bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid ecological assessment of mammals from a locality of middle basin at Palmar River, Zulia state, Venezuela
Authors: Rivas Belkis A. , Ferrer Arnaldo , Herrera-Trujillo Olga L. , Prieto-Torres David A.
Published: September 2020

Here we present the results from a rapid ecological assessment of mammals within Campo Boscán, located in the middle basin of the Palmar River in Zulia state, Venezuela. Records for species inventories were obtained from mist-nets and traps surveys and direct observation across three-vegetation types; we also include data from surveys to local communities. We identified 47 mammal species–representing 24 families and nine orders–, including the first record of the Hairy Big-eared Bat (Micronycteris hirsuta) for the Maracaibo Lake Depression region. Orders Chiroptera, Rodentia and Carnivora represented the most diverse and abundant taxa. Insectivores and carnivores were the most diverse trophic groups. Approximately 13% of the species are included within some threat category. Our results can be used for developing future monitoring programs in order to increase the knowledge on terrestrial vertebrates and biodiversity in general within the region. Key words: Ecology, species richness, mammals, Maracaibo Lake Depression, Zulia state
Trampas cámara como herramienta para estudiar mamíferos silvestres
Authors: Lizcano Diego J.
Published: September 2020

Como muchos biólogos interesados en monitorear o estudiar mamíferos medianos y grandes, en estado silvestre, me he enfrentado a las clásicas preguntas como: ¿Cuántas cámaras necesito?, ¿Qué cámara compramos?, ¿Cómo las instalo? ¿Qué protocolos sigo? ¿Y qué más puedo hacer con esos datos? En esta corta revisión pretendo resumir las respuestas a esas preguntas y compartir mi experiencia como usuario de las trampas cámara, después de haber probado varias opciones. Las recomendaciones son para antes, durante y después de usar las cámaras.
Registro del atropellamiento de Herpailurus yagouarundi (Carnivora: Felidae) en la zona suburbana de Puerto Vallarta, México
Authors: Cupul-Magaña Fabio Germán
Published: September 2020

Herpailurus yagouaroundi es uno de los felinos más atropellados en carretera de México. En esta nota, se presenta evidencia fotográfica de un jaguarundi arrollado en una carretera suburbana de Puerto Vallarta, México. Se comentan las características ambientales del sitio donde tuvo lugar el evento.
Reportes de felinos silvestres (Carnívora: Felidae) en el área urbana de Cúcuta, Nororiente de Colombia
Authors: Angarita-Yanes Camilo E. , Cáceres-Martínez Carlos H.
Published: September 2020

Los felinos silvestres son especies vulnerables a los motores de pérdida de biodiversidad. De las 41 especies existentes en el mundo, siete se encuentran en el país (17% de las especies), que desafortunadamente comparten serias amenazas como la pérdida y transformación del hábitat, la cacería retaliativa por ataques a animales domésticos y la fragmentación de sus poblaciones por carreteras y centros poblados. Entre 2012 y 2015 se conocieron cinco casos de apariciones de felinos silvestres en el área urbana, correspondiente a cuatro especies. Esta información se obtuvo de notas periodísticas locales y regionales.
Registros recientes de Caluromys derbianus (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), Tamandua mexicana (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) y Coendou mexicanus (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) en Oaxaca, México
Authors: Galindo-Aguilar Elena Rosa , Lavariega Mario C. , Rueda José A. , Prisciliano Vázquez José Rogelio , Pérez-Hernández María Jesús
Published: September 2020

Presentamos registros notables de tlacuache dorado (Caluromys derbianus), oso hormiguero (Tamandua mexicana) y puerco espín (Coendou mexicanus), tres especies crípticas, de hábitos arborícolas consideradas amenazadas en México, cuya presencia en Oaxaca es histórica o escasa. El registro de tlacuache dorado se obtuvo a través de fototrampeo y los registros de puerco espín y oso hormiguero por medio de reportes de habitantes locales. El tlacuache dorado fue registrado en un fragmento de bosque tropical perennifolio, mientras que los registros de las otras dos especies ocurrieron en áreas agrícolas, pero cerca (<3 km) de parches de vegetación secundaria de bosque tropical perennifolio cuyas áreas fueron iguales o mayores 0.97 km2. Estos registros incrementan el conocimiento de la presencia de estas especies en el norte de Oaxaca. Los registros muestran la tolerancia del oso hormiguero y el puerco espín a paisajes antropizados, y ponen en evidencia el tipo de riesgos que pueden enfrentar por atropellamientos y captura.
Registros de mamíferos terrestres en un salado natural del Resguardo Indígena Nonuya-Villazul departamento del Amazonas, Colombia
Authors: Andrade-Ponce Grabriel
Published: September 2020

