bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Programmed death ligand-1 and CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as prognostic predictors in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC)
Authors: Farrag Mayada Saad , Abdelwahab Khaled , Farrag Nesrine Saad , Elrefaie Waleed Elsayed , Emarah Ziad
Published: July 2021

Background

P D-L1 is expressed in tumor cells and plays a crucial role in tumor immune escape. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as CD8 T cells contribute to reduced tumor growth. Few studies investigated the prognostic effect of PD-L1 and CD8 TILs in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). In the present study, we analyzed the expression of PD-L1 and CD8 TILs in HGSC by immunohistochemistry, and results were correlated to prognosis. It was carried on 54 cases of ovarian HGSC who attended the Oncology Centre, Mansoura University, Egypt, from 2012 till 2019.

Results

Nearly 60% of cases showed positive PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. Regarding the clinicopathological characteristics, higher PD-L1 expression was found among patients with residual tumor (82.4%) compared to patients with no residual tumor (54.5%), with marginal statistical significance (p 0.07). PD-L1 was significantly associated with CD8 TILs expression. Higher PD-L1 expression was found among tumors with low expression of CD8 TILs with statistically significant difference (p≤0.001). Disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly lower among the group with positive expression of PD-L1 compared to the group with negative expression of PD-L1 (p 0.01), while overall survival (OS) was not associated with PD-L1 expression. On the other hand, the overall survival (OS) in patients with high CD8 expression was significantly higher than patients with low CD8 expression (p 0.043), while DFS was not significantly different among both CD8 TILS groups.

Conclusions

PD-L1 and CD8 TILs may become a promising therapeutic target for patients with ovarian HGSC. More studies are needed to further validate their prognostic effect. Precise identification of patients who will benefit from PD-L1 checkpoint blockade and TILs adaptive immunotherapy is mandatory.
Patient-ventilator asynchrony as a predictor of weaning failure in mechanically ventilated COPD patients
Authors: Sadek Samiaa H. , El-kholy Maha M. , Abdulmoez Marwa S. , El-Morshedy Reham M.
Published: July 2021

Background

Patient-ventilator asynchrony is a common problem in mechanically ventilated patients. It is associated with adverse effects including increased work of breathing, patient discomfort, increased need for sedation, prolonged mechanical ventilation, weaning difficulties, and weaning failure. The purpose of the present was to describe patient-ventilator asynchrony and its impact on weaning outcomes in mechanically ventilated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Results

One hundred mechanically ventilated COPD patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Weaning failure (need of NIV or reintubation within 48 h) was noticed in 27 (27%) patients while 73 (73%) patients had successful weaning. Patients with failed weaning had significantly higher asynchrony index (A.I) and ineffective trigger index (ITI) in comparison with those with successful weaning (7.69 ± 3.71, 3.46 ± 2.59 versus 6.27 ± 3.14, 2.47 ± 2.08, respectively; P value< 0.04). Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation.

Conclusion

High asynchrony index and high ineffective trigger index may be early predictors of weaning failure in mechanically ventilated COPD patients.
Implementation of Evidence-Based Presurgical Testing Guidelines in Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Aviki Emeline M. , Gordhandas Sushmita B. , Velzen Jeena , Riley Michael , Manning-Geist Beryl , Rice Jonathan , Weiss Hallie , Abu-Rustum Nadeem R. , Gardner Ginger J.
Published: July 2021

PURPOSE:

The aim of this quality improvement intervention was to evaluate the safety and cost savings of presurgical testing (PST) guidelines for patients undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial pathology in the ambulatory setting.

METHODS:

Evidence-based presurgical testing (PST) guidelines were developed by a multidisciplinary team. These guidelines were implemented on the gynecologic surgery service of a comprehensive cancer center in January 2016. All patients with a diagnosis of endometrial pathology who underwent ambulatory surgery during the specified time periods were included in this analysis. A pre-post analysis was performed (preperiod, July 2014-December 2015; postperiod, July 2016-December 2017). Rates of completed presurgical tests and perioperative adverse events were compared between time periods. Cost savings related to the reduction in PST were calculated using the direct cost of testing and reported in percentage cost reduction.

RESULTS:

A total of 749 hysterectomies were completed in the preperiod and 775 in the postperiod. After implementation of PST guidelines, complete blood counts, coagulation testing, comprehensive metabolic panels, chest x-rays, and electrocardiograms were reduced by 13.4%, 78.1%, 36.8%, 39.0%, and 15.5%, respectively (all P < .001). Rates of perioperative cardiopulmonary adverse events (0% v 0%) and hematologic adverse events (3.3% v 2.0%; P = .10) were stable between time periods. There were no deaths within 90 days of surgery. There was a 41.4% reduction in direct costs related to PST in the postperiod.

CONCLUSION:

The use of evidence-based PST guidelines for patients with endometrial pathology undergoing hysterectomy in the ambulatory setting is safe and cost-effective. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for successful development and implementation.
Clinical Utility of Plasma-Based Comprehensive Molecular Profiling in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Schouten Robert D. , Vessies Daan C. L. , Bosch Linda J. W. , Barlo Nicole P. , van Lindert Anne S. R. , Cillessen Saskia A. G. M. , van den Broek Daan , van den Heuvel Michel M. , Monkhorst Kim
Published: July 2021

PURPOSE

Comprehensive molecular profiling (CMP) plays an essential role in clinical decision making in metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis provides possibilities for molecular tumor profiling. In this study, we aim to explore the additional value of centralized ctDNA profiling next to current standard-of-care protocolled tissue-based molecular profiling (SoC-TMP) in the primary diagnostic setting of mNSCLC in the Netherlands.

