bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adenosine Regulates Renal Nitric Oxide Production in Hypothyroid Rats
Authors: FRANCO MARTHA , TAPIA EDILIA , MARTÍNEZ FLAVIO , DAVILA MA. EUGENIA , GRIMALDO JUANA INÉS , MEDINA KLELIA , HERRERA-ACOSTA JAIME
Published: April 2021

In the hypothyroid kidney, exogenous adenosine (ADO) produces vasodilation and restores renal function to near-normal values. This study evaluates whether this response is mediated by nitric oxide synthesis stimulated by adenosine. GFR and urinary excretion of NO2
-/NO3
- (UNO2
-/NO3
-) were measured in normal (NL) and hypothyroid (HTX) rats under basal conditions and during infusion of: intra-aortic ADO, intravenously, 1,3-dipropyl-8p-sulfophenylxanthine (DPSPX), 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropyl xanthine (DPCPX), N
ω-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) + ADO, L-NAME + PSPX, L-NAME + DPCPX, and intrarenal (IR) ADO or DPCPX + IR ADO. Intra-aortic ADO induced a fall in GFR and increased UNO2
-/NO3
- slightly in NL rats; in HTX rats, both GFR and UNO2
-/NO3
- increased significantly. DPSPX and DPCPX increased UNO2
-/NO3
- excretion in NL animals with minor changes in GFR; the blockers increased both GFR and UNO2
-/NO3
- in HTX rats. L-NAME completely blocked the increase in NO2
-/NO3
- induced by ADO, DPSPX, and DPCPX. The intrarenal infusion of ADO at 1, 10, and 35 nmol/kg per min progressively decreased GFR with a slight increase in UNO2
-/NO3
- in NL rats; in the HTX, GFR increased with the highest dose and UNO2
-/NO3
- progressively increased. DPCPX prevented the fall in GFR induced by intrarenal ADO in NL rats, with no further changes in UNO2
-/NO3
-; in HTX rats, intrarenal ADO under A1 blockade further increased GFR and UNO2
-/NO3
-. Arterial and venous ADO concentrations were lower in the HTX rats. In the HTX kidney, NO production was stimulated by ADO, most likely through activation of A2 or A3 receptors, whereas A1 receptors had an inhibitory effect. Thus, ADO receptors are involved in the regulation of kidney function in pathophysiologic conditions.
Reduction in Glomerular Heparan Sulfate Correlates with Complement Deposition and Albuminuria in Active Heymann Nephritis
Authors: RAATS C. J. ILSE , LUCA MARIKEN E. , BAKKER MARINKA A. H. , VAN DER WAL ANNEMIEKE , HEERINGA PETER , VAN GOOR HARRY , VAN DEN BORN JACOB , DE HEER EMILE , BERDEN JO H. M.
Published: April 2021

In a time-study of active Heymann nephritis, the expression of agrin, the main heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the glomerular basement membrane, was analyzed in relation to deposition of IgG and complement in the glomerular capillary wall and the development of albuminuria. Binding of IgG autoantibodies to the glomerular capillary wall could be detected from 2 wk onward, followed by activation of complement after 6 wk. Progressive albuminuria developed from 6 wk onward to a level of 274 ± 68 mg/18 h at week 12. The staining intensity for the agrin core protein decreased slightly, and the staining intensity for the heparan sulfate stubs that were still attached to the core protein after heparitinase digestion remained normal. From week 6 onward, however, a progressive decrease was seen in the staining of two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed against different epitopes on the heparan sulfate polysaccharide side chain of agrin (to 35 and 30% of the control level, respectively, at week 12, both mAb P = 0.016). Moreover, albuminuria was inversely correlated with heparan sulfate staining as revealed by these antibodies (r
s = -0.82 and r
s = -0.75, respectively, both mAb P < 0.0001). This decrease in heparan sulfate staining was due to a progressive reduction of glomerular heparan sulfate content to 46 and 32% of control level at week 10 and week 12 of the disease, respectively, as measured biochemically. It is speculated that the observed decrease in glomerular heparan sulfate in active Heymann nephritis is due to complement-mediated cleavage of heparan sulfate, resulting in an increased permeability of the glomerular basement membrane to macromolecules.
Is 100KF an Isoform of Hemopexin? Immunochemical Characterization of the Vasoactive Plasma Factor 100KF
Authors: CHEUNG PO KAM , STULP BEN , IMMENSCHUH STEPHAN , BORGHUIS THEO , BALLER JULIUS F. W. , BAKKER WINSTON W.
Published: April 2021

The human vasoactive plasma factor 100KF has been proposed to play a role in minimal change disease in relapse. Since preliminary data suggested similarity between 100KF and the human plasma glycoprotein hemopexin (Hx), this study was conducted to compare 100KF with purified Hx for sequence homology, immunostaining properties in Western and dot-blot assays, ability to affect glomerular ecto-ATPase and glomerular polyanions in vitro, as well as their glomerular permeability increasing effect following alternate perfusion into the rat kidney ex vivo. 100KF was purified from normal pooled plasma according to standard chromatographic techniques, and from the same batch Hx was prepared using affinity chromatography. A second batch of Hx was prepared directly from human serum according to a standard protocol. (For comparison, additional Hx samples obtained from other centers were also included in the study.) The results show: (1) 100% homology of 100KF with plasma Hx after internal sequence analysis; (2) positive staining of the eluate with both monoclonal and polyclonal anti-Hx IgG as well as anti-100KF IgG in dot-blot assays, and similar bands on Western blotting using the same antibodies; (3) affection of glomerular polyanions and glomerular ecto-ATPase after incubation of kidney tissue with either 100KF or Hx (1.5 respectively 1.0 mg/ml; 1.0 h, 37°C), as detected by computerized histochemical quantification; and (4) significant enhancement of urinary protein leakage after Hx perfusion followed by diluted rat serum into the rat kidney ex vivo (Hx: 210.65 ± 49.79 μg protein leakage per min versus heat-inactivated Hx control: 112.2 ± 49.18 μg per min [both n = 6]). From these data and from the observation that both Hx and 100KF activity can be inhibited by serine protease inhibitors but not by broad spectrum collagenase inhibitors, it is concluded that Hx may be closely related or identical to the active moiety of 100KF.
Renin Inhibition Improves Pressure Natriuresis in Essential Hypertension
Authors: PAASSEN PIETER VAN , ZEEUW DICK DE , JONG PAUL E. DE , NAVIS GERJAN
Published: April 2021

