bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saber e ensinar frações: concepções e práticas de professores do ensino fundamental
Authors: Cardoso Paula , Mamede Ema
Published: July 2023

Resumo O saber do professor determina a qualidade das suas práticas. Porém, nem sempre o professor consegue colocar em prática as suas ideias. No caso particular dos números racionais, reconhece-se que esse é um tópico importante, mas também difícil de ensinar. Mais vezes do que o desejado, assistimos a um desalinhamento entre as ideias dos professores sobre as frações e as suas ideias para o ensino desses números. Este artigo analisa as concepções e ideias sobre as práticas dos professores do 1º. ciclo do ensino básico (anos iniciais do ensino fundamental) relativamente às frações, procurando responder às seguintes questões: 1) Que ideias têm os professores sobre as frações? 2) Como entendem que deve ser o seu ensino? Para o efeito, foram entrevistados 31 professores do ensino público português, com diversos anos de experiência no ensino. Foi conduzida uma entrevista individual semiestruturada, que procurou explorar conceitos e propriedades dos números racionais, em particular das frações, e a resolução de problemas envolvendo esses números. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam fragilidades dos docentes no conhecimento matemático sobre o conceito de fração, nomeadamente no domínio dos diferentes significados de fração, e na tradução dos diferentes modos de representação de frações. Na resolução de problemas envolvendo frações para a sala de aula, identificaram-se dificuldades, particularmente em situações que envolviam quantidades discretas e na marcação de números fracionários na reta numérica. Esses resultados parecem apelar a um ideal de formação contínua de professores que possa ir apoiando e atualizando as suas práticas letivas.
The suspension of suspensions: the “school form” and the “ skholé ” in times of pandemic
Authors: Coppi Luiz Antonio Callegari
Published: July 2023

Abstract Due to the moment’s urgency, the Covid-19 pandemic promoted the transposition of school activities originally planned for the face-to-face context to digital platforms. However, replacing the arena in which classes take place is not irrelevant, and this article intends to show how the technological characteristics of the applications used strain what, in recent centuries, has been understood as the school. To this end, we propose, firstly, a visit to the moment of the resurgence of the school during the Renaissance and the relationship of this event with a specific technology, Gutenberg’s movable type press — bookish knowledge, then establishes the school as a space different from family and social environments, giving rise to what is conventionally called “School Form.” From there, the article advances in the argument articulating this concept to that of skholé , which conceives the school as a space of suspension of the logic that binds children and young people to a fixed and unavoidable identity. This suspension allows them to disidentify from predetermined destinations and experience equality and self-experimentation. Finally, these concepts of “School Form” and skholé are contrasted with the conditions for performing remote teaching during the pandemic. Some questions are raised about what is expected of the school as a collective project.
Los padres como maestros: campo de tensión en escenarios rurales y urbanos de Chiapas, México
Authors: Lara Germán Alejandro García , Solís Soledad Hernández , Pérez Oscar Cruz , Solís Irma Hernández
Published: July 2023

Resumen A partir de la pandemia por Covid-19 y la suspensión de las actividades denominadas esenciales, entre ellas la escolar, la educación remota de emergencia constituyó la alternativa para la atención del alumnado, siendo los padres de familia o tutores, los responsables de realizar el acompañamiento educativo de sus hijos. En este escenario, el presente estudio analiza las experiencias de apoyo escolar en familias de alumnos de educación básica de Chiapas, México. La investigación se llevó a cabo desde una aproximación cualitativa hermenéutica, mediante la aplicación de entrevistas semiestructuradas a padres de familia. Los resultados se integraron en dos bloques temáticos: De WhatsApp, tareas, evidencias y envíos. Los senderos de la educación remota , que indaga sobre la modalidad educativa apoyada en medios digitales, la conformación de evidencias del trabajo de los alumnos y su evaluación; y el de El hogar como aula y el aula como hogar ; en que se examina la excepcionalidad de la vida escolar en el hogar. Se concluye que la función de los padres como auxiliares en la escolarización, constituye un paliativo al aprendizaje de sus hijos, en un contexto de desigualdad socio educativa que se profundiza en comunidades rurales, pero también, blande la esperanza de una reconfiguración escolar que alienta cambios futuros en su accionar y la vida democrática de las escuelas.
WATERFALL-ADDIE MODEL: AN INTEGRATION OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT MODEL AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN IN DEVELOPING A DIGITAL VIDEO LEARNING APPLICATION
Authors:   Faculty of Business & Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Wan Ali Wan Nor Ashiqin , Wan Yahaya Wan Ahmad Jaafar ,   Centre for Instructional Technology and Multimedia, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Published: July 2023

