bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age Estimation using Aorta Image Analysis in the Thai Population
Authors: Komutrattananont Pornhatai , Gumpangseth Treerat , Palee Parison , Prasitwattanaseree Sukon , Abd Ghafar Norzana , Kanchai Chaturong , Mahakkanukrauh Pasuk
Published: March 2021

The current technology used in imaging has an increasing role in medical education. The concept of using an image analysis programme to help in estimating the age of the aorta, the largest artery, can be clearly seen to be of use, especially in establishing age changes for the identification of individuals. The purposes of the study were to investigate gross morphology, morphometric parameters, and the correlation between parameters with age of the aorta in human cadavers by using an image analysis programme. A total of 244 specimens were dissected from 4 locations of 61 human aortas from donour and autopsy cadavers with an age range of 20 to 90 years. The morphometric parameters included outer circumference, inner circumference, aortic diameter, and average thickness of all locations of the aorta. These were defined and measured by using the image analysis programme. The results of this study showed that the outer circumference (r=0.808-0.739), inner circumference (r=0.763-0.682), vertical diameter of the aorta (r=0.628-0.524) and horizontal diameter of the aorta (r=0.808-0.396) showed a significant correlation with age in all areas of the aorta. In the ascending aorta, the correlation between the outer circumference, horizontal diameter and age were higher than other variables and areas. The age equation established pertinent to the outer circumference (OC) in the ascending aorta was age = -61.648+ (1.141(OC)) with a standard error of ± 12.45 years. The age prediction equation for the horizontal diameter (HD) in the ascending aorta was age = -35.799+ (4.134(HD)) and a standard error of ± 12.43 years. In conclusion, knowledge of the structural changes associated with age can be used for age estimation in forensic anthropology.
Determinants of Pertussis among Young Children in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Mansor Juliana , Ismail Halim , Ismail Noriah
Published: March 2021

The resurgence of pertussis infection worldwide, including Malaysia, is alarming. Young children have the highest reported pertussis incidence and death rates. However, little is known of the risk factors of pertussis in Malaysia. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors of pertussis infection among children. We conducted a case-control study involving 143 children aged ≤2 years from Selangor, Malaysia. The children were identified from eNotifikasi, a web-based notification site, from 1 January to 31 December, 2018. Information on clinical presentation and risk factors were collected during investigation of the case by the district health office. Multivariate analysis showed that the odds for pertussis were higher among children aged <3 months (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.54; 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.835, 16.710) and among children who had not received their vaccination according to age (aOR 5.641; 95% CI; 1.845, 17.245). The mean duration of cough among the cases was 10.22 days (SD 8.964); that of the controls was 6.47 days (SD 7.098). Paroxysmal cough (93.6%) was the predominant symptom among the cases. A total of 42.6% of cases were aged <2 months, whilst most of the controls were aged >5 months (40.4%). Up to 42.6% of cases and 68.7% of controls were immunised according to their age. Therefore, it is important to ensure that children are vaccinated once they have attained the appropriate age.
Polarity Difference and the Presence of Phytoestrogen Compounds Affecting Estrogenic Activity of Peperomia pellucida Extracts
Authors: Ayu Kartika I Gusti Agung , Insanu Muhamad , Riani Catur , Chung Kyu Hyuck , Adnyana I Ketut
Published: March 2021

Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth has been studied as an anti-osteoporotic agent. However, there is no report about its estrogenic activity, which is important for its anti-osteoporotic activity. Thus, the aim of this research was to study the estrogenic potency of P. pellucida extracts. The estrogenic activity of P. pellucida extracts (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water extracts) was studied using E-screen assay and confirmed with a molecular docking simulations. Further, the presence of phytoestrogen compounds was identified using thin layer chromatography (TLC), TLC densitometry, and high performance liquid chromatography. The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts at a concentration of 0.1 μg mL-1 exhibited a partial agonist effect, whereas the water extract showed full agonisteffect at the similar concentration. This activity was produced through a classical ligand-dependent mechanism similar to estradiol. N-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed antiestrogenic activity. The TLC chromatogram evidently depicted the presence of quercetin and stigmasterol in the n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts. Apigenin and apigetrin at concentrations of 0.239±0.076 and 1.063±0.156 μg mg-1 extract, respectively, were present in the water extract. A docking study on estrogen receptors confirmed that apigetrin prefer to produce estrogenic activity, whereas the other compounds can produce both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity. Hence, we suggest that the bioactive compounds in the water extract are flavonoids, such as apigenin and apigetrin. In summary, the water extract is recommended to be used as an estrogenic agent.
Treatment of thrice-negative breast cancer in a patient with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Roitberg G. E. , Dorosh J. V. , Anikeeva O. Yu.
Published: March 2021

Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the most common diseases of the female population. According to statistics, breast cancer is detected in every eighth woman. Approximately 20‑24% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Triple‑negative breast cancer is characterized by an aggressive clinical course, a higher relapse rate, and low overall survival. According to statistics, the median survival rate for women with metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer is less than one year. We demonstrate a successful case of treatment of a 60‑year‑old woman diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on the right, edematous‑infiltrative form, St IIIC cT4bN3M0 on the background of metabolic syndrome. Antitumor treatment lasted 1 year and consisted of three stages: systemic chemotherapy, surgical treatment (radical mastectomy), and adjuvant radiation therapy. After the treatment, remission was achieved. The patient is alive and has a relapse‑free period of 3 years.Conclusion.Despite the severe concomitant pathology in the observed patient, we received a positive result of multi‑ stage therapy, where cytotoxic chemotherapy was the basic treatment for a woman with triple negative breast cancer.
Minimal İnvaziv Pektus Ekskavatum Ameliyatı: Tek Merkez Deneyimi
Authors: ACIPAYAM Ahmet , TOKUR Mahmut
Published: March 2021

ÖZ

Minimal İnvaziv Pektus Ekskavatum Ameliyatı: Tek Merkez Deneyimi

Amaç: Pektus Ekskavatum (PE), en sık görülen göğüs duvarı deformitesidir . PE 300-400 canlı doğumda bir görülür. PE’un cerrahi tedavisinde birçok yöntem bulunmakla birlikte en sık kullanılan yaklaşımlar sternum altına metal bir bar yerleştirilerek deformiteyi düzeltmeyi amaçlayan Nuss yöntemidir. Bu çalışmada kliniğimizde gerçekleştirdiğimiz Nuss operasyonlarının sonuçlarını literatür eşliğinde sunmayı amaçladık.

Gereç ve Yöntem: Ağustos 2011-Aralık 2019 tarihleri arasında kliniğimizde PE nedeniyle Nuss operasyonu uygulanan 20 hastanın verileri retrospektif olarak incelendi.

Bulgular: Hastaların 18’i erkek 2’si kadındı. Opere ettiğimiz hastaların yaş dağılımı 6 ile 17 yaş arasında olup ortanca yaş 15 idi. Hastalarda operasyon için endikasyon kozmetik sebepler idi. Ortalama hastanede yatış süresi 7 gün (dağılım 3-15 gün) idi. Hastaların %95’i operasyon sonrası deformitenin düzelmesine bağlı sonuçtan memnun olduğunu ifade ettiler.

Sonuç: PE için yapılan minimal invaziv girişim olan Nuss operasyonu daha kısa operasyon süresi, daha küçük insizyon skarı ve daha estetik görünmesi nedeniyle hasta memnuniyetini arttırmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Pektus ekskavatum, Nuss Operasyonu, Göğüs Deformitesi
Mesenchymal stem cells versus their extracellular vesicles in treatment of liver fibrosis: Is it possible to compare?
Authors: Attia Noha , Khalifa Yasmine , Rostom Dina , Mashal Mohamed
Published: March 2021

Liver fibrosis (LF) is a worldwide health problem that is associated with a range of complications and high mortality. Due to the scarcity of liver donors, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy emerged as an alternative therapeutic strategy. However, it is widely accepted that most of the transplanted MSCs exhibit their therapeutic impact mainly via a bystander paracrine (medicinal) capacity. In addition to their secretory proteins, MSCs also produce various types of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are classiﬁed into three main subtypes: microvesicles, exosomes and apoptotic bodies. Thanks to their peculiar cargo composition (e.g., proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids), EVs serve as an advantageous candidate for cell-free therapy. Recently, MSC-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) have gained the podium due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory effect. In mitigation/treatment of LF, a plethora of recent studies have shown the anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and cytoprotective effects of both MSCs and MSC-EVs in various in vitro and in vivo models of LF. However, despite the limited evidence, we sought in this mini review to sort out the established data and formulate several challenging questions that must be answered to pave the way for further clinical applications. One of the major questions to ask is “Which is the best therapeutic approach, MSCs or MSC-EVs?” We tried to highlight how difficult it might be to compare the two approaches while our understanding of both candidates is still deficient. Among the major obstacles against such comparison is the inaccurate equivalent dose determination, the unknown in vivo behavior, and the undetermined lifespan/fate of each. Currently, the fields of MSCs and MSC-EVs seem to be rich in ideas but lacking in appropriate technologies to test these ideas. Nevertheless, continuous efforts are likely to help resolve some of the challenges listed here.
COVID-19 Lockdown Worries About the Virus and Finances
Authors: Field Tiffany , Poling Samantha , Mines Shantay , Bendell Debra , Veazey Connie
Published: March 2021

