bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biogeography and Genetic Diversity of Terrestrial Mites in the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica
Authors: Collins Gemma E , Young Monica R , Convey Peter , Chown Steven L , Cary S Craig , Adams Byron J , Wall Diana H , Hogg Ian D
Published: February 2023

Free-living terrestrial mites (Acari) have persisted through numerous glacial cycles in Antarctica. Very little is known, however, of their genetic diversity and distribution, particularly within the Ross Sea region. To redress this gap, we sampled for mites throughout the Ross Sea region, East Antarctica, including Victoria Land and the Queen Maud Mountains (QMM), covering a latitudinal range of 72-85oS, as well as from Lauft Island near Mt Siple (73oS) in West Antarctica and Macquarie Island (54oS) in the sub-Antarctic. We assessed genetic diversity using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences (COI-5P DNA barcode region), and also morphologically identified voucher specimens. We obtained 130 sequences representing four genera: Nanorchestes (n = 30 sequences), Stereotydeus (n = 46), Coccorhagidia (n = 18) and Eupodes (n = 36). Tree-based analyses (maximum likelihood) revealed 13 genetic clusters, representing as many as 23 putative species indicated by Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) from the Barcode of Life Datasystems (BOLD) database. We found evidence for geographically-isolated cryptic species, e.g. within Stereotydeus belli and S. punctatus, as well as unique genetic groups occurring in sympatry (e.g. Nanorchestes spp. in QMM). Collectively, these data confirm high genetic divergence as a consequence of geographic isolation over evolutionary timescales. From a conservation perspective, additional targeted sampling of understudied areas in the Ross Sea region should be prioritised, as further diversity is likely to be found for these short-range endemic mites.
Avian Influenza Virus Tropism in Humans
Authors: Bakar Umarqayum Abu , Amrani Lina , Kamarulzaman Farah , Karsani Saiful Anuar , Hassandarvish Pouya , Khairat Jasmine Elanie
Published: February 2023

A pandemic happens when a novel influenza A virus is able to infect and transmit efficiently to a new, distinct host species. Although the exact timing of pandemics is uncertain, it is known that both viral and host factors play a role in their emergence. Species-specific interactions between the virus and the host cell determine the virus tropism. These include binding and entering cells, replicating the viral RNA genome within the host cell nucleus, assembling, maturing, and releasing the virus to neighbouring cells, tissues, or organs before transmitting it between individuals. Influenza has a vast and antigenically varied reservoir. In wild aquatic birds, the infection is typically asymptomatic. Avian influenza virus (AIV) can cross into new species, and occasionally, it can acquire the ability to transmit from human to human. A pandemic might occur if a new influenza virus acquires enough adaptive mutations to maintain transmission between people. This review highlights the key determinants AIV must achieve to initiate a human pandemic and describes how AIV mutates to establish tropism and stable human adaptation. Understanding the tropism of AIV may be crucial in preventing virus transmission in humans and may help design vaccines, antivirals and therapeutic agents against the virus.
Bipartite Genomes in Enterobacterales: Independent Origins of Chromids, Elevated Openness and Donors of Horizontally Transferred Genes
Authors: Sonnenberg Cecilie Bækkedal , Haugen Peik
Published: February 2023

Multipartite bacteria have one chromosome and one or more chromid. Chromids are believed to have properties that enhance genomic flexibility, making them a favored integration site for new genes. However, the mechanism by which chromosomes and chromids jointly contribute to this flexibility is not clear. To shed light on this, we analyzed the openness of chromosomes and chromids of the two bacteria, Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas, both in the Enterobacterales order of gamma-proteobacteria, and compared it with monopartite genomes in the same order. We applied pangenome analysis, codon usage analysis and the HGTector software to detect horizontally transferred genes. Our findings suggest that the chromids of Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas likely originated from two separate plasmid acquisition events. Bipartite genomes were found to be more open compared to monopartite. We found that the shell and cloud pangene categories drive the openness of bipartite genomes in Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas. Based on this and our two recent studies, we propose a hypothesis that explains how chromids and the chromosome terminus region contribute to the genomic plasticity of bipartite genomes.
EEG-based BCIs on Motor Imagery Paradigm Using Wearable Technologies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Saibene Aurora , Caglioni Mirko , Corchs Silvia , Gasparini Francesca
Published: February 2023

In the last decades, the automatic recognition and interpretation of brain waves acquired by electroencephalographic (EEG) technologies have undergone remarkable growth, leading to a consequent rapid development of Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs). EEG-based BCIs are non-invasive systems that allow communication between a human being and an external device interpreting brain activity directly. Thanks to the advances in neurotechnologies, and especially in the field of wearable devices, BCIs are now also employed outside medical and clinical applications. Within this context, this paper proposes a systematic review of EEG-based BCIs, focusing on one of the most promising paradigms based on Motor Imagery (MI) and limiting the analysis to applications that adopt wearable devices. This review aims to evaluate the maturity levels of these systems, both from the technological and computational points of view. The selection of papers has been performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), leading to 84 publications considered in the last ten years (from 2012 to 2022). Besides technological and computational aspects, this review also aims at systematically list experimental paradigms and available datasets in order to identify benchmarks and guidelines for the development of new applications and computational models.
Manganese Mediates its Antiviral Functions in a cGAS-STING Pathway Independent Manner
Authors: Sun Shaohua , Xu Xulin , Qiu Ming , Jiang Sen , Cao Qi , Luo Jia , Zhang Tangjie , Chen Nanhua , Zheng Wanglong , Meurens Francois , Liu Zongping , Zhu Jianzhong
Published: February 2023

