bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of serum cytokine levels in symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-Leishmania coinfected individuals from a Brazilian visceral leishmaniasis endemic area
Authors: Guedes Diego Lins , Silva Elis Dionísio da , Castro Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz , Júnior Walter Lins Barbosa , Ibarra-Meneses Ana Victoria , Tsoumanis Achilleas , Adriaensen Wim , van Griensven Johan , Pereira Valéria Rêgo Alves , Medeiros Zulma Maria de 
Published: June 2022

Background
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains an important infectious disease worldwide. VL-HIV coinfected individuals can present with atypical clinical forms of VL and have a high risk of VL relapse. Some cytokines have been described as potential markers to diagnose active VL and to predict the severity of the cases. However, few studies have included VL-HIV coinfected patients. We aimed to characterize the levels of several cytokines among VL-HIV coinfected individuals living in a VL-endemic area in Northeast Brazil.

Methods
This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, aiming to estimate the levels of various cytokines in symptomatic and asymptomatic VL-HIV coinfected individuals. There were 134 study participants (35 symptomatic VL-HIV, 75 asymptomatic VL-HIV, and 24 healthy controls), all ≥ 18 years-old. Serum cytokine levels (interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukins 2, 4, 6, 10, and 17A) were quantified using the Becton Dickinson-BD’s Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) system.

Results
The population mainly consisted of men (64.9%), with a median age of 35 (27–41) years. Asymptomatic individuals were younger (p = 0.013), with more years of education (p < 0.001), and were more often on antiretroviral therapy (p < 0.001) than those in the symptomatic group. Hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001), lymphocytes (p < 0.001) and CD4 count (p < 0.001) were lower in symptomatic individuals, while HIV viral loads were higher (p < 0.001). In the symptomatic VL-HIV coinfected group, we observed increased serum levels of IL-17A, IL-6, and IL-10 compared to asymptomatic patients and the healthy controls. There were no differences in the levels of all cytokines between asymptomatic VL-HIV coinfected individuals and the healthy controls.

Conclusions
Higher serum levels of IL-17A, IL-6, and IL-10 cytokines were observed in symptomatic coinfected individuals but not in asymptomatically infected individuals. More studies among HIV-positive persons are needed to better understand the role of serum cytokines for prognosis, to define cure and predict VL relapses in VL-HIV coinfected individuals.
Total collagen content and distribution is increased in human colon during advancing age
Authors: Baidoo Nicholas , Crawley Ellie , Knowles Charles H. , Sanger Gareth J. , Belai Abi 
Published: June 2022

Background
The effect of ageing on total collagen content of human colon has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to determine if ageing altered total collagen content and distribution in the human colon.

Methods
Macroscopically normal ascending colon was obtained at surgery from cancer patients (n = 31) without diagnosis of diverticular disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Masson’s trichrome and Picrosirius red stains were employed to identify the total collagen content and distribution within the sublayers of the colonic wall for adult (22–60 years; 6 males, 6 females) and elderly (70 – 91years; 6 males, 4 female) patients. A hydroxyproline assay evaluated the total collagen concentration for adult (30–64 years; 9 male, 6 female) and elderly (66–91 years; 8 male, 8 female) patients.

Key results
Histological studies showed that the percentage mean intensity of total collagen staining in the mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa was, respectively, 14(1.9) %, 74(3.2) % and 12(1.5) % in the adult ascending colon. Compared with the adults, the total collagen fibres content was increased in the submucosa (mean intensity; 163.1 ± 11.1 vs. 124.5 ± 7.8; P < 0.05) and muscularis externa (42.5 ± 8.0 vs. 20.6 ± 2.8; P < 0.01) of the elderly patients. There was no change in collagen content of the mucosa. The total collagen concentration was increased in the elderly by 16%. Sex-related differences were not found, and data were combined for analysis.

