bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automatic detection of eardrum otoendoscopic images in patients with otitis media using hybrid‐based deep models
Authors: Eroğlu Orkun , Yildirim Muhammed 
Published: December 2021

AbstractOtitis media with effusion (OME) is fluid accumulation in the middle ear without signs of systemic infection. OME can cause hearing loss, ear fullness, speech retardation, and a decrease in social relations and school success. In the treatment of OME, methods such as medical treatment and placing a tympanostomy tube in the eardrum are used. Correct evaluation of the eardrum is necessary to diagnose OME and follow‐up properly in the following period. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the otoendoscopic images of the eardrum in patients with otitis media with effusion using deep models. In the proposed model, Efficientnetb0, Darknet53, and Densenet201 architectures are used as the base. The feature maps obtained using these architectures are combined. In this way, different features of the otoendoscopic images of the eardrum in the data set were extracted and combined using different architectures. neighborhood component analysis optimization technique is used to select important features from the combined feature maps. By using this optimization method, the size of feature maps is reduced. In this way, the model is trained faster, and the testing process is carried out in a shorter time. When these features are classified in different classifiers, the model we propose has the most successful average accuracy value of 94.27% in the SVM classifier.
Guide to physiotherapy and rehabilitation of cats
Authors: Box Emma 
Published: December 2021

Background: Veterinary physiotherapy involves restoring a patient's movement and function following an injury, illness or trauma. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the application of physiotherapy to small animals; however, it is still often overlooked for cats. Cats are not accustomed to regular handling or restraint and tend to become impatient and bored quickly, which means they are perceived as poor candidates for physiotherapy referral. However, many feline conditions do benefit from rehabilitation.Aim of the article: This article explores the application of physiotherapy techniques to feline patients, highlighting how rehabilitative exercises can be adapted so that they are suitable for cats.
Identification, frequency of occurrence, and inoculum density of select ectotrophic root‐infecting fungi within ultradwarf hybrid bermudagrass greens in Mississippi
Authors: Tucker Matthew A. , Bronzato‐Badial Aline , King Jonas , McCurdy James D. , Vines Phillip L. , Tomaso‐Peterson Maria 
Published: December 2021

AbstractGaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis (Sacc.) Arx & Oliver was described as a pathogen of bermudagrass decline [takeall root rot (TARR)]; however, recent studies have reported that multiple ectotrophic root‐infecting (ERI) fungi are associated with root rot in ultradwarf hybrid bermudagrass (UDHB) [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy] putting greens. This study surveyed UDHB roots from a healthy and a TARR‐symptomatic green. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction multiplex assays facilitated the rapid identification and quantification of four ERI fungi: G. graminis, G. nanograminis P.L Vines & M. Tom.‐Pet., Magnaporthiopsis cynodontis P.L Vines & M. Tom.‐Pet., and Candidacolonium cynodontis P.L Vines & M. Tom.‐Pet. Gaeumannomyces nanograminis was identified more frequently than G. graminis in roots from the healthy green and had the greatest inoculum density in 2018. In contrast, G. graminis was identified in 80% more root samples than G. nanograminis in the TARR‐symptomatic green in 2017, and the inoculum density of G. graminis was >2 M DNA copies per 2‐µl DNA sample. Magnaporthiopsis cynodontis was the predominant fungus in both greens throughout the study; however, its inoculum density was the lowest among all four ERI fungi. Two or more ERI fungi were frequently identified as co‐colonizing UDHB roots. This study showed that multiple ERI pathogens were widely distributed throughout the roots of two UDHB greens regardless of symptom expression and confirmed that ERI complexes co‐colonize UDHB roots. This is the first study documenting the widespread occurrence and inoculum density levels of multiple ERI fungi colonizing UDHB roots.
