bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Decline in Walking Speed Is Associated With Incident Knee Replacement in Adults With and at Risk for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Harkey Matthew S. , Lapane Kate L. , Liu Shao-Hsien , Lo Grace H. , McAlindon Timothy E. , Driban Jeffrey B.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To determine if a 1-year change in walking speed is associated with receiving an incident knee replacement during the following year in adults with and at risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, we determined a 1-year change in the 20-meter walk speed from 3 observation periods (i.e., 0–12, 12–24, and 24–36 months). We operationally defined 1-year change in walking speed as either (1) decline: ≤ –0.1 m/s change, (2) no change: between –0.1 and 0.1 m/s change, and (3) increase: ≥ 0.1 m/s change. Incident knee replacement was defined using each subsequent 1-year period (i.e., 12–24, 24–36, and 36–48 months). Combining data from the 3 observation periods, we performed a Poisson regression with robust error variance to determine the relative risk between a change in walking speed (exposure) and incident knee replacement over the following year (outcome).

Results

Of the 4264 participants included within this analysis (11,311 total person visits), 115 (3%) adults received a knee replacement. Decline in walking speed was associated with a 104% increase in risk [adjusted relative risk (RR) 2.04, 95% CI 1.40–2.98], while an increase in walking speed associated with a 55% decrease in risk (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.22–0.93) of incident knee replacement in the following year compared to a person with no change in walking speed.

Conclusion

A 1-year decline in walking speed is associated with an increased risk, while a 1-year increase in walking speed is associated with a decreased risk of future incident knee replacement.
Trends in the Inpatient Burden of Coronary Artery Disease in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Study of a Large National Dataset
Authors: Luo Yiming , Xu Jiehui , Jiang Changchuan , Krittanawong Chayakrit , Wu Lingling , Yang Yifeng , Bandyopadhyay Dhrubajyoti , Cram Peter , Ibrahim Said , Mehta Bella
Published: June 2020

Objective

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are serious comorbidities in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). In a sample of patients hospitalized for GPA, we sought to examine trends in the burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its 2 serious manifestations, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF).

Methods

We used the National Inpatient Sample to conduct a retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Our sample consisted of hospitalizations for GPA between 2005 and 2014. We examined trends in the proportion of CAD, AMI, and HF in all hospitalizations with GPA compared to those without GPA. We used logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders and included interaction terms.

Results

Among a total of 103,453 GPA hospitalizations, 20,351 (19.7%) hospitalizations had a concurrent diagnosis of CAD. GPA with CAD was associated with overall lower burden of traditional CV risk factors compared to non-GPA with CAD, with the exception of chronic kidney disease (57% vs 21%). Over the 10-year study period, there were rising trends in the inpatient burden of CAD (16.6% in 2005 to 22.7% in 2014) and CAD with HF (4.3% in 2005 to 9.9% in 2014), but not AMI (1.2% in 2005 to 1.1% in 2014), in GPA hospitalizations compared to non-GPA controls.

Conclusion

In this national sample of GPA hospitalizations, we found that the burden of CAD and CAD with HF was on the rise over the 10-year period compared to non-GPA; however, it was not the case for AMI.
Higher Prevalence and Degree of Insulin Resistance in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Than in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Quevedo-Abeledo Juan C. , Sánchez-Pérez Hiurma , Tejera-Segura Beatriz , de Armas-Rillo Laura , Ojeda Soledad , Erausquin Celia , González-Gay Miguel Á. , Ferraz-Amaro Iván
Published: June 2020

Objective.

Since insulin resistance (IR) is highly prevalent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we aimed to determine whether differences in IR exist between the two conditions.

Methods.

We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 413 subjects without diabetes (186 with SLE and 227 with RA). Glucose, insulin, and C-peptide serum levels, as well as IR by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2) were studied. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the differences in IR indexes between patients with SLE and RA, as well as to determine if IR risk factors or disease-related characteristics are differentially associated with IR in both populations.

Results.

The insulin:C-peptide molar ratio was upregulated in patients with RA compared to patients with SLE (β 0.009, 95% CI 0.005–0.014, P < 0.001) after multivariable analysis. HOMA2 indexes related to insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-%S) were found to be lower (β –27, 95% CI –46 to –9, P = 0.004) and β cell function (HOMA2-%B) showed higher IR indexes (β 38, 95% CI 23–52, P < 0.001) in RA than in SLE patients after multivariable analysis. Patients with RA more often fulfilled the definition of IR than those with SLE (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.25–3.69, P = 0.005). The size effect of IR factors on IR indexes was found to be equal in both diseases.

Conclusion.

