bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of astigmatism before and 1 month after blepharoptosis surgery in patients with acquired ptosis
Authors: Dannoue Kazuhiko , Takagi Seiji , Uemura Keiko , Takei Anna , Usui Tomohiko
Published: October 2021

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of astigmatism preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively in patients with age-related ptosis (AP) and contact lens-related ptosis (CLP), and investigate surgery-induced astigmatism (SIA) using the Jaffe vector analysis and the Cravy method. Consecutive patients who underwent blepharoptosis surgery between January 2019 and December 2019 were included. The patients were divided into AP and CLP groups. Computerized corneal topography was used to assess the magnitude and axis of corneal astigmatism. Astigmatism was classified as with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), or oblique astigmatism (OA) pre- and postoperatively. SIA was calculated by vector analysis using the Cravy and Jaffe methods. The correlation between SIA and margin reflex distance (MRD) was calculated. One hundred and eight eyes from 58 patients (AP group: 85 eyes from 45 patients, CLP group: 23 eyes from 13 patients) were included. The AP group (73.8±7.6 years) was significantly older than the CLP group (47.7±6.6 years). The MRD increased significantly after treatment in both groups. The proportions of WTR, ATR, and OA were 52%, 22%, and 25%, and 86%, 9%, and 4% in the AP and CLP groups, respectively. A shift in astigmatism type was observed in 41% and 13% of patients in the AP and CLP groups, respectively. The average SIA measured using the Cravy method was 0.11±1.22 D in the AP group and −0.28±1.07 D in the CLP group (WTR astigmatism). The SIA calculated using the Jaffe method was 0.78±0.70 D in the AP group and 0.82±0.88 D in the CLP group. There was no significant correlation between SIA calculated using the Cravy and Jaffe methods and MRD. ATR was most common in age-related ptosis and WTR was most common in contact lens-related ptosis. Upper eyelid re-positioning may affect visual functions due to astigmatic changes in the short term postoperatively.
A local-ingredients-based supplement is an alternative to corn-soy blends plus for treating moderate acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Nane Debritu , Hatløy Anne , Lindtjørn Bernt
Published: October 2021

Background

Globally, moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) affects approximately 5% of children below five years of age. MAM is a persistent public health problem in Ethiopia. The current approach in Ethiopia for managing MAM is a supplementary feeding program; however, this is only provided to chronically food-insecure areas. The objective of the study was to compare a local-ingredients-based supplement (LIBS) with the standard corn-soy blend plus (CSB+) in treating MAM among children aged 6 to 59 months to test the hypothesis that the recovery rate achieved with LIBS will not be more than 7% worse than that achieved with CSB+.

Methods and findings

We used an individual randomized controlled non-inferiority trial design with two arms, involving 324 children with MAM aged 6 to 59 months in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. One hundred and sixty-two children were randomly assigned to each of the two arms. In the first arm, 125.2 g of LIBS with 8 ml of refined deodorized and cholesterol-free sunflower oil/day was provided. In the second arm, 150 g of CSB+ with 16 ml of refined deodorized and cholesterol-free sunflower oil/day was provided. Each child was provided with a daily ration of either LIBS or CSB+ for 12 weeks. Both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were done. ITT and PP analyses showed non-inferiority of LIBS compared with CSB+ for recovery rate [ITT risk difference = 4.9% (95% CI: -4.70, 14.50); PP risk difference = 3.7% (95% CI: –5.91, 13.31)]; average weight gain [ITT risk difference = 0.10 g (95% CI: -0.33 g, 0.53 g); PP risk difference = 0.04 g (95% CI: -0.38 g, 0.47 g)]; and recovery time [ITT risk difference = -2.64 days (95% CI: -8.40 days, 3.13 days); PP difference -2.17 days (95% CI: -7.97 days, 3.64 days]. Non-inferiority in MUAC gain and length/height gain was also observed in the LIBS group compared with the CSB+ group.

Conclusions

LIBS can be used as an alternative to the standard CSB+ for the treatment of MAM. Thus, the potential of scaling up the use of LIBS should be promoted.

Trial registration

Pan-African Clinical Trial Registration number: PACTR201809662822990.
How I see is how I feel. Identification of illness perception schema and its association with adaptation outcomes in multiple sclerosis – a 5-year prospective study
Authors: Różycka Jagoda
Published: October 2021

