bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluación de la contaminación por plomo de la refinería Esmeraldas, en la sangre de la población de Vuelta Larga
Authors: Paz Morán Verónica , Cuero Angulo Pilar
Published: January 2021

Este artículo describe una realidad en la ciudad de Esmeraldas (Ecuador) y se refiere a las actividades de la refinería estatal y a sus consecuencias, principalmente las relacionadas a los daños en la salud de la población a través de la emisión de gases y metales que llegan directamente a las personas. El objetivo principal fue establecer los niveles séricos de metales pesados (plomo especialmente) en la sangre de moradores del sector “Vuelta Larga” de la Provincia de Esmeraldas y con ello confirmar o desvirtuar la hipótesis del impacto contaminante de las actividades de la refinería de Esmeraldas en la población; para ejecutar este estudio se utilizó una metodología que se basa en el trabajo de campo con la población directamente afectada, a través de encuestas y el análisis de la sangre de las personas aquejadas con su correspondiente análisis químico en el laboratorio. Al final del trabajo se obtuvo como resultado que el 59,4% de las personas investigadas tienen niveles de plomo por sobre la norma. Se concluye que las emisiones de gases por parte de la refinería estatal afectan directamente a la salud de los habitantes de la ciudad de Esmeraldas.
Influence of the multicultural environment of a Russian university on the language training of foreign students
Authors:   Russian State Social University, Mardakhaev Lev V. , Volenko Olga I. ,   Moscow Pedagogical State University, Varlamova Elena Yu. ,   Academy of Labor and Social Relations
Published: January 2021

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that in terms of the development of academic mobility processes, it is necessary to develop linguo-cultural content that reflects the need-motivational sphere of foreign students, as well as the implementation of the developed content, taking into account the multiculturalism of Russian universities. Besides, it is recognized that in the multicultural university environment, a foreign language culture for a foreign student acts in two ways: as a culture of the target language country, on the one hand, and as a culture of the educational environment of a Russian university, on the other hand. The empirical part of the study was carried out on a sample of 42 foreign students from Russian universities. Students were interviewed through a questionnaire to identify as follows: the attitude of foreign students towards the discovery of Russian culture and learning the Russian language; difficulties in learning the Russian language; their awareness of the qualities that characterize personal effectiveness of language training. It was revealed that foreign students recognized the wealth and beauty (42.9%), the uniqueness of the Russian language and culture (38.1%), the importance of the Russian language as a means of intercultural communication (23.8%). The absolute majority (95.2%) of foreign students experience difficulties in mastering the grammatical structure of the Russian language. As for personal qualities, the students revealed those that are interconnected with the features of national identity and allow foreign students to adapt to the Russian educational environment and reality. Based on the data obtained, it was concluded that the complexity of educational activities served as a guideline in the teacher’s actions in solving problems of mastering a foreign language and culture by foreign students, preserving the national identity of an individual, and training his/her for intercultural communication in a multicultural world space.
Homo educandus through the prism of educational anthropology
Authors:   Petrozavodsk State University, Volkov Alexey V. , Volkova Svetlana V. ,   Petrozavodsk State University
Published: January 2021

An important area which has not received adequate attention within philosophy and educational theory is a close relationship of the human way of being and education. In the light of this the purpose of the article is Janus-faced, looking both inward at reconstructing a mental image of a man that is central for scholars’ worldview and outward at designing a philosophical model that would be keeping with the current challenges of education. Drawing attention at the widespread of electronic technologies in our life it is argued that the idea of a man as embodiment has significant educational consequences. The most important one is the possibility to reveal the meaning-making dimension of consciousness which the modern education urgently needs today. The claim that perception and cognition of the world does not take place from the standpoint of “pure” mind detached from the body, but rather on the basis of embodiment is considered to be a convincing one. In this regard, one of the primary missions of education is to reveal and activate the consciousness-body system as a source of man’s meaning-making activity. Furthermore the issue states that the pedagogical vision of the human being as someone who doesn’t have but search for meaning would succeed only if the human being is viewed as an integral whole rather than as separate parts. In conclusion it is stated that both philosophy and theory of education need to develop a multidisciplinary study of education – anthropology of education. The research field related to inquiry on the subject of education in the integrity of his three dimensions – mind, body and language.
Professional socialization of youth in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors:   Uzhhorod National University, Bartosh Olena P. , Hvozdetska Bohdanna G. ,   Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, Varha Nataliia I. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Zoska Yana V. ,   Classical Private University, Nikon Nataliia A. ,   Odessa National Polytechnic University
Published: January 2021

