bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pandemia reproducción y procreación: materiales categoriales para un delinking educativo y cultural
Authors: Soazo Ahumada Christian Andrés
Published: February 2022

En el presente trabajo se ofrece una reflexión categorial en torno a las principales nociones del pensamiento de Franz Hinkelammert y Jorge Veraza. Su atención principal, en el caso de Hinkelammert, remite a las posibilidades reproductivas del sujeto en un contexto narcotizado por la racionalidad instrumental de la ciencia y mercado capitalistas. En el caso de Veraza, refiere al potencial desobramiento revolucionario que las fuerzas productivas procreativas ejercen en su coexistencia irreductible ante la dominancia de las fuerzas productivas técnicas reificadas. A partir de este marco teórico se dialoga a su vez con las pedagogías radicales expuestas por Freire y Giroux, resaltando los puntos de convergencia con la propuesta vitalista-comunitaria de los autores arriba mencionados. El argumento de fondo de este planteamiento se focaliza en la educación o formación de un delinking o desconexión categorial radical en la que se despierte o tome conciencia de la urgencia de analogar educación con sobrevivencia o producción de la vida en contextos necropolíticos y pandémicos cada vez más devastadores como en el escenario contemporáneo.
The Use of Free Software by Brazilian Government between 2018 and 2020
Authors: Lisboa Flávio Gomes da Silva , Beatriz Marilene Zazula
Published: February 2022

This article presents a quantitative and qualitative exploratory research on the use of free software in the Brazilian government. The data collected refers to the period between 2018 and 2020. The motivation for the research was the lack of data on the use of free software on the government portal for this topic. Initially, the free software scenario is presented within the government's strategy since 2002 and the criticisms about the effectiveness of policies to promote free software. After explaining the methodology used for data collection, the results are presented. 87 entities were questioned, including ministries, state-owned enterprises, universities, the Federal Chamber, the Federal Senate and the Federal Supreme Court. In addition to the amount of software used, software licenses and software categories were counted, which were defined according to user rankings. State entities were also questioned about the production of free software and the results showed that, in addition to using free software, the Brazilian government also produced free software. Finally, entities were questioned about their acquisition software policies.
Robotic allied with the STEAM Methodology as a proposal to solve the challenges of Professional Education during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Nascimento Jean Mendes
Published: February 2022

The educational environment undergoes constant changes and the teaching methodologies must be updated according to their contexts and in their due times of performance, outdated methodologies end up not being effective if applied in new generations. In the face of the world pandemic scenario presented in 2020, a model of remote classes was adopted following rules of social distance. This article seeks to present an alternative for the formation of students' skills in a technical school in the city of São Paulo. For this, the STEAM methodology is used to develop projects on an online platform based on real simulations of the daily life of the area. At the end, a positive result is presented for the methods approached according to the evaluation of the students participating in the project.
Engajamentos além do curtir: a pirâmide da pedagogia hacker
Authors: Menezes Karina Moreira , Pretto Nelson De Luca
Published: February 2022

A pirâmide da pedagogia hacker (P2H) é resultado de uma pesquisa qualitativa tendo como método a Teoria Fundamendada (TEF) com o ojetivo de investigar o fenômeno educativo dentro de laboratórios comunitários experimentais de tecnologia brasileiros também chamados de hackerspaces. A P2H é um tipo de pedagogia de engajamento multifacetado, com quatro faces específicas e inter-relacionais: uma técnica, uma afetiva, uma ideária e uma ativista. As quatro faces são tipos de motivações que formam uma pirâmide tridimensional na qual a pedagogia hacker em hackerspaces se estrutura política e ideologicamente. O engajamento é compreendido como decisão sobre si e ao mesmo tempo, ação sobre outrs pessoas sendo indipensável para manter vivo o espaço hacker de forma coerente com seus princípios e contradições.
A methodology for detection and localization of fruits in apples orchards from aerial images
Authors: Santos Thiago T. , Gebler Luciano
Published: February 2022

Computer vision methods based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have presented promising results on image-based fruit detection at ground-level for different crops. However, the integration of the detections found in different images, allowing accurate fruit counting and yield prediction, have received less attention. This work presents a methodology for automated fruit counting employing aerial-images. It includes algorithms based on multiple view geometry to perform fruits tracking, not just avoiding double counting but also locating the fruits in the 3-D space. Preliminary assessments show correlations above 0.8 between fruit counting and true yield for apples. The annotated dataset employed on CNN training is publicly available.
AgroDigital-NE: um mapeamento da produção científica sobre tecnologias de informação e comunicação aplicadas ao agronegócio no Nordeste brasileiro
Authors: Santana Laura Emmanuela A. dos S. , Teixeira Leonardo Rodrigues de Lima , Santana Alixandre , Oliveira Josenalde Barbosa de
Published: February 2022

