bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Armed Conflicts and Household Socioeconomic Status in the Lake Chad Basin: A Random Coefficient Model Approach
Authors: Olarinde Muftau Olaiya , Osabohien Romanuns , Osabuohien Evans
Published: December 2023

This study extends the existing literature on the relationship between armed conflicts and the socioeconomic status of households in Lake Chad Basin (LCB) countries by adopting a random coefficient model to analyse micro-panel data covering the 1997–2020 periods. The random coefficient approach allows for country-specific effects in explaining variations in both the nature and degree of the effects of conflict due to differing country characteristics. The result evidenced a significant negative effect of the average impact of armed conflict on poverty, while the coefficient of educational outcome is insignificant. The country-specific results point to significant inter-country variations in the impact of armed conflicts on poverty and education outcomes. The descriptive statistics result shows that the inter-country variations could be attributed to differing quality of institutions. Finally, environmental degradation and macroeconomic uncertainties do not appear to bear a systematic relationship with householdsʼ level of socioeconomic status in the Lake Chad Basin. These findings indicate that a uniform and blanket adoption of public policies by government in Lake Chad Basin countries will not yield a significant positive result. Therefore, governments, practitioners and academicians should contextualise policies/recommendations meant to improve socioeconomic status of households in conflict, while strengthening the quality of institutions to ameliorate the impact of conflict on socioeconomic status (SES) of households.
Percepção dos cuidadores frente a dor pós-operatória pediátrica e cuidados de enfermagem
Authors: Brito Matheus Gama Meireles , Bayer Nara Emily Knopp , Monteiro Laressa Manfio
Published: December 2023

Objetivo: descrever a percepção dos cuidadores frente a dor pós-operatória pediátrica e cuidados de enfermagem. Método: estudo descritivo, realizado na Unidade de Pediatria de um Hospital Universitário no Paraná com dados coletados mediante formulário sociodemográfico e questionário de Dor de MCGill-Melzack adaptado e análise a partir de estatística descritiva. Resultados: participaram do estudo 24 cuidadores de crianças submetidas a intervenções cirúrgicas, predominantemente, mulheres (22), preponderando as crianças do sexo masculino. Os resultados apresentaram maior utilização de dipirona como analgesia (50%), tendo a maioria dos cuidadores descrito a dor como breve (33,3%). O principal comportamento de dor relatado foi choro (35%). De forma geral, os cuidadores classificaram a assistência de enfermagem como muito boa ou excelente. Conclusão: o profissional de enfermagem, reconhece a dor como um evento importante e presta assistência. O estudo incita a necessidade de padronização de instrumentos de avaliação e manejo da dor pediátrica pós-operatória.
Discoverer and Methodologist
Authors: Borg George
Published: December 2023

During the mid–twentieth century, geochemistry—one of the core Earth sciences—underwent a spectacular transformation as a result of the introduction of electronic instruments based on physical principles. In this process, mass spectrometry became the workhorse analytical technique in isotope geochemistry. This essay concerns the dynamic relationship between discoveries of isotope systems and the variations in their relative abundances, on the one hand—discoveries that became the foundation of isotope geology—and the development of mass spectrometry, on the other. This relationship is illustrated by the career of physicist and instrument-builder Alfred O.C. Nier, who was based at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Nier’s 60o-sector mass spectrometer design of 1940 endowed the instrument with powerful new capabilities, as well as facilitated its adoption outside the nuclear physics community. In the course of developing and applying the instrument, Nier also made important discoveries, about the relative abundances of isotopes, that paved the way for geochemical research on the deep past. My thesis is that Nier’s early career, spanning the 1930s and 1940s, illustrates a dynamic relationship in which science and technology co-evolved synergistically. This pattern of research spread beyond Nier—who largely moved on from this research after the 1950s—to develop into a research tradition, initially based at the University of Chicago’s Institute for Nuclear Studies and then spreading to other institutions, notably Caltech, the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and the University of California at Berkeley and San Diego. This tradition made crucial contributions to historical geology, including paleoclimatology, solar system history, and the tectonics revolution.
Oceans of Ooze
Authors: Galka Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Historians of science increasingly turn to ocean spaces, especially from the mid–twentieth century, when oceanography adopted new strategic and economic significance during and after World War II. Yet, the overdetermination of oceanography’s historiography by histories of conflict obscures the role that empire—its continuities and its ends—played in the transformation of ocean science and politics at the same time. This essay builds on recent work seeking to recover the role of empire’s endurance and its long shadows in the construction of mid-twentieth-century ocean science, politics, and law. Focusing on deep-sea sediments, I parse the work of H.M.S. Challenger (1872–1876) naturalist-cum-Challenger Office director John Murray alongside that of American economic geologist John Mero, who in the mid–twentieth century articulated all seabeds as storehouses of vast mineral wealth. Murray’s sedimentological taxonomies and representations as well as his collected data on global oozes, nodules included, formed much of the basis for Mero’s work. And, both Murray and Mero leveraged sediments to argue for proprietary positions premised on priority-in-time for resource discovery claims, and exclusive access based upon scientific knowledge and technical ability, both masked by tropes of equal access and opportunity. These data and practices helped Northern scientists build and maintain control over knowledge of the seabed and the value of its resources, as postcolonial and Cold War impetuses rearranged political and economic order at sea. Historicizing abyssal oozes illuminates the character of contemporary conflicts over the future of the international seabed, asking, who determines how the seabed will be valued?
Descoberta de insights na análise de licitações no estado de Goiás
Authors: Silva Matheus Adão De Souza e , Vieira Sibelius Lellis
Published: December 2023

