bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gobernanza del agua y desarrollo bajo el mercado: las relaciones sociales de control del agua en el marco del Código de Aguas de Chile
Authors: Budds Jessica
Published: October 2020

Mediante la aplicación de principios "neoliberales" (derechos de propiedad privada, mercados y desregulación), el objetivo del Código de Aguas de Chile de 1981 era fomentar la inversión de los usuarios en la infraestructura hidráulica y la eficiencia en el uso del agua. Sin embargo, el Código de Aguas se ve cada vez más cuestionado por su asociación con la sobreexplotación de los cuerpos de agua para obtener ganancias económicas a expensas de las necesidades básicas y la protección ambiental. Muchos análisis han examinado los efectos del Código del Agua en la gestión del agua, pero han prestado menos atención a su gobernanza, o sea, a las estructuras institucionales, y los procesos de toma de decisiones en torno al recurso hídrico. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar cómo el Código de Aguas ha configurado la gobernanza, cómo esta gobernanza ha influenciado las relaciones sociales de control sobre el agua, y, a su vez, cómo aquellas relaciones sociales han consolidado el orden político-económico del país. Si bien los análisis de la gobernanza, como la práctica de la regulación muestran la naturaleza y el funcionamiento del Código del Agua, se argumenta que abordar la gobernanza como el proceso de construcción de la regulación revela las relaciones de poder embebidas en el marco y su rol de privilegiar la acumulación capitalista y el poder político. Revelar las relaciones de poder en el diseño, implementación y defensa del Código de Aguas indica las limitaciones de las propuestas de cambio existentes e indica nuevas vías para la transformación hidrosocial.
Nuevos patrones de migración centroamericana a Estados Unidos: La caravana en Piedras Negras, Coahuila, México, 2019
Authors: Uribe-Salas Felipe Javier , Parra Ávila Juan , Mayo Carrillo Juan Felipe
Published: October 2020

El objetivo de la investigación fue caracterizar socio-demográficamente a integrantes de la caravana de migrantes centroamericanos en Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Metodológicamente se aplicó un cuestionario a una muestra de 540 personas, con la información se realizó un análisis descriptivo e inferencial cuyas variables fueron estratificadas por sexo. Se encontró una población joven, con 2.5 hombres por cada mujer, originarios principalmente de Honduras, con escolaridad dominante de primaria, principalmente solteros, con ocupaciones que en su mayoría no requieren formación escolar. Las mujeres tienden, en mayor proporción que los hombres, a viajar acompañadas, con dos o más personas, con un mayor número de menores, con un mayor número de familiares,con su pareja y con hijos. La principal razón de salir de su país fue la falta de trabajo, la mayoría viaja a Estados Unidos (EU) por primera vez, tenían familiares en EU en más de la mitad de los casos, más de dos tercios buscaba solicitar asilo en EU y la gran mayoría no tenía el deseo de regresar a su país de origen.

En conclusión, asistimos a una nueva estrategia de la migración centroamericana hacia EU a través de México que, en términos socio-demográficos, apoya la hipótesis de una teoría expulsora por razones económicas y de seguridad. Se plantean nuevas estrategias con enfoque de género para realizar un viaje más seguro y muestra que existe un objetivo claro de viajar hacia EU con pocos casos para residir en México o para regresar al país de origen.
Condiciones de vida de pobladores de la colonia El Rodeo, sector No 2, municipio de El Paraíso, departamento de El Paraíso, Honduras
Authors: Oseguera Oyuela Eliab Jair , Melgar Kathia , Sosa Lourdes , Cabrera Alexa
Published: October 2020

La calidad de vida es la percepción que un individuo tiene de su lugar en la existencia, su contexto cultural y sistema de valores en relación con sus objetivos, expectativas, normas e inquietudes. El objetivo de este artículo es describir las condiciones de vida en la que se encuentran los habitantes de la colonia El Rodeo, municipio de El Paraíso, departamento de El Paraíso. Metodológicamente es un estudio con enfoque cuantitativo, su alcance es descriptivo y transversal, la muestra fue seleccionada de forma intencional conformada por 176 habitantes, considerando al encargado del hogar al momento de la aplicación del instrumento. El factor principal que desencadena condiciones alarmantes en la comunidad es la obtención de un ingreso económico mensual que oscila entre L. 500.00-1,500.00 (47.2% de los hogares), con una tasa de analfabetismo de 44.45%, el hacinamiento afecta el 44.4% de los hogares, la eliminación de las excretas al aire libre representa el 30.6%, el uso de fogón sin chimenea dentro de la vivienda es 52.8%, las viviendas elaboradas con material de desecho representan el 19%, y la falta de satisfacción con la calidad de vida alcanzó un porcentaje de 41.7%. La falta de factores protectores disminuye la calidad de vida de la población.
A Transferência de Políticas Públicas de Vigilância Epidemiológica no Brasil e na Argentina
Authors: Pereira Alexsandro Eugenio , Oliveira Victoria Silva
Published: October 2020