Professional orientation of young people, the formation of their interests and needs is an important component of the socialization process. Crisis phenomena are manifested in the contradiction between organized and spontaneous processes of professional socialization, an increase in the rate of unemployment among young people, modern demands of young people and the real level of career guidance work, vocational training and employment of young people, which became the basis for researching the processes of professional socialization of young people. The sample consisted of 2315 respondents, of which 934 respondents were interviewed in Hungary according to the quota sample, 1381 respondents according to the probabilistic sample in Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. The research was carried out using a student survey (in cooperation with the Center for Research and Development of Higher Education, University of Debrecen (CHERD-Hungary)). The results of the study indicate that young people come to a situation of choosing a profession without a certain motivation, knowledge about the world of professions, having vague ideas about their future profession. Graduates rely on the opinions of others, are influenced by parents or teachers. The result is often a false choice of a future profession. Hungarian (77,5%), Romanian (75,7%) and Serbian (76,3%) students are the most independent in making decisions about studying in higher education; Ukrainian students (50,8%) who are guided by on the opinion of parents and teachers. A common feature for Ukrainian, Hungarian, Serbian and Romanian students is the enrichment of their knowledge (average score 3,28) and a prestigious, well-paid job (average score 3,05), for Slovak students the most characteristic motive for getting an education is budget funding (2,94 points) and the requirement of graduates by employers (2,0 points). It has been determined that young people have a high willingness to work to ensure their own material well-being. The prospect of further research is the development of recommendations for strengthening work in the field of vocational guidance for young people, contributing to the solution of the issue of devaluation of professional values.
Двусторонний оскольчатый перелом нижней челюсти от огнестрельного оружия: отчет о клиническом случае
Authors: Silva Agnaldo Plácido da , Plácido Eloá Jessica Mendes dos Santos , Silva Gustavo Henrique Ramos da
Published: January 2021

Перелом миндибуляра имеет в качестве наиболее распространенных причин автомобильных аварий, физических агрессий, падений и несчастных случаев в удалении зубов, среди других. Тем не менее, травмы лица, вызванные огнестрельным оружием по-прежнему вызывают большую озабоченность здоровья, которые могут причинить большой эстетический и функциональный ущерб пациенту, в дополнение к потере качества жизни. Терапевтический выбор для лечения будет зависеть от тяжести случая и овладения техникой, выбранной профессионалом. Цель данной статьи состоит в том, чтобы сообщить о лечении пациента с двусторонним переломом тела и челюсти ветви, в результате агрессии с применением огнестрельного оружия снаряда. Имея в качестве лечения установлен дополнительный доступ с установкой пластин и винтов 2,0 мм на правой и левой стороне, потому что это хороший вариант лечения comminuted переломов, вызванных огнестрельным оружием снаряда, возвращаясь к пациенту эстетического, функционального и психологического аспекта.
Caracterización de los residuos generados por el comedor de la Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo
Authors: Cruz Nieto Dante Daniel , More Lopez Jesús Manuel , Toscano Leyva Alejandro Zorobabel , Yovera Saldarriaga José
Published: January 2021

La investigación aborda la caracterización de los residuos sólidos generados por el comedor de la Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo, tiene como objetivo determinar la cantidad y proponer su disposición final. Para esto se cuantificó por días, mes y se propuso su manejo; obtenidos los datos se operaron con la estadística básica y se elaboraron los gráficos de barras para su análisis e interpretación. Los resultados determinaron que la mayor cantidad se obtuvo los días jueves y viernes con 17.7 kg y 18.5 kg respectivamente, en la cantidad por mes fue noviembre y diciembre con 402.22 kg y 442.38 kg; en porcentaje de las características de los desechos el residuo orgánico obtuvo 66.80 %, residuos inorgánicos 24.65 % y residuos inertes 8.55 %. En cuanto a la propuesta de los residuos orgánicos se propone para alimento de animales 41 %, como abono para huerto 32 % y áreas verdes 20 %. Respecto a los residuos inorgánicos lo bota 39 %, vende 31 % y como valor agregado 18 %.  Los resultados de la caracterización y propuesta de residuos sólidos permiten conocer la disponibilidad para la disposición final en su aprovechamiento dándole un valor agregado, lo cual favorecerá como recurso sostenible y disminuir la contaminación ambiental.
Identificación de especies frutícolas nativas con potencialidad productiva en peligro de extinción en la provincia de Huaura
Authors: Díaz Pillasca Hermila Belda , Honorio Durand Zoila Felipa , Hernández Amasifuen Angel David , Durand Meza Miguel Angel , Gózalo Vásquez Angella Del Carmen , Dominguez Bazalar Gerson Joel
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo de investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar las especies frutícolas nativas con potencialidad productiva en peligro de extinción en la provincia de Huaura, así mismo evaluar las propiedades funcionales de las especies identificadas y estimar su rendimiento, producción y productividad. Para identificar las especies funcionales en peligro de extinción de la provincia de Huaura, además de la técnica de actitud pragmática y observación, se aplicaron técnicas de entrevista a los agricultores, a fin de determinar las especies con mínima o nula densidad poblacional y productividad. Las especies de frutales nativos, calificados en peligro de extinción de la provincia de Huaura son Campomanesia lineatifolia “palillo” y Bunchosia armeniaca “cansaboca”, debido a que son cultivadas por un reducido número de agricultores, sin fines comerciales sino como adorno y aprovechamiento de sus frutos a nivel familiar; razón por la cual se les dedica un mínimo o nulo manejo agronómico. Se identificó a Campomanesia lineatifolia “palillo” y Bunchosia armeniaca “cansaboca”, como las especies funcionales de frutales nativos amenazados de extinción en la provincia de Huaura, ubicándose en la categoría de “en peligro crítico”, además se presentan propiedades funcionales y de elevados índices de productividad económica y biológica.
Clinical Characteristics of Noncritical Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Lessons from Bangladesh
Authors: Morshed Md Shahed , Mosabbir Abdullah Al , Chowdhury Prodipta , Ashadullah Sheikh M , Hossain Mohammad Sorowar
Published: January 2021

