bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correctional and educational work with preschool children with mental retardation
Authors: Neretina Tat'yana
Published: March 2021

The textbook allows you to master the organization of the correctional and educational process with older preschoolers with mental retardation in the conditions of a preschool educational organization. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. For students of higher educational institutions studying in the areas of training "Pedagogical education", "Special (defectological) education", profiles "Preschool defectology", "Speech Therapy" of all forms of education, as well as for teachers of general education and special (correctional) educational institutions, parents, preschool teachers, psychologists, defectologists, speech therapists and other specialists.
Agroecological Audit in the System of State Land Control
Authors: Borisov V.
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to the consideration of topical issues of environmental audit in the system of state land control. Its purpose is not only to identify violations of legislation in the field of environmental protection, rational use of natural resources, but also to develop and implement recommendations to ensure the safety of land resources, their fertility, and to prevent negative structural and functional changes in developed agricultural land.
The Interplay Between Online Reviews and Physician Demand: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Xu Yuqian , Armony Mor , Ghose Anindya
Published: March 2021

Social media platforms for healthcare services are changing how patients choose physicians. The digitization of healthcare reviews has been providing additional information to patients when choosing their physicians. On the other hand, the growing online information introduces more uncertainty among providers regarding the expected future demand and how different service features can affect patient decisions. In this paper, we derive various service-quality proxies from online reviews and show that leveraging textual information can derive useful operational measures to better understand patient choices. To do so, we study a unique data set from one of the leading appointment-booking websites in the United States. We derive from the text reviews the seven most frequently mentioned topics among patients, namely, bedside manner, diagnosis accuracy, waiting time, service time, insurance process, physician knowledge, and office environment, and then incorporate these service features into a random-coefficient choice model to quantify the economic values of these service-quality proxies. By introducing quality proxies from text reviews, we find the predictive power of patient choice increases significantly, for example, a 6%–12% improvement measured by mean squared error for both in-sample and out-of-sample tests. In addition, our estimation results indicate that contextual description may better characterize users’ perceived quality than numerical ratings on the same service feature. Broadly speaking, this paper shows how to incorporate textual information into an econometric model to understand patient choice in healthcare delivery. Our interdisciplinary approach provides a framework that combines machine learning and structural modeling techniques to advance the literature in empirical operations management, information systems, and marketing.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, operations management.
Long-Term Behavior of Dynamic Equilibria in Fluid Queuing Networks
Authors: Cominetti Roberto , Correa José , Olver Neil
Published: March 2021

Steady State in Equilibrium for Flows over Time
Supporting the future of midwifery
Authors: Meen Aimi
Published: March 2021

Aimi Meen conducts an analysis on the quality of support student midwives receive in clinical practice
Improving maternal and child health outcomes through active male partner involvement in perinatal care
Authors: Berthran Confidence Chekwubechukwu , Odetola Titilayo Dorothy , Abiona Mary Oluwabukunmi
Published: March 2021

Background

With poor maternal and child health outcomes in developing countries, improvement strategies have become preponderant.

Aim

To obtain the perception of University of Ibadan postgraduates on how active male involvement in perinatal care can influence the improvement of maternal and child health in developing countries.

Methods

A descriptive statistical analysis, using a cluster sampling technique was employed. Self-structured questionnaire was used for the research data collection from 241 postgraduate students.

Findings

In this study, majority of the respondents agreed that male involvement in perinatal care could reduce maternal stress (83.4%), promote healthy behaviours (83.8%), and promote safety of the wife's pregnancy and childbirth (90.5%); thus, improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Conclusion

When men in developing countries become actively involved in perinatal care, it will foster increased attendance and compliance to antenatal clinics, breastfeeding, immunisation and family planning which in turn will improve maternal and child health.
More than a statistic: compassion in baby loss training
Authors: Wild Steph
Published: March 2021

Steph Wild, founder of the Beyond Bea Charity, explores the issues surrounding compassion in baby loss training and bereavement care
Synthesis,Characterization, biocidal, Anti-diabetic, Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Cancer(MCF-7) Studies of Schiff base ligand and its metal (II) complexes
Authors: Somasundaram Karthik , Thulasimani Gomathi , Subramaniam Vedanayaki
Published: March 2021

