bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Identification of Biometric Properties in Blood Flow Sounds Using Neural Networks and Saliency Maps
Authors: Henze Jasmin , Fuentealba Patricio , Salvi Rutuja , Sahare Natasha , Bisgin Pinar , Burmann Anja , Illanes Alfredo , Friebe Michael
Published: September 2022

In previous work, we demonstrated the potential of blood flow sounds for biometric authentication acquired by a custom-built auscultation device. For this purpose, we calculated the frequency spectrum for each cardiac cycle represented within the measurements based on continuous wavelet transform. The resulting spectral images were used to train a convolutional neural network based on measurements from seven users. In this work, we investigate which areas of those images are relevant for the network to correctly identify a user. Since they describe the frequencies’ energy within a cardiac cycle, this information can be used to gain knowledge on biometric properties within the signal. Therefore, we calculate the saliency maps for each input image and investigate their mean for each user, opening perspectives for further investigation of the spectral information that was found to be potentially relevant.
Analysing attention convolutional neural network for surgical tool localisation: a feasibility study
Authors: Jalal Nour Aldeen , Arabian Herag , Abdulbaki Alshirbaji Tamer , Docherty Paul D. , Neumuth Thomas , Moeller Knut
Published: September 2022

Image-based surgical tool localisation and detection play an important role in developing intelligent systems for operating theatres of the future. In literature, proposed approaches require large amounts of data that are fully annotated with tool positions in the image. In this paper, a deep learning framework, trained on binary tool presence, was evaluated for surgical tool localisation in laparoscopic images. Gradient class activation maps (Grad-CAMs) were extracted from an attention-CNN model. The Grad-CAMs were then processed to generate bounding boxes over the surgical tools. Experimental results showed better performance of the attention-CNN compared to the base CNN model with mean tool localisation precision of 72.4% and 28.3%, respectively. These results show the potential of using attention modules to improve tool localisation in laparoscopic images.
Design of an experimental platform of gait analysis with ActiSense and StereoPi
Authors: Leer Alexandra , Garcia Santa Cruz Beatriz , Hertel Frank , Koch Klaus Peter , Bremm Rene Peter
Published: September 2022

Gait analysis is a systematic study of human movement. Combining wearable foot pressure sensors and machine learning (ML) solutions for a high-fidelity body pose tracking from RGB video frames could reveal more insights into gait abnormalities. However, accurate detection of heel strike (HS) and toe-off (TO) events is crucial to compute interpretable gait parameters. In this work, we present an experimental platform to study the timing of gait events using a new wearable foot pressure sensor (ActiSense System, IEE S.A., Luxembourg), and Google’s open-source ML solution MediaPipe Pose. For this purpose, two StereoPi systems were built to capture stereoscopic videos and images in real time. MediaPipe Pose was applied to the synchronized StereoPi cameras, and two algorithms (ALs) were developed to detect HS and TO events for gait and analysis. Preliminary results from a healthy subject walking on a treadmill show a mean relative deviation across all time spans of less than 4% for the ActiSense device and less than 16% for AL2 (33% for AL1) employing MediaPipe Pose on StereoPi videos. Finally, this work offers a platform for the development of sensor- and video-based ALs to automatically identify the timing of gait events in healthy individuals and those with gait disorders.
XPS-Analysis of solvent residues in different polymeric biomaterials
Authors: Eickner Thomas , Lange Helge , Illner Sabine , Wulf Katharina , Senz Volkmar , Grabow Niels
Published: September 2022

For the use of polymers as biomaterials in the production of implants, several processing methods are needed. Besides injection molding or Fused Deposition Modeling as temperature based processes, also solvent based processes were performed such as solvent-casting and electrospinning. As fabrication of medical devices makes use of potentially hazardous or toxic solvents, they have to be extracted from the final medical device. For analyses of residual solvents different methods can be used e.g. gas chromatography (GC), coulometric elemental analysis or thermogravimetrical analyses (TGA). Here we present first results for the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to yield elemental as well as spatial information on residual solvents in polymeric materials. Therefore we analysed PLLA as biodegradable electrospun polymer, TPC-ET as biostable polymer and a PLLA-iron composite as example of a polymer metal composite via XPS and etching processes. It was possible to determine residual halogen containing solvents in all tested polymers processed from polymeric solution. As discrimination between polymer and solvent was made possible by specific elements, XPS measurements may be a suitable tool to identify even small amounts of solvent. Thus XPS analyses will help to optimize polymer processing in order to remove residual solvents.
Saliency-assisted multi-label classification for explainable deep learning applications in endoscopic ENT navigation
Authors: Bieck Richard , Heuermann Katharina , Sorge Martin , Neumuth Thomas , Pirlich Markus
Published: September 2022

