bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of adjacent segment disease after minimally invasive versus open lumbar fusion: a minimum 10-year follow-up
Authors: Jeong Tae Seok , Son Seong , Lee Sang Gu , Ahn Yong , Jung Jong Myung , Yoo Byung Rhae
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVE

The object of this study was to compare, after a long-term follow-up, the incidence and features of adjacent segment disease (ASDis) following lumbar fusion surgery performed via an open technique using conventional interbody fusion plus transpedicular screw fixation or a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) using a tubular retractor together with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with a follow-up period > 10 years who had undergone instrumented lumbar fusion at the L4–5 level between January 2004 and December 2010. The patients were divided into an open surgery group and MIS group based on the surgical method performed. Baseline characteristics and radiological findings, including factors related to ASDis, were compared between the two groups. Additionally, the incidence of ASDis and related details, including diagnosis, time to diagnosis, and treatment, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 119 patients who had undergone lumbar fusion at the L4–5 level in the study period, 32 were excluded according to the exclusion criteria. The remaining 87 patients were included as the final study cohort and were divided into an open group (n = 44) and MIS group (n = 43). The mean follow-up period was 10.50 (range 10.0–14.0) years in the open group and 10.16 (range 10.0–13.0) years in the MIS group. The overall facet joint violation rate was significantly higher in the open group than in the MIS group (54.5% vs 30.2%, p = 0.022). However, in terms of adjacent segment degeneration, there were no significant differences in corrected disc height, segmental angle, range of motion, or degree of listhesis of the adjacent segments between the two groups during follow-up. The overall incidence of ASDis was 33.3%, with incidences of 31.8% in the open group and 34.9% in the MIS group, showing no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.822). Additionally, detailed diagnosis and treatment factors were not different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

After a minimum 10-year follow-up, the incidence of ASDis did not differ significantly between patients who had undergone open fusion and those who had undergone MIS fusion at the L4–5 level.
Double-level noncontiguous thoracic Chance fractures treated with percutaneous stabilization: illustrative case
Authors: MacLennan Matthew H. , El-Mughayyar Dana , Attabib Najmedden
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Chance fractures are unstable due to horizontal extension of the injury, disrupting all three columns of the vertebra. Since being first described in 1948, Chance fractures have been commonly found at a single level near the thoracolumbar junction. Noncontiguous double-level Chance fractures that result from a single traumatic event are rarely reported in the literature.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors report a case of an 18-year-old male who presented to the emergency department after a rollover motor vehicle accident. The patient complained of severe back pain when at rest and had no neurological deficits. Computed tomography revealed two unstable Chance fractures of bony subtype located at T6 and T11. The patient underwent percutaneous stabilization from T4 to T12. The postoperative assessment revealed continued 5/5 power bilaterally in all extremities, back pain, and the ability to ambulate with a walker. At 3 months after the operation, clinical assessment revealed no significant back pain and the ability to walk independently. Imaging confirmed stable fixation of the spine with no acute osseous or hardware complications.

LESSONS

This report complements previous studies demonstrating support for more extensive stabilization for such unique fractures. Additionally, rapid radiological imaging is needed to identify the full injury and lead patients to appropriate treatment.
A New Approach to Fault Detection in the Power Converter in Wind Turbine Conversion Systems
Authors: Zhour Abada , Sihem Ghoudelbourk , Djalel DIB
Published: December 2021

The detection of faults in a wind turbine chain is of prime importance in order to maintain safety, enhance reliability and improve economic performance. In addition, wind systems have to ensure a continuity of service for a considerable period of time in the event of an electrical fault in the network or a fault in one of the elements of the electromechanical conversion system. This paper presents a fault detection methodology of the power converter within a wind turbine chain, equipped with a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG). A configurable, fast, and accurate scheme is developed, the basis of which is the reliable identification of the failed switch. The solution proposed in this work involves the deployment of a redundant arm in the event of a fault; the replacement arm is utilized while waiting for a maintenance or repair operation to be carried out. The approach developed in this paper provides continuity of service after the occurrence of a fault in the network system and fault detection time is reduced. The validity of the proposed identification methodology is assessed by means of simulation of the model of a wind turbine conversion system.
Estudos diagnósticos na formação de professores
Authors:   Universidade do Estado do Pará, Fernandes Ana Paula Cunha dos Santos , Alves Fábio José da Costa
Published: December 2021

