bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active damping method for voltage source inverter-based distributed generator using multivariable finite-control-set model predictive control
Authors: Jongudomkarn Jonggrist , Kampeerawat Warayut
Published: March 2021

Despite its advantages, the LCL filter can significantly distort the grid current and constitute a substantially more complex control issue for the grid-connected distributed generators (DGs). This paper presents an active damping approach to deal with the LCL filter's oscillation for the finite-control-set model predictive control (FCS-MPC)-three-phase voltage source inverters (VSIs)-based DG. The new approaches use the multivariable control of the inverter side's filter current and capacitor voltage to suppress the LCL filter resonance. The proposed method has been tested in steady-state and under grid voltage disturbances. The comparative study was also conducted with the existing virtual resistance active damping approaches for an FCS-MPC algorithm. The study validates the developed control schemes' superior performance and shows its ability to eliminate lower-order grid current harmonics and decrease sensitivity to grid voltage distortion.
Suppression of Myocardial Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Compromises Metabolic Adaptation and Impairs Cardiac Function in Patients With Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease During Puberty
Authors: Liu Yiwei , Luo Qipeng , Su Zhanhao , Xing Junyue , Wu Jinlin , Xiang Li , Huang Yuan , Pan Haizhou , Wu Xie , Zhang Xiaoling , Li Jun , Yan Fuxia , Zhang Hao
Published: March 2021

Background:

Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a complex pathophysiological condition involving systemic chronic hypoxia (CH). Some patients with CCHD are unoperated for various reasons and remain chronically hypoxic throughout their lives, which heightens the risk of heart failure as they age. Hypoxia activates cellular metabolic adaptation to balance energy demands by accumulating hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α). This study aims to determine the effect of CH on cardiac metabolism and function in patients with CCHD and its association with age. The role of HIF-1α in this process was investigated, and potential therapeutic targets were explored.

Methods:

Patients with CCHD (n=25) were evaluated for cardiac metabolism and function with positron emission tomography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Heart tissue samples were subjected to metabolomic and protein analyses. CH rodent models were generated to enable continuous observation of changes in cardiac metabolism and function. The role of HIF-1α in cardiac metabolic adaptation to CH was investigated with genetically modified animals and isotope-labeled metabolomic pathway tracing studies.

Results:

Prepubertal patients with CCHD had glucose-dominant cardiac metabolism and normal cardiac function. In comparison, among patients who had entered puberty, the levels of myocardial glucose uptake and glycolytic intermediates were significantly decreased, but fatty acids were significantly increased, along with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. These clinical phenotypes were replicated in CH rodent models. In patients with CCHD and animals exposed to CH, myocardial HIF-1α was upregulated before puberty but was significantly downregulated during puberty. In cardiomyocyte-specific
Hif-1α
–knockout mice, CH failed to initiate the switch of myocardial substrates from fatty acids to glucose, thereby inhibiting ATP production and impairing cardiac function. Increased insulin resistance during puberty suppressed myocardial HIF-1α and was responsible for cardiac metabolic maladaptation in animals exposed to CH. Pioglitazone significantly reduced myocardial insulin resistance, restored glucose metabolism, and improved cardiac function in pubertal CH animals.

Conclusions:

In patients with CCHD, maladaptation of cardiac metabolism occurred during puberty, along with impaired cardiac function. HIF-1α was identified as the key regulator of cardiac metabolic adaptation in animals exposed to CH, and pubertal insulin resistance could suppress its expression. Pioglitazone administration during puberty might help improve cardiac function in patients with CCHD.
Identifying At‐Risk Patients for Sustained Atrial High‐Rate Episodes Using the C
2
HEST Score: The West Birmingham Atrial Fibrillation Project
Authors: Li Yan‐Guang , Pastori Daniele , Miyazawa Kazuo , Shahid Farhan , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: March 2021

Background

Sustained atrial high‐rate episodes (SAHREs) among individuals with a cardiac implantable electronic device are associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Risk stratification for the development of SAHREs has never been investigated. We aimed to assess the performance of the C
2
HEST (coronary artery disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [1 point each], hypertension [1 point], elderly [age ≥75 years, 2 points], systolic heart failure [2 points], thyroid disease [1 point]) score in predicting SAHREs in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices without atrial fibrillation.

Methods and Results

Five Hundred consecutive patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices in the West Birmingham Atrial Fibrillation Project in the United Kingdom were followed since the procedure to observe the development of SAHREs, defined by atrial high‐rate episodes lasting >24 hours. Risk factors and incidence of SAHREs were analyzed. The predictive value of the C
2
HEST score for SAHRE prediction was evaluated. Over a mean follow‐up of 53.1 months, 44 (8.8%) patients developed SAHREs. SAHREs were associated with higher all‐cause mortality (
P
<0.001) and ischemic stroke (
P
=0.001). Age and heart failure were associated with SAHRE occurrence. The incidence of SAHREs increased by the C
2
HEST score (39% higher risk per point increase). Among patients with a C
2
HEST score ≥4, the incidence of SAHREs was 3.62% per year (95% CI, 2.14–5.16). The C
2
HEST score had moderate predictive capability (area under the curve, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64–0.81) and discriminative ability (log‐rank
P
=0.003), which was better than other clinical scores (CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc, CHADS
2
, HATCH).