Introduction: In endoscopic procedures of the nasal sinuses, a critical issue for classification tasks is the ambiguous anatomical representations due to their complex composition. We investigated the potential of multi-label image-based classifications of sinus landmark combinations together with explainability methods for machine learning in an assistance function at the application level. By combining image classification and pixel attribution in a navigation function, we provide the surgeon with label predictions and additional localization cues of important pixels relevant to the model output with regard to the input image. Methods: We used 3500 label annotated video sequences from 30 recorded sinus surgeries to fine-tune a pretrained ResNet50 as the feature extractor and a classification head using binary cross-entropy on one-hot encoded target vectors of landmark classes with a RAdam optimizer over 28-32 epochs. Image augmentation and a focal loss function were added to counter over-fitting. An explainability function used the trained model to produce pixel attribution maps for predicted classes regarding individual input images. These gradient maps were summed over all classes, and pixel values above 0.20 were clustered using weighted k-means based on the gradient value of each pixel coordinate. The resulting cluster centroids were then overlapped into the endoscopic image with the predicted landmark classes. Three surgeons investigated three different overlay scenarios in a validation study. Results: The top-1 predictions reached a mean f1-score of 0.47, with the highest values of 0.71 and the lowest with 0.28. Despite over-fitting mitigation, prediction results largely depended on over- and underrepresented classes. Conclusion: The provided explainability function at the application level showed the strong potential of delivering visual cues from prediction results to surgeons at runtime to support human-machine interaction.
Bioengineering of Tubes, Rings and Panels for Guided Bone and Vascular Regeneration
Authors: Sowislok Andrea , Jennissen Herbert P.
Published: September 2022

The development of three dimensional geometries by electrospinning of nonwoven, bioresorbable PDLLA nanoand microfibers is a prerequisite for multimodal growth factor delivery by biohybrids. Electrospinning of 3D tubes is a formidable task since the deposited nanofibers on the rotating mandrel adhere so strongly that newly formed tubes cannot be removed. A specific electrospinning instrument setup with a "removable mandrel sleeve" technique facilitated the reproducible synthesis of tubes for guided bone and future vascular applications. It is shown, that this technique not only allows the preparation of tubes but also of self-supported 3D rings and sandwich panels which can be functionally doped by growth factors such as rhBMP-2 to biohybrids.
Modeling and Error Analysis in Camera-Based Jump Height Measurement
Authors: Webering Fritz , Emamzadehei Leili , Blume Holger
Published: September 2022

Introduction: In this work, we use simulated data to quantify the different failure mechanisms of a previously presented low-cost jump height measurement system, based on widely available consumer smartphone technology. Methods: In order to assess the importance of the different preconditions of the jump height measurement algorithm, we generate a synthetic dataset of 2000 random jump parabolas for 2000 randomly generated persons without real-world artifacts. We then selectively add different perturbations to the parabolas and reconstruct the jump height using the evaluated algorithm. The degree to which the manipulations influence the reconstructed jump height gives us insights into how critical each precondition is for the method’s accuracy. Results: For a subject-to-camera distance of 2.5 meters, we found the most important influences to be tracking inaccuracies and distance changes (non-vertical jumps). These are also the most difficult factors to control. Camera angle and lens distortion are easier to handle in practice and have a very low impact on the reconstructed jump height. The intraclass correlation value ICC(3,1) between true jump height and the reconstruction from distorted data ranges between 0.999 for mild and 0.988 for more severe distortions. Conclusion: Our results support the design of future studies and tools for accurate and affordable jump height measurement, which can be used in individual fitness, sports medicine, and rehabilitation applications.
Concept for a retractor with force indicator for reduction of tissue trauma in abdominal surgery
Authors: Boese Axel , Croner Roland , Wex Cora
Published: September 2022

Retractors are used in surgery for the displacement of tissue and organs and to keep the surgical area open. The retraction can lead to a tissue compression that can cause irritation on nerves, perfusion deficits, hematoma or late sequelae like wound healing disorders, pain and numbness. The retraction force and thus the load on the tissue can not be measured with retraction systems today. We present a new concept for a retractor with an integrated spring element and an indicator to visualize retraction force and allow an adjustment of the organ compression. The new retractor was designed considering organ compression limits, requirements on sterility and easy manufacturing. Two retractors were built up as a prototype by 3D printing and tested in a distinguished test setup. The first test of the retractors was performed on a force measurement test bench using a fixed retractor, and in a second test, a liver specimen in a bowl. Tests were repeated for both retractor variants. The tests showed how different spring characteristics could be realized with the new retractor design. Depending on the spring characteristics, the compression could be limited to a certain level and flexibility that can compensate for unwanted patient motion. An indicator is integrated into the design showing the applied load on the retraction system. The presented concept can help to increase patient safety and reduce tissue trauma and late sequelae. The indicator is an easy way to visualize applied forces and allow adaption of the setup to the surgeon's needs.
A novel reflex analysis of healthy and spinal cord-injured individuals
Authors: Kristinsdóttir Sara , Þóra Þórisdóttir Arndís , Björk Halldórsdóttir Linda , Magnúsdóttir Gígja , Ingólfsdóttir Brynja , Ingvarsson Páll E. , Helgason Þórður
Published: September 2022

