bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of Simulation-based Assessment for Practicing Physicians: Performance is Context-Specific
Authors: Sinz Elizabeth , Banerjee Arna , Steadman Randolph , Shotwell Matthew S , Slagle Jason , McIvor William R , Torsher Laurence , Burden Amanda , Cooper Jeffrey , DeMaria Samuel , Levine Adam I , Park Christine , Gaba David M , Weinger Matthew B , Boulet John R
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Even physicians who routinely work in complex, dynamic practices may be unprepared to optimally manage challenging critical events. High-fidelity simulation can realistically mimic critical clinically relevant events, however the reliability and validity of simulation-based assessment scores for practicing physicians has not been established.Methods: Standardised complex simulation scenarios were developed and administered to board-certified, practicing anesthesiologists who volunteered to participate in an assessment study during formative maintenance of certification activities. A subset of the study population agreed to participate as the primary responder in a second scenario for this study. The physicians were assessed independently by trained raters on both teamwork/behavioural and technical performance measures. Analysis using Generalisability and Decision studies were completed for the two scenarios with two raters.Results: The behavioural score was not more reliable than the technical score. With two raters > 20 scenarios would be required to achieve a reliability estimate of 0.7. Increasing the number of raters for a given scenario would have little effect on reliability.Conclusions: The performance of practicing physicians on simulated critical events may be highly context-specific. Realistic simulation-based assessment for practicing physicians is resource-intensive and may be best-suited for individualized formative feedback. More importantly, aggregate data from a population of participants may have an even higher impact if used to identify skill or knowledge gaps to be addressed by training programs and inform continuing education improvements across the profession.
Investigation of the relationship between Community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin and the High-mobility group box protein 1-Toll-like receptors-Myeloid differentiation factor 88 signaling pathway in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Authors: Fan Yujie , Ding Ying , Li Yuqin , Zhang Dandan , Yu Min , Zhou Wei-fang , Kong Xiaoxing
Published: January 2021

Background: In recent years, reports of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) have gradually increased, including reports on how these conditions threaten the lives of children. However, the specific mechanism of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin (CARDS TX) and High-mobility group box protein 1-Toll-like receptors-Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (HMGB1-TLRs-MyD88) in MPP and to examine the immune pathogenesis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Methods: Children who were diagnosed with MPP and examined by bronchoscopy were included in the MPP group. Additionally, children who underwent bronchoscopy because of bronchial foreign bodies in the same period were included in the control group. Gene expression of CARDS TX, HMGB1, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Correlations between CARDS TX and HMGB1-TLRs-MyD88 were analyzed. Results: CARDS TX, HMGB1, TLR2, MyD88, and CD14 mRNA expression in BALF in the MPP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (all P< 0.05). CARDS TX mRNA expression was positively correlated with HMGB1, TLR2, MyD88, and CD14 mRNA expression (all P< 0.05). Furthermore, HMGB1 mRNA expression was positively correlated with TLR2, MyD88, and CD14 mRNA expression (all P< 0.05). Conclusions: CARDS TX may participate in the immune pathogenesis of MPP through the HMGB1-TLRs/CD14-MyD88 pathway.
A minimally invasive approach for chronic pancreatitis: combination of Frey procedure and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Saito Kenta , Matsuo Yoichi , Ueda Goro , Omi Kan , Hayashi Yuichi , Imafuji Hiroyuki , Tsuboi Ken , Morimoto Mamoru , Ogawa Ryo , Takahashi Hiroki , Naitoh Itaru , Hayashi Kazuki , Kataoka Hiromi , Takiguchi Shuji
Published: January 2021

Background: The treatment of chronic pancreatitis requires a surgical approach in patients refractory to medical therapy. During surgical treatment, ductal decompression is required, but a pancreatectomy is necessary for some patients, such as those with severe stenosis of the pancreatic duct. Importantly, inadequate procedures lead to recurrent pancreatitis. We used a minimally invasive approach for patients with severe stenosis of the pancreatic duct. In this report, we aim to present the feasibility and outcomes of our approach. Methods: We selected a laparoscopic approach for the distal pancreatectomy because these parts are relatively safe and the effect of reducing the length of the wound is substantial. We selected an open approach for parts of the Frey procedure because complete ductal compression has a high risk for injury to the vessels posterior to the pancreas. We examined operative outcomes, postoperative complications and recurrence of pancreatitis.Results: Our approach was performed in three patients from January 2018 to December 2018. No intraoperative complications occurred and the postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. There were no recurrence of pancreatitis and no postoperative pain in all patients in the over two years follow-up. Conclusion: Our hybrid method focusing on complete ductal compression with safety and minimal invasiveness is the optimal approach for the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis which requires a pancreatectomy with the Frey procedure.
Wind and Gravity in Shaping Picea Trunks
Authors: Larjavaara Markku , Auvinen Mikko , Kantola Anu , Mäkelä Annikki
Published: January 2021

