bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of smartphone-based hearing screening tests: a systematic review
Authors: Melo Inara Maria Monteiro , Silva Aline Roberta Xavier , Camargo Rodolpho , Cavalcanti Hannalice Gottschalk , Ferrari Deborah Viviane , Taveira Karinna Veríssimo Meira , Balen Sheila Andreoli
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the accuracy of smartphone apps to identify hearing loss. Research strategies A systematic review followed the PRISMA-DATA checklist. The search strategies were applied across four databases (Lilacs, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) and grey literature (Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis). Selection criteria The acronym PIRD was used in review. This included populations of any gender and all age groups. The Index test is the smartphone-based hearing screening test; the Reference test is the pure-tone audiometry, which is considered the gold reference for hearing diagnostics; the diagnosis was performed via validity data (sensitivity and specificity) to identify hearing loss and diagnostic studies. Data analysis Two reviewers selected the studies in a two-step process. The risk of bias was assessed according to the criteria of the QUADAS-2. Results Of 1395 articles, 104 articles were eligible for full-text reading and 17 were included. Only four met all criteria for methodological quality. All of the included studies were published in English between 2015 and 2020. The applications Digits-in noise Test (5 articles), uHear (4 articles), HearScreen (2 articles), hearTest (2 articles) and Hearing Test (2 articles) were the most studied. All this application showed sensitivity and specificity values between 75 and 100%. The other applications were EarScale, uHearing Test, Free field hearing (FFH) and Free Hearing Test. Conclusion uHear, Digit-in-Noise Test, HearTest and HearScreen have shown significant values of sensitivity and specificity and can be considered as the most accurate methods for screening of hearing impairment.
Extraction and validation of scientific data for the identification of publications in open access journals
Authors: DIAS Patrícia Mascarenhas , RODRIGUES DIAS Thiago Magela , MOITA Gray Farias , PINTO Adilson Luiz
Published: February 2022

Abstract This work aims to identify articles published in open access journals registered in the Lattes Platform curricula. Currently, the curricular data from the Lattes Platform has been the source of several studies that adopt bibliometric metrics to understand scientific evolution in Brazil. However, when registering a publication in a curriculum, only basic information from the magazine is informed. Therefore, to quantify the publications made in open access journals, a strategy is proposed that uses data from the Directory of Open Access Journals, validating the publications and, thus, obtaining a process that allows identifying which publications were made in this communication format. Therefore, using the proposed methodology, which has a low computational cost, it was possible to quantify in an unprecedented way the publications of Brazilians in open access journals registered in the curricula of the Lattes Platform. In addition, having the authors’ data of the publications, it was possible to understand how these authors are geographically distributed in the country, what their areas of operation are and how they have published the results of their research in open access. It is noteworthy that they are generally published in Portuguese and English. Over the last few years, the representativeness of publications in open access journals has increased.
Gravidez em jovens que nasceram com HIV: particularidades nos contextos de exercício da sexualidade
Authors: Silva Clarissa Bohrer da , Motta Maria da Graça Corso da , Bellenzani Renata , Brum Crhis Netto de , Ribeiro Aline Cammarano
Published: February 2022

O estudo objetivou compreender como mulheres jovens que nasceram com HIV lidam com o exercício de suas sexualidades e com a ocorrência da gravidez durante suas trajetórias de vida. Esta pesquisa qualitativa foi inspirada na abordagem Construcionista Social em Saúde e no Quadro da Vulnerabilidade/Direitos Humanos. As dez participantes engravidaram na adolescência e na juventude (14 a 21 anos) e foram entrevistadas entre 2017 e 2018, em um serviço especializado da região Sul do Brasil. Evidenciaram-se dois perfis de trajetórias de vida distintos: gravidez inesperada no início da vida sexual da adolescente; gravidez desejada na transição para a adultez. Conclui-se que os processos e marcadores sociais, que ampliam a vulnerabilidade à gravidez não planejada, são comuns às adolescentes em geral, contudo particularizam-se pelo estigma do HIV, sendo preciso incorporar no cuidado contínuo em HIV os direitos sexuais e reprodutivos, fortalecendo a dimensão psicossocial do cuidado.
Adoecimento psíquico, assimetrias de gênero na Medicina e necessidade de intervenção: uma revisão de literatura
Authors: Pereira Luiz Henrique Moreira , Moreira Simone da Nóbrega Tomaz
Published: February 2022

A Medicina possui um notório impacto adoecedor sobre seus profissionais. Isso é acertado se comparando as altas prevalências de depressão e suicídio na população médica com aquelas relativas à população geral. Entretanto, observadas as assimetrias de gênero existentes nas relações humanas, emerge a necessidade da busca para a elucidação de disparidades de gênero no interior dos âmbitos profissionais e acadêmicos da Medicina, além de propostas capazes de alterar aspectos nocivos da carreira. Para tanto, realizou-se uma revisão da literatura pela análise de trinta artigos publicados nas plataformas PubMed/Medline e Google Scholar em português, inglês e francês, nos últimos dez anos. Os achados permitiram acertar uma vulnerabilidade do gênero feminino, uma vez imerso no âmbito médico, traduzida em maior crescimento de índices de depressão e suicídio. Foram apontadas propostas de alteração dessa realidade por meio de estratégias de caracteres preventivo e interventivo.
Strength and microstructure of a lignin fiber-reinforced expansive soil in cold regions
Authors: Fan K. , Pei Q. , Liu L. , Han Z. , Zou W.
Published: February 2022

