bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Kinesio taping on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during the cutting maneuver in athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Sizhuo , Wang Ling , Liu Xiaoqian , Wang Guanglan , Chen Peng
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To determine the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on the biomechanical characteristics of the lower limbs during the 90° cutting maneuver in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) athletes.

Method

Eighteen ACLR athletes were recruited and subjected randomly to three taping conditions, KT, placebo taping (PT), and no taping (NT), followed by a 90° cutting test. A nine-camera infrared high-speed motion capture system (Vicon, T40, 200 Hz) was used to record the kinematic parameters of the lower limbs during the cutting maneuver, and a three-dimensional dynamometer (Kistler, 1000 Hz) was used to record the kinetic parameters of the lower limbs. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare the differences in the lower limb kinematic and kinetic characteristics of ACLR athletes subjected to these interventions.

Results

During the landing phase, the knee valgus angle reduced significantly with KT than with NT (95% confidence interval = −1.399 to −0.154; P = 0.025), whereas no significant difference was observed between PT and NT (95% confidence interval = −1.251 to 0.217; P = 0.236). No significant differences were observed in the other kinematic variables among the three taping conditions (P > 0.05). During the landing phase, no significant differences in the kinetic variables were observed among the three taping conditions (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Although KT does not improve the kinetic variables of athletes after ACLR during the 90° cutting maneuver, it reduces the knee valgus angle, which could reduce the risk of secondary ACL injury.
The segmentation and intelligent recognition of structural surfaces in borehole images based on the U2-Net network
Authors: Yu Qingjun , Wang Guannan , Cheng Hai , Guo Wenzhi , Liu Yanbiao
Published: March 2024

Structural planes decrease the strength and stability of rock masses, severely affecting their mechanical properties and deformation and failure characteristics. Therefore, investigation and analysis of structural planes are crucial tasks in mining rock mechanics. The drilling camera obtains image information of deep structural planes of rock masses through high-definition camera methods, providing important data sources for the analysis of deep structural planes of rock masses. This paper addresses the problems of high workload, low efficiency, high subjectivity, and poor accuracy brought about by manual processing based on current borehole image analysis and conducts an intelligent segmentation study of borehole image structural planes based on the U2-Net network. By collecting data from 20 different borehole images in different lithological regions, a dataset consisting of 1,013 borehole images with structural plane type, lithology, and color was established. Data augmentation methods such as image flipping, color jittering, blurring, and mixup were applied to expand the dataset to 12,421 images, meeting the requirements for deep network training data. Based on the PyTorch deep learning framework, the initial U2-Net network weights were set, the learning rate was set to 0.001, the training batch was 4, and the Adam optimizer adaptively adjusted the learning rate during the training process. A dedicated network model for segmenting structural planes was obtained, and the model achieved a maximum F-measure value of 0.749 when the confidence threshold was set to 0.7, with an accuracy rate of up to 0.85 within the range of recall rate greater than 0.5. Overall, the model has high accuracy for segmenting structural planes and very low mean absolute error, indicating good segmentation accuracy and certain generalization of the network. The research method in this paper can serve as a reference for the study of intelligent identification of structural planes in borehole images.
Association between human papillomaviruses, metabolic syndrome, and all-cause death; analysis of the U.S. NHANES 2003–2004 to 2015–2016
Authors: Mirzadeh Parmis , Oye-Somefun Akinkunle , Ardern Chris I. , Buick Catriona J.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, attributed to 4.5% of all cancers worldwide. Co-infection with the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a common cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors, has been shown to increase the persistence of HPV. The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between HPV and MetS on mortality risk.

Methods

Data for the current study was drawn from seven consecutive cycles (2003–2004 to 2015–2016) of the U.S. NHANES. The final analytic sample consisted of 5,101 individuals aged 18-65y with HPV and MetS information with follow-up to Dec. 31st, 2019. Baseline HPV status was assessed by either vaginal swab, penile swab or oral rinse and used to classify participants as: no HPV (n = 1,619), low (n = 1,138), probable (n = 672), and high-risk (n = 1,672; 22% type 16, and 10% type 18) HPV using IARC criteria. MetS was assessed by the Harmonized criteria.

Results

The average follow-up was 9.4 y with 240 all-cause deaths (no HPV: n = 46 deaths; low-risk: n = 60 deaths; probable: n = 37 deaths, and; high-risk: n = 97 deaths). HPV status alone revealed no associations with mortality in fully adjusted models. Cross-classification into discrete MetS/HPV strata yielded an increased risk of mortality in females with high-risk HPV/MetS relative to the no MetS/no HPV group.

