bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metode Multimedia Development Life Cycle Pada Media Pembelajaran Pengenalan Perangkat Komputer Bagi Siswa Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Pramesti Dyan Yuni , Arifin Rita Wahyuni
Published: January 2021

The condition of the students who sit in elementary school but difficulty in attending computer recognition lessons, the teacher in explaining the material is not accompanied by props so that elementary school students have difficulty in following computer recognition lessons. Based on existing problems the author tries to design a learning media prop in explaining the lessons of computer device introduction. This learning medium contains written materials, videos, Multiple Choice Quiz, and Puzzles. The method used is Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC) where this method is arranged based on 6 (six) stages namely concept, design, obtaining content material, assembly, testing, and distribution. In this study the authors were only new to the assembly stage. With this learning media, it is expected that elementary school children can know the form of computer devices and understand how to use them, as well as learning activities become more interesting, effective and able to foster students' learning interest in knowing computers.

 

Keywords: Learning Media, Elementary School, MDLC, Computer, Introduction

 

Abstrak

 

Kondisi siswa yang duduk di bangku sekolah dasar kelas namun kesulitan dalam mengikuti pelajaran pengenalan komputer, guru dalam menjelaskan materi tidak disertai dengan alat peraga sehingga siswa sekolah dasar kesulitan dalam mengikuti pelajaran pengenalan komputer. Berdasarkan masalah yang ada penulis mencoba merancang sebuah media belajar alat peraga dalam menjelaskan pelajaran pengenalan perangkat komputer. Media pembelajaran ini berisi mengenai materi tertulis, video, Quiz Pilihan Ganda, dan Puzzle. Metode yang digunakan adalah Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC) dimana metode ini tersusun berdasarkan 6 (enam) tahapan yaitu concept, design, obtaining content material, assembly, testing, dan distribution. Dalam penelitian ini penulis hanya baru sampai tahap assembly. Dengan adanya media pembelajaran ini diharapkan anak sekolah dasar dapat mengetahui bentuk perangkat komputer dan mengerti cara penggunaannya, serta kegiatan belajar menjadi lebih menarik, efektif serta mampu menumbuhkan minat belajar siswa dalam mengenal komputer.

 

Kata kunci: Media Pembelajaran, Sekolah Dasar, MDLC, Komputer, Pengenalan
The nerve to the levator scapulae muscle as donor in brachial plexus surgery: an anatomical study and case series
Authors: Martins Roberto Sergio , Siqueira Mario Gilberto , Heise Carlos Otto , Foroni Luciano , Neto Hugo Sterman , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVE

Nerve transfers are commonly used in treating complete injuries of the brachial plexus, but donor nerves are limited and preferentially directed toward the recovery of elbow flexion and shoulder abduction. The aims of this study were to characterize the anatomical parameters for identifying the nerve to the levator scapulae muscle (LSN) in brachial plexus surgery, to evaluate the feasibility of transferring this branch to the suprascapular nerve (SSN) or lateral pectoral nerve (LPN), and to present the results from a surgical series.

METHODS

Supra- and infraclavicular exposure of the brachial plexus was performed on 20 fresh human cadavers in order to measure different anatomical parameters for identification of the LSN. Next, an anatomical and histomorphometric evaluation of the feasibility of transferring this branch to the SSN and LPN was made. Lastly, the effectiveness of the LSN-LPN transfer was evaluated among 10 patients by quantifying their arm adduction strength.

RESULTS

The LSN was identified in 95% of the cadaveric specimens. A direct coaptation of the LSN and SSN was possible in 45% of the specimens (n = 9) but not between the LSN and LPN in any of the specimens. Comparison of axonal counts among the three nerves did not show any significant difference. Good results from reinnervation of the major pectoral muscle (Medical Research Council grade ≥ 3) were observed in 70% (n = 7) of the patients who had undergone LSN to LPN transfer.

CONCLUSIONS

The LSN is consistently identified through a supraclavicular approach to the brachial plexus, and its transfer to supply the functions of the SSN and LPN is anatomically viable. Good results from an LSN-LPN transfer are observed in most patients, even if long nerve grafts need to be used.
The relationship between Chiari 1.5 malformation and sleep-related breathing disorders on polysomnography
Authors: Sader Nicholas , Hader Walter , Hockley Aaron , Kirk Valerie , Adeleye Adetayo , Riva-Cambrin Jay
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVE

Chiari 1.5 malformation is a subgroup of the Chiari malformation in which tonsillar descent into the foramen magnum is accompanied by brainstem descent. No data exist on whether operative decompression in patients with Chiari 1.5 improves sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) and whether there are radiological parameters predicting improvement.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive pediatric patients with Chiari 1.5 malformation and SRBDs at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. An SRBD was characterized using nocturnal polysomnography (PSG), specifically with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the obstructive apnea index, and the central apnea index. Preoperative values for each of these indices were compared to those following surgical decompression. The authors also compared preoperative radiographic factors as predictors to both preoperative AHI and the change in AHI with surgery. Radiological factors included tonsillar and obex descent beneath the basion–opisthion line, the presence of syringomyelia, the frontooccipital horn ratio, the pB–C2 line, and the clivoaxial angle.

