bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of vitamin D supplementation on peripheral neuropathy in a sample of Egyptian prediabetic individuals
Authors: Reda Halawa Mohamed , Zaky Ahmed Iman , Fawzy Abouelezz Nahla , Roushdy Mohamed Nagwa , Hany Abdelaziz Khalil Naira , Mahmoud Ali Hendawy Laila
Published: November 2021

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is seen more frequently in diabetic patients with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of data concerning prediabetic individuals with peripheral neuropathy (PN). Therefore, we aimed to study the association of vitamin D deficiency with PN severity and to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on PN in prediabetics.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted consisting of 89 prediabetic individuals with PN and a control group of prediabetics without PN, recruited from the outpatient department of the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo, Egypt. All patients were screened for PN using clinical examination and Douleur Neuropathique 4 diagnostic questionnaire (DN4). Group A (with PN) was assessed for neuropathic severity using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). In addition, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ionized calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour post 75g glucose (2h-PPBG) and lipid profile were measured for both groups. Prediabetic patients with PN were given vitamin D3 200.000 IU IM monthly for three months. After three months, clinical assessment, DN4, SF-MPQ and all laboratory measures were repeated.

Results: Vitamin D was not associated with the severity of PN patients. However, supplementation of vitamin D resulted in a highly significant improvement in glycemic parameters , p≤0.001. Interestingly, neuropathy score and severity before vitamin D supplementation were (6.4±1.6 and 28.3±7.2) and after became (2.5±0.9 and 17±6.3, p≤0.001).

Conclusion: Correction of vitamin D deficiency in prediabetics with PN as well as hypovitaminosis D, improves glycemic parameters, PN score and severity.
Edge computing for Vehicle to Everything: a short review
Authors: Abdullah Mohd. Fikri Azli , Yogarayan Sumendra , Abdul Razak Siti Fatimah , Azman Afizan , Muhamad Amin Anang Hudaya , Salleh Mazrah
Published: November 2021

Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communications and services have sparked considerable interest as a potential component of future Intelligent Transportation Systems. V2X serves to organise communication and interaction between vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), vehicle to pedestrians (V2P), and vehicle to networks (V2N). However, having multiple communication channels can generate a vast amount of data for processing and distribution. In addition, V2X services may be subject to performance requirements relating to dynamic handover and low latency communication channels. Good throughput, lower delay, and reliable packet delivery are the core requirements for V2X services.  Edge Computing (EC) may be a feasible option to address the challenge of dynamic handover and low latency to allow V2X information to be transmitted across vehicles. Currently, existing comparative studies do not cover the applicability of EC for V2X. This review explores EC approaches to determine the relevance for V2X communication and services. EC allows devices to carry out part or all of the data processing at the point where data is collected. The emphasis of this review is on several methods identified in the literature for implementing effective EC. We describe each method individually and compare them according to their applicability. The findings of this work indicate that most methods can simulate the EC positioning under predefined scenarios. These include the use of Mobile Edge Computing, Cloudlet, and Fog Computing. However, since most studies are carried out using simulation tools, there is a potential limitation in that crucial data in the search for EC positioning may be overlooked and ignored for bandwidth reduction. The EC approaches considered in this work are limited to the literature on the successful implementation of V2X communication and services. The outcome of this work could considerably help other researchers better characterise EC applicability for V2X communications and services.
Crystal structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa FabB C161A, a template for structure-based design for new antibiotics
Authors: Yadrykhins'ky Vladyslav , Georgiou Charis , Brenk Ruth
Published: November 2021

Background: FabB (3-oxoacyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] synthase 1) is part of the fatty acid synthesis II pathway found in bacteria and a potential target for antibiotics. The enzyme catalyses the Claisen condensation of malonyl-ACP (acyl carrier protein) with acyl-ACP via an acyl intermediate. Here, we report the crystal structure of the intermediate-mimicking Pseudomonas aeruginosa FabB (PaFabB) C161A variant.

Methods: His-tagged PaFabB C161A was expressed in E.coli Rosetta DE3 pLysS cells, cleaved by TEV protease and purified using affinity and size exclusion chromatography. Commercial screens were used to identify suitable crystallization conditions which were subsequently improved to obtain well diffracting crystals.

Results: We developed a robust and efficient system for recombinant expression of PaFabB C161A. Conditions to obtain well diffracting crystals were established. The crystal structure of PaFabB C161A was solved by molecular replacement at 1.3 Å resolution.

