bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accounting for discharge simulation performances and observation quality for modelling sediment at global scale
Authors: de Lavenne Alban , Bartosova Alena , Strömqvist Johan , Arheimer Berit
Published: May 2020

Water quality modelling is very often constrained beforehand by the performance of discharge modelling. When the model is set up at global scale, this discharge performance usually greatly varies in space and can therefore be a limiting factor in many regions around the globe. Besides discharge performances, the quality of the observations themselves can also be highly heterogeneous in space and among datasets. Modeller then has to find a compromise between being restrictive on the quality of his dataset or having a good spatio-temporal representativeness of the various hydrological conditions at global scale. This often relies on subjective thresholds.

This work proposed a more objective calibration strategy that aims to consider both aspects explicitly: observation quality and model performance on discharge. It leads to the construction of two scores that are assigned to each water quality station quantifying their reliability for model calibration and evaluation. The average of those two scores is then used as a weight in the objective function to emphasise the training on the most reliable stations.

The strategy is implemented for sediment modelling using the WW-HYPE model (Arheimer et al., 2019) at global scale. The score on discharge simulation performance is based on the regionalisation of the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency that is spatially interpolated at every sediment monitoring stations using inverse Ghosh distance weighting (de Lavenne et al., 2016). The score on the observation quality is based on the location of the station with respect to the catchment outlet and on the amount of data. A multi-objective calibration is performed to optimise parameters on two global databases, one on long terms sediment loads (730 stations) and one on sediment concentrations time series (1440 stations). The sensitivity of the model to this calibration strategy is analysed according to model performances and model outputs, such as sediment loads at global scale, in order to discuss the importance of considering this heterogeneity of the reliability of monitoring stations.

References

Arheimer, B., Pimentel, R., Isberg, K., Crochemore, L., Andersson, J. C. M., Hasan, A., and Pineda, L. (2019), Global catchment modelling using World-Wide HYPE (WWH), open data and stepwise parameter estimation, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., doi:10.5194/hess-2019-111.

de Lavenne, A., J. O. Skøien, C. Cudennec, F. Curie, and F. Moatar (2016), Transferring measured discharge time series: Large-scale comparison of Top-kriging to geomorphology-based inverse modeling, Water Resour. Res., 52, 5555–5576, doi:10.1002/2016WR018716.
Beyond cyberutopia and digital disenchantment
Authors: Kaufmann Mareile , Leander Anna , Thylstrup Nanna Bonde
Published: May 2020

In this introduction, we describe how this special issue looks at contemporary digital political practices. It highlights the pragmatic engagements employed by political movements and subjects as they negotiate infrastructural entanglements with visions of resistance, subversion, and survival. The contributions to the special issue are characteristic of such engagements that operate beyond the spectacles of cyberutopia and digital disenchantment. They opt instead to embody or subvert digital infrastructures and offer new political imaginaries and realities.
Resistance in a minor key
Authors: Singh Rianka
Published: May 2020

This is the age of amplification. Being represented, heard, and rendered visible is the dominant and common approach to understanding both off-line and online feminist activism. As part of the amplified stage, digital platforms facilitate increased visibility. But the quiet resistance of those who do not take so readily to platforms is also mediated by the digital. This paper looks toward resistance that is quieter. It is resistance based on care, survival, and safety. In this article I ask: what does a digital activism look like that takes into account the ways in which people organize not just so that they can be heard, but so they can survive?
“Hold me, Gerty, hold me”: Lily Bart's Queer Desire
Authors: Champion H. J. E.
Published: May 2020

In her provocatively titled article from 2007, Katherine Joslin asks “Is Lily Gay?” Such a line of questioning is part of the queer turn in Wharton scholarship, which aims to complicate traditional criticism often based on heterosexual or binary assumptions. This study uses Joslin's bold and exciting question as a starting point in an effort to extend the argument further. It proposes a queer reading of The House of Mirth that takes into consideration Edith Wharton's own contradictory attitudes toward queer sexuality, situating the text within historical notions of queerness from the turn of the century. Lily Bart is then “queered” through the use of Georg Simmel's theories of flirtation, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's literary love triangles, and close readings of the novel's “queer episodes” that tease out the meanings behind Wharton's sensual language. The study predominantly questions Lily's failure to cooperate with fixed notions of futurity—in this case signified by marriage—proposing that this refusal serves to destabilize linear heteronormative growth and positions her in a state of queered flux. Such a reading therefore attempts to reconsider traditional heteronormative understandings of The House of Mirth.
The Frenchwoman Dépaysée: Edith Wharton and Gabrielle Landormy
Authors: Campbell Donna
Published: May 2020