Understanding why trunks (tree stems) are the size that they are is important. However, this understanding is fragmented into isolated schools of thought and has been far from complete. Realistic calculations on minimum trunk diameters needed to resist bending moments caused by wind and gravity would be a significant step forward. However, advancements using this biomechanical approach have been delayed by difficulties in modelling bending of trunks and wind gusts. We felled and measured five Norway spruces (Picea abies) in an unthinned monoculture in southeastern Finland planted 67 years earlier. We focused on forces working on storm-bent (maximally bent) trees caused by gravity and the strongest gust in a one-hour simulation with a large-eddy simulation model. The weakest points along the trunks of the three largest trees resisted mean above-canopy wind speeds ranging from 10.2 m s-1 to 12.7 m s-1 (3.3-fold in the strongest gust), but the two smallest were well protected by a dense layer of leaves from the bending tops of larger trees, and could have resisted stronger winds. Gravity caused approximately one quarter of the critical bending moments. The wind that breaks the trunks in their weakest points is close to breaking them in other points, supporting importance of bending moments caused by wind and gravity in evolution of trunk taper. This approach could also be used to model tree biomasses and how those may change with changing climate.
Clinical characteristics and predictive value of lower CD4+T cell level in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Wen Xue-song , Jiang Dan , Gao Lei , Zhou Jian zhong , Xiao Jun , Cheng Xiao-cheng , He Bin , Chen Yue , Lei Peng , Tan Xiao-wei , Qin Shu , Zhang Dongying
Published: January 2021

BackgroundIn December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Moreover, it has become a global pandemic. This is of great value in describing the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients in detail and looking for markers which are significant to predict the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.MethodsIn this multicenter, retrospective study, 476 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled from a consecutive series. After screening, a total of 395 patients were included in this study. All-cause death was the primary endpoint. All patients were followed up from admission till discharge or death.ResultsThe main symptoms observed in the study included fever on admission, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The most common comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Patients with lower CD4+T cell level were older and more often male compared to those with higher CD4+T cell level. Reduced CD8+T cell level was an indicator of the severity of COVID-19. Both decreased CD4+T [HR:13.659; 95%CI: 3.235-57.671] and CD8+T [HR: 10.883; 95%CI: 3.277-36.145] cell levels were associated with in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients, but only the decrease of CD4+T cell level was an independent predictor of in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients.ConclusionsReductions in lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets were common in COVID-19 patients, especially in severe cases of COVID-19. It was the CD8+T cell level, not the CD4+T cell level, that reflected the severity of the patient’s disease. Only reduced CD4+T cell level was independently associated with increased in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients.Trial registration: Prognostic Factors of Patients With COVID-19, NCT04292964. Registered 03 March 2020. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04292964. Retrospectively registered.
Genomic and clinical characterisation of multidrug-resistant carbapenemase-producing ST231 and ST16 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates colonising patients at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand from 2015 to 2017
Authors: Boonyasiri Adhiratha , Jauneikaite Elita , Brinkac Lauren M. , Greco Chris , Lerdlamyong Kanokorn , Tangkoskul Teerawit , Nguyen Kevin , Thamlikitkul Visanu , Fouts Derrick E.
Published: January 2021

Background: Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) have continually grown as a global public health threat, with significant mortality rates observed across the world. We examined the clinical data from patients with CPE infections and their outcomes, concentrating on Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. We analysed the clinical information, performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and conducted molecular epidemiological and genomic analyses on the isolates to identify patterns in the data.Methods: The clinical characteristics of 33 hospitalised patients with confirmed CPE, including patient-related factors associated with the development of CPE infections, were examined. Patients were divided according to whether they were “colonised” or “infected” with CPE and by the timing and frequency of their rectal swab collections, from which 45 swabs were randomly selected for analysis. CPE isolates were purified, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests performed. Whole genome sequences of these isolates were determined and analysed to compute bacterial multilocus sequence types and plasmid replicon types, infer phylogenetic relationships, and identify antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes.Results: Altogether, 88.9% (40/45) of the CPE isolates were K. pneumoniae. The most abundant carbapenemase gene family in the K. pneumoniae isolates (33/39) was blaOXA-232, with blaNDM-1 additionally identified in 19 of them. All CPE isolates carrying either blaOXA-232 or blaNDM-1 were resistant to meropenem, but only 40 from 45 were susceptible to colistin. Among the CPE-infected patients (n=18) and CPE-colonised patients who developed CPE infections during the study (n=3), all but one received standard colistin-based combination therapy. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the polyclonal spread of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (CPKP) within the patient population, with the following two major subclades identified: ST16 (n=15) and ST231 (n=14). CPKP-ST231 had the highest virulence score of 4 and was associated with primary bacteraemia. The siderophores yersiniabactin and aerobactin, considered to be important virulence factors, were only identified in the CPKP-ST231 genomes.Conclusions: This study has revealed the genomic features of disease-causing or colonising CPE isolates, focusing on antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants. This type of multi-layered analysis can be further exploited in Thailand and elsewhere to modify the regimes used for empirical antibiotic treatment and improve the management strategies for CPE infections in hospitalised patients.
Genetic characterization of G12P[6] and G12P[8] rotavirus strains collected in six African countries between 2010 and 2014
Authors: Rakau Kebareng G. , Nyaga Martin M. , Gededzha Maemu P. , Mwenda Jason M. , Mphahlele M. Jeffrey , Seheri L. Mapaseka , Steele Duncan
Published: January 2021

