bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Value of Multislice Spiral CT Cardiothoracic Combined with Angiography in Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Du Yinggan , Yang Zetian
Published: February 2021

Acute chest pain is a common clinical emergency condition with a variety of causes, including acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, aortic coarctation, and pneumothorax. It is essential for emergency physicians to quickly and accurately understand the cause of acute chest pain. 64-slice spiral CT combined cardiothoracic angiography is an accurate and rapid way to diagnose and differentiate the cause of acute chest pain. 64-slice combined cardiothoracic angiography can accurately and rapidly display the thoracic aorta, both pulmonary arteries, the main trunk of the coronary artery and its major branches, and also provide a comprehensive view of both lungs and mediastinum, which is an effective test for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute chest pain. Based on this, this study further investigated the value of 64-slice spiral CT triplex examination in the diagnosis of acute chest pain. The results showed that 64-slice spiral CT has the advantages of fast scanning speed, high resolution, and advanced postprocessing technology, and combined cardiothoracic angiography can quickly and accurately help emergency physicians analyze the cause of acute chest pain, which plays a very important role in formulating the correct treatment plan in a timely manner. At the same time, with the continuous development of CT technology, the temporal and spatial resolution has improved the quality of CT images, giving us more options to reduce the effective radiation dose and reduce the total amount of contrast, making the 64-row spiral CT cardiothoracic imaging more perfect.
Intra-Articular Application of Sluijter-Teixera Poisson Pulsed Radiofrequency in Symptomatic Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Focus upon Clinical Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Filippiadis D. , Tsochatzis A. , Petsatodis E. , Galanis S. , Velonakis G. , Giankoulof C. , Kelekis A.
Published: February 2021

Purpose. To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of intra-articular application of Sluijter-Teixera Poisson pulsed radiofrequency (STP PRF) in knee osteoarthritis symptomatic patients with chronic pain refractory to conservative therapies. Materials and Methods. Institutional database research of two centers identified 39 cases of knee osteoarthritis patients treated with intra-articular STP PRF. Pain prior and one-week and one-, three-, six-, and twelve-month post-STP PRF was compared by means of a numeric visual scale (NVS) questionnaire. Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) classification system was used for complications reporting. Mean patient age was 71.59 ± 11.99 years, mean body mass index was 30.23 ± 4.69, and male/female ratio was 9/30. Results. Mean baseline pain score was 8.31 ± 1.70 NVS units. This was reduced to a mean value of 0.90 ± 1.50 NVS units one-week post-RF, 1.08 ± 1.53 at one month, 1.54 ± 1.88 at three months, 2.33 ± 2.17 at six months, and 3.23 ± 2.23 at 12 months of follow-up

p
<
0.01

. Pain decrease of more than 4 NVS units was noticed in 35/39 knees (89.7%) at first week, 36/39 knees (92.3%) at first month, 35/39 knees (89.7%) at three months, 32/39 knees (82.1%) at six months, and 25/39 knees (64.1%) at one year. There was no recurrence during the follow-up. No complication was observed. Conclusions. Percutaneous, intra-articular application of STP PRF is an effective and safe technique for chronic pain reduction in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Results seem to be reproducible and long lasting with significant patient satisfaction at 12-month follow-up.
Key Experimental Factors of Machine Learning-Based Identification of Surgery Cancellations
Authors: Zhang Fengyi , Cui Xinyuan , Gong Renrong , Zhang Chuan , Liao Zhigao
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to provide effective methods for the identification of surgeries with high cancellation risk based on machine learning models and analyze the key factors that affect the identification performance. The data covered the period from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014, at West China Hospital in China, which focus on elective urologic surgeries. All surgeries were scheduled one day in advance, and all cancellations were of institutional resource- and capacity-related types. Feature selection strategies, machine learning models, and sampling methods are the most discussed topic in general machine learning researches and have a direct impact on the performance of machine learning models. Hence, they were considered to systematically generate complete schemes in machine learning-based identification of surgery cancellations. The results proved the feasibility and robustness of identifying surgeries with high cancellation risk, with the considerable maximum of area under the curve (AUC) (0.7199) for random forest model with original sampling using backward selection strategy. In addition, one-side Delong test and sum of square error analysis were conducted to measure the effects of feature selection strategy, machine learning model, and sampling method on the identification of surgeries with high cancellation risk, and the selection of machine learning model was identified as the key factors that affect the identification of surgeries with high cancellation risk. This study offers methodology and insights for identifying the key experimental factors for identifying surgery cancellations, and it is helpful to further research on machine learning-based identification of surgeries with high cancellation risk.
A Quadratic Traversal Algorithm of Shortest Weeding Path Planning for Agricultural Mobile Robots in Cornfield
Authors: Zhang Le , Li Rui , Li Zhiqiang , Meng Yuyao , Liang Jinxin , Fu Leiyang , Jin Xiu , Li Shaowen
Published: February 2021

