bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid component of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption of children of different weight status after playing active video games
Authors: Sousa Caio Victor , Hwang Jungyun , Simoes Herbert Gustavo , Sun Kyung Jin , Lu Amy Shirong
Published: February 2021

Background

Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) of children could indicate the potential of an exercise therapy to treat or prevent obesity. However, EPOC as a result of playing active video games (AVG) has been poorly investigated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the rapid component of EPOC of children with healthy weight and overweight/obesity (according to their BMI percentile) after playing AVGs that feature predominately upper body (UB) and whole-body (WB) movement.

Methods

Twenty-one children with healthy weight (BMI percentile < 85%) and with overweight/obesity (BMI percentile ≥ 85%) randomly underwent two 10-min AVG sessions (UB and WB). The heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were recorded during exercise and post-exercise recovery period. For the rapid component of EPOC in each AVG session, measurements were recorded every 15 s for 5-min of post-exercise recovery. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was also measured immediately before and after each AVG play.

Results

Children with overweight/obesity had a higher average of absolute VE, VO2, and VCO2 than their healthy-weight counterparts (BMI percentile < 85%; n = 21) during post-exercise recovery. RPE, HR, and HR% were not different between the game sessions and weight groups. Children with overweight/obesity showed a higher absolute VO2 during EPOC than healthy-weight children in both game sessions, but relative VO2 was higher in healthy-weight children during EPOC. No differences were observed for EPOC between UB and WB sessions.

Conclusions

Children with overweight/obesity had a greater EPOC than healthy-weight children after AVG sessions in terms of absolute oxygen values, whereas healthy-weight children have higher EPOC considering relative VO2 when controlling for body mass. UB and WB AVGs induced a similar EPOC among children with healthy weight and overweight/obesity. As UB and WB AVGs induce the rapid component of EPOC in children regardless their weight status, AVGs could be used as an exercise method to treat and prevent child obesity.
Genetic variants and physical activity interact to affect bone density in Hispanic children
Authors: Hou Ruixue , Cole Shelley A. , Graff Mariaelisa , Wang Yujie , Haack Karin , Laston Sandra , Mehta Nitesh R. , Shypailo Roman J. , Gourlay Margaret L. , Comuzzie Anthony G. , North Kari E. , Butte Nancy F. , Voruganti Venkata Saroja
Published: February 2021

Background

Our aim was to investigate if moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), calcium intake interacts with bone mineral density (BMD)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to influence BMD in 750 Hispanic children (4-19y) of the cross-sectional Viva La Familia Study.

Methods

Physical activity and dietary intake were measured by accelerometers and multiple-pass 24 h dietary recalls, respectively. Total body and lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A polygenic risk score (PRS) was computed based on SNPs identified in published literature. Regression analysis was conducted with PRSs, MVPA and calcium intake with total body and lumbar spine BMD.

Results

We found evidence of statistically significant interaction effects between the PRS and MVPA on total body BMD and lumbar spine BMD (p < 0.05). Higher PRS was associated with a lower total body BMD (β = − 0.040 ± 0.009, p = 1.1 × 10− 5) and lumbar spine BMD (β = − 0.042 ± 0.013, p = 0.0016) in low MVPA group, as compared to high MVPA group (β = − 0.015 ± 0.006, p = 0.02; β = 0.008 ± 0.01, p = 0.4, respectively).

Discussion

The study indicated that calcium intake does not modify the relationship between genetic variants and BMD, while it implied physical activity interacts with genetic variants to affect BMD in Hispanic children. Due to limited sample size of our study, future research on gene by environment interaction on bone health and functional studies to provide biological insights are needed.

Conclusions

Bone health in Hispanic children with high genetic risk for low BMD is benefitted more by MVPA than children with low genetic risk. Our results may be useful to predict disease risk and tailor dietary and physical activity advice delivery to people, especially children.
Muscle activity and acute stress in fibromyalgia
Authors: Zetterman Teemu , Markkula Ritva , Partanen Juhani V. , Miettinen Teemu , Estlander Ann-Mari , Kalso Eija
Published: February 2021

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) patients are likely to differ from healthy controls in muscle activity and in reactivity to experimental stress.

Methods

We compared psychophysiological reactivity to cognitive stress between 51 female FM patients aged 18 to 65 years and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. They underwent a 20-minute protocol consisting of three phases of relaxation and two phases of cognitive stress. We recorded surface electromyography normalized to maximum voluntary muscle contraction (%EMG), the percentage of time with no muscle activity (EMG rest time), and subjective pain and stress intensities. We compared group reactivity using linear modelling and adjusted for psychological and life-style factors.

