bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environment and chronic kidney disease in farmers
Authors: Nagai Kei 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been on the rise worldwide. Epidemiological studies performed primarily in Central America and South Asia have reported high prevalence of CKD among young and middle-aged men working in agricultural communities. The clinical features do not appear linked to any classical CKD risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or chronic nephritis. The disease develops and progresses as interstitial nephritis, without showing noticeable symptoms or high levels of proteinuria. Pathologically, the disease essentially represents chronic interstitial nephritis and is termed chronic interstitial nephritis in agricultural communities (CINAC). The potential causes of CINAC include: (1) heat stress-related factors associated with increased ambient temperatures resulting from global warming; and (2) factors connected with exposure to agrochemicals and/or pesticides. Global warming and environmental pollution will undoubtedly pose a significant health risk to farmers, and heat stress during farm work could easily result in the development and progression of CKD. Japanese agricultural regions evidently will not be spared from global environmental changes. For future epidemiological studies, researchers should establish a more comprehensive analytical method that can incorporate additional risk-factor variables, such as occupational history (including agricultural work) and ambient temperature.
Correlation of sperm DNA damage with blastocyst formation: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Adiga Prashanth K. , Vitthala Srisailesh , Shivaranjeni  
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
The routine semen analysis fails to detect sperm DNA damage which contributes to the majority of male factor infertility. Sperm DNA fragmentation test (DFI) measures the sperm DNA damage. Blastocyst formation is an important step in IVF ± ICSI. At present, the literature lacks any data that correlates DFI and blastocyst formation.

Main body of the abstract
We searched MEDLINE and other databases till 2020 for the studies that reported on sperm DNA damage and blastocyst formation in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The outcomes analyzed were (1) a comparison of blastulation rates in high DFI and low DFI groups. (2) Comparison of blastulation rates in high DFI and low DFI groups based on (a) different sperm DNA fragmentation assays (COMET, SCD, SCSA, TUNEL), (b) different types of ART (IVF/IVF + ICSI/ICSI). 10 studies were included in this review. A non-significant increase in the blastocyst formation was observed in high DFI group (OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.4 to 1.21; P = 0.20) and with SCD and TUNEL assays.

Short conclusion
Our study emphasizes on sperm DNA fragmentation (sperm DNA damage) as an important marker of blastocyst formation. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the high sperm DNA fragmentation may not adversely affect the blastocyst formation.
Impact of percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure on left ventricular remodeling and function
Authors: Aal Amr Abdel , Hassan Housam M. , Ezzeldin Dina , El Sayed Maiy 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease. In patients with large VSD, left side chambers are subjected to volume overload with subsequent chambers dilatation and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Percutaneous closure of VSD has been shown to be an effective method with equal safety and efficacy when compared to surgery. The effect of VSD closure on LV remodeling has been mainly assessed in patients treated with surgery and to date published data remain scarce. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the effect of percutaneous VSD closure on different LV parameters.

Results
Seventeen patients (median age 6 years (IQR 4.75–8 years), 70.6% females) who underwent percutaneous VSD closure were enrolled in the study. Sixteen patients (94%) had perimembranous VSD, and one patient had muscular VSD. The procedure was successful in all patients with no major complications. Nit Occlud® Lê coil device was implanted in 16 patients (94%), and one patient received Amplatzer PDA duct occlude device. At 6-months follow-up, there was a significant reduction in indexed LV dimensions [LVEDD/BSA (median 46.5 mm/m2 vs. 42.9 mm/m2, p = 0.03), LVESD/BSA (median 31.7 mm/m2 vs. 26.7 mm/m2, p = 0.02)], indexed LV volumes [LVEDV/BSA (median 52.6 ml/m2 vs. 37.3 ml/m2, p = 0.02), LVESV/BSA (median 31.7 ml/m2 vs. 23.3 ml/m2, p = 0.02)] and indexed LV mass (median 62.4 gm/m2 vs. 57.9 ml/m2, p = 0.01). There was a significant reduction in LVEDD Z-score (p = 0.01) and LVESD Z-score (p = 0.04). There was no significant change in LV EF.

