bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El índice Homa-ir como factor predictor de reducción de peso en pacientes con un IMC ≥ 35 sometidos a cirugía Bariátrica según la técnica Manga gástrica entre los años 2014-2017 en la clínica de día Avendaño.
Authors:   ,   Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), Casas Tapia Cristina del Carmen
Published: November 2020

Introducción: La cirugía bariátrica es considerada la herramienta más efectiva para el tratamiento de obesidad severa. No es claro si los pacientes con resistencia a la insulina responden igual que otras personas. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar asociación entre el índice HOMA-IR preoperatorio con el porcentaje de sobrepeso perdido (%PSP) un año post-cirugía bariátrica usando la técnica manga gástrica (MG). Materiales y Métodos: Cohorte retrospectiva incluyendo pacientes ≥18 años con IMC ≥35 Kg/m2 intervenidos por primera vez con MG entre 2014–2017 en la Clínica Avendaño, Perú. Se incluyó solo aquellos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2, hipertensión arterial o dislipidemia. Un %PSP al año ≥60% fue considerado satisfactorio. Se usó regresión Lineal y de Poisson con varianza robusta en forma cruda y ajustada para evaluar asociaciones con %PSP. Resultados: La muestra de 91 pacientes tuvo una mediana de 34 años y 57,1% fueron mujeres. 85,7% presentaron resistencia a la insulina según HOMA-IR. Al año post cirugía, 76,9% tuvo un %PSP satisfactorio. En el modelo lineal ajustado, por cada año de edad adicional hubo 0,29% menos %PSP (p=0,019), y por cada punto extra del HOMA-IR hubo 0,93% más %PSP (p=0,004). La regresión de Poisson ajustada mostró 2% menos éxito por cada año de edad adicional (p=0,050) y 2% más éxito por cada punto adicional de HOMA-IR (p=0,038). Conclusiones: Se encontró asociación entre mayor valor pre-quirúrgico de HOMA-IR con un mayor %PSP al año post-cirugía. Es posible que la insulino resistencia no reduzca los resultados de la cirugía bariátrica MG.
Asociación de síntomas de fibromialgia y síntomas de migraña en estudiantes mujeres de una universidad privada de Lima
Authors:   ,   Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), Leiva Calderon Alvaro Wilfredo , Mayorga Moreno Renzo Jesús Josúe
Published: November 2020

Introducción: Migraña es una enfermedad neurológica y causa importante de morbilidad en población femenina. Muchos estudios, en pacientes, han encontrado relación entre migraña y fibromialgia; sin embargo ha sido poco estudiada en población general. Objetivos: Determinar la asociación entre síntomas de fibromialgia y síntomas de migraña en las estudiantes de una universidad privada peruana. Además, determinar la prevalencia de síntomas de migraña y de fibromialgia. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal-analítico, en una universidad privada en Lima-Perú. La población objetivo fueron estudiantes mujeres de 4 carreras, participando 410 estudiantes. La variable resultado fue categórica dicotómica. Para medir síntomas de migraña y de fibromialgia utilizamos el MS-Q, con un punto de corte ≥ 4 ptos; y los criterios mACR 2010 (autoreporte), respectivamente. Para el análisis multivariado utilizamos regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta, calculando razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas con IC 95%. Resultados La edad media (años) de las participantes fue 21,5 años (DE: 1,8). El 26,1% presentaron síntomas de migraña, mientras que el 23,4% presentaron síntomas de fibromialgia. Se realizó el análisis multivariado encontrándose asociación entre migraña y fibromialgia (RP 1,6 p<0,001). Además, se encontró asociación entre migraña e historia familiar de migraña (RP 1,9 p<0,001), síntomas depresivos (RP 2,6 p=0,008) y tratamiento previo para migraña (RP 2,0 p<0,001). Conclusiones: Existe asociación entre síntomas de migraña y fibromialgia en la población estudiada, asemejándose a la literatura. La prevalencia de síntomas de migraña y de fibromialgia fue de 26,1% y 23,4%, respectivamente. Se necesitan más investigaciones longitudinales.
Estágios da gestão pedagógica para o uso das tecnologias digitais
Authors: Ventura Paula Patrícia Barbosa , Castro Filho José Aires de
Published: November 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo propor estágios da gestão pedagógica para o uso das tecnologias digitais quando as metodologias ativas são utilizadas. Tal proposta tomou por base os estágios de gerenciamento tecnológico de Sandholtz, Ringstaff e Dwyer (1997). De natureza qualitativa e assinalada como um estudo de caso, a pesquisa foi realizada numa instituição federal, nos semestres 2016.2 e 2017.1. Os participantes foram quatro professores pertencentes ao quadro efetivo. Como instrumentos, recorreu-se a um questionário de sondagem, à observação e à entrevista. Para a análise de dados, iniciou-se com as questões de menor amplitude, bem como se definiram códigos iniciais ou subsequentes. Fases como ordenação, classificação e análise propriamente dita do material também subsidiaram a análise. Posteriormente, foram triangulados os dados, sendo estes ancorados pelo paradigma interpretativo. Com base na literatura e na pesquisa empírica, foram propostos cinco estágios da gestão pedagógica - Iniciação, Inserção, Integração, Efetivação e Disrupção - demonstrando que os professores investigados oscilaram, no período da pesquisa, entre estágios elementares e intermediários quando da utilização das tecnologias de forma pedagógica. Destaca-se que tais estágios são considerados inovadores, compreendendo inovação como a (re)significação de algo existente, no caso, os estágios de gerenciamento tecnológico. Neste sentido, ratifica-se a importância de desenvolver novos referenciais teóricos com base numa situação vivida, sendo maior a probabilidade de adoção por parte dos professores, aproximando teoria e prática. Acredita-se que se o docente desenvolve práticas fundamentadas nesses estágios, maiores serão as possibilidades de tornar o aluno corresponsável por sua aprendizagem.
¿Historia epistemológica de la ciencia o historia de la enseñanza de los saberes y las disciplinas escolares?
Authors: Ríos Beltrán Rafael , Zuluaga Garcés Olga Lucía , Martínez Velasco Miguel Ángel
Published: November 2020

