bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert pianists make specific exaggerations for teaching
Authors: Tominaga Atsuko , Knoblich Günther , Sebanz Natalie
Published: July 2021

Experts modulate their performance of actions for teaching purposes, performing slower and exaggerated movements when demonstrating novel actions to novices. The present study asked whether such modulations also occur during teaching performance of a music instrument, where subtle movement modulations are crucial for achieving artistic expression. While exaggerating performances of goal-directed actions outside of artistic contexts may be straightforward, it is an open question whether and how exaggeration for the purpose of teaching operates for actions that are expressive even when performed outside of a teaching context. Pianists were asked to demonstrate to students the techniques required for implementing notated expressions, compared to performing the piece without didactic intentions. Expressions in the piece concerned either articulation (i.e., legato and staccato) or dynamics (i.e., forte and piano). The pianists played either with the goal to perform the piece to an audience or with the goal to teach the respective techniques to novices. When intending to teach articulation, skilled pianists produced more exaggerated staccato. When intending to teach dynamics, they created a larger contrast between forte and piano. We found consistent results across a simple musical scale (Experiment 1) and a more naturalistic piece of music (Experiment 2). These findings show that teaching-specific action modulations generalise to expressive actions and suggest that action modulations serve to highlight the most relevant aspects of the actions to be learnt.
A Dataset for the Study of Identity at Scale: Annual Prevalence of American Twitter Users with specified Token in their Profile Bio - 2015-2020
Authors: Jones Jason Jeffrey
Published: July 2021

Personally expressed identity is who or what an individual themselves says they are, and it should be studied at scale. At scale means with data on millions of individuals, which is newly available and comes timestamped and geocoded. This work introduces a dataset for the study of identity at scale and describes the method for collecting and aggregating such data. Further, tools and theory for working with the data are presented. A demonstration analysis provides evidence that personal, individual development and changing cultural norms can be observed with these data and methods.
Identification of types and frequency of pre-analytical errors in hematology laboratory at a tertiary hospital of Nepal
Authors: Pande Kricha , Dahal Prabesh , Pokharel Laxman
Published: July 2021

Background: In the laboratory, errors can occur at any stage of sample processing; pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical. Since the pre-analytical phase is the most common source of laboratory errors, the goal of this study is to identify the types and frequency of pre-analytical errors in the hematology laboratory.Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study done at Nepal Medical College Teaching hospital for a duration of nine months (January 2020 to September 2020). All blood samples received at the hematology laboratory were included whereas biochemistry and special tests blood samples were excluded. Samples were checked for misidentification (incorrectly labeled vials/vials without labels/incorrectly filled forms), incorrect samples (wrong choice of vials), clotted samples, inadequate samples, diluted samples, hemolyzed samples. The errors that occurred in these samples (both inpatient and outpatient) were noted down and measures were taken accordingly before analyzing the sample.Results: The total number of samples received was 15,337. Pre-analytical errors were seen in 857 samples (5.5%). Inadequate samples (25%) were the most common error followed by incorrect samples (20%), hemolyzed samples (20%), misidentification (14%), clotted samples (12%), and diluted samples (9%). Complete blood count test was most affected. Samples from the inpatient department were most affected.Conclusions: The preanalytical error rate in the hematology unit was 5.5% with an inadequate sample being the commonest error. Most of the errors were seen in the test requested for a complete blood count. Samples from the inpatient department showed the most errors.
Ograniczenia wolności kultu religijnego w czasie pandemii COVID-19: między konstytucyjnością a efektywnością
Authors: Stanisz Piotr
Published: July 2021

The purpose of the present study is to analyse the restrictions on the freedom of religious worship introduced by the Polish executive authorities in the face of the spreading COVID-19 epidemic. The analysis aims to answer questions not only concerning the conformity of these actions with the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and statutory laws, but also pertaining to the issue of the level of preparation of Polish law for an epidemic. In reference to these questions, the author concludes that the introduction of restrictions on the freedom to manifest religion by acts of worship in the regulations issued by the Minister of Health and the Council of Ministers exceeds the bounds of statutory authorisation and is inconsistent with the Polish Constitution. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, passing a law remains the only admissible way of introducing restrictions on the freedom of manifestation of religion, and there are no exceptions to this rule even in states of emergency. On the other hand, the author also points out that if the effectiveness of combating this kind of epidemic really depends on possibility of introducing the above-mentioned restrictions without a long legislative process, it means that Polish executive authorities have been confronted by the constitutional legislator and the legislature with a choice between being efficient and acting in conformity with the Constitution and statutory laws. Therefore, the article postulates that it is necessary to make deep changes to the current law. Elaborating a broad concept of these changes requires further analysis, and the relevant discussion needs to take into account the experience gained so far in combating the coronavirus epidemic, the importance of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the solutions adopted in other countries. A clear and balanced, as well as properly sequenced and democratically justified specification of the rules that should be followed by the executive when introducing restrictions related to the spread of the epidemic, even with regard to such important values as the freedom to manifest religion through acts of worship, is undoubtedly more appropriate than formally ruling out the possibility of taking action that may turn out necessary in the future.
Corporate Cannabis at Home and Abroad: International Regulation and Neoliberal Legalization
Authors: Bandosz Benjamin , Wilczek Tobias
Published: July 2021

Throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century, economic interests and systemic racism ensured the prohibition of cannabis. Such socio-political implications resulted in the criminalization of innumerable consumers; the infringement on civil liberties, in this regard, has been considerable. To counteract such policing, the Liberal Party of Canada legalized cannabis on 17 October, 2018. Despite motivating factors like shrinking the black market and relieving the judicial system, no significant social reparations have been realized. Rather, the publicly traded sector of the cannabis industry was prioritized and has seen enormous upside leading up to and after legalization, with corporate cannabis companies growing domestically and internationally. In this sense, Canada’s legalization continues patterns of prohibition: sacrificing civil liberties for economic interests. This prioritization of capital also affects countries in which cannabis companies established subsidiaries and partnerships—such as in Germany, Jamaica, and Colombia—where despite continued prohibition, companies receive special privileges while citizens are subject to the law. Although regulations differ on a case-by-case basis, corporate motivations inform cannabis prohibition and legalization—market interests guide the international spread of legalization. This article approaches the implications of ongoing cannabis-prohibition, in contrast to its legalization in select geopolitical regions, to analyze the Kafkaesque nature of substance-control that is inherently tied to economic motivations, and which take precedence over social equity. In this sense, the regulation of plant-material works in tandem with regulation of society, by which a certain order is sought to be maintained for the sake of political power and economic profitability.
Detergentes, cuÃ±ados y las revistas MDPI
Authors: Aguillo Isidro F.
Published: July 2021

Hay una creciente preocupaciÃ³n sobre el posible carÃ¡cter depredador de las revistas de la editorial MDPI. El autor identifica las prÃ¡cticas de dicha editorial como tÃ©cnicas comerciales piramidales, que deben rechazarse en el Ã¡mbito de la comunicaciÃ³n cientÃ­fica pues afecta los criterios de selecciÃ³n y aceptaciÃ³n de originales y genera una proliferaciÃ³n de monogrÃ¡ficos con cuestionables procesos de revisiÃ³n. Aunque no se trata de una editorial predadora aconseja a los autores no editar o publicar con ella y a las instituciones cancelar sus acuerdos.
Bir Öğrenme Yönetim Sistemi Üzerinden Yürütülen Lisansüstü Derslerin Süreç Değerlendirmesi: AYDEP Örneği
Authors: ÜNAL Menderes , ÇOKYAMAN Murat
Published: July 2021

Teknolojinin 21. yüzyılda hızlı bir şekilde gelişmesiyle birlikte ortaya çıkan sanal öğrenme ortamları uzaktan eğitim için önemli bir dönüm noktası olan Öğrenme Yönetim Sistemlerinin gelişmesine neden olmuştur. Bu sistemlerden bir tanesi de Ahi Yeterliğe Dayalı Eğitim Portalıdır (AYDEP). Bu çalışmada AYDEP Öğrenme Yönetimi Sisteminin değerlendirilmesi ve bu sistem üzerinden yürütülen lisansüstü ders etkinliklerinin Stufflebeam’in Bağlam, Girdi, Süreç ve Ürün Değerlendirme Modeli olarak da bilinen CIPP Program değerlendirme modeline göre değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden betimsel araştırma (tarama) modeli kullanılmıştır. Çalışma evrenini Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsünde lisansüstü öğrenim görmekte olan öğrenciler ve derslere giren öğretim elemanları oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmaya 171 öğrenci ve 40 öğretim elemanı katılmıştır. Çalışmada veri toplamak için AYDEP Değerlendirme Anketi ve CIPP Modeli Süreç Değerlendirme Anketi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen veriler uygun bir istatistik programına aktarılarak çalışma amaçları doğrultusunda yüzdelik oranları, frekans değerleri ve aritmetik ortalamaları tespit edilmiş ayrıca bağımsız gruplar t-testi ve Tek Yönlü Varyans Analizi (ANOVA) testi ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda katılımcıların AYDEP Öğrenme Yönetim Sistemini faydalı buldukları ve CIPP Program Değerlendirme Modeli süreç boyutu ölçütlerine göre de lisansüstü ders etkinliklerinden memnun oldukları tespit edilmiştir.
Analysis of Arabic Textbook "Takallam Bil 'Arabiyyah Volume 6" Based on Mickey's Theory
Authors: Ritonga Apri Wardana
Published: July 2021

Textbooks have an important role in achieving learning success. learning will run effectively if the teaching materials used are in accordance with the learning objectives. it is necessary to do an in-depth study of the textbooks used in schools. This study aims to analyze the textbook "Takallam Bil 'Arabiyyah Volume 6" which is used in Arabic learning based on Mackey's theory. This study uses the literature study method. Sources of data were taken from articles, books, research reports, and textbooks "Takallam Bil 'Arabiyyah Volume 6" with data analysis techniques using descriptive analysis. Finally, the data is presented using the deductive method, which describes general phenomena to the findings of the analysis. This research reveals that the textbook "Takallam Bil 'Arabiyyah Volume 6" was compiled based on the theory of William Francis Mackey. This can be seen from the presentation of the material which contains the concepts of selection, gradation, presentation, and repetition. The development of the textbook "Takallam Bil 'Arabiyyah Volume 6" needs to be done by adding more factual material for student life in the 21st-century era.
Livelihood, Sustainability and Change among Changpas of Changthang: Ladakh India
Authors: Bhasin Veena
Published: July 2021