Background: G12 rotaviruses were first observed in sub-Saharan Africa in 2004 and since then have continued to emerge and spread across the continent and are reported as a significant human rotavirus genotype in several African countries, both prior to and after rotavirus vaccine introduction. This study investigated the genetic variability of 15 G12 rotavirus strains associated with either P[6] or P[8] identified between 2010 and 2014 from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia.Methods: The investigation was carried out by comparing partial VP7 and partial VP4 sequences of the African G12P[6] and G12P[8] strains with the available GenBank sequences and exploring the recognized neutralization epitopes of these strains. Additionally, Bayesian evolutionary analysis was carried out using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) implemented in BEAST to estimate the time to the most recent ancestor and evolutionary rate for these G12 rotavirus strains.Results: The findings suggested that the VP7 and VP4 nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the G12 strains circulating in African countries are closely related, irrespective of country of origin and year of detection, with the exception of the Ethiopian strains that clustered distinctly. Neutralization epitope analysis revealed that rotavirus VP4 P[8] genes associated with G12 had amino acid sequences similar to those reported globally including the vaccine strains in RotaTeq and Rotarix. The estimated evolutionary rate of the G12 strains was 1.016 x10−3 substitutions/site/year and was comparable to what has been previously reported. Three sub-clusters formed within the current circulating lineage III shows the diversification of G12 from three independent ancestries within a similar time frame in the late 1990s.Conclusions: At present it appears to be unlikely that widespread vaccine use has driven the molecular evolution and sustainability of G12 strains in Africa. Continuous monitoring of rotavirus genotypes is recommended to assess the long-term impact of rotavirus vaccination on the dynamic nature of rotavirus evolution on the continent.
Gender Intentional Approaches to Enhance Health Social Enterprises in Africa: A Qualitative Study of Constraints and Strategies
Authors: McKague Kevin , Harrison Sarah , Musoke Jenipher
Published: January 2021

Background: Health social enterprises are experimenting with community health worker (CHW) models that allow for various income-generating opportunities to motivate and incentivize CHWs. Although evidence shows that improving gender equality contributes to the achievement of health outcomes, gender-based constraints faced by CHWs working with social enterprises in Africa have not yet been empirically studied. This study is the first of its kind to address this important gap in knowledge. Methods: We conducted 36 key informant interviews and 21 focus group discussions between 2016 and 2019 (for a total of 175 individuals: 106 women and 69 men) with four health social enterprises in Uganda and Kenya and other related key stakeholders and domain experts. Interview and focus group transcripts were coded according to gender-based constraints and strategies for enhanced performance as well as key sites for intervention. Results: We found that CHW programs can be more gender responsive. We introduce the Gender Integration Continuum for Health Social Enterprises as a tool that can help guide gender equality efforts. Data revealed female CHWs face seven unique gender-based constraints (compared to male CHWs): 1) higher time burden and lack of economic empowerment; 2) risks to personal safety; 3) lack of career advancement and leadership opportunities; 4) lack of access to needed equipment, medicines and transport; 5) lack of access to capital; 6) lack of access to social support and networking opportunities; and 7) insufficient financial and non-financial incentives. Data also revealed four key areas of intervention: the health social enterprise, the CHW, the CHW’s partner, and the CHW’s patients. In each of the four areas, gender responsive strategies were identified to overcome constraints and contribute to improved gender equality and community health outcomes. Conclusions: This is the first study of its kind to identify the key gender-based constraints and gender responsive strategies for health social enterprises in Africa using CHWs. Findings can assist organizations working with CHWs in Africa (social enterprises, governments or non-governmental organizations) to develop gender responsive strategies that increase the gender and health outcomes while improving gender equality for CHWs, their families, and their communities.
Internationalisation as a Long-Term Strategic Project of the Post-War Renewal of the Yugoslav Archaeology (1950–1971)
Authors: Lorber Črtomir , Novaković Predrag
Published: January 2021

