bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associative plasticity of granule cell inputs to cerebellar Purkinje cells
Authors: Conti Rossella , Auger Céline
Published: April 2024

Granule cells of the cerebellum make up to 175 000 excitatory synapses on a single Purkinje cell, encoding the wide variety of information from the mossy fibre inputs into the cerebellar cortex. The granule cell axon is made of an ascending portion and a long parallel fibre extending at right angles, an architecture suggesting that synapses formed by the two segments of the axon could encode different information. There are controversial indications that ascending axon (AA) and parallel fibre (PF) synapse properties and modalities of plasticity are different. We tested the hypothesis that AA and PF synapses encode different information, and that association of these distinct inputs to Purkinje cells might be relevant to the circuit and trigger plasticity, similarly to the coincident activation of PF and climbing fibre inputs. Here we describe a new form of associative plasticity between these granule cell inputs, and show for the first time that synchronous AA and PF repetitive train stimulation, with inhibition intact, triggers long term potentiation (LTP) at AA synapses specifically. Furthermore, the timing of presentation of the two inputs controls the outcome of plasticity and induction requires NMDAR and mGluR activation. These observations reinforce the suggestion that AA and PF synapses are two synaptic populations with different coding capabilities and plasticity. Associative plasticity of AA and PF synapses enables effective association of information transmitted via granule cells.
Spatiotemporal recruitment of the ubiquitin-specific protease USP8 directs endosome maturation
Authors: Miao Yue , Du Yongtao , Wang Baolei , Liang Jingjing , Liang Yu , Dang Song , Liu Jiahao , Li Dong , He Kangmin , Ding Mei
Published: April 2024

The spatiotemporal transition of small GTPase Rab5 to Rab7 is crucial for early-to-late endosome maturation, yet the precise mechanism governing Rab5-to-Rab7 switching remains elusive. USP8, a ubiquitin-specific protease, plays a prominent role in the endosomal sorting of a wide range of transmembrane receptors and is a promising target in cancer therapy. Here, we identified that USP8 is recruited to Rab5-positive carriers by Rabex5, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab5. The recruitment of USP8 dissociates Rabex5 from early endosomes (EEs) and meanwhile promotes the recruitment of the Rab7 GEF SAND-1/Mon1. In USP8-deficient cells, the level of active Rab5 is increased, while the Rab7 signal is decreased. As a result, enlarged EEs with abundant intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) accumulate and digestive lysosomes are rudimentary. Together, our results reveal an important and unexpected role of a deubiquitinating enzyme in endosome maturation.
Infectious etiology and indicators of malabsorption or intestinal injury in childhood diarrhea
Authors: Martins Adson Santos , Santos Samara Alves , Lisboa Cláudia Alves da Silva , Barros Tânia Fraga , Ribeiro Tereza Cristina Medrado , Da Costa-Ribeiro Hugo , Mattos Ângela Peixoto de , Almeida Mendes Patrícia Silva de , Mendes Carlos Maurício Cardeal , Souza Edna Lúcia , Moreno Amor Ana Lúcia , Soares Neci Matos , Aquino Teixeira Márcia Cristina
Published: April 2024

Introduction. The multifactorial etiology of gastroenteritis emphasizes the need for different laboratory methods to identify or exclude infectious agents and evaluate the severity of diarrheal disease.Objective. To diagnose the infectious etiology in diarrheic children and to evaluate some fecal markers associated with intestinal integrity.Materials and methods. The study group comprised 45 children with diarrheal disease, tested for enteropathogens and malabsorption markers, and 76 children whose feces were used for fat evaluation by the traditional and acid steatocrit tests.Results. We observed acute diarrhea in 80% of the children and persistent diarrhea in 20%. Of the diarrheic individuals analyzed, 40% were positive for enteropathogens, with rotavirus (13.3%) and Giardia duodenalis (11.1%) the most frequently diagnosed. Among the infected patients, occult blood was more evident in those carrying pathogenic bacteria (40%) and enteroviruses (40%), while steatorrhea was observed in infections by the protozoa G. duodenalis (35.7%). Children with diarrhea excreted significantly more lipids in feces than non-diarrheic children, as determined by the traditional (p<0.0003) and acid steatocrit (p<0.0001) methods. Moreover, the acid steatocrit method detected 16.7% more fecal fat than the traditional method.Conclusions. Childhood diarrhea can lead to increasingly severe nutrient deficiencies. Steatorrhea is the hallmark of malabsorption, and a stool test, such as the acid steatocrit, can be routinely used as a laboratory tool for the semi-quantitative evaluation of fat malabsorption in diarrheic children.
The effect of hair removal and filtering on melanoma detection: a comparative deep learning study with AlexNet CNN
Authors: Quishpe-Usca Angélica , Cuenca-Dominguez Stefany , Arias-Viñansaca Araceli , Bosmediano-Angos Karen , Villalba-Meneses Fernando , Ramírez-Cando Lenin , Tirado-Espín Andrés , Cadena-Morejón Carolina , Almeida-Galárraga Diego , Guevara Cesar
Published: April 2024

