bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of switching from nucleos(t)ide maintenance therapy to PegIFN alfa-2a in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: A randomized trial
Authors: Woo Hyun Young , Heo Jeong , Tak Won Young , Lee Heon Ju , Chung Woo Jin , Park Jung Gil , Park Soo Young , Park Young Joo , Lee Yu Rim , Hwang Jae Seok , Kweon Young Oh
Published: July 2022

Aims

Induction of a durable viral response is difficult to achieve in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), even from long-term use of a nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA). This study investigated whether switching to peginterferon (PegIFN) alfa-2a after long-term NA therapy induced a durable viral response.

Methods

Patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB who received any NA for at least 72 weeks and had a low level of HBV DNA (≤100 IU/mL) were randomized (1:1) to receive PegIFN alfa-2a (180 μg/week) or NA for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) titer during antiviral therapy.

Results

We randomized 149 CHB patients to the two groups. Compared to baseline, the HBsAg levels in both groups were not lower at week 12, but were lower after 24, 36, and 48 weeks (all p<0.001). The maximal HBsAg decline in the PegIFN alfa-2a group was at week 36 (0.50±0.88 log10 IU/mL), and this decline was smaller in the NA group (0.08±0.46 log10 IU/mL). The percentage of patients with HBeAg seroconversion at week 48 was also greater in the PegIFN alfa-2a group (15/75 [20.0%] vs. 5/74 [6.8%], p = 0.018). Multivariable analysis indicated the PegIFN alfa-2a group had a greater change in HBeAg seroconversion at week 48 (p = 0.027). Patients had relatively good tolerance to PegIFN alfa-2a therapy.

Conclusions

CHB patients who switched to PegIFN alfa-2a for 48 weeks had a significantly lower HBsAg titer and increased HBeAg seroconversion relative to those who remained on NA therapy.

Trial registration

(ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01769833).
Encouraging gender-inclusive acceptance of multipurpose national-identity smart cards
Authors: Yee Yen Yuen , Yeow P. H. P. , Wee Hong Loo
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Gender-inclusive adoption of multipurpose national-identity smart cards (MNIS) is important to ensure gender equality, particularly in accessing public services offered by the card e.g. identity verification, healthcare, transit, banking, driving license, passport, etc. The aim is to study the gender differences in terms of the motivation and impediments of adopting MNIS to recommend gender-specific adoption strategies.

Methodology

The research framework is based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) with the added constructs of perceived credibility and anxiety. The data was collected through five hundred questionnaires from Malaysia (the MNIS pioneer) and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that females have significantly higher perceived credibility while males have significantly higher performance expectancy for MNIS. The correlation between performance expectancy and perceived credibility is significantly stronger among males.

Practical implications

Strategies recommended to policymakers include having social messages related to MNIS utility and convenience in campaigns targeting males while alleviating concerns over security and privacy for campaigns targeting females.

Originality/value

This is the first study that investigated the gender differences in adoption of MNIS by comparing the structural UTAUT models of both genders. The gender differences in MNIS adoption were explained using gender theories.
A preclinical model of post-surgery secondary bone healing for subtrochanteric femoral fracture based on fuzzy interpretations
Authors: Nag Pratik , Chanda Souptick
Published: July 2022

Mechanobiology plays an essential role in secondary bone fracture healing. While the introduction of newer type of plates, e.g. locking plate (LP), is becoming increasingly popular for complex femoral fractures, the conventional technique involving dynamic compression plate (DCP) remains the standard choice. The difference between the two techniques lies primarily in their screw fixation mechanisms. The present study applied 3D dynamic fracture healing scheme modelled on a subtrochanteric femur fracture, regulated by both finite element (FE) analysis and Fuzzy logic control in order to understand the spatio-temporal healing phenomena for both LP and DCP. The study further examined the influence of the two screw fixation mechanisms in determining the comparative progression of fracture healing. The problem was solved iteratively in several healing steps running in loop and accordingly, the local tissue concentrations and material properties were updated. The predicted results accorded well with various previous experimental observations. The study found an initial delay in healing associated with DCP. However, as the healing progressed, there was no significant difference in overall callus modulus. The presented preclinical model may further help predict bone healing for different implantation techniques, and thus can serve as a non-invasive tool for evaluating relative merits of extramedullary plating techniques.
Targeted dimensionality reduction enables reliable estimation of neural population coding accuracy from trial-limited data
Authors: Heller Charles R. , David Stephen V.
Published: July 2022

Rapidly developing technology for large scale neural recordings has allowed researchers to measure the activity of hundreds to thousands of neurons at single cell resolution in vivo. Neural decoding analyses are a widely used tool used for investigating what information is represented in this complex, high-dimensional neural population activity. Most population decoding methods assume that correlated activity between neurons has been estimated accurately. In practice, this requires large amounts of data, both across observations and across neurons. Unfortunately, most experiments are fundamentally constrained by practical variables that limit the number of times the neural population can be observed under a single stimulus and/or behavior condition. Therefore, new analytical tools are required to study neural population coding while taking into account these limitations. Here, we present a simple and interpretable method for dimensionality reduction that allows neural decoding metrics to be calculated reliably, even when experimental trial numbers are limited. We illustrate the method using simulations and compare its performance to standard approaches for dimensionality reduction and decoding by applying it to single-unit electrophysiological data collected from auditory cortex.
Factors driving the biomass and species richness of desert plants in northern Xinjiang China
Authors: Fei Cheng , Dong Yi Qiang , An Sha Zhou
Published: July 2022

