bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammation-induced TRPV4 channels exacerbate blood–brain barrier dysfunction in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hansen Cathrin E. , Kamermans Alwin , Mol Kevin , Berve Kristina , Rodriguez-Mogeda Carla , Fung Wing Ka , van het Hof Bert , Fontijn Ruud D. , van der Pol Susanne M. A. , Michalick Laura , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Kenkhuis Boyd , van Roon-Mom Willeke , Liedtke Wolfgang , Engelhardt Britta , Kooij Gijs , Witte Maarten E. , de Vries Helga E.
Published: March 2024

Background

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and immune cell migration into the central nervous system (CNS) are pathogenic drivers of multiple sclerosis (MS). Ways to reinstate BBB function and subsequently limit neuroinflammation present promising strategies to restrict disease progression. However, to date, the molecular players directing BBB impairment in MS remain poorly understood. One suggested candidate to impact BBB function is the transient receptor potential vanilloid-type 4 ion channel (TRPV4), but its specific role in MS pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of TRPV4 in BBB dysfunction in MS.

Main text

In human post-mortem MS brain tissue, we observed a region-specific increase in endothelial TRPV4 expression around mixed active/inactive lesions, which coincided with perivascular microglia enrichment in the same area. Using in vitro models, we identified that microglia-derived tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) induced brain endothelial TRPV4 expression. Also, we found that TRPV4 levels influenced brain endothelial barrier formation via expression of the brain endothelial tight junction molecule claudin-5. In contrast, during an inflammatory insult, TRPV4 promoted a pathological endothelial molecular signature, as evidenced by enhanced expression of inflammatory mediators and cell adhesion molecules. Moreover, TRPV4 activity mediated T cell extravasation across the brain endothelium.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest a novel role for endothelial TRPV4 in MS, in which enhanced expression contributes to MS pathogenesis by driving BBB dysfunction and immune cell migration.
Predictive factors of thoracic aortic calcification in patients candidate for cardiac surgery
Authors: Bagheri Amin , Shirani Shapour , Jalali Arash , Salehbeigi Shahrzad , Bagheri Jamshid
Published: March 2024

Background

The presence of the severe thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) in cardiac surgery patients is associated with adverse post-operative outcome. However, the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and aortic plaque burden remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive factors of TAC in patients candidate for cardiac surgery.

Methods

Patients who underwent thoracic CT scan prior to cardiac surgery between August 2020 to April 2021 were included. Of 556 patients, 209 (36.7%) had a thoracic aortic calcium score (TACS) ≥ 400 mm [3] and were compare with the remaining patients. Predictors of severe TAC were assessed through stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

The patients with TACS ≥ 400 had a higher mean age (67.3 ± 7.1 vs. 55.7 ± 10.6; p < 0.001) with a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus (40.7% vs. 30.8%; p = 0.018), dyslipidemia (49.8% vs. 38.6%; p = 0.010), hypertension (60.8% vs. 44.7%; p < 0.001), opium addiction (18.2% vs. 11.2%; p = 0.023), peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (7.7% vs. 2.3%; p = 0.005) as compared with TACS < 400. The multiple determinants of TAC were PVD (OR = 2.86) followed by opium addiction, diabetes and age.

Conclusions

Thoracic CT scan prior to cardiac surgery for patients with older age, diabetes, opium addiction and PVD is recommended. Our study could serve as a foundation for future research endeavors aimed at establishing a risk score for TAC.
Breath metabolomics for diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Zhang Shiqi , Hagens Laura A. , Heijnen Nanon F. L. , Smit Marry R. , Brinkman Paul , Fenn Dominic , van der Poll Tom , Schultz Marcus J. , Bergmans Dennis C. J. J. , Schnabel Ronny M. , Bos Lieuwe D. J. ,   for the DARTS Consortium, Bos Lieuwe D. J. , Hagens Laura A. , Schultz Marcus J. , Smit Marry R. , Bergmans Dennis C. J. J. , Heijnen Nanon F. L. , Schnabel Ronny M. , Geven Inge , Nijsen Tamara M. E. , Verschueren Alwin R. M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) poses challenges in early identification. Exhaled breath contains metabolites reflective of pulmonary inflammation.

Aim

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of breath metabolites for ARDS in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

This two-center observational study included critically ill patients receiving invasive ventilation. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to quantify the exhaled metabolites. The Berlin definition of ARDS was assessed by three experts to categorize all patients into “certain ARDS”, “certain no ARDS” and “uncertain ARDS” groups. The patients with “certain” labels from one hospital formed the derivation cohort used to train a classifier built based on the five most significant breath metabolites. The diagnostic accuracy of the classifier was assessed in all patients from the second hospital and combined with the lung injury prediction score (LIPS).

Results

A total of 499 patients were included in this study. Three hundred fifty-seven patients were included in the derivation cohort (60 with certain ARDS; 17%), and 142 patients in the validation cohort (47 with certain ARDS; 33%). The metabolites 1-methylpyrrole, 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene, methoxyacetic acid, 2-methylfuran and 2-methyl-1-propanol were included in the classifier. The classifier had an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROCC) of 0.71 (CI 0.63–0.78) in the derivation cohort and 0.63 (CI 0.52–0.74) in the validation cohort. Combining the breath test with the LIPS does not significantly enhance the diagnostic performance.

