bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La extensión en Pandemia: la experiencia del Corralón Solidario
Authors: Cremaschi Gustavo , Cremaschi María Elisa , Luna María Eugenia , Lombardi Nelly
Published: June 2021

En el marco de este artículo queremos compartir la experiencia realizada del Proyecto de Extensión “Corralón Solidario” de la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata en el contexto pandémico provocado por el COVID 19. 

El proyecto tiene como objetivo concientizar a la comunidad en general sobre los beneficios de recuperar residuos de construcción y demolición (RCD). Asimismo, busca contribuir al mejoramiento del hábitat a partir de optimizar recursos materiales y humanos en entornos solidarios por medio de la reutilización de RCD.

Frente a la situación de pandemia, surgió la necesidad de adecuar dicho proyecto a una nueva modalidad virtual, para ello diseñaron espacios sincrónicos y asincrónicos para capacitar virtualmente y reflexionar acerca de beneficios de recuperar estos materiales residuales de obras, siendo también un entorno propicio para detectar necesidades en el ámbito de los participantes y dar respuestas a las problemáticas emergentes.
Planificación y violencias urbanas padecidas por las mujeres en Barrio Nuevo (La Plata)
Authors: Bernat María Sofía
Published: June 2021

Este trabajo se propone analizar la planificación urbana de Barrio Nuevo (La Plata) para luego indagar el papel de dicha planificación en las violencias urbanas cotidianas que sufren las mujeres que allí habitan. Se trata de un barrio surgido después de la inundación de 2013, a partir de la relocalización de asentamientos que se hallaban a la vera del arroyo El Gato. Las preguntas de las que partimos son las siguientes: ¿cómo ha sido la planificación urbana de Barrio Nuevo?, el acceso a una vivienda de material ¿garantiza el acceso al derecho a la ciudad?, ¿qué violencias mencionan las mujeres?, ¿cómo incide la planificación en las violencias cotidianas que padecen en el espacio público? La metodología es cualitativa-etnográfica. Se realizaron observaciones participantes y entrevistas en profundidad de 2013 a 2019.
Infraestructura e integración regional: la conformación del sistema vial Santa Fe-Paraná entre la conexión de la Mesopotamia argentina y el Corredor Bioceánico Central
Authors: Szupiany Estefanía
Published: June 2021

La noción de integración regional comenzó a ser promovida por los gobiernos latinoamericanos hacia mediados del siglo XX, en el marco del programa desarrollista gestado alrededor de la CEPAL. No obstante, esta integración, que en su origen evidenciaba un carácter mayormente político-territorial, mutó hacia una integración orientada en términos económicos a partir de los años 90. Teniendo esto en cuenta, y en función de la importancia que el desarrollismo otorgó a las infraestructuras de conexión material, el objetivo de este artículo consiste en examinar el proceso de concreción de un conjunto de obras viales planificadas entre las décadas de 1960 y 1970. Particularmente, se analiza el caso del sistema vial Santa Fe-Paraná, el cual fue inicialmente concebido como soporte para el desarrollo y la integración de la Mesopotamia argentina con el territorio nacional y, posteriormente, para la consolidación del Corredor Bioceánico Central (Coquimbo-Porto Alegre).
Gobierno local y desarrollo sustentable. Caso de las ciudades de Oaxaca, México
Authors: Martínez Olivera Christian , Velasco Andrés Enrique Miguel , Martínez García Karina Aidee , Moreno Avendaño Julita
Published: June 2021

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo conocer el manejo de los ingresos municipales por parte de los gobiernos locales y su impacto en el desarrollo sustentable de las ciudades. La hipótesis que propone es que el uso de los ingresos municipales tiene un impacto positivo y significativo en el desarrollo sustentable. Se analizan diecisiete ciudades del estado de Oaxaca, México, durante 2000-2017. Aplicando una metodología cuantitativa con herramientas de estadística descriptiva y regresión, se obtiene una alta asociación entre el desarrollo sustentable y la gestión del gobierno local, lo que indica que el manejo adecuado de los ingresos municipales por parte de los gobiernos locales tiende a influir favorablemente en el desarrollo sustentable de las ciudades de estudio. Por esta razón son un elemento primordial para revertir los escenarios desfavorables a nivel global y favorecer la recuperación de la dinámica del desarrollo de las ciudades.
Disputas por el espacio urbano. Desigualdades persistentes y territorialidades emergentes
Authors: Goñi Morena , Roldán Diego
Published: June 2021

María Mercedes Di Virgilio y Mariano Perelman (coordinadores). Buenos Aires: Biblos, 2019, 421 pp. ISBN: 978-987-691-587-8
Impact of Covid-19 on Education Across the World
Authors: Sidhu Ravi
Published: June 2021

The global epidemic of the Corona virus has wreaked havoc on a variety of industries. One of them is the education industry. Due to Covid-19, governments all around the world have begun temporarily closing schools and colleges. School and university closures would not only have a short-term impact on the continuity of learning for India's more than 285 million young learners, but will also have far-reaching economic and societal ramifications as the days pass with no rapid way to stop the breakout of Covid-19.
Comparative Effect of Grinded and Ungrinded Palm Kernel Shell on the Strength of Pavers
Authors: K.A Aluko, , R.O Elesho, , A.M. Aderemi, , J.O. Adedipe, , A.A Adewoye, , O.G. Ogunwale,
Published: June 2021