The desert ecosystem is an important part of the terrestrial ecosystem. Accurate estimations of the biomass and species richness of desert plants are of great value for maintaining ecosystem stability; however, current assessments remain a challenge due to the large spatial heterogeneity in biomass and species richness and difficulties posed by time-consuming field surveys, particularly in remote areas. In the present study, There were 527 sampling sites, and each sampling site contained approximately 9 quadrats. Approximately 4500 quadrats in total were taken from the Junggar Desert of northern Xinjiang, and the spatial distribution and factors driving the biomass and species richness of the desert ecosystem were quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that the average aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, litter, and the Patrick index of the Junggar Desert in northern Xinjiang were 115.42 gm−2, 924.77 gm−2, 13.06 gm−2, and 63, with values ranging from 2–708.12 gm−2, 120.25–3537.3 gm−2, 2–56.46 gm−2, and 0–377, respectively, The mean of the variation coefficient was 56.19%, 41.16%, 62.16% and 73.83%, suggesting moderate variation. The result is affected by the differences between the desert environment and climate. Climate factors had a relatively large impact on species richness, and the variation coefficient of species richness was large, indicating a large degree of dispersion of species richness. The direct influence of environmental and climatic factors on underground biomass (BGB) is relatively small, and its coefficient of variation is small. The spatial distribution of biomass and species richness in northern Xinjiang gradually decreased from west to east. Redundancy analysis showed that climate was the main factor driving desert biomass and species richness in northern Xinjiang, with an average independent explanatory power of 20.38% and 18.57%, respectively. Structural equation modeling indicated that climate factors, elevation, and community coverage had a direct positive effect on the aboveground biomass of the desert plants in northern Xinjiang and a direct negative effect on the belowground biomass. Moreover, climate factors and biological factors showed a direct positive effect on the species richness in northern Xinjiang.
Challenges to communicating the Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U) HIV prevention message: Healthcare provider perspectives
Authors: Grace Daniel , Stewart Mackenzie , Blaque Ezra , Ryu Heeho , Anand Praney , Gaspar Mark , Worthington Catherine , Gilbert Mark
Published: July 2022

“Undetectable equals Untransmittable”, or U=U, is a public health message designed to reduce HIV stigma and help communicate the scientific consensus that HIV cannot be sexually transmitted when a person living with HIV has an undetectable viral load. Between October 2020-February 2021 we conducted 11 in-depth interviews and 3 focus groups with diverse HIV/STI service providers (nurses, public health workers, physicians, frontline providers, and sexual health educators) in Ontario, Canada (n = 18). Our objective was to understand how U=U was communicated to sexual health service users in healthcare interactions. Interview questions were embedded in a larger study focused on improving access to HIV/STI testing. Transcripts were transcribed verbatim and analysed following grounded theory. Most providers emphasized the significance of U=U as a biomedical advancement in HIV prevention but had some challenges communicating U=U in everyday practice. We discovered four interrelated barriers when communicating the U=U message: (1)provider-perceived challenges with “zero risk” messaging(e.g., wanting to “leave a margin” of HIV risk); (2)service users not interested in receiving sexual health information(e.g., in order to provide “client centered care” some providers do not share U=U messages if service users are only interested in HIV/STI testing or if other discussions must be prioritized); (3)skepticism and HIV stigma from service users(e.g., providers explained how the hesitancy of some service users accepting the U=U message was shaped by a legacy of HIV prevention messages and persistent HIV stigma); and (4)need for more culturally appropriate resources(e.g., communities other than sexual and gender minority men; non-English speaking service users; that account for broader legal context). We discuss ways to overcome barriers to communicating the U=U message as well as the limitations and potential unintended consequences of U=U framings in the context of unequal access to HIV prevention and treatment.
Analysis of epidemiological association patterns of serum thyrotropin by combining random forests and Bayesian networks
Authors: Becker Ann-Kristin , Ittermann Till , Dörr Markus , Felix Stephan B. , Nauck Matthias , Teumer Alexander , Völker Uwe , Völzke Henry , Kaderali Lars , Nath Neetika
Published: July 2022

Background

Approaching epidemiological data with flexible machine learning algorithms is of great value for understanding disease-specific association patterns. However, it can be difficult to correctly extract and understand those patterns due to the lack of model interpretability.

Method

We here propose a machine learning workflow that combines random forests with Bayesian network surrogate models to allow for a deeper level of interpretation of complex association patterns. We first evaluate the proposed workflow on synthetic data. We then apply it to data from the large population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). Based on this combination, we discover and interpret broad patterns of individual serum TSH concentrations, an important marker of thyroid functionality.

