bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telemedicine implementation on a bariatric outpatient clinic during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: an unexpected hill-start.
Authors: F.A Matteo Runfola M.D. , Fantola Giovanni , Pintus Stefano , Iafrancesco Mauro , Moroni Roberto
Published: May 2020

Background SARS-CoV2 outbreak has challenged NHS of many countries. Generalized restriction of movement, together with the unprecedented pressure on the Health System, disrupted routine care for non-COVID-19 patients. Telemedicine has been promoted to reduce the risk of infections and to offer medical assistance to the restricted population. This paper is aimed to evaluate the impact of tele-consulting technology in a single bariatric surgical center.Study DesignOur outpatient clinic reorganized the service from on-site to long-distance video-consultations. All patients received a multiple-choice satisfaction questionnaire. The main goals were to evaluate patient compliance to the video consultations and to assess patient satisfaction. ResultsThe preliminary results show a drop-out rate of 42.4%. No significant differences were found between participants and non-participants in terms of age and gender ratio. Urban area residents were 57.9% in Participants group versus 42.8% in Non-participants group. Slightly more than half of participants (52.6%) completed the survey reporting levels of satisfaction between high and very high. ConclusionTelemedicine has been advocated as a useful tool to relieve pressure on the overwhelmed Health Systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, e-health technologies are not yet widely adopted. Our initial experience, also compared with national data relating to the digital divide, suggests that the absence of basic computer skills and the lack of confidence with video-call systems may be patient-specific barriers for the implementation of telemedicine. In this context, telemedicine implementation can run up against various patient-related barriers and several challenges remain for e-health to be integrated into outpatient practice
Shortlisting Phytochemicals Exhibiting Inhibitory Activity against Major Proteins of SARS-CoV-2 through Virtual Screening
Authors: Nallusamy Saranya , Mannu Jayakanthan , Ravikumar Caroline , Angamuthu Kandavelmani , Nathan Bharathi , Nachimuthu Kumaravadivel , Ramasamy Gnanam , Muthurajan Raveendran , Subbarayalu Mohankumar , Neelakandan Kumar
Published: May 2020

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) declared as a pandemic by WHO that has affected more than 40 lakh peoples and caused death of more than 2 lakh individuals across the globe. Limited availability of genomic information of SARS-CoV-2 and non-availability of vaccines and effective drugs are major problems responsible for the ineffective control and management of this pandemic. Several attempts have been made to explore repurposing existing drugs known for their anti-viral activities, and test the traditional herbal medicines known for their health benefiting and immune boosting activity against SARS-CoV-2.In this study, efforts were made to examine the potential of 721 phytochemicals of 37 plant species in inhibiting major protein targets namely, spike glycoprotein, main protease (MPro), NSP3, NSP9, NSP15, NSP10-NSP16 and RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 through virtual screening approach. Results of our experiments revealed that SARS-CoV-2 MPro shared significant dissimilarities against SARS-CoVMPro and MERS-CoVMPro indicating the need for discovering novel drugs. This study has identified the phytochemical cyanin (Zingiber officinale) exhibiting broad spectrum inhibitory activity against main proteases of all the three Coronaviruses. Amentoflavone, agathisflavone, catechin-7-o-gallate and chlorogeninwere shown to exhibit multi target inhibitory activity. This study has identified Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale, Vitex negundo, Solanum nigrum, Pedalium murex, Terminalia chebula, Azadirachta indica, Cissus quadrangularis, Clerodendrum serratum and Ocimum basilicum as potential sources of phytochemicals combating nCOVID-19. More interestingly, this study has generated evidences for the anti-viral properties of the traditional herbal formulation “Kabasura kudineer” recommended by AYUSH, a unit of Government of India. Testing of short listed phytochemicals through clinical trials will help in developing effective formulation for management of this pandemic disease. Genomic analysis of identified herbal plants will help in unravelling molecular complexity of therapeutic and anti-viral properties and will pave way for designing synthetic drugs.
Feasibility of iodine-123-mIBG SPECT/CT quantification in neuroblastoma using CZT and NaI detectors
Authors: Rogasch Julian MM , Bluemel Stephanie , Grosser Oliver S. , Albers Josefine , Spreckelmeyer Sarah , Eggert Angelika , Amthauer Holger , Schatka Imke
Published: May 2020

Background

In [ 123 I]mIBG SPECT/CT for neuroblastoma, lesion uptake quantification could improve therapy monitoring. This study compared quantitative accuracy of a CZT (WEHR45) and NaI (LEHR) system (GE Discovery 670).

Methods

Volume sensitivity VS hom was estimated from a homogenous cylindrical phantom (811 ml) acquired with body contour or fixed 27 cm detector radius. Relative accuracy of VS hom to retrieve true background activity concentration (AC) in an IEC body phantom was calculated. Maximum/peak contrast recovery (CR) of the sphere inserts used VS IEC estimated from the IEC phantom. In 16 children with 37 [ 123 I]mIBG SPECT/CTs (range, 1-6 per patient; CZT, 12; NaI, 25), normal organ SUVmean (liver r/l, spleen, myocardium, blood pool, spine, muscles) were calculated using VS hom and VS IEC . Iterative reconstruction (Q.Metrix) used resolution recovery with/without scatter correction (SC) by dual energy window (DEW; 159 ± 10% and 130 ± 10% keV). In 20 exams, metabolic tumor volume (MTV)*SUVmax changes of primary tumors were correlated with changes of MRI tumor volume in serial scans (Pearson).

