bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proportional fair buffer scheduling algorithm for 5G enhanced mobile broadband
Authors: Mamane Asmae , Fattah M. , Ghazi M. El , Balboul Y. , El Bekkali M. , Mazer S.
Published: June 2021

The impending next generation of mobile communications denoted 5G intends to interconnect user equipment, things, vehicles, and cities. It will provide an order of magnitude improvement in performance and network efficiency, and different combinations of use cases enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra reliable low latency communications (URLLC), massive internet of things (mIoT) with new capabilities and diverse requirements. Adoption of advanced radio resource management procedures such as packet scheduling algorithms is necessary to distribute radio resources among different users efficiently. The proportional fair (PF) scheduling algorithm and its modified versions have proved to be the commonly used scheduling algorithms for their ability to provide a tradeoff between throughput and fairness. In this article, the buffer status is combined with the PF metric to suggest a new scheduling algorithm for efficient support for eMBB. The effectiveness of the proposed scheduling strategy is proved through à comprehensive experimental analysis based on the evaluation of different quality of service key performance indicators (QoS KPIs) such as throughput, fairness, and buffer status.
Metacognition researches in Turkey, Japan and Singapore
Authors: Kesici Ayşe Elitok , Güvercin Derya , Küçükakça Hızır
Published: June 2021

In this study, fundamental researches on “metacognition” in Turkey, Japan and Singapore between the years of 2010 and 2020 were examined and conclusions were made in terms of comparative education. For this purpose, the data of the research was collected by document scanning method and the data were analyzed using the document review technique, which is one of the qualitative research method techniques. Years of studies, countries, objectives, research methods, sample working group, data analysis methods and results; it has been examined according to comparative education approaches and data collection techniques. As a result, quantitative research methods are seen to be frequently used in researches on metacognition in these three countries. It has been determined that experimental studies are the main research patterns of the metacognition studies conducted in three countries. Metacognitive awareness scales are the most used data collection tools in all three countries. Considered in general; the research made about metacognition in Singapore Turkey and Japan shows that the studies investigating the relationship between students' problem-solving skills and metacognition are in majority. Researches examining the relationship between metacognition and foreign language teaching are also widely discussed.
Improvement of teacher’s professional competency in strengthening learning methods to maximize curriculum implementation
Authors: Prasetyono Hendro , Abdillah Agus , Djuhartono Tjipto , Ramdayana Ira Pratiwi , Desnaranti Laila
Published: June 2021

The 2013 curriculum which has been implemented for more than six years in Indonesia has many problems in its application. Therefore, we need to conduct empirical research to determine the causes of the ineffective implementation of the 2013 curriculum in schools. This study involved 13 high schools and vocational high schools in the provinces of DKI Jakarta and West Java with a total of 420 students, 26 teachers, and principals as respondents. The research employed mixed parallel method and data analysis using combined analysis of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research found that there are still schools that use two different curricula, 2013 curriculum and school-based curriculum. In implementing the 2013 curriculum, teachers are required to use various learning with a scientific approach that refers to student-centered concepts. There is a need for the training program to improve teachers’ professional competence, especially in the terms of various learning methods mastery.
Quality assurance policies and implementation in nursing and midwifery training colleges in Ghana
Authors: Tankpara Philip Anyelba , Adom Dickson , Adu-Agyem Joe
Published: June 2021

The study assessed internal quality assurance (QA) systems in health training institutions in the Upper West Region. The study adopted the cross-section analytical design with a sample size of 272 (67 health tutors and 205 final year nursing students) using systematic and purposive sampling techniques. Data for the study were collected with a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS and Stata. The study revealed that the majority (5 of 7) of nursing and midwifery colleges (NMTCs) in the Upper West Region have no quality assurance policy available, 65.7% of tutors indicated their institutions had quality assurance units/committees however these committees are inactive the total level of QA practices/implementation rate was low among colleges in the region. The study also revealed a lack of participatory governance and the existence of a poor communication system between staff and heads. The study contended that there is a need for heads (principals) of NMTCs in the Upper West region in Ghana should ensure the formation and functioning of QA units in their various institutions. These units should be empowered and allowed by heads to function as per recommendations by the regulatory bodies to support and to ensure quality training of nurses and midwives.
The permissive non-parental childcare and moral intelligence: Indonesian setting
Authors: Auliya Falakhul , Pranoto Yuli Kurniawati Sugiyo , Sunawan Sunawan , Sunarso Ali
Published: June 2021

Most parents in Indonesia are unable to provide maximum care for their children while working. Childcare includes fostering moral intelligence, which is carried out by grandmothers, household assistants, and daycare assistants. Furthermore, 178 young children (95 males and 83 females) and 178 caregivers (68 grandmothers, 54 household assistants, and 56 daycare assistants) were involved in the study. Simple regression analysis was used to examine parenthood on moral intelligence, and moderator analysis was used to test permissive non-parental childcare and moral intelligence in early childhood. The results showed that authoritative and permissive parenthood has an effect on moral intelligence and that the effects of permissiveness on moral intelligence are only moderately influenced. Permissive non-parental childcare and moral intelligence apply to the group of grandmothers and household assistants. The research provides a detailed description of the role of predictors on moral intelligence in non-parental care.
Gifted education: Perspectives and practices of school principals in Bahrain
Authors: Al-Mahdi Osama , Yaakub Abduyah Binte , Abouzeid Abdelbaky
Published: June 2021