Conclusions: The PaFabB C161A crystal structure can be used as a template to facilitate the design of FabB inhibitors.
Does Water Scarcity Affect Environmental Performance? Evidence from Manufacturing Facilities in Texas
Authors: Muthulingam Suresh , Dhanorkar Suvrat , Corbett Charles J.
Published: November 2021

It is well known that manufacturing operations can affect the environment, but hardly any research explores whether the natural environment shapes manufacturing operations. Specifically, we investigate whether water scarcity, which results from environmental conditions, influences manufacturing firms to lower their toxic releases to the environment. We created a data set that spans 2000–2016 and includes details on the toxic emissions of 3,092 manufacturing facilities in Texas. Additionally, our data set includes measures of the water scarcity experienced by these facilities. Our econometric analysis shows that manufacturing facilities reduce their toxic releases into the environment when they have experienced drought conditions in the previous year. We examine facilities that release toxics to water as well as facilities with no toxic releases to water. We find that the reduction in total releases (to all media) is driven mainly by those facilities that release toxic chemicals to water. Further investigation at a more granular level indicates that water scarcity compels manufacturing facilities to lower their toxic releases into media other than water (i.e., land or air). The impact of water scarcity on toxic releases to water is more nuanced. A full-sample analysis fails to link water scarcity to lower toxic releases to water, but a further breakdown shows that manufacturing facilities in counties with a higher incidence of drought do lower their toxic releases to water. We also find that facilities that release toxics to water undertake more technical and input modifications to their manufacturing processes when they face water scarcity.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, operations management.
Providing community intravenous therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hodgkins Paul
Published: November 2021

Community intravenous therapy is well-established in most regions of the UK. Although there are national good practice recommendations detailing the service provision of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT), examples of extended service delivery of other therapies are limited. This article describes the development of a community IV therapy service through integration with acute and primary care teams. IV therapies delivered in addition to antimicrobials safely outside of the hospital setting are also discussed with scope for future areas of development explored. The benefits of care closer to home for patients during the global COVID-19 pandemic are examined, as well as the potential for widening the whole gamut of practice for already established NHS community services through the development of integrated working in a local care organisation.
Identification of Subsurface Structures of Geothermal Potential Area in East of Mount Lawu Using The Gravity Method
Authors: Koesuma Sorja , Septianingsih Mela Budiani , Legowo Budi
Published: November 2021

Information about the eastern side subsurface stones of Mount Lawu regarding geothermal potential is limited. This research was conducted to provide information regarding geothermal potential in those area by using the gravity method. We did a 18 sites of gravity surveys in eastern flank of Mount Lawu where located in Magetan regency, Ngawi regency and Sragen regency, East Java. The principle of this method is to measure the earth's gravity field, then the value of gravity is corrected by some gravity corrections, i.e. height, tide, drift, normal gravity, free-air, Bouguer and terrain corrections. The Complete Bouguer Anomaly (CBA) shows the formation that related to the rock formation in the subsurface of Mount Lawu. Based on CBA modelling we found that in the eastern flank of Mount Lawu contains of tuff and breccia of volcanic rocks, breccia Jabolarangan and tuff Jabolarangan, lava andesite, igneous rock (pumice), and sedimentary rocks in the form of sandstone and clay. We found a fault structure on six tracks of a research area. Otherwise, we estimated that there is a geothermal potential on the southeast side of the research area
Spatiotemporal statistics of the turbulent piston-removed phase and Zernike coefficients for two distinct beams
Authors: Plantet Cédric , Carlà Giulia , Agapito Guido , Busoni Lorenzo
Published: November 2021

In the context of adaptive optics for astronomy, one can rely on the statistics of the turbulent phase to assess a part of the system’s performance. Temporal statistics with one source and spatial statistics with two sources are well known and widely used for classical adaptive optics systems. A more general framework, including both spatial and temporal statistics, can be useful for analysis of the existing systems and to support the design of future ones. In this paper, we propose an expression of the temporal cross power spectral densities of turbulent phases in two distinct beams, which is from two different sources to two different apertures. We consider the phase either as it is, without a piston, or as its decomposition on Zernike modes. The general formulas allow coverage of a wide variety of configurations, from single-aperture to interferometric telescopes equipped with adaptive optics, with the possibility to consider apertures of different sizes and/or sources at a finite distance. The presented approach should lead to similar results with respect to existing methods in the Fourier domain, but it is focused on temporal frequencies rather than spatial ones, which might be convenient for some aspects such as control optimization. To illustrate this framework with a simple application, we demonstrate that the wavefront residual due to the anisoplanatism error in a single-conjugated adaptive optics system is overestimated when it is computed from covariances without taking into account the temporal filtering of the adaptive optics loop. We also show this overestimation in the case of a small-baseline interferometer, for which the two beams are significantly correlated.
Two-photon scattering effect of a single Mie scatterer
Authors: Hong Peilong
Published: November 2021

We perform a theoretical study on the two-photon scattering effect of a single Mie scatterer, and investigate its dependence on the rotation angle of the scatterer, and the wavelength and polarization of incident light. Different regions of the two-photon correlation map are recognized by investigating two parameters, i.e., the visibility of two-photon superposition that represents the path information of different two-photon paths, and the balance factor of the double-side single-photon scattering amplitude that indicates the possibility of the single-photon scattering process. It is shown that the two-photon scattering pattern is a result of two-photon interference from the incoherent to fully coherent regime, together with a contribution from a single-photon-like correlation. In the coherent two-photon interference region, it is found that the transition from destructive to constructive interference emerges by rotating the scatterer, as well as by changing the polarization of incident light. These results demonstrate the rich features of the two-photon scattering effect for a single Mie scatterer, and open new possibilities to explore nano scatterers for controlling two-photon interference, and their applications in communications, sensing, and imaging.
Multi-octave linearized RF/photonic link based on orthogonal modulation and optimized demodulation
Authors: Gao Yiran , Wu Zhonghan , Chen Jingyue , Zhang Tian , Dai Jian , Xu Kun
Published: November 2021