On multichromatic numbers of widely colorable graphs
Authors: Gujgiczer Anna , Simonyi Gábor 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA coloring is called ‐wide if no walk of length connects vertices of the same color. A graph is ‐widely colorable with colors if and only if it admits a homomorphism into a universal graph . Tardif observed that the value of the multichromatic number of these graphs is at least and equality holds for . He asked whether there is equality also for . We show that for all thereby answering Tardif's question. We observe that for large (with respect to and fixed) we cannot have equality and that for fixed and going to infinity the fractional chromatic number of also tends to infinity. The latter is a simple consequence of another result of Tardif on the fractional chromatic number of generalized Mycielski graphs.
Overcoming multidrug resistance by knockout of ABCB1 gene using CRISPR/Cas9 system in SW620/Ad300 colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Lei Zi‐Ning , Teng Qiu‐Xu , Wu Zhuo‐Xun , Ping Feng‐Feng , Song Peng , Wurpel John N.D. , Chen Zhe‐Sheng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMultidrug resistance (MDR) has been extensively reported in colorectal cancer patients, which remains a major cause of chemotherapy failure. One of the critical mechanisms of MDR in colorectal cancer is the reduced intracellular drug level led by the upregulated expression of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters, particularly, ABCB1/P‐gp. In this study, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was utilized to target ABCB1 in MDR colorectal cancer SW620/Ad300 cell line with ABCB1 overexpression. The results showed that stable knockout of ABCB1 gene by the CRISPR/Cas9 system was achieved in the MDR cancer cells. Reversal of MDR against ABCB1 chemotherapeutic drugs increased intracellular accumulation of [3H]‐paclitaxel accumulation, and decreased drug efflux activity was observed in MDR SW620/Ad300 cells after ABCB1 gene knockout. Further tests using the 3D multicellular tumor spheroid model suggested that deficiency in ABCB1 restrained tumor spheroid growth and restore sensitivity to paclitaxel in MDR tumor spheroids. Overall, the CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting the ABCB1 gene can be an effective approach to overcome ABCB1‐mediated MDR in colorectal cancer SW620/Ad300 cells.
A novel biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties by incorporating tannic acid
Authors: Yang Jianing , Zhang Xuhui , Li Ting , Wang Yang , Xia Bihua , Jiang Jie , Chen Mingqing , Dong Weifu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIt is a challenge to simultaneously enhance the thermo‐oxidative stability, mechanical properties and biodegradability of biodegradable polymer. In this work, by incorporating tannin acid, a natural compound with polyphenol hydroxyl, a biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) with improved thermo‐oxidative stability and biodegradability was successfully prepared. Besides, due to the existence of plentiful hydrogen bond between PPC and tannic acid (TA), the composite exhibits an obviously improved Young's modulus and yield strength while retaining a high break strain (>350%). The improved comprehensive properties should be ascribed to the abundant polyphenol hydroxyl in TA, which can consume oxygen, enhance the hydrophilia of PPC/TA composites and constructing plentiful hydrogen bond with PPC. We envision that this work offers a facile route to prepare PPC with high thermo‐oxidative stability, mechanical properties, and biodegradability, and will promote the practical use of PPC.
Adverse childhood experiences in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pernell Brandi , Nagalapuram Vishnu , Lebensburger Jeffrey , Lin Chee Paul , Baskin Monica L. , Pachter Lee M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to poor health outcomes; however, the relationship between ACEs and health outcomes among children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) has limited documentation in the published literature.ProcedureThis retrospective cohort study involved 45 children and 30 adolescents. Participants were screened using the Center for Youth Wellness ACE Questionnaire. Parents completed the questionnaire for children. Adolescents provided self‐report. ACEs were treated as continuous and categorical scales: 0–1 verus ≥2 original ACEs (individual and/or familial level); 0–1 versus ≥2 additional ACEs (community level); and 0–3 versus ≥4 expanded ACEs (original + additional). Pain and acute chest syndrome events were compared using Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests, and correlated with cumulative ACE scores using Spearman's correlation. Multivariable models were fitted to examine the association between ACEs and pain/acute chest syndrome.ResultsThe cumulative number of original ACEs positively correlated with acute chest syndrome events (rho = .53, p = .003) and pain (rho = .40, p = .028) among adolescents. Adolescents with ≥2 versus 0–1 original ACEs had a higher number of acute chest syndrome events (4.9 ± 2.6 vs. 1.6 ± 2.2, p = .002); however, this association was confounded by asthma. Acute chest syndrome events and hospitalizations for pain did not differ among child ACE groups. Emergency department (ED) pain visits were higher among children with ≥4 versus 0–3 expanded ACEs (1.6 ± 2.8 vs. 3.3 ± 3.2, p = .042), even after controlling for SCD genotype, asthma, disease‐modifying treatment, and follow‐up years (p = .027).ConclusionACEs are linked to increased morbidity among children and adolescents with SCD. Prospective studies are needed to further understand this relationship and test ACE‐protective remedies.
