bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Name-Dropping in the Space of Language and Culture: New Opportunities and Facets of Interpretation
Authors:   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Novikova Marina L. , Novikov Philipp N.
Published: December 2020

Axiological markers are manifested in values, words have a significant influence on a modern person, on their verbal acts and mindsets. Reflection of various concepts and ideas is an objective phenomenon of the modern axiological and audiovisual media space. Name-dropping as an intentional or a random mention of well-known names, nominations of various phenomena of real and imaginary world let people actualize various properties and qualities. Research on name-dropping in the language as a communicative system is important for the analysis of the modern language processes. Name-dropping is also viewed as a lexical unit that exists in the media space, which allows us to study its etymology, mark the beginning of the process of the popularization of this word in various languages as well as to analyze its role in the formation of axiological linguistic space.The observation of this phenomenon allows us to analyze social preferences, pragmatic presets and specifics of national mentality that are defined by the universal and specific characteristics through the lens of the corpus analysis of English, French and Russian language environments. The authors analyze the traditional types of namedropping as well as the new ones and state that name-dropping is an important phenomenon of the modern linguistic and cultural space as well as an expressive feature that forms its axiological realization; its multivector axiological features are determined by cumulative linguistic effects.
The interaction of closely related languages in modern journalism as a way to increase the expressiveness of a communicative-speech work
Authors:   Vitebsk State University, Zaitseva Irina P. , Nicolayenko Sergey V.
Published: December 2020

The article analyzes the method of including elements of closely related languages (Ukrainian and Belarusian) in the modern journalistic text in Russian based on a number of popular periodicals in Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus (Ukrainian weekly “2000” and the regional newspaper “Vitebskie Vesti”), which is one of the manifestations of language interaction in conditions of closely related bilingualism. The main types of appeal to this technique by authors-journalists are identified and systematized: introduction of individual words, expressions (including those of a stable nature), fragments of other texts of a closely related language, as well as options for their author’s presentation (design by means of the source language or Russian). The functional significance of the implemented technique is analyzed, which, as the observations show, is primarily used to Supplement the text with figurative and concretizing elements and increase its expressiveness, which contributes to a more effective implementation in a journalistic work as an influencing function (first of all), and as an informative function. In addition, this technique, which is obviously focused on the perception of the bilingual reader, actualizes the socio-cultural context common to the author of the work and its addressee, helps to establish closer contact between them, and also expands the journalist’s opportunities to express their own position by individual stylistic means.
The Poet as A Subject of Language: Ontological Bases of Signs and Trend Meanigs of Society
Authors:   Leading Researcher of Institute of Culturololgy  of Ukrainian Academy of Arts, Bilchenko Yevgenia V. , Danilova Stefaniуa A. ,   Saint Petersburg State University
Published: December 2020

The article reveals the problem of the ontological meaning of the life and functioning of the poet in its relationship with the communicative practices of contemporary global world. As a result of comparing the two ways of thought (globalism — antiglobalism, traditionalism — neoliberalism, modern — postmodern), the authors come to a preliminary conclusion that it is unacceptable for the creative industries of branding and PR to displace ontological adequations of poetic values as a part of classic art. The article clearly differentiates the concept of symbolic identity and the category of existential selfhood of a poet - poet as a PR hero and poet as a subject of language as a house of being. We make a hypothesis about a possibility of rational reconciliation of the priorities of the academic tradition as an inalienable context of the aesthetic value of art-work and postmodern digital technologies of art-promotion (including network platforms in the aspect of exclusively their correlation as the aim and maens: the ontology is primary strategy and the representation is secondary tactics. The methodological tool for the substantiating of this hypothesis is the idea of a structural balance between the vertical centripetal dynamic axis of the paradigm (metaphor) and the horizontal centrifugal static axis of the syntagma (metonymy) in classical semiotics. Within the frames of the signifier and signified as the Selfness and the Other, dynamics and statics, history and structure, imagine ideal meanings pass into a real-symbolic language, focusing in the inner world of the poet, turning personal creativity into the property of cultural memory. Thus, the hypothesis is confirmed through a synthesis of classical semiotics and non-classical psychoanalysis. If we liken the semiotic axes of intersection of vertical and horizontal to the R. Descartes coordinate system, the point of intersection of horizontal and vertical turns out to be a poet who translates personal metaphors into cultural-semantic invariants, replenishing the civilizational memory of culture, confirming his existential value, which is different from his or her purely communicative image. From a philosophical point of view, the article analyzes the concept of a poet's status as his/her existential state in comparison with criticism of symbolic capital (prestige, reputation, brand).
R. Bukharaev’s poem “Day of the Dead”: Ways of self-identification of a Lyrical Subject
Authors:   Kazan Federal University, Amineva Venera R. ,   Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: December 2020

