bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the Ambient Solar Wind with Numerical Models. II. An Adaptive Prediction System for Specifying Solar Wind Speed near the Sun
Authors: Reiss Martin A. , MacNeice Peter J. , Muglach Karin , Arge Charles N. , Möstl Christian , Riley Pete , Hinterreiter Jürgen , Bailey Rachel L. , Weiss Andreas J. , Owens Mathew J. , Amerstorfer Tanja , Amerstorfer Ute
Published: March 2020

The ambient solar wind flows and fields influence the complex propagation dynamics of coronal mass ejections in the interplanetary medium and play an essential role in shaping Earth’s space weather environment. A critical scientific goal in the space weather research and prediction community is to develop, implement, and optimize numerical models for specifying the large-scale properties of solar wind conditions at the inner boundary of the heliospheric model domain. Here we present an adaptive prediction system that fuses information from in situ measurements of the solar wind into numerical models to better match the global solar wind model solutions near the Sun with prevailing physical conditions in the vicinity of Earth. In this way, we attempt to advance the predictive capabilities of well-established solar wind models for specifying solar wind speed, including the Wang–Sheeley–Arge model. In particular, we use the Heliospheric Upwind eXtrapolation (HUX) model for mapping the solar wind solutions from the near-Sun environment to the vicinity of Earth. In addition, we present the newly developed Tunable HUX (THUX) model, which solves the viscous form of the underlying Burgers equation. We perform a statistical analysis of the resulting solar wind predictions for the period 2006–2015. The proposed prediction scheme improves all the investigated coronal/heliospheric model combinations and produces better estimates of the solar wind state at Earth than our reference baseline model. We discuss why this is the case and conclude that our findings have important implications for future practice in applied space weather research and prediction.
Taxonomic revision of the Mesoamerican genus Spathacanthus (Justicieae, Acanthoideae, Acanthaceae)
Authors: Burgos-Hernández Mireya , Castillo-Campos Gonzalo
Published: March 2020

Spathacanthus is a Mesoamerican genus that occurs in tropical and temperate regions from southern Mexico to Costa Rica; its taxonomy has not been updated for two decades. In view of the fact that a new species has been discovered and that the interspecific affinities in this genus have not been addressed to date, the present study aims to revise the genus Spathacanthus. Specimens of plants of this genus collected from across the distribution range and deposited in herbaria and digital databases were reviewed. In parallel, a cladistic analysis was carried out, based on morphological characters in order to examine relationships between species. Four species of Spathacanthus were recognised: one endemic to Costa Rica, another micro-endemic to Veracruz in Mexico, one more restricted to the forests of Mexico and Guatemala and the last one more widely distributed. Reflecting the previously limited knowledge of the group, many of the specimens that we studied had been misidentified. A key to differentiate these species is provided, supplemented with photographs, drawings and other illustrations, morphological descriptions, synonymy and ecological data. Results, presented here, extend the distribution range of some taxa and a distribution map is presented. The cladistic analysis recovered the genus as monophyletic, showing that S. hoffmannii and S. hahnianus are sister taxa and S. magdalenae was found to be more closely related to S. parviflorus. These plants are vulnerable to degradation and habitat loss.
What does it Mean to Share ? From Actual to Perceived Sharedness in the Structural Approach to Social Representations
Authors: Bonetto Éric , Piermattéo Anthony , Moliner Pascal , Lo Monaco Grégory
Published: March 2020

Le partage constitue une notion clé dans le champ des représentations sociales. En particulier, l’approche structurale des représentations sociales distingue les cognitions centrales et périphériques, les premières étant considérées comme plus partagées que les secondes. Cependant, le partage a été conçu en l’absence d’une véritable réflexion sur sa définition et se réfère uniquement au fait de prendre part à un consensus. Or, le partage perçu constitue une conception radicalement différente du partage (une méta-connaissance à propos de la perception de ce partage par les individus), qui a montré sa pertinence dans différents domaines. Trois études (N = 50, N = 52, N = 49) ont évalué le partage perçu par les participants de positions relatives aux cognitions centrales et périphériques liées à trois objets différents. Pour chaque objet, par rapport aux cognitions périphériques, les positions des participants concernant les cognitions centrales sont perçues comme plus partagées au sein du groupe. Cet effet a été confirmé par une mini méta-analyse (N = 151, d = 0,69). La perception du partage est complémentaire de la conception traditionnelle du partage, et constitue un enrichissement de ce concept dans le champ des représentations sociales.
Les réseaux de soutien des mères victimes de violences conjugales et leur impact sur le stress
Authors: Savard Nathalie
Published: March 2020

Cet article propose d’analyser les réseaux de soutien de mères victimes de violences conjugales et de mesurer leur impact sur leur stress. Trente-huit mères victimes de violences conjugales ont complété le Conflict Tactic Scale II (Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy & Sugarman, 1996), la version abrégée de l’indice de stress parental (Lacharité, 1993) ainsi que l’échelle de soutien social (Rascle & coll., 1997) et de soutien relatif aux enfants (Vecho, 2005). Les résultats révèlent que les mères sont satisfaites du soutien reçu malgré le fait qu’elles apparaissent isolées. Ils indiquent aussi que plus le niveau soutien social est élevé, plus le stress des mères diminue.
Une monnaie au service des communs ?
Authors: Dron Dominique , Espagne Étienne , Svartzman Romain
Published: March 2020

