bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Вторичные течения Прандтля 2-го рода в пространственно-неравновесном турбулентном течении
Authors: Никитин Николай Васильевич
Published: January 2024

In this work, a numerical study of turbulent flow and heat transfer in a plane channel was carried out. The features of secondary flows of Prandtl's 2nd kind, which arise in the vicinity of longitudinal ribs on the channel walls, are studied under conditions of spatial inhomogeneity of the flow. Simulations of four turbulent flows were carried out: flows in a smooth channel uniform in length, a uniform ribbed channel, as well as flows in a smooth and ribbed channel with an average velocity varying along the length. It is found that the presence of a rib in a homogeneous channel in the considered case significantly changes the distribution of turbulent flow characteristics over the channel section. These changes are due to the action of the emerging secondary flow with a maximum velocity of 5.2% of the average flow rate. In this case, changes in the velocity and thermal characteristics are similar. Both friction and heat transfer increase by about 10% due to the increased wetted surface area. The inhomogeneity of the flow, which is provided by the organization of blowing and suction through the upper wall of the channel, leads to more noticeable changes. In areas where the flow slows down, the fluid moves under conditions of an unfavorable pressure gradient. The intensity of turbulent pulsations in these places increases noticeably. In the presence of ribs, this leads to a significant increase in secondary flows. Both in the smooth and in the ribbed channel, an increase in the Reynolds analogy coefficient to a value of 1.07 was recorded, which is 6% higher than the uniform flow index. In general, based on the results of this work, we can conclude that the longitudinal ribbing is hardly capable of significantly changing the thermal-hydraulic properties of a flat surface in a turbulent flow, at least without taking special optimization measures. The spatial inhomogeneity of the flow, on the contrary, due to the different effects on the velocity and temperature profiles, has a certain potential for designing heat exchange devices with more suitable thermal-hydraulic properties.
Компьютерная гомогенизация пористых пьезокерамик различной сегнетожесткости при случайной структуре пористости и неоднородности поля поляризации
Authors: Наседкин Андрей Викторович , Наседкина Анна Андреевна , Толмачева Яна Владимировна
Published: January 2024

The article is concerned with the homogenization problems, in which the effective moduli of porous piezoceramic composites are determined taking into account the inhomogeneity of the polarization field. The homogenization problems are solved by the finite element method in the framework of the theory of effective moduli and the Hill energy principle using the ANSYS package. To this end, in static problems of electroelasticity, the displacements and electric potential, which are linear in spatial variables, are specified on the boundary of a representative volume to provide constant stress and electric induction fields for a homogeneous reference medium. After solving a set of boundary value problems under different boundary conditions and determining the volume-averaged stress components and the electric induction vector, a complete set of effective moduli for the piezoelectric composite is calculated. A representative volume of the piezocomposite is created in the form of a regular finite element mesh consisting of cubic elements. Pores in the representative volume are assumed to be filled with a piezoelectric material with extremely small moduli. Finite elements with pore properties are selected according to a simple random algorithm. The inhomogeneous polarization field is found by solving an electrostatic problem, in which the polarization process in the representative volume is modeled based on a simplified linear formulation. The local coordinate systems for individual finite elements of the composite matrix are specified by the directions of the polarization vectors. In the following, when solving the problems of electroelasticity, these local coordinate systems associated with the elements of the piezoelectric matrix allow recalculating the material properties according to the formulas of transformation of the tensor components as the coordinate systems rotate. In addition, consideration is given to different models describing the change in the moduli of the material from an unpolarized state to a polarized one as a function of the polarization vector. Computational experiments were carried out for three types of piezoceramics: soft ferroelectric piezoceramics PZT-5H, piezoceramics PZT-4 of medium ferrohardness, and piezoceramics PZT-8 with higher degree of ferrohardness. The dependences of the effective moduli on porosity are compared for different laws of polarization inhomogeneity and different kinds of piezoceramic material of the composite matrix.
Начальная стадия формирования вихревого течения в индукторе с вращающимися встречно магнитными полями
Authors: Озерных Владимир Сергеевич , Лосев Геннадий Леонидович , Гольбрайх Ефим , Колесниченко Илья Владимирович
Published: January 2024