The aim of the study was to assess the role of illness perception in adaptation to chronic disease among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The differences between the obtained configurations of the illness perception components during four measurements and the model of predictions of the values of adaptation indicators, i.e. depression, anxiety and quality of life during subsequent measurements, were analyzed. Illness representation was assessed at baseline via the Illness Representation Questionnaire–Revised. The adaptation indicators–anxiety, depression (measured by HADS) and quality of life (measured by MSIS-29) were measured at baseline and three more times over a five-year period. The k-means cluster analysis (with two-way and repeated measures ANOVA) was conducted in a group of 90 patients (48.89% women and 51.11% men). Subsequently, the mean values of depression, anxiety, physical and psychological quality of life were compared between the clusters using the Kruskall-Wallis test. Finally, a cross-lagged panel modeled for HADS and MSIS-29 subscales in each measurement occasion (T1-T4). Three different illness perception clusters (Anxious, Realistic and Fatalistic Illness Perception named AIP, RIP and FIP) were composed which differentiated the depression, anxiety, quality of life level and age. FIP showed the lowest adaptation outcomes with small differences between AIP and RIP. It was also significantly characterized by the highest age. The positive adaptation indicators were related to the RIP cluster. The model presented rather satisfactory fit (χ2(48) = 81.05; CFI = .968; TLI = .925; SRMR = .050) with slightly inflated RMSEA = .087 (90%CI .053-.120). Based on initial measurements of individual characteristics, it was possible to predict the functioning of patients after several years. For patients with AIP, the covariance of anxiety and depression was significant, for patients with RIP–depression and anxiety, and for patients with FIP–depression. In addition, each of the variables was a predictor of subsequent measurements in particular time intervals, illustrating the dynamics of changes. Results highlight that illness perceptions formed at the beginning of RRMS are important for the process of adaptation to the disease. Moreover, they showed the differences between the adaptation outcomes supporting the idea that a cognitive representation might be important for the level of psychological functioning.
Green photosensitisers for the degradation of selected pesticides of high risk in most susceptible food: A safer approach
Authors: Baig Ayesha , Zubair Muhammad , Sumrra Sajjad Hussain , Rashid Umer , Zafar Muhammad Nadeem , Ahmad Fayyaz , Nazar Muhammad Faizan , Farid Mujahid , Bilal Muhammad , Alharthi Fahad A. , Giannakoudakis Dimitrios A.
Published: October 2021

Pesticides are the leading defence against pests, but their unsafe use reciprocates the pesticide residues in highly susceptible food and is becoming a serious risk for human health. In this study, mint extract and riboflavin were tested as photosensitisers in combination with light irradiation of different frequencies, employed for various time intervals to improve the photo-degradation of deltamethrin (DM) and lambda cyhalothrin (λ-CHT) in cauliflower. Different source of light was studied, either in ultraviolet range (UV-C, 254 nm or UV-A, 320–380 nm) or sunlight simulator (> 380–800 nm). The degradation of the pesticides varied depending on the type of photosensitiser and light source. Photo-degradation of the DM and λ-CHT was enhanced by applying the mint extracts and riboflavin and a more significant degradation was achieved with UV-C than with either UV-A or sunlight, reaching a maximum decrement of the concentration by 67–76%. The light treatments did not significantly affect the in-vitro antioxidant activity of the natural antioxidants in cauliflower. A calculated dietary risk assessment revealed that obvious dietary health hazards of DM and λ-CHT pesticides when sprayed on cauliflower for pest control. The use of green chemical photosensitisers (mint extract and riboflavin) in combination with UV light irradiation represents a novel, sustainable, and safe approach to pesticide reduction in produce.
Association between global sagittal malalignment and increasing hip joint contact force, analyzed by a novel musculoskeletal modeling system
Authors: Miura Takanori , Miyakoshi Naohisa , Saito Kimio , Kijima Hiroaki , Iida Jumpei , Hatakeyama Kazutoshi , Suzuki Kotaro , Komatsu Akira , Iwami Takehiro , Matsunaga Tosiki , Shimada Yoichi
Published: October 2021

Patients with adult spinal deformity have various standing postures. Although several studies have reported a relationship between sagittal alignment and exacerbation of hip osteoarthritis, information is limited regarding how spinopelvic sagittal alignment changes affect hip joint loading. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sagittal spinopelvic-lower limb alignment and the hip joint contact force (HCF) using a novel musculoskeletal model. We enrolled 20 women (78.3±6.7 years) from a single institution. Standing lateral radiographs were acquired to measure thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, the pelvic tilt, sacral slope, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), femur obliquity angle, and knee flexion angle. In the model simulation, the Anybody Modeling System was used, which alters muscle pathways using magnetic resonance imaging data. Each patient’s alignment was entered into the model; the HCF and hip moment in the standing posture were calculated using inverse dynamics analysis. The relationship between the HCF and each parameter was examined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r). The patients were divided into low SVA and high SVA groups, with a cutoff value of 50 mm for the SVA. The HCF was 168.2±60.1 N (%BW) and positively correlated with the SVA (r = 0.6343, p<0.01) and femur obliquity angle (r = 0.4670, p = 0.03). The HCF were 122.2 and 214.1 N (75.2% difference) in the low SVA and high SVA groups, respectively (p<0.01). The flexion moment was also increased in the high SVA group compared with that in the low SVA group (p = 0.03). The SVA and femur obliquity angle are factors related to the HCF, suggesting an association between adult spinal deformity and the exacerbation of hip osteoarthritis. Future studies will need to assess the relationship between the hip joint load and sagittal spinopelvic parameters in dynamic conditions.
Transcriptional dynamics in the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis neurona and mammalian host cells after treatment with a specific inhibitor of apicomplexan mRNA polyadenylation
Authors: Hunt Arthur G. , Howe Daniel K. , Brown Ashley , Yeargan Michelle
Published: October 2021

