bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of neurobehavioral pattern in a zebrafish 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced model: A 96-hour behavioral study
Authors: Razali Khairiah , Mohd Nasir Mohd Hamzah , Othman Noratikah , Doolaanea Abd Almonem , Kumar Jaya , Nabeel Ibrahim Wisam , Mohamed Wael M. Y.
Published: October 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common brain motor disorder, characterized by a substantial loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Motor impairments, such as dyskinesia, bradykinesia, and resting tremors, are the hallmarks of PD. Despite ongoing research, the exact PD pathogenesis remains elusive due to the disease intricacy and difficulty in conducting human studies. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as an ideal model for researching PD pathophysiology. Even though 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) has been used to induce PD in zebrafish, behavioural findings are frequently limited to a single time point (24 hours post-injection). In this sense, we aim to demonstrate the effects of MPTP on zebrafish swimming behaviour at multiple time points. We administered a single dosage of MPTP (200μg/g bw) via intraperitoneal injection (i/p) and assessed the locomotor activity and swimming pattern at 0h, 24h, and 96h post-injection through an open field test. Analysis of the behaviour revealed significant reductions in swimming velocity (cm/s) and distance travelled (cm), concurrent with an increase in freezing maintenance (duration and bouts) in zebrafish injected with MPTP. In addition, the MPTP-injected zebrafish exhibited complex swimming patterns, as measured by the turn angle, meander, and angular velocity, and showed abnormal swimming phenotypes, including freezing, looping, and erratic movement. To conclude, MPTP administration into adult zebrafish induced hypolocomotion and elicited motor incoordination. Plus, the effects of MPTP were observable 24 hours after the injection and still detectable 96 hours later. These findings contribute to the understanding of MPTP effects on adult zebrafish, particularly in terms of swimming behaviours, and may pave the way for a better understanding of the establishment of PD animal models in the future.
Long-term memory predictors of adult language learning at the interface between syntactic form and meaning
Authors: Pili-Moss Diana
Published: October 2022

Recent neurocognitive models of second language learning have posited specific roles for declarative and procedural memory in the processing of novel linguistic stimuli. Pursuing this line of investigation, the present exploratory study examined the role of declarative and procedural memory abilities in the early stages of adult comprehension of sentences in a miniature language with natural language characteristics (BrocantoJ). Thirty-six native Italian young adults were aurally exposed to BrocantoJ in the context of a computer game over three sessions on consecutive days. Following vocabulary training and passive exposure, participants were asked to perform game moves described by aural sentences in the language. Game trials differed with respect to the information the visual context offered. In part of the trials processing of relationships between grammatical properties of the language (word order and morphological case marking) and noun semantics (thematic role) was necessary in order reach an accurate outcome, whereas in others nongrammatical contextual cues were sufficient. Declarative and procedural learning abilities were respectively indexed by visual and verbal declarative memory measures and by a measure of visual implicit sequence learning. Overall, the results indicated a substantial role of declarative learning ability in the early stages of sentence comprehension, thus confirming theoretical predictions and the findings of previous similar studies in miniature artificial language paradigms. However, for trials that specifically probed the learning of relationships between morphosyntax and semantics, a positive interaction between declarative and procedural learning ability also emerged, indicating the cooperative engagement of both types of learning abilities in the processing of relationships between ruled-based grammar and interpretation in the early stages of exposure to a new language in adults.
Maternal and paternal anxiety during pregnancy: Comparing the effects on behavioral problems in offspring
Authors: Bekkhus Mona , Lee Yunsung , Samuelsen Sven Ove , Tsotsi Stella , Magnus Per
Published: October 2022

Prenatal maternal anxiety has been associated with both short and long-term mental health problems in the child. The current study aims to examine the association between maternal and paternal prenatal anxiety and behaviour problems in the child at 1.5 and 5 years, using three different approaches; (1) adjusting for covariates, (2) using fathers’ anxiety during pregnancy as a negative control, and (3) using a sibling-comparison design, controlling for unmeasured family factors. We used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) is used. MoBa is a cohort consisting of about 114 000 pregnancies (about 34000 siblings) recruited from 1999 to 2008. Self-reported measures on maternal anxiety were obtained twice in pregnancy and 6 months after birth, while paternal anxiety was reported prenatally at 17th weeks of gestation. Maternal reports on child behaviour problems were obtained at 1.5 and 5 years of age. Results suggests that prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety was associated with behaviour problems at 1.5 years: adjusted beta (β) = 0.13 (CI = 0.12, 0.15), and at 5 years: β = 0.11 (CI = 0.09, 0.14). However, paternal anxiety was also associated with behaviour problems at 1.5 years: β = 0.03 (CI = 0.01–0.03) and at 5 years β = 0.03 (CI = 0.02, 0.03). These associations were attenuated in the sibling comparison analyses: β = -0.02 (CI = -0.02–0.05) at 1.5 years and β = -0.05 (CI = -0.10, 0.02) at 5 years. In conclusions, the sibling analyses are not consistent with a direct effect of prenatal maternal anxiety on child behaviour problems. It is more likely that genetic or shared family environment explain this association.
Exploring the lived experience of Long Covid in black and minority ethnic groups in the UK: Protocol for qualitative interviews and art-based methods
Authors: Smyth Nina , Alwan Nisreen A. , Band Rebecca , Chaudhry Ashish , Chew-Graham Carolyn A. , Gopal Dipesh , Jackson Monique , Kingstone Tom , Wright Alexa , Ridge Damien
Published: October 2022

