bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Obesity Influences Placental Nutrient Transport, Inflammatory Status, and Morphology in Human Term Placenta
Authors: Nogues Perrine , Dos Santos Esther , Couturier-Tarrade Anne , Berveiller Paul , Arnould Lucie , Lamy Elodie , Grassin-Delyle Stanislas , Vialard François , Dieudonne Marie-Noëlle
Published: September 2020

Context

Maternal obesity has a significant impact on placental development. However, this impact on the placenta’s structure and function (ie, nutrient transport and hormone and cytokine production) is a controversial subject.

Objective

We hypothesized that maternal obesity is associated with morphologic, secretory, and nutrient-related changes and elevated levels of inflammation in the placenta.

Design

We collected samples of placental tissue from 2 well-defined groups of pregnant women from 2017 to 2019. We compared the 2 groups regarding placental cytokine and hormone secretion, immune cell content, morphology, and placental nutrient transporter expressions.

Setting

Placenta were collected after caesarean section performed by experienced clinicians at Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal (CHI) of Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Patients

The main inclusion criteria were an age between 27 and 37 years old, no complications of pregnancy, and a first-trimester body mass index of 18–25 kg/m2 for the nonobese (control) group and 30–40 kg/m2 for the obese group.

Results

In contrast to our starting hypothesis, we observed that maternal obesity was associated with (1) lower placental IL-6 expression and macrophage/leukocyte infiltration, (2) lower placental expression of GLUT1 and SNAT1-2, (3) a lower placental vessel density, and (4) lower levels of placental leptin and human chorionic gonadotropin production.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the placenta is a plastic organ and could optimize fetal growth. A better understanding of placental adaptation is required because these changes may partly determine the fetal outcome in cases of maternal obesity.
The basement membrane as a structured surface – role in vascular health and disease
Authors: Leclech Claire , Natale Carlo F. , Barakat Abdul I.
Published: September 2020

The basement membrane (BM) is a thin specialized extracellular matrix that functions as a cellular anchorage site, a physical barrier and a signaling hub. While the literature on the biochemical composition and biological activity of the BM is extensive, the central importance of the physical properties of the BM, most notably its mechanical stiffness and topographical features, in regulating cellular function has only recently been recognized. In this Review, we focus on the biophysical attributes of the BM and their influence on cellular behavior. After a brief overview of the biochemical composition, assembly and function of the BM, we describe the mechanical properties and topographical structure of various BMs. We then focus specifically on the vascular BM as a nano- and micro-scale structured surface and review how its architecture can modulate endothelial cell structure and function. Finally, we discuss the pathological ramifications of the biophysical properties of the vascular BM and highlight the potential of mimicking BM topography to improve the design of implantable endovascular devices and advance the burgeoning field of vascular tissue engineering.
Population structure of Salmonella enterica serotype Mbandaka reveals similar virulence potential irrespective of source and phylogenomic stratification
Authors: Antony Linto , Fenske Gavin , Kaushik Radhey S , Nagaraja Tiruvoor G , Thomas Milton , Scaria Joy
Published: September 2020

Background:Salmonella entericaserotype Mbandaka (Salmonellaser. Mbandaka) is a multi-host adapted Non-typhoidalSalmonella(NTS) that can cause foodborne illnesses in human. Outbreaks ofSalmonellaser. Mbandaka contributed to the economic stress caused by NTS due to hospitalizations. Whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based phylogenomic analysis facilitates better understanding of the genomic features that may expedite the foodborne spread ofSalmonellaser. Mbandaka.

Methods: In the present study, we define the population structure, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and virulence profile ofSalmonellaser. Mbandaka using WGS data of more than 400 isolates collected from different parts of the world. We validated the genotypic prediction of AMR and virulence phenotypically using an available set of representative isolates.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis ofSalmonellaser. Mbandaka using Bayesian approaches revealed clustering of the population into two major groups; however, clustering of these groups and their subgroups showed no pattern based on the host or geographical origin. Instead, we found a uniform virulence gene repertoire in all isolates. Phenotypic analysis on a representative set of isolates showed a similar trend in cell invasion behavior and adaptation to a low pH environment. Both genotypic and phenotypic analysis revealed the carriage of multidrug resistance (MDR) genes inSalmonellaser. Mbandaka.

Conclusions: Overall, our results show that the presence of multidrug resistance along with adaptation to broad range of hosts and uniformity in the virulence potential, isolates ofSalmonellaser. Mbandaka from any source could have the potential to cause foodborne outbreaks as well as AMR dissemination.
Developing composite indices of geographical access and need for nursing home care in Ireland using multiple criteria decision analysis
Authors: Reddy Brian P. , O'Neill Stephen , O'Neill Ciaran
Published: September 2020

Background: Spatial accessibility has consistently been shown to influence utilisation of care and health outcomes, compared against local population needs. We sought to identify how appropriately nursing homes (NHs) are distributed in Ireland, as its NH market lacks central planning.

Methods: We used multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approaches to develop composite indices of both access (incorporating measures of availability, choice, quality and affordability) and local NH need for over 65s (relating to the proportion living alone, with cognitive disabilities or with low self-rated health, estimated scores for activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, the average number of disabilities per person and the average age of this group). Data for need were derived from census data. Results were mapped to better understand underlying geographical patterns.

