bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of Food Intake by Differential TAS2R Stimulation in Rat
Authors: Grau-Bové Carme , Miguéns-Gómez Alba , González-Quilen Carlos , Fernández-López José-Antonio , Remesar Xavier , Torres-Fuentes Cristina , Ávila-Román Javier , Rodríguez-Gallego Esther , Beltrán-Debón Raúl , Blay M Teresa , Terra Ximena , Ardévol Anna , Pinent Montserrat
Published: December 2020

Metabolic surgery modulates the enterohormone profile, which leads, among other effects, to changes in food intake. Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) have been identified in the gastrointestinal tract and specific stimulation of these has been linked to the control of ghrelin secretion. We hypothesize that optimal stimulation of TAS2Rs could help to modulate enteroendocrine secretions and thus regulate food intake. To determine this, we have assayed the response to specific agonists for hTAS2R5, hTAS2R14 and hTAS2R39 on enteroendocrine secretions from intestinal segments and food intake in rats. We found that hTAS2R5 agonists stimulate glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK), and reduce food intake. hTAS2R14 agonists induce GLP1, while hTASR39 agonists tend to increase peptide YY (PYY) but fail to reduce food intake. The effect of simultaneously activating several receptors is heterogeneous depending on the relative affinity of the agonists for each receptor. Although detailed mechanisms are not clear, bitter compounds can stimulate differentially enteroendocrine secretions that modulate food intake in rats.
Optimising an FFQ Using a Machine Learning Pipeline to Teach an Efficient Nutrient Intake Predictive Model
Authors: Reščič Nina , Eftimov Tome , Koroušić Seljak Barbara , Luštrek Mitja
Published: December 2020

Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are the most commonly selected tools in nutrition monitoring, as they are inexpensive, easily implemented and provide useful information regarding dietary intake. They are usually carefully drafted by experts from nutritional and/or medical fields and can be validated by using other dietary monitoring techniques. FFQs can get very extensive, which could indicate that some of the questions are less significant than others and could be omitted without losing too much information. In this paper, machine learning is used to explore how reducing the number of questions affects the predicted nutrient values and diet quality score. The paper addresses the problem of removing redundant questions and finding the best subset of questions in the Extended Short Form Food Frequency Questionnaire (ESFFFQ), developed as part of the H2020 project WellCo. Eight common machine-learning algorithms were compared on different subsets of questions by using the PROMETHEE method, which compares methods and subsets via multiple performance measures. According to the results, for some of the targets, specifically sugar intake, fiber intake and protein intake, a smaller subset of questions are sufficient to predict diet quality scores. Additionally, for smaller subsets of questions, machine-learning algorithms generally perform better than statistical methods for predicting intake and diet quality scores. The proposed method could therefore be useful for finding the most informative subsets of questions in other FFQs as well. This could help experts develop FFQs that provide the necessary information and are not overbearing for those answering.
Putative Autoantigen Leiomodin-1 Is Expressed in the Human Brain and in the Membrane Fraction of Newly Formed Neurons
Authors: Nauen David W. , Haffner Michael C. , Kim Juyun , Zheng Qizhi , Yin Hao , DeMarzo Angelo M. , Mahairaki Vasiliki , Colantuoni Carlo , Pickering J. Geoffrey , Johnson Tory P.
Published: December 2020

Nodding syndrome is a pediatric epilepsy disorder associated with Onchocerca volvulus infection, but the mechanism driving this relationship is unclear. One hypothesis proposes that parasite-induced immune responses cross-react with human leiomodin-1 resulting in immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) damage. However, as leiomodin-1 expression and epitope availability in human neurons remains uncharacterized, the relevance of leiomodin-1 autoimmunity is unknown. Leiomodin-1 transcript expression was assessed in silico using publicly available ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing databases and in tissue by in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Abundance and subcellular localization were examined by cell fractionation and immunoblotting. Leiomodin-1 transcripts were expressed in cells of the CNS, including neurons and astrocytes. Protein was detectable from all brain regions examined as well as from representative cell lines and in vitro differentiated neurons and astrocytes. Leiomodin-1 was expressed on the membrane of newly formed neurons, but not neural progenitor cells or mature neurons. Importantly, leiomodin-1 antibodies were only toxic to cells expressing leiomodin-1 on the membrane. Our findings provide evidence that leiomodin-1 is expressed in human neurons and glia. Furthermore, we show membrane expression mediates leiomodin-1 antibody toxicity, suggesting these antibodies may play a role in pathogenesis.
A Francisella tularensis Chitinase Contributes to Bacterial Persistence and Replication in Two Major U.S. Tick Vectors
Authors: Tully Brenden G. , Huntley Jason F.
Published: December 2020

