bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rare imaging case of bilateral plasmacytoma of the breast
Authors: Eden Joleen Kirsty , Borgen Rita , Haq Rabea , Dobrashian Richard
Published: February 2020

This case reports on secondary extramedullary multiple myeloma within both breasts in the absence of axillary nodal involvement and discusses the difficulty in interpretation with clinical recommendations and learning outcomes.

Differentiating plasmacytic lesions in the breast is often difficult as clinical and radiological appearances are known to mimic benignity and high-grade primary breast cancer.

Extramedullary presentation can determine progression of the disease and can necessitate cross-sectional imaging. Therefore definitive diagnosis is essential as the clinical management of the patient may be altered.
Assessing the accuracy of direct-coupling analysis for RNA contact prediction
Authors: Cuturello Francesca , Tiana Guido , Bussi Giovanni
Published: February 2020

Many noncoding RNAs are known to play a role in the cell directly linked to their structure. Structure prediction based on the sole sequence is, however, a challenging task. On the other hand, thanks to the low cost of sequencing technologies, a very large number of homologous sequences are becoming available for many RNA families. In the protein community, the idea of exploiting the covariance of mutations within a family to predict the protein structure using the direct-coupling-analysis (DCA) method has emerged in the last decade. The application of DCA to RNA systems has been limited so far. We here perform an assessment of the DCA method on 17 riboswitch families, comparing it with the commonly used mutual information analysis and with state-of-the-art R-scape covariance method. We also compare different flavors of DCA, including mean-field, pseudolikelihood, and a proposed stochastic procedure (Boltzmann learning) for solving exactly the DCA inverse problem. Boltzmann learning outperforms the other methods in predicting contacts observed in high-resolution crystal structures.
The control of cardiovascular risk factors – an essential component of the rehabilitation of patients with ischemic heart disease. What are the current targets?
Authors: POP Dana , DĂDÂRLAT-POP Alexandra , CISMARU Gabriel , ZDRENGHEA Dumitru
Published: February 2020

Cardiovascular diseases continue to cause the highest mortality in Europe, among both men and women. Ischemic heart disease is responsible for most of these deaths. An important role in decreasing mortality and improving the prognosis of patients diagnosed with this disorder is played by cardiovascular rehabilitation programs. The short hospitalization period of patients with acute coronary syndromes who undergo revascularization procedures (in-hospital rehabilitation) becomes extremely useful to determine the cardiovascular risk factors underlying the development of these diseases and to implement lifestyle changing measures. Patients with ischemic heart disease included in rehabilitation programs will not only have the advantage of an increased exercise capacity, but they will also be monitored by qualified medical personnel for the evolution of cardiovascular risk factors. We aim to summarize the objectives to be targeted regarding these risk factors in the presence of a patient with ischemic heart disease included in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs.

Key words: cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular rehabilitation,
The efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation in improving the clinical status in
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: MOTOC Nicoleta Stefania , MAIEREAN Anca Diana , MAN Milena Adina , ALEXESCU Teodora Gabriela , CIUMARNEAN Lorena , TONCA Claudia , DOGARU Gabriela , TODEA Doina Adina , DOMOKOS Bianca
Published: February 2020

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fatal lung disease with a median survival rate of 2-4 years after diagnosis, occurring primarily in older adults. The diagnosis is suggested by histology or radiologic evidence of a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern and exclusion of known cases of pulmonary fibrosis. There are some comorbidities associated with IPF such as pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep disorders and psychiatric disturbances. The management of IPF focuses on the amelioration of symptoms, preserving lung function, improving health status, minimizing the adverse effects of therapy and improving survival. Pulmonary rehabilitation is suggested for IPF patients when adequate medical therapy controls poorly the disease progression and mental, physical or social consequences of the illness persist during daily life. Currently, there are only two approved available antifibrotic therapies, pirfenidone and nintedanib, capable to reduce disease progression and physical deterioration, but cure is elusive and improvements are hardly observed. In addition, there is a continuous need of non-drug therapy components which should be included in IPF patient management: education, psychosocial support, exercise training, nutrition, symptom management and palliative care, non-invasive ventilation and pulmonary transplant. These complementary therapies have been proven to improve dyspnea, exercise capacity, fatigue and quality of life.

Key words: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, rehabilitation, quality of life, palliative care,
Pseudotumor cerebri-Case report
Authors: NICULA Cristina , SUCIU Corina , BULBOACĂ Adriana Elena
Published: February 2020

An 46-year-old Caucasian woman was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) after presenting with papilledema and bilateral visual blurring. Lumbar puncture revealed an opening pressure of more than 550 mmH2O. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral flattening of the posterior sclera, enhancement of the prelaminar optic nerve, distension of the perioptic subarachnoid space, intraocular protrusion of the prelaminar optic nerve and empty sella. The main purpose of the treatment was to release the symptoms and preserve the vision. It was initiated the general treatment with Mannitol 20%, 250 ml/day, Acetazolamide 2x500 mg/day and B-vitamins. After discharge the patient followed a treatment with acetazolamide 2x250 mg/ daily doses and oral potassium supplements 30 mg bid/day.