Results: By comparing local accessibility and need, underserved areas could be identified, which were clustered particularly in the country’s northwest. Suburbs, particularly around Dublin, were by this measure relatively overserved.

Conclusions: We have developed multi-dimensional indices of both accessibility to, and need for, nursing home care. This was carried out by combining granular, open data sources and elicited expert/stakeholder opinion from practitioners. Mapping these data helped to highlight clear evidence of inequitable variation in nursing home distribution.
Sub-Saharan Africa preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A perspective of early career African scientists
Authors: Umviligihozo Gisele , Mupfumi Lucy , Sonela Nelson , Naicker Delon , Obuku Ekwaro A. , Koofhethile Catherine , Mogashoa Tuelo , Kapaata Anne , Ombati Geoffrey , Michelo Clive M. , Makobu Kimani , Todowede Olamide , Balinda Sheila N.
Published: September 2020

Emerging highly transmissible viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 pose a significant global threat to human health and the economy. Since its first appearance in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, China, SARS-CoV-2 infection has quickly spread across the globe, with the first case reported on the African continent, in Egypt on February 14th, 2020. Although the global number of COVID-19 infections has increased exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of new infections and deaths recorded in African countries have been relatively modest, suggesting slower transmission dynamics of the virus on the continent, a lower case fatality rate, or simply a lack of testing or reliable data. Notably, there is no significant increase in unexplained pneumonias or deaths on the continent which could possibly indicate the effectiveness of interventions introduced by several African governments. However, there has not yet been a comprehensive assessment of sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic that may have contributed to prevent an uncontrolled outbreak so far. As a group of early career scientists and the next generation of African scientific leaders with experience of working in medical and diverse health research fields in both SSA and resource-rich countries, we present a unique perspective on the current public health interventions to fight COVID-19 in Africa. Our perspective is based on extensive review of the available scientific publications, official technical reports and announcements released by governmental and non-governmental health organizations as well as from our personal experiences as workers on the COVID-19 battlefield in SSA. We documented public health interventions implemented in seven SSA countries including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Cameroon, Zambia, South Africa and Botswana, the existing gaps and the important components of disease control that may strengthen SSA response to future outbreaks.
Does recall time matter in verbal autopsies? Evidence from urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mategula Donnie , Gichuki Judy
Published: September 2020

Background: To assign a cause of death to non-medically certified deaths, verbal autopsies (VAs) are widely used to determine the cause of death. The time difference between the death and the VA interview, also referred to as recall time, varies depending on social and operational factors surrounding the death. We investigated the effect of recall time on the assignment of causes of death by VA.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of 2002-2015 survey data of the Nairobi Urban Health Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS). The independent variable recall time was derived from the date of death and the date when the VA was conducted. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to calculate odds ratios of assigning a cause of death in defined categories of recall time.

Results: There were 6218 deaths followed up between 2002 and 2016, out of which 5495 (88.3%) had VAs done. Recall time varied from 1-3001 days (mean 115.5 days, sd216.8). Majority of the VAs (45.7%) were conducted between 1-3 months after death. The effect of recall time varied for different diseases. Compared to VAs conducted between 1-3 months, there was a 24% higher likelihood of identifying HIV/AIDS as the cause of death for VAs conducted 4-6 months after death (AOR 1.24; 95% CI 1.01-1.54; p-value = 0.043) and a 40% increased chance of identifying other infectious diseases as the cause of death for VAs conducted <1 month after death (AOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.02-1.92, p-value = 0.024).

Conclusions: Recall time affected the assignment of VA cause of death for HIV/AIDS, other infectious diseases and maternal/neonatal causes. Our analysis indicates that in the urban informal setting, VAs should be conducted from one month up to 6 months after the death to improve the probability of accurately assigning the cause of death.
Well-Being. Employee Well-Being Management to Increase Labor Productivity — Improving HR and Business Performance of the Company
Authors: Nagibina N. , Vakul'skaya E. , Pestereva E.
Published: September 2020

Well-being management of employees, which is gaining momentum, is a trend in Russian companies, is not new for the world market. HR–industry, faced with new and unexpected challenges, is in constant search of relevant approaches to attracting, revealing and retaining talents. The tasks of improving HR and business indicators, among which labor productivity, product and service quality, profitability, are especially relevant in times of increasing competition of business models. Automation and digital technologies free people from routine work, directing their potential to solving intellectual problems – on the one hand, they cause stress and deprive human attention – on the other. It is attention to the person, feedback and trust communication that are key factors in increasing engagement. It is proved that a prosperous person is more involved and productive, less tired and sick – the company bears lower costs and gets better results. According to the Gallup version, there are five elements of human well-being-career, social and financial; social inclusion and physical well-being should be closely monitored by company management. Based on benchmarking, the project team presented the results of Well-Being research as a new vector in HR management to understand the features of the concept and formulate programs to improve the well-being of employees in a group of companies (the customer). In the absence of a wide representation of domestic studies and company practices in the field of Well-Being, the authors relied on foreign studies to help employees comprehensively study and shape the best employee experience and organizational support programs for well-being. Over the past decade, the stress associated with work has an increasingly negative impact on the person and his production activities, which led to the article development of the HR-Tech market. The cluster of providers of well-being with a personal position and organizational support is actively developing.
Audit and Consulting Market Analysis. Prospects and Opportunities
Authors: Mustafin A.
Published: September 2020