Melanoma is the most aggressive and prevalent form of skin cancer globally, with a higher incidence in men and individuals with fair skin. Early detection of melanoma is essential for the successful treatment and prevention of metastasis. In this context, deep learning methods, distinguished by their ability to perform automated and detailed analysis, extracting melanoma-specific features, have emerged. These approaches excel in performing large-scale analysis, optimizing time, and providing accurate diagnoses, contributing to timely treatments compared to conventional diagnostic methods. The present study offers a methodology to assess the effectiveness of an AlexNet-based convolutional neural network (CNN) in identifying early-stage melanomas. The model is trained on a balanced dataset of 10,605 dermoscopic images, and on modified datasets where hair, a potential obstructive factor, was detected and removed allowing for an assessment of how hair removal affects the model’s overall performance. To perform hair removal, we propose a morphological algorithm combined with different filtering techniques for comparison: Fourier, Wavelet, average blur, and low-pass filters. The model is evaluated through 10-fold cross-validation and the metrics of accuracy, recall, precision, and the F1 score. The results demonstrate that the proposed model performs the best for the dataset where we implemented both a Wavelet filter and hair removal algorithm. It has an accuracy of 91.30%, a recall of 87%, a precision of 95.19%, and an F1 score of 90.91%.
Jardín de aguas en disputa en el desierto extremo de la tierra
Authors:   , Contreras Maya Consuelo
Published: April 2024

La tesis estudia la minería del litio en el Salar de Atacama, entendida como un nuevo escenario para dialogar sobre el agua, su administración y su crisis hídrica, así como los problemas ecosistémicos y sociales involucrados. Se revisa el debate desde la amenaza pero también desde la oportunidad que suponen estas piezas de infraestructura hidráulica, que han hecho visible un recurso hídrico al cual no se tenía acceso hace 30 años.
La manzana como borde: morfología de superposición entre lo metropolitano y lo cotidiano en la manzana de la ex refinería de azúcar San Ignacio
Authors:   , Haristoy Lagos José Pablo
Published: April 2024

La presente tesis se centra en la exploración de la condición de borde originada por las discontinuidades que surgen en el territorio de una ciudad, entendido como el espacio de transición entre estas áreas distintas dentro de la trama urbana. Bajo esa premisa, se propone a las intersecciones dentro de la ciudad entre lo metropolitano y lo cotidiano como objeto de estudio, donde la manzana como elemento de borde permite investigar cuales serían las características morfológicas de estos espacios de transición, pasando de ser límites que separan sus ámbitos a bordes que los interrelacionan y potencian.La motivación detrás de este estudio surge de la percepción de la ciudad como un tejido complejo, el cual, en el caso de Santiago de Chile, se manifiesta en su segregación espacial y socioeconómica, donde su crecimiento ha generado anillos no homogéneos de ciudad que coexisten de manera compleja. Siendo Santiago, como ciudad, una sedimentación desarticulada de planes, barrios, vías, entre otros que propician la necesidad de abordar la problemática de sus discontinuidades y como se construyen sus bordes para afrontarlas.La investigación se basa en el análisis de piezas paradigmáticas, destacando el Zanjón de la Aguada y la manzana de la Ex Azucarera San Ignacio. El primero ejemplifica la necesidad de redefinir la noción tradicional de borde, transformándola de una dicotomía urbano-rural a una más compleja metropolitana-cotidiana. En el segundo caso, se examina cómo una ubicación paradigmática permite explorar la condición del borde intraurbano a partir de operaciones morfológicas dentro de la manzana.Para desarrollar esta lectura sobre las discontinuidades y el borde que esta genera, se propone analizar el contexto y el desajuste entre lo cotidiano y lo metropolitano bajo el concepto de densidades, las cuales permiten cualificar su intensidad y modulación. Esto con el objetivo de identificar una morfología basada en las densidades que pueda caracterizar a la manzana como elemento de vínculo, con el fin de generar una respuesta proyectual que responda a esta condición de borde dentro de esta manzana.
Characterization of the MYB60 Gene of Phaseolus vulgaris and its Role in Regulating Stomatal Aperture
Authors:   , Martínez Barradas Vera Isabel
Published: April 2024

In this thesis the Phaseolus vulgaris MYB60 gene was characterized, and it is pointed as a promising candidate to improve its tolerance to drought stress. The specific objectives were: Characterize the ‘Zorzal’ cultivar physiological and yield response to drought stress in greenhouse. Identify, clone, and characterize the MYB60 gene of Phaseolus vulgaris orthologous to Arabidopsis thaliana including its coding region and promoter. Establish an in vitro regeneration protocol for the “Zorzal” common bean cultivar and design gRNAs that can be furtherly used for its edition. Zorzal presented physiological traits associated with drought tolerance. However, these traits are insufficient to maintain a stable yield under severe drought stress at the pre-flowering stage.Phaseolus vulgaris has a PvMYB60 ortholog gene to the MYB60 of Arabidopsis thaliana, with stomata-specific expression that is involved in promoting stomatal aperture.An in vitro regeneration method was developed that allows successful fertile plant regeneration of ‘Zorzal’ common bean by direct organogenesis from embryonic axis and embryonic apical meristem explants, with regeneration rates of 58.3 and 21.1% respectively, that together with the designed gRNAs provide a potential tool for genetic manipulation of Zorzal cultivar and common bean in general.
Autorregulación y matemáticas tempranas : ¿qué hacen las educadoras de párvulos para promover la autorregulación en el aula? : un análisis de los comportamientos, y su relación con las matemáticas tempranas de los niños preescolares
Authors:   , Montoya Mistretta María Fernanda
Published: April 2024