Results

VS hom (cts * MBq -1 * s -1 ) using SC was slightly lower for 27 cm radius vs. body contour with CZT (48 vs. 50, p<0.001) but comparable with NaI (59 vs. 61, p=0.18). Relative error in IEC phantom AC based on VS hom for CZT vs. NaI was -1.3% vs. +4.1% with SC (p=0.22). Acquisition time reduction by 50% (CZT) showed similar VS hom and relative error. CRmax/peak overestimated true AC in largest spheres (diameter, 22-37 mm) with SC and underestimated it without SC. Average SUVmean in liver and myocardium of CZT vs. NaI patients were similar. In the remaining organs (high estimated scatter proportions of >60% [CZT] or >40% [NaI]), average SUVmean differed between CZT and NaI, and coefficient of variation was significantly higher in SC vs. non-SC with CZT. MTV*SUVmax changes correlated with MRI volume changes with r=0.62 (non-SC) or r=0.59 (SC).

Conclusions

In principle, both CZT and NaI allow quantification in [ 123 I]mIBG SPECT/CT, but quantitative accuracy remains limited if using DEW for SC due to effects from source geometry (e.g. phantoms and organs) on scatter. Detector radius and acquisition time showed minor effects. MTV*SUVmax changes might be surrogate of response to therapy.
Early neuromuscular blockade for acute respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Zhang Xinchang , Liu Dekang , Ge Feifei , Xu Xiuping , Guan Xiaowei
Published: May 2020

Background

To assess the effect of neuromuscular blockade on outcomes in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome who are receiving mechanical ventilation.Methods

We searched from inception to 24 may 2019 in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL. We included randomized clinical trials comparing early neuromuscular blockade to placebo or usual care in adults with moderate to severe ARDS (PaO2/FiO2≤150mmHg). The primary outcome was 90-day and 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included oxygenation, driving pressure, incidence of barotrauma and pneumothorax, ventilator-free days at 28 days and ICU-acquired weakness by 28 days. In addition, a trial sequential analysis was performed.Results

Four trials were included with a total of 1437 patients. For the primary outcomes, there was no effect of neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) on 90-day mortality [relative risk (RR) 0.91, 95%CI 0.72-1.15, p=0.41] or 28-day mortality [RR 0.55, 95%CI 0.22-1.12, p=0.08], or ventilator-free days at 28 days [mean difference (MD) 0.86, 95%CI -0.61-2.33, p=0.25]. NMBA improved PaO2/FiO2 at 72h [MD 15.21, 95%CI 1.90-28.52, p=0.03]. NMBA reduced the incidence of barotrauma [RR 0.55, 95%CI 0.35-0.85, p=0.007] and pneumothorax [RR 0.46, 95%CI 0.28-0.76, p=0.002] and increased the driving pressure at 24 hours [MD 0.75, 95%CI 0.24-1.26, p=0.004] and 48 hours [MD 0.75, 95%CI 0.08-1.43, p=0.03]. There is no statistically significant difference in ICU-acquired weakness by 28 days [RR 1.20, 95%CI 0.72-1.98, p=0.49].Conclusions

In adults with moderate to severe ARDS treated with early neuromuscular blockade, oxygenation increase, incidence of barotrauma and pneumothorax are reduced, ICU-acquired weakness are not increased, but 90-day and 28-day mortality are not decreased. Further large-scale, multicenter studies are needed to confirm our results.Trial Registry

PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019137832)
Children with COVID-19 behaving milder may challenge the public policies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Chan , He Yu , Liu Lian , Li Fang , Shi Yuan
Published: May 2020

Background: The emerging virus is rampaging globally. Great efforts are needed to cut down the transmission. Clinical characteristics of infected children have been described previously. No meta-analysis on this subgroup have been published.Methods: A single-arm meta-analysis was conducted. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, three preprints websites and other Chinese database for studies presenting characteristics of children confirmed with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from December 1 2019 to March 28 2020. Quality Appraisal of Case Series Studies Checklist was used to assess quality and publication bias was analyzed by Egger’s test. Random-effect model was used to calculate the pooled incidence rate (IR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), or a fixed model instead when I2<50%. We conducted subgroup analysis according to geographic region. Additionally, we searched United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to see how different countries act to the education disruption in COVID-19.Results: 14 studies (two unpublished) with 361 pediatric patients were included. The mean age was 5.5 (95% CI: 0.344–0.765) years old. 23.4% of children were asymptomatic (95%CI: 0.112-0.377). 32.3% (95%CI: 0.163-0.503) showed normal computed tomography imaging, besides, four children were admitted in intensive care units (0, 95%CI: 0.000-0.001) and one death was reported (0, 95%CI: 0.000-0.001). Up to 191 countries have implemented nationwide school closures, affecting over 91% of the world’s students.Conclusion: Children were also susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, while critical cases or death were rare. Characterized by mild presentation, the dilemma that children may become a potential spreader in the pandemic, while strict managements like prolonged school closures, may undermine their well-beings. Thus, the public policies are facing challenge.
Nitro derivatives of quinoline and quinoline N-oxide as low-cost alternative for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Assis Letícia Cristina , Castro Alexandre Alves de , Jesus João Paulo Almirão de , Nepovimova Eugenie , Kuca Kamil , Ramalho Teodorico de Castro , Porta Felipe de Almeida La
Published: May 2020

