bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prediction of the student’s tendencyto computer games based on the brain- behavioral functions, cognitive flexibility and sensation seeking
Authors: Sadri Damirchi Esmaeil , pireinaladin saeed , Akbari Taghi , Dargahi Shahriyar
Published: March 2020

Aim of the study

Research about the student's Tendency to Computer Games has increased over the last decade, but little investigation has examined the relationship between Tendency to Computer Games, Brain-Behavioral Functions, Cognitive Flexibility, and Sensation Seeking. The present study was designed to predict the student's Tendency to Computer Games based on the Brain-Behavioral Functions, Cognitive Flexibility and Sensation Seeking.

Subject or material and methods

Through Cluster sampling, 200 subjects were chosen for this Descriptive and correlational study. Brain-Behavioral Functions questionnaires, Cognitive Flexibility, Sensation Seeking and Tendency to Computer Games were applied to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze data.

Results

The findings revealed that there are significant associations between Brain-Behavioral Functions, Cognitive Flexibility, and Sensation Seeking variables on the Tendency to Computer Games. Meanwhile, Brain-Behavioral Functions, Cognitive Flexibility and Sensation Seeking predicted Tendency to Computer Games.

Discussion

The results emphasized the effect of Brain-Behavioral Functions, Cognitive Flexibility, and Sensation Seeking on the Tendency to Computer Games.

Conclusions

The findings of this research can be applied for planning activities such as increasing students’ awareness of the consequences and influences causing the inclination to computer games and their appropriate application.
Antidepressant use in Poland in the years 2010-2018
Authors: Bliźniewska-Kowalska Katarzyna , Chęcińska Julita , Gałecki Piotr
Published: March 2020

Antidepressants are used in the treatment of both depressive and anxiety disorders. According to the latest data, the quantity of antidepressants and mood stabilizers used has almost doubled over the last eight years. These numbers are still growing, but the highest increase in the number of patients using this group of drugs was recorded in 2013 (12%) and 2014 (13.1%). The most commonly used group of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (63% of prescribed antidepressants). SSRIs are considered first-choice drugs in the treatment of depressive disorders and chronic anxiety. The number of SSRIs used by patients has more than doubled over the last 8 years. Among selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sertraline (38.5% of all prescriptions) was the most commonly used active substance in Poland in 2018. The most frequently prescribed substance belonging to the group of antidepressants with a different mechanism of action was opipramol (23.8% of all prescriptions), followed by trazodone (19.1% of all prescriptions) and mianserin (15.4% of all prescriptions). Out of the two drugs from the group of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) available in Poland, many more patients use venlafaxine (84.2%) than duloxetine (15.8%).
A similar trend related to a constantly growing number of antidepressants used is also observed in other European countries and in the United States of America.
War trauma and self-help
Authors: Piotrowski Przemysław , Florek Stefan , Gulla Bożena
Published: March 2020

This study is an attempt to analyze the frontline soldier Farouk’s drawings, inscriptions that accompany them and his poem entitled “In the time of war” as a form of mental self-help.
Farouk's sketches have a surreal and/or more or less abstract character. Farouk's drawings can be treated as a specific attempt to deal with trauma of war.
We suggest that the level of abstractness of his drawings indicates the depth of trauma and decreases with the return to mental health and ability to verbalize experiences. We think that enhancing patients to express their traumatic experiences in the form of drawings with comments can be a useful tool of diagnosis and therapy. It can be also a helpful way of autotherapy when the possibility of professionals’ assistance is limited.
From Editors
Authors: Cyranka Katarzyna
Published: March 2020

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the Polish Psychiatric Association.
We would therefore like to begin this issue with a review by D. Palumbo and S. Galderisi- (Past President of the European Psychiatric Association) from Naples, Italy, on “Controversial issues in current definitions of mental health”. The paper focuses on recently proposed mental health definitions, with a particular emphasis on mental health normative criteria involved in each of them.

The next paper, “War trauma and self-help” by P. Piotrowski et al., is an attempt to analyze the frontline soldier drawings, inscriptions and the author’s text entitled “In the time of war”, as a form of self-help.
The regional and personal impact of the fiscal policies of a limited franchise government: Italy immediately after unification
Authors: Brosio Giorgio
Published: March 2020

For 15 years after its inception, Italy was governed by the Historical Right coalition. The electoral franchise was very limited: registered voters were less than 2 per cent of the population and their actual numbers were further eroded by absenteeism. The achievements of the first
governments were impressive, though one can disagree on the merit of the policies, as many did. Most of the policies imposed a lot of hardship: individuals had to pay high taxes; they were drafted into the army for long periods; and they were sent to fight civil and regular wars. The very
limited access to the vote led the ruling class to perceive that, in the short term, its actions were insulated against the unpopularity of its policies. Therefore, it pursued the mission of aggrandising the country and creating what it believed to be a viable and modern government system.
The regional allocation of budget resources became the most disputed issue as the government coalition was accused of discriminating against southern regions. The article explores these themes empirically by constructing the so-called balance sheet of federations, leading to an estimate for
each region of the net impact (the fiscal residuum) of national government tax and expenditure policies. The article also provides an estimate of the impact of tax and expenditure policies on poor agricultural families located in different areas. Both statistical exercises provide an original,
though limited, contribution to the literature on the economic and social impact of the unification process in Italy. The analyses reveal that no redistribution was made, and regional discrimination did not emerge.
Identify the limits of geometric optics ray tracing by numerically solving the vector Kirchhoff integral
Authors: Ding Jiachen , Yang Ping , Mishchenko Michael I. , Nevels Robert D.
Published: March 2020