In order to improve the weeding efficiency and protect farm crops, accurate and fast weeds removal guidance to agricultural mobile robots is an utmost important topic. Based on this motivation, we propose a time-efficient quadratic traversal algorithm for the removal guidance of weeds around the recognized corn in the field. To recognize the weeds and corns, a Faster R-CNN neural network is implemented in real-time recognition. Then, an ultra-green characterization (EXG) hyperparameter is used for grayscale image processing. An improved OTSU (IOTSU) algorithm is proposed to accurately generate and optimize the binary image. Compared to the traditional OTSU algorithm, the improved OTSU algorithm effectively shortens the search speed of the algorithm and reduces the calculation processing time by compressing the range of the search grayscale range. Finally, based on the contour of the target plants and the Canny edge detection operator, the shortest weeding path guidance can be calculated by the proposed quadratic traversal algorithm. The experimental results proved that our search success rate can reach 90.0% on the testing date. This result ensured the accurate selection of the target 2D coordinates in the pixel coordinate system. Transforming the target 2D coordinate point in the pixel coordinate system into the 3D coordinate point in the camera coordinate system as well as using a depth camera can achieve multitarget depth ranging and path planning for an optimized weeding path.
Transfer of Th17 from Adult Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats Accelerates Development of Hypertension in Juvenile Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Kim Jee Young , Lee Eunjo , Koo Soohyeon , Kim Cheong-Wun , Kim InKyeom
Published: February 2021

Hypertension develops in the recipient rats that are transferred with the activated T helper (Th) 17 cells of the donor rats exposed to high‐fructose or high‐salt intake. This result suggests that a pathologic Th17 cell plays a role in the development and maintenance of hypertension. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the transfer of Th17 cells from adult spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) accelerates the development of hypertension in juvenile SHR. The tail‐cuff method was used to measure systolic blood pressure. T cell (Th17 and regulatory T (Treg)) profiling was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of Th17‐related interleukin‐ (IL‐) 17A and Treg‐related IL‐10 were measured by ELISA. Th17 cells isolated from adult SHR were intraperitoneally injected into juvenile recipient SHR and Wistar‐Kyoto rats (WKY). SHR exhibited prominent development of hypertension at 15 weeks. The proportion of CD4+IL‐17A+ (Th17) cells among Th cells increased whereas the proportion of CD4+FoxP3+ (Treg) cells decreased in SHR, as compared to WKY. The serum levels of IL‐17A increased gradually with aging in SHR, but the serum levels of IL‐10 did not. The serum levels of IL‐17A and IL‐10 seemed to be well related to the proportion of Th17 cells and Treg cells, respectively. Injection of Th17 cells isolated from adult SHR accelerates the development of hypertension in juvenile SHR but not in juvenile WKY though it increased the proportion of Th17 cells in juvenile recipient WKY and SHR. The transfer of Th17 cells from adult SHR accelerates the development of hypertension in juvenile SHR. These results implicate that the hypertension in SHR is ascribed to activation of Th17 cells.
Transformer Fault Identification with an IF-1DCNN Based on Informative Integration of Heterogeneous Sources
Authors: Du Huipeng , Wang Gang , Li Jiazhao
Published: February 2021

