bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulating Visibility and Reading Performance in Low Vision
Authors: Xiong Ying-Zi , Lei Quan , Calabrèse Aurélie , Legge Gordon E. 
Published: July 2021

PurposeLow vision reduces text visibility and causes difficulties in reading. A valid low-vision simulation could be used to evaluate the accessibility of digital text for readers with low vision. We examined the validity of a digital simulation for replicating the text visibility and reading performance of low-vision individuals.MethodsLow-vision visibility was modeled with contrast sensitivity functions (CSFs) with parameters to represent reduced acuity and contrast sensitivity. Digital filtering incorporating these CSFs were applied to digital versions of the Lighthouse Letter Acuity Chart and the Pelli-Robson Contrast Sensitivity Chart. Reading performance (reading acuity, critical print size, and maximum reading speed) was assessed with filtered versions of the MNREAD reading acuity Chart. Thirty-six normally sighted young adults completed chart testing under normal and simulated low-vision conditions. Fifty-eight low-vision subjects (thirty with macular pathology and twenty-eight with non-macular pathology) and fifteen normally sighted older subjects completed chart testing with their habitual viewing. We hypothesized that the performance of the normally sighted young adults under simulated low-vision conditions would match the corresponding performance of actual low-vision subjects.ResultsWhen simulating low-vision conditions with visual acuity better than 1.50 logMAR (Snellen 20/630) and contrast sensitivity better than 0.15 log unit, the simulation adequately reduced the acuity and contrast sensitivity in normally sighted young subjects to the desired low-vision levels. When performing the MNREAD test with simulated low vision, the normally sighted young adults had faster maximum reading speed than both the Non-macular and Macular groups, by an average of 0.07 and 0.12 log word per minute, respectively. However, they adequately replicated the reading acuity as well as the critical print size, up to 2.00 logMAR of both low-vision groups.ConclusionA low-vision simulation based on clinical measures of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity can provide good estimates of reading performance and the accessibility of digital text for a broad range of low-vision conditions.
Nutritional Impact and Its Potential Consequences on COVID-19 Severity
Authors: Mortaz Esmaeil , Bezemer Gillina , Alipoor Shamila D. , Varahram Mohammad , Mumby Sharon , Folkerts Gert , Garssen Johan , Adcock Ian M. 
Published: July 2021

Background:During late 2019 a viral disease due to a novel coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China, which rapidly developed into an exploding pandemic and poses a severe threat to human health all over the world. Until now (May 2021), there are insufficient treatment options for the management of this global disease and shortage of vaccines. Important aspects that help to defeat coronavirus infection seems to be having a healthy, strong, and resilient immune system. Nutrition and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes play a crucial role on the community health situation in general and especially during this new pandemic. There seems to be an enormous impact of lifestyle, metabolic disorders, and immune status on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and recovery. For this reason, it is important to consider the impact of lifestyle and the consumption of well-defined healthy diets during the pandemic.Aims:In this review, we summarise recent findings on the effect of nutrition on COVID-19 susceptibility and disease severity and treatment. Understanding how specific dietary features might help to improve the public health strategies to reduce the rate and severity of COVID-19.
The Treatment Outcomes of Olfactory Neuroblastoma Patients With Frontal Lobe Invasion
Authors: Wang Jie , Wang Li , He Huanyu , Li Yi , Song Xinmao 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundTo investigate whether frontal lobe invasion (FLI) was an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), and to explore the optimal treatment strategy for ONB patients with FLI.MethodsSome 37 patients with FLI were retrospectively studied, and 74 well-matched patients without FLI were enrolled as the control group. The long-term survivals were compared between the two groups.ResultsNo significant differences were found between the two groups in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional failure-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (all p &gt;0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that FLI wasn’t an independent predictor for OS (HR = 1.100, 95% CI = 0.437–2.772, p = 0.840). Among the 37 patients with FLI, patients who received surgery combined with chemo-/radiotherapy showed better OS (89.4% vs. 53.6%, p = 0.001) and PFS (87.8% vs. 53.6%, p = 0.001) compared with those who didn’t undergo surgery.ConclusionsFLI wasn’t a poor prognostic factor for ONB patients. Endoscopic resection combined with radiotherapy was an effective therapeutic method for ONB patients with FLI.
DeepCUBIT: Predicting Lymphovascular Invasion or Pathological Lymph Node Involvement of Clinical T1 Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer on Chest CT Scan Using Deep Cubical Nodule Transfer Learning Algorithm
Authors: Beck Kyongmin Sarah , Gil Bomi , Na Sae Jung , Hong Ji Hyung , Chun Sang Hoon , An Ho Jung , Kim Jae Jun , Hong Soon Auck , Lee Bora , Shim Won Sang , Park Sungsoo , Ko Yoon Ho 
Published: July 2021

