bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La gamificación en la práctica docente
Authors: Sánchez-Pacheco Carlos Luis
Published: October 2022

El presente artículo ha intentado presentar una importante reconfiguración de la docencia en la era actual en relación a la tecnología: la incorporación de la práctica de la gamificación a la docencia. Este estudio parte de una breve contextualización sobre la inclusión de la tecnología en la docencia y cómo se construyó a lo largo de la historia hasta la fecha. El objetivo es comprender las prácticas relacionadas con la práctica de la gamificación en el contexto de la docencia, con el objetivo de dar respuesta al problema de "¿cómo gamificar?", Utilizando investigación cualitativa, descriptiva y exploratoria. A partir de esta situación, en consecuencia, fue posible analizar y revelar varias aplicaciones recurrentes de esta práctica, específicamente orientadas al aprendizaje. La encuesta también aclaró el mayor interés y motivación de los estudiantes jóvenes, que están expuestos a diario a la gamificación en el entorno escolar, lo que aporta un nuevo formato de educación y participación.
La investigación científica es un instrumento de subyugación que utilizan las sociedades desarrolladas
Authors: Gutiérrez Ulloa Cristian Raymound , García Salirrosas Liz Maribel
Published: October 2022

Con los últimos adelantos científicos, las diversas sociedades adineradas invierten bastantes cantidades de su presupuesto en el medro de la investigación científica; ya que conocen el verdadero valor, el cual es el sometimiento que pueden ejercer sobre las sociedades menos desarrolladas.
Por otra parte, actualmente las riquezas están centradas en el factor investigativo; pues promueve el evolucionismo de la sociedad capitalista que solo busca mantener su hegemonía a pesar de que con ello subyugan de cualquier forma, incluso negándoles la posibilidad de incursionar en la investigación en su totalidad.
Por último, este artículo busca demostrar que a través del desarrollo de la investigación científica los países ricos doblegan a las sociedades menos favorecidas, dando lugar a la esclavitud y monopolio del siglo XXI.
Detecção do Comportamento da Névoa em Sistemas IoT
Authors: Ribeiro Junior Franklin M. , Bianchi Reinaldo A. C. , Kamienski Carlos A.
Published: October 2022

Um sistema IoT baseado em névoa contém milhares de dispositivos heterogêneos com suas próprias limitações. Este artigo propõe um sistema que utiliza aprendizado de máquina para agrupar os comportamentos desses dispositivos e identificar anomalias no desempenho dos diferentes nós de névoa. O sistema foi avaliado para diferentes comportamentos simulados, com os algoritmos MeanShift, BIRCH e K-Means. Também foram validados os agrupamentos gerados pelos índices de Silhouette, Davies-Bouldin e Calinski Harabasz, a fim de obter o modelo de dados mais acurado. O sistema identificou os comportamentos simulados com pelo menos 99% de acurácia, usando o algoritmo K-Means e o índice de Calinski-Harabasz.
LayerBase: Uma Solução para Visualização e Análise Temporal de Dados Georreferenciados
Authors: Lopes Pedro Pongelupe , Marques-Neto Humberto Torres
Published: October 2022

A exploração de padrões de mobilidade nos grandes centros urbanos pode auxiliar na tomada de decisões para melhorar serviços prestados à população. Esses padrões estão escondidos em meio a grandes bases de dados, tornando difícil a manipulação manual. Neste sentido, ferramentas de geovisualização trazem aparatos e métodos para executar tarefas complexas sobre grandes cargas de trabalho. Este trabalho apresenta o LayerBase, que é uma ferramenta web capaz de manipular várias camadas espaciais e temporais interagindo simultaneamente. A solução é apresentada com dados abertos de treze meses da pandemia de COVID-19 em Belo Horizonte, apontando padrões sobre a relação entre os bairros e focos epidemiológicos ao longo do tempo.
Avaliação da Predição do Tempo de Vida do Enlace no Processo de Offloading Computacional em VANETs
Authors: Rocha Paulo H. G. , Souza Alisson B. de , Maia José G. R. , Mattos César L. C. , Silva Francisco A. , Rego Paulo A. L.
Published: October 2022

As redes veiculares (VANETs) possibilitam aplicações inteligentes em cenários de mobilidade urbana. No entanto, o tempo de comunicação (tempo de vida do enlace — TVE) entre os nós é geralmente curto devido ao dinamismo dos cenários móveis veiculares, o que pode afetar aplicações e processos em VANETs, como o offloading computacional. Assim, é fundamental obter uma boa estimativa do TVE entre os veículos para melhorar a decisão de quando e para qual dispositivo fazer offloading. Este trabalho investiga diferentes algoritmos de aprendizado de máquina (do inglês, Machine Learning - ML) para avaliar a viabilidade de prever o TVE em cenários Rodoviários e Urbanos. Vários modelos de ML foram treinados e os resultados mostram que as técnicas de ML baseadas em SVR (Support Vector Regression) são efetivas, chegando a reduzir a taxa de perda de tarefas em 5% no processo de offloading computacional.
MyStory: um protótipo de sistema com vistas à imortalidade digital
Authors: Souza Renan L. L. de , Maciel Cristiano , Nunes Eunice P. dos Santos , Mendes Fabiana Freitas , Ribeiro Ailton
Published: October 2022

