bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sunshine-based Global Solar Radiation Modelling: Case Study of Putrajaya, Malaysia
Authors: Go Yun Ii , Tsung Kheng Yew
Published: November 2020

Electricity demands are on the rise and with it, carbon dioxide emissions from many conventional power plants are increasing. In the efforts to mitigate such phenomena, the Malaysian government seeks to implement Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) projects. Early stage studies on Global Solar Radiation (GSR) have been carried out in several states in Malaysia including Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu. Afterward, data from the Malaysia Meteorological Department and the Malaysia National University have been used to estimate the monthly average daily global radiation in various locations in Malaysia. Putrajaya, a location which is implementing Malaysian Building Integrated Photovoltaic (MBIPV) is among the locations where a GSR study is currently absent. Conventional methods exist for GSR estimation with the aid of pyranometer. However, this method of GSR estimation is time consuming and not cost-effective practice. The main objective of this study is to estimate the GSR in Putrajaya. This is achieved in this study by utilizing sunshine-based data with calculated monthly average daily extraterrestrial radiation on a horizontal surface and monthly average maximum possible daily sunshine to plot a linearly fitted graph. Coefficients in the Angstrom-Prescott (A-P) model was generated from the plotted graph and was used for GSR estimation where a = 0.5 and b = 0.11. The mean percentage error (MPE) of the GSR estimation was found to be 3.4. Therefore, the estimation of GSR in Putrajaya have been successful for the first-time using sunshine-based data from dual locations method. The GSR estimation of Putrajaya in this study could benefit stakeholders in civil development sectors, policy and energy authorities.
Technology Feature | Can patients' gut microbes help fight cancer?
Authors: Powell Kendall
Published: November 2020

A healthy gut microbiome seems to be required for immuno-oncology therapies designed to turn up the body's immune response to attack tumors. Researchers have many “black boxes” to fill in on how gut microbes directly or indirectly influence the T cells unleashed by immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. But several groups are betting that microbiome-based therapies can help more patients respond to immunotherapies and become one of the biggest breakthroughs in cancer treatment in decades.
Transferring allergies in the womb
Authors: Rothenberg Marc E.
Published: November 2020

Maternal antibodies prime fetal mast cells in utero for subsequent postnatal allergy responses
Probing COVID's complexity in real time
Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live
Nicholas A. Christakis Little, Brown, 2020. 384 pp.
Authors: Scarpino Samuel V.
Published: November 2020

The pandemic is as much about society, leaders, and values as it is about a pathogen
Tracking development at the cellular level
Authors: Cao Junyue
Published: November 2020

Single-cell genomic methods enable developmental mapping of entire organisms
Work-based risk factors and quality of life in health care workers providing maternal and newborn care during the Sierra Leone Ebola epidemic: findings using the WHOQOL-BREF and HSE Management Standards Tool
Authors: Jones Susan , White Sarah , Ormrod Judith , Sam Betty , Bull Florence , Pieh Steven , Gopalakrishnan Somasundari , van den Broek Nynke
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Before the 2014, Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, healthcare workers (HCWs) faced many challenges. Workload and personal risk of HCWs increased but their experiences of these have not been well explored. HCWs evaluation of their quality of life (QoL) and risk factors for developing work-based stress is important in helping to develop a strong and committed workforce in a resilient health system.

Methods

Cross-sectional study using World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Standards Tools in 13 Emergency Obstetric Care facilities to (1) understand the perceptions of HCWs regarding workplace risk factors for developing stress, (2) evaluate HCWs perceptions of QoL and links to risk factors for workplace stress and (3) assess changes in QoL and risk factors for stress after a stress management programme.

Results

222 completed the survey at baseline and 156 at follow-up. At baseline, QoL of HCWs was below international standards in all domains. There was a significant decrease in score for physical health and psychological well-being (mean decrease (95% CI); 2.3 (0.5–4.1) and 2.3 (0.4–4.1)). Lower cadres had significant decreases in scores for physical health and social relationships (13.0 (3.6–22.4) and 14.4 (2.6–26.2)). On HSE peer-support and role understanding scored highly (mean scores 4.0 and 3.7 on HSE), workplace demands were average or high-risk factors (mean score 3.0). There was a significant score reduction in the domains relationships and understanding of role (mean score reduction (95% CI) 0.16 (0.01–0.31) and 0.11 (0.01–0.21)), particularly among lower cadres (0.83 (0.3–1.4).

Conclusion

HCWs in low-resourced settings may have increased risk factors for developing workplace stress with low QoL indicators; further exploration of this is needed to support staff and develop their contribution to the development of resilient health systems.
Relationship between role stressors, job tasks and job satisfaction among health surveillance assistants in Malawi: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ntopi Simon , Chirwa Ellen , Maluwa Alfred
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the role stressors, sociodemographic characteristics and job tasks of health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and to explore major predictors of role stressors and job satisfaction of HSAs in Malawi.

Setting

Data were collected from health centres and hospitals of three Malawi districts of Mangochi, Lilongwe and Mzimba.

Participants

Respondents were 430 HSAs. 50.20% of them were male, while 49.8% were female.

Design

A cross-sectional study of the observational correlational design was carried out.

