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Superresolution (SR) aims to increase the resolution of images by recovering detail. Compared to standard interpolation, deep learning-based approaches learn features and their relationships to leverage prior knowledge of what low-resolution patterns look like in higher resolution. Deep neural networks can also perform image cross-calibration by learning the systematic properties of the target images. While SR for natural images aims to create perceptually convincing results, SR of scientific data requires careful quantitative evaluation. In this work, we demonstrate that deep learning can increase the resolution and calibrate solar imagers belonging to different instrumental generations. We convert solar magnetic field images taken by the Michelson Doppler Imager (resolution ∼2″ pixel ^−1 ; space based) and the Global Oscillation Network Group (resolution ∼2.″5 pixel ^−1 ; ground based) to the characteristics of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (resolution ∼0.″5 pixel ^−1 ; space based). We also establish a set of performance measurements to benchmark deep-learning-based SR and calibration for scientific applications.

Ultrasonic velocity and attenuation measurements of a commercially available Ni-rich polycrystalline Ni–Ti alloy were simultaneously obtained upon cooling from room temperature (RT) down to 130 K. The anelastic spectra show multiple anomalies in both velocity and attenuation curves, which evidence a complex nature of structural rearrangements exhibited by Ni–Ti alloy, associated with relaxations and phase transformations. In particular, some evident anomalies at 285 and 180 K, not previously exploited using ultrasonic measurements on Ni-rich polycrystalline Ni–Ti alloy, were associated with austenite to pre-martensitic (B2 → R) and pre-martensitic to martensitic (R → B19’) phase transitions, respectively. The peculiar temperature separation between these transformations was interpreted based on chemical composition and the Ni–Ti alloy microstructure evolution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were also used to add complementary results about phase transformations and thermal events exhibited by Ni–Ti alloy at low temperatures. XRD, Rietveld refinement, SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirm the coexistence of the austenite B2, martensite B19’, and Ni4Ti3 phases at RT. DSC measurements indicated reversible two-stage martensitic transitions involving B2 ↔ R ↔ B19’ phase transformations at similar temperatures than the observed from ultrasonic anomalies. Besides that, several anelastic relaxation events identified around the phase transitions reveal the occurrence of complex physical mechanisms, such as accommodation of the twinned R-phase and martensite domain walls, twinning boundaries mobility, and the coupling between stress-induced dislocation motion and interstitial diffusion, not reported simultaneously in the literature. The ferroelastic nature of martensite and pre-martensite phase transformations was confirmed for a commercially available Ni-rich polycrystalline Ni–Ti alloy studied in this work.

Los directores escolares enfrentan demandas de aprendizaje y actualización permanente en temas de gestión directiva, didáctica, pedagogía, educación axiológica, entre otros. Mejorar su desempeño profesional es tarea permanente, que a criterio de los autores requiere la combinación armónica entre formación formal especializada y gestión del aprendizaje autónomo. El objetivo del estudio se centra en determinar el estado de la formación de los directores escolares del Distrito de Educación de Manta. El estudio realizado es un diseño no experimental de tipo transversal de carácter descriptivo, que se apoyó en un cuestionario con dos categorías de análisis sobre nivel de formación y proceso de trabajo autónomo a 56 directivos que fueron la muestra seleccionada a través de un tipo de muestreo no probabilístico intencional o por conveniencia. El estudio muestra que los directivos aún ejercen con bajo nivel de formación especializada, si se toma como referente que carecen de estudios de posgrado en gestión o dirección educativa; que las horas dedicadas a la gestión de contenidos o actividades académicas en temas de gerencia o gestión educativa es bajo y que son insuficientes las habilidades autónomas adquiridas e identificadas para el ejercicio de la dirección. Se concluye que, la relación entre experiencia profesional, formación formal y gestión de la formación de manera autónoma no son proporcionales y que la preparación de directivos para el ejercicio de la gestión directiva en el Distrito de Educación de Manta requiere atención si se pretende elevar los estándares de gestión y calidad educativa.

