bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the Gap Junction Interplay in the Rat Epididymis
Authors: Cyr Daniel , Adam Cécile , Dufresne Julie , Gregory Mary
Published: July 2024

During postnatal development of the epididymis, a change in the expression of gap junction proteins, or connexins (Cxs), occurs, in which Gjb2 (Cx26) and Gja1 (Cx43) levels in the proximal epididymis are decreased, while Gjb1(Cx32), Gjb4 (Cx30.3) and Gjb5 (Cx31.1) levels increase. The mechanism(s) responsible for the switch in Cx expression is unknown. The aims of this study are: 1) to identify the mechanisms responsible for the decrease in GJB2 protein levels and the increase in other Cxs during postnatal development. Results indicate that decreased Gjb2 expression does not induce changes in the expression of other Cxs in rat RCE-1 principal cells, suggesting a lack of compensatory expression. Sequence analysis of both Gjb2 and Gjb1 promoters identified common multiple response elements to steroid hormones. Using RCE-1 cells, we showed that glucocorticoids increased Gjb2 expression, while estradiol had no effect. Orchidectomy in rats resulted in a significant increase in GJB2 and decreased GJB1 in the caput and corpus epididymidis. Changes in Cxs protein levels were prevented by administering testosterone in orchidectomized rats. Similar results were observed in the prostate, another androgen-receptive organ. LNCaP cells, which are androgen-responsive, showed that exogenous dihydrotestosterone (DHT) exposure resulted in a decrease in Gjb2mRNA levels concomitant with increased Gjb1 levels. Using a GJB1 promoter construct we showed that DHT could induce transactivation of the luciferase transgene, while transactivation using two GJB2 promoters were not altered. Together, our results suggest that androgens and glucocorticoids regulate the expression of Cxs in the epididymis.
Study of the causes of retinal detachment among patients attending Damascus Hospital
Authors: Hussein Miran , Albukhari Shahd , Ali Diaa Haj , Haddeh Yusra
Published: July 2024

Background
Retinal detachment is the separation of the neurosensory retina (NSR) from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
The forces of adhesion between the two layers can be divided into mechanical and metabolic. Mechanical factors in turn are divided into those outside and those inside the subretinal space (SRS).
Mechanical forces outside the SRS include fluid pressures and vitreous. Fluid exits the eye through the trabecular meshwork; however, a small proportion tends to exit from the vitreous to the choroid by the intraocular and choroidal oncotic pressures.
Research Materials and Methods
A retrospective cohort study (COHORT) was conducted On a random group of patients from January 2022 to May 2023. The final sample size was 150participants, with a confidence interval of 95%. Every participant has signed the informed consent.
Results
The sample included 150 patients who suffered from retinal detachment. 28.66% were females and 71.33% were males. We find that there is a tendency to suffer from retinal detachment in males more than in females, with a ratio of about 3:1 in favor of males.
Most of the cases were without a history of eye surgery (69.33%), the largest remaining percentage had a history of previous cataract surgery (21.33%), and the remaining percentage had a history of surgery as a result of eye trauma (9.33%). Diabetes was the most frequent cause of retinal detachment (33.12%).
Severe myopia was the cause of retinal detachment in 8.12% of cases, while moderate myopia was the cause in 3.12%, and a lower percentage of mild myopia was 1.25%.
Conclusion
Retinal detachment is considered a vision-threatening condition. Our study showed that the disease in Syria has characteristics similar to the global characteristics, but is more severe. Several factors are useful in predicting the development of this disease, including the patient's age, which is the most important factor, in addition to diabetes, myopia, and penetrating trauma, which is also an important factor.
Human-Social Robot Online Co-Tutoring Enhances Students’ Learning & Engagement: Interaction Guidelines
Authors: Velentza Anna-Maria , Lefkos Ioannis , Fachantidis Nikolaos
Published: July 2024

Online classes are increasingly gaining popularity in both children's and adult education, although, the challenge of the students’ engagement remains. Evidence has shown that co-teaching is beneficial for both tutors and students, however, especially on a university level, tutors are not always able to co-teach classes. Additionally, socially assistive robots (SAR) have been proven advantageous in educational roles, as they deliver teaching material and provide support to students across various educational levels. This research paper specifically examines the performance of SAR in place of university co-tutors in online classes, in the field of computer science, measuring three outcomes, knowledge acquisition (academic test), enjoyment level (questionnaire), and engagement (qualitative and quantitative analysis of verbal and chat discussions and threads during class). We also aim to fill in the gap of having structured human-robot collaboration guidelines for educational environments. This will be accomplished through a sequence of three experiments: 1. A co-tutored lecture involving one human and one robot, 2. A co-tutored lecture involving two humans, 3. A second instance of a co-tutored lecture involving both human and robot. Results indicated that students taught by a collaborative team of human and robot tutors exhibited a greater level of knowledge acquisition, while maintaining comparable levels of enjoyment, in comparison to those instructed by a collaborative team of two human tutors. Moreover, engagement remained high during the lectures, and we are addressing the differences in students’ communication channels and discussed topics when lectured by two humans vs a human and a robot. Finally, the human-robot collaboration managed to eliminate the negative outcomes of the presence of a robot, such as the surprise effect based on the literature the students face the first time they are being lectured by a robot-tutor.
Afet Sonrası Oluşan İkincil Afet Kriterlerinin Değerlendirilmesi: Ordu İli İçin Bir Uygulama
Authors: Gaferoğlu İrem , Kaya Sude , Kalemler Yavuz Baran , Güven Emel , Eren Tamer
Published: July 2024

