bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La vulnérabilité de genre comme problème public
Authors: Maurin Marine
Published: February 2021

Au Québec, le problème de l’itinérance des femmes est généralement conçu comme le résultat d’une multiplicité et d’une accumulation de violences et de vulnérabilités individuelles et structurelles fondées sur le genre. Pour comprendre cette analyse macropolitique, le présent article propose de considérer ce problème public en regardant au plus près comment il est identifié, défini et réparé en situation, et pas seulement comment il émerge dans les arènes publiques et s’institutionnalise. Pour cela, une ethnographie menée dans un lieu d’accueil et d’hébergement à Montréal a permis de comprendre comment les femmes en situation d’itinérance sont qualifiées et évaluées comme « victimes » de rapports de genre par les intervenantes sociales qui les accueillent. Les opérations de cadrage, au sens microsociologique de Goffman, incarnées dans leurs expériences quotidiennes d’écoute et de soin, les conduisent à s’engager dans des réparations singulières à mi-chemin entre interventions féministes et interventions psychologiques.
Encaisser l’horreur
Authors: Boukir Kamel
Published: February 2021

Quand Nourredine est mortellement frappé de coups de couteau, la commune de Montrimond est plongée dans la sidération. L’onde de choc traverse les frontières de divers mondes sociaux : les « mecs de Montrimond », la famille, les commerçants et les résidents, les édiles municipaux, les policiers qui se chargent de l’instruction et les médias locaux et régionaux dépêchés sur place. Le deuil est très souvent une affaire privée, à moins que la mort ait une puissance d’ébranlement qui dépasse les frontières de l’intimité. Au coeur du problème éthique qui déchire les protagonistes entre accusation publique et désir de vengeance, la dimension esthétique est coextensive de la ressaisie de l’effroi dans des formes qui opèrent la métamorphose de la foule sidérée en une « communauté d’ébranlés ». En s’intéressant à la façon dont la réflexivité s’incarne à même des formes collectives de sensibilité, l’article montre que la sidération est un choc qui ne conduit pas à faire l’épreuve d’une expérience publique, alors que l’ébranlement engage une éthique de l’indétermination favorable à l’ouverture d’une enquête.
El proceso de amores de Calisto y Melibea frente a la tradición
Authors: Matos Kevin
Published: February 2021

La historia de los dos amantes Calisto y Melibea sigue en muchos aspectos los códigos amatorios repetidos una y otra vez en la literatura medieval, aunque, por momentos, tales códigos no se adecúan del todo a la realidad de los enamorados. Para aquilatar sus singularidades, este trabajo explora al detalle el proceso de amores que siguen los protagonistas, desde su primer encuentro hasta llegar al tálamo venéreo, siempre teniendo en cuenta la tradición o el contexto en el que se enmarcan. Será en el tálamo venéreo donde el lector halle el culmen de la rebeldía erótica de Melibea, quien rechaza una tradición de siglos y propone a viva voz nada menos que nuevos modos de hacer el amor.
Crimen y castigo en la Tercera Celestina de Gaspar Gómez de Toledo: ¿la visión moralizadora de un médico?
Authors: Gernert Folke
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo estudia la Tercera Celestina de Gaspar Gómez de Toledo como obra escrita posiblemente por un médico haciendo particular hincapié en las textualizaciones del saber curativo desde una perspectiva de la historia de la ciencia. Una comparación con La Lozana Andaluza del médico Francisco Delicado muestra paralelismos con la obra de Gómez de Toledo, quien, al igual que el galeno andaluz, emite juicios moralizantes a través de la metáfora de la enfermedad y de la minusvalía física.
A Multifunctional Unit For Reverse Conversion and Sign Detection Based on The 5-Moduli Set
Authors: Mojahed Mohsen , Sabbagh Molahosseini Amir , Emrani Zarandi Azadeh Alsadat
Published: February 2021

The high dynamic range residue number system (RNS) five-moduli { 2 2n , 2 n + 1, 2 n − 1, 2 n + 3, 2 n − 3 } has been recently introduced as an arithmetically balanced five-moduli set for computation-intensive applications on wide operands such as asymmetric cryptography algorithms. The previous dedicated design of RNS components for this moduli set is just an unsigned reverse converter. In order to utilize of the moduli set { 2 2n , 2 n + 1, 2 n − 1, 2 n + 3, 2 n − 3 } in applications handling with signed numbers, two important components are needed: Sign Detector and Signed Reverse Converter. However, having both of these components results in high hardware requirements which makes RNS impractical. This paper overcomes to this problem by designing a unified unit which can perform both signed reverse conversion as well as sign detection through the reuse of hardware. To the authors knowledge, this is the first attempt to design sign detector for a moduli set including 2n±3 moduli. In order to achieve a hardware-amenable design, we first improved the performance of the previous unsigned reverse converter for the moduli set { 2 2n , 2 n + 1, 2 n − 1, 2 n + 3, 2 n − 3 }. Then, we extract a sign detection method from the structure of the reverse converter. Finally, we make the unsigned reverse converter to sign converter through the use of the extracted sign signal from the reverse converter. The experimental results shown that the proposed multifunctional unit has relatively the same performance in terms of area, delay and power-consumption than the previous unsigned reverse converter for the set { 2 2n , 2 n + 1, 2 n − 1, 2 n + 3, 2 n − 3 } while it can perform two complex signed operations.
Laminar-specific cortico-cortical loops in mouse visual cortex
Authors: Young Hedi , Belbut Beatriz , Baeta Margarida , Petreanu Leopoldo
Published: February 2021

