bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Approaches to Monitor the Risks of Not Achieving the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation and Its Regions
Authors:   Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Belyaevskaya-Plotnik Lyubov , Bocharova Lina ,   Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sorokina Natalia ,   Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: September 2021

The article presents a methodological approach to constructing limits for monitoring the risks of nonachievement of national development goals of the country and its regions. The study’s relevance lies in the fact that the implementation of the suggested approach in public administration will contribute to the implementation of an adequate assessment of the achievement of these goals at the federal level and the level of constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The solution to the problem of building the limit values “corridors” for risk monitoring of non-achievement of the country’s national development goals and regions is carried out on the methodological basis of the scenario approach with the use of indicative analysis. This allows setting the limit values “corridors” as a calculated range of fluctuations of the target indicator within its upper and lower limits. Using the suggested methodological approach, the boundary of the limit values for the indicator of the poverty level, which serves as a target indicator for the assessment of the national development goal “Population preservation, health and well-being of people” achievement is constructed. Based on the calculations obtained, as well as on the estimates of the indicator made for Krasnodar Krai and Astrakhan region, it is shown that the poverty targets defined by the national development goals and the corresponding regional strategies differ significantly from those obtained on the basis of the forecast, which determines the high risk of non-achievement the target values. The methodological approach suggested in the article makes it possible to promptly inform the management agent about the appearance of unfavorable or critical changes in the country’s social and economic development and to develop measures for the elimination of negative tendencies and support of positive trends in the achievement of national development goals.
Late follow-up of peripheral neural decompression in leprosy: functional and clinical outcomes
Authors: Tiago Liliane Marques de Pinho , Barbosa Maria Fernanda Ferreira , Santos Diogo Fernandes dos , Faria Adelmo Divino , Gonçalves Maria Aparecida , Costa Adeilson Vieira , Goulart Isabela Maria Bernardes
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Background: Peripheral neural surgical decompression (PNSD) is used as a complementary therapy to the clinical treatment of neuritis to preserve neural function. Objective: To evaluate the long-term (≥ 1 year) clinical and functional results for PNSD in leprosy neuritis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included leprosy patients who were in late postoperative period (LPO) of surgical decompression of ulnar, median, tibial, and fibular nerves. Socioeconomic, epidemiological, and clinical data were collected. The following instruments were used in this evaluation: visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4), SALSA scale, and simplified neurological assessment protocol. The preoperative (PrO) and 180-day postoperative (PO180) results were compared. Results: We evaluated 246 nerves from 90 patients: 56.6% were on multidrug therapy (MDT) and 43.3% discharged from MDT. Motor scores and pain intensity showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.01). There was an increase in sensory scores only for bilateral ulnar nerves (p<0.05). Of the operated cases, 26.0% of patients were referred for surgery of ulnar neuritis and 23.6% of tibial neuritis. Neuropathic pain was reported in 41% of cases. Daily dose of prednisone reduced from 39.6 mg (±3.0) in PrO, 16.3 mg (±5.2) in PO180, to 1.7 mg (±0.8) in LPO. The SALSA scale results showed mild activity limitation in 51% and moderate in 34% of patients. Eighty percent of individuals reported that the results reached their expectations. Conclusions: PNSD in leprosy was effective in the long term to decrease the prevalence and intensity of pain, improve motor function, and reduce the dose of corticosteroids, which is reflected in the patients’ satisfaction.
Regional brain atrophy is related to social cognition impairment in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Labbe Tomas P. , Montalba Cristian , Zurita Mariana , Ciampi Ethel Leslie , Cruz Juan Pablo , Vasquez Macarena , Uribe Sergio , Crossley Nicolás , Cárcamo Claudia
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Background: Multiple sclerosis exhibits specific neuropathological phenomena driving to both global and regional brain atrophy. At the clinical level, the disease is related to functional decline in cognitive domains as the working memory, processing speed, and verbal fluency. However, the compromise of social-cognitive abilities has concentrated some interest in recent years despite the available evidence suggesting the risk of disorganization in social life. Recent studies have used the MiniSEA test to assess the compromise of social cognition and have found relevant relationships with memory and executive functions, as well as with the level of global and regional brain atrophy. Objective: The present article aimed to identify structural changes related to socio-cognitive performance in a sample of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Methods: 68 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis Chilean patients and 50 healthy control subjects underwent MRI scans and neuropsychological evaluation including social-cognition tasks. Total brain, white matter, and gray matter volumes were estimated. Also, voxel-based morphometry was applied to evaluate regional structural changes. Results: Patients exhibited lower scores in all neuropsychological tests. Social cognition exhibited a significant decrease in this group mostly related to the declining social perception. Normalized brain volume and white matter volume were significantly decreased when compared to healthy subjects. The regional brain atrophy analysis showed that changes in the insular cortex and medial frontal cortices are significantly related to the variability of social-cognitive performance among patients. Conclusions: In the present study, social cognition was only correlated with the deterioration of verbal fluency, despite the fact that previous studies have reported its link with memory and executive functions. The identification of specific structural correlates supports the comprehension of this phenomenon as an independent source of cognitive disability in these patients.
Determinants of self-efficacy in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Estrada-Bellmann Ingrid , Meléndez-Flores Jesús Daniel , Cámara-Lemarroy Carlos Rodrigo , Castillo-Torres Sergio Andrés