In recent years, a class of chemical compounds (benzoxaboroles) that are active against a range of parasites has been shown to target mRNA polyadenylation by inhibiting the activity of CPSF73, the endonucleolytic core of the eukaryotic polyadenylation complex. One particular compound, termed AN3661, is active against several apicomplexan parasites that cause disease in humans. In this study, we report that AN3661 is active against an apicomplexan that causes disease in horses and marine mammals (Sarcocystis neurona), with an approximate IC50 value of 14.99 nM. Consistent with the reported mode of action of AN3661 against other apicomplexans, S. neurona mutants resistant to AN3661 had an alteration in CPSF73 that was identical to a mutation previously documented in AN3661-resistant Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. AN3661 had a wide-ranging effect on poly(A) site choice in S. neurona, with more than half of all expressed genes showing some alteration in mRNA 3’ ends. This was accompanied by changes in the relative expression of more than 25% of S. neurona genes and an overall 5-fold reduction of S. neurona transcripts in infected cells. In contrast, AN3661 had no discernible effect on poly(A) site choice or gene expression in the host cells. These transcriptomic studies indicate that AN3661 is exceedingly specific for the parasite CPSF73 protein, and has the potential to augment other therapies for the control of apicomplexan parasites in domestic animals.
Flow resistance characteristics of the stem and root from conifer (Sabina chinensis) xylem tracheid
Authors: Xu Tianyu , Zhi Shuteng , Zheng Ennan , Yan Chengcheng
Published: October 2021

Xylem tracheids are the channels for water transport in conifer. Tracheid flow resistance is composed of tracheid lumen resistance and pit resistance. The single tracheid structure parameters in the stem and root of Sabina chinensis were obtained by dissociation and slicing, combined with numerical simulation to analyze the tracheid flow resistance characteristics. The results showed that the tracheid lumen resistance was determined by the tracheid width and tracheid length. The pit resistance was determined by the number of pits and single pit resistance. The single pit resistance was composed of four elements: the secondary cell wall, the border, the margo and the torus. The margo contributed a relatively large fraction of flow resistance, while the torus, the border and the secondary cell wall formed a small fraction. The size and position of the pores in the margo had a significant effect on the fluid velocity. The number of pits were proportional to tracheid length. The power curve, S-curve and inverse curve were fitted the scatter plot of total pit resistance, total resistance, total resistivity, which was found that there were the negative correlation between them. The three scatter plot values were larger in the stem than in the root, indicating that the tracheid structure in the root was more conducive to water transport than the stem. The ratio of tracheid lumen resistance to pit resistance mainly was less than 0.6 in the stem and less than 1 in the root, indicating that the pit resistance was dominant in the total resistance of the stem and root.
Agreement of rebound and applanation tonometry intraocular pressure measurements during atmospheric pressure change
Authors: Vercellin Alice Verticchio , Harris Alon , Siesky Brent , Zukerman Ryan , Tanga Lucia , Carnevale Carmela , Scarinci Fabio , Oddone Francesco
Published: October 2021

This study investigated the agreement of intraocular pressure measurements using rebound tonometry and applanation tonometry in response to atmospheric changes in a hyperbaric chamber. Twelve eyes of 12 healthy subjects were included in this prospective, comparative, single-masked study. Intraocular pressure measurements were performed by rebound tonometry followed by applanation tonometry in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber at 1 Bar, followed by 2, 3 and 4 Bar during compression and again at 3 and 2 Bar during decompression. Mean differences between rebound and applanation intraocular pressure measurements were 1.6, 1.7, and 2.1 mmHg at 2, 3, and 4 Bar respectively during compression and 2.6 and 2.2 mmHg at 3 and 2 Bar during decompression. Lower limits of agreement ranged from -3.7 to -5.9 mmHg and upper limits ranged from -0.3 to 1.9 mmHg. Multivariate analysis showed that the differences between rebound and applanation intraocular pressure measurements were independent of atmospheric pressure changes (p = 0.79). Intraocular pressure measured by rebound tonometry shows a systematic difference compared to intraocular measured by applanation tonometry, but this difference is not influenced by changes of atmospheric pressure up to 4 Bar in a hyperbaric chamber. Agreement in magnitude of change between devices suggests rebound tonometry is viable for assessing intraocular pressure during atmospheric changes. Future studies should be designed in consideration of expected differences in IOP values provided by the two devices.
Design of effective value calculation model for dynamic dataflow of infrared gas online monitoring
Authors: Xiao Dong , Huang Lu , Keita Mohamed , He Hailun , Chen Dayong , Li Jin
Published: October 2021

The development of “CC30A CH4-CO2 combined analyzer” with infrared gas sensor as the core detection device can be widely used in online gas component analysis. In data analysis, the maximum value and arithmetic mean of the sensor data for each test period are not effective value. The characteristics of the dynamic data are: (1) Each DAW completes one test for one parameter, there is a unique effective value; (2) In test state, the fluctuation of the sensor value gradually decreases when approaching to the end of the test. An effective value calculation model was designed using the method of dimensionality reduction of dynamic data. The model was based on the distribution characteristics of the process data, and consists of 4 key steps: (1) Identify the Data Analysis Window (DAW) and build DAW dataset; (2) Calculate the value of optimal DAW dataset segmentation and build DAW subdataset; (3) Calculate the arithmetic mean (Mc) and count the amount of data in each subdataset (Fc), and build the optimal segmentation statistical set; (4) Effective value calculation and error evaluation. Calculation result with 50 sets of monitor data conformed that the EVC model for dynamic data of gas online monitoring meets the requirements of experimental accuracy requirements and test error. This method can be independently calculated without relying on the feedback information of the monitoring device, and it has positive significance for using the algorithm to reduce the hardware design complexity.
A simple and economic protocol for efficient in vitro fertilization using cryopreserved mouse sperm
Authors: Wigger Magdalena , Tröder Simon E. , Zevnik Branko
Published: October 2021