Research on giftedness and gifted education has a rich history. Researchers have consistently pointed to the educational leadership perspectives on giftedness, and inequitable identification of policies and practices in gifted education. Research suggests there is a widening gap in the level of comprehensive knowledge in gifted education that is critical for school improvement. This paper examined school principals’ (n=29) perceptions regarding giftedness among Bahraini students. The study focuses on exploring the characteristics school principals attribute to giftedness in their schools, the methods employed by schools to identify gifted students from the school principals' perspectives, and the educational provisions school principals used to support gifted students in their school. The study also searches for any significant differences among school principals in their views on these three dimensions. The study employed quantitative methodology and the analysis of the research questionnaire included descriptive and interpretive analysis (ANOVA and T-test). The findings indicate that the school principals looked at giftedness mainly from an academic and school perspective. The results indicate some dissonance between what the principals’ perceptions on giftedness are and the educational support that they provided to the gifted students in their schools.
Comparison between classical ‘P&O’ algorithm and FLC of MPPT for GPV under partial shading
Authors: Abdelaziz Youcef , Abdelkrim Bouanane , Abdelkader Merah
Published: June 2021

When the GPV is under partial shading, several peaks appear in the characteristic P-V, namely a GMP and one or more local maximums. The classical algorithm ‘P&O’ MPPT cannot converge on the GMP for low irradiation values and is trapped by tracking down a LMP so making the algorithm ineffective making the algorithm ineffective, in this case under 200 W/m². An alternative objective function is developed to optimize the performance of the FLC by selecting the appropriate gains using PSO. In this simulation the GPV is composed of one hundred modules grouped parallel series (10x10) and subjected to partial shading. The proposed FLC provides better performance for GMP tracking for the chosen shade configuration selected.
Improved DTC strategy of an electric vehicle with four in-wheels induction motor drive 4WDEV using fuzzy logic control
Authors: Nouria Nair , Abdelkader Gasbaoui Brahim Ghazouni , Cherif Benoudjafer
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we will study a four-wheel drive electric vehicle (4WDEV)with two control strategies: conventional direct torque control CDTC and DTC based on fuzzy logic (DTFC). Our overall idea in this work is to show that the 4WDEV equipped with four induction motors providing the drive of the driving wheels controlled by the direct fuzzy torque control ensures good stability of the 4WDEV in the different topologies of the road, bends and slopes. and increases the range of the electric vehicle. Numerical simulations were performed on an electric vehicle powered by four 15 kW induction motors integrated into the wheels using the MATLAB / Simulink environment, where the reference speeds of each wheel (front and rear) are obtained using an electronic speed differential (ESD). This can eventually cause it to synchronize the wheel speeds in any curve. The speed of each wheel is controlled by two types of PI and FLC controllers to improve stability and speed response (in terms of setpoint tracking, disturbance rejection and climb time). Simulation results show that the proposed FLC control strategy reduces torque, flux and stator current ripple. While the4WDEV range was improved throughout the driving cycle and battery power consumption was reduced.
Droop-free controls of inverter-based generator for use in systems that interconnected with synchronous generators
Authors: Janjornmanit Suchart , Panta Sakorn , Nakkrongdee Wirat
Published: June 2021

Because of its simplicity and autonomous operation, droop control technique is widely implemented for power generation control in microgrids. Despite its popularity, it has been reported that the technique has the stability problem. In this paper, the previous work of droop-free inverter-based generator designed for operating in a fix frequency islanded microgrid, is redesigned to have the ability to operate in both islanded and grid connected microgrid as well as to the main power grid where it interconnected with synchronous generators. The proposed voltage source inverters use phase locked loop(PLL) algorithm to synchronize the changing frequency due to the operation of the synchronous generator. Unlike the frequency droop control that the output frequency is varied as its active power changed, the proposed controls do not make an adjustment of the system frequency. This kind of operation reduces the chance of the system unstable due to severe frequency change and it also reduces the frequency deviation when it increases its active power output. Simulation and result of the meshed power network demonstrate the feasibility to implement the proposed controls in thereal system.
Active damping and robust loop shaping control for harmonic minimization
Authors: Zongo Oscar Andrew , Kafuku John Mbogo
Published: June 2021