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Background: Self-efficacy is the individual’s assessment of his or hers ability to complete a specific task successfully and has been closely related to self-management and quality of life in several diseases. Objective: To investigate self-efficacy in a population of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in Mexico and study the factors that are associated with this measure. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional observational study involving patients with PD in an outpatient neurology clinic in Mexico, using the following instruments: Spanish version of the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSES), Quality of Life Questionnaire PDQ-8, Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS). Clinical and demographic variables were also recorded. Results: We included 73 patients with a mean age of 65 years and most patients were male. Patients with lower CDSES scores (<7.75) had worse scores in MDS-UPDRS, NMSS, and PDQ-8 scales. CDSES scores were significantly correlated with MDS-UPDRS Part I (r=-0.497, p=<0.001), Part II (r= -0.271, p=0.020), Part III (r=-0.304, p=<0.001), PDQ-8 (r=-0.472, p=<0.001), and NMSS (r=-0.504, p=<0.001). Furthermore, when assessing the simultaneous effect of covariates associated with CDSES score, only Mood/Apathy domain of NMSS was significant (beta= -0.446, t= -3.807, p= 0.012). Conclusions: PD patients with lower self-efficacy scores had worse motor and non-motor symptomatology and quality of life. Mood/Apathy disorders were negatively associated with self-efficacy and contributed significantly to this measure.
Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in key cities of Brazil: a study in Passo Fundo, Southern Brazil
Authors: Passos Giordani Rodrigues dos , Becker Jefferson , Varela Daniel Lima , Fröhlich Alan Christmann , Rech Bruna Constantino , Mattos Ana Carolina Squeff de , Callegaro Dagoberto , Lana-Peixoto Marco Aurélio
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Background: To improve the comparability of multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence across Brazilian regions, the Brazilian Committee for Treatment and Research in MS has implemented a standardized approach to assess the prevalence of the disease in five key cities, which were deemed representative of their regions in terms of socio-geographical features and where in-person revision of each case was feasible. Objective: To report the point-prevalence of MS in Passo Fundo, one of the key cities in Southern Brazil. Methods: We sought to identify all MS patients who were living in Passo Fundo on July 1st, 2015. The primary source for case ascertainment was records from the offices of neurologists and neurosurgeons practicing in the city. Multiple secondary sources were used to maximize identification of cases. All patients underwent in-person review of the diagnosis by a panel of neurologists with experience in MS. Results: We identified 52 MS patients living in Passo Fundo on July 1st, 2015. The point-prevalence rate for MS was 26.4/100,000 population (95% confidence interval, 19.7 to 34.6/100,000). Among the MS cases, 42 (80.8%) were female, for a sex ratio of 4.2:1. Forty-six cases (88.5%) were categorized as relapsing-remitting MS, and the remaining 6 cases, as secondary progressive MS (11.5%). Other epidemiological and clinical features were comparable to national and international MS populations. Conclusions: The prevalence of MS in Passo Fundo is one of the highest reported in Brazil so far. Studies in other key Brazilian cities, using the same methodology, are currently being carried out.
Blood pressure behavior during mechanical thrombectomy and drugs used for conscious sedation or general anesthesia
Authors: Oliveira Ráissa Soraya Souza de , Ciarlariello Vinícius Boaratti , Martins Hanna Nery Ferraz , Lobato Michelle dos Santos , Miranda Renata Carolina Acri Nunes , Freitas Flávia Fernandes Manfredi de , Massaud Rodrigo Meirelles , Abud Thiago Giansante , Baccin Carlos Eduardo , Silva Gisele Sampaio
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Background: The optimal blood pressure (BP) during mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke is currently unclear. Objective: To investigate BP behavior during mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke and its relationship with drugs used for sedation or general anesthesia. Additionally, we investigated the association between BP oscillation during mechanical thrombectomy and recanalization status, and with functional outcome at discharge. Methods: Consecutive patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke were evaluated in a tertiary hospital from December/2009 to December/2015. Maximum, minimum, and mean systolic and diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressures were collected during the procedure. Sedative drugs were also reviewed. Results: Fifty-three patients with a mean age of 71.9 years (60.4% men) were treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The mean reduction in systolic BP and mean arterial pressure from hospital admission to mechanical thrombectomy were respectively 42 and 36 mmHg. During the procedure, oscillations were 50.4 mmHg for systolic, and 33.2 mmHg for diastolic BP. Patients treated with neuromuscular blocking drugs had more oscillation in systolic BP from hospital admission to procedure (51.1 versus 26.2 mmHg, P=0.06). The use of cisatracurium (43.9 versus 29.6 mmHg, P=0.02) and succinylcholine (44.7 versus 29.3 mmHg, P=0.01) were associated with a significant drop in BP during the procedure. Conclusions: Significant BP oscillation occurs during mechanical thrombectomy. Drugs used for conscious sedation or general anesthesia, specifically neuromuscular blocking agents, might have an influence upon BP levels.
A journey through the history of Neurogenetics
Authors: SILVA Thiago Yoshinaga Tonholo , PEDROSO José Luiz , FRANÇA JUNIOR Marcondes Cavalcante , BARSOTTINI Orlando Graziani Povoas
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Since the late 19th century, when several inherited neurological disorders were described, the close relationship between Neurology and heredity were well documented by several authors in a pre-genetic era. The term Neurogenetics came to integrate two large sciences and clinical practices: Neurology and Genetics. Neurogenetics is the emerging field that studies the correlation between genetic code and the development and function of the nervous system, including behavioral traits, personality and neurological diseases. In this historical note, a timeline shows the main events and contributors since the first reports of neurogenetic diseases until the current days. In the recent years, neurologists are experiencing much broader use of new genetic diagnosis techniques in clinical practice. Thus, new challenges are arising in diagnostic approach, ethical considerations, and therapeutic options. This article aims to summarize the main historical hallmarks of Neurogenetics, from the pre-DNA era to the present, and the future directions of the field.
The use of babosa (Aloe vera) in treating burns: a literature review
Authors: Zago L. R. , Prado K. , Benedito V. L. , Pereira M. M.
Published: September 2021

