bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF RIVER DISCHARGES ON SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION USING UAV IMAGES AND GIS TECHNIQUES
Authors: Tamondong A. , Nakamura T. , Kobayashi Y. , Garcia M. , Nadaoka K.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. One of the major factors controlling the distribution and abundance of marine submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is light availability. Reduced water clarity due to sediment loading from rivers greatly affects the health and coverage of seagrasses and seaweeds. Monitoring SAV using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) has been getting attention because of its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. In this research, a low-cost UAV was utilized to assess the impacts of river discharges on SAV in Busuanga Island, Philippines. Linear regression was performed to determine the effectivity and accuracy of UAV-based percent cover estimation compared to established field survey methods of monitoring SAV. Water quality was estimated in the study area by performing spatial interpolation methods of in situ measurement of turbidity, chlorophyll, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen using a multi-parameter water quality sensor. Current velocity and tidal fluctuations were monitored using bottom-mounted sensors deployed near the river mouth and in seagrass and seaweed areas with relatively good water clarities. Four stations were surveyed using automated UAV missions which were flown simultaneously with field observations. Each station surveyed has varying distances from the river mouth. Results from the classification of the UAV data and field survey show that SAV is more abundant as the distance from the river mouth increases and the turbidity decreases. Classification overall accuracies of UAV orthophotos ranging from 87.91–93.41% were achieved using Maximum Likelihood (ML) Classification. Comparison of field-based and UAV-based survey of percent cover of seagrasses show an overestimation of 1.75 times from the UAV compared to field observations.
Modelling mussel (Mytilus spp.) microplastic accumulation
Authors: Stamataki Natalia , Hatzonikolakis Yannis , Tsiaras Kostas , Tsangaris Catherine , Petihakis George , Sofianos Sarantis , Triantafyllou George
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Microplastics (MPs) are a contaminant of growing concern due to
their widespread distribution and interactions with marine species, such as
filter feeders. To investigate the MPs accumulation in wild and cultured
mussels, a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model was developed and validated
with the available field data of Mytilus edulis (M. edulis, wild) from the North Sea and Mytilus galloprovincialis (M. galloprovincialis,
cultured) from the northern Ionian Sea. Towards a generic DEB model, the
site-specific model parameter, half-saturation coefficient (Xk), was
applied as a power function of food density for the cultured mussel, while
for the wild mussel it was calibrated to a constant value. The
DEB-accumulation model simulated the uptake and excretion rate of MPs,
taking into account environmental characteristics (temperature and
chlorophyll a). An accumulation of MPs equal to 0.53 particles per individual (fresh tissue mass 1.9 g) and 0.91 particles per individual (fresh tissue mass 3.3 g) was simulated for the wild and
cultured mussel after 4 and 1 years respectively, in agreement with the
field data. The inverse experiments investigating the depuration time of the
wild and cultured mussel in a clean-from-MPs environment showed a 90 %
removal of MPs load after 2.5 and 12 d respectively. Furthermore,
sensitivity tests on model parameters and forcing functions highlighted that
besides MPs concentration, the accumulation is highly dependent on
temperature and chlorophyll a of the surrounding environment. For this
reason, an empirical equation was found, directly relating the environmental
concentration of MPs, with the seawater temperature, chlorophyll a, and the
mussel's soft tissue MPs load.
Stress rotation – The impact and interaction of rock stiffness and faults
Authors: Reiter Karsten
Published: August 2020