El artículo tiene por objeto analizar algunas de las relaciones de saber que se tejen entre los estudios del curriculum de corte anglosajón, las disciplinas escolares de procedencia francés y la historia de los saberes y las disciplinas escolares de origen colombiano a partir de la noción metodológica de saber pedagógico. Metodológicamente se empleó la lectura temática como estrategia que permitió llevar a cabo el análisis discursivo a partir de la serie pedagogía, ciencia y saber en cada una de las tres tradiciones históricas. Como resultados se presentan algunas reflexiones del orden conceptual que permiten ir configurando un campo de saber en torno a la enseñanza de los saberes y las disciplinas escolares. Como conclusiones se problematiza desde la contemporaneidad los efectos políticos que tiene para el maestro su constitución como profesional de la enseñanza a partir de los estudios histórico-pedagógicos.
Para além das demarcações territoriais: a inserção e permanência da/o estudante Kaingang na Universidade Federal do Pampa
Authors: Motta da Costa e Silva Tatiane , Cavalheiro de Jesus Suzana , Colbeich da Silva Renata
Published: November 2020

Esta pesquisa caracteriza-se como um estudo etnográfico, realizado com estudantes indígenas ingressantes no ano de 2017, na Universidade Federal do Pampa, campus Uruguaiana. Para tanto, utilizamo-nos da observação participante e dos registros nos diários de campo para refletir, a partir do ingresso, o processo de permanência das/os estudantes indígenas no referido contexto. Ao longo do texto, buscamos tecer reflexões acerca dos avanços históricos conquistados pelos povos indígenas no que se refere ao acesso ao ensino superior em universidades públicas, bem como trazemos uma breve apresentação do percurso das/os estudantes Kaingang até o ingresso na universidade. Buscamos, ainda, compreender os aspectos que dificultam a permanência na universidade e ressaltamos as contribuições dos espaços de estudo e de convivência em grupo para o fortalecimento individual e coletivo das/os estudantes.
Network Texture of World Politics: Transregionalism of BRICS
Authors: Kuznetsov D.
Published: November 2020

