bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Setigen: Simulating Radio Technosignatures for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Authors: Brzycki Bryan , Siemion Andrew P. V. , Pater Imke de , Croft Steve , Hoang John , Ng Cherry , Price Danny C. , Sheikh Sofia , Zheng Zihe
Published: April 2022

The goal of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is the detection of nonhuman technosignatures, such as technology-produced emission in radio observations. While many have speculated about the character of such technosignatures, radio SETI fundamentally involves searching for signals that not only have never been detected, but also have a vast range of potential morphologies. Given that we have not yet detected a radio SETI signal, we must make assumptions about their form to develop search algorithms. The lack of positive detections also makes it difficult to test these algorithms’ inherent efficacy. To address these challenges, we present setigen, a Python-based, open-source library for heuristic-based signal synthesis and injection for both spectrograms (dynamic spectra) and raw voltage data. setigen facilitates the production of synthetic radio observations, interfaces with standard data products used extensively by the Breakthrough Listen project, and focuses on providing a physically motivated synthesis framework compatible with real observational data and associated search methods. We discuss the core routines of setigen and present existing and future use cases in the development and evaluation of SETI search algorithms.
Antioxidant Activity of Laportea decumana (Roxb) Wedd Ethanol and n-Hexane Extracts
Authors: Thalib Abdul , Masadah Rina , Prihartono Prihartono , Hamid Firdaus , Haidir Muhammad , Hasan Hulan , Keliwawa Sudin , Labulawa Irman
Published: April 2022

Background: Laportea decumana (robx.) wedd. is a traditional medicine used by Indonesian people, especially in eastern Indonesia, Maluku Ambon. But its utilization has not been based on evidence-based research, so it still needs to be developed to be used as complementary nursing therapy in the future.
Aim: This study aims to determine the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of Laportea decumana (robx.) wedd. from Ambon Maluku.
Method: Extraction is done by the maceration method with 96% ethanol solvent. Phytochemical tests are performed with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to look at flavonoids, tannins and triterpenoids, then alkaloids and saponins using tube tests. The antioxidant activity test was conducted using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) method.
Results: Laportea decumana (robx.) wedd. phytochemical test positively contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids and saponins. The antioxidant activity of Laportea Decumana (Robx) Wedd Ethanol Extract (LDrW-EE) 22.81 ppm, Laportea Decumana (Robx) Wedd n-Hexane Extract (LDrW-NHE) 44.89 ppm and vitamin C 6.03 ppm.
Conclusion: LDrW-EE antioxidant activity is better when compared to LDrW-NHE but no better than vitamin C
Chine : l’autre superpuissance
Authors: Laufer Rubén , Vanpaeschen Laurence
Published: April 2022

Les liens entre la Chine et l’Amérique latine sont souvent présentés comme l’expression d’une relation win-win. Rarement est posée la question clé : pourquoi le continent latino-américain s’avère impuissant à relever les défis de l’autonomie et de la diversification ? La réponse est à chercher dans l’hégémonie qu’exerce une partie des classes dirigeantes, promotrices du partenariat avec la puissance asiatique.
Chine : l’autre superpuissance
Authors: Yiping Cai , Leterme Cédric
Published: April 2022

L’année 2020 a été marquée par deux événements majeurs pour la situation et les droits des femmes en Chine : l’épidémie de covid-19 et le 25 e anniversaire de la Conférence des Nations unies sur les femmes, tenue à Pékin en 1995. L’occasion de revenir sur l’état actuel et l’articulation internationale du mouvement féministe chinois. Et de réfléchir à ses défis et opportunités face au pouvoir de l’État, des entreprises et de la culture patriarcale.
Minimisers of Helfrich functional for surfaces of revolution
Authors: Jian Huaiyu , Zeng Hongbo
Published: April 2022

In this paper we investigate the existence and the properties for the minimisers of a special Helfrich functional for surfaces of revolution with Dirichlet boundary value conditions. Removing the even restriction for the admissible functions in [5], we prove that the minimiser is even and smooth, the minimal increases as the boundary value increases, and the minimiser is no less than the boundary value which answers an open question in [5] partly. We also obtain the existence and regularity for (general) Helfrich functional when the boundary value is large.
New error bounds for the tensor complementarity problem
Authors: Liu Xin , Huang Guang-Xin
Published: April 2022

This paper discusses new error bounds for the tensor complementarity problem using a $ P $-tensor. A new lower error bound and a global error bound are presented for such a problem. It is proved that the norm of the exact solution of the tensor complementarity problem with a $ P $-tensor has a lower bound and an upper bound. When the order of a tensor is $ 2 $, all the results for the tensor complementarity problem obtained reduce to those for the linear complementarity problem.
Las placas marmóreas de San Pedro de Carcacía (Padrón). Nuevas valoraciones interpretativas a partir de su análisis arqueométrico
Authors: González Soutelo Silvia , Savin Marie-Claire , Gutiérrez Garcia-M. Anna , Lapuente Mercadal María Pilar
Published: April 2022

