bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterologous expression and characterization of mutant cellulase from indigenous strain of Aspergillus niger
Authors: Ahmad Waqas , Zafar Muddassar , Anwar Zahid
Published: May 2024

The purpose of current research work was to investigate the effect of mutagenesis on endoglucanase B activity of indigenous strain of Aspergillus niger and its heterologous expression studies in the pET28a+ vector. The physical and chemical mutagens were employed to incorporate mutations in A. niger. For determination of mutations, mRNA was isolated followed by cDNA synthesis and cellulase gene was amplified, purified and sequenced both from native and mutant A. niger. On comparison of gene sequences, it was observed that 5 nucleotide base pairs have been replaced in the mutant cellulase. The mutant recombinant enzyme showed 4.5 times higher activity (428.5 µmol/mL/min) as compared to activity of native enzyme (94 µmol/mL/min). The mutant gene was further investigated using Phyre2 and I-Tesser tools which exhibited 71% structural homology with Endoglucanase B of Thermoascus aurantiacus. The root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), radius of gyration (Rg) and hydrogen bonds analysis were carried at 35°C and 50°C to explore the integrity of structure of recombinant mutant endoglucanase B which corresponded to its optimal temperature. Hydrogen bonds analysis showed more stability of recombinant mutant endoglucanase B as compared to native enzyme. Both native and mutant endoglucanase B genes were expressed in pET 28a+ and purified with nickel affinity chromatography. Theoretical masses determined through ExPaSy Protparam were found 38.7 and 38.5 kDa for native and mutant enzymes, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature values for the mutant were 5.0 and 50°C while for native these were found 4.0 and 35°C, respectively. On reacting with carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) as substrate, the mutant enzyme exhibited less Km (0.452 mg/mL) and more Vmax (50.25 µmol/ml/min) as compared to native having 0.534 mg/mL as Km and 38.76 µmol/ml/min as Vmax. Among metal ions, Mg2+ showed maximum inducing effect (200%) on cellulase activity at 50 mM concentration followed by Ca2+ (140%) at 100 mM concentration. Hence, expression of a recombinant mutant cellulase from A. niger significantly enhanced its cellulytic potential which could be employed for further industrial applications at pilot scale.
Safety and efficacy of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in neuroendocrine tumors: A single center experience
Authors: Sukrithan Vineeth , Armbruster Heather , Rogers Sherise , Vogt Sherry Mori , Grenade Cassandra , Verschraegen Claire , Zhou Ye , Goyal Ashima , Natwa Mona , Hussein Akram , Barr Hallie , Konate Dramane , Batdorf Rochelle , Brown Andrew , Williams Bonnie , Zhao Songzhu , Wei Lai , Xu Menglin , Shah Manisha H. , Konda Bhavana
Published: May 2024

Peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-dotatate is widely used for the treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We analyzed data from 104 patients with NETs treated with 177Lu -dotatate at a US academic center between December 2017 and October 2020 to better understand patterns of long-term efficacy, safety, and toxicity in the real-world setting. 177Lu-dotatate (200 mCi) was administered every eight weeks for four doses. The most common sites of primary disease were small intestine NETs (n = 49, 47%), pancreatic NETs (n = 32, 31%), and lung NETs (n = 7, 7%). Twenty-seven percent had Ki-67 <3%, 49% had Ki-67 between 3–20%, and 13.5% had Ki-67 >20%. The cohort had been pretreated with a median of two prior lines of treatment. Forty percent had received prior liver-directed treatment. Seventy-four percent of patients completed all four doses of treatment. The objective response rate was 18%. The median time-to-treatment failure/death was significantly longer for small-bowel NETs when compared to pancreatic NETs (37.3 months vs. 13.2 months, p = 0.001). In a multivariate model, Ki-67, primary site, and liver tumor burden ≥50% were found to independently predict time-to-treatment failure/death. Around 40% of patients experienced adverse events of ≥grade 3 severity. Treatment-related adverse events leading to discontinuation of therapy happened in 10% of patients. Preexisting mesenteric/peritoneal disease was present in 33 patients; seven of these patients developed bowel-related toxicities including two grade 5 events. We also report two cases of delayed-onset minimal change nephrotic syndrome, which occurred 14 and 27 months after the last dose of PRRT. Lastly, we describe six patients who developed rapid tumor progression in the liver leading to terminal liver failure within 7.3 months from the start of PRRT, and identify potential risk factors associated with this occurrence, which will need further study.
Specific emitter identification based on multiple sequence feature learning
Authors: Yi Dong , Wu Di , Hu Tao , Tian Zhifu , Wang Yanyun
Published: May 2024