Los salados naturales son lugares con altas concentraciones de minerales y arcillas, donde diversas especies realizan geofagia; en esta nota se presentan registros de cuatro especies de mamíferos terrestres, en un transecto lineal ubicado en un salado en la cuenca media del río Caquetá dentro del Resguardo Indígena Nonuya Villazul. Se utilizaron cuatro cámaras trampa, con un esfuerzo de muestreo de 136 días/trampa; la especie más frecuente fue Cuniculus paca, la cual junto con Dasyprocta fuliginosa y Pecari tajacu, además de realizar geofagia, presentan una dieta mayormente frugívora, mientras que Myrmecophaga tridactyla consume insectos y fue registrada en la cámara más distante del salado. Los salados naturales son lugares de importancia ecológica y de conservación, ya que en ellos converge una alta diversidad de mamíferos principalmente herbívoros, no obstante, para entender las características fisicoquímicas de hábitat, paisaje y antrópicas influyen sobre la presencia o abundancia de estas especies; es necesario realizar estudios con mayor esfuerzo de muestreo en la Amazonía colombiana.
Ampliación del rango altitudinal y primer registro de Dasyprocta punctata (Rodentia: Dasyproctidae), en el Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, Sector Volcán Barva, Costa Rica
Authors: Marín Pablo César , Espinoza-Chacón Alexander , Carvajal José Pablo
Published: September 2020

Reportamos una ampliación del rango altitudinal de Dasyprocta punctata en Costa Rica. Este resultado, se obtiene a partir de la instalación de cámaras trampa en el Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, Sector Volcán Barva, donde se consiguieron diez registros fotográficos de guatusa; sobre los 2.714 msnm, 2.728 msnm y 2.743 msnm. Ampliando en 342 msnm su límite altitudinal y sobrepasando los 2.400 msnm reportados para Costa Rica.
Women in the animation industry in Spain: the oeuvre of female filmmakers of feature films
Authors: Álvarez San Román Mercedes
Published: September 2020

En la industria del cine español, únicamente tres mujeres han dirigido largometrajes de animación. Su obra, condensada en las últimas tres décadas, representa un siete por ciento de la producción total de los más de cien años de historia del medio. En este trabajo analizamos el trabajo de Maite Ruiz de Austri —pionera en el sector—, Virginia Curiá y Agurtzane Intxaurraga con el objetivo de identificar los elementos de confluencia en el total de ocho películas largas que forman parte del corpus. En primer lugar, se ha observado una tendencia a dirigirse a una audiencia infantil, con una clara vertiente educativa. Asimismo, se ha podido constatar cómo emergen rasgos comunes en torno a temáticas como la maternidad, la vida profesional, la corresponsabilidad o la condición de la mujer. Este artículo está encaminado a visibilizar el trabajo de las directoras españolas de largometraje y a explorar la influencia del género sobre el contenido.
The world Brewer reference triad – updated performance assessment and new double triad
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyi , Fioletov Vitali , Brohart Michael , Savastiouk Volodya , Abboud Ihab , Ogyu Akira , Davies Jonathan , Sit Reno , Lee Sum Chi , Cede Alexander , Tiefengraber Martin , Müller Moritz , Griffin Debora , McLinden Chris
Published: September 2020

Abstract. The Brewer ozone spectrophotometer (the Brewer) was designed at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the 1970s to make accurate automated total ozone column measurements. Since the 1980s, the Brewer has become a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) standard ozone monitoring instrument. Now, more than 230 Brewers have been produced. To assure the quality of the Brewer measurements, a calibration chain is maintained, i.e., first, the reference instruments are independently absolutely calibrated, and then the calibration is transferred from the reference instrument to the travelling standard, and subsequently from the travelling standard to field instruments. ECCC has maintained the world Brewer reference instruments since the 1980s to provide transferable calibration to field instruments at monitoring sites. Three single-monochromator (Mark II) type instruments (serial numbers #008, #014, and #015) formed this world Brewer reference triad (BrT), and started their service in Toronto, Canada in 1984. In the 1990s, the Mark III type Brewer (known as the double Brewer) was developed, which has two monochromators to reduce the internal instrumental stray light. The double Brewer world reference triad (BrT-D) was formed in 2013 (serial numbers #145, #187 and #191), co-located with the BrT. The first assessment of the BrT's performance was made in 2005, covering the period between 1984 and 2004 (Fioletov et al., 2005). The current work provides an updated assessment of the BrT's performance (from 1999 to 2019) and the first comprehensive assessment of the BrT-D. The random uncertainties of individual reference instruments are within the WMO/GAW requirement of 1 % (0.49 % and 0.42 % for BrT and BrT-D, respectively). The long-term stability of the reference instruments is also evaluated in terms of uncertainties of the key instrument characteristics: the extraterrestrial calibration constant (ETC) and effective ozone absorption coefficients (both having an effect of less than 2 % on total column ozone). Measurements from a ground-based instrument (Pandora spectrometer) and satellites (eleven datasets, including the most recent high-resolution satellite, TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument), and reanalysis model (the second Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, MERRA-2) are used to further assess the performance of world Brewer reference instruments and to provide a context for the requirements of stratospheric ozone observations during the last two decades.
A Bayesian framework for emergent constraints: case studies of climate sensitivity with PMIP
Authors: Renoult Martin , Annan James Douglas , Hargreaves Julia Catherine , Sagoo Navjit , Flynn Clare , Kapsch Marie-Luise , Li Qiang , Lohmann Gerrit , Mikolajewicz Uwe , Ohgaito Rumi , Shi Xiaoxu , Zhang Qiong , Mauritsen Thorsten
Published: September 2020

