bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimalisasi Pemberdayaan Kader PKK Terhadap Peningkatan Kerajinan Limbah Plastik
Authors: Handayani Estrin , Falyauma Nufikha , Hartini Dhian Dwi , Sari Sulistiyani Purna , Marijanto Seno
Published: May 2021

Abstract: The activities to optimize the empowerment of PKK cadres include 15 housewives who initially did not have productive activities, now they had skill in making crafts made from plastic waste. The program that has been implemented is the use of plastic waste into handicrafts as a means of entrepreneurial-based creative economy. This program is very helpful in maintaining the balance of the environment in an ecological manner. Preserving the environment is a very important factor today. Many natural disasters are caused due to damaged environment. PKK provides simple counseling so that the environment is not damaged and prevents contamination of water sources, carries out plastic waste management using handicrafts. The method used in this activity is Participatory Rural Appraisal, which is an approach method in the process of empowering and increasing community participation by emphasizing community involvement in all activities carried out. The purpose of this Community Service activity is to reactivate community cadres in managing waste into crafts based on creative economy entrepreneurship. The results of this event were attended by 15 PKK members, and 3 small groups were produced based on the raw materials used with craft management creations.Keywords: Crafts ; Garbage Waste; PKK Cadres; Plastic Waste Abstrak: Kegiatan optimalisasi pemberdayaan kader PKK ini meliputi 15 orang Ibu Rumah Tangga yang awalnya tidak mempunyai kegiatan produktif, sekarang telah terampil dalam membuat kerajinan berbahan baku limbah plastik. Program yang telah dijalankan berupa pemanfaatan limbah plastik menjadi kerajinan tangan sebagai sarana ekonomi kreatif berbasis wirausaha. Program ini sangat membantu dalam menjaga keseimbangan lingkungan secara ekologis. Menjaga kelestarian lingkungan menjadi faktor yang sangat penting dewasa ini. Banyak bencana alam yang disebabkan karena lingkungan yang rusak. PKK memberikan penyuluhan sederhana agar lingkungan tidak dirusak dan mencegah  pencemaran sumber air, melaksanakan pengelolaan sampah plastik dengan pemanfaatan kerajinan tangan. Metode yang digunakan dalam kegiatan ini adalah Participatory Rural Appraisal yaitu metode pendekatan dalam proses pemberdayaan dan peningkatan partisipasi masyarakat dengan menekankan pada keterlibatan masyarakat dalam semua kegiatan yang dilaksanakan. Tujuan dilakukan kegiatan Pengabdian ini adalah untuk mengaktifkan kembali pengkaderan masyarakat dalam mengelola limbah sampah menjadi kerajinan yang berbasis wirausaha ekonomi kreatif. Hasil pengadian ini dihadiri oleh 15 anggota PKK Dusun Wonosuko, dan dihasilkan 3 kelompok kecil berdasarkan bahan baku yang digunakan dengan kreasi pengelolaan kerajinan.Kata Kunci: Kader PKK; Kerajinan; Limbah Plastik; Limbah Sampah
Integración de Sistemas Solares Fotovoltaicos en el Sector Camaronero Intensivo y Extensivo del Ecuador: Caso de Estudio en la Provincia de El Oro
Authors: Pesantez Juan-Pablo , Ríos-Villacorta Alberto , González-Redrován Javier
Published: May 2021

Actualmente, la integración de sistemas solares fotovoltaicos en las redes de distribución para el suministro eléctrico directo a usuarios industriales permite reducir significativamente los costos de operación e incrementar la competitividad de los sectores productivos. En este sentido, los sistemas solares fotovoltaicos podrían suministrar un importante porcentaje de las necesidades eléctricas de las empresas camaroneras de forma económica y fiable. Las fincas camaroneras se localizan generalmente en sitios remotos, cerca de las costas e incluso en islas, sin conexión al sistema eléctrico nacional. La construcción de redes eléctricas de suministro eléctrico resultaría excesivamente costosa. Así, los motores diésel de combustión interna se encargan de garantizar el suministro de la demanda energética en esta industria. Los resultados del presente estudio demuestran que la integración de sistemas fotovoltaicos de generación solar puede satisfacer parcialmente la demanda eléctrica de los cultivos intensivos y extensivos de camarones de la provincia de El Oro. El estudio se lo realiza en Puerto Pitahaya perteneciente al cantón Arenillas, donde se comprueba la existencia de un excepcional recurso solar en promedio 133.02 kWh/m²- mes, el costo de inversión por cada kW de esta tecnología es de $415,8 lo cual representa un precio competitivo, así mismo la madurez de la tecnología solar garantizan una rápida recuperación de la inversión, un suministro eléctrico de elevada fiabilidad y una sustancial mejora de la eficiencia energética de la producción de las empresas del sector camaronero del Ecuador.
La Sostenibilidad en el Ecuador a Través de un Análisis Multicriterio Basado en Entropía, Durante el Período 2008 – 2015
Authors: Escola Belén , Palma María-José , González Silvia , Ávalos Eduardo
Published: May 2021