In this article, unsteady flows of electrically conductive fluid in a cylindrical cavity under the action of differently directed rotating magnetic fields are investigated. The relevance of the study is due to the presence of such a flow in the flow meter for liquid-metal heat carrier which is currently under development. The subject of study is the process of formation of the spin-up flow stage in a combined inductor of a rotating magnetic field. The acceleration or the spin-up stage is characterized by a significant change in the angular velocity of the liquid and begins with the formation of low pressure areas due to centrifugal forces. The alternation and movement of low and high pressure areas lead to velocity pulsations. For small values of the control parameter, which is the Taylor number, the flow energy gradually increases. In this case, the steady flow consists of two azimuthal and several poloidal vortices with clearly defined structures. When the Taylor number exceeds a critical value, strong pulsations occur in the flow, resulting in the decay of large-scale vortices. The intensity of the current is characterized by the Reynolds number. A power-law relationship with an exponent of 1.57 has been established between the Reynolds and Taylor numbers. It has been found that the time of formation of a steady flow varies from several seconds to tens of seconds, depending on the value of the Taylor number. The estimates of the control parameters have been obtained for a flowmeter operating in a typical mode. It has been shown that for the correct measurement of flow velocity in the flowmeter, it is necessary that that the Taylor numbers be higher than 108. The study is carried out using mathematical modeling and the obtained results are verified by experiment. The average calculated profiles are located within the confidence intervals of the experimental profiles.
Моделирование пьезоэффекта в полимерной плёнке, наполненной дисперсным пьезоэлектриком
Authors: Столбов Олег Валерьевич , Райхер Юрий Львович
Published: January 2024

Mesoscopic modelling of a composite material constituted by an electroneutral polymer (matrix) film filled with micropowder of piezoelectric ceramics (filler) is presented. The calculation scheme resembles that of the RVE (Representative Volume Element) method. The representative element (cell) is a right-angle prism with square cross-section, the height of which is equal to the film thickness. Around the midsection of the prism, there are a few (from 2 to 4) spherical piezoelectric particles positioned close to one another. The length of the base side of the prism is determined from the assumed solid phase content of the composite. To simulate the film, the cells are arranged in a continuous flat layer, inside which they are coupled by means of periodic boundary conditions imposed on their lateral surfaces. To reduce the artifacts of the model, the position of the center of each particle is chosen randomly within the area of the prism cross-section. In the framework of this approach, a low-density polyethylene film with embedded barium titanate particles is considered as an example. One of the surfaces of the film is fixed (no displacements), and the other one is left free. For the characteristics of the particles close to those used in the experiment and the typical matrix material parameters (elasticity moduli, Poisson coefficients, dielectric permittivity), the voltage output (piezoeffect) induced in the film in response to the uniform pressure applied to its free surface is evaluated. It is shown that the electric potential along the thickness of the film is nonuniform: it grows inside the particles and falls down in the interparticle gap. In order to present the results in the form applicative for comparison with the experimental data, for each variant of the system (number of the particles, weight fraction of the solid phase), the calculated values are averaged over a few tens of realizations of the particle positions inside the element.
Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis Using the Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase Score: A Cohort Study
Authors: Bhat Y Muralidhar , Arpitha V , Keerthi BJ , Shivakumar S
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The clinical features of sepsis in neonates are subtle and non specific, requiring a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis. Blood culture is the gold standard for diagnosis, but it is time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a costeffective and reliable screening tool. The Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase (LAP) activity of neutrophils is known to increase during bacterial infections in adults. Aim: To determine the activity of LAP in Neonatal Sepsis (NS) and compare the results with blood culture. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study conducted from January 2018 to June 2019 at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Karnataka, India. Total of 200 neonates by their haematological profile were clinically suspected of having sepsis. A peripheral smear was prepared from a drop of blood and stained to assess the LAP activity. In each smear, a total of 100 consecutive segmented neutrophils were examined and were rated from 0 to 4 according to the red granular precipitate intensity within their cytoplasm. The possible range of 0-400. The blood culture report was obtained from the case sheet. The neonates were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of culture-proven sepsis cases, and Group 2 consisted of neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis but negative blood culture results. Descriptive analysis was performed using mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables, and frequency and proportion for categorical variables. Chi-square test was conducted, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 200 cases studied, 64 neonates showed a positive blood culture. The most common causative organism observed was Klebsiella pneumoniae, which was seen in 56 neonates. The age of the neonates ranged from newborn to 28 days old, with 115 being male. Furthermore, 116 neonates were term neonates, and 146 presented with early onset sepsis. The study revealed a wide range of LAP activity in both groups. In the culture-positive sepsis group, the LAP activity ranged from 36 to 350, while in the clinical sepsis group, it ranged from 10 to 354. Due to the broad range of LAP scores observed, it is concluded that LAP activity is not useful as a screening test. Conclusion: Findings of the present study indicate that LAP activity exhibited a wide range in both the culture-proven and clinical sepsis groups. However, due to this variability, LAP activity does not appear to be a reliable screening test for NS. While LAP activity assessment may still hold diagnostic value, further research is needed to refine its utility and explore its clinical relevance.
Perception of Prophylactic Root Canal Therapy for Teeth used as Abutments in Fixed Partial Dentures among Dental Surgeons in Maharashtra and Kerala: A Questionnairebased Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Narayanan Ashwini A , Mandlik Jyoti S , Singh Sarita V , Aboobacker Noora , Chavan Shivani , Jadhav Rajashree
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The pulps of healthy teeth used as abutments for Fixed Partial Dentures (FPD) undergo mechanical and thermal stresses during tooth preparation. The remaining dentin thickness, the heat produced during tooth preparation, and the permeability of dentinal tubules influence the severity of pulpal injury. Prophylactic Root Canal Therapy (RCT) could be an option to provide better outcomes for FPD treatment. Aim: To assess dentists’ perception regarding the need for prophylactic RCT of abutment teeth in FPD through a questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A Questionnaire based Cross-sectional Surve was conducted among 200 dental professionals in the Indian states of Kerala and Maharashtra over a period of two months. The participants included dental professionals from private clinics, dental Institutions, and postgraduate students in these states. The Chi-square test of proportion was performed to assess significant differences between each response. Results: Total 67 out of 200 practitioners, accounting for 33.5%, recommended prophylactic RCT, while 60 (30%) practitioners disagreed with it. A total of 152 (76%) practitioners suggested clinical assessment of abutment teeth before starting the tooth preparation. Total 70 (35%) practitioners had never experienced pulpal damage in abutment teeth in their clinical practice. In contrast, 127 (63.5%) practitioners experienced pulpal damage in less than half of the total cases, and 3 (1.5%) practitioners experienced failures like pulp necrosis or irreversible pulpitis in more than half of the total cases. Conclusion: Total 33.5% of the surveyed dental practitioners recommended prophylactic endodontic treatment for abutment teeth in FPDs. Implementing precise elective RCT guidelines into dental curricula was suggested as a potential avenue to enhance decision-making and improve patient outcomes by reducing the incidence of pulpal damage beneath FPDs.
Secondary Healing of Palatal Fistula by Simple Palatal Plate Obturator after Excision of Pleomorphic AdenomaA Case Report
Authors: Kumar A Senthil , Arafat Yaseer , Kumar Y Naren , Kalsekar Unaiz Ejaz
Published: January 2024

Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common benign mixed tumours of the salivary glands. They typically occur at the junction between the hard and soft palate, but can also be found in the upper lip, buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth, tonsils, pharynx, and retromolartrigone. The present case of a 55-year-old woman focuses on the use of a palatal plate obturator to treat a soft palatal fistula that developed after the removal of a pleomorphic adenoma from the palate. By applying a self-cure resin to the posterior border of the palatal plate obturator, the postoperative issue of a palatal fistula was successfully managed. To aid in the healing of the palatal tissue and provide a scaffold for the regeneration of the surrounding palatal tissue, relief was applied to the intaglio surface of the palatal plate.
Interleukin-6 Concentration in Early Assessment of Severity and Prediction of Outcome among Patients with Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jaison Abel , John Anu C
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Various inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin (IL), and Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF), are used as indicators of illness severity in acute pancreatitis. Concentrations of inflammatory mediators are correlated to the severity of the disease. If detected before the occurrence of multiple organ dysfunction, early initiation of aggressive therapy might prevent its development. IL-6, released by macrophages in response to tissue injury, peaks 24 hours after the onset of inflammation and can be used to predict early disease severity. The Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) scoring system was used to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis. Aim: To study the association of IL-6 levels with the BISAP in predicting the outcome. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India. The duration of the study was 12 months, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. The study was done on patients of either gender, aged between 18 and 60 years, with clinical features suggestive of acute pancreatitis. After obtaining informed consent, a 4 mL venous blood sample was taken, and serum amylase and serum lipase levels were estimated. If serum amylase/lipase levels were three times above the normal range, a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made according to revised Atlanta criteria. Meanwhile, the BISAP score was calculated. After reaching a sample size of 77 for the present study, IL-6 estimation was performed using an Enzyme-linked Immunoassay (ELISA) kit. At the end of the study, IL-6 concentration was compared with the BISAP score to assess severe acute pancreatitis. The data entered in Microsoft Excel were analysed using the Chi-square test and Fisher’s-exact test. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 30 years, with 37 patients (48%) between the ages of 20-40 years and 40 patients (52%) between the ages of 40-60 years. Out of the 77 study subjects, 71 were males and six were females. There was a significant association between Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission with persistent organ failure, which indicates severe acute pancreatitis. Conclusion: In the present study, no significant association was found between IL-6 and the BISAP score in the early assessment and prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis.
Correlation between Dyslipedemia and Urine Albumin Excretion in Non Diabetic Obese Subjects: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Pooyath Sujaya , Chandran Sajeevan Kundila , Nair Shajee Sivasankaran
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Obesity is a global health concern, and recent research has shown that it can cause kidney problems, especially in non diabetics. Obesity-related dyslipedemia, characterised by aberrant lipid profiles, may contribute to kidney damage. Aim: The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to shed light on the complex interaction between dyslipedemia and renal health by examining the relationship between dyslipedemia and urine albumin excretion in non diabetic obese adults. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional investigation was conducted in the Outpatient Obesity Clinic of the Endocrinology Department at a Tertiary Hospital in Kerala, India. A total of 144 non diabetic obese individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 years. All subjects provided informed consent, and ethical approval was obtained. The primary inclusion criteria were a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 25.0, the absence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), and the absence of proteinuria. Urine and blood samples were collected for laboratory testing, and statistical analysis was conducted using International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 20.0. Results: Dyslipedemia was found to be common, with low High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) levels in 41.4% of participants, high Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) levels in 49.6%, high Triglycerides (TG) levels in 29.7%, and high Total Cholesterol (TC) levels in 43%. The study revealed that obese individuals with dyslipedemia excrete albumin at a significantly higher rate than obese individuals without dyslipedemia. Furthermore, a weak correlation between TG levels and the Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio (UACR) was discovered. However, UACR did not significantly correlate with metabolic risk markers such as Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), serum insulin, blood pressure, HDL, LDL, TC, and systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP). Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that dyslipedemia significantly contributes to kidney damage in non diabetic obese individuals. The presence of dyslipedemia in obese then could serve as an early warning sign of potential renal problems. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between obesity, dyslipedemia, and renal health. These insights could be crucial for developing effective preventative and intervention methods in this context.
Effectiveness Analysis of Government Livestock Assistance in Increasing Livestock Population in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Sihombing Sanggam K. , Charloq  , Thoha Achmad Siddik
Published: January 2024

