bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metacognition and mentalizing are associated with distinct neural representations of decision uncertainty
Authors: Jiang Shaohan , Wang Sidong , Wan Xiaohong
Published: May 2022

Metacognition and mentalizing are both associated with meta-level mental state representations. Conventionally, metacognition refers to monitoring one’s own cognitive processes, while mentalizing refers to monitoring others’ cognitive processes. However, this self-other dichotomy is insufficient to delineate the 2 high-level mental processes. We here used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to systematically investigate the neural representations of different levels of decision uncertainty in monitoring different targets (the current self, the past self [PS], and others) performing a perceptual decision-making task. Our results reveal diverse formats of internal mental state representations of decision uncertainty in mentalizing, separate from the associations with external cue information. External cue information was commonly represented in the right inferior parietal lobe (IPL) across the mentalizing tasks. However, the internal mental states of decision uncertainty attributed to others were uniquely represented in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), rather than the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) that also represented the object-level mental states of decision inaccuracy attributed to others. Further, the object-level and meta-level mental states of decision uncertainty, when attributed to the PS, were represented in the precuneus and the lateral frontopolar cortex (lFPC), respectively. In contrast, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) represented currently experienced decision uncertainty in metacognition, and also uncertainty about the estimated decision uncertainty (estimate uncertainty), but not the estimated decision uncertainty per se in mentalizing. Hence, our findings identify neural signatures to clearly delineate metacognition and mentalizing and further imply distinct neural computations on internal mental states of decision uncertainty during metacognition and mentalizing.
Feature blindness: A challenge for understanding and modelling visual object recognition
Authors: Malhotra Gaurav , Dujmović Marin , Bowers Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2022

Humans rely heavily on the shape of objects to recognise them. Recently, it has been argued that Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) can also show a shape-bias, provided their learning environment contains this bias. This has led to the proposal that CNNs provide good mechanistic models of shape-bias and, more generally, human visual processing. However, it is also possible that humans and CNNs show a shape-bias for very different reasons, namely, shape-bias in humans may be a consequence of architectural and cognitive constraints whereas CNNs show a shape-bias as a consequence of learning the statistics of the environment. We investigated this question by exploring shape-bias in humans and CNNs when they learn in a novel environment. We observed that, in this new environment, humans (i) focused on shape and overlooked many non-shape features, even when non-shape features were more diagnostic, (ii) learned based on only one out of multiple predictive features, and (iii) failed to learn when global features, such as shape, were absent. This behaviour contrasted with the predictions of a statistical inference model with no priors, showing the strong role that shape-bias plays in human feature selection. It also contrasted with CNNs that (i) preferred to categorise objects based on non-shape features, and (ii) increased reliance on these non-shape features as they became more predictive. This was the case even when the CNN was pre-trained to have a shape-bias and the convolutional backbone was frozen. These results suggest that shape-bias has a different source in humans and CNNs: while learning in CNNs is driven by the statistical properties of the environment, humans are highly constrained by their previous biases, which suggests that cognitive constraints play a key role in how humans learn to recognise novel objects.
Heterogeneity in the guidelines for the management of diabetic foot disease in the Caribbean
Authors: Sumpio Bauer E. , McConnie Simone , Maharaj Dale
Published: May 2022

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot (DF) disease and, as a result, lower extremity amputation rates remain high in the Caribbean. This study was undertaken to determine whether Caribbean countries have designated individuals that monitor DF disease and whether there are DF protocols consistent with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidance documents. Relevant DF health care personnel(s) from the CARICOM and Dutch Caribbean countries were called or sent questionnaires regarding the presence of structured programs to monitor and manage DF problems in the population. All 25 countries (100%) responded. 81% of respondents could not identify any Ministry, Hospital or individual initiatives that monitored the DF. Only 9 (36%) countries had any guidelines in place. Only 3 countries with guidelines in place utilized IWGDF guidelines. Only 6 (24%) countries had podiatrists and 10 (40%) had vascular surgery availability. 7 (28%) countries had the components for a multidisciplinary team. The presence or the appointment of a designated individual and/or a multidisciplinary approach within the countries for DF disease was absent in the majority of respondent countries. Only a minority of countries implemented DF guidelines or had expertise available to organize a DF multidisciplinary team. Vascular surgery and podiatric care were noticeably deficient. These may be critical factors in the variability and reduced success in implementation of strategies for managing DF problems and subsequent amputations amongst these Caribbean countries.
The role of elastin on the mechanical properties of the anterior leaflet in porcine tricuspid valves
Authors: Salinas Samuel D. , Farra Yasmeen M. , Amini Khoiy Keyvan , Houston James , Lee Chung-Hao , Bellini Chiara , Amini Rouzbeh
Published: May 2022

