bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protecting surface and buried structures from tunnelling using pile walls: a prediction model
Authors: Franza A. , Losacco N. , Ledesma A. , Viggiani G.M.B. , Jimenez R.
Published: January 2021

When tunnelling poses excessive risks for buildings and buried foundations, a pile row barrier may shield the existing structure from ground movements. This paper presents a three-dimensional linear elastic prediction method to evaluate the protective action of pile walls against surface and subsurface ground movements due to new tunnels, both directly behind the wall as well as within the entire ground. Analyses are carried out to evaluate the vertical and horizontal movements of the ground and the pile wall as the result of soil–pile row interaction. New factors that quantify the wall efficiency in reducing settlements and deflections behind the wall are proposed; the results indicate that the effectiveness of the pile wall at reducing horizontal displacements is limited. Subsequently, predictions are compared against field and numerical data to demonstrate that the elastic solution is applicable, particularly for small ground losses. Finally, the barrier efficiency in reducing settlements is discussed comparing pile walls and diaphragm walls.
Comparative Effectiveness of Anti-Inflammatory Drug Treatments in Coronary Heart Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wudexi Ivan , Shokri Elica , Abo-Aly Mohamed , Shindo Kazuhiro , Abdel-Latif Ahmed
Published: January 2021

Introduction and Hypothesis. The role of inflammation is widely recognized in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. Research on animal models had shown the potential benefits of targeting specific inflammatory pathways. However, studies on human subjects are limited with small number of patients and no head-to-head comparisons. Methods. We conducted a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that studied the effects of anti-inflammatory medications on cardiovascular outcomes of coronary artery disease patients. We searched the electronic database until March 2020 for relevant studies. Results. Nineteen trials examining the efficacy of eight anti-inflammatory medications (pexelizumab, anakinra, colchicine, darapladib, varespladib, canakinumab, inclacumab, and losmapimod) were selected for analysis. Overall, there is no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, revascularization, and major cardio and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. However, we found the use of colchicine significantly reduces the odds of developing stroke by approximately 75% (OR 0.26, CI 0.10-0.63). Colchicine use was also associated with a lower risk of revascularization and MACCE compared to the other agents. Our subgroup analyses comparing the timing of medication initiation (within 7 days vs. >7 days) and clinical presentation (ACS vs. non-ACS) revealed a significant reduction in the risk of recurrent MI in the group that received medication after seven days (OR 0.92, CI 0.86-0.99) and the non-ACS group (OR 0.88, CI 0.80-0.98). Conclusion. Although many anti-inflammatory medications have failed to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the CAD population, selected medications show promise among subgroups of patients without ACS or after the first week following an acute ischemic event. Future studies examining the proper timing and targetable anti-inflammatory pathways are warranted.
Visual Simulation and Case Inversion of Gas Explosion in Underground Mine
Authors: Jinwei Qiu , Bingyou Jiang , Mingyun Tang , Liang Zhou , Bo Ren , Yingdi Yang
Published: January 2021

To truly represent the developing changes and spatiotemporal effects of gas explosion in underground mine, this paper discussed the field modeling and visual simulation technology of mine gas explosion. Through analyzing the characteristics of various field parameters, space geometric field models, physical attribute field models, and meteorological parameter field models were established to describe mine engineering, ventilation network, and explosion disaster process, respectively. Based on the generated model class and simulation timing flow of gas explosion disaster field, OpenGL technology was adopted to visualize the model of gas explosion disaster field, which simulated the overpressure propagation process of gas explosion shockwave and dynamic spread process of disaster gas, thereby to reveal the developing changes of gas explosion parameters in time and space. Taking the gas explosion accident that occurred in a certain mine in China as an example, the disaster process was inferred to examine the availability of the mine gas explosion disaster field model. The research achievements in the paper not only embody the great engineering value of visual simulation technology in the field of safety engineering but also provide references for accident impact prediction, assessment, and emergency plan.
Karst Aquifer Water Inflow into Tunnels: An Analytical Solution
Authors: Jiang Chong , Han Haixia , Xie Hansong , Liu Jing , Chen Zhao , Chen Huawei
Published: January 2021

This study gives two new analytical solutions to the tunnel by high-pressure water in the cavern. Firstly, it deals with the analytical solution for the seepage inflow in unsupported karst aquifer tunnels considering the boundary condition. Secondly, it focuses on the study of the seepage force and gives the reduction coefficient of lining water pressure. A comparison of the analytical solution and the finite element software shows a curve relationship as the relevant permeability coefficient

β

increases. The results show that the analytical solution and numerical solution are consistent. As

d

increases,

β

decreases gradually.