The properties of a pencil of light as defined approximately in the geometric optics ray tracing method are investigated. The vector Kirchhoff integral is utilized to accurately compute the electromagnetic near field in and around the pencil of light with various beam base sizes, shapes, propagation directions and medium refractive indices. If a pencil of light has geometric mean cross section size of the order p times the wavelength, it can propagate independently to a distance p2 times the wavelength, where most of the beam energy diffuses out of the beam region. This is consistent with a statement that van de Hulst made in a classical text on light scattering. The electromagnetic near fields in the pencil of light are not uniform, have complicated patterns within short distances from the beam base, and the fields tend to converge to Fraunhofer diffraction fields far away from the base.
Robust chaotic-shift-keying scheme based on electro-optical hybrid feedback system
Authors: Gao Xiaojing , Cheng MengFan , Deng Lei , Zhang Minming , Fu Songnian , Liu Deming
Published: March 2020

A chaotic-shift-keying (CSK) scheme is designed based on a chaos system with electro-optical hybrid time delayed feedback structure. By switching the time delay parameter as a message feeding method, the generated chaotic signal is no longer suffered from return map attack, which is an innate vulnerability of traditional CSK. When the coupling of the seed electrical chaotic system and the nonlinear optical time delay feedback loop is carefully weighed, this CSK scheme shows a good robustness in terms of handling noise for transmitting digital signals. By demodulating the digital signals with the chaotic coherent detection method, a bit error rate of 6×10−4 is achieved at the signal-to-noise ratio of 10dB in the simulation. The proposed method has a promising application prospect in some harsh environments.
Effect of microstructure on the optical properties of sputtered iridium thin films
Authors: Pfiester Nicole A. , Grossklaus Kevin A. , Stevens Margaret A. , Vandervelde Thomas E.
Published: March 2020

The refractory metal iridium has many applications in high performance optical devices due to its high reflectivity into X-ray frequencies, low oxidation rate, and high melting point. Depositing Ir via magnetron sputtering produces high quality thin films, but the chamber pressure and sputter conditions can change Ir film microstructure on the nanoscale. Film microstructure is commonly examined through microscopy of film cross-sections, which is both a destructive characterization method and time consuming. In this work, we have utilized a non-destructive characterization technique, spectroscopic ellipsometry, to correlate the optical properties of the metal films with their structural morphologies, enabling large-scale inspection of optical components or the ability to customize the metal refractive index for the application at hand. The optical properties of Ir thin films deposited at chamber pressures from 10 mTorr to 25 mTorr are reported and compared to microscopy and resistivity results. The measurements were conducted with films deposited both on a bare wafer and on a titanium sublayer.
Classic design: From cultural knowledge to individual experience
Authors: Alice Casto Mary , DeLong Marilyn
Published: March 2020

Understanding the aesthetic response to classic design has become a prominent part of the consumption process. Classic design has been equated with understanding its artistic forms through the user because aesthetic response to classic design is influenced by personal desires that are informed by, and part of, collective cultural knowledge. It is, therefore, essential to understand the aesthetic response to classic design as an expression of culturally transmitted meanings based on user data. Following a survey identifying examples of classic design, participants volunteered for in-depth interviews and to bring in and discuss self-identified classic designs from their personal wardrobes. Findings indicated that though participants described a similar cultural concept of classic, they simultaneously identified a range of concrete examples that best fit their own unique needs and experiences.
All dressed up with somewhere to go: Drag expressions on social media and the theatricality of the everyday
Authors: Sandoval Jorge
Published: March 2020

This article aims to explore the theatricality of the queered, costumed male body in drag in relation to domestic spaces. To achieve this aim, this exploration is done through the visual analysis of one case study as a methodological tool to examine imagery that presents the male body transformed into a hyperbolic manifestation of itself. The imagery examined in this article exposes the queered space of the costumed male body as a vessel in which it is read from a diversity of perspectives: the aesthetic body, the political body and the ethical one. This examination is guided by Alan Read’s notion of the theatricality of the everyday, Peter Boenisch’s concept of relational dramaturgy and Erving Goffman’s frame analysis as a methodological tool for the dramaturgical exploration of images posted online. Imagery posted online as part of the ambit of the mundane affects and interacts with immaterial spectatorship, other representational bodies and the performativity of the new scenographic space created by its presence online. The proposed immaterial queered, costumed body online becomes a space for theatricality that yields visual cues for viewers in this newly created theatrical space. The dramaturgical possibilities of the representational body facilitate an emblematic quality of the fabric of the mundane and transform it into a new point of reference from which to read theatricality.
Celebrity habitus, confessional style: Self-reflective bodily instruction in Khloé Kardashian’s Strong Looks Better Naked
Authors: Barron Lee
Published: March 2020

