bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diferencias entre psicoterapeutas más y menos eficaces: un estudio de variables del terapeuta
Authors: Patricia  , Crago Marjorie
Published: May 2021

Este estudio examina las diferencias entre psicoterapeutas en formación más y menos eficaces. Los terapeutas fueron asignados a uno de los dos grupos dependiendo de si la preponderancia en los cambios sintomatológicos de sus pacientes indicaba una mayor o menor mejoría en el curso de la terapia. Las variables del terapeuta incluidas fueron el ajuste emocional, las habilidades de relación, la elicitación de la implicación del paciente, la credibilidad, la directividad y la orientación teórica. Los resultados indican que los terapeutas menos eficaces tienen menor nivel de comprensión empática, consideran que sus pacientes están más implicados en el tratamiento y creen que dan más apoyo que los terapeutas más eficaces. Igualmente, y en contraste con los terapeutas más eficaces, los terapeutas menos eficaces valoran de forma significativamente mayor el confort y la estimulación, y de forma significativamente menor los objetivos intelectuales.
La investigación sobre el proceso de cambio
Authors: S. Greenberg Leslie
Published: May 2021

En una reciente revisión, Hattie, Sharpley y Rogers (1984) concluyeron que los pacientes tratados por terapeutas paraprofesionales mejoraban más que los tratados por terapeutas profesionales. Sin embargo, esta provocadora conclusión está basada en estudios y análisis estadísticos inapropiados. La presente revisión omitió los estudios problemáticos y organizó los datos de forma que permitieran una inferencia estadística válida. A diferencia de Hattie et al., encontramos que los terapeutas profesionales y los paraprofesionales en general eran igualmente eficaces. Nuestro análisis también sugirió que los profesionales pueden ser mejores en caso de tratamientos breves y pacientes de más edad, a pesar de que esas diferencias fueron pequeñas. Las actuales evidencias empíricas no indican que los paraprofesionales sean más eficaces, pero tampoco revelan una superioridad substancial para los terapeutas entrenados profesionalmente.
Saber a dónde mirar: la atención en la enseñanza y práctica de la psicoterapia
Authors: Laso Ortiz Esteban
Published: May 2021

En este texto se presenta una visión de la psicoterapia que busca iluminar su enseñanza y su práctica trascendiendo los diversos enfoques teóricos. Para esto se apela a una filosofía del acto según la cual lo que se enseña y aprende en terapia, lo que distingue a los terapeutas expertos de los principiantes, es su capacidad de orientar, sostener y reconducir la atención en dirección del cambio. Se exponen los fundamentos de esta filosofía del acto, los tres niveles de la práctica terapéutica que de ella se deducen y algunas sugerencias para mejorar el entrenamiento de futuros terapeutas.
La perspectiva narrativa en terapia familiar sistémica
Authors: Montesano Adrián
Published: May 2021

En el presente texto se revisan las principales intervenciones basadas en el paradigma narrativo en el contexto del modelo sistémico. En primer lugar recapitulamos de forma somera, aún a riesgo de resultar excesivamente simplistas, la evolución del modelo sistémico para describir la manera en que este proceso acompaña el desarrollo de la óptica narrativa. En segundo lugar, nos centramos en la descripción del modelo de terapia narrativa de Michael White y el procedimiento de externalización, deteniéndonos en los principales pasos del proceso terapéutico e ilustrando cada fase con ejemplos clínicos con el objeto de dar al lector una visión detallada de las intervenciones narrativas al uso. Un último apartado está dedicado a reseñar la afinidad entre la teoría de constructos personales y las intervenciones narrativas destacando su relevancia para el futuro desarrollo del modelo sistémico.
Nota informativa sobre el primer congreso internacional de psicoterapia integrativa
Authors: Muse Mark
Published: May 2021

NOTA INFORMATIVA SOBRE EL PRIMER CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL DE PSICOTERAPIA INTEGRATIVA (Academia Internacional de Psicoterapia Ecléctica)
Terapia familiar y trastornos alimentarios
Authors: Viaro Maurizio
Published: May 2021

El artículo repasa los distintos enfoques de terapia familiar sistémica que Mara Selvini Palazzoli y su equipo de Milán han ido siguiendo en el tratamiento de la anorexia y bulimia a lo largo del tiempo. El autor sugiere igualmente la conveniencia de la terapia individual para algunos casos de anorexia que presentan características especiales.
¿Cómo se encuentran las anoréxicas tratadas por Mara Palazzoli y su equipo desde el 1971 al 1987?
Authors: Selvini Matteo , Pasin Emanuela , Panico Danilo , Mancini Aurelio , Gogliani Anna , Bedarida Laura , Basile Pino , Babando Renza , Allegra Giulia , Palazzoli Mara , Serra Teresa
Published: May 2021

En este artículo presentamos los resultados de una investigación (aún en curso) sobre el seguimiento de chicas anoréxicas tratadas por Mara Palazzoli y sus equipos. Los resultados obtenidos no sólo confirman la eficacia de la Terapia Familiar sino que muestran también como la disponibilidad de las familias a implicarse en el tratamiento es un factor predictivo muy favorable. Finalmente, la presente investigación se orienta a poner a debate los modelos de terapia familiar breve, prescriptiva y estratégica, a favor de otros modelos basados en tratamientos más prolongados en el tiempo, que integren un trabajo individual y familiar.
Cambios conductuales, emocionales, cognitivos y fisiológicos en la anorexia nerviosa.
Authors: Pubill María José
Published: May 2021

