bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The epigenetic regulation of synaptic genes contributes to the etiology of autism
Authors: Srancikova Annamaria , Bacova Zuzana , Bakos Jan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms greatly affect the developing brain, as well as the maturation of synapses with pervasive, long-lasting consequences on behavior in adults. Substantial evidence exists that implicates dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Therefore, this review explains the role of enzymes involved in DNA methylation and demethylation in neurodevelopment by emphasizing changes of synaptic genes and proteins. Epigenetic causes of sex-dependent differences in the brain are analyzed in conjunction with the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders. Special attention is devoted to the epigenetic regulation of the melanoma-associated antigen-like gene 2 (MAGEL2) found in Prader-Willi syndrome, which is known to be accompanied by autistic symptoms.
The co-integration of CDS and bonds in time-varying volatility dynamics: do credit risk swaps lower bond risks?
Authors: Li Leon , Scrimgeour Frank 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This study analyzes the co-integration relationship between sovereign bonds and credit default swaps (CDS) and then examines the impact of CDS-bond deviation from the relationship on market volatility using the Markov-switching approach. Our empirical sample consists of the daily CDS premium and bond yield spread obtained with the DataStream database for the period from 2008 to 2014. Our empirical results show that the absolute value of the CDS-bond deviation is positively related to the probability of a high volatility regime and negatively related to the probability of a low volatility regime. This result implies a positive association between the CDS-bond deviation and the volatility in the CDS-bond market. Our findings are consistent across mature-market and emerging-market countries. Moreover, the evidence we uncover suggests that the practice of managing default risk of bonds via the use of CDS may increase the interest rate risk of the bond, which implies both wins and woes from the introduction of CDS, particularly for mature-market countries.
Detektion von Weizenähren mithilfe neuronaler Netze und synthetisch erzeugter Trainingsdaten
Authors: Lucks Lukas , Haraké Laura , Klingbeil Lasse 
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung
Diese Arbeit untersucht die Eignung und Übertragbarkeit von synthetisch erzeugten Trainingsdaten zur Detektion von Weizenähren mithilfe neuronaler Netze aus dem Bereich der semantischen Bildsegmentierung. Zur Erstellung dieser Daten werden detaillierte Szenen von Weizenfeldern bestehend aus wenigen manuell erstellten 3D Modellen mit hochaufgelösten Texturen und definierten Materialeigenschaften geschaffen. Dabei bilden die generierten Szenen verschiedene Reifegrade der Weizenpflanzen ab. Anschließend werden photorealistische Farbbilder der Szene synthetisiert und zusätzlich binäre Bildmasken, die die Positionen der modellierten Ähren enthalten. Die so erhaltenen Bildpaare werden anschließend als Trainingsgrundlage für zwei neuronale Netze (U-Net und DeepLabv3+) genutzt, ohne dass manuelle Annotationen notwendig sind. Zur Untersuchung, ob diese Daten eine Domänenadaption ermöglichen, werden die trainierten Netze anhand von realen Weizenfeldaufnahmen evaluiert. Der IoU-Wert von ca. 0,66 zeigt, dass eine Informationsübertragung aus den synthetischen Bildern auf reale Bilder möglich ist. Abschließend werden die Ergebnisse auf Luftbilder, die mithilfe eines UAVs aufgenommen wurden, übertragen. Es zeigt sich, dass die verminderte Auflösung dieser Bilder die Erkennungsrate deutlich vermindert.
Burden and quality of life of informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Davis Abigail Oluwadunni , Olagbegi Oladapo Michael , Orekoya Kayode , Adekunle Mathew , Oyewole Olufemi Oyeleye , Adepoju Modinat , Soetan Oluyemisi 
Published: May 2021

