycke , Schultz Günter , Frank Rainer
Published: July 2002

The primary structure of the 70 kDa subunit of soluble bovine guanylate cyclase, which catalyzes the formation of cyclic GMP from GTP, has been determined. The alignment of six different clones out of two bovine libraries yielded a total of 3.1 kb with a coding region of 1857 bases. The open reading frame encodes a protein of 619 amino acids and a molecular mass of 70.5 kDa. Antibodies raised against a synthetic peptide, which corresponded to the C‐terminus of the deduced sequence precipitated guanylate cyclase activity from guanylate cyclase‐enriched preparations.
Threonine phosphorylation is associated with mitosis in HeLa cells
Authors: Zhao Ji-ying , Kuang Jian , Adlakha Ramesh C. , Rao Potu N.
Published: July 2002

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins play an important role in the regulation of mitosis and meiosis. In our previous studies we have described mitosis‐specific monoclonal antibody MPM‐2 that recognizes a family of phosphopeptides in mitotic cells but not in interphase cells. These peptides are synthesized in S phase but modified by phosphorylation during G2/mitosis transition. The epitope for the MPM‐2 is a phosphorylated site. In this study, we attempted to determine which amino acids are phosphorylated during the G2‐mitosis (M) transition. We raised a polyclonal antibody against one of the antigens recognized by MPM‐2, i.e. a protein of 55 kDa, that is present in interphase cells but modified by phosphorylation during mitosis. This antibody recognizes the p55 protein in both interphase and mitosis while it is recognized by the monoclonal antibody MPM‐2 only in mitotic cells. Phosphoamino acid analysis of protein p55 from 32P‐labeled S‐phase and M‐phase HeLa cell extracts after immunoprecipitation with anti‐p55 antibodies revealed that threonine was extensively phosphorylated in p55 during G2‐M but not in S phase, whereas serine was phosphorylated during both S and M phases. Tyrosine was not phosphorylated. Identical results were obtained when antigens recognized by MPM‐2 were subjected to similar analysis. As cells completed mitosis and entered G1 phase phosphothreonine was completely dephosphorylated whereas phosphoserine was not. These results suggest that phosphorylation of threonine might be specific to some of the mitosis‐related events.
Identification of a neurite outgrowth‐promoting domain of laminin using synthetic peptides
Authors: Liesi Päivi , Närvänen Ale , Soos Joszef , Sariola Hannu , Snounou Georges
Published: July 2002

We have identified a synthetic peptide derived from the B2‐chain of mouse laminin, Arg‐Asn‐Ile‐Ala‐Glu‐Ile‐Ile‐Lys‐Asp‐Ile (p20), which simulates the neurite outgrowth‐promoting activity of the native molecule. In organotypic cultures, neurons from newborn mouse brain or embryonic peripheral nervous system responded by extensive neurite outgrowth for native laminin or the peptide p20 in the culture medium. If rat cerebellar neurons were grown on laminin, 1–5 μM (1–5 μg/ml) of peptide p20 in the culture medium competed with laminin and inhibited neuronal attachment and neurite outgrowth, whereas higher concentrations (⪢ 50 μM; ⪢ 50 μg/ml) had a specific neurotoxic effect. When peptide p20 was used as the culture substratum, neurite outgrowth in cerebellar cultures was up to 60% of that seen on native laminin. Our results indicate that a neurite outgrowth‐promoting domain of laminin is located in the α‐helical region of the B2‐chain, and is active for both central and peripheral neurons.