Comparing public policy implementation in Taiwan and Vietnam in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak: A review

Taiwan and Vietnam have taken successful measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 at the early stages. Many authors attributed the successful policies to the lessons learned by these countries during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic in 2002.(Ohara, 2004) This manuscript provides a summary of recent early-stage policies that were successful in mitigating the spread and creating resilience against the negative consequences of COVID-19 in Taiwan and Vietnam. Crucially, these policies go beyond and complement social isolation. As social isolation is expected to have a negative socio-economic impact on the population and adherence is likely to decrease with time(Armitage and Nellums, 2020; Weems et al., 2020), it is important to consider a broad range of policies to promote a steady control of the COVID-19 spread. Initially, we provide a brief introduction to some general concepts related to COVID-19. Thereafter, we introduce a concise review of policies and their dates relative to the first detection case in Taiwan and Vietnam as well as doing a comparative analysis

Strain Mechanisms in Lead-Free Ferroelectrics for Actuators

The perovskite solid solution family of Lead Zirconate Titanate has traditionally been the focus of developmental efforts in the piezoceramics community. This is due to the possibility of engineering its electromechanical properties with dopants (≤ 3 at. %) or modifiers (≥ 5 at. %) leading to desirable and relatively easily addressable functional properties for a broad range of applications. As a result of more than seven decades of continuous developmental efforts, PZT-based solid solutions are the preferred piezoelectrics in present day applications, comprising 95 % of the whole piezoelectric materials implemented in the international production of actuators. Global awareness for well-being of the environment has increased in the past decades. In particular, Pb and PbO were identified as toxic for human health and the environment. On these grounds, directives against the use of Pb and other toxic elements in consumer products have been globally introduced. These regulations have stimulated an increased research in lead-free piezoceramics. Three main solid solution families have been recognized as technologically relevant replacements: barium titanate-based (BT-based), bismuth alkali-based (BNT- or BKT-based), and alkali niobate-based (KNN-based) materials. In this work, two systems were selected as representative candidates, one from the BT-based and the other from the BNT-based family of materials. Namely, (1-x)Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT-BCT) and (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3(BNT) -SrTiO3 (ST) were selected. These model materials were chosen to expand the state-of-the-art knowledge of strain mechanisms of lead-free piezoceramics in the small and large signal regimes, and thus promote their technological implementation. This work focuses in the relationship between the dielectric and electromechanical properties and phase transitions, as well as microstructure of these systems. The research performed combines both fundamental understanding on the functionality of these materials, as well as application oriented knowledge

Temperature dependent polarization reversal mechanism in 0.94(Bi_1/2Na_1/2) TiO₃-0.06Ba(Zr_0.02Ti_0.98)O₃ relaxor ceramics

The temperature at which the electric field induced long-range ordered ferroelectric state undergoes transition into the short-range ordered relaxor state, TF-R, is commonly defined by the onset of strong dispersion of the dielectric permittivity. However, this combined macroscopic property and structural investigation of the polarization reversal process in the prototypical lead-free relaxor 0.94(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-0.06Ba(Zr0.02Ti0.98)O3 reveals that an applied electric field can trigger depolarization and onset of relaxor-like behavior well below TF-R. The polarization reversal process can as such be described as a combination of (1) ferroelectric domain switching and (2) a reversible phase transition between two polar ferroelectric states mediated by a non-polar relaxor state. Furthermore, the threshold fields of the second, mediated polarization reversal mechanism depend strongly on temperature. These results are concomitant with a continuous ferroelectric to relaxor transition occurring over a broad temperature range, during which mixed behavior is observed. The nature of polarization reversal can be illustrated in electric-field-temperature (E-T) diagrams showing the electric field amplitudes associated with different polarization reversal processes. Such diagrams are useful tools for identifying the best operational temperature regimes for a given composition in actuator applications

Modulation of Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Character of Porous Environments in Metal-Organic Frameworks via Direct Polymer Capping Probed by NMR Diffusion Measurements

The ability to create extended porous networks, such as those composed of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with tailored hydrophilic/hydrophobic character is crucial for adapting such widely used supports to different applications. To achieve this goal, direct polymer inclusion has proven to be a suitable strategy, and functional composite materials with multiple additional properties have been obtained in such a way. We have explored, by means of nuclear magnetic resonance diffusion experiments, the effect of polymer capping using a conducting polymer (polyaminobencylamine - PABA), which results in the positioning of -NH2 moieties on the otherwise eminently hydrophobic surface of Zn-based ZIF-8 MOF nanocrystals. Our results demonstrate that increasingly higher amounts of PABA can confer, aside from conductivity, an increased hydrophilic character to the porous network, while also allowing for the identification of different environments available for water molecule diffusion.Fil: Velasco, Manuel Isaac. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Rodolfo Héctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Marmisollé, Waldemar Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Azzaroni, Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Rafti, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; Argentin

