bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen test in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica in a human cohort from Northern Samar, the Philippines
Authors: Cai Pengfei , Mu Yi , Weerakoon Kosala G. , Olveda Remigio M. , Ross Allen G. , McManus Donald P.
Published: September 2021

Background

Zoonotic schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, remains a major public health problem in the Philippines. This study aimed to evaluate the commercially available rapid diagnostic point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test in detecting individuals infected with S. japonicum in a human cohort from an endemic area for schistosomiasis japonica in the Philippines.

Methods

Clinical samples were collectedin 18 barangays endemic for S. japonicum infection in Laoang and Palapag municipalities, Northern Samar, the Philippines, in 2015. The presence of CCA in filter-concentrated urine samples (n = 412) was evaluated using the commercial kits and the results were converted to images, which were further analyzed by ImageJ software to calculate R values. The diagnostic performance of the immunochromatographic POC-CCA test was compared using the Kato-Katz (KK) procedure, in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and droplet digital (dd) PCR assays as reference.

Results

The POC-CCA test was able to detect S. japonicum-infected individuals in the cohort with an eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) more than or equal to 10 with sensitivity/specificity values of 63.3%/93.3%. However, the assay showed an inability to diagnose schistosomiasis japonica infections in all cohort KK-positive individuals, of which the majority had an extremely low egg burden (EPG: 1–9). The prevalence of S. japonicum infection in the total cohort determined by the POC-CCA test was 12.4%, only half of that determined by the KK method (26.2%). When compared with the ELISAs and ddPCR assays as a reference, the POC-CCA assay was further shown to be a test with low sensitivity. Nevertheless, the assay exhibited significant positive correlations with egg burden determined by the KK technique and the target gene copy number index values determined by the ddPCR assays within the entire cohort.

Conclusions

By using in silico image analysis, the POC-CCA cassette test could be converted to a quantitative assay to avoid reader-variability. Because of its low sensitivity, the commercially available POC-CCA assay had limited potential for determining the status of a S. japonicum infection in the target cohort. The assay should be applied with caution in populations where schistosome parasites (especially S. japonicum) are present at low infection intensity.

Graphic abstract
Comparing learners’ knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes between two instructional modes of computer programming in secondary education
Authors: Sun Dan , Ouyang Fan , Li Yan , Zhu Caifeng
Published: September 2021

Background

Unplugged programming is proved to be an effective means to foster the learner-centered programming learning. In addition to the final tests, learners’ programming knowledge, skills, and capacities are primarily demonstrated throughout the programming process, particularly in the situation when they encounter challenges and problems. However, few studies examine how learners engage in the programming processes and to what extent unplugged programming fosters learning. This research used a quasi-experimental design to investigate two instructional modes in China’s secondary education, namely, the instructor-directed lecturing and the learner-centered unplugged programming. Based on an analytical framework, this research used mixed methods to compare learners’ knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes under these two instructional modes.

Results

The research results revealed discrepancies between two instructional modes. First, learners in the unplugged programming class achieved significantly higher scores on the programming knowledge assessment, compared to learners in the traditional lecturing class. Second, compared to the traditional lecturing class, learners in the unplugged programming class had higher test scores of the computational thinking skills, particularly on the cooperativity dimension. Next, discrepancies of in-class behaviors showed that learners in the unplugged programming class had frequent behaviors of listening to the instructor’s instructions and discussing with peers, while learners in the instructor-directed class had frequent behaviors of listening to instructor, taking notes, and irrelevant activities. Learners’ self-reported attitudes in the unplugged programming indicated a higher level of confidence than learners in the traditional lecturing class. Overall, this research revealed that the learner-centered unplugged programming had potential to improve learners’ programming knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes compared to the traditional instructor-directed lecturing of programming.

Conclusions

As a feasible and easy-to-use instructional activity in computer science education, unplugged programming is encouraged to be integrated in formal education to increase learners’ programming interests, motivations, and qualities. This quasi-experimental research compared learners’ programming knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes under two instructional modes. The results revealed critical discrepancies between two instructional modes on learners’ knowledge gains, in-class behaviors, and changes of attitudes towards programming. Pedagogical and analytical implications were provided for future instructional design and learning analytics of computer programming education.
Safety assessment of bio-synthesized iodine-doped silver nanoparticle wound ointment in experimental rats
Authors: Shittu Oluwatosin Kudirat , Oluyomi Olawale Issac , Gara Theresa Yebo
Published: September 2021

Background

In the wake of antibiotic resistance, treatment of intractable wound have been very challenging and any alternative treatment which may lead to less use of antibiotics deserves further exploitation. Nanoparticle conjugates has potentially not only reduce antibiotic use but it has been considered safe and effectively disinfect wounds already colonized with resistant bacteria as well as promoting granulation tissue formation. In this study, Iodine-doped silver nanoparticle Ointment (Ag-I NPs) was investigated for its toxicological effect on excisional wound of albino rats.

