bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative AKT2 splicing produces protein lacking the hydrophobic motif regulatory region
Authors: Plotz Guido , Lopez-Garcia Laura A. , Brieger Angela , Zeuzem Stefan , Biondi Ricardo M.
Published: November 2020

Three AKT serine/threonine kinase isoforms (AKT1/AKT2/AKT3) mediate proliferation, metabolism, differentiation and anti-apoptotic signals. AKT isoforms are activated downstream of PI3-kinase and also by PI3-kinase independent mechanisms. Mutations in the lipid phosphatase PTEN and PI3-kinase that increase PIP3 levels increase AKT signaling in a large proportion of human cancers. AKT and other AGC kinases possess a regulatory mechanism that relies on a conserved hydrophobic motif (HM) C-terminal to the catalytic core. In AKT, the HM is contiguous to the serine 473 and two other newly discovered (serine 477 and tyrosine 479) regulatory phosphorylation sites. In AKT genes, this regulatory HM region is encoded in the final exon. We identified a splice variant of AKT2 (AKT2-13a), which contains an alternative final exon and lacks the HM regulatory site. We validated the presence of mRNA for this AKT2-13a splice variant in different tissues, and the presence of AKT2-13a protein in extracts from HEK293 cells. When overexpressed in HEK293 cells, AKT2-13a is phosphorylated at the activation loop and at the zipper/turn motif phosphorylation sites but has reduced specific activity. Analysis of the human transcriptome corresponding to other AGC kinases revealed that all three AKT isoforms express alternative transcripts lacking the HM regulatory motif, which was not the case for SGK1-3, S6K1-2, and classical, novel and atypical PKC isoforms. The transcripts of splice variants of Akt1-3 excluding the HM regulatory region could lead to expression of deregulated forms of AKT.
Causes of acute respiratory hospitalizations predict survival in fibrosing interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Salonen Johanna , Vähänikkilä Hannu , Purokivi Minna , Kaarteenaho Riitta
Published: November 2020

Acute exacerbation of ILD (AE-ILD) is a common reason for hospitalization; it is also associated with significant mortality. Less is known about the prognostic significance of other events causing acute, non-elective hospitalizations in ILD patients. ILD patients hospitalized due to acute respiratory worsening were collected from medical records. Reasons for respiratory deterioration were classified into AE-ILDs and other causes. Clinical features and survival data of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other types of ILDs were evaluated and compared. In all, 237 patients (138 with IPF and 99 with other ILD) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the non-IPF ILD types, the most prevalent subgroups were connective tissue disease-associated ILD (n = 33) and asbestosis (n = 22). The most common cause for hospitalization was AE-ILD explaining 41% of hospitalizations. Lower respiratory tract infection (22%), subacute progression of ILD (12%) and cardiovascular causes (7.2%) were other common reasons for hospital treatment. Patients with a lower respiratory tract infection had a more favorable prognosis compared with patients with AE-ILD. AE-ILDs were less fatal than cardiovascular or concurrent non-ILD-related causes for hospitalizations in non-IPF patients. High Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) index was a marker for shortened survival and earlier AE-ILDs in all patients. IPF patients had a significantly shorter overall and post-hospitalization survival time compared with other ILDs. Most respiratory hospitalizations in ILD patients were related to causes other than AE-ILD, which highlights the importance of accurate differential diagnosis in order to target the appropriate treatment for each ILD patient.
Transcriptional insights into pathogenesis of cutaneous systemic sclerosis using pathway driven meta-analysis assisted by machine learning methods
Authors: Xu Xiao , Ramanujam Meera , Visvanathan Sudha , Assassi Shervin , Liu Zheng , Li Li
Published: November 2020

Pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc, Scleroderma), an autoimmune rheumatic disease, comprises of mechanisms that drive vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis. Understanding of the disease and associated clinical heterogeneity has advanced considerably in the past decade, highlighting the necessity of more specific targeted therapy. While many of the recent trials in SSc failed to meet the primary end points that predominantly relied on changes in modified Rodnan skin scores (MRSS), sub-group analysis, especially those focused on the basal skin transcriptomic data have provided insights into patient subsets that respond to therapies. These findings suggest that deeper understanding of the molecular changes in pathways is very important to define disease drivers in various patient subgroups. In view of these challenges, we performed meta-analysis on 9 public available SSc microarray studies using a novel pathway pivoted approach combining consensus clustering and machine learning assisted feature selection. Selected pathway modules were further explored through cluster specific topological network analysis in search of novel therapeutic concepts. In addition, we went beyond previously described SSc class divisions of 3 clusters (e.g. inflammation, fibro-proliferative, normal-like) and expanded into a much finer stratification in order to profile SSc patients more accurately. Our analysis unveiled an important 80 pathway signatures that differentiated SSc patients into 8 unique subtypes. The 5 pathway modules derived from such signature successfully defined the 8 SSc subsets and were validated by in-silico cellular deconvolution analysis. Myeloid cells and fibroblasts involvement in different clusters were confirmed and linked to corresponding pathway activities. Collectively, our findings revealed more complex disease subtypes in SSc; Key gene mediators such as IL6, FGFR1, TLR7, PLCG2, IRK2 identified by network analysis underscored the scientific rationale for exploring additional targets in treatment of SSc.
Seroprevalence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women along the first pandemic outbreak and perinatal outcome
Authors: Villalaín Cecilia , Herraiz Ignacio , Luczkowiak Joanna , Pérez-Rivilla Alfredo , Folgueira María Dolores , Mejía Inmaculada , Batllori Emma , Felipe Eva , Risco Beatriz , Galindo Alberto , Delgado Rafael
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the progression of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the pregnant population of the south of Madrid during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondarily we aimed to evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study conducted at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre during weeks 10 to 19 of 2020, coinciding with the Spanish lockdown. We tested 769 serum samples obtained from routine serological testing during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy for specific IgG anti SARS-CoV-2 RBD and S proteins. RT-PCR tests were performed in suspected cases according to clinical practice. We compared maternal and perinatal outcomes in those with delivered pregnancies (n = 578) according to the presence or absence of specific IgG antibodies. Those with positive IgG were subdivided by the presence or absence of Covid-19 related symptoms at any time and the results of RT-PCR testing if performed. Therefore, we had 4 study groups: G1 (IgG negative), G2 (IgG positive, asymptomatic, RT-PCR testing negative or not done), G3 (IgG positive, symptomatic, RT-PCR testing negative or not done), and G4 (IgG positive, symptomatic, RT-PCR positive).

Results

Seropositivity increased from 0% to 21.4% (95% CI 11.8–31.0) during the study period, of which 27.9% had an asymptomatic course. Overall outcomes were favorable with a significant increased rate of preterm birth in G4 vs G1 (21.4% vs 6.7%) and cesarean/operative delivery (50% vs 26.9%). Asymptomatic and mild cases did not have differences regarding pregnancy course when compared to seronegative women. There were no documented cases of vertical or horizontal transmission.

Conclusion

Seroprevalence in pregnant women in southern Madrid went up to 21.4% of which 27.9% had an asymptomatic course. Overall perinatal results were favorable, especially in those asymptomatic.
Kalopanaxsaponin A induces reactive oxygen species mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and cell membrane destruction in Candida albicans
Authors: Li Ying , Shan Mingzhu , Zhu Yao , Yao Huankai , Li Hongchun , Gu Bing , Zhu Zuobin
Published: November 2020

Candidiasis causes high morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. Antifungal drug resistance and cytotoxicity highlight the need of effective antifungal therapeutics. In this study, we found that kalopanaxsaponin A (KPA), a triterpenoid saponin natural product, could inhibit the proliferation of various Candida species, and exerted a fungicidal effect against C. albicans. To further explore its antifungal action mode, spectrofluorophotometer, fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were performed, showing that KPA treatment induced the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, KPA treatment also broke down the membrane barrier of C. albicans causing the leakage of intracellular trehalose, the entrance of extracellular impermeable substance and the decrease of ergosterol content. Both ROS accumulation and membrane destruction contributed to the death of C. albicans cells. Our work preliminarily elucidated the potential mechanisms of KPA against C. albicans on a cellular level, and might provide a potential option for the treatment of clinical candidiasis.
Structural intermediates in the low pH-induced transition of influenza hemagglutinin
Authors: Gao Jingjing , Gui Miao , Xiang Ye
Published: November 2020

The hemagglutinin (HA) glycoproteins of influenza viruses play a key role in binding host cell receptors and in mediating virus-host cell membrane fusion during virus infection. Upon virus entry, HA is triggered by low pH and undergoes large structural rearrangements from a prefusion state to a postfusion state. While structures of prefusion state and postfusion state of HA have been reported, the intermediate structures remain elusive. Here, we report two distinct low pH intermediate conformations of the influenza virus HA using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Our results show that a decrease in pH from 7.8 to 5.2 triggers the release of fusion peptides from the binding pockets and then causes a dramatic conformational change in the central helices, in which the membrane-proximal ends of the central helices unwind to an extended form. Accompanying the conformational changes of the central helices, the stem region of the HA undergoes an anticlockwise rotation of 9.5 degrees and a shift of 15 Å. The HA head, after being stabilized by an antibody, remains unchanged compared to the neutral pH state. Thus, the conformational change of the HA stem region observed in our research is likely to be independent of the HA head. These results provide new insights into the structural transition of HA during virus entry.
Mutations in dnaA and a cryptic interaction site increase drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hicks Nathan D. , Giffen Samantha R. , Culviner Peter H. , Chao Michael C. , Dulberger Charles L. , Liu Qingyun , Stanley Sydney , Brown Jessica , Sixsmith Jaimie , Wolf Ian D. , Fortune Sarah M.
Published: November 2020