Some people experience prolonged symptoms following an acute COVID-19 infection including fatigue, chest pain and breathlessness, headache and cognitive impairment. When symptoms persist for over 12 weeks following the initial infection, and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis, the term post-COVID-19 syndrome is used, or the patient-defined term of Long Covid. Understanding the lived experiences of Long Covid is crucial to supporting its management. However, research on patient experiences of Long Covid is currently not ethnically diverse enough. The study aim is to explore the lived experience of Long Covid, using qualitative interviews and art-based methods, among people from ethnically diverse backgrounds (in the UK), to better understand wider systems of support and healthcare support needs. Co-created artwork will be used to build on the interview findings. A purposive sampling strategy will be used to gain diverse experiences of Long Covid, sampling by demographics, geographic locations and experiences of Long Covid. Individuals (aged >18 years) from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, who self-report Long Covid symptoms, will be invited to take part in a semi-structured interview. Interviews will be analysed thematically. A sub-sample of participants will be invited to co-create visual artwork to further explore shared narratives of Long Covid, enhance storytelling and increase understanding about the condition. A patient advisory group, representing diversity in ethnicity and experiences of Long Covid, will inform all research stages. Stakeholder workshops with healthcare professionals and persons, systems or networks important to people’s management of Long Covid, will advise on the integration of findings to inform management of Long Covid. The study will use patient narratives from people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, to raise awareness of Long Covid and help inform management of Long Covid and how wider social systems and networks may inform better healthcare service access and experiences.
Abundance, efficiency, and stability of reference transcript expression in a seasonal rodent: The Siberian hamster
Authors: Stewart Calum , Liddle Timothy A. , Stevenson Tyler J.
Published: October 2022

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a common molecular tool to analyse the expression of transcripts in non-traditional animal models. Most animals experience tissue-specific seasonal changes in cell structure, growth, and cellular function. As a consequence, the choice of reference or ‘house-keeping’ genes is essential to standardize expression levels of target transcripts of interest for qPCR analyses. This study aimed to determine the abundance, efficiency and stability of several reference genes commonly used for normalisation of qPCR analyses in a model of seasonal biology: the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Liver, brown-adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), testes, spleen, kidney, the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, and the pituitary gland from either long or short photoperiod Siberian hamsters were dissected to test tissue-specific and photoperiod effects on reference transcripts. qPCR was conducted for common reference genes including 18s ribosomal RNA (18s), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Hprt), and actin-β (Act). Cycling time (Ct), efficiency (E) and replicate variation of Ct and E measured by percent coefficient of variance (CV%) was determined using PCR miner. Measures of stability were assessed using a combined approach of NormFinder and BestKeeper.18sandActdid not vary in Ct across photoperiod conditions. Splenic, WAT and BATGapdhCt was higher in long compared to short photoperiod. SplenicHprtCt was higher in long photoperiods. There was no significant effect of photoperiod, tissue or interaction on measures of efficiency, Ct CV%, or efficiency CV%. NormFinder and BestKeeper confirmed that18s,GapdhandHprtwere highly stable, whileActshowed low stability. These findings suggest that18sandHprtshow the most reliable stability, efficiency, and abundance across the tissues. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive and standardised approach to assess multiple reference genes in the Siberian hamster and help to inform molecular assays used in studies of photoperiodism.
Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review
Authors: Smith Natalie Riva , Grummon Anna H. , Ng Shu Wen , Wright Sarah Towner , Frerichs Leah
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Simulation modeling methods are an increasingly common tool for projecting the potential health effects of policies to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. However, it remains unknown which SSB policies are understudied and how simulation modeling methods could be improved. To inform next steps, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the (1) policies considered and (2) major characteristics of SSB simulation models.

Methods

We systematically searched 7 electronic databases in 2020, updated in 2021. Two investigators independently screened articles to identify peer-reviewed research using simulation modeling to project the impact of SSB policies on health outcomes. One investigator extracted information about policies considered and key characteristics of models from the full text of included articles. Data were analyzed in 2021–22.

Results

Sixty-one articles were included. Of these, 50 simulated at least one tax policy, most often an ad valorem tax (e.g., 20% tax, n = 25) or volumetric tax (e.g., 1 cent-per-fluid-ounce tax, n = 23). Non-tax policies examined included bans on SSB purchases (n = 5), mandatory reformulation (n = 3), warning labels (n = 2), and portion size policies (n = 2). Policies were typically modeled in populations accounting for age and gender or sex attributes. Most studies focused on weight-related outcomes (n = 54), used cohort, lifetable, or microsimulation modeling methods (n = 34), conducted sensitivity or uncertainty analyses (n = 56), and included supplementary materials (n = 54). Few studies included stakeholders at any point in their process (n = 9) or provided replication code/data (n = 8).