RESULTS

Seven patients (5 males, 2 females) met inclusion criteria. One patient had two surgical decompressions, each with pre- and postoperative PSG studies (n = 8). The median age was 9 years. Before surgical decompression, 75% underwent tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. The majority (87.5%) experienced snoring/witnessed apnea preoperatively. The median tonsillar and obex descent values were 21.3 mm and 11.2 mm, respectively. The median values for the pB–C2 line and clivoaxial angle were 5.4 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 4.5 mm, 6.8 mm) and 144° (IQR 139°, 167°), respectively. There was a statistically significant change from preoperative to postoperative AHI (19.7 vs 5.1, p = 0.015) and obstructive apnea index (4.5 vs 1.0, p = 0.01). There was no significant change in the central apnea index with surgery (0.9 vs 0.3, p = 0.12). No radiological factors were statistically significant in predicting preoperative AHI and change in AHI.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first series of pediatric patients with Chiari 1.5 with SRBDs who demonstrated a marked improvement in their PSG results postdecompression. Sleep apnea has a significant impact on learning and development in children, highlighting the urgency to recognize Chiari 1.5 as a more severe form of the Chiari I malformation.
PENGARUH SISTEM MANAJEMEN KESELAMATAN DAN KESEHATAN KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA PEGAWAI DI PT.NINDYA KENCANA KSO PADANG PARIAMAN
Authors: Hidayat Taufik , Tanti Susi Yulias , Bakkareng Bakkareng
Published: January 2021

Hasil penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti dan menganalisis Pengaruh Sistem Manajemen Keselamatan Dan Kesehatan Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Di Pt.Nindya Kencana Kso Padang Pariaman  Dimana Variable X Adalah Sistem Manajemen Keselamatan Dan Kesehatan Kerja Variabel Dependen Adalah Kinerja Pegawai Di Pt.Nindya Kencana Kso Padang Pariaman .Penelitian ini menggunakan uji asumsi klasik yang terdiri dari uji normalitas,uji multikulieoritas, uji heroskadisitas dan  Uji Regresi Berganda, Uji t dan Uji F . Hasil dari Penelitian Variable Sistem Manajemen Kesalamatan memiliki t hitung(-0,776) < t tabel (1,990) dan nilai sig perhitungan yang diperoleh adalah sebesar 0,440>0,05. Hal ini berarti bahwa H1 ditolak dan Ho diterima. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa Sistem Manajemen Kesalamatan berpengaruh negatif dan tidak  signifikan terhadap Kinerja Pegawai di PT. Nindya Kencana KSO Padang PariamanVariable Kesehatan Kerja memiliki t hitung(11,499) > t tabel (1,990) dan nilai sig perhitungan yang diperoleh adalah sebesar 0,000<0,05. Hal ini berarti bahwa H2diterima dan Ho ditolak. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa Sistem Kesehatan Kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap Kinerja Pegawai di PT. Nindya Kencana KSO Padang Pariaman.Dari tabel tersebut diketahui nilai F hitung 91,524 yang lebih besar dari nilai F tabel sebesar3,11(lihat lampiran tabel F) dan nilai probabilitas yang dihasilkan dari perhitungan adalah 0,000b lebih kecil dari α (5%). Hal ini berarti bahwa H3 diterima dan Ho ditolak. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa Sistem Manajemen Kesalamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap Kinerja Pegawai.
FAKTOR PENENTU KESENJANGAN ANGGARAN
Authors: Zaitul Zaitul , Livita Lathiva Livita , Hamdi Mukhlizul
Published: January 2021