Key words: pseudotumor cerebri, idiopatic intracranial hypertension, papilledema,
Prevention Considerations in Cardiovascular Diseases regarding the premature mortality reduction
Authors: RAEVSCHI Elena
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases are recognized as worldwide (1) and national public health issue (2, 3). This is argued by having a leading position in the structure of general mortality and disability, the substantial loss of quality of life and the health system needs for increased costs. Prevention and control of cardiovascular disease has become one of the priority directions for global and national noncommunicable disease control strategies developed to reduce premature mortality (1, 5). The major cardiovascular diseases mortality was identified some aspects of premature mortality among the adult population in the Republic of Moldova. Overall decrease of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases among adults (-5.9%) has been accompanied by a relatively slower decrease in premature mortality (-2.4%) in the Republic of Moldova (6). Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention measures are essential in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease and contribute to improving cardiovascular health at the population level. Nature is helping people to maintain their health through mechanisms much closer to them than pharmaceutical ones through the curative action of the various natural factors that form the climate of the respective territorial area.
Material and method. There is a descriptive study based on statistical data of the World Health Organization and official vital statistics of the Republic of Moldova.
Results and discussions. The climatic conditions of Moldova are favorable to cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation. Moldova is located in the temperate continental climate influenced by the proximity of the Black Sea and the interference of warm-humid air from the Mediterranean. The annual air temperatures average in the country is 9,30C. In the Republic of Moldova the warm weather with a confortable temperature lasts 175 days and the relative humidity oscillates in the average from 66 to 87%. The country's thermal regime is the most important curative factor for treating chronic diseases and opportunity for the amplification of medical rehabilitation programs for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Application of methods based on the action of climatic factors in cardiovascular rehabilitation process contributes to its efficiency. Increasing the role of tertiary prevention is a good practice for the quality improvement of medical services for this category of patients. By making appropriate, timely and complex measures of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention cardiovascular disease can be substantially prevented.
Conclusions. Strengthening cardiovascular prevention centered on a complex approach to all its primary, secondary, and tertiary components is an opportunity to reduce premature mortality in the population.

Key words: Cardiovascular diseases, prevention, premature mortality,
The influence of circadian variation in ischemic stroke onset on the evolution of cognitive status
Authors: FODOR Dana Marieta , STANESCU Ioana Cristina , TOHANEAN Nicoleta , PERJU-DUMBRAVA Lăcrămioara
Published: February 2020

Introduction. It is already known and accepted that cerebrovascular disease onset has a temporal variation pattern, the best documented being the circadian variation pattern, with a frequency peak in the morning and a second lower peak during afternoon. The impact of this circadian variation on post-stroke cognitive status has been little studied.
Materials and method. The study included a cohort of 63 patients with ischemic stroke, admitted to the Neurology Departments I and II of the Rehabilitation Hospital in Cluj-Napoca between 1 June 2008 and 1 June 2009, who were evaluated for their cognitive status over 2 years, during 5 successive visits. The onset time of ischemic stroke was assigned to one of the six-hour intervals: 00.01-06.00 (night), 06.01-12.00 (morning), 12.01-18.00 (afternoon), and 18.01-24.00 (evening). Statistical analysis was performed using Excel Microsoft, descriptive and ANOVA test.
Results and conclusions. The circadian variation pattern of stroke onset is confirming in our study the known incidence pattern of ischemic stroke, with the morning peak. There are differences in the evolution during dynamics of the MMSE score depending on the time of the day when stroke occurs. Patients with stroke onset during the night have seems to have a less favorable cognitive evolution in the second year after ischemic stroke compared to patients with stroke onset during the other intervals of the day.
The quality of life - an indicator for assessing the recovery program in patients diagnosed with degenerative disorders
Authors: ANTONESCU Elisabeta , TOTAN Maria , SILIȘTEANU Sînziana Călina
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease, a progressive non-inflammatory arthropathy-type. Globally, around 1.7 billion people are affected by musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases, which indicates an increase in the last 20 years of around 45%. Material and method. The objectives of the treatment of patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis were: decreasing the pain, increasing joint mobility, muscle strength, trophic and muscle tone, increasing the quality of life and reintegration into the social and family environment. Demographic data and the functional status were assessed using the VAS scale, the WOMAC scale, the QOL scale. Results and discussions. The pain, the most important symptom in osteoarthritis, was diminished in the patients from the group, the evaluation on the VAS scale, but also on the WOMAC scale has showed the value reduction and the statistical significance of this decrease. The quality of life in the group patients after the application of the complex recovery treatment, especially of the kinetotherapy program. Conclusions. The application of the individualized recovery treatment and adapted to the age group has allowed the improvement of the values of the parameters of pain, rigidity, functional capacity. The recovery of patients aged 55-65 is important to ensure the percentage of professionally active persons, to reduce medical costs, as well as those generated by absenteeism, and the socio-professional reintegration of these patients.
Study on the correlation between knee osteoarthritis and anxiety in patients aged over 55
Authors: DUICA Lavinia , SZAKÁCS Juliánna , SILIȘTEANU Sînziana Călina
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Osteoarthritis, which is a cause of chronic pain and disability with manifestation in any joint, with greater frequency in the joints of the lower limbs, upper limbs, but also at the spine level , affects around 250 million people in the entire world. This condition affects around 10% of the global population (18) and has an impressive impact on people, as it is one of the first 5 causes of disability. Material and method. The objectives of the treatment made by the patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were: pain reduction, increased joint amplitude, increased muscle strength, increased muscle tone, increased quality of life and reintegration into the family and social environment. In the study, there were discussed demographic data regarding the patients. In order to assess the pain parameter, the VAS scale was used, as well as WOMAC subscales. To assess the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis, the QOL scale (Quality of Life) was used. Anxiety was assessed with the help of a test that comprises the evaluation of symptoms at the cognitive, behavioral and physical level. Results and discussions. The pain was evaluated on the VAS scale, having a statistically significant evolution for the evaluation moments. Also with the help of the WOMAC index, two other parameters were evaluated, namely joint rigidity and functional capacity, the results being statistically significant in the 3 evaluation moments. The patients’ anxiety was evaluated with the help of the anxiety test; the results obtained were statistically significant at the 3 evaluation moments. Conclusions. It is vital that the recovery treatment in osteoarthritis be individualized and adapted to the age group. In our group, it enabled the reduction of pain and anxiety, the increase of the functional capacity and the quality of the patients’ lives.Taking into account the fact that the most affected group in the study group was the active professional one, we can evaluate the size of the recovery and the social, family and professional integration for these patients.
Effect of an educational programme on the attitudes towards patient safety of operation room nurses
Authors: Habahbeh Atallah A , Alkhalaileh Murad Abdulrahim
Published: February 2020