O livro ‘Estudos Diagnóstico na Formação de Professores’, Organizado pela professora Ana Paula Cunha dos Santos Fernandes e pelo Professor Fábio José da Costa Alves, é constituído por um conjunto de levantamentos feitos por discentes do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação, no nível de mestrado, da Universidade do Estado do Pará, que buscaram levantar informações junto a professores em formação por essa Universidade, discutindo temas importantes na futura prática profissional desses professores em formação. O livro traz vários levantamentos abordando diversos temas como o uso de jogos virtuais no processo de letramento na aprendizagem dos anos iniciais a partir da formação inicial dos Professores, a importância do Alpha de Cronbach na análise de pesquisas, o aluno surdo e o curso de letras-libras, além do uso de tecnologias no dia a dia na formação de professores da educação Infantil e dos anos iniciais e por último o livro apresenta um levantamento da educação de jovens e adultos no contexto das redes sociais. Levantamento sobre o uso de jogos virtuais no processo de letramento nos anos iniciais se deu devido a popularização que vem ocorrendo desses tipos de aplicativos e a grande importância que tem no processo de aprendizagem, e devido inda não estar sendo muito usado nas nossas salas de aula nos anos iniciais, fazendo que as salas de aulas se distanciem as realidades que o aluno vive em casa, com relação a tecnologias. O levantamento sobre o aluno surdo e o curso de letras libras, traz questionamentos de como vem ocorrendo o processo de ensino-aprendizagem dos alunos surdos no ensino superior, considerando o curso de letras-libras de uma universidade pública. Levantamento sobre o uso de tecnologia no dia a dia na formação de professores de educação iniciais propiciar reflexões da formação de professores no curso de pedagogia no que diz respeito ao uso de tecnologia no dia a dia e se os alunos se sentem preparados para usá-los em sala de aula em sua atividade profissional. Por último levantamento e sobre educação de jovens e adultos no contexto das redes sociais que foi realizado com discente do sétimo semestre do curso de pedagogia buscando revelar sobre ensino, aprendizagem e avaliação sobre o uso das redes sociais como facilitador pedagógico na EJA O livro constitui um excelente material para compreender como esses temas estão sendo tratados atualmente na formação dos novos professores da Educação Básica e em especial das células iniciais, destacando os avanços que já houveram bem como as apresenta as necessidades que são necessárias no processo formativo, para termos bons professores na educação básica
O museu dos números irracionais
Authors:   Universidade do Estado do Pará, Barros Rafael Lameira , Sá Pedro Franco de
Published: December 2021

Caro leitor, este material aborda um assunto matemático sobre um tipo específico de número, denominado Números Irracionais, que são números que dimensionam medidas que não se pode medir com frações. Os números irracionais são importantes por compor a nossa compreensão numérica de forma mais completa, possibilitando um cálculo adequado aos padrões numéricos que a natureza e algumas situações nos proporcionam em meio às grandezas contínuas. Este material foi construído por meio de História em Quadrinhos, que outrora foi utilizada em uma dissertação de mestrado do autor Barros (2021), que tinha o objetivo de analisar a aprendizagem gerada pela aplicação dessa Sequência Didática sobre Números Irracionais em alunos do Ensino Médio. Os resultados dessa dissertação foram muito satisfatórios, por isso temos a pretensão, com este material, de contribuir para que todos que se interessem sobre este assunto, ganhem conhecimento sobre a história dos números irracionais, bem como as motivações que conceberam, caracterizaram e formalizaram este assunto. Este material é uma revista na forma de história em quadrinhos que possui como título “O Museu dos Números Irracionais”, sendo dividida em partes I, II, III e IV. Elas desenvolvem a história de um passeio realizado por Jorge e seu sobrinho Rafael em um museu que possui um acervo de obras (fotografias, livros, artefatos, etc.) ligadas à história dos números irracionais. Acreditamos que você irá compreender a leitura das revistas e se intrigar com novas noções bastante interessantes como a ideia de infinito, proximidade, enumerabilidade, cardinalidade, densidade, sobre o número 𝜋 e outras noções que dizem respeito do universo numérico dos números irracionais
Uma Sequência Didática para o Ensino de Problemas Multiplicativos sobre Disposição Retangular - Produto Educacional
Authors:   Universidade do Estado do Pará, Miranda DENIS DO SOCORRO PINHEIRO
Published: December 2021

Este trabalho apresenta o produto educacional validado em uma dissertação de mestrado sobre o ensino de problemas, a qual apresentou resultados significativos na aprendizagem tais problemas. O referido produto apresenta uma sequência didática destinada ao ensino de problemas multiplicativos envolvendo a ideia de disposição retangular, utilizando como metodologia de ensino o ensino por atividades. Este produto caracteriza-se por uma sequência didática composta por 05 (cinco) atividades, entre atividades de redescoberta e aprofundamento. Esperamos que esse produto possa ser utilizado pelos docentes da Educação Básica para o ensino desse tipo de problema.
ВЕБ-КВЕСТ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ У ПРОФЕСІЙНІЙ ПІДГОТОВЦІ МАЙБУТНІХ ФАХІВЦІВ
Authors: Сипченко Ольга , Чернякова Олеся , Гарань Наталія , Гончарова Наталя
Published: December 2021

