bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Se Liga Macho"
Authors: Correia Paulo Petronilio
Published: October 2024

Propõe-se pensar filosoficamente a encruzilhada, terreno de Exu e tencionar as performances pretas decoloniais a partir desse lugar que nos permite transgredir, potencializar um lugar de fala a partir de uma poética, que implica uma ética e uma estética da existência preta. A encruzilhada é, desse modo, um potente agenciamento que temos para descolonizar a voz única do pensamento branco, europeu, cristão e normativo.
'Deslumbrante por ter Magnitude'
Authors: Freitas Regia Mabel
Published: October 2024

Este artigo objetiva evidenciar a importância da sonoridade no espetáculo Erê do Bando de Teatro Olodum como mais um elemento dramático de comunicação com o público. De natureza qualitativa, cunho etnográfico e percurso exploratório-descritivo, os dados foram coletados através de revisão bibliográfica negrorreferenciada e entrevista semiestruturada com o diretor musical. Percebeu-se que a estética musical contribuiu expressivamente para o desenvolvimento comunicativo por apresentar e intensificar o texto dramático.
Entrevista com Rui Moreira
Authors: Correa Tavares Luciano , Prokopp Verônica , Moreira Rui
Published: October 2024

A entrevista apresentada neste texto é parte da coleta de dados de um estudo que está sendo desenvolvido em nível de doutorado, projeto intitulado Masculinidades Negras na Dança: subjetividades dos corpos na produção do sensível. A pesquisa parte de um olhar sobre a trajetória do autor, um bailarino negro brasileiro, compreendendo a sua experiência profissional no campo da dança como uma ruptura de paradigmas, que significa quebras em relação ao padrão hegemônico de masculinidade negra e à visão estereotipada de homem negro, convencionada por uma sociedade estruturalmente racista e machista.
Empeleitada
Authors: Mendonça Barreto da Silva Renato , Martins Bruno Rodolfo
Published: October 2024

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo compreender novas dinâmicas de análise das figuras Mateu e Bastião, presentes na manifestação artística oriunda da Zona da Mata Norte de Pernambuco – Cavalo Marin . São dois protagonistas que através do exercício da brincadeira apresentam formas de relação com o trabalho mediadas pela categoria empeleitada. Da mesma forma, vimos que as ancestralidades afro diaspóricas de Exú e Ibeji contribuem para percebemos que as narrativas sobre essas figuras estão mais atreladas a uma construção autônoma e malandreada do exercício de negociar o trabalho, do que à marginalização atribuída aos corpos escravizados.
Festa da Mocidade
Authors: Ferraz Leidson
Published: October 2024

A Festa da Mocidade foi um festejo popular que ocupava o Parque 13 de Maio, no centro do Recife, do final de 1936 ao início de 1967, com programação diversificada a atrair multidões. Ali se reviveu a febre do teatro de revista. Em diálogo com pesquisadores do gênero e a partir de fontes jornalísticas, este artigo mapeia sua repercussão e lança luz a uma produção cênica à margem dos registros históricos.
Yahudilikte Şiddetin Meşrulaştırıcı Unsuru Tanah
Authors: Karaoğlu Yetkin
Published: October 2024

Elinizdeki bu çalışma Japon Yeni Dini Hareketlerinden olan Ōmoto’nun tanımı, tipolojisi, dini-fenomenolojik tarihi, inanç ve ibadetlerini içermektedir. Çalışmamızda konu edindiğimiz meselenin alt başlıklarında birkaç temel soruya cevap aranmıştır. Bunların ilki müstakil olarak Ōmoto’nun tanım ve tipolojileri nelerdir? Ōmoto’nun kurucuları kimlerdir? Bu soruların içeriğinde de tarihî süreçte dinî hareket için yapılmış teolojik ve akademik tanımlamalar; tarih, köken ve barış tipolojileri; kurucuların hayatı gibi temel konular ele alınmıştır. İkinci olarak Ōmoto’nun dinî-fenomenolojik tarihi nedir? Bu sorunun içeriğinde birçok alt konu hareketin günümüze kadar gelen dinî tarihi içerisinde irdelenmiştir. Bu alt başlıkları hareketin din-devlet ilişkisi, ana akım dinî gelenekle ilişkisi, diğer dinî hareketlerle etkileşimi ve dinamik yapısına dair dönüşümlerin tespitini oluşturmuştur. Üçüncü olarak Ōmoto’nun inançları nelerdir? Bu sorunun alt başlığında hareketin temel inançları, tanrı inancı, kutsal kişi inancı, kutsal metin inancı, evren inancı ve kurtuluş inancı alt konuları yer almaktadır. Dördüncü olarak Ōmoto’nun ibadetleri nelerdir? Bu sorunun alt başlığında da hareketin mabet görevlileri, ritüel kavramları, yıllık ibadetleri, aylık ibadetleri, haftalık ibadetleri, günlük ibadetleri ve kutsal mekanları incelenmiştir.
GAMBARAN TINGKAT LONELINESS PADA REMAJA DI PANTI ASUHAN KASIH KARUNIA
Authors: Erva Elli Kristanti  , Vitaria Wahyu Astuti
Published: October 2024