Pressure natriuresis (PN), i.e., a rise in renal sodium excretion in response to a higher BP, is involved in long-term BP regulation. PN is blunted in essential hypertension, but the mechanism is unknown. This study assessed the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in PN in eight essential hypertensive men from the individual correlations between spontaneous fluctuations in BP and time corresponding changes in sodium excretion (collected at 2- and 4-h intervals for 48 h), during strict sodium balance, without treatment, and during renin inhibition (remikiren, 600 mg oral compound). Without treatment, daily values for mean arterial pressure were 109.5 ± 1.9 and 107 ± 1.9 mmHg, for urinary sodium excretion were 37.2 ± 2.8 and 42.0 ± 2.8 mmol/24 h, and for plasma renin activity were 2.34 ± 0.48 and 2.23 ± 0.44 nmol/L per h, respectively, for two consecutive days. During remikiren treatment, mean arterial pressure was 101.9 ± 1.7 and 100.8 ± 1.7 mmHg (P < 0.05, versus baseline). Urinary sodium excretion was 39.3 ± 3.7 and 45.2 ± 5.3 mmol/24 h (not significant versus baseline), and plasma renin activity was 0.79 ± 0.11 and 0.82 ± 0.13 nmol/L per h (P < 0.05 versus baseline). During remikiren treatment, BP correlated positively with sodium excretion in all patients but in only three of eight patients without treatment. The slope of the regression equation was steeper during remikiren treatment in seven of eight patients. Thus, the relationship between BP and natriuresis was more readily apparent during RAAS blockade, suggesting that RAAS activity blunts PN in hypertensive patients. Improved PN may contribute to the hypotensive effect of RAAS blockade and to maintenance of sodium balance at a lower BP level without volume expansion.
Development of Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease in BALB/c-cpk/cpk Mice
Authors: RICKER JUSTIN L. , GATTONE VINCENT H. , CALVET JAMES P. , RANKIN CAROLYN A.
Published: April 2021

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare but devastating inherited disease in humans. Various strains of mice that are homozygous for the cpk gene display renal pathology similar to that seen in human ARPKD. The PKD progresses to renal insufficiency, azotemia, and ultimately a uremic death by approximately 3 wk of age. This study characterizes PKD in mice that are homozygous for the cpk gene on a BALB/c inbred mouse background. The BALB/c-cpk/cpk murine model displays renal as well as extrarenal pathology similar to that found in human ARPKD. The renal pathology includes the well-characterized early proximal tubule and, later, massive collecting duct cysts. The extrarenal defects in this murine model include common bile duct dilation, intrahepatic biliary duct cysts with periductal hyperplasia, and pancreatic dysplasia with cysts. Renal mRNA expression of c-myc, a proto-oncogene, and clusterin (SGP-2), a marker associated with immature collecting ducts, decreases during normal development but is upregulated in murine ARPKD. Expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) mRNA is significantly diminished, whereas EGF receptor mRNA is upregulated in the BALB/c-cpk/cpk kidney compared with phenotypically normal littermates. To determine whether the altered EGF expression contributes to the development of PKD, neonatal mice were treated with exogenous EGF (1 μg/g body wt injected subcutaneously on postnatal days 3 through 9). EGF treatment reduced the relative kidney weight and common bile duct dilation and downregulated renal expression of clusterin and EGF receptor. However, exogenous EGF did not affect the degree of renal failure, the pancreatic pathology, or the misregulated renal expression of c-myc. In summary, the present study characterizes the renal and extrarenal pathology in the BALB/c-cpk/cpk murine model of ARPKD. Renal mRNA expression of EGF is diminished in this mouse model. EGF treatment did not prevent renal failure but ameliorated pathologic changes in the kidney and the biliary ducts of the BALB/c-cpk/cpk mouse.
Renal Epithelium Is a Previously Unrecognized Site of HIV-1 Infection
Authors: BRUGGEMAN LESLIE A. , ROSS MICHAEL D. , TANJI NOZOMU , CARA ANDREA , DIKMAN STEVEN , GORDON RONALD E. , BURNS GODFREY C. , D'AGATI VIVETTE D. , WINSTON JONATHAN A. , KLOTMAN MARY E. , KLOTMAN PAUL E.
Published: April 2021

