bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF REFLECTIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES IN PEDIATRIC SURGERY COURSE AT MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Authors: Levytskyi Anatolii , Vygovska Oxana , Benzar Iryna , Golovatiuk Dmytro
Published: December 2021

The article is aimed at studying medical students’ reflective strategies for learning the Pediatric Surgery course at medical university. We used a modified version of the Motivated Strategies for Learning questionnaire (Soemantri et al., 2018), which has four subscales: self-orientation, critical thinking, self-regulation, and feedback seeking. The self-orientation component deals with students’ perceptions on their self-efficacy and internal motivation. The participants were fourty-six 5-th year medical students from the Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine. The survey was held in May 2021 when the students finished their spring semester in the online mode. We observed the prevalence of high and moderate levels in all the variables, but the indicators of Feedback seeking are lower which can be explained by the specificities of online learning. The authors propose methodological recommendations for educators how to create an environment for reflective learning to develop students’ reflective skills and employ alternative assessment strategies in the classroom.
WHO IS AN OLEOTOURIST? A MOTIVATION-BASED SEGMENTATION STUDY
Authors: Čehić Ana , Tregua Marco , D´Auria Anna , Marano-Marcolini Carla
Published: December 2021

Purpose – Oleotourism is becoming increasingly important as Special Interest Tourism (SIT), especially among researchers who seek to propose an individual tourist experience related to the Mediterranean and olive oil production. This paper examines the profile of visitors to olive farms and olive mills to determine their motives. Design – Purposive sampling was used as the method of data collection. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire during the mid-summer season and the post-summer season 2019 in Istria County (Croatia). Methodology – In total, 263 adequately completed questionnaires were used for data analysis. Approach – Twenty-five items of push and pull motivation are analysed with exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by cluster analysis on identified factor dimensions. Findings – After EFA the questionnaire consisted of twenty-two motivational items. Five factor dimensions are identified after EFA and labelled: (1) Socialising and experience, (2) Exterior farm features, (3) Relax with family, (4) Surroundings, and (5) Olive oil and recognition. Cluster analysis revealed 2 different clusters, labelled: Involved olive visitors as the dominant cluster and Inconsequential as the smaller set. Originality of the research – Market segmentation by motivation is key for understanding visitor behaviour in SIT such as oleotourism. This paper explores motivation through push and pull motives and provides a solid basis for further research as well as guidelines for tourism firms dealing with this flourishing business.
A DITADURA CIVIL-MILITAR NO ROMANCE K. RELATO DE UMA BUSCA, DE BERNARDO KUCINSKI.
Authors: Nunes Ferreira Rafael
Published: December 2021

O presente estudo apresenta uma leitura da obra K. Relato de uma busca (2011), de Bernardo Kucinski, narrativa testemunhal em que o escritor aborda, ficcionalmente, o episódio histórico envolvendo o desaparecimento de sua irmã e de seu cunhado durante a ditadura civil-militar (1964-1985). Parte-se da premissa de que a literatura testemunhal desempenha um papel crucial para a compreensão da história do século XX e, por conseguinte, da produção estética desse período.
EM BUSCA DOS RASTROS DE UM CORPO INSEPULTO
Authors: Gomes Gínia Maria
Published: December 2021

O propósito deste artigo é realizar um estudo sobre Palavras Cruzadas (2015), de Guiomar de Grammont. A leitura terá por foco a protagonista do romance, marcada pelo desaparecimento do irmão, pois sem o corpo a cerimônia fúnebre não aconteceu. O luto em suspenso traz, como principal implicação dessa ausência, sua presença constante. Em busca dos rastros dele, ela faz uma viagem. Nela, em vez de descobrir seu paradeiro, a realidade cruel da guerrilha impõe-se: naquela selva, os guerrilheiros foram executados. E seus corpos permaneceram desaparecidos, pois o governo ditatorial tentou apagar esse capítulo da história do país.
RASTROS E ESCOMBROS EM "JÚLIA: NOS CAMPOS CONFLAGRADOS DO SENHOR", DE BERNARDO KUCINSKI
Authors: Aragão Thamires
Published: December 2021

O presente artigo se propõe a analisar a importância da revisitação do passado, na obra Júlia: nos campos conflagrados do Senhor, de Bernardo Kucinski, para a elaboração e reparação da história individual e coletiva, durante o período de repressão militar no Brasil. Levando em conta as considerações a cerca das políticas de esquecimento, o artigo possibilita refletir sobre narrativas incompletas e a busca por respostas, a partir dos estudos sobre rastros e cicatrizes.
ESPIRAIS DA MEMÓRIA EM O CORPO INTERMINÁVEL, DE CLÁUDIA LAGE
Authors: Coutinho Soares Filho Antônio
Published: December 2021

Estudo do romance O corpo interminável, de Claudia Lage, sob a perspectiva da memória e do esquecimento acerca da ditadura militar brasileira. O objetivo é compreender os eventos passados e sua repercussão na atualidade, tendo como referencial teórico o conceito de acontecimento, conforme Claude Zilberberg, além de reflexões sobre a memória, o que mobiliza a análise estrutural e temática da obra. Assim, o apagamento e a distorção do que se deu responde aos interesses dominantes, favorecendo a impunidade e a ameaça do autoritarismo. Como resistência, a literatura resgata as reminiscências da opressão e põe sob suspeita o discurso oficial.
O curso de Pedagogia na Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras da USP
Authors: Banks-Leite Luci
Published: December 2021

