bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MODELLING OF GLACIER AND ICE SHEET MICRO-TOPOGRAPHY BASED ON UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE DATA, ANTARCTICA
Authors: Yuan X. , Qiao G. , Li Y. , Li H. , Xu R.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Modelling of glacier and ice sheet micro-topography is meaningful for the understanding of interactions between local ice mass and climate. Here, we used an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform composed of a DJI Phantom 4 and a D-RTK mobile station to model the surface micro-topography around Zhongshan Station of China, East Antarctica. Two UAV survey types (vertical and oblique aerial photogrammetry) were performed during the China's 35th Antarctic expedition (CHINARE) in 2018–2019. Six surveys were obtained by the SfM-MVS technology. Then, we extracted the features of glacier surface micro-topography (blue ice, crevasses, ice doline and melt-water). It’s noteworthy that traces of melt-water and a large ice doline appeared on the surface of Dalk Glacier in December 2018. Finally, we concluded that surface micro-topographic features, observable in the UAV-derived models but unavailable on satellite images, may reveal hints for interactions between surface and beneath processes in regional polar glacier.
APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING AND GOOGLE EARTH ENGINE FOR MONITORING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN THE NILGIRI BIOSPHERE RESERVE AND ITS ECOSYSTEM OF WESTERN GHATS, INDIA
Authors: Abdul Rahaman S. , Venkatesh R.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Biosphere Reserves are archetypal parts of natural and cultural landscapes encompassing over large area of different ecosystem, it represents bio-geographic zones of an region. Globally, the areas of biosphere reserve is shrinking and exploiting due to the extreme climatic condition, natural calamities and anthropogenic activities, which leads to environmental and land degradation. In this paper Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBSR) area has been selected and it represents a biodiversity-rich ecosystem in the Western Ghats and includes two of the ten biogeographical provinces of India. Amongst the most insubstantial ecosystems in the world, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is bearing the substance of climate change evident in increasingly unpredictable rainfall and higher temperatures during recent years. The region was mostly unscathed till two centuries ago, but has witnessed large-scale destruction ever since. In this scenario, a need of application of remote sensing and advance machine learning techniques to monitor environmental degradation and its ecosystem in NBSR is more essential. The objective of the present study is to develop satellite image classification techniques that can reliably to map forest cover and land use, and provide the basis for long-term monitoring. Advanced image classification techniques on the cloud-based platform Google Earth Engine (GEE) for mapping vegetation and land use types, and analyse their spatial distributions. To restore degraded ecosystems to their natural conditions through proper management and conservation practices. In order to understand the nature of environmental degradation and its ecosystem in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; following thematic criteria’s were grouped in to four major indicators such as Terrain Indicator (TI), Environmental Indicator (EI), Hydro-Meteorological Indicator (HMI) and Socio-Economic Indicator (SEI). The utilisation of remote sensing product of huge datasets and various data product in analysis and advanced machine learning algorithm through Google earth engine are indispensable. After extraction of all the thematic layers by using multi criteria decision and fuzzy linear member based weight and ranks were assigned and overlay in GIS environment at a common pixel size of 30 m. Based on the analysis the resultant layer has been classified into five environmental degraded classes i.e., very high, high, moderate, slight and no degradation. This study is help to identify the degradation and long term monitoring and suggest the appropriate conservation, management and policies, it is a time to implement and protect the Nilgiri biosphere reserves without hindering present stage of natural environment in a sustainable manner.
APPLICATION OF 3D TREE MODELING USING POINT CLOUD DATA BY TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNER
Authors: Kumazaki R. , Kunii Y.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Constructing 3D models for trees such as those found in Japanese gardens, in which many species exist, requires the generation of tree shapes that combine the characteristics of the tree's species and natural diversity. Therefore, this study proposes a method for constructing a 3D tree model with highly-accurate tree shape reproducibility from tree point cloud data acquired by TLS. As a method, we attempted to construct a 3D tree model using the TreeQSM, which is open source for TLS-QSM method. However, in TreeQSM, since processing is based on the assumption that the tree point cloud consists of data related to trunks and branches, measuring trees in which leaves have fallen is recommended. To solve this problem, we proposed an efficient classification process that mainly uses thresholds for deviation and reflectance, which are the adjunct data of the object that can be acquired by laser measurement. Furthermore, to verify accuracy of the model, position coordinates from the constructed 3D tree model were extracted. The extracted coordinates were compared with the those of the tree point cloud data to clarify the extent to which the 3D tree model was constructed from the tree point cloud data. As a result, the 3D tree model was constructed within the standard deviation of 0.016 m from the tree point cloud data. Therefore, the reproducibility of the tree shape by the TLS-QSM method was also effective in terms of accuracy.
A first estimation of the contraction related to vertical axis rotation: the case of the Ibero-Armorican Arc formation
Authors: Casas Josep Maria , Guimerà Joan , Alvarez-Marron Joaquina , Días da Silva Ícaro
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Different models have been proposed to explain the formation of the Ibero-Armorican Arc, which require significant vertical axis rotations, at the end of the Variscan orogeny. Estimates of the amount of contraction (horizontal shortening) needed for these rotations range from 54 % to 91 % perpendicularly to the arc. These estimates are compared with coeval deformational structures developed in two areas of the orogen, one in the autochthonous hinterland underlying the Galicia-Trás-os-Montes Zone in the southern branch of the arc, and the other in the Cantabrian Zone foreland in the core of the arc. From this analysis it follows that the late Variscan deformation together with the subsequent Alpine contraction is not sufficient to explain the formation of the Ibero-Armorican Arc as a secondary structure by means of vertical axis rotations. Our analysis suggests this arc is mainly a primary, or non-rotational curve, slightly modified by ca. 10 % of superposed contraction during late Carboniferous and/or Alpine times. Moreover, we propose that the assumptions underlying the interpreted geometry of the arc be re-evaluated, and we discuss the role of late-Variscan regional strike-slip faults in the Iberian and in the Armorican massifs that probably acted consecutively before and during the contraction of the arc.
Response to “Moving from collaboration to critical dialogue in action in education” by Matusov & Pease-Alverez, 2020
Authors: Middleton Ray Paul
Published: August 2020