Main outcome measures

Respondents perceptions of job tasks, role stressors and job satisfaction.

Results

The key findings of this study were role ambiguity and role overload were significantly negatively related to job satisfaction, while role conflict was insignificantly related to job satisfaction. Additionally, the clinical tasks of the HSAs and some of the sociodemographic variables were associated with the role stressors and job satisfaction of the HSAs in Malawi.

Conclusions

Since the HSAs clinical tasks were significantly related to all role stressors, there is need by the government of Malawi to design strategies to control the role stressors to ensure increased job performance and job satisfaction among HSAs. Furthermore, studies may be required in the future to assist government to control role stressors among HSAs in Malawi.
Embryo incubation by time-lapse systems versus conventional incubators in Chinese women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSI: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chen Miaoxin , Wu Yuanyuan , Huang Xin , Li Wentao , Sun Chunyan , Meng Zhenzhen , Ai Ai , Hong Ling , Tang Chuanling , Li Kunming , Fu Yonglun , Chen Zhiqin , Kong Pengcheng , Guo Yi , Liu Wenqiang , Mol Ben W , Teng Xiaoming
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The time-lapse imaging system (TLS) is a newly developed non-invasive embryo assessment system. Compared with conventional incubators, a TLS provides stable culture conditions and consistent observations of embryo development, thereby potentially improving embryo quality and selection of the best quality embryo. Although TLSs have been routinely used in many in vitro fertilisation (IVF) centres globally, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that TLSs result in higher cumulative live birth rates over conventional incubators. The purpose of this study is to compare the cumulative live birth rates and safety including miscarriage in infertile patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) from both TLSs and conventional incubators.

Methods and analysis

This study is a double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial (1:1 treatment ratio of TLSs vs conventional incubator). A total of 730 patients with DOR undergoing the first or second cycle of IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) will be enrolled and randomised into two parallel groups. Participants will undergo embryo culture in the TLSs (group A) or the conventional incubators (group B), respectively. Embryos are selected for transfer in both groups by the morphological characteristics. The embryo selection algorithm software is not used in the TLSs. The primary outcome is the cumulative live birth rate of the trial IVF/ICSI cycle within 12 months after randomisation. This study is powered to detect an absolute difference of 10% (35% vs 25%) at the significance level of 0.05% and 80% statistical power based on a two-sided test.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial has been approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital (KS1958). All participants in the trial will provide written informed consent. The study will be conducted according to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and its amendments. Results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900027746).
Vascular and metabolic risk factor differences prior to dementia diagnosis: a multidatabase case–control study using European electronic health records
Authors: Perera Gayan , Rijnbeek P R , Alexander Myriam , Ansell David , Avillach Paul , Duarte-Salles Talita , Gordon Mark Forrest , Lapi Francesco , Mayer Miguel Angel , Pasqua Alessandro , Pedersen Lars , van Der Lei Johan , Visser Pieter Jelle , Stewart Robert
Published: November 2020

Objective

The objective of the study is to compare body mass index (BMI), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) and serum total cholesterol levels between dementia cases and controls at multiple time intervals prior to dementia onset, and to test time interval as a modifying factor for these associations.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Six European electronic health records databases.

Participants

291 780 cases at the date of first-recorded dementia diagnosis, compared with 29 170 549 controls randomly selected from the same databases, age matched and sex matched at this index date.

Exposure

The following measures were extracted whenever recorded within each dataset: BMI (kg/m2), SBP and DBP (mm Hg) and serum total cholesterol (mmol/L). Levels for each of these variables were defined within six 2-year time intervals over the 12 years prior to the index date.

Main outcomes

Case–control differences in exposures of interest were modelled for each time period and adjusted for demographic and clinical factors (ischaemic/unspecified stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, acute myocardial infarction, hypertension diagnosis, antihypertensive medication, cholesterol-lowering medication). Coefficients and interactions with time period were meta-analysed across the six databases.

Results

Mean BMI (coefficient −1.16 kg/m2; 95% CI –1.38 to 0.93) and SBP (−2.83 mm Hg; 95% CI –4.49 to –1.16) were lower in cases at diagnosis, and case–control differences were greater in more recent time periods, as indicated by significant case-x-time interaction and case-x-time-squared interaction terms. Time variations in coefficients for cholesterol levels were less consistent between databases and those for DBP were largely not significant.

Conclusion

Routine clinical data show emerging divergence in levels of BMI and SBP prior to the diagnosis of dementia but less evidence for DBP or total cholesterol levels. These divergences should receive at least some consideration in routine dementia risk screening, although underlying mechanisms still require further investigation.
Relationships among shift work, hair cortisol concentration and sleep disorders: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Shen Jiayang , Zhou Ziqi , Sang Lingli , Zhuang Xun , Chu Minjie , Tian Tian , Xiao Jing , Lian Yulong
Published: November 2020

Objective

The present study was designed to demonstrate the relationships among shift work, hair cortisol concentration (HCC) and sleep disorders.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Three petroleum administrations in Karamay city of Xinjiang, China.

Participants

435 individuals including 164 males and 271 females participated in the research.