Many theories propose recurrent interactions across the cortical hierarchy, but it is unclear if cortical circuits are selectively wired to implement looped computations. Using subcellular channelrhodopsin-2-assisted circuit mapping in mouse visual cortex, we compared feedforward (FF) or feedback (FB) cortico-cortical (CC) synaptic input to cells projecting back to the input source (looped neurons) with cells projecting to a different cortical or subcortical area. FF and FB afferents showed similar cell-type selectivity, making stronger connections with looped neurons than with other projection types in layer (L)5 and L6, but not in L2/3, resulting in selective modulation of activity in looped neurons. In most cases, stronger connections in looped L5 neurons were located on their apical tufts, but not on their perisomatic dendrites. Our results reveal that CC connections are selectively wired to form monosynaptic excitatory loops and support a differential role of supragranular and infragranular neurons in hierarchical recurrent computations.
In-host population dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex during active disease
Authors: Vargas Roger , Freschi Luca , Marin Maximillian , Epperson L Elaine , Smith Melissa , Oussenko Irina , Durbin David , Strong Michael , Salfinger Max , Farhat Maha Reda
Published: February 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death globally. Understanding the population dynamics of TB’s causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc) in-host is vital for understanding the efficacy of antibiotic treatment. We use longitudinally collected clinical Mtbc isolates that underwent Whole-Genome Sequencing from the sputa of 200 patients to investigate Mtbc diversity during the course of active TB disease after excluding 107 cases suspected of reinfection, mixed infection or contamination. Of the 178/200 patients with persistent clonal infection >2 months, 27 developed new resistance mutations between sampling with 20/27 occurring in patients with pre-existing resistance. Low abundance resistance variants at a purity of ≥19% in the first isolate predict fixation in the subsequent sample. We identify significant in-host variation in 27 genes, including antibiotic resistance genes, metabolic genes and genes known to modulate host innate immunity and confirm several to be under positive selection by assessing phylogenetic convergence across a genetically diverse sample of 20,352 isolates.
Performance in even a simple perceptual task depends on mouse secondary visual areas
Authors: Goldbach Hannah C , Akitake Bradley , Leedy Caitlin E , Histed Mark H
Published: February 2021

Primary visual cortex (V1) in the mouse projects to numerous brain areas, including several secondary visual areas, frontal cortex, and basal ganglia. While it has been demonstrated that optogenetic silencing of V1 strongly impairs visually guided behavior, it is not known which downstream areas are required for visual behaviors. Here we trained mice to perform a contrast-increment change detection task, for which substantial stimulus information is present in V1. Optogenetic silencing of visual responses in secondary visual areas revealed that their activity is required for even this simple visual task. In vivo electrophysiology showed that, although inhibiting secondary visual areas could produce some feedback effects in V1, the principal effect was profound suppression at the location of the optogenetic light. The results show that pathways through secondary visual areas are necessary for even simple visual behaviors.
Non-genetic inheritance restraint of cell-to-cell variation
Authors: Vashistha Harsh , Kohram Maryam , Salman Hanna
Published: February 2021

Heterogeneity in physical and functional characteristics of cells (e.g. size, cycle time, growth rate, protein concentration) proliferates within an isogenic population due to stochasticity in intracellular biochemical processes and in the distribution of resources during divisions. Conversely, it is limited in part by the inheritance of cellular components between consecutive generations. Here we introduce a new experimental method for measuring proliferation of heterogeneity in bacterial cell characteristics, based on measuring how two sister cells become different from each other over time. Our measurements provide the inheritance dynamics of different cellular properties, and the ‘inertia’ of cells to maintain these properties along time. We find that inheritance dynamics are property specific and can exhibit long-term memory (∼10 generations) that works to restrain variation among cells. Our results can reveal mechanisms of non-genetic inheritance in bacteria and help understand how cells control their properties and heterogeneity within isogenic cell populations.
Global, cell non-autonomous gene regulation drives individual lifespan among isogenic C. elegans
Authors: Kinser Holly E , Mosley Matthew C , Plutzer Isaac B , Pincus Zachary
Published: February 2021