Quando retornei à atual Faculdade de Educação da USP, em 1997, depois de mais de três décadas do término de minha licenciatura em Pedagogia e me dirigi à ampla escada do bloco B que leva do térreo ao primeiro andar, não suspeitava que uma profusão de lembranças me viria à mente. A cada degrau, eu vislumbrava, como em um rápido filme, cenas dos quatro anos passados naquele edifício em que obtive minha primeira formação universitária. Sob forma de impressões fugidias, ocorreram-me imagens e sons relacionados à vida acadêmica, aos professores de várias disciplinas e aos colegas que eu aí encontrei, alguns dos quais se tornaram amigos que me acompanham até o presente. Foi como voltar aos anos da juventude, no início de 1963, quando ali estive, pela primeira vez, para prestar o vestibular que me abriu as portas da Faculdade e onde passaria os anos seguintes.  Consciente de não ser “nem totalmente a mesma, nem totalmente uma outra”[1] dos idos tempos, fui tomada por forte emoção que se expandiu ao avistar, já no andar superior, meu prezado Professor Celso Beisiegel que declinou o meu nome e acrescentou que, por um documento da Faculdade, tomara conhecimento que eu lá estaria naquela data
Dimension and Coloring alongside Domination in Neutrosophic Hypergraphs
Authors: Garrett Henry
Published: December 2021

New setting is introduced to study resolving number and chromatic number alongside dominating number. Different types of procedures including set, optimal set, and optimal number alongside study on the family of neutrosophic hypergraphs are proposed in this way, some results are obtained. General classes of neutrosophic hypergraphs are used to obtains these numbers and the representatives of the colors, dominating sets and resolving sets. Using colors to assign to the vertices of neutrosophic hypergraphs and characterizing resolving sets and dominating sets are applied. Some questions and problems are posed concerning ways to do further studies on this topic. Using different ways of study on neutrosophic hypergraphs to get new results about numbers and sets in the way that some numbers get understandable perspective. Family of neutrosophic hypergraphs are studied to investigate about the notions, dimension and coloring alongside domination in neutrosophic hypergraphs. In this way, sets of representatives of colors, resolving sets and dominating sets have key role. Optimal sets and optimal numbers have key points to get new results but in some cases, there are usages of sets and numbers instead of optimal ones. Simultaneously, three notions are applied into neutrosophic hypergraphs to get sensible results about their structures. Basic familiarities with neutrosophic hypergraphs theory and hypergraph theory are proposed for this article.
Do Human iPSC Derived Cardiomyocytes Cultured on PLA Scaffolds Induce Expression of CD28/CTLA 4 by T Lymphocytes?
Authors: Sergeevichev David , Balashov Victor , Kozyreva Victoria , Pavlova Sophia , Vasiliyeva Maria , Romanov Alexander , Chepeleva Elena
Published: December 2021

Different types of engineered cardiac constructs are being developed nowadays by many research groups. However, the immunological properties of such artificial tissues are not yet clearly understood. Previously, we have studied microfiber scaffolds carrying iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. In this work, we evaluated the ability of these tissue-engineered constructs to activate the expression of CD28 and CTLA-4 proteins in T-lymphocytes which are early markers of the immune response. For this purpose electrospun PLA nanofibrous scaffolds were seeded with human iPSCs-CM and cultivated for 2 weeks. After, allogeneic mononuclear cells were co-cultured during 48 hours with 3 groups of samples that were tissue-engineered constructs, pure culture of cardiomyocytes and bare scaffolds followed by analysis of CD28/CTLA-4 expression on T-lymphocytes via flow cytometry. PLA scaffolds and concanavalin A (positive control) stimulation statistically significantly increased CD28 expression on CD4+ cells (up to 61.3% and 66.3%) and on CD8+ cells (up to 17.8% and 21.7%). CD28/CTLA-4 expression didn’t increase during co-cultivation of T-lymphocytes with cardiac engineered constructs and iPSC-CM monolayers. Thus, iPSCs-CM in monolayers and on PLA nanofibrous scaffolds didn’t cause T-cell activation, which allows us to expect that such cardiac constructs are not a cause of rejection after implantation.
Unicellular-Multicellular Evolutionary Branching Driven by Resource Limitations
Authors: Bonforti Adriano , Sole Ricard
Published: December 2021

Multicellular life forms have evolved many times in our planet, suggesting that this is a common evolutionary innovation. Multiple advantages have been proposed for multicellularity (MC) to emerge. In this paper we address the problem of how the first precondition for multicellularity, namely "stay together" might have occurred under spatially limited resources exploited by a population of unicellular agents. Using a minimal model of evolved cell-cell adhesion among growing and dividing cells that exploit a localised resource with a given size, we show that a transition occurs at a critical resource size separating a phase of evolved multicellular aggregates from a phase where unicellularity (UC) is favoured. The two phases are separated by an intermediate domain where where both UC and MC can be selected by evolution. This model provides a minimal approach to the early stages that were required to transition from Darwinian individuality to cohesive groups of cells associated with a physical cooperative effect: when resources are present only in a localised portion of the habitat, MC is a desirable property as it helps cells to keep close to the available local nutrients.
Multi-regional model of global dynamics
Authors: Makhov Sergei Anatolievich
Published: December 2021