This research employs a qualitative approach to explore in-depth insights into the implementation of the government livestock assistance program in Humbang Hasundutan Regency. Through this approach, data is obtained from field observations, interviews with recipient farmers, and a review of documents related to program implementation. Data analysis involves delineating the program's implementation stages, identifying inhibiting factors, and evaluating the program's impact on livestock populations and the welfare of farming communities. The findings indicate that, despite the well-executed stages of distribution, counseling, mentoring, and monitoring/evaluation, the livestock assistance program has not been effective in increasing the livestock population. Community empowerment, the main goal of the program, is hindered by the lack of skills among selected livestock aid recipients. As a recommendation, the study suggests that local governments conduct more selective verification and selection of prospective aid recipients to make the program more effective and targeted. Aid recipients are also advised to be consistent in livestock maintenance according to the technical guidance of the relevant department and enhance their understanding of proper livestock farming practices. This study contributes to a better understanding of the implementation of livestock assistance programs at the local level and offers guidance for improving policies and the implementation of similar programs in the future.
Interplay of Sobolev Spaces on Compact Manifolds: Embedding Theorems, Inequalities, and Compactness
Authors: Evans Mogoi N. , Apima Samuel B.
Published: January 2024

This research paper explores various properties of Sobolev spaces on compact manifolds, focusing on embedding theorems, compactness, and inequalities. We establish the compact embedding of Sobolev spaces into continuous and Lebesgue spaces, as well as the continuity and compactness of embeddings between different Sobolev spaces. We also derive inequalities involving the Laplacian and gradients of functions, providing insights into their behavior on manifolds. These results contribute to our understanding of the interplay between function smoothness, continuity, and distribution on compact manifolds.
Performance Evaluation of Maize Cob Harvester in Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Garudik Shalini , Naik R. K. , Thakur Kanhaiya , Patel Geeta
Published: January 2024

Maize is one of the vital crops after rice and wheat in India and is a widely produced cereal. Maize contributes only 2.4 percent of total world production. Maize occupied 22.98 lakh hectares, with a production of 36.61 MT in India. The average yield per hectare during 2020- 21 was 2804 kg per hectare. The performance of the maize cob harvester was tested to know the effect of three independent parameters like forward speed of operation (1.7 km/h, 1.9 km/h, 2.1 km/h), snipper speed (55 m/min, 62 m/min, 68 m/min), Variety of maize crop (Dhania- 9965, Sartaj-765, D-9081) on different dependent parameters like stripping loss, ratio of stem length before and after harvesting and machine parameter like actual field capacity, field efficiency. It was also observed that the machines work satisfactorily at forward speed 1.9 km/h and snipper speed 62 m/min. crop parameters stripping losses 0.197%, ratio of length of stem before and after harvesting are 825 mm and 113.33 mm and machine parameter actual field capacity is 0.081 ha/h, field efficiency 75.7%. The cost of operation of machine was found as Rs.337.65 per hour, breakeven point was found as 149.64 h and payback period was 2.5 years (approx.) The total output of machine is 75 q/ha.
A Critical Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pharmacological Treatments of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
Authors: Pires Yara Maria da Silva , Deffert Flávia , Humenhuk Thais , Vilela Ana Paula Oliveira , Bonetti Aline de Fátima , Wiens Astrid
Published: January 2024