Abstract. It has been assumed, that the maximum compressive horizontal stress (SHmax) orientation in the upper crust is governed on a regional scale by the same forces that drive plate motion. However, several regions are identified, where stress orientation deviates from the expected orientation due to plate boundary forces (first order stress sources), or the plate wide pattern. In some of this regions a gradual rotation of the SHmax orientation has been observed. Several second and third order stress sources have been identified, which may explain stress rotation in the upper crust. For example lateral heterogeneities in the crust, such as density, petrophysical or petrothermal properties and discontinuities, like faults are identified as potential candidates to cause lateral stress rotations. To investigate several of the candidates, generic geomechanical numerical models are utilized. These models consist of up to five different units, oriented by an angle of 60° to the direction of contraction. These units have variable elastic material properties, such as Young's modulus, Poisson ratio and density. Furthermore, the units can be separated by contact surfaces that allow them so slide along these faults, depending on a selected coefficient of friction. The model results indicate, that a density contrast or the variation of the Poisson's ratio alone sparsely rotates the horizontal stress orientation (≦ 17°). Conversely, a contrast of the Young's modulus allows significant stress rotations in the order of up to 78°; not only areas in the vicinity of the material transition are affected by that stress rotation. Stress rotation clearly decreases for the same stiffness contrast, when the units are separated by low friction discontinuities (19°). Low friction discontinuities in homogeneous models do not change the stress pattern at all, away from the fault; the stress pattern is nearly identical to a model without any active faults. This indicates that material contrasts are capable of producing significant stress rotation for larger areas in the crust. Active faults that separates such material contrasts have the opposite effect, they rather compensate stress rotations.
Modeling soil and landscape evolution – the effect of rainfall and land-use change on soil and landscape patterns
Authors: van der Meij W. Marijn , Temme Arnaud J. A. M. , Wallinga Jakob , Sommer Michael
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Humans have substantially altered soil and landscape patterns and properties due to agricultural use, with severe impacts on
biodiversity, carbon sequestration and food security. These impacts are
difficult to quantify, because we lack data on long-term changes in soils in
natural and agricultural settings and available simulation methods are not
suitable for reliably predicting future development of soils under projected changes in climate and land management. To help overcome these challenges,
we developed the HydroLorica soil–landscape evolution model that simulates soil development by explicitly modeling the spatial water balance as a driver of soil- and landscape-forming processes. We simulated 14 500 years of soil formation under natural conditions for three scenarios of different rainfall inputs. For each scenario we added a 500-year period of intensive
agricultural land use, where we introduced tillage erosion and changed
vegetation type. Our results show substantial differences between natural soil patterns under
different rainfall input. With higher rainfall, soil patterns become more
heterogeneous due to increased tree throw and water erosion. Agricultural
patterns differ substantially from the natural patterns, with higher
variation of soil properties over larger distances and larger correlations
with terrain position. In the natural system, rainfall is the dominant
factor influencing soil variation, while for agricultural soil patterns
landform explains most of the variation simulated. The cultivation of soils
thus changed the dominant factors and processes influencing soil formation and thereby also increased predictability of soil patterns. Our study
highlights the potential of soil–landscape evolution modeling for simulating past and future developments of soil and landscape patterns. Our results confirm that humans have become the dominant soil-forming factor in
agricultural landscapes.
Brief communication: Nowcasting of precipitation for leading-edge-erosion-safe mode
Authors: Tilg Anna-Maria , Hasager Charlotte Bay , Kirtzel Hans-Jürgen , Hummelshøj Poul
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Leading-edge erosion (LEE) of wind turbine blades is
caused by the impact of hydrometeors, which appear in a solid or liquid phase.
A reduction in the wind turbine blades' tip speed during defined
precipitation events can mitigate LEE. To apply such an erosion-safe mode, a
precipitation nowcast is required. Theoretical considerations indicate that
the time a raindrop needs to fall to the ground is sufficient to reduce the
tip speed. Furthermore, it is described that a compact, vertically pointing
radar that measures rain at different heights with a sufficiently high
spatio-temporal resolution can nowcast rain for an erosion-safe mode.
New strategies for optimized structural monitoring of wind farms: experimental campaign
Authors: Pacheco João , Guimarães Silvina , Moutinho Carlos , Marques Miguel , Matos José Carlos , Magalhães Filipe
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The main goal of the recently started WindFarmSHM
research project is the development, validation and optimization of
monitoring strategies to be applied at the level of the wind farm. These strategies should be able to evaluate the structural condition of a set of wind
turbines and their consumed fatigue life using the response to operation
loads. In this context, a quite extensive experimental campaign is being
performed at the Tocha wind farm, an onshore wind farm located in Portugal,
which includes the simultaneous instrumentation of several wind turbines,
adopting strain gauges, clinometers and accelerometers distributed in the
tower and blades. This paper introduces the Tocha wind farm, presents the
different layouts adopted in the instrumentation of the wind turbines and
shows some initial results from the already fully instrumented wind turbine.
At this preliminary stage, the capabilities of the very extensive monitoring
layout are demonstrated. The results presented in this paper demonstrate
the ability of the different monitoring components to track the modal
parameters of the system composed of a tower and rotor and to characterize the
internal loads at the tower base and blade roots.
Demografinė situacija Lietuvos kaimiškose savivaldybėse / Demographic Situation in Lithuanian Rural Municipalities
Authors: Čepienė Erika , Bučienė Angelija
Published: August 2020

The researchers from Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian economics confirmed that classification of Lithuanian regions by rurality into 5 groups is a more comprehensive method to reveal economic and social differences of the regions than the method used by the government at the present by classifying regions in to the problematic and non-problematic regions (Melnikienė et al., 2011).

The object of the research – municipalities of different rurality degree.

The objective of this paper – to analyze population density and demographic situation from 2011 to 2018 changes in municipalities of different rurality degree in Lithuania.

Our research has revealed, that on average rural municipalities cover area 10 times larger than urban municipalities and 1,2 times larger than semi-urban municipalities. Taking into account population density, natural population change, net migration, old-age dependency ratio in 2011 and 2018, it was found that 10 municipalities are improving, 19 municipalities - unchanged and 16 municipalities - worsening.

