bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flora i fauna rezerwatu przyrody Jezioro Kiełpińskie i sąsiednich starorzeczy w strefie podmiejskiej Warszawy
Authors: Romanowski Jerzy , Boniecki Paweł , Kaliszewicz Anita , Kloss Marek , Olejniczka Izabella
Published: August 2020

Field surveys for aquatic plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates along the banks of Kiełpińskie Lake and surrounding oxbows were conducted in June – August 2010. The study area is located in the Vistula River valley near Warsaw in central Poland. The results document the richness of flora and fauna species in the J. Kielpińskie reserve and adjacent aquatic habitats. A large number of protected species of plants and vertebrates were recorded in the area, including amphibians, birds, and mammals that are of particular importance to the European community, such as the fire-bellied toad, little bittern, western marsh harrier, beaver, and otter. Among aquatic plant communities, the community of "water lilies" Nupharo-Nymphaeetum was distinguished as the most valuable. The chain of oxbow lakes connected by a small stream forms an important ecological corridor. The presence of protected species and rare plant communities associated with the aquatic environment requires a responsible approach to the conservation of these habitats, located in close proximity to a large urban area. It also requires a holistic approach to nature protection in the reserve. In this case, not only should Kiełpińskie Lake be protected, but also its surroundings, which form elements of an ecological corridor.
Innovative intelligence: a three-component vector model
Authors: Chernoles Vladimir , Khudaynazarova Dinara
Published: August 2020

This paper considers the limited nature of the existing psychodiagnostic procedures designed to make an objective evaluation of human intelligence and the level of its readiness for innovative activity. The author introduces the concept of innovative intelligence and offers its three-vector model consisting of analytical, creative, and practical intelligence. This approach can serve as the basis for the optimum formation of a creative group, its role structurization, and rating of the level of readiness of a person for innovative activity.
Population of the invasive harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Pelješac Peninsula, southern Croatia
Authors: Ceryngier Piotr , Romanowski Jerzy , Szymańska Justyna , Galanciak Maja , Bardzińska Marta , Romanowski Mateusz
Published: August 2020

Samples of the invasive alien ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, were collected between 27 July and 8 August 2013 at four localities on the Pelješac Peninsula in southern Croatia. Altogether, 209 individuals were collected, of which 114 (54.5%) were males and 95 (45.5%) females. Three color forms were present in the samples: the non-melanic form succinea and the melanic forms spectabilis and conspicua. The form succinea clearly predominated (90.5% of collected individuals) followed by spectabilis (8.1%) and conspicua (1.4%). The ectoparasitic fungus Hesperomyces virescens, not previously reported from Croatia, was found on the elytron of one H. axyridis individual. The localities in Pelješac Peninsula mentioned in this paper are the southernmost of all Croatian localities so far reported to be colonized by H. axyridis.
Ekofilozoficzne znaczenie przesłania Hildegardy z Bingen
Authors: Łepko Zbigniew , Sadowski Ryszard F.
Published: August 2020

This article presents the medieval thought of Hildegard of Bingen, which seems to be very topical at this time of ecological crisis. In a prophetic way, this outstanding, European, medieval figure saw the challenges that civilized humankind faces in our time. In her works we find the roots of such popular ideas as a holistic view of the world and sustainable development. According to Hildegard of Bingen, original harmony between God, mankind, and the world is upset by irresponsible human deeds. Hildegard points out that mankind, which is the first victim of its own deeds, is able to recognize a critical situation and take steps to overcome the crisis. Hildegard of Bingen’s work expresses optimism about mankind’s ability to change its attitude towards nature This optimism is derived from the spiritual and intellectual skills of mankind.
Drzewa – pomniki przyrody jako element krajobrazu kulturowego
Authors: Affek-Starczewska Agnieszka , Starczewski Krzysztof , Pawlonka Zbigniew , Skrzyczyńska Janina
Published: August 2020

The history of the protection of the special qualities of trees is almost as old as humanity itself. !e protection of trees was mainly associated with a kind of sacrum, which surrounded old and large trees. There are plenty of reasons why old trees are protected, but their popularity as tourist attractions varies widely. !is study was an attempt at determining the attractiveness of monumental trees as monuments and a part of the cultural landscape. !e analysis was conducted on sites with monumental trees in six regions: Siedlce, Mińsk Mazowiecki, Biała Podlaska, Repki, Czeremcha, and Mrozy, as well as the towns: Siedlce, Biała Podlaska and Minsk Mazowiecki. Most of the monumental trees were found in alley systems and historical parks, formerly belonging to manors and palaces. Only a few were found in the &elds. In addition to the trees ofnative origin were introduced species, imported specially for cultivation in gardens and parks. Among these, the most numerous were specimens of small-leaved lime. English oak was somewhat less frequent.
Owady (mrówki, chrząszcze, motyle) jako biowskaźniki
Authors: Marcjanek Marta , Słodownik Patrycja , Ilieva-Makulec Krassimira
Published: August 2020

This paper is about bioindication, which is a method of assessing environmental conditions by using the response of organisms to changes in the environment. On the basis of available literature, some examples using selected groups of insects (ants, beetles, and butterflies) as bioindicators are discussed.
Мотивация как стимулирующий фактор в изучении иностранных языков взрослыми учащимися
Authors: Balčiūnaitienė Asta , Daukšytė Jovita , Voronova Larisa
Published: August 2020