Стаття продовжує цикл публікацій, присвячених дослідженню різних аспектів упровадження інноваційних освітніх технологій у навчальний процес закладу вищої освіти. Авторами зроблено аналіз науково-педагогічних досліджень, публіцистичних праць, який доводить, що незважаючи на велику кількість робіт, присвячених проблемі використання активних методів і технологій навчання в освітньому процесі, простежується недостатність досліджень щодо використання веб-квест технологій у професійній підготовці майбутніх фахівців. У пропонованій статті визначено, що веб-квест – це діяльність, заснована на дослідженні, за допомогою якої здобувачі беруть участь у інтерактивному попередньо визначеному завданні, використовуючи доступні ресурси в Інтернеті. Зауважено, що нові технологічні засоби онлайн сервісів (Tilda, Wix, Google Sites та ін.) дозволяють створити новітні освітні середовища та методики. Крім того, вони сприяють розробці різноманітних цифрових інноваційних ресурсів, які доповнюють і стимулюють навчальні дії, що проводяться для учасників освітнього процесу, які можуть обирати для себе нові ролі та функції як викладача, так і здобувача вищої освіти. Особливо підкреслено, що систематичне мотивування та залучення здобувачів до активної пізнавально-пошукової діяльності сприятиме розвитку професійної компетентності майбутнього фахівця. Отримані авторами статті результати дозволяють стверджувати, що впровадження веб-квестів в освітній процес закладу вищої освіти запомагатиме формуванню важливих особистісних і професійних характеристик майбутніх фахівців. Підсумком статті є думка про те, що формування професійних компетенцій і вироблення soft skills навичок здобувачів у реаліях сьогодення, здебільшого, здійснюється за рахунок використання в освітньому процесі інноваційного підходу, полягаючого у поєднанні проєктних технологій із застосуванням електронних мережевих навчальних засобів. Веб-квести можуть відігравати ключову роль в осучасненні освітнього процесу, сприяючи академічній самоефективності та самомотивації здобувачів, заохочуючи до самостійної наукової та дослідно-пошукової діяльності.
Graphene for Flexible Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa  , Rita Namoe Tabi  , Pawan K. Kahol  , Ram K. Gupta
Published: December 2021

Flexible photovoltaic devices (FPD’s) are emerging as next-generation technology in photovoltaic research. FPD’s have attracted great research attention because of their broad potential applications especially in wearable devices, portable electronics, integrated textiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, transportation, and military etc. The existing technologies have evolved over the years, improving efficiency and performance of photovoltaic devices. However, these technologies mostly rely on rigid electrodes that are brittle, costly and chemically unstable. For FPD’s to become practical, new materials that offer inherent flexibility without compromising on mechanical and optical properties must be the focus. Researchers have made significant advances over the past decade towards developing various aspects of FPD’s to improve its optical transmittance, mechanical stability, chemical stability etc. Graphene is increasingly been recognized as an excellent material for flexible photovoltaic devices because of its unique optical, electrical and mechanical properties. The prospects of introducing an inexpensive and abundant carbon-based material such as graphene in making flexible, low-cost, transparent PV cells cannot be over emphasized. However, the method to synthesize graphene to achieve the best performance is still complicated. This paper presents a brief overview of recent developments made in flexible photovoltaic devices using graphene.
Effects of Hot Strip Microstructure on the Deformation Microstructure and Textures after Cold Rolling in Ferritic Nonoriented Electrical Steels
Authors: A. Franke  , J. Schneider  , B. Bacroix  , R. Kawalla
Published: December 2021

The magnetic properties of electrical steels are related to the microstructure and texture of the final processed steel. There is an interplay and interaction of the microstructure and texture between the various processing steps. The ongoing structural changes at final annealing of the cold rolled material depend sensitively on the deformation structure after the cold rolling with high deformation. In this paper, we will study in detail the role of the microstructure of the hot strip on the deformation structure after cold rolling with high deformation.
Microstructures and Metallographic Characterization of Superalloys
Authors: Patrice Berthod
Published: December 2021

Superalloys are metallic alloys with specific microstructures and atoms in solid solution allowing good mechanical and chemical properties at high temperature, typically higher than 1000°C. They present many different types of {matrix – precipitates} combinations which can be characterized at each step of their elaboration, by specifying the chemical compositions and the crystalline network of the phases present. After test on a sample (laboratory scale), or after the deterioration in service of a component leading to its replacement by a new one (industrial scale), the superalloys constituting these pieces are often usefully examined. This aims to specify the changes occurred in their microstructures as well as in their surface or sub-surface, due to the endured thermal, mechanical and chemical solicitations. These characterizations can be simply done using basic low-magnification optical microscopic examinations. Other means such as electronic microscopy and other advanced apparatus may be usefully involved for further investigations. After a brief history about superalloys, an overview of the phenomenological aspects of their mechanical and chemical solicitations during their use at high temperature, the metallographic techniques which are usually employed to characterize them are presented and illustrated in the case of a chosen family of superalloys.
Influence of the Base Element on the Thermal Properties of Non- Ferrous Chromium-Rich TaC-Containing Alloys Elaborated by Conventional Casting: Part 3: Surface and Cross-Sectional Metallographic Characterization of the Oxidized Alloys
Authors: Jean-Paul K. Gomis  , Patrice Berthod  , Erwann Etienne
Published: December 2021

