bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance training combined with blood flow restriction in cirrhosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nóbrega Sanmy Rocha , Chachá Silvana Gama Florencio , Libardi Cleiton Augusto
Published: May 2020

Background

Patients affected by hepatic cirrhosis show reductions in muscle mass and function, with poor quality of life and functional performance. As such, resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR-RT) could be a useful therapeutic tool for health promotion. Thus, we aim to verify the effects of this intervention on muscle strength, muscle mass, fiber Pennation angle, fascicle length, functional performance, quality of life, and fall risk scores in this population.

Methods

Thirty participants will be randomly distributed between 1) BFR-RT and 2) control (CTRL). Assessments will occur at three time points: before the training intervention (0 W), after 12 weeks (12 W), and at follow-up (24 W). The following variables will be assessed: Child-Pugh classification; MELD score; SF-36 questionnaire; fatigue severity index; 6-min walk test; timed-up and go; 30-s sitting and rising test; dietary record; one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength test (knee extension exercise); and vastus lateralis’ cross-sectional area, Pennation angle, and fascicle length. The BFR-RT group will undergo 12 weeks of knee extension exercise (1 × 30 repetitions and 3 × 15 repetitions at 20% 1-RM and 50% of total blood flow occlusion pressure), with two sessions per week. Data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. In case of normal distribution, a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance will be implemented to test for differences in baseline values. A mixed model then will be applied for each dependent variable. In case of non-normal data distribution, a Kruskal–Wallis test will be implemented to test for differences in baseline values. Next, the Friedman test will be used to analyze repeated measures. Within- and between-group effect sizes will be calculated using Cohen’s d for each outcome. Finally, the minimal clinically important difference will be analyzed with distribution-based methods.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this will be the first trial to investigate BFR-RT in patients with cirrhosis and evaluate the effects on neuromuscular parameters, functional performance, disease severity, and quality of life outcomes.

Trial registration

Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec): RBR-395mfw. Registered on 25 August 2018.
Pre-concentration of microalga Euglena gracilis by alkalescent pH treatment and flocculation mechanism of Ca3(PO4)2, Mg3(PO4)2, and derivatives
Authors: Wu Mingcan , Li Jing , Qin Huan , Lei Anping , Zhu Hui , Hu Zhangli , Wang Jiangxin
Published: May 2020

Background

Microalgae are widely be used in carbon sequestration, food supplements, natural pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, biofuel applications, and wastewater treatment. However, the difficulties incurred in algae cell separation and harvesting, and the exorbitant cost required to overcome these challenges, are the primary limitations to large-scale industrial application of microalgae technology.

Results

Herein, we explore the potential of inducing flocculation by adjusting the pH for pre-concentratingEuglena gracilis. Our results demonstrate that flocculation can be induced by increasing the medium pH to 8.5; however, most of the algae cells were broken by increasing the pH > 10. Magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and their derivatives precipitation jointly led to flocculation, although calcium phosphate and its derivatives precipitation had a greater effect.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that pH treatment-induced flocculation is efficient and feasible for the pre-concentration ofE. gracilisunder a pilot-scale culture system. Moreover, it also maintained the microalgae cells’ integrity, chlorophyll production, and increased paramylon production. These findings provide a theoretical basis for reducing the cost of large-scaleE. gracilisharvesting; as well as provide a reference for harvesting other microalgae.
Identification of enzymatic genes with the potential to reduce biomass recalcitrance through lignin manipulation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sakamoto Shingo , Kamimura Naofumi , Tokue Yosuke , Nakata Miyuki T. , Yamamoto Masanobu , Hu Shi , Masai Eiji , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Kajita Shinya
Published: May 2020

Background

During the chemical and biochemical decomposition of lignocellulosic biomasses, lignin is highly recalcitrant. Genetic transformation of plants to qualitatively and/or quantitatively modify lignin may reduce these recalcitrant properties. Efficient discovery of genes to achieve lignin manipulation is thus required.

Results

To screen for new genes to reduce lignin recalcitrance, we heterologously expressed 50 enzymatic genes under the control of a cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) gene promoter, derived from a hybrid aspen, which is preferentially active in tissues with lignified cell walls in Arabidopsis plants. These genes encode enzymes that act on metabolites in shikimate, general phenylpropanoid, flavonoid, or monolignol biosynthetic pathways. Among these genes, 30, 18, and 2 originated from plants, bacteria, and fungi, respectively. In our first screening step, 296 independent transgenic plants (T1 generation) harboring single or multiple transgenes were generated from pools of seven Agrobacterium strains used for conventional floral-dip transformation. Wiesner and Mäule staining patterns in the stems of the resultant plants revealed seven and nine plants with apparent abnormalities in the two respective staining analyses. According to genomic PCR and subsequent direct sequencing, each of these 16 plants possessed a gene encoding either coniferaldehyde dehydrogenase (calB), feruloyl-CoA 6′-hydroxylase (F6H1), hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase (couA), or ferulate 5-hydroxylase (F5H), with one transgenic plant carrying both calB and F6H1. The effects of these genes on lignin manipulation were confirmed in individually re-created T1 transgenic Arabidopsis plants. While no difference in lignin content was detected in the transgenic lines compared with the wild type, lignin monomeric composition was changed in the transgenic lines. The observed compositional change in the transgenic plants carrying calB, couA, and F5H led to improved sugar release from cell walls after alkaline pretreatment.

