bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New opportunities for the correction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypogonadism
Authors: Khripun Irina A. , Vorobyev Sergey V. , Allahverdieva Yanina Y. , Dzantieva Elizaveta O. , Rasskazova Maria A.
Published: December 2020

Background: The common pathogenetic relations of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), testosterone (T) deficiency and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have indicated a new direction in the study of their mutual influence. It was found that NAFLD is more pronounced in men with T2DM and hypogonadism than in eugonadal patients and associated with hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, impaired lipid metabolism and adipose tissue dysfunction. However, the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on the severity of NAFLD in men with hypogonadism have not been studied.

Aims: To study the effect of TRT on the severity of NAFLD in men with T2DM and hypogonadism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anthropometric data, biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP), glucose, immunoreactive insulin, HOMA index, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipidogram), ELISA analysis (total T, LH, sex hormone binding globulin, resistin, adiponectin, leptin), as well as magnetic resonance imaging with determination of the liver fat fraction were examined.

Results: The study included 60 men with T2DM and hypogonadism (mean age 54 [49; 57] years), who were randomized into 2 groups: 1 (n=30) - patients who received 1% transdermal T gel (50 mg/day) in addition to standard hypoglycemictherapy; 2 (n=30) - patients who received standard hypoglycemic therapy. The follow-up period was 6 months. T therapy was associated with a decrease in liver enzyme levels: AST by 31%, ALT by 21%, and GGTP by 15.9% (p<0.05) and the hepatic fat fraction by 1.7 times, which reflect the regress of liver inflammation, and, consequently, a decrease in the severity of NAFLD. Moreover, TRT has improved the function of adipose tissue - reduced the concentration of leptin by 1.4 times and resistin by 1.5 times, which was accompanied by an increase in adiponectin level by 1.3 times (p<0.01). The use of TRT was associated with decrease in the severity of visceral obesity, hyperinsulinemia by 1.5 times, an insulin resistance index HOMA by 2.2 times, fasting glycaemia and HbA1c levels, despite constant hypoglycemic therapy. Statistically significant decrease in the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides was observed in men receiving TRT. Thus, a decrease in adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance in men receiving TRT can be considered as a pathogenetic mechanism responsible for improving liver function and reducing the severity of NAFLD.

Conclusions: TRT in men with T2DM and hypogonadism is accompanied by regress of inflammatory activity in liver and intensity of hepatocytes steatosis, reflected by decrease in liver enzymes levels and liver fat fraction.
Epicardial obesity and atrial fibrillation: emphasis on atrial fat depot
Authors: Mazur Evgeniy S. , Mazur Vera V. , Bazhenov Nikolay D. , Kolbasnicov Sergey V. , Nilova Oksana V.
Published: December 2020

The studies, performed with MRI and CT, showed that the increase of fat, immediately adjacent to the myocardium (epicardial fat) is correlated more strongly with the risk of atrial fibrillation than the general or abdominal obesity. According to some studies, epicardial fat around the left atrium is a strong predictor of the development at atrial fibrillation. Also, the amount of the fat is associated with the effectiveness of cardioversion and the risk of developing thromboembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The number of such works is small, since tomographic examinations are not needed if intra-atrial thrombosis is suspected, and transthoracic echocardiograthy does not allow visualization of atrial fat. However, transesophageal echocardiography is widely used in patients with atrial fibrillation and allows to measure the structures that serve as depots of epicardial fat, namely the interatrial septum and left lateral ridge. Accumulation of epicardial fat leads to thickening of these structures. This can be used to study the relationship between epicardial obesity and the risk of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillations.
Androgens and Antiandrogens influence on COVID-19 disease in men
Authors: Rozhivanov Roman V. , Andreeva Elena N. , Melnichenko Galina A. , Mokrysheva Natalya G.
Published: December 2020

The WHO has declared a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. During a pandemic, the researches aimed at finding the new treatments for SARS-CoV-2 become relevant. The review focuses on studies of androgens and antiandrogens in this disease. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, it has been noted that men have more severe forms of infection and higher mortality. The main cause of both the severity of the disease and the high mortality of men from COVID-19 are associated with androgens. It was found that patients receiving androgen deprivation are less likely to become infected and easily tolerate COVID-19. The researchers explain the effect of the therapy by the effect on the TMPRSS2 protein. It was found that both TMPRSS2 expression and a more severe course of coronavirus infection are observed in men with hyperandrogenism – androgenic alopecia, acne, excessive facial hair growth and increased skin oiliness. In this regard, some researchers suggest to use androgen deprivation for men at high risk of developing COVID-19. Steroid and non-steroidal antiandrogens are used for androgen deprivation. At the same time, obtaned scientific data on the relationship of severe forms and mortality of COVID-19 with low testosterone levels leads to a hypothesis about the possibility of a positive effect not of androgen devrivation therapy but of androgen replacement therapy in case of hypogonadism have diagnosed. These studies have not been completed recently, and data on the effectiveness and safety of antiandrogens and androgens in the treatment of a new coronavirus infection require clarification.
Letter to the editorial office of the journal "Problems of Endocrinology" in connection with the publication of an editorial by prof. P.O.Rumyantsev "Oncoendocrinology - an innovative interdisciplinary platform for personalized medicine"
Authors: Bershtein Lev M.
Published: December 2020