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de relacionar possíveis indícios de irregularidades em processos licitatórios, propiciando uma avaliação de sua viabilidade em processos de fiscalização. Para melhor entendimento desse estudo foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica a fim de conhecer os fatos e fenômenos relacionado a licitações públicas. Foram explorados os conceitos de inteligência analítica, abordando business Intelligence, data science e técnicas de mineração de dados. Em seguida a seleção dos dados foi iniciada, sendo possível encontrar dados adequados disponibilizados no portal da transparência da Controladoria Geral do Estado. Os dataframes relacionados às licitações do órgão foram estruturados em dados associados aos períodos de janeiro de 2016 a dezembro de 2019.  Através da análise descritiva, utilizando o Microsoft Power BI, foi possível empreender uma maior compreensão das variáveis presentes e identificação de indícios de padrões nos dados. A análise preditiva que se seguiu proporcionou gerar regras associando duas ou mais empresas com participações e vitórias conjuntas, podendo apresentar o indício de possíveis irregularidades. Os itens apresentados formam um potencial para o desenvolvimento de sistemas de apoio à decisão e definição de estratégias para fiscalizar o processo licitatório, pois geram informações que permitem maior assertividade em indicar possíveis irregularidades, permitindo assim uma melhor eficiência no uso dos recursos públicos.
Importância do Banco Nacional de Perfis Genéticos para a resolução de crimes sem suspeitos
Authors: Maués Amaral Thiago , Nunes Marques Larissa , Santos da Rocha Lorena , Da Costa Francez Pablo Abdon
Published: December 2023

O DNA tem sido empregado como uma prova essencial na investigação e resolução de crimes sem suspeitos. Banco de dados de perfis genéticos foram criados com objetivo de armazenar perfis genéticos obtidos de vestígios encontrados em cena de crime e de agressores. O confronto entre amostra questionada e referência possibilita o match de perfis genéticos, e estes auxiliam na resolução de casos arquivados. Sendo assim, este artigo apresenta dados e discute acerca da importância e a evolução do Banco Nacional de Perfis Genéticos (BNPG), a participação de Estados Brasileiros na colaboração da Rede Integrada de Bancos de Perfis Genéticos (RIBPG) para a resolução de crimes sem suspeitos. Realizou-se uma análise qualitativa e quantitativa, os dados encontrados nos relatórios da RIBPG de novembro de 2014 a maio de 2023. Ao longo dos anos foram cadastrados mais de 190 mil perfis genéticos, e 6.790 matches permitiram auxiliar mais de 5 mil investigações criminais. Portanto, o progresso das investigações forenses no Brasil é resultante do forte crescimento da biologia molecular, que tem permitido através do BNPG solucionar crimes arquivados que não havia suspeitos. Logo, o Banco Nacional de Perfis Genéticos bem como a colaboração da Rede Integrada de Perfis Genéticos apresentou efetividade para resolução de casos criminais, em especial os de crimes sexuais, principalmente na ausência de suspeitos, impedindo a condenação de inocentes e trazendo respostas satisfatórias para a sociedade e para a justiça.
Muscídeos (Diptera, Muscidae) de importância forense visitantes de carcaças de suínos em áreas de Cerradão no Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Silva José Orlando de Almeida , Câmara Joseleide Teixeira , Carvalho-Filho Fernando da Silva
Published: December 2023

Os muscídeos são de grande importância forense na área médico-legal, uma vez que muitas espécies são encontradas visitando e/ou colonizando carcaças e cadáveres. Estas moscas podem auxiliar em casos como na estimativa do intervalo pós-morte de um cadáver, ou indicar se ele foi deslocado do local onde ocorreu a sua morte. Pelo exposto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi inventariar os muscídeos que visitam carcaças de suínos em áreas de Cerradão, no Nordeste do Brasil, em duas estações distintas, uma seca e a outra chuvosa. As moscas foram coletadas com o auxílio de redes entomológicas desde o estágio inicial até o estágio de esqueletização das carcaças. Foram amostrados 285 espécimes de muscídeos, representados pelos gêneros Biopyrellia Townsend, Cyrtoneurina Giglio-Tos, Cyrtoneuropsis Malloch, Haematobia Lepeletier & Serville, Morellia Robineau-Desvoidy, Neomuscina (Townsend) e Ophyra Robineau-Desvoidy. Foram identificadas em nível específicos três espécies: Biopyrellia bipuncta (Wiedemann), Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus) e Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann). Os gêneros mais abundantes foram Ophyra (sendo representado por uma única espécie, O. aenescens, com 80 % do total da amostra), Neomuscina (com 6 %) e Cyrtoneuropsis (com 4 %). Estas são as primeiras informações sobre moscas da família Muscidade de importância forense visitando carcaças de suínos em áreas de Cerradão na região Nordeste do Brasil. As informações sobre os muscídeos apresentadas no presente estudo são relevantes para a entomologia forense, pois podem ser utilizadas para auxiliar no entendimento de casos criminais que envolvam cadáveres encontrados nesse tipo de ambiente.
O uso e relevância da autópsia psicológica na cena do crime em casos de morte suspeita por suicídio
Authors: Ponce de Leão Lima Almeida Gabriel , Machado das Neves André Luiz
Published: December 2023

