bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congestive hepatopathy secondary to graves’ disease: a case report
Authors: Adrian Steven Johanes , Wirawan I. Made Suma
Published: August 2022

Graves’ disease is a common cause of hyperthyroidism in iodine-sufficient parts of the world. Excessive thyroid hormone is known to have multiple effects on various organs, including the liver. We reported a case of 49-year old male patient with worsening jaundice, ascites, tremor, and palpitation, with previous history of uncontrolled Graves’ disease. Findings from examination reveals signs of congestive hepatopathy, such as positive hepatojugular reflux and dilated hepatic vein. Treatment options for hyperthyroidism in patients with liver dysfunction includes methimazole and radioactive iodine-131. Liver dysfunction in patients with thyrotoxicosis is commonly found in daily practice, but establishing the cause of liver dysfunction can be a challenge because of the multiple cause of liver injury in hyperthyroidism.
Análisis del marketing digital vs marketing tradicional. Un estudio de caso en empresa tecnológica
Authors: Gazca Herrera Luis Alejandro , Mejía Gracia César Augusto , Herrera Ramos Jorge
Published: August 2022

El objetivo de la investigación fue realizar un análisis sobre la implementación del marketing digital versus marketing tradicional para determinar su eficiencia. Se hizo un estudio de caso en una empresa comercializadora de tecnologías con base en la aplicación de instrumentos validados para recaudar la actitud que tenían los colaboradores y clientes sobre la estrategia de implementación del marketing digital. El problema radica en que la empresa no había analizado el impacto del mercadeo empleado por lo que no tenía conocimiento de que el marketing digital podría ser la clave para seguir siendo competitivos en el mercado. El enfoque de la investigación fue cuantitativo de tipo descriptivo y transversal. Los resultados muestran la eficiencia del marketing digital, a través de análisis correlacionales, pues es más aceptado y ha logrado un mayor alcance entre los clientes, concluyendo que la estrategia implementada fue de vital importancia para continuar siendo competitivos en el mercado, ya que es una pieza clave para dar a conocer los productos y servicios mediante las herramientas digitales de comercialización.
Neurociencia y comportamiento del consumidor
Authors: Barrera Rodríguez Ana María , Duque Hurtado Pedro Luis , Merchán Villegas Vannesa Leandra
Published: August 2022

La neurociencia del consumidor examina el comportamiento del cerebro ante los diferentes estímulos que producen las marcas con el fin de poder determinar cuáles son los principales factores que llevan a una persona a consumir un producto. El presente estudio realiza un análisis bibliométrico de la literatura de la neurociencia y el comportamiento del consumidor en el que se identificaron los países, autores, revistas e instituciones más influyentes, su estructura y las líneas futuras de investigación. La revisión se efectuó a partir de un análisis bibliométrico y de redes de documentos publicados en la base de datos Scopus entre los años 2007 y 2021. Se realizó un mapeo científico a 178 documentos y a partir del análisis de redes se identificaron tres perspectivas o clústeres de investigación: la publicidad y su impacto emocional; las marcas y su persuasión al consumidor; y las emociones y su influencia en el cerebro y el comportamiento del consumidor. Por último, se presenta la agenda para futuras investigaciones.
propósito de la clasificación de los grupos de investigación
Authors: González Bríñez Mario Hernán , Valbuena Hernández Pedro Nel
Published: August 2022

Con base en los resultados obtenidos en la Convocatoria nacional para el reconocimiento y medición de grupos de investigación, desarrollo tecnológico o de innovación y para el reconocimiento de investigadores del Sistema Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación - SNCTI 2021, se elabora el presente análisis con base en una muestra de 50 grupos clasificados en el campo de las ciencias económicas y administrativas.  La descripción de relacionamientos y volumen de la producción se hizo a partir de Sci Val (Scopus), mediante un criterio de liderazgo de los grupos, tomando como muestra 38 grupos de investigación clasificados en A1.
Síndrome de Miller Fisher severo rápidamente progresivo
Authors: Mora Martínez Santiago , Vigoya Martínez Natalia , González Fajardo Daniela , Mora Arbeláez Dalia Tatiana
Published: August 2022