IR sensitivity is lower and β cell function is higher in RA than in SLE patients. The fact that traditional IR factors have an equal effect on IR in both SLE and RA supports the contention that these differences are related to the diseases themselves.
Robust observer-based control for discrete-time semi-Markov jump systems with actuator saturation
Authors: Zhang Yueyuan , Yin Yanyan , Liu Fei
Published: June 2020

This paper investigates the control synthesis for discrete-time semi-Markov jump systems with nonlinear input. Observer-based controllers are designed in this paper to achieve a better performance and robustness. The nonlinear input caused by actuator saturation is considered as a group of linear controllers in the convex hull. Moreover, the elapse time and mode dependent Lyapunov functions are investigated and sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the \begin{document}$ H_\infty $\end{document} performance index. The largest domain of attraction is estimated as the existing saturation in the system. Finally, a numerical example is utilized to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the developed strategy.
Hadamard directional differentiability of the optimal value of a linear second-order conic programming problem
Authors: Duan Qingsong , Xu Mengwei , Zhang Liwei , Zhang Sainan
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we consider perturbation properties of a linear second-order conic optimization problem and its Lagrange dual in which all parameters in the problem are perturbed. We prove the upper semi-continuity of solution mappings for the pertured problem and its Lagrange dual problem. We demonstrate that the optimal value function can be expressed as a min-max optimization problem over two compact convex sets, and it is proven as a Lipschitz continuous function and Hadamard directionally differentiable.
Towards Adaptive Enterprise
Authors: Khadilkar Harshad , Paranjape Aditya Avinash
Published: June 2020

The key to a successful adaptive enterprise lies in techniques and algorithms that enable the enterprise to learn about its environment and use the learning to make decisions that maximize its objectives. The volatile nature of the contemporary business environment means that learning needs to be continuous and reliable, and the decision-making rapid and accurate. In this chapter, the authors investigate two promising families of tools that can be used to design such algorithms: adaptive control and reinforcement learning. Both methodologies have evolved over the years into mathematically rigorous and practically reliable solutions. They review the foundations, the state-of-the-art, and the limitations of these methodologies. They discuss possible ways to bring together these techniques in a way that brings out the best of their capabilities.
Materials Design, Development, and Deployment in Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Gautham B. P. , Reddy Sreedhar
Published: June 2020

The materials and manufacturing industry is undergoing transformation through adoption of various digital technologies. Though the adoption of digital platforms for operational needs is significant, their adoption for core design and development of products and their manufacturing are limited. While the use of physics and data-driven modeling-and-simulation tools is increasing, these are not systematically leveraged for larger benefit. Besides these tools, product design and development requires deep contextual knowledge necessitating systematic capture of data and knowledge. To achieve this, we need flexible digital platforms that enable integration of diverse design domains and tools through a common semantic basis and construction of engineering decision workflows leveraging various simulation tools and knowledge. This chapter builds these requirements through presenting three case studies from the materials manufacturing industry and presents requirements for a digital platform. Finally, one such platform, TCS PREMAP, being developed by the authors is described in some detail.
General Principles and Special Features of Histological and Immunohistochemical Methods of Bone Tissue Examination
Authors: Paromova Yana , Timofeeva Nadejda , Maslova Elena , Obukhova Olga , Voronin Kirill , Mustaev Oleg , Vlasenko Tatyana
Published: June 2020

The detailed research and analysis of modern data on the problem of methods of histological and immunohistochemical researches of connective tissue, bone in particular, was conducted by us so as to evaluate the possibility of creating a single method of bone tissue immunohistochemical analysis.The description was given in detail to most widespread methods of preparation of connective, bone in particular, tissues for the research conduction during experiments connected with the study of bone tissue regeneration including implants with bioactive coverage. The present-day medical data reflects a variety of methods of immunohistochemistry, as well as the experience of their use in complex trauma surgery. However, there is no consensus about which method and material are most reliable when conducting this analysis.
Cutting Edge: Intestinal Mucus Limits the Clonal Deletion of Developing T Cells Specific for an Oral Antigen
Authors: Tsai Kevin , Huang Yu-Hsuan , Ma Caixia , Baldwin Troy A. , Harder Kenneth W. , Vallance Bruce A. , Priatel John J.
Published: June 2020

A layer of mucus functions to segregate contents of the intestinal lumen from the intestinal epithelium. The MUC2 mucin is the primary constituent of intestinal mucus and plays critical protective roles against luminal microbes and other noxious agents. In this study, we investigated whether MUC2 helps maintain CD8 T cell tolerance toward intestinal luminal Ags by gavaging wild-type and Muc2−/− mice with a model Ag and monitoring immune responses posttreatment. We report that orally delivered OVA rapidly disseminates through the blood of Muc2−/− (but not control) mice and causes immune activation of Ag-specific CD8 T cells at both local and distal sites. Further, the administration of oral OVA to Muc2−/− mice led to its presentation by thymic dendritic cells and the deletion of Ag-specific thymocytes. Collectively, our findings suggest that intestinal mucus helps limit the shaping of the TCR repertoire of developing thymocytes by intestinal luminal Ags.
Critical Text Selection for the Elementary Classroom: A case for strategically using the classroom library to open new spaces for critical literacy engagements.
Authors: Iyer Ishwarya N , Ramachandran Sridhar
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this research paper is to encourage school teachers (with an emphasis on elementary teachers) to recognize and explore the literacy potential of their classroom libraries as a powerful critical literacy tool/asset that when designed and utilized strategically has the potential to reposition their classroom pedagogy and curriculum design to be empowering, transformative, inclusive and progressive. To that effect, this paper offers/proposes a framework/model for ‘critical text selection’ that can be readily adapted by teachers across various grade levels within the K-12 classrooms to identify the specific critical literacy needs of their learners (including the learning environment) and then employ their classroom library as a critical literacy tool that facilitates learner empowerment both inside and outside their learning spaces. The paper also presents interested teachers with an alternate way to traverse the proposed framework in the hope that it will provide an impetus to teacher scholars and educators interested in adapting the framework into their classroom to innovatively modify the framework we have presented to better work with their unique curricular structure and design.
Cultivating Images of Cultural Capital: Cultural Activities in Storybooks Featuring Young Characters with Disabilities
Authors: Reichenberg Monica
Published: June 2020

