bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards AI-powered Language Assessment Tools
Authors: Parsa Mah , Alam Muhammad Raisul , Mihailidis Alex
Published: February 2021

Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to propose an approach for developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Language Assessment (LA) tool. Such tools can be used to assess language impairments associated with dementia in older adults. The Machine Learning (ML) classifiers are the main parts of our proposed approach, therefore to develop an accurate tool with high sensitivity and specificity, we consider different binary classifiers and evaluate their performances. We also assess the reliability and validity of our approach by comparing the impact of different types of language tasks, features, and recording media on the performance of ML classifiers. Approach: Our approach includes the following steps: 1) Collecting language datasets or getting access to available language datasets; 2) Extracting linguistic and acoustic features from subjects' speeches which have been collected from subjects with dementia (N=9) and subjects without dementia (N=13); 3) Selecting most informative features and using them to train ML classifiers; and 4) Evaluating the performance of classifiers on distinguishing subjects with dementia from subjects without dementia and select the most accurate classier to be the basis of the AI tool. Results: Our results indicate that 1) we can nd more predictive linguistic markers to distinguish language impairment associated with dementia from participants' speech produced during the Picture Description (PD) language task than the Story Recall (SR) task; and 2) phone-based recording interfaces provide more high-quality language datasets than the web-based recording systems Conclusion: Our results verify that the tree-based classifiers, which have been trained using the linguistic and acoustic features extracted from interviews' transcript and audio, can be used to develop an AI-powered language assessment tool for detecting language impairment associated with dementia.
Effect of Anticipated Lifestyle and Income on Medical Students' Decision to Pursue a Primary Care Career in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhussain Ahmed , Horner Ronnie D. , Khoja Abdullah T. , Probst Janice C. , Moran Robert R.
Published: February 2021

Background: This study examines factors that influence Saudi Arabian medical school students in their selection of primary care as their career specialty. We focused on the two main factors identified to influence medical students generally in consideration of career specialty: lifestyle and income. We surveyed all fourth- and fifth-year students at 10 medical schools in the Riyad region using a questionnaire regarding factors influencing their intended specialty choice; 1005 (64%) completed the questionnaire. Results: The clear majority (77% of students) considered lifestyle characteristics to be a significant influence in their career decision to enter a specialty versus primary care (P<0.05). There was also significant relationship (p < 0.005) between students’ specialty choices and importance attached to anticipated income. Conclusion: Lifestyle and income consideration are important influences on specialty selection among 4th and 5th year Saudi Arabian medical students. These results are in consistent with findings of previous studies conducted in many nations around the world.
Impact of Travel Ban Implementation on COVID-19 Spread in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea During the Early Phase of the Pandemic: a Comparative Study.
Authors: Gwee Sylvia Xiao Wei , Yong Pearleen Chua Ee , Wang Min Xian , Pang Junxiong
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Since January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has elicited imposition of some form of travel restrictions by almost all countries in the world. Most of which persist to this day even as some restrictions have been gradually eased. It remains unclear if the trade-off from the unprecedented disruption to air travel was well worth in the course of pandemic containment.Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted on Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea’s COVID-19 response. Data on COVID-19 cases, travel-related and community interventions, socio-economic profile were consolidated. Trends on imported and local cases were analyzed using computations of moving averages, rate of change, particularly in response to distinct waves of travel-related interventions due to the outbreak in China, South Korea, Iran & Italy, and Europe.Findings: South Korea’s travel restrictions consistently lagged in terms of timeliness and magnitude. The first wave of travel restrictions against China was implemented 34 days after the outbreak in Wuhan, compared to 22-26 days taken by Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Restrictions against all countries came after 91 days, compared to 78-80 days for the other three countries. Taiwan and Hong Kong were the most efficient in adopting travel restrictions. Singapore’s belated measures and higher importation risk as compared to the other three Asian countries manifested in its deteriorating local transmission. The rate of change of imported cases fell by 1.08-1.43 across all four countries following the first wave of intervention against China, and by 0.22-0.52 in all countries except South Korea in the fifth wave against all international travellers. Conclusion: Travel restriction was effective in preventing COVID-19 case importation in early outbreak phase. However, evidence of its effect on local transmission was lacking. The impact of travel restrictions in containing epidemics cannot be disentangled from local non-pharmaceutical interventions concurrently implemented. Overall, measures should be complementary, with more emphasis on the latter to contain the outbreak effectively.
Availability of Safe Second-trimester Abortion Services in Health Facilities in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Gbagbo Fred Yao , Morhe Renee Aku Sitsofe , Morhe Emmanuel Komla Senanu
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThis study sought to examine providers, methods employed, cost, and other determinants of availability of second-trimester abortion services in health facilities in Accra, Ghana in 2019 to inform policy and program decisions. MethodsA two-stage mixed quantitative and qualitative study designs were employed in the conduct of this study. The first stage was a short interaction of the mystery client with a clinical care provider to identify health facilities that provide second trimester induced abortion, the cost, and referral practices, where the facility did not have the service. The second stage was in-depth interviews of second-trimester abortion care providers and non-providers in various health facilities. For internal validity, it also explored the procedure cost, referral, and other practices at the health facilities included in the study, independent of what was captured in the mystery client survey.ResultsSecond-trimester abortion services in Accra, Ghana are widely unavailable even in most facilities that provided abortion services. Referral policies and practices indicated by the service providers at various facility levels were inadequate. Criminalization of the procedure, social stigma, and fear of complications are the main factors that adversely influence the availability of second-trimester abortion in health facilities in Accra. ConclusionsAlbeit increasing demand for second-trimester abortion in health facilities in Accra, services are not readily available due to the ambiguity of the law, its interpretation, and limited flow of accurate information on providers. Policies and programs that limit access to Second-trimester abortions in Ghana are amendable to ensure safe services.
Outcomes and Prognostic Factors Following High-dose Re-irradiation for Recurrent Lung Cancer
Authors: Tamari Keisuke , Doi Hiroshi , Shiomi Hiroya , Oh Ryoongjin , Ogawa Kazuhiko
Published: February 2021

