bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pectus carinatum as the key to early diagnosis of Morquio A syndrome: a case report
Authors: Yamauchi Kento , Hirano Daishi , Wada Miho , Ida Hiroyuki
Published: April 2021

Background

A 20-month-old Asian boy with normal growth presented with genu valgum, kyphosis, and pectus carinatum, with no neurological symptoms. No other symptoms suggestive of mucopolysaccharidoses, for example joint contracture and peculiar facies, were present.

Case presentation

As part of our differential diagnosis we found elevated urine glycosaminoglycans, which triggered further investigation. Detailed examination showed flattening of the ribs, kyphoscoliosis and ovalization of the thoracolumbar vertebral body, strikingly short metacarpals, and very slight cardiac regurgitation. N-Acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase levels in the blood and dermal fibroblasts were very low, thus confirming diagnosis of Morquio A within 2 months of presentation. The patient was placed on elosulfase alfa enzyme replacement therapy and followed for 3 years.

Conclusions

This case exemplifies the importance of considering mucopolysaccharidoses as part of the initial differential diagnosis of pediatric patients with skeletal deformities; urine glycosaminoglycan levels and a blood enzyme mucopolysaccharidoses panel are simple screening tests that could lead to early definitive diagnosis.
A line-of-sight channel model for the 100–450 gigahertz frequency band
Authors: Kokkoniemi Joonas , Lehtomäki Janne , Juntti Markku
Published: April 2021

This paper documents a simple parametric polynomial line-of-sight channel model for 100–450 GHz band. The band comprises two popular beyond fifth generation (B5G) frequency bands, namely, the D band (110–170 GHz) and the low-THz band (around 275–325 GHz). The main focus herein is to derive a simple, compact, and accurate molecular absorption loss model for the 100–450 GHz band. The derived model relies on simple absorption line shape functions that are fitted to the actual response given by complex but exact database approach. The model is also reducible for particular sub-bands within the full range of 100–450 GHz, further simplifying the absorption loss estimate. The proposed model is shown to be very accurate by benchmarking it against the exact response and the similar models given by International Telecommunication Union Radio Communication Sector. The loss is shown to be within ±2 dBs from the exact response for one kilometer link in highly humid environment. Therefore, its accuracy is even much better in the case of usually considered shorter range future B5G wireless systems.
On the qualitative analysis of the fractional boundary value problem describing thermostat control model via ψ-Hilfer fractional operator
Authors: Thaiprayoon Chatthai , Sudsutad Weerawat , Alzabut Jehad , Etemad Sina , Rezapour Shahram
Published: April 2021

In this research study, we are concerned with the existence and stability of solutions of a boundary value problem (BVP) of the fractional thermostat control model withψ-Hilfer fractional operator. We verify the uniqueness criterion via the Banach fixed-point principle and establish the existence by using the Schaefer and Krasnoselskii fixed-point results. Moreover, we apply the arguments related to the nonlinear functional analysis to discuss various types of stability in the format of Ulam. Finally, by several examples we demonstrate applications of the main findings.
Ghost guns: spookier than you think they are
Authors: Wintemute Garen J.
Published: April 2021

Off-the-books, untraceable “ghost guns” can now be manufactured at home, easily, and in large numbers; they contribute ever more frequently to firearm violence, including hate violence and domestic terrorism. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives estimates that in 2019 alone, law enforcement agencies recovered more than 10,000 ghost guns. The manuscript describes the current situation and suggests specific actions that state and federal governments can take to avert disaster.
Inter-individual variation in provisioning rate, prey size and number, and links to total prey biomass delivered to nestlings in the Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis)
Authors: Cauchard Laure , Macqueen Elise Isabella , Lilley Rhona , Bize Pierre , Doligez Blandine
Published: April 2021

Background

In bird species where offspring growth and survival rely on parents’ food provisioning, parents can maximise their fitness by increasing the quantity and/or the quality of preys delivered to their offspring. Many studies have focused on inter-individual variation in feeding rate, yet this measure may not accurately reflect the total amount of food (i.e. energy) provided by parents if there is large variation in the quantity and quality of preys at each feeding. Here, we explored the relative role of individual (sex, age, body condition), breeding (hatching date, brood size) and environmental (temperature) factors on feeding rate, prey number, size and quality, and their contribution to total prey biomass delivered to the nestlings of 164 Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) parents in 98 nests.

Results

Preys delivered to the nest were mainly larvae (53.6%) and flying insects (45.6%). Feeding rate increased with brood size and age, and was higher in males than females. Mean prey number decreased, but mean prey size increased, as the season progressed and parents feeding their brood with primary larvae brought more preys per visit. Relationships between feeding rate, mean prey number and size remained when taking into account the provisioning quality: parents brought either a large number of small prey or a small number of larger items, and the force of the trade-offs between feeding rate and mean prey number and size depended on the quality of the provisioning of the parents. Whatever the percentage of larvae among preys in the provisioning, the variance in total prey biomass was foremost explained by feeding rate (65.1% to 76.6%) compared to mean prey number (16.4% to 26%) and prey size (2.7% to 4%).