This article is devoted to the audit and consulting market, their capabilities, prospects and opportunities. This article discusses the classification of audits for internal, external and consulting. The analysis of the external audit market is based on the data of the Ministry of Finance website for the period from 2014 to 2018.
A Text-Based Analysis of Corporate Innovation
Authors: Bellstam Gustaf , Bhagat Sanjai , Cookson J. Anthony
Published: September 2020

We develop a new measure of innovation using the text of analyst reports of S&P 500 firms. Our text-based measure gives a useful description of innovation by firms with and without patenting and R&D (research and development). For nonpatenting firms, the measure identifies innovative firms that adopt novel technologies and innovative business practices (e.g., Walmart’s cross-geography logistics). For patenting firms, the text-based measure strongly correlates with valuable patents, which likely capture true innovation. The text-based measure robustly forecasts greater firm performance and growth opportunities for up to four years, and these value implications hold just as strongly for innovative nonpatenting firms.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Exact Penalization of Generalized Nash Equilibrium Problems
Authors: Ba Qin , Pang Jong-Shi
Published: September 2020

This paper presents an exact penalization theory of the generalized Nash equilibrium problem (GNEP) that has its origin from the renowned Arrow–Debreu general economic equilibrium model. Whereas the latter model is the foundation of much of mathematical economics, the GNEP provides a mathematical model of multiagent noncooperative competition that has found many contemporary applications in diverse engineering domains. The most salient feature of the GNEP that distinguishes it from a standard noncooperative (Nash) game is that each player’s optimization problem contains constraints that couple all players’ decision variables. Extending results for stand-alone optimization problems, the penalization theory aims to convert the GNEP into a game of the standard kind without the coupled constraints, which is known to be more readily amenable to solution methods and analysis. Starting with an illustrative example to motivate the development, this paper focuses on two kinds of coupled constraints, shared (i.e., common) and finitely representable. Constraint residual functions and the associated error bound theory play an important role throughout the development.
Overview of oral nutrition supplements and their use
Authors: Taylor Natalie
Published: September 2020

Malnutrition causes poorer health outcomes in patients, and the risks of mortality and morbidity are increased when there is a poor nutritional status. Prescribed nutritional supplements are one way that a patient's oral intake can be increased, although a ‘food first’ approach can often result in weight gain without the use of prescribed supplement, and dietary assessment and advice can help patients to modify their diet and regain weight. It is important for patients to be reviewed and have the expectation that, if supplements are to be progressed to, they will complement all the dietary changes that have already been attempted. Health and Care Professions Council-registered dietitians are trained to calculate nutritional requirements, determine the energy and protein the patient is managing and form a plan to meet any deficits. Community nursing staff play a vital role by encouraging nutritional support advice at the early stage and referring to dietetics for further support.
Spinal clearance and management of spinal cord injury in the trauma patient
Authors: Trockels Amaury , Ahluwalia Aashish K , Harris Joseph , Sewell Mathew
Published: September 2020

The British Orthopaedic Association's Standards for Trauma and Orthopaedics outline the essential clinical standards for spinal clearance and management of spinal cord injury in the acute trauma patient. From initial presentation in the hospital setting to long-term rehabilitation, the recommendations for clinical assessment, imaging, treatment priorities and the role of trauma networks are summarised.
Investigating staff perceptions and experiences of telephone triage in general practice
Authors: Detheridge Alexandra
Published: September 2020

In this qualitative study, Alexandra Detheridge investigates the use of telephone triage in a general practice home visiting team

Background:

Telephone triage (TT) has historically been used in out of hours (OOH) provision for managing patients who require telephone advice or assessment face-to-face. It is increasingly being used in primary care to manage demand and advanced nurse practitioners are well placed to support this.

Aims:

To investigate staff perceptions and experiences of TT, barriers, role development, patient expectation and how care could be improved.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were completed with 8 staff (3 specialist nurses and 5 GPs) in a general practice home visiting team that provides care to 46 000 patients.

Findings:

TT use requires training and support for staff. While communication and patient engagement can be barriers, teamwork is a valuable means of improvement.

Conclusion:

TT enables the patient to see the correct clinician and can support care management in general practice.
Discrimination claims when recruiting
Authors: Pearce Jon
Published: September 2020

Jon Pearce from specialist healthcare law firm Hempsons warns of inadvertent discrimination when recruiting which could result in a claim
Out of place: women’s experiences of policing in protest spaces
Authors: Monk Helen , Jackson Will
Published: September 2020