Pastoral societies use animals as providers of food, fuel, fiber, draught power and transportation. However, nomadic, semi- nomadic and transhumant pastoralist societies have lifestyles that revolve mainly around their livestock. The transhumant pastoral societies inhabiting the high Himalayan areas exploit the seasonal abundance of grazing areas. As social and ecological conditions change, pastoralists adjust accordingly. Contrary to their reputation, pastoralists have traditional practices for conserving vegetation by rotational grazing. Pastoralists make a significant contribution to India’s economy in terms of food security (milk), provision of draft animal power, as well as foreign exchange earnings (meat, fiber for example, pashmina wool). Since pastoralists do not own land, their produce is generated by dependence on communally and state owned grazing land. Currently, the trend towards globalization of the market, with pastoral lands increasingly being commercialised and/or turned in to national parks, has created problems for the pastoralists. Since Independence of India, the pastoralists of the Himalayas have faced a series of significant changes from external, political and economic changes. These structural alterations have brought adjustments in many aspects of the traditional pastoral system, including migratory cycle, local economy and social organisation. Many of them left their traditional transhumant way of life and settled along valleys. Some have settled in urban areas, others stick to the pastoral activities by changing the composition of livestock by increasing number of goats and decreasing number of yaks. All pastoral groups in Himalaya face the similar constraints and stimuli. Natural exigencies, extreme weather conditions, drought, epidemics and predators, result in reduction of animals. Likewise, social crisis, such as phases in domestic developmental cycle and work force shortage in herding groups cause concern in the community. An attempt has been made to study the change and problems faced by the area- Changthang and people- Changpas due to the development programs of the government agencies of the state.
CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS IN THE SPORTS BETTING MARKET
Authors: Bulboacă Ștefan , Țierean Ovidiu Mircea
Published: July 2021

This paper aims to evaluate the sociological and economic implications that the sports betting industry has over the consumers financial resources and on the psyche of the consumers. The aim of the research is to gather information about the sports bettor’s behaviour, motivations, expectations, his decision-making process, the factors that influence his choices, their perspective about skill and chance and the overall management of the betting activity.
COINTEGRATED-BASED FORECAST OF LONG-RUN RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: Deszke Klara-Dalma , Duguleana Liliana
Published: July 2021

The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) are used to estimate the cointegration in the case of long-run relationship of quarterly GDP and Final Consumption in Romania during the period 1995 – 2019. The actual data of 2020 Q1 and Q2 were used to check the best model’s validity. The static and dynamic approaches of the ARDL model were used to forecast the Final Consumption for Q3 and Q4 of the year 2020. Applying the cointegration model shows the long term relationship of GDP and Final Consumption, but also the effects of other factors, seen in the differences of Final Consumption from its Long-Run evolution, and comprised in the cointegrating terms.
Método para el aprendizaje del acordeón diatónico de tres hileras de botones que facilite las prácticas pedagógicas en el Programa de Licenciatura en Artes de la Universidad Popular del Cesar
Authors: Walter Saúl Muegues Rincón  , Gustavo Adolfo González Roys
Published: July 2021

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo, facilitar las prácticas pedagógicas mediante la implementación del método Muegues, para el aprendizaje del acordeón diatónico de tres hileras de botones. Metodológicamente, el trabajo se ubicó en el paradigma cualitativo con enfoque sociocrítico, bajo el método Investigación Acción Pedagógica; se desarrolló en tres fases: deconstrucción de la práctica, reconstrucción de la práctica y validación de la efectividad de la práctica. La unidad de trabajo estuvo conformada por ocho docentes y 23 estudiantes. Las técnicas utilizadas fueron la lluvia de ideas, el diario de campo y una entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados indicaron que la aplicación del método Muegues facilitó el aprendizaje del acordeón diatónico a los estudiantes del Programa de Licenciatura en Artes de la Universidad Popular del Cesar. El método Muegues fue insertado en la construcción de los planes de las asignaturas, obteniendo una praxis más actualizada y una secuencia didáctica.
Juego ‘Ajesori’ como estrategia para el fortalecimiento de la oralidad
Authors: Luz Shirley Ordoñez-Delgado  , Cecilia Pérez-Sánchez
Published: July 2021

