bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Sustainable Intellectual Capital on Sustainable Performance: A Case Study
Authors: Vale José , Miranda Rafaela , Azevedo Graça , Tavares Maria C.
Published: April 2022

Intellectual capital (IC) has become one of the most valuable resources of an organisation. Along with the increasing concerns for sustainable practices, a new concept has emerged: Sustainable IC (SIC). However, research on SIC is scarce, especially when addressing its relationship with sustainable organisational performance. Through a case study conducted on a small- and medium-size industrial orthopaedic footwear organisation, we aimed to assess how an organisation’s internal stakeholders perceive the concepts of SIC, sustainability, and sustainable performance and to comprehend better the effect of SIC on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable organisational performance. Evidence suggests that the stakeholders were not familiar with the SIC concept and overemphasised the environmental dimension when referring to both sustainability and sustainable performance concepts. Furthermore, it was found that the organisation’s sustainable performance was affected by all its SIC components (human, structural, and relational). This study contributes to the development of two different but complementing areas of research: IC and sustainability. It also provides important managerial implications for industrial organisations concerned with their performance. Finally, generalisation for other situations should only be conducted in a theoretical fashion.
Environmental Impacts of Thermal and Brine Dispersion Using Hydrodynamic Modelling for Yanbu Desalination Plant, on the Eastern Coast of the Red Sea
Authors: Aljohani Naif S. , Kavil Yasar N. , Shanas Puthuveetil Razak , Al-Farawati Radwan K. , Shabbaj Ibrahim I. , Aljohani Nasser H. , Turki Adnan J. , Abdel Salam Mohamed
Published: April 2022

For any coastal desalination plant, the most effective and practical way to dispose of their brine is to thermally discharge it into the sea via outfalls at some distance from the coast. This study focused on the environmental impacts associated with brine and thermal discharge arising from seawater desalination plants at Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, on the southeastern coast of the Red Sea. The impacts associated with recirculation patterns and dispersions were investigated with the calibrated three-dimensional numerical model Delft3d. The environmental impact assessment and the process of identification and characterisation could help improve strategies for better planning and management of the technological solutions related to desalination. Analysis of the model simulations for the different seasons also suggested that around the outfall location, the magnitude of the flow was always high when considered together with the presence of seasonal eddy circulations. Although the tidal flow is lower, the ambient current and wind cause the far-field discharge to spread along the north–south direction during the winter and summer. The thermal and brine dispersion and environmental compliance were assessed in terms of the extent of dispersion. The well-mixed environment caused more rapid dispersion. From the impact level assessment perspective, the study indicated rapid dilution and dispersion of the wastewater at the study region. The present offshore outfall and further offshore locations were far enough to ensure quick dispersion.
SARIMA Modelling Approach for Forecasting of Traffic Accidents
Authors: Deretić Nemanja , Stanimirović Dragan , Awadh Mohammed Al , Vujanović Nikola , Djukić Aleksandar
Published: April 2022

To achieve greater sustainability of the traffic system, the trend of traffic accidents in road traffic was analysed. Injuries from traffic accidents are among the leading factors in the suffering of people around the world. Injuries from road traffic accidents are predicted to be the third leading factor contributing to human deaths. Road traffic accidents have decreased in most countries during the last decade because of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020. The main reasons behind the reduction of traffic accidents are improvements in the construction of vehicles and roads, the training and education of drivers, and advances in medical technology and medical care. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the pattern in the time series of traffic accidents in the city of Belgrade. Time series have been analysed using exploratory data analysis to describe and understand the data, the method of regression and the Box–Jenkins seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model (SARIMA). The study found that the time series has a pronounced seasonal character. The model presented in the paper has a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 5.22% and can be seen as an indicator that the prognosis is acceptably accurate. The forecasting, in the context of number of a traffic accidents, may be a strategy to achieve different goals such as traffic safety campaigns, traffic safety strategies and action plans to achieve the objectives defined in traffic safety strategies.
More Knowledge, More Satisfaction with Online Teaching? Examining the Mediation of Teacher Efficacy and Moderation of Engagement during COVID-19
Authors: Huang Shenghua , Yin Hongbiao , Jin Yule , Wang Wenlan
Published: April 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, university teachers need to spend time and energy getting used to the online teaching system and adapting their teaching materials to the new teaching mode. According to the social cognitive theory, teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and their work engagement, both of which can be important sources of efficacy beliefs, can be critical in conducing teachers’ self-efficacy for online teaching and in turn their well-being. Based on the data collected from 2763 university teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, this study explored how TPACK and work engagement contribute to teachers’ self-efficacy for online teaching, if there is any interaction between TPACK and work engagement, and how self-efficacy mediates the relationships between TPACK and teachers’ online-teaching-related emotional exhaustion, teaching satisfaction, and their intention to use online teaching in the future. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Estimation of the Urban Heat Island Effect in a Reformed Urban District: A Scenario-Based Study in Hong Kong
Authors: Zhu Rui , Dong Xijia , Wong Man Sing
Published: April 2022

