bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Migration in Namibia and its association with HIV acquisition and treatment outcomes
Authors: Low Andrea , Sachathep Karam , Rutherford George , Nitschke Anne-Marie , Wolkon Adam , Banda Karen , Miller Leigh Ann , Solmo Chelsea , Jackson Keisha , Patel Hetal , McCracken Stephen , Findley Sally , Mutenda Nicholus
Published: September 2021

Background

In the 21st century, understanding how population migration impacts human health is critical. Namibia has high migration rates and HIV prevalence, but little is known about how these intersect. We examined the association between migration and HIV-related outcomes using data from the 2017 Namibia Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (NAMPHIA).

Methods and findings

The NAMPHIA survey selected a nationally representative sample of adults in 2017. All adults aged 15–64 years were invited to complete an interview and home-based HIV test. Recent infection (<130 days) was measured using HIV-1 LAg avidity combined with viral load (>1000 copies/mL) and antiretroviral analyte data. Awareness of HIV status and antiretroviral use were based on self-report and/or detectable antiretrovirals in blood. Viremia was defined as having a viral load ≥1000 copies/mL, including all participants in the denominator regardless of serostatus. We generated community viremia values as a weighted proportion at the EA level, excluding those classified as recently infected. Significant migrants were those who had lived outside their current region or away from home >one month in the past three years. Recent cross-community in-migrants were those who had moved to the community two years ago to determine the association of migration and timing with recent infection or viral load suppression (VLS). All proportions are weighted. Of eligible adults, we had HIV results and migration data on 9,625 (83.9%) of 11,474 women and 7,291 (73.0%) of 9,990 men. Most respondents (62.5%) reported significant migration. Of cross-community in-migrants, 15.3% were recent. HIV prevalence was 12.6% and did not differ by migration status. Population VLS was 77.4%. Recent cross-community in-migration was associated with recent HIV infection (aOR: 4.01, 95% CI 0.99–16.22) after adjusting for community viremia. Significant migration (aOR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55–0.97) and recent cross-community in-migration (aOR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35–0.92) were associated with lower VLS, primarily due to lack of awareness of HIV infection. The study was limited by lack of precise data on trajectory of migration.

Conclusions

Despite a high population-level VLS, Namibia still has migrant populations that are not accessing effective treatment for HIV. Targeting migrants with effective prevention and testing programs in communities with viremia could enable further epidemic control.
The different outcomes between breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy and mastectomy in metaplastic breast cancer: A population-based study
Authors: Xia Lin-Yu , Xu Wei-Yun , Hu Qing-Lin
Published: September 2021

Background

Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) are rare. The survival outcomes of MBC patients after breast conserving surgery plus radiotherapy (BCS+RT) or mastectomy have not been established. The study aimed to compare survival outcomes of MBC patients subjected to BCS+RT or mastectomy therapeutic options.

Methods

Patients who were subjected to BCS+RT or mastectomy between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled in this study through the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and the overall survival (OS) of the participants were determined. Cox proportional hazard model and the Kaplan Meier method were used to determine the correlation between the two surgical methods and survival outcomes.

Results

A total of 1197 patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 439 patients were subjected to BCS+RT, while 758 patients were subjected to mastectomy. After propensity score matching (PSM), the BCS+RT and mastectomy groups consisted of 321 patients, respectively. The univariate and multivariate analysis with a 6-month landmark all indicate that patients receiving BCS+RT has higher OS than patients receiving mastectomy (HR = 0.701,95% CI = 0.496–0.990, P = 0.044; HR = 0.684,95% CI = 0.479–0.977, P = 0.037) while the BCSS was no difference between the two groups (HR = 0.739,95% CI = 0.474–1.153, P = 0.183; HR = 0.741,95% CI = 0.468–1.173, P = 0.200).

Conclusion

The BCS+RT therapeutic option exhibits a higher OS in MBC patients compared to the mastectomy approach.
Exploring the topology and dynamic growth properties of co-invention networks and technology fields
Authors: Pinto Pablo E. , Honores Guillermo , Vallone Andrés
Published: September 2021

This study investigates the topology and dynamics of collaboration networks that exist between inventors and their patent co-authors for patents granted by the USPTO from 2007–2019 (2,241,201 patents and 1,879,037 inventors). We study changes in the configurations of different technology fields via the power-law, small-world, preferential attachment, shrinking diameter, densification law, and gelling point hypotheses. Similar to the existing literature, we obtain mixed results. Based on network statistics, we argue that the sudden rise of large networks in six technology sectors can be understood as a phase transition in which small, isolated networks form one giant component. In two other technology sectors, such a transition occurred much later and much less dramatically. The examination of inventor networks over time reveals the increased complexity of all technology sectors, regardless of the individual characteristics of the network. Therefore, we introduce ideas associated with the technological diversification of inventors to complement our analysis, and we find evidence that inventors tend to diversify into new fields that are less mature. This behavior appears to be correlated with the compliance of some of the expected network rules and has implications for the emerging patterns among the different collaboration networks under consideration here.
Blue mussels of the Mytilus edulis species complex from South America: The application of species delimitation models to DNA sequence variation
Authors: Oyarzún Pablo A. , Toro Jorge E. , Nuñez José J. , Suárez-Villota Elkin Y. , Gardner Jonathan P. A.
Published: September 2021