Abstract. In this paper we introduce a Bayesian framework, which is explicit about prior assumptions, for using model ensembles and observations together to constrain future climate change. The emergent constraint approach has seen broad application in recent years, including studies constraining the equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) using the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the mid-Pliocene Warm Period (mPWP). Most of these studies were based on ordinary least squares (OLS) fits between a variable of the climate state, such as tropical temperature, and climate sensitivity. Using our Bayesian method, and considering the LGM and mPWP separately, we obtain values of ECS of 2.7 K (0.6–5.2, 5th–95th percentiles) using the PMIP2, PMIP3, and PMIP4 datasets for the LGM and 2.3 K (0.5–4.4) with the PlioMIP1 and PlioMIP2 datasets for the mPWP. Restricting the ensembles to include only the most recent version of each model, we obtain 2.7 K (0.7–5.2) using the LGM and 2.3 K (0.4–4.5) using the mPWP. An advantage of the Bayesian framework is that it is possible to combine the two periods assuming they are independent, whereby we obtain a tighter constraint of 2.5 K (0.8–4.0) using the restricted ensemble. We have explored the sensitivity to our assumptions in the method, including considering structural uncertainty, and in the choice of models, and this leads to 95 % probability of climate sensitivity mostly below 5 K and only exceeding 6 K in a single and most uncertain case assuming a large structural uncertainty. The approach is compared with other approaches based on OLS, a Kalman filter method, and an alternative Bayesian method. An interesting implication of this work is that OLS-based emergent constraints on ECS generate tighter uncertainty estimates, in particular at the lower end, an artefact due to a flatter regression line in the case of lack of correlation. Although some fundamental challenges related to the use of emergent constraints remain, this paper provides a step towards a better foundation for their potential use in future probabilistic estimations of climate sensitivity.
Assessment of a full-field initialised decadal climate prediction system with the CMIP6 version of EC-Earth
Authors: Bilbao Roberto , Wild Simon , Ortega Pablo , Acosta-Navarro Juan , Arsouze Thomas , Bretonnière Pierre-Antoine , Caron Louis-Philippe , Castrillo Miguel , Cruz-García Rubén , Cvijanovic Ivana , Doblas-Reyes Francisco Javier , Donat Markus , Dutra Emanuel , Echevarría Pablo , Ho An-Chi , Loosveldt-Tomas Saskia , Moreno-Chamarro Eduardo , Pérez-Zanon Núria , Ramos Arthur , Ruprich-Robert Yohan , Sicardi Valentina , Tourigny Etienne , Vegas-Regidor Javier
Published: September 2020

Abstract. In this paper we present and evaluate the skill of the EC-Earth3.3 decadal prediction system contributing to the Decadal Climate Prediction Project - Component A (DCPP-A). This prediction system is capable of skilfully simulating past global mean surface temperature variations at interannual and decadal forecast times as well as the local surface temperature in regions such as the Tropical Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and most of the continental areas, although most of the skill comes from the representation of the externally forced trends. A benefit of initialisation in the predictive skill is evident in some areas of the Tropical Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans in the first forecast years, an added value that gets mostly confined to the south-east Tropical Pacific and the eastern Subpolar North Atlantic at the longest forecast times (6–10 years). The central Subpolar North Atlantic shows poor predictive skill and a detrimental effect of the initialisation due to the occurrence of an initialisation shock, itself related to a collapse in Labrador Sea convection by the third forecast year that leads to a rapid weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and excessive local sea ice growth. The shutdown in Labrador Sea convection responds to a gradual increase in the local density stratification in the first years of the forecast, ultimately related to the different paces at which surface and subsurface temperature and salinity drift towards their preferred mean state. This transition happens rapidly in the surface and more slowly in the subsurface, where, by the tenth forecast year, the model is still far from the typical mean states in the corresponding ensemble of historical simulations with EC-Earth3. Our study thus highlights the importance of the Labrador Sea for initialisation, the relevance of reducing model bias by model tuning or, preferably, model improvement when using full-field initialisation, and the need to identify optimal initialisation strategies.
Evaluation of the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model version 2.10 (UVic ESCM 2.10)
Authors: Mengis Nadine , Keller David P. , MacDougall Andrew H. , Eby Michael , Wright Nesha , Meissner Katrin J. , Oschlies Andreas , Schmittner Andreas , MacIsaac Alexander J. , Matthews H. Damon , Zickfeld Kirsten
Published: September 2020