Conclusions

Simple colorimetric characterization of stem lignin is useful for simultaneous screening of many genes with the potential to reduce lignin recalcitrance. In addition to F5H, the positive control, we identified three enzyme-coding genes that can function as genetic tools for lignin manipulation. Two of these genes (calB and couA) accelerate sugar release from transgenic lignocelluloses.
Network-based approaches elucidate differences within APOBEC and clock-like signatures in breast cancer
Authors: Kim Yoo-Ah , Wojtowicz Damian , Sarto Basso Rebecca , Sason Itay , Robinson Welles , Hochbaum Dorit S. , Leiserson Mark D. M. , Sharan Roded , Vadin Fabio , Przytycka Teresa M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Studies of cancer mutations have typically focused on identifying cancer driving mutations that confer growth advantage to cancer cells. However, cancer genomes accumulate a large number of passenger somatic mutations resulting from various endogenous and exogenous causes, including normal DNA damage and repair processes or cancer-related aberrations of DNA maintenance machinery as well as mutations triggered by carcinogenic exposures. Different mutagenic processes often produce characteristic mutational patterns called mutational signatures. Identifying mutagenic processes underlying mutational signatures shaping a cancer genome is an important step towards understanding tumorigenesis.

Methods

To investigate the genetic aberrations associated with mutational signatures, we took a network-based approach considering mutational signatures as cancer phenotypes. Specifically, our analysis aims to answer the following two complementary questions: (i) what are functional pathways whose gene expression activities correlate with the strengths of mutational signatures, and (ii) are there pathways whose genetic alterations might have led to specific mutational signatures? To identify mutated pathways, we adopted a recently developed optimization method based on integer linear programming.

Results

Analyzing a breast cancer dataset, we identified pathways associated with mutational signatures on both expression and mutation levels. Our analysis captured important differences in the etiology of the APOBEC-related signatures and the two clock-like signatures. In particular, it revealed that clustered and dispersed APOBEC mutations may be caused by different mutagenic processes. In addition, our analysis elucidated differences between two age-related signatures—one of the signatures is correlated with the expression of cell cycle genes while the other has no such correlation but shows patterns consistent with the exposure to environmental/external processes.

Conclusions

This work investigated, for the first time, a network-level association of mutational signatures and dysregulated pathways. The identified pathways and subnetworks provide novel insights into mutagenic processes that the cancer genomes might have undergone and important clues for developing personalized drug therapies.
Strain-resolved microbiome sequencing reveals mobile elements that drive bacterial competition on a clinical timescale
Authors: Zlitni Soumaya , Bishara Alex , Moss Eli L. , Tkachenko Ekaterina , Kang Joyce B. , Culver Rebecca N. , Andermann Tessa M. , Weng Ziming , Wood Christina , Handy Christine , Ji Hanlee P. , Batzoglou Serafim , Bhatt Ami S.
Published: May 2020

Background

Populations of closely related microbial strains can be simultaneously present in bacterial communities such as the human gut microbiome. We recently developed a de novo genome assembly approach that uses read cloud sequencing to provide more complete microbial genome drafts, enabling precise differentiation and tracking of strain-level dynamics across metagenomic samples. In this case study, we present a proof-of-concept using read cloud sequencing to describe bacterial strain diversity in the gut microbiome of one hematopoietic cell transplantation patient over a 2-month time course and highlight temporal strain variation of gut microbes during therapy. The treatment was accompanied by diet changes and administration of multiple immunosuppressants and antimicrobials.

Methods

We conducted short-read and read cloud metagenomic sequencing of DNA extracted from four longitudinal stool samples collected during the course of treatment of one hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) patient. After applying read cloud metagenomic assembly to discover strain-level sequence variants in these complex microbiome samples, we performed metatranscriptomic analysis to investigate differential expression of antibiotic resistance genes. Finally, we validated predictions from the genomic and metatranscriptomic findings through in vitro antibiotic susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing of isolates derived from the patient stool samples.

Results

During the 56-day longitudinal time course that was studied, the patient’s microbiome was profoundly disrupted and eventually dominated byBacteroides caccae. Comparative analysis ofB. caccaegenomes obtained using read cloud sequencing together with metagenomic RNA sequencing allowed us to identify differences in substrain populations over time. Based on this, we predicted that particular mobile element integrations likely resulted in increased antibiotic resistance, which we further supported using in vitro antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Conclusions

We find read cloud assembly to be useful in identifying key structural genomic strain variants within a metagenomic sample. These strains have fluctuating relative abundance over relatively short time periods in human microbiomes. We also find specific structural genomic variations that are associated with increased antibiotic resistance over the course of clinical treatment.
Proteoglycan loss in the articular cartilage is associated with severity of joint inflammation in psoriatic arthritis—a compositional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Abrar Daniel B. , Schleich Christoph , Nebelung Sven , Frenken Miriam , Ullrich Tim , Radke Karl Ludger , Antoch Gerald , Vordenbäumen Stefan , Brinks Ralph , Schneider Matthias , Ostendorf Benedikt , Sewerin Philipp
Published: May 2020

Background

Even though cartilage loss is a known feature of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), little is known about its role in the pathogenesis of PsA. Using delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) as a non-invasive marker of the tissue’s proteoglycan content, such early (i.e., pre-morphological) changes have been associated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Yet, this association has not been studied before in PsA.