En este artículo consideramos de un modo integrado las descripciones de los cambios sintomatológicos que se producen en la anorexia nervosa, a nivel conductual, emocional, cognitivo, y fisiológico en base a la ordenación jerárquica existente entre ellos.
Perspectiva psicológica de unos pioneros: C. Rogers, E. Gendlin y R. Carkhuff
Authors: Marroquín Manuel
Published: May 2021

Este artículo trata de establecer un marco para la comprensión humana e histórica de las aportaciones de Carl Rogers y sus principales discípulos, E. Gendlin y R. Carkhuff que hicieron posible en su momento el asentamiento de un nuevo enfoque en psicoterapia, frente a los tradicionales del psicoanálisis y de la modificación de conducta.
Teoría del cambio de personalidad: comparación entre Rogers, Gendlin y Greenberg.
Authors: Van Balen Richard
Published: May 2021

Este articulo establece una comparación entre tres importantes contribuciones a la teoría del cambio en la terapia-centrada-en-el-cliente las de Rogers, Gendlin y Greenberg, considerando, particularmente, el cambio como un proceso en el que se hallan implicados diferentes niveles de experiencia desde las emociones hasta la capacidad de insight.
Comentarios al proceso de cambio a través de una entrevista
Authors: Rogers Carl R.
Published: May 2021

A través del desarrollo de una entrevista Carl Rogers comenta los procesos interactivos que permiten establecer las condiciones favorables al cambio psicológico en psicoterapia. Entre éstas Rogers señala: la consideración positiva incondicional, la congruencia y autenticidad del psicoterapeuta
Reto y confrontación en el enfoque centrado en la persona
Authors: Kilborn Mary
Published: May 2021

En este artículo la autora reflexiona sobre el papel que juegan el reto y la confrontación en el enfoque centrado en la persona. A este fin se plantea un estudio a pequeña escala a través de un cuestionario suministrado a una muestra reducida de diez terapeutas y quince clientes. Del análisis de sus resultados se deduce que reto y confrontación, en términos de nuevas oportunidades y alternativas son elementos nucleares del enfoque centrado en la persona.
Recensiones de libros publicados recientemente sobre terapia centrada en la persona.
Authors: Gimeno-Bayón Ana
Published: May 2021

Recensiones de libros publicados recientemente sobre terapia centrada en la persona.
Functional Analysis of the Lupinus luteus Cyclophilin Gene Promoter Region in Lotus japonicus
Authors: Nuc Katarzyna , Olejnik Przemysław , Samardakiewicz Mirella , Nuc Przemysław
Published: May 2021

Functional analysis of promoter sequences is important to understand the regulation of gene expression. This study aimed to investigate the promoter region of the Lupinus luteus cytoplasmic cyclophilin gene (LlCyP; AF178458). After bioinformatic analysis, four promoter deletion fragments were fused to the β-glucuronidase reporter gene. We used Lotus japonicus as a model plant. After Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation of L. japonicus, only the longest promoter region (−1055 bp to ATG) supported the β-glucuronidase expression in root nodule parenchyma. Putative cis-elements located between −1055 and −846 bp were subjected to site-directed mutagenesis. Mutations incorporated in the TGATT and AGATT motifs (cytokinin response) abolished GUS expression in nodules, but the mutated AAAGAT motif (OSE, organ-specific element) still activated the GUS expression in root nodules, mainly in cells surrounding the vascular bundle. Promoter deletion and mutation experiments suggest that cis-elements responsible for gene expression in the nodule are located in the region spanning from −1055 to −846 bp. We constructed a deletion fragment, in which the DNA sequence located between −822 and −198 bp was removed (pCYPMG). The promoter region arranged in the pCYPMG supports the expression in the parenchyma of L. japonicus nodules, but it is lower than the whole promoter region. The obtained results may be useful for transgene expression in determinate and indeterminate root nodules.
Effect of Bacillus spp. on Lettuce Growth and Root Associated Bacterial Community in a Small-Scale Aquaponics System
Authors: Kasozi Nasser , Kaiser Horst , Wilhelmi Brendan
Published: May 2021