Elastin is present in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of connective tissues, and its mechanical properties are well documented. In Marfan syndrome, however, the inability to properly code for the protein fibrillin-1 prematurely leads to the degradation and loss of elastin fiber integrity in the ECM. In this study, the role of elastin in the ECM of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve was investigated by examining the biomechanical behavior of porcine leaflets before and after the application of the enzyme elastase. Five loading protocols were applied to the leaflet specimens in two groups (elastase-treated and control samples). The mechanical response following elastase application yielded a significantly stiffer material in both the radial and circumferential directions. At a physiological level of stress (85 kPa), the elastase group had an average strain of 26.21% and 6.32% in the radial and circumferential directions, respectively, at baseline prior to elastase application. Following elastase treatment, the average strain was 5.28% and 0.97% in the radial and circumferential directions, respectively. No statistically significant change was found in the control group following sham treatment with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Two-photon microscopy images confirmed that after the removal of elastin, the collagen fibers displayed a loss of undulation. With a significant reduction in radial compliance, the ability to withstand physiological loads may be compromised. As such, an extracellular matrix that is structurally deficient in elastin may hinder normal tricuspid valve function.
A protocol for recruiting and analyzing the disease-oriented Russian disc degeneration study (RuDDS) biobank for functional omics studies of lumbar disc degeneration
Authors: Leonova Olga N. , Elgaeva Elizaveta E. , Golubeva Tatiana S. , Peleganchuk Alexey V. , Krutko Aleksandr V. , Aulchenko Yurii S. , Tsepilov Yakov A.
Published: May 2022

Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) disease is one of the main risk factors for low back pain and a leading cause of population absenteeism and disability worldwide. Despite a variety of biological studies, lumbar DD is not yet fully understood, partially because there are only few studies that use systematic and integrative approaches. This urges the need for studies that integrate different omics (including genomics and transcriptomics) measured on samples within a single cohort. This protocol describes a disease-oriented Russian disc degeneration study (RuDDS) biobank recruitment and analyses aimed to facilitate further omics studies of lumbar DD integrating genomic, transcriptomic and glycomic data. A total of 1,100 participants aged over 18 with available lumbar MRI scans, medical histories and biological material (whole blood, plasma and intervertebral disc tissue samples from surgically treated patients) will be enrolled during the three-year period from two Russian clinical centers. Whole blood, plasma and disc tissue specimens will be used for genotyping with genome-wide SNP-arrays, glycome profiling and RNA sequencing, respectively. Omics data will be further used for a genome-wide association study of lumbar DD within silicofunctional annotation, analysis of plasma glycome and lumbar DD disease interactions and transcriptomic data analysis including an investigation of differential expression patterns associated with lumbar DD disease. Statistical tests applied in each of the analyses will meet the standard criteria specific to the attributed study field. In a long term, the results of the study will expand fundamental knowledge about lumbar DD development and contribute to the elaboration of novel personalized approaches for disease prediction and therapy. Additionally to the lumbar disc degeneration study, a RuDDS cohort could be used for other genetic studies, as it will have unique omics data.

Trial registration numberNCT04600544.
Development of a scale for the evaluation of the quality of the shared decision process in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Álvarez-Rodríguez Elena , Sánchez-Franco César Manuel , Pérez-Haro María José , Bello-Otero Laura , Aguado-Valcarcel Marta , González-Suárez Inés
Published: May 2022

In the last years, therapeutic decisions in multiple sclerosis (MS) have become challenging due to expanded options with different treatment profiles attending to efficacy, safety, and route and frequency of administration. Moreover, patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) increasingly wish to be involved in their therapeutic decision process. Therefore, a new, patient-centric shared decision model (SDM), is gaining relevance. However, validated scales oriented to assess the quality of the process itself are lacking. The AGA-25 scale is a fit-for-purpose 25-item scale based on two validated scales in MS (Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) and Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS)). The aim of this work is to develop and validate the AGAS-25 in Spanish. Two hundred and three PwMS (aged 17 to 67; 155 [76.4%] females) undergoing stable disease modifying treatment in the last 6 months were consecutively recruited. The Principal Component Analysis suggested a four-factor structure for the 25-item version of the questionnaire: 1) satisfaction with the SDM process 2) adverse events with the DMT, 3) convenience of the chosen-DMT and 4) information reliability. The internal consistency of the measurement was adequate (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88). Our results support the use of the AGAS-25 scale to assist SDM in Spanish-speaking PwMS.
Development and validation of ACTE-MTB: A tool to systematically assess the maturity of molecular tumor boards
Authors: Love Tara M. , Anaya Daniel A. , Prime Matthew S. , Ardolino Luke , Ekinci Okan
Published: May 2022