β

increases as

r

w

increases or the grouting circle and initial support become thinner or the secondary lining becomes thicker. In summary, the analytical solution of

β

can be used to predict the seepage inflow and the seepage force of the actual engineering.
Design of a Support System for Complicated Logistics Location Integrating Big Data
Authors: Cheng Yusi , Pan Xinwei
Published: January 2021

Logistics location is an important component of logistics planning that affects traffic pressure and vehicle emissions. To date, there has not been an adequate study of the integration of big data into the location for a complicated logistics system. This study developed a decision support system that can address location problems for complicated logistics systems, e.g., a multilevel urban underground logistics system (ULS), using logistics big data. First, information needed in the logistics location, such as the traffic performance index (TPI) and the origin/destination (OD) matrix, was collected and calculated using a big data platform, and this information was digitized and represented based on a geographic information system (GIS) tool. Second, a two‐stage location model for a ULS was designed to balance the construction costs and traffic congestion. The first stage is establishing a set‐covering model to identify optimum locations for secondary hubs based on the ant colony optimization algorithm, and the second stage is clustering of the secondary hubs to determine locations for primary hubs using the iterative self‐organizing data analysis technique algorithm (ISODATA). Finally, the Xianlin district of Nanjing, China, was chosen as a case study to validate the effectiveness of the proposed system. The system can be used to facilitate logistics network planning and to promote the application of big data in logistics.
Surgical Repair of a Giant Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm with an Anomalous Left Circumflex Artery in a Patient with Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Authors: Stawiarski Kristin , Mamhut Asiya , Kanin Elenita , Zarich Stuart
Published: January 2021

Congenital cardiac abnormalities are not always found in isolation. We describe a case of a giant right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with anomalous left circumflex artery in a 46-year-old male with bicuspid aortic valve and prior ventricular septal defect repair.
Next-Generation Profiling of Medulloblastoma: Old Drugs Are an Elegant Weapon in a Civilized Age
Authors: Nör Carolina , Ramaswamy Vijay
Published: January 2021

Personalized therapies have remained elusive in medulloblastoma, resulting in treatment paradigms that have been largely stagnant for almost four decades. A recent study by Rusert and colleagues applies a novel integrated approach to the identification of new targets in medulloblastoma by combining genomics, transcriptomics, and high-throughput drug screening across a panel of molecularly characterized patient-derived models. Actinomycin D, a common chemotherapeutic agent, was identified as highly active in the most aggressive form of medulloblastoma, highlighting the power of this approach over genomic paradigms alone.

See related article by Rusert et al.; Cancer Res 80(23):5393–407.
Pensando o Desenho Ambiental: um estudo sobre os espaços verdes ao longo do Ribeirão Lavapés em Botucatu (SP)
Authors: Mattos Karina Andrade
Published: January 2021

Na busca pela qualidade ambiental, tem se discutido muito sobre a importância dos espaços verdes e seus benefícios. Diversas pesquisas, nas últimas décadas, têm destacado estratégias de infraestrutura verde, de modo a melhorar as cidades, através de um equilíbrio entre as relações humanas e o meio. No entanto, observa-se que a aplicação desses princípios ainda é um desafio diante dos métodos tradicionais de planejamento urbano, que regem as decisões projetuais, mesmo naquelas cidades que se destacam pela sua gestão ambiental. Assim, diante deste contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo abrir a discussão sobre o Planejamento e o Desenho Ambiental no município de Botucatu, no Centro-Oeste Paulista, através de um estudo sobre os espaços verdes urbanos ao longo do Ribeirão Lavapés. Para isso, foram adotados diferentes materiais e métodos: pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, estudo de campo e cartografia. Os resultados direcionam para duas principais constatações: primeiro, que a área estudada apresenta diversas possibilidades de tratamento de seus espaços verdes urbanos; e segundo, que pesquisas dessa natureza devem ser aprofundadas, de modo a incentivar a implementação de infraestrutura verde em áreas urbanas consolidadas, principalmente em cidades de pequeno e médio porte, de maneira a destacar a importância da natureza na paisagem urbana.
A importância dos espaços públicos e áreas verdes pós-pandemia na cidade de São Paulo (SP)
Authors: Ximenes Deize Sbarai Sanches , Da Silva Gérsica Moraes Nogueira , Maglio Ivan Carlos , Chiquetto Júlio Barboza , Amato-Lourenço Luís Fernando , Vasconcellos Maria da Penha , Jacobi Pedro Roberto , Coutinho Sonia Maria Viggiani , César Vivian Aparecida Blaso Souza Soares
Published: January 2021

As cidades estão sofrendo profundas transformações no campo da saúde, cultura, relações sociais, e principalmente na vida urbana, provocando inúmeras reflexões e questionamentos ao modelo de cidade que poderá ser desfrutada pós-pandemia da COVID-19, destacando a importância e o papel dos espaços públicos e das áreas verdes em períodos excepcionais como no caso da pandemia e para o futuro da vida urbana. Diante da atual situação, este artigo tem por objetivo recomendar diretrizes de convivência e de uso adequado para as áreas verdes e espaços públicos, compatíveis com as exigências da saúde pública para o período da pandemia, até que se tenha uma vacina eficiente, e ao mesmo tempo, colaborar com diretrizes para uma qualidade de vida urbana com maior valorização das áreas verdes, vencida a pandemia. Esse estudo foi baseado na Pesquisa Emoções Momentâneas: Comportamentos e Hábitos Cotidianos Pós-Pandemia (XIMENES et al., 2020), nas revisões de literatura técnica e científica, nas análises das informações disponíveis e no mapeamento das áreas verdes do município de São Paulo. A ressignificação das cidades pós-pandemia deverá abordar a implementação de novas políticas públicas, e meios de apropriação e convivência dos espaços públicos, parques e áreas verdes da cidade de São Paulo, tornando-os mais humanizados, seguros e inclusivos; trabalhando estratégias integradas ao desenvolvimento urbano sustentável na retomada das atividades de lazer, cultura, gastronomia e entretenimento.
The Cairo Genizah Fragment of the Visions of Levi from the University of Manchester Library
Authors: Drawnel Henryk
Published: January 2021

