bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Search and Discovery
Authors: Greminger Rafael P.
Published: August 2021

This paper studies a search problem in which a consumer is initially aware of only a few products. At every point in time, the consumer then decides between searching among alternatives of which he is already aware and discovering more products. I show that the optimal policy for this search and discovery problem is fully characterized by tractable reservation values. Moreover, I prove that a predetermined index fully specifies the purchase decision of a consumer following the optimal search policy. Finally, a comparison highlights differences to classical random and directed search.

This paper was accepted by Dmitri Kuksov, marketing.
Adaptive Matrix Pattern Steganography on RGB Images
Authors: Nilizadeh Amirfarhad , Nilizadeh Shirin , Mazurczyk Wojciech , Zou Cliff , Leavens Gary T.
Published: August 2021

Almost all spatial domain image steganography methods rely on modifying the Least Significant Bits (LSB) of each pixel to minimize the visual distortions. However, these methods are susceptible to LSB blind attacks and quantitative steganalyses.
This paper presents an adaptive spatial domain image steganography algorithm for hiding digital media based on matrix patterns, named “Adaptive Matrix Pattern” (AMP). The AMP method increases the security of the steganography scheme of largely hidden messages since it adaptively generates a unique codebook matrix pattern for each ASCII character in each image block. Therefore, each ASCII character gets a different codebook matrix pattern even in different regions of the same image. Moreover, it uses a preprocessing algorithm to identify the most suitable image blocks for hiding purposes. The resulting stego-images are robust against LSB blind attacks since the middle bits of green and blue channels generate matrix patterns and hiding secrets, respectively. Experimental results show that AMP is robust against quantitative steganalyses. Additionally, the quality of stego-images, based on the peak signal-to-noise ratio metric, remains high in both stego-RGB-image and in the stego-blue-channel. Finally, the AMP method provides a high hiding capacity, up to 1.33 bits per pixel.
WiST and WinS across a surgical career: RCS England Council member
Authors: McNally SA
Published: August 2021

RCS England Council member Scarlett McNally describes her experience of WinS over the last 30 years.
Women in UK paediatric surgery: past, present, future
Authors: Konstantinidou S , Mullassery D
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Paediatric surgery is the surgical specialty with the highest representation of women. This study aims to explore the fascinating history, current role and future prospects of female paediatric surgeons in the UK.

Materials and Methods

A literature search was conducted in google and pubmed, national statistic reports and personal correspondence to gather information on the history and current status of female paediatric surgeons in the UK.

Results

Women with an interest in paediatric surgery have been recorded in historical reports from ancient and medieval times. During the early decades of the establishment of paediatric surgery in key female figures overcame prejudice, won the respect of their peers and blazed the trail for future generations. Among those legendary individuals were Gertrude Herferz, Isabella Forshall, Helen Noblett, Leela Kapila, Caroline Doig, Vanessa Wright and Su-Anna Boddy. Recent decades saw a worldwide rise in the proportion of female paediatric surgeons with women representing 27.3% of consultants and 47.1% of registrars in England in 2017. Female authorship has also increased. However, women are still significantly outnumbered in leadership positions in major paediatric surgery committees.

Discussion and Conclusion

Charismatic women have influenced paediatric surgery and paved the path for future generations. Despite the rise in percentage of women entering paediatric surgery in recent decades, women continue to be under-represented in clinical and academic leadership positions. Female mentoring schemes such as those provided by Women in Surgery, and an updated view of leadership development opportunities are likely to help address these concerns.
Mapping out a virtual surgical curriculum: opinions on a core surgical training programme with technology-enhanced learning
Authors: Brown R , Humphreys A , Bamford R , Mutimer J , Coulston J
Published: August 2021

Virtual teaching may be a useful tool for surgical training.
The Future of Surgery: Technology Enhanced Surgical Training report
Authors: Burke J
Published: August 2021

An overview of current technological evidence and advances.
Political regimes and deaths in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Cepaluni Gabriel , Dorsch Michael T. , Branyiczki Réka
Published: August 2021

This article provides a quantitative examination of the link between political institutions and deaths during the first 100 days of the COVID-19 pandemic. We demonstrate that countries with more democratic political institutions experienced deaths on a larger per capita scale than less democratic countries. The result is robust to the inclusion of many relevant controls, a battery of estimation techniques and estimation with instrumental variables for the institutional measures. Additionally, we examine the extent to which COVID-19 deaths were impacted heterogeneously by policy responses across types of political institutions. Policy responses in democracies were less effective in reducing deaths in the early stages of the crisis. The results imply that democratic political institutions may have a disadvantage in responding quickly to pandemics.
Exploring Self-Determination Outcomes of Racially and Ethnically Marginalized Students With Disabilities in Inclusive, General Education Classrooms
Authors: Shogren Karrie A. , Scott LaRon A. , Hicks Tyler A , Raley Sheida K. , Hagiwara Mayumi , Pace Jesse R. , Gerasimova Daria , Alsaeed Abdulaziz , Kiblen Jessie C.
Published: August 2021