Se presenta una revisión analítica de las dos placas marmóreas localizadas en la parroquia de Carcacía (Padrón), expuestas en el Museo de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. En función del análisis arqueométrico realizado dentro del proyecto “Marmora Galicia”, frente a la consideración generalizada de que se trataba de piezas realizadas en mármol local, éste se ha podido caracterizar como procedente de las canteras de Trigaches-São Brissos, en la provincia romana de Lusitania. Esa y otras consideraciones llevan a cuestionarse el momento de importación de estas piezas al noroeste, así como el sentido y la función que podrían haber cumplido estas piezas en su lugar de destino.
Presentación. Nuevos sujetos políticos en la postmetrópolis
Authors: Urabayen Julia , Pereira Paula Cristina
Published: April 2022

Se presenta aquí la tesis que sirve de hilo conductor a los trabajos agrupados en este monográfico doble: los nuevos sujetos políticos en la postmetrópolis. En primer lugar, se señala la vinculación de la política con la realidad urbana en la que se crean los sujetos políticos. En segundo lugar, se analizan las ciudades actuales, en las que vive ya más de la mitad de la población mundial, y se muestra cómo su funcionamiento las convierte en realidades diferenciadas respecto a ciudades y metrópolis previas. Con un enfoque multidisciplinar se investigan las características, problemas y retos sociopolíticos más destacados a los que se enfrentan quienes habitan estas realidades urbanas, cuyo rasgo fundamental es que son ciudades inteligentes. Tanto por los temas estudiados como por las metodologías empleadas, este monográfico está totalmente alineado con la Estrategia Española de Ciencia y Tecnología y de Innovación y con el Programa Marco Horizonte 2020.
Redes de cuidados en la pandemia. De la sociedad civil a la política y vuelta
Authors: Walliser Martínez Andrés
Published: April 2022

El presente artículo es una aproximación exploratoria a las redes de cuidados que están proliferando entre los vecinos de las grandes ciudades españolas como una reacción de la sociedad civil para acometer la crisis ocasionada por la COVID-19, que afecta actualmente a los hogares estructuralmente más vulnerables. Los efectos de la emergencia alimentaria sobrevenida como consecuencia de la pandemia tienen un fuerte componente socio-espacial, y ponen en cuestión el modelo de bienestar de la ciudad de Madrid, el caso en que se centra el estudio. Examinaremos los orígenes de las redes de cuidados en la ciudad, su vinculación con el movimiento vecinal, y los efectos del cambio en el modelo de ciudad entre gobiernos conservadores y neo municipalistas. Analizaremos la estructura de las redes de cuidados, su actuación, y especialmente el posible papel de sus integrantes como actores políticos en la ciudad neoliberal, desde tres enfoques teóricos distintos: el de los movimientos sociales, el de la innovación social y el de la gobernanza urbana.
Extrañas a sí mismas: el aumento de la segregación residencial en las sociedades urbanas españolas (2001-2011)
Authors: Sorando Daniel
Published: April 2022

Este artículo aborda la relación entre el incremento de la desigualdad socioeconómica y el aumento de la segregación residencial en las principales áreas metropolitanas españolas (Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia y Zaragoza) durante la primera década del siglo XXI, estableciendo las razones estructurales y contextuales de dicho incremento, así como la variación entre los diferentes casos. Los resultados se han obtenido mediante el análisis de los censos de población y vivienda de 2001 y 2011. Las conclusiones señalan que la segregación de los diferentes grupos sociales en distintos entornos residenciales está en auge, salvo en el caso de Bilbao, lo cual plantea un desafío para el reconocimiento entre los diversos grupos sociales que habitan las ciudades contemporáneas.
Dos ciudades alojadas en una. Trabajo, mujeres y economías en la ciudad de América Latina
Authors: Muñoz María Antonia
Published: April 2022

El neoliberalismo y la financiarización de la economía han generado una transformación en los mercados laborales, impactando sobre la dualización de las ciudades. La pandemia originada por la COVID-19 profundizó estos procesos haciendo pagar los principales costos a las mujeres. En este contexto, el derecho a la ciudad se puso en discusión. En el presente artículo se mostrará un caso específico, la polémica que se estableció en Mar del Plata y Batán (Partido de General Pueyrredón, Argentina) sobre cuáles eran las consecuencias socioeconómicas de la pandemia, cómo debían resolverse, qué estatus tenían las partes en el litigio y cuál fue el rol de las mujeres en este proceso. Se discutirán aspectos centrales relacionados con el modo en el que la ciudad reconfigura el proceso de expulsión de los mercados laborales y la distribución de la salud y cómo los comités barriales de emergencia (CBE) emergen como escenario de un antagonismo social. Por último, se analizará la ocupación y el uso del espacio público, la demanda y la transformación de las instituciones en el nivel local y las dimensiones políticas de resignificación de las ciudades.
Repensar lo público: la creación del espacio público en una «ciudad global excelente» y la retórica y la realidad de la orientación hacia las personas
Authors: Zhu Jingyi
Published: April 2022

