bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVALUACIÓN DE LA CONTAMINACIÓN POR As, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn y Cr EN SEDIMENTOS DE LA ZONA MARINO-COSTERA ASOCIADA A LA TERMINAL MARÍTIMA DE NUEVITAS, CUBA
Authors:   Centro de Investigación del Petróleo. Churruca No.481. C.P. 12000. La Habana, Cuba., Guillama Barroso Gileydis , Ramos Delgado Norma A. ,   Centro de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica del Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo León. Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica. Av. De la Alianza No. 507, Autopista Monterrey-Aeropuerto Km 10. C.P. 66628. Apodaca, Nuevo León, México., Sanjuan Galindo René ,   Centro de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica del Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo León. Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica. Av. De la Alianza No. 507, Autopista Monterrey-Aeropuerto Km 10. C.P. 66628. Apodaca, Nuevo León, México., Herrera Mendoza Raúl ,   Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada. Blvd. Enrique Reyna Hermosillo No. 140. C.P. 25294. Saltillo, Coahuila, México.., Rivera Haro Julio A. ,   Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados-Unidad Monterrey (CIMAV). Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica. Av. Alianza Norte 202, Autopista Monterrey-Aeropuerto Km 10. C.P. 66628 Apodaca, Nuevo León, México., Quevedo Álvarez Odalys ,   Centro de Investigación del Petróleo. Churruca No.481. C.P. 12000. La Habana, Cuba.
Published: April 2022

En los estudios de contaminación por elementos traza en los ambientes acuáticos los sedimentos constituyen un renglón clave ya que actúan como trampas para numerosos compuestos, afectando así el equilibrio ecológico y biogeoquímico del ecosistema. Debido al desconocimiento existente sobre los niveles de concentración de elementos indicadores de contaminación en los sedimentos de la zona marino-costera asociada a la terminal marítima de Nuevitas (Cuba), el objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar la contaminación por As, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn y Cr en sedimentos de esa zona mediante la determinación de los contenidos totales, su comparación directa con concentraciones de referencia establecidas en guías internacionales de calidad de sedimentos y el empleo de índices de enriquecimiento. Los sedimentos fueron colectados, durante el mes de mayo de 2016, en seis estaciones donde existe influencia de la terminal marítima, y digeridos según el método EPA 3052. Se empleó como técnica de detección la espectroscopia de emisión atómica con fuente de plasma acoplado inductivamente. La evaluación del contenido total en los sedimentos mostró que el orden de abundancia de los elementos analizados fue: Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > As. En los sedimentos de las estaciones E1, E3 y E5 se detectaron concentraciones que sobrepasan los tenores de efecto probable (PEL) correspondientes para la mayoría de los elementos estudiados, destacándose el Cr y el Ni por superar los niveles causantes de efectos biológicos moderados (ERM). Se comprobó, mediante los factores de enriquecimiento, que los niveles de Ni en los sedimentos se deben a causas naturales y que existe un enriquecimiento moderadamente severo o severo de Cr en los sedimentos de las estaciones E1, E3, E6 y E5, evidenciando el carácter antrópico de dicha contaminación.
AQUATIC MACROPHYTES AS BIOINDICATORS OF METALS IN WATER RESERVOIRS IN VENEZUELA
Authors:   Laboratorio de Comunidades Marinas y Ecotoxicología / CETOXMAR, Simón Bolívar University, Miranda. Postal code 1080, García Tomás A. , Ramos Fonseca Ruth ,   Laboratorio de Comunidades Marinas y Ecotoxicología / CETOXMAR and Organism Biology Department, Simón Bolívar University, Miranda. Postal code 1080
Published: April 2022

In Caracas, Venezuela, the water reservoirs that provide services to the city do not have a monitoring plan, and the concentrations of possible pollutants are unknown. This is of interest, considering that these areas have had uncontrolled growth and suffer from urban discharges, which are potential sources of contaminants such as heavy metals. Under this scenario, the study’s objective was to assess the potential of the aquatic macrophytes Eichhornia crassipes and Lemna minor as bioindicators for metal contamination by accumulation. Plants, water, and sediment samples were collected in La Mariposa, Camatagua, and La Pereza reservoirs, at two sampling points per reservoir, three transects per point, and three samples per transect. The concentrations of Pb, Al, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Hg in the mentioned compartments and the bioavailable fraction of sediments were determined with inductively coupled plasma in optical emission spectroscopy and a direct mercury analizer. The metal content of the analyzed samples was different between the reservoirs (pperm ˂ 0.05). Metal concentrations in E. crassipes and L. minor were also different between water reservoirs (pperm ˂ 0.05 and MC at 0.05, respectively). The plants’ metal content had a similar pattern to the concentrations of metals in water, sediments, and bioavailable fraction (p ˂ 0.05). The results suggest that both species are potential bioindicators for metal contamination by accumulation, especially E. crassipes since it is a perennial plant that could reflect environmental quality over a longer period than L. minor.
Strongly Enhanced Self-Phase Modulation in Silicon Nitride Waveguides Integrated With Graphene Oxide 2D Films
Authors: Moss David
Published: April 2022