Toda interação de um indivı́duo com o meio cibernético gera rastro de dados. Tais dados podem ser reaproveitados para reconstruir a história de uma pessoa e criar um avatar que a representará digitalmente no ambiente cibernético, permitindo assim a perpetuação de sua vida após a morte por meio de dados digitais. No entanto, o tema imortalidade digital se encontra em desenvolvimento e possui poucos exemplos na prática. Nesse sentido, este trabalho visa apresentar a prototipação de um sistema que visa representar um indivı́duo e sua história digitalmente. Foram utilizados questionários, grupo focal e o método de inspeção semiótica. Os protótipos de média fidelidade do sistema MyStory visam atender ao objetivo da pesquisa.
A novel intelligent mobile application using human-centered AR: A case study in orange inspection
Authors: Silva Jonathan C. F. da , Silva Mateus Coelho , Delabrida Saul , Luz Eduardo Jose da Silva , Oliveira Ricardo A. R.
Published: October 2022

O crescente interesse em tecnologias de Realidade Aumentada (RA) está aumentando devido ao seu uso recente por diversos setores produtivos da indústria. Também, por Indústria 4.0, um dos pilares é RA e inteligência artificial (IA) para apoiar colaboração homem-máquina. A IA centrada no ser humano é uma pesquisa emergente área com foco no fornecimento de soluções interativas para apoiar as atividades humanas. Este artigo apresenta um aplicativo móvel (App) inovador composto por um RA interface conectada a uma IA para auxiliar um usuário na tomada de decisão interativa em a inspeção laranja.
Análise de atributos visuais de personagens em jogos de plataforma para dispositivos móveis
Authors: Pinheiro Mateus , Viana Windson , Darin Ticianne
Published: October 2022

O feedback visual em jogos para dispositivos móveis é crucial não só para informar o jogador sobre seu status mas também para reforçar a narrativa. Isso fica claro nos personagens, que podem ter diferentes estados e papéis narrativos associados a características visuais. Este trabalho reporta uma análise quali-quantitativa desses feedbacks de personagens em vídeos de gameplay de seis jogos populares de plataforma. São oferecidas reflexões sobre o significado de características visuais e um sistema de categorização de feedbacks visuais de personagens.
Análise e Escolha de Dispositivo Vestível para Coletar Dados de Movimento de Crianças do Ensino Fundamental I
Authors: Ferreira Poliana Nascimento , Rodriguez Carla Lopes , Motti Vivian Genaro
Published: October 2022

O movimento de uma criança pode representar diferentes níveis de atenção, agitação e interesse. Dentro da sala de aula, a professora não consegue sozinha acompanhar o comportamento de cada aluno, mesmo sendo informativo. Essa pesquisa visou analisar e selecionar um dispositivo vestível para capturar o movimento e atividades de crianças em sala de aula. Uma tabela foi criada para análise comparativa dos dispositivos considerando: preço de cada um e do seu software, os sensores, frequência da coleta de dados, memória interna, capacidade da bateria e faixa de aceleração. O ActiGraph GT9X foi considerado a melhor opção entre 35 dispositivos analisados e será usado para coleta de dados de movimento de criança do Ensino Fundamental I.
Workshop Investigações em Interação Humano-Dados – WIDE
Authors: Brito Luciana , França Juliana , Morais Luiz , Queiroz Caroline , Dias Angélica , Vivacqua Adriana S.
Published: October 2022

Atualmente muitos dados são produzidos e utilizados de formas que afetam a vida das pessoas, que por vezes têm dificuldade para enten- der os dados, processos e resultados derivados. Interação humano-dados (IHD) propõe incluir os Humanos no centro do fluxo de dados, promovendo mecanismos aos cidadãos para interagir com esses sistemas e dados. A IHD investiga como pessoas interagem com dados, analogamente à definição de interação humano-computador (IHC), que investiga a relação entre humanos e computadores. Em um contexto de crescente volume de dados, a IHD torna-se cada vez mais relevante, abordando questões sobre acesso da população leiga a dados e visualizações, a capacidade de manipular e explorar esses dados (em meios virtuais ou físicos) e entender o que está sendo dito, bem como limitações e viéses dos datasets que afetarão resultados e as representações apresentadas. Este workshop tem por objetivo fomentar uma discussão do tema de interação humano-dados e temas correlatos (ex: visualização, fisicalizações, literacia de dados), apoiando a formação de uma comunidade em torno do assunto, e traçando caminhos para pesquisas futuras sobre o tema. Haverá uma chamada de trabalhos e recorreremos a estes e às contribuições de convidados como ponto de partida para discussões.
Criando Jogos Digitais Terapêuticos a partir da Plataformia de Autoria RUFUS
Authors: Rodrigues Kamila Rios da Hora , Neris Vânia Paula de Almeida , Zavarizz Rodrigo Gerugas , da Silva Jonattan Willian , Silva Tiago Marino , Verhalen Aline Elias Cardoso , de Souza Paula Maia
Published: October 2022

Jogos digitais têm cada vez mais feito parte do cotidiano das pessoas. Os jogos terapêuticos, por sua vez, são uma subcategoria de jogos digitais sérios, que visam apoiar os tratamentos de reabilitação e ajudar os pacientes a entender, motivar e persistir nas práticas terapêuticas. Este artigo descreve o RUFUS, uma plataforma para autoria de jogos digitais, configurada por profissionais de Saúde, para realizar atividades terapêuticas com seus pacientes e cuidadores. A plataforma possui uma interface Web para autoria de jogos e é composta por quatro diferentes mecânicas de jogo, bem como permite a visualização de relatórios de interação. Um aplicativo móvel compõe a infraestrutura e exibe os jogos criados para os pacientes e cuidadores. Técnicas de Design Participativo foram usadas durante o design e desenvolvimento da solução para engajar diferentes partes interessadas. Estudos realizados tem apontado interesse de profissionais de Saúde e também da Educação no uso da solução para atividades terapêuticas complementares e também atividades pedagógicas.
Prevenindo Barreiras de Acessibilidade: para Usar Padrões de Projeto de Interface do Usuário em Aplicativos Móveis
Authors: Zaina Luciana A. M. , Fortes Renata P. M. , Casadei Vitor , Nozaki Leornardo Seiji , Paiva Débora Maria Barroso
Published: October 2022