Results

Evaluations using simulated data show that feature associations can be correctly recovered by combining random forests and Bayesian networks. The presented model achieves predictive accuracy that is similar to state-of-the-art models (root mean square error of 0.66, mean absolute error of 0.55, coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.15). We identify 62 relevant features from the final random forest model, ranging from general health variables over dietary and genetic factors to physiological, hematological and hemostasis parameters. The Bayesian network model is used to put these features into context and make the black-box random forest model more understandable.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the combination of random forest and Bayesian network analysis is helpful to reveal and interpret broad association patterns of individual TSH concentrations. The discovered patterns are in line with state-of-the-art literature. They may be useful for future thyroid research and improved dosing of therapeutics.
Risk factors for dementia in the context of cardiovascular disease: A protocol of an overview of reviews
Authors: Brain Jacob , Tully Phillip J. , Turnbull Deborah , Tang Eugene , Greene Leanne , Beach Sarah , Siervo Mario , Stephan Blossom C. M.
Published: July 2022

Background

Dementia is a major public health priority. Although there is abundant evidence of an association between dementia and poor cardiovascular health, findings have been inconsistent and uncertain in identifying which factors increase dementia risk in those with cardiovascular disease. Indeed, multiple variables including sociodemographic, economic, health, lifestyle and education may indicate who is at higher vs. lower dementia risk and could be used in prediction modelling. Therefore, the aim of this review is to synthesise evidence on the key risk factors for dementia in those with a history of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

This is an overview of reviews protocol, registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021265363). Four electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will be searched. Studies will be included if they are systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses that have investigated the risk of incident dementia (all-cause and subtypes including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia) in people with a history of coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and vascular stiffness. Study selection will be completed by two independent researchers according to the eligibility criteria, and conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. References will be exported into Covidence for title and abstract sifting, full-text review, and data extraction. Methodological quality will be assessed using the AMSTAR-2 criteria and confidence of evidence will be assessed using the GRADE classification. This overview of reviews will follow PRISMA guidelines. If there is sufficient homogeneity in the data, the results will be pooled, and a meta-analysis conducted to determine the strength of association between each risk factor and incident all-cause dementia and its subtypes for each cardiovascular diagnoses separately.

Discussion

We will create a comprehensive summary of the key risk factors linking cardiovascular diseases to risk of incident dementia. This knowledge is essential for informing risk predictive model development as well as the development of risk reduction and prevention strategies.
Radiological findings in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary diseases: A comparison between the Mycobacterium avium complex and the Mycobacterium abscessus complex
Authors: Nagano Hiroaki , Kinjo Takeshi , Fujita Jiro , Kishaba Tomoo
Published: July 2022

The Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) comprises rapidly growing mycobacteria and has received increasing attention recently, with an increasing number of associated infections reported worldwide. However, the clinical features of MABC pulmonary disease (MABC-PD), especially in terms of the chest computed tomography (CT) findings, are not fully understood. Thus, this retrospective, cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the clinical background and chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of MABC-PD in comparison with those of Mycobacterium avium complex PD (MAC-PD). Accordingly, 36 patients with MABC-PD and 65 patients with MAC-PD (defined according to the American Thoracic Society criteria), who were newly diagnosed at four major hospitals in Okinawa (Japan) between January 2012 and December 2017, were analyzed. With respect to their clinical background, only cardiovascular diseases were significantly more common in patients with MABC-PD than in those with MAC-PD (38.9% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.0245). HRCT revealed a significantly higher incidence of low attenuation in patients with MABC-PD than in those with MAC-PD (63.9% vs. 10.8%, p<0.0001). On analyzing only never-smokers (20 and 47 patients with MABC-PD and MAC-PD, respectively), this significant difference remained (65.0% vs. 8.5%, p<0.0001), suggesting MABC infection itself caused low attenuation. In terms of the distribution of abnormal shadows, the involvement of the right lower, left upper, and left lower lobes was more common in patients with MABC-PD than in those with MAC-PD. Furthermore, the mean number of involved lung lobes was significantly higher in patients with MABC-PD than in those with MAC-PD (5.6 vs. 4.7, p<0.001). Although further studies are needed, we assume that the aforementioned radiological features of MABC-PD are due to the high virulence of MABC.
Hyperlactatemia associated with elective tumor craniotomy: Protocol for an observational study of pathophysiology and clinical implications
Authors: Vassilieva Alexandra , Møller Kirsten , Skjøth-Rasmussen Jane , Sørensen Martin Kryspin
Published: July 2022

Hyperlactatemia occurs frequently after brain tumor surgery. Existing studies are scarce and predominantly retrospective, reporting inconsistent associations to new neurological deficits and prolonged hospital stay. Here we describe a protocol for a prospective observational study of hyperlactatemia during and after elective tumor craniotomy and the association with postoperative outcome, as well as selected pathophysiological aspects, and possible risk factors. We will include 450 brain tumor patients scheduled for elective craniotomy. Arterial blood samples for lactate and glucose measurement will be withdrawn hourly during surgery and until six hours postoperatively. To further explore the association of hyperlactatemia with perioperative insulin resistance, additional blood sampling measuring markers of insulin resistance will be done in 100 patients. Furthermore, in a subgroup of 20 patients, blood from a jugular bulb catheter will be drawn simultaneously with blood from the radial artery to measure the arterial to jugular venous concentration difference of lactate, in order to study the direction of cerebrovascular lactate flux. Functional clinical outcome will be determined by the modified Rankin Scale, length of stay and mortality at 30 days, 6 months, 1 year and 5 years. Clinical outcome will be compared between patients with and without hyperlactatemia. Multivariate logistic regression will be used to identify risk factors for hyperlactatemia. A statistical analysis plan will be publicized to support transparency and reproducibility. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.
“I just felt supported”: Transgender and non-binary patient perspectives on receiving transition-related healthcare in family planning clinics
Authors: Ingraham Natalie , Fox Lindsey , Gonzalez Andres Leon , Riegelsberger Aerin
Published: July 2022