An experimental program was undertaken to investigate the effects of lignin fibers and freeze-thaw (FT) actions on the shear strength behavior of an expansive soil. Soil specimens were prepared at five lignin fiber contents. Consolidated undrained triaxial tests were carried out on as-compacted specimens and specimens subjected to 10 FT cycles. Scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance tests were performed to reveal the microstructural characteristics. Test results indicate that the inclusion of lignin fibers leads to a significant increase in the cohesion due to the fact that lignin fibers form spatial networks that increase the bonding among soil aggregates. The cohesion-fiber content relationships are linear and their slope is constant regardless of FT actions, which indicates that the contribution of lignin fibers to the cohesion is not impaired by FT cycles. Lignin fibers alleviate the development of FT-induced cracks and the associated reduction in cohesion. Meanwhile, lignin fibers have little impact on the arrangement and contact stress and roughness among soil particles. Therefore, they have little influence on the friction angle of the soil with or without FT histories.
Serum Protein Exposure Activates a Core Regulatory Program Driving Human Proximal Tubule Injury
Authors: Lidberg Kevin A. , Muthusamy Selvaraj , Adil Mohamed , Mahadeo Anish , Yang Jade , Patel Ranita S. , Wang Lu , Bammler Theo K. , Reichel Jonathan , Yeung Catherine K. , Himmelfarb Jonathan , Kelly Edward J. , Akilesh Shreeram
Published: February 2022

Significance Statement

Whether kidney tubules exposed to nephrotic-range serum protein levels during glomerular filtration are injured remains controversial. This is important because acutely injured tubules can trigger inflammation and fibrosis that can lead to irreversible injury and CKD. Using human kidney tubule 3D microphysiologic systems and orthogonal epigenomic approaches, we found that serum, but not its major protein component albumin, directly induces tubular injury and secretion of proinflammatory components. Similar changes were observed in preclinical models and patients with proteinuric kidney disease. Taken together, our results demonstrate a causal role for serum proteins in tubular injury and identify regulatory mechanisms and novel pathways for intervention.

Background

The kidneys efficiently filter waste products while retaining serum proteins in the circulation. However, numerous diseases compromise this barrier function, resulting in spillage of serum proteins into the urine (proteinuria). Some studies of glomerular filtration suggest that tubules may be physiologically exposed to nephrotic-range protein levels. Therefore, whether serum components can directly injure the downstream tubular portions of the kidney, which in turn can lead to inflammation and fibrosis, remains controversial.

Methods

We tested the effects of serum protein exposure in human kidney tubule microphysiologic systems and with orthogonal epigenomic approaches since animal models cannot directly assess the effect of serum components on tubules.

Results

Serum, but not its major protein component albumin, induced tubular injury and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Epigenomic comparison of serum-injured tubules and intact kidney tissue revealed canonical stress-inducible regulation of injury-induced genes. Concordant transcriptional changes in microdissected tubulointerstitium were also observed in an independent cohort of patients with proteinuric kidney disease.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate a causal role for serum proteins in tubular injury and identify regulatory mechanisms and novel pathways for intervention.
The Cataleptic Novel: Living on with George Sand
Authors: Illingworth James
Published: February 2022

This article considers the representation of catalepsy—a trance-like nervous condition characterised by rigidity of the limbs that resembles death—in the literature of 19th-century France. It begins with an overview of the medical literature on catalepsy and its influence on the literature of the period, which reveals a particularly gendered aspect to the fate of the cataleptic, before turning to its primary case study: George Sand’s Consuelo novels (1842–44). These two texts provide Sand’s most sustained engagement with catalepsy, but they also set Sand’s depiction of the condition apart from how her (male) contemporaries represented it. While in the work of writers like Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly (1808–89), Théophile Gautier (1811–72), and Émile Zola (1840–1902) the cataleptic is generally an unstable male genius whose tale ends in death, madness, or oblivion, Sand elaborates an alternative model that allows these superior individuals to find self-actualisation (irrespective of their gender). The occult knowledge associated with the cataleptic is not to be feared in Sand’s texts; rather, it provides personal fulfilment and offers new purpose that benefits society. Catalepsy in Sand’s texts is thus endowed with political significance, representing the potential for new beginnings and a move beyond traditional ways of being. Drawing on the Consuelo novels as a model, this article then turns to Sand’s wider oeuvre to posit the poetics of the ‘cataleptic novel’ as inherent to Sand’s literary enterprise.Featured Image: A photograph of Marie 'Blanche' Wittman in a cataleptic pose taken around 1880, in Iconographie photographique de la Salpêtrière: service de M. Charcot / par Bourneville et P. Regnard, volume 3. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons {{PD-US}}.
Berufs- und branchenbezogene Analyse des COVID-19-Risikos in Deutschland
Authors:   Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA), Berlin, Möhner Matthias , Wolik Andreas ,   Institut für Gesundheitssystemforschung, BARMER Hauptverwaltung, Wuppertal
Published: February 2022