Conclusions

In this study, low, probable, and high-risk HPV and MetS were differentially related to mortality risk in men and women. Further work is necessary to separate the temporal, age, vaccination, and sex effects of HPV diagnosis in these relationships using prospective studies with detailed histories of HPV infection and persistence.
Isolation and characterization of multiple-stress tolerant bacteria from radon springs
Authors: Timkina Elizaveta , Kulišová Marketa , Palyzová Andrea , Marešová Helena , Maťátková Olga , Řezanka Tomáš , Kolouchová Irena Jarošová
Published: March 2024

Radon springs, characterized by their high concentrations of radon gas (Rn222), are extreme environments with unique physicochemical conditions distinct from conventional aquatic ecosystems. Our research aimed to investigate microbial life in radon springs, focusing on isolating extremophilic bacteria and assessing their resistance to adverse conditions. Our study revealed the prevalence of Actinomycetia species in the radon spring environment. We conducted various tests to evaluate the resistance of these isolates to oxidative stress, irradiation, desiccation, and metal ion content. These extremophilic bacteria showed overall higher resistance to these stresses compared to control strains. Lipidomic analysis was also employed to provide insights into the adaptive mechanisms of these bacteria which were found mainly in the correlations among individual clusters and changes in content of fatty acids (FA) as well as differences between content and type of FAs of environmental isolates and type strains.
The prevalence of and factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in South Africa
Authors: Pool Megan , Sorsdahl Katherine , Myers Bronwyn , van der Westhuizen Claire
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Healthcare workers globally have experienced increased social and occupational stressors in their working environments and communities because of COVID-19 which has increased the risk of mental health concerns. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety amongst healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Western Cape, South Africa. In addition, role-related stressors and coping strategies were explored.

Material and methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of doctors and nurses working in public healthcare facilities across the Western Cape, South Africa. Participants completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), the Professional Quality of Life (PROQL-R-IV), and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE-R) scales. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

The sample comprised 416 health workers (303 nurses, 113 doctors). Almost 40% of the sample (n = 161) had CES-D scores suggestive of probable depression, and 45.9% (n = 186) had GAD-7 scores suggestive of anxiety. In the logistic regression model, the odds of probable depression were higher for female participants compared to men (OR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.00–5.10) and for participants who used behavioural disengagement as a coping strategy (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.14–1.97). More time spent working with COVID patients was associated with increased odds of having high levels of anxiety [OR = 1.13, 95% CI (1.02–1.25). Substance use (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.08–1.81), venting (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.01–1.70), and self-blame (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.08–1.87) were some of the coping strategies used by healthcare workers. High levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout were found to increase the odds of both depression and anxiety.

Conclusion

Findings of this study suggest that there is a high prevalence of mental health issues among healthcare workers, and a critical need to focus on workplace mental health interventions to support these frontline workers.
Learning from fights: Males’ social dominance status impact reproductive success in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Prunier Antoine , Trannoy Severine
Published: March 2024

In animals, the access to vital resources often relies on individuals’ behavioural personality, strength, motivation, past experiences and dominance status. Dominant individuals would be more territorial, providing them with a better access to food resources and mate. The so-called winner and loser effects induce individuals’ behavioural changes after experiencing a victory or a defeat, and lead to an individual persistent state influencing the outcome of subsequent fights. However, whether and how development of winner and loser effects affect individuals’ fitness is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate how individuals’ fitness can be influenced by previous fighting experience in Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, we assess various behavioural performances as indicators for dominant and subordinate fitness. Our results show that subordinates are less territorial than dominants although their locomotor abilities are not affected. We also demonstrate that in a non-competitive context, experiencing a defeat reduces males’ motivation to court females but not the reproductive success while in a competitive context, it negatively affects males’ reproductive success. However, we found no impact upon either males’ ability to distinguish potential mates nor on females’ choice of a specific mating partner. Overall, these results indicate that previous defeats reduce reproductive success, a commonly used estimate of individual fitness.
A frequency peak at 3.1 kHz obtained from the spectral analysis of the cochlear implant electrocochleography noise
Authors: Herrada Javiera , Medel Vicente , Dragicevic Constantino , Maass Juan C. , Stott Carlos E. , Delano Paul H.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The functional evaluation of auditory-nerve activity in spontaneous conditions has remained elusive in humans. In animals, the frequency analysis of the round-window electrical noise recorded by means of electrocochleography yields a frequency peak at around 900 to 1000 Hz, which has been proposed to reflect auditory-nerve spontaneous activity. Here, we studied the spectral components of the electrical noise obtained from cochlear implant electrocochleography in humans.

Methods

We recruited adult cochlear implant recipients from the Clinical Hospital of the Universidad de Chile, between the years 2021 and 2022. We used the AIM System from Advanced Bionics® to obtain single trial electrocochleography signals from the most apical electrode in cochlear implant users. We performed a protocol to study spontaneous activity and auditory responses to 0.5 and 2 kHz tones.

Results

Twenty subjects including 12 females, with a mean age of 57.9 ± 12.6 years (range between 36 and 78 years) were recruited. The electrical noise of the single trial cochlear implant electrocochleography signal yielded a reliable peak at 3.1 kHz in 55% of the cases (11 out of 20 subjects), while an oscillatory pattern that masked the spectrum was observed in seven cases. In the other two cases, the single-trial noise was not classifiable. Auditory stimulation at 0.5 kHz and 2.0 kHz did not change the amplitude of the 3.1 kHz frequency peak.