Afet; insanların kontrolü dışında gerçekleşen, olağan hayatta eksikliklerin oluşmasına neden olan, imkanların yetersiz kaldığı, sonucunda kayıpların oluştuğu olayların tümüdür. Türkiye’nin jeolojik, jeomorfolojik, klimatik coğrafi özellikleri sebebiyle sıklıkla doğal afetlerle karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Sel, deprem, orman yangınları, heyelan, çığ, kar ve fırtınalar Türkiye’de en sık görülen doğal afetlerdir. Yaşanılan doğal afetler bazı durumlarda ikincil doğal afetlere de sebep olabilmektedir. Bu kapsamda yapılan çalışmalarda ikincil afetler ele alınmıştır. İkincil afetlerde sıklıkla rastlanan afet türlerinden birisi heyelan afetidir. Bu nedenle geçmişte yaşanan afetler değerlendirildiğinde heyelan gerçekleşme olasılığı yüksek olan Ordu ili uygulama alanı olarak seçilmiştir. Ayrıca ilde hâkim jeolojik, topografik yapı ve aynı zamanda meteorolojik şartlar sebebiyle bazı bölgeler ikincil afetlere sebep olabilecek bir yapıya sahiptir. Çalışmada aşırı yağışın sebep olduğu sel ve ani kar erimeleri Ordu ilinde heyelan afetinin ikincil afet olarak gerçekleşmesi üzerinde durulmuştur. Problem çözümünde Çok Kriterli Karar Verme (ÇKKV) yöntemlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Öncelikle Ordu ilinde ikincil afete sebep olabilecek kriterler (kuvvetli eğim, meteorolojik etkenler, afet türü, kütle hareketleri, plansız yerleşme, yer çekimi etkisi) literatür araması ile oluşturulmuş, Analitik Hiyerarşi Prosesi (AHP) yöntemi ile ağırlıklandırılmıştır. Ağırlıklandırılan kriterler kapsamında Ordu’ya ait 19 ilçe Technique For Order Preference By Similarity To An Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) yöntemiyle heyelan ikincil afet oluşma olasılığına göre sıralanmıştır. İkincil afet olarak heyelanın gerçekleşme olasılığı en yüksek olan ilçe Mesudiye olmuştur.
Kampüs Ortamındaki Plastik Atık Çeşitliliğinde Gözlemsel Öğrenmenin ve Akran Etkisinin ArcGIS ile Görselleştirmesi
Authors: Sivri Nuket , Aydoğdu Atilla , Sönmez V. Zülal , Akarsu Ceyhun
Published: July 2024

Plastik kirliliği; ekosistemleri, yaban hayatını ve en çok da insan sağlığını etkileyen önemli bir çevresel sorun haline gelmiştir. Son dönemde yapılan çalışmalarda mikroplastiklere özellikle vurgu yapılmış olsa da bunların birincil kaynaklarından olan ve yetersiz/yanlış atık yönetim stratejileri nedeniyle doğal ortamlarda sıklıkla karşılaşılan mezo- ve makroplastiklerin varlığı ve çeşitliliğinin değerlendirilmesine ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Öyle ki atıkların tüketiciler tarafından biriktirme ekipmanları yerine doğal ortamlara bırakılması konusunda bazı ilişki ve etkileşimler, viral bir salgın tarzında yayılmakta ve ardından bir davranış paternine dönüşmektedir. Öğrenmede sosyal bilişsel yaklaşım olarak tanımlanan “gözlemsel öğrenme”nin ve “akran etkisi”nin, kampüs alanı içinde bilinçsizce bırakılan mezo/makroplastik malzeme çeşitliliğine etkisi ve bu ortamda oluşan plastik kirliliğinin arazi dağılımının görselleştirilmesi bu çalışmanın temelini oluşturmaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, sürdürülebilirlik amaçları kapsamında gençlerin farkındalığını artırmak ve çevre eğitimi programlarına olan ihtiyacı ortaya koymak adına görsel verilerle desteklenmiştir. Bu çalışmanın en önemli bulgusu olarak; her alanda baskın olan polimer yapıların, öğrencilerin derslik/ ofis/ market/ kantin yakınlığı kaynaklı tükettiği plastik ambalajlı ürünler, tütün ürünleri kullanma alışkanlıkları nedeniyle sigara izmaritleri ve hızlı hijyen oluşturma alışkanlığı nedeniyle ıslak mendiller olduğu gözlenmiştir. Atıkların en yoğun olduğu dönem, ara sınav dönemi olarak bilinen Ekim ayı ve en yoğun alan yol kenarındaki oturma alanlarının olduğu bölge olarak belirlenmiştir. En çok kaydedilen meso-makroplastik parçaların FT-IR analizleri sonucunda, yoğunluğa göre polimer yapılara ait sıralamanın; PET, PE, PP ve PMMA olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, plastik atıkların çevresel etkileri konusunda farkındalıkların artmasına yardımcı olabilecek, sürdürülebilir uygulamaların benimsenmesinde, ekolojik uygulamaları örnekleyecek farklı girişimlerle gençlerin desteklenmesi ve yönetimlerin bir an önce aksiyon alması gerekliliği ortaya konulmuştur.
Conhecendo o perfil e as práticas de discentes de uma turma do doutorado da Rede Nordeste de Ensino (Renoen)
Authors: Oliveira Antonio Nunes de , Menezes José Wally Mendonça , Ferracioli Laércio , Paulino Otávio Floriano
Published: July 2024

