bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Sub-Series with Different Lengths Using Şen-Innovative Trend Analysis
Authors: Alashan Sadık
Published: June 2021

Climate change causes trends in hydro-meteorological series. Traditional trend analysis methods such as Mann-Kendall and Spearman Rho are sensitive to correlated series and cannot detect non-parametric trends. Şen-innovative trend analysis method is launched to literature in order to overcome these restrictions. It does not require any restrictive assumptions as serial dependence and normal distribution and examines a main series as equally divided two sub-series. Şen multiple innovative trend analyses methodology is improved to detect partial trends on different sub-series but again equal lengths. Climate change nowadays more effects hydro-meteorological parameters according to last two or three decades and gives asymmetric trend change point on main time series. Due to asymmetric trend change points, it may be necessary to analyze sub-series with different lengths to use all measured data. In this study, Şen innovative trend analyses method is revised for these requirements (ITA_DL). The new approach compared with traditional Mann Kendall (MK) and Şen innovative trend analysis (Şen_ITA) gives successful and consistent results. ITA_DL gives four monotonic trends on Oxford May, July, September and October rainfall series although MK gives three monotonic trends on May, July and December and cannot detect trends on September and October. In the ITA_DL visual inspection, the December rainfall series does not show a trend that is monotonic or non-monotonic. Şen_ITA trend results are consistent with ITA_DL except September, although there are different trend slopes.
An MDP-Based Lifter Assignment Algorithm for Inter-Line Transportation in Semiconductor Fabrication
Authors: Shin Kyohong , Jang Hoon , Kim Hae Joong
Published: June 2021

As semiconductor device geometries continue to shrink, the semiconductor manufacturing process becomes increasingly complex. This usually results in unbalanced utilization of machines and decreases overall productivity. One way to resolve such a problem is to share the resource capacity between different lines divided by floors. To this end, designing an efficient lifter assignment method to more efficiently manage transfer requests (TRs) of wafer lots to different floors is required. Motivated by this, our study addresses the assignment of lifters for delivering wafer lots to different floors. Unlike previous studies, which consider the current state of the system, our study considers both the current and possible future states of the system. We formulate an optimization model based on the Markov decision process. Then, we design an efficient method as a solution using both clustering and tournament selection methods. Experiments based on historical data confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in reducing travel times and delivery delays compared to the benchmark rules in practice. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates the robustness of the proposed model as the number of TRs increased. The proposed approach is expected to yield significant economic savings in both operating costs and labor.
Aberrant Topological Organization and Age-Related Differences of Human Connectome in Subjective Cognitive Decline by Using Regional Morphology from Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Fu Zhenrong , Zhao Mingyan , He Yirong , Wang Xuetong , Li Xin , Kang Guixia , Han Ying , Li Shuyu
Published: June 2021

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is characterized by self-experienced deficits in cognitive capacity with normal performance in objective cognitive tests. While, the previous structural co-variance researches showed particularly insights into understanding the structural alterations of brain in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the age-related variations in coordinated topological patterns of morphological networks in individuals with SCD remain poorly understood. In this study, 77 individual morphological networks were constructed including 42 normal controls (NC) and 35 SCD individuals from structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI). A stepwise linear regression model was constructed to evaluate the differences of age-related alternation patterns of the network properties in individuals with SCD compared with NC. Compared with NC, the properties of integration and segregation in individuals with SCD were lower, and the aberrant metrics were negatively correlated with age in SCD, while not in NC. The connections of rich-club were persevered but the connections of paralimbic system were disrupted in SCD compared with NC. In addition, age-related differences of nodal global efficiency mainly distributed in prefrontal cortex regions. In conclusion, the age-related disruption of topological patterns in SCD provide evidence that SCD population are at high risk to cognitive decline further.
Counting Blessings Promotes an Athlete’s Sleep Quality Before an Upcoming Competition A Single-Case Study
Authors: Chen Jian-Hong , Kuo Chih-En , Chen Lung Hung
Published: June 2021

Background

Promotion of sleep quality without medication is a critical issue, which may directly or indirectly influence sports performance. This study adopted electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate gratitude intervention for improving elite athletes’ sleep quality before the National Games.
Case presentation:

We recruited a 20-year-old elite female Taekwondo athlete as a participant. Before the National Games, the athlete wore a micro EEG device for five days to collect baseline data and then counted her blessings as a gratitude intervention for the subsequent five days. The sleep EEG analysis included the power ratio and the polynomial regression trends in the 0.5-4 Hz band for N3 sleep and in the 0.5-4 Hz and 8–13 Hz bands for all-night sleep. Sleep quality was improved after counting blessing both subjectively and objectively. The polynomial regression curves for the 10 days of recording showed an upward tendency of power in the 0.5-4 Hz band for N3 and a downward tendency in the 8–13 Hz band.
Conclusion

This study describes a useful wearable EEG device for evaluating sleep during the competition preparation period. In addition, the brief gratitude intervention can be applied in practice to enhance sleep quality for elite athletes during periods of high tension.
Analyzing Driving Forces of China’s Carbon Emissions From 1997-2040 and the Potential Emission Reduction Path: Through Decomposition and Scenario Analyses
Authors: Song Ce , Zhao Tao , Wang Juan
Published: June 2021