Results

The FM patients had a significantly higher mean %EMG (2.2 % vs. 1.0 %,p < 0.001), pain intensity (3.6 vs. 0.2,p < 0.001), and perceived stress (3.5 vs. 1.4,p < 0.001) and lower mean EMG rest time (26.7 % vs. 47.2 %,p < 0.001). In the FM patients, compared with controls, the pain intensity increased more during the second stress phase (0.71,p = 0.028), and the %EMG decreased more during the final relaxation phase (-0.29,p = 0.036). Within the FM patients, higher BMI predicted higher %EMG but lower stress. Leisure time physical activity predicted lower %EMG and stress and higher EMG rest time. Higher perceived stress predicted lower EMG rest time, and higher trait anxiety predicted higher pain and stress overall.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that repeated cognitive stress increases pain intensity in FM patients. FM patients also had higher resting muscle activity, but their muscle activity did not increase with pain. Management of stress and anxiety might help control FM flare-ups.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03300635).
Pan-dent-emic: a dentist’s dilemma in the COVID-19 era
Authors: Manaktala Nidhi , Pralhad Swati , M Roma
Published: February 2021

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has been unfathomable. It has affected every sector within health care industry with dentistry being one of the worst hits. Not only has it impacted the dental practice, the field of dental education has been affected as well. There has been loss in terms of delayed to no treatments, finances, psychology and most importantly breaks in ongoing education and research practices. The present article attempts to explain the dilemma of the current situation from a dentist’s perspective. Since, the effects of the contagion are seen across each level of dentistry, the current situation can truly be termed as a “Pan-dent-emic”.
Development and evaluation of an interactive web-based decision-making programme on relapse management for people with multiple sclerosis (POWER@MS2)—study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rahn Anne Christin , Wenzel Lisa , Icks Andrea , Stahmann Alexander , Scheiderbauer Jutta , Grentzenberg Kristina , Vomhof Markus , Montalbo Joseph , Friede Tim , Heesen Christoph , Köpke Sascha
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory, degenerative disease of the central nervous system manifesting at first with relapses in about 85% of cases. In Germany, intravenous therapy with high-dose corticosteroids is the treatment standard of acute relapses. The treatment leads to a faster reduction of symptoms in about 25 of 100 treated patients but has no proven long-term benefits over placebo treatment. Intravenous treatment is not superior to oral treatment. Therefore, informed decisions on relapse management are required. An earlier randomised controlled trial showed that evidence-based patient information and education on relapse management leads to more informed decisions and more relapses not treated or treated with oral corticosteroids. This study aims to evaluate whether a web-based relapse management programme will positively change relapse management and strengthen autonomy in people with multiple sclerosis.

Methods

The pragmatic double-blind randomised controlled trial is accompanied by a mixed-methods process evaluation and a health economic evaluation and follows the UK Medical Research Council guidance on developing and evaluating complex interventions. A total of 188 people with possible or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with ≥ 1 relapse within the last year and/or ≥ 2 relapses within the last 2 years will be recruited and randomised using blocks. The intervention group receives a web- and dialogue-based decision aid on relapse management, a nurse-led webinar and access to a monitored chat forum. The control group receives standard information, which will be made available via the same online platform as the intervention. The primary endpoint is the proportion of relapses not treated or treated with oral corticosteroids. Key secondary endpoints are the annualised relapse rate, decision-making, empowerment, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Facilitators and barriers will be assessed by mixed-methods process evaluation measures. The study ends when 81 relapses have been documented or after 24 months of observation per individual patient. Analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle.

Discussion

We hypothesise that the intervention will enhance patient empowerment and have a positive impact on patients’ relapse management.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04233970. Registered on 18 January 2020
Reproductive fluids, used for the in vitro production of pig embryos, result in healthy offspring and avoid aberrant placental expression of PEG3 and LUM
Authors: París-Oller E. , Navarro-Serna S. , Soriano-Úbeda C. , Lopes J. S. , Matás C. , Ruiz S. , Latorre R. , López-Albors O. , Romar R. , Cánovas S. , Coy P.
Published: February 2021

Background

In vitro embryo production (IVP) and embryo transfer (ET) are two very common assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in human and cattle. However, in pig, the combination of either procedures, or even their use separately, is still considered suboptimal due to the low efficiency of IVP plus the difficulty of performing ET in the long and contorted uterus of the sow. In addition, the potential impact of these two ART on the health of the offspring is unknown. We investigated here if the use of a modified IVP system, with natural reproductive fluids (RF) as supplements to the culture media, combined with a minimally invasive surgery to perform ET, affects the output of the own IVP system as well as the reproductive performance of the mother and placental molecular traits.

Results

The blastocyst rates obtained by both in vitro systems, conventional (C-IVP) and modified (RF-IVP), were similar. Pregnancy and farrowing rates were also similar. However, when compared to in vivo control (artificial insemination, AI), litter sizes of both IVP groups were lower, while placental efficiency was higher in AI than in RF-IVP. Gene expression studies revealed aberrant expression levels for PEG3 and LUM in placental tissue for C-IVP group when compared to AI, but not for RF-IVP group.