Contre le mythe d’un salut par l’investissement « vert », qu’il soit public ou privé, l’urgence écologique impose de réformer les institutions monétaires.
Plan de survie
Authors: Boyer Robert , Perret Bernard
Published: March 2020

L’économie est devenue une science de l’ingénierie sociale. Mais la question écologique peut la faire évoluer, avec la question sociale, et si de nouvelles institutions politiques prennent en compte le long terme.
Algérie : des mal morts aux bien vivants
Authors: Lazali Karima
Published: March 2020

La colonisation, puis l’indépendance qui la prolonge en fait, a accablé le corps collectif algérien. Il se soulève aujourd’hui, renouant avec son histoire et ses morts, afin d’inventer un projet politique citoyen.
Réalisme et postmodernité dans la théologie de J. Wentzel van Huyssteen
Authors: Fantino Jacques
Published: March 2020

L’environnement intellectuel contemporain est partagé entre deux positionnements, moderne et postmoderne. Ces positionnements jouent sur la question du réalisme et de son rapport à la théologie. L’article présente la démarche théologique de J. Wentzel van Huyssteen selon ce contexte.
Sola fide ou fide caritate formata : deux principes incompatibles ?
Authors: Son Eun-Sil
Published: March 2020

Ce travail explore l’origine d’un malentendu vieux de cinq siècles concernant la foi justifiante. Dieu justifie-t-il le pécheur par la foi seule ( sola fide ) comme le disent les luthériens ou par la foi formée par la charité ( fide caritate formata ) comme le disent les catholiques ? Il s’agit d’une des différences les plus débattues entre les deux traditions. Une étude précise des sources et une comparaison entre les textes de Thomas d’Aquin et de Martin Luther consacrés à l’interprétation de la fides caritate formata permet de constater que, malgré la compréhension différente de la formule, ils ont en réalité la même idée de la foi justifiante en raison d’une même fidélité à l’Écriture. C’est en puisant à cette source commune qu’aujourd’hui encore, ils montrent aux Églises un chemin d’unité.
Une boussole des possibles. Gouvernance mondiale et humanismes juridiques
Authors: Delmas-Marty Mireille
Published: March 2020

Le processus de mondialisation ouvre des possibilités inédites, mais suscite aussi des menaces pour l’être humain et l’ensemble de l’écosystème, provoquant ainsi un repli souverainiste dans un monde de plus en plus « déboussolé ». Quelle place, donc, pour un humanisme juridique au sein de la gouvernance mondiale ? Mireille Delmas-Marty confronte au récit de l’effondrement celui de la mondialité, communauté de destin unie et solidaire dans sa pluralité. Au croisement des droits nationaux et du droit international, elle revisite trois voies qu’elle avait explorées près de dix ans auparavant : résister à la déshumanisation, responsabiliser les acteurs globaux et anticiper les risques à venir.Ponctuée de nouveaux commentaires, et relue sous l’angle d’une « boussole des possibles », cette leçon de clôture prononcée en 2011 se révèle d’une actualité saisissante.
Peer Learning and Peer Assessment to Enhance Participation in Online Courses
Authors: Limone Pierpaolo , Toto Giusi Antonia
Published: March 2020

The chapter discusses the development of a peer assessment approach in an online learning community. Peer assessment is an important construct because it is connected with self-regulated learning and correlated with the use of feedback, two of the most effective issues in facilitating online learning. The aim of the research is to demonstrate the innovative value of peer assessment and peer learning in new tech through a literature review and an analysis of a practical application to show future development in this field.
Use of Smartphones for Self-Regulated Foreign Language Learning Activities
Authors: Jurkovič Violeta
Published: March 2020

Smartphones can significantly affect the development of foreign languages in two distinct ways. Firstly, online informal learning of languages may result in naturalistic foreign language acquisition while mobile assisted language learning implies the use of smartphones following a conscious decision to engage in language learning activities that would result in the improvement of one's language competence. Based on quantitative and qualitative methodology applied on a sample of undergraduate students in Slovenia, the main objective of this chapter is to explore the use of smartphones for self-regulated English language learning activities beyond the language classroom.
CLIL Approach and Educational Technologies
Authors: Tavernise Assunta
Published: March 2020

CLIL (content and language integrated learning) is an educational approach in which a foreign language is used for the teaching and learning of content and language. The Council of Europe has fostered it as an innovative methodology for promoting plurilingualism and raising the quality of school curricula. Furthermore, in European Commission's reports, the use of educational technologies in CLIL approach has been recommended for improving the effectiveness of language learning. In this work, a study on the integration of different activities in CLIL settings as ClassLabs is presented, underlining the significant link between CLIL and information communication technologies in the Italian context. In particular, in the promoted technology-enhanced environments, the combination of videos, online exercises, and the production of multimedia artifacts is proposed in order to make enjoyable the acquisition of cross skills. CLIL teacher profile is also introduced, specifying the different skills and competences a teacher must develop in order to be fully qualified in a CLIL ClassLab.
The Processes of Appropriation of Technological Tools in the Classroom
Authors: Boéchat-Heer Stéphanie , Impedovo Maria Antonietta , Arcidiacono Francesco
Published: March 2020