The innate immune system is the first line of host defense sensing viral infection. Manganese (Mn) has recently been found to be involved in the activation of innate immune DNA sensing cGAS-STING pathway and subsequent anti-DNA virus function. However, whether Mn2+ mediates host defense against RNA viruses is still unclear. In the current study, we demonstrated that Mn2+ exhibited antiviral effects against various animal and human viruses including RNA viruses such as PRRSVs and the VSV as well as a DNA virus such as the HSV1 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, cGAS and STING were both investigated in the Mn2+ mediated antiviral roles using the knockout cells made by CRISPR-Cas9 approach. Unexpectedly, the results revealed that neither cGAS knockout nor STING knockout had any effect on Mn2+ mediated antiviral functions. Nevertheless, we verified that Mn2+ promoted the activation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway. These findings suggest that Mn2+ has broad spectrum antiviral activities in a cGAS-STING pathway independent manner. This study also provides significant insights into redundant mechanisms participating in the Mn2+ antiviral functions and also indicates new target for Mn2+ antiviral therapeutics.
Title Effect of Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy (NSPT) on the Systemic Inflammatory Markers (IL-6 and IL-8) in β-Thalassemia Patients with Gingivitis
Authors: Hanif Ayesha , Shahid Moazzam Ali , Khan Komal , Qidwai Asim
Published: February 2023

Periodontal diseases and Thalassemia Major (TM), which are two chronic inflammatory diseases, are associated with increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in bio-fluids. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 have been identified as potent proinflammatory biomarkers in periodontal diseases as well as in patients with β-thalassemia (TM-β). This suggests that patients with TM-β and gingival inflammation have two chronic inflammatory conditions, each of which may affect the other. The objective of this pioneer research was to evaluate the effect of oral hygiene maintenance and care on serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8. 31 participants selected after screening and were given Non-surgical periodontal therapy(NSPT). IL-6 and IL-8 were evaluated by enzyme linked immunohistochemistry assay (ELISA) at baseline and compared at 6 weeks after NSPT. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS v23. The comparison from the baseline to 6-weeks follow-up for both IL-6 and IL-8 was done using Wilcoxon Signed rank test. The descriptive statistics are represented as median and inter quartile range (IQR). Highly significant improvement (p-<0.000) was found for IL-6 and IL-8 when compared at 6 weeks from baseline. Results provide a gateway to new modality in lowering systemic burden of the disease, thereby reducing morbidity, via local measures or oral care.
Excited-State Polarizabilities: A Combined Density Functional Theory and Information-Theoretic Approach Study
Authors: Zhao Dongbo , He Xin , Ayers Paul W. , Liu Shubin
Published: February 2023

Accurate and efficient determination of excited-state polarizabilities (α) is an open problem both experimentally and computationally. Following our previous work, [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2023, 25, 2131−2141], where one can employ simple ground-state density-based functions from the information-theoretic approach (ITA) to accurately and efficiently predict the macromolecular polarizabilities, we aim to predict the lowest excited-state polarizabilities in this work. The philosophy is to use density-based functions to depict the excited-state polarizabilities. As a proof-of-principle application, employing 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole and its derivatives as model systems, we have verified that either with the ground-state (S0) or excited-state (S1) densities as input, ITA quantities can be strongly correlated with the excited-state polarizabilities. When the transition densities are considered, both S0 and S1 polarizabilities are in good relationships with some ITA quantities. Furthermore, excitation and emission energies can be predicted based on multivariant linear regression equations of ITA quantities.
Reorientasi Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab Berbasis Whole Language untuk Mahasiswa Pariwisata di Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat
Authors: Wahyuni Sri , Novra Eddi
Published: February 2023

