bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trend analysis of seasonal rainfall and temperature pattern in Damota Gale districts of Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Bojago Elias , YaYa Dalga
Published: April 2021

This paper investigated the recent trends of precipitation and temperature on Damota Gale districts of Wolaita Zone. This study used the observed historical meteorological data from 1987 to 2019 to analyze the trends. The magnitude of the variability or fluctuations of the factors varies according to locations. Hence, examining the spatiotemporal dynamics of meteorological variables in the context of changing climate, particularly in countries where rain-fed agriculture is predominant, is vital to assess climate-induced changes and suggest feasible adaptation strategies. Both rainfall and temperature data for a period of 1987 to 2019 were analyzed in this study. Statistical trend analysis techniques namely Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator were used to examine and analyze the problems. The long-term trend of rainfall and temperature was evaluated by linear regression and Mann–Kendall test. The temperature was shown a positive trend for both annual and seasonal periods and had a statistical significance of 95%. This study concluded that there was a declining rainfall in the three seasons; spring, summer and winter but in autumn it shows increasing trends and rapid warming, especially in the last 32 years. The detailed analysis of the data for 32 years indicate that the annual maximum temperature and annual minimum temperature have shown an increasing trend, whereas the Damota Gale seasonal maximum and minimum temperatures have shown an increasing trend. The findings of this study will serve as a reference for climate researchers, policy and decision-makers.
The Impact of Corporate Governance on Banks Profitability in Nigeria
Authors: Oluwole Foluso Ololade
Published: April 2021

The major concern of regulatory authority overtime is on the need to enhance sound practices among banks through the improvement of corporate governance; therefore this research examined the effect of corporate governance on commercial banks profitability in Nigeria. The study covered the period of 2009 to 2018 and secondary data were obtained from the audited financial statement of the selected banks which are Guarantee Trust Bank Nigeria PLC, Zenith Bank PLC and First Bank of Nigeria PLC. Fixed effect regression technique was used to examine the effect of Audit Committee Size (ACS), Board Size (BS), Audit Committee Number of Meeting (ACNM) and Board Number of Meeting (BNM) on earnings per share (EPS) of the selected banks. The independent variables results showed a positive and significant relationship on Earnings per share of the banks with coefficient and probability(prob.) value of the variables as follows: audit committee size(0.6241;0.0109), board size(0.4349;0.007) and board number of meeting(0.0356) had positive and significant effect on earnings per share of the banks respectively. However, negative and significant relationship was established between audit committee number of meeting and earnings per share with a coefficient and probability value of -1.0781 and 0.0001 respectively. With the F-Stat. of 2.84 and a prob. of 0.025, all the null hypotheses were rejected and the alternative hypotheses accepted, indicating that all the independent variables significantly affect the dependent variable. The study concluded that corporate governance enhances commercial banks performance in Nigeria. It therefore recommended that attention should be paid to the audit committee size, board size and board number of meetings since an increase in them leads to increase in the earnings per share while the audit committee number of meetings should be reduced as it affects the earnings per share negatively. The regulatory authority should formulate strong policy frameworks that would ensure that commercial banks constantly comply with corporate governance standard set by the authority.
Honouring Wishes of Patients: An Islamic View on the Implementation of the Advance Medical Directive in Malaysia
Authors: Malek Mohammad Mustaqim , Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd , Abdul Rahman Noor Naemah , Mohd Yusof Aimi Nadia , Abdul Majid Wan Roslili
Published: April 2021

An Advance Medical Directive (AMD) is a document in which competent patients express their wishes regarding their preferred choice of future medical plans in the event they become incompetent. AMD is important in relation to the patient’s right to refuse treatment. However, they must also consider cultural and religious values of different communities. In Islam, there are several concerns that need to be addressed, namely the validity of the AMD according to Islamic jurisprudence and patients’ right to end-of-life decision-making. To address these concerns, this article refers to multiple sources of Islamic jurisprudence, such as the Quran, the tradition of Prophet Muhammad and the works of Islamic scholars related to this topic. Based on the findings, Islam does not forbid the use of AMD as a method to honour patients’ wishes in their end-of-life care. Islamic jurisprudence emphasises on the importance of seeking patients’ consent before carrying out any medical procedures. However, several conditions need to be given due attention, such as: i) a patient’s cognitive capacity during the process of drawing up an AMD; ii) the professional views of medical experts; iii) the involvement of family members in end-of-life care and iv) the limitations of a patient’s decision-making in creating an AMD.
The Influence of Clientelism on the Informal Sector in Zimbabwe : A Case Study of Glen View 8 Complex, Harare
Authors:   , Tandire Justin
Published: April 2021