Este documento apresenta uma síntese do artigo "Preventing accessibility barriers: Guidelines for using user interface design patterns in mobile applications", publicado no The Journal of Systems & Software. O objetivo do artigo foi propor um conjunto de recomendações para auxiliar desenvolvedores/designers a utilizarem padrões de design de interface na construção de aplicações para dispositivos móveis evitando a inserção de barreiras de acessibilidade na interface.
Estendendo a IHC para HInt à Luz da Engenharia Semiótica
Authors: Barbosa Glívia Angélica Rodrigues , Prates Raquel Oliveira
Published: October 2022

A Integração Humano-Computador (HInt) é um paradigma emergente da área de IHC, que caracteriza a relação entre humanos e tecnologias como uma parceria, além da interação. Esse paradigma oferece novos desafios para IHC, incluindo demandas de revisão e proposição de teorias e métodos para consolidar e evoluir a HInt no âmbito de IHC. Assim, esta pesquisa visa explorar os desafios do HInt à luz da Engenharia Semiótica para que essa teoria também possa abranger a HInt como um paradigma de HCI. Como contribuições, pretendemos fornecer um arcabouço teórico para explorar e explicar os fenômenos envolvidos na IHC com uma lente na HInt.
Análise de Custo de Infraestrutura em Redes Blockchain Públicas e Permissionadas
Authors: Mendonça Ronan Dutra , Dantas Pedro Hércules , Gonçalves Glauber Dias , Vieira Alex Borges , Nacif José A. M.
Published: October 2022

Blockchain é uma tecnologia disruptiva que oferece recursos para aumentar a segurança nas relações entre organizações via o registro auditável e descentralizado de transações. Existe um crescente interesse por aplicações dessa tecnologia, mas o seu uso requer a escolha de uma rede pública ou permissionada. O tipo de rede impacta nas qualidades não funcionais das aplicações, em especial desempenho e custo. Neste artigo, investigamos esse impacto com foco na infraestrutura das redes pública e permissionada para uma aplicação blockchain típica. Modelamos o custo monetário da infraestrutura para a aplicação obter a vazão máxima em função da carga esperada em transações por segundo. Nossos resultados mostram os limites de escalabilidade dessas redes e os seus compromissos entre custo e desempenho no projeto de aplicações baseadas em blockchain.
NovaGenesis Over LoRa in an IoT Scenario
Authors: Bonomo Epper , Santos Rodrigo Hilario , Alberti Antonio Marcos
Published: October 2022

Este artigo expande trabalhos anteriores visando melhorar a FIA (Future Internet Architecture) chamada NovaGenesis em cenários de Internet das Coisas (em inglês Internet of Things IoT), especialmente para aplicações LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network). Primeiramente, serão discutidos brevemente os conceitos básicos necessários para entendimento da NovaGenesis, bem como as características fundamentais da tecnologia de comunicação LoRa (Long Range). Este artigo estende a NovaGenesis para integração com LoRa, atualizando sua versão embarcada, desenvolvendo e configurando os recursos necessários do SO e do dispositivo. Em seguida, é proposto um cenário de avaliação experimental para comprovar os benefícios da NovaGenesis com LoRa para IoT. As evidências coletadas nos testes em laboratório subsidiam e comprovam a viabilidade da implementação de uma FIA em uma LPWAN com baixa capacidade de throughput e com possíveis perda de pacotes. Até onde sabemos, esta é a primeira vez que o LoRa é integrado a uma FIA, avaliando seu desempenho. Por fim, delimitam-se os pontos ainda em aberto para futuros trabalhos, bem como as conclusões que pode ser delineadas.
A Simple Approach to Verify and Debug Data Plane Programs
Authors: Rosa Eduardo Castilho , Cunha Italo Tiago da , Silva Flávio de Oliveira
Published: October 2022

The advances in data plane programmability through domain-specific languages such as P4 require the adoption of verification methods to ensure that a given code behaves appropriately. The standard approach in the literature is to use formal methods to verify a provided software. However, traditional techniques are often time-consuming and expensive. In this work, we propose a model to demonstrate the behavior of a P4 program that is simple and fast. To validate our model, we have used a name-based forwarding program and a control plane application that injects in a P4 table a total of 1 million random name prefixes. The results have shown that our model can quickly indicate whether or not a given program is behaving correctly.
Impact of Shot Noise Estimation on the Secret Key Rate of a CV-QKD System
Authors: Pereira Daniel , Silva Nuno A. , Pinto Armando N.
Published: October 2022

In this work we present the impact of the uncertainty of the shot noise estimate on the performance of a continuous variables quantum key distribution system using a probabilistically shaped 128-APSK constellation. We demonstrate that the performance of the system is greatly degraded by the uncertainty of the shot noise estimate, with a total loss of security being possible.
CV-QKD Security Limits Using Higher-Order Probabilistic Shaped Regular M-APSK Constellations
Authors: Almeida Margarida , Pereira Daniel , Muga Nelson J. , Facão Margarida , Pinto Armando N. , Silva Nuno A.
Published: October 2022