O suicídio é prática tão antiga quanto o homicídio e possui um contexto e características bastante específicas. Em casos em que ocorre homicídio e este é disfarçado como suicídio pelo autor na busca de se livrar da sua culpa, é comum que vestígios analisados pela perícia forense sejam suficientes para determinar a real causa da morte, mas muitos casos podem levantar dúvidas sólidas sobre o que ocorreu e, como resposta a esta dúvida, surge a autópsia psicológica, nascida da vitimologia. Mas como pode tal análise psicológica auxiliar quando a vítima já estaria morta? A autópsia psicológica, com sua abordagem no histórico da vítima, estado mental e interpretação de ações, visa elucidar pontos vitais sobre a dinâmica do crime e trazer novos olhares sobre a vítima do crime. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica do tipo narrativa, tendo como fonte de informações bibliotecas digitais científicas como SciELO, Google Scholar e outros por artigos, livros e outras publicações acerca de casos em que há suicídio e o uso da autópsia psicológica. Como resultado, percebeu-se que pesquisas ao redor do mundo apontam que a autópsia psicológica do estado mental da vítima antes da morte, bem como interpretação de suas ações anteriores, pode auxiliar na elucidação de crimes e são ferramentas úteis, mas não decisivas, necessitando de maior normatização.
Estudo de casos: quatro suicídios por ingestão de nitrito de sódio na região de Campinas/SP
Authors: Enriquetto Mascarelli Marina , Elizabeth Cordeiro Dantas Larissa , Cepollaro Diana Mariana
Published: December 2023

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso relatando quatro ocorrências de suicídio através de ingestão de nitrito de sódio identificados na região de Campinas/SP. A ingestão do nitrito de sódio como meio de autoeliminação se mostrou como uma nova tendência entre adolescentes e jovens adultos que tem se disseminado principalmente através de fóruns, grupos de mensagens e redes sociais no Brasil e no mundo. O aumento desse tipo de ocorrência demanda que autoridades de segurança pública e de saúde estejam preparadas para identificar os vestígios dessa prática e atuar de modo integrado para possibilitar investigações que apontem para possíveis partícipes, redes de indução ao suicídio e apoio a políticas públicas de prevenção ao suicídio e promoção de saúde mental.
Análise multivariada de dados orbitais ópticos multiespectrais e de levantamento aerofotogramétrico de baixas altitudes na perícia de local relacionado com incidência de fogo em atividade canavieira
Authors: Costa Alexandre Augusto , Alberguine Lucas Edson , Santos Mirian Cristina
Published: December 2023

As condições de manejo da atividade canavieira redundam no aumento dos riscos à ocorrência de fogo. Os impactos ambientais e sociais conduziram à implementação de instrumentos jurídicos voltados à eliminação gradativa da queima da palhada da cana-de-açúcar. A incidência de fogo na canavicultura pode ensejar a responsabilização penal pela adequação típica da conduta de terceiros ao crime de incêndio previsto no artigo 250 do Código Penal ou, ainda, por falsidade ideológica (artigo 299 do Código Penal) na hipótese de o produtor registrar ocorrência criminal como forma de se eximir de sanções administrativas. Dada à relevância no contexto da atividade pericial criminal, faz-se necessário o aperfeiçoamento de metodologias aptas a fornecer subsídios à instrução probatória. Neste trabalho, utilizou a Análise de Componentes Principais, para avaliar dados multiespectrais provenientes de sensores orbitais ópticos, bem como obtidos de levantamento aerofotogramétrico realizado por aeronave remotamente pilotada. Os índices espectrais de vegetação (NDVI), de umidade (NDII), de senescência (PSRI) e declividade foram avaliados em 7 (sete) talhões (A-F) de cultura canavieira. Elaborou-se uma matriz com 884 linhas (pontos amostrais correspondentes a pixels das imagens) e 4 colunas (variáveis de resposta), sendo os dados autoescalados. Os resultados da PCA revelaram que duas componentes principais representam 97% da variância dos dados originais. Apesar da inexistência de divergências significativas nos valores de NDVI, NDII e PSRI entre os talhões, houve clara diferenciação na variável declividade do terreno quando comparada o talhão A em relação aos demais talhões, o que fragiliza a hipótese de incidência acidental do fogo.
Development of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of medico-legal importance on pig carcass in the Cerrado of Brazil
Authors: Silva José Orlando de Almeida , Brasil Leandro Schlemmer , Silva Eduardo Almeida , Neves Liliane Torres , Carvalho-Filho Fernando da Silva
Published: December 2023

With the aim of contributing data on flies to assist in forensic processes in the medical-legal area, this study investigated species of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) that develop in pig carcass and at what stages of decomposition they exit the carcass to pupate in the Cerrado of the Northeast region of Brazil. Larvae and pupae were collected daily using sawdust trays placed beneath cages containing pig carcass. The material collected was allowed to complete development to adults in the laboratory under natural conditions. Adult male specimens were subsequently identified. The experiments were conducted in July and August 2010, in the dry season. A total of 140 adult specimens representing five species were obtained. The most abundant species were Peckia (Squamatodes) trivittata (Curran, 1927) (n = 109) and Peckia (Squamatodes) ingens (Walker, 1849) (n = 28), which left the carcasses to pupate during the dark putrefaction and fermentation stages. Helicobia neuzalmeidae Silva, Brasil, De-Souza & Carvalho-Filho, 2022, and Oxysarcodexia timida (Aldrich, 1916) left carcasses at the dark putrefaction stage as well. Peckia (Euboettchaerea) collusor (Curran & Walley, 1934) was obtained during the dry stage only. For the first time, Oxysarcodexia timida was observed developing in a pig carcass. The species P. (S.) trivittata and P. (S.) ingens can aid in determining the time of death of corpses discovered in Brazil's Northeastern Cerrado.
Incêndios em sistemas fotovoltaicos: abordagem sobre os modos de falha e recomendações para realização de perícia
Authors: Moreira Murillo Queiroz , De Sá Jose Alberto Silva , Fernandes Cindy Stella
Published: December 2023