Aims: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare chronic disease characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis, thrombosis, and bone marrow failure. This study aims to identify methodological limitations in Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for the treatment of PNH. Thus, we critically evaluate the guidelines, highlighting relevant recommendations supported by high-quality evidence to improve healthcare strategies.

Methodology: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, COCHRANE, and TRIP databases. From 1995 initially identified references, 1649 articles underwent title and abstract screening. Twenty-three references were selected for full-text screening. Ultimately, 12 CPGs were included. Four independent reviewers assessed the CPGs’ methodological quality using the instruments “Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II” (AGREE II) and “Recommendation Excellence” (AGREE-REX). Their characteristics, as well as any differences in recommendations, were summarized and compared.

Results: Twelve guidelines published from 2011 to 2022 by Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, Canada, Turkey, Scotland, and the United Kingdom were included. The UK’s and Brazil’s CPGs received the highest scores. Overall, the CPGs scored strongly in the domains of “Scope and Purpose” and “Clarity of Presentation” since they addressed fundamental aspects, such as aim, specific health questions, target population, and language. All guidelines presented deficiencies in the “Editorial Independence” in AGREE II, and “Values and Preferences” in AGREE-REX, demonstrating the need for a careful revision and improvement of future versions.

Conclusion: We found disparities in the methodological quality of the available CPGs. Despite being extremely important, recommendations on adapting treatment to local policies and further updates that include newly approved medications were absent. Approaches that prioritize the engagement of methodologists and multidisciplinary collaborators may also lead to higher quality CPGs for treating PNH.
Status and Challenges Facing Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Production in Magarini Sub-County of Kilifi County in Coastal Kenya
Authors: Muti Simon , Ndiso James , Abdallah Bahati , Monthe Eunice , Nzau Serah , Kinoti Doreen , Amukhoye Rebecca
Published: January 2024

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the five important value chains in Kilifi County and is grown under small scale farming and under rain-fed conditions. There are six distinct pineapple growing areas and CBOs in Magarini namely Changoto, Danisa, Faith, Chamari, Bore-Singwaya and Baricho-Mwanazi. This crop has a big market share but the region can hardly meet the market demand. The pineapples are cultivated in special soils indicated by the presence of certain virgin forests and vegetation types. However, these pineapple farmers face a myriad of challenges that limit full exploitation of the 20,000Ha pineapple growing potential. It is in this regard that a rapid rural appraisal (RRA) study was conducted facilitated by Micro-Enterprise Support Programme Trust with the funding of Danida to establish the current situation on pineapple cultivation in Magarini Sub-County to inform the type of intervention strategies to use. Methodology used involved sampling of 60 farmers out of the total population of 600 pineapple farmers in the six growing areas. The 60 farmers represented 10% sample size. These farmers were selected for focus group discussions and interviews. Methods and tools used for data collection included transect travels across and through the six pineapple growing areas, making observations, taking photographs, meeting key informants and farmers for focus group discussions, and individual interviews. Obtained data was subjected to descriptive analysis. Frequency charts obtained were used to make inferences for discussion. The findings indicated that capital investment required for pineapple establishment was too high. Planting material constituted over 50% of the total investment. Pineapple cultivation is conducted under shift cultivation system, where farmers move to open new virgin forests every 3-4 years since the farmers do not use inorganic fertilizers as contract buyers prefer organically produced fruits. Sokoke (loamy clay) soils were the best soils for pineapple growing unlike Soso (sandy loam) soils or Ngama (clayey) soils. Grabs, beetles, birds, mealy bugs and millipedes were the major pests of pineapples. The MD2 pineapple variety being introduced was susceptible to pests and diseases that caused death of the central apical stem inducing production of tillers (suckers).
Estrogenic Disruption by Pesticides Exposure Associated with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review Focusing on Epigenetic Mechanisms
Authors: Cordeiro Maria Elvira Ribeiro , Razera Amanda , Dallabrida Kamila , Paz Chao Barbara Mendes , Dorigoni Bini Ana Carolina , Tyski Suckow Patricia Pacheco , De Jesus Fonseca Eliane Gonçalves , Julik Angela Dubiela , Kerppers Ivo Ilvan , Carraro Emerson
Published: January 2024