Molecular tumor boards (MTBs) require specialized activities to leverage genomic data for therapeutic decision-making. Currently, there are no defined standards for implementing, executing, and tracking the impact of MTBs. This study describes the development and validation of ACTE-MTB, a tool to evaluate the maturity of an organization’s MTB to identify specific areas that would benefit from process improvements and standardization. The ACTE-MTB maturity assessment tool is composed of 3 elements: 1) The ACTE-MTB maturity model; 2) a 59-question survey on MTB processes and challenges; and 3) a 5-level MTB maturity scoring algorithm. This tool was developed to measure MTB maturity in the categories of Access, Consultation, Technology, and Evidence (ACTE) and was tested on 20 MTBs spanning the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. Validity testing revealed that the average maturity score was 3.3 out of 5 (+/- 0.1; range 2.0–4.3) with MTBs in academic institutions showing significantly higher overall maturity levels than in non-academic institutions (3.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.2; P = .018). While maturity scores for academic institutions were higher for Consultation, Technology, and Evidence domains, the maturity score for the Access domain did not significantly differ between the two groups, highlighting a disconnect between MTB operations and the downstream impact on ability to access testing and/or therapies. To our knowledge, ACTE-MTB is the first tool of its kind to enable structured, maturity assessment of MTBs in a universally-applicable manner. In the process of establishing construct validity of this tool, opportunities for further investigation and improvements were identified that address the key functional areas of MTBs that would likely benefit from standardization and best practice recommendations. We believe a unified approach to assessment of MTB maturity will help to identify areas for improvement at both the organizational and system level.
The Mercosur and European Union relationship: an analysis on the incorporation of the Association Agreement in Mercosur
Authors: Mata Diz Jamile
Published: May 2022

This article analyses the Mercosur–European Union Association Agreement (AA) from a non-European perspective. It covers the Mercosur normative system, more specifically the part that deals with the incorporation of international laws and treaties into the regional legal system. First, it seeks to explain the nuances behind the announcement made by the States Parties to the AA in June 2019, seeking to contextualise the time frame for the development of the negotiations and the subsequent signing of the AA. Next, two important aspects for the effectiveness of the agreement are analysed: the procedure for incorporating the rules adopted by Mercosur Members, with reference to the provisions currently in force and applicable to Mercosur Members as a result of the agreements signed by them; and the difficulties associated with the procedure. Finally, the pillars on which the negotiations were initially conducted are discussed, with special attention to political dialogue, trade and cooperation, and the sustainable development considerations that are present in the AA. By adopting a non-European perspective, this article presents the issues related to Mercosur’s internal normative system for the incorporation of international norms and regulations, that is, the agreement itself, and the procedure for its entry into force and possible obstacles to its implementation. It is concluded that, despite all the efforts made to finalise the negotiations, there is a clear and indisputable uncertainty regarding the effective application of the agreement.
Entre el poder, el cambio y el orden social en la Nueva Granada colonial. Estudios de caso
Authors: Marín Tamayo John Jairo
Published: May 2022

Entre el poder, el cambio y el orden social en la Nueva Granada colonial. Estudios de caso es uno de los pocos libros publicados en el 2013 sobre la denominada “historia colonial”, ya que hoy por hoy los estudios centrados en la independencia de España y el tránsito al republicanismo están de moda. Se trata de una recopilación de artículos de la cual Diana Bonnett Vélez, Nelson Fernando González Martínez y Carlos Gustavo Hinestroza González son los coordinadores. De hecho, la obra reúne nueve artículos que abordan variados temas propios del período colonial. Al momento de la publicación todos los autores poseían une maestría en Historia con excepción de Diana Bonnett Vélez quien es doctora en la misma disciplina. Siete de los nueve autores han tenido un vínculo, como estudiantes o profesores, con el departamento de Historia de la Universidad de los Andes.
La educación infantil. Una promesa de futuro
Authors: Amar Amar José Juan
Published: May 2022

Este ensayo recopila una importante cantidad de hechos científicos que demuestran la importancia de los primeros siete años de vida en el desarrollo humano, y destaca el valor que se le asigna a la educación infantil como factor clave en la potencialización del ser humano en distintas dimensiones, tales como la psicológica, emocional, cognitiva comunicativa y estética demostrando que nunca es demasiado temprano para aprender. el autor describe, con base en datos oficiales, lo que significa ser niño en América Latina y el Caribe, donde aproximadamente el 50% de ellos vive en condiciones de pobreza; concluye con una propuesta educativa adaptada a las condiciones en que viven estos niños y que se denomina "Hogares Comunitarios de Bienestar", que fue desarrollada por la Universidad del Norte durante 20 años y cuyos elementos técnicos sirvieron de base para un programa nacional que hoy atiende a un millón quinientos mil niños.
The language of school textbooks and the ideology of science
Authors: Moss Margaret Gillian
Published: May 2022

Much research has been devoted to problems related to the comprehension of science textbooks...However; less attention has been paid to their representation al science as such. This paper presents aspects of research aimed at characterizing the Language al texts used in social and natural Science courses, and its influence on learning processes. One central aspect is the worldview implicit in the language. This was investigated through analysis al transitivity and ergativity, grammatical metaphor and modality. Results suggest that science is presented as a series al events, classifications and definitions, in an impersonal context Science as human activity is absent The results al scientific Endeavour are presented as unquestionable facts Thus, the learner is excluded /ram participation in scientific activity and restricted to the role al passive observer. This, combined with the power hierarchies inevitably involved in classroom interaction, leaves the leaner in a position al helplessness in the /ace al a knowledgeable elite.
Formación integral: Una reflexión a partir de la sociología de la cultura
Authors: Amar Amar José
Published: May 2022

