bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El clima laboral en la Universidad del Valle de Puebla, Plantel Tehuacán. Análisis de los resultados de la medición
Authors: Benavides Camarillo Angel , Chávez Aguilar Liz , Garduño Gómez Enrique Jesús
Published: December 2020

Las organizaciones son un espacio en el que se vive y crea una cultura de comportamiento y desarrollo de individuos (colaboradores). En una organización educativa, las situaciones son particularmente observadas tanto por los miembros de la infraestructura como por la comunidad que recibe el servicio. El estudio de estas características permite conocer, a un detalle más profundo, cuáles son las razones de un ambiente laboral y las áreas de oportunidad que presenta una compañía en la correcta gestión del capital humano. Este trabajo reporta los hallazgos de la investigación respecto al clima laboral en la Universidad del Valle de Puebla, Plantel Tehuacán, cuyo objetivo es ofrecer un panorama de las características del personal administrativo y de los factores (físico, mental, afectivo, profesional, tecnológico y gerencial) que influyen en su desempeño. De ello se desprende que, a pesar de la permeabilidad de estos en el actuar profesional, existe un escenario armónico que propicia el rendimiento y la atención a los usuarios del servicio educativo, de acuerdo a la visión y misión institucionales.
Fresh views on the early history of Indo-European and its relation to Uralic
Authors: Holopainen Sampsa
Published: December 2020

Besprechung Kloekhorst, Alwin & Pronk, Tijmen (eds.). 2019. The precursors of Proto-Indo-European: The Indo-Anatolian and Indo-Uralic hypotheses (Leiden Studies in Indo-European 21). Leiden & Boston: Brill. viii + 235 pp.
Investigating Indonesian Senior High School Students’ Implementation of Self-Regulated Learning towards the English Subject
Authors: Siswanto Indira Lusianingtyas , Mbato Concilianus Laos
Published: December 2020

English is considered as a foreign language for Indonesian speakers. It also becomes the first obligatory foreign language to be taught in Indonesian Secondary Schools. However, English is rarely used as the medium of communication in the daily life context. Consequently, learners encounter difficulties in uttering sentences and creating written expressions. Therefore, they need to be self-regulated and strategic to acquire English proficiency.  The researchers argued that applying self-regulated learning (SRL) by both students and teachers could enhance students’ language mastery. This paper aimed to investigate whether or not self-regulated learning towards the English subject of Grade X and XI students was implemented in one Senior High School in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.  It adopted a mixed method approach by distributing questionnaire to 60 students, and conducting a semi-structured interview to one English teacher. One English teacher was chosen as a convenience sample in this study.  Based on the finding, the students depict positive results in responding four strategies represented Self-Regulated Learning, including: 1) Planning, 2) Monitoring, 3) Controlling, and 4) Reflecting. Meanwhile, the researcher classified the findings of the teacher’s interview into four major points. The points were: 1) Modelling, 2) Encouraging, 3) Strategic Teaching Method, 4) Outcome Checking and Feedback.  From the findings, it could be concluded that both the students and the teacher implemented some aspects of self-regulated learning; even though the process should be conducted more systematically and consistently.  Keywords:  English learning strategies, self-regulated learning, autonomous learning, English subject
Integrating CALL Into English Language Learning: Bangladeshi College Students’ Perceptions
Authors: Paul Ashim Kumar
Published: December 2020

This study aims to explore Bangladeshi college students’ attitude, perception, interests and challenges with regard to the application of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in learning English. A mixed method research was designed and administered to obtain the purposes of the present study. One hundred undergraduate students (52 male and 48 female) of English Department studying at a government college in Bangladesh participated in the questionnaire survey while twenty students (11 male and 09 female) were purposively chosen for the semi-structured interview section. The collected data of quantitative part were analysed by SPSS software and the responses of the qualitative part were thematically analysed. The findings revealed that students showed positive attitude towards the integration of CALL in English language learning and teaching process. Nonetheless, the Chi-square value revealed that there is no significant relationship between gender variation and the attitude to CALL. The results also revealed that students face some difficulties in using computer and other relevant technological equipment for English Language learning. The results provide concepts and suggestions to the future researchers for further investigations in relation to CALL for the benefits of learners and learning.
The Effect of Question Answer Relationship (QAR) Strategy in Enhancing Students’ Reading Comprehension
Authors: Afriani Zelvia Liska , Anggraini Meita , Riswanto Riswanto
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to find out the effect of Question Answer Relationship (QAR) strategy in increasing students’ reading comprehension. The method used in this research was quasi experimental design. The sample of this study was 30 students of X hospitality accommodation, selected by using the purposive sampling method. They were divided into two classes, 15 students as experimental class who were taught using Question Answer Relationship Strategy and 15 others as control classes who were not taught by using QAR Strategy. In collecting data, the researchers provide tests twice, namely pre-test and post-test. Before conducting the post-test the, researcher gave three treatments in the experimental and control classes with different teaching. The instrument used in this study was 20 multiple choice questions about narrative texts that had been declared valid. The data obtained from pre-test and post-test were analyzed by using t-test. The result of the t-table was 1.76 and the result of the t-test was 2.690. It revealed that the t-test is bigger than the t-table (2.690> 1.76). Therefore, the null hypothesis (Ho) is rejected and the alternative hypothesis (Ha) is accepted. In brief, QAR Relationship Strategy can be one of effective ways in teaching reading for tenth grade students of SMK Yadika Model Lubuk Linggau.
Türkiye’nin Karayolu Politikasının Örgütsel Boyutu: Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğünün Kurumsal Kapasitesi Üzerine Bir Çözümleme
Authors: ARAP İbrahim
Published: December 2020

