bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographics as Variable in Assessing the Teaching Competence of Teachers in Catholic Schools
Authors: Jorilla Chona D. , Bual Joel M.
Published: March 2021

Competent and quality teachers are the principal key of an excellent educational system, for they contribute to the integral formation of the learners. Their unique role in the teaching-learning process enables these children to maximize their potentials in becoming active and critical thinkers. Through this professional endeavor, they become stewards of knowledge not only for learners but also for the building and growth of the nation. Thus, for teachers to perform this mission, they must show high regard for professional standards and competence. However, most Catholic schools nowadays are confronted with the challenges of teaching competence due to the gradual migration of qualified educators to public institutions considering the demands of high remuneration and K-12 educational reform. In this sense, they resort to hiring new and unqualified teachers who compromise the continuity of quality Catholic teaching and learning.  Hence, the paper assessed the level of teaching competence of Diocesan Catholic schools in Antique in the light of content knowledge and pedagogy, learning environment, diversity of learners, curriculum and planning, assessment and reporting, community linkages and professional engagement, and personal growth and professional development domains of Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST). Likewise, it sought to establish the relationship between teaching competence and their age, sex, employment status, and professional status.
Utilization and Satisfaction of Basic Guidance Services of High School Students in a Catholic School
Authors: Vergara, MSLT Ma. Dionita V. , Magallanes Celo I.
Published: March 2021

One of the primary functions of education is to provide students with opportunities to maximize their full potentials in all areas of life. A school's guidance and counseling program's function is to offer a broad spectrum of services to facilitate students' growth and development. These services include but are not limited to individual inventory, information service, counseling, service, placement service, and follow up service. Hence, this paper describes the extent of utilization and the degree of satisfaction of high school students in a Catholic school in Antique during the school year 2019-2020. Likewise, it explores the significant difference in the extent of utilization and the degree of satisfaction vis-à-vis the respondent's sex and grade levels.
Self-Efficacy and College Readiness of Senior High School Students of a Catholic High School
Authors: Martinez Herbert T. , Maravilla Ma. Wilma M.
Published: March 2021

Efficacy beliefs are the foundation of human agency. Beliefs influenced students’ motivation to learn. Students' self-efficacy beliefs could be improved as long as one has a clear idea about the sources of self-efficacy beliefs. Students enable them to grow as self-efficient individuals and overcome problems they face in educational stages or their future life if provided with the opportunity and training on self-efficacy beliefs. Hence, this paper describes the level of efficacy and degree of college readiness of senior high students of a Diocesan Catholic School in Antique during the School Year 2019-2020. Likewise, it explores the significant difference between students’ demographics, self-efficacy, and college readiness. Moreover, it determines the correlation between self-efficacy and college readiness of the students; and whether self-efficacy influenced college readiness.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF AGILITY AND SPEED ON DRIBBLING ABILITY AT SSB FOOTBALL PLAYERS SKB MUARA BUNGO
Authors: Putra Ikhsanmaulana , Saputra Deka Ismi Mori
Published: March 2021

The problem in this study is the low ability of dribbling for SSB football layers in Muara Bungo Learning Activity Studio, which is allegedly due to lack of agility and speed. Therefore, this study aims to describe the contribution of agility and speed both individually and together. With the dribbling ability of SSB football players, a studio of learning activities in 2010. The population of the study was 75 football players from the SSB Sanggar Muara Bungo Learning Activities in 2010. Sampling was carried out by means of porpusive sampling, that is, the age group of 17 to 20 years, with 30 people. To achieve the purpose of this study, there were  three instruments used,  (1) zig-zag run test, to measure agility variable, (2) 50 year (45 meter) running test to measure speed variable, (3) dribbling ability test to measure dribbling ability variable. Data were analyzed with product moment correlation and multiple correlation with the determinant formula. The finding of  this study shows; (1) there is a significant relationship between agility and dribbling ability, with the contribution of agility 43.30% to dribbling ability, (2) there is a significant relationship between speed and dribbling ability. Contributions of agility 24.21%, (3) there is a significant relationship between agility and speed together with the ability of dribbling, the contribution of agility and speed to the dribbling ability of 43.59%.
La exclusión del proceso de menores: España y Brasil
Authors: Barbosa Alves Roberto
Published: March 2021

En España, la Ley Orgánica 5/2000 pone la actividad de instrucción en manos del fiscal, quien también ejerce, con exclusividad, la acción destinada al enjuiciamiento de menores. La ley permite la aplicación de la oportunidad y de la conformidad. La oportunidad se manifiesta a través del desistimiento de la incoación del expediente en favor de la corrección del menor en el ámbito educativo y familiar y en las hipótesis de conciliación y reparación. La conformidad del menor con la medida solicitada se dirige a una calificación que el Ministerio Fiscal debía formular, respeto al principio de legalidad. En Brasil, la Ley 8069/90 contiene hipótesis de oportunidad y conformidad. El fiscal puede excluir el proceso, atendiendo a ciertas circunstancias, u ofrecer al menor el cumplimiento de medida no privativa o restrictiva de libertad.
The summer of Harambe: The curious case of a deceased gorilla and an animal rights campaign turned online prank
Authors: Storlie Brandon
Published: March 2021