Em 2020, foi aprovado pela Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) e homologado pelo Ministério da Educação o doutorado acadêmico em Ensino da Rede Nordeste de Ensino (Renoen). O surgimento da Renoen vem oportunizar a formação de novos doutores na região, profissionais que deverão ser capazes de contribuir significativamente com o ensino e a pesquisa em nível regional, nacional e internacional. Este estudo tem como objetivo conhecer o perfil dos doutorandos em Ensino de um dos polos da Renoen. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa, que utiliza um questionário semiestruturado aplicado por meio da plataforma Google Forms, complementados com informações obtidas no contato com os discentes via WhatsApp, dados obtidos na plataforma Lattes e na página do programa. Os resultados mostram que 80% dos participantes da pesquisa possuem, no mínimo, dez anos de atividade profissional, 55% são egressos de uma pós-graduação em ensino da mesma instituição e 50% são mulheres. Além disso, as análises dos dois editais anteriores e do questionário aplicado apontam para o fato de que os docentes qualificados em nível de mestrado desejam continuar sua formação, mas encontram obstáculos relacionados à quantidade limitada de vagas, à distância entre as localidades em que atuam e os polos de formação, além da dificuldade ou inviabilidade de afastamento para cursar o doutorado. Em relação às práticas profissionais, os participantes optam pela pluralidade metodológica tanto no ensino quanto na avaliação. No entanto, enfrentam uma série de problemas, entre os quais estão a sobrecarga de trabalho, a baixa carga horária de determinadas disciplinas e regras institucionais rígidas que os impedem de implementar algumas metodologias.
Fuzzy C-Means in Content-Based Document Clustering for Grouping General Websites Based on Their Main Page Contents
Authors: Aditiyo Sri Probo , Sumarminingsih Eni , Fitriani Rahma
Published: July 2024

The research aimed to use Fuzzy C-Means clustering in content-based document clustering to classify general websites based on their content. The data used were a table ranking of the most visited websites for Indonesia, taken from https://dataforseo.com/top-1000-websites/ on September 24th, 2022. The research was conducted with two different cases using Fuzzy C-Means clustering, which had two different iteration parameter values, namely 100 and 200 in maximum iteration. The research results on Fuzzy C-Means clustering in content-based document clustering are based on the two cases. These different maximum iteration parameters result in a different amount of website name data in the cluster. They are formed in the first and second clusters only. However, in the other clusters, the numbers are all the same. The results of the cluster research are validated using the silhouette coefficient, with case no. 1 and no. 2 values being 0,977783879 and 0,977788457. The use of Fuzzy C-Means clustering in content-based document clustering has an excellent performance when this method is applied to group general websites based on their content. With that result, content-based clustering can be also applied in other cases. Hence, the results can be considered to be applied to other cases for content-based clustering in the future.
Associating reservoir operations with 2D inundation risk and climate uncertainty
Authors: Feng Youcan , Zheng Run , Ma Donghe , Huang Xin
Published: July 2024

Bridging the research gap between reservoir operations and inundation risks under the future climate, this study integrates a hydrologic reservoir management model with a 2D hydrodynamic model, comparing the conventional regulations and the optimized reservoir operations based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Results reveal that optimized operations using the PSO algorithm consistently outperform conventional strategies by better-managing peak discharges and controlling downstream inundation. The study further differentiates between PSO-optimized plans: PSO1, which focuses on minimizing inundation areas, and PSO2, which prioritizes peak reduction at the flood control point. Interestingly, PSO2 proves superior for single-point peak reduction, typically the primary objective in current practices, whereas PSO1, despite lesser peak reduction, achieves a smaller inundation area, enhancing basin-scale flood resilience. This discrepancy reveals the need to consider downstream inundation risks as critical evaluation metrics in reservoir optimization, a factor often overlooked in existing studies. The research underscores the importance of updating operational frameworks to incorporate 2D inundation risks and adapt to increased flood risks under changing climate conditions. Despite optimization, future climate scenarios predict increased flood exposure, indicating that the current safety discharge rates and flow regulations at control points are outdated and require revision.
Web-Quest as a Means of Developing Flexible Skills of Future Lecturers in a Higher Educational Institution
Authors: Kolosova N. N.
Published: July 2024

