bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Production Using an Arabinose-Inducible Expression System in Comparison With Cold Shock Inducible Expression System in Escherichia coli
Authors: Napathorn Suchada Chanprateep , Visetkoop Sirirat , Pinyakong Onruthai , Okano Kenji , Honda Kohsuke
Published: May 2021

Cupriavidus necator strain A-04 has shown 16S rRNA gene identity to the well-known industrial strain C. necator H16. Nevertheless, the cell characteristics and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production ability of C. necator strain A-04 were different from those of C. necator H16. This study aimed to express PHA biosynthesis genes of C. necator strain A-04 in Escherichia coli via an arabinose-inducible expression system. In this study, the PHA biosynthesis operon of C. necator strain A-04, consisting of three genes encoding acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (phaAA–04, 1182 bp, 40.6 kDa), acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (phaBA–04, 741 bp, 26.4 kDa) and PHB synthase Class I (phaCA–04, 1770 bp), was identified. Sequence analysis of the phaAA–04, phaBA–04, and phaCA–04 genes revealed that phaCA–04 was 99% similar to phaCH16 from C. necator H16. The difference in amino acid residue situated at position 122 of phaCA–04 was proline, whereas that of C. necator H16 was leucine. The intact phaCABA–04 operon was cloned into the arabinose-inducible araBAD promoter and transformed into E. coli strains Top 10, JM109 and XL-1 blue. The results showed that optimal conditions obtained from shaken flask experiments yielded 6.1 ± 1.1 g/L cell dry mass (CDM), a PHB content of 93.3 ± 0.9% (w/w) and a productivity of 0.24 g/(L⋅h), whereas the wild-type C. necator strain A-04 accumulated 78% (w/w) PHB with a productivity of 0.09 g/(L⋅h). Finally, for the scaled-up studies, fed-batch cultivations by pH-stat control in a 5-L fermenter of E. coli strains XL1-Blue harboring pBAD/Thio-TOPO-phaCABA–04 and pColdTF-phaCABA–04 in MR or LB medium, leading to a PHB production of 31.4 ± 0.9 g/L at 54 h with a PHB content of 83.0 ± 3.8% (w/w), a CDM of 37.8 ± 1.2 g/L, a YP/S value of 0.39 g PHB/g glucose and a productivity of 0.6 g PHB/(L⋅h) using pColdTF-phaCABA–04 in MR medium. In addition, PHB production was 29.0 ± 1.1 g/L with 60.2 ± 2.3% PHB content in the CDM of 53.1 ± 1.0 g/L, a YP/S value of 0.21 g PHB/g glucose and a productivity of 0.4 g PHB/(L⋅h) using pBAD/Thio-TOPO-phaCABA–04 in LB medium. Thus, a relatively high PHB concentration and productivity were achieved, which demonstrated the possibility of industrial production of PHB.
The Arp2/3 Inhibitory Protein Arpin Is Required for Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Integrity
Authors: Chánez-Paredes Sandra , Montoya-García Armando , Castro-Ochoa Karla F. , García-Cordero Julio , Cedillo-Barrón Leticia , Shibayama Mineko , Nava Porfirio , Flemming Sven , Schlegel Nicolas , Gautreau Alexis M. , Vargas-Robles Hilda , Mondragón-Flores Ricardo , Schnoor Michael
Published: May 2021

The intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) depends on stable interepithelial protein complexes such as tight junctions (TJ), adherens junctions (AJ), and the actin cytoskeleton. During inflammation, the IEB is compromised due to TJ protein internalization and actin remodeling. An important actin regulator is the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, which induces actin branching. Activation of Arp2/3 by nucleation-promoting factors is required for the formation of epithelial monolayers, but little is known about the relevance of Arp2/3 inhibition and endogenous Arp2/3 inhibitory proteins for IEB regulation. We found that the recently identified Arp2/3 inhibitory protein arpin was strongly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells. Arpin expression decreased in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and interferon (IFN)γ treatment, whereas the expression of gadkin and protein interacting with protein C-kinase α-subunit 1 (PICK1), other Arp2/3 inhibitors, remained unchanged. Of note, arpin coprecipitated with the TJ proteins occludin and claudin-1 and the AJ protein E-cadherin. Arpin depletion altered the architecture of both AJ and TJ, increased actin filament content and actomyosin contractility, and significantly increased epithelial permeability, demonstrating that arpin is indeed required for maintaining IEB integrity. During experimental colitis in mice, arpin expression was also decreased. Analyzing colon tissues from ulcerative colitis patients by Western blot, we found different arpin levels with overall no significant changes. However, in acutely inflamed areas, arpin was significantly reduced compared to non-inflamed areas. Importantly, patients receiving mesalazine had significantly higher arpin levels than untreated patients. As arpin depletion (theoretically meaning more active Arp2/3) increased permeability, we wanted to know whether Arp2/3 inhibition would show the opposite. Indeed, the specific Arp2/3 inhibitor CK666 ameliorated TNFα/IFNγ-induced permeability in established Caco-2 monolayers by preventing TJ disruption. CK666 treatment also attenuated colitis development, colon tissue damage, TJ disruption, and permeability in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-treated mice. Our results demonstrate that loss of arpin triggers IEB dysfunction during inflammation and that low arpin levels can be considered a novel hallmark of acute inflammation.
Definite Descriptions in the Light of the Comprehension vs. Acceptance Distinction: Comparing Self-Paced Reading with Eye-Tracking Measures
Authors: Müller Misha-Laura , Mari Magali A.
Published: May 2021