Archaeology in the countries which belonged to Yugoslavia (1918–1991) was mosaic of different traditions. The development of archaeology was greatly affected by political changes in the last 150 years; all of them required significant re-contextualisation of the discipline and its practice. The renewal of archaeology after the Second World War, in the context of Socialist Yugoslavia, acted on both levels, in building-up the existing national (republican) archaeological disciplinary frameworks, and in forging ‘new’ common Yugoslav archaeology. Key role in this process played the Archaeological Society of Yugoslavia, established in 1950 as the principal coordinating scholarly organisation in the country. The Society’s immediate task was to create conditions for the cooperation of all archaeologists in the country, including the international promotion of the (new) Yugoslav archaeology. Despite having less than 100 archaeologists in the 1950s, the Society designed very ambitious program of ‘internationalisation’ (e.g. exchange of publications, participation at the international conferences, grants, invitation to foreign scholars, special publications published exclusively in foreign languages etc.) which proved highly successful in a very short time. The peak of these endeavours was participation at the 1st International Congress of Slavic Archaeology in Warsaw (1965) and organisation of the 8th Congress of the UISPP in Belgrade (1971); the event which could not be organised without intensive promotion and networking of the Yugoslav archaeologists in the international academic arena in the 1950s and 1960s.
Pottery and Non-Sedentary Communities: Origins, Technology and Usage
Authors: Vuković Jasna
Published: January 2021

The introduction of the skill of pottery-making has been recognized as the turning point in the human past from the very inception of the disciplines of archaeology/anthropology. Until recently, pottery has been explained as a part of the Neolithic package and linked to the beginnings of agriculture and sedentarism. However, the pottery registered among the hunters-gatherers of the late Pleistocene in the Far East has demonstrated beyond doubt that it represents an innovation completely independent from plant cultivation and domestication of animals. This has induced a reconsideration of our knowledge. Although various hypotheses explained the appearance of the earliest pottery, it seems today that the invention of pottery technology was most probably induced by utilitarian, practical reasons. On the grounds of the analyses of the organic contents of the vessels, their qualities and the distribution of use alterations, it is certain that pottery is closely linked to preparation and partially with storage of food of animal, often aquatic origin, and sometimes of nuts. On the other hand, the causes and mechanisms of adoption of pottery as a new technology may have been diverse and dependent on various factors. For example, pottery production may be seen as prestige technology among hunters-gatherers, where individuals compete for power, prestige and status by organizing feasts, but in the non-stratified societies as well, where it was used as a medium during the festivities aimed at strengthening the group cohesion, or on the occasion of marriages of members of different groups, where they are reminded of communal obligations and alliances. One of the characteristics of pottery in mobile communities is its close link to twined/woven objects: many pottery assemblages from these groups bear traces on their surfaces that are the consequence of pressing such material (cords, baskets, sacks, mats, fabric, etc.), so sometimes “ceramization” of these older technologies is mentioned. However, the importance of spun material should be stressed in the technology of pottery production. These may have been used in the process of modelling of vessels, as supports or moulds. Finally, the text considers the Starčevo pottery. In spite of the fact that it “reaches” into the Balkans along with other characteristics of the Neolithic package, it performs important similarities to the pottery of mobile communities, from its transportability as a desired feature, to indications that at least some forms were executed in baskets as moulds. The examples of the Starčevo pottery exist bearing the impressions of textile on their interior surfaces, probably due to easier separation of the dried vessel from the mould. All these data raise the issue of interdependence of soft technologies and pottery, as well as wider questions, such as mechanisms of cultural transmission.
Written in Stone, Cast in Bronze: Durability of Archaeological Interpretation of Prehistoric Hoards in the Valley of Sava
Authors: Šošić-Klindžić Rajna , Kalafatić Hrvoje , Mihaljević Marija
Published: January 2021

The process of archaeological inference begins prior to the beginning of interpretation or even the actual discovery of a particular object. Certain objects, materials, or groups of finds raise more intense interest among researchers and general public alike. Object made of precious materials and minerals are particularly attractive, especially if they are recovered from even more attractive contexts such as richly furnished graves or groups of objects found together – hoards. Objects deposited in groups of identical or similar artefacts, particularly if laid into a recipient such as a vessel or a casket, have raised attention for centuries or even longer. Researchers and general audience are equally interested in hoards consisting of precious metals, jewellery, weapons, and principally of coins. In the context of archaeological research and interpretation, hoards consisting of ordinary everyday objects, such as raw and semi-processed materials and tools, also figure prominently. In their form and context, they are similar to hoards containing precious objects, and are therefore intriguing to researchers, since it is expected that some of enduring questions on behaviour of prehistoric people, especially in symbolic domain, will be solved by examining these finds. Ascribing symbolic meaning to hoards has been the constant practice of archaeologists from the times of formation of professional archaeology till today. This text is a review of interpretations of stone and bronze hoards, registered in the region of the valley of Sava, and dated into late Neolithic and Late Bronze Age. The exceptionality of the finds in the perception of archaeologists dictates the archaeological interpretation, not only of the particular find, but also of the whole context. Hoards and depositions, along with many other archaeological assemblages of finds, are mainly interpreted according to the dominant narrative and conceptual framework of prehistoric society as the one of primordial communities, whose every action is imbued by ritual and mystery, at the same time being exceptionally rational in their economic relations.
Social Changes and Language Use in the Families of Banat Swabians Between the Two World Wars
Authors: Krel Aleksandar , Mandić Marija
Published: January 2021