Keywords: population density, demographic situation, rurality, change.
Amor, furor y catarsis en la 'Favola d'Orfeo' (1480) de Poliziano: ¿germen de un neoplatonismo moralizante?
Authors: Ortiz Pereira Daniel
Published: August 2020

La Favola d’ Orfeo (1480) de Ángelo Poliziano es uno de los escritos literarios más ricos y enigmáticos del Renacimiento, especialmente en lo que respecta al debate que ha suscitado entre los especialistas a la hora de discernir su trasfondo alegórico. Partiendo de la contextualización general de la obra en el programa simbólico de la Academia neoplatónica de Marsilio Ficino, este artículo tiene por objeto demostrar: (1) Su singularidad en relación al resto de producciones filosóficas y literarias renacentistas de temática órfica; (2) Su particular recepción crítica de tres elementos fundamentales del sistema ficiniano: el amor, el furor y la catarsis; y (3) Su adopción de una novedosa tendencia de corte moralizante en el seno del neoplatonismo renacentista que se halla en explícita consonancia con el cristianismo.
El animal y el hombre. Derrida lector de Heidegger
Authors: Vázquez García Manuel E.
Published: August 2020

La cuestión del límite y la diferencia entre el hombre y el animal se ha convertido en una cuestión filosófica de especial relevancia. Baste reparar en sus implicaciones políticas, sociales, económicas, etc. Por primera vez el hombre puede dirigir su proceso evolutivo. Desde ese contexto, se analizan y discuten los argumentos heideggerianos sobre el tema, tomando como hilo conductor su lectura derridiana. En ella se pone de manifiesto la contradicción entre la necesidad temática y operatoria de un límite (entre el animal y el Dasein en relación a la muerte) y la imposibilidad de fundamentarlo.
Wilhelm Windelband como pensador sistemático e historiador de la filosofia
Authors: Páez Bonifaci Jacinto
Published: August 2020

El presente trabajo intenta clarificar la relación entre el pensamiento sistemático y la obra historiográfica del filósofo neokantiano Wilhelm Windelband (1848-1915). Según el juicio de sus sucesores, la obra de Windelband se caracteriza por un déficit sistemático motivado por un énfasis historiográfico. La intención de este estudio, por el contrario, es mostrar cómo la historia de la filosofía se transforma en un verdadero impulso sistemático en el pensamiento de Windelband a través de un análisis de su método para una historia de problemas. En última instancia, se intenta mostrar cómo la obra de Windelband realiza aportes para la elaboración de un concepto de filosofía histórica, es decir, para llevar a cabo la historización del pensamiento filosófico.
Medios de comunicación y fomento de la igualdad de las mujeres en el deporte
Authors: Pérez-Ugena María
Published: August 2020

En el deporte la brecha de género está muy marcada como consecuencia de distintos factores. Este trabajo describe la situación de hecho, mediante datos y analiza el tratamiento de las deportistas en los medios de comunicación, llegando a la conclusión de que están subrepresentadas, tanto desde un punto de vista cuantitativo como cualitativo. Se estudian también los instrumentos jurídicos aplicables, para concluir que éstos pueden ser eficaces, pese a que sea altamente recomendable y urgente la modificación de la actual Ley del deporte, que necesariamente debe hacerse desde la perspectiva de género.
Análisis de la cobertura informativa de la Copa Mundial de Baloncesto Femenino FIBA 2018 en 'Marca' y 'As'
Authors: Blanco-Ruiz Marian , Tirado Elena
Published: August 2020

El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar desde la perspectiva de género la cobertura informativa en la Copa Mundial de Baloncesto Femenino FIBA 2018. La metodología está basada en un análisis de contenido cuantitativo y un análisis cualitativo de los sesgos de género presentes en todas las informaciones publicadas en los ejemplares en papel de los diarios deportivos Marca y As. Los resultados muestran que la mayor parte de cobertura informativa de la Copa Mundial de Baloncesto Femenino FIBA 2018 está basada en informaciones breves. El 90,3% son noticias de interior, de las que solo el 14,09% aparecían en la portada. Los triunfos de las deportistas no garantizan una mejor cobertura, ni siquiera la medalla de bronce del equipo español fue noticia principal de portada. En 3 de cada 10 informaciones analizadas (31.7%) son protagonistas las mujeres, pero el nombre propio que se empleó como fuente en un mayor número de ocasiones fue el del entrenador.
CRITICAL SIMULATION: INVESTIGATING THE WORK OF MACHINE VISION IN VISUAL SOCIAL MEDIA CULTURE
Authors: Carah Nicholas , Angus Daniel , Smith Adam
Published: August 2020

Social media are in the midst of an emphatic visual turn (Highfield & Leaver 2016), characterised by the convergence of everyday visual expression with professional creative practice and advertising. The advertising-driven business models of social media platforms increasingly depend on automation. Platforms’ use of machine vision is a key frontier in the algorithmic classification of culture. Machine vision algorithms automatically classify and misclassify faces, expressions, objects, and brand logos in the images users create and share. Images shared by platform users form vast databases used to train these same algorithms. Despite widespread use by social platforms, machine vision is poorly understood and accounted for in the study of everyday visual cultures. In this paper we detail a critical response to the use of automation in visual social media, called critical simulation. We outline a critical simulation framework, the ‘Image Machine’, focussed firstly on Instagram. The Image Machine comprises an Instagram data harvester, and open-access machine vision toolbox that allows digital humanities researchers to interrogate the inner workings of these algorithms and analyse their visual (mis)classifications. In this paper we showcase results from the Image Machine applied to images emanating from a major Australian music festival, Splendour in the Grass. This case examines not only how machine vision classifies and operates on culture, but also how these techniques are being operationalised within the advertising model and promotional culture of platforms like Instagram. We argue that the commercial application of machine vision is interdependent with the participatory culture of platforms like Instagram.
GEOLOCATION: LOCATING TRUST IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND ECONOMIES
Authors: Mitchell Peta , Leszczynski Agnieszka , Zook Matthew , Blankenship Joe , McGrane Caitlin , Hjorth Larissa , Thomas Julian , Wilken Rowan
Published: August 2020

