bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Analysis of 3-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Under Physiologic Loads Using a Finite Element Model
Authors: Tan Lee A. , Yoganandan Narayan , Choi Hoon , Purushothaman Yuvaraj , Jebaseelan Davidson , Bosco Aju
Published: May 2022

Objective: Pseudarthrosis and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) are 2 common complications after multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). We aim to identify the potential biomechanical factors contributing to pseudarthrosis and ASD following 3-level ACDF using a cervical spine finite element model (FEM).Methods: A validated cervical spine FEM from C2 to C7 was used to study the biomechanical factors in cervical spine intervention. The FEM model was used to simulate a 3-level ACDF with intervertebral spacers and anterior cervical plating with screw fixation from C4 to C7. The model was then constrained at the inferior nodes of the T1 vertebra, and physiological loads were applied at the top vertebra. The pure moment load of 2 Nm was applied in flexion, extension, and lateral bending. A follower axial force of 75 N was applied to reproduce the weight of the cranium and muscle force, was applied using standard procedures. The motion-controlled hybrid protocol was utilized to comprehend the adjustments in the spinal biomechanics.Results: Our cervical spine FEM demonstrated that the cranial adjacent level (C3–4) had significantly more increase in range of motion (ROM) (+90.38%) compared to the caudal adjacent level at C7–T1 (+70.18%) after C4–7 ACDF, indicating that the cranial adjacent level has more compensatory increase in ROM than the caudal adjacent level, potentially predisposing it to earlier ASD. Within the C4–7 ACDF construct, the C6–7 level had the least robust fixation during fixation compared to C4–5 and C5–6, as reflected by the smallest reduction in ROM compared to intact spine (-71.30% vs. -76.36% and -77.05%, respectively), which potentially predisposes the C6–7 level to higher risk of pseudarthrosis.Conclusion: Biomechanical analysis of C4–7 ACDF construct using a validated cervical spine FEM indicated that the C3–4 has more compensatory increase in ROM compared to C7–T1, and C6–7 has the least robust fixation under physiological loads. These findings can help spine surgeons to predicate the areas with higher risks of pseudarthrosis and ASD, and thus developing corresponding strategies to mitigate these risks and provide appropriate preoperative counseling to patients.
What Type of Incision for Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery Involving Long Segments Can Bring Better Cosmetic and Functional Outcomes?
Authors: Lee Hyung Rae , Lee Dong-Ho , Seok Sang Yun , Park Sehan , Cho Jae Hwan , Hwang Chang Ju , Lee Choon Sung
Published: May 2022

Objective: To determine whether double transverse incisions could provide superior cosmetic and functional outcomes, including rates of dysphagia and dysphonia, compared with longitudinal incisions in patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) involving ≥ 3 levels.Methods: A total of 62 consecutive patients who underwent ACSS involving ≥ 3 levels were included in this study. They consist of 33 with longitudinal incisions (L group) and 29 with double transverse incisions (DT group). We recorded functional outcome measures including the Bazaz score for postoperative dysphagia and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) for postoperative dysphonia. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) were used to evaluate postoperative skin scarring.Results: Cosmetic results, as assessed using the VSS and POSAS, were significantly better in the DT than in the L group at most follow-up time points (p < 0.01 each). Dysphagia rates were significantly lower in the DT group than in the L group during the late postoperative period from 6 months until final 2 years of follow-up (p < 0.01 each). There were no significant different results between the 2 groups in terms of dysphonia.Conclusion: A double transverse incision can be a feasible option when performing ACSS involving ≥ 3 levels, providing better cosmesis and lower rates of persistent dysphagia than with a longitudinal incision.
The Change of Spinal Canal According to Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Lee Young-Seok , Lee Dong-Hyun , Cho Dae-Chul , Han Inbo , Kim Chi Heon , Kwon Heum-Dai , Kim Kyoung-Tae
Published: May 2022

Objective: Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) involves inserting large cages into the interbody disc space. This expands the spinal canal and neural foramen by stretching the ligament flavum and releasing the facet joint, resulting in indirect neural decompression. Our objective was to investigate the changes in the spinal canal and ligament flavum over time after OLIF.Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 30 patients who underwent OLIF L4–5 between 2015 and 2018. In total, 27 of the 30 patients underwent preoperative, early follow-up ( < 5 days), and late follow-up (10–14 months) magnetic resonance imaging to measure the area of the spinal canal and ligament flavum. Based on the results, the patients were divided into subsidence and nonsubsidence groups for further analysis.Results: After OLIF, the spinal canal area gradually increased during the preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative periods (p < 0.001). The thickness and area of the ligament flavum decreased gradually over the same periods (p < 0.001). Low-grade subsidence (2–4.4 mm) did not influence the effects on the spinal canal and ligament.Conclusion: After OLIF, the spinal canal and ligament flavum gradually change, which is effective for indirect neural decompression. In addition, the effects of low-grade subsidence on the remodeling of the spinal canal and ligament flavum are insignificant.
The Railway 4.0 Concept – the vision of a digital railway in the Czech Republic (CR)
Authors: Leso Martin
Published: May 2022

