bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between Cyclosporine Blood Levels and Area under Blood Concentration Time Curve in Iraqi Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Treated with Neoral® Oral Solution
Authors: Abass Hassan M. , Al-Tamimi Kawther F. , Al-Tamimi Duaa J. , Ibraheem Jaafar J.
Published: March 2020

Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive drug. It has a narrow therapeutic index, and therefore the measurement of cyclosporine’s blood concentration is essential to obtain optimal therapy. Measurement of the area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) is reflective of total drug exposure. However, for organ transplant patients, the measurement of AUC involves many problems and difficulties. Thus, it is more clinically acceptable to use a single blood sample as a surrogate index of total drug exposure. Fifty-four adults bone marrow transplant Iraqi patients were given cyclosporine every 12 h as prophylaxis using Neoral® oral solution. Steady-state blood concentrations were monitored for each patient at zero time and then at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and at 12 h post-dosing. Cyclosporine blood levels were determined by using AXSYM automated immuno-analyzer which is a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). The present investigation demonstrated the best correlation between C2 and the corresponding AUC0–4h and AUC0–12h compared to other concentrations. After two months of cyclosporine therapy, no unexpected biochemical changes and adverse effects were registered. It is concluded from this study that a single blood sample obtained at 2 h post-dosing (C2) and possibly at 3 h post dosing (C3) are ideal surrogate indexes for reflecting total drug exposure, and therefore may be used in clinical practice for predicting therapeutic and toxic effects of cyclosporine.
Understanding Motivations for Volunteering in Food Insecurity and Food Upcycling Projects
Authors: Rondeau Sabrina , Stricker Sara M. , Kozachenko Chantel , Parizeau Kate
Published: March 2020

For non-profit organizations relying on volunteers to operate, investigations into the motivations of volunteerism are critical to attract new volunteers and to support the current ones. This study looked at volunteerism in the not-for-profit project The SEED in Ontario, Canada, which is looking to address food insecurity through a new social enterprise project that will create value-added “upcycled” products from second-grade produce while offering training opportunities for youth facing barriers to employment. The aims of this paper were to explore why volunteers chose to offer their time to this project and to gauge the current volunteers’ interest in volunteering with the organization’s new “Upcycle Kitchen”. Thirty-seven volunteers responded to a self-administered survey. They reported altruism, self-development, and social life improvement as their main motivations for volunteering. The volunteers expressed enthusiasm toward the Upcycle Kitchen initiative, which seems to be attributable to the multidimensional, creative, and educational aspects of the project. Tackling food insecurity and reducing the environmental impact of food waste are values which would most likely influence the respondents’ willingness to volunteer in food upcycling activities. We believe that this study is a good model to learn about the many facets of volunteerism for social enterprises developing upcycling-based food projects.
Which are the Nutritional Supplements Used by Beach-Volleyball Athletes? A Cross-Sectional Study at the Italian National Championship
Authors: Amatori Stefano , Sisti Davide , Perroni Fabrizio , Impey Samuel , Lantignotti Michela , Gervasi Marco , Donati Zeppa Sabrina , Rocchi Marco B. L.
Published: March 2020

Beach volleyball is an intermittent team sport played under high temperature and humidity. Given that some nutritional supplements can enhance sports performance, this study aimed to evaluate the quantity and the heterogeneity of the nutritional supplementation practices of amateur (n = 69) and professional (n = 19) beach volley athletes competing in the Italian National Championship; an online form was used to collect data about the supplementation habits. The latent class analysis was used to find sub-groups characterised by different habits regarding supplements consumption. The most frequently used supplements (more than once a week) are vitamins B and C (39.2% of athletes), protein (46.8%), and caffeine (36.9%). The latent class analysis revealed three different sub-groups of athletes: the first class (56.7%) included athletes who were used to take very few supplements, the second class (17.0%) was characterised by higher consumption of supplements and the third class (26.2%) was in the middle between the others two. Groups were characterised not only by the quantity but also by the category of supplements used. Our results highlighted a high heterogeneity in supplementation habits. A pragmatic approach to supplements and sports foods is needed in the face of the evidence that some products can usefully contribute to enhancing performance.
Urban Heritage Conservation and Rapid Urbanization: Insights from Surat, India
Authors: Udeaja Chika , Trillo Claudia , Awuah Kwasi G.B. , Makore Busisiwe C.N. , Patel D. A. , Mansuri Lukman E. , Jha Kumar N.
Published: March 2020