Conclusions

The C
2
HEST score predicted SAHRE incidence in patients without atrial fibrillation who had an cardiac implantable electronic device, with the highest risk seen in patients with a C
2
HEST score ≥4 The benefit of using the C
2
HEST score in clinical practice in this patient population needs further investigation.
SAYCam: A Large, Longitudinal Audiovisual Dataset Recorded From the Infant’s Perspective
Authors: Sullivan Jessica , Mei Michelle , Perfors Andrew , Wojcik Erica , Frank Michael C.
Published: March 2021

We introduce a new resource: the SAYCam corpus. Infants aged 6–32 months wore a head-mounted camera for approximately 2 hr per week, over the course of approximately two-and-a-half years. The result is a large, naturalistic, longitudinal dataset of infant- and child-perspective videos. Over 200,000 words of naturalistic speech have already been transcribed. Similarly, the dataset is searchable using a number of criteria (e.g., age of participant, location, setting, objects present). The resulting dataset will be of broad use to psychologists, linguists, and computer scientists.
Heidegger and the Common Destiny of the East and the West
Authors: Lyra Edgar
Published: March 2021

The affirmation that “there is no philosophy other than Western philosophy” is not in Heideggerian terms praise for the West. One of the ways Heidegger deals with the current hegemony of technology is the search for its historical-ontological origin, tracing the contemporary phenomenon back to its Greek roots. As there are no meta-narratives linking, for example, the China of Laozi to the technological power that China is today, one imagines that global developmentalism really has its epicenter in the West. Be that as it may, East and West need to think about the paths that mysteriously define their common technological destiny. It is against this backdrop that some of Heidegger’s references to the Dao will be revisited here.
A Zhuangzian Response to Heidegger’s Mitsein
Authors: Ma Lin
Published: March 2021

In this article, I address the intricacies of Heidegger’s existential notion of Mitsein (Being-with), and expound a different way of understanding the relevant issue in light of a reinterpretation of Zhuangzi’s fish story. I show that Heidegger’s account of Mitsein is ultimately situated within the limit of Dasein’s structural components. What is more problematic is his conception of the connection between Dasein and others as disengaged. Then I explicate a Zhuangzian idea of what I call Mitzutun, literally meaning doing something with (others). I argue that the “with” of the Zhuangzian Mitzutun is lived out by human beings and nonhuman beings in the variegated forms of life.
Molecular response to imatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in Tanzania
Authors: Nasser Ahlam , Hussein Ally , Chamba Clara , Yonazi Mbonea , Mushi Rosemary , Schuh Anna , Luzzatto Lucio
Published: March 2021

Imatinib is the mainstay of treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in Tanzania. Monitoring molecular response to therapy by real-time polymerase chain reaction at defined milestones is necessary for early detection of treatment failure. However, this assay is not routinely performed in Tanzania; therefore, the depth of molecular response among patients with CML is not known. A total of 158 patients with previously diagnosed CML who received imatinib treatment were recruited from January 2019 and followed up through October 2020 at Ocean Road Cancer Institute. Information was obtained at the time of diagnosis and follow-up. Blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes to measure the BCR/ABL ratio on the Gene Xpert system for molecular response determination. The median age of the 158 adult patients was 45 years (range, 18-86). By reference to established treatment milestones, only 37 (23.4%) achieved optimal molecular response. Signs of advanced-stage disease, in particular the need for red cell transfusions before diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.4; 95% CI, 1.32-9.17) and cytopenias (AOR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.03-4.96) necessitating drug interruptions were statistically validated predictors of treatment failure on multivariate, multinomial logistic regression. Patient survival at the 22-month follow-up was lowest, with 78.6% (95% CI, 69.4-85.4) in the failure-to-respond category and highest in patients achieving optimal response 97.0% (95% CI, 80.9-99.6). In summary, the majority of patients with CML treated with imatinib in Tanzania do not obtain deep molecular response. This outcome can be attributed to late diagnosis, the development of cytopenias requiring multiple drug interruptions, and poor adherence to treatment.
Factors associated with the nutritional status of the older population in a selected area of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman K. M. Thouhidur , Khalequzzaman Md. , Khan Fahmida Afroz , Rayna Shahrin Emdad , Samin Sharraf , Hasan Md. , Islam Syed Shariful
Published: March 2021

Background

Globally, older population (aged ≥60 years) comprise 11% of the total population, and 23% of them are malnourished. Lack of knowledge and education, adverse dietary habits, depression or psychological disorders, poor oral and dental health, disability, and diseases are the reported factors responsible for malnutrition among them. Geriatric people comprise 7.5% of the total population of Bangladesh, and almost a quarter are malnourished. But there is scarce data on the factors associated with the nutritional status of the older population in Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 older individuals (male 59, female 66) living in three villages of Uttarkhan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, to identify the factors associated with their nutritional status. The Mini Nutritional Assessment scale, Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index were used for assessing the nutritional status, mental health status, and oral health quality of the respondents, respectively. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities and dietary factors, and food behaviors were gathered by a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Results

The participants’ mean age was 67.9 ± 7.1 years. Most of them (53.6%) had no formal education. Among the respondents, 22.0% male and 28.8% female were malnourished. The proportion of malnourished and at risk of malnutrition among the respondents living without a partner were 28.6 and 65.3%, respectively. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher odds of having depression (OR 15.6; 95% CI 3.1–78.1), poor oral health (OR 7.3; 95% CI 1.3–41.8), and no formal education (OR 6.5; 95% CI 1.3–32.1) was observed among the malnourished respondents. Though it was not statistically significant, among the malnourished, 31.3, 25.0 and 25.0% avoided highly oily food, beef/mutton, and sugary food, respectively.

