bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A RESISTÊNCIA AO ESTILO DE RESIDÊNCIAS VERTICAIS NOS CONJUNTOS HABITACIONAIS EM TRÊS LAGOAS-MS
Authors: Almeida Rubenita Martins de , Milani Patricia Helena
Published: January 2021

Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho partimos de uma inquietação diante do processo de saída de moradores das residências verticais de dois Conjuntos Habitacionais na cidade de Três Lagoas, no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Abordamos como a oferta de moradia popular através de conjuntos habitacionais verticais, sem considerar as experiências socioespaciais pregressas dos moradores, influência no êxito ou não, deste estilo de moradia em cidades não metropolitanas. Do ponto de vista metodológico, realizamos entrevistas semiestruturas com moradores e ex-moradores dos conjuntos habitacionais, sujeitos sociais que modificam, transformam e produzem o espaço de moradia que lhes é oferecido. Consideramos que o abandono das moradias e suas implicações, é uma forma como a classe pobre resiste e modifica o que é oferecido dentro das práticas cotidianas, uma resposta à imposição de lógicas advindas de escalas mais amplas, ligadas à reprodução capitalista na cidade, em que o valor de troca se sobrepôs ao valor de uso. O que delineia características específicas de moradia para cada sujeito social que, por conseguinte implica na aceitação (ou não) de moradias populares de baixa renda oferecidas pelo Poder Público, nos moldes impostos. A nós compete investigar esse processo de resistência protagonizado pelos sujeitos sociais e suas implicações na cidade e no urbano.
EXPEDIENTE
Authors: Formação Revista
Published: January 2021

Expediente
Investigation of the Permeability of Soil-rock Mixtures Using Lattice Boltzmann Simulations
Authors: Jin Lei , Zeng Yawu , Li Jingjing , Sun Hanqing
Published: January 2021

Based on the discrete element method and the proposed virtual slicing technique for three-dimensional discrete element model, random pore-structural models of soil-rock mixtures are constructed and voxelized. Then, the three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method is introduced to simulate the seepage flow in soil-rock mixtures on the pore scale. Finally, the influences of rock content, rock size, rock shape and rock orientation on the simulated permeability of soil-rock mixtures are comprehensively investigated. The results show that the permeability of soil-rock mixtures remarkably decreases with the increase of rock content. When the other conditions remain unchanged, the permeability of soil-rock mixtures increases with the increase of rock size. The permeability of soil-rock mixtures with bar-shaped rocks is smaller than that of soil-rock mixtures with block-shaped rocks, but larger than that of soil-rock mixtures with slab-shaped rocks. The rock orientation has a certain influence on the permeability of SRMs, and the amount of variation changes with the rock shape: when the rocks are bar-shaped, the permeability is slightly decreased as the major axes of these rocks change from parallel to perpendicular with respect to the direction of main flow; when the rocks are slab-shaped, the permeability decreases more significantly as the slab planes of these rocks change from parallel to perpendicular with respect to the direction of main flow.
Anforderungen an die Aufnahme eines Gewerbes in ausgewählten Staaten
Authors: Storr Stefan , Verhounig Ewald , Mosing Florian
Published: January 2021

Wie einfach lassen sich Gewerbe in verschiedenen Staaten aufnehmen? Dieses Buch stellt die Erkenntnisse der Studie "Anforderungen an die Aufnahme eines Gewerbes in ausgewählten Staaten" dar, die im Auftrag der Wirtschaftskammer Steiermark erfolgte. 14 Jahre nach Inkrafttreten der Dienstleistungsrichtlinie (RiL 123/2006/EG) stellt sich noch immer die Frage, ob die Märkte der Mitgliedstaaten hinreichend offen sind. Die Dienstleistungsrichtlinie hat die Mitgliedstaaten zu vereinfachten Verwaltungsverfahren und zur Liberalisierung gezwungen. Gleichwohl gibt es weiterhin erhebliche Unterschiede in den Anforderungen an die Aufnahme eines Gewerbes im Einzelnen. Wie einfach kann also eine gewerbliche Tätigkeit in Österreich aufgenommen werden? Um diese Frage zu beantworten, muss vorher geklärt werden, was mit "einfach" überhaupt gemeint ist. Hierbei soll ein Vergleich des Gewerberechts von ausgewählten Staaten behilflich sein. Mit Autorinnen und Autoren aus Deutschland, Griechenland, Italien, Österreich, Slowenien, Spanien, Taiwan, den USA und dem Vereinigten Königreich gibt das Werk einen Überblick über gewerberechtliche Bestimmungen und Systeme.
Diagnóstico y evaluación de la situación del turismo en Ecuador y propuesta de acciones para enfrentar la crisis generada por el covid-19
Authors: Armstrong Zulueta Dariel , Rodríguez Deler Thalía
Published: January 2021

La crisis ocasionada por el virus Covid-19 ha tenido un alcance y unas consecuencias a nivel mundial nunca antes imaginadas, siendo uno de los sectores más afectados, el turismo. Es por ello que cada país tiene la responsabilidad de estudiar la nueva normalidad para combatir de forma gradual los efectos de la crisis, por lo que esta investigación se propone una evaluación de la situación del turismo en Ecuador antes de la crisis, las consecuencias de esta para el sector turístico ecuatoriano y la propuesta de estrategias que posibiliten reactivar la actividad turística en el país. Además, a través, de la aplicación de 300 cuestionarios gerentes, empresarios y emprendedores de establecimientos turísticos registrados por el MINTUR, se concluyeron los escenarios más probables a generarse en el país.
Análisis de la innovación tecnológica en la Empresa Integral de Servicios Automotores (EISA) Granma, Matanzas
Authors: Mora Díaz Daylenis
Published: January 2021

