bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Mishina Ekaterina E. , Mayorov Alexander Y. , Bogomolov Pavel O. , Liusina Ekaterina O. , Bueverov Alexey O. 
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND:The number of patients with chronic metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is growing at an alarming rate worldwide in both developed and developing countries. In the world, the prevalence of NAFLD is approaching 25%. Among patients with T2D, 70–80% are diagnosed with NAFLD. Insulin resistance (IR) is recognized as one of the main pathogenetic factors in the development of the most common chronic liver disease — NAFLD.AIM:Our search work was aimed at determining the contribution of the degree of IR to the progression of NAFLD; compare the gold standard for the determination of IR (clamp) and the mathematical model (HOMA-IR).METHODS:An observational one-stage open comparative study was conducted on the basis of the case-control principle. The objects of the study were overweight and obese patients who had not previously been diagnosed carbohydrate metabolism disorders, without secondary causes of fat accumulation in the liver. During the examination, clinical and laboratory studies were carried out, IR indices (M-index, HOMA-IR index) were obtained, a diagnosis of carbohydrate metabolism disturbance (or its absence) was made, a liver biopsy was made, morphological and clinical diagnoses were made.RESULTS:The analysis included information about 60 patients, they are divided into 3 groups: without NAFLD (7 people), with steatosis (18 people), with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (35 people), groups are comparable by age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin. When assessing the degree of IR using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test, 19 showed a severe degree of IR, 28 had a moderate degree, 8 had a mild degree, and 5 had no IR. In the three studied groups, the median IR corresponded to an average degree and did not significantly differ. When comparing the gold standard for determining IR and the mathematical model (HOMA-IR) in the studied groups, an negative significant correlation was revealed (p = 0,0001).CONCLUSIONS:In the course of our study, no correlation was found between the degree of IR and the severity of NAFLD. This result allows us to think about other pathogenetic factors that affect the progression of NAFLD.
Expression and clinical importance of a newly discovered alternative splice variant of the gene for acrosin binding protein found in human brain tumors
Authors: Zheng Baolong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Acrosin binding protein (ACRBP) is a member of the cancer–testis antigen (CTA) family. Normally, ACRBP mRNA is expressed only in seminiferous tubules, while abnormally it is expressed in various types of cancers in tumor tissues, such as brain tumor.

Objectives
To determine the expression and clinical impact of a newly discovered splice variant of ACRBP in brain tumor.

Methods
Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed from 92 tumor specimens and 3 cell lines. Primers were designed to determine the expression of the new splice variant in all the samples. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was conducted for samples positive in reverse transcriptase-PCR. Association of the expression of ACRBP with the clinicopathological features of the various brain tumors was assessed statistically.

Results
The primers identified a newly discovered splice variant of ACRBP named ACRBP-V5a. The proportions of samples of the various brain tumor types positive for the ACRBP-V5a splicing variant were as follows: astrocytoma 10/33 (30%), glioblastoma 10/30 (33%), medulloblastoma 14/29 (48%), all tumors 34/92 (37%). Although we did not find a significant difference in the proportions of samples of various types of brain tumor tissues positive for the new splice variant (P > 0.05), levels of expression of the ACRBP-V5a splice variant were significantly different for tumor grade (P = 0.01) and tumor type (P = 0.02).

Conclusions
A newly discovered splice variant, ACRBP-V5a, is present in brain tumor. The new splicing variant may have discriminative value and potential importance in molecular-targeted therapy for brain tumors.
Stablecoins, Central Bank Digital Currencies and US Dollar Hegemony
Authors: Fantacci Luca , Gobbi Lucio 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Stablecoins are second generation cryptocurrencies, aimed at maintaining their value stable with respect to official currencies. The most famous example is perhaps represented by libra, the cryptocurrency announced by Facebook in 2019 and yet to be issued; the most widespread is tether, with a market capitalization of almost 10 billion dollars and a daily transaction volume of almost 50 billion dollars, which makes it the most used cryptocurrency. The diffusion of stablecoins is hardly surprising. By minimizing volatility – the main flaw of first generation cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin –, stablecoins are expected to play an even more important role on a global scale within a few years. Our contribution deals not with the economic, but specifically with the geopolitical factors that could foster the use of stablecoins for strategic and military purposes. In particular, we focus on how such payment instruments, together with other alternative electronic payment systems, could be used as a means to circumvent economic sanctions and ultimately as a challenge to the hegemony of the US dollar in the international monetary system.
Commutators on Weighted Morrey Spaces on Spaces of Homogeneous Type
Authors: Gong Ruming , Li Ji , Pozzi Elodie , Vempati Manasa N. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we study the boundedness and compactness of the commutator of Calderón– Zygmund operators T on spaces of homogeneous type (X, d, µ) in the sense of Coifman and Weiss. More precisely, we show that the commutator [b, T] is bounded on the weighted Morrey space

