bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FORECASTING THE RESULTS OF THE SINGLE ENTRANCE EXAM IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE BY BACHELORS OF THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Melnykov Oleksandr 
Published: July 2021

The paper provides information on the need to pass the “Unified entrance exam” in a foreign (English) language by students who have received a bachelor’s degree and wish to continue their studies to obtain a master’s degree. It is determined that when working with undergraduate students, it is advisable, firstly, to determine the percentage of graduates whose passing EVE is unlikely, and secondly, to intensify work with such graduates to increase this probability. The task was set to create a model for predicting the results of the unified entrance exam in a foreign language by bachelor’s graduates of higher education institutions upon entering the master’s program. A number of factors that affect the EVE score are proposed, namely: competitive score at enrollment (indicator of the student’s basic level), rating (assessment) based on the results of the first year of study (exam in the compulsory subject “Foreign Language”), choice “Foreign language” in the 2-3rd year (maximum of all or “0”, if the student did not choose), the rating of additional classes “Foreign language” in the 4th year, the average rating for the penultimate session (indicator “current” student’s attitude to the educational process), the fact of having additional points (an indicator of the student’s interest in other activities than learning), the average rating of a bachelor’s degree (an indicator of the general student’s attitude to the educational process). The available data concerning students of two years of the department of intelligent decision-making systems of the Donbas State Engineering Academy are given. A method of artificial neural networks with a two-layer perceptron architecture with ten neurons in each hidden layer, a sigmoid activation function, and an error backpropagation algorithm for network training is proposed. Calculations were performed in the Deductor Studio Lite environment, their results were analyzed. It is noted that the proposed approach to forecasting can be applied when working with undergraduate students, to determine the percentage of graduates whose EVI is unlikely to pass, and to intensify work with such graduates to increase this probability.
Keywords: educational and qualification level, the only entrance exam, forecasting, artificial neural network, perceptron, sigmoid, network training.
Assessment strategies and employability in the environmental and engineering sectors
Authors: Bartlett Debbie , Sims Deborah 
Published: July 2021

This case study builds on material presented at the HEA Advance STEM conference held in Birmingham, England, in January 2019 which raised the issue of assessment strategies, suggesting that, for example, examinations do little to prepare students for the workplace. The initial research has been developed to provide an analysis of the current assessments in ecology/environmental management and civil engineering and the relevance to the tasks new entrants carry out in their roles as young professionals. We have developed our initial research, carried out in spring/early summer 2019, to explore this in more depth, using a survey to investigate early career professionals’ perceptions of the usefulness of the various types of assessment they experienced at university and to the requirements of their jobs. At the same time, we asked the employers of graduate ecologists/environmental managers and civil engineers how well prepared they feel graduate entrants are for their job roles and whether they are finding it difficult to recruit applicants with the appropriate competency, with respect to both transferable and technical skills. We argue that greater links and communication between employers and education providers would benefit the employability outcomes for graduates and ease the transition between university and the workplace and we make recommendations for competency-based assessment strategies. This research was supported by the University of Greenwich Learning and Teaching Fund.
The body healing phenomenon: learning, teaching and living through a pandemic
Authors: Gibson Poppy Frances , Bale Amber 
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions will likely have had an impact on your daily rituals and routines. Reduced opportunities for much needed collaboration and socialisation may have left you feeling lethargic or overwhelmed (Lavie et al., 2021); it is widely recognised that the issues the pandemic has brought will heighten emotional distress as well as increase risk for psychiatric illness (Pfefferbaum and North, 2020). Whether you are an educator, student, or both, there will have been effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on your practice and performance. In this opinion piece, the phenomenon of body healing is discussed, prompting consideration of this ability to help take back control of our own minds, health and general wellbeing.
Investigating microscale patchiness of motile microbes driven by the interaction of turbulence and gyrotaxis in a 3D simulated convective mixed layer.
Authors: Christensen Alexander , Piggott Matthew , Sebille Erik van , Reeuwijk Maarten van , Pawar Samraat 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Microbes play a primary role in aquatic ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. Spatial patchiness is a critical factor underlying these activities, influencing biological productivity, nutrient cycling and dynamics across trophic levels. Incorporating spatial dynamics into microbial models is a long-standing challenge, particularly where small-scale turbulence is involved. Here, we combine a fully 3D direct numerical simulation of convective mixed layer turbulence, with an individual-based microbial model to test the key hypothesis that the coupling of gyrotactic motility and turbulence drives intense microscale patchiness. The fluid model simulates turbulent convection caused by heat loss through the fluid surface, for example during the night, during autumnal or winter cooling or during a cold-air outbreak. We find that under such conditions, turbulence-driven patchiness is depth-structured and requires high motility: Near the fluid surface, intense convective turbulence overpowers motility, homogenising motile and non-motile microbes approximately equally. At greater depth, in conditions analogous to a thermocline, highly motile microbes can be over twice as patch-concentrated as non-motile microbes, and can substantially amplify their swimming velocity by efficiently exploiting fast-moving packets of fluid. Our results substantiate the predictions of earlier studies, and demonstrate that turbulence-driven patchiness is not a ubiquitous consequence of motility but rather a delicate balance of motility and turbulent intensity.