Smooth-shelled blue mussels, Mytilus spp., have a worldwide antitropical distribution and are ecologically and economically important. Mussels of the Mytilus edulis species complex have been the focus of numerous taxonomic and biogeographical studies, in particular in the Northern hemisphere, but the taxonomic classification of mussels from South America remains unclear. The present study analysed 348 mussels from 20 sites in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and the Falkland Islands on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America. We sequenced two mitochondrial locus, Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (625 bp) and 16S rDNA (443 bp), and one nuclear gene, ribosomal 18S rDNA (1770 bp). Mitochondrial and nuclear loci were analysed separately and in combination using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods to identify the combination of the most informative dataset and model. Species delimitation using five different models (GMYC single, bGMYC, PTP, bPTP and BPP) revealed that the Mytilus edulis complex in South America is represented by three species: native M. chilensis, M. edulis, and introduced Northern Hemisphere M. galloprovincialis. However, all models failed to delimit the putative species Mytilus platensis. In contrast, however, broad spatial scale genetic structure in South America using Geneland software to analyse COI sequence variation revealed a group of native mussels (putatively M. platensis) in central Argentina and the Falkland Islands. We discuss the scope of species delimitation methods and the use of nuclear and mitochondrial genetic data to the recognition of species within the Mytilus edulis complex at regional and global scales.
Possibility of deterioration of respiratory status when steroids precede antiviral drugs in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: A retrospective study
Authors: Shionoya Yu , Taniguchi Toshibumi , Kasai Hajime , Sakuma Noriko , Imai Shun , Shikano Kohei , Takayanagi Shin , Yahaba Misuzu , Nakada Taka-aki , Igari Hidetoshi , Sakao Seiichiro , Suzuki Takuji
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Although most patients with COVID-19 develop asymptomatic or mild disease, some patients develop severe disease. The effectiveness of various therapeutic agents, including antiviral drugs, steroids, and anti-inflammatories for COVID-19, have been being confirmed. The effect of administering steroids in early disease is unclear. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and risk of exacerbation of steroids administered preceding antiviral drugs in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

This retrospective, single-center, observational study included consecutive patients with COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2021. Patients were divided into a steroids-first group and antiviral-drugs-first group. Mortality, duration of hospitalization, incidence rate and duration of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, intubation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) induction of the two groups were compared.

Results

A total of 258 patients were admitted during the study period. After excluding patients who received symptomatic treatment only, who were taking immunosuppressive drugs, or who were administered antiviral drugs only, 68 patients were included in the analysis, 16 in the steroids-first group and 52 in the antiviral-drugs-first group. The rate of intubation, ICU admission and ECMO induction were significantly higher in the steroids-first group than in the antiviral-drugs-first group (81.3% vs. 33.3, p<0.001, 75.0% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.001, and 31.3% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.017, respectively). Furthermore, patients who received steroids within ten days after starting antiviral drugs had significantly lower rates of ICU admission, intubation, and ECMO induction. (81.3% vs. 42.9% p = 0.011, 75.0% vs. 37.1% p = 0.012, and 31.3% vs. 8.6% p = 0.039, respectively).

Conclusions

Administering steroids prior to antiviral drugs soon after symptom onset can aggravate disease severity. When administration of steroids is considered soon after symptom onset, it may be safer to initiate antiviral drugs first.
Determinants of birth registration in India: Evidence from NFHS 2015–16
Authors: Kumar Krishna , Saikia Nandita
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Official data on birth is important to monitor the specific targets of SDGs. About 2.7 million children under age five years do not have official birth registration document in India. Unavailability of birth registration document may deprive the children from access to government-aided essential services such as fixed years of formal education, healthcare, and legal protection. This study examines the effect of socioeconomic, demographic and health care factors on birth registration in India. We also examined the spatial pattern of completeness of birth registration that could be useful for district level intervention.

Methods

We used data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015–16. We carried out the descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Besides, we used multilevel binary logistic regression to identify significant covariates of birth registration at the individual, district, and state levels. We used GIS software to do spatial mapping of completeness of birth registration at district level.