Outcome measures

Information on shift work was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. HCC was determined using an automatic radioimmunoassay instrument. Sleep quality was measured on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale.

Results

Shiftwork was associated with an increased prevalence of sleep disorders compared with the fixed day shift (two shifts: OR 3.11, 95% CI 1.57 to 6.19; three shifts: OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.38 to 5.98; four shifts: OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.18; others: OR 3.88, 95% CI= 1.36 to 11.08). Workers with different shift patterns had higher HCC levels than day workers ((fixed day shift: geometric mean±geometric SD=2.33±1.65; two shifts: 3.76±1.47; three shifts: 3.15±1.64; four shifts: 3.81±1.55; others: 3.60±1.33) ng/g hair, η2=0.174) and high HCC was associated with the higher prevalence of sleep disorders (OR 4.46, 95% CI 2.70 to 7.35). The mediating effect of HCC on the relationship between shift work and sleep disorders was 0.25 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.41).

Conclusion

We found that, when compared with the fixed day shift, shiftwork was associated with both the higher HCC, and also with an increased risk of sleep disorders. High HCC was associated with the occurrence of sleep disorders. In addition, HCC had mediating effect in shift work and sleep disorders. Thus, HCC can be considered as an early marker of shiftwork circadian disruption to early detection and management of sleep disorders.
Leaving no one behind: using action research to promote male involvement in maternal and child health in Iringa region, Tanzania
Authors: Maluka Stephen , Japhet Paul , Fitzgerald Sian , Begum Khadija , Alexander May , Kamuzora Peter
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Male involvement has been reported to improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. However, most studies in low-income and middle-income countries have reported low participation of men in MCH-related programmes. While there is a growing interest in the involvement of men in MCH, little is known on how male involvement can be effectively promoted in settings where entrenched unequal gender roles, norms and relations constrain women from effectively inviting men to participate in MCH.

Methods and analysis

This paper reports participatory action research (PAR) aimed to promote male participation in pregnancy and childbirth in Iringa Region, Tanzania. As part of the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa project, PAR was conducted in 20 villages in two rural districts in Tanzania. Men and women were engaged separately to identify barriers to male involvement in antenatal care and during delivery; and then they were facilitated to design strategies to promote male participation in their communities. Along with the PAR intervention, researchers undertook a series of research activities. A thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The common strategies designed were: engaging health facility committees; using male champions and male gatekeepers; and using female champions to sensitise and provide health education to women. These strategies were validated during stakeholders’ meetings, which were convened in each community.

Discussion

The use of participatory approach not only empowers communities to diagnose barriers to male involvement and develop culturally acceptable strategies but also increases sustainability of the interventions beyond the life span of the project. More lessons will be identified during the implementation of these strategies.
Traumatic spinal injuries in Saudi Arabia: a retrospective single-centre medical record review
Authors: Alawad Mohammad O , Alenezi Nasser , Alrashedan Bander S , Alsabieh Mohammed , Alnasser Abdulrahman , Abdulkader Rizwan Suliankatchi , Surur Saad
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To describe the patterns and outcomes of traumatic spinal injuries (TSIs) in a tertiary care trauma centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Design

Retrospective medical record review.

Setting

Level 1 trauma centre for all patients presented from 1 February 2016 to 31 December 2018.

Participants and data

Records of patients presenting with any spinal trauma were reviewed, and the data obtained included age, gender, nationality (as Saudi and non-Saudi), date of presentation, site of fracture/injury, associated injuries, mechanism of injury, presence of neurological involvement and hospital mortality.

Main outcomes

Frequencies of different types of TSI across various subgroups.

Results

We identified 692 patients who presented with TSI throughout the study period. The mean age was 36.9 years. Males represented 83.2% (n=576) of the sample size, and the most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (MVC), accounting for 66.8% of cases (n=462), while fall-related injuries were seen in 31.6% of cases (n=219). A total of 454 (65.6%) of all patients were Saudi, and 332 (73.1%) of the TSIs in Saudis were due to MVC. Non-Saudi cases accounted for 238 (34.4%) of all patients, and 89 (37.4%) of the non-Saudi injuries were due to falls from height, and this association was statistically significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion

TSI was not thoroughly examined in Saudi Arabia; therefore, this study is considered the first to be done in the Kingdom using a representative sample. The fact that non-Saudi patients had a higher proportion of falls as a mechanism of injury should be taken into consideration in terms of raising awareness and taking more safety precautions, as most construction workers tend to be expatriates.
Prevalence of limited health literacy and its associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Perak, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Abdullah Adina , Ng Chirk Jenn , Liew Su May , Ambigapathy Subashini , V Paranthaman , Chinna Karuthan
Published: November 2020

Objective

Limited health literacy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) led to poorer diabetes knowledge, less medication adherence and increased healthcare cost. The purpose of this paper was to report the prevalence of limited health literacy in patients with T2DM and to identify factors that are associated with it.

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2018; data on patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes knowledge, perceived social support and health literacy level were collected. Health literacy level was measured using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47).

Setting

Patients were recruited from four primary care clinics in Perak, Malaysia.

Participants

Adult patients diagnosed with T2DM who attended the study clinics during the study period.