Conclusions
Percutaneous VSD closure is associated with improvement of various LV parameters with consequential favorable LV remodeling and function.
Diagnostic performance of 320 cardiac MDCT angiography in assessment of PDA either isolated or associated with duct dependent congenital heart disease
Authors: Gad Samar Abdelatty , Shaban Ekhlas Abdelmonem , Dawoud Mohammed Mahmoud , Youssef Mohamed Ahmed 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of most common congenital heart defects, it's a unique vascular structure that provides direct communication between pulmonary and systemic circulation. MDCT angiography is a good imaging modality for evaluation of the PDAs and detection of their exact morphological type; course and diameters, which is important before percutaneous closure or stenting procedure of the PDA, also for selection of closure hardware. The aim of this study was to assess the role of MDCT angiography in qualitative and quantitative evaluation of PDA and associated cardiac and\or extracardiac anomalies.

Results
Echocardiography detected PDA in 28\30 cases while cardiac MDCT detected PDA in all studied 30 cases confirmed by cardiac catheterization and/or operation. MDCT angiography had sensitivity 100% and specificity 100% for PDA detection. PDA originated from aortic isthmus in 15 cases, inferior surface of aortic arch in 11 cases and innominate artery in 4 cases. The most common morphological type of PDA was type A (cone\46.67%) followed by type C (tubular\23.3%), type D (complex\10%), type E (elongated\13.33%) and type B (window\6.67%). The spearman correlation coefficient test demonstrated poor correlation between size of aortic end and MPA (P = 0.75), and between size of pulmonary end and diameter of MPA (P = 0.99) and also demonstrated fair correlation between length of PDA and MPA (P = 0.018). PDA was isolated in 4\30 cases and associated with cardiac and\or extra cardiac anomalies in 26\30 cases included; ASD (n = 18), VSD (n = 16), pulmonary atresia (n = 7), transposition of great arteries (n = 5), teratology of Fallot (n = 4), aortic coarctation (n = 4), persistent truncus arteriosus (n = 3), tricuspid atresia (n = 3), anomalous of pulmonary venous return (n = 3), hypoplastic segment of aorta (n = 2), Ebstein's anomaly (n = 1), bicuspid aortic arch (n = 1) and left hypoplastic heart syndrome (n = 1).

Conclusion
Cardiac MDCT angiography was superior to Echocardiography in detection, quantitative and qualitative evaluation of PDA either isolated or associated with congenital cardiac and\or extracardiac anomalies and was superior to Echocardiography in detection of associated extracardiac anomalies rather than associated intra cardiac anomalies.
Search for RNA aptamers against non-structural protein of SARS-CoV-2: Design using molecular dynamics approach
Authors: Kothandan Ram , Uthayasooriyan Pavithra , Vairamani Sivaranjani 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Recent outbreak of deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) urges the scientist to identify the potential vaccine or drug to control the disease. SARS-CoV-2 with its single stranded RNA genome (length ~ 30 kb) is enveloped with active spike proteins. The genome is non-segmental with 5’-cap and 3’-poly tail and acts as a mRNA for the synthesis of replicase polyproteins. The replicase gene lying downstream to 5’-end encodes for non-structural protein, which in turn pose multiple functions ranging from envelope to nucleocapsid development. This study aims to identify the highly stable, effective and less toxic single strand RNA-based aptamers against non-structural protein 10 (NSP10). NSP10 is the significant activator of methyltransferase enzymes (NSP14 and NSP16) in SARS-CoV-2. Inhibiting the activation of methyltransferase leads to partial viral RNA capping or lack of capping, which makes the virus particles susceptible to host defence system.

Results
In this study, we focused on designing RNA aptamers through computational approach, docking of protein-aptamer followed by molecular dynamics simulation to perceive the binding stability of complex. Docking study reveals the high binding affinity of three aptamers namely RNA-053, 001, 010 to NSP10 with the HADDOCK score of − 88.5 ± 7.0, − 87.7 ± 11.5, − 86.1 ± 12 respectively. Molecular Dynamics suggests high conformational stability between the aptamer and the protein. Among the screened aptamers two aptamers maintained at least 3-4 intermolecular H-bonds throughout the simulation period.