Background:

A culture of patient safety is one of the cornerstones of good-quality healthcare, and its provision is one of the significant challenges in healthcare environments.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a surgical safety educational programme on the attitudes of nurses to patient safety in operating rooms (OR).

Design:

An interventional one-group pre-/post-test design, which sought to measure changes in OR nurses' attitudes toward patient safety culture.

Methods:

A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 66 OR nurses working at six Royal Medical Service hospitals in Amman, Jordan. All participants took part in a 4-hour educational workshop. Pre-tests and post-tests were done.

Results:

The results of this study showed that OR nurses' attitudes towards a culture of patient safety was originally negative; significant improvement after attending the programme was found (3.3 ± 0.20 versus 3.8 ± 0.30). There was a negative correlation between years of experience and nurses' attitudes towards patient safety.

Conclusions:

Incorporating courses about safety culture into continuing education programmes may improve nurses' attitudes towards patient safety. Nurses should be qualified to play an important role in creating a culture of patient safety.
Social work in the face of collapse
Authors: Kenkel David John
Published: February 2020

This article starts from the position that while generally unacknowledged in the mainstream academic literature, some degree of ecological and societal collapse is inevitable over the next few decades. Hence, social work has a responsibility to steward the future of our profession to support solidarity under what seems likely to be a situation of fracturing state capacity for social care provision in what will likely remain a neoliberally informed global hegemony. The argument is made that the activist ethos of community development will be essential to social work’s moral integrity in the future in resisting becoming an oppressive instrument of state control in a degrading environmental context.
Mid-infrared hybrid Si/VO2 modulator electrically driven by graphene electrodes
Authors: Sadeghi Mehdi , Janjan Babak , Heidari Mohsen , Abbott Derek
Published: February 2020

Silicon photonic platforms are of significant interest for a variety of applications that operate in the mid-infrared regime. However, the realization of efficient mid-IR modulators, key components in any integrated optics platform, is still a challenging topic. Here, an ultra-compact high-speed hybrid Si/VO2 modulator operating at a mid-IR wavelength of 3.8 μm is presented. Electrical properties of graphene are employed to achieve a reversible insulating-metal phase transition in VO2 by electrical actuation. The thermal characteristics of graphene are employed to improve the response time of the VO2 phase transition through speed up heating and dissipation processes, thus enhancing the modulation speed. Optical and thermal simulations show an extinction ratio of 4.4 dB/μm, an insertion loss of 0.1 dB/μm, and high modulation speed of 23 ns. A larger modulation depth as high as 10 dB/μm can be achieved at the cost of lower modulation speed.
Optimizing selection of the test color sample set for the CIE 2017 color fidelity index
Authors: Hu Xiaojie , Lian Yusheng , Liu Zilong , Jin Yang , Hu Yongle , Liu Yanxing , Huang Min , Lin Zixin
Published: February 2020

