bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making health economic models Shiny: A tutorial
Authors: Smith Robert , Schneider Paul
Published: July 2020

Health economic evaluation models have traditionally been built in Microsoft Excel, but more sophisticated tools are increasingly being used as model complexity and computational requirements increase. Of all the programming languages, R is most popular amongst health economists because it has a plethora of user created packages and is highly flexible. However, even with an integrated development environment such as R Studio, R lacks a simple point and click user interface and therefore requires some programming ability. This might make the switch from Microsoft Excel to R seem daunting, and it might make it difficult to directly communicate results with decisions makers and other stakeholders.

The R package Shiny has the potential to resolve this limitation. It allows programmers to embed health economic models developed in R into interactive web browser based user interfaces. Users can specify their own assumptions about model parameters and run different scenario analyses, which, in the case of regular a Markov model, can be computed within seconds. This paper provides a tutorial on how to wrap a health economic model built in R into a Shiny application. We use a four-state Markov model developed by the Decision Analysis in R for Technologies in Health (DARTH) group as a case-study to demonstrate main principles and basic functionality.

A more extensive tutorial, all code, and data are provided in a GitHub repository.
Disclosure Dynamics and Investor Learning
Authors: Zhou Frank S.
Published: July 2020

This paper examines whether investor learning about profitability (i.e., the mean of earnings distribution) leads to persistence in disclosure decisions. A repeated single-period model shows that persistent investor beliefs about profitability lead to persistent disclosure decisions. Using earnings forecast data, I structurally estimate the model and perform several counterfactual analyses. I find that, when investors are assumed to know profitability, the persistence of management forecast decisions significantly declines by 17%–27%. About 24% of firms would have disclosed differently, resulting in 3.9% net change in the amount of information (i.e., posterior variance) provided to the capital market. Collectively, the results indicate the importance of learning profitability in understanding disclosure decisions and the capital market consequences of disclosures.

This paper was accepted by Shiva Rajgopal, accounting.
The Role of Decision Support Systems in Attenuating Racial Biases in Healthcare Delivery
Authors: Ganju Kartik K. , Atasoy Hilal , McCullough Jeffery , Greenwood Brad
Published: July 2020

Although significant research has examined how technology can intensify racial and other outgroup biases, limited work has investigated the role information systems can play in abating them. Racial biases are particularly worrisome in healthcare, where underrepresented minorities suffer disparities in access to care, quality of care, and clinical outcomes. In this paper, we examine the role clinical decision support systems (CDSS) play in attenuating systematic biases among black patients, relative to white patients, in rates of amputation and revascularization stemming from diabetes mellitus. Using a panel of inpatient data and a difference-in-difference approach, results suggest that CDSS adoption significantly shrinks disparities in amputation rates across white and black patients—with no evidence that this change is simply delaying eventual amputations. Results suggest that this effect is driven by changes in treatment care protocols that match patients to appropriate specialists, rather than altering within physician decision making. These findings highlight the role information systems and digitized patient care can play in promoting unbiased decision making by structuring and standardizing care procedures.

This paper was accepted by Stefan Scholtes, healthcare management.
Computational Methods in Material Science-Editorial
Authors: Mahmood Sami H.
Published: July 2020

he current revolution in Materials Science leading to vast advances in pre-existing and emerging technologies had significantly impacted all aspects of our modern life. The continuous efforts in searching for new functional and smart materials facilitated the design of miniaturized and more efficient devices, and led to great advancements in pharmaceutical, medicinal, agricultural, energy related industries, and many more. Before employment in a given application, a newly developed material needs to be fully characterized and tested for efficient delivery and fulfillment of industrial and technological requirements.
Improving the regenerative microenvironment during tendon healing by using nanostructured fibrin/agarose-based hydrogels in a rat Achilles tendon injury model
Authors: González-Quevedo David , Díaz-Ramos Miriam , Chato-Astrain Jesús , Sánchez-Porras David , Tamimi Iskandar , Campos Antonio , Campos Fernando , Carriel Víctor
Published: July 2020

Aims

Achilles tendon injuries are a frequent problem in orthopaedic surgery due to their limited healing capacity and the controversy surrounding surgical treatment. In recent years, tissue engineering research has focused on the development of biomaterials to improve this healing process. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of tendon augmentation with a nanostructured fibrin-agarose hydrogel (NFAH) or genipin cross-linked nanostructured fibrin-agarose hydrogel (GP-NFAH), on the healing process of the Achilles tendon in rats.

Methods

NFAH, GP-NFAH, and MatriDerm (control) scaffolds were generated (five in each group). A biomechanical and cell-biomaterial-interaction characterization of these biomaterials was then performed: Live/Dead Cell Viability Assay, water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 (WST-1) assay, and DNA-released after 48 hours. Additionally, a complete section of the left Achilles tendon was made in 24 Wistar rats. Animals were separated into four treatment groups (six in each group): direct repair (Control), tendon repair with MatriDerm, or NFAH, or GP-NFAH. Animals were euthanized for further histological analyses after four or eight weeks post-surgery. The Achilles tendons were harvested and a histopathological analysis was performed.