The publication of this article is undoubtedly a significant and positive phenomenon, while the initiative of the journal «Problems of Endocrinology» with the introduction of a new section «Oncoendocrinology» should be welcomed and will serve to unite the efforts of specialists of various profiles in the appropriate direction.
Formação em psicologia para igualdade racial: experiência de estágio em um Terreiro de Tambor de Mina / Academic education in psychology for racial equality: internship experience at a Terreiro de Tambor de Mina
Authors: Alcântara Ramon Luis de Santana , Santos Neto Francisco Valberto dos , Araujo Raabe Naftali de Sousa
Published: December 2020

Este trabalho tem como objeto de estudo uma experiência de estágio em Psicologia Social em um Terreiro de Tambor de Mina, situado em um quilombo urbano, em São Luís/MA. Objetiva analisar como a formação profissional pode ocupar um lugar estratégico nas políticas educacionais para igualdade racial. Como metodologia, utiliza-se do ensaio teórico, compreendendo-o como um exercício do pensamento que produz novos saberes. Como resultados, apontam-se: perspectivas para construção de uma Psicologia Afrocentrada brasileira; maior aproximação da Psicologia com saberes e questões do povo de terreiro; criação de espaço de agenciamento político em prol da igualdade racial entre estudantes. Considera-se que a experiência aponta a necessidade de docentes problematizarem as temáticas raciais na formação.
Factors Affecting Manufacturing Exports
Authors: Sumiyati Euis Eti
Published: December 2020

This study aims to determine the factors that influence manufacturing exports inIndonesia. This study uses time-series data with 40 data observations starting fromthe 1st quarter of 2010 to the 4th quarter of 2019. This study's analysis method is theÂ vector error correction model (VECM), which can dynamically describe the shortterm and long-term effects. Export determinants to be examined are inflation, theÂ rupiah exchange rate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and Foreign DirectInvestment (FDI). This study indicates that inflation at lag 1 harms manufacturedexports both in the short and long term. Furthermore, GDP has a positive effect onmanufacturing exports in the short run at lag 1 and lag 2, while in the long run, GDPhas a positive effect only on lag 1. Meanwhile, the exchange rate and FDI factors didnot affect manufactured exports, both in the short and long term. This study impliesthat inflation and GDP are essential factors in designing policies to increase exportsin Indonesia, including exports of manufactured products.
Moderating Role of Audit Fees on the Effect of Task Complexity and Independence towards Audit Judgment
Authors: Eny Nur , Mappanyukki Ratna
Published: December 2020

This study examines the effect of task complexity and auditor independence on audit judgment with audit fees as a moderating variable. Samples were obtained from auditors working in public accounting firms in West Jakarta and South Jakarta. Data collec-tion was done using a survey method by distributing questionnaires to 100 auditors as respondents. The method of analysis used was Moderated Regression Analysis. The results show that task complexity hurts audit judgment. Auditor independence has a positive effect on audit judgment. Audit fees can strengthen the effect of task complexity on audit judgment. Besides, audit fees moderate the effect of auditor independence on audit judgment. It is recommended that public accounting firms consider the inter-action of variables that affect audit judgment, such as task complexity, independence, and audit fees, to improve audit quality.
Educating Students for a Complex Future: Why Integrating a Problem Analysis in Problem-Based Learning Has Something to Offer
Authors: Thomassen Anja Overgaard , Stentoft Diana
Published: December 2020

The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of problem-based learning (PBL) and more specifically the problem analysis as a set of learning principles and practices offering the potential to bridge higher education to the complexities and uncertainties of science and society. Literature on PBL often argues that PBL supports education aimed at developing students’ competences in problem-solving. However, as we increasingly face complex and wicked problems, we cannot assume that problems can be solved based on existing methods and theories; the focus needs to shift from problem-solving to problem analysis and complexity navigation. This paper describes and discusses the need to focus on authenticity, exemplarity, and interdisciplinary as key educational concepts when developing competencies to analyze complex problems. In addressing these key concepts, the paper touches upon the didactical implications of problem analysis as the most important competence to achieve during higher education and as essential when moving beyond education and into a complex world where problems are always interrelated, as reflected in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
PARÂMETROS CRÍTICOS PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE EXTRATOS SECOS VEGETAIS PADRONIZADOS OBTIDOS POR SPRAY-DRYING: DA PESQUISA A REALIDADE DA PRODUÇÃO
Authors: Lopes Deise Cristina Drummond Xavier Paes , Pereira Caroline da Silva , Castilho Caroline Vianna Velasco , Pietroluongo Márcia , Matos Ana Paula dos Santos , Guimarães Thiago Frances , Viçosa Alessandra Lifsitch
Published: December 2020