We experimentally demonstrate enhanced self-phase modulation (SPM) in silicon nitride (Si3N4) waveguides integrated with 2D graphene oxide (GO) films. GO films are integrated onto Si3N4 waveguides using a solution-based, transfer-free coating method that enables precise control of the film thickness. Detailed SPM measurements are carried out using both picosecond and femtosecond optical pulses. Owing to the high Kerr nonlinearity of GO, the hybrid waveguides show significantly improved spectral broadening compared to the uncoated waveguide, achieving a broadening factor of up to ~3.4 for a device with 2 layers of GO. By fitting the experimental results with theory, we obtain an improvement in the waveguide nonlinear parameter by a factor of up to 18.4 and a Kerr coefficient (n2) of GO that is about 5 orders of magnitude higher than Si3N4. Finally, we provide a theoretical analysis for the influence of GO film length, coating position, and its saturable absorption on the SPM performance. These results verify the effectiveness of on-chip integrating 2D GO films to enhance the nonlinear optical performance of Si3N4 devices.
Application of multi-component data model for class descriptions in the image classification problem
Authors: Gorokhovatskyi Volodymyr , Stiahlyk Natalia , Zhadan Oleksii
Published: April 2022

The subject of research of the article is the methods of image classification according to the set of descriptors of key points in computer vision systems. The aim is to increase the efficiency of classification by introducing a multicomponent data model on a set of descriptors for the base of reference images. Applied methods: ORB detector and descriptors, apparatus of set theory and vector space, metric models for determining the relevance of sets of multidimensional vectors, elements of probability theory, software modeling. Results are obtained: a modified method of image classification based on the introduction of a multicomponent model for data analysis with a system of centers is developed, methods of constructing a set of data centers are identified, the most effective is the set medoid and centers based on it. The effectiveness of the modification significantly depends on the method of forming the centers, the applied classification model, as well as on the data itself. The best results were shown by the classification with the integrated indicator separately for each of the standards in the form of the sum of the values of the distributions for the set of centers; experimentally tested the effectiveness of the classification, confirmed the efficiency of the proposed method. The practical significance of the work is the construction of classification models in the transformed data space, confirmation of the efficiency of the proposed modifications on the examples of images, the creation of software for the implementation of developed classification methods in computer vision systems.
THE CONCEPT OF PERFORMING THE ADDITION OPERATION IN THE SYSTEM OF RESIDUAL CLASSES
Authors: Krasnobayev Victor , Koshman Sergey , Kovalchuk Dmytro
Published: April 2022

The subject of the article is the development of a method for implementing the arithmetic operation of adding the residuals of numbers, which are represented in the system of residual classes (RNS). This method is based on the use of positional binary adders. The purpose of the article is to improve the performance of computer systems (CS) and their components by introducing new ways of organizing calculations based on the use of RNS. Tasks: to analyze and identify the shortcomings of the existing number systems that are used in the construction of computer systems and components; explore possible ways to eliminate the identified deficiencies; explore the structure of binary positional adders, taking into account the scheme for adding two residues of numbers modulo RNS; to develop a method for constructing adders modulo RNS, which is based on the use of a set of binary single-digit positional adders. Research methods: methods of analysis and synthesis of computer systems, number theory, coding theory in RNS. The following results are obtained. The paper shows that one of the promising ways to improve the performance of the CS is the use of RNS. The mathematical basis of RNS is the Chinese remainder theorem, which states that an integer operation on one large modulus can be replaced by a set of operations on coprime small modules. This opens up broad prospects for optimizing calculations. On the one hand, it is possible to significantly simplify the performance of complex and cumbersome calculations, including on low-resource computing platforms. On the other hand, calculations for different modules can be performed in parallel, which increases the performance of the CS. Conclusions. The article considers the operation of adding two numbers. This operation is the basis for both traditional positional number systems and RNS, i.e. forms the computational basis of all existing CS components. A new method for calculating the sum of the residuals of numbers modulo an arbitrary is proposed, and examples are given that clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. This method can be used in various computer applications, including for improving computing performance, ensuring fault tolerance, etc.
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS INDICATORS FIBER-OPTIC COMMUNICATION LINES USING SPECTRAL TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: İbrahimov Bayram , Hashimov Elshan , Talibov Aziz , Hasanov Arif
Published: April 2022

The fiber-optic communication lines and fiber-optic transmission systems using fiber-optic cable, receiving and transmitting optical modules based on WDM and DWDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing & Dense WDM) technologies are studied. A method for calculating the transmission characteristics fiber-optic communication lines is proposed and relationships are obtained that establish an analytical relationship between the length regeneration section and the transmission rate. This paper discusses the study and analysis indicators fiber-optic communication lines using spectral WDM and DWDM technologies.
SEMI-MARKOV RELIABILITY MODELS
Authors: Raskin Lev , Sviatkin Iaroslav , Ivanchikhin Yuriy , Korsun Roman
Published: April 2022