Conclusion

An exhaled breath metabolomics-based classifier has moderate diagnostic accuracy for ARDS but was not sufficiently accurate for clinical use, even after combination with a clinical prediction score.
Comparing silver and gold nanoislands’ surface plasmon resonance for bisacodyl and its metabolite quantification in human plasma
Authors: Kelani Khadiga M. , Ibrahim Maha M. , Ramadan Nesreen K. , Elzanfaly Eman S. , Eid Sherif M.
Published: March 2024

Gold and silver nanoparticles have witnessed increased scientific interest due to their colourful colloidal solutions and exceptional applications. Comparing the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of gold and silver nanoparticles is crucial for understanding and optimizing their optical properties. This comparison informs the design of highly sensitive plasmonic sensors, aids in selecting the most suitable nanoparticles for applications like surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy (SEIRA) and biomedical imaging, and guides the choice between gold and silver nanoparticles based on their catalytic and photothermal properties. Ultimately, the study of LSPR facilitates the tailored use of these nanoparticles in diverse scientific and technological applications. Two SEIRA methods combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR) chemometric tools were developed. This development is based on the synthesis of homogeneous, high-dense deposited metal nanoparticle islands over the surface of glass substrates to be used as lab-on-chip SEIRA sensors for the determination of bisacodyl (BIS) and its active metabolite in plasma. SEM micrographs revealed the formation of metallic islands of colloidal citrate-capped gold and silver nanoparticles of average sizes of 29.7 and 15 nm, respectively. BIS and its active metabolite were placed on the nanoparticles’ coated substrates to be directly measured, then PLSR chemometric modelling was used for the quantitative determinations. Plasmonic citrate-capped gold nanoparticle substrates showed better performance than those prepared using citrate-capped silver nanoparticles in terms of preparation time, enhancement factor, PLSR model prediction, and quantitative results. This study offers a way to determine BIS and its active metabolite in the concentration range 15–240 ng/mL in human plasma using inexpensive disposable glass-coated substrates that can be prepared in 1 h to get results in seconds with good recovery between 98.77 and 100.64%. The sensors provided fast, simple, selective, molecular-specific and inexpensive procedures to determine molecules in their pure form and biological fluid.
Navigating the metabolic maze: anomalies in fatty acid and cholesterol processes in Alzheimer’s astrocytes
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Chen Chuanying , Liu Yi
Published: March 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and its underlying mechanisms have been a subject of great interest. The mainstream theory of AD pathology suggests that the disease is primarily associated with tau protein and amyloid-beta (Aβ). However, an increasing body of research has revealed that abnormalities in lipid metabolism may be an important event throughout the pathophysiology of AD. Astrocytes, as important members of the lipid metabolism network in the brain, play a significant role in this event. The study of abnormal lipid metabolism in astrocytes provides a new perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of AD. This review focuses on the abnormal metabolism of fatty acids (FAs) and cholesterol in astrocytes in AD, and discusses it from three perspectives: lipid uptake, intracellular breakdown or synthesis metabolism, and efflux transport. We found that, despite the accumulation of their own fatty acids, astrocytes cannot efficiently uptake fatty acids from neurons, leading to fatty acid accumulation within neurons and resulting in lipotoxicity. In terms of cholesterol metabolism, astrocytes exhibit a decrease in endogenous synthesis due to the accumulation of exogenous cholesterol. Through a thorough investigation of these metabolic abnormalities, we can provide new insights for future therapeutic strategies by literature review to navigate this complex metabolic maze and bring hope to patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The role of molecular diagnosis in anaphylactic patients with dual or triple-sensitization to Hymenoptera venoms
Authors: Bemanian Mohammad Hassan , Shokouhi Shoormasti Raheleh , Arshi Saba , Jafari Mahsa , Shokri Sima , Fallahpour Morteza , Nabavi Mohammad , Zaremehrjardi Fatemeh
Published: March 2024

Background

The poly-sensitization to Hymenoptera venom makes it difficult to select genuine allergens for immunotherapy and increases patients’ costs. The objective of this study was to determine the culprit allergen in dual or triple-sensitized patients to three Hymenoptera venoms through molecular diagnosis and evaluating the results of incorporating the molecular diagnosis with skin tests.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with anaphylactic reactions and dual or triple-sensitization to Hymenoptera venoms in skin tests entered this study. IgE-sensitization to whole extracts and molecules of Apis mellifera (Api m), Vespula vulgaris (Ves v), and Polistes dominulus (Pol d) was evaluated utilizing ALEX or ImmunoCAP.

