bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate against HPV? A Content Analysis of Vocabularies of Motives
Authors: Vulpe Simona Nicoleta
Published: January 2021

In the present paper, I conducted a comparative study of vocabularies of motives that Romanian and American parents employ in the online environment on the topic of HPV vaccination. I started from C. W. Mills’s (1940) article on vocabularies of motives, integrating into my analysis the concepts of filter bubbles and echo chambers. The research method that I employed is the content analysis of posts and comments from Facebook pages dedicated to the topic of vaccination. My results show that the vocabularies of Romanian and American parents are similar. In confrontational interactions on anti-vaccination pages the vocabularies of motives mirror each other, being centered on the adverse effects of the HPV vaccine and the dangers of not vaccinating. In consensual interactions on anti-vaccination pages, mandatory vaccination is advanced as the core motive within a flourishing vocabulary. On pro-vaccination pages, confrontational interactions give rise to vocabularies of motives concentrated on risks and dangers and also on accusations against anti-vaccination supporters. Consensual interactions on these pages generate circular vocabularies formed of accusations against anti-vaccinators and the reiteration of the danger of not vaccinating. Beyond the striking opposition between pro- and anti-vaxxers, there are intra-categorical discrepancies accompanied by mixt vocabularies of motives.
Pengaruh Iradiasi Sinar Gamma terhadap Pertumbuhan Stek Tunas Apikal dan Aksilar Kopi Arabika
Authors: Ibrahim Meynarti Sari Dewi , Randriani Enny
Published: January 2021

The Arabica coffee is predominantly self-pollinated plants thereby contributing to low genetic diversity. The effort to increase the genetic diversity of Arabica coffee through crossing strategy is time-consuming, and induce mutation is necessary to enhance the rate of genetic variation. The aims of this study were to observe the effect of gamma-ray irradiation on the growth of apical and axillary bud cuttings and to determine the value of LD50 on apical cuttings and Arabica coffee axillaries. The study was conducted at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Industrial and Beverage Crops Research Institute, from January to December in 2018.. The planting material that was irradiated was Arabica coffee plantlets resulting from somatic embryogenesis propagation. Irradiation is carried out at the National Nuclear Energy Agency. The irradiated plantlets were cut and subcultured onto MS medium without growth regulators, 30 g L-1 sucrose, and 2.5 g L-1 phytagel were added. The design used a completely randomized design with 10 replications. The treatments tested were the dose of gamma-ray irradiation (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 Gy). The results showed that gamma-ray irradiation had an effect on all observed parameters. The mortality percentage of apical shoot cuttings began to be found at 30 Gy, while axillary cuttings at 20 Gy increased with an increasing dose of gamma-ray irradiation. The number of shoots and leaves varied between irradiation doses on both apical and axillary cuttings. The LD50 value of apical shoot cuttings was 36.80 Gy, while axillary cuttings were 22.24 Gy
Out-of-Pocket Payments for Health Care Under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana: What Do Insured Clients Pay for?
Authors: Akweongo Patricia , Aikins Moses , Wyss Kaspar , Salari Paola , Tediosi Fabrizio
Published: January 2021

Background In 2003, Ghana implemented a national health insurance scheme (NHIS) designed to promote universal health coverage and equitable access to health care. The scheme has largely been successful, yet it is confronted with many challenges threatening its sustainability. Out-of-pocket payments (OOP) by insured clients is one such challenges of the scheme. This study sought to examine the types of services OOP charges are made for, who pays these charges and how much clients pay out-of-pocket.Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional health facility survey. A total of 2066 respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires at the point of health care exit in the Ashanti, Northern and Central regions of Ghana. Health facilities of different levels were selected from 3 districts in each of the three regions. Data were collected between April and June 2018. Using Epidata and STATA Version 13.1 data analyses were done using multiple logistic regression and simple descriptive statistics and results presented as proportions and means.Results Of all survey respondents 49.7% reported paying out-of-pocket for out-patient health care while 48.6% of insured clients paid out-of-pocket. 42% of the insured poorest quintile also paid out-of-pocket. Respondents suffered fever-malaria like symptoms (45.7%). Insured clients paid for consultation (75%) and drugs (68.5%) and 34.9% purchased drugs outside the health facility visited. The unavailability of the drugs (67.9%) and drugs not covered by the NHIS (20.8%) led to out-of-pocket payments. On average patients paid GHS33.00 (USD6.6) out-of-pocket. Compared to the Northern region, patients living in the Ashanti region were 4.4 times more at odds to pay out-of-pocket for health care. Conclusions and recommendations Insured clients of Ghana’s NHIS seeking health care in accredited health facilities make out-of-pocket payments for consultation and drugs that are covered by the scheme. The out-of-pocket payments are largely attributed to unavailability of drugs at the facilities and occur in disadvantaged regions and in all health facilities. Out-of-pocket payments under NHIS implications for unequal access to insured services.
Effect Of Carbon Black Loading On Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Properties
Authors: Al-Qahtani Noora , Al-Ejji Maryam , Ouederni Mabrouk , AlMaadeed Mariam , Madi Nabil
Published: January 2021