Conclusions

The use of reproductive fluids as additives for the culture media in pig IVP does not improve reproductive performance of recipient mothers but could mitigate the impact of artificial procedures in the offspring.
Modelling an unconventional closed-loop deep borehole heat exchanger (DBHE): sensitivity analysis on the Newberry volcanic setting
Authors: Doran Hannah R. , Renaud Theo , Falcone Gioia , Pan Lehua , Verdin Patrick G.
Published: February 2021

Alternative (unconventional) deep geothermal designs are needed to provide a secure and efficient geothermal energy supply. An in-depth sensitivity analysis was investigated considering a deep borehole closed-loop heat exchanger (DBHE) to overcome the current limitations of deep EGS. A T2Well/EOS1 model previously calibrated on an experimental DBHE in Hawaii was adapted to the current NWG 55-29 well at the Newberry volcano site in Central Oregon. A sensitivity analysis was carried out, including parameters such as the working fluid mass flow rate, the casing and cement thermal properties, and the wellbore radii dimensions. The results conclude the highest energy flow rate to be 1.5 MW, after an annulus radii increase and an imposed mass flow rate of 5 kg/s. At 3 kg/s, the DBHE yielded an energy flow rate a factor of 3.5 lower than the NWG 55-29 conventional design. Despite this loss, the sensitivity analysis allows an assessment of the key thermodynamics within the wellbore and provides a valuable insight into how heat is lost/gained throughout the system. This analysis was performed under the assumption of subcritical conditions, and could aid the development of unconventional designs within future EGS work like the Newberry Deep Drilling Project (NDDP). Requirements for further software development are briefly discussed, which would facilitate the modelling of unconventional geothermal wells in supercritical systems to support EGS projects that could extend to deeper depths.
Development and validation of the method for the detection of glimepiride via derivatization employing N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Verma Priyanka , Bajaj Atul , Tripathi R. M. , Shukla Sudhir K. , Nagpal Suman
Published: February 2021

Background

Recent advances in the diversified anti-diabetic drugs have appeared in the startling increase in the count of poisoning cases. The epidemics of diabetes mellitus are increasing; hence, the no. of anti-diabetic drug users raised by 42.9%. The use of glimepiride raised to 24%. As the toxicity and drug cases are also escalating with increasing epidemics of diabetes mellitus, a novel gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for detecting glimepiride in biological matrices is developed.

Results

Liquid-liquid extraction method was employed by using 1-butanol: hexane (50:50, v/v) under an alkaline medium, and then back extraction was done via acetic acid. Distinct derivatization techniques were employed for the sample preparation for GC-MS analysis, i.e., silylation and acylation. Derivatization approaches were optimized under different parameters, i.e., reaction temperature and reaction time. N-Methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide [MSTFA] was found to be the best sound derivatization reagent for the GC-MS analysis of glimepiride. Total ion current (TIC) mode was selected for the monitoring of ions of trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative of glimepiride with an m/z ratio of 256. Distinct parameters like specificity, carryover, stability, precision, and accuracy were evaluated for validating the identification method. The GC-MS method is found to be linear and illustrated within the range 500 to 2500 ng/ml with the value of R2 (coefficient of determination) at 0.9924. The stability of the extracted and derivatized glimepiride was accessed with regard to processed/extracted sample conditions and autosampler conditions, respectively. Accuracy at each concentration level was within the + 15% of the nominal concentration. Precision (%) for the interday and intraday analysis was found to be in the respectable spectrum.

Conclusion

Henceforth, the proposed GC-MS method can be employed for the determination of glimepiride in biological matrices.
Biomedical application of photo-crosslinked gelatin hydrogels
Authors: Xiang Lei , Cui Wenguo
Published: February 2021

During the past decades, photo-crosslinked gelatin hydrogel (methacrylated gelatin, GelMA) has gained a lot of attention due to its remarkable application in the biomedical field. It has been widely used in cell transplantation, cell culture and drug delivery, based on its crosslinking to form hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and excellent bio-compatibility when exposed to light irradiation to mimic the micro-environment of native extracellular matrix (ECM). Because of its unique biofunctionality and mechanical tenability, it has also been widely applied in the repair and regeneration of bone, heart, cornea, epidermal tissue, cartilage, vascular, peripheral nerve, oral mucosa, and skeletal muscle et al. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent application of GelMA in drug delivery and tissue engineering field. Moreover, this review article will briefly introduce both the development of GelMA and the characterization of GelMA. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future development prospects of GelMA as a tissue engineering material and drug or gene delivery carrier, hoping to contribute to accelerating the development of GelMA in the biomedical field.

Graphical abstract
Identification of the most potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from plants for possible treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: a computational approach
Authors: Sarkar Bishajit , Alam Sayka , Rajib Tiluttoma Khan , Islam Syed Sajidul , Araf Yusha , Ullah Md. Asad
Published: February 2021

Background

Being one of the rapidly growing dementia type diseases in the world, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has gained much attention from researchers in the recent decades. Many hypotheses have been developed that describe different reasons for the development of AD. Among them, the cholinergic hypothesis depicts that the degradation of an important neurotransmitter, acetylcholine by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), is responsible for the development of AD. Although, many anti-AChE drugs are already available in the market, their performance sometimes yields unexpected results. For this reason, research works are going on to find out potential anti-AChE agents both from natural and synthetic sources. In this study, 50 potential anti-AChE phytochemicals were analyzed using numerous tools of bioinformatics and in silico biology to find out the best possible anti-AChE agents among the selected 50 ligands through molecular docking, determination of the druglikeness properties, conducting the ADMET test, PASS and P450 site of metabolism prediction, and DFT calculations.