Abstract Alo vera is a centenary remedy use for minor wounds and burns, but its mechanism of wound healing has not been know since. This article will evaluate and gather evidence of the effectiveness and safety of the use of aloe vera in the treatment of burns. A systematic review was carried out on the databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, DECS, SCIELO, in the last 7 years, with the descriptors: “Aloe”, “Burns” and “treatment”. 16 articles were found. After using the exclusion criteria; research in non-humans and literature review; 5 articles were selected. The article Teplick et al. (2018) performed an in vitro clinical experiment in A. Vera solution, and demonstrated that there was proliferation and cell migration of human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes, in addition to being protective in the death of keratonocytes. That is, it accelerates the healing of wounds. Muangman et al. (2016), evaluated 50 patients with 20% of the total body surface area burned with second-degree burns, between 18-60 years old, with half of the group receiving gauze dressings with soft paraffin containing 0.5% chlorhexidine acetate and the other half receiving polyester dressings containing extracts of medicinal plants mainly Aloe Vera. It had positive results, a higher healing speed and shorter hospital stay compared to the control group. Hwang et al. (2015) investigated the antioxidant effects of different extracts from 2,4,6,8,12 months of Aloe Vera. And the 6-month concentrated extract of 0.25 mg / mL had a higher content of flavonoids (9.750 mg catechin equivalent / g extract) and polyphenols (23.375 mg gallic acid equivalent / g extract) and the greater ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.047 mM equivalent ferrous sulfate / mg extract), that is, greater potential for free radical scavenging and also a protective effect against oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), suggesting evidence of a bioactive potential of A. vera . However, in the article Kolacz et al. (2014) suggested as an alternative treatment the use of Aloe Vera dressing in combination with honey, lanolin, olive oil, wheat germ oil, marshmallow root, wormwood, comfrey root, white oak bark, lobelia inflata, glycerin vegetable oil, beeswax and myrrh, without obtaining significant and conclusive results that would allow the conventional treatment of burns to be subsidized. Finally, in the article by Zurita and Gallegos (2017), it carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study with 321 people, both sexes between 17-76 years of age, of an inductive nature, exploring the experience of this population and their behavioral attitudes regarding the treatment of dermatoses. Aloe vera had 13.8% cited by individuals in the treatment of acne and 33.6% in the treatment of burns. Even with evidence that suggests the efficacy in the treatment of burns with the use of Aloe Vera extract, further clinical trials with larger sample space on the use of Aloe vera dressings in medium burns are suggested for further conclusions.
Long-term effects of plant spacing on the growth and morphometry of Bertholletia excelsa
Authors: OLIVEIRA Rafael Gonçalves de , SOUZA Alex Soares de , SANTOS Victor Alexandre Hardt Ferreira dos , LIMA Roberval Monteiro Bezerra de , FERREIRA Marciel José
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Plant spacing is a potential driver of tree form and yield in forest plantations. However, its effects on the productivity of tree plantations in the Amazon are still little known. This study examined the effects of six spacing regimes (3 x 4, 4 x 4, 4 x 5, 5 x 5, 5 x 6, and 6 x 6 m) on the growth and morphometry of a 20-year-old plantation of Bertholletia excelsa. We observed high, spacing-independent survival (> 70%). For timber production purposes, intermediate and two large spacing regimes tended to higher values of yield components, mainly diameter, biomass, and volume, although some did not differ significantly from the smallest spacing. One of the intermediate spacings (5 x 5 m) tended to higher commercial height. Tree crowns tended to be wider and longer in the larger spacings, which indicates the potential of these regimes for fruit production. Tree crowns exceeded the vital growth space in all spacing regimes, which suggests the need for thinning before the age of 20 years in all spacings to reduce intraspecific competition and increase yield. We estimated that a density of 84 remaining trees per hectare would be necessary to reach an average diameter of 40 cm at the age of 20 years. Thus, B. excelsa had high survival in the tested range of spacing regimes, while the intermediate and the largest spacing regimes led to better tree growth and morphometry.
Putative poison gland in the thorny catfish Acanthodoras spinosissimus (Siluriformes: Doradidae)
Authors: SODRÉ Jefferson G. , COLAÇO-FERNANDES Talles R. , PY-DANIEL Lúcia H. RAPP , BIRINDELLI José L. O. , ZUANON Jansen
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Acanthodoras is the only genus of catfish known to secrete a conspicuous and abundant milky-looking substance through an axillary pore located just below the base of the posterior cleithral process. Despite this remarkable feature, there is no published information on the anatomical structures that produce the secretion and its possible biological/ecological functions. Dissection and histological analysis of preserved specimens of A. spinosissimus revealed the presence of a saccular axillary gland with large, binuclear secretory cells, similar to those found in other poisonous catfish. Secretory cells near the lumen appear to lose nuclei and become filled with secretory products, possibly with proteinaceous elements, as indicated by their eosinophilic appearance. As far as we know, the saccular morphology of the gland appears to constitute a unique characteristic of Acanthodoras among Doradidae catfishes. Further studies are necessary to determine the chemical composition of the secretion, as well as its possible uses by the catfish in its natural environment.
Age-friendly city: future perspectives for the Brazilian cities
Authors: Lopes Patricia de Oliveira , Silva Simone Rezende da , Silva Tathianni Cristini da , Fragoso Yara Dadalti , Zanesco Angelina
