bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic challenges in identifying Kaposi’s sarcoma: A case report
Authors:   Kuyavian-Pomeranian Pulmonology Center, Bydgoszcz, Poland, Kruszewski Jakub ,   Praski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland,   Wolski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland, Sułkowski Konrad , Worobiej Daniel
Published: January 2025

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a soft tissue neoplasm of vascular origin arising from cells expressing markers of endothelial smooth muscle and macrophages. Epidemiologically, KS is not considered a common tumor worldwide; however, alongside non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, it is among the most prevalent neoplasms associated with AIDS. Presently, four clinical-epidemiological forms of the disease are recognized: classic, endemic (African), epidemic (AIDS-related), and iatrogenic (post-transplantation). Various forms of KS are characterized by distinct clinical progressions and prognoses, with significant variation in symptoms even within the HIV-infected population. This article presents the case of a young man who reported to a primary healthcare clinic with an uncharacteristic vascular skin lesion on the second toe of his right foot. The atypical clinical picture posed numerous diagnostic challenges, thereby prolonging the time to reach a definitive diagnosis of Kaposi’s sarcoma and to initiate appropriate therapeutic measures.

Key words: Kaposi’s sarcoma, HIV, AIDS, Diagnosis
Chronic vegetative eruption in a child
Authors:   Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, Fes, Morocco, Alaoui Imane Kacimi , Baybay Hanane , El-Ammari Sara , Douhi Zakia , Soughi Meryem , Elloudi Sara , Mernissi Fatima-Zahra
Published: January 2025

Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans (PD-PSV) is a rarely described benign inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology. It is often associated with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It is common in young and middle-aged individuals, yet rarely in children. Herein, we report the case of a young child who had developed pustular lesions on the skin and mouth as a manifestation of PD-PSV with manifestations associated with primary immune deficiency (PID). Treatment with immunoglobulins and antimycotics resulted in the resolution of the cutaneous and mucosal lesions. To our knowledge, the association between PD-PSV and DIP has not been previously reported.

Key words: pyodermatitis, Pyostomatitis, Primary immune deficiency, Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans
Cellular dermatofibroma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors:   Karbala Health Directorate/Imam Alhassan Almojtaba teaching hospital, Karbala, Iraq, Jaafar Amal Abduladheem
Published: January 2025

Dermatofibroma is the most typical cutaneous spindle cell tumor. Cellular dermatofibromas (also known as CDFs) are a rare type of dermatofibroma that have a propensity to recur. Rarely, they may metastasize and exhibit histologic similarities to an aggressive disease. Recurrence rates for CDF are known to range from 10% to 26%. The histopathology of the lesions in recurrent and non-recurrent instances did not differ significantly. A factor that appeared to be linked to a higher chance of recurrence was the size of the initial lesion and whether the margins were implicated initially.

Key words: Cellular dermatofibroma, Benign tumor, Recurrent dermatofibroma, Benign fibrous histiocytoma
Systemic complications and skin cancers due to voluntary cosmetic depigmentation in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors:   Dermatology Department, University Hospital Sylvanus Olympio, University of Lomé, Togo, Akakpo Abla Sefako , Téclessou Julienne Noude , Adani-Ife Ablavi Ahoefa Oyenitiwa , Kassang Panawe , Mouhari-Touré Abas , Kombaté Koussake , Pitché Palokinam Pitché , Saka Bayaki ,   Dermatology Department, University Hospital Campus, University of Lomé, Togo,   Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital Sylvanus Olympio, University of Lomé, Togo,   Dermatology Department, University Hospital Kara, University of Kara, Togo
Published: January 2025

Skin lightening is a fairly common practice in sub-Saharan Africa, with the epidemiological extent of this fashion phenomenon. To date, no awareness-raising campaign has resulted in a reduction in the frequency of this practice, even with the knowledge of its complications. Systemic complications and skin cancers following the use of depigmenting cosmetics are not as rare as people tend to believe. Systemic complications and skin cancers are among the voluntary cosmetic consequences. Another way of raising awareness needs to be reinvented to effectively raise awareness of the harmful effects of depigmentation.

Key words: Systemic complications, Skin cancers, Voluntary depigmentation
Quality of life in patients with chronic dermatophytosis: A cross-sectional study
Authors:   Department of Dermatology, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, India, Prabhu Namitha , Rajeshwari Kokkarne Anandarama , Sangolli Prabhakar M ,   Department of Dermatology, East Point College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India,   Department of Dermatology, Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India
Published: January 2025

Background: Dermatophytosis has lately become widespread in India. The presence of dermatophytosis for six months or more is described as chronic dermatophytosis. Chronic dermatophytosis may significantly affect one’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of chronic dermatophytosis on quality of life.

Materials and Methods: A total of 220 cases of chronic dermatophytosis were included in the study for the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using univariate/multivariate and regression analysis to analyze the effect of chronic dermatophytosis on quality of life. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Among the total 220 cases, 47.27% were males (mean age: 30.53 yrs.), and 52.72% were females (mean age: 36.24 yrs.). The mean DLQI score was 11.054. DLQI was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by duration of illness and body surface area of the patient.

Conclusion: Dermatophytosis is known to affect the quality of life of all patients, whereas chronic dermatophytosis causes a remarkably negative outcome on quality of life. Hence, reassurance and counseling of patients suffering from chronic disease is required along with timely and precise treatment.