This study focuses on the influence of clientelism in the informal sector of Zimbabwe in Glen View 8 (Complex). The study used the case of Glen view 8 (complex) in Harare Province. The study focused on political dynamics in the informal sector; livelihood strategies employed by informal sector operators; manifestation of “Big Men”, social networks in the informal sector; and different strategies employed by operators to overcome the problems of political manipulation, clientelism and patronage. It employs a qualitative research methodology to enable a nuanced comprehension of the clientelistic relationships that take place in the informal sector of Zimbabwe. Through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, narratives and in-depth interviews with key informants, the study explored the clientelistic nature of the informal sector. The major findings of the study are that the informal sector in Zimbabwe is influenced by political patronage. It was established that patronage influences the informal sector in Zimbabwe in general and at Glen View Complex 8 in particular. Some of the operators revealed that patronage negatively affects their business as they are sometimes forced to attend political party meetings either at the complex or at ZANU-PF star rallies in town. The operators experience a plethora of problems such as lack of security, poor sanitation, stiff competition, poor infrastructure, lack of insurance and fire outbreaks. It has been revealed that most of the problems experienced at the complex are a result of the politicisation of the informal sector particularly by the ZANU-PF party. Operators at the complex have described the politicisation of the informal sector as a major drawback to their efforts of realising maximum benefits from their work. Therefore, the thrust of this thesis is premised on the de-politicisation of the informal sector as the starting point in the transformation of the activities of the operators.
Реактивация HBV инфекции у больных с лимфомой
Authors: Лопаткина Т. Н. , Волчкова Е. В. , Абдурахманов Д. Т. , Танащук Е. Л. , Арион Е. А. , Игнатова Т. М.
Published: April 2021

Реактивация вируса гепатита В (HBV) у пациентов с лимфопролиферативными заболеваниями, получающих химиотерапию, может быть причиной развития фульминантной печеночной недостаточности и даже смерти при позднем распознавании и лечении HBV инфекции. Скрининг маркеров вирусов гепатита в группе больных онко-гематологическими заболеваниями является обязательным для клиницистов, практикующих лечение злокачественных опухолей. Обсуждаются способы профилактики и лечения реактивации HBV инфекции у больных с лимфомами.
Сорафениб в последовательной терапии метастатического рака почки
Authors: Алексеев Б. Я. , Калпинский А. С.
Published: April 2021

С открытием патогенетических путей развития метастатического почечно-клеточного рака (МПКР) и появлением таргетных препаратов прогноз течения заболевания и выживаемость этой группы больных значительно улучшились. Резистентность и непереносимость препаратов, развивающиеся при длительной терапии, индуцируют проведение новых клинических исследований и поиск новых препаратов и схем лечения. В статье обсуждаются результаты исследований эффективности и переносимости сорафениба как в первой, так и во второй линиях лечения МПКР.
Cases of cerebrovascular disease caused by drug addiction
Authors: KARADELİ Hasan Hüseyin , ŞİMŞEKOĞLU Ruken
Published: April 2021

Illicit drug use is an important cause of stroke in young adults and poses a serious public health problem. The use of psychostimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine has been found to be associated with higher rates of stroke, and the risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes increases through different mechanisms. In this report, we discuss the possible pathophysiological pathways of cerebrovascular damage in three patients using cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis.
Pain Self-Management Strategies of Chronic Back Pain Sufferers in Thailand: A Qualitative Study (A Doctoral Project)
Authors: Rujipong Petcharat , Kantaruksa Kannika , Chaloumsuk Nonglak , Yothayai Chanchai
Published: April 2021

Background:

Chronic low back pain is among the most common chronic musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. It is prevalent in Thailand, affecting up to 30% of the general population, with much higher rates among manual labourers. Pain self-management, including education, exercise, medication and other components, is an effective strategy for reducing pain intensity and disability rates for chronic low back pain sufferers.

Objective:

To investigate pain self-management strategies among chronic lower back pain sufferers in Thailand.

Methods:

The study design was a qualitative interview-based technique. The study setting was an orthopaedic outpatient department at a university hospital in Northern Thailand. Participants (n = 19) were selected based on recruitment criteria, and data was collected using demographic forms and in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative analysis, with Wilcoxon signed-rank test used to assess changes in pain levels.

Results:

Participants used a combination of pain self-management modalities, including exercise, modified food consumption, increased rest, herbal treatments, hot and cold compression, Thai massage, and acupressure, along with psychological and spiritual coping tools like meditation and making merit. Ability to use these interventions was dependent on medical support from practitioners as well as social and other support. A small, but significant, mean difference in pain was also observed.