Discussion

Most simulation modeling of SSB policies has focused on tax policies and has been limited in its exploration of heterogenous impacts across population groups. Future research would benefit from refined policy and implementation scenario specifications, thorough assessments of the equity impacts of policies using established methods, and standardized reporting to improve transparency and consistency.
Risk perception, community myth, and practices towards COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Ethiopia: Community based crossectional study
Authors: Aliyi Ahmednur Adem , Ketaro Musa Kumbi , Engida Zinash Teferu , Argaw Ayele Mamo , Muhammed Abduljewad Hussen , Hassen Mesud Mohammed , Abduletif Abdushekur Mohammed , Shiferaw Damtow Solomon , Wodera Abate Lette , Ayene Sintayehu Hailu , Esmael Jeylan Kassim , Etu Edao Sinba
Published: October 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess risk perception, community myths, and preventive practice towards COVID-19 among community in Southeast Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 854 participants selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from previous literature. Descriptive statistics were done to summarize the variables. A generalized linear model with binary logistic specification was used to identify factors associated with risk perception and practice. Accordingly adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and those with p-value < 0.05 were considered as significant factors associated with risk perception and practice. Cluster analysis using a linear mixed model was performed to identify factors associated with community myth and those with p-value <0.05 were reported as significant factors associated with community myth.

Results

All 854 respondents gave their answer yielding 100% response rate. Of these 547 (64.1%) were male, 611 (71.5%) were rural residents, 534 (62.5%) got information about COVID-19 from TV/radio, 591 (69.2%) of them live near health facility, 265 (30.8%) have a history of substance use and 100 (11.7%) have a history of chronic illness, and 415 (48.6%) of them have a high-risk perception, 428 (50.1%) have a wrong myth about COVID-19 and 366 (42.9%) have poor practice respectively. Residence, distances from health facility and myths were significantly associated with risk perception. Occupation, knowledge, and practice were significantly associated with community myths. Also level of education, living near health facilities, having good knowledge and wrong myth were significantly associated with the practice of utilizing COVID-19 preventive respectively.

Conclusion

The study found high-risk perception, high wrong community myth, and relatively low utilization of available practices towards COVID-19 and factors associated with them.
Do alexithymia and negative affect predict poor sleep quality? The moderating role of interoceptive sensibility
Authors: Huang Yun-Hsin , Yang Chien-Ming , Huang Ya-Chuan , Huang Yu-Ting , Yen Nai-Shing
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Emotion-related hyperarousal is an important core pathology of poor sleep. Studies investigating the interplay of alexithymia and affective experiences in determining sleep quality have yielded mixed results. To disentangle the inconsistency, this study examined the concurrent predictive power of alexithymia, and negative and positive affect, while incorporating interoceptive sensibility (IS) as a possible moderator.

Methods

A sample of 224 (70.10% were female) participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), and Marlowe‐Crowne Social Desirability Scale (for controlling response bias) using paper and pencil. A two-stage cluster analysis of the MAIA was used to capture IS characteristics. Stepwise regression was conducted separately for each IS cluster.

Results

A three-group structure for IS characteristics was found. Higher alexithymia was predictive of poor sleep quality in the low IS group, while higher negative affect predicted poor sleep quality in the moderate and high IS groups. Additionally, alexithymia and positive affect were significantly different in the three IS groups, while negative affect and sleep quality were not.

Conclusions

Emotion and cognitive arousal may impact sleep quality differently in individuals with different levels of internal focusing ability, depending on physiological versus emotional self-conceptualization. The implications on pathological research, clinical intervention, study limitations and future directions are discussed.
Trial protocol of an open label pilot study of lisdexamfetamine for the treatment of acute methamphetamine withdrawal
Authors: Acheson Liam S. , Ezard Nadine , Lintzeris Nicholas , Dunlop Adrian , Brett Jonathan , Rodgers Craig , Gill Anthony , Christmass Michael , McKetin Rebecca , Farrell Michael , Shoptaw Steve , Siefried Krista J.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Methamphetamine (MA) use disorder is an important public health concern. MA withdrawal is often the first step in ceasing or reducing use. There are no evidence-based withdrawal treatments, and no medication is approved for the treatment of MA withdrawal. Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) dimesilate, used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and binge eating disorder has the potential as an agonist therapy to ameliorate withdrawal symptoms, and improve outcomes for patients.

