bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of HRV estimation algorithms from PPG data using neural networks
Authors: Wittenberg Th. , Koch R. , Pfeiffer N. , Lang N. , Struck M. , Amft O. , Eskofier B.
Published: February 2021

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a powerful measure to gain information on the activation of the central nervous system and is thus a strong indicator for the overall health and emotional state of a person. Currently, the gold standard for HRV analysis is the examination of R-peaks in electrocardiograms (ECG), which requires a placement of electrodes on the torso. This is often impracticable, especially for the use in daily routines or 24/7 measurements. Photoplethysmograms (PPG) are an alternative to ECG assessment and are easier to acquire, e.g. by using fitness trackers or smart watches. Nevertheless, PPG data is more susceptible to motion artifacts. Hence, goal of this work is to develop and evaluate an artificial neural network (ANN) approach to estimate the R-peak locations in complex PPG signals. Public data collections were used as benchmark to compare our ANN-based approach to state-of-the-art methods. Results show that ANNs can improve HRV estimation during motion. HRV estimations from baseline methods (decision-tree based and automatic multiscalebased peak detection) were compared with the best performing neural network (3L-GRU) using the TROIKA dataset with respect to reference parameters obtained from a manual selection of the peaks in ECG data. In most cases, the neural network based HRV estimation was closer to the reference HRV compared to baseline methods (lower μ and σ ) Also, σ is smaller for the best performing ANN approach across most HRV parameters. Inclusion of another PPG or acceleration channel did not affect HRV estimation. Although, the neural network learning approach outperforms conventional methods, the examined PPG-based HRV estimation has still accuracy limitations. Nonetheless, the proposed estimation approach opens up new directions for further improvement.
Acoustic sensing of tissue-tool interactions – potential applications in arthroscopic surgery
Authors: Sühn Thomas , Pandey Ajay , Friebe Michael , Illanes Alfredo , Boese Axel , Lohman Christoph
Published: February 2021

Arthroscopic surgery is a technically challenging but common minimally invasive procedure with a long learning curve and a high incidence of iatrogenic damage. These damages can occur due to the lack of feedback and supplementary information regarding tissue-instrumentcontact during surgery. Deliberately performed interactions can be used however to obtain clinically relevant information, e.g. when a surgeon uses the tactile feedback to assess the condition of articular cartilage. Yet, the perception of such events is highly subjective. We propose a novel proximally attached sensing concept applied to arthroscopic surgery to allow an objective characterization and utilization of interactions. It is based on acoustic emissions which originate from tissue-instrument-contact, that propagate naturally via the instrument shaft and that can be obtained by a transducer setup outside of the body. The setup was tested on its ability to differentiate various conditions of articular cartilage. A femoral head with varying grades of osteoarthritic cartilage was tapped multiple times ex-vivo with a conventional Veress needle with a sound transducer attached at the outpatient end. A wavelet-based processing of the obtained signals and subsequent analysis of distribution of spectral energy showed the potential of tool-tissue-interactions to characterize different cartilage conditions. The proposed concept needs further evaluation with a dedicated design of the palpation tool and should be tested in realistic arthroscopic scenarios.
HealthTEC Innovation Design - a proposal for a novel Master degree program based on Unmet Clinical Need, global Healthcare Challenges, and 21st century skills
Authors: Friebe Michael
Published: February 2021

The effectiveness, efficiency, availability, agility, and equality of global healthcare systems are in question. The COVID-19 pandemic have further highlighted some of these issues and also shown that healthcare provision is in many parts of the world paternalistic, nimble, and often governed too extensively by revenue and profit motivations. The 4th industrial revolution - the machine learning age - with data gathering, analysis, optimisation, and delivery changes has not yet reached Healthcare / Health provision. We are still treating patients when they are sick rather then to use advanced sensors, data analytics, machine learning, genetic information, and other exponential technologies to prevent people from becoming patients or to help and support a clinicians decision. We are trying to optimise and improve traditional medicine (incremental innovation) rather than to use technologies to find new medical and clinical approaches (disruptive innovation). Education of future stakeholders from the clinical and from the technology side has not been updated to Health 4.0 demands and the needed 21st century skills. This paper presents a novel proposal for a university and innovation lab based interdisciplinary Master education of HealthTEC innovation designers.
Investigation of vibration parameters for needle insertion force reduction
Authors: Rehling Dennis , Liu Jan , Stewart Kent W. , Pott Peter P. , Schiele Frank
Published: February 2021

Many medical interventions in therapy and diagnostics require needle insertion into tissue. Common complications such as increased pain and formation of haematoma are caused by wrong needle positioning. It has been shown that pain experience and needle positioning can be improved by a reduction of insertion force, which can be achieved by vibrating the needle axially. An experimental setup has been designed to investigate the influences of different combinations of vibration frequencies (10, 100, and 200 Hz) and vibration amplitudes (20, 100, and 500 μm) during needle insertion into thin sheets of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A customary 20 W loudspeaker was used to generate the vibration. The results indicate a maximum reduction of 73 % in puncture force and up to a 100 % reduction in shaft friction force. However, the additional vibration force generated by the vibration movement has to be high enough to generate positive effects in terms of force reduction.
Exponential spline method for singularly perturbed third-order boundary value problems
Authors: Wakjira Yohannis Alemayehu , Duressa Gemechis File
Published: February 2021

