bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vivas e louvores à ditadura
Authors: Vinicius Silva Teixeira Caio
Published: December 2024

O presente artigo objetiva analisar as representações construídas por membros da elite política campomaiorense acerca da ditadura civil-militar de modo a legitimar esse regime perante a sociedade local. Percebemos que houve uma rápida adesão da elite política de Campo MaiorPI logo após a deflagração do golpe de 1964 que derrubou o presidente João Goulart e o regime democrático então vivido no país. Consideramos que tal apoio se deu devido à cultura política campomaiorense e problematizaremos essa questão à luz das contribuições teóricas de Bernstein (1997) e Motta (2009). Neste estudo, utilizaremos principalmente fontes produzidas pelo governo campomaiorense (1964-1978), analisando-as a partir da historiografia existente acerca do período estudado.
Saberes e estratégias preventivas de mães e cuidadoras sobre injúrias não intencionais na infância
Authors: De Lavor Coriolano-Marinus Maria Wanderleya , Oliveira Pacheco Isabella Cristina , Cunha Sette Gabriela , Moraes Studart-Pereira Luciana , Falcão Soares Adelia Karla , Da Silva Barros Mirelly
Published: December 2024

Objetivo: compreender, na perspectiva de mães e cuidadoras adstritas à uma Unidade de Saúde da Família, saberes e estratégias adotados na prevenção de injúrias não intencionais na primeira infância. Métodos: estudo descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa. Para a coleta de dados, foram realizados nove grupos focais, os quais contemplaram 34 participantes. Resultados: as participantes reconheceram situações de risco para injúrias não intencionais, relacionadas à criança, como a limitada percepção de risco, comportamentos ligados ao adulto cuidador e ao ambiente no qual vivem. Estratégias de cuidado baseadas na identificação dos principais riscos foram compartilhadas em grupo. Conclusões: aponta-se a necessidade de estratégias de educação em saúde para a prevenção de injúrias não intencionais baseadas na realidade da comunidade e nos saberes de mães e cuidadoras.
Alterations of White Matter Microstructure in Migraine Patients Vary in the Peri-ictal Phases
Authors: Fouto Ana R. , Nunes Rita G. , Guadilla Irene , Ruiz-Tagle Amparo , Esteves Inês , Caetano Gina , Silva Nuno A. , Vilela Pedro , Gil-Gouveia Raquel , Figueiredo Patrícia
Published: December 2024

Alterations in white matter (WM) microstructure are commonly found in migraine patients. Here, we employ a longitudinal study of episodic migraine without aura using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) to investigate whether such WM microstructure alterations vary through the different phases of the pain cycle. Fourteen patients with episodic migraine without aura related with menstruation were scanned through four phases of their (spontaneous) migraine cycle (interictal, preictal, ictal, and postictal). Fifteen healthy controls were studied in the corresponding phases of the menstrual cycle. Multishell dMRI data were acquired and preprocessed to obtain maps of diffusion parameters reflecting WM microstructure. After a whole-brain analysis comparing patients with controls, a region-of-interest analysis was performed to determine whether the patients’ microstructural changes varied across the migraine cycle in specific WM tracts. Compared with controls, patients showed reduced axial diffusivity (AD) in several WM tracts across the whole brain in the interictal phase and increased fractional anisotropy (FA) in commissural fibers in the ictal phase. Interestingly, AD returned to baseline levels during peri-ictal phases in specific projection and association fibers. In contrast, FA values decreased in the ictal phase away from normal values in a few commissural and projection tracts. Widespread WM fiber tracts suffer structural variations across the migraine cycle, suggesting microstructural changes potentially associated with limbic and salience functional networks and highlighting the importance of the cycle phase in imaging studies of migraine.
The Brain's Sensitivity to Sensory Error Can Be Modulated by Altering Perceived Variability
Authors: Tang Ding-lan , Parrell Benjamin , Beach Sara D. , Niziolek Caroline A.
Published: December 2024

When individuals make a movement that produces an unexpected outcome, they learn from the resulting error. This process, essential in both acquiring new motor skills and adapting to changing environments, critically relies on error sensitivity, which governs how much behavioral change results from a given error. Although behavioral and computational evidence suggests error sensitivity can change in response to task demands, neural evidence regarding the flexibility of error sensitivity in the human brain is lacking. Here, we tested whether the nervous system's sensitivity to errors, as measured by prediction-driven suppression of auditory cortical activity, can be modulated by altering participants’ (both males and females) perceived variability during speech. Our results showed that error sensitivity, as measured by this suppression, was increased after exposure to an auditory perturbation that increased speakers’ perceived variability. The current study establishes the validity of behaviorally modulating the nervous system's sensitivity to errors, which has significant potential to enhance motor learning and rehabilitation.
EphA4 Mediates EphrinB1-Dependent Adhesion in Retinal Ganglion Cells
Authors: Murcia-Belmonte Verónica , Chauvin Géraud , Coca Yaiza , Escalante Augusto , Klein Rüdiger , Herrera Eloísa
Published: December 2024