The mechanical, thermal, electrical, reheology, and morphological properties of composites made from linear low-density polyethylene and carbon black (CB) content of 5%, 10%, and 20% by weight were investigated. The optimum mechanical and electrical properties performance was achieved with the adding of 5% carbon black. The drop in properties after adding more CB is due to agglomeration and poor dispersion of carbon particles in the polymer matrix. CB resulted in higher dynamic viscosity and storage modulus at low frequencies, although this phenomenon was reversed at high frequencies. CB resulted in more shear thinning of LLDPE at high shear rates.
Efficacy of Apatinib+Radiotherapy vs. Radiotherapy alone in Patients with Advanced Multiline Therapy Failure for NSCLC
Authors: Pan Huanle , Chenxian Su , Li Yunhao , Wu Xinyi , Wei Chaoyi , Shi Deli , Kong Fengming , Xie Congying , Cai Xiaona
Published: January 2021

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, and in China. Central nervous system (CNS) metastasis is a prevalent and serious complication. The most common treatment for BM is still radiation therapy (RT). An increasing number of drugs have been shown to have intracranial activity or to sensitize tumours to radiotherapy.Methods: Our study aims to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of apatinib combined with radiotherapy vs. radiotherapy alone in the treatment of patients with advanced multiline failure for non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastasis (BM). Eligible patients were divided into two groups: Apatinib + RT group and RT group. In the apatinib + RT group. Intracranial PFS and OS were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences between groups were compared by the log-rank test.Results: The median intracranial PFS for the RT group and Apatinib+RT group was 5.83 months and 11.81 months (p=0.034). The median OS for the RT group and Apatinib+RT group was 9.02 months and 13.62 months (p=0.311). The Apatinib+RT group had a better intracranial PFS, but there were no significant differences between the two arms in OS. The Apatinib+RT group had significantly reduced symptoms caused by BM, mainly headache and vomiting. Most patients tolerated the side effects well. Conclusion: RT combined with apatinib could help to control intracranial metastases. The Apatinib+RT group had significantly reduced symptoms caused by BM, the safety of the two treatments was similar.
Mining Prognostic Significance Genes in Human Thyroid Cancer Using Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Zhao Hui , Li Pengjie , Li Junjian , Duan Lian , Jiao Yanzhu , Li Shuang , Bai Yanni , Zhang Xiaqing , Liang Meihua , Huang Xiaoyi
Published: January 2021

Background Thyroid carcinoma (THC) is very common, yet its pathogenesis and the key tumor marker genes remain unclear.Methods Gene expression datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) were used for gene differential expression analysis. Functional annotation analysis, Clinical prognosis analysis and Differential DNA methylation analysis were conducted on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Results Compared with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), 237 differentially expressed THC intersection genes derived from GEO and TCGA were obtained, of which 153 genes were closely related to clinicopathological features and prognostic effects. Biological function analysis indicated that most of these DEGs were involved in the proteinaceous extracellular matrix, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, resulting in effects on tumor invasion and metastasis. Finally, the results of differential methylation levels demonstrated that the high expression of 4 genes (CHI3L1, NFE2L3, S100A2, and LAMB3) was strongly correlated with the development of thyroid cancer.Conclusions Proteinaceous extracellular matrix, EMT, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways were of great significance in the metastasis and invasion of THC. Genes such as CHI3L1, NFE2L3, S100A2, and LAMB3 were susceptible to THC.
FE Simulation Investigation of Magnesium Alloy by Equal Channel Angular Processing
Authors: Xu Shubo , Zhang Sen , Liu Peng , Jing Cainian , Ren Guocheng
Published: January 2021

Magnesium alloy is one of the structure metals of great potential. The hcp structure makes its plasticity is poor at room temperature, which severely limits the development of magnesium alloy. Magnesium alloy plastic problem can be resolved through grain refinement method, and equal channel angular processing is one of the more effective methods of grain refinement. In this paper, two-dimensional dynamic simulation of equal channel angular processing for magnesium alloy were done with the finite element software. The deformation of magnesium alloy was analyzed when die angle and die corner angle were different. The results show that: in the main deformation zone, when die angles were different, the sample deformation in the horizontal direction is very uniform. But in the sample longitudinally direction, the greater the die angle, the more uniform the sample deformation. Die corner angle has no significant effect on the uniformity of the longitudinally deformation of the sample, but its affects the size of the dead zone and sample warpage.
Gene Expression Profiles Analyzed Using Integrating RNA Sequencing and Microarray Reveals Increased Inflammatory Response, Proliferation, and Osteoclastogenesis in Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis
Authors: Zhao Yang , Lv Jiaoyun , Zhang Hongwei , Xie Jiawei , Zhang Xin , Dai Hui
Published: January 2021