A new and more aggressive strain of coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, which is highly contagious, has rapidly spread across the planet within a short period of time. Due to its high transmission rate and the significant time–space between infection and manifestation of symptoms, the WHO recently declared this a pandemic. Because of the exponentially growing number of new cases of both infections and deaths, development of new therapeutic options to help fight this pandemic is urgently needed. The target molecules of this study were the nitro derivatives of quinoline and quinoline N-oxide. Computational design at the DFT level, docking studies, and molecular dynamics methods as a well-reasoned strategy will aid in elucidating the fundamental physicochemical properties and molecular functions of a diversity of compounds, directly accelerating the process of discovering new drugs. In this study, we discovered isomers based on the nitro derivatives of quinoline and quinoline N-oxide, which are biologically active compounds and may be low-cost alternatives for the treatment of infections induced by SARS-CoV-2.
PREPARATION OF MEDICINAL PRODUCTS IN PHARMACIES OF UKRAINE
Authors: Eiben Hanna
Published: May 2020

Preparation of medicinal products according to individual prescriptions in pharmacies is an important component of the pharmaceutical supply of the population. An analysis of the world practice shows that in most foreign countries preparation of medicinal products in pharmacies exists. The study of the state of pharmacy drug manufacturing in Ukraine indicates a decrease in the level of extemporaneous drugs in pharmacies. Over the past 15 years the number of producing pharmacies in Ukraine has decreased more than threefold. But the need of extemporaneous drugs despite the wide range of medicines of industrial production is still relevant, because the preparation of medicinal drugs in pharmacies individual pharmacotherapy of patients, in addition, for some vital drugs there are no analogues in the range of medicines of industrial production. Of course, preparation of medicinal drugs in pharmacies can not replace industrial production, however, pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacoeconomic benefits are significant arguments in favor of the drug technology according to the prescriptions of doctors. Today in Ukraine the number of producing pharmacies does not exceed 1.8 % of the total number of pharmacies. Factors that negatively affect the development of pharmacy manufacturing in Ukraine have been identified. The assortment of extemporaneous drugs in the context of their pharmacological orientation and form of release is described. According to the results of the study, there were proposed the ways for further development and optimization of drug production in pharmacies of Ukraine.
THE DETERMINANTS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI): HOW IMPORTANT ARE INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?
Authors: Derbali Abdelkader , Jamel Lamia
Published: May 2020

Since the 1980s, the attractiveness of foreign direct investment has always been one of the growth drivers for most developing countries. Indeed, the debt crises that have shaken these countries have led them to change at least partially their development strategies. Different empirical studies have tried to deal with such an issue. In this paper, we examine empirically the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI). We employ a sample that covers a panel of 46 developing countries over the period of study from 1996 to 2018. These countries are grouped in four regions such as: Africa Sub-Saharan (12), Middle East and North Africa (6), Latin America Caribbean (20), Asia and Pacific (8). From the empirical results, we show that, in addition to some classic determinants of foreign direct investment attractiveness, institutional factors, particularly those related to economic freedoms, available to investors, are also of great importance. In terms of economic policy implications in our study, developing countries, especially Middle East and North Africa countries, must act on the level of freedoms to progress their incorporation into the global economic system but moreover to address the main contest, refining the standard of living of the population, which remains depreciated in the massive popular of countries. This obviously means creating a satisfactory business climate that can inspire together domestic and foreign investors and therefore generate a dynamics, capable of removing the challenges of development and integration.
STATE AND NEEDS OF AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION SYSTEM IN BULGARIA
Authors: Bachev Hrabrin
Published: May 2020

The goal of this paper is to access the state, specify trends, and identify intervention needs of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) in Bulgaria, and assist policy formation for the next programing period. Modern scientific approaches of SWOT, Strategic Orientation, Gap Analysis, Comparative Institutional Analysis, etc. are used to identify actors and relations, trends in development, assess Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, formulate an adequate strategy, and specify overall and public intervention needs of AKIS in the country. Bulgarian AKIS demonstrates low resource endowment and efficiency, domination of outdated public institutions and undeveloped private sector, insufficient sharing of knowledge and innovations, slow and uneven application of modern technologies, varieties, production and management methods, digitalization, etc. in different types of farms, subsectors of agriculture and regions of the country. The list of specified AKIS needs is provided to the government for taking a political decision about appropriate measures for public intervention. This study demonstrates that preparation of country’s RDP is (has to be) based on the comprehensive scientific approach while the research community proves that it can contribute to solving an important academic and practical problem.
RETRO MARKETING – A PHENOMENON OF MODERN TIMES
Authors: Gajanova Lubica , Zdenka Vidrova
Published: May 2020

