bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aloe vera gel homogenate shows anti-inflammatory activity through lysosomal membrane stabilization and downregulation of TNF-α and Cox-2 gene expressions in inflammatory arthritic animals
Authors: Paul Subhashis , Modak Debabrata , Chattaraj Sutanuka , Nandi Deblina , Sarkar Aditi , Roy Joyjit , Chaudhuri Tapas Kumar , Bhattacharjee Soumen 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Aloe vera leaf gel has proven efficacious roles in the amelioration of several human diseases and illness-conditions. Specific purified gel-derived bio-constituents as well as the naturally harvested unprocessed A. vera gel have shown promise in modifying systemic inflammation. However, the synergistic role of natural herbal remedies, a mainstay of traditional Indian Ayurveda, has not been evaluated rigorously in this plant. In this study, the prevention of membrane lysis and protein denaturation in the presence of A. vera gel homogenate up to the concentration of 1000 μg/ml of gel has been assessed in vitro. Also, regulation of expression of inflammation-mediator genes (TNF-α and Cox-2) has been investigated in vivo in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced inflammatory arthritic Wistar albino rats in a 28-day long study following the daily oral supplementation of Aloe vera gel homogenate doses up to 0.40 and 0.80 g/kg body weight (low-dose and high-dose groups respectively).

Results
Our results indicated that A. vera gel homogenate inhibits hypotonicity-induced (74.89 ± 1.26%) and heat-induced (20.86 ± 0.77%) RBC membrane lyses respectively at a concentration of 1000 μg/ml, compared to indomethacin standard (80.52 ± 0.65% and 43.98 ± 1.52% respectively at 200 μg/ml concentration). The similar concentration of gel also showed 39.35 ± 4.25% inhibition of protein denaturation compared to standard diclofenac sodium (46.74 ± 1.84% at 100 μg/ml concentration) in vitro. When assessed in vivo, TNF-α expression was found to be decreased by 35.88% and 38.52%, and Cox-2 expression was found to be decreased by 31.65% and 34.96%, in low-dose and high-dose groups respectively, when compared to the arthritic controls.

Conclusions
Our findings justify the role of unprocessed A. vera gel homogenate in preventing tissue damage and in the downregulation of TNF-α and Cox-2 gene expressions for the immune-modulation of inflammatory arthritis condition.
Meta-analysis of the strength of exploratory suicide prediction models; from clinicians to computers
Authors: Corke Michelle , Mullin Katherine , Angel-Scott Helena , Xia Shelley , Large Matthew 
Published: January 2021

Background
Suicide prediction models have been formulated in a variety of ways and are heterogeneous in the strength of their predictions. Machine learning has been a proposed as a way of improving suicide predictions by incorporating more suicide risk factors.

Aims
To determine whether machine learning and the number of suicide risk factors included in suicide prediction models are associated with the strength of the resulting predictions.

Method
Random-effect meta-analysis of exploratory suicide prediction models constructed by combining two or more suicide risk factors or using clinical judgement (Prospero Registration CRD42017059665). Studies were located by searching for papers indexed in PubMed before 15 August 2020 with the term suicid* in the title.

Results
In total, 86 papers reported 102 suicide prediction models and included 20 210 411 people and 106 902 suicides. The pooled odds ratio was 7.7 (95% CI 6.7–8.8) with high between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 99.5). Machine learning was associated with a non-significantly higher odds ratio of 11.6 (95% CI 6.0–22.3) and clinical judgement with a non-significantly lower odds ratio of 4.7 (95% CI 2.1–10.9). Models including a larger number of suicide risk factors had a higher odds ratio when machine-learning studies were included (P = 0.02). Among non-machine-learning studies, suicide prediction models including fewer risk factors performed just as well as those including more risk factors.