To date, researchers are still debating the poor instructional design for certain developed learning applications or courseware in supporting the flexibility to the student. The instructional design is vital in ensuring that learners obtain effective and meaningful to them for a better subject understanding. However, ignoring the functionality and bugs issues in a courseware development should not be practiced. The courseware developer should acknowledge the importance of instructional design and system development model to meet the user and system requirements. Given the resemblances between software development and instructional design phases, researchers could integrate certain importance techniques in software development model’s phases into the ISD model to enhance the design solutions as well as the application technical parts. This paper highlights the integration of Waterfall model as the software development model with ADDIE model which is one of the established ISD models. The integration of Waterfall-ADDIE model was adopted to develop the digital video learning application for university students. A system testing and user acceptance testing were conducted to validate the courseware can meet the system and user requirements. This paper demonstrates all the phases involved in Waterfall model and ADDIE model are interrelated and practically being integrated to propose high-quality development of instructional design learning material.
Do afroalpine plants differ from other alpine plants by their leaf functional traits?
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Dept. Ecology and Plant Geography, Onipchenko Vladimir G. ,   U.D. Aliyev Karachay-Cherkess State University, Kipkeev Aliy M. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Dept. Ecology and Plant Geography, Kopylova Natalia A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Dept. Ecology and Plant Geography, Nyaga Justine M. ,   University of Embu, Dept. Biological Sciences, Elumeeva Tatiana G. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Dept. Ecology and Plant Geography, Dudova Ksenia V. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Dept. Ecology and Plant Geography, Akhmetzhanova Asem A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Dept. Ecology and Plant Geography, Tiunov Alexei V. ,   A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, Karpukhin Mikhail M. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Soil Science, Makarov Mikhail I. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Soil Science
Published: July 2023

Afroalpine plants develop under specific climate with great daily fluctuations and weak seasonal dynamics of temperature. Do leaf functional traits of the plants in Mt. Kenya differ from those of temperate plants in NW Caucasus? To answer this question, we conducted a comparative study at the Teleki valley (4000–4500 m a.s.l.), Mt. Kenya, Kenya, and Teberda national park (2600–2900 m a.s.l.), the Caucasus, Russia. We measured leaf area, fresh and dry mass, C, N, P, δ13C, δ15N and derivative traits (specific leaf area – SLA, leaf dry matter content – LDMC, C:N and N:P ratios) for 48 species at the Teleki valley, and the same traits, except for the δ13C and δ15N, for 141 species in the Teberda national park. The CSR-strategies scores were calculated. We applied the Principal Component Analysis to reveal the main patterns of trait variation. Leaf dry mass of Mt. Kenya alpine plants ranged from 0.27 mg (Sagina afroalpina) to 14.0 g (Dendrosenecio keniodendron). Leaf area, mass and LDMC of alpine plants in both regions did not differ significantly. The SLA of Mt. Kenya’s plants varied about 20-fold: from 2.6 mm2 mg-1 (Festuca pilgeri) to 39.8 mm2 mg-1 (Cineraria deltoidea), and Caucasian plants had higher SLA. N and P leaf concentrations were higher, but C lower in Caucasian plants than in Kenyan. Leaf N:P ratio was similar for both regions, while C:N ratio was higher in Kenyan plants. Species of “rosette” trees (Dendrosenecio spp.) differed from other species by size characteristics (maximal leaf dry mass and area were in Dendrosenecio keniodendron), as well as correspondingly higher investment to mechanical tissues (high C:N ratio, low SLA). By the other functional traits, “rosette” trees were similar to many other alpine plants. Thus, afroalpine plants of Mt. Kenya are close to temperate alpine plants by some leaf functional traits, but possess higher stress-tolerance.
Audit of radiology request forms –“Are they adequately filled?”
Authors: V Rajanikanth Rao
Published: July 2023

The easiest and best way of communication between the Clinician and Radiologist is the radiograph request form. The physician seeking answers from the radiologist should give his requisites and relevant clinical data on the request form. Such a dialogue helps in diagnosis and patient management effectively. The present communication is an attempt to outline the adequacy of information on the request forms in different modalities in a multispecialty hospital. One hundered each of request forms from outpatient and inpatient services were selected at random. These requests were addressed to the Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) divisions of Department of Radiology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. The aim of the study was to audit the completeness and usefulness of these request forms. Clinical diagnosis was not given in 84 of the 200 forms (42 %) and clinical details were not mentioned in 124 forms (62 %). Patients’ age and sex were not given in a third of the forms (35 %). Interestingly 91 of the 200 forms (46 %) were signed by the nursing staff and not by the referring physician. In 20 % of the forms, the hand writing was not legible. Unacceptable abbreviations were used in majority of the forms. It became evident that the radiological investigation request forms are inadequately filled thus increasing the limitation of the radiologist to give an appropriate report. Keywords: Radiology request forms; Radiation; CT Scan; MRI
ПОВТОРЫ КАК СРЕДСТВО ВЫРАЖЕНИЯ ЭМОЦИОНАЛЬНОГО ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЯ В БУРЯТСКИХ КАУЗАТИВНЫХ КОНСТРУКЦИЯХ
Authors:   Институт монголоведения, буддологии и тибетологии Сибирского отделения Российской академии наук (ИМБТ СО РАН), Е. А. Дадуева
Published: July 2023