Paving stones are increasing, being used by corporate bodies and individual for its functionalities and aesthetic value, the production of pavers over the years have been specifically carried out using stone dust which is relatively expensive and not readily affordable to the common man. This study was carried out to determine comparative effect of grinded and un-grinded palm kernel shell on the strength of pavers. Stone dust, river sand, grinded palm kernel shell, un-grinded palm kernel shell and cement were combine in different ratio namely,T1(4,0,0,0,l), T2(0,2,2,0,l), T3 (1,2,0,1,1), T4(1,1,2,0,l), T5(1,1,0,2,l), T6(0,2,l ,l,1) respectively to form six treatment with two replicates. The pavers were tested for weight and strength properties, T3 has the highest value of the mean weight while T1 has the lowest value. T3 (stone dust (1),river sand (2), un-grinded palm kernel shell (1) and 25kg of cement (1)), T1(stone dust (4) and 25kg of cement (1)).Also, the compressive strength results show that T3 also has the highest value of 127Mpa(Mega pascal) whileT6 has the lowest value of 33Mpa (Mega pascal). The data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the difference in the strength of the pavers. The analysis of variance shows that there is no significant difference between the compressive strength of the treatments. The colour of the paver shows that the paver produced with river sand and un-grinded palm kernel shell is brighter and stronger than others, it is then recommended that T3 can be used in the production of pavers because it is strong and can also withstand environmental stress.
Business Networking and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Adudu Adudu, Chiangi , Terlumun Indyer, Gideon , Kabiru Abdulazeez Olawale
Published: June 2021

The impact of business networking on the performance of SMEs in Benue State, Nigeria is investigated in this study. The study focuses on the impact of network governance, network content, and network structure on SMEs in Benue State, Nigeria. The study employs a survey design, with a questionnaire serving as the data gathering tool. The study's population consists of 650 licenced SMEs in Benue State, with a sample size of 242 obtained via stratified sampling. The KMO and Bartlett's tests show that variables are highly significant, and principal component analysis was appropriate at 0.631. The reliability test-retest result revealed a reliability index of (0.702). Regression analysis was used to examine and present the data received from the businesses surveyed. Network governance (42.2 percent), network content (30.2 percent), and network structure (46.2 percent) all have a positive and significant effect on the performance of SMEs in Benue State, Nigeria, according to the results of tested hypotheses. According to the study's findings, business networking in a business environment is concerned with characteristics such as network governance, network content, and network structure, which create the foundation upon which SMEs connect with their surroundings. The research also revealed that business networking has a significant impact on SMEs' performance. SMEs working in any business environment should build up a formation structure that allows them to engage freely within the environment, according to the report.
Comparative Analysis of Equivalent Material based on MFI
Authors: Zope Mahesh , Sonawane Pratik , Marathe Deepti
Published: June 2021

Polymers of the same family show distinct behavior with each other and because of this, the end prediction after molding the part is very difficult. Simulations result does not always match the product. For close substitution in absence of exactly known material composition, the equivalent grade of the same MFI may be used. However, the MFI is a poor indicator of the rheological behavior to be comprehend for accurate simulation. This research analyzes the appropriate parameters for the rheology of polymers, in the same class that are appropriate.
Application prospect of impregnating compounds for maintenance of suspension components of road machines under different temperature conditions
Authors:   Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI), Marenkov I. G. , Baurova N. I. ,   Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI)
Published: June 2021

The application possibility of impregnating compounds for maintenance of rubber components of a pneumatic suspension of road machines under different temperature conditions has been assessed. Solid oil (the cheapest general-purpose plastic grease) and anaerobic material of AN-1U grade (richer impregnating compound) were used as impregnating compounds. It was found out that the use of impregnating compounds for maintenance of rubber components of a pneumatic suspension of road machines made possible to increase their resistance to the effect of negative temperatures, to minimize material cracking and as a result to increase service life of the suspension.
INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: EVIDENCE FROM EMERGING MARKETS
Authors: Sorensen Bjarne
Published: June 2021

This article answers calls for research into the field of international entrepreneurship (henceforth IE) in the context of emerging economies. In doing so, the research simultaneously heeds appeals for greater methodological variety to broaden the scope of inquiry in the field of international business research. Drawing on internationalization and entrepreneurial process modelling theory, this multiple-case study provides unique insights into the phenomena of IE in emerging market settings. It elaborates upon the processes behind IE’s discovery of opportunities; it extends our understanding of IEs resource deployment; and it identifies sources of competitive advantages among IEs in emerging markets. Insights gained from this empirical study were translated into propositions corroborating, elaborating, and challenging existing theory and assumptions. Above all, this research questions our understanding of institutional and transaction cost theory in the internationalization processes of IEs.
JURUS JITU PENDIDIK PADA PELAKSANAAN DARING
Authors: Wijayanto Adi
Published: June 2021

