bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Troodos ophiolite: petrology of a fresh glassy basalt
Authors: Jørgensen K. A. , Brooks C. K.
Published: January 2022

Droplets of rapidly quenched, silicic tholeiite glass are described, which are relatively unaltered except for the absorption of about 6% H2O. The glass is variolitic and contains minor olivine, chromite, clinopyroxene and plagioclase of various habits, whose relationships to cooling history may be deduced in the light of experimental data and whose compositions are reported. It is suggested from this recon-naissance study that the Troodos Upper Pillow Lavas have most probably formed at a spreading centre, perhaps a back-arc environment, rather than an island arc.
Permafrost related features in Holsteinsborg district, West Greenland
Authors: Kelly M.
Published: January 2022

Extensive areas of uplifted Holocene marine sediments are covered by permafrost mounds - domes and ridges up to 7 m high, and thermokarst lakes. The domes are related to both open system pingos and palsas but the ridges are of uncertain origin and not hitherto described. They all may be the result of an extension of permafrost in the late Neoglacial following a milder mid Holocene period.
Foraminifera in Late Saalian, Eemian, Early and Middle Weichselian of the Skærumhede I boring
Authors: Knudsen K. L. , Andersen A.-L. Lykke
Published: January 2022

A foraminiferal stratigraphy primarily based on the late Axel N0rvangs material from the Skrerumhede I boring has been made.
Foraminifera from the marine Skrerumhede sequence show a fauna! succession from an arctic environ­ment (zone N4) to deep water boreal and boreo-lusitanian conditions (zone N3). This is succeeded by a zone (N2) containing a fauna! transition from a shallow water boreal assemblage in its lower part through to boreo-arctic conditions in its upper part, and finally a zone (NI) reflecting mainly arctic environment. It is argued that zone N4 represents the Late Saalian, zone N3 the Eemian and zones N2 and Nl the Early and Middle Weichselian.
Wienbergia, new genus for Barroisia f axensis
(Porifera:Demospongia) from the Middle Danian of Denmark
Authors: Clausen Claus Koch
Published: January 2022

The rare Middle Danian sponge, Barroisia faxensis Ravn, is redescribed under the new name Wienbergia faxensis. The new genus has characters which suggest that it should be placed in the order Sphinctozoida. This genus may represent a link between the Cretaceous genus Barroisia and the "living fossil" Neocoelia crypta.
Role of Coronary Calcium Score as a Screening Tool for Excluding Significant Coronary Artery Disease in High Risk Asymptomatic Patients
Authors: Afzal Fariha , Khan Muhammad Imran , Zenab
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVES:
To determine correlation of zero coronary artery calcium score (CACS) with non-significant coronary artery stenosis by using computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA).
METHODOLOGY:
62 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent CACS test and CTCA from April 2018 to November 2020. Patients were examined with 160 slice multidetector CT and grouped according to their age, gender, CACS, and maximum coronary luminal stenosis. CACS was assessed using Agatston scoring and degree of stenosis was assessed by automatic software and severity was scored according to CAD-RADS. The correlation between these two main variables was calculated using Spearman rank correlation.
RESULTS:
The 62 patients were divided into four groups according to CACS, using the Agatston Unit (AU). Group 1; 0 AU (41 patients, 66.13%), Group 2; 1-100 AU (13 patients, 20.97%) Group 3; 101-400 AU (4 patients, 6.45%), Group 4; 401-1000 AU (4 patients, 6.45%). In 41 patients with zero calcium score (32 males and 9 females), 38 patients (92.68%) were found to have no coronary artery stenosis, 2 patients (4.87%) had mild coronary artery stenosis and 1 patient (2.43%) had moderate coronary artery stenosis. Total 35 patients presented for screening purpose out of which 25 (71%) had zero calcium score and no significant coronary artery disease.
CONCLUSION:
In high risk patients, zero calcium score excludes significant coronary artery stenosis (50%), hence coronary calcium score is a good screening tool before subjecting patients to coronary angiography.
Confirmation of the current occurrence of Nasua narica (Procyonidae) in the Caribbean region of Colombia
Authors: Salcedo-Rivera Gerson A. , Rodríguez Alberto Mario , Carrascal-Prasca Dairo , Granados-Peña Ramón , González-Maya José F.
Published: January 2022

The White-nosed Coati, Nasua narica is a small carnivore distributed from the United States to Ecuador, and whose occurrence in Colombia had only been confirmed from the biogeographic Chocó. Although it was previously erroneously considered widespread in the country, a recent revision identified inconsistencies with some supporting records there. Here we present a new distribution record for the species, which confirms previously alleged information about the presence of this procyonid in the Department of Magdalena, also confirming its current occurrence for the Caribbean region, and solving a long-due geographical distribution uncertainty in the country.
A new rainfrog of the genus Pristimantis (Anura, Brachycephaloidea) from central and eastern Panama
Authors: Mebert Konrad , González-Pinzón Macario , Miranda Madian , Griffith Edgardo , Vesely Milan , Schmid P. Lennart , Batista Abel
Published: January 2022

