bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Complexities of Colorectal Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Intan Fredika Bahari  , Arifin Mohamad
Published: February 2024

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignancy that originates from the colon tissue (ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid colon) and rectal tissue. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world, and the second leading cause of cancer death. In Indonesia (2020), colorectal cancer was ranked sixth of the all malignancy diagnoses with a total of 17,368 new cases (4,4%).

Case presentation: a case of colon cancer (mucinous adenocarcinoma) in a 70 year old woman. Diagnosis was based on anamnesis of the presence onf intermitten abdominal pain, a mass in the right iliac region of the abdomen, and defecation accompanied by blood. On physical examination, there was tenderness and a mass in the right iliac region, and a positive Carnett’s sign. computer tomography (CT) of the urinary tract without contrast was performed and revealed a mass was found in the right abdomen, suspicious for the ascending colon and hepatic flexure of the colon, a cyst with a diameter of ± 3cm in the right kidney.

Conclusion: Anatomical patology (microscopic) results showed mucinous adenocarcinoma. The treatment for this patient was exploratory laparotomy, right hemicolectomy, and end to end anastomosis.
Immune signature of small bowel adenocarcinoma and the role of tumor microenvironment
Authors: Christodoulidis Grigorios , Kouliou Marina Nektaria , Koumarelas Konstantinos Eleftherios
Published: February 2024

In this editorial we comment on the article published “Clinical significance of programmed cell death-ligand expression in small bowel adenocarcinoma is determined by the tumor microenvironment”. Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare gastrointestinal neoplasm and despite the small intestine's significant surface area, SBA accounts for less than 3% of such tumors. Early detection is challenging and the reason arises from its asymptomatic nature, often leading to late-stage discovery and poor prognosis. Treatment involves platinum-based chemotherapy with a 5-fluorouracil combination, but the lack of effective chemotherapy contributes to a generally poor prognosis. SBAs are linked to genetic disorders and risk factors, including chronic inflammatory conditions. The unique characteristics of the small bowel, such as rapid cell renewal and an active immune system, contributes to the rarity of these tumors as well as the high intratumoral infiltration of immune cells is associated with a favorable prognosis. Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression varies across different cancers, with potential discrepancies in its prognostic value. Microsatellite instability (MSI) in SBA is associated with a high tumor mutational burden, affecting the prognosis and response to immunotherapy. The presence of PD-L1 and programmed cell death 1, along with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, plays a crucial role in the complex microenvironment of SBA and contributes to a more favorable prognosis, especially in the context of high MSI tumors. Stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are identified as independent prognostic indicators and the association between MSI status and a favorable prognosis, emphasizes the importance of evaluating the immune status of tumors for treatment decisions.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before endoscopic ultrasound guided tissue acquisition to reduce the incidence of post procedural pancreatitis
Authors: de Jong Mike , van Delft Foke , Roozen Christine , van Geenen Erwin-Jan , Bisseling Tanya , Siersema Peter , Bruno Marco
Published: February 2024

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy is the gold standard for sampling tissue to diagnose pancreatic cancer and autoimmune pancreatitis or to analyze cyst fluid. The most common reported adverse event of fine needle aspiration and/or fine needle biopsy is acute pancreatitis, which is likely induced by the same pathophysiological mechanisms as after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). According to the current European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are administered prior to ERCP as a scientifically proven treatment to reduce post-ERCP pancreatitis incidence rate. A single suppository of diclofenac or indomethacin prior to EUS guided tissue acquisition (TA) is harmless in healthy adults. Since it is associated with low costs and, most important, may prevent a dreadsome complication, we strongly recommend the administration of 100 mg diclofenac rectally prior to EUS-TA. We will explain this recommendation in more detail in this review as well as the risk and pathophysiology of post-EUS TA pancreatitis.
Evaluating the influence of sarcopenia and myosteatosis on clinical outcomes in gastric cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor
Authors: Deng Gui-Ming , Song Hai-Bin , Du Zhong-Ze , Xue Ying-Wei , Song Hong-Jiang , Li Yuan-Zhou
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

The development and progression of gastric cancer (GC) are closely linked to the nutritional status of patients. Although immunotherapy has been demonstrated to be clinically effective, the relationships of sarcopenia and myosteatosis with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with gastric cancer remain to be characterized.

AIM

To assess the effects of sarcopenia and myosteatosis on the clinical outcomes of patients with GC undergoing treatment with an ICI.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of patients who were undergoing immunotherapy for GC. For the evaluation of sarcopenia, the optimal cut-off value for the skeletal muscle index was established using receiver operating characteristic analysis of data obtained from pre-treatment computed tomography images at the L3 vertebral level. Myosteatosis was defined using the mean skeletal muscle density (SMD), with a threshold value of < 41 Hounsfield units (HU) for patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m² and < 33 HU for those with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². The log-rank test was used to compare progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and a Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify prognostic factors. Nomograms were developed to predict the PFS and OS of patients on the basis of the results of multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