METHODS

Pretreatment plasma samples from 209 patients with confirmed mNSCLC were analyzed retrospectively using the NGS AVENIO ctDNA Targeted Kit (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) and compared with paired prospective pretreatment tissue-based molecular profiling from patient records. The AVENIO panel is designed to detect single-nucleotide variants, copy-number variations, insertions or deletions, and tyrosine kinase fusion in 17 genes.

RESULTS

Potentially targetable drivers were detected with SoC-TMP alone in 34.4% of patients. Addition of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential–corrected, plasma-based CMP increased this to 39.7% ( P < .001). Concordance between SoC-TMP and plasma-CMP was 86.6% for potentially targetable drivers. Clinical sensitivity of plasma-CMP was 75.2% for any oncogenic driver. Specificity and positive predictive value were more than 90% for all oncogenic drivers.

CONCLUSION

Plasma-CMP is a reliable tool in the primary diagnostic setting, although it cannot fully replace SoC-TMP. Complementary profiling by combined SoC-TMP and plasma-CMP increased the proportion of patients who are eligible for targeted treatment.
Clinical Outcomes of Molecular Tumor Boards: A Systematic Review
Authors: Larson Kara L. , Huang Bin , Weiss Heidi L. , Hull Pam , Westgate Philip M. , Miller Rachel W. , Arnold Susanne M. , Kolesar Jill M.
Published: July 2021

PURPOSE

We conducted this systematic review to evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with molecular tumor board (MTB) review in patients with cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed was performed to identify studies reporting clinical outcomes in patients with cancer who were reviewed by an MTB. To be included, studies had to report clinical outcomes, including clinical benefit, response, progression-free survival, or overall survival. Two reviewers independently selected studies and assessed quality with the Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies with No Control Group or the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies depending on the type of study being reviewed.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included with a total of 3,328 patients with cancer. All studies included patients without standard-of-care treatment options and usually with multiple prior lines of therapy. In studies reporting response rates, patients receiving MTB-recommended therapy had overall response rates ranging from 0% to 67%. In the only trial powered on clinical outcome and including a control group, the group receiving MTB-recommended therapy had significantly improved rate of progression-free survival compared with those receiving conventional therapy.

CONCLUSION

Although data quality is limited by a lack of prospective randomized controlled trials, MTBs appear to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer. Future research should concentrate on prospective trials and standardization of approach and outcomes.
Spatiotemporal control of pathway sensors and cross-pathway feedback regulate a differentiation MAPK pathway in yeast
Authors: Prabhakar Aditi , González Beatriz , Dionne Heather , Basu Sukanya , Cullen Paul J.
Published: July 2021

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways control cell differentiation and the response to stress. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the MAPK pathway that controls filamentous growth (fMAPK) shares components with the pathway that regulates the response to osmotic stress (HOG). Here, we show that the two pathways exhibit different patterns of activity throughout the cell cycle. The different patterns resulted from different expression profiles of genes encoding mucin sensors that regulate the pathways. Cross-pathway regulation from the fMAPK pathway stimulated the HOG pathway, presumably to modulate fMAPK pathway activity. We also show that the shared tetraspan protein Sho1p, which has a dynamic localization pattern throughout the cell cycle, induced the fMAPK pathway at the mother-bud neck. A Sho1p-interacting protein, Hof1p, which also localizes to the mother-bud neck and regulates cytokinesis, also regulated the fMAPK pathway. Therefore, spatial and temporal regulation of pathway sensors, and cross-pathway regulation, control a MAPK pathway that regulates cell differentiation in yeast.
Riehen, Auf der Bischoffhöhe 13, 1994/12
Authors: Leuzinger Urs
Published: July 2021

Während der routinemässigen Baustellenüberwachung konnten im Aushub für einen Einfamilienhaus-Neubau zwei Silexartefakte geborgen werden.

Diese beiden Fundstücke stehen im Zusammenhang mit der neolithischen Freilandstation unmittelbar neben der Baustelle.
Ausgrabungen im Stadthaus
Authors: Matt Christoph Ph. , Bing Christian
Published: July 2021

Die auf der Ausgrabung im Basler Stadthaus - dem Sitz der Bürgergemeinde Basel - erhaltenen Kulturschichtenreste ermöglichten die Rekonstruktion der ältesten Siedlungsgeschichte in diesem Altstadtbereich (10.-13. Jh .; evtl. noch römische Spuren). Es fanden sich Hinweise auf Holzbauten mit gewerblich genutzten Höfen.
«Manger & Boire» an der Gerbergasse 81 (1995/23)
Authors: Matt Christoph Ph.
Published: July 2021

Am kurzen Stichgässlein zwischen der oberen Gerbergasse und dem Barfüsserplatz steht ein altes Haus mit einem auffälligen, weit vorkragenden Viertelwalmdach.

