bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prácticas y acciones de investigación y extensión presentes en el currículo de la Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional Agraria
Authors: Alemán-Zeledón Freddy , Lovo-Jerez Sandra María
Published: September 2018

La efectiva vinculación entre docencia, investigación y extensión es una necesidad en la formación del profesional de la Universidad Nacional Agraria. En el periodo de julio a noviembre del año 2014, se llevó a cabo un estudio con el propósito de obtener información acerca de prácticas y acciones curriculares y extracurriculares presentes en el currículo de la Facultad de Agronomía de la Universidad Nacional Agraria que fomentan la investigación y la extensión. La investigación es de tipo cuantitativa, no experimental. Para recolectar información se hizo uso de la técnica de revisión documental y encuestas, se aplicaron cuestionarios a docentes y estudiantes de los dos últimos años de las carreras de la Facultad de Agronomía. Los resultados muestran que los mecanismos más difundidos en la FAGRO-UNA para potenciar las capacidades en investigación y extensión son jornadas universitarias, planes emergentes, y prácticas pre-profesionales. Los estudiantes desconocen acerca de algunas de las prácticas que fomentan la investigación y la extensión, tales como movimientos de alumnos monitores y emprendedores, en cambio, se identifican con jornadas científicas y prácticas pre-profesionales. El currículo de la FAGRO-UNA debe incluir planes de investigación formativa, movimientos de emprendedores, pasantías y jornadas científicas, estudiantes de alto rendimiento, y fomentar desde los años iniciales de las carreras prácticas extracurriculares que permitan mayor alcance de las funciones en estudio. Las actividades curriculares de mayor impacto en la formación en investigación y extensión son giras de campo y establecimiento de cultivos, necesitando enfatizar en prácticas de laboratorios y la convivencia directa con la familia productora. El ajuste a los currículos de la FAGRO- UNA permitirá que la investigación y la extensión permeen el currículo, logrando con ello estudiantes creativos, analíticos, que los conviertan en agentes de cambio para la sociedad nicaragüense.
The Impact of Economic Value Added, Market Value Added and Traditional Accounting Measures on Shareholders’ Value: Evidence from Jordanian Commercial Banks
Authors: Al-Awawdeh Hanan Ali , Kareem Al-Sakini Sa’ad Abdul
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this is study is to test the impact of economic value added, market value added and traditional accounting measures on the shareholders’ value in the Jordanian commercial banks, based on a sample of 13 banks during the period 2010-2016.

The study used the shareholders’ value as a dependent variable, while five independent variables were used, including Economic Value Added (EVA), Market value added (MVA), and three traditional accounting measures, namely; the rate of return on assets (ROA), rate of return on equity (ROE), and the Earning per share (EPS).

The study found, by using the common regression analysis, that the rate of return on assets (ROA) and the economic value added (EVA) had a positive and statistically significant effect on maximizing the shareholders’ value, while the rest of the traditional accounting standards or the market added value had no any significant impact on shareholder’ value.

The study concluded that traditional accounting standards are still constitute an important input for assessing shares, and maximizing the shareholders’ value along with modern performance assessment measures, especially economic value added. The study recommended that the performance assessment of banks should be based on two criteria: the rate of return on assets and the economic value added.
Territorial cross-border cooperation in higher education. A case study of the eastern Pyrenean border
Authors: Giband David , Mary Kevin
Published: September 2018

This article debates on the changing geographies of higher education and research crossborder cooperation by providing a critical analysis of academic cross-border cooperation in the European Union. We examine the role of higher education and research institutions within the multi-scalar and multi-actor context of cross-border cooperation in the European Union with a specific insight on the Pyrenean border. In this regard, the Catalan cross-border space on the eastern Pyrenean border constitutes an interesting case study. Considering both its dissymmetry and rhetoric of a culturally unified space, it reveals tensions and complexities in the making of an academic cross-border collaboration built on a rhetoric discourse of territorial proximity recently shaken up by national and regional injunctions.
Cuatro fronteras europeas bajo la lupa. Una metodología para el análisis de los proyectos de cooperación transfronteriza (INTERREG)
Authors: Feliu Jaume , Berzi Matteo , Martín-Uceda Javier , Pastor Saberi Roser , Castañer i Vivas Margarita
Published: September 2018

El grupo de investigación APTA ha desarrollado un método de análisis para indagar sobre la cooperación transfronteriza en las diferentes fronteras europeas. Es una metodología que permite conocer detalladamente las características de los proyectos que se construyen, que da luz a la complejidad de la red de actores que se movilizan y que muestra los patrones territoriales resultantes de la cooperación transfronteriza. El texto expone cómo se ha construido la metodología, sustentada en una base de datos de proyectos INTERREG y su explotación cualitativa, cuantitativa y cartográfica, y cómo se ha aplicado para interpretar cuatro fronteras: Portugal-España, Alemania-Polonia, Austria-Italia y España-Francia. Este último caso se ha desarrollado en profundidad para mostrar las potencialidades de la metodología propuesta.
Linear Programming for Aggregate Production Planning in a Textile Company
Authors: Campo Emiro Antonio , Cano Jose Alejandro Cano , Gómez-Montoya Rodrigo Andrés
Published: September 2018