O processo de secagem por atomização ou spray-drying é uma das operações mais frequentes para a obtenção de extratos secos a partir de plantas medicinais. No entanto, durante o processo de preparação desses insumos farmacêuticos ativos (IFA) de origem vegetal, uma série de fatores podem afetar a qualidade desses produtos intermediários. Por meio de levantamento bibliográfico científico e da legislação brasileira sobre medicamentos fitoterápicos, vivências do grupo em pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D) da Fiocruz e da realização de Brainstorming entre os integrantes da equipe, foi elaborado um diagrama de causa e efeito (Diagrama de Ishikawa). Tal pesquisa teve o objetivo de levantar pontos críticos no processo de produção desses IFA de origem vegetal, apontando aspectos do processo de spray-drying de ordem teórica e prática que poderiam afetar a qualidade do produto fitoterápico. Com base nas informações mencionadas no diagrama e na discussão desses pontos acerca de cada etapa até a preparação do extrato seco, foi possível racionalizar o processo de obtenção desse intermediário, com foco em transformá-lo em produto fitoterápico.
La desfragmentación: un reto en la didáctica del uso académico de la lengua
Authors: Cisneros Estupiñán Mireya
Published: December 2020

La formación de docentes de lengua materna y el ejercicio profesional, en torno a la didáctica de la lengua materna con fines académicos, enfrenta varias dificultades entre las que se destaca, en este trabajo, la fragmentación tanto de los saberes como de los procesos de enseñanza. De allí que se aboga por la desfragmentación que permita integración y diálogo interdisciplinar entre lingüistas y didactas. Primero, se da una mirada a cómo se desarrollan las actividades académicas, luego, se reflexiona en torno al fenómeno de fragmentación del conocimiento teórico-lingüístico, la fragmentación desde políticas educativas y curriculares, la fragmentación entre la teoría y la práctica, la fragmentación didáctica, y se resalta la necesidad de desfragmentar la enseñanza de la lengua materna con fines académicos. A manera de conclusión, se llama la atención en torno a que la desfragmentación conduce a procesos más eficientes para abordar la complejidad implicada en la búsqueda de relaciones, integraciones y funcionalidades tanto de saberes disciplinares como de procesos didácticos en contextos socioeducativos y sociocomunicativos.
¿Para qué maestros y maestras en tiempos de confinamiento?
Authors: Moreno Mónica , Arroyave Salazar Elvia Adriana
Published: December 2020

Este trabajo tiene como punto de partida el llamado de Hölderlin en relación con lo que le sucedía al poeta y lo que ha devenido a la sociedad, especialmente en estos tiempos de confinamiento en el que nos encontramos. El encierro en nuestras casas y la necesidad de comprenderlo desde una perspectiva formativa y estética, generó en dos maestras universitarias el deseo de convertir dicho estado en una experiencia vital en la que participaron dos grupos de maestros en formación que adelantaban las prácticas pedagógicas, de la Licenciatura en Literatura y Lengua Castellana, de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Antioquia. Durante su proceso formativo construyeron una serie de mediaciones estéticas que estuvieron inspiradas, por un lado, en la casa como espacio de formación y en la pregunta ¿yo como centro de práctica?; y por otro, en convertir el estado de incertidumbre, en un proceso para despertar la curiosidad e imaginación de los lectores literarios infantiles con los que interactuaron.
La casa y los entornos del aprendizaje en la coyuntura de la pandemia
Authors: Jurado Fabio
Published: December 2020

La educación se mueve entre dos escuelas: la que está regulada por un currículo prescrito y la que se desarrolla en la casa y sus entornos. La situación de la pandemia puso a prueba la posible intersección entre una y otra escuela. Sin embargo, en los dos primeros meses del aislamiento social la escuela con su currículo prescrito se mantuvo de manera remota, a través de “guías” estructuradas por cuestionarios y tareas; es decir, no cambió nada, si bien es notoria la excepción de los docentes innovadores y la tendencia en la segunda etapa de la pandemia a introducir otros modos de interacción con las familias y los estudiantes. En la primera etapa la familia colapsó frente al excesivo asignaturismo y sus tareas. Frente a la situación se propone a los estudiantes y las familias trabajar a partir de proyectos relacionados con las cosas de la casa y asumir los lenguajes de manera abierta y con versatilidad. Un obstáculo en esta pretensión es la desigualdad social y la ausencia de herramientas digitales propicias para la educación remota: la interacción entre estudiantes y docentes.
Narrar la crisis
Authors: Rodríguez Diego
Published: December 2020

La palabra, a pesar de ser movilizadora de injusticias y preocupaciones, también representa cierta posibilidad de reacción, de salvamento, de sosiego. Esta reflexión toma cuerpo no sólo al observar el mar de comunicaciones en torno al panorama de la situación de salud mundial respecto de la pandemia ocasionada por el covid-19, sino también al acercarse a la injusticia o la incertidumbre que, en general, al ser humano acontece, donde la palabra busca romper con las imperativas distancias en las que este recae. Sin embargo, esta palabra que consuela, que afecta y fragmenta las distancias presentes en la particular situación actual, no es la palabra informativa, sino la que sienta su origen en el acto mismo de la conversación, del contar, del narrar lo acontecido con cierto distanciamiento particular, al cual se remite esta reflexión frente a la posibilidad de ese encuentro en la palabra literaria, con la advertencia del acercamiento a la sobreproducción por la que se encamina en momentos explícitamente inciertos, como el que estamos viviendo en la actualidad.
Atomic force microscope observation of athletes' hemoglobin imaging
Authors: Zhang Guojun , Luo Weidong , Hajee Shereen Ismail , Gong HanCheng
Published: December 2020