Nearly 100 years after the first report of tick-borne tularemia, questions remain about the tick vector(s) that pose the greatest risk for transmitting Francisella tularensis (Ft), the causative agent of tularemia. Additionally, few studies have identified genes/proteins required for Ft to infect, persist, and replicate in ticks. To answer questions about vector competence and Ft transmission by ticks, we infected Dermacentor variabilis (Dv),Amblyomma americanum (Aa), and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Hl; invasive species from Asia) ticks with Ft, finding that although Aa ticks initially become infected with 1 order of magnitude higher Ft, Ft replicated more robustly in Dv ticks, and did not persist in Hl ticks. In transmission studies, both Dv and Aa ticks efficiently transmitted Ft to naïve mice, causing disease in 57% and 46% of mice, respectively. Of four putative Ft chitinases, FTL1793 is the most conserved among Francisella sp. We generated a ΔFTL1793 mutant and found that ΔFTL1793 was deficient for infection, persistence, and replication in ticks. Recombinant FTL1793 exhibited chitinase activity in vitro, suggesting that FTL1793 may provide an alternative energy source for Ft in ticks. Taken together, Dv ticks appear to pose a greater risk for harboring and transmitting tularemia and FTL1793 plays a major role in promoting tick infections by Ft.
Analysis of Concentrations of Loans by Using Book Circulation Data in Korea University Library
Authors: Yang Ji-Ann
Published: December 2020

In this paper, data of almost 8 million loans of books recorded for 15 years by the Korea University Library are analyzed by using big data analytic techniques. During this period, book circulation decreased with an average annual rate of decline of 4.4%. The use factor of books in each Dewey decimal classification (DDC) class was evaluated to measure how efficiently books were used by library users. Loan frequencies of books were analyzed and meaningful results regarding loan concentrations and the half-lives of books were obtained. It was observed that 50% of the total loans in each year were for 20% of all borrowed books in that year. This phenomenon will be called the 20/50 loan rule, and the set of the top 20% most borrowed books, whose cumulative loan frequencies reach 50% of total loans, will be called a core collection. The 20/50 loan rule shows the loan concentration of library books. The extent of loan concentration gets stronger if loans for two or more consecutive years are concerned. It was found that with high probability, books in a core collection at a specific year are also categorized as a core collection in next years. Moreover, books categorized as a core collection in consecutive years have longer half-lives compared with all other circulating books.
A Deep Neural Network Algorithm for Semilinear Elliptic PDEs with Applications in Insurance Mathematics
Authors: Kremsner Stefan , Steinicke Alexander , Szölgyenyi Michaela
Published: December 2020

In insurance mathematics, optimal control problems over an infinite time horizon arise when computing risk measures. An example of such a risk measure is the expected discounted future dividend payments. In models which take multiple economic factors into account, this problem is high-dimensional. The solutions to such control problems correspond to solutions of deterministic semilinear (degenerate) elliptic partial differential equations. In the present paper we propose a novel deep neural network algorithm for solving such partial differential equations in high dimensions in order to be able to compute the proposed risk measure in a complex high-dimensional economic environment. The method is based on the correspondence of elliptic partial differential equations to backward stochastic differential equations with unbounded random terminal time. In particular, backward stochastic differential equations—which can be identified with solutions of elliptic partial differential equations—are approximated by means of deep neural networks.
Spaceborne Multifrequency PolInSAR-Based Inversion Modelling for Forest Height Retrieval
Authors: Kumar Shashi , Govil Himanshu , Srivastava Prashant K. , Thakur Praveen K. , Kushwaha Satya P. S.
Published: December 2020

Spaceborne and airborne polarimetric synthetic-aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR) data have been extensively used for forest parameter retrieval. The PolInSAR models have proven their potential in the accurate measurement of forest vegetation height. Spaceborne monostatic multifrequency data of different SAR missions and the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI)-derived forest canopy height map were used in this study for vegetation height retrieval. This study tested the performance of PolInSAR complex coherence-based inversion models for estimating the vegetation height of the forest ranges of Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, India. The inversion-based forest height obtained from the three-stage inversion (TSI) model had higher accuracy than the coherence amplitude inversion (CAI) model-based estimates. The vegetation height values of GEDI-derived canopy height map did not show good relation with field-measured forest height values. It was found that, at several locations, GEDI-derived forest height values underestimated the vegetation height. The statistical analysis of the GEDI-derived estimates with field-measured height showed a high root mean square error (RMSE; 5.82 m) and standard error (SE; 5.33 m) with a very low coefficient of determination (R2; 0.0022). An analysis of the spaceborne-mission-based forest height values suggested that the L-band SAR has great potential in forest height retrieval. TSI-model-based forest height values showed lower p-values, which indicates the significant relation between modelled and field-measured forest height values. A comparison of the results obtained from different SAR systems is discussed, and it is observed that the L-band-based PolInSAR inversion gives the most reliable result with low RMSE (2.87 m) and relatively higher R2 (0.53) for the linear regression analysis between the modelled tree height and the field data. These results indicate that higher wavelength PolInSAR datasets are more suitable for tree canopy height estimation using the PolInSAR inversion technique.
Mapping Soil Degradation on Arable Land with Aerial Photography and Erosion Models, Case Study from Danube Lowland, Slovakia
Authors: Jenčo Marián , Fulajtár Emil , Bobáľová Hana , Matečný Igor , Saksa Martin , Kožuch Miroslav , Gallay Michal , Kaňuk Ján , Píš Vladimír , Oršulová Veronika
Published: December 2020