Although the Visions of Levi (so-called Aramaic Levi Document) is a Jewish priestly composition written in the second or third century BCE, the largest part of its text comes from the trove of Jewish medieval manuscripts found in the Genizah of the Ezra synagogue in Old Cairo. Among the Genizah scrolls housed at the University of Manchester Library, Gideon Bohak found a new fragment (P 1185) of the pseudepigraphic document dedicated to Levi and his life. The present study contains a new edition of P 1185, including its paleographic description, notes on the readings, comments and photographs of the manuscript.
Nahmanides’ Disputes with Rashi as a Gateway to His Worldview
Authors: Yahalom Shalem
Published: January 2021

Although he highly praises Rashi’s Torah commentary, Nahmanides emphasizes that Rashi’s work is not beyond criticism. This article points out one aspect of Nahmandes’ disagreement with Rashi. Rashi, for his part, is willing to cite traditional Midrashic commentaries without significant additions, assuming that tradition is an effective tool for transmitting reliable information. Nahmanides argued with Rashi over this claim. Rather than sufficing to repeat exegetical traditions, in his Torah commentary, Nahmanides expands them and raises alternatives. In this way, he asserts the importance of analyzing all information critically. This article demonstrates how reservations regarding tradition stand behind several exegetical and halakhic disputes between Rashi and Nahmanides. Through analyzing this principle, the study demonstrates how Nahmanides, under the guise of a guardian of tradition, constructed an original, creative spiritual world in the areas of exegesis, halakha, and kabbalah.
‘It Is Often a Shot in the Dark’
Authors: Ungure Elza , Gu¯tmane Lı¯ga
Published: January 2021

In this article the authors analyse narratives of the ‘agents’ associated with book publishing in Latvia, instrumentalizing the Bourdieusian theoretical framework of habitus–capital–field in order to understand the particulars of power relationships in the national book publishing field. Based on the results of the narrative analysis, authors conclude that power relationships in book publishing in Latvia have historically shifted during periods when major social transformations have taken place in other fields of the social world (e.g. political, economic) and echoed in the publishing field in the form of altered conditions. Depending on each agent’s position in the field, these changes have meant that values and meanings linked with the practice of publishing have either had to be adjusted or been significantly disruptive.
An Inquiry into the Semiotic Thought of Laozi
Authors: Zhu Dong , Ren Wei
Published: January 2021

Tao Te Ching, the masterpiece of Laozi the renowned philosopher of Pre-Imperial China, plays an important role in Chinese history. Laozi’s philosophy centres on such concepts as ming (names), li (rituals), and dao (the way). Ming, originally developed as a result of human beings’ endeavours to understand the world in which they live and to bring order to their society, has degenerated into the sources of evils and the reason for turbulence when people stop at nothing for fame and fortune; Li, an effective and efficient means for the kings of West Zhou Dynasty to maintain social stability, has become but a collection of empty sign vehicles with the disintegration of rituals and music; Dao concerns Laozi’s metaphysical reflection on the origin of the universe and its ultimate laws. Ming and li are but artificial restraints imposed on human intelligence whereas dao provides the way out. Therefore, to lead a simple and natural life, it is advisable to eliminate ming and li, and worship dao. In semiotic terms, this means that desemiotisation is the solution to the crisis.
The Postulate of Clarification in Cheng Yi’s Commentary on the Book of Changes
Authors: Harrington L. Michael
Published: January 2021

Erwin Panofsky developed the postulate of clarification to explain the mental habit common to Gothic architecture and Western medieval scholasticism, but the postulate is equally applicable to the commentary tradition of Song-dynasty China. The commentary on the Book of Changes authored by Cheng Yi (1033–1107) provides a good example of how the Confucians of the Song dynasty took their concern for clarity to a recognizably medieval extreme. By looking at how Cheng Yi understands and foregrounds the clarity of the Book of Changes, we can begin to see both what was medieval about Song-dynasty China and why the medieval method continues to be viable for interpreters of the Book of Changes.
Interference with the Expression of miR-93 Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration and Promotes Apoptosis of Thyroid Tumor Cells Through Targeting Large Tumor Suppressor Molecule 2
Authors: Hu Dandan , Yan Haichao , Ni Xiaoying
Published: January 2021

Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common malignant tumor of the endocrine system. Currently, it is an urgent problem to be solved to explore the relevant molecular targets and molecular mechanisms for the occurrence and development of TC. miR-93 plays a role in regulating tumors in multiple
cancers, but its expression in TC and its effect on proliferation,migration and apoptosis of TC cells have not been reported so far. In this paper, RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-93 and LATS2. Cell transfection techniques was used to interfere with or overexpress miR-93 and
interfere with the expression of LATS2, and RT-qPCR was used to detect transfection efficiency. CCK-8 technique and clone formation assay were used to detect cell survival. Transwell and wound healing assay was used to detect cell migration and invasion, and western blot was used to detect
the expression of invasion and migration related proteins MMP2 and MMP9. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptotic proteins bcl-2, Bax, caspase3/9 and pro-caspase-3/9 was detected by western blot. The results showed that miR-93 was significantly increased
in TC cell lines, especially in TPC1 cells. Interference with the expression of miR-93 inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration, and promoted the apoptosis of TPC1 cells. In addition, we also found that interfering with the expression of miR-93 can promote the expression level of LATS2
in TPC1 cells. Interference with the expression of LATS2 can inhibit the effect on the proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis of TPC1 cells after miR-93 interference. In conclusion, interference with the expression of miR-93 inhibits the proliferation and migration and promotes apoptosis
of TC cells through targeting LATS2.
Solute Carrier Family 5 Member 8 Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration and Promotes Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells by Upregulating CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein Delta
Authors: Lv Qingyuan , Xiang Yan , Yu Hao , Cheng Xiaoyan
Published: January 2021

SLC5A8 has been studied in a variety of cancers as an anti-tumor factor. SLC5A8 is down-regulated in cervical cancer (CC), but its specific role in CC has not been reported. The expression of SLC5A8 and CEBPD was detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Subsequently, cell viability was
detected by CCK-8 technology and cell proliferation level was detected by cloning formation assay. The ability of CC cells was detected by Transwell assay.Wound healing detected cell migration. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins bcl-2,
Bax, caspase3 and caspase9 were detected by western blot. In addition, the immunoprecipitation technique detected the association between SLC5A8 and CEBPD. The results showed that the expression of SLC5A8 in CC cell lines was significantly decreased. After overexpression of SLC5A8, we found
that the proliferation level of Hela increased, cell survival rate, invasion and migration ability decreased, and cell apoptosis increased. The expression of CEBPD in CC cells is also decreased. In addition, we found that SLC5A8 has a targeted regulatory effect on CEBPD. It interfered with
the expression of CEBPD and inhibited the effect of overexpression of SLC5A8 on the proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis of Hela in CC. In conclusion, overexpression of SLC5A8 inhibited the proliferation, migration of CC cells and promoted apoptosis by upregulating the expression
of CEBPD.
The Historic Rainfalls of Hurricanes Harvey and Florence: A Perspective from the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor System
Authors: Martinaitis Steven M. , Cocks Stephen B. , Osborne Andrew P. , Simpson Micheal J. , Tang Lin , Zhang Jian , Howard Kenneth W.
Published: January 2021

Hurricane Harvey in 2017 generated one of the most catastrophic rainfall events in United States history. Numerous gauge observations in Texas exceeded 1200 mm, and the record accumulations resulted in 65 direct fatalities from rainfall-induced flooding. This was followed by Hurricane Florence in 2018, where multiple regions in North Carolina received over 750 mm of rainfall. The Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system provides the unique perspective of applying fully automated seamless radar mosaics and locally gauge-corrected products for these two historical tropical cyclone rainfall events. This study investigates the performance of various MRMS quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) products as it pertains to rare extreme tropical cyclone rainfall events. Various biases were identified in the radar-only approaches, which were mitigated in a new dual-polarimetric synthetic radar QPE approach. A local gauge correction of radar-derived QPE provided statistical improvements over the radar-only products but introduced consistent underestimation biases attributed to undercatch from tropical cyclone winds. This study then introduces a conceptual methodology to bulk correct for gauge wind undercatch across the numerous gauge networks ingested by the MRMS system. Adjusting the hourly gauge observations for wind undercatch resulted in increased storm-total accumulations for both tropical cyclones that better matched independent gauge observations, yet its application across large network collections highlighted the challenges of applying a singular wind undercatch correction scheme for significant wind events (e.g., tropical cyclones) while recognizing the need for increased metadata on gauge characteristics.
Association of reduced retinal arteriolar tortuosity with depression in older participants from the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: O’Neill R. A. , Maxwell A. P. , Kee F. , Young I. , Hogg R. E. , Cruise S. , McGuinness B. , McKay G. J.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The retina shares similar anatomical and physiological features with the brain and subtle variations in retinal microvascular parameters (RMPs) may reflect similar vascular variation in the brain. The aim of this study was to assess associations between RMPs and measures of depression in the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

Methods

RMPs (arteriolar and venular caliber, fractal dimension and tortuosity) were measured from optic disc centred fundus images using semi-automated software. Depression was characterised by the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in the absence of mild cognitive impairment or use of anti-depressive medications. Associations between depression and RMPs were assessed by regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