The article examines Khloé Kardashian’s self-help book Strong Looks Better Naked from the perspective of representing a celebrity-based inspirational guide that extols the values of exercise and healthy living and in terms of key tenets of the autobiography. In this context, the article argues that the book represents an in-depth example of Sean Redmond’s concept of the ‘celebrity confessional’ in that it uses self-reflective disclosures to connect with readers. However, given the confessionals of bodily issues revealed in the book, the article explores how Khloé Kardashian’s narrative critically exhibits, drawing on the work of Bourdieu, a double sense of habitus. This is explored through her insider perspective that articulates the bodily norms and expectations associated with contemporary celebrity culture, and through her revealing of her own relationship with this culture, a factor significantly exacerbated through her membership of the Kardashian family and its extensively mediated celebrity brand.
Monte Carlo Approach To Genotype By Environment Interaction Models
Authors: Oluwafemi Oyamakin S. , Olalekan Durojaiye M.
Published: March 2020

Understanding the implication of Genotype-by-Environment (GXE) interaction structure is an important consideration in plant breeding programs. Traditional statistical analyses of yield trials provide little or no insight into the particular pattern or structure of the GXE interaction. In this study, efforts were made to solve these problems under different level of data occurrence. We employed the simulation process of Monte Carlo in generating since use of a real-life data may pose a serious difficulty. In this paper, we simulated for two data Types of Balance and Unbalance designs with different Levels of generations (3X3, 7X7, 10X10, and 3X7, 7X3, 7X10, 10X7 , , respectively). We therefore check the performance of GXE interaction on four different models (AMMI, FW, GGE and Mixed model), and also their stability and adaptability. The findings revealed that, when the assumption was maintained, AMMI outperformed Finlay-Wilkinson model, GGE Biplot model and Mixed model.
Satellite-Imagery Geometric Accuracy Improvement Based on Direct Correction of Dominant Coefficients
Authors: Tang Xinming , Liu Changru , Zhou Ping , Cao Ning , Li FengXiang , Wang Xia
Published: March 2020

An important and difficult point in the application of satellite imagery is refining the positioning model and improving the geometric accuracy. In this study, we focus on improvement in geometric accuracy and develop a new rational function model (RFM) refinement
method. First, we derive the conversion relationship between the rigorous sensor model and the RFM, based on which we illustrate the approximate meaning of the zero-order and first-order terms of the rational polynomial coefficients (RPCs).
Second, the correlation problem between RPCs and the influence of individual RPCs on geometric positioning accuracy are analyzed and verified. The dominant coefficients that determine geolocation are then identified. Finally, a new RFM
refinement method based on direct correction of the dominant coefficients is proposed and validated. The experiments, conducted with ZY3-02 satellite imagery, indicate that the proposed method can effectively improve the geometric accuracy of satellite images.
Temporal Validation of Four LAI Products over Grasslands in the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yin Gaofei , Li Ainong , Zhang Zhengjian , Lei Guangbin
Published: March 2020

Time series of leaf area index (LAI) products are now widely used, and the temporal validation is the prerequisite for their proper application. However, a systematical comparison between different products using both direct and indirect methods is still lacking. The objective of this
paper is to assess and compare the temporal performances of four LAI products: Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LAI (MOD)15A2, MOD15A2h, Geoland2 Version 1 (GEOV1), and Global Land Surface
Satellite (GLASS). The study area, which is dominated by grasslands, is located in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP), and temperature is the main stress factor affecting grass growth. Both a correlation analysis with temperature and
a direct comparison with temporally continuous LAI reference maps were implemented in our temporal validation experiments. The results show that no single product can capture the rapid change and the seasonal trend in LAI simultaneously,
and the compositing period used in each product determines the quality of the corresponding LAI time series. The MOD15A2 and MOD15A2h products, which have short compositing windows (eight days), are suitable for
detecting rapid change. A grazing-induced biomass decrease that occurred around day of year 205 in 2014 in our study area was clearly revealed in these two products. For the GEOV1 and GLASS products, which have compositing windows of 30 days and 1 year,
respectively, the grazing date was shifted (GEOV1) or even invisible (GLASS). However, products with prolonged compositing windows may be more robust to observation noise, and the resulting products may be suitable for capturing the seasonal
trend. This study highlights that the concurrent use of data from various sensors onboard different satellites, and the introduction of new generations of satellites (e.g., Gaofen-6), are two promising ways to further improve existing LAI time series.
Potrebe svojcev pacientov po nezgodni poškodbi glave
Authors: Potočnik Klavdija , Ravnik Janez , Lorber Mateja
Published: March 2020