The specific emitter identification is widely used in electronic countermeasures, spectrum control, wireless network security and other civil and military fields. In response to the problems that the traditional specific emitter identification algorithm relies on a priori knowledge and has poor generalizability, and the existing specific emitter identification algorithm based on deep learning has poor feature selection and the adopted feature extraction network is not targeted, etc., the specific emitter identification algorithm based on multi-sequence feature learning is proposed. Firstly, multiple sequence features of the emitted signal of the communication radiation source are extracted, and these features are combined into multiple sequence features. Secondly, the multiple sequence fusion convolutional network is constructed to fuse and deeply extract the multiple sequence features and complete the classification of individual communication radiation sources through the classifier of neural network. The selected sequence features of this algorithm contain more and more essential RFF information, while the targeted design of the multi-sequence feature fusion learning network can effectively extract the essential RFF information. The results show that the algorithm can significantly improve the performance of SEI compared with the benchmark algorithm, with a recognition rate gain of about 17%.
A case study on soil slope landslide failure and parameter analysis of influencing factors for safety factor based on strength reduction method and orthogonal experimental design
Authors: Zeng Yongqing , Zhang Yinghuan , Hu Weidong , Chen Meixin , Hu Qisheng , Liu Xiaohong , Zhu Xinnian
Published: May 2024

In civil engineering, stability analysis of slope is one of the main content of design. By using the finite element limit analysis software OptumG2, a landslide geological model is established to simulate the failure process of the landslide in Huadu District, Guangzhou City, China. The analysis focused on the deformation and failure characteristics, as well as the mechanical mechanism of landslide; the landslide mode of homogeneous soil is circular sliding. Additionally, investigating the influencing factors affecting slope stability is crucial in engineering implementation; in which the five influencing factors are considered as follow: slope height, slope gradient, soil cohesion, soil internal friction angle, and soil unit weight, respectively. A stability calculation model for a soil slope is established under 25 working conditions based on strength reduction method and orthogonal experimental design, in which the relationship between the safety factor and slope height, slope gradient, soil cohesion, soil internal friction angle, and soil unit weight is obtained. As the slope height increases from 5m to 45m, the safety factor of soil slope gradually decreases from 2.21 to 0.94; As the slope gradient increases from 20° to 60°, the safety factor of soil slope decreases approximately linearly from 1.80 to 0.95; As the cohesion of soil increases from 10kpa to 30kpa, the safety factor of soil slope increases approximately linearly from 1.04 to 1.60; As the internal friction angle of soil increases from 10° to 30°, the safety factor of soil slope increases approximately linearly from 1.00 to 1.81; As the unit weight of soil increases from 13kN/m3 to 21kN/m3, the safety factor of soil slope decreases approximately linearly from 1.50 to 1.21. The influencing factors affecting the safety factor of soil slope in descending order are slope height, slope angle, soil internal friction angle, soil cohesion, and soil unit weight. The research has reference significance for studying the stability and failure laws of soil slopes and conducting landslide control on soil slopes.
Physical activity and mortality in patients with dementia: 2009–2015 National Health Insurance Sharing Service data
Authors: Nam Sanghun , Hong Ickpyo , Baek Min Seok
Published: May 2024

The study aimed to investigate the survival rate of patients with dementia according to their level of physical activity and body mass index (BMI). A total of 5,789 patients with dementia were retrieved from the 2009–2015 National Health Insurance Sharing Service databases. Survival analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) for physical activity and BMI. The study sample primarily comprised older adults (65–84 years old, 83.81%) and female (n = 3,865, 66.76%). Participants who engaged in physical activity had a lower mortality risk (HR = 0.91, p = 0.02). Compared to the underweight group, patients with dementia who had normal weight (HR = 0.86, p = 0.01), obesity (HR = 0.85, p = 0.03) and more than severe obesity (HR = 0.72, p = 0.02) demonstrated a lower mortality risk. This study emphasizes the significance of avoiding underweight and engaging in physical activity to reducing mortality risk in patients with dementia, highlighting the necessity for effective interventions.
Computational investigation of cis-1,4-polyisoprene binding to the latex-clearing protein LcpK30
Authors: Abu Hassan Aziana , Hanževački Marko , Pordea Anca
Published: May 2024