Genomic dissection of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens has largely focused on genetic changes conferring growth above a single critical concentration of drug. However, reduced susceptibility to antibiotics—even below this breakpoint—is associated with poor treatment outcomes in the clinic, including in tuberculosis. Clinical strains ofMycobacterium tuberculosisexhibit extensive quantitative variation in antibiotic susceptibility but the genetic basis behind this spectrum of drug susceptibility remains ill-defined. Through a genome wide association study, we show that non-synonymous mutations indnaA, which encodes an essential and highly conserved regulator of DNA replication, are associated with drug resistance in clinicalM.tuberculosisstrains. We demonstrate that thesednaAmutations specifically enhanceM.tuberculosissurvival during isoniazid treatment via reduced expression ofkatG, the activator of isoniazid. To identify DnaA interactors relevant to this phenotype, we perform the first genome-wide biochemical mapping of DnaA binding sites in mycobacteria which reveals a DnaA interaction site that is the target of recurrent mutation in clinical strains. Reconstructing clinically prevalent mutations in this DnaA interaction site reproduces the phenotypes ofdnaAmutants, suggesting that clinical strains ofM.tuberculosishave evolved mutations in a previously uncharacterized DnaA pathway that quantitatively increases resistance to the key first-line antibiotic isoniazid. Discovering genetic mechanisms that reduce drug susceptibility and support the evolution of high-level drug resistance will guide development of biomarkers capable of prospectively identifying patients at risk of treatment failure in the clinic.
Genomic analysis reveals an exogenous viral symbiont with dual functionality in parasitoid wasps and their hosts
Authors: Coffman Kelsey A. , Burke Gaelen R.
Published: November 2020

Insects are known to host a wide variety of beneficial microbes that are fundamental to many aspects of their biology and have substantially shaped their evolution. Notably, parasitoid wasps have repeatedly evolved beneficial associations with viruses that enable developing wasps to survive as parasites that feed from other insects. Ongoing genomic sequencing efforts have revealed that most of these virus-derived entities are fully integrated into the genomes of parasitoid wasp lineages, representing endogenous viral elements (EVEs) that retain the ability to produce virus or virus-like particles within wasp reproductive tissues. All documented parasitoid EVEs have undergone similar genomic rearrangements compared to their viral ancestors characterized by viral genes scattered across wasp genomes and specific viral gene losses. The recurrent presence of viral endogenization and genomic reorganization in beneficial virus systems identified to date suggest that these features are crucial to forming heritable alliances between parasitoid wasps and viruses. Here, our genomic characterization of a mutualistic poxvirus associated with the waspDiachasmimorpha longicaudata, known as Diachasmimorpha longicaudata entomopoxvirus (DlEPV), has uncovered the first instance of beneficial virus evolution that does not conform to the genomic architecture shared by parasitoid EVEs with which it displays evolutionary convergence. Rather, DlEPV retains the exogenous viral genome of its poxvirus ancestor and the majority of conserved poxvirus core genes. Additional comparative analyses indicate that DlEPV is related to a fly pathogen and contains a novel gene expansion that may be adaptive to its symbiotic role. Finally, differential expression analysis during virus replication in wasps and fly hosts demonstrates a unique mechanism of functional partitioning that allows DlEPV to persist within and provide benefit to its parasitoid wasp host.
Neural Network Based Epileptic EEG Detection and Classification
Authors: Gupta Shivam , Meena Jyoti , Gupta O.P
Published: November 2020

Timely diagnosis is important for saving the life of epileptic patients. In past few years, a lot of treatment are available for epilepsy. These treatments involve use of medicines. But these are not effective in controlling frequency of seizure. There is need of removal of affected region using surgery. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a widely used technique for monitoring the brain activity and widely popular for seizure region detection. It is used before surgery for locating affected region. This manual process using EEG graphs is time consuming and requires deep expertise. In the present paper, a model has been proposed that preserves the true nature of EEG signal in form of textual one dimensional vector. The proposed model achieves a state of art performance for Bonn University dataset giving an average sensitivity, specificity of 81% and 81.4% respectively for classification among all five classes. Also for binary classification achieving 99.9%, 99.5% score value for specificity and sensitivity instead of 2D models used by other researchers. Thus developed system will significantly help neurosurgeons in increasing their performance.
Factors in Agency Development: A Supervisory Teaching Perspective
Authors:   Papatoetoe East Primary School, Auckland, Crowhurst Paul , Cornish Linley
Published: November 2020

Promoting student agency is an emerging priority in education. Supervisory teaching is a potentially useful approach for supporting agency development. This approach includes two characteristics, namely, tutorial learning conversations between the teacher and a group of one to four students, and students learning independently for extended periods of time. Supervisory teaching lessons in three primary-school classrooms were observed over a period of five months and teachers were interviewed as part of the data collection process. Five key factors were found to support students to have more agency in their learning: independence and ownership, scaffolding, students as teachers, joyfulness, and reflection. The findings point toward several factors observed within supervisory teaching that led to greater student agency, including individualised learning conversations, allowing students control over their learning, the benefit of reduced structure in the learning environment, and the fact that joyfulness in learning is a significant factor in elevating student agency.
Pre-service Science and Mathematics Teachers’ Teaching Efficacy Beliefs and Attitudes toward Teaching: A Partial Correlation Research
Authors:   Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Turkey, Kartal Busra
Published: November 2020