Hemoglobin (Hb) is a protein and its functional form has a tetrameric structure. This structure is the result of a combination of four sub-units called globin and indicates the dynamic interaction between them. Each subunit has a ring-shaped organic molecule called a heme that contains an iron atom; Heme is a group that mediates the reversible binding of oxygen by hemoglobin. This research was performed to observe the image of Hb by an atomic force microscope (AFM) and measure the physical function of athletes. For this purpose, based on the principle of AFM imaging, the hemoglobin crosslinking method was used to measure the morphology and size of cross-linked Hb, glutaraldehyde and Hb diameter were detected to prepare cross-linked Hb samples with different molar ratio, the activity of peroxidase was detected by Trinder reaction. The AFM was used to detect the influence of physiological environment changes such as pH, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and osmotic pressure on the absorption spectrum of Hb imaging. Results showed that the size of the uncrosslinked Hb was 6.64 nm. With the increase of the molar ratio of glutaraldehyde to Hb, the number of Hb molecules involved in the crosslinking increased, and the molecular size increased. During the crosslinking process, the aggregation of the cross-linked molecules would make the particle size of some Hb molecules reach 80-100 nm. The peak height, peak position and peak shape of the characteristic absorption peaks of pH to hemoglobin at 550 and 589 nm occurred. When the temperature changes continuously in the range of 30-55â„ƒ, the peak height of Hb absorption spectrum of normal red blood cells at 550 nm and 589 nm decreases gradually with the increase of temperature, and the peak shape at 610 nm changes obviously at 42â„ƒ, which indicates that the molecular structure of Hb changes; the absorption spectrum curve of deoxygenation disappears at 500 nm, the oxygen-binding capacity of Hb is very low, and the oxygen affinity and oxygenated hemoglobin are low (The concentration of HbO2) decreased, the osmotic pressure increased, the RBC dehydrated, the volume decreased, and the concentration of Hb increased. Conclusion: It is more accurate and comprehensive to use AFM to observe athletes' hemoglobin.
Circulatory miRNA-155, miRNA-21 target PTEN expression and activity as a factor in breast cancer development
Authors: Ali Saman Abdulrahman , Abdulrahman Zirak Faqia Ahmed , Faraidun Hemin Nasradeen
Published: December 2020

Breast cancer is a complex disease with multiple factors involved in its pathophysiological development. genetic mutations of BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 are among the most well-studied factors. The role of other genetic factors like altered expression profiles, SNPs in the regulatory regions of different genes or epigenetic factors like promoter methylation and histone modifications are also well studied but no solid understanding is available on distinct key players triggering malignancy in breast cancer, (Phosphatase and tensin homolog) PTEN is known to be a crucial tumor suppressor as it has been reported to be missing or abnormally expressed in many cancer cells. Here in this were studied how PTEN is expressed in malignant and benign cancer cells by investigating its expression profile and cellular location using Immuno-fluorescence microscopy. At the same time, quantitative studies of the circulatory mi-RNAs related to the downregulation of PTEN, namely mir-21 and mir-155 have studied also. Sixty biopsy samples, forty were diagnosed to be malignant and twenty were benign. It has been found that PTEN is normally expressed in benign samples and its normally localized in the cell membrane, while in malignant samples the expression level of PTEN is lower or absent and it is translocated to the cytoplasm. Interestingly the quantitative expression of circulatory mir-21 and mir-155 in the blood plasma of the corresponding patients showed a related pattern with higher expression in malignant samples, therefore can it's clear that PTEN is in the cross-talk of genetics and epigenetic regulation in regard of the development of malignant breast cancer. At the same time, this study confirms the importance of circulatory miRNAs as a biomarker for early breast cancer detection.
Rola imienia we wczesnoszkolnym nauczaniu języków nierodzimych
Authors: Adryan Karolina
Published: December 2020

The article focuses on the effectiveness of the name-based method (Odimienna Metoda Nauki Czytania) developed by Irena Majchrzak in foreign language teaching to young pupils. Children’s names prove a good starting point for learning to read in a foreign language. As a valuable educational material of emotional charge, the name constitutes an integral part of the learner and thus can be used as a personalised primer containing a basic text to be the first read by children. Originally used to teach reading in Polish kindergartens, the name-based method may inspire teachers in teaching a foreign language to young learners as an ingenious pedagogical innovation. My professional experience indicates that the reading skills in a foreign language in the first stage of education are underestimated. My data come from a six-month experiment in a primary bilingual school where I introduced the name-based method. As a result, the children’s own names in their foreign language versions provided an excellent educational basis. The conclusions reveal that this method helps in expanding vocabulary, developing linguistic sensitivity, stimulating communication skills, and positively affecting language fluency.
Properties and Characterization of Temperature-Responsive Asphalt by Using Thermochromic Powder
Authors: Bo Wu , Liu Jinzhou , Peng Weizhi , Peng Wenchuan , Yu Bin
Published: December 2020