Actualmente el término innovación tecnológica es muy utilizado en el mundo empresarial. Este material pretende proporcionar un acercamiento al proceso de innovación tecnológica presente en la Empresa Integradora de Servicios Automotores (EISA) Granma, Matanzas contando con información brindada por sus respectivos trabajadores y desea además proporcionar un marco para la reflexión en torno a este polémico tema.
Promoción del Turismo Cubano a través del uso de las tecnologías y prácticas de herramientas como la Storytelling
Authors: Boari Caraciola Carolina , Vidal Diaz Dayana , Vidal Diaz Daniela , Costa Juliana Maria
Published: January 2021

Visitar Cuba es parte de una historia única en el mundo, donde la resistencia, la supervivencia, las huellas del pasado y la búsqueda de la apertura hacia el futuro conviven en simbiosis. Este artículo analiza la promoción del turismo cubano a través del uso del storytelling, con el objetivo de construir una narrativa que refuerce la gloria y la imagen de los líderes de la Revolución Cubana, haciendo partícipes a los visitantes de un recorrido donde los líderes de tal movimiento son los personajes principales y, los habitantes de la isla, los actores secundarios. La progresiva apertura de Cuba y el uso de internet han provocado una nueva revolución en el país, la digital, encargada de comunicar al mundo los encantos turísticos de la región, estimular nuevos negocios y atraer a millones de visitantes cada año.
Las competencias profesionales y sus tendencias fundamentales
Authors: Prado Chaviano Elizabet , González González Margarita , Jiménez Valero Bisleivys
Published: January 2021

Las competencias se han convertido en la actualidad uno de los temas más polémicos y de interés a nivel internacional, su formación en el contexto educacional, ha traído aparejados cambios en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje de la educación superior donde se manifiestan cuatro tendencias en su concepción. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo presentar fundamentos teóricos que refieren las tendencias de las competencias profesionales con un análisis crítico de las mismas, así como la definición de las competencias profesionales por los autores.
Sinergias estratégicas: de la calidad a la infocomunicación. Caso de estudio Clínica Internacional Camilo Cienfuegos
Authors: Ramos Sánchez Elizabeth , Ferrán Fernández Yamilé , Ramos Sánchez Elizabeth , Bravo Silva Delgis
Published: January 2021

La Norma ISO 9001, en su trayectoria de más de 30 años, mantiene una marcada relevancia como modelo de gestión de la calidad y ha ido evolucionando hacia innovadores conceptos que están influyendo en la mejora contínua de los resultados de las organizaciones. La Clínica Internacional Camilo Cienfuegos (CICC), ha implementado un Sistema Integrado de Gestión (SIG), certificado según la norma ISO, que impacta directamente en el desarrollo organizacional y su dirección estratégica. Desde la metodología ISO y apoyado en técnicas de investigación y herramientas matriciales, la gestión de la información y el conocimiento se convierten en los ejes principales para analizar el contexto externo e interno y los posibles riesgos y oportunidades de la organización para enfrentar los retos del entorno. Así como la actualización de las partes interesadas pertinentes que impactan en el SIG y en la capacidad de la CICC para brindar servicios médicos de excelencia, desde su quehacer científico, en diálogo con la política económica y el compromiso con la Calidad.
Sistema informático para el análisis de los indicadores turísticos en el Hotel Habana Libre
Authors: Vázquez Alfonso Yasser , Sánchez Arenas Osvaldo J. , Ricardo Pérez Leandro , Velasteguí López Luis Efraín
Published: January 2021

El análisis de la información relevante en el sector del turismo y otros es una preocupación prioritaria de muchos directivos tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, ya que en los últimos años ha surgido un gran interés en buscar mecanismos que permitan analizar el desempeño de las diferentes unidades organizativas del Grupo Hotelero Gran Caribe y se toma como lugar para el desarrollo de la investigación el Hotel Habana Libre. Debido a esto se propone elaborar el proyecto para resolver esta problemática existente donde uno de los objetivos que se plantearon fue desarrollar una aplicación informática que permita el análisis de la información relevante, partiendo de esto es que surge el software SIAIO. El mismo fue implementado en el Lenguaje de Programación Java sobre el IDE NetBeans 7.0 y el Sistema Gestor de Base de Datos PostgreSQL 9.1, utilizando la metodología de desarrollo de software RUP con su lenguaje de modelado UML para la confección de varios módulos como son:  el  de  gestión  de  toda  la  información,  el  de  cálculo  que  incluye  la determinación de los índices por desempeño a nivel general, por unidades organizativas, la obtención de las reglas de asociación con el árbol de decisión y el de gráfica. Esta investigación resulta de gran importancia para que los diferentes directivos puedan tomar decisiones y mejorar el desempeño de las distintas unidades organizativas dentro de la instalación
Acciones para el desarrollo de la inteligencia emocional en los cuadros del Hotel NH Capri
Authors: Calzado Morales Rafael Enrique , Valdés Bencomo Yulima , Vázquez Alfonso Yasser
Published: January 2021