The paper presents a new alternative approach to the modernization of control and safety technologies on the railway network in the Czech Republic, referred to as the "The Railway 4.0 Concept". The presented concept is based on the comprehensive introduction of digital technologies that fulfill the vision of Intelligent Transport Systems on Railways (ITS-R). The paper describes the architecture and basic components of the system based on the distributed technologies with the centralization of logical elements. The paper also places the given issue in the context of current developments in the implementation of the ETCS system in the Czech Republic.
Entre terrain de stage et stage de terrain
Authors: Derbez Benjamin , Havard Duclos Bénédicte , Cozian Anne-Laure
Published: May 2022

Dans le domaine de la santé, l’enseignement de l’enquête de terrain à des étudiant·e·s de formations médicales et paramédicales se développe. S’adressant à des étudiant·e·s non spécialistes qui disposent d’une forme d’expertise pratique des contextes sanitaires, ces enseignements confrontent les sociologues qui les assurent à des problématiques pédagogiques nouvelles qu’il s’agit d’analyser dans cet article. À partir d’une expérience d’initiation à la recherche à destination d’un groupe d’étudiantes en soins infirmiers, nous revenons de manière réflexive sur le travail d’hybridation effectué pour articuler l’approche protocolisée de la recherche à visée pragmatique, dominante dans les formations en santé, avec la souplesse méthodologique inhérente à l’enquête de terrain en sciences sociales. Ces ajustements méthodologiques, nécessaires pour surmonter les malentendus survenus tout au long de l’enseignement entre des participants aux perspectives épistémologiques en tension, permettent de mettre en lumière le fait que la transmission du « goût de l’enquête » constitue l’enjeu majeur de ce type d’enseignement.
Analysing and Examining Taxonomy and Folksonomy Terms in the Hybrid Subject Device using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Chatterjee Swarnali , Das Rajesh
Published: May 2022

The information retrieval system contains either a list of subject terms (taxonomy) or a list of collaborative tags (folksonomy) or both. The taxonomy and folksonomy come together as called hybrid subject devices. The main purpose of this paper is to apply machine learning techniques in the dataset from the library domain like others and analyse a large quantity of data for critical problems with accuracy. This research reveals to perform EDA (Exploratory data analysis), prediction analysis, and similarity measurement between folksonomy and taxonomy terms with new emerging technologies. Data science deals with big data that means unstructured data, messy data, a large volume of data. The size is of a large amount of data in terms of GB, TB. Machine learning tools manage this type of data. Usually, the Excel, or other spreadsheets package could not manage the file size in GB or TB, and that’s why ML tools, and techniques are applied. At present, the library science domain also contains a large amount of data like 20/30 years of circulation data or subject descriptors, collaborative tags etc. Library professionals can apply machine learning tools for analysing this kind of data in the library domain. In this paper, the authors have introduced the applications of tools and techniques in the library domain and they have tested with 2642 taxonomy and folksonomy terms. This research work includes – EDA, prediction analysis, and similarity measurement of a folksonomy and taxonomy dataset. In the EDA part, the research work has performed a lot of analysis that includes frequency of LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Heading - taxonomy) terms, pair plots, joint plots, and heat map of LCSH and folksonomy terms. The logistic regression (LR) model for prediction analysis has been used in the folksonomy and taxonomy dataset. These 2642 terms of folksonomy and taxonomy both terms are taken as data for this research work. The EDA has been performed with the attributes in the dataset. The accuracy value of logistic regression (f1- score) is 0.37 at the training percentage of 69. The percentage of similarity between LCSH terms and folksonomy terms is 30 per cent (0.30151134), and the angle between these two vectors is 27 degrees. The novelty of this research work is that library data has been analysed using machine learning techniques the ever used before.
Los colonos americanos en la sociedad prerrevolucionaria de Saint Domingue. La rebelión de Vicente Ogé y su apresamiento en Santo Domingo (1789-1791)
Authors: Rivers Rodriguez Melania
Published: May 2022

El presente artículo se centra en la idea de que los mulatos pudientes de Saint Domingue formaban una clase aparte, gestada en los años previos a la revolución de los esclavos en 1791. Esta clase, que se autodenominaba colons américains, luchó por sus derechos políticos a uno y otro lado del Atlántico, haciendo uso de su educación ilustrada y asumiendo conceptos como libertad e igualdad, que a su vez negarían a los esclavos. La rebelión de Vicente Ogé en 1790 representa un punto de inflexión en la lucha de los mulatos pudientes, convirtiéndose dicho Ogé y sus compañeros en paradigma y referencia para los de su clase. Dicha rebelión se analiza desde los expedientes generados en la parte española de la isla por el apresamiento de Ogé y los suyos y su posterior entrega a las autoridades francesas.
Maracaibo: de pueblo de agua ciudad - puerto siglos XVI-XVII
Authors: Parra Grazzina Ileana
Published: May 2022