Asphalt pavement absorbs solar energy efficiently during the summer and loses heat rapidly during the winter because of its black color, which leads to rutting and cracking distresses. The thermochromic powders were used in this study to reverse the process with its ability to dynamically change color (albedo in essence) subject to temperature variations. Three types of thermochromic powders (the red, blue, and black ones) were applied to base asphalt at the contents of 3, 6, and 10 % to prepare the thermochromic asphalt. The gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, physical, rheological, and thermodynamic properties of base and thermochromic asphalt binders were investigated via laboratory tests. The temperature-regulating function of thermochromic asphalt binders was examined in the field. Throughout the study, it is revealed that with the addition of thermochromic powders, the penetration and creep rate of asphalt binder decreased, whereas the softening point, viscosity, rutting parameter, and stiffness increased. When the powder content is 3 %, the intermolecular force within asphalt is enhanced; therefore, the consistency of asphalt is improved while the flow ability is weakened. While the content continues to raise, the thermochromic powder is prone to produce particle agglomeration. Thermochromic asphalt has a much higher specific heat capacity and latent heat than base asphalt, reflecting the principle to regulate temperature. Temperature reduction of 4°C∼5°C was observed for thermochromic asphalt binders compared with base asphalt in the field test. Considering the performance balance and economics, the content of thermochromic powders was recommended to be 5∼6 %. After adding thermochromic powders, the surface temperature of asphalt pavement can be effectively reduced during the summer and the road temperature during the winter will remain adequate to prevent cracking or icing.
Temperature Dependence of Photoluminescence Spectra in Polystyrene
Authors: Tsagli K. , Dordevic S. V.
Published: December 2020

Our previous study of low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) in several common polymers revealed that PL intensity is, to different degree, temperature dependent in all of them. Even though polystyrene (PS) showed only moderate temperature dependence, it was the only studied polymer in which the wavelength, and therefore the energy, of the PL peak changed with temperature. In this work, we explored that effect in more detail and found that it is not present in all samples. Therefore, the effect is not intrinsic to PS, and we hypothesize that it is due to impurities. Moreover, our analysis revealed that the shift of the peak is due to a second PL peak, which displays a very strong temperature dependence. These PL results are also supplemented with UV-vis measurements on the same samples.
Reduction in Residual Stress during Plastic Deformation of the Aluminum Alloy 7449
Authors: Robinson J. S. , Pirling T. , Truman C. E.
Published: December 2020

Rectilinear blocks of the very high-strength aerospace aluminum alloy 7449 were solution treated and cold water quenched. They were then stress relieved immediately by cold compression. The amount of cold compression was systematically varied from 0 to 0.3 %. The amount of plastic strain was limited to well below the industrial standard of ~2 %. The blocks then received a stabilizing aging treatment. The residual stress distribution remaining in the blocks was characterized using neutron diffraction, with the aim of tracking how the through thickness 3-D residual strains and stresses change as cold compression progresses. Stress relief was of the order of 30–50 %, but there was no discernible systematic increase in stress relief as the plastic deformation magnitude was increased. It is suggested that this is mainly due to the differences between the samples being less than the experimental uncertainty of the neutron diffraction strain measurement technique.
Was 2016 a Realigning Election in Taiwan?
Authors: Clark Cal , Tan Alexander C. , Ho Karl
Published: December 2020

The January 2016 presidential and legislative elections in Taiwan produced a dramatic and unprecedented victory for the Democratic Progressive Party over its long-time rival, the Kuomintang. The party had never had a parliamentary majority before 2016. The elections indicated the potential for fundamental change in Taiwan’s party system. This is what political scientists call a critical realigning election. The problem with identifying these elections, such as the 1896 and 1932 ones in the United States, is that we can only be sure of such an interpretation after a significant amount of time has passed. Still, some of the changes in Taiwan are fundamental enough to make such an evaluation worthwhile. We summarize realigning elections; discuss the factors that may lead to a change in the partisan balance; and describe the growing role of protest parties and social movements in Taiwan politics.
Why and How Umbrella Movement Participants Ran in the Authoritarian Elections in Hong Kong
Authors: Mok Chit Wai John
Published: December 2020

Why do social movement participants turn to elections to advance their goals? Little scholarship has examined movement–election connections at the micro level, and cases from nondemocratic settings are few. After the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong failed to achieve substantive results, very few occupiers ran as candidates in the next two general elections. Drawing on interviews with Umbrella candidates and campaign assistants, I argue that after being politicized by the occupation, those candidates used the authoritarian elections to prolong their challenge. They ran to prove that the occupation, though it had failed, did enjoy popular support, thus turning the elections into electoral “moments”: eruptions of civic energy. Their campaigns were also direct challenges to the existing parties. However, they were constrained by electoral logic. Candidates therefore devised various tactics to justify their decision, and to differentiate themselves from conventional candidates.
Antibiotic resistance and persistence—Implications for human health and treatment perspectives
Authors: Huemer Markus , Mairpady Shambat Srikanth , Brugger Silvio D , Zinkernagel Annelies S
Published: December 2020

