bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-Osteoporosis Potencies of Zingiber officinale Rosc. Rhizome Water Extract and DFA III Produced from Dahlia spp. L.: in vivo and in vitro Studies
Authors: Ikawati Muthi’ , Ertanto Yogi , Endah Een Sri , Pudjiraharti Sri , Meiyanto Edy , Jenie Riris Istighfari
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND: Zingiber officinale Rosc. is estrogenic and thus can be developed as an anti-osteoporosis. Difructose anhydride III (DFA III), possesses anti-osteoporosis potencies. This study aimed to investigate the anti-osteoporosis activity of ginger rhizome water extract (GE) and DFA III from dahlia tubers in ovariectomized (OVX) rat models and to determine their anti-osteoclastogenic effect in vitro.METHODS: This study was conducted using 25 female rats. Blood sampling was carried out at the beginning and end of treatments. Femur bones were isolated after daily 14-day treatments, measured for density, and processed for histological staining. RAW 264.7 cells were induced by osteoclast differentiation factor. A cell viability assay was employed to determine the cytotoxicity of DFA III and GE. The inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was investigated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining.RESULTS: All groups showed no difference in body weight elevation and serum lipid profiles. The GE and DFA III caused no effect on bone density. However, the GE or DFA III groups showed higher osteoblast numbers compared with the control groups. A significantly less osteoclast was found in the GE+DFA III group. The GE and DFA III showed no toxicity on RAW 264.7 cells. GE showed strong inhibitory effects on the post stimulation osteoclastogenesis model. The combination of GE and DFA III was synergistic in reducing the osteoclastogenesis confluency in RAW 264.7 cells.CONCLUSION: The data support our hypothesis that GE and DFA III can decrease the risk of osteoporosis by osteoclastogenesis inhibition.KEYWORDS: Dahlia spp., estrogenic, ginger, osteoclast, osteoporosis, ovariectomy, RAW 264.7 cell
Siostry Rosenblattówny
Authors: Smywińska-Pohl Anna
Published: March 2022

Niniejszy artykuł prezentuje biografie Alicji i Marii Rosenblatt, dwóch sióstr związanych ze światem sztuki, żyjących na przełomie XIX i XX wieku. Pomimo, że obrały rożne ścieżki życiowe i kariery, ich losy dobrze ilustrują problematykę emancypacji kobiet i jej społeczny odbiór na początku ubiegłego stulecia. Zarówno Alicja, jak i Maria miały duży wkład w rozwój współczesnej kultury, jednak nie jest on szerzej znany.
Jak kobiety przełamywały dziewiętnastowieczne schematy społeczne? Eliza Orzeszkowa, Maria Konopnicka i Paulina Kuczalska-Reinschmit na drodze ku emancypacji
Authors: Borszyńska Sylwana
Published: March 2022

Artykuł przenosi Czytelnika w świat kobiet z XIX wieku. Pokazuje sytuację prawną, w jakiej przyszło im żyć oraz wynikające z tego ograniczenia społeczne, które nazwać można konwenansami/schematami. Powszechnie funkcjonowało mniemanie, iż kobieta stworzona została do roli matki, żony i gospodyni. Praca zarobkowa, studia wyższe to elementy często niedostępne dla większości kobiet. Trzy bohaterki artykułu – Eliza Orzeszkowa, Maria Konopnicka i Paulina Kuczalska-Reinschmit – swymi żywotami zaprzeczyły stereotypowemu wizerunkowi kobiety „matki Polki”. Prowadząc życie inne niż większość przykładnych gospodyń, stały się inspiracją do pokazania możliwych dróg przekraczania barier społecznych w XIX wieku. Buntujące się przeciwko normom i żądające prawo do innego sposobu bycia, walczące o równouprawnienie kobiet, swoją działalnością na niwie literackiej, oświatowej i społecznej, a przede wszystkim swymi wyborami życiowymi, pokazały, iż dziewiętnastowieczne bariery można było przełamywać.
Katarzyna Kobro – artystka osobna czy Pani Strzemińska?
Authors: Góra Sylwia
Published: March 2022

O Kobro często trzeba pisać słowami innych ludzi, bo jej własnych brak. Jak opisywać Katarzynę w konkretnym czasie, środowisku, w obliczu rożnych życiowych wyborów? Najczęściej mówi się o niej w oparciu o jej tragiczną biografię i związek z Władysławem Strzemińskim. Czy jest możliwe dostrzeżenie tej artystki w oderwaniu od jej życia i pracy u boku Strzemińskiego? Ten artykuł jest próbą odpowiedzi na to pytanie.
"W obronie kobiet": Marie Dentière (1490/95–1561) jako prekursorka teologii feministycznej w czasach reformacji
Authors: Skurczyński Łukasz P.
Published: March 2022

