bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of household electricity consumption in Greece: a statistical analysis
Authors: Kotsila Dimitra , Polychronidou Persefoni
Published: July 2021

Over the last decades, the contemporary way of living, as well as the technology development, has increased the household electricity consumption. The excessive use of electricity has a negative impact on the environment, increasing the carbon footprint and contributing to the climate change. Governments are more and more concerned about the way our societies consume energy and are committed to reduce the greenhouse emissions. As the residential sector contributes significantly to energy use, it is crucial to investigate the socio-economic parameters, dwellings’ characteristics, and climate conditions that determine the electricity consumption in households. The data of this study are collected from 1801 dwellings from all regions of Greece and two statistical models are built. Both of them conclude that the most significant determinants influencing the electricity consumption are the number of occupants, the size of the dwelling, the heating type, the heating and cooling hours, and the weather conditions.
Where to from here? Identifying and prioritising future directions for addressing drug-resistant infection in Australia
Authors: Merlo Gregory , Avent Minyon , Yarwood Trent , Smith Bonnie , van Driel Mieke , Hall Lisa
Published: July 2021

Background

The Australian National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy calls for a collaborative effort to change practices that have contributed to the development of drug-resistance and for implementation of new initiatives to reduce antibiotic use.

Methods

A facilitated workshop was undertaken at the 2019 National Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Forum to explore the complexity of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) implementation in Australia and prioritise future action. Participants engaged in rotating rounds of discussion using a world café format addressing six topics relating to AMS implementation. Once all tables had discussed all themes the discussion concluded and notes were summarised. The documents were independently openly coded by two researchers to identify elements relating to the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship.

Results

There were 39 participants in the facilitated discussions, including pharmacists, infectious disease physicians, infection prevention nurses, and others. Participants discussed strategies they had found successful, including having a regular presence in clinical areas, adapting messaging and implementation strategies for different disciplines, maintaining positivity, and being patient-focused. Many of the recommendations for the next step involved being patient focussed and outcomesdriven. This involves linking data to practice, using patient stories, using data to celebrate wins and creating incentives.

Discussion

Recommendations from the workshop should be included in priority setting for the implementation of AMS initiatives across Australia.
Cangrelor ameliorates CLP-induced pulmonary injury in sepsis by inhibiting GPR17
Authors: Luo Qiancheng , Liu Rui , Qu Kaili , Liu Guorong , Hang Min , Chen Guo , Xu Lei , Jin Qinqin , Guo Dongfeng , Kang Qi
Published: July 2021

Background

Sepsis is a common complication of severe wound injury and infection, with a very high mortality rate. The P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, cangrelor, is an antagonist anti-platelet drug.

Methods

In our study, we investigated the protective mechanisms of cangrelor in CLP-induced pulmonary injury in sepsis, using C57BL/6 mouse models.

Results

TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) and Masson staining showed that apoptosis and fibrosis in lungs were alleviated by cangrelor treatment. Cangrelor significantly promoted surface expression of CD40L on platelets and inhibited CLP-induced neutrophils in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (p < 0.001). We also found that cangrelor decreased the inflammatory response in the CLP mouse model and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β (p  < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05), and TNF-α (p < 0.001). Western blotting and RT-PCR showed that cangrelor inhibited the increased levels of G-protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) induced by CLP (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study indicated that cangrelor repressed the levels of GPR17, followed by a decrease in the inflammatory response and a rise of neutrophils in BALF, potentially reversing CLP-mediated pulmonary injury during sepsis.
Inflammation-related genes S100s, RNASE3, and CYBB and risk of leukemic transformation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with myelofibrosis
Authors: Hong Minghua , Wu Junqing , Ma Lifeng , Han Xiaoping , Lu Ting , Wang Zhaoming , Zhao Jing , Liu Lizhen , Fu Huarui , Huang Weijia , Zheng Weiyan , He Jingsong , Wei Guoqing , Wang Huanping , Chen Zhimei , Huang He , Cai Zhen , Guo Guoji , Sun Jie
Published: July 2021

Myelodysplastic syndrome with myelofibrosis (MDS-MF) has been associated with an inferior prognosis compared with MDS without MF. However, MDS-MF is not listed independently as a subtype of MDS, and its clinical and genetic characteristics remain poorly understood. We retrospectively compared 53 patients with MDS-MF (44 MF grade 1/MF1; 9 MF grade 2–3/MF2 − 3) and 31 with de novo MDS without MF (MDS). The leukemic transformation risks of both MDS-MF2 − 3 and MDS-MF1 were increased compared with the MDS group. To identify the potential mechanisms responsible for the leukemic transformation of MDS-MF, we performed single-cell sequencing for one MDS-MF2 − 3 patient before and after leukemic transformation to explore the variations in gene expression levels. In addition to upgraded expression levels of acute myeloid leukemia-related genes during leukemic transformation, expression levels of some inflammation-related genes (such as S100s, RNASE3, and CYBB) were also increased, and inflammation-related pathways were up-regulated. These results suggest that inflammation-related genes and pathways may play an important role in the leukemic transformation of MDS-MF.
Elemental and isotopic compositions in blank filters collecting atmospheric particulates
Authors: Lee Jiyeong , Ryu Jong-Sik , Jeong Seok , Kim Jeonghoon , Jeong Hyeryeong , Ra Kongtae , Yang Minjune , Chang Hye Jung
Published: July 2021