Results

The birth registration level was lower than national average (80.21%) in the 254 districts. In Uttar Pradesh, 12 out of 71 districts recorded lower than 50% birth registration. Also, some districts from Arunachal Pradesh, J&K, and Rajasthan recorded lower than 50% birth registration. We also found a lower proportion of children are registered among children of birth order three and above (62.83%) and rural resident (76.62%). Children of mothers with no formal education, no media exposure, poorest wealth quintile, OBC and muslims religion have lower level of birth registration. Multilevel regression result showed 25 percent variation in birth registration lie between states while the remaining 75 percent variation lie within states. Moreover, children among illiterate mother (AOR = 0.57, CI [0.54, 0.61], p<0.001), Muslims households (AOR = 0.90, CI [0.87, 0.94], p<0.001), and poorest wealth quintile (AOR = 0.38, CI [0.36, 0.41], p<0.001) showed lower odds for child’s birth registration.

Conclusion

We strongly suggest linking the birth registration facilities with health institutions.
Nafamostat mesilate, a nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor, enhances the antitumor action of radiotherapy on gallbladder cancer cells
Authors: Takada Naoki , Sugano Hiroshi , Shirai Yoshihiro , Saito Nobuhiro , Hamura Ryoga , Taniai Tomohiko , Uwagawa Tadashi , Yanaga Katsuhiko , Ikegami Toru , Ohashi Toya , Eto Ken
Published: September 2021

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcriptional factor that can be activated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The synthetic protease inhibitor nafamostat mesilate (NM) inhibits NF-κB activity and exerts antitumor actions in various types of cancer. In the present study, we hypothesized that NM might enhance the antitumor action of radiotherapy on gallbladder cancer (GBC) cells by inhibiting radiation-induced NF-κB activity. Thus, we investigated the correlation between radiotherapy and NF-κB activity in GBC cells. We assessed the in vitro effects of radiotherapy with or without NM on NF-κB activity, apoptosis of GBC cells (NOZ and OCUG-1), induction of apoptotic cascade, cell cycle progression, and viability of GBC cells using four treatment groups: 1) radiation (5 Gy) alone; 2) NM (80 μg/mL and 40 μg/mL, respectively) alone; 3) combination (radiation and NM); and 4) vehicle (control). The same experiments were performed in vivo using a xenograft GBC mouse model. In vitro, NM inhibited radiation-induced NF-κB activity. Combination treatment significantly attenuated cell viability and increased cell apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest compared with those in the other groups for NOZ and OCUG-1 cells. Moreover, combination treatment upregulated the expression of apoptotic proteins compared with that after the other treatments. In vivo, NM improved the antitumor action of radiation and increased the population of Ki-67-positive cells. Overall, NM enhanced the antitumor action of radiotherapy on GBC cells by suppressing radiation-induced NF-κB activity. Thus, the combination of radiotherapy and NM may be useful for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable GBC.
Cation complexation by mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa extracellular polysaccharide
Authors: Hills Oliver J. , Smith James , Scott Andrew J. , Devine Deirdre A. , Chappell Helen F.
Published: September 2021

Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a prevalent cystic fibrosis (CF) lung colonizer, producing an extracellular matrix (ECM) composed predominantly of the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) alginate. The ECM limits antimicrobial penetration and, consequently, CF sufferers are prone to chronic mucoid P. aeruginosa lung infections. Interactions between cations with elevated concentrations in the CF lung and the anionic EPS, enhance the structural rigidity of the biofilm and exacerbates virulence. In this work, two large mucoid P. aeruginosa EPS models, based on β-D-mannuronate (M) and β-D-mannuronate-α-L-guluronate systems (M-G), and encompassing thermodynamically stable acetylation configurations–a structural motif unique to mucoid P. aeruginosa–were created. Using highly accurate first principles calculations, stable coordination environments adopted by the cations have been identified and thermodynamic stability quantified. These models show the weak cross-linking capability of Na+ and Mg2+ ions relative to Ca2+ ions and indicate a preference for cation binding within M-G blocks due to the smaller torsional rearrangements needed to reveal stable binding sites. The geometry of the chelation site influences the stability of the resulting complexes more than electrostatic interactions, and the results show nuanced chemical insight into previous experimental observations.
Pulmonary function and six-minute-walk test in patients after recovery from COVID-19: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Eksombatchai Dararat , Wongsinin Thananya , Phongnarudech Thanyakamol , Thammavaranucupt Kanin , Amornputtisathaporn Naparat , Sungkanuparph Somnuek
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To study abnormality of spirometry, six-minute walk distance, and chest radiograph among patients recovered from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods and study design

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 87 COVID-19 confirmed cases who recovered and discharged from a medical school hospital in Thailand. At the follow-up visit on day 60 after onset of symptoms, patients underwent an evaluation by spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75, and PEF), a six-minute-walk test (6MWT), and a chest radiograph.