The presented study uses the recent colour aerial photographs, historical black and white aerial photographs, and detailed digital elevation model to assess the spatial distribution and long-term temporal dynamics of soil loss in agriculturally intensively exploited loess hilly land with a subcontinental temperate climate. The strongly eroded soils appear in the studied area as bright patterns, surrounded by darker soils, and they are well visible on aerial photos. Three approaches of interpretation of aerial photographs were tested: visual interpretation, pixel-based image classification, and object-based image classification. All three methods provided detailed maps of soil redistribution patterns. The bright areas as the areas of soil degradation characterized by erosion increased from 1949 until 2011 by 76%. A detailed map of areal erosion patterns was used for the validation of water erosion models. LS-factor of USLE and ED’ index of USPED were selected for expressing the relation of real erosion to the terrain. The relationship between surface morphology and real erosion is very complex, and the tested water erosion models do not express it sufficiently. Therefore, the first and second-order directional derivative of the surface elevations with respect to the tillage direction has been tested. The absolute value of the first-order directional derivative showed better results and better corresponded with the real erosion pattern than the other morphometric characteristics. The findings suggest that tillage is the dominant erosion factor in the area.
Lung Function and Respiratory Muscle Adaptations of Endurance- and Strength-Trained Males
Authors: Hackett Daniel A.
Published: December 2020

Diverse exercise-induced adaptations following aerobic endurance compared to strength-training programs is well documented, however, there is paucity of research specifically focused on adaptations in the respiratory system. The aim of the study was to examine whether differences in lung function and respiratory muscle strength exist between trainers predominately engaged in endurance compared to strength-related exercise. A secondary aim was to investigate if lung function and respiratory muscle strength were associated with one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the strength trainers, and with VO2 max and fat-free mass in each respective group. Forty-six males participated in this study, consisting of 24 strength-trained (26.2 ± 6.4 years) and 22 endurance-trained (29.9 ± 7.6 years) participants. Testing involved measures of lung function, respiratory muscle strength, VO2 max, 1RM, and body composition. The endurance-trained compared to strength-trained participants had greater maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) (11.3%, p = 0.02). The strength-trained compared to endurance-trained participants generated greater maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) (14.3%, p = 0.02) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (12.4%, p = 0.02). Moderate–strong relationships were found between strength-trained respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP) and squat and deadlift 1RM (r = 0.48–0.55, p ≤ 0.017). For the strength-trained participants, a strong relationship was found between MVV and VO2 max (mL·kg−1·min−1) (r = 0.63, p = 0.003) and a moderate relationship between MIP and fat-free mass (r = 0.42, p = 0.04). It appears that endurance compared to strength trainers have greater muscle endurance, while the latter group exhibits greater respiratory muscle strength. Differences in respiratory muscle strength in resistance trainers may be influenced by lower body strength.
Walking toward Metro Stations: the Contribution of Distance, Attitudes, and Perceived Built Environment
Authors: Paydar Mohammad , Fard Asal Kamani , Khaghani Mohammad Mehdi
Published: December 2020

Walking as an active means of travel is important as a sustainable mode of transport. Moreover, the level of walking in the surrounding areas of metro stations would contribute to maintaining the minimum rate of physical activity and, therefore, inhabitants’ general health. This study examined the impacts of walking attitude, walking distance, and perceived built environment on walking behavior for reaching the metro stations in Shiraz, Iran. Three metro stations were selected and a quantitative approach was used to examine the objectives. It was found that the average walking distance is less than the average in developed countries, such as the United States. People walked more when there was a shorter distance between their starting points and the metro stations. The contribution of walking attitudes and several built environment attributes to walking behavior was demonstrated. Finding the contribution of aesthetic attributes, such as accessibility to parks and housing types of the starting points of the walking trips, to walking for transport are taken into account as the novelties of this study. Policy makers of this city may apply the findings of this study—especially around the metro stations—to improve the average walking distance as well as walking behavior.
An Operational Framework for Urban Vulnerability to Floods in the Guayas Estuary Region: The Duran Case Study
Authors: Borbor-Cordova Mercy J. , Ger Geremy , Valdiviezo-Ajila Angel A. , Arias-Hidalgo Mijail , Matamoros David , Nolivos Indira , Menoscal-Aldas Gonzalo , Valle Federica , Pezzoli Alessandro , Cornejo-Rodriguez Maria del Pilar
Published: December 2020

Duran is a coastal city located in the Guayas Estuary region in which 24% of urban sectors suffers from the effects of chronic flooding. This study seeks to assess the causes of Duran’s vulnerability by considering exposure, population sensitivity and adaptive capacity to establish alternatives to reduce its vulnerability to flooding. An operational framework is proposed based on the vulnerability definition of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and applying a census-based Index of Vulnerability, a geographic information system and local knowledge of urban development. A Principal Component and equal weighting analysis were applied as well as a spatial clustering to explore the spatial vulnerability across the city. A total of 34% of the city area is mapped as having high and very high vulnerability, mostly occupied by informal settlements (e.g., 288 hectares). Underlying factors were poor quality housing, lack of city services and low adaptive capacity of the community. However, some government housing programs (e.g., El Recreo), with better housing and adaptive capacity were also highly vulnerable. Limited urban planning governance has led to the overloading of storm water and drainage infrastructure which cause chronic flooding. Understanding the underlying causes of vulnerability is critical in order develop integrated strategies that increase city resilience to climate change.
Evaluation of the Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Japanese Tourism Industry
Authors: Kitamura Yusuke , Karkour Selim , Ichisugi Yuki , Itsubo Norihiro
Published: December 2020