Abstract. The University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM) of
intermediate complexity has been a useful tool in recent assessments of
long-term climate changes, including both paleo-climate modelling and
uncertainty assessments of future warming. Since the last official release
of the UVic ESCM 2.9 and the two official updates during the last decade,
considerable model development has taken place among multiple research
groups. The new version 2.10 of the University of Victoria Earth System
Climate Model presented here will be part of the sixth phase
of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). More precisely it will
be used in the intercomparison of Earth system models of intermediate
complexity (EMIC), such as the C4MIP, the Carbon Dioxide Removal and Zero
Emissions Commitment model intercomparison projects (CDR-MIP and ZECMIP,
respectively). It now brings together and combines multiple model
developments and new components that have come about since the last
official release of the model. The main additions to the base model are
(i) an improved biogeochemistry module for the ocean, (ii) a vertically resolved
soil model including dynamic hydrology and soil carbon processes, and (iii) a
representation of permafrost carbon. To set the foundation of its use, we
here describe the UVic ESCM 2.10 and evaluate results from transient
historical simulations against observational data. We find that the UVic
ESCM 2.10 is capable of reproducing changes in historical temperature and
carbon fluxes well. The spatial distribution of many ocean tracers,
including temperature, salinity, phosphate and nitrate, also agree well with
observed tracer profiles. The good performance in the ocean tracers is
connected to an improved representation of ocean physical properties. For
the moment, the main biases that remain are a vegetation carbon density that
is too high in the tropics, a higher than observed change in the ocean heat
content (OHC) and an oxygen utilization in the Southern Ocean that is too low.
All of these biases will be addressed in the next updates to the model.
3D multiple point geostatistical simulation of joint subsurface redox and geological architectures
Authors: Madsen Rasmus Bødker , Kim Hyojin , Kallesøe Anders Juhl , Sandersen Peter B. E. , Vilhelmsen Troels Norvin , Hansen Thomas Mejer , Christiansen Anders Vest , Møller Ingelise , Hansen Birgitte
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Nitrate contamination of subsurface aquifers is an ongoing environmental challenge due to nitrogen (N) losses from intensive N fertilization and management on agricultural fields. The distribution and fate of nitrate in aquifers are primarily governed by geological, hydrological and geochemical conditions of the subsurface. Therefore, we propose a novel approach to model both geology and redox architectures simultaneously in high resolution 3D (25 m × 25 m × 2 m) using multiple point geostatistical simulation (MPS). Data consists of 1) mainly resistivities of the subsurface mapped with towed transient electromagnetic measurements (tTEM), and 2) information of lithology and redox conditions obtained from the borehole observations at point scale interpreted from the geological descriptions and colors of sediment samples, and chemistry analyses of water samples. The conceptual understandings of the geological and redox architectures of the study system were introduced to the simulation as training images. These data were combined with detailed soil maps and digital elevation models to identify main geological elements defined as volumes within the subsurface. From a geological perspective, these data are considered independent from each other in terms of formation. This approach became computationally attractive by simulating smaller geological elements individually instead of the entire catchment. The final realizations were stitched together using simulations of the individual geological elements, resulting in an ensemble of realizations representing a quantification of the uncertainty for the given setup. The joint simulation of geological and redox architectures, which is one of the strengths of the MPS simulations compared to other geostatistical methods, secures that the two architectures in general show coherent patterns. Despite the inherent subjectivity of interpretations of the training images and geological element boundaries, they enable an easy and intuitive incorporation of qualitative knowledge of geology and geochemistry in quantitative simulations of the subsurface architectures. Altogether, we conclude that our approach effectively simulates the coherent geological and redox architectures of the subsurface that can be used for hydrological modelling with N-transport, which may be fundamental to better understanding of the nitrogen (N) retention of the subsurface and to future more targeted regulation of agriculture.
Effects of current on wind waves in strong winds
Authors: Takagaki Naohisa , Suzuki Naoya , Troitskaya Yuliya , Tanaka Chiaki , Kandaurov Alexander , Vdovin Maxim
Published: September 2020

Abstract. It is important to investigate the effects of current on wind waves, called
the Doppler shift, at both normal and extremely high wind speeds. Three
different types of wind-wave tanks along with a fan and pump are used to
demonstrate wind waves and currents in laboratories at Kyoto University,
Japan, Kindai University, Japan, and the Institute of Applied Physics,
Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia. Profiles of the wind and current
velocities and the water-level fluctuation are measured. The wave frequency,
wavelength, and phase velocity of the significant waves are calculated, and
the water velocities at the water surface and in the bulk of the water are
also estimated by the current distribution. The study investigated 27 cases
with measurements of winds, waves, and currents at wind speeds ranging
from 7 to 67 m s−1. At normal wind speeds under 30 m s−1, wave
frequency, wavelength, and phase velocity depend on wind speed and fetch.
The effect of the Doppler shift is confirmed at normal wind speeds; i.e.,
the significant waves are accelerated by the surface current. The phase
velocity can be represented as the sum of the surface current and artificial
phase velocity, which is estimated by the dispersion relation of the
deepwater waves. At extremely high wind speeds over 30 m s−1, a similar
Doppler shift is observed as under the conditions of normal wind speeds.
This suggests that the Doppler shift is an adequate model for representing
the acceleration of wind waves by current, not only for wind waves at
normal wind speeds but also for those with intensive breaking at extremely
high wind speeds. A weakly nonlinear model of surface waves at a shear flow
is developed. It is shown that it describes dispersion properties well
not only for small-amplitude waves but also strongly nonlinear and even
breaking waves, which are typical for extreme wind conditions (over 30 m s−1).
Snow depth mapping from stereo satellite imagery in mountainous terrain: evaluation using airborne laser-scanning data
Authors: Deschamps-Berger César , Gascoin Simon , Berthier Etienne , Deems Jeffrey , Gutmann Ethan , Dehecq Amaury , Shean David , Dumont Marie
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Accurate knowledge of snow depth distributions in mountain
catchments is critical for applications in hydrology and ecology. Recently,
a method was proposed to map snow depth at meter-scale resolution from
very-high-resolution stereo satellite imagery (e.g., Pléiades) with an
accuracy close to 0.5 m. However, the validation was limited to probe
measurements and unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry, which sampled a limited fraction of the
topographic and snow depth variability. We improve upon this evaluation
using accurate maps of the snow depth derived from Airborne Snow Observatory
laser-scanning measurements in the Tuolumne river basin, USA. We find a good
agreement between both datasets over a snow-covered area of 138 km2 on a 3 m grid, with a positive bias for a Pléiades snow
depth of 0.08 m, a root mean square error of 0.80 m and a normalized median absolute deviation (NMAD) of 0.69 m.
Satellite data capture the relationship between snow depth and elevation at
the catchment scale and also small-scale features like snow drifts and
avalanche deposits at a typical scale of tens of meters. The random error at
the pixel level is lower in snow-free areas than in snow-covered areas, but
it is reduced by a factor of 2 (NMAD of approximately 0.40 m for snow
depth) when averaged to a 36 m grid. We conclude that satellite
photogrammetry stands out as a convenient method to estimate the spatial
distribution of snow depth in high mountain catchments.
Estilo de liderança e sucesso em projetos de TI em organizações brasileiras
Authors: Prado Edmir Parada Vasques , Mancini Mônica , Grotta Alexandre
Published: September 2020