Uvod: Ugotavljanje potreb svojcev je pristop skrbi, usmerjene k družini, s končnim ciljem aktivne vloge pacientov in svojcev pri doseganju ravni zdravja. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti potrebe svojcev pacientov, ki so bili hospitalizirani zaradi nezgodne poškodbe glave.Metode: Uporabljena je bila kvalitativna metodologija raziskovanja. Za pridobitev podatkov je bil uporabljen delno strukturiran intervju s svojci hospitaliziranih pacientov v začetku zdravljenja ter pred odpustom iz bolnišnice. V raziskavo je bilo vključenih deset svojcev pacientov, ki so utrpeli nezgodno poškodbo glave. Podatki so bili analizirani s pomočjo vsebinske analize.Rezultati: Ugotovljeno je bilo, da imajo svojci pacientov z nezgodno poškodbo glave različne potrebe, ki se v času hospitalizacije spreminjajo. Kot glavni so izpostavili potrebo po informacijah in potrebo po podpori. Obe sta prisotni v obdobju celotne hospitalizacije, kljub temu pa pride do manjših sprememb v dejavnikih, ki ju opredeljujejo. Na začetku hospitalizacije je prisotna še potreba po soočenju, ki se izraža skozi različne faze, kot so šok, zanikanje, pogajanje, jeza, žalost in strah. Ob zaključku hospitalizacije pa se izrazita še potreba po (ne)gotovosti in potreba po napredku.Diskusija in zaključek: Ugotovljene so bile najpomembnejše potrebe svojcev pacientov po nezgodni poškodbi glave. Glede na ugotovitve bi bilo za optimalno zadovoljevanje potreb treba opolnomočiti zdravstveno osebje predvsem na področju zgodnje prepoznave potreb, komunikacije in sprejemanja svojca kot enakovrednega partnerja pri zagotavljanju kakovostne zdravstvene nege.
Izkušnje partnerjev s prisotnostjo pri porodu
Authors: Bezeljak Anita , Mivšek Ana Polona , Petročnik Petra
Published: March 2020

Uvod: Očetje se pogosto vključujejo v porodni proces v vlogi spremljevalcev svojih partnerk ob porodu. Veliko očetov si želi biti prisotnih pri porodu svojega otroka, vendar si pogosto ne predstavljajo svoje vloge v porodni sobi. Namen raziskave je bil raziskati izkušnje partnerjev s prisotnostjo pri porodu.Metode: Raziskava temelji na kvalitativni metodologiji. Vzorec zajema pet očetov, starih med 25 in 35 let, ki so imeli za seboj vsaj dve porodni izkušnji. Podatki so bili pridobljeni s pomočjo delno strukturiranih intervjujev in analizirani s pomočjo metode analize vsebine.Rezultati: Za očete je bila prisotnost pri rojstvu njihovega otroka ena izmed najlepših izkušenj v njihovem življenju. Kljub temu da so jo opredelili kot stresno, je bila hkrati zanje pozitivna in polna intenzivnih občutij. Občutili so vznemirjenje, pričakovanje, strah, zaskrbljenost, srečo, veselje, olajšanje ter ponos. Nekateri očetje so bili s strani babice in ostalega zdravstvenega osebja v porodno dogajanje vključeni bolj aktivno, drugi manj.Diskusija in zaključek: Očetje si želijo biti s strani babice in ostalega zdravstvenega osebja obravnavani spoštljivo in kot enakovreden del para, ki se mu rojeva otrok. Priložnosti nadaljnjega raziskovanja se kažejo v proučevanju povezave med prisotnostjo pri porodu ter družinsko in partnersko dinamiko, pa tudi v izkušnjah babic s prisotnostjo očetov v porodnih sobah.
Znanje, odnos in dojemanje dela s starejšimi osebami pri zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi in oskrbi v domovih za starejše
Authors: Skela-Savič Brigita , Hvalič Touzery Simona
Published: March 2020

Uvod: Ustrezen odnos, splošna in strokovna znanja ter razumevanje vloge strokovnjakov, ki delajo s starejšimi osebami, lahko pripomorejo k odpravljanju stereotipov in prispevajo h kakovostni obravnavi starejših oseb. Namen raziskave je bil proučiti odnos do dela s starejšimi osebami, znanje o njem in njegovo dojemanje ter povezanost naštetega z izobraževanji zaposlenih v domovih za starejše.Metoda: Izvedena je bila kvantitativna eksplorativna raziskava na populaciji izvajalcev zdravstvene nege in oskrbe (n = 266) v 13 domovih za starejše v Sloveniji. Podatki so bili zajeti z že razvitimi merskimi instrumenti (FAQ-R, POWP, ASD, ADKS). Raziskava je bila izvedena v obdobju med junijem in avgustom 2017. Podatki so bili obdelani z opisno in bivariantno statistiko.Rezultati: Test FAQ-R je pokazal 65,2 % uspešnost anketirancev, ki se je povečala z večanjem stopnje izobrazbe (p < 0,001). Pri 7,8 % anketirancev je bil ugotovljen negativni odnos do starejših oseb. Na ADKS-testu je bilo zbranih 64,9 % možnih točk (s = 14,86); dosežek se razlikuje glede na stopnjo izobrazbe (p < 0,001) in starost anketirancev (p = 0,022).Diskusija in zaključek: Splošno znanje o starejših osebah in staranju je pomanjkljivo; stopnja znanja o Alzheimerjevi bolezni je zadovoljiva, a se niža z nižanjem izobrazbe. Raziskava opozori na pomen številnih medsektorskih ukrepov, ki so odziv na potrebe dolgožive družbe. Področje je odprto za nadaljnje raziskovanje in razvoj novih instrumentov, ki bodo omogočili vzročno raziskovanje.
A New Measurement Method of the Erodibility of Soil
Authors: Yu Shu , Chen Zuyu , Chen Shujing , Ma Liqiu , Li Xiangnan , Sha Peijun , Wang Lin
Published: March 2020

