bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Boundary value problems for Hilfer type sequential fractional differential equations and inclusions involving Riemann–Stieltjes integral multi-strip boundary conditions
Authors: Nuchpong Cholticha , Ntouyas Sotiris K. , Samadi Ayub , Tariboon Jessada 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we study boundary value problems for sequential fractional differential equations and inclusions involving Hilfer fractional derivatives, supplemented with Riemann–Stieltjes integral multi-strip boundary conditions. Existence and uniqueness results are obtained in the single-valued case by using the classical Banach and Krasnosel’skiĭ fixed point theorems and the Leray–Schauder nonlinear alternative. In the multi-valued case an existence result is proved by using nonlinear alternative for contractive maps. Examples illustrating our results are also presented.
Approximated least-squares solutions of a generalized Sylvester-transpose matrix equation via gradient-descent iterative algorithm
Authors: Kittisopaporn Adisorn , Chansangiam Pattrawut 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper proposes an effective gradient-descent iterative algorithm for solving a generalized Sylvester-transpose equation with rectangular matrix coefficients. The algorithm is applicable for the equation and its interesting special cases when the associated matrix has full column-rank. The main idea of the algorithm is to have a minimum error at each iteration. The algorithm produces a sequence of approximated solutions converging to either the unique solution, or the unique least-squares solution when the problem has no solution. The convergence analysis points out that the algorithm converges fast for a small condition number of the associated matrix. Numerical examples demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the algorithm compared to renowned and recent iterative methods.
Psychometric evaluation of the German version of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC)
Authors: Zuaboni Gianfranco , Elmer Timon , Rabenschlag Franziska , Heumann Kolja , Jaeger Susanne , Kozel Bernd , Mahlke Candelaria I. , Theodoridou Anastasia , Jaeger Matthias , Rüsch Nicolas 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Healthcare professionals can be a source of stigma and discrimination for people with mental illness, and anti-stigma programs are needed for this target group. However, there is no validated German language scale to assess attitudes of healthcare professionals towards people with mental illness. This study had the aim to validate the German language version of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC), a self-report measure of stigmatizing attitudes.

Methods
Staff (n = 392) on general psychiatric inpatient wards (excluding child, forensic and geriatric psychiatry) at five psychiatric hospitals in Switzerland (n = 3) and Germany (n = 2) participated in the study. The internal consistency of the OMS-HC was examined as well as its factor structure using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. To assess the scale’s concurrent validity, we used the Social Distance Scale.

Results
Internal consistency for the OMS-HC total score was good (α = 0.74), acceptable for the subscales Attitudes (α = 0.62) and Social Distance (α = 0.69), and poor for the Disclosure subscale (α = 0.55). The original three-factor structure fit our data well. The OMS-HC total score and the Social Distance subscale score were significantly correlated with the Social Distance Scale, supporting concurrent validity.

Conclusion
The German version of the OMS-HC demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and can be recommended for future research and intervention evaluation.
Accurate analytic approximation for the Chapman grazing incidence function
Authors: Vasylyev Dmytro 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA new analytical approximation for the Chapman mapping integral, $${\text {Ch}}$$
Ch
, for exponential atmospheres is proposed. This formulation is based on the derived relation of the Chapman function to several classes of the incomplete Bessel functions. Application of the uniform asymptotic expansion to the incomplete Bessel functions allowed us to establish the precise analytical approximation to $${\text {Ch}}$$
Ch
, which outperforms established analytical results. In this way the resource consuming numerical integration can be replaced by the derived approximation with higher accuracy. The obtained results are useful for various branches of atmospheric physics such as the calculations of optical depths in exponential atmospheres at large grazing angles, physical and chemical aeronomy, atmospheric optics, ionospheric modeling, and radiative transfer theory.
Impairing photorespiration increases photosynthetic conversion of CO2 to isoprene in engineered cyanobacteria
Authors: Zhou Jie , Yang Fan , Zhang Fuliang , Meng Hengkai , Zhang Yanping , Li Yin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPhotorespiration consumes fixed carbon and energy generated from photosynthesis to recycle glycolate and dissipate excess energy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether we can use the energy that is otherwise consumed by photorespiration to improve the production of chemicals which requires energy input. To this end, we designed and introduced an isoprene synthetic pathway, which requires ATP and NADPH input, into the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. 6803. We then deleted the glcD1 and glcD2 genes which encode glycolate dehydrogenase to impair photorespiration in isoprene-producing strain of Synechocystis. Production of isoprene in glcD1/glcD2 disrupted strain doubled, and stoichiometric analysis indicated that the energy saved from the impaired photorespiration was redirected to increase production of isoprene. Thus, we demonstrate we can use the energy consumed by photorespiration of cyanobacteria to increase the energy-dependent production of chemicals from CO2.
Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds
Authors: Bai Jin , Weitekamp Chelsea A. , Frye Kelly , Sieving Kathryn E. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Efficient and safe movement is fundamental for wild birds to thrive in their environments. For arboreal forest animals, especially birds, canopy cover has a large impact on birds’ daily movements and is a crucial component of conservation strategies seeking to retain avian population in disturbed or urban habitats.