Remaja merupakan masa peralihan menuju dewasa. Perubahan perkembangan yang terjadi selama masa remaja meliputi perkembangan fisik, psikis, dan psikososial (Gainau, 2021). Perubahan ini sering membawa perasaan terasing, tersisihkan, terpencil dari orang lain, sering orang loneliness karena berbeda dengan orang lain atau disebut juga dengan loneliness.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengidentifikasi tingkat loneliness pada remaja di Panti Asuhan Kasih Karunia Pare. Sampel dalam penelitian adalah remaja di Panti Asuhan Kasih Karunia Pare sebanyak 25 remaja. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskripsi. Pengambilan data untuk mengindentifikasi loneliness menggunakan kuesioner De Jong Gierveld Scale yang telah diuji validitas dan reliabilitasnya. Hasil penelitian menjunjukkan bahwa mayoritas remaja di Panti Asuhan Kasih Karunia Pare dengan tingkat loneliness sedang sebanyak 23 (92%) dan kurang sebanyak 2 responden (8%). Remaja di Panti Asuhan Kasih Karunia Pare meningkatkan aktivits fisik dan kegiatan sosial mengingat remaja merupakan fase pencairan jati diri dan menetapkan karakter diri sehingga tertaman keyakinan positif terhadap diri dan mampu mengembangkan potensi diri sehingga mampu menekan kondisi loneliness.
CONTEXTUAL TEACHING AND LEARNING (CTL) MODEL USING ‘REACH’ COMMUNICATION PATTERNS TO IMPROVE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Authors: Yoyok Febrijanto  , Erva Elli Kristanti
Published: October 2024

This study used Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) model and Respect, Empathy, Audible, Clarity, and Humble (REACH) as a process for improving student learning outcomes in Study Program of Management of Health Information 1st grade. The objective was to improve student learning outcomes and found a model learning that suited students. Qualitative approach of initial observations with teacher interview, student learning outcomes at pre-cycle, exams at the end of the cycle, documentation, observation sheets, and field notes all contributed to the data collected for this classroom action research project. Data was reduced, presented, examined, and made conclusions. The results of this study analysis showed that in CTL process using REACH communication patterns showed positive results and were considered effective. The findings of this study indicated that the implementation of teaching and learning activities was in accordance with the learning model and could improve student learning outcomes in the cycle.
FORMATION OF STUDENTS' RELIGIOUS CHARACTER THROUGH THE HABITUATION OF INFAQ AT SMKN 2 PANGKAJENE KEPULAUAN
Authors: Ridha Abdul Aziz
Published: October 2024

Religious character is one of the characters that each individual needs to have, and forming a religious character is one of them done at school. This research focuses on describing how the formation of religious character is carried out by schools through the habituation of infaq. The approach taken in this research is to use a descriptive qualitative approach. The subjects in this study are the Principal, Teachers, and Students of SMKN 2 Pangkajene Kepulauan. The data in this study were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. Then, the data were analyzed through data reduction, data presentation, and data verification. The results in this study show that religious characters formed through the habituation of infaq include: 1. Obedience in worship, 2. Caring for others, and 3. Sincerity. The process of forming students' religious character cannot be separated from several factors, including supporting factors from parents who always give more money for infaq and teachers who always remind and motivate the importance of giving.
ACCELERATION OF DIGITAL-BASED PUBLIC SERVICES CASE STUDY AT THE INVESTMENT AND ONE-STOP INTEGRATED SERVICE OFFICE IN BELU DISTRICT
Authors: Joseph Franky Leto Bere
Published: October 2024

The objective of this study was to analyze and describe the acceleration of public services at the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Office, analyze supporting and inhibiting factors, and formulate a digital-based public service model. The collection techniques were used to obtain accurate, actual and comprehensive data in accordance with the problems and focus of the study, such as interview, observation, and documentation. The results of the study showed a consistent tendency (trend) in public services in improving the performance of public service delivery in Belu District.
SEXUAL EDUCATION “CEKER (CEGAH KEKERASAN) DENGAN TANGKIS” METHOD IN PREVENTING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AT TUNAS BANGSA KINDERGARTEN, KEDIRI CITY
Authors: Sutik  , Yoyok Febrijanto  , Erva Elli K  , Maria Anita Yusiana
Published: October 2024

Early childhood is an age that is vulnerable to crime and sexual violence. Educational steps through sex education programs, children introduce to from an early age. Therefore, parents required to have sensitivity, skills, and understanding to be able to provide certain portions of information, which does not make children confused and curious because parents are the party most responsible for children in educational matters, including sex education. Accompanying children by parents, teachers, or people closest to them is especially important. The method used is to provide direct education by presenting material and animated videos. Measuring children's understanding uses a questionnaire with pictures, numbers, and letters. The results obtained showed that education was proven to be able to improve children's experience, with pre-test scores on children's understanding out of 30 children showing that 15 children (52%) were good, 11 children (36.7%) were sufficient, and 4 children (13.3%) were poor. , while the post-test scores of 30 children showed good understanding for 26 children (85%) and enough for 4 children (15%).
EDUCATION ABOUT DIET MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS TO ELDERLY AT THE ELDERLY POSYANDU, PELEM VILLAGE, KEDIRI DISTRICT
Authors: Erni Rahmawati  , Dwi Rahayu  , Astri Yunita  , Atik Setiawan Wahyuningsih
Published: October 2024