To quantitatively measure the erodibility of soil, including the incipient shear stress and the scouring rate, a new measurement method was proposed. The measurement system contains a cylindrical erosion test apparatus (CETA) and a calculation method of shearing stress. The CETA was developed to measure the relation between the scouring rate and the water velocity, which was mainly composed of a power system, a scouring system, a water circulation system, and a data acquisition system. Using the proposed shearing stress calculation method, the shearing stress by water flow was clarified. On the basis of the proposed new measurement method, single-size soil samples from the Tangjiashan and Yigong landslide dams were collected for measurement of the critical shear stress. The test results demonstrated that the grain size of the cohesionless soil was approximately linear with the critical shearing stress. Furthermore, the erodibility of two samples, the loess from Loess Plateau and coarse grain from Yigong landslide dam, was tested. During the experiment, the loess sample showed a low critical shear stress, τc, of 0.7 N/m2 that was accompanied a dramatic change of erosion process from particle by particle to block by block. By comparison, the critical shear stress τc for the cohesionless soil sample was 3.5 kN/m2, which is consistent the results of measurement of critical shear stress and the measured erosion rate at a constant shear stress and is faster than the loess sample in general. The present test results agreed well with previous experimental results, which further proves the feasibility of the new measurement method and provides a basis for the dam breach analysis due to overtopping.
Permeability Characteristics of Poorly Graded Sand Conditioned with Foam in Different Conditioning States
Authors: Wang Shuying , Hu Qinxin , Wang Haibo , Thewes Markus , Ge Louis , Yang Junsheng , Liu Pengfei
Published: March 2020

Investigating the permeability characteristics of sand-foam mixtures in different conditioning states is important not only in earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunneling and standstill but also for posttunneling soil handling. Slump and permeability tests were carried out on poorly graded sand that was conditioned with different foam injection ratios (FIRs) and water contents. According to the slump values and the apparent states of the conditioned sand in the slump tests, the sand conditioning was classified into five cases: insufficient, suitable without any water or foam bleeding, suitable but with water bleeding, excessive with likely foam bleeding, and excessive with water bleeding. With suitable conditioning, the permeability in the conditioned sand generally exhibited three consecutive stages during the tests: the stable stage, fast growth stage and slow growth stage. An increasing FIR and water content enhanced the antipermeability effect (the ability of preventing water from flowing in porous medium), but a considerable increase in water content (≥10 %) weakened the antipermeability effect. Finally, a simplified model was proposed to explain the rheology. The foam significantly reduced the total energy required for the sand particles to flow. In addition, the permeability characteristics of the conditioned sand found in the tests were explained. The low initial permeability coefficient and its duration depended on the ability of the water to penetrate the plugging structures formed by the foam.
Strategies for Incorporating Long-Term, Distributed-Network Research Projects into the Undergraduate Curriculum: Lessons from the Ecological Research as Education Network's Decomposition Project
Authors: Gartner Tracy B. , Thomas Carolyn L. , Geedey Kevin , Bjorgo-Thorne Kim , Simmons Jeffrey A. , Shea Kathleen L. , Dosch Jerald J. , Zimmermann Craig R.
Published: March 2020

Increasingly, undergraduate institutions are incorporating original research into the curriculum as a matter of best practice. However, while the practice of science has grown more collaborative, undergraduate research has remained largely confined to single-institution studies. Incorporating long-term, distributed research projects into the undergraduate research experience can better prepare students to interpret and engage in science of the future. The Decomposition in Aquatic and Terrestrial Invaded Systems (DATIS) project within the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN) offers a good model for examining how to minimize challenges and maximize opportunities associated with classroom use of long-term, collaborative research projects. Eleven key challenges are identified, and practical solutions are provided for each. By modeling this scientific approach in primarily undergraduate institutions, we are preparing graduates who will have the tools and knowledge to work collaboratively and create their own distributed research networks. Our goal is that the decomposition project we describe here can inform and inspire others seeking to engage in research at the undergraduate level, either as potential research coordinators or as collaborators in an existing network.
Microbe Art Can Educate & Correct Misconceptions about Microorganisms
Authors: Sangweme Davison , Lampert Evan , McIntosh Erin
Published: March 2020

Microorganisms are diverse, minute, simple life-forms that generally cannot be seen by the naked eye and require the use of a microscope to be visualized. They have a great impact on all other life-forms. Their tiny size conceals them from us, engendering misunderstanding and fear due to the diseases caused by only a tiny minority of them. We conceptualized and installed an art exhibition called Tiny Enormous with the intent to educate our campus community and correct misconceptions about microorganisms. Tiny Enormous utilized a variety of artistic media, including paint, sculpture, video, and preserved plates, to display the diversity and ubiquity of microbes, and a series of infographics to illustrate key concepts and correct misconceptions. We surveyed visitors at the opening and closing receptions to examine their knowledge about, and perceptions and attitudes toward, microorganisms prior to and after visiting the exhibition. Respondents who had viewed Tiny Enormous demonstrated better knowledge of microbiological terms and concepts and self-reported increased knowledge about microorganisms compared to those who had not. Perceptions that microorganisms were harmful did not differ between subjects prior to and after visiting Tiny Enormous, possibly because of the exhibition's information about “superbugs.” Our results suggest that artistic representations of microorganisms are effective educational tools for both academic and nonacademic audiences.
From DNA Extraction to Sequence Analysis: A Semester-Long Undergraduate Research Project on Fish Mislabeling
Authors: Rumfelt Kalee E. , Wonderlin Nicole E. , Hulbert Daniel , White Peter J. T.
Published: March 2020