Methods

A single arm, open-label pilot study to test the safety and feasibility of LDX for the treatment of MA withdrawal. Participants will be inpatients in a drug and alcohol withdrawal unit, and will receive a tapering dose of LDX over five days: 250mg LDX on Day 1, reducing by 50mg per day to 50mg on Day 5. Optional inpatient Days 6 and 7 will allow for participants to transition to ongoing treatment. Participants will be followed-up on Days 14, 21 and 28. All participants will also receive standard inpatient withdrawal care. The primary outcomes are safety (measured by adverse events, changes in vital signs, changes in suicidality and psychosis) and feasibility (the time taken to enrol the sample, proportion of screen / pre-screen failures). Secondary outcomes are acceptability (treatment satisfaction questionnaire, medication adherence, concomitant medications, qualitative interviews), retention to protocol (proportion retained to primary and secondary endpoints), changes in withdrawal symptoms (Amphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire) and craving for MA (visual analogue scale), and sleep outcomes (continuous actigraphy and daily sleep diary).

Discussion

This is the first study to assess lisdexamfetamine for the treatment of acute MA withdrawal. If safe and feasible results will go to informing the development of multi-centre randomised controlled trials to determine the efficacy of the intervention.
Doxorubicin induces prolonged DNA damage signal in cells overexpressing DEK isoform-2
Authors: Özçelik Emrah , Kalaycı Ahmet , Çelik Büşra , Avcı Açelya , Akyol Hasan , Kılıç İrfan Baki , Güzel Türkan , Çetin Metin , Öztürk Merve Tuzlakoğlu , Çalışkaner Zihni Onur , Tombaz Melike , Yoleri Dilan , Konu Özlen , Kandilci Ayten
Published: October 2022

DEK has a short isoform (DEK isoform-2; DEK2) that lacks amino acid residues between 49–82. The full-length DEK (DEK isoform-1; DEK1) is ubiquitously expressed and plays a role in different cellular processes but whether DEK2 is involved in these processes remains elusive. We stably overexpressed DEK2 in human bone marrow stromal cell line HS-27A, in which endogenous DEKs were intact or suppressed via short hairpin RNA (sh-RNA). We have found that contrary to ectopic DEK1, DEK2 locates in the nucleus and nucleolus, causes persistent γH2AX signal upon doxorubicin treatment, and couldn’t functionally compensate for the loss of DEK1. In addition, DEK2 overexpressing cells were more sensitive to doxorubicin than DEK1-cells. Expressions of DEK1 and DEK2 in cell lines and primary tumors exhibit tissue specificity. DEK1 is upregulated in cancers of the colon, liver, and lung compared to normal tissues while both DEK1 and DEK2 are downregulated in subsets of kidney, prostate, and thyroid carcinomas. Interestingly, only DEK2 was downregulated in a subset of breast tumors suggesting that DEK2 can be modulated differently than DEK1 in specific cancers. In summary, our findings show distinct expression patterns and subcellular location and suggest non-overlapping functions between the two DEK isoforms.
Disinfection of otorhinolaryngological endoscopes with electrolyzed acid water: A cross-sectional and multicenter study
Authors: Okano Takayuki , Sakamoto Tatsunori , Ishikawa Seiji , Sakamoto Susumu , Mizuta Masanobu , Kitada Yuji , Mizuno Keisuke , Hayashi Hideki , Suzuki Youichi , Nakano Takashi , Omori Koichi
Published: October 2022

Glutaraldehyde, a germicide for reprocessing endoscopes that is important for hygiene in the clinic, might be hazardous to humans. Electrolyzed acid water (EAW) has a broad anti-microbial spectrum and safety profile and might be a glutaraldehyde alternative. We sought to assess EAW disinfection of flexible endoscopes in clinical otorhinolaryngological settings and its in vitro inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and bacteria commonly isolated in otorhinolaryngology. Ninety endoscopes were tested for bacterial contamination before and after endoscope disinfection with EAW. The species and strains of bacteria were studied. The in vitro inactivation of bacteria and SARS-CoV-2 by EAW was investigated to determine the efficacy of endoscope disinfection. More than 20 colony-forming units of bacteria at one or more sampling sites were detected in 75/90 microbiological cultures of samples from clinically used endoscopes (83.3%). The most common genus detected was Staphylococcus followed by Cutibacterium and Corynebacterium at all sites including the ears, noses, and throats. In the in vitro study, more than 107 CFU/mL of all bacterial species examined were reduced to below the detection limit (<10 CFU/mL) within 30 s after contact with EAW. When SARS-CoV-2 was treated with a 99-fold volume of EAW, the initial viral titer (> 105 PFU) was decreased to less than 5 PFU. Effective inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 was also observed with a 19:1 ratio of EAW to the virus. EAW effectively reprocessed flexible endoscopes contributing to infection control in medical institutions in the era of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Environmental regulation, R&D investment, and green technology innovation in China: Based on the PVAR model
Authors: Zhang Yueting , Chen Huaichao , He Zhimin
Published: October 2022