In this work we study the performance of M-symbol (M-)Amplitude and Phase Shift Keying (APSK) constellations for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution systems. Despite the gap still observed between the performance of higher order regular M-APSK constellations with binomial distribution for probabilistic shaping and the optimal performance of Gaussian Modulation, regular 128-APSK’s performance is better than irregular 256-APSK’s and almost the same as for regular 256-APSK. Moreover, higher-order regular M-APSK is secure for longer distances and higher values of mean number of photons per symbol, and is more resistant to excess noise.
O Elo Perdido: Um Modelo de Diagnóstico Distribuído para a Implementação de Detectores de Falhas Não Confiáveis
Authors: Duarte Jr. Elias P. , Rodrigues Luiz A. , Camargo Edson T. , Turchetti Rogério
Published: October 2022

O monitoramento de sistemas computacionais para a identificação de falhas é essencial para a construção de sistemas confiáveis. O diagnóstico em nível de sistema foi proposto inicialmente nos anos 1960 como uma abordagem baseada em testes para o monitoramento e identificação de componentes falhos. Ao longo dos últimas décadas, diversos modelos e estratégias para diagnóstico foram propostos, baseados em diferentes modelos de falha, aplicados nos mais diversos tipos de sistemas computacionais. Nos anos 1990, os detectores de falhas não confiáveis surgiram como uma abstração para, a partir do monitoramento de falhas de processos, permitir a execução do consenso em sistemas assíncronos sujeitos a falhas crash. A partir do modelo original, os detectores de falhas se transformaram no padrão de facto para monitoramento de sistemas distribuídos. O presente trabalho visa fechar uma lacuna conceitual, apresentando um modelo de diagnóstico distribuído consistente com os detectores de falhas não confiáveis. São apresentados resultados sobre os limites do número de mensagens de monitoramento, a latência para detecção de eventos, bem como sua completude e precisão.
Experimental Results Analyzes in Resilient Mechanism for SDN-Based UAV Network Applied to Environmental Protection Area Surveillance
Authors: Pereira Diego S. , Santos Vitor G. , Nascimento Luís B. P. , Alsina Pablo J.
Published: October 2022

A surveillance system requires repetitive and uninterrupted actions, typically related to large extension places, and difficult access. In this context, a multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (multi-UAV) system is a good alternative for overcoming the requirements imposed by this application. With this in mind, the UAVs have to work cooperatively and exchange information to finish the mission. However, managing and keeping the communication between UAVs is a challenge that has been investigated. So, the SD-FANET is an SDN architecture developed to mitigate this communication problem. SD-FANET has a hierarchical distributed control plane that provides a resilience mechanism to overcome failures during a mission runtime. The three-step strategy (detection, election, and recovery) allows the control plane outperforms failures and works continuously as long as there are nodes in the UAV network. Experimental tests were performed in three scenarios. In all of them, the controller executed the resilience mechanism and keep going working. The mean time was 1,94 seconds to 300 executions. The PDF of results was similar to a normal distribution demonstrating the behavior of the recovery time.
Effektiver Einbruchschutz
Authors: Friedl Wolfgang J.
Published: October 2022

Einbrüche nehmen zu – so schützen Sie Ihr Eigentum

Der Sicherheitsmarkt bietet eine Vielzahl von Einzelprodukten und Systemen zum Einbruchschutz an. Für den Schutzsuchenden ist es oft schwer, die richtige Entscheidung zur Beschaffung geeigneter Schutztechniken zu treffen. Hier hilft das Fachbuch weiter.

Umfassend – übersichtlich – unverzichtbar

Die Autoren informieren anhand der gängigen Einbruchsmethoden fundiert und neutral über die effektive Verhinderung von Einbrüchen durch:

– Mechanische Schutzsysteme

Einbruchhemmende Türen und Fenster, Vergitterungen, Rollläden sowie die entsprechende Nachrüsttechnik.

– Elektronische Gebäudesicherung

Einbruchmeldeanlagen, ihre Funktionsweise, Stärken und Schwächen.

– Mechatronische Sicherungstechnik

Innovative Einbruchschutzanlage, die alarmiert, noch bevor ein Einbrecher in das Gebäude eindringen kann.

Anschauliche Darstellung

Die 3. Auflage wurde um Ausführungen zum Schutz vor Entführungen erweitert. Zahlreiche Abbildungen, Grafiken und Tabellen veranschaulichen die Materie des richtungweisenden Ratgebers.
Muster für Arbeitsverträge
Authors: Schäfer Gerd
Published: October 2022

Rechtssichere Arbeitsverträge

Der Band zeigt praxisbezogen auf, woran bei Abschluss eines Arbeitsvertrages gedacht werden muss und wie ein Arbeitsvertrag zweckmäßig und rechtlich zutreffend formuliert wird. Der Autor stellt in einer Einführung die gesetzlichen Mindestanforderungen nach dem Nachweisgesetz dar.

Vertragsmuster mit Erläuterungen

Die Broschüre enthält

• Verträge mit Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern sowohl tarifgebundener als auch nicht tarifgebundener Betriebe.

• verschiedene Fassungen von Standard-Arbeitsverträgen

• einen Arbeitsvertrag für außertarifliche Angestellte

• einen Arbeitsvertrag für leitende Angestellte.

