bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Epistemic Role of Core Cognition
Authors: Jenkin Zoe
Published: April 2020

According to a traditional picture, perception and belief have starkly different epistemic roles. Beliefs have epistemic statuses as justified or unjustified, depending on how they are formed and maintained. In contrast, perceptions are “unjustified justifiers.” Core cognition is a set of mental systems that stand at the border of perception and belief, and has been extensively studied in developmental psychology. Core cognition's borderline states do not fit neatly into the traditional epistemic picture. What is the epistemic role of these states? Focusing on the core object system, the author argues that core object representations have epistemic statuses like beliefs do, despite their many prototypically perceptual features. First, the author argues that it is a sufficient condition on a mental state's having an epistemic status as justified or unjustified that the state is based on reasons. Then the author argues that core object representations are based on reasons, through an examination of both experimental results and key markers of the basing relation. The scope of mental states that are subject to epistemic evaluation as justified or unjustified is not restricted to beliefs.
A comprehensive study of phospholipid fatty acid rearrangements in metabolic syndrome: correlations with organ dysfunction
Authors: Bacle Amélie , Kadri Linette , Khoury Spiro , Ferru-Clément Romain , Faivre Jean-François , Cognard Christian , Bescond Jocelyn , Krzesiak Amandine , Contzler Hugo , Delpech Nathalie , Colas Jenny , Vandebrouck Clarisse , Sébille Stéphane , Ferreira Thierry
Published: April 2020

The balance within phospholipids (PLs) between saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids is known to regulate the biophysical properties of cellular membranes. As a consequence, in many cell types, perturbing this balance alters crucial cellular processes, such as vesicular budding and the trafficking/function of membrane-anchored proteins. The worldwide spread of the Western diet, which is highly enriched in saturated fats, has been clearly correlated with the emergence of a complex syndrome known as metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is defined as a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis; however, no clear correlations have been established between diet-induced fatty acid redistribution within cellular PLs and the severity/chronology of the symptoms associated with MetS or the function of the targeted organs. To address this issue, in this study we analyzed PL remodeling in rats exposed to a high-fat/high-fructose diet (HFHF) over a 15-week period. PL remodeling was analyzed in several organs, including known MetS targets. We show that fatty acids from the diet can redistribute within PLs in a very selective manner, with phosphatidylcholine being the preferred sink for this redistribution. Moreover, in the HFHF rat model, most organs are protected from this redistribution, at least during the early onset of MetS, at the expense of the liver and skeletal muscles. Interestingly, such a redistribution correlates with clear-cut alterations in the function of these organs.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Effect of differences in pixel size on image characteristics of digital intraoral radiographic systems: a physical and visual evaluation
Authors: Kuramoto Taku , Takarabe Shinya , Okamura Kazutoshi , Shiotsuki Kenshi , Shibayama Yusuke , Tsuru Hiroki , Akamine Hiroshi , Tatsumi Masato , Kato Toyoyuki , Morishita Junji , Yoshiura Kazunori
Published: April 2020

Objectives:

To quantify and validate the effect of pixel size on a digital intraoral radiographic system according to International Electrotechnical Commission standards through physical and visual evaluations.

Methods:

The digital intraoral radiographic system used was the photostimulable phosphor imaging plate and scanner system. The system had three image capture modes: high-speed (HS), high-resolution (HR), and super high-resolution (SHR) with different pixels. The physical characteristics of the system were evaluated using presampled modulation transfer function (MTF) and the normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS). An aluminum (Al) step phantom with different depths of holes was used to acquire images under various exposure conditions. The average number of perceptible holes from all steps was plotted against each exposure dose. The results were compared to analyze the effects of pixel size on image quality of intraoral radiographs.

Results:

The MTF was slightly higher with SHR than with HR and HS. The NNPS with SHR showed about a 40% decrease in magnitude compared to HS. The total number of perceptible holes in the Al step phantom was higher with SHR than with HS and HR in all exposure conditions.

Conclusions:

The MTF and NNPS obtained with different pixel size could be quantified by physical evaluation, and the differences were visually validated with Al step phantom. The SHR mode has the potential to decrease the radiation dose without compromising the image quality.
Warning Against Recurring Risks: An Information Design Approach
Authors: Alizamir Saed , de Véricourt Francis , Wang Shouqiang
Published: April 2020

The World Health Organization seeks effective ways to alert its member states about global pandemics. Motivated by this challenge, we study a public agency’s problem of designing warning policies to mitigate potential disasters that occur with advance notice. The agency privately receives early information about recurring harmful events and issues warnings to induce an uninformed stakeholder to take preemptive actions. The agency’s decision to issue a warning critically depends on its reputation, which we define as the stakeholder’s belief regarding the accuracy of the agency’s information. The agency faces then a trade-off between eliciting a proper response today and maintaining its reputation to elicit responses to future events. We formulate this problem as a dynamic Bayesian persuasion game, which we solve in closed form. We find that the agency sometimes strategically misrepresents its advance information about a current threat to cultivate its future reputation. When its reputation is sufficiently low, the agency downplays the risk and actually downplays more as its reputation improves. By contrast, when its reputation is high, the agency sometimes exaggerates the threat and exaggerates more as its reputation deteriorates. Only when its reputation is moderate does the agency send warning messages that fully disclose its private information. Our study suggests a plausible and novel rationale for some of the false alarms or omissions observed in practice. We further test the robustness of our findings to imperfect advance information, disasters without advance notice, and heterogeneous receivers.