A inovação tecnológica no campo e consequente avanço da agricultura digital demanda pesquisa em computação aplicada ao setor. Visto que cada região tem especificidades ambientais, econômicas e de insumos em relação à produção agrária, são necessárias pesquisas específicas a essas demandas. Este artigo apresenta o resultado de levantamento da produção científica sobre TICs aplicadas ao agronegócio na região nordeste do Brasil, com o objetivo de mapear as áreas de aplicação e as técnicas usadas, bem como as instituições de ensino e pesquisa que têm se dedicado ao tema. Ao inventariar tais informações, acreditamos contribuir para a formação futura de redes de colaboração entre pesquisadores, instituições e o setor produtivo.
CanControl: plataforma para diagnóstico do Cancro Europeu da Macieira
Authors: Branco Neto Wilson C. , Araújo Leonardo , Pinto Felipe A. M. Ferreira , Machado Rodrigo A. , Ribeiro Yan F. B. , Cordova Junior Wilson F. , Mattos Kevin Mondadori
Published: February 2022

Este artigo apresenta uma plataforma criada para divulgar informações sobre o Cancro Europeu da Macieira e facilitar o diagnóstico e monitoramento das plantas infectadas. Ela é composta por uma API, um sistema web e um aplicativo móvel, que possibilitam que os produtores cadastrem plantas suspeitas e os Fitopatologistas realizem o diagnóstico de forma remota. O aplicativo está disponível desde junho de 2021 e já conta com 110 downloads, 25 produtores realizaram seu cadastro no sistema e registraram 23 plantas suspeitas.
Diferenciação e caracterização de municípios produtores de bovinos de corte no bioma Mata Atlântica segundo o Censo Agropecuário 2017
Authors: Fasiaben Maria do Carmo Ramos , Oliveira Stanley Robson de Medeiros , Moraes André Steffens , Almeida Maxwell Merçon Tezolin Barros , Oliveira Octávio Costa de , Eusébio Gabriela dos Santos
Published: February 2022

O objetivo deste trabalho é tipificar os municípios produtores de bovinos de corte do bioma Mata Atlântica a partir de dados do Censo Agropecuário 2017. Tabulações especiais do censo foram necessárias para agregar os estabelecimentos agropecuários por município, com ênfase nas características técnicas dos sistemas de produção pecuária. Identificaram-se quatro grupos de municípios segundo os padrões de produção do bioma: dois grupos de alta tecnologia, um deles com destaque para confinamento; um grupo de tecnologia intermediária e outro de baixa tecnologia. O mapeamento dos distintos padrões de produção ao longo do território pode apoiar ações de pesquisa, de transferência de tecnologia e de desenvolvimento mais apropriadas às diferentes situações dos produtores.
Monitoramento de plantas em casas de vegetação para assimilação de dados
Authors: Oliveira Monique Pires Gravina de , Rodrigues Luiz Henrique Antunes
Published: February 2022

Mais dados têm sido gerados em aplicações agrícolas por novas fontes e com grande potencial de uso. Obtidos no campo ou em fazendas verticais, eles podem ser usados, por exemplo, em gêmeos digitais, que visam conectar observações a um modelo do sistema. Essa conexão pode ocorrer por assimilação de dados e em ambientes protegidos, em que as plantas podem ser monitoradas mais intensamente, mais dados estariam disponíveis. Neste trabalho, realizamos assimilação em um modelo de tomateiro usando dados coletados por câmeras e por células de carga, observando que essas fontes fornecem boas estimativas de biomassa da parte aérea e que a técnica melhora as estimativas obtidas pelo modelo Tomgro Reduzido sem calibração.
Multi-objective methods for crop insurance premiums: framework proposal and a case study in sugarcane
Authors: Silva Roberto F. , Benso Marcos R. , Gesualdo Gabriela C. , Mendiondo Eduardo M. , Saraiva Antônio M. , Marques Patrícia A. A. , Delbem Alexandre C. B.
Published: February 2022

The increase in extreme climate events due to climate change has resulted in crop losses, quality losses, environmental and social impacts in agricultural areas. Insurance against extreme events is a vital tool adaptation to deal with the impacts of those hazards. However, few works consider the optimization of different dimensions related to this tool. This work proposes a framework to use multi-objective optimization models to better design and evaluate crop insurance premiums and conducts a case study for sugarcane premiums at São Paulo state in 2010. The framework can be adopted for different crops, objectives, and models. The case study showed that around 20% of the policies evaluated were efficient solutions from the farmer's point of view.
Uma plataforma de dados geoespaciais para caracterização e combate à desertificação da Caatinga
Authors: Daltio Jaudete , Farias André Rodrigo , Magalhães Lucíola Alves , Pinto Daniela Maciel
Published: February 2022

Desertificação é o processo de degradação das terras que ocorre nas zonas áridas, semiáridas e sub-úmidas secas, resultado da ação conjunta de fatores de origem natural e antrópica. No Brasil, grande parte das áreas suscetíveis localiza-se no bioma Caatinga. Este artigo apresenta uma plataforma de dados para caracterização e combate à desertificação que integra dois aspectos principais: um acervo de tecnologias para prevenir e mitigar a desertificação e um conjunto de variáveis que provê uma visão geral das tendências da agropecuária regional. Espera-se subsidiar estratégias de disseminação tecnológica em contextos e territoriais adequados, contribuindo com a promoção do desenvolvimento agropecuário sustentável.
"Kafkanien". Carl Schmitt, Franz Kafka und der moderne Verfassungsstaat
Authors: Mehring Reinhard
Published: February 2022