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo general proponer acciones para el desarrollo de la inteligencia emocional en los cuadros del hotel NH Capri. La investigación que se desarrolló es de tipo descriptivo no experimental de corte transversal. Para el desarrollo del presente estudio se partió de una evaluación de la observación científica con indicadores en cada una de las dimensiones de la inteligencia emocional, ya que posibilitó un acercamiento más profundo al objeto de estudio. Se aplicaron otros instrumentos de recolección de datos como: Cuestionario Diagnóstico y Entrevista. Estos instrumentos fueron aplicados a una muestra de 8 directivos. La selección de la muestra se realizó a partir de un muestreo no probabilístico intencional que tuvo en cuenta criterios de selección. Los resultados obtenidos muestran la evaluación de los directivos en cada una de las dimensiones de la inteligencia emocional. Como resultado general se evidencia que, los directivos evaluados presentan un nivel medio-bajo de inteligencia emocional, por lo que se hace necesario el desarrollo e implementación de dicha habilidad para poder alcanzar buen desempeño en el puesto de trabajo. La propuesta de acciones para desarrollar la inteligencia emocional garantiza que los directivos amplíen su capacidad de influencia, manejen mejor las relaciones interpersonales, favorezcan su bienestar psicológico y mejoren su rendimiento laboral motivándose cada vez más en desempeñar eficiente y eficazmente su rol como directivo.
OSMANLI DEVLETİ’NDE KÂĞIT PARAYA GEÇİŞ SÜRECİNDE EVRÂK-I NAKDİYYENİN YERİ VE ETKİLERİ
Authors: KARAKOÇ İrem
Published: January 2021

Osmanlı Devleti’nde başından beri ekonomik istikrarsızlıklar nedeniyle akçe tecdidi ve tağşişi (yenileme ve değerini düşürme) gibi münferit denebilecek uygulamalar yapılmışsa da madenî para rejimi Tanzimat’a kadar değiştirilmemiştir. Tanzimat devrinde isyanlar, savaşlar, yenilikler ve önceden alınan borçların ödeme tarihlerinin gelmesi gibi nedenlerle para ihtiyacı geleneksel yöntemlerle kapatılamayacak seviyeye çıkmıştır. Çalışmamızın amacı devletin bu zor durumdan kurtulmak için bir borç alma yöntemi olarak düşündüğü kâime adı verilen kâğıtları tedavüle çıkarmasının nedenleri ve hukukî işlemler bakımından doğan sonuçlarıdır. Bu evrâk, sonradan kâğıt paraya dönüştürülerek mevcut madenî para sistemini değiştirmiştir. Çalışmamızda öncelikle Osmanlı Devleti’nin biri, akçe esası üzerine kurulu “millî/osmanî”; diğeri, kuruş (ecnebi gümüş sikke) esasına dayanan “yabancı/ticarî” ikili para sistemi, ardından üç aşamada basılan “kâime” ele alınmıştır. Araştırmamız bir Hukuk Tarihi çalışması olduğundan konuyla ilgili hukukî düzenlemelere de değinilmiştir. Evrak-ı nakdiyyenin bir günde ve gönüllü olarak kabul edilen bir uygulama değil ekonomik şartlar yüzünden ve tedricen girilen bir iç borçlanma süreci olması, bunun tarihî ve hukukî bir olgu olduğunu düşündürmektedir.
Educação Remota Emergencial (ERE): Um estudo empírico sobre Capacidades Educacionais e Expectativas Docentes durante a Pandemia da COVID-19
Authors: Souza Gustavo Henrique Silva de , Jardim Wallas Siqueira , Marques Yuri Bento , Lopes Junior Geraldo , Santos Aline Patrícia Sobral dos , Liberato Leandro de Paula
Published: January 2021

Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar as condições, expectativas e capacidades de professores de cursos presenciais para a realização de atividades de ensino (letivas) remotas mediadas por tecnologias digitais, em virtude do distanciamento social associado à pandemia da COVID-19. Desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa exploratória, de abordagem quantitativa, com uma amostra não-probabilística de conveniência de 588 professores brasileiros de instituições públicas e privadas de ensino presencial de diversas áreas do conhecimento. Os participantes foram convidados pelas redes sociais a responder voluntariamente a um questionário on-line, entre os dias 19 e 30 de junho de 2020. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas de parametrização simples (p.ex., frequência, média, desvio-padrão), bem como análises inferenciais, por exemplo, a análise fatorial exploratória e a regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados destacam que a maioria dos professores investigados apresentou predisposição e interesse em realizar atividades remotas, além de condições técnicas de acesso e uso de internet e de equipamentos digitais e computacionais. Apesar disso, a instituições escolares precisam se atentar os intervenientes associados ao ambiente domiciliar, como as demandas domésticas e familiares e as necessidades individuais dos professores que podem se tornar barreiras para o efetivo desenvolvimento da Educação Remota Emergencial.
Effect of prey selectivity and trophic cascades induced by mesozooplankton on the dynamics of phytoplankton
Authors: Chen M , Si Y , Han L , Liu X , Huang B , Kang CK
Published: January 2021