Traditional technologies for reliability analysis of semi-Markov systems are limited to obtaining a stationary state probability distribution. However, when solving practical control problems in such systems, the study of transient processes is of considerable interest. This implies the subject of research - the analysis of the laws of distribution of the system states probabilities. The goal of the work is to obtain the desired distribution at any time. The complexity of the problem solving is determined by the need to obtain a result for arbitrary distribution laws of the duration of the system's stay in each state before leaving. An easy-to-implement method for the analysis of semi-Markov reliability models has been suggested. The method is based on the possibility of approximating probability-theoretic descriptions of failure and recovery flows in the system using the Erlang distribution laws of the proper order. The developed computational scheme uses the most important property of Erlang flows, which are formed as a result of sieving the simplest Poisson flow. In this case, the semi-Markov model is reduced to the Markov one, which radically simplifies the analysis of real systems.
METROLOGICAL SUPPORT OF PULSE OXIMETERS
Authors: Tverytnykova Elena , Drozdova Tatyana , Demidova Yulia , Kuzmenko Nataliia
Published: April 2022

The experience of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum in the use of products for oxygen therapy based on the study of guidelines, international and European regulations on medical devices is considered. Emphasis is placed on issues related to the metrological support of pulse oximeters. The global situation with the pandemic increases the relevance of selected topics. Continuous monitoring of blood oxygen saturation is one of the most important elements in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Despite the fact that the use of pulse oximeters does not require special medical knowledge, calibration and special maintenance, it is still necessary to control their reliability and accuracy of measurement. The study of pulse oximeter MD300M in accordance with the requirements of DSTU 8893:2019 "Metrology. Pulse oximeters. Calibration Method” 2020. Analysis of MD300M pulse oximeter calibration results revealed that this pulse oximeter was calibrated by the saturation and pulse measurement channel, as the maximum deviation of the measured saturation value from the pulse oximeter calibration measure does not exceed the pulse oximeter measurement documentation specified in the operating documentation. The discreteness of the MD300M pulse oximeter and the discreteness of the reference device MPPO-2, which are specified in the passports for the respective devices, have the greatest influence on the measurement uncertainty.
Performance of basic arithmetic actions with complex numbers, which are presented in interval hyperbolic form
Authors: Gadetska Svitlana , Dubnitskiy Valeriy , Kushneruk Yuriy , Khodyrev Alexander
Published: April 2022

The goal of the work. Development of methods for performing basic arithmetic operations with interval complex numbers, which are presented in hyperbolic form, their modulus and argument. Results. The paper considers the method of extending interval numbers defined in hyperbolic form (hyperbolic interval numbers) to the field of complex numbers. To do this, the real and imaginary part of a complex number is presented in the form of a hyperbolic interval number. The connections between the representation of interval numbers in the classical form, the CENTER-RADIUS system and the hyperbolic form are established. Methods of performing basic arithmetic operations with hyperbolic complex numbers are proposed, namely: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. A method of raising the positive interval number of a complex interval number defined in a hyperbolic form to an integer positive degree is proposed. Methods for calculating the modulus and argument of a complex number defined in hyperbolic form are proposed. A method for determining the root of a degree from an interval complex number represented in hyperbolic form is proposed. Using the connections between hyperbolic and trigonometric functions, a form of representation of an interval number in trigonometric form is proposed. It is established that it is most expedient to perform addition and subtraction actions with complex interval numbers, which have a classical form or are defined in the CENTER-RADIUS system. The operations of multiplication, division and elevation to an integer power are most expedient to perform with complex interval numbers which are defined in hyperbolic form. The operation of calculating the root of a degree from an interval complex number, presented in hyperbolic form, is most expedient to perform with the combined use of the representation of the interval number in the system CENTER-RADIUS and in hyperbolic form.
Predicting Collapse in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Using a New Method: Preserved Angles of Anterior and Lateral Femoral Head
Authors: Wei Qiu-Shi , Li Zi-Qi , Hong Zhi-Nan , Hong Guo-Ju , Pang Feng-Xiang , Yang Peng , Yang Fan , Yuan Ying-Jia , Zhuang Zhi-Kun , He Wei
Published: April 2022

Background:

Femoral head collapse (FHC) is associated with a poor prognosis in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Preserved angles (PAs), including the lateral preserved angle (LPA), the anterior preserved angle (APA) and the combined preserved angle (CPA), can be used to quantify the extent of femoral head necrosis and predict the risk of femoral head collapse. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the efficacy of these preserved angles in the prediction of femoral head collapse using plain radiographs.

Methods:

Patients with ONFH treated conservatively between January 2010 and January 2019 were analyzed retrospectively to assess the risk of FHC. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the independent prognostic factors associated with FHC, including age, sex, etiology, onset of symptom, The Japanese Investigation Committee classification, and PAs (LPA, APA, and CPA).