In May 2016, a child climbed into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. The events that followed — namely the killing of a 17-year-old silverback gorilla named Harambe in order to protect the child — made national news. The story then took on a viral life of its own as a digital meme that turned the gorilla into a pop-culture craze. But Harambe’s position as an Internet phenomenon was a curious one. Despite exhibiting all the characteristics necessary for viral success and encouraging a polyvocal discourse, the Harambe Meme never became the enduring symbol of animal rights it was created to be. Instead, it was co-opted into a widely applicable element of digital humor. While it is difficult to determine what made Harambe the tool of choice for a months-long online joke, the meme’s success as a culture jam highlights the unpredictability of the Internet and underscores users’ ability to influence the fate of digital content.
Una febbre che… soffia
Authors: Borraccetti Natalia , Iacono Alessandra , Falcioni Alice , Nuzzo Anna Chiara
Published: March 2021

The paper describes the case of a 7-year-old child with a ventricular septal defect and a story of 10 weeks of non-periodic recurrent fever repeatedly treated with short course of antimicrobial therapy. All the echocardiographies were negative for valve vegetation, but all the cultural blood exams were positive for Streptococcus sanguinis. Infective endocarditis was diagnosed using the modified Duke’s criteria and treated with a long course of adequate antimicrobial parenteral therapy.
Dermomail
Authors: Berti Irene
Published: March 2021

A volte ritornano... le acroischemie da Covid-19
Un’opprimente tumefazione laterocervicale... da far mancare il respiro
Authors: Mellino Chiara , Gasperini Pietro , Conte Maria Luisa , Dell’Omo Valeria , Libertucci Francesca , Bigucci Barbara , Inserra Alessandro , Vergine Gianluca
Published: March 2021

Lymphatic malformations are low-flow vascular anomalies of the lymphatic system that occur in one out of 2-4,000 live births. They may be classified as macrocystic (diameter > 1 cm), microcystic (diameter < 1 cm) or mixed. Lymphatic malformations that are not prenatally diagnosed are typically diagnosed at birth or in early childhood. The clinical presentation can be quite variable, ranging from a focal area with minimal swelling to large involvement with compromise of adjacent structures. Up to 75% of lymphatic malformations are found in the cervicofacial region and their presence in the aerodigestive tract can lead to life-threatening airway obstruction. Lesions can grow slowly or rapidly and suddenly due to infection, trauma, bleeding or hormone level changes. The paper describes the case of a 9-month-old male infant with cervical macrocystic lymphangioma appeared during a febrile airway infection and misdiagnosed with bacterial lymphadenitis.
Smart City Puebla: measuring smartness
Authors: Nieto Stephanie Garcidueñas , Yelpo Pablo Collazzo , Guzmán Katya Pérez
Published: March 2021

Objective of the study: this empirical study revisits the meaning and scope of the ‘smart city’ concept, measuring ‘smartness’ in an emerging market setting.Methodology / approach: a data reduction exercise is conducted through a principal component analysis of 22 smart city variables and a two-step cluster analysis for the 217 municipalities of the State of Puebla (Mexico), so as to identify the defining challenges to ‘smartness’ in a developing economy city.Originality / Relevance: the prevailing models that measure urban ‘smartness’, notably Giffinger’s and Cities in Motion, arguably miss to capture the socioeconomic challenges of cities in a developing market context.Main results: two distinctive factors emerge from the data reduction exercise, namely ‘marginalization’, referring to social and economic inequalities, and ‘access to services’, particularly public health and education, to define the challenges emerging market cities would need to address in their path to ‘smartness’.Theoretical / methodological contributions: we introduce a revised approach to measure city ‘smartness’, claiming that access to public services (education and health) helps reduce social inequality and marginalization, which are core indicators to redefine smart cities in emerging markets.Social / management contributions: even if the analysis is carried out on data from a single region, our findings could be a meaningful input to a more generalizable model to measure city ‘smartness’ in emerging markets, with implications to multiple stakeholders, particularly policy-makers, suggesting basic inequalities and access to education and health services should be addressed, before attempting to improve traditional smart city indicators.
Peripheral Silent Period In Cervical and Generalized Dystonia
Authors: TUTUNCU Melih
Published: March 2021

Objective: Dystonia is a movement disorder described by continuous or alternating muscle contractions causing unusual postures or insistent motions. Abnormal sensorimotor integration and abnormalities in inhibitory pathways are thought to have a role in pathogenesis. This paper aims to research the state of inhibitory pathways in the spinal cord in dystonia through documenting a silent period (SP) through cutaneous stimulation (CuSP) or mixed nerve stimulation (MnSP).

Methods: 23 patients with dystonia were included in the study. Also, 19 healthy subjects were included in the study as a control group. Ages were similar between two groups. (p=0.092). CuSP and MnSP are recorded through abductor pollicis brevis and median nerve at the wrist respectively.

Results: Onset latency, time, and suppression index of CuSP were equivalent between two groups. Moreover, the initiation and terminate latencies of MnSP, also duration, were similar between these two groups. I2 suppression index was lower in generalized dystonia patients compared to patients with cervical dystonia (100.0 vs 86.7±21.4%; F=4.252, 0.035).