Introducción. El síndrome de Miller Fisher (SMF) es una manifestación atípica del síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). Se caracteriza por oftalmoparesia, ataxia y arreflexia.
Objetivo. Documentar un caso clínico de paciente pediátrico procedente de zona rural del Quindío (Colombia), quien presentó SMF severo con rápida progresión.
Materiales y métodos. Se obtuvo el consentimiento informado del representante legal del menor, la aprobación de comité de bioética institucional y se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional descriptivo de paciente pediátrico con SMF rápidamente progresivo. Se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, paraclínicas, imagenológicas, electrofisiológicas y terapéuticas.
Resultados. Ante sospecha de SGB fue remitido a centro hospitalario infantil de mayor complejidad donde se diagnosticó SMF y se trasladó a Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios Pediátricos por riesgo de falla respiratoria. Recibió infusión de inmunoglobulina endovenosa (IgIV) durante dos días, y oxígeno suplementario por cánula nasal para alcanzar saturaciones periféricas arteriales de oxígeno mayores a 90%. Al cuarto día recuperó arcos de movimiento y disminuyeron manifestaciones de debilidad muscular respiratoria , por lo que se suspendió suplencia de oxígeno. El día 16, por medio de electromiografía (EMG) con neuroconducción, se evidenció polineuropatía motora de predominio axonal desmielinizante en las cuatro extremidades, sin signos de denervación, respaldando el diagnóstico de SMF.
Conclusiones. El SMF es una variante del SGB, requiere un alto índice de sospecha diagnóstica para su identificación y tratamiento precoz. Existen pruebas útiles para su diagnóstico oportuno como la PL, anticuerpo antigangliósido Bgq1, estudios de conducción nerviosa y neuroimagen. La aplicación de criterios respalda el diagnóstico. Según niveles de certeza, el tratamiento debe contemplar terapia física, rehabilitación y, en casos severos, puede ser necesario el soporte cardiorrespiratorio y la aplicación de inmunoterapia.
Maintaining the Effectiveness of Online Teaching and Learning In Elementary Schools in Blahkiuh Village through the Integration of Tat Tvam ASI in Google Classroom
Authors: Dewa Gede Bambang Erawan , Tuti Indarawati I Gusti Ayu Putu , Pramawati AA Istri Yudhi
Published: August 2022

This pandemic has forced teachers of elementary school to hold teaching and learning activities from home. Students and parents are also forced to be familiar with online teaching, and students should keep learning the material delivered by the teacher through teaching and learning platform. In this case, teachers should pay attention to the platform they used in order to keep students’ motivation and achievement in learning, and to maintain the effectiveness of online teaching and learning. The most common platform used by elementary teachers in teaching is Google Classroom. This platform is considered to be easy to use both by teachers and students. This research was aimed at finding out the effectiveness of the use of Tat Twam Asi Based Google Classroom in elementary schools in Blahkiuh Village. The research method used in this research was qualitative method. The data was collected through interview session with Elementary schools’ teachers and students in Blahkiuh Village.  The research finding showed that integrating the concept of Tat Twam Asi in Google Classroom was effective with various limitation: the message recipients, contents, communication media, format, source, and timing.
Review of Mobile Application Studies in Special Education: A Systematic Domain Scan
Authors: Serttas Zohre , Akdag Sahin , Demir Burak
Published: August 2022

The general purpose of this research is to conduct systematic field writing screening to determine the use of mobile application studies in special education. The research was conducted in the spring of 2019-2020. The universe of research is the articles in the field of technology and special education in the field of mobile application. The sample of the study consists of 26 articles published in the Google Academic database in the field of mobile applications in private education between 2015 and 2020. First of all, journals with articles were identified by researchers as part of the use of special education technology and mobile applications and articles were examined. More qualitative and mixed research methods have been preferred as data collection tools in the researched research. It is thought that the results will shed light on future studies.
Investigation of the Relationship between Organizational Learning and Job Satisfaction
Authors: Demir Burak , Tatar Ali
Published: August 2022

Those who work in a learning organization are more satisfied with their lives. Individuals in an organization who experience job satisfaction serve organizational goals more strongly. Therefore, it is possible to say that learning organizations make a positive contribution to the job satisfaction of employees. In this study, it is aimed to test the relationship between organizational learning and job satisfaction. In this context, by using the scales developed by previous researchers, it was investigated whether there is a relationship between organizational learning and job satisfaction, and if there is a relationship, to what extent organizational learning, which is an independent variable, predicts job satisfaction, which is the dependent variable. As a result of the correlation analysis applied to the data, a statistically significant relationship was found between the "Organizational Learning" variable and the "Job Satisfaction" variable. The strength of the relationship between these two variables is moderate. In addition, a statistically significant relationship was found between a total of 7 factors belonging to the organizational learning variable and job satisfaction at medium strength. As a result of the simple linear regression analysis conducted to examine the extent to which organizational learning predicts job satisfaction, it was seen that the variance of 38.6% in job satisfaction varied depending on organizational learning. The findings of this research are consistent with previous research that emphasizes that job satisfaction is an important predictor of employees' individual performance.
Regional inequalities within the Visegrad group over the years 2000–2018
Authors: Neszmélyi György Iván , Vinogradov Sergey , Nagy Henrietta
Published: August 2022

In the present study the authors examined the spatial disparities of the Visegrad four countries to see whether the lasting cooperation of the four countries resulted in harmonious economic development or increasing gaps between the years 2000 and 2018. Based on the research results it can be concluded that regional disparities between core and periphery regions of V4 countries still have not been eliminated to a significant extent. Despite the fact that the Visegrad Group has been in the EU for 18 years, the catching-up of its regions occurred with various speed, and no harmonised development can be observed within the Group.
Kształtowanie się przestrzeni publicznej na terenach poprzemysłowych na przykładzie Dolnego Śląska
Authors: Sikorski Dominik
Published: August 2022