The six alloys the thermal properties of which and the tendency to oxide spallation of which were studied in the first two parts of this work, were here characterized after oxidation for 70 hours at 1250°C. The external chromia scale, and also the CrTaO4 subsurface oxide, formed for all the alloys, almost independently of the Co and Ni proportions in the base element content. But, because of the formation of more CrTaO4 for the nickel-richest alloys probably due to the higher availability of Ta in the matrix and its easier diffusion towards the neighbourhood of the oxidation front, the adherence of chromia was weakened and spallation, suggested by the thermogravimetric curves in the second part of this work, is here really observed and the denuded part of alloys clearly seen. The degradation of the subsurface, which can be in a first time summarized by the development of a carbide-free zone and a {Cr, Ta}-depleted zone, depends on the Co and Ni proportions. The microstructure of the bulk is differently affected by long exposure at elevated temperature. The changes in carbide population characteristics are stronger for the nickel-based alloys than for the cobalt-based ones. Finally, the isothermal oxidation behaviour is best for the nickel-richest alloys but the oxide spallation behaviour and the potential mechanical properties are the best for the cobalt-richest alloys.
Differential Gain Comparison of Optical Planar Amplifier on Silica Glasses Doped with Bi-Ge and Er, Yb Ions
Authors: Jiri Smejcky  , Vitezslav Jerabek
Published: December 2021

The paper presents the measurement and calculation of the optical amplifier gain and the optimal length of the active optical amplifier waveguide doped with Bi-Ge radiation complexes compared to an optical amplifier with active doping with ions Er3+, Yb3+. At present are using optical amplifiers for the high-capacity optical communication systems in the narrow spectral region of 1530–1560 nm, determined by the gain bandwidth of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) or erbium-doped optical planar amplifiers (EDPA) realized as active planar waveguides in the optical integrated circuits technique. However, it is possible increase wavelength region up to 1610 nm, where optical losses of telecommunication fibers are less than 0.3 dB per km, if appropriate amplifiers are available. In this regard, the development of novel optical amplifiers operating in this spectral region have of great importance. The paper summarizes the results measurement of the attenuation and emission spectra for net gain spectra calculation of the new ion exchange Ag+ – Na+ optical Er3+ and Yb3+ doped active planar waveguides realized on silica glass substrates and parameters of novel optical amplifiers for extension of the bandwidth from 1530 to 1610 nm doped by bismuth – erbium ions.
Effect of nutritionally complete formula on gut microbiota and their metabolite in fecal batch fermentation system
Authors: Wichienchot Santad , Keawyok Kridsada
Published: December 2021

Background: Emerging evidence has revealed that the gut microbiota is significantly altered, contributing to the occurrence and development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, the target of increasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactic acid production and reduction of uremic toxins were interested.   Objective: To study the effect of the nutritionally complete formula (Synplus) developed for hemodialysis patients on gut microbiota and their metabolite in in vitro fecal fermentation of healthy volunteers.Methods:  Fecal fermentation (in vitro) using batch culture in an environment mimicking human large intestine was used to study the change of gut microbiota by next generation sequencing (NGS) during fermentation of the developed formula (Synplus), commercial formula (Nepro®) and control. The gut metabolites were determined including short-chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic, and butyric) and lactic acid. The uremic toxins (p-cresol and indole) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: The increase of Lactobacillus spp. (53.74%) and Bifidobacterium spp. (29.35%) was observed in the developed product (Synplus) compared with control at 48 hrs fermentation meanwhile, these genera were decreased in a commercial product (Nepro®). Moreover, the abundance of the genus Escherichia spp. (12.33%) was observed in Nepro® fermentation, with Escherichia albertii species which is a newly discovered pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract. Microbial metabolites produced by fecal fermentation of Synplus revealed that propionate, acetate, and butyrate increased significantly (p<0.05). All the samples evaluated exhibited acetate in abundance when compared to other SCFAs. Acetate was the most abundant SCFA in all samples. The concentrations of acetate for Synplus fermentation were 15.63±3.26, 147.29±2.39, 162.28±4.13 and 189.39±0.17 mM at 0, 12, 24, and 48 hrs respectively. Total SCFAs produced from Synplus was significantly increased (p<0.05) and higher than control and Nepro®, respectively. The concentration of p-cresol at 48 hrs fermentation for control, Synplus and Nepro® were 3.79±0.12, 6.31±2.37 and 11.59±0.10 µg/mL, respectively. The indole concentration of control, Synplus and Nepro® were 3.64±0.08, 15.06±3.56 and 12.81±1.68 µg/mL, respectively. There were also indicated that imbalance of gut microbiota was related with the ratio of uremic toxins (indole and p-cresol) to SCFAs.CONCLUSION: The synbiotic product containing prebiotic and probiotic may be used to improve gut microbiota thus reducing the risk of kidney disease.Keywords: synbiotic, gut microbiota, uremic toxins, SCFA, CKD
HUBUNGAN KECERDASAN SPIRITUAL DAN EMOSIONAL DENGAN KINERJA GURU
Authors: Helfia Helfia
Published: December 2021

