bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A WSQ-based mobile peer assessment approach to enhancing university students’ vocal music skills and learning perceptions
Authors: Liu Chenchen , Wan Ping , Tu Yun-Fang , Chen Kai , Wang Youmei
Published: July 2021

Peer assessment has been regarded as an effective learning strategy in art education, such as in music, dance and art design. For music education, technology-supported peer assessment makes it easier for learners to reflect on their learning performance. However, the process of reflection needs solid and systematic theoretical knowledge. In terms of vocal music, which develops students’ singing skills, it is difficult for learners to compare their own works with those of others because of a lack of sufficient theoretical knowledge. Therefore, a WSQ (watch-summary-question)-based mobile peer assessment approach was used to help learners reflect based on their theoretical knowledge with the support of WSQ learning sheets. To investigate the effectiveness of the approach, an experiment was carried out in a Chinese university. The experimental group (N = 22) learned with the WSQ approach, whereas the control group (N = 22) adopted a mobile peer assessment approach without WSQ. Vocal music skills, learning attitude and learning motivation were assessed. The experimental results indicate that the approach effectively enhanced the students’ vocal music skills but did not improve their learning motivation or attitude. In addition, a higher correlation between teacher scoring and peer scoring was found for the experimental group.

Implications for practice or policy:

Technology has a great potential in supporting art education and integrating technology into vocal music education should follow the rules of music education.

Developing students’ reflective thinking skills in vocal music education is challenging, but attainable; it needs considered instructional design and sustained efforts from students.
Management of Parkinson’s Disease in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Future Perspectives in the Era of Vaccination
Authors: Lau Yue Hui , Lau Keng Ming , Ibrahim Norlinah Mohamed
Published: July 2021

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV- 2) has led to a serious global health crisis. Increasing evidence suggests that elderly individuals with underlying chronic diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), are particularly vulnerable to this infection. Changes in the routine care of PD patients should be implemented carefully without affecting the quality provided. The utilization of telemedicine for clinical consultation, assessment and rehabilitation has also been widely recommended. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide recommendations in the management of PD during the pandemic as well as in the early phase of vaccination programs to highlight the potential sequelae and future perspectives of vaccination and further research in PD. Even though a year has passed since COVID- 19 emerged, most of us are still facing great challenges in providing a continuum of care to patients with chronic neurological disorders. However, we should regard this health crisis as an opportunity to change our routine approach in managing PD patients and learn more about the impact of SARS-CoV-2. Hopefully, PD patients can be vaccinated promptly, and more detailed research related to PD in COVID-19 can still be carried out.
Parkinson’s Disease and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review Article on the Association between SARS-CoV-2 and α-Synucleinopathy
Authors: Sinha Smriti , Mittal Swati , Roy Rupali
Published: July 2021

There is an extensive debate on the neurological consequences of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its impact on Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, which seems to puzzle neurologists. Links between viral infections and PD have long been suspected and studied, but the exact relationship remains elusive. Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV- 2) enters the brain through multiple routes and has a direct impact on the brain, cumulative damage occurs due to the activation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. SARS-CoV-2 seems to aggravate PD due to its effects on α-synuclein, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dopamine depletion. A few studies have even highlighted the higher vulnerability of PD patients to COVID-19. The sudden dramatic change in lifestyle caused by the pandemic and the widespread lockdowns that were implemented have added to the hidden sorrows of PD patients, as they already have a compromised mechanism for coping with stress. This review summarizes insights from basic science and the clinical effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the human brain, with a specific focus on PD.
Global existence and dynamic structure of solutions for damped wave equation involving the fractional Laplacian
Authors: Bidi Younes , Beniani Abderrahmane , Zennir Khaled , Himadan Ahmed
Published: July 2021

We consider strong damped wave equation involving the fractional Laplacian with nonlinear source. The results of global solution under necessary conditions on the critical exponent are established. The existence is proved by using the Galerkin approximations combined with the potential well theory. Moreover, we showed new decay estimates of global solution.
Fermentative Production of Mannosylerythritol Lipids using Sweetwater as Waste Substrate by Pseudozyma antarctica (MTCC 2706)
Authors: Mawani Jayata , Jadhav Jagruti , Pratap Amit
Published: July 2021

Mannosylerythritol lipids are glycolipid biosurfactants with promising industrial applications. However, their commercial production is hindered due to its high production cost. The current study investigates the use of sweetwater, a by-product of the fat-splitting industry in combination with soybean oil for the production of mannosylerythritol lipids using Pseudozyma antarctica (MTCC 2706). The optimum sweetwater and soybean oil concentration of 22% and 7% (w/v) yielded 7.52 g L–1and 21.5 g L–1 mannosylerythritol lipids at shake flask and fermenter level respectively. The structure and functional groups of mannosylerythritol lipids were confirmed by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Surfactant properties, such as surface tension, critical micelle concentration, foaming and emulsification of mannosylerythritol lipids were also explored.
A háborús nemi erőszak és a nőgyógyász lobbi hatása a magyarországi születésszabályozási rendszerre
Authors: Pető Andrea , Svégel Fanni
Published: July 2021