Results

Tensile test revealed that NFAH and GP-NFAH had significantly higher overall biomechanical properties compared with MatriDerm. Moreover, biological studies confirmed a high cell viability in all biomaterials, especially in NFAH. In addition, in vivo evaluation of repaired tendons using biomaterials (NFAH, GP-NFAH, and MatriDerm) resulted in better organization of the collagen fibres and cell alignment without clinical complications than direct repair, with a better histological score in GP-NFAH.

Conclusion

In this animal model we demonstrated that NFAH and GP-NFAH had the potential to improve tendon healing following a surgical repair. However, future studies are needed to determine the clinical usefulness of these engineered strategies. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(8):1095–1106.
Cost-utility analysis of standard dressing compared with incisional negative-pressure wound therapy among patients with closed surgical wounds following major trauma to the lower limb
Authors: Png May Ee , Madan Jason J. , Dritsaki Melina , Achten Juul , Parsons Nick , Fernandez Miguel , Grant Richard , Nanchahal Jagdeep , Costa Matthew L. ,   WHiST trial collaborators
Published: July 2020

Aims

To compare the cost-utility of standard dressing with incisional negative-pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) in adults with closed surgical wounds associated with major trauma to the lower limbs.

Methods

A within-trial economic evaluation was conducted from the UK NHS and personal social services (PSS) perspective based on data collected from the Wound Healing in Surgery for Trauma (WHiST) multicentre randomized clinical trial. Health resource utilization was collected over a six-month post-randomization period using trial case report forms and participant-completed questionnaires. Cost-utility was reported in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of cost-effectiveness estimates while uncertainty was handled using confidence ellipses and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.

Results

The incremental cost of standard dressing versus iNPWT over six months was £2,037 (95% confidence interval (CI) £349 to £3,724). There was an insignificant increment in QALYs gained in the iNPWT group (0.005, 95% CI -0.018 to 0.028). The probability of iNPWT being cost-effective at £20,000 per QALY was 1.9%. The results remained robust in the sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

The within-trial economic evaluation suggests that iNPWT is unlikely to be a cost-effective alternative to standard dressing in adults with closed surgical wounds to their lower limbs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(8):1072–1081.
Combinations of growth factors for human mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Hefka Blahnova Veronika , Dankova Jana , Rampichova Michala , Filova Eva
Published: July 2020

Aims

Here we introduce a wide and complex study comparing effects of growth factors used alone and in combinations on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Certain ways of cell behaviour can be triggered by specific peptides – growth factors, influencing cell fate through surface cellular receptors.

Methods

In our study transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were used in order to induce osteogenesis and proliferation of hMSCs from bone marrow. These cells are naturally able to differentiate into various mesodermal cell lines. Effect of each factor itself is pretty well known. We designed experimental groups where two and more growth factors were combined. We supposed cumulative effect would appear when more growth factors with the same effect were combined. The cellular metabolism was evaluated using MTS assay and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) amount using PicoGreen assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, as early osteogenesis marker, was observed. Phase contrast microscopy was used for cell morphology evaluation.

Results

TGF-β and bFGF were shown to significantly enhance cell proliferation. VEGF and IGF-1 supported ALP activity. Light microscopy showed initial extracellular matrix mineralization after VEGF/IGF-1 supply.

Conclusion

A combination of more than two growth factors did not support the cellular metabolism level and ALP activity even though the growth factor itself had a positive effect. This is probably caused by interplay of various messengers shared by more growth factor signalling cascades. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):412–420.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of synovial fluid demonstrates high accuracy in prosthetic joint infection diagnostics
Authors: Huang Zida , Li Wenbo , Lee Gwo-Chin , Fang Xinyu , Xing Li , Yang Bin , Lin Jianhua , Zhang Wenming
Published: July 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in detecting pathogens from synovial fluid of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients.

Methods

A group of 75 patients who underwent revision knee or hip arthroplasties were enrolled prospectively. Ten patients with primary arthroplasties were included as negative controls. Synovial fluid was collected for mNGS analysis. Optimal thresholds were determined to distinguish pathogens from background microbes. Synovial fluid, tissue, and sonicate fluid were obtained for culture.

Results

A total of 49 PJI and 21 noninfection patients were finally included. Of the 39 culture-positive PJI cases, mNGS results were positive in 37 patients (94.9%), and were consistent with culture results at the genus level in 32 patients (86.5%) and at the species level in 27 patients (73.0%). Metagenomic next-generation sequencing additionally identified 15 pathogens from five culture-positive and all ten culture-negative PJI cases, and even one pathogen from one noninfection patient, while yielding no positive findings in any primary arthroplasty. However, seven pathogens identified by culture were missed by mNGS. The sensitivity of mNGS for diagnosing PJI was 95.9%, which was significantly higher than that of comprehensive culture (79.6%; p = 0.014). The specificity is similar between mNGS and comprehensive culture (95.2% and 95.2%, respectively; p = 1.0).