En el centro de los debates sobre la desaparición y el resurgimiento del espacio público se encuentra el concepto de lo público, que a menudo se utiliza para definir las cualidades más deseables que desde el punto de vista normativo y prescriptivo debe poseer un espacio público. Este artículo, en lugar de proponer un ideal abstracto y normativo universalmente aplicable a lo público, aboga por su desnormalización, abordando este concepto como un estado del espacio que es público de una determinada manera y en un contexto determinado. Para ilustrar las múltiples capas posibles de lo público, el artículo utiliza como estudio de caso la regeneración del espacio público de la ribera del río Huangpu en Shanghai. Examinando la transformación de esta ribera en las dos últimas décadas y centrados en el reciente proyecto de conexión del espacio público, el artículo muestra las diferentes formas en las que el diseño y el desarrollo del espacio público se entrelazan con el ideal de metrópolis orientada a las personas, propuesto como la clave de la pretensión ambiciosa de que Shanghái se convierta en una «excellent global city» (ciudad global excelente). A partir del análisis de la retórica y de la realidad del desarrollo del espacio público en la ribera en Shanghái orientado a las personas, este artículo muestra tres capas diferentes de lo público: lo público localizado, lo público procedimental y lo público simbólico, que se refieren no solo a la calidad material sino también a los procesos de distribución y construcción discursiva del espacio público. Este debate sobre las múltiples caras posibles de lo público servirá de punto de partida para seguir investigando cómo abordar lo público más allá del confinamiento de los límites espaciales como parte de la amplia y compleja dinámica de poder de las ciudades contemporáneas.
Étudier les mobilités antiques : réflexions sur un tournant historiographique
Authors: Amar Claudia Moatti et Marianne
Published: April 2022

Claudia Moatti évoque le « tournant migratoire » de l’historiographie antique au cours de ces vingt dernières années. Les recherches en sciences sociales ont produit des déplacements conceptuels et méthodologiques, permettant une réévaluation radicale de l’importance du mouvement dans les sociétés grecque et romaine. Les travaux récents ont souligné le rôle des villes dans l’intégration des migrants, le caractère réticulaire du modèle impérial romain, les développements d’une culture de la mobilité ; le droit a saisi cette mobilité pour la définir ou pour l’encadrer, favorisant le développement de ce qu'on pourrait appeler des politiques migratoires. Il importe de conserver une approche comparatiste dans ce domaine de recherche, d’autant plus quand on s’intéresse à l’expérience même des migrants.
On the arrival of Moriscos in Italy. A dialogue between history and some categories
Authors: Saverino Bruno Pomara
Published: April 2022

Expelled from the Spanish kingdoms between 1609 and 1614, more than 300,000 Moriscos gave rise to provisional and definitive settlements in the Mediterranean basin. The author intends to shed light on the dispersion of this minority with the aim of making their tragic story dialogue with some categories debated by the social sciences: refugees, diaspora, identity, foreigners, mobility and translocality. With their complex and particular political situation, the Italian princedoms and kingdoms of the 17th century are the chosen laboratory to explain some theses and illustrate the fate of an ethnic group already judged by the Spanish Monarchs to be composed of “dangerous Crypto-Muslims”.
The journey from “migration certificate” to “citizenship card”: Livelihood, demography and changing identities in post-1947 Assam
Authors: Ghoshal Anindita
Published: April 2022

Postcolonial nation building saw the assertion of dominance by majority community and persecution of minorities. One method of building nation-states as an exclusive domain of the majority was to innovate devices to convert citizens into “other” and render them stateless and right less. The updating of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam is one such endeavor. In order to build its exclusive domain, the Assamese has been trying to expel the group consistently. The current endeavor tries to exclude a linguistic/religious minority group by cancelling their existing citizenship. This is unprecedented and unheard of anywhere in the world. People who are citizens by birth are subjected to bureaucratic document verification process to annul their citizenship so that they could be rendered stateless and the host community attains unchallenged hegemony in the area.
Memory of the Kindertransport in Britain and Germany, and the current refugee crisis
Authors: Williams Amy , Niven Bill
Published: April 2022

This article sets out to categorise and analyse the ways Holocaust memory can be supportively deployed. It does so by example of memory of the Kindertransport, the rescue of over 10,000 Jewish children from Nazism prior to the outbreak of the Second World War to several different host nations. We present here our theory of invocative memory, arguing that responses to humanitarian crises in the present actively and instrumentally draw on Holocaust memory as a moral resource. Our article sets out this theory in relation to a range of cultural artefacts including memorials, novels and exhibitions.
Decolonising from London. An Indian psychogeography around Victorian railway spaces (1870-1914)
Authors: Chatterjee Arup K.
Published: April 2022

While the expansion of the London Underground coincided with that of the Indian Railways, an Indian psychogeography was quietly emerging in the marginal geographies of the Victorian imperial capital. In their memoirs, Pothum Ragaviah, Mukharji, Jang, Malabari, Pillai and Pandian, among other Indian travellers, engaged with London’s railway spaces to renegotiate their colonial subjectivity. As London neighbourhoods assumed an Asiatic character, Indian memoirists inhabited London in a typographical imagination, or Typogravia. Architectural, economic, artistic and literary consciousness overlapped in this typographical space to foreground independent Indian aesthetics of travelling and selfhood, shaped around London’s railway spaces.
Regulatory Requirements and Financial Inclusion in FinTech Companies
Authors: Gichuru Lilian , Namada Juliana M.
Published: April 2022