Este artigo trata do estilo de liderança dos gerentes de projeto de tecnologia da informação no contexto das organizações brasileiras públicas e privadas de acordo com porte e setor. Dado que este é um tema ainda pouco explorado em países em desenvolvimento, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a relação entre o estilo de liderança e o sucesso de projetos de tecnologia de informação no contexto brasileiro e de acordo com o porte e o setor das organizações. A fundamentação teórica foi baseada na literatura sobre liderança e sucesso em projetos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, que compreendeu organizações brasileiras públicas e privadas com uma amostra de 343 profissionais, que atuam no gerenciamento de projetos. Adotou-se o questionário estruturado como instrumento de coleta de dados. Os dados foram coletados no segundo semestre de 2019 e entre os resultados obtidos destacam-se: (1) o estilo de liderança adotado pelas organizações brasileiras carece de aprimoramento em diversos aspectos; (2) o sucesso em projetos de TI possui maior foco no curto e médio prazo do que em questões de longo prazo; e (3) estilo de excelência em liderança foi positivamente associado ao sucesso em projetos de TI. Esta pesquisa contribui para a prática da gestão de projetos, identificando oportunidades para que as organizações brasileiras melhorarem os resultados de longo prazo dos projetos, em especial em organizações de pequeno a médio porte.
Escalando as práticas ágeis
Authors: Penha Renato , Silva Luciano Ferreira da , Russo Rosária De Fátima Segger Macri
Published: September 2020

A aplicação de práticas ágeis é um desafio para muitas organizações. Mas isso torna-se insuficiente para que toda a organização possa ter a agilidade esperada em todos os seus projetos, aumentando enormemente o grau desse desafio. A existência de diversas práticas e frameworks como Safe, Scrum of Scrum, entre outros, podem trazer dúvidas sobre de que forma e momento essa transformação deverá ocorrer, além de não existir um consenso para isso. Além disso, não basta escolher o método mais apropriado para obterem resultados melhores na adoção do ágil escalado, pois independente do framework escolhido, as organizações precisarão promover mudanças em sua cultura e outros processos gerenciais. Em relação à cultura organizacional, elas deverão se aproximar e empoderar seus stakeholders, evitando a concorrência de seus projetos e passando a priorizar as entregar de maior valor aos seus negócios. Em relação aos processos gerenciais, precisará aumentar o suporte aos times, a compartilhar os resultados e possuir pessoas engajadas que disseminem as práticas ágeis por todos os níveis. Internamente, as organizações precisarão revisar suas práticas ágeis, com nossa recomendação de resolver todos os seus problemas atuais, antes de exponenciá-los por meio do ágil escalado. Neste contexto, este comentário editorial visa contribuir com a discussão sobre como escalar as práticas ágeis.
Proposta de Arquitetura de Software para um Chatbot com aprendizagem
Authors: Soares Jéferson , Maia José
Published: September 2020

Uma fraqueza dos agentes de conversação (chatbot) mais utilizados hoje é que eles não são projetados para aprender durante o processo de conversação. O seu conhecimento é fixado durante o projeto e eles não tiram vantagem da interação com os usuários para evoluir o seu conhecimento e a sua capacidade de diálogo. Neste trabalho, o projeto de um Chatbot com aprendizagem ao longo da vida é inserido no arcabouço de Aprendizagem por Reforço. Embora aprendizagem por reforço já tenha sido utilizada antes, a revisão da literatura apresentada mostra que essa proposta é inovadora.
Análise da Não Participação Feminina nos Cursos de Informática em Escolas Estaduais de Educação Profissional
Authors: Sousa Sara , Oliveira Katyeudo , Andrade Carlos , De Sousa Eduarda , M. Segundo José
Published: September 2020