Conclusions: The most striking result to emerge from the data is that there was lower suppression during CuSP in generalized dystonia patients. Our results suggest that spinal inhibitory circuits are less active if only there is clinical involvement of the relevant segment.
Taphonomy of a Panopea Ménard de la Groye, 1807 shell bed from the Pisco Formation (Miocene, Peru)
Authors: BOSIO Giulia , BRACCHI Valentina A. , MALINVERNO Elisa , COLLARETA Alberto , COLETTI Giovanni , GIONCADA Anna , Tomáš KOčÍ undefined , CELMA Claudio DI , BIANUCCI Giovanni , BASSO Daniela
Published: March 2021

Invertebrate taphonomy can provide significant information about the post-mortem processes that affected the fossil record. In the East Pisco Basin of southern Peru, a Panopea Ménard de la Groye, 1807 shell bed was found in the upper Miocene strata of the Pisco Formation, hinting at a peculiar biostratinomic and diagenetic history. This bed contains abundant invertebrate fossil molds cemented by dolomite. The specimens of the deep infaunal bivalve, Panopea sp., occur together with bivalves representative of shallow infaunal species (Trachycardium sp. and Dosinia ponderosa [Gray, 1838]) and balanid barnacles, which are sessile encrusters. The Panopea specimens host compound molds evidencing an abundant encrusting fauna, including serpulids, ?foraminifera, bryozoans, and barnacles that colonized the inner surfaces of the valves before their final burial. We hypothesize that short-term, storm-related processes exhumed the living bivalves, resulting in a sedimentological concentration of relatively well-preserved shells. After the death of the exhumed bivalves, the inner surfaces of the articulated Panopea shells, representing hard-substratal, sheltered environments on an otherwise unstable sandy seafloor (i.e., “benthic islands”), were colonized by different encrusting organisms. Following the final burial, dolomite precipitated, cementing the sediment infill of the valves. Lastly, a decrease of pH occurred at the sulfate reduction-methanogenesis boundary, inducing the dissolution of the shell carbonate.
A HIGH IMPACT BUSINESS STRATEGY: THE SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGY
Authors: RODRIGUEZ  MEDINA MANUEL ARNOLDO , POBLANO OJINAGA EDUARDO RAFAEL , RODRIGUEZ BORBON MANUEL IVAN , ALVARADO TARANGO LIZETTE
Published: March 2021

From the customers' point of view, companies and/or organizations exist to provide a product or service, since they need products with features that meet their needs and expectations.
CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE LEGALIZATION OF ACTIVITIES AT THE CITY OF SEVILLE
Authors: NAVARRO TORRES ANTONIO MATIAS , MENA NIETO ANGEL , BRAVO ARANDA GABRIEL , HERNANDEZ RODRIGUEZ FRANCISCO
Published: March 2021

The reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission in cities is vital because cities generate 60% of global GHG emissions. By the middle of this century, two-thirds of the planet's population is expected to be concentrated in cities. For this reason, energy demand and GHG emissions in large cities will continue to increase, concentrating on urban centres, productive, transport and commercial activities. This increase in economic activities in cities leads to an increase in the number of legalization procedures that are processed by municipalities to authorize and control their implementation.
In response to the problems raised, it is presented the results of an investigation undertaken to demonstrate that the application of a Knowledge-Based System (KBS) can significantly reduce the carbon footprint that is currently generated in the Licensing Service of the city council of Seville, as a consequence of the current high failure rate in the subsequent control after the start-up of activities by responsible declaration.
The implementation of the SBC would reduce the carbon footprint by 78%, considering an average establishment with 300 m2 of built area. This proposal can be applied in any city council of the more than 8000 that exist in Spain, which would have an enormous impact on reducing the carbon footprint of cities and reducing costs for public coffers, and all this without the need to invest in renewing the fleet of vehicles with others that produce fewer emissions, and facilitating the task of promoters of economic activities, with the help of knowledge management.

Keywords: Carbon footprint, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Local administration, Knowledge-based system, Compliance.
Cariño, tenemos que hablar (de 'transmedia')
Authors: Roig Antoni
Published: March 2021

Sé que hace tiempo te ronda por la cabeza, pero no te atrevías a preguntar. Parecía que al estar la palabra en boca de todos, convertida en moda, deberías saberlo; de hecho, ¡hasta pensabas que yo lo sé! Pero la cruda realidad es otra: nadie parece saber a ciencia cierta…. qué es transmedia. Tenemos que hablar.
El futuro de las herramientas de procesamiento del lenguaje
Authors: Vàzquez Garcia Mercè
Published: March 2021

La diversidad de recursos tecnológicos que han emergido en los últimos años para dar respuesta a la gestión de datos e información en el seno de una organización se encuentran plenamente incorporados a los procesos de trabajo. Sin embargo, ya no es tan claro que vayamos introduciendo en nuestras tareas diarias herramientas que han sido diseñadas para el procesamiento del lenguaje natural y que también son de utilidad para el tratamiento de la información.
Tasa Google y 'agenda setting'
Authors: Garcia Elvira
Published: March 2021

La dificultad de rentabilizar negocios periodísticos en la red (prensa tradicional, revistas, publicaciones, etc.) quizás sea probablemente la causa principal del surgimiento del “canon digital”, “tasa Google” o “compensación equitativa” promovida por los grandes editores de la prensa e impulsada recientemente por el Gobierno. Desde 2007, los medios de comunicación han tenido que soportar, en el mejor de los casos, unas pérdidas publicitarias de más de 1.500 millones de euros, según Infoadex, empresa referente en el control de la actividad publicitaria en España.
Coleccionistas y descubridores de sorpresas: contenidos infantiles en Internet
Authors: San Cornelio Gemma
Published: March 2021