Los programas y políticas implementadas en Ecuador en la última década han permitido el mejoramiento de sus indicadores de Desarrollo Sostenible. Sin embargo, a nivel de país, no se cuenta con estudios que permitan evaluar y dar seguimiento a las 4 dimensiones del Desarrollo Sostenible: económica, social, ambiental e institucional, en conjunto. El Método de Coeficientes Ponderados de Entropía permite analizar de forma objetiva el peso de cada uno de los indicadores, dentro del sistema total y los subsistemas, mediante el grado de diversidad de la información. De esta forma, el análisis de los subsistemas económico, social y ambiental, durante el periodo 2008 - 2015 muestra que el subsistema económico es el que más aporta al Desarrollo Sostenible, y sus indicadores son los de mayor peso en el sistema total. Sin embargo, la evolución de los subsistemas social y ambiental muestra un crecimiento paulatino. Y, en general, un progreso en términos de Desarrollo Sostenible.
Análisis de la Tensión Interfacial Entre Dos Fluidos Inmiscibles con el Uso de Cuatro Surfactantes (Catiónico, No-Iónico), de la Arena Productora U Inferior del Campo Pindo
Authors: Celi Jonathan , Gómez Franklin , Enríquez Bolívar
Published: May 2021

La aplicación de recuperación mejorada puede incrementar el factor de recobro en más de un 20% después de aplicar recuperación primaria y secundaria. Para recuperar ese petróleo remanente de los reservorios se puede inyectar fluidos con surfactantes, lo cual está dentro de la recuperación terciaria. En este trabajo, se examina las tensiones interfaciales y superficiales con el uso de cuatro surfactantes comerciales en diferentes concentraciones. Generando curvas para analizar la tensión interfacial entre dos fluidos inmiscibles (agua de inyección con surfactante y petróleo). La investigación se desarrolló en tres fases. En la primera, se analizaron las propiedades del agua (salinidad y concentración de sólidos disueltos), surfactante (pH y el análisis de espectrometría infrarroja) y petróleo (BSW y API). En la segunda fase se midieron las tensiones superficiales (TS) en una mezcla de agua de formación y surfactante a diferentes concentraciones para obtener la concentración micelar crítica (CMC), y en la tercera fase la medición de tensiones interfaciales (IFT) en los dos fluidos inmiscibles. Es decir, una mezcla de agua de inyección, surfactante y petróleo del campo Pindo. Las muestras de fluidos fueron proporcionadas por Petrosud Petroriva. Con los resultados, se procedió a generar curvas de Tensión superficial e interfacial Vs Concentración. El surfactante HALMX152805-2 de tipo no iónico con grupos funcionales de Alquil e Hidróxilo a una concentración del 0.3% en peso, tuvo la mayor reducción tanto en la CMC e IFT.
Caracterización y Evaluación de Tobas Puzolánicas en el Sur del Ecuador, Caso de Estudio “Yamana” Cantón Paltas, Provincia de Loja
Authors: Guamán Galo , Ubidia Carlos , Gualpa Wilman
Published: May 2021

En el presente artículo se presentan los resultados de la evaluación de la actividad puzolánica de tobas ubicadas en Barrial Blanco al sur del Ecuador. La metodología incluye ensayos físicos (módulo de finura, índice de puzolanidad, densidad de roca), químicos (pérdida por ignición, fluorescencia de rayos x y difracción de rayos x) y geofísicos (tomografía eléctrica vertical), La actividad puzolánica se determinó a partir de la resistencia a la compresión, según la norma ASTM C311 y C618. Dicho depósito tiene como recurso un total de 323 680 030 Tm de material aglomerante con un índice de puzolanidad promedio de 83,91%, determinado a partir de una resistencia media de 11,74 MPa de resistencia al corte tomando en cuenta la dosificación especificada para el desarrollo del ensayo. A su vez cuenta con una gran ventaja al poseer un 0,00109 m3/Ton de coeficiente de destape, ya que las rocas afloran en superficie. Finalmente, se categoriza el depósito a nivel de recurso indicado dentro de los márgenes de la clasificación JORC (1999) de recursos y reservas, ya que cuenta con un nivel de confianza razonable, pero no con un alto grado de certidumbre.
Determinantes del Rendimiento Académico de los Estudiantes de una Universidad Pública Ecuatoriana
Authors: Medina Julio , Pinzón Kathia , Salazar-Méndez Yasmín
Published: May 2021

En el Ecuador, el sistema de educación superior históricamente se ha caracterizado por la sobrerrepresentación de los sectores más aventajados de la sociedad. En el año 2008, el Ecuador aprobó una nueva Constitución que incorporó nuevas directrices para la educación superior orientadas hacia la consecución de la igualdad de oportunidades. Con el fin de garantizar este principio, se implementó en 2012 el Sistema de Nivelación y Admisión (SNNA). En este contexto, el presente estudio tiene por objetivo analizar las características y el desempeño de los estudiantes de una facultad de una universidad pública ecuatoriana. Para esto, se aplicó una encuesta a un grupo de estudiantes y se estimó un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple. Los resultados sugieren, entre otras cosas, que aún existen sectores sociales con representación casi nula y que el desempeño académico universitario depende significativamente de variables asociadas a factores personales, familiares e institucionales.
Prototipo Caja de Arena de Realidad Aumentada GS-Sandbox
Authors: Viracucha Edwin , Manosalvas Samy
Published: May 2021