Methods

The metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of 17 patients with active PsA were evaluated by high-resolution clinical standard morphological and dGEMRIC sequences using a 3T MRI scanner (Magnetom Skyra, Siemens) and a dedicated 16-channel hand coil. Images were analyzed by two independent raters for dGEMRIC indices, PsA MRI scores (PsAMRIS), and total cartilage thickness (TCT). Kendall tau correlation coefficients (τ) were calculated.

Results

We found significant negative correlations between dGEMRIC indices and total PsAMRIS (τ = − 0.5, p = 0.012), synovitis (τ = − 0.56, p = 0.006), flexor tenosynovitis (τ = − 0.4, p = 0.049), and periarticular inflammation (τ = − 0.72, p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between TCT and dGEMRIC indices at all joint levels (τ = 0.43, p < 0.001). No significant correlations were determined between dGEMRIC indices and bone erosion, bone edema, or bone proliferation.

Conclusion

In PsA, proteoglycan loss as assessed by dGEMRIC is associated with periarticular inflammation, synovitis, and flexor tenosynovitis, but not with bone erosion or proliferation. Thereby, these findings contribute to in vivo concepts of the disease’s pathophysiology. Beyond morphology, advanced MRI techniques may be used to assess cartilage composition in PsA and to identify early changes in the cartilage as an imaging biomarker with potential application in detection, monitoring, and prediction of outcomes of PsA.

Trial registration

2014123117, December 2014.
Catalog of small repeating earthquakes for the Japanese Islands
Authors: Igarashi Toshihiro
Published: May 2020

Groups of repeating earthquakes, which occur in approximately the same location and possess a similar focal mechanism, have been extracted in various tectonic environments worldwide. Their recurrence interval has been used to estimate the spatiotemporal evolution of aseismic slip along major tectonic boundaries. Furthermore, slight changes between the waveforms of repeating earthquakes have been analyzed to delineate temporal changes in the local seismic velocity structure. Here, we construct a long-term catalog of small repeating earthquakes in the central Japan since 1981 and throughout the Japanese Islands since 2001 (2001–2019) based on waveform similarity and relative source locations. Most of the long-duration sequences are located near the strongly coupled areas of the Philippine Sea and Pacific plates as they subduct from the Ryukyu–Nankai–Sagami and Kuril–Japan trenches, respectively. Many of the repeating sequences that occur in shallow crustal environments are short-lived. This repeating earthquake catalog allows us to estimate the slip history along each tectonic boundary. We believe that this and similar catalogs will be useful for future investigations of source processes, temporal slip and stress changes along faults, and local velocity structures, thereby providing new insights into earthquake generation mechanisms.
Field application of bio-control agents and aqueous plant extracts for controlling bacterial soft rot and enhancement yield quality of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Diamond
Authors: Abdel-Gaied Tarek G. , Mikhail Maurice S. , Abdel-Alim Ahmed I. , Seif El-Nasr Hamdy I. , El-Khair Hassan Abd
Published: May 2020

Background

Application of chemical bactericides, for controlling soft rot bacteria, causes environmental pollution and toxic hazards to human. In addition, it is ineffective, expensive, and limited. Therefore, application of bio-control agents, plant extracts, or safe chemicals may play an important role as safe alternative approaches for controlling phyto-pathogenic bacteria.

Objective

This work is aimed to apply bio-control agents (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Trichoderma harzianum, and Trichoderma virens), aqueous plant extracts (lantana flowers and leaves, lemongrass leaves, and olive cake), and citric acid as pre-sowing treatment for controlling bacterial soft rot pathogen and study their ability for improving yield and quality of potato tubers in field and storage. All treatments were applied as soil treatment and/or foliar spray, except citric acid applied as foliar spray only.

Results

The cultural filtrates of bio-control agents of B. subtilis, B. pumilus, T. harzianum, and T. virens; aqueous plant extracts of lantana, lemongrass, and olive cake; and citric acid could protect daughter potato tubers against bacterial soft rot disease in field application, except lemongrass (as soil treatment). The bio-control agents highly increased the activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and chitinase enzymes, than other treatments. The bio-control agents also improved the shoot parameters, viz, shoot length, number of shoots/pit, and number of leaves/pit and yield parameters, viz, tuber weight/pit, tubers number/pit, and total tubers weight/pit, compared to citric acid and plant extracts, respectively. The treatments as foliar spray have good results for protecting the potato tubers through storage, than soil treatment. The treatments highly enhanced the stored potato tubers quality, viz, dry matter, reducing sugars, total carbohydrates, specific gravity, and starch content.