In a series of late unpublished letters that Wharton wrote to Elizabeth Gaskell (Lily) Norton between 1924 and 1937, an Edith Wharton character gone astray appears in the form of Gabrielle Landormy, a young Frenchwoman whose transnational wanderings between France and the United States made her, in a term that Millicent Bell applied to Wharton herself, dépaysée, or “out of [her] element, adrift and astray.” Gabrielle Landormy worked for Wharton during World War I but throughout the 1920s and 1930s drifts between France and the United States as an object of irritation and concern. This article, based on hitherto-undiscussed sources, traces Landormy's movements and Wharton's reactions to them as revealed in the letters and other documents, to demonstrate that Landormy's case calls into question the ways nationality, the transnational body, and troublesome questions of sexuality and autonomy can be addressed, especially by those who, like Wharton, would prefer to have women conform to a national ideal.
A split approach to the selection of allomorphs: Vowel length alternating allomorphy in Dutch
Authors: De Belder Marijke
Published: May 2020

In this article it is argued that the selection of allomorphs is distributed over two modules, viz. Vocabulary Insertion and Phonology. This is done on the basis of a case study of vowel length alternating allomorphs in Dutch. The data show a split pattern: some empirical domains can be fully captured by phonological principles. For these cases, the phonologically most optimal allomorph will be selected. In other empirical domains, phonological principles still account for many of the attested data. Yet, one attests lexicalised exceptions as well, which are clearly phonologically non-optimal. The data echo opposing views in the literature: some proposals attempt to reduce allomorph selection to phonology, others focus on the fact that many examples are simply not phonologically optimal and suggest that allomorph selection should not be done by Phonology. I argue that the opposing nature of these two types of data is actually indicative of the way the selection of allomorphs is organised. More specifically, both Vocabulary Insertion and Phonology can determine the selection of allomorphs. Vocabulary Insertion is responsible for stored information, Phonology is responsible for phonologically optimising patterns.
Коммуникация ученых и новые информационно-коммуникационные технологии (заметки пессимиста)
Authors: Масланов Евгений Валерьевич ,   Lobachevsky State University Press
Published: May 2020

Статья посвящена анализу способов функциони-рования научной коммуникации. Сегодня выделяют два потока коммуникации ученых – внутринаучную коммуникацию с другими учеными и коммуникацию с внешними по отношению к науке акторами. Первая обычно связана с решением профессиональных вопросов, вторая ориентирована на рассказ о достижениях науки широкой публике. В период развития технонауки особую роль играет второй тип коммуникации. Автор обосновывает тезис о том, что активное использование новых информационно-коммуникационных технологий приводит к распространению научного взгляда на мир, научной рацио-нальности за пределы науки. В процессе своего использования новые информационно-коммуникационные технологии формируют у неученых ценности, характерные для научного сообщества. При этом активное развитие проектов по популяризации научного знания вместе с внедрением научной рациональности при помощи активного использования различных интерфейсов приводит к тому, что общество все больше узнает о науке. Происходит пересечение потоков коммуникации ученых друг с другом и с вненаучными акторами. В этом случае формируется общее пространство коммуникации, которое может перерастать в общее пространство проектов и дискуссий профессионалов и не-профессионалов. Формируется пограничная зона синтетического обмена между двумя потоками коммуникации ученых, в котором профессиональная коммуникация и популяризаторская коммуникация с неучеными начинают смешиваться. Подобные стратегии активно реализуются в рамках социальных сетей в интернете или синтетических платформ, позволяющих как познакомиться с результатами научных исследований, так и вступить в дискуссии с учеными или принять участие в исследованиях. В результате этого процесса происходит девальвация цен-ности и значимости научного знания.
Что в черном ящике
Authors: Фейгельман Артем Маркович ,   Lobachevsky State University Press
Published: May 2020

Статья является репликой на работу Е.В. Масланова, посвященную современной специфике коммуникации между научным и ненаучным сообществом. Утверждается, что все большая прозрачность границ между учеными и неучеными, достигаемая за счет развития современных средств коммуникации, полезна как для общества, так и для науки. Данный коммуникативный тренд сравнивается с веберовским «расколдовыванием», объектом которого является не природа, а сама наука, которая таким образом десакрализуется и лишается ореола загадочности для непосвященных. На примере истории компании «Theranos» утверждается опасность закрытости научных знаний и институций, особенно если последние претендуют на серьезное вмешательство в жизненный мир человека и связаны с большими финансовыми вложениями. Подчеркивается, что движение навстречу ненаучному сообществу не ставит автономность науки под угрозу, а, напротив, является залогом ответственного и заинтересованного отношения ученых и общества друг к другу. Ставится под сомнение та опасность для автономии науки, которую, по мнению Е.В. Масланова, несет в себе доступность актуальных научных знаний для широкого круга интересующихся. На примере художественной работы Е. Стрелкова «Третья идея» утверждается, что даже в проектах сайнсарта, представляющих собой зону обмена между научным и ненаучным сообществом, наука предстает как автономная область, требующая особого подхода и усилия понимания. В конце статьи делается вывод о необходимости заинтересованного и в то же время критического диалога между учеными и неучеными. Именно такой диалог, по мнению автора статьи, является основой для сохранения независимости жизненного мира научного сообщества от властных претензий представителей «системы» – бизнеса, власти, церковных организаций.
‘Étranger,’ ou plutôt ‘fremd’: Philosophical-Poetic Nationalism in Derrida’s Geschlecht III and Beyond
Authors: Hoffman-Schwartz Daniel ,   DePaul University
Published: May 2020