Opportunities and experiences for all students, including students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to build self-determination abilities and skills are critical to enable positive postsecondary outcomes (e.g., competitive and integrated employment, community access participation). However, racially and ethnically marginalized students with disabilities might experience fewer opportunities to build self-determination due to systemic issues (e.g., absence of policies emphasizing equity and racial justice, lack of understanding of students' social and cultural capital). The present study is an initial, exploratory analysis to determine if students with disabilities from racially and ethnically marginalized backgrounds reported different self-determination outcomes as they engaged in the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) in inclusive, general education classrooms. Findings suggested African American/Black students with and without disabilities as well as Hispanic/Latinx students without disabilities scored highest in self-determination at the beginning of the academic year (baseline) and that including disability status crossed with race/ethnicity as a predictor of self-determination baseline improved understanding of the data patterns. Implications for systemic changes to enable equitable education across research and practice are discussed.
Linear-polarization metasurface converter with an arbitrary polarization rotating angle
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Yang Guo-Min
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a new design of linear-polarization metasurface converter with arbitrary polarization rotating angle. The linear-polarization conversion is achieved by first separating the linearly polarized incident wave into two orthogonal circularly polarized waves, then adding an additional phase to one of the circularly polarized waves, and finally recombining these two circularly polarized waves into a linearly polarized wave and reflecting it towards free space. A practical unit cell operating at 10 GHz with sandwich structure is applied to realize the linear-polarization metasurface converter, which consists of a top-layer square patch, a middle-layer ground plane, a bottom-layer 90° quadrature hybrid coupler, and two vias connecting the top layer and bottom layer. The proposed linear-polarization metasurface converter is analyzed theoretically and demonstrated by both simulating and experimental results.
Guided-mode waves structure of electric and magnetic dipole resonances in a metamaterial slab
Authors: Kim Minyeong , Hwang Eui Sun , Prudnikov Oleg , Cheong Byoung-Ho
Published: August 2021

The electric dipole (ED) and magnetic dipole (MD) resonances in a slab of dielectric nanostructures induced by oblique light incidence were analyzed in terms of guided-mode wave theory for transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarization. Owing to the symmetry breaking in TE and TM polarizations at oblique incidences of light, the resonance modes produced different features, which were analyzed with comprehensive studies of energy fluxes associated with the resonance modes. The MD resonances are excited by the guided-mode wave with an energy flux in the opposite direction in the incident plane for TM polarization and excited by two guided-mode waves with energy fluxes orthogonal to the incident plane for TE polarized light. Meanwhile, the ED resonances are excited by the guided-mode waves with energy fluxes in both directions, incident plane, and out of the incident plane for both TE and TM polarizations. The proposed analyses provide clear explanations of the stability or vanishing of resonance modes, with variations in the inter-distance between nanostructures near the Rayleigh anomaly condition, which were verified by the experimental measurements performed with 2D arrays of Si nanostructures for various incident angles with TE and TM polarizations.
Two-dimensional complex wavelet with directional selectivity used in fringe projection profilometry: publisher’s note
Authors: Han Mengqi , Chen Wenjing
Published: August 2021

This publisher’s note contains corrections to Opt. Lett. 46, 3653 (2021)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.420460.
Epigenetic dynamics of centromeres and neocentromeres in Cryptococcus deuterogattii
Authors: Schotanus Klaas , Yadav Vikas , Heitman Joseph
Published: August 2021

Deletion of native centromeres in the human fungal pathogenCryptococcus deuterogattiileads to neocentromere formation. Native centromeres span truncated transposable elements, while neocentromeres do not and instead span actively expressed genes. To explore the epigenetic organization of neocentromeres, we analyzed the distribution of the heterochromatic histone modification H3K9me2, 5mC DNA methylation and the euchromatin mark H3K4me2. Native centromeres are enriched for both H3K9me2 and 5mC DNA methylation marks and are devoid of H3K4me2, while neocentromeres do not exhibit any of these features. Neocentromeres incen10Δ mutants are unstable and chromosome-chromosome fusions occur. After chromosome fusion, the neocentromere is inactivated and the native centromere of the chromosome fusion partner remains as the sole, active centromere. In the present study, the active centromere of a fused chromosome was deleted to investigate if epigenetic memory promoted the re-activation of the inactive neocentromere. Our results show that the inactive neocentromere is not re-activated and instead a novel neocentromere forms directly adjacent to the deleted centromere of the fused chromosome. To study the impact of transcription on centromere stability, the actively expressedURA5gene was introduced into the CENP-A bound regions of a native centromere. The introduction of theURA5gene led to a loss of CENP-A from the native centromere, and a neocentromere formed adjacent to the native centromere location. Remarkably, the inactive, native centromere remained enriched for heterochromatin, yet the integrated gene was expressed and devoid of H3K9me2. A cumulative analysis of multiple CENP-A distribution profiles revealed centromere drift inC.deuterogattii, a previously unreported phenomenon in fungi. The CENP-A-binding shifted within the ORF-free regions and showed a possible association with a truncated transposable element. Taken together, our findings reveal that neocentromeres inC.deuterogattiiare highly unstable and are not marked with an epigenetic memory, distinguishing them from native centromeres.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into a vascularized biodegradable tube containing decellularized allogenic nerve basal laminae promoted peripheral nerve regeneration; can it be an alternative of autologous nerve graft?
Authors: Tanaka Hiroki , Kakinoki Ryosuke , Kaizawa Yukitoshi , Yurie Hirofumi , Ikeguchi Ryosuke , Akagi Masao
Published: August 2021