The scientific literatures on clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients from South Asian countries including Bangladesh are limited. Documentation of clinical spectrum from various geographic locations is vital for future scientific studies and clinical management. This study is aimed to report the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of noncritical patients with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. We conducted a cross-sectional study at three dedicated COVID-19 hospitals of Bangladesh. The severity of the COVID-19 cases was assessed based on the WHO interim guidance. Data were collected only from non-critical COVID-19 patients as critical patients required immediate management. A total of 103 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed noncritical COVID- 19 patients were included. Most of the patients (71.8%) were male. Mild, moderate and severe illness were assessed in 74.76%, 9.71% and 15.53% of patients respectively. Nearly 52.4% patients had a co-morbidity, with hypertension being the most common (34%), followed by diabetes mellitus (21.4%) and ischemic heart disease (9.7%). Fever (78.6%), weakness (68%) and cough (44.7%) were the most common clinical manifestations. Other common symptoms included loss of appetite (37.9%), difficulty in breathing (37.9%), loss of taste or smell (35.0%), headache (32%) and body ache (32%). The median time from onset of the first symptom to attending hospitals was 7 days (interquartile range: 4 - 10). This study will help both the clinicians and epidemiologists to understand the magnitude and clinical spectrum of COVID-19 patients in South Asian perspective including Bangladesh.

Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 37 Number 2 December 2020, pp 42-46
PENGARUH KONFLIK, KOMUNIKASI, DAN GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN TERHADAP KINERJA TIM KERJA RSUD CEMPAKA PUTIH
Authors: Ambriani Lenni , Koentari Koentari
Published: January 2021

Conflict, communication, and leadership style are the three factorsto influence teamwork perfomance on the RSUD Cempaka Putih Jakarta. This research aimed to determine the effect of conflict, communication, and leadership style toward teamwork performance on the RSUD Cempaka Putih Jakartaby taking 69 employees from 5 teamwork as the research sample, calculated using the Slovin formula of the total population of 219 employees at the margin of error of 10%. Data were collected by questionnaire instruments covered by the five rating scale. Quantitive research was conducted by describing and analizing research data. The multiple linier regression analysis are the statistic approach to data analysis. Hypothesis testing is done by t-test and F-test.The study produced four major findings consisten with the hypothesis put forward by Y = 10.941 + 0.298X1+ 0.475X2 + -0.057X3, that are: 1) Conflict has a positive and significant influence on teamwork performance by b1 = 0.298 and sig. t = 0.006 < 0.05; 2) Communication has a positive and significant influence on teamwork performanceb2 = 0.475 dan sig. t = 0.000< 0.05; 3) Leadership style has a negative and not significant influence on teamwork performanceb3 = -0.057 dan sig. t = 0.635 > 0.05; 4) Conflict, communication, and leadership style simultaneously has a positive and significant influence on teamwork performance by constanta value a = 10.941 and sig. F = 0.000.Base on the research finding, in order to increase teamwork performance can be done by increase conflict management, communication, and leadership style. Key words:Conflict, Communication, Leadership Style, Teamwork Perfomance
A teoria Nightingaleana e seu legado na prevenção das infecções cirúrgicas no Brasil: testando tecnologia
Authors: Couto Jackeline Franco , Machado Wiliam  César Alves , Costa Eva Maria , Tyrrel Maria Antonieta Rúbio , Calegaro Kátia Maria dos Santos , Oliveira Ludmila Santos , Figueiredo Nébia Maria  Almeida de
Published: January 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é refletir sobre as contribuições do legado deixado por Florence Nightingale, através de sua teoria ambientalista, discutindo enfoques conceituais, teóricos e práticos para as políticas de prevenção e controle das infecções cirúrgicas no Brasil e no empoderamento do Enfermeiro, através da testagem de uma tecnologia de desinfecção de ambiente. Método: trata-se de uma reflexão teórica, baseada em uma pesquisa bibliográfica para fundamentação teórica, com abordagem qualitativa. Resultado: a teoria ambientalista desenvolvida por Florence Nightingale tem sido amplamente utilizada pelos estabelecimentos assistenciais de saúde, desde a idade antiga até os dias atuais. O Enfermeiro tem a total capacidade de realizar testagem com tecnologias, no entanto necessita se capacitar e imergir na área da temática da pesquisa, além de se comprometer em desenvolver com rigor todas as etapas envolvidas no estudo, mas também precisa contar com a disponibilização de recursos financeiros, que necessitam ser injetados nas universidades públicas, instituições e institutos de pesquisa, direcionados às pesquisas científicas no Brasil. Conclusão: Florence Nightingale permanece presente com seus preciosos ensinamentos para Enfermeiros e demais profissionais da saúde e de outras áreas, suas contribuições vão de encontro com a prevenção e controle das infecções relacionadas a assistência à saúde, em especial, as infecções cirúrgicas. Nesse ínterim, o Enfermeiro é peça fundamental do cuidado capaz de testar uma tecnologia de desinfecção no ambiente cirúrgico à base de Radiação ultravioleta-c.
Um estudo sobre a satisfação dos acadêmicos do curso de administração em uma universidade pública
Authors: Souza Alicia Cássia Neves , Ribeiro Campos Luisa , Silva Valdilene Gonçalves Machado
Published: January 2021