This article considers women’s experiences of policing at anti-fracking protests at Barton Moss, Salford, which took place between November 2013 and April 2014. Specifically, the article examines the spatial dynamics of the policing of women and argues that the policing of protest demands feminist analysis. Drawing upon narratives collected from women protesters at Barton Moss, which explore experiences of sexual violence perpetrated by police, we argue that the protest site needs to be considered as a space that facilitates violence against women. Understanding the specifics of the Barton Moss protest as an extended protest situation characterised by direct action protest and an intense and often violent police response, we suggest that women’s experiences of policing were a product of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the protest and policing operation. We consider the protest site as a productive, institutional space within which police violence takes a specifically gendered form enabling the control of those women deemed to be out of place. In turn, we argue that the women at Barton Moss were considered by the police to be transgressing the socio-geographical boundaries which establish the dominant cultural and social order and were thus responded to as disruptive and disorderly subjects.
Feminising politics: notes on material and temporal feminist modal logics in action
Authors: Colman Felicity
Published: September 2020

Feminist activism aims to work to change the inequitable structures of the world. But feminists themselves get bound up in actions and intentions that are tied to their large object of critique (the patriarchy, the planet, the media, the canon, etc), and the micropolitics of the subjects constituting and constituted by those objects can be swept up in humanistic rhetorical gestures and words.  How can we teach the modalities and the genealogy of feminist actions that offer tools for everyday living and for a community practice, and which also offer some ways to engage with the affective matter of the world from a posthumanist perspective, and thereby work to shift cultural attitudes? In addition to the valuable work done by those that tirelessly figure methods of communicating social inequities, the work of research led feminist informed teaching and governance can not only excavate the histories of social, political, speciesist, and biological inequities, but also offer a critique of these positions by the terms of their epistemological construction, and provide different modalities of practice.  This article focuses on the latter, discussing how we might design curriculum and engage a pedagogy of recognition for a feminist modal ethics. How modes of feminist new materialist practice take the questions of affect, and agency, to enable ethical political practices is a pressing concern for many communities concerned with generating a planetary ethics. How new materialist methodology is useful for thinking the vernacular political reality was the topic of an intensive discussion and debate that took place in November 2017 in Barcelona. Taking an example of the concrete work undertaken by Barcelona Councillor Gala Pin in relation to the neighbourhood ofCiutat Vella,the article proposes that we explore and extend the genealogy of a feminist modal logics.
Vulnerable academic performances. Dialogue on matters of voice and silence in academia
Authors: Rogowska-Stangret Monika , Cielemęcka Olga
Published: September 2020

In this dialogue, authors collectively reflect upon their experiences of being feminist philosophers. They diffract their personal and embodied experiences, philosophical reflections, and critiques of institutions in order to consider how and where a “vulnerable academic performance” is possible. In particular, the authors address matters of voice and silence within academia by asking the following questions: How are voices distributed and materialized in academia? Whose voice is heard and listened to vis-à-vis exisiting philosophical canons, classifications, and regimes of citationality? Bringing to the fore both personal and affective registers, the authors address the standards of legitimacy, hierarchies of voices and precarious labor conditions in academia as factors that render voices un/heard. With this in mind, they suggest a move towards vulnerability as a potent source of collective empowerment that is capable of disturbing academic power structures and canons.
Almanac II
Authors: Tamboukou Maria
Published: September 2020

.
Mass-specific light absorption coefficients of mineral particles in aqueous suspension for the ultraviolet to near-infrared radiation spectral region (200–2500  nm)
Authors: Utschig Christian , Röttgers Rüdiger
Published: September 2020

Light absorption by in-water suspended natural particles in the near-infrared radiation (NIR; 780–3000 nm) region has received little attention. Minerogenic matter is thought to be one source for NIR light absorption in aquatic environments. Here, mass-specific particulate light absorption coefficients of several particulate single minerals and mineral samples for the spectral range of 200–2500 nm are presented. The current methodology allows very sensitive measurements of particle suspension with a detection limit of about

2

×

10

−
6

m

2

g

−
1

for the mass-specific absorption coefficient. Except for one, all mineral materials examined possessed significant light absorption throughout the full spectral range considered. The spectra revealed absorption features of specific elements (like iron) and from water structures (

H

2

O

, O-H bonds) in the mineral or crystal structure that have been known from reflectance measurements of minerals. The specific absorption in the NIR was as high as

0.02

m

2

g

−
1

for laterite earths samples, but also below the detection limit for a steatite sample in a narrow spectral region (1600–1800 nm). The specific absorption by mineral particles in the NIR was, hence, highly variable from strong absorbing black minerals (magnetite) to low absorbing white clays. The information in the absorption coefficient spectrum can be used not only to identify specific mineral in natural particle assemblages but also to quantify their contribution to total particulate absorption in the NIR.
Digital holographic imaging and classification of microplastics using deep transfer learning
Authors: Zhu Yanmin , Hang Yeung Chok , Lam Edmund Y.
Published: September 2020

We devise an inline digital holographic imaging system equipped with a lightweight deep learning network, termed CompNet, and develop the transfer learning for classification and analysis. It has a compression block consisting of a concatenated rectified linear unit (CReLU) activation to reduce the channels, and a class-balanced cross-entropy loss for training. The method is particularly suitable for small and imbalanced datasets, and we apply it to the detection and classification of microplastics. Our results show good improvements both in feature extraction, and generalization and classification accuracy, effectively overcoming the problem of overfitting. This method could be attractive for futurein situmicroplastic particle detection and classification applications.
DBA dis-aggregation in PON-OLT with scalability enhancement by REPORT/GATE compression [Invited]
Authors: Nishimoto Keita , Asaka Kota , Kani Jun-ichi , Terada Jun
Published: September 2020

