bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FYRE Climate: A high-resolution reanalysis of daily precipitation
and temperature in France from 1871 to 2012
Authors: Devers Alexandre , Vidal Jean-Philippe , Lauvernet Claire , Vannier Olivier
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Surface observations are usually too few and far between to properly assess multidecadal variations at the local scale and characterize historical local extreme events at the same time. A data assimilation scheme has been recently presented to assimilate daily observations of temperature and precipitation into downscaled reconstructions from a global extended reanalysis through an Ensemble Kalman fitting approach and derive high-resolution fields. Recent studies also showed that assimilating observations at high temporal resolution does not guarantee correct multidecadal variations. The current paper thus proposes (1) to apply this scheme over France and over the 1871–2012 period based on the SCOPE Climate reconstructions background dataset and all available daily historical surface observations of temperature and precipitation, (2) to develop an assimilation scheme at the yearly time scale and to apply it over the same period and lastly, (3) to derive the FYRE Climate reanalysis, a 25-member ensemble hybrid dataset resulting from the daily and yearly assimilation schemes, spanning the whole 1871–2012 period at a daily and 8-km resolution over France. Assimilating daily observations only allows reconstructing accurately daily characteristics, but fails in reproducing robust multidecadal variations when compared to independent datasets. Combining the daily and yearly assimilation schemes, FYRE Climate clearly performs better than the SCOPE Climate background in terms of bias, error, and correlation, but also better than the Safran reference surface reanalysis over France available from 1958 onward only. FYRE Climate also succeeds in reconstructing both local extreme events and multidecadal variability. It is made freely available from http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4005573 (precipitation) and http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4006472 (temperature).
Towards timing and stratigraphy of the Bronze Age burial mound royal tomb (Königsgrab) of Seddin (Brandenburg, northeastern Germany)
Authors: Nykamp Moritz , Hardt Jacob , Hoelzmann Philipp , May Jens , Reimann Tony
Published: January 2021

Abstract. This study uses an integrated multi-method geoarcheological and geochronological approach to contribute to the understanding of the timing and stratigraphy of the monumental burial mound royal tomb (Königsgrab) of Seddin. We show that the hitherto established radiocarbon-based terminus post quem time frame for the construction of the burial mound of 910–800 BCE is supported by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. The radiocarbon samples were obtained from a substrate directly underneath the burial mound which supposedly represents the late glacial/Holocene soil that was buried below the structure. We use sedimentological (grain-size analyses) and geochemical analyses (element analyses, carbon, pH, and electric conductivity determinations) to reassess and confirm this hypothesis. In addition to the burial age associated with the last anthropogenic reworking during construction of the burial mound, the OSL dating results provide new insights into the primary deposition history of the original substrates used for the structure. In combination with regional information about the middle and late Quaternary development of the environment, our data allow us to provide a synoptic genetic model of the landscape development and the multiphase stratigraphy of the royal tomb of Seddin within the Late Bronze Age cultural group “Seddiner Gruppe” of northern Germany. Based on our initial experiences with OSL dating applied to the sediments of a burial mound – to the best of our knowledge the first attempt in Europe – we propose a minimal invasive approach to obtain datable material from burial mounds and discuss related opportunities and challenges.
Spin-up characteristics with three types of initial fields and the restart effects on forecast accuracy in the GRAPES global forecast system
Authors: Ma Zhanshan , Zhao Chuanfeng , Gong Jiandong , Zhang Jin , Li Zhe , Sun Jian , Liu Yongzhu , Chen Jiong , Jiang Qingu
Published: January 2021

Abstract. The spin-up refers to the dynamic and thermal adjustments made at the initial stage of numerical integration in order to reach a statistical equilibrium
state. The analyses on the characteristics and effects of spin-ups are of great significance for optimizing the initial field of the model and
improving its forecast skills. In this paper, three different initial fields are used in the experiments: the analysis field of four-dimensional
variational (4D-VAR) assimilation, the 3 h prediction field in the operational forecasting system, and the Final (FNL) Operational Global
Analysis data provided by National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Following this, the characteristics of spin-ups in the version 2.3.1 of GRAPES
(Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System) global forecast system (GRAPES_GFS2.3.1) under different initial fields are compared and
analyzed. In addition, the influence of the lost cloud-field information on the spin-up and forecast results of the GRAPES model in the current
operation is discussed as well. The results are as follows. With any initial field, the spin-up of GRAPES_GFS2.3.1 has to go through two stages – the dramatic adjustment in the first half-hour of integration and the slow dynamic and thermal adjustments afterwards. The spin-up in GRAPES_GFS2.3.1 lasts for at least 6 h, and the adjustment is gradually completed from lower to upper layers in the model. Therefore, in the evaluation of the GRAPES_GFS2.3.1, the forecast results in the first 6 h should be avoided, and the GRAPES_GFS2.3.1 with its own analysis field performs better than the one using FNL reanalysis data for the cold start in the spin-up because the variations in amplitude of the temperature and humidity tendency are smaller and the spin-up time is slightly shorter. Based on the 4D-VAR assimilation analysis field, the forecast in the operational model is artificially interrupted and restarted after 3 h of integration. In this process, as the cloud-field information is not retained, the spin-up should repeat in the model. The characteristics of spin-up are mostly consistent with those using the 4D-VAR assimilation analysis field as the initial field. However, as the cloud-field information is not retained in the current operation, the hydrometeor content in the atmosphere at the early stage of the forecast is underestimated, affecting the calculation accuracy of the radiation and
causing a systematic positive bias of temperature and geopotential height fields at 500 hPa. In addition, the precipitation is also underestimated at the early stage of the simulation, affecting the forecast of typhoon tracks.
Zanclospora bicolorata sp. nov. from Ecuador
Authors: Villavicencio Mirian , Sosa Daynet , Vera Marcos , Espinoza Fernando , Quevedo Adela , Magdama Freddy , Serrano Lizette , Pérez-Martínez Simón , Castañeda-Ruiz Rafael F.
Published: January 2021