Background: Re-irradiation is one of the treatment options for recurrence after initial radiotherapy for locally advanced lung cancer. However, the safety and efficacy of high-dose re-irradiation for recurrent lung cancer has yet to be completely understood. This study investigated the outcomes of high-dose re-irradiation for patients with recurrent lung cancer at our clinic.Methods: Data were collected from 36 patients with lung cancer (median age, 68 years) who received high-dose re-irradiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy for locoregional recurrence after initial radiotherapy in the locally advanced stage. Histology findings showed that 11 (30.6%), 14 (38.9%), and 11 (30.6%) patients had adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma, respectively. The interval from initial radiotherapy to re-irradiation was 23.4 months. Local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors, while late toxicities ≥grade3 were evaluated according to the CTCAE ver. 3.0.Results: The median follow-up was 14.6 months. The 1-year LC, PFS, and OS were 74.1%, 45.2%, and 78.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that histology was a significant prognostic factor for LC (p = 0.02), while histology (p = 0.04) and distant metastasis (p = 0.01) were significant prognostic factors for PFS. Grade 5 late toxicities occurred in 2 patients (5.6%) who exhibited esophageal perforation and bronchial perforation. No other ≥grade3 late toxicities occurred.Conclusion: High-dose re-irradiation for recurrent locally advanced lung cancer was effective and feasible. Lung adenocarcinoma might therefore be a good indication for re-irradiation.
Concurrent Mutations Associated With Trastuzumab-resistance Revealed by Single Cell Sequencing
Authors: Gao Yan , Wu Ning , Wang Shuai , Yang Xue , Wang Xin , Xu Bo
Published: February 2021

Purpose: HER2-positive breast cancer patients benefit from HER2 targeted therapies, among which the most commonly used is trastuzumab. However, acquired resistance typically happens within one year. The cellular heterogeneity of it is less clear. Methods: Here we generated trastuzumab-resistant cells in two HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, SK-BR-3 and BT-474. Cells at different time points during the resistance induction were examined by exome sequencing to study changes of genomic alterations over time. Single cell targeted sequencing was also used to identify resistance associated concurrent mutations.Results: We found a rapid increase of copy number variation (CNV) regions and gradual accumulation of single nucleotide variations (SNVs). On the pathway level, nonsynonymous SNVs for SK-BR-3 cells were enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, while for BT-474 cells were enriched in mTOR and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. However, all of the three signaling pathways were in the downstream of the HER2 kinase. Putative trastuzumab-resistance associated SNVs included AIFM1 P548L and ERBB2 M833R in SK-BR-3 cells, and OR5M9 D230N, COL9A1 R627T, ITGA7 H911Q and ADAMTS19 V451L in BT-474 cells. Single cell targeted sequencing identified several concurrent mutations. By validation, we found that concurrent mutations (AIFM1 P548L and IL1RAPL2 S546C) led to a decrease of trastuzumab sensitivity. Conclusion: Taken together, our study revealed a common pathway level trastuzumab-resistance mechanism for HER2-positive breast cancer cells. In addition, our identification of concurrent SNVs associated with trastuzumab-resistance may be indicative of potential targets for the treatment of trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer patients.
Widening Participation in Medicine: The Impact of Medical Student-led Conferences for Year 12 Pupils
Authors: Ryan Ben , Auty Charlotte , Maden Matthew , Leggett Amy , Staley Alisha , Haque Enam
Published: February 2021

Background Individuals from deprived backgrounds are under-represented in the medical profession: confidence is a barrier to them successfully applying to medical school. Unfortunately, medical school widening participation (WP) initiatives to address this are limited by funding. Methods This study examined the impact of two student-led conferences that Year 12 pupils attended and presented at. It looked at the ability of the conferences to engage WP pupils, their impact on participant confidence, and the feasibility of them being replicated by other student-led groups. The first, Conference A, had more time and finances invested into it than the second, Conference B. The latter relied solely on university society funding, but utilised WP criteria for selection of participants. Participants identified their confidence in six areas on a ten-point scale, immediately before and after the intervention. Results A paired t-test showed a significant improvement (p < 0.01) in all areas of confidence for both conferences. Cohen’s d showed Conference A had larger effect sizes in five out of six areas than Conference B. Conclusion This intervention has demonstrated a significant impact on participant confidence: a key factor to improve their chance of successful admission to medical school. This impact may be enhanced by supporting participants with their presentations prior to the conference; it is feasible for this work to be replicated by other student-led groups.
A human mutation in STAT3 promotes type 1 diabetes through a defect in CD8+ T cell tolerance
Authors: Anderson Mark , Warshauer Jeremy , Belk Julia , Chan Alice , Wang Jiaxi , Gupta Alexander , Acenas Dante , Shi Quanming , Peng Yani , Phipps Jonah , Tang Qizhi , Gardner James , Satpathy Ansuman
Published: February 2021