Methods

Aqueous extraction of Piper guineense leaf was carried out and used for the synthesis of Ag-I NPs. The synthesized Ag-I NPs were characterized by Ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer which confirmed the availability of silver nanoparticles. The particles were then used to prepare a wound healing ointment for treating excision wound inflicted on wistar rat model. Blood samples, liver and kidney biopsies were collected on the 21st day of the experiment from all the rats for hematology, biochemical and histopathological analysis.

Result

In the hematological and biochemical analysis, hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of experimental rats treated with Ag-I NPs were significantly different (p < 0.05) compared to the untreated group. In the histopathology, the photomicrograph of the liver showed the normal control, PEG, Ag-NP, and Ag-I NP groups remained intact displaying distinctive histo-morphological appearance and stable cell density while the untreated (UTD) group showed fatty liver and reduced cellular density. The kidney photomicrograph of the normal control and Ag- I NP groups were present with intact renal corpuscles while the other photomicrographs displayed corpuscular degeneration marked by the large halo-spaced bowman space.

Conclusion

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and iodine-doped silver nanoparticle (Ag-I NP) altered haematological parameters in the rats and also influenced some biochemical changes in the serum of the rats. While in the histopathological study, the antioxidant present in the plant extract used to synthesize Ag NPs and Ag I-NPs may have functioned in synergy to maintain and preserve the integrity of the hepatocytes and renal corpuscles of the rats.
Proposed framework for blockchain technology in a decentralised energy network
Authors: Dzobo Oliver , Malila Bessie , Sithole Lindokhuhle
Published: September 2021

The integration of distributed renewable energy sources into the conventional power grid has become a hot research topic, all part of attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emission. There are many distributed renewable energy sources available and the network participants in energy delivery have also increased. This makes the management of the new power grid with integrated distributed renewable energy sources extremely complex. Applying the technical advantages of blockchain technology to this complex system to manage peer-to-peer energy sharing, transmission, data storage and build smart contracts between network participants can develop an optimal consensus mechanism within the new power grid. This paper proposes a new framework for the application of blockchain in a decentralised energy network. The microgrid is assumed to be private and managed by local prosumers. An overview description of the proposed model and a case study are presented in the paper.
Particle reconstruction of volumetric particle image velocimetry with the strategy of machine learning
Authors: Gao Qi , Pan Shaowu , Wang Hongping , Wei Runjie , Wang Jinjun
Published: September 2021

Three-dimensional particle reconstruction with limited two-dimensional projections is an under-determined inverse problem that the exact solution is often difficult to be obtained. In general, approximate solutions can be obtained by iterative optimization methods. In the current work, a practical particle reconstruction method based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) with geometry-informed features is proposed. The proposed technique can refine the particle reconstruction from a very coarse initial guess of particle distribution that is generated by any traditional algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) based methods. Compared with available ART-based algorithms, the novel technique makes significant improvements in terms of reconstruction quality, robustness to noise, and at least an order of magnitude faster in the offline stage.
Clinical outcomes of combined anterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ariel de Lima Diego , de Lima Lana Lacerda , de Souza Nayara Gomes Reis , de Moraes Perez Rodrigo Amorim , Sobrado Marcel Faraco , Guimarães Tales Mollica , Helito Camilo Partezani
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To compare the clinical outcomes of isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with combined reconstruction of the ACL and anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee.

Methods

A search was conducted on the PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases, in line with the PRISMA protocol. The indexation terms used were “anterior cruciate ligament” OR “acl” AND “anterolateral ligament” AND “reconstruction.” Articles that compared patients submitted to combined ACL and ALL reconstruction with those submitted to isolated reconstruction of the ACL, with levels of evidence I, II, and III, were included. Studies with follow-up of less than 2 years and articles that did not use “anatomical” techniques for ALL reconstruction, such as extraarticular tenodesis, were excluded. A meta-analysis with R software was conducted, with a random effects model, presented as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD), with a 95% confidence level (CI) and statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Results

Ten articles were selected, with a total of 1495 patients, most of whom were men, of whom 674 submitted to ACL and ALL reconstruction and 821 to isolated ACL reconstruction. Combined ACL and ALL reconstruction exhibited a statistically significant advantage in residual pivot shift (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24–0.47, I2 = 0%, p < 0.01), rerupture rate (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.19–0.62, I2 = 0%, p < 0.01), Lachman test (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40–0.86, I2 = 21%, p < 0.01), and postoperative Lysholm score (MD 2.28, CI 95% 0.75–3.81, I2 = 73%, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Combined ACL and ALL reconstruction obtained better postoperative clinical outcomes when compared with isolated ACL reconstruction, especially in reducing residual pivot shift and rerupture rate.
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for trace quantification of ethyl methanesulfonate: a genotoxic impurity in dapoxetine hydrochloride
Authors: Panchakarla Ravi Kiran , Ravi Punna Rao , Kondapalli Venkata Gowri Chandra Sekhar
Published: September 2021

Background

Dapoxetine hydrochloride is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug for treating premature ejaculation. This study was designed to develop and validate a sensitive and selective LC–MS/MS method for trace analysis of genotoxic impurity ethyl methanesulfonate in Dapoxetine hydrochloride.