Currently, consumer behaviour is influenced by trends that are clearly noticeable at different levels. Some organizations monitor changes in consumption and, on this basis, point to the general tendencies that are typical of today's consumers. The reason why retro marketing has become increasingly popular in recent years is the linking of the brand and the customer at a deeper, emotional level. It is designed to create a positive emotion that is favourable to the brand as well as to remember its message. The main aim of the paper is to find out, through secondary data and questionnaire research, how the young generation reacts to the elements and effects of retro marketing, compared to the older population, and what differences can be observed in its impact on the sample of male and female respondents. Subsequently according the results, the possibilities of applying a new trend of communication on the food market - retro marketing, also called nostalgia marketing, were suggested. The questionnaire survey was conducted only in the presence of a geographically limited population, namely Slovak customers. This may represent a certain limit to this paper, as the recommendations are proposed in terms of this limitation. It can be removed, if the research is considered to be relevant for the solution and the results achieved are subject to subsequent verification in an international environment. If these barriers were removed, more accurate results could be achieved.
BRAND VALUE BUILDING AND MANAGEMENT ON B2B MARKETS
Authors: Majerova Jana , Kubjatkova Anna
Published: May 2020

The brand value building and management marketing strategy forms the immanent part of an optimally conceived competitive strategy of companies, regardless of whether they operate in consumer (B2C) or business-oriented (B2B) markets. In practice, however, there is often an interpretive confusion of management patterns without respecting the specifics of these two elementary kinds of markets. This fact subsequently results in interpretive malformations. These negatively affect the erudition of marketing managers' decisions and create the misconception that the strategies of building and managing brand value, formulated so far, are not effective in the context of B2B markets, as their implementation does not lead to the desired results. The aim of the paper is to identify the main differences between building and managing brand value in the B2B and B2C markets in the context of the needs of a successful modern company. From a methodological point of view, in addition to the basic methods of formal logic, such as analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction, mainly the method of scientific excerption is applied. This is precisely the main pillar of the realized literary review, devoted to the researched issue. Based on the above mentioned methodological apparatus and its effective implementation, the output of the article is a basic definition of building and managing the value of a brand in B2B markets, respecting their specifics, determining the need to modify the original functional consumer-oriented branding constructs.
INTEGRATING TEACHING AND LEARNING IN GRADUATE STUDIES: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Authors: Hysa Eglantina , Mansi Egla
Published: May 2020

Development economics is a field of study, trying to explore the reason of economic success and failures of different countries or regions in the world. It deals with important issues and gaps of 21st Century, such as poverty, inequality, education, health, demographic changes, migration, trade and globalization. Moreover, the basic issues of development economics have been in focus since 1776 within the famous book of Adam Smith “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations”. Development economics, it can be argued, has to be concerned not only with protecting its "own" territory, but also with keeping alive the foundational motivation of the subject of economics in general. All the above-mentioned aspects on development economics are the main motivation of this paper. Furthermore, this study tries to analyze, synthesize and recapitulate the integration of teaching and learning in graduate studies. It is the case of an actual course, termed “Development and Growth”, offered in the economics department of the Master of Science program. The study will cover two main analyses: the first analysis, dealing with the specifics of course organization and management and the second one, exploring the students’ projects and their integration with the course.
The Great Russian People as the Russian National Idea
Authors: Gonchar Oleg
Published: May 2020

The present research featured the state-forming status of the Russian people. The article focuses on the issue of fixing the legal status of Russians as the state-forming nation in the preamble to the Constitution. The research was based on a complex extrapolation modeling, comparative historical analysis, and behavioral approach. The author justified the amendments and explored domestic and foreign policy prospects for the long-overdue constitutional reforms. He introduced three possible constitutional solutions to the so-called Russian question and commented upon the opinion expressed by the judge of the Constitutional Court K. V. Aranovskiy on the state historical continuity of the Russian state. The author believes that there is no alternative to the national roadmap proclaimed by the President of the Russian Federation. However, there is a legal option to restore sovereignty by correcting the incorrigible "Yeltsin" Constitution. The country can claim its political sovereignty by adopting a new fundamental law and conducting the national Referendum on the New Constitution. The author gives evidence in favor of the spontaneous onset of the Russian irredenta in Ukraine. The denationalization of the state-forming ethnic group probably determined the collapse of the USSR and triggered the current constitutional crisis. The research also involved a geopolitical strategic analysis of various projects that proclaim the USSR and the Russian Federation the direct successors of the Russian Empire. The article features the traditional global practice of granting constitutional status to the dominant state-forming ethnic group. The analysis proved the Russian national idea as the optimal political and legal structure for solving the Russian question.
Dominant Concepts of Urban Improvement in Siberia: a Sociological Case Study in Omsk
Authors: Kapoguzov Evgenii
Published: May 2020

The research featured the conflict between urban communities that arises as a result of the implementation of the urban improvement strategy. The authors used an interdisciplinary approach to study the institutional dissonance in terms of discursive practices, which is a form of urban communities’ discourse. A sociological survey made it possible to describe the institutional dissonance that appeared when Omsk residents started demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the attempts of the local authorities to improve the urban environment. They claimed that the authorities did not understand the residents’ needs. Moreover, the media transmitted a negative image of the city, which made the citizens even more dissatisfied with their life quality. The research involved an empirical study conducted by the case study method. In included 17 interviews with community activists and five interviews with local authorities. The article introduces the results of an overt observation of the activists and an analysis of the regional mass media. The research revealed the dominant concepts of improvement of the city of Omsk. The institutional dissonance proved recorded in the urban discourse. The research also demonstrated how the dominant concepts of city improvement can reveal themselves in the discourse of activists, regional authorities, and regional media.
Data Envelopment Analysis in Performance Assessment of Fuel and Energy Complex Enterprises
Authors: Pokushko Mariia , Stupina Alena , Medina-Bulo Inmaculada , Dresvianskii Egor
Published: May 2020