The dis-aggregated passive optical network (PON) optical line terminal (OLT) architecture is attracting attention in academia and industry. This paper first reviews the evolution in dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) dis-aggregation. We further enhance the scalability of the dis-aggregated PON-OLT by reducing the bandwidth overhead of REPORT/GATE, the time division multiplexing (TDM) control information transferred between dis-aggregated DBA and the hardware platform. Our experiment verifies that the data compression based on basic integer coding can improve the scalability by 27% with acceptable processing time.
Coherent control of microwave pulse propagation based on gain assisted electromagnetically induced transparency in superconducting circuits
Authors: Ayaz M. Q. , Qamar Sajid , Qamar Shahid
Published: September 2020

Based on gain assisted electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), we propose a scheme for coherent manipulation and storage of a microwave pulse propagating through a linear array of superconducting artificial atoms (SAAs). In an EIT-based system, the signal operates in an absorption mode, and its attenuation cannot be avoided during propagation. This results in low transmissivity of the medium. We show that based on gain assisted EIT, the attenuation can be ameliorated, and a probe pulse can be amplified while it propagates through the medium with significant reduction in its group velocity. The linear array of SAAs can thus act as a gain assisted EIT-based coherent microwave memory scheme with high fidelity.
Two-step system for image receiving in OAM-SK-FSO link
Authors: Li Zhaokun , Su Jianbo , Zhao Xiaohui
Published: September 2020

Turbulence resistance is a significant research area for orbital angular momentum shift keying-based free space optical communication (OAM-SK-FSO). We put forward a two-step combinational system to receive high fidelity image data from the atmospheric turbulence (AT) channels. Firstly, the AT-detector-based multi-CNN (ATDM-CNN) demodulator is proposed which is very different from the traditional single-CNN (S-CNN) demodulator. The AT detector detects the AT strength and then an AT-determined CNN-based demodulator is activated to recognize the incident OAM modes. Sufficient numeral simulations compare the recognition rates of ATDM-CNN and S-CNN. The results indicate a tremendous improvement owing to the ATDM-CNN demodulator. Base on the ATDM-CNN's significant advantage in OAM recognition, the significant optimization of image data quality is possible in the further correction. As an option, the residual information errors are corrected by jointly using the rank-order adaptive median filter (RAMF) and the very-deep super-resolution (VDSR) network with minor information loss in severe ATs. The data increase resulting from RAMF-VDSR is tested. In conclusion, the proposed two-step system can provide a much higher quality of receiving image data in the OAM-SK-FSO link.
Formation mechanism of the nanostructure in laser streaming phenomenon
Authors: Qu Guofeng , Wang Yizhou , Zhong Zheqiang , Li Min , Zhou Maolei , Liu Dong , Xu Zixu , Lin Weiping , Liu Xingquan , Han Jifeng
Published: September 2020

Laser streaming is a phenomenon in which liquid streaming is driven directly from the laser through an in situ fabricated nanostructure. In this study, liquid streaming of a gold nanoparticle suspension driven by a pulsed laser was studied using a high-speed camera. The laser streaming formation time, streaming velocity, and relative energy conversion efficiency of laser streaming was measured for different nanoparticle concentrations, focal lens position, laser powers, and laser repetition rates. In addition to the laser intensity, which played a significant role in the formation process of laser streaming, the optical gradient force was found to be an important approach involved in the transport and provision of nanoparticles during the formation of laser streaming. This finding facilitated a better understanding of the formation mechanism of laser streaming and demonstrated the possibilities of a new potential laser etching technique based on nanosecond lasers and nanoparticle suspensions. This result can also expand the application of laser streaming in microfluids and other fields that require lasers to move macroscopic objects at relatively high speeds.
Designs toward synchronization of optical limit cycles with coupled silicon photonic crystal microcavities: erratum
Authors: Takemura Naotomo , Takiguchi Masato , Notomi Masaya
Published: September 2020

Correction for the citation of a reference.
Sparse decomposition light-field microscopy for high speed imaging of neuronal activity
Authors: Yoon Young-Gyu , Wang Zeguan , Pak Nikita , Park Demian , Dai Peilun , Kang Jeong Seuk , Suk Ho-Jun , Symvoulidis Panagiotis , Guner-Ataman Burcu , Wang Kai , Boyden Edward S.
Published: September 2020

One of the major challenges in large scale optical imaging of neuronal
activity is to simultaneously achieve sufficient temporal and spatial
resolution across a large volume. Here, we introduce sparse
decomposition light-field microscopy (SDLFM), a computational imaging
technique based on light-field microscopy (LFM) that takes algorithmic
advantage of the high temporal resolution of LFM and the inherent
temporal sparsity of spikes to improve effective spatial resolution
and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). With increased effective spatial
resolution and SNRs, neuronal activity at the single-cell level can be
recovered over a large volume. We demonstrate the single-cell imaging
capability of SDLFM with in vivo imaging
of neuronal activity of whole brains of larval zebrafish with
estimated lateral and axial resolutions of