The striking emergence of an epidemic of HIV-related renal disease in patients with end-stage renal disease provided the rationale for the exploration of whether HIV-1 directly infects renal parenchymal cells. Renal glomerular and tubular epithelial cells contain HIV-1 mRNA and DNA, indicating infection by HIV-1. In addition, circularized viral DNA, a marker of recent nuclear import of full-length, reverse-transcribed RNA, was detected in the biopsies, suggesting active replication in renal tissue. Infiltrating infected leukocytes harbored more viral mRNA than renal epithelium. Identification of this novel reservoir suggests that effectively targeting the kidney with antiretrovirals may be critical for patients who are seropositive with renal disease. Thus, renal epithelium constitutes a unique and previously unrecognized cell target for HIV-1 infection.
Calcemic Activity of 19-Nor-1,25(OH)2D2 Decreases with Duration of Treatment
Authors: BROWN ALEX J. , FINCH JANE , TAKAHASHI FUMIAKI , SLATOPOLSKY EDUARDO
Published: April 2021

19-Nor-1,25(OH)2D2 (19-norD2) has been shown to suppress parathyroid hormone effectively, but with lower calcemic activity than 1,25(OH)2D3. The present study investigated potential mechanisms to explain the reduced calcemic response to 19-norD2. Tissue localization of [3H]19-norD2 or[3H]1,25(OH)2D3 after a single injection was not different. Intestinal calcium absorption and bone mobilization, measured in vitamin D-deficient rats 24 h after single injections of 60 or 600 pmol of 19-norD2 or 1,25(OH)2D3, were enhanced to a similar degree by the two compounds. However, when normal rats were treated every other day with 240 pmol of 19-norD2 or 1,25(OH)2D3, increases in serum calcium were identical 24 h after the first injection but diverged thereafter with significantly lower serum calcium in the 19-norD2-treated rats by 5 d. Intestinal calcium absorption and bone calcium mobilization were reassessed in vitamin D-deficient rats after seven daily injections of 600 pmol of 19-norD2 or 1,25(OH)2D3, and both parameters were significantly lower in the 19-norD2-treated rats. Pharmacokinetic analysis after seven daily injections of 600 pmol of 19-norD2 or 1,25(OH)2D3 showed similar localization to the intestine and bone. In addition, intestinal vitamin D receptor levels were not different after 1 wk of treatment with 19-norD2 or 1,25(OH)2D3. In conclusion, the low calcemic activity of 19-norD2 seems to be due to an acquired, postreceptor resistance of the intestine and bone to chronic treatment with the analog.
Glomerular Permselectivity at the Onset of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: LEMLEY KEVIN V. , BLOUCH KRISTINA , ABDULLAH ISHA , BOOTHROYD DEREK B. , BENNETT PETER H. , MYERS BRYAN D. , NELSON ROBERT G.
Published: April 2021

The development of microalbuminuria in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with a 10-fold increase in the risk of progression to overt nephropathy and eventual end-stage renal failure. The present study reports long-term (up to 8 yr) follow-up of 43 Pima Indians with type 2 diabetes detected on screening to have microalbuminuria. The natural history of albuminuria in these individuals included progression to overt proteinuria (urinary albumin excretion ≥ 300 mg/d) in half of the participants by 7 yr of follow-up. The size selectivity of the glomerular barrier was also investigated using dextran sieving and pore theory. Whereas a comparison group of macroalbuminuric Pima Indians had an excess of large pores that served as a macromolecular “shunt,” individuals with microalbuminuria had a shunt size no different from long-term diabetic, normoalbuminuric control subjects. An abrupt transition from little or no relationship to a highly significant and positive relationship between increasing albuminuria and shunt size occurred at an albumin-to-creatinine ratio of approximately 3000 mg/g. Shunt size in macroalbuminuric individuals correlated with the extent of foot process broadening. Podocyte foot processes in microalbuminuric participants were not different from those in control subjects. In conclusion, although microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic Pima Indians often heralds progressive glomerular injury, it is not the result of defects in the size permselectivity of the glomerular barrier but rather of changes in either glomerular charge selectivity or tubular handling of filtered proteins or of a combination of these two factors.
Effects of Growth Hormone on Leptin Metabolism and Energy Expenditure in Hemodialysis Patients with Protein-Calorie Malnutrition
Authors: GARIBOTTO GIACOMO , BARRECA ANTONINA , SOFIA ANTONELLA , RUSSO RODOLFO , FIORINI FULVIO , CAPPELLI GIORGIO , CAVATORTA FOSCO , CESARONE ARIANNA , FRANCESCHINI ROBERTO , SACCO PAOLO , MINUTO FRANCESCO , BARRECA TOMASO
Published: April 2021

The relationships among growth hormone (GH), leptin, and resting energy expenditure (REE) are not understood. It has been reported that in malnourished hemodialysis patients, GH increases muscle protein synthesis, a process that requires energy. The present study evaluated the arterial levels and the forearm exchange of leptin, as well as the REE of the same patients during their participation in the same study, in four sequential 6-wk periods: I, baseline; II, GH treatment; III, washout; and IV, GH + intradialytic parenteral nutrition. During periods II and IV, patients received GH (5 mg three times per week). REE rose by 5% in period II, declined during period III, and rose by 7% during period IV. Basal leptin levels were low (2.0 ± 0.19 ng/L). Insulin and leptin levels, as well as leptin release from the forearm, were unchanged during periods I through III but rose (+ 36%; P < 0.05) during period IV. Changes in arterial leptin were directly related to changes in forearm leptin release (P < 0.002), indicating a role of leptin production by peripheral tissues on leptinemia. Changes in leptin release were directly related to insulin (P < 0.001) and, less consistently, to insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 levels (P < 0.02). Similarly, variations in leptin levels were directly related to insulin (P < 0.01). Variations in REE were not related to variations in leptin or insulin levels but to changes in muscle protein synthesis (P < 0.025). The data show that in malnourished hemodialysis patients, treatment with GH is not invariably associated with an increase in leptin production. An increase in leptin release by peripheral tissues and leptin levels occurs only in the setting of hyperinsulinemia. The increase in REE that is induced by treatment with GH is not dependent on changes in leptin but is largely accounted for by the energy cost of the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis.
Detection of Na+ Transporter Proteins in Urine
Authors: McKEE J. ANDREW , KUMAR SHAILESH , ECELBARGER CAROLYN A. , FERNÁNDEZ-LLAMA PATRICIA , TERRIS JAMES , KNEPPER MARK A.
Published: April 2021