Latex clearing proteins (Lcps) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of the C = C bonds in cis-1,4-polyisoprene (natural rubber), producing oligomeric compounds that can be repurposed to other materials. The active catalytic site of Lcps is buried inside the protein structure, thus raising the question of how the large hydrophobic rubber chains can access the catalytic center. To improve our understanding of hydrophobic polymeric substrate binding to Lcps and subsequent catalysis, we investigated the interaction of a substrate model containing ten carbon-carbon double bonds with the structurally characterized LcpK30, using multiple computational tools. Prediction of the putative tunnels and cavities in the LcpK30 structure, using CAVER-Pymol plugin 3.0.3, fpocket and Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations provided valuable insights on how substrate enters from the surface to the buried active site. Two dominant tunnels were discovered that provided feasible routes for substrate binding, and the presence of two hydrophobic pockets was predicted near the heme cofactor. The larger of these pockets is likely to accommodate the substrate and to determine the size distribution of the oligomers. Protein-ligand docking was carried out using GOLD software to predict the conformations and interactions of the substrate within the protein active site. Deeper insight into the protein-substrate interactions, including close-contacts, binding energies and potential cleavage sites in the cis-1,4-polyisoprene, were obtained from MD simulations. Our findings provide further justification that the protein-substrate complexation in LcpK30 is mainly driven by the hydrophobic interactions accompanied by mutual conformational changes of both molecules. Two potential binding modes were identified, with the substrate in either extended or folded conformations. Whilst binding in the extended conformation was most favorable, the folded conformation suggested a preference for cleavage of a central double bond, leading to a preference for oligomers with 5 to 6 C = C bonds. The results provide insight into further enzyme engineering studies to improve catalytic activity and diversify the substrate and product scope of Lcps.
Management of childbearing with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders: A scoping review and expert co-creation of evidence-based clinical guidelines
Authors: Pezaro Sally , Brock Isabelle , Buckley Maggie , Callaway Sarahann , Demirdas Serwet , Hakim Alan , Harris Cheryl , High Gross Carole , Karanfil Megan , Le Ray Isabelle , McGillis Laura , Nasar Bonnie , Russo Melissa , Ryan Lorna , Blagowidow Natalie
Published: May 2024

Objective

To co-create expert guidelines for the management of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery in the context of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).

Design

Scoping Review and Expert Co-creation.

Setting

United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, France, Sweden, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Sample

Co-creators (n = 15) included expertise from patients and clinicians from the International Consortium on the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, facilitated by the Ehlers-Danlos Society.

Methods

A scoping review using Embase, Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINHAL was conducted from May 2022 to September 2023. Articles were included if they reported primary research findings in relation to childbearing with hEDS/HSD, including case reports. No language limitations were placed on our search, and our team had the ability to translate and screen articles retrieved in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Danish, German, and Portuguese. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess bias and quality appraise articles selected. The co-creation of guidelines was based on descriptive evidence synthesis along with practical and clinical experience supported by patient and public involvement activities.

Results

Primary research studies (n = 14) and case studies (n = 21) including a total of 1,260,317 participants informed the co-creation of guidelines in four overarching categories: 1) Preconceptual: conception and screening, 2) Antenatal: risk assessment, management of miscarriage and termination of pregnancy, gastrointestinal issues and mobility, 3) Intrapartum: risk assessment, birth choices (mode of birth and intended place of birth), mobility in labor and anesthesia, and 4) Postpartum: wound healing, pelvic health, care of the newborn and infant feeding. Guidelines were also included in relation to pain management, mental health, nutrition and the common co-morbidities of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, other forms of dysautonomia, and mast cell diseases.

Conclusions

There is limited high quality evidence available. Individualized strategies are proposed for the management of childbearing people with hEDS/HSD throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. A multidisciplinary approach is advised to address frequently seen issues in this population such as tissue fragility, joint hypermobility, and pain, as well as common comorbidities, including dysautonomia and mast cell diseases.
Association between red cell distribution width and all-cause mortality in patients with breast cancer: A retrospective analysis using MIMIC-IV 2.0
Authors: Xiao Jie , Tan Libi , Pei Yujie , Yang Ruifang , Li Jing , Feng Yong , Feng Jing
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Investigating the association between red cell distribution width (RDW) and all-cause mortality in patients with breast cancer, to evaluate the potential clinical prognostic value of RDW.

Methods

Based on the RDW index, patients with breast cancer in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database were categorized into quartiles. The primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality from all causes during the first six months, the first year, and the first three years. Cox hazards regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were developed to investigate the effects of RDW on primary outcomes.

Results

The study included 939 patients (female). The 6-month, 1-year, and 3-year mortality rates were 14.0%, 21.4%, and 28.4%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses demonstrated that RDW exhibited an autonomous association with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. After adjusting for confounders, higher RDW quartiles were significantly associated with 6-month mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 3.197; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.745–5.762; P < 0.001), 1-year mortality (adjusted HR, 2.978; 95% CI, 1.867–4.748; P < 0.001), and 3-year mortality (adjusted HR, 2.526; 95% CI, 1.701–3.750; P < 0.001). The RCS curves demonstrated that high RDW (> 14.6) was associated with a greater risk of all-cause mortality. Subgroup analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in the interactions between the subgroups.

Conclusion

The study revealed a highly pronounced relationship between RDW and overall mortality, indicating its potential as an autonomous prognostic factor for increased mortality among patients with breast cancer.
Factors associated with adherence to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Kim Hee Soo , Woo Hyeonseong , Choi Seok-Jin , Baek Jong-Gyu , Ryu Ju Seok , Shin Hyung-Ik , Park Kyung Seok , Beom Jaewon
Published: May 2024

Introduction

This cohort study aimed to investigate the factors associated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation adherence and assess the long-term effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation adherence in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

The medical records of patients with ALS admitted to a tertiary hospital for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation initiation were retrospectively reviewed. Pulmonary function parameters, variables of blood gas analysis, the site of symptom onset, the time from onset and diagnosis to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation application, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised, neurophysiological index, and the length of hospital stay were evaluated. The adherence to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was defined as the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for ≥ 2 h/day or ≥ 4 h/day. The correlations between noninvasive positive pressure ventilation adherence or length of hospital stay and other clinical parameters were analyzed.