Analysis of the COVID-19 risk by occupational groups and industry in Germany Background: Cases of COVID-19 in healthcare professionals and employees in the nursing service who, as a result of their professional activities, are exposed to a significantly increased risk of infection compared to the general population can be recognised as an occupational disease (BK 3101). However, the question arises whether there is an increased risk of infection in occupational groups other than those mentioned in BK 3101. Methods: Based on the routine data of the BARMER health insurance fund for all employed regular insured persons in the age range from 15 to under 65 years, age- and gender-specific incidence rates for COVID-19 were calculated. On this basis, standardised incidence ratios (SIR) were analysed according to industry and occupational groups as well as according to the risk groups proposed by the Collegium Ramazzini. Results: A total of 15,167 cases of COVID-19 were identified for the more than 4.1 million regular insured persons, of which 2,890 were admitted to hospital (19.1%). For employees in the health and nursing care sector, a significantly increased risk was confirmed with SIR = 1.80 (95%CI: 1.62–1.99). But even for risk group 2 (very high risk) a significantly increased risk was detected: SIR = 1.34 (95%CI: 1.15–1.55). The highest risk was observed among contract workers in the industrial sector and in the postal and logistics sector. Conclusion: The analysis suggests that the risk of COVID-19 is highest among healthcare professionals, employees in the nursing service and in workplaces where inadequate occupational health and safety measures may have been implemented. In order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in the future, the new SARS-CoV-2 occupational safety regulations must be implemented and strict monitoring of compliance with the internal policies based on these regulations must be ensured. Keywords: COVID-19 risk – occupational disease (BK 3101) – risk groups – occupational health and safety measures
Mit Schmerzen und der Schmerzmitteleinnahme assoziierte Faktoren bei deutschen Rettungskräften: Eine Post-hoc-Analyse
Authors:   HSD Hochschule Döpfer GmbH, University of Applied Sciences, Köln, Mohr Mara , Schillings Johannes ,   HSD Hochschule Döpfer GmbH, University of Applied Sciences, Köln, Möckel Christina ,   HSD Hochschule Döpfer GmbH, University of Applied Sciences, Köln, Gerhard Angela ,   HSD Hochschule Döpfer GmbH, University of Applied Sciences, Köln, Möckel Luis
Published: February 2022

Factors associated with pain and analgesic intake in German pre-hospital emergency medical services staff: A post-hoc analysis Objective: The aim of this analysis was to identify risk factors for chronic and recurring pain and for the use of analgesics in German emergency staff. Methods: For this post-hoc analysis with 774 participants, the odds ratios (OR) and adjusted OR (AOR) were determined using the chi-square test, Fishers’ exact test and logistic regression. Results: The duration of profession in emergency care is significantly associated with the occurrence of chronic pain (AOR: 1.07 [95% CI: 1.00; 1.14] p = 0.04). Men have a significantly lower risk than women for recurring pain (AOR: 0.63 [95% CI: 0.42; 0.93] p = 0.02). In addition, the use of painkillers by emergency medical staff was associated significantly with the presence of chronic pain (AOR: 2.46 [95% KI: 1.27; 4.77] p = 0.008) and headache (AOR: 4.98 [95% CI: 2.95; 8.40] p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Measures for preventing chronic and recurring pain should be developed for emergency staff. There is also a need for research on further risk factors for recurring and chronic pain and the use of analgesics. Keywords: chronic pain – analgesics – emergency medical services staff – prevention
Az első magyarországi képvers? Filefalvi Filiczki János három képverséről
Authors: Molnár Dávid
Published: February 2022

Filiczki János 1614-es Carminum liber kötetében kettő olyan képvers is található, amelyet nem említ se a magyar, se a külföldi szakirodalom. Az alkalmi költészet speciális alműfajának e termékei nem csupán a kor műfaji színvonalán állnak, de a 17. század képversfelvirágzásának a korai, felívelő szakaszának elején íródtak, tehát már csak ezért is méltó lehet az európai irodalomtörténet figyelmére. Magyar szempontból azért különösen fontosak ezek a versek, mert egyelőre Szenci Molnár Albert két képversén kívül nem ismerünk más ilyen típusú költeményt a korból. A tanulmány külön kitér a Miskolci Csulyak István peregrinációs albumába bejegyzett versére is. Amellett érvelek, hogy ez a bejegyzés is képversnek tekinthető. Ha pedig ezt elfogadjuk, akkor ez a Filiczki-költemény lenne a magyar irodalom első ismert képverse.
A bibliofil Farkas Lajos
Authors: Farkas Farkas Gábor
Published: February 2022

A Révkomáromban született, losonczi előnevet viselő Farkas Lajos (1806–1873) ügyvéd gyűjteményének egyes darabjai gyakran kerülnek a filológia és a bibliofilia érdeklődési körébe, hiszen e korszak jelentős „régiségbúvárai” közé tartozva komoly bibliotékát vásárolt össze fél évszázad alatt. Ennek ellenére életéről és könyvtára történetéről (kitől, mit, mikor és mennyiért vett, illetve kivel cserélt vagy kinek ajándékozott) eddig kevés szó esett. Igaz tehát Wix Györgyné állítása, miszerint Farkas – egykori gyűjteménye értékéhez képest – kevesebb figyelembe részesült, mint azt megérdemelné. Ám tudunk két kortárs ellenpéldát, amikor már a 19. században felhívták – igaz, röviden – a figyelmet Farkas gyűjteményére. Csontosi János 1876-ban kiemelte, hogy Farkas budai könyvtára „minőségére nézve oly becses, hogy azt méltán a Jankovich gyűjteménye mellé helyezhetjük”. Közel két évtizeddel később Horváth Ignác pedig megemlítette az 1895-ös ősnyomtatványkatalógusa előszavában, hogy e gyűjtemény a nemzeti könyvtár legjelentősebb gyarapodásai közé tartozik. Azonban Szinnyei József sem tud sokkal többet a rejtélyes könyvgyűjtőről, mint születése helyét és idejét, illetve szóba hozta, hogy foglalkozását tekintve „közalapítványi igazgatósági tiszteletbeli ügyvéd” volt. Farkas más forrásokban pénzügyi hivatalnokként, tanácsosként, ügyészként vagy táblabíróként szerepelt. Gyűjteménye rekonstruálásához és a proveniencia kutatáshoz szükséges források többségét a nemzeti könyvtár kézirattára őrzi. A bibliotéka darabjaiért jelentős összeget: 7500 – más források szerint 3000 – forintot kellett fizetni az özvegyének 1873-ban.
Endre Hárs, Der mediale Fußabdruck, Zum Werk des Wiener Feuilletonisten Ludwig Hevesi (1843–1910), Würzburg, Königshausen & Neumann, 2020 (Identifizierungen – Poetiken des Eigenen und seines Anderen, 7)
Authors: Ujvári Hedvig
Published: February 2022

