bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
$Z_2^k$-actions with connected fixed point set
Authors: Costa Jessica C. R. R. , Pergher Pedro L. Q. , Moraes Renato M.
Published: February 2023

In this paper we describe the equivariant cobordism classification of smooth actions $(M^m,\phi)$ of the group $G=\mathbb{Z}_2^k$ on closed smooth
$m$-dimensional manifolds $M^m$, for which the fixed point set of the action is a connected manifold of dimension n and $2^k n - 2^{k-1} \leq m < 2^k n$.
Here, $\mathbb{Z}_2^k$ is considered as the group generated by $k$ commuting smooth involutions defined on $M^m$.
This generalizes a previous result of 2008 of the second author, who obtained this type of classification for $k=2$ and $m=4n-1$ or $m=4n-2$.
Multiple normalized solutions for a quasi-linear Schrödinger equation via dual approach
Authors: Zhang Lin , Li Yongqing , Wang Zhi-Qiang
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we construct multiple normalized solutions of the following from quasi-linear Schrödinger equation:

-\Delta u-\Delta(|u|^{2})u-\mu u=|u|^{p-2}u, \quad\text{in } \mathbb{R}^N,

subject to a mass-subcritical constraint. In order to overcome non-smoothness of the associated variational formulation we make use of the dual approach.
The constructed solutions possess energies being clustered at $0$ level which makes it difficult to use existing methods
for non-smooth variational problems such as the variational perturbation approach.
Periodic points of self-maps of products of lens spaces $L(3)\times L(3)$
Authors: Jezierski Jerzy
Published: February 2023

Let $f\colon M\to M$ be a self-map of a compact manifold and $n\in \mathbb{N}$.
The least number of $n$-periodic points in the smooth homotopy class of $f$ may be smaller than in the continuous homotopy class. We ask: for which self-maps
$f\colon M\to M$ the two minima are the same, for each prescribed multiplicity?
In the study of self-maps of tori and compact Lie groups a necessary condition appears.
Here we give a criterion which helps to decide whether the necessary condition is also sufficient.
We apply this result to show that for self-maps of the product of the lens space $M=L(3)\times L(3)$ the necessary condition is also sufficient.
Lusternik-Schnirelmann theory to topological complexity from $A_{\infty}$-view point
Authors: Iwase Norio
Published: February 2023

We are trying to look over the Lusternik-Schnirelmann theory (L-S theory, for short) and the Topological Complexity (TC, for short) as a natural extension of the L-S theory.
In particular, we focus on the impact of the ideas originated from E. Fadell and S. Husseini on both theories.
More precisely, we see how their ideas on a category weight and a relative category drive the L-S theory and the TC.
El papel clave de la pequeña agricultura familiar en Colombia
Authors: Berry Albert
Published: February 2023

En pleno siglo XXI, cuando está en proceso de modificarse la política agraria colombiana, es sumamente pertinente este libro, cuyo objetivo es explicar, a lo largo de varios capítulos y desde diferentes perspectivas, la importancia de la pequeña agricultura familiar para que Colombia logre un buen resultado económico y social, al disminuir la pobreza, la desigualdad y la inseguridad de ingresos y de alimentos. Esto porque esta suma de textos ofrece evidencia sobre el potencial económico y social de esa actividad y sobre las políticas más aptas para promoverla, de acuerdo con las circunstancias, entre ellas las de posconflicto; porque combina la teoría económica pertinente con la evidencia empírica histórica y actual, y con las experiencias colombianas y de países comparables; porque ofrece hipótesis sobre los factores contribuyentes a las deficiencias históricas de la política agraria en Colombia, con base en sus propios intentos de reforma agraria y los de otros países latinos; porque destaca los obstáculos políticos y técnicos frente al diseño de políticas exitosas en esta área, y, finalmente, porque considera opciones como el impuesto presuntivo y el apoyo a las exportaciones de los productos de la pequeña agricultura.
Looking for Greener Grass? Prior Status and Exploration-Exploitation Decisions in Job Search
Authors: Barbulescu Roxana , Bonet Rocio
Published: February 2023

Research on the returns to specialist versus generalist careers has largely neglected what drives individuals’ motivations to build different career profiles in the first place. Although specialization is widely associated with benefits, generalist careers are seen as more at risk except in certain mitigated conditions. At the same time, given the uncertainty in labor markets, future returns to specialization cannot simply be assumed. We introduce in this paper a novel mechanism behind the formation of generalist careers, opportunity-enhancing generalism, whereby workers willingly give up the benefits to specialization to dissociate from a past expertise considered to yield relatively poor future prospects. On the premise that one’s prior experience provides the basis for exploration-versus-exploitation decisions, we argue that aspects of one’s previous jobs, including status, will importantly affect decisions about whether to continue specializing. Specifically, negative feedback about prospects for advancement in their prior jobs will increase workers’ motivation to search for jobs in new areas of expertise. Focusing on managerial workers’ job search decisions, we predict that individuals who come from low-status firms, low-status work domains, or both will be more likely to search for jobs in a new area than job seekers coming from high-status firms and work domains. Using data on job searches in a Master in Business Administration labor market, we find support for our prediction and suggestive evidence for the opportunity-enhancing mechanism we propose.