Obtención de bioplástico utilizando colágeno de los residuos de pescado del terminal pesquero Villa María del Triunfo - 2020

La investigación presenta como objetivo determinar la obtención del bioplástico utilizando el colágeno de los residuos de pescado del terminal pesquero Villa María del Triunfo. Se inició con el estudio preliminar y la recolección de los residuos de pescado en la zona, obteniendo 40 kg y 1kg para realizar la caracterización y sus parámetros fisicoquímicos. Luego se procedió a la extracción de colágeno, en la que se desinfecto con NaClO al 1% de concentración y se dispuso 15 días en un sistema invernadero. Después se realizó la extracción de colágeno donde se pesó 186 g de residuos tratados y llevarlo a la cocinilla con agua destilada hasta llegar a la ebullición. En el proceso de obtención de bioplástico, se mezcló glicerina, carbonató de sodio, almidón de yuca, ácido acético orgánico y agua destilada. En conclusión, la dosis D1-(10g-10g) en la prueba físico-mecánicas presento un mayor porcentaje de alargamiento, resistencia de tracción, estando conformado por 10 g de almidón de yuca, 3 ml de glicerina, 10 g de colágeno de residuos de pescado, 2 ml de ácido acético y 1 g de carbonato de sodio. Además de presentar una mayor solubilidad con un mayor porcentaje de 78.15% en un lapso de 5 días

Genetic characterization of domestic pigs in the core zone of swine production of Argentina

Argentina is a small player in the global pork market, contributing only 0.7% of the total production. With increasing global demand for meat, there is an opportunity for countries with an agricultural profile to grow their pork production. However, there is a need to understand the current state of the pork production sector in all aspects to inform decision-making. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize pig herds from different production strata in the primary region for pork production in the country. For this purpose, phylogenetic and genetic variability analyses were performed using the mitochondrial control region marker (n=95 pig samples). Moreover, genotyping of ryr1 and PRKAG3 genes (n=108 pig samples) were performed to evaluate the frequency of deleterious alleles for meat quality traits in the region. The results showed high levels of genetic variability in the pig herds (Hd= 0.840 ± 0.031 and π= 0.010 ± 0.001), with a creole sow and Iberian lineage standing out in the phylogeny. The genotyping of the ryr1 marker revealed the presence of the deleterious t allele in all analyzed strata. However, the RN-allele of the PRKAG3 gene was detected only in the two lower strata. This study represents the first analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among domestic pigs from Argentina and provides an initial assessment of genetic variability in the region. Additionally, the results present, for the first time, the frequency of deleterious alleles for pig production in the productive core area, demonstrating their prevalence.Fil: Figueroa, Carlos Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Mac Allister, Matias Exequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Diana Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, G. P.. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (Sede Pergamino); ArgentinaFil: Merino, M. L.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Análisis de la NIC 2 y su incidencia en la información financiera de la empresa BOKANA E.I.R.L., Chimbote – periodo 2020

El presente informe de investigación titulado “Análisis de la NIC 2 y su incidencia en la Información Financiera de la empresa BOKANA E.I.R.L., Chimbote – periodo 2020”, manteniendo como objetivo general determinar la incidencia del análisis de la NIC 2 en la información financiera de la empresa BOKANA E.I.R.L., Chimbote – periodo 2020. Este informe de investigación está desarrollado bajo la metodología de enfoque cuantitativo, descriptivo – propositivo, diseño no experimental de corte transversal, se realiza el muestreo no probabilístico, por la que se estimó a 01 encuestado, aplicando la guía de entrevista como instrumento de recolección de datos, sometida a validez de contenido y análisis de confiabilidad también, se analiza el reporte de los estados financieros durante periodos 2017-2020. El análisis siguió el curso de la estadística descriptiva. Finalmente concluimos que, el análisis de la NIC 2 si incide en la información financiera de la empresa BOKANA E.I.R.L., donde se observó que la empresa no aplica NIC 2, no realiza medición posterior de los inventarios y se desconoce si los inventarios tendrán que reducir su valor hasta alcanzar su VNR