The paper investigates language ideology and language use in the families of Banat Swabians between the two world wars. It is argued that the linguistic practices of the Banat Swabians cannot be understood without insight into the historical context and the most important ideological nuclei of the Danube Swabians, as the ethnic group to which they belong. The analysis is therefore based on previous research on the Danube Swabians, primarily carried out by historians, anthropologists and linguists, and on contemporary field research carried out within the German Banat community. The paper shows that the Banat Swabians in the interwar period are characterized by the heterogeneity of language ideologies and practices, which depends on their family and social status, as well as on the changing socio-political circumstances in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and Europe at that time. The language ideologies of the Banat Swabians, as shown in the paper, oscillated between national (standardizing) and local (vernacular). Language use was characterized by standard language culture and diglossia of Swabian (vernacular variety of German) and Hochdeutsch (literary, standardized variety). The social values attributed to local Swabian varieties in the school, in the local German press and within Swabian families also fluctuated between stigmatisation and admiration. As the Swabians inhabited areas where German was not the majority language, they praised and practiced multilingualism, especially in the public sphere. The language repertoire of all social strata included almost all the main languages of the Banat social environment – German, Hungarian, Serbian, Romanian, etc. Furthermore, we argue that the Banat Swabians perceived the entire area of the former Monarchy, and partly Germany, as interconnected cultural and social spaces. Transnational mobility was thus an integral part of their everyday and family life.
(Anti)Fascism and Superhero Comics: An Anthropological Examination of Innovativeness in Comic Books as Exemplified by V for Vendetta
Authors: Zarić Miloš
Published: January 2021

The paper analyzes the V for Vendetta comic books, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. These volumes are graphic novels whose characteristics place them in the literary genre of the critical dystopia, but they have also been associated with the genre of the superhero comic, which, according to a number of authors including Alan Moore, is inextricably linked to the ideology and practice of the political right, which in its extreme form assumes the form of fascism. The way that fascism is treated in that work, as well as in two other comics discussed in the paper (Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s Watchmen and Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns), is linked to the way in which the process of creativity/innovativeness functioned in the context of the revision/deconstruction of the superhero comic book genre in the 1980s, both on the collective (intra-genre) and the individual level, on the level of the thought structure of the British writer Alan Moore. Using the structural-semiotic model of analysis, the paper seeks to fathom the logic of this deconstruction procedure "broken down" into the three comic books discussed in the paper, with particular emphasis on the analysis of V for Vendetta, with the aim of establishing its "hidden", connotative semantic dimension. The study adopts a modern view of the comic book according to which the essence of this medium, which distinguishes it from other narrative and graphic forms of expression as well as from film, can be recognized in the specific, sequential way of combining its visual and narrative components, thus generating meanings whose interpretation depends on the intention of the author but also on the view of the reader.
Raise Your Voice: The Multicultural Question and the Birth of Migrant Literature in Italy
Authors: F. Fontefrancesco Michele
Published: January 2021

At a time when Italian society is experiencing a surge of ethnic intolerance and xenophobia, the paper addresses the question: "what role can migrant literature play in creating a multicultural society?" In so doing, the paper continues the debate opened in the 50th issue of this journal concerning the anthropological relevance of migrant literature. It shifts the analysis to Italy and looks at the period of fast demographic, legal, and cultural transformation that occurred between the 1980s and the 1990s. This is the moment when Italy turned into an international destination for global migration; a change that also required a cultural change in the country in terms of multiculturalism. Thus, the paper explores the birth of Italian migrant literature and presents the main steps in the development of this genre, which encompasses both bottom-up and top-down initiatives. The analysis suggests migrant literature is a key cultural medium through which the new migrant communities have negotiated their cultural presence in the country and created a bridge and a comprehensive cultural framework within which the different cultures of the new Italians can coexist and mix with the old ones. In this respect, the development of migrant literature can be read as a tool for integration and a fertile ground for cultural innovation. At the same time, the analysis also points out the power relations that underpin the process of cultural creation and the strategies used by migrants in order to achieve legitimacy.
Astaxanthin Recovery from Shrimp Residue by Solvent Ethanol Extraction Using Choline Chloride:Glycerol Deep Eutectic Solvent as Adjuvant
Authors: dos Santos Cleidijane , Padilha Carlos , Damasceno Karla , Leite Pedro , de Araújo Ana , Freitas Priscila , Vieira Érica , Cordeiro Angela , de Sousa Jr. Francisco , de Assis Cristiane
Published: January 2021