Conclusions
Machine learning might have the potential to improve the performance of suicide prediction models by increasing the number of included suicide risk factors but its superiority over other methods is unproven.
Cloud-Based Federated Learning Implementation Across Medical Centers
Authors: Rajendran Suraj , Obeid Jihad S. , Binol Hamidullah , D`Agostino Ralph , Foley Kristie , Zhang Wei , Austin Philip , Brakefield Joey , Gurcan Metin N. , Topaloglu Umit 
Published: January 2021

PURPOSEBuilding well-performing machine learning (ML) models in health care has always been exigent because of the data-sharing concerns, yet ML approaches often require larger training samples than is afforded by one institution. This paper explores several federated learning implementations by applying them in both a simulated environment and an actual implementation using electronic health record data from two academic medical centers on a Microsoft Azure Cloud Databricks platform.MATERIALS AND METHODSUsing two separate cloud tenants, ML models were created, trained, and exchanged from one institution to another via a GitHub repository. Federated learning processes were applied to both artificial neural networks (ANNs) and logistic regression (LR) models on the horizontal data sets that are varying in count and availability. Incremental and cyclic federated learning models have been tested in simulation and real environments.RESULTSThe cyclically trained ANN showed a 3% increase in performance, a significant improvement across most attempts ( P < .05). Single weight neural network models showed improvement in some cases. However, LR models did not show much improvement after federated learning processes. The specific process that improved the performance differed based on the ML model and how federated learning was implemented. Moreover, we have confirmed that the order of the institutions during the training did influence the overall performance increase.CONCLUSIONUnlike previous studies, our work has shown the implementation and effectiveness of federated learning processes beyond simulation. Additionally, we have identified different federated learning models that have achieved statistically significant performances. More work is needed to achieve effective federated learning processes in biomedicine, while preserving the security and privacy of the data.
Apparent diffusion coefficient values of cryptorchid testes and malignant transformation of cryptorchidism (MTC) (seminoma) in postpubertal patients
Authors: Liu Renwei , Li Jianhua , Jiang Yixiang , Wu Zhiqing , Chen Yanzi , Li Ruifeng 
Published: January 2021

Objectives:
Diffusion-weighted imaging signal contrast can be quantified by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, which reflect the diffusion properties of the examined tissue and are helpful for identifying pathology. To determine ADC values of cryptorchid testes in post-pubertal patients and assess performance for characterizing cryptorchid testes.

Methods:
The medical records from 35 patients with unilateral scrotal vacuity were retrospectively reviewed. Data were analyzed in three groups: Group A, normal testes (i.e. the contralateral testes of the patients with cryptorchidism or MTC); Group B, cryptorchid testes; and Group C, malignant transformation of cryptorchidism (MTC) (seminoma). DWI used b-values of 0 and 800 s/mm2. Mean ADC values were compared using the independent samples t-test. The ability of ADC values was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated.

Results:
Mean ADC values for normal testes, cryptorchid testes, and MTC were 1.18 ± 0.18×10−3 mm2/s, 1.82 ± 0.40×10−3 mm2/s, and 0.80 ± 0.06×10−3 mm2/s, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in mean ADC values between normal testes and cryptorchid testes or MTC (p &lt; 0.001). The cut-off ADC value for differentiating normal testes from cryptorchid testes was 1.47 × 10−3 mm2/s. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 88%, 91%, and 90%, respectively. The cut-off ADC value for differentiating normal testes from MTC was 1.22 × 10−3 mm2/s. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100%, 31%, and 43%, respectively.

Conclusion:
ADC values of cryptorchid testes may be used to inform clinical decision-making and also monitor testicular function in patients who retain undescended testicles or post-operatively.

Advances in knowledge:
Mean ADC values of cryptorchidism and MTC (seminoma) were used to reflect their pathological features.
Enostosis-related epilepsy
Authors: Lourenço Jorge Vaz , Coelho Joana , Salgueiro Andrea 
Published: January 2021

Unexpected bone lesions of the skull present a common dilemma, where radiological appearance and patient’s clinical background are crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. Enostosis are benign sclerotic bone lesions; its aetiology is still unknown and its management is usually conservative, with good prognosis. Most of these lesions are asymptomatic and neurological involvement is rare. We present the first report of enostosis-related epilepsy.
Factors Associated with Mothers’ Behaviors in Selecting Complementary Feeding in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Pradanie Retnayu , Rachmawati Praba Diyan , Cahyani Meilia Dwi 
Published: January 2021

