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We present a MgB2-based Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector (MKID) featuring a quality factor Qi ~ 105 and noise equivalent power NEP ~ 10−14  W / Hz at 2 K. In comparison to YBCO-based MKIDs, the MgB2 detector shows greater sensitivity to both temperature and magnetic field, a result of its two-gap nature and relatively low critical H c 2 field. Our data indicate that MgB2 is more advantageous for MKID applications at temperatures lower than 3 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine associations of laboratory and imaging data with diagnostic parameters of necrotizing otitis externa (NOE) and its severity, and to compare between bacterial and fungal infections. Methods: Records of patients diagnosed with NOE during 2010–2018 at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery were reviewed retrospectively for demographics; disease characteristics; and laboratory, scintigraphy, and imaging results. Results: Of 48 patients with NOE, the mean age is 73±11.6 years; 32 (67%) were males; 83% had diabetes mellitus. Common pathogens were pseudomonas (49%) and fungi (33%). Sensitivities of the technetium-scan (SPECT ratio ≥1.5), temporal bone computed tomography (CT), and gallium-scan (SPECT ratio ≥1.3) were: 78.7%, 48.8%, and 31.4%, respectively. Gallium-scan results correlated positively with CT bone involvement (p=0.002) and hospital length of stay (p=0.0014). C-reactive protein (CRP) level correlated with hospital length of stay (p=0.028) and positive technetium-scan results (p=0.012). Fungal infection had a higher technetium SPECT ratio (2.16 vs. 1.77, p=0.04), gallium SPECT ratio (1.4 vs. 1.2, p=0.02), longer duration of systemic treatment (87.4 vs. 37.9 days, p=0.014), and longer hospital length of stay (31.6 vs. 15.2 days, p=0.004) compared to non-fungal infection. Eight (17%) patients had responded poorly to treatment. Fungal pathogens, facial nerve paresis, extra-auricular, and bilateral disease were more prevalent among the non-responders. Conclusion: The technetium scan has higher sensitivity than temporal bone CT for diagnosing NOE. The gallium scan and CRP correlated well with hospital length of stay. A high rate of fungal infection was found, with significantly higher technetium and gallium SPECT ratios and worse outcome compared to bacterial infection. Fungal NOE remains therapeutically challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWith rising urban inequalities worldwide, inclusionary planning instruments can contribute to more just and inclusive cities and societies by making housing accessible to various social groups. Although these instruments have existed for several decades, their implementation has not always been successful. There is a limited understanding of how these instruments contribute to the public good and the reasons for their failure. By examining the implementation of two inclusionary instruments known as the Balanced Housing Ratio 1:2:3 and the ‘Socialization’ Process used to regulate the construction of new housing by the private sector in Jakarta and Yogyakarta (Indonesia), this article provides evidence to better understand the reasons for their failure and gives entry points for policymakers to be able to design and implement inclusive planning instruments that have stronger impact. The research uses qualitative methods for data collection, including semi-structured interviews as the principal method, complemented by observations, a policy review and a workshop for background and contextual information. This in-depth analysis of the challenges to implement inclusionary instruments related to housing development in Indonesia shows that their failure leads to further social and spatial inequality in cities and a shortcoming of the planning system to contribute to the public good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of injectable hydrogels for soft tissue regeneration has gained significant attention due to their minimally invasive application and ability to conform precisely to the shape of irregular tissue cavities. This study presents a novel injectable porous scaffold based on natural polymers that undergoes in situ crosslinking, forming a highly resilient hydrogel with tailorable mechanical and physical properties to meet the specific demands of soft tissue repair. By adjusting the formulation, we achieved a range of stiffness values that closely mimic the mechanical characteristics of native tissues while maintaining very high resilience (>90%). The effects of gelatin, alginate, and crosslinker concentrations, as well as porosity, on the hydrogel's properties were elucidated. The main results indicated a compression modulus range of 2.7–89 kPa, which fits all soft tissues, and gelation times ranging from 5 to 30 s, which enable the scaffold to be successfully used in various operations. An increase in gelatin and crosslinker concentrations results in a higher modulus and lower gelation time, i.e., a stiffer hydrogel that is created in a shorter time. In vitro cell viability tests on human fibroblasts were performed and indicated high biocompatibility. Our findings demonstrate that these injectable hydrogel scaffolds offer a promising solution for enhancing soft tissue repair and regeneration, providing a customizable and resilient framework that is expected to support tissue integration and healing with minimal surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bud dormancy is a survival strategy that plants have developed in their native habitats. It helps them endure harsh seasonal changes by temporarily halting growth and activity until conditions become more favorable. Research has primarily focused on bud dormancy in tree species and the ability to halt growth in vegetative tissues, particularly in meristems. Various plant species, such as potato, have developed specialized storage organs, enabling them to become dormant during their yearly growth cycle. Deciduous trees and potato tubers exhibit a similar type of bud endodormancy, where the bud meristem will not initiate growth, even under favorable environmental conditions. Chilling accumulation activates C-repeat/dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) factors (CBFs) transcription factors that modify the expression of dormancy-associated genes. Chilling conditions shorten the duration of endodormancy by influencing plant hormones and sugar metabolism, which affect the timing and rate of bud growth. Sugar metabolism and signaling pathways can interact with abscisic acid, affecting the symplastic connection of dormant buds. This review explores how chilling affects endodormancy duration and explores the similarity of the chilling response of dormant buds in potato tubers and woody perennials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumo A atuação do professor no processo ensino-aprendizagem depende, sobretudo, de sua visão sobre a natureza do homem, a sociedade e a educação. O desenvolvimento de tal processo requer a consideração das teorias de aprendizagem e de suas implicações no ensino. Segundo as vertentes comportamental, cognitiva e humanista, são expostos os processos de ensino e de aprendizagem, bem como apresentadas sugestões com o objetivo de auxiliar o professor a despertar a motivação de seus alunos.

