bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demokratiakasvatuksen tiellä?
Authors: Hiljanen Mikko , Tallavaara Riitta , Rautiainen Matti , Männistö Perttu
Published: November 2021

Suomalainen koulutusjärjestelmä perustuu opettajien vahvaan osaamiseen ja autonomiaan, jonka opettajat omaksuvat opettajankoulutuksen aikana. Kuitenkin useat tutkimukset ja selvitykset ovat osoittaneet, että vaikka demokratia arvolähtökohtana tunnistetaan kaikissa suomalaisissa opettajankoulutusta antavissa yksiköissä, antaa koulutus vain vähän valmiuksia toteuttaa demokratiakasvatusta. Artikkelissa analysoimme opetuskokonaisuutta, jonka tavoitteena on ollut tarjota luokanopettajaopiskelijoille vahvat tiedot ja taidot toteuttaa demokratia- ja yhteiskuntakasvatusta suuntaamalla koulutuksen tavoitteita kohti demokratiaa elämäntapana. Kuvaamme ja analysoimme ryhmän arkea ja toimintaa, jonka avulla tavoitteeseen on pyritty, minkä jälkeen tarkastelemme opiskelijoiden ajattelussa tapahtuneita muutoksia analysoimalla opiskelijoiden opintojen aikana tekemiä kirjoitelmia kaksivaiheisen sisällönanalyysin avulla ja peilaamalla niitä Euroopan neuvoston muotoilemiin demokratiakompetensseihin. Analyysin perusteella esitämme, että demokraattisen elämäntavan luominen kouluihin ja laajemmin kasvatuksen piiriin on jatkuvaa dialogista ja vuorovaikutteista kulttuurin rakentamista, mitä kehystävät eri lähtökohdista tulevien ihmisten käsitykset yhtäältä omasta itsestään sekä yhteisöjen toiminnasta sekä toisaalta aiemmin omaksutut käsitykset koulusta ja kasvatuksesta.
En suvaitse mitä vaan mutta kuinka suvaitsevainen sinä luulet olevasi?
Authors: Kortessalo-Ainasoja Johanna
Published: November 2021

Arvosteltu teos: Airaksinen, Timo ja Gylling, Heta 2020. Suvaitsevaisuus – erään taistelun kuvaus. Helsinki: Arktinen banaani. 253 s.
Avaus koulumuistojen tutkimukseen
Authors: Jokila Suvi
Published: November 2021

Koulumuistot ovat viime aikoina herättäneet tutkimuksellista kiinnostusta. Koulumuistotutkimuksella voidaan lisätä henkilökohtaisten mikrotason havaintojen kautta ymmärrystä laajemmista yhteiskunnallisista ja koulutuksellisista muutoksista Suomessa. Tässä katsauksessa tarkastelen koulumuistotutkimuksen kenttää ja piirteitä Suomessa. Katsauksen lopuksi esitän, että vaikka aiempaa koulumuistotutkimusta on jonkin verran, erityisesti maaseudulle sijoittuvat kyläkoulumuistot ovat jääneet koulumuistotutkimuksen katveeseen huolimatta maaseudun merkittävästä kontekstista suomalaislasten elämässä ja koulunkäynnissä. Kyläkoulututkimuksella on mahdollisuuksia tarkastella yksilöllisten kokemusten kautta laajempia yhteiskunnallisia ja kulttuurisia prosesseja alati muuttuvalla maaseudulla.
Neulanpistokudelma teinikuntatoiminnan historiaan
Authors: Tähtinen Juhani Esko
Published: November 2021

Arvosteltu teos: Jouhki, Essi 2020: Teinikuntatoiminnan sukupolvet: Muistitietohistoriaoppikoulujen koululaisliikkeestä 1950‒1970-luvuilla. Oulu: Oulun yliopisto.372 s. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789526225173
Olemmeko kärpäsiä vai mehiläisiä?
Authors: Ikonen Risto
Published: November 2021

Kirjoituksessa hahmotellaan kahta toisistaan eroavaa demokratiakäsitystä, joista molemmista löytyy yhteys 1800-luvun puolivälissä muotoiltuun kehitysoppiin. Talouden vapautta korostava oppi pitää inhimillisen kehityksen liikkeellepanevana voimana ihmisten itsekästä voitonhalua. Jos yksilöiden välistä kilpailua yritetään rajoittaa, kyseessä ei voi olla demokratia. Kilpailullisen demokratian rinnalla on vaikuttanut demokratiakäsitys, jonka perustana on yhteinen neuvonpito. Sille on ominaista pyrkimys sovitella vastakkaisia toiveita ja pyrkimyksiä. Näin ajateltuna evoluution toimijoita eivät ole yksilöt vaan yhteisöt. Jos joku yksilö tai kansanosa on jätetty neuvonpidon ulkopuolelle, silloin kyse ei voi olla demokratiasta. Näin ajateltuna demokratia voidaan ymmärtää joko voitonhalun innoittamaksi yksilöiden väliseksi kilpailuksi tai yhteisökokonaisuuden kannalta parasta ratkaisua etsiväksi neuvonpidoksi. Nämä kaksi toisensa poissulkevaa demokratian muotoa ovat läsnä aikamme poliittisessa keskustelussa, vaikka ne jäävätkin helposti huomaamatta. Tämä ei ole ongelmatonta, sillä demokratian kilpailullistaminen hankaloittaa neuvonpitoa uhaten samalla tukahduttaa yhteisön oppimiskyvyn.
Nekton community dynamics within active and inactive deltas in a major river estuary: potential implications for altered hydrology regimes
Authors: Taylor CB , Nyman JA , La Peyre MK
Published: November 2021