Results

There were 35 men and 52 women, with a mean age of 39.6±11.8 years and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.8±4.3 kg/m2. Of all, 45 cases had mild symptoms; 35 had non-severe pneumonia, and 7 had severe pneumonia. Abnormality in spirometry was observed in 15 cases (17.2%), with 8% of restrictive defect and 9.2% of obstructive defect. Among the patients with an abnormal spirometry, the majority of the cases were in the severe pneumonia group (71.4%), compared with 15.6% in the non-severe pneumonia group, and 10.2% in the mild symptom group (p = 0.001). The mean six-minute-walk distance (6MWD) in the mild symptom and non-severe pneumonia groups was 538±56.8 and 527.5±53.5 meters, respectively. Although the severe pneumonia group tended to have a shorter mean 6-min walking distance, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.118). Twelve patients (13.8%) had abnormal chest radiographs that showed residual fibrosis. This abnormality was more common in the severe pneumonia group (85.7%) and in others (7.5%) (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Abnormal spirometry was noted in 17.2% of COVID-19 survivors with both restrictive and obstructive defects. Severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients had higher prevalence rates of abnormal spirometry and residual fibrosis on the chest radiographs when compared to patients in the mild symptom and non-severe pneumonia groups.
Seasonality and social factors, but not noise pollution, influence the song characteristics of two leaf warbler species
Authors: Deoniziak Krzysztof , Osiejuk Tomasz S.
Published: September 2021

Changes in the acoustic signalling of animals occupying urban ecosystems is often associated with the masking effects of noise pollution, but the way in which they respond to noise pollution is not straightforward. An increasing number of studies indicate that responses can be case specific, and some species have been found to respond differently to high levels of natural versus anthropogenic noise, as well as different levels of the latter. While the perception of noise between species may vary with its source, amplitude and temporal features, some species may possess broader environmental tolerance to noise pollution, as they use higher frequency vocalizations that are less masked by low-frequency urban noise. In this study, we explored the song variation of two closely related leaf warblers, the Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita and the Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, inhabiting urban green spaces and nonurban forests. The main goal of our study was to evaluate the impact of moderate levels of noise pollution on the songs of species which use higher frequency vocalizations and large frequency bandwidth. Previous studies found that the Common Chiffchaff modified their song in response to intense noise pollution, while no such data is available for the Willow Warbler. However, the majority of urban green spaces, which serve as wildlife hot spots in urban environments are usually polluted with moderate noise levels, which may not mask the acoustic signals of species that communicate with higher frequency. We analysed the spectral and temporal song parameters of both warblers and described the ambient noise present in males’ territories. Additionally, we looked at the social and seasonal aspects of bird song, since there is more than just noise in urban ecosystems which may affect acoustic communication. We found no evidence for noise-related bird song divergence in either species, however, we showed that social factors, time of day and season influence certain Common Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler song characteristics. Lack of noise-related bird song divergence may be due to the relatively low variation in its amplitude or other noise features present within the song frequency range of the studied species. Similar results have previously been shown for a few songbird species inhabiting urban ecosystems. Although in many cases such results remain in the shadow of the positive ones, they all contribute to a better understanding of animal communication in urban ecosystems.
Effective vaccine allocation strategies, balancing economy with infection control against COVID-19 in Japan
Authors: Sunohara Satoshi , Asakura Toshiaki , Kimura Takashi , Ozawa Shun , Oshima Satoshi , Yamauchi Daigo , Tamakoshi Akiko
Published: September 2021

Due to COVID-19, many countries including Japan have implemented a suspension of economic activities for infection control. It has contributed to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 but caused severe economic losses. Today, several promising vaccines have been developed and are already being distributed in some countries. Therefore, we evaluated various vaccine and intensive countermeasure strategies with constraint of economic loss using SEIR model to obtain knowledge of how to balance economy with infection control in Japan. Our main results were that the vaccination strategy that prioritized younger generation was better in terms of deaths when a linear relationship between lockdown intensity and acceptable economic loss was assumed. On the other hand, when a non-linearity relationship was introduced, implying that the strong lockdown with small economic loss was possible, the old first strategies were best in the settings of small basic reproduction number. These results indicated a high potential of remote work when prioritizing vaccination for the old generation. When focusing on only the old first strategies as the Japanese government has decided to do, the strategy vaccinating the young next to the old was superior to the others when a non-linear relationship was assumed due to sufficient reduction of contact with small economic loss.
Differential plasmacytoid dendritic cell phenotype and type I Interferon response in asymptomatic and severe COVID-19 infection
Authors: Severa Martina , Diotti Roberta A. , Etna Marilena P. , Rizzo Fabiana , Fiore Stefano , Ricci Daniela , Iannetta Marco , Sinigaglia Alessandro , Lodi Alessandra , Mancini Nicasio , Criscuolo Elena , Clementi Massimo , Andreoni Massimo , Balducci Stefano , Barzon Luisa , Stefanelli Paola , Clementi Nicola , Coccia Eliana M.
Published: September 2021