The authors applied the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to assess the performance of the heat supply system in the city of Krasnoyarsk. The article provides a detailed description of the DEA method, its positive sides and shortcomings. The research included a comparative analysis of performance assessment methods in terms of advantages and disadvantages. The DEA method proved the most convenient tool for measuring the production efficiency of an object. The authors modified the architecture of the universal decision support system into a DEA-based one. The DEA method also proved highly efficient in assessing the performance of the heat supply system in the city of Krasnoyarsk. The analysis made it possible to develop recommendations to improve the efficiency of the local heat supply system using the case of thirteen unites, e.g. boilers, heat and power plants, etc. The input indicator was represented by the available heat capacity. Heat output to the grid and emission mass were used as output indicators. Based on the available initial data, the authors constructed an output-oriented model for analyzing the functioning environment with one input and two outputs. They identified inefficient units of the Krasnoyarsk heat supply system and proposed optimization of input and output values for each unit to improve the functioning of the heat supply system as a whole. The developed for the upgrading of boilers and heat and power plants had an efficiency index in the range up to 1.
Some Aspects of the Problems of Commercialization of Industrial Intellectual Property by Russian Enterprises
Authors: Shpak Polina
Published: May 2020

Intellectual property commercialization is one of the current ways of business capitalization. Using the process of commercialization of intangible assets, an enterprise receives both income and competitive advantage. The enterprise increases its market value as a participant of the intellectual property market since industrial intellectual property brings economic benefits, which increase together with its production volume. The present research featured a set of problematic aspects that level the effectiveness of the commercialization of new technologies at Russian enterprises. The research objective was to identify the main difficulties that enterprises face in the process of commercial implementation of industrial intellectual property. The author analyzed indicators that reflect the current practice of commercializing innovations in Russia. The article also focuses on the relationships between the entities participating in the commercialization process and the ways of their effective legal regulation. It contains a number of proposals to address the problems of commercialization of industrial intellectual property as a sphere of entrepreneurial activity in the context of Russian enterprises.
Editorial
Authors: Cavignac Julie , Octaviano do Valle Carlos Guilherme , Leite Lopes Paulo Victor
Published: May 2020

Neste número da Vivência – Revista de Antropologia, apresentamos o dossiê “Etnografia, mapas e o fazer antropológico” que revisita a proposta e metodologia da cartografia social junto com outros aspectos mais políticos e conflitivos desta prática colaborativa. Ao utilizar as técnicas e metodologias do mapeamento participativo, os pesquisadores mostram que a antropologia contemporânea não se satisfaz apenas de elegantes reflexões teóricas.
PESSOAS, PEIXES, PLANTAS: SABERES E TERRITORIALIDADES ENTRE PESCADORES DA LAGOA MIRIM, RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Authors: Maris Nunes Pieve Stella Maris Nunes , da Costa Lopes Raizza , Knoller Adomilli Gianpaolo
Published: May 2020

Este artigo trata dos saberes de comunidades pesqueiras da Lagoa Mirim, uma lagoa localizada na região costeira do extremo sul do Rio Grande do Sul, privilegiando suas relações com o território e formas de viver e pensar através da relação com o ambiente. Para isto, tomamos uma pesquisa de caráter interdisciplinar realizada junto aos pescadores da Lagoa Mirim, sobretudo a partir de dados etnográficos, agregando a discussão sobre territorialidade e saberes, este último, em especial, sobre peixes e plantas, refletindo sobre essas questões a partir de uma perspectiva do conhecimento, compreendidanos saberes e fazeres nativos e ambiental no âmbito da territorialidade. A pesca, para além de uma atividade profissional, constitui um modo de vida no qual a relação entre pescadores e seu território apresentam condições históricas e socioambientais que os circunscrevem numa realidade concreta. A valorização e o respeito pelas subjetividades que constituem os grupos nos permitem reconhecer que, ao se constituir e se modificar cotidianamente, o território expressa uma identidade.
CARTOGRAFIAS DO SOMBRIO: SUBJETIVIDADE E ALTERIDADE NO UNIVERSO GÓTICO DE FORTALEZA
Authors: Ribeiro Sandra Stephanie Holanda Ponte
Published: May 2020

Neste artigo, apresento uma discussão sobre os eventos musicais que compõem os circuitos de lazer de jovens “afinados” com o gótico – uma cultura alternativa que se tornou popular na Inglaterra no final dos anos 1970 – na cidade de Fortaleza, estado do Ceará. A pesquisa teve como objetivo refletir sobre como esses jovens vivenciam uma experiência com o universo gótico em diferentes espaços e eventos apontando para o caráter híbrido, fluído e espontâneo dos encontros. Nesses eventos, os jovens se abrem a novas experiências subjetivas que lhes permitem dissolver identidades, inovar os códigos e se movimentar desordenadamente. Nas festas, intensificam-se os processos de desterritorialização (DELEUZE, 1977) através do encontro com a alteridade. De modo geral, este artigo refere-se aos fluxos descontínuos que constantemente reconfiguram as experimentações juvenis.
KAWSAK SACHA-SELVA VIVIENTE: PERSPECTIVAS RUNA SOBRE CONSERVACIÓN
Authors: Santi Daniel , Santos Marina Ghirotto
Published: May 2020