Previously, we showed silicone nerve conduits containing a vascular bundle and decellularized allogenic basal laminae (DABLs) seeded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) demonstrated successful nerve regeneration. Nerve conduits should be flexible and biodegradable for clinical use. In the current study, we used nerve conduits made of polyglycoric acid (PGA) fiber mesh, which is flexible, biodegradable and capillary-permeable. DABLs were created using chemical surfactants to remove almost all cell debris. In part 1, capillary infiltration capability of the PGA tube was examined. Capillary infiltration into regenerated neural tissue was compared between the PGA tube with blood vessels attached extratubularly (extratubularly vascularized tube) and that containing blood vessels intratubularly (intratubularly vascularized tube). No significant difference was found in capillary formation or nerve regeneration between these two tubes. In part 2, a 20 mm gap created in a rat sciatic nerve model was bridged using the extratubularly vascularized PGA tube containing the DABLs with implantation of isogenic cultured BMSCs (TubeC+ group), that containing the DABLs without implantation of the BMSCs (TubeC- group), and 20 mm-long fresh autologous nerve graft (Auto group). Nerve regeneration in these three groups was assessed electrophysiologically and histomorphometrically. At 24 weeks, there was no significant difference in any electrophysiological parameters between TubeC+ and Auto groups, although all histological parameters in Auto group were significantly greater than those in TubeC+ and TubeC- groups, and TubeC+ group demonstrated significant better nerve regeneration than TubeC- group. The transplanted DABLs showed no signs of immunological rejection and some transplanted BMSCs were differentiated into cells with Schwann cell-like phenotype, which might have promoted nerve regeneration within the conduit. This study indicated that the TubeC+ nerve conduit may become an alternative to nerve autograft.
Diagnostic performance and clinical implications of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing in Mexico using real-world nationwide COVID-19 registry data
Authors: Bello-Chavolla Omar Yaxmehen , Antonio-Villa Neftali Eduardo , Fernández-Chirino Luisa , Guerra Enrique C. , Fermín-Martínez Carlos A. , Márquez-Salinas Alejandro , Vargas-Vázquez Arsenio , Bahena-López Jessica Paola
Published: August 2021

Background

SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity is important to monitor epidemic dynamics and as a mitigation strategy. Given difficulties of large-scale quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) implementation, rapid antigen tests (Rapid Ag-T) have been proposed as alternatives in settings like Mexico. Here, we evaluated diagnostic performance of Rapid Ag-T for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated clinical implications compared to qRT-PCR testing in Mexico.

Methods

We analyzed data from the COVID-19 registry of the Mexican General Directorate of Epidemiology up to April 30th, 2021 (n = 6,632,938) and cases with both qRT-PCR and Rapid Ag-T (n = 216,388). We evaluated diagnostic performance using accuracy measures and assessed time-dependent changes in the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUROC). We also explored test discordances as predictors of hospitalization, intubation, severe COVID-19 and mortality.

Results

Rapid Ag-T is primarily used in Mexico City. Rapid Ag-T have low sensitivity 37.6% (95%CI 36.6–38.7), high specificity 95.5% (95%CI 95.1–95.8) and acceptable positive 86.1% (95%CI 85.0–86.6) and negative predictive values 67.2% (95%CI 66.2–69.2). Rapid Ag-T has optimal diagnostic performance up to days 3 after symptom onset, and its performance is modified by testing location, comorbidity, and age. qRT-PCR (-) / Rapid Ag-T (+) cases had higher risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes (HR 1.54 95% CI 1.41–1.68) and were older, qRT-PCR (+)/ Rapid Ag-T(-) cases had slightly higher risk or adverse outcomes and ≥7 days from symptom onset (HR 1.53 95% CI 1.48–1.59). Cases detected with rapid Ag-T were younger, without comorbidities, and milder COVID-19 course.

Conclusions

Rapid Ag-T could be used as an alternative to qRT-PCR for large scale SARS-CoV-2 testing in Mexico. Interpretation of Rapid Ag-T results should be done with caution to minimize the risk associated with false negative results.
Higher entropy observed in SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the first COVID-19 wave in Pakistan
Authors: Ghanchi Najia Karim , Nasir Asghar , Masood Kiran Iqbal , Abidi Syed Hani , Mahmood Syed Faisal , Kanji Akbar , Razzak Safina , Khan Waqasuddin , Shahid Saba , Yameen Maliha , Raza Ali , Ashraf Javaria , Ansar Zeeshan , Dharejo Mohammad Buksh , Islam Nazneen , Hasan Zahra , Hasan Rumina
Published: August 2021

Background

We investigated the genome diversity of SARS-CoV-2 associated with the early COVID-19 period to investigate evolution of the virus in Pakistan.