This chapter aims to investigate how teachers perceive the usefulness of introducing technological tools (namely, iPad) for the learning/teaching process in a professional secondary school. More specifically, the authors intend to understand how the process of iPad appropriation is identified by the teachers as a learning tool. Through the analysis of focus groups involving different teachers belonging to the same school, the authors intend to detect teachers' self-efficacy and beliefs concerning the appropriation of the use of the iPad in the classroom along a school year. The findings of the study highlight diverse facilitating and hindering elements in the process of teachers' appropriation of such technological tool. The study opens further spaces to examine teachers' and students' perceptions in mastering new technological tools and in building new processes of teaching/learning.
Vision and Sensor-Based Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Ahad Md Atiqur Rahman
Published: March 2020

Human action or activity or behavior analysis, recognition, and understanding are very important research areas in the field of computer vison, internet of things (IoT) sensor-based analysis, human-computer interaction (HCI), affective computing, intelligent system, healthcare facilities, and so on. There is much importance in human action recognition. This chapter introduces the core aspects of human action or activity recognition (HAR). These are split into two different domains: computer vision-based action/activity recognition, action localization, etc.; and wearable IoT sensor-based HAR. Though cameras are also sensors that provide vision-based information, the author puts camera-based or vision-based methods in another category. The chapter introduces core challenges and strategies to move forward.
Wireless Medicine Searching System Using GSM Modem in Smart City
Authors: Bandopadhyay Mandakinee , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: March 2020

With the development of mobile communication technologies and the popularity of relating devices, GSM network-based intelligent systems have been used more and more widely. Most existing intelligent systems have built on mobile platforms, but those systems don't provide any facility that could save time and energy. But people suffer from lack of time and energy to buy essential needs like medicine, etc. and they like to communicate to the supplier to get confirmation instantly before leaving home or office to collect the same. So, in society, it needs to give alignment without going on field. This chapter copes this problem using wireless database searching scheme using GSM technology, which is very useful in smart cities, where cell phone is an essential part of living. The system receives information from outsiders and customers through GSM modem database searches of all the suppliers connected in a common server and sends the result through short messages independently to the customer showing the availability.
Approaches to Sustainable and Responsible Entrepreneurship
Authors: Popescu Cristina Raluca Gh.
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship seem to represent the most important goals targeted by the economic business environment at a worldwide scale. In addition, creativity, innovation, and intellectual capital are seen as drivers for organizational performance, particularly in the context of ensuring the right balance in terms of market competition, in the quest for retaining different forms of competitive advantages. Nonetheless, although the general vision of maximizing profit, in the case of producers, and of enhancing satisfaction, in the case of consumers, still governs the economic rules specific to any marketplace, there is a general concern for the future generations, as well as ecology and environmental wellbeing. Under these circumstances, at least for now, all the answers seem to lie in the entrepreneurs' ability to act much more mature, liable, competent, proficient, and efficient, while managing at a higher and improved level of performance their business operations.
Stakeholder Information Flow From Horse Entrepreneurs to Customers
Authors: Koskinen Heli I. , Rusko Rauno
Published: March 2020

This study focuses on emphasizing the instrumental role of stakeholder analysis and the concept of business ecosystem. Specifically, a stakeholder relationship might provide the channel for the particular instrumental targets of a business subset. This kind of stakeholder management is based on a principal-agent relationship between industry actors. However, this example, which focuses on horse entrepreneurs and the infectious diseases of this subset of the equine industry, shows that instead of a simple principal-agent relationship, stakeholder management might yield a chain of principal-agent relationships in the form of a principal-agent/principal-agent relationship (for example, one or more of the stakeholders simultaneously takes on the role of both agent and principal). According to the analysis, horse entrepreneurs have this kind of double role in stakeholder management for the prevention of infectious diseases.
Aspects of Housing Assessment and their Influence on the Form of Housing in Apartment Houses in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kutá Dagmar , Wernerová Eva , Teichmann Marek
Published: March 2020

Housing and activities integrate the satisfaction of other human needs. In this regard, we can look at housing as a tool for the development of society itself. The division of different forms of housing in the Czech Republic into several groups can be done in many different ways. It always depends on who formulates the different types of housing.
Scour Depth Prediction for Asa Dam Bridge, Ilorin, Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Odeyemi Samson Olalekan , Akinpelu Mutiu Adelodun , Abdulwahab Rasheed , Dauda Kazeem Adeshina , Chris-Ukaegbu Stella
Published: March 2020