Conclusions

Our study shows that variation in feeding rate, prey number, size, but not quality (i.e. percentage of larvae), were influenced by individual factors (sex and age) and breeding decisions (brood size and timing of breeding) and that, whatever the provisioning strategy adopted, feeding rate was the best proxy of the total biomass delivered to the nestlings.
Long non‐coding RNA MALAT1 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis via miR-135b-5p/GPNMB axis in Parkinson’s disease cell model
Authors: Lv Kefeng , Liu Yuhua , Zheng Yanbing , Dai Shaowen , Yin Peifeng , Miao Haifeng
Published: April 2021

Backgrounds

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. This research aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism underlying long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in PD.

Methods

SK-N-SH and SK-N-BE cells were treated with MPP+ to establish the MPP+-stimulated cell model of PD, and MALAT1 expression was determined. Then, the effects of MALAT1 depletion on cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined in the MPP+-stimulated cell model of PD. Besides, the correlations between microRNA-135b-5p (miR-135b-5p) and MALAT1 or glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) in MPP+-stimulated cell model of PD were explored.

Results

MALAT1 was increasingly expressed and downregulation of MALAT1 promoted cell proliferation while inhibited apoptosis in MPP+-stimulated cells. Besides, miR-135b-5p was a target of MALAT1 and directly targeted to GPNMB. Further investigation indicated that suppression of MALAT1 regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis by miR-135b-5p/GPNMB axis.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal that MALAT1/miR-135b-5p/GPNMB axis regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis in MPP+-stimulated cell model of PD, providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PD.
The comparison of STA-MCA bypass and BMT for symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term outcome
Authors: Cai Shifei , Fan Hao , Peng Chao , Wu Yuzhang , Yang Xinyu
Published: April 2021

Background

Superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass surgery is now being widely used in moyamoya disease, and its therapeutic value in SICAO remains divergent.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Databases in Feb. 2020 and updated in Jun. 2019. We have strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of included RCTs. Review Manager 5.3 was used for analysis results in terms of comparing the STA-MCA bypass and BMT. For dichotomous variable outcomes, risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated for the assessment.

Results

The total patient cohort consisted of 2419 patients, of whom 1188 (49.1%) patients had been grouped in STA-MCA bypass and 1231 (50.9%) patients had been divided into the BMT group. Mean follow-up of included patients was 29 months. The RR of the seven studies was 1.01, and the 95% confidence interval was .89–1.15, with statistical significance, Z = .13, P = .89, sustaining that STA-MCA bypass was not superior to BMT in symptomatic carotid artery occlusion disease.

Conclusions

STA-MCA bypass and BMT were associated with similar rates of a composite of long-term stroke. And the risk of long-term overall stroke was mildly higher with BMT. At present, each patient should receive more precise treatment, by reasonably assessing the individual differences of each patient to reduce the recurrence rate of stroke.
Serum level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: a potential biomarker for disease activity
Authors: Oraby Mohammed I. , El Masry Hatem A. , Abd El Shafy Sanaa S. , Abdul Galil Esraa M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is secreted by immune cells in response to neuroimmune and inflammatory cascades as an act to prevent axonal and neuronal damage after various pathological insults. The serum level of BDNF is altered in a diversity of neurological diseases. The aim of this work was to investigate the serum level of BDNF in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and the relation between BDNF and disease activity and severity.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted on 90 subjects: 60 patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (30 in relapse and 30 in remission) on different lines of medical treatment and 30 healthy volunteers as a control. Clinical, functional, and radiological evaluation was done for the patients, and all the patients and controls were subjected to assessment of the serum level of BDNF by sandwich-ELISA technique.

Results

The BDNF level was significantly higher in MS patients in relapse than in patients in remission (P value = 0.006). In the remission group, there was no significant linear correlation between different MS patients’ characteristics and BDNF level, while in the relapse group, a positive linear correlation was found between the number of T2 infratentorial lesions and BDNF level (r = 0.402, P = 0.028). There was no statistically significant difference between the BDNF level in patients administered different drugs for MS in both remission and relapse groups (P value > 0.05).

Conclusion

BDNF was significantly higher in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients in the relapse phase. Attention should be paid to the link between serum BDNF level as a neuroprotective factor and multiple sclerosis; it can be a biomarker for MS activity in the near future.
Intracranial collateral circulation and its role in neurovascular pathology
Authors: Vasquez Harold E. , Murlimanju B. V. , Shrivastava Adesh , Durango-Espinosa Yeider A. , Joaquim Andrei F. , Garcia-Ballestas Ezequiel , Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael , Agrawal Amit
Published: April 2021

Background

Collateral circulation is a vascular network which maintains the blood flow after the partial blockage of primary vascular pathways. This acts as potential vascular supplementary system and plays important role in the cerebral ischemia.