The unreasonable economic development model of human beings has caused the environmental pollution problem to become increasingly serious. In order to achieve a positive relationship and interaction between environmental regulation, research and development (R&D) investment, and green technology innovation, and effectively solve the “strange circle” problem between high-quality economic development and environmental pollution in China and even the world, this paper takes the panel data of industrial enterprises above designated size in Chinese mainland 31 provinces from 2009 to 2019 as a research sample. The comprehensive index of R&D investment and green technology innovation was established by the entropy method, and the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model was constructed from the dynamic endogenous perspective, and the dynamic interaction and regional heterogeneity between environmental regulation, R&D investment, and green technology innovation were empirically analyzed by using impulse response function and variance decomposition. We obtain the following findings: (1) Environmental regulation has a two-way interaction relationship with R&D investment and green technology innovation, and R&D investment has a promotion effect on the “green degree” of technological innovation, but its role is still weak and has lagging characteristics. (2) There is significant regional heterogeneity in the dynamic responses of the eastern, central and western parts of China. (3) In the long run, environmental regulation has a “negative crowding out effect” on R&D investment in the central region, and the phenomenon of “central collapse” still exists but will gradually weaken. Environmental regulation has a “positive innovation compensation effect” on green technology innovation. Green technology innovation and R&D investment have an obvious “Pareto improvement” effect on environmental regulation, especially in the eastern region. The conclusions of this study help to clarify the dynamic interaction between environmental regulation, R&D investment, and green technology innovation, further improve environmental regulatory policies and green technology innovation R&D decision-making, and provide an effective way to achieve green and sustainable development in China and other parts of the world.
Subjective and psychophysical olfactory and gustatory dysfunction among COVID-19 outpatients; short- and long-term results
Authors: Jensen Mads Mose , Larsen Kasper Daugaard , Homøe Anne-Sophie , Simonsen Anders Lykkemark , Arndal Elisabeth , Koch Anders , Samuelsen Grethe Badsberg , Nielsen Xiaohui Chen , Todsen Tobias , Homøe Preben
Published: October 2022

Background

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are early symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Between 20–80% of infected individuals report subjective altered sense of smell and/or taste during infection. Up to 2/3 of previously infected experience persistent olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction after 6 months. The aim of this study was to examine subjective and psychophysical olfactory and gustatory function in non-hospitalized individuals with acute COVID-19 up to 6 months after infection.

Methods

Individuals aged 18-80-years with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test no older than 10 days, were eligible. Only individuals able to visit the outpatient examination facilities were included. Gustatory function was tested with the Burgharts Taste Strips and olfactory function was examined with the Brief Smell Identifications test (Danish version). Subjective symptoms were examined through an online questionnaire at inclusion, day 30, 90 and 180 after inclusion.

Results

Fifty-eight SARS-CoV-2 positive and 56 negative controls were included. 58.6% (34/58) of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals vs. 8.9% (5/56) of negative controls reported subjective olfactory dysfunction at inclusion. For gustatory dysfunction, 46.5% (27/58) of positive individuals reported impairment compared to 8.9% (5/56) of negative controls. In psychophysical tests, 75.9% (46/58) had olfactory dysfunction and 43.1% (25/58) had gustatory dysfunction among the SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals at inclusion. Compared to negative controls, SARS-CoV-2 infected had significantly reduced olfaction and gustation. Previously infected individuals continued to report lower subjective sense of smell 30 days after inclusion, whereafter the difference between the groups diminished. However, after 180 days, 20.7% (12/58) positive individuals still reported reduced sense of smell and taste.

Conclusion

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are prevalent symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but there is inconsistency between subjective reporting and psychophysical test assessment of especially olfaction. Most individuals regain normal function after 30 days, but approximately 20% report persistent olfactory and gustatory dysfunction 6 months after infection.
A robust prediction model for evaluation of plastic limit based on sieve # 200 passing material using gene expression programming
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Naqeeb , Qamar Sana Ullah , Alshameri Badee , Nawaz Muhammad Muneeb , Hassan Waqas , Awan Tariq Ahmed
Published: October 2022

This study aims to propose a novel and high-accuracy prediction model of plastic limit (PL) based on soil particles passing through sieve # 200 (0.075 mm) using gene expression programming (GEP). PL is used for the classification of fine-grained soils which are particles passing from sieve # 200. However, it is conventionally evaluated using sieve # 40 passing material. According to literature, PL should be determined using sieve # 200 passing material. Although, PL200is considered the accurate representation of plasticity of soil, its’ determination in laboratory is time consuming and difficult task. Additionally, it is influenced by clay and silt content along with sand particles. Thus, artificial intelligence-based techniques are considered viable solution to propose the prediction model which can incorporate multiple influencing parameters. In this regard, the laboratory experimental data was utilized to develop prediction model for PL200using gene expression programming considering sand, clay, silt and PL using sieve 40 material (PL40) as input parameters. The prediction model was validated through multiple statistical checks such as correlation coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and relatively squared error (RSE). The sensitivity and parametric studies were also performed to further justify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed model. The results show that the model meets all of the criteria and can be used in the field.
Un intelectual en la Moncloa. Cartas y consejos de José María Maravall a Felipe González en la década del cambio
Authors: LUENA LÓPEZ César , SÁNCHEZ ILLÁN Juan Carlos
Published: October 2022

