bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of water and fertilizer coupling on the physiological characteristics and growth of rabbiteye blueberry
Authors: Guo Xiaolan , Li Shuangshuang , Wang Delu , Huang Zongsheng , Sarwar Naeem , Mubeen Khuram , Shakeel Muhammad , Hussain Mubshar
Published: July 2021

Understanding the impact of irrigation and fertilizer on rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) physiology is necessary for its precision planting. Here, we applied varied irrigation and fertilizer under completely randomized experimental design to see its impact on the physiological characteristics and bush growth of rabbiteye blueberries. A comprehensive evaluation of the membership function was used to establish the best water–fertilizer coupling regimes. Rabbiteye blueberry enhanced the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of leaf and improved its photosynthetic capacity at maximum level of irrigation water and fertilizer application (F3W4). The high fertilizer–medium water treatment (F3W3) increased leaf-soluble protein contents. The medium fertilizer–medium water treatment (F2W3, F2W2) increased leaf- soluble sugar, superoxide dismutase, and chlorophyll contents; decreased the malondialdehyde content; and enhanced leaf resistance and metabolism. It also promoted the growth of flower buds and new shoots. Combined membership function and cluster analyses revealed that the optimal water and fertilizer conditions for promoting rabbiteye blueberry plant growth were the medium fertilizer–medium water [(NH4)2SO4:Ca(H2PO4)2:K2SO4 at 59:10:20 g plant-1; 2.5 L water plant-1], medium fertilizer–medium-high water [(NH4)2SO4:Ca(H2PO4)2:K2SO4 at 59:10:20 g plant-1; 3.75 L water plant-1], and high fertilizer–medium-high water [(NH4)2SO4:Ca(H2PO4)2:K2SO4 at 118:20:40 g plant-1; 3.75 L water plant-1] treatments. The findings of this study could be used in improving the precision and efficacy of rabbiteye blueberry planting in Guizhou, China. Such an approach can increase the productivity and profitability for local fruit farmers.
A hybrid simulation model to study the impact of combined interventions on Ebola epidemic
Authors: Chen Peiyu , Fan Wenhui , Guo Xudong
Published: July 2021

Pandemics have been recognized as a serious global threat to humanity. To effectively prevent the spread and outbreak of the epidemic disease, theoretical models intended to depict the disease dynamics have served as the main tools to understand its underlying mechanisms and thus interrupt its transmission. Two commonly-used models are mean-field compartmental models and agent-based models (ABM). The former ones are analytically tractable for describing the dynamics of subpopulations by cannot explicitly consider the details of individual movements. The latter one is mainly used to the spread of epidemics at a microscopic level but have limited simulation scale for the randomness of the results. To overcome current limitations, a hierarchical hybrid modeling and simulation method, combining mean-field compartmental model and ABM, is proposed in this paper. Based on this method, we build a hybrid model, which takes both individual heterogeneity and the dynamics of sub-populations into account. The proposed model also investigates the impact of combined interventions (i. e. vaccination and pre-deployment training) for healthcare workers (HCWs) on the spread of disease. Taking the case of 2014-2015 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone as an example, we examine its spreading mechanism and evaluate the effect of prevention by our parameterized and validated hybrid model. According to our simulation results, an optimal combination of pre-job training and vaccination deployment strategy has been identified. To conclude, our hybrid model helps informing the synergistic disease control strategies and the corresponding hierarchical hybrid modeling and simulation method can further be used to understand the individual dynamics during epidemic spreading in large scale population and help inform disease control strategies for different infectious disease.
Cervical cancer risk and access: Utilizing three statistical tools to assess Haitian women in South Florida
Authors: Moise Rhoda K. , Balise Raymond , Ragin Camille , Kobetz Erin
Published: July 2021

Although decreasing rates of cervical cancer in the U.S. are attributable to health policy, immigrant women, particularly Haitians, experience disproportionate disease burden related to delayed detection and treatment. However, risk prediction and dynamics of access remain largely underexplored and unresolved in this population. This study seeks to assess cervical cancer risk and access of unscreened Haitian women. Extracted and merged from two studies, this sample includes n = 346 at-risk Haitian women in South Florida, the largest U.S. enclave of Haitians (ages 30–65 and unscreened in the previous three years). Three approaches (logistic regression [LR]; classification and regression trees [CART]; and random forest [RF]) were employed to assess the association between screening history and sociodemographic variables. LR results indicated women who reported US citizenship (OR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.52–6.84), access to routine care (OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.04–4.30), and spent more years in the US (OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 1.00–1.03) were significantly more likely to report previous screening. CART results returned an accuracy of 0.75 with a tree initially splitting on women who were not citizens, then on 43 or fewer years in the U.S., and without access to routine care. RF model identified U.S. years, citizenship, and access to routine care as variables of highest importance indicated by greatest mean decreases in Gini index. The model was .79 accurate (95% CI = 0.74–0.84). This multi-pronged analysis identifies previously undocumented barriers to health screening for Haitian women. Recent US immigrants without citizenship or perceived access to routine care may be at higher risk for disease due to barriers in accessing U.S. health-systems.
Interleukin-15 response signature predicts RhCMV/SIV vaccine efficacy
Authors: Barrenäs Fredrik , Hansen Scott G. , Law Lynn , Driscoll Connor , Green Richard R. , Smith Elise , Chang Jean , Golez Inah , Urion Taryn , Peng Xinxia , Whitmore Leanne , Newhouse Daniel , Hughes Colette M. , Morrow David , Randall Kurt T. , Selseth Andrea N. , Ford Julia C. , Gilbride Roxanne M. , Randall Bryan E. , Ainslie Emily , Oswald Kelli , Shoemaker Rebecca , Fast Randy , Bosche William J. , Axthelm Michael K. , Fukazawa Yoshinori , Pavlakis George N. , Felber Barbara K. , Fourati Slim , Sekaly Rafick-Pierre , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Komorowski Jan , Kosmider Ewelina , Shao Danica , Song Wenjun , Edlefsen Paul T. , Picker Louis J. , Gale Michael
Published: July 2021