Im Winterhalbjahr 1995/96 konnte die Archäologische Bodenforschung die historische Bausubstanz im Keller an den Mauern und im Boden untersuchen; im Sommer 1996 wurden im Zuge der Umbauten die alten baufälligen Kellerinnenwände und die Kellerdecke entfernt und die nunmehr freigelegten Stellen baubegleitend erforscht.
Eine neue neolithische Fundstelle an der Buchgasse 1 in Bettingen, 1995/6
Authors: Leuzinger Urs
Published: July 2021

Nach der routinemässigen Überwachung der Aushubarbeiten für die Liegenschaft Bettingen, Buchgasse 1, welche einen negativen Befund ergab, wurde zudem das steile, frisch gerodete Waldstück oberhalb der Baustelle untersucht. Dieser Abhang befindet sich unmittelbar nordwestlich der neolithischen Freilandstation Bettingen, Auf dem Buechholz, Station 12. Auf der Oberfläche des Waldbodens konnten insgesamt sieben neolithische Silexartefakte sowie eine mittelalterliche Wandscherbe geborgen werden.
Vorbericht über die Grabungen 1996 im Bereich der spätlatènezeitlichen Fundstelle Basel-Gasfabrik
Authors: Jud Peter , Spichtig Norbert
Published: July 2021

Berichte zu den archäologischen Untersuchungen in der Fundstelle «Basel-Gasfabrik» im Jahr 1996.
Zur Parzellenstruktur der Stadt Basel vor 1300
Authors: Matt Christoph Ph.
Published: July 2021

Die bisher aufgearbeiteten Siedlungsbefunde in der Talstadt und am Rande der Niederterrasse bieten Einblick in Struktur und Gliederung der Stadt. Als Fazit kann festgehalten werden, dass in Basel sowohl Parzellierung wie Hausentwicklung unter anderem stark von den topographischen Voraussetzungen abhängig sind.

Obwohl den Grundstücken in bevorzugter Wohnlage andere Baupläne zugrunde lagen als den nach funktionellen Gesichtspunkten gegliederten Parzellen im Gewerbeviertel, lassen sich gemeinsame Entwicklungstendenzen erkennen. Hier wie dort sind die ältesten Kernbauten hinter älteren Holzhäusern von der Gasse abgesetzt. Etwa ab 1300 werden die gassennahen Bereiche in Stein überbaut. Dieser Ausbau führt zu Parzellenteilungen und teilweise zu einer Umkehr der Nutzung von Hof und Hausteil. Die zuvor nur auf einer Ebene ausgeübten Tätigkeiten - Wohnen im Steinhaus, Werken im Hof, Verkaufen in der Bude an der Strasse - wurden nun in den Vorderhäusern übereinander, auf verschiedenen Stockwerken, ausgeübt. Die Wohngeschosse kamen dabei über die Verkaufsläden und Werkstätten zu liegen.

Lassen sich die jüngeren Bauphasen teilweise heute noch im Stadtbild ablesen , so können die Anfänge nur noch archäologisch festgestellt werden.
Neues zum Haus zur Gemse
Authors: Reicke Daniel , Merki Matthias
Published: July 2021

Die Liegenschaft Gemsberg 7, ein Eckbau an hervorgehobener Stelle gleich unterhalb des Brunnens am Gemsberg, war Gegenstand von baugeschichtlichen Teiluntersuchungen in den Jahren 1993 und 1996/97.
Case Report: Systemic lupus erythematous associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Suárez-Ale Horacio , Fabian-Aquino Elizabeth , Failoc-Rojas Virgilio E. , Benites-Zapata Vicente A , Ignacio-Cconchoy Felipe
Published: July 2021

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon microangiopathic disease and often occurs as a complication of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). However, this probable causal relationship has not been completely proven. The diagnostic differentiation of both diseases is difficult in the first instance because they share similar characteristics that may overlap. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman with antecedents of epilepsy since she was 12 years old. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with a clinical picture of headaches, fever, paleness in the skin and mucosa, confused state, paresthesia, and transient spasticity of the extremities. The laboratory results revealed Coombs negative direct autoimmune hemolytic anaemia, severe thrombocytopenia, significant elevation of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, and presence of schistocytes ++ in the peripheral film.  In addition, positive antinuclear antibodies and positive anti-native DNA in titers of 1/320 and 1/160, respectively, were found. Renal function was conserved. We concluded that it was a case of TTP associated with SLE and indicated treatment with plasmapheresis and methylprednisolone pulses, obtaining a satisfactory response (normalization of biomarker levels, health condition) after the second session of plasmapheresis. Diagnosis of both SLE and TTP is often difficult to achieve; however, adequate correlation of clinical manifestations and laboratory tests, along with the help of partial therapeutic interventions, may lead to good clinical response.
Things We Do for No Reason™: Calculating a “Corrected Calcium” Level
Authors: Kenny Colin M , Murphy Caroline E , Boyce Dacia S , Ashley Deptmer M , Jahanmir Jay
Published: July 2021

Inspired by the ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely® campaign, the “Things We Do for No Reason™” (TWDFNR) series reviews practices that have become common parts of hospital care but may provide little value to our patients. Practices reviewed in the TWDFNR series do not represent clear‐cut conclusions or clinical practice standards but are meant as a starting place for research and active discussions among hospitalists and patients. We invite you to be part of that discussion.
Algorithms for Prediction of Clinical Deterioration on the General Wards: A Scoping Review
Authors: Peelen Roel V , Eddahchouri Yassin , Koeneman Mats , van de Belt Tom H , van Goor Harry , Bredie Sebastian JH
Published: July 2021

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this scoping review was to identify and describe state‐of‐the‐art models that use vital sign monitoring to predict clinical deterioration on the general ward. The secondary objective was to identify facilitators, barriers, and effects of implementing these models.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases until November 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

We selected studies that compared vital signs–based automated real‐time predictive algorithms to current track‐and‐trace protocols in regard to the outcome of clinical deterioration in a general ward population.