This paper presents two experiments on the processing of informative definite descriptions in plausible vs. implausible contexts. Experiment 1 is a self-paced reading task (with French native speakers,n= 69), with sentences containing a definite vs.indefinite NP, each preceded byplausibleorimplausiblecontexts. Our study replicated Singh and colleagues’ findings, namely that definite descriptions are significantly costlier when they occur inimplausiblecontexts. The translation of the original stimuli from English to French did not affect the results, suggesting that the phenomenon applies cross-linguistically. Experiment 2 consists in an eye-tracking task, designed to measure the participants’ (n= 44) gaze patterns on complete sentences with the same four conditions (definite vs.indefinite NP; implausible vs. implausible contexts). A mixed effect model analysis revealed that (a) thetotal gaze durationon target segments and (b) theprocessing of the complete sentencewere significantly longer in implausible conditions. These results show that implausible contexts predict a marked increase in the offline processing costs of definite descriptions. However, no significant difference was found for online processing measures (i.e.,first fixation duration, first-pass reading timeandregression path timemeasures) across all experimental conditions. These results suggest that it is only once the sentence is fully processed that implausible contexts increase processing costs. Furthermore, these results raise methodological issues related to the study of the online processing of definite descriptions, to the extent that self-paced reading and eye-tracking methods in the present study lead to incompatible results. With respect to the eye-tracking results, we suggest that the contrast between online and offline processing is likely to reflect the fact that participants first adopt a stance of trust to understand utterances before filtering the information through their epistemic vigilance module.
Modulations of Synoptic Weather Patterns on Warm-Sector Heavy Rainfall in South China: Insights From High-Density Observations With Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Li Wanju , Bi Xueyan , Sheng Lifang , Luo Yali , Sun Jianhua
Published: May 2021

Based on hourly high-density precipitation data in Guangdong Province, China, 134 warm-sector heavy rainfall (WSHR) events were selected from 2016 to 2018. The synoptic weather patterns of these WSHR events were objectively classified using T-mode principal component analysis. Six WSHR weather patterns were identified, as follows: Type 1-southwest (T1-SW), Type 2-southeast (T2-SE), Type 3-coastal jets I (T3-CJI), Type 4-coastal jets II (T4-CJ II), Type 5-western low vortex (T5-WL), and Type 6-high-pressure (T6-HP). Three high-occurrence WSHR centers were finally extracted: the areas of Yangjiang and Shanwei, and the urban agglomeration of Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Compared with the other five patterns, T6-HP is a newly identified WSHR weather pattern, which is related to a local/small-scale weather system in the context of anomalous northward movement of the western Pacific subtropical high. Notably, the precipitation area of the T6-HP type of WSHR event is smaller, which can only be captured by high-density observations. In addition, the occurrence locations of six large-scale extreme precipitation events were closely associated with the urban agglomerations in GBA, implying that urbanization plays an important role in extreme magnitudes of large-scale WSHR events and their occurrence centers.
“Fake News” or Real Science? Critical Thinking to Assess Information on COVID-19
Authors: Puig Blanca , Blanco-Anaya Paloma , Pérez-Maceira Jorge J.
Published: May 2021

Few people question the important role of critical thinking in students becoming active citizens; however, the way science is taught in schools continues to be more oriented toward “what to think” rather than “how to think.” Researchers understand critical thinking as a tool and a higher-order thinking skill necessary for being an active citizen when dealing with socio-scientific information and making decisions that affect human life, which the pandemic of COVID-19 provides many opportunities for. The outbreak of COVID-19 has been accompanied by what the World Health Organization (WHO) has described as a “massive infodemic.” Fake news covering all aspects of the pandemic spread rapidly through social media, creating confusion and disinformation. This paper reports on an empirical study carried out during the lockdown in Spain (March–May 2020) with a group of secondary students (N = 20) engaged in diverse online activities that required them to practice critical thinking and argumentation for dealing with coronavirus information and disinformation. The main goal is to examine students’ competence at engaging in argumentation as critical assessment in this context. Discourse analysis allows for the exploration of the arguments and criteria applied by students to assess COVID-19 news headlines. The results show that participants were capable of identifying true and false headlines and assessing the credibility of headlines by appealing to different criteria, although most arguments were coded as needing only a basic epistemic level of assessment, and only a few appealed to the criterion of scientific procedure when assessing the headlines.
Oncocytic Change in Thyroid Pathology
Authors: Asa Sylvia L. , Mete Ozgur
Published: May 2021