La investigación se desarrolló en torno a las estrategias implementadas por los docentes en el desarrollo de la oralidad, y la aplicación del Ajesori como estrategia a partir del juego del ajedrez tomando como referencia la trayectoria e impacto que ha tenido en la aplicación como herramienta educativa, para fortalecer esta habilidad comunicativa y su incidencia en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes de grado primero en la Institución Educativa Ricabrisa del municipio de Tarqui en el departamento del Huila, la cual, se ejecutó bajo el análisis de tres categorías: Enseñanza de la oralidad, Estrategia de Ajesori y Análisis de la estrategia. Para estas categorías se utilizó la observación directa por parte del docente investigador, las entrevistas a los docentes (población objeto de estudio) y el diario de campo como instrumento de recolección de datos. Además, para cada una de las categorías se tuvo en cuenta cuatro subcategorías: planeación, ejecución, evaluación y seguimiento, con las cuales se buscó identificar las estrategias utilizadas por los docentes y su incidencia, para posteriormente aplicar el Ajesori, fundamentado en el modelo pedagógico de María Montessori y, finalmente, evaluar su efectividad. Durante el ciclo escolar, la secuencia didáctica fue asumida en tres de las 13 sedes de la institución objeto de estudio, donde los docentes lograban desarrollar procesos de evaluación a través de la misma, en los distintos temas que iban desarrollando con los educandos, convirtiéndose en herramienta de innovación didáctica y pedagógica, tanto para el docente como para el estudiante, formando un espacio agradable para el aprendizaje de los educandos.
Nivel de actividad física, condición física, riesgo cardiovascular e índice de masa corporal en escolares de Pasto
Authors: Jonathan Muñoz-Luna  , Rosa Helena Eraso-Angulo  , Sandra Martínez Canchala  , Jorge Toro-Trejo  , David Zambrano-Bravo
Published: July 2021

Los niveles de actividad física y condición física desempeñan un papel fundamental en la prevención del sobrepeso y obesidad durante la infancia y la adolescencia. Metodología: estudio cuantitativo de tipo descriptivo – correlacional; muestra constituida por 196 escolares de 12-15 años. Resultados: el 47 % de los escolares se encuentra en un nivel de inactividad física; el riesgo cardiovascular se dio en el 8 % de escolares; sobre el índice de masa corporal, el 80 % presentó normopeso; respecto a la fuerza de prensión manual derecha, el 78 % está en nivel bajo y muy bajo; en salto de longitud, el 68 % se encuentra en nivel bajo y muy bajo; en velocidad y agilidad, el 72 % está en nivel bajo y muy bajo; la asociación entre el IMC * Riesgo cardiovascular, IMC * Perímetro de Cintura, IMC * Pliegue de Tríceps, IMC * Pliegue subescapular, Riesgo cardiovascular * Fuerza de prensión manual derecha, Riesgo cardiovascular * Perímetro de cintura, Riesgo cardiovascular * Pliegue de Tríceps, Riesgo cardiovascular * en Pliegue subescapular el análisis reportó valores p < 0.05. Conclusiones: predominan en los escolares, la inactividad física y la condición física muy baja y baja; por lo tanto, la evaluación de la condición física en edades tempranas es esencial para implementar programas de promoción de la actividad física; estos no deben ser restringidos únicamente a recomendaciones formuladas por los profesionales sanitarios; se requiere una estrategia poblacional amplia e intensa para poder modificar la tendencia actual al aumento de inactividad y pobre condición física.
Significado del proceso de atención en salud para un grupo de personas víctimas del conflicto armado en el municipio de Pasto
Authors: María Ider Casanova-Burbano
Published: July 2021