The advent of genome editing tools like CRISPR/Cas has substantially increased the number of genetically engineered mouse models in recent years. In support of refinement and reduction, sperm cryopreservation is advantageous compared to embryo freezing for archiving and distribution of such mouse models. The in vitro fertilization using cryopreserved sperm from the most widely used C57BL/6 strain has become highly efficient in recent years due to several improvements of the procedure. However, purchase of the necessary media for routine application of the current protocol poses a constant burden on budgetary constraints. In-house media preparation, instead, is complex and requires quality control of each batch. Here, we describe a cost-effective and easily adaptable approach for in vitro fertilization using cryopreserved C57BL/6 sperm. This is mainly achieved by modification of an affordable commercial fertilization medium and a step-by-step description of all other necessary reagents. Large-scale comparison of fertilization rates from independent lines of genetically engineered C57BL/6 mice upon cryopreservation and in vitro fertilization with our approach demonstrated equal or significantly superior fertilization rates to current protocols. Our novel SEcuRe (Simple Economical set-up for Rederivation) method provides an affordable, easily adaptable and harmonized protocol for highly efficient rederivation using cryopreserved C57BL/6 sperm for a broad application of colony management in the sense of the 3Rs.
Phylogenetic analyses of Norwegian Tenacibaculum strains confirm high bacterial diversity and suggest circulation of ubiquitous virulent strains
Authors: Lagadec Erwan , Småge Sverre Bang , Trösse Christiane , Nylund Are
Published: October 2021

Tenacibaculosis is a bacterial ulcerative disease affecting marine fish and represents a major threat to aquaculture worldwide. Its aetiological agents, bacteria belonging to the genus Tenacibaculum, have been present in Norway since at least the late 1980’s and lead to regular ulcerative outbreaks and high mortalities in production of farmed salmonids. Studies have shown the presence of several Tenacibaculum species in Norway and a lack of clonality in outbreak-related strains, thus preventing the development of an effective vaccine. Hence, a thorough examination of the bacterial diversity in farmed fish presenting ulcers and the geographical distribution of the pathogens should provide important insights needed to strengthen preventive actions. In this study, we investigated the diversity of Tenacibaculum strains isolated in 28 outbreaks that occurred in Norwegian fish farms in the period 2017–2020. We found that 95% of the 66 strains isolated and characterized, using an existing MultiLocus Sequence Typing system, have not previously been identified, confirming the high diversity of this genus of bacteria in Norway. Several of these Tenacibaculum species seem to be present within restricted areas (e.g., Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi in western Norway), but phylogenetic analysis reveals that several of the strains responsible of ulcerative outbreaks were isolated from different localities (e.g., ST- 172 isolated from northern to southern parts of Norway) and/or from different hosts. Understanding their reservoirs and transmission pathways could help to address major challenges in connection with prophylactic measures and development of vaccines.
‘I will rather be killed by corona than by him…’: Experiences of abused women seeking shelter during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Dekel Bianca , Abrahams Naeemah
Published: October 2021

Background

In April 2020, the United Nations predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a ‘calamitous’ impact on the lives of women. This was based on concerns about an upsurge in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) arising from increased opportunities for relational conflict due to forced co-existence and therefore additional time spent with abusive partners.

Aim

Research has shown an increase in IPV during times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has generated unprecedented circumstances and stress, and opportunities to do research to understand whether the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on IPV experiences were limited. Thus, the present study aimed to understand women’s experiences of being in and leaving an abusive relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Individual, telephonic interviews were conducted with 16 women living in domestic violence shelters within three Provinces during South Africa’s lockdown period.

Results

Findings reveal that the public health measures implemented by the South African Government to curb the spread of the virus, may have placed vulnerable groups at increased risk of violence. Specifically, lockdown likely magnified the risk for escalation of abuse in families already experiencing IPV prior to COVID-19. The study highlights an IPV and COVID-19 relationship, showing that the gender insensitive pandemic control measures, such as stay at home orders and travel restrictions, likely placed women at risk of increased abuse. Given the recurrency of COVID-19 epidemic waves, attention must be given to gender disparities or many South African women may experience worse outcomes.