Previous studies have established that the vasopressin-regulated water channel of the collecting duct, aquaporin-2, is excreted in the urine, providing a means for assessment of regulation and dysregulation of aquaporin-2 in humans. This article addresses the hypothesis that membrane transporters from upstream nephron segments are normally detectable in urine. The experiments employed rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the major Na transporters of the proximal tubule (the type 3 Na-H exchanger [NHE3]), the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter [NKCC2]), and the distal convoluted tubule (the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter [NCC]) in immunoblotting experiments. All three of these transporters were readily detectable as high molecular weight complexes present in lowdensity membrane fractions from urine of normal rats. Cross linking studies of NHE3, NKCC2, and NCC revealed that high molecular weight complexes are normally present in renal tissue. The molecular weights of the complexes in urine matched those of the cross-linked complexes in native kidney tissue. The presence in urine of integral membrane proteins representative of each nephron segment raises the possibility that limited or comprehensive proteomic analysis of urine samples may be useful in clinical settings.
Glomerular Expression of Dystroglycans Is Reduced in Minimal Change Nephrosis But Not in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
Authors: REGELE HEINRICH M. , FILLIPOVIC EDITH , LANGER BRIGITTE , POCZEWKI HELGA , KRAXBERGER ILSE , BITTNER REGINALD E. , KERJASCHKI DONTSCHO
Published: April 2021

Extensive flattening of podocyte foot processes and increased permeability of the glomerular capillary filter are the major pathologic features of minimal change nephrosis (MCN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Adhesion proteins anchor and stabilize podocytes on the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), and presumably are involved in the pathogenesis of foot process flattening. Thus far, α3 β1-integrin was localized to basal cell membrane domains. In this report, α- and β-dystroglycan (DG) were detected at precisely the same location by immunoelectron microscopy, and the presence of α- and β-DG chains was confirmed by immunoblotting on isolated human glomeruli. Because the major DG binding partners in the GBM (laminin, agrin, perlecan), and the intracellular dystrophin analogue utrophin are also present in glomeruli, it appears that podocytes adhere to the GBM via DG complexes, similar to muscle fibers in which actin is linked via dystrophin and DG to the extracellular matrix. As with muscle cells, it is therefore plausible that podocytes use precisely actin-guided DG complexes at their “soles” to actively govern the topography of GBM matrix proteins. Expression of the α/β-DG complex was reported to be reduced in muscular dystrophies, and therefore a search for similar pathologic alterations in archival kidney biopsies from patients with MCN (n = 16) and FSGS (n = 8) was conducted by quantitative immunoelectron microscopy. The density of α-DG on the podocyte's soles was significantly reduced to 25% in MCN, whereas it was not different in normal kidneys and FSGS. The expression of β-DG was reduced to >50% in MCN, and was slightly increased in FSGS. Levels of DG expression returned to normal in MCN after steroid treatment (n = 4). Expression of β1-integrin remained at normal levels in all conditions. These findings point to different potentially pathogenic mechanisms of foot process flattening in MCN and FSGS.
The Essential Oils of Laurus nobilis L. and Molecular-Spectroscopic Analysis for 1,8-Cineole
Authors: ELKIRAN Ömer , KARAKAYA Mustafa
Published: April 2021

In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from leaves of Laurus nobilis naturally grown in Turkey were evaluated using by GC and GC-MS and chemical differences were depated in means of chemotaxonomy. The leaves of the plant samples were hydro-distilled. Twenty components were identified representing 99.3% of the oils, The main compounds in the essential oils were; 1,8-cineole (%48.47), β-pinene (%14.45), linalool (%8.15) and α-pinene (%5.97). In addition, the complexation energies, chemical shifts of the carbon and hydrogen atoms in the 1,8-cineole structures were calculated by ab initio theoretical approaches. The performances of the B3LYP and M06 functionals were tested on carbon and hydrogen complexation energies of the investigated compound. The electronegativity effect of oxygen and solvent effect on complexation energy of the carbons and hydrogens were evaluated with the results obtained.
Inoculation of Capsicum annuum L. and Lactuca sativa L. Plants with Local Bacillus Species for Evaluating the Protein Amount
Authors: ÇİĞDEM Büşra , YİLMAZ Semih , ÇETİN Aysun
Published: April 2021