Sabe-se que a desigualdade de gênero é algo ainda presente na sociedade, em todos os âmbitos, inclusive no educacional. Áreas como a tecnologia, são estereotipadas como masculinas. De acordo com a UNESCO, a educação deve ser inclusiva e equitativa. Pensando nisso, o presente artigo traz um estudo a fim de entender o não envolvimento de mulheres no curso de Informática em Escolas Estaduais de Educação Profissional. Foi aplicado um questionário com o objetivo de contribuir com a narrativa da ONU, através de uma pesquisa quantitativa com 109 participantes de 4 escolas em 3 cidades. Conclui-se que, é necessário explorar melhor a presença feminina na Informática e estabelecer ações para que torne possível conquistar a igualdade de gênero na educação.
Células de Estudo de Programação nos Cursos de Engenharia da Universidade Federal do Ceará no Campus Sobral com Aplicação de Metodologia de Ensino Cooperativo
Authors: Oliveira Manoel , Muniz Felipe , Farrapo Ruann
Published: September 2020

A programação é de difícil entendimento para os seus novos praticantes, mas por outro lado, é de suma importância para uma melhor capacitação lógica e de resolução de problemas, de forma rápida e eficiente, sendo indispensáveis para estudantes de engenharia em trabalhos com cálculos e gráficos. Em consideração as adversidades enfrentadas, o presente artigo visa as possíveis aplicações e formas de ensino, tendo em foco a metodologia moderna chamada de aprendizagem cooperativa, que visa o compartilhamento de conhecimento entre os participantes, com o intuito da disseminação do conhecimento de três linguagens de programação em células de estudos distintas, sendo Java em desenvolvimento Android, Python em Machine Learning com Scikit-learn e C em aplicações para microcontroladores.
No Need to Worry: Multiple Profiles of Philosophy of Education in, and in Relation to, the World of Education and the World of Philosophy
Authors: Misawa Koichiro
Published: September 2020

How concerned should we be about the state and status of philosophy of education? To this familiar worry, I maintain that there is no need to worry. In this essay, I try to secure this conclusion, not by shoring up the authority and identity of the discipline, but by asking the fundamental question: Who is and should be the audience for philosophers of education, and what does philosophy of education owe to whom? I argue that to be worthy of that name, philosophy of education ought to have educational significance and continue being philosophical, requiring the discipline to serve the interests of all the three audiences—other philosophers of education, non-philosophical educators, and non-educational philosophers. Through a close analysis of several important scholarly materials concerning the range, quality and relevance of philosophy of education, I urge that working out its disciplinary nature in a broad context of philosophy makes the discipline capable of fulfilling that promise.
Demanding Epistemic Democracy and Indirect Civics Pedagogy: The Performance-Oriented Music Ensemble
Authors: Pyrcz Gregory E. , MacLean Tessa Claire , Hopkins Mark E.
Published: September 2020

The participation of young adults in performance-oriented music ensembles can be seen to enhance democratic capacities and virtues. Much, however, turns on the particular conception of democracy at work. Although contemporary currents in music education tend towards models of liberal and participatory democracy to govern music ensembles, this essay contends that demanding epistemic democracy allows performance-oriented music ensembles the achievement of democratic virtues without sacrificing excellence as a central regulatory ideal. The inclusion of both men and women is shown to be particularly significant in this light. Central to its democratic epistemic ambition, the role of the conductor is considered in the last section of this article.
Indigenous Course Requirements: A Liberal-Democratic Justification
Authors: Tanchuk Nicolas , Kruse Marc , McDonough Kevin
Published: September 2020

In Canada, several universities have recently implemented course requirements in Indigenous studies as a condition of graduation, while others are considering following suit. Policies making Indigenous course requirements (hereafter ICRs) compulsory have caused considerable controversy. According to proponents, a main purpose of ICRs is to address historical wrongs and to foster a more complete understanding of the ongoing relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens. According to critics, making such courses compulsory effectively imposes illiberal restrictions on university students and faculty by limiting the epistemic aim of free inquiry, while wrongly prioritizing concern for the welfare of one social group over others. In this essay, we propose a liberal-democratic justification for ICRs that addresses these two worries about the ideals that may underwrite these courses. We argue that ICRs can be justified in liberal democratic terms insofar as they foster knowledge of what John Rawls refers to as ‘the constitutional essentials’ and remediate civic forms of what Miranda Fricker refers to as ‘epistemic injustices’. Universities, we claim have highly plausible role responsibilities to promote the civic epistemic aims identified by Rawls and Fricker, which are especially weighty due to the power university degrees confer, as part of the formation of a “democratic elite”. We then defend this line of argument against objections on the basis of academic freedom, by arguing that universities have reasons, internal to the search for truth to champion the political aims we identify.
The University as Engine of Development?
Authors: McCowan Tristan
Published: September 2020