Methods
We translocated woodland bird species utilizing different forest strata during two non-breeding seasons in Gainesville, FL, USA. We used linear model and generalized linear model to examine the effects of canopy cover and species identity on homing success and speed.

Results
Among our study species of Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis), and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), we found that Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were more likely to return than Northern Cardinals. Among birds that successfully returned, homing speed is significantly affected by forest canopy cover and species identity (titmice had higher homing speed than cardinals). Birds return much faster in landscape with higher canopy cover.

Conclusions
This study presented evidence of species identity’s effect on homing success and speed in common feeder bird species in Southeast US and provided further evidence that bird movements in the suburban land cover are constrained by low canopy cover.
Characteristics and biomarkers of patients with central nervous system infection admitted to a referral hospital in Northern Vietnam
Authors: Ngo Cuong Chi , Katoh Shungo , Hasebe Futoshi , Dhoubhadel Bhim Gopal , Hiraoka Tomoko , Hamaguchi Sugihiro , Le Anh Thi Kim , Nguyen Anh Thi Hien , Dang Anh Duc , Smith Chris , Yoshida Lay-Myint , Do Cuong Duy , Pham Thuy Thi Thanh , Ariyoshi Koya 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Laboratory facilities for etiological diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) infection are limited in developing countries; therefore, patients are treated empirically, and the epidemiology of the pathogens is not well-known. Tubercular meningitis is one of the common causes of meningitis, which has high morbidity and mortality, but lacks sensitive diagnostic assays. The objectives of this study were to determine the causes of meningitis in adult patients by using molecular assays, to assess the risk factors associated with them, and to explore whether biomarkers can differentiate tubercular meningitis from bacterial meningitis.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, from June 2012 to May 2014. All patients who were ≥ 16 years old and who had meningoencephalitis suggested by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings (CSF total cell >5/mm3 or CSF protein ≥40 mg/dL) were included in the study. In addition to culture, CSF samples were tested for common bacterial and viral pathogens by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for biomarkers: C-reactive protein and adenosine deaminase (ADA).

Results
Total number of patients admitted to the department was 7506; among them, 679 were suspected to have CNS infection, and they underwent lumbar puncture. Five hundred eighty-three patients had abnormal CSF findings (meningoencephalitis); median age was 45 (IQR 31–58), 62.6% were male, and 60.9% were tested for HIV infection. Among 408 CSF samples tested by PCR, out of them, 358 were also tested by culture; an etiology was identified in 27.5% (n=112). S. suis (8.8%), N. meningitis (3.2%), and S. pneumoniae (2.7%) were common bacterial and HSV (2.2%), Echovirus 6 (0.7%), and Echovirus 30 (0.7%) were common viral pathogens detected. M. tuberculosis was found in 3.2%. Mixed pathogens were detected in 1.8% of the CSF samples. Rural residence (aOR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2–14.4) and raised CSF ADA (≥10 IU/L) (aOR 25.5, 95% CI 3.1–212) were associated with bacterial meningitis when compared with viral meningitis; similarly, raised CSF ADA (≥10 IU/L) (aOR 42.2, 95% CI 2.0–882) was associated with tubercular meningitis.

Conclusions
Addition of molecular method to the conventional culture had enhanced the identification of etiologies of CNS infection. Raised CSF ADA (≥10 IU/L) was strongly associated with bacterial and tubercular meningitis. This biomarker might be helpful to diagnose tubercular meningitis once bacterial meningitis is ruled out by other methods.
The effect of type of firearm and shooting distance on pattern distribution, particle dispersion and amount of gunshot residue
Authors: Zain Zainiharyati Mohd , Jaluddin Siti Nurhazlin , Halim Mohamed Izzharif Abdul , Subri Mohamed Sazif Mohamed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Evidence can be defined as the object’s availability and/or information that indicates whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. Gunshot residue (GSR) is an important evidence that can serve many roles in ballistic investigation such as shooting distance, type of firearm and ammunition used in shooting related to GSR. However, due to minimal amount of GSR that can be found in crime scene, suitable methods and technique are required in order to obtain the information from the evidence. This action is also known as evidence recovery. When a firearm is fired, soot or particles are discharged from any opening of the firearm and deposited at the vicinity of point of shooting.