SARS-CoV-2 fine-tunes the interferon (IFN)-induced antiviral responses, which play a key role in preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progression. Indeed, critically ill patients show an impaired type I IFN response accompanied by elevated inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels, responsible for cell and tissue damage and associated multi-organ failure. Here, the early interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and immune cells was investigated by interrogating anin vitrohuman peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-based experimental model. We found that, even in absence of a productive viral replication, the virus mediates a vigorous TLR7/8-dependent production of both type I and III IFNs and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, known to contribute to the cytokine storm observed in COVID-19. Interestingly, we observed how virus-induced type I IFN secreted by PBMC enhances anti-viral response in infected lung epithelial cells, thus, inhibiting viral replication. This type I IFN was released by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC)viaan ACE-2-indipendent but Neuropilin-1-dependent mechanism. Viral sensing regulates pDC phenotype by inducing cell surface expression of PD-L1 marker, a feature of type I IFN producing cells. Coherently to what observedin vitro, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects displayed a similar pDC phenotype associated to a very high serum type I IFN level and induction of anti-viral IFN-stimulated genes in PBMC. Conversely, hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 display very low frequency of circulating pDC with an inflammatory phenotype and high levels of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum. This study further shed light on the early events resulting from the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and immune cells occurringin vitroand confirmedex vivo. These observations can improve our understanding on the contribution of pDC/type I IFN axis in the regulation of the anti-viral state in asymptomatic and severe COVID-19 patients.
User comments on Facebook as a form of interactive engagement
Authors: Antonakopoulou Styliani , Veglis Andreas
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this article is to examine the quality of user comments on the Facebook posts of the Greek Public Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) with a view to acquiring an in-depth understanding of the way the users express themselves publicly. Moreover, the article has looked into which characteristics of the posts prompt the users to comment and whether post time is related to user comments. In all, 2547 user comments recorded on ERT digital platform have been analysed, the majority of which feature negative content. The posts that include a photo have a positive influence on users and result in increased interaction, while the relation between comments and post type is also ascertained.
Integration of Video Games To Support the FCS Education Food Production Standards
Authors: Aleman Ezequiel , Nadolny Larysa
Published: September 2021

Digital games can provide fun, motivating, and challenging experiences for students in the classroom. Recent research on educational games has shown that game play can positively influence academic achievement, engagement, and 21st century skills (Abdul Jabbar & Felicia, 2015; Qian
& Clark, 2016). When playing games, students solve problems, collaborate with peers, and practice new skills—all within a digital environment. There are multiple games that simulate preparing and serving food. Generally, players are tasked to prepare food based on the requests of
customers. Ingredients are processed on different tables or appliances, and final dishes are delivered to customers. Players who fail to complete recipes correctly or take too long during preparation may negatively influence customers' expectations. Although games vary in quality and applicability
to the classroom, many address components of the Food Service and Production standard to "integrate knowledge, skills, and practices required for careers in food production and services" (National Association of State Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences [NASAFACS], 2018, p.1).
Double Adaptive Intensity-Threshold Method for Uneven Lidar Data to Extract Road Markings
Authors: Ye Chengming , Li Hongfu , Wei Ruilong , Wang Lixuan , Sui Tianbo , Bai Wensen , Saied Pirasteh
Published: September 2021

Due to the large volume and high redundancy of point clouds, there are many dilemmas in road-marking extraction algorithms, especially from uneven lidar point clouds. To extract road markings efficiently, this study presents a novel method for handling the uneven density distribution
of point clouds and the high reflection intensity of road markings. The method first segments the point-cloud data into blocks perpendicular to the vehicle trajectory. Then it applies the double adaptive intensity-threshold method to extract road markings from road surfaces. Finally, it performs
an adaptive spatial density filter based on the density distribution of point-cloud data to remove false road-marking points. The average completeness, correctness, and F measure of road-marking extraction are 0.827, 0.887, and 0.854, respectively, indicating that the proposed method is efficient
and robust.
Derecho, moral y justicia constitucional : entre Robert Alexy y Carlos Santiago Nino.
Authors: Bisogni Giovanni
Published: September 2021

Frente al control de constitucionalidad de la ley, cabe preguntarse si esta función es jurisdiccional no solo formalmente, sino también sustancialmente. El objetivo de este ensayo es analizar cómo dos importantes filósofos del derecho –Robert Alexy y Carlos Santiago Nino– afrontan este problema. La ventaja de acercar la concepción de la justicia constitucional del primero a aquella del segundo se halla en su complementariedad. Ambos vislumbran en la conexión conceptual necesaria entre derecho y moral la base justificadora del control de constitucionalidad de la ley y el medio principal para reducir el poder discrecional producido por la indeterminación de las normas constitucionales; sin embargo, la manera como la interpretan sirve para entender que tal vez esta no sea la solución del problema, sino el problema a solucionar.
Migration and theories of justice : a critical reappraisal.
Authors: Piras Elisa
Published: September 2021