Portrayals of children and youths with disabilities participating in various types of cultural activities during their leisure time have been understudied. The current study aims to understand how Swedish storybooks targeting youths and children with disabilities portray their cultural activities during their leisure time. A collection of 66 storybooks was strategically chosen for the analysis. Applying the grounded theory approach, the study codes for disabilities (sensory, physical, and cognitive) and dimensions of cultural capital (book reading, music, theatre, concerts, and sports). Low cultural activities are prominent leisure activities in the story books. Watching television and listening to popular music had a prominent role for the characters, whereas sports had a less prominent role. In summary, watching television dominates the cultural activities in the storybooks. With regards to music, the participants engage in karaoke. The storybooks again reinforce the impression that characters with disabilities can only appreciate lowbrow culture. The storybooks seldom portray images of highbrow cultural activities. However, exceptions exist that portray how people with disabilities create highbrow cultural activities, rather than being passive consumers. The storybooks seldom portray images of sports activities.
Gender dan Ekonomi (Analisa Terhadap Mitra Go-Jek Perempuan di Indonesia Tahun 2018)
Authors: H Darmawati
Published: June 2020

Abstrak Transportasi sudah menjadi kebutuhan pokok masyarakat milenial. Transportasi yang aman, nyaman, mudah, dan murah merupakan syarat utamanya. Sektor ini dengan cepat ditanggapi oleh seorang entrepreneur muda Indonesia yang dengan membangun kerajaan bisnis yang berbasis daring. Go-Jek Indonesia telah menjelma menjadi salah satu bisnis transportasi terkemuka di Indonesia. Mitranya tidak hanya laki-laki tetapi juga perempuan. Penelitian ini menggambarkan bagaimana perlakuan perusahaan terhadap mitra perempuannya dan apa respon masyarakat atas keikutsertaan perempuan dalam bidang yang didominasi kaum laki-laki. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan perlakuan perusahaan baik pada mitra perempuan ataupun lelaki, hanya saja stigma masyarakat tentang perempuan yang lemah dan kurang lincah di jalan merupakan alasan munculnya respon negative.
Peran Ibu Dalam Pembentukan Karakter Anak
Authors: Adam Adiyana
Published: June 2020

AbstrakSeorang ibu dalam melakukan pengasuhan pada anakm usia dini, diajak meniru sesuatu yang sangat berkesan dan anak diajak berfikir tentang ciptaan Allah dengan landasan kasih sayang. Pengenalan kepada Allah bisa dikenalkan dengan anak melalui do’a yang sederhana, melalui bentuk bentuk ciptaaan Allah yang dia kagumi.Melalui pendidikan karakter secara sederhana, Ibu dapat menyelami jiwa anak dan memberikan cinta kasih sayang setulus-tulusnya. Pendidikan karakter bukan sekedar mengajarkan mana yang benar dan mana yang salah, lebih dari itu, pendidikan karakter menanamkan kebiasaan (habination) tentang hal-hal yang baik sehingga anak menjadi paham (cognitive) tentang yang benar dan salah, mampu merasakan (afektif) nilai yang baik dan biasa melakukannya (psikomotor). Dengan kata lain, pendidikan karakter terhadap anak usia dini haarus melibatkan bukan saja aspek pengetahuan yang baik  ( moral knowing),  akan tetapi  juga  “merasakan dengan  baik”  (moral  feeling)    dan  “prilaku  yang  baik”    (moral  action). Pendidikan karakter pada anak usia dini lebih menekankan pada habit  atau kebiasaan yang terus menerus dipraktekkan dan dilakukan.Pendidikan merupakan suatu usaha dimana adanya kesadaran untuk mengembangkan potensi diri dalam memahami suatu pengetahuan untuk dapat
PENTINGNYA PENDIDIKAN LANJUT BAGI WANITA (Studi Kasus Mahasiswi Indonesia di Khon Kaen University)
Authors: Utari Sri Rahayu
Published: June 2020

Pendidikan diartikan sebagai proses mengubah sikap dan tata laku seseorang dengan tujuan  menjadi lebih baik. Pendidikan terbagi menjadi dua yaitu pendidikan formal dan non-formal. Kondisi pendidikan di Indonesia baru baru ini menunjukan hasilnya yang cukup mencengangkan. Survei yang diinisiasi oleh OECD atau Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development menunjukan hasil bahwa pendidikan Indonesia masih dibawah Singapore, Vietnam dan Thailand. Masalah dalam dunia pendidikan adalah terkait kesetaraan gender. Tulisan ini akan membahas tentang bagaimana pentingnya pendidikan tinggi tingkat pascasarjana bagi perempuan. Tujuannya untuk mengetahui bagaimana perspektif perempuan akan hal tersebut serta alasan dibaliknya. Penelitian menggunakan metode deksriptif kualitatif dengan menggunakan sampling mahasisiwi Indonesia di Khon Kaen University yang menempuh jenjang pasca sarjana. Berdasarkan data diatas diperoleh bahwa para mahasiswi sangat sadar akan pentingnya pendidikan bagi perempuan. Para mahasiswi mulai keluar dari stereotip masyarakat dan belajar bidang yang identic dengan laki laki.
PERAN PEREMPUAN DALAM PENGEMBANGAN DESA WISATA MANDIRI DI DESA GALO-GALO MOROTAI
Authors: Dade Masni
Published: June 2020