A finales del año 2017, se empezó el desarrollo de un prototipo de caja de arena denominado “GS-Sandbox”, iniciativa motivada por revisar técnicas elaboradas en museos interactivos como en Japón, sitios donde se han implementado las técnicas de Realidad Aumentada para concientizar a los ciudadanos japoneses acerca de los fenómenos naturales que se registran año tras año. El objetivo de este estudio es replicar un dispositivo de modelamiento topográfico de realidad aumentada (AR) sobre una caja de arena. Esta será una herramienta interactiva para concientizar a estudiantes de escuelas, colegios, comunidad y entidades gubernamentales acerca de los peligros de los fenómenos naturales, principalmente los que están relacionados con las erupciones volcánicas en el Ecuador. La realidad aumentada se produce al superponer elementos virtuales sobre elementos reales y al utilizar la tecnología informática puede ser visualizado en una pantalla o proyectado al mundo real.
Efectos en la logística comercial de las PYMES post-pandemia Covid-19
Authors: Espinoza-Castillo Ronny , Nieto-Contreras Patricio , Mora-Sánchez Norman , Pacheco-Molina Andres
Published: May 2021

La pandemia por Covid-19 ha afectado a la economía del mundo entero causando grandes problemas e inestabilidad social en los países. El mundo empresarial también se ha visto afectado, pues actividades económicas de las empresas que se conocían como normales, han sufrido cambios drásticos. El objetivo de la presente investigación es determinar los efectos de la logística comercial en el desarrollo del mercado de las PYMES de la Ciudad de Machala post-pandemia Covid-19. La investigación es de carácter cualitativo de alcance descriptivo, la investigación es no experimental de diseño transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta a 254 pymes dando como resultado que, pocos son los cambios que ha sufrido la logística comercial en la Pymes de Machala durante la pandemia, pues no son transcendentales. Tomando en cuenta la adopción de estrategias logísticas que se sincronicen entre Pymes y el mercado, los procesos que se seguirán utilizando post-pandemia Covid-19 son la relación con los proveedores, planificación de compras y forma de vender.
Competitividad: Pymes y el social network
Authors: Arévalo-Torres Ruth , Mora-Sanchez Norman , Pacheco-Molina Andrés
Published: May 2021

Los mercados exigen a las organizaciones cada vez más eficiencia, eficacia, creatividad y agilidad, obligándolas a buscar herramientas que les permitan innovar sus procesos. Bajo esta premisa, el objetivo de la investigación es determinar si la utilización del social network en las PYMES de la ciudad de Machala genera ventaja competitiva. La metodología que se aplicó fue de carácter cuali-cuantitativo, descriptivo con enfoque explicativo; además, se utilizó como instrumento de aplicación una encuesta a 254 pymes del cantón Machala, Provincia de Oro-Ecuador. Los resultados muestran que las redes sociales más utilizadas por las pymes son Facebook y WhatsApp, siento ésta última que más genera ventas. Se concluye que las redes sociales si generan competitividad en las pymes, aprovechando todas las herramientas que ofrecen para convertir los esfuerzos aplicados en ingresos.
Técnicas de administración de inventario en las fábricas de calzado de la Centinela sin relevo
Authors: Castro-Sigüenza Arianna , Ramírez-Guerrero Darly , Pacheco-Molina Andrés , Ollague-Valarezo José
Published: May 2021

La administración de inventario es importante dentro de las empresas porque permite llevar un balance adecuado de las existencias de los productos de materia prima con la finalidad de evitar la pérdida de clientes. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo aplicar un sistema de gestión de inventario utilizando las técnicas (QEP – JIT) para el proceso de adquisición de materia prima y materiales en la fabricación de calzado. La metodología tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo de alcance descriptivo experimental, ya que fue aplicada para el estudio de los modelos de inventarios: la cantidad óptima de pedido, el justo a tiempo y su adaptación en la industria de calzado de la ciudad de Huaquillas con la finalidad de implementar los modelos en los sistemas de producción de las fábricas y con eso determinar el impacto en el sistema de inventario; se utilizó una muestra de treinta y cuatro empresas que fueron seleccionadas por conveniencia. Los resultados muestran que el stock mínimo con el que se manejan si abastece la demanda considerando el nivel de producción, tomando en cuenta que la mayoría de los fabricantes manejan sus inventarios de forma empírica, por lo tanto, no tienen un control adecuado de los productos y materiales que ingresan y salen de la fábrica generando una mala administración de capital, por lo que están dispuestos a implementar un modelo con la finalidad de mejorar su proceso productivo.
Atención al cliente: Servicios que ofrecen las EP de GAD del cantón Machala-2020
Authors: González-Loor Nicole , Rey-Martínez Anny , Mora-Sánchez Norman , Pacheco-Molina Andrés
Published: May 2021