High fisheries production within estuaries is associated with coastal upwelling, tidal mixing, and land-based runoff facing increasing impacts from climate and human activities. Active river deltas receive large riverine inflows compared to inactive river deltas, providing contrasting estuaries to compare impacts of river inflow on estuarine nekton. We quantified nekton assemblages and stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) of commercially important blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 within an active and inactive delta in coastal Louisiana to explore the impacts of differing riverine inflow. Crustaceans dominated estuarine assemblages, differing only by season and not delta type, with summer and fall supporting highest densities. Fish density and assemblages differed by the interaction of season and delta due to differences during the 2019 record high spring river inflow. During this period, the active delta supported reduced fish densities and richness compared to the inactive delta. Nekton densities across deltas and seasons reflect a combination of species life history characteristics and habitat conditions. The high spring river discharge in 2019 impacted habitat availability (reduced presence of submerged aquatic vegetation), water conditions (decreased temperature and salinity), and potentially displaced nekton to unsampled habitat areas (i.e. interior marsh surface) within the active delta. While differences in nekton density and assemblages were only evident during the high spring river discharge, δ15N values of blue crabs were approximately 1.5 times higher in the active delta, potentially indicating more terrestrial influence. Understanding how altered inflow impacts environmental variables supporting estuarine nekton production remains critical for supporting management within these hydrologically managed regions.
Common-garden comparison of relative survival and fitness-related traits of wild, farm, and hybrid Atlantic salmon Salmo salar parr in nature
Authors: Crowley SE , Bradbury IR , Messmer AM , Duffy SJ , Islam SS , Fleming IA
Published: November 2021

When escapee farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar interbreed with wild fish, the introgression of maladaptive genes can lower wild population productivity and alter key life history traits. To date, only a few European studies have compared wild, farm, and hybrid salmon under common conditions in the wild, isolating the influence of genetics on survival and fitness-related traits. Here, we examined the performance of experimentally derived Atlantic salmon fry from 4 cross types (wild, farm, and reciprocal F1 hybrids) during the first summer of growth at 3 locations in southern Newfoundland. Overall survival was high, with the cross type rank order consistent across sites (mean percent recaptured: wild-mother hybrids 26.2% ≈ wild 26.0% > farm 19.2% > farm-mother hybrids 12.8%). Wild fish were smaller than wild-mother hybrids and farm fish, though differed less in size from farm-mother hybrids. At 2 out of 3 sites, wild-mother hybrids were larger than wild and farm-mother hybrid fish but had only a small size advantage over farm fish. Shape differences were small and mainly related to body depth, with the largest differences between wild and farm fish. Wild-mother hybrids had fewer parr marks than other cross types at a single site, and though differences in the size of marks were minimal, farm fish tended to have the narrowest marks. Overall, these results show that genetic differences exist for fitness-related traits among wild, farm, and hybrid juveniles, even over short temporal scales and under favourable environmental conditions, and may contribute to patterns of reduced farm-mother hybrid and feral farm survival in the wild.
Sensitivity Analysis of FAARFIELD Rigid Airport Pavement Thickness Determination
Authors: White Greg , Sterling Mitch , Duggan Matt , Sterling Jordan
Published: November 2021

FAARFIELD is a common mechanistic-empirical software that uses a combination of layered elastic and finite element methods for the determination of rigid aircraft pavement thickness. The primary input parameters are the aircraft type, mass and departures, concrete flexural strength, sub-base material and thickness, as well as subgrade support characteristic. A parametric sensitivity analysis, including three common commercial aircraft and four subgrade conditions, determined that concrete thickness was most sensitive to concrete strength and aircraft mass. The concrete thickness was least sensitive to the sub-base material and thickness and was moderately sensitive to the subgrade condition and aircraft departures. These relative sensitivities were consistent when the results were analysed based on average percentage change in concrete thickness, the average slope of lines of best fit for normalised parameter values and the coefficients of a numeric linear regression for concrete thickness. It is recommended that designers focus their attention on accurately estimating realistic concrete strength and aircraft mass values, as these parameters had the greatest influence on concrete thickness.
In search of pilgrim routes across southern Fife, 1100–1550
Authors: Manson Bruce F.
Published: November 2021

This study aims to review the evidence for under-studied aspects of pilgrimage in south and central Fife, the likely routes taken by pilgrims, their overnight accommodation and the changing landscape crossed by these travellers. It focusses in on the tracks, burns, marshes and hospices that lay between the great and better studied centres, such as Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, and St Andrews itself, and tries to draw together the written evidence, the landscape features and the recently researched historical and place-name evidence.
A Flair for Theory: Freud, Derrida, Kafka, and Kant
Authors: G. Levine Michael
Published: November 2021