This paper presents an h-infinity robust loop shaping control and LCL filter to mitigate the effects of harmonic currents in the photovoltaic system integrated with the grid. To eliminate the negative effects of the LCL filter, this work applied notch filter active damping. Existing methods for the elimination of harmonic currents were reviewed. Proportional integral control, fuzzy logic control, h-infinity control, and robust loop shaping control are presented. The grid current was analyzed in the system with all controllers applied to control the voltage source inverter of the system to eliminate harmonics in the grid current caused by the inverter and nonlinear loads for two cases, one being constant loading of the linear and nonlinear load and another is the switching of the nonlinear load during the simulation. The results obtained from the proposed method for the two tests conducted were compared with those from other methods to prove the robustness of the proposed technique. The method manages to reduce the total harmonic distortion of the grid current from 7.85% to 0.79% for case 1 and from 11.67% to 1.14% for case 2.
“Mais um belo modelo da nova geração que a Educação Física está construindo no Brasil”: sadio, forte, belo e branco
Authors: Silva André Luiz dos Santos , Staudt Jéferson Luís
Published: June 2021

Este artigo analisa a ausência do corpo negro nas representações de beleza masculina construídas pela revista Educação Physica, entre 1939 e 1944, período em que a direção técnica do periódico ficou ao cargo de Hollanda Loyola, renomado professor e integrante da Ação Integralista Brasileira. O debate proposto pela revista teria produzido representações reguladoras do corpo masculino, pautadas em concepções morais e legitimadas por argumentos científicos, sustentando a ideia de beleza enquanto atributo próprio dos corpos brancos. Como efeito, possíveis representações de beleza negra foram impensadas, elegendo como representantes homens brancos, trabalhadores, fortes, pais de família, capazes de gerar o futuro próspero para o Brasil, seja via força de trabalho ou pela formação de uma prole sã. Sob a intenção de se construir a imagem de um país homogêneo, fez-se necessário tornar menos evidente a diversidade política, cultural e étnico-racial como forma de construir uma identidade nacional, assim, a revista coloca à margem os “homens de cor” e todos aqueles que se distanciam da centralidade dos corpos brancos.
A Dimensão Política do Atual Processo de Agilização do Licenciamento Ambiental no Brasil
Authors: Carmo Aline Borges do
Published: June 2021

Buscou-se fazer uma análise do atual processo de agilização do licenciamento ambiental no Brasil, que, embora travestido de roupagens técnico-científicas, apresenta motivações políticas, uma vez que grupos de interesse com poder de negociação têm agido no sentido de pressionar os órgãos ambientais para a rápida aprovação de pedidos de concessão de licenças ambientais. O resultado são estratégias, mais e menos visíveis através de evidências empíricas, tais quais a flexibilização de normas existentes e criação de novas normas a fim de facilitar a obtenção de licenças ambientais, bem como o aumento de tensões interinstitucionais e intrainstitucionais nos órgãos ambientais.  O entendimento do momento atual, de relativo esmorecimento do movimento ambientalista e de crise global pode ajudar a compreender as reais motivações por trás destas mudanças. Entende-se que qualquer política pública ambiental que esbarre no desenvolvimento econômico enfrentará o mesmo problema, de forma que discussões sobre a questão ambiental deveriam transcender o ambiente acadêmico, demandando participação política ativa de todos os setores da sociedade, na busca da chamada justiça ambiental.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Directly Block hERG-Potassium Channel and Independently Increase the Risk of QTc Prolongation in a Large Cohort of US Veterans
Authors: Lazzerini Pietro Enea , Cartocci Alessandra , Qu Yongxia Sarah , Saponara Simona , Furini Simone , Fusi Fabio , Fabris Frank , Gamberucci Alessandra , El-Sherif Nabil , Cevenini Gabriele , Pettini Francesco , Laghi-Pasini Franco , Acampa Maurizio , Bertolozzi Iacopo , Capecchi Pier Leopoldo , Lazaro Deana , Boutjdir Mohamed
Published: June 2021

Background:

Worldwide, there are millions of chronic proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users, often without a compelling indication. Evidence indicates that PPI treatment can increase mortality, in part, due to a higher risk of heart rate–corrected QT interval-related malignant arrhythmias. Drug-induced hypomagnesemia is currently believed to be the only underlying mechanism, and, therefore, serum magnesium monitoring is recommended to minimize arrhythmic risk. However, recent data suggest that PPIs might also directly interfere with cardiac electrophysiology. To test this hypothesis, a translational study was performed using a combination of electrophysiology, molecular dynamics simulations, and population data.

Methods:

First, the effect of different PPIs on the human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium channel (hERG) current was evaluated in human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing hERG. Then, free-energy calculations were performed to investigate the binding of these drugs to hERG. Finally, the impact of PPIs on the risk of heart rate–corrected QT interval prolongation was assessed in a retrospective observational cohort of 3867 US veterans, including 1289 PPI-treated subjects.

Results:

Clinically relevant concentrations of different PPIs induced a significant inhibition of the hERG current in vitro, pantoprazole and lansoprazole being the most potent compounds. Atomic simulations demonstrated that such a blocking class effect is likely due to direct PPIs binding to hERG channel pore cavity. Accordingly, in a US veterans cohort, PPI treatment was independently associated with an ≈20% to 40% increased risk of heart rate–corrected QT interval prolongation, also regardless of hypomagnesemia. Moreover, a synergistic interaction between PPIs and most of the traditional QT-prolonging risk factors was demonstrated.