This paper was accepted by Manel Baucells, decision analysis.
Orthodontic pain
Authors: Grewal Sukhraj , Harris Lydia MJ , Ponduri Sirisha , Naish Hywel , Ellis Pamela , Sandy Jonathan R , Ireland Anthony J
Published: April 2020

Pain is a common side-effect of orthodontic treatment. The aetiology of orthodontic pain, pain pathways and pain management will be described.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: An understanding of the cause and subsequent management of orthodontic pain is essential for any orthodontist in order to improve patient co-operation and satisfaction with treatment.
Orthodontic bonding to atypical tooth surfaces
Authors: Prado Naomi , Caldwell Susi , Ashley Martin
Published: April 2020

Orthodontic bonding techniques continue to evolve with the ever-changing population. With the demand for orthodontic treatment increasing, the specialty is regularly presented with restored dentitions, anterior crowns, bleached teeth, as well as those presenting with developmental conditions, such as fluorosis and amelogenesis imperfecta. Reduced orthodontic bond strength can lead to failure of the appliance and in turn lead to prolonged treatment times and patient dissatisfaction. This article aims to summarize the recommended methods for bonding and give an updated review of optimizing techniques.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Adequate bracket bond strength is an essential part of orthodontic treatment, to prevent breakages and reduce treatment time and risk factors.
Predictors of length of stay following shoulder arthroplasty in a high-volume UK centre
Authors: Dacombe P , Harries L , McCann P , Crowther M , Packham I , Sarangi P , Whitehouse MR
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Shoulder arthroplasty rates are increasing in the UK. No data have been published from a UK centre on predictors of length of inpatient stay following shoulder arthroplasty. This study analyses the length of inpatient stay following shoulder arthroplasty in a high-volume UK centre and identifies predictors of prolonged inpatient stay.

Materials and methods

All shoulder arthroplasty cases performed between 2012 and 2018 were identified. A review of case notes and electronic patient records was completed to identify demographic data, Charlson comorbidity score, length of inpatient stay and factors associated with length of stay. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine which factors were independently associated with length of inpatient stay.

Results

A total of 640 shoulder arthroplasty cases were performed in 566 patients. Median length of stay was two days. Length of stay was predicted by age, sex, chronic kidney disease, congestive cardiac failure, previous myocardial infarction, intraoperative complication and postoperative transfusion.

Discussion

Increasing age, female sex, chronic kidney disease, congestive cardiac failure, previous myocardial infarction, intraoperative complication and transfusion were independent predictors of increased length of stay. Strategies to reduce perioperative complication and transfusion, and to optimise renal and cardiac comorbidities may reduce overall length of stay for shoulder arthroplasty patients.
Plug-and-play continuous-variable quantum key distribution for metropolitan networks
Authors: Valivarthi R. , Etcheverry S. , Aldama J. , Zwiehoff F. , Pruneri V.
Published: April 2020

We report a plug-and-play continuous variable quantum key distribution system (CV-QKD) with Gaussian modulated quadratures and a true local oscillator. The proposed configuration avoids the need for frequency locking two narrow line-width lasers. To minimize Rayleigh back-scattering, we utilize two independent fiber strands for the distribution of the laser and the transmission of the quantum signals. We further demonstrate the quantum-classical co-existing capability of our system by injecting high-power classical light in both fibers. A secret key rate up to 0.88 Mb/s is obtained by using two fiber links of 13 km and up to 0.3 Mb/s when adding 4 mW of classical light in the optical fiber used for transmitting the quantum signal. The reported performance indicates that the proposed QKD scheme has the potential to become an effective low-cost solution for metropolitan optical networks.
Female idols in Japan: Desiring desire, fantasmatic consumption and drive satisfaction
Authors: Van Haecke Pieter-Jan
Published: April 2020

In this article, the author explores the idol-phenomenon in Japanese society and, more specifically, how the relation between the idol-image and the otaku should be understood. By analysing the way in which the otaku interacts with his desired idol-image, the author is able to explain how an otaku comes to desire an idol-image and how his supportive consumption of her commodities constitutes an investment in her grand-narrative of lack. He also shows how this consumption, as driven by the otaku’s desire to desire, concerns a consumption of fantasies of the supposedly writable sexual relationship as well as a consumption of images that satisfies the scopic drive. Eventually, the author concludes that the interaction of the otaku with his desired idol-image, an interaction devoid of female subjects, remains beyond any true love whatsoever.
K-pop idols in Japan: The translation of Korean masculinities in music videos
Authors: Kroo Judit
Published: April 2020

This article investigates transnational adaptations of male Korean idol performances to Japan, focusing especially on music video performances. When marketed to Japanese audiences, these music videos are transformed and tailored to Japanese consumers. I argue that when K-pop videos become sites of transnational adaptation processes to Japanese contexts, Korean version narratives of the quotidian are elided and replaced with narratives of the fantastical. Here, quotidian designates a focus on multimodal elements that are rooted in the everyday experiences of the intended audience, while fantastical is used to describe the presentation of what is outside of everyday experience. In these videos, power is exerted not through explicit hierarchies but through the location of K-pop idols as a desirable, but nonetheless consumable and never-proximate ‘other’.
Media mix and character marketing in Madoka Magica
Authors: Gough Simon
Published: April 2020