El pueblo de Maracaibo aborigen y sus términos antecedió a lo que fue la ciudad-puerto de Maracaibo en los siglos XVI y XVII inserta en la expansión capitalista europea. La ventajosa situación de Maracaibo en el intermedio del agua lacustre y marítimas, propició la alternativa de comunicación entre los centros productores andinos-lacustres con el Caribe y el Atlántico. Factor aprovechado por las poblaciones del norte del Lago de Maracaibo para el dominio de la navegación lacustre que derivó en rivalidades económicas y políticas, tanto en los tiempos aborígenes como en los tiempos de sometimiento hispánico. Se trata de interpretar el crecimiento del puerto y su competitividad con los otros puertos lacustres como Moporo, Tomoporo, Gibraltar y Zulia por el control comercial, de los cuales dependió paradójicamente para su abastecimiento en razón de la esterilidad de las tierras maracaiberas. Tal proceso se estudió en el marco de la política mercantilista de los Austrias, a través del análisis histórico de las fuentes documentales del Archivo General de Indias.
Nilda Bermúdez: Vivir en Maracaibo en el siglo XIX. Maracaibo: Acervo Histórico del Estado del Estado Zulia, 2001.
Authors: Cardozo Galué Germán
Published: May 2022

Nilda Bermúdez ha logrado en este ensayo conjugar su formación, experiencia e inquietudes de Comunicadora Social con una brillante y disciplinada carrera como historiadora para ofrecernos una límpida, amena y bien documentada visión de la vida cotidiana en Maracaibo a finales del siglo XIX. Su investigación se mueve en el difícil terreno de la historia urbana y social.
Fenomén učitelské profese v mateřské škole ve vizuálních reprezentacích (studujících) učitelek
Authors: Majerčíková Jana , Jirásek Ivo
Published: May 2022

A deeper understanding of the kindergarten teacher’s profession allows for the use of visual methodology and symbol analysis of visual representations in pedagogical research. The study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of verbally difficult to convey meanings through quantification of thematic motifs of drawings by student kindergarten teachers (n = 76) and a detailed qualitative analysis of selected images of 5 of them, based on a team-based free association method and subsequent symbolic interpretation of the images. In the results of the quantitative analysis, the kindergarten teacher’s profession is based on the visualization of the relationships and interaction between adults (usually women) and children, most often in free play or learning, with the support of a set agenda and against the background of a positively attuned situation. However, the interpretation of the expressive symbolism of the 5 drawings also offers previously unnoticed contradictions that disrupt this schema. In them, other aspects of the profession emerge, such as overload, elements of unreasonable attachment, dependence or the sad transience of all their efforts and activities, resonating also the weakening of the profession’s importance at the expense of external pressures.
A Tale of Three Countries: The Impact of Covid-19 on Apparel Exports from Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam to the United States
Authors: Islam Sadequl
Published: May 2022

This paper examines the effects of Covid-19 on apparel exports from Bangladesh, China

and Vietnam to the United States. The paper uses monthly data on knitted and non-knitted

apparel goods at disaggregate levels from January 2020   to April 2021.The findings

show that Covid-19 adversely affected exports of apparel goods from these countries to the

US especially during the March 2020-May 2020 period. It is evident that the performance of

Vietnam in apparel exports has been better compared to China and Bangladesh.
Masking the Backgrounds to Produce Object-Focused Images and Comparing that Augmentation Method to Other Methods
Authors: Hammoud Ahmad , Ghandour Ahmad
Published: May 2022

Image augmentation is a very powerful method to expand existing image datasets. This paper presents a novel method for creating a variation of existing images, called Object-Focused Image (OFI). This is when an image includes only the labeled object and everything else is made white. This paper elaborates on the OFI approach, explores its efficiency, and compares the validation accuracy of 780 notebooks. The presented testbed makes use of a subset of ImageNet Dataset (8,000 images of 14 classes) and incorporates all available models in Keras. These 26 models are tested before augmentation and after applying 9 different categories of augmentation methods. Each of these 260 notebooks is tested in 3 different scenarios: scenario A (ImageNet weights are not used and network layers are trainable), scenario B (ImageNet weights are used and network layers are trainable) and scenario C (ImageNet weights are used and network layers are not trainable). The experiments presented in this paper show that using OFI images along with the original images can be better than other augmentation methods in 16.4% of the cases. It was also shown that OFI method could help some models learn although they could not learn when other augmentation methods were applied. The conducted experiments also proved that the Kernel filters and the color space transformations are among the best data augmentation methods.
Using Geolocator Data to Address Changes in Migration Patterns for Black Turnstone
Authors: Taylor Audrey , Bishop Mary Anne , Schaefer Anne , Porter Ron , Sowl Kristine
Published: May 2022

Black Turnstone is an obligate Pacific coast shorebird that is included as a “Species of High Concern” in both the U.S. and Alaska Shorebird Conservation Plans. Specific migration routes for this species are not well understood, which makes its recent disappearance at a major spring stopover site, northern Montague Island in Prince William Sound, Alaska, difficult to interpret. We tracked 23 Black Turnstones between breeding and wintering areas and examined migration timing, duration, and routes used. We identified two high-use regions during migration: 1) Cook Inlet/Shelikof Strait, Alaska, and 2) the Haida Gwaii Archipelago in British Columbia/Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska. This second region was also an important wintering area. We found that northbound migration was longer than southbound (the reverse of what is often observed in shorebirds) and that staging behavior was primarily seen during northbound migration. No birds were tracked to northern Montague Island, and only a few individuals stopped anywhere in Prince William Sound. Alterations in patterns of spring herring spawn in Prince William Sound may be affecting the routes and stopovers used by Black Turnstones, and birds may be wintering farther north in recent decades due to warmer winter conditions. Additionally, the increasing availability and popularity of citizen science efforts like eBird has created a mechanism for disseminating observations from less accessible parts of the Black Turnstone range, a fact which may confound our understanding of whether migration routes for this species have changed over the last 30 years.
Associations Between Parenting Stress and Children’s Academic Engagement When Schools Were Closed During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: von Suchodoletz Antje , Fullmer Susanna , Larsen Ross A. A.
Published: May 2022

