bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacillus subtilis encodes a discrete flap endonuclease that cleaves RNA-DNA hybrids
Authors: Lowder Frances Caroline , Simmons Lyle A.
Published: May 2023

The current model for Okazaki fragment maturation in bacteria invokes RNA cleavage by RNase H, followed by strand displacement synthesis and 5′ RNA flap removal by DNA polymerase I (Pol I). RNA removal by Pol I is thought to occur through the 5′-3′ flap endo/exonuclease (FEN) domain, located in the N-terminus of the protein. In addition to Pol I, many bacteria encode a second, Pol I-independent FEN. The contribution of Pol I and Pol I-independent FENs to DNA replication and genome stability remains unclear. In this work we purified Bacillus subtilis Pol I and FEN, then assayed these proteins on a variety of RNA-DNA hybrid and DNA-only substrates. We found that FEN is far more active than Pol I on nicked double-flap, 5′ single flap, and nicked RNA-DNA hybrid substrates. We show that the 5′ nuclease activity of B. subtilis Pol I is feeble, even during DNA synthesis when a 5′ flapped substrate is formed modeling an Okazaki fragment intermediate. Examination of Pol I and FEN on DNA-only substrates shows that FEN is more active than Pol I on most substrates tested. Further experiments show that ΔpolA phenotypes are completely rescued by expressing the C-terminal polymerase domain while expression of the N-terminal 5′ nuclease domain fails to complement ΔpolA. Cells lacking FEN (ΔfenA) show a phenotype in conjunction with an RNase HIII defect, providing genetic evidence for the involvement of FEN in Okazaki fragment processing. With these results, we propose a model where cells remove RNA primers using FEN while upstream Okazaki fragments are extended through synthesis by Pol I. Our model resembles Okazaki fragment processing in eukaryotes, where Pol δ catalyzes strand displacement synthesis followed by 5′ flap cleavage using FEN-1. Together our work highlights the conservation of ordered steps for Okazaki fragment processing in cells ranging from bacteria to human.
Alterations in germinal center formation and B cell activation during severe Orientia tsutsugamushi infection in mice
Authors: Gonzales Casey , Liang Yuejin , Fisher James , Card Galen , Sun Jiaren , Soong Lynn
Published: May 2023

Scrub typhus is a poorly studied but life-threatening disease caused by the intracellular bacteriumOrientia tsutsugamushi(Ot). Cellular and humoral immunity inOt-infected patients is not long-lasting, waning as early as one-year post-infection; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To date, no studies have examined germinal center (GC) or B cell responses inOt-infected humans or experimental animals. This study was aimed at evaluating humoral immune responses at acute stages of severeOtinfection and possible mechanisms underlying B cell dysfunction. Following inoculation withOtKarp, a clinically dominant strain known to cause lethal infection in C57BL/6 mice, we measured antigen-specific antibody titers, revealing IgG2c as the dominant isotype induced by infection. Splenic GC responses were evaluated by immunohistology, co-staining for B cells (B220), T cells (CD3), and GCs (GL-7). Organized GCs were evident at day 4 post-infection (D4), but they were nearly absent at D8, accompanied by scattered T cells throughout splenic tissues. Flow cytometry revealed comparable numbers of GC B cells and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells at D4 and D8, indicating that GC collapse was not due to excessive death of these cell subtypes at D8. B cell RNAseq analysis revealed significant differences in expression of genes associated with B cell adhesion and co-stimulation at D8 versus D4. The significant downregulation ofS1PR2(a GC-specific adhesion gene) was most evident at D8, correlating with disrupted GC formation. Signaling pathway analysis uncovered downregulation of 71% of B cell activation genes at D8, suggesting attenuation of B cell activation during severe infection. This is the first study showing the disruption of B/T cell microenvironment and dysregulation of B cell responses duringOtinfection, which may help understand the transient immunity associated with scrub typhus.
Mitotic CDK1 and 4E-BP1 I: Loss of 4E-BP1 serine 82 phosphorylation promotes proliferative polycystic disease and lymphoma in aged or sublethally irradiated mice
Authors: Sun Rui , Guo Siying , Shuda Yoko , Chakka Anish B. , Rigatti Lora H. , Zhao Guangyi , Ali Mohammed A. E. , Park Christopher Y. , Chandran Uma , Yu Jian , Bakkenist Christopher J. , Shuda Masahiro , Moore Patrick S. , Chang Yuan
Published: May 2023