The general objective of the study was to establish the influence of regulatory requirements on financial inclusion in Fintech Companies. Specifically, the study assessed the effects of customer protection and investor protection regulations on financial inclusion. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 38 Fintech companies. A population of 435 managers in Fintech companies were targeted. Stratified random sampling method was used to select the sample of 218 respondents. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression was used in data analysis to establish the relationship between the variables. The study found that customer protection and investor protection regulations had significant relationships with financial inclusion. The study concluded that customer protection and investor protection were key attributes in financial inclusion in Fintech Companies and recommended that stakeholder regulations need a special focus in the management of Fintech companies.
The Impact of Financial Inclusion on Female-Owned Small to Medium Enterprises
Authors: Nyoni Tofara Audrey , Kurebwa Jeffrey
Published: April 2022

This study sought to understand the impact of financial inclusion on female-owned small to medium enterprises in Harare urban of Zimbabwe. A mixed methodology was used for the study while a case study of Siyaso Market in Harare was utilized. A total of sixty participants were involved in the study. These participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected using a survey and semi-structured interviews. The study findings indicated that there were a number of factors that lead to profitability for female-owned small to medium enterprises. These included having a bank account, and access to mobile banking services. A number of challenges were also being faced by female-owned small to medium enterprises. These were low-income levels, and lack of documents required when borrowing from financial institutions. There is a need to improve the financial products and delivery models and strengthen financial consumer protection mechanisms, especially for women.
Evaluative Phrase-Frames and Patterns in Doctoral Thesis Conclusions
Authors: Cao Feng , Wu Siew Mei
Published: April 2022

The language of evaluation can be identified not only in individual lexis but also in extended lexical-grammatical units such as phrase-frames. This study aims to explore evaluative phrase-frames and phraseological patterns in a corpus of conclusion chapters of doctoral theses. Through a corpus-driven analysis, a list of highly frequent phrase-frames were extracted and further refined to 21 evaluative phraseologies which contain an adjective in the variable position and are followed by a complement structure (e.g., it is * that). The identified phrase-frames were mapped onto different grammar patterns (Francis et al., 1998) and were analysed by Appraisal types (Martin & White, 2005) and evaluated entities (Thetela, 1997). The findings indicated that different phrase-frames and patterns showed clear preferences for particular Appraisal functions and evaluation types. This study suggests that there are interconnections among evaluative phrase-frames, their discourse functions, and different types of evaluation in academic discourse.
Cell-cycle Dependent Differentiation of Friend Erythroleukemia Cells
Authors: Cacciamani T. , Di Pietro G. , Provinciali M. , Volpe P.
Published: April 2022

Although Friend erythroleukemia (FL) cells have been largely believed to keep on proliferating after commitment for several generations before reaching the differentiated phenotype, there has been no certainity concerning the number of full cell cycles (CCs) necessary for these cells to be committed and differentiated in the presence of an inducer such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The present flow-cytometric analysis showed that FL cells,when treated simultaneously with thymidine and with DMSO, entered the culture growth cycle (CGC) with an S-phase, by conserving their potential to express hemoglobin (Hb). As a result of the double treatment,Hb was detected during the G1-phase of the third CC, while its maximal intracellular concentration was reached during G1 of the fourth CC (in the third CC DNA replication was significantly delayed by DMSO). Thus, one S was not sufficient for specific differentiation. The Hb increase occurred only when the inducer was present in the medium for a span of time including two subsequent Sphases. This, together with the measurement of the average length of the control FL cells lasting approximately 10 hrs, 240 min for G1, 180 min for S, 140 min for G2 and 40 min for M, showed that this basic finding was particularly supported by experiments which, at given points of the CGC, employed Colcemid to block mitosis or Aphidicolin (Aph) to block S.
Endocardial Endothelium and Cardiac Contractility
Authors: Alloatti G.
Published: April 2022

Following the observation by Furchgott and Zawadski (1980) about the obligatory role of vascular endothelium in vasomotor tone, several in vitro and in vivo studies provided experimental evidences that cardiac endothelium plays a similar role in regulating cardiac function.Modulation of contractility by endothelial cells has first described for the endocardial endothelium (EE), and was then extended to vascular endothelium in the myocardial capillaries (VEMC). It has been shown that EE and VEMC release paracrine messangers such as nitric oxide (NO), endothelin and prostacyclin, both in basal conditions and under mechanical or chemical stimulation. [...]
The Endothelial Cytochrome P-450 Pathway and Cardiac Contractility
Authors: Pagliaro P.
Published: April 2022

There is evidence that the activation of a Cytochrome P- 450 (CYP) epoxygenase in endothelial cells is an essential step in nitric oxide (NO)- and prostacyclin-independent vasodilatation of several vascular beds, particularly in the heart and kidney. Specific CYPs localized in the vascular smooth muscle and endothelium contribute to the regulation of coronary vasomotor tone and cardiac function. CYP enzymes can metabolize arachidonic acid to substances which affect arterial tone.Moreover, CYPepoxygenase and CYP-hydroxylase products are intracellular signal transduction molecules involved in several signalling cascades affecting numerous cellular processes, including vascular cell proliferation and angiogenesis. [...]
Central Nervous System Microangioarchitecture in the Human Foetus from the 10thWeek to Parturition
Authors: Arisio R. , Bonissone M. , Piccoli E. , Panzica G.
Published: April 2022