Pembangunan yang utuh dan menyeluruh dari suatu negara menuntut peranan penuh dari kaum perempuan dalam segala bidang kehidupan. Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2014 tentang Desa telah membuka ruang terhadap partisipasi warga dalam pembangunan desa. Hal ini seiring dengan adanya kebijakan dana desa dari pemerintah pusat. Dengan ini warga desa diharapkan mampu memanfaatkan peluang untuk berpartisipasi dalam memajukan desanya. Tidak terkecuali kaum perempuan, Perempuan pun memiliki potensi besar untuk meningkatkan kapasitas dirinya dengan turut aktif dalam meajukan desanya. Desa Galo- galo terletak di bagian selatan Pulau Morotai provinsi Maluku Utara, mempunyai kelompok  sadar wisata yang anggotanya sebagian besar perempuan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk  mengetahui seberapa jauh peran perempuan dalam  mengembangkan desa wisata mandiri di Galo Galo Kabupaten  Pulau Morotai
Design of Automatic Insulin Dosage Indicator for Diabetic Patients Using BMI
Authors: R Kanimozhi , S Saravanakumar
Published: June 2020

Diabetes Mellitus is a serious and chronic health disease. It occurs in all age group of people, especially in adults and aged persons. It is important to measure blood glucose level frequently for the diabetes affected persons which in need to determine the appropriate insulin dosage. Along with this, the continuous glucose monitoring is vital to know whether the glucose level is in normal range. The conventional method used to measure the glucose level in blood is invasive which is infectious and a painful process. Nowadays, the non-invasive blood glucose monitoring methods are widely used. In this work, the blood glucose level is measured non-invasively using IR sensor. Besides that, the indication of insulin dosage to be taken is done by determining blood glucose concentration (non- invasively) and comparing it with Body Mass Index (BMI) of the patient. The implementation is based on the variations in the intensity of the IR LED, BMI and blood density. Themethod ismore reliable than the invasive techniques.
Design of Multiband Conformal Loop Antenna for Telemetry Applications
Authors: P Rajeswari , A Gobinath , B Deebiga , S Gnanasundari
Published: June 2020

The conformal antenna consisting two loop elements is presented at 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific and medical band. The two elements are attached on the inner surface of the capsule, so that inner capsule space is saved to its maximum extent. Additionally, by orthogonally placing the two elements at bottom and side of the capsule, different polarization directions are achieved; therefore, resulting in good isolation without introducing additional decoupling structures. This system has the potential to provide real-time biological information from within the human body via a radio frequency link. Furthermore, communication link of the conformal antenna with outside dipole is evaluated, revealing reliable communication performance. The performance of the communication link between the implanted antenna and external half-wavelength dual-band dipole is also examined.
Qualitative investigation of the flipped classroom teaching approach as an alternative to the traditional lecture
Authors: Almanasef Mona , Almaghaslah Dalia , Portlock Jane , Chater Angel
Published: June 2020

Objectives: The study’s objective was to determine students’ perception of the traditional lecture and other methods of teaching and learning the students had already experienced, and to determine students’ expectations and attitude towards the flipped classroom teaching method.  Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with 11 undergraduate pharmacy students in two pharmacy schools in the United Kingdom. Focus groups discussions were audio-recorded, then transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using the inductive method.  Results: Six key themes were identified: 1) teacher characteristics and competence; 2) having the right tools to learn; 3) learning can be emotional; 4) group work: what is in it for me?; 5) scaffold the delivery of teaching; and 6) to prepare or not to prepare.  Conclusion: The flipped classroom teaching approach was thought to tackle perceived limitations of the traditional lecture including limited student engagement and the inappropriate pace of instructions. It was also deemed to help students understand the taught subject and prepare for summative assessment.
KERAGAMAN DAN STATUS KONSERVASI JENIS BURUNG AIR DI DANAU YAMOR
Authors: Warmetan Hermanus , Kesaulija Fransina F. , Sadsoeitoeboen Bernadetta M.G.
Published: June 2020