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT The world population is aging fast and not all cities are prepared to cope with the needs of the elderly people. Cities need to develop strategies for senior citizens including the aspects of health, nutrition, consumer protection, housing, transportation, environment, social welfare, income, employment, safety, and education. The World Health Organization (WHO) created a program dedicated to older adults called the age-friendly city. This program is about creating the environment and opportunities that enable older people to be and do what they value throughout their lives. Most of the elderly population lives in urban spaces, and aging represents a challenge as well as opportunities to the cities all over the world. Recently, only 16 Brazilian cities have received the seal of international certification by meeting the requirements stipulated by the WHO. In the State of Sao Paulo, only two cities have been qualified for this seal. Therefore, the aims of this article are (a) to provide a brief history of this important initiative taken by the WHO and (b) to urge the decision-makers of Brazilian municipalities to develop effective initiatives for their cities to be prepared for this demographic modification.
Deficits in emotion processing in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review
Authors: Silva Rogeria Cristina Rangel da , Carvalho Raquel Luíza Santos de , Dourado Marcia Cristina Nascimento
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Emotional processing involves the ability of the individual to infer emotional information. There is no consensus about how Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects emotional processing. Objective: Our aim is to systematically review the impact of AD on emotion processing. Methods: We conducted a search based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The literature search was performed using the electronic databases MEDLINE (PubMed) and Science Citation Index (Institute for Scientific Information [ISI]). The following descriptors were used in the review process: emotion or emotional processing, cognition or cognitive functions, and Alzheimer disease or Alzheimer’s disease. This systematic review was recorded in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number CRD42018115891. Results: We identified 425 articles, 19 of which met our criteria. Visual emotional stimuli were the most used among studies. Most studies used tasks of emotional naming, discrimination, identification, and correspondence. The results were contradictory. Many studies reported that individuals with AD were impaired on emotional perception tasks, while other results reported preserved skills. The relationship between emotional processing and cognition is also unclear. Some studies suggested that general cognitive performance affects performance in emotional perception tasks among people with AD, but other studies have shown deficits in recognizing emotion, regardless of cognitive performance. Conclusions: Studies are scarce, present contradictory results, and report impairment in emotional processing in relation to cognition. Moreover, the analyses of the correlation between emotion processing and cognitive functioning failed to reveal clear relationships.
Treatment of the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia: a narrative review
Authors: Gambogi Leandro Boson , Guimarães Henrique Cerqueira , Souza Leonardo Cruz de , Caramelli Paulo
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder accompanied by behavioral and personality changes and/or language deterioration. Its behavioral variant (bvFTD) is the main clinical presentation. Objective: This study aims to investigate the treatment alternatives for bvFTD available so far. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of bvFTD treatment options. We used PubMed and Lilacs databases with the terms “frontotemporal dementia” or “behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia” combined with “treatment,” “pharmacological treatment,” or “disease-modifying drugs.” Results: The articles retrieved and selected in the research pointed out that there is no specific treatment approved for bvFTD so far. The current proposals are limited to handle the cardinal behavioral symptoms of the disorder. Disease-modifying drugs are under development and may be promising, especially in the monogenic presentations of FTD. Conclusions: There are numerous approaches to treat the core symptoms of bvFTD, most of them based on low-quality research. To date, there are no drugs with a disease-specific therapeutic recommendation for bvFTD. Treatments are often investigated guided by primary psychiatric disorders with similar symptoms and should be chosen by the predominant symptom profile.
Neurological rehabilitation for a patient with chronic Rasmussen encephalitis: a case report
Authors: Sousa Nariana Mattos Figueiredo , Ribeiro Aidê Mascarenhas , Nunes Daniela Lino de Macedo
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT Rasmussen encephalitis is a rare disease consisting of a chronic, slowly progressive inflammatory reaction of brain tissues. The objective of this study was to describe the case of an 18-year-old female patient, studying on the fourth grade of elementary school, and right-handed, who underwent left hemispherectomy in a neurological rehabilitation program. Her seizures began at 10 years of age and were unresponsive to drug treatment, with functional repercussions. She underwent hemispherectomy in March 2019, with 7 years of ongoing disease, and was admitted for the rehabilitation program with a multidisciplinary team in June 2020. The quality-of-life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was applied as a comparison measure before and after the rehabilitation program, along with measures of participation on the program activities. Despite the patient’s short time in a rehabilitation program, data show the importance of an interdisciplinary intervention through the establishment of specific and contextualized objectives in chronic patients.
Communicative Function of Pointing and Expressive Vocabulary Acquisition
Authors: Bruckner Juliana Prieto , Costa Eliene Novais , Cardoso-Martins Cláudia
Published: September 2021