For decades, the theoretical discussion on justice has been unsuccessfully looking for convincing solutions to the moral problems connected to the persistence of (porous) borders in international politics. These problems are especially striking when one looks at the mismatch between the claims of international migrants and the arguments deployed by several contemporary liberal states in order to justify the rejection of those claims. Critically analysing how the most influential accounts of domestic and global justice deal with the issue of migration, the essay reveals the main weaknesses of the two approaches. It is argued that while theories of justice focusing on domestic justice seem unable to transcend the dichotomous logic of inclusion and exclusion because of their partial and biased interpretation of the phenomenon of migration, theories of global justice offer a multidimensional and well-balanced reading of international migration, but the solutions they propose do not rely on an accurate reading of the impact of global political dynamics on the management of international migration. In order to overcome the weaknesses of both approaches, a new research agenda is needed.
Decisiones públicas y efectividad de los derechos humanos.
Authors: Iorio Vito
Published: September 2021

La complejidad de las relaciones jurídicas contemporáneas plantea un problema de conexión entre las decisiones producidas y sus destinatarios por la dificultad creciente de reconocer la coincidencia entre los que deciden y los destinatarios de las decisiones, que ya no logra encontrar una adecuada representación en el esquema sintético de la democracia procedural y de la libre aceptación del poder. Los destinatarios de las decisiones relativas a los criterios de distribución de los derechos y de los bienes fundamentales no poseen el estatus de ciudadano -o, si lo tienen, es muy débilde las entidades que, de hecho, tienen el poder de tomar esas decisiones. Sobre la base de la elaboración neocontractualista de J. Rawls, y adquiriendo como prioritaria la cuestión de la efectividad, en el ensayo se analizan los aspectos de esta no alarmada violación del principio Quod omnes tangit ab omnibus approbari debet, en el marco de la estrecha e ineludible conexión entre la efectividad de los ordenamientos jurídicos, la efectiva garantía de los derechos fundamentales, el concepto de ciudadanía democrática y el mismo tema de la democracia.
La lucha de clase desde arriba y el enigma del consenso neoliberal.
Authors: Ferrara Alfredo
Published: September 2021

Este artículo aborda el proceso el proceso de transición política y social en los países occidentales desde principios de los años 70. El análisis se basa en la teoría de la transición de la lucha de clases desde arriba, según lo propuesto por el sociólogo italiano Luciano Gallino. Después de una breve biografía intelectual, así como una introducción a su teoría, el artículo analiza el consenso social y político que el neoliberalismo, la ideología detrás del concepto de lucha de clases desde arriba, logró tanto engendrar como gobernar en las últimas tres décadas. Las razones detrás de este éxito, se argumenta, se encuentran en la capacidad neoliberal de dar forma a las demandas y necesidades planteadas por las sociedades occidentales durante los Gloriosos Treinta de manera individual y competitiva.
Class struggle and populism : ties, transfigurations, tensions.
Authors: D’Attorre Alfredo
Published: September 2021

The article analyzes the complex and problematic relationship between populist insurgency and the return of the class struggle. The ‘populist moment’ is interpreted as a counter-movement with respect to the disruptive social results of the thirty-year period of neo-liberal globalization and as an obligatory passage, in the current historical conjuncture, to reactivate the possibility of a distributive conflict in a practicable political space, that of the National State. After the initial onset, however, populism is structurally inadequate, due to its very logic of functioning, to give form to a class struggle anchored in the pluralism of social interests and to resist the risk of reactionary drifts and colonization from above by the dominant economic forces.
Conciencia y lucha de clases entre Lukács y Žižek.
Authors: Cascione Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

Este artículo analiza el concepto de conciencia de clase de György Lukács a la luz de las reflexiones elaboradas por Slavoj Žižek sobre la lucha de clases. En contra de la opinión generalizada de que las sociedades occidentales han entrado en una era postpolítica, el objetivo de este artículo es poner de manifiesto que el conflicto entre trabajo y capital sigue siendo relevante para entender las dinámicas contemporáneas del capitalismo globalizado. Para ello, se argumenta que la lucha de clase es inherente al mundo capitalista moderno. El proceso de toma de conciencia de clase por parte del proletariado, elemento imprescindible de la lucha de clase, se ve sin embargo constantemente obstaculizado por las clases hegemónicas a través de la cortina de humo del populismo. Por último, la teoría de Žižek sobre el concepto de lucha de clases se contempla como un constructo potencialmente eficaz para la construcción de un nuevo sujeto revolucionario.
Fiction, truth, politics : the aesthetical dimension of actuality, from arendt to rancière.
Authors: Villani Massimo
Published: September 2021