The exponential spline function is presented to find the numerical solution of third-order singularly perturbed boundary value problems. Convergence analysis of the method is briefly discussed, and it is shown to be sixth order convergence. To validate the applicability of the method, some model problems are solved for different values of the perturbation parameter, and the numerical results are presented both in tables and graphs. Furthermore, the present method gives more accurate solution than some methods existing in the literature.
Effect of shielding gas combination on microstructure and mechanical properties of MIG welded stainless steel 316
Authors: Açar İsmail , Gülenç Behçet
Published: February 2021

The quality of welded joints depends on the most optimal welding parameters and the selection of shielding gas type. The shielding gas was selected for joining stainless steels through gas metal arc welding methods by considering properties such as chemical-metallurgical interaction of shielding gas and the molten weld metal during the welding process, heat transmission capability of the gas and cost. In this study, the effect of different shielding gas combinations on the mechanical and microstructural properties of 316 austenitic stainless steel joined by the metal inert gas (MIG) welding method was investigated. In the welding process, pure argon (100 % Ar), 98.5 % Ar + 1.5 % H2and 95 % Ar + 5 % H2were used as shielding gases. Tensile, hardness, and bending tests were conducted to determine mechanical properties of the welded samples. In addition, metallographic examinations were carried out to detect the macrostructural and microstructural properties of weld zones. According to the results obtained from the study, the highest tensile strength was obtained from the joints welded using 100 % Ar shielding gas. When the addition of H2into the Ar gas increased, the tensile strength of the welded samples decreased. As a result of the tensile test, fractures occurred in the base metal in all welded samples. In all welding parameters, the hardness of the weld metal was lower as compared to the heat affected zone (HAZ) and the base metal. As a result of the bending test, crack and tearing defects were found in the weld zone.
Italian preconsonantal s-voicing is not regressive voice assimilation
Authors: Huszthy Bálint
Published: February 2021

In the literature of laryngeal phonology Romance languages are considered voice languages, exhibiting a binary distinction between a voiced lenis and a voiceless fortis set of obstruents. Voice languages are characterised by regressive voice assimilation (RVA) due to the phonological activity of [voice]. Italian manifests a process similar to RVA, called preconsonantal s-voicing; that is, /s/ becomes voiced before voiced consonants. Since /sC/ is the only obstruent cluster in Italian phonotactics, Italian seems to fulfil the requirements for being a prototypical voice language. However, this paper argues that s-voicing is not an instance of RVA, at least from a synchronic phonological point of view. RVA and Italian preconsonantal s-voicing essentially differ at every level of a synchronic comparison: in the input, in the trigger, in the domain of application and in the frequency of the processes. In Italian only sibilant fricatives may undergo voicing before consonants; however, other obstruents (which mostly appear in loanwords) do not assimilate for [voice]. Italian preconsonantal s-voicing does not take place at the word boundary or at morpheme boundaries, and it seems to be optional is new loanwords; thus, it is not a postlexical process like RVA. The synchronic differences between the two phenomena are analysed in Classical Optimality Theory. The laryngeal system of Italian prefers faithfulness over markedness, which means that non-/sC/ obstruent clusters surface with underlying voice values; while the voicing of /s/ before voiced consonants is seen as phonetic and not phonological.
Classification and Recognition Model of Water Saturation Level of Rock Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Fang , Zhang Xiulian , Hu Chen , Li Yingjun , Wang Zhenwei , Tao Zhigang , He Manchao
Published: February 2021

In geotechnical engineering, the water saturation of rock cannot be obtained in real time and is lossless. To solve this problem, a continuous classification representation method of water saturation of rock is proposed herein, the classification and recognition theory of the water saturation level of rock is established, and near-infrared spectrum acquisition experiments of rock under different water saturation levels are carried out. Based on the near-infrared spectrum, the partial least square (PLS) method is used to establish the recognition model, and the model is applied to the real-time identification of the saturation level in the gravel water absorption process. The results are as follows: (1) In this paper, the method of hierarchical representation of water saturation of rock is proposed, which solves the limited extrapolation ability and extrapolation precision problems of the preparation accuracy of water saturation of the rock sample and the classification-learning algorithm and thus provides the completeness and feasibility for the identification of water saturation of rock. (2) The classification recognition theory and method based on near-infrared spectroscopy to set up the water saturation level of rock have better recognition precision and can realize the water saturation level of the rock in real time and nondestructively, and (3) when the PLS method is used to establish the recognition model, the appropriate threshold parameters are selected to eliminate the abnormal samples, and multiple spectral segments are used in the modeling, which can greatly improve the recognition accuracy of the model.
Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity Makes Neurons Sensitive to the Distribution of Presynaptic Population Firing Rates
Authors: Tauffer Luiz , Kumar Arvind
Published: February 2021