Conclusions

The tested treatments could protect the potato tubers in field and/or storage against soften development. The treatments could improve the plant growth and yield parameters in field as well as enhanced the stored potato tubers quality and increase the stored time. It is clear that the treatments can be applied as pre-sowing treatment for controlling Erwinia soft rot bacteria.
Large soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) in the Permian Barren Measures Formation, Pranhita-Godavari Valley, India: potential link to syn-rift palaeoearthquake events
Authors: Bhattacharya Biplab , Saha Abhirup
Published: May 2020

Records of palaeoearthquakes in sedimentary rocks are often debated due to the potential confusion in distinguishing seismic versus aseismic trigger mechanisms causing liquefaction. The present paper documents some unique soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS), characterized by their extremely large size, complex morphology and preservation in coarse-grained pebbly sandstone. The SSDS are present in the Permian Barren Measures Formation, a syn-rift depositional unit within the Lower Gondwana succession in the Pranhita-Godavari Valley, eastern Peninsular India. The ~ 210 m thick succession is represented by stacked fining-up retrogradational cycles, characterized by coarse-grained trough cross-stratified pebbly sandstones near the base and fine-grained heterolithic sandstones–mudstones at the top. Each cycle signifies a change from fluvial- to tidal-influenced depositional systems. Coarse-grained pebbly sandstone beds near the base of each cycle record most SSDS, including complexly deformed layers, pseudonodules, load and flame structures, various water-escape structures like vertical/inclined sediment columns (sedimentary dykes) and contorted beds, and syn-sedimentary faults. The deformed beds are underlain and overlain by the undeformed beds. Complexly deformed SSDS are often sharply truncated at the top by undeformed beds manifesting syn-sedimentary character, which signifies that deformation took place just after deposition of the affected beds, but before deposition of the overlying beds while sedimentation was continuous. Facies analysis reveals the absence of processes like storms/pounding waves, slumps, rapid dumping (massive beds), impact shaking, volcanisms, tsunami waves or sediment gravity flows in the study area, thus negating their possibility as triggering agents for the liquefaction. The complex nature and large size of the deformation structures imply extensive liquefaction near the sediment–water interface. In addition, the deformed beds comply with most of the criteria of typical seismites. In half-graben type Gondwana basins, such seismites can be linked to palaeoearthquakes, which signify the phases of syn-rift fault reactivation, basinal sagging and associated accommodation changes.
Subsalt imaging in northern Germany using multiphysics (magnetotellurics, gravity, and seismic)
Authors: Henke Christian H. , Krieger Markus H. , Strack Kurt , Zerilli Andrea
Published: May 2020

Imaging subsalt is still a challenging task in oil and gas exploration. We have used magnetotellurics (MT) to improve the integration of seismic and gravity data to image the Wedehof salt dome, located in the Northern German Basin. High-density natural field source broadband MT data were acquired and enhanced the definition of the top and overhanging salt structures in addition to imaging the salt dome root. Salt boundaries show strong resistivity contrasts with the surrounding sediments and thus represent a good target for electromagnetic measurements, especially for top salt and salt flanks imaging. With integrated 3D gravity modeling focusing on the salt dome’s flanks at intermediate depths, an improved model was achieved. The new model provided sound input to a follow-up seismic depth migration that led to an improved imaging of the subsalt target proven by subsequent exploration drilling. The integrated interpretation of MT, gravity, and seismic combines the strengths of the different physics, thus increasing imaging reliability and reducing exploration drilling risks. Using a conservative workflow that included a feasibility study with field noise evaluation and careful acquisition parameter testing prior to survey start, a broadband array data acquisition, and advanced processing, the survey area's severe cultural noise issues could be overcome.
Pre-existing antibody-mediated adverse effects prevent the clinical development of a bacterial anti-inflammatory protein
Authors: Tromp Angelino T. , Zhao Yuxi , Jongerius Ilse , Heezius Erik C. J. M. , Abrial Pauline , Ruyken Maartje , van Strijp Jos A. G. , de Haas Carla J. C. , Spaan András N. , van Kessel Kok P. M. , Henry Thomas , Haas Pieter-Jan A.
Published: May 2020

Bacterial pathogens have evolved to secrete strong anti-inflammatory proteins that target the immune system. It was long speculated whether these virulence factors could serve as therapeutics in diseases in which abnormal immune activation plays a role. We adopted the secreted chemotaxis inhibitory protein of Staphylococcus aureus (CHIPS) as a model virulence factor-based therapeutic agent for diseases in which C5AR1 stimulation plays an important role. We show that the administration of CHIPS in human C5AR1 knock-in mice successfully dampens C5a-mediated neutrophil migration during immune complex-initiated inflammation. Subsequent CHIPS toxicology studies in animal models were promising. However, during a small phase I trial, healthy human volunteers showed adverse effects directly after CHIPS administration. Subjects showed clinical signs of anaphylaxis with mild leukocytopenia and increased C-reactive protein concentrations, which are possibly related to the presence of relatively high circulating anti-CHIPS antibodies and suggest an inflammatory response. Even though our data in mice show CHIPS as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, safety issues in human subjects temper the use of CHIPS in its current form as a therapeutic candidate. The use of staphylococcal proteins, or other bacterial proteins, as therapeutics or immune-modulators in humans is severely hampered by pre-existing circulating antibodies.
The Peritoneal Cancer Index is a Strong Predictor of Incomplete Cytoreductive Surgery in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Jónsdóttir Björg , Lomnytska Marta , Poromaa Inger Sundström , Silins Ilvars , Stålberg Karin
Published: May 2020

Background

Extent of tumor load is an important factor in the selection of ovarian cancer patients for cytoreductive surgery (CRS). The Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) gives exact information on tumor load but still is not standard in ovarian cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to find a PCI cutoff for incomplete CRS. The secondary aims were to identify reasons for open-close surgery and to compare surgical complications in relation to tumor burden.