Ultra‐stretchable, fast self‐healing, conductive hydrogels for writing circuits and magnetic sensors
Authors: Wei Duanli , Zhu Jiaqing , Luo Licheng , Huang Huabo , Li Liang , Yu Xianghua 
Published: December 2021

AbstractFunctional hydrogels are promising in various fields such as sensors, portable devices and flexible electronics. However, it is still a challenge to prepare a multifunctional hydrogel with conductivity and magnetism, as well as a variety of excellent properties. In the work reported, MnFe2O4 nanoparticles were first loaded on polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes using a chemical co‐precipitation method. By incorporating PPy/MnFe2O4 nanocomposites with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), PVA‐PPy/MnFe2O4 (PPM) hydrogels were successfully prepared with the aid of borax. These hydrogels are not only ultra‐stretchable (over 1100%) and re‐moldable, but also conductive and magnetic. Moreover, the hydrogels can self‐heal within 15 s in air and 30 s in water, and adhere to various substrates repeatedly. A sensor based on the PPM hydrogel exhibits excellent performance in real‐time monitoring of magnetic field attraction and is reusable. The hydrogels can be further applied to touch‐screen pens. This work provides new opportunities for the rational design of other multifunctional hydrogels for potential applications in flexible sensors, wearable devices and health monitoring. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Hydrophobic association and ionic coordination dual crossed‐linked conductive hydrogels with self‐adhesive and self‐healing virtues for conformal strain sensors
Authors: Zeng Runpeng , Qi Chuyi , Lu Shuxin , Xu Jinbao , Zhao Chen , Dong Zhixian , Lei Caihong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAs a promising functional material, conductive hydrogel has attracted extensive attention, especially in flexible sensor field. Despite the recent developments, current hydrogels still experience several issues, such as limited stretchability, lack of self‐recovery and self‐healing capability, and insufficient self‐adhesion. Herein, dual cross‐linked (DC) poly (AA‐co‐LMA)SDS/Fe3+ hydrogels are fabricated subtly on the basis of ionic coordination interactions and the poly (AA‐co‐LMA)SDS hydrophobic association networks, which may provide one plausible routine to compensate the mentioned drawback of hydrogels. The hydrophobic association and ionic coordination networks work synergistically to endow the hydrogels remarkable stretchability (>1200%), high‐fracture strength (≈ 820 kPa), and excellent self‐healing capability. In addition, the DC hydrogel‐based strain sensors displayed a broad sensing range (0 ∼ 900%), conspicuous sensitivity (strain 0% ∼ 200%, gauge factor = 0.53; strain 200% ∼ 500%, gauge factor = 1.23; strain 500% ∼ 900%, gauge factor = 2.09), and pronounced durability. What's more, the self‐adhesive feature ensures the strain sensor always forming a good conformal contact with the skin during human movements and displaying remarkable bidirectional detection capability.