La importancia de las empresas públicas es que sean más de tipo empresarial y se encuentren interesadas en la ciudadanía, trabajando de una manera eficaz aportando con los servicios que ofrecen a la población. Observando que a través del tiempo el cliente o la ciudadanía es una pieza fundamental del crecimiento de las empresas. Tomando en cuenta que no conocemos la satisfacción del usuario, no se han esforzado por mejorar su prestación, como lo podemos percibir en el estudio realizado en este artículo a los servicios que ofrecen las EP de GAD del cantón Machala al departamento del servicio al cliente. Aplicando los diferentes métodos de análisis cuantitativo, cualitativo, descriptivo, inductivo, estadístico, efectuando encuestas a la población y así obtener un resultado real y positivo de lo que estamos estudiando verificándolo con hechos, dando diferentes alternativas de mejora estableciendo criterios de aplicación de diferentes estrategias como test, evaluaciones, capacitaciones, foros, entrevistas, conferencias, seminarios, talleres aplicables al personal que será parte del departamento que ofrece este servicio. Percatándonos que la población fue estudiada, también da diferentes propuestas ya que son ellos los que reciben este servicio, proponiendo un buzón de sugerencias estableciendo mejoras en su atención porque siente la insuficiencia y esto con el tiempo a desarrollado diferentes disgustos por parte de los servidores, ese es el motivo de enfoque principal de este artículo para establecer una mejorar en el departamento de manera rápida y eficaz.
Desarrollo de un sistema de información comercial con facturación electrónica para las PYMES del departamento de Puno
Authors: Tipo-Mamani Noe , Gutierrez-Quispe Eder
Published: May 2021

El presente trabajo de investigación es de tipo cuantitativo experimental, que buscó solucionar el problema de gestión de la información de pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES), que   resulta dificultoso administrar y procesar de forma manual. Este trabajo compara los tiempos de las actividades comerciales con el sistema de información y sin el sistema de información. La población de   estudio fue las operaciones principales de los tipos de negocio más comunes: ferreterías, bodegas, veterinarias, panaderías, venta de ropas y venta de computadoras, el tamaño de muestra total fue de 180 tomado de forma intencional, 30 de cada tipo de negocio, en la recolección de datos se utilizó la   captura de tiempos en minutos. Con la indagación se demostró la optimización de tiempo de las actividades comerciales de: crear orden y registro de compras, generar reporte stock de productos, emitir   comprobantes de ventas, generar reporte movimiento artículo, generar reporte rentabilidad, búsqueda de garantías, generar reporte avance de ventas y emisión de comprobantes electrónicos de manera significativa, mejorando los procesos de compras y ventas. Por lo tanto, se demuestra indudablemente la importancia de los sistemas de información comercial con facturación electrónica, para brindar soporte y nuevos servicios en la administración de los negocios actuales, de esta forma tener los procesos automatizados, simplificar las obligaciones tributarias, obtener mejores ganancias e incrementar el porcentaje de la taza de éxito a corto o largo plazo.
TBE in the Netherlands
Authors: Hermanus Jozef Reimerink Johannes , Sprong Hein , Hofhuis Agnetha , B.E.M Reusken Chantal
Published: May 2021

Until 2015, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was presumed not to be endemic in the Netherlands.1,2 Consequently, the number of diagnostic requests for detection of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) infection had been low. Between 2006 and 2015, the laboratory of the Netherlands Centre of Infectious Disease Control (Clb), 1 of the 2 laboratories that performed TBEV diagnostics in the Netherlands at the time, received an average of 20 (range 12–27) requests for TBE diagnostics per year. In the same period, TBE was diagnosed in 7 Dutch patients. All of these cases were considered to be travel-related. Indeed, 6 out of 7 patients reported that they had recently travelled to TBEV-endemic countries such as Austria (4), Germany (1), and Sweden (1).
Incident light on mesophotic corals is constrained by reef topography and colony morphology
Authors: Lesser MP , Mobley CD , Hedley JD , Slattery M
Published: May 2021

Mesophotic coral reefs, generally defined as deep reefs between 30 and 150 m, are found worldwide and are largely structured by changes in the underwater light field. Additionally, it is increasingly understood that reef-to-reef variability in topography, combined with quantitative and qualitative changes in the underwater light field with increasing depth, significantly influence the observed changes in coral distribution and abundance. Here, we take a modeling approach to examine the effects of the inherent optical properties of the water column on the irradiance that corals are exposed to along a shallow to mesophotic depth gradient. In particular, the roles of reef topography including horizontal, sloping and vertical substrates are quantified, as well as the differences between mounding, plating and branching colony morphologies. Downwelling irradiance and reef topography interact such that for a water mass of similar optical properties, the irradiance reaching the benthos varies significantly with topography (i.e. substrate angle). Coral morphology, however, is also a factor; model results show that isolated hemispherical colonies consistently ‘see’ greater incident irradiances across depths, and throughout the day, compared to plating and branching morphologies. These modeled geometric-based differences in the incident irradiances on different coral morphologies are not, however, consistent with actual depth-dependent distributions of these coral morphotypes, where plating morphologies dominate as you go deeper. Other factors, such as the cost of calcification, arguably contribute to these differences, but irradiance-driven patterns are a strong proximate cause for the observed differences in mesophotic communities on sloping versus vertical reef substrates.
Musculoskeletal Brucellosis in Adults in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Al Nokhatha Shamma , AlKindi Fatima , Al Yassi Shaima , Hashmey Rayhan
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the aerobic Gram-negative bacteria coccobacilli, and is considered a public health problem in the Mediterranean region and Arabian Peninsula. This paper studied the clinical characteristics of musculoskeletal brucellosis and the outcomes of treatment in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates. Method: A retrospective chart review study was conducted at Tawam Hospital over seven years: January 2009–January 2016. Risk factors for brucellosis, musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations, duration of Brucella infection (acute, subacute, chronic), and treatment were studied. Results: A total of 99 patients were diagnosed with brucellosis during the study period; the mean age was 44 years, the majority were males (71%), and the male to female ratio was 3:1. The most common risk factor for Brucella infection in the cohort was drinking raw milk (43.4%). Fever was the most common presenting symptoms (93%), followed by arthralgia, fatigue, and loss of appetite in 35, 21, and 14%, respectively. The clinical manifestations of brucellosis in the cohort were MSK involvement (30%), hepatitis (17%), epididymo-orchitis (2%), and endocarditis (1%). Thirty percent of patients (n=30) had MSK-specific symptoms and only one-third (n=10) had confirmatory positive radiographic findings. The majority of patients had lumbar and sacroiliac joint involvement. Most of the patients received antibiotics for a 4–8-week duration and the overall relapse rate of Brucella infection was 10%. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that MSK involvement is a common manifestation in brucellosis, occurring in one-third of the cases. The index of suspicion should be high in brucellosis-endemic countries for early recognition and treatment.
Ecological and economic assessment of military land use efficiency in the context of environmental security
Authors: Tretiak A. , Tretiak N. , Lobunko Yu. , Tretiak M. , Melnichuk A.
Published: May 2021