Currently, heritage is challenged in the Indian city of Surat due to diverse pressures, including rapid urbanization, increasing housing demand, and socio-cultural and climate changes. Where rapid demographic growth of urban areas is happening, heritage is disappearing at an alarming rate. Despite some efforts from the local government, urban cultural heritage is being neglected and historic buildings keep being replaced by ordinary concrete buildings at a worryingly rapid pace. Discussions of challenges and issues of Surat’s urban area is supported by a qualitative dataset, including in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus groups with local policy makers, planners, and heritage experts, triangulated by observation and a photo-survey of two historic areas. Findings from this study reveal a myriad of challenges such as: inadequacy of urban conservation management policies and processes focused on heritage, absence of skills, training, and resources amongst decision makers and persistent conflict and competition between heritage conservation needs and developers’ interests. Furthermore, the values and significance of Surat’s tangible and intangible heritage is not fully recognized by its citizens and heritage stakeholders. A crucial opportunity exists for Surat to maximize the potential of heritage and reinforce urban identity for its present and future generations. Surat’s context is representative of general trends and conservation challenges and therefore recommendations developed in this study hold the potential to offer interesting insights to the wider planners and conservationists’ international community. This paper recommends thoughtful integration of sustainable heritage urban conservation into local urban development frameworks and the establishment of approaches that recognize the plurality of heritage values.
Evaluation and Screening of Co-Culture Farming Models in Rice Field Based on Food Productivity
Authors: Jin Tao , Ge Candi , Gao Hui , Zhang Hongcheng , Sun Xiaolong
Published: March 2020

Traditional farming practice of rice field co-culture is a time-tested example of sustainable agriculture, which increases food productivity of arable land with few adverse environmental impacts. However, the small-scale farming practice needs to be adjusted for modern agricultural production. Screening of rice field co-culture farming models is important in deciding the suitable model for industry-wide promotion. In this study, we aim to find the optimal rice field co-culture farming models for large-scale application, based on the notion of food productivity. We used experimental data from the Jiangsu Province of China and applied food-equivalent unit and arable-land-equivalent unit methods to examine applicable protocols for large-scale promotion of rice field co-culture farming models. Results indicate that the rice-loach and rice-catfish models achieve the highest food productivity; the rice-duck model increases the rice yield, while the rice-turtle and rice-crayfish models generate extra economic profits. Simultaneously considering economic benefits, staple food security, and regional food output, we recommend the rice-duck, rice-crayfish, and rice-catfish models. Simulating provincial promotion of the above three models, we conclude that food output increases from all three recommended models, as well as the land production capacity. The rice-catfish co-culture model has the most substantial food productivity. None of the three models threatens staple food security, as they do not compete for land resources with rice cultivation.
An Approach to Value Cocoa Bean By-Product Based on Subcritical Water Extraction and Spray Drying Using Different Carriers
Authors: Jokić Stela , Nastić Nataša , Vidović Senka , Flanjak Ivana , Aladić Krunoslav , Vladić Jelena
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to establish an efficient, sustainable technological procedure for valorization of food by-product, that is, cocoa bean shells (CBSs). The properties and stability of CBS extracts obtained by spray drying process with maltodextrin (MD) and whey protein (WP) as carrier agents were evaluated. For this purpose, phytochemicals of CBSs were extracted by subcritical water extraction. Physico-chemical properties, total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) contents of the encapsulated extracts were determined in order to verify the efficiency of spray drying. Additional analyses for phytochemical characterization of the obtained powders were also performed. The efficiency of microencapsulation process was characterized by product recoveries higher than 58%. Both coating materials significantly influenced the encapsulation of phytochemicals in terms of rehydration, water solubility index and water absorption index, with WP being at an advantage. The best results for TP and TF contents were achieved when CBSs were encapsulated using WP (37.68 mg GAE/g and 7.66 mg CE/g, respectively). Microencapsulation using WP yielded higher content of gallic acid, caffeine, and theobromine than those with MD. According to the results, the formulation using 50% WP provided a better preservation of polyphenols compared to 50% MD. Therefore, spray drying with WP can be used as a method of choice for obtaining high quality CBS powders.
Structural Characteristics and Spatial Patterns of the Technology Transfer Network in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area
Authors: Feng Zhijun , Cai Hechang , Zhou Wen
Published: March 2020

Recently, the Chinese government released the Outline of the Development Plan for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), raising the development of the GBA urban agglomeration to a national strategy. An efficient technology transfer network is conducive to promoting the integrated and coordinated development and enhancing the scientific and technological innovation capabilities of the GBA urban agglomeration. Therefore, this study uses the patent transaction data for three years (2010, 2014, and 2018), integrates data mining, and uses complex network analysis, based on full-flow and net-flow networks, from the overall characteristics, network node strength, network association, network node importance, and network communities to reveal the structural characteristics and spatial patterns of the technology transfer network in the GBA. The results revealed that: (1) Technology transfer networks (full-flow and net-flow) in the GBA show heterogeneity. (2) Full-flow network presents a clear hierarchy within the GBA, showing a “two poles and two strong” pattern, and technology transfer has the same city preference; outside the GBA, there are close technology transfer regions that have technical and geographical proximity characteristics; the net-flow network presents a “one pole, two strong” pattern, and Guangzhou has become the core region of the net-flow network. (3) Connection objects of the technology transfer network have path dependence and spatial preference. Coexistence of concentration and decentralization characterizes the spatial flow. (4) Spatial distribution of the hub and authority of the technology transfer network is heterogeneous and hierarchical. Each city in the GBA has its own technological advantages. (5) Spatial clustering characteristics of the community within the technology transfer network are obvious. (6) The GBA is dominated by the transfer of patented technology in the high-tech industry, while the transfer of patented technology in the traditional manufacturing industry also plays an important role.
Developing a Regression Model of Cooperative Learning Methodology in Pre-Service Teacher Education: A Sustainable Path for Transition to Teaching Profession
Authors: Guillén-Gámez Francisco D. , Higueras-Rodríguez Lina , Medina-García Marta
Published: March 2020