Bitki büyümesini teşvik edici özelliği bulunan bakteriler, bitkilerde besin alımı ve etkisini artırmak amacıyla metabolit üretebilirler. Bacillus türleri kök bölgesinde koloni oluşturarak simbiyotik ilişki kurabilirler. Burada serbest azotu bağlama, fosforu çözme ve hormon üretimi gibi fayda sağlayarak büyümeyi teşvik ederler. Yerel Bacillus thurungiensis, B. subtilis, B. nitratireducens ve B. paramaycoides izolatları sera koşullarında biber ve marul tohumlarına kaplanarak randomize bloklar halinde beş tekerrürlü olarak 5kg toprak içeren saksılara ekilmiştir. Bakteriler luria bertani ortamında bir gece 37° C de 180 rpm’de 1x108 cfu/ml olana kadar inkübe edilmiştir. Ardından yüzey sterilizasyonu yapılmış tohumlarla 100 rpm’de 30-45 dakika boyunca inkübe etmek suretiyle kaplama yapılmıştır. Bitkiler hasat edilerek kuruyana kadar 65-70° C de bekletilmiştir. Örnekler Kjeldahl metoduyla protein miktarını belirlemek için öğütülmüştür. Toplam protein içeriği, azot miktarıyla oran yapılarak belirlenmiştir. Biber köklerinde % N içeriği kontrol grubunda 5.00 iken Bt SY49.1 ve Bs PSY1 ile muamele edilen grupta sırasıyla 6.14 ve 6.04 olarak bulunmuştur. Benzer şekilde biber gövdesinde % N içeriği, kontrolde 5.34 iken Bt SY49.1 de 6.26, Bn PSY1 de 6.29 ve Bp PSY1 uygulanan grupta 8.26 olarak bulunmuştur. Marul kök örneklerinde, bu miktar kontrolde % 6.64 iken Bt PSY1 ve Bs PSY1 uygulanan grupta %8 civarında bulunmuştur. Marul gövde numunelerinde % N kontrolde 12.42 iken Bn PSY1, Bt PSY1, Bs PSY1 de sırasıyla 13.17,12.87 ve 13.12 olarak bulunmuştur. Gıdalarda alınan azotun yaklaşık tamamının protein yapısına katıldığı bilinmekte olup uygulama yapılan bakteri türlerinin bitkilerde protein miktarını anlamlı şekilde artırdığı söylenebilir.
Flexibilidad horaria, horas reales trabajadas y productividad laboral en el sur de Europa
Authors: Vallejo Peña Francisco Alberto , Giachi Sandro
Published: April 2021

La sociología ha estudiado durante mucho tiempo la existencia de diversos modelos institucionales entre las áreas geográficas de Europa en términos de orga- nización del trabajo. Sobre esta base, proponemos comparar la situación de cuatro países representativos del sur de Europa (España, Italia, Grecia y Portugal) con la del resto del continente, centrándonos en el número de horas trabajadas y la flexibilidad horaria como parte de su modelo institucional de organización de la economía, así como su relación con los niveles de productividad laboral. Para ello, se han empleado indicadores de las oleadas de 2010 y 2015 de la Encuesta Europea sobre las Condi- ciones de Trabajo (EWCS, por sus siglas en inglés), que incluyen el número de horas trabajadas, la flexibilidad en las horas de entrada y salida y la tendencia a trabajar el mismo número de horas cada día. Tras comparar promedios en ambas oleadas y aplicar regresiones lineales, se ha llegado a las siguientes conclusiones: la aplicación de fórmulas de flexibilidad horaria en Europa se asocia a altos niveles de productividad; y los países del sur, aunque dedican muchas horas al trabajo, son menos productivos y muestran una escasa flexibilidad horaria.
Facial expression recognition for low resolution images using convolutional neural networks and denoising techniques
Authors:   Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, 534406, India, Bodavarapu Pavan Nageswar Reddy , Srinivas P V V S
Published: April 2021

Background/Objectives: There is only limited research work is going on in the field of facial expression recognition on low resolution images. Mostly, all the images in the real world will be in low resolution and might also contain noise, so this study is to design a novel convolutional neural network model (FERConvNet), which can perform better on low resolution images. Methods: We proposed a model and then compared with state-of-art models on FER2013 dataset. There is no publicly available dataset, which contains low resolution images for facial expression recognition (Anger, Sad, Disgust, Happy, Surprise, Neutral, Fear), so we created a Low Resolution Facial Expression (LRFE) dataset, which contains more than 6000 images of seven types of facial expressions. The existing FER2013 dataset and LRFE dataset were used. These datasets were divided in the ratio 80:20 for training and testing and validation purpose. A HDM is proposed, which is a combination of Gaussian Filter, Bilateral Filter and Non local means denoising Filter. This hybrid denoising method helps us to increase the performance of the convolutional neural network. The proposed model was then compared with VGG16 and VGG19 models. Findings: The experimental results show that the proposed FERConvNet_HDM approach is effective than VGG16 and VGG19 in facial expression recognition on both FER2013 and LRFE dataset. The proposed FERConvNet_HDM approach achieved 85% accuracy on Fer2013 dataset, outperforming the VGG16 and VGG19 models, whose accuracies are 60% and 53% on Fer2013 dataset respectively. The same FERConvNet_HDM approach when applied on LRFE dataset achieved 95% accuracy. After analyzing the results, our FERConvNet_HDM approach performs better than VGG16 and VGG19 on both Fer2013 and LRFE dataset. Novelty/Applications: HDM with convolutional neural networks, helps in increasing the performance of convolutional neural networks in Facial expression recognition. Keywords: Facial expression recognition; facial emotion; convolutional neural network; deep learning; computer vision
Short term culture of wild caught juvenile rabbit fishes (Siganus javus) in open sea cages at Palk Bay
Authors:   Marine Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Pallikaranai, Chennai, 600100, Tamilnadu, India., Rajaprabhu G , Kirubagaran R , Santhanakumar J , Kumar R Sendhil , Dharani G
Published: April 2021