Este artigo teve como principal propósito identificar e analisar os principais fatores que influenciam a satisfação dos acadêmicos de Administração em uma universidade pública, localizada no centro oeste mineiro com a instituição, com o curso e com os fatores relacionados à oportunidade de desenvolvimento.  Foi realizado um estudo de caso com caráter descritivo e abordagem quantitativa. O universo da pesquisa foram os 150 estudantes do curso de Administração e a amostra foi definida por acessibilidade e composta pelos 80 alunos que estavam presentes em sala de aula no dia da pesquisa. Foi utilizado o questionário como instrumento de levantamento de dados. O trabalho evidenciou que os acadêmicos do curso de Administração eram, em sua maioria, do gênero feminino, com menos de 25 anos de idade, já estavam inseridos no mercado de trabalho e não recebiam nenhum auxílio financeiro da instituição. Verificou-se também que os alunos estavam satisfeitos com a instituição e com o curso, sendo que os principais fatores geradores dessa satisfação eram a infraestrutura da instituição, os serviços oferecidos pela biblioteca, o relacionamento com professores e a adequação e relevância dos conteúdos das disciplinas do curso. Quanto aos fatores relacionados as oportunidades de desenvolvimento, não houve nenhum fator que fosse gerador de satisfação da maioria dos estudantes pesquisados.
Asyhur Al-Hurum According to Qur'anic Perspectives: Comparative Study Between Mutawalli Al-Sya`râwi and Sayyed Qutb and Relevance Current
Authors: Sayyida Sayyida
Published: January 2021

This study was intended to examine how the views of al-Qur 'ân against Asyhur Al-Hurum through the interpretation of the two scholars to take two comparisons interpretation books are commentaries Mutawalli Al-Sya'râWi works Mutawalli Al-Sya'râwi, and Tafsir of Sayyid Qutb This study aims to provide penjelaskan how the interpretation of the two scholars to Asyhur Al-Hurumand explaining how its relevance today. This study included in the research literature that examines the interpretation of the two scholars about Asyhur Al-Hurum, This research is descriptive analysis, and explore in depth the two letters panafsiran including QS. Al-Baqarah verse 216 and 217. In this study the authors found that of the two books I researched commentary is commentary Mutawalli Al-Sya'râWi works Mutawalli Al-Sya'râwi, and Tafsir of Sayyid Qutb authors found the view of the Quran against Al-Hur Asyhurum Based on the interpretation of the second cleric to surah al Baqarah verse 216 and 217. They all suggested that the prohibition of war in hurumand the prohibition of murder is very relevant today. This is related to the security of the travel process prospective pilgrims and the moments when the hajj. Keywords: Asyhur Al-Hurum, According to the Perspective of the Quran, Tafsir Al-Sha'rawi Mutawâli and Tafsir of Sayyid Qutb
Perancangan Sistem Pengelolaan Ruang Wisma Dosen Berbasis Android di Universitas Nurul Jadid
Authors: Fajrullah Fajrullah , Fajri Fathorazi Nur , Sya'roni Wahab
Published: January 2021

The rooms at the Nurul Jadid University lecturers' guest house still could be borrowed only by asking for information to the room desk. It makes the borrower wasting a lot of time, especially if the room desk is not available, in which the borrower needs to wait for getting the certainty of approval for the room borrowing schedule, and dealing with the frequent crashes because there is no system with effective borrowing management. Therefore, this program is to make an Android-based Space Borrowing Management Application by which the user can make use of its features to manage the room and make it easier to borrow the room.
Power Projects and Covid-19: A Practical Analysis of the Relevance of Force Majeure Clauses under the Standardised Power Purchase and Implementation Agreements of Uganda
Authors: Naiga Aisha , Karobwa Loyola Rwabose
Published: January 2021

Over 90% of Uganda's power is generated from renewable sources. Standardised Implementation Agreements and Power Purchase Agreements create a long-term relationship between Generating Companies and the state-owned off-taker guaranteed by Government. The COVID-19 pandemic and measures to curb the spread of the virus have triggered the scrutiny and application of force majeure (FM) clauses in these agreements. This article reviews the FM clauses and considers their relevance. The authors submit that FM clauses are a useful commercial tool for achieving energy justice by ensuring the continuity of the project, despite the dire effects of the pandemic. Proposals are made for practical considerations for a post-COVID-19 future which provides the continued pursuit of policy goals of promoting renewable energy sources and increasing access to clean energy, thus accelerating just energy transitions.
Predicting Cell Wall Lytic Enzymes Using Combined Features
Authors: Jing Xiao-Yang , Li Feng-Min
Published: January 2021