A tanulmány bemutatja, hogyan kapcsolódott össze a születésszabályozás és születéskorlátozás a tömeges nemi erőszakkal az első és a második világháborúban, továbbá hogyan erősítette fel a korábban is meglevő vitákat a nemi erőszak jelensége, illetve ennek milyen törvényi és a nők életdöntéseit befolyásoló gyakorlati következményei voltak. Az első világháború során elkövetett nemierőszak-esetek indították el a nyilvános szakpolitikai vitákat, amelyek nyomán fokozatosan egyre nagyobb teret engedtek a terhesség legális megszakításának. Az 1945-ös tömeges katonai erőszak pedig precedensértékű legalizációt hozott magával, ami után a magyar szabályozás a váltakozó szovjet családpolitikát követte. A cikk bemutatja, hogy a szülész–nőgyógyász lobbi hogyan vett részt a vitákban, illetve hogyan volt képes szakmai és anyagi érdekeit az éppen aktuális szakpolitikai döntések során is képviselni, például az 1952-es népesedéspolitikai kampány során. Az abortuszbizottságok és társadalmi szerepük meghatározónak bizonyultak legalább egy nőgeneráció számára. Az ötvenes évek elején megkezdődő erőteljes medikalizáció és adminisztrációs ellenőrzés a hetvenes évekre megváltoztatta a születésszabályozási rendszert: a terhességmegszakítások dominanciáját fokozatosan felváltotta a modern fogamzásgátló szerek széleskörű használata. Az újabb népesedéspolitikai kampány (1973) és a civil ellenállás, majd a rendszerváltást követő alkotmányos szabályozás körüli kiélezett viták mutatják a mára létrejött kényes egyensúly törékenységét és a kompromisszumos megoldás egyfajta lehetőségét.
Fotó: Fortepan / Urbán Tamás
Eisejuaz: chamanismo y cevil
Authors: Flores Enrique
Published: July 2021

Este trabajo es un fragmento de un libro en preparación: Eisejuaz, chamán. Gérmenes y materiales. Aborda la novela Eisejuaz, de Sara Gallardo, ignorada hasta hace pocos años y obra maestra marginal que se sumerge en el universo y el habla del pueblo wichí, a través de su protagonista, Eisejuaz —imaginario o ficticio, pero en su origen muy real—, cuyos vínculos con el antiguo chamanismo no se disociaban por entero de las acciones de los llamados “chamanes de Dios”, y sobre todo —a través de la figura de Santos Aparicio, o “Vicente Aparicio” en la novela—, con la intervención del cebil, la planta “alucinógena”.
Rapid Inhibition Accuracy and Leg Strength Are Required for Community-Dwelling Older People to Recover Balance From Induced Trips and Slips: An Experimental Prospective Study
Authors: Okubo Yoshiro , Duran Lionne , Delbaere Kim , Sturnieks Daina L. , Richardson James K. , Pijnappels Mirjam , Lord Stephen R.
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose:

Falls can result in bone fractures and disability, presenting a serious threat to quality of life and independence in older adults. The majority of falls in community-living older adults occur while walking and are often caused by trips and slips. The study aimed to identify the specific sensorimotor and psychological factors required for older adults to recover balance from trips and slips.

Methods:

Forty-one older adults aged 65 to 87 years were assessed on sensorimotor (knee extension strength, proprioception, postural sway, and edge contrast sensitivity), reaction (simple reaction time, stepping, and catching reaction inhibition), and psychological (general anxiety and concern about falling) measures. Using a harness system, participants walked at 90% of their usual pace on a 10-m walkway that could induce trips and slips in concealed and changeable locations. Post-perturbation responses resulting in more than 30% of body weight being recorded by the harness system were defined as falls. Poisson regressions were used to test associations between the sensorimotor, reaction, and psychological measures and number of falls.

Results:

Fifty-one falls occurred in 25 of 41 participants. Poisson regression revealed body mass index, lower-limb proprioception, knee extension strength, rapid inhibition accuracy, concern about falling, and anxiety were significantly associated with the rate of falls. Other measures including postural sway were not statistically significant. Using stepwise Poisson regression analyses, normalized knee extension strength (rate ratio [RR]: 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.98), and rapid inhibition accuracy (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.87) were independently associated with falls.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest rapid inhibition accuracy and adequate leg strength are required for older adults to recover balance from trips and slips. The mechanisms for balance recovery during daily life activities are likely different from those for static balance, suggesting the need for task-specific assessments and interventions for fall prevention in older adults.
Effects of Alternating Unilateral vs. Bilateral Resistance Training on Sprint and Endurance Cycling Performance in Trained Endurance Athletes: A 3-Armed, Randomized, Controlled, Pilot Trial
Authors: Ji Sanghyeon , Donath Lars , Wahl Patrick
Published: July 2021