Transgender and non-binary people face challenges in accessing gender affirming hormone therapy. Family planning clinics across the United States have greatly expanded transgender care services in the last ten years offering increased access to these services. This national qualitative study describes transgender and non-binary patients’ experiences of receiving transgender care in family planning clinics. We completed 34 in-depth interviews with transgender and non-binary people over age 18 who had received transition-related care at a family planning clinic in the last year from 2019–2020. We analyzed interview data in Dedoose using constant comparative analysis and inductive thematic analysis. Patients reported overwhelmingly positive experiences at family planning clinics and were especially surprised at the ease and speed of the informed consent process. Barriers to care remain for patients in rural areas, low income patients, and patients who need specialized care. Some of the barriers relate to the gender binary and transphobia built into the medical systems, which cause patients and providers to have to find “work arounds” the binary medical and insurance systems. Patients also shared their idealized visions of transition related care that center on strong referral networks and hiring of LGBTQ staff at the clinics. Family planning clinics currently provide affirming and supportive care, especially those that use the informed consent model. Family planning clinics could provide increased access to transgender healthcare outside of major metropolitan areas and for transgender and gender non-conforming clients across the lifespan.
Analysis of stability law and optimization of slope angle during excavation of deep concave mine slope
Authors: Wu Lili , He Keqiang , Guo Lu , Sun Linna
Published: July 2022

Occasional collapse failure is a typical occurrence during mine slope excavation processes. This study aimed to investigate the disaster law in the process of mining slope excavation, and further explore the optimal selection of excavation angle. Based on the systematic analysis of the residual sliding force and deformation response characteristics during slope excavation, the increment of the residual sliding force increases and the stability coefficient decreases with the increase in excavation depth. Additionally, a numerical model of the Jinchuan mining area in Jinchuan City, Gansu Province, China was created using the Midas-GTS finite element software. The influence of different excavation slope angles on slope stability was analyzed via numerical simulation under certain step slope height and width. The results show that the force and deformation of the slope were unfavorable to slope stability, and the slope stability coefficient would decrease gradually with the increase in slope angle. In addition, the optimal excavation angle combination ranges were determined as 62°~ 65°, 64°~ 67°, 67°~ 69°, 70°~ 71°, 73°, 75°~ 76°, 77°~ 80°considering the stability and maximum recovery. Therefore, the above research results verify the loading effect of mine slope excavation, and can serve as a reference for studies on the optimal range of excavation angles for the mine slope.
Pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease risk perception: A qualitative study
Authors: Andraweera Prabha H. , Lassi Zohra S. , Pathirana Maleesa M. , Plummer Michelle D. , Dekker Gus A. , Roberts Claire T. , Arstall Margaret A.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

We aimed to assess women’s perceptions on the long-term risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) after major pregnancy complications.

Methods

Women who experienced major pregnancy complications and those who experienced uncomplicated pregnancies were invited to participate in a qualitative study. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and self-administered questionnaires were used to explore: The knowledge of long-term sequelae after experiencing a major pregnancy complication; Importance of education on heart health; The practicality of referral to a clinic after pregnancy complications; Willingness for regular postpartum clinic visits after pregnancy complications. A thematic qualitative analysis was undertaken.

Results

26 women participated in four FGDs. The majority of women did not know of the association between major pregnancy complications and CVD. The main views expressed were: Women who experience pregnancy complications should receive education on improving heart health; An appointment for the first CVD risk screening visit needs to be made prior to discharge from the delivery suite; Women will benefit by having the option to select between a hospital and a general-practitioner based model of follow up.

Conclusions

These views are important in developing postpartum strategies to reduce CVD risk among women who experience pregnancy complications.
Alteration of osteoclast activity in childhood cancer survivors: Role of iron and of CB2/TRPV1 receptors
Authors: Rossi Francesca , Tortora Chiara , Di Martino Martina , Di Paola Alessandra , Di Pinto Daniela , Marrapodi Maria Maddalena , Argenziano Maura , Pota Elvira
Published: July 2022