Die Musterverträge sind jeweils erläutert und mit weiterführenden Hinweisen versehen. Eine Wettbewerbsvereinbarung rundet den Band ab.
Fundamentals of the historical development of theater acting from Ancient Greece and Rome to the modern and avant-garde
Authors: Božić Vanda
Published: October 2022

The research subject of this paper is oriented on the development of acting through the focus of the actor as an artist and acting itself as an art. Answers are given in the paper, who were all the actors and what acting tools they used. Furthermore, in which period dramatic theater prevailed, theater based on elements of drama, and when was it created epic theater, and do we have elements of epic theater on the stage even before the appearance of dramatic theater. Drama theater is based on imitation, on a story that has its own introduction, plot, culmination and denouement. In the drama theater, there are characters on stage who are always in some kind of conflict. In epic theatre, the actor narrates, he shows the events that took place, he shows them by telling us about them. We can conclude that, in most cases, every performance is interwoven with both epic and dramatic elements, and that it is very difficult to talk about only one form of theater within one performance.
Participatory Bureaucracy: Addressing Gender Inequality in Worker Cooperatives
Authors: MEYERS JOAN S. M.
Published: October 2022

Worker cooperatives—firms owned and governed by their workers—have experimented with organizational structure in aid of greater equality. Gender theorists and cooperativists have argued that bureaucracy produces inequality, but bureaucracy has also demonstrably reduced organizational inequality. By unpacking “bureaucracy,” both discrete and mutually reinforcing effects of authority and organizational formalization are revealed. Using a comparative study of two highly formalized worker cooperatives, the inequality effects of formalized hierarchical and distributed management are identified: while formalization of managerial bureaucracy amplifies biases and intensifies inequality regimes, formalized but distributed participatory bureaucracy mutes and transforms biases and creates more egalitarian outcomes.
Characteristics of long-range sound propagation in western Pacific
Authors: Bi Si-Zhao , Peng Zhao-Hui , Wang Guang-Xu , Xie Zhi-Min , Zhang Ling-Shan ,   State Key Laboratory of Acoustics, Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   Naval Military Marine Environment Construction Office, Beijing 100081, China
Published: October 2022

Acoustic signals can travel thousands of kilometers in seawater, and the characteristics of long-range sound propagation are different from short range propagation. This paper is based on a long-range underwater acoustic experimental data obtained from the western Pacific Ocean, where the farthest propagation distance is nearly 2000 km. The ocean environment information and vertical line array information are carefully processed. We analyze the attenuation of long-distance acoustic propagation in seawater and multi-path arrival structure characteristics under the complete acoustic channel environment of the ocean. In terms of the attenuation law of long-distance propagation energy, with the increase of propagation distance, the effect of seawater absorption on the attenuation of sound energy becomes prominent, and the selection of absorption coefficient is very important for the accurate prediction of sound field energy. Absorption in seawater of low frequency signals is small, and the transmission loss of acoustic signal with 100 Hz center frequency increases only by about 6 dB when the propagation distance increases from 1000 km to 2000 km. In terms of multi-path arrival structure characteristics of deep-sea acoustic channel for long-distance sound propagation, the thermocline sound velocity profile in the experimental sea area has a higher sound speed, making the number of eigenrays reaching the receiving point more and the multi-path arrival structure more complex. The arrival structure formed by sea surface reflected eigenrays is at the earlier position of the overall arrival structure and has relatively strong energy. Owing to the influence of subtropical water over the northwest Pacific Ocean on the sound speed profile, the time of some eigenrays arriving at the receiving point is earlier, and the length of multi-way arrival structure on the time axis is prolonged.
Transmetatarsal Amputations: Outcomes of Primary Healing versus Secondary Healing
Authors: Cormier Clare , Janes Zachary , Boumendjel Yelena , Grady John F.
Published: October 2022

Background: Transmetatarsal amputations are limb salvage surgical procedures that preserve limb length and functional ankle joints. Indications for transmetatarsal amputations include forefoot trauma, infection, and ischemia. Prior research demonstrates patients who undergo transmetatarsal amputations have a lower 2-year mortality rate compared to those who undergo more proximal amputations. The aim of this study was to determine whether primary closure of a transmetatarsal amputation is a superior treatment compared to secondary healing of a transmetatarsal amputation for forefoot abnormality of infection, gangrene, or chronic ulceration.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients aged 18 years or older requiring a transmetatarsal amputation because of forefoot abnormality between September of 2011 and December of 2019. Foot and ankle surgeons performed transmetatarsal amputations. Outcome variables measured included healing time of transmetatarsal amputation site, recurrent infection, recurrent gangrene, and the need for revision surgery or higher level amputations.

Results: Of the original 112 patients, 76 met the inclusion criteria; 47 of these had primary closure of transmetatarsal amputation and 29 of these had an open transmetatarsal amputation performed. Primarily closed transmetatarsal amputations resulted in a significantly greater overall healing rate of 78.8% (37 of 47) compared to open transmetatarsal amputations, with a healing rate of 37.9% (11 of 29) (P < .01). Closed transmetatarsal amputations were statistically significantly less likely than open transmetatarsal amputations to have recurrent gangrene, require revision pedal operations, or progress to higher level amputations.