En este trabajo se analiza la visión personal e interior de un reconocido intelectual, un sociólogo eminente que ocupó puestos de alta responsabilidad durante la década del cambio. A partir del trabajo, de primera mano, con sus cartas y entrevistas, se aporta, al estado de la cuestión, el análisis de una potente mirada subjetiva que viene a configurar nuevas perspectivas sobre esta etapa de la historia reciente de España. Se trata, además, de un estudio epistolar e histórico que muestra cómo los protagonistas de la “década del cambio” reconocían los problemas políticos internos y no estaban exentos de angustia y de estímulo para la reacción. Existía, pues, una clara toma de conciencia de la problemáticas sociales y también del poder de influencia que determinados políticos e intelectuales ejercían sobre el presidente del Gobierno.
Documenting the Invisible: How Data Activism Fills Visual Gaps
Authors: Gutiérrez Miren
Published: October 2022

Este artículo examina, desde la perspectiva del activismo de datos, cómo algunas organizaciones están desarrollando nuevos lenguajes para hablar sobre la invisibilización, la desaparición y la liminalidad. Para ello, estas emplean la inteligencia de fuentes abiertas (conocida como Open Source Intelligence [OSINT, por sus siglas en inglés]), los mapas y los datos públicos y ciudadanos. Al examinar cuatro proyectos pioneros en la incorporación de estas prácticas (Forensic Architecture, Bellingcat, Syrian Archive y el trabajo de la activista María Salguero), el artículo plantea cómo tecnologías como la OSINT y los mapas pueden servir para mapear lo antes no cartografiado y, de esta forma, arrojar luz sobre la agencia y los destinos de personas invisibilizadas. Frente a las formas tradicionales de hablar sobre los abusos y el sufrimiento en los documentales, este tipo de activismo de datos ofrece contra-narrativas que renuevan el lenguaje visual para tratar sobre abusos de derechos humanos. Al adoptar OSINT y mapas para visualizar la desaparición, el activismo de datos ha adquirido la precisión de las herramientas digitales y ha influido en las prácticas periodísticas y de investigación. Este análisis también sugiere que OSINT y la cartografía digital podrían ser parte de una renovación en la producción documental.
Acogida e integración de personas refugiadas. Una mirada desde los documentales
Authors: Vicente Torrado Trinidad Lourdes , La Spina Encarnación , Urrutia Asua Gorka
Published: October 2022

En los últimos años, especialmente a partir de la mal llamada «crisis de los refugiados», los documentales se han convertido en un vehículo primordial para analizar la realidad de las personas refugiadas llegadas a Europa, y también para sensibilizar sobre las causas y el drama del exilio, así como en torno a los problemas derivados de estas migraciones forzadas en sus diferentes fases. Poniendo la mirada sobre los diferentes escenarios migratorios (la salida, el tránsito y el destino), diversos documentales, con enfoques distintos, tratan de reflejar la experiencia migratoria de estas personas refugiadas, así como la reacción política y social de cada lugar de destino. En este contexto, este artículo se centra en el análisis de cuatro documentales producidos en España e Italia —«Memorias del refugio», «Ongi Etorri», «La porta di casa. Storie e numeri di (stra)ordinaria accoglienza» y «Rotta balcanica. Ultima fermata»—, poniendo el foco en la acogida y la integración de las personas refugiadas: uno de los retos migratorios que ha tenido una proyección más contenida y dispar en el formato documental. Una mirada que nos permite reflexionar en clave socio-crítica cómo un modelo de acogida sin integración en derechos solo entraña una aceptación resignada o tolerada «del otro», percibido como una continua amenaza al bienestar general, negando por tanto espacios de convivencia e igualdad.
A biblioteca matemática da Universidade de Coimbra (1913-1969): génese, formação e desenvolvimento
Authors: Tenreiro Carlos
Published: October 2022

Tinha-se há pouco iniciado o ano de 1913 quando o Conselho da Secção de Matemática da recém-criada Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Coimbra nomeava o professor Henrique de Figueiredo (1861-1922) para dirigir a sua biblioteca privativa, a qual, a partir de abril desse ano, tomaria a designação de Biblioteca Matemática. É a génese, formação e desenvolvimento da biblioteca do Departamento de Matemática da Universidade de Coimbra que contamos neste texto no momento em que se esgotam 100 anos sobre a sua fundação.
Centraremos a nossa atenção no período anterior a 1969, quando a Biblioteca Matemática teve as suas instalações no edifício do antigo Colégio de S. Pedro, no Paço das Escolas da Universidade de Coimbra.
Catálogo dos desenhos do Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra : Coleção do Departamento de Ciências da Vida (séculos XVIII a XX)
Authors: Silva Ana Margarida Dias da , Gonçalves Maria Teresa Silva
Published: October 2022