According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) annual Emissions Gap Report 2019, further reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are needed to reduce climate change impacts. In Japan, the 2030 Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) target is an emissions reduction of 26% compared to 2013. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has led to 43,341,451 confirmed cases and 1,157,509 confirmed deaths globally and affected 218 countries (as of 27 October 2020). In Japan, as of the same date, 96,948 infectious cases and 1724 deaths related to the new coronavirus had been recorded. These numbers continue to increase. In Japan, in March 2020, the number of international tourist arrivals decreased by about 93% compared to last year at the same period. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported several significant scenarios for the tourism industry. COVID-19 is the greatest shock to international tourism since 1950 and represents an abrupt end to the 10-year period of sustained growth that followed the 2009 financial crisis. It was thought that it would be possible to analyze the economic, environmental, and social impacts of rapid social changes. Thus, this study estimates changes in Japan’s tourist consumption, the carbon footprint (CFP), and employment due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The calculations in this study adopt a lifecycle approach using input–output tables. Based on these observations, this study uses four scenarios (SR 1, no recovery until December; SR 2, recovery from October; SR 3, recovery from July or September; and SR 0, same growth rate as 2018–2019) for Japan to calculate the CFP and employment change using input–output table analysis based on tourist consumption, which is a tourism metric. According to our results (2019 vs. SR 1 and 3), the consumption loss is between 20,540 billion yen (−65.1%) and 12,704 billion yen (−39.1%), the CFP reduction is between 89,488 kt-CO2eq (−64.2%) and 54,030 kt-CO2eq (−37.5%), and the employment loss is between 2,677,000 people (−64.2%) and 1,678,000 people (−37.5%). As of November 2020, the tourism industry continues to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the post-COVID-19 society, it will be necessary to maintain the GHG emissions reductions achieved in this short period and realize economic recovery. This recovery must also be sustainable for tourism stakeholders and society.
Vegetation Characteristics and Response to the Soil Properties of Three Medicinal Plant Communities in Altay Prefecture, China
Authors: Lang Tao , Pan Libo , Liu Bo , Guo Tong , Hou Xikang
Published: December 2020

Plant communities and their environments are a vital part of synecology research. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of three typical medicinal perennial herbs, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Rheum altaicum, and Ferula sinkiangensis, and examined their response to local soil properties in Altay Prefecture, China. A total of 29 species belonging to 15 families and 25 genera were recorded. In terms of the target medicinal plants, the importance value was low and community structures were exceedingly simple. Quantitative classification based on WARD cluster analysis suggested that each medicinal plant can be classified into one of three types: annual herbaceous, perennial herbaceous, and subshrub or shrub. Interestingly, the plants gradually transformed from exhibiting nonresistance to xerophytes or halophytes. An investigation of the soil properties beneath the medicinal plants showed that nutrients in black soil were much more abundant than those in sandy and saline soil. Except for leaching phenomenon, the nutrient contents in the soil surface layer (0–10 cm) were higher than those in deep layers (10–20 cm and 20–40 cm), and to some extent, the nutrient contents were inversely proportional to the depth of the soil. The redundancy analysis (RDA) results of the medicinal plants and their relationship with soil properties indicated that the main soil variables impacting the distribution of G. uralensis were available potassium (AK), aspect (ASP), soil moisture (SM), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP); SM, electric conductivity (EC), elevation (ELE), ASP, pH value (pH), available nitrogen (AN), soil organic content (SOC), and the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio had positive effects on the distribution of R. altaicum. F. sinkiangensis grew better in habitats with high contents of SM, EC, TN, AN, available phosphorus (AP), total potassium (TK), and AK. This study aimed at providing effective suggestions for artificial cultivation, conservation, and resilience of Chinese medicinal plants.
Theorizing Public Participation and Local Governance in Urban Resilience: Reflections on the “Provincializing Urban Political Ecology” Thesis
Authors: Chiu Chihsin
Published: December 2020

Urban political ecology (UPE) infuses Marxism with poststructuralism and constructivism to explore the dialectic relationship between nature and society in urban environments as well as the economic aspect of an urban socioecological system. Nevertheless, the literature on southern urbanism has urged UPE to become more “provincialized” to reflect the diffuse forms of power and everyday governance influencing the planning of cities in the Global South. This article reviews and reflects on this wave of debates raised by critics who have positioned postcolonial thinking as an alternative to Marxist political economy, in which UPE is rooted. It also identifies those works that might help provincialize UPE differently. Without rejecting the Marxism, another set of approaches draws influence from the strategic-relational approach (SRA) to examine environmental issues in ways that destabilize conventionally economic determinist UPE. In addition to involving corporate elites and city officials, a UPE framework incorporating the SRA is capable of bringing the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community leaders, and environmentalists in everyday governance to the front. The article contends that the latter framework adds weight on public participation and local governance in different geopolitical contexts without losing sight of the social inequalities caused by state-led or privatized programs in the quest for urban resilience.
MPPT for a PV Grid-Connected System to Improve Efficiency under Partial Shading Conditions
Authors: Almutairi Abdulaziz , Abo-Khalil Ahmed G. , Sayed Khairy , Albagami Naif
Published: December 2020