Methods

The study included 167 women with stage III or IV ovarian cancer scheduled for CRS. Possible predictors of incomplete surgery were evaluated with receiver operator curves, and a PCI cutoff was identified. Surgical complications were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Chi square tests.

Results

The median PCI score for all the patients was 22 (range 3–37) but 33 (range 25–37) for the patients with incomplete surgery (n = 19). The PCI predicted incomplete CRS, with an area under the curve of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–0.98). Complete CRS was obtained for 67.2% of the patients with a PCI higher than 24, who experienced an increased rate of complications (p = 0.008). Overall major complications were found in 16.9% of the cases. Only 28.6% of the patients with a PCI higher than 33 achieved complete CRS. The reason for open-close surgery (n = 14) was massive carcinomatosis on the small bowel in all cases.

Conclusion

The study found PCI to be an excellent predictor of incomplete CRS. Due to a lower surgical success rate, the authors suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy could be considered if the PCI is higher than 24. Preoperative radiologic assessment should focus on total tumor burden and not necessarily on specific regions.
RNA secondary structures in Dscam1 mutually exclusive splicing: unique evolutionary signature from the midge
Authors: Hong Weiling , Shi Yang , Xu Bingbing , Jin Yongfeng
Published: May 2020

The Drosophila melanogaster gene Dscam1 potentially generates 38,016 distinct isoforms via mutually exclusive splicing, which are required for both nervous and immune functions. However, the mechanism underlying splicing regulation remains obscure. Here we show apparent evolutionary signatures characteristic of competing RNA secondary structures in exon clusters 6 and 9 of Dscam1 in the two midge species (Belgica antarctica and Clunio marinus). Surprisingly, midge Dscam1 encodes only ∼6000 different isoforms through mutually exclusive splicing. Strikingly, the docking site of the exon 6 cluster is conserved in almost all insects and crustaceans but is specific in the midge; however, the docking site-selector base-pairings are conserved. Moreover, the docking site is complementary to all predicted selector sequences downstream from every variable exon 9 of the midge Dscam1, which is in accordance with the broad spectrum of their isoform expression. This suggests that these cis-elements mainly function through the formation of long-range base-pairings. This study provides a vital insight into the evolution and mechanism of Dscam1 alternative splicing.
Signaling Status: The Impact of Relative Income on Household Consumption and Financial Decisions
Authors: Bricker Jesse , Krimmel Jacob , Ramcharan Rodney
Published: May 2020

This paper investigates the importance of status in household consumption and credit decisions using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances linked to tract-level data in the American Community Survey. We find that relatively richer households in the census tract use more debt and spend more on high-status cars. Also, county-level evidence shows that the consumption of high-status cars is higher in more unequal counties. These results suggest that greater income heterogeneity might shape household consumption and credit decisions, as relatively richer households signal their higher status to their neighbors through the consumption of visible status goods.

This paper was accepted by Tomasz Piskorski, finance.
Calidad de vida, habilidades psicolingüísticas y problemas emocionales en niños y adolescentes con dificultades auditivas
Authors: Alegre de la Rosa Olga María , Villar Angulo Luis Miguel
Published: May 2020

INTRODUCCIÓN. Los desafíos de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS), la competencia comunicativa y la salud mental de niños y adolescentes con dificultades auditivas comprometen la educación inclusiva en los centros escolares. Este estudio examina tres objetivos psicoeducativos: a) comparar la CVRS existente en los autoinformes de los niños y adolescentes con implantes cocleares (IC) o audífonos (AU) y los informes de sus familias, b) contrastar las habilidades lingüísticas de los niños y adolescentes con IC o AU y c) examinar los problemas emocionales percibidos por los niños y adolescentes con IC o AU y los apreciados por sus familias y profesores. MÉTODO. Participaron 300 niños y adolescentes entre 6 y 16 años con IC (n=187) o AU (n=113), sus familias (madres, n=242; y padres, n=37) y el profesorado de los centros escolares (tutores, n=185; y especialistas en audición y lenguaje (AL) de Islas Canarias, España, n=193). Se utilizaron tres instrumentos: Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida (KINDLR), Test Illinois de Aptitudes Psicolingüísticas (ITPA) y Cuestionario de Fortalezas y Dificultades (SDQ). Se empleó el análisis multivariado de la varianza para los tres objetivos. Además, se usó el coeficiente kappa de Cohen en el objetivo uno. RESULTADOS. Existió un acuerdo sobre la CVRS en estudiantes y sus familias en la dimensión escuela. Los estudiantes con IC tuvieron medias superiores en SDQ que los estudiantes con AU, excepto en las subescalas síntomas emocionales y prosocial. Todos los grupos puntuaron los problemas de conducta como la cuestión de mayor dificultad. DISCUSIÓN. Los niños y adolescentes con IC o AU responden las cuestiones relacionadas con la CVRS, pero sus autoinformes son significativamente diferentes. Los niños y adolescentes con AU obtienen mejores resultados en memoria auditiva e integración gramatical en ITPA. Los especialistas en AL y los tutores coinciden en señalar que los niños y adolescentes con IC o AU tienen problemas con los compañeros.
Nonlinear optical characteristics of ZrSe2 and its application for designing multi-wavelength mode-locked operations: publisher’s note
Authors: Zhao Rui , Li Dengwang , Wang Mengxiao , Zheng Yue , Xu Nannan , Liu Danhua
Published: May 2020