In recent years, providing authentic and unique research experiences for undergraduates has become increasingly important, yet many educational institutions struggle to provide their students with such experiences. Engaging students in hands-on research is meant to increase their problem-solving skills and help them learn how to work in a collaborative environment. Unfortunately, many students never receive a genuine research experience in their undergraduate biology courses. We developed a semester-long, laboratory-based research project in which students worked in groups to investigate the prevalence of fish mislabeling in local restaurants and grocery stores using DNA barcoding. During the experimental process, students learned fundamental molecular techniques like DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequence analysis. Students also developed soft skills linked to working in teams and science communication. Over the course of the project, students collected their own fish samples and were responsible for their team's lab workflow throughout the semester. Some groups (12/25) identified instances of mislabeling on the basis of DNA evidence. Students synthesized their results in a full scientific manuscript and ended the semester by disseminating their results in a class-wide poster symposium. Collectively, the students documented that ~21% (26/123) of the fish samples they had collected from local restaurants and at grocery stores in the Greater Lansing area were mislabeled. This project gave students the time and space needed to master molecular techniques (often through trial and error), and it engaged them in a place-based learning setting as they investigated the incidence of fish mislabeling in their local community.
Gas Exchange Gamified: Teaching Respiration Physiology with a Novel Board Game
Authors: Wibking Katie
Published: March 2020

Pulmonary gas exchange is a complex component of respiratory physiology. For many students, the movement of unseen gases can seem abstract and confusing. The “Gas Exchange Game” is a novel board game designed for use in a second-semester anatomy and physiology course. Students apply textbook knowledge of the laws of gas exchange and use the game board and pieces to see concrete examples of how gases move in the human body.
Using Digital Microscopes in an Online Lab
Authors: Buerger Sandra , Foord Lynn
Published: March 2020

One of the central ideas behind microbiology is to see images that are not available to the naked eye. Through the use of digital microscopes, students in online courses can have exposure to those images, but the ability to view images of samples produced by the students is something that is not typically or easily replicated in an online course. The high cost of good-quality optical microscopes and the difficulty of using complex microscopes independently and communicating results are barriers to including this in an online lab course. Through the use of a lower-cost digital microscope that is easy to use, students are able to enjoy the experience of viewing images of microbes from their own sample and preparation.
Predictors of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Isolated On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients ≥60 Years Old
Authors: Luo Wenqi , Huaibin Wang , Wenjun Zhen , Jie Tan , Xiaokang Ouyang , Zi Wang , Yujian Ma
Published: March 2020

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most common complications that can contribute to an increased risk of mortality, particularly in older patients. The identification of predictors of POAF after CABG could impact patient care. This study aims to determine the risk factors of POAF in patients ≥60 years old who underwent isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB) in order to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of POAF after ONCAB.

Methods: Between October 2011 and November 2015, a total of 304 patients ≥60 years old underwent isolated ONCAB in our department. The patients were divided into 2 groups, the AF group and the non-AF group, according to the occurrence of POAF. A retrospective analysis was performed on the general characteristics and perioperative data of the patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of POAF after ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old.

Results: The incidence of POAF after ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old was 23.36% (71/304). Statistically significant differences were observed in patients’ age, history of hypertension, left atrium diameter, European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) I and II, and the highest level of serum creatinine after operation (all P < .05). Logistic regression analyses showed that a history of hypertension (OR = 2.575, CI 1.208-5.488, P = .014), left atrium diameter (OR = 1.105, CI 1.047-1.167, P = .000) and EuroSCORE I score (OR = 1.132, CI 1.001-1.279, P = .048) were independent risk factors for POAF after ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old.

Conclusion: The occurrence of POAF after isolated ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old was affected by many risk factors; a history of hypertension, the left atrium diameter and the EuroSCORE I score were all predictors of POAF.
Sodium citrate inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Vo Phuc Hong , Nguyen Sinh Truong , Do Nghia Minh , Truong Kiet Dinh , Pham Phuc Van
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Cancer cells rely on glycolysis to generate energy and synthesize biomass for cell growth and proliferation (the Warburg effect). Recent studies have shown that citrate has an inhibitory effect on several cancer cells, such as human gastric cancer and ovarian cancer, by inhibiting glycolysis. In this study, we investigated the effects of citrate on the proliferation and apoptosis induction of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Methods: HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line was used in this study. The cell proliferation was evaluated by Alamar blue assay. The apoptotic status of the HepG2 cells was recorded by Annexin V/7-AAD assay and caspase 3/7 activation assay. DNA fragmentation was evaluated by nucleus staining assay with Hoechst 33342.