Result

The predictions of this study suggested that among the selected 50 ligands, bellidifolin, naringenin, apigenin, and coptisine were the 4 best compounds with quite similar and sound performance in most of the experiments.

Conclusion

In this study, bellidifolin, naringenin, apigenin, and coptisine were found to be the most effective agents for treating the AD targeting AChE. However, more in vivo and in vitro analyses are required to finally confirm the outcomes of this research.
Association of working hours, job position, and BMI with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the physiotherapists of Gujarat—an observational study
Authors: Ramanandi Vivek H. , Desai Anjan R.
Published: February 2021

Background

Physiotherapists are prone to develop work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Region wise distribution and frequency of work disturbance have been studied in physiotherapists but exploration of the probable association of working hours, job position, and body mass index (BMI) with WMSDs is not adequately done in the Gujarat, India. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate these aspects among the physiotherapists of Gujarat.

Results

An online cross-sectional survey including 322 physiotherapists was conducted and the data was collected after gaining informed electronic consent. Present study showed no significant co-relation between job position (0.602), weekly working hours (0.930), and BMI (0.589) with WMSDs prevalence. The 1-year work disturbance and 1-week musculoskeletal difficulties were found to be due to low back-related complaints (35.09%, 33.85%).

Conclusion

It is inferred that high prevalence of WMSDs in physiotherapists may be due to one of various factors including job position, working hours, and BMI but they are not significantly correlated with WMSDs.
Quantifying the heterogeneity of cognitive functioning in Alzheimer’s disease to extend the placebo-treatment dichotomy: Latent class analysis of individual-participant data from five pivotal randomized clinical trials of donepezil
Authors: Levine Stephen Z. , Goldberg Yair , Yoshida Kazufumi , Samara Myrto , Cipriani Andrea , Iwatsubo Takeshi , Leucht Stefan , Furawaka Toshiaki A.
Published: February 2021

Background

The extent and profiles of heterogeneity in cognitive functioning among participants in clinical trials of antidementia medication are unknown. We aimed to quantify and identify profiles of heterogeneity of cognition in Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods

Individual-level participant data were analyzed from five pivotal clinical trials of donepezil for Alzheimer’s disease (N = 2,919). Based on Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale total scores from baseline up to week 12, a latent class model was used to identify heterogeneous groups. A logistic regression model was used to examine factors associated with group membership. Sensitivity analysis was conducted, restricted to the donepezil, and then the placebo arm.

Results

The latent class model identified three classes labeled as low scorers (i.e., least cognitive impairment;N = 1,666, 76.04%), improvers (N = 27, 1.23%), and high scorers (N = 498, 22.73%). Logistic modeling showed that donepezil compared to placebo was significantly (p < 0.05) positively associated with membership in the improvers class (OR = 6.88, 95% CI = 2.03, 42.95), and negatively with high scorers (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.64, 0.98). Sensitivity analysis restricted to the placebo, then donepezil arms replicated similar heterogeneity patterns.

Conclusions

Our results inform clinicians regarding the extent of heterogeneity in cognitive functioning during treatment and contribute to trial design considerations.
Extracellular Vesicles in Oncology: from Immune Suppression to Immunotherapy
Authors: Srivastava Akhil , Rathore Shipra , Munshi Anupama , Ramesh Rajagopal
Published: February 2021

Exosomes are involved in cell-to-cell communication and play a crucial role in cellular physiology. The role of exosomes in cancer has been widely explored. Tumor cells have evolved and adapted to evade the immune response. The study of the immune system’s modulations in favor of rogue tumor cells led to the development of a novel immunotherapeutic strategy targeting the immune checkpoint proteins (ICPs). In clinical settings, the response to ICP therapy has been inconsistent and is difficult to predict. Quantitating the targeted ICPs through immunohistochemistry is one approach, but is not pragmatic in a clinical setting and is often not sensitive. Examining the molecules present in bodily fluids to determine ICP treatment response, “liquid biopsy” is a convenient alternative. The term “liquid biopsy” refers to circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), non-coding (nc) RNA, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating free DNA (cfDNA), etc. EVs includes exosomes, microvesicles, and oncosomes. Herein, we focus on exosomes isolated from bodily fluids and their use in liquid biopsy. Due to their unique ability to transfer bioactive molecules and perturb the physiology of recipient cells, exosomes have garnered attention for their immune modulation role and as a resource to identify molecules associated with liquid biopsy–based diagnostic methods. In this review, we examine the putative role of exosomes and their cargo in influencing the immune system. We discuss the immune and tumor cells present in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the exosomes derived from these cells to understand how they participate in creating the immune-suppressive TME. Additionally, use of exosomes in liquid biopsy–based methods to measure the treatment response elicited by immunotherapy is discussed. Finally, we describe how exosomes have been used to develop immune therapies, especially cell-free vaccines, for cancer treatment.
Academic Achievement of Children in Same- and Different-Sex-Parented Families: A Population-Level Analysis of Linked Administrative Data From the Netherlands
Authors: Kabátek Jan , Perales Francisco
Published: February 2021