Una de las cosas que cambia cuando hay niños pequeños en casa es nuestro consumo audiovisual. Este consumo no sólo incluye la programación en televisión, el visionado de DVD o cine, sino también lo que vemos en Internet, y muy especialmente en YouTube. Son muchos los formatos que se han popularizado a través de este medio: remixes, spoofs, memes y otros que han surgido o se han reinventado, fruto de la participación de los públicos o de lo que se conoce más popularmente como contenidos generados por usuarios (UGC). Todo este universo ha suscitado interés en mi investigación de los últimos años. En este artículo, sin embargo, me gustaría centrarme en algunos de los vídeos destinados al público infantil, que he ido descubriendo últimamente y que, sin ánimo de tener un planteamiento de investigación, me hacen reflexionar sobre algunos de los parámetros y estándares, tanto narrativos como estéticos.
Autobiografía de un ‘meme’ (o cómo aprendí a dejar de preocuparme y amar una broma convertida en viral)
Authors: Roig Antoni
Published: March 2021

Tenía todo a punto para dedicar mi COMeIN a las micronarrativas como género emergente, sobre todo en las redes sociales. Pero he aquí que, de forma inesperada, me veo escribiendo una curiosa experiencia personal sobre Twitter, los memes y la Familia Real.
Mejor en vivo
Authors: Ibañez Cantí Anna
Published: March 2021

¿Te has preguntado alguna vez qué significa para ti la música? No sé cuál será el caso, pero lo que está claro es que no es exactamente lo mismo para todo el mundo pero sí existen comunes denominadores. Como estudiante del master en Sociedad de la Información y el Conocimiento de la UOC, he tenido la oportunidad de resolver estas dudas, casi cotidianas, en el Trabajo Final de Master (TFM) y me gustaría compartir las conclusiones con vosotros.
¿Tienen las personas públicas derecho a la intimidad y a la propia imagen?
Authors: Fayos Gardó Antonio
Published: March 2021

Después de más de 30 años de vigencia de la Constitución (1978) y de la Ley Orgánica 1/82, normas que consagraban los derechos al honor, a la intimidad y a la propia imagen, aun llama la atención lo habitual que es escuchar la idea de que las celebridades no gozan de los derechos a la intimidad y/o a la propia imagen. Y no sólo se percibe eso en la calle, también se mantiene a veces en los medios de comunicación e incluso se alega por algunos juristas en determinados juicios.
¿Qué significa la música?
Authors: Díaz Ángel
Published: March 2021

Cuando un debate académico se prolonga demasiado tiempo, a veces durante siglos, puede ocurrir que la pregunta de la que se parte esté mal planteada, y por eso ninguna respuesta logra zanjar el asunto. Quizás sea un ejemplo de ello la polémica, surgida a mediados del siglo XIX, sobre el significado -o contenido semántico- de la música. ¿Dice algo la música, en sí misma, al margen de las palabras o representaciones que puedan acompañarla?
C. elegans orthologs MUT-7/CeWRN-1 of Werner syndrome protein regulate neuronal plasticity
Authors: Hsu Tsung-Yuan , Zhang Bo , L'Etoile Noelle D , Juang Bi-Tzen
Published: March 2021

Caenorhabditis elegans expresses human Werner syndrome protein (WRN) orthologs as two distinct proteins: MUT-7, with a 3′−5′ exonuclease domain, and CeWRN-1, with helicase domains. How these domains cooperate remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the different contributions of MUT-7 and CeWRN-1 to 22G small interfering RNA (siRNA) synthesis and the plasticity of neuronal signaling. MUT-7 acts specifically in the cytoplasm to promote siRNA biogenesis and in the nucleus to associate with CeWRN-1. The import of siRNA by the nuclear Argonaute NRDE-3 promotes the loading of the heterochromatin-binding protein HP1 homolog HPL-2 onto specific loci. This heterochromatin complex represses the gene expression of the guanylyl cyclase ODR-1 to direct olfactory plasticity in C. elegans. Our findings suggest that the exonuclease and helicase domains of human WRN may act in concert to promote RNA-dependent loading into a heterochromatin complex, and the failure of this entire process reduces plasticity in postmitotic neurons.
Bidirectional regulation of glial potassium buffering – glioprotection versus neuroprotection
Authors: Li Hailun , Lones Lorenzo , DiAntonio Aaron
Published: March 2021