Tanulmányokban számtalanszor találkozhatunk azzal a mondattal, hogy a Pester Lloyd története igen jól kikutatott. Ez sok szempontból helytálló, de a lap története kapcsán a Falk-éra irodalomkritikai gondolkodásáról a századfordulóig vajmi keveset tudunk, hiszen a legnagyobb tárcaszerzők – Dux Adolf, Silberstein-Ötvös Adolf – munkássága mindmáig szinte teljesen feltáratlan. (Igaz, még Falk Miksáról sem született legalább egy kismonográfia.) A triász harmadik tagja, a pályáját Pesten kezdő, majd Bécsben folytató Hevesi Lajos / Ludwig Hevesi munkássága iránt azonban határozott érdeklődés mutatkozik, tk. Sármány-Parsons Ilona, Saly Noémi, Ursula Meiszl-Novopacky, Bognár Zsuzsa, illetve Hárs Endre irányából. Utóbbi nagydoktori disszertációját is ennek a témának szentelte, majd az értekezés enyhén átdolgozott változata jelent meg könyv alakban.
[RETRACTED] Staminon Male Enhancement - (Reviews)– ®️Legit Male Enhancement Supplement or Scam? [United States] v1
Authors: Male Enhancement Staminon
Published: February 2022

[RETRACTED]

Staminon Male Enhancement - (Reviews)– _Legit Male Enhancement Supplement or Scam? [United States]
2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine alpha-ketoglutarate detection assay for Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain (PHD) proteins v3
Authors: not provided sjwong
Published: February 2022

The 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) alpha-ketoglutarate detection assay was developed to support the study of prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) proteins in a substrate-independent manner. This protocol was extensively optimized for the PHD protein reaction, and is applicable to the study of enzyme kinetics or to high-throughput screening.
Cross-linking of IgG to Protein A or G Beads (S1425/S1430) v2
Authors: England Biolabs New
Published: February 2022

This protocol consists of an IgG purification step followed by covalent cross-linking of the IgG to the Protein A/G solid support. For IgG that has been previously purified, proceed directly to the cross-linking protocol.
Socialización política en reportajes educativos durante el Franquismo: estudio diacrónico desde el NO-DO (1943-1975)
Authors: Guichot-Reina Virginia
Published: February 2022

Los reportajes sobre educación aún han sido poco utilizados por la historiografía educativa, tanto en calidad de fuentes como de objeto de investigación, aunque cada vez más voces se alzan en defensa de su empleo para el estudio de la educación desde el siglo XX (Collelldemont y Padròs, 2020; Warmington et al., 2011). Esta investigación tiene como finalidad desvelar el uso propagandístico que hizo el franquismo de los documentos audiovisuales sobre educación formal que presentaba en el Noticiario Cinematográfico Español conocido como el NO-DO, en aras de sustentar la legitimidad política del régimen. La metodología empleada sigue los parámetros del análisis crítico del discurso (Atienza y Van Dijk, 2010), incluyendo tanto el verbal como el no verbal, precisando éste último aplicar técnicas de análisis audiovisual (Aguilar, 2004). Centrándonos en una serie de temas (concepto de educación y de escuela, valores morales priorizados, papel de las autoridades, apertura internacional), se detecta una evolución en los fundamentos de legitimación del régimen franquista que pretenden lograr un apoyo continuado a la dictadura franquista por parte de la ciudadanía, así como asistimos a transformaciones educativas significativas desde la posguerra al último tardofranquismo.
An exploratory study to test sediments trapped by potholes in Bedrock Rivers as environmental indicators (NW Iberian Massif)
Authors: Álvarez-Vázquez Miguel Ángel , De Uña-Álvarez Elena
Published: February 2022