Conclusion

We found two main types of noise patterns in the frequency analysis of the single-trial noise from cochlear implant electrocochleography, including a peak at 3.1 kHz that might reflect auditory-nerve spontaneous activity, while the oscillatory pattern probably corresponds to an artifact.
Antidiabetic drug administration prevents bone mineral density loss: Evidence from a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Mingzhu , Lin Shuisen , Chen Wanqiong , Chen Xiaoqiang
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of common antidiabetic drugs on BMD by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). The single nucleotide polymorphisms that were strongly associated with insulin, metformin, rosiglitazone and gliclazide were extracted as instrumental variables (IVs) for MR analysis. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary MR method to assess the causal effect of antidiabetic drugs on BMD, and other MR methods, including Weighted median, MR Egger and Weighted mode, were used for complementary analysis. Reliability and stability were assessed by the leave-one-out test. In the present work, IVW estimation of the causal effect of insulin on heel BMD demonstrated that there was a null effect of insulin on heel BMD (β = 0.765; se = 0.971; P = 0.430), while metformin treatment had a positive effect on heel BMD (β = 1.414; se = 0.460; P = 2.118*10−3). The causal relationship between rosiglitazone and heel BMD analysed by IVW suggested that there was a null effect of rosiglitazone on heel BMD (β = -0.526; se = 1.744; P = 0.763), but the causal effect of gliclazide on heel BMD evaluated by IVW demonstrated that there was a positive effect of gliclazide on heel BMD (β = 2.671; se = 1.340; P = 0.046). In summary, the present work showed that metformin and gliclazide have a role in reducing BMD loss in patients with diabetes and are recommended for BMD loss prevention in diabetes.
Higher densities of T-lymphocytes in the subsynovial connective tissue of people with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Sandy-Hindmarch Oliver , Molina-Alvarez Miguel , Wiberg Akira , Furniss Dominic , Schmid Annina B.
Published: March 2024

Symptoms in people with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are traditionally attributed to neural tissue, but recent studies suggest that the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) may also play a role in CTS. The SSCT undergoes fibrotic thickening which is generally described as “non-inflammatory” based on basic histology. This study uses immunohistochemistry to determine the presence of macrophages and T-cells within SSCT and their relationship with symptoms in people with CTS. SSCT was collected from twenty people with CTS and eight controls undergoing wrist fracture surgery. Immunohistochemical quantification of CD3+ T-cells and CD68+ macrophage densities as well as CD4+/CD8+ T-cell subpopulations were compared between groups using independent t-tests. Spearman correlations were used to identify associations between immune cell densities and CTS symptom scores. The density of CD3+ T-cells was significantly higher in SSCT of people with CTS compared to controls (CTS mean 26.7 (SD 13.7); controls 6.78 (6.3), p = 0.0005) while the density of CD68+ macrophages was lower (CTS mean 9.5 (SD 6.0); controls 17.7 (8.2), p = 0.0058). Neither CD68+ nor CD3+ cell densities correlated with symptom scores. In contrast to previous assumptions, our data show that the SSCT in the carpal tunnel in both people with CTS and controls is not devoid of immune cells. Whereas the higher density of CD68+ macrophages in control participants may be associated with their early recruitment after acute fracture, CD3+ cells within the SSCT may play a role in chronic CTS.
Development of a patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ) for diabetes management in Thailand and Lao PDR
Authors: Olson Phayom Sookaneknun , Ploylearmsang Chanuttha , Sibounheuang Phoutsathaphone , Sookaneknun Santiparp , Manithip Chanthanom , Watcharadamrongkun Suntaree , Jungnickel Paul W. , Kittiboonyakun Pattarin
Published: March 2024

In a cross-sectional analytical study, a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) for diabetes management was developed and tested in Thailand and Lao PDR. A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted to formulate themes of the PSQ. The 20-item PSQ was prepared in Thai and translated to Lao, with subsequent backward translation. Both versions were tested for reliability and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The study was performed at a university hospital in Thailand and two central hospitals in Vientiane, Lao PDR. There were 300 diabetic patients from Thailand (n = 150) and Lao PDR (n = 150). The 5-factor Thai version showed 74.52% of total explained variance with good internal consistency and satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices (χ2/df = 1.91, GFI = 0.83, CFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.063, RMSEA = 0.078). The five factors were 1) Standard of Service, 2) Diabetic Service, 3) Competency of Providers, 4) Competency of Pharmacists, and 5) Communication with Providers. For the Lao version, 20 items showed a 3-factor structure with a total explained variance of 71.09%. Goodness-of-fit indices for the Lao model were satisfactory (χ2/df = 2.45, GFI = 0.78, CFI = 0.95, SRMR = 0.075 and RMSEA = 0.095). The results showed the PSQ Thai and Lao versions were valid and reliable for assessing patient satisfaction with diabetes management, however more testing of the questionnaire is appropriate.
Impact of spinal fusion on severity health status in scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap
Authors: Bessaguet Hugo , Rousseau Marie-Christine , Gautheron Vincent , Ojardias Etienne , Dohin Bruno
Published: March 2024

Background

Scoliosis constitutes a prevalent comorbidity in adolescents with polyhandicap and frequently leads to other severe impairments, impacting abilities and requiring complex caregiving strategies. Therefore, spinal fusion surgeries are commonly performed to alleviate pain and provide more comfort. However, spine stabilization has not previously been proven to improve the severity health status of adolescents with polyhandicap according to specific clinical scales.

