bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aplicação estatística multivariada para a avaliação físico-química na qualidade da água subterrânea na cidade de Parauapebas (Sudeste do Estado do Pará)
Authors: Chaves Henrique Sousa , Morais Denilton Galvão de , Dantas Filho Heronides Adonias , Dantas Kelly das Graças Fernandes , Beirão Antônio Thiago Madeira , Silva Katiane Pereira da , Silva José Nilton da , Silva Vicente Filho Alves , Silva Priscilla Andrade , Carvalho Fabio Israel Martins
Published: January 2022

Amostras de águas subterrâneas foram coletadas em 20 locais de amostragem distribuídos em nove bairros da Cidade de Parauapebas (Estado do Pará, Brasil), com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade das águas subterrâneas captadas em poços tubulares potencialmente utilizados para consumo humano. Para todas as amostras de águas subterrâneas foram analisados nove parâmetros físico-químicos, tais como temperatura (T), potencial hidrogeniônico (pH), condutividade elétrica (CE), turbidez (TRB), cor , teor de cloreto (Cl-) e sólidos totais dissolvidos (STD). A partir desses resultados e para melhor entender o comportamento físico-químico dessas águas, métodos multivariados, tais como a análise de componentes principais (PCA) e análise de agrupamento hierárquico (HCA) foram usadas para proceder a uma avaliação mais completa dos dados originais. Os parâmetros físico-químicos estudados mostraram que nas águas subterrâneas coletadas em poços tubulares no bairro Da Paz foram encontrados os valores mais elevados de sólidos totais dissolvidos (175,0 a 271,8 mg L-1), condutividade elétrica (136,3 a 216,7 µS cm-1) e cor (5,0 a 15,0 uH), indicando a influência de atividades antropogênicas de contaminação na região, principalmente relacionado a descarga de efluentes domésticos. Além disso, a PCA explicou 75,5% da variância total dos dados, enquanto a HCA confirmou as correlações encontradas na PCA, possibilitando avaliar o grau de similaridade entre as amostras e identificar os bairros mais propensos à contaminação de suas águas subterrâneas.
Uso da metodologia de valoração contigente para o cálculo do valor ambiental do vetor norte do parque estadual do Itacolomi (Mariana – MG)
Authors: Teixeira de Camargo Pedro Luiz , Oliveira Júnior Arnaldo Freitas de , Guedes Junior Valdir Lamim , Teixeira Marcilio Baltazar , Martins Junior Paulo Pereira
Published: January 2022

As Unidades de Conservação (UCs) são as principais estratégias de gestão publica para manter a biodiversidade e o fornecimento dos serviços ecossistêmicos existentes. Dentre as diversas categorias. pode-se destacar os parques, sejam estes nacionais, estaduais ou municipais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi valorar monetariamente o vetor norte da área do Parque Estadual do Itacolomi (PEIT), conhecida como Serrinha, uma área formada por um complexo de cachoeiras utilizadas predominantemente pela população de Mariana, MG. Utilizou-se o Método de Valoração de Contingente (MVC) com base na Disposição a Pagar (DaP) para preservar a área. Os resultados obtidos estimaram DAP de R$ 9,75 (U$ 4,26) e o Valor Ecossistêmico da área que envolve o complexo de Cachoeiras da Serrinha em R$ 1.933.119,83 (U$ 826.402,16). Ressalta-se que as Metodologias de Valoração dos Serviços Naturais, são cada vez mais usadas, apesar de apresentarem imprecisões, mas tem sido recomendadas por apresentarem argumentos fundamentais para que o poder público possa ser pressionado a cuidar e preservar de maneira adequada os bens ambientais.
Sumak kawsay indianista, una alternativa al capitalismo global
Authors: García-García Aurelio
Published: February 2022

El sumak kawsay indianista contó con una especial relevancia política e intelectual en Ecuador (y Bolivia) en la primera década del siglo xxi. Desde entonces, la influencia de sus planteamientos —y de los de las diferentes ramas del buen vivir— ha crecido y formado sinergias con otras corrientes heterodoxas como el decrecimiento, la economía feminista o la ecología profunda, entre otras. La pandemia mundial del covid-19 ha puesto de manifiesto la incompatibilidad del sistema capitalista y de los paradigmas que lo sostienen con la vida del planeta y de las personas. Este artículo reflexiona sobre las propuestas que están apareciendo en torno a la construcción de un sumak kawsay global como alternativa al desarrollo y al capitalismo, mostrando desde el pensamiento posmoderno las potencialidades y las debilidades de esta filosofía, cosmovisión y forma de vida.
Rislev-Fundet. Anthropologisk Redegørelse
Authors: Jørgensen J. Balslev
Published: February 2022

