Social intervention for an articulated execution of research projects in high Andean communities: Case of installation of the real-time monitoring system of the Arhuay- cocha glacier lake, Cordillera Blanca

In Peru, the communities located along the Andes Mountains at more than 3000 meters above sea level, have a behavior highly susceptible to any type of research activity on the mountain areas, mainly due to the past wrong management of mountain resources by mining companies for many decades, without an eco-efficient or optimal mineral extraction process from an environmental point of view. The biggest problem in conducting research activities in these areas is demonstrating to communities that research activities are of great common benefit and not of private interest. Here are strategies for awareness-raising work in mountain communities, prior to the execution of a research project. The study case was taken on the project to install a monitoring system over high danger Arhuaycocha glacier lake at Río Blanco-Santa Cruz Sub-basin, Ancash, Peru, where the Santa Cruz district is located on the alluvial path. Awarenessraising activities were carried out, identification of actors, analysis of the social situation and perspectives of the inhabitants for the project. It was concluded that all research activities must be carried out with a high degree of sense of belonging on the part of the communities, showing direct benefits, and reach agreements with local authorities. A key point was the inclusion of the residents in the project activities, making it transparent and making it clear that science activities are carried out within their community.En el Perú las comunidades localizadas a lo largo de la cordillera de los Andes a más de 3000 metros sobre el nivel del mar tienen un comportamiento altamente susceptible a cualquier tipo de actividad de investigación sobre las áreas de montañas, debido principalmente al mal manejo de las empresas mineras durante muchas décadas, sin un proceso de extracción mineral ecoeficiente u óptimo desde un punto de vista ambiental. El mayor problema que surge al buscar realizar actividades de investigación en dichas áreas consiste en demostrar a las comunidades que las actividades de investigación son de un gran beneficio común y no de intereses particulares. En este artículo se muestran estrategias de trabajos de sensibilización en comunidades de montaña, previos a la ejecución de un proyecto de investigación. Se tomó el caso de estudio el proyecto de instalación de un sistema de monitoreo de la laguna peligrosa de origen glaciar Arhuaycocha, en la subcuenca Río Blanco-Santa Cruz, Áncash, donde el distrito Santa Cruz se ubica en el camino aluviónico. Se realizaron actividades de sensibilización, identificación de actores, análisis situación social y de perspectivas de los pobladores para con el proyecto.Se concluyó que en toda actividad de índole de investigación se debe de realizar con un grado alto de sentimiento de pertenencia por parte de las comunidades, mostrar beneficios directos y lograr acuerdos con las autoridades locales. Un punto clave fue la inclusión de los pobladores en las actividades del proyecto, transparentando y dejando en claro la realización de actividades de ciencia dentro de su comunidad

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Cincuenta años de publicaciones mexicanas en bibliotecología, ciencia de la información y documentación : 1956-2006

Las publicaciones periódicas aparecieron en México desde la época colonial, e incluían periódicos y revistas que se convirtieron en espacios para popularizar las concepciones y valores de la época. Esta tradición editorial tuvo su mayor florecimiento en el siglo XVIII dada la influencia del periodismo europeo. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar el crecimiento, desenvolvimiento y diversificación de las disciplinas asociadas con la Biblioteconomía, la Bibliotecología, las Ciencias de la Información y la Documentación en México durante el periodo 1956-2006. A poco más de 50 años de la iniciativa del entonces Secretario General de la UNAM, Dr. Efrén C. del Pozo de establecer los estudios universitarios en bibliotecología, este trabajo espera aportar conocimiento sobre la evolución intelectual en el área y al mismo tiempo refrendar el reconocimiento a la magnánima labor de tan insigne científico a favor de las bibliotecas y la formación de sus profesionistas en México. Periodicals appeared in México in colonial times. These types of publications included newspapers and magazines which became the media to popularize the ideas, values and perspectives of the period. This tradition flourish mainly in the eighteenth century under the decisive influence of European journalism. The present work aims to characterize the growth, development and diversification of the disciplines associated with librarianship, Library & Information Science and Documentation in México during the period 1956-2006. A little over 50 years since the initiative of the General Secretary of the National Autonomous University of México, Dr. Efren C. del Pozo, to establish the university training for librarians, this thesis hopes to contribute to the knowledge about the intellectual development in this area and also endorse the recognition of the great efforts of such a distinguished scientist for the library education in México

Publicaciones periódicas en Biblioteconomía, Bibliotecología, Ciencias de la Información y Documentación en México: Tendencias temáticas, productividad y redes de coautoría: 1956-2006

Thematic analysis of periodicals related to library and information science (LIS) published in Mexico in the period from 1956 to 2006 give us the opportunity to characterize the growth, development and diversification of these disciplines. With regard to the strategy for the selection of journals to be examined from the year that begins the LIS professionalization, this was based on two phases: the first phase consisted in grouping a large set of journals devoted to topics related to the LIS field, and selecting some other titles that, without having a defined profile, published articles on these topics. In the second phase we selected a set of representative publications within the context and historical moment in which they took effect. For both sets of journals were generated the following bibliometric indicators: topics addressed by time period (networks of co-terms, from descriptor and title fields). Regarding the most productive authors we present the following indicators: productivity index, co-authorship networks, co-terms networks (from descriptor and title fields). The results will hopefully help to lead the LIS profession and related disciplines

Effect of Different Working and Tool Parameters on Performance of Several Types of Cultivators