SQL is a key programming language for data scientists, but its learning is sometimes challenging, especially if the learner does not have a proper computer science background. This article introduces ChatbotSQL, a conversational agent that aims to support the autonomous learning of the SQL language for database querying. ChatbotSQL proposes exercises and guides about the steps to be taken by the learner in case of doubts, providing customised feedback. ChatbotSQL has been created on top of IBM Watson Assistant and is available in a web platform. Students in a higher education database subject used ChatbotSQL extensively, showing a positive perception of its usefulness in supporting the resolution of complex queries.

Abstract Job design affects motivational aspects and working conditions and, consequently, impacts the process of implementing programmes. This study examines the influence of the organisational context on the implementation of a psycho-educational programme and an academic levelling module at Colombian schools. Specifically, we evaluate the work design characteristics of teachers and their impact on the fidelity, effectiveness, and sustainability of the intervention. Information was collected from 102 teachers who acted as facilitators in the implementation of these interventions at a total of 72 schools in the city of Barranquilla. With a work design questionnaire, the characteristics of the task and working conditions of the teaching staff were analysed. To evaluate the implementation of the programme, indicators of fidelity, dose, frequency, and perceived effectiveness of the intervention were obtained. The results show that the autonomy and intrinsic characteristics of the task are positively related to the fidelity of the implementation. A certain influence of the working conditions of the teaching staff was also observed in the dose of the educational activities performed. Complementary to this, we describe the impact of confinement during the coronavirus pandemic on the implementation of programmes. Work design influences the process of implementing programmes in educational contexts. Both active hierarchical supervision and the motivational characteristics of teachers’ work affect the sustainability of interventions, especially in crisis circumstances. To conclude, we reflect on the organisational characteristics that facilitate the sustainability of the interventions.

Chile has a large number of wetlands that offer a wide variety of refuges and food to waterbird assemblages. This research hypothesises that these assemblages differ according to the structural characteristics of each type of inland wetland. The object is to identify the structure of these assemblages, evaluating their richness, alpha α diversity and some ecological characteristics, taxonomic structures and trophic guilds. We performed a meta-analysis by submitting pre-selected articles to multivariate reliability analysis. The selected articles were used to characterise the assemblages by alpha α diversity: species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou’s Evenness Index, relative abundance and taxonomic distinctiveness Δ + and beta β diversity: Bray-Curtis with analysis of similarity percentage. Diversity and evenness differed in the seven wetlands studied, among 12 to 45 species, Shannon-Wiener index H’= 0.08 to 0.94 bits and Pielou’s Evenness Index J’= 0.06 to 0.71. Four wetlands were below and three above the expected value for taxonomic distinctiveness (Δ +) (73.2 units). Two clusters were identified using the β diversity: one consisting of the High-Andean wetlands (Huasco and Negro Francisco); and the other of El Peral lagoon, the Cruces River wetlands complex and the Tranque San Rafael man-made wetland. The most remarkable dissimilarity was provided by three species (Cygnus melancoryphus, Phoenicoparrus jamesi and Phoenicoparrus andinus). Zoophagous species that eat invertebrates by the first choice are the dominant group, while in lagoon wetlands phytophages and omnivores are more evenly represented.

Abstract Background The incorporation of genetic variables into risk scores for predicting venous thromboembolic events (VTE) could improve their capacity to identify those patients for whom thromboprophylaxis would be most beneficial. Proof‐of‐concept of this is provided by the TiC‐ONCO score for predicting the risk of VTE in patients with solid tumours. Our aim was to develop a similarly improved tool—the TiC‐LYMPHO score—for predicting VTE in patients with lymphoma. Methods In a retrospective observational study of 208 patients with lymphoma, 31 (14.9%) were found to have experienced an episode of VTE either at the time of diagnosis or over the next 6 months. Clinical variables associated with VTE, determined via logistic regression analysis, plus the same genetic variables included in the TiC‐ONCO score, were used to build the TiC‐LYMPHO score algorithm. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and AUC of the TiC‐LYMPHO, the Khorana and ThroLy scores were compared in the same population. Results The TiC‐LYMPHO score showed a significantly higher AUC, sensitivity and NPV (0.783, 95.35% and 97.98% respectively) than the other scores. The ThroLy score showed a significantly higher specificity (96.43% vs. 54.49%; p