This article aims to propose and implement an aggregated production planning model to provide optimal strategies in the medium term for a textile company, for which a linear programming model is proposed to minimise total costs associated with labour and inventory levels. The model proposed takes into account characteristics associated with fabric contraction, wastes in the process, the efficiency of new employees, and training requirements. The model is implemented and solved in GAMS, supported on an MSExcel interface, to find the optimal solution, which is to apply a hybrid strategy to the production plan, and also some strategies for improving the production process are generated.
Mathematical Modeling of Dynamic Yarn Path Considering the Balloon Control Ring and Yarn Elasticity in the Ring Spinning Process Based on the Superconducting Bearing Twisting Element
Authors: Hossain Mahmud , Telke Christian , Abdkader Anwar , Sparing Maria , Espenhahn Tilo , Hühne Ruben , Cherif Chokri , Beitelschmidt M.
Published: September 2018

The productivity of the conventional ring spinning process is currently limited by the frictional heat that occurs in the ring/traveler twisting system. In the framework of a fundamental research project from the German Research Foundation (DFG), the levitation principle of superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB) was implemented as a twisting element in order to eliminate the frictional problem and thus aim, at least, to double the productivity. A mathematical model of the dynamic yarn path has already been presented considering the friction free SMB system up to an angular spindle speed of 25,000 r.p.m. In this paper, the existing theoretical model, which was developed up to 25,000 r.p.m, was further modified considering the balloon control ring and yarn elasticity at a higher angular spindle speed, such as 50,000 r.p.m. The model was solved numerically using the RUNGE-KUTTA method. With this model, it is possible to estimate the yarn tension distribution and balloon form considering the above-mentioned parameters. The model established was further validated by comparing the yarn tension and balloon forms predicted with measured ones up to an angular spindle speed of 15,000 r.p.m in a ring spinning tester based on superconducting magnetic bearing.
Effect of Blending Methodologies on Cotton Mélange Yarn Quality
Authors: Ray Suchibrata , Ghosh Anindya , Banerjee Debamalya
Published: September 2018

Fibre of dyed mélange yarn is becoming an emerging product in the field of textiles. The quality of mélange yarn is largely influenced by the types of blending methodologies. There exists hardly any reported work where the effect of blending methods on cotton mélange yarn quality has been studied. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of blending methodologies on the properties of cotton mélange spun yarn. Dyed and grey cotton fibre components were mixed at the blow room and draw frame stages separately to produce mélange yarns with three different shade depths (%). Better yarn quality with respect to yarn evenness, imperfections, tenacity, elongation at break and hairiness index was achieved with the draw frame blending methodology as compared to the blow room blending methodology. The mélange yarn quality deteriorates with an increase in shade depth (%) for both blending methodologies.
Application of Environment-Friendly Processes Aimed at Bonding Β-Cyclodextrine onto Cellulosic Materials
Authors: Grgac Sandra Flinčec , Malinar Rajna
Published: September 2018

The impact of the pre-treatment of cellulose material in NaOH solution and of microwave radiation on the mechanism of crosslinking β-cyclodextrin with cellulose was investigated in this paper. Citric acid and Na-hypophosphite as catalysts were applied for better crosslinking. Inclusion compounds with tea tree essential oil and cyclodextrines grafted onto cotton fabric were made in order to verify that cavities were available for inclusion compounds. The permanence of β-CD on the cellulose fabrics treated was tested by ISO 6330:2012. The properties and structure of the materials treated were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The breaking force and mechanical damage of the materials were determined according to EN ISO 13934- 1:1999. The results indicated better bonding between cellulose and β-cyclodextrin where microwave treatment was applied, the phenomenon of which is of great importance for long lasting wash durability. In order to quantify the odour releasing behaviour of β-CD treated cellulose fabrics, olfactometric determination of the intensity of odour was undertaken.
Effects of Age on Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C with Direct Acting Antivirals
Authors: Pariente Alexandre , Arpurt Jean-Pierre , Rémy André-Jean , Rosa-Hézode Isabelle , Causse Xavier , Heluwaert Frédéric , Macaigne Gilles , Henrion Jean , Renou Christophe , Schnee Matthieu , Salloum Hatem , Hommel Séverine , Pilette Christophe , Arotcarena Ramuntxo , Barjonet Georges , Lison Hortensia , Bourhis François , Jouannaud Vincent , Pauwels Arnaud , Le-Bricquir Yann , Geagea Edmond , Condat Bertrand , Ripault Marie-Pierre , Zanditenas David , Lenhardt Stéphanie de Montigny , Labadie Hélène , Tissot Bertrand , Maringe Eric , Cadranel Jean-François , Hagège Hervé , Lesgourgues Bruno
Published: September 2018