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to collect and rear the unmarketable, small sized S.javus which is mostly rejected by the traditional fisherman. During fishing activities, under sized S.javus ranging in sizes from 25 to 40 kg (< 30-40 % of total catch/day) is being captured. Due to very low marketable value these small fishes (<250 g) get rejected. Therefore, we utilized this as an economically viable option for utilization as seeds for rearing until they reach the necessary marketable size. Methods: Undersized juveniles (12-16 cm, 40 -55 g) were collected from nearby Olaikuda village,Rameshwaram using traditional traps made using bamboo and odai tree bark (Acacia planifrons). The collected juveniles were stocked in sea cages and fed with locally formulated plant based feed containing 28-32 % crude protein. Findings: Harvesting was successfully done after 140 days with 90 % survival. The average growth rate achieved was 2.5 g /day with FCR of 2.01. This resulted in an average harvest size of 400 g/fish from its initial stoking size of 50 g with an attracted market value of Rs. 150/kg. Novelty: Till date, no attempts were made to commercialize such harvesting techniques for the species Siganus javus in pilot scale in India (Except James, 1984). Keywords: Rabbit fish; Siganus javus; sea cage culture; rabbit fish culture; Siganidae
Motivations and Intended Outcomes in Local Governments' Declarations of Climate Emergency
Authors: Ruiz-Campillo Xira , Castán Broto Vanesa , Westman Linda
Published: April 2021

Near 1,500 governments worldwide, including over 1,000 local governments, have declared a climate emergency. Such declarations constitute a response to the growing visibility of social movements in international politics as well as the growing role of cities in climate governance. Framing climate change as an emergency, however, can bring difficulties in both the identification of the most appropriate measures to adopt and the effectiveness of those measures in the long run. We use textual analysis to examine the motivations and intended outcomes of 300 declarations endorsed by local governments. The analysis demonstrates that political positioning, previous experience of environmental action within local government, and pressure from civil society are the most common motivations for declaring a climate emergency at the local level. The declarations constitute symbolic gestures highlighting the urgency of the climate challenge, but they do not translate into radically different responses to the climate change challenge. The most commonly intended impacts are increasing citizens’ awareness of climate change and establishing mechanisms to influence future planning and infrastructure decisions. However, the declarations are adopted to emphasize the increasing role cities are taking on, situating local governments as crucial agents bridging global and local action agendas.
Universities, Sustainability, and Neoliberalism: Contradictions of the Climate Emergency Declarations
Authors: O’Neill Kirstie , Sinden Charlotte
Published: April 2021

UK universities have been successively declaring a climate emergency, following the University of Bristol’s lead in 2019. Universities are key actors in climate change education, and potentially progressive organisations researching, teaching and implementing low carbon futures. Using universities’ sustainability strategies, we present a secondary analysis identifying neoliberalism’s significant role in influencing universities’ sustainability policies and practices. This plays out through university boosterism where universities use their sustainability work to claim sustainability leadership, representing a form of sustainability capital to attract funding and potential students. Furthermore, we suggest a cognitive-practice gap exists between those researching sustainability and those implementing sustainability in universities. Thus, we conclude that there are inherent tensions in universities’ sustainability governance, with universities embodying contradictory sustainability discourses and advancing a form of green capital. Entrenched neoliberal ideologies present challenges for those declaring a climate emergency and how such declarations are subsequently operationalised.
ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE E APOIO PSICOSSOCIAL A CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES VÍTIMAS DE VIOLÊNCIA DOMÉSTICA : REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Authors: Marques Vanessa Julinda Ribeiro Coutinho , Silva Ana Beatriz Ribeiro Cavalcante , Ayres Aryana Marques da Nóbrega , Pagels Camilla Rolim , Toni Leonardo Pereira , Silva Cleyton Cézar Souto
Published: April 2021

A violência doméstica contra crianças e adolescentes é uma prática recorrente no Brasil e fere os direitos desse grupo, estabelecidos pela legislação vigente. Tais vítimas necessitam de apoio psicossocial, durante o acompanhamento pelo sistema de saúde. O trabalho objetiva avaliar a oferta de apoio psicossocial para crianças e adolescentes, vítimas de violência doméstica, no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Trata-se de uma revisão de literatura, realizada pela análise de estudos científicos selecionados na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), através das bases de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e PubMed, utilizando os Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS): “Serviços de Saúde Mental”, “Defesa da Criança e do Adolescente”, “Violência”. Observou-se que a rede de apoio, apesar de possuir um aparato legal que ofereça proteção aos direitos das crianças e adolescentes, vítimas de violência, encontra-se desarticulada entre seus setores, o que dificulta o apoio psicossocial às vítimas. Conclui-se que são necessárias ações intersetoriais que visem integrar os elementos da rede de apoio, para que se possa oferecer um cuidado integral aos jovens vítimas de maus-tratos.
Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities of thymol and carvacrol against Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Nakasugi Lydiana Pollis , Bomfim Natália Silva , Romoli Jessica Cristina Zoratto , Nerilo Samuel Botião , Silva Milena Veronezi , Oliveira Gustavo Henrique Rocha , Machinski Jr Miguel
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thymol and carvacrol upon production of aflatoxins by Aspergillus flavus and upon its growth. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), fungitoxic spectrum and mycotoxin inhibition were assessed. Results showed thymol and carvacrol exhibited fungicidal action, as determined by MIC values of 2500 and 30 µg mL-1, respectively. Both thymol and carvacrol significantly inhibited growth of A. flavus (p
GNSS for Quasi-Real-Time Earthquake Source Determination in Eastern Tibet: A Prototype System toward Early Warning Applications
Authors: Shan Xinjian , Li Yanchuan , Wang Zhenjie , Yin Hao , Liu Xiaodong , Liu Yunhua , Zhang Guohong , Zhang Yingfeng , Qu Chunyan
Published: April 2021