Mesozooplankton are key components in the marine environment, linking the microbial food web and the classic food chain. Yet uncertainties remain on how mesozooplankton mediate the dynamics of prey communities through their complex feeding patterns. To examine mesozooplankton-mediated trophic interactions, we performed shipboard incubations using food removal and dilution methods during 4 cruises in the Pearl River estuary (PRE), Southern China. Our results revealed that mesozooplankton had diverse effects on different size fractions and taxonomic groups of phytoplankton via a combination of strong feeding selectivity and trophic cascades. High ingestion rates by mesozooplankton suppressed the accumulation of microphytoplankton (>20 µm), whereas low ingestion rates by mesozooplankton and resultant trophic cascades promoted the biomass of nano-sized (2-20 µm) and pico-sized (0.7-2 µm) phytoplankton. Among phytoplankton groups, diatoms were passively selected by mesozooplankton despite their high concentrations in natural seawater, whereas dinoflagellates and cryptophytes were actively preferred by mesozooplankton in spring and autumn. Similarly, ciliates were also preferred by mesozooplankton despite their lower biomass compared to phytoplankton, which induced a trophic cascade that indirectly increased the biomass of smaller phytoplankton. The overall feeding effect of mesozooplankton on phytoplankton was determined by the balance between direct grazing rates and indirect compensation with trophic cascades. The degrees of carnivory of the mesozooplankton, which determined the strength of trophic cascades, varied among seasons, resulting in weak control of algal blooms by mesozooplankton. Our findings provide insights into the complex trophic interactions between mesozooplankton and other plankton groups in dynamic natural ecosystems.
The effect of soil drought on the content of photosynthetic pigments in barley plants of the Brovar variety
Authors: Kaliaha Tatsiana G. , Kozel Nikolay V.
Published: January 2021

A significant effect of soil drought on the morphometric parameters of the leaves of barley plants of the Brovar variety, as well as the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids) in them was established. However, a significant decrease in plant growth indicators under drought conditions, a decrease in the amount of chlorophyll and, to a greater extent, carotenoids occurred against the background of the absence of a change in the content of pheophytin. We assume that the decrease in the number of pigments is mainly associated not with destruction due to stress, but with a decrease in their synthesis, which can be an adaptive reaction of plants, which minimizes the likelihood of formation of reactive oxygen species in photosynthetic membranes under conditions of drought, and also optimizes the use of light energy for photosynthetic processes under such conditions, as indicated by the predominant decrease in carotenoids such as neoxanthin, violaxanthin and β-carotene, which are actively involved in light harvesting and energy transfer to reaction centers.
Antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles and their membranotrophic action
Authors: Gabrielyan Lilit S. , Trchounian Armen A.
Published: January 2021

Nowadays, metal nanoparticles (NPs) can be considered as alternative agents for overcoming antibiotic resistance. The effect of silver NPs on gram-positive (Enterococcus hirae ATCC9790, Staphylococcus aureus MDC5233) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli K-12, Salmonella typhimurium MDC1759) bacteria have been investigated in this work. Silver NPs demonstrated antibacterial activity against the bacteria used, expressed in the decrease of the specific growth rate and the number of colony forming units. Moreover, the bactericidal effect of silver NPs on gram-positive bacteria was more pronounced than on gram-negative bacteria. In order to find out the mechanisms of NPs’ effects, the change of the redox potential, the hydrogen (H2) production ability, and the protons flux across the bacterial membrane have been also studied. The addition of NPs led to inhibition of H2 yield and to change of the energy-dependent proton flux through Fo F1-ATPase, indicating the silver NPs effect on the activity of membrane-bound enzymes. The data obtained point out that silver NPs show a pronounced antibacterial effect against the studied bacteria and can be used in biomedicine.
Incidence of Penile Cancer in the State of the Espirito Santo in the Period 2000-2018
Authors:   Nurse, Coordinator of studies at the Center for Clinical Research in Oncology, Evangelical Hospital of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES, Brazil., Jesus Parmanhani Narelle de , Reis Silva Amanda Cristina Martins ,   Nurse, Resident in Cancer Care, Evangelical Hospital of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES, Brazil, Valory Júnior Adilson Moreira ,   Undergraduate Medical Student, Faculdade Multivix - Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES, Brazil
Published: January 2021

Objective: Among the various forms of cancer is penile cancer, considered as a rare neoplasm and affects 1/100,000 men in developed countries. In Brazil, these tumors correspond to 2% of malignant neoplasms in men, being five times more prevalent in the North and Northeast regions compared to other regions. Aiming to write the incidence of penile cancer in the state of Espírito Santo (ES) in the period 2000-2018. Materials and method: This is an ecological study of a descriptive, quantitative and exploratory character, as it quantifies and describes the Incidence of Penile Cancer in the State of Espírito Santo. Information regarding the years 2000 to 2018 was collected through the Hospital Cancer Registry System (SisRHC), and subsequently the data were treated in Microsoft Office Excel. Results: Despite being a pathology that has a small incidence, according to the Mortality Atlas (2020), between 2015 and 2018 it presented more than 400 deaths / year in Brazil, corresponding to 0.06% of deaths due to neoplasia, and each year, 1600 men have their penis amputated due to this pathology. Conclusion: In view of the analysis carried out in this study, it is noted that it is necessary to intervene with educational and preventive actions in order to generate effective strategies for improving public health policies, as investing in this item means reducing the percentage of new cases and ensuring better quality of life for men affected by penile cancer.
English Language Learning-Based Open Space (ELLBOS) for young learners in the tourism area
Authors: Pongsapan Nehru Pasoloran , Patak Andi Anto
Published: January 2021