La evidencia señala que existe una relación entre las habilidades de autorregulación y las matemáticas tempranas en los niños preescolares. Investigaciones recientes han demostrado que algunas prácticas instruccionales de las educadoras de párvulos favorecen el desarrollo de la autorregulación y las matemáticas tempranas en niños de pre-kínder. Este proyecto busca contribuir a la evidencia existente al (a) examinar en profundidad la relación entre las habilidades de autorregulación y las matemáticas tempranas de los niños, y (b) explorar los comportamientos de las educadoras de párvulos que pueden favorecer las habilidades de autorregulación y las matemáticas tempranas de los niños preescolares. Los participantes fueron 419 niños de pre-kínder y 19 educadoras de párvulos. Se aplicaron pruebas para medir las habilidades de autorregulación y matemáticas tempranas de los niños. Además, se elaboró un sistema de códigos para identificar la presencia de comportamientos de las educadoras de párvulos que favorecen la autorregulación. Los hallazgos de esta investigación señalan que la respuesta inhibitoria de los niños tiene una mayor contribución en tareas matemáticas que tienen una mayor carga cognitiva (i.e., resolución de problemas; contar en voz alta) que en tareas de baja carga cognitiva. Además, se encontró que las educadoras realizan comportamientos que promueven la autorregulación, y no varían durante el año. Asimismo, los comportamientos de las educadoras no se asocian con las habilidades de autorregulación de los niños ni con las habilidades matemáticas tempranas al finalizar el año en preescolar. Por último, se discute la contribución de este estudio, implicancias, limitaciones y proyecciones.
Medición y reparto de fuentes de MP2.5 en departamentos en Santiago durante la pandemia de COVID19
Authors:   , Bascur Soto Verena Yeanette
Published: April 2024

Santiago de Chile es una de las ciudades más contaminadas de América, especialmente en el material particulado respirable fino (MP2.5). La exposición a este contaminante está asociada a incrementos de enfermedades respiratorias principalmente en niños, adultos mayores y personas con problemas respiratorios y/o cardiovasculares. Dicha exposición depende principalmente de los niveles de MP2.5 en el ambiente y en el interior de las viviendas. Los factores que afectan a la calidad del aire interior son la ventilación y altura de la vivienda, presencia de cañón urbano en su entorno, ubicación, fuentes interiores y hábitos de los residentes. Teniendo en consideración estos antecedentes, se midió la concentración de MP2.5 y de CO2, en departamentos de la ciudad de Santiago entre noviembre 2021 y abril 2022. Se calculó la relación interior/exterior para el MP2.5; se estimaron las fuentes que aportan a las concentraciones interiores y exteriores de MP2.5; la infiltración de MP2.5 total y por cada fuente, la tasa de generación interna de MP2.5; y la tasa de intercambio de aire. Para la concentración de MP2.5 promedio diaria se obtuvo una concentración exterior e interior de 15.6 µg/m3 y 13.4 µg/m3, respectivamente, 8 departamentos superaron la recomendación diaria de la OMS de 15 µg/m3 ; y 7 departamentos superaron la recomendación de 800 ppm horarios de CO2, para reducir riesgo por contagio de COVID19. Para la ratio interior/exterior se obtuvo un promedio de 0.84. En el exterior, las fuentes de contribución de MP2.5 fueron: transporte, nocturno, secundario 1 (local) y secundario 2 (no local); con aportes de 5.7 µg/m3 , 1.8 µg/m3 , 4.9 µg/m3 y 3.4 µg/m3 respectivamente. En el interior los aportes fueron: transporte, nocturno, secundario 1, secundario 2 e interno; con aportes de 2.4 µg/m3 , 1.2 µg/m3 , 3.3 µg/m3 , 2.1 µg/m3 y 3.6 µg/m3 respectivamente. Con respecto al factor de infiltración de MP2.5 total, se obtuvo un promedio de 0.8 y valores promedio de 0.5, 0.7, 0.7 y 0.6 para transporte, nocturno, secundario 1 y secundario 2, respectivamente. Por otra parte, se obtuvo una generación interna promedio de MP2.5 de 1.2 µg/m3 y una tasa de intercambio de aire promedio de 4.2 h -1. Finalmente, se comprobó que las tres primeras hipótesis planteadas en esta tesis se cumplen: la configuración de cañón urbano contribuye a aumentar las concentraciones interiores, el uso de agrupamiento difuso permite identificar distintas fuentes exteriores de MP2.5 que contribuyen también a las concentraciones interiores, y que dichas fuentes poseen diferentes valores del factor de infiltración. La cuarta hipótesis fue descartada, ya que no se encontró efecto de la altura del departamento (tanto absoluta como relativa al edificio) en el factor de infiltración ni en la tasa de cambio de aire.
Incorporación de metodología aprendizaje basado en problemas como estrategia de integración básico-clínica en medicina de pregrado
Authors:   , Valenzuela Cid Diego Eliseo
Published: April 2024