Learning foreign languages is one of the most important skills intended for all adult learners and lasting all their lives. Because of the processes of globalization in the world, knowing foreign languages is perceived as being very valuable. Motivation can be described as an entity of external and internal factors that encourage a person to achieve certain goals. External motivation is influenced by a variety of external factors, i.e. a wish to get a better-paid job, a possibility to travel abroad, or success at an exam. Internal motivation is largely dependent on a person him/herself. It can be emotions caused by the process of learning or a desire to feel comfortable in multicultural surroundings. There are various factors that emerge when adults learn foreign languages: career, change of job or living place, family reasons, free-time and etc. In addition, every person should be encouraged to learn foreign languages and conditions must be met to achieve that. Dis paper presents a research carried out in 2012 by Vytautas Magnus University lecturers. Its aim was to determine the factors that motivate adult learners to study foreign languages in the extra-mural studies at Vytautas Magnus University as well as in English and Russian language courses for the general public at the university. For the research, 130 questionnaires were distributed among adult learners. In the questionnaires, the respondents were asked to indicate the motivating factors that make them learn foreign languages, their learning experiences, and difficulties. Afterward, the respondents were asked to indicate what skills and competencies they expect to acquire and if their expectations and needs for studying were met.
Peculiarities of biotic interactions in the soil system
Authors: Striganova Bella
Published: August 2020

The heterogeneity of the soil environment is an important factor in the taxonomic and ecological diversity of the soil animal population. The contribution of invertebrates to the formation of aerial space in mineral soil horizons, in the form of a stable system of biopores, is considered on the basis of the author’s original materials and literature data. Aerial space is the necessary condition for the life of aerobiotic forms in the mineral soil, which comprise the bulk of soil invertebrates belonging to meso- and macrofauna. Zoogenic mechanisms of the formation of soil pores and soil aggregates are analyzed. Pore walls and aggregate surfaces are populated by different groups of pedobionts. !e partial isolation of these loci decreases predation, which creates conditions for the maintenance of high diversity and abundance of animal populations in the restricted volume of the populated soil profile.
Growth Retardation of Poorly Transfectable Tumor by Multiple Injections of Plasmids Encoding PE40 Based Targeted Toxin Complexed with Polyethylenimine
Authors: Khodarovich Yuriy , Rakhmaninova Darya , Kagarlitskiy German , Baryshnikova Anastasia , Deyev Sergey
Published: August 2020

Background:

One of the approaches to cancer gene therapy relies on tumor transfection
with DNA encoding toxins under the control of tumor-specific promoters.

Methods:

Here, we used DNA plasmids encoding very potent anti-ERBB2 targeted toxin, driven by
the human telomerase promoter or by the ubiquitous CAG promoter (pTERT-ETA and pCAG-ETA)
and linear polyethylenimine to target cancer cells.

Results:

We showed that the selectivity of cancer cell killing by the pTERT-ETA plasmid is highly
dependent upon the method of preparation of DNA-polyethylenimine complexes. After adjustment of
complex preparation protocol, cell lines with high activity of telomerase promoter can be selectively
killed by transfection with the pTERT-ETA plasmid. We also showed that cells transfected with
pTERT-ETA and pCAG-ETA plasmids do not exert any detectable bystander effect in vitro.

Conclusion:

Despite this, three intratumoral injections of a plasmid-polyethylenimine complex resulted
in substantial growth retardation of a poorly transfectable D2F2/E2 tumor in mice. There were no
significant differences in anti-tumor properties between DNA constructs with telomerase or CAG
promoters in vivo.
Stroke History is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Prognosis in Ischemic Stroke Patients: Results from a Large Nationwide Stroke Registry
Authors: Qin Haiqiang , Wang Penglian , Zhang Runhua , Yu Miaoxin , Zhang Guitao , Liu Gaifen , Wang Yongjun
Published: August 2020

Background:

There is some controversy whether stroke history is an independent risk
factor for poor prognosis of stroke or not. This study aimed to investigate the difference of mortality,
disability and recurrent rate of ischemic stroke patients without and with stroke history, as well
as to explore the effect of stroke history on stroke prognosis.

Methods:

We analyzed patients with ischemic stroke enrolled in the China National Stroke Registry
which was a nationwide, multicenter, and prospective registry of consecutive patients with
acute cerebrovascular events from 2007 to 2008. Multivariable logistic regression was performed
to assess the risk of worse prognosis of stroke history in patients with ischemic stroke.

Results:

A total of 8181(65.9%) patients without stroke history and 4234(34.1%) patients with
stroke history were enrolled in the study. The mortality, recurrence, modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
3-6 rate was 11.4%, 14.7% and 28.5% respectively at 1 year for patients without stroke history,
which was significantly lower than that of 17.3%, 23.6%, 42.1% in patients with stroke history, respectively.
Multivariable analysis showed that patients with stroke history had higher risk of death
[odds ratio (OR) 1.34,95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.54], recurrence (OR 1.47, 95 % CI
1.31-1.65) and mRS 3-6 (OR 1.49,95% CI 1.34-1.66) at 1 year.