Background: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare condition that involves benign proliferation of the synovial tissue and is characterized by severe joint destruction and high recurrence even after surgical resection. However, poor understanding of the pathogenesis limits its effective therapy.Method: In this study, gene expression profiles of six patients with PVNS and six patients with osteoarthritis (OA) were analyzed using integrating RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and microarray to investigate the PVNS transcriptome. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, string, and cytoscape were used to determine the gene functional enrichment. Cell surface functional molecules were detected using flow cytometry to identify the cell subset. CD14 positive cells were isolated and induced to differentiate into osteoclast to evaluate the monocyte/macrophage function.Results: RNA-seq and microarray data revealed 195 common differentially expressed genes; expression change trends were consistent in both the methods. The most obvious local manifestations of PVNS were inflammation and tumor phenotypes. Infiltration of a large number of immune cells and increased cytokine secretion induced inflammation. High proportion of CD45+ inflammatory cells, including T cells (CD3+), natural killer cells (CD3-CD56+), NKT cells (CD3+CD56+), and B cells (CD19+), were recruited from the blood. Cell proliferation and migration resulted in manifestation of the tumor phenotype. Tumor checkpoint molecules, such as programmed cell death protein 1, T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3, lymphocyte-activation gene 3, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4, and sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin, were expressed on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In addition, an obvious increase in osteoclastogenesis and macrophage activation were observed locally. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive mature osteoclasts that differentiated from CD14+ monocytes were significantly higher in the PVNS synovium than that in OA. Conclusion: The transcriptional expression characteristics of PVNS resulted in increased immune response and cytokine expression, high cell proliferation and migration, and increased osteoclastogenesis and bone injury.
Bioinformatics analysis of KIF20A, a potential therapeutic target for glioblastoma
Authors: Han Lu , Wang Jiayang
Published: January 2021

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with high mobility. The median survival time of GBM patients is 15 months. Currently, there is no effective treatment for improving the prognosis of the GBM due to a lack of prognostic markers. Materials and methods: To predict core therapeutic targets for GBM, we analyzed four microarray datasets (GSE49810, GSE50161, GSE65624, and GSE90604) selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the other datasets obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Expression protein array of 227 GBM samples and 18 normal samples were clustered to summarize GBM tissue classification. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by comparing GBM and normal brain tissues in each profile using the limma package of R software. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the DAVID database. Overlapping DEGs were ranked based on protein expression ratios from the comparison between cancer and normal samples using robustRankaggreg package of R software and scored from high to low. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was visualized using CytoHubba and Cluego plugins in Cytoscape software. Core hub genes were analyzed by MCC, MNC, DMNC, and EPC methods. Besides, the GEPIA tool was used to create the survival curves and boxplots to evaluate the prognostic effect of hub genes for improving the diagnostic outcomes and treatment of GBM. Results: A total of 2064 DEGs were analyzed (1400 downregulated DEGs and 1664 upregulated DEGs) in the GEO database. 3292 DEGs were found (1485 upregulated DEGs and 1807 downregulated DEGs) in TCGA. We selected 221 significant DEGs from four microarrays. Combining the GEO results with the results of TCGA, we found only 181 common DEGs by using Venn analysis. Further, expression levels of KIF20A selected from 10 hub genes closely associated with the survival rate. Conclusion: Up-regulation of KIF20A has a pivotal role in controlling the prognosis of GBM in 2 years follow-up period; KIF20A should be considered as a potential therapeutic target for GBM.
Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction Can Prevent and Treat Oxaliplatin Induced Neuropathic Pain by TNFα/IL-1β/IL-6/MAPK/NF-kB Pathway
Authors: Li Mingzhu , Li Zheng , Ma Xiande , Jin Shengbo , Cao Yang , Wang Xuebing , Zhao Jian , Wang Jianbo , Xu Jian
Published: January 2021

Background: The mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction in the prevention and treatment of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain was unclear. Therefore, we explored the effect and mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP). Methods: Bodyweight and related behavioral testing of the rat model were utilized to explore the effect of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction in CINP. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 inflammatory factors in the serum of chronic CINP rats induced by oxaliplatin. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were applied to detect the expression of MAPK pathway related-proteins ERK1/2, p38, JNK, and the expression of downstream essential proteins c-Fos, CREB, and NF-κB. Results: By bodyweight and related behavioral testing of the rat model, we found that Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction can improve the slow weight gain of oxaliplatin-induced chronic CINP model rats, effectively prevent and treat oxaliplatin-induced regular CIPN rat model of hyperalgesia, and oppress the mechanical pain threshold, cold pain threshold, and heat pain threshold decreased. By ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis, we found that Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction can down-regulate the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 inflammatory factors in the serum of chronic CINP rats induced by oxaliplatin, then suppressed the expression of MAPK pathway related-proteins ERK1/2, p38 and JNK. After that, the expression of downstream essential proteins c-Fos, CREB, and Nf-κB also decreased. Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction can combat nerve cell injury, reduce pain sensitization, and prevent and repair the damage of nerve cells in oxaliplatin CINP model rats by TNFα/IL-1β/IL-6/MAPK/NF-kB pathway.
Relationship Between Cataract Surgery and Mortality in Elderly Patients with Cataract: Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study in South Korea
Authors: Lee Hun , Kim Jae Yong , Lee Ji Sung , Tchah Hungwon
Published: January 2021