We study historic observations of solar activity from the 20th-century rise towards the peak of the Modern Grand Solar Maximum (MGSM) and compare with observations of the decline that has occurred since. The major difference in available solar observations of the rise and of the fall are accurate magnetograms from solar magnetographs: we here use synthetic magnetograms to interpret the rise and employ historic observations of Polar Crown Filaments to test them and verify their use. We show that eclipse images at sunspot minimum reveal the long-term variation of open flux deduced from geomagnetic observations in Paper 1 (Lockwood et al., 2022). We also make use of polar coronal hole fluxes derived from historic white light images of polar faculae, but have to consider the implications of the fact that these facular images do not tell us the polarity of the field. Given this caveat, the agreement between the polar coronal hole fluxes and the values derived from open flux continuity modelling based on sunspot numbers is extremely good. This comparison indicates that one possible solution to the “open flux problem” is open flux within the streamer belt that potential-based modelling of coronal fields from photospheric fields is not capturing. We take a detailed look at the solar cycle at the peak of the MGSM, cycle 19, and show the variation of the polar coronal hole fluxes and the inferred poleward flux surges are predictable from the asymmetries in flux emergence in the two hemispheres with implied transequatorial flux transfer and/or “anti-Hale” (or more general “rogue” active region flux) emergence late in the sunspot cycle.

Robotic handling of objects is not always a trivial assignment, even in teleoperation where, in most cases, this might lead to stressful labor for operators. To reduce the task difficulty, supervised motions could be performed in safe scenarios to reduce the workload in these non-critical steps by using machine learning and computer vision techniques. This paper describes a novel grasping strategy based on a groundbreaking geometrical analysis which extracts diametrically opposite points taking into account surface smoothing (even those target objects that might conform highly complex shapes) to guarantee the uniformity of the grasping. It uses a monocular camera, as we are often facing space restrictions that generate the need to use laparoscopic cameras integrated in the tools, to recognize and isolate targets from the background, estimating their spatial coordinates and providing the best possible stable grasping points for both feature and featureless objects. It copes with reflections and shadows produced by light sources (which require extra effort to extract their geometrical properties) in unstructured facilities such as nuclear power plants or particle accelerators on scientific equipment. Based on the experimental results, utilizing a specialized dataset improved the detection of metallic objects in low-contrast environments, resulting in the successful application of the algorithm with error rates in the scale of millimeters in the majority of repeatability and accuracy tests.

Learning Management System (LMS) platforms have led to a transformation in Universities in the last decade, helping them to adapt and expand their services to new technological challenges. These platforms have made possible the expansion of distance education. A current trend in this area is focused on the evaluation and improvement of the students’ satisfaction. In this work a new tool to assess student satisfaction using emoticons (smileys) is proposed to evaluate the quality of the learning content and the methodology at unit level for any course and at any time. The results indicate that the assessment of student satisfaction is sensitive to the period when the survey is performed and to the student’s study level. Moreover, the results of this new proposal are compared to the satisfaction results using traditional surveys, showing different results due to a more accuracy and flexibility when using the tool proposed in this work.

We analyze the relationship between the exchange markets and the integration process of the Latin American stock markets (MILA), focusing the analysis on two points. First, we evaluate the existence and nature of exchange risk premium and its relationship with the uncovered interest parity (UIP) bias. Second, we analyze the effect of MILA on Latin American foreign exchange markets. We use monthly time series between January 1997 and December 2021 for the exchange markets of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The econometric analysis was based on OLS, GARCH-in-Mean and DCC-MGARCH regressions. Our results indicate that UIP is does not meet. Even the GARCH-in-Mean models results indicates that there is no individual risk premium that corrects UIP bias. However, the results of the DCC-MGARCH model show that there is a risk premium generated simultaneously by the correlation between markets. Finally, MILA increased the dynamic correlations of exchange returns and risk premiums, mainly among the MILA markets. These results have relevant implications for policymakers and investors due to the impacts on exchange markets dependence and international investment decision-making.