Ji, S, Donath, L, and Wahl, P. Effects of alternating unilateral vs. bilateral resistance training on sprint and endurance cycling performance in trained endurance athletes: A 3-armed, randomized, controlled, pilot trial. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3280–3289, 2022—Traditional preparatory resistance training for cyclists mainly relies on simultaneous bilateral movement patterns. This lack of movement specificity may impede transfer effects to specific aerobic and anaerobic requirements on the bike. Hence, this study investigated the effects of resistance training in alternating unilateral vs. simultaneous bilateral movement pattern on strength and anaerobic as well as aerobic cycling performance indices. Twenty-four trained triathletes and cyclists (age: 31.1 ± 8.1 years; V̇o
2max: 57.6 ± 7.1 ml·min−1·kg−1) were randomly assigned to either an alternating unilateral (AUL), a simultaneous bilateral (BIL) training group or a control group (CON). Ten weeks of resistance training (4 × 4–10 repetition maximum) were completed by both training groups, although CON maintained their usual training regimen without resistance training. Maximal strength was tested during isometric leg extension, leg curl, and leg press in both unilateral and bilateral conditions. To compare the transfer effects of the training groups, determinants of cycling performance and time to exhaustion at 105% of the estimated anaerobic threshold were examined. Maximal leg strength notably increased in both training groups (BIL: ∼28%; AUL: ∼27%; p < 0.01) but not in CON (∼6%; p > 0.54). A significant improvement in cycling time trial performance was also observed in both training groups (AUL: 67%; BIL: 43%; p < 0.05) but not for CON (37%; p = 0.43). Bilateral group exhibited an improved cycling economy at submaximal intensities (∼8%; p < 0.05) but no changes occurred in AUL and CON (∼3%; p > 0.24). While sprint cycling performance decreased in CON (peak power: −6%; acceleration index: −15%; p < 0.05), improvement in favor of AUL was observed for acceleration abilities during maximal sprinting (20%; d = 0.5). Our pilot data underpin the importance of resistance training independent of its specific movement pattern both for improving the endurance cycling performance and maximal leg strength. Further research should corroborate our preliminary findings on whether sprint cycling benefits favorably from AUL resistance training.
Strong, Fast, Fit, Lean, and Safe: A Positional Comparison of Physical and Physiological Qualities Within the 2020 Australian Women's Rugby League Team
Authors: Minahan Clare , Newans Tim , Quinn Karlee , Parsonage Jo , Buxton Simon , Bellinger Phillip
Published: July 2021

Minahan, C, Newans, T, Quinn, K, Parsonage, J, Buxton, S, and Bellinger, P. Strong, Fast, Fit, Lean, and Safe: A positional comparison of physical and physiological qualities within the 2020 Australian Women's Rugby League team. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S11–S19, 2021—The purpose of the present study was to report the physical and physiological characteristics of elite women Rugby League (RL) players. Thirty-nine women (25.6 ± 4.3 years, 171.3 ± 7.7 cm, 83.5 ± 13.9 kg) from the 2020 Australian women's RL squad were recruited for this study. Players were categorized as adjustables (n = 7), backs (n = 15), or forwards (n = 17) for analysis. Each player was assessed for anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), speed (5, 10 and 20 m sprint times), lower-body power (countermovement jump), upper-body power (medicine ball throw and explosive push up force), estimated one repetition maximum (e1RM) bench press, squat and bench pull, isometric mid-thigh pull strength, eccentric knee flexor strength, isometric hip abduction and adduction, and intermittent endurance performance (30–15 intermittent fitness test; 30–15 IFT). Linear mixed models were performed to compare positional groups. Forwards were significantly heavier and had greater fat mass, fat-free mass, and body fat percentage compared with backs and adjustables (P < 0.01). Backs were faster over 20 m compared with forwards (P = 0.025), whereas forwards had a lower 30–15 IFT peak velocity and estimated V̇o
2peak compared with backs and adjustables. Nonetheless, when including body mass in the model, there were no differences between groups in 30–15 IFT peak velocity. There were no significant differences in other variables. These results provide contemporary benchmark physical, physiological, and anthropometric data for elite women RL players, which can inform recruitment, selection, training, and testing.
Effect of Image Compression using Fast Fourier Transformation and Discrete Wavelet Transformation on Transfer Learning Wafer Defect Image Classification
Authors: Mat Jizat Jessnor Arif , Ab. Nasir Ahmad Fakhri , P.P Abdul Majeed Anwar , Yuen Edmund
Published: July 2021

Automated inspection machines for wafer defects usually captured thousands of images on a large scale to preserve the detail of defect features. However, most transfer learning architecture requires smaller images as input images. Thus, proper compression is required to preserve the defect features whilst maintaining an acceptable classification accuracy. This paper reports on the effect of image compression using Fast Fourier Transformation and Discrete Wavelet Transformation on transfer learning wafer defect image classification. A total of 500 images with 5 classes with 4 defect classes and 1 non-defect class were split to 60:20:20 ratio for training, validating and testing using InceptionV3 and Logistic Regression classifier. However, the input images were compressed using Fast Fourier Transformation and Discrete Wavelet Transformation using 4 level decomposition and Debauchies 4 wavelet family. The images were compressed by 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, and 99%. As a result, the Fast Fourier Transformation compression show an increase from 89% to 94% in classification accuracy up to 95% compression, while Discrete Wavelet Transformation shows consistent classification accuracy throughout albeit diminishing image quality. From the experiment, it can be concluded that FFT and DWT image compression can be a reliable method for image compression for grayscale image classification as the image memory space drop 56.1% while classification accuracy increased by 5.6% with 95% FFT compression and memory space drop 55.6% while classification accuracy increased 2.2% with 50% DWT compression.
Field Study of PID Parameter Tuning Investigation in Peristaltic Dosing Pump Control for Use in Automated Fertilizer Mixing System
Authors: Yong Wai Xhuen , Ibrahim Ahmad Najmuddin
Published: July 2021

Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller is one of the linear control methods of closed-loop irrigation control. Today, it is mostly used in the industry to regulate industrial process variables such as pressure, flow rate, temperature, heat, and others. In precision farming, the use of technologies such as sensors and PID controllers is popular nowadays. The technologies help the farmer fasten the fertilizer's mixing process before using it directly to the crop. However, not all farms afford to use high technology, and using low-cost mixing systems is one way to reduce their cost. Therefore, this research investigates the accuracy of fertilizer mixture using low-cost methods, compares the results, and proposes improvements to ensure a better fertilizer distribution for precision farming. Different parameter tuning will affect the mixing process of the fertilizer. A series of experiments will be conducted based on the PID control parameter, the concentration of the salt solution, and the initial amount of nutrients in the mixing tank. The salt solution will be used as an alternative for the fertilizer because it contains some similar composition ingredients that the EC sensor can detect. The experiment starts with a preliminary test to determine the temperature effect on reading where room temperature will be the best for the next experiment. The best PID parameter that is used is K_P= 130 and K_I= 60 to prevent the phenomenon of overshoot occur during the mixing process. Using the same PID parameter for the next experiment had also found out that the higher the concentration of the salt solution, the higher the chance occur the phenomenon of overshoot. The initial amount of nutrients inside the mixing tank does not affect much for the mixing process because the best parameter for the experiment we had found from the previous experiment is used. The results extracted from the experiment that shows the mixing process from a low-cost automated fertilizer mixing system.
Cyberloafing Behaviors of Health Professional Students during Distance Education in the COVID-19 Pandemic Period
Authors: Ozdemir Cevriye , YÄ±ldÄ±z AyÅŸegÃ¼l , Åžahan Seda
Published: July 2021

Background: With the declaration of the new coronavirus (COVID â€ 19) pandemic, which was detected in the Wuhan region of China and later seen in many countries of the world, education and training were significantly affected in all countries, and distance education started to be used in all areas of education. To this end, students can exhibit cyberloafing behaviors during distance education for various reasons. Thus, this study aims to determine the levels of cyberloafing and the factors affecting these behaviors of students studying in health programs during distance education. Methods: In this descriptive study, 405 students studying in the health programs of various private and public universities in Turkey and met the criteria for inclusion in the study formed the research sample. Results: When the studentsâ€™ tools to access distance education during the pandemic process were compared, it was found that students using computers had higher levels of cyberloafing activities than those using other tools (p<0,05). Conclusions: Distance education keeps students connected to technological tools, increases the risk of engaging in activities irrelevant to the course, and thus leads them to exhibit cyberloafing behaviors.

Keywords: Distance education; cyberloafing; COVID-19
Risk assessment of sepsis through measurement of proAVP (copeptin): a secondary analysis of the TRIAGE study
Authors: Kloter Milena , Gregoriano Claudia , Haag Ellen , Kutz Alexander , Mueller Beat , Schuetz Philipp
Published: July 2021

Objective

Systemic infections and sepsis lead to strong activation of the vasopressin system, which is pivotal for stimulation of the endocrine stress response and, in addition, has vasoconstrictive and immunomodulatory effects. Our aim was to assess the significance of the vasopressor system through measurement of C-terminal proAVP (copeptin) regarding mortality prediction in a large prospective cohort of patients with systemic infection.

Design and methods

This secondary analysis of the observational cohort TRIAGE study included consecutive, adult, medical patients with an initial diagnosis of infection seeking emergency department care. We used multivariable regression analysis to assess associations of copeptin levels in addition to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score with 30-day mortality. Discrimination was assessed by calculation of the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Overall, 45 of 609 (7.4%) patients with infection died within 30 days. Non-survivors had a marked upregulation of the vasopressin system with a more than four-fold increase in admission copeptin levels compared to non-survivors (199.9 ± 204.7 vs 46.6 ± 77.2 pmol/L). In a statistical model, copeptin was significantly associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio of 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07, P = 0.002). Regarding discrimination, copeptin alone showed an AUC of 0.82, while adding copeptin to the SOFA score significantly improved its prognostic ability (AUC 0.83 vs 0.86, P = 0.027).

Conclusion

Activation of the vasopressin system mirrored by an increase in copeptin levels provided significant information regarding mortality risk and improved the SOFA score for prediction of sepsis mortality.
Práticas avaliativas nos cursos de pedagogia: concepções, modelos e planejamento
Authors: Da Silva Neta Maria de Lourdes , Junior Antonio Germano Magalhães , Carneiro dos Santos Maria Terla Silva
Published: July 2021