Here I reflect and respond to the article on Critical Dialogue in Action: “Moving from collaboration to critical dialogue in action in education” by Matusov and Pease-Alvarez, 2020
Yarrow oil ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice model via regulating the NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways
Authors: Mohamed Maged E. , Elsayed Sahar A. , Madkor Hafez R. , Eldien Heba M. Saad , Mohafez Omar M.
Published: August 2020

Background/Aims: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with indefinite etiology; however, environmental, genetic, immune factors and microbial agents could be implicated in its pathogenesis. UC treatment is lifelong, therefore; the potential side effects and cost of the therapy are significant. Yarrow is a promising medicinal plant with the ability to treat many disorders, owing to its bioactive compounds especially the essential oil. The main aim of this research was to investigate the therapeutic effect of the yarrow oil on colitis including the involved mechanism of action.Methods: In 21-female C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups; control group, colitis model group, and oil-treated group. Groups 2 and 3 received 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 9 days, and concomitantly, only group 3 was given 100 mg/kg yarrow oil. Mice were examined for their body weight, stool consistency and bleeding, and the disease activity indexes were calculated.Results: Oral administration of yarrow oil markedly repressed the severity of UC via the reduction of the inflammatory signs and restoring colon length. The oil was able to down-regulate nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), up-regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and enhance transforming growth factor-β expression. The oil normalized the tumor necrosis factor-α expression, restored the normal serum level of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and reduced the serum level of IL-6.Conclusions: Yarrow oil mitigated UC symptoms and regulated the inflammatory cytokines secretion via regulation of NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways in the mice model, however, this recommendation requires further investigations using clinical studies to confirm the use of the oil on humans.
The NP vs. DP debate. Why previous arguments are inconclusive and what a good argument could look like. Evidence from agreement with hybrid nouns
Authors: Salzmann Martin
Published: August 2020

The DP-hypothesis as proposed in Abney (1987) is nowadays generally taken for granted in formal syntactic work. In this paper I will show that a surprising number of arguments that have been provided in the literature are not conclusive. Many rest on purely theory-internal premises and thus lose their force given the developments within syntactic theory over the last decades. Others are largely based on presumed parallelisms between the noun phrase and the clause. In practically all cases a reasonable reanalysis within the NP-hypothesis is possible. Similarly, I will show that the few arguments in favor of the NP-hypothesis that there can be found are also inconclusive. Instead I will establish solid criteria for headedness and explore their implications for the NP vs. DP debate. I will show that the fact that the features of the head are present on the maximal projection makes testable predictions when the noun interacts with noun phrase external heads. I will first show that data from selection favor the DP-hypothesis (contrary to previous claims) since one needs to be able to syntactically select both DPs and bare nouns/NPs. Second, I will present a new argument in favor of the DP-hypothesis based on data from hybrid agreement in Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian. The phenomenon crucially requires D-elements to be closer to agreement targets outside the noun phrase than the noun itself. This follows if DP dominates NP but not vice versa.
Avaliação Psicológica: Definição de aspectos psicométricos segundo alunos de graduação em psicologia
Authors: Bonfá-Araujo Bruno , Farias Eliana Santos de , Miranda Janaina Chnaider
Published: August 2020

O conhecimento da Avaliação Psicológica (AP) é uma importante ferramenta a qualquer profissional de psicologia, este é acumulado durante a graduação. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar o conhecimento da Avaliação Psicológica em alunos do curso de Psicologia, através de dois instrumentos, um com perguntas abertas e o Questionário de Competências para Avaliação Psicológica (QCAP). Participaram 150 estudantes universitários, 79,3% se declarou do gênero feminino. Foram utilizados um questionário de identificação, as Questões sobre o conhecimento de Avaliação Psicológica e o QCAP. Os resultados indicaram que conceitos essenciais ainda são mal compreendidos, como aspectos psicométricos e a função do SATEPSI, constatando uma falta de conhecimento teórico-prático no que diz respeito ao processo de Avaliação Psicológica. Deste modo, é necessário pensar criticamente a grade de disciplinas dos cursos, estratégias e recursos de ensino que possam melhorar a formação e atuação em território nacional.
Relação entre sentido de vida e espiritualidade na América Latina: uma revisão integrativa da literatura
Authors: Da Silva Andreia Barbosa , Guerra Valeschka Martins , Pirola Gustavo Pfister , Galvão Jussara Abilio , Zanotelli Lilian Gazzoli
Published: August 2020