This article examines the development of the media franchise Mahō shōjo Madoka magika/Puella Magi Madoka Magica from the perspective of the growth of character media ecologies. Originating as a 2011 anime series, Madoka Magica presented a critically acclaimed narrative featuring a dark, traumatic take on the magical girl genre of media. Outside this narrative context, however, Madoka Magica has developed into a vibrant array of media products, including manga, video games, character merchandising and cross-promotional brand marketing, with little to no reference in these products to the dark context of the chronologically prior characters. Characters who were brutally killed in one context become smiling ambassadors for convenience stores in another; the monsters fought against become cohabiting associates, if not allies, between texts. By focusing on the marketing, proliferation and malleability of the Madoka Magica characters, and the brand’s evident emphasis on the characters’ affective potential outside the narrative context of the original series, this article highlights the multiplicity of characters within the brand’s officially produced media mix. Examining the production of the brand as a totality of products becomes a staging point for future analysis into character marketing more broadly, and the divergent approaches to such marketing across a global context.
The White Book, Han Kang (2017) (trans. Deborah Smith)
Authors: Lea-Henry Jed
Published: April 2020

Review of: The White Book, Han Kang (2017) (trans. Deborah Smith)

Cornwall: Portobello Books, 128 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-525-573, p/bk, $11.56
Third Cinema, radical public spheres and an alternative to prison porn
Authors: Salter Lee
Published: April 2020

This article considers how media production is framed by class experience, and how this framing mediates exclusion. Drawing on research on ‘poverty porn’ the article presents an analysis of how experimental exclusion is operationalized in media representations before moving the analysis to consider the framing of an additional exclusion that afflicts mainly working class people – that which comes with the status of prisoner and convict. Here, poverty porn becomes prison porn and we find a double exclusion. After noting the shortcomings of a number of prison documentaries in the framework of Third Cinema, the article finishes with a proposal, based on the production of a prison film made by the author, to more adequately represent such marginalized classes, finishing with a reflection on the perseverance of exclusion.
Back to the future: On the British liberal left’s return to its origins
Authors: Hall Steve , Winlow Simon
Published: April 2020

Why has the Labour Party in Britain been unable to take advantage of the historic opportunity presented by the global financial crisis to press its case for radical socio-economic reform? Why, despite more than a decade of Tory austerity and genuine signs of social crisis, does it find itself behind in the polls to a Conservative Party openly committed to shrinking the state and providing further tax cuts to the rich? In this short article, we reflect upon the history of the political left in Britain, and suggest that the liberalization of the left – and the long-running marginalization of the working classes, their concerns and their real-world experiences – reveals an underlying antagonism that is driving many voters supportive of interventionist economic policies but suspicious of the left’s cultural agenda into the hands of the political right.
From i-doc to VR experience: New forms of user engagement in immersive digital documentaries
Authors: Mundhenke Florian
Published: April 2020

Audience research proves that possibilities of interaction in i-docs are often not fulfilled by the user, who is not really part of a ‘work in progress’ (as intended by the makers). With the shift and development of new digital formats (360-degree-films, nonfictional VR experiences, AR apps), the question of the possible interactive potential should be addressed once again. Since VR projects are fully immersive (mostly using head-mounted displays), there is no possible distraction from outside on the one hand. On the other hand, there is a shift from the computer game style aesthetic of early i-docs, with their pure spatial arrangement of events, to a more inclusive digital storytelling modality with the user experiencing his own world-building. This will be discussed with taking into consideration the non-fictional VR experience as a mode of actively combining immersion and storytelling for a satisfactory user experience. Afterwards two very different examples of nonfictional VR production will be presented, and their modalities will be briefly touched; the utilized approach and its user response will be discussed. A look at the future of possible developments concludes the essay.
Participatory budgeting in the age of post-politics: Examining the discourses of citizens and representatives of expert-political systems in three municipalities in Portugal
Authors: Santos Margarida , Batel Susana , Gonçalves Maria Eduarda
Published: April 2020

Abstract In recent decades, a growing body of research has discussed and illustrated the so-called deliberative speak ‐ or how, despite representatives of the expert-political system agreeing with public participation in decision-making processes, in practice effective
public participation barely occurs. To address this, new governing tools have recently been developed and implemented, such as participatory budgeting, particularly in societies in the Global North. We have also witnessed several profound sociopolitical and economic changes ‐ the post-political
turn and localist agendas are all part and parcel of a new era of governance and political institutions that are being discussed increasingly by social scientists as questioning democracy. However, empirical analyses of if and how these changes are being appropriated ‐ reproduced and/or
resisted ‐ in the everyday practices of expert-political systems and of citizens and what their consequences are for public participation have been neglected. To overcome that, this article will examine the discourses of citizens and representatives of expert-political systems about
their participatory budgeting in three Portuguese municipalities.
«Mano dura» y democracia en América Latina: seguridad pública, violencia y estado de derecho
Authors: Rodríguez-Pinzón Erika María , Rodrigues Thiago
Published: April 2020