Available data concerning the angioarchitecture of the foetal central nervous system are rare and contrasting.This is partly due to differences in experimental methods (injections of Indian ink, barium sulphate or silicon), but the main problem is represented by the difficulty of a clear identification of arteries and veins.Differences in sectioning methods (paraffin versus cryostate) and in section thickness may contribute to this last problem [1]. Duckett [1] analysed the vascularisation of twenty-five telencephalons from human foetuses between the 5th and the 18th week of life.He divided the development of blood vessels in two separate and successive phases: external and internal. [...]
In Situ Hybridization for the Identification of Karyotype Anomalies in the Histological Analysis of Early Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Grillo F. , Ivaldi C. , Curto M.
Published: April 2022

An estimated 15% of known pregnancies terminate in spontaneous abortion, the majority (90% circa) within the XII° week of gestation: early spontaneous abortion (ESA). Spontaneous abortions are either occasional (first abortion in the patient’s reproductive history), repeated (the second) or habitual (third or more).The possible causes are many, but about half are due to alterations in embryonic karyotype – 27% trisomy, 10% polipolidy, 9% monosomy and 2% structural rearrangements [1]. With histological examination a morphological diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies may be suspected, based on structural anomalies of the villous tree or alterations in vascularization, but a cytogenetic confirmation is required [2]. [...]
3d Computer-Assisted Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy in the Morphological Study of Fetal Nuchal Translucency
Authors: Panattoni G. L. , Torre C. , Mattutino G. , Castelli E. , Bontempo S. , Todros T.
Published: April 2022

Nuchal tanslucency (NT) is an echo-free area detectable by ultrasound in human fetus at 9-14 weeks of gestational age, at the level of the soft tissues of the nuchal region.The 3D morphological features of a cavity corresponding to NT were examined directly in a specimen of human fetus, by computer-assisted methods and compared with previous findings obatained by scannin electron microscope. In order to reconstruct the 3D morphology of NT cavity, 66 serial sagittal sections of a human fetus (11 weeks of gestational age, C-R L: 48 mm) were digitalized, processed by Adobe Photoshop 4.0 to enhance contrast and detect edges, rotated into alignment based on fiducial points and analysed by NIH Image 1.61 software for Macintosh.These images were utilized to create a stack and to obtain new two-dimensional images corresponding to different sectional planes.This methods allowed to describe the fetal cavity, that shows spatial relationships and morphological characters of an enlarged limph sac.
Effect of Microgravity on Human T Lymphocyte Activation: Experiments in Spacelab and Sounding Rockets
Authors: Cogoli A. , Cogoli-Greuter M. , Meloni M. A. , Galleri G. , Pippia P.
Published: April 2022

Several physiological systems are altered by the environment of spaceflight.The results of an experiment carried out in Spacelab-1 have surprisingly shown that the mitogenic activation with Concanavalin A (Con A) of T lymphocytes is nearly completely inhibited (by more than 95%) in microgravity conditions [1].We have investigated the causes of the phenomenon in a series of studies performed in the last 15 years in 6 Spacelab missions (D-1 in 1985, SLS-1 in 1991, IML-1 in 1992, IML-2 in 1994 and dramatic STS-107 in 2003), in sounding rockets (6 missions) and in ground-based simulations in the clinostat. Immune cells have been chosen by us and several other research groups as an important model to study in vitro the influence of microgravity on cell differentiation and genetic expression following transduction of an external signal, on cell motility, formation of cell aggregates and cytoskeleton. [...]
How to Organise Life Sciences Experiments Taking into Account Ergonomic and Functional Requirements in Microgravity
Authors: Gaia E. , Garnieri V.
Published: April 2022

Experimental science is already a challenge on ground, and usually the Life Science experiments are more complex and time demanding than others. In general for all experiments the results are dependent from the quality, i.e. knowledge and skill of the operator and quantity of resources both in time and in number of people involved.Additionally quite often Life Science experiments have heavy safety constraints requiring dedicated insulation or they require high grade of dexterity from the operator. [...]
Some Research in Cooperation with Alenia Spazio
Authors: Fubini E.
Published: April 2022

Between the Department of Animal and Human Biology of University of Turin and Alenia Spazio there have been 10 years of active cooperation that has developed through common research, theses in collaboration and employment of graduates and PhDs.The main research projects carried out together have concerned the study on workload evaluation of subjects carrying out ergonomic tests in underwater environment (Toscano et al., 2000), the study of the restraint system of some equipment for item storage and transport (Podio et al., 2001) and the study of restraint and support systems for astronauts’ mobility.
Socio Cultural Aspects of Ergonomics
Authors: Cedrini R.
Published: April 2022

Human corporeity has affected everything man has built (Farè 1999). In the same moment he has had to dialogue with the different fashions, different artistic styles,with dictat of every historical time.The ancient town was organized to be covered on foot.The square, the spas, the forum were built in the heart of the town, because men love to live in the collective structural parts of their life. In fact, during the history, the survival of human groups has been linked to the organization of the territory from the natural endless orizon to definite cultural border (Cedrini 2000). [...]
Biological Revaluation of Naturalistic Collections in Teratology
Authors: Ferrari L. , Micalizio S. , Cavallo O. , Dazzo G. , Fulcheri E.
Published: April 2022