L

ω

p
,
k

(
X
)

L_\omega ^{p,k}\left( X \right)

with κ ∈ (0, 1) and ω ∈ Ap
(X), 1 < p < ∞, if and only if b is in the BMO space. We also prove that the commutator [b, T] is compact on the same weighted Morrey space if and only if b belongs to the VMO space. We note that there is no extra assumptions on the quasimetric d and the doubling measure µ.
Three-dimensionally printed polycaprolactone/multicomponent bioactive glass scaffolds for potential application in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Fathi Amirhosein , Kermani Farzad , Behnamghader Aliasghar , Banijamali Sara , Mozafari Masoud , Baino Francesco , Kargozar Saeid 
Published: January 2021

AbstractOver the last years, three-dimensional (3D) printing has been successfully applied to produce suitable substitutes for treating bone defects. In this work, 3D printed composite scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) and strontium (Sr)- and cobalt (Co)-doped multi-component melt-derived bioactive glasses (BGs) were prepared for bone tissue engineering strategies. For this purpose, 30% of as-prepared BG particles (size <38 μm) were incorporated into PCL, and then the obtained composite mix was introduced into a 3D printing machine to fabricate layer-by-layer porous structures with the size of 12 × 12 × 2 mm3.The scaffolds were fully characterized through a series of physico-chemical and biological assays. Adding the BGs to PCL led to an improvement in the compressive strength of the fabricated scaffolds and increased their hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the PCL/BG scaffolds showed apatite-forming ability (i.e., bioactivity behavior) after being immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). The in vitro cellular examinations revealed the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds and confirmed them as suitable substrates for the adhesion and proliferation of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. In conclusion, 3D printed composite scaffolds made of PCL and Sr- and Co-doped BGs might be potentially-beneficial bone replacements, and the achieved results motivate further research on these materials.
MiR-30c-5p/ROCK2 axis regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis and EMT via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in HG-induced HK-2 cells
Authors: Cui Lianshun , Yu Meiyan , Cui Xinglei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNA-30c-5p (miR-30c-5p) participates in the pathogenesis of DN, but the mechanism has not been clearly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the biological role of miR-30c-5p in human DN progressionin vitro. Compared with the controls, DN tissues and high glucose-induced HK-2 cells had significantly reduced miR-30c-5p levels, while ROCK2 expression was prominently elevated. Additionally, the miR-30c-5p mimic distinctly facilitated cell proliferation and blocked cell apoptosis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, ROCK2 was a target gene of miR-30c-5p, and the effects of miR-30c-5p mimic on cell proliferation, apoptosis and EMT were reversed by ROCK2 upregulationin vitro. Furthermore, the pathogenesis of DN was regulated by the miR-30c-5p/ROCK2 axis via the PI3K/AKT pathway. MiR-30c-5p regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis and EMT through targeting ROCK2 via the PI3K/AKT pathway provides the novel potential target for clinical treatment of DN.
Experimental Conviviality: Exploring Convivial and Sustainable Practices
Authors: Adloff Frank 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe paper develops a concept of conviviality as a form of friendly togetherness that includes people, technical infrastructures and nature. Therefore, Marcel Mauss’s concept of the gift, different strands of thinking about conviviality (e.g. Ivan Illich), John Dewey’ experimentalism and the political theory and movement of convivialism are firstly depicted and discussed. The goal, secondly, is to integrate these various theoretical perspectives in order a) to better grasp already existent forms of conviviality and to b) develop an analytical and normative standpoint that on the one hand helps to evaluate unsustainable, non-convivial and on the other convivial forms of living together.Thus, such an analytical and normative model of modes of conviviality points out that associative self-organisation is decisive for the theory and practice of conviviality. Exchange without remuneration (between people and between people and nature) as well as self-organised gathering can be seen as the basis of a convivial social order which is differentiated from a solely instrumental, unsustainable and monetarily defined version of prosperity and the good life.
Copula modeling for discrete random vectors
Authors: Geenens Gery 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Copulas have now become ubiquitous statistical tools for describing, analysing and modelling dependence between random variables. Sklar’s theorem, “the fundamental theorem of copulas”, makes a clear distinction between the continuous case and the discrete case, though. In particular, the copula of a discrete random vector is not fully identifiable, which causes serious inconsistencies. In spite of this, downplaying statements may be found in the related literature, where copula methods are used for modelling dependence between discrete variables. This paper calls to reconsidering the soundness of copula modelling for discrete data. It suggests a more fundamental construction which allows copula ideas to smoothly carry over to the discrete case. Actually it is an attempt at rejuvenating some century-old ideas of Udny Yule, who mentioned a similar construction a long time before copulas got in fashion.