Eph/ephrin signaling is crucial for organizing retinotopic maps in vertebrates. Unlike other EphAs, which are expressed in the embryonic ventral retina, EphA4 is found in the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer at perinatal stages, and its role in mammalian visual system development remains unclear. Using classic in vitro stripe assays, we demonstrate that, while RGC axons are repelled by ephrinB2, they grow on ephrinB1 stripes through EphA4-mediated adhesion. In vivo, retinal axons from EphA4-deficient mice from either sex show impaired arborization in the medial, but not lateral, regions of the superior colliculus that express ephrinB1. Gain-of-function experiments further reveal that ephrinB1-mediated adhesion depends on EphA4 tyrosine kinase activity but it is independent of its sterile alpha motif. Together, our findings suggest that EphA4/ephrinB1 forward signaling likely facilitates adhesion between retinal axon terminals and cells in the medial colliculus, contributing to the establishment of proper connectivity within the visual system.
Distinct Roles of Astrocytes and GABAergic Neurons in the Paraventricular Thalamic Nucleus in Modulating Diabetic Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Chen Jian , Yang Lan , Shen Jinhuang , Lu Jingshan , Mo Xiaona , Huang Linyi , Chen Li , Yu Changxi
Published: December 2024

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a common chronic complication of diabetes mellitus and a clinically common form of neuropathic pain. The thalamus is an important center for the conduction and modulation of nociceptive signals. The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is an important midline nucleus of the thalamus involved in sensory processing, but the specific role of PVT astrocytes and GABAergic neurons in DNP remains unclear. Here, we examined the activity of PVT astrocytes and neurons at various time points during the development of DNP by fluorescence immunohistochemistry and found that the activity of PVT astrocytes was significantly increased while that of PVT neurons was significantly decreased 14 d after streptozotocin injection in male rats. The inhibition of PVT astrocytes by chemogenetic manipulation relieved mechanical allodynia in male DNP model rats, whereas the activation of PVT astrocytes induced mechanical allodynia in normal male rats. Interestingly, chemogenetic activation of GABAergic neurons in the PVT alleviated mechanical allodynia in male DNP model rats, whereas chemogenetic inhibition of GABAergic neurons in the PVT induced mechanical allodynia in normal male rats. These data demonstrate the distinct roles of PVT astrocytes and GABAergic neurons in modulating DNP, revealing the mechanism of DNP pathogenesis and the role of the PVT in pain modulation.
Transcription Factor-Wide Association Studies to Identify Functional SNPs in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Dunn Jessica , Moore Cedric , Kim Nam-Shik , Gao Tianshun , Cheng Zhiqiang , Jin Peng , Ming Guo-li , Qian Jiang , Su Yijing , Song Hongjun , Zhu Heng
Published: December 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with profound global impact. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed genomic variants linked to AD, their translational impact has been limited due to challenges in interpreting the identified genetic associations. To address this challenge, we have devised a novel approach termed transcription factor-wide association studies (TF-WAS). By integrating the GWAS, expression quantitative trait loci, and transcriptome analyses, we selected 30 AD single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in noncoding regions that are likely to be functional. Using human transcription factor (TF) microarrays, we have identified 90 allele-specific TF interactions with 53 unique TFs. We then focused on several interactions involving SMAD4 and further validated them using electrophoretic mobility shift assay, luciferase, and chromatin immunoprecipitation on engineered genetic backgrounds (female cells). This approach holds promise for unraveling the intricacies of not just AD, but any complex disease with available GWAS data, providing insight into underlying molecular mechanisms and clues toward potential therapeutic targets.
The role of miRNAs as biomarkers in heterotopic ossification
Authors: Xie Chen , Liu Xiao , Li Wenbao , Yao Zhaozhe , Men Hongyue , Li Zongyu
Published: December 2024

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and progressive osseous heteroplasia are genetic forms of heterotopic ossification (HO). Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is caused by ACVR1 gene mutations, while progressive osseous heteroplasia is caused by GNAS gene mutations.

Nongenetic HO typically occurs after trauma or surgery, with an occurrence rate of 20–60%. It can also be observed in conditions such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, spinal ligament ossification, ankylosing spondylitis, and skeletal fluorosis. The exact cause of nongenetic HO is not entirely clear.

More than 100 types of miRNAs have been identified as being linked to the development of HO. Some miRNAs are promising potential biomarkers for traumatic HO and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. These findings further emphasize the significant role miRNAs play in the pathogenesis and progression of bone disorders.

Repeated investigations into the function of a specific miRNA are infrequent and yield inconsistent results, possibly because of variable experimental conditions.