Spiritual and emotional intelligence is one of the most important components in tecacher’s performance. The teacher should be able to perform the planning of teaching and learning process, implementing teaching and learning process, evaluating learning process and implementing the accountable follow-up, therefore the teacher’s performance will be better. In implementing the performance, the teacher must have good spiritual and emotional intelligence. The aim of the study is to show the relationship between spiritual intelligence and emotional intelligence and the teacher’s performance in all of SDIT metro city.The hypothesis proposed is; There is a positive and significant relationship between the Relationship of Spiritual Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence and the teacher’s performance either individually or collectively. This research is designed quantitatively with the research population are all teachers who are in SDIT of Metro city with total number is 93 teachers.The sampling ofthe study was done with the formula from isaac and michael, which the table with the level of error 10%. The instrument usedLikert scale model questionnaire that has been tested for its validity and reliability.The first and second hypotheses were tested with partial correlation techniques, and the third used multiple correlation techniques. The results showed that (1) the achievement level of spiritual intelligence score of 76.31% from ideal maximum score and included enough categories.Spiritual intelligence contributes significantly to the teacher's performance of 17.70%.(2) The achievement level of Emotional Intelligence score of 79.97% of the ideal maximum score and including enough category. Emotional intelligence contributes significantly to teachers' performance of 14.40%.(3) Level of achievement of teacher performance score equal to 77,39% from ideal maximum score and included enough category. Spiritual intelligence and emotional intelligence together contribute significantly to teacher performance by 39.50%. The study found that the two predictor variables studied individually and collectively contributed significantly to teacher performance. Therefore these two predictors need more attention to improve teacher performance.Thus, the performance of teachers will be better with the increase of spiritual and emotional intelligence.
LEGAL REGULATION OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF ECONOMIC ENTITIES IN THE FIELD OF GRAIN GROWING IN UKRAINE: THEORETICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS
Authors:   Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs, Rozhenko Oleksandra
Published: December 2021

The article examines the definition of the term "foreign economic activity", analyses the definitions of foreign economic activity as well as legislation and theory formed in connection with the emergence, as well as the history of this term. Based on the results of the analysis of the definition of the term "foreign economic activity", its advantages and fragmentation and incompleteness are formulated in separate definitions, the need to highlight its complexity and multi-segment is emphasized, which are the objects, criteria and analytical features of economic management at micro level and legal regulation at macro level in this area. The article revealed the composition of the elements of the system of legal regulation of foreign economic activity, which includes: types of foreign economic activity, methods of foreign economic regulation, tools to influence foreign economic activity, subjects of foreign economic activity in Ukraine. The non-exclusive importance of legal regulation of foreign economic activity of economic entities in the field of grain growing is substantiated, namely the strategic importance of grain in the process of ensuring economic security of the country, including food, the priority of the grain market, which is enshrined in law. Based on the analysis of the system of legal regulation of foreign economic activity, a systematic approach to the interpretation of the category "legal regulation of foreign economic activity in the field of grain growing" is proposed. Improvement and specification of the specific category in the field of grain growing will create the necessary conditions for increasing the efficiency of using the existing potential at macro and micro levels. The proposals were made to improve the current legislation by eliminating the identified shortcomings in the definition of the term category in the interpretation of the concept of "foreign economic activity", what will promote the development of the system of legal regulation of foreign economic activity in the field and achieving the goals of sustainable development of Ukraine in accordance with the National Report of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine (2017), in particular, the legal regulation of investment insurance.
Clase Magistral de Intercambio. Taller Teórico-Práctico de Procesos Fonéticos-Fonológicos. Universidad Santa Paula-Universidad Autónoma de Chile
Authors: Alarcón Enzo
Published: December 2021

La fonología y la fonética son dos ramas de lingüística o niveles del lenguaje que se encargan de estudiar los sonidos de una determinada lengua. Por una parte, la fonología analiza la representación mental y abstracta de los sonidos desde la perspectiva funcional (fonemas) y, por otra parte, la fonética se enfoca en las características articulatorias, acústicas, perceptuales y físicas de los sonidos cuando este es producido (fonos - alófonos). En esta clase se explican algunas variaciones fonéticas entre el español de Chile y Costa Rica, así como también el desarrollo y la exploración de la fonética y fonología infantil desde la perspectiva de Hodson B. (Evaluación de Procesos Fonológicos "APP-S") utilizada en Costa Rica y la perspectiva de Pavez, Maggiolo y Coloma (Test para Evaluar Procesos de Simplificación Fonológica "TEPROSIF-R"), utilizada en Chile.
Toward effective and efficient treatment adherence monitoring : development of the cognitive behavioral therapy adherence measure
Authors:   , Cho Evelyn
Published: December 2021