As práticas avaliativas estão inseridas no trabalho docente em todos os níveis e modalidades da educação podendo auxiliar no direcionamento dos processos de formação, na emissão do juízo de valor e na tomada de decisão por gestores e professores. O objeto da pesquisa aportou-se nas práticas de avaliação disseminadas nos cursos de licenciatura em Pedagogia de uma IES pública cearense. Objetivamos compreender as práticas avaliativas dos docentes. A metodologia de cunho qualitativo recorreu à postura cartográfica utilizando técnicas de coleta de dados bibliográfica, documental e entrevistas por pautas com professores. As práticas se constituíram pelas concepções de medida, instrumento e controle. Evidenciamos que  as práticas avaliativas no ensino-aprendizagem pautadas no planejamento e nos modelos avaliativos no âmbito da educação superior nos levaram a constatar a relevância e necessidade de aquisição do conhecimento em avaliação pelos docentes, requerendo articulações com as concepções de currículo, uma vez que nelas se expressam, sobretudo as escolhas dos conteúdos, as definições emanadas do planejamento, a adoção dos modelos, a sistematização dos instrumentos e critérios com escopo no trabalho do professor e na aprendizagem dos discentes.
Influence of processing parameters on the surface roughness of solid wood cut by abrasive water jet
Authors: Pelit Hüseyin , Yaman Özkan
Published: July 2021

The surface roughness of pine, beech, and oak wood cut in the abrasive water jet (AWJ) system was evaluated for different processing parameters. Wood specimens were prepared in thicknesses of 18, 36, and 54 mm in both tangential and radial directions. Then the specimens were cut, applying three different feed speeds (50, 100, and 200 mm/min), three different abrasive flow rates (200, 300, and 450 g/min), and two different cutting liquid pressures (300 and 380 MPa) with the AWJ system. The Ra and Rz roughness values were higher in the tangential cut for pine and oak specimens and in the radial cut for beech wood. Roughness values increased in all specimens with increases in the AWJ feed speed and the wood thickness. In contrast, with increased amounts of abrasive, Ra and Rz values of the specimens decreased and surface smoothness tended to increase. Roughness values of pine and oak specimens generally decreased due to the increase in liquid pressure. However, an increase in the roughness of the beech specimens was determined. As a result, the feed speed and wood thickness were the most influential parameters on the roughness of specimens. In contrast, the cutting direction and liquid pressure showed less importance on the roughness.
Autohydrolysis pretreatment of castor plant pruning residues to enhance enzymatic digestibility and bioethanol production
Authors: Rodríguez-de la Garza José A. , Castillo-Quiroz David , Rios-González Leopoldo J. , Morales-Martínez Thelma K. , González-Fuentes José A. , Valdez-Aguilar Luis A. , Medina-Morales Miguel A.
Published: July 2021

Castor plant is used commonly for oil extraction and biodiesel synthesis. However, the residues during pruning are not being used effectively. These residues have the potential to be used as feedstock to produce bioethanol and other by-products. The present work assessed the eco-friendly autohydrolysis pretreatment of castor plant pruning residues at different severity factors (R0), applying a range of temperatures from 100 °C to 200 °C. The hydrolysis of pretreated solids was carried out using a commercial cellulases complex at different solid and enzyme loadings. The enzymatic hydrolysate with a higher glucose concentration was further subjected to fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 4126. The results showed an efficient xylan hydrolysis (77.5%) and a preservation of glucan up to 83% in the solids pretreated at an R0 of 5.78. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated solids at an R0 of 5.78 showed a glucose release of 2.9-fold higher than non-pretreated material. In the hydrolysate fermentation, a maximum ethanol production of 50.5 g/L was achieved (equivalent to 6.4% v/v), corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 98% and a biomass-to-ethanol conversion yield of 93.0 g of ethanol per kilogram of feedstock.
Effects of surface modification on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of bamboo-polypropylene composites
Authors: Wang Yunfei , Zou Miao , Gao Kezheng , Guo Wenjing , Wang Ge , Tang Qiheng
Published: July 2021

To fabricate homogeneous bamboo fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites, polypropylene (PP) fiber and 3-aminpropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) modified bamboo fibers were first formed into mats by non-woven air paving technology, and then the composites were created by hot-pressing the mats. The modification of BFs was characterized by XPS and FTIR analyses, and the results confirmed that APTES had been grafted onto the surfaces of BFs. The effects of concentrations of APTES on the mechanical, physical, morphological, and thermal properties of the bamboo-polypropylene composites were examined by tests of bending strength, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and water absorption. The analysis of physical and mechanical properties revealed improved mechanical properties and water resistance (3 wt% of APTES). SEM images were used to assess the influence of modification treatment on the properties of the composites. The results confirmed that the modification of APTES improved the interfacial adhesion between BFs and PP matrix. DSC results indicated the melting point of composites decreased with an increase in concentration of APTES up to 3 wt%, while the melting point of composites increased when the concentration of APTES was higher than 3 wt%.
Digital currencies: a problem of trust
Authors:   West Ukrainian National University, Koziuk Viktor
Published: July 2021