Naturally occurring cases of monogenic type 1 diabetes (T1D) provide rare opportunities to establish direct mechanisms that cause this complex autoimmune disease. A recently identified de novo germline gain-of-function (GOF) mutation in the transcriptional regulator signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was shown to cause neonatal T1D at birth. To investigate the role of STAT3 hyperactivity in T1D, we engineered a novel knock-in (KI) mouse incorporating this highly diabetogenic human mutation (K392R) in the STAT3 gene. These mice developed accelerated diabetes with severe insulitis and insulin autoantibodies, thereby recapitulating the human autoimmune diabetes phenotype. Paired T cell receptor (TCR) and transcriptome (RNA) sequencing in single cells revealed that STAT3-GOF drives the proliferation and clonal expansion of highly cytotoxic effector CD8+ T cells that are resistant to terminal exhaustion. Single-cell ATAC-seq showed that these effector T cells are epigenetically distinct and revealed differential chromatin architecture induced by STAT3-GOF. Analysis of islet TCR clonotypes revealed an effector CD8+ T cell reacting against the known antigen IGRP, and STAT3-GOF in an IGRP-reactive TCR transgenic model demonstrated that STAT3-GOF intrinsic to CD8+ T cells is sufficient to accelerate diabetes onset. Taken together, these findings reveal a diabetogenic CD8+ T cell response that is restrained in the presence of normal STAT3 activity and drives diabetes pathogenesis.
Comparison of different lignocellulosic biomass for Solvent production by Clostridium beijerinckii strains
Authors: Dalal Jyotsana , Joy Sam , Das Mriganko , Rawat Jaya
Published: February 2021

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of lignocellulosic sugar hydrolysate, obtained after acid pretreatment of different lignocellulosic biomass on production of solvents by two different Clostridium beijerinckii strains. C. beijerinckii C-01 produced solvents via the isopropanol-butanol-ethanol (IBE) pathway and C. beijerinckii B-17 via the acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE). The hydrolysate was obtained after acid pretreatment of rice-husk, rice-straw and sugarcane-bagasse. Solvent production was observed from all the three substrates by both the strains. However, the highest solvent production of 9.2 gL− 1 similar to medium supplemented with commercial sugars was observed in sugarcane-bagasse hydrolysate by C. beijerinckii B-17. Degradation products i.e. 5-Hydroxy-methyl-furfural, levulinic acid, furfural and formic acid were found in different concentrations during acid pretreatments. The highest amount of formic acid (3.5 gL− 1), along with significant amounts of levulinic acid and furfural, was found to be present in rice-husk hydrolysate. The study shows that rice-straw and sugarcane-bagasse obtained after acid pretreatment are better substrates in comparison to rice-husk for butanol production by Clostridium beijerinckii strains.
An electrographic AV optimization for the maximum integrative atrioventricular and ventricular resynchronization in CRT
Authors: LI JIE , Wang Yuegang , Mai Jingting , Chen Shilan , Liu Menghui , Su Chen , Chen Xumiao , Huang Huiling , Ma Yuedong , Feng Chong , Jiang Jingzhou , Liu Jun , He Jiangui , Tang Anli , Dong Yugang , Huang Xiaobo , Chen Yangxin , Wang Lichun
Published: February 2021

Background:Atrioventricular (AV) delay could affect AV and ventricular synchrony in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Strategies to optimize AV delay according to optimal AV synchrony (AVopt-AV) or ventricular synchrony (AVopt-V) would potentially be in discordant. This study aimed to explore a new AV delay optimization algorithm guided by electrograms to get the maximum integrative effects of AV and ventricular resynchronization (opt-AV).Methods:Forty-nine patients with CRT were enrolled. AVopt-AV was measured through the Ritter method. AVopt-V was obtained by yielding the narrowest QRS. The opt-AV was considered to be AVopt-AV or AVopt-V when their difference was <20ms, and to be the AV delay with the maximal aortic velocity-time integral between AVopt-AV and AVopt-V when their difference was >20ms.Results:The results showed sensing/pacing AVopt-AV (SAVopt-AV/PAVopt-AV) were correlated with atrial activation time (Pend-As/ Pend-Ap)( P＜0.05 ). Sensing/pacing AVopt-V (SAVopt-V/PAVopt-V) were correlated with the intrinsic AV conduction time (As-Vs/Ap-Vs) (P＜0.01). The percentages of patients with more than 20ms differences between SAVopt-AV/PAVopt-AV and SAVopt-V/PAVopt-V were 62.9% and 57.1%, respectively. Among them, the opt-AV were linearly correlated with SAVopt-AV/PAVopt-AV and SAVopt-V/PAVopt-V. The sensing opt-AV (opt-SAV)=0.1×SAVopt-AV+0.4×SAVopt-V+70ms (R2=0.665, P<0.01) and the pacing opt-AV (opt-PAV)=0.25×PAVopt-AV+0.5×PAVopt-V+30ms (R2=0.560, P<0.01).Conclusion:The SAVopt-AV/PAVopt-AV and SAVopt-V/PAVopt-V were correlated with the atrial activation time and the intrinsic AV conduction interval respectively. Almost half of patients had a >20ms difference between SAVopt-AV/PAVopt-AV and SAVopt-V/PAVopt-V. The opt-AV could be estimated based on electrogram parameters.
Antioxidant and beta-Galactosidase Inhibitory Studies of Methanolic Extract of Juniperus Phoenicea and Calicotome Villosa from Jordan
Authors: Al-Mustafa Ahmed , Al-Tawarah Mohammad , Al-Sheraideh Mohammed Sharif , Al-Zahrany Fatima Attia
Published: February 2021