Conclusion:

Findings point to the possibility that there are significant cultural differences in pain self-management modalities and their effectiveness.
Reproductive and cost assessment of a seasonal breeding program with Bos indicus in tropical Mexico
Authors: Martínez-Albarrán José Francisco , Galina-Hidalgo Carlos Salvador , Rubio-Gutiérrez Ivette , Balam-Villarreal Wendy Leticia , Corro-Morales Manuel D.
Published: April 2021

Objective. To compare the reproductive performance of postpartum and open Bos indicus cows and to study the cost effectiveness of retaining non-pregnant animals after a short breeding season in tropical region of Mexico. Material and Methods. A total of 128 Bos indicus were included, 87 postpartum cows (PP) with ≤90 days after calving and 41 open cows (OC) with >90 days open. The study was divided into three phases: 1) Estrus synchronization followed by FTAI (day 0-10), 2) Estrus detection and AI (day 11-45) and 3) Natural mating (day 46-90). For the first phase, all animals were synchronized and AI at fixed time (day 10). Cows displaying overt signs of estrus (day 11-45) were AI. Open cows during the previous two phases were exposed to the bull. Results. Pregnancy in phase 1 was different (p<0.01) for PP and OC groups, 58.6% and 34.1%, respectively. Overall pregnancy percentage over the second service was 42.5% (p>0.05). No differences (p>0.05) were observed at phase 3, average 44.2%. By the end of the breeding season, the cost of OC, was 3 times more than PP cows. Conclusions. Pregnancy rate at first phase was higher in PP cows than OC cows. At the end of breeding season, a pregnancy rate of 80% was found. Incorporation of open cows from previous breeding season was more expensive than PP cows in all phases of the breeding program. Retaining an open cow for rebreeding one year or more could not be economically feasible.
Improving Current Glycated Hemoglobin Prediction in Adults: Use of Machine Learning Algorithms With Electronic Health Records
Authors: Alhassan Zakhriya , Watson Matthew , Budgen David , Alshammari Riyad , Alessa Ali , Al Moubayed Noura
Published: April 2021

Background

Predicting the risk of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) elevation can help identify patients with the potential for developing serious chronic health problems, such as diabetes. Early preventive interventions based upon advanced predictive models using electronic health records data for identifying such patients can ultimately help provide better health outcomes.

Objective

Our study investigated the performance of predictive models to forecast HbA1c elevation levels by employing several machine learning models. We also examined the use of patient electronic health record longitudinal data in the performance of the predictive models. Explainable methods were employed to interpret the decisions made by the black box models.

Methods

This study employed multiple logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, and logistic regression models, as well as a deep learning model (multilayer perceptron) to classify patients with normal (<5.7%) and elevated (≥5.7%) levels of HbA1c. We also integrated current visit data with historical (longitudinal) data from previous visits. Explainable machine learning methods were used to interrogate the models and provide an understanding of the reasons behind the decisions made by the models. All models were trained and tested using a large data set from Saudi Arabia with 18,844 unique patient records.

Results

The machine learning models achieved promising results for predicting current HbA1c elevation risk. When coupled with longitudinal data, the machine learning models outperformed the multiple logistic regression model used in the comparative study. The multilayer perceptron model achieved an accuracy of 83.22% for the area under receiver operating characteristic curve when used with historical data. All models showed a close level of agreement on the contribution of random blood sugar and age variables with and without longitudinal data.

Conclusions

This study shows that machine learning models can provide promising results for the task of predicting current HbA1c levels (≥5.7% or less). Using patients’ longitudinal data improved the performance and affected the relative importance for the predictors used. The models showed results that are consistent with comparable studies.
Feasibility of a Web-Based Psychoeducation Course and Experiences of Caregivers Living With a Person With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Laine Anna , Anttila Minna , Hirvonen Heli , Välimäki Maritta
Published: April 2021

Background

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that burdens both patients and caregivers.

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of a web-based psychoeducation course targeted at caregivers of persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and to describe their experiences of living with a person with SSD based on the material caregivers produced during the web-based course.

Methods

A convergent, parallel, mixed methods study design was used. First, caregivers’ engagement in the course was evaluated quantitatively. Second, the overview of the course feedback was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods. Third, the experiences of being a caregiver to a person with SSD were analyzed qualitatively with the thematic analysis of the writings caregivers produced during the web-based course.

Results

A total of 30 caregivers participated in the study and a web-based psychoeducation course. Less than two-thirds (18/30, 60%) completed the course. Content was most often logged for the first module, Orientation (3465 log-ins), and the lowest number of log-ins was recorded for the Daily life module (1061 log-ins). Feedback on the course varied; over half (10/17, 59%) of the caregivers considered the content to be very good or good, about half (9/17, 53%) considered the website layout to be good, only 6% (1/17) felt that the usability of the website was poor, and no one felt that it was very poor. From the reported experiences of being a caregiver to a person with SSD, 3 themes were formed: the caregiver’s own well-being, relationship with the person with SSD, and experience of health care services.