4E-BP1 is a tumor suppressor regulating cap-dependent translation that is in turn controlled by mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) or cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) phosphorylation. 4E-BP1 serine 82 (S82) is phosphorylated by CDK1, but not mTOR, and the consequences of this mitosis-specific phosphorylation are unknown. Knock-in mice were generated with a single 4E-BP1 S82 alanine (S82A) substitution leaving other phosphorylation sites intact. S82A mice were fertile and exhibited no gross developmental or behavioral abnormalities, but the homozygotes developed diffuse and severe polycystic liver and kidney disease with aging, and lymphoid malignancies after irradiation. Sublethal irradiation caused immature T-cell lymphoma only in S82A mice while S82A homozygous mice have normal T-cell hematopoiesis before irradiation. Whole genome sequencing identified PTEN mutations in S82A lymphoma and impaired PTEN expression was verified in S82A lymphomas derived cell lines. Our study suggests that the absence of 4E-BP1S82 phosphorylation, a subtle change in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation, might predispose to polycystic proliferative disease and lymphoma under certain stressful circumstances, such as aging and irradiation.
Capturing technological crossovers between clay crafts: An archaeometric perspective on the emergence of workshop production in Late Iron Age northern Spain
Authors: de Groot Beatrijs G. , Badreshany Kamal , Torres-Martínez Jesús F. , Fernández-Götz Manuel
Published: May 2023

In the Iberian Iron Age, the transition to workshop-based pottery production involved the use of innovative tools (the potter’s wheel and kiln) and dedicated workspace. This facilitated an intensification of production, with repercussions for consumption practices and the economy. Cross-craft comparison can contribute to understanding the transmission processes underpinning this transition, as well as its impact on local craft traditions. This paper discusses an archaeometric methodology to compare the technological procedures underpinning different clay crafts to reveal crossovers and divergences that are meaningful for understanding cross craft interaction and the spread of technological innovations. We use thin-section ceramic petrography, X-Ray Fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry, and X-Ray Diffraction to analyse the mineralogical and geochemical compositions and levels of standardisation in hand-made pottery, wheel-made ceramics, and ceramic building materials from the Late Iron Age oppidum of Monte Bernorio (Aguilar de Campoo, Palencia) and the kiln site of El Cerrito (Cella, Teruel). The results demonstrate that wheel-made pottery was produced according to a highly uniform clay preparation and clay selection procedure, which spanned the northern Iberian Plateau and largely existed in isolation from local pottery traditions. At Monte Bernorio, wheel-made pottery was made on-site from non-local clays, suggesting that suitable clays were brought to the site, perhaps by itinerant potters working on a seasonal basis. Technological traditions were thus largely polarised, demonstrating that knowledge, skills, and markets relating to workshop-produced pottery were enacted by a segment of society operating as part of a closed technological system.
A computational predictor of the anaerobic mechanical power outputs from a clinical exercise stress test
Authors: Leopold Efrat , Tuller Tamir , Scheinowitz Mickey
Published: May 2023

We previously were able to predict the anaerobic mechanical power outputs using features taken from a maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPET). Since a standard aerobic exercise stress test (with electrocardiogram and blood pressure measurements) has no gas exchange measurement and is more popular than CPET, our goal, in the current paper, was to investigate whether features taken from a clinical exercise stress test (GXT), either submaximal or maximal, can predict the anaerobic mechanical power outputs to the same level as we found with CPET variables. We have used data taken from young healthy subjects undergoing CPET aerobic test and the Wingate anaerobic test, and developed a computational predictive algorithm, based on greedy heuristic multiple linear regression, which enabled the prediction of the anaerobic mechanical power outputs from a corresponding GXT measures (exercise test time, treadmill speed and slope). We found that for submaximal GXT of 85% age predicted HRmax, a combination of 3 and 4 variables produced a correlation of r = 0.93 and r = 0.92 with % error equal to 15 ± 3 and 16 ± 3 on the validation set between real and predicted values of the peak and mean anaerobic mechanical power outputs (p < 0.001), respectively. For maximal GXT (100% of age predicted HRmax), a combination of 4 and 2 variables produced a correlation of r = 0.92 and r = 0.94 with % error equal to 12 ± 2 and 14 ± 3 on the validation set between real and predicted values of the peak and mean anaerobic mechanical power outputs (p < 0.001), respectively. The newly developed model allows to accurately predict the anaerobic mechanical power outputs from a standard, submaximal and maximal GXT. Nevertheless, in the current study the subjects were healthy, normal individuals and therefore the assessment of additional subjects is desirable for the development of a test applicable to other populations.
Experiences of women in prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care during the COVID-19 pandemic in selected cities in Brazil: The resignification of the experience of pregnancy and giving birth
Authors: Lamy Zeni Carvalho , Thomaz Erika Barbara Abreu Fonseca , Silva-Junior Aluísio Gomes da , Alexandre Gisele Caldas , Alves Maria Teresa Seabra Soares de Britto e , Carvalho Ruth Helena de Souza Britto Ferreira de , Menezes Letícia Oliveira de , Oliveira Sandro Schreiber de , Moraes Maurício , Magalhães Yasmim Bezerra , Coimbra Tatiana Raquel Selbmann , Guzman-Barrera Lely Stella
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted public and private health systems around the world, impairing good practices in women’s health care. However, little is known about the experiences, knowledge, and feelings of Brazilian women in this period. The objective was to analyze the experiences of women, seen at maternity hospitals accredited by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese), regarding health care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods, their interpersonal relationships, and perceptions and feelings about the pandemic. This was a qualitative, exploratory research, carried out in three Brazilian municipalities with women hospitalized in 2020, during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum period, with COVID-19 or not. For data collection, semi-structured individual interviews (in person, by telephone, or by digital platform) were conducted, recorded and transcribed. The content analysis of thematic modalities was displayed as per the following axes: i) Knowledge about the disease; ii) Search for health care in prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum periods; iii) Experience of suffering from COVID-19; iv) Income and work; and v) Family dynamics and social support network. A total of 46 women were interviewed in São Luís-MA, Pelotas-RS, and Niterói-RJ. Use of media was important to convey information and fight fake news. The pandemic negatively impacted access to health care in the prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum periods, contributing to worsening of the population’s social and economic vulnerabilities. Women experienced diverse manifestations of the disease, and psychic disorders were very frequent. Social isolation during the pandemic disrupted the support network of these women, who found social support strategies in communication technologies. Women-centered care–including qualified listening and mental health support–can reduce the severity of COVID-19 cases in pregnant, parturient, and postpartum women. Sustainable employment and income maintenance policies are essential to mitigate social vulnerabilities and reduce risks for these women.
Modelling the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on workplace transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the home-delivery sector
Authors: Whitfield Carl A. , van Tongeren Martie , Han Yang , Wei Hua , Daniels Sarah , Regan Martyn , Denning David W. , Verma Arpana , Pellis Lorenzo , Hall Ian ,   with the University of Manchester COVID-19 Modelling Group
Published: May 2023