A geração de energia elétrica através de fontes renováveis tem sido uma das principais formas de incremento da capacidade de produção de energia ao redor do mundo. Dentre as fontes renováveis de energia disponíveis, a energia solar fotovoltaica tem desempenhado um papel de destaque nesse processo. No Brasil, a implantação de sistemas de geração fotovoltaica de energia elétrica, nos moldes de micro e minigeração distribuída, seguindo a tendência mundial, cresceu consideravelmente a partir de 2012 após a regulamentação realizada pela agência reguladora de energia elétrica do país. Tal aumento proporciona uma maior diversificação das fontes de energia elétrica nacional, trazendo muitos benefícios para a matriz energética pátria e para aqueles que investem nesta solução. Entretanto, esta tendência crescente tem sido observada também nos incidentes relacionados a incêndios nestes sistemas. Este cenário aponta para o crescimento da demanda de perícias realizadas neste tipo de ocorrência, situação que exigirá do perito de local um conhecimento técnico mais apurado para realizar o levantamento técnico pericial para identificar os vestígios relacionados ao sinistro e analisar os dados coligidos no levantamento. Este trabalho objetiva elencar os modos de falha em sistemas fotovoltaicos conectados à rede (SFVCR) que podem ensejar o surgimento de um foco de incêndio ou contribuir para o surgimento deste. Adicionalmente, a partir dos modos de falha mapeados, serão recomendados procedimentos específicos a serem realizados em locais de incêndios envolvendo tais sistemas, a fim de se verificar a existência de vestígios que indiquem que o sinistro teve origem nestes.
The impact of transferred air bubble position on clinical pregnancy rate in FET cycles
Authors: He Lixia , He Junyong , Ma Qianhong , Jin Song , Lu Yuechao , Zhang Dongmei , Liao Xu
Published: December 2023

We aimed to investigate the effects of the position of the transferred air bubble with the clinical pregnancy rate (PR) in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. A prospective clinical study was carried out at Reproductive Medicine Center of West China Second University Hospital between June 2020 and May 2021. A total of 1159 women who underwent FET were included in this study. Transabdominal ultrasonographic guidance was used during the transfer procedure. The distance from the air bubble to endometrial cavity fundus (DAF) was measured in the freeze-frame ultrasound immediately after ET. In DAF ≤3 mm, 3–15 mm, and ≥15 mm group, the clinical PR in women transferred with cleavage embryos was 33.3% (7/21), 55.0% (153/280), and 31.3% (5/16), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Among women transferred with blastocysts, the clinical PR was 63.0% (34/54), 68.5% (485/708), and 55.0% (44/80), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In multivariate logistic regression model for clinical PR, the clinical PR was associated with age, embryo quality, number of embryo transferred, and endometrial thickness. DAF was an independent risk factor influencing clinical PR in blastocyst FET cycles rather than in cleavage embryo FET cycles. In conclusion, our results suggested that DAF was associated with the clinical PR and DAF between 3 mm and 15 mm is the optimal position in blastocyst FET cycles.

Lay summary

Embryo transfer is the last step in the IVF process. The position of the transferred embryo in the uterine cavity may affect the clinical pregnancy rate. The relationship between the position of the embryo in the uterine cavity at the time of transfer and the clinical pregnancy rate is disputed. In this study, the distance from the air bubble to endometrial cavity fundus measured using the freeze-frame ultrasound immediately after embryo transfer was used to indicate the position of the embryo in the uterine cavity. This study demonstrates that the position of the transferred air bubble in the uterine cavity is an independent factor on clinical pregnancy rate in blastocysts (embryos on the fifth day of fertilization) frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles but not in cleavage embryos (embryos on the third day of fertilization) frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. The distance from the air bubble to endometrial cavity fundus between 3 mm and 15 mm is the optimal position in blastocyst frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.
Possibilities of using organic wastes as a growing medium in soilless culture for cut flower rose
Authors: Altun Bahadır
Published: December 2023

The possibilities of using organic wastes, such as hazelnut shells (HS), walnut shells (WS), hazelnut skins (HzS), and spent mushroom compost (SMC), as growth medium in cut flower rose cultivation in soilless substrate culture were investigated. The parameters, such as the date of cutting the flower (day), flower stem length (cm), flower stem diameter (mm), flower length (cm), flower diameter (cm), flower color, color of the top and bottom of the leaf, and yield (piece), were examined. In addition, samples taken from the growth medium at the beginning and ending stages of the experiment were analyzed. The first flowers were cut from the HzS +P medium 38 days after planting. The highest yield value (20.6 flower/plant) was obtained from SMC medium. The longest flowers (63.89 ± 0.947 cm) and the thickest stem flowers (5.86 ± 0.136 mm) were cut from the control medium. It was determined that the media also affected the flower and leaf colors. According to the results obtained, SMC and HzS+perlite mediums can be recommended as an alternative to cocopeat in the production of cut roses in soilless substrate culture.
Evaluation of rice husk composite boards prepared using different adhesives and processing methods
Authors: Pradhan Suman , Entsminger Edward , Mohammadabadi Mostafa , Seale Daniel , Ragon Kevin
Published: December 2023