Ulaştırma ekonomik, sosyal, kültürel ve askeri faaliyetler açısından yaşamsal önemdedir. Her ülke tarihsel-coğrafi koşulları ile sosyo-ekonomik durumuna göre ulaştırma türleri arasında bir bileşim oluşturmuştur. Türkiye’de yolcu ve yük ulaştırmasında ağırlık karayolundadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, karayolu ulaştırma hizmetinde ana aktör olan Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğünün (KGM) bu görevini yapısal ve işleyişsel olarak ne ölçüde yerine getirdiğini, bir başka deyişle kurumsal kapasitesini değerlendirmektir. Çalışmada örgütün, kurumsal kapasitesi ile ilgili değerlendirmeler içeren dört stratejik planı karşılaştırmalı olarak incelenmektedir. Elde edilen temel bulguya göre KGM’nin kurumsal kapasitesi görevlerinin yüküyle orantılı değildir. Kurumsal kapasiteye ilişkin sorunlar bilinmekle birlikte sorunların giderilmesine yönelik önlem ve çabalar sınırlıdır, yetersiz kalmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, önümüzdeki yıllarda iç ve dış nedenlerle ulaştırmada karayolu ağırlıklı politika sürdürülecektir. Bu nedenle karayolu hizmetlerinin niteliğinin artırılması için KGM’nin kurumsal kapasitesinin geliştirilmesine yönelik çabalara yenilerinin eklenerek sürdürülmesi önem taşımaktadır.
Imunoterapia dirigida com células T-CAR para tratamento de leucemia linfoide aguda
Authors: Souza Karolayne Silva , Silva Milena Roberta Freire da , Miranda Flávia Steffany Leite , Leite Kaleen Massari , Silva Jaqueline dos Santos , Sousa Rute Medeiros de , Brito Leandro Paes de , Silva Rodrigo Reges dos Santos , Santos Milena Danda Vasconcelos , Lima Felicson Leonardo Oliveira , Santos Graziele dos , Silva Renata Pereira Lima da , Silva Diego Canuto Bispo da , Nunes Filipe Silva , Oliveira Maria Betânia Melo de , Farias Isabela Cristina Cordeiro
Published: December 2020

Introdução: A imunoterapia com células T-CAR tem sido utilizada como um método alternativo de tratamento da Leucemia Linfóide Aguda (LLA). A LLA é uma patologia na qual há o aumento exacerbado de células jovens imaturas, visto que seus precursores celulares mais afetados são as células T e, na maioria das vezes, células B. O objetivo deste artigo foi explanar sobre a técnica de imunoterapia com células T-CAR, assim como o seu funcionamento. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica de abordagem qualitativa do tipo exploratória, dos quais, foram realizadas buscas nas principais bases eletrônicas nacionais e internacionais: Pubmed, Eletronic Library On-line (SCIELO) Biblioteca virtual de saúde (Bvs), Cell, Science, Nature e Scholar Google no período de 2007 a 2018. Resultados: A LLA é uma patologia que acomete a produção de células sanguíneas como eritrócitos, megacariócitos e granulócitos, isso se deve devido à propagação elevada de blastos na medula óssea. Esta doença tem como tratamento convencional principalmente a quimioterapia e a radioterapia, como também o transplante de células tronco, entretanto esses métodos podem vir a causar diversas complicações ao paciente. A terapia com células T-CAR tem como alvo a destruição de células B do indivíduo, através do reconhecimento de antígenos específicos dessas células (CD19). Conclusão: O tratamento com as células T-CAR demonstra efeitos adversos de baixa gravidade comparado às terapias convencionais (quimioterapia e radioterapia). Portanto, essa imunoterapia pode favorecer no futuro um elevado número de pacientes no combate não apenas a LLA, mas também a diversas outras doenças.
Aplicação da metodologia Design of Experiment (DoE) para otimizar o processo de compressão de comprimidos mastigáveis numa indústria farmacêutica
Authors: Silva Lucas Pedrosa da , Nascimento Natália Camargo , Boldo Emerson Mario
Published: December 2020