Objective: to analyze the caregiver burden and the quality of life of informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: the cross-sectional survey involved 109 caregivers of children with cerebral palsy recruited from physiotherapy clinic at a tertiary hospital. The quality of life and caregiver burden were assessed using the Personal Wellbeing Index Scale and the Modified Caregivers’ Strain Index, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: the mean strain index and quality of life scores of the participants were 11.85 ± 5.72 and 64.68 ± 8.03 respectively. The majority (67.9%) of the caregivers had fair personal well-being, while about one-third (33.0%) had high caregiver’s strain. Child’s age (B=2.454; p<0.005) and caregivers’ occupation (B= -2.547; p=0.001) were predictors of caregiver strain. Conclusion: caring for children with cerebral palsy imposed a substantial burden on the caregivers and child’s age and caregivers’ occupation were predictor variables.
DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL PYRIMIDINE ANALOGS AS ANTI-TUBERCULAR AGENTS TARGETING THYMIDINE KINASE DOMAIN
Authors: James Jainey P. , Mathew Jane B , Ishwar Bhat K. , Kumar Pankaj , Aiswarya T.C 
Published: May 2021

The inhibition of the enzyme TMP kinase (TMPKmt), is hypothesized as a significant therapy for tuberculosis. A series of designed pyrimidines were synthesized to inhibit the enzyme TMPKmt and evaluated for their enzyme-ligand interactions, antitubercular, physiochemical and ADMET properties. The pyrimidines were synthesized from chalcones and guanidine as the cyclizing agent. The molecular interactions were studied by Autodock 4.0 and physicochemical, druglikeness and ADMET properties were analysed by Molinspiration, Chemsketch program and admetSAR prediction tools. The confirmation of the synthesized titled compound’s structures was by spectral analysis. Also, they were screened for their antitubercular activity. In silico studies reports that their physicochemical, ADMET and druglikeness properties were found to be in standard limit, which infers that, these compounds may not have problems with oral bioavailability. Molecular docking studies showed that the pyrimidines have better enzyme inhibitory activity onTMPKmt.
Smoking Susceptibility and Tobacco Media Engagement Among Youth Never Smokers
Authors: Coreas Saida I. , Rodriquez Erik J. , Rahman Sana G. , El-Toukhy Sherine , Compton Wilson M. , Blanco Carlos , Kimmel Heather L , Pérez-Stable Eliseo J. 
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND:Susceptibility to future smoking among youth never smokers has not changed in the past 20 years, although experimental cigarette smoking has decreased. We assessed how smoking susceptibility and tobacco industry–related marketing influenced smoking initiation.METHODS:Four waves (2013–2018) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study data were analyzed among youth aged 12 to 17 years at wave 1 who completed wave 4. Susceptibility was assessed by 4 items (openness to curiosity, try soon, try in the next year, and if your best friend offered) and categorized into 4 levels (0 = definitely no to all; 1 = yes to 1; 2 = yes to 2; and 3 + 4 = yes to 3 or 4 susceptibility items). Multivariable logistic regression evaluated how susceptibility levels, electronic cigarette use, and tobacco-related media activity predicted future experimental (≥1 puff), current (past 30 days), or established (≥100 cigarettes) smoking.RESULTS:Among 8899 never smokers at wave 1, 16.4% became experimental smokers, 7.6% current smokers, and 1.8% established smokers at wave 4. Black and Latino/a youth were less likely to experiment. Youth who endorsed 3 or 4 susceptibility items at wave 1 were more likely to be experimental (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.0; confidence interval [CI] = 4.8–7.4), current (aOR = 4.2; CI = 3.2–5.4), or established (aOR = 4.4; CI = 2.4–7.9) smokers at wave 4. Exposure to tobacco marketing, using tobacco-related apps, seeing social media content posted about tobacco, and ever use of electronic cigarettes also predicted experimental smoking.CONCLUSIONS:Smoking susceptibility and exposure to tobacco industry–related marketing were predictive of cigarette smoking. Clinicians should consider screening adolescents for smoking susceptibility and tobacco-related media exposure.
Diagnostic value of IL-17 in neurointoxication with mercury
Authors: Michailovna B. G. , Valerevna B. E. 
Published: May 2021