Omówienie rozwoju terenów poprzemysłowych, czyli terenów, które w wyniku przemian zapoczątkowanych w 1989 r. ponownie mogły stać się szeroko dostępnymi dla każdego, jest celem Autora niniejszego opracowania, który skupił się w nim przede wszystkim na przykładach pochodzących z Dolnego Śląska.
The effect of nail polish on pulse oximetry measurements – a pilot study in female volunteers
Authors: Cyganek Tomasz , Widuch Michał , Mizera Szymon , Sychta Szymon , Krzych Łukasz
Published: August 2022

Wstęp

Przed przyjęciem do szpitala zaleca się usunięcie lakieru z płytki paznokciowej, aby zapobiec nieprawidłowym wynikom saturacji. Mimo iż badania dotyczące wpływu koloru i rodzaju lakieru na pulsoksymetrię są nieliczne, zaobserwowano w nich pewne różnice uzależnione od koloru lakieru do paznokci. W niniejszym badaniu podjęto próbę oceny wpływu rodzaju i koloru lakieru do paznokci na wyniki saturacji (SpO2) u zdrowych ochotniczek.

Materiał i metody

U 169 ochotniczek z nałożonym na paznokcie lakierem dokonano pomiaru SpO2 za pomocą pulsoksymetru. Pomiaru dokonano po 5-minutowym odpoczynku, na palcu oraz na płatku ucha. Wyniki poddano analizie statystycznej.

Wyniki

Uzyskano 169 sparowanych wyników. Statystycznie istotne różnice zaobserwowano w przypadku lakierów klasycznych (p < 0,01) oraz hybrydowych (p < 0,01), nie wykazano ich natomiast w przypadku lakierów żelowych (p = 0,25). Istotny statystycznie wpływ na pomiar SpO2 miał kolor beżowy (p < 0,01), czerwony (p < 0,01) i fioletowy (p = 0,047). Różnice wynosiły 1%.

Wnioski

Klasyczny lakier do paznokci, lakier hybrydowy oraz kolory beżowy, czerwony i fioletowy mogą wpływać na wyniki SpO2. Jednak efekt ten jest niewielki i nieistotny klinicznie.
Prospects for the use of artifi cial intelligence in railway transport
Authors:   Chelyabinsk Institute of Railway Transport – branch of Ural State University of Railway Transport (CHIRT USURT), Sabirov Nakip Z. , Valiev Shamil` K. ,   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT), Valiev Rafail S. ,   NovATrans SPC
Published: August 2022

The article considers the use of artificial intelligence, highlights the main promising areas of development and application of artificial intelligence in railway transport. Actively implemented and developing artificial intelligence technologies on the railway are noted. Examples of implementation of projects with elements of artificial intelligence in railway transport, at educational institutions in the development of training simulators for learning at universities and secondary specialized educational institutions of railway transport and in the professional development of specialists of railway enterprises are given.
UST high-speed string transport for passenger transportation: advantages and development prospects
Authors:   Unitsky String Technologies, Inc., Unitsky Anatoli E. , Kryvitski Aliaksandr I. ,   Unitsky String Technologies, Inc., Artyushevsky Sergey V. ,   Unitsky String Technologies, Inc., Sokur Maxim V. ,   Unitsky String Technologies, Inc., Tsyrlin Michael I. ,   Unitsky String Technologies, Inc.
Published: August 2022

The paper presents the design features of the uST high-speed string transport, the scope of its application; describes the advantages over other modes of transport, including environmental friendliness, reliability and safety; provides technical characteristics of the manufactured six-seat electric vehicle “uniflash”; indicates the main directions for improving the design of high-speed string transport.
Operational reliability of traction electric machines of 2ES6 series electric locomotives
Authors:   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT), Khudoyarov Dmitry L. , Shatilov Nikita E. ,   Ural state university of railway transport (USURT)
Published: August 2022

The paper analyzes the 810 series TEM malfunctions. Measures are proposed to ensure the required level of reliability of traction electric motors of 2ES6 electric trains.
Who is Engaged and Why? Testing an Instrumental Perspective on Stakeholder Engagement
Authors: Schafer Josephine Gatti , Zhang Zhiwei
Published: August 2022

From an instrumental perspective, public administrators are expected to analyze their environment. They are also expected to take proactive steps to manage environmental impacts. These actions are intended to ensure that public administrators are able to achieve their goals. Part of analyzing their environment involves the engagement of stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement is believed to provide public administrators with insights into how they can better evaluate innovative policy options that allow them to overcome limited administrative capacity. Stakeholder engagement is also believed to allow public administrators with opportunities to mobilize support in light of political opposition. The purpose of this article is to test these claims within the policy area of municipal contracting out. In the article, we find strong support for these ideas. Thus, our findings should inform public administration theories about the role and importance of stakeholder engagement.
Board Chair–CEO Relationship, Board Chair Characteristics, and Nonprofit Executive Compensation
Authors: Feng Nancy Chun , Hao Xiaoting , Neely Daniel
Published: August 2022