It is hypothesized that miRNAs can enhance osteogenesis for the management of fractures and bone defects. However, further research is required to validate this hypothesis.
Hip preservation surgery for borderline and frank dysplasia: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Martz Pierre , Magendie Jerome , Ramos-Pascual Sonia , Kumble Ankitha , Boutaud Benoît , Verdier Nicolas
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To identify, synthesise, and critically appraise findings of systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses on hip preservation surgeries for borderline and/or frank dysplasia with or without concomitant femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

Methods

A search, following the PRISMA guidelines, was conducted using Medline and Embase on 19/04/2023. Findings extracted from eligible studies were tabulated and synthesised.

Results

The search identified 477 references. Nineteen were eligible for data extraction: nine reported on arthroscopy, five reported on periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), one reported on shelf acetabuloplasty, and one reported on Chiari osteotomy, while two compared arthroscopy versus PAO, and one compared PAO versus rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) versus eccentric acetabular osteotomy (ERAO). The nomenclature and lateral centre edge angle (LCEA) thresholds to define hip dysplasia varied widely across included studies. All hip preservation surgeries provided good outcomes, with the Harris hip score (HHS) being the most commonly reported clinical score. Using the AMSTAR checklist for risk of bias, no systematic reviews were rated as high quality; ten were rated as moderate quality; six were rated as low quality; and three were rated as critically low quality.

Conclusions

Most published systematic reviews on hip preservation surgery are of moderate or low quality, and there is high heterogeneity among them regarding outcomes reported, follow-up periods, and definitions of dysplasia. The authors recommend the following thresholds and nomenclature for dysplasia: LCEA < 20° for frank dysplasia, 20°–25° for borderline dysplasia, and >25° for no dysplasia. Although all hip preservation surgeries can provide good outcomes, it is challenging to conclude which surgery provides the best outcomes and to determine if treatment options are dependent on LCEA.
Biological strategies in rotator cuff repair: a clinical application and molecular background
Authors: Pawlak Maciej , Wałecka Joanna , Lubiatowski Przemysław
Published: December 2024

Conventional repair of rotator cuff tears bears a variable but significant risk of incomplete healing.

Biological therapies that accompany surgical rotator cuff repair include platelet-rich plasma, stem cells of different origins, and biological scaffolds.

Biological therapies facilitate the regeneration of the correct microarchitecture of the tendon attachment to the bone and reduce failures after surgical rotator cuff repair.
Integrating Kansei engineering, analytic hierarchy process, and quality function development in elderly-oriented seating design
Authors: Xiong Tingting , Shu Quanfa , Li Xuyi , Fan Yuting , Qiu Jing
Published: December 2024

To deeply understand the psychological and emotional needs of the elderly population, this study proposes a seat design method combining Kansei engineering (KE), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and quality function development (QFD). The method aims to fulfill the functional needs of the seat and focuses on capturing the emotional imagery of the elderly group, thus enhancing the emotional experience of the users. Factor analysis (FA) was used to conceptualize the user’s perceptual vocabulary data, AHP to assess the relative importance of these perceptual words, and morphological analysis to deconstruct the characteristics of the seat components. Finally, the mapping relationship between user perceptual data and design features was established through QFD. The FA and AHP results showed that the emotional needs of the elderly for seating are primarily focused on the sense of lightness (32.5%), simplicity (45.7%), and sophistication (21.8%); and QFD analysis results show that among seating components, the No. 6 seat back, No. 1 seat cushion, No. 2 door post, and No. 2 seat leg have the highest importance and can best meet the emotional needs of elderly users. This design method effectively improves the product’s suitability for the elderly and provides a valuable reference for related product design.
Técnicas de predicción de terremotos usando machine learning: Una revisión sistemática de la literatura
Authors: La Serna Palomino Nora Bertha , Pinedo Delgado Fermín Orlando
Published: December 2024

Technological development has awakened interest on the part of the scientific community in researching to predict earthquakes. The article's objective is to know what variables, techniques, tools, and methodologies have been used in the different studies to predict earthquakes using machine learning techniques. To carry out the study, the Kitchenham methodology was used, which consists of three development phases: review planning, conducting, and reporting. In the planning phase, four research questions were posed; for this purpose, an exhaustive literature search was carried out. After carrying out the selection and exclusion criteria, the questions posed were developed, of which it was found that 15% of the variables to predict earthquakes were latitude, longitude, and depth. In comparison, 13% were the seismic magnitude. 17% of the most used techniques were Random Forest, followed by Artificial Neural Networks with 17%. 65% used Python to develop algorithms, followed by MATLAB and R at 14%. 50% implemented the CRISP-DM methodology for data mining projects, followed by KDD with 33%.
A Comparative Study of the Complexity of Sacred Values of the World’s Religions: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
Authors: Sassi Komarudin , Azzahra Haramain
Published: December 2024