Derrida's essay, ‘Devant la loi’, opens with the citation of an1897 letter from Freud to his friend, Wilhelm Fliess, in which he confides that he has a presentiment he shall soon discover the origin of morality. What interests Derrida is not only the discovery that will indeed soon follow but the temporal structure of presentiment itself. Seeking to give such a vague intimation a more rigorous sense, he theorizes presentiment as a way of ‘precognizing’ something that will never otherwise have been known as such. Through close readings of Kafka, Freud and Kant, Derrida asks how the moral law itself might be thinkable only in the mode of a certain pre-, a mode whose very ‘beforeness’ has to be radically rethought.
Crisis de la caravana de migrantes: Algunas realidades sobre el discurso público en Twitter
Authors: Toudert Djamel
Published: November 2021

The study aims to exploreTwitter content tofind out the confrontational structure of onlinepublic discourseduring the migrant caravan crisisof2018. To carry out this approach, anexploratory quantitative method was chosen to analyzea representative universe of the messages published on the platform from January1 to February 15, 2019. The findings indicate —among others—that the public discourse on the caravan is transnational, widely stimulated by the media,and for the most part, expresses neutral sentiment. However, the articulation of the media landscape and the rhetorical structure of the migrationcrisis seem to exhibit similarities and differences between countries of receiving tradition and transit. For thelatter, it is suggested to extendthe research to othertechnological means involved in the construction/deconstruction of the migratory narrative.
The Impact of Labor Migration on Human Capital Development
Authors: Grebeniyk Aleksandr , Aleshkovski Ivan , Maksimova Anastasiya
Published: November 2021

The growing role of labor migrationis one of the most notabletrendsininternational migrationflows.Thismigration has become an important factor ineconomic development and a source of the increasing interdependence of countries and regions intoday’sglobalizedworld. It impactsmigrants’ country of origin as well as the destination country, chiefly affecting human capital in both groups of nations.This article systematizesthe positive and negative effects of labor migration focusing on humancapitalwhile suggesting asystem of indicators characterizing such effects.Special attention is paid to the analysis of policies related to suchmigration. This study explains how countries of origin and destination must carry outeffective and fair managementof labor migrationto make the most of itsbenefits at an international level.
¿Las raíces en el lado equivocado de sus vidas? Jóvenes retornados y deportados desde Estados Unidos a Guanajuato
Authors: Vila-Freyer Ana
Published: November 2021

Thisarticle analyzes the experience narrated by young migrant returnees and deportees from the United States, settled in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Based ontheirexperience, we discuss the explanatory limits of the perspectives of transnationalism and return migration. The cases analyzed allow us to determinethat when migrating from North to South,young people undergo an adaptation process supported by family networksthat nonetheless constitutea double-edged sword: while facilitating their integration in Mexico, family membersalso provide their first encounter withdiscrimination, which theywill later experience in other contexts. Although initially,young people forced toreturn find themselves caged in by these intangible resources, they also overcome them by expanding their identity repertoires and reconstructingtheir sense of belonging to Mexico. This workseeksto highlight the need to develop a research agenda focused on young migrants, to whom it is difficult to extrapolate existing analytical perspectives.
IMPROVING WRITING SKILL THROUGH THINK-PAIR-SHARE ON DESCRIPTIVE TEXT IN THE SECOND GRADERS OF MTs. NURUL ISLAM SLATRI , BREBES
Authors: Arifudin Aziz Muhammad
Published: November 2021

Writing is assumed as the most difficult skill among other skills. Meanwhile, explaining all the materials until the end of the class is still used in the teaching process of descriptive text. This research is generally to answer whether or not think-pair-share can improve students’ writing skill on descriptive text and specifically to know: (1) the teacher’s activities, (2) the students’ activities, and (3) the students’ responses during the implementation of think-pair-share on writing class of descriptive text. The subjects are 16 students of the second graders of MTs Nurul Islam Slatri in the academic year of 2013/2014. The data were obtained from the observations and writing test. The students’ writing skill improved after the implementation of Think-Pair-Share that could be seen in the improvement of mean score, from 68.4 and 72.5 in cycle one to 73.4 and 77.2 in cycle two. The percentage of students who passed the minimum mastery criteria also improved, from 62.5 % and 69 % in cycle one to 75 % and 100 % in cycle two. In conclusion, think-pair-share can improve students’ writing skill on descriptive text.
Organic Amendments and Sampling Date Influences on Soil Bacterial Community Composition and Their Predictive Functional Profiles in an Olive Grove Ecosystem
Authors: Sosa Laura L. de , Moreno Beatriz , Herrera Rafael Alcalá , Panettieri Marco , Madejón Engracia , Benítez Emilio
Published: November 2021