Main body

Collateral circulation has implications in the management especially related to cerebral endovascular treatment and thrombolytic therapy. It is considered as subsidiary network of vascular channels, which is highly variable. Insufficient arterial supply is due to the hemodynamic compromise because of thromboembolism. Apart from the collaterals, there is additional existence of a group of vessels known as venous collaterals. Their function is variable and they contribute to the augmentation of venous drainage in venous ischemias. Various pharmacological interventions are used to modulate the collaterals, these can prove to be a complementary alternative to the invasive intracerebral interventions.

Conclusions

The aim of this review article is to highlight the importance of cerebral collateral circulation and to discuss the various available pharmacological alternatives available and their current relevance in the management of various neurovascular pathologies.
Endovascular retrieval of a dislocated pushable coil in the common hepatic artery using a cerebral stent retriever
Authors: Shamseldin Mohammed , Stier Albrecht , Hosten Norbert , Puls Ralf
Published: April 2021

Background

This is case of removing a dislocated pushable coil from the common hepatic artery (CHA) as a possible complication of using pushable coils in the embolization of an upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) from the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) by using a pRESET stent retriever (Phenox, Bochum, Germany) which is utilized mainly for treatment of endovascular stroke.

Case presentation

An 88-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital to get an emergency embolization of the GDA causing an UGIB with a relevant drop of the hemoglobin level. During the routine embolization of the GDA using pushable coils, a complete dislocation of the last coil into the CHA took place leading to a relevant slowing down of the arterial blood flow to the liver. A decision was thereby made to remove the dislocated coil to avoid further possible complications which was successfully achieved.

Conclusions

Various stent retrievers have been proven to be effective in removing dislocated coils during intracerebral coiling of different pathologies. This case report is to our knowledge the first case report proving the high efficacy and safety of using yet another stent retriever, namely a pRESET stent retriever in removing a fully dislocated coil in the abdominal vessels, namely in this case the CHA.
Single-epoch RTK performance assessment of tightly combined BDS-2 and newly complete BDS-3
Authors: Liu Wanke , Wu Mingkui , Zhang Xiaohong , Wang Wang , Ke Wei , Zhu Zhiqin
Published: April 2021

The BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS-3) constellation deployment has been completed on June 23, 2020, with a full constellation comprising 30 satellites. In this study, we present the performance assessment of single-epoch Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning with tightly combined BeiDou regional navigation satellite system (BDS-2) and BDS-3. We first investigate whether code and phase Differential Inter-System Biases (DISBs) exist between the legacy B1I/B3I signals of BDS-3/BDS-2. It is discovered that the DISBs are in fact about zero for the baselines with the same or different receiver types at their endpoints. These results imply that BDS-3 and BDS-2 are fully interoperable and can be regarded as one constellation without additional DISBs when the legacy B1I/B3I signals are used for precise relative positioning. Then we preliminarily evaluate the single-epoch short baseline RTK performance of tightly combined BDS-2 and the newly completed BDS-3. The performance is evaluated through ambiguity resolution success rate, ambiguity dilution of precision, as well as positioning accuracy in kinematic and static modes using the datasets collected in Wuhan. Experimental results demonstrate that the current BDS-3 only solutions can deliver comparable ambiguity resolution performance and much better positioning accuracy with respect to BDS-2 only solutions. Moreover, the RTK performance is much improved with tightly combined BDS-3/BDS-2, particularly in challenging or harsh conditions. The single-frequency single-epoch tightly combined BDS-3/BDS-2 solution could deliver an ambiguity resolution success rate of 96.9% even with an elevation cut-off angle of 40°, indicating that the tightly combined BDS-3/BDS-2 could achieve superior RTK positioning performance in the Asia–Pacific region. Meanwhile, the three-dimensional (East/North/Up) positioning accuracy of BDS-3 only solution (0.52 cm/0.39 cm/2.14 cm) in the kinematic test is significantly better than that of the BDS-2 only solution (0.85 cm/1.02 cm/3.01 cm) due to the better geometry of the current BDS-3 constellation. The tightly combined BDS-3/BDS-2 solution can provide the positioning accuracy of 0.52 cm, 0.22 cm, and 1.80 cm, respectively.
Are Danish vocational schools ready to implement “smoke-free school hours”? A qualitative study informed by the theory of organizational readiness for change
Authors: Hjort Anneke Vang , Schreuders Michael , Rasmussen Kathrine Højlund , Klinker Charlotte Demant
Published: April 2021

Background

The smoking prevalence is high among students enrolled in vocational education and training, which is considered a lower level of education. The school tobacco policy regarding smoke-free school hours stipulates that students and staff are not allowed to smoke during school hours—inside or outside school premises—and it might be an effective intervention for reducing smoking in vocational schools. For school tobacco policies to be effective, they must be appropriately implemented. A primary predictor for successful implementation is organizational readiness for change. This study seeks to identify and understand the barriers to and facilitators for developing organizational readiness to implement smoke-free school hours in Danish vocational schools.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out with managers and teachers (n = 22 participants) from six vocational schools. The interview guides were informed by “A theory of organizational readiness for change” developed by Weiner, which was also used as a framework to analyze the data.