The purpose of the study is a scientific justification and experimental verification of the effectiveness of using web-quest technology in the process of forming flexible skills of future lecturers in a higher educational institution.Rapid socio-economic development, informatization of all spheres of human activity determine the need for appropriate changes in the education system. Today, a modern lecturer requires not only basic psychological and pedagogical knowledge and skills, but also communication skills, responsibility, the ability to work in a team, resolve conflicts, and think critically and other flexible skills responsible for efficiency and high productivity, contributing to professional development and self-realization. In this regard, education in higher educational institutions should focus not only on the development of professional special skills (hard skills), but also on the formation of flexible skills (soft skills), since they are universal, updated over time and become increasingly important in the professional activity of a lecturer. There are quite a lot of technologies that contribute to the formation of flexible skills of students, one of which is the innovative technology of the web-quest, which, thanks to its unique form, content, teaching and control methods, structured information content, seems to be as effective as possible. Thus, the problem of purposeful formation of flexible skills among future lecturers, the search for the necessary mechanisms and resources for this, and the study of the potential of the web-quest determine the relevance of the research.Materials and methods: in the course of the study, methods of studying and analyzing psychological, pedagogical and methodological literature were used, summarizing the experience of using web-quests in the educational process of the university. The methodological basis of the study was a set of approaches: personality-oriented, systemic, activity-based, competence-based, interdisciplinary and reflective. Results: the author’s definitions of the concepts “flexible skills of future lecturer” and “web-quest” are presented, the flexible skills of a modern lecturer are characterized, the specifics, structure and methodology of conducting a web-quest, its impact on the purposeful formation of flexible skills are described in detail, an example of a web-quest “The essence of professional competence of a lecturer”, developed and tested in the work with students, is given of the training area 44.03.01 Pedagogical education.The practical significance of the research lies in the fact that its results, as well as the content and information resources of the proposed web-quest, can be used in the practice of higher pedagogical education.
Morphology of starch grains of cassava cultivars (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) – Pará, Brazil
Authors: Thália do Socorro Serra Gama  , Flávia Cristina Araújo Lucas  , Eunice Gonçalves Macedo
Published: July 2024

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) is a species widely grown in Brazil, mainly by traditional communities of the Amazon, the cassava plots being home to a large number of cultivars yet to be investigated. This study aimed to characterize the morphology of starch grains found in the roots of five cultivars of cassava, coming from the Caxiuanã National Forest, Pará, Brazil, to verify the similarity among them. The starch grains were measured, described and illustrated in light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. They were found to be smooth surfaced, non-compound, presenting miter, cup and rounded forms. Although the morphologies of the starch grains were quite similar among the cultivars studied, the statistical treatment applied showed significant differences in diameter, allowing the five cultivars to be narrowed down to only four.
Diversidade e estrutura comunitária da vegetação em regeneração natural em uma área de lixão desativado
Authors: João Carlos Ferreira de Melo Júnior  , Maick Wilian Amorim  , Alan Luiz Severino  , Therezinha Maria Novaes de Oliveira  , Virgínia Grace Barros
Published: July 2024

Com o intuito de conhecer a dinâmica de regeneração de uma região degradada em que houve historicamente o acúmulo de resíduos sólidos, este estudo mostra os resultados florísticos e estruturais de uma área de lixão desativado. O levantamento da flora foi efetuado pelo método de caminhamento expedido, e a estrutura da vegetação foi determinada por meio do método de parcelas. Realizaram-se análises da qualidade da água e de metais pesados no solo. Encontraram-se 109 espécies, organizadas em 74 gêneros e 32 famílias, com predomínio de plantas de hábito herbáceo e subarbustivo. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram: Asteraceae (16), Poaceae (11) e Solanaceae (10). As espécies com maior valor de cobertura são tipicamente caracterizadas como plantas ruderais e infestantes, próprias de ambientes perturbados. A análise química do solo mostrou a presença de metais pesados em níveis baixos e aceitáveis para solos brasileiros. Dessa forma, sugere-se que a possível alteração na estrutura do solo, tornando-o pouco profundo, compactado, nutricionalmente deficitário e tóxico, pode limitar a regeneração natural da vegetação à formação herbácea, mesmo numa escala de tempo favorável ao surgimento de plantas de outros hábitos ocorrentes na formação florestal do entorno.
Efeito da aplicação de metiljasmonato no desenvolvimento de calêndula (Calendula officinalis L. – Asteraceae)
Authors: Rosangela Magalhães de Oliveira  , Cyntia Maria Wachowicz  , Joceline Franco
Published: July 2024

Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae) é uma planta medicinal utilizada pelos seus efeitos antiinflamatórios, antissépticos e cicatrizantes. Os jasmonatos são compostos formados a partir do ácido linolênico que interferem na síntese de metabólitos secundários. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a aplicação exógena de metiljasmonato em C. officinalis potencializa a síntese de metabólitos secundários e se é precursora de algum ajuste morfológico externo na espécie avaliada. A metodologia utilizada foi a cromatografia em camada delgada para caracterização fitoquímica dos extratos. Os parâmetros morfológicos avaliados foram comprimento da maior folha e número de folhas. A aplicação exógena de metiljasmonato nas concentrações testadas em C. officinalis não alterou o número de folhas e o comprimento da maior folha. Na análise de metabólitos secundários, todos os tratamentos apresentaram as mesmas substâncias (rutina e ácido clorogênico).
The stingless bees of Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil
Authors: Denise Monique Dubet da Silva Mouga  , Enderlei Dec
Published: July 2024