A collapse of soil microbial diversity, mainly due to chemical inputs, has been reported to lead to the degradation of conventional agroecosystems. The use of compost from urban and agricultural waste management, in order to achieve a net gain in the storage of C, is an adequate management of agricultural soils, especially in rainfed conditions. However, the great variability of composts of different maturity and origins and of the soils to which they are added limits the ability to predict the impact of these amendments on the dynamics of soil microbial communities. This study was designed to gain insights on the effect of exogenous organic matter management on the soil bacterial community and its contribution to key functions relevant to agricultural soils. To achieve this, two different types of compost (alperujo or biosolids composts) at two doses were used as soil amendments twice for 3 years in a rainfed olive grove ecosystem. A metagenomic analysis was carried out to assess the abundance and composition of the soil bacterial communities and predicted functions. We only detected a minor and transitory effect on the bacterial abundance of the soil, the structure of the community and the potential functions, less related to the dose or the type of compost than to seasonal variations. Although the result suggests that the soil bacteria were highly resilient, promoting community stability and functional resilience after the addition of the two composts, more efforts are necessary to assess not only the resulting soil microbial community after organic fertilization but the intrinsic microbial community within the organic amendment that acts as an inoculum, and to what extent the changes in its dose could lead to the functionality of the soil.
Evaluating the Effects of Climate Change on Spatial Aggregation of Giant Pandas and Sympatric Species in a Mountainous Landscape
Authors: Zhao Naxun , Zhang Ximing , Shan Guoyu , Ye Xinping
Published: November 2021

Understanding how climate change alters the spatial aggregation of sympatric species is important for biodiversity conservation. Previous studies usually focused on spatial shifting of species but paid little attention to changes in interspecific competitions under climate change. In this study, we evaluated the potential effects of climate change on the spatial aggregation of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and three sympatric competitive species (i.e., black bears (Ursus thibetanus), golden takins (Budorcas taxicolor), and wild boars (Sus scrofa)) in the Qinling Mountains, China. We employed an ensemble species distribution modeling (SDM) approach to map the current spatial distributions of giant pandas and sympatric animals and projected them to future climate scenarios in 2050s and 2070s. We then examined the range overlapping and niche similarities of these species under different climate change scenarios. The results showed that the distribution areas of giant pandas and sympatric species would decrease remarkably under future climate changes. The shifting directions of the overlapping between giant pandas and sympatric species vary under different climate change scenarios. In conclusion, future climate change greatly shapes the spatial overlapping pattern of giant pandas and sympatric species in the Qinling Mountains, while interspecific competition would be intensified under both mild and worst-case climate change scenarios.
Procalcitonin Increase Is Associated with the Development of Critical Care-Acquired Infections in COVID-19 ARDS
Authors: Richards Owen , Pallmann Philip , King Charles , Cheema Yusuf , Killick Charlotte , Thomas-Jones Emma , Harris Jessica , Bailey Catherine , Szakmany Tamas
Published: November 2021

Secondary bacterial infection in COVID-19 patients is associated with increased mortality and disproportionately affects critically ill patients. This single-centre retrospective observational study investigates the comparative efficacy of change in procalcitonin (PCT) and other commonly available biomarkers in revealing or predicting microbiologically proven secondary infection in critical COVID-19 patients. Adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between 9 March 2020 and 5 June 2020 were recruited to the study. For daily biomarker and secondary infection, laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (LCBI) and ventilator-associated pneumonia/tracheobronchitis (VAP/VAT) data were collected. We observed a PCT rise in 53 (81.5%) of the patients, a C-reactive protein (CRP) rise in 55 (84.6%) and a white blood cell count (WBC) rise in 61 (93.8%). Secondary infection was confirmed in 33 (50.8%) of the patients. A PCT rise was present in 97.0% of patients with at least one confirmed VAP/VAT and/or LCBI event. CRP and WBC rises occurred in 93.9% and 97.0% of patients with confirmed VAP/VAT and/or LCBI, respectively. Logistic regression analysis found that, when including all biomarkers in the same model, there was a significant association between PCT rise and the occurrence of LCBI and/or VAP/VAT (OR = 14.86 95%CI: 2.20, 342.53; p = 0.021). Conversely, no statistically significant relationship was found between either a CRP rise (p = 0.167) or a WBC rise (p = 0.855) and the occurrence of VAP/VAT and/or LCBI. These findings provide a promising insight into the usefulness of PCT measurement in predicting the emergence of secondary bacterial infection in ICU.
Effect of Imipenem and Amikacin Combination against Multi-Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Farhan Sara Mahmoud , Raafat Mohamed , Abourehab Mohammed A. S. , Abd El-Baky Rehab Mahmoud , Abdalla Salah , EL-Gendy Ahmed Osama , Azmy Ahmed Farag
Published: November 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Combination of antibiotics has been found to combat multi-drug resistant or extensively drug resistance P. aeruginosa. In this study we investigate the in vitro and in vivo effect of amikacin and imipenem combination against resistant P. aeruginosa. The checkerboard technique and time-killing curve have been performed for in vitro studies showed synergistic effect for combination. A peritonitis mouse model has been used for evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of this combination which confirmed this synergistic effect. The in vitro and in vivo techniques showed synergistic interaction between tested drugs with fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs) of ≤0.5. Conventional PCR and quantitative real-time PCR techniques were used in molecular detection of bla IMP and aac(6′)-Ib as 35.5% and 42.2% of P. aeruginosa harbored bla IMP and aac(6′)-Ib respectively. Drug combination viewed statistically significant reduction in bacterial counts (p value < 0.5). The lowest bla IMP and aac(6′)-Ib expression was observed after treatment with 0.25 MIC of imipenem + 0.5 MIC of amikacin. Morphological changes in P. aeruginosa isolates were detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showing cell shrinkage and disruption in the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa that were more prominent with combination therapy than with monotherapy.
Sulforaphane-Mediated Nrf2 Activation Prevents Radiation-Induced Skin Injury through Inhibiting the Oxidative-Stress-Activated DNA Damage and NLRP3 Inflammasome
Authors: Wei Jinlong , Zhao Qin , Zhang Yuyu , Shi Weiyan , Wang Huanhuan , Zheng Zhuangzhuang , Meng Lingbin , Xin Ying , Jiang Xin
Published: November 2021