Conclusions
The study identifies the potential aptamer candidate against less investigated but significant antiviral target i.e., NSP10/NSP16 interface complex.
Host immune response to infection with porcine circoviruses
Authors: Shi Ruihan , Hou Lei , Liu Jue 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPorcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), which serves as a major causative agent of PCV2-associated diseases and causes severe loss to the pig industry worldwide, can dysregulate the immune response and induce immunosuppression in PCV2-infected pigs. Similar to PCV2, porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3), a newly identified swine circovirus which might be closely associated with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, reproductive disorder, and multisystemic inflammatory responses, also interferes with host immune defense. Interaction between host immune system and PCVs is considered to be a crucial determinant of pathogenicity in pigs. Here, we sought to briefly discuss the current knowledge regarding the interaction of porcine circovirus type 2 and/or 3 with host immune cells and immune responses to better depict the viral immunomodulatory capacity, pathogenic mechanisms, and the future research direction in host immune responses to infection with PCV2 and PCV3.
The Cinematic Milieu
Authors: Larkin Brian 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTo what extent are media technologies autonomous forces that reorganize the environment around them to accommodate their own technological needs? In what ways are these technologies responsive to the milieu they grow within? A central theme of comparative media examines how media enter into reciprocal exchange with the broader cultural, social, and economic formations in which they emerge and which differ from place to place and over time. This article draws on the concept of milieu in order to analyze the evolution of digital cinema infrastructures in contemporary Nigeria.
Archipelagic Archives
Authors: Furuhata Yuriko 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis article examines the intertwined cultural politics of geology, mining, and archival media in the context of Japan's development as an archipelagic empire. The first Japanese geological map (1876) was completed by American geologist Benjamin Smith Lyman, who surveyed mineral deposits in Hokkaidō, Japan's northern island, long inhabited by the Indigenous Ainu people. Following anticolonial and archipelagic scholarship, the author reads across earthly archives of geological strata and colonial archives of historical documents to elucidate the conceptual duality of the archipelago as both a geological formation and a geopolitical territory. In tracing this formative era of Japan's resource extraction and settler colonialism, which precedes and informs the current rush to extract rare earth minerals necessary to maintain global digital infrastructures, this article aims to both de-Westernize the methodological orientation known as media geology and offer a prehistory of contemporary rare earth mining in the Pacific Ocean.
Face Mask Face-Offs
Authors: Klinenberg Eric , Sherman Melina 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be especially destructive and divisive. One of the few things that has united Americans during the pandemic, however, is the experience of watching a new genre of viral videos—face mask face-offs—that showcase citizens going toe-to-toe in public places because someone refuses to wear a mask. These videos are not mere political theater; they are replete with sociologically meaningful data about the nature of Americans’ cultural divisions. By closely analyzing recorded conflicts over collective coronavirus risks and individual freedoms in public settings, the authors identify six justifications for not wearing a mask. These justifications point to emerging cultural discourses and practices organized around phones that not only point to new ways for us to observe social life but participate in the reconfiguration of social life—and social conflict—itself.
MRI-based observation of the size and morphology of temporomandibular joint articular disc and condyle in young asymptomatic adults
Authors: Luo Dan , Qiu Cheng , Zhou Ruizhi , Yu Wenhui , Li Xitao , Yang Jianjun 
Published: October 2021

Objective: To investigate the size and morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articular disc and condyle in young asymptomatic adults by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and scientific study of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods: Overall, 93 undergraduate volunteers without TMD were enrolled from the freshmen pool at the Qingdao University. All participants underwent MRI of the oblique sagittal and oblique coronal TMJ planes. The articular disc and condyle were subsequently measured, and their morphology was evaluated. The obtained data were then grouped and analyzed statistically. Finally, intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the interobserver measurement reliability. Results: We totally received 186 TMJ imaging samples. Based on our analysis, disc’s anterior band in young asymptomatic adult females were thicker than males of the same age (p = 0.024). Moreover, the media-lateral dimensions of the condylar head of adult females were shorter than males of equal age (P＜0.001). The bilateral articular disc morphology was the same in 72.4% of subjects while the condylar morphology was the same in 63.4% of participants. Finally, using measurement reliability assessment, we demonstrated that our conclusions are reliable (ICC ≥0.7). Conclusion: The thickness of the anterior band of the disc and the media-lateral dimensions of the condylar head were gender-related. Additionally, the morphology of the bilateral articular disc and condyle was different among the subset of young asymptomatic adults.
Εκπαιδευτικές παρεμβάσεις που αφορούν στην ομαλή ένταξη χαρισματικών με διάγνωση ΔΕΠΥ
Authors: Μωραΐτη Αφροδίτη , Νταλάκα Βασιλική 
Published: October 2021