The goal of This study to analyze Arabic learning and materials taught at the Faculty of Tourism. This study is designed to find Arabic teaching materials that are in accordance with the science of Tourism students. This study assumes that tourism Arabic must contain themes related to tourism science so that the direction of language learning emphasizes more on the needs of students. This research is a development research with a qualitative and quantitative approach. This research was conducted through three stages: introduction, development and implementation, data collection techniques were carried out by observation, interviews and documentation studies. The results showed that the Arabic language material at the Faculty of Tourism still contained grammatical structure material prepared for Arabic language practitioners. This research produces Arabic teaching materials that suit the needs of students with title "al Arabiyah lissiyahah". These teaching materials contain tourism themes such as ta'aruf, Kampung Sarugo, the beauty of the universe, lodging in hotels. The structure of the material in this teaching material uses the whole language principle, starting with KI, KD, Indicators, followed by conversation material, Arabic text, language proficiency exercises, games, mahfuzhat, meaning of vocabulary for midterm assignments and final semester assignments. Based on the responses of language and media experts, this teaching material is considered very good.
Pengaruh Disiplin Belajar Terhadap Hasil Belajar Bahasa Arab di Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Kulon Progo
Authors: Rois Ikhwan Nur
Published: February 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat pengaruh disiplin belajar terhadap hasil belajar bahasa Arab pada siswa kelas XI di Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Kulon Progo tahun ajaran 2020-2021. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan pendekatan regresional dengan menggunakan sampel sebanyak 112 responden yang diambil dengan teknik random sampling. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan dengan kuesioner (angket), observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Adapun teknik analisis data menggunakan dua uji, yaitu: uji asumsi dan uji hipotesis dengan pendekatan regresi linear sederhana. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Adanya pengaruh yang signifikan antara disiplin belajar terhadap hasil belajar bahasa Arab dengan hasil persamaan regresi; Y = 11,441 + 1,029X, dan nilai koefisien sebesar 1,029 > 0,05 dengan presentase pengaruh sebesar 72 %.
Taṭwīr Kurāsah al-Tadrībāt li Ta‘līm Mahārah al-Kalām al-Mabniyyah ‘alā Mahārāt al-Tafkīr al-‘Ulya (HOTS) fi al-Madrasah al-Ismlāmiyyah al-Hukūmiyyah 1 Pati
Authors: Ni'mah Ellayus Lailatun , Sa'adah Hadiatus , Nurhadi Nurhadi , Hilmi Danial
Published: February 2023

This research aims to: (1) develop a LKS based on higher-order thinking skills (HOTS), (2) determine the validity of the LKS developed by experts, and (3) measure the effectiveness of its use in MTs 1 Pati. The research methodology used in this research is research and development (R&D) with the Borg and Gall development model developed by Sugiyono, using qualitative (observation and interview) and quantitative (questionnaire and test) data, the population of this research is seventh grade students MTsN 1 Pati with two groups (35 from the control group and 35 from the experimental group). As for the results of this research and development, they are: (1) the production of a LKS for teaching speaking skill based on HOTS; 2) The developed LKS is suitable and valid for use in teaching speaking skill; 3) The developed LKS is “effective” for students in view of the results of the pre-test and the post-test that the value of “t” calculation (t-hitung) is greater than the value of “t” table (t-tabel) means 544.3 > 042,2 At the significance level of 5%, it means H0 is acceptable, and there is an effect of teaching speaking skill.

 
Prácticas sobre la gestión de residuos orgánicos e inorgánicos procedentes de la agricultura: el proyecto Recicland
Authors: García García María del Carmen , Granados García María Rosa , Samblás Punzano Encarnación , Talavera Rubia Miguel , Soriano Vallejo María Teresa , Segura Pérez María Luz , Sayadi Gmada Samir , Parra Gómez Salvador , Janssen Dirk , Medrano Cortés Evangelina , Fernández Fernández María Milagros , De Cara García Francisco , Baeza Cano Rafael , Torres Nieto José Manuel , Carricondo Martínez Isidoro , Téllez Navarro María del Mar
Published: February 2023

La agricultura protegida que se desarrolla principalmente en el litoral oriental andaluz es una actividad de gran importancia económica y social para Andalucía. Sin embargo, el crecimiento exponencial de la superficie de invernadero ha dado lugar a un incremento del volumen de residuos agrarios. Además, este sistema agrícola está evolucionando hacia nuevas técnicas de cultivo que implican, no sólo la generación de residuos, sino también una mayor diversificación que hace más complicada su gestión.

El principal problema para la gestión de estos residuos agrarios no está sólo en su dispersión geográfica, sino también en su estacionalidad, ya que se genera gran cantidad en determinados periodos anuales, coincidiendo con la finalización de las campañas agrícolas. Por este motivo, la capacidad máxima de recogida y almacenamiento y el proceso de gestión están condicionados por el volumen generado al finalizar los ciclos de cultivo.

En este contexto, surge el proyecto RECICLAND que pretende palear dichos problemas y contribuir a la gestión sostenible de los residuos generados en los procesos productivos. Concretamente, el objetivo general de este proyecto es desarrollar actividades demostrativas piloto, informando de modo práctico sobre diferentes técnicas para la gestión específica de residuos inorgánicos y restos vegetales. Para ello, se ha establecido un área de reciclaje, junto con actividades de transferencia (jornadas prácticas, visitas, vídeos demostrativos y publicaciones) en el Centro IFAPA La Mojonera (Almería).
Transforming Sewage Residues in Fertilizers: the Agropolo Campinas-Brasil compost plant
Authors: Morais Carbonell Sérgio Augusto , Paulella Ernesto Dimas , Dos Santos Marco Antonio , Cantarella Heitor , Gonçalves A , Santos M.O. , Dias D. , Barbosa Cortez Luís Augusto
Published: February 2023

Agropolo Campinas Brasil was created in the City of Campinas, Brazil as a cooperative platform between public institutions (Agronomic Institute of Campinas-IAC, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Institute of Food Technology-ITAL, City of Campinas, and TECHNOPARK) with the objective to promote technology innovation in tropical bioeconomy. The present article aims to present the Compost Project (Usina Verde) developed between the IAC, City of Campinas, SANASA Water and Sewage Treatment company of Campinas, and CEASA wholesale market. The objective of this project is to recycle mainly green urban residues with sewage mud to produce organic fertilizer.
Biorizon Biotech, I+D biotecnologíca y bioeconomía circular como palanca de crecimiento
Authors: Pozo Dengra Joaquín
Published: February 2023

Una población mundial creciente, las cada vez más exigentes demandas de los consumidores, el cambio climático, la estrategia europea del “Pacto Verde” y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible marcados por Naciones Unidas, nos empujan a buscar modelos de producción agrícola sostenible, rentable y productiva.