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenge of rhesus macaques (RMs) vaccinated with strain 68–1 Rhesus Cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors expressing SIV proteins (RhCMV/SIV) results in a binary outcome: stringent control and subsequent clearance of highly pathogenic SIV in ~55% of vaccinated RMs with no protection in the remaining 45%. Although previous work indicates that unconventionally restricted, SIV-specific, effector-memory (EM)-biased CD8+ T cell responses are necessary for efficacy, the magnitude of these responses does not predict efficacy, and the basis of protection vs. non-protection in 68–1 RhCMV/SIV vector-vaccinated RMs has not been elucidated. Here, we report that 68–1 RhCMV/SIV vector administration strikingly alters the whole blood transcriptome of vaccinated RMs, with the sustained induction of specific immune-related pathways, including immune cell, toll-like receptor (TLR), inflammasome/cell death, and interleukin-15 (IL-15) signaling, significantly correlating with subsequent vaccine efficacy. Treatment of a separate RM cohort with IL-15 confirmed the central involvement of this cytokine in the protection signature, linking the major innate and adaptive immune gene expression networks that correlate with RhCMV/SIV vaccine efficacy. This change-from-baseline IL-15 response signature was also demonstrated to significantly correlate with vaccine efficacy in an independent validation cohort of vaccinated and challenged RMs. The differential IL-15 gene set response to vaccination strongly correlated with the pre-vaccination activity of this pathway, with reduced baseline expression of IL-15 response genes significantly correlating with higher vaccine-induced induction of IL-15 signaling and subsequent vaccine protection, suggesting that a robust de novo vaccine-induced IL-15 signaling response is needed to program vaccine efficacy. Thus, the RhCMV/SIV vaccine imparts a coordinated and persistent induction of innate and adaptive immune pathways featuring IL-15, a known regulator of CD8+ T cell function, that support the ability of vaccine-elicited unconventionally restricted CD8+ T cells to mediate protection against SIV challenge.
Etiopathological and hematobiochemical profiles in goats with gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Nayak Sunena , Rath Prasana Kumar , Panda Susen Kumar , Mishra Bidyut Prava , Mishra Rajshree , Biswal Shuvranshu Sekhar
Published: July 2021

Background and Aim: Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in small ruminants limit production efficiency and productivity growth in the livestock sector, thereby directly preventing farmers from augmenting their income. This study aimed to provide detailed insight into the etiology, hematobiochemical parameters, and epidemiological risk factors of GI disorders in goats and to determine the pathology associated with the disorders. Materials and Methods: Over the period of 2018-2019, 500 goats in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, were screened for GI disorders based on clinical signs. Blood samples from the control (n=10) and treatment (n=25) groups were collected for both hematological and serum biochemical alterations. Fecal examinations (n=220) were conducted for parasitic, bacterial, and virological assessments. Detailed necropsy and histopathological evaluations were conducted on 27 goats. Results: The GI disorder prevalence rate and mortality rate among the 500 goats analyzed were 44.4% and 12.27%, respectively. Chi-square analysis showed a significantly higher occurrence of GI disorders among the goats that were between 6 months and 1.5 years old (58.72%), were of the Ganjam breed (45.49%), had a poor body condition (71.11%), and were housed with an earthen floor (55.22%). The most common etiological risk factor observed was parasitic infection (65.45%), followed by bacterial (18.18%) and mixed infection (9.54%). Blood analysis showed neutrophilia and eosinophilia in infected goats, in addition to anemia; significant decreases in total protein, globulin, albumin, and glucose levels; and significant increases in aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase levels. The major histopathological findings were infiltration of mononuclear cells and desquamation of the intestinal and ruminal mucosa. Conclusion: Stakeholders should focus not only on parasitic infections and other important etiological risk factors for GI disorders in goats but also on proper farming management practices to help enhance the income of farmers. The hematobiochemical alterations and pathomorphological changes reported in this study can be used by field veterinarians as guidelines for clinical evaluation and disease severity assessment.
Postkolonialismus und Umwelt
Authors: Schößler Franziska
Published: July 2021