Primary outcome variable

Patients with HLS-EU-Q47 General Index of ≤33 points were classified as having limited health literacy.

Results

The prevalence of limited health literacy was 65.3% (n=279). In bivariate analysis, patients’ ethnicity (p=0.04), highest education level (p<0.001), monthly income (p=0.003), having health insurance (p=0.007), English language fluency (p<0.001), Malay language fluency (p=0.021), attending diabetes education sessions (p<0.001), perceived social support (p<0.001) and diabetes knowledge (p=0.019) were factors associated with limited health literacy. In logistic regression, not being fluent in English was associated with limited health literacy (OR=2.36, 95% CI 1.30 to 4.30) whereas having high perceived social support (OR=0.52, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.69) and having attended diabetes education sessions (OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.68) were associated with adequate health literacy.

Conclusion

The prevalence of limited health literacy is high among patients with T2DM in Perak, Malaysia. Strategies to improve health literacy in these patients must consider the influences of English fluency, attendance at diabetes education sessions and social support, and may need to adopt a universal approach to addressing limited health literacy.
Efficacy and safety of early treatment with sarilumab in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome (SARICOR STUDY): protocol of a phase II, open-label, randomised, multicentre, controlled clinical trial
Authors: León López Rafael , Fernández Sheila Cárcel , Limia Pérez Laura , Romero Palacios Alberto , Fernández-Roldán María Concepción , Aguilar Alonso Eduardo , Pérez Camacho Inés , Rodriguez-Baño Jesús , Merchante Nicolás , Olalla Julián , Esteban-Moreno M Ángeles , Santos Marta , Luque-Pineda Antonio , Torre-Cisneros Julian
Published: November 2020

Introduction

About 25% of patients with COVID-19 develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with a high release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). The aim of the SARICOR study is to demonstrate that early administration of sarilumab (an IL-6 receptor inhibitor) in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, pulmonary infiltrates and a high IL-6 or D-dimer serum level could reduce the progression of ARDS requiring high-flow nasal oxygen or mechanical ventilation (non-invasive or invasive).

Methods and analysis

Phase II, open-label, randomised, multicentre, controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy and safety of the administration of two doses of sarilumab (200 and 400 mg) plus best available therapy (BAT) in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome. This strategy will be compared with a BAT control group. The efficacy and safety will be monitored up to 28 days postadministration. A total of 120 patients will be recruited (40 patients in each arm).

Ethics and dissemination

The clinical trial has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the coordinating centre and authorised by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products. If the hypothesis is verified, the dissemination of the results could change clinical practice by increasing early administration of sarilumab in adult patients with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome, thus reducing intensive care unit admissions.

Trial registration number

NCT04357860.
Retrospective comparison of approaches to evaluating inter-observer variability in CT tumour measurements in an academic health centre
Authors: Woo MinJae , Heo Moonseong , Devane A Michael , Lowe Steven C , Gimbel Ronald W
Published: November 2020

Background

A growing number of research studies have reported inter-observer variability in sizes of tumours measured from CT scans. It remains unclear whether the conventional statistical measures correctly evaluate the CT measurement consistency for optimal treatment management and decision-making. We compared and evaluated the existing measures for evaluating inter-observer variability in CT measurement of cancer lesions.

Methods

13 board-certified radiologists repeatedly reviewed 10 CT image sets of lung lesions and hepatic metastases selected through a randomisation process. A total of 130 measurements under RECIST 1.1 (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) guidelines were collected for the demonstration. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman plotting and outlier counting methods were selected for the comparison. The each selected measure was used to evaluate three cases with observed, increased and decreased inter-observer variability.

Results

The ICC score yielded a weak detection when evaluating different levels of the inter-observer variability among radiologists (increased: 0.912; observed: 0.962; decreased: 0.990). The outlier counting method using Bland-Altman plotting with 2SD yielded no detection at all with its number of outliers unchanging regardless of level of inter-observer variability. Outlier counting based on domain knowledge was more sensitised to different levels of the inter-observer variability compared with the conventional measures (increased: 0.756; observed: 0.923; improved: 1.000). Visualisation of pairwise Bland-Altman bias was also sensitised to the inter-observer variability with its pattern rapidly changing in response to different levels of the inter-observer variability.

Conclusions

Conventional measures may yield weak or no detection when evaluating different levels of the inter-observer variability among radiologists. We observed that the outlier counting based on domain knowledge was sensitised to the inter-observer variability in CT measurement of cancer lesions. Our study demonstrated that, under certain circumstances, the use of standard statistical correlation coefficients may be misleading and result in a sense of false security related to the consistency of measurement for optimal treatment management and decision-making.
Knowledge level and factors influencing prevention of COVID-19 pandemic among residents of Dessie and Kombolcha City administrations, North-East Ethiopia: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Kassa Ayesheshim Muluneh , Mekonen Asnakew Molla , Yesuf Kedir Abdu , Woday Tadesse Abay , Bogale Getahun Gebre
Published: November 2020

Objective

In Ethiopia, community-level knowledge about the current COVID-19 pandemic has not been well studied. This study is aimed to assess knowledge level and factors influencing the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic among residents of Dessie and Kombolcha city administrations, Ethiopia.