Conclusions

The web-based psychoeducation course for caregivers living with a person with SSD seems to be especially suitable for those who have little experience as a caregiver. In the future, more planning and the consideration of aspects related to the needs of specific target groups, course content, practical arrangements, and scheduling should be taken into account. In addition, although caregivers can improve their own well-being in different ways, they need regular support and cooperation from health care professionals.
YouTube Videos and Informed Decision-Making About COVID-19 Vaccination: Successive Sampling Study
Authors: Basch Charles E , Basch Corey H , Hillyer Grace C , Meleo-Erwin Zoe C , Zagnit Emily A
Published: April 2021

Background

Social media platforms such as YouTube are used by many people to seek and share health-related information that may influence their decision-making about COVID-19 vaccination.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to improve the understanding about the sources and content of widely viewed YouTube videos on COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

Using the keywords “coronavirus vaccination,” we searched for relevant YouTube videos, sorted them by view count, and selected two successive samples (with replacement) of the 100 most widely viewed videos in July and December 2020, respectively. Content related to COVID-19 vaccines were coded by two observers, and inter-rater reliability was demonstrated.

Results

The videos observed in this study were viewed over 55 million times cumulatively. The number of videos that addressed fear increased from 6 in July to 20 in December 2020, and the cumulative views correspondingly increased from 2.6% (1,449,915 views) to 16.6% (9,553,368 views). There was also a large increase in the number of videos and cumulative views with respect to concerns about vaccine effectiveness, from 6 videos with approximately 6 million views in July to 25 videos with over 12 million views in December 2020. The number of videos and total cumulative views covering adverse reactions almost tripled, from 11 videos with approximately 6.5 million (11.7% of cumulative views) in July to 31 videos with almost 15.7 million views (27.2% of cumulative views) in December 2020.

Conclusions

Our data show the potentially inaccurate and negative influence social media can have on population-wide vaccine uptake, which should be urgently addressed by agencies of the United States Public Health Service as well as its global counterparts.
Targeting Sedentary Behavior in CKD
Authors: Lyden Kate , Boucher Robert , Wei Guo , Zhou Na , Christensen Jesse , Chertow Glenn M. , Greene Tom , Beddhu Srinivasan
Published: April 2021

Background and objectives

We tested the feasibility of reducing sedentary behavior common in CKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We carried out a Sit Less, Interact, Move More intervention in a 24-week parallel-group, randomized controlled trial in patients with stages 2–5 CKD. In the intervention group (n=54), accelerometry performed at baseline and repeated every 4 weeks was used to develop and monitor adherence to individualized plans targeting sedentary and stepping durations. The control group (n=52) was provided national physical activity recommendations; accelerometry was performed at baseline and every 8 weeks. Between-groups changes from baseline to the average follow-up values at weeks 8, 16, and 24 of the sedentary and stepping durations were the coprimary end points.

Results

The mean age was 69±13 years. Fourteen percent were on dialysis or received a kidney transplant. Eight percent of the control group and 17% of the intervention group were lost to follow-up. Sedentary and stepping durations did not change in the control group. Within the intervention group, the maximum decrease in sedentary duration (−43; 95% confidence interval, −69 to −17 min/d) and increase in stepping duration (16; 95% confidence interval, 7 to 24 min/d) and the number of steps per day (1265; 95% confidence interval, 518 to 2012) were seen at week 20. These attenuated at week 24. In mixed effects models, overall treatment effects between groups on sedentary (−17; 95% confidence interval, −43 to 8 min/d) and stepping (6; 95% confidence interval, −3 to 15 min/d) durations and the number of steps per day, a secondary end point (652; 95% confidence interval, −146 to 1449), were not significantly different. The intervention significantly reduced secondary end points of body mass index (−1.1; 95% confidence interval, −1.9 to −0.3 kg/m2) and body fat percentage (−2.1%; 95% confidence interval, −4.4% to −0.2%).

Conclusions

It is feasible to reduce sedentary duration and increase stepping duration in patients with CKD, but these were not sustained.

Clinical Trial registry name and registration number:

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), NCT02970123
Interpretation of the Emotional World of Chinese Children Images in Jade Peony
Authors: Xian Wu
Published: April 2021

The first novel Jade Peony by Chinese-Canadian writer Wayson Choy mainly relates the experience about a family of three generations lived in Canada through those three Chinese children’s perspectives. Under the influence of dual culture, the growth of these Chinese Canadian children is accompanied by confusion and pain. This article will explore the emotional world behind these children’s images and reveal how they choose to survive and merge in the conflicts of different cultures.
Пролог эпического репертуара джангарчи Давы Шавалиева
Authors:   Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS (8, Ilishkin St., Elista 358000, Russian Federation), Mandzhieva Bayrta B.
Published: April 2021