Aiming to know the diversity of stingless bees in southern Brazil, a review of 27 publications, reporting sampling of stingless bees in the state of Santa Catarina, covering a period of 30 years, was performed. The studies have been related to plant formations where they took place. A total of 51 species of 17 genera were obtained, six species (with four subspecies) in the genus Melipona. The studies took place in 19 municipalities. The vegetation type where more collections were undertaken was the rain forest. Most surveys were performed in the southern and northern mesoregions. Differences in the number of species reported by different authors refer to genera Cephalotrigona, Frieseomelitta, Lestrimelitta, Melipona, Mourella, Nannotrigona, Oxytrigona, Paratrigona, Partamona, Plebeia, Scaptotrigona, Schwarziana, Tetragonisca and Trigona. The causes of the differences may include anthropogenic factors. Santa Catarina State, in view of the verified number of species, stands as the last high diversity spot for stingless bees in Brazil, in a northern-southern perspective.
Plasticidade morfológica de Calophyllum brasiliense Camb. (Calophyllaceae) em duas formações de restinga no sul do Brasil
Authors: Barbra Aliane Bächtold  , João Carlos Ferreira de Melo Júnior
Published: July 2024

Fatores ambientais podem promover alterações nas características funcionais e estruturais dos organismos a eles expostos. Essa capacidade de variação na fisiologia ou morfologia é conhecida como plasticidade. Em ambientes heterogêneos como a restinga as espécies apresentam grande potencial plástico. O presente trabalho visa avaliar a plasticidade morfológica de Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess. (Calophyllaceae), popularmente conhecido como olandi, em duas formações de restinga do Parque Estadual Acaraí, localizado no município de São Francisco do Sul/SC (48º33’ W e 26º17’ S). Em cada formação, cinco indivíduos adultos foram selecionados para coleta de folhas de sol e amostras de caule, além da coleta de solo para obtenção de valores nutricionais e de fertilidade. Atributos foliares e de xilema, qualitativos e quantitativos, foram obtidos por meio de material herborizado e preparações histológicas permanentes, respectivamente. Observaram-se diferenças estatísticas significativas para os parâmetros de área foliar, massa seca e índice de condutividade entre as populações. Com base nos dados obtidos, sugere-se que os indivíduos presentes na restinga arbustivoarbórea estão mais sombreados e têm mais biomassa foliar acumulada, enquanto na floresta de transição C. brasiliense apresenta maior investimento em altura e diâmetro do caule. Verificou-se maior plasticidade fenotípica para os parâmetros de massa seca foliar e área foliar. Os parâmetros nutricionais demonstraram alto teor de matéria orgânica na floresta de transição, propiciando alto nível de fertilidade.
Morphological plasticity of Ilex theezans Mart. ex Reissek (Aquifoliaceae) in two restinga vegetation of Santa Catarina coastal plain
Authors: Izabel da Silva Liberato  , João Carlos Ferreira de Melo Júnior
Published: July 2024

The restinga, an environment of the rain Forest, is an ecosystem by the seacoast composed of diverse plant communities commonly found in sandy and undeveloped soils. This study aims to investigate possible intraspecific differences in Ilex theezans species, whose distribution in restinga includes two heterogeneous formations, shrub-tree restinga and transition forest. The study focused on a restinga remnant area located in Acaraí State Park, in the city of São Francisco do Sul (SC, Brazil). In each environment, five adult individuals were selected and had wood samples collected from their stems at breast height and 25 leaves of the third and fourth nodes of the outer canopy branches sampled. Chemical and physical soil variables were analyzed for each formation. The results show that there are significant differences between the leaf and the stem functional attributes and soil data analyzed, but as the PPI (Phenotypic Plasticity Index), the species Ilex theezans in the studied formations present low plastic potential.
Richness of insect galls on shrub-tree restinga of a coastal plain of southern Brazil
Authors: Ígor Abba Arriola  , João Carlos Ferreira de Melo Júnior
Published: July 2024

The restingas are coastal ecosystems over the sandy Quaternary plains. Their vegetation present flora and structure conditioned mainly by edaphic factors. They vary from grasslands, shrub lands up to woody forests. Their environmental conditions, such as water stress and high solar irradiance, may be associated to a high richness of galling. This study aims to identify the insect-plant interactions of the gall type, in a shrub-tree restinga formation at the Acaraí State Park, situated in São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina State. The survey was conducted in four plots of 250 x 5 m (5,000 m²) of the PELD/PPBio module, with a sample effort of 32 hours. There were found 56 morphospecies of galls in 31 species of host plants. Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, Nyctaginaceae and Calophyllaceae showed the highest number of interactions. Guapira opposita (Nyctaginaceae) and Calophyllum brasiliense (Calophyllaceae) were the major super-hosts. There was a predominance of isolated globoid galls on leaves, induced by Diptera – Cecidomyiidae. Galls on stems were less abundant. The focus of this inventory was restricted to the aerial parts of the plants, which limited the galls records on roots, for which there were records only in adventitious roots of the epiphyte Philodendron surinamense. The richness of galls seems to be proportional to the richness of plant species in this restinga formation.
Levantamento da fauna de abelhas sem ferrão no estado do Tocantins
Authors: Diogo Januário da Costa-Neto  , Marcela Sousa Valadares  , Edmilson Soares da Silva-Costa  , José Neuto Souto
Published: July 2024