Urban heat island (UHI), a phenomenon in which land surface temperatures (LSTs) in an urban area are notably higher than that in the surrounding rural area, has made the living environment thermally uncomfortable, endangered public health, and increased the energy consumption on indoor air cooling. To develop a liveable and sustainable city, it is crucial to provide an accurate estimation of the UHI effect for urban planners when an area is transformed from bare lands to a high density of buildings. With this objective, the study develops multivariate spatial regression models based on LSTs retrieved from Landsat-8 thermal images to estimate the distribution of urban heat magnitudes (i.e., UHMs, relative temperatures referenced to rural temperature), by considering four types of causative factors that include land use and land cover, urban morphology, heat source, and local climate zones. Partial correlation analysis is performed to determine explainable variables and R2 is used to evaluate the models. Based on the constructed models and a master plan of buildings in Kowloon East, Hong Kong, the future UHM distributions are forecasted on four representative days in different seasons. Results show that the UHI effect will be mitigated significantly when the new buildings are built, suggesting appropriate urban planning regarding the urban thermal environment. We found that the considered factors can largely explain the daytime UHIs in both the built-up areas and land-cover areas. The proposed method can also be used to optimize the urban design for creating a more thermo-friendly urban environment.
Water Sport Tourists’ Hesitation in Decision-Making during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Effect of Destination Image
Authors: Song Jeongmyeong , Jung Myungkyu , Park Kwangho , Yu Ho Yeol
Published: April 2022

Understanding the effect of risk factors on tourists’ hesitation in choosing a destination is vital for successful management in tourism, especially in the pandemic era. Based on protection motivation theory, this study investigated the impact of sport tourists’ perceived risk associated with COVID-19 on their hesitation to choose a tourist destination in the context of water sport tourism. Further, we examined whether the relationship changes according to the levels of tourists’ destination image. Data from a survey of water sport tourists (n = 312) were analyzed using structural equation modeling and Hayes PROCESS macro with bootstrapping procedures. Findings of this research empirically demonstrated that risk factors influence hesitation in choosing a destination. Furthermore, the moderating effect of destination image on the influences of perceived risks on hesitation was identified. The study’s theoretical and practical contributions to the sport tourism literature are also discussed.
An Ideology of Sustainability under Technological Revolution: Striving towards Sustainable Development
Authors: Khan Syed Abdul Rehman , Ibrahim Ridwan Lanre , Al-Amin Abul Quasem , Yu Zhang
Published: April 2022

The recent decades have witnessed an unprecedented surge in global warming occasioned by human anthropogenic activities. The ensuing effects have brought devastating threats to human existence and the ecosystem, with the sustainability of the future generations highly uncertain. Resolving this pervasive issue requires evidence-based policy implications. To this end, this study contributes to the ongoing sustainable development advocacy by investigating the impacts of renewable energy and transport services on economic growth in Germany. The additional roles of digital technology, FDI, and carbon emissions are equally evaluated using data periods covering 1990 to 2020 within the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework. The results show the existence of cointegration among the variables. Additionally, renewable energy and transport services positively drive economic growth. Furthermore, economic growth is equally stimulated by other explanatory variables, such as digital technology and carbon emissions. These outcomes are robust for both the long-run and short-run periods. More so, departures in the long run are noted to heed to corrections at an average of 60% speed of adjustment. The estimated models are confirmed to be valid based on the outcomes of the postestimation tests. Policy implications that support the path to sustainability are highlighted based on the findings.
Design Control of Copper-Doped Titania–Zirconia Catalysts for Methanol Decomposition and Total Oxidation of Ethyl Acetate
Authors: Tsoncheva Tanya , Issa Gloria , Ivanova Radostina , Dimitrov Momtchil , Kovacheva Daniela , Atanasova Genoveva , Henych Jiří
Published: April 2022

This study is focused on the design control of Cu–Zr–Ti oxide composites by the variation of the Zr/Ti ratio and the copper deposition procedure used. For the first time, these ternary composites were obtained by a combination of template-assisted hydrothermal techniques for the preparation of mesoporous ZrO2–TiO2 mixed oxides with diverse compositions, followed by the consecutive chemisorption and hydrolysis of copper ammonia complexes on them. The nitrogen physisorption, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, TPR, XPS, UV-Vis, and Raman spectroscopies were applied for the catalysts’ characterization. Methanol decomposition and the total oxidation of ethyl acetate, both of which with potential for sustainable environmental protection, were used as catalytic tests. The complex relationship between the phase composition, structure, and morphology of titania–zirconia mixed oxides and the state and catalytic behavior of the copper oxide species supported on them was investigated. In comparison with the conventional impregnation technique, the novel preparation procedure revealed the generation of more uniform and homogeneously dispersed needle-like copper oxide crystallites in the mesoporous TiO2–ZrO2 host matrix, which typically ensure improved catalytic performance. The synergistic activity between the loaded copper species and TiO2–ZrO2 support was discussed. All ternary composites exhibited superior catalytic activity in total oxidation of ethyl acetate. The specific behavior of the catalysts in methanol decomposition was related to the irreversible phase transformations by the influence of the reaction medium.
Cytotoxic and Inflammatory Effects of Electronic and Traditional Cigarettes on Oral Gingival Cells Using a Novel Automated Smoking Instrument: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Ramenzoni Liza , Schneider Andreas , Fox Stephan , Meyer Michael , Meboldt Mirko , Attin Thomas , Schmidlin Patrick
Published: April 2022