A new Schiff base ligand (L1) was prepared from 3-aminoquinoline with 2, 5 dimethoxybenzaldehyde in 1:1 molar ratio. Two different co-ordination of mononuclear metal(II) complexes [(ML1) &(ML1L2)] [ M= Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] were synthesized & characterized. ML1wereprepared from L1 and metal acetate salts molar proportion One:Two. ML1L2 synthesized from L1, metal salts and 8-hydroxy quinoline (L2) molar ratiois 1:1:1. Elemental analyses, IR, NMR, Electronic spectra, Mass spectra, EPR, SEM and Powder XRD &molar conductivity are need to clarify the structure of synthesized metal(II) complexes. The squareplanar geometry is proposed for CuL1, NiL1, ZnL1, NiL1L2 and ZnL1L2, tetrahedral geometry for CoL1&CoL1L2 and distorted square planar geometry for CuL1L2complex. Powder XRD reveals that L1, ML1& ML1L2 have crystalline nature. Antibacterial activity of Ligand,ML1& ML1L2 were screened against bacterium Gram(+), Gram(-) &antifungal activity was determined against fungus. Theanti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic actions of the L1, CuL1 &CuL1L2complexes were studied. Theanticancer activity of L1, CuL1 and CuL1L2 were studied opposed toMCF-7 using MTT assay method.
Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial Activity and Potential Cytotoxic Effect of Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Extracts from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ali Nada
Published: March 2021

Many medicinal plants have been used to treat and prevent illnesses in Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of Mentha viridis obtainedfrom Albaha region of Saudi Arabiaand evaluate its antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential. The extract was obtained from plant fresh material and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of the plant extract was analysed by performing four subsequent extracts: ethanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol. The GC-MS analysis showed carvone as a main component, as it comprised 64.82 % of the plant extract. In antimicrobial activity, methanol extract showed significant activityagainst Pseudomonas aeruginosa with zone of inhibition of 15 mm. The MTT assay showed thatpetroleum ether and chloroform extracts have moderate cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line with IC50 values of 193.23 μg/mL and 131.86 μg/mL, respectively. Chloroform extract also showed mild activity against HCT-116 colorectal cancer cell line with IC50value of 189.2 μg/mL. This study highlights the potential of M. viridis extracts as powerful bioactive phytochemicals with possible role in diseases and cancer therapy.
Comparative Study on Quantification of Total Catechins Using UV-Vis Spectrophotometric Method and High Performance Liquid Chromatography Techniques
Authors: Kalidass Sitharanjan , Daiyarvijaya Karuppannau , Kumar Rajagopal Raj
Published: March 2021

Bioavailability of catechinsin wider range of plants was established earlier and it’s utility as medicine against cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc. were also demonstrated. Recent techniques in relation to quantitative analysis of total catechins seem to be laborious and time consuming process to handle huge number of samples. Established spectrophotometry and HPLC methods developed earlier for quantitative determination of total catechins in tea extracts were compared in the present study.UV-Vis spectrophotometric method was adopted to monitor the absorbance at 500 nm of the reaction mixture (catechins and vanillin-H2SO4reagents). Hewlett Packard automated HPLC was used and equipped with Phenomenex Luna 5  phenyl-hexyl column fitted with a Phenomenex guard column. Binary elution was carried out using Mobile phase A (acetic acid and acetonitrile) and Mobile phase B (acetonitrile). Method adopted showed a good resolution of catechin fractions and was found to be accurate for the quantification of total catechins (sum of individual catechins). Results of the both the methods are comparable and variation amongst the two methods ranged between -3.59 and 2.79% among the clones and varied with seasons.As expected UPASI released tea clones exhibited variations in their bioavailability. Lean season edge over the cropping period sampling in terms of total catechins. Results obtained from both the methods are comparable. Two methods can be used for the routine quantitative analysis of total catechins; however, spectrophotometric method found to be simple, rapid and cost effective than that of HPLC method unless individual catechins composition is warranted.
Comparative Study of Solvation Behaviour of Oxidising Agents Like Kclo3, Kbro3 and KIO3 in Aqueous Solvent Systems at Different Temperatures
Authors: Rathi Meenakshi Virendra
Published: March 2021

The investigation of the solvationtrend of oxidizing agents like KClO3, KBrO3 and KIO3as electrolytes in aqueous salt solution rendersthe datasuited to interpret ion–ion, solute–solvent, ion-solvent and solvent–solvent interactions and synergy. Apparent molar volumes (∅_V) and viscosity B-coefficients for KClO3, KBrO3 and KIO3solutions in aqueous 0.5 % KCl ,system have been calculated from density (ρ) and viscosity (η) measurements at 298.15 to 313.15 K using a calibrated bicapillary pycnometer and the simple, yet accurate apparatus known as Ubbelohde viscometer respectively. Jones-Dole equation,Masson’s equation, Roots equation and Moulik’s equations are implemented to analyse various interactions inter and intra ionic attractions among the ion–ion, ion–solvent, and solute–solvent. Additionallythe apparent molar volumes of transfer Δ ∅(tr) and Rate constant diffusion controlled reaction (kd)are valuated.
Trapeziectomy for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis
Authors: Saab Marc , Chick Gregoire
Published: March 2021

Aims

The objective of this systematic review was to describe trapeziectomy outcomes and complications in the context of osteoarthritis of the base of the thumb after a five-year minimum follow-up.

Methods

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to guide study design, and 267 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. After exclusion criteria application, 22 studies were included, involving 728 patients and 823 trapeziectomies. Outcomes included pre- and postoperative clinical and radiological characteristics. Complications and revisions were recorded.