Breast cancer (BC) has been highlighted worldwide in view of its high prevalence. There are several risk factors that can be associated with the occurrence of BC, such as reproductive aspects, genetic mutations and family history. In this sense, lifestyle and environmental conditions may also be relevant - factors that are related to environmental contamination by pesticides, which in Brazil stands out, given the high consumption rates, therefore, exposure of the population. Since some types of BC associate themselves to the positive regulation of ERs, being sensitive to certain pesticides, it is valid to assume the existence, thus, an epigenetic association between cases. Thus, through a systematic review of the literature of studies reporting pesticides that alter estrogenic expression and activity and esstablish a risk for BC, focusing on epigenetic mechanisms. Descriptors were used and inclusion and exclusion criteria were established, so that 195 articles were found, and 3 were selected by the criteria. It is evident the existence of a relationship between estrogenic regulation and activity according to mechanisms that interfere in the expression of associated control genes, and the set of these factors is determinant for the increased risk of developing BC. However, the epigenetic genetic mechanisms described, associated with BC, are not standardized, and further research in the area is necessary in order to delineate more clearly the epigenetic aspects that permeate the disease.
In vivo and in vitro studies exploring the pharmacokinetic interaction between bosentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, and glyburide
Authors: van Giersbergen Paul L. M. , Treiber Alexander , Clozel Martine , Bodin Frédéric , Dingemanse Jasper
Published: August 2002

Background

In a clinical trial with patients with chronic heart failure, a higher incidence ofelevated levels of liver transaminases was observed during concomitant treatment with bosentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, and glyburide (INN, glibenclamide), a sulfonylurea‐type antidiabetic drug, than with treatment withbosentan alone. This study was conducted to investigate a possible pharmacokinetic interaction between bosentan and glyburide.

Methods

In a randomized, 2‐way crossover study, 12 healthy volunteers received treatments A and B. Treatment A consisted of 125 mg bosentan twice a day for 10 days plus concomitant 2.5 mg glyburide twice a day on days 6 to 10. Treatment B consisted of 2.5 mg glyburide twice a day for 10 days plus concomitant 125 mg bosentan twice a day on days 6 to 10. Plasma concentrations of bosentan and its metabolites and of glyburide were measured on days 5 and 10 of treatment A and treatment B, respectively.

Results

Bosentan reduced the area under the concentration‐versus‐time curve of glyburide approximately 40% (P < .05). Glyburide decreased the area under the concentration‐versus‐time curve of bosentan and its metabolites 20% to 30% (P < .05). Results of in vitro experiments showed that glyburide is metabolized bycytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9, 2C19, and 3A4. No interaction was observed on the level of serum protein binding.

Conclusions

The plasma levels of both bosentan and glyburide were reduced after concomitant administration. This finding is consistent with a CYP3A4‐inducing potential of both drugs. The observed pharmacodynamic interaction between bosentan and glyburide in patients with chronic heart failure cannot be explained by a pharmacokinetic interaction.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2002) 71, 253–262; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2002.122473
Industrial and Regional Restructuring in the US Women's Dress Industry, 1963 – 92
Authors: Essletzbichler Jürgen , Rigby David L
Published: August 2002

In this paper we explore the impacts of competition on the US women's dress industry and examine the response of that industry in the form of technological change, industrial reorganization, and regional relocation. We demonstrate that women's dress producers adopted varying strategies to cope with competitive pressure at different time periods and in different places. In the 1960s, the dress industry was characterized by two main trends: technological change and domestic relocation of plants from the US northeast to the southeast and west. From the 1970s onwards, organizational changes became increasingly important as firms in core dress-production states such as California and New York externalized growing volumes of labor-intensive work. In part, the value added of this contribution to debates about industrial restructuring lies in our use of plant-level data that allow a richer understanding of the dynamics of industrial competition.
The Impact of Road Pricing and Workplace Parking Levies on the Urban Economy: Results from a Survey of Business Attitudes
Authors: Gerrard Bill , Still Ben , Jopson Ann
Published: August 2002

This paper reports the results of a survey of business attitudes to current transport problems and their likely responses to the introduction of road user charging (RUC) and workplace parking levies (WPLs). A sample of 152 responses from private sector businesses in three UK historic cities is analysed. Businesses perceive traffic congestion and inadequate public transport provision as key problems. Businesses typically expect the introduction of RUC and WPLs to lead to some non-economic benefits to the city but negative impacts on the urban economy and their own business performance. It is also found that there is a significant threat of businesses relocating away from the urban economy as a response to traffic demand management policies.
Banking on Social Capital in the Era of Globalization: Chinese Ethnobanks in Los Angeles
Authors: Li Wei , Zhou Yu , Dymski Gary , Chee Maria
Published: August 2002