We have developed a new method for selecting the test color sample set (TCSS) used to calculate CIE 2017 color fidelity index (CIE-Rf). Taking a Large Set as a starting point, a new optimized color sample set (OCSS) is obtained by clustering analysis. Taking metamerism phenomenon into account, spectra clustering is performed within the class obtained from color appearance attributes clustering. The CIE-Rf of 1202 light sources are calculated and analyzed by taking the Large Set, OCSS and CIE color evaluation sample set (CIE CESS-99) as TCSS. Through analyzing CIE-Rf, the performance of the OCSS is further investigated. The results show that the clustering analysis method developed in this paper can be well used in selecting test color samples, and the obtained OCSS can represent Large Set well and be better used for color fidelity metrics of light sources.
Resonant fiber optic gyroscope with three-frequency differential detection by sideband locking
Authors: Zhang Yonggui , Feng Lishuang , Li Hui , Jiao Hongchen , Liu Ning , Zhang Chunqi
Published: February 2020

A new scheme of three-frequency differential detection with a sideband locking technique is firstly proposed to suppress backscattering noise for improving the accuracy of resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG). In the system we proposed, one light path is divided into three paths and sinusoidal wave modulations of different frequencies are respectively applied to generate the sideband. The first-order sidebands of the three channels of light in the cavity are locked to the adjacent three resonance peaks by sideband locking technique. The carrier and the remaining sidebands of the three channels of light are moved to a position away from the resonance peak, thereby achieving the purpose of being suppressed by the cavity itself. As a result, the frequency difference between the CW light and the other two CCW lights reaches one free spectral range (FSR), eliminating the expected backscattering noise. The experimental results demonstrate that the RFOG has a bias stability 0.9°/h based on the Allan deviation, and the corresponding angular random walk (ARW) 0.016°/√h, which validate that our scheme can effectively suppress backscattering noise to promote performance of RFOG in practical applications.
Qualidade da água utilizada para consumo humano em áreas rurais, estudo de caso no município de Santa Rosa do Sul-Santa Catarina
Authors: Simão Gustavo , Damiani Ana Paula Martins , Alexandre Nadja Zim , Silva Bruna Gonçalves da
Published: February 2020

Água potável e saneamento seguros são reconhecidos como direitos básicos. A água destinada para consumo humano tem sido frequentemente reconhecida como veículo de transmissão de enfermidades. Muitas epidemias tiveram sua origem na distribuição e abastecimento de águas. Aproximadamente 15% da população brasileira vive na zona rural, são por volta de 29 milhões de pessoas, as quais prioritariamente vivem sem acesso aos serviços de saneamento como água tratada. Segundo dados oriundos da Vigilância Sanitária do Estado de Santa Catarina para a região da AMESC, dos sistemas autônomos de capitação de água (poços, nascentes etc.), 60% indicaram a presença de Coliformes Totais e 34% indicaram a presença de E. Coli. Estes números motivaram a realização do presente trabalho. Neste sentido, buscando avaliar a qualidade da água consumida pelas comunidades rurais, como case, selecionaram-se duas comunidades do munícipio de Santa Rosa do Sul, no sul do estado de Santa Catarina, nas quais foram avaliados um conjunto de propriedades 10 propriedades cada, em conformidade com seu contexto hidrogeológico e subsequente forma de captação de água (nascentes e poços ponteira). Mesmo para o diminuto número de parâmetros avaliados, 90% das amostras obtidas em nascentes não apresentaram condições de potabilidade, predominantemente relacionada a parâmetros microbiológicos. A situação nas captações do tipo ponteira é um pouco melhor, com 30% das amostras em condição de potabilidade. O maior problema neste contexto está associado à presença de alumínio com concentração acima do limite estabelecido para potabilidade.
Vulnerabilidade natural de aquíferos e a potencial contaminação dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos no Estado do Acre
Authors: Franco Alexsande Oliveira , Arcos Frank Oliveira
Published: February 2020

Aquíferos são reservatórios estratégicos para qualquer unidade territorial, pois servem como futura utilização. No entanto, devem ser devidamente protegidos de potenciais cargas poluidoras, seja de origem antrópica ou industrial. Tais ações dependem de políticas fomentadas pelo poder público e das condições dos assentamentos urbanos sobre aquíferos, lhes instituindo assim, condição de vulnerabilidade. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a vulnerabilidade natural do aquífero Rio Branco, localizado na cidade com mesmo nome, no estado do Acre. Para tanto, utilizou-se a metodologia GOD - G (Groundwater occurrence), O (Overall aquifer class), D (Depth to groundwater table) para avaliar a vulnerabilidade natural do aquifero utlizando também técnicas de geoprocessamento. O estudo identificou que aquifero Rio Branco apresenta elevado grau de vulnerabildiade (0.6) com a apliação da metodologia e, nesse sentido também, vem propor e contribuir com politicas públicas eficientes dentro do ordenamento territorial da cidade como forma de minimizar os impactos diretos sobre esse importante reservatório subsuperficial.
Microbiologia ambiental: monitoramento bacteriológico da água de um poço artesiano localizado no “sítio Bagaceira” em Areia-PB
Authors: Da Silva Aldeni Barbosa , De Brito Janaina Moreira , Da Silva Filho Edmilson Dantas
Published: February 2020