The ability to discriminate spikes that encode a particular stimulus from spikes produced by background activity is essential for reliable information processing in the brain. We describe how synaptic short-term plasticity (STP) modulates the output of presynaptic populations as a function of the distribution of the spiking activity and find a strong relationship between STP features and sparseness of the population code, which could solve this problem. Furthermore, we show that feedforward excitation followed by inhibition (FF-EI), combined with target-dependent STP, promote substantial increase in the signal gain even for considerable deviations from the optimal conditions, granting robustness to this mechanism. A simulated neuron driven by a spiking FF-EI network is reliably modulated as predicted by a rate analysis and inherits the ability to differentiate sparse signals from dense background activity changes of the same magnitude, even at very low signal-to-noise conditions. We propose that the STP-based distribution discrimination is likely a latent function in several regions such as the cerebellum and the hippocampus.
Editorial: Addressing the crisis in biodiversity – our role
Authors: Wells Peter G. , Richardson David H.S.
Published: February 2021

N/A
A review of the fishes and fisheries of Minas Basin and Minas Passage, Nova Scotia, and their potential risk from tidal power development
Authors: Dadswell Michael J. , Rulifson Roger A.
Published: February 2021

A total of 85 species of fish are known or suspected from Minas Basin and Minas Passage, Nova Scotia, Canada. This systematic review details their seasonal occurrence, habitat, abundance, migratory behavior, fisheries and potential impact from tidal power development. The fish assemblage is a mixture of species common to the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia as well as numerous warm- and cold-water visitors seldom found elsewhere in Canada. Minas Basin fisheries exploit some species especially those that migrate through the Basin during summer. Fishes were captured or observed using angling, seines, benthic long lines, drift and fixed gill nets, intertidal fish weirs, bottom trawls and sightings while on vessels. Fishes are categorized with respect to their taxonomic diversity, seasonal occurrence, status, fisheries and the potential impact from tidal lagoons and propeller turbines resulting from development of tidal power in Minas Basin and Minas Passage. Keywords: Bay of Fundy, habitat, species status, propeller turbines, taxonomic relationship, tidal lagoons.
Humans are interpersonal beings – why isn’t science communication interpersonal?
Authors: Martin Curtis
Published: February 2021

Weak science communication coupled with misinformation and disinformation has resulted in major challenges for environmental decision-makers, particularly in areas of climate change and marine renewable energy. Interpersonal communication strategies provide the means of facilitating a shift to two-way communication, as they encourage science conversations between communicators and citizens. Science communicators should make themselves more personally known to their audiences. They should communicate using shared stories and conversational language to enable them to relate better with their audiences. In addition, institutions, agencies, networks, and organizations should adapt and support the use of interpersonal strategies by their science communicators.
Protection of Students’ Personal Data in Times of Development of Biometric Technologies as a Challenge for Universities in Poland
Authors: Kupiec Mateusz
Published: February 2021

Biometric technologies have been gaining popularity lately. An increasing number of enterprises and public entities worldwide are using them for security measures. Many universities in the European Union have also begun to recognise the benefits of implementing biometric systems in their organisations, and it is just a matter of time before universities in Poland join them as well. However, biometric data used by such systems are especially sensitive as they may reveal intimate information about data subjects. As such, they are counted among special categories of personal data, the processing of which is in principle prohibited by art. 9 (1) GPDR. Furthermore, the processing of students’ personal data demands special care from universities as they are vulnerable data subjects. Students are namely subordinate to university authorities, which significantly limits their scope of autonomy. Therefore, the use of biometric technologies poses a challenge for universities in Poland. The following article aims to present the main reasons why students are vulnerable data subjects and which legal grounds provided by GDPR are most suitable for processing their biometric data by universities.
The Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Distance Learning in Higher Education: Case Study of Belarusian Law Schools
Authors: Krasnitskaya Liubou , Khvatsik Yuliya
Published: February 2021

The right to education is a fundamental human right making possible the realisation of other rights of human beings. The authors starts the research with the core characteristics of the human right to education. Human rights law prescribes that education of all types and at all levels should be accessible for everyone and adaptable to respond to the changing world order. In these uncertain times distance education is considered an appropriate form of education that ensures the access to knowledge and professional skills to a broad group of learners. The researchers pay attention to the legal regulations and practical aspects of the provision of distance education in the times of the pandemic. Distance learning in Belarus is analysed in the context of higher education in general and in realm of legal education in particular. The article is enriched by the findings of the empirical research carried out among the academic staff of the Belarusian law school. The survey makes an attempt to assess the capacity of law teachers to provide online legal education.
The Effect of Mind Mapping-Assisted Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Model on Science Process Skills of Fifth Graders
Authors: Anratriningrum Rifka Ayu , Sutarto Joko , Edy Mulyono Sungkowo
Published: February 2021