Glia modulate neuronal excitability and seizure sensitivity by maintaining potassium and water homeostasis. A salt inducible kinase 3 (SIK3)-regulated gene expression program controls the glial capacity to buffer K+ and water in Drosophila, however upstream regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Here, we identify an octopaminergic circuit linking neuronal activity to glial ion and water buffering. Under basal conditions, octopamine functions through the inhibitory octopaminergic G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) OctβR to upregulate glial buffering capacity, while under pathological K+ stress, octopamine signals through the stimulatory octopaminergic GPCR OAMB1 to downregulate the glial buffering program. Failure to downregulate this program leads to intracellular glia swelling and stress signaling, suggesting that turning down this pathway is glioprotective. In the eag shaker Drosophila seizure model, the SIK3-mediated buffering pathway is inactivated. Reactivation of the glial buffering program dramatically suppresses neuronal hyperactivity, seizures, and shortened life span in this mutant. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of a glial-centric therapeutic strategy for diseases of hyperexcitability.
Parathyroid hormone attenuates osteoarthritis pain by remodeling subchondral bone in mice
Authors: Sun Qi , Zhen Gehua , Li Tuo Peter , Guo Qiaoyue , Li Yusheng , Su Weiping , Xue Peng , Wang Xiao , Wan Mei , Guan Yun , Dong Xinzhong , Li Shaohua , Cai Ming , Cao Xu
Published: March 2021

Osteoarthritis, a highly prevalent degenerative joint disorder, is characterized by joint pain and disability. Available treatments fail to modify osteoarthritis progression and decrease joint pain effectively. Here, we show that intermittent parathyroid hormone (iPTH) attenuates osteoarthritis pain by inhibiting subchondral sensory innervation, subchondral bone deterioration, and articular cartilage degeneration in a destabilized medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. We found that subchondral sensory innervation for osteoarthritis pain was significantly decreased in PTH-treated DMM mice compared with vehicle-treated DMM mice. In parallel, deterioration of subchondral bone microarchitecture in DMM mice was attenuated by iPTH treatment. Increased level of prostaglandin E2 in subchondral bone of DMM mice was reduced by iPTH treatment. Furthermore, uncoupled subchondral bone remodeling caused by increased transforming growth factor β signaling was regulated by PTH-induced endocytosis of the PTH type 1 receptor–transforming growth factor β type 2 receptor complex. Notably, iPTH improved subchondral bone microarchitecture and decreased level of prostaglandin E2 and sensory innervation of subchondral bone in DMM mice by acting specifically through PTH type 1 receptor in Nestin+mesenchymal stromal cells. Thus, iPTH could be a potential disease-modifying therapy for osteoarthritis.
Comparison of Efficacy of Alginate Filler Dressings with Conventional Saline Dressings for Cavity Wounds in Diabetic Foot Ulcer- A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chitrambalam Tharun Ganapathy , Christopher Pradeep Joshua , Sundaraj Jeyakumar , Paladugu Ramyasree , Selvamuthukumaran Sundeep
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers are associated with 25% of patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). These diabetic foot ulcers if not given appropriate care at the right time can lead to amputations and poor quality of life. Alginate dressings are newer and help in faster healing of cavity wounds in diabetic foot ulcer. Aim: To compare the advantages of alginate dressings over conventional saline dressings in cavity wounds of diabetic foot ulcer patients. Materials and Methods: A single centre prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted on 88 patients with diabetic foot ulcers randomising equally into two groups containing 44 patients in each group in a tertiary care hospital. The wounds of all patients included in the study were thoroughly debrided and initial assessment was done using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) scoring system. The patients were started on alginate dressings in one group and saline dressings in other group and were assessed after two and four weeks. The reduction in the surface area of the wound, reduction in the exudate amount, type of the tissue over the ulcer and reduction in the bacterial load (wound cultures) of the ulcers were studied. The statistical analysis were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21. The statistics were done using independent sample tests (Levene’s test for equality of variances and t-test for equality of means), Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon test. Results: The results of wound assessment before dressings, at two weeks and at the end of four weeks are as follows: The mean (SD) reduction in wound surface area was 9.07 (1.634) to 6.89 (1.434) to 4.68 (1.272) for alginate group and 9.25 (2.059) to 8.00 (1.905) to 6.50 (1.650) for saline group. The mean (SD) reduction of the exudate amount was 2.02 (0.505) to 1.09 (0.473) to 0.14 (0.347) for alginate group and 1.98 (0.590) to 1.43 (0.625) to 0.75 (0.615) for the saline group. The mean (SD) for tissue type of cavity wounds assessed via PUSH scoring was reduced from 2.30 (0.701) to 0.16 (0.370) for the alginate group in comparison to 2.32 (0.740) to 0.77 (0.743) for the saline group at the end of four weeks. On evaluation of the wound cultures; 6 out of 44 patients (13.6%) were culture positive in the alginate group while 30 out of 44 patients (68.2%) were culture positive from the saline group at the end of four weeks. All the above results were statistically significant with a p-value of 0.001. Conclusion: Alginates dressings are superior to saline dressings in terms of reduction in the size of the ulcer and control of microbial activity in diabetic foot. Alginate absorbs large amount of exudates and fill in irregular shaped cavities which are ideal in treating cavity wounds in diabetic foot syndrome.
Intimate Partners Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review of Risk Factors and Impacts
Authors: Guli Victoria Matatio Elia , Geda Nigatu Regassa
Published: March 2021

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women is one of the most known public health concerns. The depth of the problem varies across regions and different settings. The purpose of this scooping review is to assess the overall prevalence and risk factors of IPV in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: The review was conducted based on 24 articles selected from PubMed and google search. The selection considered only those conducted in SSA based on a representative sample size of women of reproductive age (15-49), published in peer-reviewed journals in the last ten years, and those having resemblance in study design and conceptualization of IPV.