Results

All the studies reported good results regarding pain and range of motion at the last follow-up of 8.3 years (5 to 22); the mean satisfaction rate was 91% (84% to 100%). It was difficult to assess the impact on metacarpophalangeal joint motion in extension with contrary results. The key pinch returned to its preoperative values, whereas tip pinch showed a modest improvement (+14%), with a mild improvement found in grip strength (+25%) at the last follow-up. The mean progressive trapezial collapse was 48% (0% to 85%) and was not correlated with pain, grip strength, or satisfaction. The most represented complications were linked to tendons or nerves affected during additional procedures to stabilize the joint (11.6%; n = 56). Mechanical complications included symptomatic scapho-M1 impingement (3.1%; n = 15/580), leading to nine surgical revisions out of 581 trapeziectomies. Meta-analysis was not possible due to study heterogeneity and limited data.

Conclusion

After a minimum five-year follow-up, trapeziectomy achieved high patient satisfaction and pain relief. However, strength seemed to be deteriorating with detrimental consequences, but this did not correlate with trapezial collapse. The issues related to underestimating mechanical complications and varying degrees of success should be highlighted in the information given to patients. Evidence-based analyses should help the surgeon in their decision-making. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(3):141–149.
Autonomous dynamic window shaping and rerouting for a service-converged layer-2 network with a time-aware shaper accommodating mobile fronthaul and IoT backhaul
Authors: Shibata Naotaka , Kaneko Shin , Harada Rintaro , Honda Kazuaki , Terada Jun
Published: March 2021

We propose autonomous dynamic window shaping and rerouting to improve the throughput of the Internet of Things (IoT) on a service-converged layer-2 network with a time-aware shaper (TAS) accommodating mobile fronthaul (MFH) and IoT backhaul. While low latency for MFH is assured by the TAS technique, the maximum throughput of the IoT traffic is limited because the available bandwidth for the IoT is limited. Our dynamic window shaping and rerouting improves the IoT throughput autonomously by utilizing the burstiness feature of the MFH traffic. Experimental results showed that our techniques increased overall throughput from 3.9 to 7.9 Gbps under certain conditions.
Short-pulsed laser-induced breakdown in dielectrics with strong electron superheating: diffusion-controlled kinetics of impact ionization and recombination
Authors: Louchev Oleg A. , Wada Satoshi
Published: March 2021

In this work we model the diffusion-controlled kinetic mechanisms of (i) the strong electron superheating above the critical energy of impact ionization that develops within the generated skin depth when the neutral atoms deplete and (ii) recombination effects, which are involved in short-pulsed laser-induced breakdown and after-pulse relaxation in dielectrics. In the numerical simulations we use (iii) the two-temperature model modified for laser-matter interaction with dielectrics in combination with (iv) a computational approach developed for treating the auto-oscillatory dynamics of the electron energy and density induced by the onset of impact ionization during pulsed laser excitation and after-pulse relaxation.
How does it affect service delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana? Health providers and insurance managers perspective on submission and reimbursement of claims
Authors: Akweongo Patricia , Chatio Samuel Tamti , Owusu Richmond , Salari Paola , Tedisio Fabrizio , Aikins Moses
Published: March 2021

Introduction

In 2003, the Government of Ghana launched the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable all Ghanaian residents to have access to health services at the point of care without financial difficulty. However, the system has faced a number of challenges relating to delays in submission and reimbursement of claims. This study assessed views of stakeholders on claims submission, processing and re-imbursement under the NHIS and how that affected health service delivery in Ghana.

Methods

The study employed qualitative methods where in-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholders in three administrative regions in Ghana. Purposive sampling method was used to select health facilities and study participants for the interviews. QSR Nvivo 12 software was used to code the data into themes for thematic analysis.

Results

The results point to key barriers such as lack of qualified staff to process claims, unclear vetting procedure and the failure of National Health Insurance Scheme officers to draw the attention of health facility staff to resolve discrepancies on time. Participants perceived that lack of clarity, inaccurate data and the use of non-professional staff for NHIS claims vetting prolonged reimbursement of claims. This affected operations of credentialed health facilities including the provision of health services. It is perceived that unavailability of funds led to re-use of disposable medical supplies in health service delivery in credentialed health facilities. Stakeholders suggested that submission of genuine claims by health providers and regular monitoring of health facilities reduces errors on claims reports and delays in reimbursement of claims.