Propósitos/objetivo: Implementar Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) como estrategia de integración básico-clínica en un currículo de medicina de manera que los estudiantes logren visualizar la utilidad de las ciencias básicas en el ejercicio futuro de su profesión. Material y método: El proyecto se desarrolló en cinco etapas: identificación de necesidades, proceso de diseño, capacitación de actores relevantes, implementación de las sesiones y evaluación de la percepción. Se aplicaron criterios de inclusión para intervenir asignaturas, se identificaron los contenidos que podrían resultar favorecedores de integración y susceptibles de metodología ABP y se aplicó una encuesta anónima para evaluar la percepción de los estudiantes respecto de la valoración de la metodología ABP como estrategia de integración básico-clínica. El cuestionario exploró 4 dominios: utilidad/trascendencia, ambiente/entorno educativo, pertinencia y estructura de la estrategia metodológica y valoración global. Se realizó análisis descriptivo de las variables cuantitativas y; un análisis de contenido de las respuestas a preguntas abiertas tanto cualitativo (semántico) como cuantitativo (frecuencia). Resultados: Tanto docentes como documentos de autoevaluación/acreditación consultados, manifiestan que existe brechas en materia de integración básico-clínica en el currículo de la carrera. Aplicados los criterios de selección fueron intervenidas 2 de 4 asignaturas de una línea curricular de ciencias básicas. Se generaron tres sesiones de capacitación en la metodología para docentes y tutores pares y una sesión para los estudiantes participantes, junto con material de apoyo metodológico. Al implementarse sesiones de ABP participó el 100% de los estudiantes captados. En cuanto a la valoración/percepción, la mayoría de los estudiantes percibió la metodología ABP como útil, motivadora y facilitadora de la integración de conocimientos. También valoraron positivamente el ambiente educativo, la estructura y organización de la actividad. El 78.2% consideró que logró un aprendizaje más significativo con ABP por sobre metodologías convencionales. Los aspectos positivos más mencionados fueron: integración de conocimientos, trabajo en equipo, aplicación de conocimientos, motivación, entusiasmo y relación teórico-práctica. Los aspectos por mejorar fueron: tiempo, organización, contenidos, interacción, frecuencia y recursos. Conclusiones: La metodología ABP es una estrategia bien valorada para finde de integración básico-clínica, no obstante, existen limitaciones y esta experiencia constituye solo el inicio de la batalla por avanzar hacia un currículo integrado en educación médica.
Comparison of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol versus Conventional Approach for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: An Interventional Study
Authors: Kumar B Praveen , Kumar S Vinoth , Sudarsan S Sendhil , Babu CP Ganesh
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for benign gallbladder disease due to its minimal invasiveness, reduced bleeding, and rapid recovery. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, recognised for lowering surgical stress and complications, are increasingly adopted for their postoperative benefits. Aim: To assess and compare postoperative outcomes in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients undergoing ERAS versus conventional approaches. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted at the Surgery Department of Mahatama Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India from January 2021 to June 2022. All patients above 18 years of age undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with American Soceity of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I and II were included. A total of 90 subjects, 45 subjects in the Group A (ERAS protocol) and 45 subjects in the Group B (Conventional approach), were included based on computer-generated random numbers with concealment of allocation. Key parameters, including length of hospital stay, morbidity, postoperative pain, and protocol compliance, were evaluated between both groups. Continuous variables were presented as means with standard deviations and analysed using unpaired t-tests. Categorical variables were expressed as percentages and compared using chisquare tests. Results: The mean age of the study population in ERAS and conventional was 41.3±7.9 years and 41.6±9.6 years, respectively. Similarly, 17 male participants were from the ERAS group and 15 were from the conventional group, whereas among female participants 28 were from the ERAS group and 30 were from the conventional group. The ERAS group demonstrated significant advantages: shorter hospital stays (91.2% vs. 73.4%, p=0.0274), lower Grade 1 morbidity (p=0.0213), and reduced postoperative pain (p=0.0001). Conclusion: The ERAS group exhibited notable benefits, including a shorter hospital stay, reduced morbidity, and lower postoperative pain. These findings suggest the potential for enhanced recovery outcomes with ERAS protocol implementation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.
The effect of selected WEDM parameters on cut surface quality of 2017A aluminum
Authors:   Department  of  Machines  Technology  and  Production  Engineering,  Faculty  of  Mechanical  Engineering  and  Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland, Jamróz Konrad , Gałda Lidia
Published: April 2024

With the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), good quality machined surfaces can be achieved. The WEDM is worth considering for machining fasteners used in assembly processes. This paper presents a study of the WEDM cutting process of aluminum 2017A using an WEDM machine of the FR 400 type. After applying different cutting speeds, the characteristics of the cut surface were evaluated. Despite some differences in the shape of surface profiles and surface morphology noted after WEDM cutting at different speeds, the analysis of variance concluded that the WEDM cutting speed in the studied variation range of 23-125 µm/s has no significant effect on surface roughness. At the highest speed studied, machining efficiency can be increased, affecting cost and energy reduction, while maintaining an acceptable and comparable level of surface quality after WEDM cutting.
Online vs in-person delivery of preclinical coursework: A retrospective cohort study evaluating National Board of Chiropractic Examiners performance
Authors: Anderson Brian R. , Derby Dustin C. , Percuoco Robert E.
Published: April 2024

Objective

To evaluate the association between basic science curriculum delivery method with other academic and demographic factors on National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) part I pass rates.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of students from 3 campuses of 1 chiropractic institution who matriculated in 2018 or 2020. COVID-19 regulations required online delivery of a basic science curriculum for students in the 2020 cohorts, whereas students in the 2018 cohorts experienced a traditional classroom delivery. A general linear model estimated odds ratios for passing NBCE part I, comparing individual online cohorts with the combined classroom cohort while adjusting for academic and demographic variables.