In the world witnessing profound transformations at all levels of interstate relations as well as the search for effective forms of international interaction, networks have already proved to be among the most effective patterns of cooperation. Informal, flexible, stable, cooperative, multilevel and pluralistic international networks have been promoting a new architecture of the 21st century world politics, with BRICS being one of its manifestations. BRICS also represent a special type of networks – a transregional one, which combines resources of the powerful states from different regional subsystems claiming to be the leaders of a new polycentric world. Applying the network approach, the author analyzes the nature, potential, resources, mechanisms and institutions of BRICS as an actor in the global governance. This network is based on a balance of interests, resources and values. The group forms a stable network with relatively stable links that contribute to its stability despite political and economic factors forcing its disintegration. Such a pattern of transregional cooperation has not only become an objective reality, but also confirms its effectiveness and competitiveness in the multilevel system of global governance. BRICS, while remaining an informal forum, could not avoid institutionalization (albeit in a soft and flexible form), having formed a complex network of forums, councils, as well as real institutions such as the New Development Bank or BRICS Network University. The group is distinguished by a high concentration of resources in a network that operates on the basis of group interest and a culture of consensus, which ensures its stability even in case of internal political changes and bilateral contradictions. Amid increasing competition of new transregional associations and projects, the BRICS states tend to use the openness of the group to cement their global leadership, initiating “BRICS+” project that might become an even more inclusive transregional network embracing more regional and middle powers in the framework of cooperation.
Comparative Analyses of Terrorist Threats under Conditions of COVID-19
Authors: Machitidze G.
Published: November 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has already caused high numbers of deaths, massive economic disruption, and had a huge impact on daily lives of millions of people. In short, – this is everything terrorist organizations affiliated with the ISIL and Al-Qaida would want to achieve with their attacks. The global pandemic serves as inspiration and influences the modus operandi of terrorists, both in terms of tactics and target selection. Since the pandemic started, the ISIL and Al-Qaida have persisted in operations across African, Asian and European countries, leaving hundreds of people dead. These attacks clearly show that terrorism has continued worldwide during the COVID 19 pandemic. Terrorist groups are looking at ways to take advantage of instability, increase recruitment and sympathizers among the vulnerable and terrified, encourage conventional and even biological attacks. Terrorist networks have encouraged followers to weaponise their own illness by trying to infect others. Terrorist groups also use the pandemic to gain visibility. The ISIL has been exploiting hashtags related to the coronavirus to redirect users to its radical propaganda. Terrorists have also found inspiration in the global pandemic with regard to their target selection, in particular critical health infrastructures. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has adopted a different approach to COVID 19 assisting efforts to limit the spread of the virus, including by declaring ceasefires in areas under its control. Hezbollah is working to fight the virus and maintain order within Lebanon. Because they control informal economies, groups like the Taliban or Lebanon’s Hezbollah are better placed to benefit from coronavirus than the ISIL or Al-Qaida. In general, terrorist groups are taking advantage of COVID 19 lockdowns to spread hatred and intensify social media efforts to recruit young people spending more time online.
Trade and Economic Relations between Russia and Ukraine
Authors:   Institute of Economics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32, Nakhimovskii prosp., Moscow, 117218, Russian Federation, Borodenko M.
Published: November 2020

The article examines the dynamics of trade and economic relations between Russia and Ukraine from 2013 to 2019. The indicators and trends of mutual trade between countries, the commodity structure of trade, and the dynamics of trade in services are analyzed. The main task was to consider how trade and economic relations between Russia and Ukraine have changed since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014 and after a significant deterioration in relations between the countries, which, among other things, led to the introduction of mutual bans and economic sanctions on entire groups of goods, as well as how these events have affected the economy of Ukraine.
Islamic Internet in the Post-Soviet Space
Authors:   Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Russian Academy of Science, 23, Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation, Murtazin M.
Published: November 2020

It is clear that the presence of an Islamic factor in WWW has become an objective reality, including in the post-Soviet Muslim countries. It could be determined as a Cyber-Islamic Environment (CIE). In the post-Soviet space the CIE is represented mostly by official Islamic structures, while the presence of unofficial religious organizations and individual preachers is more limited. Nevertheless the influence of the non-official CIE is significant and is capable to be converted into one of the mechanisms of social protests and revolutionary activities in post-Soviet Muslim countries in case of emergence of critical situations. It is clear that state authorities will accelerate control over the CIE in the coming years using various instruments against religious radicalism and extremism in WWW.
Ukraine: Old Course of the New President
Authors:   Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Russian Academy of Science, 23, Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation, Tsedilina E.
Published: November 2020

The article explores the interim results of Vladimir Zelensky’s activity as President of Ukraine. The reasons for his failure to fulfil most of his election promises are analyzed. A brief overview of the main policy directions of the new President is given. It is concluded that, having promised voters to fundamentally change the policy of his predecessor, Zelensky, although in a milder form, actually continues his course.
Ukraine in the Focus of US Foreign Policy Priorities
Authors:   Institute for the U.S. and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN),  2/3, Khlebny pereulok, Moscow, 121069, Russian Federation, Gegelashvili N. , Modnikova I. ,   Institute for the U.S. and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN),  2/3, Khlebny pereulok, Moscow, 121069, Russian Federation
Published: November 2020

The article analyzes the US policy towards Ukraine dating back from the time before the reunification of Crimea with Russia and up to Donald Trump coming to power. The spectrum of Washington’s interests towards this country being of particular strategic interest to the United States are disclosed. It should be noted that since the disintegration of the Soviet Union Washington’s interest in this country on the whole has not been very much different from its stand on all post-Soviet states whose significance was defined by the U,S depending on their location on the world map as well as on the value of their natural resources. However, after the reunification of Crimea with Russia Washington’s stand on this country underwent significant changes, causing a radical transformation of the U,S attitude in their Ukrainian policy. During the presidency of Barack Obama the American policy towards Ukraine was carried out rather sluggishly being basically declarative in its nature. When President D. Trump took his office Washington’s policy towards Ukraine became increasingly more offensive and was characterized by a rather proactive stance not only because Ukraine became the principal arena of confrontation between the United States and the Russian Federation, but also because it became a part of the US domestic political context. Therefore, an outcome of the “battle” for Ukraine is currently very important for the United States in order to prove to the world its role of the main helmsman in the context of a diminishing US capability of maintaining their global superiority.
Support of Economy in CIS Countries during the Pandemic
Authors:   Moscow regional branch of the All-Russian public organization ", Lampsi A. ,   Business Russia",   , 12, Krasnopresnenskaya embankment, Moscow, 123610, Russian Federation
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemiс has dealt a severe blow to economy of the post-Soviet countries. Measures undertaken by governments of the CIS countries for supporting national economies have been determined by a number of factors, and political reasons often were playing a role no less important than economic ones. As a result, the situation with supporting economy during the pandemiс clearly revealed similarities and differences not only in economic, but also in political systems of the CIS countries, their orientation towards certain international economic institutions, the level of self-sufficiency of economies, their dependence and interdependence from different directions of economic exchange.
INDIGENOUS ETHNOMEDIA: discourse and conflicts of representation of Covid-19 in the CIR’s web portal
Authors: Araújo Bryan Chrystian da Costa , Santi Vilso Junior
Published: November 2020