Abstract: This article discusses knowledge that focuses on comparative studies regarding the complexity of the sacred values of world religions from a multidisciplinary perspective. The tendency of previous research to review the sacred values of religions is limited to a monodisciplinary perspective, and they focused only on the field of spirituality as well as it was personal in nature. In fact, the view of the sacred value of religion as something spiritual has a broad spectrum, and it is also influenced by the environment, culture, and social interactions. The research method employs Rudolf Bultmann’s theological hermeneutical approach to the demythologizing framework. Through this theological hermeneutic, researchers comprehensively interpret the sacred values of religions into the socio-cultural aspects of contemporary humans. This research discovers that the sacred values of world religions are complex-dynamic, not partial-static, and play an important role in various aspects of life throughout the world. At the same time, this is an ideal time to make good use of the practice of sacred values of religions as an important source of community-based values from various parts of the world to develop an important bridge towards the “baldatun ṭayyibatun wa Rabbun Ghafūr society.”Keywords: Comparative Studies; Sacred Values; World Religions; Multidisciplinary Perspective.Abstrak: Artikel ini memperluas pengetahuan yang berfokus pada studi komparasi tentang kompleksitas nilai suci agama-agama dunia dalam perspektif multidisiplin. Penelitian sebelumnya cenderung meninjau nilai suci agama-agama sebatas perspektif monodisiplin dan tertuju hanya pada bidang spiritualitas dan bersifat personal. Padahal pandangan tentang nilai suci agama sebagai sesuatu yang spiritual memiliki spektrum yang luas dan juga dipengaruhi lingkungan, budaya, dan interaksi sosial. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan hermeneutika teologis Rudolf Bultmann pada kerangka demitologisasi. Melalui hermeneutika teologis ini peneliti menginterpretasikan nilai suci agama-agama secara komprehensif ke dalam aspek sosial-budaya manusia kontemporer. Hasil penelitian ini menemukan bahwa nilai suci agama-agama dunia bersifat kompleks-dinamis bukan parsial-statis, dan memainkan peran penting dalam berbagai aspek kehidupan di seluruh dunia, sekaligus era kontemporer ini saat yang ideal untuk kembali memanfaatkan dengan baik praktik nilai suci agama-agama sebagai sumber penting nilai-nilai komunitarian dari berbagai belahan dunia guna membangun jembatan penting menuju masyarakat yang “baldatun thayyibatun wa Rabbun Ghafūr.”Kata Kunci: Studi Komparasi; Nilai Suci; Agama-agama Dunia; Perspektif Multidisiplin.
Interactions in GO/P3HT thin films: Spectroscopic investigation for organic solar cells
Authors: Molefe Fokotsa V. , Mothudi Bakang M. , Dhlamini Mokhotjwa S. , Diale Mmantsae
Published: December 2024

The present study was carried out to investigate the thin film properties of poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) coupled with graphene oxide (GO) using different spectroscopic techniques. The X-ray diffraction spectrum of GO/P3HT revealed a highly crystalline reflection of GO which is slightly shifted to higher diffraction angles as evidence of interaction with P3HT. Fourier transform infrared confirmed the alteration of P3HT structure upon interaction with GO by the increase in average conjugation length. The reflectance spectrum of GO/P3HT has an observable decrease in percentage reflectance, leading to an enhancement of light absorption. The fluorescent decay curves revealed a decline in exciton lifetime depicting quicker charge transfer, which decreased the exciton diffusion length. Our findings suggest that GO can be the hole transport material in organic solar cells.

Graphical abstract
Clinical and immunological characteristics of children with primary immunodeficiencies
Authors:   Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Lesovskaya A.N.
Published: December 2024

Aim - to study of clinical and immunological indicators in children with primary immunodeficiencies to determine vaccination tactics.
Materials and methods. 51 children with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), who made up the main group of the study, were examined. Of the 51 children with PID, 22 children had preserved antibody-forming function, and 29 children had a deficiency of antibody formation, and they received replacement immunoglobulin therapy. Immunological laboratory data (subpopulations of lymphocytes, levels of IgA, IgM and IgG in blood serum) were compared with healthy children in the control group.
Results. Recurrent bacterial infections were most common in children with primary immunodeficiency: otitis media in 34/51 (66.7%), pneumonia in 33/51 (64.7%), bronchitis in 32/51 (62.7%), and sinusitis in 19/51 (37.3%). Bronchiectatic disease occurred in 5 (9.8%) children. Severe invasive infections such as sepsis occurred in 4 (7.8%) children and osteomyelitis in 4 (7.8%) children. In the group of children with PID on immunoglobulin replacement therapy, the levels of serum immunoglobulins IgA (0.798±1.341 g/l), IgM (0.98±1.44 g/l) and IgG (0.99±1.44 g/l) and B-lymphocytes (8.7±7.5%, 302.8±291.1×109/l) were the lowest in comparison with the group of children with PID with preserved or partially preserved function of antibody formation and the control group.
Conclusions. Recurrent bacterial infections are the most common clinical manifestation in children with primary immunodeficiency. Some patients developed bronchiectasis as a result of frequent bacterial infections of the bronchopulmonary system and an untimely diagnosis of antibody deficiency. Timely and appropriate replacement therapy and early correction of antibody deficiency can minimize the progression of many infections and complications in such patients, including vaccine-directed infections. Children with PID with preserved or partially preserved antibody production are expected to have a suboptimal response to primary immunization and require additional doses of vaccine to achieve a long-lasting response to vaccination.
The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The research protocol was approved by the Institution's Local Ethics Committee. Informed consent of parents and children was obtained for conducting research.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
The post-modern condition of Scottish society
Authors: McCrone David
Published: December 2024