Conclusions

More than two-thirds of the older population were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, where the female respondents were more vulnerable. Depression, inadequate oral health, and lack of education were negatively associated with the nutritional status of the older population.
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and family caregiver burden: a path analysis
Authors: Kim Bokyoung , Noh Gie Ok , Kim Kyunghee
Published: March 2021

Background

Studies reported the relationship between behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognitive function, caregiver burden, and therapeutic effects. However, the causal relationship between BPSD in community-dwelling patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and caregiver burden is yet to be established. This study aimed to classify BPSD in patients with AD and identify the relationship between BPSD and the factors affecting family caregiver burden.

Methods

Path analysis was conducted at a neurology outpatient clinic of a tertiary general hospital in South Korea. The medical records of 170 patients, aged ≥50 years, diagnosed with or suspected for AD were retrospectively reviewed. We investigated cognitive function (Korean version of the Mini-Mental-State Exam), dementia stages (Korean version of the Expanded Clinical Dementia Rating scale), depression (Short-form Geriatric Depression Scale-Korea), activities of daily living (ADL; Korean version of the Barthel Activities of Daily Living index), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL; Seoul-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), and BPSD and caregiver burden (Korean Neuropsychiatric Inventory). Considering the characteristic features of BPSD with various symptoms, BPSD was classified using factor analysis. Factor extraction was performed using principal component analysis, followed by Varimax factor rotation.

Results

Mean total BPSD score was 17.66 ± 20.67, and the mean score for family caregiver burden was 9.65 ± 11.12. Symptom cluster-1 (hyperactivity symptoms) included disinhibition, irritability, and agitation/aggression. Symptom cluster-2 (psychosis symptoms) included hallucinations, anxiety, elation/euphoria, delusions, and depression/dysphoria. Symptom cluster-3 (physical behaviour symptoms) included appetite and eating abnormalities, apathy/indifference, aberrant motor behaviour, sleep, and night-time behaviour disturbances. Dementia stages, ADL, and IADL had indirect effects on family caregiver burden through hyperactivity, psychosis, and physical behaviour symptoms, indicating that BPSD exerted a complete mediating effect.

Conclusions

Unlike previous studies, we classified BPSD symptoms into similar symptom clusters to evaluate its effect on caregiver burden, rather than collectively investigating the 12 symptoms of BPSD. As the dementia stage worsens, symptom clusters in BPSD serve as a medium between ADL and IADL degradation and for the increase in caregivers’ burden. The development and implementation of therapeutic, nursing interventions, and policies focusing on dementia stages, ADL, and IADL, delaying and preventing BPSD can alleviate family caregivers’ burden.
Implementing ICHOM standard set for cataract surgery at IPO-Porto (Portugal): clinical outcomes, quality of life and costs
Authors: Queirós Lara , Redondo Patrícia , França M. , Silva Sérgio Estrela , Borges Pedro , de Melo António Benevides , Pereira Nuno , da Costa Paulo Freitas , Carvalho Nazaré , Borges Marina , Sequeira Isabel , Gonçalves Francisco Nuno Rocha , Lemos José
Published: March 2021

Background

This paper fills a gap in the applied research field, for a local context, by addressing the topics of describing cataract surgery’ clinical outcomes; quality of life (QoL); and costs of the patients treated after the implementation of the ICHOM standard set.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study using real-world data (RWD). We included all patients subjected to cataract surgery at the Portuguese Institute of oncology - Porto (IPO-Porto), Portugal, after 3 months follow up period completed between 5th June 2017 and 21st May 2018. The following inclusion criteria: corrected visual acuity of ≤ 6/10 or other significant visual disturbance due to lens opacity or the existence of a large anisometropia. A circuit was implemented based on the ICHOM standard for cataract, to measure clinical variables (e.g. visual acuity) and QoL (CATQUEST-9SF) before and after surgery, and cost of treatment. The results were explored by means of a paired-sample t-test, considering normality assumptions.

Results

Data refers to 268 patients (73 P25-P75:32–95 years old), regarding 374 eyes. The cataract surgery had a positive effect on visual acuity (p < 0.001), refraction (right and left cylinder; p < 0.001) and all QoL dimensions. The vast majority of patients, around 98%, reported improvements in QoL. Based on IPO-Porto administrative records, the direct cost of treating cataracts (per eye) is of 500€, representing a total cost of 187,000€ for the number of patients operated herein.