The Russian-language creative works of “foreign” authors is studied in the context of a transcultural model of artistic development in modern literary studies. Literary postcolonial discourse is focused on the character research, which is based on the boundaries of homogeneous cultures, and the principles of its representation in the literature. The subject architectonics of R. Bukharaev’s poem “Day of the Dead” is analyzed in the aspect of the problem of identity and self-identification of the lyrical subject for the first time in this article. The dynamics of the subject- figurative structures corresponding to different stages of the hero’s spiritual ascent is educed: from the problematization of identity and separation from the “I” of its substitutes to the way out of the painful bogdom and finding true self. The ways of self-determination of the lyrical hero, who is in dialogic relations both with his counterparts and with super-subjects of a special type — history, country and nature are determined. It has been established that historical and literary allusions and reminiscences from the works of world literature perform an identifying function. They educe a universal and panhuman source in the attitude and mental structure of an ordinary person. The author highlights the phenomenon of a cultural interference that occurs as a result of the overlapping of different codes and national-artistic traditions on which the Russian-speaking poet focuses on. The results of the study are significant for understanding the artistic and aesthetic nature of literature, which implements the phenomenon of the cultural borderlands.
Fantoches de Si Mesmos: A Dinâmica de Reprodução Social da Empresa PAB à Luz da Teoria de Pierre Bourdieu
Authors: Lima Luciana Campos
Published: December 2020

O presente trabalho investiga, por meio de estudo de caso, a gestão organizacional em empresa multinacional associada à exploração de minérios, a partir de perspectiva epistemológica de caráter estruturalista com foco nas concepções de Pierre Bourdieu. O objetivo central é o estudo da dinâmica de reprodução da ordem social nas organizações.O plano metodológico foi composto pelo levantamento documental, entrevistas semi-estruturadas e análise referenciada aos conceitos de campo e habitus. O estudo evidenciou que a dinâmica identificada estava estruturada pela incongruência entre o discurso organizacional (campo) e a prática operante (habitus); retratada por meio da força e interferência de disputas por posições de poder pelos empregados antigos versus novos, pautadas na ocupação de cargos e/ou atividades que estavam diretamente relacionadas à produção fabril como forma de exercício do poder. Os rituais de reconhecimento restritos a apenas uma parte dos empregados, os incentivam a participar do jogo, forçando-os, deliberadamente ou inconscientemente, a continuar com a reprodução social, dando sentido à analogia proposta pelo título deste estudo: “Fantoches de si mesmos”. As análises de resultado contribuem para estruturar mudanças na construção de ambiente mais saudável, criativo, autônomo e valorativo de trabalho.
Editorial
Authors: Trevisan Leonardo , Dutra Joel
Published: December 2020

Editorial
A RELAÇÃO ENTRE A GESTÃO DO CONHECIMENTO E A GESTÃO POR COMPETÊNCIAS: UM ESTUDO A PARTIR DAS PRÁTICAS EM ESCRITÓRIOS DE ADVOCACIA
Authors: Pires Daniele Cristina Gonçalves Brene , Amorim Wilson
Published: December 2020

A sociedade da informação e do conhecimento trouxe uma nova realidade e vários desafios para as organizações contemporâneas. A gestão do conhecimento e a gestão por competências apresentam-se como teorias administrativas que tratam dois recursos fundamentais para essas organizações: conhecimento e pessoas. Considerando isso, objetivou-se identificar a existência do ponto de convergência entre esses dois temas, analisando como a gestão do conhecimento contribui para a definição de novas competências organizacionais em escritórios de advocacia, por meio de três estudos de casos. A análise permitiu confirmar a interrelação entre as duas teorias e que a gestão do conhecimento contribui para a geração de novas competências organizacionais em escritórios de advocacia, pois as competências são transformadas com os novos conhecimentos produzidos pela organização. Embora exista essa relação fundamental, considerou-se que os escritórios de advocacia brasileiros precisam amadurecer a profissionalização da administração para que usufruam dos benefícios trazidos pela gestão do conhecimento e gestão por competência.
Diseño de historias ilustradas contra la discriminación por edadismo para evitar el aislamiento social
Authors:   , Ita Sarrin Dayra Lina Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

La presente investigación busca dejar en evidencia al edadismo, una de las tres grandes formas de discriminación de nuestra sociedad (Lozada, 2004), detrás del racismo y sexismo, es un problema social que afecta a todas las clases sociales. Por ello mediante las herramientas del diseño gráfico como es la ilustración se crea el proyecto “Tesoros de vida” que busca promover la valoración de la población mayor a través de historias de personas mayores, para su reconocimiento bajo el concepto de tesoro de la sociedad. Es así que se construye una imagen positiva de la vejez, revalorizando la experiencia, el esfuerzo y las habilidades de aquellos que poseen los conocimientos de toda una vida. Urge que todos los que tienen un rol desde diferentes escenarios se pronuncien y actúen en beneficio de las personas mayores. Por lo tanto, a través del diseño gráfico se puede construir una sociedad para todas las edades.
Designing and Implementing a Novel Graduate Program to Develop Transdisciplinary Leaders in Urban Sustainability
Authors: Wallen Megan M. , Guerra-Lopez Ingrid , Meroueh Louay , Mohamed Rayman , Sankar Andrea , Sopory Pradeep , Watkins Ryan , Kashian Donna R.
Published: December 2020