Evolution of the Bystrzyca River valley during Middle Pleistocene Interglacial (Sudetic Foreland, south-western Poland)
Authors: Krzyszkowski Dariusz , Wachecka-Kotkowska Lucyna , Krawczyk Marcin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The article depicts the problem of river system development during the Middle Pleistocene Interglacial in the Bystrzyca River Valley (Sudetic Foreland, south-western Poland). Ten research sites located within the Świdnica Plain are presented, in which the structural, grain size (granulometry), petrographic, quartz grain morphoscopy, and heavy mineral analyses were carried out. The study results show the formation of piedmont fan deposits 2–8 km to the NE of the Sudetic Marginal Fault. The location of the fluvial deposits between the Sanian and Odranian tills indicates that they were deposited during the Holsteinian Interglacial (Krzczonów Formation, Mazovian; see Table 1). According toxthe lithofacies analysis, vast alluvial plains, composed of angular gravel grains in the south and of sands in the north, were deposited in the Sudetic Foreland in the environment of a very dynamic river. They are covered with a discontinuous layer of Odranian till. The petrographic spectrum shows 90–99% of local rocks, namely, Sudetic porphyry, Sowie Mts Gneiss and milky quartz, and 1–10% of Scandinavian rocks. In the proto-Bystrzyca river system, the existence of an oxbow lake in the distal part of the Krzczonów fan has been proved, which was developing at the end of the Holsteinian Interglacial. The continuity of the alluvial deposits is interrupted in the vicinity of Świdnica due to both the tectonic movements and the formation of the narrow tectonic graben of Roztoka–Mokrzeszów.
A 3D numerical analysis of the compaction effects on the behavior of panel-type MSE walls
Authors: Won Myoung-Soo , Langcuyan Christine P. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Soil is weak in tension but strong in compression. The resistance to tensile deformation of soil is given by the tensile force of the reinforcement in the reinforced soil, and the tensile force of the reinforcement is generated by the frictional force at the soil-reinforcement interface. When the soil-reinforcement is effectively interacted by the compaction, the deformation of the soil becomes equal to the tensile deformation of the reinforcement material, which means that the soil is bound to the tensile force of the reinforcement material and thus has a great resistance to the tensile deformation. Therefore, compaction is one of the major parameters affecting the behavior of the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall. In this study, a series of numerical analyses was performed to investigate the compaction effect on the behavior of the MSE walls. The results showed that the horizontal displacement of the MSE wall significantly increased during the construction and decreased because of surcharge load application after the construction. In addition, the strains of reinforcement increased significantly during the construction and decreased slightly because of surcharge load application after the construction. Therefore, it is important to consider the compaction loads when modeling the MSE walls, so that the lateral displacement at wall facing will not be underestimated during construction and will not be overestimated because of surcharge load application after the construction.
(ω, c)- Pseudo almost periodic distributions
Authors: Khalladi Mohammed Taha , Rahmani Abdelkader 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The paper is a study of the (w, c) −pseudo almost periodicity in the setting of Sobolev-Schwartz distributions. We introduce the space of (w, c) −pseudo almost periodic distributions and give their principal properties. Some results about the existence of distributional (w, c) −pseudo almost periodic solutions of linear differential systems are proposed.
The utilisation of translanguaging for learning and teaching in multilingual primary classrooms
Authors: Omidire Margaret Funke , Ayob Sameera 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article reports on the outcome of utilising a multilingual strategy that promotes translanguaging to support primary grade learners and the enablers and constraints of the implementation of such strategies. Purposive sampling was used to select two schools. Grade 5 and 6 learners (N = 162) and their teachers (N = 3) participated in the study. Qualitative research approach was employed and data was collected using classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, document analysis and storyboards. Data was analysed thematically and categorised. It was found that the enablers of translanguaging included a non-threatening and safe environment. Teachers’ positive attitude, the accessibility of the translated materials and the learners’ sense of pride due to acknowledgement and use of their home languages during lessons. The constraints included inadequate resources, limited lesson time, complexity of some of the home languages, limited experience of the teachers using a multilingual approach and existing socio-economic factors. Future longitudinal research is required to explore the impact of the strategy on the academic performance of the learners.
A Multimodal Discourse Analysis in Media
Authors: Luca Ion-Sorin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This study attempts a multimodal discourse analysis of a newspaper article during the Brexit campaign. The aim is to help the audience decode and evaluate photographs and texts from media by providing a few strategies as guidance. The approach adopted for this analytical research is inspired by Halliday and Matthiessen’s An Introduction to Functional Grammar (2004). Consequently, the objects in a photograph and words in a text function similarly conveying information to the audience, and additionally, involve a similar strategy of analysis. To sum up, these strategies are intended to improve the audience’s comprehension of decoding article meaning and journalist’s intention.