O presente artigo pretende identificar como ocorre o processo de transferência e difusão de políticas públicas no Mercosul, tendo como ênfase as normas aprovadas pelo Mercosul na área de Vigilância Epidemiológica. O objetivo principal é identificar normas dessa área e inferir sobre como elas são incorporadas por dois de seus Estados membros principais: Argentina e Brasil. Para desenvolver esse objetivo, o artigo identifica e examina as normas propostas no interior do Subgrupo de Trabalho nº 11 no que se refere ao temas da Vigilância Epidemiológica do Mercosul e, em seguida, aprovadas pelo Grupo do Mercado Comum (GMC), um dos principais órgãos decisórios do bloco. Em seguida, o artigo identificou como cada um dos Estados analisados incorporou as normas aprovadas por meio de resoluções do GMC e que se referem à vigilância epidemiológica. Os resultados alcançados apresentam uma classificação do status atual do processo de incorporação de cada uma dessas resoluções na Argentina e no Brasil. O Mercosul tem desafios políticos e econômicos a enfrentar, mas tem servido como um instrumento de transferência e difusão de políticas públicas, contribuindo em algumas áreas temáticas para a formulação de políticas públicas e arranjos normativos, como ocorreu na área de vigilância epidemiológica. Dessa forma, identificar o percentual de resoluções internalizadas pelos países membros contribui para destacar não só a complexidade dos estudos de transferência de políticas públicas como também para definir o grau em que as resoluções aprovadas são incorporadas pelos países membros.Palavras-Chave: Difusão; Transferência de políticas públicas; Mercosul; Saúde.
As Normas Internacionais e o Comportamento dos Estados: A relação entre os povos indígenas e o Brasil sob o jugo da Convenção Nº 169 da OIT
Authors: Madruga Leonardo Agrello
Published: October 2020

O século XX, principalmente, foi marcado pelo florescimento e propagação das Organizações Internacionais. A despeito de que já existiam organizações desse cunho em período anterior, em meados daquele século é que elas se propagaram em maior escala e, por conseguinte, passaram a figurar com maior relevância no Sistema Internacional. Sob a perspectiva construtivista e de enfoque estruturalista, observa-se como essas organizações podem afetar o comportamento dos Estados. A respeito disso é que tratará este artigo, no sentido de, brevemente, analisar a influência da Convenção nº 169 da Organização Internacional do Trabalho (OIT) sobre os povos indígenas e tribais e o comportamento do Estado brasileiro. Os métodos de pesquisa utilizados são revisão bibliográfica e análise documental. Para tanto, na primeira seção, comenta-se sobre o construtivismo de Wendt e a propagação de normas no ambiente internacional. Logo, observa-se, com um breve histórico, o surgimento da Convenção nº 169 da OIT. Por fim, analisa-se a questão da tutela no Brasil e a situação dos povos indígenas no país perante os direitos consolidados após a ratificação da Convenção. Nas conclusões, comenta-se o fato de que, embora o Estado brasileiro tenha internalizado a norma, seu comportamento indica que ela não está sendo cumprida.Palavras-Chave: Construtivismo; Organizações Internacionais; Convenção nº 169 da OIT; Brasil.
Modeling and analysis of greenhouse environmental factors in north China based on path analysis and stepwise regression
Authors:   Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Zhang Xu , Gao Lijun ,   Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Zhao Zhiyong ,   Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Ren Biwu ,   Solar Thermal Research Institute
Published: October 2020

To explore the relationship between environmental factors in a greenhouse on sunny/cloudy days, an environmental factor model was developed using path analysis and stepwise regression analysis. The environmental factors studied include greenhouse air temperature (GAT), greenhouse air humidity (GAH), soil temperature (ST), soil humidity (SH), greenhouse radiation (GR), and carbon dioxide concentration (CDC). The results showed that on a sunny day, the models can describe the GAT and GAH well (R2=0.957, 0.936), and the model’s tested determination coefficient was above 0.87. However, due to the delay and other main control factors of ST and SH, the models’ determination coefficient was poor (R2=0.587, 0.625). However, there was a fifth-order polynomial fitting relationship between ST and SH (R2=0.817). On a cloudy day, the coupling effect between dependent variables and environmental factors was well described (R2 ? 0.97). The model test results for GAT and ST were better (R2=0.997, 0.981), and the GAH and SH model test results were also good (R2=0.789,0.882). In summary, the established coupling model of greenhouse environmental factors was suitable for simple greenhouse environment prediction, allowing greenhouse managers to easily predict greenhouse environmental change trends and reduce the cost of testing, laying a foundation for the subsequent establishment of a simpler, more accurate greenhouse factor model.
Survival assessment of Salmonella enterica in inoculated pork salami
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Werlang Gabriela Orosco , Vieira Tatiana Regina ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Costa Eduardo de Freitas ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Cardoso Marisa ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Published: October 2020