This research aims to actualize the Tana Toraja district government program as an "English Speaking Area". This research also is subject to improve English communication skills for the young learners in Tana Toraja and produce English Language Learning-Based Open Space (ELLBOS) as a prototype of an English language teaching approach for young learners in the tourism area. The research applied the ADDIE research design consists of three cycles: preparation, implementation, and evaluation. This research found five issues: (1) participant reported that they are enthusiasm in English lessons; (2) the participants need to learn English; (3) the English-speaking skill is essential for students; (4) students revealed that are unhappy in learning English in the classroom; (5) students experienced peaceful learning atmosphere if learning English outside the classroom. This research recommends the significance of applying the English Language Learning-Based Open Space (ELLBOS) for young learners in the tourism area. It is good if the teacher does English learning outside the classroom with open space to feel free to explore their potency in learning English.
Nuevos hallazgos de aves en contextos paleontológicos y arqueológicos de Cuba
Authors: Jiménez Osvaldo , Orihuela Johanset
Published: January 2021

Se comentan nuevos registros de aves de Cuba, como el guacamayo cubano (Ara tricolor), hallado en dos sitios arqueológicos de La Habana Vieja, de los siglos XVII y XVIII, asimismo, el búho de Arredondo (Pulsatrix arredondoi), ave extinta en tiempos prehistóricos, cuyos restos hemos colectado en dos cuevas de la comunidad Las Charcas, municipio San José de las Lajas, provincia Mayabeque, y por último, el carpintero real (Campephilus principalis), colectado en la Cueva del Aguacate, sitio localizado también en la comunidad Las Charcas. El resto óseo de P. arredondoi colectado en la Cueva de Las Charcas procede de un contexto paleontológico. En cambio, el otro resto proviene de la Cueva de los Muertos, que es un sitio arqueológico de aborígenes arcaicos, también conocidos como apropiadores mesolíticos. Por vez primera se considera la posibilidad de que P. arredondoi formara parte de la dieta de los aborígenes precolombinos citados. El registro de C. principalis representa el primer hallazgo de esta especie en contextos paleontológicos de Cuba. Adicionalmente se aporta información novedosa sobre la historia natural de las especies tratadas.
Confirmación de la presencia de Progomphus integer (Odonata: Gomphidae) en República Dominicana
Authors: Sánchez-Rosario América , Bastardo Ruth H.
Published: January 2021

Progomphus integer es una de las cuatro especies de Gomphidae endémicas de las Antillas Mayores, reportada para República Dominicana en referencias del siglo pasado. Más recientemente, se sugirió que su presencia en La Hispaniola era dudosa, debido a que no se reportaban localidades específicas. En este trabajo, se confirma la presencia de la especie para el país. Además, se aportan las primeras citas de localidades, con algunas notas de los hábitats donde fue colectada.
Un nuevo caso de leucismo en el Aura Tiñosa (Cathartes aura; Cathartiformes: Cathartidae) para Cuba
Authors: Hernández-Borroto Samuel , Salas Diego
Published: January 2021

Se registra un nuevo caso de Aura Tiñosa, Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758), con leucismo parcial para el archipiélago cubano. La observación se hizo en el área Paisaje Natural Protegido Escaleras de Jaruco ubicado en los municipios de Jaruco y San José de las Lajas, en las Alturas de Tapaste, en la actual provincia de Mayabeque. El avistamiento ocurrió en horas de la mañana (10:30 a.m.), sobre el penacho de una palma real (Roystonea regia, H.B.K. Cook). Este es considerado como el primer registro para la región occidental cubana y el cuarto para el país. La distribución actual de individuos leucísticos en Cuba comprende las regiones: occidental (el presente registro), central (con dos registros) y un registro que data del siglo XIX, donde no se precisa la localidad.
Environmental Regulation of PndbA600, an Auto-Inducible Promoter for Two-Stage Industrial Biotechnology in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Madsen Mary Ann , Hamilton Graham , Herzyk Pawel , Amtmann Anna
Published: January 2021

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes being developed as sustainable platforms that use renewable resources (light, water, and air) for diverse applications in energy, food, environment, and medicine. Despite the attractive promise that cyanobacteria offer to industrial biotechnology, slow growth rates pose a major challenge in processes which typically require large amounts of biomass and are often toxic to the cells. Two-stage cultivation strategies are an attractive solution to prevent any undesired growth inhibition by de-coupling biomass accumulation (stage I) and the industrial process (stage II). In cyanobacteria, two-stage strategies involve costly transfer methods between stages I and II, and little work has been focussed on using the distinct growth and stationary phases of batch cultures to autoregulate stage transition. In the present study, we identified and characterised a growth phase-specific promoter, which can serve as an auto-inducible switch to regulate two-stage bioprocesses in cyanobacteria. First, growth phase-specific genes were identified from a new RNAseq dataset comparing two growth phases and six nutrient conditions in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, including two new transcriptomes for low Mg and low K. A type II NADH dehydrogenase (ndbA) showed robust induction when the cultures transitioned from exponential to stationary phase growth. Behaviour of a 600-bp promoter sequence (PndbA600) was then characterised in detail following the expression of PndbA600:GFP in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Culture density and growth media analyses showed that PndbA600 activation was not dependent on increases in culture density per se but on N availability and on another activating factor present in the spent media of stationary phase cultures (Factor X). PndbA600 deactivation was dependent on the changes in culture density and in either N availability or Factor X. Electron transport inhibition studies revealed a photosynthesis-specific enhancement of active PndbA600 levels. Our findings are summarised in a model describing the environmental regulation of PndbA600, which can now inform the rational design of two-stage industrial processes in cyanobacteria.
Development and Validation of a Model to Evaluate the Water Resources of a Natural Protected Area as a Provider of Ecosystem Services in a Mountain Basin in Southern Chile
Authors: Fernández-Alberti Sandra , Abarca-del-Río Rodrigo , Bornhardt Cristian , Ávila Andres
Published: January 2021