The idea of the ‘developmental university’ was popularised on the African continent in the post- independence period, but has recently returned to view on account of the positioning of the university in the newly agreed United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The developmental model is characterised by service to society, application of knowledge, non-academic benefit and prioritising the most marginalised. Yet to what extent are these goals and characteristics coherent and viable given the nature of the university as institution? While the developmental model per seis limited to a few experiences, the implications of these questions are much broader, given the public service mission held by many if not most higher education institutions around the world. After outlining its historical emergence, this article presents a conceptual exploration of the model, highlighting three major limitations, in spite of its highly positive intentions: its positioning of the university as an ‘adaptable factory’, its encroachment on a distinctive space for the university in relation to society, and its particular and contested conception of development.
The host exosome pathway underpins biogenesis of the human cytomegalovirus virion
Authors: Turner Declan L , Korneev Denis V , Purdy John G , de Marco Alex , Mathias Rommel A
Published: September 2020

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infects over half the world's population, is a leading cause of congenital birth defects, and poses serious risks for immuno-compromised individuals. To expand the molecular knowledge governing virion maturation, we analysed HCMV virions using proteomics, and identified a significant proportion of host exosome constituents. To validate this acquisition, we characterized exosomes released from uninfected cells, and demonstrated that over 99% of the protein cargo was subsequently incorporated into HCMV virions during infection. This suggested a common membrane origin, and utilization of host exosome machinery for virion assembly and egress. Thus, we selected a panel of exosome proteins for knock down, and confirmed that loss of 7/9 caused significantly less HCMV production. Saliently, we report that VAMP3 is essential for viral trafficking and release of infectious progeny, in various HCMV strains and cell types. Therefore, we establish that the host exosome pathway is intrinsic for HCMV maturation, and reveal new host regulators involved in viral trafficking, virion envelopment, and release. Our findings underpin future investigation of host exosome proteins as important modulators of HCMV replication with antiviral potential.
Data in the time of COVID-19: a general methodology to select and secure a NoSQL DBMS for medical data
Authors: ElDahshan Kamal A. , AlHabshy AbdAllah A. , Abutaleb Gaber E.
Published: September 2020

Background

As the COVID-19 crisis endures and the virus continues to spread globally, the need for collecting epidemiological data and patient information also grows exponentially. The race against the clock to find a cure and a vaccine to the disease means researchers require storage of increasingly large and diverse types of information; for doctors following patients, recording symptoms and reactions to treatments, the need for storage flexibility is only surpassed by the necessity of storage security. The volume, variety, and variability of COVID-19 patient data requires storage in NoSQL database management systems (DBMSs). But with a multitude of existing NoSQL DBMSs, there is no straightforward way for institutions to select the most appropriate. And more importantly, they suffer from security flaws that would render them inappropriate for the storage of confidential patient data.

Motivation

This paper develops an innovative solution to remedy the aforementioned shortcomings. COVID-19 patients, as well as medical professionals, could be subjected to privacy-related risks, from abuse of their data to community bullying regarding their medical condition. Thus, in addition to being appropriately stored and analyzed, their data must imperatively be highly protected against misuse.

Methods

This paper begins by explaining the five most popular categories of NoSQL databases. It also introduces the most popular NoSQL DBMS types related to each one of them. Moreover, this paper presents a comparative study of the different types of NoSQL DBMS, according to their strengths and weaknesses. This paper then introduces an algorithm that would assist hospitals, and medical and scientific authorities to choose the most appropriate type for storing patients’ information. This paper subsequently presents a set of functions, based on web services, offering a set of endpoints that include authentication, authorization, auditing, and encryption of information. These functions are powerful and effective, making them appropriate to store all the sensitive data related to patients.

Results and Contributions

This paper presents an algorithm to select the most convenient NoSQL DBMS for COVID-19 patients, medical staff, and organizations data. In addition, the paper proposes innovative security solutions that eliminate the barriers to utilizing NoSQL DBMSs to store patients’ data. The proposed solutions resolve several security problems including authentication, authorization, auditing, and encryption. After implementing these security solutions, the use of NoSQL DBMSs will become a much more appropriate, safer, and affordable solution to storing and analyzing patients’ data, which would contribute greatly to the medical and research effort against COVID-19. This solution can be implemented for all types of NoSQL DBMSs; implementing it would result in highly securing patients’ data, and protecting them from any downsides related to data leakage.
Consistent administration of cetuximab is associated with favorable outcomes in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in an endemic carcinogen exposure area: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Wang Hui-Ching , Liu Pei-Lin , Lo Pei-Chuan , Chang Yi-Tzu , Chan Leong-Perng , Yeh Tsung-Jang , Hsiao Hui-Hua , Cho Shih-Feng
Published: September 2020

Background

This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes associated with patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM HNSCC) who received cetuximab-based chemotherapy in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods

Clinical data were extracted from RM HNSCC patients diagnosed between 2016 and 2019. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards model were used for survival analyses.