Background: Complementary feeding is usually given to babies at 6 to 24 months of age. Appropriate types, amounts, and methods of complementary feeding are crucial for baby growth and development. Various factors influence mothers’ behavior in selecting complementary feeding. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate factors affecting mothers’ behaviors in selecting complementary feeding for their babies. Methods: A descriptive analytical study with a cross-sectional approach was conducted on 153 mothers having babies aged 6-12 months old in Surabaya, Indonesia, recruited using simple random sampling. The independent variables were knowledge, attitude, belief, family income, and family support, while the dependent variable was mothers’ behavior in selecting complementary feeding. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using the Spearman rho’s test with a significance level of <0.05.Results: The results showed that knowledge (p=0.021), attitudes (p=0.030), beliefs (p=0.006), income (p=0.000), and family support (p=0.006) were factors affecting mothers’ behavior in selecting complementary feeding.Conclusion: Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, income and family support had a significant correlation with mothers’ behaviors in selecting complementary feeding. This finding emphasizes pivotal needs to increase knowledge and attitude of complementary feeding for both mothers as the infant primary caregivers, and families as the closest support system for mothers.
Preliminary Study on The Utilization Of Seaweed and Green Grass Jelly Leaves as Candidate Alternatives for EOR Polymer
Authors: Huljannah Miftah , Lestari Fitra Ayu , Erfando Tomi 
Published: January 2021

The declining in production can occur because wells that have been producing for a long time are no longer able to lift oil to the surface in primary and secondary ways. Therefore, tertiary methods such as chemical injection like polymer flooding were carried out. Polymers commonly used in flooding polymers are divided into three namely synthetic polymers, biopolymers, and natural polymers. Natural polymers have abundant sources such as seaweed and grass jelly. This study was aimed to identify alternative renewable polymers as flooding polymer materials by knowing initial characteristics such as viscosity, compatibility and the effect of shear rates. This test wass carried out by an experimental method with several stages, namely drying, crushing to powder, and making polymers that were dissolved into brines that have different salinity. Then the polymer was allowed to stand for more than 24 hours until it was tested. The material tested was seaweed, grass jelly, and biopolymer xanthan gum as a comparison. The parameters used are polymer concentrations of 1000 ppm, 2000 ppm and 3000 ppm with each salinity of 3000 ppm, 9000 ppm and 15000 ppm. The test results showed that the characteristics of natural polymers were the same as biopolymers, the viscosity decreased as the brines salinity increased .The absence of sedimentation resulted from Seaweed and grass jelly solution and formation water indicated that the polymers had good compatibility and shear rate test has shown that the polymers are psuodoplastic.
Genetika v učebnicích biologie a přírodopisu: historie a současnost
Authors: Machová Markéta 
Published: January 2021

Genetika je ve srovnání s ostatními biologickými obory mladou vědou – její historie se datuje k přelomu 19. a 20. století. Díky tomu je možné poměrně dobře mapovat nejen její rapidní vývoj, ale i její postupné pronikání do přírodovědného vzdělávání. Svědkem tohoto vývoje jsou především tradiční výukové materiály, učebnice přírodopisua biologie. Vývoj kurikula tohoto oboru byl však odlišný v západních zemích a zemích bývalého „východního bloku, kde byly tehdejší poznatky genetiky odmítnuty díky vlivu politické ideologie na vzdělávání a vědu. Ačkoli jsou specifika výuky genetiky v českých zemích často akcentována, nebyla zatím provedena hlubší analýza toho, jak moc a jakým způsobem konkrétně byla výuka modifikována, ani jak rychle se podařilo dostat genetiku zpátky v plném rozsahu do kurikula. Z výsledků práce je zřejmé, že ačkoli se již v 80. letech 20. století podařilo úspěšně doplnit moderní poznatky genetiky do učebnic i osnov, stále se i dnes potýkáme s nedostatečností formy, jakou je genetika v učebnicích prezentována. Největší bariérou je hlavně slabá návaznost učiva v rámci ročníků a nedostatečná propojenost jednotlivých poznatků do uceleného a logického celku (především nejasný způsob vzniku znaků organismu procesem genové exprese), který by vhodně navazoval na učivo jiných témat (jako rozmnožování nebo evoluce) a integroval ho do sebe.
The Crucial Importance of Typical Discussion Roles of Pupils for the Effective Implementation of Peer Instruction in Teaching Elemantary School Mathematics
Authors: Zadražil Tomáš 
Published: January 2021