We studied 115 patients who were undergoing ICI therapy for GC, of whom 27.4% had sarcopenia and 29.8% had myosteatosis. Patients with sarcopenia or myosteatosis had significantly shorter PFS and OS than those without these conditions. Furthermore, both sarcopenia and myosteatosis were found to be independent predictors of PFS and OS in patients with GC administering an ICI. The prediction models created for PFS and OS were associated with C-indexes of 0.758 and 0.781, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The presence of sarcopenia or myosteatosis is a reliable predictor of the clinical outcomes of patients with GC who are undergoing treatment with an ICI.
Prevalence and clinical impact of sarcopenia in liver transplant recipients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Min-Jie , Wu Mu-Chen , Duan Zhong-Hui , Wu Jing , Xu Xiao-Tong , Li Juan , Meng Qing-Hua
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) remains to be determined partly because of different diagnostic criteria. Sarcopenia has recently been recognized as a new prognostic factor for predicting outcomes in LT candidates.

AIM

To estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and evaluate its clinical effect on LT candidates.

METHODS

This systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for original English-language articles that investigated the prevalence and influence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing LT from database inception to November 30, 2022. Cohort studies of the definition of sarcopenia that estimate sarcopenia prevalence and evaluate its effect on clinical outcomes and the risk of mortality were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies involving 7760 patients undergoing LT were included. The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing LT was 40.7% [95% confidence intervals (95%CI): 32.1–49.6]. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative probabilities of post-LT survival in patients with preoperative sarcopenia were all lower than those without sarcopenia (P < 0.05). Sarcopenia was associated with an increased risk of post-LT mortality in patients undergoing LT (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.21–2.07). Patients with preoperative sarcopenia had a longer intensive care unit stay, a high risk ratio of sepsis, and serious post-LT complications than those without sarcopenia.

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia is prevalent in a substantial proportion of patients undergoing LT and is strongly and independently associated with higher a risk of mortality risk.
Monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Akkari Imen , Jaziri Hanen
Published: February 2024

Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients at risk is an evidence-based approach; however, adherence to the monitoring protocol recommended by international guidelines is difficult. Hence, there is a need to use the best scr-eening options and refine the selection of patients at risk in the future.
Příspěvky k dějinám a držitelům statku Mistrovice v 16. až 18. století
Authors: Starý Marek
Published: February 2024

Contribution to the History and Holders of the Mitrovice-Estate from the 16th to the 18th Century

The small village of Mistrovice (today part of the municipality of Nový Oldřichov, Česká Lípa district) was an independent aristocratic estate held by several lesser-known noble families in the Middle Ages. The first of these families were the Veispach of Veispach, who built a noble residence, a fortress, here at the end of the 16th century. At that time Mistrovice was connected with the neighbouring estate Volfartice. But already at the beginning of the 17th century it became a separate estate as the widow’s dowry of Anna Veispach of Wolfersorf. During the Thirty Years’ War, Jakub Wilhelm Knobloch of Knobloch, who had not long before been ennobled, took over the ruined farm as a pledge, and in 1649 a contract was concluded by which Anna’s heirs transferred the hereditary ownership of the estate to Jakub’s son Adam Franz. Adam resided at nearby Svojkov, which he bequeathed to his sister Anna before his childless death, while his wife, Helena Veronika Rozhovská of Krucemburk, became the heiress of Mistrovice. She married for the second time Karel Jakartovský of Sudice, originally from Moravia. Shortly before Karl’s death in 1706, his eldest daughter Margaret Sofia bought the Mistrovice estate. She later took over her father’s second estate Mšené-Lázně, but in order to pay off her sisters, she sold in 1710 Mistrovice to the Wallbrunns, originally from the Rhineland. Under them, in the middle of the 18th century, the Mistrovice fortress was rebuilt into a chateau, but nothing of it has survived to this day. The epitaph of Mistrovice’s independence as a noble estate was written in 1764, when it was sold to Count Oldřich Kinský, the owner of the neighbouring Česká Kamenice dominion. The aim of the present study is to describe in detail, based on archival sources, the property relations to Mistrovice during the period from the 16th to the 18th century and to present a comprehensive genealogy of the noble families who held the estate at that time.
Mikoláš Aleš a textil
Authors: Havlík Vlastimil
Published: February 2024

Mikoláš Aleš and textiles

Well-known Czech artist, draughtsman, illustrator and author of models of monumental works Mikoláš Aleš (1852–1913) also created many designs to be used in the sphere of applied art, including the textile sector. Aleš’s collaboration with Josef Just, who operated a workshop and small shop in Prague at the end of the 19th century was also noteworthy. Just traced and embroidered ornaments on folk costumes, and sold towels, scarfs, table linen, coverlets, blankets and hanging “cookbooks” with pre-printed embroidery patterns. M. Aleš created several designs for him. In 1901 J. Just moved to Červený Kostelec and established premises for printing embroidery designs – patterns there. His brothers Antonín and František took over their father’s enterprise in the same year and began running it under the name of Ant. & F. Just, dying, printing and treatment enterprise in Červený Kostelec. Just’s departure from Prague evidently did not interrupt his long-standing friendship with M. Aleš, because Aleš designed ten more motifs for Just between 1905 and 1911. He drew inspiration for these designs from nine fairy tales and one motif was inspired by the life of gipsies. These designs were also originally intended for use as embroidery patterns. However, they were used as a model for designs placed on children’s handkerchiefs manufactured at the machine printing facility of the brothers of Josef Just in Červený Kostelec. This means that the factory of the Ant. & F. dying, printing and treatment enterprise in Červený Kostelec is probably the first textile factory in the Czech lands to have collaborated with a well-known artist.
Personal affairs of Chinese citizens: from the history of labor migration in the North-West of Russia during the First World War
Authors:   Barents Centre of the Humanities of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Zmeeva Olga V.
Published: February 2024