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are predisposed to the onset of osteoporosis (OP). It is known that iron overload induces osteoclasts (OCs) overactivity and that the iron chelator Deferasirox (DFX) can counteract it. The Cannabinoid Receptor type 2 (CB2) and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) are potential therapeutic targets for OP. In this study we isolated OCs from peripheral blood of 20 CCS and investigated osteoclast biomarkers expression and iron metabolism evaluating iron release by OCs and the expression of several molecules involved in its regulation. Moreover, we analyzed the effects of CB2 and TRPV1 stimulation in combination with DFX on osteoclast activity and iron metabolism. We observed, for the first time, an osteoclast hyperactivation in CCS suggesting a role for iron in its development. Moreover, we confirmed the well-known role of CB2 and TRPV1 receptors in bone metabolism, suggesting the receptors as possible key biomarkers of bone damage. Moreover, we demonstrated a promising synergism between pharmacological compounds, stimulating CB2 or inhibiting/desensitizing TRPV1 and DFX, in counteracting osteoclast overactivity in CCS to improve their quality of life.
Carers’ and health workers’ perspectives on malnutrition in infants aged under six months in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study
Authors: Jibat Nega , Rana Ritu , Negesse Ayenew , Abera Mubarek , Abdissa Alemseged , Girma Tsinuel , Haile Anley , Barthorp Hatty , McGrath Marie , Grijalva-Eternod Carlos S. , Kerac Marko , Berhane Melkamu
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Supporting small and nutritionally at-risk (potentially malnourished) infants under six months is a global health priority, albeit with a weak evidence-base. To inform policy and research in this area, we aimed to assess the perceptions and understanding of infant malnutrition and its management among carers, communities, and healthcare workers in rural Ethiopia.

Methods

We conducted in-depth and key-informant interviews, from May-August 2020 in Jimma Zone and Deder District, Ethiopia. We used purposive sampling to recruit the participants. Interviews were transcribed into Amharic or Afaan Oromo and then translated into English. Atlas ti-7 was used to support data analysis. Findings were narrated based on the different themes arising from the interviews.

Results

Carers/community members and healthcare workers reported on five different themes: 1) Perceptions about health and well-being: an ‘ideal infant’ slept well, fed well, was active and looked ‘fat’; 2)Perceptions of feeding: overall knowledge of key recommendations like exclusive breastfeeding was good but practices were suboptimal, notably a cultural practice to give water to young infants; 3)Awareness about malnutrition: a key limitation was knowledge of exactly how to identify small and nutritionally at-risk infants; 4) Reasons for malnutrition: levels of understanding varied and included feeding problems and caregiver’s work pressures resulting in the premature introduction of complementary feeds; 5) Perceptions about identification & treatment: carers prefer treatment close to home but were concerned about the quality of community-based services.

Conclusion

To succeed, research projects that investigate programes that manage small and nutritionally at-risk infants under six months should understand and be responsive to the culture and context in which they operate. They should build on community strengths and tackle misunderstandings and barriers. Interventions beyond just focusing on knowledge and attitude of the carers and health workers are necessary to tackle the challenges around infants under 6 months of age at risk of malnutrition. Moreover, stakeholders beyond the health sector should also be involved in order to support the infants under 6 months and their mothers as some of the key reasons behind the at-risk infants are just beyond the capacity of the health sector or health system. Our list of themes could be used to inform infant nutrition work not just in Ethiopia but also in many others.
Uma abordagem de modelação numérica tridimensional do comportamento de longo prazo de vias-férreas considerando a interação dinâmica veículo-via
Authors: Paixão André , Varandas José Nuno , Fortunato Eduardo
Published: July 2022

A complexidade do sistema via-férrea, em termos da variabilidade do comportamento estrutural e material ao longo de seu ciclo de vida, tem-se constituído um obstáculo para o estabelecimento de métodos robustos de previsão do seu comportamento de longo-prazo. Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma implementação computacional que incorpora algumas funcionalidades para uma reprodução mais realista desse comportamento, face a outras existentes. Para demonstrar as potencialidades desta ferramenta, são analisados cenários de plena via, tendo-se introduzido, em alguns deles, uma travessa sem apoio na camada de balastro (“travessa suspensa”), de forma a analisar o impacto dessa anomalia no desempenho da via sob a aplicação de milhões de ciclos de carga, relativos a diferentes veículos. Esta abordagem permitiu avaliar a interdependência entre efeitos dinâmicos, como a interação roda-carril, e efeitos de longo prazo, como a evolução das trajetórias de tensões no interior da camada de balastro, evidenciando um ciclo retroalimentado entre esses dois processos.
Turismo 4.0. Storia, digitalizzazione, territorio
Authors: Larrinaga Rodríguez Carlos
Published: July 2022

Reseña del libro: Gregorini, Giovanni y Semeraro, Riccardo (a cura di): Turismo 4.0. Storia, digitalizzazione, territorio.- Vita e Pensiero, Milán 2021, 249 pp. ISBN: 978-88-343-4462-0.
Placer y su relación con la lealtad en la experiencia turística
Authors: Correa Blanca Estela , Lechuga Besné Mariano , Mata Mata Leovardo
Published: July 2022