Breast Cancer Patients’ Experience and Wishes Regarding Communication on Sexual Health - The BEROSE Study
Authors: Aupomerol Marion , Chaltiel Dan , Pautier Patricia , Wehrer Delphine , Véron Lucie , Degousée Léna , Fasse Leonor , Accolas Laure Guéroult , Meglio Antonio Di , Scotte Florian , De Jesus Anne , Luis Inès Vaz , Delaloge Suzette , Pistilli Barbara 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Although sexual health (SH) is a major concern for many patients with breast cancer (BC), only few of them receive adequate information on this topic throughout their whole care pathway. BEROSE is a single-center pilot cross-sectional observational study, which aimed at evaluating communication on SH between women with BC and their health-care providers.Methods: From June 12th to July 31st, 2020, a survey was distributed to patients consulting at Breast Cancer Unit of Gustave Roussy Cancer Center. The primary endpoint was the rate of women reporting to have received information on SH from health professionals throughout active treatment administration or BC follow-up.Results: Of 348 surveys collected, 318 were fully completed and included in the analysis. Sixty-one percent of women were older than 50 years and 65% had a localized BC. The majority (63%) was receiving hormone-therapy (37%) or chemotherapy (26%). Overall, 65% reported that they had not received any information about SH throughout their care, while 69% felt it would have been important to discuss sexual issues. For 31% of women, professionals, preferably oncologists or gynecologists, should have initiated the discussion on SH, during an in-person consultation. Concerning satisfaction on SH, 83% reported being satisfied or very satisfied before BC diagnosis, and only 30% at the time they completed the survey.Conclusion: Most of women undergoing treatment or follow-up for BC feel that they lack of adequate information regarding sexual issues associated to BC. The impact of BC diagnosis and treatment on SH should be discussed with all women from the first visit and then regularly readdressed.
Air Quality Index: A Case of One-Day Monitoring in 253 Nigerian Urban and Suburban Towns
Authors: Abulude Francis Olawale , Abulude I. A. , Oluwagbayide S. D. , Afolayan S. D. , Ishaku D 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Government departments use the air quality index (AQI) to inform the public about how unhealthy the air is now or may become in the future. As the AQI increases, so do the health threats. It is a daily air quality index that is used to report on air quality. In addition, a measure of how air pollution impacts one's health over a limited period of time. The AQI was created to assist people in understanding how local air quality affects their health. Therefore the aim of the study was to assess one-day air quality of 253 towns in Nigeria, thereby determining the health threat in these towns. The data was collected from the Tutiempo Network's regular data set by the EPA Environmental Protection Agency. Data on all of the major pollutants (O3, PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO, SO2) was collected and statistical analysis was performed. Kura (Kano State), a town in northern Nigeria, recorded the highest level of 184, while Idiroko, a border town (Nigeria-Benin Republic) in Ogun State, had the least value of 41. Kura was portrayed as unhealthy, while Idiroko was portrayed as healthy, implying that Idiroko air poses little to no danger, while Kura air showed that certain people of the general public, as well as members of sensitive groups, could encounter more severe health effects.
Effect of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG35-55) on Cell Differentiation and Abzymes Production in Transgenic EAE-Prone Th Mice with T Cells Response During the Development of Experimental Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Aulova Kseniya , Urusov Andrey , Toporkova Ludmila , Sedykh Sergey , Shevchenko Yuliya , Tereshchenko Valery , Sennikov Sergey , Budde Thomas , Meuth Sven , Orlovskaya Irina , Nevinsky Georgy 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: The mechanisms of multiple sclerosis development are still unknown. It was shown that the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in EAE prone C57BL/6 mice (model mimicking human multiple sclerosis) having B and T lymphocyte responses is associated with modification in the differentiation profiles of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the increase in lymphocyte proliferation. Methods: Only T cell responses characterize other EAE transgenic prone Th mice. Different characteristics of the autoimmune reaction in Th mice were analyzed. During the development of EAE (and inflammation processes), the differentiation profiles of Th mice bone marrow HSCs (BFU-E, CFU-E, CFU-GM, CFU-GEMM, T, and B lymphocytes) were noticeably or significantly different in male and female mice before and after their immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35-55). Results: The patterns of B and T (including CD4 and CD8 cells) lymphocytes proliferation in several organs (spleen, thymus, bone marrow, blood, and lymph nodes) during spontaneous (completely untreated mice) and MOG-treatment-accelerated development of EAE was also remarkably or significantly different in male and female mice. All these changes in male and female mice, despite some differences, were coupled with the increase in the concentrations of autoantibodies against DNA, myelin basic protein, and MOG, and with the increase in the relative activity of catalytic antibodies hydrolyzing these antigens. Conclusions: A comparison of the changes in a large number of parameters characterizing the development of EAE in Th and C57BL/6 mice was carried out. It was shown that MOG very much accelerates the development of EAE in Th mice with T cell responses. Despite some differences, the general patterns of the developing of spontaneous and MOG-accelerated EAE in Th male and female mice and in C57BL/6 mice are similar to a notable extent.