In this Letter, we propose and demonstrate a multi-octave linearized analog radio-frequency (RF)/photonic link with orthogonal modulation and optimized demodulation. In our proposed link, the DC-reserved (DCR) digital method is utilized in a parallel Mach–Zehnder-modulator scheme to greatly improve the tolerance to the in-phase/quadrature amplitude imbalance and Q-path DC error, which inevitably exist during digital processing. The fault tolerance and transmission performance of the link are theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified. Compared with the traditional digital-signal-processing method, higher signal-to-distortion ratios can be achieved by the DCR method when the amplitude imbalance and DC errors are considered. As a result, the SFDR2 and SFDR3 (spurious-free dynamic ranges) of our system are measured to be

103.74

d
B

⋅

H

z

1

/

2

and

116.31

d
B

⋅

H

z

2

/

3

, respectively. Furthermore, the linearization of the link is demonstrated by testing the RF signals with various frequencies, which proves the potential in broadband applications.
Demonstration of the reliability of a 5-kW-level oscillating–amplifying integrated fiber laser
Authors: Zeng Lingfa , Xi Xiaoming , Zhang Hanwei , Yang Baolai , Wang Peng , Wang Xiaolin , Xu Xiaojun
Published: November 2021

A novel fiber laser called an oscillating–amplifying integrated fiber laser was studied experimentally, in which the oscillating section and amplifying section share the pump between them. Based on this configuration, a 5-kW fiber laser system with optical–optical efficiency of 80.9% and

M

2

factor of 1.5 was achieved. The startup and shutdown sequence of the laser was studied in detail. When pumps of the laser were deliberately turned on in an inverted order, such as switching on/off the amplifying section before/after the oscillating section, which is normally disastrous in a classic fiber amplifier, the laser system turned out to operate stably at full power level. Thus, it is verified that there is no priority between the amplifier and the seed in this laser system. It combines the advantages of conventional fiber oscillators and fiber amplifiers, including high efficiency, high reliability, good anti-backreflection, and simple control logic.
From spikes to intercellular waves: Tuning intercellular calcium signaling dynamics modulates organ size control
Authors: Soundarrajan Dharsan K. , Huizar Francisco J. , Paravitorghabeh Ramezan , Robinett Trent , Zartman Jeremiah J.
Published: November 2021

Information flow within and between cells depends significantly on calcium (Ca2+) signaling dynamics. However, the biophysical mechanisms that govern emergent patterns of Ca2+signaling dynamics at the organ level remain elusive. Recent experimental studies in developingDrosophilawing imaginal discs demonstrate the emergence of four distinct patterns of Ca2+activity: Ca2+spikes, intercellular Ca2+transients, tissue-level Ca2+waves, and a global “fluttering” state. Here, we used a combination of computational modeling and experimental approaches to identify two different populations of cells within tissues that are connected by gap junction proteins. We term these two subpopulations “initiator cells,” defined by elevated levels of Phospholipase C (PLC) activity, and “standby cells,” which exhibit baseline activity. We found that the type and strength of hormonal stimulation and extent of gap junctional communication jointly determine the predominate class of Ca2+signaling activity. Further, single-cell Ca2+spikes are stimulated by insulin, while intercellular Ca2+waves depend on Gαq activity. Our computational model successfully reproduces how the dynamics of Ca2+transients varies during organ growth. Phenotypic analysis of perturbations to Gαq and insulin signaling support an integrated model of cytoplasmic Ca2+as a dynamic reporter of overall tissue growth. Further, we show that perturbations to Ca2+signaling tune the final size of organs. This work provides a platform to further study how organ size regulation emerges from the crosstalk between biochemical growth signals and heterogeneous cell signaling states.
A novel high performing multiplex immunoassay Multi-HTLV for serological confirmation and typing of HTLV infections
Authors: Marqué Lola , Liehl Peter , De Boer Jasper , Pottel Hans , Murphy Edward L. , Bruhn Roberta , Stone Mars , Kaidarova Zhanna , Lee Tzong-Hae , Busch Michael , Zrein Maan
Published: November 2021

Background

Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Viruses (HTLV) type 1 and type 2 account for an estimated 5 to 10 million infections worldwide and are transmitted through breast feeding, sexual contacts and contaminated cellular blood components. HTLV-associated syndromes are considered as neglected diseases for which there are no vaccines or therapies available, making it particularly important to ensure the best possible diagnosis to enable proper counselling of infected persons and avoid secondary transmission. Although high quality antibody screening assays are available, currently available confirmatory tests are costly and have variable performance, with high rates of indeterminate and non-typable results reported in many regions of the world. The objective of this project was to develop and validate a new high-performance multiplex immunoassay for confirmation and discrimination of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 strains.