This research reflects on the ethnomedia practices carried out by the Indigenous Council of Roraima’s (CIR) web portal during the Covid-19 pandemic, aiming to understand how the organization constructs meanings about the disease. To this end, we first identified the principles of Indigenous Ethnocommunication, based on Baniwa (2012) and Tupinambá (2016), and then employed the concepts of Representation by Hall (2003) and Soares (2007) and Discourse Analysis by Pêcheux (1997) and Souza (2014) to examine the corpus of study, which consists of 15 textual publications on Covid-19, made by the CIR between March 21 and April 21, 2020.
Cattle Detection Using Oblique UAV Images
Authors: Barbedo Jayme , Koenigkan Luciano , Santos Patrícia
Published: November 2020

The evolution in imaging technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms, coupled with improvements in UAV technology, has enabled the use of unmanned aircraft in a wide range of applications. The feasibility of this kind of approach for cattle monitoring has been demonstrated by several studies, but practical use is still challenging due to the particular characteristics of this application, such as the need to track mobile targets and the extensive areas that need to be covered in most cases. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a tilted angle to increase the area covered by each image. Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (Xception architecture) were used to generate the models for the experiments, which covered aspects like ideal input dimensions, effect of the distance between animals and sensor, effect of classification error on the overall detection process, and impact of physical obstacles on the accuracy of the model. Experimental results indicate that oblique images can be successfully used under certain conditions, but some practical limitations need to be addressed in order to make this approach appealing.
Sensing the Past: Perspectives on Remote Sensing and Collaborative Archaeology from Coastal California
Authors: Sanchez Gabriel , Grone Michael , Apodaca Alec , Byram Scott , Lopez Valentin , Jewett Roberta
Published: November 2020

This paper summarizes over a decade of collaborative eco-archaeological research along the central coast of California involving researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, tribal citizens from the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, and California Department of Parks and Recreation archaeologists. Our research employs remote sensing methods to document and assess cultural resources threatened by coastal erosion and geophysical methods to identify archaeological deposits, minimize impacts on sensitive cultural resources, and provide tribal and state collaborators with a suite of data to consider before proceeding with any form of invasive archaeological excavation. Our case study of recent eco-archaeological research developed to define the historical biogeography of threatened and endangered anadromous salmonids demonstrates how remote sensing technologies help identify dense archaeological deposits, remove barriers, and create bridges through equitable and inclusive research practices between archaeologists and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. These experiences have resulted in the incorporation of remote sensing techniques as a central approach of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band when conducting archaeology in their traditional territories.
Interaction between Fibroblasts and Immune Cells Following DNA Damage Induced by Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Oksenych Valentyn
Published: November 2020

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) form the basis of tumor microenvironment and possess immunomodulatory functions by interacting with other cells surrounding tumor, including T lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and natural killer cells. Ionizing radiation is a broadly-used method in radiotherapy to target tumors. In mammalian cells, ionizing radiation induces various types of DNA damages and DNA damage response. Being unspecific, radiotherapy affects all the cells in tumor microenvironment, including the tumor itself, CAFs and immune cells. CAFs are extremely radio-resistant and do not initiate apoptosis even at high doses of radiation. However, following radiation, CAFs become senescent and produce a distinct combination of immunoregulatory molecules. Radiosensitivity of immune cells varies depending on the cell type due to inefficient DNA repair in, for example, monocytes and granulocytes. In this minireview, we are summarizing recent findings on the interaction between CAF, ionizing radiation and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Salaried Workers’ Self-Perceived Health and Psychosocial Risk in Guayaquil, Ecuador
Authors: Gómez-García Antonio Ramón , Portalanza-Chavarría Cecilia Alexandra , Arias-Ulloa Christian Arturo , Espinoza-Samaniego César Eduardo
Published: November 2020