Results
This study emphasized on the examination of the soot/particles produced and pattern distribution of GSR deposited on white cotton cloth target at varying shooting distances (from 3 to 50 cm) using a video spectral comparator. Pattern distribution and GSR particle density are the main factors in determining the shooting distances in clothing. Principle component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were used to classify firearms; the differences in the GSR pattern distribution are highly recognizable. This study showed that the relationship between the GSR particle dispersion and shooting distance was proportionally linear. The results obtained from the shooting test showed that the diameter of GSR distribution and the amount of residues being deposited from shots fired decreased at distances greater than 21 cm.

Conclusion
This study will help the investigators in determining the shooting distances and evaluating the firearms used. There is a promising method for examination of GSR pattern on the target material which is also important for firing distance estimation.
Multiple aromatic amino acids are involved in potyvirus movement by forming π-stackings to maintain coat protein accumulation
Authors: Yan Zhi-Yong , Xu Xiao-Jie , Fang Le , Geng Chao , Tian Yan-Ping , Li Xiang-Dong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCoat protein (CP) is required for potyviruses to move and establish a systemic infection in plants. π-stackings formed by aromatic residues play critical roles in maintaining protein stability and functions. As we know, many aromatic residues located in the core region of potyvirus CPs are conserved. However, their roles in potyvirus infection remain largely unknown. Here, through analysis of the three-dimensional model of the tobacco vein banding mosaic virus (TVBMV; genus Potyvirus) CP, 16 aromatic residues were predicated to form π-stackings. The results of transient expression experiments demonstrated that deletion of any of these 16 aromatic residues reduced CP accumulation. Infectivity assays showed that deletion of any of these aromatic residues in the TVBMV infectious clone abolished cell-to-cell movement and reduced replication of the virus. Substitution of Y105 and Y147 individually with non-aromatic residues alanine or glycine reduced CP accumulation, virus replication, and abolished the ability of TVBMV to move intercellularly, while substitution of these two residues individually with aromatic residues phenylalanine or tryptophan, had no or little effect on CP accumulation and TVBMV systemic movement and replication. Similar results were obtained from the CP mutants of watermelon mosaic virus (WMV, genus Potyvirus). Taken together, our results demonstrate that multiple aromatic residues in CP are involved in potyvirus movement by forming π-stackings to maintain CP accumulation.
Genetic Manipulation on Zebrafish duox Recapitulate the Clinical Manifestations of Congenital Hypothyroidism
Authors: Sun Feng , Fang Ya , Zhang Man-Man , Zhang Rui-Jia , Wu Feng-Yao , Yang Rui-Meng , Tu Ping-Hui , Dong Mei , Zhao Shuang-Xia , Song Huai-Dong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a highly prevalent but treatable neonatal endocrine disorder. Thyroid dyshormonogenesis is the main cause of congenital hypothyroidism in Chinese CH patients, and DUOX2 is the most frequent mutated gene involved in H2O2 production. In humans, the primary sources for H2O2 production are DUOX1 and DUOX2, while in zebrafish there is only a single orthologue for DUOX1 and DUOX2. In this study, duox mutant zebrafish were generated through knockdown duox by morpholino or knockout duox by CRISPR Cas9. The associated phenotypes were investigated and rescued by thyroxine (T4) treatment. Mutant zebrafish displayed hypothyroid phenotypes including growth retardation, goiter and, infertility. Homozygous mutants in adults also displayed extrathyroidal abnormal phenotypes, including lacking barbels, pigmentation defects, erythema in the opercular region, ragged fins, and delayed scales. All these abnormal phenotypes can be rescued by 10 nM T4 treatment. Strikingly, the fertility of zebrafish was dependent on thyroid hormone; T4 treatment should be continued and cannot be stopped over 2 weeks in hypothyroid zebrafish in order to achieve fertility. Thyroid hormones played a role in the developing and maturing of reproductive cells. Our work indicated that duox mutant zebrafish may provide a model for human congenital hypothyroidism.
Eξ αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευση & Αναπαραστασιακά Συστήματα στα Μαθηματικά στην Εποχή του covid-19
Authors: Χιονίδου-Μοσκοφόγλου1 Μαρία , Κέκερης Γιώργος , Σπανός Δημήτριος , Δηλμπεράκη Χρυσάνθη , Σεχίδης Ιωάννης , Κουβαρά Ειρήνη , Τζιούφας Νικόλαος 
Published: May 2021