Oncocytes are cells that have abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm due to the accumulation of mitochondria; they are also known as oxyphils. In the thyroid they have been called Hürthle cells but this is a misnomer, since Hürthle described C cells; for this reason, we propose the use of “oncocyte” as a scientific term rather than an incorrect eponym. Oncocytic change occurs in nontumorous thyroid disorders, in benign and malignant tumors of thyroid follicular cells, in tumors composed of thyroid C cells, and intrathyroidal parathyroid proliferations as well as in metastatic lesions. The morphology of primary oncocytic thyroid tumors is similar to that of their non-oncocytic counterparts but also is complicated by the cytologic features of these cells that include both abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and large cherry red nucleoli. The molecular alterations in oncocytic thyroid tumors echo those of their non-oncocytic counterparts but in addition feature mitochondrial DNA mutations as well as chromosomal gains and losses. In this review we emphasize the importance of recognition of the spectrum of oncocytic thyroid pathology. The cell of origin, morphologic features including architecture, nuclear atypia and invasive growth, as well as high grade features such as mitoses and necrosis, enable accurate classification of these lesions. The molecular alterations underlying the pathological entity are associated with genetic alterations associated with oncocytic change. The arbitrary cut-off of 75% oncocytic change to classify a lesion as an oncocytic variant brings another complexity to the classification scheme of tumors that frequently have mixed oncocytic and non-oncocytic components. This controversial and often confusing area of thyroid pathology requires thoughtful and cautious investigation to clarify accurate diagnosis, prognosis and prediction for patients with oncocytic thyroid lesions.
Construction of a Digital and Physical Hybrid Simulation Platform for MMC-HVDC Grid With Fault Current Suppression Equipment
Authors: Wang Weiru , Wang Limeng , Zhu Bo , Li Guoqing , Xin Yechun , Jiang Shouqi
Published: May 2021

In order to fully study the working characteristics of large-scale power electronic devices in the field of renewable energy delivery, it is imperative to build digital and physical hybrid simulation platforms. A power interface algorithm based on damping impedance is proposed to improve the stability of DC power grid hybrid platforms. Firstly, according to the characteristics of the open-loop transfer function of the damping impedance method, the matching principle between damping impedance at the power interface and equivalent impedance of the physical simulation system is obtained. Secondly, the calculation method of the equivalent impedance of multi-type equipment on the physical side is proposed, and the impedance real-time matching under different working conditions is realized. In order to reduce the simulation error caused by interface delay, a DC voltage interface delay compensation method based on slope prediction is proposed, and a prediction compensation model is established. A digital and physical hybrid platform for a four-terminal flexible DC power grid with DC circuit breakers is built to verify the proposed interface algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed interface algorithm can effectively compensate for the interface delay and ensure the stable operation of the platform under different conditions.
3D Bioprinting Allows the Establishment of Long-Term 3D Culture Model for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells
Authors: Sbrana Francesca Vittoria , Pinos Riccardo , Barbaglio Federica , Ribezzi Davide , Scagnoli Fiorella , Scarfò Lydia , Redwan Itedale Namro , Martinez Hector , Farè Silvia , Ghia Paolo , Scielzo Cristina
Published: May 2021

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) represents the most common leukemia in the western world and remains incurable. Leukemic cells organize and interact in the lymphoid tissues, however what actually occurs in these sites has not been fully elucidated yet. Studying primary CLL cells in vitro is very challenging due to their short survival in culture and also to the fact that traditional two-dimensional in vitro models lack cellular and spatial complexity present in vivo. Based on these considerations, we exploited for the first time three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting to advance in vitro models for CLL. This technology allowed us to print CLL cells (both primary cells and cell lines) mixed with the appropriate, deeply characterized, hydrogel to generate a scaffold containing the cells, thus avoiding the direct cell seeding onto a precast 3D scaffold and paving the way to more complex models. Using this system, we were able to efficiently 3D bioprint leukemic cells and improve their viability in vitro that could be maintained up to 28 days. We monitored over time CLL cells viability, phenotype and gene expression, thus establishing a reproducible long-term 3D culture model for leukemia. Through RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis, we observed a consistent difference in gene expression profile between 2D and 3D samples, indicating a different behavior of the cells in the two different culture settings. In particular, we identified pathways upregulated in 3D, at both day 7 and 14, associated with immunoglobulins production, pro-inflammatory molecules expression, activation of cytokines/chemokines and cell-cell adhesion pathways, paralleled by a decreased production of proteins involved in DNA replication and cell division, suggesting a strong adaptation of the cells in the 3D culture. Thanks to this innovative approach, we developed a new tool that may help to better mimic the physiological 3D in vivo settings of leukemic cells as well as of immune cells in broader terms. This will allow for a more reliable study of the molecular and cellular interactions occurring in normal and neoplastic conditions in vivo, and could also be exploited for clinical purposes to test individual responses to different drugs.
Digital Twins for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Voigt Isabel , Inojosa Hernan , Dillenseger Anja , Haase Rocco , Akgün Katja , Ziemssen Tjalf
Published: May 2021