The present study investigated associations between parenting stress and children’s academic engagement when schools were closed in spring/ early summer 2020. We investigated four dimensions of children’s academic engagement, i.e., behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and agentic. Participants of this online survey study were 78 families (75 mothers and 54 fathers), recruited in the United States from advertisements on Facebook in May 2020. Children were, on average, 11.05 years old (SD=3.73). Out of the total sample, 46 parents also consented for their child to participate in the study. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find evidence for direct associations between parenting stress and children’s academic engagement. However, our findings suggest that the associations between parenting stress and children’s academic engagement is moderated by children’s interest in at-home learning activities and the length of homeschooling. Recommendations for future research on the effects of the pandemic on children’s learning are discussed.
Referral for re-submission: Scholarly Expectations of EFL Applied Linguistics Doctoral Defense Sessions
Authors: Jalilifar Alireza , Mayahi Nadia
Published: May 2022

In a challenging criticism-generating oral defense of a doctoral program, examiners evaluate the PhD dissertation so as to confirm its scholarly merit. The main purpose of this ethnographic study was identifying the examiners’ expectations of the viva which was achieved by using a content analytic approach for analyzing the disputation section of two applied linguistics doctoral defense sessions from two accredited Iranian universities in 2019. Despite the similar shortcomings in terms of innovation, development, sampling and treatment, raised by the examiners, one of the candidates passed with distinction while the other was suggested re-submission. This finding suggests that the outcome of a viva, in an EFL context, not only depends on adherence to the conventions of doctoral research but is also influenced by the strictness of the examiners, the candidates’ language proficiency, and negotiation skills in this confrontational communicative event. Findings provide evidence for factors, namely the examiners’ attributes, the doctoral candidate’s attributes, and the dissertation attributes that determine the success or failure of PhD candidates in displaying their claims of scholarship during their defense sessions.
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation in Malaysia: a case series
Authors: Mat Jin Norazilah , Ahmad Siti Maisarah , Mohd Faizal Ahmad , Abdul Karim Abdul Kadir bin , Abu Muhammad Azrai
Published: May 2022

Objectives

We aim to discuss the hematological cancer cases that opted for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) as fertility preservation before the gonadotoxic chemotherapy agent.

Case presentation

The ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) was started in August 2020 in our center. Up to now, there were four cases have been performed and included in this report. The ovarian tissue cortex was cryopreserved with cryoprotectant using Kitazato™ (Tokyo, Japan) media and fit in the closed system devices. A total of four post-OTC patients were included. The mean age was 24 years old, whereas the mean serum AMH level was 30.43 pmol/L. Most of them were diagnosed with lymphoma, except one was leukemia. All of them received additional GnRH analog following OTC as a chemoprotective agent before cancer treatment. Currently, they are recovering well and on regular follow-up with the hematological department.

Conclusions

Although The OTC is an ultimate option for prepubertal girls, it can be proposed as a good strategy for adult cancer women who could not delay cancer therapy.
Data-driven concurrent nanostructure optimization based on conditional generative adversarial networks
Authors: Baucour Arthur , Kim Myungjoon , Shin Jonghwa
Published: May 2022

Iterative numerical optimization is a ubiquitous tool to design optical nanostructures. However, there can be a significant performance gap between the numerically simulated results, with pristine shapes, and the experimentally measured values, with deformed profiles. We introduce conditional generative adversarial networks (CGAN) into the standard iterative optimization loop to learn process-structure relationships and produce realistic simulation designs based on the fabrication conditions. This ensures that the process-structure mapping is accurate for the specific available equipment and moves the optimization space from the structural parameters (e.g. width, height, and period) to process parameters (e.g. deposition rate and annealing time). We demonstrate this model agnostic optimization platform on the design of a red, green, and blue color filter based on metallic gratings. The generative network can learn complex M-to-N nonlinear process-structure relations, thereby generating simulation profiles similar to the training data over a wide range of fabrication conditions. The CGAN-based optimization resulted in fabrication parameters leading to a realistic design with a higher figure of merit than a standard optimization using pristine structures. This data-driven approach can expedite the design process both by limiting the design search space to a fabrication-accurate subspace and by returning the optimal process parameters automatically upon obtaining the optimal structure design.
Nietzsche and Literature
Authors: Johnson Dirk R.
Published: May 2022