The aim of the study is to present the results of a methodological approach to environmental and economic assessment of land use efficiency in the context of environmental safety of the population within the territories where military facilities are located (on the example of land use within the Desnyansk united territorial community). As a result of the study, the authors presented a methodological approach to environmental and economic assessment of land use efficiency in the development of land relations, as well as in the context of environmental safety of the population of the territories where military facilities are located. According to the proposed methodological approach, the impact of military facilities and risks to the ecological instability of land use and anthropogenic impact on the territories, and, accordingly, the threat to the environmental safety of the population. The ecological and economic assessment of the efficiency of military land use substantiated by the authors allows to carry out appropriate measures for ecological safety in relation to public welfare.The scientific novelty of the work lies in the further application of theoretical, methodological and practical provisions that determine the ecological, economic and institutional principles of military land use in the context of environmental security, in particular in the development of land relations. Because this is one of the first studies, which is devoted to the environmental and economic assessment of land use efficiency in the context of environmental safety of life within the territories where military facilities are located.The authors believe that the significance of the declared study lies in the fact that ensuring the environmental safety of the population of the territories where military facilities are located through the prevention of dangerous situations, remains the main way to solve environmental, economic, and social problems.
Monitoring and Forecasting COVID-19: Heuristic Regression, Susceptible-Infected-Removed Model and, Spatial Stochastic
Authors: de Andres P.L. , de Andres-Bragado L. , Hoessly L.
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had worldwide devastating effects on human lives, highlighting the need for tools to predict its development. The dynamics of such public-health threats can often be efficiently analyzed through simple models that help to make quantitative timely policy decisions. We benchmark a minimal version of a Susceptible-Infected-Removed model for infectious diseases (SIR) coupled with a simple least-squares Statistical Heuristic Regression (SHR) based on a lognormal distribution. We derive the three free parameters for both models in several cases and test them against the amount of data needed to bring accuracy in predictions. The SHR model is ≈±2% accurate about 20 days past the second inflexion point in the daily curve of cases, while the SIR model reaches a similar accuracy a fortnight before. All the analyzed cases assert the utility of SHR and SIR approximants as a valuable tool to forecast the disease’s evolution. Finally, we have studied simulated stochastic individual-based SIR dynamics, which yields a detailed spatial and temporal view of the disease that cannot be given by SIR or SHR methods.
Multi-Model Multi-Physics Ensemble: A Futuristic Way to Extended Range Prediction System
Authors: Sahai Atul K. , Kaur Manpreet , Joseph Susmitha , Dey Avijit , Phani R. , Mandal Raju , Chattopadhyay Rajib
Published: May 2021

In an endeavor to design better forecasting tools for real-time prediction, the present work highlights the strength of the multi-model multi-physics ensemble over its operational predecessor version. The exiting operational extended range prediction system (ERPv1) combines the coupled, and its bias-corrected sea-surface temperature forced atmospheric model running at two resolutions with perturbed initial condition ensemble. This system had accomplished important goals on the sub-seasonal scale skillful forecast; however, the skill of the system is limited only up to 2 weeks. The next version of this ERP system is seamless in resolution and based on a multi-physics multi-model ensemble (MPMME). Similar to the earlier version, this system includes coupled climate forecast system version 2 (CFSv2) and atmospheric global forecast system forced with real-time bias-corrected sea-surface temperature from CFSv2. In the newer version, model integrations are performed six times in a month for real-time prediction, selecting the combination of convective and microphysics parameterization schemes. Additionally, more than 15 years hindcast are also generated for these initial conditions. The preliminary results from this system demonstrate appreciable improvements over its predecessor in predicting the large-scale low variability signal and weekly mean rainfall up to 3 weeks lead. The subdivision-wise skill analysis shows that MPMME performs better, especially in the northwest and central parts of India.
Impact of Syndecan-2-Selected Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on the Early Onset of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic db/db Mice
Authors: Pappritz Kathleen , Dong Fengquan , Miteva Kapka , Kovacs Arpad , El-Shafeey Muhammad , Kerim Bahtiyar , O'Flynn Lisa , Elliman Stephen Joseph , O'Brien Timothy , Hamdani Nazha , Tschöpe Carsten , Van Linthout Sophie
Published: May 2021