Worries about getting the virus and worrying about finances have been associated with negative mood states including anxiety and depression during COVID-19 lockdowns. In this Survey Monkey study conducted during a COVID-19 lockdown (N= 260 respondents), 88% reported worrying about getting the virus and 72% worrying about their finances. Correlation analyses suggested that worries about the virus and about finances were related to each other and were, in turn, positively related to scores on scales measuring COVID-related stress, negative mood states including anxiety and depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. These problems were common to both types of worries as was the lack of health activities including exercise, self-care, and touching partners and children. Some findings were unique to each of the worries. Worrying about the virus was related to being active on social media, connecting with friends, and housekeeping and paperwork. Worrying about finances was correlated with caregiving, unemployment, less schooling, and alcohol use. The results of this survey are limited by the self-reported data from a non-representative sample that is cross-sectional. Nonetheless, they highlight the negative effects of worries about the virus and about finances during a COVID-19 lockdown.
Prevalence of syphilis reactivity in patients with stroke, cognitive impairment and extrapyramidal syndromes: a retrospective study.
Authors: Ciccarese Giulia , Drago Francesco , Drago Bianco , Parodi Aurora
Published: March 2021

In the last two decades, there has been a resurgence of syphilis worldwide. However, epidemiological data on neurosyphilis are inconsistent for the lack of reporting data and diagnostic gold standard tests. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of syphilis reactivity in a cohort of patients with neurological diseases of our hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the patients hospitalized at the Stroke Unit of the Neurology Clinic and those suffering from cognitive impairment hospitalized at the acute ward of the Geriatrics Clinic between January 2017 and December 2019. Also the patients who attended the Movement disorder outpatient clinic during the same study period were examined. To detect syphilis reactivity a qualitative specific treponemal test on patient’s serum was performed: the Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA). A total of 652 patients were admitted and 315 of them (52%) were submitted to a routine screening for syphilis: 307 (97%) were negative while 8 (3%) had a positive syphilis serology. The TPHA-positive patients (4 males, 4 females) were 2 patients with stroke, 5 with cognitive impairment and 1 with Parkinsonism with a mean age of 83 years, suffering from multiple comorbidities. Although the patients we have retrospectively studied have not undergone lumbar puncture to confirm the diagnosis of neurosyphilis, the not negligible syphilis reactivity rate found in our series suggests that serological screening for syphilis should be reviewed as a routine screening test in neurology and geriatrics departments, especially if the clinical presentation of the neurological diseases is atypical.
Changes of outer retinal thickness with increasing age in normal eyes
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China, Li Zi-Jing , Xiao Jian-Hui ,   Department of Ophthalmology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China, Zeng Peng ,   Department of Ophthalmology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China, Gao Xiang ,   Department of Ophthalmology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China, Liao Yun-Ru ,   Department of Ophthalmology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China
Published: March 2021

AIM: To comprehensively investigate the relationship between outer retinal layer thickness and age in normal eyes.
METHODS: One hundred normal eyes of 100 subjects who underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were included in this retrospective study. The distances between the external limiting membrane (ELM) line and the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) line (ELM-IS/OS), the IS/OS line and the cone outer segment tips (COST) line (IS/OS-COST), the COST line and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) complex (COST-RPE) and the full retinal thickness (RT) were measured at the fovea and on four quarters. The relationship between thickness and age or sex was then analysed.

CONCLUSION: In normal eyes, the RT thickness on the nasal quarter and the ELM-IS/OS thickness were significantly and negatively correlated with age. The IS/OS-COST and COST-RPE thicknesses were not significantly correlated with age or sex.
Comparison of polymethylmethacrylate versus hydrophobic acrylic lenses for primary intraocular lens implantation in pediatric cataract surgery
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology, Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine, Bursa 16059, Turkey, Gündüz Gamze Uçan , Budak Berna Akova ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine, Bursa 16059, Turkey
Published: March 2021

AIM: To compare the visual results and postoperative complications of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) in children who underwent cataract extraction with primary IOL implantation.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 117 eyes of 63 children with bilateral pediatric cataract undergoing cataract surgery and primary IOL implantation. The patients were divided into two groups, Group I included 58 eyes of 30 patients with PMMA IOLs; Group II included 59 eyes of 33 patients with hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. The clinical features, refraction errors, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and surgical complications were compared between two groups.
RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 5.8 (2-12)y and mean follow up period was 40.5 (6-196)mo. Postoperatively, BCVA was ≥0.5 in 80 eyes (68.4%) and this was comparable in two groups. Visual axis opacification was seen in 28 eyes (48.3%) in Group I and 16 eyes (27.1%) in Group II and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.018). Postoperative IOL dislocation and posterior synechia formation were also noted. When all postoperative complications were considered, there were significantly less complications in the acrylic IOL group than PMMA IOL group (P=0.020).
CONCLUSION: Pediatric cataract surgery with primary IOL implantation is a safe procedure. Hydrophobic acrylic IOLs may lead to less postoperative complications compared to PMMA IOLs.
Comparison of endothelial cell changes by specular microscopy between Ringer’s and Ringer’s lactate during phacoemulsification
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt, Desoky Eman , Helaly Hany Ahmed ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
Published: March 2021