Nietzsche’s relationship to the literary output of his time and his later influence on it is the theme unifying the two anthologies and the monograph under review. While Nietzsche’s stature among philosophers is now secure and uncontested, his philosophical reception in the early years was delayed and overshadowed by his literary reception: enthusiastically endorsed by writers, he was disparaged as a Dichterphilosoph by academic philosophers. But by aligning Nietzsche with positions in contemporary philosophy, commentators now underappreciate Nietzsche’s literary style(s) and his desire to be seen as one of the great literary stylists and innovators. These studies redress that imbalance. They raise the larger question of what constitutes philosophy and suggest that his philosophizing breaches the divide that some place between the disciplines of philosophy and literature, particularly in an era of great academic specialization. Their goal is to show the importance of literature for Nietzsche, both in his capacity as a reader and as an author, and they approach this question from an interdisciplinary angle, combining aspects of literary science and philosophical history.
Among-family variations of direct measurement values for chemical and pulp properties in 4-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis half-sib families in Thailand
Authors: Mboumba Ulrich Christopher Moussavou , Tanaka Yudai , Nezu Ikumi , Ishiguri Futoshi , Diloksumpun Sapit , Tanabe Jun , Ohshima Jyunich , Iizuka Kazuya , Yokota Shinso
Published: May 2022

Amounts of wood chemical components (organic solvent extracts, Klason lignin, and holocellulose) and kraft pulp characteristics (yield and kappa number) were directly determined for 32 trees from eight half-sib Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. families in second generation of elite trees selected in Thailand. The mean values of all trees were 1.4 % for organic solvent extracts, 21.3 % for Klason lignin, 86.1 % for holocellulose, 44.4 % for kraft pulp yield, and 7.2 for kappa number, respectively. While repeatability values of growth traits and basic density were moderate to high (0.18 to 0.51), those in wood chemical components and kraft pulp characteristics showed quite low values (less than 0.10). No correlation coefficients were found between measured traits, except between stem diameter and tree height. Thus, it is concluded that selection of E. camaldulensis families with superior growth traits is suitable for production of raw material of pulp and paper in respect to quantity and quality of wood.
Recyclable magnetically retrievable nanocatalysts for C–heteroatom bond formation reactions
Authors: Dutta Sriparna , Kumar Prashant , Yadav Sneha , Dixit Ranjana , Sharma Rakesh Kumar
Published: May 2022

During recent years, magnetic separation has proven to be a highly indispensable and sustainable tool for facile separation of catalysts from the reaction medium with the aid of only an external magnetic force that precludes the requirement of energy intensive, solvent based centrifugation or filtration techniques. Extensive research in the area of catalysis has clearly divulged that while designing any catalyst, the foremost features that need to be paid due attention to include high activity, ready recoverability and good reusability. Fortunately, the magnetic nanocatalysts involving a superparamagnetic core material that could comprise of iron oxides such as magnetite, maghemite or hematite or mixed ferrites (CoFe2O4, CuFe2O4) have offered bright prospects of designing the ideal catalysts by proving their efficacy as strong support material that could be further engineered with various tools of nanotechnology and efficiently catalyze various C–heterobond formation reactions. This chapter provides succinct overview of all the approaches utilized for fabricating different types of magnetic nanoparticles and strategies adopted for imparting them durability. The prime forte however remains to exclusively showcase the applications of the various types of magnetic nanocatalysts in C–O, C–N, C–S and miscellaneous (C–Se, C–Te) bond formation reactions which are anticipated to benefit the synthetic community on a broad spectrum by helping them rationalize and analyze the key features that need to be taken into account, while developing these magical nanostructured catalytic systems for boosting the green bond formation reactions/transformations.
Downregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes in obesity patients and their relation with obesity-related phenotypes
Authors: Aksoyer Sezgin Saadet Busra , Bayoglu Burcu , Ersoz Feyzullah , Sarici Murat , Niyazoglu Mutlu , Dirican Ahmet , Cengiz Müjgan
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Adipose tissue mediates various bioactive molecules and cytokine discharge. The anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), has roles in systemic inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases implicating in tissue remodeling, and extracellular matrix degradation. Interleukins and MMPs may have specific roles in obesity development. In this investigation, we marked the roles of IL-10, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in obesity and its related clinical phenotypes.

Methods

Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), also ELISA, IL-10, MMP-2, and MMP-9 mRNA and protein levels were detected respectively in the subcutaneous adipose tissues of 34 patients with obesity and 36 healthy individuals.

Results

MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene expression were significantly downregulated in obesity patients compared to controls (p=0.004, p=0.045). Nevertheless, IL-10 was elevated in the obesity group as to controls (p=0.010). MMP-2 mRNA expression was correlated with fasting blood glucose levels (r=0.426, p=0.013) in the patient group. As for protein levels, MMP-2 concentration decreased in patients compared to controls (p=0.001). Moreover, MMP-2 was correlated with BMI (r=−0.411; p=0.022) and weight (r=−0.381; p=0.034) in obesity group.

Conclusions

MMP-2, MMP-9, and IL-10 may be related to increased susceptibility to obesity development and its related phenotypes in a sample of Turkish patients with obesity.
Small Punch Test Setup for In-Cell Testing of Irradiated Materials
Authors: Welschen Romy , Naziris Frideriki , ten Pierick Peter , Kolluri Murthy
Published: May 2022