Objective

We aimed to use mathematical models of SARS-COV-2 to assess the potential efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions on transmission in the parcel delivery and logistics sector.

Methods

We devloped a network-based model of workplace contacts based on data and consultations from companies in the parcel delivery and logistics sectors. We used these in stochastic simulations of disease transmission to predict the probability of workplace outbreaks in this settings. Individuals in the model have different viral load trajectories based on SARS-CoV-2 in-host dynamics, which couple to their infectiousness and test positive probability over time, in order to determine the impact of testing and isolation measures.

Results

The baseline model (without any interventions) showed different workplace infection rates for staff in different job roles. Based on our assumptions of contact patterns in the parcel delivery work setting we found that when a delivery driver was the index case, on average they infect only 0.14 other employees, while for warehouse and office workers this went up to 0.65 and 2.24 respectively. In the LIDD setting this was predicted to be 1.40, 0.98, and 1.34 respectively. Nonetheless, the vast majority of simulations resulted in 0 secondary cases among customers (even without contact-free delivery). Our results showed that a combination of social distancing, office staff working from home, and fixed driver pairings (all interventions carried out by the companies we consulted) reduce the risk of workplace outbreaks by 3-4 times.

Conclusion

This work suggests that, without interventions, significant transmission could have occured in these workplaces, but that these posed minimal risk to customers. We found that identifying and isolating regular close-contacts of infectious individuals (i.e. house-share, carpools, or delivery pairs) is an efficient measure for stopping workplace outbreaks. Regular testing can make these isolation measures even more effective but also increases the number of staff isolating at one time. It is therefore more efficient to use these isolation measures in addition to social distancing and contact reduction interventions, rather than instead of, as these reduce both transmission and the number of people needing to isolate at one time.
Crises information dissemination through social media in the UK and Saudi Arabia: A linguistic perspective
Authors: Alhedayani Rukayah , Alkhammash Reem
Published: May 2023

This study investigates health-promoting messages in British and Saudi officials’ social-media discourse during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. Taking discourse as a constructivist conception, we examined the crisis-response strategies employed by these officials on social media, and the role of such strategies in promoting healthy behaviors and compliance with health regulations. The study presents a corpus-assisted discourse analysis of the tweets of a Saudi health official and a British health official that focuses on keyness, speech acts, and metaphor. We found that both officials utilized clear communication and persuasive rhetorical tactics to convey the procedures suggested by the World Health Organization. However, there were some differences in how the two officials used speech acts and metaphors to achieve their goals. The British official used empathy as the primary communication strategy, while the Saudi official emphasized health literacy. The British official also used conflict-based metaphors such as war and gaming, whereas the Saudi official used metaphors that reflected life as a journey interrupted by the pandemic. Despite these differences, both officials utilized directive speech acts to tell audiences the procedures they should follow to achieve the desired conclusion of healing patients and ending the pandemic. In addition, rhetorical questions and assertions were used to direct people to perform certain behaviors favored. Interestingly, the discourse used by both officials contained characteristics of both health communication and political discourse. War metaphors, which were utilized by the British Health official, are a common feature in political discourse as well as in health-care discourse. Overall, this study highlights the importance of effective communication strategies in promoting healthy behaviors and compliance with health regulations during a pandemic. By analyzing the discourse of health officials on social media, we can gain insights into the strategies employed to manage a crisis and effectively communicate with the public.
Cornerstone over Capstone: The case for structured career development opportunities early in the undergraduate biology curriculum as a way to influence science and biology identities
Authors: McCartney Melissa , Colon Jessica
Published: May 2023