Prevalence of HER2 overexpression and amplification in cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The reported rates of HER2 positivity in cervical cancer (CC) range from 0% to 87%. The importance of HER2 as an actionable target in CC would depend on HER2 positivity prevalence. Our aim was to provide precise estimates of HER2 overexpression and amplification in CC, globally and by relevant subgroups. We conducted a PRISMA compliant meta-analytic systematic review. We searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane database, and grey literature for articles reporting the proportion of HER2 positivity in CC. Studies assessing HER2 status by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization in invasive disease were eligible. We performed descriptive analyses of all 65 included studies. Out of these, we selected 26 studies that used standardized American Society of Clinical Oncology / College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) Guidelines compliant methodology. We conducted several meta-analyses of proportions to estimate the pooled prevalence of HER2 positivity and subgroup analyses using geographic region, histology, tumor stage, primary antibody brand, study size, and publication year as moderators. The estimated pooled prevalence of HER2 overexpression was 5.7% (CI 95%: 1.5% to 11.7%) I2 = 87% in ASCO/CAP compliant studies and 27.0%, (CI 95%: 19.9% to 34.8%) I2 = 96% in ASCO/CAP non-compliant ones, p < 0.001. The estimated pooled prevalence of HER2 amplification was 1.2% (CI 95%: 0.0% to 5.8%) I2 = 0% and 24.9% (CI 95%: 12.6% to 39.6%) I2 = 86%, respectively, p = 0.004. No other factor was significantly associated with HER2 positivity rates. Our results suggest that a small, but still meaningful proportion of CC is expected to be HER2-positive. High heterogeneity was the main limitation of the study. Variations in previously reported HER2 positivity rates are mainly related to methodological issues.Fil: Itkin, Boris. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Agustin. Hospital Municipal de Oncologia Maria Curie ; Gobierno de la Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires;Fil: Straminsky, Samanta. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Adelchanow, Eduardo Daniel. Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas.; ArgentinaFil: Pereyra, Matias. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Haab, Gabriela Acosta. Hospital Municipal de Oncologia Maria Curie ; Gobierno de la Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires;Fil: Bardach, Ariel Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; Argentin

Polarization dynamics across the morphotropic phase boundary in Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O-3-x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 ferroelectrics

Analysis of polarization switching dynamics by means of the inhomogeneous field mechanism model allows insight into the microscopic mechanism of reversed polarization domain nucleation. For all chemical compositions studied, two distinct field regions of nucleation are established. In the high-field region, the activation energy barrier is found to be inversely proportional to the local field according to the Merz law. In contrast, the barriers in the low-field region exhibit a linear field dependence with a minimum in the compositional region of phase instability, which can explain the corresponding peak ferroelectric properties.open7

Respuesta de hongos benéficos del suelo asociados a Lotus tenuis a la aplicación de glifosato

En los últimos años se está adoptando la práctica de promoción de Lotus tenuis a través de la aplicación de glifosato en pastizales de La Pampa Deprimida debido a su importante aporte en cantidad y calidad de forraje. Sin embargo, diversos estudios han demostrado que el uso de este herbicida puede ocasionar efectos no deseados en microorganismos benéficos del suelo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de glifosato sobre los hongos micorrícicos arbusculares y hongos septados oscuros asociados a L. tenuis. En una pastura de L. tenuis se establecieron dos tratamientos: Lotus tenuis promovido y Lotus tenuis establecido. En el primer caso, la pastura se pulverizó en invierno (fines de agosto) con 3,5 l/ha de glifosato, mientras en el segundo tratamiento la pastura de L. tenuis no recibió la aplicación del herbicida. Los resultados demuestran que el número de esporas viables de hongos micorrícicos arbusculares fue un 52% menor, y el porcentaje de arbúsculos en plantas de L. tenuis un 40% menor, en el tratamiento Lotus tenuis promovido en relación con el tratamiento Lotus tenuis establecido. La colonización radical por hongos septados oscuros no fue afectada por la aplicación de glifosato. La pérdida de funcionalidad de la simbiosis micorrícica podría en el mediano plazo afectar no solo la producción de biomasa de L. tenuis, sino también la diversidad y productividad de todas las especies presentes en la comunidad vegetal. La información generada en este trabajo será de utilidad para rediseñar prácticas de manejo que permitan la producción de alimento con un uso sustentable de los recursos.In recent years, the Lotus tenuis promotion through glyphosate application has been adopted in Flooding Pampa grasslands, due to the important contribution in forage quantity and quality of this species. However, several studies have shown that the use of glyphosate can cause undesirable effects on beneficial soil microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of glyphosate application on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes associated to L. tenuis. Two treatments were applied in plots located in a L. tenuis pasture: promoted Lotus tenuis and established Lotus tenuis. In the first case, plots were sprayed in winter (late August) with 3.5 l/ha of glyphosate, while in the second treatment plots did not receive herbicide application. Our results demonstrated that the number of viable spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was 52% lower, and the percentage of arbuscules in L. tenuis plants was 40% lower in the Promoted Lotus tenuis treatment in relation to Established Lotus tenuis treatment. Root colonization by dark septate endophytes was not affected by glyphosate application. The loss of functionality of the mycorrhizal symbiosis might in the medium-term affect not only L. tenuis biomass production, but also the diversity and productivity of the complete plant community. The information generated in this study will be useful to redesign management practices that allow food production with a sustainable use of resources.EEA Cuenca del SaladoFil: Druille, Magdalena. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, A. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Rossi, J.L. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Golluscio, Rodolfo A. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Bailleres, Matias Andres. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado. Agencia de Extensión Rural Chascomus; Argentin