The disadvantage of photovoltaic (PV) power generation is that output power decreases due to the presence of clouds or shade. Moreover, it can only be used when the sun is shining. Consequently, there is a need for further active research into the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique, which can maximize the power of solar cells. When the solar cell array is partially shaded due to the influence of clouds or buildings, the solar cell characteristic has a number of local maximum power points (LMPPs). Conventional MPPT techniques do not follow the actual maximum power point, namely, the global maximum power point (GMPP), but stay in the LMPP. Therefore, an analysis of the occurrence of multiple LMPPs due to partial shading, as well as a study on the MPPT technique that can trace GMPP, is needed. In order to overcome this obstacle, the grey wolf optimization (GWO) method is proposed in order to track the global maximum power point and to maximize the energy extraction of the PV system. In addition, opposition-based learning is integrated with the GWO to accelerate the MPPT search process and to reduce convergence time. Simultaneously, the DC link voltage is controlled to reduce sudden variations in voltage in the event of transients of solar radiation and/or temperature. Experimental tests are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed MPPT method during uniform irradiance and partial shading conditions. The proposed method is compared with the perturbation and observation method.
Photocatalytic Destruction of Caffeine on Sepiolite-Supported TiO2 Nanocomposite
Authors: Savun-Hekimoğlu Başak , Eren Zeynep , Ince Nilsun H.
Published: December 2020

The study is about the degradation of a common pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) caffeine by photocatalysis under UV–visible light using pristine TiO2 (P-25) and a lab-made nanocomposite of sepiolite–TiO2. It was found that the dark adsorption of caffeine on P-25 was insignificant, but considerably high on the nanocomposite, owing to the high porosity and unique structure of sepiolite. The degradation of the compound in the presence of P-25 and Sep–TiO2 followed the pseudo-first order and exponential decay kinetics, with a rate constant of 0.12 min−1 and 0.50 min−1, respectively. The efficiency of both catalysts for carbon mineralization was better at acidic pH, but that of the nanocomposite was significantly higher at all pH than that of the unmodified P-25 (36.1 against 9.6% at pH 6.0). The loading of TiO2 on sepiolite was an important factor in the activity of the catalyst, as the maximum activity was observed at a loading ratio of 12.5 mmol per g sepiolite, which decreased at higher ratios of the semiconductor to sepiolite. Exposure of the treated samples to high-frequency ultrasound at pH 6 was found to enhance the degree of mineralization to 65.1 and 52.1% in the presence of the nanocomposite and P-25, respectively. The outcome was attributed to the unique properties of ultrasound for the cleaning of solid surfaces, for enhancing the mass transfer of solutes to heterogeneous interfaces, and for generation of excess hydroxyl radicals. Finally, the nanocomposite was found to be considerably stable, as it was easily recovered and used four times without a significant loss in activity.
Changes in Mass Treatment of the Canine Parvovirus ICU Population in Relation to Public Policy Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Horecka Kevin , Ratnayaka Nipuni , Davis Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2020

Previous work has indicated that canine parvovirus (CPV) prevalence in the Central Texas region may follow yearly, periodic patterns. The peak in CPV infection rates occurs during the summer months of May and June, marking a distinct “CPV season”. We hypothesized that human activity contributes to these seasonal changes in CPV infections. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in drastic changes in human behavior which happened to synchronize with the CPV season in Central Texas, providing a unique opportunity with which to assess whether these society-level behavioral changes result in appreciable changes in CPV patient populations in the largest CPV treatment facility in Texas. In this work, we examine the population of CPV-infected patients at a large, dedicated CPV treatment clinic in Texas (having treated more than 5000 CPV-positive dogs in the last decade) and demonstrate that societal–behavioral changes due to COVID-19 were associated with a drastic reduction in CPV infections. This reduction occurred precisely when CPV season would typically begin, during the period immediately following state-wide “reopening” of business and facilities, resulting in a change in the typical CPV season when compared with previous years. These results provide evidence that changes in human activity may, in some way, contribute to changes in rates of CPV infection in the Central Texas region.
Evaluation of the Participation of Community Pharmacists in Primary Healthcare Services in Nigeria: A Mixed-Method Survey
Authors: Ihekoronye Maduabuchi R. , Osemene Kanayo P.
Published: December 2020