Objective

This study describes and compares the severity health status of adolescents with polyhandicap before and after they underwent spinal fusion.

Methods

A monocentric retrospective observational study was conducted in the university hospital centre of Saint-Etienne, France. We included between 2009 to 2020, 30 scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap who underwent spinal fusion performed with the same surgical technique and the same surgeon. The main outcome was the variation in the Polyhandicap Severity Scale (PSS) score after surgery. Secondary outcomes were variations in PSS subscores, quality of life scores, fronto-sagittal X-ray parameters, and measures of surgical complication rates and lengths of stay.

Results

Among 30 adolescents, 27 PSS analyses were performed. We found a significant improvement between pre- and postoperative PSS scores, mainly for pain and respiratory, digestive, and skin disabilities. These improvements were accompanied by significant reductions in pelvic obliquity, in frontal and sagittal curves. The mean hospital length of stay was 45 days. During postoperative period, patients received a personalized postoperative rehabilitation procedure with spasticity and pain treatments, physiotherapy, and verticalization (wheelchair sitting and positioning devices such as contoured seat intended to increase postural stability). The mortality rate was estimated at 7%. At least 1 complication per patient occurred.

Conclusions

We show that spinal fusion surgeries confer a significant improvement in the severity health status in scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap.
Young dictators—Speaking about oneself decreases generosity in children from two cultural contexts
Authors: Weltzien Sandra , Marsh Lauren , Kanngiesser Patricia , Hood Bruce
Published: March 2024

Sharing of resources is a common feature of human societies. Yet, there is substantial societal variation in children’s generosity, and this variation emerges during middle childhood. Societal differences in self-construal orientation may be one factor influencing the ontogeny of generosity. Here, we examine anonymous Dictator Game sharing in 7-and-8-year-olds from two distinct societies: India and the UK (N = 180). We used self-construal manipulations to investigate whether priming self- or other-focused conversations would differentially influence children’s generosity. There were no differences in generosity between populations. While a significant reduction in generosity was found following self-priming in both societies, other-priming was ineffectual. The findings are discussed in relation to experimental features and the role of anonymity and reputational concerns.
The virus and the parasite
Authors: Tingskog Gry
Published: March 2024

This article explores the relationship between institutions and parasitic practices within the realm of artistic production, focusing on the organization INSISTER SPACE based in Stockholm, Sweden. Grounded in Michel Serres’ concept of the parasite, it examines parasitism as a dynamic catalyst for micro-political changes within institutions. Emphasising the potential of convivial, collective and critical counterstrategies, the text also addresses the impact of neoliberal and populist forces on the art field. Proposing parasitism as a strategic response, the article contributes to discourse on navigating and resisting socio-political dynamics in contemporary art.
Between certain death and a possible future: Blacklips performance cult’s post-apocalyptic queer futurity
Authors: Muskovics Gyula
Published: March 2024

The following text provides a glimpse into New York City’s experimental drag scene and late-night culture in the early 1990s. It introduces the work of Blacklips Performance Cult, a group founded by ANOHNI, Johanna Constantine, and Psychotic Eve in 1992, and presents their gory, monster camp plays as a form of worldmaking in response to the cosmic grief of mass queer death in the wake of the epidemic that decimated the East Village arts community in the preceding decade.
The practices of Sex Education II
Authors: Črnigoj Tjaša
Published: March 2024

In the 2022/2023 season, my collaborators and others from The New Post Office prepared a series of five lecture performances entitled Sex Education II, which explored from different angles and using different performing practises the right to sexual pleasure as a fundamental part of sexual rights as a human rights issue. The lecture performances were based on conversations with women1 who shared their personal stories, experiences and difficulties, as well as interviews with experts from different fields. In October 2023, we combined the five lecture performances into one whole and performed them in one day.
7 Deaths of Maria Callas, Marina Abramović (dir.) (2023) English National Opera, 8 November 2023
Authors: Sporton Gregory
Published: March 2024

Review of: 7 Deaths of Maria Callas, Marina Abramović (dir.) (2023) English National Opera, 8 November 2023
Artistic research: Methods that work
Authors: Sporton Gregory , Álvarez Natalie
Published: March 2024

This volume has emerged from discussions about the status of arts practice and its legitimacy as research. Art-making as a means of research enquiry remains ambiguous and ephemeral, but increasingly acknowledged as an important way to model our knowledge and experience of the world. In the past two decades there have been great strides in its identification within the academy, with phrases like ‘practice-based’, ‘practice-led’ research or ‘artistic research’ being acknowledged as legitimate pursuits, if slippery to identify. What always seems to come along with this is some kind of exploration of the new. This isn’t like innovation in other fields, but has properties and perspectives that are specific to it as methods of enquiry. These methods are uncontroversial within creative practice and represent a challenge to thinking about research as textual or text-based outcomes that can be easily assessed. This volume collects a number of different perspectives on the status and practice of art as a method or research enquiry. Together they represent a conversation about how we work in this field and what methods work.
Exploring art-making as research enquiry: Methods, materiality and intentionality
Authors: McFarlane David
Published: March 2024