Este artículo es una reflexión acerca de la formación integral a partir de la generación de la conciencia de las implicaciones éticas que la universidad tiene en la formación profesional personal de sus estudiantes, y de sus condicionamientos y efectos sociopolíticos. En la primera parte se analizan algunos factores sociales esenciales para elaborar una nueva visión de la universidad; en la segunda profundiza en la universidad como clave en la formación de personas profesionales, haciendo énfasis en las humanidades como expresión de lo más humano y lo que le da identidad al ser humano como tal.
Analysis of lexical Chains and Coherence in a Children's and News Story
Authors: Torrecilla Marcelillo
Published: May 2022

Este artículo tiene como objetivo encontrar cadenas lexicales en dos textos, un cuento infantil y una noticia, y ver como dichos textos crean coherencia. En este estudio las cadenas fueron seleccionadas bajo el criterio de que sus miembros estuvieran semántica mente relacionados por medio de sinonimia, antonimia, hiponimia, meronimia y repetición. Bajo esta sistema de análisis, la coherencia se encontró algo debilitada en partes de los dos textos. Esto corroborarfa el hecho de que la presencia de cadenas lexicales no siempre hacen que los textos sean coherentes. Otros descubrimientos interesantes muestran la dependencia de los textos ya sea en referencias lexicales o gramaticales.
La atención de problemas académicos en los estudiantes de la División de Ingenierías Reflexiones y estrategias.
Authors: Moreno Torres Mayilín
Published: May 2022

En este artículo se presenta la forma cómo la División de Ingenierías de la Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia) ha manejado los problemas académicos de sus estudiantes. Para ello, en la primera parte del artículo se expone una interpretación del problema y en la segunda parte se describen las estrategias utilizadas para la atención de tal problema
Bregando por pescar la identidad costeña
Authors: Sánchez Molinares Piedad
Published: May 2022

El objetivo de este ensayo es mostrar cómo el escritor samario Ramón Illán Bacca en sus obras proporciona elementos que nos permiten captar la identidad costeña. También se intenta despertar en los lectores la conciencia de que somos capaces de emprender actividades intelectuales con todo el rigor académico que éstas exigen
«Pueblo negro» de Luis Palés Matos
Authors: Jiménez Deicy
Published: May 2022

En este trabajo se analiza el poema «Pueblo negro» del poeta puertorriqueño Luis Palés Matos. El análisis se aborda desde lo formal hasta lo social. En este último aspecto, se detiene en la visión estereotipada del hombre y la mujer negros en las primeras obras del autor.
La calculadora: Una fuente de exploraciones conceptuales
Authors: Viñas De la Hoz María , Navarro Patricia , Ortega Collante Eugenio
Published: May 2022

Este artículo describe las ventajas que brinda el dominio de la tecnología, representada por la calculadora TI 92 Plus, en el desarrollo del razonamiento matemático, específicamente del pensamiento variacional. Como ejemplo se analiza el trabajo realizado con dicha calculadora por dos grupos de estudiantes de noveno grado de secundaria, consistente en la resolución de problemas sobre funciones cuadráticas. Empleando los recursos dinámicos de la calculadora realizaron múltiples exploraciones conducentes a la búsqueda de soluciones. La posibilidad de interactuar con diferentes registros de representación, fue la clave para lograr en los estudiantes la fluidez representacional que facilitó la construcción y articulación de conceptos matemáticos.
Dispositivos emisores de luz basados en compuestos semiconductores orgánicos: una revisión aplicada a emisores rojos
Authors: Ardila-Vargas Ángel-Miguel , Méndez-Merchán Germán-Anibal , Burgos-Castro Valeria
Published: May 2022

Se presenta una revisión del estado actual de dispositivos orgánicos emisores de luz (OLED, acrónimo de organic light-emitting diode), con énfasis en aquellos que emiten en la franja del rojo. Para entender el funcionamiento de este tipo de dispositivos, se muestran las diferentes arquitecturas utilizadas y los mecanismos de emisión de estos dispositivos optoelectrónicos por radiación fluorescente y fosforescente. Para el caso de emisores color rojo, se presentan ejemplos con dos tipos de materiales mayormente usados: DJCTB para fluorescencia e Ir(piq)2(acac) para fosforescencia. Si bien las arquitecturas y mecanismos aquí revisados se aplican a emisores rojos, también pueden ser extendidos a emisores en todo el rango visible.
Uso de productos cotidianos en las prácticas de laboratorio de química orgánica: una estrategia metodológica basada en la investigación dirigida
Authors: Gutiérrez-Mosquera Alexander , Barajas-Perea Dary-Stella
Published: May 2022