Results

Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) were male. IgE-sensitization to at least one of the allergenic molecules related to Apis mellifera, Vespula vulgaris, and Polistes dominulus was seen in 59.4, 53.1, and 21.9%, respectively. Among 32 patients, 14 (43.8) and 8 (25%), were mono-sensitized to Api m and Ves v components in ALEX, respectively. Double sensitization to Hymenoptera was identified in 18.8% of patients in ALEX. Api m 1+/Api m 2−/Api m 10− and Ves v 1+/Ves v 5+ demonstrated the most prevalent sensitizations patterns in our patients.

Conclusions

The molecular diagnosis of IgE-sensitization to Hymenoptera venoms can be valuable, especially in patients who show dual or triple-sensitization in skin tests, as the ALEX results revealed mono and double-sensitization to Hymenoptera venoms in 22 and 6 patients, respectively. Regarding the high cost and adverse reactions of venom immunotherapy, especially for two or three venoms, incorporating the molecular diagnosis alongside skin tests for accurate diagnosis of the culprit venom could help decrease costs for patients.
Circ_0070934 promotes MGAT3 expression and inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bronchial epithelial cells by sponging miR-199a-5p
Authors: Ding Ziqi , Xiao Xinru , Fan Liang , Mao Zhengdao , Sun Chuang , Li Na , Zhang Qian
Published: March 2024

Background

Circular RNA (circRNA) has the potential to serve as a crucial regulator in the progression of bronchial asthma. The objective of this investigation was to elucidate the functional dynamics of the circ_0070934/miR-199a-5p/Mannoside acetylglucosaminyltransferase 3 (MGAT3) axis in the development of asthma.

Methods

Circ_0070934, miR-199a-5p and MGAT3 in peripheral venous blood of 38 asthmatic patients and 43 healthy controls were detected by qRT-PCR, and the expression of MGAT3 protein was examined by ELISA. The GSE148000 dataset was analyzed for differences in MGAT3. The BEAS-2B cells were transfected with circ_0070934 plasmid and small interfering RNA, miR-199a-5p mimics and inhibitors. The apoptosis level was detected by flow cytometry and MGAT3 was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin was examined by Western blot. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 were used to co-stimulate BEAS-2B cells as an asthmatic airway epithelial cell model. BEAS-2B cells exposed to type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) were treated with circ_0070934 plasmid, and the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin was detected by Western blot. The binding relationships were verified using dual-luciferase reporter assay and miRNA pull-down assay.

Results

The expression of circ_0070934 and MGAT3 in peripheral venous blood of asthmatic patients was down-regulated, and the expression of miR-199a-5p was up-regulated. And the expression of MGAT3 was reduced in sputum of asthma patients. Down-regulating the expression of circ_0070934 could promote apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells and increase epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and this effect can be partially reversed by down-regulating miR-199a-5p. Circ_0070934 could inhibit the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by IL-4 and IL-13 in BEAS-2B cells. In addition, miR-199a-5p could respectively bind to circ_0070934 and MGAT3.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that circ_0070934 may function as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-199a-5p, thereby modulating the expression of MGAT3 and impacting the process of EMT in bronchial epithelial cells. These results contribute to the establishment of a theoretical framework for advancing the prevention and treatment strategies for asthma.
Partial facial duplication (diprosopus): a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Salah Fathia Omer , Zewdie Yohannes Girma , Ambachew Semienew , Nour Amal Saleh , Endale Tewodros
Published: March 2024

Background

Diprosopus, or craniofacial duplication, is a rare entity that occurs in approximately 1 in 180,000 to 15 million live births. The degree of duplication varies from complete facial duplication to small facial structure duplication like the nose and eye. The cause of diprosopus is unknown though there are proposed factors.

Case presentation

Our African patient was a term 72 hours old female neonate who was referred to our center with impression of lower facial duplication with two oral cavity that are located side to side separated by large soft tissue, she also had flat nasal bridge with widely separated nostrils and widely spaced eyes. Besides the facial malformation she had multiple episodes of vomiting with aspiration. Her blood tests were normal. Precontract brain computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed partially duplicated mandible and maxilla, two oral cavity separated by large fatty tissue, brain tissue were well formed and the only abnormality was corpus callosum agenesis and interhemispheric lipoma. In her stay at hospital nasogastric tube (NG) tube feed was initiated and started with antibiotics for aspiration pneumonia. After 25th day the neonatal passed away with possible cause of death being respiratory failure.

Conclusion

Craniofacial duplication is a very rare anomaly with only a few cases reported. Most of these patients are stillborn, even if they survive the prognosis is often poor. Early prenatal diagnosis is very important as termination of pregnancy can sometimes be considered an option.
Learning manifolds from non-stationary streams
Authors: Mahapatra Suchismit , Chandola Varun
Published: March 2024