Results:

A total of 137 patients, with 180 hips, had follow-up of at least two years and were included. During the follow-up period, FHC occurred in 89 hips (49.44%) after the initial diagnosis. Multivariable analysis indicated that CPA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.95; 95%CI = 0.93-0.97; P < 0.01) was a stronger predictor of femoral head collapse compared with the Japanese Investigation Committee classification (OR = 2.40, 95%CI = 0.92-6.25; P > 0.01). The receiver operating characteristic and survival curve analyses revealed that the predictive cutoff point for the CPA was 118.7° (sensitivity = 96.70%, specificity = 79.78%, log-rank test: P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Assessment of preserved angles on plain radiographs is a simple method to quantify the extent of lateral and anterior necrosis of the femoral head. Specifically, CPA has a potential value in predicting femoral head collapse.
La gestión participativa en las instituciones culturales
Authors: Castejón Ibáñez Magdalena
Published: April 2022

El cambio de paradigma que se deja entrever en el sector de las instituciones culturales está obligando a reflexionar a todos los profesionales e implicados en el proceso. Desde el campo de la museología, esta transformación comienza a gestarse en los años sesenta con la Nueva Museología, pero no es hasta principios del Siglo XXI cuando realmente se plantea un cambio necesario en el modo de relacionar el patrimonio cultural y las prácticas artísticas, con las instituciones donde se albergan y a su vez con los ciudadanos.En este artículo se exponen los resultados obtenidos en la investigación realizada dentro del Programa de Doctorado en Educación de la Universidad de Murcia, donde se ha tratado de definir una metodología de actuación para vincular arte, institución y ciudadanía a través de procesos participativos. Para ello se ha contado con la colaboración del Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia, la red de agentes socioculturales del territorio cercano a la institución, así como los propios ciudadanos.
Ajuste familiar durante la pandemia de la COVID-19: un estudio de díadas
Authors: Lacomba-Trejo Laura , Valero-Moreno Selene , Postigo-Zegarra Silvia , Pérez-Marín Marián , Montoya-Castilla Inmaculada
Published: April 2022

La pandemia mundial del COVID-19 ha traído una gran cantidad de cambios vitales para la sociedad. Ante esta situación, las familias y sus hijos han tenido que adaptarse a nuevas rutinas y situaciones, lo que puede haber aumentado o agravado el padecimiento de sintomatología emocional. No obstante, la presencia de resiliencia y de estrategias de regulación emocional positivas, puede amortiguar este impacto en las familias con hijos pequeños. El objetivo del presente trabajo es conocer las variables que explicaban los problemas de ajuste emocional familiar ante la pandemia del COVID-19, teniendo en cuenta las díadas de progenitores y sus hijos adolescentes. Participaron 31 díadas de adolescentes entre 11 y 19 años (M =13.90; DT =1.85) y sus cuidadores principales, siendo el 93,50% madres. Tras aceptar participar en el estudio se evaluó la regulación emocional (Cuestionario de Regulación Emocional; ERQ), la resiliencia (Escala de Resiliencia de Connor-Davidson; CD-RISC) y la sintomatología ansiosa, depresiva y el estrés (Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés; DASS). Se realizaron modelos de análisis comparativo cualitativo de conjuntos difusos (fsQCA). En la explicación del desajuste emocional de los cuidadores, el clima familiar negativo y las estrategias de regulación emocional deficientes en sus hijos fueron las variables más relevantes. En la explicación del malestar emocional de los adolescentes, lo fueron la baja resiliencia de estos y las estrategias deficientes de regulación emocional de sus padres. Nuestro estudio señala la relevancia de atender a los miembros de las familias en su conjunto ante crisis vitales de este tipo, mediante programas de intervención que mejoren los vínculos familiares y las estrategias de regulación emocional.
Emotion regulation skills in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: Influences on specific parenting and child adjustment
Authors: Domínguez-Álvarez Beatriz , López-Romero Laura , Gómez-Fraguela José Antonio , Romero Estrella
Published: April 2022

Child emotion regulation (ER) skills and specific parenting practices during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to influence children adjustment in these unprecedented times. On this assumption, we first aimed to examine the predictive value of ER skills in relation to diverse indicators of behavioral and socioemotional adjustment. Then, we tested whether some of these associations could be partially explained through the mediator role of the specific parenting practices displayed within the pandemic context. These hypotheses were tested considering the previous levels of child reactivity as a potential moderator of the examined relations. Using parent-reported data from a sample of 874 Galician children (49.6% girls) aged 5 to 9 (Mage = 7.09; SD = 1.04), multiple regression and mediation analyses were conducted. Robust associations between ER skills and diverse indicators of child adjusment were found. Moreover, it was found that specific parenting practices mediate the relation between child ER skills and specific behavioral outcomes (i.e., child routine maintenance). Thus, our findings highlight the importance of ER skills for child adjustment during the COVID-19 crisis, not only through direct, but also indirect effects, suggesting that the kind of parenting style that children receive during the pandemic conditions might be partially elicited by their individual characteristics
Adolescencia y edad adulta emergente frente al COVID-19 en España y República Dominicana
Authors: Gómez-Gómez Marta , Gómez-Mir Pilar , Valenzuela Blas
Published: April 2022