Design

Community-based cross-sectional study.

Settings

Dessie and Kombolcha city administrations.

Participants

Participants were household heads or members (n=828, >18 years) who have lived in the study area for at least 2 months preceding the survey.

Methods

Binary logistic regression was used for a single outcome and multiple response variables. In the multivariable regression model, a value of p<0.05 and adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI were used to identify factors associated with knowledge level of the community. Epi Info V.7.2 and SPSS V.20 software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively.

Outcome

Knowledge level.

Results

A total of 828 participants was involved with a response rate of 98%. Women were 61.7%. Participants’ mean (±SD) age was 39 (±14) years. Of the total participants 54.11% (95% CI 50.6% to 57.6%) had inadequate knowledge about COVID-19 prevention. Significant associations were reported among women (AOR=1.41; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.92); age ≥65 years (AOR=2.72; 95% CI 1.45 to 5.11); rural residence (AOR=2.69; 95% CI 1.78 to 4.07); unable to read and write (AOR=1.60; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.51); information not heard from healthcare workers, mass media and social media (AOR=1.95; 95% CI 1.35 to 2.82), (AOR=2.5; 95% CI 1.58 to 4.19) and (AOR=2.13; 95% CI 1.33 to 3.42), respectively, with inadequate knowledge.

Conclusion

These findings revealed that more than 50% of participants had inadequate knowledge about COVID-19. It highlights the need for widespread awareness campaigns about COVID-19 through mass media, healthcare professionals and social media as sources of information. House-to-house awareness creation is recommended to address older adults who are more vulnerable to the pandemic.
Folding drives cortical thickness variations
Authors: Holland Maria A. , Budday Silvia , Li Gang , Shen Dinggang , Goriely Alain , Kuhl Ellen
Published: November 2020

The cortical thickness is a characteristic biomarker for a wide variety of neurological disorders. While the structural organization of the cerebral cortex is tightly regulated and evolutionarily preserved, its thickness varies widely between 1.5 and 4.5 mm across the healthy adult human brain. It remains unclear whether these thickness variations are a cause or consequence of cortical development. Recent studies suggest that cortical thickness variations are primarily a result of genetic effects. Previous studies showed that a simple homogeneous bilayered system with a growing layer on an elastic substrate undergoes a unique symmetry breaking into a spatially heterogeneous system with discrete gyri and sulci. Here, we expand on that work to explore the evolution of cortical thickness variations over time to support our finding that cortical pattern formation and thickness variations can be explained – at least in part – by the physical forces that emerge during cortical folding. Strikingly, as growth progresses, the developing gyri universally thicken and the sulci thin, even in the complete absence of regional information. Using magnetic resonance images, we demonstrate that these naturally emerging thickness variations agree with the cortical folding pattern in n = 9 healthy adult human brains, in n = 564 healthy human brains ages 7–64, and in n = 73 infant brains scanned at birth, and at ages one and two. Additionally, we show that cortical organoids develop similar patterns throughout their growth. Our results suggest that genetic, geometric, and physical events during brain development are closely interrelated. Understanding regional and temporal variations in cortical thickness can provide insight into the evolution and causative factors of neurological disorders, inform the diagnosis of neurological conditions, and assess the efficacy of treatment options.
Biological lipid nanotubes and their potential role in evolution
Authors: Gözen Irep , Dommersnes Paul
Published: November 2020

The membrane of cells and organelles are highly deformable fluid interfaces, and can take on a multitude of shapes. One distinctive and particularly interesting property of biological membranes is their ability to from long and uniform nanotubes. These nanoconduits are surprisingly omnipresent in all domains of life, from archaea, bacteria, to plants and mammals. Some of these tubes have been known for a century, while others were only recently discovered. Their designations are different in different branches of biology, e.g. they are called stromule in plants and tunneling nanotubes in mammals. The mechanical transformation of flat membranes to tubes involves typically a combination of membrane anchoring and external forces, leading to a pulling action that results in very rapid membrane nanotube formation – micrometer long tubes can form in a matter of seconds. Their radius is set by a mechanical balance of tension and bending forces. There also exists a large class of membrane nanotubes that form due to curvature inducing molecules. It seems plausible that nanotube formation and functionality in plants and animals may have been inherited from their bacterial ancestors during endosymbiotic evolution. Here we attempt to connect observations of nanotubes in different branches of biology, and outline their similarities and differences with the aim of providing a perspective on their joint functions and evolutionary origin.
Clay nanolayer encapsulation, evolving from origins of life to future technologies
Authors: Fossum Jon Otto
Published: November 2020

Clays are the siblings of graphite and graphene/graphene-oxide. There are two basic ways of using clays for encapsulation of sub-micron entities such as molecules, droplets, or nanoparticles, which is either by encapsulation in the interlayer space of clay nanolayered stacked particles (“the graphite way”), or by using exfoliated clay nanolayers to wrap entities in packages (“the graphene way”). Clays maybe the prerequisites for life on earth and can also be linked to the natural formation of other two-dimensional materials such as naturally occurring graphite and its allotropes. Here we discuss state-of-the-art in the area of clay-based encapsulation and point to some future scientific directions and technological possibilities that could emerge from research in this area.
Distortion of surfactant lamellar phases induced by surface roughness
Authors: Nouhi Shirin , Koutsioubas Alexandros , Kapaklis Vassilios , Rennie Adrian R.
Published: November 2020