Streaming adaptations of manifold learning based dimensionality reduction methods, such asIsomap, are based on the assumption that a small initial batch of observations is enough for exact learning of the manifold, while remaining streaming data instances can be cheaply mapped to this manifold. However, there are no theoretical results to show that this core assumption is valid. Moreover, such methods typically assume that the underlying data distribution is stationary and are not equipped to detect, or handle, sudden changes or gradual drifts in the distribution that may occur when the data is streaming. We present theoretical results to show that the quality of a manifold asymptotically converges as the size of data increases. We then show that a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model, that uses a manifold-specific kernel function and is trained on an initial batch of sufficient size, can closely approximate the state-of-art streaming Isomap algorithms, and the predictive variance obtained from the GPR prediction can be employed as an effective detector of changes in the underlying data distribution. Results on several synthetic and real data sets show that the resulting algorithm can effectively learn lower dimensional representation of high dimensional data in a streaming setting, while identifying shifts in the generative distribution. For instance, key findings on a Gas sensor array data set show that our method can detect changes in the underlying data stream, triggered due to real-world factors, such as introduction of a new gas in the system, while efficiently mapping data on a low-dimensional manifold.
Developing and testing a produce prescription implementation blueprint to improve food security in a clinical setting: a pilot study protocol
Authors: Frank Hannah E. , Guzman Linda E. , Ayalasomayajula Shivani , Albanese Ariana , Dunklee Brady , Harvey Matthew , Bouchard Kelly , Vadiveloo Maya , Yaroch Amy L. , Scott Kelli , Tovar Alison
Published: March 2024

Background

Food insecurity is common in the United States, especially in Rhode Island, where it affects up to 33% of residents. Food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes and disproportionally affects people from minoritized backgrounds. Produce prescription programs, in which healthcare providers write “prescriptions” for free or reduced cost vegetables, have been used to address food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease. Although there is growing evidence for the effectiveness of produce prescription programs in improving food security and diet quality, there have been few efforts to use implementation science methods to improve the adoption of these programs.

Methods

This two-phase pilot study will examine determinants and preliminary implementation and effectiveness outcomes for an existing produce prescription program. The existing program is funded by an Accountable Care Organization in Rhode Island and delivered in primary care practices. For the first phase, we conducted a formative evaluation, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research 2.0, to assess barriers, facilitators, and existing implementation strategies for the produce prescription program. Responses from the formative evaluation were analyzed using a rapid qualitative analytic approach to yield a summary of existing barriers and facilitators. In the second phase, we presented our formative evaluation findings to a community advisory board consisting of primary care staff, Accountable Care Organization staff, and staff who source and deliver the vegetables. The community advisory board used this information to identify and refine a set of implementation strategies to support the adoption of the program via an implementation blueprint. Guided by the implementation blueprint, we will conduct a single-arm pilot study to assess implementation antecedents (i.e., feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, implementation climate, implementation readiness), implementation outcomes (i.e., adoption), and preliminary program effectiveness (i.e., food and nutrition security). The first phase is complete, and the second phase is ongoing.

Discussion

This study will advance the existing literature on produce prescription programs by formally assessing implementation determinants and developing a tailored set of implementation strategies to address identified barriers. Results from this study will inform a future fully powered hybrid type 3 study that will use the tailored implementation strategies and assess implementation and effectiveness outcomes for a produce prescription program.

Trial registration

Clinical trials: NCT05941403, Registered June 9, 2023.
Off-label use of muscular VSD device for closure of a rare congenital portosystemic shunt
Authors: Agha Hala Mounir , Mashoor Shady , Ghobashy Mohamed , AbdelMassih Antoine , Gaber Hanya , El-Karaksy Hanaa
Published: March 2024

Background

Congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) is a vascular malformation in which portal blood drains toward the systemic circulation, leading to pulmonary hypertension.

Case presentation

A 10-year-old patient was brought for evaluation because of dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiography revealed a pulmonary hypertension of 75 mmHg, and multi-slice CT angiography revealed the presence of a CPSS. Closure was finally implemented using a muscular ventricular septal defect device. Follow-up of the patient revealed a gradual decline in pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusions

CPSS is an overlooked cause of reversible pulmonary hypertension (PH). Closure of such lesions and reversal pulmonary hypertension are possible via catheterization. The preferred device type depends largely on the intervening team. Plugs are the first choice for interventional radiologists, while ventricular and atrial septal occluder devices and duct occluders are preferred by pediatric cardiologists.
Air-breathing Mg-Cu/CuO fuel cell
Authors: Jayakrishnan R. , Raj Aruna , Anand Akhil M. , Harikrishnan P C , Ayyappan Athira
Published: March 2024

Magnesium fuel cells deliver higher electrical power output than lithium-ion batteries and have the potential to become an economically attractive alternative power source for domestic purposes. In place of noble metals in the air cathode of Mg fuel cells, we investigate the use of an integrated structure of a catalyst and current collector composed of a Cu/CuO hetero-structure. For a single cell, comprising of electrodes of dimension 3 cm × 1.5 cm with aqueous NaCl as the electrolyte, the Mg- Cu/CuO-based fuel cell shows an open-circuit voltage of 0.7 V and discharge current drain rate of 0.45 mA/s. A power density of 8.75 µWcm−2 is obtained with a CuO-based cathode when 1 M NaCl electrolyte is used. Relative to the magnesium-carbon-based fuel cell, the Mg-Cu/CuO fuel cell shows improved stability of the anode and cathode materials and extended operational time.
Predicting the Risk of Morbidity by GLIM-Based Nutritional Assessment and Body Composition Analysis in Oncologic Abdominal Surgery in the Context of Enhanced Recovery Programs
Authors: Sandini Marta , Gianotti Luca , Paiella Salvatore , Bernasconi Davide P. , Roccamatisi Linda , Famularo Simone , Donadon Matteo , Di Lucca Gabriele , Cereda Marco , Baccalini Edoardo , Capretti Giovanni , Nappo Gennaro , Casirati Amanda , Braga Marco , Zerbi Alessandro , Torzilli Guido , Bassi Claudio , Salvia Roberto , Cereda Emanuele , Caccialanza Riccardo
Published: March 2024