Conclusions
Greater total collagen content was found in the submucosa and muscularis externa of the elderly human male and female colon. These changes may contribute to a possible loss of function with ageing.
Consumption of animal source food and associated factors among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia: A community-based study
Authors: Fite Meseret Belete , Tura Abera Kenay , Yadeta Tesfaye Assebe , Oljira Lemessa , Roba Kedir Teji 
Published: June 2022

Introduction
Animal source foods contain quality nutrients, immunity, and behavioral outcome and are important for growth, and development. However, evidence on the level of animal source food consumption frequency and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia, particularly rural residents are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the consumption frequency of animal source food and to identify associated factors among pregnant women in the Haramaya district.

Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 448 pregnant women. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews by trained research assistants, using a validated frequency questionnaire. Consumption of animal food sources was assessed by counting the frequency of each food from animal sources that pregnant women ate over a seven-day reference period. The highest tertile for animal source food consumption was considered as the high frequency of animal source food consumption; whereas the two lower tertiles were taken as the low frequency of animal source food consumption. A binary logistic regression model was used to investigate the association of the independent variables with the animal source food consumption. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was reported to show an association using a p-value <0.05.

Results
The high frequency of animal source food consumption among the study participants was 24.78% (95% CI = 21%-29%). High animal source food consumption was more likely higher among respondents who were literate (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.048–3.095), and those who owned milk cows (ARO = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.003–2.863). However, respondent who reported chewing khat (AOR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.313–0.805) (AOR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.349–0.903), were less likely experienced animal source food consumption.

Conclusion
We found low animal source food consumption among pregnant women in this predominantly rural setting. Women’s educational level and milk cow ownership were positively associated with animal source food consumption. Additionally, a lower frequency of animal source food consumption was observed among women who reported chewing khat. Therefore, nutrition policy programs and interventions aimed at encouraging maternal nutritional guidance and counseling are recommended.
Optimasi Pembuatan Kitosan Dari Limbah Cangkang Bekicot (Achatina fulica) Menggunakan Factorial Design 2 Pangkat 3
Authors: Septiani Intan , Supriyo Edy 
Published: June 2022

Kitosan merupakan padatan yang berwarna putih kecoklatan, bersifat nontoksit, biodegradable dan biocompatible. Mengolah cangkang bekicot menjadi kitosan melalui tiga proses yaitu deproteinasi yang bertujuan untuk menghilangkan protein, demineralisasi untuk menghilangkan mineral, dan deasetilasi untuk menghilangkan gugus asetil yang masih terikat pada kitosan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui mutu kitosan yang dihasilkan dari cangkang bekicot dan pengaruh waktu (160 dan 180 menit), rasio (1 : 6,5 dan 1 : 7,5) dan suhu (85oC dan 95oC) pada proses deasetilasi terhadap % kadar air yang dihasilkan dan dilakukan proses optimasi dengan variasi waktu deasetilasi untuk menentukan % kadar air kitosan cangkang bekicot. Dari penelitian pembuatan kitosan dari cangkang bekicot didapatkan kondisi optimum proses deasetilasi pada waktu 160 menit, rasio kitin : NaOH 1 : 6,5 dan suhu 95oC dengan kadar air sebesar 2,2%. Kitosan yang didapatkan memiliki kadar abu sebesar 95,19%, berwarna putih, kitosan yang terbentuk sebesar 9,98% dan kitosan yang dihasilkan dapat digunakan sebagai pengawet bakso dengan masa simpan selama 3 hari. Chitosan is solid with brownish-white color, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. Processing snail shells into chitosan go through three processes, namely deproteination which aims to remove protein, demineralization to remove minerals, and deacetylation to remove acetyl groups. This research was conducted to determine the quality of chitosan produced from snail shells and effect of time (160 and 180 minute), ratio (1:6,5 and 1:7,5) and temperature (85oC and 95oC) in the deacetylation process to the % water content and an optimization process with time variations in deacetylation time to determine the % water content of snail shell chitosan. From the research making chitosan from snail shell it was found that the optimum conditions for the deacetylation process were 160 minutes, the ratio of chitin: NaOH 1:6.5, and a temperature of 95oC with a water content of 2.2%. The chitosan obtained has an ash content of 95.19%, is white, the chitosan formed is 9.98% and the resulting chitosan can be used as a meat ball preservative with a shelf life of 3 days.
The Contribution of Circular Tourism to the Sustainable Development of Greece
Authors: Economou Agisilaos 
Published: June 2022