Rice husks, a byproduct of rice milling, were used to develop composite boards. Different processing methods, grinding, and treating with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), were adopted to improve the bonding and mechanical performance. NaOH solution was prepared at 5% (wt/v) concentration. The effect of different adhesives, phenol formaldehyde (PF), and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI), was evaluated. Rice husks mixed with resin were hot pressed to the target density of 768 kg/m3 and thickness of 12.7 mm. Specimens cut from these flat panels were submitted to bending, internal bond, water absorption, and thickness swelling tests. Results revealed that chemical treatment with NaOH significantly improved fiber-to-fiber bonding of rice husks. Internal bond strength of specimens made from chemically treated rice husks increased at least 1000% compared to others. Considering the mechanical properties and water uptake, rice husk boards fabricated with unprocessed rice husks and pMDI showed a better performance.
Central composite design for optimization of kenaf-reinforced epoxy composite bonding performance
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamad Ikhwan , Mohd Bakhori Noremylia , Mohd Nor Ariff Farhan , Mohammad Roslina , Abd Aziz Sa’ardin , Md Daud Mohd Yusof , Kuan Hoo Tien Nicholas , Mahardika Melbi , Hassan Mohamad Zaki
Published: December 2023

Kenaf fiber is gaining prominence because of its ability as a natural-based reinforced material in advanced composites. However, kenaf contains a hygroscopic natural waxy substance that covers the fiber layer, providing a low surface tension and preventing strong bonding with the polymer matrix. The goal of this study is to optimize the blending parameters of kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy composites by alkali treatment concentration, length, and fiber-matrix loading using central composite design. The maximum tensile strength was obtained at 6.03 wt% of NaOH concentration, fiber loading of 26.02 wt%, and fiber length at 7.39 mm, which showed a strong correlation between experimental and predicted values. The analysis of variance function model indicated that fiber length, sodium hydroxide concentration, and fiber loading all play important roles in mechanical properties of composites. Based on the fracture surface observations, kenaf fiber composite strength was closely related to bonding at fiber-matrix interfaces. The most common failure modes in the samples were voids, matrix fracture, fiber breakage, weak bonding, and fiber pull-out.
The Effect of Absorbed Dose and Chemical Composition On the Ionic Conductivity of 1-Vinylimidazole-Grafted PVDF Membranes Made Via Y-Ray Induced Grafting
Authors: Lepit A. , Mustaffa M. , Jaafar N. K. , Aini N. A.
Published: December 2023

The effect of ?-ray on the copolymerization of 1-Vinylimidazole (VIm) onto polyvinyl fluoride (PVDF) is dependent on the absorbed dose, various solvents, and Iron concentration (II). Using radiation-induced grafting techniques, develop an alternative proton-exchange membrane (PEM) based on PVDF as the primary polymer and VIm as the monomer. Gravimetric analysis, FTIR, and conductivity investigation were utilized to characterize the physico-chemical properties of the grafting membrane. PEM, also known as PVDF-g-P1VIm, was synthesized and functionalized by sulfuric acid doping. The proportion of dose absorbed, the degree of grafting (DG), the ion exchange capacity (IEC), and water uptake (WU) all correlate with the membrane grafting performance. The C-H bonds exhibited decreased intensity and the peak location moved considerably in FTIR, indicating PVDF-VIm grafting. DG and IEC influence the ionic conductivity of the grafting PEM. The grafted membranes proved to have humidity dependent on proton conductivity with a range of 0.136 mScm-1 (room temperature) and 3.02 mScm-1 (373 K) containing IEC levels of 0.065 and 0.107 meq./g, respectively. PVDF-g-P1VIm membranes exhibit potential in the field of PEM membranes for use in hydrogen fuel cells or water treatment.
A Comparison of Fuzzy Membership Numbers on the Convergence of Numerical Approaches to Solving Integro-Differential Equations
Authors: Yookesh T.L. , Reddy Ch. Subba , Sivaparvathi Ch. , Raman T.T. , Chandramohan R.
Published: December 2023

In this article examines the convergences stability of Variational Iteration Method (VIM) for solving Fuzzy Volterra Integro-Differential Equations (FVIDE) of second kind under the Seikkala derivative [13]. The advantage of the proposed method in this study compared with Adomian decomposition Method (ADM). The undefined variables are represented by membership values in trapezoids and triangles. The results of the two methods are compared to demonstrate the efficacy of fuzzy numbers in terms of increasing membership values.
Factor of Technology Acceptance of Clinicians in Central Infusion Pump Monitoring System: A Case Study at Ruamjairak Hospital in Thailand
Authors: Amatanon Pattraporn , Wongkamhang Anantasak , Anupongongarch Preya
Published: December 2023