This paper was originally published in The Future of the Kirk: The proceedings of the conference held at the University of Aberdeen on 16 September 1996, ed. D. A. S. Fergusson and D. W. D. Shaw; Theology in Scotland Occasional Paper no. 2 (St Andrews: St Mary’s College, 1997), 11–20.
The paper examines (1) what we mean by the term 'post-modern' and how we should interpret it and the major changes which are such a feature of the world we live in; (2) how and why Scotland was neglected as an object of analytical study (especially by sociologists); and (3) what the post-modern condition of Scotland might look like.
Premorbid Features of Patients with Depressive Personality Disorder
Authors: Zhukova Natalia V. , Staroverova Alena A.
Published: December 2024

The aim of the article is to describe the primary characteristics of premorbid features of depressive personality disorder in patients that precede the development of the disease (a state where the patient is on the border between health and illness). Early recognition of these personality traits can help identify those at risk before symptoms appear and prevent the onset of signs of depressive personality disorder.
Transformative Capabilities of Ego-Directed Speech (Cultural-Historical Understanding)
Authors: Dotsenko Evgeniy L. , Gelenidze Alena A.
Published: December 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the psychotechnical potential of ego-directed speech, that is, addressing oneself as another person. The idea is based on the cultural-historical theory of L. S. Vygotsky about the stages of a child’s mastery of cultural means of influence in social interaction. It is proposed to develop this idea — one more stage, influencing oneself from the position of someone else, which allows one to theoretically substantiate the presence of a transformative/psychotechnical effect. The authors designed and tested a procedure for self-referral in the form of an audio recording: goal setting, sound recording of self-referral, repeated listening to the recording. The results showed that during goal setting, criticality to expected changes decreases, the first listenings cause voice confrontation (the vector of the psychologist’s work with the client is to emphasize the task of accepting one’s voice and oneself), and continuous repetition of the appeal to oneself actually makes positive changes in the self-attitude of the study participants. The proposed technique has the effect of flexible adjustment depending on the presence or absence of voice confrontation in a person. For people with vocal confrontation, repeated listening to the message will be more effective in increasing self-acceptance and reducing internal contradictions. People without voice confrontation will be able to make neutral attitudes more positive and soften negative attitudes.
Assessment of Executive Functions in 6–9-Year-Old Children: The Problem of Ecological Validity and Development of an Observation Diary
Authors: Razumovskaya Elena A. , Abramova Natalia V. , Zhludova Daria S. , Zhukova Natalia V.
Published: December 2024

Assessment of the state of executive functions in children 6–9 years old is important both from the point of view of understanding the general regularities of development of the cognitive sphere at this age and for the purpose of preventing difficulties in learning and social adaptation of the child. However, many studies point to the imperfection of the diagnostic tools used for test evaluation of executive functions due to their low ecological validity. Based on this, ecologically valid methods for executive functions assessment are currently being actively implemented. One of the most popular ones is recognized as the BRIEF questionnaire, which is offered to teachers and parents to be completed. According to research by domestic neuropsychologists, the parent’s questionnaire shows less diagnostic validity. The purpose of this article is to present a variant of the observation diary for parents based on the analysis, available diagnostic tools and problems related to ecological validity in the assessment of executive functions in children 6–9 years old. The study examined domestic and foreign methods, in particular, the neuropsychological diagnostics of the state of the III block of the brain in children 6–9 years old, developed under the guidance of T. V. Akhutina and the three-component model for evaluating executive functions in children by A. Miyake and colleagues.
Economies of Scale in The Russian Pharmaceutical Industry: Empirical Assessments
Authors:   The Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, Gusev Alexander B. , Yurevich Maksim A. ,   The Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
Published: December 2024