The new species Zanclospora bicolorata, found on a rotten leaf of an unidentified plant in Ecuador, is described and illustrated. The fungus is characterized by setiform bicolored conidiophores and amygdaliform to suballantoid unicellular hyaline conidia.
Unge aktører i samtaler med sosialarbeidere om forholdet til mor
Authors: Eide Solveig Botnen
Published: January 2021

I denne artikkelen rettes søkelyset mot fosterbarns deltagelse og medvirkning i samtaler med sosialarbeidere; hvilke aktørposisjoner de tilkjennes og hvilke posisjoner de selv går inn i. Artikkelens empiriske grunnlag er samtaler mellom sosialarbeider og fosterbarn samt etterfølgende intervjuer av de samtalende om samtalen dem imellom. Informantene, som er hentet fra det kommunale barnevernet, er seks sosialarbeidere og seks fosterbarn i alderen 12 til 18 år. Samtalenes gjennomgående tema er fosterbarnas forhold til sin biologiske mor. Fosterbarnet tilkjennes en forholdsvis omfattende og tydelig aktørposisjon når det er snakk om konkrete ordninger knyttet til kontakt med mor, og en desto svakere og mer utydelig posisjon når det er snakk om morsrelasjonens betydning. Når det gjelder konkrete endringsspørsmål, inviterer sosialarbeiderne de unge til deltagelse og de unge responderer med deltakelse. Jeg finner ikke tilsvarende invitasjoner til deltakelse når det gjelder morsrelasjonens betydning. Det er likevel slik at de unge også i forhold til dette spørsmålet, framstår som aktive og reflekterende aktører.
Disputas sobre el trabajo esclavo contemporáneo en Brasil y la precarización del sistema protector
Authors: Sousa Iury Alves de , Giesta Cabral Rafael Lamera
Published: January 2021

El artículo analizó las disputas conceptuales sobre la extensión del trabajo esclavo contemporáneo en Brasil para ilustrar la creciente tendencia abusiva que viola las directrices nacionales e internacionales sobre la protección del trabajo decente. Centrándose en el análisis de las controversias legislativas en el parlamento brasileño, llega a la conclusión de que las flexibilizaciones constitucionales sobre el concepto de trabajo esclavo contemporáneo amplifican la vulnerabilidad de los trabajadores dentro del sistema de protección.
Question Generation as a Strategy for Advancing Intermediate- and Low-Achieving Students in Higher Education
Authors: Aflalo Ester
Published: January 2021

Student question generation (SQG) is a teaching and learning strategy that promotes higher-order cognitive skills. The purpose of this study is to determine which students gain the most from SQG activities: Is it mainly those with strong academic achievements? The study took place over the course of six years, during which 171 preservice teachers in Israel generated, answered, and peer-evaluated questions at higher and lower orders of thinking. When their exam grades before and after the SQG intervention were checked, the intermediate- and low-achieving students showed the most significant improvement. These findings could contribute to a reassessment of commonly held attitudes about the ostensible inability of underachieving students to engage in higher-order thinking tasks.
The Effect of Decentralization Policy in Improving Community Welfare Regional Government of Special Yogyakarta - Indonesia
Authors: Supriyatno Budi
Published: January 2021

The Special Region of Yogyakarta is a Special Region at the provincial level in Indonesia which is the fusion of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta and the Paku Alaman Duchy. The Special Region of Yogyakarta is located in the southern part of the Indonesian Island of Java, and is bordered by the Provinces of Central Java and the Indian Ocean. Specialties of the Special Region of Yogyakarta must also play a role as an autonomous region implementing decentralization. However, the problem is that the policies, implementers and implications of decentralization have not been able to improve the welfare of the people. This can be seen from the level of income gap in the Special Region of Yogyakarta getting higher. Even the gap in the Special Region of Yogyakarta is above the national figure. The Government of the Special Region of Yogyakarta is expected to be able to encourage and run activities programs that are focused on people's welfare. Development must be directed to create jobs and increase community income so that people's welfare increases. This study aims to measure the effect of decentralization policies on improving the welfare of the people in the Yogyakarta Special Region Government.
Aplicação de piraclostrobina em genótipos de milho cultivados em segunda safra
Authors: Vanessa da Silva Andreia , Fialho Reis Edésio , Lopes Rezende-Silva Sueisla , Antonio Civardi Ederson , Paulino da Costa Netto Antônio
Published: January 2021