Substantial molecular and morphological character differences lead us to the description of a new species of the genusPristimantisfrom the cloud forest of Cerro Chucantí, Maje Mountains, Darien Province, as well as from several other mountain ranges in eastern and central Panama.Pristimantis gretathunbergaesp. nov.is a sister species to the allopatricP. erythropleura-penelopusgroup from northern Colombia with a mtDNA sequence divergence of > 4.4% at 16S and > 14.6% at COI. Its closest congener in sympatry isP. cruentusthat differs by a large sequence divergence of > 9.6% in 16S mtDNA and 19.0% at COI, and from which it differs also by ventral and groin coloration, unusually prominent black eyes, a contrasting light upper lip, commonly a single conical to spine-like tubercle on the upper eyelid, and a larger head. While the habitat continuity at most sites in eastern Panama is moderate, habitats in central Panama are severely fragmented. Cerro Chucantí and the surrounding Maje Mountains are highly threatened by rapid deforestation and replaced by plantations and cattle pastures. Thus, investigations on the ecology of the new species and its population status, especially at the type locality, are highly recommended. As a flagship species, this new frog can help to preserve the Chucantí cloud forest including several recently described species known only from this isolated area in eastern Panama.
Pour un nouvel humanisme critique
Authors: Gori Roland
Published: January 2022

La pandémie de Covid-19 nous confronte à l’exigence de devoir rendre compte d’un nouveau monde en train de se construire avec les représentations d’un monde en train de disparaître. Ce monde en béton armé nous paraissait aussi solide et infranchissable que la ligne Maginot à la veille de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. Dans les deux cas, il nous a fallu déchanter, nos croyances se sont avérées totalement inappropriées à la situation. Les maladies de l’anthropocène mettent en lumière l’obsolescence des catégories de penser et d’action fondées sur les normes des sociétés thermo-industrielles. Il nous faut aujourd’hui restaurer l’humanisme ou consentir, tel Icare, à périr de nos conquêtes machinales qui sont autant des défaites de notre humanité. Il nous faut renouveler le langage humaniste des solidaristes organisé par le concept de « dette sociale ».
Être en crise et avoir un téléphone. Enjeux et modalités psychiatriques
Authors: Béraud Paul , Chalancon Benoit , Pénet Caroline , Vittoz Aurélie , Leca Herminie
Published: January 2022

À partir de l’analyse de l’implantation d’un dispositif d’écoute téléphonique, nous proposons une réflexion sur les enjeux de la prise en charge par téléphone dans un établissement hospitalier public. Né durant la crise sanitaire liée à la Covid, le dispositif permet d’évaluer et d’orienter des demandes multiples et variées reçues à distance, et impose aussi un réaménagement de nos cadres d’exercice professionnel que nous aborderons selon trois axes : le trinôme des écoutants (infirmier, assistante sociale, psychologue), l’injonction à répondre et la proximité distante créée par le virtuel du téléphone. Le contexte particulier du confinement traverse l’ensemble de notre réflexion car il a créé une suspension temporelle et une expérience sensible sans précédent dans nos sociétés contemporaines ; réinterrogeant nos places de soignants et nos façons de prendre soin.
Une partie de cache-cache : l’homme invisible est-il un sale type ?
Authors: Martin-Desgranges Serge
Published: January 2022

Dans le cadre de la mise en place de l’enseignement à distance, le rapport enseignant/élève a pu être mis à mal. Comportements et attitudes furent révélateurs des difficultés profondes des millénnials à s’impliquer dans l’apprentissage. Les symptômes présentés, croisement entre invisibilité et exhibitionnisme et mise à nu des pulsions, montraient avec éloquence un détachement rapide de la relation avec l’enseignant et ainsi la nécessité à rétablir le lien, outil indispensable pour tenter de « réamorcer la pompe à penser » de l’apprenant et par là même à lui autoriser à construire sa subjectivité. Les visées capitalistes des réseaux sociaux, les subterfuges pervers utilisés pour capter l’attention du jeune consommateur participent activement à sa vacuité psychique risquant de l’entraîner dans les affres du non-être, le réduisant à adopter l’identité de la marque qu’il consomme. Cette mise à distance ne fut pas sans conséquence pour l’enseignant, lui-même pris au piège de la perte d’une part d’intimité et affecté par un processus de compensation de la perte du lien par une sur-affectivité de l’expression.
Le destin du féminin dans la pandémie
Authors: Diet Anne-Lise
Published: January 2022