Background: We investigated Juniperus Phoenicea (J. Phoenicea) and Calicotome Villosa (C. Villosa) from Jordan for phenolic contents, antioxidant, anti β-Galactosidase activities, in an attempt to rationalize its use in lactose metabolism disorders. The kinetic parameters of leave extracts, galactose, glucose, fructose and acarbose were evaluated. Also, the thermodynamic parameters of the enzyme thermal inactivation were determined. Methods: JP and cv crude methanolic extracts were evaluated for 1,1-diphenyl,2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Further, β-Galactosidase inhibitory activities were performed using O-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside as substrate. Moreover, total phenolic contents, flavonoids and flavonols of plants extracts were determined and expressed in mg of gallic acid equivalent (mg GAE/g dry extract) or rutin equivalent per gram of dry extract (mg RE/g dry extract).Results: Phytochemical screening of the crude extract of J. Phoenicea and C. Villosa leaves contained phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones and glycosides. J. Phoenicea exhibited high flavonoids and flavonols contents than C. Villosa but both J. Phoenicea and C. Villosa contained high phenolic and showed concentration dependent DPPH scavenging activity, with J. Phoenicea (IC50 =11.1 μg/ml), C. Villosa (IC50 =15.6 μg/ml), respectively. According to FRAP assay, the antioxidant power activity of plants extracts was concentrations dependent. The β-galactosidase % inhibition was increased as the concentration of of J. phoenicea, C. villosa and rutin increased. The mode of inhibition of β-galactosidase by J. phoenicea (IC50= 65 µg/ml) and C. villosa (IC50= 700 µg/ml) extracts was non-competitive and mixed-inhibition, respectively. Also, rutin was affected in a competitive (IC50 = 75 µg/ml) inhibition. β-galactosidase half-life was 108 min at 55°C, thermodynamic parameters revealed an activation energy of 208.88 kJ mol-1 and the inactivation kinetic follows a first-order reaction with k-values ranges between 0.0862 and 0.0023 min-1. The enzyme showing a decreasing trend of enthalpy of denaturation (∆H°) as temperature increase but value of free energy of thermal denaturation (∆G°) for β-galactosidase was decreased with increasing in temperature. The calculated entropy of inactivation (∆S°) at each temperature showed positive values, which means there are no significant processes of aggregation.Conclusions: J.phoenicea and C.villosa have inhibiting effect on β-galactosidase activity. Thermodynamic approach shows an enzyme stable and suggests that inactivation mechanism is based on molecular structural changes.
Oral Vitamin D Supplementation does not Impact Cytokine Levels in Uterine Fluid of Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART)
Authors: Cermisoni Greta Chiara , Reschini Marco , Piccinni Marie-Pierre , Lombardelli Letizia , Logiodice Federica , Sarais Veronica , Giacomini Elisa , Signorelli Simona , Somigliana Edgardo , Viganò Paola
Published: February 2021

Background: Cytokines and chemokines, secreted in the intrauterine environment, are fundamental for the molecular crosstalk between endometrium and preimplantation embryo. Whether Vitamin D can have a beneficial effect on endometrial district and immune cells is still unclear. To fill this gap, the aim of this study was to explore if Vitamin D supplementation can act on intrauterine milieu as immuno-modulator. Methods: We present a report of a secondary outcome from the SUNDRO clinical trial, a multi-center randomized double-blinded trial aimed to explore the effects of Vitamin D replacement (a single dose of 600,000 IU of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D or placebo) in insufficient women undergoing autologous ART cycles. Inclusion criteria were female age between 18-39 years, with body mass index between 18 and 25 Kg/m2. Uterine fluid samples were collected during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle that proceeded the oocyte retrieval. The quantitative determination of twenty-seven cytokines in endometrial secretion samples was performed by using a multiplex immunoassay.Results: Forty-nine uterine fluid samples (UF) were collected during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle prior to oocyte retrieval. Our data revealed no differences in UF composition of Vitamin D supplemented women (n=17) compared with the placebo group (n=32), also when protein normalization was performed. In addition, no significant differences were found in mediators relative content of UFs from women who conceived (n=19) compared with the non-pregnant group (n=30). Conclusions: The explored in vivo vitamin D replacement regimen is unlikely to directly influence the cytokine and chemokine endometrial milieu. EudraCT registration number: 2015-004233-27.
Differential Circular RNA Expression Profiles in Umbilical Cord Blood Exosomes from Preeclampsia Patients
Authors: Cao Minkai , Wen Juan , Bu Chaozhi , Li Chunyan , Lin Yu , Zhang Hong , Gu Yanfang , Shi Zhonghua , Zhang Yan , Long Wei , Zhang Le
Published: February 2021