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia due to abnormalities in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. The number of DM sufferers globally increases every year, the causes include increasing population, age, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Preventive measures that can be taken include education and regular health checks. To increase knowledge and understanding of elderly about hypertension and diabetes, one of the efforts made is to provide health education about hypertension and diabetes, as well as screening elderly in Pelem Village, Kediri District. In this activity, the results showed that there was increasing knowledge about diabetes of elderly, which was the addition of information and insight about health and provided a clear description for elderly regarding the prevention and management of diabetes through counseling and educational media in the form of leaflets.
PENDIDIKAN KESEHATAN DENGAN METODE DEMONSTRASI TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN IBU TENTANG PENANGANAN TERSEDAK PADA ANAKDI POSYANDU BALITA MAWAR BANGSAL KEDIRI
Authors: Fidiana Kurniawati  , Erva Elli Kristanti
Published: October 2024

Kejadian tersedak sering terjadi pada bayi dan balita dikarenakan secara anatomis saluran pernapasan bayi yang rentan, pertumbuhan gigi yang belum optimal serta fase oral ketika benda asing berpotensi masuk menyumbat saluran pernapasan. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis pengaruh pendidikan kesehatan dengan media demonstrasi dengan pengetahuan Ibu tentang penanganan tersedak pada anak. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah Ibu di Posyandu Balita Mawar sebanyak 35 responden. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dengan desain penelitian quasy experiment, dengan rancangan penelitian one group pre test-post test dengan simple random sampling. Pengambilan data menggunakan kuesioner pengetahuan penanganan tersedak. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ada pengaruh pengetahuan pada Ibu sebelum dan sesudah intervensi pemberian pendidikan kesehatan dengan metode demonstrasi penanganan tersedak. dengan p = 0,000.
The Importance of Regenerating Forests for Biodiversity Conservation: Insights From Bird Communities
Authors: Bardaro Alessandro
Published: October 2024

Biodiversity is crucial for ecological research and ecosystem function, but human activities have led to widespread habitat loss and threats to biodiversity. Recent studies challenge the belief that only primary forests preserve biodiversity, as 20-year-old secondary forests can exhibit comparable levels. We emphasize the significance of studying regenerating and human-altered forests. Our research explores the impact of such forests on avian communities, focusing on different habitat and forest types. Using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling and Analysis of Similarities, we analyze bird community composition across various habitats. The Parker index and Analysis of Variance evaluate bird sensitivity to habitat changes. Results indicate significant differences in bird communities and sensitivity based on forest and habitat types. The study provides insights into forest integrity, contributing to improved conservation practices in regenerating and human-altered forests. Limitations include assumptions due to limited fragmented plots, suggesting avenues for future research to enhance forest regeneration efforts.
Optimization of the Introduction of 2,6-Dimethylphenol at the C4-Atom of 2’-Deoxythymidine for the Preparation of Modified Oligonucleotides
Authors: Bardaro Alessandro
Published: October 2024

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are vital for genetic information storage and expression, finding applications in diverse fields. Chemical synthesis is commonly used for nucleic acid modification, utilizing protecting groups to selectively modify specific positions without disrupting the overall structure. This study focuses on optimizing the introduction of a 2,6-dimethylphenoxy group at the C4 position of a protected 2’-deoxythymidine, a modification for enhancing stability, binding affinity, and expanding chemical diversity for future applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, and nanomaterials. Silylation was used as the initial step for 2’-deoxythymidine protection, followed by the preparation of the modified nucleoside. Optimization of synthetic procedures involved adjustments of reaction parameters, such as solvent and reagent stoichiometry, using small- and large-scale reactions. Extensive experimentation revealed that changing the solvent from tetrahydrofuran to dichloromethane and using 1,8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene as the base provided significant progress in reaction efficiency. Analytical techniques, including thin-layer chromatography and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, were employed for monitoring and confirmation of compound identity and purity. Successful optimization of the synthetic protocol will contribute to nucleic acid modification chemistry advancement with potential applications in therapeutics or diagnostics.
Challenges to Successful Thesis Completion among Postgraduate Students
Authors: Sheikh Ahmed Said Abubakar
Published: October 2024

This study utilized a descriptive quantitative approach to examine the key challenges that postgraduate students face in completing their thesis work. The target population for the research consisted of master’s, and doctoral students enrolled in various academic disciplines at Universities in Mogadishu, and a random sampling technique was employed to obtain a sample size of 124 participants. The findings of the study identified several major obstacles that graduate students encounter during the thesis process. The most significant factors were time management issues, limited access to critical research resources, and various institutional barriers that did not adequately support the thesis completion. Specifically, the study found that Institutional Factors (mean 3.49) and Time Management (mean 3.4) were considered "Highly Challenging" by the participants. Access to Resources (mean 3.38), Supervisor Support (mean 3.22), Discipline-Specific Factors (mean 3.31), and Language Factors (mean 3.25) were rated as "Moderately Challenging". Personal Obligations (mean 2.9) were also seen as "Moderately Challenging" by the graduate students. The results of this study underscore the need for universities to provide stronger support systems and address these multifaceted challenges to enable postgraduate students to successfully complete their thesis work. Recommendations for improving thesis support are discussed.
Self-association enhances early attentional selection through automatic prioritization of socially salient signals
Authors: Scheller Meike , Tünnermann Jan , Fredriksson Katja , Fang Huilin , Sui Jie
Published: October 2024