Introduction. The article deals with the prologue to the cycle of songs recorded from jangarchi Dava Shavaliev. In 1939, the famous Mongolist A. Burdukov visited Kalmykia and recorded the epic repertoire of Dava Shavaliev that consisted of a prologue and four songs. The songs of Dava Shavaliev recorded by the scholar were not published during the latter’s lifetime. His daughter, Mongolist T. Burdukova, made a copy of her father’s manuscript (March-April 1977). Goals. The work aims to study the prologue as an important compositional part of Dava Shavaliev’s epic repertoire. Results. The latter is yet another confirmation that Kalmyk rhapsodes — when reciting the Jangar — made use of a special expositional part called the prologue (Kalm. orshl). Being a traditional epic formation characteristic of the cyclical heroic epic of Jangar, the prologue to Dava Shavaliev’s epic cycle consists of constant themes. Proceeding from his knowledge of the epic composition principles, the jangarchi builds his narratives on a certain basis comprising structural and compositional elements, such as a description of the palace; magtal (Kalm. ‘glorification’) to Lord Jangar; magtal to Queen Shavdal; ones to the warhorse and Khongor; and a description of the palace feast. The jangarchi makes extensive use of the traditional and standardized set of poetic formulas, stylistic and compositional techniques. The observance of the established tradition kept the rhapsode in a clearly delineated tunnel of an epic narrative, without hindering the emergence of individual features. The epic repertoire of jangarchi Dava Shavaliev attests to that the Jangar epic was then a living cultural phenomenon, an important link in the epic tradition developed by many generations of rhapsodes whose talents and performing skills made the heroic epic a greatest monument of the Kalmyk people’s spiritual heritage.
Баллада в калмыцкой поэзии ХХ в. в аспекте синтеза жанров
Authors:   Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS (8, Ilishkin St., Elista 358000, Russian Federation), Khaninova Rimma M.
Published: April 2021

Introduction. The ballad genre in Kalmyk poetry, having no national folklore analogues, is based on the Russian literary ballad of the Soviet period. The article examines ballads in 20th-century Kalmyk poetry in the aspect of genre synthesis — the ballad and the poem proper. The relevance of the work is determined by that the Kalmyk literary ballad remains understudied both in the genre paradigm and in the dialogue of cultures. Goals. The article aims to examine the Kalmyk literary ballad in its synthesis with the genre of the poem. Materials and Methods. The investigated materials are works by N. Tamarchenko, D. Magomedova and others. Works by Mikhail Khoninov, Aksen Suseev and Erdni Eldyshev in the original and literary translations serve as sources for the study. The main research methods comprise the historical-literary, comparative methods, and that of descriptive poetics. Chronologically, the study covers the mid-to-late 20th century. Results. The study reveals, firstly, a synthesis of ballad and poem traced through the example of Mikhail Khoninov’s ‘Салькнла бǝǝр бǝрлдснǝ туск баллад’ (‘The Ballad of the Battle against the Wind’) and its poem-type transformation in Russian translation, the latter being also evident in the second edition of the original text; secondly, the genre of the poem in Aksen Suseev’s ‘Semen Nimgirov’ (Russ. ‘The Ballad of Civic Duty’) and Erdni Eldyshev’s ‘Marinesko’ gets transformed into that of the ballad when in their Russian translations; thirdly, the work identifies the prototype of Suseev’s main character. Conclusions. The ballad proves a most constant genre in M. Khoninov’s poetry, and the innovative synthesis of ballad and poem in the original text can also be found in his other work — ‘Хальмг күүкнǝ туск баллад’ (‘The Ballad of the Kalmyk Woman’). The authors A. Suseev and E. Eldyshev wrote no ballads, and their intentions had been initially aimed at the genre of the poem. This reveals certain differing strategies of the author and the translator resulting in the genre differentiation of a selected work on the latter’s way to the reader.
Об одном архивном документе 1917 года по истории взаимоотношений между российским генеральным консульством в Монголии и правительством Богдо-гэгэна
Authors:   Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch of the RAS (6, Sakhyanova St., Ulan-Ude 670047, Russian Federation), Tsyrenova Nomin D.
Published: April 2021

Goals. The article aims to give a brief review of the Draft Agreement on the lease of land plots to Russian citizens for commercial and industrial premises as a source on the history of relations between the Russian Consulate in Mongolia and the theocratic government of Bogd Gegeen. Materials and Methods. The typewritten document in Classical Mongolian is kept in the archives of the Center of Oriental Manuscripts and Xylographs affiliated to the Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies (Siberian Branch of the RAS). The study employs the method of source study formulary analysis according to which the document can be referred to as an individual formulary. Results. The paper discovers that the investigated Agreement was written in 1917. It analyzes the structure and content of the document, its source characteristics to present the specific historical background of the document’s creation, the latter’s role and significance in the history of relations between Mongolia and the Russian Empire. The most important sections of the Agreement (preamble and attachments thereto) were translated by the author. Conclusions. The Agreement reflects the interests of Russian merchants and industrialists who sought to legally secure their special rights throughout Outer Mongolia, which, apparently, caused the anxiety of the Chinese Government and Chinese merchants. After the conclusion of the ‘Friendship Agreement’ and the Trade Protocol in 1912, the Mongols restrained from providing specific categories of land for quite a long time, and Russian citizens could not use all the rights under the Trade Protocol. The main representative of Russian interests in Mongolia was the Consulate General of the Russian Empire in Urga. Chronological analysis of the document gives some reason to state that the negotiation process took several years — from circa 1912 to 1917. The Agreement contains some valuable and important data on the country and its realias during those years.
Variaciones morfológicas entre disciplinas
Authors: Delgado Marcela , Mercado Javier
Published: April 2021