La situación de violencia e inseguridad en América Latina es un reclamo para la puesta en marcha de medidas de «mano dura» que, a pesar de su popularidad, no parecen tener un resultado efectivo. De hecho, suelen ser el camino para el quebrantamiento del Estado de derecho y la represión sobre sectores vulnerables, en muchos casos victimizados tanto por su situación socioeconómica como por la represión estatal. Este artículo analiza cuatro casos de cuatro países latinoamericanos: Brasil, México, Colombia y Guatemala a través de la teoría de los «pluralismos violentos». El objetivo es dotar de evidencia empírica a un abordaje teórico que se centra en la connivencia entre el Estado y la violencia más que en la violencia como un defecto de Estados democráticos desarrollados, concepto que, según este análisis, no puede aplicarse a los casos estudiados.
Hubungan Gangguan Tidur dan Prestasi Akademik pada Siswa Kelas III, IV, dan V Sekolah Dasar di Jatinangor, Sumedang, Jawa Barat
Authors: Yasmien Inge , Tarigan Rodman , Lidyana Lynna
Published: April 2020

Latar belakang. Dampak gangguan tidur yang melibatkan beberapa aspek dan angka kejadian gangguan tidur yang cukup tinggi masih kurang mendapatkan perhatian dari orang tua anak maupun tenaga medis. Gangguan tidur dikaitkan dengan fungsi kognitif dan keberhasilan akademik anak.Tujuan. Menggambarkan prevalensi gangguan tidur pada anak usia sekolah dasar serta mengetahui pengaruh gangguan tidur dan faktor sosiodemografi terhadap prestasi akademik di kawasan Jatinangor.Metode. Desain penelitian potong lintang dilakukan di tiga sekolah dasar kelas 3, 4, dan 5 di kawasan Jatinangor pada bulan Agustus-September 2019. Orang tua mengisi lembar kuesioner skala gangguan tidur untuk anak (SDSC) dan kuesioner karakteristik subjek. Prestasi akademik dinilai dengan membandingkan nilai rata-rata individu terhadap nilai rata-rata satu kelas.Hasil. Subjek yang dapat dianalisis berjumlah 101 anak. Sebanyak 65,3% subjek mengalami gangguan tidur dan 49,5% subjek memiliki nilai di bawah nilai rata-rata kelas. Hasil analisis menunjukkan adanya hubungan berarti antara gangguan tidur dengan hasil prestasi akademik anak (p=0,044). Terdapat juga hubungan yang berarti antara pendidikan orang tua (p=0,042) dan jenis kelamin (p=0,037) dengan hasil prestasi akademik anak. Kesimpulan. Penelitian menunjukkan adanya hubungan bermakna antara gangguan tidur dan prestasi akademik. Faktor sosiodemograsi yang berpengaruh terhadap prestasi akademik adalah jenis kelamin dan pendidikan orang tua anak.
A Educação Ambiental Crítica e o pensamento freireano: tecendo possibilidades de enfrentamento e resistência frente ao retrocesso estabelecido no contexto brasileiro
Authors: Arrais Antonia Adriana Mota , Bizerril Marcelo Ximenes Aguiar
Published: April 2020

o enfraquecimento das políticas ambientais e educacionais, na atualidade, afeta diretamente e silencia a Educação Ambiental (EA). Com isso, o presente ensaio é dedicado a promover uma discussão acerca da EA na contemporaneidade, principalmente no contexto brasileiro, apontando para a urgência do estabelecimento de uma EA que seja amparada nas premissas críticas, emancipatórias e transformadoras para a edificação de uma luta coletiva de resistência e enfrentamento a todas as adversidades que emergem nesses “novos” tempos. Assim, são apresentados alguns fundamentos e contribuições acerca da Educação Ambiental Crítica (EAC) e como o pensamento freireano, com seus elementos estruturantes - diálogo, a educação problematizadora e libertadora, o processo de conscientização, os temas geradores, a relação horizontal entre educando-educador, a ação-reflexão-ação e o desvelamento da realidade – que podem fornecer diretrizes para a construção de possibilidades de (re)pensar a EA diante da atual conjuntura.
Ciência-cidadã e Educação Ambiental: cursos de formação e estímulo ao voluntariado em um Parque Nacional
Authors: Rumenos Nijima Novello , Spazziani Maria de Lourdes
Published: April 2020

As pesquisas e monitoramentos de base comunitária são notáveis pela importância dos resultados relativos ao manejo de recursos naturais e conservação, além de representarem efetivas interações entre gestores ambientais, pesquisadores e o público leigo. Diante dessa necessidade surge o termo “Ciência-Cidadã”, que descreve parcerias entre cientistas e voluntários leigos, com possibilidades de efetiva participação em coletas e/ou análises de dados científicos. Com base nesta perspectiva, o programa ConsCiência-Cidadã, parceria entre universidade, ONG e ICMBIO, com apoio do CNPq e Fapesp, foi elaborado com o objetivo de contribuir para a formação de pessoas, em especial moradores do entorno dos parques nacionais, para atuarem como cidadão-cientista e estímulo ao voluntariado. Foram realizados três cursos, os quais buscaram estimular a formação científica, o engajamento em atividades socioambientais e a melhoria dos espaços naturais.
Descripción de dos casos de babesiosis cerebral en terneros de hasta 15 días de edad
Authors: OLMOS Leandro H. , MICHELOUD Juan F. , MOREL Nicolás , BERTONI Emiliano , AVELLANEDA-CÁCERES Agustín , PRIMO María Evangelina , THOMPSON Carolina S. , TORIONI DE ECHAIDE Susana M. , AGUIRRE Daniel H.
Published: April 2020