To assess the evolution trend of China's carbon emissions (CEs) and related driving factors, this paper used scenario analysis to predict China's CEs from 2017 to 2040 at the industrial level. Then, LMDI decomposition model was applied to evaluate the driving forces of CEs changes during 1997-2040. Finally, the ST-LMDI model was used to explore the CEs reduction potential and the potential reduction path at provincial level. The results showed that (1) as the reduction of energy intensity cannot offset the growth of industrial scale, the CEs of all industries have shown an increasing trend from 1997 to 2017; (2) In the current policy scenario, China's CEs cannot reach the peak before 2040. And only in the sustainable development scenario, the CEs of the three industries will all reach the peaks before 2030. And the development of non-fossil energy will reduce CEs by more than 30%; (3) Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Heilongjiang are key provinces and improving energy efficiency of the secondary industry is a potential way to promote CEs reduction.
Semi-Automated Identification of Biomedical Literature: A Proof of Concept Study
Authors: Adam Gaelen P. , Pappas Dimitris , Papageorgiou Haris , Evangelou Evangelos , Trikalinos Thomas A.
Published: June 2021

Background: The typical approach to literature identification involves two discrete and successive steps: (i) formulating a search strategy (i.e., a set of Boolean queries) and (ii) manually identifying the relevant citations in the corpus returned by the query. We have developed a literature identification system (Pythia) that combines the query formulation and citation screening steps and uses modern approaches for text encoding (dense text embeddings) to represent the text of the citations in a form that can be used by information retrieval and machine learning algorithms.Methods: Pythia incorporates a set of natural-language questions with machine-learning algorithms to rank all PubMed citations based on relevance. Pythia returns the 100 top-ranked citations for all questions combined. These 100 articles are exported, and a human screener adjudicates the relevance of each abstract and tags words that indicate relevance. The “curated” articles are then exploited by Pythia to refine the search and re-rank the abstracts, and a new set of 100 abstracts is exported and screened/tagged, until convergence (i.e., no other relevant abstracts are retrieved) or for a set number of iterations (batches). Pythia performance was assessed using seven systematic reviews (three prospectively and four retrospectively). Sensitivity, precision, and the number needed to read were calculated for each review. Results: The ability of Pythia to identify the relevant articles (sensitivity) varied across reviews from a low of 0.09 for a sleep apnea review to a high of 0.58 for a diverticulitis review. The number of abstracts that a reviewer had to read to find one relevant abstract (NNR) was lower than in the manually screened project in four reviews, higher in two, and had mixed results in one. The reviews that had greater overall sensitivity retrieved more relevant citations in early batches, but neither study design, study size, nor specific key question significantly affected retrieval across all reviews.Conclusions: Future research should explore ways to encode domain knowledge in query formulation, possibly by incorporating a "reasoning" aspect to Pythia to elicit more contextual information and leveraging ontologies and knowledge bases to better enrich the questions used in the search.
Concurrently Produce a Novel High-Potency Sweetener (Glycyrrhetic Acid 3-O-Mono-β-D-glucuronide) and Lignocellulolytic Enzymes using Plant Entophytic Chaetomium Globosum DX-THS3 by Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: Gao Boliang , Xiao Yiwen , Zhang Qian , Sun Junru , Zhang Zhibing , Zhu Du
Published: June 2021

Licorice straw was used for the first time as a medium for glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-mono-β-D-glucuronide (GAMG) and lignocellulosic enzyme production via solid-state fermentation (SSF) of endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum DX-THS3. Under optimal fermentation conditions, the percent conversion of glycyrrhizin reached 90% in 15 days, whereas the control needed 35 days to achieve the same result. The productivity of optimization (P=2.1 mg•g-1•day-1) was 2.33-fold that of non-optimization (P=0.9 mg•g-1•day-1). Meanwhile, high activities of filter paper enzyme (FPase) (234.6 U/g), carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) (29.25 U/g), xylanase (72.52 U/g), and β-glucuronidase activity (264.17 U/g) were obtained faster than those in the control during SSF. Our study provides a novel and efficient strategy for GAMG production and indicates C. globosum DX-THS3 as a potential producer of lignocellulolytic enzymes.
New Climatic Zones in Iran: A Comparative Study of Different Empirical Methods and Clustering Technique
Authors: Abbasi Faezeh , Bazgeer Saeed , Kalehbasti Parviz Rezazadeh , Oskoue Ebrahim Asadi , Haghighat Masoud , Kalebasti Pouya Rezazadeh
Published: June 2021