The present study investigated the use of choline chloride:glycerol deep eutectic solvent as an adjuvant for tuning the ethanol extraction of astaxanthin from Litopenaeus vannamei processing residues. The adjuvant concentration did not show a clear trend on the total carotenoid, however, the addition of adjuvant proved to be advantageous in the ultrasound-assisted experiments. In order to establish a balance between total carotenoid and productivity, an operational condition with ultrasound, 5% (m/v) choline chloride:glycerol and 10 min of incubation was selected, which provided 737.69 μg g-1 total carotenoids and 32.71 μg g-1 astaxanthin. When compared to the astaxanthin standard, the shrimp residue extract obtained greater antioxidant activity in free radical scavenging tests. In addition, the shrimp residue extract dramatically reduced the dosage of norfloxacin (up to 87.5%) and gentamicin (up to 75.0%) antibiotics in tests to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria.
Dix mille ans de peuplement humain sur le versant nord des Pyrénées (21000-11000 cal BP) entre unification et régionalisation culturelles
Authors: Langlais Mathieu , Fat Cheung Célia , Laroulandie Véronique , Lefebvre Alexandre , Marquebielle Benjamin , Pétillon Jean-Marc
Published: January 2021

Les dix derniers millénaires d’occupation humaine paléolithique ont laissé d’abondants témoignages le long du versant nord-pyrénéen. Si les fluctuations climatiques et leurs conséquences environnementales ont pu conditionner l’exploitation de certains territoires en altitude, le piémont semble en revanche avoir constitué un vaste espace favorable à l’implantation humaine entre des reliefs et vallées progressivement libérées des glaces, l’ouverture de la plaine aquitaine, les littoraux atlantiques et méditerranéens. À partir de travaux récemment aboutis ou en cours, et d’ensembles de sites clés révisés, nous proposons une synthèse sur les principales évolutions des équipements lithiques et osseux et sur des comportements originaux (économie littorale, consommation des petits gibiers) entre 21000 et 11000 cal BP. Les différents segments chronoculturels sont représentés de façon très inégale. Au-delà de ce constat, nous évoquerons les raisons possibles de cette situation contrastée (conservation des sites, état de la recherche ou réalité de peuplement). Il s’agira finalement de mieux comprendre ses variations internes et ses interactions avec le Bassin aquitain et le nord de la Péninsule ibérique mais également avec les rivages atlantiques et méditerranéens.
A thermodynamic modeling of 2-bed adsorption desalination to promote main equipment performance
Authors: Amirfakhraei Amirhossein , Khorshidi Jamshid , Zarei Taleb
Published: January 2021

Adsorption desalination utilizes the discrete adsorption of the water vapor from the evaporator, and is capable of being discharged to the condenser. This study illuminated an advanced cycle of mass and heat recovery among beds, condensers, and evaporators. Morover, the thermodynamic modeling of adsorption desalination systems (ADS) under different operating conditions was investigated. Furthermore, its effect on the evaporator vapor production and the water vapor adsorption and desorption in the adsorption beds were accounted for. Parenthetically, the mathematical model of ADS thermodynamics was validated with the experimental data. Besides, the advanced ADS modeling was conducted via mass and heat recovery among beds, condensers, and evaporators. In addition to the amount of desalinated water, the time history chart of the equipment applied in the process with and without the thermal and mass recovery is also illustrated. Finally, under such operating conditions, the specific daily water production (SDWP) advanced ADS is 153% higher than conventional ADS.
Fate and persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes through a multi-barrier treatment facility for direct potable reuse
Authors: Wallmann Lina , Krampe Jörg , Lahnsteiner Josef , Radu Elena , van Rensburg Pierre , Slipko Katarzyna , Wögerbauer Markus , Kreuzinger Norbert
Published: January 2021