The Rislev Find. Anthropological Statement. Skeletal parts belonging to altogether 4 individuals were found, 2 of which being represented by single fragments only, while the skeletons of the 2 others were practically complete.These were the skeletons of 2 women. One (I) quite young, aged 18-19 years, the growing zones on the bones being still present, the other (II) somewhat older, aged about 30 years, as the growing zones in the extremities were closed whereas the sutures of the skull were not fused.These 2 women present features of particular interest as both the shape of their skulls and the build of their bodies differ somewhat from what was common in the Iron Age of this country. The skulls were shorter and lower, the base of the head was flatter and the face broader than in the very uniform long-headed Iron Age folk known hitherto.The body build differed; in that the bones were, on the whole, heavier and more robust, the muscle attachment more marked, than is otherwise seen. This is so much the more remarkable as the skeletons were of women. The height can be calculated with fair certainty to have been 160 cm (5' 3") for both women.The 2 human skeletons from Rislev belong, thus, to a race which has not been observed previously in the extensive skeletal material from the Early Iron Age in Denmark.]. Balslev Jørgensen.
Unitarianism or Hierarchical Approach for Moral Status? A Very Subtle Difference
Authors: Allegri Francesco
Published: February 2022

The article is inspired by Shelly Kagan’s recent book “How to Count Animals”, which focuses on the alternative between a unitarian and a hierarchical conception of the moral status of beings in the animal ethics debate. The paper finds a way of compromise between the two perspectives in the principle of equal consideration of interests, but above all it lessens the role of such opposition – especially its practical relevance – by emphasizing that, regardless of the fact of conceiving moral status in terms of all or nothing or in gradual terms, what really counts in our attitude towards non-human animals is to assign them an important moral consideration, that protects them not only from suffering, but also from an induced death in advance of natural times, a thesis that is compatible with both unitarianism and a hierarchical approach.
REPRESENTATION OF HULI JING (FEMALE FOX SPIRIT) IN CHINESE LITERARY TEXTS
Authors: Budi Nirmala Khairunnisa , Tjahjandari Lily , Saraswati Asri
Published: February 2022

Chinese women are often depicted in mythological texts as supernatural beings, such as ghosts and spirits. Female supernatural beings are also described as having bad behavior and bringing disaster to men. One of the bad female supernatural creatures is the fox spirit (Huli Jing). The life of fox spirit can be found in literary texts from imperial to modern times, such as Fox Enchantment (1766) by Pu Songling and Dragon Springs Road (2017) by Janie Chang. This study tries to compare the representation of Huli Jing in imperial and modern texts. In analysing the problem of women’s representation through fox spirit, this study uses a descriptive anaylsis method combined with the semiotic concept of Roland Barthes. This study aims to reveal the transformation of Huli Jing’s representation, as well as the construction of women in Chinese mythology.KEYWORDS: fox spirit; representation; mythology
Andamiaje Parental Durante el Visionado Televisivo Conjunto en Madres Costarricenses y sus Hijos Preescolares
Authors:   Universidad de Costa Rica, Carmiol Ana M. , Pérez-Sánchez Rolando ,   Universidad de Costa Rica, Mata Calderón Adriana ,   Universidad de Costa Rica, Molina Mesén Isabel ,   Universidad de Costa Rica
Published: January 2022

Actualmente existen distintas posiciones sobre los efectos del uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en el desarrollo infantil, aunque poco se conoce sobre su utilización en edades tempranas. Este artículo describe el visionado televisivo en niños y niñas preescolares costarricenses. El Estudio 1 se propuso detallar el contexto de visionado televisivo de niños y niñas en el hogar. Se realizó una encuesta mediante un muestreo por conveniencia a 285 familias de niños y niñas con edades entre 2 y 8 años (M = 5 años y 2 meses, DE = 12,75 meses), para lo cual se distribuyó un cuestionario por medio de redes sociales y en cuatro jardines infantiles. Los resultados indicaron que los niños y niñas miran la televisión acompañados por sus padres y madres, quienes reportaron conversar sobre los contenidos de los programas televisivos durante su proyección. Con base en estos hallazgos, el Estudio 2 se propuso caracterizar el andamiaje parental brindado durante el visionado televisivo conjunto. Utilizando un muestreo por conveniencia, se realizaron videograbaciones de 17 díadas madre-hijo (M = 3 años y 9 meses, DE = 6,45 meses) mirando un programa infantil. Los análisis de las interacciones indicaron que las madres conversaban sobre lo proyectado, ofreciendo principalmente descripciones de los contenidos televisivos a través del etiquetado y la descripción de acciones, seguido por evaluaciones de los contenidos del programa y por la formulación de conexiones entre los contenidos del programa y las experiencias del niño. El uso de predicciones e inferencias sobre los contenidos fue escaso. En conjunto, estos resultados brindan información valiosa para el desarrollo de estudios futuros orientados a evaluar el potencial del visionado conjunto para la promoción del desarrollo infantil.
Friends' Influence on Academic Performance Among Early Adolescents: The Role of Social Status
Authors:   Universidad Mayor, Palacios Diego , Berger Christian ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Published: January 2022