Despite the large body of research demonstrating the efficacy of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for the most common youth mental health problems, EBPs are rarely used in usual care (UC). When EBPs are implemented in UC settings, there is a drop in adherence, and sometimes a drop in outcomes. Feasible and practical adherence monitoring tools may support high quality EBP delivery in UC. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Adherence Measure (CBTAM), a suite of therapist-, parent-, and youth-reported measures of adherence to the core components of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth anxiety, depression, and behavior problems. Therapists, parents, and youths completed the CBTAM after every session throughout a six-session treatment. Coders coded a subset of treatment sessions using the CBTAM and other established observational coding systems for CBT adherence and alliance. Therapists were consistent with coders on their ratings of individual CBTAM items. Therapist, parent, and youth CBTAM item ratings were correlated with similar items on established observational measures of CBT adherence and alliance, and these correlations were higher than correlations between CBTAM items and dissimilar items on observational measures. CBTAM adherence scores predicted faster symptom improvement on some therapist- and parent-rated outcomes. Therapist and parent end-of-treatment ratings were consistent with observational coding measures of adherence and alliance. Findings demonstrate the promise of the CBTAM as a feasible adherence monitoring tool for routine care.
Effects of the fiscal policy on macroeconomic outcomes
Authors:   , Davila Fadul Ivan Enrique
Published: December 2021

The dissertation consists in three chapters addressing the effects of fiscal policy on macroeconomic outcomes. In the first chapter, I take advantage of the scarcity of evidence on the effects of public spending on GDP growth in developing countries. Thus, the main focus is in the top five emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known as BRICS, that accounts for almost a quarter of world GDP have received little attention. Through an Auto-regressive Panel-Vector (P-VAR) model, using quarterly data from 1997Q1 to 2017Q4, I estimate that the government spending multiplier is 0.145 percent on impact (t=0), and a cumulative multiplier of -0.125 percent percent in 5 years. Also, I analyze how the results of the baseline model vary according to specification adjustments, different order of the variables, and the use of alternative trend removal mechanisms. The robustness analysis shows that the multiplier is sensitive to these changes, which provides evidence of the possible causes of the varied results. In the second chapter, I estimate the local fiscal multiplier using the literature on incumbency status and local spending. The literature suggests that regional authorities seek to in uence their voters through increases in government spending during the election years. Given this, I build an instrument based on term limits and electoral laws established in the Legislatures of the 50 US states and the District of Columbia, to estimate the local fiscal multiplier for the period of 2007-2016. My estimate of the fiscal multiplier in the baseline model is 1.274. Through a robustness check, my estimator uctuates between 1.208 and 1.239. My results are consistent with the estimations in the geographic cross-sectional multipliers literature for the United States. In the third and last chapter, I evaluated the fiscal policy effects in a dollarized Latin American economy such as Ecuador. Therefore, I estimate both the linear and state-dependent impact and cumulative multiplier for the period between 1991Q1 and 2019Q4. The main result shows that the linear impact multiplier is 0.79 and fades in the medium and long term. Furthermore, in expansions and recessions, the impact multiplier is 1.42 and 0.91, respectively. However, the effect disappears in the long run when dealing with expansions. On the other hand, in periods of recession, the cumulative multiplier is 0.64, significantly different from zero at a 90 percent confidence interval. The results suggest that the multipliers are distinct between states at a 5 percent level of significance.
Mentoring in Missouri schools : how mentoring fosters professional and personal growth
Authors:   , Ward Derek
Published: December 2021

The first five years of an educator's career are the most important time in determining if they will stay in the education profession. With the stress of starting a new career, novice teachers are often asked to do the most work. To help them navigate through the first few years of teaching and to increase retention, Missouri has adopted a mentoring policy. This narrative study describes mentee and mentor perception of the mentoring program and how they feel it affects their professional and personal lives. This study opens the doors to show what mentees and mentors feel is beneficial about the mentoring program and what is needed to make it better.
Assessing Missouri soybean fields for azoxystrobin resistant cercospora sojina
Authors:   , MacGregor Bruna
Published: December 2021

Successful management of Cercospora sojina, the causal agent of frogeye leaf spot, can be achieved through utilizing resistant varieties and fungicide applications. Fungicides in the quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) class are most effective in controlling C. sojina in the field. Unfortunately, azoxystrobin fungicide-resistant isolates of C. sojina have been recovered in many soybean growing areas of the U.S. Fungicide-resistant isolates of C. sojina were first detected in 2011 and 2012 in two counties in southeast Missouri, but no further assessment was conducted. In this study, 121 isolates were collected from 15 surveyed counties between 2019 and 2020 in an effort to understand the geographical distribution of fungicide-resistant C. sojina. Isolates were collected from fields based on the presence of frogeye leaf spot symptoms. Samples were brought to the laboratory and isolates were recovered from individual lesions. A fungicide sensitivity bioassay was conducted to determine which isolates were resistant to the QoI class of fungicides. The fungicide sensitivity bioassay consisted of full-strength PDA amended with technical grade azoxystrobin at five different concentrations and a no fungicide control. Out of 121 isolates, 81 were fungicide-resistant representing 13 of the 15 Missouri counties included in the survey. Notably, the northwest corner of Missouri had the highest concentration of fungicide-resistant isolates, consistent with the recent recovery of fungicide-resistant C. sojina isolates in Iowa and Nebraska. The widespread recovery of fungicide-resistant C. sojina in multiple counties throughout Missouri provides new insight into disease management in the state.
Fashion brand CSR : fashion consumers' environmental belief, expectations on CSR communication, and purchase intention
Authors:   , Naznin Mahima
Published: December 2021