Objetivo: Interpretar el significado de la atención en salud en un grupo de víctimas del conflicto armado en el municipio de Pasto, Nariño. Metodología: Investigación cualitativa realizada con 30 víctimas y 17 profesionales de la Red de atención a las víctimas. Se utilizó historias de vida y una entrevista semiestructurada sobre la atención en salud, la satisfacción con dicha atención, el conocimiento de las rutas de atención integral en salud y la atención psicosocial. Resultados: El significado de la atención en salud refiere una perspectiva biomédica en cuanto interesa el acceso a consulta médica, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento; se desconoce las rutas de atención integral y psicosocial y la manera de acceder a sus derechos. Identifican limitaciones institucionales e individuales para el acceso a los servicios de salud. Conclusiones: Se observa brechas entre lo señalado por la norma y su aplicación a las víctimas del conflicto armado, lo cual les niega el derecho a la atención integral en salud y la atención psicosocial.
Patients with low back pain use stiffening strategy to compensate for movement control during active prone hip rotation: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wattananon Peemongkon , Silfies Sheri P. , Wang Hsing-Kuo
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: New motor adaptation to pain theory suggests that patients with low back pain (LBP) use the lumbopelvic stiffening strategy by redistribution of within and between muscle activities to protect painful structure. This could result in an altered postural control of the lumbopelvic region during active prone hip rotation (PHR). OBJECTIVE: To investigate coordination and timing of lumbopelvic and hip movements, and smoothness of the lumbopelvic control during PHR between participants with and without LBP. METHODS: Eight participants with LBP and eight participants without LBP were recruited. The electromagnetic tracking system was used to record kinematic data during PHR. Cross-correlation between hip rotation and lumbopelvic movement in the transverse plane was calculated. Correlation at zero time-lag, time-lag, correlation at time-lag, and maximal lumbopelvic motion were derived. Frequency of movement disruption was identified. An independent t-test was used in conjunction with the effect size and 95% minimal detectable difference (MDD95) to determine the difference in kinematic parameters. RESULTS: Participants with LBP demonstrated a significant delay (exceeding MDD95) in lumbopelvic motion while nonsignificant frequency of disrupted motion on the painful side PHR demonstrated a trend with a large effect size that exceeded MDD95. There were trends with moderate to large effect sizes and differences exceeding MDD95 in delay of lumbopelvic motion with greater movement disruption on the nonpainful side in participants with LBP. CONCLUSION: Participants with LBP used a lumbopelvic stiffening strategy for postural control to protect painful structures; however, the stiffening might complicate efforts to smoothly control lumbopelvic movement.
Effects of dry needling on pain, disability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing and psychological distress in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Ceballos-Laita Luis , Medrano-de-la-Fuente Ricardo , Mingo-Gómez María Teresa , Hernando-Garijo Ignacio , Estébanez-de-Miguel Elena , Jiménez-del-Barrio Sandra
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in neck muscles seem to be related to the main symptoms of patients with chronic neck pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate the effects of dry needling (DN) on pain, disability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing and psychological distress in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: A double blind randomized controlled pilot trial was designed. Twenty-one patients with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to the DN group (n= 7), Sham-DN group (n= 7) or Control group (n= 7). All groups received a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Therapeutic Ultrasound (TENS/US) protocol with patient education. The DN and Sham-DN groups received two sessions of DN and sham DN, respectively. The primary outcome was pain intensity. Secondary outcomes were disability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, psychological distress, self-reported improvement and success of blinding. RESULTS: The DN group showed a greater decrease in pain intensity, disability and pain catastrophizing compared to the Sham-DN group (p< 0.05) and the Control group (p< 0.05). The DN group showed the highest self-reported improvement. CONCLUSION: Adding two sessions of DN in active MTrPs in upper trapezius, levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid muscles to a TENS/US protocol with patient education decreased pain intensity, disability and pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic neck pain.
Circulating and tissue miR-100 acts as a potential diagnostic biomarker for cervical cancer
Authors: Yamanaka Zenta , Sasaki Toru , Yamanaka Akina , Kato Kazuyoshi , Nishi Hirotaka
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis; miR-100 expression is decreased in cervical cancer tissues. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether miR-100 is a useful biomarker for early cervical cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from the sera of 34 healthy controls (HC), 64 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia patients (CIN), and 46 cervical cancer patients (CC). miR-100 expression levels were measured with quantitative real-time PCR. Correlations between clinicopathological factors and miR-100 expression levels were also assessed. The cut-off value for miR-100 was calculated from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Relative expression levels of miR-100 in serum were 1.84 ± 1.72, 3.93 ± 2.52, and 5.32 ± 3.39 in CC, CIN, and HC, respectively; it was significantly lower in CC (p< 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.879 and the cut-off value was 2.451. miR-100 expression levels were significantly higher in metastasis cases that were lymph node negative than positive (p< 0.05). CC patients with miR-100 expression levels below the cut-off value tended to have a poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Serum miR-100 may be a useful diagnostic biomarker for CC, and for predicting lymph node metastasis and disease free survival in CC patients.
Partnerships between truth commissions and universities: Possibilities for developing an archival education in human rights in Brazil
Authors: Tenaglia Mônica , Medleg Rodrigues Georgete
Published: July 2021

As part of a doctoral research, eighty-eight local truth commissions created in Brazil between 2012 and 2018 were identified. Among them, it was selected the eleven final reports that described partnerships between truth commissions and universities. The paper analyzes the phenomenon of creation of local truth commissions in Brazil and the partnerships established between them and universities, especially, with Archival Science and History programs. It was found that the partnerships were established to make the work of truth commissions feasible and consisted of archival activities such as preservation, description, and scanning as well as research. It concludes that, although the educational engagement of Brazilian truth commissions has been limited, partnerships with universities have provided students the contact with the theme of human rights, in line with the callings for the profession to address activism and human rights within the context of archival education. Finally, the paper suggests that experiences developed by these partnerships could be incorporated into Archival Science programs in Brazil.
An improved loop subdivision to coordinate the smoothness and the number of faces via multi-objective optimization
Authors: Liang Yaqian , He Fazhi , Zeng Xiantao , Luo Jinkun
Published: July 2021

3D mesh subdivision is essential for geometry modeling of complex surfaces, which benefits many important applications in the fields of multimedia such as computer animation. However, in the ordinary adaptive subdivision, with the deepening of the subdivision level, the benefits gained from the improvement of smoothness cannot keep pace with the cost caused by the incremental number of faces. To mitigate the gap between the smoothness and the number of faces, this paper devises a novel improved mesh subdivision method to coordinate the smoothness and the number of faces in a harmonious way. First, this paper introduces a variable threshold, rather than a constant threshold used in existing adaptive subdivision methods, to reduce the number of redundant faces while keeping the smoothness in each subdivision iteration. Second, to achieve the above goal, a new crack-solving method is developed to remove the cracks by refining the adjacent faces of the subdivided area. Third, as a result, the problem of coordinating the smoothness and the number of faces can be formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem, in which the possible threshold sequences constitute the solution space. Finally, the Non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is improved to efficiently search the Pareto frontier. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms existing mesh subdivision methods in different settings.
Conditional StyleGAN modelling and analysis for a machining digital twin
Authors: Zotov Evgeny , Tiwari Ashutosh , Kadirkamanathan Visakan
Published: July 2021