El artículo explora metodologías de diseño que estrechan la relación entre la forma y su entorno en el contexto académico de la materia optativa Parametric and Generative Design, abierta a estudiantes de arquitectura y diseño industrial de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Se exponen algunos ejemplos del trabajo realizado por estudiantes, los cuales anteponen la mutabilidad formal en procesos de diseño, interrelacionan disciplinas y construyen un cuerpo de investigación transferible.
La imposición del espacio digital: arquitectura y espacialidad
Authors: Lozano de Poo Juan Manuel
Published: April 2021

La espacialidad, piedra angular para el estudio de la arquitectura, se encuentra en un proceso de reconfiguración originado por la domesticación del espacio digital como nueva capa del espacio social. Este fenómeno ha tenido impactos profundos sobre los hábitos, la presencia y la interacción de las personas debido a la condición de simultaneidad impuesta por el internet. Como consecuencia, hoy se habita entre fragmentos de tres espacios superpuestos: el arquitectónico, el vivido y el digital. 
An Innovative Tool for Effectively Applying Highly Parallelized Hardware To Problems of Elasticity
Authors: Herrera Ismael , Contreras Iván
Published: April 2021

At present, the most efficient domain decomposition methods (DDM) are non-overlapping methods. The improved efficiency of such methods is due to the significant independence achieved by local problems when the subdomains are non-overlapping. However, standard discretizations applied up to now in non-overlapping DDMs use systems of nodes in which some of the nodes are shared by more than one subdomain of the domain decomposition. This is a limiting feature of the present state-of-the-art in these techniques and apparently further increases of the independence of local problems should be expected if this limiting characteristic was eliminated. In previous work, I. Herrera and co-workers have developed a new approach to domain decomposition methods: the ‘DVS framework’ that addresses this problem introducing a new discretization method, the ‘non-overlapping discretization method’, in which a non-overlapping system of nodes is used in the discrete formulation of the problem. Although the DVS algorithms have already been developed significantly, to profit from such advances it is essential to have available effective codes that permit their efficient implementation. As a further contribution in this line of research, in this paper we present and test software of such characteristics. The results here reported indicate that the DVS algorithms are very suitable for developing software that permits to apply effectively the most advanced hardware in parallel available at present to the solution of partial differential equations. Although the software here reported specifically treats static elasticity only, the DVS-algorithms are very eclectic and can be applied to a great diversity of problems after they have been discretized. Additional research work is being carried out oriented to develop general purpose codes based on the DVS algorithms.
Geoelectrical prospecting for a copper-sulfide mineralization in the Camaquã sedimentary basin, Southern Brazil
Authors: P. Côrtes Ariane R. , A. Moreira César , K. Veloso Dimitri I. , B. Vieira Leandro , Anauate Bergonzoni Flavio
Published: April 2021

In this paper are presented the results of the combination between a resistivity method and geological surface mapping, applied to the study of an area with potential mineralization of copper sulfides sited on the northern edge of the Camaquã sedimentary basin, Bra-zilian southern. The copper mineralization is housted in a metamorphosed, silicified and fractured sandstone with abundant presence of malachite and azurite in the fractured planes of the rock. The geophysical survey in this work consisted of 6 lines of electric resistivity tomography in Wenner-Schlumberger array, of 520 m long and 10 m of space between the electrodes, arranged in a regular grid according to structural criteria previously established. The inversion models show a low resistivity area in a depth of 60 m that can be related to a sulphidation zone. This zone with a somewhat circular shape is aligned in the NW-SE direction and is approximately 100 meters long. High resistivity areas around it indicate that it is surrounded by a silicification zones. The evidence for an argillic zone peripheral to the deposit is expressed by the occurrence of abundant copper carbonate in surface, since clay and carbonates are formed from low temperature and final stages of hydrothermal crystallization of the deposit.
Study of salt structures from gravity and seismic data in Santos Basin, Brazil
Authors: Regina Constantino Renata Regina Constantino , Cassola Molina Eder , Anderson de Souza Iata
Published: April 2021