Results

Fifty-one patients with ALS were included in the study. The time from onset and diagnosis to NIPPV application was reduced by 16 months in the adherent group than that in the non-adherent group; however, the parameters of blood gas analysis and pulmonary function tests did not differ significantly between the groups. Furthermore, the neurophysiological index of the abductor digiti minimi muscle was higher by 4.05 in the adherent group than that in the non-adherent group. The adherence to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation prolonged tracheostomy-free survival compared to that of non-adherence. Desaturation events, lower forced vital capacity, last pCO2, bicarbonate, and base excess, and higher differences in pCO2, were associated with an increase in the length of hospital stay.

Conclusions

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation application shortly after symptom onset and ALS diagnosis in patients with CO2 retention and reduced forced vital capacity can be considered for successful adherence. Adherence to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation may result in reduced tracheostomy conversion rates and prolonged tracheostomy-free survival.
Optimizing wheelchair basketball lineups: A statistical approach to coaching strategies
Authors: Cavedon Valentina , Zuccolotto Paola , Sandri Marco , Manisera Maricay , Bernardi Marco , Peluso Ilaria , Milanese Chiara
Published: May 2024

This study was designed to support the tactical decisions of wheelchair basketball (WB) coaches in identifying the best players to form winning lineups. Data related to a complete regular season of a top-level WB Championship were examined. By analyzing game-related statistics from the first round, two clusters were identified that accounted for approximately 35% of the total variance. Cluster 1 was composed of low-performing athletes, while Cluster 2 was composed of high-performing athletes. Based on data related to the second round of the Championship, we conducted a two-fold evaluation of the clusters identified in the first round with the team’s net performance as the outcome variable. The results showed that teams where players belonging to Cluster 2 had played more time during the second round of the championship were also those with the better team performance (R-squared = 0.48, p = 0.035), while increasing the playing time for players from Classes III and IV does not necessarily improve team performance (r2 = -0.14, p = 0.59). These results of the present study suggest that a collaborative approach between coaches and data scientists would significantly advance this Paralympic sport.
Killer whale respiration rates
Authors: McRae Tess M. , Volpov Beth L. , Sidrow Evan , Fortune Sarah M. E. , Auger-Méthé Marie , Heckman Nancy , Trites Andrew W.
Published: May 2024

Measuring breathing rates is a means by which oxygen intake and metabolic rates can be estimated to determine food requirements and energy expenditure of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other cetaceans. This relatively simple measure also allows the energetic consequences of environmental stressors to cetaceans to be understood but requires knowing respiration rates while they are engaged in different behaviours such as resting, travelling and foraging. We calculated respiration rates for different behavioural states of southern and northern resident killer whales using video from UAV drones and concurrent biologging data from animal-borne tags. Behavioural states of dive tracks were predicted using hierarchical hidden Markov models (HHMM) parameterized with time-depth data and with labeled tracks of drone-identified behavioural states (from drone footage that overlapped with the time-depth data). Dive tracks were sequences of dives and surface intervals lasting ≥ 10 minutes cumulative duration. We calculated respiration rates and estimated oxygen consumption rates for the predicted behavioural states of the tracks. We found that juvenile killer whales breathed at a higher rate when travelling (1.6 breaths min-1) compared to resting (1.2) and foraging (1.5)—and that adult males breathed at a higher rate when travelling (1.8) compared to both foraging (1.7) and resting (1.3). The juveniles in our study were estimated to consume 2.5–18.3 L O2 min-1 compared with 14.3–59.8 L O2 min-1 for adult males across all behaviours based on estimates of mass-specific tidal volume and oxygen extraction. Our findings confirm that killer whales take single breaths between dives and indicate that energy expenditure derived from respirations requires using sex, age, and behavioural-specific respiration rates. These findings can be applied to bioenergetics models on a behavioural-specific basis, and contribute towards obtaining better predictions of dive behaviours, energy expenditure and the food requirements of apex predators.
Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal the cadmium tolerance mechanism of Miscanthus lutarioriparia
Authors: Wang Jia , Liu Xinyu , Chen Yiran , Zhu Feng lin , Sheng Jiajing , Diao Ying
Published: May 2024