A dynamic macro model of world dynamics has been developed. In the model, the world is divided into 19 regions. The internal development of the regions is described by differential type equations for demographic and economic indicators. Interregional interactions represent the trade flows from region to region and are described by the trade submodel. Calculations show that the model satisfactorily approximates the dynamics of monotonic indicators. The forecast of regional development and global dynamics up to 2040 is constructed.
Defining the Main Parameters and Performances of the Elevator Motor
Authors: Martynov Yurii , Petrenko Oleksandr , Liubarskyi Borys
Published: December 2021

Contemporary tendencies relentlessly dictate the conditions for the appearance of a more qualitative, reliable and comfortable elevator chain for the rolling stock of a vertical motion. At the same time, the issues of energy saving and cost-effective use of resources gain currency against the background of rising prices for energy carriers and market prices for various elements that play an essential role in the availability of many electromechanical systems. Unfortunately, attention was paid to the availability of above problems in the elevator sector when the majority of the elevators (about 60% of them) outlived their technical service life that ensured the reliable operation. As a matter of fact, an amazingly important issue is relating to the embedment of reliable, durable and economically substantiated components of electromechanical systems into contemporary Ukrainian elevators. The purpose of the research done was to define the main parameters and performances of the asynchronous elevator motor of an ADB180M6 type. The motor is powered from the industrial network of 50 Hz and the frequency converter with the frequency of 50Hz and 16.6 Hz. This scientific paper uses the methods of physical investigations. The elevator motor test data satisfy the reliability parameters that make any elevator user feel comfortable. The main measurement data obtained for the engine No43886 of an ADB180M6 type powered from the frequency converter “Altivar” of 22kW with the motor speed of 910 rpm and 289 rpm satisfy the requirements of the regulatory documentation. The noise level is within satisfactory margins.
DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE POTENTIAL OF DRINKS WITH «ANTI-AGE» EFFECT
Authors: Kondratiuk Nataliia , Savchenko Alina , Cherniavska Anna , Sytnik Kateryna
Published: December 2021

Modern trends in the creation of drinks provide for the use of various infusions, plant extracts, as well as vitamin and mineral complexes, organic acids and polysaccharides as part of their bases, which allows to ensure the normalization of physiological and metabolic processes in the human body and prevent a number of diseases and syndromes that lead to a decrease in working capacity. The main problems in the creation of various drinking forms are associated with the purification and preparation of water, the dissolution of components and their possible interaction with each other in the packaging unit during storage. Considering the above, it is relevant to create dry concentrates of health-improving drinks with long shelf life. The developed approach and technology is a promising form of drinks to improve the living standards of the population of Ukraine and other countries. The developed products will improve immunity, prevent a number of nutritional diseases, improve dietary intake during diet therapy and help restore micronutrient balance in the human body. It has been established that the physiological value of dry drinks according to the described production method is preserved in finished product forms (sticks with a metallized backing, sachets, sachets with a “zip-fastener” and a metallized inlay, plastic cans with a screw cap and with polymer backing as a control against preliminary opening) the entire recommended shelf life is from 12 to 24 months. The mixture is a convenient form for transportation and preparation. When diluted in liquid media (purified drinking water, mineral water, milk, fermented milk drinks, drinks based on plants, cereals, legumes, tea, coffee, cocoa), the specified functional properties are preserved and improved due to the activation of biologically active substances contained in the mixture and dilution media. The novelty of individual technological solutions and the indicated physiological and functional properties lies in the use of extracts of plants, fruits, berries, vegetables, as well as additionally introduced vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids, hydrolysates and isolates of plant proteins, natural bioenhancers and bioactiators with unique anti -age "effects.
Computational approach to solving problems of spatial processing of point sets on two-dimensional regular grids
Authors: Dashkevych Andrii
Published: December 2021

The paper presents an approach to solving problems of spatial processing on sets of points on a plane. The presented method consists in plotting regions of an arbitrary geometric shape near given points of the set on a regular grid and determining the intersection points of the regions using spatial hash tables to improve the efficiency of operations. The proposed approach is implemented in the form of software for determining the spatial relationships between points as a sequence of operations with discretized sets and allows visualization of research results. Figs.: 2. Refs.: 13.