Active crustal deformation of the Tibetan plateau results in destructive continental earthquakes and is therefore the focus of intense research interest. Increases in the numbers of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) networks and stations deployed in Tibet are allowing for the characterization of crustal deformation during different phases of the earthquake cycle. Here, we present the status of a “seismic + high-rate GNSS” network deployed in eastern Tibet, including its data streams and data processing system, with the goal of supporting quasi-real-time earthquake source determination. Furthermore, we use this network to test a prototype earthquake early warning (EEW) system using data from the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku earthquake, and 2200 synthetic earthquakes with moment magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the southern Longmen Shan fault and Anninghe fault. The results show that our current methodology could respond to moderate-to-large earthquakes (magnitude 7+) within tens of seconds after the origin time, with implications for EEW applications in China.
Identification of the Seismogenic Fault of the 1654 M 8.0 Tianshui Earthquake, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Chen Peng , Shi Wei , Hu Jianmin , Yan Bing , Lu Haifeng
Published: April 2021

The 1654 M 8.0 Tianshui earthquake occurred in the triangle area bounded by the West Qinling fault (WQLF) and Lixian–Luojiabao fault (LLF) in the northeastern Tibetan plateau. Previous studies reported that the LLF is the source for this earthquake based on the historical records and the Holocene fault activities. However, topographic analyses, outcrop observations, trench excavations associated with the WQLF, together with the radiocarbon dating results reveal that (1) the most recent surface-rupturing earthquake (E1) occurred in the past 470 yr, which can only correspond to the 1654 Tianshui earthquake if the historic earthquakes record is complete. This result means that the seismogenic fault, which is responsible for the 1654 Tianshui earthquake is the WQLF, rather than the LLF as previously reported; (2) the penultimate morphogenic earthquake (E2) took place in the period of 2693–760 yr Cal B.P.; (3) the third recent large earthquake (E3) occurred in the period of 10,229–6032 yr Cal B.P. with a higher probability in this range of 9005–8596 yr Cal B.P.; and (4) in consideration of the double time span of event E3 when compared with event E2 and E1, there is a possibility that another morphogenic earthquake took place in the period of 8596–6032 yr Cal B.P., and then the fourth surface-rupturing event (E4) occurred in the period of 9005–8596 yr Cal B.P. Therefore, at least three or four Holocene slipping events have occurred upon the WQLF in the past ∼9000  yr, suggesting an average recurrence interval of large earthquakes of 2250–3000 yr. The new evidence associated with the source of the 1654 M 8.0 Tianshui earthquake and the recurrence interval of large earthquakes on the WQLF will throw light on the reassessment of seismic potential in this area.
Temporal Variation in Cultural Seismic Noise and Noise Correlation Functions during COVID-19 Lockdown in Canada
Authors: Kuponiyi Ayodeji Paul , Kao Honn
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 led to a widespread lockdown that restricted human activities, particularly land, air, and maritime traffic. The “quietness” on land and ocean that followed presents an opportunity to measure an unprecedented reduction in human-related seismic activities and study its effect on the short-period range of ambient noise cross-correlation functions (NCFs). We document the variations in seismic power levels and signal quality of short-period NCFs measured by four seismographs located near Canadian cities across the pandemic-defined timeline. Significant drops in seismic power levels are observed at all the locations around mid-March. These drops coincide with lockdown announcements by the various Canadian provinces where the stations are located. Mean seismic power reductions of ∼24% and ∼17% are observed near Montreal and Ottawa, respectively, in eastern Canada. Similar reductions of ∼27% and 17% are recorded in western Canada near Victoria and Sidney, respectively. None of the locations show full recovery in seismic power back to the pre-lockdown levels by the end of June, when the provinces moved into gradual reopening. The overall levels of seismic noise during lockdown are a factor of 5–10 lower at our study locations in western Canada, relative to the east. Signal quality of NCF measured in the secondary microseism frequency band for the station pair in western Canada is maximum before lockdown (late February–early March), minimum during lockdown (mid–late March), and increased to intermediate levels in the reopening phase (late May). A similar pattern is observed for the signal quality of the eastern Canada station pair, except for a jump in levels at similar periods during the lockdown phase. The signal quality of NCF within the secondary microseism band is further shown to be the lowest for the western Canada station pair during the 2020 lockdown phase, when compared with similar time windows in 2018 and 2019.
Imaging the Shallow Structure of the Yucca Flat at the Source Physics Experiment Phase II Site with Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio Inversion and a Large-N Seismic Array
Authors: Alfaro-Diaz Richard , Chen Ting
Published: April 2021