Miscanthus lutarioriparia is a promising energy crop that is used for abandoned mine soil phytoremediation because of its high biomass yield and strong tolerance to heavy metals. However, the biological mechanism of heavy metal resistance is limited, especially for applications in the soil restoration of mining areas. Here, through the investigation of soil cadmium(Cd) in different mining areas and soil potted under Cd stress, the adsorption capacity of Miscanthus lutarioriparia was analyzed. The physiological and transcriptional effects of Cd stress on M. lutarioriparia leaves and roots under hydroponic conditions were analyzed. The results showed that M. lutarioriparia could reduce the Cd content in mining soil by 29.82%. Moreover, different Cd varieties have different Cd adsorption capacities in soils with higher Cd concentration. The highest cadmium concentrations in the aboveground and belowground parts of the plants were 185.65 mg/kg and 186.8 mg/kg, respectively. The total chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities all showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. In total, 24,372 differentially expressed genes were obtained, including 7735 unique to leaves, 7725 unique to roots, and 8912 unique to leaves and roots, which showed differences in gene expression between leaves and roots. These genes were predominantly involved in plant hormone signal transduction, glutathione metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, ABC transporters, photosynthesis and the metal ion transport pathway. In addition, the number of upregulated genes was greater than the number of downregulated genes at different stress intervals, which indicated that M. lutarioriparia adapted to Cd stress mainly through positive regulation. These results lay a solid foundation for breeding excellent Cd resistant M. lutarioriparia and other plants. The results also have an important theoretical significance for further understanding the detoxification mechanism of Cd stress and the remediation of heavy metal pollution in mining soil.
Effects of Nox4 upregulation on PECAM-1 expression in a mouse model of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Wang Jinli , Lai Daniel A. , Wang Joshua J. , Zhang Sarah X.
Published: May 2024

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults. The hallmark features of DR include vascular leakage, capillary loss, retinal ischemia, and aberrant neovascularization. Although the pathophysiology is not fully understood, accumulating evidence supports elevated reactive oxygen species associated with increased activity of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) as major drivers of disease progression. Previously, we have shown that Nox4 upregulation in retinal endothelial cells by diabetes leads to increased vascular leakage by an unknown mechanism. Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) is a cell surface molecule that is highly expressed in endothelial cells and regulates endothelial barrier function. In the present study, using endothelial cell-specific human Nox4 transgenic (TG) mice and endothelial cell-specific Nox4 conditional knockout (cKO) mice, we investigated the impact of Nox4 upregulation on PECAM-1 expression in mouse retinas and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Additionally, cultured human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) transduced with adenovirus overexpressing human Nox4 were used in the study. We found that overexpression of Nox4 increases PECAM-1 mRNA but has no effect on its protein expression in the mouse retina, BMECs, or HRECs. Furthermore, PECAM-1 mRNA and protein expression was unchanged in BMECs isolated from cKO mice compared to wild type (WT) mice with or without 2 months of diabetes. Together, these findings do not support a significant role of Nox4 in the regulation of PECAM-1 expression in the diabetic retina and endothelial cells. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanism of Nox4-induced vascular leakage by investigating other intercellular junctional proteins in endothelial cells and their implications in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy.
LADRC-based grid-connected control strategy for single-phase LCL-type inverters
Authors: Feng Zhi , Zhou Xiaojie , Wang Chan , Huang Weizhou , Chen Ziqi
Published: May 2024

To ensure that grid-connected currents are of high quality, it is crucial to optimize the dynamic performance of grid-connected inverters and their control. This study suggests using a combination of reduced-order linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) and a Proportional-Integral (PI) controller. By applying this control strategy to a single-phase photovoltaic grid-connected system, the system’s ability to suppress grid harmonics is significantly improved. The validity and effectiveness of this control approach have been confirmed through simulations and experiments. The results show that the LADRC-based control system is robust and capable of rejecting disturbances, resulting in a significant reduction in the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of grid-connected currents. Comparative analysis with traditional control methods demonstrates the superior performance of the proposed approach.
School-based health centers as an approach to address health disparities among rural youth: A study protocol for a multilevel research framework
Authors: Zhang Xue , Warner Mildred E. , Tennyson Sharon , Brunner Wendy , Wethington Elaine , Sipple John W.
Published: May 2024

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are important healthcare providers for children in medically underserved communities. While most existing research on SBHCs has focused on urban environments, this study protocol proposes a mixed-methods, multi-level research framework to evaluate the role of SBHCs in addressing health disparities among underserved children and adolescents in rural communities. The study area includes four high-poverty rural counties in New York State served by Bassett Healthcare Network that permits a comparison of school districts with SBHCs to those without SBHCs, all served by providers within the Bassett Healthcare Network. We employ a human ecological framework that integrates the micro layer of individuals and families, the meso layer of school districts and community institutions, and the macro layer of local and state policies. Our research framework first identifies the socioecological health risk factors, and then proposes innovative strategies to investigate how SBHCs impact them. We propose evaluating the impact of SBHCs on the individual (micro) level of child healthcare utilization using patient records data. At the meso level, we propose to investigate how School-SBHCs partnership may facilitate greater cross-agency collaboration and broader structural and social determinist of health to address health disparities. At the macro level, we propose to assess the impact of SBHCs and cross-agency collaboration on outcomes associated with a culture of community health. This study protocol will enable researchers to assess how SBHCs reduce rural health disparities, and provide evidence for organizational and public policy change.
Water contamination of the dam of Hammam Boughrara in the North-West of Algeria, as sustainable development falters
Authors: Rabah Bensaada , Moussa Lesgaa
Published: May 2024