Background

Preoperative nutritional status and body structure affect short-term prognosis in patients undergoing major oncologic surgery. Bioimpedance vectorial analysis (BIVA) is a reliable tool to assess body composition. Low BIVA-derived phase angle (PA) indicates a decline of cell membrane integrity and function. The aim was to study the association between perioperative PA variations and postoperative morbidity following major oncologic upper-GI surgery.

Patients and Methods

Between 2019 and 2022 we prospectively performed BIVA in patients undergoing surgical resection for pancreatic, hepatic, and gastric malignancies on the day before surgery and on postoperative day (POD) 1. Malnutrition was defined as per the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. The PA variation (ΔPA) between POD1 and preoperatively was considered as a marker for morbidity. Uni and multivariable logistic regression models were applied.

Results

Overall, 542 patients with a mean age of 64.6 years were analyzed, 279 (51.5%) underwent pancreatic, 201 (37.1%) underwent hepatobiliary, and 62 (11.4%) underwent gastric resections. The prevalence of preoperative malnutrition was 16.6%. The overall morbidity rate was 53.3%, 59% in those with ΔPA < −0.5 versus 46% when ΔPA ≥ −0.5. Age [odds ratio (OR) 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.00; 1.22)], pancreatic resections [OR 2.27; 95% CI (1.24; 4.18)], estimated blood loss (OR 1.20; 95% CI (1.03; 1.39)], malnutrition [OR 1.77; 95% CI (1.27; 2.45)], and ΔPA [OR 1.59; 95% CI (1.54; 1.65)] were independently associated with postoperative complications in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Patients with preoperative malnutrition were significantly more likely to develop postoperative morbidity. Moreover, a decrease in PA on POD1 was independently associated with a 13% increase in the absolute risk of complications. Whether proactive interventions may reduce the downward shift of PA and the complication rate need further investigation.
Sviluppo della competenza plurilingue nell’era digitale
Authors: Flinz Carolina , Salzmann Katharina , Giuliano Patrizia
Published: March 2024

The multilingual approach plays an important role in language teaching, therefore also in the teaching of German as a foreign/second language (DaF = Deutsch als Fremdsprache; DaZ = Deutsch als Zweitsprache) and Italian as a foreign/second language. Aim of this volume is to show how metalinguistic and cross-linguistic awareness, central pillars of multilingual didactics, can be developed through the use of lexicographic resources, corpora and new technologies. The contributions present research and didactic experiences of various kinds that are of interest to different levels of education (school, university, etc.); although the didactics of German is in the focus of many essays, references to other languages, primarily Italian, but also English, Romanian, Ladin and other Italian dialect varieties, are not missing.
Der lexikographische Prozess im DaF-Unterricht am Beispiel eines mehrsprachigen korpusbasierten Online-Fachwörterbuchs zum Thema COVID-19
Authors: Luppi Rita
Published: March 2024

The present article provides a detailed overview of the lexicographical process adopted for the construction of a multilingual corpus-driven online specialised dictionary about COVID-19, which was built within the 4EU+ project Knowledge through Terminology – From Multilingual Data to Domain-specific Knowledge via Terminological Resources (TermiKnowledge). The dictionary is based on four specialised comparable corpora in five languages (Czech, English, German, Italian, Polish), that were compiled and analysed by the students, who also carried out the lexicographical work itself. The contribution thus highlights that the lexicographical process represents a valuable resource for German as a Foreign Language (GFL) teaching, since it fosters the acquisition of specific terminology as well as the reflection on differences and similarities between different text types and languages.
Interprofessional practice and person-centred care: moral contexts and ethical conflicts in the US and Canada
Authors: Clark Phillip G.
Published: March 2024

Health and social care services and systems increasingly promote both interprofessional practice and person-centred care. This discussion first examines the clinical and community-based contexts for providing interprofessional practice and person-centred care through the lens of personal, interpersonal, interprofessional and organisational values. Emerging conflicts among values are highlighted using the concept of moral distress, with examples from US and Canadian settings. The comparison then moves to the systems level, examining different US and Canadian contexts for improving the quality and reducing the cost of care. Finally, implications and applications are presented, focusing on interrelationships among the individual, interprofessional team and organisation.
Grammaticalized Uses of the Postverbal Locative Prepositional Phrase in Lianhua Gan
Authors: Hu Xiaojuan
Published: March 2024