Conclusion

Long delays in claims reimbursement, perceived vetting discrepancies affect health service delivery. Thus, effective collaboration of all stakeholders is necessary in order to develop a long-term strategy to address the issue under the NHIS to improve health service delivery.
Evaluation of CCL21 role in post-knee injury inflammation and early cartilage degeneration
Authors: Subburaman Mohan , Edderkaoui Bouchra
Published: March 2021

The expression of some chemokines and chemokine receptors is induced during the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), but their involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease is unclear. The goal of this study was to test whether CCL21 and CXCL13 play a role in PTOA development. For this purpose, we evaluated the expression profiles of the chemokinesCcl21andCxcl13, matrix metalloproteinase enzymesMmp3andMmp13, and inflammatory cell markers in response to partial medial meniscectomy and destabilization (MMD). We then assessed the effect of local administration of CCL21 neutralizing antibody on PTOA development and post-knee injury inflammation. The mRNA expression of bothCcl21andCxcl13was induced early post-surgery, but onlyCcl21mRNA levels remained elevated 4 weeks post-surgery in rat MMD-operated knees compared to controls. This suggests that while both CXCL13 and CCL21 are involved in post-surgery inflammation, CCL21 is necessary for development of PTOA. A significant increase in the mRNA levels ofCd4,Cd8andCd20was observed during the first 3 days post-surgery. Significantly, treatment with CCL21 antibody reduced post-surgical inflammation that was accompanied by a reduction in the expression ofMmp3andMmp13and post-MMD cartilage degradation. Our findings are consistent with a role for CCL21 in mediating changes in early inflammation and subsequent cartilage degeneration in response to knee injury. Our results suggest that targeting CCL21 signaling pathways may yield new therapeutic approaches effective in delaying or preventing PTOA development following injury.
Age-related effects on a novel dual-task Stroop paradigm
Authors: Ward Nathan , Hussey Erika , Alzahabi Reem , Gaspar John G. , Kramer Arthur F.
Published: March 2021

The Stroop task is a traditional measure of cognitive control processes, yet results remain mixed when it comes to assessing age-related differences perhaps in part due to strategies participants use to reduce inhibitory control demands required for success on the task. Thirty-three older adults and 34 younger adults completed a Baseline (traditional, single-task) version of Stroop, followed by two, novel dual-task Stroop variants: Color-Dual (maintain secondary count of prespecified font color regardless the lexical content) and Lexical-Dual (maintain secondary count of prespecified word regardless the font color). With regard to Baseline performance, we predicted an Age x Trial Type interaction in which older adults would be selectively impaired on Incongruent trials compared to younger adults, and this prediction was supported. When we added secondary task demands, we predicted a Trial Type x Dual-Task Type interaction in which performance in the Lexical-Dual condition would be worse than performance in the Color-Dual condition. This prediction was also supported, suggesting that having a secondary task that activated the irrelevant stream of information required more inhibitory control. Finally, we also predicted that Age would interact with Trial Type and Dual-Task Type, which was partially supported in response latencies and more definitively supported in error rates. Overall, our results indicate that Stroop performance is differentially influenced by additional dual-task demands that potentially minimize strategy usage, which has implications for both young and older adult Stroop performance.
Prevalence and diagnosis experience of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over 50: Focusing on socioeconomic factors
Authors: Choi Min Hyeok , Yang Ji Hee , Seo Jae Seung , Kim Yoon-ji , Kang Suk-Woong
Published: March 2021

Osteoporosis is the most common disease of the musculoskeletal system in old age. Therefore, research on osteoporosis risk factors is actively being conducted. However, whether socioeconomic inequality is associated with the prevalence and diagnosis experience of osteoporosis remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate whether socioeconomic inequality can be a risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Cross-sectional data of 1,477 postmenopausal women aged over 50 obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-2 were analyzed. Univariate analyses were performed to calculate the prevalence of osteoporosis and the rate of osteoporosis diagnosis experience according to the risk factor categories. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent variables’ associations with osteoporosis prevalence and diagnosis experience. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 34.8%, while the diagnosis experience rate was 22.1%. The higher the age, the higher the probability of osteoporosis presence and diagnosis experience. The lowest household income level was associated with a 1.63 times higher risk of osteoporosis. On the contrary, this factor was not significant for diagnosis experience. These results were similar for the 50–59 and 60–69 age groups. Among postmenopausal women, those who are older and have low socioeconomic levels are at a high risk of developing osteoporosis. Moreover, the lower the socioeconomic level, the lower the awareness of osteoporosis. Therefore, there is a need to develop more proactive preventive measures in postmenopausal women with low socioeconomic levels.
Por una escuela vivida como comunidad educativa
Authors: Balduzzi Emanuele
Published: March 2021