∼

3.5

µ

m

and

∼

7.4

µ

m

, respectively, acquired at volumetric
imaging rates up to 50 Hz. We also show that SDLFM increases the
quality of neural imaging in adult fruit flies.
Benchmarking and validation of a combined CFD-optics solver for micro-scale problems
Authors: Münster Raphael , Mierka Otto , Turek Stefan , Weigel Thomas , Ostendorf Andreas
Published: September 2020

In this work, we present a new approach for coupled CFD-optics problems that consists of a combination of a finite element method (FEM) based flow solver with a ray tracing based tool for optic forces that are induced by a laser. We combined the open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package FEATFLOW with the ray tracing software of the LAT-RUB to simulate optical trap configurations. We benchmark and analyze the solver first based on a configuration with a single spherical particle that is subjected to the laser forces of an optical trap. The setup is based on an experiment that is then compared to the results of our combined CFD-optics solver. As an extension of the standard procedure, we present a method with a time-stepping scheme that contains a macro step approach. The results show that this macro time-stepping scheme provides a significant acceleration while still maintaining good accuracy. A second configuration is analyzed that involves non-spherical geometries such as micro rotors. We proceed to compare simulation results of the final angular velocity of the micro rotor with experimental measurements.
The Gut Microbiome in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis Is Characterized by Significant Dysbiosis and Overgrowth by Opportunistic Pathogens
Authors: Frost Fabian , Weiss Frank U. , Sendler Matthias , Kacprowski Tim , Rühlemann Malte , Bang Corinna , Franke Andre , Völker Uwe , Völzke Henry , Lamprecht Georg , Mayerle Julia , Aghdassi Ali A. , Homuth Georg , Lerch Markus M.
Published: September 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Exocrine pancreatic function is a critical host factor in determining the intestinal microbiota composition. Diseases affecting the exocrine pancreas could therefore influence the gut microbiome. We investigated the changes in gut microbiota of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP).

METHODS:

Patients with clinical and imaging evidence of CP (n = 51) were prospectively recruited and compared with twice the number of nonpancreatic disease controls matched for distribution in age, sex, body mass index, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and exocrine pancreatic function (stool elastase). From stool samples of these 153 subjects, DNA was extracted, and intestinal microbiota composition was determined by bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS:

Patients with CP exhibited severely reduced microbial diversity (Shannon diversity index and Simpson diversity number, P < 0.001) with an increased abundance of facultative pathogenic organisms (P < 0.001) such as Enterococcus (q < 0.001), Streptococcus (q < 0.001), and Escherichia.Shigella (q = 0.002). The CP-associated changes were independent of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Short-chain fatty acid producers, considered protective for epithelia such as Faecalibacterium (q < 0.001), showed reduced abundance in patients with CP. Of 4 additional patients with CP previously treated with antibiotics (ceftriaxone and metronidazole), 3 patients were characterized by distinct Enterococcus overgrowth.

DISCUSSION:

CP is associated with marked gut microbiota dysbiosis, greatly reduced diversity, and increased abundance of opportunistic pathogens, specifically those previously isolated from infected pancreatic necrosis. Taxa with a potentially beneficial role in intestinal barrier function are depleted. These changes can increase the probability of complications from pancreatitis such as infected fluid collections or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (see Graphical Abstract, Supplementary Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/CTG/A383).
Matéria e memória
Authors: De Freitas Pereira Paiva Pedro , Kremer da Motta Gabriela
Published: September 2020

Este texto investiga a obra O Ruído, realizada por mim em 2016, a partir das relações entre matéria, memória, alegoria e entropia. O presente artigo se propõe a abordar as características ambientais da obra em relação ao local onde foi instalado no intuito de compreender um sentido de apropriação de signos de cultura em uma articulação que se desdobre pelos movimentos do tempo em situação de entropia a partir da matéria escultórica. Para tal, trabalho com o auxílio da artista Brígida Baltar e com o artista Robert Smithson. Essa discussão envolve ainda um diálogo com o teórico Craig Owens, no que tange a alegoria e com o crítico Nelsson Brissac Peixoto e sua discussão sobre entropia, bem como o filósofo Henri Bergson em suas concepções de tempo e memória.
Todos os dias de Bruce Nauman
Authors: De Oliveira Leite Caroline Alciones
Published: September 2020

Esta pesquisa analisa a obra “Days” (2009) do artista norte-americano Bruce Nauman, exibida no Museu de Arte Moderna de Nova York (MoMA) de outubro de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019 na exposição “Bruce Nauman: Disappearing Atts”. Investigamos “Days” a partir do apagamento da imagem visual no estabelecimento de um espaço adequado ao surgimento de imagens sonoras, discutindo a relação entre silêncio e ruído, voz e loop como forma de gerar uma escuta da obra. Para tanto, consideramos as formulações de John Cage, Brandon LaBelle e do artista e teórico brasileiro Rodolfo Caesar, em uma espécie de escrita que também ocorre em uma espécie de loop que libera e retoma alguns aspectos de “Days”. Recorremos, ainda, a autores que têm investigado a obra do artista, entre eles Constance M. Lewallen e Barbara Rose. Finalmente, a pesquisa também se preocupa com a questão do tempo a partir da ordenação dos dias da semana e como o artista lida com isso. Para tanto, recorremos a Jonathan Crary, que tem lidado com questões de tempo na vida contemporânea.
Objeto, memória e narração no processo de criação de Arthur Bispo do Rosário
Authors: Silva Cláudia Maria França da
Published: September 2020