Key words: Chronic dermatophytosis, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Dermatophytosis
Dermoscopic features of vulvar lichen sclerosus and their correlation with disease duration
Authors:   Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, Fes, Morocco, Kalmi Noura , Baybay Hanane , Choukri Souad , Douhi Zakia , Elloudi Sara , Soughi Meryem , Mernissi Fatima-Zahra , Mahfoudi Hajar , El Fakir Samira ,   Department of Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Community Health, University Hospital Hassan II, Fes, Morocco
Published: January 2025

Background: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is an underdiagnosed inflammatory disease of the vulva. It may mimic various inflammatory or tumor conditions of the vulva. Dermoscopy is a useful tool to support the non-invasive diagnosis. However, few studies are concerned with determining the specific signs of VLS.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the vascular and non-vascular features of VLS and to correlate them with the duration of the disease.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including eighty patients over a period from November 2020 to November 2022.

Results: On dermoscopy, VLS lesions showed reduced overall vascularity and polymorphic vessels with an irregular arrangement. Yellowish-white, structureless areas over a diffuse, whitish background were prominent and constant dermoscopic features. In our study, dotted vessels were detected largely in the early stages of the disease.

Conclusion: Our results showed that VLS has characteristic dermoscopic patterns that may be effective in the diagnosis of VLS, especially in the early stages.

Key words: Dermoscopy, Vulvar lichen sclerosus, Pattern, Disease duration
Mechanical imbalance between normal and transformed cells drives epithelial homeostasis through cell competition
Authors: Gupta Praver , Kayal Sayantani , Tanimura Nobuyuki , Pothapragada Shilpa P , Senapati Harish K , Devendran Padmashree , Fujita Yasuyuki , Bi Dapeng , Das Tamal
Published: January 2025

Cell competition in epithelial tissue eliminates transformed cells expressing activated oncoproteins to maintain epithelial homeostasis. Although the process is now understood to be of mechanochemical origin, direct mechanical characterization and associated biochemical underpinnings are lacking. Here, we employ tissue-scale stress and compressibility measurements and theoretical modeling to unveil a mechanical imbalance between normal and transformed cells, which drives cell competition. In the mouse intestinal epithelium and epithelial monolayer, transformed cells get compacted during competition. Stress microscopy reveals an emergent compressive stress at the transformed loci leading to this compaction. A cell-based self-propelled Voronoi model predicts that this compressive stress originates from a difference in the collective compressibility of the competing populations. A new collective compressibility measurement technique named gel compression microscopy then elucidates a two-fold higher compressibility of the transformed population than the normal population. Mechanistically, weakened cell-cell adhesions due to reduced junctional abundance of E-cadherin in the transformed cells render them collectively more compressible than normal cells. Taken together, our findings unveil a mechanical basis for epithelial homeostasis against oncogenic transformations with implications in epithelial defense against cancer.
Reconstruction of functional olfactory sensory tissue from embryonic nasal stem cells
Authors: Suzuki Kazuya , Wagai Fumi , Eiraku Mototsugu
Published: January 2025

During the development of the olfactory epithelium (OE), olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) express only one member of the odorant receptor (OR) gene family, and OSNs expressing the same OR converge their axons to the same set of glomeruli on the olfactory bulb (OB). The resulting odor maps allow mice to discriminate more than 100,000 different odorants using about 1,000 ORs. It remains elusive how odor maps are formed. Here, we show a means of forming OE organoids with pseudostratified structure from mouse embryonic OE stem cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that the OE organoids give rise to all the OE cellular lineages and undergo active neurogenesis. We also found that most OSNs in OE organoids exclusively express only one type of ORs and exhibit a unique molecular code of axon guidance-related genes that can discriminate between OR classes. Thus, OE organoids could be a useful model for studying olfactory nervous system development.
Cluster size determines morphology of transcription factories in human cells
Authors: Semeraro Massimiliano , Negro Giuseppe , Forte Giada , Suma Antonio , Gonnella Giuseppe , Cook Peter R , Marenduzzo Davide
Published: January 2025

Transcription is a fundamental cellular process, and the first step of gene expression. In human cells, it depends on the binding to chromatin of various proteins, including RNA polymerases and numerous transcription factors (TFs). Observations indicate that these proteins tend to form macromolecular clusters, known as
transcription factories
, whose morphology and composition is still debated. While some microscopy experiments have revealed the presence of
specialised factories
, composed of similar TFs transcribing families of related genes, sequencing experiments suggest instead that mixed clusters may be prevalent, as a panoply of different TFs binds promiscuously the same chromatin region. The mechanisms underlying the formation of specialised or mixed factories remain elusive. With the aim of finding such mechanisms, here we develop a chromatin polymer model mimicking the chromatin binding-unbinding dynamics of different types of complexes of TFs. Surprisingly, both specialised (i.e., demixed) and mixed clusters spontaneously emerge, and which of the two types forms depends mainly on cluster size. The mechanism promoting mixing is the presence of non-specific interactions between chromatin and proteins, which become increasingly important as clusters become larger. This result, that we observe both in simple polymer models and more realistic ones for human chromosomes, reconciles the apparently contrasting experimental results obtained. Additionally, we show how the introduction of different types of TFs strongly affects the emergence of transcriptional networks, providing a pathway to investigate transcriptional changes following gene editing or naturally occurring mutations.
A green lifetime biosensor for calcium that remains bright over its full dynamic range
Authors: van der Linden Franka H , Thornquist Stephen C , ter Beek Rick M , Huijts Jelle Y , Hink Mark A , Gadella Theodorus WJ , Maimon Gaby , Goedhart Joachim
Published: January 2025