This article takes up the specifically poetic dimension of what Jacques Derrida calls Martin Heidegger’s “philosophical nationalism” in the recently published Geschlecht III, arguing that this text doubles as a self-interrogation of Derrida’s own practice of reading poetry. Thus reading Geschlecht III alongside the nearly contemporaneous “Shibboleth: For Paul Celan,” I claim that Derrida’s critical deconstruction of Heidegger’s philosophical-poetic nationalism both allows us to read the traces of a more affirmatively deconstructive thinking of literary community in “Shibboleth” and draws attention to the limits and traps of such a project. Further, I demonstrate that Derrida’s and Heidegger’s respective approaches to the question of literary community cannot be separated from their respective approaches to the question of translation and their respective ways of mobilizing the motif of the “untranslatable.”
News from the Field
Authors: Free David
Published: May 2020

MSU Libraries announce OER award recipientsRBMS 2020 Conference cancellationARL, CNI, and EDUCAUSE release second installment of Landscape Report on Research Library Engagement with Emerging TechnologiesSpringer Nature expands open access portfolioCalifornia Community College Maker Initiative releases makerspace impact publicationUNESCO Archives adds sound recordingsIMLS authorizes new grant flexibilities for libraries, museums
COVID-19 demonstrates the value of open access: What happens next?
Authors: Tavernier Willa
Published: May 2020

In the wake of COVID-19, many publishers have tacitly agreed that open access is beneficial to scientific advancement and necessary to move science forward to combat disease. Publishers have committed to open access publication of scientific articles relating to the disease. Some are facilitating rapid and open peer review and fast-tracking the publishing of related research. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Hiltzig refers to this convincing demonstration of the value of open access to scientific research as one of the most important positive disruptions caused by COVID-19.
Virtual cohorts: Peer support and problem-solving at a distance
Authors: Tureen Amy , Lemon Erick , Martin Joyce , Hoffman Starr , Thuna Mindy , Miller Willie
Published: May 2020

A common challenge for administrative leaders in academic libraries is that we often have few peers within our organizations, and those that we do have may not be able to provide the dispassionate, unbiased feedback we need. The authors of this article, library leaders from across the United States and Canada, formed a virtual cohort for peer leader support and have found it to be transformative in approaching leadership challenges at our home institutions.
A "fenomenologia da vida ética" de Arthur Schopenhauer
Authors: Germer Guilherme Marconi
Published: May 2020

Nós nos propomos analisar e interpretar em que sentido a descrição de Philonenko de que Schopenhauer desenvolveu uma “fenomenologia da vida ética” pode ser lida sem grandes problemas, se nos detivermos à sua fundamentação empírica da moral, exposta em Sobre o Fundamento da Moral. Caso a estendamos à metafísica dos costumes do filósofo, como fez Philonenko, essa expressão já será inadequada pelo fato da última não ter por objeto nenhum fenômeno, mas o que se “esconde por trás deles (...), a coisa em si mesma”. Esse esclarecimento também nos ajudará a evidenciar que Schopenhauer inovou cientificamente, na moral, ao reconduzir as ações humanas a três motivos fundamentais: o bem-estar próprio, alheio e o mal-estar alheio (predicados, respectivamente, por egoísmo, bondade e malevolência); e ao explicar a possibilidade da segunda motivação como oriunda do sentimento da compaixão (divisível em um grau negativo, o da justiça, e um positivo, a caridade).
"A alegria, a graça e a felicidade segundo Clément Rosset", de José Thomaz Brum
Authors: Moraes Dax
Published: May 2020

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar as concepções de alegria, graça e felicidade nas obras de Clément Rosset.
Comentários ao diálogo "Parmênides" de Platão
Authors: Spinelli Miguel
Published: May 2020

Este estudo se ocupa com algumas questões do prólogo do Parmênides, que, em geral, passam desapercebidas, mas são importantes para a compreensão da arquitetônica do diálogo. Haverá de ter, por exemplo, algum significado o fato de Platão trazer para dentro do Diálogo, Céfalo de Clazômenas (da Jônia), que veio para Atenas encontrar Antífon e ouvir dele um relato de Pitodoros sobre o que Parmênides e Zenão, vindos de Eleia (da Magna Grécia), confabularam com Sócrates em Atenas. Clazômenas é a terra de Anaxágoras, daquele que, a convite de Péricles, fundou em Atenas uma escola filosófica. Do debate que ocorreu entre Parmênides, Zenão e Sócrates, na casa de Pitodoros, foi Pitodoros, quem, por primeiro, registrou de memória; depois ele passou a Antífon (irmão de Platão por parte de mãe), e, Antífon, passou a Céfalo, que, enfim, veio a ser, e não o irmão de Platão, o relator do Diálogo. Há, pois, um fluxo de personagens e de regiões que compõem o Diálogo. Há ainda algo inusitado: Zenão, perante Sócrates e seus companheiros, na casa de Pitodoros, fez uma leitura de seus “escritos”, dos quais, no final, Sócrates pediu a Zenão que relesse apenas “o primeiro argumento”: o do paradoxo do Um e do Múltiplo, tema sobre o qual incidiram o debate e a construção do Diálogo. Este estudo cumpre três etapas: comenta o introito, esboça a tratativa do Um e do Múltiplo e ensaia algumas possibilidades de leitura e de interpretação do Parmênides.
On the needs of theoretical and practical reason
Authors: Hamm Christian
Published: May 2020