This study investigates into the Central Infusion Pump Monitoring System, utilizing technology to oversee Infusion Pump operations and proactively prevent adverse drug events. The purpose of this study was to find the factors affecting the acceptance of technology in the use Central Infusion Pump Monitoring System by medical personnel at Ruamjairak Hospital in Thailand. It would be beneficial in terms of management and the decision to use a Central Infusion Pump Monitoring System. The sample consisted of 69 individuals that use infusion pump and working in Ruamjairak hospital for not less than 6 months. An online questionnaire was used to collect data by studying personnel factors, technological factors. brand factors, organizational factors, and price factors. The statistics used in this study were Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient and the influence on the adoption Central Infusion Pump Monitoring System technology was determined using Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis. The results find that technological factors, brand factors, price factors, and organizational factors exhibit a significant relationship with the adoption of technology for Central Infusion Pump Monitoring System. The regression coefficients, ordered by influence from most to least, are as follows: technology factor 0.545, brand factor 0.182, price factor 0.137, and organizational factor 0.136. Importantly, personnel factors were found to have no impact on the adoption of technology for Central Infusion Pump Monitoring System. The technological factors, brand factors, price factors, and organizational factors affect with statistical significance at the 0.05 level.
Cambios en la cobertura del matorral seco montano del valle Chota (Imbabura y Carchi, Ecuador) entre 1990 y 2020
Authors: Vilema-Ramos Bryan , León-Espinoza Mónica , Layana-Bajaña Eleonora , Rosales-Enríquez Oscar
Published: December 2023

El cambio en el uso del suelo es uno de los principales conductores del cambio global, así como una causa de la pérdida de biodiversidad. En el norte del Ecuador, el matorral seco montano es un ecosistema característico de los valles interandinos y que se encuentra amenazado por la intervención antrópica. El presente trabajo estudió el cambio de la cobertura del matorral seco montano en el valle del río Chota en un periodo de 30 años y evaluó su estado de conservación. Se aplicó el método de clasificación supervisada en las imágenes satelitales LANDSAT de los años 1990, 2007 y 2020, para analizar las tasas de variación de las coberturas. El estado de conservación se determinó con una matriz de evaluación que consideró siete variables y 25 indicadores y la sobreposición de capas temáticas con SIG. Los resultados denotaron una pérdida del 20% de la cobertura del matorral seco montano, a un promedio anual de 231.83 ha/año (-0.75%) por causas antrópicas. Estas causas fueron responsables del cambio de cobertura de más de la mitad del 8.34% del área que ocupaba, principalmente la expansión de la frontera agrícola con un 3.96%. La presión y efecto de los factores antrópicos identificados causaron que el estado actual de conservación sea Regular. Se proponen tres estrategias de conservación: buenas prácticas agroecológicas, una gestión ambiental integral y la educación ambiental.
El oso andino en los Andes centrales de Perú: presencia, interacción humano-oso y su percepción en La Mar, Ayacucho
Authors: Cardenas Badajos Susan Mayra , Ortiz Contreras Floro , Ayala Hinostroza William , Rojas-VeraPinto Roxana
Published: December 2023

En el presente estudio se determina la presencia del oso andino Tremarctos ornatus y su interacción con el humano en tres territorios comunales de la provincia de La Mar (Ayacucho). Entre setiembre y octubre de 2019, establecimos un total de 22 transectos para identificar rastros de la especie, entrevistamos a la población sobre su interacción con el oso y, finalmente, inspeccionamos cadáveres de ganado cuyas muertes fueron atribuidas a ataques de la especie. En total se registraron 312 rastros de oso andino, la mayoria restos de alimentos, hallados predominantemente en las zonas de puna mas arriba que los bosques montanos. Los pobladores locales conocen y tienen encuentros con el oso andino en campo e identificaron como las amenazas más recurrentes para el oso los incendios de pastizales, la extracción de madera y la ganadería. Además, informan que los osos causan daños a los cultivos y al ganado. No obstante, no se encontraron suficientes evidencias para confirmar que el oso andino hubiese atacado a alguno de los siete cadáveres de ganado evaluados, pero sí se identifico una posible manipulación o consumo en uno de estos. Nuestros resultados resaltan la importancia de combinar muestreos de presencia del oso con observaciones de la población para identificar amenazas y reducir potenciales conflictos humano-oso basado en eventos no completamente confirmados.
Comprehensive inventory of páramo birds and their habitat affinities in a conservation hotspot, the Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve, southern Ecuador
Authors: Astudillo Pedro X. , Barros Santiago , Villegas Fernando R. , Siddons David C. , Latta Steven C.
Published: December 2023

The páramo ecosystem is a significant centre of Andean bird diversity with high concentrations of threatened species. The Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve’s páramos are a district of the biogeographic páramo province of northern Andes and are therefore considered a conservation hotspot with representative bird diversity. To enhance regional conservation efforts, comprehensive inventories of bird species that occupy this páramo are required. We present an updated bird inventory for the páramos of Macizo del Cajas and included validated records from eBird and GBIF databases along with records from continuous monitoring across this páramo landscape for five years. We also provide notes on habitat affinity and important new, rare, restricted range, and threatened birds. We report 112 bird species within the reserve, including five endemics, and three globally and 12 nationally threatened species. Finally, we discuss the use of habitat affinities as indicators of biodiversity patterns in páramo to improve conservation tools for key habitats.
Notes on Anqasha picta (Pocock, 1903) and description of a new species of Anqasha from Peru (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae)
Authors: Kaderka Radan
Published: December 2023