W niniejszym artykule przedstawiam sylwetkę Marie Dentiere (1490/95– 1561) oraz jej teologiczne dzieła, głownie L’Epistre tresutile faicte ey composée par une femme chrestienne de Tornay (Bardzo potrzebny list napisany i zredagowany przez chrześcijankę z Tournai). Urodzona w 1495 roku w Tournai (Flandria) Dentiere, jeszcze jako augustiańska mniszka opowiedziała się za ideami reformacji, za co w 1524 roku wyrzucona została z klasztoru Saint-Nicolas-des-Pres. Wraz z drugim swoim mężem Antoinem Fromentem zamieszkała nieopodal Genewy, w Thonon. Jako zwolenniczka Jana Kalwina i Wilhelma Farela opublikowała w 1539 Bardzo potrzebny list adresowany do Małgorzaty de Valois, w którym nie tylko stanęła w ich obronie, lecz również domagała się zrównania praw kobiet i mężczyzn w kwestiach wolności słowa i zwiastowania Słowa Bożego. Marie Dentiere, przez wieki zapomniana, odkryta została na nowo w drugiej połowie XX wieku. Swojemu zaangażowaniu w szerzenie idei reformacji Dentiere zawdzięcza fakt, że w 2003 roku wyryto jej imię i nazwisko na pomniku reformacji w Genewie. Po dziś dzień jako jedynej kobiecie.
Islamism Denounced: Madura Kiais’ Perspective of Nationalism
Authors: A'la Abd , Muktafi Muktafi , Bakar Abu , Zamzami Mukhammad , Aniq Ahmad Fathan
Published: March 2022

The transmission of Islamism among the kiais and their students in Madura has become more critical to examine in the last decade. However, some kiais of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Bangkalan Madura see that Islamism or political Islam will gradually erode their national commitment. This article intends to reinterpret the nationalism vision of several kiais of NU and measure the extent of their views on the ideology of Islamism discoursed by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). By interviewing several kiais, this study finds that the propagation of Islamism in Bangkalan has not been as massive as occurred in Pamekasan, another sub-districts in Madura. The FPI-style Islamism in Bangkalan has been propagated only by a small group though they are vigorously active on social media. The majority of the NU community remains devoted to nationalism, committing that the NKRI is the final state. Islamic moderation promulgated by the kiais has been widely accepted and deeply rooted among the NU community. They believe nationalism and religion should not be separated from the spirit of their struggle (khittah). These two elements have united within their fighting spirit and become the primary trigger in devoting themselves to the nation and state to preserve national sovereignty and the integrity of Indonesia.
From teaching experience. IX. Entropy of the convex polyhedron
Authors: Voytehovskiy Yuriy
Published: March 2022

The article is devoted to the applications of the entropy category in the natural sciences, mainly in mineralogy and crystallography to describe the complexity of mineral parageneses and crystal structures. It is shown that thermodynamic, informational and statistical entropy, defined independently in different disciplines, do not copy each other. They are not recalculated into each other and agree at the level of general principles. Statistical entropy as a measure of the complexity of systems characterized by probability distributions of parameters is always their convolution with loss of information. As a scale of complexity, it is unevenly curved in different areas of the probability field. The article is dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the birth of N. P. Yushkin.
The material self-assessment of the Tuvan families in the context of the poverty studies (based on the materials of sociological research)
Authors: Natsak Organa
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes the features of the material self-assessment of Tuvan families in dynamics based on the results of sociological studies conducted in the Republic of Tuva in 2019 and 2021, as well as statistical data on a sample survey of households. This issue is considered in the context of the study of the causes and level, socio-demographic profile of poverty in the region. The results of the research show that the main causes of poverty in the republic are both economic (structural) factors, such as high unemployment, low income, as well as average per capita income, which is influenced by a high level of childbearing in the families of the republic, unlike many subjects of the Russian Federation, and behavioral models that do not contribute to the search for additional income and savings. It is indicative of the fact that in the structure of the income of the population of the Republic of Tuva, the share of social payments is high compared to the indicators for Russia and the Siberian Federal District. In comparison with 2019, in 2021, in the self-assessment of the financial situation of the population of the Republic of Tuva, within the framework of sociological studies, there is a positive trend in two indicators: those who believed that "there is not enough money even for food" became less by 5,5%, the group that «has enough money for everything, except for such expensive purchases as an apartment, a house» became more by 1,6%. The new types of state social transfers to families with children over the past two years have positively affected the financial situation of families with children, however, social transfers, as well as regional social programs (projects), do not eliminate the economic (structural) and behavioral causes of poverty. The article also presents the socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics of the least affluent group of the population.
The Value of Work for Modern Russians (Based on The Results of Cross-Cultural Research)
Authors: Fomicheva Tatyana
Published: March 2022

The publication is devoted to the analysis of the perception of work as a value in the value consciousness of modern Russians. The method for obtaining empirical data is a secondary analysis of information, including thematic normative documents (legislative acts of the Russian Federation), sociological research, statistical materials, the results of cross-cultural studies of the World Values Survey project for the period from 1990 to 2020. (waves, including data for Russia), etc. The impetus for the author's study of this issue was the immersion of Russia in the «pandemic reality» of COVID-19, the state of the labor market in modern Russia, the problems experienced by the population in the process of employment, training, retraining, and implementation their functions in labor activity. The specifics of the labor activity of modern Russians during the pandemic were taken into account; involvement of the employed population in digitalization processes. The hypothesis of the research is that work as a value is in the «core» of the status-hierarchical structure of the value consciousness of the able-bodied population of Russia. In the course of the research, one of the important tasks was to analyze the dynamics of the indicator “work as a value” in various age groups of Russians for the period from 1990 to 2020. The practical significance of work: identifying factors that influence the importance of the value of work in the minds of Russians. The scientific novelty of the publication is the use of the results of cross-cultural research to form conclusions, comparison of sociological and statistical data. Scope of the results: the main findings of the study can be used to innovate training courses on the sociology of social groups, sociology of professions, and axiology.
Peculiarities of Population Migration in Russian Regions Border Belarus
Authors: Rybakovsky Leonid
Published: March 2022