Results: The results showed that citrate is able to inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce apoptosis in these cells. The initiation time of apoptosis is 4 hours after treatment with 10 mM citrate. Morphology characteristics of DNA fragmentation and broken membranes were also recorded in the apoptotic cells.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our study demonstrates that citrate causes HepG2 cell death by the apoptosis pathway.
A three by three Pascal matrix representations of the generalized Fibonacci and Lucas sequences
Authors: KÖKEN Fikri
Published: March 2020

In this study, a matrix $R_{v}$ is defined, and two closed form expressions of the matrix $R_{v}^{n}$, for an integer $n\geq 1$, are evaluated by the matrix functions in matrix theory. These expressions satisfy a connection between the generalized Fibonacci and Lucas numbers with the Pascal matrices. Thus, two representations of the matrix $R_{v}^{n}$ and various forms of matrix $(R_{v}+q\triangle I)^{n}$ are studied in terms of the generalized Fibonacci and Lucas numbers and binomial coefficients. By modifying results of $2\times 2$ matrix representations given in the references of our study, we give various $3\times 3$ matrix representations of the generalized Fibonacci and Lucas sequences. Many combinatorial identities are derived asapplications.
Relationship between perceived academic stress and Interleukin 6 levels in health students
Authors: Vernaza Paola , Chavarria Jayson , Dueñas Cuellar Rosa Amalia , Niño Victoria Eugenia , Ávila González Gloria Inés Ávila González , Klínger Hernández Julio César , Londoño Prieto Jerónimo
Published: March 2020

Background: Academic stress is an important research topic due to the effect it has on the

quality of life of students, future professionals and therefore, adult contributors in a society.

It has been shown that students in the health field face additional stressors specific from

their careers, and suffer greater stress than the general population of the same age.

Methods: 52 students, 23 from Physiotherapy and 29 from Medicine programs were

surveyed with Academic Stressors Academic Scale (SAS) to know academic stress level

and IL-6 was quantified in serum.

Results: It was found that students who perceive the academic semester as stressful

“fairly often” and “many times”, increases in 50%, 75% and 76.9% during the semester;

while “anxiety/distress” feeling was predominant. The most frequent SAS scale factors

were “methodological deficiencies”, “student overload”, “beliefs about performance”, “lack

of content value”, “participation” and “exams”

Conclusions: The study revealed an IL-6 increment, and their association with

“Methodological Deficiencies” at 1st moment. This study showed the importance of

academic stressors identification at same time that it is a call to construct strategies to

reduce stressors in University context
Estilo de vida de estudiantes de la Universidad del Atlántico: un estudio descriptivo-transversal
Authors: NIETO MENDOZA ISAAC
Published: March 2020

Introducción: El estilo de vida se comprende como una serie de comportamientos de habitual práctica por parte de un individuo —que son conscientes y voluntarios—, y que inciden —negativa o positivamente— en su calidad de vida.

Métodos: Se aplicó un cuestionario para conocer el estilo de vida de los universitarios, denominado <>, el cual valora aspectos relacionados a la familia y amigos, asociatividad y actividad física, nutrición, tabaco, alcohol y otras drogas, sueño y estrés, trabajo y tipo de personalidad, introspección control de salud y conducta sexual y otras conductas. Se tuvo en cuenta una metodología de diseño cuantitativo, tipo descriptivo y corte transversal, cuya unidad de análisis fue de 404 universitarios (57,9% de sexo masculino y 42,1% femenino), en el semestre 2018-2.

Resultados: se hizo notoria una tendencia de la muestra hacia los indicadores malo (46,8%) y existe riesgo (31,7%), lo cual da cuenta de que el estilo de vida de los universitarios —en gran medida— es poco saludable. Asimismo, se hace notoria una relación entre el estilo de vida poco saludable y el sexo masculino, ya que este se ubica mayormente en las totalidades que indican malo (27,8%) y alto riesgo (24,7%).

Conclusión: Es importante —desde la cátedra Deporte Formativo— inducir a los universitarios hacia estilos de vida saludable a través de la promoción de la actividad física, la sana alimentación, pautas para el control del estrés y que conozcan las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles a fin de que se concienticen sobre la importancia de tener hábitos saludables que garanticen su bienestar y salud.
Plant DNA extraction and preparation for ONT sequencing v1
Authors: Pucker Boas
Published: March 2020