The prediction of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) or pathological nodal involvement of tumor cells is critical for successful treatment in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We developed and validated a Deep Cubical Nodule Transfer Learning Algorithm (DeepCUBIT) using transfer learning and 3D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to predict LVI or pathological nodal involvement on chest CT images. A total of 695 preoperative CT images of resected NSCLC with tumor size of less than or equal to 3 cm from 2008 to 2015 were used to train and validate the DeepCUBIT model using five-fold cross-validation method. We also used tumor size and consolidation to tumor ratio (C/T ratio) to build a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Two-hundred and fifty-four out of 695 samples (36.5%) had LVI or nodal involvement. An integrated model (3D CNN + Tumor size + C/T ratio) showed sensitivity of 31.8%, specificity of 89.8%, accuracy of 76.4%, and AUC of 0.759 on external validation cohort. Three single SVM models, using 3D CNN (DeepCUBIT), tumor size or C/T ratio, showed AUCs of 0.717, 0.630 and 0.683, respectively on external validation cohort. DeepCUBIT showed the best single model compared to the models using only C/T ratio or tumor size. In addition, the DeepCUBIT model could significantly identify the prognosis of resected NSCLC patients even in stage I. DeepCUBIT using transfer learning and 3D CNN can accurately predict LVI or nodal involvement in cT1 size NSCLC on CT images. Thus, it can provide a more accurate selection of candidates who will benefit from limited surgery without increasing the risk of recurrence.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Different Extracts From Triphala Against CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice
Authors: Wei Xichuan , Luo Chuanhong , He Yanan , Huang Haozhou , Ran Fei , Liao Wei , Tan Peng , Fan Sanhu , Cheng Yuan , Zhang Dingkun , Lin Junzhi , Han Li 
Published: July 2021

Background:Triphala is a traditional polyherbal formula used in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese Tibetan medicine. A wide range of biological activities have been attributed to Triphala, but the impact of various extraction methods on efficacy has not been determined.Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate Triphala extracts obtained by various methods for their hepatoprotective effects and molecular mechanisms in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury.Methods: HPLC fingerprinting was used to characterize the chemical characteristics of Triphala extracts obtained by (a) 0.5 h ultrasonication, (b) 2 h reflux, and (c) 4 h reflux. Hepatoprotective efficacy was evaluated in a mouse model of CCl4-induced liver damage. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured, as well as the liver antioxidant and inflammatory markers malondialdehyde superoxide dismutase glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), TNF-α, and IL-6. Gene and protein expression of Nrf-2 signaling components Nrf-2, heme oxygenase (HO-1), and NADPH Quinone oxidoreductase (NQO-1) in liver tissue were evaluated by real-time PCR and western blotting.Results: Chemical analysis showed a clear difference in content between extracts produced by ultrasonic and reflux methods. The pharmacological analysis showed that all three Triphala extracts reduced ALT, AST, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels and increased SOD and GSH-Px. Triphala extracts also induced transcript and protein expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO-1.Conclusion: Triphala extract prevents CCl4-induced acute liver injury. The ultrasonic extract of Triphala was most effective, suggesting that hepatoprotection may be related to the larger tannins via activation of Nrf-2 signaling.
Genetic Variants in PTGS1 and NOS3 Genes Increase the Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Forgerini Marcela , Urbano Gustavo , Nadai Tales Rubens de , Batah Sabrina Setembre , Fabro Alexandre Todorovic , Mastroianni Patrícia de Carvalho 
Published: July 2021