The main objective of this study is to examine one of the most critical environmental issues in Algeria, namely the pollution of water dams caused by urban waste generated by urban areas and the lack of environmental awareness. The study is based on a digital and geospatial database, and after analyzing it, we were able to define the study area and calculate surfaces and altitudes. On the ecological side, we collected data from accredited organizations and some specialized studies. The results showed that the Hamam Boughrara dam has reached a deplorable state of pollution, and some figures even indicate that the pollution has spread to neighboring areas, contaminating agricultural land with heavy metals, which poses a serious threat to human health. Moreover, Algeria's focus on the foundations of the state has delayed the development of environmental legislation for several years. Historically, the water issue has been a matter of bilateral and collective agreements between conflicting parties, resulting in solutions satisfactory to all. Pollution control is a collective responsibility, and all parties, whether local or international, must join forces to find a sustainable solution, taking into account the potential of the people.
Keywords: Environment, Sustainable development, Hammam Boughrara dam, Water pollution
Aportes para la participación social en la evaluación ambiental estratégica, a partir de la aplicación de un caso en Costa Rica
Authors: Alvarez López Jessica Dixiana , Zumbado Morales Félix
Published: May 2024

La evaluación ambiental estratégica es una herramienta que permite el abordaje de la cuestión ambiental a partir de la estrategia y la planificación, lo cual facilita su incidencia en políticas, proyectos, planes o programas. Un asunto particular del EAE es que esta contempla e incentiva la participación de diversos actores sociales e institucionales, dado el impacto que puede generar algunas acciones planteadas. Es por ello, que el objetivo del presente trabajo es brindar algunos aportes para el abordaje de la participación de estos actores en dichos procesos, esto a partir de la experiencia que se tuvo con el EAE para el Sitio de Patrimonio Mundial Reservas de la Cordillera de Talamanca - Parque Internacional La Amistad (Costa Rica) desarrollado por ProDUS-UCR en el 2021. Dicho proceso se lleva a cabo por medio de dos modalidades: virtual y presencial, en la que se trabajaron técnicas como: encuestas, entrevistas telefónicas, reuniones virtuales y talleres, donde se generaron espacios para la discusión, validación, generación de propuesta desde lo participativo. Dichos aportes resaltan la importancia que tiene la participación dentro del EAE dado que permite que el mismo sea un proceso más acorde a las necesidades reales y contextualizadas de la población y lugar; además de que estos también se definen en agentes activos y generadores de propuestas de su propio entorno, resaltando con ello la importancia de contemplar asuntos como: la edad, lo cultural, étnico, entre otros. generación de propuesta desde lo participativo. Dichos aportes resaltan la importancia que tiene la participación dentro del EAE dado que permite que el mismo sea un proceso más acorde a las necesidades reales y contextualizadas de la población y lugar; además de que estos también se definen en agentes activos y generadores de propuestas de su propio entorno, resaltando con ello la importancia de contemplar asuntos como: la edad, lo cultural, étnico, entre otros. generación de propuesta desde lo participativo. Dichos aportes resaltan la importancia que tiene la participación dentro del EAE dado que permite que el mismo sea un proceso más acorde a las necesidades reales y contextualizadas de la población y lugar; además de que estos también se definen en agentes activos y generadores de propuestas de su propio entorno, resaltando con ello la importancia de contemplar asuntos como: la edad, lo cultural, étnico, entre otros.
A importância da análise de dados no ensino da Geografia
Authors: Higino Ferreira Carolina
Published: May 2024

O presente artigo visa apresentar uma reflexão sobre a importância e a forma como pode ser aplicada a análise de dados no ensino da Geografia., especificamente no tema "Contrastes de Desenvolvimento". A escolha deste tema baseou-se no meu interesse pessoal pela análise de dados e no facto de acreditar que a aprendizagem é facilitada quando se torna “visível”. A questão principal a que este estudo procura dar resposta é se a análise de dados pode melhorar a compreensão e aplicação dos conteúdos de Geografia. Na primeira parte é um enquadramento teórico do tema “Contrastes de Desenvolvimento” que passa por uma discussão conceptual em torno da dimensão do desenvolvimento, análise da sua evolução no currículo da Geografia e nos manuais escolares em vigor. A aplicação da estratégia pedagógico-didática evidencia que a análise de dados, especialmente representados em gráficos e cartogramas, foi frutífera nas suas três aplicações. Os/as alunos/as demonstraram capacidades de representação, análise e compreensão dos dados, além de desenvolverem capacidades de seleção, recolha e pesquisa em diversas bases de dados. Os resultados também revelaram que os/as alunos/as gostaram da estratégia e sentiram que esta os ajudou na compreensão dos conteúdos e no desenvolvimento de várias competências.
Human resource management systems – The social and environmental performance of some of Morocco’s largest corporations
Authors: Choulli Salma
Published: May 2024