Materials and methods

We studied ninety SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated between March and October 2020. Whole genome sequences from our laboratory and available genomes were used to investigate phylogeny, genetic variantion and mutation rates of SARS-CoV-2 strains in Pakistan. Site specific entropy analysis compared mutation rates between strains isolated before and after June 2020.

Results

In March, strains belonging to L, S, V and GH clades were observed but by October, only L and GH strains were present. The highest diversity of clades was present in Sindh and Islamabad Capital Territory and the least in Punjab province. Initial introductions of SARS-CoV-2 GH (B.1.255, B.1) and S (A) clades were associated with overseas travelers. Additionally, GH (B.1.255, B.1, B.1.160, B.1.36), L (B, B.6, B.4), V (B.4) and S (A) clades were transmitted locally. SARS-CoV-2 genomes clustered with global strains except for ten which matched Pakistani isolates. RNA substitution rates were estimated at 5.86 x10−4. The most frequent mutations were 5’ UTR 241C > T, Spike glycoprotein D614G, RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) P4715L and Orf3a Q57H. Strains up until June 2020 exhibited an overall higher mean and site-specific entropy as compared with sequences after June. Relative entropy was higher across GH as compared with GR and L clades. More sites were under selection pressure in GH strains but this was not significant for any particular site.

Conclusions

The higher entropy and diversity observed in early pandemic as compared with later strains suggests increasing stability of the genomes in subsequent COVID-19 waves. This would likely lead to the selection of site-specific changes that are advantageous to the virus, as has been currently observed through the pandemic.
Risk factors for treatment failure in women with uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection
Authors: Martischang Romain , Godycki-Ćwirko Maciek , Kowalczyk Anna , Kosiek Katarzyna , Turjeman Adi , Babich Tanya , Shiber Shachaf , Leibovici Leonard , von Dach Elodie , Harbarth Stephan , Huttner Angela
Published: August 2021

Given rising antibiotic resistance and increasing use of delayed prescription for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (UTI), patients at risk for treatment failure should be identified early. We assessed risk factors for clinical and microbiological failure in women with lower UTI. This case-control study nested within a randomized clinical trial included all women in the per-protocol population (PPP), those in the PPP with microbiologically confirmed UTI, and those in the PPP with UTI due to Escherichia coli. Cases were women who experienced clinical and/or microbiologic failure; controls were those who did not. Risk factors for failure were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. In the PPP, there were 152 clinical cases for 307 controls. Among 340 women with microbiologically confirmed UTI, 126 and 102 cases with clinical and microbiological failure were considered with, respectively, 214 and 220 controls. Age ≥52 years was independently associated with clinical (adjusted OR 3.01; 95%CI 1.84–4.98) and microbiologic failure (aOR 2.55; 95%CI 1.54–4.25); treatment with fosfomycin was associated with clinical failure (aOR 2.35; 95%CI 1.47–3.80). The association with age persisted among all women, and women with E. coli-related UTI. Diabetes was not an independent risk factor, nor were other comorbidities. Postmenopausal age emerged as an independent risk factor for both clinical and microbiological treatment failure in women with lower UTI and should be considered to define women at-risk for non-spontaneous remission, and thus for delayed antibiotic therapy; diabetes mellitus was not associated with failure.
Knowledge, attitude and management of hearing screening in children among family physicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqudah Ola , Alqudah Safa , Al-Bashaireh Ahmad M. , Alharbi Nouf , Alqudah Alia Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Background

Early detection and management of hearing loss are important to develop ordinary speaking language and academic skills during childhood. Lack of knowledge by either parents or health care providers could hinder the process of hearing loss diagnosis, such that the intervention will be less effective. There is little evidence about the knowledge and practice of family physicians regarding hearing screening in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess family physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to hearing loss in children. This in turn will help policy makers and educational institutions to establish and promote a program concerned with screening, diagnosis and intervention of paediatric hearing loss.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study enrolled 133 family physicians working at primary health centres in Saudi Arabia from March 2020 to September 2020. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of family physicians concerning hearing loss in children.

Results

The majority of the participants were working under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health and around half of them did not screen any child for hearing loss. Despite that, 91.7% indicated the importance of neonatal hearing screening, 70.7% indicate infant candidacy for cochlear implant and only 33.1% know about the existence of the early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) governmental program in kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Participants were able to identify factors associated with hearing loss such as a family history of hearing loss (85.6%), meningitis (75%) and craniofacial anomalies (51.5%). The most frequent specialists for patient referrals were ear nose and throat ENT (75.2%) and audiologists (67.7%).