Background

The atmospheric particulates can be harmful to human health due to toxic substances sorbed onto particulates. Although the atmospheric particulates have been collected using different types of filters, few studies have reported background contents of major and trace element, and isotopic compositions in the blank filters used for collecting the particulates yet. Here, we first report background contents of major and trace elements, and isotopic compositions (Zn and Pb isotopes) in the blank filters. Then, we evaluate the best type of filter for elemental and isotope analyses in the particulates.

Findings

The contents of major elements are the lowest in the PTFE filter and become higher in the order of the Nylon, NC, and GF filters, indicating that either PTFE and/or Nylon filters are the most suitable for major element analysis in the atmospheric particulates. Likewise, the contents of trace elements are the lowest in the PTFE filter and become much higher in the order of the Nylon, NC, and GF filters, indicating that PTFE filter is the most suitable for trace element analysis in the atmospheric particulates. Otherwise, background elemental contents result in overestimating their concentrations in the atmospheric particulates. All δ66ZnJMC-Lyon values in two GF filters are within those from samples of the Chinese deserts and of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Likewise, their 206Pb/204Pb ratios are similar with those of samples from Xi’an and Beijing, indicating that the GF filter is not suitable for Zn and Pb isotope study in the atmospheric particulates.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the PTFE filter is the most suitable for elemental and isotope study in the atmospheric particulates and that the GF filter cannot be used for source identification in the atmospheric particulates using Zn and Pb isotopes.
Preferences in Oncology History Documentation Styles Among Clinical Practitioners
Authors: Martin Daniel B. , Stetson Peter D. , Gilcrease G. Weldon , Stillman Robert C. , Sugalski Jessica M. , Skinner Jack , Levy Mia
Published: July 2021

PURPOSE:

Clinical notes function as the de facto handoff between providers and assume great importance during unplanned medical encounters. An organized and thorough oncology history is essential in care coordination. We sought to understand reader preferences for oncology history organization by comparing between chronologic and narrative formats.

METHODS:

A convenience sample of 562 clinicians from 19 National Comprehensive Cancer Network Member Institutions responded to a survey comparing two formats of oncology histories, narrative and chronologic, for the same patient. Both histories were consensus-derived real-world examples. Each history was evaluated using semantic differential attributes ( thorough, useful, organized, comprehensible, and succinct). Respondents choose a preference between the two styles for history gathering and as the basis of a new note. Open-ended responses were also solicited.

RESULTS:

Respondents preferred the chronologic over the narrative history to prepare for a visit with an unknown patient (66% preference) and as a basis for their own note preparation (77% preference) ( P < .01). The chronologic summary was preferred in four of the five measured attributes ( useful, organized, comprehensible, and succinct); the narrative summary was favored for thoroughness ( P < .01). Open-ended responses reflected the attribute scoring and noted the utility of content describing social determinants of health in the narrative history.

CONCLUSION:

Respondents of this convenience sample preferred a chronologic oncology history to a concise narrative history. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal structure and content of chronologic documentation for oncology patients and the provider effort to use this format.
Targeted mass spectrometry for monitoring of neural differentiation
Authors: Sucha Rita , Kubickova Martina , Cervenka Jakub , Hruska-Plochan Marian , Bohaciakova Dasa , Vodickova Kepkova Katerina , Novakova Tereza , Budkova Katerina , Susor Andrej , Marsala Martin , Motlik Jan , Kovarova Hana , Vodicka Petr
Published: July 2021

Human multipotent neural stem cells could effectively be used for the treatment of a variety of neurological disorders. However, a defining signature of neural stem cell lines that would be expandable, non-tumorigenic, and differentiate into desirable neuronal/glial phenotype after in vivo grafting is not yet defined. Employing a mass spectrometry approach, based on selected reaction monitoring, we tested a panel of well-described culture conditions, and measured levels of protein markers routinely used to probe neural differentiation, i.e. POU5F1 (OCT4), SOX2, NES, DCX, TUBB3, MAP2, S100B, GFAP, GALC, and OLIG1. Our multiplexed assay enabled us to simultaneously identify the presence of pluripotent, multipotent, and lineage-committed neural cells, thus representing a powerful tool to optimize novel and highly specific propagation and differentiation protocols. The multiplexing capacity of this method permits the addition of other newly identified cell type-specific markers to further increase the specificity and quantitative accuracy in detecting targeted cell populations. Such an expandable assay may gain the advantage over traditional antibody-based assays, and represents a method of choice for quality control of neural stem cell lines intended for clinical use.
Short-range homing in camels: displacement experiments
Authors: Alyan Sofyan H.
Published: July 2021