The prolonged sluggish development of the Russian pharmaceutical industry has been attributed to relatively low investment activity in the sector. This, in turn, has led to a high dependency on imported medicines in Russia. The aim of the research was to identify the economic factors contributing to the chronic undercapitalization of the industry. The main suspicion was the absence of economies of scale in a sector that requires high-tech equipment and numerous other material and intellectual resources, which automatically makes launching new productions and significantly expanding existing ones unprofitable. This assumption formed the central hypothesis of the study, which was supplemented by the presumption of the existence of a revenue threshold for enterprises. Comparing actual data with this threshold would make it possible to determine whether an organization experiences negative or positive economies of scale. Given the state licensing of pharmaceutical manufacturing activities, the scope of companies considered was precisely defined. The industry-specific characteristics of license-holding organizations and the availability of performance data from 2004 to 2023 in the SPARK-Interfax system enabled the formation of a final sample of 320 manufacturing enterprises and the methodological determination of the economies of scale, which was assessed using the capital productivity indicator (the ratio of revenue to the residual value of fixed assets). Considering the composition of the initial industry data, econometric models based on panel data were chosen as the tool for processing it. The modeling results established the presence of a positive and almost all-encompassing economies of scale in the pharmaceutical industry. This finding, firstly, indicates the non-economic nature of the low investment activity in the sector and, secondly, favorably characterizes the industry for investors as an "untapped field". The hypothesis of a revenue ceiling for enterprises, exceeding which would indicate a decrease in production efficiency, was not confirmed, emphasizing the almost unlimited commercial potential in the pharmaceutical industry. The methodology for assessing the industry economies of scale has the potential for application to aggregated groups of pharmaceuticals, which could make it practically significant for analytical support in making specific investment decisions.
Electricity Production, Consumption, and Manufacturing Sector Performance in Nigeria: A Multi-Decade Analysis
Authors:   University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, Gold Kafilah Lola ,   Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Nigeria, Adetunji Kamaldeen Olarewaju ,   Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Nigeria, Yusuf Hammed Agboola ,   University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, Sulaiman Sabirah ,   Universiti Utara Malaysia, Changlun, Malaysia
Published: December 2024

Electricity is a crucial factor in modern manufacturing processes, but erratic power supply hampers the efficiency of Nigeria's manufacturing sector. This research examines electricity production, consumption and its impact on Nigeria’s industrial output, exploring the relationship between power availability and economic and industrial advancement. We hypothesise a significant long-term relationship exists between electricity production/consumption and manufacturing sector output in Nigeria. The time series data from 1985 to 2018 and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing technique for cointegration were used. Our findings reveal long-term relationships between the variables, indicating that manufacturing output benefits from electricity in the short and long term. However, this effect only becomes statistically significant over time. A multiple regression model also shows that interest rate, inflation rate, electricity, and gross fixed capital formation variables are positively associated with economic development. These results have significant policy implications, demonstrating that increasing the electricity supply is essential for boosting productivity in the manufacturing sector. Moreover, to achieve Nigeria's economic goal of becoming one of the world's 20 largest industrialised economies, a consistent and sufficient increase in energy supply, particularly to the manufacturing sector, must be a steadfast policy. Economic growth appears to be closely linked to energy consumption. Therefore, to foster economic growth, it is recommended that industrial development and electricity generation issues be prioritised, especially in budget planning. A substantial allocation should be made to the electricity sector to permanently improve the state of the electricity supply, which in turn will support overall economic development.
Dynamics of Changes in Competencies Required in the Labour Market for Data Analyst and Business Analyst Professions in Russia
Authors:   Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Arteeva Valeriia S. , Skhvediani Angi E. ,   Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Sosnovskikh Sergey ,   Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
Published: December 2024

There is an escalating demand for highly skilled professionals in digital analysis in Russia heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of the special military operation in 2022. This study aims to identify the precise competencies that employers seek for big data analytics (BDA) professions with the focus on data analyst (DA) and business analyst (BA). It also aims to examine the dynamics and evolving skillset structures of these two roles. Our sample size comprises 2,357 vacancies that were analysed in 2020 and 2023. Our multimethod approach involves four stages: data collection of job postings, data processing, identification of the skills structures, and statistical analysis and data visualisation. We also used various techniques such as web-scrapping, data parsing, tokenisation, n-gram extraction, and social network analysis. Our results indicate a shift in Russia, where DAs require to have a solid understanding of business concepts, familiarity with non-STEM fields, and soft skills such as management, communication, and teamwork. BAs must possess technical skills related to BDA, including tool use, programming, and data analytics. The emphasis on interpersonal skills, like creativity and empathy, is crucial for effective collaboration in the interdisciplinary BDA field. This research clarifies the specific competencies required for DA and BA roles, emphasising their interdisciplinary nature in the Russian context. It offers practical insights for educational institutions, organizations, and policymakers to align curricula, training, and policies with market demands, and provides guidance for job seekers to enhance their skills and employability.
Avaliação do impacto da cirurgia bariátrica na qualidade de vida de indivíduos obesos com lombalgia crônica
Authors: GIL BRUNO ZIADE , GIL SIDNEY MORENO , ROMERO FLAVIO RAMALHO
Published: December 2024