Manufacturing digitalisation is a critical part of the transition towards Industry 4.0. Digital twin plays a significant role as the instrument that enables digital access to precise real-time information about physical objects and supports the optimisation of the related processes through conversion of the big data associated with them into actionable information. A number of frameworks and conceptual models has been proposed in the research literature that addresses the requirements and benefits of digital twins, yet their applications are explored to a lesser extent. A time-domain machining vibration model based on a generative adversarial network (GAN) is proposed as a digital twin component in this paper. The developed conditional StyleGAN architecture enables (1) the extraction of knowledge from existing models and (2) a data-driven simulation applicable for production process optimisation. A novel solution to the challenges in GAN analysis is then developed, where the comparison of maps of generative accuracy and sensitivity reveals patterns of similarity between these metrics. The sensitivity analysis is also extended to the mid-layer network level, identifying the sources of abnormal generative behaviour. This provides a sensitivity-based simulation uncertainty estimate, which is important for validation of the optimal process conditions derived from the proposed model.
Clinical Outcome Measure Crosswalks in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hlávka Jakub P. , Kinoshita Andrew T. , Fang Samantha , Hunt Adriana
Published: July 2021

Background: A key challenge in studies that model outcomes, disease progression, and cost-effectiveness of existing and emerging dementia treatments is the lack of conversion criteria to translate, or ‘crosswalk’, scores on multiple measurement scales. Clinical status in dementia is commonly characterized in the cognitive, functional, and behavioral domains. Objective: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed dementia measure crosswalks in the three domains. Methods: We systematically reviewed published literature for crosswalks between scales used to measure cognitive, functional, or behavioral outcomes in Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The search was conducted in PubMed, and additional crosswalks were identified through snowballing and expert input from dementia modelers. Results: Of the reviewed articles, 2,334 were identified through a PubMed search, 842 articles were sourced from backward and forward citation snowballing, and 8 additional articles were recommended through expert input. 31 papers were eligible for inclusion, listing 74 unique crosswalks. Of those, 62 (83.8%) were between endpoints of the cognitive domain and 12 (16.2%) were either between endpoints of the functional domain or were hybrid in nature. Among crosswalks exclusively in the cognitive domain, a majority involved the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (37 crosswalks) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and its variants (25 crosswalks). MMSE was directly compared to MoCA or MoCA variants in 16 crosswalks. Conclusion: Existing crosswalks between measures of dementia focus largely on a limited selection of outcome measures, particularly MMSE and MoCA. Few crosswalks exist in the functional domain, and no crosswalks were identified for solely behavioral measures.
Adjunctive Therapy to Manage Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Moderate and Severe Dementia: Randomized Clinical Trial Using an Outpatient Version of Tailored Activity Program
Authors: Oliveira Alexandra Martini , Radanovic Marcia , Mello Patricia Cotting Homem de , Buchain Patricia Cardoso , Vizzotto Adriana Dias Barbosa , Harder Janaína , Stella Florindo , Gitlin Laura N. , Piersol Catherine Verrier , Valiengo Leandro L.C. , Forlenza Orestes Vicente
Published: July 2021

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as aggression, apathy, agitation, and wandering may occur in up to 90%of dementia cases. International guidelines have suggested that non-pharmacological interventions are as effective as pharmacological treatments, however without the side effects and risks of medications. An occupational therapy method, called Tailored Activity Program (TAP), was developed with the objective to treat NPS in the elderly with dementia and has been shown to be effective. Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of the TAP method (outpatient version) in the treatment of NPS in individuals with dementia and in the burden reduction of their caregivers. Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial for the treatment of NPS in dementia. Outcome measures consisted of assessing the NPS of individuals with dementia, through the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Clinician rating scale (NPI-C), and assessing the burden on their caregivers, using the Zarit Scale. All the participants were evaluated pre-and post-intervention. Results: 54 individuals with dementia and caregivers were allocated to the experimental (n = 28) and control (n = 26) groups. There was improvement of the following NPS in the experimental group: delusions, agitation, aggressiveness, depression, anxiety, euphoria, apathy, disinhibition, irritability, motor disturbance, and aberrant vocalization. No improvement was observed in hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and appetite disorders. The TAP method for outpatient settings was also clinically effective in reducing burden between caregivers of the experimental group. Conclusion: The use of personalized prescribed activities, coupled with the caregiver training, may be a clinically effective approach to reduce NPS and caregiver burden of individuals with dementia.
Amyloid Deposition Is Greater in Cerebral Gyri than in Cerebral Sulci with Worsening Clinical Diagnosis Across the Alzheimer’s Disease Spectrum
Authors: Walden Lucas M. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Hu Song , Madabhushi Anant , Prescott Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2021