It is known that sufficient changes are observed in cellular and humoral links of immune system upon chronic exposure vapors of metallic mercury. In previous studies, upon development and in the course of the chronic mercury intoxication (CMI) we revealed pronounced regular changes of inflammatory mediators (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα), and showed an important role of autoimmune reactions affecting nervous tissue proteins. Over last 20 years, an increased interest was shown for interleukin 17 (IL-17) and its role in a number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, there is no data on its role in neurointoxication with mercury. Considering that IL-17 has proinflammatory activity and stimulates production of the individual cytokines, the goal of our work at the next stage of research, was to identify quantitative changes of serum IL-17 in patients with mercury neurointoxication of various severity, aiming to substantiate additional criteria for early and effective diagnosis of the disease.The study was performed in males chronically exposed to metallic mercury vapors with early signs of neurointoxication (n = 37), individuals diagnosed with CMI (n = 40), and “conditionally healthy” men (n = 34). Proper diagnosis confirmed by history of working contacts with a harmful industrial factor, and absence of comorbid pathologies served as inclusion criteria. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the STATISTICA 6.0 application package (StatSoft, USA). The study has revealed a statistically significant increase in serum IL-17 concentrations, both in the patients with early signs of neurointoxication with metallic mercury vapors, and individuals with CMI, when compared with the comparison group, thus indicating its activation, and being consistent with results of several workers who showed an IL-17 increase in immunoinflammatory diseases. Correlation analysis has shown an association between IL-17 and inflammatory mediators, i.e., the patients with early signs of neurointoxication had an increased production of IL-17 accompanied by an increase in anti-inflammatory IL-10, whereas the CMI patients with an increase in IL-17 concentration showed a decrease in pro-inflammatory TNFα, thus confirming its role in immunopathogenesis of mercury neurointoxication. Further study of IL-17 involvement in the initiation and maintenance of chronic inflammation will not only contribute to better understanding of the disease origin, but also, most importantly, implication of novel, more effective treatments.
Processing Renal Biopsies for Diagnostic mRNA Quantification
Authors: EIKMANS MICHAEL , BAELDE HANS J. , DE HEER EMILE , BRUIJN JAN ANTHONIE 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
The goal of this study was to improve a procedure for the extraction and storage of RNA from minute quantities of human renal tissue in clinical practice, using kidney biopsies and cadaveric donor kidneys unsuitable for transplantation. Collagen α1(IV) mRNA was analyzed as a measure for RNA integrity. The results show that at least 3 h may pass between microdissecting the renal tissue and the onset of cDNA synthesis without degradation of the glomerular mRNA. To extract the glomerular mRNA, microdissected glomeruli were incubated in a permeabilization solution. Treating glomeruli with collagenase IV before permeabilization had a deteriorating effect on the mRNA yield. The addition of reverse transcription mixture to the permeabilization solution in the presence of the glomeruli resulted in the highest cDNA yields. Storage of glomerular tissue in the presence of Nonidet P-40-based buffer for 1 wk at -70°C did not significantly affect the mRNA, but storage for 2 or 4 wk resulted in deterioration of the mRNA by approximately 40 and 95%, respectively. Furthermore, three methods for total RNA isolation from microdissected interstitial tissue were compared. An approximately 2.5 times higher yield of collagen α1(IV) mRNA was obtained with silica gel-based membrane spin technology than with a guanidine isothiocyanate/phenol chloroform or a lithium chloride/phenol chloroform method. Finally, this study shows for the first time reliable detection of collagen α1(IV) mRNA in biopsies that had been frozen for at least 10 yr at -70°C. These experiments have helped to improve a procedure for the processing of glomerular and interstitial tissue acquired from human kidney biopsies for mRNA analysis. This method is suitable for implementation in routine clinical practice.