Conclusion

This study reports the successful implementation of the ICHOM standard set for cataracts in a Portuguese institution and confirms that cataract surgery provides a rapid visual recovery, with excellent visual outcomes and minimal complications in most patients, while also having a positive impact on patients’ quality of life.
“Impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on early onset of puberty: experience of an Italian tertiary center”
Authors: Verzani Martina , Bizzarri Carla , Chioma Laura , Bottaro Giorgia , Pedicelli Stefania , Cappa Marco
Published: March 2021

At the end of 2019, an emerging atypical pneumonia called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), caused by the novel coronavirus defined as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), was first reported. COVID-19 rapidly expanded leading to an epidemic in China, followed by a global pandemic during the year 2020. In few weeks Italy was assaulted by a severe health emergency, constraining the Italian government to put in place extraordinary restrictive measures, such as school closures and a strict lockdown extended to the entire country at the beginning of March 2020. Since the beginning of lockdown, the Endocrinology Unit of Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital has recorded a rapid increase of the outpatient consultations for suspected precocious or early puberty. We have now retrospectively analyzed all the consultations recorded in the database of our outpatient clinic from March to September 2020, and compared them with the consultations recorded in the same database from March to September 2019. Our preliminary data suggest a significant increase of precocious puberty cases in girls during the first period of COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations in larger cohorts of children are needed in order to correlate the observed increase of precocious puberty with specific pathogenic factors.
Correction to: Biosecurity in pig farms: a review
Authors: Alarcón Laura Valeria , Allepuz Alberto , Mateu Enric
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
A Note on “Sequential Neighborhood Effects” by Hicks et al. (2018)
Authors: Handcock Mark S. , Hicks Andrew L. , Sastry Narayan , Pebley Anne R.
Published: March 2021

We revisit a novel causal model published in Demography by Hicks et al. (2018), designed to assess whether exposure to neighborhood disadvantage over time affects children's reading and math skills. Here, we provide corrected and new results. Reconsideration of the model in the original article raised concerns about bias due to exposure-induced confounding (i.e., past exposures directly affecting future exposures) and true state dependence (i.e., past exposures affecting confounders of future exposures). Through simulation, we show that our originally proposed propensity function approach displays modest bias due to exposure-induced confounding but no bias from true state dependence. We suggest a correction based on residualized values and show that this new approach corrects for the observed bias. We contrast this revised method with other causal modeling approaches using simulation. Finally, we reproduce the substantive models from Hicks et al. (2018) using the new residuals-based adjustment procedure. With the correction, our findings are essentially identical to those reported originally. We end with some conclusions regarding approaches to causal modeling.
Climate action for health and wellbeing in cities: a protocol for the systematic development of a database of peer-reviewed studies using machine learning methods
Authors: Belesova Kristine , Callaghan Max , Minx Jan C , Creutzig Felix , Turcu Catalina , Hutchinson Emma , Milner James , Crane Melanie , Haines Andy , Davies Michael , Wilkinson Paul
Published: March 2021

Cities produce more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Action by cities is therefore crucial for climate change mitigation as well as for safeguarding the health and wellbeing of their populations under climate change. Many city governments have made ambitious commitments to climate change mitigation and adaptation and implemented a range of actions to address them. However, a systematic record and synthesis of the findings of evaluations of the effect of such actions on human health and wellbeing is currently lacking. This, in turn, impedes the development of robust knowledge on what constitutes high-impact climate actions of benefit to human health and wellbeing, which can inform future action plans, their implementation and scale-up. The development of a systematic record of studies reporting climate and health actions in cities is made challenging by the broad landscape of relevant literature scattered across many disciplines and sectors, which is challenging to effectively consolidate using traditional literature review methods. This protocol reports an innovative approach for the systematic development of a database of studies of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions implemented in cities, and their benefits (or disbenefits) for human health and wellbeing, derived from peer-reviewed academic literature. Our approach draws on extensive tailored search strategies and machine learning methods for article classification and tagging to generate a database for subsequent systematic reviews addressing questions of importance to urban decision-makers on climate actions in cities for human health and wellbeing.
How do the restrictions on probiotic companies' communication affect you?
Authors: Durrant Louise
Published: March 2021

Dr Louise Durrant explains why nurses can no longer get information on probiotics from manufacturers
Histone deacetylase inhibitor during in vitro maturation decreases developmental capacity of bovine oocytes
Authors: Pontelo Thais Preisser , Franco Mauricio Machaim , Kawamoto Taynan Stonoga , Caixeta Felippe Manoel Costa , de Oliveira Leme Ligiane , Kussano Nayara Ribeiro , Zangeronimo Marcio Gilberto , Dode Margot Alves Nunes
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of scriptaid during pre-maturation (PIVM) and/or maturation (IVM) on developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were submitted to PIVM for 6 h in the presence or absence of scriptaid. COCs were distributed into five groups: T1-IVM for 22 h, T2-PIVM for 6 h and IVM for 22 h, T3-PIVM with scriptaid for 6 h and IVM for 22 h, T4-PIVM for 6 h and IVM with scriptaid for 22 h, and T5-PIVM with scriptaid for 6 h and IVM with scriptaid for 22 h. Nuclear maturation, gene expression, cumulus cells (CCs) expansion, and embryo development and quality were evaluated. At the end of maturation, all groups presented the majority of oocytes in MII (P>0.05). Only HAT1 gene was differentially expressed (P<0.01) in oocytes with different treatments. Regarding embryo development at D7, T4 (23%) and T5 (18%) had lower blastocyst rate (P<0.05) than the other treatments (T1 = 35%, T2 = 37% and T3 = 32%). No effect was observed when scriptaid in PIVM was used in less competent oocytes (P>0.05). In conclusion, presence of scriptaid in PIVM and/or IVM did not improve developmental competence or embryo quality.
Health-related quality of life and associated factors among people living with human immunodeficiency virus on highly active antiretroviral therapy in North East Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Mohammed Solomon Ahmed , Yitafr Minilu Girma , Workneh Birhanu Demeke , Hailu Abel Demerew
Published: March 2021