Antisipasi penyebaran virus corona terus menerus dilakukan pemerintah Indonesia, baik melalui kebijakan wajib vaksin dan tetap mematuhi protap kesehatan untuk mencegah penyebaran virus corona kepada sesama baik sebagai orang yang menularkan maupun orang yang ditularkan. Protap covid-19 yang dimaksud seperti wajib pakai masker ketika berada di luar rumah, cuci tangan dengan sabun atau sanitizer, jaga jarak saat bertemu sesama, berolahraga secara teratur, makan bergizi dan multivitamin, menghindari tempat keramaian, bekerja dari rumah, meskipun saat ini sudah boleh bekerja di kantor, tetapi tetap mematuhui protap kesehatan. Meskipun roda kehidupan Negara dan masyarakat sudah boleh berjalan dengan protap kesehatan, tetapi institusi pendidikan seperti sekolah dan lembaga pendidikan lainnya belum diperbolehkan menyelenggarakan proses belajar secara tatap muka. Memang ada rencana pemerintah akan memulai memberlakukan proses belajar tatap muka di awal semester ganjil tahun ajaran 2021/2022. Sampai saat ini proses belajar di sekolah masih berlangsung secara daring. Dalam konteks belajar daring dapat dipastikan akan banyak masalah yang muncul baik yang dialami para guru maupun murid sehingga tulisan dalam buku Bunga Rampai “JURUS JITU PENDIDIK PADA PELAKSANAAN DARING” sangat mungkin menjadi jurus jitu wujudkan proses belajar di era Pandemi Covid-19 saat ini. Pemikiran-pemikiran yang cerdas dari berbagai pakar pendidikan yang telah dijabarkan dalam tulisan-tulisan ringan telah memperkaya isi buku Bunga Rampai ini sehingga para guru sedikitbanyaknya dapat menggunakannya sebagai dasar berpikir untuk mensukseskan proses belajar daring di rumah anak didik.
ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION, SOCIAL DISABILITY AND BASIC LIFE SKILLS IN EUTHYMIC PATIENTS WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER
Authors: Batinic Borjanka , Djokic Vanja , Ivkovic Maja
Published: June 2021

Background: Data from the literature suggests the presence of cognitive impairments which persist in the euthymic phase of bipolar disorder (BD) and have significant consequences in regards to psychosocial functioning. The aims of our study were: 1) to ascertain the cognitive function (CF), social disability (SD) and basic life skills (BLS) of euthymic patients diagnosed with BD, 2) their relationship and 3) to compare CF, SD and BLS in euthymic patients diagnosed with BD to euthymic patients with recurrent major depressive disorder (rMDD).Subjects and methods: Ninety eight euthymic patients diagnosed either with BD (N=48, mean age 48.79 years, SD = 8.587) or rMDD (N=50, mean age 50.02 years, SD = 9.826) underwent testing using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Affective Disorders (BAC-A) test, the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and the UCSD performance-based skills assessment (UPSA-brief). Results: Euthymic patients with BD demonstrated significantly lower scores as compared to normal population values in verbal, learning and working memory, verbal fluency, attention and processing speed, affective memory for negative and positive words (p?0.01 each) and motor speed (p<0.05), but not for reasoning/problem solving (p=0.05). Furthermore, their mean total SDS score of 17.60 (SD = 6.450, Sk = -0.833) and its subscale scores were higher, while their UPSA-B total scores were lower (M = 76.01, SD = 17.148, Sk = -0.412). There was a correlation between CF, SD and BLS scores (p<0.01), as well as between BLS and SD scores (p<0.05). The analysis of variance did not however show significant differences between subgroups of patients. Conclusion: Patients with euthymic BD had lower cognitive function, greater social disability and lower basic life skills. There were similar decreases in cognitive and psychosocial function between patients in the euthymic phase of either BD or MDD.
Comparison of Latent Variable and Psychological Network Models in PROMIS Data: Output Metrics and Factor Structure
Authors: Starr Joshua , Falk Carl F.
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Much research is still needed to compare traditional latent variable models such as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to emerging psychometric models such as the Gaussian graphical model (GGM). Previous comparisons of GGM centrality indices with factor loadings from CFA have discovered redundancies, and investigations into how well a GGM-based alternative to exploratory factor analysis (i.e., exploratory graph analysis, or EGA) is able to recover the hypothesized factor structure show mixed results. Importantly, such comparisons have not typically been examined in real mental and physical health symptom data, despite such data being an excellent candidate for the GGM. Our goal was to extend previous work by comparing the GGM and CFA using data from Wave 1 of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Methods: Models were fit to PROMIS data based on 16 test forms designed to measure 9 mental and physical health domains. Our analyses borrowed a two-stage approach for handling missing data from the structural equation modeling literature. Results: We found weaker correspondence between centrality indices and factor loadings than found by previous research, but in a similar pattern of correspondence. EGA recommended a factor structure discrepant with PROMIS domains in most cases yet may be taken to provide substantive insight into the dimensionality of PROMIS domains. Conclusion: In real mental and physical health data, GGM and EGA may provide complementary information to traditional CFA metrics.
Kajian Apologetika Terhadap Teori bahwa Yesus Melakukan Sesat Pikir Saat Mengajar dan Menyampaikan Argumentasi
Authors: SANDRIANTO MUSA
Published: June 2021