Science learning model directs students to learn concept understanding and scientific principle. Scientific principle in science learning relate to investigation or experiment to drill science process skills that can develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Process skills are students' abilities to manage what has been gained in teaching and learning activities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of using the Mind Mapping, Problem Based Learning (PBL) model, and Problem Based Learning model assisted by Mind Mapping on students' science process skills. The research method used quantitative research in the form of quasi experimental design. The sample of this study were students of 5th grade with 30 students as experimental class, 24 students as control-1 class, and 28 students as control-2 class. The data collection techniques used in this study were written test, observation, and documentation. The results of the analysis showed that simultaneously a learning model affected students' science process skills by 13%. This study had also showed that of the three models that had been used, problem-based learning assisted by mind mapping model was the most effective model for improving students' science process skills compared to problem-based learning model or mind mapping model
Severe Acute Neurologic Involvement in Children With Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Brown Clare C. , Garcia Xiomara , Bhakta Rupal T. , Sanders Emily , Prodhan Parthak
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Acute severe neurologic involvement is the most threatening complication in children with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Our primary study objectives were to describe the association between acute neurologic manifestations (ANMs) and in-hospital mortality among children with HUS.

METHODS:

Using the Pediatric Health Information System database, in this retrospective multicenter cohort study, we identified the first HUS-related inpatient visit among children ≤18 years (years 2004–2018). Frequency of selected ANMs and combinations of ANMs, as well as the rate of mortality, was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the association of ANMs and the risk of in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS:

Among 3915 patients included in the analysis, an ANM was noted in 10.4% (n = 409) patients. Encephalopathy was the most common ANM (n = 245). Mortality was significantly higher among patients with an ANM compared with patients without an ANM (13.9% vs 1.8%; P < .001). Individuals with any ANM had increased odds of mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–3.93; P = .004), with greater risk (OR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.34–5.06; P = .005) among patients with ≥2 manifestations. Brain hemorrhage (OR: 3.09; 95% CI: 1.40–6.82; P = .005), brain infarction (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.10–6.34; P = .03), anoxic brain injury (OR: 3.92; 95% CI: 1.49–10.31; P = .006), and brain edema (OR: 4.81; 95% CI: 1.82–12.71; P = .002) were independently associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study, the largest systematic assessment of ANMs among children with HUS to date, we identify differences in in-hospital mortality based on the type of ANM, with increased risk observed for patients with multiple ANMs.
Palliative Care Referrals in Cardiac Disease
Authors: Moynihan Katie M. , Heith Catherine S. , Snaman Jennifer M. , Smith-Parrish Melissa , Bakas Anna , Ge Shirley , Cerqueira Amanda Vidotto , Bailey Valerie , Beke Dorothy , Wolfe Joanne , Morell Emily , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Blume Elizabeth D.
Published: February 2021

OBJECTIVES:

With evidence of benefits of pediatric palliative care (PPC) integration, we sought to characterize subspecialty PPC referral patterns and end of life (EOL) care in pediatric advanced heart disease (AHD).

METHODS:

In this retrospective cohort study, we compared inpatient pediatric (<21 years) deaths due to AHD in 2 separate 3-year epochs: 2007–2009 (early) and 2015–2018 (late). Demographics, disease burden, medical interventions, mode of death, and hospital charges were evaluated for temporal changes and PPC influence.

RESULTS:

Of 3409 early-epoch admissions, there were 110 deaths; the late epoch had 99 deaths in 4032 admissions. In the early epoch, 45 patients (1.3% admissions, 17% deaths) were referred for PPC, compared with 146 late-epoch patients (3.6% admissions, 58% deaths). Most deaths (186 [89%]) occurred in the cardiac ICU after discontinuation of life-sustaining therapy (138 [66%]). Medical therapies included ventilation (189 [90%]), inotropes (184 [88%]), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (68 [33%]), or mechanical circulatory support (67 [32%]), with no temporal difference observed. PPC involvement was associated with decreased mechanical circulatory support, ventilation, inotropes, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation at EOL, and children were more likely to be awake and be receiving enteral feeds. PPC involvement increased advance care planning, with lower hospital charges on day of death and 7 days before (respective differences $5058 [P = .02] and $25 634 [P = .02]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Pediatric AHD deaths are associated with high medical intensity; however, children with PPC consultation experienced substantially less invasive interventions at EOL. Further study is warranted to explore these findings and how palliative care principles can be better integrated into care.
Development of a rapid UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of toddalolactone in mouse blood and its application in pharmacokinetics
Authors: Zhou Jing , Wang Hongzhe , Miao Caiyun , Yao Yunxi , Ma Jianshe
Published: February 2021

A rapid and simple UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to determine toddalolactone in mouse blood and applied to measure the pharmacokinetics of toddalolactone in mice. Blood samples were first preprocessed by ethyl acetate liquid-liquid extraction. Oxypeucedanin hydrate (internal standard, IS) and toddalolactone were gradient eluted from a UPLC BEH C18 column using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (0.1% formic acid). Using electrospray ionization (ESI) as the ionization source, multiple reaction monitoring was used to detect the precursor and product ions of m/z 309.2 and 205.2, respectively, for toddalolactone and of m/z 305.1 and 203.0 for IS, respectively, for quantitative detection. A calibration curve was run over the concentration range of 5–4,000 ng/mL (r > 0.995). The matrix effects ranged from 93.5 to 98.4%, and the recovery was higher than 77.3%. The precision was less than 13%, and the accuracy ranged from 90.9 to 108.4%. The developed UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully used for measuring the pharmacokinetics of toddalolactone in mice after oral (20 mg/kg) and intravenous administration (5 mg/kg), and the absolute bioavailability of toddalolactone was 22.4%.
Heteroscedastic additive models - Estimating the fixed effects and covariance matrix parameters
Authors: SİLVA Adilson , FONSECA Miguel
Published: February 2021