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los procesos cognitivos que dan origen al placer, con base en la Teoría de la Evaluación Cognitiva (CAT) y la relación entre el placer y la lealtad. Se utilizó un instrumento válido y confiable en español basado en la (CAT), sobre una muestra de 405 visitantes que fueron entrevistados al final de su paseo en trajinera en Xochimilco, CDMX. Los datos se analizaron por medio de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) por sus ventajas en el análisis de variables latentes y sus relaciones de manera simultánea. Los resultados muestran el patrón y las dimensiones propuestas de evaluación cognitiva que dan origen al placer. Por otro lado, el placer está relacionado positivamente con la lealtad. Se sugieren más estudios empíricos en diferentes destinos de habla hispana para contribuir con el uso de la CAT en otros contextos de consumo.
Indonesian Interests in Hadith-Sourced COVID-19 Queries According to Google Trends
Authors: Imron Ali
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on people’s religious lives all around  the world. This article attempts to examine the following hypothesis: COVID-19 also influences religious life in Indonesia, the results of which can be also observed in hadith studies. This study employed a mixed-method. The data is compiled through Google Trends (GT) from 1 December 2019 to 20 August 2020, pointing to four keywords. The data is analyzed through a content analysis. This research suggests that there is an exponentially increasing search using those four words on the internet. The search for hadiths on COVID-19 was only conducted in West Java. ‘Doa Covid’ (prayer for protection from COVID-19) became the most exponentially searched keyword across Indonesia. The GT data suggests that individuals are searching the internet for an explanation about the prophetic guideline in dealing with COVID-19. The most popular articles are published in Republika Online, Tribun Newsgroup, MadaniNews, Okezone, and Liputan6. The hadiths mentioned in those articles contain mostly the prayers of the Prophet Muhammad to keep people away from illness or to obtain safety in the world and the afterlife.
Interpelaciones sensibles en los lugares y museos de la memoria: una propuesta museológica para un laboratorio pedagógico de los sentidos
Authors: Escobar Munévar Jorge Mario , Del Castillo Silva Catalina
Published: July 2022

Este artículo teoriza sobre sobre el potencial que tienen los lugares y museos de la memoria en la formación de sujetos a partir de sus oferentes sensitivos, vinculando la construcción de memoria histórica a las disposiciones sensitivas del tacto, el oído, la vista, el olfato y el gusto. Para ello, se caracterizan los lugares y museos de memoria y se describe su dimensión pedagógica. Posteriormente, se analizan los oferentes sensitivos de estos espacios y se explica la función de los sentidos en la concreción de disposiciones en los visitantes. Estas disposiciones son necesarias para lograr una interpelación que haga posible hacerse cargo de las víctimas del conflicto y permita la construcción responsable de la memoria sobre los hechos ocurridos. Por último, se proponen unos lineamientos para planificar laboratorios pedagógicos de los sentidos en lugares y museos de la memoria, de tal forma que se puedan utilizar los oferentes sensitivos de estos espacios en una interpelación que permita la construcción de memoria.
Territorio tránsito: un encuentro de subjetividades desde el acto creativo
Authors: Boyacá-Muñoz Maribel , Díaz-Medina Andrea Valentina , González-Rodríguez Angela Mireya
Published: July 2022

Este manifiesto de subjetividades territoriales ofrece tres miradas al territorio que insertan una relación de reciprocidad entre arte y territorio, postulando la construcción de una categoría que definimos como territorio tránsito, categoría tue está representada de manera tanto física como simbólica. De los diálogos que se han venido desarrollando en tiempos recientes en torno a la deriva de lo urbano a lo rural nace la búsqueda constante por comprender la simbiosis entre habitares, devenires e identidades. Así, dentro de esta exploración surge el acto de crear y ser creado, como una declaración de territorio que sumerge en la formación subjetiva de los cuerpos como formas, materia maleable abordada desde la colectividad. En este sentido, el hábitat natural fue cuestionado cuando el arte se convirtió en intérprete de vidas y definió los territorios como una construcción dinámica dada en sociedad.
Naturethik: Auf der Suche nach einem ,,dritten Weg“
Authors: Nutzinger Hans G.
Published: July 2022

Unmittelbare menschliche Naturerfahrung wird in der philosophischen Ethik oftmals unterschätzt. Eine neu vorgestellte Methode der Naturethik, die eine direkte ,,Resonanzerfahrung“ der Menschen im Umgang mit der Natur zum Ausgangspunkt der Überlegungen macht, schafft
hier Abhilfe und schließt die Lücke zwischen Lebenswelt und Wissenschaft.
Die Rechte indigener Völker im System der Menschenrechte
Authors: Kluge Thomas
Published: July 2022

Indigene Völker sind weltweit von den Folgen des Klimawandels, Abholzungen oder großflächigen Feuern betroffen. Zudem kommen ihre Rechte immer stärker unter gesellschaftlichen Nutzungsdruck. Wie sich mehr Fairness für die indigene Bevölkerung realisieren
lässt, zeigt ein neues Lehrbuch.
El uso adecuado de las redes sociales en tercer ciclo de Educación Primaria.
Authors: Alcocer Pla Juan Ramón
Published: July 2022

El presente estudio tiene como finalidad aumentar el conocimiento acerca de la realidad del uso de las redes sociales por parte del alumnado del tercer ciclo de Educación Primaria de un centro escolar valenciano. Para ello, se ha diseñado una charla informativa, basada en los principios emanados de dos teorías en uso: la Teoría Cognitiva Social y el Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje. Se construyó un cuestionario pre-charla y otro post-charla, para probar si la herramienta que se había diseñado, la charla explicativa, había servido para aumentar el conocimiento de los contenidos trabajados en ella. Al tiempo, el cuestionario pre-charla sirvió para extraer datos descriptivos respecto del uso de las redes sociales por parte del alumnado investigado. El análisis estadístico muestra que la charla tuvo un efecto beneficioso en el alumnado respecto de todas las preguntas encuestadas, a excepción de una de ellas, la cual hacía referencia a la importancia del ciberacoso en contraposición al acoso tradicional. Los resultados muestran la necesidad de aumentar los estudios acerca de estos temas, en la población preadolescente, de tercer ciclo de Primaria.
PERANCANGAN PENCARIAN TITIK DAYA MAKSIMUM PANEL SURYA MENGGUNAKAN BOOST CONVERTER DENGAN ALGORITMA FIREFLY
Authors: Elinda Evan Hafidzudin , Setiawan Iwan , Sinuraya Enda Wista
Published: July 2022