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a drastic effect on the quality of life of those affected. There is thus a great need for new knowledge that may increase their quality of life. The goal of this research was to develop and set up a measurement system for exact measurements of times between events in a patellar reflex test and a transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) and compare the two in healthy and spinal cord-injured individuals. 21 individuals with a healthy nervous system and 2 spinal cord-injured individuals were subjected to the patellar reflex test and tSCS. The patellar reflex of one individual with a complete SCI at vertebras C6-C7 after an accident was delayed by 24% compared with the healthy subjects, while the reflex time of the other SCI individual, who had cancer in vertebra T3, was shortened by 23%. There was also a difference in the reflex between the patellar reflex test and the tSCS due to action potential conduction distance. In this study, a processing method was created for comparing muscle signals generated by patellar strikes or electrical stimulation to the posterior nerve roots. Data from the subjects with central nervous system lesions showed characteristic differences from reference data.
Simulation of a passive position control for ferromagnetic particles with multiple Halbach rings
Authors: Thiel Robert , Jäkel Jens
Published: September 2022

Various types of magnetic nanoparticles have been developed for a range of medical applications and some have the potential to treat diseases. In this paper, a new method for controlling the position of these magnetic particles by changing the magnetic field surrounding them using three Halbach ringsis investigated with the aid of a simulation. The inner ring controls the direction, and the position of the two outer rings can keep the group of particles together. In the simulation, the magnetic field is calculated analytically for each time step and the movement of the particles is simulated by applying the corresponding forces. These result from the manipulable external magnetic field, the magnetic field between the particles, the Lennard-Jones potential to model attractive interactions between the particles and the drag. In the simulation, we show how the particles are manipulated using a Levenberg-Marquard algorithm and develop a closedloop control for the position of the grouped particles by manipulating the magnetic field inside the Halbach rings by changing the angular position of these rings.
Determining the influence of endoskeleton friction on the damping of pulsating antibubbles
Authors: Anderton Nicole , Carlson Craig S. , Aharonson Vered , Postema Michiel
Published: September 2022

Recent in-vivo work showed the suitability of Pickering-stabilized antibubbles in harmonic imaging and ultrasound-guided drug delivery. To date, however, theoretical considerations of antibubble core properties and their effects on antibubble dynamics have been rather sparse. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of skeletal friction on the damping of a pulsating antibubble and the pulsation phase of an antibubble relative to the incident sound wave. Numerical simulations were performed to compute damping terms and pulsation phases of micron-sized antibubbles with thin elastic shells and 30% endoskeleton volume fraction. The simulations showed that the damping owing to skeleton presence dominates the damping mechanism for antibubbles of radii less than 2.5 μm, whilst it is negligible for greater radii. The pulsation phase of such small antibubbles was simulated to have a phase delay of up to 1/6 π with respect to pulsating free gas bubbles. Our findings demonstrate that the presence of an endoskeleton inside a bubble influences pulsation phase and damping of small antibubbles. Antibubbles of radii less than 3 μm are of interest for the use as ultrasound contrast agents.
An End-to-End Deep Leaning Approach for Sleep-Wake Classification Using Single Channel EEG Signals
Authors: El-Moaqet Hisham , Eid Mohammad , Ryalat Mutaz , Penzel Thomas
Published: September 2022

Sleep quality has a significant impact on human physical and mental health. The detection of sleep-wake states is thus of significant importance in the study of sleep. The performance of classical machine learning models for automated sleep detection depends on the signals considered and feature extraction methods. Moreover, hand-crafted features are highly dependent on the experts’ experience and their prior knowledge about different physiological signals and conditions of the subjects. To overcome this limitation, this paper develops an end-to-end deep learning approach for automated feature extraction and detection of sleep-wake states using single channel raw EEG signals. Moreover, we leverage transfer learning to train and fine tune the proposed model to avoid the complexities associated with building a deep learning model from scratch. Using polysomnography (PSG) data of 20 patients, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed deep learning pipeline, achieving an excellent test performance in detecting sleep events with an overall sensitivity and precision of 92.7% and 92.1% respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can achieve superior performance compared to state-of-the-art studies on Sleep- Wake classification. Furthermore, it can attain reliable results as an alternative to classical methods that heavily rely on expert defined features.
Politics, Humanities, and Rural Homeland: The Prospects of Contemporary Confucianism
Authors: He Huaihong
Published: September 2022

When observing the historical interaction between Confucianism and society, we see the origin of Confucian “learning” that began to take root during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. After Confucianism became the guiding political ideology during the Western Han Dynasty, a new social structure gradually came into being, featuring a close relationship between politics, humanities, rural homeland, and Confucian scholars playing their roles as scholar, official, and landed gentry. This was a rare phenomenon in the history of world civilization. It ensured the political power being handed down peacefully from generation to generation. It also guaranteed equal access to political opportunities, and the establishment of an orderly relationship between politics and culture, as well as between morality and social governance. However, after a century of twists and turns, Confucian scholars and Confucianism lost its way forward and its roots. Fortunately, the last four decades has seen a revival of Confucianism in China. Nonetheless, it still finds itself confronted by many modern-day challenges.
Being Mild and Gentle, Sincere and Broadminded and Chinese Aesthetic Psychology
Authors: Yuan Jixi
Published: September 2022