Esse trabalho teve o objetivo de analisar a qualidade microbiológica da água de um poço artesiano localizado no “sítio bagaceira” na zona rural da cidade de Areia-PB, e que é utilizado como fonte de abastecimento para suprir a crise hídrica em várias cidades circunvizinhas. O estudo foi desenvolvido com amostras de água coletadas num poço artesiano localizado no sítio bagaceira em Areia-PB. As amostras de água destinadas para as análises microbiológicas foram coletadas diretamente do poço artesiano, em garrafas de vidro (500 ml) com boca larga, protegidas com papel laminado, previamente esterilizada em autoclave a 121 oC, por 30 minutos, e foram encaminhadas para o Laboratório do Centro de Formação Profissional do Instituto Albano Franco de Tecnologia de Couro e de Calçado (CTCC) em Campina Grande. As amostras ficaram conservadas à temperatura de 4 a 8 oC pelo tempo máximo de quatro horas, até o momento da semeadura. Os parâmetros analisados foram: coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, Escherichia coli e bactérias heterotróficas. Os parâmetros microbiológicos das águas foram determinados seguindo-se as metodologias da CETESB. Com base no critério de potabilidade estabelecido pela Portaria de Consolidação Nº 5/2017 do Ministério da Saúde, observou-se que as amostras analisadas apresentaram quantidade de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, bactérias heterotróficas e E. coli totalmente fora dos limites estabelecidos pela portaria vigente. Conclui-se que a água é imprópria para consumo humano.
How Efficient are University Library Portals of NIRF Ranked Indian Universities
Authors: Kumar Vinit , Yadav Sheel Bhadra
Published: February 2020

Seeing the underlying value of having a unified interface to update users about library services and activities, most libraries have developed library portals. The paper aims to evaluate the contents and services of top ten NIRF ranked university library portals and score them in the classes of Excellent, Good, Average and Poor. Further, the study aims to investigate the most preferred type of content available on Indian university library portals. The top ten NIRF ranked university library portals were evaluated using a checklist based framework covering broad categories such as Information about general, information about the library’s physical collection, Information about subscribed e-resources, information regarding the library’s services, and Information regarding the use of social Web technologies. Findings suggest that six of the selected library portals were rated in the ‘Average’ class(scores 40-60 %), which shows that most of them lack essential user-oriented information. JNU’s library portal carries maximum information for their users scoring maximum University Score of 28(62.22 %). Among the selected library portals 49.23 per cent prominently provide information about the library’s collection, followed by general information(46 %) and information regarding library services(35.33 %). Only one portal exploits social networking features. The study report that the Indian university library portals suffer from issues like currency, transparency, visibility of collection, availability of online services, and uniformity. The findings of the study will help the portal development team to select the most common category of content describing information about services and facilities available on library portals. The existing portals can also improve their interface based on the findings of the present study. Assessment of existing university library portals of the national top ten university library portals in India is the first attempt to evaluate this kind of sample. The study’s value lies in its evaluation framework, that’s minimal in nature covering the minimum information categories that must be available on any university library portal.
Closed Loop Resonator Based Compact UWB Antenna with Single Notched Band Varying between WLAN and X-band for UWB Applications
Authors: Salamin Mohammad Ahmad , Das Sudipta , Zugari Asmaa
Published: February 2020

In this paper, a novel compact UWB antenna with variable notched band characteristics for UWB applications is presented. The designed antenna primarily consists of an adjusted elliptical shaped metallic patch and a partial ground plane. The proposed antenna has a compact size of only 17 × 17 mm2. The suggested antenna covers the frequency range from 3.1 GHz to 12 GHz. A single notched band has been achieved at 7.4 GHz with the aid of integrating a novel closed loop resonator at the back plane of the antenna. This notched band can be utilized to alleviate the interference impact with the downlink X-band applications. Besides, a square slot was cut in the loop in order to obtain a variable notched band. With the absence and the existence of this slot, the notched band can be varied to mitigate interference of the upper WLAN band (5.72–5.82 GHz) and X-band (7.25–7.75 GHz) with UWB applications. A good agreement between measurement and simulation results was achieved, which affirms the appropriateness of this antenna for UWB applications.
Regulation of mitochondrial plasticity by the i-AAA protease YME1L
Authors: Ohba Yohsuke , MacVicar Thomas , Langer Thomas
Published: February 2020