The integration of probiotics in aquaponics systems is a strategy for mitigating environmental impacts and for promoting sustainable agriculture. In order to understand the role of probiotics, we investigated the effect of a commercial probiotic mixture of Bacillus subtilis and B. licheniformis on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under deep-water culture integrated with Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). We determined plant growth, water quality parameters, and leaf mineral analysis, and assessed the influence of a probiotic mixture on the microbiota. Bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Compared to the control systems, the addition of the probiotic Bacillus significantly increased the concentration of nitrate and phosphate in deep water culture solution, which contributed to improved lettuce growth. In both the growth trials, the Fv/Fm, the mean shoot dry weight, and the mean fresh weight of the harvested shoots from the Bacillus treatment were significantly higher than those observed for the control plants. Higher concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, and zinc in the lettuce leaves were found in systems that received the Bacillus. Although differences were observed at the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were predominant in both the Bacillus-treatment and the control systems. At the genus level, however, the communities present in the two types of systems were heterogeneous with Bacillus-treated systems, containing significantly higher numbers of Chryseobacterium, Bacillus, Nitrospira, Polynucleobacter, and Thermomonas. The results indicate that Bacillus supplementation can effectively alleviate nutrient deficiencies, improve water quality, and modify the composition of bacterial communities in aquaponics systems.
The Evolution of Soilless Systems towards Ecological Sustainability in the Perspective of a Circular Economy. Is It Really the Opposite of Organic Agriculture?
Authors: Gonnella Maria , Renna Massimiliano
Published: May 2021

Soilless cultivation systems were primarily developed in response to the excessive spread of soil pathogens; however, they also allow an optimal control of plant grow, high productivity and product quality as well as very high efficiency of water and fertilizer use. At the same time, consumers remain critical towards soilless-cultivated vegetables, mainly due to the perception of these techniques as unnatural, resulting from artificial growth and consequently characterized by low quality. This mini review analyzes the evolutionary process of soilless cultivation within a vision of agriculture that supports environmental sustainability as the central theme of the discussion. Current knowledge suggests that, although apparently opposite, organic and high-tech soilless cultivation have several common or converging points in view of a sustainable use of resources on the planet. As a consequence, new policies should be oriented toward a reduction of environmental “pressure” by introducing a process certification of low environmental impact, which, together with an adequate product certification, related not only to the environmental aspect but also to product quality, can reduce the opposition of the two cultivation systems.
QVigourMap: A GIS Open Source Application for the Creation of Canopy Vigour Maps
Authors: Duarte Lia , Teodoro Ana Cláudia , Sousa Joaquim J. , Pádua Luís
Published: May 2021

In a precision agriculture context, the amount of geospatial data available can be difficult to interpret in order to understand the crop variability within a given terrain parcel, raising the need for specific tools for data processing and analysis. This is the case for data acquired from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), in which the high spatial resolution along with data from several spectral wavelengths makes data interpretation a complex process regarding vegetation monitoring. Vegetation Indices (VIs) are usually computed, helping in the vegetation monitoring process. However, a crop plot is generally composed of several non-crop elements, which can bias the data analysis and interpretation. By discarding non-crop data, it is possible to compute the vigour distribution for a specific crop within the area under analysis. This article presents QVigourMaps, a new open source application developed to generate useful outputs for precision agriculture purposes. The application was developed in the form of a QGIS plugin, allowing the creation of vigour maps, vegetation distribution maps and prescription maps based on the combination of different VIs and height information. Multi-temporal data from a vineyard plot and a maize field were used as case studies in order to demonstrate the potential and effectiveness of the QVigourMaps tool. The presented application can contribute to making the right management decisions by providing indicators of crop variability, and the outcomes can be used in the field to apply site-specific treatments according to the levels of vigour.
Benign or Low-Grade Malignant Masses Occupying the Pelvic Canal Space in 11 Dogs
Authors: Ferraris Erica Ilaria , Giacobino Davide , Iussich Selina , Olimpo Matteo , Valazza Alberto , Martano Marina , Buracco Paolo , Morello Emanuela Maria
Published: May 2021

Dogs with benign intra-pelvic rectal or vaginal masses show symptoms indicating compression on the adjacent organs. Clinical signs usually develop late when the lesion is large enough to interfere functionally. The dogs were referred for severe fecal and/or urinary tenesmus. The data collected included signalment, clinical signs, results of physical examination, pre-surgical diagnostic tests, surgical technique used, surgical complications and histological findings. Digital rectal and vaginal examination allowed the detection of a mass occupying space in the pelvic cavity in all patients. Abdominal ultrasonography and/or total body computed tomography (CT) were used to better characterize the lesion and to exclude a metastatic spread of the tumor in case of malignancy. A dorsal approach to the rectum, a dorsal episiotomy, a midline celiotomy, and a combined perineal and abdominal approach were performed to remove the mass. No postoperative complications were observed. Benign and well-differentiated malignant mesenchymal neoplasms were histologically diagnosed. As a consequence of the chronic urethral compression caused by the mass, urinary incontinence and/or urinary retention were observed for a few postoperative days. Fecal tenesmus resolved in all cases in the immediate postoperative period. The dogs’ quality of life quickly improved after surgery, especially considering the serious and life-threatening pre-surgical clinical conditions. Both the recovery time after surgery and overall survival were also evaluated.
The Influence of Broilers’ Body Weight on the Efficiency of Electrical Stunning and Meat Quality under Field Conditions
Authors: Smaldone Giorgio , Capezzuto Stefano , Ambrosio Rosa Luisa , Peruzy Maria Francesca , Marrone Raffaele , Peres Giacomo , Anastasio Aniello
Published: May 2021