Objective with this study evaluate the physiological effects, disease control and effects on the production components of pyraclostrobin fungicide, applied at different phenological stages of of second crop corn genotypes, in Jataí city. In randomized blocks in a factorial design 3 x 4 with four replications. The treatments consisted in three corn genotypes and four periods of pyraclostrobin application. There was no interaction between genotype and applications for the variables evaluated. For the majority of the variables the only difference were between genotypes. The application of pyraclostrobin does not interfere in the physiology, development and grain production of maize plants grown in second crop and there was no significant difference in the control of polissora blight,cercospora spot, bipolaris spot stain and white stain by the application of pyraclostrobin in the genotypes studied.
Consórcio de milho com forrageiras: atributos físicos do solo e produtividade de massa seca
Authors: Santiani Leonardo , Bagiotto Rossato Otavio , Pizzatto Contini Renata , Vortmann Igor , Eisenhardt Jeizon
Published: January 2021

The objective of this work was to evaluate the productivity of maizedry matter in the consortium with forage or in single cultivation, oats + ryegrass in succession and the physical attributes in a Red Nitosol. The experiment was conducted in Concórdia -SC in the agricultural years 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The design wasa randomized block with 5 replications, consisting of the treatments: T1 -Single maize; T2 -Maize + Pigeon pea forage (Cajanus cajan); T3 -Maize + Urochloa ruziziensis; T4 -Maize + Pigeon peaforage + U. ruziziensis, T5 –Pigeon peaforage and T6 -U.ruziziensissingle. The dry mass productivity (PMS) of maize, forage and oats + ryegrass in succession was determined. Also, the Rapid Diagnosis of Soil Structure (DRES) and the Mechanical Resistance of Soil to Penetration (RSP) were carried out after twoyears of cultivation. The presence of U. ruziziensisand / or Pigeon peadid not affect the dry matter yield of maizein both harvests. The highest PMS of oats were found in the plots following single maizeand the smallest for the second crop, where treatments with U. ruziziensisfollowed. For RSP, no significant differences were found in consortia and single crops. The treatments with U. ruziziensisobtained better indexes of structural quality. The corn consortium with Urochloa ruziziensis, in addition to not reducing silage productivity, provides forage availability in the autumn empty period, as well as improving soil attributes.
Visual-Motor Perception and Handwriting Performance of Students with Mixed Subtype Dyslexia
Authors: Aparecida Capellini Simone , Sellin Larissa , D’Angelo Ilaria , Del Bianco Noemi , Giaconi Catia , Donadon Germano Giseli
Published: January 2021

This studyaimed to characterize and compare the visual-motor perception and handwriting performance of students with mixed dyslexia and students with good academic performance. Twenty-six schoolchildren of both sexes participated in this study, aged 9 to 11 years and 11 months old, from fourth and fifth grades of an elementary school in municipal public schools, from an average socioeconomic level, divided into two groups: Group I (GI) composed of 13 students with a multidisciplinary diagnosis of mixed developmental dyslexia and Group II (GII) composed of 13 students with good academic performance from a municipal school and matched according to gender, education, and age to GI. All students in this study were subjected to the application of the following procedures: Developmental Test of Visual Perception III—DTVP-III, Dysgraphia Scale and writing analysis by NeuroScript MovAlyzeR 6.1 software. The results were analyzed statistically using the following tests: Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Friedman test, aiming to verify intragroup and intergroup differences for the variables of interest in the DTVP-III, the Dysgraphia Scale, and the measures of handwriting speed and pressure by the MovAlyzeR software. The results were analyzed statistically at a significance level of 5% (0.050). The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between GI and GII in the parameters of the Dysgraphia Scale, floating lines, irregular spaces between words, junction points, sudden movements, and dimension irregularities. GII showed a superior performance in relation to GI in the variables analyzed with the DTVP-III in visual-motor integration, reduced motricity perception, and general visual perception. There was no statistically significant difference between GI and GII in the variables analyzed by the MovAlyzeR software. The results of this study allowed us to conclude that students with mixed dyslexia present a lower performance profile than the students with good academic performance in general visual perception, reduced motricity visual perception, and visual-motor perception skills, which may be the cause of the quality of dysgraphic writing characterized by floating lines, irregular spaces, junction points, sudden movements, and dimension irregularities.
Pediatric Portal Hypertension
Authors: A. Zbaida Reda
Published: January 2021

Portal hypertension is increased intravascular pressure of the portal vein. The prevalence of causes in children is different from adults ones. The commonest cause of pediatric portal hypertension is the extra-hepatic portal hypertension, comparing with an adult where liver cirrhosis is the comments cause. Also, taking into consideration, the fundamental physiological differences between the two age groups. These elements are making the attempt to extrapolate the adult guidelines to the pediatric age group unpractical. On the other hand, the limitation of well-designed studies in the pediatric age group makes reaching a consensus about the safety and efficiency of primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding difficult. In contrast, there were enough data to recommend the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding and the safety and efficiency of Meso-Rex shunt for portal hypertension have been confirmed. These indicate the necessity of further studies to reach a complete algorithm of guidelines for pediatric portal hypertension.
Fault Tolerance in Carbon Nanotube Transistors Based Multi Valued Logic
Authors: Sundararajan Gopalakrishnan
Published: January 2021