В статье впервые рассматриваются повторы как средства выражения эмотивности в каузативных конструкциях бурятского языка. Объектом исследования являются каузативные конструкции, репрезентирующие эмоции в бурятском языке. Основной целью работы является рассмотрение повторов как средств выражения эмоций, выявление специфики их использования в каузативных конструкциях в бурятском языке. Показано, что повтор является средством усиления эмотивного потенциала каузативной конструкции. Повтор как эмотивный интенсификатор повышает эмоциональность высказывания, его экспрессивность. Выявлены повторы в виде тавтологических сочетаний причастий и каузативных эмотивов, синонимические и аффиксальные повторы. Основными функциями повтора в каузативной конструкции являются интенсификация эмоционального воздействия на каузируемый объект, а также фиксация фокуса внимания на каузируемой эмоции, ее выделение, актуализация семантики.
Irregularity of microhardness and microstructure of low-carbon steel rolled in a two-stand rolling-leveling mill
Authors:   Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk, Ivanov V. P. , Pilipenko S. V. ,   Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk, Shtempel O. P. ,   Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk, Vigerina T. V. ,   Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk
Published: July 2023

The relevance of the study is proved by two factors. One of them is the necessity to study the nature of the change in the microstructure of the cross-section of extra-thin tinplate made of TS 435 steel (analogue of 08ps steel) skin-passed in a new DSR-1250 mill of the Miory Metal Rolling Plant. The second factor is the need to develop an effective method for obtaining accurate geometry characteristics of an oblique cut of tinplate 0.19 mm or less thick. The purpose of the work is to determine the changes in microhardness and microstructure over the thickness of tinplate samples and identify the existence of a layer microstructure necessary for this type of flat-rolled products. The study was carried out on the selected samples of tinplate of TS 435 steel 0.19 mm thick. This tinplate was rolled from an annealed strip, 0.224 mm thick. The total magnitude of reduction in the mill was 15 %, and the reduction in the skin-pass stand was at least 3 %. The authors carried out measurements of microhardness at different points over the thickness of the selected tinplate samples. The microhardness values over the strip thickness were averaged using 6th degree polynomial interpolation. To study the grain dimension, a number of microstructure images were taken in various areas over the sheet thickness with ×500 magnification. The microstructure studies showed a pronounced strain microstructure with grains elongated in the direction of rolling. At the very boundary of metal contacting the rolls, the grains received the greatest deformation. The highest values of microhardness were identified in two zones adjacent to both strip surfaces and in the central layers along the strip thickness. The change in the microhardness values along the sheet thickness has a wave-like character with three pronounced zones of increase in hardness and two zones of a decrease in its values. The zones with the lowest microhardness values are located between the zones with the maximum values.
Religious identity in the semantic self-regulation of youth
Authors:   Institute of Socio-Political Research of the Federal Center for Theoretical and Applied Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISPR FCTAS RAS), Seliverstova Nina A. , Zubok Julia A. ,   Institute of Socio-Political Research of the Federal Center for Theoretical and Applied Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISPR FCTAS RAS)
Published: July 2023

The article presents an analysis of the links between the religious identity of young people and their ideas about the meanings of life, family, education, work in dynamics (2017-2020), including through connection with the choice of life strategies (stability /change), behavior patterns (reliability and calm / change and risk). Based on the comparative analysis of the data of two studies, the authors draw conclusions about the ambiguous manifestation of religious identity in the self-regulation of the life of young people. In different periods, it activates both traditional and modern meanings. For believers, compared with non-believers, love is understood much broader than the love between a man and a woman is more significant as the meaning of life. Along with the uncertainty-avoidance attitude inherent in believers, during the Covid-19 pan- demic, the value of a calm and comfortable life among them is significantly increased. The existential meanings of "manifestation of one's individuality (self-realization)" and "striving for truth", correlated with modern culture, are less valuable for believers than for non-believers. The ratio of the terminal and instrumental meanings of the family practically does not differ between believers and non-believers, but the significance of the terminal mean- ings themselves changes: for believers, “love” is less significant, but “need for a fam- ily” is higher. The ratio of terminal and instrumental meanings of labor is also similar. However, believers are characterized by the increased importance of the meaning of work as earnings during the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis of the meanings of education shows the most pronounced instrumentalization among young believers than non-believers. The instrumentalization of the meanings of work and education is also associated with an attitude to avoid uncertainty in this group.
The context of the development and transformation of Pakistan's traditional religions in the 21st century
Authors:   “Dua Hospital”, International Care Medical Centre, Bakanova Marina V.
Published: July 2023