Fluorescent biosensors toggle between two states and for the vast majority of biosensors one state is bright and the other state is dim. As a consequence, there is a substantial difference in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the two states. The dim state has a low signal-to-noise ratio, which is problematic when precise, quantitative measurements are needed. During the engineering of a red-shifted variant of an mTurquoise-based calcium sensor, we serendipitously generated a green-emitting sensor that shows high brightness in both the calcium-bound and -unbound state, while still showing a calcium dependent lifetime change of >1 nanosecond. This sensor, named G-Ca-FLITS, is comparable in brightness to the bright state of GCaMP3 and jGCaMP7c in mammalian cells. The calcium induced loss in fluorescence intensity is only around 30% and therefore we observe little variation in the SNR when calcium levels change. G-Ca-FLITS shows negligible sensitivity to pH in the physiological range, like its turquoise parent. Using fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), we measured the calcium concentration with G-Ca-FLITS in various organelles and observed in HeLa cells transient and spatially heterogeneous calcium elevations in mitochondria. Finally, we evaluated the use of G-Ca-FLITS and its turquoise predecessor for two-photon FLIM in
Drosophila
brains.
The nanoscale organization of the Nipah virus fusion protein informs new membrane fusion mechanisms
Authors: Wang Qian , Liu Jinxin , Luo Yuhang , Kliemke Vicky , Matta Giuliana Leonarda , Wang Jingjing , Liu Qian
Published: January 2025

Paramyxovirus membrane fusion requires an attachment protein for receptor binding and a fusion protein for membrane fusion triggering. Nipah virus (NiV) attachment protein (G) binds to ephrinB2 or -B3 receptors, and fusion protein (F) mediates membrane fusion. NiV-F is a class I fusion protein and is activated by endosomal cleavage. The crystal structure of a soluble GCN4-decorated NiV-F shows a hexamer-of-trimer assembly. Here, we used single-molecule localization microscopy to quantify the NiV-F distribution and organization on cell and virus-like particle membranes at a nanometer precision. We found that NiV-F on biological membranes forms distinctive clusters that are independent of endosomal cleavage or expression levels. The sequestration of NiV-F into dense clusters favors membrane fusion triggering. The nano-distribution and organization of NiV-F are susceptible to mutations at the hexamer-of-trimer interface, and the putative oligomerization motif on the transmembrane domain. We also show that NiV-F nanoclusters are maintained by NiV-F–AP-2 interactions and the clathrin coat assembly. We propose that the organization of NiV-F into nanoclusters facilitates membrane fusion triggering by a mixed population of NiV-F molecules with varied degrees of cleavage and opportunities for interacting with the NiV-G/receptor complex. These observations provide insights into the in situ organization and activation mechanisms of the NiV fusion machinery.
Volunteer Management and Its Impact on Overall Operations
Authors: Gürbüz Hidayet Zahid
Published: January 2025

Management has long been a key factor in organizational success. Today, non-profit organizations are increasingly significant, expanding their influence both in Turkiye and globally. Like businesses, they rely on effective management to achieve sustainable operations. Volunteerism, historically essential to non-profits, is also crucial to their success, making volunteer management a strategic focus. This dissertation will examine the management style of non-profits, assess the impact of volunteer management on overall performance, and address key challenges in managing volunteers.
In this project, it shall be tried to find out managerial issues on volunteerism in a non-profit organization scope of Turkiye as well as define the influences of the management style of non-profit organization. Thus, it might be occasion for better management structure which is more profitable, sustainable and convenient management style to manage volunteers in Turkiye.
It shall be needed to undertake primary research which involves quantitative research. This research will include questionnaire separately to volunteers in non-profit organizations and managers of non-profit organizations. Further, this project aims to examine the managerial issues and its influences on volunteers and voluntary operations of the non-profit organization.
Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains
Authors: Cowen Matthew B. , de Rafélis Marc , Ségalen Loïc , Kear Benjamin P. , Dumont Maïtena , Žigaitė Živilė
Published: January 2025

In this study, we attempt to illustrate fossil vertebrate dental tissue geochemistry and, by inference, its extent of diagenetic alteration, using quantitative, semi-quantitative and optical tools to evaluate bioapatite preservation. We present visual comparisons of elemental compositions in fish and plesiosaur dental remains ranging in age from Silurian to Cretaceous, based on a combination of micro-scale optical cathodoluminescence (CL) observations (optical images and scanning electron microscope) with in-situ minor, trace and rare earth element (REE) compositions (EDS, maps and REE profiles), as a tool for assessing diagenetic processes and biomineral preservation during fossilization of vertebrate dental apatite. Tissue-selective REE values have been obtained using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), indicating areas of potential REE enrichment, combined with cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping was also used to identify major elemental components and identify areas of contamination or diagenetic replacement. We conclude that the relative abilities of different dental tissues to resist alteration and proximity to the exposure surface largely determine the REE composition and, accordingly, the inferred quality of preserved bioapatite.
La interpretación “eco-cultural” de los derechos territoriales de los pueblos indígenas y sus riesgos
Authors: Carmona Caldera Cristóbal
Published: January 2025