This publisher’s note corrects a reference in Appl. Opt. 59, 4806 (2020)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.392832.
Controlled negative energy flow in the focus of a radial polarized optical beam
Authors: Li Hehe , Wang Chen , Tang Miaomiao , Li Xinzhong
Published: May 2020

The controlled and continuous negative energy flow (from negative to positive) on the optical axis in the focal region is obtained by adjusting the polarization distribution of the input second-order radially polarized beam (the polarization topological charge is equal to 2). Moreover, the similar evolution of negative energy flow also can be achieved for the tightly focused vector beams with polarization topological charge −2. It is because both the beams with polarization topological charges 2 and −2 can possess the same polarization and spin flow density distributions with the help of the polarization modulation. The results provide a potential method for modulating the effects induced by the spin-orbit coupling in tight focusing of optical beam.
Optimization of VCSEL photon lifetime for minimum energy consumption at varying bit rates
Authors: Larisch Gunter , Tian Sicong , Bimberg Dieter
Published: May 2020

Optimum photon lifetimes of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are shown to be target bit rate dependent. A comparison of the power budget in fJ/bit for optimized VCSELs operating at 25 Gb/s and 50 Gb/s is given. At 25 Gbit/s, the energy per bit ratio is lower than 100 fJ/bit presenting a 75% reduction as compared to the 50 Gb/s values. The cavity dip / gain peak detuning for maximizing temperature stability must be similarly adjusted to the bit rate as shown here. These conclusions are valid for any VCSELs, e.g. those emitting at 850 nm, 880 nm, 910 nm, 940 nm or 980 nm, presently investigated by us.
Robust neural network receiver for multiple-eigenvalue modulated nonlinear frequency division multiplexing system
Authors: Wu Yue , Xi Lixia , Zhang Xulun , Zheng Zibo , Wei Jiacheng , Du Shucheng , Zhang Wenbo , Zhang Xiaoguang
Published: May 2020

Nonlinear frequency division multiplexing (NFDM) has been shown to be promising in overcoming the fiber Kerr nonlinearity limit. In multiple-eigenvalue modulated NFDM systems, the transmission capacity increases with the number of modulated eigenvalues. However, as the number of modulated eigenvalues increases, the complexities of the signal waveform and the nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT) algorithm for demodulation increase dramatically as well, while the accuracy drops significantly. Meanwhile, impairments such as amplifier spontaneous emission noise and phase noise in practical channels would perturb the eigenvalues and the corresponding nonlinear spectra during transmission. Coupled with an increase in the modulation format order, it is difficult for NFT algorithm-based receivers to recover information. To enable the use of multiple-eigenvalue modulated NFDM systems, we propose an innovative receiver based on regression neural networks (NNs), which can demodulate information correctly for both single- and dual-polarization NFDM systems. The results show that it has strong robustness and has a certain tolerance to the impairments of communication systems. In the contrast that the poor demodulation performance of the NFT and the Euclidean minimum distance (MD) receivers for multi-eigenvalue modulated NFDM systems, our proposed NN receiver can achieve low bit error rate with 2 GBaud 16QAM modulation over 1,000 km transmission in four-eigenvalue modulated single-polarization NFDM systems. The performance of three receivers (NFT, MD and NN) in a two-eigenvalue modulated NFDM system are also compared, the NN receiver shows the best performance and appears more suitable for higher-order modulation formats.
Doping-induced plateau of strong electromagnetic confinement in the momentum space
Authors: Contractor Rushin , Noh Wanwoo , Le-Van Quynh , Kanté Boubacar
Published: May 2020

In this Letter, we present a design strategy for the realization of electrically powered bound states in the continuum (BIC) lasers. Despite growing attention of the optics community for BICs, practical uses of BICs in an active device are still unestablished. A large index contrast and out-of-plane symmetries that aid the formation of BICs are not trivial to achieve using conventional approaches for semiconductor laser design. Here, we propose a doping scheme to circumvent this issue. We also show that the introduction of material absorption due to carriers deteriorates the quality factor of BIC modes and show that a suitable compromise between electrical conductivity and optical loss can be achieved.
Jhering en Ortega y Gasset
Authors: Gil Cremades Juan José
Published: May 2020

A partir de 1933, abandonada la política activa, Ortega dedicó su atención, entre otros temas, a la filosofía social; particularmente a desentrañar el «hecho social», que creyó radicaba en los «usos», quizá bajo la inspiración de Jhering. Cómo llegó a él, fallecido en 1892, qué lectura hizo de su obra, cómo modificó sus planteamientos y cómo su propuesta fue recibida por la coetánea filosofía española del derecho, son las cuestiones estudiadas en este trabajo.
La recepción de Hegel en España: las objeciones krausistas a su teoría del Estado
Authors: Manzanero Delia
Published: May 2020