We examine the associations between board chair–CEO relationship, board chair characteristics, and top executive compensation in U.S. nonprofit organizations. Using a sample of 2,153 organization-year observations in our empirical tests, we find a significant positive association between board chair–CEO relationship and top executive compensation. We find that board chair characteristics such as tenure and gender are not significantly associated with top executive compensation. The supplementary analyses suggest that board chair–CEO relationships are positively associated with executive compensation but for only organizations with larger revenues, a bigger board, and a lower change in percentage of program expenses. The findings should be helpful in enhancing the understanding of influencing factors on nonprofit executive compensation.
Neurology Specific Neurology Specific Principles of Good Principles of Good Transitions: Preparing for Their Development Across the Lifespan
Authors: Green Jane , Ding Clio , Santiago Tasha Leah , Herd Damon , Williams Rebecca
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to understand transitions across the life span for people living with a neurological condition. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and assistive technologies. The comics are based on our interpretation of some of that data.
A Lagrange-Laplace Integration Scheme for Weather Prediction and Climate Modelling
Authors: Lynch Peter
Published: August 2022

A time integration scheme based on semi-Lagrangian advection and
Laplace transform adjustment has been implemented in a baroclinic
primitive equation model. The semi-Lagrangian scheme makes it
possible to use large time steps. However, errors arising from the
semi-implicit scheme increase with the time step size. In contrast,
the errors using the Laplace transform adjustment remain relatively
small for typical time steps used with semi-Lagrangian advection.
Numerical experiments confirm the superior performance of the Laplace
transform scheme relative to the semi-implicit reference model. The algorithmic
complexity of the scheme is comparable to the reference model,
making it computationally competitive, and indicating its potential
for integrating weather and climate prediction models.
Comparison of S5P/TROPOMI Inferred NO2 Surface Concentrations with in-situ Measurements over Central Europe
Authors: Pseftogkas Andreas , Koukouli Maria-Elissavet , Segers Arjo , Manders Astrid , Van Geffen Jos , Balis Dimitris , Meleti Charikleia , Stavrakou Trissevgeni , Eskes Henk
Published: August 2022

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the surface concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) inferred from the Sentinel-5 Precursor TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (S5P/TROPOMI) NO2 tropospheric column densities over Central Europe for two time periods, the summer of 2019 and the winter of 2019-2020. Simulations of the NO2 tropospheric vertical column densities and surface concentrations from the LOng-Term Ozone Simulation – EURopean Operational Smog (LOTOS-EUROS) chemical transport model are also applied in the methodology. More than two hundred in-situ air quality monitoring stations, reporting to the European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality database, are used to carry out comparisons with the model simulations and the space-borne inferred surface concentrations. Stations are separated into seven types (urban traffic, suburban traffic, urban background, suburban background, rural background, suburban industrial and rural industrial) in order to examine the strengths and shortcomings of the different air quality markers, namely the NO2 vertical column densities and NO2 surface concentrations. S5P/TROPOMI NO2 surface concentrations are inferred by multiplying the fraction of the satellite and model NO2 vertical column densities with the model surface concentrations. The estimated inferred TROPOMI NO2 surface concentrations are examined further with the altering of three influencing factors: the model vertical levelling scheme, the versions of the TROPOMI NO2 data and the air mass factors applied to the satellite and model NO2 vertical column densities. Overall, the inferred TROPOMI NO2 surface concentrations show a better correlation with the in-situ measurements for both time periods and all station types, especially for the industrial stations (R>0.6) in winter. The calculated correlation for background stations is moderate for both periods (R~0.5 in summer and R>0.5 in winter), whereas for traffic stations it improves in the winter (from 0.20 to 0.50). After the implementation of the air mass factors from the local model, the bias is significantly reduced for most of the station types, especially in winter for the background stations, ranging from +0.49% for the urban background to +10.37% for the rural background stations. The mean relative bias in winter between the inferred S5P/TROPOMI NO2 surface concentrations and the ground-based measurements for industrial stations is about -15%, whereas for traffic urban stations it is approximately -25%. In summertime, biases are generally higher for all station types, especially for the traffic stations (~ -75%), ranging from -54% to -30% for the background and industrial stations.
Selective Disintegration-Milling to Obtain Metal-Rich Particle Fractions from the E-Waste
Authors: Blumbergs Ervins , Serga Vera , Shishkin Andrei , Goljandin Dmitri , Shishko Andrej , Zemcenkovs Vjaceslavs , Markus Karlis , Baronins Janis , Pankratov Vladimir
Published: August 2022