The objective of this work is to validate a model to characterize and evaluate the water resources (supply and downstream demands) of the hydrological basins associated with the Conguillío National Park, located in the Andes Mountains in central-southern Chile (38°14'–38°54'S). This area is part of the Chilean biodiversity hotspot, of the first geopark in Chile, and constitutes the core of the Araucaria biosphere reserve, which provides multiple ecosystem services. To describe the behavior of the water resources in the four main river sub-basins originating in the park, the Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP) software was used, which was calibrated and validated with local hydrological data from 2000 to 2015. The WEAP System allows to quantify parameters involved in the hydrological cycle and water consumption of the different user sectors, and their interrelationships, to establish the water balance of the basins. Water is supplied by rain and snow, which occurs from June to December upstream in the Andes, and feeds the rivers Cautín, Allipén, Quepe and Lonquimay, which maximum flows occur between June and September, and minimum flows between January and April. The evolution of the water demand during the year was determined for each sub-basin for the following user sectors: human consumption, agriculture, livestock, industry, electricity production, aquaculture and other uses. As expected, the main water consuming sector is agriculture, with an average of 79.4 Mm3/yr. Considering that mountain ecosystems are areas of high productivity value, but are very fragile and vulnerable to anthropic and climatic effects, the use of the obtained data and the calibrated/validated model describing and characterizing these resources, will allow future studies under different socio-economic and climate change scenarios, to assess the importance of mountain basin ecosystem services, providing an example for equivalent studies throughout South America.
Evaluation of Simulation Capability for Multiple Tropical Cyclone Events in the Western North Pacific of the UH_HCM Model
Authors: Li Tianhang , Ren Hong-Li , Wu Yujie , Gao Jianyun
Published: January 2021

The intraseasonal variability of multiple tropical cyclone (MTC) events in the western North Pacific (WNP) during 1979–2015 is analyzed using the best-track dataset archived at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. MTC events are divided into three phases according to the time intervals of the tropical cyclone (TC) genesis, that is, active, normal, and inactive phases. Composite analysis results indicate that MTC events tend to occur in the active phase when the monsoon trough is stronger and located farther north than at other times. Initialized by the data from a 10-year stable running result, a 12-year control experiment is carried out using the hybrid atmosphere–ocean coupled model developed at the University of Hawaii (UH_HCM model) to evaluate its simulation capability. Compared with the climate observations, the model shows good skill in simulating the large-scale environmental conditions in the WNP, especially the subtropical high and the monsoon trough. In addition, the model can well simulate the climate characteristics of TCs in the WNP, as well as the differences in each MTC phase. However, the simulated frequency of TCs is less and their locations are more northeast, compared with the observations. The vorticity and moisture in the model appear to be the two main factors affecting MTC activity based on analyses of the genesis potential index.
Predicting Vertebral Bone Strength Using Finite Element Analysis for Opportunistic Osteoporosis Screening in Routine Multidetector Computed Tomography Scans—A Feasibility Study
Authors: Rayudu Nithin Manohar , Dieckmeyer Michael , Löffler Maximilian T. , Noël Peter B. , Kirschke Jan S. , Baum Thomas , Subburaj Karupppasamy
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of using routine clinical multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans for conducting finite element (FE) analysis to predict vertebral bone strength for opportunistic osteoporosis screening.

Methods

Routine abdominal MDCT with and without intravenous contrast medium (IVCM) of seven subjects (five male; two female; mean age: 71.86 ± 7.40 years) without any bone disease were used. FE analysis was performed on individual vertebrae (T11, T12, L1, and L2) including the posterior elements to investigate the effect of IVCM and slice thickness (1 and 3 mm) on vertebral bone strength. Another subset of data from subjects withvs. without osteoporotic vertebral fractures (n = 9 age and gender-matched pairs) was analyzed for investigating the ability of FE-analysis to differentiate the two cohorts. Bland-Altman plots, box plots, and coefficient of correlation (R2) were calculated to determine the variations in FE-predicted failure loads for different conditions.

Results

The FE-predicted failure loads obtained from routine MDCT scans were strongly correlated with those from without IVCM (R2 =0.91 for 1mm; R2= 0.92 for 3mm slice thickness, respectively) and different slice thicknesses (R2= 0.93 for 1mmvs. 3mm with IVCM). Furthermore, a good correlation was observed for 3mm slice thickness with IVCMvs. 1mm without IVCM (R2= 0.87). Significant difference between FE-predicted failure loads of healthy and fractured patients was observed (4,705 ± 1,238vs. 4,010 ± 1,297 N; p=0.026).