Este estudo visa investigar a produção científica em Psicologia acerca da relação entre sentido de vida e espiritualidade, no contexto da América Latina. Realizou-se uma busca por artigos científicos publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais, indexados nas plataformas eletrônicas DOAJ, SciELO e Redalyc, os quais contivessem os termos “sentido de vida” e “espiritualidade” ou “religiosidade”, em espanhol, inglês e português, publicados de 2007 a 2017. Foram excluídos artigos cujo texto completo não foi disponibilizado; que não apresentaram os descritores em qualquer parte do texto; e títulos duplicados. Os dados dos artigos selecionados foram registrados em planilha eletrônica, sendo submetidos a análises descritivas. Das referências recuperadas nas bases eletrônicas (N=3.009), apenas 19 artigos mostraram-se pertinentes ao estudo proposto. Os resultados apontaram que existe um baixo número de publicações correlacionando os construtos na Psicologia, indicando um campo de investigação a ser explorado, principalmente em relação a produção de pesquisas teóricas, adaptação e validação de instrumentos psicométricos para mensuração do construto espiritualidade.
Intenção Empreendedora: Análise da Influência do Perfil Empreendedor e dos Valores Relativos Ao Trabalho
Authors: Veiga Heila Magali da Silva , Cortez Pedro Afonso , Miranda Bruner De Morais , Castro Junior Artur Ferreira
Published: August 2020

O objetivo geral do estudo foi analisar a influência do PE (Perfil Empreendedor) e dos Valores Relativos ao Trabalho (VRT) na Intenção Empreendedora (IE). Foi utilizada uma amostra de conveniência composta por 323 estudantes de uma universidade pública. Foram selecionadas escalas com evidências de validade, sendo IE (unifatorial), PE (oportunidade, persistência, eficiência, informações, planejamento, metas, controle, persuasão e rede, e VRT (autodeterminação, segurança, realização, universalismo, poder e conformidade). A média obtida pelos participantes em IE foi o ponto médio da escala (média=5,48; dp=2,61), e em todas as dimensões de PE a média obtida foi superior ao ponto médio da escala, sendo maiores para informações (média=8,36;dp=1,10) e eficiência (média=8,26;dp=1,63). Para VRT, as maiores médias foram em segurança (média=4,66; dp=0,65) e realização (média=4,64; dp=0,64). A análise de regressão múltipla mostrou que os antecedentes PE e VRT explicaram 20% da variância de IE, sendo a contribuição única oriunda das dimensões Oportunidade (β= 0,30; p= 0,000), Metas (β= 0,14; p< 0,05), Autodeterminação (β= 0,32; p< 0,05) e Poder (β= 0,17; p< 0,05), o que indica a importância desses antecedentes na predição da IE.
Desafios no/do percurso metodológico de mulheres pesquisadoras: Reflexões
Authors: Santiago Eneida
Published: August 2020

Este artigo problematiza especificidades da pesquisa científica realizada por mulheres. Em aproximações etnográficas, discutimos a noção de gênero e recolhemos perspectivas metodológicas que denunciam a neutralidade científica como engodo reforçador de uma ciência masculina. Posteriormente, olhamos os desafios de ser pesquisadora em contextos de predomínio masculino, tais como o contexto prisional, cenário ilustrativo e fomentador de nossos questionamentos, que são colocados em diálogos com a literatura que traz situações em que o desafio da pesquisa ampliou-se ou transformou-se por ser uma pesquisadora em campo e não um pesquisador. Na sequência, no âmbito da produção de conhecimento, colocamos em destaque como questões de gênero podem atravessar relações e processos acadêmicos. Por fim, assumimos como principal consideração deste texto a questão “se não existe uma vida sem gênero, por que deveria haver uma ciência sem gênero?”, tornando-se evidente a carência de fundamentos epistemológicos, metodológicos e acadêmicos que promovam a subversão da ideia de uma pesquisa neutra.
Protection and regeneration of esophageal, pharyngeal, and laryngeal mucosa as a major element in therapy of patients with esophageal and extraesophageal reflux symptoms
Authors: Gąsiorowska Anita
Published: August 2020

Treatment of esophageal and extraesophageal reflux syndromes is mainly focused on inhibiting the secretion of hydrochloric acid. In spite of the high efficacy of proton pump inhibitors, approx. 30–60% of GERD patients experience daily symptoms. Beside acid reflux, other factors such as abnormal esophageal peristalsis, visceral hypersensitivity, ineffective esophageal clearance mechanisms, and impaired mucosal barrier also play an important role in generating GERD symptoms. An additional therapeutic proposition is a procedure aimed at improving the defense mechanisms of esophageal mucosa rather than inhibiting the damage-inducing factors. The preparation consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate (SC) and poloxamer 407 protects against harmful factors (hydrochloric acid, pepsin) and accelerates mucosal healing and regeneration, constituting a substantial element of monotherapy or add-on therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Development of chitosan-catechol conjugates as mucoadhesive polymer: assessment of acute oral toxicity in mice
Authors: Kaur Loveleen , Raj Ritu , Thakur Ajay Kumar , Singh Inderbir
Published: August 2020