Teachers with a high level of self-efficacy and positive attitudes are more likely to use new and constructivist approaches and to create a learning environment in which students may develop 21st-century skills. Examining pre-service teachers’ attitudes and beliefs related to teaching allow teacher preparation programs to evaluate their effectiveness on beliefs and attitudes. This correlational research investigated pre-service elementary science and mathematics teachers’ beliefs and attitudes due to gender, grade level, and department, and revealed the reliable correlation between beliefs and attitudes performing partial correlation. Results show that females feel more efficacious in teaching and have more positive attitudes than males. 4th grades also perceive a higher level of efficacy for student engagement and using instructional strategies than 1st grades. Partial correlation coefficients revealed positive strong relationships between attitudes and efficacy beliefs. Recommendations are suggested based on implications.
Hatékony szervezeti megújulás: a technológiai és menedzsmentinnovációk szerepe
Authors: Szabó Zsolt Roland
Published: November 2020

Az elmúlt évtizedekben jelentősen bővült az innovációról szóló szakirodalom. A többnyire technológiai innovációról szóló munkák után azonban kutatók megállapították, hogy a technológiai innováció hatásfoka menedzsmentinnováció nélkül alacsony. Hazánkban több tízezer cég számára is előnyt jelenthet ennek a tudományos eredménynek a gyakorlati alkalmazása. A cikkben a szerzők arra a kérdésre keresik a választ, hogy a technológiai innovációk bevezetése során milyen jellegzetes akadályok jelentkezhetnek a vállalat vezetése előtt, és ezeket miként írhatjuk le vezetéstudományi nézőpontból. A kutatást a szerzők esettanulmányos módszerrel, több szintű megközelítéssel végezték egy hazai gépipari vállalatban történő megfigyelés, dokumentumelemzés és mélyinterjúk segítségével. A vizsgálat során megállapították, hogy a technológiai innovációk bevezetését egy szervezeti átalakításnak kell megelőznie ahhoz, hogy az általa elérni kívánt hatékonyságnövekedés valóban megvalósuljon. Ennek érdekében intenzív szervezetközi kapcsolatokra és változásvezető szakember bevonására van szükség.
LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT-HEPARIN AS PROPHYLAXIS FOR ORTHOPEDIC COVID-19 PATIENTS: OFF-LABEL FOR DOSAGE OR INDICATION FOR INCREASED RISK?
Authors: Giraldi Anna , Crivelli Barbara , Tivegna Maria A , Briguglio Matteo , Crespi Tiziano , Perazzo Paolo , Pregliasco Fabrizio E , Pieri Federica
Published: November 2020

In COVID-19, thromboembolic complications represent one of the most relevant signs associated with mortality. It has been proposed the use of LMWH in therapeutic dosage therefore off-label. Between March and April 2020, sixteen patients with COVID-19 were admitted to our structure for major non-deferrable orthopedic surgery. The first series of patients received prophylactic treatment of 4000 UI/die of LMWH, while the second series of 9 patients were treated with 4000 IU/twice a day. The data collected and published so far indicate that LMWH has a favorable benefit/risk ratio with efficacy in the prophylaxis of thromboembolic phenomena in COVID-19 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, greater than any adverse events. The reduction of associated disseminated thromboembolic phenomena with the escalated dose of LMWH does not represent the cure for COVID-19 but could favor survival. It will be necessary to collect further data on the off-label use of LMWH in this patient setting to legitimize a request for extension of indication to the regulatory authorities.
Advanced Encryption Standard
Authors: Tanuj Darla
Published: November 2020

The more popular and widely adopted symmetric encryption algorithm likely to be encountered nowadays is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).The Advanced Encryption Standard, also known by its original name Rijndael, is a specification for the encryption of electronic data established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2001.
Security of Medical Images in Health Information
Authors: Lazarus James Sundar
Published: November 2020

Cryptrography for Security of Medical Images in Health Information
Enseñanza de la historia reciente y pedagogía de la memoria: aplicación de una propuesta pedagógica
Authors: Rubiano Velandia Jannis Liseth , Carrillo Muñoz Guillermo Eduardo , Torres Peña David
Published: November 2020