Efficiently processing self-related information is critical for cognition, yet the earliest mechanisms enabling this self-prioritization remain unclear. By combining a temporal order judgement task with computational modelling based on the Theory of Visual Attention (TVA), we show how mere, arbitrary associations with the self can fundamentally alter attentional selection of sensory information into short-term memory/awareness, by enhancing the attentional weights and processing capacity devoted to encoding socially loaded information. This self-prioritization in attentional selection occurs automatically at early perceptual stages but reduces when active social decoding is required. Importantly, the processing benefits obtained from attentional selection via self-relatedness and via physical salience were additive, suggesting that social and perceptual salience captured attention via separate mechanisms. Furthermore, intra-individual correlations revealed an ‘obligatory’ self-prioritization effect, whereby self-relatedness overpowered the contribution of perceptual salience in guiding attentional selection. Together, our findings provide evidence for the influence of self-relatedness during earlier, automatic stages of attentional section at the gateway to perception, distinct from later post-attentive processing stages.
A novel method (RIM-Deep) enhances imaging depth and resolution stability of deep-cleared brain tissue in inverted confocal microscopy
Authors: Liu Yisi , Wang Pu , Zou Junjie , Zhou Hongwei
Published: October 2024

The increasing use of tissue clearing techniques underscores the urgent need for cost-effective and simplified deep imaging methods. While traditional inverted confocal microscopes excel in high-resolution imaging of tissue sections and cultured cells, they face limitations in deep imaging of cleared tissues due to refractive index mismatches between the immersion media of objectives and sample container. To overcome these challenges, the RIM-Deep was developed to significantly improve deep imaging capabilities without compromising the normal function of the confocal microscope. This system facilitates deep immunofluorescence imaging of the prefrontal cortex in cleared macaque tissue, extending imaging depth from 2 mm to 5 mm. Applied to an intact and cleared Thy1-EGFP mouse brain, the system allowed for clear axonal visualization at high imaging depth. Moreover, this advancement enables large-scale, deep 3D imaging of intact tissues. In principle, this concept can be extended to any imaging modality, including existing inverted wide-field, confocal, and two-photon microscopy. This would significantly upgrade traditional laboratory configurations and facilitate the study of connectomics in the brain and other tissues.
Prediction tendency, eye movements, and attention in a unified framework of neural speech tracking
Authors: Schubert Juliane , Gehmacher Quirin , Schmidt Fabian , Hartmann Thomas , Weisz Nathan
Published: October 2024

Auditory speech comprehension is a multi-faceted process in which attention, prediction, and sensorimotor integration (via active sensing) interact with or complement each other. Although different conceptual models that focus on one of these aspects exist, we still lack a unified understanding of their role in speech processing. Here, we first replicated two recently published studies from our lab, confirming 1) a positive relationship between individual prediction tendencies and neural speech tracking, and 2) the phenomenon of ocular speech tracking - the tracking of attended speech by eye movements - and its shared contribution with neural activity to speech processing. In addition, we extended these findings with complementary analyses and investigated these phenomena in relation to each other in a multi-speaker paradigm with continuous, narrative speech. Importantly, prediction tendency and ocular speech tracking seem to be unrelated. In contrast to the shared contributions of oculomotor and neural activity to speech processing over a distributed set of brain regions that are critical for attention, individual prediction tendency and its relation to neural speech tracking seem to be largely independent of attention. Based on these findings, we propose a framework that aims to bridge the gaps between attention, prediction, and active (ocular) sensing in order to contribute to a holistic understanding of neural speech processing. In this speculative framework for listening, auditory inflow is, on a basic level, temporally modulated via active ocular sensing, and incoming information is interpreted based on probabilistic assumptions.
Cholecystokinin modulates age-dependent Thalamocortical Neuroplasticity
Authors: Li Xiao , Feng Jingyu , Hu Xiaohan , Zhou Peipei , Chen Tao , Zheng Xuejiao , Jendrichovsky Peter , Wang Xue , Chen Mengying , Li Hao , Chen Xi , Zeng Dingxuan , Zhang Mengfan , Xiao Zhoujian , He Ling , Bello Stephen Temitayo , He Jufang
Published: October 2024