Information about the potential oral health effects of vaping from electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is still sparse and inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and cytotoxicity of e-cig liquid aerosols versus traditional cigarette (t-cig) smoke on human epithelial oral cells. T-cig smoke and e-cig aerosols were generated by a newly developed automated smoking instrument in order to simulate realistic user puffing behaviors. Air–liquid interface transwell cell cultures were exposed to standardized puff topography (puff duration: 2 s, puff volume: 35 mL, puff frequency: 1 puff every 60 s) of reference t-cigs or commercially available e-cigs at different air dilutions. Cell viability, morphology, and death rate were evaluated with MTT and TUNEL assays. The inflammatory cytokine gene expression of inflammatory genes was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. E-cigs and t-cigs indicated similar adverse effects by enhancing cytotoxicity and cell death in a dose-dependent manner. E-cig aerosol and t-cig smoke treatment expressed upregulation of inflammatory cytokines up to 3.0-fold (p < 0.05). These results indicate that e-cig smoking may contribute to oral tissue–cell damage and tissue inflammation. Our approach allows the production of e-cig aerosol and t-cig smoke in order to identify harmful effects in oral tissues in vitro.
Head-to-Head Study of Developmental Neurotoxicity and Resultant Phenotype in Rats: α-Hexabromocyclododecane versus Valproic Acid, a Recognized Model of Reference for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Morel Chloé , Christophe Armelle , Maguin-Gaté Katy , Paoli Justine , Turner Jonathan , Schroeder Henri , Grova Nathalie
Published: April 2022

Evidence is now growing that exposure to environmental pollutants during the critical early-life period of brain development may contribute to the emergence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This study seeks to compare the developmental neurotoxicity of the α-isomer of hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD), a persistent brominated flame retardant, to the valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD in rodents. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, α-HBCDD (100 ng/kg/day p.o., GD0-PND21) and VPA (600 mg/kg i.p., GD12). Male offspring were tested for their neuromotor development from PND2-21. At PND21, brain functionality was assessed by measuring cytochrome oxidase activity (CO). Modifications in neuroglia and synaptic plasticity were evaluated in the cortex. Similar subtle behavioural changes related to neuromotor maturation and noise reaction were observed in both treated groups. At PND21, a reduction in CO activity was measured in the VPA group only, in specific areas including auditory nuclei, visual cortex, cingulate and frontal cortices. At the same age, α-HBCDD pointed out significant overexpression of cortical markers of synaptic plasticity while both treated groups showed a significant under expression of astrocyte proteins (S100-β and GFAP). Early-life exposure to a low dose of α-HBCDD may trigger neurobehavioural alterations in line with ASD.
Diurnal Variation in Biomarkers of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Their Association with Oxidative Damage in Norwegian Adults: The EuroMix Study
Authors: Abimbola Samuel , Xeni Christina , Sakhi Amrit , Heibati Behzad , Husøy Trine , Dirven Hubert , Makris Konstantinos
Published: April 2022

Much evidence on the adverse health effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has accumulated during recent decades. EDCs are commonly found in various foods and personal care products (PCP). Data documenting a diurnally varying EDC metabolism in humans is scarce. This study examined (i) the time-of-day effect on the diurnal magnitude and variance of urinary biomarkers of exposure to EDCs, and (ii) the association between EDC exposures and oxidative damage in a Norwegian adult subpopulation. This was a cross-sectional panel study using biobanked samples from the EuroMix project. During a typical weekday, participants were asked to collect all day’s urine voids and record dietary and PCP habitual uses in a diary. Collected time stamps of urine voids were classified into three distinct periods in the day (morning 6 a.m.–12 p.m., mid-day 12 p.m.–6 p.m., evening 6 p.m.–6 a.m.). Questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics, personal care product usage, and dietary habits were completed. Urinary levels of EDCs (phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols) were measured using mass spectrometry and adjusted for urinary volume using specific gravity. Urinary 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured using an immunoassay kit. Linear mixed-effect models identified EDCs under the influence of a diurnal variation effect that was adjusted for dietary habits and PCP use and examined associations between EDC and 4HNE. p-values were FDR-adjusted. Most phthalates appeared to be diurnally varying with higher urinary levels towards the evening (q < 0.001) than those measured during mid-day; this strong diurnal variation effect was not present for parabens and bisphenols. Significant (q < 0.001) positive associations were observed between all phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols (except bisphenol S) and 4HNE. This study’s findings highlighted the diurnal variation of excretion for certain EDC, but not for others, in real-life conditions. The degree of EDC chronotoxicity in distinct diurnal windows of the day warrants further investigation with longitudinal human studies.
Impact of Car Traffic on Metal Accumulation in Soils and Plants Growing Close to a Motorway (Eastern Slovakia)
Authors: Kuklová Margita , Kukla Ján , Hniličková Helena , Hnilička František , Pivková Ivica
Published: April 2022