La pandémie liée à la Covid 19 a contraint les politiques à inventer au jour le jour une politique sanitaire dont les effets ont été délétères sur la population du fait des lourdes privations qu’elle a exigées. Elle a révélé de nombreux éléments invisibilisés par la politique ultralibérale à l’œuvre, depuis plusieurs décennies. L’exploration de ces effets met en lumière la répression du féminin, du soin porté aux autres, au profit d’une idéologie guerrière et violente et d’une gestion étroite visant à mettre à mal le service public hospitalier, et son personnel. Les femmes ont développé des symptômes particuliers montrant qu’elles se mobilisaient pour préserver la vie. Elles ont aussi payé un lourd tribut social à la pandémie.
Le traumatique dans la rencontre entre professionnels de santé mentale et familles de réfugiés et migrants : cadres et métacadres institutionnels de soutien
Authors: Navridi Anthia
Published: January 2022

Une recherche axée sur l’efficacité des programmes d’intervention précoce auprès de familles de réfugiés, de migrants et de leurs jeunes enfants a été menée en Grèce. Des entretiens réalisés dans le cadre de celle-ci avec des professionnels de santé mentale qui travaillent dans des structures d’accueil ont permis de constater la dimension inconsciente du rapport avec l’autre sous tous ses aspects. Cet article propose une hypothèse de travail selon laquelle le traumatique intervient inconsciemment dans la communication entre les bénéficiaires, les professionnels de santé mentale, les cadres et les méta cadres institutionnels de soutien psychosocial, en tant qu’élément médiateur principal qui lie et délie et empêche une mentalisation potentielle tout en la permettant en même temps.
Multi-valued random dynamics of stochastic wave equations with infinite delays
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Wang Yejuan , Caraballo Tomás
Published: January 2022

This paper is devoted to the asymptotic behavior of solutions to a non-autonomous stochastic wave equation with infinite delays and additive white noise. The nonlinear terms of the equation are not expected to be Lipschitz continuous, but only satisfy continuity assumptions along with growth conditions, under which the uniqueness of the solutions may not hold. Using the theory of multi-valued non-autonomous random dynamical systems, we prove the existence and measurability of a compact global pullback attractor.
An Investigation of the Factors That Motivate Users to Participate in Online Communities
Authors: Al Khasawneh Mohammad , Al Hadeed Ola A. , Abdrabbo Tariq , Abu Hashesh Mohammad Yousef , Al-Abdullah Muhammad
Published: January 2022

The objective of this research is to contribute to the understanding of the online community by empirically examining the major factors motivating online community members to participate and actively contribute to their communities. In pursuing this endeavor, a comprehensive conceptual model of motivations that drive online community participation is developed based on an extensive revision of the existing relevant literature. However, modest research had been conducted to understand the online participant's motivation to participate in online communities. Thus, the current research model will enhance understanding and add to the relevant existing knowledge by categorizing digital user's motivation to participate in online communities, through the employment of Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory and Herzberg's two-factor theory. The paper used a deductive methodological approach adopted.
Who's Who
Authors: Collins Nathalie , Volkheimer Jeff , Murphy Jamie
Published: January 2022

Industry and academic circles continue to attempt to label brand community behaviours, borrowing analogies from subcultures such as religion (“evangelists”), slang (“geeks, mavens, haters”), science fiction (“fanboys”), and science (“alpha”). Although sometimes used as generic terms, upon examination, these and other such labels, can define the spectrum of brand attachment in a specific way—through narrative, metaphor, and cross-cultural labelling. Such labelling is happening already. This chapter parses the current meaning of one term from another into a folksonomy, or classification system developed by those steeped in the culture. This segmentation enables further research into specific fan types, along with industry recommendations for approaching each segment based on the behavioural characteristic inherent in both the historic and common usage of the word. It also moves toward the standardisation of these terms in industry and academic circles in order to further enable a lingua franca relating to this phenomenon.
Comic Con Communion
Authors: Dunn Robert Andrew , Herrmann Andrew F.
Published: January 2022

The present research explores gender, cosplay, and media fandom in a media fan convention context. Researchers for the present study surveyed 227 attendees at two media fan conventions. As expected, convention attendees found the words “nerd” and “geek” to be badges of honor. Contrary to research expectations, women rated themselves higher as fans than men. Women did, as expected, see fandom as an escapism opportunity more so than men. Male cosplayers thought they looked more like their costume character, but female cosplayers thought they shared their character's personality and were more likely to refer to themselves as “we.” Cosplayers were more likely to tie their fandoms to their friends' enjoyment of it and to tie their fandom to sharing it with large groups of people more so than non-cosplayers. Cosplayers also rated their fandom as being a good time more than non-cosplayers and their fandom as improving their self-esteem more than non-cosplayers. Implications are discussed.
Social Media Translational Action
Authors: Aisyah Aznur , Zainudin Intan Safinaz , Yoan Rou Seung
Published: January 2022