Ketika Allah mengutus anak-Nya Yaitu Yesus Kristus kedalam dunia, tentunya Menerima berbagai respon dari manusia. Salah satu respon yang paling nampak ialah penolakan yang di tunjukan oleh Kelompok-kelompok orang Yahudi. Kelompok tersebut di kenal dengan Shanderin atau Orang-orang Farisi dan Ahli Taurat. Mereka mengangap Bahwa Yesus telah melakukan penyesatan bagi bangsa Yahudi melalui pengajarann-Nya. Dari situasi tersebut kemudian menghasilkan berbagai Statemen mengenai eksistensi Yesus, Khsusnya mengenai Pengajaran dan Argumentasi yang disampaikan Oleh Yesus. Menariknya, dari penolakan yang dialami Oleh Yesus kemudian melahirkan pemikiran apologetika. Apologetika yang di maksudkan sekaitan dengan Pengajaran dan Argumentasi Yesus. Salah satu bagian yang paling populer adalah mengenai Pernyataan-pernyataan Yesus yang menyatakan diri selaku Mesias(Mark.14:61-64). Hal ini sangat bertentangan dengan Pemikiran orang-orang Yahudi, karena pernyataan Tersebut hendak menyamakan diri-Nya dengan Allah yang Maha Tinggi. Ungkapan “Akulah Dia”, Menjadi Polemik yang berkepanjangan. Apologetika yang muncul dari hal tersebut, dinyatakan Oleh Scotchmer yang mengatakan bahwa apa yang dikatakan Yesus Merupakan pengakuan Keilahian-Nya dengan jelas kepada semua orang.
When Does Monetary Policy Sway House Prices? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ehrenbergerova Dominika , Bajzik Josef , Havranek Tomas
Published: June 2021

Several central banks have leaned against the wind in the housing market by increasing the policy rate preemptively to prevent a bubble. Yet the empirical literature provides mixed results on the impact of short-term interest rates on house prices: the estimated semi-elasticities range from -12 to positive values. To assign a pattern to these differences, we collect 1,447 estimates from 31 individual studies that cover 45 countries and 69 years. We then relate the estimates to 39 characteristics of the financial system, business cycle, and estimation approach. Our main results are threefold. First, the mean reported estimate is exaggerated by publication bias, because insignificant results are underreported. Second, omission of important variables (liquidity and long-term rates) likewise exaggerates the effects of short-term rates on house prices. Third, the effects are stronger in countries with more developed mortgage markets and generally later in the cycle when the yield curve is flat and house prices enter an upward spiral.
Old-growth forest loss and secondary forest recovery across Amazonian countries
Authors: Smith Charlotte , Healey John , Berenguer Erika , Young Paul , Taylor Ben , Elias Fernando , Espirito-Santo Fernando , Barlow Jos
Published: June 2021

There is growing recognition of the potential of large-scale restoration in the Amazon as a “nature-based solution” to climate change. However, our knowledge of forest loss and recovery beyond Brazil is limited, and carbon emissions and accumulation have not been estimated for the whole biome. Combining a 33-year land cover dataset with estimates of above-ground biomass and carbon sequestration rates, we evaluate forest loss and recovery across nine Amazonian countries and at a local scale. We also estimate the role of secondary forests in offsetting old-growth deforestation emissions and explore the temporal trends in forest loss and recovery. We find secondary forests across the biome to have offset just 9.7% of carbon emissions from old-growth deforestation, despite occupying 27.6% of deforested land. However, these numbers varied between countries ranging from 9.0% in Brazil to 23.8% in Guyana for carbon offsetting, and 24.8% in Brazil to 56.9% in Ecuador for forest area recovery. We reveal a strong, negative spatial relationship between old-growth forest loss and recovery by secondary forests, showing that regions with the greatest potential for large-scale restoration are also those that currently have the lowest recovery (e.g. Brazil dominates deforestation and emissions but has the lowest recovery). Our findings identify three important challenges for policy makers: (1) incentivising large-scale restoration in highly deforested regions, (2) protecting secondary forests without disadvantaging landowners who depend on farm-fallow systems, and (3) preventing further deforestation. Combatting all of these successfully is essential to ensuring that the Amazon biome achieves its potential in mitigating anthropogenic climate change.
Late Quaternary climatic histories from the Hermes Cave, Corinth Rift, Greece
Authors: Pennos Christos , Pechlivanidou Sofia , Modestou Sevasti , Persoiu Aurel , Ninnemann Ulysses , Gawthorpe Robert , Maccali Jenny , Lauritzen Stein-Erik , Thuesen Thomas
Published: June 2021