Introduction and aim: Data on the efficacy and tolerance of interferon-free treatment in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in elderly patients are limited in phase II-III trials. Methods: A prospective cohort of adult patients with CHC treated in French general hospitals. Results: Data from 1,123 patients, distributed into four age groups, were analyzed. Of these, 278 were ≥ 64 years old (fourth quartile) and 133 were ≥73 years old (tenth decile). Elderly patients weighed less, were more frequently treatment-experienced women infected with genotype 1b or 2, while they less frequently had genotype 3 or HIV coinfection, but had more frequent comorbidities and drug consumption. Half of the patients had cirrhosis, whatever their ages. The main treatment regimens were sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (37.8%), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (31.8%), sofosbuvir/simeprevir (16.9%), sofosbuvir/ribavirin (7.8%); ribavirin was given to 24% of patients. The overall sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 91.0 % (95% CI: 89.2-92.5 %) with no difference according to age. Logistic regression of the independent predictors of SVR were albumin, hepatocellular carcinoma and treatment regimen, but not age. The rate of severe adverse events (66 in 59/1062 [5.6%] patients) tended to be greater in patients older than 64 years of age (21/261, 8.1%), but the only independent predictors of SAE by logistic regression were cirrhosis and baseline hemoglobin. Patient-reported overall tolerance was excellent in all age groups, and patient-reported fatigue decreased during and after treatment, independent of age. Conclusions: The high efficacy and tolerance of interferon-free regimens is confirmed in elderly patients in real-life conditions.
Impacto Económico de la Medicina Familiar en los Sistemas de Salud de Iberoamérica
Authors: Edgar León , Salvador Tranche , José Montano
Published: September 2018

Son escasos los estudios que abordan la importancia, económica y sanitaria, que tiene el modelo organizativo de un nivel asistencial o la presencia de determinados profesionales. El objetivo del presente estudio, de carácter descriptivo y transversal, fue explorar y analizar las posibles asociaciones entre la especialidad de medicina familiar e indicadores económicos y sanitarios em 16 países de Iberoamérica. El procesamiento de datos fue realizado a través del programa R, um lenguaje de programación que muestra “un conjunto de funciones que mantiene algún tipo de relación entre ellas”. Se observa una asociación en positivo, del número de especialistas de medicina familiar con el PIB, la inversión en salud y la esperanza de vida y en negativo con el índice GINI, la anemia, la mortalidad en menores de 5 años, la razón de mortalidad materna y la mortalidad en acidentes en tránsito. El PIB per cápita se relaciona negativamente con la anemia, la mortalidad en menores de 5 años, razón de mortalidad materna y por accidentes y menos intensamente con la mortalidade cardiovascular y el suicidio. No se observan correlaciones con el gasto de bolsillo o la inversión em sanidad. A pesar de las diferentes realidades socio sanitarias de los países estudiados se objetiva uma relación favorable entre la disponibilidad de especialistas en Medicina Familiar y mejores resultados en salud lo que sugiere que puede ser una estrategia eficiente para los servicios sanitarios. Son necesarios más estudios que analicen el alcance estadístico de esta asociación.
La salud de los migrantes y los servicios de salud en Medicina Familiar en Iberoamérica
Authors: Ortega Miguel Ángel Fernández , Prato Jacqueline Beatriz Roo , Mendoza Rocío Dávila , Vázquez Johanna Montalvo , Dias María Cristina Da Costa , Losada Andrea De Angulo , Barrell Alan Edward , Lerín Daniel Abidán Alarcón
Published: September 2018

Estudio exploratorio, transversal, descriptivo y cuali-cuantitativo, con el objetivo de determinar las condiciones de acceso y cobertura de los servicios de salud de Medicina Familiar y Atención Primaria para la población migrante en Iberoamérica. Se preparó un cuestionario con 22 preguntas relacionadas con el fenómeno de la migración y la prestación de servicios de salud en medicina familiar y atención primaria, el cual fue validado en apariencia y contenido por profesores de las Universidades de México, Colombia y Ecuador. Posteriormente fue respondida y documentada cada pregunta por los docentes e investigadores de 13 países de la región. Las conclusiones y recomendaciones propuestas por el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Migración y Salud de la VII Cumbre Iberoamericana de Medicina Familiar, fueron: a) reconocer el derecho a la salud de las personas migrantes y sus familias; b) incorporar en los programas de pregrado, posgrado y formación continua, las competencias necesarias para la atención integral de la población migrante y de sus familias y c) la creación de un observatorio de salud de los migrantes.
ASPECTOS LEGAIS DA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL NO BRASIL E AS POLÍTICAS DE FINANCIAMENTO
Authors: Rogério de Souza Paulo , Paulo Pereira Coelho João
Published: September 2018

This research presents the legal aspects that instituted childhood education as a stage of basic education,
starting with the Federal Constitution of 1988 and LDB 9.394 / 96, showing the advances that legislation
had brought to the care of the child in the school environment. Thus, this work, linked to the Group of
Studies and Research in Educational Policies, Management and Financing of Education (GEPEFI), has as a
concern to make a critical analysis of the creation of accounting funds, FUNDEF and FUNBEB, from the
positive and negative points for the basic education, highlighting the importance of these funds for the
technical and financial maintenance of early childhood education. Finally, it is important to highlight the
improvements that the funding policies have given to early childhood education, especially with the
creation of FUNDEB, in 2006, and what the consequences may be for this stage of education, with its legal
termination in 2020.
Rescuing Justice from Indifference
Authors: Furendal Markus ,   Department of Philosophy, Florida State University
Published: September 2018