Educational research has shown that academic achievement and peer relationships are associated from early school years, where friends play a significant role in influencing students' school adjustment, attitudes, and behaviors. The present study examines how individual academic performance is associated with friendships among 240 5th and 6th graders. The information on students' friendships, academic performance, gender, popularity, and social preference was collected in a convenience sample from 8 classrooms of 2 private-subsidized schools in Santiago, Chile. Longitudinal social network analysis (RSiena) was used to study the co-evolution of academic performance and friendship dynamics, by assessing simultaneously selection and influence processes, and by incorporating social status covariates (popularity and social preference) as moderators of friendship selection and influence. Results showed that friendships were more likely to occur between same-sex peers and between students with similar social status. Regarding social influence, friends influenced individual's academic performance. Moreover, socially preferred students were more likely to be influenced by friends' academic performance, but the same did not occur for popular students. These results might suggest that socially preferred students' attributes (cooperation, reciprocity, and high-quality friendships) would facilitate the influence of academic performance. In contrast, popular students would be less sensitive to their friends' academic performance focusing instead on salient behaviors (e.g., aggression). The findings underline the importance of understanding social network dynamics in educational settings.
Adaptación y Validación de la Escala de Orientación a la Dominancia Social 7 en Colombia
Authors:   Universidad de Granada (España), García-Sánchez Efraín , Molina-Valencia Nelson ,   Universidad del Valle (Colombia), Buitrago Sánchez Estefanía ,   Universidad del Valle (Colombia), Ramírez González Valentina ,   Universidad del Valle (Colombia), Sanz Zabdy ,   Universidad del Valle (Colombia), Tello Cifuentes Andrés ,   Universidad del Valle (Colombia)
Published: January 2022

La orientación a la dominancia social (SDO) se define como la disposición individual a aceptar las relaciones jerárquicas y de dominación entre grupos. La medición de la SDO ha evolucionado conforme con el desarrollo de la teoría, aportándose varias versiones de la escala. Esta escala ha mostrado indicadores de confiabilidad y validez apropiados en diferentes contextos, pero también presenta algunas limitaciones de método relacionadas con la redacción de los ítems y potenciales ambigüedades de contenido. Se presenta la adaptación y validación de la escala SDO7 en español para el contexto colombiano, en la cual se subsanan algunas limitaciones de la escala original. En 2 estudios realizados en una muestra intencional de población universitaria de Cali, Colombia (nEstudio1 = 394, nEstudio2 = 867) se aporta evidencia sobre las propiedades psicométricas de la escala y la validez predictiva de sus dimensiones sobre actitudes sociales/políticas en el contexto colombiano. Los análisis factoriales ratifican la estructura factorial de 2 dimensiones de SDO (anti-igualitarismo y dominancia). Además, los análisis de regresión sugieren que las dimensiones de dominancia y anti-igualitarismo se asocian de forma diferenciada con actitudes políticas que justifican la desigualdad: la dominancia se asoció con medidas explícitas y hostiles, mientras que el anti-igualitarismo lo hizo más con medidas sutiles que mantienen las desigualdades. Este estudio contribuye a la comprensión de uno de los procesos asociados con la legitimación de la desigualdad y al desarrollo de herramientas para su investigación empírica.
Rasgo o Estado: Efectos de la Temporalidad de la Ansiedad sobre Medidas de Bienestar
Authors:   Universidad de Tarapacá (Chile), Ramírez-Carrasco Daniela , Escobar-Soler Carolang ,   Universidad de Tarapacá (Chile), Ferrer-Urbina Rodrigo ,   Universidad de Tarapacá (Chile), Caqueo-Urízar Alejandra ,   Universidad de Tarapacá (Chile), Gallardo-Peralta Lorena ,   Universidad de Tarapacá (Chile)
Published: January 2022

La presente investigación correspondió a un estudio no experimental, de tipo analítico transversal, en la que se analizaron los efectos de las variables ansiedad rasgo-estado sobre afectividad positiva y satisfacción con la vida. Por medio de una muestra por conveniencia, participaron 742 estudiantes universitarios. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la Escala Satisfacción con la Vida, el Inventario Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado y la dimensión de afectos positivos de la Escala de Afectividad Positiva y Negativa. Se llevaron a cabo modelos de ecuaciones estructurales con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de las variables estudiadas sobre el bienestar. Los resultados mostraron que el modelo de ansiedad rasgo presenta relaciones inversas leves (b < 0,10; Cohen, 1988) con satisfacción con la vida y afectividad positiva, mientras que el modelo de ansiedad estado presenta relaciones moderadas (b < 0,30). Este último resulta mejor predictor de satisfacción con la vida y afectividad positiva. El modelo general depurado presenta niveles adecuados de ajuste a los datos (RMSEA = 0,037, CFI = 0,93 TLI = 0,93, SRMR = 0,049). Se concluye que la ansiedad como estado tiene un efecto más importante sobre las medidas de bienestar.
Bienestar Docente durante la Pandemia de COVID-19 en Chile: Demandas y Recursos para Afrontar la Angustia Psicológica
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, González Verónica , Narea Marigen ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Torres Irribarra David ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Icaza Martín ,   Elige Educar (Chile ), Escalona Gonzalo ,   Elige Educar (Chile ), Reyes Andrés ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Published: January 2022