The postverbal locative prepositional phrase “Prep+DemLoc” of Lianhua Gan Chinese has been grammaticalized as a postverbal durative marker and a sentence-final mood particle. This study examines the syntactic and semantic properties as well as the grammaticalization of these two uses. The postverbal durative “Prep+DemLoc” is attached to some resultative verb compounds with phase complements that have the semantic features of [+dynamic], [–durative], and [+telic], and expresses the durativity of the resultant states expressed by these RVCs. It forms a contrastive distribution with the perfective marker li . The sentence-final “Prep+DemLoc” fits with the distributional and functional properties of a typical sentence-final particle in Chinese. It takes the preceding clause in its scope and can co-occur with other sentence-final particles in a restricted order. It is used to express the subjective mood meaning of emphasizing the existence of the state of affairs expressed by the preceding clause and facilitate the conversation by taking on the discourse function of gaining strength to the speaker’s communicative intention that can be implicit or explicit in the conversation. Based on the synchronic data, I reconstruct two probable pathways of the postverbal “Prep+DemLoc” in Lianhua Gan, i.e., “Locative > Durative > Mood” and “Locative > Mood”. The significance of this study mainly lies in its implications for cross-dialectal comparative studies on the counterparts of the postverbal “Prep+DemLoc” in other Chinese dialects.
Increasing Teacher Competence in Compiling Level Higher Order of Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions through the Empowerment of Subject Teacher Consultations
Authors: Umi Mazro’ah
Published: March 2024

Teacher competence is the overall knowledge, skills, and values attached to the teacher, which are reflected in his teaching assignments. Higher Order of Thinking Skills (HOTS) are high-level thinking skills in cognitive hierarchies such as analysis (C4), evaluation (C5), and creation (C6). The purpose of this school action research was to find out the process and competency improvement of SMPN I Bringin teachers in compiling questions at the Higher Order of Thinking Skills (HOTS) level through school-level MGMP empowerment. Through empowering the MGMP at the school level, there has been an increase in the competence of teachers at SMPN I Bringin Kab. Semarang in the preparation of HOTS level questions, namely the average teacher competence in the first cycle was 76% and the pre-cycle average was 22.5%, so that there was an increase in the average of 53.5%. In cycle II, the average teacher competency reached 100%, and in cycle I, the average was 76%, resulting in an average increase of 24%. With a target indicator of teacher competency success of 90%, teacher competency in cycle I (76%) has not met the target, but in cycle II (100%), teacher competency has exceeded the target.
Abstrak
Kompetensi guru adalah keseluruhan pengetahuan, keterampilan, dan nilai-nilai yang melekat pada guru yang direfleksikan dalam tugas keguruannya. Higher Order of Thinking Skilss (HOTS) merupakan keterampilan berpikir tingkat tinggi dalam hirarki kognitif seperti analisis (C4), evaluasi (C5), dan kreasi (C6). Tujuan penelitian tindakan sekolah ini adalah untuk mengetahui proses dan peningkatan kompetensi guru SMPN I Bringin dalam penyusunan soal level Higher Order of Thinking Skills (HOTS) melalui pemberdayaan MGMP tingkat sekolah. Melalui pemberdayaan MGMP tingkat sekolah telah terjadi peningkatan kompetensi guru SMPN I Bringin Kab. Semarang dalam penyusunan soal level HOTS yaitu rerata kompetensi guru pada siklus I sebesar 76% dan rerata pada pra siklus sebesar 22,5% sehingga terjadi kenaikan rerata sebesar 53,5%. Pada siklus II rerata kompetensi guru mencapai 100%, dan pada siklus I reratanya adalah 76%, sehingga terjadi kenaikan rerata sebesar 24%. Dengan target indikator keberhasilan kompetensi guru sebesar 90%, kompetensi guru pada siklus I (76%) belum memenuhi target, namun pada siklus II (100%) kompetensi guru telah melampaui target.
URBAN STAKEHOLDERS AS KEY TO MANAGE MODELS FOR URBAN REGENERATION: CONTRIBUTION FROM SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE (2009-2022)
Authors: MEJIA GABRIELA
Published: March 2024