El objetivo de la presente investigación es diseñar e implementar una estrategia metodológica basada en investigación dirigida para desarrollar prácticas de laboratorio mediante el uso de productos cotidianos en la asignatura de química orgánica del Programa Académico en Licenciatura de Ciencias Naturales (PALCN) de la Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó (UTCH). Para cumplir este objetivo, se partió de un diagnóstico sobre las actividades de laboratorio en dicha asignatura. Este estudio se sustentó en un enfoque mixto, mediante un diseño de estudio de caso. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos, empíricos y estadísticos. Los resultados arrojados mostraron que, durante el periodo académico 2019-2, los docentes que constituyen la muestra de investigación no realizaron prácticas de laboratorio y, cuando orientaron actividades de laboratorio, estas fueron experiencias, experimentos ilustrativos o ejercicios prácticos. Con respecto a la estrategia metodológica, los estudiantes y el grupo de expertos expresaron que la construcción del conocimiento escolar se favorece desde la investigación mediante la contextualización de la ciencia, cuyo proceso dinámico les facilita comprender y aplicar conceptos, así como desarrollar habilidades, actitudes y aptitudes positivas hacia la química a partir de un problema de investigación. Esta estrategia metodológica, basada en la investigación dirigida, permitió replantear las prácticas de laboratorio de química orgánica, propiciando en los estudiantes un rol activo y convirtiéndolos en actores principales de su proceso de formación.
IMPLEMENTASI ALGORITMA FUZZY C-MEANS DAN FUZZY POSSIBILISTICS C-MEANS UNTUK KLASTERISASI DATA TWEETS PADA AKUN TWITTER TOKOPEDIA
Authors: Putri Ghina Nabila Saputro , Ispriyanti Dwi , Widiharih Tatik
Published: May 2022

Social media has become the most popular media, which can be accessed by young to old age. Twitter became one of the effective media and the familiar one used by the public, thus making the company make Twitter one of the promotional tools, one of which is Tokopedia. The research aims to group tweets uploaded by @tokopedia Twitter accounts based on the type of tweets content that gets a lot of retweets and likes by followers of @tokopedia. Application of text mining to cluster tweets on the @tokopedia Twitter account using Fuzzy C-Means and Fuzzy Possibilistic C-Means algorithms that viewed the accuracy comparison of both methods used the Modified Partition Coefficient (MPC) cluster validity. The clustering process was carried out five times by the number of clusters ranging from 3 to 7 clusters. The results of the study showed the Fuzzy C-Means method is a better method compared to the Fuzzy Possibilistic C-Means method in clustering data tweets, with the number of clusters formed is 4. The content type formed is related to promo, discount, cashback, prize quizzes, and event promotions organized by Tokopedia. Content with the highest average number of retweets and likes is about automotive deals, sports tools, and merchandise offerings. So, that PT Tokopedia can use this content type as a tool for advertising on Twitter because it gets more likes by followers of @tokopedia.Keywords: Data Tweets, Clustering, Fuzzy C-Means, Fuzzy Possibilistics C-Means, Modified Partition Coefficient.
PEMODELAN MIXED GEOGRAPHICALLY WEIGHTED REGRESSION DENGAN ADAPTIVE BANDWIDTH UNTUK ANGKA HARAPAN HIDUP (Studi Kasus : Angka Harapan Hidup di Jawa Tengah)
Authors: Nisa Rizki Faizatun , Sugito Sugito , Hakim Arief Rachman
Published: May 2022

Life expectancy at birth (AHH) is an estimate of the years a person will take from birth. AHH is used as an indicator of public health and welfare. These two indicators are of concern to the government in relation to human development. It is hoped that the AHH value will continue to increase so that the quality of human development will also increase. Modeling of the factors that influence AHH needs to be done so that efforts to increase AHH become more effective.The AHH value for Central Java (Central Java) in 2020 is 74.37. Factors thought to influence AHH in Central Java are the percentage of poor people (X1), the percentage of households with proper sanitation (X2), the percentage of children under five who are fully immunized (X3) and the open unemployment rate (X4). The assumption of homoscedasticity in AHH modeling in Central Java using linear regression was not fulfilled, meaning that there was spatial heterogeneity between districts/cities, so the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) method was used. The weighting function used is the Bisquare and Tricube kernels with adaptive bandwidth. The GWR method will encounter problems if not all independent variables are local, so the Mixed Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) method is used. The results of the GWR analysis for the two weighting functions are that the X1 variable is not local, so the MGWR method is used. The results of MGWR modeling for the two weighting functions are that local variables and global variables have a significant effect. The best model is the MGWR model with Kernel Tricube weighting because it has the smallest AICc value. Keyword : AHH, GWR, MGWR, Adaptive Kernel Bisquare, Adaptive Kernel Tricube, AICc
Caracterização físico-química e perfil volátil das Capsicum spp. e avaliação de parâmetros macromorfológicas dos fungos endofíticos associados às pimentas cultivadas na região de Araguaína
Authors: Costa dos Reis Thalia , Do Nascimento Silva Flamys Lena , Tavares dos Santos Taides , Bittencourt Machado de Souza Filipe , Karine Diel Rambo Magale
Published: May 2022