Conclusion

This study reminds us that being ordered to stay at home is not always the safest option for women and thus, in a country with one of the highest levels of GBV, it becomes imperative to ensure that IPV safeguards are integrated into COVID-19 measures. It also becomes evident that COVID-19 requires enhanced ways of responding by paying attention to gender disparities.
Retrospective surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in pets from Brazil
Authors: de Carvalho Otávio Valério , Ristow Luiz Eduardo , Rodrigues Davi dos Santos , Farias Cláudia Kathariny da Silva , Maia Rita de Cássia Carvalho
Published: October 2021

Background and Aim: The emerging concerns regarding the new Coronavirus's ability to cause infection in pets has led to animal testing and worrisome findings reported all over the world in domesticated and wild animals. This study aimed to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in dog and cat samples with the clinical presentation for respiratory or gastrointestinal disease in Brazil.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-five samples were collected from 12 states of Brazil that originated from the gastrointestinal, upper respiratory tract, and other sites, including some pools of samples from before the onset of the pandemic including blood and/or urine samples. They were tested for RT-PCR detection of respiratory or gastrointestinal pathogens through Respiratory or Diarrhea RT-PCR Panels in the TECSA (Tecnologia em Saninade Animal - Animal Health Technology) Veterinary Medicine Laboratory. This work was conducted in compliance with ethical standards.

Results: Seven different microorganisms that can cause respiratory and/or gastrointestinal clinical signs were detected in cats (Feline Coronavirus [FCoV], Feline Parvovirus, Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Calicivirus, Mycoplasma felis, Campylobacter spp., and Cryptosporidium spp.) and three in dogs (canine distemper virus, Cryptosporidium spp., and Babesia spp.).

Conclusion: Although the samples corresponded to the beginning of coronavirus disease-19 spread in Brazil and clinically correlated with the expected viral replication sites, none of the animals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; reassuringly, four cats tested positive or FCoV none of them were positive for SARS-CoV2. The epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in pets is considered a one health issue, important for monitoring the disease evolution, spread and minimizing the animal-human health impacts, and directing Public Health Policies.
Russian Cyber-Attacks on Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine, Including Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Effects
Authors: Buresh Donald L.
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast the cyber-attacks on Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine, including tactics, techniques, procedures, and effects. The paper states that none of the models will probably be repeated. The thesis is that cyber-attacks will change as technology changes. In other words, past cyber-attacks operations, particularly in Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine, are not good predictors of future cyber-attack activity.
Simulierte Unfälle
Authors: Zindel Hannah
Published: October 2021

Hannah Zindel widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage, welche Konzepte von Verkehr und Mobilität durch simulierte Fahrten geprägt werden. Aus kultur- und medienwissenschaftlicher Perspektive werden Tests fahrer:innenloser Fahrzeuge in Computermodellen und auf Testgeländen untersucht. In dem Aufsatz wird gezeigt, dass in diesen Lernumgebungen der Fokus auf dem Unfall liegt: Verkehr und Mobilität werden von ihren Störungen her konzipiert und als permanentes Krisenszenario entworfen. Simulationen kommt entsprechend nicht nur eine technische Schlüsselrolle in der Entwicklung autonomer Autos zu. Sie prägen zudem die Vermarktung fahrer:innenloser Fahrzeuge als Lösung dieser Krise und stabilisieren autozentrierte Konzepte von Verkehr und Mobilität.
Gadjé-Rassismus
Authors: Witt Roxanna-Lorraine
Published: October 2021

Roxanna-Lorraine Witt widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage nach den Ursachen von rechtem Terror, Radikalisierung und ideologischer Transmissionswege der Vorstellungen weißem Übermenschentums. Über die Definition von Deutungshoheit im wissenschaftlichem und gesellschaftlichem Kontext wird Gadjé-Rassismus als Begriff und analytische Praxis elaboriert, die dazu dient über einen Perspektivwechsel die Ursachen dieser Ideologien und Weltanschauungen in Kontexten einer historischen Sozialisationskaskade sichtbar zu machen. Anhand des Beispiels der Erinnerungskultur eröffnet die Autorin die Frage danach, was der richtige Umgang mit den Herausforderungen ist, vor denen die Gesellschaft durch Ereignisse wie dem NSU oder den terroristischen Anschlägen in Halle und Hanau gestellt wird.
The Relevance of Turning a Page: Monotony and Complexity in §25 of David Foster Wallace's The Pale King
Authors: Quassdorf Sixta
Published: October 2021

Sixta Quassdorf analyzes §25 of David Foster Wallace's novel The Pale King. In both form and content, the chapter reveals a masterly condensation of the human in a dehumanized bureaucracy. While the phrase »turns a page« is repeated about 100 times, representing the power of monotony and alienation, we also find variation, rhythmic disruption and flashes of poetic insight that reveal the unassailability of human creativity. In addition, by experiencing formal elements that echo the narrative's meaning, the reader is almost put into the protagonists' position, which goes beyond simply »turning pages.«
The Language of Engagement and the Projection of Storyworld Possible Selves in Roberto Bolaño's The Savage Detectives
Authors: Martinez Maria-Angeles
Published: October 2021

In this contribution, María-Ángeles Martínez explores the language of engagement in a short extract from Los Detectives Salvajes (Roberto Bolaño, 1998) and its English translation, The Savage Detectives (2007) within the framework of storyworld possible selves (SPSs). Her analysis focuses on the first cluster of SPS linguistics anchors, or linguistic expressions requiring a hybrid mental referent, inclusive of an intra- and an extra-diegetic perspectivizer, in the novel, and discusses its bearing on storyworld possible selves projection and narrative construal. The main narrative function of this first SPS cluster seems to be to invite the activation of readers' past selves as young, restless university students as the part of their self-concepts with a stronger engagement potential in this specific narrative experience.
A Never Ending Story
Authors: Bonfert Anne
Published: October 2021