Water-bath stunning represents the most-applied stunning system in poultry slaughtering, but within the European Union, specific indications on electric parameters that should be used, such as voltage, are missing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two commercially available types of electrical equipment (A and B) on broilers with different live body weights and the influence of the tested parameters on meat quality. Experimental trials in a European Union-approved slaughterhouse were carried out using two different stunners. 6600 broilers, divided into three weight groups, were stunned applying different protocols based on the same current frequencies and intensity but different voltages. The state of unconsciousness (presence of corneal reflex and wings flapping) and post-mortem defects (pectoral hemorrhages and dark meat) were evaluated by blinded trained operators. The presence of corneal reflex and petechiae were the most reported consciousness signs and post-mortem injuries, respectively. Different weights played an important role within stunner A, registering statistical differences (p < 0.01) among groups. Considering injuries, an inverse relationship between body weight and lesions was found. The results highlighted the effectiveness of both stunning systems applying the best combination of electrical parameters considering the weight of the animal and ensuring its well-being.
Estradiol Upregulates the Expression of the TGF-β Receptors ALK5 and BMPR2 during the Gonadal Development of Schizothorax prenanti
Authors: Yan Taiming , Zhang Songpei , Cai Yueping , Ma Zhijun , He Jiayang , Zhang Qian , Deng Faqiang , Ye Lijuan , Chen Hongjun , He Liang , Luo Jie , Yang Deying , He Zhi
Published: May 2021

TGF-β receptors play important roles in mediating TGF-β signals during gonadal development. To identify the functions of TGF-β receptors, including the type I receptor (activin receptor-like kinase 5, ALK5) and type II receptor (bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2, BMPR2), during the gonadal development of S. prenanti, the full-length cDNA sequences of ALK5 and BMPR2 were isolated and characterized. Their expression patterns in developing gonads and in the gonads of exogenous estradiol (E2) -fed fish were analyzed. The cDNAs of ALK5 and BMPR2 were 1925 bp and 3704 bp in length and encoded 501 and 1070 amino acid residues, respectively. ALK5 and BMPR2 were mostly expressed in gonads, particularly in cortical alveoli stage ovaries and mid-spermatogenic stage testes; however, the overall level of BMPR2 mRNA was higher than that of ALK5 during gonadal development. Furthermore, immunohistochemical signals of ALK5 and BMPR2 were mostly detected at chromatin nucleolar oocytes and perinuclear oocytes in ovaries and at spermatocytes and spermatogonia in testes. Exogenous E2 induces the gonadal expression of ALK5 and BMPR2, and BMPR2 is more responsive to E2 than ALK5. These results suggest that ALK5 and BMPR2 might play a potentially vital role in both folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis in S. prenanti.
Fusion Method and Application of Several Source Vibration Fault Signal Spatio-Temporal Multi-Correlation
Authors: Cheng Longhuan , Lu Jiantao , Li Shunming , Ding Rui , Xu Kun , Li Xianglian
Published: May 2021

Combined with other signal processing methods, related algorithms are widely used in the diagnosis and identification of rotor faults. In order to solve the problem that the vibration signal of a single sensor is too single, a new multi-source vibration signal fusion method is proposed. This method explores the correlation between vibration sensors at different locations by using multiple cross-correlations of spatial locations. First, wavelet noise reduction and linear normalization are used to process the original data. Then, the signal energy correlation function between the sensors is established, and the adaptive weight is obtained. Finally, the data fusion result is obtained. Taking rotor bearing and gear failures at different speeds as an example, the data of three vibration sensors at different positions are fused using the spatio-temporal multiple correlation fusion method (STMF). Through the intelligent fault diagnosis method stacked auto encoder (SAE), compared with single sensor data, average weighted fusion data and neural network fusion data, STMF method can reach a diagnosis accuracy of more than 94% at 700 rpm, 900 rpm and 1100 rpm. It is concluded that the result of the STMF method is more effective and superior.
Electrocatalysis for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Qu Hui-Ying , He Xiwen , Wang Yibo , Hou Shuai
Published: May 2021

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the efficiency-determining half-reaction process of high-demand, electricity-driven water splitting due to its sluggish four-electron transfer reaction. Tremendous effects on developing OER catalysts with high activity and strong acid-tolerance at high oxidation potentials have been made for proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), which is one of the most promising future hydrogen-fuel-generating technologies. This review presents recent progress in understanding OER mechanisms in PEMWE, including the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and the lattice-oxygen-mediated mechanism (LOM). We further summarize the latest strategies to improve catalytic performance, such as surface/interface modification, catalytic site coordination construction, and electronic structure regulation of catalytic centers. Finally, challenges and prospective solutions for improving OER performance are proposed.
Computerized Generation and Finite Element Stress Analysis of Endodontic Rotary Files
Authors: Roda-Casanova Victor , Zubizarreta-Macho Álvaro , Sanchez-Marin Francisco , Alonso Ezpeleta Óscar , Albaladejo Martínez Alberto , Galparsoro Catalán Agustín
Published: May 2021