Conclusions: Our research demonstrated that primary closure of transmetatarsal amputations is a superior treatment compared with secondary healing of transmetatarsal amputations in specific cases of infection, dry gangrene, or chronically nonhealing ulcerations.
IMPACTO DEL GÉNERO, EL NIVEL SOCIOECONÓMICO Y LA ESCUELA EN LAS DESTREZAS DE ESPAÑOL DE LOS ESTUDIANTES PUERTORRIQUEÑOS
Authors: Morales-Reyes Alexandra , Pérez Vargas José C. , Rolke Wolfgang , Siberón Jessimar
Published: October 2022

El estudio de los idiomas en Puerto Rico se ha centrado en el efecto que tienen los factores de nivel macro (ej. políticas lingüísticas) en las competencias lingüísticas de los puertorriqueños. Estos factores se han vinculado al pobre desempeño de los estudiantes del sistema público. Sin embargo, los factores a nivel micro (ej., género, nivel socioeconómico y escuela) han sido en gran medida desatendidos, a pesar de que juegan un rol importante en las habilidades lingüísticas. El presente estudio busca subsanar la falta de datos sobre el impacto de los micro-factores en los estudiantes puertorriqueños.  Evaluamos los efectos del género, el nivel socioeconómico y la escuela en las destrezas de español de los estudiantes del sistema público de educación. Analizamos datos de la Medición y Evaluación para la Transformación Educativa (META). La muestra comprende de 21,425 estudiantes del grado 11º distribuidos en 194 escuelas. Los análisis estadísticos revelan que existe una brecha lingüística por género y nivel socioeconómico. Además, sugieren que la efectividad de la escuela y la composición de la población escolar tienen una función mitigadora en las diferencias por género y nivel socioeconómico. Proponemos que, aunque la escuela, en algunos casos, sí parece cumplir una función compensatoria, la efectividad de la escuela parece estar estrechamente ligada a las condiciones socioeconómicas de sus estudiantes.

Palabras clave: género; nivel socioeconómico; escuela; desempeño lingüístico; estudiantes; brechas académicas
Estudio comparativo de /s/ en el español de Puerto Rico y los dialectos cubano y dominicano
Authors: Valentin-Marquez Wilfredo
Published: October 2022

Si bien el fonema /s/ es el más examinado del inventario español, escasean los estudios comparativos de sus realizaciones entre grupos de la diáspora hispana en Estados Unidos. Las comunidades donde conviven mexicanos y puertorriqueños han sido las de mayor interés para realizar estudios que comparen la producción de rasgos fonéticos por hablantes de dialectos distintos (Gosh 2005, Potowski 2008, Ramos-Pellicia 2012). Sin embargo, aparte de Lamboy (2004), desconocemos de trabajos en los que la variedad puertorriqueña se separe de su compartida etiqueta de “español caribeño” para estudiar, en una misma comunidad, las diferencias que presenta con los dialectos cubano y dominicano dentro de su patrón común de reducción del fonema. El presente estudio cuantitativo compara las realizaciones de /s/ producidas por hablantes puertorriqueños de Lancaster, Pennsylvania, con las producidas por cubanos y dominicanos de la misma ciudad. Se recogieron datos fonéticos, juicios verbales e información demográfica para estudiar la relación entre la producción de las variantes de /s/ y el grado de integración de los informantes a su comunidad nacional. Aunque los datos reflejaron una distribución similar del inventario alofónico en los tres grupos, entre los puertorriqueños se identificó la oclusiva glotal, una variante ausente del repertorio de los otros dos dialectos y que no se ha identificado previamente en los estudios del español puertorriqueño en Estados Unidos. Los resultados se discuten a la luz de la proficiencia bilingüe de los informantes, sus redes sociales y sus percepciones sobre el dialecto vernáculo y las otras variedades caribeñas.
Species level mapping of a seagrass bed using an unmanned aerial vehicle and deep learning technique
Authors: Tahara Satoru , Sudo Kenji , Yamakita Takehisa , Nakaoka Masahiro
Published: October 2022

Background

Seagrass beds are essential habitats in coastal ecosystems, providing valuable ecosystem services, but are threatened by various climate change and human activities. Seagrass monitoring by remote sensing have been conducted over past decades using satellite and aerial images, which have low resolution to analyze changes in the composition of different seagrass species in the meadows. Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have allowed us to obtain much higher resolution images, which is promising in observing fine-scale changes in seagrass species composition. Furthermore, image processing techniques based on deep learning can be applied to the discrimination of seagrass species that were difficult based only on color variation. In this study, we conducted mapping of a multispecific seagrass bed in Saroma-ko Lagoon, Hokkaido, Japan, and compared the accuracy of the three discrimination methods of seagrass bed areas and species composition, i.e., pixel-based classification, object-based classification, and the application of deep neural network.

Methods

We set five benthic classes, two seagrass species (Zostera marina and Z. japonica), brown and green macroalgae, and no vegetation for creating a benthic cover map. High-resolution images by UAV photography enabled us to produce a map at fine scales (<1 cm resolution).

Results

The application of a deep neural network successfully classified the two seagrass species. The accuracy of seagrass bed classification was the highest (82%) when the deep neural network was applied.