Franziska Schößler untersucht an der Schnittstelle von postkolonialen und umweltorientierten Ansätzen das Öl-Drama Die Petroleuminseln von Leon Feuchtwanger, das kolonial-kapitalistische Ausbeutungsdiskurse und -praktiken als monströse vorführt, sie als verdrängte in die westliche Moderne einschreibt und einem (imaginären) Matriarchat zuordnet. Die an Brecht geschulte Dramaturgie Feuchtwangers entwirft hoch fragile Machtpositionen, die sich mit subalternen überlagern und in eine gemeinsame Bildsprache der Abwertung integriert sind. In der »Risikogesellschaft« der Moderne (Beck) mit ihrem Energie- und Konsumhunger können Bedrohungen, so zeigen die ambigen Figuren, nicht mehr lokal eingehegt werden, sondern ziehen die gesamte Erde in Mitleidenschaft. Die unerwünschten Nebeneffekte des Rohstoffgewinns (wie die Verhunzung der Landschaft zum locus terribilis und prekäre Arbeitsbedingungen) lassen sich nicht mehr auf Andere verschieben, sondern betreffen auch die weißen westlichen Kulturen.
Dunkle Schatten unter Rotlicht
Authors: Acharya Swati
Published: July 2021

Die Verfasserin widmet sich in diesem Beitrag den interkulturellen Kontexten, die einen ikonischen französischen Autor des 19.Jh. Charles Baudelaire und einen einflußreichen indo-pakistanischen Autor des 20. Jh. Sa'adat Hasan Manto verbinden. Der gemeinsame Nenner ist die bewußte Auswahl der marginalen Figuren wie die Prostituierten, Zuhälter und andere »Chiffonieres« als literarische Protagonisten. Der Beitrag vesrteht die Darstellung dieser Figuren aus dem Rotlichtmilieu als ein Ausdruck der sozio-kulturellen, politischen und historischen Subversion im Rahmen einer patriarchalen Gesellschaft. Für Manto sowie Baudelaire werden sie zu Orten des subalternen Kampfes im Allgemeinen, und gegen die Prozesse der Modernisierung, Unterdrückung und Marginalisierung im Besonderen.
Conflictos en torno al acceso al agua potable en el barrio Felix U. Camet, provincia de Buenos Aires: de la problematización a la acción
Authors: Lupi Leonardo , Ceretta María Belén , Peruzzaro Gonzalo Martín , Pinciroli Joaquín
Published: July 2021

El presente artículo describe y reflexiona sobre el trabajo del Grupo Aguas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, en el barrio Félix U. Camet (partido de General Pueyrredón, Buenos Aires, Argentina) entre los años 2008–2012, donde se desarrolló un proceso de organización en torno a la problemática del consumo de agua no potable. El objetivo del artículo es analizar el accionar desde la perspectiva de la Extensión Crítica y la Investigación–Acción Participativa a través de entrevistas y revisión de documentación. Así pues, queda de manifiesto que el trabajo del Grupo Aguas fue fundamental en el establecimiento de los procesos subyacentes a la problemática y en la consolidación de un grupo de vecinos que demandaron acciones al Estado. Por otro lado, se vislumbra que el conocimiento científico se resignifica cuando es apropiado de forma colectiva para dar a conocer las necesidades del territorio y contribuir en promover acciones tendientes a lograr la transformación de la problemática.
Unify Religious and Ethnic Identity: Can it be New Approaches for Community Development in Contemporary Muslim China?
Authors: Yang-Guiping Fatima
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, religion has continuously been a supposition that separated from the role of development. However, the harmonious co-existence between Islam and Confucianism has been a new trend for sustainable development. Through harmonious dialogue among ethnicity and cultural society, community development issues encouraged all stakeholders to build a balanced life. This study aims to deliberate interpretation of the historical experience of co-existence between Islam and Confucianism amidst common heritage as a new instrument of national development in China. This study uses a historical approach and qualitative methods, in which the article answered scepticism that religions only could produce hatred, conflict, apartheid, and inclusivism. The result shows that made Islam an indispensable part of Chinese civilization. There could contribute to the contemporary global dialogue that is resolving the conflict among religions and nationalists. Instead, there makes strengthen for sustainable community development affected economic stability. The paper concludes that escalating the harmonious co-existence and religious dialogue should be rising in the public sphere as a new trend for sustain and prosperous people with minority groups in contemporary China.
KÜRESEL YOKSULLUK VE KADIN İSTİHDAMI ÜZERİNE NİTEL BİR İNCELEME: BİLECİK İLİ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: HAYDAROĞLU Ceyhun , ERDOĞMUŞ Funda
Published: July 2021

Küreselleşmenin olumsuz sonuçlarından olan yoksullukla birlikte kadınlar ucuz ve güvencesiz işlerde çalışmak zorunda kalmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, küresel yoksulluk ve kadın istihdamı arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Veri toplama yöntemi olarak yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın örneklemi olan Bilecik ilinde özel sektörde çalışan 30 katılımcı kadınla yarı yapılandırılmış mülakat yöntemi ile görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yoksulluğu ve küreselleşmeyi ve bunların kadın istihdamı ile olan ilişkisini araştırmak için bu kavramlardan en çok etkilenen grup olan kadınlarla birebir görüşülmüştür. Araştırma sonucuna göre küreselleşme kadın istihdamını arttırıcı etkiler yaratmıştır. Ayrıca yoksulluk arttıkça kadın istihdamının da arttığı, kadın istihdamının arttırılması için eğitimin ve çalışma şartlarının iyileştirilmesi gereklidir. Kadın istihdamının arttırılması için erkeklerin bilinçlendirilmesi gerektiği ve kadınların çalışmaları konusunda zihniyetin değiştirilmesi gerektiği öneri olarak sunulmuştur.
Misyjne nauczanie Jana Pawła II podczas pielgrzymek do Polski
Authors: Adamiak Grzegorz
Published: July 2021