Energi surya merupakan salah satu energi terbarukan dengan sumber daya terbesar di bumi. Energi surya dapat dikonversi menjadi energi listrik menggunakan panel surya.  Pada pengunaannya sebagai sumber energi listrik, panel surya memiliki beberapa kelemahan, seperti daya listrik yang dihasilkan dipengaruhi oleh iradiasi sinar matahari, suhu lingkungan, dan sudut datang matahari. Oleh karena itu, perlu adanya metode untuk memaksimalkan daya keluaran panel surya. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) merupakan suatu metode untuk memaksimalkan daya keluaran yang dihasilkan oleh panel surya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang sistem MPPT menggunakan rangkaian boost converter dengan algoritma Firefly, kemudian menganalisis daya keluaran panel surya tersebut. Pengujian sistem MPPT dilakukan pada 2 kondisi irradiasi dan 3 variasi nilai beban. Daya maksimum yang dihasilkan sistem MPPT dengan variasi nilai beban 39 Ω, 50 Ω, dan 100 Ω pada irradiasi 765 W/m2  dan suhu 31oC  adalah 25,76 W, sedangkan pada irradiasi 1215 W/m2 dan suhu 31oC adalah 36,77 W. Daya maksimum yang dihasilkan oleh MPPT tidak dipengaruhi oleh nilai beban.
PERANCANGAN SISTEM CHARGING BATERAI MENGGUNAKAN BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER DENGAN SUMBER PANEL SURYA BERBASIS MIKROKONTROLER ARDUINO NANO
Authors: Widhiawan Benekdiktus Angger Wahyu , Handoko Susatyo , Darjat Darjat
Published: July 2022

Energi matahari merupakan sumber energi terbarukan alternatif untuk pembangkit listrik. Energi matahari dapat di rubah menjadi energi listrik dengan menggunakan panel surya. Panel surya memiliki karakteristik tegangan output yang berubah-ubah seiring berubahnya tingkat iradiasi matahari. Untuk mengatatasinya digunakan baterai sebagai penyimpan energi dan menyediakan sumber daya yang konstan untuk peralatan listrik. Namun untuk melakukan pengisian baterai dengan menggunakan sumber panel surya dibutuhkan adanya sebuah regulator untuk mengatur tegangan yang masuk ke baterai. Pada tugas akhir ini dibuat battery charging dengan metode buck-boost converter untuk menstabilkan tegangan luaran solar cell. Sistem battery charging menggunakan mikrokontroler arduino nano sebagai pusat kendali untuk menaikkan dan menurunkan tegangan luaran solar cell secara otomatis. Tegangan output dari sistem pengendali ini dijaga sesuai standar tegangan pengisian baterai. Hasil pengujian battery charging mencapai efisiensi 99,69 % pada pukul 12.15 WIB. Secara keseluruhan tegangan charging rata-rata yang terbaca sekitar 13,58 Volt dan arus charging yang dihasilkan rata-rata 0,44 Ampere. Charging battery 12 Volt membutuhkan waktu kurang lebih 120 menit dari keadaan battery 11,35 Volt sampai 12,63 Volt. Kata kunci : Buck-boost converter, Panel surya, Battery Charging
ANALISIS DAN PERANCANGAN MITIGASI HARMONIK TEGANGAN DAN ARUS DI POLTEKKES KEMENKES SEMARANG
Authors: Ramli Zoya Winona , Handoko Susatyo , Zahra Ajub Ajulian
Published: July 2022

Gedung Pascasarjana Poltekkes Kemenkes Semarang merupakan gedung perkuliahan yang terdiri dari 6 lantai dimana di dalamnya terdapat beban non linear yang merupakan sumber utama harmonik pada sistem, misalnya peralatan elektronik seperti lighting, komputer dan alat pendingin ruangan. Menurut standar IEEE 519-2014, nilai batas pada THDv ialah 8% untuk tegangan di bawah 1 kV dan nilai batas pada THDi disesuaikan dengan perhitungan nilai Isc/IL. Software ETAP 12.6 digunakan dalam pemodelan dan simulasi di Gedung Pascasarjana Poltekkes Kemenkes Semarang. Simulasi kondisi existing menunjukkan beberapa SDP belum memenuhi standar harmonik arus IEEE 519-2014 dimana THDi mencapai 39,22% sementara masing-masing SDP sudah memenuhi standar harmonik tegangan IEEE 519-2014. Berdasarkan kondisi tersebut, dilakukan perancangan filter pasif single tuned. Sesudah pemasangan filter, didapatkan nilai THDi tereduksi hingga 25,61% dan THDv ikut tereduksi hingga 1,44% dari kondisi existing. Selain itu, faktor daya bus trafo mencapai 98,9%, arus turun hingga ±11 A, nilai tegangan 97% - 99%, serta daya reaktif turun sampai 32 kVAR, daya semu turun hingga 8 kVA dengan daya aktif konstan.
PERENCANAAN PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK TENAGA SURYA (PLTS) HYBRID DI GEDUNG ICT UNIVERSITAS DIPONEGORO MENGGUNAKAN SOFTWARE PVSYST 7.0
Authors: Nugroho Ragil Adi , Winardi Bambang , Sudjadi Sudjadi
Published: July 2022