Resumo: A aula expositiva tem sido apontada como técnica que transforma o aluno em mero expectador do processo ensino-aprendizagem. O autor procura mostrar que a exposição oral, planejada adequadamente, considerando a maneira de o aluno assimilar, organizar e utilizar a informação, inclui-se entre as técnicas que se recomendam para o ensino superior.

Resumo: O uso incorreto de transparências e diapositivos impede o aproveitamento das contribuições que esses recursos oferecem ao processo ensino aprendizagem. Os princípios do processo comunicação oferecem os subsídios para a seleção adequada e a correta utilização dos recursos audiovisuais. Os erros mais comuns em sua utilização, apontados no artigo, são facilmente corrigidos, uma vez que o Professor saiba identificá-los.

Expert Council: Drapkina O. M., Vavilova T. V., Karpov Yu. A., Kobalava Zh. D., Lomakin N. V., Martynov A. I., Roitman E. V., Sychev D. A.Scientific communities: the Russian Society for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (ROPNIZ), the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Therapists (RNMOT), the Russian Antithrombotic Forum (RAF), the National Association for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (NATH).

Endothelial dysfunction is a valued part in the pathogenesis of many diseases and conditions including the active phase of COVID-19 and postcovid syndrome. The review presents both the viral and autoimmune pathways for endothelial and glycocalyx lesions and the clinical impacts of such a lesion in comorbid patients. Both endothelium and glycocalyx affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus are considered as the main goal for therapy in outpatient patients and patients with postcovid syndrome. The glycosaminoglycans belonged natural components of vascular wall seem appropriate pathogenetically in order to recovery the endothelial barrier. The review demonstrates the advantages and limitations of using sulodexide in patients with COVID-19. This article presents a clinical case of a patient with confirmed COVID-19 of moderate severity, with the presence of risk factors for thrombosis, who developed a post-covid syndrome, a heterogeneous symptom complex that developed after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection. The post-covid period was marked by symptoms of rapid fatigue, tachycardia, shortness of breath. By day 25-26, itching and red rash appeared, and there was moderate swelling of the shins and feet of both lower extremities. Taking into account the clinical picture and laboratory findings, a decision was made to cancel the previously prescribed low-molecularweight heparin and prescribe sulodexide at a dose of 500 LU 2 times a day for a course of 28 days. On the 4th-5th day after the start of treatment there was a decrease in the area of skin rash, cessation of itching, almost complete disappearance of the cutaneous vascular pattern and reduction in the severity of edema. This clinical case demonstrates endothelial damage caused by COVID-19, which makes it advisable to use angioprotective drugs.

In developing countries, the acute gastroenteritis outbreaks submitted for viral testing are limited due to deficient surveillance programs. The aim of this study was to analyze a passive surveillance strategy for monitoring the molecular epidemiology of norovirus (NV) and counterbalance the genetic diversity data gap.Laboratory-confirmed rotavirus negative sporadic stool samples (N = 523) collected between 2010 and 2017 from children were selected from our archival collection and were tested for NV and sequencing was performed on the positive samples. Passive surveillance information was compared with the genetic diversity data that was available from local norovirus-confirmed gastroenteritis outbreaks.Each year, norovirus detection in the sporadic samples ranged from 12 to 29%. GI and GII norovirus were detected in 7 (1.3%) and 101 (19.3%) of the specimens, respectively. Four GI and six GII capsid genotypes were identified. Six out of 9 strains detected in the NV outbreaks panel were also identified in the set of sporadic samples either coincidently in the same year, the previous or the later year. Also, this set of samples depicted even better the circulating epidemic strain. Thus, implementing norovirus testing and genotyping in stool samples collected with other purposes represent a suitable strategy for providing genetic diversity information.

Globally recommended diets are a powerful method for raising the public's awareness of dietary choices. Although dietary choices drive both health and environmental outcomes, these diets make almost no reference to environmental impacts. Besides, Encephalic damage and disorders of the hepatobiliary system occur against the background of metabolic disorders. Metabolic processes largely depend on the activity and the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of sirtuin-type proteins. Protein deficiency can be filled by artificially introducing them into the body through dietary supplements. The study aimed to analyze the possibilities of using the dietary supplement OYOX to prevent environmental harm as well as treating encephalic damage and disorders of the hepatobiliary system. We used theoretical and practical research methods. In particular, the methods of analysis of literature sources, statistical data, results of clinical and preclinical studies were used. The method of generalization, analysis, systematization, classification of the obtained data was used. The results were evaluated 3 and 6 months after taking the dietary supplement. In the group of people taking OYOX, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the percentage of short telomeres (p = 0.029); a decrease in the percentage of senescent cytotoxic (CD8+ / CD28-) T cells (by 1.5%; 4.4%; 8.6% and 7.5% after 3 and 6 months respectively); improvement in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA, 1%) by 4.9% (p = 0.01), total cholesterol 5.7 mmol L-1 (p = 0.003), low density lipoprotein (LCL-C): 3.82 mmol L-1 (p = 0.0021), homocysteine: 3.4 mmol L-1 (p = 0.001). In conclusions, dietary supplement OYOX is effectively used to eliminate the deficiency of sirtuin-type proteins SIR1, SIR3, SIR6.