Results

A total of 968 students were included, 55% from the classroom cohort. The spring 2020 cohort had the fewest students with bachelors’ degrees (59%) and more students with high in-program grade point averages (GPA; 61%) along with the lowest estimated odds ratio [0.80 (95% CI: 0.73–0.87)] for passing vs the classroom cohort. The fall 2020 cohort had significantly higher odds [1.06 (95% CI: 1.00–1.03)] of passing vs the classroom cohort. Additional predictors included main campus matriculation, white ethnicity, bachelors’ degree, no alternative admission status, and in-program GPA. Students with high in-program GPA (vs low) had a 36% increased odds of passing.

Conclusion

Compared to the classroom cohort, the spring 2020 cohort had the lowest odds while the fall 2020 cohort had the highest odds of passing part I. In-program GPA had the highest association with passing. These results provide information on how curriculum delivery impacts board exam performance.
Mirizzi Syndrome Secondary to Impacted Stone in A Low Inserted Cystic Duct Variant: Case Report
Authors: Aloraini Abdullah , Alkadi Danah , Alqarni Reem , Al Musma Ghaida , Alshammari Sulaiman , AlShahwan Nawaf , Aldohayan Najla , Alshankiti Suliman
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cystic duct anatomic variations are encountered frequently during surgical procedures. In this report, a female patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and developed symptoms of obstructive jaundice subsequently, which was diagnosed as low insertion of the cystic duct and an impacted stone that was causing common hepatic duct obstruction.

Case report

A 42-year-old woman presented to the emergency room complaining of persistent right upper quadrant pain that was radiating to the back. White blood cell count was slightly elevated with normal liver function tests. An abdominal ultrasound was performed and confirmed cholelithiasis with no signs of acute cholecystitis or biliary dilatation. The patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an emergency procedure for persistent biliary colic. Eight days later, the patient returned to the emergency room with obstructive jaundice and continued right upper quadrant pain with elevated white blood cell count and liver function tests. Further tests were conducted, and the patient was found to have a long cystic duct with a low insertion variant to the common hepatic duct. An impacted stone was identified in the cystic duct, referred to as Mirizzi syndrome type I. The patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) several times, but the common bile duct could not be cannulated. In the last ERCP session, SpyGlass and electrohydraulic lithotripsy were performed with a balloon sweep.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the importance of understanding Mirizzi syndrome and cystic duct variation to achieve optimal treatment, and careful assessment and investigation are essential for proper diagnosis. In experienced hands, Mirizzi syndrome secondary to an impacted cystic duct stone can be managed successfully with ERCP, electrohydraulic lithotripsy, and SpyGlass.
Impact of Clinically Relevant Posthepatectomy Liver Failure Predicted by Preoperative Evaluation of Functional Remnant Hepatic Reserve
Authors: Sakaguchi Mitsuhiro , Kuriyama Naohisa , Noguchi Daisuke , Ito Takahiro , Hayasaki Aoi , Gyoten Kazuyuki , Fujii Takehiro , Iizawa Yusuke , Murata Yasuhiro , Tanemura Akihiro , Kishiwada Masashi , Isaji Shuji , Mizuno Shugo
Published: April 2024

Background

Few studies have investigated the remnant hepatic functional reserve before hepatectomy by calculating the functional remnant liver rate (RLR) using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT)/technetium-99m-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) single-photon emission CT (SPECT) fusion imaging. We aimed to preoperatively evaluate the predictive value of functional remnant liver rate (RLR) and indocyanine green (ICG) disappearance rate (KICG) in determining the occurrence of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF).

Summary of Background Data

The conventional method of volumetric rem-KICG calculated from remnant liver volume and the KICG is difficult to accurately reflect heterogenous remnant liver function.

Methods

In total, 106 patients who underwent major hepatectomy were retrospectively analysed. Of these, 24 (22.6%) developed clinically relevant PHLF grades B/C. We examined the ICG retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) and KICG and constructed a 3D-CT/99mTc-GSA SPECT fusion image to calculate the volumetric RLR, functional RLR, volumetric rem-KICG, and functional rem-KICG.

Results

The multivariate analysis showed functional rem-KICG as the strongest independent risk factor for PHLF grade B/C. The functional-to-volumetric RLR ratios in the patients with portal vein obstruction and/or tumor volume of ≥500 mL was significantly higher. The volumetric rem-KICG determined that hepatectomy was unsafe in 7 patients, whereas the functional rem-KICG determined that it was unsafe in 3 patients.

Conclusions

Functional rem-KICG was more reliable than volumetric rem-KICG in predicting clinically relevant PHLF grade B/C, as the resected side’s hepatic status highly influenced the function of the remnant liver. This finding could lead to a wider application of this technique.
Risk Factors for Postoperative Pneumonia in Esophageal Cancer Patients
Authors: Yasuda Hiromi , Ichikawa Takashi , Uratani Ryo , Morimoto Yuhki , Yoshiyama Shigeyuki , Ohi Masaki , Yamashita Shinji , Imaoka Hiroki , Kitajima Takahito , Shimura Tadanobu , Kawamura Mikio , Okita Yoshiki , Okugawa Yoshinaga , Toiyama Yuji
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Patients undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer (EC) frequently experience postoperative pneumonia (POP). POP promotes poor prognosis as well as increased medical costs and longer hospital stays. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent and strictly control high-risk cases to reduce the incidence of pneumonia. The present study aimed to determine the risk factors for POP in EC.