The monotypic Peruvian genus Anqasha with type species Anqasha picta (Pocock 1903) is revised. A female of A. picta from the type locality of Caraz is herein described for the first time. The recently described females of A. picta coming from Recuay are transferred to the new taxon, which is herein described, diagnosed, and illustrated. Males of A. minaperinensis sp. nov. differ from that of A. picta in the shape of retrolateral branch of subapical apophyses on male tibia I, which is apically flattened and having three short spines. Females of A. minaperinensis sp. nov. differ from A. picta in the shape of seminal receptacles. LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5ACC070E-ED16-4FBE-B6B5-F8EFC0FED2C7Acto nomenclatural/nomenclatural act:Anqasha minaperinensis Kaderka, 2023LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:99084678-F808-434C-80AE-A101C4338C85
Cedrela domatifolia (Meliaceae), un nuevo registro de cedro para el Perú
Authors: Reynel Rodríguez Carlos Augusto , Palacios Ramos Sonia Cesarina , Terreros Camac Sara Lucia , Reyes Grande Carlo Eduardo
Published: December 2023

Cedrela domatifolia W. Palacios es registrada por primera vez para Perú en el valle de Chanchamayo, departamento de Junín. Con esta adición se elevan a 11 especies del género Cedrela (Meliaceae) en el Perú. La característica vegetativa más resaltante de C. domatifolia son los domacios prominentes, situados en las axilas de los nervios secundarios de las láminas por el envés. En caracteres florales, los pétalos son de color rojo a fucsia, una característica no común en el género.
Perceptions of Primary School Teachers on Interdisciplinary Computational Thinking Skills Training
Authors: Çimşir Serap , Kalelioğlu Filiz , Gülbahar Yasemin
Published: December 2023

This study aims to examine the impact of interdisciplinary computational thinking (CT) skills training on primary school teachers’ perceptions of CT skills. The sample of the study consisted of 30 primary school teachers in Istanbul. In this study, where quantitative and qualitative methods were used together, qualitative data were obtained from the teacher identification form. Quantitative data were obtained from the scale for CT skills. After the pre-test was applied to the study group, “CT Skills Training” was applied. During the training, the basic concepts of CT skills and the subskills were covered theoretically and practically. From the quantitative data, the education applied was determined to have had a positive effect on the primary school teachers' perceptions of CT skills. From the qualitative data, it was determined that the participants had a positive opinion about the applied training and thought that they gained skills related to CT.
VIOLATION OF THE REDOX BALANCE IN NON-MALIGNANT CELLS OF PRIMARY ONCOGYNECOLOGICAL PATIENTS
Authors:   R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Makovetska L.I. , Domina E.A. ,   R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ivankova V.S. ,   National Cancer Institute, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: December 2023

Summary. Oncogynecological diseases in women are one of the global health problems, both in Ukraine and worldwide. An integral part of the treatment of such patients is radiation therapy, the consequence of which is the development of early and distant side complications from the tissues and organs surrounding the irradiated tumor. The initial link in the implementation of radiation complications is a violation of the redox balance that precedes the formation of genetic instability of cells. Aim: to investigate the changes in indicators of the redox balance in the blood of oncogynecological patients before the start of antitumor therapy as prognostic markers of radiation damage. Object and methods: the study was conducted on peripheral blood samples from 30 patients with cervical cancer (CC) and 38 patients with endometrial cancer (EC) as well as 33 conditionally healthy individuals. Patients received treatment at the National Cancer Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The intensity of superoxide anion radical (O2–•) generation by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and pro-antioxidant ratio (PAR) in hemolysate were determined by chemiluminescence-induced methods and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in blood plasma by spectrophotometric method. Results: the analysis of the study results of the indicators ofredox balance in the blood of oncogynecological patients established that non-malignant cells surrounding the tumor, even before the start of antitumor therapy, are functionally altered. A significant increase in the intensity of O2 •- generation in PBL by 1.69 and 1.53 times, a 2.73 and 3.22-fold increase in the MDA content in the blood plasma, and a 1.37 and 1.34-fold increase in PAR in the hemolysate of patients with CC and EC, respectively, was revealed. This indicates an enhancement of prooxidant processes and, therefore, a decrease in the body’s antioxidant defense. A wide range of values for the studied parameters was registered, indicating the need for a personalized approach to planning and conducting radiation therapy for cancer patients. Conclusions: the obtained data indicate a violation of the redox balance in non-malignant cells surrounding the tumor in primary oncogynecological patients, which is a prerequisite for the development of early and distant radiation complications after anticancer treatment. The results provide a basis to considerit expedient to determine the studied parameters before the start of the course of antitumor therapy as prognostic biomarkers of radiation to predict the severity of healthy tissue damage and the personalization of treatment measures for oncogynecological patients.
OPTIMISING THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED OVARIAN CANCER: AN ANALYSIS OF PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Authors:   Odessa National Medical University, Odesa, Ukraine, Bondar O.V. , Rybin A.I. ,   Odessa National Medical University, Odesa, Ukraine, Maximovskyi V.E. ,   Odessa National Medical University, Odesa, Ukraine, Kuznetsova O.V. ,   Odessa National Medical University, Odesa, Ukraine, Alieva S.O. ,   Odessa National Medical University, Odesa, Ukraine
Published: December 2023