Conclusion

This study shows that family physicians have good general background about the benefits of EHDI programs and the management of hearing loss in the paediatric population. However, it also indicated insufficient knowledge in other domains of hearing loss, including assessments and the presence of the EHDI governmental program in KSA. Further actions on the involvement of family physicians in the process of neonatal hearing screening, diagnosis and intervention for hearing impairment are needed.
Depressive symptoms among frontline and non-frontline healthcare providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kelantan, Malaysia: A cross sectional study
Authors: Norhayati Mohd Noor , Che Yusof Ruhana , Azman Mohd Yacob
Published: August 2021

Background

Healthcare providers are vulnerable in the fight against COVID-19 and may experience significant psychological and mental health consequences. This study aimed to compare the levels of depressive symptoms among frontline and non-frontline healthcare providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in two government hospitals managing COVID-19-related cases in Kelantan, Malaysia from May to July 2020 to identify and compared depressive symptoms levels of frontline and non-frontline healthcare providers. Convenient sampling was applied in the selection of eligible participants and those diagnosed as having any psychiatric illnesses were excluded. The self-administered questionnaires for the Malay versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to measure depressive symptoms score and the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey to measure social support score as an important confounder. A descriptive analysis, independent t-test and ANCOVA were performed using SPSS version 26.

Results

A total of 306 respondents from healthcare providers were recruited which 160 were frontline healthcare providers and 146 were non-frontline healthcare providers. The level of depressive symptoms (HADS score >8) was 27.5% for the frontline healthcare providers and 37.7% for the non-frontline healthcare providers. The mean depressive symptoms score for the non-frontline healthcare providers was 0.75 points higher than that of the frontline healthcare providers after adjusting for gender, duration of employment and social support.

Conclusion

Non-frontline healthcare providers are also experiencing psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic even though they do not have direct contact with COVID-19 patients.
La crítica eclesiástica a la danza popular durante la Antigüedad Tardía (siglos IV-VIII)
Authors: Jiménez Sánchez Juan Antonio
Published: August 2021

En el presente estudio analizamos cómo las jerarquías eclesiásticas señalaron siempre el baile como una actividad pecaminosa y del todo condenable, y lo convirtieron en un signo más de alteridad religiosa, aun cuando amplias capas de la población cristiana lo habían adoptado ya como una parte más de su acervo cultural. El problema resultaba más grave cuando el pueblo incorporaba dichas danzas a las fiestas efectuadas en honor de los santos, lo cual, para los predicadores, suponía contaminar de idolatría estas solemnidades. Sin embargo, lo que para las autoridades de la Iglesia era una pervivencia del paganismo, para los fieles constituía una expresión más de su forma de entender la religión y se convertía en una manifestación más de la religiosidad popular ajena a la religión normativa; en otras palabras, se erigía como un componente imprescindible de la lived religion.
Cimerios, amazonas y el arte griego
Authors: Sánchez Sanz Arturo
Published: August 2021

En este artículo trataremos sobre las fuentes relativas al pueblo cimerio, su relación con los movimientos migratorios escitas a la región del Ponto septentrional y la relación de ambos pueblos con los mitos amazónicos. La influencia de las sociedades indoiranias en el arte heleno es bien conocida, aunque en muchas ocasiones se han ofrecido interpretaciones diversas a la aparición de arqueros orientales en numerosas piezas de pintura vascular. A continuación intentaremos explicar esas conexiones entre las sociedades nómadas orientales y los relatos míticos amazónicos en el periodo Arcaico, así como su interpretación en los motivos decorativos de la cerámica griega.
¿Nacionalismo judío en la época del Segundo Templo? Sobre la legitimidad de una categoría
Authors: Bermejo Rubio Fernando
Published: August 2021

La presente contribución tiene su punto de partida en una situación historiográfica claramente conflictiva: mientras que numerosos historiadores rechazan la aplicabilidad de los términos «nación» y «nacionalismo» al judaísmo del Segundo Templo, muchos otros los emplean sin mayores problemas, hasta el punto de que se han dedicado enteras monografías al llamado «nacionalismo judío en la Antigüedad». En tales circunstancias, el propósito del presente artículo es doble: por una parte, entender los motivos de los estudiosos que se muestran suspicaces ante el uso de tal lenguaje; por otro, y en especial, exponer y clarificar los argumentos de quienes optan por aceptarlo. El estudio concluye que puede hablarse de la existencia de un cierto nacionalismo judío al final del período helenístico y en época romana, y que esta idea permite entender mejor los movimientos de resistencia judíos al Imperio romano en los primeros tiempos del Principado.
Modifications of Liquid Electrolyte for Monolithic Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Anggraini Putri Nur , Rosa Erlyta Septa , Nursam Natalita Maulani , Sinaga Rico Fernado , Shobih Shobih
Published: August 2021

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has been well known as a highly competitive photovoltaic technology owing to its interesting characteristics, such as, low-cost, simple, and convenient to modify both chemically and physically. One way to reduce the production cost of DSSCs is to conduct a structural modification in the form of a monolithic structure by using a single conductive substrate to accommodate both photoelectrode and counter electrode. However, the photovoltaic performance of monolithic DSSCs is typically still lacking compared to its conventional DSSCs counterparts that uses sandwich structure. One of the crucial factors that determine the photovoltaic performance of a monolithic DSSC is its electrolyte. In this work, the performance of monolithic DSSCs were studied through modifications of the electrolyte component. Two types of commercial liquid electrolytes that have different chemical properties were used and combined into various compositions, and the resulting DSSCs performances were compared. The stability of the monolithic cells was also monitored by measuring the cells repeatedly under the same condition. The result showed that during the first measurement the highest performance with a power conversion efficiency of 1.69% was achieved by the cell with a higher viscosity electrolyte. Meanwhile, the most stable performance is shown by the cell containing lower viscosity electrolyte, which achieved an efficiency of 0.66% that measured on day 35.
Improving Neural Network Based on Seagull Optimization Algorithm for Controlling DC Motor
Authors: Aribowo Widi , Muslim Supari , Achmad Fendi , Hermawan Aditya Chandra
Published: August 2021