This work aims to deduce estimators for the unknown parameters of fixed effects and covariance matrix structure in heteroscedastic additive design. In order to do that, the design will be projected onto the orthogonal complement of the subspace spanned by columns of design matrix for the fixed effects, and the Kronecker product will be used to produced unbiased estimators for the parameters of covariance matrix, and then such estimators used to produce an estimator for the fixed effect vector. Moreover, the coefficient of determination for both fixed effects and covariance structure will be derived. A simulation study will be conducted, and a numerical example will be explored.
TOLERÂNCIA POLÍTICA, NEUTRALIDADE E PLURALISMO NAS DEMOCRACIAS LIBERAIS
Authors: Araujo Ricardo Corrêa de
Published: February 2021

Resumo Este artigo discute a situação da tolerância política nas democracias liberais, analisando algumas críticas que lhe são dirigidas e tentando mostrar que, apesar dessas, sua relevância permanece. Para isso, é utilizado como fio condutor o recente debate sobre a relação entre tolerância e neutralidade, no qual é sugerida a incompatibilidade entre ambas. A seguir, é apresentada a resposta do filósofo político Peter Jones, segundo o qual é o compromisso dos cidadãos com a tolerância que pode levar, posteriormente, à proposição da neutralidade estatal nas democracias liberais marcadas pelo pluralismo. Por último, esta linha de defesa é complementada pela sugestão, contrária ao texto do próprio Jones, de que há uma implicação recíproca entre tolerância e neutralidade políticas em tais sociedades.
ESTADO E SOCIEDADE CIVIL NA TEORIA POLÍTICA FRANCESA DO SÉCULO XIX: O DEBATE SOBRE A FORMAÇÃO DA SOCIEDADE PÓS-REVOLUCIONÁRIA
Authors: Cassimiro Paulo Henrique Paschoeto , Freller Felipe
Published: February 2021

Resumo Este artigo revisita o debate teórico do século XIX sobre os papeis do Estado e da sociedade civil na formação da sociedade pós-revolucionária, a partir do qual buscamos discutir certas interpretações que enfatizaram como a constituição da sociedade moderna pressupõe a articulação entre a esfera do Estado - como polo de institucionalização do poder legítimo - e da sociedade civil - como espaço de um novo sujeito da legitimidade política. A ênfase recai sobre François Guizot e seus esforços para conciliar a existência de um Estado centralizador e a emergência de uma sociedade civil protagonista da legitimidade política moderna. Ao mesmo tempo, buscamos contrastá-lo com as interpretações de Louis de Bonald, que critica a possibilidade de uma legitimidade política calcada na esfera da sociedade civil; e a de Alexis de Tocqueville, para quem o Estado monárquico centralizado teria impedido a formação e a expressão política plena da sociedade civil francesa.
O MODERNISMO COMO MOVIMENTO CULTURAL: UMA SOCIOLOGIA POLÍTICA DA CULTURA
Authors: Botelho André
Published: February 2021

Resumo O artigo se propõe a abrir e explorar uma nova frente de pesquisa sobre o modernismo brasileiro a partir da análise da obra e da atuação de um de seus principais líderes, Mário de Andrade. Mais especificamente, pretende investigar e testar as possibilidades e os limites da ideia de modernismo como movimento cultural. A aposta é que essa ideia é boa não apenas para pensar uma agenda de mudança cultural na sociedade proposta por Mário, como também para repensar sua própria obra (em movimento), sua percepção aguda das mudanças e continuidades da sociedade brasileira e o sentido dissonante e crítico de suas ideias em relação ao sentido hegemônico assumido pelos temas da identidade nacional e da cultura brasileira no contexto dos anos 1920-40.
ERRADICACIÓN VOLUNTARIA DE CULTIVOS ILEGALIZADOS EN COLOMBIA: DEL PLAN ALTERNO AL PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE SUSTITUCIÓN
Authors: Ruano-Ibarra Elizabeth del Socorro , Carreño Alexander Arciniegas
Published: February 2021