Seismic is one of the main methods used for the identification of structures and stratigraphic studies in sedimentary basins. In the Santos Basin, numerous 2D and 3D seismic surveys are being conducted in order to get a better ima-ge of the geological section to depths beyond the base of salt layer. Crustal modelling studies that make joint interpretation of seismic and gravity data are found in the literature, however there are few studies that relate gravity anomalies directly to salt structures. This work aims to associate gravity anomalies with salt structures from seismic and gravimetric interpretation. For studies aimed to model the crustal structure from gravity field data, the knowledge of two major discontinuities is required, the basement and the Moho. Such interfaces are often not easily seen by seismic and so, during this study, they were found by different methods involving analysis of gravity anomalies. The other interfaces involving density contrasts were analyzed based on seismic interpretation. The results showed that the obtained seismic geological interpretations may provide additional information when compared to gravity anomaly data. In all the modelled profiles, some geological information of the Santos Basin that are not visible in the seismic, could be interpreted according to the geological model and the adjustment of gravity anomaly curves. As a final conclusion of this work, it is suggested that the combined analysis of the two cited geophysical methods, can provide important information about the crustal structure and to assist in modelling the salt layer.
Unusual, equivocal Rayleigh-dispersion curves for simple models taking into account the special propagation conditions in the valley of Mexico City (CDMX) - Preliminary results
Authors: G. Malischewsky Peter , Forbriger Thomas , LomnitzÂ† Cinna
Published: April 2021

Other than commonly assumed in seismology, the phase velocity of Rayleigh waves not necessarily is a single-valued function of frequency. We demonstrate this for the first higher mode in simple models of a homogeneous layer on top of a homogeneous halfspace (LOH), which are used for the subsurface of the Texcoco zone in Mexico City valley in previous studies. In the structure of a homegenous layer with fixed bottom (LFB) the phenomenon exists for values of Poisson’s ratio between 0.19 and 0.5 and is most pronounced for P-velocity being three times S-velocity (Poisson’s ratio of 0.4375). This type of dispersion is demonstrated and a discussion of their possible fatal consequences for methods customarily used in seismology for dispersion analysis and synthesis of dispersion relations is presented.
Mapping Geologic Interfaces that may alter seismic wave propagation in the Mexico City basin
Authors: Álvarez Román
Published: April 2021

Mexico City experienced a large amount of damage during the September 19, 1985, earthquake. Although the whole city experienced different destruction degrees the region of maximum damage was constrained to a densely populated area west from the international airport, where water saturated sediments are still abundant. Other regions within the city, also with saturated sediments, did not experience a similar destruction. Among the mechanisms proposed to explain such large amount of destruction, one was proposed involving the interaction of incoming and reflected seismic waves in, or close to, the saturated surface. The existence and location of seismic wave reflecting surfaces within the basin of Mexico is thus of basic importance. It is herein proposed that high-density geologic structures within the basin may constitute those reflecting surfaces. 2-D gravity modeling is performed across the basin between Sierra del Tepeyac(N) and Xochimilco (S); some lines intersect and model volcanic structures in this region. A 3-D inversion of the gravity field shows that Sierra del Tepeyac-Peñón de Los Baños is a dense structure potentially capable of reflecting seismic waves towards the west, while Sierra de Santa Catarina would preferentially reflect them towards the south. The high-density regions are defined and mapped in 3-D space. These findings support the possibility of strong interactions between seismic waves travelling in opposite directions in selected regions of the Mexico basin. The reflection mechanism will obviously be proportional to the magnitude of the originating seismic disturbance.
Interior Imaging of El Castillo Pyramid, Chichen Itza, Mexico, Using ERT-3D Methods: Preliminary Results
Authors: E. Chavez René , Tejero Andrés , Tejero Andrés , L. Argote Denisse , L. Argote Denisse , Cifuentes Gerardo , Cifuentes Gerardo , Hernández-Quintero Juan Esteban , Hernández-Quintero Juan Esteban , García-Serrano Alejandro , García-Serrano Alejandro
Published: April 2021

The famous El Castillo pyramid, located in Chichen Itza, towards the northern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is an emblematic structure of this archaeological site and recognized as one of the man-made world seven wonders. The archaeologists that restored this structure during the 1930’s discovered a smaller pyramid inside this pre- Hispanic edifice, which corresponded to an older Mayan period. The possibility of finding other construction periods inside this edifice should be important in order to reconstruct the Mayan history of the region. Previous geophysical studies carried out in 2014 by the authors, showed a buried natural cavity partially filled with water beneath El Castillo pyramid, using novel Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) arrays. Employing a similar technique, a series of flat electrodes were deployed on each of the 9 bodies (or levels) conforming the pyramid plus the base of the structure, keeping a constant distance between each electrode. A precise topographic control for each electrode was fulfilled and introduced in the inversion process. 37,520 observations inside the pyramid were computed. So far, five of the 10 observation levels (19,400 points), were processed. Horizontal and vertical slices of this inverted image were analyzed. Examining the differences in the resistivity values and their gradients, allowed to locate the first substructure (explored in the 1930’s), as well as to infer a second substructure inside the previous one. An ERT-2D profile was surveyed inside El Castillo pyramid at the interior of a tunnel excavated in 1934 and the stairway of the first inner pyramid. Results from this study seem to confirm the evidence of a second substructure within El Castillo’s interior. Such feature possesses a probable intact chamber (a rectangular room 3 m high) on its upper part and inferred dimensions of 10 m high and 23 m per side at its base, assuming that the end of this profile lies on the middle of substructure 2. When the inversion will be carried out for the 10 levels, a better resolution will be reached for the upper portions of the resistivity model.
DC resistivity investigation in a fractured aquifer system contaminated by leachate from an old dump
Authors: Augusto Moreira César , Gonçalves Leandro Carolina , Trindade Lopes Camila , Melo Ilha Lenon
Published: April 2021