The paper evaluates the impact of car transport on the distribution and accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in soils, as well as in the vegetation near a newly built R4 motorway Košice-Milhosť (Slovakia). Samples were taken from surface humus layer (litter) and 0–5, 10–20 and 20–30 cm mineral layers of Cambisol and Luvisol, as well as from assimilatory organs of Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus cerris, Quercus rubra, Negundo aceroides and Anthriscus sylvestris growing in the segments of geobiocoenosis Querci-Fageta Typica. The concentrations of total Zn and Cu were determined using SensAA AAS and the total concentrations of Cd and Pb using an instrument iCE 3000 Series AAS-F. Contamination factor (CF) values showed that surface humus layer of both soil units is moderately contaminated with Zn (1 ≤ CF ˂ 3), low contaminated with Cu (CF ˂ 1) and considerably contaminated with Pb and Cd (3 ≤ CF ˂ 6). Contamination of the surface humus layer of Luvisol with Pb is very high (CF > 6), while in the case of mineral layers with Zn and Cu it is low (CF ˂ 1). The mineral layers of Luvisol are moderately contaminated with Pb and Cd (1 ≤ CF ˂ 3) and Cambisol layers with Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. For the group of 5 tested plants, higher values of toxic elements in the leaves were observed on Luvisol compared to Cambisol. However, only Cu conconcentrations in Luvisol significantly correlated with Cu concentrations in plants (r > 0.4 or r < 0.6). The same can be said for Zn concentrations in Cambisol (r > 0.8). The best indicator of the environment polluted by car traffic appears to be A. sylvestris. Transfer coefficients (TC ˃ 1) revealed that this species concentrated the most Zn and Cu on Luvisol and close to 1 are also the TC values found for Cu in F. excelsior and Q. cerris leaves taken on Luvisol. Lead is accumulated most efficiently in N. aceroides leaves and Cd in A. sylvestris leaves regardless of soil unit. Compared to background values, the total concentrations of trace elements in soils and plants were significantly higher and point to the pollution of forest ecosystems already in the initial stage of motorway operation.
Methylglyoxal Induces Inflammation, Metabolic Modulation and Oxidative Stress in Myoblast Cells
Authors: Todoriki Sota , Hosoda Yui , Yamamoto Tae , Watanabe Mayu , Sekimoto Akiyo , Sato Hiroshi , Mori Takefumi , Miyazaki Mariko , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Sato Emiko
Published: April 2022

Uremic sarcopenia is a serious clinical problem associated with physical disability and increased morbidity and mortality. Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive, dicarbonyl uremic toxin that accumulates in the circulatory system in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is related to the pathology of uremic sarcopenia. The pathophysiology of uremic sarcopenia is multifactorial; however, the details remain unknown. We investigated the mechanisms of MG-induced muscle atrophy using mouse myoblast C2C12 cells, focusing on intracellular metabolism and mitochondrial injury. We found that one of the causative pathological mechanisms of uremic sarcopenia is metabolic flow change to fatty acid synthesis with MG-induced ATP shortage in myoblasts. Evaluation of cell viability revealed that MG showed toxic effects only in myoblast cells, but not in myotube cells. Expression of mRNA or protein analysis revealed that MG induces muscle atrophy, inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress in myoblast cells. Target metabolomics revealed that MG induces metabolic alterations, such as a reduction in tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites. In addition, MG induces mitochondrial morphological abnormalities in myoblasts. These changes resulted in the reduction of ATP derived from the mitochondria of myoblast cells. Our results indicate that MG is a pathogenic factor in sarcopenia in CKD.
Fungal Secondary Metabolite Exophillic Acid Selectively Inhibits the Entry of Hepatitis B and D Viruses
Authors: Kobayashi Chisa , Watanabe Yoshihiro , Oshima Mizuki , Hirose Tomoyasu , Yamasaki Masako , Iwamoto Masashi , Iwatsuki Masato , Asami Yukihiro , Kuramochi Kouji , Wakae Kousho , Aizaki Hideki , Muramatsu Masamichi , Sureau Camille , Sunazuka Toshiaki , Watashi Koichi
Published: April 2022

Current anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) drugs are suppressive but not curative for HBV infection, so there is considerable demand for the development of new anti-HBV agents. In this study, we found that fungus-derived exophillic acid inhibits HBV infection with a 50% maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.1 µM and a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of >30 µM in primary human hepatocytes. Exophillic acid inhibited preS1-mediated viral attachment to cells but did not affect intracellular HBV replication. Exophillic acid appears to target the host cells to reduce their susceptibility to viral attachment rather than acting on the viral particles. We found that exophillic acid interacted with the HBV receptor, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). Exophillic acid impaired the uptake of bile acid, the original function of NTCP. Consistent with our hypothesis that it affects NTCP, exophillic acid inhibited infection with HBV and hepatitis D virus (HDV), but not that of hepatitis C virus. Moreover, exophillic acid showed a pan-genotypic anti-HBV effect. We thus identified the anti-HBV/HDV activity of exophillic acid and revealed its mode of action. Exophillic acid is expected to be a potential new lead compound for the development of antiviral agents.
Early Emergence Phase of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Florida, US
Authors: Cella Eleonora , Ali Sobur , Schmedes Sarah E. , Rife Magalis Brittany , Marini Simone , Salemi Marco , Blanton Jason , Azarian Taj
Published: April 2022

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, emerged in late 2019. The highly contagious B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of concern (VOC) was first identified in October 2020 in India and subsequently disseminated worldwide, later becoming the dominant lineage in the US. Understanding the local transmission dynamics of early SARS-CoV-2 introductions may inform actionable mitigation efforts during subsequent pandemic waves. Yet, despite considerable genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in the US, several gaps remain. Here, we explore the early emergence of the Delta variant in Florida, US using phylogenetic analysis of representative Florida and globally sampled genomes. We find multiple independent introductions into Florida primarily from North America and Europe, with a minority originating from Asia. These introductions led to three distinct clades that demonstrated varying relative rates of transmission and possessed five distinct substitutions that were 3–21 times more prevalent in the Florida sample as compared to the global sample. Our results underscore the benefits of routine viral genomic surveillance to monitor epidemic spread and support the need for more comprehensive genomic epidemiology studies of emerging variants. In addition, we provide a model of epidemic spread of newly emerging VOCs that can inform future public health responses.
Intensive-Dose Tinzaparin in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: The INTERACT Study
Authors: Akinosoglou Karolina , Savopoulos Christos , Pouliakis Abraham , Triantafyllidis Charalampos , Markatis Eleftherios , Golemi Foteini , Liontos Angelos , Vadala Charikleia , Papanikolaou Ilias C. , Dimakopoulou Vasiliki , Xarras Panagiotis , Varela Katerina , Kaiafa Georgia , Mitsianis Athanasios , Chatzistamati Anastasia , Randou Efthalia , Savvanis Spyridon , Pavlaki Maria , Efraimidis Georgios , Samaras Vasileios , Papazoglou Dimitrios , Konstantinidou Alexandra , Panagopoulos Periklis , Milionis Haralampos ,   on behalf of the INTERACT Study Group
Published: April 2022