Across species, lifespan is highly variable among individuals within a population. Even genetically identical Caenorhabditis elegans reared in homogeneous environments are as variable in lifespan as outbred human populations. We hypothesized that persistent inter-individual differences in expression of key regulatory genes drives this lifespan variability. As a test, we examined the relationship between future lifespan and the expression of 22 microRNA promoter::GFP constructs. Surprisingly, expression of nearly half of these reporters, well before death, could effectively predict lifespan. This indicates that prospectively long- vs. short-lived individuals have highly divergent patterns of transgene expression and transcriptional regulation. The gene-regulatory processes reported on by two of the most lifespan-predictive transgenes do not require DAF-16, the FOXO transcription factor that is a principal effector of insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) signaling. Last, we demonstrate a hierarchy of redundancy in lifespan-predictive ability among three transgenes expressed in distinct tissues, suggesting that they collectively report on an organism-wide, cell non-autonomous process that acts to set each individual’s lifespan.
Surprising phenotypic diversity of cancer-associated mutations of Gly 34 in the histone H3 tail
Authors: Lowe Brandon R , Yadav Rajesh K , Henry Ryan A , Schreiner Patrick , Matsuda Atsushi , Fernandez Alfonso G , Finkelstein David , Campbell Margaret , Kallappagoudar Satish , Jablonowski Carolyn M , Andrews Andrew J , Hiraoka Yasushi , Partridge Janet F
Published: February 2021

Sequencing of cancer genomes has identified recurrent somatic mutations in histones, termed oncohistones, which are frequently poorly understood. Previously we showed that fission yeast expressing only the H3.3G34R mutant identified in aggressive pediatric glioma had reduced H3K36 trimethylation and acetylation, increased genomic instability and replicative stress, and defective homology-dependent DNA damage repair. Here we show that surprisingly distinct phenotypes result from G34V (also in glioma) and G34W (giant cell tumors of bone) mutations, differentially affecting H3K36 modifications, subtelomeric silencing, genomic stability; sensitivity to irradiation, alkylating agents, and hydroxyurea; and influencing DNA repair. In cancer, only 1 of 30 alleles encoding H3 is mutated. Whilst co-expression of wild-type H3 rescues most G34 mutant phenotypes, G34R causes dominant hydroxyurea sensitivity, homologous recombination defects, and dominant subtelomeric silencing. Together, these studies demonstrate the complexity associated with different substitutions at even a single residue in H3 and highlight the utility of genetically tractable systems for their analysis.
The long non-coding RNA GHSROS reprograms prostate cancer cell lines toward a more aggressive phenotype
Authors: Thomas Patrick B. , Jeffery Penny , Gahete Manuel D. , Whiteside Eliza , Walpole Carina , Maugham Michelle , Jovanovic Lidija , Gunter Jennifer , Williams Elizabeth , Nelson Colleen , Herington Adrian , Luque Raul M. , Veedu Rakesh , Chopin Lisa K. , Seim Inge
Published: February 2021

It is now appreciated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important players in orchestrating cancer progression. In this study we characterizedGHSROS, a human lncRNA gene on the opposite DNA strand (antisense) to the ghrelin receptor gene, in prostate cancer. The lncRNA was upregulated by prostate tumors from different clinical datasets. Transcriptome data revealed thatGHSROSalters the expression of cancer-associated genes. Functional analyses in vitro showed thatGHSROSmediates tumor growth, migration and survival, and resistance to the cytotoxic drug docetaxel. Increased cellular proliferation ofGHSROS-overexpressing PC3, DU145, and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines in vitro was recapitulated in a subcutaneous xenograft model. Conversely, in vitro antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of the lncRNA reciprocally regulated cell growth and migration, and gene expression. Notably,GHSROSmodulates the expression ofPPP2R2C, the loss of which may drive androgen receptor pathway-independent prostate tumor progression in a subset of prostate cancers. Collectively, our findings suggest thatGHSROScan reprogram prostate cancer cells toward a more aggressive phenotype and that this lncRNA may represent a potential therapeutic target.
TLR4 promoter rs1927914 variant contributes to the susceptibility of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the Chinese population
Authors: Li Jiaying , Wu Hongjiao , Gao Hui , Kou Ruihuan , Xie Yuning , Zhang Zhi , Zhang Xuemei
Published: February 2021

Background

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), as a key regulator of both innate and acquired immunity, has been linked with the development of various cancers, including esophageal cancer. This study aims to analyze the association of potential functional genetic polymorphisms in TLR4 with the risk of esophageal cancer.

Methods

This case-control study involved in 480 ESCC patients and 480 health controls. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to genotype TLR4 rs1927914 polymorphism. Taqman probe method was used to determine the genotypes of TLR4 rs11536891 and rs7873784 variants. The relationship between TLR4 genetic variation and ESCC risk was analyzed by Logistic regression model by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

Compared with TLR4 rs1927914 AA genotype carriers, GG carriers had a lower ESCC risk (OR = 0.59, 95% CI [0.38–0.93], P = 0.023). Stratification analysis by age showed that TLR4 rs1927914 GG could affect the risk of ESCC in elderly people (OR = 0.59, 95% CI [0.36–0.97]). Smoking stratification analysis indicated that rs1927914 GG carriers were related to ESCC susceptibility among non-smokers (OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.18–0.73]). Dual luciferase reporter assay suggested that rs1927914 G-containing TLR4 promoter displayed a 1.76-fold higher luciferase activity than rs1927914 A-containing counterpart in KYSE30 cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed the KYSE30 cell nuclear extract was able to bind the probe with rs1927914 G allele and this DNA-protein interaction could be eliminated by competition assays with unlabeled rs1927914 G probe, which indicating that the binding is sequence-specific. Our results also showed that TLR4 rs7873784 (G>C) and rs11536891 (T>C) conformed to complete genetic linkage. The genotype distributions of TLR4 rs11536891 variant among ESCC patients and normal controls have no statistical significance.