Urban settings are increasingly faced with challenges across natural and engineered environmental systems, threatening the sustainability of urban centers where >50% of the world's population resides. The pressures of aging infrastructure, water and air pollution, and environmental justice exemplify the growing need for urban professionals to employ complex scientific reasoning across disciplines where they can effectively address the multi-faceted issues of urban sustainability. Here we present an innovative model for preparing the next generation of public, private, and academic leaders to address complex problems in urban sustainability. Specifically, we outline the design and implementation of an integrated, adaptable graduate training program, with the goals of science leadership, curriculum relevancy, community impact, broader applicability, recruitment into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs and careers, and program sustainability. This program addresses human-ecosystem challenges using a transdisciplinary approach to produce scientific products in partnership with local communities, businesses, industries, scientists, and policy makers, while providing a mechanism to understand and overcome contemporary societal challenges. Students receive rigorous training in their home disciplines, coupled with training across disciplinary lines and developmental experiences, to prepare them to communicate, collaborate, and innovate in a variety of contexts. Training success is evaluated across measurable competency domains including problem definition, research methods, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. After three years the program expanded relationships across fields and professions, successfully established 18 internship opportunities with community partners, created a new dual-title PhD program open to students in 5 academic departments, and facilitated the co-production of knowledge with external partners. This model bridges the gaps between research, education, and application, providing an integrated, rigorous graduate training program that fosters collaborative problem-solving between STEM graduate students and the broader community of professionals conducting sustainability work in a post-industrial urban setting.
Machine Learning-based Anomaly Detection with Magnetic Data
Authors: Mitra Peetak , Akhiyarov Denis , Araya-Polo Mauricio , Byrd Daniel
Published: December 2020

Pipeline integrity is an important area of concern for the oil and gas, refining, chemical, hydrogen, carbon sequestration, and electric-power industries, due to the safety risks associated with pipeline failures. Regular monitoring, inspection, and maintenance of these facilities is therefore required for safe operation. Large standoff magnetometry (LSM) is a non-intrusive, passive magnetometer-based mea- surement technology that has shown promise in detecting defects (anomalies) in regions of elevated mechanical stresses. However, analyzing the noisy multi-sensor LSM data to clearly identify regions of anomalies is a significant challenge. This is mainly due to the high frequency of the data collection, mis-alignment between consecutive inspections and sensors, as well as the number of sensor measurements recorded. In this paper we present LSM defect identification approach based on ma- chine learning (ML). We show that this ML approach is able to successfully detect anomalous readings using a series of methods with increasing model complexity and capacity. The methods start from unsupervised learning with "point" methods and eventually increase complexity to supervised learning with sequence methods and multi-output predictions. We observe data leakage issues for some methods with randomized train/test splitting and resolve them by specific non-randomized splitting of training and validation data. We also achieve a 200x acceleration of support-vector classifier (SVC) method by porting computations from CPU to GPU leveraging the cuML RAPIDS AI library. For sequence methods, we develop a customized Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture based on 1D convolutional filters to identify and characterize multiple properties of these defects. In the end, we report the scalability of the best-performing methods and compare them, for viability in field trials.
AKTIVITAS ANTIMITOSIS HASIL FRAKSINASI EKSTRAK KLOROFORM SPONS Siphanocalina sp TERHADAP SEL ZIGOT BULU BABI Tripneustus gratilla Linn.
Authors: Agustina Rina , Alam Gemini , Lethe Christiana
Published: December 2020

Kanker merupakan penyakit yang disebabkan karena ketidaknormalan pertumbuhan sel. Resistensi sel kanker pada beberapa jenis obat kanker serta efek samping obat yang begitu besar terhadap sel normal merupakan masalah dalam pengobatan kanker. Hal ini mendorong para peneliti untuk melakukan penelitian guna penemuan obat antikanker baru. Penelitian ini memanfaatkan biota laut yang diperoleh dari perairan di Sulawesi Selatan yaitu spons Siphanocalina sp yang  bertujuan untuk mengetahui aktivitas antimitosis dari hasil fraksinasi ekstrak kloroform spons  Siphanocalina sp. terhadap sel zigot Tripneustus gratilla Linn dan mengetahui golongan komponen kimia yang berperan dalam aktivitas antimitosis tersebut. Pengujian aktivitas antimitosis menggunakan sel zigot yang diperoleh dengan  pembuahan sel telur dan sperma Tripneustus gratilla Linn yang dilakukan secara invitro. Sel zigot kemudian diberi perlakuan fraksi-fraksi hasil fraksinasi ekstrak kloroform dengan konsentrasi 100 µg/ml . Fraksi yang memiliki aktivitas penghambatan terbesar selanjutnya dilarutkan dengan pelarut etil asetat sehingga diperoleh subfraksi larut etil asetat dan tidak larut etil asetat. Selanjutnya, uji aktivitas  subfraksi larut etil asetat dan tidak larut etil asetat dilakukan dengan konsentrasi 1, 10, dan 100 µg/ml. Pembelahan sel diamati menggunakan mikroskop cahaya setelah 2 jam inkubasi. Dari hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa fraksi tidak larut etil asetat memiliki aktivitas antimitosis yang kuat dengan nilai IC 50 15,14 µg/ml. Kontrol positif yang digunakan yaitu vinkristin dengan IC50 sebesar 0,183  µg/ml. Hasil identifikasi menggunakan kromatografi lapis tipis menunjukkan bahwa golongan senyawa kimia yang memiliki aktivitas antimitosis pada fraksi tidak larut etil asetat spons Siphanocalina sp  diduga golongan alkaloida.
ISOLASI ACTINOMYCETES SIMBION SPONGE PULAU BARRANG CADDI MAKASSAR SEBAGAI PENGHASIL SENYAWA ANTIMIKROBA
Authors: Rante Herlina - , Alam Gemini , Usmar Usmar , Wahid Sri Ningrum Anggrainy Anggrainy
Published: December 2020

