bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of an implicit type coupled system of fractional differential equations by means of topological degree theory
Authors: Sarwar Muhammad , Ali Anwar , Zada Mian Bahadur , Ahmad Hijaz , Nofal Taher A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this work, a sufficient condition required for the presence of positive solutions to a coupled system of fractional nonlinear differential equations of implicit type is studied. To study sufficient conditions essential for the existence of unique solution degree theory is used. Two examples are given to illustrate the established results.
Best approximation of a nonlinear fractional Volterra integro-differential equation in matrix MB-space
Authors: Chaharpashlou Reza , Saadati Reza 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this article, we introduce a class of stochastic matrix control functions to stabilize a nonlinear fractional Volterra integro-differential equation with Ψ-Hilfer fractional derivative. Next, using the fixed-point method, we study the Ulam–Hyers and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability of the nonlinear fractional Volterra integro-differential equation in matrix MB-space.
Multidisciplinary digital competencies of pre-service vocational teachers
Authors: Roll Michael J. J. , Ifenthaler Dirk 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDevelopments of Industry 4.0 require a set of multidisciplinary digital competencies for future vocational teachers, consisting of specific knowledge, motivational aspects, cognitive abilities and skills to fulfill the demands of digitally interconnected work situations. The competence model that is adapted from future work scenarios of vocational apprentices in Industry 4.0 includes attitudes towards digitization and handling of digital devices, information literacy, application of digital security standards, virtual collaboration, digital problem solving as well as a demonstration of reflective judgment of one’s actions in an interconnected and digital environment. Structural equation modeling was used to assessN = 205 pre-service vocational teachers between 18 and 35 years of age. The findings indicate the relationship of the proposed dimensions, measured through external- and self-assessments validate the proposed structure of the multidisciplinary digital competencies. However, attitude towards digitization can predict the self-efficacy of the relevant Multidisciplinary Digital Competencies but not the actual achievement in an external assessed scenario. Nevertheless, this study confirms that self-assessed multidisciplinary digital competencies can predict achievement in an external and qualitative-assessed competence test. Fit indices show an acceptable model conception, the reliability and construct validity of the model were confirmed. Findings suggest that the attitude towards digitization and the application of digital security standards are important, whereas the ability to solve digital problems seems to have a weak relation to the general multidisciplinary digital competencies of pre-service vocational teachers.
Differentiated glioblastoma cells accelerate tumor progression by shaping the tumor microenvironment via CCN1-mediated macrophage infiltration
Authors: Uneda Atsuhito , Kurozumi Kazuhiko , Fujimura Atsushi , Fujii Kentaro , Ishida Joji , Shimazu Yosuke , Otani Yoshihiro , Tomita Yusuke , Hattori Yasuhiko , Matsumoto Yuji , Tsuboi Nobushige , Makino Keigo , Hirano Shuichiro , Kamiya Atsunori , Date Isao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor characterized by significant cellular heterogeneity, namely tumor cells, including GBM stem-like cells (GSCs) and differentiated GBM cells (DGCs), and non-tumor cells such as endothelial cells, vascular pericytes, macrophages, and other types of immune cells. GSCs are essential to drive tumor progression, whereas the biological roles of DGCs are largely unknown. In this study, we focused on the roles of DGCs in the tumor microenvironment. To this end, we extracted DGC-specific signature genes from transcriptomic profiles of matched pairs of in vitro GSC and DGC models. By evaluating the DGC signature using single cell data, we confirmed the presence of cell subpopulations emulated by in vitro culture models within a primary tumor. The DGC signature was correlated with the mesenchymal subtype and a poor prognosis in large GBM cohorts such as The Cancer Genome Atlas and Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project. In silico signaling pathway analysis suggested a role of DGCs in macrophage infiltration. Consistent with in silico findings, in