There is a growing interest in the study of active methodologies, especially cooperative learning. It will allow for skills related to the positive interdependence between the components of a group, individual responsibility, the encouragement of interaction, and the development of social skills to be put into practice by pre-service teachers, as well as for the sharing and assertiveness of the ideas of teamwork. The purpose of this study is to predict those variables that significantly positively affect pre-service teachers’ perceptions about the use of cooperative learning methodology in their initial training at university once it has been put into practice in the classroom for 3 months. For this, a quasi-experimental design was implemented to enable its practice, and subsequently the perceptions of the pre-service teachers were collected through the use of a questionnaire. The sample was composed of 140 pre-service teachers from the Faculty of Education of the University of Almeria (Spain). The overall results of the study determined that the interest of pre-service teachers in their subject, age, attendance of practical classes, and the type of education level they have had access to positively affect the perceptions of pre-service teachers, while positive academic performance causes a decline. These findings highlight the need to continue research, mainly on the question of why working in cooperative groups causes a decrease in academic performance.
Environmental Impacts of Building Construction Using Cross-laminated Timber Panel Construction Method: A Case of the Research Building in Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Nakano Katsuyuki , Karube Masahiko , Hattori Nobuaki
Published: March 2020

In Japan, there has been an increase in the number of buildings built using cross-laminated timber (CLT) in order to utilize the abundant forest resources in the country. However, no studies have evaluated the environmental impact of the construction of CLT buildings in Japan. This study evaluates the environmental impacts from the start of construction to the completion of a real CLT building in Kumamoto city, Kyushu region, southern Japan. We investigated the input of the materials and energy used in the construction of the building. The environmental impact categories evaluated include climate change, ozone layer depletion, eutrophication, acidification, and photochemical oxidation. We found that the concrete used for the foundations, and the cement-based soil stabilizer used for ground reinforcement accounted for 42% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The construction site was previously used as a seedbed field, necessitating ground reinforcement. Furthermore, the large foundations were designed in order to raise the low height of the wooden structure from the ground level. Developing and applying methods with lower environmental impacts for ground reinforcement and building foundations is recommended. In addition, we found that by using biomass-derived electricity in CLT manufacturing, the environmental impacts of CLT manufacturing could be reduced, thus reducing the environmental impacts of the entire building. The biogenic carbon fixed in the wooden parts during the building usage accounted for 32% of the total GHG emissions of the building construction. Since this biogenic carbon will be released to the atmosphere at the end-of-life stage of the building, a long-term usage of the CLT buildings and/or reuse of the CLT is recommended.
Joint Optimization of Routes and Container Fleets to Design Sustainable Intermodal Chains in Chile
Authors: Martínez-López Alba , Chica Manuel
Published: March 2020

This paper introduces a decision support tool for sustainable intermodal chains with seaborne transport, in which the optimization of a multi-objective model enables conflicting objectives to be handled simultaneously. Through the assessment of ‘door-to-door’ transport in terms of costs, time, and environmental impact, the most suitable maritime route and the optimized fleet are jointly calculated to maximize the opportunities for success of intermodal chains versus trucking. The resolution of the model through NSGA-II algorithms permits to obtain Pareto fronts that offer groups of optimized solutions. This is not only useful to make decisions in the short term, but also to establish long-term strategies through assessment of the frontiers’ behavior obtained when a sensitivity analysis is undertaken. Thus, consequences of transport policies on intermodal performance can be analyzed. A real-life case is studied to test the usefulness of the model. From the application case, not only the most suitable Motorway of the Seas with their optimized fleets are identified for Chile, but also significant general findings are provided for both policy makers and heads of ports to promote the intermodal option regardless of their geographical locations.
Deformation Failure Mechanism of Deep Vertical Shaft in Jinchuan Mining Area
Authors: Sun Qihao , Ma Fengshan , Guo Jie , Li Guang , Feng Xuelei
Published: March 2020

Vertical shafts play an important role in the safe operation of mines. The stability of vertical shafts has always been a difficult problem in mining engineering, especially with the increasing of mining depth. In order to keep the engineering works stable, it is necessary to make the deformation failure mechanism of vertical shafts clear. This paper describes a case study of the deformation and failure mechanisms of the vertical shaft in Jinchuan No. 2 mining area in Gansu Province, China. Long-term deformation trends and characteristics of the vertical shaft are analyzed through ground movement and GPS monitoring of ground fissures. Then, based on previous research experience and a detailed field investigation, the modes, influencing factors, and mechanisms of deformation failure in the vertical shaft are studied. To further investigate the mechanism of shaft deformation failure and damage process under mining, the Universal Discrete Element Code (UDEC) software with Trigon approach is employed to build the numerical model of the vertical shaft. Through displacement, stress, and damage analysis, the time, location, and cause of vertical shaft failure during mining are explicitly illustrated. The results suggest that the upper and lower parts of the fault are activated in different ways. The damage to the vertical shaft is still developing at a very high rate under mining with filling method. All our results throw light on the nature of deformation and failure of vertical shafts, and several suggestions for the engineering of deep vertical shafts are finally put forward, providing a reference for other engineering.
Greenhouse Gas Abatement Potentials and Economics of Selected Biochemicals in Germany
Authors: Musonda Frazer , Millinger Markus , Thrän Daniela
Published: March 2020