Internet application advancement has enabled Korean pop culture (K-Pop) to rapidly spread worldwide. However, technology alone is insufficient in delivering k-pop content to K-Pop fans because of language barriers. Hence, the translator's role is pivotal in decoding these data. Realising this crucial need, fans have acted as translators in interpreting enormous data file that have been improperly translated or unavailable in the original file. This research examined the translation process occurring in Twitter microblogging environment which is rarely analysed among linguistic scholars. the translation style of fan translators was identified, and the translational action involved discussed. K-Pop group, Bangtan Sonyeondan's (BTS) twitter account was selected as the main data source and Korean-English fan translation of the content distributed in the account was collected. The microblogging interface is equipped with the latest technology that supports multimedia data form, resulting in more dynamic translation work which needs to be highlighted in translation studies.
Developing the Leadership Potential of African Youth Through Online Communities
Authors: Maloiy Lanoi , Cranefield Jocelyn
Published: January 2022

This chapter draws on the results of an explorative, qualitative study that investigated how online communities can facilitate civic engagement amongst Millennials. Based on the study's findings, the chapter explores how the use of online communities can assist and empower youth, particularly African young people, to overcome barriers, empower and foster civic engagement. This chapter begins with a review of key literature, and then a summary of the study methodology, followed by a discussion of the study findings and their potential for African youth. Results of the study indicated that five facilitating factors and two barriers were influential towards youth civic engagement in an online context. Adult perceptions of youth and the low credibility of online communities were found to act as significant barriers to online youth participation. Given these key findings from the study, the authors show how to employ online communities to engage African youth civic participation and decision making.
Intentional Inclusion
Authors: Ingle Jeanne Carey
Published: January 2022

Finding models and insight into the best and most effective strategies and programs to teach English language learners in respectful and equitable ways is a persistent topic in practitioner and educational research. This chapter shares the voices and work of Toronto educators whose embrace of multiculturalism and multilingualism has contributed to the academic success of English language learners and refugee children in the Toronto schools. Through a series of interviews and classroom observations, the author explored the practices and programs used to support and empower these young English language learners. The chapter presents three major themes that emerged from this study: teacher mindset, family engagement, and targeted refugee education. These themes shed light and provide a deeper understanding for educators of the why and the how of Toronto's success. Educator takeaways are shared.
Education for Gender Equality in Teacher Preparation
Authors: Cardona-Moltó María Cristina , Miralles-Cardona Cristina
Published: January 2022

Since the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1979, education has been regarded as an essential vehicle to face gender inequities. As a result, universities are increasingly recognizing the need for mainstreaming gender into education to ensure that all graduates are prepared for developing a gender-sensitive practice. With the purpose of bringing evidence of present developments in connection with current European policies, student teachers' and educators' perceptions of gender mainstreaming implementation from three education programs at the University of Alicante, Spain were explored. Findings reveal that there is a common view that gender mainstreaming has not emerged as a priority in teacher education and that institutional indifference in implementing a gender approach in teaching is a norm. The study contributes to identifying areas of need suggesting actions for making progress in gender equality training at institutional and curricular levels.
Multicultural Initial Teacher Training in Greece
Authors: Sotiropoulou Panagiota , Polymenakou Eva
Published: January 2022

Greece's demography has changed rapidly over the last 30 years. Migrants now form a sizable population but are still persistently excluded from mainstream conceptualizations and representations of the national ‘we'. Moreover, although multicultural classrooms have also become the norm, migrant students still face significant educational inequities. This chapter argues that a major stepping stone towards changing this adverse reality can come from the initial teacher training provided to future educators in Greece. Drawing upon teacher trainees' narratives, this chapter critically reflects upon the multicultural initial teacher training currently offered in Greece in an attempt to highlight how multicultural experiential learning contributes to the preparation of more multiculturally competent future educators. Illustrating good practice examples and areas in need of improvement in the training currently offered, this chapter also provides transferable guidelines for the creation of effective multicultural teacher training, based on equity and social justice principles.
Gender Inequality and Societal Oppression of Women in Pakistan
Authors: Iqbal Iqra , Zaidi Nausheen Pasha
Published: January 2022

Gender inequality and oppression are common in most patriarchal societies. Pakistan, a developing country of the Global South, has been wrangling with gender discrimination and violence against women since its inception in 1947. Globally, Pakistan is ranked third from the bottom (151 out of 153) on the Gender Equality Index. While patriarchal norms can have severe consequences for women's rights, it is important to look at the different ways in which patriarchy can manifest across socioeconomic levels. This chapter discusses the experiences of women in the lower, middle, and upper classes of Pakistani society. Thematic analysis of interview data reveals an overlap of forms of oppression and abuse, including the pervasiveness of masculine hegemony, workplace harassment, and in-law interference after marriage, as well as other challenges unique to each social class. The importance of education for women and girls is highlighted, while acknowledging that education alone, without family and societal suppor, may not be enough to break the shackles of the patriarchy for Pakistani women.
Gender and Sexuality in Physical Education and Health Curricula in Japan
Authors: Fox Diana J. , Suzuki Naoki , Clark-Bess Vivian
Published: January 2022