Biorizon Biotech nace como compañía biotecnológica centrada en la producción de soluciones naturales bioestimulantes y bioprotectores, basadas en el uso de microalgas y bacterias como materia prima natural y de valor, convirtiéndose en la pionera mundial y líder de mercado en la producción y comercialización de productos para la agricultura basados en microalgas.

Como estrategia de respuesta ante el reto de una nueva y moderna agricultura sostenible, Biorizon Biotech ha basado su desarrollo en una I+D intensiva centrada en el desarrollo de procesos de economía circular, nuevos productos sustitutivos de químicos en agricultura y el uso de herramientas naturales para la mejora de la productividad.
El ecosistema para la Bioeconomía en Argentina: experiencia Rosario
Authors: Acetta Patricia Melina , Gonzalez De Cap Sol , Brenes Porras Celestina , Chavarría Miranda Hugo
Published: February 2023

Argentina cuenta con un gran potencial para adoptar una estrategia basada en bioeconomía, ya que representa una oportunidad para retomar la senda de crecimiento, incrementando al mismo tiempo la eficiencia y la sostenibilidad de sus sectores productivos.

Si bien este país presenta una larga trayectoria en la temática, aún quedan algunos desafíos por resolver, en este sentido, y con el objetivo de apoyar la formación de capacidades técnicas que permitan construir políticas, proyectos e inversiones para la bioeconomía, el Ministerio de Educación argentino y el Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la agricultura (IICA) se unieron para dictar el curso de posgrado internacional “Bioeconomía para la Agroindustria y los Territorios Rurales: buenas prácticas y lecciones aprendidas”. El curso concluyó con una gira a campo en la ciudad de Rosario, uno de los polos de innovación bioeconómica más importante de toda América.  

Este artículo, se pretende profundizar en el análisis del ecosistema bio argentino, con foco en la experiencia de Rosario para finalmente apuntar los retos y oportunidades para el aprovechamiento de la bioeconomía en la región.
LA PEDAGOGÍA TEATRAL COMO ESTRATEGIA DIDÁCTICA. EL PAPEL DE LA MUJER EN LA SOCIEDAD ROMANA
Authors: De Luque Morales María Teresa
Published: February 2023

En el presente trabajo se realiza un estudio sobre la mujer romana a través del teatro y su aplicación como estrategia didáctica. El teatro llega a Roma en el año 240 a.C. tras mantener contacto con la cultura griega y etrusca. De esta fuente literaria tenemos la suerte de conservar comedias enteras, convirtiéndose en obras de gran valor para comprender la sociedad de este momento. Uno de los principales dramaturgos sería Plauto, quien se dedicó a la comedia palliata y del cual conservamos 21 comedias que no dejan duda de su autoría. Tomando como base esta documentación, nuestro objetivo principal será analizar las figuras femeninas más destacadas en sus comedias y llevar a cabo la comparación entre esta fuente literaria y las fuentes epigráficas, las cuales nos aportan información directa de esta sociedad. Por ello, a través de estas comedias y su interpretación, buscaremos conocer y transmitir cuál fue el papel de la mujer romana dentro de su sociedad: cuáles son las figuras más representadas y cuál era la visión que se tenía de ella. De este modo, el objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar las posibilidades didácticas del teatro en la enseñanza de la historia romana y, en concreto, de la mujer. A través de esta interpretación realizada por el propio alumnado, podrán tomar conciencia del tema a tratar y sensibilizarse con la mujer que formaba parte de la sociedad romana pues, al ser trabajado más allá de una lectura de las obras en el aula, permitirá realizar una reflexión sobre si consideran que la mujer sería tal y como se muestra en las comedias o si, en cambio, podría tener un papel diferente. Así, podrán realizar una crítica objetiva a las fuentes y reflexionar sobre la importancia que éstas tuvieron dentro de su sociedad. Como conclusión, podríamos decir que gracias al teatro y, concretamente en este caso, a las comedias de Plauto, podemos analizar las características de la sociedad de su momento y, gracias a las fuentes epigráficas, contamos con la información necesaria para hacernos una idea más objetiva del papel que ocupaban en su sociedad.
Una fragancia aromática para las manos femeninas. El adobo de guantes en la Castilla bajomedieval
Authors: Criado Vega Teresa María
Published: February 2023