This article mainly observed the protective effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on radiation-induced skin injury (RISI). In addition, we will discuss the mechanism of SFN’s protection on RISI. The RISI model was established by the irradiation of the left thigh under intravenous anesthesia. Thirty-two C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into control group (CON), SFN group, irradiation (IR) group, and IR plus SFN (IR/SFN) group. At eight weeks after irradiation, the morphological changes of mouse skin tissues were detected by H&E staining. Then, the oxidative stress and inflammatory response indexes in mouse skin tissues, as well as the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant genes, were evaluated by ELISA, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. The H&E staining showed the hyperplasia of fibrous tissue in the mouse dermis and hypodermis of the IR group. Western blotting and ELISA results showed that the inflammasome of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β, as well as oxidative stress damage indicators ROS, 4-HNE, and 3-NT, in the skin tissues of mice in the IR group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). However, the above pathological changes declined sharply after SFN treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, the expressions of Nrf2 and its regulated antioxidant enzymes, including CAT and HO-1, were higher in the skin tissues of SFN and IR/SFN groups, but lower in the control and IR groups (p < 0.05). SFN may be able to suppress the oxidative stress by upregulating the expression and function of Nrf2, and subsequently inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and DNA damage, so as to prevent and alleviate the RISI.
Effects of Daily Melatonin Supplementation on Visual Loss, Circadian Rhythms, and Hepatic Oxidative Damage in a Rodent Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Fuentes-Broto Lorena , Perdices Lorena , Segura Francisco , Orduna-Hospital Elvira , Insa-Sánchez Gema , Sánchez-Cano Ana I. , Cuenca Nicolás , Pinilla Isabel
Published: November 2021

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases characterized by a progressive loss of visual function that primarily affect photoreceptors, resulting in the complete disorganization and remodeling of the retina. Progression of the disease is enhanced by increased oxidative stress in the retina, aqueous humor, plasma, and liver of RP animal models and patients. Melatonin has beneficial effects against age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, in which oxidative stress plays a key role. In the present study, we used the P23HxLE rat as an animal model of RP. Melatonin treatment (10 mg/kg b.w. daily in drinking water for 6 months) improved the parameters of visual function and decreased the rate of desynchronization of the circadian rhythm, both in P23HxLE and wild-type rats. Melatonin reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant defenses in P23HxLE animals. In wild-type animals, melatonin did not modify any of the oxidative stress markers analyzed and reduced the levels of total antioxidant defenses. Treatment with melatonin improved visual function, circadian synchronization, and hepatic oxidative stress in P23HxLE rats, an RP model, and had beneficial effects against age-related visual damage in wild-type rats.
A Comparative Analysis of Big Data Frameworks: An Adoption Perspective
Authors: Khalid Madiha , Yousaf Muhammad Murtaza
Published: November 2021

The emergence of social media, the worldwide web, electronic transactions, and next-generation sequencing not only opens new horizons of opportunities but also leads to the accumulation of a massive amount of data. The rapid growth of digital data generated from diverse sources makes it inapt to use traditional storage, processing, and analysis methods. These limitations have led to the development of new technologies to process and store very large datasets. As a result, several execution frameworks emerged for big data processing. Hadoop MapReduce, the pioneering framework, set the ground for forthcoming frameworks that improve the processing and development of large-scale data in many ways. This research focuses on comparing the most prominent and widely used frameworks in the open-source landscape. We identify key requirements of a big framework and review each of these frameworks in the perspective of those requirements. To enhance the clarity of comparison and analysis, we group the logically related features, forming a feature vector. We design seven feature vectors and present a comparative analysis of frameworks with respect to those feature vectors. We identify use cases and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each framework. Moreover, we present a detailed discussion that can serve as a decision-making guide to select the appropriate framework for an application.
Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) Delineates Thymus-Centric Metabolism In Vivo as an Effect of Systemic Administration of Dexamethasone
Authors: Tsuji Yudai , Yamaguchi Shinichi , Nakamura Tomoyuki , Ikegawa Masaya
Published: November 2021

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is increasingly used in a broad range of research due to its ability to visualize the spatial distribution of metabolites in vivo. Here, we have developed a method, named thoracic Mass Spectrometry Imaging (tMSI), as a standard protocol of molecular imaging of whole-animal sectioning in various settings of mice in vivo. Further application of the strategy that involved the systemic administration of dexamethasone (DEX) in mice, enabled a dynamic shift in the energy status of multiple thoracic organs to be visualized, based on tMSI data of purine and pyrimidine metabolites. Furthermore, with the introduction of uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) for tMSI data, metabolic profiles normally localized in the cortex and cortico-medullary junction (CMJ) of the thymus were drastically shifted as minor profiles into the medulla of DEX-treated thymus. As a massive apoptotic cell death in the thymic cortex was noticeable, a single molecule, which was upregulated in the cortex of the thymus, enabled us to predict ongoing immunosuppression by in vivo DEX-administration.
Substrate-Driven Atomic Layer Deposition of High-κ Dielectrics on 2D Materials
Authors: Schilirò Emanuela , Lo Nigro Raffaella , Roccaforte Fabrizio , Giannazzo Filippo
Published: November 2021