Sponges as a residence for microorganisms make it a High Microbial Abundance Sponge (HMAS) where 40-60% of the biomass of the sponge consists of microorganisms. One of the bacteria that originates from the sea and has long been known to be breed is Actinomycetes. Actinomycetes that are symbiotic with sponges are very numerous and rich in the discovery of new chemotypes with interesting therapeutic activities that are not found in terrestrial organisms. The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Actinomycetes isolates obtained from Barrang Caddi Island sponges. Actinomycetes isolation was carried out by pour and spread plate methods. From seven  isolates actinomycetes obtained from sponge collections from Barrang Caddi Island,  Makassar City, South Sulawesi are able to inhibit test microbes in initial screening with antagonistic test.
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN EKSTRAK ETANOL KAYU SECANG (Caesalpinia sappan L.) SECARA SUBKRONIK TERHADAP BOBOT JANTUNG DAN PARU TIKUS PUTIH JANTAN (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Perdana Rezaldi Mahaputra , Amir Muhammad Nur , Mamada Sukamto
Published: December 2020

Kayu secang merupakan salah satu tanaman yang sering digunakan untuk terapi pengobatan, sehingga perlu dilakukan pengujian untuk mengetahui keamanan dari tanaman tersebut. Telah dilakukan penelitian mengenai pengaruh pemberian ekstrak etanol kayu secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) secara subkronik terhadap bobot jantung dan paru tikus putih jantan (Rattus norvegicus). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui efek toksisitas ekstrak etanol kayu secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) berdasarkan parameter bobot jantung dan paru-paru tikus putih jantan (Rattus norvegicus) setelah pemaparan subkronik selama 90 hari. Dua puluh ekor tikus putih dibagi menjadi 4 kelompok perlakuan yaitu kelompok 1 kontrol sehat, kelompok 2 NaCMC 1%, kelompok 3 ekstrak etanol kayu secang 400 mg/kg BB, dan kelompok 4 ekstrak etanol kayu secang 1000 mg/kg BB. Perlakuan dilakukan selama 90 hari dengan aturan pemberian 1 kali sehari. Efek toksisitas ditentukan melalui pengukuran bobot jantung dan paru-paru. Hasil yang diperoleh menunjukkan  bahwa pemberian ekstrak etanol kayu secang secara subkronik selama 90 hari tidak menyebabkan toksisitas berdasarkan data bobot jantung dan paru-paru tikus putih jantan yang diperoleh.
ПАТОГЕНЕТИЧЕСКАЯ ТЕРАПИЯ ДИАРЕИ У ДЕТЕЙ В УСЛОВИЯ ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19
Authors: Руженцова Татьяна , Гарбузов Александр , Хавкина Дарья , Мешкова Наталья , Попова Раиса , Чухляев Павел
Published: December 2020

Цель исследования – изучить особенности нарушений функции желудочно-кишечного тракта у детей, больных коронавирусной инфекцией, вызванной вирусом SARS-CoV-2, и методы его коррекции с использованием желатина танната. В статье представлен краткий обзор литературы по эффективности и безопасности применения желатина танната в комплексной терапии острых кишечных инфекций. Приведены данные собственных исследований по диагностике и лечению средне-тяжелой формы COVID-19 с развитием дисфункции ЖКТ у детей в возрасте от 3 месяцев до 18 лет.
Optimization of Voltammetric Determination of Dysprosium (III) Using Plackett-Burman and RSM-CCD Experimental Designs
Authors: Wyantuti Santhy , Setyorini Zulida , Ishmayana Safri , Hartati Yeni , Firdaus M
Published: December 2020

This study was aimed to develop an optimized Dy determination method using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The Plackett-Burman (PB) experimental design was used to select significant factors that affect the electrical current response, which were further optimized using the response surface method-central composite design (RSM-CCD). The type of electrolyte solution and amplitude modulation were found as two most significant factors, among the nine factors tested, which enhance the current response based on PB design. Further optimization using RSM-CCD shows that the optimum values for the two factors were 0.1046 M and 0.1082 V respectively. When the optimum conditions were applied for Dy determination good recovery and precision were achieved with values of 91.58%, and 99.80%, respectively. The detection limit and quantification limit of the method were 1.4322 mg/L and of 4.7741 mg/L, respectively.
Exportación de servicios turísticos: ¿un sector estratégico para enfrentar el cambio climático en Costa Rica?
Authors: Hartley-Ballestero Marjorie , Suárez-Espinoza Kerlyn
Published: December 2020