The rising cryptocurrencies have revived discussion about the prospects of monetary order and the central bank’s role in it. Functionality is in the core of the competition between the forms of money and the payment landscape could be fractionalized affecting further decline in the efficiency of monetary policy. Central bank digital currency (CBDC) is looked by monetary authorities as a way to respond to technological challenge and fulfill the gap of the market failure related to some imperfections of privately issued digital money. The success of each money form is dependent on the trust as a collective experience. The paper raises the question if the central banks are more credible than private digital money when probable change in the age structure matters for the spread of fintech. Based on empirical analysis, it is found that economic agents differentiate digital money of central banks from those of private issuers. Private cryptocurrencies are considered more reliable when inflationary experience is stronger, while central banks’ independence level and financial stability are not factors of higher trust to CBDC. Also, a country’s institutional features do not indicate that successful central banks can use the “the umbrella” of trust to their own cryptocurrencies while the factors of technological advance fail to show a clear significance. Social capital better contributes to the trust to private digital money. At the same time, the age structure is the strong factor due to which digital currencies are more reliable in younger societies. It is concluded that in the case then trust in cryptocurrencies is not grounded on institutional factors that historically contributed to stability of the monetary order, preconditions for the latter’s higher vulnerability are likely to rise. With the growing role of age structure as a factor of higher trust to digital money, the quality of social interactions will become a very important institutional precondition for the stability of monetary order.
THE ROLE OF SUBSTRATE STIFFNESS IN MAINTAINING PLURIPOTENCY OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS IN VITRO CULTURE
Authors:   National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Acadaemy, Kyiv, Ukraine, Bilko D.I. , Chaikovsky Y.B. ,   Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: July 2021

Murine embryonic stem cells (ESCm) cultured in vitro in the presence of LIF (leukemia inhibitory factor) maintain pluripotency. However, when LIF is removed from the media, an active differentiation into various specialized somatic cells is observed. The aim of the study was to determine the role of substrate stiffness in maintaining of pluripotency of embryonic stem cells in vitro culture. To this aim, we used the method of culturing pluripotent stem cells in vitro, the method of “hanging drop”, the determination of the Young’s modulus for polyacrylamide gel of different hardness, the immunocytochemical alkaline phosphatase (AP) streptavidin-biotin method, microscopy. By culturing ESCm on a soft, medium and hard density polyacrylamide gel as a substrate (0.8, 4.0, 8.0 кPа), we found that on a soft gel ESCm differentiation does not occur even in the absence of LIF. ESCm cultured on a soft substrate continue to show signs of pluripotency, namely, create round compact colonies with high alkaline phosphatase activity and form embryoid bodies (EB), the efficiency of which (87.5 ± 3.2 per 100 cells seeded) did not decrease even after LIF withdrawal. In the absence of LIF, ESCs cultured on a hard base showed a low level of EB formation (23.5 ± 2.24). The results of our observations demonstrate that the process of EB formation may be influenced not only by a composition of nutrient medium, but also by complex interaction between the physical forces of the matrix and the mechanical properties of 3D cell aggregates. The model is considered as a tool to study early events in embryogenesis in the search of conditions for effective culture of progenitor cells and differentiated cells for transplantation.
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN IRON METABOLISM INDEXES AND THYROID HOMEOSTASIS IN CHILDREN WITH SIDEROPENIA AND IODINE DEFICIENCY
Authors:   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ukraine, Shalamai U.P. , Zayats О.V. ,   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ukraine, Voronych-Semchenko N.M. ,   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ukraine
Published: July 2021

Relationships between the iron metabolism indexes and thyroid homeostasis in children were investigated. For that purpose, 68 healthy children aged 6 to 11 years were examined (35 boys and 33 girls) with adequate iron and iodine supply (n =16), latent sideropenia (n = 16), mild iodine deficiency (n = 18) and combination of latent iron deficiency and mild iodine deficiency (n = 18). We found that in 13% of boys with latent sideropenia, 78% of boys and as many girls with mild iodine deficiency, 90% of boys and 88% of girls with combined iodine and iron deficiency, the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in blood serum ranged from 2.5 to 4.2 mIU/l under the reference data of free triiodothyronine (fT3) and thyroxine (fT4). This observation points for development of minimal thyroid insufficiency (MTI). According to the TSH/fT4 index, MTI was found in 30% of boys and 38% of girls with combined iodine and iron deficiency. These children form the group of risk for development of subclinical hypothyroidism and require mandatory individual correction of MTI by administration of potassium iodide. We found direct moderate correlations between the contents of fT3 and fT4 in serum and the hemoglobin level (Hb) in blood, between the contents of the serum iron and ferritin (r from 0.42 to 0.64). We found also an inverse moderate correlation between the serum TSH content and indexes of iron metabolism (r from –0.56 to –0.61), and a direct moderate correlation between the TSH and total serum iron-binding capacity (r = 0.54). Therefore, iron deficiency can be considered a risk factor for the development of thyroid insufficiency, which requires control of functional capacity of thyroid gland in case of iron depot depletion. The most vulnerable period for the formation of thyroid dysfunction is a prepubertal age regardless of gender. The advisability of determining the indicators of iron metabolism and its correction under conditions of latent sideropenia, mild iodine deficiency and their combination for the prevention of MTI development was justified.
Influence of portal hypertension on the state of the hemomicrocirculatory level of rat skin: morphological study
Authors:   Higher educational communal institution of the Lviv regional council “Andrei Krupinsky Lviv Medical Academy”, Lviv, Ukraine, Grytsevych N.R. , Vereschaka V.V. ,   Educational and Scientific Center “Institute of Biology and Medicine” of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: July 2021