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of high-κ dielectrics on two-dimensional (2D) materials (including graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides) still represents a challenge due to the lack of out-of-plane bonds on the pristine surfaces of 2D materials, thus making the nucleation process highly disadvantaged. The typical methods to promote the nucleation (i.e., the predeposition of seed layers or the surface activation via chemical treatments) certainly improve the ALD growth but can affect, to some extent, the electronic properties of 2D materials and the interface with high-κ dielectrics. Hence, direct ALD on 2D materials without seed and functionalization layers remains highly desirable. In this context, a crucial role can be played by the interaction with the substrate supporting the 2D membrane. In particular, metallic substrates such as copper or gold have been found to enhance the ALD nucleation of Al2O3 and HfO2 both on monolayer (1 L) graphene and MoS2. Similarly, uniform ALD growth of Al2O3 on the surface of 1 L epitaxial graphene (EG) on SiC (0001) has been ascribed to the peculiar EG/SiC interface properties. This review provides a detailed discussion of the substrate-driven ALD growth of high-κ dielectrics on 2D materials, mainly on graphene and MoS2. The nucleation mechanism and the influence of the ALD parameters (namely the ALD temperature and cycle number) on the coverage as well as the structural and electrical properties of the deposited high-κ thin films are described. Finally, the open challenges for applications are discussed.
Hospital Site Suitability Assessment Using Three Machine Learning Approaches: Evidence from the Gaza Strip in Palestine
Authors: Almansi Khaled Yousef , Shariff Abdul Rashid Mohamed , Abdullah Ahmad Fikri , Syed Ismail Sharifah Norkhadijah
Published: November 2021

Palestinian healthcare institutions face difficulties in providing effective service delivery, particularly in times of crisis. Problems arising from inadequate healthcare service delivery are traceable to issues such as spatial coverage, emergency response time, infrastructure, and manpower. In the Gaza Strip, specifically, there is inadequate spatial distribution and accessibility to healthcare facilities due to decades of conflicts. This study focuses on identifying hospital site suitability areas within the Gaza Strip in Palestine. The study aims to find an optimal solution for a suitable hospital location through suitability mapping using relevant environmental, topographic, and geodemographic parameters and their variable criteria. To find the most significant parameters that reduce the error rate and increase the efficiency for the suitability analysis, this study utilized machine learning methods. Identification of the most significant parameters (conditioning factors) that influence a suitable hospital location was achieved by employing correlation-based feature selection (CFS) with the search algorithm (greedy stepwise). Thus, the suitability map of potential hospital sites was modeled using a support vector machine (SVM), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and linear regression (LR) models. The results of the predicted sites were validated using CFS cross-validation and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve metrics. The CFS analysis shows very high correlations with R2 values of 0.94, 0. 93, and 0.75 for the SVM, MLP, and LR models, respectively. Moreover, based on areas under the ROC curve, the MLP model produced a prediction accuracy of 84.90%, SVM of 75.60%, and LR of 64.40%. The findings demonstrate that the machine learning techniques used in this study are reliable, and therefore are a promising approach for assessing a suitable location for hospital sites for effective health delivery planning and implementation.
ATON: An Open-Source Framework for Creating Immersive, Collaborative and Liquid Web-Apps for Cultural Heritage
Authors: Fanini Bruno , Ferdani Daniele , Demetrescu Emanuel , Berto Simone , d’Annibale Enzo
Published: November 2021

The web and its recent advancements represent a great opportunity to build universal, rich, multi-user and immersive Web3D/WebXR applications targeting Cultural Heritage field—including 3D presenters, inspection tools, applied VR games, collaborative teaching tools and much more. Such opportunity although, introduces additional challenges besides common issues and limitations typically encountered in this context. The “ideal” Web3D application should be able to reach every device, automatically adapting its interface, rendering and interaction models—resulting in a single, liquid product that can be consumed on mobile devices, PCs, Museum kiosks and immersive AR/VR devices, without any installation required for final users. The open-source ATON framework is the result of research and development activities carried out during the last 5 years through national and international projects: it is designed around modern and robust web standards, open specifications and large open-source ecosystems. This paper describes the framework architecture and its components, assessed and validated through different case studies. ATON offers institutions, researchers, professionals a scalable, flexible and modular solution to craft and deploy liquid web-applications, providing novel and advanced features targeting Cultural Heritage field in terms of 3D presentation, annotation, immersive interaction and real-time collaboration.
Design and Control of an Omnidirectional Mobile Wall-Climbing Robot
Authors: Zhong Zhengyu , Xu Ming , Xiao Junhao , Lu Huimin
Published: November 2021