Only using single feature information as input feature cannot fully reflect the transformer fault classification and improve the accuracy of transformer fault diagnosis. To address the above problem, the convolution neural networks’ model is applied for transformer fault assessment designed to implement an end-to-end “different space feature extraction + transformer state diagnosis classification” to enable information from possibly heterogeneous sources to be integrated. This method integrates various feature information of the power transformer operation state to form the isomeric feature, and the model can be used to automatically extract different feature spaces’ information from isomeric feature quantity using its unique one-dimensional convolution and pooling operations. The performance of the proposed approach is compared with that of other models, such as a support vector machine (SVM), backpropagation neural network (BPNN), deep belief network (DBNs), and others. The experimental results show that the proposed one-dimensional convolution neural networks based on an isomeric feature (IF-1DCNN) can accurately classify the fault state of transformer and reduce the adverse interaction between different feature space information in the mixed feature, which has a good engineering application prospect.
Expression of Inflammatory Factors in Critically Ill Patients with Urosepticemia and the Imaging Analysis of the Severity of the Disease
Authors: Huang Xia , Hu Zongjun , Yue Xi , Cui Yong , Cui Jiwen
Published: February 2021

Urine sepsis is a complex inflammatory response of the body to infection with a high fatality rate. It is one of the main causes of death in noncardiovascular intensive care units. Nevertheless, in daily clinical practice, early sepsis is often not detected. In this paper, discharged cases of urinary sepsis from the Department of Urology and Critical Care Medicine of a university hospital were collected as the observation group, and common urinary tract infection cases were selected as the control group. We sorted and summarized the discharged case information of the observation group and the control group. The results of the study showed that, after renal pelvis perfusion, the expression of HMGB1 protein and mRNA increased, and the expression of TLR4 increased; inhibiting HMGB1 can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors caused by perfusion and reduce the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages caused by perfusion. In addition, r HMGB1 treatment can promote the expression of inflammatory factors caused by perfusion and aggravate the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages caused by perfusion. We found that inhibition of HMGB1 can inhibit the expression of TLR4/My D88 signaling molecules and r HMGB1 treatment can enhance the expression of TLR4/My D88 signaling molecules.
Security Risk Analysis of Active Distribution Networks with Large‐Scale Controllable Loads under Malicious Attacks
Authors: Liang Jiaqi , Wu Yibei , Li Jun’e , Chen Xiong , Tong Heqin , Ni Ming
Published: February 2021

With the development of distributed networks, the remote controllability of the distributed energy objects and the vulnerability of user‐side information security protection measures make distributed energy objects extremely vulnerable to malicious control by attackers. Hence, the large‐scale loads may produce abnormal operation performance, such as load casting/dropping synchronously or frequent and synchronous casting and dropping, and hence, it can threaten the security and stable operation of the distribution networks. First, we analyze the security threats faced by industrial controllable load, civil controllable load, and the gains and losses of attacks on the distribution networks. Considering the factors of cyber attacks, we propose a control model and cyber attack model in active distribution networks (ADNs). And, three types of attacks that the target suffered are defined on the basis of “on” and “off” modes for control. Then, the controllable load was maliciously controlled as the research object, and a suitable scenario is selected. The impact of malicious control of the controllable load on the power supply reliability and power quality of the distribution networks are simulated and analyzed, and risk consequences for different types of attacks are provided.
[Retracted] Novel Insights into the Molecular Features and Regulatory Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Dynamic Disorder in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Tan Ying , Xia Fengfan , Li Lulan , Peng Xiaojie , Liu Wenqian , Zhang Yaoyuan , Fang Haihong , Zeng Zhenhua , Chen Zhongqing
Published: February 2021

Mitochondria maintain mitochondrial homeostasis through continuous fusion and fission, that is, mitochondrial dynamics, which is precisely mediated by mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins, including dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusin 1 and 2 (Mfn1/2), and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1). When the mitochondrial fission and fusion of cardiomyocytes are out of balance, they will cause their own morphology and function disorders, which damage the structure and function of the heart, are involved in the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular disease such as ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI), septic cardiomyopathy, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this paper, we focus on the latest findings regarding the molecular features and regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamic disorder in cardiovascular pathologies. Finally, we will address how these findings can be applied to improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Key Strata Inducing Dynamic Disasters Based on Energy Condition: Criterion and Application
Authors: Xu Chao , Yang Gang , Sun Haoshi , Qin Liangliang , Wang Kai , Ren Bo , Wen Zhijie
Published: February 2021