Methodology/Principal findings

The multiplex platform was used first as a tool to identify suitable antigens and in a second step for assay development. With data generated on over 400 HTLV-positive blood donors sourced from USA and French blood banks, we developed and validated a high-precision interpretation algorithm. The Multi-HTLV assay demonstrated very high performance for confirmation and strain discrimination with 100% sensitivity, 98.1% specificity and 100% of typing accuracy in validation samples. The assay can be interpreted either visually or automatically with a colorimetric image reader and custom algorithm, providing highly reliable results.

Conclusions/Significance

The newly developed Multi-HTLV is very competitive with currently used confirmatory assays and reduces considerably the number of indeterminate results. The multiparametric nature of the assay opens new avenues to study specific serological signatures of each patient, follow the evolution of infection, and explore utility for HTLV disease prognosis. Improving HTLV diagnostic testing will be critical to reduce transmission and to improve monitoring of seropositive patients.
Making Way for Impact
Authors: Essig Linda
Published: November 2021

Current and late-twentieth-century trends in 'social impact art' or 'art for change' have foregrounded the idea that art can catalyze or produce positive social change. Art also has cultural impact more broadly, as well as intrinsic impacts on artists and the individuals who experience their creative work. This essay looks at these practices, what defines them, and how we measure them.
A Pressão Psicológica e o Impacto na Saúde Mental do Trabalhador: Uma Revisão Sistemátca / Psychological Pressure and the Impact on the Worker's Mental Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vasconcelos Alice Maria Da Silva , Maranhão Thércia Lucena Grangeiro
Published: November 2021

Resumo: O estudo tem como objetivo geral analisar o impacto da pressão psicológica e a desvalorização do profissional dentro das organizações; e como objetivos específicos : estudar sobre a importância da saúde mental do profissional; Investigar os aspectos que causam pressão psicológica nos profissionais; Refletir sobre o processo de desvalorização do profissional nas organizações. Foi utilizado o método da revisão sistemática da literatura, e estabelecidos como descritores: Saúde Mental. Burnout. Desgaste Profissional. Foram selecionados 20 artigos dos quais 3 foram publicados em : 2015(6 ) ;2016(2 ) ;2017 (12); 2018 (01); 2019 e nenhum em 2020.Verificou-se que a pressão psicológica dentro das organizações é uma forte repressão ao trabalhador, pois dessa forma o profissional sente-se desvalorizado não somente como profissional como também isso adentra na sua vida em geral depreciando seu meio social.
Mycobacterium bovis detection in slaughtered pigs in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Kern Paula Luciana , Pinto Andrea Troller , Schmidt Verônica
Published: November 2021

The infection by the Mycobacterium genus is important in pig farming due to the economic losses caused by total or partial carcass condemnation in slaughterhouses. The present study investigated the occurrence of a tuberculosis outbreak in pigs, based on the identification of lesions at the slaughter line of a slaughterhouse. At the inspection line of the slaughterhouse, carcasses were identified with viscera containing macroscopic lesions that indicated tuberculosis (granulomatous lymphadenitis). Tracheobronchial, mesenteric, and submandibular lymph nodes were collected, as well as liver samples and their corresponding lymph nodes. The samples were sent to the Federal Agricultural Defense Laboratory (LFDA/RS) and processed for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and the molecular characterization of Mycobacterium bovis. Based on the results of post-mortem and laboratory inspections, the occurrence was characterized as a tuberculosis outbreak in pigs, which originated from a farm in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Over three months, three batches, adding up to 2884 animals, were sent to slaughter, of which 102 (3.5%) had tuberculosis-like lesions at the inspection line. Based on these results, the productive process was investigated, assessing the feeding, water supply, and milk whey offered in the diet of pigs. It was concluded that the outbreak was caused by feeding unpasteurized or inadequately pasteurized (insufficient time x temperature relation) whey to the pigs. The use of whey from cheese production is a frequent practice in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and one of the risk factors for granulomatous lymphadenitis in pigs.
Impact of Globalization and Renewable Energy Consumption on Environmental Degradation: A Lesson for South Africa
Authors: Oladipupo Seun Damola , Rjoub Husam , Kirikkaleli Dervis , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday
Published: November 2021

South Africa is one of Africa's most polluted countries, with rising CO2 emissions posing a threat. South Africa must discover ways of minimizing pollution and take necessary steps before it is too late in order to achieve sustainable growth. For this purpose, this research assesses the ecological consequences of globalization, nonrenewable energy use, economic growth and renewable energy consumption in South Africa. The study leverages on the non-linearity advantages of the novel quantile on quantile regression (QQR) method for a robust analysis as opposed to the use of conventional linear approaches, thereby overcoming conspicuous shortfalls in extant studies, while offering a detailed explanation of the overall dependency structure between CO2 emissions and globalization, nonrenewable energy use and renewable energy use using a dataset covering the period between 1970 and 2018. The outcomes suggest that nonrenewable energy use, globalization, and economic growth contribute to environmental degradation in the majority of the quantiles, while the effect of renewable energy use on CO2 is not strong at all quantiles. The study highlights that economic expansion, nonrenewable energy use and globalization play key roles in in mitigating environmental sustainability in South Africa, while renewable energy is not sufficient to meet environmental requirements.
Sustained ErbB Activation Causes Demyelination and Hypomyelination by Driving Necroptosis of Mature Oligodendrocytes and Apoptosis of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells
Authors: Hu Xu , Xiao Guanxiu , He Li , Niu Xiaojie , Li Huashun , Lou Tianjie , Hu Qianqian , Yang Youguang , Xu Qi , Wei Zhengdong , Qiu Mengsheng , Tanaka Kenji F. , Shen Ying , Tao Yanmei
Published: November 2021