Omnidirectional mobile wall-climbing robots have better motion performance than traditional wall-climbing robots. However, there are still challenges in designing and controlling omnidirectional mobile wall-climbing robots, which can attach to non-ferromagnetic surfaces. In this paper, we design a novel wall-climbing robot, establish the robot’s dynamics model, and propose a nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC)-based trajectory tracking control algorithm. Compared against state-of-the-art, the contribution is threefold: First, the combination of three-wheeled omnidirectional locomotion and non-contact negative pressure air chamber adhesion achieves omnidirectional locomotion on non-ferromagnetic vertical surfaces. Second, the critical slip state has been employed as an acceleration constraint condition, which could improve the maximum linear acceleration and the angular acceleration by 164.71% and 22.07% on average, respectively. Last, an NMPC-based trajectory tracking control algorithm is proposed. According to the simulation experiment results, the tracking accuracy is higher than the traditional PID controller.
Shape Optimization of Discontinuous Armature Arrangement PMLSM for Reduction of Thrust Ripple
Authors: Kwon Jun-Hwan , Kim Jae-Kyung , Jeon Euy-Sik
Published: November 2021

The aim of this paper is to present the optimal design process and an optimized model for a discontinuous armature arrangement permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM). The stator tooth shapes are optimized to reduce detent force. When the shape of the stator is changed to reduce the detent force, the saturation magnetic flux density and the back electromotive force characteristics change. Multi-objective optimization is used to search for the local lowest point that can improve the detent force, saturation magnetic flux density, and back EMF characteristics. To reduce the detent force generated at the outlet edge, a trapezoidal auxiliary tooth was installed and the performance was analyzed. The experiment’s response surface methodology is used as an optimization method and all the experimental samples are obtained from finite-element analysis. The validity of this method is verified by comparing the optimized FEA model to the initial FEA model.
Mandibular Reconstruction with Bridging Customized Plate after Ablative Surgery for ONJ: A Multi-Centric Case Series
Authors: Battaglia Salvatore , Ricotta Francesco , Crimi Salvatore , Mineo Rosalia , Michelon Fabio , Tarsitano Achille , Marchetti Claudio , Bianchi Alberto
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Computer-aided methods for mandibular reconstruction have improved both functional and morphological results in patients who underwent segmental mandibular resection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the overlaying of virtual planning in terms of measures of the Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Manufacturing CAD/CAM plate for mandibular reconstruction in patients who are ineligible for the insertion of reconstructing the titanium plate supported by fibular free flap, due to their poor health status, or in the presence of specific contraindications to autologous bone flap harvest. Materials and methods: The retrospective study performed analyzed the results of nine patients. The patients were treated at the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of Policlinico S. Orsola of Bologna, Italy, and Policlinico San Marco, Catania, Italy, from April 2016 to June 2021. Superimposition between planning and post operative Computed Tomography CT scan was performed to assess the accuracy. Results: All reconstructive procedures were carried out successfully. No microsurgery-related complications occurred. In two cases, we had plate misplacement, and in one case, plate exposure that led to plate removal. The average accuracy of the series assessed after CT superimposition, as previously described, was 0.95 mm. Conclusions: Considering that microvascular bone transfer is a high-risk procedure in BRONJ patients, we can conclude that the positioning of a customized bridging mandibular prosthesis (CBMP), whether or not it is associated with a microvascular soft tissue transfer, is a safe technique in terms of surgical outcome and feasibility.
Mild Solutions for Impulsive Integro-Differential Equations Involving Hilfer Fractional Derivative with almost Sectorial Operators
Authors: Karthikeyan Kulandhaivel , Karthikeyan Panjaiyan , Patanarapeelert Nichaphat , Sitthiwirattham Thanin
Published: November 2021

In this manuscript, we establish the mild solutions for Hilfer fractional derivative integro-differential equations involving jump conditions and almost sectorial operator. For this purpose, we identify the suitable definition of a mild solution for this evolution equations and obtain the existence results. In addition, an application is also considered.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Immunopathogenesis of Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Trionyx sinensis) Infected with Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Lv Zhao , Hu Yazhou , Tan Jin , Wang Xiaoqing , Liu Xiaoyan , Zeng Cong
Published: November 2021

Although hemorrhagic sepsis caused by Aeromonas hydrophila infection is the dominant disease in the aquaculture of Chinese soft-shelled turtle, information on its molecular pathology is seriously limited. In this study, ninety turtles intraperitoneally injected with A. hydrophila exhibited two different phenotypes based on the pathological symptoms, referred to as active and inactive turtles. Comparative transcriptomes of liver and spleen from these two groups at 6, 24, and 72 h post-injection (hpi) were further analyzed. The results showed that cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, PRRs mediated signaling pathway, apoptosis, and phagocytosis enriched in active and inactive turtles were significantly different. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, the TLR signaling pathway, NLR signaling pathway, and RLR signaling pathway mediating cytokine expression, and apoptosis-related genes, were significantly up-regulated in inactive turtles at the early stage (6 hpi). The significant up-regulation of phagocytosis-related genes occurred at 24 hpi in inactive turtles and relatively lagged behind those in active turtles. The anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL10, was significantly up-regulated during the tested periods (6, 24, and 72 hpi) in active turtles. These findings offer valuable information for the understanding of molecular immunopathogenesis after A. hydrophila infection, and facilitate further investigations on strategies against hemorrhagic sepsis in Chinese soft-shelled turtle T. sinensis.
The Role of Neuropeptide Y in Adipocyte-Macrophage Crosstalk during High Fat Diet-Induced Adipose Inflammation and Liver Steatosis
Authors: Park Seongjoon , Komatsu Toshimitsu , Hayashi Hiroko , Mori Ryoichi , Shimokawa Isao
Published: November 2021