As pimentas (Capsicum spp.) possuem diversidade quanto ao tamanho, ao formato, à cor, ao sabor, à pungência e o aroma, por abranger diferentes classes químicas predominantes em cada variedade. Por possuírem estas características especificas são consumidas in natura, em conservas, em geleias, chocolates, salgados, e utilizadas como matéria prima na indústria alimentícia na forma de condimentos e corantes. Associados às pimentas, existem os fungos endofíticos, que produzem compostos voláteis que funcionam como atrativos para insetos polinizadores e atuam como inibidores de insetos e invertebrados patogênicos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização de parâmetros físico-químicos e perfil volátil das pimentas Capsicum spp. e seus fungos endofíticos associados. A parte experimental do trabalho foi desenvolvido no laboratório de cromatografia (LABCROM), unidade Cimba, e no laboratório de microbiologia, unidade EMVZ da Universidade Federal do Norte do Tocantins (UFNT), campus Araguaína. Os frutos da Capsicum foram colhidos na casa de vegetação, pertencente ao curso de agronomia do Centro Universitário Tocantinense Presidente Antônio Carlos (UNITPAC) em Araguaína e em uma unidade particular em Aragominas. As pimentas do gênero Capsicum foram analisadas de acordo com suas características físico-químicas (comprimento, diâmetro maior, peso, pH, acidez total titulável (ATT), umidade e cinzas), perfil volátil da Capsicum e seus fungos endofiticos associados. Como resultado foi possível afirmar que os microrganismos associados as pimentas malaguetas (Capsicum frutescens) são fungos endofíticos, os quais foram agrupadas em dez morfotipos de fungos filamentosos e dois de leveduras. Os frutos do gênero Capsicum apresentaram diferenças quanto as propriedades físico-químicas e perfil volátil.
The status of /w/ in Old High German
Authors: Kostakis Andrew , Noelliste Erin
Published: May 2022

Old High German (OHG) differs from many other languages in that [w] does not stand in complementary distribution with [u], but rather it exhibits alternations with [o]. For example, the [o] in adjectives like gël[o] ‘yellow.nom.sg’ alternates with [w] in corresponding inflected forms (e.g. gël[w]es ‘yellow.gen.sg’). Based on extant data, we make three claims about OHG [w]. First, we use several analytical lenses – from phonotactics and etymology to sound patterning and feature composition – to argue that /w/ was an underlying consonant. This is surprising from the point of view of phonology since glides like [w] are usually assumed to be allophones of vowels. Second, we propose that OHG /w/ had the same height features as mid vowels. This accounts for the fact that /w/ neutralizes to [o] (and not [u]) in word-final position and also derives independent support from other OHG processes (namely primary umlaut). Finally, we show how the OHG data intersect with literature on the typology of glides and fail to fit naturally within that typology. Our findings place OHG glides into a seemingly unique category, the analysis of which not only broadens our understanding of OHG phonology, but also typological possibilities involved with derived and underlying glides.
Pediatric practicums in undergraduate nursing programs: an integrative review
Authors: Onororemu Oghenerukevwe Edoja , Alschech Jonathan , McCabe Janet , Sanders Caroline
Published: May 2022

Background

Practicum Placements are the signature andragogy used in undergraduate nursing programs to bring about knowledge consolidation. Little is known, however, about the types of pediatric practicum placements utilized by nursing programs to provide practical learning opportunities in child health to their students. The purpose of this integrative review is to identify and appraise existing literature on practical pediatric practices in undergraduate nursing education.

Method

Searches were conducted using the main relevant databases and search engines. Of the numerous articles retrieved, screened, and reviewed, 15 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results were then analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Two overarching themes were identified: (1) Adaptation, and (2) Learning.

Conclusion

Findings revealed that most nursing programs utilize alternative placement sites to meet the learning need of their students. These sites provided students with the opportunities to care for children and adolescents, and engage in a variety of health promotion and teaching activities.
Impacts of heuristic parameters in PSO inverse kinematics solvers
Authors: Rokbani Nizar , Kumar Raghvendra , Alimi Adel M. , Thong Pham Huy , Priyadarshini Ishaani , Nhu Viet Ha , Thi Ngo Phuong Thao
Published: May 2022

In this paper, an investigation is conducted in order to understand impacts of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) parameters on the convergence and the quality of the inverse kinematics solutions provided by the IK-PSO (inverse kinematics solver using PSO) – a heuristic inverse kinematics solver algorithm. Over a large panel of parameters investigations, a statistical proof of convergence is provided for 5 links to 60 links articulated system. A recommended set of parameters intervals are presented for this class of IK problems. Investigations are based on the standard inertia weight PSO, and concerned the impact of the inertia weight, the swarm size and the maximum iteration number. For a given set of parameters, the existence of a solution with a given position error is also proved. All tests were conducted over 100 times. The density of probability function, PDF, is used to approximate and analyze the fineness functions, which are the square of the position error. Results showed IK-PSO is an interesting IK solver when a set of good parameters are used. For these parameters, the algorithm showed a statistical proof of convergence with a high resolution, by mean of error position. The algorithm also showed time-effectiveness compared to CCD method, which is assumed to be a real-time IK heuristic solver used in gaming.
In the Shadow of the Golden Calf.
Authors: Farquet Christophe
Published: May 2022