(1) Background: It is well-established that coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is highly pro-inflammatory, leading to activation of the coagulation cascade. COVID-19-induced hypercoagulability is associated with adverse outcomes and mortality. Current guidelines recommend that hospitalized COVID-19 patients should receive pharmacological prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE). (2) INTERACT is a retrospective, phase IV, observational cohort study aiming to evaluate the overall clinical effectiveness and safety of a higher than conventionally used prophylactic dose of anticoagulation with tinzaparin administered for VTE prevention in non-critically ill COVID-19 patients with moderate disease severity. (3) Results: A total of 705 patients from 13 hospitals in Greece participated in the study (55% men, median age 62 years). Anticoagulation with tinzaparin was initiated immediately after admission. A full therapeutic dose was received by 36.3% of the participants (mean ± SD 166 ± 33 IU/Kgr/day) and the remaining patients (63.9%) received an intermediate dose (mean ± SD 114 ± 22 IU/Kgr/day). The median treatment duration was 13 days (Q1–Q3: 8–20 days). During the study (April 2020 to November 2021), 14 thrombotic events (2.0%) were diagnosed (i.e., three cases of pulmonary embolism (PE) and 11 cases of deep venous thrombosis, DVT). Four bleeding events were recorded (0.6%). In-hospital death occurred in 12 patients (1.7%). Thrombosis was associated with increasing age (median: 74.5 years, Q1–Q3: 62–79, for patients with thrombosis vs. 61.9 years, Q1–Q3: 49–72, p = 0.0149), increased D-dimer levels for all three evaluation time points (at admission: 2490, Q1–Q3: 1580–6480 vs. 700, Q1–Q3: 400–1475, p < 0.0001), one week ± two days after admission (3510, Q1–Q3: 1458–9500 vs. 619, Q1–Q3: 352–1054.5, p < 0.0001), as well as upon discharge (1618.5, Q1–Q3: 1010–2255 vs. 500, Q1–Q3: 294–918, p < 0.0001). Clinical and laboratory improvement was affirmed by decreasing D-dimer and CRP levels, increasing platelet numbers and oxygen saturation measurements, and a drop in the World Health Organization (WHO) progression scale. (4) Conclusions: The findings of our study are in favor of prophylactic anticoagulation with an intermediate to full therapeutic dose of tinzaparin among non-critically ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Rainfall-Induced or Lake-Water-Level-Controlled Landslide? An Example from the Steep Slopes of Lake Balaton, Hungary
Authors: Nagy-Göde Fruzsina Kápolnainé , Török Ákos
Published: April 2022

The present paper provides a case study and an overview of the stability of high banks bordering the eastern basin of the largest central European lake, Lake Balaton, in Hungary. External factors such as rain, lake-water level, or pore water pressure are considered in the stability analysis. The slope stability was assessed using two software with different approximations and calculation methods. The results of the models using Plaxis and Rocscience Slide2 are compared. One of the major identified failure scenarios is the deep-seating rotational landslides that are triggered by rain and elevated groundwater table. The modeled slip surfaces are in good agreement with the inclinometer monitoring data of the site; meanwhile, the top of the slope failures is not influenced by water level.
Automated Monitoring of a High-Speed Flocculation Flat-Bottomed Sludge Blanket Clarifier Pond during Drought and Flood Conditions
Authors: Wu Chun-I , Lo Shang-Lein , Chung Hsu-Chen
Published: April 2022

The occasional rains that occur during dry seasons often stir up the bottom sediment of reservoirs, which leads to high turbidity and electrical conductivity in raw waters received by water utility companies. A newly developed real-time precision multi-layer sensor (RPMS) system was used to monitor a high-speed flocculation flat-bottomed sludge blanket clarifier (HFSBC) pond in real time to solve the water quality problems caused by drought and flood conditions. The RPMS is capable of monitoring the thickness of a sludge blanket; if the coagulation and sedimentation processes of the HFSBC are not working well, the sludge blanket will be thin and have a low sludge concentration. Conversely, if the HFSBC is working properly, the sludge blanket will have a thick and highly concentrated layer of sludge. Any heavy metals that are not removed by water treatment processes will enter the water supply network, which will result in poor water quality for end users. Against the backdrop of intensifying climate change, the enhancement of automated monitoring systems and adaptation processes will be an important part of efforts to minimize and resolve acute changes in water quality.
Energy and Water Cycles in the Third Pole
Authors: Ma Yaoming , Zhong Lei , Su Zhongbo
Published: April 2022

The energy and water cycles in the Third Pole have great impacts on the atmospheric circulation, Asian monsoon system and global climate change [...]
Removal of Disinfection By-Products Precursor (Humic Acid) by Graphene-Silica Composites
Authors: Chen Siqi , Shang Shanze , Zhao Qi , Zhang Shaojie , Yang Wu
Published: April 2022