As espécies de abelhas sem ferrão existentes no estado do Tocantins são pouco conhecidas e precisam ser investigadas, pois as informações existentes estão restritas aos meliponicultores locais. Este estudo teve como objetivo levantar dados sobre a riqueza e a distribuição das espécies de abelhas sem ferrão existentes no Tocantins. Realizou-se um levantamento bibliográfico e foram entrevistados 33 meliponicultores de 18 municípios do estado. A literatura revela a ocorrência de 31 espécies, semelhantes às 34 verificadas nos sistemas de meliponicultura. As mais frequentes são: jataí (94,4%), tiúba (88,9%) tubi bravo (77,7%), uruçu amarela (66,7%), uruçu preta (55,5%), manoel de abreu (33,3%) e marmelada (33,3%). As abelhas com maior número de colmeias são tiúba (335), jataí (143), uruçu amarela (125), tubi bravo (61), manoel de abreu (49) e bijuí (39).
Root anatomy of seedlings of Virola bicuhyba (Schott) Warb.
Authors: Fernanda Karstedt  , Karin Esemann-Quadros
Published: July 2024

Virola bicuhyba (Schott) Warb. (Myristicaceae), an arboreal basal angiosperm, had its root system questioned by empirical observations occurred when trees fell by windstorms and which showed no main root. This study aimed to verify the anatomy of the emerging root system of V. bicuhyba from the analysis of seedling roots, obtained by seed germination. Material for analysis was fixed, included in paraffin, sectioned, mounted in permanent slides and examined under light microscope. The first root has 16-17 strands of xylem arranged in a circle around a large central region occupied by pith; phloem consists of 16-17 strands of few conductive cells and parenchyma cells between each pole of protoxylem, characterizing a hollow vascular cylinder. In the lateral roots, the xylem have only 5-6 poles of exarch protoxylem, interspersed with 5-6 distinct phloem strands and a central region occupied by metaxylem without pith. Idioblasts containing clearly distinct substance occur associated with the xylem and close to the pericycle. Virola bicuhyba has a first root that does not present the typical anatomical pattern of root originated from embryo radicle but similar to the adventitious root. This combination of features is not common, but has been observed in species of Clusiaceae.
Diptera survey in human corpses in the north of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: Anderson Gaedke  , Denise Monique Dubet da Silva Mouga
Published: July 2024

Aiming to verify the species associated with the decomposition process carried out by necrophagous insects in human bodies, 11 species of dipterans were collected in 10 distinct cadavers from April 2014 to March 2016, resulting in individuals of the families Calliphoridae (Calliphora lopesi (Mello, 1962), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) and Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819)), Sarcophagidae (Peckia (Euboettcheria) australis (Fabricius, 1805) and Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann, 1830)), Muscidae (Muscidae sp.) and Stratiomyidae (Hermetia illucens (L. 1758)). Regarding the seasonality, dipterans were found in corpses in the four seasons, with distinct richness in each one. Dipterans were observed in corpses in all phases of decomposition (coloration, gaseous, colliquative and remains), the greater richness being verified in the gaseous phase. The data demonstrate differences in ecological succession, evidencing specialization of the insects found in relation to seasonality and the decomposition phase.
Wood functional anatomy of Chiococca alba Hitch. (Rubiaceae) from cerrado
Authors: João Carlos Ferreira de Melo Júnior  , Maick William Amorim  , Gustavo Borda de Oliveira  , Celso Voos Vieira
Published: July 2024

The wood anatomy is able to evidence systematic and ecological aspects associated with the evolution and functionality of the secondary xylem. The present study was carried out using wood of Chiococca alba (Rubiaceae) from cerrado (savannah), to describe its anatomy and to verify if the hydraulic architecture of this species corroborates the theory that postulates the functional tendency that optimizes the transport efficiency associated with safety. The anatomical analysis followed the conventional protocols of wood anatomy. Different indexes of wood hydraulics quantification were calculated, such as solitary vessels index, vessel grouping, conductivity, vessel collapse, theoretical resistance to vessel implosion and mesomorphism. The structural characteristics described for C. alba are in agreement with the general anatomical descriptions for the Rubiaceae family that relate the presence of exclusively solitary vessels and small diameter, simple perforation plates, alternate intervessel pits, apotracheal parenchyma in species with non-septate fibers and narrow and heterogeneous rays. The calculated indexes showed that C. alba is a xerophyte species with great resistance to the collapse of the vessels during the transport of water, little vulnerability to embolism and relative efficiency in the transport when compared to other species of its subfamily (Cinchonoideae) in function of the typical low water availability of the savannah soil.
Is there an ‘Italian’ school of Spinoza studies? Some present and future perspectives
Authors: Sangiacomo Andrea
Published: July 2024

This paper sketches a bottom-up reconstruction of the panorama of Italian Spinoza studies over the past three decades. It tries to capture the self-representation of the Italian scholarly community starting from the analysis of collective volumes, and then exploring the results of a survey among the members of the newly established Italian Societas Spinozana, complemented by individual interviews with leading Spinoza scholars. What emerges is a past heritage centered on historical and philological research, but also deeply interested in political themes and in bringing Spinoza into dialogue with contemporary issues. Today, Spinoza studies in Italy seem to be in a transitional phase, in which a solid bridge must be built between older and younger generations of scholars, negotiating how to handle the heritage of the former and orienting the new perspectives of the latter.
Spinoza’s Place in Twentieth Century Anglo-American Philosophy
Authors: Cook J. Thomas
Published: July 2024