Results

Chromatographic separation was achieved on the Shodex RSpak DS-413 column, 150 × 4.6 mm, 3.0 µm using eluent containing a equal volumes of acetonitrile and 0.1% v/v formic acid in water was used in the isocratic elution mode at a pump flow of 1.0 mL/min. No interference was observed at the retention time of ethyl methanesulfonate, indicating that the developed method is specific and selective for trace level quantification.The developed method was found to be linear in the concentration range of 1–50 ppm with coefficient of regression of 0.9997. Detection limit and quantification limit were determined to be 0.6 ppm and 1.0 ppm respectively. Acceptable RSD values (< 10.0%) and recovery results (> 90%) obtained from the accuracy and precison experiments indicate that the developed method is precise and accurate in the concentration range of 1–50 ppm. Ethyl methanesulfonate solutions were stable for two days when stored at room and refrigerated temperatures.

Conclusion

The developed method has the ability to quantify ethyl methanesulfonate in dapoxetine hydrochloride. Thus, the anticipated method has high probability to adopt in the quality testing laboratories of pharmaceutical industry.
My Cancer Genome: Coevolution of Precision Oncology and a Molecular Oncology Knowledgebase
Authors: Holt Marilyn E. , Mittendorf Kathleen F. , LeNoue-Newton Michele , Jain Neha M. , Anderson Ingrid , Lovly Christine M. , Osterman Travis , Micheel Christine , Levy Mia
Published: September 2021

PURPOSE

The My Cancer Genome (MCG) knowledgebase and resulting website were launched in 2011 with the purpose of guiding clinicians in the application of genomic testing results for treatment of patients with cancer. Both knowledgebase and website were originally developed using a wiki-style approach that relied on manual evidence curation and synthesis of that evidence into cancer-related biomarker, disease, and pathway pages on the website that summarized the literature for a clinical audience. This approach required significant time investment for each page, which limited website scalability as the field advanced. To address this challenge, we designed and used an assertion-based data model that allows the knowledgebase and website to expand with the field of precision oncology.

METHODS

Assertions, or computationally accessible cause and effect statements, are both manually curated from primary sources and imported from external databases and stored in a knowledge management system. To generate pages for the MCG website, reusable templates transform assertions into reconfigurable text and visualizations that form the building blocks for automatically updating disease, biomarker, drug, and clinical trial pages.

RESULTS

Combining text and graph templates with assertions in our knowledgebase allows generation of web pages that automatically update with our knowledgebase. Automated page generation empowers rapid scaling of the website as assertions with new biomarkers and drugs are added to the knowledgebase. This process has generated more than 9,100 clinical trial pages, 18,100 gene and alteration pages, 900 disease pages, and 2,700 drug pages to date.

CONCLUSION

Leveraging both computational and manual curation processes in combination with reusable templates empowers automation and scalability for both the MCG knowledgebase and MCG website.
Impact of Mobile Technologies on Cervical Cancer Screening Practices in Lagos, Nigeria (mHealth-Cervix): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Okunade Kehinde S. , Soibi-Harry Adaiah , John-Olabode Sarah , Adejimi Adebola A. , Allsop Matthew J. , Onyeka Tonia C. , Akaba Godwin O. , Oshodi Yusuf A. , Salako Omolola , Ugwu Aloy O. , Adefemi Ayodeji , Anorlu Rose I. , Berek Jonathan S.
Published: September 2021

PURPOSE

We assessed the impact of mHealth on Pap test screening uptake and also determined the factors that affect screening uptake among women in Lagos, Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was carried out among women in two tertiary health institutions in Lagos, Nigeria, between July 2020 and March 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to either a text message (mHealth) intervention or usual care arm. The main study outcome was the uptake of Pap smear testing within 6 months of enrollment in the study. We tested the associations between two groups of continuous variables using the unpooled independent-sample t-test (normal distribution) and that of two groups of categorical variables with the chi-square (χ2) test. Using a multinomial logistic regression model, we adjusted for relevant sociodemographic and clinical predictors of uptake of Pap smear screening. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.

RESULTS

There was a significantly higher rate of uptake of Pap smear screening among women in the mHealth arm compared with those in the usual care arm (51.0% v 35.7%, P = .031). Following adjustment in the final multivariate model, level of income (odds ratio [OR] = 5.13, 95% CI, 1.55 to 16.95), awareness of Pap smear (OR = 16.26; 95% CI, 2.49 to 76.64), General Outpatient clinic attendance, and introduction of mHealth intervention during follow-up (OR = 4.36; 95% CI, 1.44 to 13.22) were the independent predictors of Pap smear uptake.