Results

Of 106 RM HNSCC patients (mean age = 55.1 years), 38.7% exhibited recurrent disease and 61.3% had metastatic disease. The majority of patients showed a habit of addictive substance use, including alcohol (67.0%), betel nuts (71.7%), or tobacco (74.5%). The primary tumor sites included the oral cavity (64.1%), hypopharynx (19.8%), and oropharynx (16.0%). The median number of cetuximab cycles for the 106 patients was 11 (2–24). The disease control rate (DCR) was 48.1%, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 28.3%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.0 and 9.23 months, respectively. Patients treated with more than 11 cycles of cetuximab exhibited a longer median PFS and median OS than did patients treated with less than 11 cycles (median PFS: 7.0 vs. 3.0 months, p < 0.001; OS: 12.43 vs. 4.46 months, p = 0.001). Patients without previous concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) had a better median PFS than did those with previous CRT (6.0 vs. 4.0 months, p = 0.046). Multivariable analysis revealed that perineural invasion and fewer cycles of cetuximab (<11 cycles) were independent risk factors associated with disease progression. In addition, the reduction in treatment cycles of cetuximab and advanced lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors predicting poorer overall survival.

Conclusion

Our study provides important real-world data regarding cetuximab-containing treatment in RM HNSCC. Consistent administration of cetuximab could be associated with more favorable outcomes in RM HNSCC in endemic carcinogen exposure areas.
A π–D and π–A Exciplex‐Forming Host for High‐Efficiency and Long‐Lifetime Single‐Emissive‐Layer Fluorescent White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zhang Chen , Lu Yang , Liu Ziyang , Zhang Yuewei , Wang Xuewen , Zhang Dongdong , Duan Lian
Published: September 2020

Exciplex‐forming hosts with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) provide a viable opportunity to unlock the full potential of the yet‐to‐be improved power efficiencies (PEs) and stabilities of all‐fluorescent white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs), but this, however, is hindered by the lack of stable blue exciplexes. Here, an advanced exciplex system is proposed by incorporating bipolar charge‐transport π‐spacers into both the electron‐donor (D) and the electron‐accepter (A) to increase their distance for hypsochromic‐shifted emission while maintaining the superior transporting ability. By using spirofluorene as the π‐spacer, 3,3′‐bicarbazole as the D‐unit, and 2,4,6‐triphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazine as the A‐unit, a π–D and π–A exciplex with sky‐blue emission and fast reverse intersystem crossing process is thereof constructed. Combining this exciplex‐forming host, a blue TADF‐sensitizer, and a yellow conventional fluorescent dopant in a single‐emissive‐layer, the fabricated warm‐white‐emissive device simultaneously exhibits a low driving voltage of 3.08 V, an external quantum efficiency of 21.4%, and a remarkable T80 (time to 80% of the initial luminance) of >8200 h at 1000 cd m−2, accompanied by a new benchmark PE of 69.6 lm W−1 among all‐fluorescent WOLEDs.
Effects of cooking methods on total isothiocyanate yield from cruciferous vegetables
Authors: Wang Zinian , Kwan Marilyn L. , Pratt Rachel , Roh Janise M. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Danforth Kim N. , Zhang Yuesheng , Ambrosone Christine B. , Tang Li
Published: September 2020

Cruciferous vegetables are primary sources of dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs), a group of phytochemicals showing promising cancer‐chemopreventive activities in multiple cancer models. However, no study has thoroughly examined how cooking affects the yields of ITCs from cruciferous vegetables. In this study, a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐based cyclocondensation assay was performed to examine the ITC yields from four major cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale) under six cooking conditions (stir‐frying, steaming, microwaving, boiling, stewing, and chip‐baking for kale only) and measured the level of ITCs under the raw condition for a comprehensive list of cruciferous vegetables and ITC‐containing condiments. A wide range of ITC yields was found across vegetables and condiments. Cooking significantly altered the ITC yields, showing an averagely four‐fold increase by lightly cooking (stir‐frying, steaming, and microwaving) and a 58% decrease by heavily cooking (boiling, stewing, and chip‐baking). These findings will provide the evidence‐based cooking guidance on cruciferous vegetable consumption and help better estimate dietary ITC exposure in epidemiologic studies.
Predictors of maternal mortality in Ghana: evidence from the 2017 GMHS Verbal Autopsy data
Authors: Sumankuuro Joshua , Wulifan Joseph K. , Angko William , Crockett Judith , Derbile Emmanuel K. , Ganle John K.
Published: September 2020

Background

Maternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge in many low and middle‐income countries, including Ghana. From Ghana's 2017 Maternal Health Survey verbal autopsy data, we examined the predictors of maternal mortality in Ghana.

Methods

A total of 1240 deaths of women aged 15‐49 were involved in the survey across all regions in Ghana. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed; confidence level was set at 95%.

Results

The results show that the prevalence of maternal death was 13.2% (164/1240). After adjusting for potential covariates, women aged 20‐29 years (aOR = 4.270, 95%CI= 1.864 – 9.781, p=0.001), bled during labour/delivery (aOR= 0.241, 95%CI = 0.059 – 0.992, p=0.049), and those who used traditional/herbal medicines during pregnancy were more likely to die compared to non‐users (aOR= 3.461, 95%CI = 1.651 – 7.258, p=0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the need to intensify maternal education regarding the value to be gained by increasing skilled healthcare during complications in pregnancy to allow effective management of complications during labour/delivery. Also, education for pregnant women and their families on possible adverse effects of using unapproved traditional/herbal medicines during pregnancy as well as a need to seek timely care before the onset of labour to allow healthcare providers ample opportunity to address labour and birth complications, is urgently required.