Resumen Este artículo analiza las políticas de mitigación de la expansión de los cultivos ilegalizados en Colombia en el periodo comprendido entre 1990 y 2018, a partir de la revisión bibliográfica y el análisis documental. Se contrasta la perspectiva hegemónica militarista y prohibicionista con alternativas locales que buscan el enfrentamiento integral de problemas estructurales de la ruralidad colombiana. La historicidad del Plan Alterno, impulsado por los gobernadores de los territorios productores, y del Programa Nacional Integral de Sustitución de Cultivos Ilícitos, derivado del Acuerdo de Paz de 2016, revela la hegemonía del prohibicionismo estadounidense. Esa preponderancia impacta no solo a Colombia, sino a Latinoamérica, puesto que las agendas de drogas, seguridad y control de fronteras son constitutivas de la geopolítica estadounidense.
Caracterização da Chuva da Microrregião de Catolé do Rocha no Estado da Paraíba Baseada em Estatística Aplicada
Authors: Melo Valneli da Silva , Lima Lourivaldo Mota
Published: February 2021

Resumo Séries pluviométricas obtidas entre 1910 e 2016 em onze localidades da região de Catolé do Rocha, Estado da Paraíba, Brasil, foram analisadas com o objetivo de traçar um melhor perfil climático da região. Para tanto, o índice de Anomalia de Chuvas (IAC) juntamente com ferramentas estatísticas foram utilizados. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que as variabilidades nas chuvas, nos padrões de umidade, assim como nos períodos normais, úmidos, secos, e seus extremos, estão em conexão com os anos de El Niño e La Niña. O regime pluviométrico foi caracterizado por irregularidades com uma tendência significativa de decréscimo de chuvas no período considerado. A distribuição de probabilidade Logística representa de forma adequada as chuvas da região, com o p-valor de 0,994 para um nível de significância de 0,05.
RE-EXAMINING ANALYST SUPERIORITY IN FORECASTING RESULTS OF PUBLICLY-TRADED BRAZILIAN COMPANIES
Authors: GATSIOS RAFAEL C. , LIMA FABIANO G. , GAIO LUIZ E. , PIMENTA JUNIOR TABAJARA
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Purpose: This research examines the superiority of analysts over random walk models in forecasting the results of publicly-traded Brazilian companies in the short and long term. Originality/value: The literature indicates the uncontested superiority of market analysts because of their temporal and informational advantages. However, recent international studies call for a re-evaluation of this superiority, indicating that, for certain company characteristics, and primarily for long-term estimates, the superiority of analysts is not confirmed. Design/methodology/approach: This work evaluates the profit forecasting of analysts and simple and growth random walk models over the short and long term over 2010-2015 for publicly traded Brazilian companies, using the information available for the period with annual intervals. Findings: The results indicate: 1. the greater forecasting accuracy of simple random walk models compared to the growth random walk models; and 2. the greater forecasting accuracy of random walk models overall, with analyst forecasts only being superior for cases with three months of lag. The evidence suggests the forecasting superiority of the random walk models when compared to the market analysts' forecasts. The results suggest low efficiency of the forecasts of market analysts for the forecast of future results of publicly traded Brazilian companies in the analyzed period.
INTERORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AND ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY: EMPIRICAL RESEARCH IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Authors: CASSOL ALESSANDRA , MARIETTO MÁRCIO L. , TONIAL GRACIELE , WERLANG NATHALIA B.
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Purpose: This research analyzes the influence of interorganizational learning (IOL) on the absorptive (Acap), potential (Pacap) and realized (Racap) capacities on the environment of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Originality/value: The study contributed to the understanding and expansion of IOL research operationalized through the elements of Acap. The understanding of these elements are fundamental for the development of competencies of SMEs from Brazil and/or emerging countries embedded on dynamic sectors and high technology mobility to adapt and develop new dynamic capabilities. Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted by a survey with a sample of 215 organizations of the information technology and communication (ITC) sector in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. Findings: The results showed that the relationships of IOL influence the development of new capabilities and have a strong influence over absorptive capacity development. The organizations ability to acquire, assimilate, apply and internalize the available knowledge in the sector through interorganizational relations was fundamental for their adaptation and survival.
ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY AS FEEDBACK ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: MALVESTITI ROSANE , ESTEVES DANIEL B. L. , DANDOLINI GERTRUDES A.