A number of surveillance programs for pressurized water reactor (PWR)-type reactors do not contain enough surveillance samples for their long-term operation (LTO) beyond the original design life of 40 years. The use of testing methods based on small/sub-sized specimen is considered a promising approach to overcome this limitation. In addition, small specimen testing will lead to a reduction in the costs of testing radioactive materials, particularly when it comes to the radiation protection measures and radioactive waste management. One miniature testing method that has been recently standardized is the small punch test (SPT) technique, which can be used for estimating mechanical properties such as yield strength (σYS) and tensile strength of structural components. In literature, various validation studies can be found on the estimation of mechanical properties using SPT on nonirradiated materials. However, SPT data regarding (highly) irradiated materials are scarce. Material characterization in hot cells introduces several challenges, such as remote handling of instrumentation and samples, manipulator sensitivity, and limited accessibility of the setup. Within the framework of the STRUctural MATerials research for safe Long Term Operation of LWR NPPs (STRUMAT) project, the Nuclear Research and Consulting Group has developed tools and in-cell methods for producing and testing irradiated SPT disks. This paper presents a newly developed SPT fabrication and test setup that works under hot-cell conditions. Preliminary test results for estimation of tensile properties of 15Kh2NMFA reference material under hot-cell machining and testing condition are presented in this paper.
Photochemical sensitivity to emissions and local meteorology in Bogotá, Santiago, and São Paulo
Authors: Seguel Rodrigo J. , Gallardo Laura , Osses Mauricio , Rojas Néstor Y. , Nogueira Thiago , Menares Camilo , de Fatima Andrade Maria , Belalcázar Luis C. , Carrasco Paula , Eskes Henk , Fleming Zoë L. , Huneeus Nicolas , Ibarra-Espinosa Sergio , Landulfo Eduardo , Leiva Manuel , Mangones Sonia C. , Morais Fernando G. , Moreira Gregori A. , Pantoja Nicolás , Parraguez Santiago , Rojas Jhojan P. , Rondanelli Roberto , da Silva Andrade Izabel , Toro Richard , Yoshida Alexandre C.
Published: May 2022

This study delves into the photochemical atmospheric changes reported globally during the pandemic by analyzing the change in emissions from mobile sources and the contribution of local meteorology to ozone (O3) and particle formation in Bogotá (Colombia), Santiago (Chile), and São Paulo (Brazil). The impact of mobility reductions (50%–80%) produced by the early coronavirus-imposed lockdown was assessed through high-resolution vehicular emission inventories, surface measurements, aerosol optical depth and size, and satellite observations of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) columns. A generalized additive model (GAM) technique was also used to separate the local meteorology and urban patterns from other drivers relevant for O3 and NO2 formation. Volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) decreased significantly due to motorized trip reductions. In situ nitrogen oxide median surface mixing ratios declined by 70%, 67%, and 67% in Bogotá, Santiago, and São Paulo, respectively. NO2 column medians from satellite observations decreased by 40%, 35%, and 47%, respectively, which was consistent with the changes in mobility and surface mixing ratio reductions of 34%, 25%, and 34%. However, the ambient NO2 to NOx ratio increased, denoting a shift of the O3 formation regime that led to a 51%, 36%, and 30% increase in the median O3 surface mixing ratios in the 3 respective cities. O3 showed high sensitivity to slight temperature changes during the pandemic lockdown period analyzed. However, the GAM results indicate that O3 increases were mainly caused by emission changes. The lockdown led to an increase in the median of the maximum daily 8-h average O3 of between 56% and 90% in these cities.
Autonomous cortisol secretion is associated with worse arterial stiffness and vascular fibrosis in primary aldosteronism: a cross-sectional study with follow-up data
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Hsuan , Liao Che-Wei , Wu Xue-Ming , Chen Zheng-Wei , Pan Chien-Ting , Chang Yi-Yao , Lee Bo-Ching , Shun Chia-Tung , Wen Wen-Fen , Chou Chia-Hung , Wu Vin-Cent , Hung Chi-Sheng , Lin Yen-Hung
Published: May 2022

Objective

The presence of autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) is common and potentially associated with poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ACS and vascular remodeling in PA patients.

Design and methods

We prospectively enrolled 436 PA patients from October 2006 to November 2019. ACS (defined as a cortisol level >1.8 μg/dL after a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test) was detected in 23% of the PA patients. Propensity score matching (PSM) with age, sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was performed. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was examined at baseline and 1 year after targeted treatment. Small arteries of periadrenal fat in 46 patients were stained with Picro Sirus red to quantify the severity of vascular fibrosis.

Results

After PSM, the PA patients with ACS had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, higher plasma aldosterone concentration and higher aldosterone-to-renin ratio. The baseline mean baPWV was also significantly higher in the PA patients with ACS. After multivariable regression analysis, the presence of ACS was a significant predictor of worse baseline mean baPWV (β: 235.745, 95% CI: 59.602–411.888, P = 0.010). In addition, the PA patients with ACS had worse vascular fibrosis (fibrosis area: 25.6 ± 8.4%) compared to those without ACS (fibrosis area: 19.8 ± 7.7%, P = 0.020). After 1 year of PA treatment, baPWV significantly improved in both groups.