Objective: To assess the association between PTGS1 and NOS3 variant alleles and the risk to develop upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) secondary to complicated peptic disease.Methods: A case–control study was conducted in a Brazilian complex hospital from July 2016 to March 2020. Case: Patients with UGIB diagnosis. Control: Patients admitted for surgery not related to gastrointestinal disorders. Variables: UGIB (outcome), genetic variants in PTGS1 and NOS3 genes (independent), and sex, age, schooling, ethnicity, previous history of gastrointestinal disorders, Helicobacter pylori serology, comorbidity, drug therapy, and lifestyle (confounding). The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PTSG1 gene (rs1330344, rs3842787, rs10306114, and rs5788) and NOS3 gene (rs2070744 and rs1799983) were determined using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Helicobacter pylori serology was determined through the chemiluminescence technique. Logistic regression models were built and deviations of allelic frequencies from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were verified.Results: 200 cases and 706 controls were recruited. Carriers of the AG genotype of rs10306114 (OR: 2.55, CI 95%: 1.13–5.76) and CA + AA genotypes of rs5788 (OR: 2.53, CI 95%: 1.14–5.59) were associated with an increased risk for the UGIB development. In nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) users, the six variants evaluated modified the magnitude of the risk of UGIB, whereas in low-dose aspirin (LDA) users, an increased risk of UGIB was observed for four of them (rs1330344, rs10306114, rs2070744, and rs1799983). Personal ulcer history (p-value: &lt; 0.001); Helicobacter pylori infection (p-value: &lt; 0.011); NSAIDs, LDA, and oral anticoagulant use (p-value: &lt; 0.001); and alcohol intake (p-value: &lt; 0.001) were also identified as independent risk factors for UGIB.Conclusion: This study presents two unprecedented analyses within the scope of the UGIB (rs10306114 and rs2070744), and our findings showing an increased risk of UGIB in the presence of the genetic variants rs10306114 and rs5788, regardless of the drug exposure. Besides, the presence of the evaluated variants might modify the magnitude of the risk of UGIB in LDA/NSAIDs users. Therefore, our data suggest the need for a personalized therapy and drug use monitoring in order to promote patient safety.
Dissecting the Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Cause or Solution
Authors: Samarelli Anna Valeria , Tonelli Roberto , Heijink Irene , Martin Medina Aina , Marchioni Alessandro , Bruzzi Giulia , Castaniere Ivana , Andrisani Dario , Gozzi Filippo , Manicardi Linda , Moretti Antonio , Cerri Stefania , Fantini Riccardo , Tabbì Luca , Nani Chiara , Mastrolia Ilenia , Weiss Daniel J. , Dominici Massimo , Clini Enrico 
Published: July 2021

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most aggressive forms of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, characterized by chronic and progressive fibrosis subverting the lung’s architecture, pulmonary functional decline, progressive respiratory failure, and high mortality (median survival 3 years after diagnosis). Among the mechanisms associated with disease onset and progression, it has been hypothesized that IPF lungs might be affected either by a regenerative deficit of the alveolar epithelium or by a dysregulation of repair mechanisms in response to alveolar and vascular damage. This latter might be related to the progressive dysfunction and exhaustion of the resident stem cells together with a process of cellular and tissue senescence. The role of endogenous mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) resident in the lung in the homeostasis of these mechanisms is still a matter of debate. Although endogenous MSCs may play a critical role in lung repair, they are also involved in cellular senescence and tissue ageing processes with loss of lung regenerative potential. In addition, MSCs have immunomodulatory properties and can secrete anti-fibrotic factors. Thus, MSCs obtained from other sources administered systemically or directly into the lung have been investigated for lung epithelial repair and have been explored as a potential therapy for the treatment of lung diseases including IPF. Given these multiple potential roles of MSCs, this review aims both at elucidating the role of resident lung MSCs in IPF pathogenesis and the role of administered MSCs from other sources for potential IPF therapies.
No Effects of Mental Fatigue and Cerebral Stimulation on Physical Performance of Master Swimmers
Authors: Penna Eduardo Macedo , Filho Edson , Campos Bruno Teobaldo , Ferreira Renato Melo , Parma Juliana Otoni , Lage Guilherme Menezes , Coswig Victor Silveira , Wanner Samuel Penna , Prado Luciano Sales 
Published: July 2021