In this study, the effects of tillage depth, forward speed and soil moisture content during the cultivator operation on the draft force, energy requirement, and soil disturbance were investigated using five types of cultivators. The experiments were performed in the factorial design based on the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in loamy sand soil. Different soil moisture contents (factor A) from 5 to 16% for dry soils and 17 to 35% for wet soils, forward speed of tractor (factor B) at four levels of 1.16, 1.61, 1.97, and 3.82 km/hand working depth (factor C) at two levels of 10 and 20 cm were selected. The analysis of variance results showed that the main effects on the draft force, energy requirement, and soil disturbance were significant. With increasing the forward speed, working depth, and blade width, the draft force, energy requirement, and soil disturbance significantly increased. As the soil moisture content increased, the amount of draft force decreased. The average maximum draft force and energy requirement are related to the crescent cultivator and the lowest ones to the cultivator with a sweep blade. The maximum amounts of draft force and energy requirement at the speed of 3.82 km/h were 296.702 N and 0.03708 MJ in the dry conditions, respectively. The average maximum draft force and energy requirement are related to the crescent cultivator and the lowest ones to the cultivator with a sweep blade. The average maximum draft force and energy requirement in dry soil at 10&ndash;20 cm depth were 313.534 N and 0.039204 MJ, respectively, and the lowest values were 189 N and 0.019512 MJ in wet soil at the depth of 0&ndash;10 cm, respectively. The highest mean value of the area obtained from the profiles was 254.62 cm2 related to the dry conditions and forward speed of 3.82 km/h, and the lowest mean value of the area obtained in the wet conditions was 199.6 cm2 at the forward speed of 1.16 km/h. The highest average area obtained from the profiles was observed in the dry conditions for C4 as 434.813 cm2 and the lowest one was 57.94 cm2 in the wet conditions for the cultivator with a chisel blade and L-shaped shank. The highest average area created by cultivators at the 10&ndash;20 cm depth in the dry conditions was 332.875 cm2 and the lowest one at the 0&ndash;10 cm depth in the wet conditions was 123.55 cm2. The results of this study can help the designers and manufacturers of agricultural machinery to effectively design and manufacture the machinery with optimum draft and energy requirements

Non-Destructive Estimation of Total Chlorophyll Content of Apple Fruit Based on Color Feature, Spectral Data and the Most Effective Wavelengths Using Hybrid Artificial Neural Network—Imperialist Competitive Algorithm

Non-destructive assessment of the physicochemical properties of food products, especially fruits, makes it possible to examine the internal quality without any damage. This is applicable at different stages of fruit growth, harvesting stage, and storage as well as at the market stage. In this regard, the present study aimed to estimate the total chlorophyll content using three types of data: color data, spectral data, and spectral data related to the most effective wavelengths. The most important steps of the proposed algorithms include extracting spectral and color data from each sample of Fuji cultivar apple, selecting the most effective wavelengths at the range of 660&ndash;720 nm using hybrid artificial neural network&ndash;particle swarm optimization (ANN-PSO), non-destructive assessment of the chemical property of total chlorophyll content based on color data, and spectral data using hybrid artificial neural network-Imperialist competitive algorithm (ANN-ICA). In order to assess the reliability of the hybrid ANN-ICA, 1000 iterations were performed after selecting the optimal structure of the artificial neural network. According to the results, in the best training mode and using spectral data and the most effective wavelength, total chlorophyll content was predicted with the R2 and RMSE of 0.991 and 0.0035, 0.997 and 0.001, 0.997 and 0.0006, respectively

Quality Assessment of Components of Wheat Seed Using Different Classifications Models

To use machine vision technology in visual quality control of cereal seeds, sufficient knowledge is necessary. In this work, the capability of machine visual systems, equipped with industrial digital cameras for the identification and classification of seven-grain groups in wheat seed samples, was studied. Two statistical models and three support vector machines were employed in this study. Through image processing of 21,000 single grains, the shape, colour, and textural features of each grain were determined. Ninety-one features were ranked through the ReliefF method. The shape features were the most prominent, followed by the textural and colour features. Among the five models tested, the highest classification accuracy was obtained using quadratic support vector machine (QSVM) and the first 35 features. In the test run of this model with independent data, the classification accuracy for sound white wheat, small white wheat, broken white wheat, shrunken white wheat, red wheat, barley and rye were, respectively, 98.7, 98, 99.3, 90.7, 99, 100, and 97.3%, with an overall average accuracy of 97.6%. In the context of this study, the machine vision system&mdash;comprising an industrial digital camera and quadratic support vector machine or non-linear discriminate analysis method&mdash;was identified as a valuable system in the investigation of the visual qualities of wheat seeds

One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks for Hyperspectral Analysis of Nitrogen in Plant Leaves

Accurately determining the nutritional status of plants can prevent many diseases caused by fertilizer disorders. Leaf analysis is one of the most used methods for this purpose. However, in order to get a more accurate result, disorders must be identified before symptoms appear. Therefore, this study aims to identify leaves with excessive nitrogen using one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNN) on a dataset of spectral data using the Keras library. Seeds of cucumber were planted in several pots and, after growing the plants, they were divided into different classes of control (without excess nitrogen), N30% (excess application of nitrogen fertilizer by 30%), N60% (60% overdose), and N90% (90% overdose). Hyperspectral data of the samples in the 400&ndash;1100 nm range were captured using a hyperspectral camera. The actual amount of nitrogen for each leaf was measured using the Kjeldahl method. Since there were statistically significant differences between the classes, an individual prediction model was designed for each class based on the 1D-CNN algorithm. The main innovation of the present research resides in the application of separate prediction models for each class, and the design of the proposed 1D-CNN regression model. The results showed that the coefficient of determination and the mean squared error for the classes N30%, N60% and N90% were 0.962, 0.0005; 0.968, 0.0003; and 0.967, 0.0007, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method can be effectively used to detect over-application of nitrogen fertilizers in plants