Generally considered antipodes in political as well as theological matters, Franz Kafka (1883–1924) and Carl Schmitt (1888–1985) had more in common that meets the eye: they were both jurists and avant-gardists; they criticized the legal positivist institutional state, personalized and demonized bureaucratic rule. That is why Schmitt penned notes on Kafka in order to reflect his judicial experience after 1945, regarding the German Federal Republic as "Kafkanien". Reinhard Mehring discusses the irritating proximities both authors show concerning the dystopian perception of the modern state as elements for the political history of Kafka's impact and for clarifying the legal skepticism of Schmitt's late work.
Mating Strategies of Invasive Versus Indigenous Crayfish: Multiple Paternity as a Driver for Invasion Success?
Authors: Francesconi Caterina , Pîrvu Mălina , Schrimpf Anne , Schulz Ralf , Pârvulescu Lucian , Theissinger Kathrin
Published: February 2022

The invasive spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus) has been able to colonize many European waterbodies since its first introduction into Europe, threatening the indigenous crayfish fauna. The remarkable reproductive plasticity of this species has been suggested as an important factor contributing to the alarming invasiveness of this species. In this study, we compared the reproductive strategies of an invasive (F. limosus) and a sympatric indigenous crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus). We questioned if the reproductive abilities, namely parthenogenesis and multiple paternity, may contribute to an ongoing invasion process in the Lower Danube. Using microsatellites, we genotyped the mothers and their offspring from 11 clutches of F. limosus and 18 clutches of P. leptodactylus. While no parthenogenesis has been found in F. limosus populations, multiple paternity has been detected for the first time in both species, with comparable incidence. The results of the study indicate that multiple paternity does not play a dominant role in the successful colonization of F. limosus in the Danube. However, the presented results have to be regarded as a pilot study, with a limited number of samples and loci investigated. Given the relevance of mating system knowledge for management measures, future studies with larger sample number could provide valuable contributions to ongoing conservation actions.
Chemical pressure effects in ZrCuSiAs-type manganese-based compound ThMnSbN
Authors: Xiao Yu-Sen , Duan Qing-Chen , Li Bai-Zhuo , Liu Shao-Hua , Zhu Qin-Qing , Tan Shu-Gang , Jing Qiang , Ren Zhi , Mei Yu-Xue , Wang Cao , Cao Guang-Han ,   Shool of Physics and Optoelectronics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China,   Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China,   School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
Published: February 2022

A quasi-two-dimensional manganese-based compound ThMnSbN is synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. Structural refinement based on X-ray powder diffraction shows that the compound structure belongs to the P4/nmm space group. The lattice parameters are a = 4.1731 Å and c = 9.5160 Å. Electrical transport measurements show that the resistivity of the compound is the lowest in the Mn-based family. When cooling it, its resistivity rises slowly and shows a shoulder-like anomaly at 16 K. Also, the magnetic susceptibility exhibits an anomaly at the very same temperature. Though the specific heat data indicate the inexistence of transition-induced anomaly, the electron specific heat coefficient of γ = 19.7 mJ·mol–1·K–2 is derived by fitting the low-temperature C-T curve. This γ value is much higher than those of the isostructural manganese-based compounds. Thus, the specific heat is consistent with the low resistivity, implying a considerable electronic density of states near the Fermi surface for ThMnSbN. By comparing the crystal structure for a group of ZrCuSiAs-type compounds, various chemical pressure effects of the fluorite-type Th2N2 layer on the conducting layer in different compounds are discussed.
Modeling and experimental study of non-reciprocal acoustic energy transfer in vibro-acoustic Duffing oscillator
Authors: Jin Jiang-Ming , Xie Tian-Wei , Cheng Hao , Xiao Yue-Peng , D. Michael McFarland , Lu Huan-Cai ,   College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China,   College of Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
Published: February 2022

Mechanisms for the nonreciprocal transmission of acoustic energy and the construction of non-reciprocal vibro-acoustic systems have been subjects of intense research in recent years. An experimental study of acoustic nonreciprocal transmission in an experimental system with a nonlinear membrane and two acoustic cavities of different sizes is reported. The membrane can be simplified into a Duffing oscillator, and the asymmetry of the frequency response function of this oscillator is used to realize the non-reciprocal transmission of acoustic energy. The asymptotic solution of the frequency response function of the nonlinear membrane is obtained by the complexification-averaging method. The theoretical simulation results accord well with the experimental results. The results show that the experimental system has a maximum non-reciprocal quantity of 9.1 times in theory, 4.3 times in the experiment, and the normalized frequency bandwidth of the jump phenomenon region is up to 0.56. The research results reveal the mechanism of non-reciprocal transfer of acoustic energy in the experimental system and demonstrate a new way to realize the asymmetric transfer of acoustic energy in an acoustic system with an air medium.
Technology of the Oppressed
Authors: Nemer David
Published: February 2022

How Brazilian favela residents engage with and appropriate technologies, both to fight the oppression in their lives and to represent themselves in the world.

Brazilian favelas are impoverished settlements usually located on hillsides or the outskirts of a city. In Technology of the Oppressed, David Nemer draws on extensive ethnographic fieldwork to provide a rich account of how favela residents engage with technology in community technology centers and in their everyday lives. Their stories reveal the structural violence of the information age. But they also show how those oppressed by technology don't just reject it, but consciously resist and appropriate it, and how their experiences with digital technologies enable them to navigate both digital and nondigital sources of oppression—and even, at times, to flourish.