This article presents a direct current (DC) motor control approach using a hybrid Seagull Optimization Algorithm (SOA) and Neural Network (NN) method. SOA method is a nature-inspired algorithm. DC motor speed control is very important to maintain the stability of motor operation. The SOA method is an algorithm that duplicates the life of the seagull in nature. Neural network algorithms will be improved using the SOA method. The neural network used in this study is a feed-forward neural network (FFNN). This research will focus on controlling DC motor speed. The efficacy of the proposed method is compared with the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) method, the Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN), and the Cascade Forward Backpropagation Neural Network (CFBNN). From the results of the study, the proposed control method has good capabilities compared to standard neural methods, namely FFNN and CFBNN. Integral Time Absolute Error and Square Error (ITAE and ITSE) values from the proposed method are on average of 0.96% and 0.2% better than the FFNN and CFBNN methods.
Apresentação
Authors: Braga Paulo Drumond
Published: August 2021

Entendeu a revista Caderno Espaço Feminino aceitar um dossiê subordinado ao tema Mulheres em Portugal e no Império Português na segunda metade do século XVIII. O mesmo integra-se nas atividades de um projeto que decorre em Portugal e de que sou um dos investigadores, Pombalia. Para a construção de um corpus pombalino: Parte I - Os Escritos Historiográficos Pombalinos, financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (referência: PTDC/HAR-HIS/32197/2017).
Factors Affecting the Implementation and Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice among Nurse Practitioners in Hail Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshammari Majed Shafi , Alshurtan Raad , Alsuliman Gadah , Alshammari Marzoogha , Alhamazani Housam , Alshammry Samiha , Dayrit Richard Dennis , Alkwiese Mohannad
Published: August 2021

Background: While previous studies explored the implementation and barriers to evidence-based practice (EBP), there is a dearth of literature on the causative factors such as demographics that affect the implementation and barriers to EBP.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the implementation of EBP and determine its barriers as perceived by nurse practitioners.Methods: This study employed a quantitative correlational design. A total of 228 staff nurses from the hospitals in the Hail region, Saudi Arabia, participated in this study through purposive sampling. The evidence-based practice questionnaire (EBPQ) and the barriers scale questionnaire were used to collect the data between June and July 2020. The descriptive statistics, t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the collected data.Results: The nurses showed a positive attitude (x=15.25±5.07), good knowledge (x=63.44±19.81), as well as good application of EBP (x=28.02±6.68) with an outstanding EBP score of 106.73 out of 168. Nurses’ civil status (p<0.02), nationality (p<0.05), highest degree (p<0.01), job title (p<0.001), and years of experience (p<0.001) significantly affected the implementation of EBP. Also, the biggest barriers to EBP were: “No time to read research” (94.3%), “Research is not readily available” (97.8%), “Not capable to evaluate the quality of research” (90.4 %), and “Uncertain whether to believe results” (68.4%).Conclusion: Nurses have a positive attitude, good knowledge, and good application of EBP. Civil status, nationality, highest degree, job title, and years of experience were causative factors to EBP. Nurses in hospitals should undergo training continuously to be able to use EBP effectively.
Seed storage protein changes and mobilization pattern in Bambaranut (Vigna subterranea) (L.) Verdc. during germination
Authors: Saminu Najib M , Muhammad Yusuf Y
Published: August 2021

The germination of seeds involves series of events during which mobilization and utilization of seed storage proteins occur. This study is aimed at determining the changes in total and fractions of seed storage protein in six bambaranut landraces during 96 hrs germination period. The study assessed the changes in seed storage protein content, storage protein profile, endopeptidase activity, free amino acids and gibberellic acid levels. Significant (p<0.05) decrease in total storage protein after 24 hrs, albumin from 48 hrs and globulin and glutelin after 72 hrs germination period were observed in the studied landraces. Prolamin showed significant (p<0.05) decrease after 48 hrs in all the landraces. Five peptide bands were detected in the six landraces with molecular weights corresponding to 97.4 kDa, 45 kDa, 29 kDa, 20.1 kDa and 18 kDa. Peptide bands with molecular weight of 97 kDa and 29 kDa decreased in intensity after 48 hrs of germination in four landraces. Free amino acids content significantly (p<0.05) increased following 24 hrs germination period in all the landraces. The activity of endopeptidase increased significantly (p<0.05), reaching maximum after 96 hrs germination. Significant (p<0.05) increase in gibberellic acid level throughout germination period was also observed. Although slow degradation rate of storage proteins was observed, there was variation in the rate at which storage protein and its fractions decreased among the bambaranut landraces during germination. This variation could be utilized towards obtaining improved bambaranut genotypes with better germination characteristics.
Accurate Full-Vectorial Finite Element Method Combined with Exact Non-Reflecting Boundary Condition for Computing Guided Waves in Optical Fibers
Authors: Dautov Rafail Z. , Karchevskii Evgenii M.
Published: August 2021