Development of modified polymers is the focused area of research for developing stable, effective, sustainable and economical polymeric materials for developing different drug delivery systems. Modification of chitosan by catechol functionalization is useful for developing chitosan derivative with the improved mucoadhesive property. Present study was designed to perform single dose acute oral toxicity on chitosan-catechol conjugates in Swiss albino mice as per international guidelines. Oral administration of modified chitosan did not exhibit any significant change in body weight, behavioural pattern, haematology, food intake and clinical symptoms in the experimental animals. In the histopathological study, no pathological changes were observed in the vital organs of mice when administered perorally with 300 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg body-weight doses of chitosan-catechol polymeric conjugates. Overall, it was concluded from the acute oral toxicity study that the oral administration of chitosan-catechol conjugates in mice did not produce any toxicity. Hence, chitosan-catechol conjugates could be designated and recommended as safe polymeric material for developing different drug delivery systems.
Recomendações para a Atenção Domiciliar em período de pandemia por COVID-19
Authors: Savassi Leonardo Cançado Monteiro , Reis Gustavo Valadares Labanca , Dias Mariana Borges , Vilela Lidiane de Oliveira , Ribeiro Marco Túlio Aguiar Mourão , Zachi Mara Lúcia Renostro , Nunes Mônica Regina Prado de Toledo Macedo
Published: August 2020

A pandemia da COVID-19 trouxe como uma de suas consequências a necessidade de reorganização dos sistemas de saúde. A Atenção Domiciliar (AD) se apresenta como opção para: interromper a transmissão; identificação precoce e cuidado de pacientes infectados; possibilidade de alta precoce e continuidade do cuidado fora do hospital; além da orientação aos familiares. Este artigo apresenta as possibilidades de cuidados no domicílio pelas equipes de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) e de AD e os cuidados necessários que estas equipes devem ter ao realizar seu trabalho.  É necessário manter pessoas seguras em casa, evitar a exposição ao risco, manter o papel de vigilância e cuidado das que dependem da AD, e as equipes devem reorganizar o processo de trabalho para um cuidado domiciliar efetivo. Na APS o cuidado remoto parece ser uma alternativa viável pelos agentes de saúde para o monitoramento, orientação e seguimento dos pacientes, deixando a visita domiciliar com a equipe para aqueles casos indicados. AD na suspeita ou confirmação da COVID-19 é possível, desde que a equipe esteja treinada, disponha de todos os Equipamentos de Proteção Individuais (EPI) necessários e o ambiente domiciliar compatível. Deve-se garantir continuidade do cuidado para pessoas com doenças crônicas durante a pandemia necessitam, sendo possível equacionar ferramentas da telemedicina e cuidado presencial caso a caso. Para os pacientes que foram hospitalizados e evoluíram satisfatoriamente é possível avaliar a continuidade do cuidado no domicílio sob acompanhamento da APS e AD. Devem ser instituídas medidas de precauções para a equipe e pacientes, garantindo que todos os profissionais sejam capacitados para uso de EPI, além de orientações para prevenção da transmissão de agentes infecciosos no domicílio. AD é essencial para acesso a pessoas com condições agudas, descompensação de doenças crônicas, tendo o desafio da organização do serviço utilizando a telessaúde e cuidados domiciliares de forma racional.
Effect of dietary supplementation of Sargassum meal on laying performance and egg quality of Leghorn layers
Authors: Fan Geng-Jen , Shih Bor-Ling , Lin Hui-Chiu , Lee Tzu Tai , Lee Churng-Faung , Lin Yih-Fwu
Published: August 2020

Objective: Seaweeds could be an alternative and functional feed resource. The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Sargassum meal on laying performance and egg quality of layers.Methods: Two hundred 36-wk-old layers were divided into five treatment groups. Each treatment had four replicates with 10 hens per experimental unit. The corn-soybean meal basal diet was formulated as control group. Sargassum meals were included 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, or 5% to diets for five treatment groups, respectively. Treatment groups were isocaloric-isonitrogenous diets. Laying performance and egg quality were measured for eight weeks.Results: Sargassum meal supplementation did not affect daily feed intake. Supplementation 1% to 3% of Sargassum meal in diets increased daily laying rate and egg mass compared with those from control group (p<0.05). Egg qualities among five groups were all similar. Supplementation of 3% Sargassum meal increased the lightness of egg yolk (p<0.05). Eggs produced from layers fed 1% and 2% Sargassum meal had a higher consumer’s acceptability than the control group (p<0.05). In blood characteristics, contents of glucose, nitrogen, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) increased as the increase of supplementation ratio of Sargassum meal (p<0.05). In serum antibody titers, supplementation of 2% Sargassum meal stimulated a higher immunoglobulin M (IgM) level than that from control group (p<0.05). However, IgM content of layers fed diets with Sargassum meal ≥3% were decreased (p<0.05). There was no difference in IgA and IgG titers among groups.Conclusion: Supplementation of 1% to 3% Sargassum meal has shown to increase egg laying rate and egg mass of Leghorn layers. However, high supplementation (5%) would negatively affect laying performance. In consideration of laying performance, egg quality, consumer responses, and blood antibody, supplementation of Sargassum meal was suggested 2% in the diet for layers.
Solution Methods of Large Complex-Valued Nonlinear System of Equations
Authors: Pires Robson
Published: August 2020