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui keragaman dan status konservasi burung air yang terdapat di kawasan Danau Yamor Kabupaten Kaimana. Empat stasiun pengamatan berupa danau yang ditetapkan secara purposif. Pengamatan dilakukan secara transek pada setiap stasiun menyusuri alur sungai yang ada. Data yang nama jenis, jumlah individu,dan panjang transek pengamatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ditemukan 12 jenis yang tergolong dalam Sembilan famili burung air yang ditemukan di kawasan Danau Yamor. Keragaman jenis tergolong katagori sedang dan dua jenis burung air yang dijumpai dalam jumlah relatif banyak yaitu burung udang kacamata dan burung cekakak rimba. Lima jenis diantara 12 jenis burung air di kawasan danau Yamor tergolong jenis migrant dari Australia. Dari status konservasi terdapat lima jenis dilindungi, satu jenis dengan status agak terancam dan satu jenis belum diketahui status konservasinya karena kekurangan data. Jenis yang disebutkan terakhir dalah cekakak rimba (Halcyon macleayii)
A EDUCAÇÃO DE JOVENS, ADULTOS E IDOSOS SOB A VISÃO DE PAULO FREIRE E SUAS CONTRIBUIÇÕES PARA ESTA MODALIDADE DE ENSINO
Authors: Nascimento José Neto Formiga
Published: June 2020

O presente artigo científico aborda as questões inerentesà educação de jovens, adultos e idosos sob a ótica do pesquisadorPaulo Freire que, através de suas obras, tem contribuídointensamente para o desenvolvimento da educação a partir desua visão evolucionista do processo de ensino-aprendizagem.Essa modalidade, que visa formar cidadãos que não frequentarama escola em tempo regular, sobrevive na medida em que sãodesenvolvidas, no âmbito social, ações que visem à inclusão social.Desde o seu surgimento, a EJAI2 vem traçando caminhosatentando para os propósitos de Paulo Freire que visam levar aeducação às pessoas que estão fora do ambiente escolar ou queperderam a oportunidade de escolarização. Consiste, ainda, naideia de que é preciso reaprender a aprender.
Biogas and the Energy Sector
Authors: Lamb Jacob Joseph
Published: June 2020

Biogas has become one of the most attractive pathways among the renewable energy sources essential to address major modern challenges such as climate change and energy depletion in recent years. Biogas derives from the degradation of organic materials through anaerobic digestion by microorganisms. Such organic materials generally come from waste feedstocks. Therefore, besides being a sustainable replacement for fossil fuels, biogas helps control waste. Agricultural and industrial residues, municipal organic waste and sewage sludge are thus common feedstock sources, including seeds, grains and sugars, lignocellulosic biomass such as crop residues and woody crops, or high carbohydrate algae. Because of its versatility in usage and storage space, biogas plays an significant role in managing potential electricity grids. Through biogas production and utilisation, our society can go deeper into green energy applications. This Chapter will give an introduction the the current energy sector and where biogas can be used as a substitute for decarbonisation of the energy sector.
Uses of Biogas and Biomethane
Authors: Lamb Jacob Joseph
Published: June 2020

BioCH4 is the only established renewable energy fuel source currently directly applicable in all sectors (i.e., electricity, heat and transport fuel). It is easily processed and suitable for versatile power generation in cogeneration plants. Biogas, from which bioCH4 is most widely produced, and thus bioCH4 is a valuable supplier to the energy and transport fuel markets and can be easily incorporated into renewable energy systems. The natural gas grid storage capacity can be used and heat demand can be met regardless of the location and time of biogas output. Using bioCH4 in cogeneration plants and as fuel in gas-powered vehicles contributes to an especially high potential contribution to rising greenhouse gas emissions. This chapter gives an overview of the potential uses for biogas and bioCH4 as a renewable low-CO2 fuel.
Utilization of Digestate
Authors: Lamb Jacob Joseph
Published: June 2020

After biogas extraction by anaerobic digestion, digestate (the digested biogas production cycle effluent), consists of feedstock materials that have biological value. Digestate composition and quality strongly depend on the composition and quality of the feedstock used. Thanks to the amount of readily accessible macro- and micronutrients, digestate is a beneficial crop fertilizer that can be used as slurries for raw animals. Recycling as a fertilizer is known to be the most efficient use of digestate, as it can sustain a society in general and the environment in particular, as well as helping to conserve precious natural resources such as mineral phosphorus fossil. This chapter gives an overview of the uses of digestate as a fertilizer.
Ficção 80/90: literatura e epidemia discursiva
Authors: Felippe Renata Farias de , Esmerio João Alcides Haetinger
Published: June 2020

Este artigo pretende reanalisar parte da produção literária brasileira dos anos 1980, a partir das contradições de uma década marcada, simultaneamente, pelo arrebatamento e pelo terror.  Período caracterizado pela euforia em torno da redemocratização, o decênio é também impactado pela descoberta da AIDS como pandemia, acontecimento responsável pela regulação dos corpos — ocasionada pela ênfase na prática do sexo seguro — e pela estigmatização da homossexualidade. Em Aids e suas metáforas, Susan Sontag (1989) analisa o imaginário em torno da doença, cujos desdobramentos seriam tanto o recrudescimento do preconceito contra homossexuais quanto a culpabilização das vítimas do vírus. Quando retomados e associados ao contexto brasileiro, os argumentos de Sontag (1989) assumem conotações distintas, que permitem revisitar a literatura brasileira a partir do olhar que as manifestações do período direcionaram à pandemia (recorte praticamente ignorado pela historiografia e pela crítica literária). Esse viés também permite refletir sobre a “utilidade” que a insistente exploração das metáforas ligadas à AIDS pode ter assumido. O desenvolvimento dessas propostas tomará os contos “Linda, uma história horrível” e “Depois de agosto”, ambos do escritor brasileiro Caio Fernando Abreu (1988; 1995), como referências para a análise.
AIDS e identidade em "O tribunal da quinta-feira"
Authors: Boos Alessandra Daniele da Silva
Published: June 2020