Pensar além dos limites do possível conhecimento empírico requer uma razão subjetiva para legitimar seus juízos. De acordo com Kant, esta reside no sentimento de uma "necessidade da razão", que, por sua vez (para distingui-la de impulsos "não-racionais"), deve ser justificado como tal. Para isto, é reclamado um especial "direito da necessidade" da razão, como “fundamento subjetivo para supor e admitir algo [...] que ela com fundamento objetivo não pode presumir saber" [08:137]. Ao contrário da necessidade da razão teórica e da sua satisfação por meras hipóteses ("causa originária"), a necessidade prática da razão é incondicional, porque aqui não só "queremos julgar, mas devemos [...] julgar" [08:139]. – A seguir, as condições específicas deste "dever" - os "postulados" morais – serão examinadas criticamente.
Inventory and analysis of the distribution of Viséan corals from the Guadiato Area (Córdoba, SW Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez Sergio , Somerville Ian D , Cózar Pedro , Coronado Ismael , Said Ismael
Published: May 2020

The coral content of the Viséan rocks from the Guadiato Area (SW Spain) have been studied during the last 25 year. Part of the coral assemblages have been previously described, but never as whole. The 69 recorded coral species belonging to Rugosa, Tabulata and Heterocorallia are illustrated. The family Antiphyllidae is represented by two genera and three species; the family Laccophyllidae, Plerophyllidae and Polycoeliidae is represented by one species; the family Cyathaxoniidae is represented by one genus and two species; the family Amplexidae is represented by one species; the family Zaphrenotididae is represented by one species; the family Cyathopsidae is represented by four genera and five species; the family Bothrophyllidae is represented by one species; the family Aulophyllidae is represented by nine genera and ten species; the family Palaeosmiliidae is represented by four genera and four species; the family Lithostrotionidae is represented by five genera and sixteen species; the family Axophyllidae is represented by three genera and thirteen species; the family Geyerophyllidae is represented by one species; the family Heterophyllidae is represented by two genera and two species; the family Syringoporidae is represented by one species; the family Multithecoporidae is represented by one genus and three species; the family Syringolitidae is represented by one species; the family Pyrgiidae is represented by one species. The degree of abundance and diversity is regarded as moderate and the degree of endemism is low. The significance of the coral assemblages for biostratigraphy, palaeobiogeography and environmental palaeontology is analysed
First record to the Carboniferous fusuline genus Parawedekindellina in a Palaeotethyan area (Cantabrian Zone, NW Spain)
Authors: Villa Elisa , Remizova Svetlana T
Published: May 2020

A fusuline species of the genus Parawedekindellina Safonova has been found in the Fito Formation of the Carboniferous of the Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain). Representatives of this genus had only previously been recorded from the Arctic and the Ural palaeobiogeographic provinces, and therefore the new species from Spain in the first record of the genus from the Palaeotethyan province. This finding is interpreted as evidence of temporary connections between the Ural and the Palaeotethys provinces
International assistance to the Kingdom of Jordan
Authors: Aldaghestani Wesam Saheb
Published: May 2020

This article discusses the questions of providing assistance by foreign countries and international organizations to the Kingdom of Jordan. Jordan is in the grip of Syrian crisis reflected in arrival of a significant number of refugees. This, in turn, affects the deterioration of the economic situation and security in the state. Jordan has received assistance from the Gulf Cooperation Council that played a key role in aiding Jordan during the local protests. The article uses the content analysis for declarations of Jordan, initiated by the Ministry of International Cooperation; as well as complex approach towards understanding an international subject that greatly contributes to this assistance. It is concluded the most assistance is provided by the United States and the neighboring Arab countries, which influences the political views of Jordan upon regional crucial problems. At the same time, Jordan faces financial deficit that led to organization of local demonstration on the Kingdom and put the Jordanian government into a situation of serious crisis.
A big-data approach to understanding metabolic rate and response to obesity in laboratory mice
Authors: Corrigan June K , Ramachandran Deepti , He Yuchen , Palmer Colin J , Jurczak Michael J , Chen Rui , Li Bingshan , Friedline Randall H , Kim Jason K , Ramsey Jon J , Lantier Louise , McGuinness Owen P ,   Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center Energy Balance Working Group, Banks Alexander S
Published: May 2020