Conclusion

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing can effectively identify pathogens from synovial fluid of PJI patients, and demonstrates high accuracy in diagnosing PJI. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):440–449.
Using Nussbaum’s central capabilities to understand caring for older people in New Zealand
Authors: Horrell Barbara , Breheny Mary , Stephens Christine
Published: July 2020

In this article, we use the capability approach and Nussbaum’s list of essential capabilities to understand the experiences of people providing (informal) care for older people. Nussbaum’s ten essential capabilities were used as a template to analyse contributions to an online forum created for the research. The carers’ posts indicated they valued these capabilities, though, in some instances, struggled to achieve them in the context of providing care. The capability approach provided a useful framework to move beyond caring as beneficial or burdensome, to view care as valued and as influencing other capabilities among carers for older people.
Dielectric approximation media to reproduce dispersion for field transformation
Authors: Liu Y. , Tang S. , Shi H. , Zhao J. , Wang W. , Zhou B.
Published: July 2020

Field transformation is complementary to transformation optics as it converts polarization without reflection for any incidence, despite not being impedance-matched to vacuum. However, to ease manufacture, a dielectric approximation may degrade the transmission performance due to the approximate dispersion relation for the exact reciprocal medium. In this paper, we instead propose a different dielectric equivalent medium to guarantee the exact dispersion. We also discuss the birefringence phenomenon in such dielectric media, and their unavoidable induced reflections.
Design of binary-phase diffusers for a compressed sensing snapshot spectral imaging system with two cameras
Authors: Hauser Jonathan , Averbuch Amir , Nathan Menachem , Zheludev Valery A. , Kagan Michael , Golub Michael A.
Published: July 2020

We propose designs of pupil-domain optical diffusers for a snapshot spectral imaging system using binary-phase encoding. The suggested designs enable the creation of point-spread functions with defined optical response, having profiles that are dependent on incident wavefront wavelength. This efficient combination of dispersive and diffusive optical responses enables us to perform snapshot spectral imaging using compressed sensing algorithms while keeping a high optical throughput alongside a simple fabrication process. Experimental results are reported.
Liquid crystal–photopolymer composite films for label-free single-substrate protein quantitation and immunoassay
Authors: Lee Mon-Juan , Duan Fei-Fan , Wu Po-Chang , Lee Wei
Published: July 2020

Conventional liquid crystal (LC)-based biosensing at the LC–glass interface requires the assembly of an LC cell formed by two glass substrates with an LC film sandwiched in between. As most biochemical and clinical assays are performed on a single solid substrate, the feasibility of a single-substrate biodetection platform based on a thin film of LC–photopolymer composite was explored in this study. The LC mixture, consisting of nematic LC, E7 or AY40-006, doped with a small amount (≤ 5 wt%) of a photocurable prepolymer was spin-coated on a glass substrate modified with dimethyloctadecyl[3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium chloride (DMOAP), a vertical alignment reagent, followed by irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. During the photopolymerization process, the accumulated and polymerized NOA65 at the LC–glass interface weakened the anchoring strength of DMOAP, resulting in a decrease in the pretilt angle of LC and allowing the LC molecules to be more easily disturbed in the presence of biomolecules, compared with vertically aligned LC in the absence of polymerized NOA65. Incorporating NOA65 in the LC film therefore provides a means for signal amplification. When an LC–photopolymer composite film consisting of AY40-006 and 4-wt% NOA65 was exposed to UV at 15 mW/cm2 for 30 s and utilized as the biosensing mesogen, the limits of detection were 1.6 × 10−12 g/ml for the direct detection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 2.1 × 10−8 g/ml for the immunoassay of the cancer biomarker CA125, significantly lower than those detected with AY40-006 alone or AY40-006/NOA65 mixture without UV irradiation. The results from this study offer a compelling implication on the biomedical application of LC–photopolymer composites in label-free and single-substrate biodetection.
Low-complexity carrier phase estimation for M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation optical communication based on dichotomy
Authors: Yan Xu , Cao Changqing , Zhang Wenrui , Zeng Xiaodong , Feng Zhejun , Wu Zengyan , Su Xiyuan , Wang Ting
Published: July 2020

In high-speed optical communication, the blind phase search (BPS) algorithm performs carrier phase estimation better but with higher computational complexity (CC), bringing a larger computational burden to the digital signal processing unit. In this paper, a new low-complexity CPE algorithm (DBPS) is proposed for M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) formats. It uses the BPS algorithm to estimate the compensation phase interval, before using dichotomy to quickly and accurately determine the compensation phase value. Simulation results show the CC (multiplication / addition) of DBPS is reduced by 2.79 / 2.84 (16-QAM), 5.35 / 5.45 (64-QAM), and 2.98 / 3.01 (128-QAM) than that of BPS, and DBPS has a smaller phase tracking error variance. DBPS can relax the limitation of optical communication rate caused by high-speed data operations.
Design, characterization, and fabrication of 90-degree viewing angle catadioptric retroreflector floating device using in 3D floating light-field display system
Authors: Gao Chao , Sang Xinzhu , Yu Xunbo , Gao Xin , Du Jingyan , Liu Boyang , Liu Li , Wang Peiren
Published: July 2020