Funding: This work was supported by the French National Research Agency [Grant “Investissements d’Avenir” Labex Ecodec/ANR-11-LABX-0047] and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [Grant MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2023.1663 .
RELAÇÕES DE GÊNERO EM ESPAÇOS DE MÚSICA POPULAR E INDEPENDENTE: MULHERES MUSICISTAS EM PONTA GROSSA (PR)
Authors: Guimarães Simone Koniski , Rodrigues Andria Jéssica
Published: February 2023

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as relações de gênero em espaços de música popular e independente a partir da atuação de mulheres musicistas no município de Ponta Grossa (PR). Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental complementada pela análise quantitativa e qualitativa de dados estatísticos e de um questionário, dirigido aos músicos e às musicistas que atuam na cidade. A motivação para desenvolver tal pesquisa é decorrente da experiência da primeira autora como instrumentista e professora de música e da proposta da segunda autora de problematizar essas experiências a partir de uma perspectiva geográfica e feminista. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que historicamente as mulheres recebem pouco incentivo para atuar com liberdade no ramo musical e que quando se propõem a ocupar os diversos espaços relacionados à música ainda enfrentam uma série de preconceitos e estigmas. Mesmo assim, cada vez mais mulheres têm se inserido nesse ramo e têm buscado ocupar esses espaços no que pode ser caracterizado como um movimento de empoderamento e resistência.
A POLÍTICA DE EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NAS UNIDADES FEDERAIS DE CONSERVAÇÃO DA NATUREZA: INTERFACES ENTRE O TERRITÓRIO E A CAPACITAÇÃO/ATUAÇÃO DOS SERVIDORES PÚBLICOS VINCULADOS AO INSTITUTO CHICO MENDES DE CONSERVAÇÃO DA BIODIVERSIDADE
Authors: Ferla Marcio Ricardo , Nabozny Almir
Published: February 2023

As Unidades de Conservação (UCs), sob gestão do Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), são protagonistas no campo das políticas públicas ambientais brasileiras. O arcabouço normativo traz a Educação Ambiental (EA) como estratégia de ordenamento territorial das UCs. O presente artigo problematiza as relações entre o campo da EA, as práticas de EA nas UCs e a política interna do ICMBio de capacitação de seus servidores. Analisam-se informações coletadas de 254 UCs federais. Observa-se a composição de um campo social e que as ações de EA assumem destaque na gestão do ICMBio. No plano das práticas, há descontinuidade nas ações, equipe reduzida e o subfinanciamento do ICMBio.
PRESENÇA/ AUSÊNCIA DOS POVOS INDÍGENAS NOS LIVROS DIDÁTICOS DE GEOGRAFIA: REFLEXÕES SOBRE UMA ABORDAGEM INTERCULTURAL NO ENSINO
Authors: Moura Julia Lobato Pinto de , Morais Maria De Jesus
Published: February 2023

Esta é uma reflexão sobre os conteúdos referentes aos povos nativos presentes nos livros didáticos de Geografia, no intuito de identificar se apontam caminhos para uma abordagem intercultural que leve reflexões sobre geografias indígenas, suas lutas sociais, suas cosmologias e permanentes estratégias de resistência. Ao analisar experiências no Brasil e América Latina reconhecemos que desde as últimas décadas do século XX houveram diversos avanços em termos de promoção de uma educação intercultural em contextos indígenas e não-indígenas, a partir de produção de materiais didáticos, incremento de uma educação bilíngue, esforços para registro das línguas maternas e marcos legais como a lei nº 11645/2008 no contexto da Educação Básica. Porém, como destaca Crisóstomo (2012) e Chirif (1997), muitas vezes as políticas interculturais supõe apenas que os indígenas se interculturalizem-se, isto é, aprendem a língua e as formas de organizar o conhecimento hegemônicas para os outros setores do país, sem que estes tenham que realizar o processo recíproco. Neste sentido interessa-nos investigar como as temáticas indígenas aparecem em livros didáticos de geografia utilizados em escolas de Rio Branco/Acre, destacando a importância de olhar e ouvir as vozes dos pensadores indígenas.
LAJEADO (RS) EM MAPAS: A PERSPECTIVA DA EQUIPE IFSUL CÂMPUS LAJEADO NA IV OLIMPÍADA BRASILEIRA DE CARTOGRAFIA
Authors: Carissimi Eduardo , Scheibler Jeferson , Ferreira Maria Eduarda , Tag Carolina Kipper , De Souza Jonathan Franck
Published: February 2023

A cartografia é a ciência e a arte de fazer e usar mapas. Mostra-se indispensável ao longo da história para a vida do ser humano sobre as suas necessidades de orientação, localização e espacialização dos fenômenos no espaço geográfico. Nesta perspectiva a cartografia deve fazer parte da vida desde a formação escolar. A Olimpíada Brasileira de Cartografia (OBRAC) contribui para a disseminação da ciência cartográfica ao envolver estudantes e docentes de todo o Brasil em atividades relacionadas aos mapas. Este artigo visa relatar a participação da Equipe IFSul Lajeado (RS) na quarta edição da OBRAC realizada em 2021. Nesta ocasião foram desenvolvidas atividades práticas voltadas à produção de roteiro e filme curta-metragem envolvendo o mapa como ponto central, nos quais a influência da imigração alemã na formação do Município de Lajeado foi abordada, e a construção de uma coleção de mapas envolvendo uma sequência temporal, em que o desenvolvimento do Bairro Olarias do município de Lajeado foi representado cartograficamente. A execução das tarefas exigiu estudo, organização, trabalho em equipe, criatividade e a mobilização de recursos e ferramentas para alcançar o objetivo de representar as peculiaridades da cidade de Lajeado através dos mapas e da cartografia.
Educação permanente em saúde: construção de saberes e práticas em busca da resolubilidade na Estratégia Saúde da Família
Authors: Araujo Bianca de Oliveira , Alves do Nascimento Maria Angela , De Oliveira Araujo Mariana
Published: February 2023