Appearing for the first time in the chapter “Explanation of the Six Arts” of The Book of Rites, the term “being mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded” reflects Chinese aesthetic psychology. Based on the philosophy of the Mean and harmony, the term fuses poetry with music and extends them to the aesthetics of literature and art. It preserves the concept of harmony dating to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C.E.–256 B.C.E.). After being explained by Confucius and expounded by Dai Sheng, the compiler of The Book of Rites, it influenced the studies of The Book of Songs and music theory of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.). It laid the foundation of the aesthetic psychology of the Chinese nation and still retains strong vitality.
“Legitimate Authority” in the Chinese Tradition: Ethics-Politics
Authors: Du Lun
Published: September 2022

Max Weber proposed three types of legitimate authority: charismatic, traditional and rational-legal. Roughly at the same time, the Chinese scholar Liang Qichao, fully aware of the strong link between ethics and politics in ancient China, put forward the concept of “ethics-politics”, which launched a major debate. None of Weber’s three types of legitimate authority is applicable to the ancient Chinese model of “ethics-politics”, and “ethics-politics” should be considered and explored as a fourth type of legitimate authority. This article gives an outline of the historical origins of “ethics-politics” as well as the principles that gave rise to the concept. Then it cites pre-Qin Confucianism, particularly the thoughts of Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi, to exemplify the legitimate authority of “ethics-politics” from five aspects: (1) inwardly being a sage and outwardly being a king; (2) rule of the man of virtue, viz. “to govern by virtue” and “rule by rites” or “rule of rites”; (3) benevolence as the core value; (4) everyone should become good as the goal of government; (5) Heaven/Tian as the supreme divinity.
A second look at intrapartum fetal surveillance and future directions
Authors: Ugwumadu Austin , Arulkumaran Sabaratnam
Published: September 2022

Intrapartum fetal surveillance aims to predict significant fetal hypoxia and institute timely intervention to avoid fetal injury, and do so without unnecessary operative delivery of fetuses at no risk of intrapartum hypoxia. However, the configuration and application of current clinical guidelines inadvertently undermine these aims because of persistent failure to incorporate increased understanding of fetal cardiovascular physiology and adaptations to oxygen deprivation, advances in signal acquisition/processing, and related technologies. Consequently, the field on intrapartum fetal surveillance is stuck in rudimentary counts of the fetal R–R intervals and visual assessment of very common, but nonspecific fetal heart decelerations and fetal heart rate variability. The present authors argue that the time has come to move away from classifications of static morphological appearances of FHR decelerations, which do not assist the thinking clinician in understanding how the fetus defends itself and compensates for intrapartum hypoxic ischaemic insults or the patterns that suggest progressive loss of compensation. We also reappraise some of the controversial aspects of intrapartum fetal surveillance in modern obstetric practice, the current state of flux in training and certification, and contemplate the future of the field particularly in the context of the emerging role of artificial intelligence.
Reasons, Value, Valuing: Teleology and Explanation
Authors: McFadden Meredith
Published: September 2022

We interact with value in two ways: we recognize objects as valuable and we take objects up as significant for our lives by valuing them. These two modes of interaction involve different kinds of reasons. Recognizing an object as valuable involves recognizing reasons that everyone shares, but agents can differ with respect to their reasons to value the object, and the reasons which are then involved in valuing. Using this observation, I argue that our relations to value and reasons are irreducible to each other by rejecting two views that attempt to interpret value in terms of reasons and vice versa.
How Pleasures Make Life Better
Authors: Alwood Andrew H.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, I argue that Phenomenalists about pleasure can concede a key claim, Heterogeneity, commonly used to object to their theory. They also can then vindicate the aspirations of J. S. Mill's doctrine of higher pleasures, while grounding their value claims in a naturalistic metaethics. But once Phenomenalists concede Heterogeneity they can no longer consistently endorse Hedonism as the correct theory of wellbeing, since they implicitly commit to recognizing distinct kinds of pleasure that are independently good-making. I also explore further issues that arise for a Pluralist theory of pleasure: How could there be distinct kinds of pleasure? How can pleasures be measured? Is it possible for some pleasures to be superior in kind to others? What unifies the category of pleasant experiences? Is the value of pleasant experiences natural or non-natural?
The Basics of Display Calculi
Authors: Lyon Tim , Ittner Christian , Eckhardt Timo , Gratzl Norbert
Published: September 2022

The aim of this paper is to introduce and explain display calculi for a variety of logics. We provide a survey of key results concerning such calculi, though we focus mainly on the global cut elimination theorem. Propositional, first-order, and modal display calculi are considered and their properties detailed.
Hintikka's Socratic Epistemology Meets Gettier's Counterexamples
Authors: Boongaling John Ian K.
Published: September 2022