A novel catadioptric retroreflector floating device (CRA) used in the 3D floating light-field system is proposed. The floating light-field image constructed by the CRA is aberration-suppressed. The luminance and the contrast of the image are substantially improved in a 90-degree viewing angle. The CRA is constituted of the designed catadioptric retroreflector (CR). The CR consists of three lenses, the first and the second lens is to refract the light, and the rear surface of the third lens is coated with reflective coating in order to reflect the incident light. The CRA is processable and the fabrication process using UV embossing is also described. A spectrophotometer is utilized to measure the retroreflective efficiency of the CRA. The average retroreflective efficiency of the CRA is 80.1%. A beam quality analyzer is utilized to measure the beam spot quality of the CRA, and the image quality can satisfy the requirements of human eye observation. In the experiment, compared to the floating light-field image constructed by the micro-beads type retroreflector floating device (MRA), the image quality of the floating light-field image constructed by the CRA is significantly enhanced. In the quantitative computer simulation, the PSNR values of the images are increased from 23.0185 to 32.1958.
Spectroscopy and diode-pumped laser operation of transparent Tm:Lu3Al5O12 ceramics produced by solid-state sintering
Authors: Yue Fangxin , Loiko Pavel , Chen Mengting , Serres Josep Maria , Wang Yicheng , Li Jiang , Basyrova Liza , Dunina Elena , Kornienko Alexey , Fomicheva Liudmila , Dai Shibo , Chen Zhenqiang , Bae Ji Eun , Park Tae Gwan , Rotermund Fabian , Jambunathan Venkatesan , Lucianetti Antonio , Mocek Tomas , Aguiló Magdalena , Díaz Francesc , Griebner Uwe , Petrov Valentin , Mateos Xavier
Published: July 2020

A transparent Tm:Lu3Al5O12 ceramic is fabricated by solid-state reactive sintering at 1830 °C for 30 h using commercial α-Al2O3 and Lu2O3/Tm2O3 powders and sintering aids - MgO and TEOS. The ceramic belongs to the cubic system and exhibits a close-packed structure (mean grain size: 21 µm). The in-line transmission at ∼1 µm is 82.6%, close to the theoretical limit. The spectroscopic properties of the ceramic are studied in detail. The maximum stimulated-emission cross-section is 2.37×10−21 cm2 at 1749nm and the radiative lifetime of the 3F4 state is about 10 ms. The modified Judd-Ofelt theory accounting for configuration interaction is applied to determine the transition probabilities of Tm3+, yielding the intensity parameters Ω2 = 2.507, Ω4 = 1.236, Ω6 = 1.340 [10−20 cm2] and α = 0.196×10−4 cm. The effect of excited configurations on lower-lying interconnected states with the same J quantum number is discussed. First laser operation is achieved under diode-pumping at 792 nm. A 4 at.% Tm:Lu3Al5O12 ceramic laser generated 3.12 W at 2022-2035nm with a slope efficiency of 60.2%. The ceramic is promising for multi-watt lasers at >2 µm.
Ultra-low-loss nanofiber Fabry–Perot cavities optimized for cavity quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Ruddell S. K. , Webb K. E. , Takahata M. , Kato S. , Aoki T.
Published: July 2020

We demonstrate the fabrication of ultra-low-loss, all-fiber Fabry–Perot cavities that contain a nanofiber section, optimized for cavity quantum electrodynamics. By continuously monitoring the finesse and fiber radius during the fabrication of a nanofiber between two fiber Bragg gratings, we were able to precisely evaluate taper transmission as a function of radius. The resulting cavities have an internal round-trip loss of only 0.31% at a nanofiber waist radius of 207 nm, with a total finesse of 1380, and a maximum expected internal cooperativity of

∼

1050

for a cesium atom on the nanofiber surface. Our ability to fabricate such high-finesse nanofiber cavities may open the door for the realization of high-fidelity scalable quantum networks.
Multimodal handheld adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope
Authors: Hagan Kristen , DuBose Theodore , Cunefare David , Waterman Gar , Park Jongwan , Simmerer Corey , Kuo Anthony N. , McNabb Ryan P. , Izatt Joseph A. , Farsiu Sina
Published: July 2020

Non-confocal adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) has enhanced the study of human retinal photoreceptors by providing complementary information to standard confocal AOSLO images. Previously we developed the first confocal handheld AOSLO (HAOSLO) capable of in vivo cone photoreceptor imaging in supine and non-cooperative patients. Here, we introduce the first multimodal (M-)HAOSLO for confocal and non-confocal split-detection (SD) imaging to allow for more comprehensive patient data collection. Aside from its unprecedented miniature size and weight, M-HAOSLO is also the first system to perform sensorless wavefront-corrected SD imaging of cone photoreceptors.
Tunable geometric photocurrent in van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Rasmita Abdullah , Jiang Chongyun , Ma Hui , Ji Zhurun , Agarwal Ritesh , Gao Wei-bo
Published: July 2020

Utilizing the spin or valley degree of freedom is a promising approach for realizing more energy-efficient information processing devices. Circularly polarized light can be used to generate spin/valley current in monolayer 2D transition metal dichalcogenides. We observe a geometrically dependent photocurrent in heterostructure

M
o
S

2

/

W
S
e

2

, where light with a different circular polarization generates photocurrents in opposite directions. Furthermore, we show that this photocurrent persists even at room temperature, and it can be controlled using an in-plane electric field and back gating. We explain the observed phenomena via valley-dependent valence band shift and the valley optical selection rule. This finding may facilitate the use of 2D heterostructures as a platform for opto-valleytronics and opto-spintronics devices.
Relação entre variáveis sociodemográficas e do percurso escolar e a adaptabilidade de carreira de estudantes do ensino secundário
Authors: Fernandes Elsa Maria , Carvalho Renato Gomes
Published: July 2020