Pork salami is an embedded, cured and ripened product commonly consumed in Brazil, and the presence of Salmonella enterica has already been reported in this product. During its preparation, the microbiological safety depends on the meat quality, addition of ingredients with antimicrobial activity, hygiene during processing, pH and water activity (Aw) reduction during maturation. In Brazil, the maturation protocol has not been determined in food regulation; therefore, the objectives of this study were (a) to identify the fermentation and drying phases during salami maturation; (b) to test the survival of S. enterica during salami processing; and (c) to compare xylose lysine deoxycholate (XLD) and thin agar layer (TAL) agar for recovering Salmonella. The salami samples were prepared with a cocktail of S. enterica strains, fermented at 30°C and dried at 20°C with controlled relative humidity (RH). Periodic sampling for S. enterica quantification and Aw and pH analyses were performed during maturation, and curves were constructed. Fermentation occurred during the first 66 hours, and the pH decreased while the population of S. enterica increased over the first 21 hours. The drying step was able to reduce the bacterial population by approximately 5 log CFU after 875 hours, reaching an Aw of less than 0.78. However, elimination of S. enterica was not achieved. For Salmonella recovery, TAL agar was more efficient than XLD agar.
Estimation of VECM Parameter Using Bayesian Approach: An Application to Analysis of Macroeconomic Variables
Authors: Hapsari Meilina Retno , Astutik Suci , Soehono Loekito Adi
Published: October 2020

This study uses Bayesian approach to estimate Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). The aims of this study is to analyze the relationship between macroeconomic variables in Indonesia. To analyze the best method to influence government targets or policies on economic growth by studying the relationships of many macroeconomic variables. Previous studies in analyzing the relationship between macroeconomic variables with VECM analysis, using the Maximum Likelihood Estimation. However this estimation method cannot solve the problem of overparameterization in VECM model. The variables used in this study are six macroeconomic variables in Indonesia in 2010 quarter 1 to 2019 quarter 4 are GDP, the money supply, exchange rate of rupiah to US dollar, exports, imports and interest rates. The number of data in this study is less than the number of estimated parameters causing overparameterization problems. Therefore, this study uses the Bayesian parameter estimation method to avoid overparameterization problems in economic data. The model obtained from this study is the BVECM(3) and it has been proven that the model is suitable (the model diagnostic test). Based on the parameter estimation results of BVECM(3), the significant variables affecting GDP are GDP itself, the money supply, exchange rate of rupiah to US Dollar, exports, imports and the interest rate for Bank Indonesia Certificates. In addition, there is a two-way relationship that affects each other, namely the relationship between GDP and the money supply, exports and imports, exports and interest rates, and between imports and interest rates.
Direito à poesía: creando aberturas en la universidad, la cárcel y la literatura
Authors: Rodríguez Torres Mario René , Checchia Cristiane
Published: October 2020

En este trabajo reflexionamos sobre lo que puede resultar de la aproximación de tres instituciones, en principio, muy distantes entre sí: la universidad, la cárcel y la literatura. La reflexión parte de nuestra experiencia en “Direito à Poesia – círculos de leitura e escrita com pessoas em privação de liberdade”, un proyecto de extensión universitaria que, desde 2015, realizan profesores y estudiantes de la UNILA, junto con internos del sistema penitenciario de la ciudad de Foz do Iguaçu (Paraná, Brasil). A partir de “Direito à Poesia” y del diálogo con proyectos que nos han inspirado, argumentamos que, así como la universidad ha sido y debe ser un espacio para pensar críticamente la cárcel, la cárcel debe ser reconocida como un espacio importante para pensar de forma crítica la universidad, al igual que esa otra institución que también se ha ocupado de ella: la literatura.
El pasado en disputa: apuntes para la articulación de la memoria social y los imaginarios sociales
Authors: Arboleda-Ariza Juan Carlos , Bavosi Santiago , Prosser Bravo Gabriel
Published: October 2020

En el presente texto nos proponemos entablar la relación entre los conceptos de memoria social e imaginarios sociales a través de las categorías analíticas de espacio de experiencia y horizonte de expectativa. Esto supone pensar a la memoria desde las tensiones del presente como una disputa política y una puja por las narraciones del pasado, que se insertan dentro de las redes de significados y sentidos presentes en los imaginarios sociales instituidos e instituyentes. A esta articulación sumamos las nociones de espacio de experiencia y el horizonte de expectativa, pues habilitan a pensar la existencia de tantos pasados como sujetos, más que en una gran historia y en un único relato sobre lo acontecido. Al plantear dicha relación, proponemos prospectivas analíticas que centran su labor en las tensiones sobre los procesos de institución tanto de las memorias como de las redes de significados que las enuncian.
The problem of science's masculinization in school: causes and consequences
Authors: Fernández Cristina
Published: October 2020