The vector electromagnetic problem for eigenwaves of optical fibers, originally formulated on the whole plane, is equivalently reduced to a linear parametric eigenvalue problem posed in a circle, convenient for numerical solution.
The study of the solvability of this problem is based on the spectral theory of compact self-adjoint operators.
Asymptotic properties of the dispersion curves and their smoothness are investigated for the new formulation of the problem.
A numerical method based on finite element approximations combined with an exact non-reflecting boundary condition is developed.
Error estimates for approximating eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are derived.
Money for the Issuer: Liability or Equity?
Authors: Bossone Biagio , Costa Massimo
Published: August 2021

This study analyzes the nature of money through the lens of the international principles of accounting and lays the foundations of what it calls the accounting view of money (AVM). Using international accounting principles, the AVM argues that the fiat monies issued by the state (typically, cash, banknotes, and central bank money) are not debt and that in fractional reserve regimes, only a share of commercial bank money can be regarded as debt. The AVM argues, instead, that state monies and the nondebt share of commercial bank money are net wealth of their holders and net worth (equity) of their issuers and determines how the seigniorage associated with money issuance should be accounted for correctly in the financial statements of the issuing institutions. The AVM points to the correct way to account for the various forms of money in the financial statements of the issuing institutions, clarifies what the different accounting treatments imply for a correct understanding of the concept of money, and evaluates the related economic and economic policy implications.
I Regret as My Family Fallows My Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy! Evidence from the Male Sample of an Emerging Economy (Pakistan)
Authors: Ahmed Ishfaq , Islam Talat
Published: August 2021

Entrepreneurial activities require thoughtful and cumbersome efforts, positive and forward-looking upward spiral, and strong entrepreneurial intentions. Drawing from the work-family interface model, this study aims at investigating the impact of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) on venturing intentions through moderated mediation mechanisms of family support and regret. The data were collected from 335 male graduate students of business schools through questionnaires from public sector universities of Pakistan in two lags, because the participation of the labor force in Pakistan is primarily influenced by the demographical composition (i.e., Males), which is linked with cultural traits of the nation. The study used Hayes Macros to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study reveal that ESE positively influences intentions, while low family support reduces the effects of ESE. Low family support also increases the regret of not starting a business for those individuals who had high self-efficacy. A Moderated-mediation mechanism also exists among the variables of the interest. This study reports the effects of low family support and regrets on intentions in the short-run (i.e., four months interval), future studies should conduct longitudinal studies to understand the long-term relationship. Increasing unemployment in developing countries requires unique and timely solutions and entrepreneurship is the most viable one. But this study highlights an important considerations of family support while making policy decisions. The findings highlight that mere entrepreneurial self-efficacy is not enough, and due to collectivist culture the family norms have great impact on the entrepreneurial choices and intentions. This study examines the mechanism between ESE and entrepreneurial intentions considering anticipated regret as a mediating variable and family support as a conditional variable. This study is first of its kind that has linked family support, ESE, regret, and entrepreneurial intentions using the work-family interface. It explains how family support can enhance regret and the relationship between self-efficacy and intentions.
Dihedral group and classification of G-circuits of length 10
Authors: Bari Muhammad Nadeem , Malik Muhammad Aslam , Al-Kaseasbeh Saba , Afzal Siddiqui Hafiz Muhammad , Issakhov Alibek , Rahimi-Gorji Mohammad , Hassani Mohsan
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we classify G-circuits of length 10 with the help of the location of the reduced numbers lying on G-circuit. The reduced numbers play an important role in the study of modular group action on

P
S
L

(

2
,
Z

)

$PSL(2,\mathbb{Z})$

-subset of

Q

(

m

)

\
Q

$Q(\sqrt{m}){\backslash}Q$

. For this purpose, we define new notions of equivalent, cyclically equivalent, and similar G-circuits in

P
S
L

(

2
,
Z

)

$PSL(2,\mathbb{Z})$

-orbits of real quadratic fields. In particular, we classify

P
S
L

(

2
,
Z

)

$PSL(2,\mathbb{Z})$

-orbits of

Q

(

m

)

\
Q

$Q(\sqrt{m}){\backslash}Q$

=

⋃

k
∈
N

Q

*

k

2

m

${=}{\bigcup }_{k\in N}{Q}^{\ast }\left(\sqrt{{k}^{2}m}\right)$

containing G-circuits of length 10 and determine that the number of equivalence classes of G-circuits of length 10 is 41 in number. We also use dihedral group to explore cyclically equivalence classes of circuits and use cyclic group to explore similar G-circuits of length 10 corresponding to 10 of these circuits. By using cyclically equivalent classes of circuits and similar circuits, we obtain the exact number of G-orbits and the structure of G-circuits corresponding to cyclically equivalent classes. This study also helps us in classifying the reduced numbers lying in the

P
S
L

(

2
,
Z

)

$PSL(2,\mathbb{Z})$

-orbits.
The effect of hypnotherapy on exam anxiety among nursing students
Authors: Hamzah Farrahdilla , Mat Khairi Che , Amaran Safiya
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study examines the effect of hypnotherapy on exam anxiety among first-year nursing students. Nursing students have high tendency to experience stress and anxiety. Anxiety therapy which encompasses mind and body would be helpful for them.