Bridge Scour is the localized loss of the geomaterials around the foundation of a bridge as a result of the movement of water around it. Scour is a great risk to the stability of a bridge’s foundation, thus leading to collapse, loss of lives and setback in a nation’s socio-economic life. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are collections of simple, highly connected processing elements that learn according to sets of input parameters and use that to simulate the networks of nerve cells of humans or animal central nervous system. The Asa Dam Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, has five (5) spans of 20m each. The bridge connects Ilorin to the Ogbomosho Express way (leading to the western part of the country) and the Eyenkorin-Jebba road (leading to the north). Thus, the bridge has a high economic value. In this research, factors such as flow depth, average flow velocity of the river and median sediment size were investigated to show how they affect the depth of scour around the bridge pile foundation. Data were taken for a period of 48 weeks and ANN was applied to predict and generate a model that shows how these factors relate to the scour depth of the riverbed. The model revealed that the hydraulic parameters and soil grading around the pile cap of Asa River Bridge bears significant influence on the scour depth of its foundation. The model was compared with five (5) other established scour equations.
Comparison of Thermal and Electrical Sintering of Aerosol Silver Nanoparticles in Process of Aerosol Jet Printing
Authors: Arsenov Pavel V. , Efimov Alexey A. , Ivanov Victor V.
Published: March 2020

This article presents a study and comparison of two sintering processes of aerosol nanoparticles in process of aerosol jet printing. Silver lines were deposited on glass and plastic substrates. Then obtained lines were sintered in two ways, specifically, thermal and electric methods. As a result of experiments, it was found that during the deposition process, the width of printed lines, with the same printing parameters, is in the range from 92.3 to 110.4 μm and the height from 1.1 to 1.4 μm. The resistivity of lines on the glass substrate, sintered in two ways, is approximately 12 μΩ·cm. While the resistivity of the lines on the plastic substrate, sintered by electric and thermal methods, is 11.1 and 17.2 μΩ·cm, respectively. Thus, electrical sintering allows one to achieve a smaller (by a factor of 1.5) electrical resistivity of lines on a plastic substrate than thermal sintering, which makes it possible to obtain conductive flexible structures with better characteristics.
Duplex Stainless Steel Subjected to Normalized Thermal Treatment
Authors: Sáenz Laura , Romero Trino , Chavez Jesús , González Ruben , Corona Abraham , Tineo Zuleika
Published: March 2020

In the research, the mechanical behavior of duplex stainless steels SAF 2205 and 2507 subjected to Normalized thermal treatments at temperatures at temperatures of 900, 950 and 1000oC for a time of 7 minutes for SAF 2205 and 15 minutes for SAF 2507 were evaluated. It was determined that the mechanical strength increased considerably the higher value was found at 900 °C. It was determined that the KIC values for the normalized conditions of 900 oC and 950oC, reduce strongly in both steels with respect to the original condition. However, it is clearly reflected that for the normalized condition at 1000 °C the KIC is fully recovered, and for the temperature range of 700 °C to 900 °C, the values of impact toughness suffer a drastic decrease, caused by the appearance of intermetallic phases.
Effect of the Filling Pattern on the Compression Strength of 3D Printed Objects Using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Authors: Morocho Jhoselyn Reyes , Sánchez Andrés Criollo , Singaña Marco , Donoso Caterine
Published: March 2020

The present study exhibits the behavior of ABS polymer (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) subjected to mechanical compression tests considering two filling patterns, rectangular and hexagonal; these patterns have been selected due to the geometric arrangement of their internal structure improves the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts, in addition to the increase in tensile strength. The specimens were developed by molten deposition modeling (FDM) under the ASTM D695 standard in 2015, so five samples of each pattern were made; they have an 80% filler material. This is due to the demanding mechanical requirement in engineering applications. The results obtained show that the rectangular fill pattern at 0° and 90° registered the highest compressive strength obtaining as a result an average compression strength of 4 179.92 N, likewise a percentage of deformation of 5.96% and a maximum compressive strength of 33.147 MPa. Because of the evidenced data, the rectangular pattern is useful for engineering and industrial applications, including substituting car parts, machinery or household appliances.
Preparation and Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer Performance for Methyl Palmitate /Expanded Graphite Phase Change Composite
Authors: Chi Bi Chuan , Yao Yan , Cui Su Ping
Published: March 2020

Methyl palmitate (MP) is a promising phase change energy storage material. It features high latent heat, suitable phase change temperature, low degree of supercooling and so on. However, like other organic phase change materials, the common problem of lower thermal conductivity makes it unable to perform better in energy storage. Expanded graphite (EG) has been proven to be high-efficiency for enhancing the thermal conductivity of organic phase change materials. MP/EG phase change composite was prepared and characterized in this research, and the heat transfer performance was numerical simulated by finite element analysis software ABAQUS. Results show that MP can be absorbed into the layered pores of EG, and the stable absorption ratio is 77%. Numerical simulation results reveal that EG can significantly enhance the heat transfer performance of MP. Moreover, EG can decrease the system temperature gradient during phase change process that makes the heat transfer and temperature distribution more uniform.
Testing of Fibrous Membranes with Different Scaffold Morphology for Development of 3D Skin Model
Authors: Sovková Vera , Vocetková Karolína , Rampichová Michala , Filová Eva
Published: March 2020