Abstract The article shows the demographic development of the Bryansk, Pskov, and Smolensk regions bordering Belarus in all the post-war years, to what extent it was caused by the consequences of the Great Patriotic War (many days of bloody battles, the destruction of civilians by punitive forces during the years of occupation, as well as the evacuation of part of the population). It was revealed that the share of the three regions bordering Belarus after the war significantly decreased in the population of Russia. It was also established that another factor in this dynamics was the migration outflow of the population. The article discusses that over the past time there has been an increase in migration exchange with the capital cities, the significance of migration links with the northern regions has changed while maintaining their importance with those regions that are in the same federal district. It is shown that in international migration the IMR values largely depend on the proximity of the states of the new abroad from the regions of resettlement. It was revealed that among the countries with which Russia and all regions bordering Belarus had the most effective ties are Kazakhstan and Georgia. The most effective exchange was also with Latvia, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, while the least effective migration exchange in the considered regions was with Belarus and Ukraine, as well as Lithuania and Moldova.
Análisis del comportamiento del crédito microfinanciero en el Perú
Authors:   ,   Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Rios Sanchez Gloria Laura
Published: March 2022

El objetivo general de la presente investigación es analizar el comportamiento de los créditos de la Microempresa, La metodología usada en la presente investigación compone la descripción de los factores económicos que rigen el comportamiento de los microcréditos para las empresas financieras y cajas municipales del Perú, además se analiza las variables independientes de manera agregada, como el ratio de liquidez en moneda nacional de las empresas financieras y cajas Municipales, ratio de solvencia, Número de deudores, Número de trabajadores, Ratio de Morosidad de la Cartera, Ratio Ingreso Financiero sobre Activo Rentable, Tasa de Interés Activa en Moneda Nacional, Tasa de Interés Activa en Moneda Extranjera y Tasa de Crecimiento del PBI. Los resultados sugieren que el análisis de los microcredtos se realice en 2 etapas y con dos modelos, el primero con variables regulares en su nivel y el segundo con variables determinísticas.
Revisiting the chronological attribution of microlitic complexes of the Koksharovsky Hill and Vtoroy Poselok I
Authors: Serikov Yu.B.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we consider the reasons behind the attribution of microlitic complexes of the Koksharovsky Hill and the Vtoroy Poselok I site to the late Neolithic. Statistical and typological characteristics of microlitic complexes of these sites fully conform to materials of the Mesolithic sites in the Middle Trans-Urals. The identification of chronological complexes of stone inventory in materials of mixed sites should be made after the full publication of the entire assemblage of stone artefacts. The comparison of the presented materials with the Neolithic sites of the Middle Trans-Urals shows the absence in the local late Neolithic of complexes with such set of stone tools — first of all, a large number of cutters and carvers, as well as burins on straight retouched truncation and geometric microlites. But it is precisely carvers, burins (especially the ones on straight retouched truncation) and geometric microlithes that appear as characteristic products of the Mesolithic period. The dating of the microlitic complexes of the Vtoroy Poselok I site and the Koksharovsky Hill to the late Neolithic contradicts the early profile of the stone assemblage. We deny the definition of the Vtoroy Poselok I site as a single-layer site. Specific features of soil formation in the territory of the Middle Trans-Urals resulted in that the cultural remains of all periods from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages are deposited within the soil layer of only 30–40 cm in thickness. Around the flow-through lakes all areas favorable for economic activities were inhabited repeatedly and in different archaeological epochs. In such particular sites, the objective prerequisites for the mechanical displacement of materials were created. Therefore, all complexes located in such places are mixed. The numerical ratio of the complexes of ce-ramics and stone products and the size of the dwelling in the Vtoroy Poselok I site is also inconsistent with the materials of the Neolithic sites of the Middle Trans-Urals. Given the mixed nature of materials of the Kok-sharovsky Hill and the Vtoroy Poselok I, the microlitic complex of artefacts present in both sites may indicate the presence of a significant Mesolithic admixture in them.
Deer and roe deer in traditional Buryat beliefs and rituals
Authors: Badmaev A.A.
Published: March 2022