CONCLUSION

The use of mHealth technologies intervention via short-text message services is a feasible solution for cervical cancer prevention in low- and middle-income countries, and thus, the widespread use of mHealth services by health care providers and policymakers could contribute to the implementation of cervical cancer prevention services in Nigeria and in the settings of other low- and middle-income countries.
MEK-inhibitor-mediated rescue of skeletal myopathy caused by activating Hras mutation in a Costello syndrome mouse model
Authors: Tidyman William E. , Goodwin Alice F. , Maeda Yoshiko , Klein Ophir D. , Rauen Katherine A.
Published: September 2021

Costello syndrome (CS) is a congenital disorder caused by heterozygous activating germline HRAS mutations in the canonical Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras/MAPK) pathway. CS is one of the RASopathies, a large group of syndromes due to mutations within various components of the Ras/MAPK pathway. An important part of the phenotype that greatly impacts quality of life is hypotonia. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying hypotonia in CS, a mouse model with an activating HrasG12V allele was utilized. We identified a skeletal myopathy that was due in part to an inhibition of embryonic myogenesis and myofiber formation, resulting in a reduction of myofiber size and number that led to reduced muscle mass and strength. In addition to hyperactivation of the Ras/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways, there was a significant reduction of p38 signaling, as well as global transcriptional alterations consistent with the myopathic phenotype. Inhibition of Ras/MAPK pathway signaling using a MEK inhibitor rescued the HrasG12V myopathy phenotype both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that increased MAPK signaling is the main cause of the muscle phenotype in CS.
Dyskerin: an essential pseudouridine synthase with multifaceted roles in ribosome biogenesis, splicing, and telomere maintenance
Authors: Garus Alexandre , Autexier Chantal
Published: September 2021

Dyskerin and its homologs are ancient and conserved enzymes that catalyze the most common post-transcriptional modification found in cells, pseudouridylation. The resulting pseudouridines provide stability to RNA molecules and regulate ribosome biogenesis and splicing events. Dyskerin does not act independently—it is the core component of a protein heterotetramer, which associates with RNAs that contain the H/ACA motif. The variety of H/ACA RNAs that guide the function of this ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex highlights the diversity of cellular processes in which dyskerin participates. When associated with small nucleolar (sno) RNAs, it regulates ribosomal (r) RNAs and ribosome biogenesis. By interacting with small Cajal body (sca) RNAs, it targets small nuclear (sn) RNAs to regulate pre-mRNA splicing. As a component of the telomerase holoenzyme, dyskerin binds to the telomerase RNA to modulate telomere maintenance. In a disease context, dyskerin malfunction can result in multiple detrimental phenotypes. Mutations inDKC1, the gene that encodes dyskerin, cause the premature aging syndrome X-linked dyskeratosis congenita (X-DC), a still incurable disorder that typically leads to bone marrow failure. In this review, we present the classical and most recent findings on this essential protein, discussing the evolutionary, structural, and functional aspects of dyskerin and the H/ACA RNP. The latest research underscores the role that dyskerin plays in the regulation of gene expression, translation efficiency, and telomere maintenance, along with the impacts that defective dyskerin has on aging, cell proliferation, haematopoietic potential, and cancer.
Literary Representations of Descent and Social Mobility: the Case of the Lakapenoi
Authors: KOSTOURAKIS Nikolaos L.
Published: September 2021

Ο Ρωμανός Α΄ Λακαπηνός παραδοσιακά θεωρείται ταπεινής καταγωγής. Ωστόσο, η δωρεά ενός τόπου βασιλικοῦ από τον Βασίλειο Α΄ στον πατέρα του, Θεοφύλακτο Αβάστακτο, και η εξ αγχιστείας συγγένεια με τον στρατηγό Αδράλεστο έχει οδηγήσει σε αναθεώρηση της επικρατούσας άποψης σχετικά με την κοινωνική καταγωγή των Λακαπηνών. Ταυτόχρονα, οι πηγές που αναφέρονται ρητά στο ζήτημα παραδίδουν αποκλίνουσες εκδοχές. Στο παρόν άρθρο εξετάζεται, αφενός, η κοινωνική θέση της οικογένειας μέσα από την δράση των μελών της και, αφετέρου, επιχειρείται ερμηνεία των στρατηγικών με τις οποίες οι πηγές αναπαριστούν την καταγωγή των Λακαπηνών, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στα πολιτικά κίνητρά τους και την πρόσληψη του φαινομένου της κοινωνικής κινητικότητας. Προτείνεται ότι η οικογένεια ήταν άσημη και πως η σταδιακή άνοδός της επέτρεψε στον Ρωμανό να σφετεριστεί τον θρόνο, καθώς και ότι δύο φιλολακαπηνικές πηγές, μολονότι ενδέχεται να αναπαράγουν κοινές παραδόσεις, διαφωνούν ως προς την καταγωγή του Ρωμανού λόγω της διαφορετικής προέλευσης και στόχευσής τους.
Church Union and Balance of Powers in Late Byzantium: The Testimony of Georgios Sphrantzes
Authors: VACHAVIOLOS Dimitrios
Published: September 2021