A etapa de compressão de comprimidos na indústria farmacêutica é um processo complexo, com inúmeras variáveis e parâmetros de resposta. Durante o ciclo de vida de um medicamento, o produto pode sofrer alterações que podem afetar na formação dos comprimidos em função da necessidade de ganho de performance na compressora, troca de fornecedores de insumos ou aumento de lote, por exemplo. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a otimização do processo de compressão de um produto de linha visando o aumento de velocidade (comprimidos/hora). O trabalho foi conduzido utilizando a metodologia Design of Experiments (DoE) a fim de identificar e correlacionar os parâmetros críticos durante o processo que afetam na manutenção da velocidade de compressão. Para tanto, foi aplicado a metodologia DoE preconizada no Quality by Design (QbD) e descrita no guia ICQ8, para avaliarmos as interações dos parâmetros entre si e apontar as condições ótimas para a compressão do produto. Utilizamos para suportar os experimentos os testes de Tempo de Desintegração, Dureza Média e Variação de Dureza, Peso Médio e Friabilidade. Como resultado, obtivemos que os atributos de qualidade de desintegração e friabilidade não geraram um modelo significativo. Porém conseguimos estabelecer correlações entre velocidade do Fill-O-Matic (FOM) e força de compressão principal nas respostas de variação de peso, dureza e dureza média.
Análise e modelagem gradual do desenvolvimento de um site web de auxílio a certificação de mandados elaborados por oficiais de justiça em Iporá Goiás
Authors: Silva Gabriel Soares da , Oliveira Dionatan Pontes de , Oliveira Daniela Cabral de , Jesus Dilça Cabral de
Published: December 2020

A tecnologia da informação nos diferentes setores do Direito, reflete um cenário competitivo, no qual processos e atividades desenvolvidas pelo Direito atingirão todos os profissionais que trabalham na área. Neste sentido, o presente artigo descreve de forma gradual as etapas dos processos de análise e modelagem do desenvolvimento de um site web para auxiliar a certificação de mandatos elaborados por oficiais de justiça em Iporá Goiás. Inicialmente foram definidos o escopo, lista de caso de uso, diagramas de caso de uso, classe e entidade relacionamento, arquitetura do sistema e protótipo do site web. Para desenvolvimento dos diagramas foram utilizados a ferramenta de modelagem Astah para os diagramas de caso de uso e classe, já o diagrama de entidade relacionamento foi utilizado a ferramenta Workbeanch. Espera-se que no final do projeto seja possível auxiliar na elaboração das certificações de mandatos dos oficiais de justiça em Iporá Goiás.
La Télé-commande
Authors: Gilonne Yves
Published: December 2020

Nous proposons d’étudier comment l'acte de nomination de la cybernétique place la pensée au sein d'une analogie fondamentale ( kybernètes) entre « piloter » (un navire) et « gouverner », entraînant la réduction du champ conceptuel de « commandement » à celui de « contrôle » qui influe de façon déterminante sur nos conceptions de ce que « penser » veut dire. Nous replacerons cette analogie nautique au sein de son riche héritage philosophique, attesté au moins depuis Platon, afin d’évaluer comment le traitement cybernétique du concept-source de pilote se caractérise paradoxalement par l'effacement de son dispositif technique (capitaine, gouvernail, navire), entraînant la virtualisation de son appareil symbolique (pensée, langage, corps) et donc la réduction du concept-cible ( gouverner) à la notion de « contrôle ». La cybernétique opère ainsi un transfert de matérialité entre source et cible qui fait de gouverner un simple appareil technique dans l'oubli de la valeur différentielle de toute analogie qui tient précisément en la non-coïncidence de ses termes. Par « télé-commande » nous désignons le contrôle du programme de la raison réduite à une intelligence devenue artificielle et l'intégrisme de son circuit d'opération qui se renvoie un monde à son image. Nous verrons comment ce mode de pensée se caractérise par la réduction de l’écart entre input/output, source et cible, symbolisée notamment par les nouvelles technologies de contrôle à distance ( télé-commande). La notion de « contrôle » s'avère alors insuffisante pour modéliser le « gouvernement » de soi, des autres et du monde, invitant à une redéfinition de la notion de « commandement » en sa portée éthique.
François Jacob: Bricolage and the Possible
Authors: Marks John
Published: December 2020

As well as his ground-breaking work in the field of molecular biology with Jacques Monod, François Jacob was a gifted and influential writer on science. His extraordinary capacity to make imaginative connections and to coin compelling metaphors informed both his work as a scientist and his writing on science. This article looks at the development of Jacob's distinctive constructivist conceptualization of science over the course of his career. Although Jacob was initially attracted to the metaphor of genetic material as a computer programme, he ultimately moved away from the mechanistic model of reproduction and evolution favoured by Monod. In a short paper published in the journal Science in 1977, he used the metaphor of bricolage as a way of conveying that biology evolution is a process of ‘tinkering’ with pre-existing materials rather than an elegant process of design. This conceptualization of the evolutionary process of building the new from the old has been highly influential in thinking on biology. In a more general sense, the concept of bricolage has a central role in Jacob's work, bringing together his thinking on evolution and science in general. The centrality of bricolage for Jacob positions him philosophically in many ways in the opposing camp to the Cartesian tradition, which was at the core of Monod's vision of science in the world.
Analysis of the Effect of Social Support on Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Tourism Industry – Based on the Perspective of Living-Ecology-Production Integrated Space
Authors: WANG Shan-Lin , LI Yun-Chao , ZHANG Chang-Ping
Published: December 2020