Patients and Methods

The subjects of this retrospective study were 151 patients with EC who underwent subtotal esophagectomy in our department between January 2012 and December 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between the incidence of POP and clinical factors.

Results

Among 151 patients, 33 cases (21.8%) developed POP. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) ≥0.03 [odds ratio (OR), 2.69; P = 0.0352], chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) (OR, 7.32; P = 0.0001), and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR, 3.35; P = 0.0252) as independent risk factors for POP. In accordance with the number of risk factors, the incidence rate of POP drastically increased, and its rate in patients with 3 risk factors was 80%.

Conclusion

High CAR, COPD, and DM are independent risk factors for the development of POP in patients undergoing subtotal esophagectomy for EC. Clinicians should be aware of the risk factors for POP and consider more intensive preventive measures and postoperative management in patients with EC.
Kajian terhadap Perbedaan Spesifikasi Material Perencanaan dan Ketersediaan pada Proyek Konstruksi
Authors: Vianthi Agie , Chandra Jimmy
Published: April 2024

Permasalahan kegagalan pekerjaan konstruksi terkait ketidaksesuaian spesifikasi material dengan ketersediaanmaterial di lapangan masih sering terjadi. Untuk mencegah dan mengurangi kegagalan pekerjaan konstruksi diperlukanprofesionalisme dan komunikasi yang baik dari pihak-pihak terkait, terutama perencana dan pelaksana. Sehingga tahapanperencanaan proyek merupakan tahapan yang penting dalam manajemen proyek, termasuk didalamnya persiapan gambar danspesifikasi yang sesuai dengan dokumen perencanaan. Selain itu juga perlu diperhatikan keputusan-keputusan yang perlu diambilpihak-pihak terkait apabila perbedaan spesifikasi benar-benar tidak dapat dicegah dan terjadi di lapangan. Dalam artikel inidilakukan studi kasus pada salah satu proyek kanopi membrane yang mengalami permasalahan serupa. Dalam proses instalasinyaditemukan beberapa spesifikasi material yang tidak sesuai dengan dokumen perencanaan saat proses instalasi. Adapun langkahlangkah yang diambil untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan tersebut adalah dilakukannya analisa faktor penyebab, analisakemungkinan kerugian yang ditimbulkan dan keputusan akhir yang diambil untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan tersebut. Daristudi kasus ini disimpulkan bahwa permasalahan seperti ini terjadi sebagian besar diakibatkan oleh human error, diperlukankontrol yang ketat dan komunikasi yang baik pada saat proses pengadaan, fabrikasi dan instalasi dilapangan, dan yang terpentingapapun bentuk solusi yang diambil, selain mempertimbangkan agar kerugian yang dialami adalah seminimal mungkin, tetap harusmengutamakan keamanan dan fungsi struktur tersebut
KLASIFIKASI KEANDALAN SISTIM DISTRIBUSI TENAGA LISTRIK DI PT. PLN (PERSERO) UP3 SURABAYA SELATAN MENGGUNAKAN SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE (SVM)
Authors: Prenata Giovanni Dimas
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini menggunakan metode SVM untuk mengklasifikasi kondisi handal/tidak handal untuk 10 data latih. Dengan menggunakan konsep trigonometri untuk mendapatkan titik bantu dalam menentukan persamaan garis (hyperplane), akurasi pengujian data latih yag didapat sebesar 90%. Pada pengujian menggunakan 2 data uji berhasil mengklasifikasikan dengan akurasi 100%.
SISTEM KONTROL KUALITAS AIR BERBASIS FUZZY LOGIC PADA KOLAM PENDEDERAN IKAN BANDENG
Authors: Hikmah Miftachul Ali , Misbah Misbah
Published: April 2024

Pendederan yaitu sebuah proses pemeliharaan ikan untuk mencapai ukuran tertentu sesudah benih ikan bandeng tersebut ditebar dalam tambak. Pada pendederan ini merupakan masa yang krusial karena pada masa ini para petambak harus pandai dalam pengolahan kualitas air untuk mengurangi kematian benih ikan bandeng. Faktor yang harus diperhatikan untuk menjaga kestabilan kualitas air yaitu PH air dan juga kekeruhan. Sehingga pada penelitian ini dibuat sistem kontrol kualitas air berbasis fuzzy logic pada kolam pendederan ikan bandeng yang bertujuan untuk membantu petambak dalam mengontrol kualitas air yang baik untuk masa pendederan. Sistem kontrol ini menggunakan sensor PH air dan turbidity sensor untuk melakukan pembacaan kualitas air kemudian diproses dalam ESP32 menggunakan metode fuzzy mamdani. Hasil dari pembacaan sensor tersebut akan ditampilkan di layar LCD dan dicatat di Google Spreadsheet. ESP32 akan memberi perintah kepada pompa untuk melarutkan larutan yang sudah disetting untuk menetralkan PH air (5-9) apabila air tersebut dalam kondisi asam/basa. Pompa juga akan menyala untuk mengatur kekeruhan air yang normal, dan akan mati jika air sudah dalam kondisi kekeruhan yang baik yaitu 15-30 NTU. Dari hasil pengujian tersebut, sensor ph dan kekeruhan dapat mendeteksi kualitas air dengan baik, serta pompa juga dapat bekerja sesuai rules fuzzy mamdani.
Comparative transcriptome analysis between original and evolved recombinant lactose‐consuming Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains
Authors: Guimarães Pedro M. R. , Le Berre Véronique , Sokol Serguei , François Jean , Teixeira José A. , Domingues Lucília
Published: November 2008

The engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for lactose utilization has been attempted with the intent of developing high productivity processes for alcoholic fermentation of cheese whey. A recombinant S. cerevisiae flocculent strain that efficiently ferments lactose to ethanol was previously obtained by evolutionary engineering of an original recombinant that displayed poor lactose fermentation performance. We compared the transcriptomes of the original and the evolved recombinant strains growing in lactose, using cDNA microarrays. Microarray data revealed 173 genes whose expression levels differed more than 1.5‐fold. About half of these genes were related to RNA‐mediated transposition. We also found genes involved in DNA repair and recombination mechanisms, response to stress, chromatin remodeling, cell cycle control, mitosis regulation, glycolysis and alcoholic fermentation. These transcriptomic data are in agreement with some of the previously identified physiological and molecular differences between the recombinants, and point to further hypotheses to explain those differences.
Changing the recognition site of a conjugative relaxase by rational design
Authors: González‐Pérez Blanca , Carballeira José Daniel , Moncalián Gabriel , de la Cruz Fernando
Published: November 2008

TrwC is a relaxase protein, which starts and finishes DNA processing during bacterial conjugation in plasmid R388. TrwC recognizes a specific sequence of DNA (25 nucleotides) in the donor cell: the nic‐site. As a model example, a single transversion C24G in nic avoids DNA processing by TrwC. Using this simple model, our objective was to obtain a proof of principle that TrwC specificity can be changed. Several structures of DNA–TrwC complexes were used as reference to design a focused saturation mutagenesis library (NNK) randomizing amino acid Lys262, since its side chain seems to sterically hinder the recognition of the C24G nic mutation by wild‐type TrwC. Using bacterial conjugation as an in vivo selection system, several TrwC variants were found that show changes in substrate specificity. These variants were also tested in a competitive assay to evaluate their conjugation efficiency.
Schizophrenia and impulsive aggression: A heuristic inquiry with forensic and clinical implications
Authors: Felthous Alan R.
Published: November 2008

Assessment of a violent act committed by an offender with schizophrenia typically focuses on whether the act was due to distortions in thought or perception, i.e., delusions or hallucination. An important but less appreciated feature is the impulsivity of the act, which can have forensic and therapeutic implications. Here a modification of Barratt's classification of aggressive behavior is presented that includes premeditated (instrumental), medical (secondary), impulsive (expressive), and compulsive (instrumental and expressive) aggression. Violence due to a mental condition such as schizophrenia is considered medical, but even aggression motivated by delusions or hallucinations can also be characterized as impulsive, premeditated, or compulsive.

Although research on aggression and schizophrenia is limited with regard to the impulsivity–premeditation dimension and difficult to compare, current evidence suggests this to be an important consideration in the assessment of aggression in individuals with schizophrenia, important both forensically and therapeutically. Future research on the impulsive–premeditated quality of aggressive acts by offenders with schizophrenia—research wherein aggressive behavior is defined, situational context is clarified, and diagnostic criteria are explicitly followed—should further refine our understanding of the nature of aggressive acts associated with schizophrenia. Findings from such research will undoubtedly inform assessment, treatment, and forensic relevance of schizophrenia‐related physical aggression. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diverse and Yet Unified: A Comparative Study of the Supramolecular Assemblies of Three Diastereomeric Perhydro‐2,3,4a,6,7,8a‐naphthalenehexols
Authors: Mehta Goverdhan , Sen Saikat
Published: November 2008

Self‐assemblies of three crystalline perhydro‐2,3,4a,6,7,8a‐naphthalenehexols 3–5, all constructed on a trans‐decalin framework, were compared with each other and to that of their diastereomeric all axial hydroxy sibling 2, which was previously reported. The presence of the peripheral equatorial OH groups in 3–5 severs, to varying extents, the end‐to‐end intramolecular O–H···O hydrogen‐bonding chain linking the 1,3‐diaxial hydroxy groups on both faces of hexol 2. Hence, the crystal packing in 3–5 deviates from the simple qualitative model proposed and observed in 2. Though complex and seemingly individualistic upon a cursory glance, the supramolecular assemblies of all three hexols underscore two primary concepts of O–H···O hydrogen bonding, namely, maximization of the total number of hydrogen bonds per molecule and maximization of O–H···O hydrogen‐bond cooperativity by forming as many finite and infinite chains of hydrogen bonds as possible.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
How efficient is the European football betting market? Evidence from arbitrage and trading strategies
Authors: Vlastakis Nikolaos , Dotsis George , Markellos Raphael N.
Published: November 2008

This paper assesses the international efficiency of the European football betting market by examining the forecastability of match outcomes on the basis of the information contained in different sets of online and fixed odds quoted by six major bookmakers. The paper also investigates the profitability of strategies based on: combined betting, simple heuristic rules, regression models and prediction encompassing. The empirical results show that combined betting across different bookmakers can lead to limited but highly profitable arbitrage opportunities. Simple trading rules and betting strategies based on forecast encompassing are found capable of also producing significant positive returns. Despite the deregulation, globalization and increased competition in the betting industry over recent years, the predictabilities and profits reported in this paper are not fully consistent with weak‐form market efficiency. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling blue and green water resources availability in Iran
Authors: Faramarzi Monireh , Abbaspour Karim C. , Schulin Rainer , Yang Hong
Published: November 2008