Women's education has been linked to the breeding of future generations for many centuries but, thanks to the social, legislative and educational changes that society has undergone, women’s education offer has been equated to that of men. This paper analyzes whether stereotypes and gender bias persist in the teaching-learning of science and what factors influence the choice of post-compulsory studies, emotions towards the T-L of the sciences and the scientific self-qualification in a sample of 186 Compulsory Secondary Education students from a religious center in Sabadell. The results show a clear internalization of gender differences and a significant presence of gender stereotypes in terms of emotions, scientific self-qualification and choice of post-compulsory studies that demonstrate the absence of inclusion of the gender perspective in education.
Tracheotomy in the age of the COVID-19
pandemic: up-to-date review
Authors: Piątkowski Jakub , Klecha Martyna , Tretiakow Dmitry , Skorek Andrzej
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is one of the biggest healthcare challenges that the medical environment has needed to face since many, many years. Clinicians all over the world present their recommendations for everyday procedures in order to provide safety to the medical staff as well as to patients. The disease leads to ARDS in many cases and some patients will require prolonged intubation; therefore, to avoid the negative aspects of this condition, a number of patients will undergo tracheostomy. Tracheostomy is an aerosol-generating procedure, therefore, when performed on a SARS-CoV-2-positive patient, there is a high risk of contamination both of the medical team and the operating theatre.
Aim: We describe a set of guidelines that we believe should minimize those risks. We focus on aspects like: presurgical testing, proper preparation of the operating theatre prior to the patients’ arrival, initial education of the medical staff participating in the surgery, patient’ transport and tracheostomy. We describe the critical points during every step and suggest ways to minimalize the risk of viral transmission.
A índole dialógica da paisagem
Authors: Soeiro Ítalo César de Moura , Ribeiro Ana Rita Sá Carneiro , Rodrigues Siane Gois Cavalcanti
Published: October 2020

Tendo como objeto empírico as relações dialógicas inerentes ao processo de implementação de projetos urbanos em fase inicial, o presente artigo tem por objetivo defender a índole dialógica da paisagem; defender que essa categoria geográfica é ontologicamente dialógica. Defendemos que uma abordagem dialógica da paisagem nos permitirá refletir, por exemplo, sobre a relação paisagem-poder extrapolando a dicotomia, que tem tomado esse debate, entre paisagem hegemônica e contra-hegemônica. Permitirá, num mesmo movimento, extrapolar o fetichismo da rebeldia que tem tomado os debates que revelam a mobilização de elementos da paisagem como forma de contestação e canal para reivindicações públicas frente a projetos urbanos em fase inicial; extrapolar a relação entre resistência e paisagem em direção ao entendimento de uma índole responsiva e, logo, dialógica da paisagem.
O deserto verde cresce em Alagoas: uma análise crítica da expansão do eucalipto no estado
Authors: Lima Lucas Gama , Barbosa Jéssica Lima , Santos José Rodolfo da Silva , Lima Eduardo Neório
Published: October 2020

Na última década, a superfície cultivada com eucalipto em Alagoas cresceu exponencialmente. A territorialização do eucalipto em Alagoas ocupa extensas áreas da Mesorregião Leste e Agreste e tem o objetivo de fomentar o complexo de madeira-papel-celulose, apropriando-se de condições vantajosas para a reprodução ampliada do capital. Contraditoriamente, o aumento da superfície cultivada com eucalipto no estado coincide com a diminuição da oferta de um importante gênero, como o feijão, fragilizando a soberania alimentar. Ademais, a territorialização do eucalipto apresenta seus primeiros sinais de destruição social e ambiental, a exemplo da diminuição da oferta hídrica e contaminação de plantações e corpos d’agua de comunidades. Compreende-se que o advento do agronegócio do eucalipto, longe de representar uma alteração da realidade hegemônica do estado, atualiza suas contradições por meio do deserto verde.
Palavras-chave: eucalipto, capital, agronegócio
Low cost rain gauge prototype for studies and monitoring of precipitation in anthropized watersheds
Authors: Souza Paulo Henrique , Santos Bruno César dos , Silva Maurício Sanches Duarte , Pereira Diego Narciso Buarque , Tech Adriano Rogério Bruno
Published: October 2020

The acquisition of climate data is essential for understanding the environment and is fundamental in many human activities. One of the problems is the high cost of this equipment. This paper describes the development of a low-cost rain gauge prototype using the Arduino platform and presents the validation of the records against reference data. Therefore, a period of 5 days of observation was selected. Statistical methods of PEARSON and ANOVA were applied in order to verify the consistency of the prototype rainfall data with those of the USP reference station in Itirapina, SP. The results were satisfactory, and the prototype can be considered reliable since the data analysis showed equivalence with the rain gauge and the reference rain gauge.
Caracterização, impactos e gestão de sítios arqueológicos do vale do rio Pitangui, Ponta Grossa, região dos Campos Gerais do Paraná
Authors: Pontes Henrique Simão , Silva Alessandro Giulliano Chagas , Massuqueto Laís Luana
Published: October 2020

A presente pesquisa mostra um estudo sobre os sítios arqueológicos do vale do rio Pitangui, no município de Ponta Grossa, estado do Paraná. Como resultados, medidas de gestão destes sítios arqueológicos são apresentadas, a fim de harmonizar os diferentes interesses de uso com a conservação deste patrimônio. Os abrigos são conceituados neste estudo como cavidades naturais subterrâneas, com seus regimes de uso e proteção também vinculados à legislação espeleológica brasileira. Na área pesquisada foram caracterizados quatro abrigos que constituem sítios arqueológicos distintos, nominados de Abrigo Pitangui I, Abrigo Pitangui II, Abrigo Vale dos Escoteiros e Abrigo Usina São Jorge. Nesses sítios ocorrem pinturas rupestres associadas às tradições arqueológicas Planalto e Geométrica. Nestas cavidades naturais subterrâneas foram identificados impactos negativos graves, sobretudo devido à vulnerabilidade destes locais por conta de: a) queimadas; b) pichações (rabiscos) sobre as pinturas rupestres; c) quebra proposital de painéis com gravuras; d) intensa visitação turística; e) processos erosivos causados por trilhas de motocross e; f) descaracterização da vegetação nativa no entorno dos abrigos. Conclui-se que as principais medidas de gestão destes sítios arqueológicos envolvem a criação ou ampliação de áreas protegidas (principalmente unidades de conservação de proteção integral ou tombamento), fiscalização constante, manutenção (sobretudo para evitar queimadas no entorno e nos abrigos) e ações de divulgação e educação patrimonial.
Modularized Training of Chemical Defense Medicine During Field Exercise for Military Medical Students
Authors: Cheng Jin , Zhao Yuanpeng , Dan Guorong , Zhao Jiqing , Sai Yan , Ye Feng , Chen Mingliang , Dong Xunhu , Zou Zhongmin
Published: October 2020