Conclusion:

After adjusting for the potential confounders, stroke history was still an independent
risk factor for poor prognosis of ischemic stroke, which further emphasizes the importance of secondary
prevention of ischemic stroke. The specific causes of poor prognosis in patients with history
of stroke need to be furtherly investigated.
Naphthoquinone-based Hydrazone Hybrids: Synthesis and Potent Activity Against Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Guimaráes Délis Galváo , de Assis Gonsalves Arlan , Rolim Larissa Araújo , Araújo Edigênia Cavalcante , dos Anjos Santos Victória Laysna , Silva Maria Francilene Souza , de Cássia Evangelista de Oliveira Fátima , da Costa Marcília Pinheiro , Pessoa Claudia , Fonseca Goulart Marília Oliveira , Silva Thaissa Lucio , Santos Danyelle Cândido , Araújo Cleônia Roberta Melo
Published: August 2020

Background:

Natural naphthoquinones have shown diversified biological activities including
antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and cytotoxic activities. However, they are also compounds
with acute cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and cardio- and hepatotoxicity,
and the modification at their redox center is an interesting strategy to overcome such harmful activity.

Objective:

In this study, four novel semisynthetic hydrazones, derived from the isomers α- and β-
lapachones (α and β, respectively) and coupled with the drugs hydralazine (HDZ) and isoniazid
(ACIL), were prepared, evaluated by electrochemical methods and assayed for anticancer activity.

Methods:

The semisynthetic hydrazones were obtained and had their molecular structures established
by NMR, IR, and MS. Anticancer activity was evaluated by cell viability determined by reduction
of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The electrochemical
studies, mainly cyclic voltammetry, were performed, in aprotic and protic media.

Results:

The study showed that the compounds 2, 3, and 4 were active against at least one of the
cancer cell lines evaluated, compounds 3 and 4 being the most cytotoxic. Toward HL-60 cells,
compound 3 was 20x more active than β-lapachone, and 3x more cytotoxic than doxorubicin. Furthermore,
3 showed an SI value of 39.62 for HL-60 cells. Compound 4 was active against all cancer
cells tested, with IC50 values in the range 2.90–12.40 μM. Electrochemical studies revealed a profile
typical of self-protonation and reductive cleavage, dependent on the supporting electrolyte.

Conclusion:

These results therefore indicate that compounds 3 and 4 are strong candidates as prototypes
of new antineoplastic drugs.
Cadmium Contamination, Bioavailability, Uptake Mechanism and Remediation Strategies in Soil-Plant-Environment System: a Critical Review
Authors: Riaz Umair , Aslam Ambreen , Qamar uz Zaman  , Javeid Sabiha , Gul Rehman , Iqbal Shazia , Javid Sana , Murtaza Ghulam , Jamil Moazzam
Published: August 2020

Background:

Cadmium contamination is becoming an important issue globally due to its
high toxicity and carcinogenicity, leading to detrimental effects on both environmental and human
health. This review paper discusses the different sources of cadmium, its toxic effects on the environment
and human health, and the influence of different soil factors in changing the speciation and
bioavailability of cadmium in soil. This paper also covers research on different remediation strategies
currently available for reducing cadmium bioavailability.

Methods:

Previous research and critical comparison of cadmium extent, toxicity, effects and management
were studied

Results:

The carcinogenic nature of Cadmium is of significant human health concern. Cadmium is
found in both free and complexed forms, where its availability depends on its speciation in soil. In
soil, oxidizing conditions and high pH decrease cadmium bioavailability and speciation. Here, organic
matter can also act as both a sink and source of cadmium and microbes perform many mobilization
processes including protonation, chelation, and chemical transformation whereas, sorption or precipitation
decreases cadmium availability. Continuous exposure to cadmium can result in browning, decomposing
and mucilaginous roots, shoot reduction and apical growth of root, chlorosis, and rolling
of leaves. Toxicity may inhibit lateral root formation or can result in rigid, twisted, and browning of
the main root. Toxicity also affects photosynthesis and the availability of mineral nutrients. In this
paper, the remediation techniques of soil polluted by Cd, including biological, chemical and physical
remediation are reviewed. The methods of remediation, developing trends, drawbacks, and strengths
were also reviewed to provide a reference for the research in this field to date.

Conclusion:

Although cadmium toxicity is of great concern, many remediation techniques can be
successfully used to mitigate its adverse effects. Phytoremediation, hyperaccumulation, bioremediation,
and the application of different amendments to the soil have all been successful in alleviating
cadmium bioavailability. Amongst all available techniques, in-situ immobilization with inorganic,
organic or clay amendments is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective strategy to remediate
cadmium contaminated soils and achieve sustainable agriculture production.
A Review of the Characteristics, Properties and Methods for Quantification of Roxithromycin
Authors: Rubatino Martins Marcus Vinicius , Santos Ana Laura Araújo , dos Santos Rayssa Araújo , de Araújo Magali Benjamim
Published: August 2020