An individualized innovative disease management is of great importance for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) to cope with the complexity of this chronic, multidimensional disease. However, an individual state of the art strategy, with precise adjustment to the patient’s characteristics, is still far from being part of the everyday care of pwMS. The development of digital twins could decisively advance the necessary implementation of an individualized innovative management of MS. Through artificial intelligence-based analysis of several disease parameters – including clinical and para-clinical outcomes, multi-omics, biomarkers, patient-related data, information about the patient’s life circumstances and plans, and medical procedures – a digital twin paired to the patient’s characteristic can be created, enabling healthcare professionals to handle large amounts of patient data. This can contribute to a more personalized and effective care by integrating data from multiple sources in a standardized manner, implementing individualized clinical pathways, supporting physician-patient communication and facilitating a shared decision-making. With a clear display of pre-analyzed patient data on a dashboard, patient participation and individualized clinical decisions as well as the prediction of disease progression and treatment simulation could become possible. In this review, we focus on the advantages, challenges and practical aspects of digital twins in the management of MS. We discuss the use of digital twins for MS as a revolutionary tool to improve diagnosis, monitoring and therapy refining patients’ well-being, saving economic costs, and enabling prevention of disease progression. Digital twins will help make precision medicine and patient-centered care a reality in everyday life.
Risk Scores and Machine Learning to Identify Patients With Acute Periprosthetic Joints Infections That Will Likely Fail Classical Irrigation and Debridement
Authors: Wouthuyzen-Bakker Marjan , Shohat Noam , Parvizi Javad , Soriano Alex
Published: May 2021

The most preferred treatment for acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is surgical debridement, antibiotics and retention of the implant (DAIR). The reported success of DAIR varies greatly and depends on a complex interplay of several host-related factors, duration of symptoms, the microorganism(s) causing the infection, its susceptibility to antibiotics and many others. Thus, there is a great clinical need to predict failure of the “classical” DAIR procedure so that this surgical option is offered to those most likely to succeed, but also to identify those patients who may benefit from more intensified antibiotic treatment regimens or new and innovative treatment strategies. In this review article, the current recommendations for DAIR will be discussed, a summary of independent risk factors for DAIR failure will be provided and the advantages and limitations of the clinical use of preoperative risk scores in early acute (post-surgical) and late acute (hematogenous) PJIs will be presented. In addition, the potential of implementing machine learning (artificial intelligence) in identifying patients who are at highest risk for failure of DAIR will be addressed. The ultimate goal is to maximally tailor and individualize treatment strategies and to avoid treatment generalization.
Tanshinone IIA Combined With Cyclosporine A Alleviates Lung Apoptosis Induced by Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in Obese Rats
Authors: Tai He , Jiang Xiao-lin , Song Nan , Xiao Hong-he , Li Yue , Cheng Mei-jia , Yin Xiao-mei , Chen Yi-ran , Yang Guan-lin , Jiang Xiao-yu , Kuang Jin-song , Lan Zhi-ming , Jia Lian-qun
Published: May 2021

Acute lung injury (ALI), which is induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR), is one of the leading causes of acute renal IR-related death. Obesity raises the frequency and severity of acute kidney injury (AKI) and ALI. Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) was employed to lessen the lung apoptosis led by renal IR and to evaluate whether TIIA combined with CsA could alleviate lung apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial function through the PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway in obese rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the histology of the lung injury. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) was used to assess apoptosis of the lung. Electron microscopy was used to assess mitochondrial morphology in lung cells. Arterial blood gas and pulmonary function were used to assess the external respiratory function. Mitochondrial function was used to assess the internal respiratory function and mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis. Western blot (WB) was used to examine the PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway-related proteins. TIIA combined with CsA can alleviate lung apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial function through the PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway in obese rats.
Towards a Systems Biology Approach to Understanding the Lichen Symbiosis: Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing Network Modelling
Authors: Nazem-Bokaee Hadi , Hom Erik F. Y. , Warden Andrew C. , Mathews Sarah , Gueidan Cécile
Published: May 2021

Lichen associations, a classic model for successful and sustainable interactions between micro-organisms, have been studied for many years. However, there are significant gaps in our understanding about how the lichen symbiosis operates at the molecular level. This review addresses opportunities for expanding current knowledge on signalling and metabolic interplays in the lichen symbiosis using the tools and approaches of systems biology, particularly network modelling. The largely unexplored nature of symbiont recognition and metabolic interdependency in lichens could benefit from applying a holistic approach to understand underlying molecular mechanisms and processes. Together with ‘omics’ approaches, the application of signalling and metabolic network modelling could provide predictive means to gain insights into lichen signalling and metabolic pathways. First, we review the major signalling and recognition modalities in the lichen symbioses studied to date, and then describe how modelling signalling networks could enhance our understanding of symbiont recognition, particularly leveraging omics techniques. Next, we highlight the current state of knowledge on lichen metabolism. We also discuss metabolic network modelling as a tool to simulate flux distribution in lichen metabolic pathways and to analyse the co-dependence between symbionts. This is especially important given the growing number of lichen genomes now available and improved computational tools for reconstructing such models. We highlight the benefits and possible bottlenecks for implementing different types of network models as applied to the study of lichens.
Structural Profiling of Bacterial Effectors Reveals Enrichment of Host-Interacting Domains and Motifs
Authors: Chen Yangchun Frank , Xia Yu
Published: May 2021