A Estratégia Saúde da Família busca a reorientação da Atenção Básica à Saúde na concretização do Sistema Único de Saúde e precisa estar preparada para o desenvolvimento de ações resolutivas. Uma das ferramentas que poderá ser usada no planejamento, execução e avaliação das suas ações na construção de seus saberes e práticas é a Educação Permanente em Saúde (EPS). Para tanto, neste estudo o objetivo é descrever a construção de saberes e práticas da EPS para a equipe de Saúde da Família em busca da resolubilidade da produção do cuidado em saúde. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa descritiva, tendo 18 participantes: 10 trabalhadores de saúde e 8 gestores. Foram utilizadas como técnicas de coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada; e analisados os dados pelo método Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados evidenciaram que a EPS poderá influenciar a produção do cuidado. Percebe-se que a EPS e os conhecimentos assimilados permitem a reflexão sobre a formação, o trabalho, os problemas do serviço, as necessidades de transformações e de se unir à comunidade, o que vai permitir o desenvolvimento de ações concretas e resolutivas no cotidiano de trabalho.
Tendência e Características da Sífilis Congênita e Materna no Rio de Janeiro: 2007-2017
Authors: Aguiar Britto Alan Messala de , Costa Júnior Paulo César Vieira da , Landeira Leandro Ferreira Lopes , Bastos Sérgio Felipe Abreu de Britto , Machado Elizabeth Stankiewicz
Published: February 2023

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil das notificações de sífilis congênita (SC) e sífilis gestacional (SG) e da análise temporal das taxas de incidência no banco de dados do SINAN, no período de 2007 a 2017 no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo utilizou informações do SC-SINAN e SG-SINAN. A análise temporal testou modelos de regressão polinomial utilizando a distribuição anual da taxa de incidência. Resultados: No SC-SINAN observa-se aumento progressivo nas notificações; 93,4% eram crianças ≤ 6 dias e taxa de letalidade foi 2,4%. Das mães dos casos de SC, 46,5% foram diagnosticadas com sífilis no pré-natal e apenas 11,8% dos parceiros trataram. No SG-SINAN, as notificações cresceram, principalmente em mulheres de 20 a 30 anos, com o diagnóstico cada vez mais precoce com o passar dos anos. Houve redução na transmissão vertical. A análise temporal da taxa de incidência revela uma tendência de crescimento tanto da SC quanto SG. Conclusão: Estes dados sugerem que o aumento na detecção da SG reduziu a expansão da SC, ainda que o aumento anual no número de casos demonstre que a sífilis não está controlada, portanto medidas que garantam a assistência pré-natal, o tratamento do parceiro sexual e o treinamento em saúde deveriam ser priorizados.
Volume plasma grating by noncollinear interaction of femtosecond filament arrays
Authors: Hu Mengyun , Nan Junyi , Yuan Shuai , Zeng Heping
Published: February 2023

Stable propagation of multifilament arrays in transparent bulk media with adjustable separation distances between adjacent child filaments has always been desired for advanced manufacturing. Here, we report on the generation of an ionization-induced volume plasma grating (VPG) by the interaction of two batches of noncollinearly propagating arrays of multiple filaments (AMF). The VPG can externally arrange the propagation of the pulses along regular plasma waveguides via spatial reconstruction of electrical fields, which is compared with the self-formation of randomly distributed multiple filamentation originated from noises. The separation distances of filaments in VPG are controllable by readily changing the crossing angle of the excitation beams. In addition, an innovative method to efficiently fabricate multidimensional grating structures in transparent bulk media through laser modification using VPG was demonstrated.
Fractional Fourier-transform filtering and reconstruction in off-axis digital holographic imaging
Authors: Liu Yiwei , Sun Qiuya , Chen Hao , Jiang Zhuqing
Published: February 2023

An off-axis digital holographic reconstruction method with fractional Fourier transform domain filtering is proposed. The theoretical expression and analysis of the characteristics of fractional-transform-domain filtering are given. It is proven that the filtering in a lower fractional-order transform domain can utilize more high-frequency components than that in a conventional Fourier transform domain under the same size of filtering regions. In simulation and experiment, the results demonstrate that the reconstruction imaging resolution can be improved by filtering in the fractional Fourier transform domain. The presented fractional Fourier transform filtering reconstruction provides a novel (to our knowlede) optional way for off-axis holographic imaging.
Tunable phase-mismatched mid-infrared difference-frequency generation between 6 and 17 µm in CdTe
Authors: Yang Xuemei , Hu Bo , Tian Kan , He Linzhen , Xiang Maoxing , Wang Zhongjun , Wang Weizhe , Wu Han , Li Yang , Liang Houkun
Published: February 2023