This article discusses the intersections of art-making and research enquiry, focusing on methods, materiality and intentionality. In response to the request to contribute to an archive of creative methodological processes, the author examines a methodology he is developing for co-creating artistic acoustic ecologies with the Great Lakes. It raises questions about the role of practice-based research in generating new forms of enquiry and systems of knowledge while examining the barriers to achieving legitimacy for artistic practices within the research landscape. The article explores ethical, technological and artistic considerations within the context of the author’s auto-ethnographic lens of an artist working in an era that demands verbalization as a primary articulation of knowledge and cultural expression. The author, a practising visual artist, musician and Ph.D. student in the research-creation-based Media and Design Innovation programme at Toronto Metropolitan University, discusses the need for concrete examples of how artistic research methods are effective.
Cabo Delgado, the northern coastal part of Mozambique
Authors: Pintér Tibor
Published: March 2024

The importance of Mozambique's northern coastal province of Cabo Delgado has increased with the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, although it was no less important before. In the last ten years, large reserves of natural gas and gemstones have been discovered and the last few years have seen the rise of a jihadist movement under the aegis of the Islamic State. Russian aggression has increased Europe's appetite for natural gas in its desire to reduce Russian energy dependence. The discovery of natural gas in Mozambique has created huge opportunities for the poor country, as international gas companies have invested heavily in Cabo Delgado. Although the past and present of the region is very chaotic and unstable, the future could be prosperous if the problems highlighted in this study are mitigated.
AN EFFECTIVE RESOURCE-SAVING OPTION IN THE SPHERE OF WOOD PROCESSING AND ITS PROCESSING IN THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY
Authors: Хакимова Фирдавес Харисовна , Noskova Olga Alekseevna , Khakimov Roman Rashidovich , Fonarev Ilya Igorevich
Published: March 2024

The possibility and expediency of obtaining and bleaching sulfite pulp from young small-sized spruce wood from thinning (thinning) fellings was studied in comparison with ripe wood. In the process of thinning, a significant amount of young small-sized wood is formed, which can serve as a significant reserve of wood raw materials for the production of pulp and paper.

Sulfite pulping from young and ripe spruce wood obtained two samples of pulp of different degrees of penetration.

Comparative pulp bleachings were carried out according to the traditional economical but effective D/C-EG-G-D-A scheme; For comparison, pulp samples from ripe and young spruce wood were bleached according to the modern ecological scheme Pa-E-Ch1-E-Ch2-A (ECF technology).

It is shown that young small-sized spruce wood is delignified by sulfite cooking solution without difficulty, but somewhat more slowly than ripe wood.

Sulfite spruce pulp obtained from thinnings is easier to grind and bleach, has higher mechanical strength than from ripe wood. Bleached pulp was obtained from young thin spruce wood by bleaching according to the scheme D/C–EG –G–D–A of pulp from young thin spruce wood, which in all quality indicators meets the standards for grade AK-II (GOST 3914), which is used mainly in the production of "cultural" grades of paper (written and printed). Comparative bleaching of pulp of approximately the same degree of penetration from ripe and young wood using ECF technology using only two oxidative bleaching agents (hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide) significantly increases the efficiency of pulp bleaching in all quality indicators, but the cost of bleaching, in modern conditions, may be will be slightly higher than in the traditional scheme.
Energía para todos: un proyecto de aprendizaje y servicio
Authors: Barrella Roberto , Becerra García José Luís
Published: March 2024

En el contexto de crisis energética que estamos viviendo, la formación y apoyo a familias vulnerables por parte de los alumnos de ICAI se ha demostrado una herramienta eficaz para paliar su situación de pobreza energética y cumplir el doble objetivo de la asignatura Aprendizaje y Servicio, es decir que el alumnado participe en una actividad de servicio para la comunidad y que reflexione sobre dicho servicio. En particular, el proyecto “Energía para Todos” (ExT) ha logrado formar al alumnado en temas de pobreza y gestión energética en el hogar además que generarle un crecimiento personal a partir de una experiencia de voluntariado. La colaboración entre la universidad y dos entidades sociales (ECODES y A+Familias), puesta en marcha en este proyecto, ha permitido que 79 alumnos de ICAI asesoren a 80 familias en talleres presenciales, entregándole además un kit de microeficiencia personalizado. Esta actividad ha contribuido al desarrollo personal de los alumnos más allá del conocimiento teórico, entrenando aptitudes interpersonales como la empatía, la capacidad de escucha, la adaptabilidad y la resolución de problemas reales, y ha impulsado el empoderamiento energético de las personas asistidas.
Una lógica ágil en los proyectos de aprendizaje servicio: desarrollo de productos mínimos viables
Authors: Arranz López Sergio
Published: March 2024

La buena práctica plantea el uso de las llamadas metodologías agiles o agile en el marco del desarrollo de los proyectos de aprendizaje servicio en los estudios de ADE. Dichas metodologías, combinadas con otras, facilitan la entrega de valor a la clientela de los proyectos, a la vez que articula el proceso de reflexión y la mejora del trabajo en equipo del alumnado.
Buenas prácticas + trabajo en equipo = Ap
Authors: Morales Pérez Macarena , Morales Pérez Macarena , Saldaña Larrondo Dulce Eloísa
Published: March 2024