Plant DNA extraction and preparation for ONT sequencing This CTAB-based protocol is suitable for extraction of genomic DNA from a wide range of plant species. The DNA quality is sufficient for ONT sequencing after SRE enrichment of long fragments and removal of short fragments. Quality control steps are described as part of this protocol. Successful application for the genome sequencing of the following plant species: Arabidopsis species, Beta vulgaris (sugar beet), Brassica napus (rapeseed/canola), Dioscorea dumetorum (yams), Helichrysum umbraculigerum, mosses, Vitis vinifera (grapevine) References: Siadjeu C.*, Pucker B.*, Viehoever P., Albach D. and Weisshaar B. (2020). High contiguity de novo genome sequence assembly of Trifoliate yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) using long read sequencing. Genes. doi:10.3390/genes11030274. Pucker B, Rückert C, Stracke R, Viehöver P, Kalinowski J, Weisshaar B. Twenty-Five Years of Propagation in Suspension Cell Culture Results in Substantial Alterations of the Arabidopsis Thaliana Genome. Genes. 2019. doi:10.3390/genes10090671. Photo provided by Hanna Schilbert (@HSchilbert).
TEKNOLOJİ DESTEKLİ FİZİK LABORATUVARI ETKİNLİKLERİNDEKİ KISITLAR VE ENGELLER KONUSUNDA ÖĞRETMEN GÖRÜŞLERİNİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: Erdem Aytekin
Published: March 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı,
liselerdeki Fizik eğitiminde teknoloji destekli laboratuvar etkinliklerindeki
kısıtlar ve engeller konusunda öğretmen görüşlerinin belirlenmesidir.
Araştırmanın örneklemi 239 gönüllü Fizik öğretmenidir. Çalışma tarama modelinde
olup, veriler beşli Likert tipi ölçek ile toplanmıştır. Ölçeğin güvenirlik
katsayısı 0.75’dir. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde betimsel ve yordamalı
istatistik teknikleri kullanılmıştır. Analiz sonuçlarına göre; öğretmenlerin
“Grafik hesap makinesi destekli laboratuvar konusunda bilgi/beceri düzeyim
eksik”,  “Teknoloji destekli fizik
deneyleri alanında mesleki gelişim etkinlikleri yetersiz” ve “Fizik deneyi
yazılımları içerik yönünden yetersiz veya kalitesiz” görüşlerine katıldıkları
belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, öğretmenlerin teknoloji destekli laboratuvar
etkinliklerindeki kısıtlar ve engeller konusundaki görüşleri ile bazı bireysel
özellikleri arasında anlamlı bir farklılık olmamasına karşın, okul türü ve
laboratuvar araç-gereç kullanma becerilerine göre ise farklılıklar bulunmuştur.
Appraisal of the Values of Voter Education in Achieving Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria
Authors: Mezieobi S. A. , Priscilia Ibekwe
Published: March 2020

Voter education is expected to enthrone sustainable social order in Nigeria’s political scene. Voter apathy works against the principles of democracy. The values of voter education are delineated as follows: encouraging leadership discipline, control of political violence, exposure on the process of election, peace building and maintenance of democratic order. Sustainable democracy can be actualized through voter education in the following ways: extension of voter education, mass mobilization, values to shun violence, stemming corruption and national consciousness sensitization. The consequences of voter apathy are addressed as follows: absence of sustainable democracy, forced leadership, stabilizing illegitimate government, low political participation and political instability. Conclusion was drawn based on the ensuing discoursed and it was recommended amongst others that voter education will encourage mass political participation and the maintenance of sustainable social order.
Sandy ka tail (Saara Hardwickii Oil) and Footpath Hakeems: a Challenge to Modern Clinics
Authors: Ehsan Muhammad , Khalil Muhammad Zohaib , Rasool Faiz
Published: March 2020

Penis enlargement, here and there called male improvement, alludes to a variety of methods planned to build the size, length, or erectile inflexibility of the human penis. Systems extend from manual activities to extending gadgets and surgical methods, with reports of triumphs and disappointments around the globe. As far back as the advancement of humanity, penis has been viewed as the most vital part of a male body which is in charge of proliferation. A solid and solid penis is coveted by each man. In the event that a man has an immature penis or on the off chance that it doesn't work legitimately while having intercourse the individual may fall into misery and despicable feeling about himself. Sanda (Saara hardwickii), commonly known as Hardwicke's spiny-tailed lizard or the Indian spiny-tailed lizard is a species of agamid lizard found patchily distributed in the Thar desert, Kutch, and surrounding arid zones in India and Pakistan.
Santal Community in Bangladesh: A Socio-historical Analysis
Authors: Shamsuddoha Md. , Jahan Ms. Rifat
Published: March 2020

The Santals are one of the most ancient indigenous communities in Bangladesh. Many historians denote them as the earliest settlers in greater Bengal. They mainly belong to Austro-Asiatic group of pre-Aryan settlers. Being the indigenous community of the country, they should have been more influential and developed. But the reality is different. Santals are deprived of stately rights and privileges in many aspects. It has a historical legacy of isolation and clash. As Santals live isolated from mainland people, proper attention was never given to them. Rather they were tortured and oppressed both by colonial and post-colonial rulers, which led them to launch many resistances. But ultimately those resistances could not completely stop the deprivation. In spite of all these challenges, Santals are still struggling to uphold their socio-cultural tradition. The absence of written document in Santal society created a paucity of information in the reconstruction of their history. Therefore, secondary source was mainly used in this research. This study tries to explore the social customs, livelihood and cultural features of Santal community keeping a special focus on the historical development. It indicates that they have historically been deprived in many ways, but they are still able to uphold their distinct cultural features in most of the cases.
The Most Celebrated Chinese Writer of the Twentieth Century: An Introduction to Lu Xun
Authors: Wong Leei
Published: March 2020

Over the years, many renowned scholars have done several researches about the great writer, Lu Xun and his works. Much interest is centered on him even today. We will examine here, briefly the reasons that is unique in him that he is hailed “the most celebrated Chinese writer of the twentieth century”, through the historical background at that time and his writings.