During his pilgrimages to his homeland, John Paul II was teaching his countrymen about the problems specifi c to the Church in Poland, but also to the whole Church. One of these themes was the missions ad gentes. The Pope noticed and pointed out on the example of the history of his nation that missions built Polish statehood and shaped Polish culture. He called for this process to be recognized in the history of Europe as a whole and to recognize in evangelization the factor that builds and defi nes its true identity. He showed that missions help imbue human culture with a supernatural element. He recalled the truth about the missionary nature of the Church and the missionary vocation of all its members. Responsibility and cooperation in the missionary work was for John Paul II one of the forms of the “imagination of mercy.”  Appealing to his countrymen for missionary generosity and commitment, he also pointed to the fi gures who were involved in the animation of the missionary work in the Polish and universal Church. In his teaching in Poland, he recalled the missionary task of the Church community and of each and every faithful.
Działalność Zgromadzenia Sióstr Służebniczek Najświętszej Maryi Panny Niepokalanie Poczętej jako realizacja misyjnego posłannictwa Kościoła
Authors: Machalski Jędrzej
Published: July 2021

Since the apostolic times, the Church has continuously fulfi lled the invitation addressed by Jesus to his disciples: Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). The Second Vatican Council, writing about the missionary nature of the Church, clearly emphasized the importance of the task of bringing the Good News to all people on Earth. This mission includes the activity of the Sisters Servants of the Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, a congregation founded by blessed Edmund Bojanowski. Although the congregation was not established with missionary work in mind, the fi rst Sisters left Poland as early as 1928, realizing the deep missionary  awareness that had always been present in Bojanowski. Currently, the Sisters work almost on all continents, running schools and nurseries for children, serving the sick in  clinics and hospitals, working for charity, parishes and pastoral care. The spring months faced the Sisters with the challenge of dealing with the covid-19 virus epidemic, which aff ected, among others, the functioning of the hospitals and schools run by the Sisters, putting many children in poor health at risk because of the conditions in which they live. The Sisters often added a request for prayer and support to the current news published on the Internet. Although due to the epidemic, the departures of volunteers became impossible, many people of good will supported and  continue to support the missionary activity of the Sisters, remembering the words ofChrist: Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me (Matthew 25:40).
Thought, Choice, and Other Causes in Aristotle’s Account of Luck
Authors: Kress Emily
Published: July 2021

In Physics 2.4–6, Aristotle offers an account of things that happen “by luck” (ἀπὸ τύχης) and “spontaneously” (ἀπὸ τοῦ αὐτομάτου). Many of these things are what we might think of as “lucky breaks”: cases where things go well for us, even though we don’t expect them to. In Physics 2.5, Aristotle illustrates this idea with the case of a man who goes to the market for some reason unrelated to collecting a debt he is owed (197a17–8). While he is there, this man just so happens to run into his debtor and get his money back—which is what he “wanted” all along (196a4). This case has a number of features that have proved puzzling. Most notably, Aristotle seems to think that while “it happened accidentally to him to come and to do this for the sake of getting the money”, nevertheless the man “did not come for the sake of this”—though he “would have” (196b34–6). What must such a proceeding be like to be described in these ways? Physics 2.4–6 makes several important moves towards answering this question. One of them—among the earliest and seemingly a foundational one—is the claim that “for the sake of something are as many things as could be done by thought and by nature” (196b21–2). The aim of this paper is to identify the role that this claim plays in Aristotle’s account of spontaneous proceedings. It defends two main claims. First, Aristotle’s suggestion that spontaneous proceedings could be done by nature and by thought is the product of a more general strategy. His approach is to sketch an intuitive pattern of explanation for proceedings that happen for the sake of something in the ordinary—non-spontaneous—way, and then to try to extend that model to the case of things that do so spontaneously, preserving as much of it as possible. Applying this strategy reveals that whereas nature and thought in fact function as efficient causes of ordinary proceedings that are for the sake of something, this cannot be the case in spontaneous ones. Instead, nature and thought could function as their causes. Second, I argue that Aristotle’s implementation of this strategy is rooted in his account of causation and especially Physics 2.3’s list of “modes” (τρόποι) of causes. When he claims that spontaneous proceedings “could” be done by nature and by thought, he is saying that nature (in natural cases) and thought (in practical ones) are their efficient causes in capacity. In the practical case, spontaneous proceedings are caused by agents who have certain capacities, connected with their desires and abilities. In the right circumstances, these agents would actively exercise those capacities in acting for the sake of a given end.
Different light and temperature requirements for survival and growth in three species of Kallymeniaceae (Rhodophyta) from the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Rodríguez-Prieto Conxi
Published: July 2021