Although numerous studies have examined how children raised in same-sex-parented families fare relative to children in different-sex-parented families, this body of work suffers from major methodological shortcomings. By leveraging linked administrative data from several population registers from the Netherlands covering the 2006–2018 period (n = 1,454,577), we overcome most methodological limitations affecting earlier research. The unique features of the data include complete population coverage, reliable identification of same-sex-parented families, a large number of children in same-sex-parented families (n = 3,006), multiple objective and verifiable educational outcomes, and detailed measures of family dynamics over children's entire life courses. The results indicate that children in same-sex-parented families outperform children in different-sex-parented families on multiple indicators of academic performance, including standardized tests scores, high school graduation rates, and college enrollment. Such advantages extend to both male and female children, and are more pronounced among children in female than male same-sex-parented families. These findings challenge deficit models of same-sex parenting.
The clinical impact of bacterial co-infection among moderate, severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients in the second referral hospital in Surabaya
Authors: Asmarawati Tri Pudy , Rosyid Alfian Nur , Suryantoro Satriyo Dwi , Mahdi Bagus Aulia , Windradi Choirina , Wulaningrum Prastuti Asta , Arifijanto Muhammad Vitanata , Bramantono Bramantono , Triyono Erwin Astha , Rusli Musofa , Rachman Brian Eka , Marfiani Erika , Endraswari Pepy Dwi , Hadi Usman , Kuntaman Kuntaman , Nasronudin Nasronudin
Published: February 2021

Background: Data on the prevalence of bacterial co-infections among COVID-19 patients are limited, especially in our country, Indonesia. We aimed to assess the rate of bacterial co-infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and report the most common microorganisms involved and the antibiotic use in these patients.

Methods: This study is a cross sectional study with retrospective approach, among COVID-19 adult patients admitted to Universitas Airlangga Hospital Surabaya from 14 March-30 September 2020. The bacterial infection is defined based on clinical assessment, laboratory parameters, and microbiology results.

Results: A total of 218 patients with moderate to critical illness and confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Bacterial infection was confirmed in 43 patients (19.7%). COVID-19 patients with bacterial infections had longer hospital length of stay (17.6 ± 6.62 vs 13.31±7.12), a higher proportion of respiratory failure, intensive care treatment, and ventilator use. COVID-19 patients with bacterial infection had a worse prognosis than those without bacterial infection (p<0.04). The empirical antibiotic was given to 75.2% of the patients. Gram-negative bacteria were commonly found as causative agents in this study (n = 39; 70.37%).

Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with bacterial infection have a longer length of stay and worse outcomes. Healthcare-associated infections during intensive care treatment for COVID-19 patients must be carefully prevented.
Safe abortion services during the COVID -19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary center in Nepal
Authors: Aryal Shreyashi , Nepal Samata , Ballav Pant Sagun
Published: February 2021

Background: Abortion is an essential service, the need for which has increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Because of the lockdowns at several periods, these services were hampered. This study analyzed the pattern of Safe Abortion Services (SAS) at a tertiary healthcare center during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study. We compared the pattern of safe abortion services between the first three months of the pandemic when a lockdown was implemented and the second three months when the lockdown was eased. Demographic and obstetric profile of women, their abortion choices, method of termination, difficulty in accessibility, and level of psychological distress were studied.

Results: A total of 52 women were provided SAS during the study period. The number of women coming for SAS during lockdown was 47.1% less than that after easing of the lockdown. During the lockdown, women came at a later period of gestation with a mean of 9.5 weeks compared to 7.5 weeks in the later three months. Because of fear of COVID-19, 19.2% (n=10) women opted for termination of pregnancy. Increased need of contraception was felt but 40% (n=12) had problems of accessibility. More women had probable serious mental illness during the lockdown period (p=0.008).

Conclusion: Lockdown during the pandemic decreased the number of women coming for SAS due to barriers in accessibility. Contraceptive needs are also increased but access is difficult. The need for safe abortion services and contraception has increased during the pandemic but the lockdown caused inaccessibility. Psychological distress is prevalent, and fear of COVID-19 has become a common reason for termination of pregnancy. This pandemic can be taken as an opportunity to provide and improve contraception and abortion accessibility, and quality with integration of mental health support.
Semiocide: An introduction to semiotics of destruction of the meaningful
Authors: Uslu Mehmet Emir
Published: February 2021