G. A. Cohen has argued that egalitarian justice proscribes equality-upsetting economic incentives, but that individuals nevertheless are required to make a sufficiently large productive contribution to society. This article argues, however, that Cohen’s claim that justice is insensitive to Pareto concerns and simply is equality, undermines such a duty. In fact, Cohen cannot say that justice prefers a distribution where everyone is equally well off to one where everyone is equally badly off. Individuals hence cannot have a duty of justice to use their talents at a more productive level. This indifference risks removing Cohen’s egalitarianism’s appeal as an alternative to the Rawlsian position it challenges. Several ways of avoiding this problem are proposed and evaluated. Ultimately, it is argued that such a duty to contribute must instead be based on a concern for both equality and human flourishing. The ethos Cohen defends must hence be made pluralist, and encourage a commitment to both principles.
Maltraitance patrimoniale et désordre géopolitique au début du troisième millénaire
Authors: Belot Robert
Published: September 2018

Le patrimoine culturel se trouve dans une situation paradoxale. Il n’a jamais été autant célébré, exploité, rentabilisé, en phase avec la montée en puissance du tourisme mondial, et en même temps, il est instrumentalisé, pillé, détruit, à tel point qu’il est devenu une cible de guerre. Les effets qu’on lui prête sont ambivalents et contradictoires. On vante son pouvoir de réconciliation sociale et de réparation morale, mais en même temps, l’actualité donne à voir ses effets anxiogènes, voire belligènes quand il devient un catalyseur de tensions identitaires. Plus que jamais, le phénomène patrimonial doit être pensé de manière critique en tant que révélateur des désordres géopolitiques de ce début de millénaire.
Détruire la maison natale de Hitler ?
Authors: Williams Chance Matthew
Published: September 2018

Depuis 1945, la petite ville autrichienne de Braunau-sur-Inn a essayé de gérer la fascination qui entoure la maison natale d’Adolf Hitler. Comment les autorités locales ont-elles réussi à affronter ce patrimoine difficile et négatif qui a provoqué un débat international ? Quels plans de réutilisation ou de destruction ont été élaborés au fil des années ? Quelle a été l’attitude de la population locale et des diverses communautés ? Comment le gouvernement fédéral autrichien a-t-il réagi face à ce qui est devenu un symbole pour les groupes néonazis ? Au-delà de ce cas d’espèce, cette contribution vise à approfondir l’enjeu sociohistorique que représente le « patrimoine négatif » et la construction de la mémoire.
Spécificités et ambiguïtés du patrimoine colonial
Authors: Verney Sébastien
Published: September 2018

L’Indochine française, vaste construction territoriale débutée au XIXe siècle, dont la constitution s’effrite au XXe siècle, demeure un cas intéressant de patrimonialisation coloniale. Cette dernière soulève plusieurs interrogations sur son origine, son développement et son devenir à l’aune de la mondialisation dans un contexte asiatique. Le patrimoine, en tant qu’objet historique s’articulant dans le temps, engendre dans les territoires anciennement colonisés un double défi, tant pour l’ancienne puissance coloniale que pour l’ancien pays colonisé. L’intégration de ce patrimoine avant tout urbain dans une mémoire collective, cinquante ans après l’accès des pays indochinois à leurs indépendances respectives, pose la question du sens politique de son maintien physique et de son intégration dans l’identité de la nation. L’ancienne puissance coloniale, entre souci de repentance et souhait d’éviter tout clash diplomatique, utilise avec parcimonie ce patrimoine partagé dans ses nouvelles relations économiques avec les « petits dragons » de la péninsule. Bien qu’important dans le cadre d’activités touristiques, le patrimoine colonial doit désormais faire face à un nouveau défi : s’articuler dans le développement du tissu urbain des mégapoles asiatiques ou disparaître. Afin de comprendre les enjeux actuels de ce patrimoine en danger, la communication prendra pour exemple le Việt Nam et la ville d’Hồ Chí Minh ville.
Un patrimoine encore interdit ?
Authors: Herlea Alexandre
Published: September 2018

Le Mémorial des victimes du communisme et de la résistance de Sighet occupe une place de grande importance dans le contexte de la sortie du communisme et de la construction d’un monde basé sur les valeurs universelles correctement hiérarchisées. Il s’agit du premier mémorial des victimes du communisme au monde, fondé en 1993 et nommé en 1998 par le Conseil de l’Europe parmi les trois premiers lieux de la mémoire européenne, à côté du Mémorial d’Auschwitz et du Mémorial de la Paix de Caen. La mémoire du communisme en Roumanie est-elle aujourd’hui encore un « patrimoine interdit » ? Pour tenter de répondre à cette difficile question, il convient d’abord de développer quelques considérations sur la Roumanie après la chute du communisme, ses rapports avec son passé et la manière dont celui-ci est géré tant au niveau du pouvoir – des autorités et des institutions – que de l’opinion publique, c’est-à-dire des mentalités, en prenant en compte le contexte plus général en Europe et dans le monde. L’analyse portera ensuite sur le Mémorial Sighet, formé d’un Musée et d’un Centre international d’études sur le communisme, son histoire, ses réalisations et sa place dans le combat pour la connaissance et la diffusion de la vérité historique.
L’Union européenne et la lutte contre le trafic illicite de biens culturels
Authors: Urbinati Sabrina
Published: September 2018