The article presents for the first time an overview of the personal files of one of the funds of the National Archive of the Republic of Karelia. For the first time, biographical documents were introduced into scientific circulation, which formed the basis for completing the personal files of employees of the Murmansk Railway (admission lists, medical certificates, form lists, applications for employment). The content of documents of personal files of labor migrants from China during the First World War is analyzed. The information potential of archival documents for the development of the historical and biographical method is revealed and shown.
Geographics of Russian expeditions of the 18th–20th centuries: exhibition from the collections of the Museum-Archive of the Barents Centre of the Humanities of the Federal Research Center “Kola Science Center”
Authors:   Barents Centre of the Humanities of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Shabalina Olga V.
Published: February 2024

The publication is dedicated to the exhibition of previously unexhibited printed, handwritten and photographic materials, graphic and watercolor works from the funds of the Museum-Archive of the History of Study and Development of the European North of the Barents Centre of Humanities of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which was carried out during the Russian expeditions of the 18th–20th centuries or used for their successful implementation. All exhibited museum objects, which have, to varying degrees, cultural, historical and artistic value, are potential historical sources for studying the 300–year genesis of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Estrategias de Lectura de Isabel Solé para Mejorar los Procesos de Comprensión Lectora en los Estudiantes de Grados 6° de la Institución Educativa José Agustín Solano de Barrancas-La Guajira
Authors: Brito Daza Ceneris
Published: February 2024

En el desarrollo del artículo de investigación, se analizó   la incidencia de las estrategias lectoras de Isabel Solé para mejorar los procesos de comprensión lectora en los estudiantes de grados 6° de la institución educativa José Agustín Solano de Barrancas-La Guajira, a partir de una metodología de investigación de tipo cualitativo enfocado en una revisión documental de investigaciones relacionadas con la temática del artículo, y sus perspectivas teórico-practicas. Donde entre los resultados más importantes se relacionan con el estudio de los diferentes contextos socioculturales, que fomentan o inhiben directa o indirectamente la adquisición de competencias relacionadas con la comprensión lectora, en estudiantes de la básica primaria y secundaria principalmente, así mismo, encontramos las ventajas y beneficios de respaldar la aplicación del método de Isabel Solé como lo son la inclusión y la equidad educativa, la adaptación a la diversidad de textos, y el desarrollo de habilidades criticas en los entornos educativos socioculturales.
Distinguishing between obsessive-compulsive disorder and paraphilias or nonparaphilic sexual disorders in a young patient with sexual thoughts
Authors:   “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia” Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Sopu Andreea
Published: February 2024

Nonparaphilic Sexual Addictions (NPSAs), characterized by repetitive sexual thoughts and behaviors, have been suggested as falling within the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder. In comparison to individuals with NPSAs, those with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) reported significantly higher levels of fear and avoidance related to their sexual thoughts. Individuals with NPSAs reported elevated levels of sexual arousal associated with their thoughts and a greater degree of sexual pleasure derived from engaging in compulsive behaviors. In the context of this article, we will examine the case of a young patient who, while undergoing various therapeutic trials with antidepressants, has recently aroused suspicion of OCD due to the heightened intensity of his obsessive thoughts, particularly in the realm of sexuality. Additionally, we will highlight, following the specialized literature, some clinical aspects that may guide us in differentiating between these two pathologies.
Rehabilitation of Patients with Post-Stroke Dysarthria in the Russia and Abroad: a Literature Review
Authors: Loginova Olga V. , Bovtyuk Daria I.
Published: February 2024

INTRODUCTION. Post-stroke speech disorders are one of the important reasons for the decline in the functioning of patients. According to statistics, the incidence of dysarthria among patients after stroke varies from 24 to 64 %.
AIM. To evaluate existing methods of rehabilitation of post-stroke dysarthria, attempt to create a classification of methods, assess the possibility of use in modern conditions and the effectiveness of these methods.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. A literature review was conducted using the eLibrary, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases over the past 5 years (2019–2023). Key words used for the search: “stroke” (stroke in foreign databases), “rehabilitation”, “dysarthria”. The criteria for inclusion of articles in the review were as follows: year of publication of the scientific work from 2019 to 2023, full-text articles, works that include the author’s methodology or its modification, meta-analyses, descriptions of clinical cases. Exclusion criteria: descriptive articles, works based on statistics of post-stroke dysarthria, works describing the organization of speech therapy support without specifying methods, coincidence of identical works in different databases.
RESULTS. The literature review included 16 full-text articles, based on the results of which it can be said that speech rehabilitation, repeating trends in motor rehabilitation, is moving in the direction of increasing the use of various equipment, and there has been an increase in the use of invasive techniques.
CONCLUSION. This review highlights the current trends in speech rehabilitation in adults.
Effectiveness of Sanatorium Treatment Programs for Women with Chronic Endometritis: a Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Konchugova Tatiana V. , Kotenko Natalya V. , Yurova Olga V. , Borisevich Olga O.
Published: February 2024