Camels (Camelus dromedarius) are known to have good navigational abilities and can find their home after displacement to far places; however, there are no studies available on the navigational strategies employed by the camels in homing behavior. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate these strategies by displacing female camels equipped with GPS trackers 6 km away from home to totally unfamiliar locations. The experiments comprised displacing nursing or non-nursing female camels 6 km from their living pens to an unfamiliar release site. Some camels were taken to the release site on foot, others were hauled on a truck, both during daytime and nighttime. Displacements journeys were either in a straight direction to the release points, or they consisted of a convoluted path. As a result, camels that had straight outward journeys were able to return home efficiently and rather directly, but camels that had convoluted trips to the release point failed to do so. Moreover, impairing olfactory, visual, and auditory inputs by using mouth/nose muzzles, eye covers and headphones did not affect homing ability. Based on these experiments the most likely hypothesis is that during their small-scale round trips the camels relied on path integration, and that this strategy is disrupted when the camels were subjected to disorientation procedures before release.
Produção e comercialização de mirtilo: estudo de caso em uma empresa familiar
Authors: Julkovski Dulcimar José , Oro Ieda Margarete , Sehnem Simone , Piekas Andrezza Aparecida Saraiva , Zanella Alan
Published: July 2021

O mirtilo é uma fruta rica em antioxidantes naturais, sais minerais e vitaminas. Considerada um alimento da moda, a fruta possui propriedades para desacelerar o envelhecimento e auxiliar na prevenção de doenças. Neste trabalho, analisou-se, sob as premissas da Teoria dos Stakeholders, a percepção dos stakeholders sobre aspectos que impactam no negócio de produção e comercialização dessa fruta por uma empresa familiar. Foi desenvolvido um estudo de caso qualitativo, orientado pela Teoria dos Stakeholders, com dez entrevistas semiestruturadas com cada um dos representantes dos grupos de acionistas, empregados, clientes, fornecedores, credores e da sociedade – sem estes, segundo as premissas da teoria, a empresa deixaria de existir. Uma vez que é dependente dos stakeholders, a empresa familiar deve planejar e executar as atividades sob a ótica da Teoria dos Stakeholders. Este trabalho contribui para a teoria com a evidência de que os stakeholders possuem relação direta com a empresa familiar e geram valor sustentável, social e econômico. Como contribuição prática, são desenvolvidas categorias de análise da empresa familiar, ligando-as às perspectivas da Teoria dos Stakeholders, e evidenciadas as diferentes percepções dos stakeholders e de uma gestão para relacionamentos benéficos, em que todos podem contribuir e obter ganhos. Aponta-se como fator limitante o estudo de um caso único, isto é, se ampliada a amostra, pode-se gerar viés nos resultados. Sugere-se para estudos futuros expandir a amostra e avaliar como as empresas familiares podem medir a influência dos stakeholders na geração de valor sustentável, social e econômico.
Music and Gymnastic harmonization under the viewpoint of the platonic meaning of life
Authors: Gongaki Konstantina I. , Kapranos Stavros
Published: July 2021

The essence of life according to Plato is summed up in the tendency of every living being to protect itself and its species from death, by searching immortality. This pursuit is achieved either by reproduction or by intellectual creation. In order for the soul to conquer the existence which will be worthy of man, it must separate from the mortal body. The highest goal of philosophical education is the soul to be led to the view of the idea of the good (agatho), which is the foundation of all knowledge. Thereunto, specific courses are proposed, Music, Gymnastics, Mathematics and Dialectics. Music is preceded temporal and absolute by gymnastics. The school of Pythagoras was the first to put the music-soul relationship, in the service of upbringing and mental physique.               Plato attempts to establish man's tendency for rhythm and movement in nature and in the gods. At the same time, he emphasizes the balance between mental and physical education, in order to form the right ethos. For the best fulfillment of these terms, the two superior parts of the soul must be properly trained, the logical with music and the thymoides with gymnastics. The symmetrical movement of the body is ensured by exercise, while for the soul, music and philosophy are used. This targeted intervention will lead them to a harmonious connection. Moreover, it should be ensured that the movements are symmetrical with each other. This is the real goodness (kalokagathia). The unilateral cultivation of gymnastics at the expense of music is considered the main cause of the decline of the excellent republic and the decadence in oligarchy, in the regimein which the morality is imposed by violent, uneducated people who will have neglected the real Muse, the one who is accompanied by the logic and philosophy.
Uses of the New Method of the Byzantine Notation
Authors: Chaldæakes Achilleas G. , Loupas Sokrates , Chaldæaki Evangelia
Published: July 2021