In parametric conversion, phase-matching techniques such as birefringence and quasi phase-matching (PM) with the designed crystal angle or periodically poled polarities are employed to fulfill the requirement of momentum conservation. However, directly using phase-mismatched interactions in nonlinear media with large quadratic nonlinear coefficient remains unheeded. Here, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, we study the phase-mismatched difference-frequency generation (DFG) in an isotropic cadmium telluride (CdTe) crystal, with the comparison of other DFG processes based on birefringence-PM, quasi-PM, and random-quasi-PM. Long-wavelength mid-infrared (LWMIR) phase-mismatched DFG with an ultra-broadband spectral tuning range of 6–17 µm based on CdTe is demonstrated. Thanks to the giant quadratic nonlinear coefficient (∼109 pm/V) and good figure of merit in the parametric process, the output power up to 100 µW is obtained, which is comparable to or even better than the DFG output from a polycrystalline ZnSe with the same thickness facilitated by random-quasi-PM. A proof-of-concept demonstration in gas sensing of CH4 and SF6 is conducted based on the phase-mismatched DFG as a typical application. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of phase-mismatched parametric conversion in producing useful LWMIR power and ultra-broadband tunability in a simple and convenient way without the necessity of controlling the polarization, phase-matching angle, or pole periods, which could find applications in the fields of spectroscopy and metrology.
All-fiber 3.4-W 2.8-µm ultra-short pulse MOPA system seeded by the soliton self-frequency shift of 2-µm pulses
Authors: Luo Xing , Tang Yating , Dong Fanlong , Wang Jiachen , Yu Linpeng , Yan Peiguang , Wang Jinzhang , Lue Qitao , Guo Chunyu , Ruan Shuangchen
Published: February 2023

We report an all-fiber 2.8-µm ultra-short pulse master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system seeded by a soliton self-frequency shift from a mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser. This all-fiber laser source delivers 2.8-µm pulses with an average power of 3.42 W, a pulse width of 115 fs, and a pulse energy of 45.4 nJ. We demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, the first femtosecond watt-level all-fiber 2.8-µm laser system. A 2.8-µm pulse seed was obtained via the soliton self-frequency shift of 2-µm ultra-short pulses in a cascaded silica and passive fluoride fiber. A novel, to the best of our knowledge, high-efficiency and compact home-made end-pump silica-fluoride fiber combiner was fabricated and used in this MOPA system. Nonlinear amplification of the 2.8-µm pulse was realized, and soliton self-compression was observed accompanied by spectral broadening.
Anti-noise UWFBG-array enhanced DAS system using double-pulse-based time-domain adaptive delay interference
Authors: Gui Xin , He Siqi , Wang Yiming , Fu Xuelei , Guo Yongxing , Li Zhengying
Published: February 2023

An anti-noise interrogation technique for ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating (UWFBG)-based distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems is proposed and demonstrated using double-pulse-based time-domain adaptive delay interference. This technique breaks the limitation that the optical path difference (OPD) between the two arms of the interferometer should be completely matched with the entire OPD between the adjacent gratings in the traditional single-pulse system. The length of the delay fiber in the interferometer can be reduced, and the double-pulse interval can adapt flexibly to the UWFBG array with different grating spacing. The acoustic signal is restored accurately when the grating spacing is 15 m or 20 m by the time-domain adjustable delay interference. Moreover, the noise induced by the interferometer can be suppressed significantly as compared to using a single pulse, and above 8-dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement can be obtained without any extra optical devices when the noise frequency and the vibration acceleration are below 100 Hz and 0.1 m/s2, respectively.
Accuracy of Microcomb Photonic Microwave Transversal Signal Processors
Authors: Moss David
Published: February 2023

Photonic RF transversal signal processors, which are equivalent to reconfigurable electrical digital signal processors but implemented with photonic technologies, have been widely used for modern high-speed information processing. With the capability of generating large numbers of wavelength channels with compact micro-resonators, optical microcombs bring new opportunities for realizing photonic RF transversal signal processors that have greatly reduced size, power consumption, and complexity. Recently, a variety of signal processing functions have been demonstrated using microcomb-based photonic RF transversal signal processors. Here, we provide detailed analysis for quantifying the processing accuracy of microcomb-based photonic RF transversal signal processors. First, we investigate the theoretical limitations of the processing accuracy determined by tap number, signal bandwidth, and pulse waveform. Next, we discuss the practical error sources from different components of the signal processors. Finally, we analyze the contributions of the theoretical limitations and the experimental factors to the overall processing inaccuracy both theoretically and experimentally. These results provide a useful guide for designing microcomb-based photonic RF transversal signal processors to optimize their accuracy.
Using real-time data to guide decision-making during an influenza pandemic: A modelling analysis
Authors: Haw David J. , Biggerstaff Matthew , Prasad Pragati , Walker Joseph , Grenfell Bryan , Arinaminpathy Nimalan
Published: February 2023