Nemer uses a decolonial and intersectional framework called Mundane Technology as an analytical tool to understand how digital technologies can simultaneously be sites of oppression and tools in the fight for freedom. Building on the work of the Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire, he shows how the favela residents appropriate everyday technologies—technological artifacts (cell phones, Facebook), operations (repair), and spaces (Telecenters and Lan Houses)—and use them to alleviate the oppression in their everyday lives. He also addresses the relationship of misinformation to radicalization and the rise of the new far right. Contrary to the simplistic techno-optimistic belief that technology will save the poor, even with access to technology these marginalized people face numerous sources of oppression, including technological biases, racism, classism, sexism, and censorship. Yet the spirit, love, community, resilience, and resistance of favela residents make possible their pursuit of freedom.
Morphological characterization and sexual dimorphism of the antennal sensilla in Bactericera gobica Loginova (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)—a scanning and transmission electron microscopic study
Authors: Ge Yang , Smith Olivia M. , Chen Weilin , Liu Pingping , Yuan Qingjun , Kang Chuanzhi , Wang Tielin , Sun Jiahui , Yan Binbin , Liu Xiaoli , Guo Lanping
Published: February 2022

Bactericera gobica is the major pest of Goji berry plants and causes severe damage. Psyllids mainly use the antennal sensilla to recognize olfactory cues necessary to find host plants and mates. However, the structure and function of the antenna and the antennal sensilla of B. gobica remains previously unexplored. Here, we identify the external and internal morphology of the antennal sensilla of B. gobica using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We found seven types of sensilla on the filiform antennae, including apical setae (LAS, SAS), sensilla basiconica (SB1, SB2), sensilla campaniform (SCA), sensilla chaetica (ChS1, ChS2), cavity sensilla (CvS1, CvS2), antennal rhinaria (AR1, AR2), and sensilla trichodea (ST). Five of these sensilla types—apical setae, sensilla basiconica, sensilla chaetica, cavity sensilla, and antennal rhinaria—may have olfactory functions based on their porous surfaces and internal dendritic outer segments (DOS). We also found several differences between the two sexes of B. gobica in the sensilla array and internal structure. ChS and DOS in the protrusions of AR were more abundant in males than females. Altogether, we comprehensively revealed the fine structure and probable function of B. gobica antennae and identified differences in the distribution and structure between psyllid sexes. Our findings provide important insights for future studies on defining the olfactory function of psyllid antenna using electrophysiological methods.
Human cytomegalovirus infection and its association with gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy
Authors: Wang Yunyang , Zhang Xianjuan , Zheng Xu , Song Guanghui , Fang Lina , Wang Yangang , Wang Bin
Published: February 2022

Background

Infection is an important risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), while infection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with GDM remains unclear and rarely reported. This study aimed to investigate the association of HCMV infection and serum inflammatory factor levels in pregnancy with GDM.

Methods

This prospective study included pregnant women who attended at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Hospital and Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital between December 2018 and August 2020. HCMV specific IgM and serum levels of inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, were analyzed.

Results

A total of 5,316 pregnant women were included (415 with GDM (107 with HCMV+GDM+ and 308 with HCMV-GDM+) and 4901 GDM-free (759 with HCMV+GDM- and 4142 with HCMV-GDM-)). The prevalence of GDM was 7.81%. The rate of activation of HCMV was 16.29%. Specifically, 107 and 759 women in the GDM and control group exhibited HCMV infection, with positive rates of25.78% and 15.48%, respectively (P < 0.01). TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β at 24–28 weeks of gestation were significantly higher in women with GDM and HCMV infection than inthe other groups (allP < 0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that HCMV positive (OR = 1.851; 95% CI [1.425–2.403];P < 0.001), IL-6 (OR = 1.010; 95% CI [1.002–1.018];P = 0.013), and IL-1β (OR = 1.410; 95% CI [1.348–1.474];P < 0.001) were all significantly correlated with GDM.