The capacity of fluvial potholes to trap sediments, together with the geochemical analysis of their stored sediments for environmental assessment, is an overlooked research topic in small bedrock rivers. The present exploratory study is focused on this issue. It was developed in a small river over rock, in the inland territory of Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula). The study started from an analysis of the inventoried fluvial potholes to identify suitable forms for sampling, and the collection of sediment samples within them. After this, the determination of the grain texture, mineralogy and content of major and trace elements in sediments were carried out. Potholes with maximum vertical depth from 25 cm to 1 m, located in central and sidewall sectors of the bedrock channel, provided the best conditions for sediment sampling. The sediments collected from six potholes showed predominance of coarse-medium grain size and sand fraction. The rough contents of the major and even trace elements are related with the nature of the more refractory minerals of the bedrock. An adequate sampling strategy, considering grain-size fractions, show potential to use trace elements as environmental indicators.
Comparativa de dataciones radiométricas en muestras de conchas marinas tardi-holocenas: El ejemplo de las tempestitas del estuario de Huelva
Authors: Gómez Gutiérrez Paula , Toscano Grande Antonio , Rodríguez Vidal Joaquín , Cáceres Puro Luis Miguel , González-Regalado Montero María Luz , Abad de los Santos Manuel , Izquierdo Labraca Tatiana , Ruiz Muñoz Francisco , Monge Gómez Guadalupe , Campos Carrasco Juan Manuel , Bermejo Meléndez Javier
Published: February 2022

El estudio del registro sedimentario holoceno del estuario de los ríos Tinto y Odiel (Huelva) se ha realizado históricamente por medio de sondeos y de afloramientos superficiales. Nuevos perfiles naturales en la Isla de Saltés (La Cascajera) están ofreciendo una nueva perspectiva sobre la génesis y cronología de los depósitos. Para la determinación temporal de estos procesos se llevaron a cabo dataciones radiométricas mediante el análisis de series de Uranio y de radiocarbono. El contraste de los resultados de ambas técnicas ha permitido observar grandes desfases temporales en las series de Uranio, siendo Las edades de 14C son unos 200 años más antiguas que las de U/Th, para las mismas muestras. La contaminación postsedimentaria en estos sistemas abiertos, ha favorecido el rejuvenecimiento de la edad de la muestra, por el continuo aporte al sistema de 234U y 238U. Esto pone de manifiesto lo inapropiado del método U/Th en sedimentos estuarinos recientes y, sobre todo, altamente contaminados; no debiendo utilizarse este método de forma exclusiva. El método de radiocarbono parece ser más preciso y adecuado, aplicándose a los resultados las pertinentes calibraciones marinas regionales (ΔR), siendo aconsejable su modelización Bayesiana (OxCal).
Cave mountain permafrost environments in Picos de Europa and their implications
Authors: Gómez-Lende Manuel , Serrano Cañadas Enrique
Published: February 2022

The thermal definition of permafrost can be attributed to a wide diversity of periglacial environments, one of which is ice caves. This study analyzes ice caves in relation to the thermal aspect of permafrost with the aim of describing ice caves with permafrost in the temperate high mountain of the Picos de Europa and their implications in the interpretation of ice caves as permafrost indicators. Ice caves provide the environmental conditions of mountain permafrost, with annual mean temperatures below 0ºC over several consecutive years and multiple perennial cryomorphologies. Ice caves are not found at sites where surface environments have permafrost, however endoclimatic features and cryomorphological elements indicate environments with permafrost in the upper part of the cavities currently entirely unrelated to surface climatic conditions. Based on endoclimate data and on landform types and cryomorphic processes, a classification is established unrelated to surface permafrost environments: cave mountain permafrost environment.
The Role of Isocitrate Dehydrogenase and Assessment of Intracellular ATP Levels during the Erythrocytic Stages of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors:   , Yang Ming , Vaidya Akhil B.
Published: February 2022

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite many years of research on a global scale, our understanding of the biology of malaria parasites, while largely improved, is still incomplete. Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria in humans. In this dissertation, we studied two important biological aspects of this devastating pathogen: the role of the TCA enzyme, isocitrate dehydrogenase in the asexual and sexual blood-stages of the parasite; and a new method to assess intracellular ATP levels in live malaria parasites using a geneticallyencoded FRET-based ATP indicator. Our previous study suggested that the TCA cycle enzyme aconitase (Aco) alone, but not the complete TCA cycle, is essential for gametocyte development. Here, we described a defective phenotype of the parasites with genetic ablation of another TCA enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) in gametocyte development. Similar to the [delta]Aco, [delta]IDH gametocytes stall at stage III/IV and cannot form mature gametocytes or undergo exflagellation. Both Aco and IDH KO gametocytes exhibit fragmented mitochondrial morphology. Knockout of IDH also leads to a decrease in growth rate and fitness cost in erythrocytic stage. Two possible causes for the phenotype in [delta]Aco and [delta]IDH gametocytes were examined: (1) Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the parasite mitochondria due to lack of NADPH production, (2) and cytotoxicity of built up citrate. We concluded that IDH is required for gametocytogenesis most likely due to its role to generate mitochondrial NADPH, suggesting that IDH can be further explored as a target of transmission-blocking agents. We also reported the successful application of AT1.03, a genetically-encoded FRET-Based ATP indicator, in P. falciparum parasites. AT1.03 was stably expressed in the cytosol of the parasites, and FRET signals of live parasites were imaged by spinningdisk confocal microscopy. We demonstrated that cytosolic ATP levels are highly diverse between individual parasites, and drug-induced stress could be assessed by measuring the cytosolic ATP levels in the parasites. Our results established this method which could be developed into a powerful tool to study the mechanism of antimalarials as well as high throughput screens for new drug leads.
COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS OF A SELECTED COMPONENT'S PLASTIC INJECTION
Authors:   Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies with seat in Presov, Slovak Republic, BARON PETR , KOCISKO MAREK ,   Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies with seat in Presov, Slovak Republic, FRANAS EDUARD ,   Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies with seat in Presov, Slovak Republic
Published: February 2022