An important aspect in the budgetsetting process is the tendency for budgeting managers to create budgetary slack. However, there is a limited study investigating the budgetary slack in non-profit oriented organization, such as local government. Therefore, this study address the gap in the literature by investigating the effect of budget participation and trust on budgetary slack. Besides, this study also analys the moderating effect of regulation understanding on the relationship the determinants (budget participation and trust) and budgetary slack. Final sample of this study is seven-eight (78) respondents who represented the lower level manager in organization. Structural equation model (SEM-PLS) is applied. The result show that only one hypothesis is accepted and other are rejected. the significant hypothesis is the effect of trust on budgetary slack. This study has practical and theoritical implication and it discussed in detail.                Keywords : budgetary participations, trust, regulation understanding, budgetary slack
Desain Iot Untuk Smart Kumbung Dengan Thinkspeak Dan Nodemcu
Authors: Wajiran Wajiran , Riskiono Sampurna Dadi , Prasetyawan Purwono , Iqbal Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Kumbung jamur merupakan rumah untuk merawat baglog jamur dan menumbuhkan jamur, yang terbuat dari bambu atau kayu. Kumbung ini harus memiliki kemampuan untuk menjaga suhu dan kelembapan jamur supaya tumbuh secara optimal. Pengendalian kondisi kumbung jamur biasanya dilakukan manual, dengan penyemprotan air pada baglog jamur. Hal ini kurang efektif bilamana seorang petani mempunyai banyak kumbung, terlebih bila jauh dari rumahnya. Untuk itu diperlukan suatu teknologi yang dapat mengendalikan dan memantau suhu dan kelembapan kumbung.  Penelitian ini mendesain teknologi Internet of Things (IoT) untuk sistem kumbung yang pintar dalam mengkondisikan suhu dan kelembapannya. Metode penelitian ini bersifat eksperimental dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Penelitian ini mencoba Thingspeak sebagai platform IoT dengan NodeMCU sebagai mikrokontrolernya. Sensor yang digunakan untuk men-sensing kelembapan dan suhu adalah DHT22 dengan aktuator berupa sprayer-pump, blower dan lampu pijar. Data pemantauan suhu dan kelembapan realtime bisa diakses melalui internet browser. Sistem secara fungsional bekerja baik sesuai dengan desain kerja yang diinginkan. Nilai galat dari pembacaan sensor DHT22 dengan alat ukur Digital Thermometer Hygrometer masih dalam kawasan kerja DHT22.
Core Trends in Engineering Education: Five Years of the “Synergy” International Conference
Authors: Galikhanov M. F. , Barabanova S. V. , Kaibiyainen A. A.
Published: January 2021

This article discusses the topical issues of engineering education, which have become the discussion point at the international network scientific and practical conference titled “Synergy” that has been held since 2016. The organizational basis of the conference is provided by the leading technical universities in Russia under the support of the international societies for engineering education and the largest Russian energy company Gazprom. The article outlines the broad issues of the conference, related to interdisciplinarity, new standards and technologies for engineering education, digital educational environment and online technologies, interaction between engineering education and high-tech business and industry, the models of digital competencies and mechanisms to independently certify them, training of highly qualified personnel, professional education within the school-university-enterprise system, and many other relevant aspects of contemporary engineering education.
Digitalization of the Educational Environment: Risk Assessment of Distance Education by Russian and Vietnamese Students
Authors: Noskova A. V. , Goloukhova D. V. , Proskurina A. S. , Nguen T. H.
Published: January 2021

The digitalization of higher education is a long-term trend that gained a new impetus for further development because of the forced transition to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of digital transformation on the educational process in universities and to describe the risks through the students’ eyes. The analysis is based on the results of a survey conducted by the authors in 2020 among students of two universities - Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and the Institute of the Trade Union Movement of the General Confederation of Labor of Vietnam (IPLV).

The article describes the methodology of the online survey. The attitude towards distance learning is interpreted as a three-level attitude with emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects. It is suggested that students’ readiness to switch to distance learning is determined by a set of macro and micro factors. Among the macro factors are the national specifics of the educational system, traditions in the field of higher education, infrastructure, the national educational policy, and the mobilization potential of the population. Among the micro factors are the cognitive and other psychological characteristics of the students, the socio-psychological openness to innovation.

According to the survey results, there is certain similarity in the way Russian and Vietnamese students assess their experience of distance learning. At the same time, significant differences in the perception of the outcome of the digital transformation of education have been revealed. For MGIMO students, major risks are associated with dehumanization, the severing of social ties, and the possible loss of student status. For Vietnamese students the most significant risks are mainly associated with the fears of the decreasing quality of education. It is therefore concluded that distance learning is both the field of opportunities and possible source of individual and institutional risks.
The Effectiveness of Interaction between Scientific Supervisors and Graduate Students at the University and at the Academy of Sciences
Authors: Biricheva E. V. , Fattakhova Z. A.
Published: January 2021

The effectiveness of work and relationship of postgraduate students with their supervisors seem to be an urgent issue in the context of contemporary transformations of the Russian system of training highly qualified personnel. The article assesses the understanding of the purposes of graduate school by both “sides”, the specifics of the interaction between mentors and their mentees, the leading difficulties and ways to overcome them. Since in our country postgraduate programs are implemented not only at universities, we also compared situations at a university and in an academic community considering the case of the Ural Federal University (UrFU) and scientific institutes of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (UB RAS). Empirical methods for collecting initial data were applied both at UrFU and at UB RAS and included interviewing scientific leaders and questioning graduate students. A series of in-depth interviews with mentors led to the formulation of research hypotheses and allowed the elaboration of an online questionnaire for graduate students. As a result, we may state the prevalence of the “external” obstacles that reduce the effectiveness of the interaction of young scientists with their scientific leaders; in general, the relationship between them looks quite harmoniously. Among the most pressing problems we have identified (1) disorientation about the concept of postgraduate studies without obligatory defense of the thesis (especially at university); (2) low productivity of the “educational” postgraduate studies; (3) lack of advanced training for supervisors in the field of management in science; (4) high employment of professors; (5) side mentoring and (6) the lack of plans for writing a dissertation. The solution of this set of problems seems to be based, first of all, on a new regulatory framework at the federal level, revising the types and volumes of workload of graduate students and their supervisors, fixing the need to write a dissertation during the course of study, regulating the requirements for scientific supervisors and guaranteeing them advanced training in the field managerial competencies. The positive practice of employing all graduate students at academic institutions, at least for a fraction of the rate, may also help universities in increasing the motivation of graduate students to defend their PhD thesis and build their future career at the university.
ATHENA: Contributing to Development of Higher Education Institutions for the Digital Age
Authors: Quadrado J. C. , Pokholkov Yu. P. , Zaitseva K. K.
Published: January 2021