Conclusion

This study suggests HCMV infection during pregnancy is an independent risk factor of GDM and could significantly increase its incidence. Further studies are needed to elucidate possible mechanisms underlying associations between HCMV infection and GDM.
Morphology and Morphometric Study of Superior Orbital Fissure in Dried Human Skulls
Authors: Sirikonda Parimala , Katikireddi Rajasekhar , Vedapriya Kaparna
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Superior Orbital Fissure (SOF) is the major gateway into the orbit from the cranial cavity. Important nerves and vessels pass through it. Variation in the shape and its measurements greatly influence the course and distribution of these structures. Aim: To study the dried human skulls and observe the shape of the SOF and to measure the supero-medial and supero-lateral edges along with the distance between them. Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectional, conducted over a period of one year starting from July 2019 to June 2020 at Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, on fifty- one dried human skulls which were thoroughly examined and their shape was noted and photographed. The measurements were taken using Vernier calliper and statistically analysed using Microsoft Excel with frequency (n) and percentage (%) analysis. Results: The predominant shape was type VI on both right and left sides. The mean superomedial edge height was 10.07±0.85 mm on right and 9.72±0.71 mm on left side. The mean superolateral edge height was 3.76±0.75 mm on right and 3.65±0.87mm on left side. The mean distance between superomedial to superolateral edges was 19.52±0.65 mm on right side and 19.01±0.65 mm on left side. Conclusion: Nine different shapes of superior orbital fissure were found in the study and type VI was the most frequently observed shape. The study did not find any difference between the widths of the right and the left SOF in dried human skulls.
Morphological Study of Foetal Thymus: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Joshi SD , Valimbe Namrata , Joshi SS
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Thymus is a primary central lymphoid organ and a key regulator of the immune system. It develops from the ventral aspect of the 3rd pharyngeal pouch and also gets contribution from the 4th pharyngeal pouch. It migrates caudally into thorax due to its attachment to the pericardium and the aortic sac. Aim: To determine the morphometry of thymus gland in human foetuses. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study which included 33 human foetuses available in the Department of Anatomy, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Postgraduate Institute (SAMC and PGI), Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, over a period of three years. The samples were divided into four groups as per the Gestational Age (GA), (13-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-29 weeks), based on measuring the Crown Rump (CR) length. After making a midline incision extending from the neck to the chest wall, the thoracic and cervical part of the thymus were displayed and its height and width were measured. For statistical analysis Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0 was used to analyse the association between the present findings in the given study groups. Results: Cervical extension showed great variability in different groups. It was either bilateral (16), unilateral (9) or even absent (8) in some cases. Cervical extension showed variable appearances like, coiled, lobulated or cord-like. In four cases, it reached upto the lower pole of thyroid. The shape of the thoracic part of the thymus was either vertically elongated or curved, lobulated or retort shape. Conclusion: The present findings of morphometry of foetal thymus are important for radiologists to differentiate thymus from other mediastinal structures and for surgeons during thymectomy. With increasing foetal age, there is regression in the cervical part of the thymus.
Comparison of Measurements of Corpus Callosum in Formalin Fixed Brain and in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
Authors: Choudhury Pradiptaray , Choudhury Purujit , Baruah Prabahita , Biswas Krishna Kanta
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Corpus callosum is the collection of white fibres situated in the longitudinal fissure of brain connecting the two halves of the brain. Different methodologies may yield different results in the measurement of diameters of corpus callosum. Aim: To find out any difference in corpus callosum diameters when these diameters were measured in formalin fixed brain specimens and in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar, Assam, India from April 2014 to March 2019. A total of 107 formalin fixed cadaveric brain specimens were used to measure length, height and thickness of corpus callosum and MRI scans of 43 patients were used to measure the same diameters. The mean value of all the diameters of corpus callosum measured in formalin fixed brain specimens and in MRI scans were compared. Statistical significance was calculated with student’s t-test and p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total data collected from 107 brain specimens (66 were males and 41 were females) and MRI scans of 43 subjects (30 were males and 13 were females), all in age range of 10- 70 years, were analysed. Mean values of length, height, mid- body, rostrum and splenium thickness of corpus callosum in cadaveric brain specimens were recorded 70.85 mm, 23.37 mm, 5.46 mm, 5.91 mm and 8.40 mm, respectively and same diameters in MRI scans were 74.61 mm, 25.85 mm, 5.84 mm, 6.68mm, 10.46 mm, respectively. Difference of these diameters of corpus callosum measured in cadaveric brain specimens and in MRI scans was statistically significant with p-value=0.0001 for length, 0.0006 for height and 0.0001 for thickness. Conclusion: Significant difference was observed when the same diameters of corpus callosum were measured in MRI and in formalin fixed cadaveric brain specimens.
Jugular Foramen of Adult Human Skull and its Clinical Significance in Population of Eastern India: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: (Ghosh) Ishita Sengupta , Sengupta Gairik , Kundu Banani
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Jugular foramen is a complex irregular bony canal located at the base of the skull between the condylar part of occipital bone and petrous part of temporal bone. It allows passage of important nervous and vascular structures. These are ninth, tenth, eleventh cranial nerves, sigmoid sinus continued as the superior bulb of internal jugular vein and inferior petrosal sinus, meningeal branches of the ascending pharyngeal and occipital arteries. Jugular fossa has a septum and a dome. The dome lodges the superior bulb of internal jugular vein. The septum divides the foramen into two compartment, antero- medial and postero-lateral. There is a wide variation in shape, size and septation of jugular foramen in different regions of globe which have been studied by different authors in different periods of time. Many tumours may arise in this region causing compression of the vital structures passing through it. Surgery is the treatment of choice in these cases. Successful neuro surgeries involving this region require detailed knowledge about the anatomical variation of the jugular foramen. Aim: To study and compare the morphology of jugular foramen, its various dimensions, shape, size and septation which is related to the size of internal jugular vein. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 85 adult dry human skulls, collected from the Anatomy Department as well as from the first year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students of different Medical colleges of West Bengal from September 2020 to June 2021. Presence of septa were observed and anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral diameter (ML diameter) were measured by using vernier caliper. Then the area was calculated. Data collected were compiled in tabular form. They were analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics version 20.0 and paired t-test and chi-square tests were applied. Results: In the total 85 skulls studied, the area of jugular foramen was larger on right side in 91.76% and on left side in 8.24% of skull. The AP diameter was less than the ML diameter and areas in all cases. But both the diameters were significantly (p-value<0.001) larger on right side than the left. Complete septation was present in right side of 34 foramina and in left side of 17 foramina. Partial or incomplete septation was present on right side of 51 foramina and left side of 68 foramina. Conclusion: The study revealed variation in shape, size and septation in different skulls and also bilateral variation in same skull. It has immense value to radiologists, Ear Nose Throat (ENT) surgeons, neuro-surgeons and radiologists who deal with the diagnosis and management of space occupying lesions surrounding the jugular foramen.
Mediterranean Diet and Metformin Effects on Gestational Diabetes: A Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Alatawi Amirah Mahdi
Published: February 2022