Conclusion

The TLR4 rs1927914 variant contributes to the ESCC risk by effecting the promoter activity.
Beta-lactamase Profile and Biofilm Production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata, India
Authors: Sarkar Soma , Dutta Shanta , Namhata Anjum , Banerjee Chayanika , Sengupta Mallika , Sengupta Manideepa
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Nosocomial infections caused by Multidrug Resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) have become a major clinical and public health concern. Moreover, the biofilm production protects the bacteria from antibiotics and thereby makes the drugs ineffective. Aim: To find out the β-lactamases profile of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm production of P. aeruginosa isolated from different clinical specimens of patients attending a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 394 consecutive, non-duplicate isolates of P. aeruginosa were identified from 3559 Gram negative bacilli over a period of two years from July 2016 to June 2018. Identification of the isolates and antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed by using automated method and interpreted. Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBLs), Amp-C β-lactamase (AmpC) and Metallo-β-Lactamases (MBLs) were phenotypically detected by disk synergy test and MBL-encoding genes were detected by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Biofilm production was done by tissue culture plate assay. Laboratory data and test results were statistically analysed in counts and percentages using MS Excel 2010 version. Results: Out of 394 strains of P. aeruginosa 288 (73.10%) were isolated from male patients whereas 106 (26.90%) were isolated from female patients. Maximum number of cases (67.26%) were from adult populations. The resistance pattern showed 72.33% resistance to ticarcillin-clavulanic acid followed by ciprofloxacin (53.80%), levofloxacin (50.25%), gentamicin (51.52%), ceftazidime (CAZ) (45.93%), cefoperazone-sulbactam (40.1%), aztreonam (34.77%), imipenem (33.5%), piperacillin/tazobactum (30.96%) and Meropenem (MRP) (29.18%). Out of 394 Pseudomonas spp. isolates, 204 (51.77%) were MDR. Overall, ESBLs, AmpC and carbapenemase (MBL) production was detected in 145 (36.80%), 51 (12.94%) and 49 (12.43%) isolates by phenotypic methods. By genotypic method 53.34% were carbapenemase producing and blaNDM-1 (68.75%) was the most prevalent carbapenemase gene detected followed by blaVIM (18.75%) and co-production of blaNDM-1+ blaVIM was 12.5%. Biofilm production was observed in 158 (40.10%) isolates. Conclusion: Early detection of these β-lactamases production is crucial not only for epidemiological study and effective infection control practices to limit the spread of infection but also for planning appropriate therapy according to the resistance mechanisms of the MDR strains.
In-vitro Analysis of Trypsin and Alpha - Amylase Inhibitory Activities in Selected Legume Varieties in Sri Lanka
Authors: Abeykoon A. M. C. N. , Herath H. M. T. , Jayasinghe M. A.
Published: February 2021

Aim: To quantify the Trypsin Inhibitory Activity (TIA) and Alpha - Amylase Inhibitory Activity (AIA) in legume varieties with effect of cooking.

Study Design: Seeds of twelve legume varieties grown in Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) in experimental field conditions were used and data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA at 95% confidence interval using MINITAB statistical software.                                                

Place and Duration of Study: Grain Legumes and Oil Crops Research and Development Centre (GLOCRDC), Angunakolapalessa and Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Colombo, Sri Lanka between June 2019 and Dec 2019.

Methods: Ethanolic (80%) extracts of raw and cooked grain legumes were used. In determining TIA, N-α-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (BAPA) is used as a synthetic substrate for trypsin enzyme and the rate of hydrolysis was measured by intensity of colour released by p-nitroaniline. AIA was carried out determining the maltose content which was released by hydrolysis of starch in the presence of amylase enzyme using reduction of 3, 5-dinitrosalicylic acid.

Results: TIA in raw legumes ranged from 0.65±0.02 mg/g (ANK- Brown) to 1.52±0.01 mg/g (ANKCP1) while in cooked legumes ranged from -0.11±0.1 mg/g (ANK-Black) to 0.61±0.02 mg/g (MI 5). In pressure cooking (120oC, 10 min) considerable reduction in TIA of 53.74% (MI6) to 100% (ANK-Black, Bombay) was observed. A significant difference (p<0.05) in TIA among the varieties as well as among cooked form of varieties were observed (one- way ANOVA). Further a significant difference (p<0.05) in TIA was observed between cooked and raw form in each legume variety (Paired T-Test).

AIA of cooked samples was ranged from - 11.61% (MI 6) - 23.05% (MISB1) and there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in AIA among the most of the legume varieties.  

Conclusion: A significant reduction of TIA among the legumes varieties was observed in the pressure cooking process while a significant activity of alpha- amylase was not seen in cooked legumes.
Salt Iodization and Urinary Iodine Concentration Levels among Primary School Children in Mt. Elgon Sub-County, Kenya
Authors: Onteri Stephen N. , Makokha Anselimo O. , Mokua Beatrice Nyanchama Kiage , Ndemwa Philip
Published: February 2021

Aims: Iodine plays a key role in thyroid hormone production and functioning. Inadequate iodine intake results in iodine deficiency (ID) which impairs the normal functioning of the thyroid. The deficiency is responsible for damage to brain development, growth retardation, cretinism, and thyroid dysfunction. Millions of people have been condemned to a life of few prospects and continued underdevelopment due to ID. The study was conducted to assess iodine status among primary school children in the Mt. Elgon region and the impact of salt iodization on this status.