Self-perceived health is an important indicator of occupational health. This research explores the relationship between poor self-perceived health and exposure to psychosocial risk factors, taking into account potential socio-demographic, occupational and employment determinants. Using data from the First Survey of Occupational Safety and Health Conditions covering 1049 salaried workers in Guayaquil, Ecuador descriptive and stratified binary logistic regression analyses (Odds Ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals) were carried out. No significant relationship was found between exposure to psychosocial risk factors and the probability of presenting poor self-perceived health by socio-demographic, occupational and employment characteristics. Occupational exposure factors to psychosocial risks are predictors of self-perceived ill health and are related to the variables analyzed; the most frequently expressed factors among the respondents were Cognitive Demands (DGOG) and Job Insecurity (IL). The results have implications in terms of designing effective workplace interventions pursuant of ensuring the health and wellbeing of employee.
Influence of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Niche in Their Ostegenic Fate on Different Surfaces
Authors: Mucientes Arkaitz , Herranz Eva , Moro Enrique , González-Corchón Aranzazu , Peña-Soria María Jesús , Abasolo Lydia , Rodriguez-Rodriguez Luis , Lamas Jose Ramon , Fernandez-Gutierrez Benjamin
Published: November 2020

Bone innate ability to repair without scaring is surpassed by major bone damage. Current gold-standard strategies do not achieve a full recovery of bone biomechanical properties. To bypass these limitations, tissue engineering techniques based on hybrid materials made up of osteoprogenitor cells, like mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and bioactive ceramic scaffolds, like calcium phosphate-based (CaPs), are promising. Biological properties of the MSCs, are influenced by the tissue source. The aim of this study is to define the MSC source and construct (MSC and scaffold combination) most interesting for its clinical application in bone regeneration. iTRAQ generated the hypothesis that anatomical proximity to bone has a direct effect on MSC phenotype. MSCs were isolated from adipose tissue, bone marrow and dental pulp. MSCs were cultured both on plastic surface and on CaPs (hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate) to compare their biological features. On plastic, MSCs isolated from dental pulp (DPSCs) were the MSCs with the highest proliferation capacity and the greatest osteogenic potential. On both CaPs, DPSCs are the MSCs with the greatest capacity to colonize bioceramics. Furthermore, results show a trend for DPSCs are the MSCs with the most robust increase in the ALP activity. We propose DPSCs as a suitable MSCs for bone regeneration cell-based strategies.What do you want to do ?New mailCopy
Pathophysiological Basis for Nutraceutical Supplementation in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Mollace Vincenzo , Rosano Giuseppe , Anker Stefan D. , Coats Andrew JS , Seferovic Petar , Mollace Rocco , Tavernese Annamaria , Gliozzi Micaela , Musolino Vincenzo , Carresi Cristina , Maiuolo Jessica , Macrì Roberta , Bosco Francesca , Romeo Francesco , Chiocchi Marcello , Metra Marco , Volterrani Maurizio
Published: November 2020

Heart failure (HF) is a disease state which has been shown to affect 1-2% of the global population, being often associated with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity or hyperlipidaemia which increase the prevalence of the disease, the rate of hospitalization and the mortality. Although recent advances in both pharmacological and non pharmacological approaches have led to significant improvements in clinical outcomes in patients affected by HF, residual unmet needs remain. Treatment of the disease remains unclear particularly related to poorly defined strategies in the early stages of myocardial dysfunction. Nutritional support in patients developing HF and nutraceutical supplementation have recently been shown to may contribute in the protection of the failing myocardium, though their place in the treatment of HF still needs to be better clarified. In this context, the ONUS-HF working group aimed to assess the optimal nutraceutical approach to HF in the early phases of the disease in order to counteract selected pathways which are imbalanced in the failing myocardium. In particular, we reviewed several of the most relevant pathophysiological and molecular changes occurring druing the early stages of myocardial dysfunction. These include mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum stress, insufficient nitric oxide (NO) release, cardiac stem cell mobilization and imbalanced regulation of metalloproteinases. Several candidates for nutraceutical supplementation in HF, such as CoQ10, grape seed extract, Olea Europea L- related antioxidants, SGLT2 inhibitors-rich apple extract and bergamot polyphenolic fraction have been assessed for their potential contribution to cardiomyocyte prottection. This approach should define the optimal approach for more targeted and successful strategies based on the use of nutraceuticals in HF to be confirmed by means of clinical trials exploring efficacy and safety of these compounds.
Magnetic/Polyetherimide-Acrylonitrile Composite Nanofibers for Nickel Ions Removal from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Aijaz Muhammaed O , Karim Mohammed R , Alharbi Hamad F. , Alharthi Nabeel H. , Al-Mubaddel Fahad
Published: November 2020