Static Strength Analysis and Experimental Research of Clinched Joints By Two-strokes Flattening Clinching Method
Authors: Peng Hao , Chen Chao , Ren XiaoQiang , Ran XiangKun , Qin Denglin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Clinching technology is widely used to join sheet materials in manufacturing fields, especially in automotive lightweight applications. However, the clinched joints have a weak static strength and high protuberance, which influence the application of the clinching technology. In order to improve the static strength and decrease the protuberance height of clinched joint, a new method to join aluminum alloy sheet materials with two-strokes flattening clinching (TFC) was investigated in this paper. The tension-shear strength, cross-tension strength, energy absorption and failure modes of clinched joint and TFC joint were investigated. Furthermore, the stiffness and the hardening exponent of the joints under different experimental tests were studied. The results indicated that the mechanical behaviors of the joints were optimal when the forming force was 35 kN. The maximum cross-tension and tension-shear strength of TFC joint were increased by 514 N and 1145 N on average compared with the initial clinched joint. The main failure modes of the joints were the neck fracture mode under the tension-shearing and cross-tension test. In addition, the stiffness and hardening exponent explained the variation of the mechanical properties of the joints under different forming forces.
Loss of Neuroligin 4X Induces An Intrinsic Innate Immune Response in TNBC
Authors: Yirsaw Alehegne , Omar Muhammad G , Elhussin Isra A , King Dequarius , Henderson Henry J , Sandhey Maninder , White Jason , Samuel Temesgen , Karanam Balusubramanyam , Yates Clayton , Bedi Deepa 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint blockade therapies, which act on T cell inhibitory receptors, including CTLA-4 and PD-1, induce durable responses across diverse cancers. However, most patients do not respond to these therapies, and initially responsive cancers may relapse. Identifying molecular mechanisms that influence therapeutic responses and resistance is critical to realize the full therapeutic potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The presence of immune infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment is associated with positive outcomes in breast cancer, specifically in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The underlying mechanisms driving this response are unclear. We have previously identified Neuroligin 4X (NLGN4X) as a protein expressed in TNBC.Methods Bioinformatic analysis was used for pathway analysis of TCGA TNBC patient dataset. Immunohistochemistry was performed on breast cancer tissue microarray for NLGN4X protein expression. RNA-seq was performed on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells for differential gene expression upon gene knockdown. Cytokine array, western blot, cell adhesion array and Nanostring was performed to determine the role of NLGN4X in TNBC.Results In this study, we report that NLGN4X expression is lost in breast cancer with lymph node metastasis. Its expression negatively correlates with immune markers in vitro, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) TNBC patient dataset, and metastatic breast cancer tissues. RNA-seq analysis of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line, silenced for NLGN4X by siRNA showed more than 500 differentially regulated genes. GSEA analysis of these genes revealed upregulation of interferon signaling pathway, cytokine signaling, and downregulation of cholesterol metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways. NLGN4X knockdown induced loss of cell adhesion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and MAVS-IRF7 signaling in breast cancer cells. Interestingly, analysis of the TCGA dataset of 104 TNBC patients also showed interferon signaling (IFN) as one of the significant pathways downregulated in TNBC patients expressing NLGN4X.Conclusion Loss of NLGN4X leads to innate immune activation in breast cancer and coincides with an aggressive phenotype of cancer. This study identifies the role of NLGN4X in regulating interferon signaling and immune microenvironment in TNBC.
Potential Use of UAVs in COVID19 Vaccination: A Case Study of Nepal
Authors: Thapa Pawan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: The infectious diseases vaccine program started in Nepal. Transportation facilities using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will support the COVID 19 vaccine for remote areas where accessibility is unavailable and takes enormous time to reach the primary health centre. Methods: This case study provides one of the possible ways of transporting vaccines using UAVs to the remote areas of Nepal from two approaches; one approach will be by developing a customized prototype of UAVs and deploying it. The next will be studying the research articles on this particular field and implement them in this study. Results: The results show that drones can supply the medical kit to the primary health post to reduce cost, time, and life. It has been practicing that literature review on this related field states UAVs' possible implication in handling pandemics. Conclusion: This alternative can help to vaccine vulnerable groups deprived of health care. One of the significant steps to providing the vaccine for epidemic control in remote areas. It can support government plans to vaccine people incorporation with emerging technologies.