Background: Medical defense against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats should be established through systematic education in college and career development training to counter the response successfully. Methods: Taking the course of Medical Countermeasures against CBRN Weapons is compulsorily for all military medical students in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In the present study, a modularized course for field training of Chemical Defense Medicine is provided, which is an important part of the Integrated Military Medicine Exercise (IMME) conducted annually in PLA military medical university. Discussion: The established modules are functionally designed as passing through a contaminated area with protective posture, operating chemical defense equipment, battlefield rescue after a chemical attack, and early treatment of chemically contaminated casualties. This modularized training is task-oriented, function-based, and integrate with a functional drill, which provides an example in the training of CBRN defense medicine.
‘Barçagate’, una crisis de reputación (II)
Authors: Roca Trenchs Núria
Published: October 2020

El Barça arrastra una crisis deportiva, económica, de marca y de reputación desde principios de año. El presidente, Josep Maria Bartomeu, se enfrenta a una moción de censura y se niega a adelantar las elecciones, que tendrán lugar en marzo del año que viene. ¿Qué hacer ahora? Impulsar una campaña global que proyecte el liderazgo del club y lo vuelva a conectar emocionalmente con los socios y simpatizantes.
Inhibiting IRE1α-endonuclease activity decreases tumor burden in a mouse model for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Pavlović Nataša , Calitz Carlemi , Thanapirom Kess , Mazza Guiseppe , Rombouts Krista , Gerwins Pär , Heindryckx Femke
Published: October 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a liver tumor that usually arises in patients with cirrhosis. Hepatic stellate cells are key players in the progression of HCC, as they create a fibrotic micro-environment and produce growth factors and cytokines that enhance tumor cell proliferation and migration. We assessed the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the cross-talk between stellate cells and HCC cells. Mice with a fibrotic HCC were treated with the IRE1α-inhibitor 4μ8C, which reduced tumor burden and collagen deposition. By co-culturing HCC-cells with stellate cells, we found that HCC-cells activate IREα in stellate cells, thereby contributing to their activation. Inhibiting IRE1α blocked stellate cell activation, which then decreased proliferation and migration of tumor cells in different in vitro 2D and 3D co-cultures. In addition, we also observed cell-line-specific direct effects of inhibiting IRE1α in tumor cells.
Sonic hedgehog signaling directs patterned cell remodeling during cranial neural tube closure
Authors: Brooks Eric R , Islam Mohammed Tarek , Anderson Kathryn V , Zallen Jennifer A
Published: October 2020

Neural tube closure defects are a major cause of infant mortality, with exencephaly accounting for nearly one-third of cases. However, the mechanisms of cranial neural tube closure are not well understood. Here, we show that this process involves a tissue-wide pattern of apical constriction controlled by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Midline cells in the mouse midbrain neuroepithelium are flat with large apical surfaces, whereas lateral cells are taller and undergo synchronous apical constriction, driving neural fold elevation. Embryos lacking the Shh effector Gli2 fail to produce appropriate midline cell architecture, whereas embryos with expanded Shh signaling, including the IFT-A complex mutantsIft122andTtc21band embryos expressing activated Smoothened, display apical constriction defects in lateral cells. Disruption of lateral, but not midline, cell remodeling results in exencephaly. These results reveal a morphogenetic program of patterned apical constriction governed by Shh signaling that generates structural changes in the developing mammalian brain.
Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry upon blocking N- and O-glycan elaboration
Authors: Yang Qi , Hughes Thomas A , Kelkar Anju , Yu Xinheng , Cheng Kai , Park Sheldon , Huang Wei-Chiao , Lovell Jonathan F , Neelamegham Sriram
Published: October 2020

The Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, its receptor-binding domain (RBD), and its primary receptor ACE2 are extensively glycosylated. The impact of this post-translational modification on viral entry is yet unestablished. We expressed different glycoforms of the Spike-protein and ACE2 in CRISPR-Cas9 glycoengineered cells, and developed corresponding SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. We observed that N- and O-glycans had only minor contribution to Spike-ACE2 binding. However, these carbohydrates played a major role in regulating viral entry. Blocking N-glycan biosynthesis at the oligomannose stage using both genetic approaches and the small molecule kifunensine dramatically reduced viral entry into ACE2 expressing HEK293T cells. Blocking O-glycan elaboration also partially blocked viral entry. Mechanistic studies suggest multiple roles for glycans during viral entry. Among them, inhibition of N-glycan biosynthesis enhanced Spike-protein proteolysis. This could reduce RBD presentation on virus, lowering binding to host ACE2 and decreasing viral entry. Overall, chemical inhibitors of glycosylation may be evaluated for COVID-19.
Variation of connectivity across exemplar sensory and associative thalamocortical loops in the mouse
Authors: Mukherjee Arghya , Bajwa Navdeep , Lam Norman H , Porrero César , Clasca Francisco , Halassa Michael M
Published: October 2020

The thalamus engages in sensation, action, and cognition, but the structure underlying these functions is poorly understood. Thalamic innervation of associative cortex targets several interneuron types, modulating dynamics and influencing plasticity. Is this structure-function relationship distinct from that of sensory thalamocortical systems? Here, we systematically compared function and structure across a sensory and an associative thalamocortical loop in the mouse. Enhancing excitability of mediodorsal thalamus, an associative structure, resulted in prefrontal activity dominated by inhibition. Equivalent enhancement of medial geniculate excitability robustly drove auditory cortical excitation. Structurally, geniculate axons innervated excitatory cortical targets in a preferential manner and with larger synaptic terminals, providing a putative explanation for functional divergence. The two thalamic circuits also had distinct input patterns, with mediodorsal thalamus receiving innervation from a diverse set of cortical areas. Altogether, our findings contribute to the emerging view of functional diversity across thalamic microcircuits and its structural basis.
Open Access: An analysis of European publisher copyright and licensing policies today
Authors: Labastida i Juan Ignasi
Published: October 2020

The digital age has brought authors of publications many more opportunities to gain further impact and visibility by sharing their work online through websites, pre-print servers, repositories, publishing platforms or other digital venues as well as journals. Publisher copyright policies have not always been enablers of these new practices but change is underway. Europe has also seen a surge in international, national and local Open Access (OA) policies in recent years, a significant one being Plan S with its requirements related to rights retention and open licensing. How far are publishers in supporting authors in this change?

In early 2020 SPARC Europe commissioned a report to gain a better understanding of current copyright and licensing practices amongst scholarly journal publishers based in Europe and how these are presented to academic authors. The key purpose of the study was to provide evidence on how publisher policies support OA and to see whether the complexity of the copyright and self-archiving landscape amongst publishers has simplified over time. We also explored how Plan S-ready publishers were with regards to the first principle of their policy related to authors or their institutions being required to retain copyright to their publications, calling for all publications to be published under an open license, preferably CC BY, immediately and under no embargo.

Research was undertaken on various levels: the 2020 study reviewed the copyright, self-archiving and open licensing policies from 10 large legacy publisher websites and then asked these publishers to verify these findings. We also analysed the policies of pure open access journals in Europe from the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). To limit the scope, Europe was taken as the focus of this research.

This paper will firstly demonstrate how diversely publishers present and share information on their copyright, licensing and self-archiving policies and how challenging this can be for authors and the institutions that support them. We will also share findings on the specifics of publisher policies be they hybrid or pure OA. For example, examining how far large publishers currently allow authors to retain publishing rights for articles, to what extent they allow zero embargoes when self-archiving or how far pure OA journals use the CC BY license.

This paper ends by making a number of recommendations to publishers, research funders, institutions and authors to ultimately support authors to more easily navigate this policy landscape and to be able to publish immediate OA.
Why should we care about FAIR?
Authors: Harrower Natalie
Published: October 2020

For a long while, Open Access to publications was the key focus of the Open Science agenda, but suddenly, everyone is talking about data and other research outputs. What are these? Why should we pay attention to them? What’s the difference between FAIR data and Open data, and why should scholars care about any of this? These are the kinds of questions that have been floating around as funders like the European Commission start to mandate the sharing of data, software, and other outputs that support publications. And while the drive towards FAIR sharing is meant to be applied across all research domains and disciplines, the discussion often focuses on ‘big data’ or data from the natural sciences, collected in laboratories or processed on high performance super computers. Where does this leave humanities scholars? What kinds of data and other research outputs are created here? What considerations are particular to the humanities?