Influenza pandemics typically occur in multiple waves of infection, often associated with initial emergence of a novel virus, followed (in temperate regions) by a resurgence accompanying the onset of the annual influenza season. Here, we examined whether data collected from an initial pandemic wave could be informative, for the need to implement non-pharmaceutical measures in any resurgent wave. Drawing from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in 10 states in the USA, we calibrated simple mathematical models of influenza transmission dynamics to data for laboratory confirmed hospitalisations during the initial ‘spring’ wave. We then projected pandemic outcomes (cumulative hospitalisations) during the fall wave, and compared these projections with data. Model results showed reasonable agreement for all states that reported a substantial number of cases in the spring wave. Using this model we propose a probabilistic decision framework that can be used to determine the need for preemptive measures such as postponing school openings, in advance of a fall wave. This work illustrates how model-based evidence synthesis, in real-time during an early pandemic wave, could be used to inform timely decisions for pandemic response.
The incidence of genetic disease alleles in Australian Shepherd dog breed in European countries
Authors: Majchrakova Zuzana , Hrckova Turnova Evelina , Bielikova Marcela , Turna Jan , Dudas Andrej
Published: February 2023

Genetic disease control is generally not given the importance it deserves. Information about what percentage of individuals carry a disorder-causing mutation is crucial for breeders to produce healthy offspring and maintain a healthy dog population of a particular breed. This study aims to provide information about the incidence of mutant alleles for the most frequently occurring hereditary diseases in the Australian Shepherd dog breed (AS). The samples were collected during a 10-years period (2012–2022) in the European population of the AS. Mutant alleles and incidence were calculated from all the obtained data for all the diseases, specifically: collie eye anomaly (9.71%), canine multifocal retinopathy type 1 (0.53%), hereditary cataract (11.64%), progressive rod-cone degeneration (1.58%), degenerative myelopathy (11.77%) and bob-tail/short-tail (31.74%). Our data provide more information to dog breeders to support their effort to limit the spread of hereditary diseases.
Implementing artificial intelligence in Canadian primary care: Barriers and strategies identified through a national deliberative dialogue
Authors: Darcel Katrina , Upshaw Tara , Craig-Neil Amy , Macklin Jillian , Steele Gray Carolyn , Chan Timothy C. Y. , Gibson Jennifer , Pinto Andrew D.
Published: February 2023

Background

With large volumes of longitudinal data in electronic medical records from diverse patients, primary care is primed for disruption by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. With AI applications in primary care still at an early stage in Canada and most countries, there is a unique opportunity to engage key stakeholders in exploring how AI would be used and what implementation would look like.

Objective

To identify the barriers that patients, providers, and health leaders perceive in relation to implementing AI in primary care and strategies to overcome them.

Design

12 virtual deliberative dialogues. Dialogue data were thematically analyzed using a combination of rapid ethnographic assessment and interpretive description techniques.

Setting

Virtual sessions.

Participants

Participants from eight provinces in Canada, including 22 primary care service users, 21 interprofessional providers, and 5 health system leaders

Results

The barriers that emerged from the deliberative dialogue sessions were grouped into four themes: (1) system and data readiness, (2) the potential for bias and inequity, (3) the regulation of AI and big data, and (4) the importance of people as technology enablers. Strategies to overcome the barriers in each of these themes were highlighted, where participatory co-design and iterative implementation were voiced most strongly by participants.

Limitations

Only five health system leaders were included in the study and no self-identifying Indigenous people. This is a limitation as both groups may have provided unique perspectives to the study objective.

Conclusions

These findings provide insight into the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing AI in primary care settings from different perspectives. This will be vital as decisions regarding the future of AI in this space is shaped.
Application of the skills network approach to measure physician competence in shared decision making based on self-assessment
Authors: Kriston Levente , Schumacher Lea , Hahlweg Pola , Härter Martin , Scholl Isabelle
Published: February 2023

Several approaches to and definitions of ‘shared decision making’ (SDM) exist, which makes measurement challenging. Recently, a skills network approach was proposed, which conceptualizes SDM competence as an organized network of interacting SDM skills. With this approach, it was possible to accurately predict observer-rated SDM competence of physicians from the patients’ assessments of the physician’s SDM skills. The aim of this study was to assess whether using the skills network approach allows to predict observer-rated SDM competence of physicians from their self-reported SDM skills. We conducted a secondary data analysis of an observational study, in which outpatient care physicians rated their use of SDM skills with the physician version of the 9-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-Doc) during consultations with chronically ill adult patients. Based on the estimated association of each skill with all other skills, an SDM skills network for each physician was constructed. Network parameters were used to predict observer-rated SDM competence, which was determined from audio-recorded consultations using three widely used measures (OPTION-12, OPTION-5, Four Habits Coding Scheme). In our study, 28 physicians rated consultations with 308 patients. The skill ‘deliberating the decision’ was central in the population skills network averaged across physicians. The correlation between parameters of the skills networks and observer-rated competence ranged from 0.65 to 0.82 across analyses. The use and connectedness of the skill ‘eliciting treatment preference of the patient’ showed the strongest unique association with observer-rated competence. Thus, we found evidence that processing SDM skill ratings from the physicians’ perspective according to the skills network approach offers new theoretically and empirically grounded opportunities for the assessment of SDM competence. A feasible and robust measurement of SDM competence is essential for research on SDM and can be applied for evaluating SDM competence during medical education, for training evaluation, and for quality management purposes. [A plain language summary of the study is available at https://osf.io/3wy4v.]
Novel in-frame duplication variant characterization in late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy using whole-exome sequencing and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Ataei Zahra , Nouri Zahra , Tavakoli Farial , Pourreza Mohammad Reza , Narrei Sina , Tabatabaiefar Mohammad Amin
Published: February 2023