Gestational diabetes (GD) is a common and deadly disorder with deleterious effects on both the mother and fetus. The current review assessed the role of the Mediterranean diet and metformin in the prevention of GD. The PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant articles, and the keywords metformin, Mediterranean diet, and gestational diabetes prevention were used with the proteans AND and OR. Out of the 252 articles retrieved, 48 full texts were assessed, and only nine articles fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A data extraction sheet was used to collect the author's name, year of publication, country, methods of the study, risk reduction, odds ratio, relative risk, 95% CI, and P values. Three (33.3%) articles assessed the effectiveness of metformin on GD, and another six (66.7%) investigated the effects of the MedDiet on GD. The studies on metformin showed no reduction in GD (odds ratio, 1.07, 0.79–1.44, P value for overall effect=0.65, I2 for heterogeneity=3%, P value=0.36. Chi-square=2.07, and the mean difference=2), while studies on the MedDiet showed a reduction in gestational diabetes risk ((odds ratio, 0.49, -0.32–0.73, P value for heterogeneity =0.0004, heterogeneity, I =278%, P value for overall effect=0.0005, Chi-square=22.40 and mean difference=5. The Mediterranean diet was effective in the prevention of GD; however, metformin showed no significant risk reduction as an interventional measure.
Hierarchical Models in Health Services Research
Authors: Lobo Mariana , Normand Sharon‐Lise
Published: February 2022

Health services research involves the examination of how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and processes, and health technologies affect access, quality, outcomes, and cost of health care. A frequent problem involves the determination and quantification of geographic and health care delivery system variation in outcomes. Hierarchical models, sets of regression models linked by the structure of clustering, are often used to estimate and explain this variation.
Elastic Net (Model Selection)
Authors: Moldovan Max , Taylor Julian
Published: February 2022

An elastic net (EN) is an algorithm for fitting penalized regression models using a convex combination of the LASSO and ridge penalty norms. The algorithm takes advantage of both the sparsity property of the LASSO and variable grouping property of the ridge, making it a natural choice for model selection. EN estimates can be computed using LASSO‐based estimation methods, such as Least Angle Regression (LARS) or coordinate descent, and computational implementations of these methods are available in open‐source software packages.
E‐Value
Authors: Diniz Marcio A. , de Bragança Pereira Carlos A. , Stern Julio M.
Published: February 2022

This article describes a coherent Bayesian measure of evidence for precise or sharp null hypotheses, the evidence value, or e‐value, derived from the fully Bayesian significance test (FBST), based solely on the posterior distribution of the parameters of the statistical model. The method can be easily implemented using modern numerical optimization and integration techniques. After illustrating its use on two nonstandard applications (Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and the Behrens–Fisher problem), we list some of its properties and refer the interested reader to articles discussing further applications and properties of the e‐value.
Teletraffic Models
Authors: Logothetis Michael D. , Moscholios Ioannis D.
Published: February 2022

First, we present the key features of teletraffic models while emphasizing on the classification of their parameters to arrive at a possible categorization. Second, we briefly discuss the relationship between teletraffic models and the Internet, and third, we present three representative multirate teletraffic loss models.
The Fiber Bundle Model
Authors: Gleaton James U. , Han David , Lynch James D. , Ng Hon K. T. , Ruggeri Fabrizio
Published: February 2022

Load‐sharing models originated in the study of the breaking strength of bundles of threads in 1945 and fibrous composites 20 years later. Its first use in physics was apparently in 1989 after which it was popularized in the physical science community as the fiber bundle model for modeling the breakdown of physical systems. The history and background of this model and its use are discussed.
Crumpled and Eccentric Nanospheres of Ti3C2Tx MXene by Aerosol Jet Printing on Heat Substrate
Authors: Wu Yu , Lin Aiping , Zhang Jidi , Zhao Danjiao , Bai Xiaojing , Lu Cheng , Wang Shufen , Fan Lanlan , Cao Lei , Liu Sida , Gu Feng
Published: February 2022

2D MXene has attracted tremendous attention for developing high‐performance energy storage devices regarding its good metallicity and relatively large accessible surface area. However, the electrochemical performance of MXene‐related devices was hindered due to the pronounced self‐stacking characteristic of MXene. Herein, a convenient aerosol jet printing (AJP) process is developed for the synthesis of MXene nanospheres with crumpled and eccentric structures by modulating the migration and assembly of MXene nanosheets on heat substrate. The existing temperature gradient between the apex and the edge of the deposited droplet causes thermocapillary flows carrying MXene nanosheets toward the edge and the MXene nanosheets are further shaped and assembled along the droplet surface during the solvent evaporation. Interdigital microelectrodes of crumpled MXene nanospheres are tentatively developed for electrochemical performance characterization, a competitive areal capacitance performance is demonstrated in comparison with other MXene‐based devices. Importantly, this work highlights the great potential of the AJP technique for developing functional devices with fascinating hierarchical features as well as further extending applications in miniaturized and intelligent microelectronics.
Superplastic‐Like Behavior and Enhanced Strength of a Two‐Phase Titanium Alloy with Ultrafine Grains
Authors: Dyakonov Grigory S. , Raab Georgy I. , Pesin Mikhail V. , Polyakov Alexander V. , Semenova Irina P. , Valiev Ruslan Z.
Published: February 2022