Methods

Sixty first-year nursing students participated in this interventional study. The hypnotherapy sessions started eight weeks prior to second exam. Outcome of hypnotherapy were assessed by measuring the exam anxiety score using TAI and clinical measurements (serum cortisol and vital signs). The measurements were done twice, there are two exams, where first exam and measurement were 1 day before exam (without hypnotherapy) and the second exam and measurement were 1 day before exam (with hypnotherapy).

Results

The mean difference of exam anxiety score and serum cortisol level between pre and post hypnotherapy sessions was statistically significant.

Conclusions

This study found that hypnotherapy is an effective tool in the management of exam anxiety among the nursing students.
The effect of survivin gene in breast cancer risk and prognosis
Authors: Mashadiyeva Roya , Cacina Canan , Arikan Soykan , Sürmen Saime , Demirkol Seyda , Aksakal Nihat , Yaylim İlhan
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The accumulation of genetic damages in onset of cancer induce activation of protooncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes thus cause disruption of the balance between cell proliferation and programmed cell death. As a member of the apoptosis inhibitory protein family (IAP), survivin play important roles in carcinogenesis process. The evidence suggests that polymorphisms located in survivin promoter region may be important in determining genetic susceptibility of cancer. In this study, we aimed to examine a possible role of survivin −31 and −625 G/C gene polymorphisms in breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 160 breast cancer cases and 153 healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology.

Results

Genotype and allele distributions and of −31 and −625 G/C polymorphisms were not significantly different between two groups. However, we observed the carriers of survivin −625 C/G polymorphism homozygous genotypes (GG/CC) were the significantly higher in patients with tumor necrosis (p=0.047).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that survivin −625 C/G polymorphism may be related with tumor prognosis, but we are opinion of that our result require to be validated in larger samples and further comprehensive research may explore the correlation.
High-temperature diffraction experiments and phase diagram of ZrO2 and ZrSiO4
Authors: Yoshiasa Akira , Tobase Tsubasa , Arima-Osonoi Hiroshi , Funakoshi Ken-Ichi , Ohtaka Osamu , Nakatani Tomotaka , Kohara Shinji
Published: August 2021

High-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments up to T = 2710 °C have been performed on ZrSiO4 and ZrO2 powders, using the container-less levitation technique. A two-dimensional imaging plate (IP) detector was used for short-time observation. The diffraction data in a wide area was projected in one dimension. The unit cell parameters, thermal expansions, and c/a ratios for ZrSiO4 (space group I41/amd and Z = 4), tetragonal ZrO2 (space group P42/nmc and Z = 2) and cubic ZrO2 (space group 

F
m
3

 
‾

m

$Fm3‾{}m$

and Z = 4) were measured to understand the high-temperature behaviors. The transition temperature between tetragonal and cubic ZrO2 was specified to be between 2430 and 2540 °C. The pre-transitional behavior was observed around 2200 °C. As no clear change in unit cell volume is evident, the phase boundary between the tetragonal and the cubic phase has been shown to be a positive slope. The ZrO2 and ZrO2–SiO2 phase diagrams are proposed based on the chemical composition and the crystal structure.
Relational bodies: affordances, substances and embodiment in Chinchorro funerary practices c. 7000–3250 BP
Authors: Montt Indira , Fiore Dánae , Santoro Calogero M. , Arriaza Bernardo
Published: August 2021

Funerary art has the body as its main material component, expresses responses to death and offers insight into relationships between the living and the dead. Chinchorro hunter-gatherer-fisher societies along the Atacama Desert coast provide a key example of such connections, having developed one of the world's oldest-known systems of post-mortem body transformation (c. 7000–3250 BP). A study of 162 modified Chinchorro bodies identifies diachronic changes in these practices, including a decrease in internal stuffing—adding invisible contents that created corporeal volume—and an increase in external body treatment that created visible features. The authors propose that such manipulation was a meaningful form of social embodiment designed to construct a collective identity.
The return of the Beaker folk? Rethinking migration and population change in British prehistory
Authors: Armit Ian , Reich David
Published: August 2021

Recent aDNA analyses demonstrate that the centuries surrounding the arrival of the Beaker Complex in Britain witnessed a massive turnover in the genetic make-up of the island's population. The genetic data provide information both on the individuals sampled and the ancestral populations from which they derive. Here, the authors consider the archaeological implications of this genetic turnover and propose two hypotheses—Beaker Colonisation and Steppe Drift—reflecting critical differences in conceptualisations of the relationship between objects and genes. These hypotheses establish key directions for future research designed to investigate the underlying social processes involved and raise questions for wider interpretations of population change detected through aDNA analysis.