Improving the rate at which individuals enter into STEM careers remains a national concern. STEM fields are currently facing a crisis with respect to filling jobs with qualified workers, suggesting that STEM jobs are available yet remain open and waiting for qualified graduates. Although researchers have previously investigated variables such as demographics and attrition rates for the lack of STEM graduates available to fill these job vacancies, there is a critical need for additional research examining the impact of additional career-related variables. To explore the impact of a biology-focused career development course (CDC), we surveyed 277 biology majors in their final semester who participated in the CDC. Respondents were asked to describe their perceptions of the professional development modules contained within the CDC and to describe what they would have done differently had the CDC been available earlier in their academic career. We grounded data analysis in science and biology identity frameworks. In agreement with earlier identity studies, we found that engagement with the CDC enhanced student’s performance/competence in biology and recognition as a biologist, two factors that are important for identity formation. Additionally, we show that students prefer to have the CDC earlier in their academic careers. Collectively, our data advance our understanding of career development of biology majors in two novel ways. First, we provide much needed qualitative data highlighting the mechanisms underlying the biology-focused CDC. Second, we provide both quantitative and qualitative data focused on the timing of the CDC, a topic which has not yet been purposely explored in biology.
Better null models for assessing predictive accuracy of disease models
Authors: Keyel Alexander C. , Kilpatrick A. Marm
Published: May 2023

Null models provide a critical baseline for the evaluation of predictive disease models. Many studies consider only the grand mean null model (i.e. R2) when evaluating the predictive ability of a model, which is insufficient to convey the predictive power of a model. We evaluated ten null models for human cases of West Nile virus (WNV), a zoonotic mosquito-borne disease introduced to the United States in 1999. The Negative Binomial, Historical (i.e. using previous cases to predict future cases) and Always Absent null models were the strongest overall, and the majority of null models significantly outperformed the grand mean. The length of the training timeseries increased the performance of most null models in US counties where WNV cases were frequent, but improvements were similar for most null models, so relative scores remained unchanged. We argue that a combination of null models is needed to evaluate the forecasting performance of predictive models for infectious diseases and the grand mean is the lowest bar.
Adolescent anxiety and pain problems: A joint, genome-wide investigation and pathway-based analysis
Authors: Mascheretti Sara , Forni Diego , Lampis Valentina , Fumagalli Luca , Paquin Stéphane , Andlauer Till F. M. , Wang Wei , Dionne Ginette , Brendgen Mara R. , Vitaro Frank , Ouellet-Morin Isabelle , Rouleau Guy , Gouin Jean-Philippe , Côté Sylvana , Tremblay Richard E. , Turecki Gustavo , Garon-Carrier Gabrielle , Boivin Michel , Battaglia Marco
Published: May 2023

Both common pain and anxiety problems are widespread, debilitating and often begin in childhood-adolescence. Twin studies indicate that this co-occurrence is likely due to shared elements of risk, rather than reciprocal causation. A joint genome-wide investigation and pathway/network-based analysis of adolescent anxiety and pain problems can identify genetic pathways that subserve shared etiopathogenetic mechanisms. Pathway-based analyses were performed in the independent samples of: The Quebec Newborn Twin Study (QNTS; 246 twin pairs and 321 parents), the Longitudinal Study of Child Development in Quebec (QLSCD; n = 754), and in the combined QNTS and QLSCD sample. Multiple suggestive associations (p<1×10−5), and several enriched pathways were found after FDR correction for both phenotypes in the QNTS; many nominally-significant enriched pathways overlapped between pain problems and anxiety symptoms (uncorrectedp<0.05) and yielded results consistent with previous studies of pain or anxiety. The QLSCD and the combined QNTS and QLSCD sample yielded similar findings. We replicated an association between the pathway involved in the regulation of myotube differentiation (GO:0010830) and both pain and anxiety problems in the QLSDC and the combined QNTS and QLSCD sample. Although limited by sample size and thus power, these data provide an initial support to conjoint molecular investigations of adolescent pain and anxiety problems. Understanding the etiology underlying pain and anxiety co‐occurrence in this age range is relevant to address the nature of comorbidity and its developmental pathways, and shape intervention. The replication across samples implies that these effects are reliable and possess external validity.
A traveler-centric mobility game: Efficiency and stability under rationality and prospect theory
Authors: Chremos Ioannis Vasileios , Malikopoulos Andreas A.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we study a routing and travel-mode choice problem for mobility systems with a multimodal transportation network as a “mobility game” with coupled action sets. We formulate an atomic routing game to focus on the travelers’ preferences and study the impact on the efficiency of the travelers’ behavioral decision-making under rationality and prospect theory. To control the innate inefficiencies, we introduce a mobility “pricing mechanism,” in which we model traffic congestion using linear cost functions while also considering the waiting times at different transport hubs. We show that the travelers’ selfish actions lead to a pure-strategy Nash equilibrium. We then perform a Price of Anarchy and Price of Stability analysis to establish that the mobility system’s inefficiencies remain relatively low and the social welfare at a NE remains close to the social optimum as the number of travelers increases. We deviate from the standard game-theoretic analysis of decision-making by extending our mobility game to capture the subjective behavior of travelers using prospect theory. Finally, we provide a detailed discussion of implementing our proposed mobility game.
Pollens de Mahi Binebine, l’amour entre l’ivresse cannabique et l’ivresse du pouvoir
Authors: Semlali Mohamed
Published: May 2023