La pandemia debida al COVID-19 ha supuesto un gran impacto a nivel mundial. El objetivo general del presente estudio es analizar el impacto psicológico durante el confinamiento en la adolescencia y adultez emergente. La muestra fue de conveniencia (n = 399), residentes en España y República Dominicana (RD). El rango de edad abarca desde los 12 hasta los 29 años (M = 22.57; DT = 3.67). La evaluación se realizó en línea, con los siguientes instrumentos: una encuesta ad hoc para medir las variables sociodemográficas, Fear of COVID-19 Scale (Escala de Miedo al COVID-19), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (Escala del Impacto de Eventos Estresantes Revisada), The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experience (Inventario breve de afrontamiento) y Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Cuestionario de Capacidades y Dificultades). Los resultados muestran diferencias según el grupo de edad, sexo y residencia. Los adultos presentaron más miedo al COVID-19 (p < .05) y estrés agudo que los adolescentes (p < .01), las mujeres más miedo y estrés que los hombres (p < .01) y los residentes de RD más miedo a la enfermedad que los de España (p < .01). El análisis de regresión lineal mostró que el miedo a la enfermedad fue un buen predictor del estrés agudo. En conclusión, se sugiere ampliar el estudio en estas poblaciones ante situaciones de estrés, concretamente la derivada del COVID-19, que permitan la prevención de estrés agudo y entrenamiento en estrategias de afrontamiento adaptativas frente a situaciones de crisis
How Super Skills for Life may help children to cope with the COVID-19: Psychological impact and coping styles after the program
Authors: Orgilés Mireia , Espada José P. , Morales Alexandra
Published: April 2022

As this is the first time that a pandemic has occurred in our recent history, preventive interventions for children´s emotional problems during confinement were not planned. A main goal of Super Skills for Life Program (SSL) is to provide children with skills to build emotional resilience and coping strategies for daily and difficult life situations, so examining how the program may help children to face the COVID-19 situation could be appropriate. The aim of this research was to compare parents’ perception of immediate psychological reactions to confinement and coping styles in children who received the SSL program before home confinement (n = 48) with an equivalent sample of children who did not attend the program (n = 48). Another objective was to study the relationship between children’s immediate psychological reactions to confinement and their coping styles. Parents (n = 96) completed an online survey providing information on sociodemographic variables, children’s immediate psychological reactions (anxiety/activation, mood, sleep, behavioral alterations, eating and cognitive alterations), and children’s coping styles (task-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidance-oriented strategies). Results indicated that the control group presented more symptoms of anxiety (p ≤ .001), worse mood (p ≤ .001), more sleep problems (p ≤ .01), and more cognitive alterations (p ≤ .01) during home confinement than children who received the program. Children in the control group were also more likely to use emotion-oriented strategies (p = .001), which were associated with presenting more psychological alterations. Although the SSL program was not created specifically for coping with the COVID-19 situation, it seems to provide children with skills to cope with this unexpected event.
El procesamiento temporal en el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad
Authors: Narbona Natividad , Leal-Campanario Rocío , Gruart Agnès
Published: April 2022

El procesamiento temporal es una actividad cerebral primordial para el adecuado funcionamiento de las personas en las actividades de la vida diaria y su afectación constituye uno de los signos de disfunción más importantes en el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH). El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar los antecedentes y estudios científicos realizados sobre el procesamiento del tiempo en personas con TDAH, así como realizar una propuesta de valoración de esta función en poblaciones con este trastorno del neurodesarrollo. El procesamiento del tiempo ha sido poco estudiado clínicamente, aunque sí en el ámbito neurocientífico y experimental. La mayoría de los estudios se han basado en mecanismos relacionados con la percepción temporal y la reproducción de intervalos de tiempo a nivel motor, en los cuales se han descrito distorsiones en personas con TDAH. Se han propuesto diversas teorías basadas en una afectación primaria de la percepción del tiempo, aunque en otras ocasiones esta afectación se ha considerado secundaria a las alteraciones nucleares del trastorno. Entre las conclusiones del estudio destacamos que los procesos cognitivos relacionados con el procesamiento temporal son diversos y requieren del funcionamiento de distintos dominios cognitivos. Si bien se han desarrollado algunas pruebas para la evaluación de esta función, precisamos de nuevas herramientas para la adecuada valoración del procesamiento del tiempo en personas con TDAH
Insights from behavioral economics to characterize substance use involvement in adolescents: a cluster analysis
Authors: González-Roz Alba , Suárez-Martínez Itziar , Alonso-Diego Gema Alonso-Diego , Martínez-Loredo Víctor , Secades-Villa Roberto
Published: April 2022