In this paper, biochemicals with the potential to substitute fossil reference chemicals in Germany were identified using technological readiness and substitution potential criteria. Their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were quantified by using life cycle assessments (LCA) and their economic viabilities were determined by comparing their minimum selling prices with fossil references’ market prices. A bottom up mathematical optimization model, BioENergy OPTimization (BENOPT) was used to investigate the GHG abatement potential and the corresponding abatement costs for the biochemicals up to 2050. BENOPT determines the optimal biomass allocation pathways based on maximizing GHG abatement under resource, capacity, and demand constraints. The identified biochemicals were bioethylene, succinic acid, polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Results show that only succinic acid is economically competitive. Bioethylene which is the least performing in terms of economics breaks even at a carbon price of 420 euros per ton carbon dioxide equivalent (€/tCO2eq). With full tax waivers, a carbon price of 134 €/tCO2eq is necessary. This would result in positive margins for PHA and PLA of 12% and 16%, respectively. From the available agricultural land, modeling results show high sensitivity to assumptions of carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in biochemicals and integrated biochemicals production. GHG abatement for scenarios where these assumptions were disregarded and where they were collectively taken into account increased by 370% resulting in a 75% reduction in the corresponding GHG abatement costs.
Hydrogenation of ZnFe2O4 Flat Films: Effects of the Pre-Annealing Temperature on the Photoanodes Efficiency for Water Oxidation
Authors: Polo Annalisa , Lhermitte Charles R. , Dozzi Maria Vittoria , Selli Elena , Sivula Kevin
Published: March 2020

The effects induced by post-synthesis hydrogenation on ZnFe2O4 flat films in terms of photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of photoanodes for water oxidation have been deeply investigated as a function of the pre-annealing temperature of the materials. The structure and morphology of the films greatly affect the efficacy of the post synthesis treatment. In fact, highly compact films are obtained upon pre-annealing at high temperatures, and this limits the exposure of the material bulk to the reductive H2 atmosphere, making the treatment largely ineffective. On the other hand, a mild hydrogen treatment greatly enhances the separation of photoproduced charges in films pre-annealed at lower temperatures, as a result of the introduction of oxygen vacancies with n-type character. A comparison between present results and those obtained with ZnFe2O4 nanorods clearly demonstrates that specific structural and/or surface properties, together with the initial film morphology, differently affect the overall contribution of post-synthesis hydrogenation on the efficiency of zinc ferrite-based photoanodes.
Genome-Wide microRNA Profiling Using Oligonucleotide Microarray Reveals Regulatory Networks of microRNAs in Nicotiana benthamiana During Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus Infection
Authors: Liu Junying , Fan Huiyan , Wang Ying , Han Chenggui , Wang Xianbing , Yu Jialin , Li Dawei , Zhang Yongliang
Published: March 2020

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) infections induce stunting and leaf curling, as well as root and floral developmental defects and leaf senescence in Nicotiana benthamiana. A microarray analysis with probes capable of detecting 1596 candidate microRNAs (miRNAs) was conducted to investigate differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets upon BNYVV infection of N. benthamiana plants. Eight species-specific miRNAs of N. benthamiana were identified. Comprehensive characterization of the N. benthamiana microRNA profile in response to the BNYVV infection revealed that 129 miRNAs were altered, including four species-specific miRNAs. The targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted accordingly. The expressions of miR164, 160, and 393 were up-regulated by BNYVV infection, and those of their target genes, NAC21/22, ARF17/18, and TIR, were down-regulated. GRF1, which is a target of miR396, was also down-regulated. Further genetic analysis of GRF1, by Tobacco rattle virus-induced gene silencing, assay confirmed the involvement of GRF1 in the symptom development during BNYVV infection. BNYVV infection also induced the up-regulation of miR168 and miR398. The miR398 was predicted to target umecyanin, and silencing of umecyanin could enhance plant resistance against viruses, suggesting the activation of primary defense response to BNYVV infection in N. benthamiana. These results provide a global profile of miRNA changes induced by BNYVV infection and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BNYVV pathogenesis.
Metrology of the Real Nanoclusters: Structure and Optical Characteristics
Authors: Kovalchuk V. V. , Smorzh M. V.
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we have discussed in detail the electronic structure and optical characteristics of the silicon nanoclusters. One of the main conclusions is that the comparison between theoretical calculations and experimental results are correct.  We shows the possibility of different radiative channels for the recombination in porous silicon. We now analyze the case of stronger disorder as obtained in amorphous silicon (a-Si). It raises extremely interesting problems related to the confinement-induced blue shift of the energy gap: (a) does it exist in nanoclusters of a-Si and is it comparable to what is obtained for c-Si; (b) what is the behavior of disorder-induced localized states in this regard. It has been often assumed that quantum confinement’s effects are small in a-Si nanostructures due to the short coherence length of free carriers in these materials. We will see that it is not true.
We calculate the electronic structure of a-Si and a-Si:H spherical clusters using the parametrized density functional theory (PDFT) model [1]. The starting structure for the a-Si or a-Si: H nanoclusters is obtained by selecting the atoms belonging to the respective atoms unit cell. Due to the new boundary conditions the structure is no more in equilibrium and we have thus relaxed the atomic positions using a Keating potential.
Clinical Applications of Genetic Discoveries in Kidney Transplantation: a Review
Authors: Marin Ethan P. , Cohen Elizabeth , Dahl Neera
Published: March 2020