AIM: To compare the difference between using Ringer’s and Ringer’s lactate (RL) solutions as irrigating solutions during phacoemulsification and investigate their effect on corneal endothelium.
METHODS: This was a prospective interventional double blinded clinical study that included 100 eyes of 100 patients aged between 50 to 65y suffering from a visually significant age-related cataract and scheduled for routine uncomplicated phacoemulsification. The included eyes were randomly divided into two equal groups (each group included 50 eyes). Group 1 received Ringer’s solution and group 2 received Ringer’s lactate as an irrigating solution.
RESULTS: The first group with Ringer’s solution had a mean age of 57.5±8y and the second group with RL solution had a mean age of 58.6±9y. After 3mo, endothelial cell density decreased in group 1 by a mean of 8.5%, and in group 2 by a mean of 3.6% (P=0.013). Additionally, central corneal thickness increased in group 1 by a mean of 6.9% and in group 2 by a mean of 1.5% (P=0.006). By correlating the percentage of change in pachymetry and specular microscopic parameters with volume of irrigation solution used, there was no significant correlation.
CONCLUSION: The use of Ringer’s lactate as an irrigating solution is associated with less endothelial cell loss postoperatively in comparison to Ringer’s solution and associated with decreased postoperative edema.
Features of the value-oriented sphere of managers of enterprises with market and hierarchical organizational culture
Authors: Markova Elena V.
Published: March 2021

Value orientations of a manager are a factor in the formation and development of organizational culture. In a modern economy, an organization whose culture includes the value of a marketing approach will be effective. Knowledge of the value orientations of managers who introduce market culture in organizations will allow organizational psychologists to solve the problem of optimizing culture. The article presents the results of an empirical study of differences in the level of expression of value orientations among managers who implement their professional activities in different organizational cultures. Emphasis is placed on the list of those structural features of the system of individual value orientations of managers that will allow predicting the development of market organizational culture.
"A hard and hungry life has come": combating hunger in the Yaroslavl village during the Civil war (based on the materials of P. V. Bugrov’s diaries)
Authors: Sleptsova Irina S.
Published: March 2021

The paper analyzes the diaries of the Yaroslavl peasant P. V. Bugrov, dating back to the first third of the XX century, which are a valuable historical source for reconstructing the everyday life of the peasant community. They show the catastrophic impact of wars and revolution on the peasant economy and present individual and collective practices of survival in conditions of hunger and unstable socio-political situation. Analysis of diaries allows us to conclude that the peasant economy continues to exist even in extremely unfavorable conditions and provides life to its members through a variety of ways to overcome hunger.
The Soviet Press of the Great Patriotic War about the French Squadron “Normandie-Niemen“
Authors: Kaninskaya Galina N. , Naumova Natalya N.
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to the participation of French pilots of the Normandy squadron in battles on the Soviet-German front as part of the Red Army in 1943-1945. After the defeat of France at the first stage of World War II (1940), the occupation of its territory by Germany and the organization of the Resistance movement “Fighting France” in London by General Charles de Gaulle, the pilots joined him expressed a burning desire to fight the enemy in the skies over Soviet soil. Their participation in the ranks of the Soviet Air Force was a unique event in the history of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union (1945-1945). The article analyzes the information of the Soviet press during the war years about the French squadron “Normandie-Niemen”, which fought in the Soviet Air Force on the Soviet-German front. It is shown that Soviet readers during the Great Patriotic War could get a very complete and reliable idea of the military exploits of French pilots, find out the names of heroes, get acquainted with the military everyday life of officers, appreciate their patriotism and sincere friendly feelings for the Soviet Union and its people. Along with stories about the air battles of the Normandy, the articles of Soviet correspondents contained information about the history of France, how the pilots reacted to the defeat of their country, how and where they fought in the first stage of the Second World War. The press of the war years gave brief sketches of the everyday life of French fighters on Soviet soil, about the curious events that happened to the pilots of the squadron. On the example of newspaper publications 1943-1945. about the military alliance of our and French pilots, you can get an idea of how the cooperation of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition developed and strengthened.
Jak w bibliotece Gustawa Herlinga-Grudzińskiego znalazła się partytura opery Il Prigioniero Luigiego Dallapiccoli?
Authors: Dzierżanowski Lech
Published: March 2021