Στο μάθημα Εφαρμοσμένη Διδακτική των Μαθηματικών, στο τελευταίο εξάμηνο του τέταρτου έτους του Παιδαγωγικού Τμήματος Δημοτικής Εκπαίδευσης του Πανεπιστημίου Αιγαίου, λόγω της διακοπής της δια ζώσης διδασκαλίας, αναζητήθηκαν μέθοδοι διδακτικής προσέγγισης στα Μαθηματικά, οι οποίες αξιοποιούν Ψηφιακές Τεχνολογίες και έχουν πρόσθετη παιδαγωγική αξία. Σκοπός ήταν να δημιουργηθούν πολλαπλές αναπαραστασιακές μορφές μαθηματικών δραστηριοτήτων σε σχέση με τα διαφορετικά στυλ μάθησης των φοιτητών/τριών, αξιοποιώντας διάφορα λογισμικά μοντέλα στη διδασκαλία, ώστε να δημιουργηθούν νέοι τύποι ευκαιριών μάθησης, εμπλουτίζοντας την τυπική μάθηση. Οι φοιτητές/τριες εργάστηκαν σε ένα τεχνολογικό περιβάλλον, το οποίο περιελάμβανε το λογισμικό ανοιχτού κώδικα ΒigBlueButton, το ηλεκτρονικό ταχυδρομείο και την πλατφόρμα Moodle, ως πληροφοριακό σύστημα διαχείρισης του μαθήματος. Αξιοποιώντας το ενοποιητικό μοντέλο αναπαραστατικών συστημάτων HUMoRS (Humanitarian unified model of representational systems (Χιονίδου-Μοσκοφόγλου, Βαμβουλή 2020)) χρησιμοποιώντας λογισμικά μοντέλα (Autodesksketchbook και PowToon) και εργαλεία της εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης, όπως το Webex, μετασχηματίστηκαν δραστηριότητες σε πολλαπλές αναπαραστάσεις. Συγκεκριμένα, μαθηματικά προβλήματα και δραστηριότητες, αναφορικά με τον κορονοϊό (covid-19), επεξεργάστηκαν, με σκοπό τη σύνδεσή τους με ύλη των Μαθηματικών της ΣΤ΄ τάξης. Στις παραπάνω διαδικασίες συμμετείχαν και δύο δασκάλες ΠΕ70,οι οποίες ανήρτησαν στις ηλεκτρονικές τους τάξεις τα δύο μετασχηματισμένα προβλήματα γύρω από τον covid-19 και τα επεξεργάστηκαν με τους μαθητές/τριες τους, με σκοπό να δώσουν νόημα στην μαθηματική γνώση, σε σχέση με κοινωνικά θέματα για την εξάπλωση του ιού. Η μέθοδος που χρησιμοποιήθηκε ήταν ποιοτική, καθώς η παρέμβαση από τις δασκάλες αξιολογήθηκε μέσω ημιδομημένων συνεντεύξεων, όπου επισημάνθηκαν τα θετικά στοιχεία, όπως ο ενθουσιασμός των μαθητών/τριών, αλλά και αρνητικά στοιχεία, που οφείλονταν κυρίως στο γεγονός πως η εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλία δεν είναι τόσο εύκολο να εφαρμοστεί από εκπαιδευτικούς που δεν έχουν την κατάλληλη κατάρτιση και επιμόρφωση.
Η διαχείριση της κρίσης του Covid-19 στα Ιδιωτικά Εκπαιδευτήρια Ρόδου «Πυθαγόρας»
Authors: Σπύρου Σπύρος , Αντωνιάδης Κωνσταντίνος 
Published: May 2021

