On Pop's conjecture : Elementary equivalence versus isomorphism (Model theoretic aspects of the notion of independence and dimension)

Let K, L be finitely generated fields with K ≡ L. Is K isomorphic to L? In 2020, Dittmann and Pop [DP] solved this question affirmatively except the case of characteristic 2. We review their method. Finally, we consider analogous problem for infinite algebraic extensions of ℚ

Development of a Neuropsychological Test to Evaluate Cognitive Flexibility

[Background] Cognitive flexibility is also referred to as set-shifting and is considered to be an important activity of the frontal lobe. The objective of this study was to produce a Cognitive Flexibility Test (CFT) that can evaluate cognitive flexibility in a short time and in a simple manner and to verify the usefulness of the test. [Methods] The CFT, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), and Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS-15) were implemented among a total of 94 elderly people who live at home. An “A” version of CFT (CFT-A), which asked about the possible uses of a plastic bottle other than drinking and a “B” version (CFT-B), which asked about the possible uses of a ballpoint pen other than writing, were produced. [Results] In the case of CFT-A, after adjusting the number of years of education, a significant correlation was found between CFT-A and the variables age, VFT, and MMSE. As for CFT-B, after adjusting the number of years of education, it was found to have a significant correlation with age and VFT. The number of responses for CFT-A and CFT-B were significantly lower than that of VFT. The number of responses for CFT-B was significantly lower than that of CFT-A. [Conclusion] The CFT-A may be useful as a neuropsychological test to evaluate cognitive flexibility among elderly people that can be implemented easily in a short time

Interventions for Students with Problem Behaviors: A Workshop Incorporating Applied Behavior Analysis for Japanese Teachers

[Background] We conducted a workshop-style program based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) for Japanese teachers in charge of children with developmental disabilities who had behavioral problems. Additionally, we investigated whether making and implementing behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) for participants, improved students’ behavioral problems, and the mental health of participants. [Methods] The participants were 18 Japanese elementary and kindergarten teachers in charge of students with behavioral problems. The workshop comprised eight two-hour sessions of lectures and group discussions related to ABA. Achievement level was evaluated for the development and implementation of the BIP and improvement of behavioral problems. In addition, we analyzed changes in the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) scores pre- and post-workshop to assess participants’ mental health. Fifteen teachers who participated in more than half of the sessions were analyzed. [Results] All 15 teachers analyzed were able to perform appropriate functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and make a BIP, and 12 showed improvement in the targeted problem behaviors. Many target behaviors had avoidance functions and many antecedent strategies were behavior contracts. Adaptive behaviors incompatible with problem behaviors were selected as alternative behaviors to problem behaviors. Also, there was no aversive control over the outcome strategy. The average score for “social activity disorder” and “anxiety / caprice” in GHQ30 showed a statistically significant improvement in pre- and post-workshop. [Conclusion] It was found that appropriate FAB and BIP could be created using “the strategy sheet,” in workshops based on the ABA. It was also suggested that the workshop program may in turn improve teachers’ mental health. Further study is needed on the effectiveness of the workshop program using intergroup comparison designs for more subjects

The Effect of Nurses’ Work–Life Balance on Work Engagement: The Adjustment Effect of Affective Commitment

[Background] This study aimed to examine the effects of nurses’ work–life balance (WLB), job demands and resources, and organizational attachment on their work engagement (WE). The second aim was to shed light on whether the relationships among WLB, job demands, resources, and WE are modulated by organizational attachment. [Methods] In total, 425 nurses working in a university hospital responded to the questionnaire. The primary statistical analysis method was hierarchical multiple regression with WE as the dependent variable. [Results] In the model in which all variables were applied, affective commitment (AC) (β = 0.41), family-to-work positive spillover (β = 0.25), and number of children (β = 0.13) were found to have a significant association with WE. Family-to-work negative spillover (FWNS) and AC had significant interaction effects. The result suggests that when AC was low, WE tended to decline further due to FWNS; however, when AC was high, WE did not change due to the effect of FWNS. [Conclusion] These results confirmed that to improve nurses’ WE, hospital organizations should implement initiatives to facilitate WLB that considers nurses’ household roles. Furthermore, high organizational attachment buffered the home’s negative influence on work, thereby helping nurses work energetically