Maintaining a healthy body weight requires an exquisite balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. To understand the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the regulation of body weight, an important first step is to establish the normal range of metabolic values and primary sources contributing to variability. Energy metabolism is measured by powerful and sensitive indirect calorimetry devices. Analysis of nearly 10,000 wild-type mice from two large-scale experiments revealed that the largest variation in energy expenditure is due to body composition, ambient temperature, and institutional site of experimentation. We also analyze variation in 2329 knockout strains and establish a reference for the magnitude of metabolic changes. Based on these findings, we provide suggestions for how best to design and conduct energy balance experiments in rodents. These recommendations will move us closer to the goal of a centralized physiological repository to foster transparency, rigor and reproducibility in metabolic physiology experimentation.
Hfq CLASH uncovers sRNA-target interaction networks linked to nutrient availability adaptation
Authors: Iosub Ira Alexandra , van Nues Robert Willem , McKellar Stuart William , Nieken Karen Jule , Marchioretto Marta , Sy Brandon , Tree Jai Justin , Viero Gabriella , Granneman Sander
Published: May 2020

By shaping gene expression profiles, small RNAs (sRNAs) enable bacteria to efficiently adapt to changes in their environment. To better understand how Escherichia coli acclimatizes to nutrient availability, we performed UV cross-linking, ligation and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH) to uncover Hfq-associated RNA-RNA interactions at specific growth stages. We demonstrate that Hfq CLASH robustly captures bona fide RNA-RNA interactions. We identified hundreds of novel sRNA base-pairing interactions, including many sRNA-sRNA interactions and involving 3’UTR-derived sRNAs. We rediscovered known and identified novel sRNA seed sequences. The sRNA-mRNA interactions identified by CLASH have strong base-pairing potential and are highly enriched for complementary sequence motifs, even those supported by only a few reads. Yet, steady state levels of most mRNA targets were not significantly affected upon over-expression of the sRNA regulator. Our results reinforce the idea that the reproducibility of the interaction, not base-pairing potential, is a stronger predictor for a regulatory outcome.
Comparison of mobile and clinical EEG sensors through resting state simultaneous data collection
Authors: Kutafina Ekaterina , Brenner Alexander , Titgemeyer Yannic , Surges Rainer , Jonas Stephan
Published: May 2020

Development of mobile sensors brings new opportunities to medical research. In particular, mobile electroencephalography (EEG) devices can be potentially used in low cost screening for epilepsy and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. The necessary condition for such applications is thoughtful validation in the specific medical context. As part of validation and quality assurance, we developed a computer-based analysis pipeline, which aims to compare the EEG signal acquired by a mobile EEG device to the one collected by a medically approved clinical-grade EEG device. Both signals are recorded simultaneously during 30 min long sessions in resting state. The data are collected from 22 patients with epileptiform abnormalities in EEG. In order to compare two multichannel EEG signals with differently placed references and electrodes, a novel data processing pipeline is proposed. It allows deriving matching pairs of time series which are suitable for similarity assessment through Pearson correlation. The average correlation of 0.64 is achieved on a test dataset, which can be considered a promising result, taking the positions shift due to the simultaneous electrode placement into account.
Enhanced genome editing in human iPSCs with CRISPR-CAS9 by co-targetingATP1a1
Authors: Liu Jui-Tung , Corbett James L. , Heslop James A. , Duncan Stephen A.
Published: May 2020

Genome editing in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides the potential for disease modeling and cell therapy. By generating iPSCs with specific mutations, researchers can differentiate the modified cells to their lineage of interest for further investigation. However, the low efficiency of targeting in iPSCs has hampered the application of genome editing. In this study we used a CRISPR-Cas9 system that introduces a specific point substitution into the sequence of the Na+/K+-ATPase subunit ATP1A1. The introduced mutation confers resistance to cardiac glycosides, which can then be used to select successfully targeted cells. Using this system, we introduced different formats of donor DNA for homology-directed repair (HDR), including single-strand DNAs, double-strand DNAs, and plasmid donors. We achieved a 35-fold increase in HDR when using plasmid donor with a 400 bp repair template. We further co-targetedATP1A1and a second locus of interest to determine the enrichment of mutagenesis after cardiac glycoside selection. Through this approach, INDEL rate was increased after cardiac glycoside treatment, while HDR enrichment was only observed at certain loci. Collectively, these results suggest that a plasmid donor with a 400 bp repair template is an optimal donor DNA for targeted substitution and co-targetingATP1A1with the second locus enriches for mutagenesis events through cardiac glycoside selection in human iPSCs.
Assessing the growth in clinical skills using a progress clinical skills examination
Authors: Laird-Fick Heather S. , Chang Chi , Wang Ling , Parker Carol , Malinowski Robert , Emery Matthew , Solomon David J.
Published: May 2020

Background

This study evaluates the generalizability of an eight-station progress clinical skills examination and assesses the growth in performance for six clinical skills domains among first- and second-year medical students over four time points during the academic year.

Methods

We conducted a generalizability study for longitudinal and cross-sectional comparisons and assessed growth in six clinical skill domains via repeated measures ANOVA over the first and second year of medical school.

Results

The generalizability of the examination domain scores was low but consistent with previous studies of data gathering and communication skills. Variations in case difficulty across administrations of the examination made it difficult to assess longitudinal growth. It was possible to compare students at different training levels and the interaction of training level and growth. Second-year students outperformed first-year students, but first-year students’ clinical skills performance grew faster than second-year students narrowing the gap in clinical skills over the students’ first year of medical school.