There were a few studies showing conflicting findings with regard to the relationship between cataract surgery and all-cause mortality. It is uncertain whether cataract surgery could affect all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the Korean elderly population. We aim to investigate the relationship between cataract surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Korean elderly patients with cataract using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort database. Elderly patients (≥60 years) diagnosed with cataract from 2002 through 2012 were included. The baseline characteristics included demographics, and systemic and ocular comorbidities. Adjusted cox regression models with time-varying covariate for cataract surgery were used to assess the relationship between cataract surgery and mortality. The study cohort included 241,062 patients, of whom 127,491 were in the cataract surgery group and 113,121 were in the cataract diagnosis group. The incidence of all-cause mortality was 3.62 deaths/100 person-years and 3.19 deaths/100 person-years in the cataract surgery and cataract diagnosis groups, respectively. Cataract surgery was associated with a decreased hazard of all-cause mortality after adjusting for demographics, and systemic and ocular comorbidities (hazard ratio [HR],0.93;P<0.001). Protective association was noted between cataract surgery and mortality from vascular (HR,0.92;P<0.001) or neurologic (HR,0.64;P<0.001) causes in the adjusted model. Patients with cataract who were 85 years of age and older, women, those who had lower income and a Charlson comorbidity index score of 5 or more, or those without glaucoma revealed the largest reductions in mortality hazards resulting from cataract surgery. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the relationship between cataract surgery and mortality.
Insecticide Resistance in Anopheles Albitarsis S.S. From a Rice Production Field, With the First Record of Kdr Mutation in This Species 
Authors: Braga Taiza Andrade , Loureiro Aline Cordeiro , Lima José Bento Pereira , Martins Ademir J
Published: January 2021

Background: Although there is a vast literature concerning insecticide resistance (IR) in Plasmodium vectors from African and Asian continents, similar studies with Neotropical anophelines are scares. Herein we evaluated the IR profile of Anopheles albitarsis s.s. of a laboratory colony and a natural population collected around a rice plantation field. The laboratory colony is original from a collection performed in this same region more than two decades ago. Methods: We collected An. albitarsis females while resting after blood feeding, around rice field plantations in Massaranduba, SC, Brazil. These females laid their eggs in the laboratory, and the larvae were raised in parallel with our lab colony. To be sure about the field samples’ taxonomic status, we amplified and sequenced the mitochondrial COI gene of a sampling of field captured mosquitoes. We performed a simplified knockdown test with larvae exposed to permethrin and deltamethrin and submitted adult females to a WHO like tube test with the pyrethroids permethrin, deltamethrin, and etofenprox, in addition to the organophosphate malathion. A segment of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (NaV) was amplified and cloned. Based on the observed sequences, we developed a TaqMan genotyping assay for the variation L1014F and calculated the genotypic and allelic frequencies concerning this SNP in the field population.Results: The COI analyses confirmed the taxonomic status of An. albitarsis s.s in laboratory and field samples. The field population was resistant to pyrethroids but not to malathion. We observed the substitutions L1019R, F1020S, and the classical kdr L1014F in the NaV gene. This classical kdr allele was present under low frequencies in the overall field population (2%), although more frequent in pyrethroid-resistant insects.Conclusions: The An. albitarsis s.s. population from Massaranduba was resistant to pyrethroids, likely due to selection pressure exerted by agrochemical pesticides. We registered the classical kdr mutation in a Brazilian Anopheles species for the first time. Further investigations are necessary to disclose additional resistance mechanisms.
Comparison and Affecting Factors of Three tDCS Montages in Motor Recovery of Chronic Stroke Patients: A Resting-State EEG Study
Authors: Wang Chunfang , Zhang Ying , Chen Yuanyuan , Song Peiqing , Yu Hongli , Sun Changcheng , Du Jingang
Published: January 2021