vitro DGC models promoted macrophage migration. In vivo, coimplantation of DGCs and GSCs reduced the survival of tumor xenograft-bearing mice and increased macrophage infiltration into tumor tissue compared with transplantation of GSCs alone. DGCs exhibited a significant increase in YAP/TAZ/TEAD activity compared with GSCs. CCN1, a transcriptional target of YAP/TAZ, was selected from the DGC signature as a candidate secreted protein involved in macrophage recruitment. In fact, CCN1 was secreted abundantly from DGCs, but not GSCs. DGCs promoted macrophage migration in vitro and macrophage infiltration into tumor tissue in vivo through secretion of CCN1. Collectively, these results demonstrate that DGCs contribute to GSC-dependent tumor progression by shaping a mesenchymal microenvironment via CCN1-mediated macrophage infiltration. This study provides new insight into the complex GBM microenvironment consisting of heterogeneous cells.
Identifying violence against the LGTBI+ community in Catalan universities
Authors: Dueñas Jorge-Manuel , Racionero-Plaza Sandra , Melgar Patricia , Sanvicén-Torné Paquita 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSocial struggles have led to the legal recognition of the rights of LGTBI+ people in some countries. Even so, violence against LGTBI+ people is a social problem throughout the world, and has resulted in the vulnerability and victimization of the members of this group. In Spain, no research has been published to date that analyzes this problem in the university context. Considering the scarcity of studies on the identification of this type of violence in Spain, the main objective of this study was to identify violence against LGBTI+ people in Catalan universities. We administered a battery of questions to a sample of 571 university students from six universities in Catalonia (77.8% women) between 17 and 55 years old (M = 21.0; SD = 3.96). Of the 12 situations of violence presented, psychological violence was identified as the most common type. Within our sample, 61.0% reported either being aware of or having experienced some type of violence related to the university context and motivated by the sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression of the victim. The results also show that these types of violence in the university context are rarely reported, especially when they do not include physical violence. This study highlights a previously unreported problem and identifies future research avenues in university contexts.
Influence maximization in social media networks concerning dynamic user behaviors via reinforcement learning
Authors: Chen Mengnan , Zheng Qipeng P. , Boginski Vladimir , Pasiliao Eduardo L. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study examines the influence maximization (IM) problem via information cascades within random graphs, the topology of which dynamically changes due to the uncertainty of user behavior. This study leverages the discrete choice model (DCM) to calculate the probabilities of the existence of the directed arc between any two nodes. In this IM problem, the DCM provides a good description and prediction of user behavior in terms of following or not following a neighboring user. To find the maximal influence at the end of a finite-time horizon, this study models the IM problem by using multistage stochastic programming, which can help a decision-maker to select the optimal seed nodes by which to broadcast messages efficiently. Since computational complexity grows exponentially with network size and time horizon, the original model is not solvable within a reasonable time. This study then uses two different approaches by which to approximate the optimal decision: myopic two-stage stochastic programming and reinforcement learning via the Markov decision process. Computational experiments show that the reinforcement learning method outperforms the myopic two-stage stochastic programming method.
A combination of climate, tree diversity and local human disturbance determine the stability of dry Afromontane forests
Authors: Hishe Hadgu , Oosterlynck Louis , Giday Kidane , De Keersmaecker Wanda , Somers Ben , Muys Bart 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Anthropogenic disturbances are increasingly affecting the vitality of tropical dry forests. The future condition of this important biome will depend on its capability to resist and recover from these disturbances. So far, the temporal stability of dryland forests is rarely studied, even though identifying the important factors associated with the stability of the dryland forests could serve as a basis for forest management and restoration.