Tanto en el Derecho Internacional como en diferentes ordenamientos jurídicos domésticos, los derechos territoriales de los pueblos indígenas han sido interpretados siguiendo una comprensión “eco-cultural”. Esta comprensión basa el reconocimiento de derechos principalmente en la necesidad de proteger el vínculo material y espiritual de estos pueblos con sus territorios. En este artículo, sostendré que la utilización de este tipo de interpretación conlleva dos riesgos para estos propios pueblos. Por una parte, puede limitar el reconocimiento de derechos solo a aquellos pueblos que mantengan una posesión tradicional de sus territorios. Por otra, puede restringir el tipo de uso que los pueblos o comunidades indígenas puedan hacer de sus tierras, territorios y recursos.
La potestas variandi en Chile: procedencia y condiciones de ejercicio en el marco de la contratación administrativa
Authors: Asenjo A. Karen R.
Published: January 2025

El presente trabajo aborda el estudio de la potestas variandi en Chile con un doble propósito, por un lado, analizar la procedencia de aquella respecto del contrato administrativo; y, por otro lado, proponer las condiciones o presupuestos que debe observar el ejercicio de aquella por parte de los órganos de la Administración del Estado. Para ello iniciaremos con una caracterización general de la potestas variandi que permita comprender su rol en el marco de la contratación administrativa. A continuación, analizaremos la configuración jurídica de esta potestad en el Derecho chileno desde una perspectiva normativa y doctrinal, ofreciendo argumentos que permitan sostener la procedencia implícita de aquella respecto del contrato administrativo. Finalmente, elaboraremos una propuesta de los presupuestos formales y sustanciales que condicionan el ejercicio de la potestas variandi en el marco de la contratación administrativa en Chile.
El desigual tratamiento de la Corte Suprema en dos solicitudes de regularización de derechos de aprovechamiento de aguas con situaciones de hecho similares
Authors:   Universidad Diego Portales, Munoz Escudero Gonzalo
Published: January 2025

Se comentan dos fallos de la Corte Suprema sobre regularización de derechos de aguas, con criterios disímiles ante situaciones de hecho similares; ya que en ninguno de esos dos casos se usaban las aguas de manera ininterrumpida.
Modificación de 2023 de la Ley de contratación pública y prestación de servicios: El criterio de sustentabilidad
Authors: Castro Fuentes Camila
Published: January 2025

Hace 21 años se legisló por primera vez en Chile la contratación pública mediante la Ley de Bases sobre Contratos Administrativos de Suministro de Prestación de Servicios, más conocida como Ley de Compras Públicas, siendo un hito de relevancia en esta materia para los organismos del Estado y los privados que le proveen a éste. Esta normativa, fue modernizada con la Ley 21.634 del 2023, la cual realizó una serie de profundas modificaciones, entre ellas, la adición de la sustentabilidad como un criterio a incorporar de manera transversal para contribuir al desarrollo económico, social y ambiental.

De este modo, se desarrollará una breve crónica en relación a los antecedentes de esta reforma legal junto a un análisis de las normas que se consideran relevantes.
Regulación para la transición energética en Chile: Un enfoque en el mercado mayorista
Authors: Olmedo Hidalgo Juan Carlos
Published: January 2025

La transición energética es un desafío global impulsado por la urgencia de mitigar los efectos del cambio climático y avanzar hacia una economía descarbonizada. En Chile, este proceso ha ganado tracción desde mediados de la década del 2000 con políticas públicas orientadas a fomentar las energías renovables, la electrificación de la demanda, generación distribuida y la modernización del sistema eléctrico. Este artículo se explora los desafíos y propuestas regulatorias necesarias para facilitar la transición energética, destacando la implementación de un mercado mayorista basado en ofertas como un elemento crucial para lograr la eficiencia del mercado eléctrico.
Noción estándar de acto administrativo en la cultura jurídica: Desafíos conceptuales
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma Latinoamericana, Celis Vela Dúber Armando
Published: January 2025

Los conceptos jurídicos cumplen un papel imprescindible en la existencia del derecho positivo en tanto facilitan la interpretación de las disposiciones jurídicas y la aplicación de normas. Sin embargo, tales operaciones fallan cuando no están adecuadamente elaborados. En este artículo se plantea un análisis de la categoría acto administrativo en aras de subrayar los desafíos conceptuales que enfrenta dicha noción, ampliamente compartida en la cultura jurídica colombiana. La metodología aplicada es el análisis conceptual con especial énfasis en su momento crítico –par destruens–. En general, se formulan objeciones a las propiedades tradicionalmente usadas para identificar un acto administrativo y, además, se fija una ruta para desarrollar una reconceptualización a partir de las normas que confieren y regulan el ejercicio de una función administrativa.
El reclamo de ilegalidad de la ley N°18.410 de 1985: En particular respecto de la proporcionalidad sancionatoria
Authors: Aránguiz Loyola Paulo
Published: January 2025

La necesidad de certeza jurídica en materia infraccional, se condice con la idea de poder predecir, con algún grado de precisión, cuáles serán los efectos adversos que el Ordenamiento Jurídico prevé para una determinada conducta, que se concrete como transgresión a la normativa vigente, del sector que corresponda.