The aim of this article is to expand on the concept of semiocide which, in broad terms, is the destruction of signs and semiosis. Taking its point of departure from Ivar Puura’s article on the concept, this essay attempts to find conceptual parallels and historical examples of the term, expanding its range through a critique of its original conception. Departing from the initial conservatism of Puura’s definition, the article will argue for a more diverse understanding of the term, suggesting a view that positions semiocide not just as a descriptor for lamentable losses, but also as a potential avenue for emancipatory praxis, whereby established, hegemonic and oppressive meanings can be undermined and new possibilities of representation and identity explored.
Peirce Chase’ing Pythagoras
Authors: Rebane Rasmus
Published: February 2021

Despite the common knowledge that there is something “Pythagorean” about Charles Peirce’s phenomenology and classification of signs there is a manifest lack of inquiries into the matter. Perhaps there is too little to go on, as Pythagoras himself did not leave us any writings to consult. Nevertheless, much of ancient Greek philosophy bears an unmistakable Pythagorean stamp, and Iamblichus’ bio - graphy of Pythagoras provides us with enough to get such inquiries started. This paper examines the development of triads, beginning with the Pythagorean one (body, soul, and intellect) and proceeds to those of Immanuel Kant (Experience, Understanding, and Reason) and Peirce’s compatriot and family acquaintance Pliny Earle Chase (Motivity, Spontaneity, and Rationality). The article concludes with an examination of the various triads in Peirce’s early writings, especially around the time of his discovery of Chase’s “Intellectual symbolism”.
Juri Lotman, Gilles Deleuze and their approaches to cinema: Points of intersection
Authors: Konstantinov Mihael
Published: February 2021

Engaging with the methods of studying contemporary digital audiovisual art is a dominant topic in contemporary theories of art. Against this background, the article offers a view onto some aspects of Juri Lotman’s and Gilles Deleuze’s studies on the cinema.

As a rule, contemporary studies of digital audiovisual art take place in the context of interdisciplinary studies. One of the methodological principles of such studies consists in adopting a structural and semiotic approach. As of today, this methodological approach to studying audio-visual art is most developed in semiotics of the cinema, which is why in this article visual semiotics in general is viewed through semiotics of the cinema (proceeding from the approach of Juri Lotman). Also, the philosophical understanding of the nature of the cinema offered by Gilles Deleuze has proven fundamental for the study of contemporary audio-visual art.

The two authors were contemporaries, but represented different scholarly paradigms: while Juri Lotman was an adherent of structuralism, Gilles Deleuze was a poststructuralist who criticized the structuralist approach. Yet despite this principal difference, both scholars still arrived at similar conclusions as concerns several questions regarding the understanding of the cinema and its very nature. In the present paper I focus on the features of these authors’ approach to spatial and temporal relations in the cinema, audiovisual relations in film as a heterogeneous form of the work of art, virtuality and mythologism in the viewer’s perception of cinema.

The differences and similarities in academic approaches to cinema, developed by Lotman and Deleuze, indicate a common direction in the development of the cinema and visual arts theory, which seems relevant for the study of contemporary audio-visual arts.
Movilidad e interactividad en el ámbito universitario. Oportunidades para las apps.
Authors: Fondevila-Gascón Joan_Francesc , Polo-López Marc , Gutiérrez-Aragón Óscar , Rom-Rodríguez Josep
Published: February 2021

Mobility and interactivity are two growing phenomena among youth. Mobile applications (apps) are capturing the attention of university students, which opens up a range of opportunities. Using a quantitative and qualitative research method, the possible usefulness of applications in the university environment with an entertainment objective is studied. It is concluded that from the student perspective, interactive applications specialized in their profile are well received and that the main criteria of choice are quality and price. A significant relationship is observed between age and use of social networks to plan entertainment. Spanish university students, therefore, need a specialized app that covers their leisure and entertainment needs digitally and efficiently.
Representación audiovisual de personajes de ficción en el carnaval de Cádiz. Hipercultura popular.
Authors: Fernández Jiménez Estrella
Published: February 2021

The way of communicating that the Cádiz carnival has makes it a versatile cultural manifestation. Throght the transcription and viewing of coplas we extract how the authors interpret phenomena of popular culture such as superheroes, characters from movies or romantic literature and turn them into carnival groups combining phenomena of different origin. This gives rise to another cultural product through the palimpsest (Genette) and the appropriation of signs and symbols. We show how a popular hypercultura is produced through the representation and writing of coplas.
La inserción sociolaboral de las víctimas de violencia de género en Francia. Con referencias a mujeres migrantes, con discapacidad, de edad avanzada, jóvenes y del entorno rural.
Authors: Cialti Pierre-Henri
Published: February 2021

En el marco de la lucha contra la violencia de género, la inserción sociolaboral de las mujeres víctimas constituye una cuestión central para permitirles salir durablemente de la situación de violencia. El presente trabajo tiene como objeto aportar elementos de comprensión de la realidad francesa al respecto. Para ello, se tratarán varios aspectos, como el marco legal relativa a la igualdad entre hombres y mujeres, las medidas legales y reglamentarias puestas en marcha específicamente en cuanto a la inserción sociolaboral de las víctimas de violencia de género. Igualmente se abordará el papel de los interlocutores sociales y de las asociaciones, así como de la responsabilidad social de las empresas. Finalmente, se formularán algunas consideraciones sobre mujeres sujetas a otros tipos de vulnerabilidades.
Violencia de género e inserción socio-laboral de las víctimas: enfoque razonado en el contexto italiano.
Authors: Bini Stefano
Published: February 2021