Various metals and semiconductors containing Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are abundant in any electronic device equipped with controlling and computing features. These devices inevitably constitute E-waste after the end of service life. The typical construction of PCBs includes mechanically and chemically resistive materials, which significantly reduce the reaction rate or even avoid accessing chemical reagents (dissolvents) to target metals. Additionally, the presence of relatively reactive polymers and compounds from PCBs requires high energy consumption and reactive supply due to the formation of undesirable and sometimes environmentally hazardous reaction products. Preliminarily milling PCBs into powder is a promising method for increasing the reaction rate and avoiding liquid and gaseous emissions. Unfortunately, current state-of-the-art milling methods also lead to the presence of significantly more reactive polymers still adhered to milled target metal particles. This paper aims to find a novel single and two-stage disintegration-milling approach that can provide the formation of metal-rich particle size fractions. The morphology, particle fraction sizes, bulk density, and metal content in produced particles were measured and compared. Research results show the highest bulk density (up to 6.8 g·cm-3) and total metal content (up to 95.2 wt. %) in finest sieved fractions after the single-step milling of PCBs. Therefore, the concentrations of about half tested metallic elements are higher in the single milled specimen and with lower adhered plastics concentrations, as compared to double milled specimens.
Fitness, Optima, and Simplicity
Authors: Dingle Kamaludin
Published: August 2022

Evolution by natural selection is often viewed as an optimisation process where an organism's phenotypic traits are adapted gradually to improve its fitness. Because of the many different traits with potentially conflicting requirements, among other factors, this optimisation process may appear onerous. Building on recent mathematical work connecting optima and simplicity, we here show that for certain generic phenotype fitness requirements --- those based on physics and engineering principles --- optimal phenotypic shapes will tend to `simple', in the sense of low algorithmic or descriptional complexity. As a result, we argue that adapting to these types of generic fitness requirements will be a much `easier' task for natural selection, compared to a null expectation based on arbitrary optimisation requirements. Further, selection's task may be easier still due to the fact that optimal phenotypes for one set of generic fitness constraints may also be close to optimal for other generic constraints, such that adapting to one constraint yields the other `for free'.
A Two-Domain MATLAB Implementation for Efficient Computation of the Voigt/Complex Error Function
Authors: Abrarov Sanjar , Siddiqui Rehan , Jagpal Rajinder Kumar , Quine Brendan M.
Published: August 2022

In this work we develop a new algorithm for efficient computation of the Voigt/complex error function. In particular, in this approach we propose a two-domain scheme where number of the grid-points is dependent on the input parameter $y$. The error analysis we performed shows that the MATLAB implementation meets the requirements for radiative transfer applications involving the HITRAN spectroscopic database. The run-time test shows that this MATLAB implementation provides rapid computation especially at smaller range of the parameter x.
Partisan Polarization of Childhood Vaccination Policies, 1995‒2020
Authors: Estep Kevin , Muse Annika , Sweeney Shannon , Goldstein Neal D.
Published: August 2022

Objectives. To examine trends in partisan polarization of childhood vaccine bills and the impact of polarization on bill passage in the United States.

Methods. We performed content analysis on 1497 US state bills (1995–2020) and obtained voting returns for 228 legislative votes (2011‒2020). We performed descriptive and statistical analyses using 2 measures of polarization.

Results. Vote polarization rose more rapidly for immunization than abortion or veterans’ affairs bills. Bills in 2019–2020 were more than 7 times more likely to be polarized than in 1995–1996 (odds ratio [OR] = 7.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.54, 13.99). Bills related to public health emergencies were more polarized (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.13, 2.75). Sponsor polarization was associated with 34% lower odds of passage (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.42, 1.03).

Conclusions. State lawmakers were more divided on vaccine policy, but partisan bills were less likely to pass. Bill characteristics associated with lower polarization could signal opportunities for future bipartisanship.

Public Health Implications. Increasing partisan polarization could alter state-level vaccine policies in ways that jeopardize childhood immunization rates or weaken responsiveness during public health emergencies. Authorities should look for areas of bipartisan agreement on how to maintain vaccination rates. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(10):1471–1479. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306964 )
RAEDERICHNUS DONDASI A NEW TRACE FOSSIL FROM THE EARLY PALEOZOIC OF ARGENTINA REVEALS SHOALING BEHAVIOR IN EARLY FISH
Authors: HALPERN KAREN , GOUIRIC-CAVALLI SOLEDAD , TAGLIORETTI MATIAS L. , FARENGA MARCELO , SCAGLIA FERNANDO , MARCILESE LYDIA CALVO , DEL RÍO JULIO L.
Published: August 2022

Although vertebrate carcasses––particularly those assigned to fishes––are abundant in the fossil record, the literature rarely mentions fishes as trace producers. Herein we present evidence that was possibly overlooked in previous studies. Study of more than 100 large, shallow, teardrop-shaped, imprints that are aligned, with few overlapping each other, from early Paleozoic (probably Silurian based on trace fossils) outcrops in western Gondwana (southeastern Argentina), are identified as the oldest example of shoaling behavior. To understand the nature of the behavior, we considered analog (vertebrate and invertebrate) extant and extinct taxa. We compare and discuss the superficial similarities with certain traces, in particular Selenichnites isp. and erect a new ichnotaxon, Raederichnus dondasi isp. nov. for the Argentinian material. We report for the first time from the Balcarce Formation Psammichnites isp., in association with Herradurichnus scagliai, both forming minor components of the ichnoassemblage. Raederichnus dondasi and the accompanying traces are preserved in three-dimensional dunes, developed in a tide-dominated shallow marine environment. Given the morphological resemblance, and paleoecological context, we consider that Raederichnus dondasi might have been produced by fish while “resting”. Finally, this aggregation of trace fossils suggests shoaling related to feeding or breeding on the shallow marine bottom surface.
It's online, but is it learning? - A reflection on the acceleration towards digital distance learning (DDL) in mainstream higher education.
Authors:   University of Greenwich, Vlachos Peter
Published: August 2022