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency in the arylsulfatase A (ARSA). ARSA deficiency leads to sulfatide accumulation, which involves progressive demyelination. The profound impact of early diagnosis on MLD treatment options necessitates the development of new or updated analysis tools and approaches. In this study, to identify the genetic etiology in a proband from a consanguineous family with MLD presentation and low ARSA activity, we employed Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES) followed by co-segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing. Also, MD simulation was utilized to study how the variant alters the structural behavior and function of the ARSA protein. GROMACS was applied and the data was analyzed by RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, HB, atomic distance, PCA, and FEL. Variant interpretation was done based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. WES results showed a novel homozygous insertion mutation, c.109_126dup (p.Asp37_Gly42dup), in the ARSA gene. This variant is located in the first exon of ARSA, fulfilling the criteria of being categorized as likely pathogenic, according to the ACMG guidelines and it was also found to be co-segregating in the family. The MD simulation analysis revealed this mutation influenced the structure and the stabilization of ARSA and led to the protein function impairment. Here, we report a useful application of WES and MD to identify the causes of a neurometabolic disorder.
Emigrant ancestors, in memory of memories
Authors: Macarow Keely
Published: February 2023

Like many people, my knowledge and memories of my ancestors are becoming murkier as I get older. As a child, I delighted in the narratives of my forebears and how they arrived in Australia. However, I am losing sight of my ancestor’s displacement from their homelands and their journeys from Russia via Palestine in the late nineteenth century and from Russia via Tokyo and the United States in the twentieth century. I struggle to remember the sound and timbre of the voices of my grandparents and only know of the lives of my great grandparents through sepia-toned photographs. Now that my parents are no longer alive, I am not able to draw upon them to fill in the gaps of my knowledge of our family background and of relatives who left Tsarist Russia to flee pogroms and persecution. This article’s exploration of my family’s displacement from Russia and the Soviet Union in the nineteenth and twentieth century is inspired by the Russian writer, Maria Stepanova’s examination of the role that family archives, artefacts, photographs and memories have in shaping narratives of our relatives. My family’s migration story is also a memory amongst memories and, like Stepanova, I discuss photographs, artefacts, postcards and notes that comprise my family archive to make sense of the lives and the heritage of my ancestors.
Fabrication of Eco-friendly UV-visible Driven Ni:CaCO3
Photocatalyst for Sustainable Environmental Remediation
Authors: Ramasamy V. , Sathishpriya T. , Thenpandiyan E. , Suresh G.
Published: February 2023

Nano CaCO3, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) decorated Ni-doped CaCO3 nanoparticles (CPN)
were synthesized from natural calcium magnesium carbonate (CaMg(CO3)2) via biomimetic synthetic
route. The obtained products were thoroughly characterized through various physico-chemical
techniques such as UV-DRS, PL, FTIR, XRD, TG-DTA, FE-SEM with EDX mapping, HR-TEM and
SAED patterns. The XRD results revealed that the prepared products were in pure rhombohedral
structure with the size range of 20-50 nm, respectively. Compared to other synthesized products, the
sample CPN6 exhibited a blue-shifted band gap (2.7 eV) and red-shifted absorption and emission
values. The morphological analysis of the samples shows the aggregated and rhombohedral with high
porous like structure. The TG-DTA analysis shows the good thermal stability (up to 830 ºC). The
photocatalytic activity exhibits a higher degradation efficiency 87% and 97% against methylene blue
and rhodamine B dyes, respectively. The effect of different scavenger agents (ascorbic acid, AgNO3,
EDTA2NA and isopropanol acid) was used to examine the efficiency of the photocatalytic activity.
Based on the results, the prepared CPN6 nanoparticles show a great potential candidate for removal of
organic dyes in the aqueous medium.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, Molecular Docking Studies and
Biological Evaluation of Novel Thiazole, Imidazole-Indole Hybrids
Authors: Afroz Mohd , Kumar G. Shiva
Published: February 2023

The present work deals with the synthesis of novel thiazole, imidazole-indole hybrids 3a-l using
microwave assisted method as a green chemistry approach. The title compounds were synthesized in
a good yield between 68-85%. All the synthesized structures were confirmed by FT-IR, LC-Mass, 1H
NMR and 13C NMR analytical data. All the novel indole derivatives were screened for anticancer
activity by MTT assay method against the MCF-7 and SKVO3 cell lines. Compound 3i (IC50 value of
26.98 μg, 36.12 μg) and 3j (IC50 value of 24.11 μg, 38.43 μg) exhibited good anticancer activity as
compared to doxorubicin. Further, the synthesized compounds were also screened for antibacterial
activity using agar diffusion method, where compounds 3c, 3d, 3f and 3j exhibited good antibacterial
activity. Furthermore, the binding pattern and affinity of these new indole towards the active region of
EGFR were studied using molecular docking studies and the results were in good agreement with the
biological results.
Elsholtzia ciliata Leaf Extract Mediated Silver Nanoparticles:
Synthesis and their Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Anticancer Activities
Authors: Begum Salima , Chanu Khaidem Devika , Sharma Nanaocha , London Singh R.K.
Published: February 2023