Laboratory experiments have shown that light and temperature requirements are critical determining factors for thallus survival and growth of three Mediterranean Kallymeniaceae (Rhodophyta): Verlaquea lacerata, Croisettea requienii, and Meredithia microphylla, and explain their current bathymetric and habitat distribution. Verlaquea lacerata is annual and survived more than 1.5 years in culture, while C. requienii and M. microphylla are perennial and survived more than four and nine years in culture, respectively. The maximum survival was observed at 20–50 µmol photon m−2 s−1 and 10 and 12 °C within an 8:16 h light:dark regime for the three species, while a strong decrease in survival was observed at temperatures of 24 and 26 °C, indicating a weak tolerance to warming temperatures in the Mediterranean. The maximum value of the rate of daily marginal extension per initial surface area was similar in the three species: 0.017 day−1 for V. lacerata (10 °C/8:16 h light:dark regime/10 µmol photon m−2 s−1), 0.021 day−1 for C. requienii (18 °C/14:10 h light:dark regime/10 µmol photon m−2 s−1), and 0.017 day−1 for M. microphylla (12 °C/8:16 h light:dark regime/20 µmol photon m−2 s−1). The experiments permitted the establishment of culture conditions for the target species, and the successful culture of marginal fragments indicates the possibility of indefinitely maintaining the species in the laboratory for bioconservation purposes.
Autonomy in Transactions
Authors: Gutmann Thomas
Published: July 2021

The article presents a ‘critique from within’ of Peter Benson’s book ‘Justice in Transactions’, while sharing its premise that a theory of contract has to be liberal one. It identifies three problems with Benson’s answer to the question of how the relation between freedom and equality in contract law should be understood. It criticizes Benson’s Hegelian metaphysics and claims that a principle of mutual recognition and respect between juridical persons does not require that contracts only allow the alienation and appropriation of different things of the quantitatively same value. It demonstrates that Rawls’s idea of a ‘division of labor’ within principles of justice is more plausible than Benson’s reformulated account, which loses sight of the premise that a liberal theory of contract must locate the normative foundations of ‘contract’ in individual rights, and, in addition, is at odds with Rawls’s project in ‘Political Liberalism’ and its concept of public justification.
Justice in Transactions: A Public Basis for Justifying Contract Law?
Authors: Hesselink Martijn W.
Published: July 2021

This paper challenges Peter Benson’s claim that his theory of justice in transactions can provide a public basis of justification in the Rawlsian sense specifically worked out for contract law. It argues that Benson’s distinct conception of the contracting parties and their relationships makes it an unlikely candidate for public justification in contemporary liberal democracies that are characterized by the fact of a reasonable pluralism of worldviews. Moreover, Benson’s method of deriving principles of contractual justice from existing contract law doctrines and principles risks pre-empting any critical potential for normative contract theory. In addition, its quasi universalism seems difficult to match with the political autonomy of citizens in democratic societies. Finally, Benson’s understanding of contract law as separate from politics appears at odds, not merely with Rawlsian political justice, but with the very idea of public justification.
Nanoreactors: properties, applications and characterization
Authors: Syah Rahmad , Zahar Marziah , Kianfar Ehsan
Published: July 2021

Nanoreactors are a type of chemical reactor that is used mostly in nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology. These unique reactors are critical to the operation of a nano foundry, which is essentially a foundry that produces goods on a nanoscale. Active sites, such as transitional metal species, can also be added to nanoreactors. In this situation, the NR’s limited area might impact reaction rate and mechanism by increasing the contacts between reactants and active sites and changing the concentration of the reactant at the active site. Immobilization of chiral active centers inside porous materials has received a lot of interest in this context, and there have been a lot of publications proving the benefits of nano space confinement in chemical processes. The specific mechanism in which enantioselectivities are strengthened has been clarified using molecular dynamics simulations. Nanoreactors are nanometer-sized chambers with the potential to improve chemical conversions by shielding catalysts from external effects and encapsulating reactors and catalysts in a tiny space for an extended period of time. Natural and synthetic nanoreactors are the two types of nanoreactors that can be found in general. The first group has a more selective function while also having a more complicated structure, whereas the second group has more variation and a simpler structure. Synthetic nanoreactors have so far been made with a variety of molecules and large types of molecules. The space inside the nanoreactors is a good environment for the production of various nanostructures, in addition to a wide range of chemical reactions. When chemical reactions are carried out in confined spaces with nanometer dimensions and micrometer volumes, the kinetics and the entire process path are altered. Nanoreactors are restricted areas used to execute specialized chemical processes. In the cells of living organisms, numerous simultaneous reactions are based on the same concept. As a result, various biological and chemical structures with nanoreactor characteristics are used in this strategy.
Evaluating probabilistic forecasts of football matches: the case against the ranked probability score
Authors: Wheatcroft Edward
Published: July 2021

A scoring rule is a function of a probabilistic forecast and a corresponding outcome used to evaluate forecast performance. There is some debate as to which scoring rules are most appropriate for evaluating forecasts of sporting events. This paper focuses on forecasts of the outcomes of football matches. The ranked probability score (RPS) is often recommended since it is ‘sensitive to distance’, that is it takes into account the ordering in the outcomes (a home win is ‘closer’ to a draw than it is to an away win). In this paper, this reasoning is disputed on the basis that it adds nothing in terms of the usual aims of using scoring rules. A local scoring rule is one that only takes the probability placed on the outcome into consideration. Two simulation experiments are carried out to compare the performance of the RPS, which is non-local and sensitive to distance, the Brier score, which is non-local and insensitive to distance, and the Ignorance score, which is local and insensitive to distance. The Ignorance score outperforms both the RPS and the Brier score, casting doubt on the value of non-locality and sensitivity to distance as properties of scoring rules in this context.
Serum intact fibroblast growth factor 23 in healthy paediatric population
Authors: Stanczyk Malgorzata , Chrul Slawomir , Wyka Krystyna , Tkaczyk Marcin
Published: July 2021

Introduction

It is believed that fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) can become an early biomarker of chronic kidney disease progression. Data on FGF23 age dependency are inconsistent. We present the results of the cross-sectional study concerning FGF23 levels in healthy Polish children.