Methodology
In a degraded dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia, we explored remote sensing derived indicators of forest stability, using MODIS satellite derived NDVI time series from 2001 to 2018. Resilience and resistance were measured using the anomalies (remainders) after time series decomposition into seasonality, trend and remainder components. Growth stability was calculated using the integral of the undecomposed NDVI data. These NDVI derived stability indicators were then related to environmental factors of climate, topography, soil, tree species diversity, and local human disturbance, obtained from a systematic grid of field inventory plots, using boosted regression trees in R.

Results
Resilience and resistance were adequately predicted by these factors with an R2 of 0.67 and 0.48, respectively, but the model for growth stability was weaker. Precipitation of the wettest month, distance from settlements and slope were the most important factors associated with resilience, explaining 51% of the effect. Altitude, temperature seasonality and humus accumulation were the significant factors associated with the resistance of the forest, explaining 61% of the overall effect. A positive effect of tree diversity on resilience was also important, except that the impact of species evenness declined above a threshold value of 0.70, indicating that perfect evenness reduced the resilience of the forest. Precipitation of the wettest month was the most important factor explaining 43.52% of the growth stability variation.

Conclusion
A combination of climate, topographic factors and local human disturbance controlled the stability of the dry forest. Also tree diversity is an important stability component that should be considered in the management and restoration programs of such degraded forests. If local disturbances are alleviated the recovery time of dryland forests could be shortened, which is vital to maintain the ecosystem services these forests provide to local communities and global climate change.
Ischemic proctitis 6 months after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy: a case report
Authors: Yoshida Takuto , Ichikawa Nobuki , Homma Shigenori , Yoshida Tadashi , Emoto Shin , Miyaoka Yoichi , Matsui Hiroki , Taketomi Akinobu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Ischemic colitis is a common disease; however, its pathophysiology remains unclear, especially in ischemic proctitis after sigmoidectomy. We present a rare case of ischemic proctitis 6 months after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy.

Case presentation
The patient was a 60-year-old man with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. He was a smoker. He underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for pathological stage I sigmoid colon cancer and was followed up without any adjuvant therapy. Six months after his surgery, he complained of lower abdominal discomfort, bloody stools, and tenesmus. Colonoscopy showed extensive rectal ulcers between the anastomotic site and the anal canal, which was particularly severe on the anal side several centimeters beyond the anastomosis. We provided non-surgical management, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The rectal ulcers had healed 48 days after the therapeutic intervention. He has not experienced any recurrence for 3.5 years.

Conclusions
While performing sigmoidectomy, it is important to consider the blood backflow from the anal side of the bowel carefully, especially for patients with risk factors of ischemic proctitis.
The integrative force of political institutions? Direct democracy and voter turnout across ethnic and nativity groups
Authors: Manatschal Anita 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMuch has been written on the positive effect of direct democracy (initiatives, referendums) on voter turnout. However, we have limited knowledge about potential differential effects on voters belonging to various ethnic groups. The paper argues that depending on a group’s responsiveness to the political context, direct democracy can (dis-)integrate voters (from) into the electorate. Empirical analysis of Current Population Survey (CPS) voting supplement survey data, together with data on the absolute use of direct democracy across US states, corroborates this theoretical expectation, however lending more support for the disintegrating assumption. Frequent direct democratic elections further widen the negative voting gap between first-generation Asian voters and voters living in the US for three generations or longer, whereas they tend to diminish this voting gap for first-generation Hispanic voters. The disintegrative pattern for first-generation Asian voters remains even significant when excluding California from the state sample, yet not the integrative tendency for first-generation Hispanics. Additional analyses using alternative measures of direct democracy and voting, and applying statistical adjustments to address causality concerns, confirm the robustness of these findings, which shed light on the so-far underexplored (dis-)integrative potential of political institutions.
Evaluation of Achyranthes aspera shoot extract as an alternative therapy for malaria
Authors: Mankilik Mary Matawal , Longdet Ishaya Yohanna , Luka Carrol Domkat 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Malaria is still a vital global health issue. The greatest disease burden is in sub-Saharan Africa. A. aspera is one of the medicinal herbs commonly used traditionally. The continuous resistance of Plasmodium falciparum, to available anti-malarial agents has led to the search for an alternative substance to combat malaria; hence, the study aimed to establish the potential of the extract from the shoot of Achyranthes aspera as an alternative anti-malarial agent against Plasmodium berghei (NK-65) strain in mice model. Acute toxicity test was performed as per the Organization for Economic Cooperative Development guidelines, 425. Rodent malaria parasite P. berghei at 1 × 107 parastemia was inoculated into Swiss albino mice of both sexes intraperitoneally. The extract was administered through oral route by an intra-gastric tube once daily for 5 days according to the Rane’s curative test. Chloroquine and Artemisinin were used as standard drugs and were administered through the same route.