It is a scientifically novel insight to classify the climate of a region using empirical methods together with clustering technique for practical usage in agricultural and industrial sectors. The main objective of this study is to compare the empirical approach to climate classification (Thornthwaite and Mather, De Martonne, the Extended De Martonne and the IRIMO (I.R. of Iran Meteorological Organization)) with clustering technique, Ward’s hierarchical agglomerative method over Iran. The maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation data of 356 weather stations are used from IRIMO databases. 35 synoptic weather stations are selected for detailed inspection based on appropriate geographical distribution and availability of a continuous 50-year data (1966–2015). Compared with the three empirical reference methods of climate classification, the Thornthwaite and Mather method clearly shows the role of water bodies and air masses for determining the climate type in different regions. This factor is identified as the main advantage of this method over the three others. This superiority is the most visible for the highlands/mountainous regions, in the vicinity of the Zagros Mountains, and in the western regions of Iran. As a case in point, while in the De Martonne and the Extended De Martonne methods, the Zagros storm cell is climatically classified similar to patchy areas in Caspian Sea coastal zone, this cell is correctly identified as a separate zone in the Thornthwaite and Mather method. The results revealed that the clusters obtained from Ward’s algorithm are comparable to those of empirical climate classifications, particularly Thornthwaite and Mather method.
Removal of COVID-19 Spike Protein, Whole Virus, Exosomes and Exosomal microRNAs by the Hemopurifier® Lectin-Affinity Cartridge in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Amundson Dennis E. , Shah Usman S. , de Necochea-Campion Rosalia , Jacobs Michael , LaRosa Steven P. , Fisher Charles J.
Published: June 2021

Coronavirus − 19 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread throughout the world resulting in a significant amount of morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in therapy, social distancing, masks, and vaccination many places in the world continue to see an increase in the number of cases and deaths. Viremia is commonly present in severely ill patients with COVID-19 infections and is associated with organ dysfunction and poor outcomes. Exosomes released by activated cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection. We report the experience of two cases of critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with the Hemopurifier; a lectin affinity cartridge designed to remove mannosylated viruses and exosomes. Both patients tolerated the Hemopurifier sessions without adverse effects. In the first patient removal of exosomes and exosomal microRNAs was associated with improved coagulopathy, oxygenation, and clinical recovery, while in a second patient removal of COVID-19 by the Hemopurifier cartridge was observed. The Hemopurifier is currently under further investigation in up to 40-patients in a safety and feasibility study in ICU patients with COVID-19 infection.
A Framework to Predict the Applicability of Gene Signatures for Improving Prognostic Prediction
Authors: Yao Kevin , Tong Chun-Yip , Cheng Chao
Published: June 2021

To improve cancer precision medicine, prognostic and predictive biomarkers are critically needed to aid physicians in deciding treatment strategies in a personalized fashion. Due to the heterogeneous nature of cancer, most biomarkers are expected to be valid only in a subset of patients. Furthermore, there is no current approach to determine the applicability of biomarkers. In this study, we propose a framework to improve the clinical application of biomarkers. As part of this framework, we develop a clinical outcome prediction model (CPM) and a predictability prediction model (PPM) for each biomarker and use these models to calculate a prognostic score (P-score) and a confidence score (C-score) for each patient. Each biomarker’s P-score indicates its association with patient clinical outcomes, while each C-score reflects the biomarker applicability of the biomarker’s CPM to a patient and therefore the confidence of the clinical prediction. We assessed the effectiveness of this framework by applying it to three biomarkers, Oncotype DX, MammaPrint, and an E2F4 signature, which have been used for predicting patient response, pathologic complete response versus residual disease to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (a classification problem), and recurrence-free survival (a Cox regression problem) in breast cancer, respectively. In both applications, our analyses indicated patients with higher C scores were more likely to be correctly predicted by the biomarkers, indicating the effectiveness of our framework. This framework provides a useful approach to develop and apply biomarkers in the context of cancer precision medicine.
Immediate Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injury at a Tertiary Care Hospital Of Pakistan- A Retrospective Study
Authors: Khan Maria , Yaqoob Uzair , Hassan Zair , Uddin Muhammad Muizz
Published: June 2021

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world and the impact is much worse in Pakistan. The objective here is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients with TBI in our country and to determine the immediate outcomes of patients with TBI after the presentation.Method: This retrospective study was conducted at the Lady Reading Hospital. Data were extracted from the medical record room from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. The severity of TBI was based on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and was divided into mild (GCS 13-15), moderate (GCS 9-12), and severe TBI (GCS <8) based on the GCS. SPSS v.23 was used for data analysis. Results: Out of 5047 patients, 3689 (73.1%) males and 1358 (26.9%) females. The most commonly affected age group was 0-10 years (25.6%) and 21-30 years (20.1%). Road Traffic accident was the predominant cause of injury (38.8%, n=1960) followed by fall (32.7%, n=1649). Most (93.6%, n=4710) of the TBIs were mild. After the full initial assessment and workup, and completing all first-aid management, the immediate outcome was divided into four, most frequent (67.2%, n=3393) of which was “disposed (discharged)”, and 9.3% (n=470) were admitted for further management.Conclusion: Our study represents a relatively conclusive picture of epidemiological data on the burden of TBI in Pakistan. Although a large proportion of patients had a mild TBI, they may likely be under-diagnosed. This warrants further investigation of MTBI in population-based studies across the globe.
Stimulatory Effect of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on the Growth and Yield of Pseudostellaria heterophylla via Improved Photosynthetic Performance
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Ma Yingli , Xie Yinfeng
Published: June 2021