Background: Histopathologic studies have demonstrated differential amyloid-β (Aβ) burden between cortical sulci and gyri in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with sulci having a greater Aβ burden. Objective: To characterize Aβ deposition in the sulci and gyri of the cerebral cortex in vivo among subjects with normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD, and to evaluate if these differences could improve discrimination between diagnostic groups. Methods: T1-weighted 3T MR and florbetapir (amyloid) positron emission tomography (PET) data were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). T1 images were segmented and the cortex was separated into sulci/gyri based on pial surface curvature measurements. T1 images were registered to PET images and regional standardized uptake value ratios (SUVr) were calculated. A linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the relationship between clinical variables and amyloid PET SUVr measurements in the sulci/gyri. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to define amyloid positivity. Logistic models were used to evaluate predictive performance of clinical diagnosis using amyloid PET SUVr measurements in sulci/gyri. Results: 719 subjects were included: 272 NC, 315 MCI, and 132 AD. Gyral and sulcal Aβ increased with worsening cognition, however there was a greater increase in gyral Aβ. Females had a greater gyral and sulcal Aβ burden. Focusing on sulcal and gyral Aβ did not improve predictive power for diagnostic groups. Conclusion: While there were significant differences in Aβ deposition in cerebral sulci and gyri across the AD spectrum, these differences did not translate into improved prediction of diagnosis. Females were found to have greater gyral and sulcal Aβ burden.
Inhibition of miR-96-5p May Reduce Aβ42/Aβ40 Ratio via Regulating ATP-binding cassette transporter A1
Authors: Zhu Min , Jia Longfei , Jia Jianping
Published: July 2021

Background: Imbalance between amyloid-β (Aβ) production and clearance results in Aβ accumulation. Regulating Aβ levels is still a hot point in the research of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: To identify the differential expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and its upstream microRNA (miRNA) in AD models, and to explore their relationships with Aβ levels. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were performed to determine the expression of ABCA1 in 5xFAD mice, SH-SY5Y cells treated with Aβ oligomers and SH-SY5YAβPP695 cells (AD models). TargetScan was used to predict the upstream miRNAs for ABCA1. Dual-luciferase assay was conducted to identify the regulation of the miRNA on ABCA1. qRT-PCR was used to measure the expression of miRNA in AD models. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to detect Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels. Results: The expression of ABCA1 was significantly downregulated in AD models at both mRNA and protein levels. Dual-luciferase assay showed that miR-96-5p could regulate the expression of ABCA1 through binding to the 3 untranslated region of ABCA1. The level of miR-96-5p was significantly elevated in AD models. The expression of ABCA1 was enhanced while Aβ42 levels and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios were reduced in SH-SY5YAβPP695 cells after treated with miR-96-5p inhibitor. Conclusion: The current study found that miR-96-5p is the upstream miRNA for ABCA1. Suppression of miR-96-5p in AD models could reduce Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios via upregulating the expression of ABCA1, indicating that miR-96-5p plays an important role in regulating the content of Aβ.
Diagnostic Performance of Automated MRI Volumetry by icobrain dm for Alzheimer’s Disease in a Clinical Setting: A REMEMBER Study
Authors: Wittens Mandy Melissa Jane , Sima Diana Maria , Houbrechts Ruben , Ribbens Annemie , Niemantsverdriet Ellis , Fransen Erik , Bastin Christine , Benoit Florence , Bergmans Bruno , Bier Jean-Christophe , De Deyn Peter Paul , Deryck Olivier , Hanseeuw Bernard , Ivanoiu Adrian , Lemper Jean-Claude , Mormont Eric , Picard Gaëtane , de la Rosa Ezequiel , Salmon Eric , Segers Kurt , Sieben Anne , Smeets Dirk , Struyfs Hanne , Thiery Evert , Tournoy Jos , Triau Eric , Vanbinst Anne-Marie , Versijpt Jan , Bjerke Maria , Engelborghs Sebastiaan
Published: July 2021

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become important in the diagnostic work-up of neurodegenerative diseases. icobrain dm, a CE-labeled and FDA-cleared automated brain volumetry software, has shown potential in differentiating cognitively healthy controls (HC) from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia (ADD) patients in selected research cohorts. Objective: This study examines the diagnostic value of icobrain dm for AD in routine clinical practice, including a comparison to the widely used FreeSurfer software, and investigates if combined brain volumes contribute to establish an AD diagnosis. Methods: The study population included HC (n = 90), subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 93), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 357), and ADD (n = 280) patients. Through automated volumetric analyses of global, cortical, and subcortical brain structures on clinical brain MRI T1w (n = 820) images from a retrospective, multi-center study (REMEMBER), icobrain dm’s (v.4.4.0) ability to differentiate disease stages via ROC analysis was compared to FreeSurfer (v.6.0). Stepwise backward regression models were constructed to investigate if combined brain volumes can differentiate between AD stages. Results: icobrain dm outperformed FreeSurfer in processing time (15–30 min versus 9–32 h), robustness (0 versus 67 failures), and diagnostic performance for whole brain, hippocampal volumes, and lateral ventricles between HC and ADD patients. Stepwise backward regression showed improved diagnostic accuracy for pairwise group differentiations, with highest performance obtained for distinguishing HC from ADD (AUC = 0.914; Specificity 83.0%; Sensitivity 86.3%). Conclusion: Automated volumetry has a diagnostic value for ADD diagnosis in routine clinical practice. Our findings indicate that combined brain volumes improve diagnostic accuracy, using real-world imaging data from a clinical setting.
Factors Associated with Cognitive Outcomes After First-Ever Ischemic Stroke: The Impact of Small Vessel Disease Burden and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Sung Pi-Shan , Lee Kang-Po , Lin Po-Yu , Su Hui-Chen , Yu Rwei-Ling , Tsai Kuen-Jer , Lin Sheng-Hsiang , Chen Chih-Hung
Published: July 2021