Neste estudo, analisámos a relação entre a adaptabilidade de carreira, expressa nas dimensões Preocupação, Controlo, Confiança e Curiosidade, e um conjunto de variáveis sociodemográficas (sexo, zona de residência, educação parental) e do percurso escolar (média de classificações, retenções, participação em atividades extracurriculares). Testámos ainda a relação entre a participação prévia reportada em atividades de carreira e a realização de atividades ocupacionais, e a adaptabilidade de carreira. Participaram no estudo 201 estudantes do ensino secundário, com idades compreendidas os 16 e os 23 anos (M = 17.56, DP = 0.89). Os instrumentos foram um questionário sociodemográfico e escolar e a versão Portuguesa da Career Adapt-Abilities Scale. Os resultados não mostraram um efeito global das variáveis sociodemográficas na adaptabilidade de carreira, com a exceção de um efeito de pequena magnitude da área de residência (rural) no Controlo; e um efeito de pequena magnitude do sexo (feminino) na Preocupação. Verificou-se uma associação entre o desempenho escolar (moderado na média das classificações; fraco no caso das retenções) e a adaptabilidade de carreira. A participação prévia em atividades de educação e desenvolvimento de carreira, ou a realização de atividades ocupacionais, não se associaram à adaptabilidade de carreira com a presente amostra.
Adaptação e evidências de validade de Escalas de Identidade Profissional para estudantes
Authors: Rossi Gessica Aparecida Nunes , Oliveira Marina Cardoso de
Published: July 2020

A identidade profissional é central para a compreensão da construção da carreira, em especial durante as transições para o trabalho. Cientes da importância desse constructo, o objetivo deste estudo foi adaptar para a língua portuguesa e apresentar evidências de validade de duas escalas direcionadas a estudantes em formação profissional: Escala de Clareza da Identidade Profissional (ECIP) e Escala de Identidade Profissional de Macleod Clark (EIP). O estudo dividiu-se em duas etapas: validade de conteúdo e validade da estrutura interna e convergente. Nesta última etapa participaram 424 universitários, de ambos os sexos, subdivididos em duas amostras independentes. Realizou-se análise fatorial confirmatória, testes de correlação e de confiabilidade. Após as análises fatoriais, a ECIP manteve sua estrutura original, enquanto a EIP precisou ser ajustada com a redução de itens. Os testes de confiabilidade e das correlações sinalizaram boas evidências de fidedignidade e de validade convergente das medidas. Conclui-se que as versões adaptadas para a língua portuguesa das duas escalas de identidade profissional apresentam qualidades psicométricas satisfatórias e podem ser utilizadas em futuras pesquisas sobre o tema. Espera-se que os resultados contribuam com estudos transculturais sobre a identidade profissional de estudantes em formação.
Crecimiento del medio construido, turismo y problemáticas ambientales en la localidad de Santa Rosa de Calamuchita (Córdoba) entre los años 1990-2017
Authors: Ribert Natalia , Lucero Franco Gastón , Maldonado Graciela Inés
Published: July 2020

En el presente trabajo se expone parte de los resultados obtenidos de un proyecto de investigación vinculado a una Beca de Ayudantía de Investigación otorgada por la Secretaría de Ciencia y Técnica de la Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo general estudiar y analizar las características de la ampliación del medio construido vinculado al turismo en la localidad de Santa Rosa de Calamuchita (Córdoba), y reconocer su articulación con la emergencia de problemáticas ambientales en el área, entre los años 1990 y 2017. Para ello, se trabajó con una metodología de tipo inductiva y esencialmente cualitativa y con algunas técnicas de carácter cuantitativo. En cuanto a los principales resultados alcanzados, se ha podido dar cuenta de una notable expansión del medio construido y de un significativo crecimiento poblacional producto de la actividad turística. Del análisis de las imágenes satelitales y de la cartografía obtenida, se ha observado que la expansión del medio construido ha avanzado, a través de diversas modalidades de loteo, hacia los distintos puntos cardinales del área de estudio y sobre zonas con cobertura de suelo vegetal y con distintos grados de pendiente. Las principales problemáticas ambientales reconocidas se relacionan específicamente con: el reemplazo de la cobertura vegetal, la introducción de especies exóticas, el avance de las construcciones hacia zonas con mayor pendiente y, por último, la multiplicación y falta de tratamiento de los residuos domésticos.
PSYCHOSOCIAL NANISM AS A RESULT OF ATTACHMENT DEFORMATION IN CHILDREN LEFT WITHOUT PARENTAL CARE
Authors: Butyakova Anastasiya Valerevna , Tasbulatova Zhaniya Serikpaevna
Published: July 2020