The Greek peninsula is located at the crossroads of several major atmospheric circulation patterns and is consequently characterized by high variability in climatic conditions, making it an important location to examine past climate variability. Over the last decades, the focus of many studies in the region has been to unravel Holocene paleoclimatic oscillations and their impact on the development of ancient civilizations using terrestrial archives and especially speleothem records. In this study we contribute to the regional climate record over the Quaternary using a speleothem from the Hermes Cave located at the southern flanks of the Corinth Rift in central Greece. Our stalagmite grew over two distinct periods, from ~127 to 105 ka and from 18 to 8 ka B.P. separated by a distinct hiatus. We have examined its growth history, stable isotope geochemistry and elemental composition. Higher growth rates are observed during the Eemian and the early Holocene and are attributed to high water recharge implying humid conditions. A gradual isotopic enrichment before the growth hiatus of the stalagmite suggests a gradual drying that can be related to glacier advance. Our record correlates with other paleoclimate records from the broader area confirming and extending a pattern of coherent changes in paleoclimate across the Eastern Mediterranean basin.
On the Efficacy of Compact Radar Transponders for InSAR Geodesy: Results of Multi-year Field Tests
Authors: Czikhardt Richard , van der Marel Hans , Papco Juraj , Hanssen Ramon
Published: June 2021

Compact and low-cost radar transponders are an attractive alternative to corner reflectors (CR) for SAR interferometric (InSAR) deformation monitoring, datum connection, and geodetic data integration.Recently, such transponders have become commercially available for C-band sensors, which poses relevant questions on their characteristics in terms of radiometric, geometric, and phase stability. Especially for extended time series and for high-precision geodetic applications, the impact of secular or seasonal effects, such as variations in temperature and humidity, has yet to be proven.Here we address these challenges using a multitude of short baseline experiments with four transponders and six corner reflectors deployed at test sites in the Netherlands and Slovakia. Combined together, we analyzed 980 transponder measurements in Sentinel-1 time series to a maximum extent of 21 months.We find an average Radar Cross Section (RCS) of over 42 dBm2 within a range of up to 15 degrees of elevation misalignment, which is comparable to a triangular trihedral corner reflector with a leg length of 2.0 m. Its RCS shows temporal variations of 0.3--0.7~dBm2 (standard deviation) which is partially correlated with surface temperature changes.The precision of the InSAR phase double-differences over short baselines between a transponder and a stable reference corner reflectors is found to be 0.5-1.2 mm (one sigma). We observe a correlation with surface temperature, leading to seasonal variations of up to +/-3 mm, which should be modeled and corrected for in high precision InSAR applications. For precise SAR positioning, we observe antenna-specific constant internal electronic delays of 1.2-2.1 m in slant-range, i.e., within the range resolution of the Sentinel-1 Interferometric Wide Swath (IW) product, with a temporal variability of less than 20~cm.Comparing similar transponders from the same series, we observe distinctdifferences in performance. Our main conclusion is that these characteristics are favorable for a wide range of geodetic applications. For particular demanding applications, individual calibration of single devices is strongly recommended.
Psychological health and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Inasaridze Ketevan
Published: June 2021

In response to the spread of the coronavirus in the world, both adults and children were restricted from social interactions, had to stop physical and fitness activities due to being locked in their homes, radically changed their lifestyle and physical activity patterns. Restriction of physical activity, among other factors, has had a significant impact on the emergence of mental health problems in humans. Offering physical activity strategies to the population in different countries by specialists will have a significant positive impact on improving their mental and physical health and their quality of life.
Attitudes toward signing human avatars vary depending on hearing status, age of signed language exposure, and avatar type
Authors: Quandt Lorna C , Willis Athena , Schwenk Melody , Weeks Kaitlyn , Ferster Ruthie
Published: June 2021

The use of virtual humans (i.e., avatars) holds the potential for interactive, automated interaction in domains such as remote communication, customer service, or public announcements. For signed language users, signing avatars could potentially provide accessible content by sharing information in the signer’s preferred or native language. As development of signing avatars has gained traction in recent years, many different methods of creating signing avatars have been developed, and the resulting avatars vary widely in their appearance, the naturalness of their movements, and their facial expressions--all of which may potentially impact users’ acceptance of the avatars. We designed a study to test the effects of these intrinsic properties of different signing avatars, while also examining the extent to which people’s own language experiences change their responses to signing avatars. We created video stimuli showing individual signs produced by 1) a live human signer (Human), 2) an avatar made using computer-synthesized animation (CS Avatar), and 3) an avatar made using high-fidelity motion capture (Mocap avatar). We surveyed 191 American Sign Language users, including Deaf (N = 83), Hard-of-Hearing (N = 34), and Hearing (N= 67) groups. Participants rated the three signers on multiple dimensions which were then combined to form ratings of Attitudes, Impressions, Comprehension, and Naturalness. Analyses demonstrated that the Mocap avatar was rated significantly more positively than the CS avatar on all primary variables. Correlations revealed that signers who acquire sign language later in life are more accepting of, and likely to have positive impressions of signing avatars. Finally, those who learned ASL earlier were more likely to give lower, more negative ratings to the CS avatar, but this association was not seen for the Mocap avatar or the Human signer. Together, these findings suggest that movement quality and appearance significantly impact users’ ratings of signing avatars, and show that signed language users with earlier age of ASL exposure are the most sensitive to movement quality issues seen in computer-generated avatars. We suggest that future efforts to develop signing avatars be considerate of retaining the fluid movement qualities which are integral to signed languages.
Clustering and the efficient use of cognitive resources
Authors: Dasgupta Ishita , Griffiths Thomas L.
Published: June 2021