The article is devoted to the identification of the Buryat complex of mythological ideas about deer and roe deer, and understanding of the role of these wild animals in the shamanic rites of the Buryats. The chronological framework of the study spans the end of the 19th — middle of the 20th c., the time when the Buryats were exerci-sing and broadcasting a complex of traditional ideas and rituals. The study is limited to the territory of South-Eastern Siberia, which embraces the ethnic Buryatia. The research is based on diverse sources, including folk-lore, linguistic, ethnographic and field materials. The technique of the study is the structural-semiotic method, which allows identification of the symbolism that conveys ideas about deer and roe deer. It has been determined that in the mythological judgments of the Buryats, the images of deer and roe deer are ambiguous. It was re-vealed that in the traditional worldview of the Buryats, deer had a positive connotation. This animal was carrying solar, celestial, and terrestrial symbols. We found that in the Buryat mythology and folklore there was a replace-ment of the image of deer with that of a horse. In folk beliefs, deer was associated with the motif of the intermedi-ary between the worlds, the idea of the connection of the human soul with the deer. It has been emphasized that in the folklore of the Buryats there is a motif of a man turning into deer and roe deer. The Buryats likened these Reindeers to domestic animals: the deer to a horse, the roe deer to a goat. In contrast to deer, the roe deer in the popular views of the Buryats received a predominantly negative characteristic: It bore the sign of death, and was associated with eschatological ideas. This animal carries the symbolism of fire and correlates with natural rhythms, acting as a harbinger of winter. In the Buryat rites, there are relics of the cult of deer. In shamanic rites and related poetry, the motive of the shaman's shapeshifting into a deer has been revealed, which is manifested, in particular, in the shaman's attribute — the iron crown. It has been proved that the high semiotic status of deer was reflected in shamanic rituals and poetry, where it was positioned as an animal that has a special role among other sacred animals. The roe deer was only a part of the circle of shaman's assistant spirits. The importance of deer and roe deer is evidenced by the use of their scapular bone in the shamanic mantle.
Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) in Gonur-Depe and the issues of the species distribution in the Ancient East
Authors: Sataev R.M. , Dubova N.A. , Sataeva L.V.
Published: March 2022

Animal husbandry, along with agriculture, was the main branch of the producing economy of the ancient population in Southern Turkmenistan. To date, sufficient data have been gathered to consider the exterior of large and small cattle, the time of their appearance in the region, and the nature of their exploitation. Still, very little information is available on a number of species, including Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus). This is due to the fact that camel bones are extremely rare in complexes which are older than the Late Bronze Age. However, the remains of this species are widely represented in the Bronze Age site of Gonur-depe. Gonur-Depe is a supposed administrative and cult center of Ancient Margiana, located in the South-Eastern Karakum Desert 85 km north from the city of Bayramali (Mary wilayah of Turkmenistan), which functioned during 2500–1500 BC. The site in-cludes two main objects: the North Gonur — administrative and religious center, and the South Gonur (“Temenos” — a small temple complex). The zooarchaeological material discussed in the article has been derived from the ar-chaeological excavations of the North Gonur. Animal remains split into two large groups by their localization: bones from waste deposits, and those associated with local objects (buildings, burials, altars, etc.). Isolated camel bones or their fragments are found in all excavation areas of the North Gonur. Only 67 camel bones were ex-tracted from the waste deposits, which constitutes just over 3 % of all domestic faunal remains found in the site. In addition, 18 isolated camel bones were unearthed from the filling of the grave pits. Given the small number of camel remains in household waste, we can suggest that, apparently, camels were rarely slaughtered for meat. Yet, a total of 16 camel skeletons of different preservation and completeness were recovered from nine burial structures. In burials 3200, 3225, 3240, 3900, and 3915, remains of carts with wooden wheels with bronze rims — tires — were found along with the camel skeletons. Despite the relatively large number of camel skeletons, it was possible to obtain only few measurements due to the poor preservation of the bones. Measurements of two skele-tons from burial 3900 suggest that stature of the animals at withers was at least 165 cm. Apart from skeletal re-mains at Gonur-Depe, numerous images of double-humped camels are known, accomplished in different shapes and from various materials, which also help to elaborate the appearance of the animals. Camels, kept by the an-cient population of Gonur, have passed a long way of breeding, and at present there are no data indicating the autochthonous domestication of this species. In general, zooarchaeological and archaeological materials demon-strate that camel played an important role in life of the ancient population of Gonur-Depe, which stretched beyond its simple utilitarian use.
The use-wear analysis of pebble tools from the Bronze Age settlement of Konoplyanka 2
Authors: Kostomarova Yu.V. , Bulakova E.A.
Published: March 2022

The article presents the results of the study the tools made of pebble from the settlement of Konoplyanka 2. The site is located in the Kartalinsky district of the Chelyabinsk Oblast, Southern Trans-Urals. A collection of peb-ble tools (n = 26) was acquired during excavations of building 1 of the Srubnaya-Alakul and Cherkaskul Cultures, 14C dated to the 18th–16th c. BC. The aim of the research was to undertake the experimental-traceological study of pebbles with traces of wear from this site. To achieve this, the signs of utilizing of work surfaces of the tools were studied; a series of experiments were carried out on the use of pebble tools in pottery making and in the proces-sing of bone articles; their work surfaces were also analyzed, and the signs of wear in archaeological and experi-mental tools were compared. Trace analysis and photomicrographs of traces of wear on the tools were performed using Olympus BX-51 metallographic microscope with ProgRes C10 camera and MC-2 Z00M pancratic micro-scope with Canon EOS-1100 camera. The experimental part of the work was carried out by the authors in 2019–2020. As a result of the traceological analysis of the collection, four groups of wear traces were identified on tools made of pebbles. The experimental part of the work allowed proposing the interpretation for these traces. The tools of the first group were used in pottery production at the stage of surface treatment for smoothing the walls of vessels. The second group was used to burnish the dry surface of the vessels. Pebbles of the third group were used both for smoothing the surface of vessels and for polishing them. Tools of the fourth group are most similar in their microscopic features to experimental tools used for processing of skins and leathers or polishing bone products. Therefore, the majority of the studied pebble tools were used by representatives of the Cherkaskul Cul-ture of the Konoplyanka 2 settlement in the process of making pottery vessels, at the stage of mechanical treat-ment of surface Three pebbles were used for processing of skins, leathers or for polishing of bone tools.
Local and Global Protein Interactions Contribute to Residue Entrenchment in Beta-Lactamase TEM-1
Authors: Birgy André , Magnan Mélanie , Hobson Claire Amaris , Figliuzzi Matteo , Panigoni Karine , Codde Cyrielle , Tenaillon Olivier , Jacquier Hervé
Published: March 2022

