bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical features and outcomes of combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma versus hepatocellular carcinoma versus cholangiocarcinoma after surgical resection: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Lin Chih-Wen , Wu Tsung-Chin , Lin Hung-Yu , Hung Chao-Ming , Hsieh Pei-Min , Yeh Jen-Hao , Hsiao Pojen , Huang Ya-Ling , Li Yu-Chan , Wang Ya-Chin , Shu Chih-Wen , Chen Yaw-Sen 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is an infrequent type of primary liver cancer that comprises hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC). This study investigated the clinicopathological features and prognosis among cHCC-CC, HCC, and CC groups.Methods: We prospectively collected the data of 608 patients who underwent surgical resection for liver cancer between 2011 and 2018 at E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Overall, 505 patients with cHCC-CC, HCC, and CC were included, and their clinicopathological features, overall survival (OS), and recurrence were recorded. OS and recurrence rates were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier analysis.Results: In the entire cohort, the median age was 61 years and 80% were men. Thirty-five (7.0%) had cHCC-CC, 419 (82.9%) had HCC, and 51 (10.1%) had CC. The clinicopathological features of the cHCC-CC group were more identical to those of the HCC group than the CC group. OS was significantly lower in the cHCC-CC group than in the HCC group but was not significantly higher in the cHCC-CC group than in the CC group. The median OS of cHCC-CC, HCC, and CC groups was 50.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 38.7–61.2], 62.3 months (CI: 42.1–72.9), and 36.2 months (CI: 15.4–56.5), respectively. Cumulative OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years in cHCC-CC, HCC, and CC groups were 88.5%, 62.2%, and 44.0%; 91.2%, 76.1%, and 68.0%; and 72.0%, 48.1%, and 34.5%, respectively. After propensity score matching (PSM), OS in the cHCC-CC group was not significantly different from that in the HCC or CC group. However, OS was significantly higher in the HCC group than in the CC group before and after PSM. Furthermore, the disease-free survival was not significantly different among cHCC-CC, HCC, and CC groups before and after PSM.Conclusion: The clinicopathological features of the cHCC-CC group were more identical to those of the HCC group than the CC group. The OS rate was significantly lower in the cHCC-CC group than the HCC group. However, after PSM, OS and disease-free survival in the cHCC-CC group were not significantly different from those in the HCC or CC group.
The Importance Of Bioaerosol In Forensic Investigations
Authors: Bulski Karol 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The article discusses the importance of bioaerosol in terms of forensic microbiology and explains its usefulness in forensic investigations. Examples of investigative practice and crime investigations available in the literature are also presented, with special focus on the importance of biological aerosol analyses during evidence proceedings.
1. Introduction. 2. Biological aerosols. 3. Bioaerosols in forensic investigations. 4. Summary
Patogeneza skutków ubocznych radioterapii w tkankach prawidłowych
Authors: Rzewuska Karolina 
Published: January 2021