An Efficient Approach for Segmentation and Classification of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia via Optimized Spike-based Network
Authors: Noshad Ali , fallahi saeed 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Identification of uncontrolled accumulation of abnormal blood cells ( lymphoblasts ) considered to be a challenging task. Despite a wide variety of image processing and deep learning techniques, the task of extracting the features from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) images and detection of ALL cells is still challenging and complex issue due to morphological variations in cells. In order to overcome these drawbacks, in this study, we proposed a new framework with a combination of spiking and residual network for the detection and classification of lymphoblasts cells from healthy ones in blood sample images. According to this, features are extracted using a novel First-Spike-based approach, and then the Gaussian function is applied to remove the low-intensity edges. To reduce dimensionality, Principal Component Analysis ( PCA ) is used and finally, a developed deep residual architecture is employed to diagnose the ALL blood cells from the reconstructed images. To show the effectiveness of the proposed model, it is evaluated on microscopic images of blood samples from ALL Images (ALL- IDB ) and ISBI -2019 C- NMC dataset. The results show the superiority of the model to be an appropriate choice for future biomedical imaging tasks.
Effect of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors on Left Ventricular Remodelling and Longitudinal Strain: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Gamaza-Chulian Sergio , Díaz-Retamino Enrique , González-Testón Fátima , Gaitero José Carlos , Castillo María José , Alfaro Raquel , Rodríguez Elías , González-Caballero Eva , Martín-Santana Antonio 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) lower cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, although the mechanisms underlying these benefits are not clearly understood. Our aim was to study the effects of SGLT2i on left ventricular remodelling and longitudinal strain.Methods: Between November 2019 and April 2020, we included 52 patients with T2DM ≥18 years old, with HbA1c between 6.5% and 10.0%, and estimated glomerular filtration ≥45 ml/min/1.73 m2. Patients were classified into SGLT2i group and control group, according to prescribed treatment by their referring physician. Conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography were performed by blinded sonographers, at baseline and after 6 months of treatment.Results: Among the 52 included patients (44% females, mean age 66.8±8.6 years, mean HbA1c was 7.40±0.7%), 30 patients were prescribed SGLT2i and 22 patients were classified as control group. Mean change in indexed left ventricular mass (LVM) was -10.85±3.31 g/m2 (p=0.003) in the SGLT2i group, and +2.34±4.13 g/m2 (p=0.58) in the control group. Absolute value of Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) increased by a mean of 1.29±0.47 (p=0.011) in the SGLT2i group, and 0.40±0.62 (p=0.34) in the control group. We did not find correlations between changes in LVM and GLS, and other variables like change in HbA1c.Conclusions: Among patients with T2DM, SGLT2i were associated with a significant reduction in indexed LVM and a significant increment in longitudinal strain measured by speckle tracking echocardiography, which may explain in part the clinical benefits found in clinical trials.
Change In The Variability In The Western Pacific Pattern During Boreal Winter: Roles of Tropical Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies And North Pacific Storm Track Activity
Authors: Aru Hasi , Chen Shangfeng , Chen Wen 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Using multiple reanalysis datasets, this study reveals that the variability in the Western Pacific pattern (WP) in boreal winter has shown notable changes during recent decades. The variability in the winter WP exhibited a marked weakening trend before the early 2000s and increased slightly thereafter. Two epochs with the highest and lowest WP variabilities are selected for a comparative analysis. Winter WP-related meridional dipole atmospheric anomalies over the North Pacific were stronger and had a broader range during the high-variability epoch than during the low-variability epoch. Correspondingly, the winter WP had larger impacts on surface temperature variations over Eurasia and North America during the high-variability epoch than during the low-variability epoch. We find that the shift in the winter WP variability is closely related to changes in the connection between the winter WP and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and to changes in the amplitude of the North Pacific storm track. Specifically, ENSO had a closer connection with the WP during the high-variability epoch, at which time the amplitude of the North Pacific storm track was also stronger. During the high-variability epoch, the extratropical atmospheric anomalies generated by the tropical ENSO shifted westward and projected more on the WP-related atmospheric anomalies, thus contributing to an increase in WP variability. In addition, the larger amplitude of the North Pacific storm track that occurred during the high-variability epoch led to the stronger feedback of synoptic-scale eddies to the mean flow and contributed to stronger WP variability. Further analysis indicates that the change in the connection of ENSO with the WP may be partly related to the zonal shift of the sea surface temperature anomaly in the tropical Pacific associated with ENSO.