Digital location—or geolocation—is a fixture of digital platforms and economies, figuring as an organizational logic for content and user experience (e.g., map-based interfaces), native technical affordance (e.g., locational functionalities of GPS-enabled smartphones), and core enabling agent behind the rise of ‘disruptive’ platform enterprises (e.g., Uber, Deliveroo, and Waze all rely on geolocation for service delivery). Despite its inextricability from contemporary media, data productions, and digital practices, geolocation’s role in fostering mis/trust in digital systems has to date been unaddressed. The papers in this panel identify and theorize the ways in which geolocation functions as simultaneously a key ‘technology of trust’ (sociotechnical agent through which mis/trust is bred and/or secured in digital ecosystems), and a social relation of trustworthiness in digital platforms and economies, exploring the role geolocation plays form the perspectives of both securing trust and breeding mistrust in digital systems.
ALGORITHMIC WOMEN’S WORK: THE LABOUR OF NEGOTIATING BLACK-BOXED REPRESENTATION
Authors: Kant Tanya
Published: August 2020

This paper argues that under the proprietary logics of the contemporary web, the ‘algorithmic identities’ (Cheney-Lippold, 2017) created by platforms like Google and Facebook function as value-generating constellations that unequally distribute the burdens of being made in data. The paper focuses on a particular identity demographic: that of the algorithmically inferred 'female', based in the 'UK', 'aged 25-34', and therefore deemed to be interested in 'fertility'. Though other algorithmic profiles certainly exist (and generate their own critical problems), I will use this particular template of subjectivity to explore issues of representation, black-boxing and user trust from a gendered perspective.

Combining online audience reception with political economy, I analyse two ad campaigns - for Clearblue Pregnancy Tests and the Natural Cycles Contraceptive app - to understand how the algorithmically fertile female comes to exist, both at the level of the database and at the level of ad representation. I argue that black-boxing occurs at two stages in this process: firstly when the subject is computationally constituted as female (ie in the database) and secondly when the user herself is delivered the ads informed by her algorithmic identity (ie at the interface). This black-boxing creates 'algorithmic imaginaries' (Bucher, 2016) for the user wherein the burden of being made a fertile female in data is experienced as a form of immaterial and emotional labour. Some algorithmic constitutions can therefore be considered a form of algorithmic women's work; work that potentially generates distrust in targeted advertising.
De energietransitie: wie kunnen, willen en mogen er meedoen?
Authors: Breukers Sylvia , Agterbosch Susanne , Mourik Ruth
Published: August 2020

Energy transition in the Netherlands: who can and will benefit?

In this article we discuss the role and position of different types of low income households in Dutch renewable energy transition processes using the concept of energy poverty. We explore which benefits and/or (dis)advantages (unintentionally) result from energy policies and regulations. And to what extent the distribution of these (dis)advantages benefit the position of different types of households. To this end we present an analytical perspective that enables us to evaluate renewable energy transition policies and governance on procedural and distributional aspects: paying attention to issues of recognition, equity and justice. The perspective draws on ideas in environmental justice literature and on ideas in social resilience literature. Combining these ideas in a new analytical framework proved to be useful in articulating some major policy challenges in relation to energy poverty in the Netherlands today.
Inhibitory Effect of Acacetin, Apigenin, Chrysin and Pinocembrin on Human Cytochrome P450 3A4
Authors: Kondža Martin , Rimac Hrvoje , Maleš Željan , Turčić Petra , Ćavar Ivan , Bojić Mirza
Published: August 2020

Cytochrome P450 3A4 is the most significant enzyme in metabolism of medications. Flavonoids are common secondary plant metabolites found in fruits and vegetables. Some flavonoids can interact with other drugs by inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine inhibition kinetics of cytochrome P450 3A4 by flavonoids: acacetin, apigenin, chrysin and pinocembrin. For this purpose, testosterone was used as marker substrate, and generation of the 6β-hydroxy metabolite was monitored by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector. IC50 values, inhibition constants, and rates of inhibition were determined. IC50 values ranged between 0.6 and 11.4 µM. The strongest inhibitor was chrysin (IC50 0.6 µM, inhibition constant 0.6 µM, inhibition rate constant 0.065 min–1, inhibition efficacy 0.108 min–1 µM–1). Compared to other flavonoids analyzed, chrysin’s inhibitory effect can be attributed to the hydrophobic nonsubstituted B ring, as well as rigidity of the structure. When foods rich in chrysin are consumed, e.g. honey and propolis, chrysin can cause food-drug interactions. Further in vitro studies are needed to determine the reactive intermediate responsible for inactivation of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, as well as in vivo studies to determine possible clinical significance of this inhibition.
The Effect of Group Education on Adaptive Behaviors and Caregiver Burden in Mothers of Children with Thalassemia Major: A Trial Clinical Study
Authors: Biabani Abdolhagh , Kermansaravi Fatiha , Navidian Ali
Published: August 2020