Data were available for 1376 participants of which 113 (8.2%) and 1263 (91.8%) were classified with and without depression. Participants had a mean age of 62.0 ± 8.4 yrs., 52% were female, and 8% were smokers. Individuals with depression had a higher CES-D score than those without (22.0 ± 6.2 versus 4.4 ± 3.9). Lower values of arteriolar tortuosity were significantly associated with depression, before and after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence intervals: 0.65, 0.96; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Decreased retinal arteriolar tortuosity, a measure of the complexity of the retinal microvasculature was associated with depression in older adults independent of potential confounding factors. Retinal measures may offer opportunistic assessment of microvascular health associated with outcomes of depression.
Multilevel model on longitudinal data analysis in determinants of CD4 cell count among antiretroviral therapy attendant of HIV infected adults follow up in Gondar Teaching Referral Hospital, Gonder, Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Kindu
Published: January 2021

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus attacked an immune cell and the CD4 cell which is responsible for the body’s immune to infectious agents. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is one of the major public health problems in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. The main objective of this study to identify the determinants of CD4 cell count among antiretroviral therapy attendants of infected adults follow up in Gonder teaching referral hospital, Gonder, Ethiopia implemented by SAS version 94.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 216 regular follow up patients whose age greater than 14 years from December 1, 2012, to December 30, 2017. A multilevel model was used to identify the factors of CD4 cell count of patients and it considered variability between and within patients.

Results

The mean with a standard deviation of weight, and a hemoglobin level of patients were 55.48 (10.21), and 18.25 (33.028) respectively. This study concluded that the variation for CD4 cell count existed between patients was 63% and the remaining 37% of variation existing within patients. In this study, the random coefficient time-varying covariate model was well fitted which shows weight and hemoglobin level were statistically significant predictors at a 5% level of significance for the log of CD4 cell count of patients.

Conclusion

This study shows the hemoglobin level and weight of patients were statistically significant for the log of CD4 cell count of patients follow up in Gonder teaching referral hospital, Gonder, Ethiopia. Moreover, the result of the study shows that the log of CD4 count of patients increased when hemoglobin level and weight of patients increased. Hence, intervention should be given the ways to increase weight and hemoglobin levels of patients during follow up of antiretroviral therapy.
Correction to: RNA-seq reveals tight junction-relevant erythropoietic fate induced by OCT4 in human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yu Xiaozhen , Sun Pengpeng , Huang Xingang , Chen Hua , Huang Weiqing , Ruan Yingchun , Jiang Weina , Tan Xiaohua , Liu Zhijing
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Integrating diagnostic assessment into curriculum: a theoretical framework and teaching practices
Authors: Fan Tingting , Song Jieqing , Guan Zheshu
Published: January 2021

Currently, much research on cognitive diagnostic assessment (CDA) focuses on the development of statistical models estimating individual students’ attribute profiles. However, little is known about how to communicate model-generated statistical results to stakeholders, and how to translate formatively diagnostic information into teaching practices. This study proposed an integrative framework of diagnosis connecting CDA to feedback and remediation and, meanwhile, demonstrated empirically the application of the framework in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. Particularly, the empirical study presented procedures of integrating diagnostic assessment to EFL reading curriculum through four phases of planning, framing, implementing, and reflecting. The results show that these procedures, influenced by the teacher’s orientation to diagnostic assessment and approach to EFL teaching, affected students’ perceptions of diagnostic assessment, their attitudes toward remedial instructions, as well as their learning outcomes on EFL reading. The results also provide evidence to the effectiveness of the integrative framework proposed in this study, showing that the framework could serve as practical guidance to the implementation and use of diagnostic assessment in the classroom.

Overall, this study indicates that the diagnostic approach is a more effective way to provide instructionally useful information than other test and assessment approaches that do not differentiate strengths and weaknesses among students with the same total score.
"Krautkrämer": History and Modernity
Authors: Salova Svetlana
Published: January 2021

Krautkrämer's history covers a period of time since 1946, when the brothers Joseph and Herbert Krautkrämer founded the development and production of ultrasonic devices in Cologne. The company has a line of inspection tools, including flaws, thickness meters, wide selection of transducers, including phased arrays.
La narrativa transmedia como soporte del discurso publicitario: el caso de productos “LEGO”.
Authors: Caldera Chacón Jaime Humberto , Rodríguez Garay Gloria Olivia
Published: January 2021

The development of technologies that promote medical convergence has changed, for brands, the way of doing public communication. The growth of new audiovisual content platforms and the use of social networks have made it possible for advertiser companies to migrate their public content to the Internet, and thus, maintain an interactive relationship with the consumer. Through this migration, an online advertising universe is built where new narratives that creatively display products and services are shown; place in which the consumer assumes a participatory role, in which the company can use communication to generate new strategies effectively. The Danish toy company LEGO has been an example of innovation in its products, as well as in its advertising campaigns, in this sense the use of transmedia storytelling for the distribution of audiovisual content affected by the expansion of the brand’s universe, as well as the interaction with your target audience. This phenomenon enables personalized advertising experiences. The present work displays part of preliminary results of a qualitative research with an analytical-descriptive method to detect the implications of the LEGO toy company transmedia narrative in its advertising strategies; It also considers the opinion of experts in communication and narrative through a semistructured questionnaire. Theoretical approaches are reflected on the elements of the transmedia process of television advertising to the Internet.
Estructura mediática china: una aproximación al caso de China Central Television (CCTV).
Authors: Varela Monterroso Lucía
Published: January 2021