Conclusions

Case specificity limits the ability to assess longitudinal growth in clinical skills through progress testing. Providing students with early clinical skills training and authentic clinical experiences appears to result in the rapid growth of clinical skills during the first year of medical school.
Time matters: genetic composition and evaluation of effective population size in temperate coastal fish species
Authors: Francisco Sara M. , Robalo Joana I.
Published: May 2020

Background

Extensive knowledge on the genetic characterization of marine organisms has been assembled, mainly concerning the spatial distribution and structuring of populations. Temporal monitoring assesses not only the stability in genetic composition but also its trajectory over time, providing critical information for the accurate forecast of changes in genetic diversity of marine populations, particularly important for both fisheries and endangered species management. We assessed fluctuations in genetic composition among different sampling periods in the western Portuguese shore in three fish species.

Methods

White seabreamDiplodus sargus, sand smeltAtherina presbyterand shannyLipophrys pholiswere chosen, because of their genetic patterns in distinct ecological environments, insight into historical and contemporary factors influencing population effective size (Ne), and degree of commercial exploitation. Samples were obtained near Lisbon between 2003 and 2014 and screened for genetic variation with mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Analyses included genealogies, genetic diversities, temporal structures and contemporaryNe.

Results

For mtDNA no temporal structure was detected, while for nDNA significant differences were recorded between some sampling periods for the shanny and the sand smelt. Haplotype networks revealed deep genealogies, with various levels of diversification. The shanny revealed a smallerNe/generation when compared to the other species, which, in turn, revealed no evidence of genetic drift for most study periods. These results highlight the fact that temporal variations in genetic pool composition should be considered when evaluating the population structure of fish species with long distance dispersal, which are more vulnerable to recruitment fluctuations.
Confiança em redes de cooperação do turismo
Authors: Bouças da Silva David Leonardo , Hoffmann Valmir Emil , Costa Helena Araújo
Published: May 2020

Este trabalho objetivou demonstrar o papel da confiança e dos elementos que se vinculam a ela – contratos, instituições de suporte e reciprocidade – na decisão de cooperar no setor turístico de Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa exploratória, com abordagem qualitativa, na qual foram entrevistados nove gestores de empresas do setor de hospedagem. Os dados foram analisados com o uso da técnica da Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados apontaram que existem várias redes de cooperação interorganizacional no local, que as relações são informais e se traduzem na indicação, troca de conhecimento/informação e ações de promoção. A contribuição deste trabalho está em demonstrar que a confiança está presente nas redes locais, mas a confiabilidade, entendida como um atributo individual, mostrou-se também relevante na decisão de cooperar. Além disso, comprova-se que instituições de suporte e reciprocidade aparecem como complementares à confiança, enquanto contratos substituem a confiança e são usados somente nas relações fora do território. Por fim, são apresentadas oito proposições de pesquisa, como resultado do estudo empírico, a serem testadas em estudos futuros
Efeitos e transformações gerados pelo turismo no contexto territorial do parque estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Authors: Sancho-Pivoto Altair , Alves Alexandre Fonseca , Dias Vitor Nogueira
Published: May 2020

O Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca (PEIb), localizado em Minas Gerais, é uma das unidades de conservação mais visitadas do Brasil. Nos últimos anos, o parque tem recebido um número crescente de visitantes, com repercussões e transformações socioes-paciais diversas. Inspirados neste contexto, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo compreender os efeitos e impactos gerados pelo turismo no contexto territorial do PEIb. Esta investigação, de caráter qualitativo, envolveu levantamento bibliográfico e documental, elaboração participativa de um sistema de indicadores para a mensuração de impactos do turismo no PEIb, alimentação desse sistema de indicadores, através da realização de investigações em bases de dados oficiais e aplicação de questionários e entrevistas com segmentos sociais vinculados à realidade em estudo. Os resultados evidenciam uma influência significativa do turismo no contexto do PEIb, tanto positiva quanto negativa, e que muitos temas estratégicos são pouco considerados em âmbito das ações de ordenamento do ecoturismo no parque e em seu entorno direto.
Systematic Application of the Qualitative Evaluation of Cardápio Preparations (Aqpc) as an Instrument for the Analysis of two Food and Nutrition Units in Belém, Pa, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Hanna Karyna Pinheiro de , Sato Suenne Taynah Abe , Souza Rosa Beatriz Monteiro
Published: May 2020