Nonlinear systems of equations in complex plane are frequently encountered in applied mathematics, e.g., power systems, signal processing, control theory, neural networks, and biomedicine, to name a few. The solution of these problems often requires a first- or second-order approximation of nonlinear functions to generate a new step or descent direction to meet the solution iteratively. However, such methods cannot be applied to functions of complex and complex conjugate variables because they are necessarily nonanalytic. To overcome this problem, the Wirtinger calculus allows an expansion of nonlinear functions in its original complex and complex conjugate variables once they are analytic in their argument as a whole. Thus, the goal is to apply this methodology for solving nonlinear systems of equations emerged from applications in the industry. For instances, the complex-valued Jacobian matrix emerged from the power flow analysis model which is solved by Newton-Raphson method can be exactly determined. Similarly, overdetermined Jacobian matrices can be dealt, e.g., through the Gauss-Newton method in complex plane aimed to solve power system state estimation problems. Finally, the factorization method of the aforementioned Jacobian matrices is addressed through the fast Givens transformation algorithm which means the square root-free Givens rotations method in complex plane.
Benefits and Constraints of Parent Involvement in Children’s Reading Promotion: General Research Trends and Evidence from a Swiss Paired Reading Intervention Study
Authors: Villiger Caroline
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on the benefits and constraints of parent involvement in children’s reading promotion. The first part reviews the existing literature about the effectiveness of parent involvement in reading programs and identifies general trends of research findings. Given the fact that empirical evidence about the effectiveness of reading programs with parents is rather vague, usually lacking information about implementation fidelity, some explorative investigations about factors that might explain training success are presented in the second part. The investigations are based on data from a Swiss Paired Reading study where implementation fidelity was exhaustively examined. Children with very big gain (n = 20) and very little gain (n = 17) in reading fluency were compared regarding diverse aspects: child characteristics, parent characteristics (family background), and implementation factors. Results reveal that children benefiting from the reading program attached higher importance to reading in general, they read more in spare time and they reported higher effort during the training. The number of books at home also revealed to be a determinant factor. Yet, implementation factors gave no reason for explaining differences in improvement. The study discusses beneficial circumstances of parent involvement in reading programs.
Differentiation of the Forest Structure as the Mitigation Action of Adverse Effects of Climate Change
Authors: Szmyt Janusz
Published: August 2020

For several decades, the attention of societies has been focused on potential environmental changes due to climate change. Although climate change is not a new phenomenon, in the recent two decades, there has been a growing interest of scientists trying to determine scenarios of trends and their potential impact on forest ecosystems and forestry. Despite the uncertainties of climate change and the response of forest ecosystem to change, the forest management must deal with these uncertainties. There is no single prescription on how to manage forest resources under climate change in order to fulfill all demands from society. Various strategies in forest management are developed to counteract the adverse effects of climate change on forests and forestry. The future forest management should implement the following three main strategies: create forests which are resistant to change, promote their greater resilience to change, and enable forests to respond to change. It is expected that the more the structured forest, the higher the adaptive capacity is expected. Experiment focused on the influence of different silvicultural procedures on the structure of Scots pine in Poland is presented. Achieved results indicated that the process of stand structure conversion is a long-term process and different structural elements can be modified to different extents.
Endogenous Retroelements in Cancer: Molecular Roles and Clinical Approach
Authors: Lee Kang-Hoon , Cho Je-Yoel
Published: August 2020

Retroelements have been considered as “Junk” DNA although the encyclopedia of DNA elements (ENCODE) project has demonstrated that most of the genome is functional. Since the contribution of LINE1 (L1) and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) has been suspected to cause human cancers, their regulations and putative molecular functions have been investigated in diverse types of cancer. Their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potentials have been incessantly proposed using cancer associated or specific properties, such as hypomethylation, increased transcripts, and reverse transcriptase, as well as cancer-associated antigens. This chapter presents the current knowledge on retroelements in various aspects during tumorigenesis and their clinical usage in many cancer studies.
BAC Photobleaching in Bismuth-Doped and Bismuth/Erbium Co-Doped Optical Fibers
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Ding Mingjie , Wei Shuen , Yan Binbin , Peng Gang-Ding , Luo Yanhua , Wen Jianxiang
Published: August 2020

Bismuth-doped optical fiber (BDF) and bismuth/erbium co-doped optical fiber (BEDF) have attracted much attention due to their ultra-broadband luminescence in the near-infrared (NIR) region. The photobleaching effect on bismuth active centers (BACs) related to the NIR luminescence has been systematically investigated and summarized, in terms of irradiation intensity, irradiation wavelength, and temperature. All these findings not only give the deep insights into the fundamental structure of BACs but also provide an effective way to control the BACs. They play an important role for the development of BDF- and BEDF-based devices with high performance and stability under laser exposure in future.
A Comprehensive Method of Ion Exchange Resins Regeneration and Its Optimization for Water Treatment
Authors: Al-Asheh Sameer , Aidan Ahmad
Published: August 2020