Reinforcement pathology (RP), a framework rooted in behavioral economics, has contributed to advances in the etiology and treatment of substance use. Drug demand and delay discounting (DD) have gained considerable interest, as they inform on the risk for escalation to substance use as well as treatment-specific targets. No prior study conducted in Spain has explored the interplay of demand and DD in adolescents. This study was aimed to: 1) identify whether DD and alcohol demand can yield empirically driven subgroups, and 2) examine differences in substance use involvement. The sample comprised 107 (% females = 54.2) adolescents (M=15.46, SD=1.25) from a high school in Asturias (Spain). Participants filled out an ad-hoc survey on substance use over the prior 30 days and one year. A 20-item alcohol purchase task (APT) was used to assess the reinforcing value of alcohol. The 21-item Monetary Choice Questionnaire evaluated impulsive choice. Two subgroups emerged: Cluster 1 (n = 72) and Cluster 2 (n = 35). Participants in C2 consistently showed higher impulsivity and demand for alcohol, signifying lower responsiveness to alcohol pricing. As compared to C1, those in C2 had a higher prevalence of past-month substance use [C1: 26/72 (36.1%) vs. C2: 33/35 (94.3%), p <.001], and a greater frequency of drunkenness [p <.001] and binge drinking episodes [p <.001]. RP differentiate between subgroups of adolescent substance users with patterns of more versus less substance use involvement. The existence of specific drug use subpopulations should be considered when designing environmental preventive policies
Neonatal behavior of babies exposed to maternal depressive and anxiety disorders during perinatal period
Authors: Martí-González María Alejandra , Lera-Miguel Sara , Andrés-Perpiñá Susana , Solé-Roigé Eva , Imaz-Gurruchaga María Luisa , Roca-Lecumberri Alba , Garcia-Esteve Lluïsa
Published: April 2022

Perinatal depression and perinatal anxiety can affect up to 20% of women during pregnancy and postpartum. Babies exposed to these pathologies suffer consequences in their development at a cognitive, motor, emotional and social level. Some of these can be observed since birth. In addition, adverse effects have been described in the behavior of the newborn exposed to psychopharmacotherapy during pregnancy. The aims of the study were to observe the neonatal behavior of babies exposed to perinatal depression or anxiety and to compare it between both diagnostic groups of mothers. The cohort included 86 newborns, from 2 to 67 days of chronological age (29 ± 13.4, 48% females), exposed to maternal depression (n = 27) or anxiety (n = 59). The Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale, 4th edition, (Brazelton and Nugent, 2011) was administered at a maternal mental health unit to register the neonatal behavior. Chi-square and Student t-test analyses were calculated to compare item scores and percentages of suboptimal responses between both groups; Pearson correlations were calculated to analyze the relation of obstetric and psychiatric variables of mothers and the behavior of newborns. Significant differences between groups were found only regarding the change in skin color, with higher percentages of suboptimal responses in the group exposed to anxiety than to depression (24% versus 4%, Chi2 = 3.89; p < .05). Correlation analyses show that, although the birth weight is positively related to the interactive social orientation (tracing face and voice: r = .28, p = .02), the last was affected negatively by the dose of antidepressants during the third trimester of pregnancy (tracing face and voice: r = -.31, p = 0.03), indicating that higher doses of antidepressant was related with lower interactive social orientation. Our findings emphasize the need to detect depression and anxiety in women during the perinatal period in order to intervene at a multidisciplinary level in both, mother and baby, and the relation.
Bottom-up Growth of Graphene Nanospears and Nanoribbons
Authors: Sun Haibin , Liu Fengning , Zhang Leining , McLean Ben , An Hao , Huang Ming , Willinger Marc , Ruoff Rodney , Wang Zhujun , Ding Feng
Published: April 2022

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are considered one of the most promising materials for next generation electronics, however a reliable and controllable synthesis method is still lacking. Here, we report the CVD growth of GNRs on a copper surface and the corresponding mechanisms of growth. One-dimensional GNR growth is enabled by a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) graphene growth guided by on-surface propagation of a liquid catalyst particle. Controlling the suppression of vapor-solid-solid (VSS) graphene growth along the width direction of the GNR by tuning the flow of H2 during growth gives rise to a spear head-shaped graphene that we term graphene nanospears (GNSs). The real-time visual and spatially resolved observations confirm the VSS growth of graphene can be fully suppressed and lead to GNR formation on Cu surface. These findings reveal key insight into the growth mechanism of graphene and open a door for achieving a facile and scalable method of synthesizing free standing GNRs.
TP53 germline mutations are associated with HR+/HER2+ in BRCA1/2-negative early-onset breast cancer in China
Authors: Fu Fangmeng , Chen Lili , Huang Meng , Chen Minyan , Lin Yuxiang , Li Jing , Guo Wenhui , Wang Chuan
Published: April 2022

Background: Except for BRCA1/2, there is no data on the relationship between genetic counseling for the range of mutations and early-onset breast cancer populations. We looked for a link between inherited genes and the molecular subtype of early-onset breast cancer. Methods: We genotyped 1214 individuals with early-onset sporadic breast cancer (age≤40 years) who were BRCA1/2-negative in 3 genes: TP53, PALB2, and RECQL. We focus on the immunohistochemistry characteristics that are unique to each patient. Results: The mutation rates of TP53, PALB2, and RECQL in 1214 BRCA-negative young individuals were 4/1214(0.33%), 8/1214(0.66%), 2/1214(0.16%), respectively. The fact that the TP53 mutation rate was 3.49% among estrogen receptor-and/or progesterone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) amplification patients under the age of 35 (P<0.001) was particularly noteworthy. Conclusion: According to the findings, TP53 genetic testing should focus on women under 35 with HR-positive and HER2-positve IDC patients.
Adsorption behaviour of tetrabromobisphenol A on sediments in Weihe RiverBasin in Northwest China
Authors: Qiao WeiHan , Yuan XiaoYu , Dong LuYu , Xia YuJin , Wang XueLi
Published: April 2022