À l’heure actuelle, nous sommes confrontés aux destructions haineuses et au trafic illicite de biens culturels en situation de conflit, comme en Iraq ou en Syrie. Outre les États, plusieurs organisations internationales sont intervenues pour contrer ces phénomènes : l’UNESCO, l’ONU, la CPI, Interpol et l’Union européenne. Même si l’on peut penser, à première vue, que cette question du trafic de biens culturels qui se pose à l’échelle internationale dépasse la compétence de l’Union européenne, il faut convenir que celle-ci est en train de jeter les bases politiques et juridiques nécessaires pour lui permettre de jouer un rôle important dans ce combat. Cet article a pour finalité de montrer ces éléments et, pour ce faire, l’auteur, tout d’abord, illustre les initiatives institutionnelles et de politique commune prises par l’Union européenne, et deuxièmement examine le cadre juridique pertinent dans ce cas. Elle consacre une attention particulière aux principaux éléments du projet de Règlement sur l’importation de biens culturels dans l’Union.
Experimental evaluation of the importance of colonization history in early-life gut microbiota assembly
Authors: Martínez Inés , Maldonado-Gomez Maria X , Gomes-Neto João Carlos , Kittana Hatem , Ding Hua , Schmaltz Robert , Joglekar Payal , Cardona Roberto Jiménez , Marsteller Nathan L , Kembel Steven W , Benson Andrew K , Peterson Daniel A , Ramer-Tait Amanda E , Walter Jens
Published: September 2018

The factors that govern assembly of the gut microbiota are insufficiently understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that inter-individual microbiota variation can arise solely from differences in the order and timing by which the gut is colonized early in life. Experiments in which mice were inoculated in sequence either with two complex seed communities or a cocktail of four bacterial strains and a seed community revealed that colonization order influenced both the outcome of community assembly and the ecological success of individual colonizers. Historical contingency and priority effects also occurred in Rag1-/- mice, suggesting that the adaptive immune system is not a major contributor to these processes. In conclusion, this study established a measurable effect of colonization history on gut microbiota assembly in a model in which host and environmental factors were strictly controlled, illuminating a potential cause for the high levels of unexplained individuality in host-associated microbial communities.
CRISPR knockouts reveal an endogenous role for ancient neuropeptides in regulating developmental timing in a sea anemone
Authors: Nakanishi Nagayasu , Martindale Mark Q
Published: September 2018

Neuropeptides are evolutionarily ancient peptide hormones of the nervous and neuroendocrine systems, and are thought to have regulated metamorphosis in early animal ancestors. In particular, the deeply conserved Wamide family of neuropeptides—shared across Bilateria (e.g. insects and worms) and its sister group Cnidaria (e.g. jellyfishes and corals)—has been implicated in mediating life-cycle transitions, yet their endogenous roles remain poorly understood. By using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated reverse genetics, we show that cnidarian Wamide—referred to as GLWamide—regulates the timing of life cycle transition in the sea anemone cnidarian Nematostella vectensis. We find that mutant planula larvae lacking GLWamides transform into morphologically normal polyps at a rate slower than that of the wildtype control larvae. Treatment of GLWamide null mutant larvae with synthetic GLWamide peptides is sufficient to restore a normal rate of metamorphosis. These results demonstrate that GLWamide plays a dispensable, modulatory role in accelerating metamorphosis in a sea anemone.
Functional significance of cuckooCuculus canoruscalls: responses of conspecifics, hosts and non-hosts
Authors: Tryjanowski Piotr , Morelli Federico , Osiejuk Tomasz S. , Møller Anders Pape
Published: September 2018

Male cuckoosCuculus canorusproduce calls that differ in number of syllables depending on environmental conditions and presence of male and female conspecifics. Why different males produce so repeatable calls that vary greatly in duration among males remains an open question. We used playback of cuckoo calls with few or many syllables (hereafter short and long calls), and woodpigeon calls (a control that also produces few or many syllables), predicting that playback of longer cuckoo calls should attract more male cuckoos (if males with such calls are dominant and successfully out-compete other males due to intraspecific competition), and attract more hosts mobbing male cuckoos (cuckoos with such calls and their females attract more hosts because of an increased risk of parasitism). Because cuckoos differentially parasitize hosts away from human habitation, we also tested whether the number of syllables in cuckoo calls differed with distance from buildings. Playback showed significant effects of number of syllables in cuckoo calls, but not woodpigeonColumba palumbuscalls, with an additional effect of distance from human habitation decreasing the response to playback. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that longer cuckoo calls, especially played back near human habitation, attract more conspecifics and hosts than shorter calls. To the best of knowledge this is the first study showing that cuckoo call response modified both other cuckoo individuals, as well as hosts response.
Mitogenomics ofPerumytilus purpuratus(Bivalvia: Mytilidae) and its implications for doubly uniparental inheritance of mitochondria
Authors: Śmietanka Beata , Lubośny Marek , Przyłucka Aleksandra , Gérard Karin , Burzyński Artur
Published: September 2018

Animal mitochondria are usually inherited through the maternal lineage. The exceptional system allowing fathers to transmit their mitochondria to the offspring exists in some bivalves. Its taxonomic spread is poorly understood and new mitogenomic data are needed to fill the gap. Here, we present for the first time the two divergent mitogenomes from Chilean musselPerumytilus purpuratus.The existence of these sex-specific mitogenomes confirms that this species has the doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mitochondria. The genetic distance between the two mitochondrial lineages inP. purpuratusis not only much bigger than in theMytilus edulisspecies complex but also greater than the distance observed inMusculista senhousia, the only other DUI-positive member of the Mytilidae family for which both complete mitochondrial genomes were published to date. One additional, long ORF (open reading frame) is present exclusively in the maternal mitogenome ofP. purpuratus. This ORF evolves under purifying selection, and will likely be a target for future DUI research.
Local-scale determinants of arboreal spider beta diversity in a temperate forest: roles of tree architecture, spatial distance, and dispersal capacity
Authors: Zhang Qiongdao , He Dong , Wu Hua , Shi Wei , Chen Cong
Published: September 2018