The thick and hard rock strata (THRS) exist widely in coal measure strata, which control the movements of overlying rock strata in stopes. When THRS break, great energy is released, which could aggravate the risks of coal and gas outburst, rock burst, and other dynamic disasters. Therefore, the foundation and key of preventing dynamic disasters are to distinguish the THRS that could induce coal-rock dynamic disasters and to analyze the laws of rock stratum breaking and energy releasing. The paper proposed the theoretical calculation methods of the energy accumulation and attenuation of rock breaking which is greatly affected by the hanging length of rock strata and the spreading distance. One or more roof strata that play a leading role in inducing dynamic disasters of the underlying coal mass are defined as the key disaster-inducing strata (KDIS). The disaster-inducing coefficient (DIC) is defined and used as the criterion of KDIS. The greater the source energy, the shorter the spreading distance, and the smaller the attenuation coefficient are, the easier the roof strata are to become KDIS. The disaster-inducing ability of the main THRS was analyzed, and the igneous sill was judged as KDIS, taking the Yangliu Coal Mine as project background. The breaking laws of the igneous sill were obtained by the methods of UDEC numerical simulation and microseismic monitoring, which verified the criterion of KDIS.
Highway Event Detection Algorithm Based on Improved Fast Peak Clustering
Authors: Pei Lili , Sun Zhaoyun , Han Yuxi , Li Wei , Zhao Huaixin
Published: February 2021

Aiming at the mining of traffic events based on large amounts of highway data, this paper proposes an improved fast peak clustering algorithm to process highway toll data. The highway toll data are first analyzed, and a data cleaning method based on the sum of similar coefficients is proposed to process the original data. Next, to avoid the shortcomings of the excessive subjectivity of the original algorithm, an improved fast peak clustering algorithm is proposed. Finally, the improved algorithm is applied to highway traffic condition analysis and abnormal event mining to obtain more accurate and intuitive clustering results. Compared with two classical algorithms, namely, the k-means and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithms, as well as the unimproved original fast peak clustering algorithm, the proposed algorithm is faster and more accurate and can reveal the complex relationships among massive data more efficiently. During the process of reforming the toll system, the algorithm can automatically and more efficiently analyze massive toll data and detect abnormal events, thereby providing a theoretical basis and data support for the operation monitoring and maintenance of highways.
An Effective Chaos‐Based Image Encryption Scheme Using Imitating Jigsaw Method
Authors: Li Zhen , Peng Changgen , Tan Weijie , Li Liangrong
Published: February 2021

In this paper, an efficient chaos‐based image encryption scheme is proposed, which uses the imitating jigsaw method containing revolving and shifting operations. In this scheme, there are three processes in encryption: preprocessing, encryption process, and postprocessing. In the preprocessing, the original image is partitioned into 64 × 64 pixel image blocks and then randomly revolved and shifted under control sequences which are generated by the hyperchaotic Lorenz system whose initial conditions are calculated by original image and keys. Therefore, the preprocessing is sensitive to plain image against differential attacks. In the encryption process, the after‐preprocessing image is partitioned into 32 × 32 pixel image blocks; next they are randomly revolved and encrypted by control sequence and key blocks which are generated by the skew tent map. In postprocessing, the after‐encryption image is partitioned into 16 × 16 pixels’ image blocks, and they are randomly revolved and shifted again under control sequences which are related with encrypted image and keys. The postprocessing further increases the diffusion characteristics. Moreover, the test experiment and security analyses are given; the results show that our proposed cryptosystem has both security and speed performance.
Cerebral Ischemia after Stenting of Coarctation of the Aorta
Authors: Doughmi D. , Benlamkaddem S. , Berdai M. A. , Atmani S. , Harandou M.
Published: February 2021