This research questions Mahi Binebine’s novel Pollens as one of the few representations of the effects of cannabis intoxication in Maghrebian literature. The rational mind is opposed to the madness of cannabis that invades the mind. But beyond this aspect, it is above all a question of denouncing a rout, the degeneration of the quest for bucolic utopia into a hellish descent. Worthy of the best love stories, Pollens is also a reflection on despotic power, which does not hesitate to use very archaic methods to dominate the population and shatter hopes. The protagonists fight against the ugliness and monstrosity embodied by the hideous lord of Ketama to defend the human values of love, friendship and moral integrity. In this struggle, storytelling and writing, as in most of Binebine’s novels, are the best weapons to defend against amnesia and complicit silence.
‘C’est Madame La France que tu préfères?’: The representation of gender inequality in Douce France
Authors: Narcis Stéphane
Published: May 2023

Douce France is a 1995 banlieue film that touches on issues of interracial friendship, exclusion versus integration, gender identity and the relationship that the second generation of immigrants have with France as their homeland. The work, written and directed by Malik Chibane, focuses on a Blanc-Beur friendship, Moussa (Hakim Sarahoui) and his friend Jean-Luc (Frédéric Diefenthal). The film also focuses heavily on French-Algerian sisters Souad (Seloua Hamse) and Farida (Fadila Belkebla) and the character of Myssad (Nadia Kaci). In this review article, the film is examined and discussed regarding integration into a socio-spatial environment presented as significantly different from other banlieue films. Of particular interest are the difficulties, contradictions and dynamics of social integration, all of which are evident in the evolution of the relationships of the four main characters. These differences are present between them, with their families, but also with the whole social fabric. In addition, this article outlines the historical context of La marche des beurs in 1983 in Marseille and its perception by the public. It then attempts to explore the issues of integration, territory and the relationship between father and children.
The reconstruction of Old Common Basque accentuation: Closing open issues
Authors: Hualde José Ignacio
Published: May 2023

In the traditional view, Basque words were stressed on their second syllable at the stage before current dialectal diversification (Mitxelena 1977). This view was questioned in Hualde (1993a), where it was proposed, instead, that, at the last common stage, most Basque words were unaccented, like in modern Western (Bizkaian) varieties. Although a considerable amount of consensus has now been reached regarding the diachronic connections among modern accentual systems, a number of issues have remained open, which I address in this paper. These include the following topics: (1) Whether the tonal contrast of Goizueta (Western Navarrese) is a dialectal development or should instead be reconstructed for Old Common Basque, (2) The exact historical link between aspiration and stress in Northeastern varieties and its consequences for determining the historical connection between the reconstructed Eastern and Western-Central systems, and (3) The origin of marked accent in a protosystem without lexical accent.
Izenak sortzeko atzizkiak eta literatur hizkuntzaren historia: Ubillosen dotrina eta Lubieta eta Pomier hiztegiak
Authors: Iruretagoiena Albizu Hodei
Published: May 2023

Izenak sortzeko eratorbidean —bereziki, egile eta langile izenetan eta izen-abstraktugileetan— XVIII. mendeko literatur gipuzkeraren garapenak izan zuen eragina ikertu nahi izan da hemen, Larramendiren HHk (1745) ezarritako mugarria gogoan. Haren aurreko eta ondorengo lanak aztertu nahi izan dira horretarako: aspalditik ezaguna den Ubillosen dotrina (1785), eta berrikitan ezagutu den Pomier hiztegia eta Lubietarena (1728). Eratorbidean oro har, baina -tasun, -keria, -(t)ari, -tzaile / -le eta -gile / -gin atzizkietan jarri da arreta berezia. Gómez-Lópezek eta Zulaikak egindako edizioan (2020), 1745 aurretik kokatu zuten Pomierrena, baina bai hipotesi hori eta baita aurkakoa ere —1745 eta 1808 artekoa ote den— aztertu dira amaieran, Lakarrak (2022) egindako oharren ildotik.
Zuzendariaren oharra: Azken orenek dute GOGOA kolpatu
Authors: Korta Kepa
Published: May 2023

2021eko martxoko data darama eskuetan duzun ale honen aurreko aleak, hogeita bigarrenak. Bien bitartean, aurrena online joan dira argitaratzen hemen bildu ditugun testuak. Baina ez guztiak. Bi urteotan GOGOAren muina kolpatu dute bi GOGOAkide finen heriotzek:
Jesus Mari Larrazabal Antia. Zumaia, 1948-12-25 / Donostia, 2021-06-29
Pello Huizi Petrikorena. Arano, 1942-11-27 / Bermeo, 2023-03-30
Biak oroitzeko eta egindako guztia eskertzeko idatziak dira irakurtzen ari zaren lerro hauek.
Sometimes you ride the Pegasus, sometimes you take the road: Mitchell on laws in biology
Authors: Plutynski Anya
Published: May 2023