Tourism today is an organized activity, which serves a variety of travelers’ entertainment needs, but at the same time brings financial resources to the places that receive visitors. In other words, it is an economic activity that lies in the laws of supply and demand. Therefore, the process of tourism development is largely related to what a place has to offer in terms of natural and cultural resources and services, and is a positive economic process which brings financial resources to the place that develops it.
However, in many Greek tourist destinations, due to the increased number of tourists they receive, there is an over-consumption of their resources and an imbalance in relation to the carrying capacity of the area. As a solution to the environmental and social problems created by tourism, in the present work, circular tourism is proposed for Greece. That is, the one who is based on the respect and preservation of socio-cultural and environmental resources, as well as the harmonious coexistence of tourists-visitors and employees in the tourism sector and the local community
Influnce of Social-Economic Factors on Youth Radicalization in Garissa County: Kenya
Authors: Kibaara Tarsilla M. 
Published: June 2022

This study was set to study the influence of social-economic factors on radicalization in Garissa county in Kenya. Radicalisation refers to a process by which individuals are indoctrinated into an overtly ideological belief system that encourages a shift from mainstream ethics to extremism. While violent radicalisation appears to have been significantly neutralised in Coast, North Eastern and Nairobi Counties, Garissa county is still threatened by youth radicalization The study objectives were: Influence of Religious extremism in radicalization, influence of Cattle rustling in tackling Radicalization, Influence of poverty in radicalization. The study adopted descriptive survey research design in which simple random and purposive sampling were used to select 10% sample size from the target population of the study. The instruments of data collection included questionnaires, and interviews. Study reliability and validity were established through piloting of the instruments and expert judgements. The study outcomes will inform policy formulation and enhance the body of knowledge in research. The study found out that :Social-economic factors influenced youth radicalization to a very great extent as compared. to religious extremism. The study also found out that poverty played a major role in influencing radicalization in Garissa county in Kenya.
Berührung auf Todeshöhe: Maurice Blanchots Uneingestehbare Gemeinschaft (Bataille, Nancy, Duras)
Authors: Bengert Martina 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Focusing on Maurice Blanchot’s La Communauté inavouable (1983), this text investigates possibilities of thinking and performing communities that interact with and constitute one another “à hauteur de mort” (Bataille).Following the twofold structure of Blanchot’s text, the first part of the essay in its first part unfolds the notion of communitas in order to show how Maurice Blanchot, Georges Bataille, and Jean-Luc Nancy formulated a new concept of community by distinguishing it from liberal, socialist, Christian or fascist forms of community that all had become extremely problematic by the beginning of the Second World War at the latest. By doing so they themselves performed an ‘unavowable community.’The second part of the essay engages with Marguerite Duras’ La Maladie de la mort, a novella that is the main subject of the second part of La Communauté inavouable. Here, the performative power of language is delineated by means of the idea of a ‘community of lovers’ that manifests itself, in contrast to romantic forms of togetherness and unity, precisely in the breakdown of communicatio and communitas.
If you prick us: Shylock and the Politics of Touch
Authors: Döring Tobias 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Shylock is the most celebrated and contested figure of a stage Jew, who makes his memorable appearance in Shakespeare’s problematic comedy The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596). His best-known speech “If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh?” – often cited out of context as a plea for tolerance – engages with the politics of touch as a way to constitute and at the same time question an emphatic practice of communion. My contribution looks at this speech once again, and at the figure that delivers it, in a double perspective: offering a dramatic exploration of touch management as well as a metatheatrical exploration of the conditions and effects of playacting. Thus, Shakespeare may have staged Shylock’s body politics so as to test the possibilities and power of his own medium, the theatre, to touch.