Percutaneous stenting angioplasty of native coarctation of the aorta is considered a low-risk procedure with high success rate. The incidence of cerebral complications, especially ischemic complications, is very low. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy who underwent a percutaneous stenting angioplasty for a coarctation of the aorta and developed a cerebral infraction 4 hours after the procedure.
Preliminary Study on Disinfectant Susceptibility/Resistance Profiles of Bacteria Isolated from Slaughtered Village Free-Range Chickens in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Acsa Igizeneza , Lilly Caroline Bebora , Philip Njeru Nyaga , Lucy Wanjiru Njagi
Published: February 2021

Disinfectants are regularly used for cleansing poultry slaughterhouses to control microorganisms. However, the microorganisms such as bacteria are developing resistance to disinfectant(s) and complicate control of bacterial infections. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine disinfectant susceptibility/resistance patterns manifested by bacteria (to commonly used disinfectants), which were isolated from intestines of slaughtered indigenous chickens in Nairobi, Kenya. The method used was agar well diffusion, and the six disinfectants (their active ingredients are in brackets) tested were as follows: Kupacide® (glutaraldehyde; benzalkonium chloride); TH4+® (didecyl dimethyl ammonium HCl; dioctyl dimethyl ammonium HCl; octyl decyldimethyl ammonium HCl; alkyl dimethyl ammonium HCl; and glutaraldehyde); Noro cleanse® (glutaraldehyde; coco-benzyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride); Dettol® (chloroxylenol); Savlon® (chlorhexidine gluconate; cetrimide; and N-propylalcohol); and Jik® (sodium hypochlorite). At recommended user concentration by the manufacturer, isolates showed various resistance to the respective disinfectants. E. coli isolates were resistant to five of the tested disinfectants (Jik®, TH4+®, Noro cleanse®, Dettol®, and Kupacide®); however, they were susceptible to Savlon®; Staphylococcus isolates were resistant to disinfectants to Jik® and TH4+® and susceptible to the rest disinfectants; Streptococcus isolates were only resistant to Jik® and susceptible to the remaining disinfectants. Some E. coli and Staphylococcus isolates showed resistance to more than one disinfectant. This study has demonstrated resistance of the bacterial isolates to various disinfectants at recommended user concentrations, although some of them were susceptible at higher concentration(s) and lower concentrations. This will interfere with the cleansing of the respective premises, resulting in contaminated products, which may end-up causing disease in the humans consuming them. Hence, it is recommended that one ascertains the efficacy of respective disinfectant by carrying out disinfectant susceptibility testing to know the effective ones and the appropriate concentration to use.
On Characterization of Norm-Referenced Achievement Grading Schemes toward Explainability and Selectability
Authors: Banditwattanawong Thepparit , Masdisornchote Masawee
Published: February 2021

Grading is the process of interpreting learning competence to inform learners and instructors of the current learning ability levels and necessary improvement. For norm-referenced grading, the instructors use a conventionally statistical method, z score. It is difficult for such a method to achieve explainable grade discrimination to resolve dispute between learners and instructors. To solve such difficulty, this paper proposes a simple and efficient algorithm for explainable norm-referenced grading. Moreover, the rise of artificial intelligence nowadays makes machine learning techniques attractive to the norm-referenced grading in general. This paper also investigates two popular clustering methods, K-means and partitioning around medoids. The experiment relied on the data sets of various score distributions and a metric, namely, Davies–Bouldin index. The comparative evaluation reveals that our algorithm overall outperforms the other three methods and is appropriate for all kinds of data sets in almost all cases. Our findings however lead to a practically useful guideline for the selection of appropriate grading methods including both clustering methods and z score.
The Impact of Human Resources Management Practice amidst COVID-19
Authors: Mobo Froilan D.
Published: February 2021