Results

We identified 13 facilitators and barriers. Nine factors acted as facilitators, including the following: believing that health promotion is a school role and duty; believing that society and workplaces are becoming more smoke-free, and believing that smoke-free school hours is a beneficial strategy to achieve fewer educational interruptions. Additional facilitators include establishing clear rules for sanctioning and enforcement, developing a joint understanding about smoke-free school hours, developing skills to deal with student responses to smoke-free school hours, establishing social alternatives to smoking, offering smoking cessation help, and mandating smoke-free school hours by law. Four organizational norms, practices, or discourses acted as barriers: believing that smoke-free school hours violate personal freedom, believing that students have more important problems than smoking, believing that it is difficult to administer the level of enforcement, and believing that the enforcement of smoke-free school hours negatively influences student-teacher relations.

Discussion

Our results suggest that developing organizational readiness before adopting a comprehensive tobacco policy such as smoke-free school hours is important for successful implementation. Further research should investigate how to strengthen the facilitators for and counter the barriers to developing readiness for implementing smoke-free school hours.
Present and future treatment strategies for coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Elekhnawy Engy , Kamar Amal Abo , Sonbol Fatma
Published: April 2021

Background

The recent pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in many challenges to the healthcare organizations around the world. Unfortunately, until now, there are no proven effective therapeutic agents against this virus.

Main body

Several evolving studies suggest repurposing a potential list of drugs which have appropriate pharmacological and therapeutic effects to be used in treating COVID-19 cases. In the present review, we will summarize the potential drugs suggested to be repurposed to be utilized in the treatment of COVID-19 patients like lopinavir-ritonavir, ribavirin, baloxavir marboxil, favipiravir, remdesvir, umifenovir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, corticosteroids, losartan, statins, interferons, nitric oxide, epoprostenol, tocilizumab, siltuximab, sarilumab anakinra, and ruxolitinib. In addition, we discussed the possible future therapeutic regimens based on the recent molecular and genomic discoveries.

Conclusion

This review could provide beneficial information about the potential current and future treatment strategies to treat the pandemic COVID-19 disease.
Die Häuser «zum Venedig» und «zum Weissen Bären»
Authors: Scholz Till , Badrutt Conradin , Bernasconi Marco
Published: April 2021

2011 begann ein umfangreiches Projekt zur Sanierung der Präparatorien des Naturhistorischen Museums Basel am Schlüsselberg. Da die Bauarbeiten sowohl aufgehende Gebäudeteile betrafen als auch Bodeneingriffe bedingten, wurde der gesamte Umbau von Kantonaler Denkmalpflege und Archäologischer Bodenforschung begleitet, deren Erkenntnisse hier vorgestellt werden.
Eine kurze Geschichte des Rheins
Authors: Rentzel Philippe , Pümpin Christine , Brönnimann David
Published: April 2021

Der Rhein bildet seit je die Lebensader nicht nur der Stadt Basel, sondern auch ihrer ur- und frühgeschichtlichen Vorgängersiedlungen. Funde und archäologische Strukturen sind in geologische Ablagerungen eingebettet, die allesamt Zeugnisse der Geschichte des Rheintales sind. Bei der Erforschung der Geschichte des Rheins und der an seinen Ufern lebenden Menschen sind archäologische und geowissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse aufs Engste miteinander verknüpft.
Bibliometric assessment and key messages of sporotrichosis research (1945-2018)
Authors: Albuquerque Priscila Costa , Fonseca e Fonseca Bruna de Paula , Zicker Fabio , Zancopé-Oliveira Rosely Maria , Almeida-Paes Rodrigo
Published: April 2021

Background: Sporotrichosis has recently emerged as an important mycosis worldwide, with diverse transmission and epidemiologic profiles. For instance, in Brazil most cases are related to zoonotic transmission from naturally infected cats, and the majority of cases in China are due to external injury with environmental materials. Publications on sporotrichosis and on its etiologic agent may guide the direction of the research in this field. It can also define priorities for future studies.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the trends of global research in Sporothrix and sporotrichosis, based on publications records retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases for the period of 1945 to 2018. The overall productivity in the field, its geographical and temporal distribution, research themes, co-authorship networks, funding sources, and if audience and research findings are addressed in the abstracts.

Results: A total of 4,007 unique publications involving 99 countries were retrieved, most of them published after 2000. Authors based on institutions from the United States of America and Brazil accounted for 57.4% of the publications. Brazil was the leading country in terms of research collaboration and networking, with co-authorship with 45 countries. The thematic mapping revealed a temporal shift from clinical to applied research. Despite the large number of countries publishing in this field, most of funded studies came from Brazil, Mexico, China, South Africa, or the United States of America. The analysis of content identified few specific public health recommendations for prevention, case-management, or research. Moreover, most papers do not have a clearly defined intended audience.