This study, which is founded on the configurational approach’s principles, aims to determine how well-coordinated human resources management systems that are tailored to the company’s business plan perform in terms of society and the environment. In this study, a collection of standard human resource practices serves as the framework for the human resource management system. Through „social commitment” and the „existence of an environmental strategy” social and environmental performance is assessed. To find the simultaneous relationships between HRM systems, business strategies, and the two measures of performance, we carried out a confirmatory quantitative survey on a sample of 107 major Moroccan enterprises. The primary findings demonstrated that the internal consistency of HRM systems and their external consistency with corporate strategy can serve as significant levers for enhancing social and environmental performance.
ACESSO AO SISTEMA ÚNICO DE SAÚDE PELOS IDOSOS DO MUNICÍPIO DE SÃO PAULO POR MEIO DA TELEMEDICINA NA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19
Authors: Gomes Carlos Henrique Natal , Pellini Alessandra Cristina Guedes
Published: May 2024

OBJETIVO: Identificar o acesso ao sistema de saúde pela população idosa do município de São Paulo mediante o uso de ferramentas tecnológicas durante a pandemia de covid-19, e produzir indicadores de utilização do sistema público de saúde por essa população em anos pré-pandêmicos e pandêmicos. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, ecológico e quantitativo, utilizando dados secundários da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de São Paulo, do ObservaSampa e da Fundação SEADE. Foram calculadas as taxas e proporções de teleconsultas por distrito administrativo de residência dos usuários no período de março/2020 a dezembro/2021. RESULTADOS: No período, foram efetuadas 2.934.506 teleconsultas médicas na atenção primária e especializada no sistema público de saúde do município de São Paulo, das quais cerca de 21% foram realizadas pela população idosa. Houve uma concentração de taxas de teleconsultas de idosos residentes nas regiões Sul e Sudeste de São Paulo, e, proporcionalmente, a maior concentração dos procedimentos na população idosa ocorreu nas regiões Central e Oeste do município. CONCLUSÃO: Este trabalho identificou e caracterizou a adesão a alternativas tecnológicas no apoio ao cuidado da população idosa residente no município de São Paulo, bem como a manutenção do vínculo dessa população com o sistema de saúde, com vistas à garantia da continuidade do manejo de seus problemas de saúde.
Terceirização como uma alternativa de Gestão Pública: uma Análise dos Contratos de Motorista Terceirizados do DMAE – Departamento Municipal de Águas e Esgotos de Uberlândia.
Authors: Pacheco Rodrigo Alves , Elizandro Gandolfi Peterson
Published: May 2024

O texto analisa a terceirização de serviços na Administração Pública, utilizando como exemplo os motoristas do DMAE em Uberlândia. Inicia-se com um embasamento teórico que percorre a evolução da Administração Pública, do neoliberalismo ao New Public Management e ao humanismo crítico. Explora-se o contexto histórico da terceirização no Brasil, abrangendo a Lei da Terceirização e a Reforma Trabalhista. A metodologia envolve a análise de documentos do portal de transparência da Prefeitura Municipal de Uberlândia, como pregões e contratos. O estudo destaca a precarização do trabalho e a falta de garantias para os terceirizados, em contraste com os concursados, evidenciando também impactos financeiros para o órgão previdenciário municipal. A pesquisa, relevante e controversa, oferece uma abordagem humanizada na Administração Pública, ponderando não apenas a eficiência econômica, mas também o impacto social das decisões. Originalmente, analisa o processo decisório dos gestores públicos em relação à terceirização, utilizando um caso específico e fundamentando-se em documentos públicos. O estudo propõe uma reflexão crítica sobre os efeitos da terceirização, visando repensar práticas de contratação e gestão, promovendo uma abordagem equilibrada entre aspectos econômicos e sociais para garantir dignidade e bem-estar dos trabalhadores e uma relação mais equilibrada entre setor público e privado.
Vinte Anos de Política Econômica e Distribuição de Renda no Brasil
Authors: Felippe Cury Marinho Mathias João
Published: May 2024