Η παρούσα εργασία εστιάζει στην αξιολόγηση της Συνόδου Φερράρας – Φλωρεντίας στην οποία προέβη ο Γεώργιος Σφραντζής στο ιστοριογραφικό του έργο, το οποίο γράφτηκε λίγες μόλις δεκαετίες ύστερα από την Άλωση της Κωνσταντινούπολης (1453). Η επιλογή να εστιάσουμε στον συγκεκριμένο συγγραφέα δεν είναι τυχαία. Η συμμετοχή του σε πολλαπλές διπλωματικές αποστολές, αλλά και τα διάφορα κυβερνητικά αξιώματα που του ανατέθηκαν κατά καιρούς, τον καθιστούν άριστο γνώστη των θεμάτων της εξωτερικής πολιτικής της Αυτοκρατορίας αλλά και των λόγων που οδήγησαν κάθε φορά τον εκάστοτε αυτοκράτορα σε συγκεκριμένες πολιτικές αποφάσεις. Η ιστορική του αφήγηση, επί πλέον, δεν απηχεί ιδεολογικές συγκρούσεις ούτε θρησκευτικές διενέξεις. Έτσι, η μαρτυρία του συμβάλλει αποφασιστικά στην καλύτερη δυνατή κατανόηση των κριτηρίων βάσει των οποίων οι τελευταίοι υιοθέτησαν τη συγκεκριμένη πολιτική, ενώ παράλληλα μας επιτρέπει να κατανοήσουμε πώς αυτή αντιμετωπίστηκε από ένα τμήμα τουλάχιστον των κυβερνητικών αξιωματούχων της εποχής εκείνης.
Book Review: M. HESLOP, Medieval Greece: encounters between Latins, Greeks and others in the Dodecanese and the Mani [ser. Variorum Collected Studies]; foreword by Jonathan HARRIS [xvi-xviii] (London & New York: Routledge-Francis & Taylor Group, 2021)
Authors: ΠΕΡΡΑ ΦΩΤΕΙΝΗ Β.
Published: September 2021

M. Heslop, Medieval Greece: encounters between Latins, Greeks and others in the  Dodecanese and the Mani [ser. Variorum Collected Studies]; foreword by Jonathan  HARRIS [xvi-xviii] (London & New York: Routledge-Francis & Taylor Group, 2021)
Does standard cosmology really predict the cosmic microwave background?
Authors: Traunmüller Hartmut
Published: September 2021

In standard Big Bang cosmology, the universe expanded from a very dense, hot and opaque initial state. The light that was last scattered about 380,000 years later, when the universe had become transparent, has been redshifted and is now seen as thermal radiation with a temperature of 2.7 K, the cosmic microwave background (CMB). However, since light escapes faster than matter can move, it is prudent to ask how we, made of matter from this very source, can still see the light. In order for this to be possible, the light must take a return path of the right length. A curved return path is possible in spatially closed, balloon-like models, but in standard cosmology, the universe is “flat” rather than balloon-like, and it lacks a boundary surface that might function as a reflector. Under these premises, radiation that once filled the universe homogeneously cannot do so permanently after expansion, and we cannot see the last scattering event. It is shown that the traditional calculation of the CMB temperature is inappropriate and that light emitted by any source inside the Big Bang universe earlier than half its “conformal age” can only become visible to us via a return path. Although often advanced as the best evidence for a hot Big Bang, the CMB actually tells against a formerly smaller universe and so do also distant galaxies.
Ineffective humoral anti-tick IgY-response in birds: reaction against pathogen constituents?
Authors: Heylen Dieter , Bisaglia Beatrice , Fracasso Gerardo , Prinsen Els , Müller Wendt , Matthysen Erik
Published: September 2021

Background:Variation in parasite burdens among hosts is typically related to differences in adaptive immunity. Comprehension of underlying mechanisms is hence necessary to gain better insights into endemic transmission cycles. Here we investigate whether wild songbirds that have never been exposed to ticks develop adaptive humoral immunity against endemicIxodes ricinusticks.

Methods: Blue tits were exposed three times in succession to wildIxodes ricinusticks. For each infestation, serum samples were obtained. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed, using tick salivary antigens, in order to quantify the bird’s IgY response against ticks. In addition, at every sampling occasion the birds’ body weight (corrected for body size) and haematocrit level was determined.

Results:Individual IgY levels against the ticks’ salivary proteins increased over three consecutive tick infestations, and large among-individual variation was observed. The responses were specifically directed againstI. ricinus; cross-reactivity against the congeneric tree-hole tickIxodes arboricolawas negligibly low. IgY responses did not impinge on tick feeding success (engorgement weight and attachment success). Yet, those birds with the highest immune responses were more capable to reduce the acute harm (blood depletions) by compensating erythrocyte loss. Furthermore, at the end of the experiment, these birds had gained more body weight than birds with lower IgY levels.

Conclusions:Latter observations can be considered as an effect of host quality and/or tolerance mechanisms. Birds anticipate the (future) costs of the activation of the immune system by ticks and/or ongoing tick-borne pathogen infections. Furthermore, although unsuccessful against tick feeding, the IgY responses may indirectly protect birds against tick-borne disease by acting against salivary protein secretions on which pathogens rely for transmission.
Frailty in people with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Hanlon Peter , Morrison Holly , Morton Fraser , Jani Bhautesh D , Siebert Stefan , Lewsey Jim , McAllister David , Mair Frances S
Published: September 2021

Background: Frailty, an age-related decline in physiological reserve, is an increasingly important concept in the management of chronic diseases. The implications of frailty in people with rheumatoid arthritis are not well understood. We undertook a systematic review to assess the prevalence of frailty in people with rheumatoid arthritis, and the relationship between frailty and clinical outcomes.