Background. An important feature of psychosocial nanism is its openness to corrective influences. However, in residential care facilities, it is possible to provide only external conditions that guarantee physical security but do not form a feeling of social attachment. A way to solve the problem can be sending a child to a foster family. Aim. The article deals with considering the phenomenon of psychosocial nanism in the context of social attachment in children left without parental care (hereinafter, LWPC children) and brought up in different conditions (in foster families and residential care facilities). Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the following premises: Sandyktau Orphanage (village of Sandyktau, Akmola Region, Kazakhstan), Esil Orphanage (Esil, Akmola Region, Kazakhstan), foster families of the villages of Baitus and Kenashchi (North Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan). The sample consisted of the LWPC children of preschool age brought up in an orphanage (25 people) and in foster families (25 people). Results. In LWPC children from an orphanage, the type of attachment relationship in the final diagnosis has insignificant changes in comparison with the initial diagnosis. In LWPC children from a foster family, the type of attachment has a significant difference in comparison with the initial diagnosis. There are statistically significant differences in the growth rate of LWPC  children brought up in foster families and in orphanages. Anthropometric development in children raised in a foster family is faster than in children raised in an orphanage. The type of attachment was determined using a story-completion task. Statistical processing of the research results was carried out by calculating using a story-completion task. Statistical processing of the research results was carried out by calculating the criteria for the significance of the ᵡ² differences and Mann-Whitney using the Statistica v. 15.0 software. Conclusion. Psychosocial nanism as a functional feature of the body manifested in reduced body length compared with peers and being the result of adverse conditions of the external and internal environment is leveled into normal physical developmentprovided that there is an object of attachment, who will act as a stabilizer of emotional, psychological and physical safety of a child.
COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION AS A FACTOR RESTRICTING THE APPLICATION OF ACCELERATED REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR ELDERLY AND SENIOR PATIENTS IN OPERATIVE GYNECOLOGY
Authors: Glazkova Olga Leonidovna , Shmeleva Svetlana Vasilievna , Moskalenko Roman Vladimirovich , Ignatchenko Olga Yurievna , Romanova Anzhela Valerievna , Dubrovinskaya Ekaterina Igorevna
Published: July 2020

Aim: to identify risk groups for the formation of cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients after gynecological operations. Research base: City Clinical Hospital named after S.P. Botkin, Moscow, Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education. The risk groups for the formation of cognitive dysfunction in elderly and senior patients after gynecological operations are determined. Hospitalization was carried out just before the operation, the postoperative hospital bed rest varied from 2 to 4 days. Where possible, the principles of FastTrack technology were applied in the perioperative period. Materials and methods. The study involved 60 elderly and senior female patients after menopause from the age of 50 to 85 years (75,2 ± 6,3 years), who underwent surgery under conditions of endotracheal anesthesia due to benign pathology (ovarian neoplasms, genital prolapse). The principles of FastTrack – an accelerated path in surgery were applied. Before the operation and on the 2nd day after the operation, testing was performed on the MMSE (Mini-mental State Examination) scale, as well as on the questionnaire to identify Spielberger-Hanin personal and reactive anxiety. Results. It has been proven that the frequency of postoperative cognitive dysfunction increases in proportion to the age of the patients and often depends on the type of anesthetic benefit and the severity of the operation. In the group of women aged from 50 to 60, no initial cognitive impairment was found, 18 % of patients after 60 years of age have cognitive impairment, and 5 % have mild dementia. The older the patient, the more cases of postoperative cognitive impairment develops/worsens, and high levels of anxiety remain. Early discharge in such cases can cause problems. Conclusion. In risk groups, especially in patients older than 70 years with signs of widespread atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular accidents, and a history of brain injuries, it is necessary to accurately identify signs of cognitive impairment and promptly involve a neurologist and clinical psychologist to correct them, which will significantly improve the postoperative period and reduce the anxiety level
Inhibition of lncRNA LINC00461/miR-216a/aquaporin 4 pathway suppresses cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance in glioma
Authors: Peng Yanguo , Wu Wangchun , Shang Zhanfang , Li Wei , Chen Shuiyu
Published: July 2020

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00461 (LINC00461) is reported to be related to glioma progression. However, the mechanism of LINC00461 in glioma remains unclear. Expression of LINC00461, miRNA (miR)-216a, and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Proliferation, temozolomide (TMZ) resistance, migration, and invasion were assessed by MTT, colony formation, and transwell assays, respectively. The target binding among miR-216a, LINC00461, and AQP4 was confirmed by the luciferase reporter assay. The tumor growth was monitored in the xenograft experiment. LINC00461 was upregulated, and miR-216a was downregulated in glioma tissues and cells, and LINC00461 upregulation was correlated with large tumor size, higher WHO grade and recurrence, and poor overall survival. LINC00461 knockdown suppressed cell viability, abilities of cell cloning and migration and invasion, and TMZ resistance in glioma. Mechanically, LINC00461 was confirmed to sponge miR-216a to affect AQP4 expression. Rescue assays verified that miR-216a downregulation or AQP4 upregulation abrogated the inhibitory effect of LINC00461 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and TMZ resistance in vitro. Moreover, LINC00461 downregulation blocked the glioma tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, LINC00461 knockdown inhibits glioma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and TMZ resistance through miR-216a/AQP4 axis, suggesting LINC00461 as an oncogene in glioma progression.
Investigation of the material resistance and moisture performance of pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens)
Authors: Humar Miha , Balzano Angela , Grbec Samo , Gričar Jožica , Kržišnik Davor , Lesar Boštjan , Vek Viljem
Published: July 2020