At the conclusion of his well-known book about the Byzantine Notation (published in 1917, and re-published in 19782) K. A. Psachos discusses with the “retrospective parallelism of the New Method of the analytical Byzantine Notation to the Ancient Method of the stenographical Byzantine Notation through the occasional exegeseis” [«ἀναδρομικὸς παραλληλισμὸς τῆς σημερινῆς μουσικῆς γραφῆς πρὸς τὴν ἀρχαίαν στενογραφίαν διὰ μέσου τῶν κατὰ καιροὺς ἐξηγήσεων»], a chapter also documented through numerous relevant papers of his, published until that time. [...]
multiomics: A user-friendly multi-omics data harmonisation R pipeline
Authors: Chen Tyrone , Abadi Al J , Lê Cao Kim-Anh , Tyagi Sonika
Published: July 2021

Data from multiple omics layers of a biological system is growing in quantity, heterogeneity and dimensionality. Simultaneous multi-omics data integration is a growing field of research as it has strong potential to unlock information on previously hidden biological relationships leading to early diagnosis, prognosis and expedited treatments. Many tools for multi-omics data integration are being developed. However, these tools are often restricted to highly specific experimental designs, and types of omics data. While some general methods do exist, they require specific data formats and experimental conditions. A major limitation in the field is a lack of a single or multi-omics pipeline which can accept data in an unrefined, information-rich form pre-integration and subsequently generate output for further investigation. There is an increasing demand for a generic multi-omics pipeline to facilitate general-purpose data exploration and analysis of heterogeneous data. Therefore, we present our R multiomics pipeline as an easy to use and flexible pipeline that takes unrefined multi-omics data as input, sample information and user-specified parameters to generate a list of output plots and data tables for quality control and downstream analysis. We have demonstrated application of the pipeline on two separate COVID-19 case studies. We enabled limited checkpointing where intermediate output is staged to allow continuation after errors or interruptions in the pipeline and generate a script for reproducing the analysis to improve reproducibility. A seamless integration with the mixOmics R package is achieved, as the R data object can be loaded and manipulated with mixOmics functions. Our pipeline can be installed as an R package or from the git repository, and is accompanied by detailed documentation with walkthroughs on two case studies. The pipeline is also available as Docker and Singularity containers.
Administrative Violation of the Right to Education
Authors: Feklin S.
Published: July 2021

In accordance with article 5.57 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, violation of the right to education and the rights and freedoms of students of educational institutions provided for by the legislation on education entail administrative responsibility.

At the same time, the legislator did not give an exhaustive list of cases, the occurrence of which is qualified as an offense on the part of an educational organization or its officials. The author of the article, having studied the normative legal acts, having analyzed the judicial practice, describes possible cases of violation of the right to education in order to prevent such situations in educational organizations.
Relaciones interculturales en una universidad privada de México. P
Authors: Claudio-Sartorello Stefano , Gómez-Álvarez Marcela , Guajardo-Rodríguez Casandra
Published: July 2021

: Desde un enfoque crítico y decolonial de la interculturalidad se analizan las relaciones interculturales en la Universidad Iberoamericana de la Ciudad de México a partir de las percepciones y experiencias de un grupo de estudiantes. El análisis del corpus documental integrado por reflexiones escritas elaborados por estudiantes, permite identificar una serie de dimensiones - socioeconómica, étnico-racial, ontológica y epistemológica, e intrapersonal – que, en su conjunto, dan cuenta de cómo se viven las relaciones interculturales en una universidad de élite mexicana. Las aportaciones de las estudiantes ofrecen pistas interesantes para promover la interculturalización de la universidad. Enfocar este tema desde una perspectiva crítica y decolonial posibilitó emprender un proceso de análisis y reflexión que fluyó en dos sentidos. Por un lado, ver y repensar la universidad desde la colonialidad del saber, y por otro, verse a sí mismo para descolonizar el propio ser. De-construir las relaciones interculturales que se dan en la cotidianeidad universitaria y, a la par, de-construirse a sí mismos a través de un proceso introspectivo y de auto-reflexión personal. Este estudio pionero representa una aportación inicial para la comprensión de las problemáticas e implicaciones relacionadas con la promoción de la interculturalidad en instituciones de educación superior privadas de México.
“Se amplió mi mirada”. Gestión de alternativas de estudiantes en contexto de encierro.
Authors: Di-Prospero Carolina
Published: July 2021

En un penal de la Provincia de Buenos Aires una universidad pública asume en 2008 la tarea de reducir la situación de vulnerabilidad social de un grupo marginado, desde la gestión de un centro universitario. La propuesta de esta investigación es estudiar la apropiación de derechos vinculados al acceso a la educación desde el análisis de algunos procesos que atraviesan las personas privadas de su libertad: las habilidades que ponen en práctica durante la apropiación de derechos educativos, las formas de aprendizaje particulares y la construcción y circulación de experiencias alternativas que se desarrollan dentro de aquel entorno. Este trabajo es parte de un estudio etnográfico sobre prácticas y significados en la apropiación de derechos educativos en un contexto de reclusión penal desde el enfoque de experiencias de aprendizaje de diferentes actores sociales involucrados en un proyecto pedagógico en contexto de encierro.
Getting Beyond the First Result of Solving a Vehicle Routing Problem
Authors: Wellington John F. , Lewis Stephen A.
Published: July 2021