Este artículo propone destacar las potencialidades educativas propias de la escuela vivida como una comunidad educativa. Para lograr tal cosa, toda escuela debería asumir el sentido más profundo de su etimológia griega: scholé, es decir «tiempo libre», desligado de las actividades productivas, y por esta razón empleado para la formación personal. Esta ha de defender y promover una mejora armónica y global de la persona que, en una auténtica comunidad educativa, se fomenta: 1) al promover y cuidar los «bienes relacionales», no sólo los «convergentes»; y 2) mediante las vinculaciones y afectos «constitutivos». Los primeros bienes citados solo pueden existir si se dan una relación interpersonal y un vínculo que los vivifiquen, en cuanto son bienes compartidos e indivisibles, necesariamente procedentes del entorno social. Por su parte, los afectos y las vinculaciones «constitutivas», que son la base de una «comunidad constitutiva», resultan fundamentales para la construcción de nuestra identidad, pues muestran el valor antropológico y educativo de las relaciones interpersonales que establecemos. En particular nos ofrecen la oportunidad de comprender y apreciar la interdependencia positiva que surge en un contexto social compartido en virtud de un bien relacional que protegemos y cuidamos. La sección conclusiva quiere mostrar que la búsqueda del bien constitutivo es esencial para que una escuela comunitaria no caiga en la manipulación y la homologación.
Caregiver Burden of Primary Caregivers for People with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Residing at Calicut District Kerala
Authors: Thelakkadan Abidfaheem , Chacko Leena Kunnath
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND The study aims to assess the caregiver burden of primary caregivers of people with spinal cord injury by using Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS), find the association between caregiver burden and selected socio-demographic variables and find the association between caregiver burden and characteristics of individuals with spinal cord injury. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted from June 2019 to December 2019 among primary caregivers of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) residing in selected communities of Calicut district, Kerala state, India. Purposive sampling technique was used to select samples. Caregiver burden was assessed by Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. Characteristics of caregivers and individuals with spinal cord injury were collected by structured interview. RESULTS Study was conducted among 100 primary caregivers of individuals with spinal cord injury. The mean score of caregiver burden is 45.3 with SD 11.4. Out of the total sample, 40 % of the caregivers suffered from mild to moderate burden, another 40 % suffered from moderate to severe burden and the remaining 20 % of them suffered from severe caregiver burden. The study also found an association between caregiver burden score with characteristics of caregivers such as age (p = 0.038), gender (p = 0.02) and marital status (p = 0.048). Study also found an association between the gender of patient (p = 0.001) and level of injury (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Majority of the sample showed moderate to severe level of caregiver burden. The study helped to find out multiple factors affecting caregiver burden. Health care system can identify these factors and consider them while planning and implementing different programs for individuals with SCI. Measures can be considered to alleviate caregiver burden by considering the findings of the current study and the community can plan different rehabilitative services which can reduce the burden of caregivers. KEY WORDS Caregiver Burden, Spinal Cord Injury, Primary Caregivers
Relationship of ER, PR, HER2 / neu with Other Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer along with the Role of Androgen Receptor in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Khan Arshi , Malik Reeni , Jain Pramila , Verma Deepshikha , Newasker Vedanti
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND Understanding various risk factors associated with breast cancer can help in early identification & prompt treatment of patients with breast cancer. Apart from clinical parameters like age, disease presentation and menopausal status, important prognostic indicators in histopathology are size and extent of tumour, histologic type,histologic grade and lymph node status. Also, there are other factors which are not only predictive of outcome, but also direct therapies against particular molecular targets. These factors are oestrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, HER2 / neu status, Ki-67 proliferation index & androgen receptor (AR) status. We wanted to analyse various hormone receptors & their correlation with prognostic factors. In addition, androgen receptor expression is also studied in triple negative breast cancer cases. METHODS The study included 50 cases over a period of 18 months from January 2018 to June 2019 received in the Department of Pathology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India. These cases were subjected to histopathological & immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluation. RESULTS Among the 50 cases studied, the most common subtype was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (NOS - no special type, 84 %). Majority of patients were ER, PR, HER2 / neu negative (48 %) and among those triple negative cases, 25 % of cases were androgen receptor positive. CONCLUSIONS Expression of the hormone receptor (ER and PR) and HER2 status may provide significant information in directing patient management. Since traditional pathological methods and IHC remain standard for guiding the use of treatment, clinicians may be challenged with equivocal results that directs towards additional testing for definitive diagnosis and, better patient outcome. The most used therapy for advanced breast cancers is based on the use of AR antagonists, such as bicalutamide and enzalutamide, first- and second-generation AR antagonists respectively. Gene signatures, bioinformatics, and other clinical trials are also beneficial for clinician in estimating the benefits expected from adjuvant chemotherapy. KEY WORDS Breast Cancer, Oestrogen Receptor, Androgen Receptor, Triple Negative
An Alternative Shelving Arrangement for Natural History Collection Objects to Optimize Space and Task Efficiency
Authors: Cohen Adam E. , Hendrickson Dean A. , Casarez Melissa J.
Published: March 2021