Studies over the past decade have indicated that Czech pupils do not have an appropriate level of mathematics comprehension and their attitudes towards this subject deteriorate over time. The article deals with a possible solution to the described problem; namely the implementation of peer instruction, an active learning strategy, in elementary mathematics teaching. In order to decide whether it is possible to use peer instruction as a teaching method in an elementary school environment, action research project with the properties of a mixed empirical study was performed in one eighth grade class (thirty participants) at a Czech multi-year grammar school. The main idea was to compare the results of the class before, during, and after the implementation of peer instruction. The pupils’ level of understanding was monitored by normalized learning gains calculated on the basis of pre/post-testing design. Changes in the pupils’ attitudes towards mathematics were mapped using continuous and pre/post-test questionnaires. In the spirit of the action research, interim data and results were regularly discussed with a group of selected pupils or experts in the field. The results show that there is a strong relationship between normalized learning gain and one of four typical roles with which pupils identify during group discussions: passengers, standard discussants, advisors, and dominant speakers. The research has also indicated that peer instruction needs to be appropriately modified to increase the passengers’ activity.
Influence of Loading Direction on Impact Strength and Small Span Length Variation on Flexural Strength in GFRP Laminate
Authors: Pavan Golakoti , Singh K. K. , Mahesh  
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This experimental work focuses on the two aspects of glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminate. The first is the effect of GFRP plate thickness and impact loading direction on impact strength, and the second is the effect of GFRP panel thickness and small span length variation on flexure strength. The GFRP laminate thicknesses considered for experimentation were 2, 3, and 4 mm. Both Izod and Charpy impact tests were conducted by considering edgewise (lateral impact) and flatwise (normal impact) impact loading directions. The quasistatic flexural tests were conducted using a three-point bend method for two small span length variations, viz., 50.8 and 56 mm. Impact strength of 2-mm-thick GFRP laminate under the edgewise loading condition showed 13 and 134.1 % more for Charpy and Izod, respectively, compared with 4-mm GFRP samples. In contrast, under the flatwise loading condition, 2-mm-thick specimens showed 14 and 54 % more impact strength when compared with 4-mm-thick GFRP specimens. GFRP samples with 2-mm thickness showed 59.85 and 59.6 % enhancement in flexural strength for span lengths of 56 and 50.8 mm, respectively, when compared with 4-mm-thick GFRP panels. Improvement in flexural strength between span lengths 50.8 and 56 mm for thicknesses 4 and 2 mm is 26 and 42 MPa, respectively, which is a 10 % improvement. Analysis of variance statistical analysis showed that the loading conditions and thickness of GFRP panels in the case of impact and small span length variation, and thicknesses in the case of flexural strength, is the significantly influencing parameters.
Konstruksi Isu Politik Melalui Jurnalisme Satire Di Media Online: Analisis Pemberitaan Isu #2019Ganti Presiden di MOJOK.CO
Authors: Yulianti Nani , Humeira Bintan 
Published: January 2021

Praktik jurnalisme identik dengan tanggung jawab media mengungkap kebenaran melalui bahasa. Kelugasan bahasa dalam menyampaikan pemberitaan menjadi penting untuk menyajikan fakta secara jelas. Penggunaan satire dalam praktik penulisan berita menjadi hiburan bagi pembaca. Akan tetapi disisi lain, gaya bahasa satire yang tidak lugas menunjukkan fakta rentan terhadap munculnya interpretasi yang tidak tepat oleh pembaca. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk melihat bagaimana penggunaan satire dalam kontruksi isu #2019GantiPresiden di media online Mojok.Co. Artikel ini menggunakan paradigma konstruktivis dan tehnik analisa semiotika untuk melihat bagaimana kontruksi isu yang dibangun oleh Mojok.Co tentang isu #2019GantiPresiden melalui penggunaan gaya bahasa satire. Artikel ini menunjukkan bahwa gaya bahasa satire digunakan Mojok.Co untuk menyerang kelompok pendukung isu #2019GantiPresiden secara umum, dan calon presiden yang beroposisi dengan kekuasaan. Penggunaan gaya bahasa satire sebagai praktik jurnalistik tampak jelas mengarah pada cara media membangun sentimen politik pada kelompok lain daripada menyampaikan kebenaran atas fakta.
Métodos de reproducción y parámetros reproductivos de cebuínos con registro genealógico en Costa Rica
Authors: Vásquez Loaiza Marilyn , Molina Coto Roger 
Published: January 2021