This paper began as an address at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Vereniging het Spinozahuis in Amsterdam in 1997. I trace the highlights of Spinoza reception and scholarship in the Anglo-American philosophical community from the late nineteenth to the late twentieth century.  Beginning with the British Idealists’ enthusiasm for Spinoza as a systematic metaphysician, I move through the indifference of the (anti-metaphysical) positivists to the renewal of interest among more naturalistically-minded analytical philosophers in the second half of the twentieth century. Along the way there are brief discussions of a few individual thinkers who engaged with Spinoza in especially interesting or influential ways, such as Caird, Santayana, Russell, Wolfson, Hampshire, and Curley.
A Map of Research on Spinoza in Brazilian Universities
Authors: Damin Custódio Márcio A. , Ferraz Francisco
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a profile of the research on Spinoza’s philosophy in Brazil, providing information concerning the beginning of the academic work, its place of origin and influence, the leading training centers, and the aspects of Spinoza’s philosophy that are most studied. First, it presents a brief history of Spinoza’s presence in Brazil and the beginning of academic studies on the author. Next, data is shown on the current state of training of philosophy researchers on Spinoza in Brazil. The data was obtained from the CNPq Lattes Platform, which brings together information on all Brazilian researchers affiliated with universities and research institutes. Spinoza’s philosophy was absent from intellectual circles in Brazil during the colonial period and started to be mentioned in Brazil only in the nineteenth century. Only with the strengthening of universities in the twentieth century did Spinoza become the object of investigation by many researchers.
De rol van niet-volwassenen in Oosterdalfsen gedurende de trechterbeker- en enkelgrafperiode
Authors: Schreuder Nina
Published: July 2024

The role of non-adults at Ooster-dalfsen during the Funnelbeaker and Single Grave periods Within prehistoric archaeology in northwestern Europe there is an ongoing debate about the transition from the Funnelbeaker to the Single Grave culture. The accepted hypothesis, of a gradual transition, is now being called into question by studies that suggest new migrations into Europe. Can burials tell us more about this transition? To answer this question, Funnelbeaker culture burials and Single Grave culture burials from Oosterdalfsen (province of Overijssel, the Netherlands) were examined. The focus was on distinguishing between non-adults and adults based on grave orientation, grave shape and grave goods. The results show that non-adults of the Funnelbeaker culture were often buried with arrowheads. One non-adult Single Grave culture inhumation also contained arrowheads. This may indicate that the roles of non-adults overlapped between these two cultures, supporting a gradual transition from the Funnelbeaker to the Single Grave culture.
Predicting Efficacies of Fractional Doses of Vaccines by Using Neutralizing Antibody Levels: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Du Zhanwei , Liu Caifen , Bai Yuan , Wang Lin , Lim Wey Wen , Lau Eric H Y , Cowling Benjamin J
Published: July 2024

Background

With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that have eluded immunity from vaccines and prior infections, vaccine shortages and vaccine effectiveness pose unprecedented challenges for governments in expanding booster vaccination programs. The fractionation of vaccine doses might be an effective strategy for helping society to face these challenges, as fractional doses may have efficacies comparable with those of the standard doses.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the relationship between vaccine immunogenicity and protection and to project efficacies of fractional doses of vaccines for COVID-19 by using neutralizing antibody levels.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the relationship between in vitro neutralization levels and the observed efficacies against both asymptomatic infection and symptomatic infection, using data from 13 studies of 10 COVID-19 vaccines and from convalescent cohorts. We further projected efficacies for fractional doses, using neutralization as an intermediate variable, based on immunogenicity data from 51 studies included in our systematic review.

Results

In comparisons with the convalescent level, vaccine efficacy against asymptomatic infection and symptomatic infection increased from 8.8% (95% CI 1.4%-16.1%) to 71.8% (95% CI 63%-80.7%) and from 33.6% (95% CI 23.6%-43.6%) to 98.6% (95% CI 97.6%-99.7%), respectively, as the mean neutralization level increased from 0.1 to 10 folds of the convalescent level. Additionally, mRNA vaccines provided the strongest protection, which decreased slowly for fractional dosing with dosages between 50% and 100% of the standard dose. We also observed that although vaccine efficacy increased with the mean neutralization level, the rate of this increase was slower for vaccine efficacy against asymptomatic infection than for vaccine efficacy against symptomatic infection.

Conclusions

Our results are consistent with studies on immune protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on our study, we expect that fractional-dose vaccination could provide partial immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the efficacy of fractional-dose vaccines, serving as reference evidence for implementing fractional dosing vaccine policies in areas facing vaccine shortages and thereby mitigating disease burden. Fractional-dose vaccination could be a viable vaccination strategy comparable to full-dose vaccination and deserves further exploration.
Age Differences in Electronic Mental Health Literacy: Qualitative Study
Authors: Xu Richard Huan , Tian Lidan , Zhu Liling , Cao Yuan , Chan Sherry Kit-wa , Dong Dong , Cheung Wai-ling Annie , Wong Eliza Lai-yi
Published: July 2024

Background

Electronic mental health literacy (eMHL) is critical for accessing and effectively using digital mental health resources. However, there is a paucity of research on how eMHL varies across age groups.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate differences in eMHL among young, middle-aged, and older adults; provide insights into the needs, behaviors, and attitudes of different age groups in relation to digital mental health resources; and ultimately, inform the improvement of mental health services.