Indonesia berada di wilayah khatulistiwa sehingga memiliki potensi energi surya yang dapat dimanfaatkan untuk Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya (PLTS). Menurut Power Data Acces Viewer NASA pada tahun 2019 Gedung ICT Universitas Diponegoro mempunyai tingkat radiasi rata-rata yang relatif tinggi yaitu sebesar 5,52 kWh/m2/hari, sehingga dapat memanfaatkan area rooftop dan area parkir terbuka menjadi siteplan PLTS. PLTS ini menggunakan sistem Hybrid yang mengandalkan energi matahari sebagai sumber utama dan baterai sebagai cadangan. Selain itu juga terdapat Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) yang dapat menghubungkan ke jaringan PLN jika baterai dalam kondisi limit. Melalui software PVSyst 7.0, dengan komponen yang terdiri dari 132 modul berkapasitas 310 Wp/modul, 144 baterai dengan kapasitas 12v200 Ah/baterai, 1 unit inverter 50 kW dan 4 unit SCC 100 A/unit, energi listrik yang dihasilkan sebesar 91,5 MWh setiap tahunnya. Setelah melalui proses konversi energi listrik berkurang menjadi 65,383 MWh dengan  pembagian 57,181 MWh mensuplai beban dan 8,202 MWh dikirim ke baterai sebagain cadangan dengan effisiensi sebesar 68,5%.
PERANCANGAN SISTEM PENGONTROLAN LAMPU LALU LINTAS BERDASARKAN TINGKAT KEPADATAN KENDARAAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE FUZZY
Authors: Furqon Saiful , Santoso Imam , Adi Soetrisno Yosua Alvin
Published: July 2022

Sistem lampu lalu lintas merupakan perangkat yang berfungsi mengatur arus kendaraan yang akan melewati suatu persimpangan. Durasi lampu lalu lintas umumnya dikendalikan secara otomatis dengan menggunakan durasi waktu yang ditetapkan. Pengendalian ini masih kurang efektif dalam mengatur kendaraan yang akan melewati  persimpangan, karena jumlah kendaraan setiap saat tidaklah sama. Berdasarkan masalah tersebut dilakukan pengembangan metode pengendalian lampu lalu lintas yang dapat mengatur durasi nyala lampunya agar dapat menyesuaikan dengan jumlah kendaraan yang akan melewati persimpangan. Logika fuzzy dapat digunakan untuk mengatur lama durasi penyalaan lampu lalu lintas yang dapat menyesuaikan dengan jumlah kendaraan yang ada, dan mudah untuk diimplementasikan. Dalam penelitian ini menggunakan mikrokontroler Atmega 328p dengan metode logika fuzzy Tsukamoto untuk mengendalikan durasi penyalaan lampu lalu lintas. Terdapat beberapa pengujian yang dilakukan, yaitu pengujian pembacaan data, pengujian penyalaan lampu hijau, pengujian ketika ada ruas kosong, dan ketika semua ruas kosong. Hasil pengujian didapatkan durasi penyalaan lampu lalu lintas dapat menyesuaikan dengan jumlah kendaraan yang ada di ruas persimpangan dengan baik.
Dr. Walter McAfee: A “True Role Model”
Authors: Ziobro Melissa
Published: July 2022

Dr. Walter McAfee surmounted the racism endemic to twentieth-century America and made unique and enduring contributions to the scientific community during his 42 years working as a government scientist in Monmouth County, New Jersey, to include critical contributions to Project Diana, which allowed man’s first “contact” with the moon in 1946. He also made time to quietly battle injustice, and teach and mentor a new generation of innovators and leaders as a professor at Monmouth College (now University) in West Long Branch, a trustee at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, and an organizer of enrichment programs for high school students. While the communities to which he contributed so much have memorialized him in different ways, the general public knows too little about his accomplishments. We must ensure that the stories of diverse pioneers like Walter McAfee are not excluded from our understanding of the history of the Garden State.
Teaching Social Studies for the 250th: Revolution NJ Envisions New Initiatives to Engage Teachers and Students
Authors: Myers Kris
Published: July 2022

This contribution to “Teaching NJ History” discusses Revolution NJ, a partnership of the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution. Specifically explored are Revolution NJ’s efforts to assess and meet the needs of teachers and students throughout the state.
Printed New Jerseyana, 1683–1783 in the Colonial Office Records of the National Archives of the United Kingdom & New Jersey in Print, 1693–1855
Authors: Becker Ronald
Published: July 2022

Ronald Becker reviewing Printed New Jerseyana, 1683–1783 in the Colonial Office Records of the National Archives of the United Kingdom AND New Jersey in Print, 1693–1855, by Joseph J. Felcone.
The Marion Thompson Wright Reader
Authors: Williams Hettie
Published: July 2022

Hettie Williams reviewing The Marion Thompson Wright Reader, edited by Graham Russell Gao Hodges.