Nanomaterials have recently been used as growth stimulants to promote the production of crops in saline-alkali through root application. However, if applied through leaves, little is known about the effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) on the root growth and yield, especially for medicinal crops. To fill this gap, a single factor experiment was conducted to explore the effects of Fe3O4 NPs on growth, yield, the dry matter distribution, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and polysaccharide content of Pseudostellaria heterophylla by foliar spraying under field conditions. Fe3O4 NPs (20–50 mg·L–1) significantly promoted growth, the dry matter distribution of root and root tuber yield per unit area. Fe3O4 NPs enhanced net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by increasing chlorophyll content. And Fe3O4 NPs increased the daily mean and peak value of Pn, and alleviated the phenomenon of “midday depression” by improving nonstomatal limitation. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicating that Fe3O4 NPs promoted the photochemical activity of PSII and alleviated photoinhibition by enhancing the photochemical use of excess excitation energy. Gray correlation analysis showed that Fe3O4 NPs enhanced the adaptability of P. heterophylla photosynthesis to high temperatures and strong light. Of note, Fe3O4 NPs enhanced the polysaccharide content of the root tuber. Phytotoxic effect was recorded at high NPs (100 mg·L–1) doses. Collectively, Fe3O4 NPs could promote performance of P. heterophylla by improving photosynthetic performance, enhancing its adaptability to the environment, and increasing the distribution ratio of photosynthates to the underground part.
Upward LED Lighting from the Base Suppresses Senescence of Lower Leaves and Promotes Flowering in Indoor Rose Management
Authors: Yamori Namiko , Matsushima Yoriko , Yamori Wataru
Published: June 2021

In indoor environments such as hotels, the light intensity is generally insufficient for managing plants, and flower buds often fail to open. Lamps placed above (downward lighting) take up space. We assessed the applicability of lighting from underneath (upward lighting) for the indoor management of roses. We grew plants indoors in dim light for 2 weeks under three conditions: 1) without supplemental lighting, 2) with downward light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, and 3) with LED lighting. We quantified photosynthetic components (chlorophyll and rubisco) and the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm, an indicator of plant health) to determine the effects of each treatment on the quality and photosynthetic abilities of the leaves. We determined the ratios of dead and opened flower buds to elucidate the effects of supplemental lighting on flower bud maturation. Management without supplemental lighting decreased the number of flowers and resulted in lower-leaf senescence. Downward LED lighting promoted blooming but also resulted in lower-leaf senescence. However, upward LED lighting promoted blooming and maintained the photosynthetic abilities of the leaves, including the lower leaves. This study shows a strong case for using upward LED lighting in appropriate settings for indoor plant management and LED-based horticulture.
A new derivation of the relationship between diffusion coefficient and entropy in classical Brownian motion by the ensemble method
Authors: Liao Yi , Gong Xiao-Bo
Published: June 2021

The diffusion coefficient–a measure of dissipation, and the entropy–a
measure of fluctuation are found to be intimately correlated in many
physical systems. Unlike the fluctuation dissipation theorem in linear
response theory, the correlation is often strongly non-linear. To
understand this complex dependence, we consider the classical Brownian
diffusion in this work. Under certain rational assumption, i.e. in the
bi-component fluid mixture, the mass of the Brownian particle
MM
is far greater than that of the bath molecule
mm,
we can adopt the weakly couple limit. Only considering the first-order
approximation of the mass ratio m/Mm/M,
we obtain a linear motion equation in the reference frame of the
observer as a Brownian particle. Based on this equivalent equation, we
get the Hamiltonian at equilibrium. Finally, using canonical ensemble
method, we define a new entropy that is similar to the Kolmogorov-Sinai
entropy. Further, we present an analytic expression of the relationship
between the diffusion coefficient DD
and the entropy SS
in the thermal equilibrium, that is to say,
D =\frac{\hbar}{eM} \exp{[S/(k_Bd)]}D=ℏeMexp[S/(kBd)],
where dd
is the dimension of the space, k_BkB
the Boltzmann constant, h the reduced Planck constant and
ee
the Euler number. This kind of scaling relation has been well-known and
well-tested since the similar one for single component is firstly
derived by Rosenfeld with the expansion of volume ratio.
A LIBERDADE DE CRENÇA E CULTO, O SACRIFÍCIO DE ANIMAIS E A APLICAÇÃO DA RAZOABILIDADE À LUZ DO JULGAMENTO DO RECURSO EXTRAORDINÁRIO 494.601/RS
Authors: Ramiro Marcus Geandré Nakano
Published: June 2021

A liberdade religiosa, à luz da Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos, foi consagrada na legislação pátria, pela Constituição Federal de 1988, como um direito fundamental, desdobrando-se na liberdade de crença e culto. Essa liberdade corre o risco de ser ameaçada, principalmente quando se trata de religiões minoritárias no país, como no caso daquelas que incluem o sacrifício de animais em suas liturgias. Tal assunto, sempre muito controvertido, encontrou respaldo jurisprudencial ao ser discutido em sede de Corte Constitucional quando se exigiu um apurado debate sobre o assunto e o correto uso dos postulados normativos para sua aplicação,  compreensão e concretização, o que se busca analisar no presente artigo como forma de colaborar na evolução das instituições jurídicas e na consolidação da democracia.
O ATIVISMO JUDICIAL: RUPTURA À DEMOCRÁTICA REPRESENTATIVIDADE POLÍTICA BRASILEIRA?
Authors: Soares Mário Lúcio Quintão , Cabral Ana Luiza Novais
Published: June 2021