Kluczowym wyzwaniem w radioterapii jest dobranie odpowiednich maksymalnych dawek promieniowania docierających do komórek nowotworowych przy jednoczesnej minimalizacji uszkodzeń zdrowej tkanki. Powodzenie radioterapii w zwalczaniu guza zależy głównie od całkowitej dawki podanej w trakcie leczenia, zaś tolerancja na promieniowanie tkanek prawidłowych stanowi pewne ograniczenie w doborze maksymalnych dawek. W celu uniknięcia niepożądanych skutków po radioterapii pewnych progów dawek nie powinno się przekraczać. Ryzyko uszkodzenia popromiennego tkanek prawidłowych zwiększa się wraz z dawką całkowitą, liczbą frakcji radioterapii oraz objętością tkanek, które zostały napromienione. Szczególnie podatnymi na powikłania są pacjenci poniżej 10 roku życia oraz pacjenci powyżej 70 roku życia.
Wykorzystywane promieniowanie jonizujące w radioterapii powoduje uszkadzanie struktur komórkowych, odpowiedzialnych za podstawowe procesy komórkowe. Promienie X zderzają się z elektronami powodując jonizację cząsteczek. Elektrony te tracą zdolność do prawidłowego funkcjonowania w obrębie komórki. W przebiegu tego procesu uszkodzony zostaje kwas deoksyrybonukleinowy (DNA- z ang. deoxyribonucleic acid) co może powodować mutacje. Najbardziej podatnymi na popromienne uszkodzenia są komórki krwiotwórcze, komórki śródbłonka, śluzówek i przewodu pokarmowego. Można więc wyróżnić kilka efektów po kontakcie żywej komórki z promieniowaniem jonizującym. Pierwszym z nich może być tak duże uszkodzenie komórki, że nie będzie ona w stanie pełnić swoich funkcji i dojdzie do jej śmierci. Komórka może też stracić swoją zdolność do ,,reprodukcji” mimo, iż pozostaje żywa. Kod DNA może zostać uszkodzony na tyle, że powstające kopie komórek będą się znacznie różnić od komórki pierwotnej. Promieniowanie może też nie wywołać skutków ubocznych i nie mieć wpływu na komórkę.
Inducing granulation within a full-scale activated sludge system to improve settling
Authors: Avila Isaac , Freedman Dan , Johnston Joel , Wisdom Blair , McQuarrie James 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Most cold-climate biological nutrient removal facilities experience poor settling mixed liquor during winter, resulting in treatment capacity throughput limitations. The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District in Denver, Colorado, operated two full-scale secondary treatment trains to compare the existing biological nutrient removal configuration (Control) to one that was modified to operate with an anaerobic selector and with hydrocyclone selective wasting (Test) to induce granulation. Results from this evaluation showed that the Test achieved significantly better settling behaviour than the Control. The difference in the mean diluted SVI30 between the Test and Control were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05), with values of 77 ± 17 and 135 ± 25 mL/g observed for the Test and Control respectively. These settling results were accompanied by differences in the particle size distribution, with notably higher settling velocities commensurate with increasing particle size. The degree of granulation observed in the Test train was between 32 and 56% of the mass greater than ≥250 μm in particle size whereas 16% of the mixed liquor in the Control was ≥250 μm over the entire study period. The improved settling behaviour of the Test configuration may translate into an increase of secondary treatment capacity during winter by 32%.
Um estudo sobre os fatores determinantes da estrutura de capital das empresas brasileiras: uma análise de regressão quantílica
Authors: Quintella Junior Osvaldo Martins , Coelho Claudio Ulysses Ferreira 
Published: January 2021

Objetivo: O presente artigo teve como objetivo principal analisar os fatores determinantes da estrutura de capital de noventa e quatro empresas dentre as quinhentas maiores companhias brasileiras do anuário da revista Exame de 2018.
Metodologia: Como base para a pesquisa foram utilizadas informações das demonstrações contábeis das maiores empresas brasileiras. Os dados foram obtidos a partir das informações financeiras do exercício de 2017 de 94 empresas, dentre as 500 maiores segundo o anuário da revista Exame de 2018. A inferência dos dados foi feita através de análise estatística descritiva e da análise de regressão quantílica. Os dados foram obtidos diretamente dos sites das próprias empresas e por meio do software Economática. A análise descritiva e econométrica foi feita utilizando o software Stata 12.
Resultados: Os resultados indicam que variáveis como tamanho e estrutura dos ativos são significantes, em alguns quantis, para determinar a forma pela qual as empresas adotam determinada estrutura de capital. Além disso, os resultados indicam que a relação entre o tamanho da empresa e o nível de endividamento total é positivo para o quantil 25 da amostra. Outro ponto a destacar é que a variável estrutura dos ativos tem uma relação positiva com a variável endividamento de longo prazo, para os quantis 75 e 95.
Contribuições do Estudo: Esta pesquisa é uma importante contribuição para a literatura na área de finanças, tendo em vista a utilização do método da regressão quantílica. A escassez de pesquisas feitas utilizando esse método é notória. Além disso, os resultados obtidos por outros trabalhos sobre o tema ainda não são convergentes acerca das variáveis relevantes para a determinação da estrutura de capital.
An analysis of the efficiency of public expenditure on education in the Municipalities of the State of Amazonas from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Mayara Guimarães de Sousa  , Carla Macedo Velloso dos Santos  , Adenes Teixeira Alves  , Manoel Martins do Carmo Filho  
Published: January 2021