The thalamocortical pathway exhibits neuroplasticity not only during the critical period but also in adulthood. Here, we aimed to investigate the modulation of age-dependent thalamocortical plasticity by cholecystokinin (CCK). Our findings revealed the expression of CCK in thalamocortical neurons, and high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the thalamocortical pathway elicited the release of CCK in auditory cortex (ACx), as evidenced by CCK sensor. HFS of the medial geniculate body (MGB) induced thalamocortical long-term potentiation (LTP) in wildtype young adult mice. However, knockdown of Cck expression in MGB neurons or blockade of the CCK-B receptor (CCKBR) in ACx effectively abolished HFS-induced LTP. Notably, this LTP could not be elicited in both juvenile mice (week 3) and mice over 18 months old, due to the absence of CCKBR in juvenile mice and the inability of CCK to be released in aged mice. Remarkably, the administration of exogenous CCK into the auditory cortex of the aged mice restored this LTP, accompanied by a significant improvement in frequency discrimination. These findings suggest the potential of CCK as a therapeutic intervention for addressing neurodegenerative deficits associated with thalamocortical neuroplasticity.
C-C chemokine receptor 4 deficiency exacerbates early atherosclerosis in mice
Authors: Tanaka Toru , Sasaki Naoto , Krisnanda Aga , Amin Hilman Zulkifli , Ito Ken , Horibe Sayo , Matsuo Kazuhiko , Hirata Ken-ichi , Nakayama Takashi , Rikitake Yoshiyuki
Published: October 2024

Chronic inflammation via dysregulation of T cell immune responses is critically involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Improving the balance between proinflammatory T cells and anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be an attractive approach for treating atherosclerosis. Although C-C chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) has been shown to mediate the recruitment of T cells to inflamed tissues, its role in atherosclerosis is unclear. Here, we show that genetic deletion of CCR4 in hypercholesterolemic mice accelerates the development of early atherosclerotic lesions characterized by an inflammatory plaque phenotype. This was associated with the augmentation of proinflammatory T helper type 1 (Th1) cell responses in peripheral lymphoid tissues, para-aortic lymph nodes, and atherosclerotic aorta. Mechanistically, CCR4 deficiency in Tregs impaired their suppressive function and migration to the atherosclerotic aorta and augmented Th1 cell-mediated immune responses through defective regulation of dendritic cell function, which accelerated aortic inflammation and atherosclerotic lesion development. Thus, we revealed a previously unrecognized role for CCR4 in controlling the early stage of atherosclerosis via Treg-dependent regulation of proinflammatory T cell responses. Our data suggest that CCR4 is an important negative regulator of atherosclerosis.
Mast cells promote pathology and susceptibility in tuberculosis
Authors: Gupta Ananya , Taneja Vibha , Rangel Moreno Javier , Abhimanyu  , Ahmed Mushtaq , Naqvi Nilofer , Chauhan Kuldeep S , de León Daniela Trejo-Ponce , Ramírez-Martínez Gustavo , Jiménez-Alvarez Luis , Luna-Rivero Cesar , Zuniga Joaquin , Kaushal Deepak , Khader Shabaana A
Published: October 2024

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(
Mtb
), infects approximately one-fourth of the world’s population. While most infected individuals are asymptomatic, latent TB infection (LTBI) can progress to cause pulmonary TB (PTB). We recently reported an increased accumulation of mast cells (MCs) in lungs of macaques with PTB, compared with LTBI in macaques. MCs respond in vitro to
Mtb
exposure via degranulation and by inducing proinflammatory cytokines. In the current study, we show the dominant production of chymase by MCs in granulomas of humans and macaques with PTB. Using scRNA seq analysis, we show that MCs found in LTBI and healthy lungs in macaques are enriched in genes involved in tumor necrosis factor alpha, cholesterol and transforming growth factor beta signaling. In contrast, MCs clusters found in PTB express transcriptional signatures associated with interferon gamma, oxidative phosphorylation, and MYC signaling. Additionally, MC deficiency in the mouse model showed improved control of
Mtb
infection that coincided with reduced accumulation of lung myeloid cells and diminished inflammation at chronic stages. Thus, these collective results provide novel evidence for the pathological contribution of MCs during
Mtb
infection and may represent a novel target for host directive therapy for TB.
Predictive learning rules generate a cortical-like replay of probabilistic sensory experiences
Authors: Asabuki Toshitake , Fukai Tomoki
Published: October 2024

The brain is thought to construct an optimal internal model representing the probabilistic structure of the environment accurately. Evidence suggests that spontaneous brain activity gives such a model by cycling through activity patterns evoked by previous sensory experiences with the experienced probabilities. The brain’s spontaneous activity emerges from internally-driven neural population dynamics. However, how cortical neural networks encode internal models into spontaneous activity is poorly understood. Recent computational and experimental studies suggest that a cortical neuron can implement complex computations, including predictive responses, through soma-dendrite interactions. Here, we show that a recurrent network of spiking neurons subject to the same predictive learning principle provides a novel mechanism to learn the spontaneous replay of probabilistic sensory experiences. In this network, the learning rules minimize probability mismatches between stimulus-evoked and internally driven activities in all excitatory and inhibitory neurons. This learning paradigm generates stimulus-specific cell assemblies that internally remember their activation probabilities using within-assembly recurrent connections. Our model contrasts previous models that encode the statistical structure of sensory experiences into Markovian transition patterns among cell assemblies. We demonstrate that the spontaneous activity of our model well replicates the behavioral biases of monkeys performing perceptual decision making. Our results suggest that interactions between intracellular processes and recurrent network dynamics are more crucial for learning cognitive behaviors than previously thought.
Optimal wideband digital fractional-order differentiators using gradient based optimizer
Authors: Moqbel Mohammed Ali Mohammed , Ali Talal Ahmed Ali , Xiao Zhu
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we propose a novel optimization approach to designing wideband infinite impulse response (IIR) digital fractional order differentiators (DFODs) with improved accuracy at low frequency bands. In the new method, the objective function is formulated as an optimization problem with two tuning parameters to control the error distribution over frequencies. The gradient based optimizer (GBO) is effectively employed on the proposed objective function. A wide range of design examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The proposed approximations are compared to those of recent literature in terms magnitude, phase, and group delay errors. The result reveal that our method can attain approximations have a favorable low frequency performance (with about 60% of relative magnitude error reduction) and maintain a comparable accuracy at most of the Nyquist band to those of the existing ones. Thus, our approximations can be attractive for low frequency applications.
Saliva as a diagnostic tool in soccer: a scoping review
Authors: Ferreira Joyce , Jimenez Manuel , Cerqueira Agatha , Rodrigues da Silva Joana , Souza Bruno , Berard Lucas , Bachi Andre L.L. , Dame-Teixeira Naile , Coto Neide , Heller Debora
Published: October 2024