Results: While slight methodological variations exist among the individual studies, nearly all the reported prevalence of IPV were unacceptably high. The lifetime experience of IPV ranged from about 20% in some societies to more than 75% in other settings. Physical and emotional violence were the most frequently reported type of IPV. One common feature of all studies reviewed is that they all recognized the important role of women’s attitude (acceptance) towards their experience of IPV. Good proportion (ranging between 33-57%) of women justified IPV more often than men do. The studies further documented a wide range of risk factors associated with IPV, more importantly, low maternal and paternal education, partner's alcohol drinking behavior, childhood experience of domestic violence, and certain household and community/cultural factors.

Conclusion: Given considerable proportion of women experienced one or more forms of IPV in most settings in SSA, national and local governments have a long way to go in preventing or reducing its occurrence in their geographic areas if they must meet SDG 3 (i.e., better health of children and women). Since IPV is embedded in most cultures; concerned authorities should establish appropriate norms, enhance women's status, and ensure proper implementation of policies and laws on abuse. Community reflections, mass education/ behavioral change communications are essential in this endeavor.
Identification of Putative Molecular Markers Associated with Nut Weight and Kernel Weight and Four Growth Traits in Cashew
Authors: Eradasappa E. , Mohana G. S. , Adiga J. D. , Savadi Siddanna
Published: March 2021

Aim: To identify putative molecular markers linked to some useful traits in cashew using SSR markers in the F1 population.

Place and Duration of the Study: Study conducted at ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Karnataka, India during 2013-17.

Methodology: Population for the study comprised of 83 F1 plants developed through crossing tall variety Ullal-3 as female parent with dwarf accession NRC-492 as male parent which was planted in the field at 6m x 6m spacing during the year 2009. It was phenotyped along with parents during the year 2017 for the 13 growth and yield related traits and genotyped using 32 polymorphic SSR markers from cashew, almond, pistachio and mango. Single marker analysis was deployed to identify the markers linked to traits by SPSS software.

Results: results revealed three markers such as AL 29, IM 31 and IM 28 to be significantly associated with some traits. Marker AL 29 from Almond species was linked to traits stem girth, nut weight and kernel weight with an explained phenotypic variance of 7.9%, 5.6% and 5.4%, respectively. Marker IM 31 from mango species was associated with stem girth, kernel weight, tree height, mean tree spread, nut weight and presented phenotypic variance of 17.6%, 5.7%, 8.2%, 4.5, 4.2% in that order. While the marker IM 28 from mango species showed linked with stem girth and intermodal length with phenotypic variance of 7.6%, 7.5%, 10.4% correspondingly.

Conclusion: The present study has identified three markers AL 29  (from Almond) , IM 28 and IM  31 (from Mango) linked to six traits viz., stem girth, tree height, mean tree spread, intermodal length, nut weight and kernel weight with the limited polymorphic markers using Single Marker Analysis. However, further studies are aimed to validate the linked markers prior to using them in marker assisted selection in cashew.
Design of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Darrieus Type (H- Darrieus Rotor) of 0.20 KW from the Software Topsolid
Authors: Donnou Hagninou E. V. , Boro Drissa , Abode Donald , Capo-Chichi Brunel , Akpo Aristide B.
Published: March 2021

The design of a vertical axis wind turbine (Darrieus type) adapted to the site of Cotonou in the coastal region of Benin was investigated. The statistical study of winds based on the Weibull distribution was carried out on hourly wind data measured at 10 m above the ground by the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) over the period from January 1981 to December 2014. The geometrical and functional parameters of the wind turbine were determined from different models and aerodynamic approaches. The digital design and assembly of the wind turbine components were carried out using the TOPSOLID software. The designed wind turbine has a power of 200W. It is equipped with a synchronous generator with permanent magnets and has three wooden blades with NACA 0015 profile. The optimal coefficient of lift and drag were estimated respectively at 0.7832 and 0.01578. The blades are characterized by an optimum angle of attack estimated at 6.25° with a maximum fineness of 49.63. Their length is 4 m and the maximum thickness is estimated at 0.03 m with a chord of 0.20 m. The volume and mass are respectively equal to 0.024 m3 and 36 kg. The aerodynamic stall occurs at an attack angle of 14.25°. The aerodynamic force exerted on these blades is estimated to be 240 N. The aerodynamic stresses exerted on the rotor are estimated at 15 864 504 Pa and the solidity at 0.27. The efficiency of the wind turbine is 0.323. From TOPSOLID, the geometrical shape of each component of the wind turbine is represented in three dimensions. The assembly allowed to visualizing the wind turbine after export via its graphical interface. The quantity of annual energy produced by the wind turbine was estimated at 0.85 MWh. This study is the first to be carried out in the study area and could reduce the technological dependence of vertical axis wind turbines and their import for low cost energy production.
Implementing Room‐Temperature Fabrication of Flexible Amorphous Sn–Si–O TFTs via Defect Control
Authors: Liu Xianzhe , Zhang Jianhua , Shiah Yu‐Shien , Kim Junghwan , Ning Honglong , Lu Kuankuan , Cao Xiuhua , Xu Wei , Yao Rihui , Peng Junbiao
Published: March 2021