Self-assembly is a characteristic property of soft matter. Understanding the factors which assist or perturb this process is of great importance in many biological and industrial processes. Amphiphiles self-assemble and order into a variety of structures including well-ordered lamellar phases. The present work uses neutron reflectometry and neutron scattering to explore the effects of both interface roughness and temperature on the lamellar-phase structure of a non-ionic surfactant at a solid/liquid interface. The structure of concentrated solutions of tetraethyleneglycol dodecyl ether has been compared against a smooth surface and one with a roughness of the order of the lamellar spacing. This has been done in order to investigate the role perturbations have on the overall lamellar order, when these have length scales of the order of the interactions between neighboring lamellae. The results showed that the surfactant forms a well-ordered and aligned structure at a smooth surface, extending to a depth of several micrometers from the interface. Increasing the temperature of the sample and subsequent cooling promotes alignment and increases the number of oriented layers at the surface. The same sample forms a significantly less aligned structure against a rough surface that does not align to the same extent, even after heating. The perturbation of the structure caused by thermal fluctuations was found to be much less than that imposed by a small surface roughness.
Development of Mathematical Model for Predicting the Electric Erosion Behavior of TiO2 Filled Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (AA7075) Alloy Composite Using RSM-DFA Method
Authors: Alagarsamy S. V. , Ravichandran M. , Saravanan H.
Published: November 2020

This work aims to develop a mathematical model and predict the machining performance characteristics of electric discharge machining (EDM) process using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with desirability function approach (DFA). The effect of various factors, such as electrode material, pulse current, pulse ON time and pulse OFF time were selected as input process parameters with an objective to maximize the material removal rate (MRR), minimize the surface roughness (SR) and electrode wear ratio (EWR). The machining was conducted on Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (AA7075) alloy composite reinforced with 10[Formula: see text]wt.% TiO2 particulates produced by stir casting route. The experimental work was planned as per L27 orthogonal array using design of experiments through RSM. Experimental results show that, pulse current and pulse ON time are the most significant factors for MRR and SR while electrode materials and pulse current have notable effect on EWR. Finally, multi-response optimization was performed to predict the EDM parameters by using DFA. The optimum combination of parameters were identified as electrode material (Br), pulse current (15 amps), pulse ON time (900[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s) and pulse OFF time (30[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s).
Glucocorticoid Withdrawal in Lupus Nephritis: A Study Protocol and Literature Review
Authors: Ciang Natalia Chu Oi , Mok Chi Chiu
Published: November 2020

Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are the cornerstone for the treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), they are associated with a number of adverse effects. Recently, an open randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in France showed that flares of SLE in 12 months were significantly more common with GCs withdrawal than continuation in stable patients. However, the study did not separately report results on subsets of SLE patients with organ threatening disease such as lupus nephritis (LN). We hereby present a literature review on GCs withdrawal in SLE and propose a protocol for a multicenter RCT in Hong Kong to evaluate the feasibility of withdrawal of low-dose GCs in stable LN patients who are in clinical remission.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in a 15-Year-Old Male with a Retropharyngeal Phlegmon
Authors: Han Paul , Douillard Jelena , Cheng Jerry , Ramanathan Anusha , Tieu David , Degner Timothy
Published: November 2020

This is a case of a 15-year-old male with an initial diagnosis of a retropharyngeal phlegmon who ultimately developed new symptoms and laboratory findings consistent with MIS-C. This case report demonstrates an atypical initial presentation for MIS-C that has not been reported in the literature.
Apresentação e panorama da tradução entre as línguas chinesa e portuguesa
Authors: Schmaltz Márcia
Published: November 2020

Este Especial, dedicado aos 500 anos de relações luso-chinesas, acolheu artigos sobre os Estudos da Tradução desse par de línguas. A capa foi encomendada à xilogravurista Wang Yi, que gravou quatro retratos de escritores premiados da China, Brasil e Portugal: Mo Yan, Ai Qing, João Cabral de Melo Neto e José Saramago. Esta edição não se esgota e esperamos que o volume possa inspirar mais investigações que impulsionem a pesquisa.
Poesia-ideograma: a lua móbile de Li Bai reimaginada por Haroldo de Campos
Authors: Martha Diana Junkes Bueno
Published: November 2020