Due to the overuse of antibiotics, people are worried that existing antibiotics will become ineffective against pathogens with the rapid rise of antibiotic-resistant strains. The use of cell wall lytic enzymes to destroy bacteria has become a viable alternative to avoid the crisis of antimicrobial resistance. In this paper, an improved method for cell wall lytic enzymes prediction was proposed and the amino acid composition (AAC), the dipeptide composition (DC), the position-specific score matrix auto-covariance (PSSM-AC), and the auto-covariance average chemical shift (acACS) were selected to predict the cell wall lytic enzymes with support vector machine (SVM). In order to overcome the imbalanced data classification problems and remove redundant or irrelevant features, the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) was used to balance the dataset. The F-score was used to select features. The Sn, Sp, MCC, and Acc were 99.35%, 99.02%, 0.98, and 99.19% with jackknife test using the optimized combination feature AAC+DC+acACS+PSSM-AC. The Sn, Sp, MCC, and Acc of cell wall lytic enzymes in our predictive model were higher than those in existing methods. This improved method may be helpful for protein function prediction.
The Design of Mass Timber Panels as Heat-Exchangers (Dynamic Insulation)
Authors: Craig Salmaan , Halepaska Anna , Ferguson Katherine , Rains Preston , Elbrecht Jacob , Freear Andrew , Kennedy David , Moe Kiel
Published: January 2021

Mass timber products, together with careful forestry management, could help decarbonize the construction industry. These products must be long-lasting, to safely store atmospheric carbon for decades or centuries, and multi-functional, to displace materials and equipment that are emissions-intensive. This paper shows how to optimize mass timber panels as heat-exchangers, suggesting how to eliminate insulation while simplifying HVAC systems. Test panels measured the heat-exchange in steady and transient conditions, when the ventilation was driven by a fan or by thermal buoyancy. The total heat transfer was predicted accurately by theory in all cases. Further investigation is needed to understand the possible heat-recovery effects at the exterior surface.
Genetic Connectivity of the West Indian Manatee in the Southern Range and Limited Evidence of Hybridization With Amazonian Manatees
Authors: Luna Fábia de Oliveira , Beaver Caitlin E. , Nourisson Coralie , Bonde Robert K. , Attademo Fernanda L. N. , Miranda Adriana Vieira , Torres-Florez Juan Pablo , de Sousa Glaucia Pereira , Passavante José Zanon , Hunter Margaret E.
Published: January 2021

The Antillean subspecies of the West Indian manatee is classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. In Brazil, the manatee population is listed as endangered with an estimated population size of 500–1,000. Historic hunting, recent habitat degradation, and fisheries bycatch have decreased the population size. The Amazonian manatee is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN with unknown population sizes within Brazil. The Antillean manatee occurs in sympatry with the Amazonian manatee in Brazil and hybridization has been previously indicated. To provide information on the genetic structure, diversity, and degree of hybridization in the sympatric zone near the Amazon River mouth, the mitochondrial DNA control region and 13 nuclear microsatellite markers were assessed on the two species. Samples were analyzed from the Antillean subspecies across its distribution in Brazil (n= 78) and from the Amazonian species (n= 17) at the Amazon River mouth and inland mainstem river. To assess the previously defined evolutionary significant units of Antillean manatees in the area, an additional 11 samples from Venezuela and Guyana were included. The Antillean manatee was found to be a single population in Brazil and had lower than average number of alleles (3.00), expected heterozygosity (0.34), and haplotype diversity (0.15) when compared to many other manatee populations. The low values may be influenced by the small population size and extended pressures from anthropogenic threats. Gene flow was identified with Venezuela/Guyana in admixed Antillean Brazil samples, although the two populations were found to be moderately divergent. The nuclear loci in Venezuela/Guyana Antillean manatee samples indicated high differentiation from the samples collected in the Amazon River (FST= 0.35 andRST= 0.18,p= 0.0001). No indication of nuclear hybridization was found except for a single sample, “Poque” that had been identified previously. The distribution of Antillean manatees in Brazil is extensive and the areas with unique habitat and threats would benefit from independent management and conservation actions. Gene flow, resulting in genetic diversity and long-term population stability, could be improved in the southern range through habitat restoration, and the establishments of travel corridors and protected areas, which are particularly important for successful parturition and neonatal calf survival.
Calcium Imaging and the Curse of Negativity
Authors: Vanwalleghem Gilles , Constantin Lena , Scott Ethan K.
Published: January 2021