A series of problems, such as disordered development of urban production and living space, low land use efficiency, and ecological environment pollution, appear in the rapid industrialization and urbanization process to seriously hinder the sustainable development of human social economy and ecological environment. In this case, scientifically planning national space and coordinating spatial function become the key problems in the construction of sustainably developing ecological civilization under the background of new-style urbanization and new rural development. The establishment of national spatial system living-ecology-production integrated function coevolution mechanism is the current scientific problem for solutions as well as the key in the implementation of future national spatial planning. Aiming at employees in tourism industry in Guilin, Guangxi, total 460 copies of questionnaire are distributed. After deducting invalid and incomplete copies, 362 valid copies are retrieved, with the retrieval rate 86%. According to the results to propose suggestions, it is expected to help promote the sustainable competitive advantage of industry with the application of living-ecology-production integrated space.
The Effects of Empathy, Social Structure and Social Environment on Individuals’ Moral Behavior Choices in China
Authors: LONG Shuqin
Published: December 2020

Based on the data of the Survey of Residents’ Living and Psychological Conditions in Jiangsu Province, China in 2016, this article analyzed the influencing mechanism of individuals’ moral behavior choices when facing a conflict between righteousness and self-interest. The binary logistic regression models indicated that individuals’ choices of moral behaviors do not differ among various social classes. Empathy has a remarkable influence, but its impact mechanism is complex. The social environment has a significant effect, where malignant events have a stronger influence than others. Furthermore, social environment has more significant effect on individual moral behavior choices than empathy, so, creating a benevolent and harmonious social environment will allow the individual’s empathy to come into full play.
Caracterização da produção cientí­fica dos gestores de Pesquisa e de Extensão dos Institutos Federais com CI 4
Authors: Pessini Magali Inês , Calabró Luciana
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo objetivou caracterizar a produção cientí­fica dos Gestores de Pesquisa e de Extensão dos Institutos Federais com CI 4. É de grande importância retratar o perfil desses gestores que assumem o papel de zelar pelo cumprimento da missão institucional e pelas polí­ticas e ações institucionais de pesquisa e extensão dentro de uma proposta singular de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica, que está em plena expansão e visa à consolidação de sua estrutura. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, de abordagem quantitativa. Esta investigação se pautou da análise do cenário institucional, das caracterí­sticas do perfil dos gestores, tais como: gênero, instituição de doutoramento e função institucional. Traçamos um percurso metodológico alicerçado no conceito de Cientometria, e constatamos que com titulação acadêmica mais elevada os gestores de Pesquisa possuem produção cientí­fica maior do que os gestores de Extensão.
Intravascular Ultrasound in the Endovascular Treatment of Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: Current Role and Future Perspectives
Authors: Loffroy Romaric , Falvo Nicolas , Galland Christophe , Fréchier Léo , Ledan Frédérik , Midulla Marco , Chevallier Olivier
Published: December 2020

Over the last decade, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has emerged as a useful adjunctive tool to angiography in an increasing number of catheter-based procedures for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). IVUS catheters offer accurate cross-sectional imaging of arterial vessels with high dimensional accuracy and provide accurate information about lesion morphology. IVUS enables assessment of the plaque morphology, vessel diameter, and the presence of arterial dissections. Furthermore, IVUS is able to properly guide the best choice of appropriate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) technique, guide the delivery of different devices, and assess the immediate result of any endovascular intervention. In the present review, the role of IVUS for PAD will be discussed, specifically the applications of IVUS technology during interventional procedures including PTA, stent sizing, crossing total occlusion, assessing residual narrowing and stent apposition and expansion, and atherectomy. Future perspectives of IVUS-guided treatments and cost-effectiveness of the systematic use of IVUS during endovascular interventions will be also discussed.
Age-Related Dynamics of Circulating Innate Lymphoid Cells in an African Population
Authors: Darboe Alansana , Nielsen Carolyn M. , Wolf Asia-Sophia , Wildfire Jacob , Danso Ebrima , Sonko Bakary , Bottomley Christian , Moore Sophie E. , Riley Eleanor M. , Goodier Martin R.
Published: December 2020

Innate lymphoid cell (ILC) lineages mirror those of CD4+ T helper cell subsets, producing type 1, 2 and 3 cytokines respectively. Studies in adult human populations have shown contributions of non-cytotoxic ILC to immune regulation or pathogenesis in a wide range of diseases and have prompted investigations of potential functional redundancy between ILC and T helper cell compartments in neonates and children. To investigate the potential for ILC to contribute to immune responses across the human lifespan, we examined the numbers and frequencies of peripheral blood ILC subsets in a cohort of Gambians aged between 5 and 73 years of age. ILC2 were the most abundant peripheral blood ILC subset in this Gambian cohort, while ILC1 were the rarest at all ages. Moreover, the frequency of ILC1s (as a proportion of all lymphocytes) was remarkably stable over the life course whereas ILC3 cell frequencies and absolute numbers declined steadily across the life course and ILC2 frequencies and absolute numbers declined from childhood until the age of approx. 30 years of age. Age-related reductions in ILC2 cell numbers appeared to be partially offset by increasing numbers of total and GATA3+ central memory (CD45RA-CCR7+) CD4+ T cells, although there was also a gradual decline in numbers of total and GATA3+ effector memory (CD45RA-CCR7-) CD4+ T cells. Despite reduced overall abundance of ILC2 cells, we observed a coincident increase in the proportion of CD117+ ILC2, indicating potential for age-related adaptation of these cells in childhood and early adulthood. While both CD117+ and CD117- ILC2 cells produced IL-13, these responses occurred predominantly within CD117- cells. Furthermore, comparison of ILC frequencies between aged-matched Gambian and UK young adults (25–29 years) revealed an overall higher proportion of ILC1 and ILC2, but not ILC3 in Gambians. Thus, these data indicate ongoing age-related changes in ILC2 cells throughout life, which retain the capacity to differentiate into potent type 2 cytokine producing cells, consistent with an ongoing role in immune modulation.
Lymphocyte Changes in Severe COVID-19: Delayed Over-Activation of STING?
Authors: Berthelot Jean-Marie , Lioté Frédéric , Maugars Yves , Sibilia Jean
Published: December 2020