DATA EXTRACTION

Study characteristics, predictive characteristics and barriers, facilitators, and effects.

RESULTS

We identified 1741 publications, 21 of which were included in our review. Two of the these were clinical trials, 2 were prospective observational studies, and the remaining 17 were retrospective studies. All of the studies focused on hospitalized adult patients. The reported area under the receiver operating characteristic curves ranged between 0.65 and 0.95 for the outcome of clinical deterioration. Positive predictive value and sensitivity ranged between 0.223 and 0.773 and from 7.2% to 84.0%, respectively. Input variables differed widely, and predicted endpoints were inconsistently defined. We identified 57 facilitators and 48 barriers to the implementation of these models. We found 68 reported effects, 57 of which were positive.

CONCLUSION

Predictive algorithms can detect clinical deterioration on the general ward earlier and more accurately than conventional protocols, which in one recent study led to lower mortality. Consensus is needed on input variables, predictive time horizons, and definitions of endpoints to better facilitate comparative research.
Does Transportation Mean Transplantation? Impact of New Airline Routes on Sharing of Cadaveric Kidneys
Authors: Wang Guihua , Zheng Ronghuo , Dai Tinglong
Published: July 2021

Every year, nearly 5,000 patients die while waiting for kidney transplants, and yet an estimated 3,500 procured kidneys are discarded. Such a polarized coexistence of dire scarcity and massive wastefulness has been mainly driven by insufficient pooling of cadaveric kidneys across geographic regions. Although numerous policy initiatives are aimed at broadening organ pooling, they rarely account for a key friction—efficient airline transportation, ideally direct flights, is necessary for long-distance sharing, because of the time-sensitive nature of kidney transplantation. Conceivably, transplant centers may be reluctant to accept kidney offers from far-off locations without direct flights. In this paper, we estimate the effect of the introduction of new airline routes on broader kidney sharing. By merging the U.S. airline transportation and kidney transplantation data sets, we create a unique sample tracking (1) the evolution of airline routes connecting all the U.S. airports and (2) kidney transplants between donors and recipients connected by these airports. We estimate the introduction of a new airline route increases the number of shared kidneys by 7.3%. We also find a net increase in the total number of kidney transplants and a decrease in the organ discard rate with the introduction of new routes. Notably, the posttransplant survival rate remains largely unchanged, although average travel distance increases after the introduction of new airline routes. Our results are robust to alternative empirical specifications and have important implications for improving access to the U.S. organ transplantation system.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Indicadores e a análise da oferta cultural na Cidade do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Dantas Daniele Cristina
Published: July 2021

O uso de dados e indicadores na gestão e nas políticas culturais é uma prática em ascensão no século XXI. Recurso estratégico e apoio para processos de tomada de decisão, o uso de indicadores ajuda a confirmar aspectos e percepções sobre dinâmicas e práticas, bem como evidenciar outros não percebidos. Tomando como referência as contribuições do uso de referenciais para mensuração de aspectos da gestão cultural, o presente artigo tem como objeto o Indicador de Oferta Cultural (IOC) na cidade do Rio de Janeiro a partir de dados de equipamentos sob a gestão da Secretaria Municipal de Cultura do Rio de Janeiro (SMC-RJ), para o ano de 2013, proposto na pesquisa realizada no mestrado em Estudos Populacionais e Pesquisas Sociais, na Escola Nacional de Ciências Estatísticas (ENCE/IBGE), em 2015. Tem como objetivos apresentar a proposta metodológica e os resultados do indicador proposto, em duas escalas administrativo-geográficas (Área de Planejamento e Região Administrativa); além de considerações sobre um sistema complementar de indicadores e as contribuições do uso de dados e indicadores nos processos de tomada de decisão na gestão cultural. São utilizados dados de registro administrativo da SMC-RJ sobre atividade, capacidade e público dos cinqüenta e dois equipamentos culturais sob a gestão da Secretaria, entre os meses de janeiro e dezembro de 2013. Foi utilizado o Excel, do pacote Office da Microsoft, para a construção dos indicadores, a partir de técnicas estatísticas; com apoio do ArcGIS v.10 para aplicação de técnicas de geoprocessamento para a espacialização dos resultados. Os resultados confirmam diferenças na distribuição da oferta cultural em diferentes regiões da cidade, afirmando contribuições do uso de dados e indicadores na avaliação de aspectos gerenciais e possibilidades de apoio a processos de tomada de decisão, reconhecido o uso estratégico de dados do cotidiano na gestão.
NudgeRio: um caso de aplicação de Ciência Comportamental às Políticas Públicas
Authors: Morato de Andrade Otavio
Published: July 2021

As soluções para políticas públicas baseadas em insights comportamentais, mais conhecidos como Nudges, têm se mostrado simples e de baixo custo, exibindo grande potencial para influenciar positivamente a qualidade de vida da sociedade. Este estudo sintetiza as bases e os fundamentos teóricos da Economia Comportamental, esclarecendo de que forma estes conceitos científicos podem ser aplicados na prática para formular políticas regulatórias. Também foram analisados exemplos práticos de aplicações de Nudges no âmbito da governança estatal, em especial, o caso da NudgeRio, unidade criada na Prefeitura da Cidade do Rio, que tem por objetivo o estudo e a implementação de projetos de ciência comportamental aplicada. Ao final, conclui-se pela viabilidade da concepção de políticas públicas baseadas em Economia Comportamental e em testes randomizados, como forma de se aperfeiçoar a conduta individual e coletiva através da transformação do contexto de escolhas oferecido ao cidadão.
A contribuição de mestres e doutores para a inovação no Rio de Janeiro: um estudo baseado em survey com ex-bolsistas em empresas
Authors: Uziel Daniela , Cristina da Silva Victoria
Published: July 2021