Abstract There is evidence of a strong association between the pointing gesture and early vocabulary acquisition. This study examined the extent to which this association is moderated by the communicative function of children’s pointing. A total of 35 children participated in the study. Their use of the pointing gesture and their expressive vocabulary were assessed at 13 and 18 months using the Early Social Communication Scales and the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory, respectively. The results of multiple linear regression analyses indicated that variations in the frequency of declarative pointing at 13 months significantly contributed to variations in vocabulary size at both 13 and 18 months, independently of variations in maternal education. In contrast, variations in the frequency of imperative pointing did not concurrently or longitudinally correlate with children’s vocabulary sizes. These results suggest that the relation between pointing and early vocabulary acquisition is moderated by the communicative function of the pointing gesture.
New anamorphic species of Pucciniales (Fungi, Basidiomycota) collected in the Itatiaia National Park, Brazil
Authors: Salazar-Yepes Mauricio , Carvalho Júnior Anibal Alves de
Published: September 2021

Abstract Eight new anamorphic species of Pucciniales belonging to the genera Aecidium, Caeoma, Malupa, Milesia, Physopella and Uredo are proposed. The new species were collected in the Itatiaia National Park in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the plant families Annonaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Menispermaceae, Salicaceae, Solanaceae and Verbenaceae.
The first microcapsule-based self-healing cement–bentonite cut-off wall materials
Authors: Cao Benyi , Souza Lívia , Wang Fei , Xu Jian , Litina Chrysoula , Al-Tabbaa Abir
Published: September 2021

Despite the extensive use of cement–bentonite in contaminated land containment applications, there are still many challenges related to durability. The development of self-healing cement–bentonite materials could provide more resilient, sustainable and reliable cut-off walls with significantly enhanced durability, reduced maintenance costs, enhanced safety and protection against sudden or undetected failure. The objective of this study was to develop self-healing cement–bentonite cut-off wall materials incorporating microcapsules. Microencapsulated sodium silicate, as a healing agent, would be released into cracks when the microcapsules rupture as a result of any damage incurred, and would react with the cement–bentonite matrix to fill and heal the cracks. Novel microcapsules with switchable mechanical properties developed for self-healing cement applications were employed here. The results demonstrated the enhanced average crack mouth healing and recovered permeability performance provided by the microcapsules compared to control cement–bentonite samples. X-ray microcomputed tomography and scanning electron microscopy were applied to investigate the self-healing process of the microcapsule-containing cement–bentonite system. The microstructural analysis confirmed the survivability, uniform dispersion and crack-triggered rupture of the microcapsules, as well as the release of the healing agent and the generation of hydration products within the cracks. These are promising results for the application of the microcapsule-based system for self-healing cement–bentonite cut-off wall materials.
The initial fabric of undisturbed and reconstituted fluvial sand
Authors: Quinteros V. Santiago , Carraro J. Antonio H.
Published: September 2021