En este trabajo se persigue hacer llegar al lector una aproximación de la moda, especialmente, femenina, medieval y moderna. Y se hace a través de un peculiar artículo: los guantes. Elemento, que su mera posición indicaba el estatus de la persona que lo llevaba. Se han analizado aspectos como su historia, las tipologías – guantes perfumados -, su significado, los recetarios castellanos, el adobo o perfumado y varios de los ejemplos recogidos en los recopilatorios.
La torre de la Mazmorra del Castillo de Aguilar de la Frontera. Estado de la cuestión
Authors: Carbajo Cubero Carmen
Published: February 2023

El presente artículo trata sobre los avances en lo recientes estudios de investigación, desarrollados para documentar y conocer uno de los elementos más emblemáticos del conjunto fortificado del Castillo de Aguilar de la Frontera, se trata del cubete artillero o protobaluarte, conocido como “Torre de la Mazmorra”, una estructura compleja en su forma y en su análisis, dado el estado de semiarrasamiento en el que se encuentra en la actualidad, resultado de la construcción de un depósito de agua durante los años 50 del siglo XX, que afectó a este monumento de forma irreversible.
Evolución de la composición de las tintas ferrogálicas a través de las fuentes documentales de los siglos XIII al XIX
Authors: Contreras Zamorano Gemma María
Published: February 2023

Los escribanos elaboraban sus propias tintas antes de proceder al acto de escribir. Estas formulaciones han sido recopiladas durante siglos en textos casuales o más elaborados, en recopilaciones de remedios y secretos o el arte de escribir, que se han traducido y han transmitido el conocimiento entre las diferentes culturas de Oriente y Occidente, e incluso, traspasaron el Atlántico. Este artículo profundiza en el estudio de los ingredientes que se mencionan en 160 fuentes documentales manuscritas e impresas de la Península Ibérica desde la época andalusí hasta finales del siglo XIX, con referencias a recetas anteriores que explican el empleo de un riquísimo repertorio de componentes adicionales que son testimonio de la unidad, y a la vez riqueza y diversidad de las recetas de tinta ferrogálica.
PERAN DAN TANTANGAN E-COMMERCE SEBAGAI MEDIA AKSELERASI MANAJEMEN RANTAI NILAI PRODUK PERTANIAN
Authors: Nurjati Eka
Published: February 2023

E-commerce in Indonesia is growing fast along with the increasing use of the internet. However, e-commerce adoption has many obstacles, such as the low capability of human resources and infrastructure readiness. This writing aims to identify the roles and challenges of e-commerce agricultural products, review the management aspects of e-commerce agricultural products, and formulate recommendations for e-commerce development in Indonesia. The method used for this research is a literature review. E-commerce is a technology meant to cuts the agricultural value chain. However, it has challenges in implementation, namely, non-durable and perishable agricultural products, compatibility of human resources, too many tax regulations, and the quality and diffusion of the internet. The establishment of e-commerce has a social mission: increasing farmers' welfare. It aims to overcome the farmer's problems, namely limited access to the market and finance. Recommendations for using e-commerce as a medium for accelerating value chain management should be conducted through a dimensional approach, namely human resources, natural resources, technology, markets and finance. Its implementation is to increase the ability of human resources to the novelty of science and technology and to optimize the use of natural resources while still paying attention to ecosystem sustainability. The development of science and technology for e-commerce and agricultural products needs to be carried out following market challenges and creating an inclusive financial system.
TINJAUAN KRITIS TERHADAP PEMBOROSAN PANGAN: BESARAN, PENYEBAB, DAMPAK, DAN STRATEGI KEBIJAKAN
Authors: Ariani Mewa , Tarigan Herlina , Suryana Achmad
Published: February 2023

Food loss and waste are the indicators of the 12 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) goals: ensure sustainable food consumption and production patterns. Indonesia is committed to achieving the targets set out in the SDGs, one of which is target 12.3: to reduce food loss and waste by half by 2030. Achieving this target is beneficial for attaining national food and nutrition security and environmental sustainability. This paper is a scientific review to analyse the magnitude, causes, impacts, and policy strategies for reducing food waste. The analysis results show that the percentage of food waste in the last two decades has tended to increase. The most significant proportion of food waste occurs at the household level. The leading cause is household food consumption patterns. It ranges from planning, purchasing, and processing up to consumption. Food waste has an impact not only on individuals but also on society in the form of economic, social and environmental losses. Therefore, efforts to reduce food waste should be comprehensive and sustainable, considering that changing people's food consumption behaviour takes a relatively long time. Another action is to change the mindset of each individual toward the value of food through formal education from an early age and non-formal socialisation by utilising various communication media.
Carbono en el Pacífico Sudamericano: descubriendo las reservas en comunidades vegetales de un humedal costero
Authors:   , Chávez Soto Yan Ronal
Published: February 2023