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and persistence are associated with an elevated risk of treatment failure and relapsing infections. They are thus important drivers of increased morbidity and mortality rates resulting in growing healthcare costs. Antibiotic resistance is readily identifiable with standard microbiological assays, and the threat imposed by antibiotic resistance has been well recognized. Measures aiming to reduce resistance development and spreading of resistant bacteria are being enforced. However, the phenomenon of bacteria surviving antibiotic exposure despite being fully susceptible, so‐called antibiotic persistence, is still largely underestimated. In contrast to antibiotic resistance, antibiotic persistence is difficult to measure and therefore often missed, potentially leading to treatment failures. In this review, we focus on bacterial mechanisms allowing evasion of antibiotic killing and discuss their implications on human health. We describe the relationship between antibiotic persistence and bacterial heterogeneity and discuss recent studies that link bacterial persistence and tolerance with the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Finally, we review persister detection methods, novel strategies aiming at eradicating bacterial persisters and the latest advances in the development of new antibiotics.
HUMAN GOVERNANCE AND FIRM SUCCESS FROM WESTERN AND ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Sapuan Noraina Mazuin , Abdul Wahab Norwazli , Sholihin Mahfud , Sawaluddin Syazwanie
Published: December 2020

Human governance is an essential internal value that acts as a guide for a human to behave. Positive internal values can be the drivers to inspire people to work with integrity and accountability for the well-being of the businesses. Previous studies on corporate governance and firm performance show very little empirical evidence done in determining the role of human governance. The term human governance itself especially from the Western perspective is still unclearly defined. Thus, the objectives of this study are twofold. First, to investigate the characteristics of human governance from Western and Islamic perspectives. Second, to examine the factors that can improve the quality of human governance in order to mitigate the misconduct behaviour among the employees and the top management. The findings show that Western human governance emphasizes more on the good ethical values of human behaviour but Islamic human governance highlight on religiosity that build good spiritual that generates good behaviour among the Muslim people.
NETest is superior to chromogranin A in neuroendocrine neoplasia: a prospective ENETS CoE analysis
Authors: Malczewska Anna , Oberg Kjell , Kos-Kudla Beata
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The absence of a reliable, universal biomarker is a significant limitation in neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) management. We prospectively evaluated two CgA assays, (NEOLISA, EuroDiagnostica) and (CgA ELISA, Demeditec Diagnostics (DD)) and compared the results to the NETest.

Methods

NEN cohort (n = 258): pancreatic, n = 67; small intestine, n = 40; appendiceal, n = 10; rectal, n = 45; duodenal, n = 9; gastric, n = 44; lung, n = 43. Image-positive disease (IPD) (n = 123), image & histology- negative (IND) (n = 106), and image-negative and histology positive (n = 29). CgA metrics: NEOLISA, ULN: 108 ng/mL, DD: ULN: 99 ng/mL. Data mean ± s.e.m. NETest: qRT-PCR – multianalyte analyses, ULN: 20. All samples de-identified and assessed blinded. Statistics: Mann–Whitney U-test, Pearson correlation and McNemar-test.

Results

CgA positive in 53/258 (NEOLISA), 32 (DD) and NETest-positive in 157/258. In image- positive disease (IPD, n = 123), NEOLISA-positive: 33% and DD: 19%. NETest-positive: 122/123 (99%; McNemar’s Chi2= 79–97, P < 0.0001). NEOLISA was more accurate than DD (P = 0.0003). In image- negative disease (IND), CgA was NEOLISA-positive (11%), DD (8%), P = NS, and NETest (33%). CgA assays could not distinguish progressive (PD) from stable disease (SD) or localized from metastatic disease (MD). NETest was significantly higher in PD (47 ± 5) than SD (29 ± 1, P = 0.0009). NETest levels in MD (35 ± 2) were elevated vs localized disease (24 ± 1.3, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

NETest, a multigenomic mRNA biomarker, was ~99% accurate in the identification of NEN disease. The CgA assays detected NEN disease in 19–33%. Multigenomic blood analysis using NETest is more accurate than CgA and should be considered the biomarker standard of care.
Rat BAT xenotransplantation recovers the fertility and metabolic health of PCOS mice
Authors: Du Lei , Wang Yang , Li Cong-Rong , Chen Liang-Jian , Cai Jin-Yang , Xia Zheng-Rong , Zeng Wen-Tao , Wang Zi-Bin , Chen Xi-Chen , Hu Fan , Zhang Dong , Xing Xiao-Wei , Yang Zhi-Xia
Published: December 2020