Purpose: This article aimed to evaluate the efficiency of public expenditure in the municipalities of the State of Amazonas with primary education in the years 2013 to 2017 by building a ranking of the efficiency of the municipalities relating the results obtained in IDEB by each city in the period, under the counterpart of the values of expenses paid for primary education, the average number of students enrolled in the period, average expenditure per student and GDP per capita of each municipality.
Methodology: We used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique to evaluate the 37 Amazonian municipalities' efficiency in the sample. The variables analyzed include municipal data on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), number of inhabitants, number of students enrolled, spending on education, and IDEB notes for the period.
Results: The results showed that only eight municipalities (21.6%) were classified as efficient and that these municipalities were those with the worst starting conditions, in terms of average wealth and educational performance, and that made the lowest expenses per enrolled student, which reaffirms the finding of diminishing returns to scale in education. On the other hand, the least efficient municipalities were those with the best starting condition in terms of GDP per capita and which presented high expenditures per student, but which reached the worst performances in the 2017 IDEB.
Contributions of the Study: Considering the amounts spent by Amazonian municipalities on primary education, taking into account the size and performance in the IDEB of each city in the period under analysis, the research seeks to demonstrate the efficiency in the application of spending on primary education, providing useful and information for a more qualified and efficient allocation of public resources in education, providing improvements in the social aspects of the population aspects.
A Novel Nanoformulation of Ellagic Acid is Promising in Restoring Oxidative Homeostasis in Rat Brains with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Harakeh Steve , Qari Mohamad H. , Ramadan Wafaa S. , Al Jaouni Soad K. , Almuhayawi Mohammed S. , Al Amri Turki , Ashraf Ghulam Md. , Bharali Dhruba J. , Mousa Shaker A. 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Aluminum toxicity induces neurodegenerative changes in the brain and results in
Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Objective:
Here, the aim was to evaluate the antioxidant therapeutic effects of ellagic acid (EA) and EA-loaded
nanoparticles (EA-NP) in an aluminum chloride-induced AD rat model.

Methods:
The nanoparticles’ loading of EA was 0.84/1 w/w. The in vitro release kinetics of EA from EA-NP in
fetal bovine serum showed 60% release in the first 1-5 hours, followed by sustained release at 60-70% over
6-24 hours. Six groups were implemented; group 1 served as the control, group 2 received EA, group 3 received
EA-NP, group 4 was the AD rat model administered AlCl3 (50 mg/kg) for 4 weeks, groups 5 (AD+EA)
and 6 (AD+EA-NP) were treated with EA and EA-NP, respectively, for 2 weeks after AlCl3 was stopped. The
neurotoxicity in the rat brain was examined by measuring the brain antioxidant biomarkers catalase, glutathione,
and total antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid, TBA). Histopathological
studies using hematoxylin and eosin, cresyl violet, silver stains, and the novel object recognition test were examined.

Results:
Data revealed significant increase of antioxidant biomarkers and decreased TBA in the EA-NP group.
The pathological hallmarks of AD-vacuolation of the neurons, chromatolysis, neurofibrillary tangles, and the senile
plaques in brains of the AD rat model were decreased and restoration of Nissl granules was noted. The calculated
discrimination index in the behavioral test increased more in cases treated with EA-NP.

Conclusion::
The treatment of AD with EA-NP was more effective than EA in alleviating the oxidative neurotoxic
effects on AD rat brains.
Statins, Risk of Death and Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Dementia: A Registry-Based Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Petek Bojana , Xu Hong , Villa-Lopez Marta , Winblad Bengt , Kramberger Milica G. , Eriksdotter Maria , Garcia-Ptacek Sara 
Published: January 2021

Background :
Survival in patients with dementia is variable. Statins are a cornerstone of cardiovascular
prevention. However, the effect of statins on mortality and risk for stroke in patients with
dementia is not clear.

Objective:
The aim of the study was to analyse the association between the use of statins and the risk of
all-cause death and first ischemic stroke in patients diagnosed with dementia.

Methods:
A longitudinal cohort study of 48 771 patients based on combined Swedish registries was
conducted. The association between the incident use of statins one year prior to dementia diagnosis, allcause
mortality and first ischemic stroke was examined using propensity score-matched flexible parametric
or Cox hazard survival models and is presented with hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence
intervals.