La pandemia por COVID-19 dejó a más de tres cuartas partes de los niños y jóvenes en el mundo sin poder asistir presencialmente a las escuelas durante el año 2020. La crisis está presionando a los educadores y docentes para que cambien su forma de hacer clases, lo que podría estar generando situaciones de mayor estrés para los profesores. Utilizando un cuestionario aplicado online a 6.064 profesores a nivel nacional, por medio de una muestra no probabilística realizada en contexto de pandemia en 2020, se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios y regresiones lineales, usando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, para analizar el nivel de angustia psicológica de los docentes y su relación con recursos y demandas del entorno del trabajo y factores sociodemográficos y contextuales. Los resultados muestran que principalmente las docentes mujeres, los docentes que están a cargo del cuidado de menores y adultos y los que trabajan en establecimientos particulares pagados son los que se han visto más afectados en su bienestar psicológico. Además, se observa que tener más tiempo disponible para preparar las clases y el poder compatibilizar los tiempos de trabajo y el hogar mejoran el índice de angustia psicológica. Contrario a lo esperado, el contar con más recursos que permita el trabajo a distancia se asocia a un aumento en la angustia psicológica de los docentes. Esto lleva a reflexionar acerca de la necesidad de contar con intervenciones y políticas que se enfoquen en el bienestar docente en el contexto de pandemia que se está viviendo.
Rehabilitación Cognitiva y Estimulaciones Naturales en Mayores de 55 Años con Deterioro Cognitivo Leve e Hipertensión
Authors:   Universidad Católica Argentina, Hernández Silvera Dides Iliana , Leonardelli Eduardo Miguel ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina
Published: January 2022

La prevalencia creciente de deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) comórbido con hipertensión arterial (HTA) exige revisión y mejora de las intervenciones disponibles. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el efecto en las funciones cognitivas de la rehabilitación cognitiva (RC) y otras formas de estimulación. Con un diseño cuasi experimental, se evaluaron cuatro estímulos naturales (actividad física, actividades intelectuales domiciliarias, hobbies, trabajo) de 128 pacientes mayores a 55 años, hipertensos y con deterioro de por lo menos dos áreas de desempeño cognitivo y con deterioro vascular, seleccionados mediante un muestreo por conveniencia. Cuarenta y cuatro de ellos participaron voluntariamente en sesiones de RC. Se compararon los efectos de la RC y de los estímulos naturales sobre cinco funciones cognitivas, tres relativas al lenguaje (denominativo, comprensivo y fluencia verbal) memoria global y atención; valoradas desde el ACE Test (dominios atención, memoria, fluencia verbal y lenguaje), Token Test. La comparación se realizó mediante un modelo multivariado para medidas repetidas con control de variables eventualmente confundidoras. Los principales resultados fueron: menor edad y mayor trayectoria académica predicen un mejor nivel inicial en las funciones evaluadas. La RC se asocia a ganancias en atención, memoria y fluencia verbal. Las actividades intelectuales domiciliarias también muestran efectos positivos. Las mayores ganancias se registran entre quienes tenían mayor deterioro cognitivo y menor trayectoria académica. La postulación de la reserva cognitiva restante sintetizaría estos fenómenos. La principal conclusión es que la RC es la estimulación prioritaria, seguida por actividades intelectuales domiciliarias, para el mantenimiento o recuperación parcial de funciones cognitivas en pacientes con DCL e HTA.
Adaptación Argentina de Dos Escalas de Dificultades en la Regulación Emocional en Adultos Emergentes Universitarios
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina, Michelini Yanina , Godoy Juan Carlos ,   Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
Published: January 2022

Las dificultades en la regulación de emociones (i.e., desregulación emocional) negativas y positivas subyacen a conductas riesgosas en adultos emergentes universitarios. La Escala de Dificultades en la Regulación Emocional (DERS) y la Escala de Dificultades en la Regulación de Emociones Positivas (DERS-P) son instrumentos ampliamente usados para medir desregulación emocional; sin embargo, no poseen versiones en español con propiedades psicométricas consistentes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la DERS y DERS-P en adultos emergentes universitarios argentinos. Por medio de un muestreo no probabilístico accidental, se evaluó una muestra de 392 participantes (64,54% mujeres) de 18 a 28 años (M = 21,40, DE = 2,24) de 2 universidades públicas de la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina. Los análisis factoriales confirmatorios que se realizaron a la estructura factorial original de la DERS y DERS-P mostraron ajustes aceptable y excelente, respectivamente. Para ambas escalas, se observaron valores de consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach y confiabilidad compuesta) satisfactorios. La DERS y la DERS-P presentaron evidencia de validez convergente con estrategias poco adaptativas y divergente con estrategias adaptativas de regulación emocional cognitiva (medidas con el CERQ). Además, presentaron evidencia de validez concurrente con Urgencia Positiva y Urgencia Negativa (medidas con la escala UPPS-P) y con Afecto Positivo y Afecto Negativo (medidos con la PANAS). Extender estos resultados en muestras de estudiantes de distintas carreras universitarias incluyendo la examinación de la confiabilidad test-retest contribuiría a la validación de la DERS y la DERS-P en adultos emergentes universitarios de Argentina.
The Impact of CFO Characteristics on Z-score of Financial Crisis Warning -- A Case Study of Manufacturing Industry of Listed Companies in China
Authors: Hsiao Chih-Yi , Zeng Xia-Jing , Li Jia-Lu , Lin Yu-Jue
Published: January 2022