Background: Mothers of children with thalassemia major encounter numerous problems associated with treatment and care that often stem from the disease and lead to inappropriate coping behaviors, which impose an onerous burden on the caregiver. Thus, maintaining and promoting the mental health of these mothers and alleviating their care burden should be a health priority. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the impact of group education on adaptive behaviors and care burden in mothers of children with thalassemia major. Methods: In this clinical trial, 70 mothers of children with thalassemia major were selected through convenience sampling and randomized into the intervention and control groups. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the coping health inventory for parent (CHIP), and the Caregiver Burden scale (CBS). The subjects in the intervention group received four 120-min sessions of group education over four weeks and were followed up for a month. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS 22 and descriptive statistics, paired t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square test. All results below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 70 subjects completed the study. The two groups were not significantly different in terms of demographic variables (gender, child’s age, ethnicity, mother’s age, mother’s education, economic status, number of children, and parents’ occupation). The mean score of adaptive behaviors in the intervention and control groups at baseline was 55.57 ± 18.75 and 58.57 ± 21.04, respectively. At the end of the study, this score changed to 83.68 ± 10.45 in the intervention group and 52.80 ± 17.46 in the control group, indicating the significant positive impact of group education (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the mean score of mothers’ care burden in the intervention and control groups was 54.60 ± 12.05 and 59.25 ± 13.34 at baseline, respectively; which changed to 41.28 ± 7.01 in the intervention group and 60.02 ± 13.19 in the control group after the experiment, suggesting the positive impact of group education on mitigating caregiver burden (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Group training focused on mothers’ involvement can improve their adaptive behaviors and reduce the burden resulting from caring for the patient. Nurses are recommended to employ this educational method to promote family involvement in health care.
The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Sadate Moazeni Samira , Ghaljeh Mahnaz , Navidian Ali
Published: August 2020

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating condition. Those with COPD often complain about fatigue, which can negatively affect activities of daily living, and consequently, the quality of life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed at determining the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue and QoL in patients with COPD. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 40 eligible patients with COPD admitted to two teaching hospitals in Zahedan in 2018 - 2019. The subjects were randomized into the experimental (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups based on convenience sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, St George’s Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), and the Multidimensional Fatigue inventory (MFI). The QoL and fatigue in both groups were initially measured through interviews. For three consecutive days, patients in the experimental group received three 30-45-min face-to-face training sessions. The pulmonary rehabilitation program was conducted on patients’ bedsides and included theoretical and practical dimensions. Additionally, after necessary coordination with the patients and their families, a summary session was held at patients’ homes. The control group received no training, except for routine care. At the end of the eighth week, the researchers made telephone contact with the two groups (patients or their families) and visited them at their home to complete the SGRQ and MFI. Data were analyzed using SPSS and descriptive and analytical tests (independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-squared test) at the significance level of less than 0.05. Results: The mean score of changes in QoL was 21.75 ± 7.06 in the experimental group and -1.93 ± 4.70 in the control group. The results of the paired t-test indicated that the mean score of QoL in the experimental group in the post-test was significantly different compared with the baseline (P = 0.001). Moreover, the mean score of changes in fatigue was 35.65 ± 7.12 in the experimental group and 3.25 ± 144 in the control group. In this regard, the paired t-test results showed that the mean fatigue score of patients in the experimental group in the post-test was significantly different compared with the baseline (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation program reduced fatigue and improved QoL in patients with COPD. Therefore, it is suggested to consider this program in the care plan of these people.
Survival Rate of Patients With HIV/AIDS and Related Factors in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Moradi Ali , Hashemi Nazari Seyed Saeed , Zandvakili Farnaz , Ameri Pegah , Nikfarjam Ali , Darvishi Sonia , Noroozi Mehdi , Rahmani Khaled
Published: August 2020