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe the characteristics of the phases that make up the evolution of knowledge, such as, innovation, social innovation, inno vation oriented to sustainability, organizational sustainability and absorptive capacity, as well as their correlations. Originality/value: It provides a panoramic view of the potential of absorptive capacity relating it to social innovation, innovation oriented towards sustainability and organizational sustainability. It addresses related themes and concepts that incorporate strategies to achieve organizational sustainability and have been gaining more importance and space between these discussions. Three scientific databases were used to select the articles: Scopus, Web of Science and SciELO. Then, to support the main concepts, theoretical references from more recent scientific studies were needed, which could contribute to clarifying the terms and definitions. Design/methodology/approach: This is a narrative bibliographic review. Works characterized by broader discussions were used, ideal for identifying and describing the conceptual state of a specific theme. Findings: Through the researched articles, it was possible to explore the characteristics of innovation, innovation oriented towards sustainability, and social innovation, which guide the values of society and influence the strategies of organizations more and more, thus, observing and understanding the absorptive capacity as a fundamental instrument for the strategies that ensure organizational sustainability.
Predictors associated with absenteeism-disease among Nursing professionals working in an emergency hospital service
Authors: Kunrath Gustavo Mattes , Santarem Michelle Dornelles , Oliveira João Lucas Campos de , Machado Maria Luiza Paz , Camargo Morgana Pescador de , Rosa Ninon Girardon da , Almeida Valmir Machado de , Vieira Letícia Becker
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the predictors associated with sick leave from 15 days onwards among Nursing professionals of an emergency hospital service. Method: A cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive-analytical study. The sample consists of the records of sick leave (n=2,403) due to diseases of the Nursing professionals (n=197) working in an emergency hospital service in southern Brazil, from 2013 to 2018. Descriptive and statistical analysis was used, as well as the multivariate regression model. Results: There was predominance of females (72.6%), white-skinned (86.3%), with a mean age of 45.05 (SD=9.77) years old, and nursing technicians (74.6%). The prevalent cause of sick leave was related to clinical diseases (62.5%). The predictors associated with sick leave from 15 days onwards were the following: Age (OR: 0.97; 95% CI=0.95-0.99) and Musculoskeletal Diseases (OR: 8.95; 95% CI=5.30-15.11). Conclusion: Age and musculoskeletal diseases were predictors of sick leave from 15 days onwards of the Nursing team.
Incidence and mortality by larynx cancer in Central and South America
Authors: Costa Suellen Nadine de Lima , Fernandes Fábia Cheyenne Gomes de Morais , Souza Dyego Leandro Bezerra de , Bezerra Héllyda de Souza , Santos Emelynne Gabrielly de Oliveira , Barbosa Isabelle Ribeiro
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe how the incidence and mortality trends for laryngeal cancer in South and Central American countries. Methods: Time series study, with incidence data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, from 1990 to 2012 and mortality data from 17 countries of the World Health Organization, from 1995 to 2013. The trend was analyzed by Joinpoint regression. Results: The highest incidence rate for laryngeal cancer was in Brazil, with 5.9 new cases per 100,000 men, and the highest mortality rate in Uruguay with 4.2 deaths per 100,000 men. The incidence ratio between genders ranged from 4: 1 (Colombia) to 12: 1 (Ecuador). The mortality ratio between the sexes ranged from 4: 1 (Peru) to 14: 1 (Uruguay). Conclusion: Most countries had low incidence rates and reduced mortality in Latin America.
Breast cancer survival in Great Cuiaba, Brazil: a population-based study
Authors: Oliveira Jânia Cristiane de Souza , Galvão Noemi Dreyer , Páscoa Marcelino Alves Rosa de , Azevedo Elicleia Filgueira Santiago de , Silva Ageo Mário Cândido da
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze ten-year specific survival of women with breast cancer in Great Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Methods: A population-based cohort of 61 women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and 2009, in Great Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, followed by 2018 in the regional mortality database. Specific survival was analyzed through the Kaplan-Meier curve, with adjustment of the Weibull model and Log-Weibull Regression. The survival curves of the variables were compared using the log-rank test which were statistically significance (p<0.05). Results: The mean time to death is approximately 51.1 months. Women aged ≤ 50 years and of white race/color presented the worst survival. Conclusion: We found out that age, race/color affect specific survival and there is a need for reviewing the control plan for breast cancer in order to increase the survival of women diagnosed with this pathology.
Construction and validation of digital education resources for the health and safety of workers
Authors: Antoniolli Silvana Aline Cordeiro , Assenato Ana Paula Rossato , Araújo Bárbara Rodrigues , Lagranha Vitória Eugênia da Costa , Souza Luccas Melo de , Paz Adriana Aparecida
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Objectives: To build and validate the content of digital educational resources (DERs) for the promotion of health and safety for professionals working in Primary Health Care (PHC). Methods: Methodological study consisting of two stages: the first describes the phases of the construction of DERs; and the second validated the content of DERs by a Committee of Experts that used the Instrument for Validating Educational Content in Health (IVECH) and applied the Content Validity Index (CVI). Results: Seven storyboards have been built in MP4 obtaining the overall CVI from 0.84 to 0.96. In relation to “objectives”, the CVI ranged from 0.84 to 0.95; in “structure/presentation”, from 0.91 to 0.99; and in “relevance”, from 0.81 to 0.95. Conclusions: The seven DERs are validated products that can be used for permanent health education on health and safety at work of PHC professionals.
Cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis: the impact of mineral disorders
Authors: Truyts César , Custodio Melani , Pecoit-Filho Roberto , Moraes Thyago Proenca de , Jorgetti Vanda
Published: February 2021