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) is a series of chemical explosions at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) with the goal of understanding seismic-wave generation and propagation of underground explosions. To understand explosion source physics, accurate geophysical models of the SPE site are needed. Here, we utilize a large-N seismic array deployed at the SPE phase II site to generate a shallow subsurface model of shear-wave velocity. The deployment consists of 500 geophones and covers an area of, approximately, 2.5×2  km. The array is located in the Yucca Flat in the northeast corner of the NNSS, Nye County, Nevada. Using ambient-noise recordings throughout the large-N seismic array, we calculate horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSRs) across the array. We obtain 2D seismic images of shear-wave velocities across the SPE phase II site for the shallow structure of the basin. The results clearly image two significant seismic impedance interfaces at ∼150–500 and ∼350–600  m depth. The shallower interface relates to the contrast between Quaternary alluvium and Tertiary volcanic rocks. The deeper interface relates to the contrast between Tertiary volcanic rocks and the Paleozoic bedrock. The 2D subsurface models support and extend previous understanding of the structure of the SPE phase II site. This study shows that the HVSR method in conjunction with a large-N seismic array is a quick and effective method for investigating shallow structures.
Characteristics of Current-Induced Harmonic Tremor Signals in Ocean-Bottom Seismometer Records
Authors: Essing David , Schlindwein Vera , Schmidt-Aursch Mechita C. , Hadziioannou Celine , Stähler Simon C.
Published: April 2021

Long-lasting harmonic tremor signals are frequently observed in spectrograms of seismological data. Natural sources, such as volcanoes and icebergs, or artificial sources, such as ships and helicopters, produce very similar harmonic tremor episodes. Ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) records may additionally be contaminated by tremor induced by ocean-bottom currents acting on the OBS structure. This harmonic tremor noise may severely hinder earthquake detection and can be misinterpreted as volcanic tremor.

In a 160-km-long network of 27 OBSs deployed for 1 yr along the Knipovich ridge in the Greenland Sea, harmonic tremor was widely observed away from natural sources such as volcanoes. Based on this network, we present a systematic analysis of the characteristics of hydrodynamically induced harmonic tremor in OBS records to make it distinguishable from natural tremor sources and reveal its generation processes.

We apply an algorithm that detects harmonic tremor and extracts time series of its fundamental frequency and spectral amplitude. Tremor episodes typically occur twice per day, starting with fundamental frequencies of 0.5–1.0 Hz, and show three distinct stages that are characterized by frequency-gliding, mode-locking, and large spectral amplitudes, respectively. We propose that ocean-bottom currents larger than ∼5  cm/s cause rhythmical Karman vortex shedding around protruding structures of the OBS and excite eigenvibrations. Head-buoy strumming is the most likely source of the dominant tremor signal, whereas a distinctly different tremor signal with a fundamental frequency ∼6  Hz may be related to eigenvibrations of the radio antenna. Ocean-bottom current velocities reconstructed from the fundamental tremor frequency and from cross correlation of tremor time series between stations match observed average current velocities of 14–20  cm/s in this region. The tremor signal periodicity shows the same tidal constituents as the forcing ocean-bottom currents, which is a further evidence of the hydrodynamic nature of the tremor.
An Improved Method for Computing Broadband Green’s Functions of Surface Sources and Its Application to Inverting the Processes of the 2017 Xinmo Landslide
Authors: Qian Yunyi , Li Zhengbo , Chen Xiaofei
Published: April 2021

Landslides are dramatic and complex surface processes that can result in extensive casualties and property damage. The broadband seismic signals generated by landslides provide datasets essential for understanding time-dependent sliding processes. However, traditional methods for computing Green’s functions based on wavenumber integration converge very slowly for surface sources, especially at high frequencies. Usually, long-period synthetic waves with a cutoff k-integral for an approximated near-surface source are adopted for landslide studies, which may lead to artifacts. Thus, the development of efficient methods for computing the broadband Green’s functions of surface sources is important. The generalized reflection and transmission method with the peak-trough averaging technique can overcome the difficulties in wavenumber integration for surface sources, quickly converging even for high-frequency calculations. We use this improved method to compute Green’s functions for surface single-force sources and invert the force histories of the 2017 devastating Xinmo landslide in different frequency bands. The results indicate that the complex sliding process of this drastic event can be revealed by broadband signals (0.02–0.5 Hz), and that the initiation stage of this event shows a dominant frequency up to 0.2 Hz.
Oral Antiseptik Spreylerdeki Etanolün Nefeste Alkol Ölçümü Üzerine Etkisi
Authors: Demirci İsmail Mehmet , Balcı Yasemin , Kadı Gülsüm , Seçkin Çetin , Tosun Kürşad
Published: April 2021

Objective:Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), in routine traffic control, might be higher due to reasons which effect mouth alcohol concentration. According to Highways Traffic Regulation, there is no possibility to remeasure with technical device, in case of any objection.In this study, we aimed to answer firstly how oral antiseptic sprays effect BrAC and then what correlation between BrACs and time is.
Material and Method:This study included 30 healthy volunteers’ results. In this study, three oral antiseptic sprays (OAS) which contain ethanol and electrochemical breathalyzer are used. BrAC(Tbefore)before spray use, was taken as the reference value for each subject.Subjects sprayed 3 puffs of OAS into their mouths.Following 3 puffs, the subjects kept their mouths closed and immediately underwent a breathalyzer examination to evaluate BrAC(T0).Two more examinations were conducted 3 minutes later(T3) and 5 minutes later(T5) without any use of the sprays. 
Results:The highest BrAC value(4.25permille) was attained at T0 in 12 subjects; all BrAC values(before spray use) were negligible and under 0.08 permille.The BrAC median values decreased under legal limit zero as time passed by from T0 to T3 and T5.T3 values were lower than the T0 values for all OASs and all T5 values were lower than T0 and T3 values.
Conclusıons:This research study shows that OASs may alter the results of a single breathalyzer test. Based on our results, BrAC values are effected by ethanol in the oral cavity due to prior use of OAS and this explains why BrAC decrease rate is really remarkable.
KeyWords:Breath alcohol level,Oral antiseptic sprays,Breathalyzer.