The qualitative assessment of preparation menu (AQPC) consists of a qualitative analysis of the menu composition regarding colors, preparation techniques, combinations, leafy offerings, fruits, sweets, types of meat and foods rich in sulfur. It is an important aid tool in the development of healthy and balanced menus. The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of the menu of Food and Nutrition Units (UAN) through the AQPC method, to evaluate the main cooking methods of the main dishes, the main side dishes and types of proteins served and to classify the results of the application of the method. The data were tabulated in relation to the total days of the analyzed menus. The results showed percentages indicative of the nutritional quality of the menus. There was a high frequency of leafy leaves (59.1%) in both, being classified as ‘’Regular’’; with respect to colors, the university restaurant (UR) was classified as “Regular” (27.3%) and the RP as “Good” (18.2%); both restaurants were “Regular” in terms of sulfur-rich food, but ‘‘Great’’ in terms of fruit. Sweets were offered only in the RP, but at a low frequency (4.5%). There was no appearance of sweet + frying on both menus. In both restaurants, a high frequency of fried foods (59.1%) and fatty meats (40.9%) was observed. Regarding the meat preparation techniques, the roast and boil forms were verified only in the UR (31.8% and 4.5% respectively) and grilled and steamed only in the RP (4.5% and 9.1% respectively). The RP had a higher frequency of fried preparations (54.5%), stew (27.3%), whereas the stew was more frequent in the RP (40.9%). Regarding the types of proteins served, red meat was the most served type (UR, 72.7% and RP, 59.1%), chicken and fish were served more frequently in RP (40.9% and 4.5%, respectively). The main side dishes were rice, beans and flour, and most often they were served together both in the UR (72.7%) and in the RP (81.8%). It is concluded that the menus offer leafy and fruit in ideal quantities, but there is a high frequency of fatty meats and fried foods. In general, the AQPC method is a good tool to assist the nutritionist in the global and qualitative assessment of menus.
Development of State Space Models with Weather as Exogenous Input for Sugarcane Yield Prediction in Haryana
Authors: Hooda Ekta , Verma Urmil
Published: May 2020

Parameter constancy is a fundamental issue for empirical models to be useful for forecasting, analyzing or testing any theory. Unlike classical regression analysis, the state space models (SSM) are time varying parameters models as they allow for known changes in the structure of the system over time and provide a flexible class of dynamic and structural time series models. The work deals with the development of state space models with weather as exogenous input for sugarcane yield prediction in Ambala and Karnal districts of Haryana. The state space models with weather as exogenous input using different types of growth trends viz., polynomial splines; PS(1), PS(2) and PS(3) have been developed however PS(2) with weather input was selected as the best suited model for this empirical study. Timely and effective pre-harvest forecast of crop yield helps in advance planning, formulation and implementation of policies related to the crop procurement, price structure, distribution and import-export decisions etc. These forecasts are also useful to farmers to decide in advance their future prospects and course of action. The sugarcane yield forecasts based on state space models with weather input showed good agreement with state Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare yield(s) by showing nearly 4 percent average absolute relative deviations in the two districts.
Correlation between Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Endoscopic, Histopathologic and Clinical Activities of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Flefel Mohammed G. , Mourad Heba A. , Hasby Eiman A. , Ezzat Sherif E. , Mohamed Waleed S.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Detection of activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) is vital for predicting treatment outcome. The assessment depends on clinical, serologic, and endoscopic findings. One of the noninvasive biomarkers for disease activity detection is serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL).

Aim: To assess the relationship between NGAL and endoscopic, histopathologic and clinical activity of UC.

Methods: This study was conducted on 50 cases with definitive diagnosis of UC and 15 cases with normal colonoscopy examination as controls. UC cases were considered active if Geobes score was ≥3.1. Complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver and kidney function tests were done. Serum NGAL was estimated using ELISA technique.

Results: UC cases were classified into active group (n = 36) and inactive group (n = 14). In active UC cases, median value (IQR) of serum NGAL was significantly increased (101.15 (67.53 – 156.40) ng/mL) compared to inactive cases (63.35 (60.98–65.20) ng/mL) and control group (24.80 (15.50 – 31.50) ng/mL). Serum NGAL was well correlated with Geobes score, Mayo score, CRP and ESR. Serum NGAL at cut-off ≥ 63 can predict activity with sensitivity 88.89%, specificity 85.71%, PPV 94.12% and NPV 75%.

Conclusion: Serum NGAL is valuable noninvasive marker for assessment of UC disease activity.
PRE-EQC: A Proficiency Testing Program for Pre-Analytical and Analytical Monitoring Using Pooled Samples without Preservatives
Authors: Pal Shyamali
Published: May 2020

Aim: External Quality Assurance (EQA) is basic requirement of a medical laboratory to assess the quality assurance and achieve the accreditation. The available EQA schemes evaluate the analytical performances of the laboratory but neither evaluate pre analytical factors nor mimic actual laboratory process. PRE-EQC has combined both performances in single scheme and assisting the participant laboratories to take appropriate corrective action and interpretations.

Design: Pre-Analytical monitoring evaluates transport condition, correlation of the stability of samples and temperature, storage condition and environment of the laboratory of the participants and its effect on the results. A sample is specially prepared to estimate haemolysis, lipemic and icteric index.

Clinical Biochemistry: Serum, fluoride and biological fluid (CSF exempted) samples are pooled from the routine collection of specimens. Pooled fractions are homogenized in a rotary shaker for 10 minutes. The clear samples are poured in individual double pack primary containers, which are placed between two gel packs in a “biohazard” labelled plastic bag. Temperature is recorded, kept in insulated thermocol box and sent to the destination.

Urine Routine & Microalbumin, Creatinine Examination: Urine sample is stabilized using preservative.