Here, the two‐phase titanium alloy Ti‐5.7Al‐3.8Mo‐1.2Zr‐1.3Sn (Russian name VT8M‐1) with an ultrafine‐grained (UFG) structure is successfully produced by equal‐channel angular pressing (ECAP). This UFG alloy demonstrates a significant increase in strength at room temperature (RT) and superplastic‐like behavior during compression at elevated temperatures in a range of 650–800 °C. This unusual behavior is used in this work to study the forging of the alloy at 700 °C, which simulates the process of making an aircraft engine blade. It is shown that after this forging the alloy has significantly higher strength properties than after standard processing. The origin of such superior behavior of this UFG alloy is discussed.
All‐Climate and Ultrastable Dual‐Ion Batteries with Long Life Achieved via Synergistic Enhancement of Cathode and Anode Interfaces
Authors: Li Wen‐Hao , Li Yue‐Ming , Liu Xin‐Fang , Gu Zhen‐Yi , Liang Hao‐Jie , Zhao Xin‐Xin , Guo Jin‐Zhi , Wu Xing‐Long
Published: February 2022

Dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) are a viable option for large‐scale energy storage owing to their high energy density, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, interfacial instability at both the cathode and anode in Li‐graphite DIBs (LG‐DIBs) contributes to poor cycling performance and failed energy storage, severely limiting their application potentials. Herein, a two‐pronged strategy is used to improve the interfacial stability, synergistically stabilizing the graphite cathode by applying a rigid/inert surface coating while building a 3D framework on the lithium anode. The resultant LG‐DIBs are ultrastable and achieve a long cycle life (capacity retention of 80% after 2700 cycles at 200 mA−1) in the all‐climate temperature range from −25 to 40 °C. Ex situ characterization reveals that the cathode–electrolyte interphase on graphite is stabilized by suppressing the electrolyte decomposition and reducing graphite exfoliation. Simultaneously, the framework constructed on the lithium anode induces uniform and dendrite‐free Li deposition owing to its 3D structure. This study not only contributes to the development of practical LG‐DIBs but also points out a promising research direction for other new types of batteries.
Intranasal Delivery of Functionalized Polymeric Nanomaterials to the Brain
Authors: Zha Shuai , Wong Ka‐Leung , All Angelo H.
Published: February 2022

Intravenous delivery of nanomaterials containing therapeutic agents and various cargos for treating neurological disorders is often constrained by low delivery efficacy due to difficulties in passing the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). Nanoparticles (NPs) administered intranasally can move along olfactory and trigeminal nerves so that they do not need to pass through the BBB, allowing non‐invasive, direct access to selective neural pathways within the brain. Hence, intranasal (IN) administration of NPs can effectively deliver drugs and genes into targeted regions of the brain, holding potential for efficacious disease treatment in the central nervous system (CNS). In this review, current methods for delivering conjugated NPs to the brain are primarily discussed. Distinctive potential mechanisms of therapeutic nanocomposites delivered via IN pathways to the brain are then discussed. Recent progress in developing functional NPs for applications in multimodal bioimaging, drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutics is also reviewed. This review is then concluded by discussing existing challenges, new directions, and future perspectives in IN delivery of nanomaterials.
An mTOR siRNA‐Loaded Spermidine/DNA Tetrahedron Nanoplatform with a Synergistic Anti‐Inflammatory Effect on Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Huang Chaowang , You Qianyi , Xu Jing , Wu Di , Chen Huaping , Guo Yuhang , Xu Jiancheng , Hu Mingdong , Qian Hang
Published: February 2022

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by severe inflammation and damage to the lung air–blood barrier, resulting in respiratory function damage and life‐threatening outcomes. Macrophage polarization plays an essential role in the occurrence, development, and outcome of ALI. As drug carriers, self‐assembled DNA nanostructures can potentially overcome the drawbacks and limitations of traditional anti‐inflammatory agents owing to their nontoxicity, programmability, and excellent structural control at the nanoscale. A small interfering RNA (siRNA) and drug dual therapy nanoplatform are proposed and constructed here to combat ALI. The nanoplatform consists of a spermidine‐assembled DNA tetrahedron and four mammalian target of rapamycin siRNAs. Spermidine serves as a mediator of drug delivery vehicle synthesis and a drug that alters macrophage polarization. Both spermidine and siRNA exert anti‐inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo by regulating the macrophage phenotype. More importantly, these factors exhibit a synergistic anti‐inflammatory effect by promoting macrophage autophagy. For the first time, an anti‐inflammatory dual therapy strategy that uses self‐assembled DNA nanostructures as nontoxic, programmable delivery vehicles is proposed and demonstrated through this work. Future work on utilizing DNA nanostructures for the treatment of noncancerous diseases such as ALI is highly promising and desirable.
Microfluidic Oxidation of Graphite in Two Minutes with Capability of Real‐Time Monitoring
Authors: Ye Chuanren , Wang Gang , Yuan Hong , Li Jieyun , Ni Kun , Pan Fei , Guo Minghao , Wu Yanhong , Ji Hengxing , Zhang Fan , Qu Bill , Tang Zhiyong , Zhu Yanwu
Published: February 2022