Given the availability of technological solutions and guidelines for safe drinking water, direct potable reuse of reclaimed water has become a promising option to overcome severe lack of potable water in arid regions. However, the growing awareness of the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in corresponding raw wastes has led to new safety concerns. This study investigated the fate of ARB and intracellular and extracellular ARG after each treatment step of an advanced water treatment facility in Windhoek, Namibia. The New Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant (NGWRP) produces drinking water from domestic secondary wastewater treatment plant effluent and directly provides for roughly a quarter of Windhoek's potable water demand. Procedures to study resistance determinants were based on both molecular biology and culture-based microbiological methods. TaqMan real-time PCR was employed to detect and quantify intracellular resistance genes sul1, ermB, vanA, nptII and nptIII as well as extracellular resistance gene sul1. The NGWRP reduced the amount of both culturable bacterial indicators as well as the resistance genes to levels below the limit of detection in the final product. The main ozonation and the ultrafiltration had the highest removal efficiencies on both resistance determinants.
Methodical approaches to assessing categories of occupational risk predetermined by various health disorders among workers related to occupational and labor process factors
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies,82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Zaitseva N.V. , Shur P.Z. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies,82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Alekseev V.B. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies,82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Savochkina A.A. ,   Perm National Research Polytechnic University, 29 Komsomolskiy Ave., Perm, 614990, Russian Federation, Savochkin A.I. ,   National Research University «Higher School of economics», 20 Myasnitskaya Str., Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation, Khrushcheva E.V. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

If we want to assess occupational risks predetermined by various health disorders among workers related to occupational factors and labor process factors, we need to examine whether additional methods can be applied here; these methods should allow not only quantitative determination of occupational risk but also its adequate categorizing. A procedure for risk assessment based on fuzzy sets analysis can be considered and applied for the matter. Suggested methodical approaches to occupational risk assessment based on this procedure involve step-by-step accomplishment of the following stages: determining fuzzy figures corresponding to preset occupational risk levels; preparing initial data (numeric characteristics of occupational risk) for calculations; probabilistic assessment whether a numeric characteristic of occupational risk belongs to fuzzy numbers; and estimated probability of belonging of occupational risk numeric characteristic. A basic instrument for implementing the procedure is determining a membership function for a trapezoid fuzzy number that estimates whether determined risk assessments belong to a specific risk category. We suggested a scale for assessing occupational risk levels, starting from negligible (0–1∙10-4) to extremely high (3∙10-1–1) and corresponding boundaries of trapezoid fuzzy interval (four figures that define a trapezoid number). The procedure was tested in a situation when occupational diseases (sensorineural hearing loss), work-related diseases (arterial hypertension), and their combinations were revealed under exposure to noise equal to 85 dBA; the tests allowed establishing that membership functions were equal to 1 for all risk levels determined as per results obtained via epidemiologic research
Factors that cause contagion and spread of HIV among people from social risk groups
Authors:   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E. A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Golodnova S.O. , Fel'dblyum I.V. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E. A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Yurkova L.V. ,   Perm Regional Ministry of Territorial Security, 14 Kuibysheva Str., Perm, 614006, Russian Federation, Sarmometov E.V. ,   Perm Regional Center for the Prevention and Control over AIDS and Infectious Diseases, 21 Arkhitektora Sviyazeva Str., Perm, 614088, Russian Federation, Nikolenko V.V. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E. A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Despite all significant efforts being made by the public healthcare, state authorities, and public organizations, HIV-infection has been a topical issue over the last 30 years. Commercial sex workers (CSW) are a basic risk group when it comes down to this infection. Our research goal was to determine HIV prevalence among commercial sex workers and risk factors that cause their contagion with it. We performed an epidemiologic analytical ecologic examination to study HIV prevalence risk factors that cause spread of this infection among CSW. 154 CSW were questioned with a sociological procedure applied to do it; they lived in three cities in Perm region, and morbidity with HIV was higher than on average in the region in two of them, B. and K. The city P. was taken as a reference territory due to a relatively favorable situation with HIV infection spread there. Risk factors that caused HIV infection were determined via an observational analytical case-control study; the «case» group was made up of 46 CSW who were infected with HIV and the control group included 108 CSW who didn’t have this infection. All the obtained data were statistically processed with SPSS Statistics 17.0 and Statistica 6.0 software packages. HIV prevalence among commercial sex workers was rather different on the examined territories. It amounted to 42.6% and 35.0% in cities B. and K. and it was 2.3 and 1.9 times higher accordingly than in city P. It was detected that there were several factors making for HIV infection spread among CSW; they were high morbidity with HIV on a given territory; an early start of sexual life; disregard of contraception; drug abuse; medical services and prevention programs being hardly available to CSW. A high probability that CSW would get infected with HIV was determined for people who didn’t use condoms, took drugs intravenously, and were not epidemiologically alerted to HIV infection
Polymorphism of folate cycle genes as a risk factor of hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors:   Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, 6 Akademika Lebedeva Str., Saint Petersburg, 194044, Russian Federation, Ivanov A.M. , Gil'manov A.Zh. ,   Bashkirian State Medical University, 3 Lenina Str., Ufa, 450000, Russian Federation, Malyutina N.N. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Khovaeva Ya.B. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Nenasheva O.Yu. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation,   «MedLabEkspress» LLC, 14 A Gaidara Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, El'kin G.I. ,   Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, 6 Akademika Lebedeva Str., Saint Petersburg, 194044, Russian Federation, Sosnin D.Yu. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHc) is a new factor being considered at the moment that can cause damage to vessel walls. Its occurrence depends on genetic peculiarities of a body. Our research goal was to estimate frequency of genetic polymorphisms (SNP) in folate cycle genes among people living in Perm region and its influence on homocysteine (Hc) concentration in blood serum. We examined 189 women (32.2±5.25). Hc concentration in blood serum was determined with immune chemiluminescent procedure. We examined frequency of SNP in folate cycle genes with pyrosequencing. Homozygote state as per minor alleles in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (rs 1801133 и rs 1801131) and MTR gene (rs 1805087) was registered 7.5, 5.4, and 13.75 times less frequently than homozygote state as per neutral alleles. Heterozygote state prevailed for genes of methionine synthase reductase and folate transport protein among examined SNP. Homozygotes as per minor allele SNP in MTHFR gene (Ala222Val; rs 1801133) had higher Hc concentration in blood serum that amounted to 8.476 ± 3.193 mmol/L and was 1.276 times higher than the same parameter in homozygotes as per neutral allele (р=0.0036). We didn’t establish any influence on Hc contents in blood serum for the remaining 4 SNP in folate cycle genes (р> 0.1). Examined SNP in MTHFR and MTR genes tended to have neutral alleles more frequently than minor ones. SNP in genes of other examined proteins belonging to folate cycle didn’t have any differences in frequency of examined alleles. We didn’t detect a combination of homozygote state as per two SNP in MTHFR gene or homozygote state as per one SNP and heterozygote state as per another one in a genome. Only SNP in MTHFR gene (Ala222Val, rs 1801133) authentically causes increase in homocysteine concentration out of all the examined SNP in genes of folate cycle enzymes and proteins
Spread das debêntures brasileiras: Uma aplicação da Modelagem de Equações Estruturais sob os direcionadores de covenants brasileiros
Authors: Alves Confessor Kliver Lamarthine , Dos Santos Josete Florencio
Published: January 2021