Keywords: spatial processing task; point set; plane; regular grid; spatial hash table.
Model of predicting customer behavior based on big data analysis technologies
Authors: Ivanitska Anastasiia , Ivanov Dmytro , Zubik Ludmila
Published: December 2021

The analysis of the available methods and models of formation of recommendations for the potential buyer in network information systems for the purpose of development of effective modules of selection of advertising is executed. The effectiveness of the use of machine learning technologies for the analysis of user preferences based on the processing of data on purchases made by users with a similar profile is substantiated. A model of recommendation formation based on machine learning technology is proposed, its work on test data sets is tested and the adequacy of the RMSE model is assessed. Keywords: behavior prediction; advertising based on similarity; collaborative filtering; matrix factorization; big data; machine learning
HUMANITARIAN COMPONENT IN EDUCATION OF HEI GRADUATES IN MODERN “INTELLIGENT SOCIETY”
Authors: Babayev Volodymyr , Korzhenko Volodymyr
Published: December 2021

the article deals with the specific features of the humanitarian component of the education of higher educational institution graduates and its improvement in the context of the development of the University for the Future; it is also suggested that specialists consider and discuss the modern society as an "intelligent society", which is capable of addressing dynamically socio-economic, political, military and other challenges of today's multicultural world.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF LEADER - IS NECESSARY CONDITION OF HIS EVOLUTION
Authors: Romanovskiy Olexandr , Mykhaylychenko Valentyna , Semke Nina
Published: December 2021

the content of imposed on a person requirement of the modern era and the need for a new worldview are revealed. The content of the concepts “evolution” and “spirituality” is considered. The role of spirituality in human evolution and the formation of leaders’ worldview is shown. It was emphasized that leader’s worldview should be based on his broad humanitarian training, a new philosophy. The essence, approaches, methods of spiritual, moral and mental improvement and the role of the system of training, education and self-upbringing in the process of training future leaders are revealed.
ACADEMIC VIRTUE AND ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
Authors: Reznik Svіtlana
Published: December 2021

the work contains substantiation of a mutual link between academic virtue and academic leadership. The reasons for academic virtue violation by applicants for higher education have been analyzed, and the main areas of working with them have been determined. These areas include motivating them regarding observing the academic virtue requirements and acquisition of corresponding values; teaching the culture of academic virtue; the control of observing the academic virtue principles in practice.
Assessing the mechanisms thought to govern ice and snow friction and their interplay with substrate brittle behavior
Authors: Lever James , Asenath-Smith Emily , Taylor Susan , Lines Austin
Published: December 2021

Sliding friction on ice and snow is characteristically low at temperatures common on Earth’s surface. This slipperiness underlies efficient sleds, winter sports, and the need for specialized tires. Friction can also play micro-mechanical role affecting ice compressive and crushing strengths. Researchers have proposed several mechanisms thought to govern ice and snow friction, but directly validating the underlying mechanics has been difficult. This may be changing, as instruments capable of micro-scale measurements and imaging are now being brought to bear on friction studies. Nevertheless, given the broad regimes of practical interest (interaction length, temperature, speed, pressure, slider properties, etc.), it may be unrealistic to expect that a single mechanism accounts for why ice and snow are slippery. Because bulk ice, and the ice grains that constitute snow, are solids near their melting point at terrestrial temperatures, most research has focused on whether a lubricating water film forms at the interface with a slider. However, ice is extremely brittle, and dry-contact abrasion and wear at the front of sliders could prevent or delay a transition to lubricated contact. Also, water is a poor lubricant, and lubricating films thick enough to separate surface asperities may not form for many systems of interest. This article aims to assess our knowledge of the mechanics underlying ice and snow friction.
Investigación en la formación inicial de profesores de Geografía: discusión de resultados sobre la ciudad de Boa Vista (Roraima, Brasil)
Authors: Da Silva Dias Wagner
Published: December 2021

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar los resultados parciales del proyecto de investigación "Potencial educativo de la ciudad de Boa Vista-RR", desarrollado entre 2014 e 2019 en el Laboratorio de Enseñanza de Geografía (LEGEO) de la Universidad Federal de Roraima (UFRR). Hacemos hincapié en la importancia de la investigación en la formación inicial del profesor de Geografía, especialmente para aquellos centrados en la enseñanza y la escuela básica. Como problema para la elaboración de este artículo, optamos por la investigación en la formación de profesores de Geografía enfocada en la ciudad como espacio educativo. Enumeramos todos los trabajos producidos en el período relacionado con el proyecto de investigación, incluido los trabajos de finalización del curso y las comunicaciones en eventos académicos. A partir de estos trabajos, analizamos la proximidad de los objetivos y conclusiones con los del alcance del proyecto, además del diálogo con uno de los enfoques al estudio de la ciudad, como el histórico-patrimonial, ambiental, morfológico-social y el ciudadano protagonista. Como resultado, tenemos toda la construcción teórica que guio nuestras acciones y la elaboración de varias propuestas de estudios sobre la ciudad, las experiencias y las lecturas del mundo. Sin embargo, también destacamos la importancia del diferencial en la formación de los futuros docentes a la hora de realizar trabajos de investigación orientados a la enseñanza de la Geografía.
Hitos del paisaje urbano en una ciudad declarada Patrimonio Mundial de la Humanidad (Cuenca): itinerario didáctico y trabajo de campo con alumnos universitarios
Authors: Serrano Gil Óscar
Published: December 2021