Within the study, magnetic/polyetherimide-acrylonitrile composite nanofibers membrane with effective adsorption of nickel ions in aqueous solution were established, through a simple electrospinning method. Iron oxide nanoparticles were stirred and ultrasonically dispersed into polyetherimide-acrylonitrile solution for homogenous suspension. Afterwards, the polyetherimide-acrylonitrile solution with uniform suspension of iron nanoparticles was used in electrospinning machine to produce uniform and smooth nanofibers composite membrane. The confirmation of nanoparticles incorporation into polymeric membrane were characterized by SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD and nanoparticles aqueous stability through leach out test. The high adsorption capability of the composite membranes on nickel ions was mainly attributed to the combination of magnetic nanoparticles, polyetherimide-acrylonitrile matrix and nano-sized structure of membrane. Membrane containing magnetic nanoparticles demonstrate the maximum adsorption capabilities (102 mg/g) for nickel ions from aqueous solution. Different kinetics and isotherm models were applied to understand the adsorption behavior during adsorption process, amongst them pseudo second order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model were well fitted. Additionally, EDX, FTIR and XRD results confirmed the presence of nickel ions onto membrane after adsorption process. Polyetherimide-acrylonitrile composite nanofibers membranes containing magnetic nanoparticles may use as an environmentally-friendly and non-toxic adsorbent for the removal of nickel ions in aqueous medium due to its ease of preparation, easy to use and stability in aqueous medium by retaining the nanoparticles inside the nanofibers membranes.
Mitochondrial Abnormalities in iPSC-Derived Motor Neurons From Patients With Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency
Authors: Colasuonno Fiorella , Bertini Enrico , Tartaglia Marco , Compagnucci Claudia , Moreno Sandra
Published: November 2020

Riboflavin transporter deficiency (RTD) is a childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by sensorineural deafness and motor neuron degeneration. Since riboflavin plays key functions in biological oxidation-reduction reactions, energy metabolism pathways involving flavoproteins are affected in RTD. We recently generated iPSC lines from affected individuals as an in vitro model of the disease and documented mitochondrial impairment in these cells dramatically impacting cell redox status. In the present work, we extend our study to motor neurons (MNs), i.e., the cell type mostly affected in patients with RTD. Altered intracellular distribution of mitochondria was detected by confocal microscopic analysis, following immunofluorescence for superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), as a dual mitochondrial and antioxidant marker, and βIII Tubulin, as neuronal marker. We demonstrate significantly lower SOD2 levels in RTD MNs, as compared to their healthy counterparts. Mitochondrial ultrastructural abnormalities were also assessed by Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy. Moreover, we investigated the effects of combination treatment using riboflavin and N-acetylcysteine, which is a widely employed antioxidant. Overall, our findings further support the potential of patient specific RTD models, and provide evidence of mitochondrial alterations in RTD-related iPSC-derived MNs, emphasizing oxidative stress involvement in this rare disease. We also provide new clues for possible therapeutic strategies, aimed at correcting mitochondrial defects, based on the use of antioxidants.
An Improved Cleaning Protocol for Foraminiferal Calcite: HyPerCal – A New Practice for Micropaleontological and Paleoclimatic Proxies
Authors: Zarkogiannis Stergios D. , Kontakiotis George , Gkaniatsa Georgia , Kuppili Venkata S. C. , Marathe Shashidhara , Wanelik Kazimir , Lianou Valia , Besiou Evanggelia , Makri Panayiota , Antonarakou and Assimina
Published: November 2020

Paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic studies routinely rely on the usage of foraminiferal calcite through faunal, morphometric and physico-chemical proxies. The application of such proxies presupposes the extraction and cleaning of these biomineralized components from ocean sediments in the most efficient way, a process which is often labor intensive and time consuming. In this respect, in this study we performed a systematic experiment for planktonic foraminiferal specimen cleaning using different chemical treatments and evaluated the resulting data of a Late Quaternary gravity core sample from the Aegean Sea. All cleaning procedures adopted here were made on the basis of their minimum potential bias upon foraminiferal proxies, such as the faunal assemblages, degree of fragmentation, stable isotope composition (δ18O and δ13C) and/or Mg/Ca ratios that are frequently used as proxies for surface-ocean climate parameters (e.g., sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity). Six different protocols were tested, involving washing, sieving, and chemical treatment of the samples with hydrogen peroxide and/or sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon ®). Single species foraminifera shell weighing was combined with high-resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron X-ray Microtomography (SμCT) of the material processed by each of the cleaning protocols, in order to assess the decontamination degree of specimen’s ultrastructure and interior. It appeared that a good compromise between time and cleaning efficiency is the simultaneous treatment of samples with a mixed hydrogen peroxide and Calgon solution, while the most effective way for an almost complete decontaminate of the calcareous components from undesirable sedimentary material is a two-step treatment - initially with hydrogen peroxide and subsequently with Calgon solutions.
Emerging Roles of Urine-Derived Components for the Management of Bladder Cancer: One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure
Authors: Minkler Sarah , Lucien Fabrice , Kimber Michael , Bourgois-Mochel Agnes , Musser Margareth , Johannes Chad , Frank Igor , Cheville John , Allenspach Karin , Mochel Jonathan
Published: November 2020

Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract in humans, with an estimated global prevalence of 1.1 million cases over 5 years1. Due to high rates of recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy, UBC is one of the most expensive cancers to treat, resulting in significant health care costs. There is, therefore, a critical need to develop innovative molecular and cellular tools to refine patient stratification and help predict response to treatment. Urine is an underused resource of biological components shed from bladder tumors, such as exfoliated cells and extracellular vesicles, that could serve as molecular fingerprints and provide valuable biological insights into tumor phenotype and mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy. Additionally, characterization of urine-derived extracellular vesicles and cells could be used as reliable biomarkers for prediction of response to neoadjuvant therapy.
Impact of Value-Based Reimbursement on Health-Care Disparities for Total Joint Arthroplasty Candidates
Authors: Grobaty Lauren , Lajam Claudette , Hutzler Lorraine
Published: November 2020

» As the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implements value-based reimbursement models based on predetermined outcome measures, access to total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is jeopardized for patients who are disproportionately affected by conditions that predispose them to higher odds of complications.

» Obesity, depression, and chronic illness, each of which occur at disproportionately higher rates in minorities or individuals in lower socioeconomic brackets, are individually associated with worse TJA postoperative outcomes, including longer hospital lengths of stay and higher rates of readmission within 90 days.

» Medicaid may even be considered an independent risk factor for worse outcome measures with TJA as enrollees have higher rates of postoperative mortality and complications and longer lengths of stay than patients on Medicare or with private insurance.

» As same-day discharge for TJA becomes more common, eligibility requirements for the procedure tighten, and existing disparities in access to the procedure will be further exacerbated.

» The current CMS uniform quality metrics endanger access to TJA for patients in certain racial and socioeconomic groups and oblige physicians who treat more complex patients to jeopardize their reimbursement.
Development of mobile based fishery advisory prototype: An experience with fisher tribes of Garo Hills in North-Eastern Himalayan region of India
Authors: Lahiri B. , Anurag T. S. , Marak B. R. , Sangma A. K. , Sangma S. M.
Published: November 2020

Meghalaya is one of the major fish consuming states in India, but fish is in short supply in the state due to inadequate domestic production to match its growing demand. Farmers of north-eastern hilly region of India, particularly the Garo Hill farmers are very much in need of scientific information on fish farming techniques, capacity building and training for sustainable fish farming in the area. The present study attempted to develop a mobile-based fishery advisory prototype in Garo Hills of Meghalaya as an alternate method of fishery extension to deliver right information at right time for Garo tribal farmers. Two thousand farmers from 65 villages (1000 farmers each from West Garo Hills District and South West Garo Hills District) were registered in Interactive Voice Response System(IVRS) with their farm details and mobile numbers. The major features of the system were to deliver the farm advisories (Pull Based) and information services (Push Based) using the software platform ‘Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS 2.0). The study revealed that majority of the farmers were seeking information on source of fingerling (31.85%), information on training in fisheries (19.32%), feeding management (10.18%) and subsidies/schemes(9.66%) respectively. The seasonal distribution of calls received revealed that majority of queries were received from the farmers during monsoon season. It was also found that clarity (4.5) and usefulness (4.5) of messages ranked highest in terms of average perceived credibility scores in 5point continuum against different parameters. Further, the inclusion of need based training programme and convergence with public and private extension system helped to develop an ICT based Stakeholder Interface (Experts-Line Departments-Fishpreneurs-Fish Farmers) in the region.
Sunflower meal as an alternative protein source to replace soybean meal in the diet of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Christopher Ruminsha Benedicto , Ahilan B. , Cheryl A. , Samuel Moses
Published: November 2020

The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) protein with sunflower meal (SFM) protein on growth performance, feed utilisation, survival and body composition of GIFT tilapia. Fish weighing between 1.03±0.01 and 1.19±0.02 g were stocked in in plastic troughs (50 l) at a stocking rate of 15 fishes per trough. Percent replacement of SBM by SFM on the basis of crude protein was 0% (control), 10% (SFM10), 20% (SFM20) and 30% (SFM30). Diets were fed to fish at the rate of 5% of the total fish biomass, daily for a period of 60 days. Fish fed with SFM 20% and SFM 30% sunflower meal had best performance in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, feed efficiency ratio and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Analysis of fish whole body composition revealed that with increasing dietary SFM levels, whole body protein, ash and moisture contents showed significant difference among dietary treatments (p<0.05). Fish fed with SFM 30 diet showed the best growth performance compared to fish fed with the control diet.
Early Sevier orogenic deformation exerted principal control on changes in depositional environment recorded by the Cretaceous Newark Canyon Formation
Authors: Fetrow Anne C. , Snell Kathryn E. , Di Fiori Russell V. , Long Sean P. , Bonde Joshua W.
Published: November 2020

Terrestrial sedimentary archives record critical information about environment and climate of the past, as well as provide insights into the style, timing, and magnitude of structural deformation in a region. The Cretaceous Newark Canyon Formation, located in central Nevada, USA, was deposited in the hinterland of the Sevier fold–thrust belt during the North American Cordilleran orogeny. While previous research has focused on the coarser-grained, fluvial components of the Newark Canyon Formation, the carbonate and finer-grained facies of this formation remain comparatively understudied. A more complete understanding of the Newark Canyon Formation provides insights into Cretaceous syndeformational deposition in the Central Nevada thrust belt, serves as a useful case study for deconvolving the influence of tectonic and climatic forces on sedimentation in both the North American Cordillera and other contractional orogens, and will provide a critical foundation upon which to build future paleoclimate and paleoaltimetry studies.