Although Pakistan was created for Hindustani Muslims, in its first stage of formation it was not a country for Muslims, but developed as a secular country with civil rights for all. Islamization began from the moment of the adoption of the 1956 Constitution and the adaptation of the northwestern territories in the 70s, but aggres- sive Islamization was imposed on Pakistan during the reign of Ziya Ul Hak and the actual US monitoring of religion-politician. Currently, Pakistan is striving to move away from this model, but this is not always possible due to the functioning of aggres- sive Islamic parties and movements in the country, which, like supporters of western- ization, receive support under the neocolonial policy of the collective West. The Paki- stani society itself is currently characterized by processes of religion transformation in three directions: westernization, arabization by moderate type (average path of edu- cated moderation) and Islamization. The greatest active work in social networks is carried out by supporters of the latter in the development of Western intelligence ser- vices, which were previously used to create Al Caida, Taliban, ISIS prohibited in Rus- sia. Given the heterogeneity of the Islamic Pakistani society, the transformation and development of religion goes in them in different directions and at different speeds, while in view of a number of factors, high social groups of Shiites are subject to the greatest transformation. The remaining religions of the country are also in search of their path within the framework of Pakistani society, transforming their religion in different directions. So Christians from the educated higher social strata are most char- acterized by westernization, but with at the same time as the centralization and con- vergence around religious centers with the creation of strong communities. Pakistani Sikhs did not create a separate community and their religion is developing in the main- stream of Indian Sikhism. Hindu communities of the urban type develop in themselves (having little contacts with India Hinduism) or adjoin international organizations such as ISKCON with a general direction of creating clear Hindu canons, returning to fun- damental Hinduism, but with the involvement of Western trends. Rural, poorly edu- cated groups of Hindus and Christians often follow the path of syncretism, combining in their religious practices both the traditions of their religion and neighboring religious groups. Thus, the development and transformation of the main religions of Pakistan is currently quite active, although multidirectional.
Post-secularism in modern Russia: dangers and prospects
Authors:   Federal state public educational establishment of higher education «Management academy of the Ministry of the interior of the Russian Federation», Denisova Lyubov V. , Morozov Andrey A. ,   Federal state public institution of Higher education «Omsk academy of the Ministry of the interior of the Russian Federation»
Published: July 2023

The article is based on the discussion of the concepts of "post-secular so- ciety" and "post-secularism" discussed in the social sciences and the possibility of their use for analyzing the processes taking place in modern Russian society. A number of serious Russian scientists, researchers of religious processes, express objections to the use of the concepts of "post-secular society", "post-secularism", considering the ongo- ing processes to be a continuation of secularization. Analyzing their arguments, the authors come to the conclusion that there is no reason to talk about the existence of a post-secular society in modern Russia. However, post-secularism as a communicative phenomenon with a normative perspective is quite an actual and empirically verifiable concept. Such fixed phenomena as reconfiguration, demarginalization of religion, in- terfaith competition, interfaith cooperation are new forms of public relations that can- not be evaluated as the results of either secularization or desecularization. The emer- gence of postsecular quality of communication creates conditions for the establishment of fundamentally new forms of relations between various ideological groups, as well as for the transformation of state-confessional relations. The formation of post-secular public relations creates both dangers and new prospects. The dangers are connected with the contradictions arising in connection with the return of religion to the public environment. Thus, the reconfiguration may threaten the clericalization of public life. At the same time, the demarginalization of religion is a condition for public dialogue between representatives of different ideological positions.
The Armenian diaspora in social networks
Authors:   Institute for Demographic Research, Federal Center for Theoretical and Applied Sociology, Russian  Academy of Sciences, Yudina Tatyana N. , Besfamilnyi Danila A. ,   Russian State Social University
Published: July 2023

Currently, there is a massive involvement of migrants in social networks, in which virtual communication becomes the main form of their social interaction both within their ethnic diaspora and with other diasporic and host online communities. The problematic situation is connected with the fact that social networks have become an almost uncontrolled Internet resource with unlimited possibilities for the dissemination of information and a variety of forms of interaction, including verbal aggression, in- tolerance towards the interlocutor, ignoring ethical norms of communication, etc. The purpose of the scientific article is to identify the predominant type of social interaction of the Armenian diaspora in Russian-speaking social networks with relatively new ethnic diasporas (Tajik and Kyrgyz) and the host community. The analysis is based on the results of a sociological study "Social interaction of Diasporas in social networks" conducted by three methods of collecting empirical information (online questionnaire survey of representatives of the Armenian, Tajik and Kyrgyz diasporas in Russia; in- depth interview with representatives of diasporas; qualitative analysis of information posts of representatives of diasporas in the social network Vkontakte). The study re- vealed that the predominant type of social interaction of representatives of the Arme- nian Diaspora with the diasporas of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as with the host community, is conflict. The main causes of the conflict type of interaction of repre- sentatives of the Armenian Diaspora with representatives of Tajikistan and Kyrgyz- stan, as well as with the host community, were revealed. Acknowledgment: The study was carried out with the financial support of the RFBR for the implementation of the scientific Project №. 20-511-05007 “Socio-economic potential of the Armenian Diaspora in the context of integration processes in the EAEU”. Contract № 20-511-05007/21.
Agentes de su propia libertad : los esclavos de Lima y la desintegración de la esclavitud, 1821-1854
Authors: Aguirre Carlos
Published: July 2023