The overall goal of this paper is to apply Hintikka's Socratic Epistemology to Gettier's counterexamples to the tripartite definition of knowledge as justified true belief. In the process, I will make full use of Socratic Epistemology's methodology and commitments. This includes, among other things, looking at Gettier's counterexamples as games between an Inquirer and Nature (the source of information), as well as treating the items in them as pieces of information. The strategy that I employ in this paper also makes use of frames (or partitions). One of the important results of this paper is a scenario where Gettier cannot setup the dilemma for the tripartite definition of knowledge.
Is Uptake Essential to Perlocution? A Defence of Illocutionary Silencing
Authors: Sharma Ritu
Published: September 2022

Hornsby and Langton (H&L), put forward the idea of silencing as an "illocutionary disablement". Appealing to Austin's speech act theory, they situate silencing as opposite to speech act and argue that when there is silencing, people's illocutionary act fails and their right to free speech is violated. This paper presents a defence of H&L's account of silencing, against objections raised by Ishani Maitra (2009). Maitra questions the model of illocutionary silencing by arguing that Austin's illocutionary model is inaccurate and vague hence, not useful for the discussions of silencing. In response, I argue that Maitra's understanding of the perlocutionary act is misguided and requires a critical examination. Maitra discusses the notion of the perlocutionary act as the goals that the speaker achieves by securing the uptake. I oppose such a view by arguing that securing the uptake does not ensure the performance of a perlocutionary act
Fugu Me! Roots and Denominal Verb Productivity: New Data
Authors: Mangialavori Rasia M. Eugenia , Múgica Nora
Published: September 2022

-earhas become a highly productive option in denominal verb formation in Spanish. The unparalleled productivity and range of verb classes obtained invites us to revisit fundamental questions on verb formation and interpretation: e.g., which domain (lexical/syntactic/semantic) primarily drives and constrains denominal verb use and interpretation, which verb types are possible, whether or not acanonical use constraintcan correctly predict and capture the role of the root in verb meaning, as assumed in mainstream accounts. Based on analytical and (preliminary) experimental data, we consider syntactic and semantic (aspectual) behavior of denominal verbs, including both traditional and novel verbs with -ear. We observe that: (i) productive types include verb classes untapped in the existent literature; (ii) the range of verb classes obtained coincides with a significant range of possible interpretations and uses, suggesting that a ‘same’ verb (lexical and morphotactic composition) can be associated with distinct structural configurations; (iii) the interpretation is highly sensitive to the grammatical context. We argue that (i) verb meaning and behavior are not deterministically driven by one (e.g., lexical/conceptual) domain but rather in interaction; (ii) syntax plays a nontrivial role in verb meaning/interpretation; (iii) non-univocity arises as a distinctive property ofearverbs.
Der Rahmen von Ps 45 (V. 1–2; 17–18)
Authors: Mathys Hans-Peter
Published: September 2022

While the core of Ps 45 (vv. 3–16) clearly bears the stamp of a Phoenician royal court, the beginning and end highlight features that elucidate the psalm’s main body. V. 1 f. present an author who has assumed an Aramaic title (סוֹפֵר מׇהִיר): he reflects on his works, puts his poetry indirectly on a par with a Greek poem by adopting the Greek concept of ποίημα (= מַעֲשֶׂה), and through the superscription »a love song« secondarily reads this idea into the psalm, even though love is nowhere mentioned. V. 17 f. link up organically with the psalm’s main body, but no longer deal with the king alone; the focus is now on his dynasty, whose impact is international, unbounded by time or place.
Forgiveness and the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31
Authors: Goswell Gregory
Published: September 2022

There is scholarly disagreement over the connection of the anticipated benefits of the new covenant of Jer 31 with the promise in 31:34 (»for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more«). The forgiveness promised is best viewed as the precondition for the covenant to come into force, not as a benefit under that covenant. This is in accord with the logic of the new covenant itself, wherein obedience is assured and so forgiveness is not needed under this covenant. The promise of forgiveness explains how the new covenant is possible after the failure of God’s people.
Prediction of veneer moisture content based on near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Zhou Kang , Chen Yutang , Sun Chengshuo , Na Bin
Published: September 2022

The physical properties of wood, particularly the dimensional stability, are affected by the water content. Most wood properties can be detected by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which is used as a nondestructive testing method. At different wavelengths, different absorption peaks are presented with the moisture absorbed by wood. According to this feature, the absorption peaks can be collected, and the data can be processed by partial least squares method combined with NIRS. In this study, softwood oak and hardwood ash tree specimens were studied. In the infrared spectrum range, the wood moisture absorption curve was noticeable and the curve trend was similar, although the tree species were different. After centralization, standardization, and derivative processing of the spectral data, the correlation coefficients of oak and ash tree validations were high, reaching 0.9021 and 0.9661, respectively. The wood moisture content was predicted using NIRS and an algorithm. The experiments showed that this method is feasible.
Peanut shell biochar’s effect on soil physicochemical properties and salt concentration in highly saline-sodic paddy fields in northeast China
Authors: Li Xuebin , Che Weikang , Piao Junlong , Li Xiang , Jin Feng , Yao Tianxu , Li Pingyue , Wang Wei , Tan Tan , Shao Xiwen
Published: September 2022