Ion exchange membranes, specifically resin technology, lie at the heart of electrolytically conductive systems used in the treatment of wastewater. This chapter deals with ion exchange deionization and the effect of resin amount as well as the concentration of acid and base on the product conductivity. The strong acidic cation polymeric exchanger resin is commercially called MERCK 104765 cation exchanger IV with capacity greater than 3.2 mmol/ml, while the strong basic anion polymeric exchanger resin is commercially called MERCK 104767 anion exchanger III with capacities greater than 1.0 mmol/ml. Water conductivity, as an indicator of regeneration efficiency, was monitored over time at the different conditions and scenario. In general, it was observed that the conductivity decreases with time until one point is reached and then starts to increase as a result of resin saturation. It was also noticed that the lowest conductivity is achieved when using 1-vol% NaOH and 5-vol% HCl in the cathodic and anodic resin tubes, respectively, and that water conductivity increases with the increase in the amount of water being used. The amount of resin significantly impacts the deionization efficiency; more ions are removed as the amount of resin increases.
From Promising Agent to Suspicious Francophile
Authors: Sikora Mirosław ,   Zeta Books
Published: August 2020

This paper examines how the Polish communist intelligence service attempted to recruit professor Stefan Węgrzyn, who was a prominent specialist on automatic control and computer science in post-war Poland. Eventually, Węgrzyn’s refusal to cooperate with the Polish spy agency, together with his profound relationship with French scientist and servomechanism expert Jean Charles Gille, made them both targets of surveillance orchestrated by the communist security apparatus.In the broader context of human-intelligence studies, this case study involves the problem of moral ambiguity. We experience informative examples of scientists, who often – not only during the Cold War – have had to choose between commitment to the rules of the academic world, along with its openness and transparency on the one hand, and patriotism including an ethos of secrecy for the sake of the homeland’s prosperity, on the other hand.
Academic Migration and Cultural Diplomacy During the Cold War
Authors: Nastasă-Matei Irina ,   Zeta Books
Published: August 2020

Romania was the first country in the Eastern bloc to initiate diplo­matic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany. On January 31, 1967, the Embassy of the FRG was opened in Bucharest, Romania. In this context, which marked the intensification of the cultural exchange between the two countries, with special attention paid to the exchange of students and researchers, in this article I aim to tackle the situation of the Humboldt fellows from Romania during 1965-1989, as agents of knowledge transfer and actors of soft-power strategies between the two blocks.
The Spectrum of Histopathologic Findings in Lungs of Patients With Fatal Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection
Authors: Roden Anja C. , Bois Melanie C. , Johnson Tucker F. , Aubry Marie Christine , Alexander Mariam P. , Hagen Catherine E. , Lin Peter T. , Quinton Reade A. , Maleszewski Joseph J. , Boland Jennifer M.
Published: August 2020

Context.—

Respiratory failure appears to be the ultimate mechanism of death in most patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Studies of postmortem COVID-19 lungs largely report diffuse alveolar damage and capillary fibrin thrombi, but we have also observed other patterns.

Objective.—

To report demographic and radiographic features along with macroscopic, microscopic, and microbiologic postmortem lung findings in patients with COVID-19 infections.

Design.—

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and postmortem examination (March 2020–May 2020) were included. Clinical findings were abstracted from medical records. Lungs were microscopically reviewed independently by 4 thoracic pathologists. Imaging studies were reviewed by a thoracic radiologist.

Results.—

Eight patients (7 men, 87.5%; median age, 79 years; range, 69–96 years) died within a median of 17 days (range, 6–100 days) from onset of symptoms. The median lung weight was 1220 g (range, 960–1760 g); consolidations were found in 5 patients (62.5%) and gross thromboemboli were noted in 1 patient (12.5%). Histologically, all patients had acute bronchopneumonia; 6 patients (75%) also had diffuse alveolar damage. Two patients (25%) had aspiration pneumonia in addition. Thromboemboli, usually scattered and rare, were identified in 5 patients (62.5%) in small vessels and in 2 of these patients also in pulmonary arteries. Four patients (50%) had perivascular chronic inflammation. Postmortem bacterial lung cultures were positive in 4 patients (50%). Imaging studies (available in 4 patients) were typical (n = 2, 50%), indeterminate (n = 1, 25%), or negative (n = 1, 25%) for COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions.—

Our study shows that patients infected with COVID-19 not only have diffuse alveolar damage but also commonly have acute bronchopneumonia and aspiration pneumonia. These findings are important for management of these patients.
Changes in Family Life and Relationships during the COVID-19 Pandemic and their Associations with Perceived Stress
Authors: Chin Meejung , Sung Miai , Son Seohee , Yoo Jaeeon , Lee Jaerim , Chang Young Eun
Published: August 2020

This study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed family life and relationships as well as how these changes affect perceived stress among married men and women. This study investigated changes in family time use, household work, child care, leisure activities, income and expenditures along with relationships between spouses and children using a sample of 627 married persons surveyed online from May 19 to 25, 2020. The results showed that the amount of time spent on household work, child care, and family leisure have increased and that the perceived burden of household work and child care has also increased. Gender differences were found in time use, household work, and child care. Leisure activities have changed toward more time watching TV or online media and playing online games and less time on outdoor activities, shopping, and meeting friends. About 38% of respondents reported a reduction in household income and 22% reported an increase in household debt. The majority experienced no change in the quality of relationships with spouses and children, approximately 20% of the sample reported a positive change in relationships with spouses and children. The findings of multivariate regression indicated that change in work time, negative change in household economy, negative change in household work and negative change in relationships with spouses were associated with marital stress. However, this study found that negative changes in child care and in relationships with children did not affect stress among married parents with children in elementary or secondary school.
Other-initiations of repair in Norwegian Sign Language
Authors: Skedsmo Kristian
Published: August 2020