La actividad turística costarricense se ha convertido en uno de los principales productos de exportación y en una estrategia de desarrollo sostenible, dada su estrecha relación con los espacios ambientales existentes y en razón a las características de los territorios en los que se prestan estos servicios. El turismo se considera uno de los sectores económicos más vulnerables a la variación del clima, pues muchos destinos dependen de las condiciones ecológicas —por ejemplo, el turismo de sol y playa o de recursos ambientales— como las zonas protectoras o parques nacionales. En este contexto, el artículo busca evidenciar elementos de mejora ambiental que contribuyan a la sustentabilidad actual y futura de los servicios de turismo receptor, con el conocimiento de que la política de adaptación para enfrentar el cambio climático no tiene acciones explícitas orientadas al sector turismo. La investigación muestra que es necesaria la formulación de política pública explícita dirigida a la adaptación y mitigación del sector turismo, y no solo para los espacios naturales que explotan los servicios ecosistémicos ofrecidos por la biodiversidad que posee el país. Además, desde el punto de vista de la economía circular, se han dado importantes avances en algunos indicadores relacionados con la conservación, la resiliencia, el uso y el consumo del recurso hídrico, alianzas público-privadas, redes de apoyo y otros que favorecen la sostenibilidad de comunidades y territorios. Esto evidencia la importancia estratégica del sector para enfrentar el cambio climático y la necesaria incorporación de acciones más robustas en este objetivo.
Estudio y diseño de módulo de transmisión autónoma de lectura de contadores de energía eléctrica integrado a IoT
Authors: Rojas-Cárdenas Javier , Otavo-Vargas Yeison Estiven , Felipe Gutiérrez Juan
Published: December 2020

El proyecto tuvo como finalidad diseñar e implementar un módulo encargado de tomar lecturas de consumo de energía eléctrica, las cuales se transmiten por medio de las tecnologías móviles de acceso a internet actuales — GSM e IoT— a un servidor web en el que las puede consultar el cliente haciendo uso de un login de ingreso a las lecturas —usuario y contraseña—. Su funcionamiento se basa el uso de una tarjeta microcontroladora unificada a unos dispositivos de medición de tensión y amperaje previamente calibrados, de modo que realiza una medición comparativa de estos mismos valores en la red eléctrica en actual operación. Finalmente, los datos se envían al servidor alojado en la web mediante un módulo de conexión GSM asociado a una tarjeta SIM previamente registrada con cualquiera de los operadores móviles en operación en el país. En este artículo se explican el diseño y el funcionamiento de un módulo que tiene como objetivo principal tomar el valor fiel de una medición de potencia consumida. La transmisión de datos desde el módulo de transmisión de datos al servidor dedicado se generó de manera correcta y continua en las múltiples pruebas realizadas durante un periodo de tiempo prolongado. Así mismo, la tecnología implementada para la transmisión de datos —GSM— demostró ser la elección más factible en términos de infraestructura y alcance en la implementación del proyecto debido a la gran acogida que tiene la tecnología utilizada en el país, puesto que ahorra costes en la implementación de una red de comunicación.
Arene Radiofluorination Enabled by Photoredox-Mediated Halide Interconversion
Authors: Chen Wei , Wang Hui , Tay Nicholas , Pistritto Vincent , Li Kang-Po , Zhang Tao , Wu Zhanhong , Nicewicz David , Li Zibo
Published: December 2020

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful imaging technology that could visualize and measure metabolic processes in vivo and/or obtain unique information about drug candidates at early stages. Identification of new and improved molecular probes plays a critical role in PET, but its progress is limited in many situations due to the lack of efficient and simple labeling methods to modify biologically active small molecules and/or drugs. Although various approaches have been reported, current methods to radiofluorinate unactivated arenes are still limited. Here we document the discovery of a robust method for constructing C–18F bonds through direct halide/18F conversion in electron-rich halo(hetero)arene substrates. Based on readily available halide precursors and mild photoredox conditions, [18F]F- is efficiently introduced into a broad spectrum of organic molecules, including pharmaceutical compounds in a site-selective manner. Notably, the direct 19F/18F conversion method is demonstrated to be a simple and robust protocol for PET probe screening/preparation: this methodology not only identifies a new cancer imaging agent L-61-18F-COOH after a rapid screening of a tyrosine isomer library; but also allows the simple and high-yielding synthesis of the widely used PET agent L-[18F]FDOPA. Taken together, photoredox-mediated halide/18F interconversion strategies represent an innovative chemical tool to prepare new and clinically significant PET agents that are synthetically inaccessible or cumbersome to achieve by traditional methods.
Hepatic Expression of Cholesterol Regulating Genes Favour Increased Circulating Low-Density Lipoprotein in HIV Infected Patients With Gallstone Disease: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Kinoo Suman , Chuturgoon Anil , Singh Bugwan , Nagiah Savania
Published: December 2020