La babesiosis es una enfermedad causada por Babesia bovis y Babesia bigemina, integrante del complejo conocido como “Tristeza bovina” y relevante en el Noroeste argentino (NOA). La presentación clínica de esta enfermedad es infrecuente en bovinos jóvenes, a los que se considera parcialmente resistentes a la babesiosis. Este trabajo describe dos casos de babesiosis cerebral en terneros de dos rodeos de cría diferentes, que a la necropsia mostraron ictericia, esplenomegalia y severa congestión cerebral y hemoglobinuria. Estructuras intraeritrocitarias compatibles morfológicamente con B. bovis fueron identificadas en extendidos de sistema nervioso central y sangre periférica teñidos con Giemsa y se confirmó luego la infección por medio de técnicas moleculares. La evaluación del estatus epidemiológico en los rodeos de origen determinó diferentes contextos: uno de los casos fue aislado en un rodeo con estabilidad enzoótica para babesiosis, donde la enfermedad clínica era escasa a pesar de altas tasas de transmisión de B. bovis; el segundo caso ocurrió en un rodeo en situación de brote con niveles significativos de mortandad. La ocurrencia de babesiosis (B. bovis) no había sido descripta todavía en terneros de la Argentina, sumándose ahora al diagnóstico diferencial para esta categoría de bovinos en zonas donde la enfermedad es enzoótica.
PERNIKAHAN SEBAGAI SANKSI KHALWAT: Studi Kasus Desa Bedulang, Bandar Pusaka, Aceh Tamiang
Authors: Rizki Wahyu Fahrul
Published: April 2020

This article addesses the issue on the implementation of forced marriage as a sanction of seclusion (khalwat) practiced in Batu Bedulang Aceh Tamiang.  Based on empirical research, this paper argued that there are some reasons behind the practice and religious and social reasons are two important factors. Avoiding fornication is a religious doctrine underlying the practice. Feeling ashamed of the whole family members if one of them is doing seclusion is another reason of the implementation of the sanction. Based on these reasons, the implementation of forced marriage as a sanction of seclusion exsists, eventhough the groom and bride candidates are still under permissible marriage age.Penelitian ini berangkat dari ketertarikan peneliti terhadap kawin paksa sebagai sanksi khalwat yang ada di Desa Batu Bedulang. Dengan memanfaatkan data empiris dari hasil wawancara dengan pemangku adat dan tokoh agama, tulisan ini menunjukkan bahwa praktek turun temurun tentang pernikahan sebagai sanksi khalwat yang dipraktekkan di Desa Batu Bedulang disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor. Faktor agama dan moral dan sosial merupakan dua sebab penting adanya praktek tersebut. Melekatnya doktrin menghindari perzinaan adalah faktor agama yang dijadikan alasan diterapkannya sanksi ini. Sedangkan alasan moral sosial adalah adanya rasa malu pada keluarga jika salah satu anggota keluarganya melakukan khalwat, lebih lagi jika yang melakukan perempuan. Dengan alasan seperti ini, maka pernikahan sebagai sanksi khalwat tetap diterapkan meskipun usia calon mempelai masih di bawah usia perkawinan.
A simple extension of Rolle’s theorem and its relation with multiple internal rates of return (IRR)
Authors: Gómez Villarraga Fernando
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a simple extension of Rolle’s Theorem. This extension allows determining the amount of numbers ξi in which f'(ξi) = 0 in a given interval, using the characteristics of the function f in that interval. The extension has been proved, and the geometric interpretation has been presented. Illustrative examples have also been developed for each case that can be obtained by applying the extension. Finally, the study examines the relation of this theorem with the problem of multiple internal rates of return (IRR).
Efectos de las tarjetas de crédito en la estructura de consumo y la desigualdad de los hogares mexicanos
Authors: Ceballos-Mina Owen Eli , Santiago-Ayala Luis Enrique
Published: April 2020

En este artículo se analizan los efectos de la tenencia de tarjeta de crédito (TC) sobre la estructura y la distribución del gasto de las familias mexicanas en el 2016. Para ello, se usan regresiones cuantílicas en dos etapas para estimar modelos de los determinantes del consumo y se instrumenta el efecto de las TC por categoría de gasto. Se evidencia así que estas tienen un efecto positivo sobre el consumo agregado, guiado principalmente por el aumento del gasto en salud y rubros menos básicos como vestido, comunicaciones y esparcimiento. A su vez, se encontró que no tienen efectos significativos sobre los gastos en educación y bienes durables. Los efectos de las TC son mayores en la parte alta de la distribución de consumo, por lo que pueden cuestionarse dichos efectos sobre la reducción de la desigualdad y el bienestar futuro de las familias, dadas las condiciones del proceso de inclusión financiera en el país.
Individualized metabolomics: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Misra Biswapriya
Published: April 2020