China’s Emerging superpower has become a key piece on the global information board in recent years. This study aims to delve into the Chinese media structure, paying special attention on the public television group China Central Television. From a diacritical perspective, one seeks to understand the crossroads underlying it; a descriptive methodological approach focused on content analysis will take an in-depth look at how the media and the administration that control them will be controlled. In 2018, the Chinese government carried out a “State institutional reform plan and the Deepening Party” whose main objective is based on improving public opinion about China on a global scale. Therefore, the transnational media conglomerate China Media Group was created. It has segmented and currently controls three Chinese media giants: on a television level, with China Central Television (CCTV) and radio with China National Radio and China Radio International. Using a historiographic methodology and the implementation of a descriptive methodological approach we will deepen into the following objectives. First, we seek to glimpse the way Chinese media organization is. It is then when we intended to know the way of control carried out by the government related to information and media and will eventually address the thematic content of Chinese public television (CCTV). The Chinese government’s desire for expansion around the world is particularly important, which aims to export Chinese singularities and thus to become a counterpoint to the single control currently exercise by the United States globally. Communication is a key point for China in this expansion.
Perspectiva constitucional de las garantías de aplicación de la Inteligencia Artificial: la ineludible protección de los derechos fundamentales.
Authors: Castellanos Claramunt Jorge , Montero Caro María Dolores
Published: January 2021

Artificial Intelligence has an undeniable effect on today’s society, so its study regarding its legal effects becomes necessary. And consequently, how fundamental rights are affected is of particular importance. Hence, the present paper studies the influence of algorithms in determining judicial decisions, especially from the point of view of how this issue would affect the right to effective judicial protection, recognized as a fundamental right in article 24 of the Spanish Constitution.
The impact of a routine late third trimester growth scan on the incidence, diagnosis, and management of breech presentation in Oxfordshire, UK: A cohort study
Authors: Salim Ibtisam , Staines-Urias Eleonora , Mathewlynn Sam , Drukker Lior , Vatish Manu , Impey Lawrence
Published: January 2021

Background

Breech presentation at term contributes significantly to cesarean section (CS) rates worldwide. External cephalic version (ECV) is a safe procedure that reduces term breech presentation and associated CS. A principal barrier to ECV is failure to diagnose breech presentation. Failure to diagnose breech presentation also leads to emergency CS or unplanned vaginal breech birth. Recent evidence suggests that undiagnosed breech might be eliminated using a third trimester scan. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of introducing a routine 36-week scan on the incidence of breech presentation and of undiagnosed breech presentation.

Methods and findings

We carried out a population-based cohort study of pregnant women in a single unit covering Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. All women delivering between 37+0 and 42+6 weeks gestational age, with a singleton, nonanomalous fetus over a 4-year period (01 October 2014 to 30 September 2018) were included. The mean maternal age was 31 years, mean BMI 26, 44% were nulliparous, and 21% were of non-white ethnicity. Comparisons between the 2 years before and after introduction of routine 36-week scan were made for 2 primary outcomes of (1) the incidence of breech presentation and (2) undiagnosed breech presentation. Secondary outcomes related to ECV, mode of birth, and perinatal outcomes. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. A total of 27,825 pregnancies were analysed (14,444 before and 13,381 after). A scan after 35+0 weeks was performed in 5,578 (38.6%) before, and 13,251 (99.0%) after (p < 0.001). The incidence of breech presentation at birth did not change significantly (2.6% and 2.7%) (RR 1.02; 95% CI 0.89, 1.18; p = 0.76). The rate of undiagnosed breech before labour reduced, from 22.3% to 4.7% (RR 0.21; 95% CI 0.12, 0.36; p < 0.001). Vaginal breech birth rates fell from 10.3% to 5.3% (RR 0.51; 95% CI 0.30, 0.87; p = 0.01); nonsignificant increases in elective CS rates and decreases in emergency CS rates for breech babies were seen. Neonatal outcomes were not significantly altered. Study limitations include insufficient numbers to detect serious adverse outcomes, that we cannot exclude secular changes over time which may have influenced our results, and that these findings are most applicable where a comprehensive ECV service exists.