Desde os anos 1990 há um importante crescimento no número de titulados de mestrado e doutorado nas diversas áreas do conhecimento no Brasil. Segundo o Centro de Gestão e Estudos Estratégicos, o número de doutores cresceu de 2.854 em 1996 para 16.729 em 2014, entretanto poucos se empregam em empresas, o que tem estimulado as agências de fomento estaduais e federais a criarem bolsas para contratação desses profissionais por empresas. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o efeito das bolsas concedidas de 2012 a 2014 pela Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Rio de Janeiro (Faperj) para a inserção de mestres e doutores nas atividades inovativas de empresas sediadas no estado do Rio de Janeiro (ERJ), sob a óptica do ex-bolsista. Após um levantamento e caracterização das bolsas concedidas, foram elaborados questionários e enviados individualmente aos ex-bolsistas. Em 2012, seis empresas foram agraciadas com bolsas Faperj desta modalidade, tendo esse número aumentado para 15 em 2013 e se reduzido para 6 em 2014. Apesar da distribuição por atividade econômica ser ampla, 21% das empresas contempladas eram de Atividades profissionais, científicas e técnicas e 18% eram Indústrias de transformação. De um total de 28 ex-bolsistas, 46% respondeu ao questionário. Sobre a importância da bolsa para a empresa, a totalidade dos ex-bolsistas respondentes a considerou essencial. Conclui-se que as bolsas são relevantes para inserção de pesquisadores pós-graduados em empresas, mas que a penetração dessas bolsas no tecido produtivo do ERJ é ainda muito baixa. Admitindo que a presença desses pesquisadores pode trazer ganhos para a empresa, em termos de inovação, melhora da competitividade e inserção internacional é necessário aprofundar o estudo para verificar seu impacto enquanto política pública.
A expansão do ensino superior: o caso do Consórcio Centro de Educação Superior a Distância do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: José Marafon Glaucio , Jeremias Baptista Thiago , Silvan Borborema Araújo José
Published: July 2021

O estado do Rio de Janeiro apresenta um proeminente número de instituições de ensino superior e um número expressivo de estudantes matriculados nestas instituições. O objetivo deste artigo consiste em apresentar a expansão do ensino superior no estado do Rio de Janeiro, com ênfase na participação do Consórcio Cederj (Centro de Educação a Distância do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) na oferta de cursos de graduação sob a modalidade de ensino a distância, bem como em analisar as áreas de procedência dos estudantes dos diferentes cursos oferecidos por este consórcio. Os dados foram obtidos nos portais da Fundação CICIERJ (Centro de Ciências e Educação Superior a Distância do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) e do SEMERJ (Sindicato das Entidades Mantenedoras dos Estabelecimentos de Ensino Superior do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) e espacializados no território fluminense, verificando a sua interiorização. Os resultados mostram que a distribuição desse conjunto formado por instituições públicas e privadas, abrange a oferta nas modalidades presenciais e semipresenciais, cuja a principal característica consiste na concentração de instituições na metrópole fluminense e nos demais municípios da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro (RMRJ), enquanto as outras sete regiões de governo que compõem o interior fluminense se caracterizam por um número menor de Instituições de Ensino Superior.
Ensaio sobre a Economia Fluminense: da crise histórico-estrutural alheada à crise manifesta
Authors: Natal Jorge Luiz Alves , Da Cruz José Luis Vianna
Published: July 2021

O ensaio examina a denominada crise da economia fluminense, particularmente a da capital – Rio de Janeiro. A tese central defendida é que, em verdade, as crises da economia fluminense são manifestações intermitentes de uma profunda e longeva crise estrutural, e que remontam à passagem do século XIX ao século XX, com alguns interregnos de crescimento e mudanças até a denominada retomada dos anos 1990, e alguns soluços de crescimento na primeira década dos anos 2000 – que os autores chamam de milagrinho, tomando por empréstimo o termo cunhado por Laura Carvalho (2018). Apontando o alheamento em relação à crise estrutural e às abordagens que consideram o território ou região que abrange o interior fluminense, o ensaio enuncia aspectos metodológicos, teóricos e propositivos relativos não só aos diagnósticos como também – e sobretudo – aos encaminhamentos capazes de responder aos desafios colocados para que o estado, em sua inteireza (e integradamente), cresça de maneira sustentada no tempo
Valor complexo dos imóveis e a produção das condições gerais de produção: elementos para uma economia política da urbanização capitalista.
Authors: Da Silva Oséias Teixeira
Published: July 2021

A concepção de valor de uso, valor de troca e valor são as bases para uma compreensão marxista do processo de produção de mercadorias no capitalismo. O valor de uso diz respeito à utilidade social de uma determinada mercadoria. O valor de troca tem caráter relativo e indica que quantidade x de mercadoria A equivale a quantidade y de mercadoria B. O valor de um produto, por sua vez, é determinado pelo trabalho socialmente necessário para a produção de uma mercadoria específica. O objetivo do presente trabalho é desenvolver os conceitos de valor de uso, valor de troca e valor complexo dos imóveis. A natureza complexa do valor dos imóveis decorre do fato de que se trata de um valor que se constitui pela relação entre elementos simples e que decorre principalmente da concentração e diversificação das condições gerais de produção em cada localidade e na cidade.
Dos coletivos populares de Campo Grande, RJ, ao movimento anticapitalista global.
Authors: Fulgencio Edivan
Published: July 2021