Study Design:  A school-based cross-sectional descriptive study to assess iodine status among primary school children was employed in the study.

Study Area and Duration: The study was carried out in Kenya, Bungoma County, Mount Elgon Sub-County. The study period was between 27th November 2018 and 26th November 2019.

Methodology: Healthy primary school children aged 6 to 12 years who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Spot urine samples were collected in schools, while water samples were collected from different water sources. Salt was collected from households (HH) and at distribution outlets. The Sandell Kolthoff reaction was used to analyse urine and water samples while salt was analysed using iodometric titration.

Results: The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 200.7 µg/l. Out of which 0.55% were severely deficient, 5.25% moderately deficient, 18.23% with a mild deficiency, 25.69% had adequate iodine levels, 22.38% had more than adequate, and 27.90% had excess iodine levels. Household and salt samples from different distribution outlets that conformed to set standards of iodization were 49.4% and 63.64%, respectively. Iodine was not detected in all the water samples collected.

Conclusion: The study population was found to have adequate iodine based on the median UIC of 200.7 µg/l. However, there was a coexistence of both deficiency and excessive UIC and salt iodization within the population. No iodine was detected in the water samples in the region.
Adoption Behavior of Farmers in Khordha District of Odisha, India
Authors: Meher Mita , Panigrahi Sushree Purabi , Nayak Debasmita
Published: February 2021

It is a generic concept that farmers like other kind of entrepreneurs; do not adopt innovation simultaneously as they crop up on the market. Diffusion typically takes a number of years, scarcely reaches a level of 100% of the potential adopters’ population and mostly follows S-shaped curve in time. Apparently, some farmers choose to be the first users while others prefer to be early adopters or late adopters, some prefers not to adopt. This research paper titled ‘Adoption Behavior of farmers in Khordha district of Odisha, India was conducted in four villages named Pubusahi, sarua, Balianta, and Benupur to know the factors affecting adoption of a new technology, attitude of the farmers towards the technology, perception of the farmers and suggestions from farmers regarding adoption of technologies. From the study, it was revealed most of respondents were cosmopolite and elderly having high favorability towards new technologies. However from the suggestions it was clear that the lack of timely supply of inputs, extension personnel’s visit, training etc. affects the attitude of respondents towards the technologies.
Impact of Publicly Funded Health Insurance Scheme on Risk Coping Strategies against Health Expenses in Kerala
Authors: Panikkassery Anushree S.
Published: February 2021

The aim of the paper is to determine whether publicly funded insurance schemes have significantly enabled poor households to come out from expensive coping strategies such as borrowing and sale of assets in the State of Kerala, India. This cross-sectional study used data collected from a primary survey in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Duration of the study is from January 2018 to January 2019. A total sample of 408 poor households including both insured and uninsured were collected in a primary survey using a structured schedule. Probit and log-linear regressions were employed to determine the impact of insurance coverage for the poor on risk coping strategies such as borrowing and sale of assets. Probit regression results showed that uninsured households have around 32% higher probability of borrowing (P value-0.003) compared to insured households whereas sale of assets as a coping strategy did not yield any significant results. Results showed a negative significant relationship between insurance coverage and risk coping strategy of borrowing. The amount and probability of borrowing were found significantly lower among insured households for inpatient care. But the sale of assets did not have any significant impact from the insurance coverage.
Smart Tourist Behavior in Wine Cultural Event
Authors: Wang Min-Hong , Xiong Jian-Lin , Yen Tsai-Fa(TF)
Published: February 2021

This study aims to investigate smart tourism behavior in wine cultural event, and used valid survey data of 419 tourists in wine cultural event held at Yibin and tested proposed hypotheses undertaken ANOVA. The results showed that the impacts of smart tools on satisfaction, word-of-mouth(WOM), novelty and tourism inertia differed significantly and the impacts of smart tools on the relationships between latent variables differed significantly. This study provided theoretical and practical significance for the development of smart wine tourism.
Energy Evaluation of the Mechanical Drying of the Grain of Coffea arabica from Honduras
Authors: Mejía Fredy Torres , Fuentes Jhunior Marcía , Mejía Juan Torres , Bonilla Flavio Hernández , Alemán Ricardo Santos , Varela Ingris , Kazemzadeh Shirin , Fernández Ismael Montero
Published: February 2021