Background: Achieving universal health coverage in poorly-resourced settings like Nigeria demands optimal mobilization of all healthcare resources including community pharmacists. Such efforts are hampered by insufficient data on primary healthcare (PHC) contributions by community pharmacists. The study aimed to identify PHC services offered by community pharmacists; assess impact of technologies on PHC service quality; and evaluate factors influencing management of PHC services in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 321 community pharmacies and 642 clients was undertaken between April and August, 2019. Semi-structured pre-tested questionnaires were administered on randomly-selected community pharmacists and clients. Interviews were conducted with key informants. Data were summarized using frequency and percentages while weighted averages on 5-point ordinal scales and chi-square tests were used to identify weights and associations between variables respectively at P<.050. Results: Response rates of pharmacists and clients were 74.7% (N=321) and 100% (N=642); while their median ages were 39.41 and 51.20 years respectively. Community pharmacists offered services in all eight domains of PHC, especially supply of medicines for treating of endemic diseases (mean weighted average [MWA]=4.59), and disease prevention (4.54) but least of vaccine administration (2.39). Blood glucose screening devices were the most adopted technology with significant impact on service quality (χ2 6.86, P=.030). Major challenges to management of PHC services were poor awareness of pharmacists’ roles (4.31) and lack of integration with the PHC infrastructure (4.31). Capacity constraints in finances (4.11), technologies (4.09), and human resources (3.99) were significant. However, major facilitators were pharmacists’ managerial skills (4.35), and strong client relationships (4.27). Conclusion: In Nigeria, community pharmacists offered important PHC services. Deploying technologies were associated with improved service quality. If community pharmacists are integrated in the national PHC architecture and financial incentives are provided, their competences and goodwill would enhance the achievement of universal health coverage.
Migration, Retention and Return Migration of Health Professionals Comment on "Doctor Retention: A Cross-sectional Study of How Ireland Has Been Losing the Battle"
Authors: Davda Latha S. , Radford David R. , Gallagher Jennifer E.
Published: December 2020

Medical education and training of health professionals are linked with their recruitment and retention. Practising as a competent health professional requires life-long continuous training and therefore training structures in health systems appear to influence doctors job satisfaction, their well-being and their intentions to remain in that health system. The commentary critiques aspects of the paper on doctors retention in Ireland, while drawing some parallels with the United Kingdom. There appears to be an emerging type of health professional migrants ‘education tourists’ who travel to other countries to obtain medical education creating new routes of migration and this presents new challenges to source and destination countries. The global shortage of doctors and other health professionals further exacerbates health inequalities as seen in the present pandemic and therefore the increased need for research into health professionals’ migration and their integration.
Utilization of Google My Business as a Tourism Promotion Media Using Local Search Engine Optimization
Authors: Purbasari Ayi , Maryono Ghesti Prabawati , Mulyanto Ferry Mulyanto , Gusdya Wanda
Published: December 2020

The tourism industry is an industry that continues to grow in the world, including in Indonesia. Likewise, Kebumen Regency has various tourism potentials ranging from water tourism, mountain tourism, culinary tours, cave tours, cultural tourism and others. One of them is Curug Sindaro, which is located in the north of Kebumen Regency which is precisely located in Wadasmalang Village, Karangsambung District, Kebumen Regency, Central Java. However, in the process of developing and managing it, the tour, which was inaugurated on March 3, 2019, is increasingly experiencing a decline in visitors. Which is where, the main problem is that the promotion is still not optimal.

In the existing tourism development process, of course, requires the media used to carry out promotions with a good marketing strategy. In order to be easily affordable, the right marketing strategy to use is an online marketing strategy. By analyzing promotional needs and analyzing keywords, it can maximize promotion.

The purpose of this research is to implement Local SEO using Google My Business as a promotional medium for Wisata Curug Sindaro which is an online marketing strategy. If the Sindaro waterfall tour is promoted through Google my business, tourists around the Sindaro waterfall will find it easy to find Sindaro waterfall tourism through google and it is hoped that visitors will increase. Because, in this Google My Business has sufficient features for promotion. With the initial stage of registering a Google My Business account, then claiming an existing business. Because previously the Sindaro Curug Tour was already on Google Pages. With several stages of verification and changing the cellphone number that stated the Google My Business account for Sindaro Curug Tourism has been successfully created. However, due to the verification method there are obstacles that have been successfully created is the web page for the Sindaro Waterfall Tour.
Zooms sudamericanos: agendas, vínculos externos y desafíos en el Siglo XXI.
Authors: Simonoff Alejandro
Published: December 2020

LORENZINI, M. E.; CEPPI, N. (Eds.) (2020). Zooms sudamericanos: agendas, vínculos externos y desafíos en el Siglo XXI. Libro digital PDF. Rosario (Argentina): UNR Editora, 197 páginas
Conflictividad y órdenes mundiales Análisis y reflexión sobre las cuatro Cumbres ordenadoras del sistema internacional
Authors: Fernández Luzuriaga Wilson , González Hernán Olmedo
Published: December 2020