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is adsorbed on sediments in river environments, and various environmental factors have distinct effects on its adsorption behaviour. Investigating the adsorption behaviour of TBBPA on the sediments in Weihe River Basin is critical for protecting the water environment and providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of brominated flame retardants pollution. In this study, the adsorption behaviour of TBBPA on Weihe River sediment was investigated by conducting batch equilibrium experiments, and the effects of pH, dissolved organic matter, and ionic strength on the adsorption of TBBPA were discussed. The obtained results revealed that rapid adsorption was the main mechanism of the TBBPA kinetic adsorption process. The isothermal adsorption behaviour of TBBPA was well fitted by the Langmuir model (R2 98.59%) and the Freundlich model (R2 99.21%). The adsorption capacity for TBBPA is 34.13 mg/kg. The thermodynamic results revealed that the adsorption process of TBBPA by the sediment was a spontaneous endothermic reaction. The increase in pH and ionic strength inhibited the adsorption of sediments on TBBPA. With the increase in the humic acid concentration, the adsorption of TBBPA initially increased and subsequently decreased. Synchrotron radiation-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the adsorption mechanism of TBBPA on the surface of sediment was mainly π–π and hydrogen bonds. The obtained results are useful for understanding of TBBPA migration and transformation in river water bodies.
Analysis of the Mental Health Status of University students after the COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors: Zhou Fang , Pan Shuliu , He Lu , Zhang Yutong , Huang Aodi , Xu Yaqi , He Runming , Lv Lin , Wang Jia , Mei Can , Xu Yujia , Yang Zelong , Ji Xiaoqi , Geng Qiang , Zhan Jianbo , Cheng Jing , Wang Fen
Published: April 2022

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the mental health status and sleep quality of university students after local outbreak of COVID-19, and to help them understand the psychological stress reaction and provide base for their mental health education. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the mental health status of university students in a Wuhan-based university. Results A total of 897 university students were enrolled in the study. Compared with the epidemic period, university students' mental health status and sleep quality has a great deal of difference in the aspects of gender, grade, discipline and specialty, physical exercise, as well as with their family relationships and so on. 64.26% students would like to talk to their peers or close friends, while only 2.71% would like to call a caring hotline or seek help from a psychologist. Conclusion After the local outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan was contained, the mental health status and sleep quality of more than half of the students improved. However, priority attention and care should be given to female students, senior students, those undertaking literature and history majors and those dissatisfied with family relationships.
Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence genes, and Phylogenetic Characteristics of pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from Patients and Swine suffering from Diarrhea
Authors: Do Kyung-Hyo , Seo Kwang-Won , Lee Wan-Kyu
Published: April 2022

Background: Escherichia (E.) coli causes colibacillosis in swine and humans, and is frequently associated with antimicrobial resistance. In this study we aimed to compare antimicrobial resistance, O-serogroups, virulence genes, and multi-locus sequence type of E. coli between isolates from pigs and patients suffering from diarrhea, and the most prevalent pathogenic E. coli strain from swine isolates in Korea. Methods: We tested 64 and 50 E. coli strains from pigs and patients suffering from diarrhea for antimicrobial susceptibility test, virulence genes, O-serogroups, and multi-locus sequence typing. Results: We confirmed that isolates from swine showed significantly higher resistance than from those from patients, especially to fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin: 37.5% and 10.0%; norfloxacin: 29.7% and 8.0%, respectively). Stx1 (23 isolates, 46.0%) was most frequently detected in patients followed by stx2 (19 isolates, 38.0%). There was no significant difference in stx2 (swine: 23.4%, patients: 38.0%). In isolates from patients, O157 (12.0%) was the most prevalent O-serogroup, and two isolates (3.1%) from pigs were confirmed to have O157. Additionally, sequence type (ST) 10 (swine: 6 isolates, patients: 2 isolates) and ST 88 (swine: 2 isolates, patients: 1 isolate) were simultaneously detected. Conclusions: We confirmed that isolates from both pigs and patients had similar virulence traits and they were phylogenetically similar. Moreover, antimicrobial resistance was significantly higher in pigs than in patients. These results suggest that there are risks for cross-infection and transfer of antimicrobial resistance between pigs and human.
Pulmonary Function Assessment of Woodworkers Exposed to Mixed Tropical Hardwood Dust in Kumasi
Authors: Ennin Isaac Ekow , Frempong Margaret Agyei , Yeboah Francis. A. , Maalman Raymond Saa-Eru
Published: April 2022