The article offers the first comprehensive account of relations between Germany and Switzerland in the years 1919 to 1931 based on archival sources from both countries. Emphasising the interaction between finance and diplomacy, it provides new insights into the role played by the Swiss offshore centre for the German Reich after the First World War. During the inflationist period of 1919‒1923, as well as in the crisis of 1929‒1931, Switzerland, like the Netherlands, welcomed a huge amount of wealth from Germany while at the same time becoming an important creditor of the Reich. These developments had a significant impact on German internal and foreign policies at the time. Nevertheless, the article article argues that, despite the intensity of financial flows, Switzerland pursued a diplomatic course that was more plurilateral than the Netherlands. Even during the second part of the 1920s, when Swiss capital was placed on the German market in massive dimensions, there was no German orientation in Swiss foreign policy similar to what had happened in the years before the First World War. Switzerland’s foreign relations became more neutral during the 1920s. This article consequently proposes a nuanced perspective on the role of the small European countries in German foreign policy, highlighting the need to differentiate between them in spite of their common features and to consider, in a non-deterministic way, the interaction between finance and diplomacy.
The Legal and Administrative Design of the Qianhai Special Economic Zone
Authors: Michael Bryane
Published: May 2022

Qianhai, an innovation park in Shenzhen, seeks to become a global centre of innovation. The lessons that the Qianhai’s law teach us could apply to other special economic and innovation zones worldwide. Yet, problems with its legal design plague the US$4.5 billion project. Some of these include weak and abstract rulemaking as well as a lack of objectives and devolved authorities. Fixing the existing law governing the Qianhai region will require a Hong Kong-Shenzhen Agreement (giving Hong Kong a greater stake and say in the region), privatizing the Qianhai Authority, revising Hong Kong law to allow for easier and more profitable university spin-outs, retargeting the subsidies used in the region, and fixing the innovation agencies in the region (most notably Hong Kong’s).
Observation of in-plane exciton–polaritons in monolayer WSe2 driven by plasmonic nanofingers
Authors: Su Guangxu , Gao Anyuan , Peng Bo , Hu Junzheng , Zhang Yi , Liu Fanxin , Zhang Hao , Zhan Peng , Wu Wei
Published: May 2022

The transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have drawn great research attention, motivated by the derived remarkable optoelectronic properties and the potentials for high-efficient excitonic devices. The plasmonic nanocavity, integrating deep-sub wavelength confinement of optical mode with dramatic localized field enhancement, provides a practical platform to manipulate light–matter interaction. In order to obtain strong exciton–plasmon coupling effects, it’s crucial to match the vibration direction of exciton to the available strong localized in-plane electric field. Herein, we demonstrate the coupling effect of in-plane exciton in monolayer tungsten diselenide (WSe2) to deterministic gap-plasmon field which is produced by nanometrically gapped collapsed nanofingers. The gap-plasmon field which is completely parallel to the in-plane excitons in WSe2 will drive a strong exciton–plasmon coupling at room temperature. More interestingly, it is experimentally observed that the luminescence of exciton–polariton cannot be influenced by the temperature in the range from 77 K to 300 K due to the presence of nanofingers. According to the theoretical analysis results, we attribute this finding to the dielectric screening effect arising from the extremely strong localized electric field of plasmonic nanofingers. This work proposes a feasible way to harness and manipulate the exciton of low-dimensional semiconductor, which might be potential for quantum optoelectronics.
Crystal structure of 3-acetyl-6-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one monohydrate, C11H10O5
Authors: Xiong Zhi-Qiang , Yang Ling , Xiao Shu-Zhen , Yang Chen-Yu , Nie Xu-Liang
Published: May 2022

[C11H10O5], monoclinic, P21/n, a = 7.041(3) Å, b = 9.339(4) Å, c = 15.614(6) Å, β = 103.03°, V = 1000.2(7) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt
(F) = 0.0337, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0994, T = 296(2) K.
Silver nanoparticles induce mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and late non-canonical autophagy in HT-29 colon cancer cells
Authors: Bao Jun , Jiang Ziyu , Ding Wenlong , Cao Yuepeng , Yang Liu , Liu Jingbing
Published: May 2022