Simultaneous quantitative analysis of seven steroid hormones in human saliva: A novel method based on O‐ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride as derivatization reagent
Authors: Xu Bin , Jia Pengfei , Cai Jun , Gu Lidong , Yan Huaxiao , Zhao Hui , Qin Song 
Published: December 2021

RationaleSaliva has been widely accepted as a more convenient alternative to serum or plasma in the field of clinical diagnosis. However, the detection of trace components in saliva has been a bottleneck problem. The aim of this work was to develop a highly sensitive and reliable method for simultaneously determining the trace steroid hormones including some with poor ionization efficiency in human saliva by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS).MethodsSaliva was deproteinated by acetonitrile containing mixed isotope internal standards and extracted with methyl tert‐butyl ether. The extraction solution was dried under a stream of nitrogen and the residue was derivatized using 50 mM O‐ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride in 80% methanol/water solution (v/v). The processed sample was determined by LC/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode.ResultsThe method was successfully established for the simultaneous quantification of seven steroid hormones in human saliva and showed excellent specificity and sensitivity. The limits of quantification (LOQs) of all steroid hormones were below 5 pg/mL, in particular, the LOQ of progesterone was as low as 0.15 pg/mL. The linear correlation coefficients (r) were greater than 0.9990 in the range of 2–200 pg/mL for T, DHEA, A4, P4, P5, and 17OHP4 and in the range of 5–500 pg/mL for 17OHP5. The intra‐day and inter‐day variability ranged from 1.86% to 7.83% and 1.95% to 10.4%, respectively. The recovery of the method ranged from 86.9% to 111.1% for all steroid hormones using three spiked concentrations.ConclusionsA novel LC/MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of seven kinds of trace steroid hormones in human saliva. The results of the methodological study showed that the method exhibited excellent sensitivity and reliability for the evaluation of free steroid hormones in the human body. It is believed that this method could provide useful information of steroid hormone metabolism for auxiliary diagnosis of some endocrine disorders.
A case of effective intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy against severe COVID‐19 infection after arteriovenous graft surgery
Authors: Kamata Sokichi , Hamanaka Souhei , Tsukamoto Jin , Tsuchimoto Teppei , Fujiwara Kiyohiro , Okamura Mikio 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPerioperative COVID‐19 infections in patients suffering from end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) are more likely to become severe, with a high mortality rate, than those in other patients. For such patients, corticosteroid therapy is one of the limited number of treatment options. We experienced a case of ESRD in which COVID‐19 infection immediately followed arteriovenous graft surgery. Although the respiratory condition deteriorated following dexamethasone administration, requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy (pulse therapy) improved it dramatically, suggesting that pulse therapy may be effective against severe COVID‐19 infection in patients suffering from ESRD.
Anti‐inflammatory activity of arctigenin against PCV2 infection in a mouse model
Authors: Wu Lijun , Chen Jie , Zhou Danna , Chen Runshan , Chen Xiabing , Shao Zhiyong , Yang Wenhai , He Bin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractArctigenin (ACT) is a novel anti‐inflammatory lignan extracted from Arctium lappa L, a herb commonly used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism whereby ACT inhibits PCV2 infection‐induced proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. We observed that in PCV2 infection+ACT treated PK‐15 cells, proinflammatory cytokine production was significantly reduced, compared to the PCV2‐infected cells. The transfection and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that ACT suppressed NF‐κB signalling pathway activation following PCV2 infection in PK‐15 cells. Furthermore, western blotting demonstrated that ACT suppressed the NF‐κB signal pathway in PCV2 infection‐stimulated PK‐15 cells by inhibiting the translocation of p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and IκBα phosphorylation. BALB/c mice were used as a model to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effect of ACT in vivo. We found that the BALB/c mice inoculated with PCV2 infection + ACT treated showed a significant reduction of proinflammatory cytokine production in serum, lung and spleen tissue, compared to the PCV2‐infected mice. Western blotting confirmed that ACT suppressed the NF‐κB signal pathway in PCV2‐infected mice by inhibiting the translocation of p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and IκBα phosphorylation in lung tissue. Our studies first demonstrate that ACT inhibits PCV2 infection‐induced proinflammatory cytokine production by suppressing the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB in vitro and in vivo. These results will help further develop ACT as a Traditional Chinese herbal medicine remedy in the treatment of porcine circovirus‐associated diseases.