The aim of this research work was to evaluate the methods of mechanical drying of coffee beans (Coffea arabica) from energy evaluations. The control variables were the drying of the grain and energy was used as the response variable, measured in Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (TEP), Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BEP), and Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (Ton CO2eq). The evaluations on the three methods of mechanical coffee drying indicate that the rotary dryer requires 1.0 TEP equivalent to 1.017 kg CO2eqkg-1 in dry parchment coffee (CPS), however, the vertical drying method requires 1.12 TEP (0.616 kg CO2eqkg-1 in CPS) and the static dryer requires 0.5 TEP (0.33 Kg CO2eqkg-1 in CPS). Furthermore, the biomass energy consumption in the rotary dryer is 12.60 MJkg-1, in the vertical dryer it is 7.46 MJkg-1, and the static dryer is 3.91 MJkg-1. These results indicate that the rotary dryer uses 91.95% of the biomass energy, the vertical dryer uses 90.31%, and the static dryer 90.68%. Concluding that rotary drying has a higher biomass energy consumption and reduces CO2 emissions kg-1 in dry parchment coffee, this method is also preferred by cuppers, as it preserves the sensory qualities of the coffee and contributes to reducing the impact. the environment in the consumption of electrical energy and the reduction of CO2 emissions. However, these predictors need more work to validate reliability.
Detection of HIV-1 and -2 Antibodies among Children and Knowledge, Attitude, Perceptions and Practices (KAPP) of Their Parents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Okonko Iheanyi O. , Cookey Tochi I. , Chijioke-Nwauche Ifeyinwa N. , Adewuyi-Oseni Sofiat , Onoh Charles C.
Published: February 2021

Aim: Paediatric testing for HIV in low-income and middle-income countries is poor and must be raved up as this is important for treatment and survival among this disease-prone demographic area. This study was carried out to detect the presence of HIV-1 and -2 antibodies among children receiving health care service in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It also aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practices of their parents on HIV/AIDS in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between August 2012 and July 2015.

Methods: One hundred subjects (58 males and 42 females) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected randomly from children in the outpatient department of the hospital. HIV-1/2 was detected using Gen ScreenTM ULTRA HIV Ag-Ab Kit (BIO-RAD), an ELISA based test kit following the manufacturer's instructions.

Results: The overall prevalence was found to be 5.0%. The gender-specific infection rate shows that males had a higher infection rate (5.2%) for HIV infection than their female counterparts (4.8%). The age-specific prevalence showed that the children in age groups 8-10 years had a higher prevalence (6.7%) than those 2-4 years (4.5%) and 5-7 years (4.2%). None appeared to be significantly associated (P>0.05) with HIV-1/2 antibodies prevalence among the children population. The knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practices of parents of the children indicate that 100.0% of them believed HIV/AIDS is real and children live with it; 62.0% have been screened for HIV before while 38.0% have not; 77.0% believe HIV cannot be cured while 19.0% believe it can; 66.0% know that it can be transmitted from mother to child whereas 16.0% believe it cannot and 70.0% confirmed they share sharp objects.

Conclusion: This study however further confirmed the presence of HIV-1 and 2 antibodies among Children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. HIV can affect all age groups, both males and females. Health education campaigns and training on HIV prevention and control is recommended.
Alenezi Transform–A New Transform to Solve Mathematical Problems
Authors: Alenezi Ahmad M.
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we present a new integral transform called Alenezi-transform in the category of Laplace transform. We investigate the characteristic of Alenezi-transform. We discuss this transform with the other transforms like J, Laplace, Elzaki and Sumudu transforms. We can demonstrate that Alenezi transforms are near to the condition of the Laplace transform. We can explain the new Properties of transforms using Alenezi transform. Alenezi transform can be applied to solve differential, Partial and integral equations.
In-vitro Screening for Disease Resistance in Wheat Genotypes against Bipolaris sorokiniana Using Callus Culture Method
Authors: Deepti . , Rani Swati , Anjani Kumari , Kumar Rajiv , Sharma Vinay Kumar
Published: February 2021

The present investigation was done to identify the efficacy of callus culture method for in-vitro screening to identify resistant and susceptible wheat genotypes. The study led to establishment of protocol for in-vitro screening of susceptible and resistant wheat genotypes against Bipolaris sorokiniana. The Bipolaris sorokiniana crude toxin was used at various concentrations to supplement the callusing medium and the response of twelve genotypes was studied. The susceptible genotype Agra local showed maximum area prone to death of the callus because of effect of toxin in medium supplemented with MS+2,4-D (4.0 mgl-1) + NAA (2 mgl-1) with B. sorokiniana toxin whereas the resistant genotype Yangmai#6 showed least area affected by the toxin and the cream/ white callus observed in the case of controlled medium supplemented with toxin. The genotypes which were found to be resistant and susceptible in the field condition were clearly identified as the same using this method.
Educational Level and Financial Status: Decisive Factors for Level of Spirituality and Psychological Well-being among Elderly
Authors: Singh Ritu , Mehra Manisha
Published: February 2021

Aim: The present study aims to assess the level of spirituality and psychological well being among institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly across their educational level and financial status.

Sample: For the current study, a total of 200 elderly including institutionalized elderly (n1 =100) and a comparable sample of non-institutionalized elderly (n2 =100) were drawn through census and lottery methods respectively.

Sample Selection: The institutionalized elderly were selected from Society Registration Act (SRA) recognized old age homes of Uttarakhand and non-institutionalized elderly were drawn from the nearby localities adjacent to the old age homes.