Review of various sulfide electrolyte types for solid-state lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Suci Windhu Griyasti , Aliwarga Harry Kasuma (Kiwi) , Azinuddin Yazid Rijal , Setyawati Rosana Budi , Stulasti Khikmah Nur Rikhy , Purwanto Agus 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The high sulfide ion polarization is known to cause increased ionic conductivity in the solid sulfide-type electrolytes. Three groups of sulfide-based solid-state electrolytes, namely, Li-P-S, Li6PS5X (X: Cl, Br, and I), and Li
x
MP
x
S
x
(M: Sn, Si, and Al) were reviewed systematically from several aspects, such as conductivity, stability, and crystal structure. The advantages and disadvantages of each electrolyte were briefly considered and compared. The method of the preparation was presented with experimental and theoretical studies. The analysis that has been carried out showed that the solid electrolyte Li10GeP2S12 is superior to others with an ionic conductivity of 12 × 10−2 S cm−1. This conductivity is comparable to that of conventional liquid electrolytes. However, the availability and high price of Ge are the problems encountered. Furthermore, because sulfide-based solid electrolytes have low chemical stability in ambient humidity, their handling is restricted to inert gas environments. When solid sulfide electrolytes are hydrolyzed, structural changes occur and H2S gas is produced. The review’s objective includes presenting a complete knowledge of sulfide-solid electrolyte synthesis method, characteristics, such as conductivity, structure, and stability, as well as generating more efficient and targeted research in enhancing the performance of the chemical substance.
Private Labels Strategy, Retail Profitability and Bargaining Power in the Fluid Milk Market
Authors: Chen Xuan , Liu Yizao 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
This paper studies the competition between private labels and the role of private labels in determining the bargaining outcomes between retailers and manufacturers as well as retailer profitability in the fluid milk market. We differentiate private labels from different retailers and develop a structural model of demand and a Nash-in-Nash vertical bargaining model of supply. Using 2004–2011 Nielsen Homescan data at monthly-county level, we estimated the average bargaining power of retailers and how various factors influence their bargaining power with a random-coefficient discrete choice model of demand. With the full bargaining model specification, this paper then conducts simulations to isolate the role of private label in bargaining and retailer profitability, comparing the effectiveness of alternative private label strategies. Results indicate private label milk from different retailers are close competitors and retailers have more bargaining power than manufacturers. Further, factors such as the manufacturer size, private label share, and their private label position can significantly affect retailers’ bargaining power. Moreover, the counterfactual analysis shows that lowering private label prices and other private label strategies such as private label program expansion and retailer advertising could not only increase their profitability but also allow retailers to benefit from the bargaining with manufacturers.
Wavelength division multiplexed radio-over-fiber (WDM-RoF) system for next-generation networks with dispersion compensating fiber
Authors: Goel Pooja , Kaushik Rahul 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Radio-over-fiber (RoF) is a technology in which radio frequency (RF) signals are distributed from central station to remote antenna units using fiber. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a technique in which different data streams are allowed to be sent parallely over a single fiber at different frequencies for increasing bandwidth. Hence, RoF combined with WDM technology is a prominent solution for many applications. In this article, we have designed an 8-channel 40 Gbps WDM-RoF system for future generation networks. The performance of the system has been evaluated using a simulator and then compared with a 4-channel existing system. A dispersion compensating fiber with a dispersion value at −85 ps/nm/km is used for combating nonlinearity. The simulated 8-channel WDM-RoF system has been analyzed by varying bit rate, input power, number of loops (transmission span), and channel spacing using performance parameters such as Q-factor and BER. It has been observed that the performance of the network improved as the channel spacing increased from 50 to 200 GHz. Moreover, the system performance is reliable up to 200 km.