El presente estudio propone un análisis crítico y razonado de la situación legal que caracteriza, en Italia, el tema de la violencia de género, con especial referencia al perfil de la inserción socio-laboral de las víctimas. Considerado el fenómeno “violencia de género” en su dimensión conceptual, se toma en consideración el marco normativo italiano, tanto a nivel nacional como regional, para luego razonar sobre un caso de estudio en particular, representado por la inserción socio-laboral de las víctimas “doblemente vulnerables” en razón de su delicada condición de migrantes. Por último, se proponen algunas reflexiones finales
Através do nariz vermelho: a identidade do palhaço terapêutico
Authors: Melo Cynthia de Freitas , Ramos Camila de Oliveira
Published: February 2021

Na tentativa de mitigar o sofrimento da hospitalização, cresce a valorização dos aspectos psicossociais e das ações de humanização, em especial do palhaço terapêutico, que buscam emergir o sorriso “por detrás” do corpo doente, seja adulto ou criança. Tema pouco explorado pela literatura a partir da perspectiva desses sujeitos e de sua identidade. Diante do exposto, a presente pesquisa objetivou investigar a identidade do palhaço, compreendendo sua identidade pessoal e social. Foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória, de abordagem qualitativa. A partir de critério de saturação, contouse com a participação de dez palhaços, que responderam um roteiro de entrevista semiestru- turado, cujos dados foram compreendidos com apoio do software iramuteq. Os resultados evidenciam que as experiências no contexto da formação e prática do palhaço possibilitam o desenvolvimento de diversos aspectos da identidade pessoal e social. Concluise que o palhaço subverte a lógica, através da piada eriso, facilitando a ressignificação do outro indivíduo e sua própria identidade.
Podem os pós-avisos de esclarecimento eliminar a conformidade da memória?
Authors: Silva Fernandes Delfina Manuela , B. Albuquerque Pedro , Luna Karlos
Published: February 2021

Após a discussão com outra testemunha sobre um acontecimento, as pessoas podem incorporar nas suas próprias memórias informações novas e erradas e, consequentemente incluí-las em relatos posteriores ao evento. Este fenómeno apelida-se de conformidade da memória. O presente estudo teve como objetivo perceber de que forma as testemunhas podem ser protegidas desta informação falsa utilizando pós-avisos de esclarecimento. Nesta investigação utilizou-se o procedimento MORI. Inicialmente, os participantes viram, em pares, um vídeo com duas versões que continham informação inconsistente. Seguidamente, discutiram detalhes do vídeo de forma a introduzir espontaneamente a informação falsa. Por fim, metade dos participantes receberam um pós-aviso de esclarecimento e, posteriormente, todos os participantes realizaram um teste de reconhecimento. Os resultados mostraram que a discussão entre teste- munhas afetou a exatidão da memória, sendo menor para itens disputados durante a discussão do que para itens não disputados. Revelaram ainda que o pós-avi- so de esclarecimento não eliminou a conformidade da memória. Assim, conclui-se que a informação enganosa introduzida pela discussão com outra testemunha tem uma influência tão forte na memória do evento que dificilmente é revertida. Desta forma, os relatos das testemunhas podem apresentar informações falsas, algo preocupante para o sistema legal.
Propiedades Psicométricas de la Escala de Desmoralización (DS-II versión español-Colombia) para pacientes oncológicos que reciben cuidado paliativo
Authors: Palacios Espinosa Ximena , Sánchez Pedraza Ricardo , Rodríguez Carlos
Published: February 2021

La desmoralización es un síndrome psiquiátrico frecuente en pacientes oncológicos en cuidados paliativos, por lo cual su medición es pertinente y relevante en el ámbito de la Psicooncología. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Desmoralización II (DS-II) al ser aplicada en Colombia, en 516 pacientes adultos con cáncer en estadios avanzados. Se realizó adaptación transcultural de la Escala y se determinaron sus propiedades psicométricas desde la teoría clásica de medición y la teoría de respuesta al ítem (análisis de Rasch). Se analizaron validez de contenido, consistencia interna, validez de criterio, confiabilidad. El análisis factorial exploratorio mostró tres dominios respaldados por análisis factorial confirmatorio que además mostró un ajuste aceptable de la Escala. Los resultados indicaron que la DS-II (versión español-Colombia) es confiable (alfa de Cronbach = 0.87 y Lambda de Gutman = 0.88) y útil para identificar niveles intermedios de desmoralización, sin uno de los ítems. Se discuten otros resultados relacionados con la confiabilidad test retest y la sensibilidad, así como su uso potencial en la población estudiada.
Trials and Terminations: Learning from Competitors’ R&D Failures
Authors: Krieger Joshua L.
Published: February 2021

I analyze project continuation decisions where firms may resolve uncertainty through news about competitors’ research and development (R&D) failures, as well as through their own results. I examine the tradeoffs and interactions between product-market competition and technological learning from parallel R&D projects. Leveraging the biopharmaceutical industry’s unique characteristics to overcome barriers to measuring project-level responses, I use a difference-in-differences strategy to evaluate how competitor exit news alters a firm’s own project discontinuation decisions. The findings reveal that technological learning dominates competition effects. Firms are most sensitive to competitor failure news from within the same market and same technology area—more than doubling their propensity to terminate drug development projects in the wake of this type of information. Finally, I explore how levels of competition, uncertainty, and opportunities to learn moderate the response to competitor failure news.