The article describes an optimization methods analysis in the technological process of plastic injection using the simulation tool Autodesk Moldflow Adviser. The Polyethylene 120J was the material used in production of the plastic part analyzed. Following the simulations, deficiencies affecting the quality of the final part were identified. Modifications were gradually made both in the cover's design and as changes in the process parameters so as to eliminate the deficiencies identified. In the first step, the value of the injection time was modified based on the results of the analysis of the determination of the ratio of solidified layers at the end of the process of filling the mold cavity. The second type of adjustment required a change in the molding's design. Based on the result of the simulation of forecasting cooling quality, we proposed a change in the wall thickness of selected model elements, specifically the adjustment of the wall thickness of the bolted joint column from 3 to 4 mm. The last adjustment consisted of adjusting the additional pressure profile.
Un enfoque óptimo para la distribución de energía de una micro-red usando Control Predictivo basado en Modelo (MPC): una simulación de un caso de estudio
Authors: Hernández César , Rodríguez Francisco , Moreno José Carlos , da Costa Mendes Paulo Renato , Normey-Rico Julio Elias
Published: February 2022

Las micro-redes permiten la integración de fuentes de energía renovables como fuentes de energía so- lar y eólica, también permiten la integración de sistemas distribuidos tales como producción combinada de calor y energía y almacenamiento de energía. Además, el uso de las fuentes locales de energía para servir cargas locales ayuda a reducir las pérdidas de energía en la transmisión y distribución, aumentando aún más la eficiencia del sistema de suministro eléctrico. En este trabajo, el problema de optimización de la energía dentro de una micro-red de energía renovable (MG) con un sistema de almacenamiento de energía (ESS), que intercambia energía con la red principal se desarrolla y se resuelve con el uso de técnicas de control predictivo basado en modelo (MPC). El modelado del sistema utiliza la metodología de los Energy Hubs. Las técnicas de MPC permiten maximizar el beneficio económico de la micro-red y reducir al mínimo la degradación del sistema de almacenamiento.
Desarrollo de un generador de gases automático controlado por PLC
Authors: Díaz-Pajuelo Javier , Lozano Jesús , Suárez José Ignacio , Arroyo Patricia , Calderón Antonio José
Published: February 2022

Se propone en esta comunicación un sistema generador de gases de automático mediante el cual generar una concentración conocida de hasta cuatro gases o una mezcla de ellos con el objetivo de calibrar cualquier tipo de sensores o detectores de gases. El sistema consta de cuatro entradas controladas por cuatro caudalímetros y cuatro electroválvulas, un módulo de expansión de gases, medidas de seguridad para finalizar el proceso en caso de fallo y por último, un armario robusto que lo contiene. El sistema de control está basado en un autómata V-350 de Unitronics con sistema SCADA incluido mediante el cual controlar el proceso y dos módulos de expansión. Se han realizado una serie de pruebas con objeto de validar el sistema. Para ello se han generado diferentes gases en diferentes concentraciones, obteniendo resultados satisfactorios.
Control de formaciones de vehículos marinos de superficie con restricciones de entrada
Authors: de la Cruz García Jesús M. , López Orozco José A. , Besada Portas Eva , Aranda Almansa Joaquin
Published: February 2022

Se presenta un algoritmo para el control de formaciones y seguimiento de caminos para vehículos no holónomos con aplicación a vehículos marinos de superficie. El algoritmo sigue una estructura líder-seguidor y es una extensión de un artículo anterior [1] a curvas parametrizadas, y no sólo para caminos formados por tramos rectos y circulares. Además, se tiene en cuenta las restricciones que restringen las posibles trayectorias que pueden ser seguidos por el líder. El algoritmo sigue manteniendo la ventaja de la sencillez y sólo necesita de la sintonía de un parámetro para cada uno de los vehículos. Se muestran experimentos simulados con modelos reales a escala que validan el método propuesto.
Control de un robot móvil mediante interfaz cerebro-computador: un enfoque práctico
Authors: López de Ahumada Rafael , Amitrano Gianluca , Gómez-Bravo Fernando , Jiménez-Naharro Raúl , Gómez Galán Juan Antonio
Published: February 2022

Este trabajo muestra un ejemplo de la interacción entre ondas cerebrales y plataformas robóticas. Concretamente se realiza el control de un robot móvil mediante el dispositivo llamado Mindwave, producido por la compañía Neurosky. Dicho dispositivo, a pesar de poderse considerar en la categoría de bajo precio, es capaz de proporcionar los niveles de atención, entre otros, de un usuario a partir de la medida de las señales eléctricas generadas por su cerebro. La plataforma desarrollada se basa en un software diseñado en el entorno Matlab, para identificar las intenciones del usuario y transmitir las órdenes correspondientes al robot. Los resultados de las pruebas realizadas son diferentes a los reportados en la literatura, logrando una aplicación práctica, que consigue reducir los tiempos de retardo y requiere un nivel de entrenamiento reducido. Se presentan resultados de una simulación virtual. Dichos resultados han sido corroborados mediante experimentos reales.
Mejoras en la arquitectura de control e interfaz de usuario para el control de un HROV
Authors: García Juan Carlos , Pérez Javier , Fernández J. Javier , Menezes Paulo , Sanz Pedro J.
Published: February 2022