Este artigo identificou quais são os constructos formados a partir dos direcionadores de covenants que exercem efeito sob o Spread das debêntures emitidas por empresas brasileiras listadas na Brasil, Bolsa e Balcão, no período de 2010 a 2018, sob a hipótese de que os covenants possuem conteúdo informacional e podem influenciar a valorização das debêntures. A amostra é composta por 225 emissões primárias de debêntures de empresas brasileiras. Os direcionadores de covenants foram identificados a partir dos formulários de referência das empresas e as demais variáveis desse estudo foram obtidas por meio da consulta aos endereços eletrônicos das empresas emissoras de debêntures, no Sistema Nacional de Debêntures (SND) e na base de dados do Economatica®. Para o spread das debêntures, tomou-se como base quatro perspectivas de mensuração, uma medida padrão, denominada por Spread_G e outras três medidas conforme os indexadores: DI, DI + % e IPCA + %, denominadas, respectivamente, por Spread_DI, Spread_DIMAIS e Spread_IPCAMAIS. Os dados foram analisados pela modelagem de equações estruturais e os resultados sugerem que duas dimensões são relevantes: Desempenho Financeiro, Situação Patrimonial e de Endividamento (DFSPE) para o spread_DIMAIS; e Comprometimento da Dívida (CD) para o spread_DIMAIS e spread_DI e são medidas que influenciam o spread das debêntures e também na função de reduzir o conflito de agência. Portanto, investidores e demais interessados na avaliação das debêntures devem considerar estas medidas durante o processo de avaliação do risco e retorno.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Therapy Resistance in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Authors: Isshiki Yusuke , Melnick Ari
Published: January 2021

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histological subtype of
non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma (NHL), and manifests highly heterogeneous genetic/phenotypic
characteristics as well as variable responses to conventional immunochemotherapy. Genetic profiling
of DLBCL patients has revealed highly recurrent mutations of epigenetic regulator genes such
as CREBBP, KMT2D, EZH2 and TET2. These mutations drive malignant transformation through
aberrant epigenetic programming of B-cells and may influence clinical outcomes. These and other
chromatin modifier genes also play critical roles in normal B-cells, as they undergo the various
phenotypic transitions characteristic of the humoral immune response. Many of these functions
have to do with impairing immune surveillance and may critically mediate resistance to immunotherapies.
In this review, we describe how epigenetic dysfunction induces lymphomagenesis
and discuss ways of implementing precision epigenetic therapies to reverse these immune resistant
phenotypes.