Growth in knowledge of the genetics of kidney disease has revealed that significant percentages of patients with diverse types of nephropathy have causative mutations. Genetic testing is poised to play an increasing role in the care of patients with kidney disease. The role of genetic testing in kidney transplantation is not well established. This review will explore the ways in which genetic testing may be applied to improve the care of kidney transplant recipients and donors.
IMAGE FINDINGS AND THE ADDED VALUE OF CT SCAN IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS
Authors: Hoang Thi Phuong Thao , Le Trong khoan
Published: March 2020

Background: Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain, requiring surgical treatment. The problem of how to make an early and accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis should be prioritized.
Aims: To describe the image findings and evaluate the added value of CT scan in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
Materials and Method: 121 patients were admitted to Hue University Hospital with suspicion of having acute appendicitis from April 2016 to July 2017. There would be a complementary CT scan if the ultrasonography result was inconclusive or irrelevant to clinical manifestations. The results of ultrasonography and CT scan were then correlated with surgical findings and treatment.
Results: 39.7% of 121 patients with suspicion of acute appendicitis needed a complementary CT scan after ultrasonography had been performed. CT scan also detected 19 alternative diagnoses that caused acute abdominal pain. The direct signs of acute appendicitis on CT scan with high sensitivity were enlarged appendix with over 6mm in diameter (93.8%), appendiceal wall thickening (87.5%), appendiceal wall enhancement (90.6%); the signs with high specificity were maximum depth of intraluminal appendiceal fluid greater than 2,6mm (100%), appendiceal wall enhancement (87.5%) and appendicolith (87.5%). Among indirect signs of acute appendicitis on CT scan, the sign with the highest sensitivity and specificity was periappendiceal fat stranding (90.6% and 100% respectively). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT scan in diagnosis of acute appendicitis were 90.6%, 100% and 93.8% in that order. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the diagnosis pathway using primary ultrasonography and complementary CT scan was 97.1%, 94.1% and 96.7%.
Conclusion: The signs of acute appendicitis on CT scan with high sensitivity were enlarged appendix with over 6mm in diameter, periappendiceal fat stranding, appendiceal wall thickening and enhancement. The signs of acute appendicitis on CT scan with high specificity were periappendiceal fat stranding, maximum depth of intraluminal appendiceal fluid greater than 2.6mm, appendiceal wall enhancement and appendicolith. The diagnosis pathway using primary ultrasonography and complementary CT scan yielded a high diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for acute appendicitis.

Key words: Acute appendicitis, complementary CT scan
EFFECTS OF LONG TERM VEGETARIAN DIET ON INSULIN RESISTANCE AND CARDIO-VASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN MALE SUBJECTS
Authors: Nguyen Thi Kim Anh , Le Van Chi , Nguyen Hai Thuy , Nguyen Hai Quy Tram , Nguyen Hai Ngoc Minh
Published: March 2020

Objectives: To evaluate the insulin resistance and cardio-vascular risk factors among male subjects with long term vegetarian diet.
Methods: 93 male subjects (age 16-78 years) had been vegetarian diet for 5 to 65 years, and 86 non-vegetarian men (age 17-72 years) were control group.They were screened for insulin resistance (fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR) and cardio-vascular risk factors including BMI, WC, blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, serum levels of hsCRP and metabolic syndrome.
Results: There were no differences between the male vegetarians and male non-vegetarians in BMI (22.13 ± 3.59 vs 22.56 ± 2.88, p>0.05), in WC (77.61 ±8.62 vs 79.76± 7.14 cm, p>0.05), in SBP (116.88±12.20 vs 122.31±13.77 mmHg, p>0.05), in DBP (122.31±13.77 vs 77.76±10.00 mmHg, p >0.05), in fasting glucose (4.65 ± 0.53 vs 5.05 ± 0.68 mmol/l, p > 0.05), in TG (1.81 ± 1.04 vs 2.03 ± 1.16 mmol/l, p >0.05), and in HDL.C (1.17 ± 0.25 vs 1.17 ± 0.31 mmol/l, p >0.05) respectively. The male vegetarians had lower than the male non vegetarians in serum total cholestrol (4.05 ± 0.92 vs 5.21 ± 1.21 mmol/l, p<0,01), in LDL.C (2.07 ± 0.72 vs 3.39 ± 1.09 mmol/l, p<0.01), in non-HDL.C (2.88 ± 0.96 vs 4.04 ±118 mmol/l, p<0.01) and in serum hsCRP concentration (0.85 ±0.94 vs 4.21 ±5.73 mg/l, p < 0.05), but higher in HbA1c level (5.51± 0.71 vs 4.96 ±0.69%, p < 0.01) and prevalence of HbA1c ≥ 5.7% (36% vs 5.8%, p < 0.01), respectively. The vegetarian group had lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to the non-vegetarian one, (12.9% vs 24.4%, p <0.01). Between the male vegetarians and male non-vegetarians, there were no differences in fasting insulin (5.85 ± 4.53 vs 5.93 ± 3.2 µU/ml, p>0.05), and in HOMA-IR (1.25 ±1.18 vs 1.25 ±1.18, p>0.05).
Conclusions: A long term vegetarian diet is associated with lower cardio-vascular risk factors such as BMI, blood pressure, hsCRP, lipid profile and metabolic syndrome but markedly higher blood glucose in male vegetarians. There are no differences in fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR

Key words: vegetarian diet, duration of vegetarian diet, cardio-vascular risk factors
OUTCOME OF THE LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLEDOCHAL CYST EXCISION
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Xuan , Le Dinh khanh , Ho Huu Thien
Published: March 2020

Objectives: To study the clinical and subclinical characteristics, and the treatment results of the laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision.
Subjects and Methods: patients with bile duct cyst were diagnosed and treated by laparoscopic excision at the Hue Central Hospital from 6/2013 to 9/2017.
Result: The common bile duct cyst was type I with highest ratio (90.77%), in which type Ic occupied the rate was 53.84%. The most common clinical manifestation was abdominal pain which occupied 87.69% of cases. The average time of opreation was 197.58 ± 46.57. Drain pipe was removed within 1-4 days after surgery. The average time of postoperative treatment was 8.7 ± 3.8 days. The rate of early complications after surgery was 3.07%. The rate of postoperative complications was 1.54%.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic treatment of choledochal cyst is safe, feasible and efficient in medical high-tech center

Key words: laparoscopic, bile duct cyst
Experiencia de escuela comunitaria kandan:
Authors: Herrera Luis , Díaz María Jesús
Published: March 2020

El artículo analiza y reflexiona sobre las dinámicas organizacionales y pedagógicas de la escuela alternativa Kandan (Talca, Chile), discutiendo sus desafíos y fundamentaciones. Para ello, se realiza una descripción de la experiencia, además de entrevistas semiestructuradas a 8 padres y una maestra guía, sobre los focos de crisis. Se asume que los grandes desafíos radicaron no sólo en la base pedagógica, sino, sobre todo, en los aspectos organizacionales y financieros de la comunidad, aspecto en el cual la comunicación directa y honesta, además de la coherencia de los procesos reflexivos y prácticos, juegan un rol clave.
Muerte y comunidad en Amaicha del Valle (Valles Calchaquíes. Tucumán)
Authors: López Machado Marcela
Published: March 2020

El presente artículo retoma -como consecuencia de un proceso de trabajo de campo realizado en Amaicha del Valle (Valles Calchaquíes. Tucumán)- las relaciones entre ritual, muerte y comunidad, con referencia a una movilización colectiva, llevada a cabo, principalmente por mujeres, luego del asesinato de una anciana comunera. Expone una categoría analítica central de la investigación, la de “territorialidad simbólica de género” que recoge los aspectos mas significativos de las relaciones entre esos tres conceptos para la construcción de una identidad comunitaria de los amaicheños.
Marchas y contramarchas. El derecho a la educación y las dinámicas de exclusión incluyente en América Latina (a sesenta años de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos)
Authors: Gentili Pablo
Published: March 2020

El presente artículo analiza los complejos procesos de consolidación de la educación como un derecho humano fundamental en América Latina y el Caribe, desde la proclamación de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos de 1948. Sostiene, a tal efecto, que los enormes avances alcanzados en la universalización de la escolaridad –aunque sin derecho a la educación–, asociados a una muy significativa expansión de los sistemas nacionales de educación, se han producido en el contexto de un incremento de la desigualdad social, la cual se articula a la cada vez mayor y más compleja desigualdad educativa que, sumada a la falta de equidad, se producen en el interior de los sistemas escolares. Se analiza el hecho de que, aunque en la Declaración no hay una argumentación que asigne valor a la educación por su aportación a la generación de riquezas, sea precisamente esa la concepción que se ha impuesto, dando lugar a un binomio de objetivos opuestos entre la concepción socializante y la privatizadora: una interpretación mercantilizada de los bienes educativos que reduce la función del Estado, garante del derecho a la educación,  a la subsidiariedad y al asistencialismo. El texto aborda críticamente los procesos de «exclusión incluyente» –la lucha por el conocimiento es siempre la lucha por el poder– como dinámica que ha caracterizado el desarrollo educativo latinoamericano contemporáneo. Así, en el marco de las marchas y contramarchas que definen la expansión de la escolaridad y la persistente negación del derecho a la educación a grandes sectores de la población, se apuntan diversas líneas de análisis para pensar algunos de los desafíos que se delinean en el horizonte de las políticas educativas de la región.
Hacia una era post posmoderna en las comunidades educativas
Authors: Dávila Yáñez Ximena , Maturana Romesín Humberto
Published: March 2020