RESUMONo contexto mundial de desafios globais, muito se tem repetido a dicotomia “Pensar global, Agir local”. As ações e mobilizações coletivas em diferentes territórios e com variadas escalas espaçotemporais de organização e luta, parecem se adequar a esta lógica. No entanto para atingir a utopia possível do fim do modelo de acumulação capitalista, causa das crises e ameaça à paz e segurança mundial, bem como à própria continuidade da espécie humana e do meio natural, é necessário que as mobilizações sejam de ordem planetária. Embora à primeira vista se apresente como utopia o surgimento se um novo modelo de organização social e econômica de maior amizade entre os povos, mais equidade e justiça, a crise pela qual o modelo atual de acumulação capitalista atravessa, indica que é possível substituí-lo, até por uma questão de sobrevivência. O presente artigo discute a possibilidade de iniciativas locais e identitárias como os coletivos populares de Campo grande, Rio de Janeiro, apresentarem potência para integrar as diferentes redes de indignação anticapitalista que eclodem ao redor do mundo e assim participar da construção do movimento anticapitalista global.Palavras-chave: utopia, coletivos, movimento anticapitalista global, redes de indignação, escala
O Regime de Recuperação Fiscal e o Futuro do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Passos William Souza , Portugal Rodrigo , Filho João Costa Aguiar
Published: July 2021

Em setembro de 2017, foi homologado com a União o Regime de Recuperação Fiscal (RRF) do estado do Rio de Janeiro (ERJ), no qual esse ente se comprometeu com um ajuste de R$ 63 bilhões até 2020 e de R$ 94 bilhões até 2023. Além da elevação de receitas e redução de despesas, no ajuste, atualmente em renovação com o Novo RRF, estavam previstos novos empréstimos e uma moratória de até seis anos com a União, gerando economia total estimada em R$ 29,6 bilhões. Por isso, considerando seus efeitos para a economia fluminense, este artigo apresenta os impactos do RRF sobre a despesa de pessoal dos poderes Executivo e Judiciário, da Assembleia Legislativa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (ALERJ), do Tribunal de Contas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (TCE-RJ) e do Ministério Público Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ), com foco na relação entre despesa de pessoal/receita corrente líquida (RCL), apresentando ainda a evolução do endividamento, a partir da relação dívida consolidada líquida (DCL)/RCL. Entre outros resultados, o artigo demonstra impacto positivo do RRF para o equilíbrio orçamentário do ERJ, que iniciou uma trajetória consistente de queda das despesas no primeiro quadrimestre de 2017, especialmente das despesas de pessoal do Poder Executivo, tendo retornado e permanecido no “equilíbrio financeiro” estabelecido pela Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal (LRF) a partir do segundo quadrimestre de 2018.
Instabilidade no cenário socioeconômico e político no Brasil a partir de 2014: contrachoque do petróleo, mudanças no marco regulatório e operação Lava Jato
Authors: Azevedo Leandro Campos , Silva Neto Romeu E
Published: July 2021

Este artigo se propõe a analisar a instabilidade no cenário socioeconômico e político do Brasil com o contrachoque do petróleo de 2014, tendo-se como referência os fatores que influenciaram a volatilidade dos preços do petróleo na época, as mudanças no marco regulatório de exploração e produção de petróleo no País e a crise política derivada, entre vários fatores, da Operação Lava Jato. A pesquisa tem caráter exploratório e descritivo quando visa identificar e descrever os fatores que influenciaram a crise, e caráter explicativo quando busca a compreensão dos impactos dos fatores sobre as oscilações do valor do petróleo e sobre a instabilidade do cenário socioeconômico e político. Fez-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica em trabalhos que abordam o setor de petróleo, a geopolítica do petróleo, a regulação das atividades de extração e produção do petróleo no Brasil e a Operação Lava Jato. Os resultados do artigo apontam que a volatilidade é derivada de três fatores principais: as forças de oferta e demanda, fatores geopolíticos e a financeirização do petróleo e que a crise política tem como causas principais, entre vários fatores, as mudanças no marco regulatório do petróleo no país e a Operação Lava Jato. Tais fatores conjugados, por sua vez, influenciaram a crise da Petrobras, obrigando-a a reduzir seu escopo de atuação na cadeia produtiva e, por conseguinte, reduzindo sua capacidade como instrumento propulsor da política de conteúdo local do país, fundamental para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico nacional e das regiões produtoras.
Pride in paramedicine: being an LGBTQ+ paramedic
Authors: Moya Iván A. , Connolly Rebecca
Published: July 2021

As Pride celebrations kick off worldwide and the current issue of the Journal of Paramedic Press is sent to the printers on 28 June—the very date in history that the first Pride March was held in New York City in 1970—it seems fitting to celebrate Pride in paramedicine and hear from some paramedics in the LGBTQ+ community
Data-aided channel equalization scheme for FAST radio over fiber transmission system
Authors: Zheng Zhennan , Su Zhonghan , Gao Xinlu , Gao Guanjun , Ma Jingcan , Yang Jiasi , Li Chunsheng , Huang Shanguo , Liu Hongfei
Published: July 2021