During the last five decades, a substantial amount of research has been conducted into conversational repair (Schegloff, Jefferson, & Sacks, 1977), and especially other-initiation of repair (OIR). A vast part of the research has been on spoken English, without considering or having access to embodied practices. Through a series of examples, this explorative paper provides a brief overview of formats and subtypes of other-initiation of self-repair employed in Norwegian Sign Language (NTS). Special attention is given to the implicit open-class repair-initiation “freeze-look”, as identified by Manrique (2016), Manrique and Enfield (2015), and Manrique, Enfield, Levinson, Crasborn, and Floyd (2017) in Argentine Sign Language, and to the subtype of restricted repair-initiations categorized as candidate offers. The data has been extracted from a corpus of informal multi-person conversations among deaf adult co-workers, recorded at their workplaces.

The results show a high degree of overlap with formats found in spoken languages, but also highlight features that seem to be unique to signed languages and the visual mode of communication. The examples presented take the form of summaries, transcriptions, uncensored video clips, and series of stills.
O conceito de missão integral na Teologia e a responsabilidade ecológica da Igreja cristã
Authors: Farias Alana Carla Lucena
Published: August 2020

O presente artigo tem por escopo abordar a responsabilidade ecológica como uma das principais missões do meio cristão evangélico. A objetivação deste texto busca trazer um panorama geral a respeito da missão integral, tendo como um dos primeiros expoentes o encontro celebrado em Lausanne em 1974 (Lausanne I), como o realizado em 1989 (Lausanne II), onde se discute o conceito de tal missão, abordando o objetivo de Cristo não ser a salvação unicamente da alma, mas sim uma perspectiva ampliada, alcançando a integralidade humana e os vários âmbitos da sociedade, inclusive sua relação com o meio ambiente. Após a análise desses temas, tem-se a percepção prática de como as igrejas poderão efetivar esses princípios no âmbito ecológico, ampliando o ensino pela educação ambiental. O entendimento do evangelismo com intuito redentor ampliado, isto é, buscando a salvação completa da alma, corpo e relações sociais dos seres humanos, pode vir a ampliar a atuação dos cristãos na sociedade. Constatou-se por fim, devido à relação da missão integral diretamente com a agenda ecológica, as possibilidades de uma nova visão conjuntural e renovadora dos conceitos pétreos das igrejas, onde é possível a manutenção das suas convicções históricas e necessária uma postura inovadora ao tratar de problemas sociais.
Pressupostos para uma ecologia integral à luz de Hildegarda de Bingen
Authors: Silva Dirce Gomes
Published: August 2020

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar pressupostos para uma ecologia integral, tendo por base a teologia da criação e ecologia, vivenciada de forma holística na vida de Hildegarda de Bingen no qual desperta para o contexto atual, a saber, Amazônia: novos caminhos para a Igreja e para uma ecologia integral. Assim sendo o legado deixado por Hildegarda, aponta para a humanidade contemporânea, o respeito, valor e dignidade da vida do ser humano enquanto criatura do criador. Para os tempos atuais, a teologia hildegardiana, com sua audácia, profecia, mística, vivência holística e integral ecológica, indica, que o ser humano, para honrar a Deus, é necessário primeiramente viver uma interação com o seu meio ambiente, em sua potencialidade, enquanto alma, mente e corpo tornando parte integrante de um cosmo. Dotada de um carisma excepcional, por tudo que envolve a obra criadora de Deus, ela busca amar e valorizar toda a natureza enquanto obra do criador atingindo assim a mais elevada teologia da criação e contemplação mística.
A compreensão e a prática da misericórdia em diferentes religiões
Authors: Matiello Suzana Terezinha , Padilha Tarcisio
Published: August 2020

Papa Francisco, em ocasião da proclamação do Jubileu Extraordinário da Misericórdia, na bula Misericordiae vultus, declara que a “misericórdia possui uma valência que ultrapassa as fronteiras da Igreja” (23). Essas palavras motivaram a preparação deste artigo, que visa refletir sobre a compreensão e a prática da misericórdia em diferentes religiões, por meio de revisão da literatura e do discurso de conferencistas de um evento inter-religioso de 2016. Para tanto, este divide-se em duas partes: a primeira, contempla a perspectiva monoteísta de judeus, cristãos e islâmicos; a segunda, expõe o ponto de vista do budismo. Observa-se que as religiões analisadas têm grandes pontos de convergências na interpretação do conceito misericórdia e de sua prática, mesmo que em alguns detalhes apresentam singularidades. Também se percebe que as religiões interessadas em discutir temas afins tendem ao exercício da misericórdia no respeito, na estima e na colaboração com os seguidores das demais religiões. Por fim, constata-se como necessário fazer crescer uma cultura de misericórdia, como convida papa Francisco (20).
Os intelectuais católicos nos primórdios do século XX no Brasil
Authors: Batista Eraldo Leme
Published: August 2020