Forests are under great pressure due to climate changes. It is forecast that the importance of Mediterranean type forests will significantly increase. Among various types of oak species, pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens) will likely gain ecological and economic importance in the region south of Alps. Although this wood species is well known, there are not much data available about chemical properties and durability. A comprehensive analysis of extractives and durability against wood decay fungi was therefore performed. The results of the chemical analysis revealed that heartwood contains up to 20% of the extractives, with considerable amounts of phenols, including a fairly high concentration of Gallic acid (GAc). Anatomical structure, with high frequency of tylosis, resulted in good water exclusion efficacy. The presence of biologically active extractives and superior water exclusion efficacy resulted in good durability, as shown by basidiomycetes tests. Based on the laboratory data, factors that determine the service life of wood were calculated. Data indicate superior performance in above-ground applications.
Microwave oscillator and frequency comb in a silicon optomechanical cavity with a full phononic bandgap
Authors: Mercadé Laura , Martín Leopoldo L. , Griol Amadeu , Navarro-Urrios Daniel , Martínez Alejandro
Published: July 2020

Cavity optomechanics has recently emerged as a new paradigm enabling the manipulation of mechanical motion via optical fields tightly confined in deformable cavities. When driving an optomechanical (OM) crystal cavity with a laser blue-detuned with respect to the optical resonance, the mechanical motion is amplified, ultimately resulting in phonon lasing at MHz and even GHz frequencies. In this work, we show that a silicon OM crystal cavity performs as an OM microwave oscillator when pumped above the threshold for self-sustained OM oscillations. To this end, we use an OM cavity designed to have a breathing-like mechanical mode at 3.897 GHz in a full phononic bandgap. Our measurements show that the first harmonic of the detected signal displays a phase noise of ≈−100 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz. Stronger blue-detuned driving leads eventually to the formation of an OM frequency comb, whose lines are spaced by the mechanical frequency. We also measure the phase noise for higher-order harmonics and show that, unlike in Brillouin oscillators, the noise is increased as corresponding to classical harmonic mixing. Finally, we present real-time measurements of the comb waveform and show that it can be fitted to a theoretical model recently presented. Our results suggest that silicon OM cavities could be relevant processing elements in microwave photonics and optical RF processing, in particular in disciplines requiring low weight, compactness and fiber interconnection.
Edge effect of multi-degree-of-freedom oscillatory actuator driven by vector control
Authors: Kato Masayuki , Hirata Katsuhiro , Mototsuji Tomoaki , Heya Akira
Published: July 2020

This article proposes a thrust equation model of two-degree-of-freedom oscillatory actuator considering its edge effect. The proposed thrust equation model clarifies that asymmetric permanent magnet flux linkage and inductance characteristics cause undesirable magnetic thrust and reluctance thrust, respectively.
Pannexin 1 Regulates Dendritic Protrusion Dynamics in Immature Cortical Neurons
Authors: Sanchez-Arias Juan C. , Candlish Rebecca C. , van der Slagt Emma , Swayne Leigh Anne
Published: July 2020

The integration of neurons into networks relies on the formation of dendritic spines. These specialized structures arise from dynamic filopodia-like dendritic protrusions. It was recently reported that cortical neurons lacking the channel protein pannexin 1 (PANX1) exhibited higher dendritic spine densities. Here, we expanded on those findings to investigate, at an earlier developmental time point (with more abundant dendritic protrusions), whether differences in the properties of dendritic protrusion dynamics could contribute to this previously discovered phenomenon. Using a fluorescent membrane tag (mCherry-CD9-10) to visualize dendritic protrusions in developing neurons [at 10 d in vitro(DIV10)], we confirmed that lack of PANX1 led to higher protrusion density, while transient transfection ofPanx1led to decreased protrusion density. To quantify the impact of PANX1 expression on protrusion formation, elimination, and motility, we used live cell imaging in DIV10 neurons (one frame every 5 s for 10 min). We discovered that at DIV10, loss of PANX1 stabilized protrusions. Notably, re-expression of PANX1 inPanx1knock-out (KO) neurons resulted in a significant increase in protrusion motility and turnover. In summary, these new data revealed that PANX1 could regulate the development of dendritic spines, in part, by controlling dendritic protrusion dynamics.
Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation and the Confounds of Intracellular Electrophysiological Investigation
Authors: Collins Morgan N. , Mesce Karen A.
Published: July 2020