Este artículo tiene como objetivo describir y analizar en qué consiste la categoría de “conservación” del territorio del Pueblo Originario Kichwa de Sarayaku, ubicado en la Amazonía ecuatoriana, partiendo de su propuesta denominada Selva Viviente o Kawsak Sacha (en kichwa) y prácticas cotidianas, como la pesca. Aunque esta propuesta haya sido trabajada hace más de diez años, desde 2012 Sarayaku empieza a visibilizarla como parte del esfuerzo por hacer efectivos los derechos de la naturaleza y de los pueblos originarios, previstos en la constitución ecuatoriana de 2008. En julio de 2018, cuando se realizó el evento ofi cial de lanzamiento de la propuesta en Quito, Sarayaku declaró su territorio como área de protección libre de explotación extractiva, petrolera, minera, maderera, así como de mecanismos de conservación asociados al mercado (como sería el REDD+). Sarayaku enfatizó que esta es una demanda por el reconocimiento jurídico-político de la existencia de otros seres – espíritus, árboles, cascadas, Pachamama o Allpamama, etc. – como vivos y conscientes, al igual que los humanos, a parte de una nueva categoría de conservación de territorios indígenas, ya que la constitución de 2008 y la titulación de su territorio (alcanzada en 1992) no garantiza el mantenimiento de sus prácticas de vida, derechos y tampoco la autonomía en definir lo que es, cómo cuidar e interactuar en/con su territorio. Esta propuesta forma parte de una larga trayectoria, protagonizada por Sarayaku, de lucha y resistencia anti-extractiva, sobre todo petrolera, además de un nuevo marco en la elaboración de conceptos y propuestas (cosmo)políticas que este pueblo ha históricamente presentado al Estado y a las organizaciones internacionales (Naciones Unidas, coaliciones de la sociedad civil, etc.) como un paso más allá de la resistencia “en contra”. Si de hecho esta es una traducción al mundo de los no indígenas de conceptos y prácticas concretas de vida de Sarayaku, es también verdad que es más que solamente tácticas o estrategias para el enfrentamiento de la explotación y aniquilación que proviene de los mundos no-indígenas. Constituye, en fin, un modo de vida, una forma de hacer mundo, de resistir co-existiendo.
Movimentos, Tecnologia e Pessoas Negras: é possível um outro turismo?
Authors: Alves Ferreira Michel , Salete Casagrande Lindamir
Published: May 2020

Este estudo, de natureza teórico/metodológica qualitativa e bibliográfica, objetiva tecer uma discussão crítica acerca das vivências/experiências de pessoas negras no turismo, tendo como elementos teóricos balizadores centrais os construtos de tecnologia de Andrew Feenberg e o conceito de racismo cotidiano, teorizado por Philomena Essed. Para corroborar com o objetivo central deste artigo e seus argumentos teóricos, buscou-se uma empresa brasileira online de acomodações/hospedagens compartilhadas, voltada especialmente às pessoas negras viajantes. Destarte, foram transcritos três fragmentos de relatos de pessoas negras à empresa analisada, uma vez que estas pessoas vivenciaram situações de discriminação misóginas e/ou racistas ao experienciarem o turismo, seja como visitantes ou anfitriões de hospedagens. Por fim, se buscam possibilidades democráticas e não maniqueístas para responder à pergunta título deste artigo: é possível um outro turismo?

Palavras-chave: Tecnologia. Intersubjetividade. Racismo Cotidiano. Pessoas Negras. Turismo.
Noncoding RNAs in Medicinal Plants and their Regulatory Roles in Bioactive Compound Production
Authors: Li Caili , Wang Meizhen , Qiu Xiaoxiao , Zhou Hong , Lu Shanfa
Published: May 2020

Background:

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering
RNAs (siRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), play significant regulatory roles in plant development
and secondary metabolism and are involved in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses.
They have been intensively studied in model systems and crops for approximately two decades and massive
amount of information have been obtained. However, for medicinal plants, ncRNAs, particularly
their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis, are just emerging as a hot research field.

Objective:

This review aims to summarize current knowledge on herbal ncRNAs and their regulatory
roles in bioactive compound production.

Results:

So far, scientists have identified thousands of miRNA candidates from over 50 medicinal
plant species and 11794 lncRNAs from Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax ginseng, and Digitalis purpurea.
Among them, more than 30 miRNAs and five lncRNAs have been predicted to regulate bioactive
compound production.