Mitchell’s philosophical contributions are part of an ongoing conversation among philosophers and scientists about laws and unification in biology, going back at least to Darwin. This article situates Mitchell in this conversation, explains why and how she has correctly guided us away from false idols, and engages several difficult questions she leaves open. I argue that there are different epistemic roles laws (or models describing lawlike regularities) play in biological inquiry. First, they play the role of “how possibly” explanations, akin to Herschel’s characterization of Whewell’s “a priori Pegasus,” and second, they provide descriptions of empirical regularities, akin to the “plain matter of fact roadster.”
Correlation of Internal Jugular Vein Collapsibility With Central Venous Pressure in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Leal-Villarreal Mario A.J. , Aguirre-Villarreal David , Vidal-Mayo José J. , Argaiz Eduardo R. , García-Juárez Ignacio
Published: May 2023

We aimed to compare internal jugular vein and inferior vena cava ultrasonography as predictors of central venous pressure in cirrhotic patients. We performed ultrasound assessments of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and the inferior vena cava and then invasively measured central venous pressure (CVP). We then compared their correlation with CVP and performed area under the receiver operating characteristic curves to determine which had best sensitivity and specificity. IJV cross-sectional area collapsibility index at 30° correlated better with CVP (r = −0.56, P < 0.001), and an IJV AP-CI at 30° ≤ 24.8% was better at predicting a CVP ≥8 mm Hg, with 100% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity. Thus, IJV point-of-care ultrasound might be superior than inferior vena cava point-of-care ultrasound as a predictor of CVP in cirrhotic patients.
Remapping and simulation of EFI system for SI engine using piggyback ECU
Authors: Diep Hau Than , Nguyen Gia Buu , Mohamad Barhm
Published: May 2023

Electronic fuel injection (EFI) is a complex system, many parts are connected together from mechanical parts to electronic parts to control the internal combustion engine. It must ensure many different works and the most important thing in motorsport to achieve is power optimization. High power and engine responsiveness are often desired to gain a competitive edge. Usually motorsport enthusiast will upgrade the car standard with aftermarket components such as higher rating turbo, longer duration camshafts and exhaust system. These are difficult to approach, time-consuming and expensive tasks compared to the ECU calibration method. And in Vietnam, most customers who want to change vehicle performance are based on the Remap method on Factory ECU. By using vehicle performance regulation method with piggy-back ECU, it is easier for the user to adjust than the popular Remap method. With advantages such as low cost and easy installation. And currently there are very few documents describing and evaluating the effectiveness of piggy-back ECU installed in vehicles. So in this paper, experimentally to reconstruct the electronic fuel injection system with piggy-back ECU was performed, then simulated the control algorithms of the electronic fuel injection system on LabVIEW and compared the results with the experiment, based on the simulation model of the operation algorithm of the EFI system with many cases in different load engines and engine speeds. Simulation results are used to evaluate the algorithm on the piggy-back ECU.
Derivation of entropy production in a fluid flow in a general curvilinear coordinate system
Authors: Flídr Erik
Published: May 2023

The paper deals with the derivation of the entropy production in the fluid flow performed in a general curvilinear coordinate system. The derivation of the entropy production is based on the thermodynamics laws as well as on the balances of mass, momentum, and energy. A brief description of the differential geometry used in general curvilinear coordinates is presented here as well to define the used notation.The application of this approach is then shown in the evaluation of the entropy production along the suction side of the blade, where the calculation was performed using available experimental data.
Case study: Dosimetric comparison of VMAT, IMRT and 3DCRT techniques for left-sided breast cancer treated in deep inspiration breath-hold
Authors: Hanušová Tereza
Published: May 2023

The aim of this case study was to compare 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) plans for patients treated for left-sided breast cancer (whole breast without positive lymph nodes in deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH)) to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans. The original clinical plans used tangential field-in-field 3DCRT technique with a combination of 6 MV and 18 MV photon beams. VMAT and IMRT plans were based on several previously published techniques and used 6 MV beams. Two patients were included in this case study and 4 plans were created and compared for each one. All plans were compared in terms of tumour coverage, gradient measure and conformity index, doses to organs at risk (OARs), the volume of body receiving 5 Gy and also the number of Monitor Units (MUs). While better tumour coverage and conformity was achieved with IMRT and VMAT plans, OARs were better spared with the 3DCRT technique, which also resulted in the lowest dose bath and number of MUs.
Utilising Pareto efficiency and RSM to adjust binder content in clay stabilisation for Yttre Ringvägen, Malmö
Authors: Lindh Per , Lemenkova Polina
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we present a new framework for improving soil strength using an advanced method of engineering statistics. The materials included clay till collected in Yttre Ringvägen, southern Sweden. Binders included quicklime, slag and ordinary Portland cement used as pure binders and blended mixtures. We first applied the Response Surface Methodology techniques aimed at binder blend optimisation: 1) Central Composite Design; 2) Box-Behnken Design; 3) Simplex Lattice Design. The Pareto charts were presented for modelling responses from tests with different binders and estimating their effects on soil strength. Finally, to examine the variables important for soil stabilisation, we also evaluated the effect of the amount of binder and the interaction between cement/lime/slag in different ratios: 30-50-20 %; 50-50-0 %; 100-0-0 % The paper highlights the major opportunities and challenges of engineering statistics as a cross-cutting research direction for the issues of civil engineering.
Spherical Hough Transform for Robust Line Detection Toward a 2D–3D Integrated Mobile Mapping System
Authors: Zhang Daiwei , Xu Bo , Hu Han , Zhu Qing , Wang Qiang , Ge Xuming , Chen Min , Zhou Yan
Published: May 2023