Results:
After propensity score matching, incident users of statins (n=1412) had a lower risk of all-cause
death (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.91) and ischemic stroke (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.89) compared to
matched non-users (n=4482). In stratified analysis, the protective association between incident statin use
and survival was observed in men, patients older than 75 years, with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular
dementia. Furthermore, we observed a protective association between incident use of statins and first
ischemic stroke risk in men, patients older than 75 years and with mixed dementia. There was a graded
association between cumulative doses of statins and mortality.

Conclusion:
The use of statins might be beneficial for the survival and ischemic stroke risk in patients
with dementia in a dose-dependent manner.
Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Tin Oxide Nanocrystals
Authors: Sharma Shatendra , Vats Monika , Sharma Jyotsna , Chhabra Arvind , Kumar R.K. Rakesh , Chuang Cheng-Hsin 
Published: January 2021

Background:Tin oxide nanoparticles also show good photocatalytic efficiency due to wide bandgap and high recombination rates of photo-generated electron-hole pairs. Being non-toxic and chemically stable, the tin oxide nanoparticles are used as dynamic photo-catalyst for the degradation. Tin oxide nanocrystals suitable for charge storage devices are synthesized using the coprecipitation technique.Objectives:Synthesis of Tin oxide nanocrystals by using the co-precipitation method for photocatalytic activity under sunlight that can be used for photo-degradation. The method of synthesis and characterization are also discussed.Materials and Methods:The nanocrystals are prepared by co-precipitation method using stannic chloride and sodium carbonate. Sodium carbonate is added under constant stirring drop by drop for 90 minutes. The solution is settled for 4 hours. The precipitates are first washed using de-ionized water and then with ethyl alcohol. The dried powder of nanocrystals is then calcinated at 500°C for one hour in a muffle furnace. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrical characterization of these synthesized crystals is done using (XRD), (FESEM), (TEM), (UV-Visible), (FT-Raman), Zeta potential, and dielectric constant measurements.Results and Discussion:The sizes of synthesized nanocrystals vary from 25 nm to 100 nm and are found to be optically transparent. The dielectric constant of nanocrystals is measured in the frequency range of 100Hz-1MHz and it can be seen that it declines from ~2000 at a frequency of 100Hz to ~30 at 1MHz. However, this decline in dielectric constant with frequency can be explained well on the basis of strong space charge polarization and rotational direction polarization processes in nanostructures. In the high-frequency regions, these processes cannot follow the electrical field frequency variations that result in the rapid decrease of dielectric constant.Photocatalytic Activity::The photocatalytic activity of the particles under sunlight is also investigated, which shows that the crystals show degradation of the methylene blue dye under sunlight irradiation.Theoretical investigations with DFT:The bandgap of the particles was also calculated from the UV-VIS spectra, which was found to be ~3.6 eV and this experimentally observed value of bandgap matches with that calculated theoretically from Density Functional Theory (DFT) using Local Density Approximation (LDA).Conclusion:The method of synthesis reported in the present paper is scalable and can be used for the commercial synthesis of SnO2 nano-crystals for electrodes and energy storage devices.
Different Morphology of Neuritic Plaques in the Archicortex of Alzheimer’s Disease with Comorbid Synucleinopathy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jankovska Nikol , Olejar Tomas , Kukal Jaromir , Matej Radoslav 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Bulbous neuritic changes in neuritic plaques have already been described, and
their possible effect on the clinical course of the disease has been discussed.

Objective:
In our study, we focused on the location and density of these structures in patients with only
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and patients with AD in comorbidity with synucleinopathies.

Methods:
Utilizing immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, we evaluated differences of neocortical
and archicortical neuritic plaques and the frequency of bulbous changes in the archicortex of
14 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 10 subjects with the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease
(AD/DLB), and 4 subjects with Alzheimer's disease with amygdala Lewy bodies (AD/ALB). Also,
the progression and density of neuritic changes over the time course of the disease were evaluated.

Results:
We found structural differences in bulbous dystrophic neurites more often in AD/DLB and
AD/ALB than in pure AD cases. The bulbous neuritic changes were more prominent in the initial and
progressive phases and were reduced in cases with a long clinical course.