Background: HIV endemic populations are displaying higher incidence of metabolic disorders. HIV and the standard treatment are both associated with altered lipid and cholesterol metabolism, however gallstone disease (a cholesterol related disorder) in Sub-Saharan African populations is rarely investigated. Methods: This study sought to evaluate hepatic expression of key genes in cholesterol metabolism (LDLr, HMGCR, ABCA1) and transcriptional regulators of these genes (microRNA-148a, SREBP2) in HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy presenting with gallstones. Liver biopsies from HIV positive patients (cases: n=5) and HIV negative patients (controls: n=5) were analysed for miR-148a and mRNA expression using quantitative PCR.Results: Circulating total cholesterol was elevated in the HIV positive group with significantly elevated LDL-c levels(3.16±0.64mmol/L) relative to uninfected controls (2.10±0.74mmol/L; p=0.04). A scavenging receptor for LDL-c, LDLr was significantly decreased (0.18-fold) in this group, possibly contributing to higher LDL-c levels. Transcriptional regulator of LDLr, SREBP2 was also significantly lower (0.13-fold) in HIV positive patients. Regulatory microRNA, miR-148a-3p, was reduced in HIV positive patients (0.39-fold) with a concomitant increase in target ABCA1 (1.5-fold), which regulates cholesterol efflux. Conclusions: Collectively these results show that HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy display altered hepatic regulation of cholesterol metabolizing genes, reducing cholesterol scavenging and increasing cholesterol efflux.
Regular swimming session improves metabolic syndrome risk factors in women and men from Palestine: Quasi-experimental study
Authors: Omar Jamal , Jaradat Nidal , Qadoumi Mohammad , Qadoumi Abdel Naser
Published: December 2020

Background: Swimming and other aquatic fitness are important aerobic exercises that have been proposed as an effective nonpharmacological approach in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hyperlipidemia, and hypertension (HTN). The current study aimed to assess the effect of long-term swimming sessions on glycemic and lipidemic parameters, body composition, and hemodynamic responses for patients with metabolic risk factors. Methods: Forty participants from both genders with T2DM and HTN (aged 52.4±5.5 yrs) agreed to take part in this quasi-experimental study and were divided into two groups. The first group included the participants who performed long-term swimming sessions and the second group served as the reference. The first group exercised for 2 h, 3 times/week in 29-33 ◦C swimming pool for 16 weeks. While the reference group did not participate in any kind of exercise and advised to keep on with their normal lifestyle. All the obtained metabolic syndrome risk factors data were analyzed using a paired t-test which was applied to separately determine the differences between pre- and post-tests for both genders and groups, and the percentage of change (Δ %) was computed. Independent t-test was applied to determine the differences in the post-tests (Exp. vs Ref) in men patients as well as for women separately. Results: The results showed that there were statistically significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 between pre- and post- exercise concerning Total Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL), Triglycerides (TG), glycemic parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass percent in favor of posttests in the experimental group for both genders. Whereas, no significant differences were found at p≤0.05 between pre- and post-tests for all studied variables in the reference group for both genders. Significant differences were found at p≤0.05 on the post-tests in favor of the experimental for both genders.Conclusion: Findings of the current study suggested that the regular 16 weeks of the conducted swimming sessions could be considered as nonpharmacological approaches in the management of T2DM and HTN.
Anterior-Posterior View by Full-Body Digital X-Ray to Rule Out Severe Spinal Injuries in Polytraumatized Patients
Authors: Häckel Sonja , Hofmann Elena , Anwander Helen , Albers Christoph , Basedow Jasmin , Bigdon Sebastian , Exadaktylos Aristomenis , Keel Marius , Dunn Robert , Maqungo Sithombo , Benneker Lorin , Hoppe Sven
Published: December 2020

BackgroundSpinal injuries are present in 16-31% of polytraumatized patients. Rapid identification of spinal injuries requiring immobilization or operative treatment is essential. The Lodox-Statscan (LS) has evolved into a promising time-saving diagnostic tool to diagnose life-threatening injuries with an anterior-posterior (AP)-full-body digital X-ray.MethodsWe aimed to analyze the diagnostic accuracy and the interrater reliability of AP-LS to detect spinal injuries in polytraumatized patients. Therefore, within three years, AP-LS of polytraumatized patients (ISS≥16) were retrospectively analyzed by three independent observers. The sensitivity and specificity of correct diagnosis with AP-LS compared to CT scan were calculated. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by using the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve) for sensitivity and specificity. Interrater reliability between the three observers was calculated using Fleiss' Kappa. The sensitivity of AP-LS was further analyzed by the severity of spinal injuries. ResultsThe study group included 320 patients (48.5 years ± 19.5, 89 women). On CT scan, 207 patients presented with a spinal injury (65%, total of 332 injuries). AP-LS had a low sensitivity of 9% (31 of 332, range 0-24%) and high specificity of 99% (range 98-100%). The sensitivity was highest for thoracic spinal injuries (14%). The interrater reliability was slight (κ = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.03). Potentially unstable spinal injuries were more likely to be detected than stable injuries (sensitivity 18% and 6%, respectively).ConclusionThis study demonstrated high specificity with low sensitivity of AP-LS in detecting spinal injuries compared to CT scan. In polytraumatized patients, AP-LS, implemented in the Advanced Trauma Life Support-algorithm, is a helpful tool to diagnose life-threatening injuries. However, if spinal injuries are suspected, performing a full-body CT scan is necessary for correct diagnosis.
Cost-Effectiveness of Intensive Care for Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients: Experience From South Africa
Authors: Cleary Susan , Wilkinson Tommy , Tchuem Cynthia Tamandjou , Docrat Sumaiyah , Solanki Geetesh
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAmidst shortages of critical care capacity in the public sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African government embarked on an initiative to purchase critical bed capacity from the private sector. To inform the decision, we assessed the cost-effectiveness of ICU management for admitted COVID-19 patients across the public and private health systems in South Africa.MethodsUsing a Markov modelling framework and health system perspective, costs and health outcomes of inpatient management of severe and critical COVID-19 patients in (1) general ward and intensive care (GW+ICU) and (2) general ward only were assessed. Disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were evaluated and the cost per admission in public and private sectors was determined. The models made use of four variables: mortality rates, utilisation of inpatient days for each management approach, disability weights associated to the severity of the disease, and the unit cost per general ward day and per ICU day in public and private hospitals. Unit costs were multiplied by utilisation estimates to determine the cost per admission. DALYs were calculated as the sum of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) - representing the difference in costs and health outcomes of the two management strategies - was compared to a cost-effectiveness threshold to determine the value for money of ICU management.ResultsA cost per admission of ZAR 75,127 was estimated for inpatient management of severe and critical COVID-19 patients in general wards only as opposed to ZAR 103,030 in GW+ICU. DALYs were 1.48 and 1.10 in the general ward only and GW+ICU, respectively. The ratio of difference in costs and health outcomes between the two management strategies produced an ICER equal to ZAR 73,091 per DALY averted, a value above the cost-effectiveness threshold of ZAR 38,465.ConclusionsResults indicated that purchasing ICU capacity from the private sector may not be a cost-effective investment. The ‘real time’, rapid, pragmatic, and transparent nature of this analysis demonstrates an approach for evidence generation for decision making relating to the COVID-19 pandemic response and South Africa’s wider priority setting agenda.
Characteristic Time in Highly Motivated Movements of Children and Adults Through Bottlenecks
Authors: Li Hongliu , Zhang Jun , Xia Long , Yang Libing , Song Weiguo , Yuen Kwok Kit Richard
Published: December 2020