Based on the issue of the influence of the CFO on the overall financial physique of the company, their characteristics are directly related to their decision-making methods and implementation results. This study takes the manufacturing industry of Chinese listed companies from 2018 to 2020 as a sample and uses the fs/QCA method to explore the relationship between the CFO's characteristics and the company's financial Z score. The empirical results show that the two necessary conditions for a good overall financial structure are the CFO holds a high shareholding of the company and the company is a state-owned enterprise; furthermore, there are four situations will enhance the effect. The first one is that the company pays attention to specialty and innovation and is willing to invest in attracting talents, which helps to improve the overall financial physique of the enterprise; the second one is that the company with a stable operation and large scale should hire a CFO who is male and stable in his position, which can improve the overall financial constitution of the enterprise; the third situation is that the large-scale and old companies in the transition period should employ a young and professional financial executive with high salaries to help the company operate with his new ideas and new information, which can significantly improve the overall financial physique of the enterprise; and the last one situation is that if a small-scale emerging company employs a highly educated CFO, the more professional it can provide the company with rich professional advice, or the newly introduced young talents from outside serve as the CFO to help the company operate by relying on its innovative ideas and information, which can improve the overall financial physique of the enterprise.
Self-efficacy: A Key Components of Teacher Effectiveness
Authors: Rezaull Karim Mohammad , Ahmed Masud Nuruddin , Nesa Subarna Mst. Taherun , Billah Md. Masum , Wienaah Prosper
Published: January 2022

Teachers are very important for the education system. Teacher effectiveness is one of the most important factors that are able to influence the achievement of students, which is the primary goal of education. The purpose of this review article is to analyze the interconnectedness among self-efficacy and teacher effectiveness. This study relies on secondary sources from various articles, theses, books, journals, etc. Furthermore, this study seeks to explain the extent, perception, development, and importance of teacher effectiveness along with the interconnectedness among self-efficacy and teacher effectiveness. This study analyzes and discusses the results of different researches related to self-efficacy and teacher effectiveness. Study shows that the development of teacher self-efficacy can enhance instructional resources. As well as instructional resources can enhance the teacher effectiveness. Teacher self-efficacy directly takes part in enhancing teacher effectiveness through improving self-enhancement values or motivations for teaching, as well as by improving self-confidence. Focusing on teachers’ self-efficacy development can be a major inclusion in the in-service training design for teachers’ that can improve teacher effectiveness and achieve the ultimate goal of student outcome. Self-efficacy development programs should be included in the teachers' professional development frameworks to improve teacher effectiveness. Boosting self-efficacy among teachers’ through in-service training programs and professional development frameworks is important for rapid and continuous improvement of teacher effectiveness. Enhancement of self-efficacy by incorporating capacity-building programs and teacher professional development programs into in-service training design is capable of improving teacher effectiveness and ultimately improving student achievement.
The Role of Teachers in Improving Creative Learning Models for Z Generation
Authors: Kornelia Wu Febiana , Mahmudah Fitri Nur
Published: January 2022

Aims: The development of an increasingly rapid world requires educational institutions to continue to improve. For Generation Z who are accustomed to living side by side with technology, of course, they also expect the world of education to be able to apply technology in the learning process. Therefore, teachers are expected to create an innovative learning process by utilizing technology as a learning medium.

Place and Duration of Study: The research subjects were school teachers in North Sangatta District, East Kutai Regency as many as 4 people spread from several schools. The data was obtained analyzed qualitatively and described in descriptive form.

Methodology: Qualitative data was collected through interviews and observations. Research subjects were individuals who provided information about questions posed by researchers.

Results: The results of this study indicate that teachers as educators have duties and responsibilities as movers and facilitators as well as guiding and directing students to achieve learning objectives. One way that teachers can do this is by applying creative learning methods for generation z. With methods that are made varied, teachers should also provide interesting learning models, one of which is by providing learning materials using audiovisual media.

Conclusion: The professionalism of a teacher is one of the keys to the success of the learning process. A teacher must understand the duties and responsibilities as an educator. Teachers who understand their role as educators will always guide, direct, motivate, and become facilitators the learning process. Although during the learning process must be student-centered, the teacher has a big role in determining the learning method that suits the needs of students.
Prevalence of Dermatophytosis in South Indian Populations: A Research Hospital Based Study
Authors: Fatima Syeda Hajra , Ahmad Tasleem , Latha Sree , Minhajuddin Ahmed , Javed Ghazala
Published: January 2022

Aim: Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection distributed worldwide, more prevalent in the tropical countries like India. Dermatophytosis is diagnosed based on the history, physical examination, and laboratory diagnosis by Microscopic examination of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) Mount followed by fungal culture. KOH mount is a rapid, simple, time saving and cost effective diagnostic method. The present study was conducted to know the prevalence and common clinical presentations of Dermatophytosis in Hyderabad, South India.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Clinical Microbiology section of the Laboratory of the Skin Research Institute in Hyderabad, South India, for a period of 1 year from August 2020 to September 2021. A total of 236 skin scarping samples from clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis were collected. A detailed clinical history of the patients was recorded and skin scrapping samples was subjected to KOH test.