Facilitated by public administrations and the European Union, higher education institutions should support their teachers so they develop the skills for online and other forms of teaching and learning opened up by the digital era and should exploit the opportunities presented by technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The article focuses on new European Union grant programs that empower the increasing of digital literacy in the higher education area, developing cooperation, and overcoming challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. This initiative can empower a new European University and support an international project aimed at certification of professional educators with the participation of a Russian partner.
Asymptotic behavior of repeated eigenvalues of perturbed self-adjoint elliptic operators
Authors: Dabrowski Alexander
Published: January 2021

A variational characterization for the shift of eigenvalues caused by a general type of perturbation is derived for second order self-adjoint elliptic differential operators. This result allows the direct extension of asymptotic formulae from simple eigenvalues to repeated ones. Some examples of particular interest are presented theoretically and numerically for the Laplacian operator for the following domain perturbations: excision of a small hole, local change of conductivity, small boundary deformation.
On dispersive estimates for one-dimensional Klein–Gordon equations
Authors: Kopylova Elena
Published: January 2021

We improve previous results on dispersive decay for 1D Klein–Gordon equation. We develop a novel approach, which allows us to establish the decay in more strong norms and weaken the assumption on the potential.
Women who undergo mastectomy for breast cancer are now offered reconstruction in line with national guidelines but the majority decline: A UK teaching hospital experience
Authors: Russell Thomas
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate what proportion of breast cancer patients were offered reconstruction following mastectomy (to assess compliance with national guidelines) and to consider the reasoning if patients were not given this option. METHODS: Records of all mastectomies were obtained from a prospectively maintained database (September 2018–October 2019). The following were collected: demographics, indication for surgery, tumour properties, and indication for mastectomy over breast-conserving surgery. Clinic letters were used to determine whether patients were offered reconstruction and whether they accepted. If a patient was not offered reconstruction, the rationale for this was recorded. RESULTS: 201 mastectomies were carried out on 179 patients. 77.3% of women were offered reconstruction following mastectomy for cancer and 92.9% of women were offered reconstruction following mastectomy for non-invasive disease. Patients were not offered reconstruction only if they had significant co-morbidities (ASA grade III or higher); no patients who expressed an interest in reconstruction were declined. The most common reasons reconstruction was not offered included: deemed too frail following surgeon assessment (29.7%), advanced cancer (16.2%), and deemed high-risk following anaesthetist assessment (16.2%). 59.1% of patients who were offered reconstruction declined. Mean age in those who declined was significantly higher (P > 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our unit now complies with national guidelines when offering reconstruction to mastectomy patients; this service was not previously offered. Further research into the reasons behind why women are declining reconstruction is necessary to ensure we are providing adequate information in an appropriate format.
Development of margination of platelet-sized particles in red blood cell suspensions flowing through Y-shaped bifurcating microchannels
Authors: Sugihara-Seki Masako , Onozawa Tenki , Takinouchi Nozomi , Itano Tomoaki , Seki Junji
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND: In the blood flow through microvessels, platelets exhibit enhanced concentrations in the layer free of red blood cells (cell-free layer) adjacent to the vessel wall. The motion of platelets in the cell-free layer plays an essential role in their interaction with the vessel wall, and hence it affects their functions of hemostasis and thrombosis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the diffusivity of platelet-sized particles in the transverse direction (the direction of vorticity) across the channel width in the cell-free layer by in vitro experiments for the microchannel flow of red blood cell (RBC) suspensions containing platelet-sized particles. METHODS: Fluorescence microscope observations were performed to measure the transverse distribution of spherical particles immersed in RBC suspensions flowing through a Y-shaped bifurcating microchannel. We examined the development of the particle concentration profiles along the flow direction in the daughter channels, starting from asymmetric distributions with low concentrations on the inner side of the bifurcation at the inlet of the daughter channels. RESULTS: In daughter channels of 40 μm width, reconstruction of particle margination revealed that a symmetric concentration profile was attained in ∼30 mm from the bifurcation, independent of flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: We presented experimental evidence of particle margination developing in a bifurcating flow channel where the diffusivity of 2.9-μm diameter particles was estimated to be ∼40 μm2/s at a shear rate of 1000 s−1 and hematocrit of 0.2.
Risk Variants in Three Alzheimer’s Disease Genes Show Association with EEG Endophenotypes
Authors: Macedo Ana , Gómez Carlos , Rebelo Miguel Ângelo , Poza Jesús , Gomes Iva , Martins Sandra , Maturana-Candelas Aarón , Pablo Víctor Gutiérrez-de , Durães Luis , Sousa Patrícia , Figueruelo Manuel , Rodríguez María , Pita Carmen , Arenas Miguel , Álvarez Luis , Hornero Roberto , Lopes Alexandra M. , Pinto Nádia
Published: January 2021