Conclusions:

Altogether, this study provides, for the first time, strong evidence that PPIs can per se promote heart rate–corrected QT interval prolongation, by directly inhibiting hERG function. A careful evaluation of the benefit/risk ratio is recommended whenever PPIs are administered in subjects with other QT-prolonging risk factors, even in the absence of hypomagnesemia.
Management of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries With Intact Ventricular Septum: Anatomic Repair or Palliative Treatment?
Authors: Cui Hujun , Hage Ali , Piekarski Breanna L. , Marx Gerald R. , Baird Christopher W. , del Nido Pedro J. , Emani Sitaram M.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Management of the congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) with intact ventricular septum (IVS) is controversial and includes either anatomic repair with systemic left ventricle (morphological left ventricle) or maintenance of a systemic right ventricle (morphological right ventricle). The purpose of this study was to describe outcomes of ccTGA-IVS with either strategy.

Methods:

A single-institution, retrospective review of all patients with a diagnosis of ccTGA-IVS who either underwent double switch operation (DSO) or managed with systemic morphological right ventricle (no-DSO). The composite end points included death, heart transplantation, or development of significant systemic ventricular dysfunction or atrioventricular valve regurgitation.

Results:

Between January 1980 and October 2019, 128 patients with ccTGA-IVS underwent primary treatment at a single institution (91 no-DSO and 37 DSO). Mean age at initial presentation was younger in the DSO compared with the no-DSO cohort (2.1 versus 18.2 years;
P
<0.001). Fifty patients underwent pulmonary artery banding (35 DSO and 15 no-DSO). In the no-DSO cohort, the overall mortality was 5.5% (n=5), 17.6% (n=16) developed morphological right ventricular dysfunction, and 40.7% (n=37) required pacemaker. In the DSO cohort, mortality was 2.7% (n=1), 8.1% (n=3) developed morphological left ventricular dysfunction, and 43.6% (n=16) required pacemaker. Freedom from composite end point at 5 and 10 years was 88% and 87% in the no-DSO compared with 94% and 84% in the DSO cohort. The DSO cohort had 0.29× the hazards of developing the composite outcome compared with the no-DSO cohort (hazard ratio, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.089–0.94];
P
=0.039). Among patients with initial age at presentation ≤5 years, DSO was associated with 0.16× the hazard compared with no-DSO (hazard ratio, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.04–0.62];
P
=0.008). Pacemaker implantation was not associated with increased hazard of the composite outcome.

Conclusions:

Systemic ventricular dysfunction is a late complication of ccTGA-IVS regardless of the strategy pursued. Compared with those undergoing anatomic repair, patients with systemic morphological right ventricle may have lower long-term freedom from cardiovascular complications.
Targeting E3 Ubiquitin Ligase WWP1 Prevents Cardiac Hypertrophy Through Destabilizing DVL2 via Inhibition of K27-Linked Ubiquitination
Authors: Zhao Dingsheng , Zhong Guohui , Li Jianwei , Pan Junjie , Zhao Yinlong , Song Hailin , Sun Weijia , Jin Xiaoyan , Li Yuheng , Du Ruikai , Nie Jielin , Liu Tong , Zheng Junmeng , Jia Yixin , Liu Zifan , Liu Wei , Yuan Xinxin , Liu Zizhong , Song Jinping , Kan Guanghan , Li Youyou , Liu Caizhi , Gao Xingcheng , Xing Wenjuan , Chang Yan-Zhong , Li Yingxian , Ling Shukuan
Published: June 2021

Background:

Without adequate treatment, pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by sustained pressure overload eventually leads to heart failure. WWP1 (WW domain–containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1) is an important regulator of aging-related pathologies, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of WWP1 in pressure overload–induced cardiac remodeling and heart failure is yet to be determined.

Methods:

To examine the correlation of WWP1 with hypertrophy, we analyzed WWP1 expression in patients with heart failure and mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. TAC surgery was performed on WWP1 knockout mice to assess the role of WWP1 in cardiac hypertrophy, heart function was examined by echocardiography, and related cellular and molecular markers were examined. Mass spectrometry and coimmunoprecipitation assays were conducted to identify the proteins that interacted with WWP1. Pulse-chase assay, ubiquitination assay, reporter gene assay, and an in vivo mouse model via AAV9 (adeno-associated virus serotype 9) were used to explore the mechanisms by which WWP1 regulates cardiac remodeling. AAV9 carrying cardiac troponin T (cTnT) promoter–driven small hairpin RNA targeting WWP1 (AAV9-cTnT-shWWP1) was administered to investigate its rescue role in TAC-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Results:

The WWP1 level was significantly increased in the hypertrophic hearts from patients with heart failure and mice subjected to TAC. The results of echocardiography and histology demonstrated that WWP1 knockout protected the heart from TAC-induced hypertrophy. There was a direct interaction between WWP1 and DVL2 (disheveled segment polarity protein 2). DVL2 was stabilized by WWP1-mediated K27-linked polyubiquitination. The role of WWP1 in pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy was mediated by the DVL2/CaMKII/HDAC4/MEF2C signaling pathway. Therapeutic targeting WWP1 almost abolished TAC induced heart dysfunction, suggesting WWP1 as a potential target for treating cardiac hypertrophy and failure.