O texto analisa alguns aspectos do processo de criação de Arthur Bispo do Rosário (1909-1989), marcado pelo uso de matrizes objetuais insistentemente envolvidas em fios e tecidos coloridos. Tal como esses objetos, a obra de “Bispo” é envolvida por uma aura composta de elementos místicos, lucidez, delírio e loucura, práticas artesanais tradicionais, memórias de viagem, atenção ao cotidiano, presença da palavra escrita, entre outros aspectos. Agregamos esses aspectos a operações de listagem e catalogação e a conceitos como objeto, coleção, memória e narração.
Noções incontornáveis nas Artes Visuais
Authors: Rauscher Beatriz , Rampin Priscila
Published: September 2020

Este texto apresenta, discute e articula o tema em relação ao  conjunto de artigos publicados nesta edição. Os artigos apresentados  problematizam as noções fundamentais que delimitam o campo das Artes Visuais, segundo suas próprias perspectivas. Entende-se que essas noções têm sido constantemente reexaminadas e a principal razão disto é o caráter experimental do fazer artístico e a adoção de procedimentos e formas de pensar originais, desafiando a própria definição de obra arte. Todo um repertório de noções, e as relações entre elas, constituem a constelação que firma a arte como campo de conhecimento.
Validación de un protocolo fotográfico para la digitalización de muestras de herbario de especies tropicales
Authors: Valverde-Otárola Juan Carlos , Quesada Ruperto , Soto Casia , Arias Dagoberto
Published: September 2020

El estudio se validó de un protocolo fotográfico para la digitalización de muestras de herbario a partir de análisis de colorimetría digital. Para lo cual se utilizaron diez especies arbóreas en condición de herbario y se evaluó cinto tipos de velocidad de obturación, apertura de objetivo e ISO con fin identificar mejor ajuste y luego identificar el mejor protocolo fotográfico a partir de las variables L*, a *, b*, diferencial de color (ΔE*) y chroma (ΔC*). Los resultados mostraron que las velocidades de obturación de 1/3”, 1/5” y 1” mostraron ΔE* inferiores a 5, considerados como visibles, la a apertura de objetivo f/ 5.6 y f/7.1 mostraron valores ΔE* menores a 5,5 siendo mejor se adaptaron, mientras en ISO, los valores 100, 200 y 320 presentaron valores ΔE* visibles y menores a 5,3. En cuanto la determinación del mejor protocolo para las 10 especies fue CP1 con una velocidad de 1/3”, con apertura de f/5.5 e ISO 100 que presentó un ΔE* promedio de 4,1 considerado como visible y significativamente menor al resto de los tratamientos que variaron de 5,1 a 29,8, siendo cambios de visibles a totales de color y evidenciando con acumulaciones de color de 6 a 12 (ΔC*). Finalmente, IRF mostró los usuarios percibieron que CP1 mostró mejor ajuste al material físico (0,95) con respeto a los demás protocolos (promedio 0,71).
Estudio de las representaciones sociales de los docentes sobre el cambio climático antropogénico
Authors: Gallego-Torres Adriana Patricia , Castro-Montaña Jhonn Edgar
Published: September 2020

Este trabajo realizado con los docentes de la Facultad de Ciencias y Educación de la Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, tiene como objeto caracterizar las representaciones sociales que los docentes en formación han elaborado sobre el cambio climático antropogénico.  Para  avanzar en el problema y los objetivos se acudió  a plantear una metodología acorde al tipo de estudio social, con  un enfoque  cualitativo de corte interpretativo, lo que permitió identificar las representaciones sociales de los docentes, que  configuran una manera de interpretar y de pensar la realidad cotidiana y s sus actitudes e intereses frente al  problema del cambio climático y su inferencia en su labor docente.
Competencia Científica y Resolución de Problemas de Física
Authors: Carrascosa-Alís Jaime , Martínez Salvador , Alonso Manuel
Published: September 2020

Impulsar y desarrollar la competencia científica entre los estudiantes que cursan materias como la Física, es un objetivo contemplado actualmente de forma explícita en la mayoría de los currículos escolares y es compartido por muchos expertos en Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales. Sin embargo, cuando se trata este tema con el profesorado de ciencias, suele hacerse ignorando los contenidos concretos de la materia a enseñar, con lo cual, los profesores difícilmente pueden trasladar a sus clases aquello que les ha sido expuesto en términos demasiado generales o abstractos. En nuestra opinión, si realmente se quiere impulsar y desarrollar la competencia científica, ello ha de hacerse de forma conjunta a través de contenidos claves para la enseñanza y aprendizaje de las ciencias, como son: la introducción de conceptos, la resolución de problemas y los trabajos prácticos. El problema es que la mayor parte del profesorado de ciencias, admite que muchos de los aspectos metodológicos inherentes a la competencia científica, como la emisión de hipótesis, la elaboración de estrategias para su contrastación, el análisis de resultados, etc., se pueden incorporar con relativa facilidad a los trabajos experimentales, pero no lo ven tan claro cuando nos referimos a la introducción de conceptos teóricos o a la resolución de problemas de lápiz y papel. En este trabajo se intenta mostrar, a través de la resolución de un problema de Física concreto, cómo se pueden contemplar esos aspectos esenciales de la competencia científica, en la resolución de problemas. También se plantea la posibilidad de incorporar a la resolución, de manera funcional, elementos prácticos y nuevas tecnologías.
Betrachtung von Nachhaltigkeit und Umweltverträglichkeit mithilfe des neuen Syntropie-Index
Authors: Wagner Enno
Published: September 2020