Introduction

HIV/AIDS remains a public health concern affecting millions of people across the world. Although the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients living with HIV has significantly improved after treatment, its chronicity makes the HRQoL uncertain. This study assessed factors associated with the health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART in North-East Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2018, and systematic random sampling was used to select 235 participants who were on HAART. HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis were computed using the statistical package for social sciences version 20.

Results

The study revealed one-factor structure and had good overall internal consistency (78.5). Over one-third (42.6%; 95% CI; 36.2%, 48.9%) of participants had good HRQoL. The least HRQoL mean score was found for cognitive functioning 32.21(±19.78), followed by social functioning 40.58(±29.8). Factors associated with the overall HRQoL were 25–45 years of age (β = − 3.55, 95% CI;-6.54, -0.55), working in private sector (β = -5.66, 95% CI;-9.43, -1.88), government (β = -4.29, 95% CI;-7.83, -0.75) and self-employment (β = -8.86, 95% CI;-13.50, -4.21), 100–200 (β = − 4.84, 95% CI;-9.04, -0.63) and 201–350 CD4 at the time of diagnosis (β = − 7.45, 95% CI;-11.73, -3.16), 351–500 current CD4 level (β = 8.34, 95% CI;5.55, 11.41), 6–10 years of disease duration (β = -8.28, 95% CI;-12.51, -4.04), WHO stage II (β = -4.78, 95% CI;-8.52, -1.04) and III (β = 3.42, 95% CI;0.06, 6.79) during treatment initiation and not taking of Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (β = -5.79, 95% CI;-8.34, -3.25).

Conclusions

High proportion of participants had a poor HRQoL. Routine assessment and appropriate interventions at each visit is recommended to improve HRQoL.
Suitable illumination intensity is essential for preserving the quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings during storage
Authors: Li Juanqi , Li Yang
Published: March 2021

Continuous darkness decreases seedling quality during storage, whereas appropriate light quality and intensity can overcome these negative effects. In this study, we determined the light intensity, storage time (ST), and storage temperature suitable for cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.) seedlings. We stored cucumber seedlings under four different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs; 0, 15, 30, and 45 μmol·m-2·s-1) at 12°C, and examined how the morphological, physiological, and photosynthetic changes in seedlings during storage affected their ability to recover after transplanting. Our results indicated that at least 15 μmol·m-2·s-1 PPFD was needed for cucumber seedlings stored in the dark for 2 or 4 d, and at least 30 μmol·m-2·s-1 PPFD was needed when the ST was extended to 6 d. Overall, our results showed that cucumber seedlings require light-emitting diode (LED) illumination during storage to maintain their quality and recovery ability.
The self-management work of food hypersensitivity
Authors: Jakobsen Monika Dybdahl , Obstfelder Aud , Braaten Tonje , Abelsen Birgit
Published: March 2021

Background

Food hypersensitivity (FH) has received considerable attention in the scientific community in recent years. However, little attention has been given to the efforts people make to manage their FH. We aimed to explore these efforts by using Normalization Process Theory, which is a conceptual framework formerly used to describe the self-management ‘work’ of long-term conditions.

Methods

We carried out qualitative individual interviews with 16 women with FH. Transcripts from recorded interviews were analyzed using template analysis.

Results

16 women participated; some had diagnoses from conventional medicine (celiac disease, lactose intolerance, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome) and some did not. Participants described carrying out several tasks, some of which were time-consuming, to manage their FH. Women who had clarified once and for all what food(s) caused symptoms, described that they could concentrate on carrying out a restricted diet, which could become routine. Conversely, participants who had not achieved such clarification described carrying out tasks to identify what food(s) caused symptoms, and to implement and evaluate a tentative diet. Participants’ descriptions also revealed a heightened vigilance when they ate food that others had prepared, and some made efforts to conceal their FH.

Conclusions

Self-management of FH may, like the self-management of other long-term conditions, imply a large workload and burden of treatment. Efforts made to conceal FH may be considered part of this workload, while help in clarifying which food(s) cause symptoms has the potential to reduce the workload.
Trans Revolutionaries
Authors: Chagaoutdinova Olga , Shackerley-Bennett Morag , Lussón Wilfredo Candebat , Valladares Malu Cano
Published: March 2021

Photo essay, and accompanying article, exploring the historical and cultural landscape of the Trans community in Havana, Cuba. Models, captured in their domestic setting, allow photographer Olga Chagaoutdinova and writer, Morag Shackerley-Bennett, an intimate insight into an unseen world. The juxtaposition of progressive medical policy and poor legal structure in Cuba has left many of its Trans population unsure not only of their future, but that of Cuban LGBTQ2I+ rights also.
Las epidemias del México prehispánico: un breve recorrido histórico
Authors: Gutiérrez Fonseca Itza Nahomy
Published: March 2021