Graphene-silica (RGO-SiO2) was successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The composites were used to study the adsorption properties of humic acid and disinfection by-product precursors in natural surface water. Compared with reduced graphene oxide (RGO), the specific surface area of the composites doped with silica (SiO2) increased by 31.2% to 259.43 m2/g. RGO-SiO2 could achieve 66.91% adsorption of humic acid (HA), while the maximum adsorption of HA on RGO-SiO2 reached 925.91 mg/g. The adsorption and removal rates of HA by RGO-SiO2 were significantly higher than those of RGO. The whole adsorption process was in accordance with the quasi-secondary kinetic model, the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model. RGO-SiO2 has good adsorption performance for organic matter of different water qualities. RGO-SiO2 has a better removal ability for hydrophobic organics than hydrophilic and nitrogenous organics. The adsorbent was reusable, and the organic removal efficiency of RGO-SiO2 decreased insignificantly after four cycles.
PENERAPAN DESIGN THINKING PADA SAYURBOX
Authors: Ginanjar Jajang , Sukoco Iwan
Published: April 2022

Riset ini bermaksud untuk mengurai masing-masing tahapan pada Design Thinking yang dilakukan oleh Sayurbox (PT Kreasi Nostra Mandiri). Metode yang dipakai untuk riset ini adalah kualitatif dengan analisis secara deskriptif serta diurai pula penyajian melalui teori dari David Kelley dan Tim Brown. Hasil dari riset ini, Sayurbox (PT. Kreasi Nostra Mandiri) telah memanifestasikan bermacam pemecahan atau solusi yang padaawalnya hanya melakukan penawaran produknya melalui WhatsApp & Instagram menjadi bentuk aplikasi khusus berbasis daring dengan memanfaatkan implementasi design thinking. Selain itu Sayurbox telah berhasil melengkapi fitur dengan tidak terbatas hanya pada hasil pertanian tetapi tetapi berkembang lebih luas dengan produk-produk konsumen yang bergerak cepat, sehingga Sayurbox dapat menjangkau pelanggan dengan lebih luas berdasarkan preferensi kebutuhannya.
enfermedad de Kawasaki: actualidad
Authors: Bonilla Chaves Guillermo Andrés , Gutiérrez Campos Giulliana , Rodríguez Umaña David , Vargas Ocampo Yenifer
Published: April 2022

La enfermedad de Kawasaki consiste en una vasculitis que se presenta predominantemente durante la edad pediátrica y que, además, representa una de las causas más frecuentes de cardiopatías adquiridas en niños de alrededor de todo el mundo (en especial entre aquellos de países desarrollados y con particular relevancia en el noreste asiático, puesto que este cuadro patológico puede provocar la aparición de aneurismas de las arterias coronarias como secuela de mayor gravedad en muchos casos). Cabe destacar también que, si bien se ha avanzado en cuanto a lo que el conocimiento actual de esta patología refiere desde 1967 (año en que los primeros informes de este cuadro clínico fueron publicados), su etiopatogenia aún sigue siendo debatida debido a que se relaciona a diversos mecanismos inmunológicos y genéticos aún en estudio; no obstante, a pesar de lo anterior, diversas terapias relacionadas con la aplicación de inmunoglobulinas y ciertos agentes antiinflamatorios son utilizadas para su tratamiento en bastantes ocasiones, esto último debido a que se ha visto que son relativamente eficaces según el entendimiento con el que se cuenta por el momento de esta patología.
Comunicación de Malas Noticias
Authors: Elizondo Vincenzi Giuliana , Ruiz Loría Viviana , Echeverría Flores Ana Sofía
Published: April 2022

La habilidad para comunicar malas noticias a pacientes y familiares no se considera hoy una competencia opcional; por el contrario, subestimar su importancia ha contribuido a la percepción creciente en los últimos años de una medicina deshumanizada (12). Ser médico tiene la responsabilidad de ser eficaz al comunicar cualquier tipo de noticia. Realizaremos un análisis de diferentes enfoques de cómo realizar dicha comunicación brindando malas noticias. El ámbito prehospitalario tiene dificultades añadidas, (14) la eficacia de este ofrece a pacientes y familiares la posibilidad de mejorar el afrontamiento de situaciones difíciles (14).  Se brindará la explicación de algunos de los protocolos sobre CMN como SPIKES, PENS, CONSOLE, COMFORT. Diversos estudios han documentado que los médicos no han recibido un entrenamiento formal para dar malas noticias (13) por lo que este artículo tiene como objetivo ser guía práctica y rápida para obtener conocimiento en este tema.
Acretismo Placentario.
Authors: Garita Mendez Erik , Salas Morgan Jose Pablo , Angulo Moya Luis Carlos
Published: April 2022