Abstract: Due to their rapid evolution and their impact on health care, be-ta-lactamases, protein degrading beta-lactam antibiotics, are used as generic model of protein evolution. Therefore, we investigated the mutation effects in two distant beta-lactamases TEM-1 and CTX-M-15. Interestingly we found a site with a complex pattern of genetic interactions. Mutation G251W in TEM-1 is in-activating the protein’s function just as the reciprocal mutation W251G in CTXM-15. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that mutation G has been entrenched in TEM-1 background: while rarely observed throughout the phylogeny it is es-sential in TEM-1. Using a rescue experiment in TEM-1 G251W mutant, we could identify sites that alleviates the deviation from G to W. While few of these muta-tions could potentially involve local interactions, most of them were found on distant residues in the 3D structure. Many well-known mutations having an impact on protein stability, such as M182T, were recovered. Our results there-fore suggest that entrenchment of an amino acid may rely on diffuse interactions among multiple sites with a major impact on protein stability.
Capital Social y desempeño empresarial: la industria metalmecánica en Ciudad Juárez, México
Authors: Jiménez Castañeda Ramsés
Published: March 2022

En este trabajo se analizan tres componentes de capital social (colaboración, confianza y reciprocidad) sobre la industria metalmecánica local. Se relacionan estos componentes por contribuir a la coordinación y transmisión de información de los agentes. Se analizan los procesos de adquisición, innovación y desarrollo tecnológico local así como la gestión administrativa inter-empresarial a través de la colaboración interempresarial. La información estadística analizada proviene de la aplicación de una encuesta a 45 empresas de la metalmecánica local. Los indicadores de los componentes no son muy altos pero tienen gran potencial como precursores del desempeño empresarial local. La confianza es el elemento más débil en el análisis. Generalmente se desconfía de aquellos agentes que no representan a empresas del ramo y en particular al gobierno. La reciprocidad sugiere una baja calidad y cantidad de relaciones entre los agentes y la industria, así como una baja o casi nula frecuencia entre los agentes. Se reconoce altos grados de capital relacional, sin embargo no son factores que impacten al desempeño industrial local. Es importante diseñar políticas públicas para mejorar los componentes del capital social a través de perspectivas “bottom-up”. Una variable “crítica” que evidencian los bajos niveles de capital social, es el efecto de la inseguridad y violencia que ha experimentado la región desde hace algún tiempo.
A composite leading cycle indicator for Uruguay
Authors: Galaso Reca Pablo , Rodríguez López Sandra
Published: March 2022

This study estimates a composite leading business cycle indicator for the Uruguayan economy following the methodology of The Conference Board. Prediction is based on the analysis of multiple series that have a leading relationship to the Industrial Production Index, which is used as the reference variable of the overall economic activity. Once selected, these series are aggregated into a single composite indicator. Our index covers a 20-year period (from 1994 to 2013). It includes variables covering diverse aspects of economic activity and reaches to advance the two turning points occurred in Uruguay during that period
Competitividad local en el norte de México: el caso de la zona metropolitana de Monterrey
Authors: Díaz de León Carlos Gómez , Hernández Martínez Gustavo
Published: March 2022

Este trabajo analiza las capacidades institucionales de las administraciones públicas locales, del norte de México, utilizando el método comparativo. El propósito es ofrecer un diagnóstico comparativo de la competitividad institucional en gobiernos locales de Monterrey mediante dos estudios complementarios. Primero, se analiza comparativamente la competitividad en una muestra de las 10 ciudades más competitivas del Norte de México, considerando diversos indicadores predeterminados. Después, en un segundo análisis se hace un estudio con diversos indicadores financieros a cinco de los municipios más importantes de la Zona Metropolitana de Monterrey, en el Estado de Nuevo León.
Using Swallowing Quality of Life to Compare Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Following Cervical Disc Arthroplasty or Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Mohan Shruthi , Jadczak Caroline N , Cha Elliot D K , Lynch Conor P , Patel Madhav R , Jacob Kevin C , Pawlowski Hanna , Prabhu Michael C , Vanjani Nisheka N , Singh Kern
Published: March 2022