Conclusion

Routine clinical MDCT scans could be reliably used for assessment of fracture risk based on FE analysis and may be beneficial for patients who are at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures.
From Pituitary Stem Cell Differentiation to Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Camilletti Maria Andrea , Martinez Mayer Julian , Vishnopolska Sebastian A. , Perez-Millan Maria Ines
Published: January 2021

The anterior pituitary gland is comprised of specialized cell-types that produce and secrete polypeptide hormones in response to hypothalamic input and feedback from target organs. These specialized cells arise during embryonic development, from stem cells that express SOX2 and the pituitary transcription factor PROP1, which is necessary to establish the stem cell pool and promote an epithelial to mesenchymal-like transition, releasing progenitors from the niche. Human and mouse embryonic stem cells can differentiate into all major hormone-producing cell types of the anterior lobe in a highly plastic and dynamic manner. More recently human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) emerged as a viable alternative due to their plasticity and high proliferative capacity. This mini-review gives an overview of the major advances that have been achieved to develop protocols to generate pituitary hormone-producing cell types from stem cells and how these mechanisms are regulated. We also discuss their application in pituitary diseases, such as pituitary hormone deficiencies.
Increased Expression of PPAR-γ Modulates Monocytes Into a M2-Like Phenotype in SLE Patients: An Implicative Protective Mechanism and Potential Therapeutic Strategy of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Liu Yu , Luo Shuangyan , Zhan Yi , Wang Jiayu , Zhao Rui , Li Yingjie , Zeng Jinrong , Lu Qianjin
Published: January 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a spectrum of autoimmune disorders characterized by continuous inflammation and the production of autoantibodies. Monocytes, as precursors of dendritic cells and macrophages, are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, particularly in the inflammatory reactions. Previous studies have proved that Pam3CSK4, as a synthetic ligand of TLR2, could stimulate monocytes to differentiated into a M2-like phenotype which presented immunosuppressive functions. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be further studied. Here, we reported an increased expression of PPAR-γ in the CD14+ monocytes from SLE patients, particularly in the treated group of SLE patients and the group with positive anti-dsDNA antibodies. Additionally, PPAR-γ expression decreased in the SLE patients with skin lesion. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Pam3CSK4 stimulation can decrease the expression of CCR7, CD80, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, and NF-κB which were related to the M1-like subset of monocytes and increased the expression of ARG1 which was related to the M2-like subset through upregulated PPAR-γ expression and consequently downregulated NF-κB expression in the CD14+ monocytes in a time-dependent manner. ChIP-qPCR results further demonstrated that Pam3CSK4 pretreatment could modulate PPAR-γ expression by regulating histone modification through the inhibition of Sirt1 binding to the PPAR-γ promoter. Taken together, our study indicated a protective role of TLR2/Sirt1/PPAR-γ pathway in the pathogenesis of SLE which provided potential therapeutic strategies.
Activator-Mediated Pyruvate Kinase M2 Activation Contributes to Endotoxin Tolerance by Promoting Mitochondrial Biogenesis
Authors: Yi Zhujun , Wu Yilin , Zhang Wenfeng , Wang Tao , Gong Jianping , Cheng Yao , Miao Chunmu
Published: January 2021

Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is a key glycolysis enzyme, and its effect on macrophages has not been entirely elucidated. Here, we identified that the PKM2 small-molecule agonist TEPP-46 mediated PKM2 activation by inducing the formation of PKM2 tetramer and promoted macrophage endotoxin tolerance. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-tolerant mice had higher expression of the PKM2 tetramer, which was associated with a reduced in vivo immune response to LPS. Pretreatment of macrophages with TEPP-46 resulted in tolerance to LPS stimulation, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in the production of TNF-α and IL-6. We found that TEPP-46 induced mitochondrial biogenesis in macrophages. Inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis by mtTFA knockdown effectively inhibited TEPP-46-mediated macrophage tolerance to endotoxins. We discovered that TEPP-46 promoted the expression of PGC-1α and that PGC-1α was the key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis in macrophages induced by TEPP-46. PGC-1α was negatively regulated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Knockdown of PKM2 or PGC-1α uniformly inhibited TEPP-46-mediated endotoxin tolerance by inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, TEPP-46 protected mice from lethal endotoxemia and sepsis. Collectively, these findings reveal novel mechanisms for the metabolic control of inflammation and for the induction of endotoxin tolerance by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Targeting PKM2 appears to be a new therapeutic option for the treatment of sepsis and other inflammatory diseases.
Membrane Interactome of a Recombinant Fragment of Human Surfactant Protein D Reveals GRP78 as a Novel Binding Partner in PC3, a Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Thakur Gargi , Sathe Gajanan , Kundu Indra , Biswas Barnali , Gautam Poonam , Alkahtani Saad , Idicula-Thomas Susan , Sirdeshmukh Ravi , Kishore Uday , Madan Taruna
Published: January 2021

Surfactant protein-D (SP-D), a member of the collectin family has been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. SP-D is composed of an N-terminal collagen-like domain and a calcium-dependent carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Recently, we reported that a recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rfhSP-D), composed of homotrimeric CRD region, induced intrinsic apoptotic pathway in prostate cancer cells. Here, we analyzed the membrane interactome of rfhSP-D in an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line, PC3, by high resolution mass spectrometry and identified 347 proteins. Computational analysis of PPI network of this interactome in the context of prostate cancer metastasis and apoptosis revealed Glucose Regulated Protein of 78 kDa (GRP78) as an important binding partner of rfhSP-D. Docking studies suggested that rfhSP-D (CRD) bound to the substrate-binding domain of glycosylated GRP78. This was further supported by the observations that human recombinant GRP78 interfered with the binding of rfhSP-D to anti-SP-D polyclonal antibodies; GRP78 also significantly inhibited the binding of recombinant full-length human SP-D with a monoclonal antibody specific to the CRD in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that the interaction with rfhSP-D is likely to interfere with the pro-survival signaling of GRP78.
Shared and Unique Features of Human Interferon-Beta and Interferon-Alpha Subtypes
Authors: Wittling Megen C. , Cahalan Shannon R. , Levenson Eric A. , Rabin Ronald L.
Published: January 2021