Background

A high-performance sport like soccer requires training strategies that aim to reach peak performance at the right time for the desired competitions. Thus, the investigation of biochemical markers in saliva is a tool that is beginning to be used in athletes within the physical training process. There is still no evidence on universal saliva collection and analysis protocols in soccer. This review aims to map the use of saliva as a tool for analyzing athletic performance in soccer, from the biomarkers used to the validated protocols for these analyses.

Methods

A broad systematic literature search was carried out in the electronic databases Web of Science, Livivo, Scopus, PubMed, LILACS and gray literature (Google Scholar and ProQuest). Two reviewers selected the studies and extracted data on the type of salivary collection used, the salivary biomarker evaluated and monitored.

Results

Ninety-three articles were included. The most frequently analyzed salivary biomarkers were cortisol (n = 53), testosterone (n = 35), secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) (n = 33), salivary alpha amylase (n = 7), genetic polymorphisms (n = 4) and miRNAs (n = 2). The results of the studies indicated beneficial effects in monitoring salivary biomarkers in the assessment of sports performance, although most studies did not include a control group capable of comparison. Salivary collection and analysis protocols were varied and commonly not reported.

Conclusions

This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of salivary biomarker research in soccer. The findings underscore the importance of these biomarkers in assessing athletes’ physiological responses and overall well-being. Future research should focus on refining methodologies, exploring additional biomarkers, and investigating the practical implications of salivary biomarker monitoring in soccer and other sports.
The impact of scabies in tent cities in Kahramanmaraş after the Turkish earthquakes: oral pharmacologic treatment efficacy
Authors: Beyoğlu Muhammed Mustafa , Gokler Mehmet Enes
Published: October 2024

Background

Our study was conducted to determine the impact of scabies in people living in collective living areas such as tent cities and container cities after the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and to show the effectiveness of oral ivermectin treatment on scabies cases because topical treatments could not be used in this period when access to water was limited.

Methods

Among 233 patients diagnosed and treated with scabies in tent and container cities, 192 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were given as number (n), percentage (%), mean, median, standard deviation (SD). In the comparison of categorical data, the chi-square test was applied; in the comparison of numerical data ANOVA analyses was applied.

Results

A total of 192 scabies patients (82.4%), 47.9% (N:92) of whom were women, were included in the study. The frequency of scabies in the total population in tent cities and container cities was found to be at least 0.54%. The most common symptoms were pruritis (99.0%) and rash (97.9%). The most common sites of lesion involvement were the umbilicus (87.0.%), forearm (75.0%), and back (70.3%). After the first dose of ivermectin, 159 (82.8%) patients showed complete recovery, while 30 (15.6%) patients showed partial recovery. 3 (1.6%) patients showed no improvement. After the second dose of ivermectin, 173 (90.1%) patients showed complete recovery. There were two (1.0%) patients who did not show improvement after two doses. Due to the deterioration of urban infrastructure after devastating earthquakes, the irregularity of mass living areas, the lack of hygiene conditions, and the difficulty of accessing clean, usable water, oral ivermectin may be the first choice for treatment in terms of ease of use and effectiveness.
Identification of an additive interaction using parameter regularization and model selection in epidemiology
Authors: Hu Chanchan , Lin Zhifeng , Hu Zhijian , Lin Shaowei
Published: October 2024

Background

In epidemiology, indicators such as the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (S) are commonly used to assess additive interactions between two variables. However, the results of these indicators are sometimes inconsistent in real world applications and it may be difficult to draw conclusions from them.

Method

Based on the relationship between the RERI, AP, and S, we propose a method with consistent results, which are achieved by constraining $e^{\theta_3}-e^{\theta_1}-e^{\theta_2}+1=0$, and the interpretation of the results is simple and clear. We present two pathways to achieve this end: one is to complete the constraint by adding a regular penalty term to the model likelihood function; the other is to use model selection.

Result

Using simulated and real data, our proposed methods effectively identified additive interactions and proved to be applicable to real-world data. Simulations were used to evaluate the performance of the methods in scenarios with and without additive interactions. The penalty term converged to 0 with increasing λ, and the final models matched the expected interaction status, demonstrating that regularized estimation could effectively identify additive interactions. Model selection was compared with classical methods (delta and bootstrap) across various scenarios with different interaction strengths, and the additive interactions were closely observed and the results aligned closely with bootstrap results. The coefficients in the model without interaction adhered to a simplifying equation, reinforcing that there was no significant interaction between smoking and alcohol use on oral cancer risk.