En los últimos años, la patología de acretismo placentario ha adquirido gran importancia clínica, producto de su relación paralela con las cesáreas electivas. El término de acretismo placentario, engloba una serie de patologías, dentro de las que se encuentran: i) la placenta acreta que se define como una invasión parcial por parte de las vilis placentarias hacia el miometrio, ii) el incretismo, que es la invasión total del miometrio sin penetración de la serosa y iii) el percretismo, que es la invasión total del miometrio más allá de la serosa uterina con posible invasión a estructuras adyacentes. El daño causado por un procedimiento intrauterino, sea este obstétrico o ginecológico, es el principal factor de riesgo para una placentación anormal. A su vez, la principal causa de esta placentación anormal es un defecto en la decidualización del área de cicatrización uterina. La decidualización provoca contacto directo de las vilis placentarias con el miometrio, generando su invasión. Clínicamente la paciente podría presentar un sangrado transvaginal durante el embarazo y el diagnostico se podría realizar únicamente mediante un ultrasonido o resonancia magnética, sin embargo, el diagnóstico definitivo requiere de estudios histopatológicos para conocer con exactitud el nivel de invasión corial. En esta patología, el diagnóstico temprano es fundamental para la preparación del parto y el adecuado manejo de la persona gestante, con el fin de obtener los mejores resultados para ésta y el feto.
Dinámica metabólica en pacientes con hemocromatosis secundaria.
Authors: Molina Naranjo Samuel
Published: April 2022

El hierro corporal tiene una relación muy estrecha con el hígado. Fisiológicamente, el hígado sintetiza transferrina, la cual es la proteína encargada del transporte sanguíneo de hierro; ceruloplasmina, actuando a través de su actividad ferroxidasa, y hepcidina, el regulador maestro del hierro sistémico. También almacena hierro dentro de la ferritina y sirve como depósito de hierro, protegiendo a la célula de la toxicidad del hierro libre y asegurando el suministro de hierro al cuerpo cuando sea necesario. El hígado es el primero en línea para recibir hierro del intestino y el bazo y, por lo tanto, está altamente expuesto a la sobrecarga de hierro cuando el hierro en plasma está en exceso, especialmente debido a su alta afinidad por el hierro unido a la transferrina no plasmática. El hígado se afecta mucho cuando el exceso de hierro está relacionado con la deficiencia de hepcidina, como en la HFE, hemojuvelina, hepcidina y hemocromatosis relacionada con el receptor 2 de transferrina, o con la resistencia a la hepcidina, como en la enfermedad de ferroportina tipo B.
Depresión resistente al tratamiento como manifestación de adenoma de glándula suprarrenal.
Authors: Soto Chaves Genesis , Ramirez Zamora Luis Carlos , Camacho Quesada Javier , Madrigal Calderón Jose Pablo , Masís Marroquín Adriana
Published: April 2022

El síndrome de Cushing es el resultado de la exposición a una cantidad excesiva de glucocorticoides por un largo periodo de tiempo. Sus manifestaciones clínicas rondan desde hallazgos muy característicos como las facies de luna llena, el acúmulo de grasa dorsocervical o las estrías purpúreas; hasta presentaciones poco específicas que pueden pasar desapercibidas y llevar a diagnósticos erróneos. Dentro de los casos más retadores se encuentran aquellos cuya presentación clínica se basa en manifestaciones psiquiátricas y síntomas inespecíficos; sin embargo, es esencial tener este síndrome en mente como diagnóstico diferencial con el fin de captar la mayor cantidad de casos de forma temprana y ofrecerles el tratamiento adecuado. Se presenta un caso de una mujer de 62 años quien consulta por una segunda opinión tras un diagnóstico de depresión sin respuesta al tratamiento, en quien por medio de examen físico se logra orientar el diagnóstico hacia un síndrome de cushing endógeno primario.
SENSIBILIDAD in vitro DE Pseudocercospora fijiensis (MORELET) A LOS FUNGICIDAS SISTÉMICOS
Authors: García-Munguía Alberto M. , García-Munguía Argelia , Acosta-Ramos Marcelo , García-Munguía Otilio , Orozco-Santos Mario , Ibarra-Juárez Luis A. , García-Munguía Carlos A.
Published: April 2022

El cultivo del plátano (Musa spp.) se ve afectado por diversas enfermedades que disminuyen el rendimiento y calidad. La Sigatoka negra (Pseudocercospora fijiensis) es el principal problema fitopatológico en este cultivo, por lo que se estudió la sensibilidad de P. fijiensis a cinco fungicidas sistémicos (Tebuconazol, Bitertanol, Pirimetanil, Trifloxistrobin y Tridemorf) en tres Unidades de Producción de Plátano (UPP). Se evaluó la longitud del tubo germinativo, la eficacia y la EC50. En las UPP 1, 2 y 3 Tebuconazol inhibió el tubo germinativo de P. fijiensis con 86 % de eficacia, Bitertanol con 87 % y Pirimetanil con 100 %, Trifloxistrobin con 97 % y Tridemorf con 95 %. Tebuconazol tuvo una EC50 de 0.05694 ppm, Bitertanol de 0.0001 ppm, Trifloxistrobin de 0.00332 ppm, Pirimetanil de 0.15099 ppm y Tridemorf de 0.00166 ppm. Los fungicidas Tebuconazol y Bitertanol obtuvieron el mejor resultado en la UPP 1, Pirimetanil en las UPP 1 y 2, Trifloxistrobin y Tridemorf en la UPP 3, debido a que inhibieron en mayor medida el crecimiento del tubo germinativo de P. fijiensis. El fungicida Pirimetanil permitió un crecimiento menor del tubo germinativo de las ascosporas de P. fijiensis en las tres UPP, lo que resultó en una eficacia de inhibición del tubo germinativo mayor que los otros fungicidas.
ACCIÓN GÉNICA Y GENES QUE OTORGAN RESISTENCIA A ROYA DE LA HOJA EN TRIGO CRISTALINO
Authors: Delgado-Sánchez Laura M. , Huerta-Espino Julio , Benítez-Riquelme Ignacio , Ammar Karim , Aguilar-Rincón Víctor H.
Published: April 2022