Soil salinization is a major ecological threat to crop growth and production. Biochar addition can alleviate the negative impacts of saline-sodic stress in crops. Here, a two-year field experiment was conducted in a highly saline-sodic paddy field to evaluate the response of soil physico-chemical properties, ionic concentration, and rice yield to biochar applications. The soil was amended with peanut shell biochar as follows: zero biochar (B0), 33.75 t ha−1 (B1), 67.5 t ha−1 (B2), and 101.25 t ha−1 (B3). Biochar significantly reduced soil bulk density (BD), while it markedly increased total porosity (TP) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). Furthermore, biochar markedly decreased the Na+ concentration, Na+/K+ ratio, Na+/Ca2+ ratio, HCO3-, and CO32- while it increased the concentrations of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. Biochar significantly decreased the electrical conductivity of soil saturation extract (ECe). The exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of B1, B2, and B3 were 53.6%, 62.3%, and 71.0% lower, respectively, than that of B0, and the corresponding decrease in sodium adsorption ratio (SARe) was 51.2%, 58.1%, and 60.5%. Biochar had no effect on the soil pH but significantly increased the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). The rice biomass yield, grain yield, and harvest index significantly increased after biochar application.
Characterization by Means of Verbal and Visual Transitivity in Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (1963)
Authors: Pelclová Jana
Published: September 2022

Framed with Halliday’s (1994) systemic functional grammar and Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006) visual grammar, the paper studies verbal and visual transitivity in the construction of characters in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are (1963). While the verbal transitivity is determined by the semantic property of a lexical verb, the visual transitivity is realized by vectors, by the shapes dominating the characters’ appearance, and by the positioning of the character on a page. The paper concludes that the dynamic relation between visual and verbal transitivity functions as an effective means of characterization that results in the formation of Max’s personality.
The Legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft's Educational and Philosophical Storytelling
Authors: Antal Éva
Published: September 2022

In her works, Mary Wollstonecraft was greatly concerned with women’s education. Highlighting the importance of exemplary storytelling, she laid special emphasis on the importance of reading in young girls’ lifelong learning; she even co-edited a collection of texts specifically designed for female readers. In addition to her novels, political treatises and translations, she also wrote two pieces on education, Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787) and Original Stories from Real Life (1788), and an unfinished tale titled “The Cave of Fancy” (1787). I will discuss the unique features of her self-trained storytelling in general, while also exploring disturbing content imagined by a “fanciful” woman’s spirit in one particular tale. Mary Wollstonecraft’s fantastic tale not only provides a framework for the creative development of the female mind; it also includes several images that would later appear in Romantic philosophical narratives, as exemplified by Mary Shelley’s “The Fields of Fancy”.
Contribuições práticas do processo de enfermagem relacionado ao traumatismo cranioencefálico: Uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Cruz Neto João , Lisboa Kenya Waléria de Siqueira Coelho , Pinto Sarah De Lima
Published: September 2022

Introdução: O traumatismo cranioencefálico é um evento incapacitante e de importância mundial com expressiva morbimortalidade mundial.
Objetivo: analisar as evidências científicas internacionais sobre o processo de enfermagem no cuidado ao adulto com traumatismo cranioencefálico.
Método: Revisão integrativa, realizada em seis bases de dados de fevereiro a março de 2020. Os descritores “pacientes internados”, “cuidados críticos”, “cuidados de enfermagem”, “processo de enfermagem”, “traumatismos craniocerebrais” e “traumatismo múltiplo” foram cruzados por meio de operadores booleanos AND e OR. Os estudos foram analisados pelo método de redução de dados, contrapondo-se, o que gerou a síntese.
Resultados: Ressalta-se o monitoramento hemodinâmico, a aplicação da escala de coma de Glasgow e a atualização de um plano de cuidados como parte do processo de enfermagem. Além disso, cabe-se destaque a necessidade de elaboração dos diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem.
Conclusão: Existe uma lacuna com relação a formulação de diagnósticos de enfermagem e intervenções ligadas ao processo de enfermagem, como também a descrição dos parâmetros ideais a serem verificados na monitorização das pessoas.
Repercussões da Insuficiência Renal Crônica no Contexto Biopsicossocial de Pessoa em Tratamento Hemodialítico.
Authors: Ferreira Ricardo Bruno Santos , Azevedo Larissa Rodrigues , Oliveira Daniela Souza , Guimarães Claudia Franco
Published: September 2022

Introdução: a insuficiência renal crônica é considerada um importante problema de saúde pública, uma vez que tanto a doença quanto o tratamento provocam impactos profundos em todo o contexto de vida da pessoa acometida.

Objetivo: compreender as repercussões da insuficiência renal crônica no contexto biopsicossocial de pacientes em tratamento hemodialítico.

Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, qualitativo, desenvolvido em um hospital referência regional para o tratamento de hemodiálise no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Participaram do estudo 20 pessoas com insuficiência renal crônica, com idade superior a 18 anos, em tratamento hemodialítico. A coleta dos dados foi realizada durante o mês de dezembro de 2019 através de uma entrevista semiestruturada. Posteriormente, os dados foram sistematizados através da Análise de Conteúdo.