En la actualidad, la mayor parte de las misiones de intervención llevadas a cabo en ambientes submarinos, son realizadas por robots teleoperados conocidos como Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV). Sin embargo, debido a sus elevados costes económicos y logísticos, recientemente se están empezando a usar un nuevo sistema autónomo conocido como Intervention Autonomous Under- water Vehicles (I-AUV). No obstante, estos sistemas omiten al usuario dentro del bucle de control, que unido a ciertas restricciones operacionales, limitan su uso en algunas intervenciones. Con el _n de combinar las ventajas y minimizar los problemas de ambos sistemas, existe una nueva pro- puesta basada en un enfoque híbrido, en la que el robot puede permitir el cambio de modo de uso (i.e. autónomo-teleoperado). No obstante, los problemas de este nuevo enfoque se hallan en la arquitectura de control y la interacción hombre-robot (HRI).
Protección multi-robot de infraestructuras: un enfoque cooperativo para entornos con información limitada
Authors: Garzón-Ramos David , Garzón Oviedo Mario , Barrientos Antonio
Published: February 2022

Se presenta el diseño, implementación y evaluación _on de un sistema multi-robot que aporta al aseguramiento de zonas con acceso restringido en infraestructuras, a través de la interceptación de intrusos. _Este, se basa en el aprovechamiento del algoritmo de Fast Marching y provee una solución cooperativa multi-robot capaz de funcionar en condiciones de información limitada. El sistema ha sido probado en escenarios sintéticos y reales, alcanzando en todos los casos la interceptación del objetivo mediante una respuesta cooperativa.
Soluciones alternativas al control predictivo basado en modelo de Volterra
Authors: Gruber Jorn K. , Peñarrocha Ignacio
Published: February 2022

El concepto básico de control predictivo basado en modelos (MPC) ofrece la posibilidad de usar modelos no lineales para predecir la evolución futura del sistema. La consideración de modelos no línea- les en una función de coste cuadrática resulta en un problema de optimización posiblemente no convexo con varios mínimos. En este trabajo se presentan diferentes alternativas para la solución del problema del control predictivo no lineal basado en modelos de Volterra. Las opciones planteadas consisten en la utilización de un solver global no lineal incluido en Matlab, la utilización de la técnica de los momentos y, para el caso de modelos de Volterra de grado dos, la transformación del problema en uno de programación semidefinida. Se muestra mediante un ejemplo la bondad de las diferentes propuestas y la relación del coste computacional de cada opción en función de los horizontes de predicción y control.
Guía para el financiamiento climático en Argentina: oportunidades e indicadores para las instituciones financieras
Authors: Beljansky Mariela , Fernandini Puga Manuel , Castello Romina , Buttazzoni Marco , Frisari Giovanni Leo
Published: February 2022

El cambio climático es uno de los desafíos más importantes que enfrenta la Argentina, debido a su perfil productivo y características geográficas. La recuperación pospandemia constituye una oportunidad para promover inversiones que permitan apuntalar el crecimiento del sistema productivo y al mismo tiempo contribuir al cumplimiento de las metas asumidas a nivel local y global en materia ambiental. En este contexto, esta publicación busca servir de guía a las instituciones financieras para el otorgamiento de financiamiento climático en el país.
Conectividad digital en Bolivia: análisis, brechas y plan de acción
Authors: García Zaballos Antonio , Puig Gabarró Pau , Iglesias Rodriguez Enrique
Published: February 2022

n este documento se presenta un análisis sobre el estado de la conectividad digital en Bolivia y un plan de acción para cerrar la brecha existente con los países de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) y los que integran la Organización para la Cooperación y del Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE). También existe una gran brecha dentro del propio país, entre las regiones urbanas y densamente pobladas y las que son rurales, remotas o de difícil acceso. Uno de los principales problemas para el cierre de esta brecha es la falta de inversión en infraestructura en las zonas más alejadas. La cobertura de la red de transporte de fibra óptica solo llega a las regiones con una mayor densidad poblacional. Por lo tanto, los ciudadanos, instituciones y empresas alejados de esta infraestructura tienen un ancho de banda muy limitado. A esto se añade la falta de salida al mar, lo cual impide colocar cables submarinos y obliga a comprar el acceso a los servicios de conectividad internacional a través de otros países, situación que deriva en mayores precios. Asimismo, la falta de competencia constituye un obstáculo para el acceso a Internet de calidad. El documento destaca el trabajo del gobierno en materia de acceso universal y gestión de espectro, así como en la formulación del plan nacional de banda ancha. Estas herramientas han contribuido a mejorar las condiciones de acceso en el país. Finalmente, se incluye una estimación de la brecha de inversión en ALC en general y en Bolivia en particular, a lo cual se suma un plan de acción destinado a apoyar las acciones del gobierno para impulsar el acceso a la conectividad.
Survival Time of Diabetes Mellitus Patients With Hemodialysis: A Study Using Survival Analysis
Authors: Naim Salsabila , Mahmudah Mahmudah
Published: February 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease caused by pancreas failure in processing or producing enough insulin in the body. An estimated 20-40% of people with DM will experience complications of kidney failure. DM patients who experience complications of kidney failure should undergo hemodialysis (HD) therapy. This study aims to assess the survival time of DM patients with HD at Rumah Sakit Islam (RSI) Jemursari, Surabaya, Indonesia, in 2016-2019. The study used secondary data in the form of electronic medical records of DM patients with HD who were registered at RSI Jemursari from 2016 to 2019. Survival analysis with the Kaplan Meier and Cox Regression methods is used as data analysis. The data were 126 DM patients with HD. DM patients with the majority of HDs have the following criteria: over than 50-year-old, male, housewives, having previous hypertension and heart disease records, having no previous lung disease records. The average survival time of DM patients with HD is 182 weeks. Subjects with the criteria as follows: male patients, working, having previous hypertension records, having no previous lung and heart disease records, have a higher survival time. Age has a significant effect (P=0.004) on the survival of DM patients with HD. The risk of patients' death increases by 1.07 times as the age increase by one year.
The Combination of Genistein and Imatinib has an Increased Effect on Cell Proliferation Inhibition in Philadelphia Positive Leukemia Cell Lines
Authors: Azizi Ebrahim , Biglari Alireza , Saei Ali Kian , Amanpour Saeid , Muhammadnejad Samad , Haddadi Mahnaz , Saffari Mojtaba , Shirkoohi Reza
Published: February 2022