Objective: We aimed at exploring the modulation of tDCS on spontaneous cortical activity through the changing of EEG rhythms to different tDCS montages and the interaction between cortical responses and variability factors of stroke individuals.Methods: 19 stroke subjects underwent 4 tDCS sessions with 3 different tDCS montages (anodal (atDCS), cathodal (ctDCS) and bilateral (bi-tDCS)) and sham stimulation in a single-blind, randomized, controlled crossover design. We acquired resting-state (eyes closing and opening alternately) EEG data before and after tDCS, and calculated the spectral power of each frequency band. Paired-samples T test was applied to examine the difference of spectral power between pre- and post-stimulation of each montage. Three-way repeated measures analysis of variance with lesion hemispheres, stimulation montages and locations were carried out to investigate tDCS effects of different lesion, montages, and channel locations, and the interaction. Further, the effects of tDCS over time were analyzed applying three-way repeated ANOVAs as well with post trials, lesion hemispheres and channel locations separately to each montage. Finally, linear and quadratic regression model were used separately to describe the association between clinical factors of stroke patients and change of spectral power.Results: We found that induced effect of tDCS was limited to the alpha rhythm of opening-state. atDCS increased the alpha power especially alpha1 (8-10 Hz) in local and distant areas of mainly frontal and partial. bi-tDCS affected the alpha power as well, but in a smaller area which mainly focused on alpha2 (10-13 Hz). ctDCS and sham had no effect on alpha rhythm. No significant difference of alpha band was found over the observed time range after the stimulation over. Results further showed that the quadratic model can better characterize the relationship between clinical factors and the tDCS effects of alpha rhythm than linear model. The changing of alpha especially alpha2 in contralateral hemisphere induced by atDCS was related to time since stroke, and alpha2 in ipsilateral hemisphere induced by bi-tDCS to motor impairment level.Conclusion: Our results provide electrophysiological evidence that different tDCS montages in stroke subjects modulate rhythmic cortical activity of alpha band in different ways, and the effects maintained for at least 30 minutes. The tDCS modulation effect was related to clinical factors, especially the time since stroke and the level of motor impairment. These findings are of great significance for the knowledge on modulation effect to stroke patients and for therapeutic application of motor recovery following stroke.
Impact of COVID-19 on New Mexico Harm Reduction Services: Challenges and Recommendations
Authors: Reta Anita , Nelson Leah , Rose Rachel , Carrejo Valerie , Bhatt Snehal
Published: January 2021

Evidence is emerging indicating persons with substance use disorders (SUD) are at particular risk of adverse health outcomes during the Sars-CoV2 pandemic crisis, especially compounded if those persons are underrepresented minorities. New Mexico has unique demographic characteristics being predominantly rural and minority populated. We attempted to survey harm reduction (HR) sites across the state to understand and document the effects the current health crisis has had on their operations. Sites reported a significant decrease (p=0.05) in clients served between the time periods of November 2019-January 2020 and March-May 2020, supply shortages, and anecdotal reports of increasing street drug prices. Future research should focus on rates of overdose during public health crises, its effects on medication assisted treatment (MAT) clinics, and in continued efforts to curtail rates of SUD overall.
CT Imaging-based Machine Learning Model: A Potential Modality for Predicting Low-Risk and High-Risk Groups of Thymoma “Impact of surgical modality choice”
Authors: KAYICANGIR Ayten , ORHAN Kaan , KAHYA Yusuf , ÖZAKINCI Hilal , KAZAK Betül Bahar , BALCI Buse Mine KONUK , KARASOY Duru , UZUN Çağlar
Published: January 2021

IntroductionRadiomics has become a hot issue in the medical imaging field, particularly in cancer imaging. Radiomics methods are used to analyze various medical images, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography to provide information regarding the diagnosis, patient outcome, tumor phenotype, and the gene-protein signatures of various diseases.This study evaluated the CT radiomics features of thymomas to discriminate between low- and high-risk thymoma groups.Materials and MethodsIn total, 83 patients with thymoma were included in this study between 2004 and 2019. We used the Radcloud platform (Huiying Medical Technology Co., Ltd.) to manage the imaging and clinical data and perform the radiomics statistical analysis. The training and validation datasets were separated by a random method with a ratio of 2:8 and 502 random seeds. The histopathological diagnosis was noted from the pathology report.ResultsFour machine learning radiomics features were identified to differentiate a low-risk thymoma group from a high-risk thymoma group. The radiomics feature names were Energy, Zone Entropy, Long Run Low Gray Level Emphasis, and Large Dependence Low Gray Level Emphasis.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that a machine-learning model and a multilayer perceptron classifier analysis can be used on CT images to predict low- and high-risk thymomas. This combination could be a useful preoperative method to determine the surgical approach for thymoma.
Defining the Visual Complexity of Learning Management Systems Using Image Metrics and Subjective Ratings
Authors: Stoesz Brenda M. , Niknam Mehdi , Sutton Jessica
Published: January 2021

Research has demonstrated that students’ learning outcomes and motivation to learn are influenced by the visual design of learning technologies (e.g., learning management systems or LMS). One aspect of LMS design that has not been thoroughly investigated is visual complexity. In two experiments, postsecondary students rated the visual complexity of images of LMS after exposure durations of 50-500 ms. Perceptions of complexity were positively correlated across timed conditions and working memory capacity was associated with complexity ratings. Low-level image metrics were also found to predict perceptions of the LMS complexity. Results demonstrate the importance of the visual complexity of learning technologies and suggest that additional research on the impact of LMS design on learning outcomes is warranted.
OS DESAFIOS DA GESTÃO DA INOVAÇÃO EM ORGANIZAÇÕES HOSPITALARES
Authors: Sousa Josiano
Published: January 2021

- Objetivo: Este artigo tem por objetivo identificar os principais desafios gerenciais para a implantação de inovações em organizações hospitalares.