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays an important role in fashion brands nowadays. Thus, the number of socially responsible fashion brands are increasing day by day. Statistics show that consumers' now demand more eco-friendly products. However, literature also suggests that consumers' purchasing behavior show dissimilarity while buying products from socially responsible brands. This study was designed to examine consumers' belief from an environmental perspective and to identify the mediating effect of consumers' expectation of CSR communication in the effect of consumers' environmental belief on purchase intention. From previous literatures, an online survey was developed. Consumers ages over 18 and living in the US participated in the survey in Amazon Mechanical Turk. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on all items of measurement scales for all variables to check the factor loadings. Scale reliability was also checked. Mediation analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis. Corralysis was also used. Based on the result of this research, companies may get rid of the promotional tone from their marketing policy. Also, as the result showed that factual tone has the biggest impact on the environmental belief of consumers towards purchasing fashion products, the marketers may focus more on factual tone in their marketing or ad creating policy. Future research is mainly suggested to explore all other CSR communication factors. Contributions, implications, limitations and other future scopes are also discussed.
A reappraisal of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition within the endometrium
Authors:   , Spooner Madelyn
Published: December 2021

A controversial topic, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is thought to be a mechanism involved in regeneration of the uterine epithelial layer following pregnancy and menstruation. Little is known about this process though, requiring further exploration. Previously, MET was thought to only occur as a damage-repair mechanism following parturition and menses-like events in mouse models. However, in the current study we hypothesized that MET would also occur in other endometrial epithelialization events as a mechanism of homeostatic epithelial turnover. To identify mesenchymal-derived cells within the adult uterine epithelium, an Amhr2-Cre; Rosa26-EYFP reporter mouse line was used. Mice were staged by vaginal cytology prior to the isolation of uterine epithelial and stromal cells, which were then stained with EpCAM to identify epithelial cells and analyzed by flow cytometry. EpCAM+YFP+ cells were identified in all stages of the estrous cycle except diestrus, indicating a proportion of epithelial cells were derived from the stroma (i.e., mesenchyme). Up to 80 percent of the uterine epithelia was EpCAM+YFP+ during estrogen-dominant stages (proestrus and estrus) of the cycle, with negligible amounts found during progesterone-dominant stages (metestrus and diestrus), suggesting this population may be responsive to estrogen. Uteri were also evaluated direct fluorescence and immunofluorescence in tissue sections. Immunofluorescence for EpCAM, forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2), Ki67, estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), and progesterone receptor (PGR) was performed to assess epithelial characteristics and potential functionality. To further investigate the role of MET in epithelialization and assess the temporal origin of mesenchymal-derived epithelial cells, we evaluated key postnatal (P) developmental time points using Amhr2-Cre; Rosa26-tTA; H2B-GFP reporter mice. Flow cytometry data indicated that MET may initially occur immediately after birth at P 0.5, with results varying from negligible amounts (0.21 percent) to approximately 82 percent. Similar results were found at P 3, but with decreasing variation; the highest EpCAM+GFP+ population representing approximately 50 percent of the epithelium. Between P 3 and early adenogenesis at P 8, this population decreased to average less than 2 percent. By the completion of adenogenesis initiation at P 14, approximately 10 percent of epithelial cells were EpCAM+GFP+, suggesting MET may occur during adenogenesis initiation and is maintained through P 21. Together, these results suggest that MET may be a more ubiquitous mechanism of epithelialization than originally thought and is likely hormone regulated. This research will help elucidate the role of MET in uterine epithelialization with potential for insights into dysregulation of MET in diseases such as endometrial adenocarcinoma and endometriosis.
Molecular regulation of fetal brain development in pigs
Authors:   , Strawn Monica P.
Published: December 2021