Exosomal circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of physiological development and disease pathogenesis. However, the roles of exosomal circRNAs from umbilical cord blood in preeclampsia (PE) occurrence remains poorly understood. In this study, we used microarray technology to establish the differential circRNA expression profiles in umbilical cord blood exosomes from PE patients compared with normal controls. According to the microarray data, we identified 143 significantly up-regulated circRNAs and 161 significantly down-regulated circRNAs in umbilical cord blood exosomes of PE patients compared with controls. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) biological pathway analyses demonstrated that circRNA parental genes involved in the regulation of metabolic process, trophoblast growth and invasion were significantly enriched, which are important in PE development. Moreover, pathway network was constructed to reveal the key pathways in PE, such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Further circRNA/miRNA interactions analysis showed that most of the exosomal circRNAs harbored miRNA binding sites, and some miRNAs were associated with PE. Collectively, our results highlight the importance of exosomal circRNAs in the pathogenesis of PE and lay a foundation for extensive studies on the role of exosomal circRNAs in PE development.
Ultrasonographic Study of Fetal Facial Profile Markers During First Trimester
Authors: Ji Chunya , Zhao Qiaomei , Yin Linliang , Deng Xuedong , Yang Zhong , Pan Qi , Zhang Jun , Jiang Xiaoli , Liang Qing
Published: February 2021

Background: To establish normal reference ranges of fetal facial profile markers, and to study their correlation with crown-rump length (CRL) during first trimester (11~13+6 weeks’ gestation) in a Han Chinese population. Methods: Ultrasonographic images of measuring fetal nuchal translucency (NT) were retrospectively selected randomly in normal pregnancies where both parents were of Han Chinese ethnicity. The facial markers included inferior facial angle (IFA), maxilla-nasion-mandible (MNM) angle, facial maxillary angle (FMA) and profile line (PL) distance. These markers were measured through ViewPoint 6 software by two experienced sonographers.Results: Three hundred and eighty fetuses were selected. The ICCs (95% CI) of intra-operator 1 reproducibility of IFA, MNM angle, FMA, PL distance were 0.944 (0.886~0.973), 0.804 (0.629~0.902), 0.834 (0.68~0.918) and 0.935 (0.868~0.969), respectively. The ICCs (95% CI) of intra-operator 2 reproducibility of IFA, MNM angle, FMA, PL distance were 0.931 (0.857~0.967), 0.809 (0.637~0.904), 0.786 (0.600~0.892) and 0.906 (0.813~0.954), respectively. The ICCs (95% CI) of inter-operator reproducibility of IFA, MNM angle, FMA, PL distance were 0.885 (0.663~0.953), 0.829 (0.672~0.915), 0.77 (0.511~0.891) and 0.844 (0.68~0.925), respectively. The average±SD of IFA, MNM angle, FMA and PL distance were 80.2°±7.25°, 4.17°±1.19°, 75.36°±5.31°, 2.78±0.54 mm, respectively. IFA and PL distance significantly decreased with CRL, while MNM angle and FMA significantly increased with CRL.Conclusion: It was feasible to measure fetal facial markers during first trimester. The normal range of each marker was obtained through large sample data, and the measurements were found to correlate with CRL.
Involvement of the VEGF Signaling Pathway in Immunosuppression and Hypoxia Stress: Analysis of mRNA Expression in Lymphocytes Mediating Panting in Jersey Cattle under Heat Stress
Authors: wang jian , Xiang Yang , Jiang Shisong , Li Hongchang , Flurin Caviezel , Katawatin Suporn , Duangjinda Monchai
Published: February 2021