The Coronavirus pandemic during the past two years (March 2020 – March 2022) has accelerated investment in, and the use of, digital distance learning (DDL). The transition towards DDL in mainstream higher education during this period has expanded both in terms of depth and breadth. Few academic practitioners, observers, managers, or students could have foreseen this rapid pace of change. Unprecedented government interventions in social contact and mobility presented little choice to universities than to adapt in response. The emergency pandemic conditions created an opportunity to implement changes to delivery methods with far less consideration or scrutiny than would have otherwise in more normal times. In this position paper, I provide a brief history of distance learning as a backdrop then to explore some of ‘deeper’ pedagogical implications of these rapid change transition to DDL in mainstream higher education.
Full Endoscopic Interlaminar Contralateral Lumbar Foraminotomy for Recurrent L5-S1 Foraminal-extraforaminal Stenosis: A Case Report with a Technical Note
Authors: Kim Ji Yeon , Lee Dong Chan , Kim Tae Hyeun , Park Choon Keun
Published: August 2022

After endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy, decreased disc height commonly causes foraminal restenosis and accompanying lateral recess stenosis. Interlaminar contralateral endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy can be used to treat multiple recurrent lesions instead of fusion surgery. Dorsal foraminal-extraforaminal decompression is challenging because of severe perineural adhesions. Therefore, neural decompression should be focused on the ventral foraminal expansion along the virgin dissection plane between the exiting nerve root and ventral foraminal pathologies. The prominent bony spur and herniated disc were removed using an endoscopic drill and forceps. As the foramen was enlarged, the endoscope was introduced deeper through the caudal-ventral foramen space to explore the extraforaminal and far-out lesions. Postoperatively, neurological deficits of L5 radiculopathy and radiating leg pain improved. The expanded foraminal-extraforaminal space was well maintained without progression of lateral wedging on the one-year follow-up images. We successfully treated recurrent foraminal-extraforaminal stenosis and combined lateral recess stenosis using the full endoscopic interlaminar contralateral approach at the L5-S1 level. This technique may be an alternative surgical method to treat the recurrent foraminal-extraforaminal stenosis in the collapse of the L5-S1 neuroforamen. However, this technique should be considered in highly selected patients unsuitable for fusion operations.
Analysis and characterisation of extreme wind gust hazards in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Rafei Moutassem El , Sherwood Steven , Evans Jason , Dowdy Andrew
Published: August 2022

Extreme wind gusts cause major socioeconomic damage, and the rarity and localised nature of those events make their analysis challenging by either modelling or empirical approaches. Data from 29 automatic weather stations located in New South Wales (eastern Australia), with a maximum data range of 1998-2021, are used to study the distribution, frequency and average recurrence intervals (ARIs) of extreme gusts via a peaks-over-threshold approach. We distinguish between gust events generated by synoptic phenomena (e.g., cyclones and frontal systems), hereafter called ”synoptic events” and convective phenomena (i.e., thunderstorms), hereafter called ”convective events”, using the wind time series. For synoptic events the results show a gradient in the frequencies of gusts > 25 m/s that decreases when going inland from the coast, in contrast to the case for convective events which are more uniformly distributed geographically and have higher occurrence frequencies for extremes across nearly all inland locations. The ARI analysis shows that at inland locations extreme wind gusts are dominated by convective events, whereas coastal stations have similar frequencies of both types at low ARIs but again a dominance of convective events at the highest ARIs. Wind direction was also investigated and extreme gusts were found to be predominantly westerly at inland locations, with more variable direction for convective than synoptic events, and southerlies at coastal stations. This study confirms the dominant role of thunderstorms in producing the most extreme gusts in the region, and shows that wind risk varies strongly with distance from the coast.
Effectiveness of a co-production with dialogue program for reducing stigma against mental illness: a quasi-experimental study with a pre- and post-test design
Authors: Nakanishi Eiichi , Tamachi Masahiro , Hashimoto Takeshi
Published: August 2022