Background: Dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, which much of heritability remains unexplained. At the clinical level, one of the most common physiological alterations is the slowing of oscillatory brain activity, measurable by electroencephalography (EEG). Relative power (RP) at the conventional frequency bands (i.e., delta, theta, alpha, beta-1, and beta-2) can be considered as AD endophenotypes. Objective: The aim of this work is to analyze the association between sixteen genes previously related with AD: APOE, PICALM, CLU, BCHE, CETP, CR1, SLC6A3, GRIN2 β, SORL1, TOMM40, GSK3 β, UNC5C, OPRD1, NAV2, HOMER2, and IL1RAP, and the slowing of the brain activity, assessed by means of RP at the aforementioned frequency bands. Methods: An Iberian cohort of 45 elderly controls, 45 individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and 109 AD patients in the three stages of the disease was considered. Genomic information and brain activity of each subject were analyzed. Results: The slowing of brain activity was observed in carriers of risk alleles in IL1RAP (rs10212109, rs9823517, rs4687150), UNC5C (rs17024131), and NAV2 (rs1425227, rs862785) genes, regardless of the disease status and situation towards the strongest risk factors: age, sex, and APOE ɛ4 presence. Conclusion: Endophenotypes reduce the complexity of the general phenotype and genetic variants with a major effect on those specific traits may be then identified. The found associations in this work are novel and may contribute to the comprehension of AD pathogenesis, each with a different biological role, and influencing multiple factors involved in brain physiology.
Predictors of Mild Cognitive Impairment Stability, Progression, or Reversion in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
Authors: Welstead Miles , Luciano Michelle , Muniz-Terrera Graciela , Saunders Stina , Mullin Donncha S. , Russ Tom C.
Published: January 2021

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes a borderland between healthy cognition and dementia. Progression to and reversion from MCI is relatively common but more research is required to understand the factors affecting this fluidity and improve clinical care interventions. Objective: We explore these transitions in MCI status and their predictive factors over a six-year period in a highly-phenotyped longitudinal study, the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Methods: MCI status was derived in the LBC1936 at ages 76 (n = 567) and 82 years (n = 341) using NIA-AA diagnostic guidelines. Progressions and reversions between healthy cognition and MCI over the follow-up period were assessed. Multinomial logistic regression assessed the effect of various predictors on the likelihood of progressing, reverting, or maintaining cognitive status. Results: Of the 292 participants who completed both time points, 41 (14%) participants had MCI at T1 and 56 (19%) at T2. Over the follow-up period, 74%remained cognitively healthy, 12%transitioned to MCI, 7%reverted to healthy cognition, and 7%maintained their baseline MCI status. Findings indicated that membership of these transition groups was affected by age, cardiovascular disease, and number of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Findings that higher baseline depressive symptoms increase the likelihood of reverting from MCI to healthy cognition indicate that there may be an important role for the treatment of depression for those with MCI. However, further research is required to identify prevention strategies for those at high risk of MCI and inform effective interventions that increase the likelihood of reversion to, and maintenance of healthy cognition.
Loss analysis of electromagnetic valve train under different service conditions
Authors: Fan Xinyu , Yin Jie , Su Shichuan , Pang Hongyan , Song Yindong
Published: January 2021

Electromagnetic valve train (EMVT) can realize independent, real-time and continuous valve motion regulation through the precise motion servo control, which has great potential to improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines. As an electromechanical integration device, EMVT is driven by electric energy, and the loss distribution is complex and changeable under different service conditions. Especially when the EMVT is used in exhaust system, the high gas pressure after combustion will increase the energy loss and operating temperature significantly. In order to improve the device performance, this study analyses the loss distribution and variation law of EMVT under different service conditions. First, the flux density is obtained by the 3D finite element simulation. In combination with the valve train dynamic Matlab/Simulink model, the copper loss and iron loss of EMVT under typical conditions are explored in detail. Then, the influence of the motion parameters (transition time) and condition parameters (gas pressure) on EMVT’s loss are calculated and analyzed significantly. In the end, the accuracy of the loss models and analysis results is verified by the experiment based on linear load simulator.
Predictors of Working Capacity Changes Related to Huntington’s Disease: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: van der Zwaan Kasper F. , Jacobs Milou , van Zwet Erik W. , Roos Raymund A.C. , de Bot Susanne T.
Published: January 2021

Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Although 65%of HD expanded gene carriers report changes in employment as the first functional loss, little is known about the predictors leading to changes of working capacity. Given the impact on quality of life, understanding of these factors is of great clinical value. Objective: This study evaluates disease specific characteristics and their predictive value in loss of working capacity in HD. Methods: Longitudinal data was collected through the worldwide observational study (Enroll-HD), with 15,301 participants in total and 2,791 HD and healthy control participants meeting the inclusion criteria. Changes in working capacity were analyzed by means of a survival analysis. Predictive values of demographic factors and clinical characteristics were assessed for premanifest and manifest HD through Cox regressions. Results: HD expanded gene carriers, manifest and premanifest combined, had a 31%chance of experiencing changes in employment after three years, compared to 4%in healthy controls. Apathy was found to be the most crucial determinant of working capacity changes in premanifest HD, while executive and motor dysfunction play an important role in manifest HD. Conclusion: HD expanded gene carriers are more likely to lose working capacity compared to healthy controls. Disease progression, altered motor function, cognitive decline, and in an early stage of the disease apathetic symptoms are indicative of negative changes in working capacity. Clinicians should recognize that early disease related changes, especially apathy, can affect working capacity.
Comparative study on e-bikes’ decision-making behaviors under flashing green and green countdown
Authors: Meng Haoyang , Dong Sheng , Zhou Jibiao , Zhang Shuichao , Li Zhenjiang
Published: January 2021

Green flash light (FG) and green countdown (GC) are the two most common signal formats applied in green-red transition that provides drivers additional alert before termination of green phase. Due to their importance and function in stop-pass decision-making process, proper use of them has become a critical issue to greatly improve the safety and efficiency of signalized intersections. Gradually e-bike riders have become more important commuters in China, however, the influence of FG or GC on them is not clear yet and need pay more attention to it. This study chooses two almost identical intersections to obtain highly accurate trajectory data of e-bike riders to study their decision-making behaviors under FG or GC. The e-bike riders’ behavior is classified into four categories and is to identify their stop-pass decision points using the acceleration trend. Two binary-logit models were built to predict the stop–pass decision behaviors for the different e-bike rider groups, explaining that the potential time to the stop-line is the dominant independent factor of the different behaviors of GC and FG. Furthermore empirical analysis of decision points indicated that GC provides the earlier stop-pass decision point and longer decision making duration on the one side while results in more complexity of decision making and greater risk of stop-line crossing than FG on the other side.
Capped ℓ1-norm regularized least squares classification with label noise
Authors: Yang Zhi , Gan Haitao , Li Xuan , Wu Cong
Published: January 2021

Since label noise can hurt the performance of supervised learning (SL), how to train a good classifier to deal with label noise is an emerging and meaningful topic in machine learning field. Although many related methods have been proposed and achieved promising performance, they have the following drawbacks: (1) They can lead to data waste and even performance degradation if the mislabeled instances are removed; and (2) the negative effect of the extremely mislabeled instances cannot be completely eliminated. To address these problems, we propose a novel method based on the capped ℓ1 norm and a graph-based regularizer to deal with label noise. In the proposed algorithm, we utilize the capped ℓ1 norm instead of the ℓ1 norm. The used norm can inherit the advantage of the ℓ1 norm, which is robust to label noise to some extent. Moreover, the capped ℓ1 norm can adaptively find extremely mislabeled instances and eliminate the corresponding negative influence. Additionally, the proposed algorithm makes full use of the mislabeled instances under the graph-based framework. It can avoid wasting collected instance information. The solution of our algorithm can be achieved through an iterative optimization approach. We report the experimental results on several UCI datasets that include both binary and multi-class problems. The results verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in comparison to existing state-of-the-art classification methods.
Directed earned value management based on ordered fuzzy numbers
Authors: Mortaji Seyed Taha Hossein , Noori Siamak , Bagherpour Morteza
Published: January 2021

Earned value management is well-known as the most efficient method of project monitoring and control providing relatively reliable information about the project performance. However, this method requires accurate estimates of the progress of project activities, which are always associated with uncertainties that, if ignored or not addressed well, lead to incorrect results. To address this issue, the application of multi-valued logic, in particular fuzzy logic, in earned value management has recently attracted a lot of attention both in practice and research. This paper introduces directed earned value management (DEVM) in which ordered fuzzy numbers are used to express the so-called uncertainties as well as to capture more information about the trend of the project progress. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, several numerical examples and a case study are presented. The results reveal that compared to the existing methods, DEVM has a lower computational complexity. Also, it doesn’t suffer from the overestimation effect and as a result, it has a higher ability to express project-specific dynamics. In sum, the proposed method allows project managers to make informed decisions that lead to taking preventive and corrective actions promptly and at a lower cost.
Formulating and solving the integrated online order batching and delivery planning with specific due dates for orders
Authors: Shavaki Fahimeh Hosseinnia , Jolai Fariborz
Published: January 2021