Results
Phytochemical screening of A. aspera revealed the presence of phenols, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and balsam. A. aspera extract neither caused any sign of gross toxicity nor caused mortality in the mice up to a single dose of 5000 mg/kg/bwt. The aqueous extract, of A. aspera, showed significant reduction (p < 0.05) in parasitemia at dose 400 mg/kg/day and 600 mg/kg/day in Swiss albino mice compared to negative control. The treated mice had prolonged survival time at all doses. Extracts prevented P. berghei induced body weight loss and temperature reduction compared to the negative control.

Conclusion
We conclude that the shoot extract of A. aspera is safe and displayed promising anti-malarial activity. This may account for its traditional use for malaria treatment among some locals in Nigeria.
TEVAR versus open repair of blunt traumatic descending aortic injury in polytraumatic patients involved in motor vehicle accidents
Authors: Manoly Imthiaz , El Tahan Mohamed , Al Shuaibi Maymoona , Adel Fatimah , Al Harbi Mohammed , Elghoneimy Yasser , Fouly Mohamed Abdel Hafez 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the standard-of-care for treating traumatic aortic injury (TAI). Few retrospective studies compared TEVAR to open repair in blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI). Our objectives were to compare the early outcomes of TEVAR for blunt traumatic descending aortic injury to open repair (OR) in polytraumatic patients involved in motor vehicle accidents (MVA).

Results
Between February 2005 and April 2017, 71 patients with TAI due to MVA presented to our institution. All patients with descending aortic injuries were considered for open repair (n = 41) or TEVAR (n = 30) if there was no contraindication. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were stroke, paraplegia, intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital stay.
The mean age was 28.4 ± 10.1 years in the OR group and 33.3 ± 16.6 years in TEVAR-group (P = 0.13). The injury severity scores were 41 ± 10 in the OR group and 33 ± 17 in the TEVAR group (P = 0.03). Patients in the OR group underwent emergency repair with a mean time of 0.56 ± 0.18 days from arrival. The TEVAR group had a longer time interval between arrival and procedure (2.1 ± 1.7 days, P = 0.001). The OR group had more blood transfusion (24 (58.5%) vs. 8 (27.5%), P = 0.002), renal impairment (6 (14.6%) vs. 1 (5.50%), P = 0.23), and wound infection (21 (51.2%) vs. 3 (10%), P < 0.001). Three TEVAR patients had a perioperative stroke compared to two patients in the OR group (P = 0.64). There was no difference in the mean ICU (6 ± 8.9 vs. 5.3 ± 2.9 days; P = 0.1) or hospital stay (20.1 ± 12.3 vs. 20.1 ± 18.3, P = 0.62) between the two groups. There were four deaths in the OR group and none in the TEVAR group (P = 0.13).