For people with mental illness, stigma represents a barrier to social participation. Health professionals, including students, should not hold stigma-based perceptions of such individuals. Further, people with mental illness should not have self-stigma. This study aimed to develop—and examine the effectiveness of—a new program based on co-production with dialogue for reducing stigma among both health science students and people with mental illness. This was a quasi-experimental study, with a pre- and post-test design and no control group. The sample comprised 28 university students majoring in occupational therapy and 20 community-dwelling people with mental illness. The Co-Production with Dialogue Program for Reducing Stigma (CPD-RS) was administered to this sample. Link’s Devaluation Discrimination Scale (DDS) was used to assess whether the program reduced stigma. Compared to their pre-intervention scores, the students’ post-intervention DDS scores significantly decreased, persisting for at least one month, but those of people with mental illness showed no significant change. Both the students and people with mental illness evaluated the program as “positive” through a questionnaire administered two months after the intervention. These results suggest that the CPD-RS reduces health science students’ stigma toward people with mental illness and fosters mutual understanding among the two groups.
The conditional defector strategies can violate the most crucial supporting mechanisms of cooperation.
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed
Published: August 2022

Cooperation is essential for all domains of life. Yet, ironically, it is intrinsically vulnerable to exploitation by cheats. Hence, an explanatory necessity spurs many evolutionary biologists to search for mechanisms that could support cooperation. In general, cooperation can emerge and be maintained when cooperators are sufficiently interacting with themselves. This communication provides a kind of assortment and reciprocity. The most crucial and common mechanisms to achieve that task are kin selection, spatial structure, and enforcement (punishment). Here, we used agent-based simulation models to investigate these pivotal mechanisms against conditional defector strategies. We concluded that it could easily violate all of them and take over the population. This surprising outcome may urge us to rethink the evolution of cooperation, as it illustrates that maintaining cooperation may be more difficult than previously thought. Moreover, empirical applications may support these theoretical findings, such as invading the cooperator population of pathogens by genetically engineered conditional defectors, which could be a potential therapy for many incurable diseases.
A Topographical Analysis Of Encephalocele Locations: Generation Of A Standardised Atlas and Cluster Analysis
Authors: Vakharia Vejay N. , Toescu Sebastian , Copp Andrew J. , Thompson Dominic N. P.
Published: August 2022

Objective
Encephaloceles are considered to result from defects in the developing skull through which meninges, and potentially brain tissue, herniate. The pathological mechanism underlying this process is incompletely understood. We aimed to describe the location of encephaloceles through the generation of a group atlas to determine whether they occur at random sites or clusters within distinct anatomical regions.
Methods
Patients diagnosed with cranial encephaloceles or meningoceles were identified from a prospectively maintained database between 1984 and 2021. Images were transformed to atlas space using non-linear registration. The bone defect, encephalocele and herniated brain contents were manually segmented allowing for a 3-dimensional heat map of encephalocele locations to be generated. The centroids of the bone defects were clustered utilising a K-mean clustering machine learning algorithm in which the elbow method was used to identify the optimal number of clusters.
Results
Of the 124 patients identified, 55 had volumetric imaging in the form of MRI (48/55) or CT (7/55) that could be used for atlas generation. Median encephalocele volume was 14704 [IQR 3655–86746] mm3 and the median surface area of the skull defect was 679 [IQR 374–765] mm2. Brain herniation into the encephalocele was found in 45% (25/55) with a median volume of 7433 [IQR 3123–14237] mm3. Application of the elbow method revealed 3 discrete clusters: 1) Anterior skull base (22%; 12/55), 2) Parieto-occipital junction (45%; 25/55) and 3) Peri-torcular (33%; 18/55). Cluster analysis revealed no correlation between the location of the encephalocele with gender [χ2 (2, n = 91) = 3.86, p = 0.15]. Compared to expected population frequencies, encephaloceles were relatively more common in Black, Asian and Other compared to White ethnicities. A falcine sinus was identified in 51% (28/55) of cases. Falcine sinuses were more common [χ2 (2, n = 55) = 6.09, p = 0.05] whilst brain herniation was less common [χ2 (2, n = 55) = .16.24, p < 0.0003] in the parieto-occipital location.
Conclusion
This analysis revealed three predominant clusters for the location of encephaloceles, with the parieto-occipital junction being the most common. The stereotypic location of encephaloceles into anatomically distinct clusters and the coexistence of distinct venous malformations at certain sites suggests that their location is not random and raises the possibility of distinct pathogenic mechanisms unique to each of these regions.
Application of the Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle to Quality Management of Online Teaching for Nursing Students in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Self-Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhao Peizhong , Zhang Xiaoli , Fan Yanyan , Wang Hui
Published: August 2022