En este ensayo, los autores nos invitan a echar una mirada diferente sobre los fenómenos fundamentales de la educación hoy, imaginando un suceder que nos pueda orientar a seguir una co-deriva que resulte en una transformación reflexiva de la educación para el año 2021. Esta invitación es asumida con seriedad, responsabilidad y audacia: seriedad por el rigor reflexivo con que los autores plantean su análisis; responsabilidad porque alientan a asumir generacionalmente las consecuencias de entender la educación en este tiempo cero; y audacia porque se trata de una propuesta que permite desplazar la mirada hacia la comprensión de los fundamentos biológico-culturales del vivir humano. Esta propuesta se lleva a cabo desde un sustrato epistemológico unitario que elude de manera consciente toda tentación dualista, ampliando el entendimiento de nuestra constitución como seres vivos y como seres humanos, invitándonos a la reflexión y a la ampliación de nuestra posibilidad de vivir en el bienestar individual y social como seres naturalmente éticos y autónomos, capaces de asumir la responsabilidad de ser conscientes del mundo que producimos con nuestro propio vivir.
La educación en América Latina: un horizonte complejo
Authors: Martínez Boom Alberto
Published: March 2020

n este artículo se elabora un dispositivo de análisis para abordar una pregunta general acerca de la cuestión de las transformaciones que han emergido en la relación que conecta la sociedad contemporánea con los procesos educativos de América Latina. Para dar cuenta de esta complejidad se parte de los rasgos distintivos que, a modo de conceptos, explican las prácticas y los discursos de la modernización educativa del continente y que desembocan en un poliedro de cinco tensiones: tiempo, espacio, identidad, norma y producción, que echan luz sobre el aquí y el ahora de la escuela, de la educación y del sistema en su conjunto. Es claro para el autor que pensar la educación hoy en día exige comprender que se trata de algo que se mueve permanentemente y a diferentes ritmos, y que este análisis puede llegar a ser útil para aquellos sujetos educativos que agencian, dirigen e investigan saberes, discursos e instituciones.
Educación 2021: para una historia del futuro
Authors: Nóvoa António
Published: March 2020

Pensar en el futuro es un ejercicio arriesgado y muchas veces fútil, pero, sin embargo, es difícil resistir a la tentación de imaginar lo que está por llegar, intentando, de ese modo, alcanzar un destino que tantas veces se nos escapa. Como escribe Pierre Furter –a quien este ensayo está dedicado2– el horizonte no existe para llevarnos de vuelta a nuestro origen, sino para que podamos medir toda la distancia que aún nos queda por recorrer. El homo viator construye su casa apenas para el tiempo que precisa, pues caminando es como encuentra y descubre el sentido de su propia acción (Furter, 1966, p. 26). Necesitamos altura de miras, un pensamiento que no se cierre en las fronteras de lo inmediato o en la ilusión de un futuro perfecto. A la manera de Reinhart Koselleck (1990), me interesa comprender de qué modo el pasado está inscrito en nuestra experiencia y cómo el futuro se vislumbra ya en la historia presente. Este texto está organizado a partir de una lógica pasado-futuro. Señalo, simbólicamente, tres momentos que definen otros tantos de transición: 1870, 1920 y 1970. Procuraré contextualizar históricamente cada uno de esos momentos y explicar de qué modo las cuestiones que en ellos se plantean abren camino, dentro de los sistemas educativos, a evoluciones contradictorias que llegan hasta nuestros días. En la última parte, el tiempo futuro, intentaré esbozar una síntesis de estas evoluciones, definiendo mis propias opciones sobre el escenario más deseable para la educación 2021.
Escuela y posmodernidad: análisis posestructuralista desde la psicología social de la educación
Authors: Moral Jiménez María de la Villa
Published: March 2020

En esta aproximación psicosociológica a las identidades de las crisis de la educación contemporánea en la cultura globalizada, se propone un análisis de dos constructos, educación y posmodernidad, vinculados al orden discursivo que les otorga entidad sociolingüística. La tesis fundamental de esta exposición sostiene que las escuelas son un síntoma del aparente malestar de la modernidad porque, en condiciones de cambio como las actuales, siendo la escuela por excelencia una institución moderna y los alumnos individuos de una sociedad de condiciones posmodernas, la contradicción y falta de correspondencia y ajuste que se evidencian a través de la educación tradicional, aumentan la brecha que les separa. A partir de la diagnosis de la escuela con­tem­poránea se evidencia que, en una sociedad posmoderna, se preserva la función de la escuela como institución moderna, transmisora de la tradición y agente de poder. Se mantienen de manera anacrónica métodos disciplinares y de instrucción, mecanismos de poder disciplinario y posdisciplinario, que persiguen la autodisciplina, la autorregulación y el autocontrol. Se propone la adopción de análisis posestructuralistas en educación y se plantea que la necesidad de repensar las funciones de la educación en una cultura global y posmoderna como la contemporánea, ante los retos planteados, constituye una tarea inexcusable.
¿Es la evaluación causa del fracaso escolar?
Authors: Perassi Zulma
Published: March 2020