Mitochondria are multifaceted metabolic organelles and adapt dynamically to various developmental transitions and environmental challenges. The metabolic flexibility of mitochondria is provided by alterations in the mitochondrial proteome and is tightly coupled to changes in the shape of mitochondria. Mitochondrial proteases are emerging as important posttranslational regulators of mitochondrial plasticity. The i-AAA protease YME1L, an ATP-dependent proteolytic complex in the mitochondrial inner membrane, coordinates mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics with the metabolic output of mitochondria. mTORC1-dependent lipid signaling drives proteolytic rewiring of mitochondria by YME1L. While the tissue-specific loss of YME1L in mice is associated with heart failure, disturbed eye development, and axonal degeneration in the spinal cord, YME1L activity supports growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. YME1L thus represents a key regulatory protease determining mitochondrial plasticity and metabolic reprogramming and is emerging as a promising therapeutic target.
Crystal structure of (2-p-tolylpyrimidine-κ2
C,N)(triphenylphosphane-κ
P) palladium(II), C29H24ClN2PPd
Authors: Liu Hui , Lou Xin-Hua
Published: February 2020

C29H24ClN2PPd, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 9.9885(8) Å, b = 11.5836(8) Å, c = 11.6133(9) Å, α = 76.342(6)°, β = 89.821(6)°, γ = 71.435(7)°, V = 1233.96(16) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0337, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0841, T = 291 K.
Meta-analysis comparing placebo responses in clinical trials of painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy and diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Kemp Harriet I. , Eliahoo Joseph , Vase Lene , Nguyen Steffany , Ben Abdallah Arbi , Rice Andrew S.C. , Finnerup Nanna B. , Haroutounian Simon
Published: February 2020

Background and aims

The placebo response has been identified as one factor responsible for the lack of therapeutic trials with positive outcomes in neuropathic pain. Reviews have suggested that certain neuropathic pain conditions, including HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN), exhibit a greater placebo response than other neuropathic aetiologies. If true, such a finding could substantially affect clinical trial design and therapeutic developments for these conditions. This study aimed to identify any difference in placebo response between trials of systemic pharmacological intervention in HIV-SN and a comparable neuropathic condition, diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and to identify factors influencing the placebo response.

Methods

A systematic review search to identify randomised, double-blind studies of systemic pharmacological interventions for painful HIV-SN and DPN published between January 1966 and June 2019 was performed. A meta-analysis of the magnitude of placebo response and the proportion of placebo responders was conducted and compared between the two disease conditions. A meta-regression was used to assess for any study and participant characteristics that were associated with the placebo response. Only studies meeting a methodological quality threshold were included.

Results

Seventy-five trials were identified. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of placebo responders (HIV-SN = 0.35; versus DPN = 0.27, p = 0.129). The difference observed in the magnitude of the placebo response [pain reduction of 1.68 (1.47–1.88) DPN; 2.38 (1.87–2.98) in HIV-SN] was based on only 2 trials of HIV-SN and 35 of DPN. Potential factors influencing the placebo response such as psychological measures, were reported inconsistently.

Conclusions

We found no statistically significant difference in the placebo response rate between painful HIV-SN and DPN. Too few studies were available that reported the necessary information to clarify potential differences in the magnitude of placebo response or to elucidate parameters that could be contributing such differences.

Implications

The placebo response is one factor that may contribute to a lack of positive trials in neuropathic pain; some etiologies may display larger responses than others. This meta-analysis found no significant difference in placebo response between trials of HIV-associated sensory neuropathy and painful diabetic polyneuropathy, although limited data were available.
Estrategias de descortesía modalizadas deónticamente en inglés en ambientes laborales argentinos
Authors: Cordisco Ariel
Published: February 2020

En este trabajo se identifican estrategias de descortesía modalizadas deónticamente en ambientes laborales argentinos en contacto interlingüístico español-inglés e intercultural argentino-estadounidense en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires durante 2012–2014. Se lo hace poniendo el foco de atención en la descortesía producida a través de correos electrónicos empresariales con propósitos laborales escritos en inglés en un medio fuertemente regulado que privilegia, fundamentalmente, funciones transaccionales y procedimentales para asegurar la maximización de sus fines lucrativos. En un corpus natural de 148 correos electrónicos (agrupados en 22 secuencias, con aproximadamente 17.000 palabras), se identificaron cuatro estrategias de descortesía modalizadas deónticamente: ataque por atribución de la responsabilidad, contraataque por impugnación de la responsabilidad, contraataque por acatamiento forzado de la responsabilidad y ataque o contraataque por naturalización de la responsabilidad. A través de estas estrategias, se des-idealiza, desvaloriza y disminuye la imagen social con el propósito ulterior de reconstituir el orden moral que afianza el statu quo de los ambientes laborales estudiados.
The Return of América Tropical
Authors: Espinosa Christopher P.
Published: February 2020