In February 2020, after an open consultation process that received over 200 comments plus a number of multi-page submissions, ALLEA published “Sustainable and FAIR Data Sharing in the Humanities: Recommendations of the ALLEA E-Humanities Working Group. https://doi.org/10.7486/DRI.tq582c863. The report is structured around the research data lifecycle, providing concrete recommendations for sustainable FAIR sharing. This talk will highlight some of the key challenges faced by humanities scholars in this realm, look to where alliances can be built outside of academia, and dive into the dissemination possibilities that are created through the FAIR sharing of humanities research data.
Spatial modeling could not differentiate early SARS-CoV-2 cases from the distribution of humans on the basis of climate in the United States
Authors: Harbert Robert , Cunningham Seth W. , Tessler Michael
Published: October 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is wreaking havoc globally, yet, as a novel pathogen, knowledge of its biology is still emerging. Climate and seasonality influence the distributions of many diseases, and studies suggest at least some link between SARS-CoV-2 and weather. One such study, building species distribution models (SDMs), predicted SARS-CoV-2 risk may remain concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, shifting northward in summer months. Others have highlighted issues with SARS-CoV-2 SDMs, notably: the primary niche of the virus is the host it infects, climate may be a weak distributional predictor, global prevalence data have issues, and the virus is not in population equilibrium. While these issues should be considered, we believe climate’s relationship with SARS-CoV-2 is still worth exploring, as it may have some impact on the distribution of cases. To further examine if there is a link to climate, we build model projections with raw SARS-CoV-2 case data and population-scaled case data in the USA. The case data were from across March 2020, before large travel restrictions and public health policies were impacting cases across the country. We show that SDMs built from population-scaled case data cannot be distinguished from control models (built from raw human population data), while SDMs built on raw case data fail to predict the known distribution of cases in the U.S. from March. The population-scaled analyses indicate that climate did not play a central role in early U.S. viral distribution and that human population density was likely the primary driver. We do find slightly more population-scaled viral cases in cooler areas. Ultimately, the temporal and geographic constraints on this study mean that we cannot rule out climate as a partial driver of the SARS-CoV-2 distribution. Climate’s role on SARS-CoV-2 should continue to be cautiously examined, but at this time we should assume that SARS-CoV-2 will continue to spread anywhere in the U.S. where governmental policy does not prevent spread.
Haiti has more forest than previously reported: land change 2000–2015
Authors: Pauleus Ose , Aide T. Mitchell
Published: October 2020

Estimates of forest cover have important political, conservation, and funding implications, but methods vary greatly. Haiti has often been cited as one of the most deforested countries in the world, yet estimates of forest cover range from <1% to 33%. Here, we analyze land change for seven land cover classes (forest, shrub land, agriculture/pasture, plantation, urban/infrastructure, barren land, and water) between 2000 and 2015 using Landsat imagery (30 m resolution) in the Google Earth Engine platform. Forest cover was estimated at 26% in 2000 and 21% in 2015. Although forest cover is declining in Haiti, our quantitative analysis resulted in considerably higher forest cover than what is usually reported by local and international institutions. Our results determined that areas of forest decline were mainly converted to shrubs and mixed agriculture/pasture. An important driver of forest loss and degradation could be the high demand for charcoal, which is the principal source of cooking fuel. Our results differ from other forest cover estimates and forest reports from national and international institutions, most likely due to differences in forest definition, data sources, spatial resolution, and methods. In the case of Haiti, this work demonstrates the need for clear and functional definitions and classification methods to accurately represent land use/cover change. Regardless of how forests are defined, forest cover in Haiti will continue to decline unless corrective actions are taken to protect remaining forest patches. This can serve as a warning of the destructive land use patterns and can help us target efforts for better planning, management, and conservation.
Investigating Organic Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer for Sustainable Maize (Zea mays) Production in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Olatunji K. O. , Adebayo A. O. , Bolaji G. E.
Published: October 2020

Aim: This research investigated the utilization of livestock manure as nutrient source in maize farming.

Place and Duration: The field experiment was carried out at the research field of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lagos State Field Office, Nigeria during the late planting season (July/August) of 2019.

Methodology: An experimental field research was conducted to compare the variation in the vegetative parameters and yields of maize grown with different livestock wastes. The experiment consisted of six treatments, cattle, pig, poultry, sheep manures, NPK and control experiment set-up in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. The following data were recorded during the experiment: plant height, number of leaves, number of days to first tasselling and silking, number of cob, cob length, effective cob length, cob diameter, cob weight, ear weight, 100 grain weight, grain yield and shelling percentage. Data recorded were exposed to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated with Duncan Multiple Range Test.

Results: The plant height and number of leaves recorded at 9 Weeks After Planting were 215.53, 217.57, 219.69, 188.85, 219.19, 182.76 and 13.60, 13.40, 13.8, 12.4, 13.8, 12.2 cm for cattle, pig, poultry, sheep, NPK and control respectively while the yield were 3193.00, 3055.20, 3513.00, 2855.00, 3791.00 and 1523.80 kg/ha for cattle, pig, poultry, sheep, NPK and control respectively.

Conclusion: Considering the yields recorded, it has shown that cattle, pig, poultry and sheep manures are suitable for sustainable maize growth and is a means of livestock waste management.
Risk Factors of Hypertension among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Imo state, South East of Nigeria
Authors: Dozie Ugonma, Winnie , Okonkwo Nnenna, Vivian , Nworuh Okwuchi, Blessed , Orji Somtochukwu, Mercy , Nwaokoro Chidozie Joakin , Dozie Ikechukwu, Nosike Simplicius
Published: October 2020

Background: Hypertension is among the important causes of non-communicable disease burden worldwide. It has raised public health concerns in both developed and developing nations. It mostly occurs in patients with diabetes and the prevalence depends on duration, type and age of the patient. The study aimed at determining the risk factors of hypertension among type 2 diabetic patients in Imo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A hospital-based descriptive survey design involving 50 patients attending hospital was used. Structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency and mean score. Hypotheses were tested using Chi-square at 5% significance level.