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a major public health problem in Iran. It imposes heavy costs on governments and affected people. Determining the survival duration of patients and recognizing the related factors can help the disease surveillance system. Objectives: The current study aimed at determining the survival rate and the related factors concerning patients with HIV/AIDS identified in Tehran, Iran. Methods: The study population of the current retrospective cohort consisted of patients with HIV/AIDS covered by the Health Center of Southern Tehran. The data were obtained by referring to the HIV/AIDS care centers and reviewing the patients’ records. Survival rates of the study subjects during 10 years follow-up were calculated. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to determine the relationship between independent variables and survival of patients with HIV/AIDS. Results: A total of 487 patients were investigated in the current study. Four-hundred thirty-three subjects (88.9%) were male, and 54 (11.1%) female. The mean ± standard deviation of the participants’ age was 44.08 ± 9.00 years. According to univariate analyses, the variables of gender, marital status, education level, occupational status, transmission way, infection with hepatitis C or tuberculosis, and history of antiretroviral treatment were significantly associated with the survival time of patients with AIDS. In the final model, a significant relationship was found between the variables of treatment, coinfection with tuberculosis, occupational status, education level, marital status, and mortality. Conclusions: The current study was one of the few research that examined the survival rate of HIV-infected patients in Iran. Considering the expansion of AIDS epidemic in Iran, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic and decrease the mortality rate of infected patients through early detection and timely treatment of HIV-positive people coinfected with tuberculosis, creation of employment opportunities for patients and addicted individuals, controlling substance abuse, and paying more attention to harm reduction programs in individuals that have unsafe sex as one of the most important high-risk groups to increase their survival time.
Effect of 12 Weeks of Aerobic Training on Liver Enzymes, Thyroid Hormones, and Anthropometric Indices of Obese Children
Authors: Zinvand Lorestani Aziz , Rahmati Masoud , Mirnasuri Rahim
Published: August 2020

Background: Fatty liver is one of the chronic liver disorders associated with lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Hypothyroidism deficiency has been identified as a factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver development due to its important role in fat metabolism. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypothyroidism, and anthropometric indices. Methods: Twenty-four obese children were randomly divided into two groups of control (n = 12) and experiment (n = 12). Aerobic exercise was done for 12 weeks. Before and after the training period, we measured the levels of liver enzymes (ALP, AST, and ALT), thyroid hormones (T3, T4, and TSH), and several key anthropometric indices. Liver ultrasonography was done, as well. Results: Aerobic training for 12 weeks significantly reduced the levels of thyroid hormones TSH (P = 0.023) and T4 (P = 0.002), liver enzymes ALT (P = 0.002), AST (P = 0.003), and ALP (P = 0.047), and anthropometric indices BMI (P = 0.001) and WC (P = 0.043) and increased the level of T3 (P = 0.011) in the experimental group. Conclusions: Aerobic training is recommended as a weight control intervention for obese children. It can provide a non-medical strategy in the treatment of NAFLD and hypothyroidism.
Análisis de los factores que determinan la inestabilidad del sistema tori-uke en la técnica del uchi-mata en judo
Authors: Ramón Suárez G. , Gutiérrez Dávila Marcos
Published: August 2020

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue estudiar la inestabilidad del sistema tori-uke (atacante-

defensor), al ejecutar Uchi Mata en condiciones de competición. Se emplearon dos cámaras

de vídeo Panasonic S-VHS, 50 Hz, un sistema de referencia previamente calibrado y se siguieron los

pasos y procedimientos del método fotogramétrico tridimensional. Se seleccionaron 12 parejas de

judokas (seis del Campeonato Senior de Andalucía, Córdoba, 1999; seis del Campeonato Mundial

Universitario de Judo, Málaga, 2000) que ejecutaron uchi mata y obtuvieron IPPON como resultado

de su proyección. Los resultados muestran que todos los sujetos analizados incrementaron de

manera progresiva el ángulo de inestabilidad, de modo que durante la fase de barrido y antes de

que el defensor (uke) perdiese el contacto con el suelo, el ángulo fue mayor de 90º, haciendo que el

sistema tori-uke fuese inestable. Se comprueba que existe una interrelación entre la flexión del

tronco tanto de tori como de uke, las fuerzas de tracción de tori, producidas a través de los agarres,

la disminución del tamaño de la base de sustentación y el ángulo de inestabilidad del sistema.
Análisis semicuantitativo del calcio y fósforo en los tejidos calcificados de la mandíbula
Authors: Henríquez Távara N. , García Molina J.A. , Greco Machado Y. , Carvalho Lobato P. , Belmonte Calderón A. , Serra Renom I. , Manzanares Céspedes M.C.
Published: August 2020

El objetivo de nuestra investigación es realizar un estudio microanalítico semicuantitativo del

calcio y el fósforo en los tejidos calcificados de la mandíbula. Dentro de este estudio se pretende

calcular el valor de la ratio Ca/P por métodos semicuantitativos y compararlo con los valores

estequiométricos de la ratio Ca/P de la hidroxiapatita referidos en la literatura; conocer los valores

de la ratio Ca/P obtenidos para el tejido condroide, el hueso lamelar, el hueso fibrorreticular y el

cartílago calcificado en las muestras fetales, por una parte, y adultas, por otra; y si existen o no

diferencias significativas en la proporción Ca/P obtenidos para feto y adulto. El análisis morfológico

de los tejidos calcificados fue realizado por medio de Microrradiografía Electrónica de Barrido

(MEB) por electrones retrodispersados (Backscattering), y los resultados permiten afirmar que la

ratio obtenida por análisis semicuantitativo mediante dispersión de rayos X de los tejidos calcificados

(condroide, hueso lamelar y fibrorreticular) se encuentra más próxima a 1, y que no existen diferencias

significativas entre las muestras fetales y de adulto en los tejidos analizados.
El desarrollo del paquete BiomSoft y sus aplicaciones en el análisis biomecánico del movimiento humano
Authors: Gianikellis K. , Pantrigo Fernández J.J. , Bote A. , Vara Gazapo A.
Published: August 2020

El análisis biomecánico del movimiento humano tiene aplicaciones, en el ámbito médico, ocupacional

y deportivo analizando la técnica y diseñando material deportivo de altas prestaciones.