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell type for cell therapy given their immunomodulatory, anti-fibrotic, and endothelial-protective features. The heparin sulfate proteoglycan, syndecan-2/CD362, has been identified as a functional marker for MSC isolation, allowing one to obtain a homogeneous cell product that meets regulatory requirements for clinical use. We previously assessed the impact of wild-type (WT), CD362−, and CD362+ MSCs on local changes in protein distribution in left ventricular (LV) tissue and on LV function in an experimental model of early-onset diabetic cardiomyopathy. The present study aimed to further explore their impact on mechanisms underlying diastolic dysfunction in this model.

Materials: For this purpose, 1 × 106 WT, CD362−, or CD362+ MSCs were intravenously (i.v.) injected into 20-week-old diabetic BKS.Cg-m+/+Leprdb/BomTac, i.e., db/db mice. Control animals (db+/db) were injected with the equivalent volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) alone. After 4 weeks, mice were sacrificed for further analysis.

Results: Treatment with all three MSC populations had no impact on blood glucose levels in db/db mice. WT, CD362−, and CD362+ MSC application restored LV nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in db/db mice, which correlated with a reduction in cardiomyocyte stiffness. Furthermore, all stromal cells were able to increase arteriole density in db/db mice. The effect of CD362+ MSCs on NO and cGMP levels, cardiomyocyte stiffness, and arteriole density was less pronounced than in mice treated with WT or CD362− MSCs. Analysis of collagen I and III protein expression revealed that fibrosis had not yet developed at this stage of experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy. All MSCs reduced the number of cardiac CD3+ and CD68+ cells in db/db mice, whereas only splenocytes from CD362−- and CD362+-db/db mice exhibited a lower pro-fibrotic potential compared to splenocytes from db/db mice.

Conclusion: CD362+ MSC application decreased cardiomyocyte stiffness, increased myocardial NO and cGMP levels, and increased arteriole density, although to a lesser extent than WT and CD362− MSCs in an experimental model of early-onset diabetic cardiomyopathy without cardiac fibrosis. These findings suggest that the degree in improvement of cardiomyocyte stiffness following CD362+ MSC application was insufficient to improve diastolic function.
Utility of Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging Assessment in Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Hothi Sandeep S. , Jiang Jin , Steeds Richard P. , Moody William E.
Published: May 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially regarded as a disease of the lungs, which manifests as an acute respiratory illness and pneumonia, although more recently cardiac complications have been well-characterised. Serological cardiac biomarkers have been used to define acute myocardial injury, with significant elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) associated with poor prognosis. Accordingly, 20–25% patients with acute myocardial injury (as defined by an elevated hs-cTn greater than the 99th percentile) have clinical signs of heart failure and increased mortality. An important outstanding clinical question is how best to determine the extent and nature of cardiac involvement in COVID-19. Non-invasive cardiac imaging has a well-established role in assessing cardiac structure and function in a wide range of cardiac diseases. It offers the potential to differentiate between direct and indirect COVID-19 effects upon the heart, providing incremental diagnostic and prognostic utility beyond the information yielded by elevated cardiac biomarkers in isolation. This review will focus on the non-invasive imaging assessment of cardiac involvement in COVID-19.
Catheter Ablation vs. Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs as First-Line Treatment in Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Saglietto Andrea , Gaita Fiorenzo , De Ponti Roberto , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria , Anselmino Matteo
Published: May 2021

Background: Catheter ablation has become a well-established indication for long-term rhythm control in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients refractory to anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs). Efficacy and safety of AF catheter ablation (AFCA) before AADs failure are, instead, questioned.

Objective: The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing first-line AFCA with AADs in symptomatic patients with paroxysmal AF.

Methods: We performed a random-effects meta-analysis of binary outcome events comparing AFCA with AADs in rhythm control-naïve patients. The primary outcomes, also stratified by the type of ablation energy (radiofrequency or cryoenergy), were (1) recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias and (2) recurrence of symptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmias. The secondary outcomes included adverse events.

Results: Six RCTs were included in the analysis. AFCA was associated with lower recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias [relative risk (RR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46–0.72], consistent across the two types of ablation energy (radiofrequency, RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28–0.89; cryoenergy, RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50–0.72; p-value for subgroup differences: 0.55). Similarly, AFCA was related to less symptomatic arrhythmic recurrences (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27–0.79). Overall, adverse events did not differ. A trend toward increased periprocedural cardiac tamponade or phrenic nerve palsy was observed in the AFCA group, while more atrial flutter episodes with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction and syncopal events were reported in the AAD group.