RESUMO Introdução: A obesidade vem aumentando em índices alarmantes no Brasil e em todo o mundo. Sabe-se que a cirurgia bariátrica é um tratamento eficaz e seguro para adultos obesos grau 2 com doenças relacionadas ou obesos grau 3. Entre as várias comorbidades, a dor lombar crônica é uma das que causam maior desconforto e perda de qualidade de vida nesses pacientes. Estudos que relacionam a o impacto da cirurgia bariátrica na vida de obesos portadores de lombalgia crônica são escassos. Métodos: Foram analisados 38 pacientes obesos grau 3 ou obesos grau 2, portadores de lombalgia crônica, submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. Oito variáveis foram analisadas no pré-operatório e após 6 meses de cirurgia, sendo 5 quantitativas e 3 qualitativas. Resultados: O teste t pareado foi usado para análise estatística das variáveis quantitativas, sendo que a média dos valores de interleucina-6 no pré-operatório não foi estatisticamente diferente das dosagens no pós-operatório, porém os valores de PCR, peso, IMC e Índice Oswestry 2.0 de Incapacidade foram todos estatisticamente diferentes. Quanto às variáveis qualitativas, as 3 analisadas pelo teste de Wilcoxon obtiveram diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Conclusão: A redução substancial de peso após a cirurgia bariátrica pode estar associada a reduções importantes na lombalgia crônica no pós-operatório precoce. Este efeito pode ser o resultado de uma melhoria global no bem estar associada à perda de peso, porém também ter como associação na redução de fatores inflamatórios, demonstrado pela queda do PCR, porém não confirmado pela IL-6.
Impact of Bariatric Surgery on the Quality of Life of Obese Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: GIL BRUNO ZIADE , GIL SIDNEY MORENO , ROMERO FLAVIO RAMALHO
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT Introduction: Obesity has been increasing at alarming rates in Brazil and worldwide. It is known that bariatric surgery is an effective and safe treatment for severely obese adults with related comorbidities or morbidly obese individuals. Among the various comorbidities, chronic low back pain is one of the major sources of discomfort and reduced quality of life in these patients. Studies that investigate the impact of bariatric surgery on the lives of obese individuals with chronic low back pain are scarce. Methods: We analyzed 38 patients who were obese grade 3 or severely obese grade 2 and suffered from chronic low back pain. These patients underwent bariatric surgery. Eight variables were assessed before the surgery and 6 months post-surgery, comprising 5 quantitative variables and 3 qualitative variables. Results: Paired t-tests were used for the statistical analysis of quantitative variables. The mean values of interleukin-6 before the surgery did not differ statistically from post-operative measurements. However, the values of C-reactive protein, weight, BMI, and Oswestry Disability Index 2.0 were all statistically different post-operatively. As for qualitative variables, the 3 variables analyzed using the Wilcoxon test showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Substantial reduction in weight following bariatric surgery may be associated with significant reductions in chronic low back pain in the early post-operative period. This effect could result from an overall improvement in well-being associated with weight loss but may also be associated with a reduction in inflammatory factors, as indicated by the decrease in C-reactive protein, although not confirmed by interleukin-6.
PANCREATODUODENECTOMY AS TREATMENT FOR RECURRENT ACUTE PANCREATITIS DUE TO PANCREAS DIVISUM
Authors: SILVA Elizeu Bruno Santos , SILVA Maiza Conceição da , ARAÚJO Maria Clara Santos , PAULINO Beatriz Melo Santos Lima , MORAES-JUNIOR José Maria Assunção , TORRES Orlando Jorge Martins
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Pancreas divisum is an anatomical abnormality where the junction of the main and accessory pancreatic duct fails to occur and the smaller-caliber duct acts as dominant, resulting in overload during the drainage of the organ’s secretion through the minor duodenal papilla. AIMS: To report a case of recurrent acute pancreatitis due to symptomatic pancreas divisum who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. CASE REPORT: A 21-year-old male patient presented with intermittent painful crises, located in the upper abdomen, with radiation to the back, associated with nausea and vomiting, for the past three years. Magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed pancreas divisum, subsequently confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound. An attempt was made through endoscopic intervention but failed to catheterize the minor papilla; therefore, a pancreaticoduodenectomy was indicated. The organ was identified as hard and atrophied, with moderate peripancreatic inflammation. The histopathological findings also identified a focal well-differentiated G1-type neuroendocrine tumor measuring 0.4 cm. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pancreas divisum, rare cases may progress to recurrent acute pancreatitis. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is an option in symptomatic patients who had no success with endoscopic treatment.
LIVING DONOR LIVER TRANSPLANT FOR INTRAHEPATIC CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA. AN INITIAL BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE
Authors: FERNANDES Eduardo de Souza Martins , MELLO Felipe Pedreira Tavares de , ANDRADE Ronaldo de Oliveira , GIRÃO Camila Liberato , CESAR Camila , PIMENTEL Leandro Savattone , COELHO Henrique Sergio Moraes , BASTO Samanta Teixeira , SIQUEIRA Munique , BRITO Anderson , SOUSA Claudia Cristina TAVARES DE , GENZINI Tercio , TORRES Orlando Jorge Martins
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) was considered a contraindication for liver transplantation. However, recent studies have shown that highly selected cases of patients with a good response to neoadjuvant therapy may achieve acceptable survival rates when following liver transplantation. AIMS: To present two cases of patients with iCCA, without extrahepatic disease, who underwent living donor liver transplantation after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Two cases of patients with histopathological diagnosis of locally advanced iCCA, ineligible for resection and without evidence of extrahepatic disease, are presented. RESULTS: These patients underwent at least nine sessions of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including Gemcitabine and Cisplatin, with or without the addition of immunobiological agents, resulting in a radiological tumor response. They subsequently underwent living donor liver transplantation. The average follow-up time was 15 months, with no clinical or radiological signs of disease. CONCLUSIONS: In well-selected patients without extrahepatic disease, living donor liver transplantation represents a potential therapeutic option for iCCA.
ROBOTIC PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF A MIXED NEUROENDOCRINE-NON-NEUROENDOCRINE NEOPLASM (MINEN) OF THE AMPULLA OF VATER
Authors: SURJAN Rodrigo Cañada Trofo , PAULINO Jorge Francisco de Assis , SCHLEINSTEIN Henrique Perobelli , PEREIRA Felipe Moraes Toledo , FIGUEIRA Estela Regina Ramos , ARDENGH José Celso
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine tumors (MiNEN) are a rare type of tumor formed by two components, a non-neuroendocrine component that is most often an adenocarcinoma and a neuroendocrine tumor, and each of these components must represent at least 30% of the tumor. The origin of this tumor on the ampulla of Vater or periampullary region is more infrequent. Usually, the lesions are highly aggressive and quickly metastasizing, and their biological behavior is dictated by the high grade of the neuroendocrine component. This is the first report of a patient with ampullary MiNEN treated employing a robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Although being submitted to aggressive treatment with complete surgical resection followed by systemic therapy, the patient developed early recurrence with hepatic metastatic disease, demonstrating the hostile nature of these tumors.
Influence of Dentin Hybridization on the Chromatic Alteration of Teeth caused by Endodontic Sealers
Authors: Chaves Lucas S , Decurcio Daniel A , Magalhães Ana Paula R , Chaves Gustavo S , Estrela Lucas RA , Estrela Cyntia RA , Estrela Carlos
Published: December 2024