Los esclavos de Lima y la desintegración de la esclavitud, 1821-1854. Este libro busca devolver a los esclavos el protagonismo que tuvieron no sólo sobre sus propias vidas individuales, sino también sobre el destino de la esclavitud en el Perú del siglo XIX.
Léxico del habla culta de Lima
Authors: Caravedo Rocío
Published: July 2023

Esta investigación busca dar a conocer los usos generales correspondientes a los hablantes con nivel superior de escolaridad en cada ciudad de habla española en todos los planos del conocimiento de una lengua (fonético, morfológico, sintáctico y léxico).
Low-Intensity and Chemo-Free Treatments in Ph+ ALL: Progression-Free Survival Based on Indirect Comparisons
Authors: Rivano Melania , Mengato Daniele , Chiumente Marco , Messori Andrea
Published: July 2023

: In Philadelphia chromosome positive B-cell (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (LLA), growing evidence has accumulated about the efficacy of low-intensity and chemo-free regimens. Our objective was to analyse all recent trials evaluating these treatments and to compare them in terms of efficacy. We applied the Shiny method, an artificial intelligence technique, to analyse Kaplan-Meier curves and reconstruct patient-level data. Reconstructed patient data were then evaluated through standard survival statistics and subjected to indirect head-to-head treatment comparisons. The endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Based on 562 reconstructed patients, 8 trials were analyzed. The survival data from these trials were pooled into three types of treatment: i) treatments based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) combined with reduced-intensity chemotherapy (denoted as TKICHE); ii) TKIs associated to steroids with no chemotherapy (TKISTE); iii) chemotherapy-free combinations of blinatumomab plus TKIs (TKIBLI). According to the Shiny method, the three PFS curves were reported in a single Kaplan-Meier graph and subjected to survival statistics. In terms of PFS, TKIBLI ranked first, TKICHE second, and TKISTE third; the differences between these three regimens were statistically significant. In conclusion, the multi-treatment Kaplan-Meier graph generated in this study has effectively summarized the current evidence on these treatments in comparative terms.
Bayesian Joint Modeling Analysis of Longitudinal Proportion and Survival Data
Authors: Liu Wenting , Li Huiqiong , Tang Anming , Cui Zixin
Published: July 2023

This paper focuses on a joint model to analyse longitudinal proportion and survival data. After transforming the longitudinal proportional data by a logit function, we adopt a partially linear mixed-effect model for it, in which nonlinear function of time is fitted via using B-splines technique and a centered Dirichlet Process Mixture Model (CDPMM) is specified for a general distribution of random effects. The survival data is assumed to a Cox proportional hazard model, the sharing random effects joint model is developed for the two types of data. Combining the Gibbs sampler and the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, we propose a Bayesian Lasso (BLasso) method to simultaneously estimate unknown parameters and select important covariates. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the finite sample performance of the proposed methods. An example from the MA.5 research experiment is used to illustrate the proposed methodologies.
Cardiovascular Response to Exercise in Vertebrates: A Review
Authors: López-Román Antonio , Jiménez-Herranz Elena , Calderón-Montero Francisco Javier , Ramos-Álvarez Juan José , Gómez-Lucas Raquel
Published: July 2023

Exercise is the greatest stress for the cardiovascular system, not only for the human being but for the rest of vertebrates. For this reason, the cardiovascular response cannot be considered as only one “anthropocentric” meaning.
The adjustment of cardiac output to exercise in the five large groups of vertebrates is highly variable. The response of the heart rate and the stroke volume as the main two basic factors that determine the increase in cardiac output is also highly variable. The difference in the range of heart rate is difficult to determine in many vertebrates, both at rest and maximum effort.
The increase in stroke volume also differs among vertebrates. For example, while rainbow trout and leopard increase their stroke volume by increasing final diastolic volume (Frank Starling's law), humans do so at the expense of both increasing final diastolic volume and reducing final stroke volume (contractility). The variation in arterial pressure that occurs during exercise also differs considerably among vertebrates.
Large differences in cardiovascular response between different vertebrates could be related to their habitat or living environment.
This review aims to analyze the cardiovascular response to exercise, as the most common stress condition in vertebrates.
Development and Application of Stability Index estimation Algorithm based on Machine Learning for Elderly Balance Ability Diagnosis in Daily Life
Authors: Seo Jeong-Woo , Kim Taehong , Kim Joong Il , Jeong Youngjae , Jang Kyoung-Mi , Kim Junggil , Do Jun-Hyeong
Published: July 2023