In Utero and in Vitro Exposure to β-Lactams Impair Kidney Development in the Rat
Authors: NATHANSON SYLVIE , MOREAU EVELYNE , MERLET-BENICHOU CLAUDIE , GILBERT THIERRY 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
β-Lactam antibiotics are widely used because of their lack of toxicity in humans. However, during pregnancy, exposure of the fetus is likely to occur because β-lactam antibiotics cross the placenta. The potential adverse effects of two penicillins (ampicillin, amoxicillin) and of one cephalosporin (ceftriaxone) were examined in rat kidney development. Two experimental approaches were used: metanephros organ cultures to analyze the direct effect of the drug and maternal treatment to assess the consequences of in utero exposure. For in vitro experiments, metanephroi were removed from 14-d-old fetuses and grown with or without the antibiotic at a concentration ranging from 10 to 1000 μg/ml for 6 d. For in vivo experiments, pregnant rats were treated with penicillin at 100 mg/kg per d for 5 d, a period overlapping early renal organogenesis. Both penicillins alter renal development in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, from a dose of 10 μg/ml for ampicillin and 100 μg/ml for amoxicillin. In young animals exposed to penicillins in utero, a mild oligonephronia was present and cystic tubule dilation was observed in newborn and in young animals as well. Ceftriaxone weakly impairs in vitro nephrogenesis except at the dose of 1000 μg/ml that blocks kidney development completely. No effect on nephron ontogeny was observed following in utero exposure, but an interstitial inflammation was present in the medulla of 2-wk-old rats. In conclusion, these data show that β-lactams, at therapeutic doses, are harmful to fetal rat kidneys.
Sphingomyelinase and Membrane Sphingomyelin Content
Authors: ZAGER RICHARD A. , BURKHART KRISTIN M. , JOHNSON ALI 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
Ceramides acutely accumulate in proximal tubules during injury. Pathogenic relevance of this change is suggested by observations that adding ceramide to tubular cells alters superimposed hypoxic and toxic attack. Ceramide accumulation during cell injury is thought to arise from sphingomyelinase (SMase)-mediated sphingomyelin (SM) hydrolysis ± decreased catabolism. Thus, ceramide addition to cells cannot precisely simulate pathophysiologic events. Therefore, this study assessed direct effects of SMase activity on tubular cell viability under basal conditions and during superimposed attack. Cultured human proximal tubule (HK-2) cells were exposed to differing SMase doses. Its effects on cell phospholipids, ceramides, proliferation rates, and susceptibility to injury (ATP depletion, Fe-mediated oxidant stress) were assessed. Because SMase reduces cell SM content, the effect of exogenous SM on membrane injury (intact cells, isolated vesicles) was also tested. Finally, because SM decreases membrane fluidity, the impact of a fluidizing agent (A2C) on membrane injury (phospholipase A2, lipid peroxidation) was addressed. SMase reduced HK-2 SM content by approximately 33%, but only modest ceramide increments resulted (suggesting high endogenous ceramidase activity). SMase, by itself, caused no cell death (lactate dehydrogenase release). However, it was mildly antiproliferative, and it dramatically predisposed to both ATP depletion- and Fe-mediated attack. SMase also predisposed isolated vesicles to damage, suggesting that its impact on intact cells reflects a direct membrane effect. Adding SM to intact cells (or vesicles) mitigated ATP depletion and Fe- and phospholipase A2-induced damage. In contrast, A2C rendered membranes more vulnerable to attack. SMase predisposes tubular cells to superimposed ATP depletion and oxidant injury. This may be explained by SM losses, and not simply cytotoxic ceramide gains, given that SM can directly decrease cell/membrane damage. The ability of SM to decrease membrane fluidity may explain, at least in part, its cytoprotective effect.
Beyond the tracked line of sight - Evaluation of the peripheral usable field of view in a simulator setting
Authors: Bickerdt Jan , Wendland Hannes , Geisler David , Sonnenberg Jan , Kasneci Enkelejda 
Published: May 2021