The simple vehicle routing problem (VRP) is a common topic of discussion in introductory operations research/management science courses. The VRP can be framed in a variety of ways, and it can be difficult to solve to optimality. For solution purposes, introductory textbooks demonstrate how Excel’s Evolutionary Solver (ES) add-in produces a routing. The ES utilizes a genetic algorithm with a heuristic stopping rule to produce a routing that is not guaranteed to be optimal. Beyond pointing out that search controls, such as maximum execution time, may be extended and followed by restart(s) of ES, textbook treatments do not offer alternative ways to continue the search for a possibly better routing. In this paper, a suite of ways is presented in which students may investigate beyond what ES produces or any other optimality-uncertain VRP solution method. The suite includes perturbation methods and other ways that function within an Excel spreadsheet environment that is popular with students and textbook writers. Because there is no demonstrable feature that confirms optimality, the student problem Solver must settle for a ‘best found’ result as unsettling as it may be. The incertitude is addressed.
OFICINA DE CARTOGRAFIA ESCOLAR NO ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM DE GEOGRAFIA: EXPERIÊNCIAS EM ESCOLAS PÚBLICAS DE CAICÓ (RN)
Authors: Souza Sara Fernandes Flor de , Salvador Diego Salomão Candido de Oliveira , Medeiros Adynamor Lucena de , Lucena Macilene Costa
Published: July 2021

Este trabalho apresenta a ação desenvolvida no subprojeto do Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência (PIBID) no contexto do curso de Licenciatura em Geografia do Centro de Ensino Superior do Seridó (CERES), da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), no campus de Caicó (RN). Na matéria de ensino Geografia é bastante recorrente que os docentes enfrentem muitas dificuldades ao lecionar os conteúdos de Cartografia nos ensinos Fundamental e Médio, destacando-se problemas relacionados à formação e qualificação docente, a ausência ou limitação de materiais didáticos na escola e a não alfabetização cartográfica dos estudantes. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho é apresentar as experiências da oficina sobre Cartografia escolar no ensino-aprendizagem de Geografia. Essa oficina foi planejada e desenvolvida por bolsistas de iniciação à docência do PIBID-UFRN-Geografia em escolas públicas de Caicó, envolvendo estudantes matriculados do 6° ao 9° anos do Ensino Fundamental. Nela, foram produzidos materiais didáticos para o ensino-aprendizagem de conteúdos programados, sob a supervisão de professores de Geografia no ambiente escolar. Palavras-chave: Cartografia escolar, Ensino-aprendizagem de Geografia, Produção de materiais didáticos.
A REDE GLOBAL DE PRODUÇÃO AUTOMOTIVA: ESTRUTURA DE REDE E ESTRATÉGIAS CORPORATIVAS NO RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL
Authors: Dos Santos Rodrigo Salles Pereira
Published: July 2021

O artigo apresenta a estrutura e diversidade de agentes no segmento brasileiro da Rede Global de Produção Automotiva (RGPA), analisando as relações entre os nós, e propõe uma análise descritiva das estratégias corporativas e relações de trabalho nas firmas líderes que compõem o Polo Automotivo localizado no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Essa análise é realizada a partir da combinação da abordagem das Redes Globais de Produção (RGPs) à introdução de tipologia operacional da estratégia corporativa. Metodologicamente, o trabalho se apoia em revisão não sistemática sobre redes, RGPs, Corporações Transnacionais (CTNs) e setor automotivo, assim como mobiliza dados primários e, principalmente, secundários sobre CTNs automotivas e mercado de trabalho. Os resultados indicam que as transformações recentes na estrutura da RGPA no Brasil tendem a reforçar o poder das montadoras, em detrimento de firmas fornecedoras e trabalhadores, assim como explicitam a especificidade do país como centro-chave de produção e consumo automotivo, e a diversidade do Polo Automotivo do Rio de Janeiro, explicativa dos impactos socioeconômicos desiguais dessa estrutura para o desenvolvimento regional.
O OLHAR DE ONDE SE FALA - ENSAIO SOBRE SILÊNCIOS, CEGUEIRAS E O SENTIDO DE FAZER HISTÓRIA DA GEOGRAFIA
Authors: Sousa Neto Manoel Fernandes de
Published: July 2021

Este texto não é exatamente um colírio, até porque pensar é estar doente dos olhos, como já nos disse o poeta Fernando Pessoa na voz de Alberto Caeiro. Mas habitando o mundo a partir de um país tropical até no pensamento, sempre é aconselhável usar, pelo menos à luz do dia, uns bons óculos escuros.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Silva Isabela Habib Canaan da
Published: July 2021

Apresentação do conteúdo do número um do ano de 2021.
Effects of Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment on Landmark Naming in Individuals with Subjective Memory Impairment
Authors: Lee Sang Eun , Sung Jee Eun , Jo Eunha
Published: July 2021