Since very ancient times, there has been a significant interest in “monstruous” human beings 1-2.Also, this interest has led to the ancestors of modern scientific museums: the Chambers of Wonders. While studying some naturalistic collections 2, our attention was drawn to some congenital malformations in animals.Our aim was to discriminate between modern cases which for sure had not been collected for display (e.g. stuffed animals, like the two-headed chick at the Eusebio Museum of Alba) and cases that had probably been used for scientific experiments,which were quite popular in the past, as also shown by contemporary literature. In total, two recent malformation cases (Fig.1) - shortly to be put on display in a museum - have been investigated, as well as seven cases already belonging to naturalistic collections (Fig. 2). [...]
Hypnotic Susceptibility and Hypnosis Modulate the Endothelial Response to Acute Stress
Authors: Santarcangelo E. L. , Jambrick Z. , Sebastiani L. , Ghelarducci B. , Picano E.
Published: April 2022

Neutral hypnosis is commonly used as a relaxation technique. Even if many of its physiological correlates as well as the main neuropsychological characteristics of hypnotizable individuals have been described, it is still unclear whether the hypnotic state (state theory) or the cognitive capabilities of awake hypnotizable individuals per se (trait theory) are responsible of the relaxation effects induced by hypnosis [1]. Indeed, specific suggestions have been proven to induce cognitive emotional experiences, associated to specific physiological patterns,which can be different in relation to hypnotizability and/or hypnosis. In recent studies [2] it has been demonstrated that awake hypnotizable subjects, at difference with non hypnotizable ones,were able to buffer the autonomic effects of a moderately unpleasant cognitive stimulation. [...]
Effect of COVID-19 vaccination status on outcome of adult patients admitted at a tertiary care centre in India
Authors: Ahluwalia Bineet , Gupta Neeraj Kumar , Singh Amitabh , Ish Pranav , Dev Nishanth , Kohli Santvana , Kumar Rohit , Marwein Fellisha , Gupta Nitesh
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 vaccination was initially started in India on 16th January 2021 after approval from national authorities. This study was carried out to assess the effect of vaccination status on the severity and clinical outcome among patients infected with COVID-19. The study included all adult COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospital from 1st April to 30th June 2021. A total of 819 patients were enrolled in the study out of which only 183 (22.3%) were vaccinated. The study documented a statistically significant reduction in the severity of illness among the vaccinated (single/double dose) (33% severe COVID-19) against the unvaccinated (43% severe COVID-19) groups; along with a reduction in mortality. On univariate and multivariate analysis, age, severity of illness and lack of COVID-19 vaccination status were associated with a statistically significant increased mortality. To conclude, this study demonstrates the role of vaccination in decreasing the severity and mortality of COVID-19 infection.
Predictors of peri-operative cardiac events and development of a scoring tool for patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing non-cardiac surgeries: A prospective observational multicentre study
Authors: Deo Alka Sachin , Kashyapi Rijuta , Joshi Veena , Balakundi Parimala , Raman Padmalatha
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims:

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Our aim was to derive predictors of cardiac morbidity, mortality, cardiac complications and to develop/validate a scoring tool in patients with CKD undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Methods:

A prospective observational multicentre study was done on 770 patients with CKD. The primary outcome (“Event”) was one or more than one of sudden cardiac death, pulmonary oedema, acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome was hypertension and hypotension. Predictors of cardiac risk were identified. A scoring tool was developed on the 2018 dataset and was validated on the 2019 dataset.

Results:

The overall incidence of cardiac events was 290 (37.66%) whereas the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was 15.04%. Mortality due to cardiac cause was 13 (1.68%). On multivariate regression analysis, seven perioperative variables had significant association with increased risk of events: age > 65 years (P = 0.004), metabolic equivalents (METS) ≤4 (P≤0.032), emergency surgery (P =0.032), mean arterial pressure >119 (P = 0.001), echocardiographic scoring (P = 0.054), type of anaesthesia (P ≤ 0.0001) and type of surgery (P = 0.056). Using these variables, a risk stratification tool was developed. C statistics showed favourable predictive accuracy (0.714) and the model showed good calibration.

Conclusion:

This risk scoring tool based on preoperative variables will help to predict the risk of events in high-risk CKD patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. This will help in better counselling and optimisation.
A Case of 7q21.3q31.1 Deletion in a Preterm Boy with Feeding Intolerance and Cyanotic Episodes
Authors: Jones Anwar K.
Published: April 2022

This report describes a preterm male infant with phenotypic features of mild facial dysmorphism, congenital abnormalities of the hands and feet, corneal clouding, hypertonia, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and bilateral ventriculomegaly. His clinical course was significant for severe cyanotic episodes associated with the advancement of feed volume. Microarray analysis identified a large constitutional de novo deletion of 7q21.3q31.1. This rare deletion has never been reported in a preterm infant, and the management of this patient will help offer clinical guidance for this genetic condition.
Predischarge Screening of Neonates with Transcutaneous Bilirubinometer
Authors: Natarajan Thrilok , Srinivasan Ramesh , Raju Sumathi , Kannapan Suvetha
Published: April 2022

Objective:

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of various transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomograms for predischarge screening.