Οι χαρισματικοί μαθητές με μαθησιακές δυσκολίες και συγκεκριμένα με ΔΕΠΥ είναι μια μοναδική υποομάδα μαθητών που παρουσιάζουν τόσο ανώτερη διανοητική ικανότητα όσο και ειδικά προβλήματα μάθησης. Επίσης, γνωστοί ως "δύο φορές χαρισματικοί" και "διττά χαρισματικοί" (twice exceptional), οι χαρισματικοί μαθητές με ΔΕΠΥ έχουν γνωστικές, ψυχολογικές και ακαδημαϊκές ανάγκες που διαφέρουν από εκείνες είτε των χαρισματικών πληθυσμών είτε εκείνων με ΔΕΠΥ. Συχνά αυτοί οι μαθητές δεν αναγνωρίζονται ούτε ως χαρισματικοί, ούτε ως έχοντες ανάγκη για ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές παρεμβάσεις λόγω του συνδυασμού των προηγμένων δυνατοτήτων και δυσκολιών τους. Η υψηλή πνευματική λειτουργία συχνά αντισταθμίζει τη μαθησιακή δυσκολία, αποκρύπτοντας τόσο το χαρισματικό δυναμικό όσο και τη διαταραχή. Πολλές από τις μέχρι τώρα ισχύουσες πρακτικές υπαγορεύουν ότι ένας μαθητής μπορεί να αναγνωριστεί και να υποβοηθηθεί είτε έχοντας ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες είτε χαρισματικότητα, αλλά όχι και τα δύο. Σύμφωνα με έρευνες, υποστηρίζεται ότι με τις κατάλληλες εκπαιδευτικές πρακτικές ένας μαθητής με ΔΕΠΥ μπορεί να φτάσει στο μέγιστο των δυνατοτήτων του αν το υλικό που θα του δοθεί είναι αρκετά «προκλητικό» ώστε να ξεπεράσει τη διαταραχή του και να αφοσιωθεί στη μάθηση. Σκοπός της παρούσας εισήγησης είναι να εξετάσει την ένταξη των χαρισματικών παιδιών με ΔΕΠΥ στην γενική εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία και να παρουσιάσει ορισμένες πρακτικές που θα πρέπει να ακολουθηθούν ως προς την επίτευξη αυτού του στόχου.
Ευρύτερος αυτιστικός φαινότυπος και ποιότητα ζωής σε γονείς με παιδιά στο φάσμα του αυτισμού
Authors: Τζανακάκη Αθηνά 
Published: October 2021

Η παρούσα έρευνα μελετά τον ευρύτερο αυτιστικό φαινότυπο και την ποιότητα ζωής σε γονείς με παιδιά στο φάσμα του αυτισμού και σε γονείς παιδιών τυπικής ανάπτυξης. Συμμετείχαν 174 γονείς, από την περιοχή της Αθήνας και του Πειραιά με μέσο όρο ηλικίας τα 45,01 έτη (τυπ.απόκλιση= 7,9). Από τους 174 γονείς, οι 119 ήταν γυναίκες (68,4%), και οι 55 άντρες (31,6%).Τα ερωτηματολόγια μοιράστηκαν σε 99 γονείς που είχαν παιδιά τυπικής ανάπτυξης (56,9%) και 75 που είχαν παιδιά στο φάσμα του αυτισμού (43,1%). Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τα ακόλουθα ερωτηματολόγια: α) η ελληνική εκδοχή του ερωτηματολογίου για την Ποιότητα Ζωής, του Παγκόσμιου Οργανισμού Υγείας,(World Health Organization Quality Of Life - WHOQOL), β) το ερωτηματολόγιο αξιολόγησης του ευρύτερου φαινότυπου του αυτισμού, (Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire -BAP), γ) το ερωτηματολόγιο αξιολόγησης της φιλίας.Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι η ύπαρξη του φαινότυπου του αυτισμού αποτελεί σημαντικό προβλεπτικό παράγοντα χαμηλής ποιότητας ζωής και φιλικών σχέσεων των γονέων. Ο φαινότυπος του αυτισμού βρέθηκε να εμφανίζεται συχνότερα σε γονείς που έχουν παιδιά με αυτισμό. Ωστόσο δεν βρέθηκαν σημαντικές διαφορές στην ποιότητα ζωής και φιλίας μεταξύ των γονέων με παιδί στο φάσμα του αυτισμού και γονέων τυπικά αναπτυσσόμενων παιδιών.
Vassilis Asimakopoulos and Chrysanthos Tassis, eds., ΠΑΣΟΚ 1974-2018: Πολιτική οργάνωση – Ιδεολογικές μετατοπίσεις – Κυβερνητικές μεταβολές [PASOK, 1974-2018: political organisation, ideological shifts, government policies]
Authors: Paschaloudi Eleni 
Published: October 2021