El conflicto armado como problema sociopolítico ha sido una constante en la sociedad colombiana. La enseñanza del pasado doloroso fundamentó este proceso investigativo que indaga por la enseñanza de la historia reciente en la escuela. El objetivo fue diseñar y aplicar una propuesta pedagógica dirigida a docentes bajo los principios de la pedagogía de la memoria. Se expone la sistematización de la experiencia en la Institución Educativa Distrital Kennedy durante el segundo semestre del 2015 con estudiantes de media vocacional. Los resultados permitieron dar cuenta de la cercanía del conflicto a la vida cotidiana de los estudiantes y de la importancia de los trabajos de la memoria en los espacios escolares como herramienta pedagógica.
La memoria histórica, más que un deber de Estado, un derecho de la sociedad: entrevista a José Antequera
Authors: Hernández Cubides Jairo Andrés , Díaz Mesa Jefferson Arley
Published: November 2020

Las metas actuales de Colombia como país, tras los Acuerdos en la Habana con el entonces grupo guerrillero de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejército del pueblo (FARC-EP) son claras: la reconciliación y la paz nacional. No obstante, en la consecución de estos objetivos, un periodo denominado hoy por hoy como posacuerdo, existen muchas cuestiones irresolutas que acusan de una respuesta para permitir el tránsito colombiano a la paz. Una de ellas es la construcción y conservación de la memoria histórica, un concepto que se ha encontrado en auge académico en los últimos años, pero que, a pesar de esto, presenta diversas aristas y preguntas en torno a ¿cómo construir memoria histórica en el país?, ¿cuál es el lugar de la memoria histórica en la cotidianidad de Colombia?, o incluso, ¿cuáles son las instituciones encargadas de llevar a cabo los proyectos de memoria en el territorio nacional? Con el ánimo de abordar algunas de estas cuestiones, a continuación, se presenta una muy interesante y esclarecedora entrevista realizada a José Antequera Guzmán, abogado de la Universidad Externado de Colombia, Magíster en Estudios Políticos de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, quien además de haber sido representante de las víctimas en los diálogos de paz de la Habana, hoy es el director del Centro de Memoria, Paz y Reconciliación.
Paz: una construcción colectiva en medio de la crisis social del Covid-19
Authors: Hernández Cubides Jairo Andrés
Published: November 2020

La primera mitad del año 2020 representó un nuevo reto para todo el mundo de cara a la actual pandemia ocasionada por el virus Sars-CoV-2, causante de la enfermedad Covid 19. El mundo entero se vio progresivamente replegado y empujado contra las cuerdas por esta nueva crisis sanitaria que avanzó a paso firme por el globo, desde que a finales del año 2019 se anunciara la epidemia en Wuhan, ciudad de China. Así, tanto Colombia, en mitad del gobierno del Presidente Iván Duque Márquez, como Bogotá con la recién elegida alcaldesa Claudia López, se prepararon fervientemente para la inminente llegada del virus al país.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUPPLY CHAIN: A SCIENTIFIC CHARACTERIZATION
Authors: Pereira Renan , Ferreira Edivan Alexandre , Alves Josivan Leite , De Nadae Jeniffer , Galvão Graziela Darla Araujo
Published: November 2020

Goal: To analyze the publications on circular economy and supply chain using a systematic review of the literature and bibliometric analysis, the study was designed to answer the question: How is the international scientific production about Circular Economy and Supply Chain characterized? For such an answer it was found that the first published article was on the subject date from 2006 and 2013 there was a steady increase in the number of publications. Many publications mentioned the use of CE in the supply chain through the management of the green supply chain. The country with more publications about the area in the United Kingdom with 19,1% of papers. Moreover, publications are generally about IT product and service supply chains.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Systematic literature review based on bibliometric theory and social network analysis, linking Circular Economy and Supply Chain.

Results: The articles do not point to studies on a specific supply chain, but only stress the importance of applying Circular Economy to the supply chain to mitigate the environmental impact of materials and products along with the flow from the production process to end consumers.

Limitations of the investigation: This paper contributes by analysing the international literature about the selected topics. In a future research agenda, this study could be applied to survey-based research to answer the research propositions suggested.  

Practical implications: The research helps scholars to identify the main hot topics about Circular Economy and Supply Chain, main authors and papers. Also, can help managers to develop Circular Economy business models to improve and mitigate the environmental impacts on the production and supply chain.

Originality / Value: This research sheds light on controversies, discussed in the literature, concerning the effects linking Circular Economy and Supply Chain.
The First Positron Emission Tomography Study of the Brain of Patients with Glaucoma
Authors: Gazizova Ilmira
Published: November 2020