This comparative study of gender messages in Japanese textbooks reveals a pattern of underlying sex discrimination as well as efforts at reform. There is a “hidden curriculum”—the presence of powerful, hegemonic messages that reinforce dominant social structural values of a gender binary—shaping the learning environment and sustaining structural inequalities. An effort to address the hidden curriculum of gender and sexuality biases in Japanese textbooks was published in 2020 through the National Elementary School Health textbooks and curriculum. This study analyzes existing gender messages permeating the explicit and hidden curriculum and reform efforts, employing mixed methods of content analysis and ethnographic observations.
A View on the Impact of Gamified Services in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Panattil Sebastian Joy , George Anoop , Joy Manu Melwin
Published: January 2022

The chapter examines the researchers' objective to see how gamification has been investigated in various science disciplines during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact by grouping the findings into central concerns and core issues. The PRISMA approach is used to narrow down the list of relevant articles. The necessity for gamified interventions in the retail, education, and health domains is deliberated in this chapter. The findings suggest that academicians take the chance to collect empirical data and evaluate it in real-time to better understand the impact of gamification in a variety of professions.
Application of Gamification in a Marketing Context
Authors: M. A. Ebina Justin , Joy Manu Melwin
Published: January 2022

Gamification, a popular tool widely used in various contexts such as marketing, education, and organizations, among others, has demonstrated its potential for engaging, motivating, and achieving behavioral change in the targeted audience. For an ideal gamification system, it is necessary to know how the gamification elements affect human emotions. This chapter conducts a journey through gamified contexts and their psychological impacts on individuals. This chapter gathers up the different threads of gamification in the marketing context. The three important objectives fulfilled by this chapter would be that it provides information about the topic of gamification and the psychological perspectives behind its operation; discusses its application in various marketing contexts, such as digital marketing and online payment sites; and finally, investigates various behavioral outcomes of gamification.
Natural User Interfaces for Meditative Health Games
Authors: Fashoro Ifeoluwapo , Ncube Sithembile
Published: January 2022

The psychological health outcomes of video games are drawing increasing interest around the world. There is growing interest in video games as an accessible health intervention for depression and anxiety, both of which are rising health concerns globally. New interaction techniques for video games are becoming increasingly popular, with natural user interfaces (NUIs) becoming more commonplace in game systems. This chapter explores the design of a meditative game, a subgenre of casual games that intends for players to become calm and relaxed, and the evaluation of the NUIs for the game. The purpose of the chapter is to ascertain which NUI is most suitable for meditative games. A meditative fishpond game was designed that accepts two NUIs: touch and eye-tracking. The game was evaluated using a Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. The study found the eye-tracking interface reported a higher positive affect score from users and is therefore most suitable for meditative games.
Gamification or How to Make a “Green” Behavior Become a Habit
Authors: Aguiar-Castillo Lidia , Perez-Jimenez Rafael
Published: January 2022

One of the main challenges faced by tourist destinations is waste management. A poor waste collection and management policy is an additional factor affecting the tourist destination's sustainability within this general problem. These situations are trying to be solved with incentives derived from gamification tools that motivate people to recycle. This study, within the scope of a European project called UrbanWaste, found significant results that suggested that this tool can promote recycling behavior, but what happens when customers come back home? Gamification even makes a habit take root in the people who use it by activating external motivators. This recycling habit emanates from an altruistic feeling and aims to leave a better world for future generations (intrinsic motivation). However, they also recommend the app to show a benevolent image by making the behavior visible (internalized extrinsic motivation) and improving destination branding.
Are You There?
Authors: Bisanz Elize
Published: January 2022

The chapter targets the disruptive impact of the pandemic on learning environments and explores the responsive features it revealed about human resilience, creativity, and culture. By using the relational reasoning method, the chapter analyzes similarities and discrepancies between technological and human communication patterns to enhance digital learning. Furthermore, insights from synchronous and hybrid teaching experience exemplify how a relational and reflective learning approach helps us thrive as humans, as cultural selves, and enhance our skills as sovereign agents in any given environment, be it natural or virtual.
A Paradigm for Global Student Interactions Through Digital Technologies in a Post-COVID Era
Authors: Taraban Roman , Saraff Sweta , Biswal Ramakrishna , Marcy William M.
Published: January 2022

The widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced almost every aspect of our lives to shift to online modalities. One outcome of the pandemic was to effectively establish digital learning as a major system for education. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the development and implementation of a web-based resource for college instruction. The foundation for this pedagogical tool is sociocultural learning theory. This instructional tool has been deployed with over 2000 students to date. Its successful employment with college students in India and the USA is outlined, and suggestions are included for its generalized use to other content and courses.
Transforming Technology Purpose and Integration
Authors: German Susan , Royce Christine Anne , DeVore-Wedding Beverly R.
Published: January 2022

While the shift to emergency remote teaching was sudden and caught many off-guard, the reality exists that we need to better prepare faculty to utilize technology in a meaningful way and integrate it into lessons. This chapter provides an overview of two aspects: 1) preparing faculty for use of technology through a modified transitional learning model so that they are supported with just-in-time professional learning and 2) introducing them to the PICRAT technology framework to assist them in the design of their lessons. Both the model and the framework are constructivist in nature and align with transformative learning theory. Examples of what each of these structures look like are provided within the narrative.
The Approach of Academicians to Distance Education During COVID-19
Authors: Akkoca Yusuf
Published: January 2022