El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido presentar el software desarrollado en el Laboratorio de

Biomecánica del Movimiento Humano y de Ergonomía de la Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte de

la Universidad de Extremadura que permite analizar el movimiento humano normal y patológico.

El paquete BiomSoft desarrollado en entorno MATLAB 5.3 permite el tratamiento y la representación

de los datos procedentes del análisis biomecánico aplicando diferentes técnicas de suavizado

e interpolación de los datos cinemáticos y cálculo de las magnitudes cinemáticas lineales y angulares,

la creación y uso de una base de datos de parámetros inerciales, análisis dinámico inverso y

determinación de los momentos musculares netos y del trabajo mecánico realizado, análisis espectral

de los datos Electromiográficos y de Estabilometría, representaciones gráficas y animaciones

de modelos alámbricos, y simulación de procesos de tratamiento digital de señales (filtrado, padding,

FFT, enventanado, etc.) con objetivos didácticos. Por tanto, se ha desarrollado un software que

permite la descripción, análisis y evaluación de la motricidad humana en diferentes ámbitos de la

Biomecanica del Movimiento Humano, además de ser muy útil para la enseñanza y las prácticas de

laboratorio.
Control de la velocidad de degradación de materiales compuestos para aplicaciones biomédicas.
Authors: Sánchez S. , Navarro M. , Aparicio C. , Ginebra Molins Maria Pau , Planell Estany Josep Anton
Published: August 2020

En este trabajo se ha utilizado la técnica del dipping, para practicar varios tipos de recubrimientos
de ácido poliláctico sobre un nuevo material compuesto totalmente biodegradable formado por
PLA + vidrio de fosfato; siendo ambos materiales biodegradables, y por tanto, también el compuesto.
El principio de funcionamiento que presenta este tipo de técnica es actuando como barrera física
entre los fluidos biológicos y el material compuesto, protegiéndolo frente a la degradación y prolongando
en el tiempo las propiedades mecánicas. El control de la velocidad de degradación se ha
llevado a cabo variando el grosor y el número de capas.
Mediante diversas técnicas de análisis, como los ensayos a flexión o la microscopía electrónica,
se han determinado las propiedades mecánicas durante las 4 semanas que ha durado el análisis, así
como los cambios morfológicos del compuesto y de la capa o capas protectoras.
Los resultados mostraron cambios significativos en la morfología de los materiales después de 4
semanas de inmersión en fluido fisiológico simulado (SBF). El recubrimiento de menor espesor
obtuvo los mejores resultados.
Comportamiento biomecánico de los metatarsianos durante la marcha en rampa. Distribución de las presiones plantares
Authors: Vilarroya A. , Torre C. , Pérez García J.M. , Herrera A. , Malillos M.
Published: August 2020

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el comportamiento metatarsal durante la marcha en rampa

ascendente y descendente en individuos sanos mediante la utilización del sistema de plantillas

podométricas Pdm 240. Hemos estudiado los parámetros temporales de la marcha y las presiones que

se registran en el retropié, el antepié, y, dentro de éste, en cada una de las cabezas metatarsales,

durante el ciclo y sus fases, mientras caminan en un tapiz rodante a 3,5 Km/h con una pendiente del

15%.

De forma global se comprueba que durante el ciclo de la marcha, el retropié soporta mayor pico de

presión en inclinación descendente, mientras que el antepié lo hace en pendiente positiva. Si se

analiza cada metatarsiano por separado se observa que los valores de presión más altos se registran

en rampa ascendente. La localización de estos picos de presión difiere según las fases del apoyo: en

rampa ascendente se observan en la fase de apoyo medio y en pendiente negativa se reparten entre

esa misma fase (M1, M4 y M5) y la de contacto de antepié (M2 y M3). Durante el ciclo, M1 registra

mayor porcentaje de presión en inclinación positiva, y M5 lo hace en rampa descendente.

The aim of this paper is to study the behaviour of the metatarsals in healthy individuals while

walking uphill and downhill through the use of the podometric insole system Pdm 240. We have

studied the walking temporal patterns and the pressures registered on the hindfoot and the forefoot,

and, within the latter, on each of its metatarsal heads, during the stride and its phases, while the

individuals walked on a treadmill at 3.5 Km/h on a 15% gradient.