Background: This study investigated the possible role of Genistein as a combination with Imatinib in controlling leukemia cell line proliferation.
Methods: Three cell lines, K562, Kcl22, and CCRF, were cultured and analyzed for MTT, LDH, apoptosis, and cycle cell gene expression in the presence of different dosages of Imatinib and Genistein in combination or separately.
Results: Data has shown a decrease in proliferation and an increase in apoptosis activity during combination treatment. LDH assay has shown no additional toxicity due to Genistein consumption in combination therapy. Analysis of the expression of responsible genes for cell cycle demonstrated both G1 (p53, p21 upregulation) and G2 (cdc25c downregulation) inhibitory effect in combination treatment.
Conclusion: Altogether, this study suggests thatthe combination treatment of Imatinib and Genistein for leukemia cells resistant to Imatinib can increase treatment efficiency.
Effects of Gold Nanoparticles on Proton Therapy for Breast Cancer
Authors: Ariyabod Elham , Hosseini Motlagh Seyedeh Nasrin , Mohammadi Saeed
Published: February 2022

Background: Beam therapy, the most common and successful treatment used after surgery, plays an important role in treating cancer. In proton therapy, proton beam (PB) particles irradiate the tumor. To enhance the treatment of breast tumors, gold nanoparticles (GNPS) can be injected into the tumor simultaneously as irradiating the PB.
Methods: This paper aims to simulate the treatment of breast tumors by using PBs and injecting GNPs with different concentrations simultaneously. We introduced the breast phantom (BP), then we irradiated it with a proton pencil beam, which is also injected with GNPs simultaneously. We used the GEANT4/ GATE7 (G4/G7) code to show the enhancement of the absorbed dose in the tumor.
Results: The findings of our simulations show that the location of the Bragg peak within the tumor shifts to higher depths with increasing energy. Also, by injecting GNPs in different amounts of 10, 25, 50, and 75 mg/ml with simultaneous irradiation of the PB, the rate of absorbed dose increases up to 1.75% compared to the non-injected state. Our results also show that the optimal range of proton energy that creates the Bragg peaks within the tumor is between 28 to 35 MeV, which causes the spread out of the Bragg peak. It should be noted that the amount of absorbed dose is affected by quantities such as total stopping power, average Coulomb scattering angle, CSDA range, and straggling range.
Conclusion: This work offers new insights based on the use of GNPS in the treatment of breast cancer through proton therapy and indicates that adding GNPS is a promising strategy to increase the killing of cancer cells while irradiating fast PBs. In fact, the results of this study confirm the ability of GNPs to enhance treatment by increasing the absorbed dose in breast tumors using proton therapy.
Transarterial Chemoembolization Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Can Early Diffusion Weighted Imaging Predict Response?
Authors: Asma Gulzar , Tahleel Shera , Omair Shah , Naseer Choh , Tariq Gojwari , Mudaisr Bhat , Shadab Maqsood
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE: We evaluated the role of early diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting response to TACE in patients with HCC and compare the results with contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
Methods: 24 patients with documented HCC were taken up for TACE after a pre-procedural contrast CT and MRI. Post procedural DWI was taken on day 5-7 and the mean ADC values were documented and compared to pre procedural values. The change in ADC values was grouped into 4 categories: group 1- <25%, group 2 26-50%, group 3- 51-75% and group 4- >75%. The increase in ADC values signifying response was correlated with 5 week CEMRI scan (which has been the traditional gold standard for response evaluation) and a threshold ADC increase signifying response in majority of the cases was calculated.
Results: The mean ADC of the lesions changed from 1.21× 10-3 (pre TACE) to 2.02× 10-3 mm2/sec (post TACE) [p<0.001]. Taking CE MRI as gold standard, DWI imaging had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 94.7% with a positive predictive value of 80%, negative predictive value of 94.7% and overall accuracy of 91.7%. Complete response was seen in19 (79%) and incomplete in 5 (21%) patients in our study. The change in ADC was significantly higher in responders (884.15 ± 161.60) as compared to non responders (564.80 ± 221.05) [p =0.001].
Conclusion: Early DWI after TACE can predict response of a HCC lesion to chemoembolization. The change in ADC values can earmark responders from non-responders. Early DWI results are concordant with CEMRI results in most of the cases. DWI can act as a substitute to CEMRI when contrast administration is not advised.