Artykuł opisuje epizod dotyczący współpracy dwóch wybitnych twórców emigracyjnych: kompozytora Romana Palestra i pisarza Gustawa Herlinga-Grudzińskiego, który o mały włos nie doprowadził do powstania wspólnego dzieła – opery opartej na opowiadaniu Grudzińskiego Wieża z muzyką Palestra. Punktem wyjścia jest fakt istnienia w bibliotece Herlinga partytury opery Luigi Dallapiccoli – Il Prigioniero. W rozwikłaniu zagadki, skąd w zbiorach pisarza znalazła się ta właśnie partytura, pomocna okazuje się korespondencja obu twórców. Po krótkiej charakterystyce  perypetii życiowych i drogi twórczej obu artystów w momencie rozpoczęcia znajomości, autor przechodzi do zainteresowań operowych Palestra: przedstawia pokrótce historię niedokończonej opery Żywe kamienie, a także cytuje fragmenty jego korespondencji z różnymi pisarzami dotyczącymi poszukiwania odpowiedniego libretta operowego. Po rozpatrzeniu wielu różnych propozycji okazuje się, że najatrakcyjniejszym dla kompozytora materiałem jest opowiadanie Grudzińskiego Wieża, oczywiście po odpowiedniej adaptacji na libretto. To właśnie w tym celu, za sugestią Palestra, Herling kupuje partyturę, która do dziś zachowała się w jego bibliotece. Duży cytat z jego listu jest dowodem, jak daleko obaj twórcy zaangażowali się w potencjalną współpracę. Jednak ostatecznie do niej nie doszło. Autor opisuje perypetie tego projektu, próbując dociec, jakie ostateczne przyczyny sprawiły, że tandem twórczy Grudziński–Palester ostatecznie nie zaistniał. Wspomina też dalsze, również niezrealizowane plany operowe obu emigracyjnych twórców.
The effect of fragmentation on spider richness (Arachnida: Araneae) in montane semideciduous seasonal forest
Authors: Vilas Boas Júnior Flávio Eduardo , Ferreira Amanda da Silva , De Souza Marcos Magalhães
Published: March 2021

The fragmentation process that has altered natural environments has been widely discussed, as it causes changes in communities and compromises different environmental functions. In this sense, this study was based on the evaluation of fragmentation on araneofauna of semideciduous seasonal forest fragments, phytophysiognomy belonging to the Atlantic Forest. The study was conducted in three fragments in the municipality of Inconfidentes, southern Minas Gerais, from April 2014 to March 2015. The results showed that there is a similarity in the composition of spider species among the sampled fragments and that the size of the fragment is positively correlated with species richness. Our data show that smaller fragments must be preserved and that agricultural areas maintain the integrity of adjacent forest areas to benefit from the predation dynamics that spiders exert on pests that affect plantations.
Prediction of water erosion in a watershed located in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Lense Guilherme Henrique Expedito , Bócoli Fernanda Almeida , Moreira Rodrigo Santos , Mincato Ronaldo Luiz
Published: March 2021

Water erosion modeling is a fast and accurate way to estimate erosion potential in watersheds. Among the models, we have the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) which has a simple structure, low implementation cost and can be used with readily available information, contributing to the planning of soil conservation practices. In this context, the objective of the work was to apply RUSLE to estimate water erosion in the Córrego da Laje watershed affluent directly from the reservoir of the Furnas Hydroelectric Plant, located in the south of Minas Gerais, a region of southeastern Brazil. In this region, water erosion is a serious problem that has caused the silting up of the hydroelectric reservoir and the depreciation of water quality. Soil losses were calculated in Geographic Information System based on topographic, edaphoclimatic characteristics, soil cover, and management practices. The average soil loss of the watershed was 26.80 Mg ha-1 year-1 with the predominance of highintensity erosive rates (> 15 Mg ha-1 year-1). Considering the basin use classes, sediment generation was higher in pasture areas (35.87 Mg ha-1 year-1), and in areas under maize cultivation (32.05 Mg ha-1 year-1). As areas with severe erosion are distributed throughout the watershed, a comprehensive water erosion mitigation plan should be adopted to reduce the environmental damage of the process.
Expediente
Authors: Agrogeoambiental Revista
Published: March 2021

Expediente
Between Autonomy and Independence. The Democratisation of the Armed Forces in Latin America in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Stelmach Michał
Published: March 2021

The aim of this article is to analyse the new forms of militarism as well as the position and the role of the armed forces in Latin American political systems in the twenty-first century. The first part analyses two selected forms of military participation in politics: the participation of former servicemembers in presidential elections and their performance as presidents, and the militarisation of political parties. The second part of the article focuses on the issue of contemporary civil-military relations in Latin America, discussing the problems associated with the establishment of democratic control over the armed forces, the reform of the Ministries of Defense and the redefinition of the functions of the army.
Latin America: The Region without Catalonia
Authors: Rudowski Tomasz , Sieniawski Piotr
Published: March 2021

The aim of this article is to analyse the issue of “weak separatism” in Latin America as well as to give an answer to the question why there are no significant separatist movements in this region. The authors provide the definitions of separatism and secessionism as well as an explanation of these phenomena. Moreover, they present an overview of historical and contemporary separatist movements in Latin America. Based on Horowitz’s theory of ethnic separatism, the authors attempt to analyse the separatist movement “The South is My Country” in Brazil and compare it with separatism in Catalonia in Spain, where a referendum on independence from Spain was held in 2017, serving as an impetus for a similar referendum that took place in the South of Brazil. In spite of similar goals of these two separatist movements, the authors argue that there are significant differences in their nature, which are determined by the history and culture of the respective countries.
Synthesis of Intensive Care Nurses' Experiences of Caring for Patients With Delirium
Authors: Yang Zhihua , Pituskin Edith , Norris Colleen , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth
Published: March 2021