Conclusion
The results of TEVAR were comparable with the open repair for traumatic aortic injury with good early postoperative outcomes. TEVAR repair could be associated with lower mortality, blood transfusion, and infective complications. However, the complexity of the injury and technical challenges were higher in the open group.
Survival Outcomes of Breast Cancer in Sudanese Women: A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Muddather Hiba F. , Elhassan Moawia M. A. , Faggad Areeg 
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE Breast cancer (BC) is the leading malignancy among Sudanese women. Yet, data on survival are limited. This study aimed to determine 5-year overall survival (OS) of BC in Sudanese women, and identify prognostic demographic and clinicopathologic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted by reviewing data of women with BC diagnosed and treated at the National Cancer Institute—University of Gezira during 2012, and followed up to end of August 2018. Data were retrieved from medical records and analyzed, OS was determined, and the prognostic factors were explored. RESULTS A total of 225 cases were recruited. The median age at presentation was 45 years (range, 22-85 years). Clinical stage I, II, III, and IV represented 3.1%, 31.6%, 48%, and 17.3%, respectively. Most women (81.3%) were treated with curative intent. Of those, 25.1% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Mastectomy was the commonest (61.7%) type of surgery. The median follow-up period was 59.8 months with mean OS time of 55.7 months. The 5-year cumulative survival rate was 58%. The 5-year OS rates for stages I, II, III, and IV were 71.5%, 82.4%, 56.5%, and 8.4%, respectively. For lymph node (LN)-positive cases, 5-year OS rate was 63% and for LN-negative was 83.5%. Presenting with advanced-stage disease and positive LN status associated with short OS times ( P < .005). CONCLUSION OS of women with BC in Central Sudan is worse than in the developed world, but similar to African countries. Our findings indicate that advanced stage at diagnosis and lymph nodal involvement are strong predictors of short survival times. Raising awareness and introducing early detection programs are critical for better survival of these patients.
Management of Dyspnea in Advanced Cancer: ASCO Guideline
Authors: Hui David , Bohlke Kari , Bao Ting , Campbell Toby C. , Coyne Patrick J. , Currow David C. , Gupta Arjun , Leiser Aliza L. , Mori Masanori , Nava Stefano , Reinke Lynn F. , Roeland Eric J. , Seigel Carole , Walsh Declan , Campbell Margaret L. 
Published: February 2021

PURPOSETo provide guidance on the clinical management of dyspnea in adult patients with advanced cancer.METHODSASCO convened an Expert Panel to review the evidence and formulate recommendations. An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) systematic review provided the evidence base for nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to alleviate dyspnea. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies with a concurrent comparison group published through early May 2020. The ASCO Expert Panel also wished to address dyspnea assessment, management of underlying conditions, and palliative care referrals, and for these questions, an additional systematic review identified RCTs, systematic reviews, and guidelines published through July 2020.RESULTSThe AHRQ systematic review included 48 RCTs and two retrospective cohort studies. Lung cancer and mesothelioma were the most commonly addressed types of cancer. Nonpharmacologic interventions such as fans provided some relief from breathlessness. Support for pharmacologic interventions was limited. A meta-analysis of specialty breathlessness services reported improvements in distress because of dyspnea.RECOMMENDATIONSA hierarchical approach to dyspnea management is recommended, beginning with dyspnea assessment, ascertainment and management of potentially reversible causes, and referral to an interdisciplinary palliative care team. Nonpharmacologic interventions that may be offered to relieve dyspnea include airflow interventions (eg, a fan directed at the cheek), standard supplemental oxygen for patients with hypoxemia, and other psychoeducational, self-management, or complementary approaches. For patients who derive inadequate relief from nonpharmacologic interventions, systemic opioids should be offered. Other pharmacologic interventions, such as corticosteroids and benzodiazepines, are also discussed. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/supportive-care-guidelines .
Modelling epilepsy in the mouse: challenges and solutions
Authors: Marshall Grant F. , Gonzalez-Sulser Alfredo , Abbott Catherine M. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
In most mouse models of disease, the outward manifestation of a disorder can be measured easily, can be assessed with a trivial test such as hind limb clasping, or can even be observed simply by comparing the gross morphological characteristics of mutant and wild-type littermates. But what if we are trying to model a disorder with a phenotype that appears only sporadically and briefly, like epileptic seizures? The purpose of this Review is to highlight the challenges of modelling epilepsy, in which the most obvious manifestation of the disorder, seizures, occurs only intermittently, possibly very rarely and often at times when the mice are not under direct observation. Over time, researchers have developed a number of ways in which to overcome these challenges, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this Review, we describe the genetics of epilepsy and the ways in which genetically altered mouse models have been used. We also discuss the use of induced models in which seizures are brought about by artificial stimulation to the brain of wild-type animals, and conclude with the ways these different approaches could be used to develop a wider range of anti-seizure medications that could benefit larger patient populations.