Review of Vassilis Asimakopoulos and Chrysanthos Tassis, eds. ΠΑΣΟΚ 1974-2018: Πολιτική οργάνωση – Ιδεολογικές μετατοπίσεις – Κυβερνητικές μεταβολές[PASOK, 1974-2018: political organisation, ideological shifts, government policies]. Athens: Gutenberg, 2018. 822 pp.
Xavier Bougarel, Hannes Grandits and Marija Vulesica, eds., Local Dimensions of the Second World War in Southeastern Europe
Authors: Tzoukas Vangelis 
Published: October 2021

Review of Xavier Bougarel, Hannes Grandits and Marija Vulesica, eds. Local Dimensions of the Second World War in Southeastern Europe. Oxford: Routledge, 2019. 281 pp.
MUC4 is not expressed in cell lines used for live cell imaging
Authors: Athmane Naouel , Williamson Iain , Boyle Shelagh , Biddie Simon C. , Bickmore Wendy A. 
Published: October 2021

Background: The ability to visualise specific mammalian gene loci in living cells is important for understanding the dynamic processes linked to transcription. However, some of the tools used to target mammalian genes for live cell imaging, such as dCas9, have been reported to themselves impede processes linked to transcription. The MUC4 gene is a popular target for live cell imaging studies due to the repetitive nature of sequences within some exons of this gene. Methods: We set out to compare the impact of dCas9 and TALE-based imaging tools on MUC4 expression, including in human cell lines previously reported as expressing MUC4. Results: We were unable to detect MUC4 mRNA in these cell lines. Moreover, analysis of publicly available data for histone modifications associated with transcription, and data for transcription itself, indicate that neither MUC4, nor any of the mucin gene family are significantly expressed in the cell lines where dCas9 targeting has been reported to repress MUC4 and MUC1 expression, or in the cell lines where dCas13 has been used to report MUC4 RNA detection in live cells. Conclusions: Methods for visualising specific gene loci and gene transcripts in live human cells are very challenging. Our data suggest that care should be given to the choice of the most appropriate cell lines for these analyses and that orthogonal methods of assaying gene expression be carefully compared.
Learning to Rank an Assortment of Products
Authors: Ferreira Kris J. , Parthasarathy Sunanda , Sekar Shreyas 
Published: October 2021

We consider the product-ranking challenge that online retailers face when their customers typically behave as “window shoppers.” They form an impression of the assortment after browsing products ranked in the initial positions and then decide whether to continue browsing. We design online learning algorithms for product ranking that maximize the number of customers who engage with the site. Customers’ product preferences and attention spans are correlated and unknown to the retailer; furthermore, the retailer cannot exploit similarities across products, owing to the fact that the products are not necessarily characterized by a set of attributes. We develop a class of online learning-then-earning algorithms that prescribe a ranking to offer each customer, learning from preceding customers’ clickstream data to offer better rankings to subsequent customers. Our algorithms balance product popularity with diversity, the notion of appealing to a large variety of heterogeneous customers. We prove that our learning algorithms converge to a ranking that matches the best-known approximation factors for the offline, complete information setting. Finally, we partner with Wayfair — a multibillion-dollar home goods online retailer — to estimate the impact of our algorithms in practice via simulations using actual clickstream data, and we find that our algorithms yield a significant increase (5–30%) in the number of customers that engage with the site. This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, Management Science Special Section on Data-Driven Prescriptive Analytics.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management in healthcare systems: a case study in Iran
Authors: Ranjbar Mohammad , Bahariniya Sajjad 
Published: October 2021

Background/AimsBoth emotional intelligence and conflict resolution are believed to be crucial to organisational leadership, particularly in healthcare settings. This study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management.MethodsThis descriptive-analytical study was conducted with 194 staff in Yazd, Iran, in 2018. Two standard questionnaires were used for data collection and data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21.ResultsThere was a significant negative relationship (r-0.438) between emotional intelligence and conflict management as a whole, and between all the sub-dimensions of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-regulation, social consciousness and relationship management) and conflict management.ConclusionsResearch on the relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management is divided, but this study suggests that high emotional intelligence does not always indicate that an individual will use conflict management strategies. More research is needed in this area, particularly in the context of healthcare settings.