Methods: The process of sample pool to result submission has been completed within 6 days as samples are without preservative. Stability mimicking the transport, homogeneity and validation of assigned values were done.

Statistical Calculations: As per ISO 13528:2015.

Results and Discussion: The SD of the assigned values showed better performance than existing schemes and within the range of CLIA recommended SD.

Conclusion: The PRE-EQC sample from direct and microalbumin from direct specimen has achieved good reproducibility than lyophilized material.
Assessment of Inflammatory and Cardiac Status of Echis ocellatus Snake-bite Victims in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Manafa P. O. , Njoku G. C. Jackson , Onyenekwe C. C. , Ekuma-Okereke O. , Nnadi E. E. , Ebugosi R. S. , Chukwuma G. O. , Onah E. C. , Chukwuanukwu R. C. , Nwene K. E. , Manafa V. I. , Ogbuowelu O. S.
Published: May 2020

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the inflammatory and cardiac status of snakebite victims using serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), troponin-I (TnI), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) as markers in Echis ocellatus snakebite victims before and after administration of EchiTAb-G antivenom.

Materials and Methods: A total of 80subjects (40 Echis ocellatus bite victims and 40 apparently healthy indivuals as test and control subjects respectively) were purposively recruited for this study. Venous blood samples were collected within 4hours after bite. The whole blood clotting time (WBCT20) was determined immediately. Another batch of samples were collected from same snakebite victims, 2days post administration of the anti-venom. CRP and Troponin-I levels were evaluated using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique while serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were assayed spectrophotometrically.

Results: The mean serum levels of troponin-I (2.98±5.75) and CRP (36.64±29.01) were significantly higher in Echis ocellatus bite victims before administration of anti-venom compared with control subjects (0.007±0.3 and 0.99±0.28) and after post administration of anti-venom (0.16±1.39 and 15.96±17.36) (P<0.05) respectively. Conversely, the mean plasma levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly lower (p<0.05) in snake bite subjects before anti-venom administration when compared with control and snake bite subjects after post administration of anti-venom. Furthermore, the mean serum levels of troponin-I and CRP correlated significantly positive when correlated between snake bite subjects before (r=0.498, p=0.001) and after (r=0.430, p=0.006) anti-venom administration respectively.

Conclusion: The research findings therefore suggest that Echis ocellatus envenomation triggers inflammatory reaction which could be the reason behind the alteration in cardiac markersas evidenced by the significant elevations in serum troponin-I and CRP levels amongst snake bite victims compared to the non-snake bite control groups thus, could cause cardiac arrest before anti-venom administration.
Comparative Analysis of Voltage, Current and Power Produced in a Piezoelectric System from Human Foot Beats
Authors: Nworji Godwin Chukwunonyelum , Okoye Peter Uchenna , Okpala Uche V. , Okereke Ngozi Agatha
Published: May 2020

Aims: This study analysed and compared the amount of voltage, current and power generated in a piezoelectric system from human foot beats.

Study Design: The study was an experimental study which made use of piezoelectric materials together with human loads (weights) from the foot beats of dancers in a dance club, and connected to a rechargeable battery and multimeter. In this system, mechanical deformation was expected to cause conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy which can be stored in a rechargeable lead acid battery for future use.

Place and Duration of Study: Awka Anambra State, Nigeria, between November 2018 and February 2020.

Methodology: A sheet of plywood measuring 300 mm x 300 mm x 3 mm thick was placed on a hard wooden board of 300 mm x 300 mm x 25 mm thickwhere twelve piezoelectric sensors were connected in series with foam spring inserted as separators and to aid in returning after deformation. As the dancers step on the platform, multimetr was used to take the voltage and current readings while at the output point Lead acid rechargeable battery could be connected at the output point to store energy generated in the system and orLight Emitting Diodes (LED) and Universal Serial Bus (USB) outputs.

Results: The result revealed that the amount of voltage, current and power generated in the system were principally dependent on the load (weight of dancers in kg). In this case, 1 foot beat of an average 50 kg dancer generated an average of 0.555 mV and 0.063 mA respectively. Whereas, 60 kg and 80 kg dancers generated 0.668 mV and 0.838 mV respectively, and 0.081 mA and 0.087 mA respectively. It further showed that at constant number of foot beats, the amount of voltage, current and power increases as the weight of dancer increases and the lesser the weight the more number of foot beats required to generate the same quantity of electricity. In this case, 100 foot beats of a 50 kg, 60 kg and 80 kg dancer generated 55.5 mV, 66.8 mV, and 84,1 mV of voltage; 6.3 mA, 8.2 mA, and 8.8 mA of current and 349.65 mW, 544.42 mW and 740.08 mW of power respectively.

Conclusion: Implicitly, this system has the potential of alleviating the problem of electricity supply and meeting of vision 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for electricity mix in Nigeria. However, it is mostly required where there are high volumes of human traffic and places that consume minimal amount of electricity, since it usually generates very small amount of energy. In view of this, there is need for a more robust research in this area and increase genuine interest in alternative and sustainable energy research by the Nigerian government.