Background: Mental fatigue is a psychobiological state caused by extended periods of cognitive effort, and evidence suggests that mentally fatigued athletes present impaired physical performance. Different ergogenic aids have been proposed to counteract the deleterious effects of mental fatigue, but whether brain stimulation can counteract mental fatigue is still unknown. This scenario is even more obscure considering the effects of these interventions (mental fatigue induction and brain stimulation) in a very experienced population consisting of master athletes.Method: Ten master swimmers (30 ± 6 years old and 14 ± 8 years of experience) participated in the study. They underwent four experimental conditions before an 800-m freestyle test: mental fatigue with brain stimulation; mental fatigue without brain stimulation; absence of mental fatigue with brain stimulation; and absence of mental fatigue and no brain stimulation. Mental fatigue was induced by a cognitively demanding Stroop Color Test, whereas stimulation was applied on the temporal cortex. After that, the athletes swan 800 m as fast as possible and provided their ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) every 200 m.Results: Mental fatigue was effectively induced, as evidenced by a greater fatigue perception and more errors in the last blocks of the cognitive task. Mental fatigue induction did not influence performance (time to complete the swimming trial) and RPE. Similarly, brain stimulation failed to change these two parameters, regardless of mental fatigue induction.Conclusion: The prolonged physical performance of experienced master athletes is not influenced, under the present conditions, by mental fatigue induction, cerebral stimulation, and their association.
Economic Optimization of Rotary Heat Exchangers Using CO2 Pricing Scenarios Based on Validated Fluid Dynamic and Thermodynamic-Based Simulation
Authors: Melian Eloy , Klein Harald , Thißen Nikolaus 
Published: July 2021

Rotary heat exchangers have been widely used in paint shops, combustion power plants, and in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in buildings. For these processes, many types of heat exchangers are available in the market: Tube-shell heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, and rotary heat exchangers, among others. For the rotary heat exchangers, the problem is that there is no net present value method and lifecycle assessment method-based optimization found in the literature. In this work, we address this issue: An optimization is carried out with help of an empirically validated simulation model, a life-cycle assessment model, an economical assessment, and an optimization algorithm. The objective function of the optimization simultaneously considers economic and environmental aspects by using different CO2 pricing. Different CO2 pricing scenarios lead to different optimization results. The ambient air empty tube velocity va, 2.1 optimum was found at 1.2 m/s, which corresponds to a specific mass flow msp of 5.4 kg/(m2·h). For the wave angle β, the optimum was found in the range between 58° and 60°. For the wave height h* the optimum values were found to be between 2.64 mm and 2.77 mm. Finally, for the rotary heat exchanger length l, the optimum was found to be between 220 mm and 236 mm. The optimization results show that there is still potential for technical improvements in the design and operation of rotary heat exchangers. In general terms, we recommend that the optimized rotary heat exchanger should cause less pressure drop while resulting in similar heat recovery efficiency. This is because the life cycle assessment shows that the use phase for rotary heat exchangers has the biggest impact on greenhouse gases, specifically by saving on Scope 2 emissions.
TOKSISITAS AKUT DEKOK DAUN KERSEN (Muntingia calabura) MENGGUNAKAN METODE BSLT (Brine Shrimp Lethality Test)
Authors: Fatimah Rosa , Santoso Bilal S A 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT Kersen (Muntingia calabura) leaf is a kersen plant parts are usually processed by the community into traditional medicine in the form of a drink by boiling. The boiling process that is too long allows the secondary metabolite compounds contained in kersen leaf to be damaged or reduced, therefore it is necessary to do a screening test of secondary metabolites of decoction of kersen leaf, besides plants containing secondary metabolites can be toxic, so that testing needs to be done components of chemical compounds that have toxic activity. The aims of this study was to know the minimum concentration of acute toxic and component of decoction of kersen leaf. Toxicity testing was carried out using the BSLT method (Brine shrimp lethality test) with test animals using Artemia salina Leach larvae in each treatment with various concentrations of 250 mg L-1, mg L-1, 500 mg L-1, 1000 mg L-1, 1500 mg L-1, 2000 mg L-1, 25000 mg L-1 and replication 3 times. The results of screening secondary metabolites were flavonoides, tannins, and alkaloids. The results of the acute toxicity test showed the LC50 value was 621.25 mg L-1. Key word: Kersen Leaf, decoction, toxicity, BSLT ABSTRAKDaun kersen (Muntingia calabura) merupakan bagian tanaman kersen yang biasanya diolah oleh masyarakat menjadi obat tradisional dalam bentuk minuman dengan cara direbus. Proses perebusan yang terlalu lama memungkinkan senyawa metabolit sekunder yang terdapat pada daun kersen menjadi rusak atau berkurang maka dari itu perlu dilakukan uji skrining senyawa metabolit sekunder pada daun rebusan daun kersen selain itu tanaman yang mengandung senyawa metabolit sekunder dapat bersifat toksik, sehingga perlu dilakukan pengujian mengenai komponen senyawa kimia yang memiliki aktivitas toksik. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui konsentrasi minimum dari rebusan daun kersen yang bersifat toksik. Pengujian toksisitas dilakukan menggunakan metode BSLT dengan hewan uji menggunakan larva Artemia salina Leach pada masing-masing perlakuan dengan variasi konsentrasi yaitu 250 mg L-1, mg L-1, 500 mg L-1,1000 mg L-1, 1500 mg L-1, 2000 mg L-1, 25000 mg L-1 dan dilakukan replikasi sebanyak 3 kali. Dari hasil skrining metabolit sekunder diketahui bhawa rebusan daun kersen memilki senyawa metabolit sekunder flavonid, tanin, dan alkaloid. Hasil uji toksisitas menunjukkan bahwa rebusan daun kersen dapat memberikan efek toksik akut pada hewan uji dengan nilai LC50 sebesar 621,25 mg L-1. Kata Kunci: Daun kersen, Rebusan, toksisitas, BSLT
Intermídias entre autorias: reflexões didático-pedagógicas
Authors: De Morais Caroline , Da Silva Marques Juliene 
Published: July 2021