Two experiments were conducted to investigate molecular regulation that impacts fetal brain development in pigs. In the first experiment (Chapter 2), gene expression was profiled by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to examine the whole transcriptome of the male (M) and female (F) fetal brain at gestation day (d) 45, 60 and 90. The analysis showed fewer differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the brain of male and female fetuses in earlier gestation (d45-d60) when compared to late gestation (d60-d90). The homeobox (HOX) A5 gene that regulates pattern formation in early development was in the top upregulated DEGs between d45 to d60 in fetuses of both sexes. This study also found HOX B5 and D3 genes were in the top upregulated genes between d45 and d60 of the fetal brain of females, but not males. The second experiment (Chapter 3) investigated DNA methylation in pigs. DNA methylation in the fetal brain of both sexes at the same three gestation days was performed by enzymatic methyl sequencing (EM-seq). Hotspots of methylation in specific chromosomal regions were observed in the analysis. The analysis identified 1,475 sites in the pig genome that were methylated in the fetal brain, irrespective of sex, during development. The same sites were methylated in a canonically correlated manner in the blood of the adult stage, both in sows and boars. This is consistent with the Dilman theory of developmental aging (DevAge), which suggests that aging and early development of the brain are regulated by common molecular processes. A comparative analysis (Chapter 4) compared the gene expression patterns in the fetal brain and placenta between pigs and mice. The analysis identified 112 genes that were expressed (mean FPKM > 10) in the fetal brain of both species but not expressed (mean FPKM < 1) in the placenta of either species, and 10 genes that were expressed in the placenta of both species but not expressed in the fetal brain. In-silico analysis of the transcription factor binding sites in the 500 bp of the upstream DNA of these common genes revealed that they were commonly regulated by the RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST), which is a multifaceted transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of neurogenesis as well as controls neural excitation and the aging processes.
Applying T.G. Page's scale for measuring base crisis response : a series of crises at the University of Missouri in fall 2015
Authors:   , Voss Connor
Published: December 2021

This study extends theory in crisis communication by analyzing a series of crises that occurred at the University of Missouri (MU) in fall 2015 as a test case for applying T.G. Page's scale for measuring base crisis response. After applying the scale to seven crises that occurred at MU during the timeframe, several opportunities are identified for strengthening the reliability of the scale in evaluating a wider variety of crises. These include incorporating speed of base crisis response into the scale, more specifically defining the target audiences that should be considered when applying the scale, and the possibility of creating different objectives for crises in which continuity information is more applicable than safety information in the organization's base crisis response.
Evaluation of a bibliotherapy-based stress management training for teachers
Authors:   , Eddy Colleen L.
Published: December 2021

The study was a randomized control trial of a cognitive-behavioral bibliotherapy-based stress management training for teachers. The intervention consisted of the Stress Management for Teachers book, an in-person meeting, and three brief follow-up webinars with weekly practice over the course of 4 weeks. There were 53 participants in the study and teachers were randomly assigned to the intervention or waitlist control conditions. Multilevel regression was used to examine the intervention effects accounting for teachers nested in schools and controlling for school district, years of teaching experience, and the baseline measure. The intervention reduced stress on the Perceived Stress Scale (? = -0.53). Teachers also increased in specific coping strategies of planning (? = 0.62), positive reframing (? = 0.66), and decreased in self-reported substance use (? = -0.44). The intervention did not have statistically significant effects on contextual factors or on observed classroom behaviors. The intervention demonstrated treatment effects on anxiety symptoms on the GAD-7 (? = -0.51). Further, in comparison to participants in the control group, teachers in intervention condition had statistically significant changes in symptom severity level in anxiety on the GAD-7 (Cramer's V = .45) and in depression on the PHQ-8 (Cramer's V = .42). From progress monitoring data, teachers in the intervention condition had greater rates of improvement in increased coping, confidence and use of coping strategies (p's < .05). Additional supports may be needed to enhance coping with stressors related to classroom management and organizational health and to optimize the intervention delivery.
Examining the impact of a black men's initiative : a mixed methods approach to program evaluation
Authors:   , Ferguson Jonathan
Published: December 2021

The attrition of Black males in higher education has garnered much attention within recent years. Subsequently, programming specific to this issue has been developed to intervene; however, there is very little research that has captured the impact of such initiatives. The current study employed a mixed methods approach to evaluate the effect a Black men's initiative has on the academic performance, retention, racial identity, sense of belonging, college self-efficacy, and career decision making self-efficacy of Black male college students. Quantitative results for the initiative were inconclusive; however, qualitative interviews reveal that students in the BMI experience different levels of access and identity development than their peers not enrolled in the program. The current study produces implications for future research and academic practice/policy of administratrators in higher education.
Reclaiming relations : embodied practices of visual arts educators knowing, being and doing evaluation
Authors:   , Hermann Lauren A.
Published: December 2021

The articles in this work address histories of how visual art educators have come to exist within scholarship on teacher evaluation. This study, reconceptualized outside of methodology through a post qualitative framework of inquiry, embodies poststructural feminist theories of ethics, exemplifying living theory and process as 'lifework'. (Re)situating the evaluative experiences of art educators through their own visual stories grounded in feminist ethics where research acts as sacred practice invites an exploration of more relational ways of being as teachers, leaders, makers, and researchers. In turn, this research seeks to open spaces where we ask what becomes possible in evaluative practice when we look to the arts as a model. Opportunities emerge as the resistances of art educators reverberate beyond current systemic boundaries and offer a possibility to think differently about evaluation. Utilizing the practices of quilting, the work charts a new coursnowledge and think and perform research and teacher evaluation differently as a practice of mending, challenging (mis)representations, building relational trust through power shifts and receptive listening, and constructing a true capacity for connectedness.