This study deals with silver nanoparticle synthesis utilizing the leaf extract of the medicinal plant
Elsholtzia ciliata and evaluated its antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer activities. The
characterization of the synthesized E. ciliata silver nanoparticles (Ec-AgNPs) were done by using
UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD),
dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation of
face-centred cubic silver nanocrystals was confirmed by XRD data. During the formation of Ec-AgNPs,
the phytochemicals present in the leaf extract act as reducing and capping agents as confirmed by
FTIR spectra. The zeta potential and polydispersity index values from DLS measurements were -16.4
mV and 0.261, respectively. The high content of flavonoids, phenols, tannins and coumarins was
confirmed by the phytochemical studies of the plant extract. The antioxidant activity was shown by
the synthesized Ec-AgNPs. The inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzyme α-glucosidase with IC50
values of 29.32 ± 0.42 μg/mL was found for the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. MTT assay was
performed on A549, HCT116 and HeLa Cell lines for evaluation of the antiproliferative activities of
the Ec-AgNPs and have shown IC50 values of 189 ± 8.7, 192.5 ± 0.5 and 51.7 ± 7.8 μg/mL in A549,
HCT116 and HeLa Cell lines, respectively. These findings proved that the biosynthesized Ec-AgNPs
had good antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer activities and hence can be a competent candidate
for an antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer agents in the pharmaceutical sector.
Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Characteristics of Sugar Palm Fibre Ash Reinforced LM26 Al-Matrix Composites
Authors: Aliyu Isah , Sapuan Salit Mohd , Zainudin Edi Syams , Mohamed Zuhri Mohd Yusoff , Yahaya Ridwan
Published: February 2023

Aluminium alloy of grade LM26 was used as a matrix and sugar palm fiber ash (SPFA) as reinforcement to investigate its microstructural and mechanical characteristics. Stir casting, a cost-effective method of casting was utilized to fabricate the composites, by altering SPFA from 0 to 10 wt% in 2 wt% increments in an LM26 Al-alloy matrix. The microstructural analysis and phase identification were identified with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) attached to Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), respectively. The composites were tested for density, hardness, tensile strength, compression strength, and impact energy according to ASTM. Microstructural images revealed a homogeneous distribution of SPFA in the LM26 Al-alloy matrix. The phases identified in the composites were α-Al, hard SiO2, Mg2Si, and Al5FeSi. The addition of SPFA decreased the composite density and impact energy by 3.85% and 46.68%, respectively. The compression strength and tensile strength of the composites increased by 23.73% and 27.83%, respectively, at an 8 wt% addition of SPFA. However, further addition of up to 10 wt% SPFA showed a decreasing trend in compression and tensile strength. The hardness of the composites increased by 60.80% after a 10 wt% addition of SPFA. These findings showed that synthesized LM26 Al-SPFA composites could be used in the automotive industries for the fabrication of pistons, connecting rods, brake shoes, and other components due to their excellent mechanical characteristics.
KRISIS DAN KOMUNIKASI KEPEMIMPINAN PUBLIK: ANALISIS FRAMING MEDIA SOSIAL KEPALA DAERAH DI INDONESIA PADA MASA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors: Rahmanto Andre Noevi , Naini Albert Muhammad Isrun , Priliantini Anjang , Hendriyani Christina Tri , Anshori Mahfud
Published: February 2023

Public leaders have a significant role in overcoming the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The communication process delivered by public leaders is the spearhead of handling global and local pandemics. Public leaders have different communication patterns in conveying their messages. This study seeks to determine the communication efforts made by community leaders in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. The method used in this research is Framing Analysis by Robert N. Entman. Researchers analyzed all news based on problem definitions, diagnosed causes, and made moral judgments and treatment recommendations on the social media of Ganjar Pranowo, head of the Central Java region. The research period during the pandemic is from March to May 2020. The results obtained by researchers are that regional heads are community leaders who have the authority to make all decisions. The leadership communication style used by Ganjar Pranowo when facing a crisis is a transformational leadership style. Ganjar Pranowo uses five things in carrying out the COVID-19 pandemic, namely 1) establishing chain-breaking policy steps, 2) avoiding top-down leadership styles, 3) promoting transparency and openness to the community, 4) using empathy in overcoming problems 5) the recovery process puts public safety first.
KOMUNIKASI PEMASARAN TERPADU UNTUK NICHE MARKET PADA SAYUR BOX DI MASA PANDEMI
Authors: Umar Umar
Published: February 2023

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia are increasing. As technology develops, MSMEs are forced to adapt and integrate. Facing such competition and challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemi, MSMEs need to target market niches by conducting integrated marketing. This research was conducted on Sayur Box as an MSME that utilizes the niche market well. With a qualitative approach and descriptive-explorative research type, this research uses content analysis method. The results show that the success of Sayur Box’s niche market is due to brand adoption by implementing compatibility and observability. Some of the integrated marketing communication elements developed by Sayur Box are communication tools, messages, brands, technology and relationships. In an integrated marketing communication effort, Sayur Box utilizes social media, websites and blogs to interact with consumers. Sayur Box has fulfilled eleven primary categories, according to the results of content analysis classification on @sayurbox Instagram posts.
Environmental Impact Related with People Management
Authors: Romana Fernando Acabado , Lopes Albino Anjos
Published: February 2023