Effector proteins are bacterial virulence factors secreted directly into host cells and, through extensive interactions with host proteins, rewire host signaling pathways to the advantage of the pathogen. Despite the crucial role of globular domains as mediators of protein-protein interactions (PPIs), previous structural studies of bacterial effectors are primarily focused on individual domains, rather than domain-mediated PPIs, which limits their ability to uncover systems-level molecular recognition principles governing host-bacteria interactions. Here, we took an interaction-centric approach and systematically examined the potential of structural components within bacterial proteins to engage in or target eukaryote-specific domain-domain interactions (DDIs). Our results indicate that: 1) effectors are about six times as likely as non-effectors to contain host-like domains that mediate DDIs exclusively in eukaryotes; 2) the average domain in effectors is about seven times as likely as that in non-effectors to co-occur with DDI partners in eukaryotes rather than in bacteria; and 3) effectors are about nine times as likely as non-effectors to contain bacteria-exclusive domains that target host domains mediating DDIs exclusively in eukaryotes. Moreover, in the absence of host-like domains or among pathogen proteins without domain assignment, effectors harbor a higher variety and density of short linear motifs targeting host domains that mediate DDIs exclusively in eukaryotes. Our study lends novel quantitative insight into the structural basis of effector-induced perturbation of host-endogenous PPIs and may aid in the design of selective inhibitors of host-pathogen interactions.
SMAD4 Expression in Renal Cell Carcinomas Correlates With a Stem-Cell Phenotype and Poor Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Rasti Arezoo , Madjd Zahra , Saeednejad Zanjani Leili , Babashah Sadegh , Abolhasani Maryam , Asgari Mojgan , Mehrazma Mitra
Published: May 2021

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most lethal neoplasm of common urologic cancers with poor prognoses. SMAD4 has a principal role in TGF-β (Transformis growth factorβ)-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a key factor in gaining cancer stem cell (CSC) features and tumor aggressiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the expression patterns and clinical significance of SMAD4 in RCC and the impact of its targeting on stem cell/mesenchymal cells and EMT characteristics in renal spheroid derived cells (SDCs) compared to parental cells (PCs) in RCC. The expression pattern and clinical significance of SMAD4 was evaluated in RCC. SDCs were enriched using a sphere culture system. Then SDCs and their PCs were compared with respect to their sphere and colony formation, expression of putative CSC markers, invasiveness as well as expression of genes, including stemness/mesenchymal, SMAD4 and TGFβ1genes. Finally, the effect of SMAD4 knockdown on SDCs was analyzed. We demonstrated that SMAD4 is positively correlated with decreased disease specific survival (DSS) in RCC patients and clear cell RCC (ccRCC) subtype and associates with poor DSS in patients with RCC, especially in ccRCC as the most metastatic RCC subtype. SDCs exhibited higher stem cell/mesenchymal properties. Inhibition of SMAD4 in PCs accelerated the dissociation of SDCs and decreased their clonogenicity, invasiveness, expression of mesenchymal markers and expression of SMAD4 and TGFβ1 genes compared to SDCs before transfection. We suggest that targeting SMAD4 may be useful against renal CSCs and may improve RCC prognosis.
Estimating the Instantaneous Asymptomatic Proportion With a Simple Approach: Exemplified With the Publicly Available COVID-19 Surveillance Data in Hong Kong
Authors: Li Chunyu , Zhao Shi , Tang Biao , Zhu Yuchen , Ran Jinjun , Li Xiujun , He Daihai
Published: May 2021

Background: The asymptomatic proportion is a critical epidemiological characteristic that modulates the pandemic potential of emerging respiratory virus, which may vary depending on the nature of the disease source, population characteristics, source–host interaction, and environmental factors.

Methods: We developed a simple likelihood-based framework to estimate the instantaneous asymptomatic proportion of infectious diseases. Taking the COVID-19 epidemics in Hong Kong as a case study, we applied the estimation framework to estimate the reported asymptomatic proportion (rAP) using the publicly available surveillance data. We divided the time series of daily cases into four stages of epidemics in Hong Kong by examining the persistency of the epidemic and compared the rAPs of imported cases and local cases at different stages.

Results: As of July 31, 2020, there were two intermittent epidemics in Hong Kong. The first one was dominated by imported cases, accounting for 63.2% of the total cases, and the second one was dominated by local cases, accounting for 86.5% of the total cases. The rAP was estimated at 23.1% (95% CI: 10.8–39.7%) from January 23 to July 31, and the rAPs were estimated at 22.6% (95% CI: 11.1–38.9%) among local cases and 38.7% (95% CI: 9.0–72.0%) among imported cases. Our results showed that the rAPs of local cases were not significantly different between the two epidemics, but increased gradually during the first epidemic period. In contrast, the rAPs of imported cases in the latter epidemic period were significantly higher than that in the previous epidemic period.