Introduction: The finite element method has been extensively used to analyze the mechanical behavior of endodontic rotary files under bending and torsional conditions. This methodology requires elevated computer-aided design skills to reproduce the geometry of the endodontic file, and also mathematical knowledge to perform the finite element analysis. In this study, an automated procedure is proposed for the computerized generation and finite element analysis of endodontic rotary files under bending and torsional conditions. Methods: An endodontic rotary file with a 25mm total length, 0.25mm at the tip, 1.20mm at 16mm from the tip, 2mm pitch and squared cross section was generated using the proposed procedure and submitted for analysis under bending and torsional conditions by clamping the last 3mm of the endodontic rotary file and applying a transverse load of 0.1N and a torsional moment of 0.3N·cm. Results: The results of the finite element analyses showed a maximum von Mises stress of 398MPa resulting from the bending analysis and a maximum von Mises stress of 843MPa resulting from the torsional analysis, both of which are next to the encastre point. Conclusions: The automated procedure allows an accurate description of the geometry of the endodontic file to be obtained based on its design parameters as well as a finite element model of the endodontic file from the previously generated geometry.
Effect of Lactobacillus paracasei HII01 Supplementation on Total Cholesterol, and on the Parameters of Lipid and Carbohydrate Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Digestion in Thai Hypercholesterolemic Subjects
Authors: Chaiyasut Chaiyavat , Tirawat Yaowalak , Sivamaruthi Bhagavathi Sundaram , Kesika Periyanaina , Thangaleela Subramanian , Khongtan Suchanat , Khampithum Nanticha , Peerajan Sartjin , Chaiyasut Khontaros , Sirilun Sasithorn , Sittiprapaporn Phakkharawat
Published: May 2021

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease. Probiotics can help to improve high blood lipid levels in hypercholesterolemia patients. Lactobacillus paracasei has been reported to have beneficial effects in several subjects; however, there is a lack of studies on Thai hypercholesterolemic subjects. Thus, this study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of L. paracasei HII01 on cholesterol, oxidative stress, and other biomarkers. Fifty-two subjects were randomized into two groups: the L. paracasei treatment group and the placebo group. The study was conducted over an intervention period of 12 weeks of supplementation. The results show that L. paracasei HII01 significantly reduced the total cholesterol (TCH), triglycerides (TGs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the patients, and increased their HDL, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and propionic acid compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the supplementation of L. paracasei HII01 significantly increased lactic acid, IL-10 and IFN-γ, and substantially decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) at the end of the treatment. The results suggest that L. paracasei HII01 improves the blood lipid profile, reduces oxidative stress, and is beneficial for health among Thai hypercholesterolemic subjects.
Classification of Vocal Fatigue Using sEMG: Data Imbalance, Normalization, and the Role of Vocal Fatigue Index Scores
Authors: Gao Yixiang , Dietrich Maria , DeSouza Guilherme N.
Published: May 2021

Our previous studies demonstrated that it is possible to perform the classification of both simulated pressed and actual vocally fatigued voice productions versus vocally healthy productions through the pattern recognition of sEMG signals obtained from subjects’ anterior neck. In these studies, the commonly accepted Vocal Fatigue Index factor 1 (VFI-1) was used for the ground-truth labeling of normal versus vocally fatigued voice productions. Through recent experiments, other factors with potential effects on classification were also studied, such as sEMG signal normalization, and data imbalance—i.e., the large difference between the number of vocally healthy subjects and of those with vocal fatigue. Therefore, in this paper, we present a much improved classification method derived from an extensive study of the effects of such extrinsic factors on the classification of vocal fatigue. The study was performed on a large number of sEMG signals from 88 vocally healthy and fatigued subjects including student teachers and teachers and it led to important conclusions on how to optimize a machine learning approach for the early detection of vocal fatigue.
Mental Map-Preserving Visualization through a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Dehvari Mojiborrahman , Yang Chuan-Kai , Armando Enrico
Published: May 2021

The video game industry has evolved significantly, with different genres becoming popular over time, but how to visualize such information by curating data into a form that makes it easier to identify and understand the trends is quite an interesting research topic. This research focuses on producing an animation of aesthetically pleasing two-dimensional (2D) undirected graphs based on PC video game datasets. The data are further analyzed for developing a web-based application giving users the ability to control and create the animation of a graph. To make it easier to understand the animation of a graph, the changes between the displays of the previous and the following periods are set as small as possible, allowing a user to grasp the differences of the graph’s structure faster. A genetic algorithm-based undirected graph drawing that minimizes both the aesthetic criteria and mental map cost are proposed in this research to tackle this problem. Furthermore, based on our experiments, we could find the best period to start with, so we do not necessarily need to start from the first period to calculate the animation result. Our experiment results proved that a smoother animation could be achieved, and information is better preserved throughout the animation.
Biocrude from Nannochloropsis gaditana by Hydrothermal Liquefaction: An Experimental Design Approach
Authors: Sánchez-Bayo Alejandra , Megía Hervás Irene , Rodríguez Rosalía , Morales Victoria , Bautista Luis Fernando , Vicente Gemma
Published: May 2021