Methods

A qualitative investigation was conducted to examine the differences in eMHL across different age demographics in the Chinese population in 2023. The study sample comprised 3 distinct age groups: 18-34 years, 35-64 years, and 65 years and older. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling to ensure a diverse representation of the population. Data were collected through semistructured one-on-one interviews, which allowed for in-depth exploration of individual experiences and perceptions. The gathered data were subsequently subjected to rigorous thematic analysis to enable the identification and interpretation of recurring patterns and themes.

Results

The principal outcomes derived from these interviews were synthesized into 5 distinct dimensions: emotional needs, use of digital mental health resources, assessment of digital mental health information, engagement with social media to regulate emotions, and coping strategies. These dimensions were uniformly observed across the 3 age groups.

Conclusions

We identified differences in knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding the use of web-based information for managing mental health problems between the 3 age groups. The findings highlight the importance of age-specific strategies for improving eMHL.
Shaping Adoption and Sustained Use Across the Maternal Journey: Qualitative Study on Perceived Usability and Credibility in Digital Health Tools
Authors: Ng Wei Ying , Lau Ni Yin , Lee V Vien , Vijayakumar Smrithi , Leong Qiao Ying , Ooi Shu Qin Delicia , Su Lin Lin , Lee Yung Seng , Chan Shiao-Yng , Blasiak Agata , Ho Dean
Published: July 2024

Background

Maternal and child health outcomes are positively influenced by early intervention, and digital health (DH) tools provide the potential for a low-cost and scalable solution such as informational platforms or digital tracking tools. Despite the wide availability of DH tools out there for women from before to after pregnancy, user engagement remains low.

Objective

This study aims to explore the factors that shape women’s DH adoption and sustained use across the maternal journey from preconception to postbirth, to improve user engagement with DH tools.

Methods

One-hour semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 44 women from before to after pregnancy (age range 21-40 years) about their experiences with DH. This study is part of a larger study on women’s maternal experiences with health care and DH and focuses on the factors that affected women’s DH adoption and sustained use. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Five main themes and 10 subthemes were identified that affected women’s adoption and sustained use of DH tools. These included themes on their preexisting attitudes to DH, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived credibility, and perceived value of the tool.

Conclusions

The themes that emerged were fully or partially mapped according to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 model. The applicability of the model and the need to consider specific cultural nuances in the Asian context (such as the importance of trust and social influence) are discussed. The interaction of the 5 themes with DH adoption and sustained use are explored with different themes being relevant at various points of the DH adoption journey. The insights gained serve to inform future DH design and implementation of tools for women to optimize their DH engagement and the benefits they derive from it.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05099900; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05099900
The Quality Analysis of Vermicelli From Corn (Zea mays L) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) Starch
Authors: Probowati Banun Diyah
Published: July 2024

Vermicelli was a food made from flour with a particular characteristic in the form of transparent thread and could be produced from corn and potato starch. It must appropriate the quality standards. The Objectives of the research are: (1) to determine the effect of formulation and drying time on the water content of vermicelli, (2) to determine the appropriate formulation of corn and potato starch, (3) to evaluate the quality of durability, (4) to determine the quality of the total protein content in vermicelli made from corn and potato starch. The experimental design of making vermicelli used the complete random design (CRD) method with 2 factors (composition of corn and potato starch) and drying time (120 and 180 minutes). The quality parameters of vermicelli are water content, sensory analysis, durability, and protein content. The results showed that the drying time has a significant effect on the water content of vermicelli. Still, the interaction of formulation and drying time factors did not significantly influence the water content of vermicelli. The overall preference for sensory analysis showed that the vermicelli formulation of 60:40 for corn and potato starch in 180 minutes of drying was the best formulation for Vermicelli-based corn and potato starch. The durability of this vermicelli was appropriate to quality standards (not easily crushed). The protein content was 1.53%, which is not appropriate to the quality standard of SNI 01-2975-2006 (minimum 4%). The novelty of the research was the best composition of materials to produce vermicelli from corn and potato starch and the drying time to produce it. Suggestions for further research could be to produce vermicelli with the composition of materials by adding nuts, eggs, or other ingredients to increase protein content and to analyze its quality.
On Chinese Traditional Culture and Its Creative Transformation and Innovative Development
Authors: Sun Yu
Published: July 2024

Traditional Chinese culture originated in the ancient cultural period before the age of Shennong, which was created by the children of the Chinese nation who lived in the territory of China for generations, and this culture has been continuously inherited by the Chinese nation, which not only embodies the distinctive national characteristics, but also has a very long history. For the value of traditional culture to be realized in contemporary times, its creativity and innovation should be further developed. In this regard, the first thing we need to do is to find out the standard of excellent traditional Chinese culture, make creative changes to it, and make organic integration of the development of contemporary culture industry, so as to promote the socialist culture to embark on a more prosperous and flourishing road.