Background: Extreme panting under heat stress threatens dairy cattle milk production. Previous research has revealed that the gas exchange-mediated respiratory drive in critically ill dairy cattle with low O2 saturation induces panting. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling may play important roles in immunosuppression and oxidative stress during severe respiratory stress responses in heat-stressed cattle. The objectives of this study were to transcriptomically analyze mRNA expression mediating heat-induced respiratory stress-associated panting, evaluate gas exchange, screen hub genes, and verify the expression of proteins encoded by differentially expressed genes in lymphocyte pathways. Results: Jersey cattle were naturally heat-exposed. Physiological data were collected for response evaluation, and blood was collected for gas exchange and gene expression assays at 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 continuously for one week. Lymphocytes were isolated from whole-blood samples for mRNA-seq and expression analysis of key pathway genes/proteins. The cattle respiration rates differed with time, averaging 51 bpm at 06:00, 76 bpm at 10:00, and 121 bpm at 14:00 (p < 0.05). Gas exchange analysis showed that both pH and pCO2 differed with time: they were 7.41 and 41 mmHg at 06:00, 7.45 and 37.5 mmHg at 10:00, and 7.49 and 33 mmHg at 14:00, respectively (p < 0.01). Sixteen heat-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 13 upregulated and 3 downregulated) were screened between 212 DEGs and 1370 heat stress-affected genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) hub gene functional analysis annotated eleven genes to signal transduction, six genes to the immune response, and five genes to the endocrine response, including both prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and VEGF. Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis revealed that oxygen regulation was associated with the phosphorus metabolic process, response to oxygen levels, response to decreased oxygen levels, response to hypoxia and cytokine activity terms. The main signaling pathways were the VEGF, hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1), cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and TNF pathways. Four genes involved Integrin beta 3 (ITBG3), PTGS2, VEGF, and myosin light chain 9 (MYL9) among the 16 genes related to immunosuppression, oxidative stress, and endocrine dysfunction were identified as participants in the VEGF signaling pathway and oxygenation. Conclusion: These findings help elucidate the underlying immune and oxygen regulation mechanisms associated with the VEGF signaling pathway in heat-stressed dairy cattle.
Beyond building damage: estimating and understanding non-recovery following disasters
Authors: Loos Sabine , Lallemant David , Khan Feroz , McCaughey Jamie , Banick Robert , Budhathoki Nama , Baker Jack
Published: February 2021

Following a disaster, crucial decisions about recovery resources often focus on immediate impact, partly due to a lack of detailed information on who will struggle to recover. Here we perform an analysis of surveyed data on reconstruction and secondary data commonly available after a disaster to estimate a metric of non-recovery or the probability that a household could not fully reconstruct within five years after an earthquake. Analyzing data from the 2015 Nepal earthquake, we find that non-recovery is associated with a wide range of factors beyond building damage, such as ongoing risks, population density, and remoteness. If such information were available after the 2015 earthquake, it would have highlighted that many damaged areas have differential abilities to reconstruct due to these factors. More generally, moving beyond damage data to evaluate and quantify non-recovery will support effective post-disaster decisions that consider pre-existing differences in the ability to recover.
Factors influencing Adoption of improved bread wheat technologies: a double hurdle approach in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Siyum Negussie , Giziew Almaz , Abebe Azanaw
Published: February 2021

This study was conducted in Meket District, Amhara National Regional State, in northern Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data collected from 214 randomly selected farm households via a structured interview protocol was used for the study. Double-hurdle model was to identify factors affecting the probability of adoption and intensity of use of improved bread wheat varieties and associated technologies in the study area. The first hurdle of the model suggests number of oxen owned by household, mobile phone ownership, education level of the household head and access to extension services significantly affected the probability of any improved bread wheat variety adoption. The intensity of improved bread wheat variety adoption was significantly associated with ownership of main plots, participation in on-farm demonstrations, perception towards shattering problems of local bread wheat varieties, and annual income of household. The findings of this study highlight the importance of economic(such as number of oxen) and institutional(such as access to extension) factors related to agricultural extension and communication, the participation of farmers in on-farm demonstrations, wealth creation and acknowledging farmers’ perception regarding improved bread wheat variety attributes. Development interventions should strive to target such economic, institutional, and psychological factors to promote wider adoption of improved bread wheat technologies.
Benefit of chemotherapy differs in node-negative and node-positive stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma: analysis of the SEER database
Authors: Xiang Zhen-Fei , Hu Dan-Fei , Xiong Hua-Cai , Li Ming-Yao , Zhang Zhan-Chun , Shen Er-Dong , Li Wang-Zhong , Xiang Yan-Qun
Published: February 2021

Objectives: Chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aimed to reveal factors associated with chemotherapy use and evaluate chemotherapy's benefit in patients with stage III NPC stratified by lymph node status. Patients and Methods: Overall, 1,452 patients with stage III NPC who underwent radiotherapy with (n=1361) or without (n=91) chemotherapy were identified in the SEER database. We identified predictors for chemotherapy use using logistic regression analysis. We compared all-cause mortality (ACM) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) using Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression and competing risk analyses were used to evaluate chemotherapy benefit. The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) approach was applied to reduce selection bias and adjust for competing risks. Subgroup analyses and interaction effects were explored.Results: Factors including age, sex, insured status, tumor grade, and N category were associated with chemotherapy use. Chemotherapy was associated with decreased 5-year ACM (31.4% vs. 48.4%, p<0.001) and CSM (25.5% vs. 35.8%; p=0.017) in stage III NPC patients. The IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio for 5-year ACM was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.38–0.86, p=0.008), whereas IPTW-adjusted sub-hazard ratio for 5-year CSM was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.42–0.93, p=0.003). A significant interaction effect existed between lymph node status and treatment modality. Chemotherapy offered a significant survival benefit in node-positive stage III NPC. However, no chemotherapy benefit for the node-negative disease was observed.Conclusion: Chemotherapy adds survival benefit in stage III NPC, especially in patients with node-positive disease. The magnitude of chemotherapy benefit in node-negative stage III NPC warrants further investigation.
First report of morphological and molecular characterization of Moroccan populations of Globodera pallida
Authors: Hajjaji A. , Mhand R. Ait , Rhallabi N. , Mellouki F.
Published: February 2021

Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) are the most important potato pest causing major crop losses across the world with a quarantine status in many countries. In Morocco, several potato crops are infected with PCNs and the monitoring of potato production as well as the control of import and export of potato seeds are currently carried out by morphological methods. The present work was aimed to use molecular and morphometric methods for identifying and differentiating PCN species in Morocco for the first time. The morphological identification of PCN species from collected soil samples were carried out using the shape of the cysts, the length of the stylet, the number of cuticular ridges, and the Granek’s ratio. The J2 had a slightly shorter body length, the number of cuticular ridges was 9 and the Granek’s ratio averaged 2.2. The morphobiometric analysis revealed proximity of the Moroccan population to G. pallida species. PCNs sampled from contaminated fields were analyzed molecularly using PCR. DNA amplification was performed using the multiplex PCR method and PCR-RFLP from the ITS region of the total genomic DNA compared to multiplex PCR-specific DNA sequences. All confirmed the presence G. pallida in all samples of the Moroccan PCN populations.
Performance of entomopathogenic nematodes on the mealybug,Dysmicoccus brevipes(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and the compatibility of control agents with nematodes
Authors: Zart Marcelo , de Macedo Mariana Ferracim , Simões Santos Rando Jael , Doneze Gabriela Souza , Brito Cassia Pereira , de Souza Poletto Rodrigo , Alves Viviane Sandra
Published: February 2021

The performance of nine isolates ofHeterorhabditis amazonensisand one ofHeterorhabditis indicaon the mealybugDysmicoccus brevipes,(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), were evaluated. The most virulent isolates were evaluated for nematode vertical and horizontal dispersal, and for efficiency at concentrations of 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, and 100 infective juveniles (IJs)/cm2on adult females of the insect. A compatibility assessment was also carried out with commercial products, registered or in the process of registration, for use in the cassava culture. The isolates that caused the highest mortality rate ofD. brevipeswere NEPET11 (93.8% ± 4.1) and IBCB-n40 (84.0% ± 8.1), both isolates ofHeterorhabditis amazonensis, while the isolate NEPET11 was more virulent than IBCB-n40 at all concentrations evaluated. In the dispersal test, the NEPET11 isolate caused mortality in the mealybug at a depth of up to 20 cm and a horizontal displacement of 7.25 cm. In the compatibility test, the NEPET11 isolate exhibited reduced viability due to the products Poquer, Tiguer 100 EC, Actara 250 WG, and Gaucho FS. The insecticide Curyom 550 EC was the only one that reduced infectivity (reduction of 92%) and is the only product classified as moderately toxic, while all the others were classified as compatible based on E%.
Floquet conformal field theories with generally deformed Hamiltonians
Authors: Fan Ruihua , Gu Yingfei , Vishwanath Ashvin , Wen Xueda
Published: February 2021

In this work, we study non-equilibrium dynamics in Floquet conformal
field theories (CFTs) in 1+1D, in which the driving Hamiltonian involves
the energy-momentum density spatially modulated by an arbitrary smooth
function. This generalizes earlier work which was restricted to the
sine-square deformed type of Floquet Hamiltonians, operating within a
\mathfrak{sl}_2𝔰𝔩2
sub-algebra. Here we show remarkably that the problem remains soluble in
this generalized case which involves the full Virasoro algebra, based on
a geometrical approach. It is found that the phase diagram is determined
by the stroboscopic trajectories of operator evolution. The
presence/absence of spatial fixed points in the operator evolution
indicates that the driven CFT is in a heating/non-heating phase, in
which the entanglement entropy grows/oscillates in time. Additionally,
the heating regime is further subdivided into a multitude of phases,
with different entanglement patterns and spatial distribution of
energy-momentum density, which are characterized by the number of
spatial fixed points. Phase transitions between these different heating
phases can be achieved simply by changing the duration of application of
the driving Hamiltonian. %In general, there are rich internal structures
in the heating phase characterized by different numbers of spatial fixed
points, which result in different entanglement patterns and distribution
of energy-momentum density in space. %Interestingly, after each driving
cycle, these spatial fixed points will shuffle to each other in the
array, and come back to the original locations after
pp
(p\ge 1p≥1)
driving cycles. We demonstrate the general features with concrete CFT
examples and compare the results to lattice calculations and find
remarkable agreement.
El informante
Authors: Alzate Gabriel Jaime
Published: February 2021