Se reconoce la importancia del trabajo colaborativo, sus ventajas y beneficios. El claustro de APS reconoce la importancia del trabajo colaborativo, conoce sus ventajas y beneficios. El clima de trabajo se convierte en excelente e inspiracional, y como resultado en una experiencia de aprendizaje para el alumno positiva. La colaboración entre los docentes permite compartir ideas, invitados, herramientas, expertise, soluciones, recursos, mejoras en los procesos. Lo anterior se obtiene gracias a una comunicación formal e institucional, pero también a los canales de comunicación informales instaurados que funcionan desde sus inicios, entre los que se pueden mencionar grupos de WA, reuniones presenciales o virtuales, premeditadas o casuales, solo por mencionar algunas.
Unisos CAFYD: integración de los ODS en la docencia universitaria de la educación física desde un abordaje interdisciplinar
Authors: García Taibo Olalla
Published: March 2024

Ante los desafíos urgentes y dramáticos que el planeta está confrontado en la actualidad, se ha destacado el sistema educativo como un factor esencial, siendo imprescindible implementar la educación para el desarrollo sostenible en los diferentes niveles y particularmente en la universidad. En cuanto al área de Educación Física, su estrecha vinculación con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) está evidenciada teórica e institucionalmente. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente proyecto fue desarrollar estrategias educativas que permitan implementar algunos ODS y metas específicas en la enseñanza de las Ciencias del Deporte y la Educación Física. Concretamente, se pretendió contribuir a que todo el alumnado participante adquiriese los conocimientos teóricos y prácticos necesarios para promover la educación para el desarrollo sostenible y la adopción de estilos de vida sostenibles, los derechos humanos, la igualdad entre los géneros, la promoción de una cultura de paz y no violencia. Para ello, se diseñaron, implementaron y evaluaron diversas intervenciones vinculadas al desarrollo sostenible en 8 asignaturas de grado, en las que participaron cerca de 200 alumnos y alumnas durante el curso 22/23. La conclusión principal es que la implementación de los ODS en el grado universitario de CAFYD es viable y necesaria.
El docente invisible: el papel del profesor en el trabajo por competencias
Authors: Cortès Maria Magdalena
Published: March 2024

El desarrollo de competencias profesionales requiere del uso de un conjunto de estrategias metodológicas que sitúan en el centro al alumnado. Así pues, el rol del docente debe ajustarse en coherencia con sus decisiones metodológicas. Cuando el alumno es protagonista, es activo y resuelve problemas relacionados con el ejercicio profesional, el docente debería tender a la invisibilidad.
Papel cero en las asignaturas de estadística: Python como lenguaje vehicular
Authors: Sánchez Úbeda Eugenio Francisco
Published: March 2024

Es muy habitual, dentro de las titulaciones de ingeniería, que las asignaturas de estadística básica se impartan con un enfoque tradicional basado en la resolución de problemas con lápiz y papel, con la ayuda de una calculadora. Sin embargo, en el ejercicio profesional de la ingeniería, siempre se utiliza algún tipo de software estadístico. En la actualidad el uso de cuadernos Jupyter con lenguaje Python se ha convertido en un estándar en las empresas, siendo una competencia muy demandada. ¿No sería posible impartir estas asignaturas de Estadística con un enfoque innovador que permita a los alumnos desarrollar las competencias necesarias para poder resolver problemas reales sin descuidar el aprendizaje profundo de los conceptos estadísticos? La asignatura anual de Probabilidad y Estadística, del reciente Grado en Ingeniería Matemática e Inteligencia Artificial (IMAT) en Comillas ICAI, se está impartiendo utilizando Python como lenguaje vehicular. El aprendizaje observado en los alumnos, y su opinión sugiere que ha sido un acierto. Todos los exámenes se están realizando utilizando Python con cuadernos Jupyter. No hay papel. En muchos exámenes los alumnos se han enfrentado a problemas reales con miles de datos y trabajando con modelos estadísticos complejos, únicamente manejables con un entorno software como el utilizado.
Typifying extremes: Designation of types for the minute Gunnera lobata and G. magellanica and the giant G. tinctoria (Gunneraceae)
Authors: Gonzalez Favio , Pabón-Mora Natalia , Zanotti Christian A.
Published: March 2024

While working on the taxonomic treatment of the family Gunneraceae for the Flora of Argentina, provisional typification for the minute herbaceous species Gunnera lobata and G. magellanica, and the giant herb G. tinctoria, as well as for some of their synonyms, was detected. Here, we designate lectotypes for G. lobata, G. magellanica, G. falklandica (= G. magellanica), and Panke tinctoria (= G. tinctoria), a neotype for G. reichei (= G. magellanica), and an epitype for G. tinctoria.
First record of the genus Togula (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae) and of the species T. jolla for the South-West Atlantic coastal waters
Authors: Sunesen Inés , Rodríguez Francisco , Aguiar Juárez Delfina , Tardivo Kubis Jonás A. , Sar Eugenia A.
Published: March 2024