Replacement of in vivo testing using advanced 3D constructs is an important challenge in tissue engineering applications. The cell culture material should be biocompatible and should mimic the natural microenvironment of the existing tissue. Nanofibrous scaffolds prepared by electrospinning from biocompatible polymers have suitable properties for cell culture in a 3D environment. Thanks to the high volume-to-surface ratio, controlled porous structure with high pore interconnection and microarchitecture in the nanoscale range, nanofibers are in the foreground of interest. We tested membranes with different topography with keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines. Fibroblast showed stable growth with no difference among the scaffolds. On the other hand, keratinocytes preferred scaffolds with nanofiber morphology.
The Effect of Alternative Solvents on the Biocompatibility of Centrifugally Spun Poly-ε-Caprolactone
Authors: Lukášová Vera , Buzgo Matej , Amler Evzen , Filová Eva , Rampichová Michala
Published: March 2020

Suitable scaffolds for tissue engineering should promote several features that enable regeneration of the damaged tissue in vivo. In general, nanoto microfibrous meshes resemble extracellular matrix and support cell adhesion; three dimensional scaffolds, together with interconnected pores, promote cell migration into the volume of the scaffolds. Furthermore, the scaffold should be biodegradable with no harmful byproducts and easy to produce. Centrifugal spinning is an alternative method, to widely used electrospinning method, to produce 3D scaffolds suitable for use in tissue engineering. In this study, we tested different molecular weights and solvent systems of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) that were produced by the centrifugal spinning method. The produced scaffolds were characterized and seeded with Saos2 osteosarcoma cell line to verify their biocompatibility. We concluded from the results that group 4 scaffold, produced from a mixture of two molecular weights of PCL dissolved in acetic acid/formic acid, supported cell adhesion, proliferation and metabolic activity the most out of all the tested scaffolds. The other PCL scaffolds were prepared either from one type of molecular weight of PCL or chloroform was solely used to produce the scaffolds.
Coaxial Nanofibrous Scaffold Prepared Using Centrifugal Spinning as a Drug Delivery System for Skeletal Tissue Engineering
Authors: Rampichová Michala , Lukášová Vera , Buzgo Matej , Vocetková Karolína , Sovková Vera , Blahnová Veronika , Amler Evzen , Filová Eva
Published: March 2020

Skeletal disorders, caused by trauma, disease, or carcinoma, may result in tissue loss and, finally, in endoprosthesis. Tissue engineering offers an alternative - tissue scaffolds. Its constructs may be seeded with autologous cells or, alternatively, attract cells from the surrounding tissues. Such a scaffold must meet several requirements, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and suitable morphology for cell attachment and proliferation. Nonetheless, scaffold should stimulate cells migrated from the surrounding tissues to infiltrate the scaffold, proliferate and differentiate to the required cell type. In the current study, we developed a fibrous scaffold with 3D structure using emulsion centrifugal spinning. The scaffold from poly-ɛ-caprolactone contained a cocktail of growth factors, i.e. TGF-β, IGF and bFGF. The released growth factors enhanced cell proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. The scaffold is a promising material for skeletal tissue engineering.
Extraction of Sulfur from Commercial Gasoline Using 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate [BMIM] [BF4] as the Extraction Solvent
Authors: Valenzuela Cristian , Donoso Caterine , Guzmán-Beckmann Liliana
Published: March 2020

This study aims to demonstrate the importance of using the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM] [BF4] ionic liquid (IL) as a green solvent in the extractive desulfurization of commercial gasoline, as a complementary technology to conventional hydrodesulfurization (HDS), which has limitations in the removal of sulfur aromatic compounds. The extractive desulfurization of gasoline was evaluated by means of a factorial design to determine the best extraction conditions, considering temperature (25 and 35 °C), feed/solvent mass ratio (3/1 and 1/1) and number of extraction stages (1 and 3 stages). The results show a maximum sulfur removal efficiency of 40%. In addition, the selectivity of [BMIM] [BF4] in the removal of aromatic sulfur compounds from gasoline, its extraction mechanism and the effects of desulfurization using IL regenerated by means of washing cycles with water and/or diethyl ether was investigated.
Cancer Cell–Intrinsic Expression of MHC Class II Regulates the Immune Microenvironment and Response to Anti–PD-1 Therapy in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Johnson Amber M. , Bullock Bonnie L. , Neuwelt Alexander J. , Poczobutt Joanna M. , Kaspar Rachael E. , Li Howard Y. , Kwak Jeff W. , Hopp Katharina , Weiser-Evans Mary C. M. , Heasley Lynn E. , Schenk Erin L. , Clambey Eric T. , Nemenoff Raphael A.
Published: March 2020