INTRODUCTION. The problem of recurrent antibiotic-resistant urogenital infections is increasing, and standard therapy is becoming ineffective. Sanatorium-resort treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs in women allows us to solve these problems with the help of natural and preformed physical factors.
AIM. To study the clinical effectiveness of comprehensive sanatorium treatment programs in patients with chronic endometritis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. A prospective randomized trial included 73 patients, aged 35 ± 10 years, diagnosed with chronic endometritis. The control group (n = 25) received «basic» therapy with amplipulstherapy, sodium chloride baths. The comparison group (n = 24) received «basic» therapy and manual therapy. The main group (n = 24) received «basic» therapy, high-intensity pulsed magnetic field and manual therapy. Diagnostic criteria: immunohistochemical examination of the endometrium, echographic examination, dopplerometry of pelvic vessels, laser Doppler flowmetry.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. After treatment, an increase in the uterine arterial perfusion index was noted in all groups compared with baseline values. The median indicator increased in the study groups by 2.36 times, 2.4 times, and 2.6 times, respectively (p 0.05). The decrease in the maximum peak speed in the comparison group and the main group exceeded the indicators of the control group (p 0.001). The systolic-diastolic ratio decreased in the comparison group and the main group (p 0.05). A decrease in stagnation in the venular microcirculation, a normotonic type of microcirculation, improvement in endothelial function (p 0.01) were revealed in the main group.
CONCLUSION. An algorithm has been developed. In case of endometrial hypoplasia, decreased uterine perfusion, increased uterine artery resistance index, «basic» therapy is recommended, including sodium chloride baths and amplipulstherapy. With an increase in the maximum peak blood flow rate, an increase in the systolic-diastolic ratio, it is necessary to add a course of manual therapy to the «basic» therapy. When detecting violations of venous outflow, it is recommended to include high-intensity pulsed magnetic therapy.
Núcleos urbanos informais: abordagens metodológicas e principais resultados de sua caracterização e identificação
Authors: Krause Cleandro , Feitosa Flávia da Fonseca , Denaldi Rosana , Petrarolli Juliana Gomes
Published: February 2024

A questão da precariedade e informalidade urbana no Brasil permanece envolta em incertezas quanto à sua extensão e características, com assentamentos precários surgindo por ocupações espontâneas, mecanismos de mercado ou intervenção estatal. A complexidade desses assentamentos, aliada à falta de dados precisos, dificulta sua identificação e caracterização, levando a uma dependência dos dados censitários, que, embora relevantes, subestimam significativamente a presença desses assentamentos e não capturam aspectos cruciais da precariedade habitacional. Diante disso, diversos estudos têm buscado desenvolver metodologias para ampliar o entendimento sobre esses assentamentos, incluindo a pesquisa de Núcleos Urbanos Informais no Brasil (Pesquisa NUI), realizada entre 2019 e 2021 pelo Ipea em colaboração com outras instituições de ensino e pesquisa, visando fornecer subsídios para políticas e programas de urbanização e regularização fundiária. Esta nota focaliza os "núcleos urbanos informais", definidos pela Lei Federal no 13.465/2017, e destaca a importância dos instrumentos de regularização fundiária urbana de interesse social (Reurb-S) para esses assentamentos ocupados por população de baixa renda.
Indicador Regional
Authors:   Brasil. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (Ipea). Diretoria de Estudos e Políticas Regionais Urbanas e Ambientais (Dirur)
Published: February 2024

No período de 2011 a 2020, os desembolsos do Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) para o setor produtivo brasileiro, financiados principalmente pelo Fundo de Amparo ao Trabalhador (FAT), pelo próprio BNDES e pelo Tesouro Nacional, apresentaram uma queda de mais de 80% em termos reais, totalizando R$ 30,3 bilhões em 2020. Essa redução foi observada em todas as regiões do país, variando de cerca de 75% na região Sul a 94% na região Norte. O Sudeste recebeu a maior parcela dos desembolsos, totalizando R$ 1,05 trilhão no período, com destaque para São Paulo, que recebeu 51% desse montante. Em outras regiões, como no Norte, os recursos se concentraram no Pará, enquanto na região Centro-Oeste houve uma distribuição mais equilibrada, com Mato Grosso recebendo a maior parte. Os estados da Bahia e do Paraná foram os maiores beneficiários nas regiões Nordeste e Sul, respectivamente.
Desigualdade tecnológica rural: breves considerações sobre possíveis tendências
Authors: Castro César Nunes de
Published: February 2024