O presente catálogo reúne 40 desenhos relativos ao Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra, fundado pelos Estatutos de 1772, mas que por vicissitudes várias viu a sua construção prolongada no tempo, tendo sido o último dos empreendimentos da reforma pombalina a ser concluído. Os desenhos (plantas, alçados e perfis), 35 dos quais inéditos e agora dados à estampa, permitem acompanhar o percurso das obras realizadas no jardim, desde o século xviii até meados do século xx.
Da autoria de Macomboa, José do Couto, Neves e Mello e Cottinelli Telmo, por exemplo, os desenhos, nem todos assinados e datados, oferecem um novo olhar sobre o processo de construção do Jardim Botânico da UC, as soluções arquitetónicas projetadas e as realizadas, no diálogo entre as componentes artística e científica. Complementarmente aos desenhos sumptuosos até agora conhecidos, estes são, maioritariamente, documentos com notas e apontamentos de trabalho, estudos e projetos de uso corrente, que ficaram guardados na “gaveta do jardineiro”.
Conductas disruptivas en el aula. Análisis desde la perspectiva de futuros docentes de Educación Primaria
Authors: Saco-Lorenzo Inmaculada , González-López Ignacio , Martín-Fernández María Amor , Bejarano-Prats Purificación
Published: October 2022

Las conductas disruptivas de estudiantes de edades correspondientes a la etapa de Educación Primaria se han convertido, en los últimos años, en una de las mayores preocupaciones de la comunidad educativa, que detecta que carece de estrategias adecuadas para identificarlas y gestionarlas. El tratamiento genérico de la indisciplina escolar ha dificultado su análisis y la intervención en el aula, lo que motiva la formación del alumnado del Grado de Educación Primaria en esta materia. Por ello, los objetivos de esta investigación son, por un lado, evaluar la percepción que este alumnado tiene sobre las conductas disruptivas que se producen en el aula y, por otro, dilucidar dicho concepto y su clasificación, para que los futuros maestros puedan identificarlas y abordarlas. Se trata de una investigación de tipo descriptivo y correlacional, no experimental, que utiliza el cuestionario como instrumento de recogida de información. La población ha estado referida a los estudiantes de este grado de la Universidad de Córdoba y la muestra ha resultado del porcentaje de respuestas recibidas, el 76,5% Los resultados y conclusiones ponen de manifiesto que el futuro maestro de Educación Primaria considera conductas disruptivas aquellas que manifiestan desmotivación escolar, desobediencia, llamadas de atención y falta de autocontrol dentro del aula, siendo el alumnado femenino y el especializado en docencia bilingüe y en educación musical el que otorga mayor gravedad a estos comportamientos. Estos resultados han suscitado el interés por una formación que les permitirá poder abordar dichas conductas en su futura labor profesional para conseguir un exitoso proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje.
Creativity as care during COVID19: The domestic pedagogies of learning from home
Authors:   University of New South Wales, Trezise Bryoni
Published: October 2022

This article reflects upon relationships between pedagogy and domesticity in relation to a creative teaching philosophy of ‘critical care’. Two contexts frame this discussion. The first: the socio- economic levers that, prior to the pandemic, were working hard to reposition creativity as a 21st century skill demanded by employers and commodified in languages of entrepreneurial innovation by Higher Educational institutions. The second: the home-schooling conditions of Sydney’s twin pandemic waves, which for many, merged the homespace and workplace in ways not yet fully understood. In using pedagogy to bridge the logics of homespace and workplace during lockdown, I invoke a series of frameworks invested in expanded notions of creativity. These are performed as ‘intermezzo’: offering intercutting, non-finished evocations of the disrupted and scattered self. The haiku poetry of a group collaboration timestamps modes of paying attention as one pathway that counterpoints the neoliberalisation of creativity with small acts of everyday world-building.
Creativity and Nonconscious Cognition: A Conversation with Mary Zournazi and N. Katherine Hayles (invited contribution)
Authors:   University of New South Wales, Zournazi Mary , Hayles N. Katherine ,   University of California
Published: October 2022

In this conversation, Mary Zournazi and N. Katherine Hayles explore some of the key elements around co-evolutionary functions of human and nonhuman modes of cognition. Drawing on the wealth of N. Katherine Hayles’ work on these issues over the last thirty years, Zournazi and Hayles consider new modes of understanding and learning which are part of the rapidly changing world of digital and cognitive media technologies in the classroom and beyond. They consider the role of creativity, the necessary cognisance of new modes of learning, bodily orientations and technological evolutions that structure our individual as well as social and political lives.
Human Activity Recognition via Feature Extraction and Artificial Intelligence Techniques: A Review
Authors: Eraso Guerrero José Camilo , Muñoz España Elena , Muñoz Añasco Mariela
Published: October 2022