The interactions of nanomaterials with biological materials such as immortalized cell lines are recently on the rise. Owing to this superiority, the biosynthesis of AgNPs using gallic acid as a reductant was implemented in this study. After being synthesized, the AgNPs were characterized using techniques such as dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction methods. Furthermore, the AgNPs were assessed for their cytotoxic effects on the colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. The mechanisms of such cell-killing effect were investigated by analyzing the expressions of 14 mRNAs using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The outcomes indicate that the synthesized AgNPs were cytotoxic on HT-29 cells. The expressions of all apoptotic genes analyzed including cyt-C, p53, Bax, Bcl2, CASP3, CASP8, CASP9, and CASP12 were upregulated. With regard to the autophagy-related genes, Beclin-1, XBP-1, CHOP, and LC3-II were upregulated, whereas the expressions of ATG3 and ATG12 were downregulated. To conclude, the AgNPs induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and non-canonical autophagy in HT-29 cells. A crosstalk did occur between autophagy and apoptosis in such a cell-killing effect. Hence, further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanisms in animal models for further use of AgNPs in clinical medicine for the treatment of neoplasms of the digestive tract.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO LEAN PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE IN THE LATEX GLOVE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Authors: Razali N. , Tanushan S.
Published: May 2022

Lean is characterized as a collection of management practices. Lean's central philosophy is to minimize and eradicate non-value-adding practices and waste. High quality and customer loyalty are guaranteed by the Lean process. Lean concept obtains its root from Toyota Production system (TPS). The TPS approach is often well suited to high-volume manufacturing. Lean, however, is also applicable in any setting where process waste is encountered. The intent of this study is to develop a lean sustainability performance assessment to analyze the level of lean implementation and its impacts on sustainability performance in Latex Glove Manufacturing Industries. The assessment method is generally in the form of Five-Point Likert Scale Questionnaire which consists of two main sections, Section A, to determine the level of lean practices in the company and Section B to distinguish the impact of the implemented lean practices on sustainability performance in the aspect of social, environmental and economic. Thirty employees from three different Latex Glove Manufacturing Industries (Company A, B, and C) in Selangor were involved in this study. The data was then analyzed using Minitab 15. Among the 22 combined hard and soft lean tools, Just-In-Time (JIT) for hard lean tool and Customer focus for the soft lean tool has scored the highest level of implementation in all three Industries. As for sustainability performance, economic sustainability performance scored the highest average mean score followed by environment and social sustainability performance. Overall, the finding shows that Company A and C have an overall better impact towards sustainability performance by the execution of lean practices as compared to company B. This must be predominantly due to the high level of implementation of soft lean tools as both the companies have a high level of implementation for the majority of the soft lean tools as compared to the implementation of hard lean tools. In conclusion, the higher the level of implementation of lean tools and practices, the greater the impact on it the sustainability performance in a company.
An Investigation of Travel Time Pattern of T224 RapidKL Bus Using AVL Data
Authors: Ahmad Latfi Siti Nur Athirah , Jaafar Nur Najmiyah
Published: May 2022

Transit dependability is a measure of the quality of service provided by public transportation networks. The trip time distribution may represent the nature and pattern of travel time variability, and it is required in the reliability analysis. Predicting transit bus travel times along routes is essential in bus design and operation, particularly in metropolitan regions. Bus riders are more likely to trust a transportation system if journey times can be accurately anticipated within a given margin of error. Many studies have been conducted to better understand travel time distribution, however there are very few studies on heterogeneous traffic in emerging countries such as Malaysia. In this work, the Taguchi T- technique and linear regression scales were used to evaluate the journey time distribution of public bus route T224 utilising AVL data. To increase the accuracy of applications, a prediction mechanism should be developed. Finally, a formulation was constructed to test the influence of side roads on prediction accuracy, and it was discovered that the additional need in terms of location-based data had no discernible effect on prediction accuracy. This clearly proved that the suggested method based on vehicle tracking data is adequate for the contemplated use of bus trip time prediction.
The role of serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in kidney function and clinical outcomes in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: van der Burgh Anna C , Khan Samer R , Neggers Sebastian J C M M , Hoorn Ewout J , Chaker Layal
Published: May 2022

Objective/design

Testosterone might mediate sex differences in kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, few studies analyzing the association between testosterone and kidney function showed conflicting results. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched from inception to March 4, 2020, for studies that investigated the association of (i) testosterone status with kidney function in the general population or (ii) testosterone status with clinical outcomes (kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular (CV) events, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality) in CKD patients. We used random and fixed-effect models to obtain pooled effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

No randomized–controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria were identified. One study was conducted in the general population and reported an increased risk of incident CKD with low vs normal testosterone (hazard ratio (HR): 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05;1.80). Seven studies were conducted in men with CKD and included testosterone as determinant, of which six could be meta-analyzed. Low testosterone was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and CV events (pooled HR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.36;2.89; pooled HR of 2.40, 95% CI: 1.22;4.71, respectively). Two studies showed an increased risk of all-cause mortality with decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in men with CKD; results regarding CV events were conflicting.

Conclusions

Although literature is scarce, evidence suggests that lower testosterone may increase CKD risk in the general population and risk of all-cause mortality and CV events in men with CKD. Whether testosterone supplementation could prevent these potential detrimental outcomes should be determined in future intervention studies.