Results: Of all the 236 patients, 186 patients (78.81%) were positive of fungal elements. Males (58.06 %) were more commonly affected than females (41.94%). Tinea corporis was the most common clinical type (50%) followed by Tinea Cruris (22.58%). The microscopic finding revealed 49.46% of samples showing long, septate hyphae, 39.78% of samples showing Spaghetti and meatball appearance and 10.75% of samples showing pseudohyphae with budding yeast cells forms.

Conclusions: The prevalence of Dermatophytosis is high in the study population. In experienced hands, a potassium hydroxide mount is one of the most useful procedures in medical mycology and can be used as screening test and routine investigation in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis so that definite treatment can be commenced without delay.
Transition zones across agricultural field boundaries for integrated landscape research and management of biodiversity and yields
Authors: Kernecker Maria , Fienitz Meike , Nendel Claas , Pätzig Marlene , Pirhofer Walzl Karin , Raatz Larissa , Schmidt Martin , Wulf Monika , Zscheischler Jana
Published: February 2022

Biodiversity conservation and agricultural production have been largely framed as separate goals for landscapes in the discourse on land use. Although there is an increasing tendency to move away from this dichotomy in theory, the tendency is perpetuated by the spatially explicit approaches used in research and management practice.

Transition zones (TZ) have previously been defined as areas where two adjacent fields or patches interact, and so they occur abundantly throughout agricultural landscapes. Biodiversity patterns in TZ have been extensively studied, but their relationship to yield patterns and social–ecological dimensions has been largely neglected.

Focusing on European, temperate agricultural landscapes, we outline three areas of research and management that together demonstrate how TZ might be used to facilitate an integrated landscape approach: (i) plant and animal species’ use and response to boundaries and the resulting effects on yield, for a deeper understanding of how landscape structure shapes quantity and quality of TZ; (ii) local knowledge on field or patch‐level management and its interactions with biodiversity and yield in TZ, and (iii) conflict prevention and collaborative management across land‐use boundaries.
Finite‐time resilient control for networked control systems with multiple cyber‐attacks: Memory/adaptive event‐triggered scheme
Authors: Murugesan Sathishkumar , Liu Yen‐Chen
Published: January 2022

This article addresses the finite‐time memory and finite‐time adaptive event‐triggered control issues for networked control systems (NCSs) with randomly occurring cyber‐attacks. A comprehensive stochastic attack model is developed that includes false‐data injection attacks and denial‐of‐service attacks. In our first problem, the purpose of the memory event‐triggered scheme is used to release certain packets to establish new events contrasting with the existing event‐triggered method. In this fashion, the event generator can make a more accurate decision and better control performance can be expected. On the other hand, our second problem introduces an adaptive event‐triggered scheme to reduce unnecessary communication transmissions in a network with an adaptive varying‐threshold while maintaining acceptable system performance. In both problems where malicious signals are injected by adversaries, a random variable is presented to relate cyber‐attacks. Using Lyapunov stability theory, integral inequality and linear matrix inequality, a sufficient condition is constructed for both problems to achieve the exponentially mean‐square finite‐time boundedness for NCSs under stochastic attacks. Finally, three numerical examples are simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Indentation Plastometry of Very Hard Metals
Authors: Campbell Jimmy E , Gaiser-Porter Marcus , Gu Wenchen , Ooi Steve , Burley Max , Dean James , Clyne Trevor William
Published: February 2022

This investigation concerns the application of profilometry‐based indentation plastometry (PIP) to metals with very high hardness, i.e., those with yield stresses of 1.5–3 GPa. The PIP procedure comprises (a) applying a force to an indenter ball, penetrating the sample to a preselected depth, (b) measuring the profile of the indent, and (c) iteratively running a finite element method (FEM) model to obtain the true stress–true strain curve giving optimal agreement between measured and modeled profiles. The procedure is no different when the sample is very hard, although the ball must remain elastic during the process. It is shown that this can be achieved using silicon nitride balls. These can fracture under some conditions, but it is shown that a “proof‐testing” operation can be used to ensure that any particular ball will remain elastic under the complete range of service conditions. It is also shown, via systematic comparisons with the outcomes of uniaxial (tensile and compressive) tests, that reliable stress–strain curves can be obtained for very hard metals. Furthermore, PIP testing has advantages over uniaxial testing for obtaining information about their behavior at relatively high strains (≈15%), as well as being much easier and simpler to implement.
Competing Intra‐ vs Intermolecular Nitrene Transfer in the [Au]‐Catalysed Reaction of 2‐Alkynylphenylazides
Authors: Dhote Pawan S. , Ramana Chepuri V.
Published: February 2022

The possibility of interrupting the gold‐catalysed intramolecular cyclization of 2‐alkynylphenylazide derivatives, employing known nitrene transfer reagents such as anthranil and its isomer 1,2‐benzisoxazole, has been attempted in search of developing simple tools for product diversification. With 1,2‐benzisoxazoles, the intermolecular nitrene transfer leading to quinazoline is competitive with intramolecular azidoalkyne cyclization resulting in spiro indol‐3‐ylidene derivatives. However, in case of the reaction in the presence of anthranil, both intra‐ and intermolecular nitrene transfer processes result in the same product indol‐3‐ylidene.