Context: In recent years, the recognition of human activities has become an area of constant exploration in different fields. This article presents a literature review focused on the different types of human activities and information acquisition devices for the recognition of activities. It also delves into elderly fall detection via computer vision using feature extraction methods and artificial intelligence techniques.
Methodology: This manuscript was elaborated following the criteria of the document review and analysis methodology (RAD), dividing the research process into the heuristics and hermeneutics of the information sources. Finally, 102 research works were referenced, which made it possible to provide information on current state of the recognition of human activities.
Results: The analysis of the proposed techniques for the recognition of human activities shows the importance of efficient fall detection. Although it is true that, at present, positive results are obtained with the techniques described in this article, their study environments are controlled, which does not contribute to the real advancement of research.
Conclusions: It would be of great impact to present the results of studies in environments similar to reality, which is why it is essential to focus research on the development of databases with real falls of adults or in uncontrolled environments.
From Sustainable Development to Social Responsibility: A perspective of Scientific Production Indicators and General Interest in Spanish
Authors: Gómez-Romero José-Andrés , Rivas-García Rosa-María , Valencia-Valencia Adriana , Fragoso-Cano Hugo-Armando , García-Jiménez Omar , Ortíz-Acle José-Carlos-Alberto
Published: October 2022

Context: In the last decades, one has the impression that the term sustainable development has evolved towards social responsibility and that the activities carried out by organizations and institutions are very similar. Nevertheless, this paper presents a theoretical discussion of the contribution of social responsibility. The question of this research is: through indicators of general interest and scientific production, it is possible to determine the evolution of sustainable development towards social responsibility?
Methodology: Using the non-participatory method of secondary data analysis, secondary data from articles in the Redalyc, WorldCat, Microsoft Academic, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and specialized books on the topics were analyzed. Google Ngram Viewer and Google Trends were used to compare the variations of the indicators of scientific production and interest.
Results: Through secondary data analysis, it was possible to establish indicators of general interest and scientific production. A discussion is presented on the evolution of sustainable development towards social responsibility.
Conclusions: The results showed that the evolution of sustainable development towards social responsibility was not surpassed over time, except at some moments and in specific geographical locations.
Method: Using the non-participatory method of secondary data analysis, secondary data from articles in the Redalyc, WorldCat, Microsoft Academic, Scopus, Web of Science databases and specialized books on the topics were analyzed. The Google Ngram Viewer and Google Trends software were used to compare the variations of the indicators of scientific production and interest.
Results: Through secondary data analysis, it was possible to establish indicators of general interest and scientific production. A discussion is presented on the evolution of sustainable development towards social responsibility.
Conclusions: The results showed that the evolution of sustainable development towards social responsibility was not overcome through time, except in some moments and geographical places.
Comparative Methods for Solving Optimal Power Flow in Distribution Networks Considering Distributed Generators: Metaheuristics vs. Convex Optimization
Authors: Montoya Giraldo Oscar Danilo , Bohórquez-Bautista Karen Julieth , Moreno-Arias Daniel Alejandro , Gil-González Walter
Published: October 2022

Objective: This article presents an analysis of different optimization methodologies, which aims to make an objective comparison between metaheuristic and convex optimization methods in distribution networks, focusing on the inclusion of distributed generation (DG). The MATLAB software is used as a tool for implementation and obtaining results. The objective was to determine the optimal size of the DGs to be integrated into the networks, with the purpose of reducing the active power losses (objective function).
Methodology: Based on the specialized literature, the methodologies are selected, and the bases and conditions for the implementation of the optimization techniques are determined. In the case of second-order cone programming (SOCP), the relaxation of the nonlinear optimal power flow (OPF) problem is performed in order to use convex optimization. Then, the structures of each technique are established and applied in the MATLAB software. Due to the iterative nature of metaheuristic methods, the data corresponding to 100 compilations for each algorithm are collected. Finally, by means of a statistical analysis, the optimal solutions for the objective function in each methodology are determined, and, with these results, the different methods applied to the networks are compared.
Results: By analyzing 33- and 69-node systems, it is demonstrated that metaheuristic methods are able to effectively size DGs in distribution systems and yield good results that are similar and comparable to SOCP regarding the OPF problem. Genetic algorithms (GA) showed the best results for the studied implementation, even surpassing the SOCP.
Conclusions: Metaheuristic methods proved to be algorithms with a high computational efficiency and are suitable for real-time applications if implemented in distribution systems with well-defined conditions. These techniques provide innovative ideas because they are not rigid algorithms, which makes them very versatile methods that can be adapted to any combinatorial optimization problem and software, yielding results even at the convex optimization level.
Intellectual Capital on Financial Performance of Nigerian Companies
Authors: Salman Ramat Titilayo
Published: October 2022

Intellectual capital efficiency measurement is a major problem facing managers of companies because of its intangible nature; thus, there is difference between book-value and market value of assets of the companies. Hence, this work investigated the intellectual capital (IC) efficiency on companies’ performance of 117 quoted firms in Nigeria between 2018 and 2019 periods using Pulic Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) Model. Data were sourced through secondary means from audited annual reports of the sample. The data gathered were analysed with both Pearson correlation and regression analysis to test the study hypotheses. The results of the study revealed that there is positive significant relationship between Human Capital efficiency, Return on Equity and Return on Asset. The study further revealed positive and significant relationship between Structural Capital Efficiency, Return on Equity and Return on Asset. But out of three control variables only sector was significant with structural capital efficiency. The study concluded that intellectual capital efficiencies influence companies’ performance of the sampled companies. The study recommended that management of the sampled companies should give priority to policies that will improve employees’ capability and organizational structure.