Methods: We searched three electronic databases (January 2001 to April 2021) for observational studies assessing the prevalence of frailty in adults (≥18 years) with rheumatoid arthritis, or analysing the relationship between frailty and clinical outcomes in the context of rheumatoid arthritis. Titles, abstracts and full texts were assessed independently by two reviewers. Study quality was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results: We identified 17 analyses, from 14 different sample populations. 15/17 were cross-sectional. These studies used 11 different measures of frailty. Frailty prevalence ranged from 10% (frailty phenotype) to 36% (comprehensive rheumatologic assessment of frailty) in general adult populations with rheumatoid arthritis. In younger populations (<60 or <65 years) prevalence ranged from 2.4% (frailty phenotype) to 19.9% (Kihon checklist) while in older populations (>60 or >65) prevalence ranged from 31.2% (Kihon checklist) to 55% (Geriatric 8 tool). Frailty was associated with higher disease activity (10/10 studies), lower physical function (7/7 studies), longer disease duration (2/5 studies), hospitalization (1/1 study) and osteoporotic fractures (1/1 study).

Conclusion: Our review found that frailty is common in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, including those aged <65 years, and is associated with a range of adverse features. However, these is substantial heterogeneity in how frailty is measured in rheumatoid arthritis. We found a lack of longitudinal studies making the impact of frailty on clinical outcomes over time and the extent to which frailty is caused by rheumatoid arthritis unclear.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome related to anemia correction in a patient with uterine myoma: a case report
Authors: Lee Jisun , Lee Hyun Jung
Published: September 2021

Although posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is induced by various causes, a few cases have occurred after severe anemia correction. In this case report, a 45-year-old female patient visited emergency department with a chief complaint of dizziness due to severe anemia related to hypermenorrhea caused by uterine myoma. Before her operation, she had an abrupt headache and seizure during anemia correction with transfusion and injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. Immediately after the operation, she experienced visual disturbances, followed by limb weakness and tonic-clonic movements. Magnetic resonance imaging showed alterations in parietal and occipital lobes suggesting cerebrovascular edema with hypoperfusion. Here, we presented and discussed the clinical and radiologic features of PRES related to anemia correction.
Questões chaves da noção jurídica do direito à cidade
Authors: Júnior Nelson Saule , Libório Daniela Campos
Published: September 2021

O estudo realizado propõe analisar a noção jurídica do direito à cidade que precisa ser melhor desenvolvida e consolidada, no campo do direito em especial do direito urbanístico. Para essa análise são considerados os marcos referenciais dos direitos humanos no plano internacional, as normas constitucionais sobre a política urbana e o tratamento do Estatuto das Cidades. Para o desenvolvimento dessa noção é feita uma abordagem sobre o significado terminológico de cidades sustentáveis, e o de cidades (especialmente na sua dimensão territorial) que integram a definição do direito à cidade no Estatuto das Cidades. A questão da titularidade do direito à cidade é  considerada como primordial para a compreensão da noção jurídica desse direito;, bem como sobre  o bem jurídico que deve ser objeto de proteção, com base no entendimento  da cidade como um bem comum cujos componentes para essa qualificação são: a cidade: livre de qualquer forma de  discriminação; com cidadania inclusiva ;com maior participação política ;  que  cumpre  as suas funções sociais; com espaços públicos de qualidade ; com  igualdade de gênero ;  com diversidade cultural, com economias inclusivas,   como um sistema de assentamento e ecossistema comum.
Placemaking nas cidades: a transformação do espaço público na sociedade da informação
Authors: Fuller Greice Patricia , Sutti Alessandra Arantes
Published: September 2021

O objetivo deste trabalho é demonstrar que as cidades sofreram grandes transformações ao longo do tempo e, por serem consideradas um organismo vivo, precisam ser retroalimentadas constantemente. Essa retroalimentação, por sua vez, adentra na Sociedade da Informação com a exigência de se respeitar o direito à cidade, que deve ser saudável, segura, resiliente, caminhável, inteligente e sustentável, ou seja, em homeostase. Tal verificação se deu por meio de estudo qualitativo, onde se verificou que o comportamento dos indivíduos e suas ações estabelecem a transformação do espaço público, gerando maior fluidez, conforto e pertencimento, ou seja, qualidade de vida. Conclui-se que o êxito dessa qualidade de vida nas cidades contemporâneas depende da transformação dos espaços públicos por meio do placemaking, considerado o processo de inserção da escala humana entre o planejamento urbano e os padrões de uso das cidades e, como ferramenta social, contribui para a transformação de um mero espaço em um lugar de encontros, sentidos e conectividade.
Use of multilayer silicone foam dressings as adjuvant therapy to prevent pressure injuries
Authors: Faucher Nathalie , Barateau Martine , Hentz Franck , Michel Philippe , Meaume Sylvie , Rousseaux Chantal , Marty Marc , Fort Marc le , Nicolas Benoit
Published: September 2021