In 1932, the Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros was commissioned to paint an idealized tropical scene on a second-story exterior wall on Olvera Street, in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Siqueiros instead created América Tropical, a monumental mural depicting an overgrown jungle with a crucified Indian peasant surmounted by an American eagle, at which revolutionary soldiers aim their rifles. This imagery was immediately controversial; within the decade the entire mural was whitewashed. For the next twenty years, it remained under layers of white paint, neglected and all but forgotten. In 1988, the Getty Conservation Institute began a collaboration with the City of Los Angeles to conserve América Tropical. This led to a study of the environment around the mural and the design of a protective shelter and viewing platform for the public. Eighty years after its creation, América Tropical was re-unveiled to the public. Today, visitors to El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument can learn more about the history, controversy, and modern techniques in mural conservation at the America Tropical Interpretive Center, located on historic Olvera Street.
Stolpersteine
Authors: Thompson Nancy
Published: February 2020

This essay describes a personal encounter with the Stolperstein or “stumbling stone” project, which brought together the descendants of a Jewish family that resided in Wurzen, Germany, during the Nazi era. The individual German citizens who are involved in the project acknowledge the atrocities committed by their country and participate in the project to memorialize the victims. I contrast their response with current American controversies over Confederate statues and buildings named for slaveholders. I argue that the United States might benefit from a Stolperstein-like project that encourages us to recognize the brutal aspects of our history, as it would be a positive step toward national reconciliation.
Adaptation to Industrial Stressors Through Genomic and Transcriptional Plasticity in a Bioethanol Producing Fission Yeast Isolate
Authors: Vassiliadis Dane , Wong Koon Ho , Blinco Jo , Dumsday Geoff , Andrianopoulos Alex , Monahan Brendon
Published: February 2020

Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a model unicellular eukaryote with ties to the basic research, oenology and industrial biotechnology sectors. While most investigations into S. pombe cell biology utilize Leupold’s 972h- laboratory strain background, recent studies have described a wealth of genetic and phenotypic diversity within wild populations of S. pombe including stress resistance phenotypes which may be of interest to industry. Here we describe the genomic and transcriptomic characterization of Wilmar-P, an S. pombe isolate used for bioethanol production from sugarcane molasses at industrial scale. Novel sequences present in Wilmar-P but not in the laboratory S. pombe genome included multiple coding sequences with near-perfect nucleotide identity to Schizosaccharomyces octosporus sequences. Wilmar-P also contained a ∼100kb duplication in the right arm of chromosome III, a region harboring ght5+, the predominant hexose transporter encoding gene. Transcriptomic analysis of Wilmar-P grown in molasses revealed strong downregulation of core environmental stress response genes and upregulation of hexose transporters and drug efflux pumps compared to laboratory S. pombe. Finally, examination of the regulatory network of Scr1, which is involved in the regulation of several genes differentially expressed on molasses, revealed expanded binding of this transcription factor in Wilmar-P compared to laboratory S. pombe in the molasses condition. Together our results point to both genomic plasticity and transcriptomic adaptation as mechanisms driving phenotypic adaptation of Wilmar-P to the molasses environment and therefore adds to our understanding of genetic diversity within industrial fission yeast strains and the capacity of this strain for commercial scale bioethanol production.
Análisis y evaluación entre los métodos de explotación convencional y plataformas aplicados en la cantera de caliza de la empresa UNACEM S. A. A.
Authors: Gutiérrez Arroyo Kenning Georking
Published: February 2020

This research aims to provide a statistical and geostatistical analysis and assessment of a limestone quarry using Studio RM Datamine software. Unit costs of conventional and platform-based mining methods will lead to the selection of the method that optimizes the extraction of limestone, the Bieniawski geomechanical classification (1989), rock mass rating (RMR), and slope stability factor of safety; all of which are indexes to assess fall rock risk. The objective of this research is based on rock mass characterization, design parameters estimation and cost quantification of the explosives of both mining methods, which will allow a safe and sustainable operation over time.
Fibrina rica en plaquetas en la cicatrización de los tejidos periodontales
Authors: López-Pagán Eduardo , Pascual-Serna Ana Cecilia
Published: February 2020

La fibrina rica en plaquetas (FRP) es una membrana o coágulo de fibrina que contiene leucocitos, plaquetas, citoquinas y factores de crecimiento; es considerado un biomaterial y concentrado plaquetario de segunda generación que se obtiene mediante la centrifugación de sangre del propio paciente. La presente revisión tiene como objetivo evaluar la cicatrización de los tejidos periodontales con la aplicación de la FRP. De la revisión se concluye que la FRP es una buena alternativa para promover una mejor cicatrización, además de potenciar otros biomateriales con el fin de condicionar una mejor regeneración y un menor periodo de tiempo.
Identificación molecular de Flavobacterium psychrophilum y caracterización de las alteraciones cutáneas en la trucha arcoíris (Oncorhynchus mikyss) procedente de Puno, Perú
Authors: Távara P. Carlos , Serrano-Martínez Enrique , Tafalla Carolina , Burga C. Cesar , Llanco A. Luis
Published: February 2020