Background: Differences exist regarding post-stroke cognitive outcomes. Objective: The aim of this study investigates the potential factors associated with post-stroke cognitive performance and trajectories. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study using serial monitoring of cognitive function over a 1-year period after a first-ever ischemic stroke. Small vessel disease (SVD) burden and hippocampal atrophy (HA) were evaluated using the modified cerebral small vessel disease scores (mCSVD) and medial temporal atrophy score (MTA) scores. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model and a group-based trajectory model (GBTM) was used to analyze the potential factors associated with post-stroke cognitive outcomes. Results: A total of 112 patients were enrolled. The GEE model showed that all patients, regardless of initial cognitive performance, had a tendency to show an increase in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment over time. The cognitive performance was better in male patients with higher education levels (p = 0.046 and p < 0.001, respectively), but tended to be worse in patients with higher SVD burden and HA. The GBTM model grouped patients into low, intermediate, and high performance (LP, IP, and HP) after stroke. A higher SVD burden, rather than HA and initial stroke severity and location, independently predicted a higher odds of poor post-stroke cognitive trajectory (being in the LP group) after stroke (adjusted odds ratio 2.74, 95%CI 1.09–6.86). Conclusion: In patients with first-ever mild stroke, cognitive improvement over time was evident. The detrimental impact of the SVD burden may outweigh the effect of HA or acute stroke insult on the post-stroke cognitive trajectory during the 1-year follow-up.
Ideal convergence of sequences in neutrosophic normed spaces
Authors: Kişi Ömer
Published: July 2021

Statistical convergence of sequences has been studied in neutrosophic normed spaces (NNS) by Kirişci and Şimşek [39]. Ideal convergence is more general than statistical convergence for sequences. This has motivated us to study the ideal convergence in NNS. In this paper, we study the concept of ideal convergence and ideal Cauchy for sequences in NNS.
Importance analysis based on universal grey operation for an aircraft landing gear retraction system
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wu Mingying , Hou Xinting , Wang Xinhe , Han Cheng , Xu Xiayu , Zhang Leilei
Published: July 2021

In order to improve the reliability and performance of landing gear retraction systems, this paper presents two importance analysis methods based on universal grey operation. According to the system principle and fault mechanisms, the fault tree of the retraction system was first established. The uncertainties of the bottom events were then described using the universal grey number to obtain the universal grey representation of the system failure probability. And compared with the traditional interval operation, the results show that universal grey operation can solve the problem of interval expansion with uncertainty. Importance analyses of the bottom events were then conducted based on the probability importance and the key importance. By comparing the two important indices of the bottom events, the larger the value is, the higher the importance is. It was found that the occurrence of the bottom events “pipeline oil leakage,” “pump motor damage,” and “oil pollution” had the greatest impact on system failure probability, thus determining the key weak links affecting system failure and indicating the most effective targets for improvement.
Cubic bipolar fuzzy Dombi averaging aggregation operators with application to multi-criteria decision-making
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Habib Anam , Aslam Muhammad
Published: July 2021

A cubic bipolar fuzzy set (CBFS) is a new approach in computational intelligence and decision-making under uncertainty. This model is the generalization of bipolar fuzzy sets to deal with two-sided contrasting features which can describe the information with a bipolar fuzzy number and an interval-valued bipolar fuzzy number simultaneously. In this paper, the Dombi’s operations are analyzed for information aggregation of cubic bipolar fuzzy numbers (CBFNs). The Dombi’s operations carry the advantage of more pliability and reliability due to the existence of their operational parameters. Owing to the pliable nature of Dombi’s operators, this research work introduces new aggregation operators named as cubic bipolar fuzzy Dombi weighted averaging (CBFDWA) operator and cubic bipolar fuzzy Dombi ordered weighted averaging (CBFDOWA) operator with ℙ -order and ℝ -order, respectively. Additionally, this paper presents some significant characteristics of suggested operators including, idempotency, boundedness and monotonicity. Moreover, a robust multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique is developed by using ℙ -CBFDWA and ℝ -CBFDWA operators. Based on the suggested operators a practical application is demonstrated towards MCDM under uncertainty. The comparison analysis of suggested Dombi’s operators with existing operators is also given to discuss the rationality, efficiency and applicability of these operators.