Despite progress in the prevention of pressure injuries (PIs), they remain a challenging public health problem because of their frequency and morbidity. Protection of the skin by multilayer silicone foam dressings may be an adjuvant measure to prevent PIs in high-risk patients. Despite the available clinical data and published recommendations on this measure, caregivers face difficulties in identifying patients who would benefit from this adjuvant measure. The objective of this work was to define the profiles of high-risk patients who would benefit optimally from this measure in combination with basic preventive procedures. This consensual expert opinion was drawn up using two methods: the Nominal Group Technique with eight medical and paramedical experts, and the Delphi process with 16 experts. The bases for this expert consensual opinion were a formal search and analysis of the published literature regarding evidence on the prevention of PIs using multilayer silicone foam dressings. The consensual expert opinion reported here addresses five proposals mostly intended to define patients who would benefit from the use of a multilayer silicone foam dressing (≥4 layers) to prevent PIs (sacrum and heels).
Antiunitarian Arguments from Divine Perfection
Authors: Tuggy Dale
Published: September 2021

Some have argued that unipersonal concepts of God collapse into incoherence, so that such a being is no more possible than a square circle, or at least that such theologies are, as non-trinitarian, significantly less probable than some trinitarian theologies. I discuss the general strategy and examine recent arguments by William Lane Craig, C. Stephen Layman, Thomas V. Morris, and Richard Swinburne based on divine love, flourishing, and glory. I show why none of these arguments is compelling, as each has at least one weak premise.
Theology without Anathemas
Authors: Nemes Steven
Published: September 2021

The object of the present essay is to establish the possibility of “theology without anathemas.” First, an argument is given for the conclusion that infallible knowledge in matters of theology is not now possible. Both the Protestant doctrine of claritas scripturae and the Roman Catholic understanding of the Magisterium of the Church are rejected. Then, an alternative, “fallibilist” ecclesiology is proposed, according to which (knowingly) to belong to the Church is a matter of (understanding oneself as) having been claimed by Christ as His own. When combined with a universal doctrine of election and a highly objective and actualized doctrine of the Atonement, such a conception of the Church makes it possible to understand theology as a collaborative and cooperative effort on the part of all to understand better this Christ to whom they all always already belong.
Analysis of Dual Input Buck-Boost Converter for Solar PV Integration with Wireless Electric Vehicle Charger
Authors: Kamalapathi Kuditi , Srinivasan Rao Nayak Panugothu , Kumar Tyagi Vipul
Published: September 2021

Investigation of on-board renewable solar PV and wireless EV chargingstation integration is studied in this paper. Integration of on-board solar PVpower with EV charger power will reduce the stress on the grid without theneed for extra ground for solar plant installation. A dual-input buck-boostconverter (DIBBC) is used to integrate the two power sources and chargethe EV battery. A small-signal model of the converter is used to design thecontroller for three switches of the DIBBC. The simulation model of the inte-grated solar PV system and wireless power transfer (WPT) system is designedfor charging a battery of 120V/165Ah at 130V. The hardware prototype ofthe proposed EV battery charging system is designed for 1.5kW to verify thesimulation results. WPT system is developed for circular spiral-shaped coils,which are series-series compensated for 85kHz resonance frequency. SolarPV is replaced by a solar simulator programmed to operate with the samespecifications used in the simulation. Results and analysis of the DIBBCbased charger with charging voltage 130V showed higher efficiency up to 92% when both the sources are supplying power to DIBBC. The proposedcharging system gives better efficiency with higher source voltages and whenthe difference in power supplied by the two sources is less. Thus, highervoltage sources are beneficial for improving the efficiency of the integratedcharging system. Further, loss analysis in major components of the converteris discussed.
Introduction
Authors: Watt Paul
Published: September 2021

The Introduction outlines the book’s rationale, research questions, methodology and theoretical frameworks within the context of London’s housing crisis and growing inequality. This context is encapsulated by the street homeless bedding down near citadels of private wealth in the form of luxury apartment blocks – many of which are half-empty – which cater for the global super-rich and are central to London’s property development. It is this juxtaposition – zero domestic space for those who desperately need it, but an overabundance of such space for those who don’t need or even want it – which lies at the cruel heart of London’s housing crisis. Other dimensions of this crisis include housing deprivation (e.g. overcrowding) and dispossession (e.g. evictions), both of which negatively impact upon London’s multi-ethnic working-class population. The chapter examines the highly controversial role played by estate demolition in relation to the housing crisis. The Introduction discusses critical urbanism, Bourdieusian sociology, verstehen sociology, and the sociology and geography of place. Place is examined in terms of attachment, images and myths, and also elective belonging (Savage) and selective belonging (Watt). Other central concepts include home and un-homing, neighbourhood and community, working class (Allen), values (Skeggs), marginalisation (Wacquant), gentrification, expulsions (Sassen) and displacement.
Beginnings
Authors: Watt Paul
Published: September 2021