O ativismo judicial é considerado de alta relevância e complexidade na contemporaneidade do direito brasileiro. Dessas conjecturas e discussões se extraem inúmeros casos emblemáticos ativistas proferidos pelo Judiciário. Em contrapartida, o apontamento constante do ativismo judicial encontra-se diretamente relacionado a uma crise de representatividade política demonstrada de uma inércia e/ou omissão das instituições políticas do Legislativo e do Executivo. Assim, utilizando-se de uma metodologia teórico-jurídico com raciocínio dedutivo, mediante análise doutrinária e jurisprudencial serão observados importantes fatores que influenciam diretamente na atuação do Judiciário especificamente do ativismo judicial conferindo uma ruptura a representatividade política democraticamente garantida pela Constituição.
NOVOS DIREITOS, ONDAS RENOVATÓRIAS E JURISDIÇÃO CIVIL
Authors: Nunes Thiago Feiten , Isaia Cristiano Becker
Published: June 2021

Este trabalho apresenta uma possibilidade de adequação da jurisdição processual civil à modernidade. Por meio de um estudo teórico, procurou-se demonstrar as incongruências ideológicas havidas no âmbito do direito processual civil brasileiro em contraposição à eclosão de novos direitos em pleno século XXI. Em que pese as reformulações legislativas recentes, o modelo processual, ora vigente, congrega valores individualistas, patrimonialistas e liberais, com nítida crença em um rito ordinarizado como caminho necessário à produção de uma decisão coerente. Por outro lado, tem-se as ondas renovatórias como conjunto proposto para efetivar o acesso à justiça dentro do sistema jurídico. O objetivo do questionamento a ser levantado nesta obra é de que o objetivo de todos os movimentos de acesso à justiça é humanizar o mecanismo processual, além de atender os anseios do Estado Democrático de Direito e buscar extinguir métodos que dificultem o acesso à população. O que se vislumbra, assim, é a necessidade de aprimoramento de tal sistema jurisdicional, com a elaboração de procedimentos sumarizados e democratizados. O trabalho está dividido em dois capítulos, tratando, respectivamente sobre: (i) o diagnóstico do estado da arte do processo civil brasileiro e as ondas renovatórias de Mauro Cappelletti e Bryant Garth; (ii) os caminhos para o protagonismo da jurisdição processual através de tais ondas. Salientando, nesta obra, que o acesso à justiça não perfaz apenas a busca por mecanismos de provocação ou exercício do direito de ação, mas também de tutela jurisdicional rápida, efetiva e compatível materialmente com o direito questionado em juízo.
A ATUAÇÃO DO CONSELHO DO MERCADO COMUM NAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS DE DIREITOS HUMANOS NO MERCOSUL
Authors: Beckers Amanda Carolina Buttendorff Rodrigues , Carta Winter Luís Alexandre
Published: June 2021

O presente estudo visa a análise da atuação do Conselho do Mercado Comum – órgão máximo do MERCOSUL, ao qual incumbe a condução política do processo de integração regional, na consecução das políticas públicas em Direitos Humanos. Volta-se na sequência ao Instituto de Políticas Públicas em Direitos Humanos – IPPDH, órgão auxiliar exclusivamente voltado à temática e sua atuação na formação de atores sociais. Para tanto, o trabalho, que trata do viés político e social do MERCOSUL, perpassa fatores históricos, políticos, sociais, jurídicos e econômicos do bloco, mediante estudo dos institutos da integração regional e do direito ao desenvolvimento e sua relação com a salvaguarda dos Direitos Humanos. A pesquisa teve base dedutiva, sendo estudo qualitativo, construído interdisciplinarmente, visando responder ao problema proposto, qual seja: identificar e analisar qual ou quais as medidas do Conselho do Mercado Comum o desenvolvimento do MERCOSUL no que tange às políticas públicas em Direitos Humanos, levando-se em consideração os objetivos do bloco e seus diálogos com aspectos econômicos, políticos e sociais. Com a construção dos capítulos, responde-se o questionamento levantado na hipótese, demonstrando-se, durante o desenvolvimento do texto, a atuação do CMC na consecução das políticas públicas em Direitos Humanos no MERCOSUL, para nas considerações finais debater-se sobre referida atuação, seus limites e possibilidades.
Essential oil and linalool contents in basil (Ocimum basilicum) irrigated with reclaimed water
Authors: Melo Andrezza S. , Leite Wanderli R. M. , Kato Mario T. , Barros Kenia K.
Published: June 2021