Conclusion: Hong Kong has a high rAP of imported COVID-19 cases and should continue to strengthen the detection and isolation of imported individuals to prevent the resurgence of the disease.
Urgent Considerations on the Relationship Between the Advance of Covid-19 in Indigenous Territories in Brazil and the Impacts of Monoepistemic Public Policies
Authors: Herbetta Alexandre , Pocuhto Taís , Pimentel Da Silva Maria do Socorro , Guajajara Cintia
Published: May 2021

This paper seeks to deal with the advance of Covid-19 in indigenous territories in Brazil, whether urban or rural. To do so, we have gone through a general analysis of the Brazilian government's indigenous policies, comparing bulletins and data from the Special Secretariat of Indigenous Health—Secretaria Especial de Saúde Indígena, an agency linked to the Ministry of Health, as well as data from the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, the main Brazilian indigenous political movement. Furthermore, we systematize strategies that have been developed and executed by some indigenous peoples in Brazil, undertaken by an exploratory analysis of manifestations of indigenous leaders on the internet, along with actions in the legal sphere, as well as, actions in the indigenous territory. Finally, the monoepistemic character of public policies on the issue is problematized.
Spectra Recognition Model for O-type Stars Based on Data Augmentation
Authors: Yang Wen-Yu , Wu Ke-Fei , Luo A-Li , Zou Zhi-Qiang
Published: May 2021

It is an ongoing issue in astronomy to recognize and classify O-type spectra comprehensively. The neural network is a popular recognition model based on data. The number of O-stars collected in LAMOST is <1% of AFGK stars, and there are only 127 O-type stars in the data release seven version. Therefore, there are not enough O-type samples available for recognition models. As a result, the existing neural network models are not effective in identifying such rare star spectra. This paper proposed a novel spectra recognition model (called LCGAN model) to solve this problem with data augmentation, which is based on Locally Connected Generative Adversarial Network (LCGAN). The LCGAN introduced the locally connected convolution and two timescale update rule to generate O-type stars' spectra. In addition, the LCGAN model adopted residual and attention mechanisms to recognize O-type spectra. To evaluate the performance of proposed models, we conducted a comparative experiment using a stellar spectral data set, which consists of more than 40,000 spectra, collected by the large sky area multi-object fiber spectroscopic telescope (LAMOST). The experimental results showed that the LCGAN model could generate meaningful O-type spectra. In our validation data set, the recognition accuracy of the data enhanced recognition model can reach 93.67%, 8.66% higher than that of the non-data enhanced identification model, which lays a good foundation for further analysis of astronomical spectra.
New Varieties of Coffee: Compromising the Qualities of Adaptive Agroforestry? A Case Study From Southern Mexico
Authors: Ruiz-de-Oña Celia , Merlín-Uribe Yair
Published: May 2021

The most recent wave of coffee leaf rust, and its interaction with climatic variability, caused severe crop losses in shade-grown coffee areas in Latin America during the 2010–14 production cycles and beyond. Fungal attack on traditional Arabica varieties led to a process of substitution with new coffee varieties that are tolerant or resistant to the pathogen. The adaptation literature classifies this type of intervention as an incremental adaptation, with the potential to lead the system toward sustainable transformation. This research explores the initial consequences of introducing certain hybrid varieties into the transboundary area of the Tacaná Volcano, located between Chiapas and Guatemala, with the objective of identifying aspects that put the potential for adaptive agroforestry at risk. We hypothesize that the interaction of a range of economic, political, and ecological factors leads to ambiguous results in terms of both production and environmental adaptation. Ecological and management variables were analyzed in a case study of 30 producers. Quantitative data, collected through ecological plot sampling and application of a socio-productive survey, was complemented with ethnographic data. We conclude that, for our case study, the manner in which these new coffee varieties were introduced raises new sources of vulnerability that could be compromising the local and ecological benefits of agroforestry systems, as well as diminishing their capacity to cope with the future impacts of climate change.
A vida cotidiana em Paterson e as categorias fenomenológicas do pensamento
Authors: Silva Marcos Paulo da , Pereira Victor Hugo Sanches
Published: May 2021

O artigo volta-se à análise do longa-metragem Paterson (2016), do diretor norte-americano Jim Jarmusch, obra que apresenta como principal referência os eventos que sucedem a vida cotidiana. A trama do romance acontece em um cenário urbano, sob o protagonismo de um tranquilo motorista de ônibus que descreve os acontecimentos do seu dia a dia em abstrações poéticas. O trabalho propõe-se a uma reflexão sobre os impactos que provém da organização da vida cotidiana ordenada pelo tempo da produção linear. A vida cotidiana pode ser compreendida a partir de um cenário progressivo de fenômenos mediados por acontecimentos ordinários e regulares (instância temporal), que respaldam — e encontram respaldo — no senso comum como forma de conhecimento (instância da produção de significados). A partir de análise de sequências do filme, o artigo indica uma reflexão sobre a constituição da vida cotidiana em interface com as categorias do pensamento fenomenológico oriundas da filosofia peirceana. Compreende-se, em sintonia com Cañizal (2001), que as formas de expressão poética mobilizadas pelo longa-metragem endereçam a uma ruptura do conhecimento padronizado, sublinhando a poiésis como categoria metafísica que expande os aspectos de representação da realidade.
Ley de Simplificación y Progresividad Tributaria: Análisis de su Incidencia en la Tributación de las Microempresas Ecuatorianas
Authors: Carrillo Quinto Nallely Anahì , Valderrama Barragán Gloria Angelica
Published: May 2021