A central component of human intelligence is the ability to make abstractions, to gloss over some details in favor of drawing out higher-order structure. Clustering stimuli together is a classic example of this. However, the crucial question remains of how one should make these abstractions -- what details to retain and what to throw away? How many clusters to form? We provide an analysis of how a rational agent with limited cognitive resources should approach this problem, considering not only how well a clustering fits the data but also by how 'complex' it is, i.e. how cognitively expensive it is to represent. We show that the solution to this problem provides a way to reinterpret a wide range of psychological models that are based on principles from non-parametric Bayesian statistics. In particular, we show that the Chinese Restaurant Process prior, ubiquitous in models of human and animal clustering behavior, can be interpreted as minimizing an intuitive formulation of representational complexity.
Awareness is bliss: How acquiescence affects exploratory factor analysis
Authors: D'Urso E. Damiano , Tijmstra Jesper , Vermunt Jeroen , De Roover Kim
Published: June 2021

Assessing the measurement model (MM) of self-report scales is crucial to obtain valid measurement of individuals' latent psychological constructs. This entails evaluating the number of measured constructs and determining which construct is measured by which item. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is the most-used method to evaluate these psychometric properties, where the number of measured constructs (i.e., factors) is assessed, and, afterwards, rotational freedom is resolved to interpret these factors. This study assessed the effects of an acquiescence response style (ARS) on EFA for unidimensional and multidimensional (un)balanced scales. Specifically, we evaluated (i) whether ARS is captured as an additional factor, (ii) the effect of different rotation approaches on the recovery of the content and ARS factors, and (iii) the effect of extracting the additional ARS factor on the recovery of factor loadings. ARS was often captured as an additional factor in balanced scales when it was strong. For these scales, ignoring (i.e., not extracting) this additional ARS factor, or rotating to simple structure when extracting it, harmed the recovery of the original MM by introducing bias in loadings and cross-loadings. These issues were avoided by using informed rotation approaches (i.e., target rotation), where (part of) the MM is specified a priori. Not extracting the additional ARS factor did not affect the loading recovery in unbalanced scales. Researchers should consider the potential presence of an additional ARS factor when assessing the psychometric properties of balanced scales, and use informed rotation approaches when suspecting that an additional factor is an ARS factor.
Legitimacy, Justice and Justification of Intergroup Violence between the Police and Protestors in Chile
Authors: Sáez Fuentealba Luciano , Gerber Monica M , Orchard Macarena , Figueiredo Ana
Published: June 2021

Why do people justify intergroup violence between police and protesters in social protests? This article examines attitudes towards the violence perpetrated by police officers against protesters and the violence carried out by protesters against police officers in the context of the post-social outbreak of October 18, 2019 in Chile. We evaluate the role played by the perception of injustice in the procedures and the treatment of police officers towards protesters, the evaluation of the legitimacy of police officers and group identification with protesters and police officers in predicting the justification of violence. We present the results of a survey on legitimacy and police violence carried out among adults in Chile during January 2021 (n = 2,717). Through a Path Analysis, we found that the perception of injustice in the procedures through which the police treat protesters is a key factor in predicting the perception of legitimacy of the police, especially among people who identify with the protesters. Furthermore, by reducing the legitimacy of the police, the perception of injustice in the procedures and the treatment translates into lower levels of justification of police violence and to greater levels of justification of protestor violence. The article finishes by highlighting the importance of considering the perceptions of injustice in the procedures and treatment of police officers in order to reduce the conflict between police officers and protesters in Chile.
Macro-Level Gender Inequality & Father Involvement: Evidence from Five Nations
Authors: Shafer Kevin
Published: June 2021

Theories and prior research have hypothesized that macro-level characteristics, including levels of gender inequality and empowerment, are associated with cross-national variability in instrumental and expressive fathering behaviours. While some qualitative and quantitative work has addressed the question, the relationship between social policies influence and fathering remains largely unquantified. This study addresses this gap in the literature by linking micro-level data from more than 5,000 fathers in five countries to quantified levels of gender inequality, political empowerment, and economic empowerment from the United Nations and World Economic Forum. Using mixed regression models, I show that gender inequality acts as a barrier to men’s involvement in instrumental and expressive parenting. In contrast, female economic empowerment is associated with increased paternal engagement, while political empowerment is associated with instrumental, but not expressive, fathering. These results suggest that social policies play an important role in shaping paternal roles, responsibilities, and behaviours. Overall, when women are valued in society, men are more engaged in parenting their children.
Alan Turing and Oxford
Authors: Bowen Jonathan P.
Published: June 2021

Did Alan Turing OBE FRS (23 June 1912 – 7 June 1954), the celebrated mathematician, codebreaker, and pioneer computer scientist, ever visit Oxford? He is well-known for his connections with the University of Cambridge, Bletchley Park, the National Physical Laboratory, and the University of Manchester, but there is no known written archival record of him ever visiting Oxford, despite it being the location of the University of Oxford, traditionally a rival of Cambridge. However, surely he must have done so.
NIMble innovation - a networked model for public antibiotic trials
Authors: Glover Rebecca , Singer Andrew , Roberts Adam , Kirchhelle Claas
Published: June 2021