Este artículo se inserta en el marco de un proyecto de investigación que culmina el estudio de posibles relaciones entre estructura de poder, conflictividad y construcción de órdenes internacionales, a partir de cumbres multilaterales de gran relevancia: la Paz de Westfalia de 1648, el Congreso de Viena de 1815, la Conferencia de Paz de París de 1919 y la Conferencia de San Francisco de 1945. En una primera instancia, reitera una sistematización de datos cuantitativos sobre estructura del sistema internacional y sus niveles de conflictividad, este indicador derivado de tres datos específicos: número de grandes potencias en conflicto, duración, y severidad de los conflictos entre potencias. Sobre estos aspectos sistémicos del período 1500-2000, el trabajo presenta los siguientes resultados: en ningún momento el sistema registró una estructura unipolar, lo que predominó fue una estructura multipolar elevada; las guerras entre potencias antes de las cumbres de referencia fueron las más conflictivas; los períodos previos a las cumbres, el sistema registró sus mayores niveles de conflictividad. En una segunda instancia, analiza en forma comparada las consecuencias de las cumbres, teniendo en cuenta la ecuación normativa establecida en Westfalia: igualdad jurídica-soberanía-equilibrio de poder.
El “Mundo Uno” del presidente Arturo Frondizi y el Tratado Antártico como ejemplo de esa visión
Authors: Guzmán María Florencia
Published: December 2020

En mayo de 1958 Frondizi asume la presidencia argentina, y, desde sus inicios, planteó que la ejecución del modelo desarrollista era vital para el progreso del país. A partir de entonces, la política exterior estuvo subordinada al logro de tal objetivo, por lo que se caracterizó por poseer un tinte pragmático, a pesar del contexto internacional que primaba en el momento, es decir, la Guerra Fría. Por tal motivo, a lo largo de su gestión mantuvo relaciones diplomáticas y comerciales con diferentes países, sin distinción de ideología, ya fueran capitalistas o comunistas. Frondizi aseguraba que en el futuro nos encontraríamos en un mundo completamente globalizado, desarmado y desnuclearizado, al que llamaba “Mundo Uno”. En consecuencia, la firma del Tratado Antártico puede ser entendida como un momento representativo de tal pensamiento. Argentina se convierte en un actor fundacional del régimen antártico donde la cooperación científica y las relaciones pacíficas entre los países es uno de sus rasgos distintivos.
Turismo antártico:
Authors: Vereda Marisol , Jensen Marie
Published: December 2020

El turismo ha ido ocupando un lugar cada vez más relevante en la agenda de las Reuniones Consultivas del Tratado Antártico en virtud del incremento y diversificación de las prácticas turísticas. Es así que se han generado una serie de preocupaciones e interrogantes vinculados a la protección del ambiente, la seguridad de la vida humana en el mar, la perturbación de la actividad científica, entre otros. Esta contribución tiene como finalidad observar cómo las diferentes preocupaciones inherentes a las prácticas turísticas en la Antártida y el establecimiento de regulaciones se relacionan con la evolución de los flujos de visitantes en sus diferentes modalidades. Para tal fin se ha realizado la revisión de todas las disposiciones emanadas del Sistema del Tratado Antártico entre 1961 y 2019 y de diversas fuentes documentales y de carácter estadístico del turismo antártico, atendiendo al periodo 1958-2019. De esta manera, se presenta una periodización que sintetiza el comportamiento del turismo en la Antártida y el carácter de las deliberaciones en las Reuniones Consultivas.
Irrigation dimensioning of reel machines with water distribution systems: gun and boom with emitters
Authors: Jiménez Espinosa Esequiel Rolando
Published: December 2020

The reel machines irrigation technique has expanded in recent years thanks to the technological improvements that have been introduced. Several investigations have been carried out regarding the effectiveness of the irrigation of this equipment with “gun” type water distribution systems, but very few about the “boom with emitters”. This includes methodological or calculation procedures for dimensioning irrigation in an agricultural area. Therefore, the objective of this work is to establish a comprehensive methodology for the correct dimensioning of irrigation by reel machines with water distribution systems of the "gun" and "boom with emitters" type. Agronomic design is addressed as a fundamental part, and hydraulic design up to the necessary pressure in the hydrant. The relevant aspects in this procedure are that, formulations are included for the dimensioning of irrigation with water distribution systems of the “boom with emitters” type, and that correct values and criteria are used to support the methodology, because these come from authors and institutions of international prestige.
Modelación preliminar del flujo subterráneo en un sector de la cuenca inferior del arroyo del Azul (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: Zimmermann Erik , Fajardo Luisa , Entraigas Ilda
Published: December 2020