The aim of the present work was focused on optimising the yield and quality of the biocrude obtained by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of Nannochloropsis gaditana. Temperature, reaction time and microalga concentration were the variables used to carry out an experimental factorial design with a central composite design. The responses chosen were the biocrude yield and the nitrogen and oxygen content in the biocrude phase. A second-order model was obtained to predict the responses as a function of these variables. Temperature is the most determining factor with a positive influence on biocrude yield. The maximum biocrude yield (42.3 ± 0.8 wt%) was obtained at 320 °C, 10 min of reaction and 10 wt% microalgae concentration, and the nitrogen and oxygen content significantly decreased with respect to their corresponding levels in the initial microalgal biomass. The HHV value of the biocrude was 35.7 MJ/kg. The biocrude was composed of 30% of linear and branched hydrocarbons.
Security Architecture for Swarms of Autonomous Vehicles in Smart Farming
Authors: Martínez-Rodríguez Belén , Bilbao-Arechabala Sonia , Jorge-Hernandez Fernando
Published: May 2021

Nowadays, autonomous vehicles are incorporated into farms to facilitate manual labour. Being connected vehicles, as IoT systems, they are susceptible to cyber security attacks that try to cause damage to hardware, software or even living beings. Therefore, it is important to provide sufficient security mechanisms to protect both the communications and the data, mitigating any possible risk or harm to farmers, livestock or crops. Technology providers are aware of the importance of ensuring security, and more and more secure solutions can be found on the market today. However, generally, these particular solutions are not sufficient when they are part of complex hybrid systems, since there is no single global solution proposal. In addition, as the number of technologies and protocols used increases, the number of security threats also increases. This article presents a cyber-security architecture proposal for swarms of heterogeneous vehicles in smart farming, which covers all of the aspects recommended by the ISO 7798-2 specification in terms of security. As a result of this analysis, a detailed summary of the possible solutions and available technologies for each of the communication channels of the target system as well as some recommendations are presented.
FEM Modelling Approaches of Bolt Connections for the Dynamic Analyses of an Automotive Engine
Authors: Giannella Venanzio , Sepe Raffaele , Citarella Roberto , Armentani Enrico
Published: May 2021

Three different finite element method (FEM) modelling approaches of bolt connections of a four-stroke, four-cylinder petrol engine are presented, and the related results compared in terms of preprocessing time and accuracy. A full 3D modelling of the bolt connections was preliminarily validated through a comparison with experimental test data available for the whole engine. Two further modelling approaches, a 1D approach and a contact-based (0D) approach, were benchmarked considering their influence on the accuracy for the dynamic analysis of an engine. Each of the three approaches presented pros and cons, even if the 1D modelling could be envisaged as the recommended one in most of cases.
Fuzzy Evaluation Model of Process Improvement Capability with Costs Consideration
Authors: Chen Kuen-Suan , Chen Shui-Chuan , Hsu Ting-Hsin , Lin Min-Yi , Wu Chih-Feng
Published: May 2021

The Taguchi capability index, which reflects the expected loss and the yield of a process, is a useful index for evaluating the quality of a process. Several scholars have proposed a process improvement capability index based on the expected value of the Taguchi loss function as well as the corresponding cost of process improvement. There have been a number of studies using the Taguchi capability index to develop suppliers’ process quality evaluation models, whereas models for evaluating suppliers’ process improvement potential have been relatively lacking. Thus, this study applies the process improvement capability index to develop an evaluation model of the supplier’s process improvement capability, which can be provided to the industry for application. Besides, owing to the current need to respond quickly, coupled with cost considerations and the limits of technical capabilities, the sample size for sampling testing is usually not large. Consequently, the evaluation model of the process improvement capability developed in this study adopts a fuzzy testing method based on the confidence interval. This method reduces the risk of misjudgment due to sampling errors and improves the testing accuracy because it can incorporate experts and their accumulated experiences.
Boosting Fraud Detection in Mobile Payment with Prior Knowledge
Authors: Sun Quan , Tang Tao , Chai Hongfeng , Wu Jie , Chen Yang
Published: May 2021

With the prevalence of mobile e-commerce, fraudulent transactions conducted by robots are becoming increasingly common in mobile payments, which is severely undermining market fairness and resulting in financial losses. It has become a difficult problem for mobile applications to identify robotic automation accurately and efficiently from a massive number of transactions. The current research does not propose any effective method or engineering implementation. In this article, an extension to boost algorithms is presented that permits the incorporation of prior human knowledge as a means of compensating for a training data shortage and improving prediction results. Prior human knowledge is accumulated from historical fraud transactions or transferred from different domains in the form of expert rules and blacklists. The knowledge is applied to extract risk features from transaction data, risk features together with normal features are input into the boosting algorithm to perform training, and therefore we incorporate boosting algorithm with prior human knowledge to improve the performance of the model. For the first time we verified the effectiveness of the method via a widely deployed mobile APP with 150+ million users, and by taking experiments on a certain dataset, the extended boosting model shows an accuracy increase from 0.9825 to 0.9871 and a recall rate increase from 0.888 to 0.948. We also investigated feature differences between robots and normal users and we discovered the behavior patterns of robotic automation that include less spatial motion detected by device sensors (1/10 of normal user pattern), higher IP group-clustering ratio (60% in robots vs. 15% in normal users), higher jailbroken device rate (92.47% vs. 4.64%), more irregular device names and fewer IP address changes. The quantitative analysis result is helpful for APP developers and service providers to understand and prevent fraudulent transactions from robotic automation.This article proposed an optimized boosting model, which has better use in the field of robotic automation detection of mobile phones. By combining prior knowledge and feature importance analysis, the model is more robust when the actual dataset is unbalanced or with few-short samples. The model is also more explainable as feature analysis is available which can be used for generating disposal rules in the actual fake mobile user blocking systems.
Antifouling Membranes Based on Cellulose Acetate (CA) Blended with Poly(acrylic acid) for Heavy Metal Remediation
Authors: Ounifi Ibtissem , Guesmi Youssef , Ursino Claudia , Santoro Sergio , Mahfoudhi Selim , Figoli Alberto , Ferjanie Ezzedin , Hafiane Amor
Published: May 2021