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA)-plus treatment on landmark naming difficulties of the elderly with subject memory impairment (SMI).Methods: Twenty-six Korean individuals aged 60 or older with SMI participated in this study, eleven participants were in the intervention group and fifteen individuals who matched their age and years of education made up the control group. The landmark naming intervention consisted of a total of 9 steps based on SFA, presenting photo stimuli of famous places in Korean or abroad. The intervention used in this study was performed 1:1 with the subject for 60 minutes per session with 16 sessions. Visual stimulation, semantic categories, and semantic features such as geographic location, were applied to promote the performance of naming. The researcher provided tasks and clues to facilitate activation of the semantic and phonological information of landmark names.Results: Results demonstrated that there were significant increases in the performance of the trained and untrained place proper names among the intervention group. There was no generalization effect of the object naming.Conclusion: The current study suggested that the naming treatment using place names was effective in activating the semantic network, facilitating phonological information output, and enhancing landmark naming abilities in people with subjective memory decline.
Relationships between Hearing Symptoms, Attitudes toward Noise, and Use of Hearing Protection among College Students
Authors: Han Min Kyung , Kim SeonJin
Published: July 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationships between college students’ hearing symptoms, attitudes toward noise, and use of hearing protection in two situations: exposure to high levels of sound in noisy environments and unsafe use of personal listening devices (PLDs).Methods: A total of 278 college students completed an anonymous online survey regarding their experience with hearing symptoms associated with their exposure to noise, attitudes toward noise, and use of hearing protection.Results: Over 84% of the college students reported experiencing at least one hearing symptom with limited concentration at the highest rate of experience. When the college students were exposed to noise, there were significant associations between college students’ hearing symptoms, attitudes toward noise, and use of hearing protection in the two situations. However, when using personal listening devices, there was insignificant association between hearing symptoms and attitudes toward noise; and use of hearing protection was associated with hearing symptoms but not with attitudes toward noise.Conclusion: College students’ experience with and perception of noise may influence their behavior in preventing hearing loss. It may be beneficial if hearing conservative programs emphasize educating college students of the negative effects of noise and changing their attitudes toward noise, which can help them take preventative measures against noise-induced hearing loss.
An Environmental Assessment of Cattle Manure and Urea Fertilizer Treatments for Corn Production in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Rotz C. Alan , Asem-Hiablie Senorpe , Cortus Erin L. , Spiehs Mindy J. , Rahman Shafiqur , Stoner Anne M. K.
Published: July 2021

Highlights

The Integrated Farm System Model appropriately represented average emission rates measured in corn production.

Compared to the use of feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses.

Compared to inorganic fertilizer use, cattle manure increased soluble P loss while reducing GHG emission.

Production and environmental differences among production systems were similar under recent and future climates.

Abstract. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) emissions from livestock systems have become important regional, national, and international concerns. Our objective was to use process-level simulation to explore differences among manure and inorganic fertilizer treatments in a corn production system used to feed finishing cattle in the Northern Great Plains region of the U.S. Our analysis included model assessment, simulation to compare treatments under recent climate, and comparisons using projected midcentury climate. The Integrated Farm System Model was evaluated in representing the performance and nutrient losses of corn production using cattle manure without bedding, manure with bedding, urea, and no fertilization treatments. Two-year field experiments conducted near Clay Center, Nebraska; Brookings, South Dakota; and Fargo, North Dakota provided observed emission data following these treatments. Means of simulated emission rates of methane, ammonia, and nitrous oxide were generally similar to those observed from field-applied manure or urea fertilizer. Simulation of corn production systems over 25 years of recent climate showed greater soluble P runoff with use of feedlot and bedded manure compared to use of inorganic fertilizers, but life-cycle fossil energy use and greenhouse gas emission were decreased. Compared to feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses in corn production by retaining more N in manure removed from a bedded housing facility and through increased runoff because a large portion of the stover was removed from the cornfield for use as bedding material. Simulation of these treatments using projected midcentury climate indicated a trend toward a small increase in simulated grain production in the Dakotas and a small decrease for irrigated corn in Nebraska. Climate differences affected the three production systems similarly, so production and environmental impact differences among the fertilization systems under future climate were similar to those obtained under recent climate. Keywords: Climate change, Greenhouse gas, Integrated Farm System Model, Nutrient losses.
La filosofía configuradora del ser del peronismo
Authors: Lasa Carlos Daniel
Published: July 2021