The education community, accustomed to the face-to-face education system, had to switch to the distance education system with the COVID-19 pandemic. It was inevitable for educators who had not experienced distance education to prepare themselves in a short time and to complete the process with the least damage. Of course, there were many negativities during distance education and the whole world gained certain experiences during this time. In this study, the problems experienced by the academic staff using distance education applications, their approaches to distance education, how much they have improved themselves in other possible problems in the future, and what they expect from distance education have been examined. Thematic analysis was used as a research design; articles, theses, books, reports of official institutions and organizations were examined; and the concepts that emerged during distance education applications were divided according to categories by using descriptive and thematic analysis.
Blood Pressure Estimation from Photoplethysmography with Motion Artifacts Using Long Short Term Memory Network
Authors: Welhenge Anuradhi , Taparugssanagorn Attaphongse
Published: January 2022

Continuous measurement of the Blood Pressure (BP) is important in hypertensive patientsand elderly population. Traditional cuff based methods are difficult to use since it is uncomfortable towear a cuff throughout the day. A more suitable method is to estimate the BP using the Photoplethysmography(PPG) signal. However, it is difficult to estimate a BP when the PPG is corrupted withMotion Artifacts (MAs). In this paper, Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) an extension of RecurrentNeural Networks (RNN) is used used to improve the accuracy of the estimation of the BP from thecorrupted PPG. It shows that an accuracy of 97.86 is achieved.
Vasodilatation Measurement Using Finger Vascular Images by Near-Infrared Light and Comparison with RH-PAT
Authors: Shimawaki Satoshi , Urakami Izumi
Published: January 2022

Examination of vascular endothelial function can help infer atherosclerosis progression. This study investigated whether vascular visualization by near-infrared (NIR) light can detect vasodilatation after cuff pressure release of the upper arm and what the correlation is between the brightness decrease ratio (R1) corresponding to vasodilation and the reactive hyperemia index (RHI). We obtained finger vascular images of 53 male subjects by photographing NIR light (wavelength 850 nm) transmitted through the middle phalanx of the middle finger with a charge-coupled device camera. The upper arm was compressed for 10 min using a cuff (200 mmHg), and vascular images before and after cuff compression release were obtained. We analyzed the finger vascular images by NIR light and digital pulse volume using endothelial peripheral arterial tonometry (Endo-PAT). We also calculated the average brightness of each vascular image. Using only the data of the ischemic finger, R1 was defined using the average brightness just before cuff release and the minimum average brightness after cuff release. The brightness of vascular images of the ischemic finger decreased after cuff release probably because of vasodilation. We found significant correlation between R1 and the RHI (r = 0.52; P < 0.001). R1 in the lowest RHI quartile was significantly smaller compared to the highest and second-highest RHI quartiles (P < 0.05). Vascular visualization by NIR light can detect vasodilation after cuff release. This is significantly correlated with the RHI on Endo-PAT.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Effect of Pouring Temperature and Fluid Convection on Spherical Grains Formation
Authors: Qu Wen Ying , Hu Xiao Gang , Luo Min , Zhu Qiang
Published: January 2022

Spherical morphology is the typical characteristic of the microstructure in semi-solid slurries, while the formation mechanism of these spherical grains is still unclear, especially the migration of the solid-liquid interface under different process conditions. This study will focus on the effect of pouring temperature and swirling on the morphology of grains. A phase field-lattice-Boltzmann method using parallel computing and adaptive mesh refinement (Para-AMR) was employed to study the FCC α-Al phase evolution in binary Al-Si aluminum alloy. Study results represent that the pouring temperature has a significant influence on the morphology of the α-Al grains. Low pouring temperature is a benefit for the formation of spherical microstructures. And the swirling can refine the microstructure under high pouring temperature.
Effects of Grain Morphology on Flow Behavior of Semi-Solid Slurries
Authors: Luo Min , Li Da Quan , Lu Hong Xing , Qu Wen Ying , Zhang Hong , Cheng Le , Zhu Qiang
Published: January 2022

The flow behavior of semi-solid slurry determines the quality of the castings produced by the semi-solid forming process. Many studies have done to investigate the flow behavior of slurry under different conditions, and results show that the rheological behavior of slurry with dendritic structure is inappropriate for semi-solid forming. In this study, slurries with varying morphologies of grain for the same alloy with the same fraction solid have tested using a partial filling method. The SEED process was employed, and the pouring temperature adjusted to prepare semi-solid slurries with different grain morphologies. The flow pattern, entrapped air during the filling process, and also microstructure of the samples were examined to characterize the macro and micro flow behavior. The results show that a turbulent macro-flow, leading to entrapped air, and severe segregation appeared in the sample using slurry of Tpour ≥ 660 °C . For the slurry of Tpour < 660 °C, none of the three phenomena found in the sample. This investigation further showed that the detriment of dendrite on the semi-solid forming process, and implied that large size dendrite in semi-solid slurry must avoided.
Structure Optimization of Semi-Solid Die Cast Steering Knuckle and its Experiment Verification
Authors: Chen Song , Li Da Quan , Zhang Fan , Liang Xiao Kang , Feng Jian , Li Tao
Published: January 2022