En el proceso de construcción de una crónica entra en juego un elemento fundamental que garantiza un mayor acercamiento a lo esencial de lo que se cuenta: el profesor del taller quien asume la función de filtro, pule el texto, sugiere variaciones y contribuye a la realización de la escritura adecuada y a lograr el tono preciso de esta. Se fusionan los conocimientos del docente y la habilidad del alumno para ver más allá de la realidad que tiene frente a sí en el momento de abordar al personaje objeto de su trabajo; son fundamentales la perspicacia y la sutileza para dar un orden narrativo al relato y, ante todo, permitir que a través de la crónica se reconstruya una vida, se recobre una voz, una huella de lo vivido y sentido. Siempre fue necesario contar con la valentía y dedicación del estudiante en el proceso de entrega tras entrega de los informes: forjaba su carácter en cada corrección y ponía a prueba su esfuerzo y perseverancia. La materia Taller de Escritura se desarrolla en un formato nuevo de evaluación y aprendizaje haciendo que ella misma sea un reto y desafío constante, puesto que implica otras maneras de leer la realidad para producir textos escritos acerca de ésta. De todo esto, además de la recompensa de haber realizado una buena crónica, nos queda una enseñanza gratificante representada en la experiencia de haber conocido la historia de una vida, un pasado que deja una impresión en la que se descubre una verdad sin adornos, sin arreglos. En algunas ocasiones, las más afortunadas por supuesto, deja un contacto más cercano con la realidad y convoca a la reflexión interior de cada uno de los cronistas y de los lectores.
Concentration of water use permit and volume-based fees in Ceará, Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Francisco Wellington , Souza Jackeline Lucas , Fontenele Raimundo Eduardo Silveira , Medeiros Damasceno Francisco Adelmo
Published: February 2021

This research aims to identify the level of concentration of the volume granted (the so-called permit) by grantee sectors in the State of Ceará, Brazil, as well as to simulate both the impact of the permit fees, and to conjecture about the permit concentration trend due to fee increase. The Gini index is calculated for all users with granted volume; next, fees are applied to the volume granted, observing the impact of charging to users; and lastly, the migration of irrigation users are conjectured based on the volume granted. The results indicate high Gini index for the supply, industry and irrigation; high impact on irrigation charge and low impacts on supply and industry; and concentration trend in irrigation due to elevated charges when the permit fee is applied. The authors conclude that the joint charging (consumption and permit) is relevant, as long as an effort is made by the basin committee to increase acceptance of a substantial fee increase.
Countermeasures Against Youth Destructive Subcultures
Authors: Shvetsova Marina Alekseevna , Morina Kseniia Romanovna
Published: February 2021

The article discusses theoretical and methodological approaches to the analysis of the reasons for the inclusion of adolescents and young people in informal subcultural associations. Methods of counteracting the influence of destructive subcultures on the representatives of the younger generation, risk factors for the formation of their deviant behavior are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the study of the specifics and typology of modern subcultures. Attention is focused on the domestic and foreign experience of preventive work, including alternative types of productive socially significant activities that contribute to the identification, socialization and inculturation of young people.
GENEALOGIA E PROLIFERAÇÃO DOS CONDOMÍNIOS FECHADOS
Authors: Dornellas Oliveira Arthur , De Oliveira Mattos Marine Luíza , Leite Viana David
Published: February 2021

Os condomínios horizontais fechados constituem, hoje, fenômeno globalizado, presente em diversos contextos urbanos e sociais. Frequentemente relacionados com segregação e exclusividade, eles caracterizam-se pela criação de uma realidade intramuros. Consciente desta ser uma problemática complexa, cuja análise e compreensão exigem abordagens holísticas (considerando áreas como Sociologia, Urbanismo e Economia), esta investigação incide sobre as formas urbanas que estão na origem desta tipologia habitacional, identificando as suas origens, os impactos sociais decorrentes da implantação desta modalidade e genealogia, e os fundamentos da sua expansão e proliferação no Brasil e em Portugal. Adicionalmente, procede-se à verificação das semelhanças e das diferenças na implementação dos condomínios fechados nos dois países , tendo como recorte espacial as áreas metropolitanas de São Paulo e Lisboa e como recorte temporal os anos de 1990 à 2005. Visando a caracterização destes conjuntos de forma ampla, a metodologia empregada no estudo aborda investigações históricas sobre a origem do fenômeno nestes países, bem como investigações sob o ponto de vista social, urbanístico e legal. O estudo possibilitou a observação de similaridades no surgimento e no processo de proliferação desses conjuntos. Destaca-se que, embora as problemáticas relacionadas aos índices de violência urbana seja a justificativa mais utilizada para a proliferação desta modalidade habitacional, é inegável que o fenômeno se expandiu pelo mundo e que tem como elemento caracterizador a atribuição de status social (ao empreendimento e aos seus moradores), e a consequente exclusão sócio territorial proveniente deste mesmo modelo.
Navegar é preciso, viver não é preciso: projeto e pesquisa acadêmica
Authors: Perrone Rafael
Published: February 2021

O artigo discute a situação das disciplinas de Projeto de arquitetura nos cursos de pós-graduação e sua inserção como atividade acadêmica. A partir das peculiaridades dos conhecimentos produzidos pela atividade projetual, propõe sua inserção na pesquisa acadêmica. Tendo como base o aspecto multidisciplinar que caracteriza a atividade da arquitetura, reconhece sua abordagem por meio de métodos de investigação de diversas áreas do conhecimento, como uma contribuição para uma “arquitetologia. Desloca a classificação da área projetual de uma equivocada classificação como uma mera prática, situando-a como um reflexionamento propositivo. Defende a possibilidade de reconstituição do Projeto como atividade de investigação acadêmica como produtor de conhecimentos.