El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo comparar las lesiones histológicas de truchas arcoíris (Oncorhynchus mikyss) afectadas por la Enfermedad Bacteriana del Agua Fría (BCDW) con muestras de piel de truchas asintomáticas procedentes de centros piscícolas en el Lago Titicaca (Puno, Perú) e identificar la presencia de Flavobacterium psychrophilum mediante PCR convencional. Se trabajó con 13 truchas con lesiones de piel y siete sin lesiones, con tallas superiores a los 25 cm y peso promedio de 350 g. En el PCR para la identificación de F. psychrophilum se utilizaron iniciadores dirigidos a la región 16S ARNr. Molecularmente, ambos grupos de animales resultaron positivos para la presencia de F. psycrophilum. Se puede concluir que este patógeno está presente en la zona sur del país.
Demographic Losses Due To Alcohol-Related Mortality in Lithuania: Results Obtained Through Combining Death Records with the 2011 Population Census Data
Authors: Stumbrys Daumantas , Jasilionis Domantas , Ambrozaitienė Dalia , Stankūnienė Vlada
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the results of a study on sociodemographic mortality differentials in Lithuania based on censuslinked mortality data. Population data come from the individual records of the 2011 Population and Housing Census of the Republic of Lithuania. The results of the research demonstrate that education and marital status are very strong predictors of alcohol-related mortality. Among males aged 30 and older, the alcohol-related mortality risk in non-married groups is up to 3.4 times as high as in the group of married males. The alcohol-related mortality risk in lower-education groups is up to 3.7 times as high as in the group of those with higher education. The findings of the study suggest that the elimination of educational differences would allow avoiding 55.7 %, the elimination of marital status differences – 40.2 %, the elimination of ethnic group differences – 11.1 % of alcohol-related deaths.
Long-Lasting Trajectory of Population Ageing in Lithuania: Fundamental and Specific Factors
Authors: Stankūnienė Vladislava
Published: February 2020

The article analyses the population ageing of Lithuania for almost a hundred years. The aim of the article is to evaluate the trends of population ageing of Lithuania and to analyse the preconditions and factors of the ageing trajectory fluctuation. Based on demographic development theories and methodological insights in the estimation of influence of different factors on the ageing trends, the fundamental and specific changes in the ageing of Lithuanian population are evaluated. The analysis relies on the official information of Lithuania and international population databases.
Urban Anthropology
Authors: B. Prato Giuliana , Pardo Italo
Published: February 2020

Established academic disciplinary distinctions led early anthropologists to study tribal societies, or village communities, while ignoring the city as a field of research. Thus, urban research became established in some academic disciplines, particularly sociology, but struggled to achieve such a status in anthropology. Over the years, historical events and geo-political changes have stimulated anthropologists to address processes of urbanization in developing countries; yet, urban research in western industrial societies continued to be left out of the mainstream disciplinary agenda. In this chapter we examine major debates in the development of this sub-discipline and discuss the complex methodological and theoretical challenges posed by field-research in urban settings, clearly identifying the significance of the anthropological paradigm in urban research and its centrality both to mainstream academic debates and to the broader society. Today an increasing number of anthropologists carry out research in cities. With half of humanity already living in towns and cities, growing to two-thirds in the next 50 years, there is no denying that research in urban settings is topical and needed as western and non-western society is fast becoming urban or mega-urban. Having outlined the background to current trends in this field of research, the discussion builds towards an assessment of the contribution that empirically-based anthropological analysis can make to our understanding of our increasingly urban world.
Research Institute of Urban History
Authors: Konstantinova Victoria , Lyman Ihor
Published: February 2020

The review is dedicated to activities of Research Institute of Urban History. The main attention turns to directions of the work of the Research Institute:

1. Multifaceted studying of urban history (continuation of individual Institute’s member's studies on various components of the urban past; realization of joint research projects connected with urbanization; organization of conferences and meetings dedicated to urban issues; cooperation with other research in­stitutions and associations involved in studying urban past);

2. Developing a website of the Institute, which should become a platform for communica­tion scholars and the public involved and interested in urban history as well as for publishing articles and archival collections of the Research Institute;

3. Work as editorial board and authors of historical-cultural anthology “Frontiers of the city”.

4. Conducting oral historical research on urban history with the formation of an archive of oral historical narrative (theoretical and practical training for interviewers; preparing and conducting expeditions; systematization, processing the collected materials; preparation of materials for publication);

5. Development and maintenance of the archive of film doc­uments related to urban history (heuristic work in archives; identifying and copying film documents from private collections; participation in creation on the basis of these film documents documentaries and popular science films on the history of cities);

6. Development and maintenance of the depositary of photographs related to the history of “urban space”;

7. Creating in the structure of the Research Institute the Museum of Berdyansk State Pedagog­ical University, which is a broader context may be considered as a museum of the history of education in an urban area; 8. Public activities aimed at popularization of urban history and at the interaction of researchers with society (organization of exhibitions, competitions, etc.; initiation and implementation of public projects).