Resultados: evidenciou-se que a insuficiência renal traz repercussões multidimensionais para os pacientes, devido às dificuldades de inserção no mundo do trabalho, dificuldades relacionadas às restrições alimentares e hídricas, limitações relacionadas ao lazer e a prática de atividade física e impactos no exercício da sexualidade. Entretanto, apesar das limitações provocadas pela doença, os pacientes mostraram-se resilientes ao destacarem a importância do tratamento para garantia de sua qualidade de vida.

Conclusão: o estudo aponta para necessidade de construção de políticas específicas voltadas para redução dos impactos provocados pela Insuficiência Renal Crônica, uma vez que se trata de uma doença crônica e irreversível, com necessidade de tratamento permanente. Além disso, os achados ratificam a necessidade de avaliação individualizada e oferta de uma assistência holística e humanizada por parte dos profissionais de saúde como forma de minimizar os impactos do adoecimento.
Associação entre anos escolares e medidas antropométricas e pressóricas: o trabalho da enfermagem
Authors: Leão Kelly Cristina De Souza , Sousa Thais Vilela de , Pereira Mayara Cândida , Silva Rodrigo Marques da , Santos Janderson Castro dos , Moraes Filho Iel Marciano de
Published: September 2022

Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a associação entre os anos escolares e parâmetros antropométricos e pressóricos.

Metodologia: Estudo transversal e analítico, realizado em março de 2017, em escola pública brasileira com 97 alunos, por meio da coleta de dados com formulários de caracterização sociodemográfica, além da avaliação antropométrica e pressórica. Foram incluídos na pesquisa estudantes regularmente matriculados (6° ao 9° ano), de ambos os sexos. Analisaram-se os dados mediante medidas descritivas, teste exato de Fisher e ANOVA.

Resultados: Verificou-se o predomínio de alunos do sexo feminino (54,6%), matriculados no 8° ano (31,5%) e com idade média de 12,91 anos ± 1,35 anos. Ademais, foi detectado que 45,8% dos estudantes foram enquadrados fora do padrão da normalidade para o peso. Essa variável também se associou (p=0,03) ao ano em curso dos estudantes e a altura apresentou diferença significativa ao longo dos anos. Na comparação de médias, não houve diferença entre peso, índice de massa corporal e pressão arterial sistêmica.

Conclusão: A disparidade nutricional de crianças e adolescentes desnutridas ou com excesso de peso pode ocasionar riscos à saúde com consequências na fase adulta. Parte desse fenômeno se deve à transição nutricional. Há uma demanda por estratégias mais efetivas na redução da vulnerabilidade nutricional em conjunto dos atuais programas públicos de saúde na escola. A enfermagem assume papel importante nas ações estratégicas de promoção e prevenção à saúde em ambiente escolar, para o desenvolvimento e crescimento saudável de crianças e adolescentes.
Percepção de discentes: construindo conhecimento interdisciplinar na saúde do idoso por meio da extensão universitária
Authors: De Souza Joventino Mayara Layane , De Lima Alexsandra Batista , Dos Santos Silva Edjane Xavier , Leal Vieira Kay Francis , De Oliveira Matos Suellen Duarte , Rufino de Lucena Adriana Lira
Published: September 2022

Objetivo: O presente estudo objetivou conhecer a percepção de discentes sobre as contribuições da extensão universitária para a formação profissional na área do cuidado à pessoa idosa.
Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 20 discentes da graduação da área da saúde. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no mês de agosto de 2018 por meio de entrevistas gravadas e posteriormente transcritas para o computador obedecendo à técnica de saturação das respostas, sendo submetido à técnica de Análise de Conteúdo proposta por Bardin.
Resultados: Foram identificadas quatro categorias temáticas: A ludicidade das atividades voltadas para promoção da saúde; A extensão universitária como ferramenta de alcance para integralidade do cuidado e valorização do ser humano; Inclusão e afetividade na apreensão de novas habilidades entre a teoria e a prática e Ser/Saber e Fazer na extensão universitária.
Conclusão: A experiência com a extensão universitária proporcionou nos discentes maior sensibilização em relação ao cuidado humano. Passaram a compreender a não visualizar apenas os aspectos biológicos, mas sim, oferecer uma assistência integral, permeada por afetividade, excluindo a visão estigmatizadora sobre a pessoa idosa. Ampliando assim, o conhecimento acerca dos cuidados humanísticos a ser dispensada à pessoa idosa e assim, tornar-se um profissional mais capacitado e, sobretudo, humano.
The efficacy of omalizumab treatment in patients with nonatopic severe asthma
Authors: Atayik Emel , Aytekin Gokhan
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Nonatopic asthmatic patients generally have more severe clinical manifestations, frequently accompanied by chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps, with more limited therapeutic options as compared to atopic asthmatic patients. This has led to a search for novel therapeutic approaches, including omalizumab, for nonatopic asthmatic patients who are not adequately controlled with current therapies.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study undertaken between August 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, at a tertiary allergy clinic, data from 61 patients with nonatopic asthma inadequately controlled with optimum therapy was examined.
Results: A total of 61 patients with severe asthma were included in the study [Female: 48 (78.7%), male: 13 (21.3%, mean age: 49 (18–71) years]. The mean duration of asthma was 60 (18–160) months. A statistically significant increase in Forced expiratory volume (FEV1per second), forced vital capacity (FVC), and asthma control test (ACT) scores were found after 1 year of omalizumab treatment (p ˂ 0.001, for all parameters). Omalizumab treatment was associated with a significant decrease in the number of asthma exacerbations, asthma-related hospitalizations, duration of hospitalizations, and several unplanned emergency room visits after 1 year (p ˂ 0.001, for all parameters). A 1-year treatment with omalizumab led to significant changes in eosinophil counts and serum IgE levels (p ˂ 0.001 and ˂ 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: In the severe atopic asthma patient group, omalizumab treatment provided similar clinical benefits to those observed in patients with severe atopic asthma, suggesting that it may be a useful therapeutic option in patients with nonatopic asthma who failed to benefit from treatments with steps 4 and 5.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Adult Emergency Department Patients
Authors: Hobbs Catherine , Patel Mira
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Vaccine hesitancy is a nationally resonant issue that must be evaluated to address the spread and overwhelming complications of COVID-19 in the United States. Emergency departments (EDs) often serve disadvantaged populations who may experience disproportionate pandemic complications. We sought to gain an updated understanding of vaccine hesitancy levels in a single ED, especially following wide-scale distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and during the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant.