Graphite oxide and its exfoliated counterpart, graphene oxide, are important precursors for the large‐scale production of graphene‐based materials and many relevant applications. The current batch‐style preparation of graphite oxide suffers from safety concern, long reaction time, and nonuniform product quality, due to the large volume of reactors and slow energy exchange. Reaction in microchannels can largely enhance the oxidization efficiency of graphite due to the enhanced mass transfer and extremely quick energy exchange, by which the controllable oxidization of graphite is achieved in ≈2 min. Comprehensive characterizations show that the graphene oxide obtained through the microfluidic strategy has features like those prepared in laboratory beakers and industrial reactors, yet with the higher oxidization degree and more epoxy groups. More importantly, the microfluidic preparation allows for on‐line monitoring of the oxidization by Raman spectroscopy, ready for the dynamical control of reaction condition and product quality. The capability of continuous preparation is also demonstrated by showing the assembly of fibers and reduction of graphene oxide in microfluidic channels, and the applicability of graphene oxide prepared from the microfluidic strategy for thermally and electrically conductive films.
Inhibition of Integrin αvβ6 Activation of TGF‐β Attenuates Tendinopathy
Authors: Wang Xiao , Liu Shen , Yu Tao , An Senbo , Deng Ruoxian , Tan Xiaohua , Crane Janet , Zhang Weixin , Pan Dayu , Wan Mei , Carr Andrew , Cao Xu
Published: February 2022

Tendinopathy is a common tendon disorder that causes pain and impairs function. It is the most common reason for consultation with musculoskeletal specialists. The available therapies for tendinopathy are limited in number and efficacy and have unclear cellular and molecular mechanisms. Here it is shown that transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) activated by integrin αvβ6 promotes tendinopathy in mice. Excessive active TGF‐β is found during tendinopathy progression, which led to tenocytes’ phenotype transition to chondrocytes. Transgenic expression of active TGF‐β in tendons induced spontaneous tendinopathy, whereas systemic injection of a TGF‐β neutralizing antibody attenuated tendinopathy. Inducible knockout of the TGF‐β type 2 receptor gene (Tgfbr2) in tenocytes inhibited tendinopathy progression in mice. Moreover, it is found that integrin αvβ6 induces TGF‐β activation in response to mechanical load in tendons. Conditional knockout of the integrin αv gene in tendons prevented tendinopathy in mice. The study suggests that integrin αvβ6 activation of TGF‐β is the mechanism of tendinopathy, and that integrin αvβ6 may be a therapeutic target in tendinopathy.
A Two‐Phase Approach to Fusicoccane Synthesis To Uncover a Compound That Reduces Tumourigenesis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Chen Bolin , Wu Qianwei , Xu Dongdong , Zhang Xijing , Ding Yahui , Bao Shiqi , Zhang Xuemei , Wang Liang , Chen Yue
Published: February 2022

Alterbrassicicene D (1) and 3(11)‐epoxyhypoestenone (2) were synthesised via a two‐phase approach featuring concise construction of the 5‐8‐5 tricyclic intermediate and a tandem base‐mediated epoxide opening–transannular oxa‐Michael addition cascade to forge the complex skeleton of 2. The route is scalable and we generated 15 g of the tricyclic intermediate in 8 steps from (R)‐limonene and 720 mg of the penultimate bioactive intermediate in a protecting‐group‐free manner. Our synthesis enabled the structural determination of 2 and provided materials for preliminary anticancer evaluation. The penultimate intermediate showed therapeutic potential in terms of its ability to dramatically reduce the tumourigenic potential of PANC‐1 pancreatic cancer cells according to a limiting dilution tumour‐initiating assay. Our synthetic approach will facilitate unified access to naturally occurring fusicoccanes and their derivatives for anticancer evaluation.
Triphase Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction over Silver‐Decorated Titanium Oxide at a Gas–Water Boundary
Authors: Huang Huining , Shi Run , Li Zhenhua , Zhao Jiaqi , Su Chenliang , Zhang Tierui
Published: February 2022

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an attractive process to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals. But this reaction is often restricted by the poor mass transfer of CO2 in the liquid phase. Here, we have developed a triphase photocatalytic CO2RR system by supporting Ag‐decorated TiO2 nanoparticles at a gas–water boundary with hydrophobic–hydrophilic abrupt interfacial wettability. Such a triphase system allows the rapid delivery of gas‐phase CO2 to the surface of photocatalysts while maintaining an efficient water supply and uncovered active sites. Ag‐TiO2 supported at the gas–water boundary showed a CO2 reduction rate of 305.7 μmol g−1 h−1, without hole scavengers, approximately 8 times higher than the nanoparticles dispersed in the liquid phase. Even using diluted CO2 (10 %) as the reactant, the CO2RR activity was superior to most reported Ag‐TiO2 based photocatalysts using pure CO2. The findings provide a general strategy to promote the interfacial CO2 mass transfer to improve photoactivity and selectivity.