Material and methods

This study was conducted in 121 children aged 0–18 years. Kidney function and intact FGF23 levels in serum were assessed. Differences between age groups and according to gender were analysed.

Results

The difference in FGF23 between age groups and according to gender was statistically insignificant. In the youngest and the oldest group, a trend to higher FGF23 levels was observed. FGF23 level in girls tended to be higher than boys, apart from the age group between 1 and 4 years. There was a negative correlation between eGFR and FGF23 (r = −0.26, p < 0.05) – strong in girls (r = −0.38, p < 0.05), but not in boys. In each age group, we found no significant correlation between eGFR and FGF23.

Conclusions

Our study supports the evidence that the FGF23 level in paediatric population is not age or sex dependent. The results can serve as a reference point under clinical conditions and for other studies on the topic.
Expanding Field-Archaeology Education: The Integration of 3D Technology into Archaeological Training
Authors: Derudas Paola , Berggren Åsa
Published: July 2021

This contribution analyses and discusses the use of 3D technology in education and learning. Basing the discussion on a case study performed during two seasons of a field school for 1st-year archaeology students, we explore how to expand traditional didactic programs by developing and testing a web-based system for educational purposes. We examine how these technologies can be used as educational means and supporting tools during an excavation; how universities can incorporate these technologies into pedagogy. We investigate whether the combination of these technologies with a successful pedagogical theory could promote students’ comprehension of the reflexive approach and engagement with the interpretative process.

We introduced the students to a complete excavation methodology, including excavation, documentation, data management, and interpretation. Alongside the traditional documentation, a digital approach was added, with 3D technologies and an Interactive Visualisation System that allows fully three-dimensional reasoning from the beginning and throughout the whole archaeological process. Preliminary results show that students easily incorporate 3D documentation into their toolbox for analysing and visualising the material and understand both the possibilities and limitations of the system. However, we identified some limitations in the students’ use of the system. Together with the students’ feedback, we will use them to develop it further and discuss its use in education.
Vínculo entre composición corporal, sprint y salto vertical en futbolistas jóvenes de élite de Chile
Authors: Pérez-Contreras Jorge , Merino-Muñoz Pablo , Aedo-Muñoz Esteban
Published: July 2021

The study aimed to know the relationships between indicators of body composition and physical performance in elite young players and determine if there are differences between playing positions and series. The sample was of selected U-15 (n=24) and U-17 (n=20) male players, divided by playing position. Body composition, fat mass percentage (%MG), and muscle mass percentage (%MM) indicators were evaluated. Also, Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), linear velocity in 10 (T10) and 30 meters (T30) were evaluated. Body composition and physical performance variables were related, and differences between playing positions and between categories were sought. Significant large associations were found in the U-15 category between %MM with SJ and CMJ and moderate associations between %MG with T10, SJ, and CMJ. In the U-17 category, a significant large association was found between %MM and T30 and between %MG and T30. Significant differences in %MG were found in the U-17 category between goalkeepers vs. defenders and forwards. Moderate significant differences were found in %MM between categories and very large differences in T10 and T30, and a moderate difference in SJ. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the body composition %MM and %MG is related to physical performance. In addition, there are differences in %MG between goalkeepers vs. outfield players and differences in body composition and physical performance variables between U-17 and U-15 players. The results obtained can be used as a reference or as parameters for comparing young players at the national level in the detection of talent.
Analysis of the threat of groundwater contamination in the Jacó aquifer, Central Pacific, Costa Rica
Authors: Orozco-Montoya Ricardo A. , Madrigal-Solís Helga , Vargas-Bolaños Christian , Orias-Arguedas Lidia
Published: July 2021

[Introduction]: In Costa Rica, more than 70 % of the public drinking water supply comes from groundwater sources. In the coastal city of Jacó, on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, tourism activity is essential for economic development and groundwater represents a source for supplying tourists and residents. [Objective]: This research aims to characterize the threats of groundwater contamination to the coastal aquifer of Jacó due to human activities, based on land use analysis, characterization of potential pollution sources and, estimation of the floating population related to tourist activity. [Methodology]: An inventory of potential pollution sources was carried out through the location of human/anthropogenic activities. Potential point, diffuse and linear sources were classified based on the Pollutant Origin Surcharge Hydraulically (POSH) method, as activities with high, medium and low potential generating pollutant load (threat) [Results]: Of the total potential sources, 0.5 % correspond to activities with high potential, 14.0 % medium potential and 23.5 % low potential, and 62.0 % null potential. Out of 129 point pollution sources, 64.3 % were classified as medium threat activities due to the storage and handling of potentially polluting chemicals. Although the sources of high threat are those of lesser occurrence in the study area, they can generate greater negative impacts on groundwater resources. These are located mainly in the urban area of the city where the floating population reaches more than 12 000 people during the holidays, so their potential for pollutant loading could rise during this period. [Conclusions]: The results will be considered in territory planning, which seeks to reduce the probability of groundwater contamination in Jacó.
Evaluación de humedales someros tropicales semiáridos asociados al botulismo aviar
Authors: Araiza-Ortiz Marcela Areli , Zambrano-González Luis , Mazari-Hiriart Marisa , Suzán Gerardo
Published: July 2021