Current codes for fire protection of buildings are mainly based on the movement of adults and neglect the movement characteristic of pre-school children. Having a profound comprehension of the difference between children and adults passing bottlenecks is of great help to improve the safety levels of preschool children. This paper presents an experimental study on the bottleneck flow of pre-school children in a room. The movement characteristics of children’s and adults’ bottleneck flow are investigated with two macroscopic properties: density and speed profiles as well as microscopic characteristic time: motion activation time, relaxation time, exit travel time and headway time. Arch-like density distributions are observed both for highly motivated children and adults, while the distance between the peak density region and the exit location is shorter for children and longer for adults. Children’s movement is less flexible manifested as longer motion activation time and longer relaxation time compared to that of adults. The findings from this study could enhance the understanding of crowd dynamics among the children population and provide supports for the scientific building design for children’s facilities.
Interaction Between Early in Ovo Stimulation of the Gut Microbiota and Chicken Host – Splenic Changes in Gene Expression and Methylation
Authors: Dunislawska Aleksandra , Slawinska Anna , Gryzinska Magdalena , Siwek Maria
Published: December 2020

Epigenetic regulation of the gene expression results from interaction between the external environment and transcription of the genetic information encoded in DNA. Methylated CpG regions within the gene promoters lead to silencing of the gene expression. Factors contributing to epigenetic regulation include intestinal microbiota, which in chicken can be potently modified by in ovo stimulation. The main aim of this study was to determine global and specific methylation patterns for the spleen under the influence of host-microbiome interaction. Incubating eggs were in ovo stimulated on day 12 of incubation in two chicken genotypes: Ross broilers and Green-legged Partridgelike. The injected compounds included: probiotic – Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, prebiotic – galactooligosaccharides, and synbiotic – combination of both. Chickens were sacrificed on day 42 post-hatching. Spleen was collected, RNA and DNA were isolated and intended to gene expression, gene methylation and global methylation analysis. We have proved that negative regulation of gene expression after administration of bioactive substances in ovo might have epigenetic character. Epigenetic changes depend on the genotype and the substance administered in ovo. Epigenetic nature of microbial reprogramming in poultry and extension of issues related to host-microbiome interaction is a new direction of this research.
Emotional and Instrumental Social Support as Determinants of Happiness: A Cross-Sectional Study of Malaysian Elderly
Authors: Shah Shamsul Azhar , Safian Nazarudin , Ahmad Saharuddin , Ibadullah Wan Abdul Hannan Wan , Mohammad Zulkefley , Nurumal Siti Rohani , Mansor Juliana , Addnan Mohd Fairuz , Shobugawa Yugo
Published: December 2020

Background: Happiness is an essential component for experience healthy ageing. Hence, understanding the factors that contribute to happiness is essential for a better quality of life. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with happiness among the elderly population in Malaysia.Methods: In this study, 1204 respondents were recruited from urban and rural areas in Selangor. The face-to-face interview was conducted using the Bahasa Malaysian version of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study questionnaire. The inclusion criteria include Malaysians who are 60 years old and above and can converse in the Malaysian language. Those who encounter less than seven scores for the Abbreviated Mental Test were excluded from the study.Result: Among the 1204 respondents, 953 (79.2%) of them were happy. In terms of sociodemographic characteristics, men who were happy, 60 to 74 years old and live in urban areas were significantly associated with happiness. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the significant factors associated with happiness among the elderly include the social support they receive, both emotional support (adjusted OR 2.33) and instrumental support (adjusted OR 1.59); the locality they reside in (adjusted OR 1.65); how they self-rated themselves in terms of their health status (adjusted OR 1.58); their educational level (adjusted OR 4.20) and their household income (adjusted OR 0.77).Conclusion: Thus, ensuring the elderly population in receiving emotional and instrumental support can enhance their happiness level.
Building a Virtual Summer Research Experience in Cancer for High School and Early Undergraduate Students: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Corson Timothy , Hawkins Shannon , Sanders Elmer , Byram Jessica , Cruz Leigh-Ann , Olson Jacob , Speidell Emily , Schnabel Rose , Balaji Adhitya , Ogbeide Osas , Dinh Julie , Hinshaw Amy , Cummings Laura , Bonds Vicki , Nakshatri Harikrishna
Published: December 2020