In vitro homology search array comprehensively reveals highly conserved genes and their functional characteristics in non-sequenced species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With the increase in genomic and transcriptomic data produced by the recent advancements in next generation sequencers and microarrays, it is now easier than ever to conduct large-scale comparative genomic studies for familiar species. However, there are more than ten million species on earth, and the study of all remaining species is not realistic in terms of cost and time. There have been a number of attempts at using microarrays for cross-species hybridization; however, those approaches only utilized the same probes for each species or different probes designed from orthologous genes. To establish easier and cheaper methods for the large-scale comparative genomic study of non-sequenced species, we developed an <it>in vitro</it> homology search array with the aid of a bioinformatic approach to probe design.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To perform large-scale genomic comparisons of non-sequenced species, we chose squid, one of the most intelligent species among Protostomes, for comparison with human genes. We designed a microarray using human single copy genes and conducted microarray experiments with mRNAs extracted from the squid. Multi-copy genes could not be detected using the microarray in this study because their sequence similarity caused cross-hybridization. A search for squid homologous genes among human genes revealed that 68% of the human probes tested showed the expression of squid homolog genes and 95 genes were confirmed to be expressed highly in squid. Functional classification analysis showed that these highly expressed genes comprise DNA binding proteins, which are under pressure of DNA level mutation and, consequently, show high similarity at the nucleotide level.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our array could detect homologous genes in squids and humans in spite of the distant phylogenic relationships between the species. This experimental method will be useful for identifying homologs in non-sequenced species, for the development of genetic resources and for the collection of information on biodiversity, particularly when using the genome of sibling or closely related species.</p

Sistema WebVR para el proceso de evaluación psicológica en una consultora de recursos humanos en Lima 2019

El propósito del presente proyecto de investigación es reducir la cantidad de horas/hombre en el proceso de evaluación psicológica en la consultora de recursos humanos Humanum Management Group S.A.C. en Lima 2019 a través de un sistema WebVR elaborado utilizando el método Kanban, dividido en cuatro capítulos. En el Capítulo I se define y se formula el problema, se establece el objetivo y la hipótesis de la investigación, se identifican las variables, se delimita el alcance, se justifica el proyecto y antecedentes. El Capítulo II recopila el marco teórico necesario para la investigación, el marco tecnológico y el marco metodológico utilizado para el desarrollo del sistema. En el Capítulo III se detalla el desarrollo del proyecto y del sistema utilizando el método Kanban, el estándar WebVR, los lenguajes de programación Java y JavaScript, librerías Spring Boot y ReactJS y servicios Cloud. El Capítulo IV evidencia el logro de los objetivos a través de los beneficios tangibles e intangibles y demostrando la rentabilidad del proyecto de investigación. Las actividades consideradas para reducir la cantidad de horas/hombre en el proceso de evaluación psicológica fueron la corrección de las pruebas psicológicas, interpretación de los resultados y elaboración del informe psicológico. Las pruebas se realizaron a una muestra de candidatos peruanos que vivan en Lima, mayores de 18 años y que postularan a puestos de mando medio operativo y medio alto. Los resultados arrojaron una reducción de 48% de horas/hombre por candidato, 15 horas por proceso de evaluación psicológica, pudiendo generar un ahorro equivalente a S/. 48,000.00 anuales, evidenciando el beneficio económico para la consultora de recursos humanos.TesisCampus Lima Centr

Concentration Variations of Air Pollutants Observed at Kashiwazaki Environmental Air Quality Monitoring Station

Concentration variations of air pollutants observed from April 1990 through December 2007 at the Kashiwazaki Air Quality Monitoring Station in Niigata Prefecture were analyzed. While annual mean concentrations of NO and NO_2 showed no remarkable trends, those of SPM were in clear downward trends, and Ox was in an upward trend. On the other hand, those of SO_2 decreased remarkably from 1990 to 2001, however, they have increased slightly in recent years. Monthly averaged concentrations of Ox are higher from February through May and hourly concentrations show a peak around 2 to 3 pm. The daily average concentrations of Ox were higher on Saturdays and Sundays, which is known as the weekend effect. Monthly average concentrations of NO and NO_2 were higher from November through December and hourly concentrations showed diurnal variations with peaks in the morning and evening. Monthly mean concentrations of SPM were higher from April through August and hourly concentrations are higher from 7 to 9 pm. The maximum concentrations of SO_2, SPM and Ox during the period investigated were recorded at an exceptional time, influenced by the eruption of the Miyake-jima volcano, by the Kosa phenomenon, and also the occurrence of the long-range transport of air pollutants from the continental area

Video recording method used in workshops designed for learning through collaboration and expression - with a focus on the possibility of documentation to promote self-reflective learning -

博士（芸術工学）神戸芸術工科大学202