Conclusion: As the research in this field is emerging in several countries, with the generation of a large amount of data, it is necessary that scientists strengthen efforts to translate the research results into practice to curb this neglected infection.
Funders’ responsibility to ensure value in research: a self-audit by the Health Research Board Ireland
Authors: Cody Anne , Hiney Maura , Clarke Patricia , O'Driscoll Mairead
Published: April 2021

As a public funder of health research, the Health Research Board (HRB) Ireland has an obligation to manage its funds well and to maximise the value of the research that it funds. Ways in which research funding can be wasted have been examined by researchers over the years, and a seminal series on research waste was published in the Lancet in 2014. The series systematically analysed every step of the funding lifecycle in five major stages and made recommendations to various actors including research funders.

Prompted by its participation in the Ensuring Value in Research Funders’ Forum, between June and October 2019 the HRB undertook a self-audit against the 17 recommendations and 35 sub-recommendations identified in the Lancet series. Key HRB staff collated relevant policies and practices regarding each recommendation and sub-recommendation and assessed the HRB’s performance under each heading. The self-assessment reflects the state of HRB policies and practices in October 2019. Of the 17 recommendations, two were found not to apply to the HRB. Of the remaining 15 recommendations covering 33 sub-recommendations, five were found to be areas of strength and six were found to be areas of partial strength. These 11 recommendations encompass 22 sub-recommendations. Areas of strength reflect work over many years such as support for evidence synthesis, strong processes around award selection, driving research integrity and open data including an HRB-funded open publishing platform.

Four recommendations were found to be areas for growth. These mostly revolve around real time reporting of study protocols and of ongoing funded research outside of clinical trials. Work is progressing to address some of these areas.
РАЗВИТИЕ ИНЖЕНЕРНОГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ В СССР С 1917 ПО 1945 ГОДЫ (ИСТОРИЧЕСКИЙ АСПЕКТ)
Authors: Eroshenko Alexandra Viktorovna , Trofimova Ljudmila Nikolaevna
Published: April 2021

Успешное развитие экономики любой страны зависит от качества образования, поэтому одной из приоритетных проблем для России является повышение качества инженерного образования.Проведение исследования становления и развития инженерного образования в России позволяет выявить сильные стороны каждого периода развития высшей школы, что в результате поможет повысить качество инженерного образования. В данной статье рассматривается развитие высшего инженерного образования в СССР на период от революции 1917 года по 1945.Революция и последующая гражданская война приостановила развитие инженерного дела в начале данного периода, что обусловлено эмиграцией высококвалифицированных инженеров и студентов инженерно-технических вузов за границу. В результате политических изменений происходило привлечение рабочих и крестьян для обучения в высшей технической школе. Как следствие этого, улучшилось качество школьного образования по естественным дисциплинам, так как подготовка высококвалифицированных инженерных кадров в вузах неотделима от школьной подготовки по математике, физике, химии. В вузах большое внимание уделялось практическим занятиям, в учебные планы была введена производственная практика. Профессия инженера была престижной и востребованной в России.Анализ полученных результатов показал, что цель, характер обучения и образования всегда зависят от целей и задач, стоящих перед государством на данном этапе и государственной образовательной политики. Реформирование инженерного образования из-за идеологических мотивов сдерживало развитие.
РАЗВИТИЕ ПОДРАСТАЮЩЕГО ПОКОЛЕНИЯ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ
Authors: Parts Olga Stepanovna
Published: April 2021

Данная статья посвящена актуальному вопросу развития подрастающего поколения в контексте цифровизации, поскольку глобальная цифровизация влияет на все стороны развития человеческого общества. Подрастающее поколение очень восприимчиво и с готовностью принимает данные инновации, поэтому молодежь находится в центре внимания в период цифрового обновления общества. Целью данной статьи стало рассмотреть психолого-педагогические аспекты, спрогнозировать трудности развития детей и молодежи в условиях цифровизации.Методология и результаты. В исследовании использовался метод педагогического прогнозирования. Анализ современных исследовательских позиций, нормативных документов, регулирующих изменения в образовании, новый обобщенный опыт позволили сформулировать предполагаемые риски и противоречия развития подрастающего поколения. Говорить о них важно вначале цифровизации, чтобы избежать или предложить решения. Автор акцентирует внимание на том, что в ходе цифрового обновления общества нужно учитывать особенности взросления подрастающего поколения людей, целенаправленно использовать возможности цифровизации на благо детей и молодежи.Заключение. В выводах отмечается, что процесс образования молодого поколения в цифровом обществе должен раскрывать смыслы жизни человека, способствовать осознанию возможностей для саморазвития и приобретению опыта деятельности, включая общение и взаимодействие с другими людьми. Цифровые технологии необходимо встраивать в жизнь человека, ведущие ценности развития человека должны быть основой для внедрения цифровизации. Траектория развития человеческого общества в контексте будущего и философия отношения к человеческому потенциалу подрастающего поколения зависит от нашего выбора сегодня.
ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ГОТОВНОСТИ УЧИТЕЛЕЙ ФИЗИКИ К РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ STEM–ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ
Authors: Chervonny Mikhail Alexandrovich , Shvaleva Tatiana Vladislavovna , Vlasova Anna Alekseevna
Published: April 2021