MHC class II (MHCII) expression is usually restricted to APC but can be expressed by cancer cells. We examined the effect of cancer cell–specific MHCII (csMHCII) expression in lung adenocarcinoma on T cell recruitment to tumors and response to anti–PD-1 therapy using two orthotopic immunocompetent murine models of non–small cell lung cancer: CMT167 (CMT) and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). We previously showed that CMT167 tumors are eradicated by anti-PD1 therapy, whereas LLC tumors are resistant. RNA sequencing analysis of cancer cells recovered from tumors revealed that csMHCII correlated with response to anti-PD1 therapy, with immunotherapy-sensitive CMT167 cells being csMHCII positive, whereas resistant LLC cells were csMHCII negative. To test the functional effects of csMHCII, MHCII expression was altered on the cancer cells through loss- and gain-of-function of CIITA, a master regulator of the MHCII pathway. Loss of CIITA in CMT167 decreased csMHCII and converted tumors from anti–PD-1 sensitive to anti–PD-1 resistant. This was associated with lower levels of Th1 cytokines, decreased T cell infiltration, increased B cell numbers, and decreased macrophage recruitment. Conversely, overexpression of CIITA in LLC cells resulted in csMHCII in vitro and in vivo. Enforced expression of CIITA increased T cell infiltration and sensitized tumors to anti–PD-1 therapy. csMHCII expression was also examined in a subset of surgically resected human lung adenocarcinomas by multispectral imaging, which provided a survival benefit and positively correlated with T cell infiltration. These studies demonstrate a functional role for csMHCII in regulating T cell infiltration and sensitivity to anti–PD-1.
Zhx2 Accelerates Sepsis by Promoting Macrophage Glycolysis via Pfkfb3
Authors: Wang Zehua , Kong Liang , Tan Siyu , Zhang Yankun , Song Xiaojia , Wang Tixiao , Lin Qinghai , Wu Zhuanchang , Xiang Peng , Li Chunyang , Gao Lifen , Liang Xiaohong , Ma Chunhong
Published: March 2020

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition with limited therapeutic options, characterized as excessive systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. Macrophages play critical roles in sepsis pathogenesis. Metabolism orchestrates homeostasis of macrophages. However, the precise mechanism of macrophage metabolism during sepsis remains poorly elucidated. In this study, we identified the key role of zinc fingers and homeoboxes (Zhx2), a ubiquitous transcription factor, in macrophage glycolysis and sepsis by enhancing 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (Pfkfb3) expression. Mice with myeloid Zhx2-specific deletion (abbreviated as MKO) showed more resistance to cecal ligation and puncture and LPS-induced sepsis, exhibiting as prolonged survival, attenuated pulmonary injury, and reduced level of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Interestingly, Zhx2 deletion conferred macrophage tolerance to LPS-induced glycolysis, accompanied by reduced proinflammatory cytokines and lactate. Consistently, treatment of glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose almost completely abrogated the protection of mice from LPS-induced sepsis initiated by Zhx2 deletion in macrophages. RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that Zhx2 enhanced transcription of Pfkfb3, the glycolysis rate-limiting enzyme, via binding with Pfkfb3 promoter. Furthermore, Pfkfb3 overexpression not only rescued the reduction of macrophage glycolysis caused by Zhx2 deficiency, displaying as extracellular acidification rates and lactate production but also destroyed the resistance of mice to LPS-induced sepsis initiated by transfer of bone marrow–derived macrophages from MKO mice. These findings highlight the novel role of transcription factor Zhx2 in sepsis via regulating Pfkfb3 expression and reprogramming macrophage metabolism, which would shed new insights into the potential strategy to intervene sepsis.
Deep learning in Emergency Medicine: Recent contributions and methodological challenges
Authors: Faita Francesco
Published: March 2020

In the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has grown dramatically impacting several fields of human knowledge and medicine in particular. Among other approaches, deep learning, which is a subset of AI based on specific computational models, such as deep convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks, has shown exceptional performance in images and signals processing. Accordingly, emergency medicine will benefit from the adoption of this technology. However, a particular attention should be devoted to the review of these papers in order to exclude overoptimistic results from clinically transferable ones. We presented a group of studies recently published on PubMed and selected by keywords ‘deep learning emergency medicine’ and ‘artificial intelligence emergency medicine’ with the aim of highlighting their methodological strengths and weaknesses, as well as their clinical usefulness.
Nationwide Exposure of U.S. Working Dogs to the Chagas Disease Parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Meyers Alyssa C. , Purnell Julia C. , Ellis Megan M. , Auckland Lisa D. , Meinders Marvin , Hamer Sarah A.
Published: March 2020

Trypanosoma cruzi is a zoonotic protozoan parasite vectored by triatomine insects that are endemic to the Americas, including the southern United States. Surveillance of domestic dogs for T. cruzi exposure allows for the determination of geographic regions of transmission that are relevant for human and animal health. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) working dogs provide critical security and detection services across the country, and many train or work in the southern United States, where they are at risk for T. cruzi exposure. We sampled blood from 1,610 working dogs (predominantly Belgian Malinois, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers) from six task forces (including the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Secret Service, and more) and two canine training centers across 41 states from 2015 to 2018. Canine sera that were reactive on at least two independent serological assays were considered positive for anti–T.-cruzi antibodies. In addition, up to three independent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to detect and type T. cruzi DNA. Overall seroprevalence was 7.5%, and four dogs (0.25%, n = 1,610) had detectable parasite DNA in the blood, comprising parasite discrete taxonomic units (DTUs) TcIV and a coinfection of TcI/TcIV. Dogs that worked within versus outside of the geographic range of established triatomines showed comparable seroprevalence (7.3% and 9.2%, respectively; P = 0.61). Determining the prevalence of T. cruzi in these working dogs and looking at spatially associated risk factors have practical implications for disease risk management and could assist with improved control measures to protect both animal and human health.
Modernismo e nacionalismo: casos paradigmáticos em Portugal e Espanha
Authors: Lousa Teresa
Published: March 2020