En lo que a la intensidad del castigo se refiere, en el ámbito energético, esto es regulado por la Ley N°18.410, que recoge adecuadamente el principio de proporcionalidad sancionatorio, aunque deja algunos espacios sin atender, lo que acarrea ciertas distorsiones en la aplicación de dicho estatuto a los diversos casos que la agencia del ramo debe conocer y resolver.

Para evitar los riesgos que devienen de la incerteza y la arbitrariedad, proponemos algunas soluciones construidas sobre la normativa aplicable, sea sectorial, o general -procesal-.

Dichas soluciones, que se manifiestan en criterios o razonamiento como parte integrante de la fundamentación del acto administrativo, no son ajenos a los tribunales de justicia llamados a conocer del control de la Administración en estas materias, como se dejará por establecido.
Cadenas de valor del hidrógeno verde: producción, modularidad y transporte. Una aproximación a instituciones jurídicas y regulatorias para destrabar su valor intrínseco
Authors: Vial Osorio Santiago
Published: January 2025

El presente trabajo, basado en la ponencia presentada en las XXII Jornadas de Derecho de Energía, se centra en una presentación de la industria del hidrógeno y su componente “verde”. Se indican sus fortalezas y obstáculos para su implementación en todas sus etapas, es decir desde generación hasta consumo. Luego, se expone un breve repaso del actual estado regulatorio del hidrógeno como elemento en Chile, para finalmente efectuar ciertas aproximaciones y propuestas regulatorias a la problemática del desarrollo de la industria del hidrógeno verde en nuestro país.
El fundamento constitucional de la responsabilidad patrimonial de la Administración Pública en el Perú
Authors:   Universidad Científica del Sur, Cuba Meneses Erick
Published: January 2025

La Constitución Política del Perú de 1993 no reconoce expresamente la responsabilidad extracontractual o patrimonial de la Administración Pública del Estado. A diferencia de otros ordenamientos de tendencia continental, el Perú no ha elevado a nivel constitucional la posibilidad de vincular a la Administración Pública a la obligación de indemnizar en supuestos de responsabilidad extracontractual, lo cual se ha desarrollado en normas de rango legal. En vista de ello, el presente trabajo propone una lectura articulada de determinadas disposiciones de la Norma Fundamental peruana, a fin de construir interpretativamente el fundamento constitucional de la responsabilidad de la Administración Pública del Estado. Este esfuerzo resulta importante toda vez que, contar con un reconocimiento constitucional de la responsabilidad patrimonial, permitiría imponer una limitación a la capacidad del legislador ordinario para modificar legislativamente este régimen de responsabilidad.
La vida pública de los sujetos privados, una expansión (cualitativa) del Derecho administrativo
Authors:   Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barnes Javier
Published: January 2025

La transposición analógica de ciertos principios y valores provenientes del Derecho Administrativo sobre actores no estatales que participan en actividades de enorme relevancia social -como las que se refieren a los servicios públicos o a la participación en la cadena reguladora- constituye el eje de este trabajo.
Revisión jurisprudencial sobre la eficacia internacional de derechos mineros constituidos en Chile
Authors:   Universidad de Atacama, Moscoso Restovic Pia
Published: January 2025

En el 40º Aniversario de la Ley Orgánica Constitucional de Concesiones Mineras, este trabajo, busca desde una perspectiva descriptiva, explicar los alcances de las principales instituciones que rigen a la propiedad minera en Chile, en los casos en los que existen derechos con potencial eficacia transfronteriza.

Para este estudio, se ha hecho una revisión jurisprudencial sobre la eficacia internacional de derechos mineros constituidos en Chile. Se revisaron 1.239 sentencias de la Corte Suprema de Chile, se identificaron 4 fallos de la Corte Suprema recaídos directamente sobre este tema, viniendo a constituir leading cases. Asimismo, se identificaron pronunciamientos sobre esta materia en otras jurisdicciones judiciales y administrativas tales como: una sentencia en el Tribunal Constitucional, 8 sentencias de tribunales civiles de justicia y 6 dictámenes de la Contraloría General de la República; todos ellos abordando directamente aspectos relacionados al tema. Por su importancia, en este trabajo sólo nos referiremos a la jurisprudencia de los tribunales superiores de justicia.
Transición energética y mutación regulatoria
Authors: Sepúlveda Rodríguez Enrique
Published: January 2025

A nivel internacional se está llevando a cabo el proceso denominado como transición energética vinculado al esfuerzo convenido por la comunidad de países para combatir el cambio climático que tiene lugar a nivel planetario a consecuencia de la producción de gases de efecto invernadero. El presente trabajo expone la ineludible vinculación de la regulación de la energía con procesos de transición que surgen en la dinámica económico-social de producción y consumo de energía eléctrica a cuyo efecto se informa de las regulaciones-transiciones habidas en Chile desde la dictación de la Ley General de Servicios Eléctricos del año 1982 en diferentes ámbitos de la operación del sistema y el mercado eléctricos y se evalúa el alcance normativo que en particular asume la transición energética para el sector eléctrico.
Criterios jurídicos para la determinación de mínimos técnicos
Authors: Guzmán Zepeda Oscar
Published: January 2025