El presente artículo se realiza para dar a conocer como regirá la nueva Ley llamada “Ley Orgánica de Simplificación y Progresividad Tributaria”, que, según el Ejecutivo, con ella se recaudará más dinero que se utilizará para cubrir el endeudamiento público, de la misma manera utilizará para simplificar trámites para que las empresas se incentiven a cumplir con los pagos establecidos y deberá cumplir con el principio de progresividad. De forma que, esta investigación se enfoca exclusivamente en los microempresarios, puesto que, con el nuevo reglamento, la tributación en el país dará un giro de 180°, de manera que puede afectar o beneficiar a este tipo de empresas, las mismas que habitualmente pueden contar con diferentes errores comunes, así como, el no llevar un correcto control financiero. Esta investigación se desarrolló con un enfoque cualitativo, de tipo descriptivo y exploratorio, puesto que la metodología consiste en leer esta nueva ley, para analizarla y describir los rasgos relacionados a la temática.
Sistema Básico de Habilidades para la Algoritmización Computacional
Authors: Alonso Berenguer Isabel
Published: May 2021

En el trabajo se propone un Sistema Básico de Habilidades para la Algoritmización Computacional, el que favorece el perfeccionamiento del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las asignaturas de programación. Este sistema fue creado mediante el Método Sistémico Estructural Funcional y tuvo por objetivo, la orientación a los profesores sobre la formación de habilidades requeridas para la elaboración de algoritmos computacionales. El mismo aporta la definición de cada una de ellas, explica la importancia de su formación, las ejemplifica, precisa su relación con las otras habilidades del sistema y brinda orientaciones metodológicas para que los profesores las introduzcan en su docencia. La intención es que se comience trabajando con los estudiantes en la formación de habilidades de menor grado de complejidad, las que, al ser aplicadas e interrelacionadas, darán lugar al desarrollo de otras más complejas, hasta que sean capaces de lograr algoritmos computacionales eficaces. La viabilidad y pertinencia del sistema fueron analizadas mediante talleres de socialización con especialistas, concluyéndose que el mismo es una herramienta provechosa para orientar el proceso de formación de la algoritmización computacional.
Elaboración de una lista de Comprobación con Base a las Normativas Establecidos por los Organismos de Control Frente a los Agentes Biológicos
Authors: Defranc Balanzategui Pavel Omar , Arellano Valdiviezo Abdón Isaac , Oviedo Quiñonez Roberto Bolívar
Published: May 2021

Ante los impactos negativos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el  mundo, Latinoamérica y,  particularmente, en Ecuador se han decretado múltiples normas y restricciones para impedir su impetuosa propagación; sin embargo, no existía una lista de comprobación de los protocolos para medir su cumplimiento, por lo que se propone una lista de comprobación con base a las normativas establecidos por los organismos de control frente a los agentes biológicos, dirigida a verificar el grado de cumplimiento de los criterios técnicos-legales establecidos en los protocolos de bioseguridad, acorde a las exigencias de los entes de control. La cual se ha aplicado en instituciones y empresas del sector público y privado al momento de realizar la evaluación.
Valoración de Inventarios, su Incidencia Jurídica. Métodos para su Estudio
Authors: Miravet Rodríguez David , Rodríguez Cosme María Luz
Published: May 2021

Lesionar los bienes jurídicos de un tercero acarrea una responsabilidad derivada del acto ilegal. Esta relación también se manifiesta en el Derecho Laboral, entre el empleador y el empleado. Es frecuente que, en esta relación, se lesione el derecho de una de las partes, pero cuando la lesión se produce al patrimonio de una Empresa Estatal o particular por parte del trabajador, inicia para este un proceso de carácter laboral, civil y que en ocasiones llega a ser penal, en dependencia de la magnitud del hecho ocurrido. Por eso, el objetivo es reflexionar acerca de la violación del derecho laboral en Cuba. La determinación de la aplicación de una rama del Derecho u otra se basa en normas legales que establecen cuantías económicas de los bienes jurídicos lesionados. Para esta determinación, es necesario obtener el valor jurídico del bien lesionado, el que se determina mediante certificados avalados por la contabilidad, la que, a su vez, está regida por métodos de valoración de inventarios que ponderan el valor de todas las mercancías de similares características en almacén. Por tanto, en algunos casos, el valor obtenido de la contabilidad, no es valor real del bien según su factura de compra.
La Producción de Textos Argumentativos y su Vínculo Motivacional con el Aprendizaje
Authors: Ramos Sánchez Aleydy Esther , Carrión-Barco Gilberto
Published: May 2021