O modernismo português que irrompeu nos anos 1914 e seguintes caracterizou-se por uma compleição politicamente tradicionalista, nacionalista e antiliberal. Personalidades desta geração como António Ferro e Raul Leal cedo manifestaram o seu interesse pelo fascismo e a sua descrença na República, o que naturalmente levou a que expressaram uma visão política e cultural que acabou por ver no ideário do Estado Novo a confirmação dos seus anseios nacionalistas. Mas também em Espanha Eugenio D’Ors, amigo de Salazar e de António Ferro, constitui um caso paradigmático de um intelectual que tendo colaborado com revistas modernistas como Quatre gats ou Pèl & Ploma, mais tarde acaba por romper com o Modernismo por achar que esta estética era de uma espontaneidade estéril sem direcção.
Demarche dos dispositivos: apontamentos sobre ordens, convergências e situações no campo econômico-financeiro
Authors: Bichoffe Ana Carolina , Diógenes Mateus Baeta
Published: March 2020

Este artigo propõe fazer face à contemporaneidade, que acentua as dimensões cultural e transnacional dos dispositivos. Ao mapear as principais concepções teóricas sobre ‘efeito de verdade’ e performatividade é introduzida uma frente que busca por respostas ao sobre a dominação tecnológica, ou, quer seja, a sociotécnica dos dispositivos na modernidade. E nessa empreitada a importância do Estado é inegável. Ao induzir mercados no uso das métricas e dispositivos, dado seu papel de regulador, os Estados se tornam alvo dos próprios dispositivos. E, por fim, é apresentado um rápido quadro contextual das implicações dos dispositivos – trata-se nada menos que uma reflexão sobre os efeitos estratificadores das classificações econômicas, em situações de classificação que moldam, inclusive, oportunidades para o futuro e para a vida de indivíduos; quer, novamente, sobre os Estados Soberanos e as “múltiplas mãos” que tentam reter e dominar o Estado.
Mídia e mercado: mediações na construção de sentidos do consumo das "roupas de marca"
Authors: Castro Ana Lúcia De
Published: March 2020

Tomando como recorte empírico um bairro localizado na periferia de Santo André, município da Grande São Paulo, este artigo busca contribuir para a compreensão da dimensão simbólica dos bens de consumo e os sentidos a eles atribuídos em contextos periféricos. Abordamos, especificamente, um grupo focal realizado com jovens entre 18 e 25 anos, cujo tema central foi a relação com o universo das grifes, ou, nas palavras dos interlocutores, roupas de marca.  Discute-se, ainda, o papel de guia de orientação cumprido pela mídia, ao difundir estilos de roupas e acessórios, bem como grifes, sobretudo esportivas.   Interessa-nos identificar os modos de apropriação e uso, bem como  motivações para o consumo - para  além das razões de ordem prático-utilitaristas - colocando em discussão a atualidade e pertinência da explicação sociológica hegemônica, que aponta para a lógica da imitação-distinção como principal propulsora para esta prática. (VEBLEN, 1983; SIMMEL, 2006; BOURDIEU, 2007).
The risk mapping for hospitals and the impact for the transport in the Zlín Region
Authors: Vichova, MSc Katerina , Hromada, MD Martin
Published: March 2020

The authors have witnessed an increase in crisis, resulting in significant loss of life and impact on the economy of a given country in recent years. In spite of the efforts and measures of each country’s government to reduce the impact of the crisis, this trend has not been avoided. This trend is observed at all levels—in municipalities, in the Czech Republic, but also the world. Extraordinary events or a crisis ordinarily have the so-called cascade effect that causes other extraordinary events. An example of this may be windstorm, resulting in a power outage. Significant power supply outages are observed in hospitals. Here, it is essential for acute care clients to have a regular intake of electrical energy to ensure their life functions. The introduction of this article refers to the authors, which describes the situation with the increasing number of emergencies. Second, there are described possible cascade effect of the crises. The third part of this article is focused on the flood risk affecting hospitals. The aim of this article is to carry out risk mapping for selected hospitals in the Czech Republic, specifically in the Zlín Region.
A mathematical model for efficient ambulance location based on DSM-MALP integration
Authors: Isfahani, MD Mehdi Nasr , Rafieian, MSc Mohammad Ali , Valikhany, MD Aniseh , Alinaghian, PhD Mehdi
Published: March 2020