Anne Bonfert widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage nach den unterschiedlichen Dimensionen von Arbeit freier darstellender Künstler*innen und Performer*innen im Kontext Theaterfestival. Ausgehend von einer Betrachtung des Formats Theaterfestival und der in diesem agierenden Akteur*innen, betrachtet die Autorin das Festival als ökonomischen Handlungsraum. Dabei beschreibt sie die Zusammenhänge und Überlagerungen unterschiedlicher Dimensionen der Arbeit von darstellenden Künstler*innen und Performer*innen, sowie deren Funktionen im Kontext Theaterfestival.
Ästhetiken des Im/mobilen
Authors: Schmidt Yvonne
Published: October 2021

Theater-und Tanzfestivals sind bedeutende Orte, wenn es um die Dissemination von Theater und Tanz von und mit behinderten Künstler*innen geht. Die geforderte Mobilität der Künstler*innen mit Behinderungen, die an Festivals auftreten, bringt eine spezifische Ästhetik des Im/mobilen hervor und Festivals beeinflussen damit, welche Formen von Theater und Tanz mit behinderten Künstler*innen auf internationalen Bühnen repräsentiert und wahrgenommen wird. Gleichzeitig fungieren Festivals als Inkubatoren neuer Arbeitsweisen und Praktiken, die das Potenzial besitzen, ästhetische und strukturelle Rahmungen zu erweitern, zu hinterfragen und neu zu definieren, um Bühnen für Performer*innen und Zuschauer*innen mit verschiedenen Behinderungen zugänglich zu machen. Der Beitrag beleuchtet diese aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Festivalszene, auch vor dem Hintergrund einer Debatte um alternative Formen der Zirkulation und Dissemination von Theater-und Tanzperformances.
Architektonik des Temporären
Authors: Elisabet Eitel Verena
Published: October 2021

Verena Elisabet Eitel widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage nach den verschiedenen Ebenen der Wirksamkeit von Festivalarchitekturen, im Besonderen auch dem Festivalzentrum. Vorgestellte Projekte sind u.a. "Migrantpolitan" auf kampnagel, "HOTEL shabbyshabby" (raumlaborberlin / umschichten), Festivalzentrum "Haven" bei Theater der Welt 2017. Der Fokus der Beobachtungen liegt auf verschiedenen Facetten der Wahrnehmung von Architektur im Sinne einer Aufführung, der Entwicklung und Erprobung alternativer Entwurfs-, Material- und Baupratiken sowie der Konzeption temporärer Kommunikations- und Begegnungsräume. Zudem wird gefragt, inwiefern Festivalarchitekturen Modellcharakter für übergreifende gemeinschaftsbildende Strategien haben können, die sich auch am exklusiven Rahmen Festival und dessen besonderer Publikumsadressierung messen lassen müssen.
Políticas estatales para la economía social y solidaria. arenas en disputa por la agenda de gobierno (Argentina, 2020)
Authors: Sterling Plazas Sandra , García Ariel
Published: October 2021

En esta investigación, a partir de las nociones de co-construcción, co-producción y arenas en disputa, nos interesa analizar las interfaces que se producen entre las organizaciones de la Economía Social y Solidaria (ESS) -especialmente las relacionadas con el cooperativismo de trabajo-, los dirigentes del sector y los encargados de las políticas estatales orientadas al sector en Argentina, durante los primeros meses del gobierno nacional asumido en 2019 y en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19. El enfoque adoptado es el de triangulación metodológica, centrado en fuentes de información primaria (cuestionarios autoadministrados con preguntas cerradas) y secundaria (bibliografía e informes oficiales). Consideramos al estado como arena en la que se despliegan, reproducen y condensan parte de las contradicciones a través de las disputas que entablan grupos sociales por recursos específicos. Desde esta perspectiva, identificamos tres arenas en las que se disputa la agenda de gobierno y determinan la co-construcción y mono-construcción de políticas productivas.
La gestión pública de empresas: el desafío de un abordaje multinivel
Authors: Agoff Sergio Leandro , Blugerman Leopoldo , Meschengieser Gonzalo Germán
Published: October 2021

El artículo desarrolla la idea de que la gestión pública de empresas se da en distintos niveles, incorporando una consideración sobre la cuestión territorial, entendida como una “escala de base”, no siempre debidamente reflejado en los estudios. El trabajo supone que el desafío de la gestión pública de las empresas es articular tres niveles: en primer lugar, el global, atendiendo a las cuestiones de la experiencia internacional, los modelos de desarrollo y la cuestión de la inserción e integración regional; en segundo lugar, el territorial, enfocando la vinculación con actores públicos y privados en los espacios específicos de desarrollo de su actividad; y, por último el organizacional, abordando la cuestión de la combinación entre estructura y profesionalización que permita un trabajo sostenible en los otros dos niveles. El artículo apela a fuentes secundarias, principalmente y discute a partir de la referencia provista por la literatura especializada.
Hepatorenal protective effect of ocimum sanctum in chickens toxicated by gentamicin
Authors: A. M. Abdul Ghaffar Hadeer , A. A.Elkomy Ashraf , A.H. Farag Enas
Published: October 2021