The purpose of this article is to explore the link between knowledge management and organizational performance, as a fundamental aspect for increasing the level of organizational competitiveness. Knowledge management (KM) aims to manage, store and transmit information to create or maintain competitive advantages in organizations. Organizational performance is basically understood as the real results of an organization from different points of view or indicators. The importance of this process requires a systematic review of research that has focused on establishing the impact of knowledge management on the performance of organizations. The article was approached from a theoretical perspective, the literature was reviewed and analyzed establishing the link between knowledge management and organizational performance. The research that was analyzed was pulled from databases including Emerald, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Scopus and Ebscohost by searching for the keywords. It was established that knowledge management has a significant and positive relationship in organizational performance and that it is a process affected by internal and external factors

Geranoaetus polyosoma (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) is a diurnal raptor widely distributed in South America. Although the trophic ecology of this bird has been more studied in the southern extreme of its range, little information is available on its dietary response to prey supply in desert environments. In the present study, we report on the trophic ecology of G. polyosoma in a sub-urban desert zone in northern Chile, with the following objectives: (1) to quantitatively describe its diet and (2) to determine its dietary selectivity in response to prey supply in the study area. The diet of G. polyosoma consisted mainly of rodents (97.2%). A greater preference (p < 0.05) was observed for the following large prey items (> 19.5 g): two native rodent species, Phyllotis xanthopygus (Waterhouse, 1837) and Eligmodontia puerulus (Philippi, 1896); and two introduced rodent species: Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1769) and R. norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769).

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and few choices of therapy. For patients with adequate performance status, FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel are preferred first-line treatment. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)–based therapy (e.g. FOLFIRI, OFF, or FOLFOX) are often used in patients who previously received gemcitabine-based regimens. A systematic review was conducted of the safety and efficacy of FOLFOX for metastatic pancreatic cancer following prior gemcitabine-based therapy. A Bayesian fixed-effect meta-analysis with adjustment of patient performance status (PS) was conducted to evaluate overall survival (OS) and compare outcomes with nanoliposomal irinotecan combination therapy. Methods PubMed.gov , FDA.gov , ClinicalTrials.gov , congress abstracts, Cochrane.org library, and EMBASE database searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials of advanced/metastatic disease, prior gemcitabine-based therapy, and second-line treatment with 5-FU and oxaliplatin. The database search dates were January 1, 1990–June 30, 2019. Endpoints were OS and severe treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Trial-level PS scores were standardized by converting Karnofsky grade scores to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Grade, and overall study-weighted PS was calculated based on weighted average of all patients. Results Of 282 studies identified, 11 randomized controlled trials (N = 454) were included in the meta-analysis. Baseline weighted PS scores predicted OS in 10 of the 11 studies, and calculated PS scores of 1.0 were associated with a median OS of 6.3 months (95% posterior interval, 5.4–7.4). After adjusting for baseline PS, FOLFOX had a similar treatment effect profile (median OS, range 2.6–6.7 months) as 5-FU/leucovorin plus nanoliposomal irinotecan therapy (median OS, 6.1 months; 95% confidence interval 4.8–8.9). Neutropenia and fatigue were the most commonly reported Grade 3–4 TRAEs associated with FOLFOX. Conclusions Baseline PS is a strong prognostic factor when interpreting the efficacy of 5-FU and oxaliplatin-based therapy of pancreatic cancer after progression on first-line gemcitabine-based regimens. When baseline PS is considered, FOLFOX has a similar treatment effect as 5-FU and nanoliposomal irinotecan therapy and a comparable safety profile. These findings suggest that 5-FU and oxaliplatin-based therapies remain an acceptable and alternative second-line treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer and adequate PS (e.g. ECOG 0–1) following gemcitabine treatment.