A taxonomic and alphabetic arrangement (TAA) of objects on shelves has prevailed in fluid-preserved natural history collections while they were managed by scientists for their own research. Now most collections are databased and internet-accessible to facilitate very different forms of research accomplished remotely by researchers who require less physical access to specimens. The collections staff who make those data available struggle to manage collection growth with limited space and budgets, while demands on them are increasing, necessitating task and space-efficient collection management solutions. We describe an alternative arrangement of objects based on their size and catalog number (OCA) that capitalizes on modern databases. Our partial implementation of this system facilitated pragmatic between-system comparisons of space use and staff time required for routine tasks. Our OCA allows 17% more jars to be stored in a given space than a TAA (not counting spaces left for growth), but adjusting vertical spacing of shelves could increase that to 115%. Ten of 15 staff tasks were more efficiently accomplished in the OCA section of the collection, and we propose ways to improve efficiency for three of the four tasks for which the TAA outperformed the OCA.
First detection of Leishmania of the subgenus viannia in Alipiopsitta xanthops, endemic bird of South America
Authors: Dávalo Matheus Larissa Maria , Duarte Pâmella Oliveira , Ferreira Eduardo de Castro
Published: March 2021

We report the first molecular detection of Leishmania infection (subgenus Viannia) in the yellow-faced parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops), at a wildlife rehabilitation center located in the city of Campo Grande, Brazil, an endemic area for leishmaniasis. PCRs targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and the small subunit of ribosomal RNA of Leishmania spp. were performed, both positive, followed by the sequencing of the amplified region of the SSU rDNA gene, which confirmed the identity of the parasite. This is the first report of success obtained in the use of PCR targeting the IRBP (Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein) gene as an internal control in the molecular diagnosis of pathogens in bird species.
Faunistic analysis and seasonal fluctuation of ladybeetles in an agro-ecological system installed for organic vegetable production
Authors: Sampaio de Souza Thiago , De Lima Aguiar-Menezes Elen , Marinho Guerra José Guilherme , Fernandes Vinicius José , Gomes Pimenta Aline , Alves dos Santos Carlos Antonio
Published: March 2021

Plans for an agro-ecological system for agricultural production must consider vegetal diversification in agricultural properties because, among other advantages, it can help the biological control of pests when it focuses on such an end. Predator ladybeetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) can be found in different environments; they play an important role in biological control. The aims of the present study were to feature ladybeetle populations through faunistic analysis and determine their fluctuations in an agro-ecological system comprising seven sub-systems subjected to different cultivation systems in Seropédica County, RJ. The experiment was conducted from December/2018 to December/2019 at Módulo de Cultivo Orgânico Intensivo de Hortaliças (MCOIH), which is located at Sistema Integrado de Produção Agroecológica (SIPA). In total, 1,231 adult ladybeetles were captured, distributed into 13 species, 3 genera and 2 tribes of Coccinellidae, which resulted in S (taxon richness) = 19, Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’) = 0.65 (at 0 to 1 scale) and Margalef diversity index (α) = 2.53 (values lower than 2.0 represent low diversity sites). Equitability was low (E = 0.22), since one of the ladybeetle species has prevailed: Cycloneda sanguinea (most frequent, dominating and constant) in MCOIH, as well as in each of the sub-systems. However, the simplest sub-systems installed for vegetable production (monoculture gardens) were not favorable for ladybeetle diversity, whereas sub-systems installed for polyculture of leafy vegetables recorded the greatest taxa diversity of ladybeetles, including species that predate in aphids that attack vegetables [Coleomegilla maculata, Coleomegilla quadrifasciata, Cycloneda sanguinea, Eriopis connexa, Harmonia axyridis, Hippodamia convergens and Hyperaspis (Hyperaspis) festiva]. The sub-system comprising gliricidia was used to produce fertilization biomass and favored the predominance of C. sanguinea in comparison to the other ladybeetle species in MCOIH. Spring was the season mostly favoring the occurrence of C. sanguinea and H. convergens adults; which were dominant species in ladybeetle assemblage in MCOIH; however, C. sanguinea was constant and H. convergens was accessory.
Practices for garment industry’s post-consumer textile waste management in the circular economy context: an analysis on literature
Authors: Dos Santos Pedro Seolin , Campos Lucila M. S.
Published: March 2021

Goal: This study aimed to identify and describe garment’s post-consumer textile waste management practices and to analyse them according to environmental, economic and social criteria in the circular economy context.

Design / Methodology / Approach: A literature review was conducted to identify, collect and organize practices from garment’s post-consumer textile waste management and the environmental, economic and social criteria taken into account for the analysis of such practices in a circular context.

Results:  There were eleven collection practices, three sorting practices, five reuse practices, and six recycling practices. Additionally, even circularity is presented as a new solution to environmental problems, those practices identified in literature are pulled mainly downstream, promoting short-term waste management approaches, while the initial production chain’s links continue to extract and use several non-renewable resources from the excessive way.

Limitations of the investigation: The limitations of a literature review of this nature is the complete reliance on the defined strings to search the previously published research and the adopted procedures to select and evaluate these studies (data base, search period, exclusion criteria)

Practical implications: For researchers and garment’s industry professionals, the identified practices should provide new solutions that could be tested in the current post-consumer textile waste management model. Moreover, this research allowed understanding the way those post-consumer textile waste management’s practices are interpreted under a circular context.