Oligodendrocytes are vulnerable to genetic and environmental insults and its injury leads to demyelinating diseases. The roles of ErbB receptors in maintaining the CNS myelin integrity are largely unknown. Here, we overactivate ErbB receptors that mediate signaling of either neuregulin (NRG) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) family growth factors and found their synergistic activation caused deleterious outcomes in white matter. Sustained ErbB activation induced by the tetracycline-dependent mouse toolPlp-tTA resulted in demyelination, axonal degeneration, oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) proliferation, astrogliosis, and microgliosis in white matter. Moreover, there was hypermyelination before these inflammatory pathologic events. In contrast, sustained ErbB activation induced by another tetracycline-dependent mouse toolSox10+/rtTAcaused hypomyelination in the corpus callosum and optic nerve, which appeared to be a developmental deficit and did not associate with OPC regeneration, astrogliosis, or microgliosis. By tracing the differentiation states of cells expressing tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activator (tTA)/reverse tTA (rtTA)-dependent transgene or pulse-labeled reporter proteinsin vitroandin vivo, we found thatPlp-tTA targeted mainly mature oligodendrocytes (MOs), whereasSox10+/rtTAtargeted OPCs and newly-formed oligodendrocytes (NFOs). The distinct phenotypes of mice with ErbB overactivation induced byPlp-tTA andSox10+/rtTAconsolidated their nonoverlapping targeting preferences in the oligodendrocyte lineage, and enabled us to demonstrate that ErbB overactivation in MOs induced necroptosis that caused inflammatory demyelination, whereas in OPCs induced apoptosis that caused noninflammatory hypomyelination. Early interference with aberrant ErbB activation ceased oligodendrocyte deaths and restored myelin development in both mice. This study suggests that aberrant ErbB activation is an upstream pathogenetic mechanism of demyelinating diseases, providing a potential therapeutic target.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPrimary oligodendropathy is one of the etiologic mechanisms for multiple sclerosis, and oligodendrocyte necroptosis is a pathologic hallmark in the disease. Moreover, the demyelinating disease is now a broad concept that embraces schizophrenia, in which white matter lesions are an emerging feature. ErbB overactivation has been implicated in schizophrenia by genetic analysis and postmortem studies. This study suggests the etiologic implications of ErbB overactivation in myelin pathogenesis and elucidates the pathogenetic mechanisms.
Text neck: a global epidemic of the modern era
Authors: Majeed Kutty Nizar Abdul
Published: November 2021

“Text neck” is the term used to describe the neck pain and possible damage sustained from constantly looking down at a mobile phone, tablet, or other wireless devices for an extended period of time. As a result of this uncomfortable position of the head, shoulder and neck muscles have to deal with that increased weight burden. The known long-term consequences may include neck discomfort, neck pain, stiffness, and headaches, which may get worse over time. Many people may use smartphones with the head shifted forward and the smart phone placed near the waist or lap while in a sitting position. This flexed neck posture can increase the moment of the cervical spine and induce muscle strain in adjacent portions of the cervical spine It is especially concerning because young, growing children could possibly cause permanent damage to their cervical spines that could lead to lifelong neck pain. Exercise and stretching can play a big part in preventing and relieving text neck.
Якісний аналіз кластеризації в спиртово-водних розчинах III
Authors: Chechko V.E.
Published: November 2021

У роботi обговорюються особливостi кластеризацiї у водних розчинах одноатомних спиртiв. Основна увага фокусується на деталях кластеризацiї у водних розчинах перших чотирьох спиртiв гомологiчного ряду метанолу та iзомерiв бутанолу. Приймається, що об’єм елементарного кластера, виявляється меншим за сумарний молекулярних об’ємiв компонент, що утворюють цей кластер. Визначено ступiнь кластеризацiї водних розчинiв за температури 15 ∘С у концентрацiйних iнтервалах вiд 0 до концентрацiї, що вiдповiдає особливiй точцi розчину конкретного спирту. Отримано концентрацiйну залежнiсть ступеня кластеризацiї водних розчинiв iзомерiв бутанолу за температури 20 ∘С.
Optical Parameters of As-Deposited and Annealed (Ga0.3In0.7)2Se3 Thin Films
Authors: Pop M. , Kranjčec M. , Studenyak I.
Published: November 2021