This Chapter presents a solution for fault-tolerance in Multi-Valued Logic (MVL) circuits comprised of Carbon Nano-Tube Field Effect Transistors (CNTFET). This chapter reviews basic primitives of MVL and describes ternary implementations of CNTFET circuits. Finally, this chapter describes a method for error correction called Restorative Feedback (RFB). The RFB method is a variant of Triple-Modular Redundancy (TMR) that utilizes the fault masking capabilities of the Muller C element to provide added protection against noisy transient faults. Fault tolerant properties of Muller C element is discussed and error correction capability of RFB method is demonstrated in detail.
Plate Heat Exchangers: Artificial Neural Networks for Their Design
Authors: Kılıç Bayram
Published: January 2021

Heat exchangers are installation components in which two fluids with different temperatures are separated from each other with the help of plates and these plates make heat transfer between two fluids. The biggest advantage of plate heat exchangers over other type of heat exchangers is their heat transfer efficiency. The thinness of the plates separating the two fluids compared to other material alternatives increases the amount of heat transfer and thus reduces the heat losses that may occur during heat transfer. Plate heat exchangers are not only efficient but also prevent the formation of residue and dirt that can accumulate over time in the used applications. It also protects the system against excessive pressure that may occur in the installation. In this study, some information about plate heat exchangers is given such as classification, plate geometry, pressure losses, and thermal calculations. Also, the data obtained from the experimental work were used to obtain some relativity in order to use it in plate heat exchangers and artificial neural networks (ANN) method was used for this purpose. Artificial neural network method is used in many engineering applications. The most important advantages of this method are rapid formation, simple formation and high learning capacity.
Architectural Design Canons from Middle Ages and Before: An Inspiration for Modern Sustainable Construction
Authors: Frans De Naeyer André
Published: January 2021

The role of geometry and arithmetic in ancient building is common knowledge, but it has seldom been proved by measured drawing. This chapter looks for the remote origins of design criteria and ancient canons, and their application in representative antique and medieval architecture. Architectural design had to reflect the universal cosmic Order and Harmony and the ancient and medieval architect-designer had to rely on the same intangible instruments, i.e. the geometry and the arithmetic’s, created by the Divine Geometer. The geometry of forms and the numbers of quantities and dimensions served as a mayor instrument for developing coherent modulation in the design and the structure of the building and his environment. They also served as a symbol and an allegorical sign to convey intangible messages from the commissioner. Metric analysis reveals this evident design practices and their probable semantic content. This is illustrated in the analysis of six cases: the Cheops pyramid at Memphis, the Pantheon at Rome, the Charlemagne’s Palace Chapel at Aachen, the Our Lady’s Cathedral at Chartres, the S. Francis Basilica at Assisi and the Castel del Monte at Andria. This historic examples should inspire modern creative design and modern sustainable construction.
Natural Polymers in Micro- and Nanoencapsulation for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications: Part II - Polysaccharides and Proteins
Authors: C. Ngwuluka Ndidi , Y. Abu-Thabit Nedal , J. Uwaezuoke Onyinye , O. Erebor Joan , O. Ilomuanya Margaret , R. Mohamed Riham , M.A. Soliman Soliman , H. Abu Elella Mahmoud , A.A. Ebrahim Noura
Published: January 2021

Encapsulation remains a fundamental and consistent approach of fabrication of drug and diagnostic delivery systems in the health space and natural polymers such as polysaccharides and proteins continue to play significant roles. Micro- or nanoencapsulation is employed for the conventional pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, or biologics, bioactives from natural sources and diagnostics such as biomarkers. The outcome of any encapsulation depends on the technique employed and the encapsulating material. The encapsulating materials employed influence the physical and chemical attributes of the fabricated micro- and nanocapsules. The encapsulating materials could be natural or synthetic, however, natural polymers are preferred because they are human and environmentally friendly. Polysaccharides and proteins are abundant in nature, biogenic, biocompatible, biodegradable and possess biological functions making them materials of choice for encapsulation of drugs and diagnostics. This chapter reviews the recent and advanced applications of polysaccharides and proteins as nanocarrier materials for micro- and nanoencapsulation of therapeutics and diagnostics.
An Intelligent Access Control Model
Authors: Mohamed Sulaiyam ALAmri Shadha
Published: January 2021

Cybersecurity is a critical issue as the world is moving towered IR4 era (Industrial Revaluation 4.0) where technology is involved, and access to the internet is an imperative need. The traditional computing systems are not able to meet the huge computing demand and growing data (Big-Data). Therefore; new technologies have been evolved such as cloud computing. This chapter is exploring the need for a dynamic access control approach to enhance the Cybersecurity. The scope in this chapter is focusing on IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) layer of cloud computing. The research approach aims to enhance the basic ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control) model by adding a context-aware feature and SoD principle. The enhanced model called ABACsh. This proposed enhancement is implemented through a framework based on AI (Artificial Intelligent) to meet the requirements of dynamic systems. The framework is tested in the OpenStack testbed. The results show better performance in the term of computation speed.
Drug-Induced Delirium among Older People
Authors: Rossi Varallo Fabiana , Maicon de Oliveira Alan , Cristina Barboza Zanetti Ariane , Carneiro Capucho Helaine , Régis Leira Pereira Leonardo , Borges Pereira Lucas , Olívia Barboza Zanetti Maria , Zago Oliveira Thalita , Detoni Lopes Vinícius
Published: January 2021