As projeções para a década de 2020 indicam um crescimento na produção agrícola e pecuária, impulsionado principalmente pelo aumento da produtividade por área, em vez da expansão da área cultivada. Este aumento esperado na produtividade será resultado de inovações tecnológicas contínuas, que incluem tanto melhorias incrementais em técnicas tradicionais de produção quanto inovações disruptivas, como agricultura de precisão, integração lavoura-pecuária e agricultura 4.0. Estas inovações, além de melhorar a produtividade e a sustentabilidade ambiental, também podem ampliar o desnível tecnológico entre os estabelecimentos agropecuários mais inovadores e aqueles menos propensos à adoção de novas tecnologias, seja por tradição, resistência à mudança ou falta de recursos financeiros, tanto entre grandes e médios estabelecimentos quanto entre os pequenos estabelecimentos familiares.
A Experiência de Curitiba em gestão territorial proativa
Authors: Paranaíba Alberto Maia da Rocha
Published: February 2024

O convite da arquiteta Diana Meirelles da Motta para discutir a experiência de Curitiba no processo de gestão de seu território, especialmente em relação ao plano diretor e suas revisões, proporciona uma oportunidade para avaliações críticas e apontamentos para a próxima revisão do plano, prevista para 2023-2024. Este ensaio aborda as peculiaridades do processo de planejamento urbano em Curitiba, destacando o relacionamento entre a equipe do órgão municipal de planejamento (IPPUC) e os gestores políticos eleitos. Destaca-se a inovação do plano diretor de 1966, que propôs uma visão disruptiva do planejamento tradicional, substituindo a expansão radioconcêntrica pelo desenho linearizado, e discute a criação do IPPUC, que unificou as atividades de planejamento da prefeitura para proporcionar uma visão integrada do desenvolvimento urbano. A análise desses aspectos é fundamental para compreender a continuidade no planejamento urbano de Curitiba, considerada uma referência no contexto das cidades brasileiras.
Nota de pesquisa sobre a avaliação do projeto de integração do Rio São Francisco realizada para o Conselho de Monitoramento e Avaliação de Políticas Públicas
Authors: Castro César Nunes de , Cerezini Monise Terra
Published: February 2024

O texto aborda a prática emergente da avaliação de políticas públicas, destacando o surgimento dessa abordagem no contexto das revisões do funcionamento do Estado a partir das décadas de 1960 e 1970. No Brasil, as avaliações de políticas públicas começaram a se tornar mais comuns nos anos 2000, com a criação do Conselho de Monitoramento e Avaliação de Políticas Públicas (CMAP) em 2019. O Projeto de Integração do Rio São Francisco (Pisf) foi selecionado para avaliação em 2021 dentro desse contexto. A nota de pesquisa apresenta os objetivos da avaliação do Pisf, destacando os potenciais impactos socioeconômicos e hídricos do empreendimento, além de identificar iniciativas que possam potencializar esses impactos. A pesquisa delineia uma série de etapas analíticas para organizar a avaliação, incluindo a análise dos impactos sociais, econômicos e ambientais do Pisf, bem como a proposição de diretrizes para sua sustentabilidade a longo prazo.
Subsídios e proteção comercial agrícolas nos Estados Unidos
Authors: Freitas Rogério Edivaldo
Published: February 2024

Este artigo aborda a delicada questão dos subsídios e proteção comercial agrícolas, historicamente desafiadora nas negociações comerciais globais. Embora tenha havido avanços na Rodada Uruguai, a falta de um acordo abrangente na Rodada Doha levou à proliferação de acordos bilaterais, especialmente pelos Estados Unidos. O Brasil, um importante protagonista no comércio internacional de alimentos, enfrenta os impactos dessas políticas. O estudo analisa a trajetória dos subsídios agrícolas dos EUA e a proteção comercial, oferecendo insights relevantes para formuladores de políticas públicas e privadas. As seções subsequentes detalham a importância dos EUA no cenário agrícola mundial, a metodologia utilizada, os resultados obtidos e as conclusões finais.
Indicadores fiscais dos estados da federação no período 2021-2022
Authors:   Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (Ipea). Diretoria de Estudos e Políticas Regionais Urbanas e Ambientais (Dirur)
Published: February 2024

O texto analisa quatro indicadores financeiros dos governos estaduais brasileiros: Endividamento, Serviço da Dívida, Parcela do Resultado Primário Servindo à Dívida e o Índice de Vulnerabilidade Fiscal (IVF). Entre março de 2021 e março de 2022, houve uma redução significativa no endividamento da maioria dos estados, especialmente na região Norte, enquanto as despesas com juros da dívida diminuíram nas regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste, mas aumentaram em quinze estados, destacando-se Tocantins, Paraná e Piauí. A análise do resultado primário indica que a maioria dos estados manteve superávits, com exceção de alguns, como Amapá, Amazonas, Goiás e Espírito Santo, que se tornaram deficitários. O IVF, que combina os três indicadores anteriores, demonstra uma melhoria geral na situação fiscal dos estados, apesar de estados como Rio de Janeiro e Rio Grande do Sul ainda permanecerem em situação crítica. O Amazonas, por outro lado, mostra uma deterioração fiscal devido a um pior resultado primário.
Produção da aquicultura nos municípios da zona costeira: relações com o Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável 14 (proteção e uso sustentável dos oceanos)
Authors: Viana João Paulo
Published: February 2024