Background: There is a paucity of studies synthesizing intensive care nurses' experiences of taking care of patients with delirium. A better understanding of nurses' experiences provides an opportunity to identify areas that can be strengthened to improve care. Aim: To gain insight into intensive care nurses' experiences of caring for patients with delirium through summarizing the existing qualitative studies in the area. Methods: Databases of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus, PubMed, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global were searched for qualitative or mixed-method primary research studies, resulting in 269 records screened for eligibility. A three-stage thematic synthesis was followed. Findings: Nine studies were included in the review. Twelve descriptive themes emerged outlining critical care nurses' experiences in the four aspects of delirium care. For prevention, the common nursing themes were using holistic nursing care to promote nighttime sleep, orientate patients through human interaction, and promote early mobilization. Intensive care nurses' experience of delirium assessment included their perceived utility of screening, their understanding of using a screening tool, and their impression of integrating nursing assessment. In terms of treatment, nurses' experience focused on pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods, as well as their attitude toward the use of physical restraints and chemical sedation. Nurses' overall experience of caring for patients with delirium in intensive care units includedemotional exhaustion, physical fatigue, and the perceived low priority and inconsistency of delirium management. Conclusions: Intensive care nurses' complex experiences of caring for patients with delirium revolved around delirium prevention, assessment, treatment, and the overall process of care. Implications for practice include: multicomponent delirium prevention strategies, integrating the use of screening tools and nursing assessment for delirium detection, focusing on nonpharmacological interventions, and offering on-job support to nurses who care for delirious patients.
Mulheres ao mar
Authors: Amarante Cristiane Eugênia
Published: March 2021

A Arqueologia de Ambientes Aquáticos ou Arqueologia Subaquática (sua vertente mais conhecida) é comumente associada aos homens. Na verdade, ela mescla duas áreas onde popularmente a presença masculina é mais percebida: a arqueologia e o mergulho. Assim sendo, nos ambientes acadêmicos, somente pesquisas produzidas pelos homens são citadas e destacadas. Por outro lado, quando as mulheres são mencionadas, não há uma ênfase em sua produção, e, muitas vezes, o nome da pesquisadora é dito tão rapidamente que passa despercebido que se trata de uma pesquisa levada ao cabo por uma mulher. A arqueóloga subaquática sofre com dois processos: o silenciamento e o apagamento. Isto não acontece só no Brasil, é uma recorrência mundial. Neste artigo será feito um levantamento das pesquisas desenvolvidas por homens e mulheres, que trazem resultados surpreendentes sobre as questões de gênero no ambiente úmido. Pegue sua luneta e aponte para o mar, as mulheres já estão a navegar!
Editorial
Authors: Schossler Joana , Carvalho Aline Vieira
Published: March 2021

Há uma emoção em ver a superfície marítima, mas também há uma comoção em descobrir aquilo que está nas profundezas do mar. Desbravar, mergulhar, ir longe dasareias, se encantar com a grandeza da natureza e a história. De certa forma, a história da humanidade e os vestígios se encontram muitas vezes com o mar.
Mastering TAPP inguinal hernia repair-tips and tricks
Authors: Ielpo Benedetto
Published: March 2021

Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery is increasing, and in the last decade some modifications of the technique have been introduced, especially concerning mesh type, fixation, and peritoneal closure, which are herein individually discussed. Currently, a standard unique technique is still missing, and modifications of the technique might be useful in challenging cases, such as the use of fibrine glue to both fix the mesh and close the peritoneum. The aim of this technical note essay is to discuss and update some tips and tricks as well as recent modifications of the trans-abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair of groin hernia.
Sonlu Elemanlar Yöntemi ile Depreme Bağlı Heyelan Tehlike Modelleme
Authors: SUNBUL Fatih , SUNBUL Ayse Bengu
Published: March 2021

Heyelanlar yerçekimi doğrultusunda toprak, kaya ve organik malzemelerin hareketinden kaynaklı çok karmaşık jeomorfolojik olaylardır. Sayısal modeller, bu jeomorfolojik davranışların ve onların çevre ile etkileşimlerini tahmin etmek etmeye yarayan matematiksel tanımları ifade etmektedir. Sonlu elemanlar yönteminde sayısal model yaklaşımları kullanılarak çok karmaşık fiziksel denklemler basit olarak simüle edilebilmektedir. Bu çalışmada Zonguldak ili, Kozlu İlçesinde heyelan potansiyeli oluşturabilecek bir alan, sayısal olarak modellenerek statik ve dinamik yük altında nasıl bir davranış gerçekleştireceği sonlu elemanlar yöntemi yardımıyla incelenmiştir. Statik analizlerde çalışma alanında yapılan sondaj verilerinden faydalanılarak, gerçeğe uygun zemin parametreleri modele yansıtılmıştır. Buna göre şevin kararlı durumunda çevrede var olan bina yükleri göz ardı edildiğinde, model heyelanın akma bölgesinde maksimum yer değiştirmeler 30 cm olarak elde edilmiştir. Ayrıca, bölgenin depremselliğine uygun olarak seçilen Mw 7.1 Düzce depremi ivme kaydı modelde kullanılarak, potansiyel heyelan bölgesinin dinamik davranışı incelenmiştir. Dinamik analizlerde, kararlı durum değişerek, çalışma alanında depreme bağlı göçme ve yer değiştirme hareketleri elde edilmiştir. Buna göre en büyük düşey ve yatay yer değiştirmeler 40-50 cm civarında topuk kısmında elde edilmiştir. Deprem anında zayıf zeminin ve ortalama 20° eğimin etkisiyle, zeminde jeomorfolojik deformasyonlar meydana geldiği gözlenmiştir. Tüm analizler değerlendirildiğine, olası bir deprem anında çalışma bölgesinde var olan yerleşim yerlerinde can ve mal kayıplarının yaşanmaması için, bölgede afet tehlikesi azaltma yöntemlerinin uygulanması gerekliliği tespit edilmiştir.
The challenges and opportunities of Web 2.0 elections: the case of Zimbabwe
Authors: Mathe Limukani
Published: March 2021