Este artigo apresenta uma análise da obra O tribunal da quinta-feira, de Michel Laub, publicada em 2016, com o intuito de perceber como o narrador (e protagonista) conta a sua própria história, como ela está imbricada com a própria história da AIDS no Brasil e o que as suas relações pessoais nos dizem sobre a sua identidade como homem cisheterossexual. O relato do narrador José Victor evoca uma espécie de “genealogia da AIDS” como forma de dar sentido às suas experiências de vida, em especial as sexuais. Apesar de crítico em relação à estigmatização das pessoas infectadas com o HIV e à homofobia, José não poupa as mulheres em seu entorno de discursos misóginos, disfarçados de senso de humor. Além disso, estão em foco questões como a heteronormatividade, a sociedade disciplinar e a pornografia. Para pensar as questões trazidas por essa narrativa foram utilizados principalmente os seguintes autores: Perlongher (1987), Bourdieu (1996), Foucault (1999), Sontag (2007) e Rich (2010).
O fantasma travesti: uma rapsódia queer
Authors: Silvestre Emerson
Published: June 2020

Este artigo apresenta uma análise crítica do romance O fantasma travesti (1988), de Sylvia Orthof, cuja forma e construção das personagens travam proximidades com o discurso da teoria queer no que se refere à desconstrução dos arquétipos binários de gênero e da performatividade enquanto dispositivo de criação de novas maneiras de se entender o corpo, o gênero e as sexualidades. Tendo como escopo teórico as contribuições de Butler (2015) e Louro (2001), propomos uma aproximação entre a teoria queer e a teoria da ficção com a finalidade de compreender o romance de Orthof enquanto um processo no qual a política da escrita, conceito sugerido por Rancière (1995), desempenha um papel importante na representação da personagem Ziriguidum. Criada sob a égide da paródia de gênero e sob a influência da narrativa fantástica, Ziriguidum é uma ode ao queer. A linguagem com a qual ela se constrói reverbera a ambiguidade e a inconstância que caracterizam a teoria queer, além de ilustrar a confusão pronominal que se instaura quando há a necessidade de se referir às pessoas trans.
Global sourcing, firm size and export survival
Authors: Bandick Roger
Published: June 2020

This paper investigates how firm size and global sourcing affect the export surviving probabilities. By using data on export and import transactions disaggregated by destination/origin for the entire Danish manufacturing firms between the period 1995–2006, the author is able to classify the firms into different size categories and to observe whether they continue or cease to export. Moreover, he is able to define whether the firms source intermediate inputs from high- or low-wage counties. The results, after controlling for the endogeneity of the international sourcing decision by using instrument variable and propensity score matching, indicate that firm size is positively correlated with the likelihood of continuing to export. Moreover, for small and medium size firms, global sourcing seems also to increase the probability of staying in the export market but only if they source from high-wage countries. However, sourcing inputs from abroad, no matter if it is from high- or low-wage countries, do not seem to significantly affect the export surviving probabilities for larger firms.
Prognostic value of lung ultrasonography and bioimpedance spectroscopy in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Siriopol Dimitrie , Siriopol Mihaela , Mihaila Mihaela , Rusu Florentina , Sascau Radu , Costache Irina , Vasiliu Vlad , Bucur Andreea , Neamtu Andreea , Popa Raluca , Cianga Petru , Kanbay Mehmet , Covic Adrian
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Chronic heart failure (HF) represents a major global public health problem, and despite significant advances in diagnosis and management over the past two decades, HF patients still have a poor prognosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between lung congestion, as assessed by lung ultrasonography (LUS), bioimpedance spectroscopy, body fluid compartments, and echocardiographic parameters, and to determine the effect of these associations on all-cause mortality in HF patients.

Material and methods

Eligible patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 45% were identified via daily echocardiography assessments. Lung ultrasonography was performed with patients in the supine position, for a total of 28 sites per complete examination. The extracellular water (ECW) was determined using a BIS device.

Results

Our study included 122 patients (67.2% males) with a mean age of 67.2 years. In the multivariable linear regression analysis, including all the univariable predictors of lung congestion, only New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, ECW, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and LVEF levels maintained an independent association with the number of B-lines. During the follow-up, 33 patients died. In multivariable Cox analysis, a B-line number of at least 15 remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality, independently of age, sex, diabetes, LVEF, estimated glomerular filtration rate, C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, or ECW values (adjusted HR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.12–13.09).

Conclusions

We show for the first time in HF patients that pulmonary congestion, as assessed by LUS, is associated with the severity of NYHA class, LVEF, eGFR, and ECW, and it identifies those at increased risk of death.
Nur77 knock-down suppresses glioma by regulating CXCR4
Authors: Dai Yuxiang , Zhang Liexiang , Wang Jing , Yu Cheng , Ding Yu , Zhou Wei , Zheng Jing , Ni Hongbin
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The aim of this study is to explain the effects and mechanisms of Nur77 in glioma development.