Conclusions:

We identified WWP1 as a key therapeutic target for pressure overload induced cardiac remodeling. We also found a novel mechanism regulated by WWP1. WWP1 promotes atypical K27-linked ubiquitin multichain assembly on DVL2 and exacerbates cardiac hypertrophy by the DVL2/CaMKII/HDAC4/MEF2C pathway.
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Associated With Atrial Fibrillation Among Older Adults: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Ding Mozhu , Wang Rui , Kalpouzos Grégoria , Laukka Erika J. , Li Yuanjing , Johnell Kristina , Fratiglioni Laura , Qiu Chengxuan
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose:

Cerebral small vessel disease, as a potential mechanism underlying the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia, remains poorly investigated. In this cohort study, we sought to examine the association between AF and cerebral small vessel disease markers among older adults.

Methods:

Data on 336 participants (age ≥60 years, mean 70.2 years; 60.2% women) free of dementia, disability, and cerebral infarcts were derived from the population-based Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. Structural brain magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed at baseline (2001–2004) and follow-ups (2004–2007 and 2007–2010). Magnetic resonance imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease included perivascular spaces, lacunes, and volumes of white matter hyperintensities, lateral ventricles, and total brain tissue. AF was assessed at baseline and follow-ups through clinical examinations, electrocardiogram, and medical records. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models.

Results:

At baseline, 18 persons (5.4%) were identified to have prevalent AF and 17 (5.6%) developed incident AF over the 6-year follow-up. After multivariable adjustment, AF was significantly associated with a faster annual increase in white matter hyperintensities volume (β coefficient=0.45 [95% CI, 0.04–0.86]) and lateral ventricular volume (0.58 [0.13–1.02]). There was no significant association of AF with annual changes in perivascular spaces number (β coefficient=0.53 [95% CI, −0.27 to 1.34]) or lacune number (−0.01 [−0.07 to 0.05]).

Conclusions:

Independent of cerebral infarcts, AF is associated with accelerated progression of white matter lesions and ventricular enlargement among older adults.
Applied Cultural-Historical Psychology in Front of Current Challenges
Authors: Oleshkevich Valery I. , Burlakova Natalia S.
Published: June 2021

Relevance. The current situation of the pandemic and a number of other crisis situations in modern society have shown the insufficient development of the methodology of clinical psychology which for a long time has been focused on the study of various kinds of clinical groups, the creation of single techniques, individual correction and psychotherapy. As it turned out, such a multidisciplinary and mostly naturalistic organization of clinical psychology does not meet the problems that arise in the modern mass information society, in particular in crisis situations. The study shows that cultural-historical clinical psychology meets criteria of multiple challenges. The objective of the article is to analyze the possibilities for the development of clinical psychology in a crisis situation of a pandemic, to compare the possibilities and ways of both traditional and cultural-historical psychology to respond to the challenges of new social and cultural realities. Our task in this research was to broadly present the main directions of development of clinical psychology with an orientation towards increasing compliance with the requirements of modern culture. Results. A number of trends in the development of clinical psychology, its progress in the direction of cultural-historical clinical psychology are outlined. The possibilities of a shift from ascertaining studies to anticipatory and project ones are shown. This type of a shift means moving from the study of facts and data correlations to the study of cultural and historical mechanisms of the formation of disorders and psycho-techniques of corrective and preventive influence. The prospects for the move of culturalhistorical psychology in the direction from the receptive study of clinical groups to the control of the formation of patho-psychological phenomena in large social groups and information spaces are outlined. Conclusions. A new field of methodological and ontological developments is presented with the aim of creating a systematic applied cultural-historical psychology that can actively and in anticipatory manner answer the questions of modern society and culture. The research has shown the possibility of involving this area of psychological science in solving urgent practical problems arising during the pandemic and other crisis situations.
A new species of Actinostachys (Schizaeaceae) from Mindanao, Philippines
Authors: AMOROSO VICTOR B. , CARIÑO YVONNE LOVE L. , NOBLEZA JOEVINA C. , CORITICO FULGENT P.
Published: June 2021

Actinostachys simplex Amoroso & Coritico (Schizaeaceae), from Mindanao, Philippines is herein described as a new species. The species is unique from all other species of Actinostachys (grass ferns) by its distinct and longer stipe and consistent single and longer sorophore with glabrous sporangia. An identification key to the species of Philippine Actinostachys is provided.
The first zoeal stage of the yellow land crab Johngarthia lagostoma (Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinidae)
Authors: LIRA SIMONE MARIA DE ALBUQUERQUE , DE LIMA CYNTHIA DAYANNE MELLO , TEIXEIRA IGOR DE ÁVILA , SCHWAMBORN RALF
Published: June 2021