Spiders are a functionally important taxon in forest ecosystems, but the determinants of arboreal spider beta diversity are poorly understood at the local scale. We examined spider assemblages in 324 European beech (Fagus sylvatica) trees of varying sizes across three forest stands in Würzburg (Germany) to disentangle the roles of tree architecture, spatial distance, and dispersal capacity on spider turnover across individual trees. A large proportion of tree pairs (66%) showed higher compositional dissimilarity in spider assemblages than expected by chance, suggesting prominent roles of habitat specialization and/or dispersal limitation. Trees with higher dissimilarity in DBH and canopy volume, and to a lesser extent in foliage cover, supported more dissimilar spider assemblages, suggesting that tree architecture comprised a relevant environmental gradient of sorting spider species. Variation partitioning revealed that 28.4% of the variation in beta diversity was jointly explained by tree architecture, spatial distance (measured by principal coordinates of neighbor matrices) and dispersal capacity (quantified by ballooning propensity). Among these, dispersal capacity accounted for a comparable proportion as spatial distance did (6.8% vs. 5.9%). Beta diversity did not significantly differ between high- and low-vagility groups, but beta diversity in species with high vagility was more strongly determined by spatially structured environmental variation. Altogether, both niche specialization, along the environmental gradient defined by tree architecture, and dispersal limitation are responsible for structuring arboreal spider assemblages. High dispersal capacity of spiders appears to reinforce the role of niche-related processes.
Gabapentinoids and Risk of Hip Fracture
Authors: Leung Miriam T. Y. , Turner Justin P. , Marquina Clara , Ilomäki Jenni , Tran Tim , Bykov Katsiaryna , Bell J. Simon
Published: November 2024

Importance

The increased use of gabapentinoids has been most pronounced in older people who are also susceptible to hip fractures.

Objective

To investigate the overall association between gabapentinoids and the risk of hip fractures and the stratified association across age groups, frailty status, and history of chronic kidney disease.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a case-case-time-control study in patients hospitalized for hip fracture in Victoria, Australia, between March 1, 2013, and June 30, 2018, with at least 1 prescription for a gabapentinoid before fracture. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI for gabapentinoid dispensing in the index (1-60 days prefracture) compared with the reference (121-180 days prefracture) period. To adjust for the underlying time trend in gabapentinoid use, each index case was matched with up to 5 controls, selected from future cases of the same age and sex. Subgroup analyses were conducted in subgroups with or without chronic kidney disease (CKD), frailty scores less than 5, and frailty scores 5 and above. Frailty was computed using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS). Data were analyzed from November 2023 to April 2024.

Exposure

Gabapentinoids (pregabalin or gabapentin).

Main Outcome and Measure

Hip fracture.

Results

Of 28 293 patients hospitalized for hip fractures, 2946 (1752 [59.5%] aged ≥80 years; 2099 [71.2%] female) were dispensed a gabapentinoid before hip fracture. Gabapentinoid dispensing was associated with increased odds of hip fractures (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.66-2.32). After adjusting for the exposure-time trend and concomitant use of other central nervous system medications, the odds of hip fractures remained elevated (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.07-1.57). The association between gabapentinoid dispensing and hip fracture was higher in patients with HFRS 5 and above (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.31-2.33) and CKD (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.65-3.52).

Conclusions and relevance

In this case-case-time-control study of Australian residents hospitalized for hip fracture, gabapentinoid use was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures, especially in patients who were frail or had chronic kidney disease. In addition to the known risk associated with kidney impairment, frailty status may be an important risk factor when considering use of gabapentinoids.
Imaging in Diagnosis and Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Li Thomas , Nalavenkata Sunny , Fainberg Jonathan
Published: November 2024

Importance

Active surveillance (AS) has become an increasingly important option for managing low-risk and select intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Although imaging, particularly multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), has emerged in the prebiopsy pathway for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the role of mpMRI in patient selection for AS and the necessity of prostate biopsies during AS remain poorly defined. Despite well-founded biopsy schedules, there has been substantial investigation into whether imaging may supplant the need for prostate biopsies during AS. This review aimed to summarize the contemporary role of imaging in the diagnosis and surveillance of prostate cancer.

Observations

Multiparametric MRI is the most established form of imaging in prostate cancer, with routine prebiopsy use being shown to help urologists distinguish between clinically significant and clinically insignificant disease. The visibility of these lesions on mpMRI closely correlates with their behavior, with visible disease portending a worse prognosis. Combined with other clinical data, risk calculators may better delineate patients with higher-risk disease and exclude them from undergoing AS. While current evidence suggests that mpMRI cannot replace the need for prostate biopsy during AS due to the possibility of missing higher-risk disease, the addition of prostate biomarkers may help to reduce the frequency of these biopsies. The role of prostate-specific antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography is still emerging but has shown promising early results as an adjunct to mpMRI in initial diagnosis.