The (Ga0.3In0.7)2Se3 films deposited by the thermal evaporation technique are annealed in the inert atmosphere (argon) for 1 h at temperatures of 50, 100, and 150 ∘C. The spectral ellipsometry is applied for measuring the spectral dependences of the refractive and extinction coefficients of as-deposited and annealed (Ga0.3In0.7)2Se3 films. The optical transmission spectra, as well as the optical absorption spectra of (Ga0.3In0.7)2Se3 films, are studied depending on the annealing temperature. The optical absorption edge for annealed (Ga0.3In0.7)2Se3 films is shifted to the short-wavelength region and broadens, as the annealing temperature increases. Parameters of the Urbach absorption edge are determined for as-deposited and annealed (Ga0.3In0.7)2Se3 films. The spectral dependences of the refractive index are analyzed in the framework of the Wemple–DiDomenico model. The nonlinear increase of the energy pseudogap, Urbach energy, and refractive index with the annealing temperature are revealed.
Ефект потоку енергії в одновимірній спін-1/2 XX моделі магнетоелектрика. Метод множника Лагранжа
Authors: Baran O.R.
Published: November 2021

Для дослiдження нерiвноважних стацiонарних станiв з потоком енергiї одновимiрної спiн-1/2 XX моделi магнетоелектрика з механiзмом Кацури–Наґаоси–Балацького при достатньо низьких температурах використано метод множника Лагранжа. За допомогою перетворення Йордана–Вiґнера задача зводиться до гамiльтонiана невзаємодiючих безспiнових фермiонiв i може бути розв’язаною точно. Побудовано ряд фазових дiаграм та розраховано залежностi намагнiченостi, електричної поляризацiї та рiзноманiтних сприйнятливостей вiд магнiтного та електричного полiв, а також i вiд потоку енергiї.
Variation in Bacterial Respiratory Culture Results in Children With Neurologic Impairment
Authors: Warniment Amanda , Steuart Rebecca , Rodean Jonathan , Hall Matt , Chinchilla Sofia , Shah Samir S. , Thomson Joanna
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVES

To examine bacterial respiratory cultures in children with neurologic impairment (NI) (eg, cerebral palsy), both with and without tracheostomies, who were hospitalized with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) (eg, pneumonia) and to compare culture results across hospitals and age groups.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective cohort study included ARI hospitalizations for children aged 1 to 18 years with NI between 2007 and 2012 who had a bacterial respiratory culture obtained within 2 days of admission. Data from 5 children’s hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System Plus database were used. Organisms consistent with oral flora and nonspeciated organisms were omitted from analysis. The prevalence of positive respiratory culture results and the prevalence of organisms identified were compared across hospitals and age groups and in subanalyses of children with and without tracheostomies by using generalized estimating equations to account for within-patient clustering.

RESULTS

Of 4900 hospitalizations, 693 from 485 children had bacterial respiratory cultures obtained. Of these, 54.5% had positive results, although this varied across hospitals (range 18.6%–83.2%; P < .001). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most commonly identified organisms across hospitals and age groups and in patients with and without tracheostomies. Large variation in growth prevalence was identified across hospitals but not age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The bacteriology of ARI in hospitalized children with NI differs from that of otherwise healthy children. Significant variation in prevalence of positive bacterial respiratory culture results and organism growth were observed across hospitals, which may be secondary to local environmental factors and microbiology reporting practices.
Outcome Differences Between Direct Admissions to the PICU From ED and Escalations From Floor
Authors: Tripathi Sandeep , Kim Minchul
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVES

To compare the outcomes (mortality and ICU length of stay) of patients with direct admissions to the PICU from the emergency department [ED]) versus as an escalation of care from the floor.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study with a secondary analysis of registry data. Patient demographics and outcome variables collected from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019, were obtained from the Virtual Pediatric Systems database. Patients with a source of admission other than the hospital’s ED or pediatric floor were excluded. Multivariable regression analysis controlling for age groups, sex, race, diagnostic categories, and severity of illness (Pediatric Index of Mortality III), with clustering for sites, was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 209 695 patients from 121 sites were included in the analysis. A total of 154 716 (73.7%) were admitted directly from the ED, and 54 979 were admitted (26.2%) as an escalation of care from the floor. Two groups differed in age and race distribution, medical complexity, diagnostic categories, and severity of illness. After controlling for measured confounders, patients with floor escalations had higher mortality (2.78% vs 1.95%; P < .001), with an odds ratio of 1.71 (95% CI 1.5 to 1.9) and longer PICU length of stay (4.9 vs 3.6 days; P < .001). The rates of most of the common ICU procedures and their durations were also significantly higher in patients with an escalation of care.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with direct admissions to the PICU from the ED, patients who were initially triaged to the pediatric floor and then require escalation to the PICU have worse outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the potential causes of this difference.
Differentiated Integration: Project Competition and Contradictions of the EU Integration Process
Authors:   Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ofitserov-Belskiy Dmitriy
Published: November 2021