Upon recognition of microbial DNA or self-DNA, the cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) of the host catalyzes the production of the cyclic dinucleotide cGAMP. cGAMP is the main activator of STING, stimulator of interferon genes, leading to interferon synthesis through the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway. STING is also a hub for activation of NF-κB and autophagy. The present review details the striking similarities between T and B cell responses in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and both animal or human models of STING gain of function (SAVI syndromes: STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy). Those similarities may be further clues for a delayed activation of STING in severe COVID-19 patients, due to DNA damages following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2) infection and unusual role of STING in SARS-CoV-2 control. In early stages, Th2 differentiation are noticed in both severe COVID-19 and SAVI syndromes; then, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells functional exhaustion/senescent patterns due to TCR hyper-responsiveness are observed. T cell delayed over-responses can contribute to pneumonitis and delayed cytokine secretion with over-production of IL-6. Last, STING over-activation induces progressive CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphopenia in SAVI syndromes, which parallels what is observed in severe COVID-19. ACE2, the main receptor of SARS-CoV-2, is rarely expressed in immune cells, and it has not been yet proven that some human lymphocytes could be infected by SARS-CoV-2 through CD147 or CD26. However, STING, expressed in humans T cells, might be triggered following excessive transfer of cGAMP from infected antigen presenting cells into activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells lymphocytes. Indeed, those lymphocytes highly express the cGAMP importer SLC19A1. Whereas STING is not expressed in human B cells, B cells counts are much less affected, either in COVID-19 or SAVI syndromes. The recognition of delayed STING over-activation in severe COVID-19 patients could prompt to target STING with specific small molecules inhibitors already designed and/or aspirin, which inhibits cGAS.
The Two Faces of Nematode Infection: Virulence and Immunomodulatory Molecules From Nematode Parasites of Mammals, Insects and Plants
Authors: Bobardt Sarah D. , Dillman Adler R. , Nair Meera G.
Published: December 2020

Helminths stage a powerful infection that allows the parasite to damage host tissue through migration and feeding while simultaneously evading the host immune system. This feat is accomplished in part through the release of a diverse set of molecules that contribute to pathogenicity and immune suppression. Many of these molecules have been characterized in terms of their ability to influence the infectious capabilities of helminths across the tree of life. These include nematodes that infect insects, known as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and plants with applications in agriculture and medicine. In this review we will first discuss the nematode virulence factors, which aid parasite colonization or tissue invasion, and cause many of the negative symptoms associated with infection. These include enzymes involved in detoxification, factors essential for parasite development and growth, and highly immunogenic ES proteins. We also explore how these parasites use several classes of molecules (proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids) to evade the host’s immune defenses. For example, helminths release immunomodulatory molecules in extracellular vesicles that may be protective in allergy and inflammatory disease. Collectively, these nematode-derived molecules allow parasites to persist for months or even years in a host, avoiding being killed or expelled by the immune system. Here, we evaluate these molecules, for their individual and combined potential as vaccine candidates, targets for anthelminthic drugs, and therapeutics for allergy and inflammatory disease. Last, we evaluate shared virulence and immunomodulatory mechanisms between mammalian and non-mammalian plant parasitic nematodes and EPNs, and discuss the utility of EPNs as a cost-effective model for studying nematode-derived molecules. Better knowledge of the virulence and immunomodulatory molecules from both entomopathogenic nematodes and soil-based helminths will allow for their use as beneficial agents in fighting disease and pests, divorced from their pathogenic consequences.
The Aromatic Plant Clary Sage Shaped Bacterial Communities in the Roots and in the Trace Element-Contaminated Soil More Than Mycorrhizal Inoculation – A Two-Year Monitoring Field Trial
Authors: Raveau Robin , Fontaine Joël , Hijri Mohamed , Lounès-Hadj Sahraoui Anissa
Published: December 2020