In the framework of a phytoplankton and biotoxin monitoring program implemented since 2008 in marine coastal waters of the Buenos Aires Province (Argentina), a gymnodinioid, photosynthetic dinoflagellate was isolated from a sample collected in Santa Teresita, establishing the strain LPCc007. The strain was identified as belonging to the psammophilic genus Togula by light microscopy based on the following distinctive characters: morphology of the cell dorso-ventrally flattened, and course of the cingulum, highly asymmetric, descending, with its ends displaced by about one to two thirds of the total length of the cell and joined by an oblique intercingular groove. The comparative morphological analysis between the motile vegetative cells of the isolated strain and the three species of the genus described to date, did not reveal significant differences that would allow it to be determined at a specific level. Instead, the pattern of development of longitudinal grooves on the hypocone of cells about to undergo mitosis observed in strain LPCc007, perfectly agrees with that described for T. jolla as a differential character. The morphological identification was consistent with LSU rDNA (D1-D2) based phylogeny that showed the sequence aggregation in the T. jolla clade. This is the first report of the genus Togula and the species T. jolla from Argentina and the South-West Atlantic Ocean coastal waters.
Postmodernism theories by investigating a jamesonian reading of brief interviews with hideous men
Authors: Darvishian Golbarg , Yaghoobi- Derabi Javad
Published: March 2024

The main objective of this paper is to discuss the Girl with Curious Hair and Brief Interviews with Hideous Men and analyses their content regarding the postmodernism theories. This research paper is library research, which reviews the A Jamesonian Reading of Girl with Curious Hair and Brief Interviews with Hideous Men to investigate the postmodernism. In postmodernist works, the reader can see the association of objects, which are not similar or related. This style is called "collage". There is no intentional connection between these objects and they only come together randomly. In poetry, the postmodernist writers come up with the idea of "prose poetry" that may seem contradictory but it is quite popular in postmodernism. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, shows that Wallace has tried to convey his ideas on being hideous as it is his concern to find the meaning of humanity and has tried to show the meaning of humanity to people. Wallace has innovations in narrative techniques for example he has meta narration and multiple narration and the narrator questions the reader and asks the reader to add his own feelings to work or narrator talks about the difficulties of putting the stories one after another.
Wykorzystanie wskaźników altmetrycznych w Repozytorium Otwartych Danych Badawczych Uczelni Krakowskich (międzyuczelnianej platformie deponowania danych)
Authors: Szafrański Leszek , Urbaniec Marta
Published: March 2024

Wspieranie działań mających na celu promowanie idei otwartej nauki to dzisiaj jedno z ważnych zadań stojących przed bibliotekami. Pośród wielu aktywności z tym związanych jest zarządzanie danymi badawczymi na uczelniach. Wsparciem systemowym w ramach tego zadania ma być Repozytorium Otwartych Danych Badawczych Uczelni Krakowskich (RODBUK), które zostało uruchomione w marcu 2023 roku. Wśród obowiązków, jakie realizują bibliotekarze rozwijający RODBUK, jest uruchamianie narzędzi poprawiających widoczność oraz mierzących wykorzystanie i cytowanie deponowanych danych badawczych. Prezentowane badanie jest pierwszym w polskim piśmiennictwie projektem zakładającym pilotaż szerszych badań mających na celu zweryfikowanie używania wskaźników altmetrycznych w repozytoriach danych badawczych. Artykuł ma zasadniczo dwa cele: analizę repozytoriów danych badawczych pod kątem wykorzystania w nich wskaźników altmetrycznych oraz ocenę, czy w repozytoriach działających na systemie do zarządzania danymi badawczymi Dataverse są uruchamiane metryki altmetryczne. Do analizy wybrane zostały repozytoria zarejestrowane w Ranking Web of Repositories i repozytoria stosujące oprogramowanie Dataverse. Do przeglądu literatury przedmiotu i przygotowania artykułu użyto metody analizy i krytyki piśmiennictwa. W gromadzeniu danych została użyta analiza dokumentów zastanych. Zastosowanie wymienionej metody badawczej pozwoliło przeanalizować i porównać ze sobą zebrane informacje. Wnioski, jakie nasuwają się po przeprowadzeniu badania, są następujące: wskaźniki altmetryczne są używane w repozytoriach danych badawczych, jednak w bardzo ograniczonym zakresie. Może być to spowodowane tym, że repozytoria danych są na etapie początkowego rozwoju i narzędzia te są obecnie mało popularne. Niemniej sama idea zliczania występowania wzmianek o danych badawczych w różnych serwisach i mediach społecznościowych, a nie tylko na portalach typowo naukowych, jest ciekawą alternatywą w analizowaniu zainteresowania danymi badawczymi i ich wykorzystania.
The Most Cited Scientific Information Sources in Wikipedia Articles Across Various Languages
Authors: Lewoniewski Włodzimierz
Published: March 2024