Objective: To evaluate dysphagia outcomes using the swallowing quality of life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire between patients undergoing cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).Methods: A retrospective review of a prospective surgical database was performed to identify individuals who underwent cervical procedures between 2014 and 2020. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected using SWAL-QOL, VAS, NDI, and SF-12 PCS. All measures were recorded at the preoperative to 6-month postoperative timepoint. Patients were grouped according to cervical procedure and instrumentation used. Differences in PROMs and SWAL-QOL domains were evaluated by t-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc testing, respectively. Simple linear regression was employed to evaluate the relationship between number of levels operated on and postoperative outcomes. Results: A total of 161 patients were included. ACDF and CDA patients demonstrated no significant differences in VAS neck and arm, or NDI at any timepoint. However, CDA patients had significantly worse SWAL-QOL scores at 6-months. Preoperative VAS neck was significantly worse for patients who underwent either an ACDF procedure with a stand alone cage or CDA as compared to patients who underwent an ACDF with anterior plating. At 6-months postoperatively, CDA patients reported a significantly worse “fatigue” score compared to ACDF patients. At 6-months postoperatively, ACDF patients reported a significantly better “sleep” scores compared to CDA patients with both recipients of an anterior plate and stand alone cage reporting significantly better scores compared to the CDA cohort (p=0.024; p<0.001). No postoperative outcome studied was significantly associated with number of levels operated on, other than the SWAL-QOL domain of symptom frequency at the 6-week postoperative time point (p=0.032). Conclusion: Patients undergoing either an ACDF or CDA procedure largely did not demonstrate differences in pain, disability, and dysphagia scores. However, at more longitudinal timepoints CDA patients reported worse fatigue and sleep scores compared to ACDF patients.
Peak Ground Acceleration Prediction using Artificial Neural Networks for Kachchh, Gujarat, India
Authors: Mandal Prantik
Published: March 2022

The uncertainty in the empirical ground motion prediction models (GMMs) for any region depends on several parameters. In the present work, we apply an artificial neural network (ANN) to design a GMM of peak ground acceleration (PGA) for Kachchh, Gujarat, India, utilizing independent input parameters viz., moment magnitudes, hypocentral distances, focal depths and site proxy (in terms of average seismic shear-wave velocity from the surface to a depth of 30m (Vs30)). The study has been performed using a PGA dataset consisting of eight engineering seismoscope (SRR) records of the 2001 Mw7.7 Bhuj earthquake and 237 strong-motion records of 32 significant Bhuj aftershocks of Mw3.3-5.6 (during 2002-2008) with epicentral distances ranging from 1.0 to 288 km.We apply a feed-forward back propagation ANN method with 8 hidden nodes, which is found to be optimal for the selected PGA database and input-output mapping. The standard deviation of the error has been utilized to examine the performance of our model. We also test the ground motion predictability of our ANN model using real recordings of the 2001 Bhuj mainshock, two Mw5.6 Kachchh aftershocks and the 1999 Mw6.4 Chamoli mainshock. The standard deviation of PGA prediction error estimates in log10 units is found to be ±0.2554. Also, the model predictability of our ANN model suggests a good prediction of the PGA for earthquakes of Mw5.6-7.7, which are occurring in Kachchh, Gujarat, India.
Repeated CT-based Hounsfield Unit Measurements as a Proxy Measure of Intercorporal Bone Graft Remodelling Towards Spinal Fusion; a Feasibility Study.
Authors: Reijmer JFH , de Jong LD , Kruyt M. C. , Gorp MJ van , Susante Job LC van
Published: March 2022

Background: There is a lack of knowledge about the biological process of intercorporal bone graft remodelling towards successful lumbar spine fusion with bridging vital bone between two adjacent vertebrae. Hounsfield Units (HU) highly correlate with Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and changes in HU may be valuable as proxy measure to monitor ongoing fusion. The aims of this study were to explore the feasibility to quantify BMD changes in the intercorporal bone graft after spinal fusion on consecutive CT-scans, and to explore whether trends in the individual changes in HU over time may serve as a proxy measure for successful fusion or non-fusion.Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted using available one-year and two-year CT-data from patients after posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. First, a standardized measuring procedure was developed, incorporating internal phantomless calibration, to establish the HU values of the grafted region of interest using consecutive CT-slices. Subsequently, changes in the participants’ bone graft HU over time between their first and second year after surgery were explored.Results: Between one and two years after surgery, seven out of nine (78%) participants showed an increase in their bone grafts’ HU, ranging from 3% to 41%. In two participants HU-values decreased 14% and 32%, respectively. The intraobserver reliability of the HU measuring procedure was excellent (ICC 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.91 to 0.95)).Conclusion: The majority (78%) of participants in the current study showed increases in their bone graft HU, which suggests ongoing bone graft remodelling towards lumbar fusion. This result corresponds with the established percentages of achieved rigid bony fusion after lumbar spinal fusion surgery reported in the literature. Thus, prospective follow-up of CT-based HU measurements may have potential as diagnostic measure to monitor bone graft remodelling in time and trends may predict successful fusion or non-fusion. The measurement procedure developed in this study, using internal phantomless calibration, showed excellent intraobserver reliability and merits further study in larger patient numbers.
Identification of the biomarker soluble TREM-1 as a candidate for a personalised medicine approach for nangibotide treatment of septic shock
Authors: Lambden Simon , Grouin Jean-Marie , Garaud Jean Jacques , Olivier Aurelie , Jolly Lucie , Derive Marc , Cuvier Valerie , Salcedo-Magguilli Margarita
Published: March 2022