Knowledge of the internal renewable water resources of a country is strategic information which is needed for long‐term planning of a nation's water and food security, among many other needs. New modelling tools allow this quantification with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this study we used the program Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in combination with the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting program (SUFI‐2) to calibrate and validate a hydrologic model of Iran based on river discharges and wheat yield, taking into consideration dam operations and irrigation practices. Uncertainty analyses were also performed to assess the model performance. The results were quite satisfactory for most of the rivers across the country. We quantified all components of the water balance including blue water flow (water yield plus deep aquifer recharge), green water flow (actual and potential evapotranspiration) and green water storage (soil moisture) at sub‐basin level with monthly time‐steps. The spatially aggregated water resources and simulated yield compared well with the existing data. The study period was 1990–2002 for calibration and 1980–1989 for validation. The results show that irrigation practices have a significant impact on the water balances of the provinces with irrigated agriculture. Concerning the staple food crop in the country, 55% of irrigated wheat and 57% of rain‐fed wheat are produced every year in water‐scarce regions. The vulnerable situation of water resources availability has serious implications for the country's food security, and the looming impact of climate change could only worsen the situation. This study provides a strong basis for further studies concerning the water and food security and the water resources management strategies in the country and a unified approach for the analysis of blue and green water in other arid and semi‐arid countries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Opportunity to recycle chromium(VI) by in situ electro‐oxidation
Authors: Lateef Huma , Grimes Susan M , Chaudhary Abdul J , Goswami Nimai C
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Chemical oxidation is generally used to oxidise Cr(III) to Cr(VI) in aqueous effluents, but this leads to Cr(VI) solutions that are contaminated with oxidising agents, which reduces their recycle and reuse value.

RESULTS: We now report an electrolytic method for the in situ oxidation of Cr(III). Complete oxidation of Cr(III) occurs anodically using an initial pH of 5.0 and a current of 3.0 A.

CONCLUSIONS: Anodic oxidation is shown to achieve in situ oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) to permit the regeneration of Cr(VI) solutions for recycle in oxidising industrial processes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The ‘reversal of fortune’ thesis and the compression of history: Perspectives from African and comparative economic history
Authors: Austin Gareth
Published: November 2008

Acemoglu, Johnson and Robinson have dramatically challenged the tendency of economists to confine their empirical search for the causes of economic growth to the recent past. They argue that the kind of institutions established by European colonialists,eitherprotecting private propertyorextracting rents, resulted in the poorer parts of the pre‐colonial world becoming some of the richest economies of today; while transforming some of the more prosperous parts of the non‐European world of 1500 into the poorest economies today. This view has been further elaborated for Africa by Nunn, with reference to slave trading. Drawing on African and comparative economic historiography, the present paper endorses the importance of examining growth theories against long‐term history: revealing relationships that recur because the situations are similar, as well as because of path dependence as such. But it also argues that the causal relationships involved are more differentiated than is recognised in AJR's formulations. By compressing different historical periods and paths, the ‘reversal’ thesis over‐simplifies the causation. Relatively low labour productivity was a premise of the external slave trades; though the latter greatly reinforced the relative poverty of many Sub‐Saharan economies. Again, it is important to distinguish settler and non‐settler economieswithincolonial Africa itself. In the latter case it was in the interests of colonial regimes to support, rather than simply extract from, African economic enterprise. Finally, economic rent and economic growth have often been joint products, including in pre‐colonial and colonial Africa; the kinds of institutions that favoured economic growth in certain historical contexts were not necessarily optimal for that purpose in others. AJR have done much to bring development economics and economic history together. The next step is a more flexible conceptual framework, and a more complex explanation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring and explaining poverty in six African countries: A long‐period approach
Authors: Bowden Sue , Chiripanhura Blessing , Mosley Paul
Published: November 2008

In this paper, we create the beginnings of a database on indicators of poverty and deprivation in six African countries over the last 100 years, with the intention of explaining the long‐term trend of policy. We argue that an important key to those trends is provided by the decision during the first decades of the twentieth century to allow, or not to allow, the occupation of agricultural land by European settlers. If allowed (as in the white settler—controlled economies of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, where Africans were squeezed out of income‐earning opportunities by competition and prohibition until the 1960s at least) the legacy, we show, was a lack of bargaining power by Africans in the labour market, a real wage static at the subsistence level until late in the century, a highly unequal income distribution, and a small asset base from which to reduce poverty during the liberalisations of the 1980s and 1990s. If forbidden, as in the peasant‐export economies of Ghana and Uganda (and to some extent Ethiopia), the legacy was a floor under the labour market, from the 1920s on, which could serve as a basis for poverty‐reducing reforms in later years. Thus the potential for poverty reduction during the current ‘poverty reduction wave’ was indeed determined by the historical inheritance of institutions and policies, in particular settlement policies; but in a quite different way from that adumbrated by the recent analysis of Acemoglu et al. (2001). In their analysis, colonies with a high density of European occupation in colonial times persistently generate higher growth potential in later years; we argue the reverse. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.