La regulación del sector eléctrico chileno ha establecido los denominados mínimos técnicos como una medida para garantizar la seguridad del suministro en consideración de que actualmente el sistema eléctrico no cuenta con la flexibilidad y soporte necesario para satisfacer la demanda con medios de generación renovables variables de forma permanente. De esta forma, se ha establecido que una cantidad relevante de unidades de generación térmicas funcionen al mínimo e inyecten energía al sistema aun cuando sus costos sean superiores al costo marginal.
Esta regulación y el uso que se ha hecho de ella ha agravado la difícil situación que están sufriendo las empresas de generación renovables, por cuanto las unidades en mínimo técnico tienen reservada una parte de la saturada red, son pagados fuera del costo marginal y, en general, gozan de seguridad en sus inversiones que hoy no cuentan las unidades renovables.
Por lo anterior, en la presente ponencia nos referiremos, sin cuestionar la necesidad real de contar con el mínimo técnico, a los criterios jurídicos que deben considerar los organismos reguladores –como la Comisión Nacional de Energía y el Coordinador Eléctrico Nacional– para el diseño de la regulación y la aplicación de esta, sosteniendo que estos criterios deben considerar la seguridad, la eficiencia económica y la sustentabilidad, sin los cuales se podría incurrir en arbitrariedad.
Use of Artificial fine aggregates from copper tailings in mortar Mechanical Performance
Authors: Vargas Felipe , Rios Guillermo
Published: January 2025

The construction and mining industries are among the most impactful on the environment. A significant issue in the mining industry is the generation of mine tailings, with copper tailings being among the most voluminous. One potential way to utilize them is as a replacement for fine aggregates, although they are extremely fine. Through an alkaline activation process, it is possible to agglomerate them and use them in mortar mixtures. This research used copper tailings to produce an artificial fine aggregate (AFA) through an alkaline agglomeration process and assessed its impact on mortar mixtures. The results demonstrate that it is feasible to manufacture an artificial fine aggregate by alkaline agglomeration using the proposed methodology. Also, it is shown that replacement levels up to 45% show improvements in the mechanical performance of the mortar mixes. Additionally, a decrease in the density of the mixtures was observed.
Optimization of a Functional Beverage Formulation Using a Constrained Mixture Design with Multiple Responses
Authors: Wanyonyi Maurice , Kiluyi John Wafula , Okango Ayubu Anapapa
Published: January 2025

Functional beverages refer to a relatively new and expanding market segment appearing that goes beyond simple nutrition but contains some beneficial ingredients. This study employs a constrained mixture design to optimize a functional beverage's formulation by systematically analyzing the interactions between three key ingredients: fruit juice blend, low fat probiotic yogurt and a functional ingredient. Based on D-optimal experimental design the research mimics response across various factors such as taste, texture, perceived health benefits. To assess the impact of the ingredient proportions, a second-degree mixture model was used, while the levels of the ingredient constraints were set at 40-70% for fruit juice blend, 20-40% for probiotic yogurt, and 10-30% for the functional ingredients. Further quantitative analysis in this study confirmed that fruit juice blend was statistically significant in all the response variables as the most influential factor controlling the treatment while probiotic yogurt also had strong but slightly lesser influence. Desirability functions used in the optimization process yielded the maximal proportion of the fruit juice blend of 0.7, probiotic yogurt 0.5, and functional ingredient 0.5. This work offers scientific approach to creating functional beverages with enhanced sensory qualities to match enhanced health properties, solving a current gap in techniques for extended food science in beverage development.
Structural basis for the recognition of the S2, S5‐phosphorylated RNA polymerase II CTD by the mRNA anti‐terminator protein hSCAF4
Authors: Zhou Mengqi , Ehsan Fahad , Gan Linyao , Dong Aiping , Li Yanjun , Liu Ke , Min Jinrong
Published: December 2021

The C‐terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II serves as a binding platform for numerous enzymes and transcription factors involved in nascent RNA processing and the transcription cycle. The S2, S5‐phosphorylated CTD is recognized by the transcription factor SCAF4, which functions as a transcription anti‐terminator by preventing early mRNA transcript cleavage and polyadenylation. Here, we measured the binding affinities of differently modified CTD peptides by hSCAF4 and solved the complex structure of the hSCAF4‐CTD‐interaction domain (CID) bound to a S2, S5‐quadra‐phosphorylated CTD peptide. Our results revealed that the S2, S5‐quadra‐phosphorylated CTD peptide adopts a trans conformation and is located in a positively charged binding groove of hSCAF4‐CID. Although hSCAF4‐CID has almost the same binding pattern to the CTD as other CID‐containing proteins, it preferentially binds to the S2, S5‐phosphorylated CTD. Our findings provide insight into the regulatory mechanism of hSCAF4 in transcription termination.
Recruitment of TNF ligands to lipid rafts is mediated by their physical association with caveolin‐1
Authors: Glukhova Xenia A. , Trizna Julia A. , Melnik Bogdan S. , Proussakova Olga V. , Beletsky Igor P.
Published: December 2021