We found that the hindfoot bears more pressure while walking downhill whereas the forefoot

bears it walking uphill. If we analyse each metatarsal separately we will see that the highest pressure

values are registered when walking uphill. The location of these peaks varies according to the different

phases within stance: while walking uphill, they are observed on the midstance phase, and while

walking downhill, on that same phase (M1, M4 and M5) and on the forefoot contact phase (M2 and

M3). During stance, M1 bears a bigger share of the pressure on a positive gradient, whereas M5 bear

it on a negative gradient.
La proyección térmica en la obtención de recubrimientos biocompatibles ventajas de la proyección térmica por alta velocidad (HVOF) sobre la proyección térmica por plasma atmosférico (APS)
Authors: Fernández J. , GILEMANY J.M. , Gaona M.
Published: August 2020

Aunque el uso de biomateriales se remonta a la antigüedad, no fue hasta el siglo XX cuando se empezaron a utilizar los materiales biocerámicos en aplicaciones ortopédicas y dentales debido a las similitudes con los componentes que se encuentran en los tejidos duros. Pese a que estudios clínicos han demostrado la evidencia de osteointegración de la hidroxiapatita (HAp) su uso se ha limitado a aquellas aplicaciones que no soporten grandes cargas debido su carácter rígido y frágil. Una solución fue recubrir metales de manera que se aunaron las propiedades bioactivas que presenta la hidroxiapatita y las buenas propiedades mecánicas que ofrecen los metales, evitando los problemas de fragilidad de un implante totalmente cerámico.

El recubrimiento de un metal con HAp es un proceso complejo y de él depende, en gran parte, el éxito clínico del implante. La proyección por plasma atmosférico (APS), aunque se trata de la técnica más utilizada por la industria, presenta el inconveniente de degradar térmicamente las partículas de HAp generando una fase amorfa y otras fases de fosfato de calcio que pueden ser resorbidas por el cuerpo degradando rápidamente el recubrimiento y comprometer el implante.

La proyección térmica por alta velocidad (HVOF) se presenta en este trabajo como una alternativa para obtener recubrimientos de gran calidad conservando las mismas ventajas que APS.
Comportamiento biológico de cementos óseos acrílicos con compuestos antioxidantes derivados de la vitamina E
Authors: Calvo-Fernández T. , Parra J. , Vázquez B. , López-Bravo A.
Published: August 2020

En este trabajo se presenta el comportamiento biológico de un cemento óseo acrílico modificado con antioxidantes derivados de vitamina E. La biocompatibilidad del nuevo cemento se ha estudiado in vitro a través de cultivos celulares así como in vivo mediante experimentación en conejos e implantación del cemento en su estado pastoso con el fin de reproducir la situación clínica. Los ensayos in vitro revelaron una buena colonización de células vero en la superficie del cemento, ausencia de citotoxicidad y un aumento de la proliferación celular con relación a un cemento de PMMA. Los ensayos in vivo indicaron una buena regeneración de la interfaz tanto a corto como a largo plazo, caracterizada por grandes extensiones de cemento rodeadas de hueso neoformado, proliferación de médula ósea y desaparición de la fibrosis a las 24 semanas.

This paper reports on the biological response of an acrylic bone cement modified with antioxidant compounds derived from vitamin E. The biocompatibility of the new cement was tested in vitro through cell cultures and in vivo with animal experimentation in rabbits in which the cement was implanted in the dough state mimicking the clinical situation. The in vitro results revealed a good cellular colonization on the surface of the cement, non-citotoxicity of the eluates of the cement until 14 days, and a significant increase in cellular proliferation with respect to a PMMA bone cement. The histological analysis of the response to the novel cement indicated a good regeneration of the interface in the short and long terms, characterised by a big area of cement surrounded by newly formed bone, normal proliferation of the bone marrow and absence of fibrosis after 24 weeks of implantation.
Estudio de dos propuestas sobre el modelo «phantom» de proporcionalidad de Ross y Wilson
Authors: Cabañas Armesilla M.D. , Maestre López M.I. , Herrero de Lucas A.
Published: August 2020

El modelo «Phantom» de proporcionalidad de Ross y Wilson (1974) plantea dificultades cuando se trata de evaluar la proporcionalidad de individuos cuyos patrones normales se alejan de los promedios estándar poblacionales; muy especialmente en deportistas de élite o individuos en fase de crecimiento. Por este motivo, en los últimos años han aparecido propuestas de variación sobre el modelo «Phantom», como el Método Combinado propuesto por Lentini (2004) y el Método Escalable propuesto por nuestro grupo de investigación en 2005. En el presente artículo se hace un estudio comparativo de ambos métodos.

The proportionality «Phantom» model of Ross and Wilson (1974) creates difficulties for evaluate the proportionality of individuals whose normal patrons are outside the population averages standard; very especially for elite athlete or individuals in growth phase. For this reason, in the last years, proposals of variation on the «Phantom» model have appeared, such as the Combined Method proposed by Lentini (2004) and the Scalable Method proposed by our rechearch team in 2005. The present article is a comparative study of both methods.