Conclusions

In this study, a universal 36-week scan policy was associated with a reduction in the incidence but not elimination of undiagnosed term breech presentation. There was no reduction in the incidence of breech presentation at birth, despite a comprehensive ECV service.
Screening for the 137Cs body burden owing to the Chernobyl accident in Zhytomyr region, Ukraine: 2009–2018
Authors: Sartayev Yesbol , Takahashi Jumpei , Gutevich Alexander , Hayashida Naomi
Published: January 2021

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident released vast amounts of various fission products, of which 131I and 137Cs are considered the most important because they are a major source of radiation exposure to the general public. 137Cs, unlike 131I, has a 30-year half-life that continues to expose people internally and externally for several decades after being deposited into the ground. 137Cs can be easily transmitted to the body through the intake of products and wild forest foodstuffs produced in contaminated areas. In the early phase, external exposure to 137Cs was predominant; however, it gradually diminished, mostly owing to horizontal and vertical distribution, and internal exposure started gaining dominance. Prior studies have shown that people in the affected areas have been constantly subjected to the inevitable low-grade internal exposure, which in turn has led to high anxiety and concern regarding the potential health effects. The present 10-year study assessed the latest status of the body burden among residents of the contaminated parts of the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine by measuring the internal concentration of 137Cs using the whole-body counter installed at the Medical Center of Korosten city. Almost 110 000 examinees from eight different districts were screened between 2009 and 2018. The study area was situated to the west of Chernobyl, which experienced a significant fallout of 137Cs and 131I from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. We analyzed the data for internal exposure to 137Cs by obtaining the actual magnitude, pace, and pattern of change for each year. During the study, the average 137Cs concentration in residents fell from 21.6 Bq/kg at the beginning of the study to 3.0 Bq/kg at the end of the study. The proportion of examinees with detectable levels had also fallen rapidly, from 45% to 11%. We found a weaker seasonal effect and a significantly higher Bq/kg concentration in adolescents than in other age groups.
Impact of time pressure on software quality: A laboratory experiment on a game-theoretical model
Authors: Basten Dirk , Müller Marcel , Ott Marion , Pankratz Oleg , Rosenkranz Christoph
Published: January 2021

Research suggests the relationship between time pressure and software quality to be more complex than presumed. While software developers can adjust their output to improve observed performance at the expense of software quality, the latter has been found to increase with time pressure in case of work-pace dependent incentives. An untested, but widely disseminated game-theoretical model seeks to resolve this contradiction and hypothesizes that high rates of time pressure avoid so-called ‘shortcuts’, which occur in the form of imperfections induced by developers to meet unrealistically tight deadlines. We conduct two laboratory experiments to empirically test this model for the first time. Our results corroborate the model with regard to its suggestion that shortcuts can be reduced if developers perceive unrealistic deadlines as ever-present. However, we also show that the actual critical probability of unrealistic deadlines–the point at which shortcut taking is drastically reduced–is above the theoretical one. Although final conclusions on the impact of time pressure on software quality remain to be drawn, our results suggest that–considering the contingencies of our study–time pressure helps in striving for quality in software projects.
La designación de gabinetes en Uruguay: estrategia legislativa, jerarquía de los ministerios y afiliación partidaria de los ministros
Authors: Chasquetti Daniel , Buquet Daniel , Cardarello Antonio
Published: January 2021

El artículo analiza la formación y cambio de gabinetes presidenciales en Uruguay durante el período 1985-2010. La primera sección presenta los rasgos institucionales y políticos del proceso de designación y renuncia de los ministros. La segunda describe los gabinetes formados en el período, mostrando que en general los presidentes ceden carteras a cambio de apoyo legislativo. La tercera sección analiza los atributos políticos de los ministros designados (filiación partidaria, experiencia previa) y el tipo de vínculo que desarrollan con el presidente. La cuarta analiza la relación entre la supervivencia de los ministros en su cargo, la responsabilidad política ante el Congreso y la existencia de mayorías legislativas favorables al gobierno. En la última sección se describe la existencia en Uruguay de un patrón de designación del gabinete cuyos atributos principales serían (i) el establecimiento de un orden jerárquico de las carteras, (ii) la nominación de individuos con filiación partidaria (ya sean políticos insiders o adherentes) y (iii) la influencia de los apoyos legislativos en la definición del elenco ministerial.
Los gabinetes de la Concertación en Chile (1990-2010)
Authors: DÁvila Mireya , Olivares Lavados Alejandro , Avendaño Octavio
Published: January 2021

Este artículo analiza los perfiles ministeriales y la relación entre experticia y tipo de ministerio en las cuatro administraciones de la Concertación de Partidos por la Democracia en Chile entre 1990 y 2010. El objetivo es avanzar en el conocimiento empírico de estos temas, a través de la vinculación de la literatura como tecnocracia y élites ministeriales. El argumento del trabajo es que existe una relación entre tipo de ministerio (político, social, económico o mixto) y el tipo de educación de los ministros. El análisis estadístico de los datos confirma que existe relación entre la formación de doctorado en economía y los ministerios definidos como económicos.
Rendición de cuentas horizontal y preponderancia presidencial: una combinación difícil. El caso de República Dominicana, 1967-2009
Authors: Marsteintredet Leiv
Published: January 2021