The objective of this paper is to describe and illustrate the first zoeal stage of the largest land crab of the Tropical Atlantic, Johngarthia lagostoma (Milne Edwards, 1837) (Brachyura: Gecarcinidae). A larval description of J. lagostoma was previously not available. Larvae were obtained from ovigerous females on Rocas Atoll and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. Twenty larvae were randomly chosen to be dissected and described in detail, while 40 others (20 larvae from each island) were measured only. The published description of the congener J. planatus (Stimpson, 1860) larvae was used for a comparison of larval morphology. Some morphological differences between the first zoeal stage of these two species were: The absence or presence of a simple shorter seta on antennule, number of the minute terminal spines on the antenna, setation of the coxal endite of the maxilla, exopod unsegmented of the first and second maxilliped, and a single mid-dorsal seta on first pleonite. These results and differences observed between these species can assist in studies on phylogenetic relationships within the Family Gecarcinidae MacLeay, 1838, as well as in the identification of the larvae of J. Lagostoma in plankton samples from the tropical Atlantic.
DNA barcodes and morphology reveal two new species of Monodiamesa Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae: Prodiamesinae) in Tibetan Plateau
Authors: HAN WU , TANG HONGQU , NI ZHENYU
Published: June 2021

Two Monodiamesa species collected in all stages and both sexes from the Tibetan Plateau are erected as M. secunditibetica Han and Tang, sp. n. and M. bonalpicola Han and Tang, sp. n. Molecular analysis of barcodes (COI-5P) for some related known species confirms the species validity and allows inference of internal relationships. Detailed description, habitat ecology and geographical information of two new species are provided. Additionally, brief comments on some known eastern Palaearctic species of Monodiamesa are made to give insights on further study.
Motor Dysfunction of Autonomic Nervous System Based on Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Zou Ruyun , Liu Guiyou
Published: June 2021

Epilepsy is caused by highly synchronized abnormal discharges of neurons in the brain. Resting State FMRI is widely used as a non-invasive checking method, clinical and basic research in the field of epilepsy has a huge influence, to study the plant nerve system movement function of brain activity and the neural network function of the complex contact provides broad prospects, greatly promote the development of clinical neurology and imaging. Therefore, this paper studies the functional connection and cognitive function of verbal working memory (VWM) in patients with epilepsy by applying resting state FMRI. The experimental results showed that VWM and cognitive functions of epileptic patients showed a trend of decline or even disappearance, to realize the detection of autonomic nervous system motor dysfunction of patients.
Optimization of Local Contrast Factor with Adaptive Brightness Improvement: Impact on Mammogram Image Analysis
Authors: Chan Nurshafira Hazim , Hasikin Khairunnisa , Kadri Nahrizul Adib , Azizan Mokhzaini , Jusoh Muzammil B.
Published: June 2021

Mammography has been known worldwide as the most common imaging modalities utilized for early detection of breast cancer. The mammographic images produced are in greyscale, however they often produced low contrast images, contain artefacts and noise, as well as non-uniform illumination.
These limitations can be overcame in the pre-processing stage with the image enhancement process. Therefore, in this research we developed an optimized enhancement framework where the local contrast factor is manipulated to preserve details of the image. This method aims to improve the overall
image visibility without altering histogram of the original image, which will affect the segmentation and classification processes. We performed dark background removal in the image histogram at early stage to increase the efficiency of new mean histogram calculation. Then, the histogram is
separated into two partitions to allow histogram clipping process to be conducted individually for underexposed and overexposed areas. Consequently, the local contrast factor optimization is conducted to preserve the image details. The results from our proposed method are compared with other
methods by the measurement of peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index, average contrast, and average entropy difference. The results portrayed that our proposed method yield better quality over the others with highest peak signal-to-noise ratio of 32.676. In addition, in terms
of qualitative analysis, our proposed method depicted betterlesion segmentation with smoother shape of the lesion.
Sparse Representation for Cardiac Electrical Activity Imaging in Magnetocardiography
Authors: Bing Lu , Wang Wei
Published: June 2021

Signal sparsity has been widely discussed in communication system, cloud computing, multimedia processing and computational biology. Reconstructing the sparsely distributed current sources of the heart by means of non-invasive magnetocardiography (MCG) measurement and various optimization
methods provides a new way to solve the inverse problem of the cardiac magnetic field. The problem of sparse source location of MCG is in the time series of MCG measurement caused by active sparse current source, can the spatiotemporal source be reconstructed accurately and effectively? For
the above problem, the scientific contributions of the paper include: (1) A modified focal underdetermined system solver algorithm is proposed for a sparse solution, by combing with dynamic regularization factor and smoothed sparse constraint; (2) Lead field matrix is reduced by prior information
of cardiac magnetic field map to reduce under-determination; (3) Spatiotemporal sources are reconstructed for non-invasive cardiac electrical activity imaging. The results of real MCG data demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for cardiac electrical activity imaging. The temporal and
spatial changes of the current sources are similar to the depolarization and repolarization process of the ventricle.
Scanning laser wave recorder with registration of “instantaneous” sea surface profiles
Authors: Sterlyadkin V.V. , Kulikovsky K.V. , Kuzmin A.V. , Sharkov E.A. , Likhacheva M.V.
Published: June 2021