Results: The result showed that the majority (70.0%) of the patients was hypertensive, 54.0% of the patients used dietary control and drugs in the treatment of the diseases. Furthermore, it was found that 54.0% ate salty foods always, 58.0% of the patients added extra table salt in their meals, 54.0% ate canned foods and 82.0% took sugary drinks always. It was also found that 66.0% ate always from restaurants and 58.0% ate more of starchy foods. The result further showed that 74.0% of the patients avoided physical exercise and 70.0% indicated that doing stress works made them get anxious. Eighty percent of the patients had hypertension in their family history and the 74.0% indicated it was their brother/sister. The X2 result showed a significantly association between family history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes X2(121, N = 50) = 187, p = 0.000. It was also found that dietary pattern was significantly associated with risk of type 2 diabetes X2(121, N = 50) = 187, p = 0.000.

Conclusion: Dietary pattern and family history of hypertension were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes. It was recommended that sensitization campaigns be organized to educate women on the effect of diets on diabetes. Also, family history of hypertension should be ascertained from patients to ensure early detection and treatment of diabetes.
Awareness and Attitude of the Population of Karachi towards Stigma Associated with Cancer
Authors: Tahir Burhanuddin , Ali Akhtar , Riaz Anshahrah , Yousuf Zuleikha , Qadir Sara , Waseem Nehal
Published: October 2020

Background: Cancer related stigma arises due to an amalgamation of certain myths, lack of understanding and religious and social beliefs that vary across different cultures. Despite the widespread availability of information regarding the characteristics of this disease and the ever-growing technological advances, cancer still remains a taboo with the cultural stereotype of its diagnosis being equivalent to a death warrant or penalty for unethical conduct.

Objectives: This research aims to assess the prevalence of cancer stigma in the general population of Karachi and explores the different perceptions and misunderstandings of people regarding cancer patients.

Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted at Ziauddin University from July to August 2020. The calculated sample size at 50% proportion was 385 and convenient sampling technique was used to recruit the required sample. Data regarding demographics was collected by a self-administered questionnaire and cancer stigma scale was used to identify the awareness and attitudes.

Results: n= 174 (60.8%) responded as yes. n=126 (44.1%) participants mentioned that their close relatives have suffered from cancer. When asked about cancer awareness most of the study participants seemed to be aware of diseases. However n= 115 (40.2%) responded that cancer ruins the life of the sufferer. When the participants were asked about cancer stigma, they disagreed and showed that they do not have any fear from cancer patients.

Conclusion: The population of Karachi was not having any stigma related to cancer and their attitude towards cancer patients according to the questionnaire seemed to be very positive and humanitarian.
Climate Change: Media Coverage and Perspectives of Climate Change in Kano, Nigeria
Authors: Balarabe Usman Bello , Hamza Yakubu Gambo
Published: October 2020

This study assess the nexus between climate change and media coverage vis a vis the influence of the diversified positions on climate change and how it pave way for the creation of new perspectives and understanding amongst individuals about climate change issue in Kano, Nigeria. The study concludes that there is a very high level of media awareness about climate change issue in Kano; media coverage and representations about climate change has positively impacted and shaped individuals’ understanding about climate change issue. The study also reveal that social media platform remain the predominant source of information about climate change issue in Kano; and the causes of climate change in Kano is deemed to be artificial rather than natural; while change in weather pattern is the noticeable consequences of climate change in Kano. The study concludes that media coverage and representations about climate change shapes the perspectives, understandings and knowledge of individuals about climate change in Kano, Nigeria.
Grapevine stilbene synthase cDNA only slightly differing from chalcone synthase cDNA is expressed in Escherichia coli into a catalytically active enzyme
Authors: Melchior Frauke , Kindl Helmut
Published: July 2002

Stilbene synthase is responsible for the formation of resveratrol and other stilbenes which function in grapevine as phytoalexins. A full‐length stilbene synthase cDNA was prepared from grapevine mRNA and sequenced. The insert in pSV25 coding for a polypeptide with 392 amino acids was inserted into the vectors pKK233‐2 and pDS12/RBSII‐2, respectively. Expression of the cDNA in Escherichia coli yielded an enzyniatically active dimer exhibiting solely stilbene synthase activity. The protein was characterized by enzyme activity and Western blot analysis.
Production of inositol phosphates and reactive oxygen metabolites in quartz‐dust‐stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: Tuomala Marjo H. , Hirvonen Maija-Riita , Savolainen Kai M.
Published: July 2002

The present paper explores phosphoinositide turnover in quartz‐stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Separation of inositol phosphates was carried out with a new ion‐pair, reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatographic method applying a gentle tetrabutylammonium phosphate buffer gradient. The method separates inositol monophosphates, inositol 1,4‐bisphosphate, inositol trisphosphates and inositol 1,3,4,5‐tetrakisphosphate. Reactive oxygen metabolites, indices for leukocyte activation, were measured with a luminometric assay. Quartz increased the production of reactive oxygen metabolites, preceded by facilitated inositol phosphate turnover. This finding provides evidence that inositol phosphate second messengers may be involved in quartz‐induced leukocyte activation and subsequent production of reactive oxygen metabolites.