O crescimento expressivo da produção aquícola no Brasil, especialmente na região Sul, é evidenciado por dados do IBGE, destacando-se o aumento na produção de peixes e camarões. No entanto, esse avanço vem acompanhado de desafios, sobretudo de natureza social e ambiental. A qualidade e disponibilidade da água são fundamentais para a aquicultura, porém, condições inadequadas podem resultar em contaminação e propagação de doenças, como a maré vermelha, afetando a saúde dos organismos aquáticos e, consequentemente, a segurança alimentar. Além disso, a carcinicultura tem sido associada a conflitos socioambientais e enfrenta desafios, como a expansão da virose da mancha branca. A pressão sobre a Zona Costeira do Brasil, uma região de grande importância populacional e econômica, ressalta a necessidade de abordagens sustentáveis. Nesse contexto, este artigo busca contribuir para o entendimento do estado da Zona Costeira e do ambiente marinho, destacando a produção aquícola e suas implicações para a proteção e o uso sustentável dos oceanos, em consonância com a Agenda 2030 para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, especialmente o ODS 14.
The Parliament of the Scheldts. Reflections on Politics and Play in Reimagining the Coastal Landscape of the Netherlands
Authors: Meijer Maarten , Vogel Willie ,   Studio Inscape
Published: February 2024

This text reflects on the recent Landscape Makers Congress co-organised by Studio Inscape as a design intervention seeking to re-politicise the South-Western Delta region (SWD) of the Netherlands. Like many coastal regions around the world, the Dutch coast (including the SWD) is facing serious challenges from climate change. In the SWD, these challenges are taken up and politicised through the memory of a flood disaster that devastated the region in 1953.

On the one hand, the legacy of this flood, which includes the coastal engineering structures of the Delta Works, makes the consequences of climate change salient to the region’s inhabitants. Frequently, inhabitants voice frustration with the impression that their concerns are not taken seriously enough and not translated into concrete political actions. On the other hand, the same legacy also silences debates and considerations on alternative ways of responding to the many challenges of the changing climate, restricting the scope of discussions to narrow anthropocentric narratives of the ‘threat’ of water and the ‘war’ between the Dutch and the sea.

Using interactive theatre, the Landscape Makers Congress invited more than 100 regional inhabitants, policymakers, water engineers and representatives of environmental NGOs to consider the future of the landscape in the SWD from a range of different perspectives. During the day, participants represented one out of several more-than-human ‘landscape makers’ in a fictional parliament and engaged in debates on several key dilemmas and different spatial strategies, situated in different periods in the future (2030, 2050 and 2100). As the day progressed, the ‘parliament’ bore witness to some of the consequences of climate change as well as the consequences of the decisions they made themselves. Through plenary discussions, workshops and interventions during the day, the audience was engaged in discussions on some different futures that might be possible in the SWD and on whose values and interests should or should not be part of the process of constructing these futures. Based on our experiences on the day and activities in the region more generally, some reflections are offered on the different concepts and strategies operationalised in the Landscape Makers Congress: its playful use of multifocality, its dramatisation of temporality and its staging of a particular experience of politics. Thus, this text offers some reflections on community engagement using design-based methodologies in the context of politicised (and the politicisation of) environments.

This article was published open access under a CC BY licence:
https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0
.
STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING PPP WATER PROJECTS: A CHINA PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Chen Chuan , Liu Jinchan , Zhang Lanqian , Huang Lin
Published: February 2024

A series of performance measurement need to be carried out throughout the project life cycle to ensure the successful transfer of public-private partnership (PPP) assets and meet stakeholder needs. More and more water projects are stepping into the transfer phase, but less studies carry out in-depth and systematic discussion on the performance measurement of PPP water projects at the transfer phase. Hence, to fill this gap, this research establishes a new performance measurement system (PMS) for evaluating the performance of the PPP projects stepping into the transfer phase based on the key performance indicators (KPIs). Through case study, expert interview and questionnaire, this paper formulates the logical basis behind PPP water projects at the transfer phase and subsequently constructs the transfer performance measurement system (TPMS) of these projects. Then, it conducts a confirmatory analysis of the impact relationship between the indicators based on structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings of expert interview and questionnaire indicate that there are 7 primary and 26 secondary indicators, and the model has a good fit. The TPMS will provide governments, operators and other stakeholders with a comprehensive and complete understanding as to indicators required of an effective performance measurement of PPP water projects.
Lyman Continuum Leakers in the AstroSat Ultraviolet Deep Field: Extreme-ultraviolet Emitters at the Cosmic Noon
Authors: Dhiwar Suraj , Saha Kanak , Maulick Soumil , Smith Brent M. , Mondal Chayan , Teplitz Harry I. , Rafelski Marc , Windhorst Rogier A.
Published: February 2024