La Historia nos provee de algunos elementos para conocer las epidemias que los pueblos mesoamericanos enfrentaron inclusive antes de la llegada de los conquistadores. El arribo de las tropas de Hernán Cortés y las batallas antes los mexicas no solo hicieron el encuentro de dos cuerpos militares, sino de ejércitos invisibles, pero aún más potentes, que se manifestaron como enfermedades con consecuencias desastrosas para las poblaciones indígenas. Los cronistas de aquella época narraron los sucesos y efectos de estas olas epidémicas. A través de la revisión de Códices como el Florentino, Telleriano-Remensis y De la Cruz-Badiano, así como del testimonio de uno de los actores de esos primeros tiempos de la conquista, Bernardino de Sahagún, podemos hacer un recuento de las principales pandemias sufridas por las poblaciones prehispánicas en un periodo que abarca de 1446 a 1576.
Viviendo una pandemia
Authors: Rojo-Alba Susana , Melón García Santiago , Boga José Antonio , Vázquez Valdés Fernando , Álvarez-Argüelles Marta Elena
Published: March 2021

El SARS-CoV-2 apareció por primera vez en diciembre de 2019 en Wuhan (China) y desde ese momento se expandió por el resto del mundo causando una pandemia como no se había visto recientemente. El rápido diagnóstico del virus y las medidas de prevención de la infección se ha visto que son las herramientas fundamentales para contener el virus. En este artículo se relata cómo se vivió esta pandemia desde un laboratorio de virología.
La peste negra del siglo XIV en el cine
Authors: D’ottavio Callegari María Eugenia , D’ottavo Callegari Guillermo Enrique , D’ottavio Cattani Alberto Enrique
Published: March 2021

Este trabajo se centra en la pandemia denominada Peste Negra ocurrida a mediados del siglo XIV en el mundo entonces conocido, reseña causas, propagación y efectos, menciona el rol de los médicos durante la misma, aborda sus consecuencias, y realiza un recorrido que incluye doce filmes y una reciente miniserie donde se la trata como eje o trasfondo. Ante su etiología controvertida, esta comunicación, siguiendo estudios recientes, concuerda con el rol determinante de la Yersinia pestis en dicha pandemia, aunque deja, a la par y a ese respecto, mente abierta hacia el futuro dado lo provisorio y dinámico de la ciencia, acerca de lo cual la actual pandemia es palmaria prueba.
Los serafines de la viruela: 22 ángeles (2016)
Authors: Gutiérrez Fonseca Itza Nahomy
Published: March 2021

La epidemia de la viruela representó para la Corona española un asunto de salud de gran importancia por lo que organizó la primera campaña de vacunación en sus posesiones en Nueva España y Asia. El descubrimiento de la vacuna por parte del Dr. Jenner, impulsó al Dr. Francisco Xavier Balmis a realizar la que es considerada hoy, la primera misión de cooperación internacional. Su travesía a lo largo de las colonias en compañía de Isabel de Cendala y 22 niños portadores de la linfa de la viruela son protagonistas de la película.
Una aproximación de la película Virus a la pandemia de la COVID-19
Authors: Lau-Sánchez Lynn Francis , Balcazar-Aniceto Karla Ximena , Porras-Guillermo Jorge
Published: March 2021

A lo largo del tiempo, el cine de ciencia ficción se ha convertido en un repertorio de información contrastable con la realidad. Es por ello, que se presenta el análisis de la película “Virus” de Sung-su Kim, donde el objetivo principal es presentar el filme al lector de manera que este pueda entender las pandemias representadas a través de las películas y compararla con la pandemia de la COVID-19, de una manera objetiva, diferenciando una representación cinematográfica con la realidad. Como elaboración propia se presenta una tabla con las manifestaciones sistémicas de la COVID-19, realizadas con fuentes fidedignas; con esto se pretende la búsqueda de la sensibilización y educación del lector sobre una de las peores pandemias que actualmente estamos atravesando. Se concluye que la información vertida en los filmes relacionada a temas de salud debe ser interpretada de forma adecuada por los espectadores, separando lo real de lo ficticio. Por otro lado, la COVID-19 es una enfermedad que aún está en desarrollo y existe cada vez más evidencia de su compromiso sistémico.
Una noche en el Malbrán
Authors: Mayer Rubén
Published: March 2021

Son poco más de las siete de la tarde cuando el guardia de seguridad ha conseguido finalmente cerrar el pesado portón de hierro de la entrada al edificio dejando atrás otro día de trabajo frenético en el Instituto de Microbiología. Ya todos los científicos se han ido y con ellos sus incertidumbres y la insistente falta de respuestas.
Los ángeles de la muerte: un recorrido artístico por las grandes pandemias
Authors: Lizasoain Hernández Javier , Lizasoain Hernández Ignacio
Published: March 2021