Introduction. In 2017 the European Commission proposed five scenarios for the future of the EU, one of which was ‘those who want to do more do more’. However, it was not specific enough and ignored the variability of this way of integration. Methods and materials. Ignoring the characteristics of various types of differentiated integration is a common problem in scientific research, which leads to uncertainty and incorrect conclusions. This is largely due to the fact that researchers miss the analysis of interests and the negotiation process, focusing more on finding a common institutional design for all participants of integration. The intergovernmentalism that sees differentiated integration as a special institutional design that helps overcome the impasse in negotiations caused by the growing heterogeneity of member states is lacking. This approach has the potential for research and planning of integration processes in other regions, especially in the Post-Soviet space. Analysis. The article shows that differentiated integration has a long tradition in the EU, but that has little relation to the projects of the European future discussed in recent years (often with the same name). We have focused on the differences in the positions of European governments and groups of countries, trying to explain their motives and to answer the question of whether an intergovernmental approach is justified. The greatest attention is paid to French-German discussions, analysis of the UK’s role prior to EU secession, and the special stand of Scandinavian and Central-Eastern European countries. Results. The author concludes that the discussions on differentiated integration are not so much a search for unity in diversity, but are aimed at achieving ambitions, redistributing resources and fight against dirigisme. However, EU reform challenges integration leaders to choose between unprecedented concessions and the need to ignore the positions of many countries. In addition to EU heterogeneity, it also helps to exclude alternatives to differentiation in the future. Since the change of leadership in 2019, the EU has entered a new stage in its development, but there is nothing to suggest that its members are able to find common approaches. For the first time it is not possible to formulate a common compromise out of a wide variety of future options, and an attempt to avoid reform could aggravate the crisis of the integration process.
Ecoeficiência da produção agropecuária na Amazônia brasileira: fatores determinantes e dependência espacial
Authors: Silva João Vitor Borges da , Rosano-Peña Carlos , Martins Michelle Márcia Viana , Tavares Rafael Castro , Silva Pedro Henrique Borges da
Published: November 2021

Resumo: A produção agropecuária na região amazônica avançou de forma exponencial, no entanto esse crescimento econômico resultou em significativos impactos ambientais nos ecossistemas desse bioma, como aumento do desflorestamento e da degradação da biodiversidade da floresta amazônica. Com esse enfoque, o presente artigo objetivou estimar a ecoeficiência da produção agropecuária dos municípios do bioma Amazônia, tendo como ênfase a discussão dos fatores determinantes e os desdobramentos espaciais desse indicador de sustentabilidade. Para isso, utilizou-se da metodologia DEA com duplo bootstrap e regressão truncada (DEA-BTR) e o índice espacial de Moran. A partir dos resultados, observou-se que a ecoeficiência média foi de 0,5490, indicando que os municípios amazônicos poderiam reduzir o consumo dos insumos e a pressão na biodiversidade em 45,01%, em conjunto com a manutenção das receitas agropecuárias e da área preservada. Por outro lado, entre os fatores determinantes da sustentabilidade da agropecuária amazônica, a escolaridade do produtor e a assistência técnica estiveram positivamente associadas aos índices de ecoeficiência estimados, sendo essas as variáveis exógenas mais consistentes do modelo. Ademais, o índice global de Moran foi positivo e significativo estatisticamente, o que demonstrou a presença de autocorrelação da ecoeficiência agropecuária na Amazônia.
Analysis of production resources improvement strategies in make-to-stock environments managed by the simplified drum-buffer-rope system
Authors: Govoni Humberto , Souza Fernando Bernardi de , Castro Robson Flávio , Rodrigues José de Souza , Pires Silvio Roberto Ignacio
Published: November 2021

Abstract: Theory of Constraints (TOC) states that every system has a single constraint that limits its performance, on which improvement efforts should be concentrated. This paper compared, through computer simulation, several methods of identifying the capacity-constrained resource in the perspective of a process of continuous improvement. Six make-to-stock (MTS) production line configurations managed by the Simplified Drum-Buffer-Rope (S-DBR) system were simulated, in which six improvement methods were applied, three of them based on the TOC literature, and their performance measured and compared in terms of cycle time and order fill rate. The results showed that, in balanced systems, improvements spread over all resources allowed better results, because, in this case, it is necessary to improve everything to benefit the overall performance. In unbalanced environments, on the other hand, the three methods recommended by TOC, which recommend efforts concentrated on the weakest point of the system, achieved superior performance, with emphasis on the strategy based on the level of utilization. In addition to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in continuous improvement and TOC, the research results show that managers should focus their attention on the resource with the highest degree of utilization to get better and faster performance gains.
Propriedades químicas e mecânicas de filme bioativo de amido de mandioca com adição de extrato de jamelão (Syzygium cumini L.)
Authors: Queiroz Edinara Lacerda , Araújo Geiza Suzart , Almeida Tamires Bastos , Martinez Ernesto Acosta , Souza Sílvia Maria Almeida de
Published: November 2021