Methods:

The paired total serum bilirubin (TSB) and TcB measurements collected in neonates ≥35 weeks and ≥2000 g birth weight were analyzed. BiliCare™ bilirubinometer was used for TcB measurement. We chose the following nomograms for the study: Bhutani nomogram, Maisel's nomogram, Agarwal nomogram, Thakkar nomogram, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) nomogram within 3 mg/dl of phototherapy cutoff, AAP nomogram >70% of phototherapy cutoff and if TcB value is above 13 mg/dl. The diagnostic accuracy of these nomograms for TcB was compared with TSB plotted in the Bhutani nomogram.

Results:

TcB showed a positive correlation with TSB (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.783). Bhutani nomogram, Maisel's nomogram and AAP (using within 3 mg/dL cutoff) nomogram showed good sensitivity and low false-negative rate while avoiding blood draws in most neonates.

Conclusion:

Bhutani nomogram, Maisel's nomogram, and AAP (using within 3 mg/dL of phototherapy cutoff) nomograms have comparable diagnostic accuracy for predischarge bilirubin screening in neonates.
Hemodynamics of Superior Mesenteric Artery by Doppler Flow Velocimetry in Enterally Fed Moderately Asphyxiated Newborns
Authors: Ashraf Asadul , Firdaus Uzma , Ali Syed Manazir , Wahab Shagufta
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

Asphyxia is an important cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The disturbed hemodynamics caused by asphyxia can damage a number of organ systems including gastrointestinal system. Enteral feedings can therefore be risky in the asphyxiated newborns with jeopardized blood supply.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to estimate the abnormal Doppler flow indices of splanchnic circulation in moderately asphyxiated term newborns on the 1st day of life.

Design:

This was a prospective case–control study.

Study setting:

This study was conducted in the Neonatology Division, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

Materials and Methods:

This study included thirty hemodynamically stable asphyxiated babies as cases. The controls were gestation- as well as weight-matched normal newborns. Blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was estimated by Doppler ultrasonography within the first 24 h of birth of the baby. The peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, time-averaged mean velocity, and the resistive index were recorded. The measurement was done before and 1 h after giving feed to the baby. The pre- and postfeed Doppler indices of the SMA were measured and compared with the controls. The tolerance of oral feeds by the babies was regularly monitored.

Results:

The baseline velocity in the study group prior to feeding was comparable to the control group. None of the cases developed feed intolerance and showed a similar postfeed hemodynamic response in the SMA as that of controls.

Conclusion:

Enteral feeds could be safely started and continued in all the moderately asphyxiated term neonates within the 1st day of life after demonstrating establishment of splanchnic flow in the Doppler study.
Comparison the Effects of Using Two Methods of Fluid Therapy with Normal Saline or 5% Dextrose in Half Amount of Normal Saline Solution on Blood Glucose and Plasma Electrolytes During and After Neonatal Surgeries
Authors: Shatabi Hamidreza , Moghadam Negin Khavarian , Shafa Amir , Habibzade Mohamadreza
Published: April 2022

Background:

Nowadays, with or without sugar, balanced electrolyte solutions are used to prevent hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia for neonatal fluid therapy.

Objectives:

This study aimed to compare the effects of two types of fluid therapy with normal saline and 5% dextrose in half amount of normal saline (DW5% NaCl 0.45%) solution on plasma electrolytes and blood glucose during and after surgery in neonates.

Methods:

The research population consisted of 1-day to 30-day-old infants who were candidates for surgery under general anesthesia; 70 infants were selected and assigned by block randomization in two groups of 35. Patients in Group A received fluid therapy with normal saline 0.9% (10 cc/kg/h) and DW 5% NaCl 0.45% solution in Group B (10 cc/kg/h).

Results:

There was no significant difference in the mean value of bicarbonate level (HCO3), base excess and blood acidity (pH) in the study groups (P > 0.05). In Group A, there was no significant difference in sodium (Na) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) over time (P > 0.123), while in Group B, Na level decreased and MAP increased significantly (P < 0.05) with time. Blood sugar levels increased significantly in both groups over time, although this increase was greater in Group B.

Conclusion:

In general, the results of the study showed that both fluid therapy with normal saline and DW5% NaCl 0.45% solutions can be used in neonatal surgery, but based on the studied variables in this work, normal saline has a lower risk of hyperglycemia than DW5% NaCl 0.45% solution and therefore it is preferred.
Postnatal Weight Gain as a Predictor of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Babies
Authors: Akther Mahboba , Tabrez Md. Shahjada , Choudhury Nuzhat , Moni Sadeka Choudhury , Dey Sanjoy Kumer , Jahan Ismat , Hassan Shabuj Mohammad Kamrul , Shahidullah Mohammod , Mannan Md. Abdul
Published: April 2022

Aims:

The aim of this study is to observe the postnatal weight gain as a predictor of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm babies.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective cohort study was conducted from October 2018 to March 2020 in the Department of Neonatology and Ophthalmology, BSMMU Shahbag, Dhaka. Preterm neonates whose gestational age (GA) <35 weeks and birth weight (BW) <2000 g were included in the study.