La tesis central del presente trabajo consiste en afirmar que el peronismo es la traducción del fascismo italiano en la política argentina, entendiendo que la esencia del fascismo está inspirada en la filosofía actualista del pensador italiano Giovanni Gentile. Asimismo, este actualismo es el producto de la disociación operada por el mismo filósofo, hacia fines del siglo XIX, entre materialismo y dialéctica. La metodología de estudio empleada es la transpolítica por cuanto se propone examinar al fenómeno del peronismo desde una rigurosa problemática filosófica con el fin de aprehender su esencia propia. El texto principal elegido para el referido examen, sin excluir otros, es la Conferencia que Perón diera en el Congreso Nacional de Filosofía, celebrado en Mendoza (República Argentina) en 1949, y que más adelante va a publicarse bajo el título de La Comunidad organizada.
High-performance surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy chip integrated with a micro-optical system for the rapid detection of creatinine in serum
Authors: Yang Feng , Wen Ping , Li Gang , Zhang Zhisen , Ge Chuang , Chen Li
Published: July 2021

To improve the sensitivity of disease biomarker detection, we proposed a high-performance surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) chip integrated with a micro-optical system (MOS). The MOS, which is based on the micro-reflecting cavity and the micro-lens, optimizes the optical matching characteristics of the SERS substrate and the Raman detection system, and greatly improves the SERS detection sensitivity by improving the collection efficiency of the Raman scattering signal. A uniform single layer of silver nanoparticles on a gold film was prepared as the SERS substrate using a liquid-liquid interface self-assembly method. The micro-reflecting cavity and micro-lens were prepared using micro-processing technology. The SERS chip was constructed based on the MOS and the Au film-based SERS substrate, and experimental results showed an EF of 1.46×108, which is about 22.4 times higher than that of the Si-based SERS substrate. The chip was used for the detection of creatinine and the detection limit of creatinine in aqueous solution was 1 µM while the detection limit in serum was 5 µM. In addition, SERS testing was conducted on serum samples from normal people and patients with chronic renal impairment. Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were used for modeling and identification, and the results showed a 90% accuracy of blind sample detection. These results demonstrate the value of this SERS chip for both research and practical applications in the fields of disease diagnosis and screening.
Assessing clinicians’ Post-Exposure Prophylaxis recommendations for rabies virus exposures in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Li Yu , Rainey Jeanette J. , Yang Hao , Tran Cuc H. , Huai Yang , Liu Rongqiang , Zhu Hongwei , Wang Zhengliang , Mu Di , Yin Wenwu , Guo Chun , Shiferaw Miriam , Chen Qiulan , Hu Shixiong , Li Zhongjie
Published: July 2021

Background

Timely and appropriate administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an essential component of human rabies prevention programs. We evaluated patient care at rabies clinics in a high-risk county in Hunan Province, China to inform strategies needed to achieve dog-mediated human rabies elimination by 2030.

Methods

We collected information on PEP, staff capacity, and service availability at the 17 rabies clinics in the high-risk county during onsite visits and key staff interviews. Additionally, we conducted observational assessments at five of these clinics, identified through purposive sampling to capture real-time information on patient care during a four-week period. Wound categories assigned by trained observers were considered accurate per national guidelines for comparison purposes. We used the kappa statistic and an alpha level of 0.05 to assess agreement between observers and clinic staff.

Results

In 2015, the 17 clinics provided PEP to 5,261 patients. Although rabies vaccines were available at all 17 clinics, rabies immune globulin (RIG) was only available at the single urban clinic in the county. During the assessment period in 2016, 196 patients sought care for possible rabies virus exposures. According to observers, 88 (44%) patients had category III wounds, 104 (53%) had category II wounds and 4 (2%) had category I wounds. Observers and PEP clinic staff agreed on approximately half of the assigned wound categories (kappa = 0.55, p-value< 0.001). Agreement for the urban county-level CDC clinic (kappa = 0.93, p-value<0.001) was higher than for the township clinics (kappa = 0.16, p-value = 0.007). Using observer assigned wound categories, 142 (73%) patients received rabies vaccinations and RIG as outlined in the national guidelines.

Conclusion

Rabies PEP services were available at each town of the project county; however, gaps between clinical practice and national rabies guidelines on the use of PEP were identified. We used these findings to develop and implement a training to rabies clinic staff on wound categorization, wound care, and appropriate use of PEP. Additional risk-based approaches for evaluating human rabies virus exposures may be needed as China progresses towards elimination.
Redução de riscos de desastres (RRD) e internacionalização do conhecimento científico: os grupos de pesquisa do Espírito Santo (Brasil)
Authors: Emmanoel Emmanoel Gorza Ferreira , Da Silva Rosa Teresa Cristina
Published: July 2021