Цель. Комплексным подходом подготовки учителя обладает STEM-образование (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), которое позволяет обеспечить будущего учителя современными технологиями обучения школьников по инженерно-техническим и естественнонаучным направлениям. Авторы ставят целью проанализировать перспективы разработки системы педагогического STEM-образования, исследовать отношение и готовность учителей физики к STEM-подходу в школах Томской области.Метод или методология проведения работы. В ходе исследования первоначально проведен анализ отечественной и зарубежной литературы об актуальности и развитии образовательных технологий STEM-образования. Проведены анкетирование и статистическая обработка ответов учителей физики и методистов из 57 общеобразовательных учреждений Томской области, кластеризация узких и специфических ответов респондентов, обобщение результатов.Результаты. Установлено, что новые требования к содержанию обучения в области естественно-научных дисциплин проявляют необходимость подготовки учителя по технологиям STEM-образования, ориентированного на решение практических и проектных задач. Доказывается, что для полноценной реализации STEM-подхода в подготовке педагога необходимы обобщённые представления теоретических и эмпирических исследований. На примере образовательных организаций Томской области выявлено распространение различных вариаций STEM-образования. Учителя физики желают заниматься STEM–образованием. Отдаётся предпочтение варианту реализации занятий со школьниками в отдельном интегрированном курсе при сохранении курса физики.Область применения результатов. Результаты исследования могут быть применены в системе высшего педагогического образования для разработки интегрированных курсов естественных наук и «технологии» при подготовке бакалавров, разработки магистерских программ для учителей по теории и практике STEM-образования школьников.
МУЖЧИНА И ЖЕНЩИНА В ПРОСТРАНСТВЕ КАРЬЕРНОГО ВЗАИМОВОСПРИЯТИЯ
Authors: Savchenko Irina Aleksandrovna , Kozlova Yulia Vladislavovna
Published: April 2021

Раскрываются условия и формы реализации гендерных моделей в профессиональной среде, показывается социокультурная и личностная динамика трансляции гендерных установок в российском обществе.На основе данных онлайн-опроса проводится анализ установок взаимного восприятия мужчин и женщин относительно преимуществ их семейного статуса и карьерного потенциала в условиях профессиональной среды современной организации.Цель исследования – изучение особенностей взаимного восприятия мужчин и женщин в процессе карьерных отношений. В соответствии с целью авторы ставят задачи: 1) проанализировать взгляды исследователей на проблему функционирования гендерного фактора в процессе профессиональной социализации личности; 2) понять специфику взаимных аттитюдов мужчин и женщин в процессе карьерного взаимодействия; 3) посредством обобщения теоретического материала и эмпирических данных дать характеристику «гендерного климата» современной российской организации.Методы и методология. В ходе работы над темой статьи используются классические методы познания общественных явлений, такие как анализ, обобщение, аналогия и сравнение. Применяется гендерный подход, который предполагает исследование системы взаимоотношений и взаимовосприятий мужчин и женщин в различных сферах общественной жизни (см. например, работы Б. Зибелл [23, p. 8]). Данный подход отличается от «женских исследований» и, тем более, от философии феминизма, где фокус научного внимания концентрируется на «женской тематике». Для получения эмпирических данных применен онлайн-опрос, проведенный с использованием гугл-форм.Результаты. Дан анализ зарубежных и отечественных подходов к изучению карьерного процесса. Охарактеризована карьера как социально-психологическое и социокультурное явление, выявлены социально-психологические предпосылки и динамика гендерного неравенства в современных условиях. На основании интерпретации данных опроса выявляются особенности взаимного восприятия мужчин и женщин в условиях их профессионального взаимодействия.Область применения результатов. Результаты исследования могут использоваться в целях создания рекомендаций для изучения психологических составляющих состояния общественного мнения по управленческой и гендерной проблематике, для организации социально-значимых мероприятий, семинаров, вебинаров, включающих гендерную тематику, при написании учебных пособий социально-коммуникативного блока.
La urbanización en Ecuador y la importancia de la planificación estatal en la creación de una ciudad intermedia (2007-2017): el caso de Milagro
Authors: Castro Herrera María Pilar , Miranda do Nascimento Humberto
Published: April 2021

La implementación de la política de planificación del Ecuador alcanzó una etapa importante en la reorganización territorial en el periodo 2007-2017. El objetivo de este documento es discutir el fortalecimiento de las ciudades intermedias como uno de los principales efectos de esta política. Para ello, primero se realiza un breve análisis del proceso histórico de la urbani­zación ecuatoriana, que muestra las dificultades causadas por la constitución de una red urbana vertical con pocas ciudades medianas. Luego, se analiza cómo los planes de descentralización y las medidas de desconcentración implementadas por la política de planificación nacional contribuyeron a reforzar la posición de Milagro en la red urbana del Ecuador. Por último, en las consideraciones finales, se señalan las contribuciones relevantes de la planificación estatal para fortalecer la red urbana en Ecuador.
Modeling Single-Picker Routing Problems in Classical and Modern Warehouses
Authors: Goeke Dominik , Schneider Michael
Published: April 2021