[Introducción]: Los humedales someros son relevantes para las aves acuáticas, actualmente son afectados por el cambio climático y las actividades humanas, esto se ha relacionado con brotes de botulismo aviar. [Objetivo]: Identificar cambios bióticos y fisicoquímicos en los humedales que podrían propiciar brotes de botulismo. Identificar fuentes de nutrientes que contribuyen a un estado eutrófico. [Metodología]: Evaluación de características bioticas (diversidad de zooplancton y macroinvertebrados) y fisicoquímicas (oxígeno disuelto, temperatura, solidos disueltos totales y transparencia) en 3 humedales (Trancas, Coyote y Silva) del centro de México. Identificación de la fuente de nutrientes mediante un análisis isotópico (δ13C y δ15N) de los organismos acuáticos. [Resultados]: Después de la época de lluvias hubo una disminución en la diversidad de zooplancton e invertebrados, así como disminución del nivel y transparencia del agua en los sitios estudiados. Los valores de oxígeno disuelto, temperatura y sólidos disueltos totales fueron diferentes en los 3 sitios. Los valores de los isótopos estables de carbono (δ13C) y nitrógeno (δ15N) de los organismos de Silva y Coyote, coinciden con valores de aguas negras, fertilizantes, maíz y trigo. [Conclusión]: Los humedales estudiados registraron cambios bióticos y fisicoquímicos a lo largo del periodo de estudio. En Silva y Coyote las fluctuaciones en el nivel del agua, las actividades humanas y la llegada de miles de aves acuáticas migratorias provocan una acumulación de materia orgánica en descomposición y nutrientes que vuelven a estos sitios eutróficos y propensos a tener brotes recurrentes de botulismo aviar.
Suelos de páramo: Análisis de percepciones de los servicios ecosistémicos y valoración económica del contenido de carbono en la sierra sureste del Ecuador
Authors: Pinos-Morocho Daniela , Morales-Matute Oscar , Durán-López María Elisa
Published: July 2021

[Introducción]: El suelo del páramo contiene grandes cantidades de carbono orgánico, gracias a las bajas temperaturas que reducen la descomposición de la materia orgánica que se acumula. Estos suelos prestan un servicio ecosistémico importante a nivel global, al regular el nivel de dióxido de carbono emitido a la atmósfera, actuando como sumideros. Adicionalmente, el análisis de la percepción ambiental de estos servicios ecosistémicos ayudará a su conservación. [Objetivo]: Evaluar la percepción que tienen los pobladores sobre los servicios ecosistémicos y determinar el valor económico del contenido de carbono, en los suelos del páramo cercano al Bosque Protector Cubilán, Ecuador. [Metodología]: Mediante un muestreo intencional y un análisis descriptivo se evaluó cómo los habitantes de 3 comunas perciben los servicios ecosistémicos del páramo. Además, para determinar el valor económico del carbono se plantearon 2 escenarios (suelos intervenidos y naturales) y se aplicó el método que obtiene el costo del daño evitado a nivel global, por la mitigación del cambio climático. [Resultados]: Los pobladores perciben las 4 categorías utilizadas para definir los servicios ecosistémicos con una jerarquía marcada. Por otro lado, los suelos intervenidos pierden, en promedio, un 26 % de contenido de carbono en comparación con el contenido de sitios naturales que, traducido a un valor económico, representa una pérdida monetaria del 6 % aproximadamente. [Conclusiones]: Los servicios ecosistémicos de este páramo se perciben adecuadamente en su zona de influencia. Continuar con actividades antropogénicas (ganadería y/o agricultura) contribuye a una pérdida de contenido de carbono y económica.
La institucionalidad de los asuntos indígenas en las comunidades bribris de Salitre y Cabagra, Costa Rica (1970-2000)
Authors: Badilla Loría Michael
Published: July 2021

El desarrollo histórico de la institucionalidad indígena en Costa Rica, en el periodo 1970-2000, tiende a olvidarse de los intereses culturales, sociales y económicos de las poblaciones indígenas, pero como respuesta, estas últimas se han encargado de dejar claro que las instituciones están fallando, por lo que procederán a deslegitimarlas. Pero existen algunas asociaciones de desarrollo que han sabido defender sus intereses, por encima del Estado o de personas ajenas a su etnia, y su resultado es que las comunidades den su aceptación y la legitimidad a la institución como gobierno local. En este texto se realiza un acercamiento a la legitimidad y aceptación que poseen los entes oficiales como la Comisión Nacional de Asuntos Indígenas, y las Asociaciones de Desarrollo Integral indígena dentro de los pueblos de Salitre y Cabagra en la zona sur del país. El análisis se realiza con base en diversas fuentes primarias, como prensa nacional, documentos jurídicos, y documentaciones localizadas en la Dirección Nacional de Desarrollo de la Comunidad, entre estas, cartas de miembros de la comunidad, informes de asambleas y denuncias.
Los administradores políticos de Costa Rica al momento de la Independencia: ¿Colonia o modernidad?
Authors: Madrigal Muñoz Eduardo
Published: July 2021