The dumps are areas of final disposal of solid wastes directly into the soil, with no technical criteria or collecting systems of gases or liquids. A large part of Brazilian municipalities have used this extreme damaging alternative to the environment up to the year 2010, when a federal law made compulsory the installation of sanitary landfills. However, large parts of the dumps were simply abandoned, although some eventually go through treatment after assessments of the state environmental agencies. This work presents the results of a geophysical investigation in a dump deactivated in 2004 in a small city in southern Brazil, where previous investigations have revealed contamination of soil and groundwater by leachate. Structural analyzes in the area of study combined to geological data from monitoring wells indicate the presence of contaminants in fractured granite, with a wide variation in the thickness of soil, saprolite and groundwater level. The integration of chemical analyses of the groundwater with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in 2D and 3D processing, revealed the existence of large contaminated areas within the limits of the dump flowing into the aquifer partially free up to 5m depth. Such areas may decrease gradually with the increase in depth and between 9m and 19m contaminated zones clearly predominate, associated with the flow in the fractured aquifer. The indication of restricted and oriented zones suggests the targeting and accumulation of contaminants in two systems of preferential fractures. The discovery of these zones is fundamental for planning and the installation of pumping and decontamination systems of groundwater, considering a declining production of leachate since the closure of the dump.
Three-dimensional shear-wave quality factor, Qs(f), model for south-central Gulf of California, Mexico obtained from inversion of broadband data
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Joshi Anand , Castro Raul R. , Singh Sandeep , Singh Shri Krishna
Published: April 2021

Abstract          We apply an iterative inversion scheme, initially developed by Hashida and Shimazaki (1984) and later modified by Joshi et al., (2010), to estimate three - dimensional shear - wave quality factor, Qs(f), of south-central Gulf of California, Mexico. An area of 230 km x 288 km in this region is divided into 108 rectangular blocks of different Qs(f). We use 25 well-located earthquakes recorded at three broadband stations of the regional network RESBAN operated by CICESE (Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California) and three Ocean Bottom Seismographs (OBS) of the Sea of Cortez Ocean Bottom Array (SCOOBA) experiment.  This dataset permits us to obtain Qs(f) estimates of different blocks using the modified inversion algorithm. Qs(f) is obtained at various frequencies in 0.16 - 7.94 Hz range. We found that the estimated Qs structure correlates with geological and tectonic models of the region proposed in previous studies. A regional frequency-dependent relation using all 1944 values of shear-wave quality factor is obtained at 18 different frequencies in all blocks can be approximated by a function of the form Qs(f) = 20 f 1.2. This relation is typical in a tectonically active region with high S-wave attenuation and is similar to attenuation relations reported by other authors for the Imperial Valley, California region.
Environmental offering and coffee cup quality (Coffea arabica L.) Var. Castillo in southern Colombia
Authors: Criollo-Velásquez Claudia Patricia , Muñoz-Belalcazar Johana Alixa , Lagos-Burbano Tulio César
Published: April 2021

The determinant factors of coffee cup quality are highly variable and depend on their interaction with coffee production and benefit. This study aimed to analyze soil and climatic factors and their association with the cup quality of Castillo coffee variety of three to five years of age from production units in ecotypes 220A and 221A of the Department of Nariño. The study farms were located in three different altitudinal ranges: ≤1500 m, between 1501 and 1700 m, and >1700 m. Soil, climate, and coffee cup quality variables were analyzed through principal component analysis and cluster analysis. A low level of association was found between climatic and soil nutritional factors and coffee cup quality. Soil Mn, Fe, and Cu contents showed the highest association levels with cup quality, indicated by an average score of 80.89. The highest values of photosynthetically active radiation -PAR- and thermal amplitude were found in La Unión - Nariño, and these variables were associated with the group that obtained the highest cup quality score (82.58). Cup quality was not associated with elevation since the highest scores (85.5 and 82.33) were obtained from production units located at ≤1500 m.a.s.l. and >1700 m.a.s.l, respectively.
Fractalizing quantum codes
Authors: Devakul Trithep , Williamson Dominic J.
Published: April 2021

We introduce "fractalization", a procedure by which spin models are extended to higher-dimensional "fractal" spin models. This allows us to interpret type-II fracton phases, fractal symmetry-protected topological phases, and more, in terms of well understood lower-dimensional spin models. Fractalization is also useful for deriving new spin models and quantum codes from known ones. We construct higher dimensional generalizations of fracton models that host extended fractal excitations. Finally, by applying fractalization to a 2D subsystem code, we produce a family of locally generated 3D subsystem codes that are conjectured to saturate a quantum information storage tradeoff bound.