Tools: Level of spirituality and psychological wellbeing of the respondents was assessed using Spiritual Belief Scale by Deshmukh and Deshmukh (2012) and Psychological Well Being Scale by Sisodia and Choudhary (2012) respectively.

Results: Analysis of level of spirituality among elderly across educational qualification revealed that spirituality increased significantly with higher education. Graduate elderly were significantly more spiritual than those less educated and post graduates were observed to be even significantly more spiritual than graduates. Same trend was observed on psychological well being component. Graduate elderly were significantly more psychologically well than those less educated and post graduates were observed to be even significantly more psychologically well than graduates. Comparison across financial status revealed that elderly with fixed regular income had higher spirituality and psychological well being as compared to those with no fixed regular income.

Conclusion: Socio-economic factors like educational level and financial status are strong determinants of level of spirituality and psychological well being among elderly. Spirituality and psychological well being both pave way for smooth ageing. They provide support for counterbalancing the inefficiencies caused by ageing.
Socioeconomic Determinants of Malaria in Selected Urban and Rural Areas in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Nduka C. C. , Chineke H. N. , Adogu P. O. , Chizoba A. F.
Published: February 2021

Malaria, a disease of poverty, is of significant public health concern. It is endemic in Nigeria with the risk of transmission appearing to be high because of favorable climatic and environmental factors. Increased susceptibility to malaria has also been linked to dirty surroundings that favor the breeding and propagation of the vector, poor access to quality health care and ignorance especially of malaria prevention strategies. However, this study investigated the role of socioeconomic factors responsible for the observed difference in malaria prevalence between selected rural and urban areas of Anambra, Nigeria. A descriptive comparative cross-sectional study, data on demographic and socioeconomic variables were collected from 202 urban and rural respondents, then analyzed using SPSS platform to generate chi-square test of significance. The results were presented in figures, table and charts for clarity. All the subjects were aware of the term malaria but only 63.4% had adequate specific knowledge of malaria. Generally, 25.7% of rural participants had no formal education while the urban group had only 4% of that particular category. About 52.5% of rural participants earned below 50,000 naira monthly, with 14.9% earning above 100,000 naira while the reverse was the case in the urban area. Also, the number of malaria episodes was inversely proportional to the household monthly income (X2=24.30, p<0.001). More episodes of malaria were also reported among the unskilled workers and skilled workers (71.3%) compared to Professionals (28.7%), yet all the participants reported the presence of a healthcare facility <3km from their houses with 95% and 80.2% of them in the rural and urban areas respectively having to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare services. It is clear that socioeconomic factors play a role in the persistence of malaria as an endemic disease in Nigeria. Therefore, existing control measures should incorporate strategies to end poverty and ignorance especially among the rural populace.
Worm-free Cooking, Fish Safety: Recommendation to Strategy for Opisthorchiasis Prevention Program
Authors: Kitphati Rungrueng , Wongsaroj Thitima , Nithikathkul Choosak
Published: February 2021

Fish-borne parasitic zoonosis such as Opisthorchiasis caused by Opisthorchis viverrini remains a major public health problem in many parts of Southeast Asia and Me Kong Basin region including Thailand. The focal point of Opisthorchiasis is located in north-eastern part of Thailand, along with high prevalence coincidence of cholangiocarcinoma, a major primary carcinoma of the liver with a very poor prognosis. Opisthorchis viverrini infection caused by developed cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). O. viverrini infection is acquired by eating raw or partially cooked fish. In endemic areas, several food preparations contain uncooked or raw freshwater fish. The most common local freshwater fish used for this recipe are Koi Pla, Pla Som, Lab Pla and Pla Yang or Grill fish. Raw fish dishes are known to be associated with the risk of liver fluke infection due to the consumption of cyprinoid fish that contains metacercaria of O. viverrini. Grill fish and Lab-Pla are among the famous Thai traditional food in the northeastern and northern part of Thailand. The consumption of raw Grill fish can lead to    O. viverrini infection because cyprinoid fish is a second intermediate host of O. viverrini.  This study investigated the literature of previous working for prevention and control of Opisthorchiasis and confirm worm-free cooking safety of cooking with consideration of time for the preparation of freshwater fish-grill for the prevention and control of Opisthorchiasis and Cholangiocarcinoma infection. The unique experiment experimental designed. The freshwater fishes grill within the group of 0,1,2,3,4 and 5 minutes with 10 fresh water fishes from fisherman in Nakhon Phanom and Sakhon Nakorn provinces which reported high O. viverrini infection among risk people in 2009. The another experiment using frozen freshwater fish at -10 degree for 5 days. The results showed that metacercariae remained active in control and 1-2 minutes experimental groups. The groups 3-5 minutes of grill fish partially cooked showed inactive metacercariae. The excretory bladder spread with unclear form. The conclusion suggested that worm-free cooking under review, and unique experiment of cook safety is a crucial basic knowledge leading to bringing knowledge, practically for the prevention and control Liver fluke infection. Recommendation information also let people better understand the concerns during health literacy program to stop transmission of liver fluke and need to be discussed among head villagers, public health agencies and teachers in the public participation process and school health program.
Intralipid in the Target Treatment of Lipid Peroxidation Disorder Caused by Oxidative and Nitro- Galogenic Stress in Patients with SARS-Cov2 / COVID / 19
Authors: Vasilieva Maria , Vasilieva Irina , Vasiliev Ilie , Groppa Stanislav , Ghidirim Gh. , Bețiu Mircea , Diug Valentina , Bacinschi Nicolae , Diug Eugen , Tagadiuc Olga , Globa Pavel and Tanea , Revenco Ninel , Plăcintă Gheorghe , Vudu Lorina , Bernic Jana , Caradja Gheorghe , Globa Lilian and Elena , Ignatenco Serghei , Serbenco Ludmila , Cealan Andrei , D'Ambra Mirta , Tarabrin Oleg
Published: February 2021