La burocracia es un tema de innegable importancia para la comprensión del Estado moderno y para las discusiones de la agenda política. Sin embargo, la composición social de los burócratas es un tema sumamente poco tratado en la historiografía. Este trabajo se propone llevar a cabo un análisis acerca de la composición social y carrera vital de los individuos que detentaron puestos de jerarquía en las instituciones políticas de Costa Rica al momento de la independencia. Con ello se pretende llegar a una comprensión más profunda de la naturaleza y mecanismos de funcionamiento de las primeras instituciones políticas establecidas en el naciente país después del proceso de Independencia.
Las repercusiones de la apertura económica de Cuba con Estados Unidos en el contexto de las relaciones internacionales
Authors: Agramón-Mata Juan Francisco , Lechuga-Cardozo Jorge Isaac , Arjona-Granados María del Pilar
Published: July 2021

This article is a bibliographic review aiming to show evidence of the repercussions of Cuba’s economic opening with the United Statesfrom the International Relations perspective. A qualitative approach was applied in which the analytical method was used through a documentary-bibliographic cross-sectional review. The research identifies a rupture in diplomatic and trade relations between Cuba and the United  States affecting the dynamics of inter-American international relations. It concludes that despite the agreement in 2014 between Washington and Havana, the Trump’s government kept several acts of hostility that negatively affect this agreement; therefore, cooperation opportunities should be sought to improve bilateral relations.
América Latina: Una deuda pendiente de la política exterior de India
Authors: Baroni Paola Andrea
Published: July 2021

Prime Minister Modi injected a new dynamism in conducting India’s external relations assuming an influential role in regional and international issues. Since he was elected, he has traveled to almost all continents but only visiting Latin America twice under multilateral meetings. Latin America offers diverse opportunities to India regarding food and energy security, investments, and South-South cooperation. However, India shows benign negligence towards the region. In this article, Modi’s foreign policy is analyzed with a particular interest in Latin America to identify opportunities and obstacles in the bilateral relation
Determinants of Costa Rica's International Trade of Wastes and Its Relationship with the Circular Economy
Authors: Ugalde-Hernández Oscar
Published: July 2021

As the circular economy has evolved into a new development model, international trade of wastes, scraps, and residues has grown with significant relevance in this new century. Costa Rica represented less than 0.1 percent of the total amount of world waste exports by the end of 2020, however; it can make a transition to a circular economy through this international trade trend. This article explores the determinants that propel Costa Rica to participate in this type of international trade. Through the application of a Poisson pseudo maximum-likelihood gravity model with a 2018 cross-sectional database of 47 countries, it is determined that Gross Domestic Product of importing countries, their population sizes, their services sectors’ size in terms of GDP, as well as their environmental performance, are all significant determinants. Trade of wastes should not be a form of exporting problems to other nations, but a means to take the local circular economy to a global scale.
Pulp properties and spent pretreatment solution resulting from reed pulping with a low alkali loading
Authors: Zhao Shuangshuang , Tian Zhongjian , Lyu Gaojin , Wang Dongxing , Ji Hairui , Wang Ruiming , Ji Xingxiang , Lucia Lucian A.
Published: July 2021

Using reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud) as raw material, straw pulp was prepared by low alkali (less than 6%) pretreatment combined with mechanical grinding. The effects of pretreatment times and alkali dosages on pulp properties and pretreatment solution were investigated. The results demonstrated that alkali pretreatment affected FPI beating efficiency, and the beating energy consumption was lowest when pretreated with alkali dosage of 4%. With 5% NaOH pretreatment, the produced handsheets showed excellent properties that exceeded the requirements of food packaging paper and C-class corrugated paper. Moreover, low silicon content (≤1.12 g/L) in the pretreatment liquor had an almost negligible effect relative to alkali recovery. Therefore, this study is important for researchers and industrial representatives seeking to use reed straw as material for pulping.
Structure and Electrical Properties of Superionic Ceramics Based on Silver-Enriched (Cu0.25Ag0.75)7SiS5I Solid Solution
Authors: Pogodin A.I. , Shender I.O. , Bereznyuk S.M. , Filep M.Y. , Kokhan O.P. , Suslikov L.M. , Studenyak I.P.
Published: July 2021

(Cu0.25Ag0.75)7SiS5I-based superionic ceramics were fabricated by using the micro- and nanopowders. The XRD technique and microstructural analysis are applied for the structural studies of powders and ceramic samples. The impedance measurements of ceramic samples are carried out in the frequency range from 10Hz to 2 × 106 Hz and temperature interval from 292 K to 383 K. The contributions of ionic and electronic conductivities into the total electrical conductivity are determined, and their temperature dependences are investigated. The influence of the size effect on ionic and electronic conductivities and their activation energies in (Cu0.25Ag0.75)7SiS5I-based ceramics is studied.