Steering knuckles are vital functional and structural components in automotive suspension systems, requiring high strength, high ductility, and complex shapes. In this study, an aluminum alloy knuckle with the semi-solid die casting process was developed to replace the conventional steel components. This research aims to optimize product design based on both structural simulation and casting process simulation to avoid defects and to meet mechanical requirements. Furthermore, the optimal design solutions need to be verified through the filling experiments and defect analysis. The results show that the removal of support rib located in the thick area of the shock absorber mounting arm is helpful to avoid the rewelding defects in the filling frontier of the SSM melt. Besides, the position of the steering rod is of medium thickness, and two ribs from different directions come together to support that area. Rewelding defects were detected when two ribs come together. To avoid rewelding defects in local areas of steering rod position, the ribs were reduced to uniform wall thickness. Thus, the local flow state was modified and the SSM melt was reinforced shear action. Ultimately, by controlling all the processes of the SSM die casting process, the high performance of aluminum knuckle was successfully developed.
Semisolid Casting and Die Casting of Al-4.8%Mg-2%Si Alloy
Authors: Haga Toshio , Imamura Shinichiro , Miwa Ryota , Fuse Hiroshi
Published: January 2022

An aluminum alloy, Al–4.8%Mg–2%Si, was cast by die casting and thixocasting, and the properties of the cast specimens were investigated. When the poured molten metal temperature was lower than 640 °C during die casting, it was lower than the liquidus temperature, and the metal became a semisolid slurry in the sleeve of the die casting machine; this fulfills the conditions for rheocasting. A tension test was conducted to investigate the effects of semisolid casting on the mechanical properties of Al–4.8%Mg–2%Si. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the ingots cast by die casting and rheocasting were affected by the size of ingot. When the ingot had a circular base of 4.5 mm diameter, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation were excellent; however, when the cross section of the ingot was a square with a side length of 20 mm, the tensile strength and elongation were inferior. The thixocasting was conducted using square ingots with a side length of 20 mm, and the tensile strength and elongation were poor in this case as well. The results of this study demonstrate that semisolid casting cannot improve the mechanical properties of Al–4.8%Mg–2%Si ingots with a high thickness. Semisolid casting cannot produce fine-grained Mg2Si, and the mechanical properties of the material could not be improved by this casting method.
Effect of the Mg3N2 Sub-Micron Particle on the Grain Refinement of AZ80 Alloy
Authors: Li Jiehua , Pammer Maria , Neunteufl Ernst , Schumacher Peter
Published: January 2022

AZ80 alloy has been widely used to produce high performance Mg casting and wrought parts for high-end applications due to its high mechanical properties and deformation ability. However, at least two important issues still need to be solved in order to further improve its mechanical properties and deformation ability. Firstly, the grain size of α-Mg in AZ80 alloy is relatively large (more than 1000 µm) due to a lack of efficient grain refinement methodologies. Secondly, the size of the eutectic Mg17Al12 phase is also large and the distribution of the eutectic Mg17Al12 phase is continuous, which is very harmful for the mechanical properties, in particular to elongation. In this paper, these two important issues are investigated by adding Mg3N2 sub-micron particle into AZ80 alloy and thereby refining the α-Mg and the eutectic Mg17Al12 phase. Firstly, the Mg3N2 sub-micron particle was directly added into AZ80 alloy by using mechanically stirring in the semi-solid state, subsequently the melting temperature was increased above the liquidous temperature, and finally the melting was casted in the liquid state. It was found that the grain size of α-Mg can be refined from 883.8 µm to 169.9 µm. More importantly, the eutectic Mg17Al12 phase was also refined and the distribution became discontinuous. It should be noted that directly adding the Mg3N2 sub-micron particle into AZ80 alloy leads to a great loss of the Mg3N2 sub-micron particle due to the weak wetting behavior between the Mg3N2 sub-micron particle and Mg melt. The second methodology through mixing Mg3N2 sub-micron particles with AZ91 chips using a twin extruder was also used to prepare AZ91 master alloy with 3wt.% Mg3N2 sub-micron particle, which was subsequently added into AZ80 alloy in the liquid state. In this way, a significant grain refinement of α-Mg and a simultaneous refinement of the eutectic Mg17Al12 phase in AZ80 alloy was also achieved. The grain size of α-Mg can be refined from 883.8 µm to 325.9 µm. However, no significant grain refinement by using UST was observed. Instead, the grain size increases from 325.9 µm to 448.6 µm, indicating that the Mg3N2 sub-micron particle may lose its grain refinement potency due to possible aggregation and clustering. This paper provides an efficient and simple methodology for the grain refinement of α-Mg and the simultaneous refinement of the eutectic Mg17Al12 phase in AZ80 alloy.
Best Practices for Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Success: A Study Based on Restaurant Sector in Sri Lanka
Authors: Surangi H. A. K. N. S. , Ekanayake P. S.
Published: January 2022