Background: In the current proposal, we used the intralipid in standard therapy against COVID / 19 as an energy carrier for parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients. In patients receiving intralipid, there was an accelerated recovery of the lungs, a decrease in markers of endogenous intoxication (EI), tissue hypoxia and an improvement in general condition. In the absence of Intralipid in the intensive care unit, there was a slow recovery of the lungs and a more prolonged improvement in the general condition with the preservation of EI markers (cytolytic enzymes, C-reactive protein, platelets) and tissue hypoxia (pCO2 AV> 6 mm Hg). Collectively, Intralipid has been seen in the targeted LPO treatment plan for oxidative and nitro-galogenic stress in SARS-Cov2 / COVID / 19 patients.
Diversity in Qualitative and Quantitative Traits Reveals Huge Potential for the Improvement of an Orphan Crop Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]
Authors: Jifar Habte , Assefa Kebebew , Tesfaye Kassahun , Dagne Kifle , Tadele Zerihun
Published: February 2021

Aims: To assess the extent and pattern of genetic diversity in major qualitative and quantitative traits of tef accessions based on collection altitudes, and administrative regions and zones.

Study Design: Randomized complete Block Design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Debre Zeit and Holetta Research Centers in 2015 main cropping season.

Methodology: One hundred forty-four tef accessions collected from the Northern and Central Ethiopia were evaluated using five qualitative and seven quantitative traits. Microsoft Excel and Shannon-Weaver diversity index were used to determine the extent of genetic variations while cluster analysis based on the standardized data of various qualitative and quantitative traits was employed to group the accessions and collection altitudes, zones and regions.

Results: Yellowish white lemma, loose panicle, white seed, four internodes and green basal stalk were found to be the predominant phenotypic classes of the studied qualitative traits. The highest mean Shannon diversity was observed for panicle forms (0.396) followed by seed colour (0.370) while the lowest value was for basal stalk colour (0.083). Accessions from Oromia Regional State had the highest mean Shannon diversity and grain yield compared to the other two Regional States. Similarly, accessions from South Wello and West Shewa administrative zones had the highest mean Shannon diversity and highest grain yield, respectively. Besides, accessions from altitudes below 1500 m above sea level (a. s. l.) and from 2001 to 2500 m a. s. l. also had the highest mean diversity and highest mean grain yield, respectively. In cluster analysis, dendrogram constructed based on five qualitative and seven quantitative traits grouped the accessions, collection regions, zones and altitudes into six, two, four and three distinct clusters, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study generally revealed huge diversity among tef accessions collected from different regional states, administrative zones and altitudes which can be harnessed in future improvement of this understudied crop.
Long-term Outcome of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated with IC-BFM2002 Regimen
Authors: Bahoush Gholamreza
Published: February 2021

Background: Changes in pediatric chemotherapy regimens over the last three decades have introduced a variety of protocols to increase the survival of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Intercontinental Berlin-Frankfort-Munich (IC-BFM) 2002 is one of the protocols widely used in countries that could not perform minimal residual disease by polymerase chain reaction (MRD PCR) method. Evaluation the results of these regimens is very effective in improving their quality.

Materials and Methods: Children with newly diagnosed ALL in Ali Asghar Children's Hospital were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in both groups underwent chemotherapy according to IC-BFM 2002 protocol. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of reinduction regimen, so that patients in-group A received protocol II and patients in-group B received protocol III as a reinduction regimen. Then demographic information and patient outcome were statistically analyzed with SPSS 23.

Results: Sixty-three patients were included in the study. There were 32 patients in-group A (18 boys and 14 girls) and 31 patients in-group B (11 boys and 20 girls). The number of high-risk patients was higher in-group A, but this difference was not statistically significant. The recurrence rate in-group B patients was about seven times higher than the recurrence rate in group A patients, and this difference was statistically significant. In-group A, no patients had an early relapse, while about half of the recurrences in-group B occurred as early relapse and the rest as late relapse. CNS recurrence occurred in only two patients. 5-yr EFS of all enrolled patients was 88.90 ± 8.00% (95% CI). This rate for group A and B was 96.90 ± 6.20% (95% CI) and 80.60 ± 14.20% (95% CI), respectively (P=0.022).

Conclusion: It seems that IC-BFM 2002 protocol is an appropriate treatment regimen with acceptable results for children with ALL in developing countries, a workable protocol with significant consequences. Protocol II seems to be suitable for reinduction and increasing the Methotrexate dose may not be necessary for non-high-risk groups.