La estrecha relación entre los elementos construidos y la riqueza natural de la ciudad antigua de Cuenca fue uno de los motivos para su inclusión en la Lista de Patrimonio Mundial por la UNESCO en el año 1996. Su casco histórico, sometido a las vicisitudes históricas, todavía conserva numerosos elementos característicos de su pasado. Sobre su parte alta, se ha diseñado un itinerario didáctico recorriendo sus espacios y edificios más emblemáticos como ejercicio práctico de la enseñanza de la geografía para alumnos de la Facultad de Educación. El objetivo del documento recoge una aplicación llevada fuera del aula mediante este recurso cuyos resultados figuran en el presente artículo reflejando la importancia y valoración del paisaje urbano y sus elementos compositivos. La experiencia se completó con la participación de los estudiantes a través de una gymkana fotográfica, de las actividades en el cuaderno de campo y de la valoración del mismo mediante un cuestionario.
Performance Analysis of ACO-OFDM NOMA for VLC Communication
Authors: Pradhan Jayashree , Holey Pratiksha , Kappala Vinod Kiran , Das Santos Kumar
Published: December 2021

Visible light communication (VLC) is seeking a lot of attention in the recent years due to high bandwidth, low cost, ease of implementation. VLC can be used for illumination as well as communication at the same time. Light emitting diode (LED) acts as a transmitter for data transmission and photo detector is used at the receiver side. Intensity Modulation (IM) is used to convert electrical signal into optical signal where only real and positive signal need to be transmitted. Optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (O-OFDM) is used in the VLC to enhance the bandwidth limitation due to LED. Using OOFDM for VLC does not provide the massive connectivity in an multi-user environment. A Non orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is the further expansion where user can use both the time and frequency resources but distinguished in power domain with successive interference cancellation (SIC) at the receiver to decode the signal of each user. Also, Asymmetrically clipped optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ACO-OFDM) is used to get positive signal with enhanced spectral efficiency. The proposed method is evaluated analytically and using simulation in terms of bit error rate (BER).
Evaluation of Biogas through Chemically Treated Cottonseed Hull in Anaerobic Digestion with/without Cow Dung: An Experimental Study
Authors: R Venkateshkumar , S Shanmugam , AR Veerappan
Published: December 2021

Cow dung is generally used as the feedstock material for the anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. A selection of alternate biomass material is needed to reduce the consumption or to eliminate the use of cow dung. Recently, cottonseed hull has been considered as the primary substrate to produce biogas. In this paper, the effect of biogas production on anaerobic co-digestion of cow dung with pre-treated cottonseed hull using different concentrations of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid is investigated. Sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide are used at different concentrations for pre-treatment of cottonseed hull. The enhancement of biogas production from the batch reactors at mesophilic temperature (35 ± 2 ℃) is observed for mono- and co-digestion of cow dung with treated cottonseed hull. Maximum biogas yield is achieved for the treated cottonseed hull at 6% sodium hydroxide during mono digestion and at 6% calcium hydroxide during co-digestion.
The Effects of Concentration Gradient of Nitrogen Compounds on the Ammonium-nitrogen and Nitrate-nitrogen Fluxes at Sediment-Water Interface
Authors: Wang Han , Wu Qing , Han Yuping
Published: December 2021

The incubation experiments focused on altering concentration gradients of nitrogen between sediment and overlying water to examine the diffusion flux of ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-) at sediment-water interface. In this study, the diffusion flux can be estimated based on calculating the average of the net change rate of nutrient concentrations in the overlying water. For the incubation experiment of different TN concentrations in the sediment, the results showed that the diffusion flux of ammonia at sediment-water interface is -52.57~84.57 mg·m-2·d-1, and for nitrate diffusion flux, the changing range during the incubation experiment is -110.13~143.25 mg·m-2·d-1. For the incubation experiment of different nitrogen concentrations in the overlying water, the results of NH4+-N diffusion flux in L, M, H treatment were 3.37, -4.94, -3.84 mg·m-2·d-1, respectively. And the average diffusion flux of nitrate in L (0 mg NO3--N, 0 mg NH4+-N), M (0.5 mg NO3--N, 1.5 mg NH4+-N) and H (1 mg NO3--N, 2.5 mg NH4+-N) treatment were 12.30, 10.39 and 7.11 mg·m-2·d-1. Results highlighted that concentrations gradient of nutrients were indeed an important factor affecting the diffusion flux at sediment-water interface. In addition, the diffusion of nutrients at sediment-water interface in aquatic ecosystem is not only controlled by concentration gradients, some other factors such as incoming water, hydrodynamics, dissolved oxygen content, sediment structure, biological disturbance, horizontal migration and diffusion of nutrients and turbulent diffusion caused by wind and wave, are equally important.
Federated Trusted Third Party as an Approach for Privacy Preserving Record Linkage in a Large Network of University Medicines in Pandemic Research
Authors: Hampf Christopher , Bialke Martin , Hund Hauke , Fegeler Christian , Lang Stefan , Penndorf Peter , Wöller Nico , Bahls Thomas , Moser Frank-Michael , Geidel Lars , Blumentritt Arne , Schuldt Ronny , Seidel Florian , Brunecker Peter , Wettstein Reto , Arnecke Lukas , Hoffmann Wolfgang
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe Federal Ministry of Research and Education funded the Network of University Medicine for establishing an infrastructure for pandemic research. This includes the development of a COVID-19 Data Exchange Platform (CODEX) that provides standardised and harmonised data sets for COVID-19 research. Nearly all university hospitals in Germany are part of the project and transmit medical data from the local data integration centres to the CODEX platform. The medical data on a person that has been collected at several sites is to be made available on the CODEX platform in a merged form. To enable this, a federated trusted third party (fTTP) will be established, which will allow the pseudonymised merging of the medical data. The fTTP implements privacy preserving record linkage based on Bloom filters and assigns pseudonyms to enable re-pseudonymisation during data transfer to the CODEX platform.ResultsThe fTTP was implemented conceptually and technically. For this purpose, the processes that are necessary for data delivery were modelled. The resulting communication relationships were identified and corresponding interfaces were specified. These were developed according to the specifications in FHIR and validated with the help of external partners. Existing tools such as the identity management system E-PIX® were further developed accordingly so that sites can generate Bloom filters based on person identifying information. An extension for the comparison of Bloom filters was implemented for the federated trust third party. The correct implementation was shown in the form of a demonstrator and the connection of two data integration centres.ConclusionsThis article describes how the fTTP was modelled and implemented. In a first expansion stage, the fTTP was exemplarily connected through two sites and its functionality was demonstrated. Further expansion stages, which are already planned, have been technically specified and will be implemented in the future in order to also handle cases in which the privacy preserving record linkage achieves ambiguous results. The first expansion stage of the fTTP is available in the University Medicine network and will be connected by all participating sites in the ongoing test phase.
Role of Peer Support in Posttraumatic Growth Among Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Patients and Survivors with Pediatric and AYA Cancer
Authors: Matsui Motohiro , Taku Kanako , Tsutsumi Rina , Ueno Midori , Seto Mayuri , Makimoto Atsushi , Yuza Yuki
Published: December 2021