Recently, amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs) have attracted much attention owing to their various advantages. The intrinsic nature of AOSs enables to achieve high‐performance thin‐film transistors (TFTs) using low‐temperature process, which would be a strong point for next‐generation flexible electronics. However, most AOS TFTs still require postannealing treatments (>300 °C) for structural relaxation to suppress defects, which lead to the issue of thermal resistance of plastic substrates. Therefore, a strategy for obtaining both low‐temperature process and defect suppression is highly demanded for flexible electronics. To solve the former issue, a Sn–Si–O system is proposed in this paper. It is clarified that Si cations play the roles of amorphousizing SnO2 and suppressing carrier concentration. As a result, room‐temperature fabricable flexible Sn–Si–O TFTs with high mobility and high reliability are demonstrated. It is also suggested that obtaining a rigid film structure is quite important to fabricate high performance TFTs without any further postannealing treatment. The obtained saturation mobility (μsat) and on/off ratio are 7.59 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 1.59 × 107, respectively. This work suggests that amorphous Si doped SnO2 has the potential for the application to the flexible driving backplane in display industry.
Put your money where your mouth is
Authors: Qualliotine Jesse R. , Friesen Tzyynong L.
Published: March 2021

Suspicion for battery ingestion should be maintained for any round radiopaque foreign body. Presence of the classic “double ring” sign on plain film should prompt emergent operative removal, although it is not pathognomonic.
A short course in visual literacy can improve residents' observation and descriptive skills in cytopathology
Authors: Brenner J , Wintjes J , Moch S , Michelow P
Published: March 2021

Visual literacy is an essential skill in Anatomical Pathology. However, there appears to be a dearth of literature that engages explicitly with how to teach or learn visual skills with respect to Anatomical Pathology residents. Using a variety of modalities, with a focus on practical arts‐based methodologies, three‐two hour workshops were designed to explore the complexity of precise observation and structured description. This intervention was based on the hypothesis that cytopathology and analyzing an artwork share a language and set of formal processes. Evaluation of the workshops was both quantitative and qualitative. The former assessed pre‐ and post‐workshop descriptions of cytology images and artworks while the latter was in the form of a focus group. An actual improvement in both cytopathology and artwork description was demonstrated while the focus group discussion revealed the majority of residents considered the workshops as having a positive impact on the observation and description skills required in Anatomical Pathology. Some felt the purpose and approach of these workshops was not made explicit enough. Thematic analysis of the focus group showed robust discussion regarding who should conduct these workshops and when they should be conducted in resident training. Unanticipated benefits of the workshops such as personal creativity and pleasure formed a significant theme that requires serious consideration. Introducing visual literacy workshops into residency training appears to be valuable and improved observation and description skills in cytopathology. The focus group discussion will be used to improve on this first set of workshops.
Intermediary asset pricing in currency carry trade returns
Authors: Yin Libo , Nie Jing
Published: March 2021

This paper examines how intermediary capital risk (ICR) is priced in currency carry trades. In both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample settings, ICR holds strong explanatory power for time‐series currency returns. ICR is also a key driver of currency returns with a positive risk price in the cross section, suggesting that financial intermediaries are marginal investors in currency markets. We find an asymmetric effect of ICR, with currencies being more sensitive to negative ICR. Moreover, heterogeneity of ICR is significant only for emerging economies, and the economic channel for the relationship stems from the influence of ICR on intermediary risk aversion.
Comparison of plastic stent versus metal stent in preoperative biliary drainage for pancreatic head cancer with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Kobayashi Kiyoyuki , Kobara Hideki , Kamada Hideki , Kohno Toshiaki , Namima Daisuke , Fujita Naoki , Yamana Hiroki , Fujihara Shintaro , Okano Keiichi , Masaki Tsutomu
Published: March 2021

Background

While neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for pancreatic head cancer are effective, preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) is necessary for managing obstructive jaundice and cholangitis during the preoperative waiting period. Nevertheless, ideal choice of stent type is unclear. We compared plastic stents (PS) and metal stents (MS) in these situations.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 43 patients who successfully underwent preoperative EBD prior to NACRT for pancreatic head cancer at a single institution. We divided patients into PS (n = 22) and MS (n = 21) groups. The primary outcome was the rate of re‐interventional drainage rate before surgery. Secondary outcomes were rates of EBD‐associated and postoperative complications and total costs in the pre‐ and perioperative periods.

Results

The re‐intervention rate was significantly greater in the PS group than in the MS group (95% vs 4.8%, respectively, P < 0.05). EBD‐associated and postoperative complications were significantly less common in the MS group (P < 0.05). The average total preoperative medical costs were significantly lower in the MS group (PS vs MS: 528,597 vs 395,891 JPY, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

MS can be the first choice for EBD in patients undergoing NACRT for pancreatic head cancer. MS may be less costly overall.
Investigation on the effect of three isoflavones on the fibrillation of hen egg‐white lysozyme
Authors: Zeng Hua‐jin , Wang Sha‐sha , Sun Li‐jun , Miao Min , Yang Ran
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the effects of three isoflavones including daidzein, genistein, and puerarin on fibrillation of hen egg‐white lysozyme were investigated by various analytical methods. The results demonstrated that all isoflavones could effectively inhibit the fibrillogenesis of hen egg‐white lysozyme and destabilized the preformed fibrils of hen egg‐white lysozyme in a dose‐dependent manner. To further understand the inhibition mechanism, molecular modeling was carried out. The docking results demonstrated that the isoflavones could bind to two key fibrogenic sites in hen egg‐white lysozyme through van der Waals force, electrostatic forces, and hydrogen bonding, as well as σ‐π stacking. By these means, isoflavones could not only obviously enhance the hydrophobicity of the binding sites, but also greatly stabilize the native state of HEWL, which was able to postpone the fibrosis process of hen egg‐white lysozyme.
Variation in the analytical figure of merit for in situ Hf isotopic measurements by LA‐MC‐ICPMS in zircon standards at variable spatial resolutions
Authors: Singhal Saurabh , Singh Sandeep , Singh Dharmendra
Published: March 2021