- Método: Sua elaboração se deu por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa com método hipotético dedutivo através de uma revisão bibliográfica e o software VOSviewer foi utilizado para construção de tabelas e mapas conceituais.

- Fundamentação teórica: A literatura apresenta vários conceitos para o termo inovação, entre os quais pode ser apresentado o conceito seminal defendido por Schumpeter (1942) e, de maneira mais contemporânea autores como Blanch et al, (2014) e Candido, (2018), têm se dedicado a estudar o tema, porém, embora tenha havido um aumento das publicações sobre o tema inovação, a maioria das abordagens encontradas na literatura ainda exploram o tema relacionando-o ao setor de manufatura.

- Resultados: o artigo destaca que a implantação de inovações deve ser enxergada como um processo que requer o aprendizado de novos padrões e competências e que, entre os principais desafios gerenciais estão: a necessidade de desenvolver um ecossistema devidamente alinhado, envolvido e comprometido com a implantação de práticas inovadoras; envolver os gerentes de nível médio no processo de inovação; promover uma integração entre os elos internos e externos; desenvolver um método de gestão capaz de explorar as habilidades conjuntas da empresa e dos stakeholders e desenvolver uma filosofia de empresa inovadora no setor de saúde, pois a capacidade de inovar está relacionada à postura da gestão estratégica exercida na organização.

- Conclusões/contribuições: O artigo apresenta contribuições acadêmicas e gerenciais. As contribuições acadêmicas são observadas ao elaborar um framework conceitual sobre os principais desafios gerencias para a implantação de inovações em organizações hospitalares. Já as contribuições gerenciais fornecem aos gestores um conjunto de pontos de atenção que, se devidamente observados, poderão contribuir para minimizar as possíveis barreiras presentes quando da implantação de inovações em organizações hospitalares. Por fim, o artigo apresenta suas limitações e as recomendações para a realização de futuras pesquisas.
Rebuilding the Maritime Culture of the Islands of Macaronesia: The Mythical and Historical Perception of Island Societies
Authors: Alvarez Santos Javier Luis
Published: January 2021

While traditional historiography does establish that history cannot bypass islands, these spaces have in fact been regarded as anecdotes amidst the great historical processes and it has hardly been reflected upon the origin of its maritime culture. This research paper addresses a supranational territory, Macaronesia, and questions the origin of its island identity in order to understand what these islanders' perception of their plural maritime culture has been and how this identity was formed through myths and stories. Methodologically, this research draws from a critique of transatlantic historiographic approaches while systematizing the main contributions of island historians. The study is underpinned by the analysis of accounts wherein chroniclers and historians allude to the origin of Macaronesic identity and culture. The islands are tackled on their own terms and the sociocultural perspective is emphasized with the aim of applying the fundamentals of nesology to historical knowledge. This research addresses the history, myth and historicality of the myth in order to understand the foundation of a contemporary aquapelagic and transnational society, whose early beginnings were marked by the complementarity between islands and the ability to transfer cultural traces between borders.
Cooperation and Practices of Cod Fishermen toward Sustainable Fishery: A Case Study of Geoje City
Authors: Kim Garam
Published: January 2021

Cod has been one of the fish that human beings have loved. It has not been long since it recovered from its situation of almost extinction in all oceans of the world. The historical process of its depletion and recovery raises key questions: Who owns the common pool resource? Who should manage the common pool resource? These have led to several strategies and countermeasures, some of which have been successful at stemming species decline. In South Korea, cod has long recorded high production due to its high demand as a favorite fish species. However, the phenomenon of declining and depleting cod led to a situation where we had to take seriously the question of who and how to manage cod. Having repeatedly experienced the exhaustion and recovery of the resource, fishermen had to think seriously about the crisis of their profession and the sustainability of the fishery. To achieve it, fishermen organized the fishing community, made a set of rules, and began common activities to manage resources and use fishing grounds. The voluntary resource management activities and practices of the fishing community began to take effect as they interacted with local governments and the fisheries authorities. Fishermen are now carrying out cultural activities not only for their livelihood, but also for the sustainability of cod fishing. In this paper, I will examine how the fishing community strategy and practice interacted with the system and achieved successful results through the case analysis of cod fishing in Geoje.
Safflower genotypes affected by nitrogen fertilization in subtropical conditions
Authors: Bueno Paulo de Lima , Santos Reginaldo Ferreira , Bassegio Doglas , Lewandoski Cristiano Fernando , Maziero Claudia Luiza , Souza Diane Maschio de , Souza Samuel Nelson Melegari de , Montiel Caroline Beal
Published: January 2021