Conclusion

Our results highlighted that a combination of UAV mapping and deep learning could help monitor the spatial extent of seagrass beds and classify their species composition at very fine scales.
Habitat selection of black grouse in an isolated population in northern Germany—the importance of mixing dry and wet habitats
Authors: Tost Daniel , Ludwig Tobias , Strauss Egbert , Jung Klaus , Siebert Ursula
Published: October 2022

Wildlife habitats in general must provide foraging, hiding and resting places as well as sites for reproduction. Little is known about habitat selection of black grouse in the lowlands of Central Europe. We investigated habitat selection of seven radio tagged birds in an open heath and grassland area surrounded by dense pine forests in the northern German Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve. This site carries one of the last remaining populations in the Central European lowlands. Using resource selection functions based on presence/background data, we estimated the probability of black grouse occurrence by availability of, or distance to habitat types as well as vegetation diversity indices. Black grouse preferred undisturbed and heterogeneous habitats far from dense forests with wide sand heaths, natural grasslands and intermixed bogs, diverse vegetation and food sources, low density of (loose) shrub formations and solitary trees. Wetlands were extremely important in a landscape that is dominated by dry heaths and grasslands. About 4% (9 km2) of the nature reserve was a suitable habitat for black grouse, mostly due to lack of open areas due to the amount of dense forest, and because smaller, open heaths are only partly suitable. We suggest that to improve habitat quality and quantity for the grouse, habitat patch size and connectivity must be increased, along with a mosaic of heterogeneous landscape structures in these habitat islands. Our results may be used to inform and improve black grouse habitat management in the region and elsewhere.
Gene expression profiles for in vitro human stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and osteoclasts: a systematic review
Authors: Zainal Ariffin Shahrul Hisham , Lim Ker Wei , Megat Abdul Wahab Rohaya , Zainal Ariffin Zaidah , Rus Din Rus Dina , Shahidan Muhammad Ashraf , Johari Anis Nabilah , Zainol Abidin Intan Zarina
Published: October 2022

Background

There have been promising results published regarding the potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine. However, the vast variety of choices of techniques and the lack of a standard approach to analyse human osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation may reduce the utility of stem cells as a tool in medical applications. Therefore, this review aims to systematically evaluate the findings based on stem cell differentiation to define a standard gene expression profile approach.

Methods

This review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of the study was conducted by retrieving articles from the electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science to identify articles focussed on gene expression and approaches for osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation.

Results

Six articles were included in this review; there were original articles of in vitro human stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and osteoclasts that involved gene expression profiling. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was the most used technique for gene expression to detect differentiated human osteoblasts and osteoclasts. A total of 16 genes were found to be related to differentiating osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation.

Conclusion

Qualitative information of gene expression provided by qPCR could become a standard technique to analyse the differentiation of human stem cells into osteoblasts and osteoclasts rather than evaluating relative gene expression. RUNX2 and CTSK could be applied to detect osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively, while RANKL could be applied to detect both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This review provides future researchers with a central source of relevant information on the vast variety of gene expression approaches in analysing the differentiation of human osteoblast and osteoclast cells. In addition, these findings should enable researchers to conduct accurately and efficiently studies involving isolated human stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
Signal peptidase 21 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via the PTEN-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Na , Cao Shiguang , Sun Ruiying , Wang Yibei , Liu Luna , Wang Wei , Meng Xia
Published: October 2022

Background

In a previous study, a total of 568 differentially expressed proteins including the signal peptidase SPC21 were identified from lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and paired normal lung tissues. In this study, the role of SPC21 in LUAD progression was investigated.

Methods

The relationships and protein-protein interaction network of proteins differentially expressed between paired LUAD samples and adjacent normal tissues samples were identified via the String and Pajek software, respectively. The expression levels of the hub protein SPC21 were analyzed in 84 LUAD-normal paired tissues via immunohistochemistry. The prognostic value of SPC21 mRNA was investigated in 478 LUAD patients from TCGA and GTEx datasets. siRNAs were used in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells to knockdown SPC21. The SPC21 biological function was evaluated using the CCK-8, EdU, plate colony formation, transwell, wound healing, and adhesion assays.

Results

Patients with lower SPC21 mRNA levels tended to have worse prognosis (overall survival) than those with higher mRNA levels. SPC21 expression was significantly downregulated in LUAD tumor tissues compared with that in paired normal tissues (P < 0.001). Functionally, SPC21 knockdown promoted cell growth, migration, and invasion. Further analyses showed that SPC21 inactivated Akt signaling, and the Akt inhibitor MK-2206 blocked the tumor-promoting effects of SPC21 knockdown.

Conclusions

SPC21 plays a tumor suppressor role in LUAD cells by targeting the PTEN-PI3K/Akt axis and might be used as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in LUAD patients.
An Analysis of the Pattern of Farmer’s Income in Gopalganj District: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Mina Md. Abdul Gani , Rahman Zubaidur , Mahmuda Sayda , Islam Md. Johurul , Bhuiyan Md. Nobi Alam , Hossain Bayejid
Published: October 2022

Aims: Although the income of the people of other sectors in the economy is relatively stable but the income of farmers are comparatively unstable. In addition, most of the previous studies analyzed partially the determinants of farmer’s income.Thus, the aim of the current study is to investigate the pattern of farmers’ income in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh where 10 unions, 20 villages and 400 respondents were selected randomly. Data were collected during the period from January to May in 2022.

Methodology: A multistage sampling technique was applied for the study where district and upazilas were selected purposively while unions, villages and respondents were selected using simple random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected from 400 farmers using a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and the log linear regression model were used as the analytical tools.