Activities of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family members are associated with their targeting to lipid rafts, specialised regions of the plasma membrane. Herein, we investigated the physical association of TNF and its family members cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L) and tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand with caveolin‐1, a lipid raft resident protein. We discovered that the intracellular domains of TNF and CD40L interact with caveolin‐1, and the membrane proximal region of TNF is required for the binding of caveolin‐1 domains. Full‐length TNF can form a complex with caveolin‐1 in membrane rafts of HeLa cells, and caveolin‐1 knockdown leads to impaired TNF transport to rafts. These findings provide the first evidence of a direct interaction between TNF, CD40L and caveolin‐1 and suggest that caveolin‐1 may be responsible for recruiting TNF to lipid rafts.
Chemical and Physical Properties of Photonic Noble‐Metal Nanomaterials
Authors: Cai Yi‐Yu , Choi Yun Chang , Kagan Cherie R.
Published: December 2021

Colloidal noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are composed of metal cores and organic or inorganic ligand shells. These NPs support size‐ and shape‐dependent plasmonic resonances. They can be assembled from dispersions into artificial metamolecules which have collective plasmonic resonances originating from coupled bright and dark optical electric and magnetic modes that form depending on the size and shape of the constituent NPs and their number, arrangement, and interparticle distance. NPs can also be assembled into extended 2D and 3D metamaterials that are glassy thin films or ordered thin films or crystals, also known as superlattices and supercrystals. The metamaterials have tunable optical properties that depend on the size, shape, and composition of the NPs, and on the number of NP layers and their interparticle distance. Interestingly, strong light‐matter interactions in superlattices form plasmon polaritons. Tunable interparticle distances allow designer materials with dielectric functions tailorable from that characteristic of an insulator to that of a metal, and serve as strong optical absorbers or scatterers, respectively. In combination with lithography techniques, these extended assemblies can be patterned to create subwavelength NP superstructures and form large‐area 2D and 3D metamaterials that manipulate the amplitude, phase, and polarization of transmitted or reflected light.
Multi‐scale model predicting friction of crystalline materials
Authors: Torche Paola C. , Silva Andrea , Kramer Denis , Polcar Tomas , Hovorka Ondrej
Published: December 2021

A multi‐scale computational framework suitable for designing solid lubricant interfaces fully in silico is presented. The approach is based on stochastic thermodynamics founded on the classical thermally activated 2D Prandtl–Tomlinson model, linked with first principles methods to accurately capture the properties of real materials. It allows investigating the energy dissipation due to friction in materials as it arises directly from their electronic structure, and naturally accessing the time‐scale range of a typical friction force microscopy. This opens new possibilities for designing a broad class of material surfaces with atomically tailored properties. The multi‐scale framework is applied to a class of 2D layered materials and reveals a delicate interplay between the topology of the energy landscape and dissipation that known static approaches based solely on the energy barriers fail to capture.
New Exciplex‐Forming Co‐Host System and Thienothiadazole‐based Fluorescent Emitter for High‐Efficiency and Promising Stability Near‐Infrared OLED
Authors: Chen Yi‐Sheng , Luo Dian , Wei Wei‐Chih , Chen Bo‐Lin , Yeh Tzu‐Hung , Liu Shun‐Wei , Wong Ken‐Tsung
Published: December 2021

Two new spirobifluorene (SF)‐centered donors (D) DPSF and DTSF are developed to blend with acceptor (A) CN‐T2T for exciplex formation. The transient photoluminescence characterizations of pristine donor and D:A blended films verify the donor aggregates emissions that lead to relatively low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of exciplex emission. However, the charge recombination at lower energy exciplex state leads the device with DPSF:CN‐T2T blend to give electroluminescence (EL) λmax of 584 nm and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 6.0%. The DPSF:CN‐T2T exciplex excitons are efficiently extracted by a D‐A‐D‐type fluorescence emitter TTDSF comprising thienothiadiazole core and SF peripherals via Förster energy transfer to give near‐infrared (NIR) emission (760 nm, PLQY 26%). After the electron‐transporting layer thickness optimization, the device with DPSF:CN‐T2T: 7 wt.% TTDSF as emitting layer affords EL λmax 774 nm and EQE up to 5.3%, one of the best cases in NIR organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). More importantly, the device stability has been examined to display an excellent lifetime (LT95 > 200 hours). This work manifests the judicious combination of an exciplex‐forming co‐host system and a designated NIR emitter equipping with a high quinoidal core and rigid peripheral SF groups that can realize an efficient NIR OLED.
A Combined State of Charge Estimation Method for Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using Cubature Kalman Filter and Least Square with Gradient Correction
Authors: Liu Zheng , Chen Shaohang , Wu Huifeng , Huang Heyue , Zhao Zhenhua
Published: December 2021