Purpose Adolescents and young adults (AYA) who undergo cancer treatment sometimes report posttraumatic growth (PTG) and experience posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Although the importance of peer support has been demonstrated, its association with PTG, especially in the five, distinct domains of PTG, needs to be investigated further in AYA cancer survivors. The present study examined the role of demographics, peer support, and PTSS in PTG among AYA cancer patients and survivors. MethodsThe present, multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective, web-based study enrolled AYA cancer patients and survivors (median age 28 years). Of 549 AYA patients recruited, 212 patients from 11 cancer centers and 12 cancer patient communities agreed to participate by completing a self-reported measure of PTG (PTGIX-J) and providing information about their diagnosis, treatment, peer support (affiliation with an AYA patient community or friendship with other AYA cancer patients), social status, and PTSS. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant correlates in the total score and five PTG domains. ResultsIn general, PTG was positively associated with male sex, years since diagnosis, having a confidant, and friendship with other AYA cancer patients. PTG was not significantly related to age, age at diagnosis, affiliation to an AYA patient community or PTSS. Friendship with other AYA cancer patients was positively associated with all five PTG subscales. PTSS was not associated with PTG but was associated with a subscale of “appreciation of life”. For the five subscale scores, “belonging to a religion” was positively associated with “spiritual change,” and “having a confidant” and “a good relationship with siblings” were positively associated with “appreciation of life.” Conclusion “Having a confidant” and “friendship with other AYA cancer patients” was positively associated with PTG. Psychosocial interventions mobilizing peer support can potentially contribute to promoting PTG in AYA cancer patients.
Impaired Pulmonary Vascular Adaptation to Exercise in Emphysema without Pulmonary Hypertension – A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Capron Thibaut , Bartoli Axel , Rappacchi Stanislas , Gautier Clarisse , Bettayeb Faiza , Morange Sophie , Guye Maxime , Bernard Monique , Chanez Pascal , Gaubert Jean-Yves , Jacquier Alexis , Reynaud-Gaubert Martine
Published: December 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema lead to respiratory disability beyond bronchial obstruction. The functional impact of pulmonary vascular lesions in emphysema remains unknown. We investigated pulmonary vascular adaptation to exercise in patients with extended emphysema.Methods: Chest magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantitatively assess right-heart function, pulmonary artery and distal pulmonary blood flow. This was performed at rest and during cycling exercise with a magnetic resonance imaging-compatible cyclo-ergometer. Seven emphysematous patients without pulmonary hypertension were compared to 7 healthy non-smokers matched in gender and age.Results: At rest, cardio-pulmonary hemodynamics and distal pulmonary vascular parameters were similar in both groups. Intrasubject adaptation to exercise in emphysematous patients was characterized by a higher increase in right-ventricular ejection fraction (ΔRVEF +8.1 vs. -2.4 %, P=0.046) though a lower right-cardiac output (4.41 vs. 5.79 L/min, P=0.04) at exercise. Accounting for right-cardiac output variation, the distal pulmonary vascular yield index trended to be decreased in patients (ΔPBF/ΔQf -0.78 vs. +18.83 %, P=0.18).Conclusions: Pulmonary vascular adaptation to exercise is impaired in emphysematous patients without identified pulmonary hypertension.Clinical trial registration NCT 04126616.
A Vehicle Can Bus Anomaly Detection Method for Periodic Attacks Based on the Entropy Model
Authors: Duan Xuting , Yan Huiwen , Zhou Jianshan
Published: December 2021