Results: Result found from the descriptive statistics indicates that mean age of the respondents was 49.02 years whereas average educational attainment of the farmers in the study area was 5.72. In regards to the     farming experience, it is found that average farming experience of the farmer was 5.07 years with maximum and minimum values were 25 years and 3 years, respectively. Regarding the household size of the respondents, the study showed that the mean family member was 4.82 with a standard deviation of 1.02. The study also indicates that 35.12% average income of the farmer obtained from non-farm sources while 64.88% average income obtained from farm sources.In regards to the farm income, it is found from the regression analysis that farm income is positively related with age, household size, education, farm size, agricultural training, access to credit facilities, membership of agricultural cooperative and distance to nearest market whereas the same is influenced by non-farm income. The findings suggest that variables like household size, education, household expenditure, access to internet and access to technical and vocational training has positive impact on non-farm income. In contrast, variables like age, farm size, distance from town, farm income have negative impact on non-farm income of the respondents in the study area. Finally, some policy recommendations are made based on the findings obtained from the study.
An Assessment of the Water Quality Factors: A Case of Hilsa Fishery River Areas
Authors: Flura . , Moniruzzaman Md. , Alam Mohammad Ashraful , Rashid Md. Harunor , Rahman Md. Hashibur , Rahman Md. Anisur , Mahmud Yahia
Published: October 2022

The physicochemical and biological attributes of a river ecosystem usually reveal the status of the subsistent aquatic life and affiliated species richness index of the biodiversity. Towards appraisal of water quality, physicochemical parameters (i.e., temperature, pH, DO, transparency and conductivity), water nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) and concentration of chlorophyll a were determined. Samples were collected from seven different stations of Hilsa fishery areas with their special feature. The study revealed a slight spatial variation in physicochemical parameters of river water. While the parameters were found to be at acceptable levels, some measures are needed to improve the quality of water to ensure successful migration and reproduction of the Hilsa fish. The water quality parameter was found slightly alkaline (7.4±0.3). The transparency was found (38.3±11.11 cm) followed by water temperature (22.47±01.79 ºC), alkalinity (101.8 ±19.87), conductivity (2139±2101 µS/cm), CO2 (6.79±2.43 mg/L), DO (7.56±0.38 mg/L), nitrate (0.006±0.01 g/L), phosphate (0.002±0.0003 mg/L). Chlorophyll a, which represents the biomass of phytoplankton, was estimated (4.58 ± 4.18 mg/L). The largest quantity of plankton as a natural food (both in number and taxa) was found in the Meghna river basin compared to the other rivers. This assessment of the physical, hydrological, chemical and biological profile of the environment of the Hilsa fishery areas of the country delivers obvious evidence which is important to the apprising of the hilsa fisheries management action plan and to the sustainable management of hilsa fishery to a greater extent.
Molecular Characterization of Land Races of Rice by Using SSR Markers (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Deepika C. , Devaraju P. J. , Patted Vinay S. , Niranjan K. , Kumar H. D. Mohan
Published: October 2022

The study was conducted to use thirty one rice land races for characterized the genetic diversity analysis at Seed Unit, UAHS, Shivamogga. The SSR markers (25 SSR markers) were used for the assessment of genetic diversity and relatedness among 31 rice landraces and all of them were found polymorphic.  Twenty five SSR markers revealed 50 alleles in the 31 land races, the number of alleles per locus with an average of 2 per locus. Major allele frequency ranged from 0.58 (RM 25) to 0.94 (RM 229) with an average of 0.74 per marker. The PIC (polymorphism information content) value ranged from 0.12 (RM 229) to 0.66 (RM 481 and RM 25) with an average of 0.36 per marker. The PIC value of each marker, which was evaluated on the basis of its alleles, varied greatly all tested SSR loci-from 0.58 to 0.94 with an average of 0.74. The highest PIC value 0.49 was obtained for RM481 and RM25, followed by RM443 (0.47), RM224 (0.46) RM 159, RM 1054, RM226 and RM24 (0.44). Remaining markers were showed less PIC value. Lower PIC value result of closely related landraces and higher PIC values result of diverse landraces. The dendrogram based on UPGMA grouped the 31landraces into 10 clusters that were demarcated at a similarity coefficient of 0.68. Cluster III was the largest including 13 land races followed by cluster VI and II each of which had four and three land races respectively. The remaining clusters had one and two landraces each.
Determination of Bacterial Composition, Heavy Metal Pollution and Physicochemical Parameters of Andoni River, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Aleru-Obogai C. P. , Ollor A. O. , Mbata C. A. , Bartimaeus E. S.
Published: October 2022

Water bodies can be polluted through different means, including microorganisms. This study was carried out to analyze physicochemical parameters, heavy metals concentrations, and bacterial pathogens in Andoni River, Rivers State, using 72, 18, and 120 water samples, respectively. Physical and chemical characteristics were examined on a periodic and seasonal basis. Only seasonally was the concentration of heavy metals examined. The heterotrophic plate count method was applied seasonally and periodically. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other coliforms were found using the most probable number technique and the Eijkman test. Antibiotic profiling was done on verified E. coli isolates. Only temperature did not fall within the suggested standard values of the physicochemical parameters. In April, the temperature was at its maximum in the evenings. Cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and nickel concentrations were within the suggested limits, however mercury and lead concentrations were over the limits. Mercury concentrations were higher in April than in other months, while lead concentrations were higher in November. The highest count of heterotrophic bacteria observed was on the evening of July. Coliforms and E. coli were found in high numbers in both periods and seasons. Of the 139 isolates of E. coli subjected to antibiotic profiling, 102, 28, and 3 showed multiple antibiotic resistance indexes of 0.0, 0.1, and 0.2, respectively. This investigation discovered microorganisms, including E. coli, which is a sign of faecal pollution. In reality, chemical contaminants in the water body may have also contributed to E. coli's resistance to antibiotics.