The effect of portal hypertension on the condition of the hemomicrocirculatory tract of the skin male white nonlinear rats was studied. Hypertension was simulated by applying a ligature to the portal vein according to the conventional method. After 30, 60 and 90 days, skin biopsies were taken from the anterior abdominal wall for optical microscopy examination, which was subjected to routine histological processing. In animals of the control group, which underwent sham surgery, the skin remained unchanged. In rats of the experimental group after 30 days in the basal layer of the epidermis there were cells with signs of degenerative changes. The basement membrane of the epidermis had small areas with thinning and thickening, which in both cases were accompanied by the formation of small and massive leukocyte infiltrates. Its edema was noted, which extended to the papillary and reticular layer of the dermis. Elastic fibers were unchanged. Only 50% of the microvessels looked intact, 20% microvessels were narrowed, and 30% had signs of stagnant hyperemia due to dilatation. After 60 days the epidermis was thinned, in the basal layer the cells with picnotized and displaced to the periphery nucleus were detected. In all studied layers of epidermis, besides reticular layer, expansion of arterioles, venules and capillary loops was observed. After 90 days the epidermis was represented by 3-6 layers of cells, its general refinement was observed due to the reduction of the thickness of the spinous and granular layers with simultaneous thickening of the horny layer. In the papillary layer of the dermis, the number of thin-walled blood vessels was increased. The average diameter of the arterioles of the hypodermis decreased relative to the values on the 60th day. The mean diameter of the arterioles of the subdermal network on the border of the papillary and reticular layers and capillary loops under the basal membrane was reduced what can be a sign of sclerotic changes in the microvessels. The venules diameter remained increased. In arterioles and venules, stasis of the microvessels, edema of their walls, microaneurysm, and venous sacculation were detected. Thus, we believe that the changes in the microvessels of the skin, which are observed in portal hypertension, are the result of hemodynamic disturbances in the tissue, which is a complex chain of hemomicrocirculatory flow to the direct action of hypertension in the portal vein and is a secondary response to systemic vascular damage.
Sin registro de ocupación: la omisión de empleo de las mujeres solteras en la Ciudad de México, 1790
Authors: Cervantes-Cortés José-Luis
Published: July 2021

las fuentes demográficas presentan algunos sesgos de información en cuanto al registro del trabajo femenino, dado que en los censos de población se omitieron las ocupaciones de muchas mujeres. Varios autores han explicado este fenómeno como un descuido por parte de los empadronadores que privilegiaron las actividades de los jefes de familia varones. Debido a los silencios que presentan estos documentos, utilizamos la triangulación de fuentes con la finalidad de corroborar si efectivamente estas mujeres se encontraban desempleadas u ocultaron sus empleos por alguna razón. En este artículo esbozamos una alternativa para abordar el problema de la omisión de empleo de las mujeres solteras, al tomar como base el Censo de la Ciudad de México de 1790. Para ello, identificamos cinco aspectos que resaltan los motivos por los que se omitieron sus ocupaciones: la situación doméstica, los empleos ocultos, las estrategias de subsistencia, las condiciones de salud y las conductas delictivas. Argumentamos que el empleo femenino no fue omitido al azar por los empadronadores sino que es el reflejo de la percepción de la mujer en la sociedad colonial, ya que muchas de ellas trabajaban y su empleo les garantizaba su independencia económica. Por tal motivo, resaltamos que deben explorarse las condiciones de las ocupaciones no registradas porque la imagen del trabajo femenino estará incompleta si no advertimos este fenómeno.
La penalidad en Córdoba (Argentina) en la transición al siglo XX: producción y normalización de las mujeres en clave de género
Authors: Maritano Ornella , Deangeli Melina
Published: July 2021

el presente artículo analiza dos dispositivos de la penalidad en Córdoba (Argentina) implementados a fines del siglo XIX y principios del XX, que incidieron en la producción y resguardo de estereotipos de género para las mujeres. Entendemos por penalidad al complejo penal en su conjunto, por lo que se analizarán discursos sostenidos por los operadores judiciales, por un lado y las dinámicas desarrolladas en una institución penal —la Cárcel del Buen Pastor—, por el otro. Se pretende demostrar la manera en que ambos dispositivos operaron como engranajes que, de manera interconectada y complementaria, incidieron en la producción y consolidación de un ideal modélico de feminidad, diagramado por roles de madre y esposa y subordinado a la autoridad masculina. Para ello, realizaremos una lectura en clave de género de los discursos sostenidos por jueces y defensores en casos de adulterio e infanticidio y analizamos los mecanismos de disciplinamiento puestos en práctica en la cárcel. Nos interesa destacar el lugar del discurso judicial como instrumento que reproduce y consolida imperativos de género y el rol de la cárcel como institución destinada a la normalización a través de un discipli amiento que se planificaba mediante la prescripción de labores domésticas.
La vivienda social en los municipios costeros del norte de Chile: sostenibilidad subsidiaria e integración en el desarrollo urbano regional (2000-2018)
Authors: Hidalgo Dattwyler Rodrigo , Paulsen Espinoza Alex , Alvarado Peterson Voltaire , Vergara Constela Carlos , González Rodríguez Miguel
Published: July 2021