Background: Several studies have shown that exposed woodworkers present frequent respiratory symptoms and reduced lung volumes and airflow values including FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEFR than controls from the general population. However, other studies have reported no significant negative health effects of wood dust on the respiratory system, no relationship between wood dust and respiratory symptoms, insignificant changes in lung function and normal FEV1 and FVC values in woodworkers compared to non-exposed controls. The effect of wood dust on the pulmonary function depends on the wood species, phytochemicals present in the wood and the concentration level of ambient air wood dust exposed to the woodworkers. The ambient air dust concentration level at the wood workshops may depend on the humidity and ventilation at the workshops. The workshops at the Sokoban Wood Village are well ventilated. This study aimed at assessing the pulmonary function of woodworkers exposed to mixed tropical hardwood in Kumasi.Method: The study was carried out among woodworkers, teachers and security men located in Kumasi. A cross-sectional, cluster and convenient sampling of 175 adult male workers were selected (86 woodworkers and 89 non-woodworkers) to participate in the study. Pulmonary function assessment was carried out using a modified version of the British Medical Research Council’s (MRC) questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and the spirometer (Alpha Vitalograph) for lung function testing. The relative humidity and the level of wood dust exposure to woodworkers were measured using the personal exposure meter (PATS+: Berkeley Air Monitoring Group). Results: The mean % relative humidity in the workshop was 67.6 and ambient air wood dust concentration ranged between (0.003 -1.02) mg/m3. The frequency of respiratory symptoms at the workplace was prevalent among the woodworkers ranging between (8-76%) (p<0.05). However, the lung volumes and airflow values were not significantly reduced in the woodworkers (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study reveals that woodworkers exposed to mixed tropical hardwood dust shows a less frequent respiratory symptoms with an insignificant reduction in the lung volumes and airflow values at the workplace due to low ambient air wood dust concentration.
Improvement of the relative sensitivity for obtaining a high performance piezoelectric sensor
Authors: Ghemari Zine , Belkhiri Salah , Saad Salah
Published: April 2022

A piezoelectric sensor is a sensor using the piezoelectric effect in order to measure physical quantities such as pressure, acceleration, or any other physical quantity generating stresses or mechanical deformations through active materials (magnetic, electrical, thermal, mechanical...). In this paper, the operating principle of the piezoelectric sensor is defined in detail and it is translated to mathematical model (ie the modeling of this type of sensors). This developed model is related the accelerometer electrical parameters with their mechanical parameters, and simulation of this model allows to choose the appropriate damping rate of the sensor which minimizes measurement error and improves accuracy and sensitivity of this one. The proposal of a new relation links the relative frequency by the natural frequency of the piezoelectric accelerometer makes it possible to minimize the resonance phenomenon effect, to facilitate the suitable choice of the accelerometer and to protect it.
Evaluating anemia on non-contrast thoracic computed tomography
Authors: Abbasi Bita , Hosseini Maliheh Seyed , Akhavan Reza , Emadzadeh Maryam , Bolvardi Ehsan
Published: April 2022

Background: Anemia is a major global disease burden factor linked to an adverse impact on overall prognosis and negatively affects the quality of life. There are some suggested findings for anemia on non-contrast chest CT, like relatively dense interventricular septum (septal sign) or fairly dense aortic wall (aortic ring sign). The measured attenuation value is a reproducible physical density measurement, readily obtainable from a standard CT examination. There is no reliable cut-off for blood attenuation to suggest anemia on the non-contrast chest CT. In the current study, we evaluated subjective and objective criteria' diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing anemia on unenhanced thoracic CT.Methods: Patients admitted to our academic hospital between June 2019 to March 2020 were candidates to be enrolled in this retrospective study. For the subjective assessment, the radiologists were asked to record the presence or absence of the “aortic ring sign” and “interventricular septum sign.” For the objective evaluations, blood density was measured at various anatomic locations. Results: A total of 325 patients were included in this study. There was a significant correlation between blood attenuation in all measured segments and Hb level. Subjective analysis revealed that the aortic ring sign was more sensitive than the interventricular septum sign in detecting anemia, whereas the latter character was more specific.Conclusion: The results suggest that it is possible to detect anemia from an unenhanced chest CT scan. Both objective and subjective criteria show promising sensitivity and specificity.
Preoperative risk factors for delirium after major amputation: establishment of a nomogram
Authors: Chen Yanzhen , Ma Jinxing , Zeng Junfeng , Pan Zhimin , Nie Tao
Published: April 2022

Background: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative delirium in patients with major limb amputation and to establish a nomogram prediction model.Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study. Patients who underwent major limb amputation (limb amputation above ankle or wrist) in a medical center from January 2017 to December 2019 were selected as subjects. The patients were assessed for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Patient demographic and clinically relevant data were collected, and independent risk factors were screened using univariate analysis and logistic multivariate regression analysis. Nomograms were constructed using independent risk factors. The validation of the nomogram was assessed by the concordance index (C-index), the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and calibration curves.Results: A total of 120 patients with major amputation were included, and 46 patients developed postoperative delirium, with an incidence of 38.3%. Results of multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that age, Barthel classification, admission to ICU (intensive care unit) after surgery, and postoperative albumin level were independent risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative delirium. The area under the receiver operator characteristics curve for the constructed model was 0.918(95%CI,0.869-0.967), and the regression model results were reliable. Conclusion: The incidence of postoperative delirium is high in patients with major amputation, and the incidence of delirium is high in amputation patients with higher age, low Barthel index, postoperative admission to ICU, and low postoperative albumin. The nomogram model constructed based on these risk factors can better predict the occurrence of postoperative delirium after amputation and provide reference for early intervention treatment.