Roxithromycin is one of the most frequently used macrolide antibiotics, a safe group of
antimicrobials, that acts against Gram-positive bacteria and some Gram-negative bacteria. It is sold
in several countries in different dosage forms (tablets and capsules) and strengths (50, 100, 150 and
300 mg). Several analytical methods have been described to quantify roxithromycin in different matrices,
such as biological and environmental samples and food. Identifying the main characteristics
of the drugs and selecting appropriate analytical methods for their quantification are of paramount
importance for understanding the behavior of drugs, metabolites and impurities. This review presents
the physical-chemical and microbiological characteristics, properties as well as methods for
quantification of roxithromycin in biological fluids, pharmaceutical preparations, food and environmental
samples. HPLC coupled to various detection systems is the most used analytical technique
to determine roxithromycin in these matrices. Although many analytical methods have been reported
for the analysis of this drug, it is very important to include in this context a prospective view to
implement new analytical technologies for the quality control of this antimicrobial that contributes
to the preservation of economic and environmental impacts.
Scaling Method for Batch Effect Correction of Gene Expression Data Based on Spectral Clustering
Authors: Matsuda Momo , Ye Xiucai , Sakurai Tetsuya
Published: August 2020

Background:

Batch effects are usually introduced in gene expression data, which can dramatically reduce the
accuracy of statistical inference in the genomic analysis since samples in different batches cannot be directly comparable.

Objective:

To accurately measure biological variability and obtain correct statistical inference, we considered to correct /
remove the batch effects for merging the samples from different batches into a comparable dataset for high-throughput
genomic analysis.

Methods:

The existing L/S model uses the empirical Bayes methods to find the constant values for multiplication/addition
for each gene. Different from the L/S model, we used the dimensionality reduction method. We proposed an effective
scaling method to scale each gene by multiplying a constant value, which was formulated as an optimization problem
based on spectral clustering. The data samples from different batches can be merged into a comparable dataset with batch
effect correction. Furthermore, we proposed an approximation solution to solve the optimization problem for the scaling
adjustment values.

Results:

We evaluated the proposed method on both artificial and gene expression datasets by comparing it with the
existing well-established batch effect correction methods. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method projects
the data samples from different batches to resemble each other and outperforms the others on both microarray and singlecell RNA-seq datasets.

Conclusion:

The scaling adjustment for genes and dimensionality reduction improved the accuracy and removed the
batch effects, thereby making the proposed method more robust for interfering genes.
Phytochemical Research and Antimicrobial Properties of Lipophylic Extracts of Some Species of Salix L. Genus from Ukraine
Authors: Borodina Natalia , Raal Ain , Kovalyov Volodimir , Osolodchenko Tetiana , Koshovyi Оleh , Nguyen Hoai Thi , Komissarenko Andrey
Published: August 2020

Background:

Willows are indispensable for the creation of anti-erosion plantations, preliminary soil-improving crops in the reclamation of disturbed lands, as well as for energy plantations designed to produce the biomass suitable for biofuels. In the process of care and thinning of these plantations, there are a huge amount of waste remains - young willow branches and leaves, which would be advisable to use in medical and pharmaceutical practice to create new supplements and medicines. They are known to possess antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Objective:

The aim of the current paper is to determine the chemical composition of lipophylic extracts of some species of Salix L. genus and to study their antimicrobial properties.

Methods:

The lipophylic extracts from Salix cinerea L., S. incana Schrank, S. cаprea L., S. sachalinensis F. Schmidt, S. acutifolia L., S. fragilis L., S. caspica Pall., S. rosmarinifolia L. and S. myrsinifolia Salisb. fresh shoots were obtained using chloroform in the Soxhlet apparatus. The composition of volatile components and carboxylic acids was determined using quantitative content of chlorophylls and carotenoids was measured spectrophotometrically. The antibacterial activity was studied by the agar diffusion method.

Results:

The methods used allowed identifying 46 volatile compounds in the lipophylic extracts from the shoots of the plants of Salix L. genus, where eugenol and squalene dominated; as well as 42 organic acids, among which benzoic, methoxybenzoic, salicylic acids prevailed, and palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acids were found to prevail among fatty acids. All lipophylic extracts studied showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans.

Conclusion:

The results obtained indicate the possibility of the creation of a novel antimicrobial agent using the lipophylic extracts from the shoots of Salix L. genus rich in different biologically active substances.
Predictive Performance of two Measures of Prognostic Mortality of Cancer Patients in Intensive Care Unit in Jordan: A Comparative Single-Centre Study
Authors: Almansour Issa M. , Aldalaykeh Mohammad K. , Saleh Zyad T. , Yousef Khalil M. , Alnaeem Mohammad M.
Published: August 2020

Background:

Information is presently insufficient about using Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) mortality predicting models for cancer patients in intensive care unit (ICU).

Objective:

To evaluates the performance of APACHE II and IV in predicting mortality for cancer patients in ICU.

Interventions/Methods:

This was a retrospective study including adult patients admitted to an ICU in a medical center in Jordan. Actual mortality rate was determined and compared with mortality rates predicted by APACHE II and IV models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the sensitivity, specificity and predictive performance of both scores. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect that APACHE II, APACHE IV and other sample characteristics have on predicting mortality.