Background:One of main new avenue of exploration in critical care medicine is the development of personalized medicine approaches to better determine which therapy provides the optimal risk/benefit ratio for subgroups of septic shock patients presenting with similar clinical syndromes. This paper describes the early clinical development of a personalized medicine approach for a novel therapeutic agent targeting the TREM-1 pathway, nangibotide, in the treatment of septic shock.Methods:Soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) is a mechanism-based candidate biomarker with the potential to select patients at high risk of death and who may respond best to an anti-TREM-1 strategy. Validation of a potential cut-off value and choice of surrogate endpoint for phase 2b clinical trial are built on data from a retrospective cohort study of 293 septic shock patients and data from a multicentre prospective phase 2a study of 49 septic shock patients treated either by placebo or nangibotide. Logistic regression modelling is combined with receiver operator characteristic analysis to validate the prognostic potential of sTREM-1. In addition, the potential predictive cut-off is defined by modelling the ability of different values to detect treatment effect.Results:sTREM-1 at baseline in the AdrenOSS-1 cohort is strongly associated with 28day mortality with a standardized odds ratio for mortality of 2.86 (95%CI 1.91-4.27, p<0.0001) and an optimum value for predicting mortality of 408pg/ml with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.694. Based on the performance of different cut-off values as predictors of treatment response to nangibotide in the Phase IIa MOT-C-201 trial, a preliminary tentative value of 400pg/ml was selected. In patients with the high sTREM-1 group the mean change of SOFA from baseline to 48 hours is +1.5 points in the AdrenOSS-1 cohort. Conclusions: This study improves our understanding of the behaviour of sTREM-1 as a potential mechanism-based biomarker with the potential to offer both prognostic and predictive enrichment in clinical trials of nangibotide. These data inform the design of the ongoing ASTONISH phase 2b study which intends to validate the proposed cut-off value as a predictive biomarker in septic shock.Trial Registration: AdrenOSS-1 study: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02393781, MOT-C-201: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03158948
Bibliometric Analysis of Oral Mucositis Research In Pediatric Oncology
Authors: SEVGİLİ Seda ARDAHAN , ŞENOL Selmin
Published: March 2022

Background: Individuals receiving cancer treatment experience many treatment-related complications. Since one of these complications is oral mucositis, studies are conducted on this subject. This study aims to analyse the studies examining oral mucositis in the pediatric oncology population by bibliometric methods.Methods: Bibliometric analysis was performed using the WosViewer software to scan the articles written in the relevant field. Publication trend, country distribution, journal and citation analysis, citation analysis of publications, keyword analysis of publications, text mining of abstracts were performed. Results: In this study, 108 studies in the Web of Science database were examined. Because of the analyses, it was determined that there was an increase in studies on the subject after 2017. It has been determined that America, Brazil and Canada are the countries with the highest number of studies on this subject. Oral mucositis, mucositis and chemotherapy were determined as the most frequently used keywords.Discussion: Studies of oral mucositis in the pediatric population tend to increase recently. Preserving this increase and accelerating the work to be done in this field will fill the gaps in the literature.
Modified DRASTIC method for groundwater vulnerability assessment in areas with diverse Quaternary deposits
Authors: Männik Magdaleena , Karro Enn , Marandi Andres , Polikarpus Maile , Ani Tavo , Rosentau Alar
Published: March 2022

Developing accurate groundwater vulnerability maps is necessary for environmental planning and protection of groundwater resources. The DRASTIC method is one of the most widely used groundwater vulnerability assessment techniques. To achieve a more precise vulnerability estimation in areas where aquifers are covered with an extra layer of diverse sediments and thus, have more complex hydrogeology, e.g. in formerly glaciated regions, a further modification of the DRASTIC method is required. In such areas, the thickness of deposits can vary from thin layers with a high pollution potential to thick Quaternary layers making the groundwater protected against contamination. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to modify the DRASTIC method to be successfully applied in the areas characterized by a layer of diverse Quaternary sediments, which remarkably influence the nature of the infiltration conditions. First, the D-, S-, and I-parameters were modified, considering the nature of the Quaternary layer. To help the process, a model was created, which takes as input all necessary files for vulnerability assessment and creates a map using all parameters with weights assigned to them. Later, both the original and the modified DRASTIC methodology was applied in an area with glacial sediments located in Central Estonia. For the validation of methods, the comparison of results from existing vulnerability maps, which were produced by methodology specifically developed for local geological conditions, was used. In conclusion, the results generated by the modified DRASTIC method showed significantly more similarities with the existing maps than the original DRASTIC method. Thus, the modified DRASTIC method is successfully applicable in areas where the aquifer is covered with an extra layer of diverse Quaternary sediments.
Forming limit curves of ultra-thin sheet metal for high-speed Nakajima test
Authors: Zhang Ying , Xie Chen Yu , Yuan Zheng Jun , Tang Xiu Jia , Zhang Guoqing
Published: March 2022

This paper is concerned with Nakajima test and forming limit curve (FLC) of stainless 304 ultra-thin sheet metal in relation to the strain rate effect. The mechanical properties related to the micro structure of specimens are studied based on quasi static tension test. The forming limit curves are constructed by Nakajima tests with two different strain rates, quasi-static and high speed strain rate. Compared with the quasi-static FLC, the high speed FLC of the 304 ultra-thin metal sheet for all specimens with different thickness is lower through the entire region. The results confirm that the strain rates have a noticeably influence on the formability of ultra-thin sheet metal. The deformation and fracture behavior for high speed forming is discussed based on the previous study. The forming limit curves should be considered in the design in high speed ultra-thin sheet metal forming processes.
Rapid transition from primary to secondary crust building on the Moon explained by mantle overturn.
Authors: Prissel Tabb , Zhang Nan , Jackson Colin , Li Haoyuan
Published: March 2022