O objetivo do presente artigo é tecer algumas considerações sobre as traduções da poesia chinesa por Haroldo de Campos. Ao final do artigo, propõe-se uma leitura para uma tradução de um poema de Li Po (701-762 d.C.). Incansável leitor da tradição e exímio tradutor, o poeta paulista erigiu uma obra constelar em torno de várias culturas a partir do estabelecimento de diálogos entre textos e contextos, sobretudo por meio de um trabalho tradutório ao qual ele deu o nome geral de transcriação, tendo nomeado, particularmente, de reimaginações, as traduções da poesia oriental. É por meio desse trabalho transcriativo que ele contemporanizou poetas de tempos e espaços diversos. Se de um lado a situação contemporânea, pós-utópica, aponta para uma crítica do futuro, dos paraísos prometidos, a poética da transcriação, em Haroldo de Campos, sustenta-se, ainda, como um alicerce para o ressurgimento de uma utopia da escritura que reúna povos e lugares em tempos de globalização. Sob essa perspectiva, apontar caminhos para a leitura das reimaginações da poética chinesa empreendidas por Campos parece um meio de dar destaque aos intercâmbios entre as culturas de língua portuguesa e a China, esta última compreendida, nos dias atuais, como um potencial econômico e como um desafio político às relações internacionais, mas ainda à espera de uma leitura poética de sua realidade e língua que o Ocidente possa empreender. O trabalho de Haroldo é, pois, uma homenagem à China e uma provocação ao leitor de língua portuguesa.
Dois poemas de Bai Juyi reimaginados em português
Authors: Mendonça Maurício Arruda
Published: November 2020

O presente artigo apresenta traduções de dois poemas do poeta chinês Bai Juyi para o português, realizadas por Maurício Arruda Mendonça aplicando-se a metodologia proposta por Haroldo de Campos, poeta, ensaísta, o mais importante tradutor de poesia sino-brasileira.
Peleja entre dois mestres zen-budistas: poemas para o quinto Patriarca
Authors: Durazzo Leandro
Published: November 2020

Apresentamos, neste pequeno texto, nossa proposta de tradução para os poemas já famosos de dois discípulos do quinto Patriarca do budismo Chan/Zen, um dos quais passou à posteridade como o sexto e talvez mais radical Patriarca da tradição. A importância de tais poemas está no fato de, expressando a compreensão que cada um detinha do Dharma, da doutrina do Buda, terem servido de evidência literária para uma contenda doutrinária bastante importante no budismo do extremo oriente: a disputa entre iluminação súbita, na esteira de Huineng, e gradual, com Shenxiu.
Qīngmíng – A Pura Claridade
Authors: Bonadio Italia
Published: November 2020

Este artigo se propõe a fazer a tradução e a análise do poema Qīngmíng 清明 escrito pelo poeta Du Mu durante a dinastia Tang. A poesia chinesa tem sido pouco difundida entre os falantes de Português e muitas vezes encarada como simplista e pobre. A análise se utilizará de conceitos contemporâneos de literatura, o objetivo é fazer com que leitores atuais entendam e possam sentir prazer ao ler a poesia clássica chinesa no momento em que perceberem os recursos que eram utilizados e suas redescobertas ou reaproveitamentos no mundo moderno acidental.
Sobre “Um apólogo”
Authors: Lidong Sun
Published: November 2020

Machado de Assis dispensa apresentações para o público brasileiro. Contudo, embora possua uma obra comparável à dos grandes nomes da literatura universal, ainda é relativamente pouco conhecido entre os chineses, que dispõem apenas de escassas traduções de sua prosa. Como um dos contos mais lidos e comentados da obra machadiana, “Um apólogo” merecia, há muito, uma tradução.
Poemas de Zang Kejia e Ai Qing
Authors: Barba Milena de Moura
Published: November 2020

A tradução de poesia chinesa para língua portuguesa ainda é escassa, some-se a isso o fato de que a maioria das obras encontradas dedicam-se à poesia clássica chinesa, envolvendo textos de cerca de X século a.C. até o século XVII. E a escolha dos poemas aqui apresentados se justifica por oferecer ao leitor uma pequena mostra da poesia chinesa do século XX.
O confucionismo nos nossos dias: transmissão sincera
Authors: Alves Ana Cristina Rodrigues
Published: November 2020

A escolha da tradução aqui apresentada enquadra-se no espírito da escola culturalista. Por isso se escolheu uma autora, Chen Yun, e um tema que enfatiza as questões culturais. Logo, com o presente trabalho pretende-se dar mais um passo em direcção à cultura chinesa. Quer-se saber o que pensam os chineses actuais da sua própria cultura: como lêem o passado e se situam perante ele.
Entrevista com Li Junbao
Authors: Schmaltz Márcia
Published: November 2020

Li Junbao nasceu em 1936, em Luoyang, província de Henan. Formado em Russo pelo Instituto Politécnico de Pequim (1953-1956) e em Português pela Universidade de Línguas Estrangeiras de Pequim (1960). Iniciou a carreira no Ministério de Negócios Estrangeiros da China como intérprete em fábricas de armamentos e de comunicação nas cidades de Chongqing e Chengdu. Foi professor na Universidade Eduardo Mondlane em Maputo e na Universidade de São Paulo. Dedicou trinta anos de sua vida na seção Portuguesa da Edições em Línguas Estrangeiras da Editora do Povo da China.
Entrevista com Yu Huijuan
Authors: Schmaltz Márcia
Published: November 2020