A direct optical method for measuring the “instantaneous” profile of the sea surface with an accuracy of 1 mm and a spatial resolution of 3 mm is described. Surface profile measurements can be carried out on spatial scales from units of millimeters to units of meters with an averaging time of 10−4 s. The method is based on the synchronization of the beginning of scanning a laser beam over the sea surface and the beginning of recording the radiation scattered on the surface onto the video camera matrix. The heights of all points of the profile are brought to a single point in time, which makes it possible to obtain “instantaneous” profiles of the sea surface with the frequency of video recording. The measurement technique and data processing algorithm are described. The errors of the method are substantiated. The results of field measurements of the parameters of sea waves are presented: amplitude spectra, distribution of slopes at various spatial averaging scales. The applied version of the wave recorder did not allow recording capillary oscillations, but with some modernization it will be possible. The method is completely remote, does not distort the properties of the surface, is not affected by wind, waves and sea currents, it allows you to measure the proportion of foam on the surface. The possibility of applying the proposed method at any time of the day and in a wide range of weather conditions has been experimentally proved.
Dysphagia in Pediatric Patients with Tracheostomy
Authors: Luu Kimberly , Belsky Michael A. , Dharmarajan Harish , Kaffenberger Thomas , McCoy Jennifer L. , Cangilla Kristin , Tobey Allison B. J. , Simons Jeffrey P. , Maguire Raymond , Padia Reema
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Post-tracheotomy swallowing function has not been well described in the pediatric population. This study aims to (1) determine differences in swallowing functioning pre- and post-tracheotomy and (2) examine the association between postoperative dysphagia and indication for tracheotomy, age at the time of tracheotomy, and time between tracheotomy and modified barium swallow (MBS).

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on 752 patients who underwent a tracheotomy from 2003 to 2018 and had adequate documentation for review. Patients were included if they received a post-operative MBS. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyze the data.

Results:

The cohort included 233 patients. The mean age at the time of tracheotomy was 25 months (±50.5). The indications for the tracheotomy were upper airway obstruction (110/233, 47.2%), chronic respiratory failure (104/233, 44.6%), and neurologic disease (19/233, 8.2%). The mean time from tracheotomy to post-operative MBS was 224 days (±297.7). Of the patients who had documented pre- and post-tracheotomy diets, nearly half of patients had improvement in their swallowing function after tracheotomy placement (82/195; 42.1%). Post-tracheotomy MBS recommended thickened liquids in 30.9% of the patients (72/233) and 42.5% (99/233) were recommended thin liquids. The remainder (62/233, 26.6%) remained nothing by mouth (NPO). Patients with neurological disease as the indication for the tracheotomy were more likely to remain NPO ( P = .039).

Conclusion:

A tracheotomy can functionally and anatomically affect swallowing in pediatric patients. The majority of our studied cohort was able to resume some form of an oral diet postoperatively based on MBS. This study highlights the need for objective measurements of swallowing in the postoperative tracheotomy patient to allow for safe and timely commencement of an oral diet.

Level of Evidence

Level 3.
“Don’t Let God Step In Human Waste”: Interpretation Of Deuteronomy 23:14–15 In The Context Of Cholera In Zambia
Authors: Kangwa Jonathan
Published: June 2021

Climate change and health challenges such as the HIV and AIDS have motivated religious leaders to rethink their beliefs and practices, considering how to apply these to health crises. Christian theologians and biblical scholars have risen to the occasion and developed new ways of interpreting the bible that offer a response to current situations. The new ways of interpreting the bible include approaching the text with a degree of wariness and traditional readings of the bible are often transgressed. The experience of the marginalised or the dismembered is used as a starting point for bible interpretation and theological reflection. This paper contributes to the shifts in bible interpretation and theological reflection by offering an eco-theological interpretation of Deuteronomy 23:14–15 in the context of cholera. The paper shows that, in the context of cholera in Zambia, an eco-theological interpretation of the biblical text can foster hygiene and proper management of human waste which would be an important contribution to the prevention of cholera outbreaks.
The artistic program of the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Dante’s liturgical imagination
Authors: Algaze Ariela
Published: June 2021