The Neolithic Sequence of the Middle Dunajec River Basin (Polish Western Carpathians) and Its Peculiarities
Authors: Valde-Nowak Paweł 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
For some time, there has been more information about the Neolithic settlement on the left bank of the middle Dunajec in the Wiśnicz Foothills. In addition to the intense traces of Linear Pottery Culture, there are clear traces of the continuation of the settlement here at the fifth millennium BC and the beginning of the fourth, which represent groups of the Lengyel-Polgar cycle. These discoveries confirm the high qualities of this part of the Polish Carpathians for early agricultural colonization. Also, the selection for the settlement of the highest landscape zone and hilltops is very characteristic and tells a lot about the specificity of this mountain group for prehistoric settlement, also in the context of the old approaches to the existence of trans-Carpathian passages in the Neolithic.
Is It Just the Location? Visibility Analyses of the West Pomeranian Megaliths of the Funnel Beaker Culture
Authors: Matuszewska Agnieszka , Schiller Marek 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The article attempts to apply visibility analyses to megalithic tombs of the Funnel Beaker Culture in the Pyrzyce Plain in north-western Poland. The analyses were carried out on 23 megalithic monuments in order to answer the questions whether the sites chosen by the builders of the Funnel Beaker Culture for the construction of their monumental megalithic tombs were optimal in terms of visibility and whether there is evidence that the megalithic cemeteries may have been constructed with the aim of establishing visual contact with each other and between settlements. Visibility analyses were carried out on a hypothetical landscape model that did not include flora such as forests, grasses or other obstacles in the terrain other than relief, in order to simulate an “open” landscape type. The estimation of parameters such as the visibility and discernibility of megalithic tombs proved that the builders of the Funnel Beaker Culture may indeed have chosen terrain-exposed sites for megaliths. However, other sites have been found that seem to be much more optimal in terms of visibility and terrain exposure than the present ones. Visibility analyses of megalithic cemeteries among themselves did not reveal significant “chains” of visual connections, even though they were located in exposed landscape areas. Investigations of the visual connections between megalithic cemeteries and known settlements of the Funnel Beaker Culture suggested possible visual contacts. The results of these analyses might suggest that a visual connection between cemeteries and settlements could be crucial for the megalithic builders, while it could be almost completely irrelevant between cemeteries.
Numerical analysis of bioconvection-MHD flow of Williamson nanofluid with gyrotactic microbes and thermal radiation: New iterative method
Authors: Khan Muhammad Jebran , Zuhra Samina , Nawaz Rashid , Duraisamy Balaganesh , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Jamshed Wasim , Abbas Mohamed 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the numerical analysis of an innovative model containing, bioconvection phenomena with a gyrotactic motile microorganism of magnetohydrodynamics Williamson nanofluids flow along with heat and mass transfer past a stretched surface. The effect of thickness variation and thermal conductivity feature is employed in the model. Bioconvection in nanofluid helps in bioscience such as in blood flow, drug delivery, micro-enzyme, biosensors, nanomedicine, for content detection, etc. For simulation procedure, the mathematical partial differential equations are converted into dimensionless systems owing to dimensionless variations such as magnetic field, power index velocity, Williamson parameter, wall thickness parameter, thermal conductivity variation, Prandtl number, thermal radiation, Brownian motion, Lewis number, Peclet number, and different concentration parameter, etc. For numerical simulation, New Iterative Technique (NIM) numerical algorithm is adopted and employed for the linear regression planned for the proposed model. For comparison purposes, the homotopy technique is employed on the flow model. Close agreement is seen between both methods revealing the accuracy and consistency of NIM numerical technique. Many features of no-scale constraints are evaluated through graphical data for a key profile of the flow model. Results show that microorganism concentration is heavy due to the magnetic effect and Hall current.