Today with the outbreak of the COVID-19 many people prefer to stay home and buy their required products from online sellers and receive them in their home or office at their desired times. This change has increased the workload of online retailers. In an online retailing system, lots of orders containing different products arrive dynamically and must be delivered in the due dates requested by customers, so there is a limited time to retrieve products from their storage locations, pack them, load them on trucks, and deliver to their destinations. In this study, we deal with the integrated order batching and delivery planning of an online retailer that stores a variety of products in a warehouse and sells them online. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model is proposed that decides on order batching, scheduling of batches, assigning orders to trucks, and scheduling and routing of trucks simultaneously in an offline setting. This model clarifies the domain of the problem and its complexity. Two rule-based heuristic algorithms are developed to solve the problem in the online setting. The first algorithm deals with two sub-problems of order batching and delivery planning separately and sequentially, while the second algorithm considers the relationship between two sub-problems. An extensive numerical experiment is carried out to evaluate the performance of algorithms in different problem sizes, demonstrating that the second algorithm by integrating two sub-problems leads to a minimum of 14% reduction in cost per delivered order, as the main finding of this study. Finally, the effect of several parameters on the performance of algorithms is analyzed through a sensitivity analysis, and some managerial insights are provided to help the retail managers with their decision-making that are the other findings of this paper.
Neuroprotective Effects of a GLP-2 Analogue in the MPTP Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Zhang Zijuan , Hao Li , Shi Ming , Yu Ziyang , Shao Simai , Yuan Ye , Zhang Zhenqiang , Hölscher Christian
Published: January 2021

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a peptide hormone derived from the proglucagon gene expressed in the intestines, pancreas and brain. Some previous studies showed that GLP-2 improved aging and Alzheimer’s disease related memory impairments. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, and to date, there is no particular medicine reversed PD symptoms effectively. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate neuroprotective effects of a GLP-2 analogue in the 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) PD mouse model. Methods: In the present study, the protease resistant Gly(2)-GLP-2 (50 nmol/kg ip.) analogue has been tested for 14 days by behavioral assessment, transmission electron microscope, immunofluorescence histochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot in an acute PD mouse model induced by MPTP. For comparison, the incretin receptor dual agonist DA5-CH was tested in a separate group. Results: The GLP-2 analogue treatment improved the locomotor and exploratory activity of mice, and improved bradykinesia and movement imbalance of mice. Gly(2)-GLP-2 treatment also protected dopaminergic neurons and restored tyrosine hydroxylase expression levels in the substantia nigra. Gly(2)-GLP-2 furthermore reduced the inflammation response as seen in lower microglia activation, and decreased NLRP3 and interleukin-1β pro-inflammatory cytokine expression levels. In addition, the GLP-2 analogue improved MPTP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the substantia nigra. The protective effects were comparable to those of the dual agonist DA5-CH. Conclusion: The present results demonstrate that Gly(2)-GLP-2 can attenuate NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation and mitochondrial damage in the substantia nigra induced by MPTP, and Gly(2)-GLP-2 shows neuroprotective effects in this PD animal model.
COVID-19 Vaccination for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease: Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Authors: Bloem Bastiaan R. , Trenkwalder Claudia , Sanchez-Ferro Alvaro , Kalia Lorraine V. , Alcalay Roy , Chiang Han-Lin , Kang Un Jung , Goetz Christopher , Brundin Patrik , Papa Stella M.
Published: January 2021

Several COVID-19 vaccines have recently been approved for emergency use according to governmental immunization programs. The arrival of these vaccines has created hope for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), as this can help to mitigate their risk of becoming infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can lead to serious, life-threatening disease, at least among those with more advanced PD. However, both persons with PD and physicians looking after these individuals have expressed concerns about the vaccine’s efficacy and safety in the specific context of PD and its symptomatic treatment. Here, we discuss our perspective on these concerns, based on our interpretation of the literature plus the unfolding experience with widespread vaccination in the population at large. Because the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccines do not appear to be different than in the general population, we recommend COVID-19 vaccination with approved vaccines to persons with PD, unless there is a specific contraindication. Some caution seems warranted in very frail and terminally ill elderly persons with PD living in long-term care facilities.
Can a different pasta making process preserve the starch’s ultrastructure, increasing its digestibility?
Authors: Gaddi Antonio Vittorino , Savo Maria Teresa , Capello Fabio , Castiglione Gaetano
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND:

Pasta plays an important role in human nutrition, nevertheless its organoleptic, structural and bromatologic properties have not been completely studied.

OBJECTIVE:

The study aims to compare the ultrastructure pasta cross-sections produced with reduced mechanic stress and low heat exposure technique (Pietro Massi Technology ™) to common samples obtained with traditional technology in order to assess if a different process can alter the ultrastructure of starch and then, its digestibility.

METHODS:

A comparative study was performed on the ultrastructure of pasta using scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M). 55 were pasta cross-sections made with Pietro Massi technology, 33 were samples from different pasta factory produced using traditional process, for a total of 88 samples analysed.