Global migration is transforming not just urban populations, but the nature and economic roles of ethnic banks—that is, banking institutions owned and operated by minorities. Academic research on ethnic banks has until now focused on the circumstances of African-American-owned banks. This paper explores the rise of a new set of ethnic banks—the Chinese American banks of Los Angeles County. These older and newer ethnic banking communities occupy very different roles in the banking market. African-American-owned banks arose largely because mainstream banks' inadequate services in minority communities left unoccupied market ‘niches’. Despite similar origins, the newer generation of Chinese American banks, by contrast, has prospered for two additional reasons. The first is economic globalization. These ethnobanks' resources have grown tremendously both because of migration and cross-border money flows, and also because they have maintained networks extending across national borders. The second is these banks' ability to tap into their communities' extensive social capital—that is, the networks of information, norms, and disciplinary mechanisms that crisscross the Chinese American community. This social capital permits ethnobanks to mobilize resources and direct development in a way that nonethnic banks cannot imitate. We conclude by considering whether the Chinese ethnobanks are a transient phenomenon, and whether other minority banks can adopt their model.
A Simulation Approach to Studying the Sensitivity of Commuting-Flow Predictions with Respect to Specific Changes in Spatial Structure
Authors: Thorsen Inge , Gitlesen Jens Petter
Published: August 2002

Economic evaluations of investments in transportation infrastructure in general call for traffic-flow predictions. In many studies such predictions are based on a doubly constrained modeling framework, with no explicit attempts to account for possible effects from changes in the location pattern of population and employment. In this paper we focus on the sensitivity of commuting-flow predictions to specific changes in the marginal totals of a trip-distribution model. We approach this problem through a series of simulation experiments where population and employment are systematically redistributed between different zones within the region. With this procedure we provide some quantitative estimates of prediction errors that follow from the inability to take into account long-term consequences of the location pattern of firms and households. We also carry through a simulation experiment that focuses on how benefits of different road investments are interrelated, and depend on spatial-structure characteristics.
Thinking through Scale: The Role of State Governance in Globalizing North Pacific Fisheries
Authors: Mansfield Becky
Published: August 2002

Debates about the relationship between globalization and state power have often relied on a static view of spatial scales as discrete stages for social interaction. Focusing instead on the ‘production of scale’, several researchers have argued that globalization leads to rescaling of the state, as regulatory powers are realigned both upwards to supranational regimes and downwards to regional, local, and urban governance structures. Although this perspective quite usefully treats scale as relational, this ‘glocalization’ argument remains somewhat schematic and does not allow for a full range of possible scalar configurations. Highlighting instead heterogeneity of scalar relations, in this paper I analyze the ways that United States' fishery development in the North Pacific produced both national power and transnational economic activity. After extending political jurisdiction over waters up to 200 nautical miles from shore, the United States implemented fishery development policies that emphasized the ‘Americanization’ of the Alaska pollock fishery at the expense of an international, particularly Japanese, fishery. The outcomes of these policies, however, have been international partnerships, foreign direct investment, and increased international trade, all of which have made the pollock industry simultaneously national and transnational. Efforts to assert and implement control over ocean territory produced both the national state and globalization, which were mutually reinforcing rather than antagonistic. Treating national states and the global economy as complex, contingent scalar configurations facilitates analysis of the causes of variability in state – economy relations.
Use and Nonuse Values for Conserving Endangered Species: The Case of the Mediterranean Monk Seal
Authors: Langford Ian H , Skourtos Mihalis S , Kontogianni Areti , Day Rosemary J , Georgiou Stavros , Bateman Ian J
Published: August 2002

The contingent valuation method is often used for valuing environmental goods which have nonuse as well as direct-use values. However, it is often not clear how respondents to a contingent valuation survey allocate values when asked for willingness-to-pay amounts. In this paper, we investigate use and nonuse values for the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), an endangered species, by using a survey conducted in Mytilene, on the island of Lesvos, Greece. Using factor analysis of the survey we found five factors which described respondents' attitudes towards conserving the monk seal, which were labelled protection, moral responsibility, ambivalence, limited resources, and tourist potential. Multilevel modelling was then used to compare willingness-to-pay responses with attitudinal and sociodemographic variables. The results suggest that willingness to pay for use, option, and existence values are predicted by different attitudinal variables.
A Cellular Automata Model to Simulate Development Density for Urban Planning
Authors: Yeh Anthony Gar-On , Li Xia
Published: August 2002