Η ανακοίνωση για το κλείσιμο των σχολείων στις 10 Μαρτίου 2020 εξαιτίας του covid-19 τάραξε τα νερά στην ελληνική εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα. Στα Ιδιωτικά Εκπαιδευτήρια Ρόδου «Πυθαγόρας» η επόμενη μέρα της ανακοίνωσης βρήκε διοίκηση, εκπαιδευτικούς, μαθητές/τριες κατά κάποιο τρόπο έτοιμους για τη διαχείριση της νέας αυτής εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας αφού λειτουργούσαν ήδη ψηφιακά εργαλεία ασύγχρονης και σύγχρονης εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας σε όλες τις βαθμίδες. Παρά το γεγονός αυτό και λόγω της αναγκαιότητας για καθολική πλέον εξ αποστάσεως λειτουργία όλων των εκπαιδευτικών θεμάτων, έγιναν σημαντικές προσαρμογές. Οι προσαρμογές αυτές ήταν διαφορετικές στις δύο περιόδους της πανδημίας. Α΄ Περίοδος: Αποκλειστική εξ αποστάσεως λειτουργία (αναστολή λειτουργίας βαθμίδων), Β΄ Περίοδος: Παράλληλη δια ζώσης και εξ αποστάσεως λειτουργία (άνοιγμα σχολείων). Στην εισήγησή παρουσιάζονται όλα τα λειτουργικά προγράμματα και οι δράσεις (π.χ. ψηφιακά εργαλεία, ερωτηματολόγια, εμπλουτισμός διαδικασιών κ.λπ) για κάθε φάση ξεχωριστά. Οι στόχοι που τέθηκαν για τη ριζική αναδιοργάνωση αφορούσαν τους παρακάτω τομείς: Ομαλή συνέχεια της εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας (ύλη, επαναλήψεις κ.λπ), Επίτευξη διαδραστικότητας εκπαιδευτικών – μαθητών, Επικοινωνία, Ψυχολογική υποστήριξη. Η παρούσα εισήγηση αποτελεί μία πρακτική διαχείρισης κρίσεων (όπως του covid-19), η όποια υιοθετήθηκε από τα Ιδ. Εκπαιδευτήρια Πυθαγόρας και είχε θετικότατα αποτελέσματα με σημαντικότερο όλων την επίτευξη του… «Τόσο μακριά… τόσο κοντά!»
Effect of snail mucus on angiogenesis during wound healing
Authors: Rosanto Yosaphat Bayu , Hasan Cahya Yustisia , Rahardjo Rahardjo , Pangestiningsih Tri Wahyu 
Published: May 2021

Background: Angiogenesis is the process through which new blood vessels are formed from existing ones. This process plays an important role in supplying the oxygen and nutrients needed for cellular metabolism and eliminating cell debris during wound healing. Snail mucus can bind to several factors that stimulate angiogenesis, including vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor. The aim of this study is to observe changes in angiogenesis during the healing of wounds topically applied with snail mucus. Methods: Punch biopsy was performed on the back of male Wistar rats to obtain four wounds, and different concentrations of snail mucus were applied to each of these wounds. The animals were sacrificed on days 2, 4, and 7 to observe the extent of angiogenesis during wound healing by microscopy. Results: Two-way ANOVA showed differences in number of blood vessels formed (p = 0.00) and day of observation (p = 0.00) between groups. Post hoc Tukey’s HSD test showed that 24% snail mucus treatment does not significantly affect wound healing (p = 0.488); by contrast, treatment with 48% and 96% snail mucus demonstrated significant effects on angiogenesis (p = 0.01). Spearman’s test showed interactive effects between snail mucus concentration and day of observation on the extent of angiogenesis (p = 0.001, R = 0.946). Conclusion: Topical application of snail mucus gel can increase angiogenesis during wound healing in Wistar rat skin.
Optimal Screening of Populations with Heterogeneous Risk Profiles Under the Availability of Multiple Tests
Authors: Aprahamian Hrayer , El-Amine Hadi 
Published: May 2021

We study the design of large-scale group testing schemes under a heterogeneous population (i.e., subjects with potentially different risk) and with the availability of multiple tests. The objective is to classify the population as positive or negative for a given binary characteristic (e.g., the presence of an infectious disease) as efficiently and accurately as possible. Our approach examines components often neglected in the literature, such as the dependence of testing cost on the group size and the possibility of no testing, which are especially relevant within a heterogeneous setting. By developing key structural properties of the resulting optimization problem, we are able to reduce it to a network flow problem under a specific, yet not too restrictive, objective function. We then provide results that facilitate the construction of the resulting graph and finally provide a polynomial time algorithm. Our case study, on the screening of HIV in the United States, demonstrates the substantial benefits of the proposed approach over conventional screening methods. Summary of Contribution: This paper studies the problem of testing heterogeneous populations in groups in order to reduce costs and hence allow for the use of more efficient tests for high-risk groups. The resulting problem is a difficult combinatorial optimization problem that is NP-complete under a general objective. Using structural properties specific to our objective function, we show that the problem can be cast as a network flow problem and provide a polynomial time algorithm.