This paper 1 re-examines the relationship between Dante’s Commedia and the Baptistery of San Giovanni from an art historical perspective. Drawing on –– and then departing from –– earlier work by Dante scholars who described figurative echoes between the Commedia and the Baptistery’s mosaic program, this article reconceptualizes the relationship between the two as not only figurative, but also liturgical. Using the texts of two extant medieval Florentine libri ordinales to reconstruct the liturgy of Holy Saturday, I document the ways in which the decorative mosaic imagery of the Baptistery is reflected in and reinforced by the multisensory performance of the baptismal rite. I argue further that Dante ekphrastically reimagines this rite in cantos 1–2 and 29–33 of Purgatorio. By exploring Dante’s liturgical imagination vis-à-vis the multivalent space of the Baptistery, this paper articulates and illuminates the profound interconnections that can exist between medieval art, architecture, liturgy, and poetry.
Black and white or shades of grey: Religious approaches and Muslim marital conflict
Authors: Shah Sarah
Published: June 2021

While the diversity of diasporic Muslim public experiences has been examined, the social contours of religious approach have received less attention. Moreover, the ways in which religion shapes marital relations remains understudied. This article, which features data from a larger research project, highlights two divergent trends in Muslim approaches to religion: exclusivity, which frames only one approach to Islam as correct, and inclusivity, which frames multiple approaches as correct. This divergence plays a role in shaping definitions of ‘good Muslim’, as exclusivist Muslims focus on ritual acts (outward observance), while inclusivist Muslims prioritize good manners (inward observance). The author demonstrates how these inward and outward definitions of Muslimness in turn inform how participants evaluate their spouses’ religiosity and, thus, the potential for conflict over religiosity with their spouses.
The Congregational Character Questionnaire: An Initial Empirical Examination of the Significance of Collective Church Character Traits
Authors: Byerly T. Ryan , Edwards Keith J. , Hill Peter C.
Published: June 2021

Researchers in several academic disciplines have begun to take an interest in group character traits, including the character traits of religious congregations. This article reports the first empirical studies of congregational virtues. The Congregational Character Questionnaire was developed for measuring 12 different virtues of Christian churches: clinging to apostolic teaching, honoring teachers, prayerfulness, hopefulness, discipleship, emotional supportiveness, material supportiveness, spiritual equality, unity, submission, peace with the world, and spreading the faith. The instrument was then used with an online sample ( N = 530) to study how congregants’ perceptions of their congregation’s virtuousness related to congregants’ evaluations of their congregation, participation in their congregation, as well as congregants’ satisfaction with life, presence of meaning in life, and religious well-being. Results indicated that congregants’ overall perceptions of congregational virtuousness were significantly positively related to all of these dependent variables. These results help to reveal the important role that congregational character may play in the experience of congregants. Directions for future research in this area are outlined.
The Contribution of Peer Values to Children’s Values and Behavior
Authors: Benish-Weisman Maya , Oreg Shaul , Berson Yair
Published: June 2021

Personal values have a key role in determining people’s perceptions, judgments, and behaviors. Only a handful of studies examined determinants of children’s values outside the family. We used longitudinal data on children’s values from 15,008 children in Grades 3 to 9, and homeroom teachers’ reports about the behaviors of 3,476 of these children. As predicted, peers’ values were positively correlated with the strengthening of children’s corresponding values. Moreover, with the exception of self-transcendence values, peer values had an indirect effect on corresponding child behavior, through children’s self-endorsed values. Girl peers had stronger effects on both girls’ and boys’ values. In addition, we found some evidence for stronger relationships between peer and children’s values among the older children, in particular among boys. These latter effects were even more prominent in an extended sample that included data from first and second graders. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
Assessment of nutritional status of the cirrhotic patients on enteral and parenteral feeding
Authors: Aslam Mahwish , Farooq Sana , Rizwan Bahisht , Asghar Ayesha
Published: June 2021

Background:

Cirrhosis is an irreversible disease that replaces healthy tissues with scar tissues. According to the Pakistan Medical Research Council’s national general population survey (2008–2014), the ratio of cirrhosis was 4.8% among the population.

Objectives:

To assess the nutritional status of cirrhotic patients on enteral and parenteral nutrition and to assess the degree of malnutrition among cirrhotic patients.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Shalamar and Shiekh Zayed Hospitals of Lahore from January–April 2017. The convenient sampling technique was used. Inclusion criteria were the patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, whereas compensated patients were excluded from the study. Data were collected through the patient’s file, nurse’s, and dietitian’s notes. The nutritional status of participants was assessed based on socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical assessment, clinical signs, and dietary recall. Variables were categorized and compared to observe the level of significance in enteral and parenteral nutrition. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze data.

Results:

Patients on parenteral nutrition had a higher ratio of malnutrition with a significant Child–Pugh score—61.8% of patients belonged to Class C and 35.3% Class B, while in enteral support, 7.3% belonged to Class C and 43.9% patients belonged to Class B ( p-value = 0.000). There was a definite relationship observed in the route of intake and malnutrition among cirrhotic patients.

Conclusion:

Enteral route of nutrition is an effective and the safest way to provide appropriate nutrients according to the patient’s demands.