The Sustainable Development Agenda promotes the optimal execution of planning processes within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. For this reason, urban management models and planning processes must identify the role of the stakeholders that develop the construction of the city; they are the ones who use it, enjoy it and live it. The lack of knowledge about the roles and actions of urban stakeholders prevents them from getting involved in the development of planning processes. This article presents an academic literature review that systematizes the existi6ng information about the role of urban stakeholders in the development of the city found in scientific literature in the period from 2009 to 2022. The results show decisive lines of action for the participation of the social fabric in the development of sustainable management models. The conclusions show that urban regeneration processes have a direct impact on the social organization of the city. The article can contribute to academic discussion, particularly in Latin America, where studies about urban regeneration are not as common as in Asian and European countries.
SUSTAINABLE URBAN ARCHITECTURAL REHABILITATION OF AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURES
Authors: De Franca Van Sluys Christine , Jaramillo Serrano Esteban Nicolás
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a proposal for the sustainable urban-architectural rehabilitation of the former Quito airport building in Ecuador. The research focuses on exploring the implementation of nature-based solutions to optimize environmental performance and mitigate the impacts of climate change at the urban scale. Additionally, sustainable, and bioclimatic design strategies are investigated to enhance energy efficiency and resource consumption at the architectural scale. A notable aspect of the rehabilitation of the existing building is the use of glued laminated timber as the main material. This construction system has become an increasingly popular solution due to its technical, aesthetic, and environmental advantages, positioning it as a sustainable alternative capable of significantly reducing carbon emissions associated with construction. This approach not only enables the conversion of an obsolete urban area but also contributes to the preservation of important architectural heritage, making this proposal a flagship project in the responsible use of renewable natural resources in the construction industry.
ARCHITECTURE PRACTICAL LEARNING: ANALYSIS OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO THROUGH A NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Rodriguez Maria Lorena , Villacis Tapia Enrique , Benavides Javier
Published: March 2024

During the Architecture and Urban Design IV studio (DAU IV), within the second year of the Architecture program (PUCE-FADA), the students most build and apply diverse construction systems in a project; we have noticed that manual knowledge is being lost. In the curricular design of architectural workshops most of the projects are based on digital media, yet analogical tools, like our own hands, could be vital to develop a broad experience in construction and a critical thinking. Due to this, the new curriculum has an emphasis in construction practice. Through a perspective of neuroscience education, this paper analyzes the program and the exercises developed during the studio. Some of the neuroscience pedagogic principles will evaluate the DAU IV studio: emotions and learning, real-life experiences, contextual learning and intrinsic motivation. The authors then critically review which of the activities developed are suitable and encouraging for addressing a practical learning. Recommendations will be outlined for future versions of the studio.
ARCHITECTURAL VERNACULAR HERITAGE AS A CULTURAL ENHANCER IN RURAL VILLAGES
Authors: Rodriguez Maria Lorena , Villacis Tapia Enrique , Ayarza Cynthia
Published: March 2024

Rural villages around the world frequently are the built manifestation of architectural heritage and the living traditions. However, with the dynamic changes of society, culture and technology, vernacular heritage could disappear. Consequently, this paper argues: what is vernacular architecture in contemporary time? How can it last over time in rural villages? In order to answer this, through a theoretical base and the analysis of two case studies, the authors will find out the principles that defines it. Both case studies are located in rural villages and are contemporary projects conceived in a place where traditional culture is still alive. At one hand, ‘Tai O Hub Bridge’, a project located in the fishing village, a site that depict the trace of the old Hong Kong and one of the last remaining places where ancient culture has survived. At the other hand, ‘La Casa de Meche’, a house built in Pedro Carbo-Ecuador, a project that faced the re-construction process after a 7.8 earthquake hit the zone. Even if they are located more than ten thousand miles away from each other, both represent the conception of a contemporary projects within in a vulnerable system. This paper seeks to define parameters that make vernacular architecture accurate over the time and how to apply them when new projects come in these rural villages.
EVALUATION OF THE HYDROLOGICAL RESPONSE TO CLIMATE AND LAND USE CHANGE IN A WATERSHED
Authors: Oñate-Valdivieso Fernando , Cordero Mauricio
Published: March 2024

Climate change and land-use change influence hydrological processes in a basin, thereby affecting water production. The Cañar River basin originates in the Andean moors and flows into the Pacific Ocean, covering areas of great importance for conservation and agriculture. The basin exhibits a high degree of climatic and ecosystem variability. Two scenarios were proposed and studied using a semi-distributed hydrological model: a) a future climate scenario based on the projection of historical precipitation and temperature trends observed from 1985 to 2010 at 9 stations distributed throughout the basin, and b) a future soil use scenario derived from a multi-temporal analysis of land use, explanatory variables, and transition models. The analysis revealed an increase in precipitation during the rainy season and a decrease in precipitation during the dry season, resulting in a slight reduction in annual precipitation. During the study period, an increase in temperatures is observed in the low and high zones, while in the middle zone, there is a slight reduction in temperatures. The most significant land use changes were observed in natural vegetation, which experienced a significant reduction in area. If the observed climatic trends persist, precipitation would be expected to be concentrated mainly in the rainy season, leading to increased water availability during that period and a significant decrease during the dry season.
OPTIMAL DESIGN OF A PUMPED IRRIGATION SYSTEM OPERATING IN SHIFTS
Authors: Lapo-Pauta Mireya , Espinosa Javier
Published: March 2024