To cope with soil contamination by trace elements (TE), phytomanagement has attracted much attention as being an eco-friendly and cost-effective green approach. In this context, aromatic plants could represent a good option not only to immobilize TE, but also to use their biomass to extract essential oils, resulting in high added-value products suitable for non-food valorization. However, the influence of aromatic plants cultivation on the bacterial community structure and functioning in the rhizosphere microbiota remains unknown. Thus, the present study aims at determining in TE-aged contaminated soil (Pb – 394 ppm, Zn – 443 ppm, and Cd – 7ppm, respectively, 11, 6, and 17 times higher than the ordinary amounts in regional agricultural soils) the effects of perennial clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) cultivation, during two successive years of growth and inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, on rhizosphere bacterial diversity and community structure. Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing targeting bacterial 16S rRNA gene was used to assess bacterial diversity and community structure changes. Bioinformatic analysis of sequencing datasets resulted in 4691 and 2728 bacterial Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) in soil and root biotopes, respectively. Our findings have shown that the cultivation of clary sage displayed a significant year-to-year effect, on both bacterial richness and community structures. We found that the abundance of plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria significantly increased in roots during the second growing season. However, we didn’t observe any significant effect of mycorrhizal inoculation neither on bacterial diversity nor on community structure. Our study brings new evidence in TE-contaminated areas of the effect of a vegetation cover with clary sage cultivation on the microbial soil functioning.
The Correlation Between Migraine and Patent Foramen Ovale
Authors: Liu Kaiming , Wang Brian Z. , Hao Yishu , Song Shuijiang , Pan Mengxiong
Published: December 2020

Background: Migraine is a widespread neurological disorder. The patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a remnant of the fetal circulation. Multiple studies suggest that migraine is more prevalent in subjects with PFO and vice versa. It is unclear if there is a causal relationship or simply a co-existence of these two conditions. Furthermore, the treatment of migraine with percutaneous closure PFO remains controversial.

Methods: We reviewed studies pertaining to the relationship between PFO and migraine as well as the effects of treatments on migraine attacks.

Results: We briefly summarized potential pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine, and elaborated on migraine type, frequency, and clinical symptoms of migraine with PFO and the clinical features of PFO with migraine. We also addressed the effects of PFO closure on migraine attacks.

Conclusion: The evidence supports a “dose-response” relationship between migraine and PFO although more work needs to be done in terms of patient selection as well as the inclusion of an antiplatelet control group for PFO closure interventions to uncover possible beneficial results in clinical trials.
The Impact of Item Calibration Error on Variable-Length Cognitive Diagnostic Computerized Adaptive Testing
Authors: Sun Xiaojian , Liu Yanlou , Xin Tao , Song Naiqing
Published: December 2020

Calibration errors are inevitable and should not be ignored during the estimation of item parameters. Items with calibration error can affect the measurement results of tests. One of the purposes of the current study is to investigate the impacts of the calibration errors during the estimation of item parameters on the measurement accuracy, average test length, and test efficiency for variable-length cognitive diagnostic computerized adaptive testing. The other purpose is to examine the methods for reducing the adverse effects of calibration errors. Simulation results show that (1) calibration error has negative effect on the measurement accuracy for the deterministic input, noisy “and” gate (DINA) model, and the reduced reparameterized unified model; (2) the average test lengths is shorter, and the test efficiency is overestimated for items with calibration errors; (3) the compensatory reparameterized unified model (CRUM) is less affected by the calibration errors, and the classification accuracy, average test length, and test efficiency are slightly stable in the CRUM framework; (4) methods such as improving the quality of items, using large calibration sample to calibrate the parameters of items, as well as using cross-validation method can reduce the adverse effects of calibration errors on CD-CAT.
Promoting Resilience to Food Commercials Decreases Susceptibility to Unhealthy Food Decision-Making
Authors: Ha Oh-Ryeong , Killian Haley J. , Davis Ann M. , Lim Seung-Lark , Bruce Jared M. , Sotos Jarrod J. , Nelson Samuel C. , Bruce Amanda S.
Published: December 2020

Children are vulnerable to adverse effects of food advertising. Food commercials are known to increase hedonic, taste-oriented, and unhealthy food decisions. The current study examined how promoting resilience to food commercials impacted susceptibility to unhealthy food decision-making in children. To promote resilience to food commercials, we utilized the food advertising literacy intervention intended to enhance cognitive skepticism and critical thinking, and decrease positive attitudes toward commercials. Thirty-six children aged 8–12 years were randomly assigned to the food advertising literacy intervention or the control condition. Eighteen children received four brief intervention sessions via video over 1 week period. In each session, children watched six food commercials with interspersed embedded intervention narratives. While watching food commercials and narratives, children were encouraged to speak their thoughts out loud spontaneously (“think-aloud”), which provided children's attitudes toward commercials. Eighteen children in the control condition had four control sessions over 1 week, and watched the same food commercials without intervention narratives while thinking aloud. The first and last sessions were held in the laboratory, and the second and third sessions were held at the children's homes. Susceptibility to unhealthy food decision-making was indicated by the decision weights of taste attributes, taste perception, food choices,ad libitumsnacking, and cognitive and affective attitudes toward food commercials. As hypothesized, the intervention successfully decreased susceptibility to unhealthy food decision-making evidenced by reduced decision weights of the taste in food decisions, decreased tasty perception of unhealthy foods, and increased cognitive skepticism and critical thinking toward food commercials. In addition, as children's opinions assimilated to intervention narratives, their cognitive skepticism and critical thinking toward commercials increased. The aforementioned results were not shown in the control condition. However, this brief intervention was not enough to change actual food choices or food consumption. Results of this study suggest that promoting resilience to food commercials by enhancing cognitive skepticism and critical thinking effectively reduced children's susceptibility to unhealthy food-decision making.
Effects of Age-Related Stereotype Threat on Metacognition
Authors: Fourquet Natasha Y. , Patterson Tara K. , Li Changrui , Castel Alan D. , Knowlton Barbara J.
Published: December 2020