Type I interferons (IFN-I) were first discovered as an antiviral factor by Isaacs and Lindenmann in 1957, but they are now known to also modulate innate and adaptive immunity and suppress proliferation of cancer cells. While much has been revealed about IFN-I, it remains a mystery as to why there are 16 different IFN-I gene products, including IFNβ, IFNω, and 12 subtypes of IFNα. Here, we discuss shared and unique aspects of these IFN-I in the context of their evolution, expression patterns, and signaling through their shared heterodimeric receptor. We propose that rather than investigating responses to individual IFN-I, these contexts can serve as an alternative approach toward investigating roles for IFNα subtypes. Finally, we review uses of IFNα and IFNβ as therapeutic agents to suppress chronic viral infections or to treat multiple sclerosis.
Endothelial TLR4 Expression Mediates Vaso-Occlusive Crisis in Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Beckman Joan D. , Abdullah Fuad , Chen Chunsheng , Kirchner Rachel , Rivera-Rodriguez Dormarie , Kiser Zachary M. , Nguyen Aithanh , Zhang Ping , Nguyen Julia , Hebbel Robert P. , Belcher John D. , Vercellotti Gregory M.
Published: January 2021

Heme, released from red blood cells in sickle cell disease (SCD), interacts with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to activate NF-κB leading to the production of cytokines and adhesion molecules which promote inflammation, pain, and vaso-occlusion. In SCD, TLR4 inhibition has been shown to modulate heme-induced microvascular stasis and lung injury. We sought to delineate the role of endothelial verses hematopoietic TLR4 in SCD by developing a TLR4 null transgenic sickle mouse. We bred a global Tlr4-/- deficiency state into Townes-AA mice expressing normal human adult hemoglobin A and Townes-SS mice expressing sickle hemoglobin S. SS-Tlr4-/- had similar complete blood counts and serum chemistries as SS-Tlr4+/+ mice. However, SS-Tlr4-/- mice developed significantly less microvascular stasis in dorsal skin fold chambers than SS-Tlr4+/+ mice in response to challenges with heme, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). To define a potential mechanism for decreased microvascular stasis in SS-Tlr4-/- mice, we measured pro-inflammatory NF-κB and adhesion molecules in livers post-heme challenge. Compared to heme-challenged SS-Tlr4+/+ livers, SS-Tlr4-/- livers had lower adhesion molecule and cytokine mRNAs, NF-κB phospho-p65, and adhesion molecule protein expression. Furthermore, lung P-selectin and von Willebrand factor immunostaining was reduced. Next, to establish if endothelial or hematopoietic cell TLR4 signaling is critical to vaso-occlusive physiology, we created chimeric mice by transplanting SS-Tlr4-/- or SS-Tlr4+/+ bone marrow into AA-Tlr4-/- or AA-Tlr4+/+ recipients. Hemin-stimulated microvascular stasis was significantly decreased when the recipient was AA-Tlr4-/-. These data demonstrate that endothelial, but not hematopoietic, TLR4 expression is necessary to initiate vaso-occlusive physiology in SS mice.
Prognostic Value of Complement Properdin in Cancer
Authors: Mangogna Alessandro , Varghese Praveen M. , Agostinis Chiara , Alrokayan Salman H. , Khan Haseeb A. , Stover Cordula M. , Belmonte Beatrice , Martorana Anna , Ricci Giuseppe , Bulla Roberta , Kishore Uday
Published: January 2021

The complement system is readily triggered by the presence of damage-associated molecular patterns on the surface of tumor cells. The complement alternative pathway provides rapid amplification of the molecular stress signal, leading to complement cascade activation to deal with pathogens or malignant cells. Properdin is the only known positive regulator of the alternative pathway. In addition, properdin promotes the phagocytic uptake of apoptotic T cells by macrophages and dendritic cells without activating the complement system, thus, establishing its ability to recognize “altered-self”. Dysregulation of properdin has been implicated in substantial tissue damage in the host, and in some cases, chronic unresolved inflammation. A corollary of this may be the development of cancer. Hence, to establish a correlation between properdin presence/levels in normal and cancer tissues, we performed bioinformatics analysis, using Oncomine and UALCAN. Survival analyses were performed using UALCAN and PROGgeneV2 to assess if properdin can serve as a potential prognostic marker for human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). We also analyzed levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells using TIMER, a tool for characterizing immune cell composition in cancers. We found that in LUAD and LIHC, there was a lower expression of properdin in the tumors compared to normal tissues, while no significant difference was observed in CESC and PAAD. Survival analysis demonstrated a positive association between properdin mRNA expression and overall survival in all 4 types of cancers. TIMER analysis revealed that properdin expression correlated negatively with tumor purity and positively with levels of infiltrating B cells, cytotoxic CD8+T cells, CD4+helper T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells in LUAD, CESC and PAAD, and with levels of B cells, CD8+T cells and dendritic cells in LIHC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that infiltrating immune cells were the most likely source of properdin in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, complement protein properdin shows promise as a prognostic marker in cancer and warrants further study.