Conclusion:

The regulation may achieve through various regulatory modules and pathways, such as
the miR397-LAC module, the miR12112-PPO module, the miR156-SPL module, the miR828-MYB
module, the miR858-MYB module, and other siRNA and lncRNA regulatory pathways. Further functional
analysis of herbal ncRNAs will provide useful information for quality and quantity improvement
of medicinal plants.
Role of P-gp and HDAC2 and their Reciprocal Relationship in Uncontrolled Asthma
Authors: Mishra Ravi , Chaturvedi Rachna , Hashim Zia , Nath Alok , Khan Ajmal , Gupta Mansi , Singh Harshit , Agarwal Vikas
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

Resistance to corticosteroid is an essential mechanism in uncontrolled asthma
as the corticosteroid is the mainstay of therapy. There are recent reports that epigenetic factors play a
crucial role in the regulation of steroid action. Overexpression of P glycoprotein (P-gp) and reduced
expression of Histone Deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) have been linked to regulating the steroid action in other
diseases like Nephrotic Syndrome (NS). However, their role in uncontrolled asthma is still not clear
and warrants further investigation. We evaluated the expression and activity of P-gp and HDAC2 in
patients with Controlled Asthma (CA) and Uncontrolled Asthma (UA).

Methods:

A total of 60 CA (mean age 51.72±17.02 years, male=38), and 38 of UA (mean
age=53.55±11.90 years, male=17) were recruited. The level of control was defined according to
(Global Initiative for Asthma) GINA 2016 criteria. The mRNA expression of HDAC2 and P-gp was
studied by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the functional activity of P-gp
was evaluated by a commercially available kit via flow cytometry, and HDAC2 enzymatic activity was
measured by commercially available kit by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results:

P-gp expression and the functionality were significantly higher in the UA group of patients as
compared to the CA group of patients (p<0.005), moreover HDAC2 expression was significantly reduced
in UA patients as compared to CA patients, (p<0.005). The enzymatic activity of HDAC2 was also significantly
reduced in UA patients as compared to CA patients (p<0.005).

Conclusion:

P-gp overexpression and HDAC2 under expression play an essential role in uncontrolled
asthma by impairing the response to corticosteroid.
In Vitro Kinetic Hydrolysis Study of Metronidazole Derivatives with Carvacrol and Eugenol Using Validated RP-HPLC Method
Authors: Alarjah Mohammed
Published: May 2020

Background:

Prodrugs principle is widely used to improve the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of
some active drugs. Much effort was made to develop metronidazole prodrugs to enhance antibacterial activity and
or to improve pharmacokinetic properties of the molecule or to lower the adverse effects of metronidazole.

Objective:

In this work, the pharmacokinetic properties of some of monoterpenes and eugenol pro metronidazole
molecules that were developed earlier were evaluated in-vitro. The kinetic hydrolysis rate constants and half-life
time estimation of the new metronidazole derivatives were calculated using the validated RP-HPLC method.

Method:

Chromatographic analysis was done using Zorbbax Eclipse eXtra Dense Bonding (XDB)-C18 column of
dimensions (250 mm, 4.6 mm, 5 μm), at ambient column temperature. The mobile phase was a mixture of sodium
dihydrogen phosphate buffer of pH 4.5 and methanol in gradient elution, at 1ml/min flow rate. The method was
fully validated according to the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The hydrolysis process
carried out in an acidic buffer pH 1.2 and in an alkaline buffer pH 7.4 in a thermostatic bath at 37ºC.

Results:

The results followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. All metronidazole prodrugs were stable in
the acidic pH, while they were hydrolysed in the alkaline buffer within a few hours (6-8 hr). The rate
constant and half-life values were calculated, and their values were found to be 0.082- 0.117 hr-1 and
5.9- 8.5 hr., respectively.

Conclusion:

The developed method was accurate, sensitive, and selective for the prodrugs. For most of the
prodrugs, the hydrolysis followed pseudo-first-order kinetics; the method might be utilised to conduct an in-vivo
study for the metronidazole derivatives with monoterpenes and eugenol.
Distribución y condición sexual de las Pottiaceae (Bryophyta) en México
Authors: Peña Retes Ana Paola , Delgadillo Moya Claudio
Published: May 2020

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Las briofitas son plantas no vasculares que se reproducen por esporas, yemas o fragmentos de gametofitos (diásporas); de ellos depende su distribución y supervivencia. En esta contribución se evalúa el papel de la condición sexual en la distribución de las especies mexicanas de Pottiaceae, una familia de musgos diversa y frecuente en México. Se propone lo siguiente: a) las especies monoicas deben exhibir una distribución amplia en el país debido a su frecuente producción de esporofitos, b) las especies dioicas que no producen esporofitos, muestran una distribución discontinua o restringida y c) las especies que solo producen yemas deben tener áreas de distribución reducidas.
Métodos: Con información bibliográfica y de herbario se elaboraron mapas de distribución de la familia Pottiaceae en México para detectar posibles diferencias en los patrones de distribución de especies dioicas y monoicas. Se agregaron datos de factores ambientales para afinar la agrupación de especies dioicas y monoicas.
Resultados clave: Las Pottiaceae dioicas y monoicas difieren en el número de especies. En ambas, sin embargo, se detectaron dos tipos de distribución en México, en grupos que cuentan con un número similar de registros. Los taxa dioicos Plaubelia sprengelii var. sprengelii y Weissia jamaicensis se distribuyen principalmente en el oriente y sureste, mientras que las especies monoicas Syntrichia obtusissima y Timmiella anomala están mejor representadas en las regiones centro y noroeste.
Conclusiones: Las Pottiaceae se distribuyen en México sin importar su condición sexual. Las especies que producen yemas no muestran una distribución restringida o limitada, pero las que no tienen esporofitos ni yemas muestran una distribución más reducida.
Producción y tasa de descomposición de hojarasca en acahuales de Tabasco, México
Authors: García-Domínguez Antonio , Cámara Cabrales Luisa del Carmen , Van der Wal Johannes Cornelius , Martínez Sánchez José Luis
Published: May 2020