We combine facies descriptions, stratigraphic measurements, and optical and cathodoluminescence petrography to develop a comprehensive depositional model for the Newark Canyon Formation. We identify six distinct facies that show that the Newark Canyon Formation evolved through four stages of deposition: 1) an anastomosing river system with palustrine interchannel areas, 2) a braided river system, 3) a balance-filled, carbonate-bearing lacustrine system, and 4) a second braided river system. Although climate undoubtedly played a role, we suggest that the deposition and coeval deformation of the synorogenic Newark Canyon Formation was in direct response to the construction of east-vergent contractional structures proximal to the type section. Comparison to other contemporary terrestrial sedimentary basins deposited in a variety of tectonic settings provides helpful insights into the influences of regional tectonics, regional and global climate, catchment characteristics, underlying lithologies, and subcrop geology in the preserved sedimentary record.
A Novel Phase Transition Loss Circulation Solution for Severe Losses Scenario: Case Histories from Middle East and Africa
Authors: Addagalla Ajay Kumar , Jadhav Prakash , Yadav Prahlad , Sarmah Pranjal , Maley Iain , Anerao Anup
Published: November 2020

Lost circulation is a major contributor to non-productive time (NPT). Any efforts to better understand the factors that lead to it and subsequently identify a suitable cure will translate to tremendous savings of time and money for operators.

Conventional materials such as calcium carbonate, nut shells, graphites and fibers are successful in curing many cases of seepage and partial lost circulation. However, there is a practical limit to the concentration of these materials used to combat the most severe losses due to the limitation of pumps and drilling assembly. In porous formations, high fluid loss squeeze pills have seen some success in reducing losses by forming a high compressive strength plug, but these pills do not have a good success rate in large fractures or vugular formations. Such challenges are better addressed by cross-linking pills, but even this solution does not always have a high success rate due to the low compressive strength of the formed plug.

The new phase-transforming loss circulation material (PTLCM) was designed to be pumped easily and achieve thixotropic behaviour under downhole conditions, resisting losses in the thief zone prior to setting as a rigid plug with high compressive strength. A setting-control additive ensures the LCM does not prematurely set. The additive is used at a concentration calculated by considering the time required for pumping and the bottom hole temperature (BHT) in the thief zone. After the LCM sets, a high compressive strength solid plug is formed that can resist fluid loss to the formation. The LCM has a high acid solubility of ~95%, making this system a viable option for deploying in reservoir sections, depending on the client requirement and well conditions.

This paper describes two recent successful applications deploying this novel technology.

Case Study #1: While drilling in sandstone, the well experienced total losses, which presented an immediate challenge to maintain hydrostatic pressure. The operator responded by pumping several conventional pills loaded with a broad particle size range of fibers, granules and polymers. These pills were unsuccessful at healing the losses, so the operator opted to deploy the new technology LCM. The losses were cured successfully with a single application.

Case study #2: Wells drilled in the Western Desert have traditionally experienced severe to total losses while drilling fractured dolomite. Frequently, such events have been difficult to cure by conventional means. The only solution has been multiple applications of cement plugs to heal the losses. This case study describes a well with dynamic losses of more than 150 bbl/hr that were healed by spotting one pill through the circulating sub across the thief zone. The losses were successfully cured, allowing the operator to continue drilling.
Underground Coal Gasification: A New Source of Gas
Authors: Centofanti John
Published: November 2020

This paper will introduce a novel source of unconventional gas, called Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), also known as In-Situ Gasification (ISG), which has been around for a long time. Due to the inexpensive cost of oil and gas, along with the abundance of coal and the low cost of mining coal seams close to the surface, UCG has not attracted a lot of attention in the past. With the demand and price for gas increasing and the move away from mining coal, UCG is becoming more attractive as a way of extracting energy from deep uneconomic coal deposits and at the same time, lowering GHG emissions and reducing the environmental impact to the landscape.

With the majority of the world's coal deposits being uneconomic to mine and with the lack of gas reserves in most countries, UCG provides the perfect alternative to produce gas from coal without the environmental impact. There are numerous advantages to extracting syngas from coal seams, when compared to conventional coal mining and to CSG (Coal Seam Gas).