Background: The Stability Index estimation algorithm was derived and applied to develop and implement a balance ability diagnosis system that can be used at daily life. Methods: The system integrated an approach based on sensory function interaction, called the clinical test of sensory interaction with balance (CTSIB). The piezo-resistive force mat was fabricated, and a Stability Index prediction algorithm was developed and applied using the center of pressure (CoP) variables. The Stability Index prediction algorithm derived a CoP variable for 103 elderly people by Nintendo Wii Balance Board (WBB) to predict the Stability Index of the Balance System (Biodex SD). And, the accuracy was confirmed through the correlation between the real and predicted value. Results: As a result of testing with the test-set, the linear regression model confirmed that the r value ranged between 0.943 to 0.983. To confirm the similarity between the WBB and flexible force mat, each measured CoP value was input and calculated into the developed regression model, and the result of the correlation coefficient validation ​​confirmed an r value of 0.96. Conclusion: The system developed in this study will be applicable to the daily life of the home in the form of a floor mat.
Applications and Research Advances in the Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Systems for the Treatment of Inherited Diseases
Authors: Lu Xinyue , Zhang Miaomiao , Li Ge , Zhang Jingbo , Fu Xiaoge , Sun Fengying
Published: July 2023

The rapid advancements in gene therapy have opened up new possibilities for the treatment of genetic disorders, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, Hemophilia, and Familial hypercholesterolemia. The utilization of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) - CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has revolutionized the field of gene therapy by enabling precise targeting of genes. In recent years, CRISPR/Cas9 has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating cancer and genetic diseases. However, the susceptibility of nucleic acid drugs to degradation by nucleic acid endonucleases, necessitates the development of functional vectors capable of protecting the nucleic acids from enzymatic degradation, while ensuring safety and effectiveness. This review aims to explore the biomedical potential of non-viral vector-explore CRISPR/Cas9 systems for the treatment of genetic diseases. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive overview of recent research advances in viral and non-viral vector-based gene therapy for genetic disorders, including insights from preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, the review analyzes the current limitations of these delivery systems and proposes avenues for the development of novel nano-delivery platforms.
Microbreak Exercise Interventions on Middle-Aged Office Workers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Drizi Irene , Moutzouri Maria , Sourtzi Panayota , Sakellari Vasiliki
Published: July 2023

Office workers often experience occupational musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of the current systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of workplace exercise intervention on the oldest age group of office workers who have been reported in the literature so far, in terms of workability and well-being. Randomized Controlled Trials were used and the methodological guidelines of PRISMA were followed. The keywords used were: office workers, older, exercise intervention, workplace, microbreaks, workability and well-being. The databases searched were: PubMed, PEDro, ResearchGate, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Science Direct. PROSPERO ID: CRD42022329656. Five studies (total number of participants: 1190, mean age: 46,4) met the inclu-sion criteria. Their quality was deemed to be moderate to high, according to PEDro and MPSER scales. Workplace interventions of gradually increased strengthening and moderate stretching exercises, isometric positioning and postural reminders, either with or without supervision, result in decreasing musculoskeletal pain, disability, sick-leave from work and in the improvement of quality of life and physical activity of the middle-aged office workers, without negative impact on their workability. Despite the worldwide aging workforce, there is a knowledge gap due to research absence in the field of microbreak exercise interventions in the group of older office workers.
Genetic Predictors of Comorbid Course of COVID-19 and MAFLD: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Buchynskyi Mykhailo , Oksenych Valentyn , Kamyshna Iryna , Vari Sandor G. , Kamyshnyi Aleksandr
Published: July 2023

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its potential impact on the severity of COVID-19 have gained significant attention during the pandemic. This review aimed to explore the genetic determinants associated with MAFLD, previously recognized as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and their potential influence on COVID-19 outcomes. Various genetic polymorphisms, including PNPLA3 (rs738409), GCKR (rs780094), TM6SF2 (rs58542926), and LYPLAL1 (rs12137855), have been investigated in relation to MAFLD susceptibility and progression. Genome-wide association studies and meta-analyses have revealed associations between these genetic variants and MAFLD risk, as well as their effects on lipid metabolism, glucose regulation, and liver function. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests a possible connection between these MAFLD-associated polymorphisms and the severity of COVID-19. Studies exploring the association between indicated genetic variants and COVID-19 outcomes have shown conflicting results. Some studies observed a potential protective effect of certain variants against severe COVID-19, while others reported no significant associations. This review highlights the importance of understanding the genetic determinants of MAFLD and its potential implications for COVID-19 outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking these genetic variants to disease severity and to develop gene profiling tools for early prediction of COVID-19 outcomes. If confirmed as determinants of disease severity, these genetic polymorphisms could aid in identifying high-risk individuals and improving the management of COVID-19.
On the Interpolation Error Distribution in Collocation Comparison of Atmospheric Profiles
Authors: Fassò Alessandro , Keernik Hannes , Rannat Kalev
Published: July 2023

The intercomparison among different atmospheric monitoring systems is key for instrument calibration and validation. Common cases involve satellites, radiosonde, radio occultation (e.g. GNSS-RO) and atmospheric model outputs (e.g. ERA5 reanalysis). Since instruments and/or measures are not perfectly collocated, the miss-collocation uncertainty must be considered in the related intercomparison uncertainty budgets.
Evaluation and Exploration of Machine Learning and CNN Classifiers in Detection of Lung Cancer from Microarray Gene - A Paradigm Shift
Authors: M S Karthika , Rajaguru Harikumar , R Nair Ajin
Published: July 2023