Conclusions: First-line rhythm control therapy with AFCA, independent from the adopted energy source (radiofrequency or cryoenergy), reduces long-term arrhythmic recurrences in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF compared with AADs.
Epidemiology of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis in Asia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lee Lai Heng , Nagarajan Chandramouli , Tan Chuen Wen , Ng Heng Joo
Published: May 2021

The epidemiology of cancer associated thrombosis (CAT) in Asia is less well-studied and differs from that in the western countries. Here, we systematically examine population based and hospital-based studies reported between 1995 and 2020 to understand the epidemiology of CAT in Asia. From population-based studies, the estimated incidence of VTE in cancer patients was 1.85–9.88 per 1,000 person-years. The incidence of CAT in Asia is significantly higher than non-cancer associated VTE in the general population and cancer is perhaps the most important risk factor for VTE. Hospital-based studies were heterogeneous in study designs and reveal a wide range of prevalence of VTE among cancer patients at 0.5–44.6% while the cancer prevalence rates among VTE patients ranged from 6.1 to 65.5%. The cancer sites most associated with VTE and risk factors were similar between Asian and Western studies. CAT has a major impact on the survival of patients with cancer in Asia, but thromboprophylaxis is not commonly practiced and validated risk assessment tools are lacking. This study highlights the urgent need for large multinational epidemiological studies in Asia to establish the true burden of CAT and to guide appropriate prevention strategies.
Association of Heart Rate Variability With Silent Brain Infarcts in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hämmerle Peter , Eick Christian , Poli Sven , Blum Steffen , Schlageter Vincent , Bauer Axel , Rizas Konstantinos D. , Eken Ceylan , Coslovsky Michael , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Krisai Philipp , Meyre Pascal , Wuerfel Jens , Sinnecker Tim , Vesin Jean-Marc , Beer Jürg H. , Moschovitis Giorgio , Bonati Leo H. , Sticherling Christian , Conen David , Osswald Stefan , Kühne Michael , Zuern Christine S.
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Silent brain infarcts (SBI) are frequently detected in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but it is unknown whether SBI are linked to autonomic dysfunction. We aimed to explore the association of autonomic dysfunction with SBI in AF patients.

Methods: 1,358 AF patients without prior stroke or TIA underwent brain MRI and 5-min resting ECG. We divided our cohort into AF patients who presented in sinus rhythm (SR-group, n = 816) or AF (AF-group, n = 542). HRV triangular index (HRVI), standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals, mean heart rate, root mean square root of successive differences of normal-to-normal intervals, 5-min total power and power in the low frequency, high frequency and very low frequency range were calculated. Primary outcome was presence of SBI in the SR group, defined as large non-cortical or cortical infarcts. Secondary outcomes were SBI volumes and topography.

Results: Mean age was 72 ± 9 years, 27% were female. SBI were detected in 10.5% of the SR group and in 19.9% of the AF group (p < 0.001). HRVI <15 was the only HRV parameter associated with the presence of SBI after adjustment for clinical covariates in the SR group [odds ratio (OR) 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–2.70; p = 0.037]. HRVI <15 was associated with larger brain infarct volumes [β (95% CI) −0.47 (−0.84; −0.09), p = 0.016] in the SR group and was more frequently observed in patients with right- than left-hemispheric SBI (p = 0.017).

Conclusion: Impaired HRVI is associated with SBI in AF patients. AF patients with autonomic dysfunction might undergo systematic brain MRI screening to initiate intensified medical treatment.

Clinical Trials Gov Identifier: NCT02105844.
Psychosocial Skills as a Protective Factor and Other Teacher Recommendations for Online Harms Prevention in Schools: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Throuvala Melina A. , Griffiths Mark D. , Rennoldson Mike , Kuss Daria J.
Published: May 2021

Rising prevalence of mental disorders among children and adolescents in the United Kingdom has arguably been associated with increased levels of problematic smartphone use and social media use, rendering the need for health promotion at a school level. However, evidence on how teachers may best support media literacy and emotional wellbeing is lacking. The present study explored perceptions of adolescent online engagement and recommendations of how schools could prevent the experience of online harms during adolescence through qualitative interviews with teachers (N= 9,Mage= 39.2 years,SD= 7.74). Results were analysed using thematic analysis and provided the following themes in terms of recommendations for online harms: i)schools in transition and redefining expectations, ii)a modular approach to media and emotional literacy, iii)media and emotional literacy teacher training,andiv)encourage dialogue and foster psychosocial skills. Psychosocial skills were further analysed as critical components of perceived online harm prevention into the following categories: i)self-control and emotion regulation skills, ii)digital resilience and assertiveness skills, iii)social and emotional intelligence and metacognitive skillsto encourage balanced use and emotional health. Findings corroborated the need for an increasing health promotion role of teachers and school counsellors and in the contribution of students’ cognitive and emotional development through skill acquisition. Implications are discussed for the role of educational settings in prevention of online harms, while preserving the significant benefits of digital media for education and social connection, and for the prompt identification and referral of problematic users to adolescent mental health services.
Does Universal Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Improve Neonatal Outcomes in a Socially Vulnerable Population: A Prospective Study in French Guiana
Authors: Leonco Loic , Kallel Hatem , Nacher Mathieu , Thelusme Liliane , Dueymes Maryvonne , Mhiri Raoudha , Lalanne-Mistrih Marie Laure , Sabbah Nadia
Published: May 2021

Aims/Introduction

French Guiana has a high prevalence of metabolic diseases, which are risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus. Despite routine screening for gestational diabetes, treatment is still challenging because of health inequalities and different cultural representations of disease and pregnancy. This study was conducted to assess the role of early and universal GDM screening on obstetrical and neonatal complications in a socially deprived population.