Combining advanced gaze tracking systems with the latest vehicle environment sensors opens up new fields of applications for driver assistance. Gaze tracking enables researchers to determine the location of a fixation, and under consideration of the visual saliency of the scene, to predict visual perception of objects. The perceptual limits, for stimulus identification, found in literature have mostly been determined in laboratory conditions using isolated stimuli, with a fixed gaze point, on a single screen with limited coverage of the field of view. The found limits are usually reported as hard limits. Such commonly used limits are therefore not applicable to settings with a wide field of view, natural viewing behavior and multi-stimuli. As handling of sudden, potentially critical driving maneuvers heavily relies on peripheral vision, the peripheral limits for feature perception need to be included in the determined perceptual limits. To analyze the human visual perception of different, simultaneously occurring, object changes (shape, color, movement) we conducted a study with 50 participants, in a driving simulator and we propose a novel way to determine perceptual limits, which is more applicable to driving scenarios.
La antigüedad de las Mipymes y su impacto en las prácticas de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial - RSE - mediante el análisis factorial confirmatorio
Authors: Pérez-Hervert Ma. de Jesús , Zapata-Sánchez José Luis , Esparza-Aguilar José Luis 
Published: May 2021

Se realizó un análisis de la estructura factorial, confiabilidad, validez convergente y discriminante y la invarianza factorial por antigüedad de los emprendimientos de las prácticas de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (RSE). La información se obtuvo a través de 384 emprendimientos de diferentes giros comerciales en la zona sur del Estado de Quintana Roo, con un promedio de antigüedad de los emprendimientos de 1.65 y una desviación estándar de DE= 0.477. Los resultados confirman la existencia de una estructura unidimensionalidad de la escala (CFI=0.970) y la invarianza factorial por antigüedad de los emprendimientos. Se obtuvieron valores correctos de validez convergente y discriminante de las prácticas de RSE con medidas de las dimensiones proveedores, ética, empleados y medio ambiente. El objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar la existencia de relaciones significativas de la dimensión ética con otras dimensiones de la RSE y el impacto que tiene la antigüedad de los emprendimientos en las dimensiones, para la cual se plantearon cinco hipótesis y de estas se cumplieron cuatro.
Perspectivas curriculares y didácticas de las salidas de campo en las licenciaturas en Ciencias Sociales del Caribe Colombiano
Authors: Márquez-Fúnes Keinny Elena , Flórez-Nisperuza Elvira Patricia 
Published: May 2021

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación cualitativa a nivel de maestría orientada a identificar las perspectivas didácticas y curriculares de las salidas de campo inmersas en las Licenciaturas en Ciencias Sociales en el Caribe Colombiano (Universidad de Córdoba, Universidad de Cartagena y Universidad del Atlántico) que conlleven a un conocimiento de la realidad del acto educativo en relación con la formación del nuevo maestro, teniendo en cuenta los requerimientos y necesidades del contexto. El estudio implementó como técnica de recolección de la información las entrevistas semiestructuradas a docentes, estudiantes y directivos de las Instituciones de Educación Superior y la revisión documental de lineamientos curriculares y disposiciones normativas para los programas de formación de docentes en Colombia. En este sentido, se identificaron siete perspectivas didácticas y curriculares: academicista, sistémica, formativa, integradora, transversal, desarrolladora y transformadora. Las cuales surgieron a partir de las apreciaciones de las voces de los docentes, directivos y estudiantes de las tres universidades participantes.
Cybergogy as a digital media to facilitate the learning style of millennial college students
Authors: Rahma Rezka Arina , Sucipto Sucipto , Affriyenni Yessi , Widyaswari Monica 
Published: May 2021

This research was aimed to test the effectiveness of AR-based digital learning materials in improving the learning of the students. The development method used in this research is the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development or Production, Implementation or Delivery, and Evaluation) model. The subjects in this developmental research are the lecturers of the educational technology department as media experts, the lecturers of the nonformal education department as the subject expert, and the students of the nonformal education department of the academic year 2018 as the users. The specification of the innovative product to be developed is augmented reality as a digital media in learning the family education subject. The result of the research that AR-based digital learning materials have gained excellent results as it has proven to help students in learning effectively. The average score in the experimental group after participating in learning with Augmented Reality media, the average score was improved to 92,55. Whilst in the control group, the average learning with the old/conventional paradigm, the average score recorded at 86,75.

Keywords: Cybergogy, Teaching Media, Augmented Reality
Female employment and migration in European countries: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Kreyenfeld Michaela , Diehl Claudia , Kroh Martin , Giesecke Johannes 
Published: May 2021

Objective: This chapter introduces the reader to the Special Issue "Female Employment and Migration in European Countries".
Background: While there is a large body of research on the labour market performance of male migrants, women’s employment behaviour after migration has only recently moved into the focus of attention.
Method: This Special Issue draws on various research methods and data sources, including register, census, and survey data. Some of the studies focus on specific national contexts, such as the German, Spanish, Dutch, and Belgian situations. Other studies compare female migrants across European countries and between origin and destination countries.
Results: The contributions in this Special Issue help to disentangle the complex interplay of socio-economic factors, family and fertility behaviour, gender role attitudes, and institutional constraints and policies that shape the employment behaviour of migrant women after they migrate.
Conclusion: In many European countries, the employment rates of first-generation female migrants, and particularly those of women from non-EU countries of origin, lag behind the employment rates of native women. While prior research has often reported that socio-economic and cultural factors play a role in shaping the employment behaviour of female migrants, the contributions in this volume also emphasise the strong relevance of institutional factors in the receiving country, including migration, family, and labour market policies.