Scaly leg due to Knemidokoptes sp. in a bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula): Common is common, but keep an open mind for new findings!
Authors: Bianco Carlo , Fenemore Caroline , Cafiso Alessandra , Everest Dave , Schock Alexandra 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAn adult, male bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) underwent a postmortem examination for proliferative leg lesions. A mobile mite, Mesalgoides pyrrhulinus, was detected from skin scrapings. The histopathology and molecular testing identified Knemidokoptes sp. We herein highlight the importance of a rigorous diagnostic workup in cases in which a ‘common’ clinical presentation gives an unexpected test result.
The Institutionalization of Political Science in Small States: A Comparative Analysis of Estonia, Iceland, Malta, and Slovenia
Authors: Hlynsdóttir Eva Marín , Matonytė Irmina 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe chapter explores the relevance of population size in relation to the internationalization of political science in higher education institutions by comparing the situation in Estonia, Iceland, Malta, and Slovenia. Moreover, the chapter also examines if the legacy of the former communist regime aids or hinders the institutionalization of political science in the higher education of Estonia and Slovenia. The findings suggest there is a north-south effect as the northern States have integrated political science more thoroughly and more easily into their higher education system. Moreover, the findings suggest a tendency for hyper-active internationalization in the states formerly under the communist regime. Finally, smallness proves to be a mixed blessing, although the small states in the study have been able to use their small size to their advantage.
The Adaptation of New Countries to Existing (Old) Institutional Frameworks
Authors: Berndtson Erkki 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPolitical science as an independent academic discipline emerged in Europe after the Second World War. Moreover, up until the 1990s, it was mainly a preserve of Western Europe. The discipline began to develop in Central and Eastern Europe only after the 1989/91 political upheavals. When political science was institutionalised as a discipline in Western Europe, it was helped by international organisations such as the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). It would seem, however, that European cross-national organisations do not currently promote and facilitate European political science successfully, as only a few Central and Eastern European institutions participate fully in international cooperation. The current field of European political science is organisationally fragmented, which makes it difficult to enable new countries to adapt to existing institutional frameworks, and to create an institutionalised pan-European political science discipline. Resolving this problem is vital if European political science is to develop more fully.
Solidarities Across: Borders, Belongings, Movements
Authors: Çağatay Selin , Liinason Mia , Sasunkevich Olga 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWhat is the role of affinity, friendship, and care, as well as of conflict and dissonance, in creating possibilities of and hindrances to transnational solidarities? Building on an emergent literature on everyday and affective practices of solidarity, this chapter offers a set of diverse ethnographic accounts of activist work oriented to recognizing and challenging inequalities and relations of oppression based on race, ethnicity, religion, and class, alongside gender and sexuality. Engaging a variety of material from feminist and LGBTI+ activisms, the chapter highlights ambivalences inscribed in the making of collective resilience, resistance, and repair by: First, problematizing activist efforts to build solidarity across geographic and contextual divides; second, highlighting the importance of solidarity as shared labor in challenging state actors and institutions and reversing colonial processes; and third, unpacking the implications of transnational solidarity campaigns in different locales. The chapter ends with reflections on how feminist scholarship can advance conceptualizations of solidarity across difference.
Conclusion
Authors: Çağatay Selin , Liinason Mia , Sasunkevich Olga 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis chapter revisits the points of departure for the book and approaches Russia, Turkey, and Scandinavia as contested, multiple, ambivalent, and fluid categories. Recognizing the multiple convergences and shifts that have characterized feminist and LGBTI+  resistances throughout this book, the chapter locates these enactments within a broader context of more spectacular, attention-seeking forms of political expression as well as less visible and small-scale, everyday forms of resistance. Within such broader contexts, this chapter argues, it is possible to catch sight of the fluidity between various scales of resistance—individual/collective, micro/meso/macro, local-transnational—which can incite and inspire new practices of resistance. By so doing, it is concluded, these struggles can also be seen to carry hope for more open-ended futures.