Conclusion

In summary, the model selection method based on the Hannan-Quinn criterion (HQ) appears to be a competitive alternative to the bootstrap method for identifying additive interactions. Furthermore, when using RERI, AP, and S to assess the additive interaction, the results are more consistent and the results are simple and easy to understand.
Subcentro metropolitano en una comuna periurbana: Consolidación de Plaza de La Pintana ante la llegada de la Línea 9 del Metro, Santiago, Chile.
Authors:   , SERRANO TOMÁS ANDRES ROBERT
Published: October 2024

La comuna de La Pintana cuenta con una deficiencia en cuanto a equipamientosy servicios, sobre todo en áreas comerciales y recreativas. Esto se puede explicar desde los conceptos de segregación y fragmentación urbana. El nacimientode la comuna surge bajo la Política Nacional de Desarrollo Urbano, implementada durante dictadura. Esta reorganizó la administración municipal, explícitamente concentrando población de grupos socioeconómicamente vulnerables ensectores periurbanos. Estos pobladores quedarían excluidos de los circuitos laborales y comerciales que se concentraban en el cono de alta renta capitalino, eleje Almeda-Providencia-Apoquindo.La llegada de la línea 9 busca revertir esa deuda de accesibilidad a bienes urbanos, mejorando sustancialmente la conectividad con el resto de la metrópolis.También se presenta como una oportunidad de desarrollo urbano, al hacer atractivas grandes reservas de suelo agrícola y municipal con las que cuenta lacomuna.La investigación propone estudiar las características periurbanas de la Pintana,especialmente en cuanto a problemáticas derivadas de la fragmentación, comodiscontinuidades del espacio público, problemas de movilidad o de acceso aservicios y equipamientos. A partir de ello, se analiza cómo la llegada del metropuede contribuir a subsanar esas deficiencias, observando los proyectos quebaraja el municipio y estudiando casos donde metro se ha logrado articular consubcentros de servicios en comunas periurbanas.
Haematological Indices of Male Albino Rats Given Oral Doses of Energy 3000 Herbal Mixture
Authors: C.O. Osuchukwu, , S.O. Adeyemo , N.O. Opara,
Published: October 2024

The study aimed to investigate the effect of Energy 3000 herbal mixture on some haematological indices in male albino rats. The study was conducted using twenty male albino rats which were divided into four groups of five rats per group. Group 1 served as control and was given feed and water only. Groups 2 to 4 were administered 0.2, 0.4, 0.8ml/kg body weight (bw) of the herbal mixture. This treatment was done for 28days, after which blood samples were collected for the measurement of haematological indices. Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The results obtained show that energy 3000 herbal mixture at the dose of 0.8ml/kg bw significantly (P<0.05) increased the WBC (from 5.0 to 10.0) 109/L, Hb (from 11.7 to 12.2) g/dl and platelets (from 200.1 to 224.5) 109/L when compared to the control. The result suggests that energy 3000 herbal mixture caused significant changes in haematological changes in haematological indices of male albino rats.
Evaluation of Wheat Genotypes for Growth and Yield Performance under Rainfed Conditions
Authors: Nasir Abaid Ur Rehman , Ammara Gill , Azmat Muhammad , Fatima Eshrat , Hussain Muhammad Zeeshan , Zia Faheem , Aslam Muhammad Umar , Inqalabi Talou E Islam , Abas Mubashar , Ahmad Matloob
Published: October 2024

This research evaluated the growth and yield potential of five wheat genotypes viz., UJ-2021, Sindh-2023, Punjab-2024, NWFP-2022 and Balochistan-2020 under rainfed environment at National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad during 2024. The major aim was to establish optimal and drought-tolerant genotypes in low water supply conditions. Having laid down three replications per genotype according to a randomized complete block design, the work concentrated on plant population, plant height, and number of tillers, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and biomass yield. Punjab-2024 genotype showed better performance than other genotypes in all parameters though variations were observed in plant population (210 plants/m²), plant height (112 cm), number of tillers (8. 2 per plant), 1000-grain weight (48 g), grain yield (520 g/m²), and biomass production (1. 50 kg/m²). On the other hand Balochistan-2020 had the lowest yield potential attributed to lower adaptability and productivity under rainfed environment. The current research is paramount in understanding ways of selecting better genotypes in order to increase the production of wheat under water deficit conditions. The results of Punjab-2024 indicate its enhanced yield and resource use efficiency in rainfed situation thus signifying its potential. The results are important for maintenance and improvement of high yielding and resistant wheat genotypes which would help in food security and sustainable farming. Future work should be aimed more at improving the low performing genotypes of Punjab-2024 and identify the underlying genetics for the said advantageous traits.
Assessing Carbon Stocks and Ecosystem Functioning in Char (Buchanania lanzan) Forests of Central India
Authors: Mexudhan  , Lal Jiwan , Singh Lalji
Published: October 2024