Because of the rapid development of automobile intelligence and networking, cyber attackers can invade the vehicle network via wired and wireless interfaces, such as physical interfaces, short-range wireless interfaces, and long-range wireless interfaces. Thus, interfering with regular driving will immediately jeopardises the drivers’ and passengers’ personal and property safety. To accomplish security protection for the vehicle CAN (Controller Area Network) bus, we propose an anomaly detection method by calculating the information entropy based on the number of interval messages during the sliding window. It detects periodic attacks on the vehicle CAN bus, such as replay attacks and flooding attacks. First, we calculate the number of interval messages according to the CAN bus baud rate, the number of bits of a single frame message, and the time required to calculate information entropy within the window. Second, we compute the window information entropy of regular packet interval packets and determine the normal threshold range by setting a threshold coefficient. Finally, we calculate the information entropy of the data to be measured, determine whether it is greater than or less than the threshold, and detect the anomaly. The experiment uses CANoe software to simulate the vehicle network. It uses the body frame CAN bus network of a brand automobile body bench as the regular network, simulates attack nodes to attack the regular network periodically, collects message data, and verifies the proposed detection method. The results show that the proposed detection method has lower false-negative and false-positive rates for attack scenarios such as replay attacks and flood attacks across different attack cycles.
The Spatial Orientation and Interaction of Cell Wall Polymers in Bamboo Revealed with a Combination of Imaging Polarized FTIR and Directional Chemical Removal
Authors: Zhu Jiawei , Ren Wenting , Guo Fei , Wang Hankun , Yu Yan
Published: December 2021

The mechanical and physical properties of lignocellulosic materials are closely related to the orientation and interaction of the polymers within cell walls. In this work, Imaging Polarized FTIR, combined with directional chemical removal, was applied to characterize the spatial orientation and interaction of cell wall polymers in bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells from two bamboo species. The results demonstrate the cellulose in bamboo fibers is nearly axially oriented whereas it is almost transversely arranged in parenchyma cells. Xylan and lignin are both preferentially oriented alongside cellulose, but with less orientation degre in the parenchyma cells. After lignin removal, the average orientation of xylan and cellulose is little affected, suggesting a strong interaction between cellulose and xylan. Meanwhile, the alkaline treatment significantly weakens the orientation of lignin in both fibers and parenchyma cells, and more significant for the latter, indicating the easy-degradable nature of lignin in parenchyma cells. And, it seemed the lignin and xylan in fibers were more difficult to be removed as compared to parenchyma cells, supporting the assumption that stronger interaction exists between lignin and xylan in the fibers. In a word, it was believed parenchyma cells are more suitable for biorefinery owing to its less ordered and relatively loose molecular assembly, as compared to fibers.
Economic Analysis For Sustainable Utilization of Ethanol Production Residues From Grain and Inedible Plant Wastes
Authors: Li Chao'en , Lee May-Suan , Hoadley Andrew , Patel Jim , Lim Seng , Kozielski Karen
Published: December 2021

The global initiative to find alternative fuel sources to fossil fuels is an ongoing process. As such, bioethanol is used as a fuel blend with petrol. However, large number of solid wastes is produced from ethanol plants sourcing from grain and inedible plant wastes, for example, WDGS (wet distiller’s grain with soluble) and DDGS (dry distiller’s grain with soluble) produced from ethanol plants using corn. This study investigates alternative methods for using these co-products through combustion and anaerobic digestion. Process simulation and economic analysis were conducted using current market prices to evaluate the viability of the processes. Products in the form of energy are produced. Optimization of the corn ethanol plant was also explored for re-using the heat and electricity produced in those processes. The profits of combustion and anaerobic digestion were compared. It was found that these processes will supply more viable options to simply selling the grain as feed for livestock. The anaerobic digestion of WDGS to produce electricity scenario was found to have the biggest profit among the four scenarios which can bring the annual income of 14.1 million Australian dollar to the ethanol plant. An environmental analysis of the CO2 emissions was also conducted. Using the Australian state emission factor, the amount of CO2 offset through both combustion and anaerobic digestion can be seen. The anaerobic digestion of WDGS to supply heat to the plant was proved having the largest CO2 abatement with the value of 0.58 kg-CO2e/L-EtOH.
A Systems Approach Discovers the Role and Characteristics of Seven LysR Type Transcription Factors in Escherichia Coli
Authors: Rodionova Irina , Palsson Bernhard , Gao Ye , Wong Nicholas , Szubin Richard , Lim Hyun Gyu , Rodionov Dmitry , Zhang Zhongge , Saier Milton
Published: December 2021