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a major severe ovary disorder affecting 5–10% of reproductive women around the world. PCOS can be considered a metabolic disease because it is often accompanied by obesity and diabetes. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) contains abundant mitochondria and adipokines and has been proven to be effective for treating various metabolic diseases. Recently, allotransplanted BAT successfully recovered the ovarian function of PCOS rat. However, BAT allotransplantation could not be applied to human PCOS; the most potent BAT is from infants, so voluntary donors are almost inaccessible. We recently reported that single BAT xenotransplantation significantly prolonged the fertility of aging mice and did not cause obvious immunorejection. However, PCOS individuals have distinct physiologies from aging mice; thus, it remains essential to study whether xenotransplanted rat BAT can be used for treating PCOS mice. In this study, rat-to-mouse BAT xenotransplantation, fortunately, did not cause severe rejection reaction, and significantly recovered ovarian functions, indicated by the recovery of fertility, oocyte quality, and the levels of multiple essential genes and kinases. Besides, the blood biochemical index, glucose resistance, and insulin resistance were improved. Moreover, transcriptome analysis showed that the recovered PCOS F0 mother following BAT xenotransplantation could also benefit the F1 generation. Finally, BAT xenotransplantation corrected characteristic gene expression abnormalities found in the ovaries of human PCOS patients. These findings suggest that BAT xenotransplantation could be a novel therapeutic strategy for treating PCOS patients.
Metodología gerencial para facility management ambientalmente sostenible en Bogotá D. C.
Authors: Arango Aguirre Jimena
Published: December 2020

Algunas empresas realizan constantemente soluciones de mantenimiento correctivo y trabajan en un ambiente con malas condiciones locativas y espacios subutilizados que no tienen en cuenta la ergonomía. El presente artículo describe cómo estructurar una metodología gerencial para la administración de proyectos de mantenimientos locativos al aplicar facility management (FM) con un enfoque de sostenibilidad ambiental en edificios corporativos de Bogotá, Colombia. Se realizó un diagnóstico de los servicios de gestión de instalaciones más comunes y se analizaron diferentes enfoques gerenciales y normas ambientales con el fin de aportar sostenibilidad ambiental y uso eficiente a las compañías al conservar sus inmuebles y valorizarlos con el tiempo.
Estrategia para fomentar la transferencia de conocimiento en una entidad del sector defensa
Authors: Lugo Cobos Diana Catherine , Lugo Mondragón Linda Marcela , Suarez Yate Diana Magally , Peña Guarín Guillermo
Published: December 2020

El conocimiento y la experiencia de las personas impulsan el crecimiento en las organizaciones. Sin embargo, tras alcanzar un nivel de experticia, las personas pueden cambiar de organización o ser trasladadas a otro cargo, sin que el conocimiento se transfiera adecuadamente entre funcionarios, lo cual genera traumatismo en la gestión administrativa. Este artículo presenta una estrategia para transferir el conocimiento asociado a los procesos de las entidades públicas de una manera que permita preservarlo. El estudio se realizó con un enfoque mixto que incluyó una revisión de bibliografía sobre transferencia del conocimiento en español e inglés entre los años 2000 y 2018. Se aplicó un instrumento para diagnosticar la gestión del conocimiento con base en la teoría de Nonaka y Takeuchi. El informe final de las cuatro fases y los cinco facilitadores arrojó resultados por debajo de los esperados, lo que demostró que la entidad presenta falencias en esta área. Se elaboró una propuesta para fomentar la transferencia de conocimiento en la Jefatura y se validó con expertos. La fiabilidad del juicio se corroboró mediante el coeficiente de correlación alfa de Cronbach y el coeficiente de concordancia W de Kendall.
Transparencia en entidades públicas y su relación con la implementación de sistemas de gestión y normatividad anticorrupción
Authors: Maldonado Novoa Victor
Published: December 2020

La medición de las conductas que alteran el correcto desempeño de las entidades públicas, como la corrupción, es de vital importancia para orientar políticas y acciones concisas que mejoren la gestión financiera y organizacional, y la percepción que de estas tienen los habitantes del país. Esta investigación busca establecer si los sistemas de gestión y la normatividad anticorrupción coadyuvan a que las entidades sean más transparentes y reciban mejores calificaciones en la medición del índice de transparencia nacional (ITN). Para realizar la investigación, ee enviaron 40 derechos de petición a diferentes entidades nacionales para caracterizarlas, establecer tendencias y determinar la correlación estadística entre el ITN, los sistemas de gestión y la normatividad anticorrupción. A partir del análisis de la información, se concluyó que la implementación de sistemas de gestión y la aplicación de la normatividad anticorrupción no inciden en el resultado del ITN de las entidades públicas estudiadas.
Emergent digital activism: The generational/technological connection
Authors: Mora Fernando Adolfo
Published: December 2020

In this article three interacting categories for the understanding of emergent digital activism are reviewed: tools that enable the participation, people as social agents, and contexts of social or political participation. Since in many of the most recent cases of digital activism the main actors have been young activists, the paper attempts to present how some of these new cohorts make use of technology mediated tools for social interaction, crowd engagement and participation, through a networked and apparently leaderless social and political activism. By analyzing the interaction between the existing tools and the generational characteristics of the social actors in particular situations we show the role that digital systems and new social media play in certain situations.Con el fin de comprender el activismo digital, en este artículo se exploran tres categorías que se entrelazan: las herramientas que facilitan los procesos de participación, las personas como agentes sociales que intervienen y los contextos de participación social y política. Dado que en los casos más recientes de activismo digital los principales actores pertenecen a cohortes juveniles, el artículo intenta presentar algunas ideas de cómo esos activistas hacen uso de las herramientas tecnológicas para la participación social, la ccoperación y la inteligencia de las multitudes, mediante un activismo en red aparentemente sin liderazgos notorios. Se hace el análisis de la interacción entre las herramientas tecnológicas y las características generacionales en tres casos particulares para ilustrar el papel que los sistemas digitales y los nuevo smedios sociales juegan en ciertas situaciones.
The Multistakeholder Model, Neo-liberalism and Global (Internet) Governance
Authors: Gurstein Michael
Published: December 2020