A partir da ascensão do Partido dos Trabalhadores ao poder muitos estudos empíricos têm sido feitos para avaliar o impacto as políticas econômicas e da política salarial sobre a distribuição de renda, tanto em nível pessoal quanto na dimensão funcional. A série das contas nacionais disponibiliza dados dos anos de 2000 a 2020, que serão objeto de escrutínio neste estudo. Para tanto, propõe-se uma abordagem analítica que busque analisar cada governo levando em conta a hipótese da Partisan Theory, segundo a qual governos de esquerda são pró-distribuição de renda. A partir da análise de séries temporais e linhas de tendência, verifica-se o impacto das políticas sobre a atividade econômica, mercado de trabalho e sua relação com a distribuição da renda. Como previsto, os governos de Lula 1, Lula 2 e Dilma 1 são caracterizados por serem pró-distribuição de renda, enquanto os demais, não.
Resenha – “Uma história de desigualdade: a concentração de renda entre os ricos no Brasil, 1926 –2013"
Authors: Aparecida Ribeiro Rosana
Published: May 2024

Resenha do livro “Uma história de desigualdade: a concentração de renda entre os ricos no Brasil, 1926–2013” publicado pela Editora Hucitec/ Anpocs em 2018. Pedro H. G. F. Souza é pesquisador do Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada na diretoria de políticas e estudos sociais. A obra oferece uma importante análise da concentração de renda entre os ricos no Brasil baseada em dados tributários.
AL-TASĀMUH OR TOLERANCE IN THE QURAN AND SUNNAH? And Claims of The Deniers
Authors: Klaina Mekki , Putra Ansusa
Published: May 2024

This research examines the topic of al- Tasāmuh in the Quran and Sunnah and how it aligns with the meaning declared in 1995. It is evident that there is a difference in meaning between the two. Those who deny al- Tasāmuh in Islam rely on a different concept that seeks to separate from religious and cultural identity and rely on secularism. This research shows that the scope of tolerance is wide in Islam, which gives Muslims and non-Muslims the right to coexist in safety. It is connected with what a person has the right to be tolerant in. As for Allah's rights, they do not fall under this right. Moreover, freedom has limits to prevent self-harm or harming others. Islam does not impose religion on people, but focuses on dialogue and persuasion. To promote positive tolerance, emphasis should be placed on teaching future generations how to interact with others, and laws should protect the rights of all without tolerance for disrespect for religious sanctities or the spread of deviant behavior.
Atlas of Microscopic Images of Biochar
Authors: Drobniak Agnieszka , Mastalerz Maria , Knauth William , Adarkani Omid , Dos Santos Telma , De Faria Valdeci , Congo Tara , Hackley Paul , Hatcherian Javin , Hower James , Petersen Henrik , Reyes Julito , Sanei Hamed
Published: May 2024

Derived through the thermochemical conversion of biomass, biochar is a carbon-rich substance recognized for its significance in environmental applications and sustainable agriculture. As interest in its utilization continues to rise, it becomes crucial to comprehend how the source material and pyrolysis parameters influence the properties of biochar and, consequently, to research the suitability of various analytical methods for characterizing it. Despite the current utilization of numerous physical and chemical methods, the untapped potential of reflected light microscopy warrants further exploration.
While a few recent studies suggest a correlation between certain microscopic characteristics and selected physical and chemical properties of biochar, the data are limited and difficult to compare. This is primarily due to variations in the types of original biomass used and lack of information about pyrolysis conditions. Moreover, because only a limited number of photographs taken under a reflected light microscope are publicly available to-date, it is difficult to evaluate morphological differences between various biochars and other organic materials such as inertinites from coal, charcoal, etc.
To address limited availability of publicly available data, this “Atlas of Microscopic Images of Biochar” presents a collection of more than 300 images contributed by researchers from Poland, the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Denmark. These photomicrographs capture optical characteristics of a diverse array of biochar, demonstrating its unique morphological and structural features. This visual documentation can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, educators, and enthusiasts interested in investigating the complexities of biochar forms.
Critérios de decisão para o investimento em startups em estágios iniciais
Authors: Luna Marina Battistella , Luna Paulo de Tarso Mendes , Vaz Caroline Rodriguez
Published: May 2024

O crescente interesse de investidores em incorporar startups em seus portfólios de investimentos é acompanhado por uma, também crescente, preocupação em relação ao risco associado a essa modalidade de investimento. Conhecer os critérios que influenciam o sucesso de uma startup se mostra crucial, para otimizar e maximizar as chances de retornos positivos para os investimentos realizados. A partir de informações da literatura, editais e relatórios de atores do ecossistema, o presente artigo apresenta uma análise dos critérios utilizados nas decisões de investimento em startups em estágios iniciais, com o propósito de informar e apoiar a tomada de decisão de novos investidores, nesse segmento, no cenário nacional. Destaca também, o papel crucial do empreendedor e sua equipe, cujo comprometimento, e integridade se mostram fundamentais. Este estudo contribui para um entendimento aprofundado dos critérios que direcionam o sucesso de startups, oferecendo importantes subsídios para que investidores possam alinhar suas estratégias e expectativas com o potencial de crescimento das startups em seus portfólios. Além disso, fornece aos empreendedores, uma orientação para definir metas e estratégias que os ajudem a tomar decisões adequadas e atrair o interesse dos investidores.