Optimal location of medical facilities and vehicles is one of the most crucial aspects of emergency services such that even slight improvements in this regard can save the lives of many people. In the large cities suffering from fluctuating population distribution and traffic congestion, finding the optimal location of ambulance stations can significantly reduce patient mortality due to delay of medical service and thus increase the efficiency of the healthcare sector. This study investigated the current status of ambulance service provided in four districts of Isfahan city (Iran) and assessed the potential for improvement in availability by increasing the number of ambulances and relocating the stations. The main objective of this work is to integrate two ambulance location methods, ie, double standard model (DSM) and maximum availability location problem (MALP), to develop a static probabilistic model, which allows covering radius of stations to be increased according to ambulance availability factor. The efficiency of the developed method was assessed by sensitivity analysis through four different approaches, all indicating an increase in the efficiency compared to the default model.
From silos to coalitions: The evolution of the US Hospital Preparedness Program
Authors: Medcalf, PhD Sharon , Roy, MS, PhD Student Shreya , Bekmuratova, PhD Sarbinaz , ElRayes, MBBCh, PhD, FACHE Wael , Sayles, MS Harlan , Gruba, MS Jonathon , Shope, PhD Ronald
Published: March 2020

Objective: The objective of this article is to trace the hospital emergency preparedness movement in the United States, strengthen the case for hospital investments in emergency preparedness, and make recommendations to ensure sustainability of the program.  Design/Approach: This article is a narrative review. Main themes from the literature about the US Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) are discussed, beginning with the trends in funding levels of the HPP, the rise of regional healthcare coalitions, preparedness performance measures, and the challenges faced over the past 15 years of HPP activities. Finally, recommendations are made about ways to sustain the program.Findings: The HPP was established in 2002 and funding for the program has seen a 56 percent decrease over the last 16 years. Beyond the initial investment in supplies and equipment, hospitals have received very little of the healthcare preparedness funding.Disaster drills and exercises to test emergency plans in hospitals are perceived as a costly distraction from daily work. The biggest challenge is the lack of engagement and support from hospital leadership.Conclusions: To ensure the sustainability of the HPP, the positive impact of preparedness activities on the hospital’s day-to-day operations must be demonstrated.
Tabletop exercise to prepare institutions of higher education for an outbreak of COVID-19
Authors: Wendelboe, PhD Aaron M. , Miller, JD, CRM Amanda , Drevets, MD Douglas , Salinas, MD Linda , Miller E. J. , Jackson Dalton , Chou, PhD Ann , Raines, JD Jill , Working Group Public Health
Published: March 2020

Complete Table Top Exercise Manual
Distributional Implications of Labor Market Reforms
Authors: Stepanyan Ara , Salas Jorge
Published: March 2020

Spain’s structural reforms, implemented around 2012, have arguably contributed to a faster and stronger economic recovery. In particular, there is strong evidence that the 2012 labor market reforms increased wage flexibility, which helped the Spanish economy to regain competitiveness and create jobs. But the impact of these labor reforms on income inequality and social inclusion has not been analyzed much. This paper aims to shed light on this issue by employing an econometric decomposition procedure combined with the synthetic control method. The results indicate that the 2012 labor reforms have helped improve employment and income equality outcomes with no substantial impact on the overall risk of poverty. Nevertheless, the reforms appear to have induced a deterioration of average hours worked, in-work poverty, and possibly also of involuntary part-time employment.
A Model-based Fiscal Taylor Rule and a Toolkit to Assess the Fiscal Stance
Authors: Fournier Jean-Marc , Lieberknecht Philipp
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a model-based fiscal Taylor rule and a toolkit to assess the fiscal stance, defined as the change in the structural primary balance. This is built on the normative buffer-stock model of the government (Fournier, 2019) which includes key channels like hysteresis, cycle-dependent multipliers and a risk premium. A simple fiscal Taylor rule prescribes the fiscal stance as a function of past government debt, past output gap and the past structural primary balance. Applications suggest several advanced economies could have better managed their fiscal stance over the last 20 years. Simulations provide fiscal stance recommendations over the medium-term.
Monetary Policy Transmission in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies
Authors: Brandao-Marques Luis , Gelos R. , Harjes Thomas , Sahay Ratna , Xue Yi
Published: March 2020

Central banks in emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) have been modernizing their monetary policy frameworks, often moving toward inflation targeting (IT). However, questions regarding the strength of monetary policy transmission from interest rates to inflation and output have often stalled progress. We conduct a novel empirical analysis using Jordà’s (2005) approach for 40 EMDEs to shed a light on monetary transmission in these countries. We find that interest rate hikes reduce output growth and inflation, once we explicitly account for the behavior of the exchange rate. Having a modern monetary policy framework—adopting IT and independent and transparent central banks—matters more for monetary transmission than financial development.
Malaysia
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Published: March 2020

The Malaysian economy is stable despite domestic and external challenges. The authorities are making progress on their reform agenda including governance reforms and measures to improve the transparency and management of public finances. Policies should focus on medium-term fiscal consolidation, while safeguarding growth and financial stability. Structural reforms are needed to enshrine in law main governance measures, and to boost productivity to achieve high income status and inclusive growth.