Este artículo estudia la rendición de cuentas horizontal en República Dominicana. Primero se estudian las normas constitucionales que regulan el sistema de pesos y contrapesos. Aunque importantes, estas no explican la gran variación en niveles de rendición de cuentas observada en el caso dominicano. Por lo tanto, el trabajo se enfoca en el ejercicio de los gastos de los presupuestos nacionales y la situación financiera de las instituciones de control. El artículo sugiere analizar la situación presupuestaria de las instituciones fiscalizadoras y propone utilizar la desproporcionalidad entre el presupuesto aprobado y el ejecutado como un indicador del nivel de rendición de cuentas en un país. Un análisis multivariado de regresión de series de tiempo demuestra que la desproporcionalidad presupuestal aumenta con la preponderancia presidencial. Se concluye que, para el caso dominicano en el período 1967-2009, el comportamiento de varios presidentes más que otros factores es el que ha obstaculizado el funcionamiento del sistema de pesos y contrapesos. Por lo tanto, la experiencia dominicana confirma la hipótesis de O’Donnell sobre las democracias delegativas.
«Voto x voto… casilla x casilla…». De la consigna postelectoral a la movilización ciudadana
Authors: Guillén Rodríguez Diana
Published: January 2021

A partir de la observación directa y de fuentes hemerográficas, el artículo reconstruye las marchas que se realizaron en la ciudad de México los días 8, 16 y 30 de julio de 2006, en protesta por los resultados de la jornada electoral previa (2 de julio) para renovar la presidencia de la república. Tras la consigna «Voto x voto… casilla x casilla» se planteó un reto importante a las instituciones y se exigió un derecho básico de la democracia, incluso en su versión más limitada: la certidumbre de que lo expresado a nivel individual en las urnas se contabilizaría en función de criterios y procedimientos confiables. Las movilizaciones en cuestión representaron una experiencia inédita en el contexto mexicano; a diferencia de acciones previas en contra del fraude electoral, en esta ocasión uno de los motores que amalgamó las acciones de protesta fue la certidumbre de que desde la sociedad se podía y se debía intervenir. Desde tal perspectiva e independientemente de las simpatías o antipatías que puedan despertar, constituyen un hito para la historia sociopolítica del México contemporáneo y, por ello, resulta importante recuperar y sistematizar sus características centrales.
Relaciones sociedad-estado, participación ciudadana y clientelismo político en programas contra la pobreza. El caso de «bolsa familia» en Brasil
Authors: Hevia Felipe J.
Published: January 2021

Las relaciones entre los pobres y el gobierno que genera la implementación del programa Bolsa Familia pueden resumirse en dos dimensiones: 1) se privilegian «relaciones directas» sin intermediación de acción colectiva y 2) también «relaciones lejanas» en términos del tipo de interacción y comunicación entre las autoridades y los beneficiarios. Si bien existen instancias formales de control social, la operación del programa hace que la intermediación sea mínima, altamente institucional y que las organizaciones civiles tengan poco espacio para actuar representando a los beneficiarios. Estas relaciones generan bajos niveles de compra y coacción del voto, pero crean también efectos no intencionales como son el desconocimiento de la operación del programa, dificultad para defenderse de manera colectiva de abusos de poder, así como obstáculos para generar ciudadanía activa.
La banda ancha como factor de desarrollo: un desafío para la agenda digital mexicana
Authors: Crovi Druetta Delia
Published: January 2021

Este artículo tiene como propósito analizar la importancia de la banda ancha como factor de desarrollo, tema que ha sido puesto de manifiesto en reuniones regionales e internacionales. Producto de estas preocupaciones en 2010 UNESCO y UIT crearon la Comisión de Banda Ancha para el Desarrollo Digital, cuyo objetivo es promover el uso de este recurso vinculándolo con los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio (ODM), propuestos por el Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD). Se aportan también datos referidos a la banda ancha en México, su disponibilidad, los factores que permiten sostener que existe una brecha digital en esta materia y la ausencia de políticas públicas que la consideren un factor de desarrollo. El trabajo en conjunto explica la banda ancha más allá del acceso y la sitúa como actor fundamental de procesos de apropiación tecnológica que propician cambios sociales y culturales.
Estado y capital social en América Latina: ¿En qué medida las características y comportamientos del estado explican los niveles de capital social en la región?
Authors: Güemes María Cecilia
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo se propone indagar en qué medida el Estado y las políticas públicas son capaces de potenciar la creación del capital social. Tras reseñar la importancia del capital social para el desarrollo, los debates en torno a su definición, sus debilidades y sus promesas, la primera parte de este artículo se centra en su problemática reproducción, prestando especial atención al papel del Estado y las políticas públicas como catalizadores o promotores del mismo. En vista a ello, la segunda parte del trabajo propone una modesta aproximación empírica a la correlación entre Estado y capital social en el contexto de América Latina. Se utilizan al efecto indicadores de desempeño/eficacia estatal, otros asociados al bienestar social (principalmente gasto público y desigualdad) y percepciones ciudadanas en referencia a la confianza interpersonal. Se concluye retomando los resultados del abordaje empírico y proponiendo futuras líneas de problematización en la materia.