Antibiotic research and development (R&D) is at an inflection point. Faced with ongoing problems with commercial innovation, we argue for a networked public approach to sustainably moving promising compounds through clinical trials. We propose a global public infrastructure of institutes tasked with 1) conducting all trial stages up to market authorization, including small-scale compound production; 2) negotiating licensing agreements for global production and distribution by industry partners; 3) using public purchasing agreements or subscription models to ensure commercially viable drug production at equitable prices. We invite stakeholders to consider our Networked Institute Model’s (NIM) benefits for unblocking the antibiotic pipeline.
Post Dural Puncture Headache After Elective Caesarean Section Using 27 G Quincke and Whitacre Spinal Needles: A Comparative Study
Authors: Baral Pawan Puspa , Pathak Laxmi , Udaya Rejin Kumar , Lawoju Anita , Pokhrel Sita , Gupta Pramod Kumar
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH), a serious complication of spinal anesthesia (SA) may persevere for long time and can be unbearable to the patients. The incidence of PDPH unswervingly relies on the size of the spinal needles used and this gradually decreases with the use of thinner spinal needles.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective randomized single blinded study was conducted during the period between 1 to 29 January 2019, at Universal College of Medical Sciences, Nepal. A total of 120 patients (between 20-35 years of age) were divided into two groups: Group I: 60 patients given SA with 27-G Quincke needle and Group II: 60 patients given SA with 27-G Whitacre. Randomization was done by coin tossing method and double-blinded except for the anesthetist performing the spinal block. Patients were interviewed on days 1 to 5 and were questioned with regard to headache based on its severity, location, character, duration, associated symptoms (nausea, vomiting, auditory and ocular symptoms). The severity of the headache was analyzed by Crocker scale.

 

RESULTS

The results showed that 33% more headache in group A, but the t-value was 0.727 and p-value was 0.2345 which was statistically insignificant.

 

CONCLUSION

Hence, using 27-G Quincke spinal needles does appear to be advantageous to the patients whereas, Whitacre spinal needles are shown to be clearly associated with fewer cases of PDPH.
Clinical Profile and Colonoscopic Findings in Patients Presented with Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding in UCMS
Authors: Shahi Aakash , Shrestha Suresh , Chaudhary Shatdal , Dhakal Pushpa Raj , Shah Anita
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION

The lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is an alarming symptom and common disease with annual admission of 0.15% with mortality rate of 5-10%. LGIB is caused by neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. For accurate diagnosis of various colorectal lesions, colonoscopy is gold standard, convenient and cost effective procedure. It is the investigation of choice in LGIB and helps in early diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma. This study was aimed to scrutinize the clinical and colonoscopic findings in patients with LGIB in UCMS.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a hospital based prospective observational study conducted after taking permission from institutional review committee in January 2017 at UCMS-TH from 15th January 2017 to 15th January 2018. All patients presenting with LGIB who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria and gave written consent were included.

 

RESULTS

Total 88 patients were included in the study. The mean age of our patients was 48 ±17 years with age range from 17-81 years. Majority were in the age group 50-60 years (25%) (n=22). Colonoscopy detected abnormality in 73.8% cases. The common non-neoplastic were haemorrhoids and non-specific colitis (14.5% each) followed by 12.5% of neoplastic cases. The higher frequency of colorectal lesions was observed in males comprising 72.7% (n=64) patients. The most commonly diagnosed etiologies of LGIB were haemorrhoid and nonspecific colitis respectively.

 

CONCLUSION

Colonoscopy detected abnormality in 75% of cases. The common causes of LGIB were haemorrhoids and non-specific colitis followed by neoplastic lesion. A careful history, physical and colonoscopic examination with or without biopsy makes significant impact for early diagnosis and treatment.
Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Blood Culture Proven Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Yadav Nikita Singh , Yadav Pranav Kumar , Kasarla Rajeshwar Reddy , Parajuli Pramila
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION

Neonatal sepsis (sepsis neonatorum) is a clinical syndrome resulting from the pathophysiologic effects of local or systemic infection. This is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world affecting newborns up to one month of age with clinical symptoms and positive blood cultures.  This study aimed at examining the risk factors of neonatal sepsis at pediatric tertiary care hospital.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a hospital based cross-sectional case control study conducted among 350 neonates admitted within April to September 2015 at the Kanti Children’s Hospital, Kathmandu Nepal. Cases were neonates who had sepsis and controls were neonates who did not have sepsis with their index mothers.  CRP screening tests and blood culture was performed. Data were entered using the SPSS (Version 22).  Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk of neonatal sepsis.

 

RESULTS

A total of 59 (17%) neonates who had sepsis (cases) with their index mothers’ and 291 (83%) neonates who had no sepsis (controls) with their index mothers were enrolled. Maternal factors that predicted the occurrence of sepsis among neonates were parity (p<0.027), mode of delivery (p<0.001) and PROM (p<0.001). Neonatal risk factors which predicted the occurrence of sepsis were duration of stay in the facility (p<0.001) and neonatal age on admission (p<0.001).