Summary. Aim: to evaluate surgical complications, side effects of chemotherapy, 1- and 3-year survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer against the background of the introduction of optimized personalized treatment. Object and methods: for this purpose, a comparative analysis of the results of clinical examination and treatment of 74 patients with primary serous ovarian adenocarcinoma of stages III–IV (FIGO 2015) who were treated at the University Clinic of Odesa National Medical University was conducted. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group IA — patients with primary ovarian cancer who were treated with primary cytoreductive surgery (PDS) + adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) — 43 patients; IB group — patients with primary ovarian cancer who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) + interval cytoreductive surgery (ICS) + adjuvant chemotherapy — 16 patients. Results: the absence of statistical difference in the median overall survival in groups IA (PDS + ACT) and IB (NACT + ICS + ACT) was shown to be explained by the complete volume of cytoreduction performed. There was a change in 3-year survival from 56.3 to 70.7% (χ2 = 0.951; p = 0.329) and an increase in 5-year survival from 12.5 to 60.9% (φ = 0.0012; p < 0.05). In group IB, the percentage of postoperative complications in patients and the average length of hospital stay after cytoreductive surgery were lower than in group IA, but the difference was statistically insignificant. When comparing the frequency of side effects of paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy treatment in groups IA and IB, the values of χ2 = 36.441; p = 0.0195 were obtained. Thus, it was proved that in the IB group, the toxic effects of chemotherapy of 3–4 degrees of severity were significantly more common. Conclusions: there was no statistical difference when comparing the median overall survival and progression-free survival in the study groups. It has also been shown that primary cytoreductive surgery with macroscopically visible residual masses, especially in suboptimal and suboptimal volume (CC 2-3), leads to a significant decrease in survival rates in patients with ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding and Once-Daily Small-Volume Formula Supplementation to Prevent Infant Growth Impairment
Authors: Flaherman Valerie J. , Murungi Joan , Bale Carlito , Dickinson Stephanie , Chen Xiwei , Namiiro Flavia , Nankunda Jolly , Pollack Lance M. , Laleau Victoria , Kim Mi-Ok , Allison David B. , Ginsburg Amy Sarah , Braima de Sa Augusto , Nankabirwa Victoria
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials in Guinea-Bissau and Uganda have revealed that the intensive promotion of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) impairs growth in early infancy. When newborn growth is impaired, small amounts of formula may be combined with breastfeeding to promote growth.

METHODS

To determine if breastfeeding combined with once-daily formula supplementation improves growth among at-risk newborns, we conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau and Kampala, Uganda. We randomly assigned 324 healthy breastfeeding newborns who weighed 2000 g to 2499 g at birth or <2600 g at 4 days old to once-daily formula feeding through 30 days as a supplement to frequent breastfeeding followed by EBF from 31 days through 6 months, or to EBF through 6 months. The primary outcome was weight-for-age z score (WAZ) at 30 days. Other outcomes included weight-for-length z score (WLZ), length-for-age z score (LAZ), breastfeeding cessation, adverse events, and serious adverse events through 180 days.

RESULTS

Daily formula consumption in the intervention group was 31.9 ± 11.8 mL. The random assignment did not impact WAZ, WLZ, LAZ, breastfeeding cessation, adverse events, or serious adverse events through 180 days. In the intervention and control groups, 19 (12%) and 35 (21%) infants, respectively, reported nonformula supplementation in the first 30 days (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily formula supplementation for 30 days was well-tolerated, but the small volume consumed did not alter growth through 180 days of age. Further research would be required to determine if larger formula volumes, longer duration of treatment, or more frequent feeding are effective at increasing growth for this at-risk population.
vida como escândalo da verdade
Authors: Villa Lucas
Published: December 2023

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar o último curso ministrado por Michel Foucault no Còllege de France, em 1984, extraindo dele uma espécie de testamento filosófico. Início buscando fazer emergir dessa escrita de si foucaultiana uma prestação de contas parresiástica, em que Foucault fala de forma franca sobre as dimensões de seu trabalho e de seu horizonte de preocupação com o entrelaçamento de três grandes temas: a verdade, o poder e o sujeito. Posteriormente, analiso como esses três temas são amarrados por Foucault em torno da questão central de seu último curso: a parresía. Exponho o desenvolvimento do conceito de parresía em conexão com o tema da vida verdadeira na tradição socrático-platônica, no cinismo e no cristianismo primitivo para, então, concluir que Foucault nos deixou vasta herança, inclusive o legado-missão de, a partir da tradição aberta pelo cinismo, promover uma releitura da história da filosofia não mais como metafísica da alma, mas como estética da existência.
Kanoniczne konsekwencje nieodbierania przesyłek poleconych przez proboszcza na przykładzie kazusu
Authors: Kroczek Piotr , Lipińska Weronika
Published: December 2023

Artykuł dotyczy kanonicznych konsekwencji związanych z nieodbieraniem przez proboszcza przesyłek poleconych adresowanych do parafii. Celem artykułu jest ocena z punktu widzenia prawa kanonicznego takiego zaniechania tego organu i reprezentanta parafii. Autorzy wskazują na delikty dyscyplinarne (niewypełnianie wiernie obowiązków, niereprezentowanie parafii, brak współpracy z Kościelnym Inspektorem Ochrony Danych) oraz karne (przestępstwo nadużycia albo zaniedbania urzędu), które można przypisać  proboszczowi. Wniosek jest następujący: nieodbieranie poczty przez proboszcza może skutkować dla niego negatywnymi  konsekwencjami.