Results:

251 patients (survived=80; none-survived=171) were included in the study with an actual mortality rate of 68.1%. APACHE II and APACHE IV scores demonstrated similar predicted mortality rates (43.3% vs. 43.0%), sensitivity (52.6% vs. 52.0%), and specificity (76.3%, 76.2%), respectively. The area under (AUC), the ROC curve for APACHE II score was 0.714 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.645–0.783), and AUC for APACHE IV score was 0.665 (95% CI 0.595–0.734).

Conclusions:

As APACHE ӀӀ and ӀV mortality models demonstrate insufficient predicting performance, there is no need to consider APACHE IV in our ICU instead of using APACHE ӀӀ as it has more variables and need longer data extraction time.

Implications for Practice:

We suggest that other approaches in addition to the available models should be attempted to improve the accuracy of cancer prognosis in ICU. Further, it is also required to adjust the available models.
Safety Evaluation of Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oils through Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity and Skin Irritation in Mice and Rats
Authors: Mengiste Berhan , Zenebe Tizazu , Dires Kassahun , Lulekal Ermias , Mekonnen Awol , Zegeye Nigus , Shiferaw Yoseph
Published: August 2020

Background:

The Eucalyptus globulus extractions have been used by the traditional
healers to treat diseases in the study area. Our previous study revealed that the essential
oil has antimicrobial and antifungal activity. This study determined phytochemical analysis,
skin irritation, acute and subacute toxicity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil in mice
and rats.

Methods:

The phytochemicals were analyzed using GC-MS mass spectrometry. The acute
toxicity study was determined at three dose levels of 1500 mg/kg, 1750mg/kg, and 2000
mg/kg. The essential oil limit test at a dose of 1000 mg/kg was administered to mice for 28
consecutive days for sub-acute toxicity study. The mice mortality, behavioral change, injury
and other signs of illness were recorded once daily. Biochemical parameters were evaluated.
Liver and kidney were analyzed for histopathological analyses. The 5% ointment formulation
was applied to the rat skin to determine skin irritation effects.

Results:

The Eucalyptus globulus essential oil showed no effect on the mice at a dose of
1500mg/kg and below, but caused signs of toxicity and death at a dose of 1750mg/kg and
above compared to the controls (p<0.05). The LD50 value was 1650 mg/kg. There was no
significant difference (p>0.05) in the body weights, gross abnormalities of the organs and
biochemical parameters compared to the control at 1000 mg/kg subacute toxicity study. No
histopathological changes were detected in the organs tested. The 5% ointment formulation
did not show any abnormal skin reaction.

Discussion:

In the present study, the Eucalyptus globulus essential oil was comparable with
other studies in terms of both chemical composition and its effects on sub-acute and topical
application.

Conclusion:

This toxicity study demonstrated that Eucalyptus globulus essential oil is nontoxic
at a relatively lower concentration.
El internet de las cosas oportunidades y desafíos
Authors: Gómez Jorge E.
Published: August 2020

El concepto de Internet de las cosas (IoT), “describe la interconexión de objetos físicos del mundo real con la Internet”, este término fue acuñado por primera vez en el año 1999 por Kevin Ashton. Si bien para ese entonces las redes de telecomunicaciones estaban en su estado incipiente, a duras penas los ordenadores se conectaban por la red telefónica conmutada (RTC), con anchos de banda en rangos desde 1 kbps hasta 56 kbps (kilobits por segundo). Era inverosímil pensar que se pudiera conectar cualquier objeto a la red y transmitir información. Sin embargo, esa visión de Kevin Ashton se ha empezado a materializar en los últimos años, gracias a avances en la nanotecnología y sus implicaciones en las infraestructuras de red; con mayores velocidades de anchos de banda y ubicuidad en la conectividad soportada por redes de cuarta y quinta generación (4G y 5G), teniendo en cuenta que las últimas aún se encuentran en desarrollo. Actualmente, los dispositivos han mejorado enormemente su capacidad de procesamiento, almacenamiento y transmisión, permitiendo así conectar cualquier objeto a la red de Internet. Hoy ya se puede obtener información en tiempo real sobre datos de variables ambientales distribuidas en el mundo, que permiten saber el estado del tiempo. De igual forma, se puede saber de forma inmediata el estado del tráfico de una ciudad, el nivel de combustible de un vehículo, el ritmo cardiaco de un paciente, los alimentos próximos a vencer en un refrigerador, la ubicación de un animal o una persona y cualquier cantidad de información que requiera ser medida. A continuación se listan importantes áreas de trabajo en aplicaciones IoT:
Ambientes interactivos mediados por las tic: innovación del desarrollo auditivo y comunicativo de la población con deficiencia auditiva
Authors: Parra Carlos Julio , Castellanos Ángela Marcela , Pardo Luis Ernesto
Published: August 2020

Este artículo describe el desarrollo de “Escúchame” un software on line creado con la intención de mejorar progresivamente el desempeño de personas con disminución en su capacidad auditiva y comunicativa por medio de actividades lúdicas e interactivas que integren al niño como usuario y la familia como agente social primario. El objetivo es fortalecer la creación de herramientas interactivas de bajo costo, que sean accesibles tanto a las personas con disminución en su capacidad auditiva y comunicativa, a las familias y a los especialistas en el tema.
Hábitos de ingreso y resultados en las evaluaciones en cursos en línea masivos con reconocimiento académico
Authors: Solarte Mario , Ramírez Gustavo A , Jaramillo Daniel A.
Published: August 2020