The standard single-picker routing problem (SPRP) seeks the cost-minimal tour to collect a set of given articles in a rectangular single-block warehouse with parallel picking aisles and a dedicated storage policy, that is, each stock-keeping unit is only available from one storage location in the warehouse. We present a compact formulation that forgoes classical subtour elimination constraints by directly exploiting two of the properties of an optimal picking tour used in the dynamic programming algorithm published in the seminal paper of Ratliff and Rosenthal. We extend the formulation to three important settings prevalent in modern e-commerce warehouses: scattered storage, decoupling of picker and cart, and multiple end depots. In numerical studies, our formulation outperforms existing standard SPRP formulations from the literature and proves able to solve large instances within short runtimes. Realistically sized instances of the three problem extensions can also be solved with low computational effort. For scattered storage, we note a rough tendency that runtimes increase with longer pick lists or a higher degree of duplication. In addition, we find that decoupling of picker and cart can lead to substantial cost savings depending on the speed and capacity of the picker when traveling alone, whereas additional end depots have rather limited benefits in a single-block warehouse.

Summary of Contribution: Efficiently routing order pickers is of great practical interest because picking costs make up a substantial part of operational warehouse costs. For the prevalent case of a rectangular warehouse with parallel picking aisles, we present a highly effective modeling approach that covers—in addition to the standard setting—several important storage and order-picking strategies employed in modern e-commerce warehouses: scattered storage, decoupling of picker and cart, and multiple end depots. In this way, we provide practitioners as well as scientists with an easy and quick way of implementing a high-quality solution approach for routing pickers in the described settings. In addition, we shed some light on the cost benefits of the different storage and picking strategies in numerical experiments.
Increased Transparency in Procurement: The Role of Peer Effects
Authors: Beer Ruth , Rios Ignacio , Saban Daniela
Published: April 2021

Motivated by recent initiatives to increase transparency in procurement, we study the effects of disclosing information about previous purchases in a setting where an organization delegates its purchasing decisions to its employees. When employees can use their own discretion, which may be influenced by personal preferences, to select a supplier, the incentives of the employees and the organization may be misaligned. Disclosing information about previous purchasing decisions made by other employees can reduce or exacerbate this misalignment, as peer effects may come into play. To understand the effects of transparency, we introduce a theoretical model that compares employees’ actions in two settings: one where employees cannot observe each other’s choices and one where they can observe the decision previously made by a peer before making their own. Two behavioral assumptions are central to our model: that employees are heterogeneous in their reciprocity toward their employer, and that they experience peer effects in the form of income inequality aversion toward their peer. As a result, our model predicts the existence of negative spillovers as a reciprocal employee is more likely to choose the expensive supplier (which gives the employee a personal reward) when the employee observes that a peer did so. A laboratory experiment confirms the existence of negative spillovers and the main behavioral mechanisms described in our model. A surprising result not predicted by our theory is that employees whose decisions are observed by their peers are less likely to choose the expensive supplier than the employees in the no-transparency case. We show that observed employees’ preferences for compliance with the social norm of appropriate purchasing behavior explain our data well.

This paper was accepted by Yuval Victor Martinez de Albeniz, operations management.
Evaluation of Radiation Doses and Estimation of the Risk of Radiation-Induced carcinogenesis in Women Undergoing Screening Mammography Examinations
Authors: Tahiri Zakaria , Mkimel Mounir , Jroundi Laila , Zahra Laamrani Fatima
Published: April 2021

Digital Mammography is used as a screening tool to discover breast cancer at an early stage, the benefits and harms of this techniques is under scrutiny hence and Moroccan regulations governing radiation protection of patients have been strengthened, the need to investigate the dose received during screening mammography and the risk associated. This study is consisted of examining 126 mammography projections, for 63 women. All examinations were performed with a full digital mammography machine, technical and exposure parameters were recorded, statistical analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel in order to calculate local DRLs and compare them with international standards. Cancer risk has been estimated using BEIR VII report methods. The mean glandular dose MGD was 1,09±0, 45 mGy and 1,26±0,74 mGy for craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) respectively, DRLs were 1,34 for CC view and 1,36 for MLO view. Of the 100,000 women exposed, Lifetime Attributable Risk of cancer incidence has been found to be 0,76 for CC examination, 0.88 for MLO, and 1,64 for the full mammography protocol. Established local DRLs in this study are lower compared to that of United Kingdom and France and higher compared to that of Nigeria and Australia. A potential risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis exists, and there is a need for optimization of screening mammography practices.
Auto Strut: A novel smart robotic system for external fixation device for bone deformity correction, a preliminary experience
Authors: Gigi Roy , Mor Jacob , Lidor Inbar , Ovadia Dror , Segev Eitan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Several hexapod external fixators are used in the treatment of bone fracture and deformity corrections. One characteristic of all of them is the requirement for manual adjustment of the fixator struts. The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel robotic system that executes automatic adjustment of the struts.