Introducción. En Costa Rica, la población de ganado con registro genealógico de la Asociación de Criadores de Ganado Cebú (ASOCEBÚ), no contaba con una caracterización reproductiva ni con parámetros como edad al primer parto (EPP) o intervalo entre partos (IEP), lo cual limita el análisis, progreso genético y productivo de las razas. Objetivo. Caracterizar los métodos de reproducción utilizados en las razas puras cebuínas y calcular la EPP e IEP de una población Brahman gris pura en Costa Rica. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó la base de datos de la ASOCEBÚ Costa Rica, actualizada a marzo 2018. Se analizaron 10 995 registros de las razas Brahman Gris, Nelore, Brahman Rojo, Gyr, Guzerat e Indubrasil. Se calculó la distribución de los animales según los métodos de reproducción utilizados. Del 32,7 % de la población Brahman gris en ASOCEBÚ, proveniente de las regiones Huetar Atlántica, Brunca y Chorotega, se calculó la EPP e IEP. Resultados. La monta natural, fue el método de reproducción más utilizado (57,8 %) seguido por la inseminación artificial (26 %) y transferencia de embriones (16,2 %). El promedio de EPP en la raza Brahman Gris fue de 41,4 meses con un IEP de 548,9 días. Conclusiones. Es necesario seleccionar animales con mayor precocidad sexual y darles las condiciones para disminuir la EPP e IEP. El uso de la inseminación artificial, mejoró el desempeño reproductivo de los animales Brahman puros. Las asociaciones de bovinos de raza pueden promover la mejora de los animales que registran a través de controles y análisis de parámetros zootécnicos.
Simulación de ensayos en blanco para determinar la potencia estadística de experimentos en arroz
Authors: Vargas-Rojas Jorge Claudio 
Published: January 2021

Introducción. El análisis prospectivo de la potencia estadística de una prueba de hipótesis debería ser una de las etapas más importantes de cualquier experimento, sin embargo, se omite con frecuencia. En Costa Rica, dentro de la bibliografía consultada, no se encontraron investigaciones relacionadas con este tema para experimentos de rendimiento en el cultivo de arroz. Objetivo. Simular ensayos en blanco para determinar la potencia estadística de un diseño completamente aleatorizado para experimentos de rendimiento de arroz en Bagaces, Costa Rica. Materiales y métodos. Se estimaron los parámetros del proceso de correlación espacial de un ensayo en blanco establecido en Bagaces, Costa Rica. Luego, las estimaciones se utilizaron para realizar 10 000 simulaciones de campos aleatorios de mayor tamaño, lo que permitió superponer diferente número de repeticiones y estimar la potencia lograda para detectar una diferencia del 10 % con respecto a la media en un experimento completamente aleatorizado a un nivel de significación del 5 %. Resultados. La potencia del 80 % se obtuvo con cinco repeticiones. Conclusión. En ensayos de rendimiento en arroz, para detectar una diferencia de medias del 10 % a un nivel de significación del 5 %, en esta investigación se requirió de cinco o más repeticiones.
El pueblo indígena Inkal Awá en Colombia: Ante las armas, la palabra
Authors: Durán Castellanos Maria Alejandra 
Published: January 2021

This note addresses the situation of the indigenous group Inkal Awá from Nariño (Colombia) in the current framework of the Covid-19 pandemic. The text focuses especially on the current context of the Telembí subregion, a strategic corridor and ecological enclave where a multiplicity of armed actors are present and where there are 6 of the 32 indigenous reservations that the Awá People's Indigenous Unit (UNIPA) represents. The Awás inhabit a historically contested territory by economical, military and political interests. Nevertheless, with the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2016, new actors, factors and opportunities to guarantee the physical and cultural survival of this Indigenous People have come into play.