A emergência de atores além Estado na gestão de riscos é um fato reconhecido pelos marcos internacionais de Sendai e Hyogo para Redução de Riscos de Desastres (RRD). A comunidade científica é um destes atores. A presente pesquisa objetivou compreender a dinâmica de divulgação do conhecimento científico sobre RRD produzido pela comunidade científica do Espírito Santo (Brasil) na perspectiva da internacionalização da ciência. Para a busca das produções científicas capixabas (ou espírito-santenses), utilizou-se o diretório de grupos de pesquisas e a plataforma Lattes do CNPq dos seus líderes. Analisaram-se as produções desde 2010 até junho de 2019 em termos da internacionalização através de duas categorias de publicações: trabalhos publicados em anais de congressos internacionais e artigos científicos publicados em periódicos internacionais, em língua inglesa ou com co-autores estrangeiros. Os resultados apontam a possibilidade futura de um soft power, dada a evolução capixaba ao longo da década estudada, porém dependente do esforço de órgãos de fomento nacionais e estaduais e de suas políticas públicas de produção e disseminação de conhecimentos voltadas para RRD.
Seismic response analysis for Romanian extra-carpathian sedimentary areas
Authors: Marmureanu Gheorghe , Cioflan Carmen Ortanza , Apostol Bogdan Felix
Published: July 2021

The seismic response of the ground motion is analysed using processed recordings and related spectral characteristics. The analysis is carried out for few representative different sites, with different geological local conditions. Data used are recordings from the last strongest seismic events (1986, August 30, Mw = 7.1, 1990, May 30, Mw = 6.9 and 1990, May 31, Mw=6.4). The approach used herein to assess the particular features of the seismic effects could open a new perspective in microzoning and risk studies. In the context of Vrancea-intermediate depth seismicity, whose effects are encountered at long epicentral distances, the choice of these sites is fully justified. Therefore the paper intends to focus on the particularities in the site effects that occur due to the sedimentary deposits’ oscillation under strong seismic ground motion for different areas. The spectral amplification factors are introduced in order to have a quantitative representation with respect to the variability of site effects.
Obesity Is Not Associated With an Increased Risk of Serious Infections in Biologic-Treated Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Singh Siddharth , Heien Herbert C. , Sangaralingham Lindsey , Shah Nilay D. , Sandborn William J.
Published: July 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Obesity has been associated with adverse disease-related outcomes and inferior treatment response to biologic agents in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), but its impact on the risk of treatment-related complications is unknown. We performed a cohort study examining the association between obesity and risk of serious infections in biologic-treated patients with IBD.

METHODS:

Using an administrative claims database, in a cohort of biologic-treated patients with IBD between 2014 and 2018 with follow-up 1 year before and after treatment initiation, we compared the risk of serious infections (infections requiring hospitalization) between obese vs nonobese patients (based on validated administrative claims) using Cox proportional hazard analysis.

RESULTS:

We included 5,987 biologic-treated patients with IBD (4,881 on tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists and 1,106 on vedolizumab), of whom 524 (8.8%) were classified as obese. Of the 7,115 person-year follow-up, 520 patients developed serious infection. Risk of serious infection was comparable in obese vs nonobese patients (8.8% vs 8.5%; unadjusted hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–1.54). After adjusting for age, comorbidities, disease characteristics, health care utilization, use of corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and opiates, obesity was not associated with an increased risk of serious infection (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% confidence interval, 0.55–1.01]). Similar results were seen on stratified analysis by disease phenotype (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and index biologic therapy (tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists and vedolizumab).

DISCUSSION:

After adjusting for comorbid conditions and disease characteristics, obesity is not independently associated with an increased risk of serious infections in biologic-treated patients with IBD.
Komische Variation, burleske Transposition und karnevaleske Dekonstruktion
Authors: Bauer Matthias
Published: July 2021

Matthias Bauer untersucht am Beispiel von The Bohemian Girl (1936), wie die komische Variation einer Oper im Spielfilm die Darstellung von 'Zigeuner'-Figuren modifiziert und welche Rückschlüsse sich aus den Modalitäten der burlesken Transposition und karnevalesken Dekonstruktion der Vorlage ergeben.
Enikő Dácz/Réka Jakabházi (Hg.): Literarische Rauminszenierungen in Zentraleuropa. Kronstadt/Braşov/Brassó in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Teller Katalin
Published: July 2021

Review of Enikő Dácz/Réka Jakabházi (Hg.): Literarische Rauminszenierungen in Zentraleuropa. Kronstadt/Braşov/Brassó in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts. Regensburg: Friedrich Pustet 2020 - ISBN 978-3-7917-3222-0 - 34.95 EUR.
La técnica es el nuevo sujeto de la historia: posthumanismo tecnológico y el crepúsculo de lo humano
Authors: Fernández Mateo Joaquín
Published: July 2021

La pandemia generada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 ha acelerado los procesos de transformación digital. Para comprender cómo la tecnología domina nuestras sociedades es necesario remontarse a sus condiciones de posibilidad. Estas condiciones responden a una determinada metafísica que tuvo su momento de nacimiento y sus procesos de transformación, intensificación y mejora, concluyendo en un tipo de lenguaje omniabarcante. Sin embargo, la transformación tecnológica no solo tiene consecuencias sobre el planeta, sino también sobre los seres humanos. En este contexto, el ser humano se vuelve obsoleto, apareciendo un nuevo sujeto de la historia, la técnica. El posthumanismo tecnológico o transhumanismo es la ideología que preserva y envuelve a ese nuevo sujeto.