Line features are of great importance for the registration of the Vehicle-Borne Mobile Mapping System that contains both lidar and multiple-lens panoramic cameras. In this work, a spherical straight- line model is proposed to detect the unified line features in the panoramic imaging
surface based on the Spherical Hough Transform. The local topological constraints and gradient image voting are also combined to register the line features between panoramic images and lidar point clouds within the Hough parameter space. Experimental results show that the proposed method can
accurately extract the long strip targets on the panoramic images and avoid spurious or broken line-segments. Meanwhile, the line matching precision between point clouds and panoramic images are also improved.
Automatic Satellite Images Orthorectification Using K–Means Based Cascaded Meta-Heuristic Algorithm
Authors: Mezouar Oussama , Meskine Fatiha , Boukerch Issam
Published: May 2023

Orthorectification of high-resolution satellite images using a terrain- dependent rational function model (RFM) is a difficult task requiring a well-distributed set of ground control points (GCPs), which is often time-consuming and costly operation. Further, RFM is sensitive to over-parameterization
due to its many coefficients, which have no physical meaning. Optimization-based meta-heuristic algorithms ap- pear to be an efficient solution to overcome these limitations. This pa- per presents a complete automated RFM terrain-dependent orthorec- tification for satellite images. The proposed
method has two parts; the first part suggests automating the GCP extraction by combing Scale- Invariant Feature Transform and Speeded Up Robust Features algo- rithms; and the second part introduces the cascaded meta-heuristic al- gorithm using genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization.
In this stage, a modified K-means clustering selection technique was used to support the proposed algorithm for finding the best combinations of GCPs and RFM coefficients. The obtained results are promising in terms of accuracy and stability compared to other literature methods.
Blind and Robust Watermarking Algorithm for Remote Sensing Images Resistant to Geometric Attacks
Authors: Ren Na , Pang Xinyan , Zhu Changqing , Guo Shuitao , Xiong Ying
Published: May 2023

To address the problem of weak robustness against geometric attacks of remote sensing images' digital watermarking, a robust watermark- ing algorithm based on template watermarking is proposed in this paper, which improves the robustness of digital watermarking against geometric attacks
by constructing stable geometric attack invari- ant features. In this paper, the Discrete Fourier Transform domain template watermark is used as the invariant feature against geometric attacks, and the embedding of the cyclic watermark is used to improve the watermark robustness for recovering
the watermark synchroniza- tion relationship. To achieve blind extraction of the watermark, a parameter extraction method based on noise extraction is designed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively improve the robustness of digital watermarking of remote
sensing images against geometric attacks. Meanwhile, it can also resist common image processing attacks and compound attacks.
Adaptation Study of Mathematical Ability Test (TOMAGS) to Turkish
Authors: ÖZDEMİR Duygu , IŞIKSAL Mine
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, it is an important issue to diagnose and provide educational support to mathematically gifted students who are seen as the potential to develop societies. Literature review and existed practices reveal that there is no common and clear way to diagnose mathematically gifted students. In this study, it was aimed to explain the adaptation studies of Test of Mathematical Abilities for Gifted Students (TOMAGS), which was developed by Ryser and Johnsen (1998) into Turkish Language. TOMAGS was a norm referenced, standardized test and in this study, steps that Hambleton (2002) proposed for adaptation of an achievement test were followed. In this regard, first of all, language and cultural adaptations were conducted and then, psychometric analysis was carried out based on the results obtained from implementation of the test with the sample consisting of 563 students whom aged ranged between 9 and 12 in different cities of Turkey. Results show validity and reliability evidences from the implementation and it was concluded that the test can also be used in Turkish Language for identifying mathematical abilities of gifted students.
Who Tests What? Prospective ELT Teachers’ Conceptions and Suggestions on the New Distribution of the Topics and Subjects in the Subject Knowledge Test
Authors: ÇİFTCİ Harun
Published: May 2023

Starting from its first implementation, SKT has been investigated in various subject fields due to the emerging questions about its content and applicability in selecting prospective teachers. With the contribution of 355 participants including senior students and the graduates from different ELT undergraduate programs of the universities throughout Turkey, this study aimed to investigate the conceptions and suggestions of prospective ELT teachers on the new distribution of the subjects and topics in SKT in 2019. The data were collected by conducting an online survey and semi-structured interviews held with ten ELT prospective teachers. The study revealed that the new distribution of the subjects and topics in SKT was not satisfactory and relevant to select ELT prospective teachers who are competent and qualified in their fields due to substantial obliqueness in its content and administration process.
Are Special Education Teachers Ready for Distance Education? Experiences and Needs During the Covid-19 Outbreak
Authors: POLAT Elif , HOPCAN Sinan , ÖZTÜRK Mehmet Emin
Published: May 2023