Hochwertige Energieformen wie Solarstrahlung oder elektrischer Strom haben die besondere Fähigkeit, höher geordnete Strukturen und damit die Basis für nachhaltiges Leben im Allgemeinen zu erschaffen. Mit dem neuen Syntropie-Index kann diese Antriebskraft auf moderne Systeme wie Gesellschaften oder Unternehmen angewandt und bewertet werden.
Wiederauferstehung des Überschallpassagierverkehrs als Herausforderung für eine ökologische Zeitpolitik
Authors: Rinderspacher Jürgen P.
Published: September 2020

Während alle Welt über Ressourcenschonung, Klimawandel und Entschleunigung  diskutiert, arbeiten Flugzeugkonstrukteure an einer Neuauflage des Überschallpassagierflugzeuges Concorde. Welchen Sinn macht es, in der Hälfte der Zeit von Paris nach New York zu kommen, und für wen? Vor allem aber: Wer zahlt dafür?
Digitalisierung des Kapitalismus - Fluch oder Chance für ökologisches und gerechtes Wirtschaften?
Authors: Habermann Friederike
Published: September 2020

Mit der Digitalisierung der Wirtschaft gehen unzählige Chancen einher. Auch die Risiken im Hinblick auf Arbeitsplatzverluste oder gesamte Branchen wurden bereits ausführlich diskutiert. Doch könnte die Digitalisierung dazu führen, dass der Kapitalismus als System zusammenbricht?
Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung - Im Spannungsfeld unterschiedlicher Anforderungen und Interessen
Authors: Braun Sabine
Published: September 2020

Die Phase der Standardisierung im Nachhaltigkeitsreporting hat schon vor dem CSR-Richtlinie-Umsetzungsgesetz eingesetzt. Zugleich stieg in den vergangenen Jahren die öffentliche  Aufmerksamkeit für Nachhaltigkeitsthemen. Die Praxis der Berichterstattung wird schwieriger, die Ergebnisse werden vielfältiger.
Augen auf im Finanzsystem
Authors: Brandes Eberhard
Published: September 2020

Die Rechnung ist einfach: Setzen wir uns weiterhin über die Grenzen unseres Planeten hinweg, berauben wir uns  unserer eigenen Lebensgrundlagen. Und wo der Finanzmarkt doch  Rechenmeister ist, sollte nun auch er sich der Lösung annehmen.
Suffizienzorientiertes Onlinemarketing
Authors: Keilholz Stephanie
Published: September 2020

Drei Erden verbraucht Deutschland nach Berechnungen des Global Footprint Network pro Jahr – wir haben die  Grenzen nachhaltigen Lebens und Wirtschaftens längst überschritten.  Kompensation, ökologischer und fairer Konsum sind vor diesem Hintergrund immer nur die zweitbeste Lösung.
Klimagerechtes Bauen
Authors: Welter Thomas
Published: September 2020

Ende des Wachstums, Umbau statt Neubau: Der Bund Deutscher Architekten (BDA) hat ein deutliches Positionspapier zum klimagerechten Bauen beschlossen. Es richtet sich nicht nur an Politik und Gesellschaft, sondern auch an den eigenen Berufsstand. Wir dokumentieren diese bemerkenswerte Position.
Transformationspfade hin zu einer Green Economy
Authors: Kahlenborn Walter , Hölscher Linda , Weiß Daniel
Published: September 2020

Um aktuellen Umweltproblemen effektiv zu begegnen, bedarf es einer transformativen Umweltpolitik. Das Vorhaben evolution2green zielt darauf ab, das Potenzial der deutschen Gesellschaft und Wirtschaft sowie mögliche Strategien für eine transformative Umweltpolitik und damit einhergehende politische Handlungsoptionen von allen Seiten zu beleuchten.
Kollaborative Labs und offene Werkstätten
Authors: Schrape Jan-Felix
Published: September 2020

Die Digitalisierung verspricht neue Spielräume für die kollaborative Entwicklung und Herstellung materieller Güter. Ein Überblick über offene Labs und Werkstätten zeigt jedoch: Jenseits technischer Ermöglichung bleibt ihr Erfolg an die Schaffung entsprechender gesellschaftlicher Rahmenbedingungen gekoppelt.
Digitalisierung als Treiber einer sozial-ökologischen Transformation?
Authors: Kern Florian , Santarius Tilman
Published: September 2020

Die Umweltpolitische Digitalagenda des Bundesumweltministeriums (BMU) bietet einen anspruchsvollen Einstieg in die politische Gestaltung der Digitalisierung aus der Perspektive einer sozial-ökologischen Transformation, aber greift noch zu kurz.