This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.
The Short-Run and Long-Run Components of Idiosyncratic Volatility and Stock Returns
Authors: Liu Yunting
Published: February 2021

To capture the dynamics of idiosyncratic volatility of stock returns over different horizons and investigate the relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and expected stock returns, this paper develops and estimates a parsimonious model of idiosyncratic volatility consisting of a short-run and a long-run component. The conditional short-run and long-run components are found to be positively and negatively related to expected stock returns, respectively. The positive relation between the short-run component and stock returns may be caused by investors requiring compensation for bearing idiosyncratic volatility risk when facing trading frictions and hold underdiversified portfolios. The negative relationship between the long-run component and stock returns may reflect the fact that stocks with high long-run idiosyncratic volatility are less exposed to systematic risk factors and, hence, earn lower returns. Moreover, the low-risk exposure of stocks characterized by high idiosyncratic volatility lends support to real-option-based mechanisms to explain this negative relation. In particular, the systematic risk of a firm with abundant growth options crucially depends upon the risk exposure of these options. The value of growth options could rise significantly because of convexity when the increase in idiosyncratic volatility occurs over long horizons. And growth options’ systematic risk could fall because the relative magnitude of their value in relation to systematic risk factors decreases.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
The Locomotive Assignment Problem with Distributed Power at the Canadian National Railway Company
Authors: Ortiz-Astorquiza Camilo , Cordeau Jean-François , Frejinger Emma
Published: February 2021

Some of the most important optimization problems faced by railway operators arise from the management of their locomotive fleet. In this paper, we study a general version of the locomotive assignment problem encountered at the tactical level by one of the largest railroads in North America: the Canadian National (CN) Railway Company. We present a modeling framework with two integer linear programming formulations and contribute to the state of the art by allowing decisions on each train’s operating mode (distributed power or not) over the whole (weekly) planning horizon without partitioning it winto smaller time windows. Given the difficulty in solving the problem, one of the formulations is enhanced through various refinements, such as constraint relaxations, preprocessing, and fixed cost approximations. We thus achieve a significant reduction in the required computational time to solve instances of realistic size. We also present two versions of a Benders decomposition–based algorithm to obtain feasible solutions. On average, it allows a reduction of the associated computational time by two hours. Results from an extensive computational study and a case study with data provided by CN confirm the potential benefits of the model and solution approach.
El populismo o los populismos. Actualidad y particularidades del concepto en América Latina
Authors: Morán Sabrina
Published: February 2021

El populismo comprende uno de los tópicos más recurrentes tanto en la discusión política como científico-social contemporánea. Utilizado de manera recurrente en forma peyorativa, este concepto ha suscitado vastas discusiones al interior de las Ciencias Sociales. Este artículo se propone realizar un recorrido por las conceptualizaciones del populismo en América Latina, buscando esclarecer su evolución teórica y su tenaz actualidad en la región.
Avaliação da qualidade da água de poços tabulares do lençol freá-tico na cidade de Paracuru-Ceará, Brasil
Authors: Peixoto Carlos Virgilio Aparecido do Vale , Johann Liana
Published: February 2021

A questão da falta de saneamento básico e esgotamento sanitário é um dos maiores desafios para os países em desenvolvimento. Na atual conjuntura brasileira, as cidades apresentam crescimento populacional superior ao ritmo de construção de infraestrutura, o que causa uma deficiência e falta de acesso dos serviços de saneamento. A cidade de Paracuru-CE possui grande disponibilidade de água subterrânea, mas que pode estar com sua qualidade comprometida por falta de uma rede de esgoto eficiente que atenda toda a comunidade. O estudo busca caracterizar a situação do recurso hídrico subterrâneo na cidade, através de análises químico-físicas e microbiológicas de 20 poços artesianos, antes e depois do veraneio de 07 de julho a 07 de agosto de 2019. Dentre os resultados encontrados nesse estudo, observou-se nas análises microbiológicas, 35% das amostras de águas subterrâneas, encontram-se contaminadas por bactérias heterotróficas, 90% com coliformes fecais e 15% com Escherichia coli. Nas análises físico-químicas encontra-se 15% pH fora do dos limites de potabilidade, de acordo com a Portaria Nº 2914/2011 do Ministério da Saúde, 20% com ferro, 15% com turbidez e 15% com cor aparente, indicando a ausência ou deficiência de saneamento básico adequado na maior parte da cidade.