Material and methods

Nur77 protein and gene expression were measured by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in tissues from glioma and craniocerebral injury patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to median Nur77 gene expression and the correlations between clinical pathology, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and Nur77 gene expression were analysed. U257 and U87 cells were employed to assess the effects of Nur77 in cancer cell development by MTT, flow cytometry, and transwell and wound healing assays. Relative protein and gene expression were evaluated by Western blot assay and RT-qPCR, and PI3K nuclear volumes were evaluated by cellular immunofluorescence to explain the relevant mechanisms.

Results

Compared with that in normal tissues, Nur77 protein and gene expression in glioma tissues was significantly up-regulated (p < 0.01); this up-regulation increased with increasing tumour stage (p < 0.01). Compared with the high Nur77 expression group, the low Nur expression group showed significantly improved PFS and OS (both p < 0.01). Nur77 gene expression appeared to be closely correlated with clinical pathology. In vitro studies of si-Nur77 transfection revealed a significant reduction in the cell viability of the si-Nur77 group, with increasing apoptosis rate (p < 0.001). Nur77 knock-down resulted in significant downregulation of cell invasion and wound healing rates in the si-Nur77 group (p < 0.01), with remarkable reductions in CXCR4 and PI3K.

Conclusions

Nur77 is an important oncogene in glioma, and Nur77 expression is closely correlated with glioma clinical pathology, PFS, and OS. Nur77 knock-down exerts inhibitory effects on glioma by regulating CXCR4/PI3K.
“Celebrating old age”: an obsolete expression during the COVID-19 pandemic? Medical, social, psychological, and religious consequences of home isolation and loneliness among the elderly
Authors: Burlacu Alexandru , Mavrichi Ionut , Crisan-Dabija Radu , Jugrin Daniel , Buju Smaranda , Artene Bogdan , Covic Adrian
Published: June 2020

Since epidemiological arguments favouring self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic are widely recommended, the consequences of social isolation/loneliness of older people considered to be at higher risk for severe illness are neglected. We identified and described medical, social, psychological, and religious issues, indirectly generated by the COVID-19 lockdown. Mortality induced by SARS-CoV-2 and death from other “neglected” issues were put in balance. Arguments for strict lockdown from most European countries are compared with a relaxed approach, as has been applied in Sweden. Social isolation affects disproportionally the elderly, transforming it into a public health concern. One witnesses openly ageist discourse, while painful decisions to prioritising ventilation for younger patients deepens the sense of hopelessness. Fear has led to anxiety disorders and depression. Various religious practices provide resources for coping with isolation/overcoming loneliness. Higher levels of mortality/morbidity due to “COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19” polarisation oblige the healthcare community to find ways to provide proper care for its elders.
Design and rationale of a nationwide screening analysis from the LIPIDOGRAM2015 and LIPIDOGEN2015 studies
Authors: Jóźwiak Jacek , Kasperczyk Sławomir , Tomasik Tomasz , Osadnik Tadeusz , Windak Adam , Studziński Krzysztof , Mastej Mirosław , Catapano Alberico , Ray Kausik K. , Mikhailidis Dimitri , Toth Peter , Howard George , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Tomaszewski Maciej , Charchar Fadi J. , Sattar Naveed , Williams Bryan , MacDonald Thomas M. , Krzemień Paweł , Dobrakowski Michał , Kasperczyk Aleksandra , Nowak Dariusz , Skowron Łukasz , Żak Żaneta , Lewek Joanna , Banach Maciej
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The LIPIDOGRAM2015 study was performed to estimate the prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerotic diseases as well as cardiovascular and related disorders in the primary care setting in Poland. The LIPIDOGEN2015 sub-study was designed to include a random cohort of patients in order to analyse parameters related to lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, autoimmune disorders, and gene variants that confer susceptibility to cardiometabolic and atherosclerotic diseases.

Material and methods

The recruitment was carried out by 438 primary care physicians in Poland. The expected number of patients recruited for the LIPIDOGRAM2015 study was 13,000–14,000 with 13–15% (1700–2000) also participating in the LIPIDOGEN2015 sub-study. Each patient had to complete a questionnaire concerning medical and family history, concomitant diseases, and pharmacotherapy. Anthropometric measurements were performed at the doctor’s office. For the LIPIDOGEN2015 sub-study, saliva samples for DNA isolation and blood samples for measurement of glycated haemoglobin, oxidative stress parameters, autoantibody levels, and inflammatory cytokine profile and apolipoprotein profile were collected. Follow-up data will be obtained from the National Health Fund in Poland.

Results

The LIPIDOGRAM2015 and LIPIDOGEN2015 study cohort reflects the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and concomitant diseases, markers of oxidative stress, the presence of autoantibodies, inflammatory cytokine profile, and apolipoprotein profile, as well as genetic variants potentially conferring susceptibility to cardiometabolic and atherosclerotic diseases.