En 2014 Chile se comprometió a propender hacia ciudades sostenibles por medio de una Política Nacional de Desarrollo Urbano alineada con los Objetivos del Desarrollo Sustentable (ODS). Recorridos cuarenta años de políticas de viviendas sociales subsidiadas, aplicar un desarrollo urbano sostenible resulta un desafío en ciudades con considerables índices de desigualdad socioespacial. Esta investigación pretende analizar las ciudades costeras, enfocándose en Arica y Coquimbo-La Serena que, por su localización, han tendido a tener transformaciones significativas en el transcurso de los últimos veinte años. Se han utilizado datos de servicios sanitarios, calidad de la vivienda, hacinamiento y estándares de desarrollo urbano. Los resultados constatan que el agua se ha convertido en un tema importante en un contexto de sequía del norte de Chile. Las viviendas sociales subsidiadas, además de encontrarse en vulnerabilidad en la provisión de agua, tienen una calidad estructural cuestionable frente a eventos climáticos importantes, así como también a condiciones de hacinamiento que las vuelven más críticas en lo referido a la sostenibilidad. Se concluye que la aplicación de la sustentabilidad en las políticas urbanas del siglo XXI puede resultar un discurso armonioso, pero la realidad de las comunas costeras dista mucho de alcanzar esta condición.
Planificación de infraestructura verde para la emergencia climática: aprendizajes desde el proyecto “Stgo+”, Santiago de Chile
Authors: Giannotti Emanuel , Vásquez Alexis , Galdámez Elizabeth , Velásquez Paola , Devoto Carolina
Published: July 2021

La infraestructura verde se está reconociendo como una de las principales estrategias para la mitigación y adaptación a la emergencia climática en contextos urbanos. Sin embargo, todavía hay muy pocas iniciativas en América Latina. Este trabajo indaga el caso chileno, en particular el proyecto “Stgo+ Infraestructura Verde”, para comprender cómo la emergencia climática se ha incluido en la planificación de infraestructura verde y el nivel de prioridad que tiene entre varios tipos de actores. La investigación fue conducida a través de una revisión de documentos de planificación y una metodología participativa que involucró actores institucionales de la academia y de la sociedad civil. La normativa urbana chilena e instrumentos de planificación territorial no ofrecen mucha oportunidad para el desarrollo de sistemas de infraestructura verde para enfrentar la emergencia climática, pero hay varios instrumentos indicativos que aportan en ese sentido. Por otro lado, hay un creciente reconocimiento por parte de los actores de la importancia de la infraestructura verde, pero la emergencia climática es un aspecto al cual aún se le atribuye escasa prioridad. La poca valoración que los actores atribuyen a la emergencia climática representa una barrera significativa para que planes y políticas públicas incorporen estos temas.
Las smart cities en la agenda del planeamiento y la gobernanza urbana en América Latina
Authors: Duque Franco Isabel
Published: July 2021

Este artículo muestra las traducciones y variaciones del modelo de las smart cities en las ciudades de AméricaLatina. La smart city se ha erigido como un nuevo modelo urbano, basado en el uso de las tecnologías para responder a los variados y complejos desafíos que enfrentan las ciudades contemporáneas, que van desde la seguridad hasta el cambio climático. A partir del enfoque de movilidad de políticas se identifica el entramado de actores comprometidos con la difusión de este modelo urbano y se aborda la inclusión de las narrativas y proyectos de la ciudad inteligente en los debates y agendas del planeamiento y la gobernanza de las ciudades latinoamericanas. Los resultados revelan el carácter prescriptivo del modelo, su estandarización y la conformación de una “comunidad epistémica de élite” que ha sido determinante en la producción narrativa y material de la ciudad inteligente en la región.
Changes in gambling behaviour and related problems in clients seeking help in outpatient addiction care: Results from a 36-month follow-up study in Bavaria
Authors: Bickl Andreas M. , Schwarzkopf Larissa , Loy Johanna K. , Grüne Bettina , Braun-Michl Barbara , Sleczka Pawel , Örnberg Jenny Cisneros , Kraus Ludwig
Published: July 2021

Background and aim

Evidence on the course of gambling disorder (GD) in clients seeking help from outpatient addiction care facilities is sparse. To close this knowledge gap, this longitudinal one-armed cohort study portrays the development of GD in help-seeking clients over a 3-year timeframe.

Methods

We investigated changes in severity of GD as well as in gambling frequency and intensity in 145 gamblers in outpatient treatment in Bavaria using generalized estimation equations (GEEs). To investigate potentially different trajectories between study participants with and without migration background (MB), additional analyses were applied with time*migration interaction. All analyses were adjusted for age, gender, education, electronic gambling machine (EGM) gambling, MB, GD, related help sought before and treatment status.

Results

Within the entire study population, improvements in severity of GD (reduction of 39.2%), gambling intensity (reduction of 75.6%) and gambling frequency (reduction of 77.0%) were observed between baseline and 36 months of follow-up. The declines were most pronounced between baseline and follow-up 1 and stabilized thereafter. Participants with MB improved consistently less than participants without MB.

Discussion and conclusion

Our study suggests that severity of GD and gambling patterns improve in the context of outpatient treatment. The beneficial results furthermore persist for 36 months after treatment termination. As clients with MB seem to profit less than clients without MB, improvements in outpatient gambling services to the specific needs of this clientele are required.