El objetivo de este artículo es sintetizar las líneas generales de la recepción y penetración de la filosofía jurídica de G. W. F. Hegel en la España decimonónica y establecer un vínculo a sus evidentes coincidencias con la recepción del pensamiento jurídico de K. Ch. F. Krause para suscitar algunas líneas de interpretación. Asimismo, se trata de ponerlas en correlación con las cuestiones sociales e intelectuales que dificultaron o facilitaron el arraigo de su filosofía en España. Entre esos obstáculos a la recepción de Hegel, ahondaremos en la interpretación que hacen los krausistas españoles –ya veremos si sesgada o no– del concepto de Estado hegeliano, una interpretación conservadora que resultaba mucho más controvertida por sus soluciones estatalistas. Por último, se avanzan algunas hipótesis que aspiran a servir de orientación y explicación a esa preferencia generalizada por Krause en España.
El alcance justificatorio del consentimiento tácito. El problema de Locke y la lógica del beneficio
Authors: Parmigiani Matías
Published: May 2020

Afirma John Locke en el Capítulo VIII de su Segundo tratado sobre el gobierno civil que «todo hombre que tenga posesiones o disfrute de alguna parte de los dominios de cualquier gobierno, está por ello dando su tácito consentimiento de sumisión». Según esta tesis, quien es beneficiado mediante cierta forma de trato, brindaría por eso mismo una suerte de consentimiento tácito al mismo, a menos que exprese lo contrario. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en analizar críticamente el vínculo que establece Locke entre el consentimiento y la idea de beneficio. Para ello, apelaré a una semántica centrada en las razones personales o agencialmente relativas para actuar, que son las que explican en última instancia, según argüiré, el poder justificatorio del consentimiento en los distintos ámbitos normativos de nuestra vida.
Los valores detrás de la privacidad
Authors: Turégano Mansilla Isabel
Published: May 2020

El trabajo tiene por objeto distinguir los valores e intereses que se tratan de proteger bajo el concepto genérico de privacidad. Junto al planteamiento liberal de esos valores, en términos de aislamiento, intimidad, confidencialidad o autodefinición, y las aproximaciones más recientes a la privacidad informacional o protección de datos personales, se expone cómo el entorno digital ha supuesto un cambio cualitativo en la comprensión del concepto que favorece especialmente la consideración de su dimensión social y política. La privacidad tiene relevancia pública en cuanto que se trata de un bien colectivo, es un elemento constitutivo de una sociedad democrática, debe condicionar una esfera pública inclusiva y plural y requiere transparencia y control públicos del sistema socio-técnico institucional. Por ello, se argumenta que la protección de la privacidad no puede organizarse conforme a un modelo de autogestión individual, sino con medidas y normas colectivas públicas y generalmente justificadas. Agentes privados y públicos deben estar conjuntamente comprometidos con la garantía de la igual capacidad de todo individuo de pensar, elegir, vivir y participar en que puede sintetizarse el núcleo complejo del concepto de privacidad.
Justicia distributiva y costos de crianza: ¿pueden los progenitores trasladar a la sociedad algunos de los costos que generan sus hijos?
Authors: Huais María Valentina
Published: May 2020

La justicia parental procura determinar si los costos que surgen tras el nacimiento de un niño deben ser internalizados en su totalidad por los progenitores o si, por el contrario, es posible que algunos de ellos sean socializados. La respuesta a este interrogante, permite evaluar si aquellas políticas públicas que implican trasladar algunos de estos costos a la sociedad se encuentran justificadas o no. Así, el presente trabajo pretende reconstruir y analizar los argumentos que se han desarrollado a favor y en contra de la socialización de los costos de crianza. Dentro de los primeros, se exponen los que parten de consideraciones propias de la justicia distributiva, como los que lo hacen de la noción de autonomía. Dentro de los segundos, se presenta el argumento que se enmarca en la igualdad de recursos de Dworkin. Finalmente, se ofrece un argumento adicional que procura ser un aporte al debate hasta ahora desarrollado.
Exceptuando normas: apuntes para un análisis conceptual
Authors: García Yzaguirre Víctor
Published: May 2020

El objeto del presente trabajo es analizar el contenido conceptual de la noción de excepción. Para ello, describiré y analizaré algunas de sus principales conceptualizaciones formuladas desde la teoría del derecho, presentándolas como una discusión entre teóricos del derecho que consideran que las excepciones únicamente dan cuenta de una descripción retórica de los antecedentes de las normas frente a quienes sostienes que esta posee contenido conceptual. Concluiré que la mejor forma de entender qué es exceptuar una norma es como un concepto que permite esclarecer los actos mediante los cuales se reduce el ámbito de aplicación de las normas.
Análise de Favorabilidade para Exploração de Água Subterrânea em Aquífero Costeiro, Estado do Maranhão
Authors: Costanzo Caetano Pontes , Vidal Alexandre Campane
Published: May 2020