Nitrogen fertilization is one of the main management systems that affects safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) production. However, the response of safflower to nitrogen fertilization may vary depending on the genotype and growing conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen fertilization on yield components, oil content, and protein content of safflower genotypes in subtropical conditions. Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization (0 and 160 kg ha–1) on six safflower genotypes. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks, in a 2 × 6 factorial design, with six repetitions. The height of the plants, yield, and oil and protein contents were determined 170 and 160 days after emergence in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The oil content and protein content of safflower genotypes were affected by nitrogen fertilization, but this effect varied depending on the genotype. Genotype 4 dominated with a grain yield of 1088 kg ha–1 and an oil yield of 215 kg ha–1. Nitrogen fertilization increased the grain yield, oil content, and protein content; thus, it is appropriate for the cultivation of safflower off-season in autumn-winter in subtropical conditions. Safflower genotype 4 could be a promising oilseed crop for southern Brazil when fertilized with 100 kg ha–1 of N.
Physiologically-based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modelling of Transporter Mediated Drug Absorption, Clearance and Drug-drug Interactions
Authors: Taskar Kunal S. , Harada Isobel , Alluri Ravindra V.
Published: January 2021

Membrane transporters play an important role in intestinal absorption, distribution and clearance of
drugs. Additionally transporters along with enzymes regulate tissue exposures (e.g. liver, kidney and brain),
which are important for safety and efficacy considerations. Early identification of transporters involved guides
generation of in vitro and in vivo data needed to gain mechanistic understanding on the role of transporters in organ
clearance, tissue exposures and enables development of physiological-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models.
A lot of progress has been made in developing several in vitro assay systems and mechanistic in silico models
to determine kinetic parameters for transporters, which are incorporated into PBPK models. Although, intrinsic
clearance and inhibition data from in vitro systems generally tend to underpredict in vivo clearance and magnitude
of drug-drug interactions (DDIs), empirical scaling factors derived from a sizable dataset are often used
to offset underpredictions. PBPK models are increasing used to predict the impact of transporters on intestinal
absorption, clearance, victim and perpetrator DDIs prior to first in human clinical trials. The models are often
refined when clinical data is available and are used to predict pharmacokinetics in untested scenarios such as
the impact of polymorphisms, ontogeny, ethnicity, disease states and DDIs with other perpetrator drugs. The
aim of this review is to provide an overview of (i) regulatory requirements around transporters, (ii) in vitro systems
and their limitations in predicting transporter mediated drug disposition and DDIs, (iii) PBPK modelling
tactics and case studies used for internal decision making and/or for regulatory submissions.
Recent Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Approaches for Alzheimer disease
Authors: Kaur Ishnoor , Kumar Arun , Behl Tapan , Setia Dhruv
Published: January 2021

One of the most common forms of neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer’s disease
poses a great threat to patients all over the globe with about 5.7 million cases estimated by the
Alzheimer’s Association Report of 2018. The disorder is a result of β-amyloid deposition in the
brain, deteriorating the cognitive ability and learning processes, commonly in geriatric patients.
The review significantly elaborates the superiority of nanotechnological formulations over conventional
therapeutic strategies, which exhibit numerous side effects, poor pharmacokinetic profiles
and limited efficacy, as compared to the nano-medicinal approach. The review recognizes the need
to establish an understanding of the transport mechanisms across the blood-brain barrier, prior to
the nanoparticle studies, followed by a discussion on various nano-formulations, evidently supported
by the outcome of various studies conducted to investigate the drug delivery portfolio of
nanomedicines. Furthermore, the review portrays the challenges to overcome in future studies, like
nanoparticle fabrication, drug loading capacity, blood residency time, toxicity regime, monitoring
long term effects, in-vivo compatibility and production techniques, in order to enable the development
of an optimized form of drug delivery process, which would achieve significant heights in the
biomedical applications and bring about a revolution in the field of medicine and science.
Platelet-Rich and Platelet-Poor Plasma Might Play Supportive Roles in Cancer Cell Culture: A Replacement for Fetal Bovine Serum?
Authors: Talebi Mehdi , Vatanmakanian Mousa , Mirzaei Ali , Barfar Yaghoub , Hemmatzadeh Maryam , Nahayati Milad A. , Velaei Kobra , Hosseinzadeh Asghar , Yazdanpanah Behruz , Yahyavi Yahya , Azimi Ako , Rahmani Mina , Heydarabad Milad Z.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Platelet-Rich (PRP) and Platelet-Poor plasma (PPP) are widely used in research and
clinical platforms mainly due to their capacities to enhance cell growth. Although the short half-life (5 days)
and the high price of platelet products pose challenges regarding their usage, they maintain the growth regulatory
functions for weeks. Thus, we aimed to assess the supplementary values of these products in human CCRF-
CEM cancer cells. Mechanistically, we also checked if the PRP/PPP treatment enhances YKL-40 expression
as a known protein regulating cell growth.

Methods:

The PRP/PPP was prepared from healthy donors using manual stepwise centrifugation and phase separation.
The viability of the cells treated with gradient PRP/PPP concentrations (2, 5, 10, and 15%) was measured
by the MTT assay. The YKL-40 mRNA and protein levels were assessed using qRT-PCR and western
blotting. The data were compared to FBS-treated cells.