La Historia de la Humanidad se ha visto jalonada por el sufrimiento generado por la presencia permanente de enfermedades. Muchas de estas se convirtieron en auténticas plagas y castigos diezmando la población de ciudades y pueblos. La ciencia avanzaba de manera pausada en la búsqueda de remedios para hacer frente a estas epidemias que eran recibidas con auténtico pavor. Esa misma historia del ser humano asistía de manera simultánea al esfuerzo de ofrecer imágenes de sus efectos. De esta forma, un buen número de pintores, al margen de lenguajes o periodos artísticos, mostraban en tablas y lienzos no sólo la muerte y el dolor sino también el temor, la inseguridad y las huellas emocionales. En este artículo se pretende ofrecer un itinerario de esas formas plásticas que acompañaron a las epidemias desde la Edad Media hasta el presente siglo.
Respuesta sanitaria e investigación biomédica como respuesta a la pandemia COVID-19
Authors: González-Rojano Esperanza , Vargas Castrillón Emilio
Published: March 2021

La crisis sanitaria provocada por la enfermedad COVID-19 ha puesto a prueba nuestro sistema sanitario haciéndonos conscientes de una vulnerabilidad no esperable. La importancia de la investigación biomédica como fuente de respuesta en situaciones críticas y la necesidad de mejoras en el ámbito asistencial parecen imprescindibles para evitar que se repitan las estadísticas con las que España termina la primera ola de la pandemia. Son precisos cambios urgentes que implican una restructuración total del país que probablemente conoceremos este mismo otoño.
Effect of anaerobic gymnastics exercise on vascular endothelial growth factor in obese boys
Authors: Saleh Vahid , Afroundeh Roghayye , Siahkohiyan Marefat , Asadi Asadollah
Published: March 2021

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important growth factor involved in angiogenesis and appears to be mediated through exercise training, leading to increased blood lactate.

Objective To evaluate and compare the effects of anaerobic gymnastics exercise (AGE) on systemic VEGF in obese and normoweight boys.

 Methods Sixty boys aged 8 to 12 years who enrolled in elementary level of gymnastics participated in this study and were randomly divided into four groups of 15 subjects each: obese AGE, obese control, normoweight AGE, and normoweight control. The control group didn’t have any exercise during the study. The experimental groups performed 45 minutes of AGE 3 times per week for 8 weeks, which included a 10-minute warm-up, 30-minute main exercises, and 5-minute cool down. Body composition characteristics and VEGF levels in saliva were measured before and after 8 weeks of training.

Results Significant changes following AGE were found in the obese group in terms of weight (-8.09%; P=0.001), body fat% (BF%) (-12.81; P=0.001), body fat weight (BFW) (-19.38; P=0.001), and lean body weight (LBW) (-3.20; P=0.001). Saliva levels of VEGF increased post-AGE in the obese (+21.64%; P=0.79) and normoweight groups (+28.22; P=0.06), but the differences were not significant. Significant differences in weight, BF%, and BFW were found in between obese AGE group with obese control, normoweight control and normoweight AGE (P˂0.05).

Conclusion Circulating VEGF concentrations slightly increase after 8 weeks of AGE in obese and normal-weight groups. Moreover, we demonstrate that weight significantly decreased in obese children after they engaged in AGE training.
E-közigazgatás a hazai képzésben
Authors: Belényesi Emese
Published: March 2021

Alig egy évtized telt el az első hazai „Elektronikus kormányzat” című tanfolyam óta, és nagyjából ennyi ideje beszélhetünk az elektronikus közigazgatás megjelenéséről is Magyarországon. Az eltelt időszakot vizsgálva megfigyelhető egy új interdiszciplináris tudomány – az e-közigazgatás – kialakulásának hazai folyamata, mégpedig viszonylag rövid idő alatt. Szerepe volt ebben azoknak, akik idejében felismerték a lehetőséget, és kompetitív előnyt kovácsoltak belőle. A folyamat sikeréhez hozzájárultak a különböző képző intézmények: felsőoktatási, szakképzési, felnőttképzési, civil szervezetek és kutatóműhelyek is. Ezek között is élenjáró szerepet játszott és ma is játszik a Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem és az E-government Alapítvány. Számos előadással, publikációval, könyv kiadásával járult hozzá a téma ismertté válásához, ha úgy tetszik, népszerűsítéséhez. A tanulmány célja áttekinteni az e-közigazgatás kialakulásának előzményeit, az e-közigazgatási képzések rövid múltra visszatekintő hazai történetét, majd a jelenlegi hazai képzések palettáját, valamint az e-közigazgatási tartalmak megjelenését a felsőoktatásban, a továbbképzésekben és a felnőttképzésben.
Incidencia de distintas frecuencias de corte en parámetros nutritivos de pasturas de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) de distinto grado de reposo invernal
Authors: ORDOÑEZ Vanesa , NESCIER Isabel De los Milagros , DOVIS Verónica L. , GIECO Jorge O. , BONVIN Carolina E. , RAINAUDO María Belén
Published: March 2021