Conclusions and Relevance

Imaging in prostate cancer helps to better select patients appropriate for AS, and future studies may strengthen the predictive capabilities of risk calculators. Multiparametric MRI has been shown to be imperative to rationalizing biopsies for patients enrolled in AS. However, heterogeneity in the evidence of mpMRI during AS has suggested that further prospective studies and randomized clinical trials, particularly in homogenizing reporting standards, may reveal a more defined role in monitoring disease progression.
Long-Term Outcomes of Component Separation for Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair
Authors: Fry Brian T. , Schoel Leah J. , Howard Ryan A. , Thumma Jyothi R. , Kappelman Abigail L. , Hallway Alexander K. , Ehlers Anne P. , O’Neill Sean M. , Rubyan Michael A. , Shao Jenny M. , Telem Dana A.
Published: November 2024

Importance

Component separation is a reconstructive technique used to facilitate midline closure of large or complex ventral hernias. Despite a contemporary surge in popularity, the incidence and long-term outcomes after component separation remain unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the incidence and long-term outcomes of component separation for abdominal wall hernia repair.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study examined 100% Medicare administrative claims data from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2021. Participants were adults (aged ≥18 years) who underwent elective inpatient ventral hernia repair. Data were analyzed from January through June 2024.

Exposure

Use of component separation technique during ventral hernia repair.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were the incidence of component separation over time and operative recurrence rates up to 10 years after surgery for hernia repairs with and without component separation. The secondary outcome was rate of operative recurrence after component separation stratified by surgeon volume.

Results

Among 218 518 patients who underwent ventral hernia repair, the mean (SD) age of the cohort was 69.1 (10.9) years; 127 857 patients (58.5%) were female and 90 661 (41.5%) male. A total of 23 768 individuals had component separation for their abdominal wall hernia repair. The median (IQR) follow-up time after the index hernia surgery was 7.2 (2.7-10) years. Compared with patients who did not have a component separation, patients undergoing repair with component separation were slightly younger; more likely to be male; and more likely to have comorbidities, including obesity, and had surgeries that were more likely to be performed open and use mesh. Proportional use of component separation increased from 1.6% of all inpatient hernia repairs in 2007 (279 patients) to 21.4% in 2021 (1569 patients). The 10-year adjusted operative recurrence rate after component separation was lower (11.2%; 95% CI, 11.0%-11.3%) when compared with hernia repairs performed without component separation (12.9%; 95% CI, 12.8%-13.0%; P = .003). Operative recurrence was lower for the top 5% of surgeons by component separation volume (11.9%; 95% CI, 11.8%-12.1%) as opposed to the bottom 95% of surgeons by volume (13.6%; 95% CI, 13.4%-13.7%; P = .004).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that component separation was associated with a protective effect on long-term operative recurrence after ventral hernia repair among Medicare beneficiaries, which is somewhat unexpected given the intent of its use for higher complexity hernias. Surgeon volume, while significant, had only a minor influence on operative recurrence rates.
Enhancing safety: Multi‐institutional FMEA and FTA on 177Lu$^{177}{\rm Lu}$‐based radio‐pharmaceutical therapy
Authors: George Siju C. , Aguirre Santiago , Maughan Nichole M. , Tolakanahalli Ranjini , Samuel E. James Jebaseelan , Gallo Sven L. , Zoberi Jacqueline E. , Lee Yongsook C.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study investigates potential failure modes and conducts failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) on the administration of DOTATATE (LUTATHERA) and PSMA‐617 (PLUVICTO). The quality management (QM) process in radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPTs) requires collaboration between nuclear medicine (NM) and radiation oncology (RO) departments. As part of a multi‐institutional study, we surveyed various departments to identify and analyze failure modes, leading to a proposed comprehensive QM program. RPT teams in RO or NM clinics can benefit from this study by continually improving their practice.

Methods

We reviewed the literature to investigate the administration of Pluvicto and Lutathera, focusing on prospective procedural failures and potential failure modes (PFMs) and their outcomes. We distributed an FMEA survey to multiple experienced centers in ‐based RPTs and calculated risk priority number (RPN) for various PFM. We conducted an FTA using this information to pinpoint the root causes of potential failures.

Results

The findings from the literature review and survey responses on the prospective study have identified several critical areas at risk of failure. These areas include non‐optimized treatment delivery, inadequate patient monitoring, and lack of safety training, leading to radiation contamination from the dose excreted by the patients after treatment administration. A segmented FTA was created based on the FMEA results, focusing on radiation contamination with a high RPN value.

Conclusion

By identifying the root causes of failures and proposing targeted improvements to the existing QM measures, this analysis enhances safety in treatment delivery of ‐based RPTs. Given the limited number of prospective risk analysis studies in RPTs, our research addresses the necessity for more such studies and recommends methods to apply this study to other RPTs.
Conductive Islands Assisted Resistive Switching in Biomimetic Artificial Synapse for Associative Learning and Image Recognition
Authors: Jana Rajesh , Bhunia Ritamay , Paramanik Swapnamoy , Giri Kinsuk , Chowdhury Avijit
Published: November 2024