Conclusion

The presence of ACS in PA patients is associated with worse arterial stiffness and vascular remodeling.
UNA UNA OPORTUNIDAD PERDIDA. LA GRAN ARMADA DE JUAN DE SILVA EN FILIPINAS (1610-1616).
Authors: Valpuesta Villa Iñigo
Published: May 2022

Durante la década del 1610 el sudeste asiático fue el principal escenario del conflicto entre la Monarquía Hispánica y la República Neerlandesa. En esos años la monarquía fue ideando medidas para expulsar a los holandeses de Oriente, la más destacada de las cuales fue la construcción por parte del gobernador de Filipinas, Juan de Silva, de una gran flota de guerra para derrotar a la holandesa y asegurarse la presencia hispana en la región. Este trabajo analiza la creación de la flota de Silva y su papel en el contexto de la evolución de la política oriental de Felipe III.
Polyphenol characterization in Azolla filiculoides after drying and enzymatic hydrolysis processes
Authors: Carballo-Sanchez Marco Polo , Miguel-Chávez Ruben San , Alarcón Alejandro , Ferrera-Cerrato Ronald
Published: May 2022

Azolla filiculoides is an aquatic fern with the potential to become a source of raw materials in a biorefinery system, e.g., a source of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates, proteins, carotenoids, and polyphenols. The fiber chemical content was determined as cellulose (19.2% dry basis) and hemicellulose (7.6% dry basis) content. Azolla has no lignin as a cell wall structure material. Cellulase treatment showed no effect in ethanolic extraction, but polyphenols were found in the enzyme solution at the end of the reaction. The phenolic acids and flavonoids contents of those with health promoting activity were determined, with gallic, syringic, rosmarinic, and p-coumaric the most abundant acids; kaempferol, apigenin, and quercetin were the most abundant flavonoids. The results show that A. filiculoides is a valuable source of bioactive components and cellulosic materials.
Effects of Whitening Dentifrices on the Enamel Color, Surface Roughness, and Morphology
Authors: Hazar Ahmet , Hazar Ecehan
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the whitening and abrasion effects of dentifrices containing different whitening agents on artificially stained and unstained enamel. 160 human dental enamel discs were distributed into four groups according to the type of dentifrices applied on them (n=40): Group I, non-whitening dentifrice (control group); Group II, dentifrice containing charcoal; Group III, dentifrice containing blue covarine; Group IV, dentifrice containing hydrogen peroxide. Half of the specimens in each group were immersed in coffee solution. Color measurements were evaluated from stained and unstained specimens before and after brushing by a spectrophotometer. The surface roughness of each unstained specimen was analyzed using a profilometer after the brushing and bleaching. The surface of one randomly selected specimen from each group was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Statistical analysis of the color change was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The one-way ANOVA was used to evaluate surface roughness. Group III provided significantly higher recovery on ∆E00 values than other groups on the unstained enamel (p<0.05). Group IV showed significantly the highest ∆E00 values on stained enamel (p<0.05) and also Group IV showed the highest surface roughness values (p<0.05), SEM revealed a more irregular surface in groups III and IV. It can be stated that dentifrice containing blue covarine is both an effective and a safe way to provide whiter teeth with routine home tooth brushing.
Ciudad, infancia y psicología ambiental: Estudio de Caso al interior del Estado São Paulo / Brasil
Authors: Silva Juliana Bezzon da , Silva Ana Paula Soares da
Published: May 2022

La intensa urbanización de las ciudades occidentales contribuyó a la fragmentación social y repercutióen la asociación de los espacios urbanos con el riesgo, especialmente para los/as niños/as, consideradosdependientes/vulnerables. A partir de la Psicología Histórico-Cultural y la Psicología Ambiental, analizamos la relación infancia-ciudad, en la interacción entre los modos de organización de la ciudad y los procesos de apropiación de los espacios urbanos. En un municipio mediano del interior del Estado de São Paulo/Brasil realizamos los siguientes procedimientos: macroanálisis (caracterización del municipio por análisis documental); intermedio (mirada ambiental a una región periférica, registrado en un diario de campo) y microanálisis (entrevistas y taller con siete niños/as de 8-11 años). Los resultados mostraron que los/as participantes frecuentaban los espacios públicos caracterizados por estructuras atractivas para ellos/as. La periferia poseía infraestructura de ocio/cultura utilizada por los/as /as a diario, mostrando que las políticas públicas para la infancia y proyectos sociales diversificados promueven vivencias participativas en la ciudad. Los procesos de apropiación estuvieron mediados por el deseo de diversión/ocio entre pares y por las expresiones tanto del cuerpo como de la voz para mostrarse presentes y experimentar los límites o las posibilidades de ocuparlos. Vivir la ciudad con coetáneos significó estar entre iguales y sentir una mayor autonomía de participación en sus espacios. Las políticas para la infancia desde esta perspectiva en la planificación urbana promueven la comprensión del espacio público más allá de la idea de riesgo/vulnerabilidad. Nuevos estudios contribuirán para profundizar el análisis entre las categorías de apropiación interpretadas.
Mapa Cooper-Activo: fortalecimiento de las redes comunitarias en Poblenou (Barcelona)
Authors: Cortés Arteaga Maite , Vidal Moranta Tomeu
Published: May 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar un primer avance de un ejercicio diagnóstico en curso basado en un proyecto de investigación acción participante (en adelante IAP) denominado "Construyendo Poblenou en Comunidad". El objetivo del proyecto es conocer el proceso de fortalecimiento de las redes comunitarias del barrio de Poblenou (Barcelona) en relación con el espacio urbano comunitario. Este se lleva a cabo mediante el análisis de necesidades y recursos de la red, cartografiadas de manera participativaen plataformas en línea y apoyadas en herramientas de información geográfica. Tras describir el contexto en el que se desenvuelve la investigación, se muestra la aplicación metodológica de la IAP a partir de un ejercicio de re-diagnóstico para dar continuidad, validación y adecuación a los cambios generados por la crisis sanitaria del COVID-19 en el barrio. La participación y construcción de conocimiento conjunto se articula a través del ejercicio de cartografía social digital, donde se desarrolla esta primera etapa deconstrucción colectiva. Los primeros resultados muestran tres espacios de mayor concentración de actividades y relaciones, vinculadas con espacios significados con la lucha social que caracteriza la identidad del barrio. Surgen los primeros acuerdos para la recolección de necesidades y recursos, pendientes de explicitar. A su vez, se observan algunas dificultades en la implementación del ejercicio cartográfico digital en cuanto a la necesidad de una mayor capacitación para el uso de la técnica, así como de cierta inducción al ejercicio. Estos primeros resultados sugieren profundizar en un mayor protagonismo de la comunidad en el proceso participativo en los siguientes pasos.
Acercamiento formal y estudio estructural de la arquitectura románica del Valle de Arán
Authors: Coll-Pla Sergio , Lluis Ginovart Josep , Costa Jover Agustí , Lluis Teruel Cinta
Published: May 2022