This study was conducted to determine the experiences and needs of special education teachers regarding distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey model and convenient sampling technique were used. Participants were 191 teachers from İzmir, Turkey. Special Education Teacher Needs Analysis Form developed by the researchers was used as data collection tool. Orange and SPSS programs were used for analyzing. Results indicate that most of the teachers stated they are technology literate and have computer, phone or tablet. Few had been trained in distance education. Most of them have developed at least one of the homework, IEP (individualized education plan), computer/web supported materials, educational mobile applications, materials, educational video applications. More than half of them used technology-supported applications/activities. Nearly half of them have prepared IEP online. Only a quarter of teachers taught live lessons. They mostly provide feedback and interact partially, individualize lessons partially, cooperate with their colleagues partially in online education. Most teachers think that blended learning is appropriate for students. Half of them ready to teach online. They stated that if there was an e-mentor to support them in this environment, they would feel ready. Moreover, the most encountered difficulty is their students’ use of technology.
Examination of the Effect of Turkish Music Motifs on Teaching of Bowing Techniques Used in Violin Education: Example of Haydar Tatlıyay
Authors: KOTAN Eta , İNANICI Murat Kamil
Published: May 2023

This study was carried out to analyse the impact of Turkish music motives on teaching bowing techniques used in violin education. In the study one-group pretest posttest design, one of the experimental designs was used. The study group of the research consists of 4 violin students studying at Ataturk University within Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education in the department of the Fine Arts Education Music Education Program in the spring semester of 2018-2019 academic year. In the study, five forms (three for the study group, two for expert academicians) were used. In the experimental process of the research, the pretest performances of the students in the study group on performance of violin bowing techniques were recorded on the rating forms, and then an 8-week experimental program was applied. At the end of the experimental program, the posttest performances of the students in the study group performing the violin bowing techniques were recorded on the rating forms. A statistical package program was used to analyze the data. As a result of the research, upon examing the pretest and posttest results of the students in the study group, it was concluded that the program applied in the experiment process had a positive effect by increasing the performance of the bowing techniques of the students in the study group.
Scoring Methods for Multiple Choice Tests: How does the Item Difficulty Weighted Scoring Change Student’s Test Results?
Authors: YAŞAR Metin , KARTAL Seval , AYBEK Eren Can
Published: May 2023

In the present study, it was aimed to compare students’ test scores, item and test statistics calculated based on the unweighted (1-0) and item difficulty weighted scores (Qj - 0). The study also included a proposal for converting the weighted scores into a 100-point scale system. A teacher-made 34-item multiple-choice achievement test was conducted to a group of 431 people. As a result of the data analysis, the McDonald's Omega internal consistency coefficients that were obtained according to the 1-0 and (Q_j-0) methods were obtained as .725 and .721, respectively. The Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was .916, and the Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient was .926 between student scores obtained according to the two methods. Furthermore, a criterion-based evaluation was made based on the two criteria (test scores of 50 and 60), and the numbers of the students who were successful and unsuccessful in the course were determined according to both scoring methods. Accordingly, it was found that more students would be considered unsuccessful in the course in the (Q_j-0) scoring method; however, it was understood that this method could reveal differences among individuals more than the unweighted scoring method.
RETALIASI AMERIKA SERIKAT TERHADAP INDONESIA DALAM KAITANNYA DENGAN SENGKETA IMPOR PRODUK HORTIKULTURA, HEWAN DAN PRODUK HEWAN
Authors: Erviana Yeni , Priyono FX. Joko , Trihastuti Nanik
Published: May 2023

Pada tahun 2014,  Kebijakan impor produk hortikultura, hewan, dan produk hewan yang diterapkan Indonesia digugat Amerika Serikat (AS) di Panel WTO karena memberlakukan hambatan perdagangan yang dilarang GATT. Laporan Panel dikuatkan badan banding menyatakan kebijakan impor produk tersebut bertentangan dengan Pasal 11 GATT. Selanjutnya, AS mengajukan permohonan retaliasi terhadap Indonesia karena dianggap belum mematuhi rekomendasi DSB. Indonesia keberatan dengan permohonan retaliasi AS karena, telah mematuhi rekomendasi DSB dengan melakukan penyesuaian kebijakan impor sebelum jangka waktu berakhir. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kesesuaian permohonan retaliasi yang diajukan oleh AS dengan mekanisme penyelesaian sengketa WTO dan untuk mengetahui kesesuaian peraturan yang telah dilakukan Indonesia dengan rekomendasi  DSB. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode pendekatan yuridis normatif. Berdasarkan penelitian yang dilakukan permohonan retaliasi yang diajukan oleh AS tidak sesuai dengan mekanisme penyelesaian sengketa WTO karena bertentangan dengan Pasal 23 DSU. Penyesuaian peraturan importasi yang dilakukan oleh Indonesia telah sesuai dengan rekomendasi DSB.