Aim: To determine the location and pattern of changes in the rate of glucose metabolism in brain structures according to positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: Nine patients with initial, developed and advanced stages of glaucoma were examined. The control group consisted of patients of a similar age group without signs of glaucoma. The PET study was performed on an Optima 560 PET / CT scanner. 30-40 minutes before the start of the scan, the patient was given an intravenous radiopharmaceutical (RP) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). During the accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical, the patient was in a room with dim light, with a low noise level and minimal motor activity. Results: When conducting PET with 18F-FDG, a change in the rate of glucose metabolism (RGM) was recorded in the form of a decrease in RGM in the upper parietal lobe, lower parietal lobe and precuneus (the inner part of the parietal cortex), as well as an increase in RGM of the prefrontal cortex, sensorimotor cortex. Signs of a change in RGM in the posterior region of the lumbar cortex, in the nuclei of the caudate nuclei and in the optic thalamus were also revealed. Similar data on changes in the rate of glucose metabolism in brain neurons that we recorded in patients with POAG are usually recorded in patients with other neurodegenerative diseases. Findings: Undoubtedly, the revealed changes in the rate of glucose metabolism in the neurons of the brain of patients with POAG indicate the affinity of this nosology with other neurodegenerative diseases and reveal the basis of disorders (visual, cognitive, autonomic) associated with changes in the central nervous system in patients with POAG. Research in this direction needs to be continued.
El negocio jurídico, la declaración de voluntad y el ordenamiento jurídico
Authors: Castro Guillermo
Published: November 2020

Uwe Wesel, professor of law at the Free University of Berlin, expressed in several of his writings an interesting thought: more than the law of obligations (Schuldrecht) the law of contracts (Vertragsrecht) is a better metadiscourse to reread and interpret the spectrum of The legal, which could even give an accurate account of the history of Western law. From the origins of the Greek civilization and to the Lisbon agreement, the contract was the institute that most connected the legal with the reasonableness, fairness, proportionality, justice and the conservative and protective sense of the community; of course also with the market economy and globalization. For this reason, this diffuse approximation of the contract and the legal business within western juridicity provides interesting inputs, such as inadvertent responses to how certain constitutional principles emerged? Or why do freedom and equality rights always entail obligations? under many others perspectives.
Humanistyka – pomiędzy profesją a misją
Authors: Golka Marian
Published: November 2020

The thesis of this paper is that Polish humanities exists and is doing well in institutional sense but at the same time it has no social impact. That being so, on one hand we have dozens if not hundreds of units in which thousands of academics work. On the other hand we observe a limited external influence of these institutions and their employees. This impressive institutional and at the same time personal development seems to ignore external goals and functions or undervalue them in comparison to the institutions’ own development and functioning. There are many reasons for this, and not only academic institutions themselves should be blamed for it. It can be claimed that the modern world seems to see humanities as something inimportant, and it happens due to various conditions. One can see a parallel between the satae of the humanities and the state of the culture in general with the whole socio-cultural context, including the humanities. The article consists of five parts. The first one is about the reasons of the humanities institutional development. In the second part, I refer to the character of social sciences and humanities. In the third part, I mention the motivation to practice them. The fourth part deals with external conditions of practicing social sciences and humanities, and the fifth with their important tasks.
Intention to use bike-booking application: the case of students in Ho Chi Minh City
Authors: Le-Hoang Phuong Viet
Published: November 2020

This study aims to determine the factors that influence the intention to use the bike-booking application and measure the influence of the elements on the behavior intention to use the bike-booking application for university students in Ho Chi Minh City. Based on the research results, the author gives some managerial implications to increase customers' choice of bike-booking applications to increase the attractiveness of customers to choose apps. With the number of surveyed questionnaires is 200, the author collected 177 valid respondents, and the study results showed that the scales used in the model meet the requirement about reliability and validity. Research has shown that factors such as trust, perceived ease of use, subjective norm, perceived usefulness, perceived price level positively influence the intention to use a bike-booking application for university students in Ho Chi Minh City. In which the perceived usefulness has the most substantial impact, the subjective norm has the lowest effect on behavior intention. The second most effective one is the perceived price level; the third most effective is the ease of use; the fourth most effect is trust.
Ethnography in organizational studies: a reflection on the importance of performance evaluation in tourism
Authors: Ribeiro Rogeane Morais , Santos Ruan Carlos dos , Mesquita Maria do Socorro Silva , Barros Cristiane Saboia
Published: November 2020

The present research aims to understand the feasibility of developing a multidimensional model of performance evaluation for organizational control in companies through ethnographic research. Thus, a bibliographic analysis of the studies presented in the four main events of the Brazilian organizational studies – the Colloquium of Epistemology and Sociology of Administration Science, CBEO, EnANPAD and EnEO - and in the research bases SPELL and EBSCO. The measurement of performance in a company has become a relevant subject for both academic research and practical application, because organizational control of organizational control serves to evaluate and improve the various organizational processes to establish goals and achieve performance standards that become competitive in the market. Given this context, we can see that there is a vast possibility of development in this field, through an ethnographic research, through an investigation capable of showing practices, people, groups, cultures and networks of social relations that participate differently from the tourist market, since the environment in which companies are increasingly turbulent and unstable, and decision makers are constantly seeking methods to achieve improvements in organizational performance. In this sense, it is concluded that this research offers theoretical information that can help in future studies that seek to develop a multidimensional model of indicators, besides being a source of data on the diversity of organizational indicators.
Generalized principal eigenvalues of convex nonlinear elliptic operators in ℝ
N
Authors: Biswas Anup , Roychowdhury Prasun
Published: November 2020