Lu–Hf isotopic systematics is a powerful tool and gained importance as a geochemical tracer in geosciences. A multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer coupled with a laser ablation system has been used to perform zircon hafnium (Hf) isotopic analysis, and protocol is established for measurement of Hf isotopes. Toward this, two zircon standards, Z91500 and Plesovice, have been used for Hf isotopic measurements at four different spot sizes (50, 40, 25, and 20 μm). The isotopic data for ≥25 μm have an excellent agreement with published data, but for 20 μm, the results are erroneous and irrelevant to geological application. It has been observed that Hf beam intensity has a linear relation to the volume of the target (RM) ablated. 178Hf/177Hf ratio and ɛHf for both standards are comparable with the published recommended values. The present study indicates that 176Lu/177Hf ratio for Z91500 is more homogeneous than Plesovice zircon. The 176Hf/177Hf isotopic ratio for 50 and 25 μm shows an excellent agreement with the previously reported data. However, for 40‐μm spot size, a slightly higher but negative offset of −123 and −105 ppm in 176Hf/177Hf ratio have been observed for Plesovice and 91500, respectively.
Modelling the effect of changing transplanting date on consumptive water footprints for paddy under the system of rice intensification
Authors: Biswas Amit , Mailapalli Damodhara R , Raghuwanshi Narendra S
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Consumptive water footprint (CWF) is a comprehensive measure of water consumption by paddy and can be used to assess the impact on freshwater volume. The seasonal water consumption and water footprints of paddy under any irrigation practice vary with changing the transplanting dates. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of shifting transplanting dates on CWFs of paddy under the system of rice intensification (SRI) using a crop model. A medium‐duration variety (IR‐36) was cultivated during kharif (monsoon) and rabi (non‐monsoon) seasons of 2015/16 and 2016/17. The field data were used to calibrate and validate the crop model, Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM)‐Oryza, as well as simulate paddy yield, evapotranspiration and consumptive water footprints (CWFs) under different transplanting dates.

RESULTS

The APSIM‐Oryza simulated grain yield was found to be closely matched with the observed yield during both calibration (r2 = 0.98, root‐mean‐square error < 300 kg ha−1) and validation (r2 = 0.88, root‐mean‐square error < 400 kg ha−1). The seasonal water savings in SRI practice was 18–21% compared to conventional, with an effect of a 20–30% improvement in the yield. The early transplanting on 1 July in kharif and 15 December in rabi can produce maximum grain yields of 4.55 and 5.15 t ha−1, respectively, with a minimum CWF of 1064 and 855 m3 t−1 under SRI for the study region.

CONCLUSION

The comparison of yield and CWF scenarios under different transplanting dates revealed the superiority of early transplanting in terms of yield improvement with the least irrigation requirement and CWF under SRI. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Multicenter Study of Congenital Middle Ear Anomalies. Report on 246 Ears
Authors: Ito Tsukasa , Furukawa Takatoshi , Ohshima Shinsuke , Takahashi Kuniyuki , Takata Yusuke , Furukawa Masayuki , Hiraumi Harukazu , Yamauchi Daisuke , Yuasa Yu , Goto Shinichi , Sasaki Akira , Koizumi Koh , Otsuki Koshi , Imaizumi Mitsuyoshi
Published: March 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Congenital middle ear anomalies represent a relatively rare condition. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and the surgical outcomes for patients with middle ear anomalies.

Methods

A multicenter study was conducted of consecutive patients with congenital middle ear anomalies who underwent primary surgical treatment between January 2008 and December 2017. Demographics, surgical procedures, and audiometric data were registered into the institutional database. Hearing changes and postoperative air‐bone gap (ABG) were evaluated 1 year after surgery.

Results

A total of 246 patients (246 ears) (median age: 14 years, range: 4–75 years old) were included in this study. Anomalies were subdivided using the Teunissen and Cremers classification: 53 ears (22%) were categorized as class I, comprising only stapes ankylosis; 35 ears (14%) as class II, having ossicular chain anomalies with stapes ankylosis; 139 ears (57%) as class III, having ossicular chain anomalies with a mobile stapes‐footplate; and 19 ears (8%) as class IV, with aplasia of the oval window. Evaluation of hearing outcomes for 198 ears with more than 1 year of follow‐up revealed that good postoperative ABG (≤20 dB) was achieved in 82% of class I, 68% of class II, 74% of class III, and 23% of class IV anomalies. The postoperative ABG in class IV was significantly worse than in class I (P < .001) or class III (P < .01).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that class III anomalies comprised the majority of middle ear anomalies and surgical outcomes for class IV anomalies are unfavorable.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2323–E2328, 2021