Although underdiagnosed, delirium is a common and potentially preventable problem in older patients, being associated with morbimortality. Drugs have been associated with the development of delirium in the geriatric population and may be considered the most easily reversible trigger. Polypharmacy, prescription of deliriogenic, anticholinergic and potentially inappropriate drugs are contributing factors for the occurrence of the disturb. Furthermore, changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, which are intrinsic of the aged process, may contribute for cognitive impairment. Identification and reversal of clinical conditions associated with delirium are the first step to treat the disturbance, as well as mitigation of environmental factors and the exposition to deliriogenic drugs. Current evidence does not support the prescription of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines for the treatment of delirium. However, the judicious use of first- or second-generation antipsychotics can be considered in severe cases. Multi-component non-pharmacological, software-based intervention to identify medications that could contribute to delirium, predictive models, tools, training of health professionals and active actions of pharmacovigilance may contribute to the screening, prevention, and management of delirium in older people. Besides, it is also important to improve the report of drug-induced delirium in medical records, to develop properly risk management plans and avoid cascade iatrogenesis.
Implication of Secondary Atmospheric Pollutants in the Air Quality: A Case-Study for Ozone
Authors: Galán Madruga David
Published: January 2021

Air quality and Public Health are concepts linked to each other. Within the frame of Public Health, a wide range of external factors, derived from rising wastes towards all environmental compartments, may generate harmful effects on human health. In particular, the release of polluting compounds into the ambient air coming from emission sources is a paramount concern, given that atmospheric pollution is considered the most significant environmental risk for human beings. In this context, while this chapter to provide an overview of the most critical air pollutants that can depict air quality status in terms of exposure, potential effects, emission sources, and types of pollutants, the principal purpose is focused on secondary atmospheric pollutants, emphasizing to tropospheric ozone as a significant pollutant within this group. In this sense, aspects such as the atmospheric ozone chemistry responsible for its formation and its spatial distribution into vast territories, including urban, suburban, and rural environments, were conveniently explained. Based on displayed evidence, primaries air pollutants, mainly nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide, are responsible for the tropospheric ozone’s formation; therefore, reducing their levels could be translated into a decrease of ozone concentrations at the ground-level. Attending to the ozone distribution, the revealed findings lead to the next concentration gradient: higher ozone levels in rural, followed by suburban and urban sites, respectively. Finally, it can be concluded that the importance of tropospheric ozone within air quality lies in the possibility of producing harmful effects on human health and generating climate changes, either directly or indirectly.
A new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Binh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam
Authors: Ostrowski Sabrina , Le Minh Duc , Ngo Hanh Thi , Pham Cuong The , Phung Trung My , Nguyen Truong Quang , Ziegler Thomas
Published: January 2021

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus on the basis of two specimens collected from Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Binh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus chungi sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: relatively small body size (SVL up to 68.5 mm); a continuous neckband; 5 or 6 irregular transverse dorsal bands; 11 or 12 bands on original tail; keeled tubercles present on dorsum, posterior limbs and tail; 17 or 18 irregular dorsal tubercle rows; 30 or 31 ventral scale rows; ventrolateral skin folds indistinct; an angular series of seven precloacal pores in male and six pitted, enlarged precloacal scales in female, each series separated by a diastema of undifferentiated scales from 4–6 enlarged, poreless femoral scales; median subcaudals slightly enlarged; 17–20 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe. Based on molecular analyses of the fragment of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), the new species is recovered as the sister taxon to Cyrtodactylus cattienensis s. str. with a genetic divergence of more than 9%. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as a member of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis species group.
Membership Committee: We Are ALSC: Profiles from the Field
Authors: Membership Committee ALSC
Published: January 2021

What does ALSC membership mean to our members? It may depend on what aspect of librarianship they’re working in! Here’s a glimpse from three members who’ve taken three different paths.
White Opaque Substance, a New Optical Marker on Magnifying Endoscopy: Usefulness in Diagnosing Colorectal Epithelial Neoplasms
Authors: Yamasaki Kazutomo , Hisabe Takashi , Yao Kenshi , Ishihara Hiroshi , Imamura Kentaro , Yasaka Tatsuhisa , Tanabe Hiroshi , Iwashita Akinori , Ueki Toshiharu
Published: January 2021