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Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Formal [4+1] Ylide Annulation Leading to Optically Active Isoxazoline N‐Oxides
Authors: Gong Pin , Wang Jing , Yao Wen‐Bo , Xie Xuan‐Sheng , Xie Jian‐Wu
Published: February 2022

A diastereoselective and enantioselective formal [4+1] ylide annulation of chiral sulfonium salts with various substituted α‐substituted nitroalkene leading to optically active isoxazoline N‐oxides using CF3SO3− as a key anion has been explored. The salient features of this methodology include high diastereo‐ and enantioselecties, easily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, simple procedure, broad substrate scope and the isoxazoline N‐oxides are conveniently transformed into other functionalized compounds.

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Avoid "psychosocial restraint": Discrepancy of perception between people with dementia and the significant others in the residential care homes of Hong Kong
Authors: Chui Kenny Chi Man
Published: February 2022

Background

Hong Kong is one of the high institutional rates of senior citizens among the developed cities. Residential care homes act as a 'mini‐society' which human interactions happen in these closed settings. The interactions significantly affect the quality of life and self‐perception of people with dementia. Over 50‐80% of the residents lived with different levels of neurocognitive disorder but most of them experienced physical or chemical restraint in the local studies. Worse still, another restraint started developing with the psychosocial restriction and limitation from the significant others in the residential care homes. What should we be alerted?

Method

Interpretivism was adopted as a framework in applying participatory observations, in‐depth interviews and other qualitative methods. Ten people with dementia living in a residential care home were interviewed, as were ten members of the care staff. Sixteen visits with approximately 1.5 to 2.0 hours were conducted and field notes of each observation were written for analysis. Two reflective training sessions were provided afterwards.

Result

Discrepancies in perceptions and interpretations of being 'demented' leading to the 'psychosocial restraint' of people with dementia is identified. Living in residential care homes are described as 'triple jeopardy' as being 'old', 'sick' and diagnosed with 'dementia'. With the lack of understanding of the self‐perception of people with dementia and negative stereotyping, the care staff did not talk to the residents with dementia and limited their participation of activities. The residents without dementia also scapegoated and condemned people with dementia in daily interactions. People with dementia perceived themselves as 'being wronged' and argued with the surrounding others. Many complain from other residents happened, which caused the care staff to treat people with dementia as the ‘troublemakers’. As a result, the vicious cycle was found and diminished the quality of life among people with dementia in residential care homes.

Conclusion

Reflective training including (1) Dementia experience from inside out; (2) Subjective voice of people with dementia and person‐centred care; (3) DemenTitudeTM ‐ A proper caring attitude approach and (4) Dementia‐friendly language and interactions is promoted to prevent the rise of 'psychosocial restraint' in the Hong Kong's residential care homes.
The relevance of early cognitive diagnosis in middle age or the threshold of old age—for a better quality of life for the long‐lived
Authors: Neves Marcella Bianca , Lodovici Flaminia Manzano Moreira
Published: February 2022

Background

Some clinical observations regarding patients referred by relatives in middle age or on the old age threshold (55‐65 years) for a diagnosis of their clinical condition may already bring to light factors revealing an early cognitive decline.

Method

Family history interview; Interview with patient; Application of neuropsychological tests. Report elaboration and return of results to family members and patients.

Result

Some changes in the patient referred by family members are described and then attested, such as: recurrence or intensification of forgetfulness; individual and social withdrawal; some loss of daily life activity functionality. The patient, in turn, in this phase, usually underestimates, or denies, any degree of difficulty in his daily life.

Conclusion

The delay in diagnosis and appropriate intervention based on Cognitive Reserve factors in each clinical case favors possible dementia. Early intervention, before entering old age, is recommended, for a better quality of life in longevity.
Defining and assessing the characteristics of the built environment that contribute to the well‐being of people with dementia living in aged care facilities in Singapore
Authors: Sun Shuzhen J
Published: February 2022

Background

The study uncovers the characteristics of the built environment that contribute to the well‐being of Singaporeans living with dementia. With the findings, the study plans to translate the knowledge into action by developing an acceptable, reliable, and culturally sensitive tool for Singapore.