Essential oils (EO) are volatile compounds with complex chemical compositions that are derived from the secondary metabolism of aromatic herbs. There are several applications of EO in the industrial and medical sectors. Basil (Ocimum sp.) is one of the most important EO-producing aromatic herbs. In this study, EO content (EOC) and linalool content (LC) in basil irrigated with reclaimed water were investigated. Plant development parameters, nutrient absorption and crude protein (CP) content were also evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with five different treatments and five repetitions each. Compared with treatments only using water, the results of those with reclaimed water irrigation showed higher nutrient absorption, CP contents (in their foliar tissue), length of plant branches, foliar biomass weights, and EOC and LC. EOC reached up to 0.58% of the dry biomass and LC was up to 5.84% of EO mass. In practice, it is estimated that around 5.8 kg of EO and 0.34 kg of linalool can be obtained from one ton of dry basil biomass.
A segunda contradição do capitalismo e o sonho do Estado de direito ambiental
Authors: De Castro Rosa Vanessa
Published: June 2021

A busca de um Estado de Direito Ambiental para promoção do modelo de desenvolvimento sustentável que concilie a questão ambiental, social e econômica, está longe de se mostrar como medida efetiva para a solução da crise ambiental que assola o planeta. Verifica-se nos últimos anos uma profusão de leis ambientais e em velocidade ainda maior uma aceleração dos problemas ambientais, o que mostra um nítido descompasso entre leis ambientais, Estado ambiental e destruição da natureza. O elemento central deste compasso está no capitalismo e em suas contradições, o que torna inviável a efetivação de medidas ambientais diante da lógica acumulativa e depredatória que o sustenta, descrita na segunda contradição do capitalismo. O objetivo do presente trabalho é destacar o papel do Estado de Direito Ambiental e verificar sua compatibilidade estrutural com o funcionamento do capitalismo, a partir do referencial teórico marxiano e de autores como James O’Connor, John Bellamy Foster e Michael Löwy. A pesquisa é teórica, crítico-descritiva, realizada por técnica bibliográfica.
Current Research Developments of Electromagnetic Joining Technology in
China-A Review
Authors: Cui Junjia , Qin Yangfan , Jiang Hao , Li Guangyao
Published: June 2021

:

With the increasing applications of multi-material structures in lightweight vehicle, traditional
joining techniques are highly challenged in joining dissimilar materials. To meet the multimaterial
structures requirements of lightweight design, electromagnetic joining (EMJ) technology,
including electromagnetic riveting (EMR) and magnetic pulse welding (MPW), developed rapidly
in recent years, which can achieve good connection performance for complex-shaped structures and
dissimilar materials. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the research progress of the
EMJ technology in China. Moreover, this review aims at providing a guideline for researchers engaged
in electromagnetic joining technology and other connecting processes to further improve the
level of lightweight vehicle design and manufacture. Firstly, the development history and status of
EMJ were presented. Then the basic joining principles and characteristics of EMR and MPW were
analyzed in detail. Subsequently, the investigation of joints formation mechanism, mechanical properties
of joints and equipment development of EMR and MPW techniques were reviewed and analyzed.
Specially, the operating principle is described along with various factors affecting the mechanical
and microcosmic properties of joints. Finally, the future development trend of the EMJ
technology based on the current research progress is highlighted.
Ecrãnologia: a dimensão visual da experiência
Authors: La Rocca Fabio
Published: June 2021

A nossa existência social está cada vez mais contaminada pelas relações com as imagens e pela presença do ecrã. Da perspetiva da compreensão do espírito dos tempos, podemos, portanto, destacar a construção de uma visão do mundo expressa por imagens e ecrãs que formam uma dimensão particular da experiência. Como é que as imagens e ecrãs estruturam então o nosso imaginário social? Quais são as formas das experiências da vida quotidiana? Estas perguntas levam-nos a refletir sobre uma existência em que o ver se torna uma ação central do mundo social atual através da perspetiva da screenologia como efeito e condição de um ambiente tecnológico e mediático em que os ecrãs devem ser pensados como superfícies habitadas.
Removing Educational Achievement Points From the Foundation Programme Application System: Is This the Right Decision?
Authors: Ganesh Kumar Abirami , Kallikas Georgios , Hassan Melihah , Dev Indu Kiran , Basu Soutrik
Published: June 2021

The UK Foundation Programme Office has announced that medical students graduating from 2023 onward will not receive Foundation Programme Application System points for additional degrees or journal publications. In this viewpoint paper, we acknowledge the reasons for this decision, such as socioeconomically advantaged students having greater access to these achievements and the promotion of intercalated degrees for the sake of point accumulation. Additionally, the predictive value of these achievements with regard to junior doctors’ performance has been questioned when compared to that of other Foundation Programme Application System components. Conversely, we also highlight the drawbacks of the UK Foundation Programme Office’s decision, since this might discourage medical students from completing additional degrees and attempting to publish their work, thereby resulting in clinicians with little to no academic experience or interest. Finally, we attempt to provide suggestions for future improvements in this system by analyzing different medical schools’ approaches, such as the BMedSci Honors program offered at Nottingham University. Furthermore, promoting and supporting engagement with academia, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged students, are the responsibility of all medical schools; such actions are needed in order to produce doctors who are both clinically and academically competent. We conclude that the aforementioned changes should only affect new cohorts in the interest of universities’ transparency and fairness to their students.
Epidemiology of Diphtheria in Yemen, 2017-2018: Surveillance Data Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Moghalles Suaad Ameen , Aboasba Basher Ahmed , Alamad Mohammed Abdullah , Khader Yousef Saleh
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