Results:

The frequency of ROP was 35%. Most of them had Stage 1 ROP 17 (52%), and second most cause was aggressive posterior ROP 8 (24%). Severe form of ROP is more in “postnatal weight gain not achieved group.” On bivariate analysis, postnatal weight gain, BW, gestation, sepsis, apnea, necrotizing enterocolitis, use of oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure, mechanical ventilation, and blood transfusion were significantly associated with ROP. Not achieving postnatal weight gain and low gestation were significantly associated with ROP on logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion:

Not achieving postnatal weight gain and low GA are a predictor of retinopathy of retinopathy.
Clinical Profile, Laboratory Parameters, Management and Outcomes of Newborns with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-N) due to Transplacental Transfer of SARS-CoV 2 Antibodies
Authors: Balleda Lokeswari , Pasupula Saikiran , Kolla Sravani , Thimmapuram Chandrasekhara Reddy
Published: April 2022

Background:

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a well-known entity that occurs 3–4 weeks after COVID-19. A similar entity in newborns, known as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Newborns (MIS-N), is also described. However, the epidemiology, case definition, clinical presentations, and outcomes of MIS-N are still being updated. The presence of SARS CoV 2 antibodies in both the mother and the neonate suggests transplacental transfer of IgG antibodies causing cytokine storm and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in newborns (MIS-N).

Aims and Objectives:

To investigate the clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, outcomes, and treatment modalities of neonates with multisystem inflammatory syndrome due to transplacental transfer of SARS CoV 2 antibodies. Materials and Methods: The study included eighteen consecutive neonates who met the MIS-C criteria. Following prior ethical clearance and consent from parents or guardians, socio-demographic data, lab parameters, clinical parameters, and treatment given were documented, tabulated, and analysed. Results: All of the 18 neonates had fever. The most common system involved was the respiratory system (15/18), followed by the cardiovascular system with coronary artery dilatations (10/18) and persistent pulmonary hypertension (4/18). All 17 cases (17/18) responded favourably to intravenous immunoglobulins (2 gm/kg) and intravenous dexamethasone (0.15 mg/kg). D-Dimers decreased significantly after treatment, with a p value of 0.01. One case with more than three systems involved (respiratory, CVS, CNS, and renal involvement) (1/18) resulted in death.

Conclusion:

A high index of suspicion is warranted in critically ill neonates, especially with fever, multisystem involvement and positive SARS CoV 2 antibodies. Fever may be a soft pointer to the diagnosis as fever is rare in neonates with other illnesses. Followup antibody titres are needed to document if there is any relationship between level of antibodies and disease. Safety of vaccination also needs to be addressed as antibodies are implicated in the etiopathogenesis of MIS-N.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome related to piperacillin-tazobactam use
Authors: Bai M , Govindaraj V , Kottaisamy R , Vijayarangam N
Published: April 2022

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe, idiosyncratic reaction to a drug which presents after a prolonged latency period. Although it most commonly occurs with aromatic anticonvulsants, antibiotics are also occasionally implicated. A 50-year-old male was admitted for left pyopneumothorax. He was started on intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam (Pip/Taz) and clindamycin. After 10 days of treatment, he developed high grade fever with maculopapular rashes with areas of scaling. He had elevated WBC counts with eosinophils of 21% and raised serum transaminases. After excluding other possible etiologies for febrile illness, a possibility of DRESS was considered. Naranjo scale, used for causality assessment, yielded a total score of 6, pointing toward probable adverse drug reaction. Also, the patient had 6 out of the 7 inclusion criteria for DRESS as per European Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reaction (RegiScar) scoring. Pip/Taz was found to be causative drug and was discontinued. He was conservatively managed with antipyretics and topical steroids. Fever subsided the day after stopping Pip/Taz and his rashes resolved gradually. In conclusion the possibility of antibiotics-induced DRESS should be considered and high index of vigilance is advised.
Axitinib in Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Bhagat Sagar Bhimrao , Jadhav Amit Y , Patil Saiprasad V. , Barkate Hanmant Venkatrao
Published: April 2022

Background:

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. Despite the availability of several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and immunotherapies in India, the placing and sequencing of molecules in the management of RCC remains a source of dispute. The purpose of this qualitative survey was to get insight on the positioning of TKIs, specifically Axitinib, in the treatment of RCC.

Methodology:

This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted across India among Medical Oncologist involved in the management of metastatic RCC. The questionnaire consists of 15 questions that were validated by a senior oncologist. The responses to the question were compiled in Microsoft Excel version 2018 and analyzed.

Results:

Total 51 oncologists completed this questionnaire. Majority preferred the International Metastatic RCC Database consortium risk stratification criteria. In favourable risk category sunitinib was preferred while in intermediate/poor risk patient's axitinib plus pembrolizumab was preferred by majority. Pazopanib and axitinib was favoured in patients with advanced age and comorbidities. Axitinib was the choice in patients who had good response to 1st line therapy and who have visceral metastasis. Majority of oncologists endorsed the use of axitinib in elderly with comorbid patients because of its favourable efficacy and tolerability.

Conclusion:

Axitinib is preferred choice in metastatic RCC patients who have responded well to TKIs in the first line, in elderly patients with associated comorbidities, in patients with renal impairment and in patients with poor performance status. It is a well-tolerated drug with minimal adverse effects which are transient in nature.