High-quality undisturbed samples of fluvial sand were obtained from the field using the ground freezing technique. In the laboratory, the in situ void ratio of these high-quality undisturbed frozen samples was replicated using four different reconstitution methods: dry deposition, moist tamping, water sedimentation (by spooning) and slurry deposition. The initial fabric of the specimens was evaluated using X-ray micro-computed tomography and advanced image analysis. Initial fabric features were assessed in terms of the particle orientation, anisotropy, void ratio distribution and particle sizes within the specimens. Fabric analysis results suggest that none of the laboratory reconstitution techniques used captures the true three-dimensional initial fabric of undisturbed fluvial sand. However, the slurry deposition method managed to reproduce the inherent particle orientation, anisotropy and the variations of void ratio and particle sizes of the undisturbed fluvial sand. This observation explains why previous rigorous studies on the macro-mechanical behaviour of sands deposited under water have systematically demonstrated that slurry deposition is the most suitable method to reconstitute in the laboratory natural sands deposited under water. This has major implications for geotechnical testing and analyses of liquefaction of sands deposited under water such as fluvial, offshore and tailings sands.
Vacuum Versus Open Air Storage for Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Seed Longevity with Low Temperature and Seed Moisture Content Over 48 Months
Authors: YILDIRIM Kutay Coşkun , ÖZTÜRK Aysun , DEMİR İbrahim
Published: September 2021

This study was carried out to test the effect of vacuum and open-air storage on seed germination, oil content, and sugar contents of four pepper cultivars. Seeds were stored at 13°C with 35% relative humidity over 48 months in vacuum packets or in perforated cheese cloth in a storage room. Seed samples were examined at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months. Seed germination, oil content and sugar contents were determined. Seed germination declined gradually as storage time extended. Vacuum storage had significantly higher (P<0.05) germination than oxygen storage after 48 months of storage for all cultivars. Differences between the two storage methods were not significant for the other samples, except Yaglik in which vacuum storage had higher values from 24 months onwards during storage. Total oil content declined in all cultivars but the decline was faster in seeds stored in the open air. A similar trend was also observed for sugar contents. Seeds stored in the presence of oxygen lost sugar content faster than vacuum-stored seeds. Results indicated that storage with vacuum conditions (no oxygen) extended the longevity of pepper seeds.
The structure of plural last names in Spanish and other languages
Authors: Camacho José
Published: September 2021

An associative plural functional head is proposed for Spanish plural last names. Spanish plural last name noun phrases appear with a plural determiner and a singular or plural noun. Last names marked as singular are interpreted as a group, whereas plural ones are interpreted as collection of individuals (additive reading), although both pattern like fully plural DPs. Based on a comparison with first names, I propose that last names involve a null nominal head that encodes the meaning ‘group’, dominated by an plural category, which is realized as the plural morpheme on the determiner. When the last name is plural, a second plural-like category NUM head, located in the lower part of the structure and shared with common nouns, forces the additive reading. The last name number patterns are shown to be similar to those of N-N compounds, this parallelism is derived from a common underlying semantic predication, realized as a relator phrase. The paper also surveys crosslinguistic pluralization patterns, proposing potential patterns of variation: the presence/absence of the null nominal and the structural location of the associative plural head.
An Alternative Rationalisation of Creative AI by De-Familiarising Creativity: Towards an Intelligibility of Its Own Terms
Authors: Ng Jenna
Published: September 2021

AI algorithms today generate creative decisions, such as on note, word or paint placement, out of processing a dataset it receives and, most significantly, in ways not entirely understandable to humans. Where we can thus say AI is being ‘creative’, how, then, may we understand so critical a touchstone of humanness when its creativity seemingly manifests with opacity and unintelligibility? This chapter draws from rationalisations of media to propose a framework of de-familiarisation for the paradoxical task of rationalising technology on its own terms, rather than in comparisons against human abilities. This framework will be analogised out of theorisations of the marionette by Herbert von Kleist (1810) and of the camera via Russian filmmaker Dziga Vertov’s (1923) writings on cinema. It will then be applied to re-think creative AI via the case study of AlphaGo, which made history in 2015 by becoming the first computer programme to beat a human professional player at the game Go. This alternative approach to understanding algorithms thus suggests a different dimension to understanding AI – not one made on human terms, but as a paradoxically impossible approach of the algorithmic being humanly intelligible on its own terms.
AI Ethics Needs Good Data
Authors: Daly Angela , Devitt S. Kate , Mann Monique
Published: September 2021

Arguing that discourses on AI must engage with power and political economy this chapter, in particular, makes the case that we must move beyond the depoliticised language of ‘ethics’ currently deployed in determining whether AI is ‘good’ given the limitations of ethics as a frame through which AI issues can be viewed. In order to circumvent these limits, we use instead the language and conceptualisation of ‘Good Data’ which we view as a more expansive term to elucidate the values, rights and interests at stake when it comes to AI’s development and deployment. These considerations include, but go beyond privacy, as well as fairness, transparency and accountability to include explicit political economy critiques of power.
The Social Reconfiguration of Artificial Intelligence: Utility and Feasibility
Authors: Steinhoff James
Published: September 2021