Esta pesquisa aplica a análise de favorabilidade para a exploração de águas subterrâneas, visando à diminuição do risco exploratório em função, principalmente, das características da rocha reservatório em região costeira. O estudo foi elaborado com dados de litologia, vazão, nível estático e nível dinâmico de poços instalados próximos à cidade de São Luís / MA em área portuária / industrial. A área alvo foi escolhida devido à complexidade geológica e a proximidade com o mar, que acarretam baixa previsibilidade no comportamento hidrodinâmico antes dos projetos de perfuração, além de ser demandante de altas vazões de água subterrânea. As áreas com valores de capacidade específica superiores a 1,0 m3/h/m foram consideradas produtivas. Os resultados encontrados limitaram três principais áreas (norte, centro-leste e sudoeste) com maiores potenciais de exploração em função dos dados disponíveis de descrição litológica e vazão. Além disso, o maior valor de contraste encontrado na pesquisa (4,98) esteve associado à variável porcentagem de arenitos, o que demonstra ser esta variável um fator importante para o potencial exploratório do aquífero nesta área.
Fragile Werte
Authors: Bäschlin Nathalie
Published: May 2020

»Fragil« nennen wir zerbrechliches Material ebenso wie verletzliche gesellschaftliche Konstitutionen. Das Fragile oszilliert dabei zwischen affirmativen Bewertungen und verunsichernden Konnotationen. Nathalie Bäschlin stellt die These auf, dass sich das Fragile zu einer eigenen Wertekategorie entwickelt hat, die unseren Blick auf die Kunst und die Formulierung des Bewahrungsauftrags nachhaltig beeinflusst. Sie fragt nach dem historischen Kontext, den Motivationen, die unsere Aufmerksamkeit auf das Fragile gelenkt haben, und wie die Auseinandersetzung mit der Fragilität die Praxis und den Diskurs des musealen Bewahrens durchdringt.
Evaluar la competencia discursiva en la clase de español como lengua extranjera
Authors: Atienza Cerezo Encarnación
Published: May 2020

En este artículo se describe un modelo didáctico a partir de una problemática triple (visión reduccionista de la evaluación, confusión terminológica y complejidad de evaluar una habilidad) para presentar a continuación una sucinta revisión del estado del arte en torno a la evaluación, entendida particularmente como un proceso de comunicación. Metodológicamente, se plantea, desde la teoría fundamentada, una investigación en profundidad con un paradigma interpretativo y un marco metodológico cualitativo, aplicando diferentes grados de codificación, desde una perspectiva émica. Para ello, se llevaron a cabo cinco entrevistas en profundidad a docentes con experiencia y formación en la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera, en relación a su concepción de la evaluación como acto comunicativo, junto con el análisis de los instrumentos de evaluación usados por tales docentes. La sistematización de las entrevistas, junto con el análisis de los instrumentos de evaluación, permitió conformar las líneas básicas del modelo didáctico. Mediante la codificación axial, se consiguió establecer categorías interrelacionadas en forma de triadas, que tienen que ver con múltiples aspectos: enseñanza-aprendizaje-evaluación, la relación criterios-contenidos-objetivos, la relación proceso-producto, la relación entre agentes de la evaluación, las propiedades de la evaluación y sus marcos de referencia. Por último, la codificación selectiva conforma el modelo propuesto de evaluación de la competencia discursiva, tomando como referencia lo establecido por la pedagogía francesa para la evaluación del francés como lengua materna.
Prediction of Microbial Population in Sorghum Fermentation through Mathematical Models
Authors: Laila Umi , Nurhayati Rifa , Utami Tyas , Rahayu Endang Sutriswati
Published: May 2020

The mathematical models can be used as a tool in predicting microbial population in sorghum fermentation, either spontaneous fermentation or fermentation with the addition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculum. Gompertz model modified by Gibson, Gompertz model modified by Zwietering, Baranyi-Robert model, Fujikawa model, Richards model, Schnute model were used in predicting the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and coliform bacteria during spontaneous fermentation, and also the growth of LAB during fermentation with the addition of inoculum. Meanwhile, there was death (inactivation) of coliform bacteria during sorghum fermentation with the addition of LAB inoculum. The Geeraerd model and the Gompertz model modified by Gil et al. were used to predict the inactivation. The accuracy and precision of models were evaluated based on the Root Mean of Sum Square Error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), and curve fitting. Gompertz model modified by Gibson had the highest accuracy and precision, which was followed by the accuracy of the Fujikawa model and Baranyi-Robert model in predicting the growth of LAB and the growth of coliform bacteria during spontaneous fermentation. Meanwhile, in predicting LAB growth during fermentation with the addition of inoculum, high accuracy and precision was obtained from Richards and Schnute models. In predicting the inactivation of coliform bacteria, Geeraerd model provided higher accuracy and precision compared to Gompertz model modified by Gil et al. Keywords: fermentation; inoculum; mathematical; model; sorghum; spontaneous
Departments and disciplinary gatekeeping: The sociolinguistics of Spanish in US academia
Authors: del Valle José
Published: May 2020

In his contribution, José del Valle looks at the intersection of the sociolinguistic study of Spanish in the US and the transformations of Spanish language departments in higher education. Del Valle traces the history of the institutionalization of Spanish teaching and study and its effects on linguistic research’s position within Spanish departments. Shifts in approaches to the use of language in social practice, and the growing demands on language units to act as service departments for language learners, has isolated scholars in those institutional homes from broader integration into sociolinguistic research.