Originality/Value: there is almost no detailed study of post-consumer textile waste management’s practices. Furthermore, it is very rare to find those textile waste management practices related in a circular context.
Antecedent treat-and-release diagnoses prior to sepsis hospitalization among adult emergency department patients: a look-back analysis employing insurance claims data using Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE) methodology
Authors: Nassery Najlla , Horberg Michael A. , Rubenstein Kevin B. , Certa Julia M. , Watson Eric , Somasundaram Brinda , Shamim Ejaz , Townsend Jennifer L. , Galiatsatos Panagis , Pitts Samantha I. , Hassoon Ahmed , Newman-Toker David E.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify delays in early pre-sepsis diagnosis in emergency departments (ED) using the Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE) approach.

Methods

SPADE methodology was employed using electronic health record and claims data from Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS). Study cohort included KPMAS members ≥18 years with ≥1 sepsis hospitalization 1/1/2013–12/31/2018. A look-back analysis identified treat-and-release ED visits in the month prior to sepsis hospitalizations. Top 20 diagnoses associated with these ED visits were identified; two diagnosis categories were distinguished as being linked to downstream sepsis hospitalizations. Observed-to-expected (O:E) and temporal analyses were performed to validate the symptom selection; results were contrasted to a comparison group. Demographics of patients that did and did not experience sepsis misdiagnosis were compared.

Results

There were 3,468 sepsis hospitalizations during the study period and 766 treat-and-release ED visits in the month prior to hospitalization. Patients discharged from the ED with fluid and electrolyte disorders (FED) and altered mental status (AMS) were most likely to have downstream sepsis hospitalizations (O:E ratios of 2.66 and 2.82, respectively). Temporal analyses revealed that these symptoms were overrepresented and temporally clustered close to the hospitalization date. Approximately 2% of sepsis hospitalizations were associated with prior FED or AMS ED visits.

Conclusions

Treat-and-release ED encounters for FED and AMS may represent harbingers for downstream sepsis hospitalizations. The SPADE approach can be used to develop performance measures that identify pre-sepsis.
Vocational teachers’ perspective toward Technological Pedagogical Vocational Knowledge
Authors: Rahmawati Anis , Suryani Nunuk , Akhyar Muhammad , Sukarmin Sukarmin
Published: March 2021

The character of current students who are technology-savvy and the fast development of educational technology raises challenges for teachers to take advantage of these conditions to make learning effective. Technological, Pedagogical, Vocational Knowledge (TPVK) come as a framework for the effective use of technology in teaching and learning in vocational fields. This research aimed to capture the Indonesian secondary vocational non-Information and communications technology (ICT) teachers’ perspective toward TPVK for 21stCentury Learning (CL). Research with a mixed-method approach was conducted during the second semester in the 2019/2020 academic year. Sixty-five secondary vocational building engineering teachers from nine schools located in Central Java, Indonesia were recruited as survey respondents. The instrument used was a self-assessment questionnaire, lesson plan rubric, and observational protocol enriched with interview protocol. Results from this study show that the in-service vocational teacher shows readiness for TPVK 21stCL at the intermediate level. The TPVK component with the highest mean point is Pedagogical knowledge, while the lowest point is on the Vocational knowledge component. The lesson plan prepared by teachers and learning practiced performed by teachers showed less fitness of technology integration in learning with the strategies and objectives of the curriculum.
Psychological factors of the transfer of control in an automated vehicle
Authors: Odachowska Ewa , Ucińska Monika , Kruszewski Mikołaj , Gąsiorek Kamila
Published: March 2021

In accordance with the requirements of the NHTSA guidelines on Level 3 automation, the comfortable control transition times is about 40 seconds. The data obtained so far are consistent with the assumption that the situation is better when drivers receive a warning about critical events than when they have to take over control unexpectedly. How these variables are shaped in the presence of distractors and what influences psychological factors have on these aspects remains unknown. For this purpose, a research experiment was developed in which control was taken over when the driver was additionally forced to perform the indicated activity (e.g. by looking away from the road), or when road conditions made it impossible to focus on the road. Psychological (temperament) and psychomotor variables (reaction time, hand–eye coordination) were controlled. The study was conducted on active road traffic participant drivers (N=95). Not only the time of taking control was analyzed, but also the way that may have a significant impact on road safety. The results revealed a significant influence of distractors on the manner control is taken over. In the conditions without distractors, the subjects were more likely to take over control than to cause automatic braking.
Recontextualization and language change
Authors: von Mengden Ferdinand , Kuhle Anneliese
Published: March 2021