Ante el éxito de los cursos en línea abiertos y masivos y las distintas estrategias para incorporar sus estrategias en educación superior, retos como la atención adecuada que un limitado equipo docente debe hacer a una gran cantidad de estudiantes se hace cada vez más necesaria. Un primer aspecto a resolver tiene que ver con los hábitos de conexión de los estudiantes al curso en línea con reconocimiento académico y las implicaciones que ello tiene respecto a diversos aspectos como por ejemplo el rendimiento académico o la labor del equipo docente y de apoyo. En este artículo se muestra los resultados relacionados con los patrones de acceso de más de 700 estudiantes inscritos en el curso “Astronomía cotidiana” en la Universidad del Cauca y las variables asociadas a dichos patrones.
Actitudes Y Percepciones De Los Estudiantes, Docentes Y Directivos Sobre Enseñanza Y Aprendizaje Flexibles, E Incorporación De Tic
Authors: Ñáñez José J. , Solano Juan C. , Bernal Edwin
Published: August 2020

La construcción de ambientes digitales de aprendizaje es uno de los retos contemporáneos de la modalidad a distancia en la educación superior colombiana. Lo es en mayor medida para los programas académicos en formación inicial docente, al encontrarse ante un principio de flexibilidad que supone escenarios de aprendizaje sustentados en la mediación tecnológica, y que a su vez, modifican la relación entre docente y estudiante. En el presente artículo se da cuenta de las actitudes y percepciones que estudiantes, docentes y directivos poseen con relación a la enseñanza y el aprendizaje flexibles, y la incorporación de TIC en los procesos educativos. Se realizaron dos estudios exploratorios y correlacionales sobre actitudes de docentes y estudiantes, aplicando dos cuestionarios, y otros dos estudios exploratorios y descriptivos sobre percepciones de docentes y directivos, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Aunque se reconoce la utilidad de las TIC, prevalece su uso instrumentalizado y la inseguridad frente a su potencial pedagógico y formativo.
Experiencia Potencia tu Mente en el Programa MenTES – Proyecto MOOCMenTES
Authors: Peláez Manuel Fernando , Arévalo Fernández Deicy
Published: August 2020

Tras la experiencia de la sesión denominada “Potencia tu Mente” en el marco del proyecto MOOCMenTES, desarrollada en el corregimiento de Coconuco-Purace, se comparten los aspectos más relevantes como son las estrategias didácticas y pedagógicas, la metodología de la sesión y resultados.
Influencia de contenidos hipermedia e hipertextos en el desarrollo de la lectura inferencial en aprendices de 5° Grado.
Authors: Ruiz Arteaga Armando Rafael , Petro Contreras Edgar Ramón
Published: August 2020

El propósito principal de este artículo es mostrar la influencia de los contenidos hipermedia e hipertexto en el desarrollo de la lectura inferencial, en estudiantes de básica primaria. La muestra participante fue de 58 estudiantes de quinto grado de la Institución Educativa Antonia Santos en Montería-Colombia. En edades entre 9 y 12 años. El alcance de este trabajo es de tipo descriptivo, el cual se consideró a través de un enfoque cuantitativo con diseño cuasi-experimental. Los resultados muestran que la mediación a través de contenidos hipermediales e hipertextuales logra una mejora en la mayoría de los dominios relacionados con el nivel inferencial de lectura especialmente en los dominios lógico y argumentativo. Dichos dominios permiten advertir, que los estudiantes que fueron sometidos a la intervención (mediación con contenidos en formato de hipertextos e hipermedia) mejoraron su capacidad para reconocer y manejar estructuras sintácticas más complejas. Sin embargo, se recomienda tener en cuenta una mayor población y establecer un mejor control de variables para verificar si la influencia se mantiene.
La prensa escrita y su contribución a la lectura crítica y la escritura argumentada
Authors: Doria Correa Rudy , Calle González Benjamín , Pérez Solipá Juan
Published: August 2020