This study analyses different perspectives of the challenges and opportunities of using Web 2.0 technology with specific reference to Zimbabwe’s 2018 general elections. It discusses digital tools and resources such as social networking sites (SNSs) and biometric voter registration (BVR) for the management of the voters’ roll. The study includes in­depth interviews with several politicians and ZEC officials to discuss the challenges and opportunities of Web 2.0 in Zimbabwe’s elections. Informed by theoretical concepts on technology and politics, the study establishes that technology is not a panacea but can be used as an apparatus. This study concludes that political institutions in Zimbabwe should reach consensus that the country will not conduct another election until electoral reforms are implemented because technology alone cannot overcome political challenges. Thus, the election monitoring body should be sufficiently credible to ensure a free and fair election.
CRISPR/Cas9 Trends and Future Scheme for Genome Engineering in Plants
Authors: Paudel Niroj , Park Suhyong , Jang Yoonah , Rajametov Sherzod Nigmatullayevich
Published: March 2021

The growing population meet the challenge for agricultural production. CRISPR/Cas9 technology is based on plant research for the development of the new varieties as well as disease resistance crops. In addition the deletion of significant characters makes the new alleles from the CRISPR/Cas9. Recent and reliable molecular scissor for genetic engineering. The review is focused on the various application of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology in plant enhancement of plant disease resistance, stress burden in plant, nutritional improvement, and quality of crops from the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein9 (cas9) is adopted from the prokaryotic type II system. CRISPR/Cas9 is simplicity and efficiency than ZENs and TALENs for the genome engineering. Due to rapid growing of the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been formulate the adaptation of many plant species. The current advancement of plants and future schemes of improve of CRISPR technology has been presented in contest of multiplex editing, knowledge on induced mutation whether the factor effect in CRISPR/Cas9 technology in plant. Remarkable perspective and challenges of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in significance of plant genetic modification.
HLA Polymorphisms and Risk of Glioblastoma in Koreans
Authors: Ahn Stephen , Choi Haeyoun , Baek In-Cheol , Park Soon A. , Kim Yeo Song , Park Jae-Sung , Kim Tai-Gyu , Jeun Sin-Soo
Published: March 2021

Purpose Immune responses for cancer cells can be altered according to genetic variation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA). Association of HLA polymorphism with risk of various cancer types is well known. However, the association between HLA and glioblastoma (GBM) remains uncertain. We sought to evaluate the association of HLA polymorphism with risk of GBM development in Koreans. Materials and Methods A case-control study was performed to identify the odds ratios (OR) of HLA class I and II genes for GBM. The control group consisted of 142 healthy Korean volunteers, and the GBM group was 80 patients with newly diagnosed GBM at our institution. HLA class I (-A, -B, and –C) and class II (-DR, -DQ, and –DP) genotyping was performed by high-resolution polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) methods. Results There were significantly decreased frequencies of HLA-A*26:02 (OR 0.22 CI 0.05-0.98), HLA-C*08:01 (OR 0.29 CI 0.10-0.87), and HLA-DRB1*08:03 (OR 0.32 CI 0.11-0.98), while there was significantly increased frequency of HLA-C*04:01 (OR 2.29 CI 1.05-4.97). In analysis of haplotypes, the frequency of DRB1*14:05-DQB1*05:03 was significantly decreased (OR 0.22 CI 0.05-0.98). Conclusion This study suggests that genetic variations of HLA may affect GBM development in Koreans. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are needed to delineate any potential role of the HLA polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of GBM development.
An Exhaustive Review of Bio-Inspired Algorithms and its Applications for Optimization in Fuzzy Clustering
Authors: Valdez Fevrier , Castillo Oscar , Melin Patricia
Published: March 2021