RESULTS:

According to an Index based on what it was observed at one slide at S.E.M we classified samples and compared the number of grains, caves and canals visible, their dimensions in μm and average size of grains. The number of grains in group 1 (9.06±5.01) in group 2 (5.71±5.77), in group 3 (5.93±7.65) resulted significative more elevated compared to group 4 (0.73±2.58); in group 1 and group 2 the number of caves observed was higher than group 4. The size in μm of canals resulted significantly more elevated in group 1 than group 3 ( p = 0.008), group 2( p = 0.013), and group 4 ( p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION:

The analysis of average size of caves and canals in μm, the number of caves and grains demonstrated in samples obtained with Massi technology elevated values compared to samples obtained with traditional technique. The number of caves, grains and canals visible in the starch surface demonstrate the high quality of this pasta because they likely ensure penetration of water during cooking, facilitating at the same time the penetration of pancreatic amylases during digestion, suggesting a better digestibility in pasta produced according to this methodology.
Multidimensional enrichment of spatial RDF data for SOLAP
Authors: Gür Nurefşan , Pedersen Torben Bach , Hose Katja , Midtgaard Mikael
Published: January 2021

Large volumes of spatial data and multidimensional data are being published on the Semantic Web, which has led to new opportunities for advanced analysis, such as Spatial Online Analytical Processing (SOLAP). The RDF Data Cube (QB) and QB4OLAP vocabularies have been widely used for annotating and publishing statistical and multidimensional RDF data. Although such statistical data sets might have spatial information, such as coordinates, the lack of spatial semantics and spatial multidimensional concepts in QB4OLAP and QB prevents users from employing SOLAP queries over spatial data using SPARQL. The QB4SOLAP vocabulary, on the other hand, fully supports annotating spatial and multidimensional data on the Semantic Web and enables users to query endpoints with SOLAP operators in SPARQL. To bridge the gap between QB/QB4OLAP and QB4SOLAP, we propose an RDF2SOLAP enrichment model that automatically annotates spatial multidimensional concepts with QB4SOLAP and in doing so enables SOLAP on existing QB and QB4OLAP data on the Semantic Web. Furthermore, we present and evaluate a wide range of enrichment algorithms and apply them on a non-trivial real-world use case involving governmental open data with complex geometry types.
Superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome: Diagnostic criteria consensus document of the committee for the classification of vestibular disorders of the Bárány Society
Authors: Ward Bryan K. , van de Berg Raymond , van Rompaey Vincent , Bisdorff Alexandre , Hullar Timothy E. , Welgampola Miriam S. , Carey John P.
Published: January 2021

This paper describes the diagnostic criteria for superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) as put forth by the classification committee of the Bárány Society. In addition to the presence of a dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal on high resolution imaging, patients diagnosed with SCDS must also have symptoms and physiological tests that are both consistent with the pathophysiology of a ‘third mobile window’ syndrome and not better accounted for by another vestibular disease or disorder. The diagnosis of SCDS therefore requires a combination of A) at least one symptom consistent with SCDS and attributable to ‘third mobile window’ pathophysiology including 1) hyperacusis to bone conducted sound, 2) sound-induced vertigo and/or oscillopsia time-locked to the stimulus, 3) pressure-induced vertigo and/or oscillopsia time-locked to the stimulus, or 4) pulsatile tinnitus; B) at least 1 physiologic test or sign indicating that a ‘third mobile window’ is transmitting pressure including 1) eye movements in the plane of the affected superior semicircular canal when sound or pressure is applied to the affected ear, 2) low-frequency negative bone conduction thresholds on pure tone audiometry, or 3) enhanced vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses (low cervical VEMP thresholds or elevated ocular VEMP amplitudes); and C) high resolution computed tomography (CT) scan with multiplanar reconstruction in the plane of the superior semicircular canal consistent with a dehiscence. Thus, patients who meet at least one criterion in each of the three major diagnostic categories (symptoms, physiologic tests, and imaging) are considered to have SCDS.
Fungus used for germination is supplanted after reintroduction of Hadrolaelia jongheana (Orchidaceae)
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Vieira Conrado Augusto , Bocayuva Melissa Faust ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Veloso Tomás Gomes Reis ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Moreira Bruno Coutinho ,   Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Freitas Emiliane Fernanda Silva ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Bazzolli Denise Mara Soares ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Kasuya Maria Catarina Megumi ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa
Published: January 2021

The great diversity in colors and forms become the orchids a business with high economic value. The habitat fragmentation contributes to the extinction of orchids. Inoculation of orchid with mycorrhizal fungi for seedlings can guarantee the success of reintroduction. For this purpose, seeds of Hadrolaelia jongheana were germinated using an isolate of Tulasnella sp. Seedlings were transferred to the natural field. Roots samples were collected before re-introduction, and 120th and 240th days. The diversity of mycorrhizal fungi was performed by ITS-PCR-DGGE. The ecological succession occurred in the field and the diversity was higher after 240th d. This work comprises the first study using tropical orchids for reintroduction for approaching to ecological aspects of mycorrhizal fungi association in Brazil with conservation purposes.