Methods

Ten patients were treated for various bone deformities using a hexapod external fixator with the Auto Strut system. This new system automatically adjusts the fixator struts according to a hexapod computer-assisted correction plan. During each visit, the progress of the correction was assessed (clinically and radiographically) and reading of the strut scale numbers was performed and compared with the original treatment plan.

Results

All patients completed treatment during the follow-up period, achieving all planned correction goals, except from one patient who switched to manual struts due to personal preference. The device alarm system was activated once with no device-related adverse events. Duration of distraction ranged between ten and 90 days with a distraction index ranging between eight and 15 days/cm. Regenerate consolidation time between one and seven months. In total, 48 struts of eight patients were recorded and analyzed. In all, 94% of the final strut number readings presented a discrepancy of 0 mm to 1 mm between planned and actual readings, indicating high precision of the automatic adjustment.

Conclusion

This study presents preliminary results, showing that Auto Strut can successfully replace the manual strut adjustment providing important advantages that benefit the patient, the caregiver and the surgeon.

Level of Evidence

Level II
All-normal dispersion ytterbium-doped fiber laser mode locked by nonlinear multimode interference
Authors: Gupta Pradeep K. , Singh Chandra P. , Mukhopadhyay Pranab K. , Bindra Kushvinder S.
Published: April 2021

We report a mode-locking operation using a nonlinear multimode interference (MMI)-based saturable absorber in an ytterbium-doped fiber laser under an all-normal dispersion configuration. The MMI is observed in a step-index single mode-multimode-single mode (SMS) fiber structure. The intensity and wavelength-dependent transmission of the SMS structure has been studied numerically to understand the Kerr-induced saturable absorber properties of MMI in a step-index fiber. Numerical investigations show that presence of a narrow-band wavelength-tunable spectral filter is necessary for a nonlinear MMI-based saturable absorber to be effective for mode locking. A single-pulse mode-locking operation in the laser is realized at a very low pump power of

∼

56.3

m
W

at which the laser generates 180 ps duration pulses at

∼

9

M
H
z

repetition rate with measured signal-to-noise ratio of

∼

50

d
B

. This all-fiber integrated laser operates in multi-pulse and noise-like rectangular pulse regimes at increased pump power.
Fundamental limit of single-mode integral-field spectroscopy
Authors: Haffert S. Y.
Published: April 2021

There are several high-performance adaptive optics systems that deliver diffraction-limited imaging on ground-based telescopes, which has renewed interest in single-mode fiber (SMF) spectroscopy for exoplanet characterization. However, the fundamental mode of a telescope is not well matched to those of conventional SMFs. With the recent progress in asphere manufacturing techniques, it may be possible to reshape the fundamental mode of a SMF into any arbitrary distribution. An optimization problem is set up to investigate what the optimal mode field distribution is and what the fundamental throughput limit is for SMF spectroscopy. Both single-object spectrographs and integral-field spectrographs are investigated. The optimal mode for single-object spectrographs is found to be the aperture function of the exit pupil; for integral-field spectrographs, the optimal mode depends on the spatial sampling of the focal plane. For dense sampling, a uniform mode is optimal; for sparse sampling, the mode of a conventional SMF is near optimal. With the optimal fiber mode, a high throughput (

>

80

%

) can be achieved when the focal plane is (super) Nyquist sampled. For Nyquist sampled cases, the optimal mode has almost 20% more throughput than a conventional SMF.
Circular intensity differential scattering of light to characterize the coronavirus particles
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad Waseem , Ranjan Rajeev , Diaspro Alberto
Published: April 2021

Angle-resolved circularly polarized light scattering calculations are demonstrated to identify virus particles from nonvirus particles. A coronavirus particle is modeled as having a spherical shaped envelope with cylindrical spikes projected from the envelope surface, and the single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome polymer has been mimicked with a toroidal helix. The influence of genome polymer packaged as a standard helix in the virion core is also demonstrated. We investigated four different electromagnetic models: (i) a nucleated sphere with spikes that is a coronavirus particle, (ii) a nucleated sphere with no spikes, (iii) a homogeneous sphere, and (iv) a respiratory fluid containing a virus particle. The angular pattern of scattered circularly polarized light, the circular intensity differential scattering of light (CIDS), served as a particle’s signature. This scattering signature is found sensitive to the chiral parameters that reveal information about the particles. The effect of changes in the RNA polymer, changes in its packaging, number of turns, handedness, and size are demonstrated on the scattering calculations. Additionally, the extinction efficiency, the depolarization ratio, the total scattered intensity, and the effect of changes in the wavelength of incident light on these scattering quantities are investigated. This biophysical method can offer a label-free identification of virus particles and can help understand their interaction with light.