La dinámica entre la caída y descomposición de hojarasca forma parte del funcionamiento de los ecosistemas. Se evaluó la producción, pérdida y tasa de descomposición de la hojarasca de selva y vegetación secundaria en unidades ecogeográficas (UE) de laderas de montañas, terrazas y planicies fluviales en la subregión de los Ríos de Tabasco en México. En cada UE se establecieron seis conglomerados con cuatro parcelas de 10 m × 40 m y en tres parcelas de cada conglomerado se distribuyeron 6 trampas de 1 m2 (n = 144), las cuales se recogieron de marzo 2014 a marzo 2015. Para determinar el peso remanente y la tasa de descomposición se utilizó el método de bolsas de descomposición, inicialmente con 10 g de hojarasca por bolsa (n = 384). El periodo para determinar la descomposición estuvo comprendido de junio 2014 a marzo 2015 y mensualmente se recogieron cuatro bolsas por conglomerado, las cuales se secaron a peso constante. La producción de hojarasca en los acahuales de las UE fue similar a la de las zonas de vegetación primaria, excepto a la de una sola de estas últimas, que presentó mayor producción. La pérdida de peso y la tasa de descomposición fueron ligeramente mayores para vegetación primaria que para los acahuales. Los resultados encontrados sobre producción y degradación de la hojarasca pueden ser significativos por la inexistencia de trabajos en acahuales a escala de unidad ecogeográfica, lo que puede servir para darle mucha mayor importancia a este tipo de vegetación que asegure su conservación en el estado de Tabasco.
Bolsonaro x Haddad
Authors: Brittes Juçara Gorski , Carneiro Dayana Cristina Barboza , Ruggieri Ana Luísa
Published: May 2020

Este artigo traz uma investigação sobre o modo como os candidatos Bolsonaro e Haddad protagonizaram uma disputa de sentidos em suas fanpages a partir da utilização de diferentes estratégias discursivas durante a campanha à presidência em 2018. Para tanto, aborda, na parte teórica, a inclusão das redes sociais nas campanhas políticas bem como o conceito de estratégias discursivas, fundamental para o desenvolvimento metodológico da pesquisa. Em seguida, por meio de uma análise do discurso, depreende que os candidatos reforçaram a polarização característica das últimas eleições e utilizaram, como principal estratégia, o reforço à diferença como forma de buscar a adesão dos usuários/eleitores e, consequentemente, alcançar a vitória no pleito eleitoral.
Avaliando a política de Dados abertos no Legislativo brasileiro
Authors: Silva Sivaldo Pereira da , Santos Ébida Rosa dos , Rabelo Leon Eugênio Monteiro , Luciano Mariah Sampaio F.
Published: May 2020

Este artigo traz uma proposta de avaliação da política de Dados abertos, utilizando como estudo de caso a Câmara dos Deputados. Em termos metodológicos, o trabalho propõe a aplicação de um conjunto de indicadores baseados em duas frentes: (a) análise qualitativa externa (acerca das informações que estão no entorno da publicação) e (b) análise qualitativa interna (que se concentra na avaliação interior dos arquivos). Os resultados demonstram que as bases de dados da Câmara dos Deputados possuem baixa ocorrência de links inoperantes; apresenta bom feedback informativo, porém, na análise interna dos arquivos, apenas cerca de 12% dos recursos avaliados estavam em excelente estruturação, não apresentando erros ou disfunções.
Espiral do Silêncio
Authors: Soares Ana Angélica
Published: May 2020

Após quase 40 anos fora do mercado editorial brasileiro, o livro A Espiral do Silêncio, de Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, chega ao país. Embora a obra seja extensamente resenhada e trabalhada nos cursos de Comunicação Social, a edição brasileira permaneceu praticamente incógnita mesmo depois de ser lançada em 2017 pela editora Estudos Nacionais. Este artigo propõe uma análise intertextual do enquadramento da edição por meio de seus elementos paratextuais: agradecimentos, apresentação, prefácio, notas de tradutor e comentários. O conceito de intertextualidade traz as relações implícitas que a edição brasileira de A Espiral do Silêncio guarda com demais textos teóricos e conversa com a noção de interdiscursividade, já que estes textos possuem relações implícitas e explícitas com outros campos discursivos.
As the COVID-19 pandemic affects the nation, hires and turnover reach record highs in 2020
Authors: Akinyooye Larry , Nezamis Eric
Published: May 2020

Data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) highlight the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the results of efforts to mitigate its spread in 2020. With the challenges of the pandemic, many of the JOLTS data elements experienced shocks early in the year before returning to previous trends. In fact, many of the data elements experienced series highs. For example, the hires level reached a series high of 8.3 million in May 2020, bouncing back from a depressed level of 3.9 million in April 2020. The total separations level, also referred as turnover, reached a series high of 16.3 million in March 2020, boosted largely by a spike in layoffs and discharges.