Arguing that any discussion of 'AI for everyone' needs to be situated within the context of the highly oligopolistic AI Industry the author argues that one should distinguish between the desirability of AI for everyone and the feasibility of AI for everyone. While several Marxian thinkers have argued for the social desirability of AI, the feasibility of an AI for everyone has not been explored. This paper explores this topic by drawing on the notion of ’reconfiguration’ elaborated first by Jasper Bernes in a critical assessment of logistics infrastructure. First, the reconfiguration thesis is reviewed. Second, it is assessed whether AI might be ‘seized’ by non-capital, and how, if wrested from capital, it might be operated. This reveals how contemporary AI differs from the industrial means of production studied by Marx. The chapter concludes that today, a reconfiguration of AI towards social ends seems difficult at best.
Beyond Mechanical Turk: The Work of Brazilians on Global AI Platforms
Authors: Grohmann Rafael , Araújo Willian Fernandes
Published: September 2021

The aim of this chapter is to analyse the micro-work of Brazilians on global artificial intelligence platforms. In context of platformisation of labour, we show that artificial intelligence still requires a lot of human work, leading to global value chains and a global gig economy. In a digital economy, there are inequalities involving local workers and global platforms. At present, however, most research on micro-work focuses on the Global North. Latin America remains a blindspot. This research investigates the micro-work of Brazilians on two specific platforms, Appen and Lionbridge. This research reveal that micro-work is closely intertwined with the historical informality of labour in the country, a gig economy that existed prior to digital labor itself. There is no ‘digital labour universalism’. Rather, there is an AI colonialism reinforcing North–South inequalities from a platform labour perspective.
Towards Data Justice Unionism? A Labour Perspective on AI Governance
Authors: Dencik Lina
Published: September 2021

The dual occurrences of constant data collection and use of artificial and autonomous systems in the workplace are having a profound impact on workers’ lives. Workers are subjected to constant surveillance that not only monitor worker productivity but factors unrelated to work. At the same time, machine learning systems are using these data to transform how work is being allocated, assessed and completed and as a result, worker lives and value in the workplace and beyond. Yet governance frameworks for AI have thus far been advanced with a noticeable absence of worker voice, unions, and labour perspectives. In this chapter I will discuss how concerns about data and data infrastructures need to be situated as part of a workers’ rights agenda, the role of the labour movement in advancing alternative governance frameworks, and the potential for data justice unionism.
TÜRKİYE’NİN BÜYÜK SANAYİ KURULUŞLARININ İNSAN KAYNAKLARI YÖNETİMİ YAKLAŞIMLARI: İSO 500’E İLİŞKİN NİTEL BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: GERÇEK Merve
Published: September 2021

İnsan Kaynakları Yönetimi (İKY), örgütsel hedeflere ulaşmak için doğru nitelikte ve nicelikte insan kaynağını elde etme, geliştirme, değerlendirme, ödüllendirme ve elde tutmaya ilişkin sistematik faaliyetleri içeren “insan odaklı” bir yönetim felsefesidir. İKY’nin kuramsal yönelimlerinin işletmelerde uygulamaya yansıma biçimleri, akademisyenlerin ve uygulayıcıların üzerinde çalıştığı konulardandır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, İstanbul Sanayi Odası (İSO) tarafından her yıl belirlenen Türkiye’nin en büyük 500 sanayi kuruluşu listesine 2019 yılında giren işletmelerin kurumsal internet sitelerinde İKY faaliyetleri ile ilgili açıklamalardaki kavramların belirlenmesidir. Bu amaçla, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden belge incelemesi yöntemi kullanılmış, kurumsal internet sayfalarında İKY’ye ilişkin açıklamalara ulaşılabilen 302 sanayi kuruluşundan elde edilen veriler içerik analizi ile incelenmiştir. Yapılan içerik analizi sonucunda, İKY hakkındaki bilgilerin hangi başlıklar altında toplandığı, İKY’nin stratejik boyutuna yönelik anahtar kavramların tekrarlanma sıklığı ve İKY uygulamalarının isimlendirilmeleri ile ilgili sonuçlara ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca örgüt kültürü, örgüt ve İKY amaçları, örgüt ve İKY yapıları, örgütlerin çalışanlardan beklentileri, örgütlerin çalışanlara sunmayı belirttikleri unsurlara yönelik öne çıkan kavramlar detaylı şekilde belirlenmiştir. Genel olarak en sık tekrarlanan kelimelerin/kelime gruplarının “kurum stratejileri”, “takım çalışması”, “gelişim odaklılık”, “en değerli kaynak insan”, “yaratıcılık” ve “yenilikçilik” olduğu belirlenmiştir.
A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE PLANT HEALTH (PHYTOSANITARY) BILL’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE SALIENT ASPECTS OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
Authors: Clive Vinti
Published: September 2021