Focused ultrasound (US) can modulate neuronal activity noninvasively with high spatial specificity. In intact nervous systems, however, efforts to determine its enigmatic mode of efficacy have been confounded by the indirect effects of US on mechanosensitive sensory cells and the inability to target equivalent populations of cells with precision across preparations. Single-cell approaches, either via cultured mammalian neurons or tractable invertebrate neural systems, hold great promise for elucidating the cellular mechanisms underlying the actions of US. Here, we present evidence from the medicinal leech,Hirudo verbana, that researchers should apply caution when using US in conjunction with single-cell electrophysiological recording techniques, including sharp-electrode intracellular recording. Although we found that US could elicit depolarization of the resting membrane potential of single neurons, a finding with precedent, we determined that this effect and others could be reliably mimicked via subtle manual displacement of the recording electrode. Because focused US is known to induce resonance of recording electrodes, we aimed to determine how similarly US-induced depolarizations matched those produced by micro movements of a sharp glass electrode, a phenomenon we believe can account for purported depolarizations measured in this manner. Furthermore, we show that when clonally related homologous neurons, which are essentially isopotential, are impaled before the application of focused US, they show a statistically significant change in their membrane potential as compared with the homologous cells that received US with no initial impalement. Future investigations into US’s cellular effects should attempt to control for potential electrode resonance or use alternative recording strategies.
miR-92aSuppresses Mushroom Body-Dependent Memory Consolidation inDrosophila
Authors: Guven-Ozkan Tugba , Busto Germain U. , Jung Jae-Yoon , Drago Ilaria , Davis Ronald L.
Published: July 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) fine tune gene expression to regulate many aspects of nervous system physiology. Here, we show thatmiR-92asuppresses memory consolidation that occurs in the αβ and γ mushroom body neurons (MBns) ofDrosophila, makingmiR-92aa memory suppressor miRNA. Bioinformatics analyses suggested that mRNAs encoding kinesin heavy chain 73 (KHC73), a protein that belongs to Kinesin-3 family of anterograde motor proteins, may be a functional target ofmiR-92a.Behavioral studies that employed expression ofkhc73with and without its 3’ untranslated region (UTR) containingmiR-92atarget sites, luciferase assays in HEK cells with reporters containing wild-type and mutant target sequences in thekhc733’UTR, and immunohistochemistry experiments involving KHC73 expression with and without the wild-typekhc733’UTR, all point to the conclusion thatkhc73is a major target ofmiR-92ain its functional role as a miRNA memory suppressor gene.
Prefrontal High Gamma in ECoG Tags Periodicity of Musical Rhythms in Perception and Imagination
Authors: Herff S.A. , Herff C. , Milne A.J. , Johnson G.D. , Shih J.J. , Krusienski D.J.
Published: July 2020

Rhythmic auditory stimuli are known to elicit matching activity patterns in neural populations. Furthermore, recent research has established the particular importance of high-gamma brain activity in auditory processing by showing its involvement in auditory phrase segmentation and envelope tracking. Here, we use electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings from eight human listeners to see whether periodicities in high-gamma activity track the periodicities in the envelope of musical rhythms during rhythm perception and imagination. Rhythm imagination was elicited by instructing participants to imagine the rhythm to continue during pauses of several repetitions. To identify electrodes whose periodicities in high-gamma activity track the periodicities in the musical rhythms, we compute thecorrelation between the autocorrelations(ACCs) of both the musical rhythms and the neural signals. A condition in which participants listened to white noise was used to establish a baseline. High-gamma autocorrelations in auditory areas in the superior temporal gyrus and in frontal areas on both hemispheres significantly matched the autocorrelations of the musical rhythms. Overall, numerous significant electrodes are observed on the right hemisphere. Of particular interest is a large cluster of electrodes in the right prefrontal cortex that is active during both rhythm perception and imagination. This indicates conscious processing of the rhythms’ structure as opposed to mere auditory phenomena. The autocorrelation approach clearly highlights that high-gamma activity measured from cortical electrodes tracks both attended and imagined rhythms.
Traumatic Brain Injury Preserves Firing Rates But Disrupts Laminar Oscillatory Coupling and Neuronal Entrainment in Hippocampal CA1
Authors: Koch Paul F. , Cottone Carlo , Adam Christopher D. , Ulyanova Alexandra V. , Russo Robin J. , Weber Maura T. , Arena John D. , Johnson Victoria E. , Wolf John A.
Published: July 2020

While hippocampal-dependent learning and memory are particularly vulnerable to traumatic brain injury (TBI), the functional status of individual hippocampal neurons and their interactions with oscillations are unknown following injury. Using the most common rodent TBI model and laminar recordings in CA1, we found a significant reduction in oscillatory input into the radiatum layer of CA1 after TBI. Surprisingly, CA1 neurons maintained normal firing rates despite attenuated input, but did not maintain appropriate synchronization with this oscillatory input or with local high-frequency oscillations. Normal synchronization between these coordinating oscillations was also impaired. Simultaneous recordings of medial septal neurons known to participate in theta oscillations revealed increased GABAergic/glutamatergic firing rates postinjury under anesthesia, potentially because of a loss of modulating feedback from the hippocampus. These results suggest that TBI leads to a profound disruption of connectivity and oscillatory interactions, potentially disrupting the timing of CA1 neuronal ensembles that underlie aspects of learning and memory.
“My Dream Is My Son”
Authors: García-Iglesias Jaime
Published: July 2020

This article is an exploration of Salomé’s construction of the U.S. American Dream. Salomé is a sixty-seven-year-old immigrant from Guatemala. During eight hours of in-depth interview, Salomé talks about the embodied experience of migration, motherhood, and her view of the American Dream. In this article, I explore issues of representation, voice, and positionality when conducting qualitative research. Salomé’s story is not generalizable to all Latinx immigrants but is nonetheless illustrative of the ways in which the American Dream is contextualized by individuals. At a time when Latinx migration and experience in the United States and the nature and content of the American Dream have taken center stage in national dialogue, Salomé’s experiences serve to illustrate the profoundly personal and individual lived experiences of the American Dream.