Previous work has shown that memory performance in older adults is affected by activation of a stereotype of age-related memory decline. In the present experiment, we examined whether stereotype threat would affect metamemory in older adults; that is, whether under stereotype threat they make poorer judgments about what they could remember. We tested older adults (MAge= 66.18 years) on a task in which participants viewed words paired with point values and “bet” on whether they could later recall each word. If they bet on and recalled a word, they gained those points, but if they bet on and failed to recall a word, they lost those points. Thus, this task required participants to monitor how much they could remember and prioritize high value items. Participants performed this task over six lists of items either under stereotype threat about age-related memory decline or not under stereotype threat. Participants from both groups performed similarly on initial lists, but on later lists, participants under stereotype threat showed impaired performance as indicated by a lower average point score and a lower average gamma coefficient. The results suggest that a modest effect of stereotype threat on recall combined with a modest effect on metacognitive judgments to result in a performance deficit. This pattern of results may reflect an effect of stereotype threat on executive control reducing the ability to strategically use memory.
Longitudinal Evidence of How Media Audiences Differ in Public Health Perceptions and Behaviors During a Global Pandemic
Authors: Frissen Thomas , De Coninck David , Matthys Koenraad , d'Haenens Leen
Published: December 2020

The current study investigates how public attitudes and perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic evolve over time and influence self-reported health behaviors (e. g., social distancing). Specific attention was paid to respondents' exposure to different news media channels (public vs. commercial). We used data from a two-wave panel study with a 3-week interval (W1 at the start and W2 at the peak of the pandemic) and a large sample of the adult population in Flanders, Belgium (n = 870). The results of mixed ANOVAs indicate that besides a time-effect there was also a significant effect of the different types of news media exposure and respondents' support for protective health measures and behaviors. Whereas, perceived vulnerability to disease, feelings of loneliness, and solidarity were mostly determined by respondents' overall frequency of media exposure, support of governmental measures and self-reported health behaviors were mostly determined by the type of news media exposure. Respondents with a predominantly public/quality news media diet had the highest scores on these variables. A stepwise linear regression analysis with individual's change scores demonstrated that (self-)protective behavior was positively determined by respondents' age, solidarity, and the belief that the measures are necessary, but negatively determined by one's cumulative exposure to commercial/tabloid news media. This longitudinal study provides a new perspective on the role of news media in times of a public health crisis. It offers support for (A) the “double bind hypothesis” (i.e., while news media consumption encourages (self-)isolation, it fosters feelings of loneliness); and (B) the “dual effects hypothesis” (i.e., exposure to commercial/tabloid news media generates different outcomes than exposure to public/quality news media). Affective responses and socio-psychological perceptions are influenced by overall news media exposure, whereas support for the government and its handling of the crisis are mainly determined by one's selection of media channels, whereby audiences of public news media evaluate these outcomes more positively than the audiences of commercial news media channels.
Multi-Level State Interventions and Gender Equality in Higher Education Institutions: The Irish Case
Authors: O’Connor Pat , Irvine Gemma
Published: December 2020

Much of the work on gender equality in higher educational institutions (HEIs) has concentrated on the organizational level. The original contribution of this article lies in its focus on state policy developments and interventions. We focus on Ireland as a specific national context, highlighting multi-level state interventions and looking at their impact on HEIs. Using secondary data analysis (including documentary analysis) and focusing particularly on the period since 2014, state initiatives to tackle the problem of gender inequality from various angles are outlined. They include the introduction of Athena SWAN; the Expert Group Review; the Gender Equality Taskforce; the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative; research funding agency initiatives and those around sexual harassment. In evaluating their impact, we look at the gender pay gap, the gender profile of the professoriate and senior management as well as other indicators of cultural change in HEIs. The article concludes that the best possibility of leveraging change arises when it is driven at the state (macro); the HEI (meso) and the situational (micro) level simultaneously, by gender competent leaders willing to tackle the historically male dominated, masculinist criteria, procedures, processes and micropolitical practices that are “normalized” in HEIs.
Interactive Effects of Biochar and Sewage Sludge on Bioavailability and Plant Uptake of Cu, Fe, and Zn, and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Yields under Wastewater Irrigation
Authors: Majaule Ugele , Dikinya Oagile , Glaser Bruno
Published: December 2020