Editorial
Developing an e-Community Approach to Community Services in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
Authors: Whiteduck Gilbert , Tenasco Anita , O'Donnell Susan , Whiteduck Tim , Lockhart Emily
Published: December 2020

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation is a leader in community and social services. This rural First Nation – the largest Algonquin community in Canada - has since 1980 successfully supported community members to take ownership of service development and delivery. They have made many services and programs available to community members, including: an elementary and secondary school, a day-care, a community hall, a community radio, a health centre, a police department, a youth centre, and others. Their community services are led and staffed by fully trained and qualified community members. As computers, broadband internet and cellular services have become available in Kitigan Zibi, the service sectors have been integrating these technologies with a goal of improving services for and communications with community members. However they face many challenges in their efforts to remain innovative and plan for future delivery of services using technologies. Our study, based on qualitative analysis from interviews with 14 community services staff in Kitigan Zibi, will explore their current successes, challenges, and future potential for integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into services that promote community and social development. The analysis discusses the eCommunity approach advocated by the Assembly of First Nations.
Managing Knowledge During Partnerships: A Case of Intermediaries in Agricultural Innovation System.
Authors: Addom Benjamin Kwasi
Published: December 2020

Within any agricultural innovation system, three key actors are well recognized. By default, the researcher is responsible for developing new knowledge, technologies, and innovations; the agricultural extension agent for delivery of the products; and the local farmer as the consumer. However, due to the challenges with most national agricultural extension systems in the developing nations, wide knowledge gaps have arisen between knowledge productions and use thereby limiting the successful functioning of this linear model of operation. This has led to the emergence of new and multiple intermediaries within most national agricultural innovation systems with the aim of bridging these knowledge gaps. The paper aims to show that the solution to this form of knowledge barrier is beyond the mere presence of multiple intermediaries, and involves coordination and collaboration roles among partners. It further identifies the potentials of the new information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enable the functions of these actors once the necessary social processes are put in place. The paper concludes by highlighting the critical role of systemic approach to innovation through a theoretical construct – ‘knowledge brokering role (KBR)’, that could help in role coordination among the stakeholders involved in the innovation process.
Analysing Urban Community Informatics from a Resilience Perspective
Authors: Heeks Richard , Ospina Angelica V.
Published: December 2020

The concept of resilience – the capacity to cope with, adjust to and potentially transform amid change and uncertainty – is of increasing interest and activity within community development.  It therefore presents a new lens that may be used to understand and guide community informatics.  Yet resilience is a concept that has often been well-understood but poorly-applied or, when applied, has been poorly-understood.  The purpose of this paper is therefore to develop a well-conceptualised model of resilience that can be applied in both community informatics research and practice.  The model presented here sees communities as systems and resilience as a set of foundational and enabling system sub-properties.  It is used as the basis for analysing ICT interventions in urban communities; showing how ICTs largely strengthen community resilience but may also weaken some aspects.  The paper demonstrates the viability of the developed resilience model to both understand and evaluate community informatics interventions, and it argues that this provides a broader and deeper understanding of those interventions than other perspectives can offer.  Further practical application of the model is, however, required.
What are Community Wireless Networks For?
Authors: Byrum Greta
Published: December 2020

Practitioners and researchers alike have made various claims about the nature of community networks as hybrid technological-social systems with the potential to provide social goods such as opportunities for participation in civic, economic, and social activity. However, the process of framing research contexts and gathering data has presented researchers with categorical challenges. This paper analyzes four cases of research into the qualities and potential of community networks, and provides a current example of an “open-source” research method that could be appropriate to forming a more appropriate context for understanding the potential socio-economic benefits of community networks. Assessments of success and failure at achieving social impact goals are synthesized according to existing contextual frameworks, and a new approach is proposed for cooperative/participatory research to help networks and their publics self-define effective and informed social impact frameworks.
Design for Sustainability: Countering the Drivers of Unsustainability in Development Projects
Authors: Meyer Isabel , Marais Mario Alphonso
Published: December 2020

Development projects aim to make a difference in communities. Funders often require that the intervention needs to last, or that it needs to effect change that will last, over an extended period of time. In short, a sustainable difference needs to be made and this is an important measure of success.  However, there are inherent drivers in the combined system of donors and beneficiaries that counter sustainability. This article explores these drivers, and identifies project design elements that need to be in place in order to promote sustainability by countering the drivers. This approach is applied to an education project, and implications for ICT4D projects are developed.