We study the generalized eigenvalue problem in

ℝ
N

{\mathbb{R}^{N}}

for a general convex nonlinear elliptic operator
which is locally elliptic and positively 1-homogeneous.
Generalizing [H. Berestycki and L. Rossi,
Generalizations and properties of the principal eigenvalue of elliptic operators in unbounded domains,
Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 68 2015, 6, 1014–1065], we consider three different notions of generalized eigenvalues
and compare them. We also discuss the maximum principles and uniqueness of principal eigenfunctions.
Complex Interpolation of Lizorkin-Triebel-Morrey Spaces on Domains
Authors: Zhuo Ciqiang , Hovemann Marc , Sickel Winfried
Published: November 2020

In this article the authors study complex interpolation of Sobolev-Morrey spaces and their generalizations, Lizorkin-Triebel-Morrey spaces. Both scales are considered on bounded domains. Under certain conditions on the parameters the outcome belongs to the scale of the so-called diamond spaces.
Production and characterization of psychrophilic α-amylase from a psychrophilic bacterium, Shewanella sp. ISTPL2
Authors: Rathour Rashmi , Gupta Juhi , Tyagi Bhawna , Thakur Indu Shekhar
Published: November 2020

A psychrophilic and halophilic bacterial isolate, Shewanella sp. ISTPL2, procured from the pristine Pangong Lake, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, was used for the production and characterization of the psychrophilic and alkalophilic α-amylase enzyme. The α-amylase is a critical enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of α-1,4-glycosidic bonds of starch molecules and is predominately utilized in biotechnological applications. The highest enzyme activity of partially purified extracellular α-amylase was 10,064.20 U/mL after 12 h of incubation in a shake flask at pH 6.9 and 10 °C. Moreover, the maximum intracellular α-amylase enzyme activity (259.62 U/mL) was also observed at 6 h of incubation. The extracellular α-amylase was refined to the homogeneity with the specific enzyme activity of 36,690.47 U/mg protein corresponding to 6.87-fold purification. The optimized pH and temperature for the α-amylase were found to be pH 8 and 4 °C, respectively, suggesting its stability at alkaline conditions and low or higher temperatures. The amylase activity was highly activated by Cu2+, Fe2+ and Ca2+, while inhibited by Cd2+, Co2+ and Na2+. As per our knowledge, the current study reports the highest activity of a psychrophilic α-amylase enzyme providing prominent biotechnological potential.
Iudei et ceteri
…
Authors: Wenninger Markus J.
Published: November 2020

This study analyzes the formulation »Jews and (other) merchants« as it appears in sources from the 9th to the early 11th centuries. It addresses Michael Toch’s thesis with an aim to clarify the historical meaning of such formulations. By doing so, this study sheds light on how specific social differences between Jewish and non-Jewish merchants arose, while economic activities among both groups remained the same. Both Jews and non-Jews traded in the whole Frankish Empire and beyond. Both groups, therefore, took part in the lucrative as well as extensive slave trade, which was an essential element of the long-distance trading of the early Middle Ages.
Artificial intelligence and optimization: a way to speed up the security constraint optimal power flow
Authors: Giuntoli Marco , Biagini Veronica , Chioua Moncef
Published: November 2020

Optimal power flow is a widely used tool in power system planning and management. Due to the complexity of the power system both in terms of number of variables, degrees of freedom and uncertainty, there is a continuous effort to find more efficient computational methods to solve optimal power flow problems. This article presents a novel method to speed-up the solution of a security constraint optimal power flow problem. An unconventional warm start based on the training of a neural network is investigated as an option to improve the computational efficiency of the optimization problem. The principle of the method and the validity of the approach is demonstrated by different analysis performed on the IEEE14 test grid and based on a linearized mathematical formulation of the problem. The results show the effectiveness of the method in reducing the number of iterations needed to converge to global optimum.
Occupational Choice and Investments in Human Capital in Informal Economies
Authors: Berniell Lucila
Published: November 2020

Informality is pervasive in many developing countries and it can affect occupational and educational decisions. Cross-country data shows that the rate of entrepreneurship as well as the gap between the skill premium for entrepreneurs and for workers increase with the size of the informal economy. Also, in countries with larger informal sectors the fraction of high-skilled individuals that choose to be entrepreneurs is larger. To explain these facts, I develop a model economy with human capital investments, occupational choice and an informal sector, in which the investment in human capital improves the efficiency of labor as well as managerial skills, and the technology to produce goods exhibits capital-skill complementarity. Model predictions can account for cross-country evidence and also shed light on the mechanisms at work when the level of informality in the economy increases. In particular, a higher level of informality discourages human capital investments for workers while it incentivizes these investments for the case of some managers, mostly informal but talented.
Trend Growth and Robust Monetary Policy
Authors: Hasui Kohei
Published: November 2020