La roya de la hoja, causada por el hongo Puccnia triticina E., es una enfermedad que cuando se presenta, genera pérdidas hasta del 100 % en el rendimiento de grano del trigo cristalino (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum L.). Como medida de protección genética en la construcción piramidal de nuevos genotipos resistentes es necesario identificar en el germoplasma con resistencia a esta enfermedad, el número de genes involucrados y su acción génica. Con este propósito, durante el ciclo de cultivo otoño-invierno 2017- 2018, se cruzaron los progenitores susceptibles Atred#1 y Atred#2 con las líneas resistentes de trigo cristalino procedentes de Etiopía WC-2 no. 100, DW-K2 no. 47, Oda, 2000/01 population FR. no. 43, 2000/01 population 37-30 BDI no. 63 y 2000/01 population 37-30 BDI no. 12. Las generaciones filiales de las cruzas se obtuvieron alternadamente en CIMMYT-Batán, Estado de México y CIMMYT-CENEB, Ciudad  Obregón, Sonora, hasta obtener las Familias F3 y F4. Con base en los análisis de segregantes de tales familias, se encontró que, en las seis líneas etíopes, la resistencia a la roya de la hoja es conferida por dos genes dominantes.
Acceso y disponibilidad en la cadena alimentaria de la papa. Estudio de caso en comunidades rurales del municipio Batallas-departamento de La Paz (Bolivia)
Authors: Azeñas Mallea Veriozka , Benavides López Jean Paul
Published: April 2022

Aunque en la última década en Bolivia se han reducido los niveles de desnutrición, una proporción importante de la población rural presenta altos niveles de vulnerabilidad a la inseguridad alimentaria. Estos hechos se acompañan por un fuerte aumento de la importación de alimentos agrícolas, que implica una disminución de la producción, y la comercialización de productos campesinos. El propósito de este estudio es caracterizar la cadena de valor (producción y comercialización) de papa a nivel familiar; es decir, analizar las unidades familiares productivas y comprender la influencia de éstas sobre la seguridad alimentaria.

Se ha aplicado una encuesta elaborada en función al contexto social y cultural de las familias consideradas (102 familias productoras de papa en 5 comunidades del municipio de Batallas). Se realizó un análisis de componentes principales, análisis de correlación (Kendall) y pruebas inferenciales para identificar indicadores económico-productivos clave y establecer su relación con elementos de acceso y disponibilidad de alimento.

Los resultados evidenciaron la influencia de la cantidad de papa producida sobre la asignación al consumo y al comercio. Se muestra que, a mayor cantidad de papa producida, mayor es la papa consumida y menor el gasto en alimento, incidiendo de manera positiva en la disponibilidad de alimento de producción propia. Igualmente, a mayores cantidades de papa vendida, mayores los ingresos que servirían para satisfacer las necesidades de adquirir otro tipo de alimentos además de la papa. Sin embargo, la inversión en mano de obra familiar en tareas de producción y comercialización no mejora la rentabilidad, y por tanto no contribuye a la disponibilidad ni al acceso de alimentos. Este estudio evidencia que compensaciones entre elementos de la seguridad alimentaria guían la lógica de la familia productora en cuanto a producción comercialización y consumo. Se muestra la importancia del rendimiento, la rentabilidad y el rol central que juegan la mano de obra de la familia productora y el consumo responsable de los actores de la cadena, sugiriendo su potencial para mejorar la seguridad alimentaria en un momento de transformación del sistema agroalimentario en Bolivia.
"Revalorizar lo que debemos saber para proteger nuestra salud alimentaria” Relaciones entre los elementos, actores y conocimientos de los sistemas socio-ecológicos de Tiraque, que permiten la co-construcción de políticas para la protección de fuentes
Authors: Rojas Cáceres Esther Ivonne
Published: April 2022

Este trabajo narra las acciones de apropiarse y democratizar la comunicación que desarrollan actores diversos de la comunidad de aprendizaje de Tiraque Cochabamba, como parte de una experiencia de interacción social, para establecer vínculos duraderos que fortalezcan la co construcción de conocimiento que solo se puede lograr a partir de la continuidad legítima de los procesos; con el fin de formular políticas para protección de fuentes de agua en la región, que garanticen la salud alimentaria de la comunidad.
La identidad desde la Semántica y la Pragmática
Authors: Garcete Aguilar Domingo
Published: April 2022

Junto a Ricœur intentamos descubrir la identidad desde los aportes de la lingüística. Así, bajo la égida de la pregunta “quién” analizamos, por un lado, las contribuciones de la semántica: cuando designamos, ¿de quién o de qué hablamos? Y, por otro, desde la pragmática y por ende en un contexto de interlocución, ¿quién es el que está hablando?
Educación y competencias mediáticas frente a la desinformación.
Authors: Portugal Escobar Rigliana
Published: April 2022

En el contexto de desinformación existente en la esfera digital internacional, destaca la presencia de noticias falsas (fake news) que deliberadamente pueden causar daño, confundir o manipular a los ciudadanos, creando desconfianza en las normas, instituciones o en las estrategias definidas y consensuadas democráticamente. En ese contexto queda expuesta la importancia de fortalecer la educación y competencias mediáticas (saber, saber hacer y saber ser) de prosumers que producen y consumen contenido, de forma tal que se oriente el acceso y uso a los medios, pero también la comprensión crítica ante los mensajes.