Geochronology indicates a rapid transition from primary to secondary crust building on the Moon. However, a lack of consensus remains regarding the operative mechanisms responsible for generation of early secondary magmas and their global extent. This study tests the hypothesis that the earliest secondary crust (Mg-suite rocks) formed as a direct result of density-driven cumulate mantle overturn. To do this, we advance 3-D mantle convection models to predict the extent of lower mantle melting induced by cumulate overturn. In contrast to previous suggestions, our results demonstrate that mantle overturn alone can simultaneously explain the abundance, timing, and spatial extent of early secondary crust building without contributions from other energy sources, i.e., lunar KREEP (potassium, rare earth elements, phosphorus, radiogenic U, Th). We propose that gravitational instabilities in magma ocean cumulate piles are major driving forces for the onset of mantle convection and initial secondary crust building on differentiated bodies.
Systematic analysis of CXC chemokine–vascular endothelial growth factor A network in colonic adenocarcinoma from the perspective of angiogenesis
Authors: Situ Yongli , XU Qinying , DENG Li , LU Xiaoyong , CUI Yongshi , LIN Hao , SHAO Zheng , Chen Jv
Published: March 2022

Background
Tumor angiogenesis plays a vital role in tumorigenesis, proliferation, and metastasis. Recently, it has been gradually recognized that VEGFA and CXC chemokines are important players in angiogenesis. It is interesting to explore the expression level, gene regulatory network, prognostic value, and target prediction of CXC chemokine-VEGFA network in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) from the perspective of tumor angiogenesis.
Methods
In this study, we analyzed gene expression and regulation, prognostic value, target prediction, and immune infiltrates related to CXC chemokine-VEGFA network in patients with COAD using multiple databases (cBioPortal, UALCAN, Human Protein Atlas, GeneMANIA, GEPIA, TIMER, TRRUST, LinkedOmics, and Metascape).
Results
Our results showed that CXCL1/2/3/5/6/8/11/16/17 and VEGFA were significantly overexpressed, while CXCL12/13/14 was underexpressed in patients with COAD. Moreover, genetic alterations in the CXC chemokine-VEGFA network found at varying rates in patients with COAD were as follows: CXCL1/2/17 (2.1%), CXCL3/16 (2.6%), CXCL5/14 (2.4%), CXCL6 (3%), CXCL8 (0.8%), CXCL11/13 (1.9%), CXCL12 (0.6%), and VEGFA (1.3%). Promoter methylation of CXCL1/2/3/11/13/17 was significantly lower in patients with COAD, while methylation of CXCL5/6/12/14 and VEGFA was significantly higher. Furthermore, CXCL9/10/11 and VEGFA expression was significantly correlated with the pathological stages of COAD. In addition, patients with COAD with high CXCL8/11/14 or low VEGFA expression levels survived longer than patients without these characteristics. CXC chemokines and VEGFA form a complex regulatory network through co-expression, co-localization, and genetic interactions. Moreover, many transcription factor targets of the CXC chemokine-VEGFA network in patients with COAD were found: RELA, NFKB1, ZFP36, XBP1, HDAC2, SP1, ATF4, EP300, BRCA1, ESR1, HIF1A, EGR1, STAT3, and JUN. We further identified the top three miRNAs involved in regulating each CXC chemokine within the network: miR-518C, miR-369-3P, and miR-448 regulated CXCL1; miR-518C, miR-218, and miR-493 regulated CXCL2; miR-448, miR-369-3P, and miR-221 regulated CXCL3; miR-423 regulated CXCL13; miR-378, miR-381, and miR-210 regulated CXCL14; miR-369-3P, miR-382, and miR-208 regulated CXCL17; miR-486 and miR-199A regulated VEGFA. Furthermore, the CXC chemokine-VEGFA network in patients with COAD was significantly associated with immune infiltration.
Conclusions
This study revealed that the CXC chemokine-VEGFA network is a prognostic biomarker for patients with COAD. Moreover, our study provides new therapeutic targets for COAD which will act as a reference for further research in the future.
Why do companies not disclose climate change adaptation strategies?
Authors: Tang Samuel
Published: March 2022

For 20 years the private sector has discussed climate change. While information about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduction targets has become something of a feature in corporate reporting, the majority of businesses do not report on the current and future predicted effects of climate change on their organisation and their proposals for adapting to climate change. This dearth of information about a company’s climate resilience and preparedness is a concern given shareholders, investors, policymakers, and other key stakeholders use corporate reports to inform decision-making. Beyond assumptions, little empirical insights exist on why companies do not disclose on climate change. Utilising 60 interviews with stakeholders involved in climate change reporting, this paper explores why companies do not report corporate climate change adaptation strategies. The paper uncovers various social and organisational factors that raise new insights about the role of the institutional environment in suppressing the spread and uptake of this organisational practice. Insights highlight policy, practice and research opportunities to change organisational behaviour.