This paper introduces the concept of ‘recontextualization’ and its benefit for the study of language change. ‘Recontextualization’ refers to the use of familiar material, such as tools or gestures, which extend the body in variable contexts of behaviour. The concept is related to notions already established in other fields, such as primatology and anthropology. We claim that these parallels are meaningful as they represent an overarching principle which underlies the emergence of linguistic structures but which also connects linguistic usage with other types of behaviour and interaction. We thereby argue against notions of context-independent form-meaning pairings in language, which require assumptions like innovation or reanalysis as mechanisms of usage and, ultimately, change. In this sense, we concur with usage-based approaches that define the linguistic expression as inherently vague, underspecified and variable. But we further argue that the emergence and, as a consequence, the empirically observable properties of any linguistic structure are to be accounted for by speakers usingthe samematerial in novel contexts or situations. Any such ‘recontextualization’ then creates, in turn, new options for the re-use of a linguistic construction. The underlying categorizations, which typically form part of the linguistic descriptions, pertain to the reality of the observer (the linguist) and not primarily to that of the speaker.
Ligand-modulated electron transfer rates from CsPbBr3 nanocrystals to titanium dioxide
Authors: Liu Xiaochun , Zhao Haifeng , Wei Linfeng , Ren Xinjian , Zhang Xinyang , Li Faming , Zeng Peng , Liu Mingzhen
Published: March 2021

In most perovskite nanocrystal (PeNC)-based optoelectronic and photonic applications, surface ligands inevitably lead to a donor–bridge–acceptor charge transfer configuration. In this article, we demonstrate successful modulation of electron transfer (ET) rates from all-inorganic CsPbBr3 PeNCs to mesoporous titanium dioxide films, by using different surface ligands including single alkyl chain oleic acid and oleylamine, cross-linked insulating (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and aromatic naphthoic acid molecules as the ligand-bridge. We systematically investigated the ET process through time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Calculations verified the ligand-bridge barrier effect of the three species upon the ET process. Transient absorption measurements excluded carrier-delocalization effect of the naphthoic acid ligands and confirmed the bridge-barrier effect. Our work provides a perspective for composable and appropriate ligands design for diverse practical purposes.
The Defence Needs of Azerbaijani Armed Forces for Peace, Security, and Stability
Authors: Baig Muhammad Ali
Published: March 2021

Azerbaijan is a peace-loving country and a cooperative member of the United Nations Organization. Being a sovereign member of the international community, it has all the rights and privileges entitled to a state. However, the claims of neighbouring Armenia driven by irredentism and revanchism over the contested region of Nagorno Karabakh have led to numerous conflicts between the two. Having the role of ensuring Azerbaijan’s political integrity and sovereign status, the role of its armed forces is demanding yet challenging. This article is geared towards analysing the operational capabilities of Azerbaijani Armed Forces with a special focus on equipment, doctrine, and command and control platforms. It also assesses and prescribes the necessary and immediate needs to deter the threats and to thwart any military conflict. It theorises the potential of Azerbaijan-Pakistan defence relations. Finally, it aspires to take a structural approach in explaining the state behaviour and the relevance of security in contemporary times.
Doppelte Haltelinie und steigende Pflegebeitragssätze – ein impliziter Bundeszuschuss zur Pflegeversicherung der RentnerInnen
Authors: Hagist Christian , Seuffert Stefan
Published: March 2021

Die „doppelte Haltelinie“ in der Gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung (GRV) bewirkt eine Verknüpfung zwischen GRV und Sozialer Pflegeversicherung (SPV), sodass Beitragssatzänderungen in der SPV in Zukunft die Ausgabenstruktur der GRV beeinflussen. Stefan Seuffert und Christian Hagist beschreiben den zugrundeliegenden Wirkungsmechanismus und zeigen auf, dass die Beibehaltung der „doppelten Haltelinie“ über 2025 hinaus der Einführung eines SPV-Bundeszuschusses zur Entlastung der RentnerInnenpopulation gleichkäme. Bereits die Änderung der Sozialversicherungsbeitragssätze zum 1. Januar 2019 bedeutet in Kombination mit der „doppelten Haltelinie“ jährliche Mehrausgaben in der GRV von etwa 2 Milliarden Euro ab dem Jahr 2024. Eine Ausweitung der „doppelten Haltelinie“ über 2025 hinaus hätte aufgrund steigender Ausgaben in der SPV einen realen impliziten SPV-Bundeszuschuss zur Folge, der bis 2060 auf rund 9 Milliarden Euro pro Jahr ansteigen würde.
Review of Gary Davies with Rosa Chun, Rui Vinhas Da Silva, and Stuart Roper, Corporate Reputation and Competiveness (London, UK: Routledge, 2003)
Authors: Vrsnik Victor
Published: March 2021

Corporate Reputation and Competitiveness gives business leaders a fresh new look at strategic planning through the lens of reputation management. Perhaps the book’s most compelling contribution is the “corporate reputation chain,” a strategic management model that seeks to harmonize employee and customer perceptions of an organization. Do this, and behold explosive reputational results. Communicators can decipher a subtext in the book that breathes new life in the communications management role, and positions it at the centre of the strategic planning process. The ideas of the book were incubated at the Manchester Business School, home to Gary Davies and his co-authors.