Se contruyó un modelo de flujo subterráneo, de carácter distribuido, con entradas y parámetros uniformes para todo el dominio de modelación. Este abordaje simplificado se realizó con el fin de caracterizar procesos generales y ajustar el modelo conceptual preliminar en el área de llanura del arroyo del Azul. Se propusieron metodologías a fin de completar las series discontinuas de niveles freáticos que fueron utilizados como condición de borde aguas arriba seleccionando una regresión lineal entre anomalías diarias de diferencias entre precipitación y evapotranspiración potencial con un retardo semanal con resultados de ajuste satisfactorios. Se consideraron como parámetros globales de calibración la transmisividad del acuífero, el coeficiente de almacenamiento, un coeficiente de recarga, una profundidad crítica para la evapotranspiración y un coeficiente de forma para la curva evapotranspiración vs. profundidad freática. Los coeficientes de eficiencia de Nash-Sutcliffe entre niveles modelados y observados en 6 pozos de control oscilaron entre 0.58 y 0.72. Tras la calibración, se concluyó que los parámetros obtenidos permiten una representación satisfactoria de la evolución de los niveles freáticos en los pozos de observación y de los patrones espaciales de las isofreáticas. Se pone en evidencia el rol prominente del proceso de evapotranspiración, el cual impacta directamente en el acuífero, representando una salida relevante del sistema. En el período de simulación de 43 meses, de características levemente secas, la recarga constituyó el 17 % de la precipitación, el 87 % de la misma retornó a la atmósfera como evapotranspiración, y el acuífero abastecería el 12.7 % de la evapotranspiración potencial del período. Se considera que la modelación simplificada permitió una aceptable representación del comportamiento del acuífero freático.
Una mirada de y desde la antropología:
Authors: Dellacasa María Alejandra
Published: December 2020

Los estudios de antropología de la ciencia surgen en los ‘90 con una profunda inquietud por ahondar, desde una mirada antropológica, en la comprensión de la ciencia y la tecnología occidentales. En este trabajo nos proponemos recuperar algunos aportes significativos de la tradición antropológica que evidencian la riqueza de concebir una ciencia multiperspectivizada, en contraposición al modelo de ciencia único y universal. En este sentido, asumimos que ciertos cuestionamientos y las “crisis” al interior de la propia disciplina antropológica, han permitido que se posicionara con cierto distanciamiento y relativas “ventajas” para analizar las modalidades de producción de conocimiento y los canones de la ciencia occidental.
Dos conceptos andinos para pensar la sociedad contemporánea:
Authors: Santos Jorge Alejandro , Mejía Huamán Mario , Durante Santiago Gariel
Published: December 2020

Este trabajo propone un diálogo intercultural entre conceptos de dos lenguas y dos culturas. Partiendo de la dificultad de traducir la palabra del español ‘pobre’ a la lengua quechua por no tener esta un concepto de significado similar, se analiza su traducción impropia como ‘wakcha’ que significa originalmente ‘huérfano’. La hipótesis planteada sugiere que la diferencia y dificultad de traducción revela algunas claves que ayudan a comprender la cosmovisión implícita en la cultura y lengua andina, así como la propia cultura y cosmovisión implícita en las sociedades latinoamericanas contemporáneas.
Aportes de Alexander Chayanov a los estudios de la antropología económica y rural
Authors: Fleitas Karina , Paz Magalí , Valverde Sebastián
Published: December 2020

En este artículo nos proponemos analizar los principales planteos del agrónomo Ruso A. Chayanov (1890-1930) cuyos aportes fueron claves para el análisis de la denominada Economía Campesina o “Unidad Económica Campesina”. En primer lugar, retomaremos el contexto de Rusia a fines del Siglo XIX y principios del XX, fundamental para comprender sus planteos y el debate con los autores marxistas. Luego, estudiaremos los principales aspectos por los cuales su obra tuvo una gran repercusión en la Antropología Económica y Rural. Finalmente, analizamos cómo sus categorías fueron retomadas desde la Antropología en América Latina y, en particular, en Argentina en los años ‘60 y ‘70.
PENGARUH VARIASI SUHU TEMPERING 200oC 400oC 600oC TERHADAP KEKERASAN DAN KETANGGUHAN BAJA JIS G4801 SUP 9
Authors: Pranata Septian , Asmadi Asmadi , Husni Tarmizi , Afriany Reny
Published: December 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh variasi suhu tempering terhadap kekerasan dan ketangguhan baja karbon medium SUP 9 yang dilakukan proses tempering. Spesimen dibagi menjadi 2 bagian yaitu spesimen tanpa perlakuan dan spesimen dengan perlakuan pemanasan pada suhu 850oC dengan waktu penundaan 1 jam, kemudian di quench air. Proses ini menghasilkan baja yang keras, rapuh dan getas. Kemudian spesimen tersebut di temper kembali dengan variasi suhu temper 200oC, 400oC dan 600oC dengan waktu penundaan 30 menit dan selanjutnya dilakukan pendinginan udara. Dengan memanaskan kembali baja tersebut maka akan didapatkan baja yang mempunyai kekerasan yang lebih rendah dari baja yang dilakukan pemanasan pada suhu 850oC, tetapi mempunyai nilai ketangguhan yang lebih besar dibandingkan dengan baja yang di panaskan pada suhu 850oC. Dari hasil pengujian menunjukkan nilai kekerasan paling rendah yaitu pada suhu temper 600oC. Dari hasil pengujian impak menunjukkan nilai ketangguhan bahan paling rendah yaitu pada suhu temper 200oC. Hal ini menunjukkan semakin besar suhu temper yang digunakan maka semakin menurun kekuatan tariknya dan sebaliknya semakin besar suhu temper yang digunakan maka semakin besar pula nilai ketangguhan baja tersebut. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa nilai kekerasan dan ketangguhan baja setelah ditemper berbanding terbalik.

Kata Kunci: quenching, suhu tempering, kekerasan, ketangguhan.