The best practices in the organizations have gained momentum amongst entrepreneurship scholars, but much of the benchmarking literature is about large firms. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study research aims to explore the best practices of successful SME restaurants in Sri Lanka. The research is based on social reality, which is closely aligned with the critical realism philosophy. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants in the study. Twenty-eight interviews were conducted with the owner of the restaurant, manager and two customers from each case. In addition to that, the researcher kept notes of any notable observations. The data were analysed using a thematic approach. The best practices found in this research were categorised into five major themes: leadership, process management, people management, strategies and social responsibility. The findings illustrate by which best practices SME restaurants attempt to incorporate into their overall business strategy. The practical motivators in this effort are exemplified and benchmarked.
The Impact of Heuristic Biases on Investors’ Investment Decision Making; Evidence from Colombo Stock Exchange
Authors: Rohana Kumara R. M. K. S. , Kawshala B. A. H.
Published: January 2022

This paper aims to investigate the impact of heuristic biases on the decision making of individual investors’ who are actively trading on Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Most studies focus on well-developed financial markets and very little is known about investors’ behaviour in less developed financial markets or emerging markets. The present study contributes to filling this gap in the literature. Investors’ heuristic biases have been measured using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire which contained numerous items including indicators of investment decisions. The sample consists of 140 individual investors trading on the CSE. The systematic random sampling technique was used for data collection. To examine the impact of heuristic biases on investment decision making, hypotheses were tested by using multiple regression analysis. The results suggest that, there is a significant impact from the heuristic bias create from the initial piece of information (Anchoring and adjustment bias) over the investment decision making. But other biases such as the overconfidence bias, representativeness bias and availability bias are not much significantly impact on investment decision making by the individual investors in CSE. The paper inspires the investors to avoid relying on heuristic biases when making investments. It provides awareness and understanding of heuristic biases in investment management which could be really worth for decision makers and professionals in financial institutions, such as portfolio managers and traders in commercial banks, investment banks and mutual funds. This paper helps investors to select better investment tools and to avoid repeating expensive errors, which occur because of heuristic biases. So, it is necessary to focus on a specific investment strategy to control mental mistakes by investors due to heuristic biases.
Euler characteristics and their congruences for multisigned Selmer groups
Authors: Ray Anwesh , Sujatha R.
Published: January 2022

The notion of the truncated Euler characteristic for Iwasawa modules is a generalization of the the usual Euler characteristic to the case when the Selmer groups are not finite. Let p be an odd prime,
$E_{1}$
and
$E_{2}$
be elliptic curves over a number field F with semistable reduction at all primes
$v|p$
such that the
$\operatorname {Gal}(\overline {F}/F)$
-modules
$E_{1}[p]$
and
$E_{2}[p]$
are irreducible and isomorphic. We compare the Iwasawa invariants of certain imprimitive multisigned Selmer groups of
$E_{1}$
and
$E_{2}$
. Leveraging these results, congruence relations for the truncated Euler characteristics associated to these Selmer groups over certain
$\mathbb {Z}_{p}^{m}$
-extensions of F are studied. Our results extend earlier congruence relations for elliptic curves over
$\mathbb {Q}$
with good ordinary reduction at p.
Quasi-classical dynamics
Authors: Correggi Michele , Falconi Marco , Olivieri Marco
Published: January 2022

We study quantum particles in interaction with a force-carrying field, in the quasi-classical limit. This limit is characterized by the field having a very large number of excitations (it is therefore macroscopic), while the particles retain their quantum nature. We prove that the interacting microscopic dynamics converges, in the quasi-classical limit, to an effective dynamics where the field acts as a classical environment that drives the quantum particles.
Distribution-free robust linear regression
Authors: Mourtada Jaouad , Vaškevičius Tomas , Zhivotovskiy Nikita
Published: January 2022

We study random design linear regression with no assumptions on the distribution of the covariates and with a heavy-tailed response variable. In this distribution-free regression setting, we show that boundedness of the conditional second moment of the response given the covariates is a necessary and sufficient condition for achieving non-trivial guarantees. As a starting point, we prove an optimal version of the classical in-expectation bound for the truncated least squares estimator due to Györfi, Kohler, Krzyżak, and Walk. However, we show that this procedure fails with constant probability for some distributions despite its optimal in-expectation performance. Then, combining the ideas of truncated least squares, median-ofmeans procedures, and aggregation theory, we construct a non-linear estimator achieving excess risk of order

d/n

with the optimal sub-exponential tail. While existing approaches to linear regression for heavy-tailed distributions focus on proper estimators that return linear functions, we highlight that the improperness of our procedure is necessary for attaining non-trivial guarantees in the distribution-free setting.