Although Escherichia coli K-12 strains represent perhaps the best known model bacteria, we do not know the identity or functions of all of their transcription factors (TFs). It is now possible to systematically discover the physiological function of TFs in E. coli BW25113 using a set of synergistic methods; including ChIP-exo, growth phenotyping, conserved gene clustering, and transcriptome analysis. Among 47 LysR-type TFs (LTFs) found on the E. coli K-12 genome, many regulate nitrogen source utilization or amino acid metabolism. However, 19 LTFs remain unknown. In this study, we elucidated the regulation of seven of these 19 LTFs: YbdO, YbeF, YgfI, YiaU, YneJ, YcaN, YbhD. We show that: 1) YbdO regulation has an effect on bacterial growth at low pH with citrate supplementation. YbdO is a repressor of the ybdNM operon and is implicated in the regulation of citrate lyase genes (citCDEFG); 2) YgfI activates the dhaKLM operon that encodes the phosphotransferase system involved in glycerol and dihydroxyacetone utilization; 3) YiaU regulates the yiaT gene encoding an outer membrane protein, and waaPSBOJYZU operon is also important in determining cell density at the stationary phase; 4) YneJ, re-named here as PtrR, directly regulates the expression of the succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, Sad (also known as YneI), and is a predicted regulator of fnrS (a small RNA molecule). PtrR is important for bacterial growth in the presence of L-glutamate and putrescine as nitrogen sources; and 5) YbhD and YcaN regulate adjacent y-genes on the genome and YbeF is involved in flagella gene regulation. We have thus established the functions for four LTFs and identified the target genes for three LTFs.
Dexmedetomidine - Oxycodone Combination for Conscious Sedation During Colonoscopy in Obese Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Xinran , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Manman , Zhou Meiyan , Han Sun , Zhang Rui , Ahmad Niall , Shi Rongxia , Zhu Yangzi
Published: December 2021

Background: The objective of this trial was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of dexmedetomidine plus oxycodone for conscious sedation during colonoscopy in obese patients. Methods: A total of 138 patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomly assigned into one of two groups: group Dex+oxy received sedation with dexmedetomidine plus oxycodone; while group Pro+suf received anaesthesia with propofol plus sufentanil. Parameters including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, blood oxygen saturation, injection pain, and recovery were recorded for both groups. Results: The incidence of hypoxaemia was significantly reduced in group Dex+oxy compared with group Pro+suf (4.9% vs 20.3%, P = 0.011). Blood pressure was significantly increased, and heart rate was reduced in group Dex+oxy compared with group Pro+suf (P < 0.05). Moreover, the caecal insertion time, recovery time to orientation, and recovery time to walking were significantly reduced in group Dex+oxy compared with group Pro+suf (P < 0.05). Endoscopist satisfaction scores were significantly higher in group Dex+oxy compared with group Pro+suf (P = 0.042). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine plus oxycodone provides effective sedation with minimal adverse effects for obese patients, while also reducing colonoscopy operation difficulty by allowing obese patients to reposition. Thus, dexmedetomidine plus oxycodone could be used safely as a conscious sedation method for colonoscopy in obese patients.Trial registration The protocol was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1800017283, 21/07/2018)
A Graphene-Based THz Wave Duplexer and Filter: Switching via Gate Biasing
Authors: Khani AmirAli Mohammad
Published: December 2021

This work introduces a Graphene-based multi-layer reconfigurable device as a wave duplexer in the THz frequency range. Adjusting transmitting and reflecting parts of incident waves alongside controlling absorption provides the interesting capability to select target waves in different frequencies. The proposed device includes periodic graphene patterns on both sides of silicon dioxide as substrate. Additionally, the patterns are biased differently compared to conventional patterns which makes it possible to achieve two distinct behaviors versus frequency. Exploiting equivalent circuit models (ECM) for graphene and dielectric, the whole device is modeled by passive RLC circuits. According to simulation results, the proposed device can transmit and reflect incident THz waves at desired frequencies in 0.1 THz to 30 THz which makes it an ideal candidate for manipulating THz waves in terms of transmission and reflection.
Patterns of Distant Metastases in Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer –– A Population-Based Study
Authors: Gao Yang , Gu Kang , Bian Chuanzhen , Yan Ping , Zhao Yunian
Published: December 2021

Background
Currently, the prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients remained poor mainly due to resistance, recurrence, metastasis and severe side effects. The study provided systematic insights into the patterns of TNBC distant metastases (DM), as well as investigating the related elements for the prognosis prediction of TNBC patients on the basis of on large sample.
Methods
We screened eligible patients with triple-negative breast cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015. Besides, we analyzed differences in baseline characteristics among patients with diverse modes of metastasis. Meanwhile, we calculated proportional mortality ratio (PMR) and the expression of proportional trends in different patients. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis was employed to investigate the survival outcomes. Finally, the predictive and prognostic factors of DM were identified.
Results
In this study, we included 24,822 TNBC patients, including 1,026 DM patients and 23,796 non-DM patients. At the time of initial diagnosis, 4.1% of patients had DM, and 36.9% had multiple metastases. According to the study, the most common sites of metastasis in DM patients were bone (251 cases) and lung (244 cases), while the least common organ of metastasis was brain (37 cases). Age, tumor grade, T, N and marital status were deemed as risk elements of DM. T stage, insurance status, marital status, surgery treatment, chemotherapy, number of metastatic sites and metastatic sites also effect the diagnosis of DM significantly.
Conclusion
Our study showed that the most common site of metastasis in TNBC patients with DM was bone and the least common site was brain. Different modes of metastasis have different survival and prognostic characteristics. Thus, our research may have important implications for the clinical practice of TNBC patients in the future.