Background/Aims: A white substance that is opaque to endoscopic light is sometimes observed in the epithelium during narrowband imaging with magnifying endoscopy of gastric or colorectal epithelial neoplasms. This prospective observational study aimed to determine whether the morphology of the white opaque substance (WOS) allows differential diagnosis between colorectal adenoma and carcinoma.Methods: A consecutive series of patients with colorectal adenomas or early carcinomas who underwent endoscopic resection or surgical excision were studied. The morphology of the WOS was determined based on endoscopic images before the histopathological diagnosis was performed. The primary outcome was the diagnostic performance of an irregular WOS as a marker of colorectal carcinoma.Results: The study analyzed 125 lesions. A total of 33 lesions showed an irregular WOS, and 92 lesions showed a regular WOS. Among the 33 lesions found to show an irregular WOS, 30 were carcinomas. Among the 92 lesions showing a regular WOS, 79 were adenomas. With irregular WOS as a marker of carcinoma, the diagnostic accuracy was 87%, sensitivity was 91%, and specificity was 86%.Conclusions: This study demonstrated the potential usefulness of the morphology of the WOS as a marker for the differential diagnosis between adenoma and carcinoma in cases of colorectal epithelial neoplasms.
On the Balance of Unrooted Trees
Authors: Fischer Mareike , Liebscher Volkmar
Published: January 2021

We solve a class of optimization problems for (phylogenetic) $X$-trees or their shapes. These problems have recently appeared in different contexts, e.g. in the context of the impact of tree shapes on the size of TBR neighborhoods, but so far these problems have not been characterized and solved in a systematic way. In this work we generalize the concept and also present several applications. Moreover, our results give rise to a nice notion of balance for trees, which plays an important role in various different research areas, including mathematical phylogenetics as well as computer science. Unsurprisingly, so-called caterpillars are the most unbalanced tree shapes, but it turns out that balanced tree shapes cannot be described so easily as they need not even be unique.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of Diabetes in Tuberculosis patients in Newham
Authors:   , Miah Jalal
Published: January 2021

Background. There is substantial evidence of the increasing burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) posing a threat to tuberculosis (TB) control globally. The global estimate of DM is expected to reach 592 million by 2030. In Europe, the estimated prevalence of DM is 8.5% and the rate of TB is 40 cases per 100,000 persons, with 74, 000 new cases per year (Badawi et al., 2014). It is estimated that DM triples the risk of developing TB when exposed an actively infected TB case, as well as modify the presenting features of TB, with more atypical radiological presentation, adverse TB treatment outcome, increased rates of relapse rates and death. The UK has the highest number of cases of TB in Western Europe. The London Borough of Newham has the highest number of cases in the UK, and this poses a public health risk. Thus, this research is aimed at analysing the prevalence of DM in TB patients in Newham and to describe the clinical presentation of Tuberculosis-Diabetes Mellitus (TB-DM) patients. Aim and objectives. The major objectives: 1. To determine the prevalence of DM in TB patients in Newham, with close attention paid to differences between UK-born and non-UK born patients; 2. To analyse the demographic, clinical characteristics and microbiological features associated with TB-DM compared with TB only patients. Methodology. The study was a retrospective cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of DM among diagnosed adult TB patients in Newham between the period of 2012-2015 with a follow-up period of 24 months from the London Borough of Newham, participants recruited from Barts Health NHS Trust. Results. Among the 489 TB patients used for this study, the prevalence of DM was 25.8 (range 24.3 – 33.0), greater than the UK average of 6.0%, and from the general population of Newham (3.9%) at the time of the study. The average patient age ranged from 27.5-49.9 years, with 85.3% of TB cases reported in the non-UK born population (P-value 0.087). Non-UK born individuals are more likely to be infected with TB, likely as a result of recent travel to high TB incidence areas or reactivation of latent TB, DM is not exclusively associated with the non-UK born population. DM was found to be significantly associated with age (P-value <0.005), comorbidities (P-value iv 0.007), worsening symptoms (night sweats (P-value 0.01), fever (P-value 0.02) and weight loss (P-value <0.001), social factors (heavy drinking (P-value 0.054) and person who injects drugs (P-value 0.04)). Microbiologically, the TB-DM cohort was likely to remain infectious for a longer period due to a higher bacterial load (P-value <0.001). Conclusion. In conclusion, DM poses a major challenge to controlling TB in Newham. A bi-directional screening of DM and TB cases, including screening of latent TB with DM, and tackling social determinants, i.e. the rise in the homeless population, use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse, should be further evaluated to control the impact of TB cases.
Datorizētas diagnostikas sistēmas izstrāde magnētiskās rezonanses lietojumsfērā
Authors:   , Supoņenkovs Artjoms
Published: January 2021