Materials and Methods

A prospective study was conducted, in the level III maternity in French Guiana. Of 2136 deliveries, 223 had gestational diabetes mellitus, 110 of whom were followed-up for 6 month to detail their social and laboratory parameters.

Results

The prevalence of gestational diabetes in French Guiana (Cayenne Hospital) was estimated at 10.3%. The study population was very precarious with 70% of patients on welfare (universal health coverage or state medical assistance). The following obstetrical complications were observed: cesarean delivery (32%), history of miscarriage (26%) and preeclampsia (7.4%). Nevertheless, neonatal complications were rarely present and included hypoglycemia (2.8%) and macrosomia (2.8%).

Conclusion

In French Guiana, gestational diabetes mellitus is very common. However, in a context of widespread poverty and diverse cultural representations, universal screening and monitoring limited the risk of macrosomia.
Does the New Urbanization Influence Air Quality in China?
Authors: Wu Yan , Cui Zhixiang , Hu Cong
Published: May 2021

Previous studies have empirically investigated the influence of China’s urbanization on atmosphere pollution, the findings in the literature are however controversial and inconclusive across regions, data, and methodologies. This study uses the city-level panel data, 113 key cities of environment protection from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, covering most of the provinces in China for the period 2013–2017 to investigate the different impacts of the new urbanization pilot policy on air quality and related air pollutants including six major pollutant sources, which are PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3. The study finds that, first, based on the difference-in-difference (DID) method, the new urbanization on average tends to improve the air quality in the pilot cities. Second, based on the quantile DID method, the new urbanization tends to improve the air quality in the lower air quality quantiles (0.1–0.6); however, it has no significant impact in the higher air quality quantiles (0.7–0.9). Third, the impacts of the new urbanization on the air quality vary among different energy-related air pollutants. The new urbanization pilot policy tends to restrain SO2, PM10, and PM2.5, increase CO and O3 and has no impact on NO2. The results indicate that China should pay more attention to promote green consumption and new energy applications and increase urban construction efficiency to further reducing air pollutions in the new urbanization process.
A Comparison of Global Surface Air Temperature Over the Oceans Between CMIP5 Models and NCEP Reanalysis
Authors: Zhu Xian , Dong Tianyun , Zhao Shanshan , He Wenping
Published: May 2021

By utilizing eight CMIP5 model outputs in historical experiment that simulated daily mean sea surface temperature (SST) and NCEP reanalysis data over 12 ocean basins around the world from 1960 to 2005, this paper evaluates the performance of CMIP5 models based on the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) method. The results of National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) data showed that the SST in most ocean basins of the world had long-range correlation (LRC) characteristics. The DFA values of the SST over ocean basins are large in the tropics and small in high latitudes. In spring and autumn, the zonal average DFA of SST are basically distributed symmetrically in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In summer, the zonal average values of DFA in the Northern Hemisphere are larger than those in the southern hemisphere, and vice versa in winter. The performance of HadGEM2-AO, CNRM-CM5, and IPSL-CM5A-MR are all relative well among the eight models in simulating SST over most regions of the global ocean.
High Throughput Data Acquisition and Deep Learning for Insect Ecoinformatics
Authors: Gerovichev Alexander , Sadeh Achiad , Winter Vlad , Bar-Massada Avi , Keasar Tamar , Keasar Chen
Published: May 2021

Ecology documents and interprets the abundance and distribution of organisms. Ecoinformatics addresses this challenge by analyzing databases of observational data. Ecoinformatics of insects has high scientific and applied importance, as insects are abundant, speciose, and involved in many ecosystem functions. They also crucially impact human well-being, and human activities dramatically affect insect demography and phenology. Hazards, such as pollinator declines, outbreaks of agricultural pests and the spread insect-borne diseases, raise an urgent need to develop ecoinformatics strategies for their study. Yet, insect databases are mostly focused on a small number of pest species, as data acquisition is labor-intensive and requires taxonomical expertise. Thus, despite decades of research, we have only a qualitative notion regarding fundamental questions of insect ecology, and only limited knowledge about the spatio-temporal distribution of insects. We describe a novel high throughput cost-effective approach for monitoring flying insects as an enabling step toward “big data” entomology. The proposed approach combines “high tech” deep learning with “low tech” sticky traps that sample flying insects in diverse locations. As a proof of concept we considered three recent insect invaders of Israel’s forest ecosystem: two hemipteran pests of eucalypts and a parasitoid wasp that attacks one of them. We developed software, based on deep learning, to identify the three species in images of sticky traps from Eucalyptus forests. These image processing tasks are quite difficult as the insects are small (<5 mm) and stick to the traps in random poses. The resulting deep learning model discriminated the three focal organisms from one another, as well as from other elements such as leaves and other insects, with high precision. We used the model to compare the abundances of these species among six sites, and validated the results by manually counting insects on the traps. Having demonstrated the power of the proposed approach, we started a more ambitious study that monitors these insects at larger spatial and temporal scales. We aim at building an ecoinformatics repository for trap images and generating data-driven models of the populations’ dynamics and morphological traits.