Los humedales costeros son ecosistemas que brindan diversos servicios ecosistémicos, como la regulación del clima por medio del almacenamiento de carbono. El presente estudio buscó cuantificar la reserva de carbono en las principales comunidades vegetales del Humedal de Santa Rosa (Lima, Perú). Para ello, se hicieron 36 parcelas de 0.25 m2, donde se recolectó la biomasa vegetal aérea y suelo en dos profundidades (0-10 cm; 10-20 cm); posteriormente se cuantificó el porcentaje de carbono en las muestras y se escaló en función del área de cada formación vegetal. La cantidad de carbono almacenado en las comunidades de Thypha domingensis (totoral), Schoenoplectus americanus (juncal) y vega mixta son 76.61± 26.87 tC/ha, 75.29 ± 39.85 tC/ha y 63.96 ± 25.81 tC/ha respectivamente; en total, entre estas tres comunidades se almacenan 2 703.02 tC que equivalen a 9 920.07 tCO2, que están valorizadas entre $4 960 y $496 000 en el mercado voluntario mundial de carbono. Los resultados obtenidos, muestran la importancia ambiental y económica que este humedal tiene, para hacer frente al cambio climático.
Elaboración de bioplásticos a partir de bagazo de caña de azúcar
Authors:   , Rimac León Ana Cecilia
Published: February 2023

El uso intensivo de plásticos de un solo uso y la inoportuna disposición final de los residuos plásticos, representa una amenaza para los ecosistemas te-rrestres y acuáticos que terminan siendo contaminados por plásticos. El propó-sito de la tesis realizada, fue evaluar el bioplástico mejor elaborado a partir de bagazo de caña de azúcar de la industria azucarera, mediante la comparación de sus propiedades mecánicas y la biodegradabilidad. La metodología aplica-da para la obtención de los bioplásticos se realizó a través del diseño ortogonal Taguchi, siendo la glicerina y el ácido acético los factores variables. Las pro-piedades mecánicas analizadas se realizaron mediante los ensayos de trac-ción y elongación, se desarrollaron siguiendo la norma ASTM D882 (Prueba de tracción de películas plásticas delgadas) y para el ensayo de biodegradabi-lidad se tomó la norma ISO 14855-1:2012; que permitió determinar la biodegra-dabilidad aeróbica final de los bioplásticos en condiciones supervisados de compostaje.
El liderazgo y su relación con la gestión gerencial en la empresa Cotton life textiles EIRL, 2022
Authors:   , Cortez Patiño Franklin Manuel , Flores Malpartida Rosa Janet
Published: February 2023

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación entre el liderazgo y la gestión gerencial en la empresa Cotton Life Textiles EIRL, 2022. La metodología tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo, de diseño no experimental y del tipo transversal, y es aplicada con nivel correlacional, la población estuvo conformada por 100 colaboradores de la empresa Cotton Life Textiles EIRL. La técnica y el instrumento empleado fueron la encuesta y el cuestionario respectivamente para ambas variables. Los resultados obtenidos alcanzaron un Rho de Spearman de 0.775 lo cual existe una relación positiva alta entre el liderazgo y gestión gerencial de la empresa Cotton Life Textiles EIRL. Concluyendo que existe relación significativa entre las variables de estudio, evidenciando la correcta interacción trae resultados favorables como el alto rendimiento y desempeño laboral también de los colaboradores.
Caracterización y toxicidad del biochar obtenido a partir de la pirólisis de cascarilla de arroz, pergamino de café y restos de poda de arándano
Authors:   , Sumari Flores Cristina
Published: February 2023

El uso de biochar apela a la estrategia de secuestro de carbono en el suelo al ser empleado como enmienda, esta técnica no solo mejora algunas características físico-químicas de los suelos sino que adicionalmente se han reportado efectos positivos sobre las características productivas del cultivo como incremento del rendimiento y disponibilidad de nutrientes; sin embargo, su uso apropiado implica la determinación de la dosis apropiada y sus efectos tóxicos sobre los cultivos; por ello la presente investigación se planteó como objetivo evaluar las características físico-químicas (pH,CE, CIC, Materia Organica , N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd y Cr ) y toxicidad del biochar obtenido por pirólisis lenta a 300°C a partir de cascarilla de arroz, pergamino de café y residuos de poda de arándano. La caracterización se llevó a cabo según las indicaciones de Sociedad Estadounidense para Pruebas y Materiales y la determinación de la dosis límite como enmienda mediante el análisis cuantal Probit en plántulas de aguaymanto. El biochar de residuos de poda de arándano se caracteriza por su alto contenido de Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn y B y la más alta cantidad de carbono fijo (73.02%). El biochar de cascarilla de arroz destaca por su pH cercano a la neutralidad (6.17), una CIC importante (19.2 meq/100g), CE baja (2.36 dS/m) y el más alto contenido de MO (30.54%). El biochar de pergamino de café presenta un contenido superior de humedad (44.87%), bajo contenido de macro y microlementos y una cantidad importante de cromo (19.26 ppm). El biochar de pergamino de café es menos tóxico respecto al biochar proveniente cascarilla de arroz y residuos de poda del arándano y su dosis límite como enmienda es del 90%; sin embargo, dentro de la probabilidad de obtener plantas sin señales de toxicidad, corresponden dosis que van entre 19% y 30% en mezcla con el sustrato o suelo. Se concluye que, aunque el biochar de las fuentes caracterizadas permita el rehúso de elementos orgánicos de la agroindustria, estos deben tratarse como cualquier otro insumo que ingresa al proceso agrícola estableciendo su inocuidad sobre el cultivo de manera preliminar.
UroAngel: a single-kidney function prediction system based on computed tomography urography using deep learning
Authors: Zheng Qingyuan , Ni Xinmiao , Wu Jiejun , Jiao Panpan , Yang Rui , Yang Song , Wang Lei , Chen Zhiyuan , Liu Xiuheng
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Accurate estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is clinically crucial for determining the status of obstruction, developing treatment strategies, and predicting prognosis in obstructive nephropathy (ON). We aimed to develop a deep learning-based system, named UroAngel, for non-invasive and convenient prediction of single-kidney function level.
Methods
We retrospectively collected computed tomography urography (CTU) images and emission computed tomography diagnostic reports of 520 ON patients. A 3D U-Net model was used to segment the renal parenchyma, and a logistic regression multi-classification model was used to predict renal function level. We compared the predictive performance of UroAngel with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations and two expert radiologists in an additional 40 ON patients to validate clinical effectiveness.
Results
UroAngel based on 3D U-Net convolutional neural network could segment the renal cortex accurately, with a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.861. Using the segmented renal cortex to predict renal function stage had high performance with an accuracy of 0.918, outperforming MDRD and CKD-EPI and two radiologists.
Conclusion
We proposed an automated 3D U-Net-based analysis system for direct prediction of single-kidney function stage from CTU images. UroAngel could accurately predict single-kidney function in ON patients, providing a novel, reliable, convenient, and non-invasive method.
Risk Factors for Hamstring Strain Injury in Male College American Football Players -A Prospective Cohort Study-
Authors: Mizutani Yuri , Taketomi Shuji , Kawaguchi Kohei , Takei Seira , Yamagami Ryota , Kono Kenichi , Kage Tomofumi , Sameshima Shin , Inui Hiroshi , Fujiwara Sayaka , Tanaka Sakae , Ogata Toru
Published: February 2023