Este artículo muestra los resultados de un proyecto de investigación realizado en la Institución Educativa Germán Gómez Peláez, de Puerto Libertador - Córdoba, con el objetivo de establecer la contribución del trabajo con la prensa escrita, desde un enfoque comunicativo del lenguaje, en el desarrollo de la lectura crítica y escritura argumentada de los estudiantes de grado 10º.  Teóricamente se sustenta en la concepción comunicativa y discursiva del lenguaje, y se apoya en los postulados de autores como María Cristina Martínez, Daniel Casanny, Carlos Lomas, entre otros. Se asumió una metodología de carácter cualitativo interpretativo que comprendió tres fases: exploratoria, con el objetivo de analizar el enfoque del lenguaje y las estrategias didácticas que aplican los profesores en la enseñanza de la lectura y la escritura, mediante la aplicación de una entrevista semiestructurada a 4 docentes de lenguaje; ejecución, que comprendió el diseño y aplicación de un sistema de secuencias didácticas, desde la perspectiva comunicativa del lenguaje, para el desarrollo de la lectura crítica y la escritura argumentada a 30 estudiantes de grado 10º; valoración, se realizaron grupos de discusión con el fin de evaluar los resultados de la aplicación del sistema de secuencias didácticas, teniendo en cuenta las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre sus prácticas de comprensión y producción escrita. Los resultados de la aplicación de las secuencias didácticas, permitió a los estudiantes leer e identificar las intenciones y propósitos comunicativos de los textos de opinión, sus enunciados e inclinaciones ideológicas y las intenciones de manipulación y manejo del poder. Del mismo modo, se evidenciaron avances en su capacidad de escribir columnas de opinión teniendo en cuenta los elementos micro, macro y superestructurales de los textos, al tiempo que mejoraron sus estrategias de argumentación.
Actionable Items to Address Challenges Incorporating Peer Support Specialists Within an Integrated Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder System: Co-Designed Qualitative Study
Authors: Almeida Margaret , Day Annie , Smith Bret , Bianco Cynthia , Fortuna Karen
Published: August 2020

Background

Peer support specialists offering mental health and substance use support services have been shown to reduce stigma, hospitalizations, and health care costs. However, as peer support specialists are part of a fast-growing mental health and substance use workforce in innovative integrated care settings, they encounter various challenges in their new roles and tasks.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore peer support specialists’ experiences regarding employment challenges in integrated mental health and substance use workplace settings in New Hampshire, USA.

Methods

Using experience-based co-design, nonpeer academic researchers co-designed this study with peer support specialists. We conducted a series of focus groups with peer support specialists (N=15) from 3 different integrated mental health and substance use agencies. Audio recordings were transcribed. Data analysis included content analysis and thematic analysis.

Results

We identified 90 final codes relating to 6 themes: (1) work role and boundaries, (2) hiring, (3) work-life balance, (4) work support, (5) challenges, and (6) identified training needs.

Conclusions

The shared values of experience-based co-design and peer support specialists eased facilitation between peer support specialists and nonpeer academic researchers, and indicated that this methodology is feasible for nonpeer academic researchers and peer support specialists alike. Participants expressed challenges with agency restrictions, achieving work-life balance, stigma, and low compensation. We present actionable items to address these challenges in integrated mental health and substance use systems to potentially offset workforce dissatisfaction and high turnover rates.
Identification of Emotional Expression With Cancer Survivors: Validation of Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count
Authors: McDonnell Michelle , Owen Jason Edward , Bantum Erin O'Carroll
Published: August 2020

Background

Given the high volume of text-based communication such as email, Facebook, Twitter, and additional web-based and mobile apps, there are unique opportunities to use text to better understand underlying psychological constructs such as emotion. Emotion recognition in text is critical to commercial enterprises (eg, understanding the valence of customer reviews) and to current and emerging clinical applications (eg, as markers of clinical progress and risk of suicide), and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) is a commonly used program.

Objective

Given the wide use of this program, the purpose of this study is to update previous validation results with two newer versions of LIWC.

Methods

Tests of proportions were conducted using the total number of emotion words identified by human coders for each emotional category as the reference group. In addition to tests of proportions, we calculated F scores to evaluate the accuracy of LIWC 2001, LIWC 2007, and LIWC 2015.

Results

Results indicate that LIWC 2001, LIWC 2007, and LIWC 2015 each demonstrate good sensitivity for identifying emotional expression, whereas LIWC 2007 and LIWC 2015 were significantly more sensitive than LIWC 2001 for identifying emotional expression and positive emotion; however, more recent versions of LIWC were also significantly more likely to overidentify emotional content than LIWC 2001. LIWC 2001 demonstrated significantly better precision (F score) for identifying overall emotion, negative emotion, and anxiety compared with LIWC 2007 and LIWC 2015.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggest that LIWC 2001 most accurately reflects the emotional identification of human coders.
Proposed Implementation of Blockchain in British Columbia’s Health Care Data Management
Authors: Cadoret Danielle , Kailas Tamara , Velmovitsky Pedro , Morita Plinio , Igboeli Okechukwu
Published: August 2020

Background

There are several challenges such as information silos and lack of interoperability with the current electronic medical record (EMR) infrastructure in the Canadian health care system. These challenges can be alleviated by implementing a blockchain-based health care data management solution.

Objective

This study aims to provide a detailed overview of the current health data management infrastructure in British Columbia for identifying some of the gaps and inefficiencies in the Canadian health care data management system. We explored whether blockchain is a viable option for bridging the existing gaps in EMR solutions in British Columbia’s health care system.

Methods

We constructed the British Columbia health care data infrastructure and health information flow based on publicly available information and in partnership with an industry expert familiar with the health systems information technology network of British Columbia’s Provincial Health Services Authorities. Information flow gaps, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies were the target of our analyses.

Results

We found that hospitals and clinics have several choices for managing electronic records of health care information, such as different EMR software or cloud-based data management, and that the system development, implementation, and operations for EMRs are carried out by the private sector. As of 2013, EMR adoption in British Columbia was at 80% across all hospitals and the process of entering medical information into EMR systems in British Columbia could have a lag of up to 1 month. During this lag period, disease progression updates are continually written on physical paper charts and not immediately updated in the system, creating a continuous lag period and increasing the probability of errors and disjointed notes. The current major stumbling block for health care data management is interoperability resulting from the use of a wide range of unique information systems by different health care facilities.