Yu Huijuan nasceu em 1946, em Haimen, província de Jiangsu, Sudeste da China. Em 1965, ingressou no curso de Português no Instituto de Radiodifusão de Pequim (atual Universidade de Comunicação da China) Depois de se diplomar em 1969, trabalhou como tradutora, locutora, apresentadora, correspondente e foi chefe da seção portuguesa na Rádio Internacional da China até o início de 2007. Durante o período, também acompanhou delegações chinesas em missões oficiais e realizou diversas interpretações simultâneasem seminários. Entre Abrilde 2007 e Abril de 2011, trabalhou no Tribunal de Última Instância de Macau, para finalmente se aposentar e ficar junto a sua família em Pequim, capital da República Popular da China.
Tradução de poesia entre português e chinês: pesquisa e catalogação historiográfica na Universidade de Macau
Authors: Abi-Sâmara Raquel , Schmaltz Márcia
Published: November 2020

O presente artigo apresenta o projeto de pesquisa "Historiographic Research on Translation of Poetry Between Portuguese and Chinese" conduzida pelas autoras. Destaca-se a fundamentação teórica da pesquisa, com bases nas oito perguntas de D’hulst (2001) para uma escrita historiográfica. Uma tabela ilustrativa é apresentada como o primeiro resultado prático de uma catalogação bibliográfica de livros de poesia chinesa traduzidos para o português, e vice-versa, que será em breve disponibilizada na página eletrônica da Universidade de Macau.
A revista Homem e Poesia e a disseminação da poesia
Authors: Lihai Huang
Published: November 2020

"Nos anos 2000 emergiram os poetas nascidos em 1970. Esses se encontravam em meio à escuridão, debatiam-se no turbilhão da poesia chinesa. Como também nasci nessa década, queria muito editar uma revista de poesia dedicada a nossa geração. Assim, o primeiro número da revista teve como tema a “Poesia da geração de 1970”. O resultado foi surpreendente e estremeceu o círculo literário chinês. No segundo número foi lançada a “Antologia poética da geração de 1970”. Os poetas dessa geração mostraram-se ávidos para subir ao palco e se tornar a nova força e a esperança do cenário da poesia chinesa. Do dia para a noite e fora de minha expectativa, a revista Homem e Poesia (HP) tornou-se o foco da atenção."Em texto emocionado, o poeta Huang Lihai conta sua trajetória como editor da revista "Homem e Poesia", fundamental na divulgação da poesia contemporânea chinesa nas primeiras décadas do corrente século.
As dificuldades de uma tradução: um ensaio sobre o Sunzi bingfa 孫子兵法 e o contexto cultural brasileiro
Authors: Bueno André
Published: November 2020

Em 2009, fui convidado a realizar a tradução do Sunzi bingfa (A Lei da Guerra, de Sunzi) diretamente para o português. Embora o livro contasse com diversas versões feitas em nosso idioma, foi com espanto que constatei que não havia, aparentemente, nenhuma tradução direta desse afamado texto no Brasil. A trajetória da tradução do Sunzi Bingfa revelou uma série de questões fundamentais sobre a recepção da cultura chinesa no contexto brasileiro, que atravessam os mais diversos estereótipos, preconceitos, e a necessidade de redimensionar o próprio pensamento brasileiro sobre a questão do outro. Nesse texto, faremos um relato sobre a experiência de traduzir esse livro, sua recepção junto ao público, e o desafio que ele expõe, acerca da sociedade brasileira, em face de seu profundo desconhecimento a respeito do mundo asiático.
Uma análise das lacunas culturais entre chinês e português na tradução do romance Viver
Authors: Huang Li
Published: November 2020

Muitas vezes, em função da falta de conhecimento do universo do texto literário da língua-fonte pelos leitores da língua-alvo, ocorre o fenómeno da ‘lacuna cultural’ na tradução, aqui entendida como aquela descrita por Wang (1997, p. 55): “uma falta de conhecimento do ambiente cultural relevante e compartilhado entre o autor e os seus leitores pretendidos”. Ademais, “a lacuna cultural é um fenómeno da comunicação de cultura-específica, que resulta do movimento de uma cultura particular”.Em se tratando de lacunas culturais, a selecção da estratégia é importante para transmitir o conceito do texto-fonte para o texto-alvo. Este artigo faz uma análise das lacunas culturais na tradução do chinês para o português do romance Viver (YU, 1993/2008), de modo a observar se as estratégias adoptadas na tradução dessas lacunas culturais transmitiram bem os significados desses termos.
Metapoesia na Elegia 1.3 de Tibulo
Authors: Serrano Daniel Bueno de Melo
Published: November 2020

A obra elegíaca de Álbio Tibulo (55?-19? a.C.), poeta romano do chamado período augústeo, contém passagens que, por aludirem ao próprio fazer poético, podem ser classificadas como metapoéticas. Para investigar como se dá esse procedimento e quais são seus efeitos, este artigo se centra na terceira elegia do primeiro livro do autor e dispensa particular atenção à recorrência de termos polissêmicos que, segundo defendemos, podem ser lidos como referência ao gênero elegíaco e a outros gêneros poéticos. A análise é precedida por uma tradução integral em verso do poema.
26 Hinos Homéricos
Authors: Antunes Carlos Leonardo Bonturim
Published: November 2020

Uma tradução de 26 Hinos Homéricos, seguindo a solução de Carlos Alberto Nunes para reproduzir o ritmo do hexâmetro dactílico grego em língua portuguesa.