The imaging of neuronal activity using calcium indicators has become a staple of modern neuroscience. However, without ground truths, there is a real risk of missing a significant portion of the real responses. Here, we show that a common assumption, the non-negativity of the neuronal responses as detected by calcium indicators, biases all levels of the frequently used analytical methods for these data. From the extraction of meaningful fluorescence changes to spike inference and the analysis of inferred spikes, each step risks missing real responses because of the assumption of non-negativity. We first show that negative deviations from baseline can exist in calcium imaging of neuronal activity. Then, we use simulated data to test three popular algorithms for image analysis, CaImAn, suite2p, and CellSort, finding that suite2p may be the best suited to large datasets. We also tested the spike inference algorithms included in CaImAn, suite2p, and Cellsort, as well as the dedicated inference algorithms MLspike and CASCADE, and found each to have limitations in dealing with inhibited neurons. Among these spike inference algorithms, FOOPSI, from CaImAn, performed the best on inhibited neurons, but even this algorithm inferred spurious spikes upon the return of the fluorescence signal to baseline. As such, new approaches will be needed before spikes can be sensitively and accurately inferred from calcium data in inhibited neurons. We further suggest avoiding data analysis approaches that, by assuming non-negativity, ignore inhibited responses. Instead, we suggest a first exploratory step, using k-means or PCA for example, to detect whether meaningful negative deviations are present. Taking these steps will ensure that inhibition, as well as excitation, is detected in calcium imaging datasets.
Differential Level of RXFP3 Expression in Dopaminergic Neurons Within the Arcuate Nucleus, Dorsomedial Hypothalamus and Ventral Tegmental Area of RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato Mice
Authors: Voglsanger Lara M. , Read Justin , Ch’ng Sarah S. , Zhang Cary , Eraslan Izel M. , Gray Laura , Rivera Leni R. , Hamilton Lee D. , Williams Richard , Gundlach Andrew L. , Smith Craig M.
Published: January 2021

RXFP3 (relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor) is the cognate G-protein-coupled receptor for the neuropeptide, relaxin-3. RXFP3 is expressed widely throughout the brain, including the hypothalamus, where it has been shown to modulate feeding behavior and neuroendocrine activity in rodents. In order to better characterize its potential mechanisms of action, this study determined whether RXFP3 is expressed by dopaminergic neurons within the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), in addition to the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Neurons that express RXFP3 were visualized in coronal brain sections from RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato mice, which express the tdTomato fluorophore within RXFP3-positive cells, and dopaminergic neurons in these areas were visualized by simultaneous immunohistochemical detection of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity (TH-IR). Approximately 20% of ARC neurons containing TH-IR coexpressed tdTomato fluorescence, suggesting that RXFP3 can influence the dopamine pathway from the ARC to the pituitary gland that controls prolactin release. The ability of prolactin to reduce leptin sensitivity and increase food consumption therefore represents a potential mechanism by which RXFP3 activation influences feeding. A similar proportion of DMH neurons containing TH-IR expressed RXFP3-related tdTomato fluorescence, consistent with a possible RXFP3-mediated regulation of stress and neuroendocrine circuits. In contrast, RXFP3 was barely detected within the VTA. TdTomato signal was absent from the ARC and DMH in sections from Rosa26-tdTomato mice, suggesting that the cells identified in RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato mice expressed authentic RXFP3-related tdTomato fluorescence. Together, these findings identify potential hypothalamic mechanisms through which RXFP3 influences neuroendocrine control of metabolism, and further highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting RXFP3 in feeding-related disorders.
Targeting Adrenomedullin in Oncology: A Feasible Strategy With Potential as Much More Than an Alternative Anti-Angiogenic Therapy
Authors: Vázquez Ramiro , Riveiro Maria E. , Berenguer-Daizé Caroline , O’Kane Anthony , Gormley Julie , Touzelet Olivier , Rezai Keyvan , Bekradda Mohamed , Ouafik L’Houcine
Published: January 2021

The development, maintenance and metastasis of solid tumors are highly dependent on the formation of blood and lymphatic vessels from pre-existing ones through a series of processes that are respectively known as angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Both are mediated by specific growth-stimulating molecules, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and adrenomedullin (AM), secreted by diverse cell types which involve not only the cancerogenic ones, but also those constituting the tumor stroma (i.e., macrophages, pericytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells). In this sense, anti-angiogenic therapy represents a clinically-validated strategy in oncology. Current therapeutic approaches are mainly based on VEGF-targeting agents, which, unfortunately, are usually limited by toxicity and/or tumor-acquired resistance. AM is a ubiquitous peptide hormone mainly secreted in the endothelium with an important involvement in blood vessel development and cardiovascular homeostasis. In this review, we will introduce the state-of-the-art in terms of AM physiology, while putting a special focus on its pro-tumorigenic role, and discuss its potential as a therapeutic target in oncology. A large amount of research has evidenced AM overexpression in a vast majority of solid tumors and a correlation between AM levels and disease stage, progression and/or vascular density has been observed. The analysis presented here indicates that the involvement of AM in the pathogenesis of cancer arises from: 1) direct promotion of cell proliferation and survival; 2) increased vascularization and the subsequent supply of nutrients and oxygen to the tumor; 3) and/or alteration of the cell phenotype into a more aggressive one. Furthermore, we have performed a deep scrutiny of the pathophysiological prominence of each of the AM receptors (AM1 and AM2) in different cancers, highlighting their differential locations and functions, as well as regulatory mechanisms. From the therapeutic point of view, we summarize here an exhaustive series of preclinical studies showing a reduction of tumor angiogenesis, metastasis and growth following treatment with AM-neutralizing antibodies, AM receptor antagonists, or AM receptor interference. Anti-AM therapy is a promising strategy to be explored in oncology, not only as an anti-angiogenic alternative in the context of acquired resistance to VEGF treatment, but also as a potential anti-metastatic approach.
The Association Between Effectiveness of Tinnitus Intervention and Cognitive Function—A Systematic Review
Authors: Lan Tianxiang , Cao Zuwei , Zhao Fei , Perham Nick
Published: January 2021