Promocijas darba mērķis ir piedāvāt pieejas, metodes, algoritmus un realizācijas, kas ļauj veikt datorizētu diagnostiku medicīniskā lietojumsfērā. Promocijas darbā izpētītas medicīnisko attēlu pirmapstrādes, segmentācijas un analizēšanas metodes, analizētas šablonu meklēšanas, ģeometrisko īpašību analizēšanas un tekstūras analizēšanas pieejas. Darbā parādīti organiskās struktūras analizēšanas etapi: medicīnisko attēlu pirmapstrāde; medicīnisko attēlu segmentācija; organiskās struktūras noteikšana un lokalizācija; organiskās struktūras fizikālās, ģeometrisko un tekstūru īpašību aprēķināšana; organiskās struktūras bojājumu detektēšana. Realizācijas daļā aprakstīti seši jauni autora izveidoti moduļi. Šiem moduļiem ir vairākas iespējas: relaksācijas laiku noteikšana; audu un šķidrumu segmentācija, analizēšana, lokalizēšana, īpašību noteikšana; medicīnisko attēlu pirmapstrāde un vizualizācija; medicīnisko attēlu apstrādes instrukcijas minimizācija; pacienta anketas analizēšana. Eksperimentālajā daļā noteiktas veselas un bojātas ceļa locītavas audu un šķidrumu raksturīgās fizikālās, tekstūras, ģeometriskās un topoloģiskās pazīmes. Eksperimentos salīdzinātas pirmapstrādes un segmentācijas metodes, autora izstrādāti šablonu meklēšanas režīmi un attēlu apstrādes optimizācijas metodes. Promocijas praktiskā vērtība ir medicīnas magnētiskās rezonanses attēlu apstrādes moduļu komplekss, kas palīdz ārstiem veikt ceļa locītavas neinvazīvu diagnostiku. Darba rezultātu aprobācija notikusi, piedaloties 11 zinātniskās konferencēs, un tā atspoguļota 10 publikācijās starptautiskos zinātniskos krājumos. Darbā ir ievads, piecas nodaļas, secinājumi un 12 pielikumu. Tajā ir 219 lappušu, literatūras sarakstā ir 116 nosaukumu.
Dialog tekstów naukowych w perspektywie socjologii
Authors: Jochimczyk Magdalena
Published: January 2021

This article is devoted to sociological reflection on the dialogue of scientific texts. It takes place by referring to some phenomena and theories widely discussed on the ground of sociology, which show the social character of intertextual references. The article provides arguments for the hypo- thesis that intertextual dialogue is a common activity that usually turns into a sequence of social activities. A sociological view of the issue of dialogue between authors of scientific texts leads to the conclusion that in the interaction that is being established there is a process of exchange connected with creating the image of the author in the academic environment. An equally important issue addressed in this publication is the normative regulation of interaction in intertextual dialogue.
A Broken Mirror Held to History’s Face On the Narrative Use of Computer Screens, Multi Screen Experiences, and a Transmedia Theoretical Console in the Popular Assassin’s Creed Series
Authors: Ottens Michel
Published: January 2021

This paper presents media theorist Nanna Verhoeff’s concept of the theoretical console, as a popular and overt form of transmedia narrative. The theoretical console is taken to be a transmedia assemblage that draws attention to itself, as comprising diverse and meaningful media objects, that can be connected in a shared narrative. My main examples of this concept here are those popular video games that spatially juxtapose several types of computer screens and computer uses, with a narrative emphasis. With extensive references to theory on screened media and on transmedia narratives, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is my main example case study. Specifically, this game and its series peers encourage historiographic contemplations, by assembling a theoretical console across several media forms. Other popular video games from that series provide variations of this same transmedia constellation, this “theoretical console”. In its transmedia constellation, with a second screen mobile phone app, and other complementary screen media, the fictionalized history of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag implicates elements from its actual reality, across various forms of engagement. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag presents a high fidelity historical fiction, to be comprehensively enacted. It mirrors the player’s use of differing computer screens diegetically within playable frame story sections. In addition, the complementary affordances of the mobile phone app, and integrated social media websites, all encourage its player to stay involved in this fictional world, even outside immediate play. With this, the game draws many activities into a single transmedial fiction constellation. Moreover, the game diegetically references online repositories for both its fictionalized history, and actual history. This use of computer screens, to form a transmedia constellation in the form of an overt theoretical console, is shown to complement this popular game’s hypermediative narrative of a fictional shadow war secretly driving actual human history, which then meaningfully posits how to theorize history in our everyday lives.
Transmedia Narratives of Social Intervention: Affecting Reflexiveness in the Communicative Phenomenon as a Key Competence in Education
Authors: Sotelo Xiana
Published: January 2021

Highlighting the educational grounds of transmedia frameworks, this article acknowledges the positive impact of multimedia technology in cademic achievement and focuses on the examination of the reflexiveness in the communicative phenomenon as a key competence in education. In the search for a deeper understanding of the role that transmedia formats can play in both teaching and learning, the theoretical and conceptual ground for the analysis will follow the premises of the new field called TPCK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and the well-known Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling. Moreover, a cognitive approach to narrative will be introduced to delineate the reflectiveness of the affection in linguistic and cognitive parameters.
High-resolution mapping of the neutralizing and binding specificities of polyclonal sera post-HIV Env trimer vaccination
Authors: Dingens Adam S , Pratap Payal , Malone Keara , Hilton Sarah K , Ketas Thomas , Cottrell Christopher A , Overbaugh Julie , Moore John P , Klasse PJ , Ward Andrew B , Bloom Jesse D
Published: January 2021