We report the direct detection of Lyman continuum (LyC) emission from nine galaxies and one active galactic nucleus at z ∼ 1.1–1.6 in the GOODS-North field using deep observations from the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board AstroSat. The absolute escape fraction of the sources estimated from the far-ultraviolet and Hα-line luminosities using Monte Carlo analysis of two intergalactic medium models span a range ∼10%–55%. The rest-frame UV wavelength of the sources falls in the extreme-ultraviolet regime ∼550–700 Å, the shortest LyC wavelength range probed so far. This redshift range remains devoid of direct detections of LyC emission due to the instrumental limitations of previously available facilities. With UVIT having very low detector noise, each of these sources is detected with an individual signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) > 3, while for the stack of six sources, we achieve an S/N ∼ 7.4. The LyC emission is seen to be offset from the optical centroids and extended beyond the UVIT point-spread function of 1.″6 in most of the sources. This sample fills an important niche between GALEX and Cosmic Origins Spectrograph at low z and Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3 at high z and is crucial in understanding the evolution of LyC leakers.
The Secular Dynamical Evolution of Binary Asteroid System (65803) Didymos Post-DART
Authors: Cueva Rachel H. , McMahon Jay W. , Meyer Alex J. , Scheeres Daniel J. , Hirabayashi Masatoshi , Raducan Sabina D. , Jacobson Seth A. , Merrill Colby C.
Published: February 2024

The successful impact of NASA’s DART mission with Dimorphos, the secondary body of binary asteroid system (65803) Didymos, altered the attitude, shape, and orbit of Dimorphos. In addition to perturbing the immediate short-term dynamics of the system, these changes have major implications for the binary Yarkovsky–O’Keefe–Radzievskii–Paddack (BYORP) effect and resulting long-term secular evolution. In this study, we assess the range of possible reshaping-induced changes in BYORP. We produce high-fidelity numerical simulations of the orbit-attitude coupled tidal-BYORP dynamical evolution of the Didymos system to constrain how the secular evolution changed from its preimpact behavior. We find that the nature of the dynamics is highly dependent on a variety of initial conditions and assumptions, and it is difficult to fully predict how the system will secularly evolve following the impact. Rather, we provide a range of feasible possibilities within the bounds of observations and current best estimates of the Didymos system parameters. ESA’s Hera mission will help reduce uncertainties surrounding the postimpact state and shape of Dimorphos in 2027, allowing our predictions of the secular evolutionary effects and long-term fate of the Didymos system to be better refined.
Monitoring data on the effect of domestic livestock and rabbits on Androcymbium europaeum (Lange) K. Richt. and its xerophytiques pastures for thirteen years
Authors: Pérez-Luque Antonio Jesús , Ramos-Font María Eugenia , Tognetti Barbieri Mauro José , Montoya Román Clara , Tribaldos Anda Claudia , Cabezas-Arcas Francisco M. , González-Rebollar José , Robles Ana Belén
Published: February 2024

Dataset of annual monitoring of herbivory effects on the conservation status of the endangered species Androcymbium europaeum (Lange) K. Richt and its associated plant communities is presented in this manuscript. This dataset encompasses the annual monitoring of herbivory effects on the conservation status of the endangered species Androcymbium europaeum. Since 2010, the SERPAM Department (Service of Evaluation, Restoration and Protection of Mediterranean Agrosystems) at the Zaidin Experimental Station, belonging to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC-EEZ), has conducted annual sampling to assess the impact of both domestic and wild livestock, specifically rabbits, on the pastures where A. europaeum lives. The study consisted of a randomised block design, implementing three distinct treatments to evaluate different management strategies: (1) rabbit and domestic herbivory, (2) exclusion of domestic livestock and (3) exclusion of rabbits and domestic livestock. Within each treatment, two types of monitoring were conducted. Firstly, the abundance of A. europaeum was estimated by counting individuals within 50 cm x 50 cm quadrats. Secondly, plant species diversity was assessed along 2-m long transects using the modified Point-Quadrat method. The research was conducted within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in southern Spain, specifically in the Amoladeras Nature Reserve in Almería.

The dataset contains information spanning from 2010 to 2023, providing valuable insights into the annual monitoring of herbivory effects on the conservation status of A. europaeum, contributing to our understanding of the species' interaction with domestic and wild animal in the studied area.
Climatic niche modelling and genetic analyses highlight conservation priorities for the Spotted Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus variegatus)
Authors: Le Minh Duc , Rödder Dennis , Nguyen Tao Thien , The Pham Cuong , Nguyen Truong Quang , Ong An Vinh , McCormack Timothy E. M. , Nguyen Thang Tai , Le Mai Huyen , Ngo Hanh Thi , Ziegler Thomas
Published: February 2024