Tinnitus refers to the perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus. This can be problematic and can lead to health problems in some sufferers, including effects on cognitive functions such as attention and memory. Although several studies have examined the effectiveness of tinnitus interventions, e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy and sound therapy, it is still unclear as to the overall quality and limitations of these studies and whether their results could be generalized. Clarification is also needed as to whether poor cognitive function will lead to a less favorable intervention outcome in tinnitus patients. The present systematic review was therefore designed to critically appraise and synthesize findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of tinnitus intervention and its effects on cognition. The methodology followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Medline (PubMed), Embase, and PsycINFO were searched. Only RCTs that compared the effectiveness of a tinnitus intervention and a measure of cognitive function in adult participants with tinnitus were included. A total of 8 studies involving 610 participants tested using 11 cognitive function assessment tools (e.g., Stroop Color and Word Test and Visual Continuous Performance Task) and 5 tinnitus intervention outcome measurements (e.g., Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Tinnitus Questionnaire) were included and analyzed. The outcomes of the review suggest that tinnitus intervention not only facilitates tinnitus management but also improves cognitive functions. It is likely that cognition and emotion play an important role in a patient's adjustment to tinnitus. Whether cognition can predict treatment outcomes is unclear due to insufficient evidence. Future research is needed using a standardized assessment protocol focusing on the effect of sound-based interventions on tinnitus severity and cognitive functions. Studies on whether cognitive function measurement can be used as a predictor for the effectiveness of tinnitus therapy are also needed.
Adaptability Promotes Student Engagement Under COVID-19: The Multiple Mediating Effects of Academic Emotion
Authors: Zhang Keshun , Wu Shizhen , Xu Yanling , Cao Wanjun , Goetz Thomas , Parks-Stamm Elizabeth J.
Published: January 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of students in China followed an emergency policy called “Suspending Classes without Stopping Learning” to continue their study online as schools across the country were closed. The present study examines how students adapted to learning online in these unprecedented circumstances. We aimed to explore the relationship between adaptability, academic emotion, and student engagement during COVID-19. 1,119 university students from 20 provinces participated in this longitudinal study (2 time points with a 2-week interval). The results showed that adaptability (the ability to respond to changes) and student engagement are significantly positively correlated with positive academic emotion and negatively correlated with negative academic emotion. Furthermore, adaptability not only directly predicts student engagement, but also affects student engagement through the chain mediation of positive academic emotion and negative academic emotion. The results contribute to the gap in knowledge regarding changes in students’ learning in response to the outbreak. This study further explains the internal mechanisms mediating the relationship between adaptability and student engagement. It may provide references for educational researchers and universities in dampening the negative effects of COVID-19 on students’ learning by improving their adaptability and developing positive academic emotions.
Radio Measurements of the Magnetic Field in the Solar Chromosphere and the Corona
Authors: Alissandrakis Costas E. , Gary Dale E.
Published: January 2021

The structure of the upper solar atmosphere, on all observable scales, is intimately governed by the magnetic field. The same holds for a variety of solar phenomena that constitute solar activity, from tiny transient brightening to huge Coronal Mass Ejections. Due to inherent difficulties in measuring magnetic field effects on atoms (Zeeman and Hanle effects) in the corona, radio methods sensitive to electrons are of primary importance in obtaining quantitative information about its magnetic field. In this review we explore these methods and point out their advantages and limitations. After a brief presentation of the magneto-ionic theory of wave propagation in cold, collisionless plasmas, we discuss how the magnetic field affects the radio emission produced by incoherent emission mechanisms (free-free, gyroresonance, and gyrosynchrotron processes) and give examples of measurements of magnetic filed parameters in the quiet sun, active regions and radio CMEs. We proceed by discussing how the inversion of the sense of circular polarization can be used to measure the field above active regions. Subsequently we pass to coherent emission mechanisms and present results of measurements from fiber bursts, zebra patterns, and type II burst emission. We close this review with a discussion of the variation of the magnetic field, deduced by radio measurements, from the low corona up to ~ 10 solar radii and with some thoughts about future work.
“Sports Maternalism”, to Train and Take Care: Ethnographic Investigation in Baton Twirling Clubs
Authors: Ly Shia Manh
Published: January 2021