El fracaso escolar es un fenómeno que hoy está presente en numerosas escuelas de América Latina. Y es precisamente la escuela la encargada de poner en evidencia, de visibilizar, este flagelo que trasciende los muros de la institución escolar y encuentra sus raíces en la realidad social, económica, política y cultural de un país.Las culturas de la evaluación, vigentes en todas las instituciones educativas, constituyen tramas estratégicas, favorecedoras u obstacu-lizadoras del surgimiento del fracaso escolar. En este trabajo se identifican algunos rasgos clave de dichas culturas evaluativas que alientan trayectorias hacia el fracaso, efectuándose una breve reflexión sobre cada uno de ellos.Sin embargo, este fenómeno no alcanza a comprenderse en su complejidad solo desde la escuela, sino que es necesario ampliar la mirada hacia el sistema educativo y social del que ella forma parte. Es por ello que, vinculado a la mirada, en la propuesta final se plantea el hecho de que para dar respuesta a los múltiples interrogantes que surgen del abordaje de la problemática será menester, además de elaborar respuestas distintas, acceder a nuevos lugares desde los que mirar, sin soslayar la efectiva vinculación con la ética y la política.
Las causas del plagio académico entre el alumnado universitario según el profesorado
Authors: Sureda Jaume , Comas Rubén , Morey Mercè
Published: March 2020

En este artículo se describen y analizan las causas a las que el profesorado universitario atribuye una de las formas de deshonestidad académica más recurrente y extendida entre el alumnado: el plagio a la hora de realizar trabajos. Los datos que se presentan se han obtenido, por una parte, mediante la aplicación de una encuesta a dos muestras y, por otra parte, mediante la realización de cuatro grupos de discusión. Los datos resultantes de la encuesta muestran que la comodidad, las facilidades que ofrece Internet, el sentimiento de impunidad y el no saber realizar trabajos académicos son los factores, ordenados de mayor a menor relevancia, que los profesores consideran como las causas más importantes asociadas a la comisión de plagio académico entre el alumnado. De los grupos de discusión se desprende que los profesores atribuyen una gran parte de culpa de tal práctica entre los alumnos a su propio comportamiento como docentes y a la metodología y estrategias didácticas empleadas. La información obtenida en la investigación ayuda a mejorar el conocimiento relativo al fenómeno que nos ocupa y, al mismo tiempo, puede facilitar la puesta en marcha de estrategias de intervención encaminadas a luchar contra este tipo de deshonestidad académica y, consecuentemente, mejorar los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje.
THE CAF AS A RESOURCE FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF A HEALTH ORGANIZATION’S ACTIVITY
Authors: POPSUYKO Artem , Danil'chenko Yana , Karas' Dmitriy , Artamonova Galina
Published: March 2020

In the presented research the authors raise the problem of searching for the most effective models and tools of organizational development. The article substantiates the possibility of application of the European system of public service quality assessment Common Assesment Framework (CAF) as a source of increase of efficiency of medical organization activity, methodological basis of self-assessment, which will allow to increase the quality of decision-making and execution of managerial decisions in response to modern challenges faced by healthcare.
When paths cross: maintaining utility of trajectory data in geomasking
Authors: Seidl Dara E.
Published: March 2020

With an increase in mobile data collection through GPS and other location-based services, there have been a number of attempts to apply geomasking techniques to published route data in order to protect trajectory privacy. Yet, the utility of masked trajectory data and its value to transportation research remain in question. This study examines how the inferred route changes when origin and destination data are masked to protect privacy, as well as calculates the anonymity of each route traveled by a sample of New York City taxi cabs. It is determined that the routes between locations masked by random perturbation are significantly different from the original routes and that a network-based data product suppressing unique routes is a viable solution to release both accurate route statistics and protect confidentiality
Application of the Balanced Scorecard in the Veterinary company and Supplies Pa'lante S.P.R of R.L. of C.V
Authors: Benítez López Guillermo , Cruz-Chávez Margarita , Valdez-Pérez María de los Ángeles
Published: March 2020

The objective of the application of the Balanced Scorecard methodology in the Veterinary and supplies PA`LANTE S.P.R. OF R.L. DE C.V. In the area of production and repair of trailers is to identify exactly what should be monitored to introduce a reliable measurement strategy that provide information on performance and understand why they are giving certain results, the methodology is to align the companies towards the achievement of business strategies, through tangible objectives and indicators as it converts the vision of companies into action through a coherent set of indicators grouped into four business perspectives that are: Financial, Clients, Internal Processes and Training and Growth since this methodology suggests that these perspectives cover all the processes necessary for the proper functioning of a company. The contribution of the methodology is to determine what factors are influencing the area of production and repair of trailer that are affecting the production times considering the last three quarters of the year 2018.