As a consequence of war and the collapse of the health system in Yemen, which prevented many people from accessing health facilities to obtain primary health care, vaccination coverage was affected, leading to a deadly diphtheria epidemic at the end of 2017.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of diphtheria in Yemen and determine its incidence and case fatality rate.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the diphtheria surveillance program 2017-2018, using case definitions of the World Health Organization. A probable case was defined as a case involving a person having laryngitis, pharyngitis, or tonsillitis and an adherent membrane of the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nose. A confirmed case was defined as a probable case that was laboratory confirmed or linked epidemiologically to a laboratory-confirmed case. Data from the Central Statistical Organization was used to calculate the incidence per 100,000 population. A P value <.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 2243 cases were reported during the period between July 2017 and August 2018. About 49% (1090/2243, 48.6%) of the cases were males. About 44% (978/2243, 43.6%) of the cases involved children aged 5 to 15 years. Respiratory tract infection was the predominant symptom (2044/2243, 91.1%), followed by pseudomembrane (1822/2243, 81.2%). Based on the vaccination status, the percentages of partially vaccinated, vaccinated, unvaccinated, and unknown status patients were 6.6% (148/2243), 30.8% (690/2243), 48.6% (10902243), and 14.0% (315/2243), respectively. The overall incidence of diphtheria was 8 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence was among the age group <15 years (11 per 100,000 population), and the lowest incidence was among the age group ≥15 years (5 per 100,000 population). The overall case fatality rate among all age groups was 5%, and it was higher (10%) in the age group <5 years. Five governorates that were difficult to access (Raymah, Abyan, Sa'ada, Lahj, and Al Jawf) had a very high case fatality rate (22%).

CONCLUSIONS

Diphtheria affected a large number of people in Yemen in 2017-2018. The majority of patients were partially or not vaccinated. Children aged ≤15 years were more affected, with higher fatality among children aged <5 years. Five governorates that were difficult to access had a case fatality rate twice that of the World Health Organization estimate (5%-10%). To control the diphtheria epidemic in Yemen, it is recommended to increase routine vaccination coverage and booster immunizations, increase public health awareness toward diphtheria, and strengthen the surveillance system for early detection and immediate response.
Cancer Self-Management app (CanSelfMan) for supporting Self-management in children with ALL and their parents: User-Centered Design Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Mehdizadeh Hamed , Asadi Farkhondeh , Emami Hassan , Mehrvar Azim , Nazemi Eslam
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent form of pediatric cancer with numerous side effects during the treatment period. Children and their families require knowledge and information about the disease in order to control and manage these side effects. The use of mHealth provides a good opportunity for this group to receive information and education without having to visit specialists and healthcare centers, thus improving their quality of life through self-management

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop the CanSelfMan app to empower and support children with ALL and their parents.

METHODS

This study was conducted in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team in six stages: 1) requirement analysis, 2) conformity assessment, 3) determining the educational content, 4) app prototyping, 5) preliminary evaluation, and 6) producing the final version.

RESULTS

The app comprised five main modules (ALL knowledge base, self-management skills, self-assessment report, ask a question, and reminder) that provide access to reliable information about ALL and the self-management skills required for side-effect measurement, reporting, and control. The app also improves communication between this group and the healthcare providers to help promote medication adherence through a reminder function. A web-based version of the app was also developed for Oncologists and included a dashboard for monitoring the users’ symptoms and answering their questions.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of mHealth can facilitate access to accurate information about cancer and its management by patients and their families. Therefore, in this study, we developed a smartphone app to address the self-management needs of children with ALL and their parents/caregivers. CanSelfMan can support these groups by providing access to reliable information, symptoms management skills, and facilitate communication between child/parents and oncologists.
RETROGRADATION PROPERTIES OF HEAT MOISTURE TREATED (HMT) SAGO AND ARENGA STARCHES
Authors: Adawiyah Dede Robiatul , Sasaki Tomoko , Kohyama Kaoru
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to investigate the retrogradation rate of heat moisture treated sago and arenga starches using different approaches, including a thermal approach using DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), a rheological approach using dynamic viscoelasticity as rheological and syneresis level. The autoclaving procedures prepared the HMT starches at 20% moisture content and warmed to 120°C for 60 min and 90 min for sago and arenga starches, respectively. The Avrami equation was used to express starch retrogradation kinetics based on gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH). The Avrami exponent (n) of HMT and native starches were close to 1.0 (0.77 – 1.20) indicates rapid nuclei growth of the crystal. HMT has a significant influence on the retrogradation of sago starch, both from the values of n and k of the Avrami equation. On the other hand, it does not have a significant effect on arenga starch. Based on the thermal approach (DSC), HMT significantly affects sago starch’s retrogradation rate, but there was no effect on arenga starch. The influence of HMT on the retrogradation rate of arenga starch was observed on rheology and syneresis approaches, although it was not as high as sago starch.
Análisis y autoevaluación de las competencias tutoriales en un programa de posgrado en enfermería
Authors: Piña-Jiménez I. , Ponce-Gómez G.
Published: June 2021

Introducción: El tutor es fundamental en la formación de estudiantes del posgrado, su trabajo no se enfoca únicamente en la dirección de la tesis; además debe fomentar el desarrollo de otras habilidades en el alumno al incorporarlo al conocimiento tácito en comunidades de investigación. Esto implica que el tutor muestre competencias en la tutoría, de ahí la importancia de reconocerlas y autoevaluarlas tanto en forma crítica como reflexiva para su mejora.