Fouling has been widely recognized as the Achilles’ heel of membrane processes and the growing perception about the relevance of this critical issue has driven the development of advanced antifouling strategies. Herein, novel fouling-resistant ultrafiltration (UF) membranes for Cadmium (Cd) remediation were developed via a blending method by combining the flexibility of cellulose acetate (CA) with the complex properties of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). A systematic characterization, based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), confirmed the homogeneity of the blend favored by hydrogen interconnections between CA and PAA polymeric chains. The concentration of PAA with respect to CA played a key role in tuning the morphology and the hydrophilic character of the novel UF membranes prepared via non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS). UF experiments revealed the tremendous advantages of the blend since CA/PAA membranes showed superior performance with respect to the neat CA membrane in terms of (i) water permeability; (ii) Cd rejection; and (iii) antifouling resistance to humic acid (HA). Concisely, the increasing of the concentration of PAA in the casting solution was found to be beneficial to improve the flux recovery ratio (FRR) coupled with the decline of the total fouling ratio (Rt). Overall, PAA is an effective additive to prepare CA membranes with enhanced antifouling properties exploitable for the remediation of water bodies contaminated by heavy metals via UF process.
Review on Cyanobacterial Studies in Portugal: Current Impacts and Research Needs
Authors: Moreira Cristiana , Campos Alexandre , Martins José Carlos , Vasconcelos Vitor , Antunes Agostinho
Published: May 2021

Cyanobacteria have long been associated with harmful effects on humans, animals and aquatic biota. Cyanotoxins are their most toxic metabolite. This review summarizes the current research, impacts and future needs in cyanobacterial studies undertaken in Portugal, the southernmost country of Europe, and with a recent multiplication of cyanotoxicity due to climate change events. Microcystins are still the most prevalent, studied and the only regulated cyanotoxins in Portuguese freshwater systems much like most European countries. With the development of some tools, particularly in molecular studies, the recent discovery of cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins and saxitoxins, both genes and toxins, in North and Center ecosystems of our country highlight current impacts that overall communities are facing with increased risks of exposure and uptake to cyanotoxins. Research needs encompass the expansion of studies at all aspects due to the uprising of these cyanotoxins and reinforces the urgent need of increasing the frequency of surveillance to achieve tangible effects of cyanotoxins in Portugal to ultimately implement regulations on cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins and saxitoxins worldwide.
Assessment of Integrated Aerosol Sampling Techniques in Indoor, Confined and Outdoor Environments Characterized by Specific Emission Sources
Authors: Borgese Laura , Chiesa Maria , Assi Ahmad , Marchesi Claudio , Mutahi Anne Wambui , Kasemi Franko , Federici Stefania , Finco Angelo , Gerosa Giacomo , Zappa Dario , Comini Elisabetta , Carnevale Claudio , Volta Marialuisa , Placidi Donatella , Lucchini Roberto , Bontempi Elza , Depero Laura E.
Published: May 2021

This paper highlights advantages and drawbacks due to the use of portable and low-cost devices for aerosol sampling, showing their performances during an aerosol monitoring campaign with the parallel use of the gravimetric sampling reference method and a cascade impactor. A specific monitoring campaign was held running all instruments in parallel in indoor, confined, and outdoor environments characterized by local emission sources or particulate matter background concentrations. PM2.5 concentrations were used to compare data emerging from the different instruments adopted. Significant underestimation of PM2.5 emerged when comparing data coming from optical sensors with those estimated by the cascade impactor, whose data resulted in being coherent with gravimetric determination, integrated over the same sampling time. A cause–effect relationship between PM2.5 concentrations and specific emission sources was found when observing the daily patterns of all the real-time sampling devices. It emerged that optical devices are useful for detecting concentration trends, the presence of peak values, or changes in the background value, even if with limited accuracy and precision. The comparison with particle size distributions obtained by the cascade impactor data allowed us to define which particle sizes are not detected by different optical devices, evidencing a low representativeness of optical low-cost sensors for health exposure measurements. The correlations among the specific particle size fractions detected by the cascade impactor and their specific emission sources were particularly high for car emissions in a semi-confined garage area.
Collagen in Wound Healing
Authors: Mathew-Steiner Shomita S. , Roy Sashwati , Sen Chandan K.
Published: May 2021