Background: ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) â€œQueen of herbsâ€ is considered as sacred and medicinal plant in a lot of countries around the world especially India. Therefore this study was carried out to investigate the heptorenal protective effect of ocimum sanctum aqueous extract against gentamicin induced hepatorenal toxicity in chickens.Materials and Methods: A total 100, one-day old unsexed broiler chicks of a commercial breed (Cobb breed) were used in this study, the chickens were subjected to different treatments blood and tissue samples were collected at 5th week of age post administration, biochemical and histopathological examinations were utilized to investigate protective effect of ocimum sanctum aqueous extract on liver and kidney.Results: gentamicin recorded significant (P<0.05)increase in serum level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid and creatinine levels when compared with control group, the administration of ocimum sanctum aqueous extract with gentamicin ameliorate their toxic effect, the group treated with ocimum sanctum aqueous extract only similar to control, while gentamicin induce significant (P<0.05)decrease in serum albumin, total protein and globulin levels when compared with control group, ocimum sanctum aqueous extract with gentamicin restore their toxic effect. The group treated with ocimum sanctum aqueous extract only as control. Gentamicin induce histopathological alterations in liver and kidney tissues by comparison with control group and ocimum sanctum aqueous extract treated group as control, while the administration of ocimum sanctum aqueous extract with gentamicin showing improvement in histopathological lesion compared with toxic effect induced by gentamicin.Conclusions: The hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin were ameliorated by aqueous extract of ocimum sanctum especially at dose of 2ml/liter in drinking water for 12 days.Â Â Â
The immunibiochemical effect of synobiotic and phytobiotic in vaccinated and unvaccinated chicken
Authors: Kamel O. I. Marwa , A. A. El-Komy Ashraf , A. A. Farag Enas
Published: October 2021

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of synbiotics, phytobiotics and their mixture on some blood parameters with respct to kidney and liver functions and some histological criteria of broilers. A total of 200 broiler chicks were randomly chosen and divided into eight groups (25 bird in each). The first four groups were unvaccinated chicken and allotted to four dietary treatments, either fed a basal diet (group 1) or the same diet supplemented with 1g synbiotic /kg body weight ( group 2) , 1g phytobiotic /kg body weight (group 3) and 1g synbiotic plus 1g phytobiotic/kg body weight (group 4) .The same previous treatments were received by four vaccinated chicken groups 5, 6,7 and 8 , respectively. Synobotic and phytobiotic tended to increase AST and ALT levels in vaccinated chicken during different periods. The mixture synbiotic and phytobiotic led to no significant increase in AST with unvac-cinated and increase of ALT level in vaccinated groups. Also, previous feed additive increased total protein in both vaccinated and unvac-cinated chickens. Supplementation mixture of both synbiotic and phytobiotic to diet increased total protein in unvaccinated and vaccinated chicken. Rations supplemented with synobiotic and phytobiotic increased albumin level in unvaccinated chicken and decreased with vac-cinated chicken during different periods. Consequently, mixtures of synobiotic and phytobiotic appeared the same trend. On the other, using synobiotic and phytobiotic showed increase globulin level with unvaccinated chicken and decrease with vaccinated chicken, while the mixture of them gave higher level of globulin with unvaccinated or vaccinated chicken during different periods, except at 21 day, the globulin level had slight decrease with unvaccinated chicken. At the same time supplementation synobiotic and phytobiotic or their mixture with unvaccinated or vaccinated chicken revealed normal histological criteria. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of syonbiotic and phytobiotic improved the gut health by decreasing the caecal total coliform count with no adverse effect.The aim of this experiment is to study the effect of dietary supplementation of synobiotic, phytobiotic and their mixture on kidney and liver functions and some histological criteria of broiler chicken.
Laborer Identification and Monitoring System: Dactyloscopy on the Plantations of East Sumatra, 1926-1980
Authors: Damanik Erond Litno
Published: October 2021

This study aims to explore and discuss laborer identification and monitoring systems on East Sumatran plantations during 1926-1980. It is focused on the implementation of dactyloscopy, archives that have never been researched it all, which had replaced the anthropometric identification system as the reference to determine the criminal justice system. The data used is the dactyloscopy archive in the office of the Sumatra Plantation Company Cooperation Agency and the Indonesian Plantation Museum in Medan City. Data were analyzed using a historiographic approach. The study found that dactyloscopy was part of the modernization of the administrative and bureaucratic systems in plantations. The novelty of the study that the implementation of dactyloscopy in plantation communities is in line with the high crime of labor against employers. Therefore, there is a major distinction in the implementation of dactyloscopy before and after the independence which has been influenced by the logic of colonialism and independence. During the colonialism period, dactyloscopy was used to identify and monitor taming laborersin plantations, while post-independence and nationalization it was used as a modern labor control system.
Path advisor
Authors: Yan Yinzhao , Wong Raymond Chi-Wing
Published: October 2021