Actuality works in a medial dimension, in which the real only expresses itself, without referencing anything else. That of medium is a spurious space, loaded with cognitive and libidinal stains that the subjects leave behind in their relationships. Politics, in the neoliberal period, wears itself out in this context that has no links with stable facts, that is not shielded from human affairs. Starting from some of Hannah Arendt’s considerations about the relational character of truth, it is possible to think of political praxis in this rigorously post-foundational context. With Jacques Rancière, we will then observe how the real, in order to be thought, needs to be turned into fiction: politics is a dispute about fiction of the common space, about how its material and symbolic configuration is imagined. But faking equality of anyone with everyone means in fact practicing it.
Reality versus emotions in italian journalism.
Authors: Rizzuto Francesca
Published: September 2021

Italian infotainment, with the recent shift “from information to sensation” has made the question of the ethical dimension of newsmedia even more problematic, showing unforeseen consequences of the show perspective in newscoverage. In the paper the theme of social responsibility of the journalistic media is presented in connection with the recent changes of the digital media and their blurring of real and fiction, as well as of languages and narrative styles. A critical perspective of the “Italian declination” of show-journalism will focus on the relationship between vision of the sufferings offered to distracted viewers of planetary audiences and their concrete possibilities of a consequent action.
Verdad y mentira en la política en la época de las redes : nuevas emergencias democraticas.
Authors: Scamardella Francesca
Published: September 2021

La palabra post-verdad indica condiciones en las que la influencia de los hechos objetivos en la formación de la opinión pública era menor que la de las emociones o las creencias personales. Este trabajo tiene el objetivo de proponer una reflexion iusfilosófica sobre la post-verdad en la política a partir de su génesis histórico-conceptual, que corresponde a la edad del posmodernismo, y que continúa la revolución tecnológica global que comenzó en los años ochenta del siglo pasado y definió su dominio Sociopolítico. Este trabajo, también analiza las tesis de Hannah Arendt, acerca de los totalitarismos y los escándalos americanos de los Pentagon Papers.
In the back of my mind : corporeity and politics in the symbolic cut of the mother tongue.
Authors: Esposito Marianna
Published: September 2021

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Post-truth politics and indebted sovereignties.
Authors: Dominijanni Ida
Published: September 2021

Moving from a critical reading of Hannah Arendt’s view of the relationship between truth and politics, this essay reframes the relationship between post-truth and politics within contemporary democracies, where a) truth acquires the same status of radical immanence as neoliberal governmentality and the same status of equivalence and exchangeability as commodities and the market, b) the imperative of transparency redefines the public sphere, c) the theatre of representation transforms into the set of presentification, without any border between the visible and the invisible, the sayable and the unsayable. Within such a framework the parresiastic practice of saying one’s own truth must be reconsidered, alongside and beyond the foucauldian proposal, as a relational and political practice rather than an individual and ethical style of life.
GHz femtosecond processing with agile high-power laser
Authors: Audouard Eric , Bonamis Guillaume , Hönninger Clemens , Mottay Eric
Published: September 2021

Bursts of GHz repetition rate pulses can significantly improve the ablation efficiency of femtosecond lasers. Depending on the process conditions, thermal mechanisms can be promoted and controlled. GHz ablation therefore combines thermal and non-thermal ablation mechanisms. With an optimal choice of the burst duration, the non-thermal ablation can be highly enhanced by a heating phase due to the first pulses in the burst. The GHz burst mode can be considered as a key function for the “agility” of new high-power lasers.
Streamlined three step total vitamin C analysis by HILIC-UV for laboratory testing
Authors: Fitzpatrick Michael , Bonnitcha Paul , Nguyen Van Long
Published: September 2021

Objectives

In the clinical setting, the analysis and quantification of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) poses several challenges including analyte instability and poor retention by reverse phase HPLC systems. In this article we describe a rapid hydrophilic interaction chromatography ultraviolet method for the measurement of total vitamin C in plasma which overcomes these issues.

Methods

Ascorbic acid and the internal standard were separated under isocratic conditions using a Waters BEH-Amide column and a mobile phase containing 0.005 M potassium phosphate in 80% acetonitrile.

Results

The proposed method was validated and showed good precision (coefficient of variation <5%), accuracy (>99%), and analyte stability after extraction (>24 h).

Conclusions

The simple sample preparation allows full automation and rapid analytical run times of the assay and is therefore suitable for a high-throughput clinical chromatography laboratory.
Developments in Russian Historical Studies in China since Reform and Opening-up
Authors: Liu Xianzhong
Published: September 2021