The goal of advancing science in health care is to provide high quality treatment and therapeutic opportunities to patients in need. This is especially true in precision medicine, wherein the ultimate goal is to link disease phenotypes to targeted treatments and novel therapeutics at the scale of an individual. With the advent of -omics technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, microbiome, among others, the metabolome is of wider and immediate interest for its important role in metabolic regulation. The metabolome, of course, comes with its own questions regarding technological challenges. In this opinion article, I attempt to interrogate some of the main challenges associated with individualized metabolomics, and available opportunities in the context of its clinical application. Some questions this article addresses and attempts to find answers for are: Can a personal metabolome (n = 1) be inexpensive, affordable and informative enough (i.e. provide predictive yet validated biomarkers) to represent the entirety of a population? How can a personal metabolome complement advances in other -omics areas and the use of monitoring devices, which occupy our personal space?
Peptidomic and proteomic analysis of stool for diagnosing IBD and deciphering disease pathogenesis
Authors: Basso Daniela , Padoan Andrea , D’Incà Renata , Arrigoni Giorgio , Scapellato Maria Luisa , Contran Nicole , Franchin Cinzia , Lorenzon Greta , Mescoli Claudia , Moz Stefania , Bozzato Dania , Rugge Massimo , Plebani Mario
Published: April 2020

Background

The sensitivities and specificities of C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (fCal), as recommended for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) diagnosis and monitoring, are low. Our aim was to discover new stool protein/peptide biomarkers for diagnosing IBD.

Methods

For peptides, MALDI-TOF/MS (m/z 1000–4000) was performed using stools from an exploratory (34 controls; 72 Crohn’s disease [CD], 56 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and a validation (28 controls, 27 CD, 15 UC) cohort. For proteins, LTQ-Orbitrap XL MS analysis (6 controls, 5 CD, 5 UC) was performed.

Results

MALDI-TOF/MS spectra of IBD patients had numerous features, unlike controls. Overall, 426 features (67 control-associated, 359 IBD-associated) were identified. Spectra were classified as control or IBD (absence or presence of IBD-associated features). In the exploratory cohort, the sensitivity and specificity of this classification algorithm were 81% and 97%, respectively. Blind analysis of the validation cohort confirmed 97% specificity, with a lower sensitivity (55%) paralleling active disease frequency. Following binary logistic regression analysis, IBD was independently correlated with MALDI-TOF/MS spectra (p < 0.0001), outperforming fCal measurements (p = 0.029). The IBD-correlated m/z 1810.8 feature was a fragment of APC2, homologous with APC, over-expressed by infiltrating cells lining the surface in UC or the muscularis-mucosae in CD (assessed by immunohistochemistry). IBD-associated over-expressed proteins included immunoglobulins and neutrophil proteins, while those under-expressed comprised proteins of the nucleic acid assembly or those (OLFM4, ENPP7) related to cancer risk.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence for the clinical utility of a novel proteomic method for diagnosing IBD and insight on the pathogenic role of APC. Moreover, the newly described IBD-associated proteins might become tools for cancer risk assessment in IBD patients.
Effects of endurance exercise on serum concentration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP): a potential link between exercise intensity and headache
Authors: Tarperi Cantor , Sanchis-Gomar Fabian , Montagnana Martina , Danese Elisa , Salvagno Gian Luca , Gelati Matteo , Skroce Kristina , Schena Federico , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: April 2020

Background

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a powerful neuropeptide that is strongly involved in headache pain pathogenesis by triggering vasodilation, mast cell degranulation and neurogenic inflammation. This evidence has prompted us to investigate the acute influence of endurance exercise on CGRP concentration in blood.

Methods

The study population consisted of 48 male amateur runners, who ran a half-marathon distance at 75%–85% of maximal oxygen uptake. Blood was drawn before the run (pre-run) and immediately after each runner ended his trial (post-run). The serum concentration of CGRP was measured with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.

Results

Overall, 22/48 subjects (45.8%) reported suffering from headache, three of whom (6.2%) had an exertional headache, whilst 26/48 (54.2%) subjects did not report at least one headache episode during the previous 6 months (i.e. headache-free). All 48 athletes successfully covered the 21.1 km distance. Serum concentration of CGRP significantly increased by 1.5-fold in the entire group, as well as in the headache-positive and headache-free cohorts. Univariate Spearman’s correlation revealed that post-run variation of serum CGRP was significantly and inversely associated with running time (r = −0.30; p = 0.036).

Conclusions

The serum concentration of CGRP is significantly enhanced by medium-distance endurance exercise and the post-exercise increase is dependent on running intensity. Accordingly, high-exercise intensity might be directly related to triggering both exertional headache and/or migraine episodes.
The shift of the paradigm between ageing and diseases
Authors: Salvatore Francesco
Published: April 2020