Conclusions

Our analysis of British Columbia’s health care data management revealed several challenges, including information silos, the potential for medical errors, the general unwillingness of parties within the health care system to trust and share data, and the potential for security breaches and operational issues in the current EMR infrastructure. A blockchain-based solution has the highest potential in solving most of the challenges in managing health care data in British Columbia and other Canadian provinces.
Perinatal Distress During COVID-19: Thematic Analysis of an Online Parenting Forum
Authors: Chivers Bonnie R , Garad Rhonda M , Boyle Jacqueline A , Skouteris Helen , Teede Helena J , Harrison Cheryce L
Published: August 2020

Background

The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted the whole of society, requiring rapid implementation of individual-, population-, and system-level public health responses to contain and reduce the spread of infection. Women in the perinatal period (pregnant, birthing, and postpartum) have unique and timely needs for directives on health, safety, and risk aversion during periods of isolation and physical distancing for themselves, their child or children, and other family members. In addition, they are a vulnerable group at increased risk of psychological distress that may be exacerbated in the context of social support deprivation and a high-risk external environment.

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine the public discourse of a perinatal cohort to understand unmet health information and support needs, and the impacts on mothering identity and social dynamics in the context of COVID-19.

Methods

A leading Australian online support forum for women pre- through to postbirth was used to interrogate all posts related to COVID-19 from January 27 to May 12, 2020, inclusive. Key search terms included “COVID,” “corona,” and “pandemic.” A three-phase analysis was conducted, including thematic analysis, sentiment analysis, and word frequency calculations.

Results

The search yielded 960 posts, of which 831 were included in our analysis. The qualitative thematic analysis demonstrated reasonable understanding, interpretation, and application of relevant restrictions in place, with five emerging themes identified. These were (1) heightened distress related to a high-risk external environment; (2) despair and anticipatory grief due to deprivation of social and family support, and bonding rituals; (3) altered family and support relationships; (4) guilt-tampered happiness; and (5) family future postponed. Sentiment analysis revealed that the content was predominantly negative (very negative: n=537 and moderately negative: n=443 compared to very positive: n=236 and moderately positive: n=340). Negative words were frequently used in the 831 posts with associated derivatives including “worried” (n=165, 19.9%), “risk” (n=143, 17.2%), “anxiety” (n=98, 11.8%), “concerns” (n=74, 8.8%), and “stress” (n=69, 8.3%).

Conclusions

Women in the perinatal period are uniquely impacted by the current pandemic. General information on COVID-19 safe behaviors did not meet the particular needs of this cohort. The lack of nuanced and timely information may exacerbate the risk of psychological and psychosocial distress in this vulnerable, high-risk group. State and federal public health departments need to provide a central repository of information that is targeted, consistent, accessible, timely, and reassuring. Compensatory social and emotional support should be considered, using alternative measures to mitigate the risk of mental health disorders in this cohort.
A QR Code–Based Contact Tracing Framework for Sustainable Containment of COVID-19: Evaluation of an Approach to Assist the Return to Normal Activity
Authors: Nakamoto Ichiro , Wang Sheng , Guo Yan , Zhuang Weiqing
Published: August 2020

We discuss a pandemic management framework using symptom-based quick response (QR) codes to contain the spread of COVID-19. In this approach, symptom-based QR health codes are issued by public health authorities. The codes do not retrieve the location data of the users; instead, two different colors are displayed to differentiate the health status of individuals. The QR codes are officially regarded as electronic certificates of individuals’ health status, and can be used for contact tracing, exposure risk self-triage, self-update of health status, health care appointments, and contact-free psychiatric consultations. This approach can be effectively deployed as a uniform platform interconnecting a variety of responders (eg, individuals, institutions, and public authorities) who are affected by the pandemic, which minimizes the errors of manual operation and the costs of fragmented coordination. At the same time, this approach enhances the promptness, interoperability, credibility, and traceability of containment measures. The proposed approach not only provides a supplemental mechanism for manual control measures but also addresses the partial failures of pandemic management tools in the abovementioned facets.
The QR tool has been formally deployed in Fujian, a province located in southeast China that has a population of nearly 40 million people. All individuals aged ≥3 years were officially requested to present their QR code during daily public activities, such as when using public transportation systems, working at institutions, and entering or exiting schools.
The deployment of this approach has achieved sizeable containment effects and played remarkable roles in shifting the negative gross domestic product (–6.8%) to a positive value by July 2020. The number of cumulative patients with COVID-19 in this setting was confined to 363, of whom 361 had recovered (recovery rate 99.4%) as of July 12, 2020. A simulation showed that if only partial measures of the framework were followed, the number of cumulative cases of COVID-19 could potentially increase ten-fold. This approach can serve as a reliable solution to counteract the emergency of a public health crisis; as a routine tool to enhance the level of public health; to accelerate the recovery of social activities; to assist decision making for policy makers; and as a sustainable measure that enables scalability.