Las instituciones educativas afrontan la necesidad de incorporar nuevas prácticas pedagógicas que favorezcan una adecuada producción de textos en los estudiantes, frente a esta realidad se requiere potenciar los esfuerzos educativos reconociendo la importancia que tienen para alcanzar el desarrollo del enfoque comunicativo, más aún en el contexto actual donde la educación muestra desigualdades en la adquisición de los aprendizajes. Frente a ello, el compromiso de los docentes de incluir técnicas elementales y estrategias motivacionales que permitan la producción de textos argumentativos, donde los estudiantes sean capaces de replicar críticamente sobre cualquier tema de interés con coherencia y propiedad. La investigación tuvo como objetivo Diseñar una estrategia motivacional significativa para mejorar la producción de textos argumentativos de los estudiantes del segundo grado de secundaria. Para lograr el objetivo propuesto se desarrolló una metodología de tipo aplicada, con alcance descriptivo, basada en el enfoque cuantitativo con un diseño de tipo no experimental transaccional. Como instrumento, un cuestionario con 30 ítems organizado en tres dimensiones y como técnica de recolección de la información, la encuesta; realizado el proceso de análisis documental. Los resultados obtenidos nos llevan a identificar que el 59% de los estudiantes se encuentran en el nivel inicio y el 9% en satisfactorio. Ante esto, se llega a la conclusión que es necesario trabajar estrategias motivacionales hacia el aprendizaje, como realización de la tarea y como entretención para contribuir a la mejora de la producción de textos argumentativos.
Factors Associated With Missed Nursing Care in Nursing Homes: A Multicentre Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Campagna Sara , Conti Alessio , Clari Marco , Basso Ines , Sciannameo Veronica , Di Giulio Paola , Dimonte Valerio
Published: May 2021

Background: Despite its association with patient safety, few studies on missed nursing care have been conducted in nursing homes. We aimed to describe individual and environmental factors in a sample of registered nurses (RNs) reporting missed nursing care in nursing homes, and to explore the association between these factors and missed nursing care. Methods: In the present, multicentre cross-sectional study, 217 RNs from 43 nursing homes in Northern Italy reported all episodes of missed nursing care (ie, any aspect of required care that was omitted or delayed) that occurred in the 20 most dependent residents (according to RNs’ judgement; 860 residents in total) over 3 consecutive days. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression models were used to test possible explanatory factors of missed nursing care (individual, work-related, organisational, and work environment factors), which were entered in a step-wise manner. Results: Younger RNs (P=.026), freelance RNs (P=.046), RNs with a permanent contract (P=.035), and those working in publicly-owned nursing homes reported more episodes of missed nursing care (P<.012). Public ownership (odds ratio [OR]=9.88; 95% CI 2.22–44.03; P=.003), a higher proportion of residents with severe clinical conditions (OR=2.45; 95% CI 1.12–5.37; P=.025), a lower proportion of RNs (OR=2.24; 95% CI 1.10–4.54; P=.026), and perceived lack of time to care for residents (OR=2.33; 95% CI 1.04–5.26; P=.041) were statistically significantly associated with missed nursing care. Conclusion: Factors associated with missed nursing care are similar in hospitals and nursing homes, and include heavy workload and perceived lack of time for care. Because missed nursing care in nursing homes represents tasks performed specifically by RNs, missed nursing care in this setting should be measured in terms of these tasks. An optimal skill mix is crucial to guarantee not only comfort and basic care for nursing home residents, but also good outcomes for residents with severe clinical conditions.
E-Cigarette Markets and Policy Responses in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review
Authors: van der Eijk Yvette , Tan Ping Ping Grace , Ong Suan Ee , Tan Li Xin Grace , Li David , Zhang Dijin , Min Shuen Loo , Kee Seng Chia
Published: May 2021

Background: The global e-cigarette market has proliferated and is increasingly dominated by transnational tobacco companies. While Southeast Asian countries have received relatively little attention in e-cigarette research, the region represents an area of potentially untapped growth for the industry. We review the e-cigarette situation in Southeast Asia in terms of the e-cigarette markets, advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes, reported health impacts of e-cigarette use, and policy responses in the region. Methods: We examined e-cigarette market data from the Euromonitor Global Market Information Database (GMID) Passport database, searched in the academic literature, grey literature and news archives for any reports or studies of e-cigarette related diseases or injuries, e-cigarette marketing, and e-cigarette policy responses in Southeast Asian countries, and browsed the websites of online e-cigarette retailers catering to the region’s active e-cigarette markets. Results: In 2019, e-cigarettes were sold in six Southeast Asian markets with a total market value of $595 million, projected to grow to $766 million by 2023. E-commerce is a significant and growing sales channel in the region, with most of the popular or featured brands in online shops originating from China. Southeast Asian youth are targeted with a wide variety of flavours, trendy designs and point of sale promotions, and several e-cigarette related injuries and diseases have been reported in the region. Policy responses vary considerably between countries, ranging from strict bans to no or partial regulations. Conclusion: Although Southeast Asia’s e-cigarette market is relatively nascent, this is likely to change if transnationals invest more heavily in the region. Populous countries with weak e-cigarette regulations, notably Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines, are desirable targets for the transnationals. Regulatory action is needed to prevent e-cigarette use from becoming entrenched into these societies, especially among young people.