Mapping polyclonal serum responses is critical to rational vaccine design. However, most high-resolution mapping approaches involve isolating and characterizing individual antibodies, which incompletely defines the polyclonal response. Here we use two complementary approaches to directly map the specificities of the neutralizing and binding antibodies of polyclonal anti-HIV-1 sera from rabbits immunized with BG505 Env SOSIP trimers. We used mutational antigenic profiling to determine how all mutations in Env affected viral neutralization and electron microscopy polyclonal epitope mapping (EMPEM) to directly visualize serum Fabs bound to Env trimers. The dominant neutralizing specificities were generally only a subset of the more diverse binding specificities. Additional differences between binding and neutralization reflected antigenicity differences between virus and soluble Env trimer. Furthermore, we refined residue-level epitope specificity directly from sera, revealing subtle differences across sera. Together, mutational antigenic profiling and EMPEM yield a holistic view of the binding and neutralizing specificity of polyclonal sera.
Geographic potential of the world’s largest hornet,Vespa mandariniaSmith (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), worldwide and particularly in North America
Authors: Nuñez-Penichet Claudia , Osorio-Olvera Luis , Gonzalez Victor H. , Cobos Marlon E. , Jiménez Laura , DeRaad Devon A. , Alkishe Abdelghafar , Contreras-Díaz Rusby G. , Nava-Bolaños Angela , Utsumi Kaera , Ashraf Uzma , Adeboje Adeola , Peterson A. Townsend , Soberon Jorge
Published: January 2021

The Asian giant hornet (AGH,Vespa mandarinia) is the world’s largest hornet, occurring naturally in the Indomalayan region, where it is a voracious predator of pollinating insects including honey bees. In September 2019, a nest of Asian giant hornets was detected outside of Vancouver, British Columbia; multiple individuals were detected in British Columbia and Washington state in 2020; and another nest was found and eradicated in Washington state in November 2020, indicating that the AGH may have successfully wintered in North America. Because hornets tend to spread rapidly and become pests, reliable estimates of the potential invasive range ofV. mandariniain North America are needed to assess likely human and economic impacts, and to guide future eradication attempts. Here, we assess climatic suitability for AGH in North America, and suggest that, without control, this species could establish populations across the Pacific Northwest and much of eastern North America. Predicted suitable areas for AGH in North America overlap broadly with areas where honey production is highest, as well as with species-rich areas for native bumble bees and stingless bees of the genusMeliponain Mexico, highlighting the economic and environmental necessity of controlling this nascent invasion.
Consistency of dark skeletal muscles in Thai native black-bone chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)
Authors: Kriangwanich Wannapimol , Piboon Promporn , Sakorn Wirakorn , Buddhachat Kittisak , Kochagul Varankpicha , Pringproa Kidsadagon , Mekchay Supamit , Nganvongpanit Korakot
Published: January 2021

Black-bone chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) have become economically valuable, particularly in Southeast Asia as a consequence of popular traditional Chinese medical practices. Chickens with whole body organ darkness are considered to have higher value and are, therefore, more often requested. This research study aimed to investigate the darkness in 34 skeletal muscles of 10 Thai black-bone chickens (five males and five females). The evaluation of muscle darkness was done on two levels: (i) a color chart was employed at the macroanatomical level and (ii) by using melanin pigment to evaluate the structure at the microanatomy level. The results revealed that the accumulation of melanin pigment in the muscle tissue was observed in the endomysium, perimysium and epimysium. With respect to the results of the color chart test, iliotibialis lateralis pars preacetabularis, gastrocnemius, fibularis longus and puboischiofemoralis pars medialis showed the highest degree of darkness, while serratus profundus, pectoralis, iliotibialis cranialis, flexor cruris lateralis, and flexor cruris medialis appeared to be the least dark. In addition, we found that the highest and lowest amounts of melanin pigment was noted in the flexor carpi ulnaris and pectoralis (p< 0.05), respectively; however, there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) observed between the sexes. These results reveal that the 34 specified muscles of black-bone chickens showed uneven distribution of darkness due to the differing accumulations of melanin pigments of each muscle.This information may provide background knowledge for a better understanding of melanin accumulation and lead to breeding improvements in Thai black-bone chickens.
La presencia y superación de la ‘ceguera intelectual’ y del ‘miedo inconsciente de encontrarse con Dios’ en el análisis steiniano de El Castillo Interior de Santa Teresa Según el Apéndice I de Edith Stein en Ser Finito y Ser Eterno
Authors: Franken-Kurzen Clemens
Published: January 2021

En su fiel interpretación de las siete moradas del Castillo Interior de Santa Teresa, la que presenta una antropología teológica-literaria en un lenguaje simbólico, alegórico y paradójico partiendo de la verdad religiosa originaria de que el misterio de la presencia de Dios, debilitada a consecuencia del pecado original, confunde la mente humana cegándola y hace al hombre temer inconscientemente a Dios y huir de Él, Edith Stein coincide con su madre Teresa especialmente en la primera parte del escrito y actualiza las reflexiones místicas-literarias teresianas en relación a los problemas de las ciencias modernas en la segunda parte, profundizando, entre otros, los aspectos de la ceguera intelectual y el miedo inconsciente de encontrarse con Dios. Ambas autoras comparten que en las primeras tres moradas el pecado le impide al ser humano ver y entender su propia realidad. Solo muriendo más adelante al egoísmo, a los temores y angustias que nacen de la misma naturaleza humana, es decir, solo purificando el alma, en forma activa y pasiva, abriéndose humilde, obediente y confiadamente al amor divino sin preocuparse de la propia limitación, el hombre logra, según Santa Teresa y Edith Stein, vencer el miedo y superar la ceguera intelectual. Es Dios mismo, que se acerca y revela al hombre, le quita de los ojos la venda y lo hace sentirse amado en una unión de amor tan plena que el alma humana ya no se espanta de nada.