In the area of the Medical Sciences, the chronological age has always been, and still is, an indicator by which we try to understand the health status of an individual. However, besides considering people born with an already expressed disease, each human genome has sequence alterations called predisposing mutations; carriers of such genetic alterations have an increased risk of contracting diseases during their life. In addition, the exposome, i.e. the totality of environmentalnoxae(“hits”) to which our body is exposed throughout life (through ingestion, breathing, body surface hits, and psychosociological stress agents, etc.) contributes to increase gradually but inexorably the frailty of an organism, and this process is usually referred to as “physiological ageing”. This position paper proposes that we invert our visual angle and view the passage-of-time not as the cause of diseases, but consider the genome alterations present at birth and thenoxaereceived during our life as the real major causes of ageing. The Biomedical Sciences are now increasingly unraveling the etiopathogenesis of most chronic degenerative diseases; thus, it will be possible to monitor and treat those that most contribute to the increased frailty of each person, which is now referred to with the misnomer “physiological ageing”. These concepts are not banal; indeed, they imply that we must try to avoid the causes of alterations that result later in chronic degenerative diseases. Thus, we should shift our attention from the cure to the prevention of alterations/diseases also to improve both the length and quality of our life. Moreover, this approach involves real personalized or individualized medicine, thus conferring a more direct benefit to each of us by finalizing either the cure or the monitoring of diseases.
Comparison of throat swabs and sputum specimens for viral nucleic acid detection in 52 cases of novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2)-infected pneumonia (COVID-19)
Authors: Lin Chenyao , Xiang Jie , Yan Mingzhe , Li Hongze , Huang Shuang , Shen Changxin
Published: April 2020

Objectives

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)-infected pneumonia (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan, China. Laboratory-based diagnostic tests utilized real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on throat samples. This study evaluated the diagnostic value to analyzing throat and sputum samples in order to improve accuracy and detection efficiency.

Methods

Paired specimens of throat swabs and sputum were obtained from 54 cases, and RNA was extracted and tested for 2019-nCoV (equated with SARS-CoV-2) by the RT-PCR assay.

Results

The positive rates of 2019-nCoV from sputum specimens and throat swabs were 76.9% and 44.2%, respectively. Sputum specimens showed a significantly higher positive rate than throat swabs in detecting viral nucleic acid using the RT-PCR assay (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The detection rates of 2019-nCoV from sputum specimens were significantly higher than those from throat swabs. We suggest that sputum would benefit for the detection of 2019-nCoV in patients who produce sputum. The results can facilitate the selection of specimens and increase the accuracy of diagnosis.
Decorin promotes apoptosis and autophagy via suppressing c-Met in HTR-8 trophoblasts
Authors: Wang Yeping , Zhang Hongping , Zhang Yuehui , Li Xiaoqing , Hu Xianqing , Wang Xietong
Published: April 2020

Decorin (DCN) regulates a vast array of cellular processes including proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and autophagy, and its aberrant expression has been associated with poor extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) invasion of the uterus, which underlies the occurrence of preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In this study, we aim to elucidate the molecular mechanism of how the DCN regulates the cell functions through the use of trophoblast cell line, HTR-8. Using a series of cell function assays, including CCK8, RTCA, transwell, scratch-wound assay, and Annexin V staining, we found that DCN suppressed proliferation and invasion, while promoted autophagy and apoptosis of HTR-8 in a dose-dependent manner. Transient stimulation of DCN have increased the activity of c-Met and its downstream effectors – Akt, FAK and m-TOR. However, a prolonged exposure to DCN have significantly downregulated the expression of c-Met, leading to suppression of its downstream effectors. Lentivirus that overexpressed c-Met targeting shRNA was used to knockdown c-Met expression and crizotinib was used to selectively inhibit the kinase activity of c-Met in HTR-8 cells. A combination of DCN and c-Met knockdown/inhibition have reduced the proliferation and invasion in HTR-8 cells; however, DCN-induced autophagy and apoptosis were not synergistically enhanced by c-Met inhibition. In conclusion, DCN promotes autophagy and apoptosis predominantly through downregulating c-Met/Akt/mTOR activity in human trophoblasts.
Optimalisasi Kebijakan Pemerintah dalam penanganan Covid-19 terhadap Masyarakat Indonesia
Authors: Juaningsih Imas Novita , Consuello Yoshua , Tarmidzi Ahmad , NurIrfan Dzakwan
Published: April 2020

AbstractHealth insurance to the community has been manifested in the constitution of the Indonesian state. With this guarantee, the Indonesian people can have the same rights before the law for the welfare of their people. In responding to the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic that has surrounded the world, one of them is Indonesia. Besides, the problem that occurs due to COVID-19 is that the coordination between the central and regional levels is not optimal which results in the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Indonesia. The foundation of the theory that I use is the theory of justice and the welfare state. Then the method used is juridical normative namely the method with the positivist legist approach with the law approach and comparative approach. So the need for policies that the government can provide so that COVID-19 can be resolved optimally.Keyword: COVID-19, Government Policy, Justice Abstrak Jaminan kesehatan terhadap masyarakat telah termanifestasikan dalam konstitusi negara Indonesia. Dengan adanya jaminan tersebut, maka masyarakat Indonesia dapat memiliki hak yang sama dimata hukum untuk tujuan mesejahterakan rakyatnya. Dalam menyikapi adanya pandemic Covid-19 yang telah mengelilingi dunia bahkan salah satunya adalah Indonesia. Disamping itu, problematika yang terjadi akibat adanya Covid-19 yaitu kurang optimal kordinasi antar pusat dan daerah yang berdampak semakin tersebarnya virus Covid-19 di Indonesia. Landasan teori yang penulis gunakan yaitu teori keadilaan dan walfare state. Kemudian metode yang digunakan adalah yuridis normatif yakni metode dengan pendekatan legis positivis dengan pendekatan undang-undang dan pendekatan komparasi (comparation apporoach). Maka perlu adanya kebijakan yang dapat pemerintah berikan agar Covid-19 dapat terselesaikan dengan optimal.Kata Kunci: Covid- 19, Kebijakan Pemerintah, Keadilan
The ambiguity of preparing and being prepared for a patient consultation
Authors: Ingskog Wibeche , Bjorbækmo Wenche S.
Published: April 2020