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) located in Guizhou, China, is a very sensitive single dish telescope. Due to the large size of the telescope, optical fiber is used for the transmission of the 3-km astronomical signal from the telescope to the signal processing center. The optical fibers are suspended in the air above the telescope reflector, very easy to slide when the telescope feed cabin moves, resulting in phase drifts for the transmission signal. This phase drift has a negative impact on the observation mode of very long baseline interferometry, and can be compensated by the frequency transfer system in the FAST. In this manuscript, we propose a new phase drift compensation scheme, which is denoted as data-aided channel equalization scheme. The proposed scheme is based on a hypothesis of linear phase relationship between different wavelengths in the same optical fiber, and uses the channel response information of the data-aided channel to conduct signal recovery for the astronomical signal channel. Not only the phase drift, but also the frequency-dependent distortion of the broadband transmission link can be compensated. The proposed scheme has simple transmission structure, and the function part is well modularized, so that the Astronomer users can easily turn it on or off. In the proof-of-concept experiments, the estimation deviation can be significantly reduced by estimated channel responses averaging over training sequence repetitions, showing very high accuracy of the astronomical signal channel estimation.
Buried 3D spot-size converters for silicon photonics
Authors: Zhang W. , Ebert M. , Reynolds J. D. , Chen B. , Yan X. , Du H. , Banakar M. , Tran D. T. , Littlejohns C. G. , Reed G. T. , Thomson D. J.
Published: July 2021

In this article, an efficient spot-size converter (SSC) for low-loss optical mode transition between large and small waveguides based upon a buried three-dimensional (3D) taper is demonstrated. The SCC can pave the way for scalable, low-loss coupling between on-chip waveguides of different sizes and with external components such as optical fibers and III-V active components, and it can be a key element in solving the challenges surrounding the economic high volume packaging and assembly of photonic integrated circuits. Through the use of a bespoke fabrication process, continual tapering of the waveguide dimensions both in width and height is achieved, offering minimal perturbance of the optical mode throughout the structure. The SSC exploits the space of the buried oxide (BOX) on a standard silicon-on-insulator wafer, leaving a planar top wafer surface, meaning that, crucially, further processing of the wafer is not inhibited in any way. Fabricated proof-of-concept devices demonstrate coupling between standard single-mode 220 nm thick silicon waveguides and large-core waveguides with dimensions about 3 µm wide and 1.5 µm height with BOX thickness of 2 µm. Coupling losses as low as 0.56 dB are achieved, limited mostly by the material loss of the polysilicon used. Substantial improvements can be yielded by simply changing the infill material and through optimization of the fabrication process and design. The demonstrated SSC approach can further be applied to other photonic platforms such as silicon nitride on insulator and so on.
Genomic analyses of new genes and their phenotypic effects reveal rapid evolution of essential functions in Drosophila development
Authors: Xia Shengqian , VanKuren Nicholas W. , Chen Chunyan , Zhang Li , Kemkemer Clause , Shao Yi , Jia Hangxing , Lee UnJin , Advani Alexander S. , Gschwend Andrea , Vibranovski Maria D. , Chen Sidi , Zhang Yong E. , Long Manyuan
Published: July 2021

It is a conventionally held dogma that the genetic basis underlying development is conserved in a long evolutionary time scale. Ample experiments based on mutational, biochemical, functional, and complementary knockdown/knockout approaches have revealed the unexpectedly important role of recently evolved new genes in the development of Drosophila. The recent progress in the genome-wide experimental testing of gene effects and improvements in the computational identification of new genes (< 40 million years ago, Mya) open the door to investigate the evolution of gene essentiality with a phylogenetically high resolution. These advancements also raised interesting issues in techniques and concepts related to phenotypic effect analyses of genes, particularly of those that recently originated. Here we reported our analyses of these issues, including reproducibility and efficiency of knockdown experiment and difference between RNAi libraries in the knockdown efficiency and testing of phenotypic effects. We further analyzed a large data from knockdowns of 11,354 genes (~75% of the Drosophila melanogaster total genes), including 702 new genes (~66% of the species total new genes that aged < 40 Mya), revealing a similarly high proportion (~32.2%) of essential genes that originated in various Sophophora subgenus lineages and distant ancestors beyond the Drosophila genus. The transcriptional compensation effect from CRISPR knockout were detected for highly similar duplicate copies. Knockout of a few young genes detected analogous essentiality in various functions in development. Taken together, our experimental and computational analyses provide valuable data for detection of phenotypic effects of genes in general and further strong evidence for the concept that new genes in Drosophila quickly evolved essential functions in viability during development.
Changes in the three-dimensional microscale topography of human skin with aging impact its mechanical and tribological behavior
Authors: Diosa Juan G. , Moreno Ricardo , Chica Edwin L. , Villarraga Junes A. , Tepole Adrian B.
Published: July 2021

Human skin enables interaction with diverse materials every day and at all times. The ability to grasp objects, feel textures, and perceive the environment depends on the mechanical behavior, complex structure, and microscale topography of human skin. At the same time, abrasive interactions, such as sometimes occur with prostheses or textiles, can damage the skin and impair its function. Previous theoretical and computational efforts have shown that skin’s surface topography or microrelief is crucial for its tribological behavior. However, current understanding is limited to adult surface profiles and simplified two-dimensional simulations. Yet, the skin has a rich set of features in three dimensions, and the geometry of skin is known to change with aging. Here we create a numerical model of a dynamic indentation test to elucidate the effect of changes in microscale topography with aging on the skin’s response under indentation and sliding contact with a spherical indenter. We create three different microrelief geometries representative of different ages based on experimental reports from the literature. We perform the indentation and sliding steps, and calculate the normal and tangential forces on the indenter as it moves in three distinct directions based on the characteristic skin lines. The model also evaluates the effect of varying the material parameters. Our results show that the microscale topography of the skin in three dimensions, together with the mechanical behavior of the skin layers, lead to distinctive trends on the stress and strain distribution. The major finding is the increasing role of anisotropy which emerges from the geometric changes seen with aging.
Reference genes for mesangial cell and podocyte qPCR gene expression studies under high-glucose and renin-angiotensin-system blocker conditions
Authors: Hosni Nicole Dittrich , Anauate Ana Carolina , Boim Mirian Aparecida
Published: July 2021