The Spotted Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus variegatus) has been recognised since 2019 from Vietnam and Hainan Island, China, but little information about its population status and distribution range is currently available. The species has been provisionally listed as Critically Endangered by the Turtle and Tortoise Working Group, although the status has not been officially accepted by the IUCN, due to the threats the species is facing, including habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation for food, competition with other non-native softshell turtles and pollution. To identify conservation priority sites for P. variegatus in mainland Indochina, this study combines molecular analyses and species distribution modelling. Our results show that, in Vietnam, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has the largest suitable area and high probability of species occurrence, followed by Vu Quang National Park and Song Thanh and Ke Go Nature Reserves. In addition, the central provinces, from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue in Vietnam, constitute a key part of the species distribution and should be prioritised for conservation actions. According to the study’s findings, although P. variegatus is possibly found in Laos, the probability decreases sharply at the border between both countries and there is also a gap in the occurrence of wetlands, arguing for strong natural barriers. Unfortunately, to date, only part of the species potential distribution is protected, while no records are known from protected areas, highlighting the need for extended or even new reserves. To recover natural populations of the species and following the IUCN’s One Plan Approach to Conservation, breeding programmes have been established in Vietnam with a potential to expand to other facilities in the country and abroad. Once suitable sites are identified, offspring can be released into the protected areas to improve the current conservation status of this highly-threatened softshell turtle.
Ophiorrhiza reflexa (Rubiaceae), a new species from a karst region in Guangxi, China
Authors: Shang Chao , Xue Jun , Yang Yanjie , Liao Xiaowen , Liu Quanru , Wu Lei
Published: February 2024

Ophiorrhiza reflexa, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated in this study. It is morphologically similar to O. alatiflora due to the branched inflorescence, distylous flowers and the tubular-funnelform corolla with five longitudinal wings. The new species can be distinguished from O. alatiflora by its erect inflorescence, its smaller and equal-sized calyx lobes 0.5–0.7 mm long, its corolla tubes winged to the middle and the wings straight and its strongly reflexed corolla lobes at anthesis. Ophiorrhiza reflexa is assessed as least concern (LC) according to IUCN Categories and Criteria.
A survey of Pholcus spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae) from the Qinling Mountains of central China, with descriptions of seven new species
Authors: Yang Lan , Fu Chang , Zhang Yaxuan , He Qiaoqiao , Yao Zhiyuan
Published: February 2024

We report 18 spider species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 from a survey in the Qinling Mountains of central China. They belong to four species groups and include seven species new to science: Pholcus jiaozuo Yang & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀) in the taishan species group; P. luonan Yang & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀), P. luoyang Yang & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀), P. lushan Yang & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀), P. shangluo Yang & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀), P. weinan Yang & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀) and P. yuncheng Yang & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀) in the yichengicus species group. Detailed diagnoses, descriptions, photomicroscopy images and DNA barcodes of all new species are provided. Our study will make a significant contribution to understanding species diversity and zoogeography of the region.
Morphological Biomarkers Related to Visual Acuity in Patients With Radiation Retinopathy Treated With Intravitreal Ranibizumab
Authors: Corona Stephanie Trejo , Ali Omar I. , Yu Hannah J. , Schefler Amy C. ,   RRR Study Group
Published: February 2024

Background and Objective:

Our objective was to monitor variables via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and identify the most relevant biomarkers related to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in radiation retinopathy (RR).

Patients and Methods:

A post-hoc analysis of the two-year Ranibizumab for Radiation Retinopathy (RRR) trial analyzed vision and OCT parameters including intraretinal fluid, ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, hard exudates, retinal hemorrhage, retinal neovascularization, and subfoveal fluid. BCVA and SD-OCT parameters were evaluated by univariate analysis and a mixed-effects model.

Results:

Forty eyes from the RRR trial were included. Intraretinal cyst vertical size (week 24:
P
= 0.032; week 48:
P
= 0.021), neovascularization (week 48:
P
= 0.028; week 72:
P
= 0.025), and EZ disruption (week 72:
P
= 0.029; week 104:
P
= 0.019) were the clinical parameters most relevant to BCVA by univariate analysis in at least two time points. The mixed-effects model confirmed the relevance of intraretinal cyst vertical size (
P
= 0.001) and neovascularization (
P
= 0.001) but not EZ disruption (
P
= 0.119) over the course of the study.

Conclusions:

This study characterizes the course of visual loss in RR by identifying intraretinal cyst vertical size, neovascularization, and EZ disruption as biomarkers of poor BCVA over a span of two years. Larger multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2024;55:255–262.]
Fixed point theorems of contractive mappings on soft parametric metric space
Authors: Gündüz Çiğdem Aras , Bayramov Sadi , Coşkun Arzu Erdem
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study was to introduce soft topology generated by soft parametric metric space and prove Banach's fixed point theorem as an extension of soft complete parametric metric space. An illustrative example was given by using this fixed point theorem.
A complete classification of weakly Dedekind groups
Authors: Shi Huaguo , Han Zhangjia , Guo Pengfei
Published: February 2024

A finite group is called a weakly Dedekind group if all its noncyclic subgroups are normal. In this paper, we determine the complete classification of weakly Dedekind groups.