Objetivo: Analizar y autoevaluar las competencias de los tutores de un posgrado en enfermería.

Método: Los tutores fueron invitados a participar de manera libre y voluntaria en grupos focales, con el propósito de analizar, discutir y autoevaluar sus competencias; se empleó una rúbrica como elemento detonador, que describe cualitativamente diez competencias que deben tener los tutores de posgrado, en cuatro niveles de dominio.

Resultados: La discusión sostenida al interior de los grupos focales fue documentada para su codificación y análisis, se obtuvieron categorías que aludieron a: 1) aspectos éticos y el respeto a las autorías de los estudiantes en publicaciones; 2) la relevancia de la transferencia del conocimiento a problemas específicos del campo de enfermería; 3) la relación tutor-alumno destacando vínculos de menor y mayor dependencia.

Conclusiones: Se identificó el reconocimiento de las competencias que requieren los tutores en este nivel, se generó una autoevaluación crítica y reflexiva, sobre lo que se ha realizado en la práctica educativa. Los tutores ubicaron sus niveles de competencia en desarrollo y consumado.
Intervención para la innovación rural en cooperativas de jamaica orgánica del trópico seco mexicano
Authors: Barrera-Perales Octavio T. , Burgos Ana L. , López-Ménera Martín , Reina-García Jorge L.
Published: June 2021

Objetivo: se presentan y discuten los alcances sociales y tecnológicos del modelo transdisciplinario de intervención para la innovación rural (MOTI-IR) aplicado en cooperativas campesinas de producción orgánica de jamaica en Michoacán (México).Diseño metodológico: el MOTI-IR se basó en un marco metodológico co-diseñado entre promotores comunitarios y académicos, con seis etapas: a) apertura y motivación; b) problematización, c) vinculación; d) desarrollo de soluciones (co-diseño), e) evaluación y aprendizajes, f) diseminación de productos. Se ejecutaron 23 actividades: capacitación de promotores, talleres comunitarios de reflexión y planificación, e involucramiento de colaboradores extra-territoriales. La problematización estableció prioridades de mejora tecnológica en prácticas de limpieza y deshidratado de jamaica orgánica.Resultados: los promotores comunitarios se apropiaron rápidamente del proceso y dinamizaron su desarrollo. El término innovación resultó nuevo para 75 % del grupo encuestado, 70 % se auto-reconoció como poco innovador. Las condiciones comunitarias para innovar señalaron la decisión y confianza, la presencia de personas capacitadas en la comunidad y una estructura bien organizada. Las barreras individuales fueron el temor al fracaso, el rechazo de la comunidad y el temor a lo nuevo. El proceso integró conocimiento local y científico que generó cinco prototipos de herramientas para el despelucado y dos para el deshidratado, cuya primera validación mostró la necesidad de mejoras subsiguientes.Limitaciones de la investigación: primera aplicación del MOTI-IR con replicación en proceso en otras organizaciones campesinas.Hallazgos: bases empíricas de la innovación rural, barreras y estímulos en población campesina, co-diseños tecnológicos, aciertos y potencialidad del MOTI-IR.
Factores condicionantes en la creación informal de nanoempresas: evidencia experimental en Monterrey, México
Authors: Alvarado Lagunas Elías
Published: June 2021

El emprendimiento de nanoempresas tiene gran importancia en la economía del área metropolitana de Monterrey, Nuevo León, debido a la elevada cantidad de nanoemprendedores o personas autónomas que buscan día con día un sustento familiar decente. La creación de estas unidades económicas se vuelve un tema relevante para el ámbito académico, político y social. Por esta razón, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar los factores que influyen en la creación informal de nanoempresas o empresas unipersonales. Se implementa un experimento de laboratorio controlado con 385 personas autónomas en el que se aplica una matriz de transición y un modelo binario tipo logit. El experimento consta de tres
etapas: primero se realiza un análisis de la situación actual, después se revela información y capacita a las personas sobre las ventajas de convertirse en un nanoemprendedor formal y finalmente se realiza un análisis sobre los factores que motivan dicho cambio. Entre los principales hallazgos se encuentra que los factores que motivan a crear una nanoempresa en la informalidad son el desempleo, empleos mal pagados y mejorar su ingreso familiar. No obstante, en el transcurso del experimento, el 22.12%  dijo estar dispuesto a transitar hacia la formalidad si existiera un modelo de intervención directa con apoyos desde la gestión hasta la consolidación de una nanoempresa.