Resumo: Neste artigo analisam-se recortes de book trailers baseados na obra O auto da barca do inferno, de Gil Vicente, e produzidos por estudantes do primeiro ano de um Curso Técnico Integrado ao Ensino Médio, do Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. A partir da produção audiovisual, a pesquisa procurou analisar o uso da intermidialidade como potencializadora da autoria discente no ensino e aprendizagem de Literatura. Para tanto, alguns enquadramentos foram investigados com base em pressupostos teóricos vinculados à intermidialidade, aos multiletramentos e à autoria, com subsídio, especialmente, em Clüver (2006), Rojo (2012), Kucer (2015) e Orlandi (2015). A pesquisa evidenciou que o uso das intermídias aliado à perspectiva dos multiletramentos favorece a aproximação entre ensino e realidade social, o que configura uma aprendizagem significativa, tendo em vista que os jovens consomem e produzem conteúdos midiáticos rotineiramente e que a escola, portanto, deve aliar-se a essas práticas midiáticas a fim de favorecer a formação integral de agentes do conhecimento.
Palavras-chave: Literatura. Ensino. Intermidialidade. O auto da barca do inferno. Book trailers.
Pengaruh Kepemimpinan Dan Motivasi Kerja Terhadap Produktivitas Kerja Karyawan PT Pegadaian (Persero) Cabang Sila Bolo Kabupaten Bima
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim 
Published: July 2021

Perusahaan sangat membutuhkan karyawan yang mempunyai produktivitas tinggi karna karyawan pada hakekatnya merupakan salah satu unsur yang menjadi sumber daya dalam perusahaan, sumber daya manusia inilh yang menjalankan kegiatan sehari-hari. Untuk mewujudkan karyawan yang mempunyai produktivitas yang tinggi perlu kepemimpinan yang baik dari atas dan juga motivasi kerja dari karyawannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kepemimpinan dan motivasi kerja terhadap kerja karyawan PT. Pegadaian Cabang Sila Kabupaten Bima. Peneitian ini berjenis asosiatif dengan jenis data kuantitatif dari sumber data primer. Teknik analisa data yang digunakan adalah uji validitas, uji reliabilitas, uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi, korelasi, uji determinasi dan uji t. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa kepimpinan dan motivasi kerja secara bersama-sama berpengaruh terhadap produktivitas kerja karyawan PT. Pegadaian (Persero) Cabang Sila Bolo Kabupaten Bima.