This chapter examines the beginning phase of regeneration, and emphasises how residents became disillusioned, not least due to unsatisfactory consultation processes. Two examples of early-stage regeneration are discussed: the long-running, incomplete Canning Town/Custom House scheme in Newham, and the more recent Northwold estate scheme in Hackney. Residents raised similar concerns at each: inadequate consultation, unclear information, anxieties about demolition and the breakup and displacement of the existing community, and that the primary beneficiaries would be property developers rather than themselves. Residents often regarded consultation as confused and confusing, not due to ‘ignorance’ but rather resulting from the one-sided, obfuscatory and sanitised nature of consultation, including surveys that omit the D-word – ‘demolition’. The final section analyses residents’ responses to comprehensive redevelopment involving demolition. A profound value gap exists between regeneration rationales and mass media place myths about estates (‘sink estates’), and residents’ own attachments to their homes and neighbourhoods. Reponses to demolition are impacted by tenure and associated rehousing rights, with council/social tenants (with most rights) being relatively more favourably inclined than owner-occupiers or temporary tenants. The minority of social tenant demolition supporters tended to be those who were already un-homed either due to overcrowding or poor-quality housing.
Epilogue
Authors: Thompson Paul , Plummer Ken , Demireva Neli
Published: September 2021

This chapter looks at how far the pioneers had responded to the key social changes in their working lifetimes, and the extent to which they had addressed through fieldwork research what now seem to be crucial issues for our future. It also discusses the local traditional religious rituals documented by the anthropologists working abroad both before and after the Second World War. The chapter then shifts to elaborate on the issues of sexual diversity, environment, and climate change. It demonstrates the need and potential for other life-story researchers to explore the issues around social researchers and climate change by focusing on Michael Redclift. Ultimately, the chapter illustrates his life's work and both his commitment and his sense of marginalization in the British social research world. It also narrates his interests in the relationships between human society, the environment, nature, and climate change.
Communication, the media and deliberation
Authors: Marshall Tim , Marshall Tim
Published: September 2021

Part of the processes analysed in chapters 6 and 7 concerns the communication and mediation of ideas and policies. This is not an innocent or neutral process, but something which can affect deeply the content of any field being communicated and mediated. This chapter examines two dimensions of these activities. One focus is on the media, including the range of communication fields affecting planning. Particular study is made of the role of the press centrally and locally. The impending demise of the local press in Britain is studied, noting the problematic effects for the public understanding of planning. The second focus is on the actual and potential roles of public deliberation and participation. It is argued that there is scope to improve this considerably, working on the foundation of extensive experience built up nationally and internationally over recent decades.
Political parties and the policy process
Authors: Adshead Maura , Scully Diarmuid
Published: September 2021

This chapter examines the role of political parties in the policy process. The chapter employs a model of the policy process stages to examine how Irish political parties operate in each stage. This constitutes an exploration of the extent to which so-called ‘new politics’ might have impacted on recent political party roles and performance. However, ‘new politics’, governments without a clear majority seeking consensual support for their policies in the Dáil is nothing new, with no single party majority Government since 1977. Programmatic Government has been normalised and consensus-seeking has become the modus operandi for parties. What is new is that long established parties are now joined by an increasing number of smaller parties in the Dáil, raising the potential to shift the balance of power away from the larger parties, with consequences for the style of, and capacity for, policy analysis. However, the chapter shows that this tendency has been less marked than might have been expected.
Youth and Europe
Authors: Bynner John , Heinz Walter R.
Published: September 2021

‘Youth and Europe’ extends the notion of identity further, this time in the context of the development of the European Union (EU). The EU mission was to establish, especially among young people, a European identity in all the EU states. The distribution of resources and the rates of youth unemployment in the UK and Germany follows, considered from the perspective of social justice and the consequences of ‘Brexit’. The contribution of EU youth policies to young people’s participation and active citizenship as well as to respecting and integrating cultural diversity is also highlighted. The economic and cultural divisions, leading to sceptical attitudes toward the European Union are also discussed. The Erasmus programme and the wider benefits of the EU youth agenda aimed at reducing unemployment and poverty are presented as highly valued examples of European youth collaboration.
Political participation, mobilisation and the internet
Authors: Bynner John , Heinz Walter R.
Published: September 2021

Youth prospects are related to the possibility of participating in the political process, including political activism, mobilisation, and the internet. The focus is on political education and engagement in use of the internet, exemplified by the impressive, digitalised campaigns launched internationally on such issues as climate change and saving the planet. Young people perceive the political process as mainly online. Political socialisation takes place via social media where the interest in national and European issue is rather limited. Media competence must be developed early and organised as a ‘toolbox’ for dealing with the character of communications. New youth movements like “Fridays for Future”, however, have mobilised youth to participate in the debate about climate change and young people’s voting preferences in national and EU elections and are also addressed.
Rural practitioner vignette
Authors: Whalley John
Published: September 2021

This chapter describes the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) as a beautiful region of approximately 2,400 square kilometres located on Cape Breton Island in the eastern part of Nova Scotia. It talks about the characterization of Cape Breton Island by both an aging and declining population hundreds as young adults have migrated out of the region for educational and work opportunities. It also analyzes the shift in the shape of the CBRM's age pyramid as there have been fewer young people and far more people in the older age cohorts. The chapter elaborates how the CBRM is increasingly challenged to identify initiatives and programs that will effectively accommodate and support an aging population, as it is among the poorest municipalities in Nova Scotia. It points out the CBRM's active transportation strategy, which has been supported by the municipal council and has resulted in far better infrastructure for walking and cycling in the region.