This paper presents findings from a study on the ways in which counsellors working at national centres for rare disorders in Norway experience preparing, and being prepared for, a face-to-face patient consultation. The research involved semi-structured interviews with five experienced counsellors from different health professional backgrounds working at two separate centres. These interviews were then analysed with reference to the theoretical insights of phenomenologists. The excerpts chosen for this paper shed particular light on the process of preparing for a face-to-face patient consultation. Our findings underline the significance of preparing and being prepared while also drawing attention to the multifaceted, complex and ambiguous nature of the processes involved. Preparing for face-to-face consultations with patients is revealed to require approaches that are thoughtful, flexible and empathic. To be prepared for something one does not yet know is about being open to the unexpected and the unpredictable.
APOPTOTIC EFFECTS OF BETA-CAROTENE, ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL AND ASCORBIC ACID ON PC-3 PROSTATE CANCER CELLS
Authors: AYNA Adnan
Published: April 2020

Prostate
cancer (PC) is one of the the most commonly diagnosed cancer type being the
second major reason of cancer-associated death in male particularly over the
age of 50. Accumulating scientific evidences suggest the role oxidative stress
and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prostate cancer. ROS are produced by
carcinogenic molecules, infection, toxic compounds all of which can contribute
to disturbed homeostasis and genetic mutation. Antioxidants can decrease the
negative effects of ROS in vitro. The vitamins C (Ascorbic acid, Asc), A (beta
carotenoids and retinoids, β-Crt) and E (alpha tocopherol, α-Toc) play
important role in inhibiting oxidation and reducing the concentration of free
radicals in the body. The aim of this study was to determine the anticancer
effect of α-Toc, β-Crt and Asc on PC-3 prostate cancer cells in vitro. This was
carried out by cell proliferation, ROS and Lipid Peroxidation assay, caspase-3
and propidium iodide staining experiments. The findings suggest that these agents
behave as prooxidant by lowering cell viability and increasing the production
of ROS and LPO in prostate cancer. These oxidants induce apoptosis as supported
by propidium iodide and caspase-3 staining.
Differential diagnosis of temporal lobe lesions with hyperintense signal on T2-weighted and FLAIR sequences: pictorial essay
Authors: Santana Larissa Marques , Valadares Eduardo de Jesus Agapito , Rosa-Júnior Marcos
Published: April 2020

Abstract Various neuropathologies produce hyperintense signals on T2-weighted or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences of the temporal lobes. Recognition of the distribution pattern and associated findings may narrow the spectrum of differential diagnoses or suggest a specific disease. This pictorial essay aims to illustrate the relatively common diseases that affect the temporal lobe, such as herpes simplex encephalitis, neurosyphilis, limbic encephalitis, postictal edema, neoplasia, and multiple sclerosis, as well as those that are less common, such as myotonic dystrophy type 1, CADASIL, and CARASIL, together with the particularities of each entity.
The New Developmentalism and productive sophistication
Authors: MORAES ISAÍAS ALBERTIN DE , IBRAHIM HERMANO CAIXETA
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to present the New Developmentalism school and its production about productive sophistication. The technical methodological procedures prioritized by the research, in this way, were bibliographical and documentary. The methodology is predominantly descriptive, so the research aimed at structuring and defining a theoretical model, mapping it. The article is divided into two sections. The first section presents the main precepts of New Developmentalism; the second section focuses on the production of the school about productive sophistication. In conclusion, the research sought to contextualize and to explain the described studies, exposing some hypotheses and questions.
The responses of the authoritarian national developmentalism to the structural economic crisis (1973-1985)
Authors: PINHO CARLOS EDUARDO SANTOS
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT This research analyzes the Brazilian structural economic crisis throughout the 1970s and 1980s and the political responses of the Authoritarian National Developmentalism (1964-1985). Firstly, the study highlights the nature of the international oil crises of 1973 and 1979, showing an unexpected rise in interest rates by the US Central Bank and the tightening of external credit after 1979. Rising interest rates meant the end of liquidity in the international credit finance market and the beginning of a drastically recessive policy in Brazil. These factors contributed to the erosion of the growth model based on external debt, a model reflected in two main paradigms: the “economic miracle” (1968-1973) marked by high GDP growth rates; and the II National Development Plan (II PND) (1974-1979), focused on deepening the import substitution industrialization (ISI). The collapse of authoritarianism led to hyperinflation, external indebtedness, and the state’s fiscal crisis, exposing the hegemony of rentier, nonproductive financial capitalism. The second part of the article investigates the negative externalities of the structural economic crisis at the social level, such as concentration, centralization, and closing of the decision-making process, hindering workers’ participation; the intensification of union mobilizations for wage recomposition; the spread of unemployment/underemployment in metropolitan regions; the wage squeeze; the increase in unhealthy labor relations and, therefore, the thinning of the social fabric.