Sem a intenção de desmerecer a participação de intelectuais não religiosos no processo de renovação da educação brasileira, este artigo dedica-se ao esforço de pensadores e líderes católicos, em especial de Jackson de Figueiredo e de Alceu Amoroso Lima, no sentido de inserir a doutrina católica nos espaços de poder, nomeadamente a educação, e de recuperar o espaço na vida política, perdido em 1891 após a separação entre religião e Estado determinada pela consituição daquele ano. Em embate direto com os escolanovistas, que pregavam a educação universal, pública, gratuita e laica, os intelectuais católicos demonstraram capacidade de articulação e de ação política coordenada, o que levou a que obtivessem importantes conquistas durante a década de 1930, especialmente na área educacional. A ação desses intelectuais, e seu embate com outros setores da sociedade, tornou evidente a existência de uma disputa pela hegemonia, disputa que provocou fissuras e rompimentos entre as esferas públicas com poderes para decidir sobre os rumos do país. As análises aqui apresentadas suportam-se nos escritos do filósofo italiano Antonio Gramsci.
O sínodo para a Amazônia: entre conveniência pastoral e audácia socioecológica
Authors: Suess Paulo
Published: August 2020

O macro bioma Pan-Amazônia exige cooperação, solidariedade e justiça mundial. Essa é a causa proposta pela encíclica Laudato si’ e o sínodo para a Amazônia. Na avaliação desse sínodo, que se realizou entre os dias 6 e 27 de outubro de 2019 em Roma, dois documentos são particularmente importantes: o Documento final (DSA) com as conclusões da assembleia sinodal, e a exortação apostólica pós-sinodal Querida Amazônia (QA) do papa Francisco. Ambos os documentos precisam ser articulados entre si, embora o texto dos padres sinodais tenha somente um valor consultivo. A exortação Querida Amazônia, em seus três primeiros capítulos, mostra uma ressonância profética do sínodo, colocando a encíclica Laudato si’ no contexto da Amazônia. No entanto, decisões internas da Igreja católica que poderiam, na quarta parte do texto, fortalecer essa contextualização e sua bandeira ecológica e sociocultural, por meio de uma presença ministerial mais adequada, aguardam não só a luz verde do papa, mas sobretudo a reivindicação regional corajosa da voz do povo de Deus e dos pastores. A esperança não é a última que morre. Ela é, como nos diz Péguy, “a filha menor de Deus”, é “como um rio inesgotável” – como o rio-mar Amazonas.
Sínodo da Amazônia: o olhar da Igreja sobre o drama vivido pelos povos indígenas e pela natureza
Authors: Ribeiro Antônio Lopes
Published: August 2020

Devido à consciência global sobre a sustentabilidade da vida no planeta, o olhar de muitos organismos internacionais está voltado para a floresta amazônica, a fim de lutar pela preservação de suas imensuráveis fontes hídricas e rica biodiversidade em sua fauna e flora, que juntamente com os povos indígenas que a habitam, vivem o drama de uma iminente extinção. Por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, propomos mostrar neste artigo os avanços da atuação da Igreja católica, com a realização do Sínodo da Amazônia, que com suas denúncias e propostas pastorais, se junta ao clamor mundial pela preservação da floresta amazônica e da vida dos povos indígenas.
The frequency gradient of human resting-state brain oscillations follows cortical hierarchies
Authors: Mahjoory Keyvan , Schoffelen Jan-Mathijs , Keitel Anne , Gross Joachim
Published: August 2020

The human cortex is characterized by local morphological features such as cortical thickness, myelin content, and gene expression that change along the posterior-anterior axis. We investigated if some of these structural gradients are associated with a similar gradient in a prominent feature of brain activity - namely the frequency of oscillations. In resting-state MEG recordings from healthy participants (N = 187) using mixed effect models, we found that the dominant peak frequency in a brain area decreases significantly along the posterior-anterior axis following the global hierarchy from early sensory to higher order areas. This spatial gradient of peak frequency was significantly anticorrelated with that of cortical thickness, representing a proxy of the cortical hierarchical level. This result indicates that the dominant frequency changes systematically and globally along the spatial and hierarchical gradients and establishes a new structure-function relationship pertaining to brain oscillations as a core organization that may underlie hierarchical specialization in the brain.
Learning prediction error neurons in a canonical interneuron circuit
Authors: Hertäg Loreen , Sprekeler Henning
Published: August 2020

Sensory systems constantly compare external sensory information with internally generated predictions. While neural hallmarks of prediction errors have been found throughout the brain, the circuit-level mechanisms that underlie their computation are still largely unknown. Here, we show that a well-orchestrated interplay of three interneuron types shapes the development and refinement of negative prediction-error neurons in a computational model of mouse primary visual cortex. By balancing excitation and inhibition in multiple pathways, experience-dependent inhibitory plasticity can generate different variants of prediction-error circuits, which can be distinguished by simulated optogenetic experiments. The experience-dependence of the model circuit is consistent with that of negative prediction-error circuits in layer 2/3 of mouse primary visual cortex. Our model makes a range of testable predictions that may shed light on the circuitry underlying the neural computation of prediction errors.