Ensuring the accuracy of information in Wikipedia articles requires the use of reliable sources that can be assessed by encyclopedia readers. However, the determination of source reliability can be subjective, with variations based on the language and subject matter of the article. Consequently, each language version of Wikipedia may have its own guidelines for judging the trustworthiness of sources. Some Wikipedia citations lead to scientific resources, which are usually deemed more reliable than websites due to their rigorous peer-review procedures and publication by esteemed academic publishers. This implies that the data presented in these scientific sources has been meticulously examined by specialists in the relevant area, providing a higher level of precision and trustworthiness. In this study, 332,424,439 references from 61,218,277 Wikipedia articles across 309 language versions were analyzed to identify citations to scientific publications. Additionally, OpenAlex was used to find unified metadata of important sources of information of multilingual Wikipedia.
Analiza Funkcjonowania Bibliotek Naukowych (AFBN) – z perspektywy 20 lat doświadczeń
Authors: Derfert-Wolf Lidia
Published: March 2024

W artykule zaprezentowano projekt Analiza Funkcjonowania Bibliotek Naukowych (AFBN) w ujęciu historycznym oraz w kontekście aktualnego rozwoju. Omówiono początki realizacji i cele oraz założenia projektu, zespoły osób zaangażowanych, stany liczbowe danych, wskaźników i zarejestrowanych bibliotek. Przedstawiono również mocne i słabe strony projektu, podkreślając potencjał zgromadzonych danych przy zbyt słabym ich wykorzystaniu przez zarejestrowane biblioteki. Na koniec wskazano kilka rekomendacji na przyszłość, zmierzających głównie w kierunku badań wpływu i wartości bibliotek.
Wróg zza Odry. Niemcy na łamach czasopisma „Płomyk” (1945-1949)
Authors: Zaborski Marcin
Published: March 2024

Autor proponuje refleksję nad przekazem dotyczącym Niemiec i Niemców tworzonym przez czasopismo dla dzieci „Płomyk” po drugiej wojnie światowej. Analizuje, jak na przestrzeni kolejnych lat zmieniał się w nich charakter narracji odnoszącej się do ofiar i bohaterów drugiej wojny światowej. Bada, w jaki sposób przedstawiane było zagrożenie konfliktem zbrojnym. Ustala, jakie narzędzia służyły budowaniu wizerunku wroga (realnego lub wyimaginowanego) z przeszłości i teraźniejszości. Sprawdza, w jakich kontekstach wówczas o tym mówiono. W swoich poszukiwaniach autor porusza się w obszarze przekazu magazynu adresowanego do młodych odbiorców, ukazującego się w latach 1945-1949.
Eigenvalue lower bounds and splitting for modified Ricci flow
Authors: Colding Tobias Holck , Minicozzi II William P.
Published: March 2024

We prove sharp lower bounds for eigenvalues of the drift Laplacian for a modified Ricci flow. The modified Ricci flow is a system of coupled equations for a metric and weighted volume that plays an important role in Ricci flow. We will also show that there is a splitting theorem in the case of equality.
Pricing Personalised Drugs: Comparing Indication Value Based Prices with Performance Based Schemes
Authors: Levaggi Laura , Levaggi Rosella
Published: March 2024

Price strategies are essential to balance timely access to drugs with expenditure containment. This is especially true for personalised drugs, whose effectiveness is heterogeneous across patients. For these drugs, some authors suggest to use Indication Based Price schemes (IBPs), while others argue that Performance-Based managed entry Agreements (PBAs) are more appropriate. We develop a theoretical model to compare the welfare properties of IBPs and PBAs in an environment where effectiveness is uncertain. The manufacturer observes heterogeneity in patients responses, but this information may be non verifiable. By contrast, the regulator can only observe data presented for listing purposes. We show that IBPs may allow to treat the efficient number of patients only if the social value of the drug is entirely appropriated by the manufacturer. PBAs may allow a fairer distribution of the social value, but their success depends on the contract rules and on the degree of uncertainty.
Inhibition of Chk1 stimulates cytotoxic action of platinum-based drugs and TRAIL combination in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Krkoška Martin , Paruch Kamil , Šošolíková Tereza , Vázquez-Gómez Gerardo , Herůdková Jarmila , Novotný Jan , Ovesná Petra , Sova Petr , Hyršlová Vaculová Alena
Published: March 2024

Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) plays an important role in regulation of the cell cycle, DNA damage response and cell death, and represents an attractive target in anticancer therapy. Small-molecule inhibitors of Chk1 have been intensively investigated either as single agents or in combination with various chemotherapeutic drugs and they can enhance the chemosensitivity of numerous tumor types. Here we newly demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of Chk1 using potent and selective inhibitor SCH900776, currently profiled in phase II clinical trials, significantly enhances cytotoxic effects of the combination of platinum-based drugs (cisplatin or LA-12) and TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand) in human prostate cancer cells. The specific role of Chk1 in the drug combination-induced cytotoxicity was confirmed by siRNA-mediated silencing of this kinase. Using RNAi-based methods we also showed the importance of Bak-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in the combined anticancer action of SCH900776, cisplatin and TRAIL. The triple drug combination-induced cytotoxicity was partially enhanced by siRNA-mediated Mcl-1 silencing. Our findings suggest that targeting Chk1 may be used as an efficient strategy for sensitization of prostate cancer cells to killing action of platinum-based chemotherapeutic drugs and TRAIL.