It was not until China’s reform and opening-up that the study of Russian history in China really began. From the reform and opening-up to the present, the study of Russian history in China could be divided into two stages: from the reform and opening-up to the disintegration of the Soviet Union as the first stage; from the disintegration of the Soviet Union to the present is the second stage. During the first stage, Russian history researchers in China basically aimed to throw off shackles on their academic minds, set the chaotic academia straight, and break through the rigid research paradigm set by the History of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks): A Short Course. However, due to the lack of information exchange and new materials for reference, some articles published at that time appeared to be vague and general with very limited perceptions. Some articles completely broke the connection between Lenin era and Stalin era, and often judged Stalin by Lenin as a standard, and without taking Lenin and Stalin both as subjects for academic research. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a large numbers of research results and new materials were published, which greatly promoted China’s Russian history studies into a new stage. Compared with the first stage before the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the second stage in Soviet history studies features more in-depth research and more specific research questions with basic innovation achieved in historical facts. China's study of Russian history in the future should focus on using new materials, sorting out historical facts and innovating research methodology, aiming to build an academic system, discourse system and discipline system for itself.
Is body temperature mass screening a reliable and safe option for preventing COVID-19 spread?
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Nocini Riccardo , Mattiuzzi Camilla , Henry Brandon Michael
Published: September 2021

With the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continuing worldwide, mass screening of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a cornerstone of strategies for limiting viral spread within communities. Although mass screening of body temperature with handheld, non-contact infrared thermometers and thermal imagine scanners is now widespread in a kaleidoscope of social and healthcare settings for the purpose of detecting febrile individuals bearing SARS-CoV-2 infection, this strategy carries some drawbacks, which will be highlighted and discussed in this article. These caveats basically include high rate of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, the challenging definition of “normal” body temperature, variation of measured values according to the body district, false negative cases due to antipyretics, device inaccuracy, impact of environmental temperature, along with the low specificity of this symptom for screening COVID-19 in patients with other febrile conditions. Some pragmatic suggestions will also be endorsed for increasing accuracy and precision of mass screening of body temperature. These encompass the regular assessment of body temperature (possibly twice) with validated devices, which shall be constantly monitored over time and used following manufacturer’s instructions, the definition of a range of “normal” body temperatures in the local population, patients interrogation on usual body temperature, measurement standardization of one body district, allowance of sufficient environmental acclimatization before temperature check, integration with contact history and other clinical information, along with exclusion of other causes of increased body temperature. We also endorse the importance of individual and primary care physician’s regular and repeated check of personal body temperature.
A corpus-based study on opinions of advocates general of the court of justice of the European Union: changes in language and style
Authors: Mattioli Virginia , McAuliffe Karen
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a Corpus Linguistics study of lexical features in the Opinions of Advocates General (AGs) of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Using an interdisciplinary approach, combining legal studies, corpus linguistics and translation studies theories, the study aims to compare the language of some AGs’ Opinions, before and after the introduction of changes in the CJEU’s linguistic regime relating to the language(s) in which Opinions are normally drafted. The results of the corpus linguistic analysis demonstrate that certain changes in the linguistic and stylistic nature of AGs’ Opinions can be observed post-2004. On the one hand, those changes corroborate the study’s primary hypothesis that AG Opinions drafted after 2004 in non-mother tongue languages are stylistically simpler and less ‘fluent’ than those drafted (in AGs’ mother tongues) before 2004. On the other hand, the results also indicate that AG Opinions drafted after 2004 in mother tongue languages are similarly becoming stylistically simpler. These results are inherently interesting in terms of Corpus Linguistics research. However, in order to have a value outside of that field, they are best considered as a basis for more nuanced research questions, which can be investigated through interdisciplinary methods taking account of the factors of production of AG Opinions.
spaceAPPS – A modular approach for on-board software
Authors: Herpel Juergen , Schoen Friedrich , Selegrad Harald
Published: September 2021

Software modularity and partial qualification capabilities are key enablers to produce cost efficient software in highly regulated domains. The modular concept (called spaceAPPS) described in this paper has been developed in the frame of the OPS-SAT project aiming at missions where flexibility is one of the success factors. spaceAPPS implements a novel software architecture for satellites inspired by the Apps concept of modern smartphones. In the European space domain the operation of a satellite is based on a set of 18 services. Accordingly, in spaceApps these services are mapped to individual Apps. This is not a one-to-one mapping which means that one App implements one or more services. During OPS-SAT ground testing it was demonstrated that functionality could be easily added through a new App or updated through replacing an existing App. Also during OPS-SAT ground testing it could be shown that a failing UserApp did not impact the basic apps to operate the satellite. Thus, it is possible to run applications of different criticality on the same platform. With operating systems supporting time and space separation the risk of failure propagation can be further reduced. The implementation of a partial validation approach, i. e. testing of third-party Apps in a representative environment and not running the validation on the target platform is feasible but was not demonstrated.
Quarantine Authority in Texas: A COVID-19 Case Study
Authors: Price Kevin
Published: September 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world grappled with how to protect their citizens from disease. Governments had to carefully balance the tension between individual rights and public health measures, while also considering which level of government was best situated to act. This paper, focusing on the response to COVID-19 in Texas, discusses the constitutionality of quarantines by balancing individual rights and public health. This paper also discusses how quarantine authority is shared among local, state, and federal levels of government in Texas. Finally, this paper analyzes some of the early actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.