Background Given the frequency of hamstring strain injuries (HSI) among male college American football players, several studies have attempted to determine whether certain risk factors that can predict their occurrence. However, no consensus has yet been reached on predictive risk factors for hamstring strain injuries in male college American football players. This study aimed to clarify risk factors for HSI prospectively in college male American football players. Methods A total of 78 male college American football players, whose positions were limited to skill positions, were medically assessed for potential risk factors of HSI. The preseason medical assessment included anthropometric measurements, joint laxity and flexibility, muscle flexibility, muscle strength, and balance ability. Results HSI occurred in a total of 25 thighs from 25 players (32.1%). Injured players had significantly lower hamstring flexibility (p = 0.02) and hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio(H/Q) (p = 0.047) compared to uninjured players. Additionally, injured players had significantly lower general joint laxity scores, especially for the total (p = 0.04), hip (p = 0.007), and elbow (p = 0.04) scores, compared to uninjured players. Conclusions Lower hamstring flexibility, lower hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio, and lower general joint laxity score were identified as risk factors for HSI in male college American football players placed in skill positions. These findings could be useful in preventing HSI among such players.
Hand Twelve Jing-Well Points Exercise on Subthreshold Depression College Students: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li Mengfan , Song Ruiwen , Wang Yidan , Zhang Jian , You Jing , Zhang Mengxi , Cao Tianhui , Guo Yi , Wang Shenjun , Zhao Meidan
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Depression seriously affects the health of people all over the world. At the early stage of depression, subthreshold depression is very important for early prevention and treatment of depression. The hand twelve Jing-well points exercise is traditional Chinese therapy for acupoint stimulation. We designed a parallel randomized clinical trial to observe the intervention effect of hand twelve Jing-well points exercise on subthreshold depression in college students.
Methods: This is a randomized, parallel controlled clinical trial. Sixty-two eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group or the waiting-list control group according to the ratio of 1: 1. The intervention group will be received hand twelve Jing-well points exercise for 16 weeks. The waiting-list control group will not receive the intervention and participants will be taught the hand twelve Jing-well points exercise after the experiment. The main outcomes are Self-rating Depression Scale and Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the secondary outcomes are Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, reward processing cognitive behavioral data and functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy data, which will be detected at baseline, 4 weeks and 16 weeks after the intervention.
Discussion: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of hand twelve Jing-well points exercise on patients with subthreshold depression so as to provide evidence for further promoting subthreshold depression management.
Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, Registration number :ChiCTR2100052960;Registered on November 6th, 2021.
Consistent Individual Tendencies in Motor Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off
Authors: Pacheco Matheus M. , Lafe Charley W. , Chen Che-Hsiu , Hsieh Tsung-Yu
Published: February 2023

The literature of Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off (SAT) in motor control has evidenced individuality in the preference to trade different aspects (mean, variance) of spatial and temporal errors. Nonetheless, to the best of our knowledge, how robust this preference is has not been properly tested. Thirty participants performed nine conditions with different time and spatial criteria over two days (scanning). In-between these scanning conditions, individuals performed a practice condition that required modifications of the individuals’ preferences in SAT. Through Bayesian analyses, we found that, despite individuals demonstrating changes during practice, decreasing movement time, they did not modify how they performed the scanning conditions. This is evidence for a robust SAT individual tendency. We discuss how such individuality could modify how individuals perform within/between SAT criteria, and what this means for interpretation of results.
Understanding preferences for night trains and their potential to replace flights in Europe. The case of Sweden.
Authors: Curtale Riccardo , Larsson Jörgen , Nässén Jonas
Published: February 2023