Conclusions

This study presents the prevalence of different CV risk factors, with special emphasis on lipid disorders, and it assesses the relationship between inflammation, oxidative stress, and mutations in genes encoding proteins regulating lipid metabolism, as well as genes conferring susceptibility to cardiovascular, cardiometabolic, and related diseases.
Enhanced apoptotic activity in allergic diseases and its relationship with eosinophil cationic protein, systemic inflammation, and severity of atopic sensitisation
Authors: Choi Jong Weon , Lee Moon Hee , Fujii Tatsuyoshi
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The association between serum soluble apoptotic markers, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and inflammatory parameters in allergic diseases has seldom been studied. This study aimed to investigate apoptotic activity in allergic diseases and its relationship with ECP, systemic inflammation, and severity of atopic sensitisation.

Material and methods

A total of 125 patients with allergic diseases were investigated by measuring ECP, APO-1, tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE), total IgE (tIgE), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels.

Results

ECP, APO-1, TRAIL, and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in patients with allergic diseases than in healthy individuals. Patients who tested positive for ECP had no significant differences in APO-1 and TRAIL levels compared with those who tested negative for ECP. However, among the patients who tested positive for ECP, those with elevated hsCRP concentrations had significantly higher APO-1 and TRAIL levels than those without elevated hsCRP concentrations (p < 0.001, respectively). APO-1, TRAIL, and ECP levels were significantly higher in patients with inhalant allergy than in those with food allergy. APO-1 and TRAIL were significantly associated with hsCRP but not with tIgE and sIgE scores.

Conclusions

Apoptotic activity is enhanced in allergic diseases and is more closely linked to concomitant systemic inflammation than to the severity of atopic sensitisation, particularly in patients with inhalant allergy.
Volatile organic compounds and ozone air pollution in an oil production region in northern China
Authors: Chen Tianshu , Xue Likun , Zheng Penggang , Zhang Yingnan , Liu Yuhong , Sun Jingjing , Han Guangxuan , Li Hongyong , Zhang Xin , Li Yunfeng , Li Hong , Dong Can , Xu Fei , Zhang Qingzhu , Wang Wenxing
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Oil and natural gas (O&NG) exploration presents a significant source of
atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are central players of
tropospheric chemistry and contribute to formations of ozone (O3) and
secondary organic aerosols. The impacts of O&NG extraction on regional
air quality have been investigated in recent years in North America, but
have long been overlooked in China. To assess the impacts of O&NG
exploration on tropospheric O3 and regional air quality in China,
intensive field observations were conducted during February–March and
June–July 2017 in the Yellow River delta, an oil extraction region in
northern China. Very high concentrations of ambient VOCs were observed at a
rural site, with the highest alkane mixing ratios reaching 2498 ppbv. High-O3 episodes were not encountered during wintertime but were frequently
observed in summer. The emission profiles of VOCs from the oil fields were
directly measured for the first time in China. The chemical budgets of
ROx radicals and O3 were dissected with a detailed chemical box
model constrained by in situ observations. The highly abundant VOCs
facilitated strong atmospheric oxidation capacity and O3 formation in
the region. Oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) played an essential role in the ROx
primary production, OH loss, and radical recycling. Photolysis of OVOCs,
O3, and HONO as well as ozonolysis reactions of unsaturated VOCs were
major primary sources of ROx. NOx was the limiting factor of
radical recycling and O3 formation. This study underlines the important
impacts of O&NG extraction on atmospheric chemistry and regional air
quality in China.
An extended radar relative calibration adjustment (eRCA) technique for higher-frequency radars and range–height indicator (RHI) scans
Authors: Hunzinger Alexis , Hardin Joseph C. , Bharadwaj Nitin , Varble Adam , Matthews Alyssa
Published: June 2020

Abstract. This study extends the relative calibration adjustment technique for calibration of weather radars to higher-frequency radars as well as range–height indicator (RHI) scans. The calibration of weather radars represents one of the most dominant sources of error for their use in a variety of fields including quantitative precipitation estimation and model comparisons. While most weather radars are routinely calibrated, the frequency of calibration is often less than required, resulting in miscalibrated time periods. While full absolute calibration techniques often require the radar to be taken offline for a period of time, there have been online calibration techniques discussed in the literature. The relative calibration adjustment (RCA) technique uses the statistics of the ground clutter surrounding the radar as a monitoring source for the stability of calibration but has only been demonstrated to work at S- and C-band for plan-position indicator (PPI) scans at a constant elevation. In this work the RCA technique is modified to work with higher-frequency radars, including Ka-band cloud radars. At higher frequencies the properties of clutter can be much more variable. This work introduces an extended clutter selection procedure that incorporates the temporal stability of clutter and helps to improve the operational stability of RCA for relatively higher-frequency radars. The technique is also extended to utilize range–height scans from radars where the elevation is varied rather than the azimuth. These types of scans are often utilized with research radars to examine the vertical structure of clouds. The newly extended technique (eRCA) is applied to four Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (DOE ARM) weather radars ranging in frequency from C- to Ka-band. Cross comparisons of three co-located radars with frequencies C, X, and Ka at the ARM Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) site show that the technique can determine changes in calibration. Using an X-band radar at the ARM Eastern North Atlantic (ENA) site, we show how the technique can be modified to be more resilient to clutter fields that show increased variability, in this case due to sea clutter. The results show that this technique is promising for a posteriori data calibration and monitoring.