The present study assessment of plant community structure, carbon stock and CO2 sequestration of char (Buchanania lanzan) dominant forest sites in Central India during 2020-22. The forest vegetation was analysed using 20 quadrats (each 10 x 10 m in size for tree layers, 5 x 5 m in size for sapling layers and 1 x 1 m size for seedling layers) within the representative one-hectare plot on each site. The biomass, carbon stock, and carbon dioxide sequestration from three district (Mahasamund, Gariaband, and Kabirdham) char dominated forest sites of dry deciduous forests in Central India were estimated using the non-destructive allometric equation approach. The results revealed that the density of tree, sapling and seedling were ranged from 430-605 stems ha-1, 120-600 stems ha-1 and 28000-34500 stems ha-1, respectively. The basal area of tree and sapling layers were varied from 18.15-29.68 m2 ha-1 and 0.33-1.04 m2 ha-1, respectively. The diversity indices of tree layer viz; Shannon index, Simpson index, Evenness, species richness and beta diversity were ranged from 2.40-2.72, 0.17-0.22, 1.08-1.18, 2.26-3.11 and 5.0-6.0, respectively on different forest site in Central India. The total biomass, carbon stock and CO2 sequestration potential of tree layers were varied from 105.72-216.96 Mg ha-1, 50.22-103.06 Mg ha-1 and 184.29-378.22 Mg ha-1, respectively on char dominant various forest sites in Central India. The correlation coefficients were statistically significant performed between basal area and biomass, carbon stock and CO2 sequestration potential with R2 values of 0.988 at p<0.01 levels. After doing this study, it can be concluded that estimating the biomass and carbon stock in Central India will be useful for managing forests sustainably.
Natural Enemies in Different Bt Cotton Hybrids under Protected and Unprotected Conditions
Authors: Prasanna Malireddi , Patel R D , Jarpla Mounika , Bandhavi H. L. , Desai H R , Bhanderi G R
Published: October 2024

A field experiment was conducted to analyse the population dynamics of natural enemies including Chrysoperla, coccinellids, and spiders, in Bt cotton under both protected and unprotected conditions. The results indicated that the population of natural enemies was significantly higher under unprotected conditions compared to protected fields, where insecticides were applied. Among the tested hybrids, G. Cot. Hy.10 BG Ⅱ recorded the highest predator activity, showing a greater population of Chrysoperla, coccinellids, and spiders in unprotected conditions. In contrast, the lowest predator activity was observed in RCH 2 BG Ⅱ, while Ajeet 155 BG Ⅱ and ATM BG Ⅱ had minimal natural enemy presence. These findings highlight the importance of unprotected conditions in preserving natural enemies and suggest that certain Bt hybrids, such as G. Cot. Hy.10 BG Ⅱ, may better support predator populations. This research is crucial for understanding how insecticide use affects natural enemy populations and identifying hybrids that promote predator activity. Incorporating natural enemies into pest management strategies can enhance the sustainability of cotton production. Predators of pests, coccinellids and Chrysoperla, were observed from the 33rd to 52nd, whereas spider populations were observed from the 31st to 52nd SW under unprotected conditions.
O RECONTO ORAL E A COMPREENSÃO EM LEITURA
Authors: Cordeiro da Silva Giseli , Baretta Luciane
Published: October 2024

Os dados de avaliações que mensuram a compreensão leitora de escolares do Ensino Fundamental e Médio apontam para níveis insatisfatórios evidenciando o fato de que o ensino da leitura e sua compreensão necessitam de um olhar ainda mais atento. Assim, a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, buscou-se uma reflexão sobre o conhecimento dos principais processos e fatores que influenciam a leitura e sua relação com o Reconto Oral, um instrumento já consolidado para avaliação da compreensão em leitura. Com este procedimento bem-organizado e planejado, o leitor pode alcançar níveis de compreensão mais aprofundados, pois esse instrumento possibilita uma maior interação com o texto conduzindo o leitor ao nível da leitura autônoma e crítica. A aplicação do Reconto Oral de forma planejada a se observar os fatores influentes na compreensão leitora contribui para que os professores consigam observar as habilidades e dificuldades em leitura e, por consequência, direcionar seus planejamentos contribuindo com os escolares a fim de evoluir na compreensão de um texto.
An open Web application framework for peer‐to‐peer location‐based services
Authors: Brambilla Giacomo , Amoretti Michele , Zanichelli Francesco
Published: August 2017

Mobile applications are increasingly taking advantage of sophisticated Location‐Based Services (LBSs). Currently, most available LBSs rely upon centralized infrastructures, thus raising serious concerns as regards user privacy. Because of that, researchers proposed a number of interesting decentralized, peer‐to‐peer protocols for LBSs, although their effectiveness and efficiency was mostly evaluated only by means of simulations. Even when prototypes have been realized, performance results cannot be replicated or extended due to nonpublicly available or closed software. This paper aims at improving the state of the art by presenting both simulations and field tests results for our Adaptive Distributed Geographic Table (ADGT) overlay scheme. The field tests have been carried out in our University Campus by sets of students using mobile applications based on Adgt.js, a novel and truly cross‐platform, WebRTC‐based framework for the development of ADGT‐based peer‐to‐peer LBSs. The tested LBS example, ie, a messaging mobile app based on Adgt.js, illustrates how straightforward and capable such a framework is.