In this text we begin by presenting the relationship between Art and Science, with regard to the production and conservation of life, in the context of developed societies of the 21st century, seen as two faces of the research of a reality, extremely complex, but that almost all aim to reduce to a simplistic equation. Despite all the climate summits that have taken place (we are going to the 26th), without any real solutions being reached as effective solutions for the future, there does not even seem to be a clear awareness of the circumstances that have led the world to a situation of emergency. That is why we sought to place the climate issue in the context of a revolution according to the principles of the paradigm of the decisive importance of small groups, of small initiatives, that is, of the “lean” philosophy for agriculture, which accompanied (and surpassed) the the “lean” revolution that took place in the industry in the early 1970s. It should be remembered that this was the precise moment when the first warnings from the “Club de Roma” were heard, about the limits to growth and the predictable depletion of resources, as well as as well as the need to reverse the path of increasing waste. Finally, we consider that this “coincidence of divergence” between the paradigms of agriculture (still deeply anchored in the productivism of a primary Taylorism) and that of industry (conceived, however, from the notion of team and organization in a network of small businesses, as well as an ability to work collaboratively), may not be the result of mere chance. Carvalho and Cardoso (2010), in a well-documented article, discuss, based on a literature review, the relationship between people management and art. The authors support and support our position on the need for intuition (support of imagination, sensitivity and skill) in the management of human creativity, as we have defended in our works (Lopes and Picado, 2010). Organizations open to the ambitions of art are better able to pursue multiple (non-hierarchical) goals, based on fluid and “semi-connected” technologies, as James March and Karl Weick teach, following John Dewey.
Calibrated geochemical ages of the Baltic Artesian Basin groundwater
Authors: Samalavičius Vytautas , Arustienė Jurga
Published: February 2023

For the present study, geochemical ages were derived from radiocarbon and radiokrypton age calibration with groundwater chemical contents (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−). Geochemical ages may fill the dating gap (40–150 ka) between the isotope techniques mentioned. A case study of groundwater in the Baltic Artesian Basin has involved geochemical age calibration, data filtering (such as regional subdivision of the basin for more accurate results) and geochemical dating of groundwater of unknown age. Various approaches to interpretations of geochemical age results could be used. Bicarbonate and sulphate are sensitive to the hydrochemical environment and should be omitted from geochemical age calculations. Modern fresh groundwater samples should also be excluded from calibration in order to obtain more reliable trend lines. Calcium-sodium cation exchange occurs in deep aquifers and may be used for geochemical age determination of fossil groundwater.
Radiometric dating of the Ootun palaeosol and its implication for the age of the Shifting Sand in Ngorongoro Lengai Geopark (Arusha, Tanzania)
Authors: Makongoro Mohamed Zengo , Vegi Maheswara Rao , Vuai Said Ali Hamad , Msabi Michael Mwita
Published: February 2023

The Shifting Sand is a barchan dune in Ngorongoro Lengai Geopark in Arusha, Tanzania. The geopark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is protected by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. The dune ranks amongst the main geosites that have been attracting numerous tourists; it formed as a result of volcanic ash eruptions that led to tephra deposition on a palaeosol (palaeosurface) in the Ootun area. The easterly winds modified the ash into dunes and headed to the Olduvai Gorge area. The age of the Shifting Sand dune is not known in detail. In the present study, we employ the radiocarbon (14C) dating method to date a subsurface palaeosol bed in the Ootun area where the tephra (i.e., original Shifting Sand materials) was originally deposited. An Accelerator Mass Spectrometer was used to determine the carbon-14 date of the palaeosol so as to estimate the age of the Shifting Sand dune, and an Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescent Spectrometer to determine the chemical composition of the Shifting Sand material and the tephra bed for correlative purposes. A radiocarbon (14C) date of 2510 ± 30 years BP for the Ootun palaeosol was obtained to estimate the minimum age of the Ootun subsurface tephra deposited in the area; since then, this started to move westwards towards the Olduvai Gorge area, where it is today defined as the Shifting Sand. The current findings add educational value to the Shifting Sand in Ngorongoro Lengai Geopark and improve our understanding of the eruption history of the Gregory Rift volcanoes.
Book reviews: Granite landscapes of the world, by Piotr Migoń, 2006. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 384 pages. Hardback: price 383$, ISBN 0-19-927368-5; 978-0-19-927368-3
Authors: Burda Jolanta
Published: February 2023

No abstract available.
Thanks to the journal's reviewers
Authors: Geologos Editors of
Published: February 2023

No abstract available.
On a weak maximum principle for a class of fractional diffusive equations
Authors: Kenne Cyrille , Mophou Gisèle
Published: February 2023

We consider two evolution equations involving the space fractional Laplace operator of order

0
<
s
<
1

{0<s<1}

. We first establish some existence and uniqueness results for the considered evolution equations. Next, we give some comparison theorems and prove that, if the data of each equation are data bounded, then the solutions are also bounded.