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, online education has become popular. However, it was worth probing into how to ensure the quality of online teaching due to the change of learning environment and the barrier of space distance. Zimmerman’s self-regulated learning theory argued that the students' self-regulated learning was the interaction between and among ego, behavior and environment, and self-regulated learners could not only a learning process for the inner active control and adjustment, but also through external feedback to the external form of learning and learning environment to take the initiative to monitor and adjust. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of online teaching management for nursing students based on plan–do–check–act (PDCA) cycle management during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide reference for further improving online teaching management.Methods: 151 nursing students from a school were used to select through a cluster sampling method as the participants, and the PDCA cycle was applied to manage online teaching. The effectiveness of teaching was investigated and analyzed using the Nursing Students’ Independent Learning Ability Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and a self-administered online teaching satisfaction questionnaire before and 3 months after PDCA application. Results: The overall satisfaction rate of nursing students with online teaching was 100%, and 99.11%–100% of the students expressed satisfaction with all aspects of the PDCA. Differences in nursing students’ independent learning ability (77.475 ± 12.521 vs. 81.168 ± 17.287) and self-efficacy (23.532 ± 4.751 vs. 25.015 ± 5.395) before and after PDCA application were significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The PDCA cycle is conducive to improving the independent learning ability and self-efficacy of nursing students, effectively improving the quality of online teaching, and providing a reference for blended teaching quality management in the post-epidemic era.
AiMing High in regional Australia: Will the medical education response to COVID-19 transform how we prepare students for internship?
Authors: McCrossin Tim , Dutton Tegan , Payne Kristy , Wilson Ross , Bailey Jannine
Published: August 2022

Background: The global outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 placed immediate pressure on health services. Undergraduate medical education was consequently impacted with decreased availability of health professionals for teaching and supervising hospital placements. At a time when more Doctors were needed, universities across the globe were required to change the way they taught medicine to ensure students could complete their medical degree without delays. In a state and territory of Australia, the university sector worked with health services and organisations to establish the Assistant in Medicine (AiM) program. The AiM program employed final year medical students to assistant in hospitals, whilst also supporting them to continue their studies. The 2020 AiMing High program that was rolled out at a regional hospital (Bathurst Health Service, New South Wales) was evaluated to determine whether the program was a success from the perspective of hospital staff.Methods: At the Bathurst Health Service (regional New South Wales), 17 Western Sydney University final year medical students participated in the AiMing High program for 16-weeks. Hospital staff were invited to participate in a survey at the commencement and completion of AiM term. Focus groups/interviews were completed with hospital staff and AiM supervisors. Analysis was completed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: Hospital staff reported that the AiMing High program provided an enhanced learning opportunity for medical students. Staff and supervisors observed students grow in regards to increased confidence and taking on more responsibility, ability to communicate and work in a multidisciplinary team environment, and clinical and professional competencies. It was commonly reported that the students worked at an internship level. The AiM program was seen as a potential new way of providing education, however improvements in staff orientation regarding AiMs scope of practice would be needed. Conclusions: The AiM program was seen as a success by staff as it added clinical value to this under-resourced regional hospital, whilst also providing students with an education that enabled them to graduate from medicine. Ongoing evaluation of such a program will determine the best way to prepare senior medical students for internship.
Ablation of Deubiquitinase USP15 Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Chun Kyung-Hee , Baek Jung-Hwan , Kim Myung Sup , Han Dai Hoon , Lee Yong-ho , Jung Hye Ryeon , Yi Eugene , Im Seung Soon , Hwang Ilseon , Kim Kyungeun , Chung Joon-Yong
Published: August 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs due to the accumulation of fat in the liver, leading to fatal liver diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying NAFLD is critical for its prevention and therapy. Here, we observed deubiquitinase USP15 expression was upregulated in mouse livers fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and liver biopsies of patients with NAFLD or NASH. USP15 interacted with lipid-accumulating proteins such as FABPs and perilipins to reduce ubiquitination and increase their protein stability. Furthermore, the severity phenotype of NAFLD induced by HFD, and NASH by the fructose/palmitate/cholesterol/trans-fat (FPC) diet was significantly ameliorated in hepatocyte-specific USP15-knockout mice. Thus, our findings reveal an unrecognized function of USP15 in the lipid accumulation of livers, which exacerbates NAFLD to NASH by overriding nutrients and inducing inflammation. Therefore, targeting USP15 can be used in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD and NASH.
Exploring the effects of rural human settlement on rural development: Evidence from Xianju County in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhu Yingming , Yu Maojun
Published: August 2022

While boosting rural development, improvements in rural human settlements have become universal choices in many countries throughout the world. However, few studies have been devoted to in-depth exploration of the effects of rural human settlements on rural development. To fill in the research gap, this study firstly established a mechanism framework of the effects of human settlements on rural development, and proposed a hypothetical structural equation model of variables’ interaction. The framework and model were further applied to a case study in a typical rural county in China with by using 370 household survey data. The results indicated that the effects of rural human settlements on rural development were a layer-by-layer processes with dynamic changes. The implementations of rural human settlement improvement projects can firstly stimulate qualitative changes of the three core factors in rural regional systems (namely population, land, and industry). The changes further bring a series of effects, such as scale effects, health promotion effects, factor mobility effects, and the like, thereby facilitating sustainable rural development. The results also confirmed that the overall impact of rural human settlements on rural development was dimensionally heterogeneous. The effects of the five aspects of human settlements exhibit an order of infrastructure conditions > natural environment conditions > public service levels > housing conditions > human social amenities. The results obtained in this investigation not only offer some new insights for rural planners and policymakers for better understanding the relationships between human settlements and rural development, but also provide scientific and useful guidance for beautiful countryside construction and rural revitalization.