Resumo O jamelão é uma fruta encontrada nas regiões Norte, Sudeste e Nordeste do Brasil. O extrato dos frutos apresenta atividade antioxidante, devido à presença de compostos bioativos, como carotenoides e compostos fenólicos. Este estudo objetivou elaborar filmes comestíveis, compostos por amido de mandioca como matriz principal, com a adição de extrato de jamelão. A polpa de jamelão foi concentrada em roto-evaporador para a obtenção do extrato aquoso. Os ensaios para a elaboração dos filmes foram realizados segundo um delineamento composto central 22 com três repetições no ponto central, para avaliar o efeito das concentrações de glicerol (7,95% a 22,05%) e de extrato de jamelão (15,9 a 44,1%) sobre as propriedades mecânicas do filme (força na perfuração e deformação na ruptura) e sobre o teor de compostos fenólicos. As maiores concentrações do plastificante glicerol e do extrato de jamelão influenciaram positivamente nas propriedades mecânicas do filme, provocando diminuição da força na perfuração de 3,61 N para 2,55 N e aumento da deformação na ruptura de 1,44% para 76,33%. Os efeitos lineares e quadráticos das concentrações de glicerol e de extrato de jamelão e suas interações foram significativas sobre as respostas: força na perfuração e deformação na ruptura, no nível de 95% de confiança. A concentração de extrato de jamelão teve efeito significativo sobre o teor de compostos fenólicos, com coeficiente de determinação R2=0,9782. A interação entre glicerol e extrato de jamelão auxilia na obtenção de filmes de amido de mandioca com boas propriedades mecânicas e bioativas.
Maternal Depression, Parental Practices and Child Sex: Prediction of Children’s Behavior
Authors: Oliveira Marianna Ramos e , Silva Thaysa Brinck Fernandes , Pizeta Fernanda Aguiar , Loureiro Sonia Regina
Published: November 2021

Abstract Exposure to maternal depressive symptoms and negative parenting practices during childhood configures a vulnerability factor associated with behavior problems among children. This study aims to verify the predictive effects of maternal depression (main factor) on behavioral outcomes and maternal parenting practices, considering the sex of the children (covariate factor); and the predictive effect of maternal depression, parenting practices, and child’s sex on behavioral outcomes. The sample was composed of a community sample of 101 mother-child pairs. Mothers answered to: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders, Parenting Styles Inventory, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The covariance and multiple linear regressions analysis showed that being a boy, and specific practices of neglect, physical abuse, and permissive discipline were the main predictors of behavioral problems among children exposed to negative practices and maternal depression. These findings underline the role of the child’s sex in the interactions between variables, which could contribute to interventions in mental health.
A língua do outro e a nossa: Política, tradução e psicanálise
Authors: Souza Jr. Paulo Sérgio de
Published: November 2021

RESUMO Este artigo parte de aspectos linguístico-históricos gerais e se aproxima do caso brasileiro para pensar o papel do vernáculo como instrumento de colonização e a política de língua no Brasil. A partir da ideia de que a colonização do outro passa pela língua - e tendo em vista as especificidades linguísticas, raciais e socioeconômicas brasileiras -, procuramos trazer ao debate alguns dos efeitos da colonização em um campo no qual a linguagem tem um estatuto duplamente privilegiado, a saber: a tradução de textos psicanalíticos.
“Pertencimento/não pertencimento” Franz Kafka: um exemplo a ser lembrado
Authors: Ribeiro-de-Sousa Celeste
Published: November 2021

RESUMO O artigo parte de conceituações de “pertencimento/não pertencimento” e apresenta o caso Franz Kafka como ilustração, apontando as decisivas circunstâncias psíquicas, sociais e históricas que levaram o escritor a literaturar em seus escritos os seus particulares sentimentos de “pertencimento/não pertencimento”. E, por último, analisa a minúscula narrativa “Gemeinschaft” (“Comunidade”), aqui traduzida para o português pela autora do ensaio.
O Brazilian-American Cultural Institute como ferramenta político-cultural (1964-2007)
Authors: Jaremtchuk Dária
Published: November 2021

RESUMO Acompanhar a história do Brazilian American Cultural Institute (Baci) possibilita conhecer aspectos da diplomacia cultural brasileira nos Estados Unidos durante o período da guerra fria. A hipótese aqui apresentada é a de que os espaços de arte e de cultura funcionaram como importantes ambientes de articulação social nas atividades diplomáticas e comerciais, sendo o Baci um caso bastante revelador desse processo. No entanto, essa realidade se altera no mundo contemporâneo globalizado, pois os espaços artísticos e culturais parecem ter deixado de ser vitais para a prática da diplomacia cultural, como o fechamento do Baci revela.
O Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo: História de um acervo
Authors: Mascarenhas Christian
Published: November 2021

RESUMO O presente artigo traz alguns elementos da pesquisa de mestrado que visa compreender a formação do acervo do Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo (MAS-SP) e investigar qual a importância de sua coleção, de modo a contribuir com o debate historiográfico e de preservação do patrimônio na cidade de São Paulo. A história da criação deste museu está profundamente conectada ao “colecionismo institucional” de arte sacra promovido de modo pioneiro no Brasil por Dom Duarte Leopoldo e Silva, primeiro arcebispo de São Paulo, ainda durante o início do século XX. Divergindo um pouco dos outros artigos desta publicação, não trataremos aqui da decoração dos espaços religiosos, contudo, abordaremos a institucionalização e as relações históricas de importante parcela do patrimônio que um dia pertenceu a esses espaços.