This paper juxtaposes the long-mooted Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Bill with its corollary, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). Firstly, this paper finds that the Bill creates an ambiguity by including in the definition of “phytosanitary measures”, those “measures, regulations or procedures that limit the economic impact of regulated non-quarantine pests”, without any guidance on the relevant factors to be considered in this regard. Secondly, it is found that the Bill explicitly establishes the requirement that the new phytosanitary regime is based on “scientific principles”. Thirdly, the paper argues that the Bill also establishes the general rule that makes “sufficient science” the basis of any phytosanitary measure in conformity with South Africa’s core obligations under the SPS. Fourthly, this paper finds that the Bill contravenes Article 5.7 of the SPS in that it provides for the implementation of the so-called “emergency and provisional measures” by the competent authority as an exception to the “sufficient science” rule, without any of the necessary safeguards created by Article 5.7. Lastly, the paper finds that the Bill has unduly shifted the primary burden of preventing the entry and establishment of a pest, from the competent authority to the “user of land”.
A network of global monitoring of positions of geostationary satellites by their payload radio signals
Authors: KALIUZHNYI M , ZHANG Z , BEZRUKOVS V , BUSHUEV F , SHULGA O , REZNICHENKO O , BRYUKHOVETSKY A , MALYNOVSKYI Y , BIRYUKOV I
Published: September 2021

Continuous high-precision non-invasive tracking of active geostationary satellites is an urgent need. The solution to this problem may be the creation of simple VLBI networks. The main method of functioning of such networks is the passive correlation ranging (PaCoRa). The ESA project PaCoRa was executed by Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIC) and SES during the years 2010-2013. The simple VLBI network consisting of 5 stations has been in operation in Ukraine and Latvia since 2015. The Chinese network consisting of 4 stations started observations in June 2019. The networks have identical hardware and software. The synchronizing error is 20 ns, which
causes the accuracy of satellite coordinates determination at a level of 200 m. The simple VLBI network proposed for the global monitoring of active geostationary satellites may consist of clusters. The list of works on upgrading existing networks is presented to reduce the measurement error and ensure complete automation of the networks operation.
Preparation of polygalacturonic acid (PGA) to study virulence in Erwinia/Pectobacterium v1
Authors: Nadal Jimenez Pol , S. Valente Rita
Published: September 2021

This medium is used for the growth of Erwinia/Pectobacterium species to ensure that virulence genes are turned ON. These bacteria turn on virulence (plant cell-wall degrading enzymes = PCWDEs) in response to various environmental signals. One of these signals is of plant origin, and it is thought to allow the bacterium to determine whether it has located a potential plant host. These plant signals are sensed by the bacterial sensor/regulator KdgR.
Clinical case of endometrial cancer in a patient with complete doubling of the uterus and cervix
Authors: Chernyshova A. L. , Коlomiets L. A. , Truschuk Yu. M.
Published: September 2021

A clinical case of endometrial cancer in a patient with complete doubling of the cervix and the body of the uterus is presented. The combination of this pathology is quite rare and is often accompanied by difficulties in timely diagnosis and choice of treatment tactics. The article presents an analysis of studies to identify similarities and differences in the clinical and morphological characteristics and prognosis of endometrial cancer associated with uterine abnormalities. This clinical case clearly demonstrates the features of the clinical course of endometrial cancer against the background of a congenital abnormality of the uterus. The standard combined treatment performed showed a good result and a satisfactory quality of life for the patient.
Lesions of the breast with uncertain malignant potential
Authors: Vуsotskaya I. V. , Gladilina I. A. , Kirsanov V. Yu. , Ponedelnikova N. V. , Kim E. A. , Ponomarev V. E.
Published: September 2021

The article deals with a peculiar group of breast diseases, which belongs to the B3 category according to the BI-RADS classification, the so-called lesions with undefined malignant potential. The basic information concerning their biological behavior and modern tactical approaches to the management of patients with similar changes in the mammary gland are presented. The possibility of conservative management, as well as the minimization of surgical aid, in cases of indications for it, up to vacuum aspiration biopsy is being considered. In addition, the significance of these diseases for the subsequent development of pre-invasive and infiltrative cancer is discussed.
Cystic lymphangioma of the breast. First case in Russian clinical practice
Authors: Zikiryahodzhaev A. D. , Saribekyan E. K. , Rasskazova E. A. , Ortabaeva D. R. , Omarova D. R. , Prokopenko S. P. , Goeva N. S.
Published: September 2021

In this article, we review of the existing literature on cystic lymphangiomas and report a case of cystic lymphangioma of the breast in an 83‑year-old patient. This case required differential diagnosis between infiltrative cancer and cystic lymphangioma of the breast. The patient has undergone surgery (tumor removal). No complications were observed.
Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with advanced forms of invasive cervical cancer and morphological features of their tumors
Authors: Protasova A. E. , Lyashchenko V. A.
Published: September 2021

Due to the availability of effective primary prevention methods and screening strategies, cervical cancer is one of the pre-ventable malignancies. Death rates from cervical cancer remain high. Moreover, in most cases, the tumor is detected at advanced stages. It creates the problem of finding the reasons for the late primary diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer. The article discusses issues related to the characteristics of the main histological types of cervical cancer from the standpoint of the clinical, morphological and socio-demographic characteristics of the profiles of patients with advanced disease. The current understanding of the factors associated with late primary diagnosis of cervical cancer at advanced stages is highlighted.