Recent monetary policy studies have shown that the trend productivity growth has non-trivial implications for monetary policy. This paper investigates how trend growth alters the effect of model uncertainty on macroeconomic fluctuations by introducing a robust control problem. We show that an increase in trend growth reduces the effect of the central bank’s model uncertainty and, hence, mitigates the large macroeconomic fluctuations. Moreover, the increase in trend growth contributes to bringing the economy into determinacy regions even if larger model uncertainty exists. These results indicate that trend growth contributes to stabilizing the economy in terms of both variance and determinacy when model uncertainty exists.
Yttrium doped phosphate-based glasses: structural and degradation analyses
Authors: Arafat Abul , Samad Sabrin A. , Titman Jeremy J. , Lewis Andrew L. , Barney Emma R. , Ahmed Ifty
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the role of yttrium in phosphate-based glasses in the system 45(P2O5)–25(CaO)– (30-x)(Na2O)–x(Y2O3) (0≤x≤5) prepared via melt quenching and focuses on their structural characterisation and degradation properties. The structural analyses were performed using a combination of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). 31P NMR analysis showed that depolymerisation of the phosphate network occurred which increased with Y2O3 content as metaphosphate units (Q2) decreased with subsequent increase in pyrophosphate species (Q1). The NMR results correlated well with structural changes observed via FTIR and XPS analyses. XRD analysis of crystallised glass samples revealed the presence of calcium pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7) and sodium metaphosphate (NaPO3) phases for all the glass formulations explored. Yttrium-containing phases were found for the formulations containing 3 and 5 mol% Y2O3. Degradation analyses performed in Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and Milli-Q water revealed significantly reduced rates with addition of Y2O3 content. This decrease was attributed to the formation of Y-O-P bonds where the octahedral structure of yttrium (YO6) cross-linked phosphate chains, subsequently leading to an increase in chemical durability of the glasses. The ion release studies also showed good correlation with the degradation profiles.
Using machine learning to develop an autoverification system in a clinical biochemistry laboratory
Authors: Wang Hongchun , Wang Huayang , Zhang Jian , Li Xiaoli , Sun Chengxi , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Autoverification systems have greatly improved laboratory efficiency. However, the long-developed rule-based autoverfication models have limitations. The machine learning (ML) algorithm possesses unique advantages in the evaluation of large datasets. We investigated the utility of ML algorithms for developing an artificial intelligence (AI) autoverification system to support laboratory testing. The accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm model were also validated.

Methods

Testing data, including 52 testing items with demographic information, were extracted from the laboratory information system and Roche Cobas® IT 3000 from June 1, 2018 to August 30, 2019. Two rounds of modeling were conducted to train different ML algorithms and test their abilities to distinguish invalid reports. Algorithms with the top three best performances were selected to form the finalized ensemble model. Double-blind testing between experienced laboratory personnel and the AI autoverification system was conducted, and the passing rate and false-negative rate (FNR) were documented. The working efficiency and workload reduction were also analyzed.

Results

The final AI system showed a 89.60% passing rate and 0.95 per mille FNR, in double-blind testing. The AI system lowered the number of invalid reports by approximately 80% compared to those evaluated by a rule-based engine, and therefore enhanced the working efficiency and reduced the workload in the biochemistry laboratory.

Conclusions

We confirmed the feasibility of the ML algorithm for autoverification with high accuracy and efficiency.
A validated LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of the novel combination antibiotic, ceftolozane–tazobactam, in plasma (total and unbound), CSF, urine and renal replacement therapy effluent: application to pilot pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Parker Suzanne L. , Pandey Saurabh , Sime Fekade B. , Stuart Janine , Lipman Jeffrey , Roberts Jason A. , Wallis Steven C.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Novel treatment options for some carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens have been identified by the World Health Organization as being of the highest priority. Ceftolozane–tazobactam is a novel cephalosporin–beta-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic with potent bactericidal activity against the most difficult-to-treat multi-drug resistant and extensively drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens. This study aimed to develop and validate a liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of ceftolozane and tazobactam in plasma (total and unbound), renal replacement therapy effluent (RRTE), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine.

Methods

Analytes were separated using mixed-mode chromatography with an intrinsically base-deactivated C18 column and a gradient mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid, 10 mM ammonium formate and acetonitrile. The analytes and internal standards were detected using rapid ionisation switching between positive and negative modes with simultaneous selected reaction monitoring.

Results

A quadratic calibration was obtained for plasma (total and unbound), RRTE and CSF over the concentration range of 1–200 mg/L for ceftolozane and 0.5–100 mg/L for tazobactam, and for urine the concentration range of 10–2,000 mg/L for ceftolozane and 5–1,000 mg/L for tazobactam. For both ceftolozane and tazobactam, validation testing for matrix effects, precision and accuracy, specificity and stability were all within the acceptance criteria of ±15%.

Conclusions

This methodology was successfully applied to one pilot pharmacokinetic study in infected critically ill patients, including patients receiving renal replacement therapy, and one case study of a patient with ventriculitis, where all patients received ceftolozane–tazobactam.