The shortest path in both the two dimensional (2D) plane and the three dimensional (3D) terrain is extensively used both in industry and academia. Although there are some map visualization tools for viewing the shortest path in 2D and 3D views, we find two limitations: (1) they are not applicable for map applications with obstacles (such as the wall in a building), and (2) they look unrealistic and strange when a road network approach is blindly adopted. Motivated by this, we developed a web-based multi-functional campus map tool called
Path Advisor
, which allows users to visualize the shortest path in the 2D view, the bird's eye view and the virtual reality view (VR view). Path Advisor uses Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm and breadth-first tree in the 2D view, and the weighted shortest surface path algorithm in the bird's eye view and the VR view. We shot a video for demonstrating Path Advisor at https://youtu.be/ZgdjyXXHwqg.
Low-latency compilation of SQL queries to machine code
Authors: Funke Henning , Teubner Jens
Published: October 2021

Query compilation has proven to be one of the most efficient query processing techniques. Despite its fast processing speed, the additional compilation times of the technique limit its applicability. This is because the approach is most beneficial only when the improvements in processing time clearly exceed the additional compilation time.

Recently the feasibility of query compilers with very low compilation times has been shown. This may prove query compilation as a merely universal approach. In this article and in the corresponding live demo, we show the capabilities of the
ReSQL
database system, which uses the intermediate representation
Flounder IR
to achieve very low compilation times. ReSQL reduces the compilation times from SQL to machine code compared to existing LLVM-based techniques by up to
101.1x
for real-world analytic queries.
CBench
Authors: Orogat Abdelghny , El-Roby Ahmed
Published: October 2021

A plethora of question answering (QA) systems that retrieve answers to natural language questions from knowledge graphs have been developed in recent years. However, choosing a benchmark to accurately assess the quality of a question answering system is a challenging task due to the high degree of variations among the available benchmarks with respect to their fine-grained properties.

In this demonstration, we introduce CBench, an extensible, and more informative benchmarking suite for analyzing benchmarks and evaluating QA systems. CBench can be used to analyze existing benchmarks with respect to several fine-grained linguistic, syntactic, and structural properties of the questions and queries in the benchmarks. Moreover, CBench can be used to facilitate the evaluation of QA systems using a set of popular benchmarks that can be augmented with other user-provided benchmarks. CBench not only evaluates a QA system based on popular single-number metrics but also gives a detailed analysis of the linguistic, syntactic, and structural properties of answered and unanswered questions to help the developers of QA systems to better understand where their system excels and where it struggles.
Demonstration of panda
Authors: Wu Renzhi , Sakala Prem , Li Peng , Chu Xu , He Yeye
Published: October 2021

Entity matching (EM) refers to the problem of identifying tuple pairs in one or more relations that refer to the same real world entities. Supervised machine learning (ML) approaches, and deep learning based approaches in particular, typically achieve state-of-the-art matching results. However, these approaches require many labeled examples, in the form of matching and non-matching pairs, which are expensive and time-consuming to label.

In this paper, we introduce Panda, a weakly supervised system specifically designed for EM. Panda uses the same
labeling function
abstraction as Snorkel, where labeling functions (LF) are user-provided programs that can generate large amounts of (somewhat noisy) labels quickly and cheaply, which can then be combined via a labeling model to generate accurate final predictions. To support users developing LFs for EM, Panda provides an integrated development environment (IDE) that lives in a modern browser architecture. Panda's IDE facilitates the development, debugging, and life-cycle management of LFs in the context of EM tasks, similar to how IDEs such as Visual Studio or Eclipse excel in general-purpose programming. Panda's IDE includes many novel features purpose-built for EM, such as smart data sampling, a builtin library of EM utility functions, automatically generated LFs, visual debugging of LFs, and finally, an EM-specific labeling model. We show in this demo that Panda IDE can greatly accelerate the development of high-quality EM solutions using weak supervision.
Demo of marius
Authors: Xie Anze , Carlsson Anders , Mohoney Jason , Waleffe Roger , Peters Shanan , Rekatsinas Theodoros , Venkataraman Shivaram
Published: October 2021

Graph embeddings have emerged as the de facto representation for modern machine learning over graph data structures. The goal of graph embedding models is to convert high-dimensional sparse graphs into low-dimensional, dense and continuous vector spaces that preserve the graph structure properties. However, learning a graph embedding model is a resource intensive process, and existing solutions rely on expensive distributed computation to scale training to instances that do not fit in GPU memory. This demonstration showcases Marius: a new open-source engine for learning graph embedding models over billion-edge graphs on a single machine. Marius is built around a recently-introduced architecture for machine learning over graphs that utilizes pipelining and a novel data replacement policy to maximize GPU utilization and exploit the entire memory hierarchy (including disk, CPU, and GPU memory) to scale to large instances. The audience will experience how to develop, train, and deploy graph embedding models using Marius' configuration-driven programming model. Moreover, the audience will have the opportunity to explore Marius' deployments on applications including link-prediction on WikiKG90M and reasoning queries on a paleobiology knowledge graph. Marius is available as open source software at https://marius-project.org.