 

CONCLUSION

The study found both maternal and neonatal factors to have a strong association with the risk of developing neonatal sepsis. Encouraging maternal antenatal care utilization would help identify the risk factors during prenatal and postnatal care and appropriate interventions implemented to reduce the likelihood of the neonate developing sepsis.
Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services among Women Admitted In Maternity Ward of A Hospital of Siddharthanagar Municipality
Authors: Khatri Binita , Grurung Saraj , Kachapati Anuja
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION

Maternal and child mortality is a global issue which could be prevented by the utilization of maternal and child health (MCH) services. The main objective of this study was to find out the utilization of MCH services among women admitted in maternity ward of a hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to find out the utilization of MCH services among 150 women admitted in maternity ward of a hospital. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample and semi- structured interview schedule was used to collect the data and collected data was analyzed with SPSS version 16.

RESULTS

The study showed that 100% of the women had utilized antenatal services, 98.67% delivered their baby in health centres and utilized postnatal services. During pregnancy, women got health education on danger signs (66.67%), avoidance of sexual intercourse (54%), and birth preparedness (44%). Cent percent of the children utilized at least one child health services, 80% were breastfed within hour of birth, and 93.24% of women were not aware of administration of vitamin K to their newborn. Ethnicity, religion, education, occupation, age at marriage, gravida, parity, history of abortion or child death and number of live children of women, education and occupation of spouses were significantly associated (p<0.05) with utilization of maternal health services.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that nurses and health personnel should provide health education focusing on birth preparedness, danger signs of mother and baby, and should inform about administration of vitamin K to mother.
Curriculum Integration for Medical and Dental Students
Authors: Reddy Rajeshwar , Pathak Laxmi
Published: June 2021

Many medical and dental colleges have been following a traditional curriculum which is characterized by a discipline/subject wise model, with high degree of division of different subjects into pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical branches, without any correlation between the different subjects and topics. As a result, the knowledge gained by students becomes irretrievable and inadequate to apply in clinical situations. Lack of integrated approach to different subjects, during learning period, results in bringing out medical graduates lacking holistic approach toward the patients and the community while practicing medicine. Therefore, there is a need for a revision in medical education, not only in terms of the changes in our knowledge base, but also in terms of the regarding patients, medical practitioners and society in general. Integrated curriculum seeks to break down the barriers between the subject areas i.e., basic and clinical sciences, in order to promote acquisition, retention, and progressive development of knowledge and skills, and facilitate applications of principles and concepts to understand problems and develop problem solving skills. It views learning and teaching in a holistic way and reflects the real world, which is interactive, and helps students to apply their knowledge to their work and to their personal development. This article pertaining to the discipline of medical education makes an attempt to review and discuss the various types of curriculum and its integration for MBBS and BDS students.
Inclusion and Repression of Animal Figures in the Short Fiction of Chekhov and Bangdel
Authors: Koirala Saroj
Published: June 2021

Fiction is largely a domain of human beings having anthropocentrism as its organizing principle. However, the genre sometimes employs non-human animals too as characters which can be viewed as an innovative tool of modern narratology. Through the use of de-anthropomorphized characters such works provide space for an interpretation of animal behavior and their consciousness.

Universally, human beings have kept companion pets as domestic animals are believed to be sentient beings compared to wild ones. For instance, archeological records of 15 millenniums have reported that dogs used to live together with humans because of their faithful companionship. Animals, therefore, abound in literature across all ages and cultures, but only rarely have they been the focal point of systematic literary study (McHugh 487). As a result, more recent literary criticism has focused on the ethics and the politics of human-animal bonds (HAB), animal communication, animal emotion and so on.
Buddhists Herminutics: An Analysis of Dhammapada in Sustainable Development
Authors: Badal Bharat Prasad
Published: June 2021

Gautama Buddha, the emblem of peace and love, pioneer of Buddhism, was born in Kapilabastu, Lumbini, Nepal. The peace and love. Compassion in Buddhism is the basic element of Sustainable development. Thus Buddha is the pioneer of sustainable development. Buddha’s text Dhammapada in the present sustainable era is more relevant than past. The paper deals with the hermeneutic analysis of Buddhist’s text Dhammapada in sustainable development. Hermeneutics generally starts from the context of the historical text and ends with the contemporary general understanding. Hermeneutics is concerned with the construction of meaning within the relationship between author/text/reader, and the overarching paradigm. It is the relationship between Buddha, Dhammapada, and sustainable development. It follows six steps as below: 1. Observation and Contextualization; 2. Structural Analysis; 3. Correlation and Interpretation; 4. Fusion of Horizons in Application; 5. Reconstruction, and 6. Generalization of Understanding of the text. The main objective of the study is to find out the contemporary contextual general understanding of Dhammapada in the sustainable development era. The final standpoint of the hermeneutic analysis of Dhammapada on sustainable development is that the peace and prosperity of the people on the planet are only possible through the meaningful partnership in environment protection and right livelihood.