Method

The study employed a sequential qualitative‐quantitative mixed method design. The study was structured into two phases. A scoping review was carried out in the first phase to understand the characteristics of nursing homes in East and Southeast Asia in relation to eight design principles. An investigation was carried out into the cultural characteristics and the acceptance of the principles of design through focus group discussions (FGD, n=150). Qualitative data and descriptive statistics were collected and analysed. The testing of the Singaporean Environmental Audit Tool (SEAT) made up the second phase and data via interviews on the barriers and facilitators and usability were obtained after participants (n=6) tested the tool in eight nursing homes.

Result

The scoping review found that the principles of design can be applied in nursing home environments in East and Southeast Asia when cultural sensitivities such as spaces for palliative care, technology, spirituality, and culturally familiar features were addressed. The successful outcome of the first phase of the study enabled research into the second phase of the study. Data echoed those of the scoping review, with the same cultural characteristics being identified as lacking in the Australian Environmental Assessment Tool High‐Care (EAT‐HC). The data indicated a high level of acceptance of the design principles. In the second phase, the tool was found to be culturally appropriate, reliable, and acceptable for use when undertaken by users with knowledge of dementia.

Conclusion

This study maps the processes involved in the development of the SEAT and will aid researchers in the future to adapt the EAT to diverse cultures across countries. The tool will be able to provide a measure of the application of the relevant principles of design for an environment for a person with dementia in a Singaporean high care facility.
Comparison of time spent and score in digital recognition test and free recall tests in the identification of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease
Authors: Chan Joyce YC , Wong Adrian , Tsoi Kelvin KF , Kwok Timothy CY
Published: February 2022

Background

Digital memory tests are proposed for the screening of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD). However, previous studies are seldom measuring the time spent of a participant in a memory test. So, it is unclear whether the time spent in a digital memory test can be a predictive factor for the identification of MCI and AD. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the digital recognition test, immediate and delayed free recall test in the identification of MCI and AD.

Methods

A digital test platform included a recognition test, an immediate and a delayed free recall test was developed. The score and time spent (from participant start to answer the question to finish answering the question) of each memory test were measured. Participants with MCI and AD were consecutive patients in clinics, the controls were recruited from a community elderly center. Regression derived score was calculated using binary logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to examine the ability of the memory tests to identify MCI and AD from controls. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.

Results

A total of 46 controls, 37 MCI, and 37 AD participants were recruited. In the digital recognition test, the controls had significantly shorter time spent than the MCI participants (mean difference (MD)=‐12.3 seconds, SD=3.64, p=0.001) and MCI participants had significantly shorter time spent than AD participants (MD=‐15.6, SD=6.1, p=0.01). However, no difference in time spent between 3 groups of participants was found in the immediate and delayed free recall test. In the identification of MCI and AD from control, the AUC of time spent and score in digital recognition test were 0.74 and 0.76, respectively. The AUC of regression derived score with taking time spent and the score was 0.85. The AUCs of immediate and delayed free recall tests were 0.71 and 0.76, respectively.

Conclusions

This study showed that both score and time spent in the digital recognition test are predictive factors for the identification of MCI and AD. A combination of score and time spent can enhance the performance of the digital recognition test.
Dementia diagnosis patterns in a racially diverse population within an integrated health delivery system
Authors: Nguyen Huong , Lee Janet S , Langer‐Gould Annette , Borson Soo
Published: February 2022

Background

Although nearly 40% of older adults receive care in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, there are limited information on whether the patterns of dementia diagnosis and health care utilization differ from traditional Medicare fee‐for‐service. We examined first ADRD diagnoses by provider type and clinical setting and compared patient socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics across a large integrated health care system in southern California.

Methods

Patients 65 years and older who were continuously enrolled in the health plan for at least one year prior to January 1, 2015 and had a first dementia diagnosis code during the study period (January 1, 2015‐ December 31, 2018) were included in the analysis. Providers classified as dementia specialists included neurologists, psychiatrists, and geriatricians; all other providers were considered nondementia specialists and mostly represented primary care. Data were derived from electronic health records.

Results

There were a total of 25,278 incident ADRD codes over the entire study period, slightly more than half assigned in ambulatory care and the remainder during a hospital‐based encounter. For the clinic‐diagnosed cohort (n=13,962), other than a slightly younger age for those diagnosed in neurology/psychiatry compared to geriatrics or primary care (79 vs. 82 years old), there were no other differences, including race/ethnicity or spoken language. Compared to the clinic cohort, the hospital‐diagnosed cohort (n=11,316) was slightly older (83 vs. 81 years old), more likely to be white (59% vs. 53%) and English speaking (90% vs. 85%); had more missed appointments (13% vs. 10%) and were more likely to have a non‐dementia cognitive impairment code in the two years prior (36% vs. 31%). They also had a higher burden of co‐morbidity (8.7 ± 3.8 vs. 7.0 ± 3.4) and higher rate of documented advance directive or POLST (49% vs. 41%) (all, p<.01).

Conclusions

Nearly half of the incident ADRD codes were associated with a hospital‐based encounter. Patients first diagnosed with ADRD in the hospital setting were generally older and sicker compared to patients diagnosed in the clinic. Given such differing socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics at diagnosis, claims based studies should distinguish patients first diagnosed in hospital vs. clinic‐based settings.