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is initiated by adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. Among the possible molecules regulating this crosstalk, we focused on neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is known to be involved in hypothalamic appetite and adipose tissue inflammation and metabolism. In this study, the NPY−/− mice showed a marked decrease in body weight and adiposity, and lower free fatty acid and adipose inflammation without food intake alteration during a high fat diet (HFD). Moreover, NPY deficiency increased the thermogenic genes expression in brown adipose tissue. Notably, NPY-mRNA expression was upregulated in macrophages from the HFD mice compared to that from the mice on a standard diet. The NPY-mRNA expression also positively correlated with the liver mass/body weight ratio. NPY deletion alleviated HFD-induced adipose inflammation and liver steatosis. Hence, our findings point toward a novel intracellular mechanism of NPY in the regulation of adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk and highlight NPY antagonism as a promising target for therapeutic approaches against obesity and NAFLD.
Teachers’ Irrational Belief Scale: Psychometric Properties of the Greek Version and Measurement Invariance across Genders
Authors: Gkontelos Angelos , Vaiopoulou Julie , Stamovlasis Dimitrios
Published: November 2021

Irrationality refers to human thoughts and beliefs that signify lack of rationality and entail erroneous perceptions about situational, personal, or collective idiosyncrasies, while it is independent of one’s intellectual ability. Irrational beliefs are ubiquitous in all social and cultural groups and attract a special interest in behavioral sciences, where the primary concern is the development of instruments for identifying and measuring them. The present study evaluates the psychometric properties of Greek version of Teachers’ Irrational Belief Scale (TIBS-G), a 25-item self-reported instrument using data collected from 835 participants. The exploratory procedure, implementing scree plot with parallel analysis, demonstrated the dimensionality of four factors, namely: Self-downing (SD), Authoritarianism (A), Demands for Justice (DJ), and Low Frustration Tolerance (LT). The corresponding reliability measures using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega were ranged between 0.70 and 0.80. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis showed an adequate fit of the measurement model [χ2 = 579.98, df = 183, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.960; TLI = 0.956; RMSEA = 0.051]. In addition, measurement invariance was performed, which demonstrated differences between genders. Finally, discussion on the importance of irrational beliefs and the possible implementation of the TIBS instrument in educational research is provided.
Tylectomy Safety in Salvage of Eyes with Retinoblastoma
Authors: Zhao Junyang , Li Qiyan , Feng Zhao Xun , Zhang Jianping , Wu Songyi , Jin Liwen , Gallie Brenda L.
Published: November 2021

Intraocular surgery is tabooed in retinoblastoma management, due to the concern of lethal extraocular spread. We reviewed the outcomes of consecutive children with intraocular retinoblastoma diagnosed at 29 Chinese centers between 2012–2014. We compared the outcomes of three categories of treatment: eye salvage including tylectomy (Group I), eye salvage without tylectomy (Group II), and primary enucleation (Group III). A total of 960 patients (1243 eyes) were diagnosed: 256 in Group I, 370 in Group II, and 293 in Group III; 41 patients abandoned treatment upfront. The estimated 5-year overall survivals (OS) were, for Group I, 94%, for Group II 89%, and for Group III 95%. The estimated 5-year disease-specific survivals (DSS) were, for Group I, 96%, for Group II 90%, and for Group III 95%. Patients in Group I had a significantly higher 5-year DSS than patients in Group II (p = 0.003) and not significantly different than patients in Group III (p = 0.367). Overall survival was not compromised by the inclusion of tylectomy in eye salvage therapy compared to eye salvage without tylectomy or primary enucleation. Disease-specific survival was better when tylectomy was included in eye salvage treatments. Tylectomy as part of multimodal treatment may contribute to the care of retinoblastoma patients with chemotherapy-resistant tumor, eyes with concomitant ocular complications, or at the risk of treatment abandonment.
Identification of a Chemotherapeutic Lead Molecule for the Potential Disruption of the FAM72A-UNG2 Interaction to Interfere with Genome Stability, Centromere Formation, and Genome Editing
Authors: Renganathan Senthil , Pramanik Subrata , Ekambaram Rajasekaran , Kutzner Arne , Kim Pok-Son , Heese Klaus
Published: November 2021

Family with sequence similarity 72 A (FAM72A) is a pivotal mitosis-promoting factor that is highly expressed in various types of cancer. FAM72A interacts with the uracil-DNA glycosylase UNG2, the enzyme that prevents mutagenesis by eliminating uracil from DNA molecules through cleaving the N-glycosylic bond and initiating the base excision repair pathway, thus maintaining genome integrity. In the present study, we determined a specific FAM72A-UNG2 heterodimer protein interaction using molecular docking and dynamics. In addition, through in silico screening, we identified withaferin B as a molecule that can specifically prevent the FAM72A-UNG2 interaction by blocking its cell signaling pathways. Our results provide an excellent basis for possible therapeutic approaches in the clinical treatment of cancer.