The optimization of pumping systems is important because it improves energy efficiency, increases production, reduces operating and maintenance costs, and contributes to sustainability. To address this challenge, it is essential to effectively manage irrigation systems. In this research, an optimization algorithm was used to minimize the economic cost of irrigation system design. The implemented methodology includes the following steps: determining the fictitious continuous flow rate (qfc) and the number of shifts, functionally designing the irrigation network with pumping operations in shifts, and finally designing the network using Linear Programming (LP). Inputs to the model include network topology, set point pressures, design speed ranges, and pump characteristic curve. The model output provides the diameters of the irrigation system lines. In consequence, this methodology was applied in the irrigation system of the community of San Pedro de la Bendita in the province of Loja. The study demonstrates a significant cost reduction in the hydraulic design of the irrigation network when operating in shifts using LP compared to the cost of a conventional hydraulic design.
COMPARING THE WATER QUALITY OF STREAMS FEEDING A WATERSHED
Authors: Fong Mia , Singh Amarjit , McHerron Julia , Chung Lanson
Published: March 2024

The Ala Wai Canal is one of the main waterways and watersheds on the island of Oʻahu, but it does not meet EPA water quality standards. Despite being deemed unsafe, during paddling season a number of adult and teenage paddling crews practice in the Ala Wai for a variety of reasons. In recent years, more discussion and focus has been turned to improving the water quality of the Ala Wai Canal. By doing a water quality study on two tributaries that feed into the Ala Wai watershed, the research group hoped to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between the mean water quality of the two streams. By measuring 952 samples in Pūkele Stream and 889 samples in Makiki Stream taken every fortnight over a 14-year period, the representative suspended solids entering from the eastern and western sides of Ala Wai Canal are compared statistically. Thus, a good general picture of the average difference in water quality between the tributaries is obtained. Through this sample study, it was found that there is a statistically significant difference between the average water quality of the two streams. This finding implies that there is a big enough difference between the suspended solids in the two streams to prioritize the Pūkele Stream over Makiki Stream for remedial actions.
INTEGRATING PREVENTION THROUGH DESIGN (PTD) INTO ENGINEERING CURRICULA
Authors: Al-Bayati Ahmed Jalil , Jensen Elin , Eiris Ricardo , Abudayyeh Osama
Published: March 2024

For many years, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and construction safety experts have advocated for implementing the Prevention through Design (PtD) concept in the United States. PtD aims to eliminate construction hazards during the design phase to prevent or reduce occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities during the construction phase. PtD is achieved by incorporating prevention considerations into all designs that may impact workers' safety. Civil and architectural engineers are considered the primary initiators of PtD in the construction industry, with the ability to educate project owners and construction practitioners about its benefits and importance. However, this group has a few, if any, educational interventions or training opportunities to develop PtD knowledge and skills in the United States. As a result, faculty members who may be willing to teach the PtD concept in their design courses (e.g., concrete, steel, foundation and traffic design courses) have limited exposure to the PtD concept and no clear guidelines to integrate PtD into their courses. This study surveys engineering department chairs in the United States to assess their perceptions about integrating PtD into the engineering curriculum. The findings showed that most participants do not favor incorporating PtD as a standalone course in the engineering curriculum. However, they expressed their support for integrating the concept as small modules within existing engineering design courses. Faculty members, teaching engineering design, should be provided the necessary resources to achieve this. This study contributes to our understanding of PtD integration strategies within engineering programs.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE ECOEARTH SANDWICH SYSTEM
Authors: Villacis Enrique Vinicio , Cevallos Patricio , Ayarza Cynthia
Published: March 2024

The eco earth sandwich is a construction system with a CMU foundation, braced vertically with treated wood poles and horizontally with steel rods and rammed earth. A reinforced concrete crowning beam confines a steel panel envelope, developed as an alternative wall using local resources, materials, and workforce. The Con Lo Que Hay 14 (CLQH 14) workshop, which translates to “With What is Available, edition 14 workshop,” developed the eco earth sandwich for a small suburban community center in the Ecuadorian Andes, based on vernacular contained earth criteria. The model is a one-story structure in which the resistance of its conforming elements will be evaluated in a theoretical approach. Earthquake resistance: Compression and tensile stresses and cutting effects produced at the foot of the wall will be evaluated. Verifying its effectiveness as a one-story self-standing structure and the possibility of becoming bearing walls. Future studies are planned with laboratory structural stress load tests.
VERNACULAR AND ENDOGENOUS PARAMETERS: REVISION OF THE MACHUPICCHU WALL AND THE ECOEARTH SANDWICH SYSTEM
Authors: Villacis Enrique , Ayarza Cynthia , Gutierrez Julio
Published: March 2024

The study of vernacular construction systems as a means to develop coherent local contemporary alternatives consistent with local resources and cultural processes; the results are endogenous buildings that respond to the eminent global energy crisis. Confined earth construction systems with different structural forms have been used throughout Latin America, specifically in the Andes. With these criteria, the eco earth sandwich system, a confined earth wall with metal sheet containment, has been developed as an alternative wall system. Using local resources, materials, and workforce, The Con Lo Que Hay 14 (CLQH 14) workshop, which translates to “With What is Available, edition 14 workshop,” developed the eco earth sandwich for a small suburban community center in the Ecuadorian Andes, based on vernacular contained earth criteria. Through Arellano and Angel vernacular parameters, this study will evaluate Machu Picchu (Peru) walls with dirt nuclei protected by stone and the eco-earth sandwich system to depict their endogenous and vernacular coherence.