Reliable state of charge (SOC) is the core of the energy storage system for electric vehicles. An efficient method of parameter identification and SOC estimation for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) using cubature Kalman filter (CKF) and least square with gradient correction is proposed. Firstly, the recursive gradient correction (RGC) strategy is introduced based on the recursive least square with forgetting factor (FFRLS) method, and a novel way is proposed for a simplified equivalent circuit model (ECM) based LIBs parameter identification using the combination of RGC and FFRLS method. Then, on the basis of CKF, the singular value decomposition (SVD) is used instead of the Cholesky decomposition to solve the non‐positive definiteness matrix for cubature transformation in the priori estimated covariance, thereby improving the effect of SOC estimation. Finally, the dynamic stress test (DST) and the federal urban driving schedule (FUDS) are used to verify the effect of the proposed method. The test results reflect that the combination of RGCFFRLS‐SVDCKF method and simplified ECM have advantages in terms of LIBs SOC estimation convergence ability and tracking accuracy, and the SOC estimation error can converge to 1% and 1.5% error boundary when the initial SOC are 0.5 and 0.8, respectively. In addition, the robustness of the proposed method is verified. Compared with the FFRLS‐EKF method, the proposed RGCFFRLS‐SVDCKF method has better precision and robustness to noise disturbance.
2D Material‐Based Optical Biosensor: Status and Prospect
Authors: Lei Zong‐Lin , Guo Bo
Published: December 2021

The combination of 2D materials and optical biosensors has become a hot research topic in recent years. Graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, MXenes, and other 2D materials (metal oxides and degenerate semiconductors) have unique optical properties and play a unique role in the detection of different biomolecules. Through the modification of 2D materials, optical biosensor has the advantages that traditional sensors (such as electrical sensing) do not have, and the sensitivity and detection limit are greatly improved. Here, optical biosensors based on different 2D materials are reviewed. First, various detection methods of biomolecules, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and evanescent wave and properties, preparation and integration strategies of 2D material, are introduced in detail. Second, various biosensors based on 2D materials are summarized. Furthermore, the applications of these optical biosensors in biological imaging, food safety, pollution prevention/control, and biological medicine are discussed. Finally, the future development of optical biosensors is prospected. It is believed that with their in‐depth research in the laboratory, optical biosensors will gradually become commercialized and improve people's quality of life in many aspects.
Kongera Kwiyubaka (rebuilding ourselves again): Culturally responsive and contextually relevant collective healing in post‐genocide Rwanda
Authors: Ndagijimana Jean Pierre
Published: December 2021

Drawing on the local experiences, knowledge, and wisdom of Rwandan youth can make them agents of healing from the genocide against the Tutsi in ways that are culturally appropriate, relevant, and meaningful. This qualitative study aimed to develop an emerging framework for intervening with youth that is centered in the experiences and cultural context of the Rwandan youth post‐genocide. Drawing on Grounded Action research of post‐genocide community‐led healing practices with a group of 23 high school students, results indicated that “psychological healing” in post‐genocide Rwanda may require different approaches than the dominant Western healing models. For research participants, “healing” meant “kongera kwiyubaka” (building ourselves again after the genocide), requiring “kwigira” (self‐reliance) and “gusasa inzobe” (openness to share what is in their hearts). This study recommends that scholars, policy makers, and funders reimagine existing models of healing in post‐genocide Rwanda and support local initiatives drawing on wisdom from lived experiences.
A Universal Strategy for Tunable Persistent Luminescent Materials via Radiative Energy Transfer
Authors: Ma Liangwei , Xu Qingyang , Sun Siyu , Ding Bingbing , Huang Zizhao , Ma Xiang , Tian He
Published: December 2021

In this work, a universal strategy for solid, solution, or gel state organic persistent luminescent materials via radiative energy transfer is proposed. The persistent luminescence (τ>0.7 s) could be remotely regulated between different colors by controlling the isomerization of the energy acceptor. The function relies on the simple radiative energy transfer (reabsorption) mechanism, rather than the complicated communication between the excited state of the molecules such as Förster resonance energy transfer or Dexter energy transfer. And the “apparent lifetime” for the energy acceptor is the same as the lifetime of the energy donor, which was different with a traditional radiative energy transfer process. The simple working principle endows this strategy with huge universality, flexibility, and operability. This work offers a simple, feasible, and universal way to construct various persistent luminescent materials in solid, solution, and gel states.
High‐performance blended membranes based on poly(arylene ether sulfone) and sulfonated poly(styrene‐isobutylene‐styrene) for direct methanol fuel cell applications
Authors: Ramos‐Rivera Gilberto , Suleiman David
Published: December 2021

In this study, two series of poly(arylene ether sulfone)s (PAES) with hydrophobic blocks made of 4,4′‐dihydroxyphenyl (BP) and 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl) propane (BPA) were synthesized. The copolymers were prepared by a coupling reaction between decafluorobiphenyl (DFBP) end‐capped nonsulfonated block (PAES A or B) and sulfonated block (SPAES B). The reactive behavior of DFBP facilitates the low‐temperature coupling reaction (below 105°C). The final copolymers were blended at distinct weight percent ratios (0, 20, 30, and 40) with poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) (SIBS) at a sulfonation level of 88% to obtain strong and flexible membranes. Morphological, thermal stability, and conduction properties of the resulting membranes were measured and reported here. Results suggest that phase segregation between hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains occurs below 1 meq. g−1 ion exchange capacity. These membranes have low water absorption and high thermal stability. Incorporating SIBS 88 into the blend added elastomeric behavior enhancing transport properties and additional ionic domains, achieving proton conductivities of 0.21 S cm−1 for BPA‐based membranes at 50°C (40% SIBS 88). The selectivity of the studied membranes surpasses Nafion® 117, making them strong candidates for proton exchange membranes in direct methanol fuel cell applications.