Solution‐processed memristor devices hold significant potential for advancing synaptic applications, offering scalable, cost‐effective, and efficient solutions for next‐generation neuromorphic systems. These devices replicate the behavior of biological synapses with their gradual and continuous changes in resistance, making them promising for neuromorphic computing and artificial neural networks. However, understanding the temporal characteristics and cumulative effect of successive pulses on the devices is essential for emulating the dynamics of biological synapses. This study proposes a hybrid materials‐based conductive islands‐assisted resistive switching (CIARS) in a solution‐processed active layer consisting of thermally exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4 abbreviated as CN) nanosheets embedded with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The fabricated devices demonstrate repeatable and bipolar memory features with a lower operating voltage (≤0.5 V), emulating the frequency and amplitude‐dependent synaptic plasticities. The threshold switching occurs due to the formation of conduction filaments (CFs) of silver ion (Ag+), whereas the analog behavior results from the voltage pulse‐dependent modulation of Schottky barrier height combined with metallic CFs formation. The experimental findings demonstrate the efficacy of the CIARS mechanism within the material platform, highlighting its potential for applications in associative learning, Morse code detection, and image recognition.
High‐Throughput Screening of Dual‐Atom Catalysts for Methane Combustion: A Combined Density Functional Theory and Machine‐Learning Study
Authors: Ding Jiaqi , Gu Haonan , Shi Yao , He Yi , Su Yaqiong , Yan Mi , Xie Pengfei
Published: November 2024

Ceria‐supported precious metal catalysts have undergone extensive investigation for the catalytic methane combustion. However, it remains a significant challenge to achieve both highly synergistic oxidation activity and efficient atom utilization remains a challenge for commonly used supported nanoparticles and single‐atom catalysts. Dual‐atom catalysts (DACs) emerges as a frontier of advanced catalysts, presenting unique catalytic properties that benefit from the synergy of neighboring metal sites. In this study, 361 ceria‐supported DACs (M1M2/CeO2) encompassing combinations of 19 transition metals are systematically explored. Using high‐throughput density functional theory calculations, the structures, stability as well as activity of M1M2/CeO2 are assessed. Notably, Au1Ga1/CeO2 is identified as a promising DAC exhibiting high activity for methane total oxidation, substantiated by comprehensive DFT‐calculated reaction pathways. Furthermore, employing six machine‐learning algorithms, the structure‐properties relationship is explored within ceria‐based DACs and highlight the importance of oxidation states and atomic radii of doped metals as the descriptors. The trained model by computational dataset exhibits high accuracy and predict a more active Mn1Au1/CeO2 than those screened using only DFT datasets. The high‐throughput strategy demonstrated in this work not only provides insights into the rational design of methane oxidation catalysts, but also paves the way for exploring DACs for diverse applications.
Enhancing the Stability of Cu‐Based Electrocatalyst via Fe Alloy in Electrocatalytic Formaldehyde Oxidation with Long Durability
Authors: Gao Xiafei , Pan Yuping , Qiu Janghui , Peng Juan , Wang Shuangyin , Zou Yuqin
Published: November 2024

Electrocatalytic formaldehyde oxidation with metal Cu electrocatalyst has attracted significant interest since it can produce H2 at the anode and make it possible to construct a bipolar hydrogen production cell with low voltage. However, the activity of the Cu electrocatalyst will be greatly weakened after oxidizing it to Cu+ or Cu2+. Here, a CuFe bimetallic catalyst is developed to efficiently catalyze the electro‐oxidation process of HCHO to produce H2 at a potential of 0.10 VRHE with a current density of 100 mA cm−2. It is confirmed that introducing Fe in a CuFe catalyst can regulate the electron configuration to prevent Cu0 oxidation and improve the stability of the catalysts. The introduction of Fe can reduce the energy barrier of the reaction process, and make the C─H bond more easily split on CuFe. A bipolar hydrogen production device is constructed by combining the anodic oxidation of HCHO with the cathodic hydrogen evolution. The current density of 500 mA cm−2 is achieved at a cell voltage of 0.6 V. The faradaic efficiency is ≈100% and the device is stable for ≈50 h. The research provides a promising path toward the secure, effective, and expandable generation of high‐purity H2 at both anodic and cathodic electrodes.
Organic Ink Multi‐Material 3D Printing of Sustainable Soft Systems
Authors: Heiden Andreas , Schardax Michael , Hüttenberger Michael , Preninger David , Mao Guoyong , Schiller David , Kaltenbrunner Martin
Published: November 2024

Drawing inspiration from nature, soft materials are at the core of a transformation toward adaptive and responsive engineered systems, capable of conquering demanding terrain and safe when interacting with biological life. Despite recent advances in 3D printing of soft materials, researchers are still far from being able to print complex soft systems where a multitude of different components need to work together symbiotically. Closing this gap necessitates a platform that unites diverse materials into one synergetic process. Here, a multi‐material printing system is presented, combining gelatin‐based hydrogels with a new biodegradable support material. This organic ink maintains up to 60° overhang and is printable over gaps to structurally support the main biogel body, while triggered dissolution enables its selective removal and the formation of internal cavities. Therefore, the creation of vascular networks, tunable scaffolds, and embedded sensors within a single printing process becomes feasible. Furthermore, a perforation‐resistant, joint‐like vacuum actuator (VAc) is designed and 3D printed, capable of bending to angles up to 60° at fast response times down to 0.23 s. Combining these approaches in an efficient, streamlined fabrication process with biodegradable materials will unlock new sustainability dimensions for complex and durable soft systems.