Microarray gene expression-based detection and classification of medical conditions have been prominent in research studies over the past few decades. However, extracting relevant data from the high-volume microarray gene expression with inherent nonlinearity and inseparable noise components raises significant challenges during data classification and disease detection. So, this paper proposes a two-level strategy involving feature extraction and selection methods before the classification step. The feature extraction step utilizes Short Term Fourier Transform (STFT), and the feature selection step employs Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Harmonic Search (HS) metaheuristic methods. The classifiers employed are Non-Linear Regression, Gaussian Mixture Model, Softmax Discriminant, Naive Bayes, SVM (Linear), SVM (Polynomial), and SVM (RBF). The two-level extracted relevant features are compared with raw data classification results, including Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) Methodology. Among the methods, STFT with PSO feature selection and SVM (RBF) classifier produced the highest accuracy of 94.47%.
Insertion of transposable elements in AVR-Pib of Magnaporthe oryzae leading to loss of the avirulent function
Authors: Li Jinbin , Lu Lin , Li Cheng-Yun , Wang Qun , Shi Zhu-Feng
Published: July 2023

Background
Rice blast is a very serious disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. The avirulence (AVR) genes of rice blast are perceived by the corresponding rice-blast resistance (R) genes and prompt specific resistance. A mutation in AVR is a major force for new virulence. Exploring mutations in AVR among M. oryzae isolates from rice-production fields could aid assessment of the efficacy and durability of R genes. We studied the probable molecular-evolutionary patterns of AVR-Pib alleles by assaying their DNA-sequence diversification and examining their avirulence to the corresponding Pib resistance gene under natural conditions in China.
Results
PCRs detected results from M. oryzae genomic DNA revealed that 162 out of 366 isolates collected from Yunnan Province contained AVR-Pib alleles. Among them, 36.1–73.3% isolates from six different rice-production areas of Yunnan contained AVR-Pib alleles. Furthermore, 36 (28.6%) out of 126 isolates had a transposable element (TE) insertion in AVR-Pib, which resulted in altered virulence. The TE insertion was identified in isolates from rice rather than from Musa nana Lour. Twelve AVR-Pib haplotypes encoding three novel AVR-Pib variants were identified among the remaining 90 isolates. AVR-Pib alleles evolved to virulent forms from avirulent forms by base substitution and TE insertion of Pot2 and Pot3 in the 5′ untranslated region of AVR-Pib.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that AVR-Pib alleles suffered neutral evolution and divergences that led to overcome specific resistant Pib alleles under field conditions. The TE insertion in AVR-Pib was selected and adapted to rice and other Gramineae species.
Hyperspectral Imaging Benchmark based on Machine Learning for Intraoperative Brain Tumour Detection
Authors: Leon Raquel , Ortega Samuel , Cruz-Guerrero Ines A. , Campos-Delgado Daniel , Szolna Adam , Piñeiro Juan F. , Espino Carlos , O’Shanahan Aruma J. , Hernandez Maria , Carrera David , Bisshopp Sara , Sosa Coralia , Balea-Fernandez Francisco J. , Morera Jesus , Clavo Bernardino , Callico Gustavo M. , Fabelo Himar
Published: July 2023

Brain surgery is one of the most common and effective treatments for brain tumour. However, neurosurgeons face the challenge of determining the boundaries of the tumour to achieve maximum resection, while avoiding damage to normal tissue that may cause neurological sequelae to patients. Hyperspectral (HS) imaging (HSI) has shown remarkable results as a diagnostic tool for tumour detection in different medical applications. In this work, we demonstrate, with a robust k-fold cross-validation approach, that HSI combined with the proposed processing framework is a promising intraoperative tool for in-vivo identification and delineation of brain tumours, including both primary (high-grade and low-grade) and secondary tumours. Analysis of the in-vivo brain database, consisting of 62 HS images from 34 different patients, achieved a highest median macro F1-Score result of 70.2±7.9% on the test set using both spectral and spatial information. Here, we provide a benchmark based on machine learning for further developments in the field of in-vivo brain tumour detection and delineation using hyperspectral imaging to be used as a real-time decision support tool during neurosurgical workflows.
Revisiting the Seasonal Cycle of Rainfall over Central Africa
Authors: Longandjo Georges-Noel T. , Rouault Mathieu
Published: July 2023