In recent years, new metaheuristic algorithms have been developed taking as reference the inspiration on biological and natural phenomena. This nature-inspired approach for algorithm development has been widely used by many researchers in solving optimization problem. These algorithms have been compared with the traditional ones algorithms and have demonstrated to be superior in complex problems. This paper attempts to describe the algorithms based on nature, that are used in fuzzy clustering. We briefly describe the optimization methods, the most cited nature-inspired algorithms published in recent years, authors, networks and relationship of the works, etc. We believe the paper can serve as a basis for analysis of the new are of nature and bio-inspired optimization of fuzzy clustering.
TEMS: An Algorithm to Minimize Energy Consumption and Elapsed Time for IoT Workloads in a Hybrid Architecture
Authors: Cesar Santos dos Anjos Julio , Luiz Grave Gross João , Jose Matteussi Kassiano , Villarrubia González Gabriel , Reis Quietinho Leithardt Valderi , Fernando Resing Geyer Claudio
Published: March 2021

Advances in communication technologies have made the interaction of small devices, such as smartphones, wearables, and sensors, scattered on the Internet, bringing a whole new set of complex applications with ever greater task processing needs. These Internet of Things (IoT) devices run on batteries with strict energy restrictions. They tend to offload task processing to remote servers, usually to Cloud Computing (CC) in datacenters geographically located away from the IoT device. In such a context, this work proposes a dynamic cost model to minimize energy consumption and task processing time for IoT scenarios in Mobile Edge Computing environments. Our approach allows for a detailed cost model, with an algorithm called TEMS that considers energy, time consumed during processing, the cost of data transmission, and energy in idle devices. The task scheduling chooses among Cloud or Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) server or local IoT devices to better execution time with lower cost. The simulated environment evaluation saved up to 51.6% energy consumption and improved task completion time up to 86.6%.
Analysis of Small Hydropower Generation Potential : (2) Future Prospect of the Potential Under Climate Change
Authors: Jung Jaewon , Jung Sungeun , Lee Junhyeong , Lee Myungjin , Kim Hung Soo
Published: March 2021

The interest in renewable energy to replace fossil fuel is increasing as the problem caused by climate change become more severe. Small hydropower (SHP) is evaluated as a resource with high development value because of its high energy density compared to other renewable energy sources. SHP may be an attractive and sustainable power generation environmental perspective because of its potential to be found in small rivers and streams. The power generation potential could be estimated based on the discharge in the river basin. Since the river discharge depends on the climate conditions, the hydropower generation potential changes sensitively according to climate variability. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the SHP potential in consideration of future climate change. In this study, the future prospect of SHP potential is simulated for the period of 2021 to 2100 considering the climate change in three hydropower plants of Deoksong, Hanseok, and Socheon stations, Korea. As the results, SHP potential for the near future (2021 to 2040) shows a tendency to be increased and the highest increase is 23.4% at the Deoksong SPH plant. Through the result of future prospect, we have shown that hydroelectric power generation capacity or SHP potential will be increased in the future. Therefore, we believe that it is necessary to revitalize the development of SHP in order to expand the use of renewable energy. Also, a methodology presented in this study could be used for the future prospect of the small hydropower potential.
Sintered Glass Monoliths as New Supports for Affinity Columns
Authors: Wilke Marco , Röder Bettina , Paul Martin , Weller Michael G.
Published: March 2021

A novel stationary phase for affinity separations is presented. This material is based on sintered borosilicate glass readily available as semi-finished filter plates with defined porosity and surface area. The material shows fast binding kinetics and excellent long-term stability under real application conditions due to lacking macropores and high mechanical rigidity. The glass surface can be easily modified with standard organosilane chemistry to immobilize selective binders or other molecules used for biointeraction. In this paper, the manufacturing of the columns and their respective column holders by 3D printing is shown in detail. The model system protein A/IgG was chosen as an example to examine the properties of such monolithic columns under realistic application conditions. Several specifications, such as (dynamic) IgG capacity, pressure stability, long-term performance, productivity, non-specific binding, and peak shape, are presented. It could be shown that due to the very high separation speed, 250 mg antibody per hour and column can be collected, which surpasses the productivity of most standard columns of the same size. The total IgG capacity of the shown columns is around 4 mg (5.5 mg/mL), which is sufficient for most tasks in research laboratories. The cycle time of an IgG separation can be less than 1 minute. Due to the glass material's excellent pressure resistance, these columns are compatible with standard HPLC systems. This is usually not the case with standard affinity columns, limited to manual use or application in low-pressure systems. The use of a standard HPLC system also improves the ability for automation, which enables the purification of hundreds of cell supernatants in one day. The sharp peak shape of the elution leads to an enrichment effect, which might increase the concentration of IgG by a factor of 3. The final concentration of IgG can be around 7.5 mg/mL without the need for an additional nanofiltration step. The purity of the IgG was > 95% in one step and nearly 99% with a second polishing run.
A Simple Multifractal Model for Self-Similar Traffic Flows in High-Speed Computer Networks
Authors: Millán Ginno
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a simple and fast technique of multifractal traffic modeling. It proposes a method of fitting model to a given traffic trace. A comparison of simulation results obtained for an exemplary trace, multifractal model and Markov Modulated Poisson Process models has been performed.