Abstract This study evaluated the influence of dentin hybridization on coronary chromatic alteration of endodontically treated bovine teeth using different endodontic sealers and Portland cement. The 200 central incisors were endodontically treated using different materials (Sealapex, Bio-C Sealer, AH-Plus, Endofill, and Portland cement) and distributed according to the presence or absence of dentin hybridization. The teeth underwent colorimetric analysis using the Easyshade® spectrophotometer at four different times: determining the color of the dental substrate before root canal filling (RCF), 7 days, 60 days, and 180 days after RCF. The data were evaluated for normality and homogeneity by the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests. A two-way analysis of variance was performed, with Sidak's post-test for multiple comparisons. The significance level was 5%. Dentin hybridization influenced the coronary chromatic alteration of Sealapex® after 7 days and in Bio-C Sealer® and AH Plus® after 60 days. The AH Plus after 7 days obtained the highest ΔE* when hybridized, and the Endofill® obtained the highest ΔE* when not hybridized. The AH Plus after 60 days got the highest ΔE* when hybridized and non-hybridized. The Sealapex® after 180 days obtained the highest ΔE* when hybridized, and the AH Plus obtained the highest ΔE* when not hybridized. The studied root canal sealers behaved differently regarding coronary chromatic alteration, making it difficult to predict a particular behavior. All endodontic sealers caused clinically noticeable chromatic changes after 7 days, 60 days, and 180 days, regardless of hybridization.
Kennedy class III and IV dental arches: Trueness analysis of digitization methods and 3D-printing step
Authors: Mendonça Lucas Moreira , Borges Marianna Soares Nogueira , Amorim Ayodele Alves , Freitas Bruna Neves de , Tirapelli Camila
Published: December 2024

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the trueness of Kennedy Class III and IV dental arches digitized by different methods and three-dimensionally (3D) printed using stereolithography technology in an in vitro setup. Reference casts (maxillary Kennedy class III and IV) were produced by computer assisted design and manufacture, and linearly measured at occlusocervical, interarch, and edentulous space dimensions. Intraoral scanner (IOS), extraoral scanner (EOS) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) digitized the reference casts. Each digital file was 3D-printed using stereolithography technology, totalizing sixty experimental casts (n=10 per group). The same measurements taken from the reference casts were performed on experimental casts. Two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test were used for trueness (distortion between the experimental and reference casts). Distortion was significantly greater for class IV when compared with class III and increased after the 3D-printing step. Among digitizing methods, IOS and EOS had a similar performance and casts from CBCT showed higher distortion, reaching -1.0 and -1.4 mm in the edentulous spaces of digital and 3D-printed cast, respectively. It was possible to conclude that the trueness of Kennedy class III and IV arches were different according to digitizing processes with higher distortion at the edentulous spaces when the cast was digitized by CBCT and converted to a 3D model, compared to IOS and EOS; and in the Kennedy class IV dental arch condition.