Conclusion:
Our results indicate that there is a prominent difference in the shape and composition of
neocortical and archicortical neuritic plaques and, moreover, that bulbous neuritic changes can be observed
at a higher rate in AD/DLB and AD/ALB subjects compared to pure AD subjects. This observation
probably reflects that these subacute changes are more easily seen in the faster clinical course of
AD patients with comorbidities.
Remdesivir (GS-5734) for COVID-19 Treatment: Past and Recent Updates
Authors: Arul Santhosh , Dayalan Haripriya 
Published: January 2021

Background:
SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic now, and several measures have been taken
by countries to prevent, control, and treat the disease. WHO has been working meticulously and
has been providing up to date information and statistics on incidences and death. Several broad-
-spectrum anti-viral drugs are available and have been used in the past to fight against the viral outbreak.
Recently remdesivir, an experimental prodrug from Gilead Sciences, has been found to be a
potential drug to be used as a therapy to treat COVID-19.

Objective:
Here, we have reviewed several previous findings from the literature and present an up
to date information on remdesivir.

Results :
Remdesivir was initially invented for use against Ebola virus treatment and has proved effective
against different strains of Ebola, Nipah, and other strains of coronaviruses. Clinical trials
with remdesivir for COVID-19 patients have begun, and several off label use of remdesivir have
been reported recently. Currently, the drug seems to have an effect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus,
with side effects among a few patients. Although the results are not conclusive, they are partly
promising. This review provides past and recent updates on the use of remdesivir.

Conclusion:
From the review, we conclude that the drug remdesivir is known to exhibit its mechanism
of action by terminating the RNA synthesis, and it is a potential drug against the novel coronavirus.
IImpacto da dinâmica emocional na aprendizagem em cursos a distância no ensino superior
Authors: Oliveira Teresa , Morgado Lina 
Published: January 2021

Este artigo analisa a problemática das emoções online em contextos de aprendizagem online, apresentando um novo modelo para a lábil identificação emocional. Trata-se duma investigação sobre a vinculação do docente-estudante, baseada no design de experiências de aprendizagem decorrentes das necessidades emergentes no contexto online, reforçadoras da interação afetiva e motivacional. Pretende-se melhorar o bem-estar e a qualidade na aprendizagem, envolvendo os estudantes integrados em ambientes digitais formais e não formais, no ensino superior. Recorre à metodologia Design-Based-Research, num estudo multi-casos: cenário “fechado”: LMS+Licenciatura e cenário “misto”: LMS +Twitter+Mestrado. A caracterização do bem-estar emocional e envolvimento cognitivo advém da análise daqueles cenários, produzindo princípios de design e soluções baseadas em estratégias de proximidade: Fóruns temáticos, Feedbacks, Acompanhamento Online e Fórum Café-Lounge. Os dados foram recolhidos com base em: Escala de Emoções (90 emoções positivas e negativas); questionário e entrevista semi-estruturada; análise das interações no discurso online. Os resultados obtidos no cenário 1 apontam para a importância do reforço da presença emocional do Professor e das micro-lideranças estudantis. Apesar de não corresponder a uma participação massiva, beneficiou a aprendizagem e bem-estar do grupo, criando-lhe o desejo da replicação desta experiência. Considera-se necessário que as estratégias de classificação e presença emocional sejam aperfeiçoadas noutras investigações.
Educação Transformadora
Authors: Prigol Edna liz , Behrens Marilda Aparecida 
Published: January 2021

O movimento da educação na busca de superação da prática pedagógica conservadora, leva a questionar os processos de fragmentação do conhecimento gerados pela visão cartesiana. Para tanto, buscou-se investigar uma visão na educação que acolha a reforma desse pensamento para atingir uma educação complexa e transformadora. Optou-se por dialogar com autores como Paulo Freire e Edgar Morin, na busca de eleger de suas obras os pontos convergentes e complementares com a finalidade de tecer construtos que possam subsidiar epistemologicamente uma nova prática pedagógica complexa e transformadora. Na pesquisa do tipo revisão bibliográfica de natureza qualitativa, crítica e reflexiva, utilizou-se da metodologia denominada estado do conhecimento para revisitar algumas obras dos autores eleitos para o estudo. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se dos procedimentos de Bardin (2011). Os resultados indicam que as teorias têm pontos que se aproximam e acolhem fundamentos epistemológicos que possibilitam subsidiar o docente na superação da prática pedagógica conservadora para uma proposição que leve à emancipação e protagonismo do aluno e do professor. Das convergências e complementariedades entre as duas teorias ressalta-se a importância de pontos como a visão ética, a reforma de pensamento, a contextualização, o diálogo e a religação de saberes.