Most cellular automata (CA) urban models assume densities to be uniform for all cells. This is not true in real cities because densities vary substantially from city to city and from urban center to periphery areas. Development density, which affects urban form, is an important factor in urban planning. The authors present a CA model that incorporates density gradient in the simulation of urban development for different urban forms. Development density is obtained from density-decay functions and assigned to the cells when they are converted into developed cells according to CA transition rules. The model, which is based on the concept of ‘grey cells’, can be used as a planning model to explore various combinations of urban forms and development densities. The authors also evaluate and compare the development patterns generated by different density gradients. It is found that development scenarios with high-density development can significantly reduce encroachment on agricultural land and other important environmentally sensitive areas.
Measuring Urban Compactness in UK Towns and Cities
Authors: Burton Elizabeth
Published: August 2002

Although promotion of the compact city is now enshrined in land-use planning policy in many countries, including the United Kingdom, there is little evidence to support the many claims in its favour. In seeking to provide empirical data to advance the debate, one of the key problems researchers face is the task of measuring urban compactness. Research on the compact city is hampered both by a lack of consensus on its meaning and by the absence of recognised indicators for measuring it. This paper describes the development of a large set of urban compactness indicators used in an investigation of social sustainability outcomes in twenty-five English towns and cities. The paper begins by identifying and defining the different aspects of urban compactness, then outlines the indicators (including sources and methods) used for measuring each of these aspects. Finally, the values of these indicators for a range of English towns and cities are presented and reviewed. The aim of the paper is to contribute methodological tools to the compact city debate and provide a model for further research, essential in this field.
Improving Information for Regional Development Agencies' Strategies and Policies: Using Microdata from the United Kingdom's 2001 Census of Population
Authors: Gardiner Chris
Published: August 2002

The author is concerned with improving the quality of information available to the English Regional Development Agencies in the development and review of their strategies and policies. Proposals are discussed and evaluated concerning the use of microdata and user-defined customised output from the 2001 Census of Population for the United Kingdom. The discussion is set within the framework of the guidelines and advice specified within the Regional Strategies and Supplementary Guidance publications of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Assessment of the potential value of 2001 census microdata and customised output in the policy process is substantiated, as far as possible, with the aid of a case study based on the Samples of Anonymised Records from the 1991 Population Census.
Ethnic Minority Business Policy in the Era of the Small Business Service
Authors: Ram Monder , Smallbone David
Published: August 2002

The advent of the Small Business Service (SBS) has been accompanied by a renewed interest in ethnic minority enterprise. The content, nature, and efficacy of engagement processes with ethnic minority business (EMB) are likely to be important criteria for the granting of local SBS franchises, if the support needs of EMBs are to be successfully identified and responded to in the light of community and socioeconomic differences. This imperative has thrown into sharp relief unarticulated assumptions upon which policy towards EMBs has been, or should be, constituted. A review of these policy questions, and an assessment of the way forward, is long overdue. This is the key aim of the paper. In addressing this task, the authors draw upon a range of recent and ongoing studies of different facets of EMB activity, focusing in particular on the policy dimension. The discussion is divided into three main sections. First, there is an assessment of the support needs of EMBs. A key question is the extent to which such businesses are distinct from the general small firm population; and whether differences can be attributed to other factors, such as size and sector. This issue has implications for the delivery of business services; in particular, should services be delivered within existing ‘mainstream’ business support institutions, or through agencies predicated upon notions of ethnic differentiation? Second, issues and lessons from previous policy initiatives are considered. In particular, the role of specialist agencies, urban regeneration initiatives, and business-led organisations are assessed. After considering issues emerging from extant studies, part three identifies elements for a more coherent policy towards EMBs. Such a policy should include: clearer objectives; placing support EMBs within mainstream provision; an engagement strategy; closer integration between business support and regeneration policies; better access to finance; and more client-focused business support.
Public – Private Partnerships as Catalysts for Community-Based Water Infrastructure Development: The Border WaterWorks Program in Texas and New Mexico Colonias
Authors: Lemos Maria Carmen , Austin Diane , Merideth Robert , Varady Robert G
Published: August 2002

Increased awareness of shortcomings in both provision and maintenance of public services is triggering new approaches to policymaking and service delivery. Conventional debates over public versus private service provision obscure the multiple configurations possible. We consider the effectiveness and desirability of an alternative approach to public-service provision of water and wastewater services, specifically the Border Waterworks program, which has helped deliver water-related services to economically disadvantaged communities ( colonias) along the US – Mexico border. We explore some issues that emerge when nonprofit organizations take on functions of governments and service providers, and examine the conditions under which the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure can be advanced by nonprofit organizations. We conclude that the general effectiveness of Border Waterworks was thanks to its ability to adapt to local circumstances and respond to situations as they arose in the context of the numerous problems in colonias. We also conclude that nonprofit providers are most effective when they serve as catalysts that assist the public sector rather than when they provide public-service infrastructure on their own.