Methods

We surveyed a convenience sample of non-COVID positive ED patients at an urban level 1 trauma center to measure patients’ vaccine rates for COVID-19 and influenza. We obtained demographics and perspectives by interview on reasons why COVID-19 vaccination was or was not obtained utilizing previously published instruments.

Results

Among 100 patients enrolled, 78% were vaccinated against COVID-19 and 22% were unvaccinated. The sample of participants was majority white, middle-aged, educated beyond high school, and medically-insured. Vaccine hesitancy was not significantly linked to any demographic groups, other than a slightly significant relationship with those with lower education levels and those who identified as white. Of the unvaccinated participants, the most frequent reason for refusing the vaccine was concern about the side effects or safety.

Conclusion

Our data suggests vaccine hesitancy persists in about 1 out of 5 emergency department patients. Education on COVID-19 vaccine safety may improve uptake.
What is the Relationship between Marijuana Use and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Among Young Adults Aged 18–29 in the United States?
Authors: Brail Eliza
Published: September 2022

Marijuana use is on the rise in the United States, with 18-29-year-old people being the most likely age group to indulge in the illegal drug’s use (Hrynowski, 2019). Similarly, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has increased in recent decades for those aged 18 and older (Goodwin et al., 2020). Little research has been conducted to establish a link between these two trends of growth, although researchers have tested THC doses in animals, which proved to elicit anxiety-related responses (Sharpe et al., 2020). Research by de Dios et al. (2010) regarding the correlation indicates that there is a statistically significant relationship between increased marijuana use and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in young adults, specifically when there is a third party mediator of tension reduction expectancies. Further systematic review and analysis on marijuana use in Seattle students implies that regular marijuana use throughout teenage years leads to cannabis use disorder by age 33 with stronger symptoms of anxiety than use of other recreational drugs (Guttmannova et al., 2017). The results of this research portray the growing necessity to educate young adults on the long term effects of regular marijuana use, as individuals may believe they are alleviating their GAD symptoms short term, but over time, they are likely facing dangers of worsening their anxiety by increasing dependency on the drug. The following research addresses the question, “What is the relationship between marijuana use and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among young adults aged 18–29 in the United States?”
Information and Communication Technologies in the Curriculum of Basic Education in Brazil: Conceptions and Reality
Authors: Costa Renata Luiza da , Araújo Cláudia Helena dos Santos , Barros Victor Freitas de Azeredo , Thereza Júnior Alcides Hermes , Costa Lorenna Silva Oliveira
Published: September 2022

The recommendation for the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Basic Education, in Brazil, has become more forceful with each curricular reform, under the justification that it is very relevant knowledge for actively participating in the 21st Century. With the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, there was a significant stimulus to the uses of these technologies to support different forms of education, commonly called emergency remote education. Within this scenario, this article aims to discuss the conceptions of technology in the basic education curriculum and the real conditions of access to ICT. So that, literature review and documentary research were carried out. The document outlining the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) of Brazilian education together with data from the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee census regarding access to ICT in schools and homes were analyzed. It has been noticed that research carried out in public schools over the last 8 years, already denounced the lack of investment in technology and in teacher training for the use of ICT in these schools. In other words, the exposure caused by the pandemic only led to broader public knowledge of what was already the precarious reality in Brazilian public schools. The theoretical conception that prevails in BNCC is not of integral formation, but instrumental. Although national curriculum recommendations increasingly encourage the use of ICT in school spaces, the reality exposes that investments in human and technological resources are not compatible even for limited instrumental teaching, even with the social pertinence of the theme.