Behaviour of Sediments in Water Structures
Authors: Junáková Natália , Junák Jozef 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Bottom sediments are a natural part of aquatic ecosystems. They are increasingly contributing to the deterioration of watercourses and reservoirs and are an undesirable material that causes various serious environmental and technical problems. The most significant problems include the instability of riverbeds, the transport of chemicals, nutrients and organic compounds, the supply of sediments to water reservoirs. Bottom sediments have the ability to bind to their surface various predominantly harmful substances such as heavy metals, radionuclides, nutrients and organic substances. Such sediments pose a risk to the water system in terms of possible remobilization of pollutants into the water.
This paper is focused on the study of behavior of sediments in the Hervartov small water reservoir located in the east of Slovakia and their ability to adsorb phosphorus at the sediment-water interface. The results show that the efficiency of sorption of phosphorus from the aqueous environment by fine and coarse-grained sediments is the highest at the lowest input concentrations of phosphorus in solution, or at low concentrations in surface water above the sediment. At these concentrations, the amount of sorbed phosphorus by fine-grained sediments was up to almost 99%. The coarse-grained sediments sorbed phosphorus at a level of up to 84%. Increasing the concentration of phosphorus in the solution leads to a decrease in the sorption efficiency of the sediment, while at high concentrations of the sorbate, the sorption process is significantly stabilized due to reaching the maximum sorption capacity of bottom sediments.
The investigation of effects of humidity and temperature on torque transducers calibration
Authors: Tuğcu M. Barış , Feyzullahoğlu Erol 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Torque transducer is mechanical device that converts an energy form to another energy form. Torque transducers are calibrated by using machines such as dead weight calibration machines and reference torque transducer systems. Torque transducers are at risk of being affected by various environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, and deviating from expected measurement results due to strain gauges on them. These factors should be kept under control, if this is not possible, contribution of ambient temperature and air humidity effects on measurement results should be taken into consideration. In this study, measurements were made according to DIN 51309 directive, and effect of other parameter changes on measurement uncertainty, while temperature and humidity kept constant in turn, was investigated. In this study, the goal was to reduce measurement uncertainty of calibration by determining the optimum temperature and humidity values in test environment. As a result of this study, the optimum values are obtained. The lowest measurement uncertainty was found at 21 °C and 50 % RH in this experimental study. In a test environment where optimum environmental conditions are obtained as a result of this study, the torque transducers will have the opportunity to work with maximum precision.
Ulinastatin alleviates traumatic brain injury by reducing endothelin-1
Authors: Liu Ting , Liao Xing-Zhi , Zhou Mai-Tao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Brain edema is one of the major causes of fatality and disability associated with injury and neurosurgical procedures. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of ulinastatin (UTI), a protease inhibitor, on astrocytes in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methodology
A rat model of TBI was established. Animals were randomly divided into 2 groups – one group was treated with normal saline and the second group was treated with UTI (50,000 U/kg). The brain water content and permeability of the blood–brain barrier were assessed in the two groups along with a sham group (no TBI). Expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein, endthelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Effect of UTI on ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways was measured by western blot.

Results
UTI significantly decreased the brain water content and extravasation of the Evans blue dye. This attenuation was associated with decreased activation of the astrocytes and ET-1. UTI treatment decreased ERK and Akt activation and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory VEGF and MMP-9.

Conclusion
UTI can alleviate brain edema resulting from TBI by inhibiting astrocyte activation and ET-1 production.
Emotional Perception in 11S (USA) and 11M (Spain) Advertisement
Authors: Martinez-Pastor Esther , Simón-de-Blas Clara 
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper is to contrast whether cognitive memory and emotional recall related to a tragic event and exposure to advertisements that evoke such an experience generates a negative emotional change in the target. We performed an experiment that analyzes emotional changes derived from advertisements featured in the national press ten years after terrorist attacks. We chose the attacks: September 11, 2001, in New York City, and March 11, 2004, in Madrid and analyze the cognitive recall in a set of Spanish and United States focus groups. The results show a significant emotional change in the respondents after the advertisement visualization that is more strongly linked to the recall of a negative event than to the advertisement creativity.