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), with its twice-annual passage over central Africa, is considered as the main driver of the rainfall seasonality. But recently, this paradigm was challenged. Here, a simple comprehensive paradigm is presented with an asymmetric shallow meridional overturning circulation – driven by surface conditions – playing a thermodynamical control on the rainfall seasonality over central Africa. Indeed, due to the local evaporative cooling effect, the foot of the ascending branch of Hadley cells occurs where the temperature is the warmest, indicating a thermal low. This distorts the southern Hadley cell by developing its bottom-heavy structure. As result, both shallow and deep Hadley cells coexist over central Africa year–round. The deep mode is associated with the poleward transport of atmospheric energy at upper levels. The shallow mode is characterized by a shallow meridional overturning cell that favours the building-up of the mid-tropospheric moisture convergence, with no contribution of the African easterly jets, indicative of deep convection. The precipitating convection embedded in this rising branch of Hadley cells at midlevels, and with it the rainfall maximum, are thus controlled by this mid-tropospheric moisture convergence. Its meridional migration highlights the interhemispheric rainfall contrast over central Africa and outlines the unimodal seasonality. On the other hand, forced by the Congo basin cell, the precipitable water regulates the deep convection from the vegetated surface of Congo basin, acting as a continental sea. This nonlinear mechanism separates the rainfall into three distinct regimes: the moisture-convergence-controlled regime, with convective rainfall exclusively occurring in rainy season; the local evaporation-controlled regime with drizzle and the precipitable-water-controlled regime, with exponential rainfall increase occurring both in dry season.
Value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT radiomics combined clinical variables in differential diagnosis of malignant and benign vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Wang Xun , Zhou Dandan , Kong Yu , Cheng Nan , Gao Ming , Zhang Guqing , Ma Junli , Ge Shuang
Published: July 2023

Background
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are common clinical problems that can be caused by various reasons. The differential diagnosis of benign and malignant VCFs is challengeable. This study aimed to develop and validate a radiomics model to predict benign and malignant VCFs on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT).
Results
Twenty-six features (9 PET features and 17 CT features) and five clinical variables (age, SUVmax, SUVpeak, SULmax, SULpeak) were selected ultimately. The area under the curve (AUC) of the radiomics and clinical-radiomics model were statistically different from the clinical model in both training group (0.986, 0.987 vs. 0.884, p < 0.05) and test group (0.962, 0.948 vs. 0.858, p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the radiomics model and clinical-radiomics model (p > 0.05). The accuracy of the radiomics and clinical-radiomics model was 94%, 95.0% in training group and 93.2%, 93.2% in test group. Three models all showed good calibration (Hosmer_Lemeshow_test, p > 0.05). According to the decision curve analysis (DCA), the radiomics model and clinical-radiomics model showed higher overall net benefit than the clinical model.
Conclusions
The PET/CT-based radiomics and clinical-radiomics model showed good performance in distinguishing between malignant and benign VCFs. The radiomics method may be valuable for treatment decision-making.
Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction within the scope of electron attraction in metallic magnetic films
Authors: Choe Sug-Bong , Yu Ji-Sung , Lee Seong-Hyub , Kim Minhwan , Shin Jiho , Shim Wooyoung , Kim Duck-Ho
Published: July 2023

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (iDMI) plays a crucial role in the formation of chiral objects such as magnetic skyrmions and chiral domain walls. Despite its significance, the origin of the iDMI remains debated among several possible mechanisms. Here we report experimental observations demonstrating a correlation between the parameters related to the electron attraction and iDMI through systematic measurement of the iDMI on various materials. Among these parameters, the Allen-scale electronegativity of the non-magnetic layer adjacent to the magnetic layer, exhibits the strongest correlation with iDMI. Additionally, the electron affinity also exhibits noticeable correlation with iDMI. It indicates that electron attraction-related phenomena, such as electric dipole moment, can be connected to the emergence mechanism of iDMI. These results offer valuable insights into the origin of the iDMI and provide guidance for selecting suitable materials to enhance its emergence.
Early detection of brain metastases and appropriate local therapy followed by systemic chemotherapy may improve the prognosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Ishizuka Yasunobu , Omori Takeshi , Shinno Naoki , Yamamoto Masaaki , Hara Hisashi , Otsuka Tomoyuki , Nishio Minako , Nishida Naohiro , Fujisawa Fumie , Sugimoto Naotoshi , Yagi Toshinari , Goto Masahiro , Nishikawa Hiroki , Kudo Toshihiro
Published: July 2023

Brain metastases develop in 0.5–0.7% of patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer. Although rare, brain metastasis is often identified when the patient is already symptomatic; hence prognosis is poor. Given the therapeutic developments for G/GEJ cancer, overall survival is prolonged, thereby the incidence of brain metastases is predicted to increase. We retrospectively surveyed the rate of brain metastasis among 1,257 patients diagnosed with G/GEJ cancer who received chemotherapy between January 2011 and April 2021. We investigated the time of onset of brain metastasis, treatments administered, and impact of the metastasis on the overall treatment course and prognosis. Of the 741 patients included in the analysis, brain metastasis was confirmed in 16 (2.2%). The median survival time (MST) from G/GEJ cancer diagnosis was 14.9 months in patients with brain metastasis detected during the treatment period, and the MST from the diagnosis of brain metastasis was 2.8 months. Patients who received chemotherapy exhibited prolonged survival compared with those who did not (12.4 months vs 1.0 months, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that the early detection of brain metastases and local therapy for poor responders to chemotherapy enable the continuation of chemotherapy and prolong survival.