Biochar can influence bioavailability of micronutrients and crop yields in sewage sludge-treated soils, but the mechanisms of its effects remain poorly understood. Therefore, this field experiment was conducted on a Luvisol and Cambisol to investigate the bioavailability and uptake of some micronutrients and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) yields grown in soil amended with biochar and sewage sludge. Ten treatments arranged in randomized complete block design with three levels of biochar (0, 2.5, 5 t/ha) and sewage sludge (0, 6, 12 t/ha) and combinations thereof were applied. High rate of sole sewage sludge, and its combination with biochar significantly (p < 0.05) increased yield on the Luvisol. On the Cambisol, only marginal yield increase resulted from high rates of sole organic amendments and chemical fertilizer, while co-applications decreased yields. Co-amendments generally increased bioavailability of micronutrients relative to sole amendments in the order Fe > Cu = Zn, with greater increase on the Cambisol, but uptake of micronutrients decreased with co-application rates of amendments. Contents of micronutrients in plant leaves were within the normal range, except for a combination of highest dosage of co-amendments on the Cambisol (Fe; 560 mg/kg), which resulted in leaf necrosis and 7% yield depression. The results showed greater yield response of spinach to co-application of amendments on the Luvisol.
The Effect of Various Types of Biochar Mixed with Mineral Fertilization on the Development and Ionome of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings and Soil Properties in a Pot Experiment
Authors: Kulczycki Grzegorz , Magnucka Elżbieta G. , Oksińska Małgorzata P. , Kucińska Jolanta , Kobyłecki Rafał , Pawęska Katarzyna , Zarzycki Robert , Kacprzak Andrzej , Pietr Stanisław J.
Published: December 2020

This paper focuses on the agronomic evaluation of a synthetic NPK (N in the form of urea, P and K in the form of phosphate monopotassium) fertilizers blended with four types of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood biochar prepared at different thermal regimes (300 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C and 700 °C). The evaluation of benefits was done based on crop nutritional status and soil fertility. The pot experiment was set up with fertile Haplic Luvisol fertilized with 1.85 g kg−1 of blends of biochar (1.25 g) with urea (310 mg) and KH2PO4 (290 mg), which is equivalent to 500 kg ha−1 (biochar ~67.6%; N ~7.8%; P ~3.6%; K ~4.7%) applied before sowing. Only NPK blends made with biochar containing 75% or 85% carbon increased the biomass of 27-day old wheat seedlings from 12% to 20% in comparison to NPK applied alone. These blends raised the content of Mn and Fe in plants but decreased the contents of Ca and Mg. All the tested mixtures enhanced soil fertility by increasing the content of humic acids. Additionally, the content of potentially phytotoxic phenolic compounds was lower. In general, the addition of biochar to NPK fertilizer did not show a negative effect on crop quality. The overall results of the study suggest that the application of low doses of biochar to synthetic fertilizer can benefit crops and can support soil fertility.
Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Model of Diffusion Weighted Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging in Differentiating of Local Colorectal Cancer Recurrence from Scar/Fibrosis Tissue by Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis
Authors: Fusco Roberta , Granata Vincenza , Sansone Mario , Grimm Robert , Delrio Paolo , Rega Daniela , Tatangelo Fabiana , Avallone Antonio , Raiano Nicola , Totaro Giuseppe , Cerciello Vincenzo , Pecori Biagio , Petrillo Antonella
Published: December 2020

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the potential of Intravoxel incoherent motion model of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the differentiation of local colorectal cancer recurrence (LCR) from scar/fibrosis tissue in patients that underwent chemo-radiation therapy followed by the total mesorectal excision (TME) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: Fifty-six patients were retrospectively included for the image analysis. Diffusion and perfusion parameters were extracted by DWI data (apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (Dp), perfusion fraction (fp), and tissue diffusivity (Dt)) and DKI data (mean of diffusion coefficient (MD) and mean of diffusional Kurtosis). Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, and area under ROC curve (AUC) were used in a univariate statistical analysis. Backward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed. Results: LCR was found in 34 patients and treatment related changes such as scar/fibrosis tissue in 22 patients. At univariate analysis, low performance was reached by the mean value of Kurtosis with and AUC of 0.72 and an accuracy of 75%, respectively. Considering a regression model obtained as weighted sum of the ADC, Kurtosis, fp and Dp mean values, reached an AUC of 0.82 with a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 93%, and an accuracy of 81%. Conclusions: DWI derived parameters combined with DKI derived metrics in a multivariate model could allow differentiating of local colorectal recurrence from scar/fibrosis tissue after TME of LARC.
Damage Detection Method Based on Continuous Wavelet Transformation of Lamb Wave Signals
Authors: Hameed M. Saqib , Li Zheng , Zheng Kaihong
Published: December 2020

A damage estimation method based on continuous wavelet transformation (CWT) of the normalized Lamb wave signals is proposed here. Lamb waves are actuated and sensed using piezoelectric (lead zirconate titanate, PZT) transducers arranged in the form of square detection cells on a plate-like structure. Excitation sequences based on pitch–catch and pulse–echo configurations are tested for the same arrangement of the transducers. The possibilities of the existence of damage for each actuator–senor pair are formed by using the normalized coefficient of CWT. The size of the possible damage region is directly controlled through envelopes defined by the coefficients of CWT, and no additional parameter is required to define its size. The aggregate damage image is constructed by the fusion of damage possibilities from all actuator–sensor pairs using damage indices based on conjunctive and compromised fusion schemes. The results indicate that the proposed method can estimate the location and severity of multiple damage with signals directly from the damaged plate, without the need of baseline signals from the undamaged plate, and the time-compensated signals provide better damage imaging than the raw signals. The most accurate and computationally inexpensive combination is the pulse–echo configuration with damage index based on conjunctive image fusion scheme. The method is computationally inexpensive and can be applied for multiple damage estimations in large structures to reduce the evaluation cost and inspection time during on-line structural health monitoring.