Abstract Introduction: Mineral and bone disorders (MBD) are associated with higher mortality in dialysis patients. The main guidelines related to the subject, Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), were elaborated based on published information from hemodialysis participants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) (according to guideline ranges from KDOQI and KDIGO) on the cardiovascular mortality of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: We used the BRAZPDII database, an observational multi-centric prospective study, which assessed participants on PD between December 2004 and January 2011. Amongst 9,905 participants included in this database, we analyzed 4424 participants who were on PD for at least 6 months. The appropriate confounding variables were entered into the model. Serum levels of Ca, P, and PTH were the variables of interest for the purposes of the current study. Results: We found a significant association between high P serum levels, categorized by KDOQI and KDIGO (P above 5.5 mg/dL), and cardiovascular survival (p < 0.01). Likewise, a compelling association was found between lower levels of PTH, categorized by guidelines (KDOQI and KDIGO - PTH less than 150 pg/mL, p < 0.01), and cardiovascular survival. Conclusion: In conclusion, levels of P above and PTH below the values proposed by KDOQI and KDIGO were associated with cardiovascular mortality in PD patients.
Metabolic assessment in pure struvite stones formers: is it necessary?
Authors: Danilovic Alexandre , Ferreira Thiago Augusto Cunha , Gomes Samirah Abreu , Wei Isabela Akemi , Vicentini Fabio Carvalho , Torricelli Fabio Cesar Miranda , Marchini Giovanni Scala , Mazzucchi Eduardo , Srougi Miguel , Nahas William Carlos
Published: February 2021

Abstract Background and objective: Magnesium ammonium phosphate stones (MAP), also known as struvite stones, are associated with urinary infection and impairment of renal unit. The aim of this study is to evaluate the urinary metabolic risk factors for recurrence of renal calculi in patients submitted to nephrectomy due to MAP stones. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients > 18 years old submitted to total nephrectomy due to pure MAP stones and pure calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones from July 2006 to July 2016. Urinary metabolic parameters were assessed through 24-hour urine exams ≥ 3 months after nephrectomy. Urinary metabolic parameters and new event related to lithiasis were compared. Results: Twenty-eight and 39 patients were included in MAP and CaOx group, respectively. Abnormalities in 24-hour urine samples were similar between groups. Hypercalciuria occurred in 7.1 and 10.3% of patients in MAP and CaOx group, respectively (p = 0.66), whereas hypocitraturia was present in 65.2 and 59.0% of patients with MAP and CaOx group, respectively (p = 0.41). No significant difference in new events was found between MAP and CaOx groups (17.9 vs. 23.1%, respectively; p = 0.60). Conclusion: A 24-hour urine evaluation should be offered to patients submitted to nephrectomy due to pure MAP stones in order to detect metabolic risk, improve treatment, and prevent stone recurrence.
Invisible science: publication of negative research results
Authors: SAYÃO Luis Fernando , SALES Luana Farias , FELIPE Carla Beatriz Marques
Published: February 2021

Abstract An important part of scientific research activities yield negative results – non-confirmatory and null data, inconclusive experiments, unexpected data. These results permeate the entire research cycle and constitute an important part of the full scientific knowledge flow generation. However, despite the acknowledgment that it is the non-confirmatory findings that result in the rejection of consolidated hypotheses that drive the progress of science, most of these investigation routes are not documented. Growing competition for resources, tenure, and impact publications induces researchers to produce “positive” results that are more likely to be published, interfering with the principles of science reproducibility and self-correction and in the scientific communication cycle. This study aims to review negative results incorporation in the traditional academic publication cycle. It also seeks to identify and systematize the main barriers that prevent researchers from publishing negative results. This exploratory study is based methodologically on the scarce literature on the subject. It confirms the initial assumption that few scientific journals accept, edit special issues or are dedicated to the publication of negative results.
Localised failure of geomaterials: how to extract localisation band behaviour from macro test data
Authors: Le Linh A. , Nguyen Giang D. , Bui Ha H. , Andrade José E.
Published: February 2021

The formulation and calibration of constitutive models for geomaterials require material behaviour from experiments under a wide range of triaxial loading conditions. However, failure of geomaterials usually involves localisation of deformation that leads to very strong inhomogeneous behaviour. Therefore, the experimentally measured macro (specimen) behaviour is a mix between very different responses inside and outside the localisation zone and thus should not be used as a true representation of the material responses. This paper proposes a theoretical framework that provides links between mechanical responses inside and outside the localisation band, alongside their contributions toward the overall behaviour of a specimen undergoing localised deformation. This meso–macro connection allows the quantification of behaviour inside the localisation band, which is the main source of material inelasticity, from experimentally measured specimen behaviour. Correlation between the thickness of the localisation band and its behaviour is shown, bounded by a unique stress–deformation relationship describing the behaviour of an idealised zero-thickness localisation band.
La fatigue associée au cancer
Authors: Baussard Louise , Cousson-Gélie Florence
Published: February 2021

Dans la population générale, la fatigue reste un symptôme connu, banal et normalisé. Cette sensation disparaît après une période de repos, une sieste ou encore une bonne nuit de sommeil. Cependant, chez les personnes atteintes de cancer, ce symptôme diffère sur de nombreux aspects de la fatigue typique. Nous verrons à travers ce chapitre les particularités de cette fatigue associée au cancer, en présentant l'intérêt des études longitudinales afin de repérer ses évolutions. Ce chapitre sera approfondi par la présentation de nouvelles analyses statistiques «à classes latentes» qui permettent de repérer les déterminants d'un symptôme comme la fatigue et d'en prédire ses évolutions dans le temps.