Result:

Our findings revealed that the cells treated by PRP/PPP not only were morphologically comparable to
those treated by FBS but also showed greater viability at the concentrations of 10 and 15%. Moreover, it was
shown that PRP/PPP induce cell culture support, at least in part, via inducing YKL-40 expression at both mRNA
and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion:

Collectively, by showing cell culture support comparable to FBS, the PRP/PPP might be used as
good candidates to supplement the cancer cell culture and overcome concerns regarding the use of FBS as a
non-human source in human cancer research.
Virtual Private Network Flow Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Praveen Surapaneni Phani , Krishna Thati Bala Murali , Chawla Sunil Kumar , Anuradha Chokka
Published: January 2021

Background:

Every organization generally uses a VPN service individually to bypass the
filters that hide the actual communication. Such communication filtration is not allowed by the organizational
monitoring network. But these institutes are not in a position to spend a considerable amount of
funds on a secure sockets layer to monitor traffic flow over their computer networks.

Objective:

Our work suggests a simple technique to block or detect annoying VPN clients inside the
network activities. This method does not require the network to decrypt or even decode any network
communication.

Methods:

The proposed solution selects two machine learning techniques Feature Tree and K-means as
classification techniques that work on time-related features. First, the DNS mapping with the ordinary
characteristic of the transmission control protocol / Internet protocol computer the network stack is
identified, and it is not to be considered as a regular traffic flow if the domain name information is not
available. The process not only examines non-standard utilization of hypertext transfer protocol security
but also conceals such communication from hypertext transfer protocol security dependent filters in the
firewall to detect as an anomaly in large.

Results:

We define the traffic flow as normal traffic flow and VPN traffic flow. These two flows are
characterized by taking two machine learning techniques, Feature Tree and K-means. We executed each
experiment 4 times. As a result, eight types of regular traffics and eight types of VPN traffics were represented.

Conclusion:

Once the traffic flow is identified, it is classified and studied by machine learning techniques.
Using time-related features, the traffic flow is defined as normal flow or VPN traffic flow.
Estratégias discursivas na construção do espírito nacionalista: a Hungria ‘de’ Viktor Orbán
Authors: Bastos Eloísa
Published: January 2021

Populism, not only as an ideology but also as a political movement, has been gaining supporters and occupying a prominent position in Europe and the world. Exploring “crises (eco- nomic, social, political, religious, etc.)”, (Galito, 2017: 13), the populist movement already occupies the main political positions in many countries, where we see arise leaders like Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Boris Johnson and Viktor Orbán, to name just a few. Their rhetoric is characterized by the exploration of the Good-Evil dichotomy, in association with the opposition Self/Us-Other and by resorting to Aristotelian pathos, where argumentative discourses are guided by arguments based on the emotion they generate in You. Aiming the persuasion of the interlocutor(s), the speakers resort to certain linguistic strategies that amplify the force of their speeches. These strategies leave clear marks on the linguistic material, and we intend to address them throughout this article, through the analysis of an anti-immigration speech given in 2016 by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In this way, we will analyze the linguistic marks characteristic of the populist discourse present in the previously mentioned discourse, clarifying, at least in part, the construction of Viktor Orbán’s rhetoric.
Deteção de bias num acórdão jurídico
Authors: Cantante Inês
Published: January 2021

The present work analyses a legal judgment, with the aim of assessing if, in it, there are marks of its authors’ subjectivity (a collective of judges). We intend, therefore, to verify if the judges responsible for the judgment leave traces of their position, especially in the reasoning part, which is constituted by the arguments of the judges to justify their final decision - note that legal judgments are a part of the legal discourse (free of subjectivity). For that, the judgement will be analyzed according to five categories, which represent linguistic mechanisms to express subjective language: polyphony; polyphonic negation; intensifiers and minimizers; expressions with (positive or negative) semantic polarity and, finally, expressions with modal values. The results obtained al- low us to state that, even though they are not always completely explicit, these mechanisms are used to convey the opinions of the collective of judges, whose position goes in the direction of excusing the offender, while disbelieving the voice of the victim.
Análise da textualização publicitária turístico-hoteleira em Moçambique: descrevendo os mecanismos de construção argumentativa
Authors: Diogo Nildo
Published: January 2021

This paper aims to analyse and describe the devices of tourism and hotel advertising textualization in Mozambique. It is a qualitative approach combined with pragmatic methods and Discourse Analysis. The corpus was selected from Facebook pages of tourism and hotel institutions, using the following categories as criteria: dialogism; polyphony; intertextuality; autonomic modal- ity; and the reinforcing illocutionary devices. Dialogism is on the top of textual relations; it recov- ers the polyphony and intertextuality notions. The polyphony recovers intertextuality, and the last manifests itself in varied forms, explicit or implicit, maintaining a relationship with other discursive genres. The autonomic modality is uncommon in advertising discourse, but certain typographi- cal variations in that discourse may be indicators of autonomic modality. These changes occur in the discourse and are characterized by colour and size differences of the words or changes of up- percase to lowercase in the same discourse. The advertising discourse is marked by the reinforcing illocutionary devices, which occurs by using of intensity adverb “more” followed by other lexical elements: adverbs, adjectives and verbs.