El Valle de Arán se caracteriza por su aislamiento, de tal manera que hoy encontramos algunas construcciones románicas poco modificadas. La arquitectura románica pirenaica se caracteriza por el uso de las bóvedas que provocan grandes deformaciones en el resto de la iglesia. En este artículo se estudia la forma actual de las bóvedas mediante estudios topográficos para localizar el punto más deformado y estudiar la estabilidad de la sección transversal en ese punto. El primer estudio desarrollado en la bóveda es una topografía para encontrar el punto de bóveda más deformado. A partir de este punto se desplegará y estudiará una sección vertical a través de la línea de máxima presión. Los resultados concretarán el tipo de bóveda con que se construyeron las iglesias y nos permitirán conocer si estas son estables a la vez que reafirmaran la unidad formal y constructiva del primer románico.
El urbanismo postraumático para analizar los impactos del COVID-19 en las ciudades
Authors: Acosta Schnell Sabrine
Published: May 2022

Como tema central se aborda el término de urbanismo postraumático que comúnmente sediscute en el marco de diversos conflictos y desastres (naturales o antrópicos). Propongo como objetivo principal reflexionar sobre este concepto y sus posibles aportes como herramienta de análisis del proceso de recuperación y resiliencia de las ciudades frente a la pandemia mundial COVID-19. En cuanto a la metodología, se acudió a una revisión bibliográfica crítica y no extensa. Es selectiva con dos autores principales: el arquitecto e investigador Adrian Lahoud que discute el concepto del efecto del trauma en la planificación urbana y, posteriormente, los aportes del filósofo y sociólogo francés, Edgar Morin, en eltema de la circularidad virtuosa. Los puntos centrales de la reflexión sugieren evitar aplicar una solución o un proyecto urbano propuesto de forma genérica a todas las ciudades a nivel mundial, en el contexto post pandemia. Los resultados indican que, a pesar de los patrones identificados como reacciones comunes a eventos traumáticos, es importante promover una evolución mejorada de las articulaciones urbanas, lejos de regresar a un mismo estado pre-trauma. A manera de reflexiones finales, se analizan las especificidades de los casos de estudio a la hora de evaluar la resiliencia de cada emplazamiento urbano. En momentosde cambio y situaciones extremas, como con el COVID-19, la incertidumbre tiene que catapultar la investigación que respalde la toma de decisiones y con nuevos nichos de estudio que aporten conocimiento a los diversos actores urbanos.
Size- and position-controlled Ge nanocrystals separated by high-k dielectrics
Authors: Lehninger D. , Honeit F. , Rafaja D. , Klemm V. , Röder C. , Khomenkova L. , Schneider F. , von Borany J. , Heitmann J.
Published: May 2022

Germanium nanocrystals embedded in high-k dielectric matrices are of main interest for infrared sensing application, as a role model for Ge-based nanoelectronics passivation or for nonvolatile memory devices. The capability of the size control of those nanocrystals via rapid thermal processing of superlattice structures is shown for the [Ge–TaZrOx/TaZrOx]n, [Ge–TaZrOx/SiO2/TaZrOx]6, and [TaZrOx/Ge–SiO2]n superlattice systems. All superlattices were deposited by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging confirms the formation of spherically shaped nanocrystals. Raman scattering proved the crystallization of Ge above 700°C. The TaZrOx crystallizes above 770°C, associated with a phase separation of Ta2O5 and ZrO2 as confirmed by x-ray diffraction. For the composite layers having 3 nm and 6 nm thickness, the size of the Ge nanocrystals correlates with the deposited layer thickness. Thicker composite layers (above 9 nm) form two fractions of nanocrystals with different sizes. An additional SiO2 layer in the [Ge–TaZrOx/SiO2/TaZrOx]6 superlattice stacks facilitates the formation of larger and better separated Ge nanocrystals. The deposition of Ge-SiO2 composite layers separated by pure TaZrOx illustrates the barrier effect of TaZrOx against Ge diffusion. All three material systems allow the controlled formation of Ge nanocrystals in amorphous matrices at temperatures above 700 and below 770°C.

Graphical abstract