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a unique challenge for summer research programs in 2020, particularly for programs aimed at hands-on experience for younger trainees. The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center supports two pipeline programs, which traditionally immerse high school juniors, seniors, and early undergraduate students from underrepresented populations in science in hands-on projects in cancer biology labs. However, due to social distancing policies during the pandemic and reduction of research operations, these students were not physically allowed on campus. Thus, the authors set out to strategically pivot to a wholly virtual curriculum and evaluate the Virtual Summer Research Experience in Cancer outcomes.Methods: The virtual program included four components: 1. a core science and professional development curriculum led by high school teachers and senior undergraduates; 2. faculty-delivered didactic sessions on cancer science; 3. mentored, virtual research projects with research faculty; and 4. online networking events to encourage vertical mentoring. Outcomes data were measured using an 11-item Research Preparation scale, daily electronic feedback, and structured evaluation and feedback via Zoom weekly.Results: Outcome data suggested high self-reported satisfaction with the virtual program. Outcome data also revealed the importance of coordination between multiple entities for seamless program implementation. This includes the active recruitment and participation of high school teachers and further investment in information technology capabilities of institutions.Conclusions: Findings reveal a path to educate and train high school and early undergraduate students in cancer research when hands-on, in-person training is not feasible. Virtual research experiences are not only useful to engage students during public health crises but can provide an avenue for cancer centers to expand their cancer education footprints to remotely located schools and universities with limited resources to provide such experiences to their students.
Facility-Level Determinants of Quality Routine Intrapartum Care in Afghanistan
Authors: Lydon Megan , Maruf Farzana , Tappis Hannah
Published: December 2020

Background Although there have been notable improvements in availability and utilization of maternal health care in Afghanistan over the last few decades, risk of maternal mortality remains very high. Previous studies have highlighted gaps in quality of emergency obstetric and newborn care practices, however, little is known about the quality of routine intrapartum care at health facilities in Afghanistan.Methods We analyzed a subset of data from the 2016 Afghanistan Maternal and Newborn Health Quality of Care Assessment that comprised of observations of labor, delivery and immediate post-partum care, as well as health facility assessments and provider interviews across 77 high volume public health facilities. Using the Quality of the Process of Intrapartum and Immediate Postpartum Care index, we calculated a quality of care score for each observation. We conducted descriptive and bivariate analyses and built a multivariate linear regression model to identify facility-level factors associated with quality of care scores.Results Across the 665 childbirth observations, low quality of care was observed such that no health facility type received an average quality score over 56%. The multivariate regression model indicated that availability of routine labor and delivery supplies, training in respectful maternity care, perceived gender equality for training opportunities, recent supervision and observation during supervision were significantly positively associated with quality of care. Conclusions Quality of routine intrapartum care at health facilities in Afghanistan is concerningly low. Our analysis suggests that multi-faceted interventions are needed to address direct and indirect contributors to quality of care including clinical care practices, attention to client experiences during labor and delivery and attention to staff welfare and opportunities, including gender equality within the health workforce.
Detection of Passive Liver Congestion in Pericarditis Patients With Constrictive Physiology Using MR Relaxometry of the Liver.
Authors: Bogaert Jan , Dresselaers Tom , Imazio Massimo , Sinnaeve Peter , Tassetti Luigi , Masci Pier Giorgio , Symons Rolf
Published: December 2020

Constrictive pericarditis is a common cause of right heart failure, characterized by increased filling pressures and passive liver congestion. As magnetic resonance (MR) T1 and T2 mapping allow quantification of liver relaxation times, we hypothesized liver mapping may allow depiction of passive liver congestion. We studied 45 pericarditis patients, of whom 25 presented constrictive physiology (CP+) and 20 normal physiology (CP-), and 30 control subjects. Pericarditis patients were predominantly male, but CP+ patients were on average 13 years older than CP- patients (p=0.003). Native T1 and T2 values as well as extracellular volume (ECV) values of the liver were significantly higher in CP+ than in CP- patients and controls, i.e. native T1: 765±102ms vs 581±56ms and 537±30ms; T2: 63±13ms vs 50±4ms and 46±4ms; ECV: 42±7% vs 31±3% and 30±3% control (all p<0.001). Using a cut-off right atrial (RA) pressure of >5 mm Hg to discriminate between normal and increased RA pressure, native T1 liver yielded the highest AUC (0.926) at ROC analysis with a sensitivity of 79.3% and specificity of 95.6%. Moreover, liver mapping showed excellent intra- and inter-reader agreement. In conclusion, liver mapping as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular MR exam is valuable to depict liver congestion in pericarditis patients.