Possible strategies to mitigate the climate impact of tourism transport include encouraging tourism to closer destinations and supporting more sustainable modes of transport, including trains. Today international trips by railways only have a small market share but night trains are considered an important part of a future green Europe. However, little is known about travelers’ preferences for night trains for long-distance travel in Europe. The results of an integrated choice and latent variable model (ICLV) applied to stated preference (SP) data collected from 1,691 residents of Sweden show that, depending on place of origin in Sweden, in response to a set of innovations, including reduced travel time emanating from ongoing infrastructure investments, and the introduction of new, more comfortable trains, the share of plane users willing to switch to night trains to Central Europe could reach 20-30% and to Southern Europe, 6-10%.
Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in Young Adults with Spinal Cord Injury: The Necessity of an Early Bone Mineral Density Checkup
Authors: Kim Onyoo , Lee Ahry
Published: February 2023

Study design
Retrospective cross-sectional study
Objectives
To identify the prevalence and risk factors for low bone mass (LBM) in young adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Setting
National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul, Korea
Methods
This study targeted patients with SCI aged 20–49 years hospitalized from January 2010 to October 2021. Bone mineral density was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip.
Results
Osteopenia was diagnosed in 451 patients (58.2%), and osteoporosis was diagnosed in 156 (20.1%) of 775 patients. Among 181 patients with time from injury within 3 months, 105 (58%) and 20 (11%) were diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis, respectively. Additionally, the percentage of LBM increased significantly as the time from injury increased. On multivariate analysis, the risk factors for LBM in patients with acute SCI within 12 months of onset were age (odds ratio [OR]=1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.07; p=0.005), female sex (OR=2.49; 95% CI, 1.34 to 4.46; p=0.002), and body mass index (OR=0.86; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.92; p<0.001). Furthermore, alcohol or smoking history, etiology of injury, neurological level of injury, completeness of injury, and the Korean version of the spinal cord independence measure-III score were not significantly correlated with LBM.
Conclusions
The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is high in young adults with SCI. In addition, the diagnosis rate is high in the test performed at the initial stages after injury. Therefore, early bone health monitoring should be performed in young adults with SCI.
Battle royale optimizer for multi-level image thresholding
Authors: Akan Taymaz , Oliva Diego , Marco Perez-Cisneros , Feizi-Derakhshi Ali-Reza , Feizi-Derakhshi Amir-Reza , Bhuiyan Mohammad Alfrad Nobel
Published: February 2023

Segmentation is an essential step of image processing that directly affects its success. Among the methods used for image segmentation, histogram-based thresholding is prevalent. Two well-known approaches to histogram-based thresholding are Otsu’s and Kapur’s methods in grey images that maximize the between-class variance and the entropy measure, respectively. Both techniques were introduced for bi-level thresholding. However, these techniques can be expanded to multilevel image thresholding. For this to occur, a large number of iterations are required to account for exact threshold values. To this end, various optimization techniques have been used to overcome this drawback. Recently, a new optimization algorithm called Battle Royal Optimizer (BRO) has been published, which is shown to solve various optimization tasks effectively. In this study, BRO has been applied to yield optimum threshold values in multilevel image thresholding. Here is also demonstrated the effectiveness of BRO for image segmentation on various images from the standard publicly accessible Berkeley segmentation dataset. We compare the performance of BRO to other state-of-the-art optimization-based methods and show that it outperforms them in terms of fitness value, Peak-Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index Method (SSIM), Feature Similarity Index Method (FSIM), Color FSIM (FSIMc) and Standard Deviation (SD). The results of the proposed technique suggest that BRO is a promising approach for solving image segmentation tasks.
Atomic reconstructions and dynamic-evolutionary pathways on a model polar surface of ionic crystal
Authors: Zhou Hua , Wang Xiaodan , Xu Mingchun , Wang Yilin , Hu Shujun , Bai Lihui , Yan Shishen
Published: February 2023

Preparation of atomic reconstructions and tracking its dynamic-evolutionary pathways for some polar surfaces of ionic crystals are essential in surface science but remain a formidable challenge. Mainly by scanning tunneling microscopy, we investigate various reconstructions as well as their dynamic-evolutionary pathways on ZnO(0001) surface as a prototypical ionic crystal, which have been successfully prepared by introducing Ga surface segregation. We observe three complex pathways from an initial disorder to finally well-ordered surface with (2×8) reconstruction undergoing complicated atom desorption, missing and moving dynamic processes, one of which is “disorder → [disorder + (√3 × √3)R30°] → [(2 × 2)] → zigzag arrangement → [(2 × 8)]”. The atomic reconstructions are proposed to originate from the modification of empty states of dangling bonds of the surface by surface segregation. Our findings provide a general model for preparing plentifully atomic reconstructions and revealing dynamic-evolutionary pathways on complex polar surfaces of ionic crystals.