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la calidad nutricional en 3 cultivares de alfalfa, pertenecientes a diferentes grupos de reposo invernal (GRI), sometidos a dos frecuencias de corte, durante un año del cultivo, fundamentado en que es abundante la información existente en estudios realizados en productividad, cobertura y persistencia, no así en la determinación de calidad de forraje sometidos a diferentes frecuencias de cortes y de GRI contrastantes. Se utilizaron tres cultivares (GR6-Verzy), (GR9-Mecha) y (GR10-Ruano).  El diseño experimental fue de parcelas divididas con cuatro repeticiones. Se establecieron 2 tratamientos definidos por los intervalos entre cortes: T1: 25 días y T2: 35 días. Estos fueron precisados para las estaciones de primavera, verano y otoño. En invierno el intervalo fue de 45 y 55 días en T1 y T2, respectivamente. Las variables evaluadas fueron: porcentaje de materia seca (% MS), porcentaje de proteína bruta (% PB), porcentaje de fibra detergente neutro (% FDN) y porcentaje de fibra detergente ácido (% FDA). Se encontraron diferencias significativas para todas las variables nutricionales estudiadas, para ambos tratamientos. Se observó interacción entre cultivares y tratamiento para % PB. Los cultivares estudiados con diferentes GRI, no expresaron diferencias significativas en los parámetros de calidad evaluados para ninguna de las frecuencias de corte realizadas. La frecuencia de corte de 35 días arrojó los menores % PB y mayores % FDN y % FDA, por lo cual el forraje resulta para esta frecuencia de menor calidad, llevando a la disminución de la digestibilidad y aprovechamiento de la pastura para el ganado
A Comprehensive Review on the Drying Kinetics of Common Tubers
Authors: Vera Flordeliza H. Cosme-De , Soriano Allan N. , Dugos Nathaniel P. , Rubi Rugi Vicente C.
Published: March 2021

Sun-drying has been conventionally used in the production of tuber-derived commodities such as cassava, potato, sweet potato, and yam. Recent developments in the drying process involves the use of different drying equipment to improve quality and profitability. The importance of drying parameters in the operation of drying equipment necessitates drying kinetic studies on common tubers. This article aims to review the drying kinetics studies conducted on common tubers. Particular interest is on the effect of the drying process parameters like temperature and velocity of heating air medium, the physico-chemical pretreatment method, and sample preparation on the drying rate and time. The different best fit drying kinetic models for specific tubers have also been extensively studied. The role of drying process parameters and best fit model equations on the design of the drying equipment has been emphasized.
Introducción. Envejecimiento activo y solidaridad intergeneracional
Authors: Pinazo Hernandis Sacramento
Published: March 2021

Las representaciones sociales son un concepto clave en la Psicología Social, que ha desarrollado mucho interés, sobre todo en su relación con los prejuicios y conductas discriminatorias. En este artículo pretendemos reflexionar sobre los estereotipos acerca de la vejez y el envejecimiento. Se han realizado diferentes investigaciones en este campo y los resultados muestran el edadismo como una descripción de las personas mayores basada en características negativas vinculados con prácticas discriminatorias. Es necesario aumentar los esfuerzos de los psicólogos y otros profesionales de las ciencias sociales que trabajan en gerontología al cuidado de personas mayores y también de los investigadores para afrontar las consecuencias del edadismo en las personas mayores y en la sociedad en general. Debe incrementarse la formación de especialistas y los contenidos sobre la vejez y el envejecimiento en el curriculum y en los planes de estudio de los grados en las universidades.
Coaching aplicado a la hostelería y el turismo
Authors: Gistain Montolio Christian
Published: March 2021

El sector de la hostelería y el turismo son vitales para España. Su historia y los datos actuales así lo reflejan. Perteneciendo así al denominado sector servicios, su éxito radica en el componente social de todos aquellos trabajadores y consumidores en lo que se refiere a las relaciones entre ambos y la forma de interacción que muestran.
Para ello, el coaching aplicado a este sector tendrá como objetivo optimizar los recursos de los empleados con el fin de lograr la satisfacción de los mismos, el desarrollo y la adquisición de nuevas habilidades, y la creación de equipos de trabajadores motivados y comprometidos con su tarea.
Por último, se desarrollará la idea que afirma que la correcta utilización de las redes sociales y las diferentes aplicaciones que internet ofrece, ha cobrado especial relevancia en la actualidad para poder aplicar tanto funciones propias del coaching como el mantenimiento de un contacto que afiance todo lo trabajado.
Diagnóstico en educación de los trastornos de espectro autista
Authors: Cervera Chulvi Aranzazu , Martínez-Sanchis Sonia , Mari Molla Ricard , Suárez Rodríguez Jesús
Published: March 2021

En este artículo se exponen las conclusiones de consenso de diferentes guías de buenas prácticas nacionales e internacionales, como referente para la práctica profesional del diagnóstico de los TEA en educación. El proceso de diagnóstico incorporaría 5 fases: Recogida de información, análisis de la información, valoración de la información, propuesta de intervención desde la que se valida el proceso diagnóstico y evaluación del conjunto del proceso, incluyendo a todos los agentes implicados. Barreras en la organización así como políticas internas o externas pueden dificultar la aplicación de las recomendaciones de las buenas prácticas. Sería necesario profundizar en estos aspectos así como en las causas e implicaciones de la separación entre diagnóstico e intervención para diseñar acciones destinadas a su integración.
Limitations of Code in Contracts
Authors: Brown William
Published: March 2021

Smart contracts have been identified as a potential replacement for traditional written contracts, offering objective and predictable code as a substitute for complicated and impenetrable prose. The inherent complexity in contractual relationships, however, requires agreements to account for a range of often unpredictable circumstances. This complexity also prevented the widespread simplification of legal documents in the wake of the Plain English Movement.