Background

Real-time PCR remains currently the gold standard method for gene expression studies. Identification of the best reference gene is a key point in performing high-quality qPCR, providing strong support for results, and performing as a source of bias when inappropriately chosen. Mesangial cells and podocytes, as essential cell lines to study diabetic kidney disease (DKD) physiopathology, demand accurate analysis of the reference genes used thus far to enhance the validity of gene expression studies, especially regarding high glucose (HG) and DKD treatments, with angiotensin II receptor blockers (e.g., losartan) being the most commonly used. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability and define the most stable reference gene for mesangial cell and podocyte studies of an in vitro DKD model of disease and its treatment.

Methods

Five software packages (RefFinder, NormFinder, GeNorm, Bestkeeper, and DataAssist) and the comparative ΔCt method were selected to analyze six different candidate genes: HPRT, ACTB, PGAM-1, GAPDH, PPIA, and B2M. RNA was extracted, and cDNA was synthesized from immortalized mouse mesangial cells and podocytes cultured in 4 groups: control (n = 5; 5 mM glucose), mannitol (n = 5; 30 mM, as osmotic control), HG (n = 5; 30 mM glucose), and HG + losartan (n = 5; 30 mM glucose and 10−4 mM losartan). Real-time PCR was performed according to MIQE guidelines.

Results

We identified that the use of 2 genes was the best combination for qPCR normalization for both mesangial cells and podocytes. For mesangial cells, the combination of HPRT and ACTB presented higher stability values. For podocytes, HPRT and GAPDH showed the best results.

Conclusion

This analysis provides support for the use of HPRT and ACTB as reference genes in mouse mesangial cell studies of gene expression via real-time PCR, while for podocytes, HPRT and GAPDH should be chosen.
Crosstalk in oxygen homeostasis networks: SKN-1/NRF inhibits the HIF-1 hypoxia-inducible factor in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Feng Dingxia , Zhai Zhiwei , Shao Zhiyong , Zhang Yi , Powell-Coffman Jo Anne
Published: July 2021

During development, homeostasis, and disease, organisms must balance responses that allow adaptation to low oxygen (hypoxia) with those that protect cells from oxidative stress. The evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible factors are central to these processes, as they orchestrate transcriptional responses to oxygen deprivation. Here, we employ genetic strategies in C. elegans to identify stress-responsive genes and pathways that modulate the HIF-1 hypoxia-inducible factor and facilitate oxygen homeostasis. Through a genome-wide RNAi screen, we show that RNAi-mediated mitochondrial or proteasomal dysfunction increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP in C. elegans. Interestingly, only a subset of these effects requires hif-1. Of particular importance, we found that skn-1 RNAi increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP and elevates HIF-1 protein levels. The SKN-1/NRF transcription factor has been shown to promote oxidative stress resistance. We present evidence that the crosstalk between HIF-1 and SKN-1 is mediated by EGL-9, the prolyl hydroxylase that targets HIF-1 for oxygen-dependent degradation. Treatment that induces SKN-1, such as heat or gsk-3 RNAi, increases expression of a Pegl-9::GFP reporter, and this effect requires skn-1 function and a putative SKN-1 binding site in egl-9 regulatory sequences. Collectively, these data support a model in which SKN-1 promotes egl-9 transcription, thereby inhibiting HIF-1. We propose that this interaction enables animals to adapt quickly to changes in cellular oxygenation and to better survive accompanying oxidative stress.
Measuring threshold and latency of motion perception on a swinging bed
Authors: Guyon Maxime , Chea Cyrielle , Laroche Davy , Fournel Isabelle , Baudet Audrey , Toupet Michel , Bozorg Grayeli Alexis
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Our objective was to develop and to evaluate a system to measure latency and threshold of pendular motion perception based on a swinging bed.

Materials and methods

This prospective study included 30 healthy adults (age: 32 ± 12 years). All subjects were tested twice with a 10 min. interval. A second trial was conducted 2 to 15 days after. A rehabilitation swinging bed was connected to an electronic device emitting a beep at the beginning of each oscillation phase with an adjustable time lag. Subjects were blindfolded and auditory cues other than the beep were minimized. The acceleration threshold was measured by letting the bed oscillate freely until a natural break and asking the patient when he did not perceive any motion. The perception latency was determined by asking the patient to indicate whether the beep and the peak of each oscillation were synchronous. The time lag between sound and peak of the head position was swept from -750 to +750 ms by 50 ms increments.

Results

The mean acceleration threshold was 9.2±4.60 cm/s2. The range width of the synchronous perception interval was estimated as 535±190 ms. The point of subjective synchronicity defined as the center of this interval was -195±106 ms (n = 30). The test-retest evaluation in the same trial showed an acceptable reproducibility for the acceleration threshold and good to excellent for all parameters related to sound-movement latency.

Conclusion

Swinging bed combined to sound stimulation can provide reproducible information on movement perception in a simple and non-invasive manner with highly reproducible results.