Normal wound healing progresses through inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phases in response to tissue injury. Collagen, a key component of the extracellular matrix, plays critical roles in the regulation of the phases of wound healing either in its native, fibrillar conformation or as soluble components in the wound milieu. Impairments in any of these phases stall the wound in a chronic, non-healing state that typically requires some form of intervention to guide the process back to completion. Key factors in the hostile environment of a chronic wound are persistent inflammation, increased destruction of ECM components caused by elevated metalloproteinases and other enzymes and improper activation of soluble mediators of the wound healing process. Collagen, being central in the regulation of several of these processes, has been utilized as an adjunct wound therapy to promote healing. In this work the significance of collagen in different biological processes relevant to wound healing are reviewed and a summary of the current literature on the use of collagen-based products in wound care is provided.
Expression of E-Cadherin in Epithelial Cancer Cells Increases Cell Motility and Directionality through the Localization of ZO-1 during Collective Cell Migration
Authors: Park Song-Yi , Jang Hwanseok , Kim Seon-Young , Kim Dasarang , Park Yongdoo , Kee Sun-Ho
Published: May 2021

Collective cell migration of epithelial tumor cells is one of the important factors for elucidating cancer metastasis and developing novel drugs for cancer treatment. Especially, new roles of E-cadherin in cancer migration and metastasis, beyond the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, have recently been unveiled. Here, we quantitatively examined cell motility using micropatterned free edge migration model with E-cadherin re-expressing EC96 cells derived from adenocarcinoma gastric (AGS) cell line. EC96 cells showed increased migration features such as the expansion of cell islands and straightforward movement compared to AGS cells. The function of tight junction proteins known to E-cadherin expression were evaluated for cell migration by knockdown using sh-RNA. Cell migration and straight movement of EC96 cells were reduced by knockdown of ZO-1 and claudin-7, to a lesser degree. Analysis of the migratory activity of boundary cells and inner cells shows that EC96 cell migration was primarily conducted by boundary cells, similar to leader cells in collective migration. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that tight junctions (TJs) of EC96 cells might play important roles in intracellular communication among boundary cells. ZO-1 is localized to the base of protruding lamellipodia and cell contact sites at the rear of cells, indicating that ZO-1 might be important for the interaction between traction and tensile forces. Overall, dynamic regulation of E-cadherin expression and localization by interaction with ZO-1 protein is one of the targets for elucidating the mechanism of collective migration of cancer metastasis.
Patterns of Genital Tract Mustelid Gammaherpesvirus 1 (Musghv-1) Reactivation Are Linked to Stressors in European Badgers (Meles Meles)
Authors: Tsai Ming-shan , François Sarah , Newman Chris , Macdonald David W. , Buesching Christina D.
Published: May 2021

Gammaherpesvirus reactivation can promote diseases or impair reproduction. Understanding reactivation patterns and associated risks of different stressors is therefore important. Nevertheless, outside the laboratory or captive environment, studies on the effects of stress on gammaherpesvirus reactivation in wild mammals are lacking. Here we used Mustelid gammaherpesvirus 1 (MusGHV-1) infection in European badgers (Meles meles) as a host–pathogen wildlife model to study the effects of a variety of demographic, physiological and environmental stressors on virus shedding in the genital tract. We collected 251 genital swabs from 150 free-ranging individuals across three seasons and screened them for the presence of MusGHV-1 DNA using PCR targeting the DNA polymerase gene. We explored possible links between MusGHV-1 DNA presence and seven variables reflecting stressors, using logistic regression analysis. The results reveal different sets of risk factors between juveniles and adults, likely reflecting primary infection and reactivation. In adults, virus shedding was more likely in badgers in poorer body condition and younger than 5 years or older than 7; while in juveniles, virus shedding is more likely in females and individuals in better body condition. However, living in social groups with more cubs was a risk factor for all badgers. We discuss possible explanations for these risk factors and their links to stress in badgers.
Final Exon Frameshift Biallelic PTPN23 Variants Are Associated with Microcephalic Complex Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Authors: Khalaf-Nazzal Reham , Fasham James , Ubeyratna Nishanka , Evans David J. , Leslie Joseph S. , Warner Thomas T. , Al-Hijawi Fida’ , Alshaer Shurouq , Baker Wisam , Turnpenny Peter D. , Baple Emma L. , Crosby Andrew H.
Published: May 2021

The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a large clinically heterogeneous group of genetic disorders classified as ‘pure’ when the cardinal feature of progressive lower limb spasticity and weakness occurs in isolation and ‘complex’ when associated with other clinical signs. Here, we identify a homozygous frameshift alteration occurring in the last coding exon of the protein tyrosine phosphatase type 23 (PTPN23) gene in an extended Palestinian family associated with autosomal recessive complex HSP. PTPN23 encodes a catalytically inert non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase that has been proposed to interact with the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) complex, involved in the sorting of ubiquitinated cargos for fusion with lysosomes. In view of our data, we reviewed previously published candidate pathogenic PTPN23 variants to clarify clinical outcomes associated with pathogenic gene variants. This determined that a number of previously proposed candidate PTPN23 alterations are likely benign and revealed that pathogenic biallelic PTPN23 alterations cause a varied clinical spectrum comprising of complex HSP associated with microcephaly, which may occur without intellectual impairment or involve more severe neurological disease. Together, these findings highlight the importance of the inclusion of the PTPN23 gene on HSP gene testing panels globally.