This article is the result of an ethnographic work on baton twirling clubs in Switzerland: clubs with few members coming from a modest origin, offering a social and physical activity with little resonance, composed of children, and young girls. The supervision is mainly the responsibility of close volunteers: family members, friends or neighbors and, for the majority of them, women. It is therefore an environment where people know each other, where gestures of familiarity are the rule and where tensions may sometimes arise due to various conflicts of proximity. Baton twirling is based on a public display of participants and the competitive aspiration for a self-presentation that solicits feminine stereotypes. It shows sociabilities and socialities framed by gender and age relationships: within clubs, knowledge transmission and childcare are combined in women's practices. The relationships between women and children transcend learning relationships. These relationships, which go beyond a vertical transmission of knowledge, call for approaches inspired by the theories ofcare. What is the meaning of these relationships based on women's care from the point of view of sociality and in relation to the institution of sport? This is the main question that will be addressed here. Approaches of care emphasize accompaniment, maintenance. They seem to be a good way to identify the contours of a “sports maternalism” which makes such a commitment valid while at the same time conferring legitimacy on a sports practice that is poorly considered.
Arable Podzols Are a Substantial Carbon Sink under Current and Future Climates: Evidence from a Long-Term Experiment in the Vladimir Region, Russia
Authors: Ilichev Igor , Romanenkov Vladimir , Lukin Sergei , Pavlova Vera , Siptits Stanislav , Krasilnikov Pavel
Published: January 2021

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an essential component of soil health and a potential sink for greenhouse gases. SOC dynamics in a long-term field experiment with mineral and organic fertilization on loamy sand podzol in the Vladimir Region, Russia, was traced with the dynamic carbon model RothC from 1968 until the present. During this period, C stock increased by 21%, compared to the initial level, with the application of manure, at an average annual rate of 10 t·ha−1. The model was also used to forecast SOC changes up to 2090 for two contrasting RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climatic scenarios. Up to 2090, steady growth of SOC stocks is expected in all compared treatments for both climate scenarios. In the scenarios, this growth rate was the highest up to 2040, decreased in the period 2040–2070, and increased again in the period 2070–2090 for RCP4.5. The highest annual gain was 21–27‰ under the RCP4.5 scenario and 16–21‰ under the RCP8.5 scenario in 2020–2040 in a 0–20 cm soil layer. Under the expected climate conditions in the 21st century, the C input will increase 1.3–1.5 times under the RCP4.5 scenario and decrease by 13–20% for the same period under the RCP 8.5 scenario. Modelling demonstrated potentially more favourable conditions for SOC stability in arable podzols than in Retisols in central Russia in the 21st century.
Effects of Applying Lactic Acid Bacteria and Molasses on the Fermentation Quality, Protein Fractions and In Vitro Digestibility of Baled Alfalfa Silage
Authors: Xie Yixiao , Bao Jinze , Li Wenqi , Sun Zhiqiang , Gao Run , Wu Zhe , Yu Zhu
Published: January 2021

Alfalfa sometimes cannot be harvested in time due to the rainy season. To improve the fermentation quality, protein quality and digestibility of alfalfa silage harvested late, Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and molasses were applied in an actual production process in this study. Alfalfa harvested at the full bloom stage was ensiled with (1) distilled water (control), (2) 1 × 106 colony-forming units LP/g fresh matter, (3) 15 g molasses/kg fresh matter (M) or (4) LP + M (LPM) for 55 days. Alfalfa ensiled with LP and/or molasses showed significantly lower pH and ammonia nitrogen contents than the control silage (p < 0.05). All additive treatments decreased nonprotein nitrogen contents and preserved more true protein (p < 0.05). However, molasses increased the acid detergent insoluble nitrogen content in the protein fractions (p < 0.05). The LP significantly improved the maximal cumulative gas production and the maximum gas production rate (p < 0.05) in the in vitro trial. Finally, both LP and molasses improved the neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the alfalfa silage (p < 0.05). The LP and molasses improved fermentation quality and digestibility and preserved more true protein in baled alfalfa silage harvested late in an actual production process. The LP utilized the excessive molasses and partially ameliorated its negative effects of causing higher acid detergent insoluble nitrogen content.
Acetone as Indicator of Lipid Oxidation in Stored Margarine
Authors: Fruehwirth Sarah , Egger Sandra , Flecker Thomas , Ressler Miriam , Firat Nesrin , Pignitter Marc
Published: January 2021

Margarine contains a minimum of 80% fat and is therefore prone to lipid oxidation. While lipid oxidation in vegetable oils and o/w emulsions has been thoroughly investigated, studies about the oxidative stability and the identification of potential indicators of lipid oxidation in margarine are scarce. To evaluate the oxidative stability and to indicate the progress of lipid oxidation, four different types of industrial margarine (M1–M4), which differed in their composition of the minor ingredients and the oil phase, were stored at 15 °C for 180 days and analyzed at days 0, 1, 7, 14, 28, 56, 99, and 180 regarding peroxides, conjugated dienes, oxidized triacylglycerols, and volatiles. The peroxide value and the conjugated dienes increased up to 4.76 ± 0.92 meq O2/kg oil and 14.7 ± 0.49 in M2, respectively. The oxidative stability decreased by a maximum of 50.9% in M4. We detected three different epoxidized triglycerides—TAG54:1 (O), TAG54:2 (O) and TAG54:3 (O)—in M3. Acetone could be identified, for the first time, as lipid oxidation product in stored margarine by headspace-solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). It increased in all types of margarine during storage by a maximum of 1070 ppb in M2. Acetone might be used as a new indicator for lipid oxidation in margarine.