The Novel Corona Virus COVID-19 made a huge impact in most private and government institutions with regards to their Human Resource Management Practices, especially in terms of how employees will work during the time of the pandemic. As per the InterAgency Task Force on COVID-19 Philippines there is a need to observe Social Distance and proper quarantine protocol to avoid from the infections of the widespread virus. The Civil Service Commission Philippines and the other government agencies release a memorandum on the operational process of manpower during the pandemic situations. As a result of their discussion they have come-up with a new approach with regards to operational procedures on Human Resources. Most of the Human Resource Management Officer arranged a Work From Home Scheme while others on a 50% capacity of manpower to report for work depending on the quarantine protocol set by regions or provinces. New Best Practices will be applied in the coming New Normal in terms of Human Resources Management Approach.
Transcending the Philippine Educational Culturethrough Virtual andAugmented Reality with the Integration of the Learning ManagementSystems
Authors: Mobo Froilan D.
Published: February 2021

Amidst the current pandemic situation right now, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education are facing a lot of challenges that will take place this coming opening of classes, and part of their initiative is to adopt the mode of flexible learning. In the case of other Higher Education and other educational sectors which caters topractical and situation cases either scientific or technical approaches in facing the real-time situation. The Researcher is propos-ing a new alternative flexible learning that will ease up the situations of the current pandemic in all education levels, which is the integration of Virtual Reality, of AR learning content as part of the educational authoring tools, a web-based platform for the development of Augmented content, the distribution of which is accomplished through standardized Learning Management Systems (LMS) using SCORM packages library. Furthermore, a collaborative framework solves the problem of standard integration of Augmented and Virtual Reality applications in education offering a distributed framework which is the Learning Management System platform, (Barbadillo, Barnera, Goñi, & Sánchez, 2014). Upon the implementation of this interactive and immersive technology platforms, higher-order thinking or critical thinking skills will develop further.
Tutorials: Transforming Student Learning and Generating Employment
Authors: Negi Mary Ann
Published: February 2021

Tutorials provide quality learning and as a result empowered students. Teaching in a government university in Zambia, it is recognized like everywhere else in the world, there are large student numbers that flock universities each year with the idea of enhancing their qualifications for gainful employment and thereby achieve good lifestyles. However, the gap between learning and achievement is skewed. Many depend on minimal information sufficient enough to pass an examination. It has been observed that students will benefit greatly if there were tutorial hours set aside each day for students to consult, improve their knowledge, acquire confidence and gain a level of professionalism through student-student and student-teacher interactions and activities. Tutorial teaching is a method delivered following a lecture. In a tutorial the teaching is given to a specific group of students who have feel they need the added impetus to achieve their individual academic goals. The very aim of a tutorialis to help students to improve their academic abilities which are not explicated in a classroom with achievers and overachievers.Tutoring usually help strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills. Tutoring gives students more attention than in a lecture theatre where any special attention which is well-nigh impossible for the lecturer, if one takes into consideration the limitations of time and the number of students in attendance. Tutorials help students who struggle to keep up with the rest, as well as those who are not challenged enough.
A Study on Impact of Stress towards Work Related Behavior among Secondary School Teachers in Malawi
Authors: Palanivel R. V. , Michael S.
Published: February 2021

This investigation conducted on impact of stress towards work behavior among secondary school teachers in Mangochi, Malawi. 200 secondary school teachers were randomly chosen to form as participants for the investigation. Data were collected by using research questionnaire titled “stress management in educational sector”. The purpose of this study was to identify the various impacts of stress towards work related behavior among secondary school teachers. This study reported that teachers were encountered impacts on job related behaviors such as losing interest in teaching, committing a lot of errors in work, Not attending to students’ needs, transferring of aggression to students, increasing Absence. Male teachers encountered more impacts in job related behaviors compared to female teachers. There was positive correlation between age of the respondents and respondents encountered in job behaviors. Master degree holders encountered more job-related impacts compared to all other teachers who are all secured certificate, diploma and Bachelor degree. Teachers who are having experience between 11–15 and 16–20 years encountered more stress impact on job behavior compared to teachers who are having experience in teaching between 0 to 10 years.
Instructional Competence and Faculty Performance among Maritime Schools in Central Luzon
Authors: Abad Mirasol , Manalo Kristine
Published: February 2021

The study investigated into the maritime faculty quality and excellence in education, mainly because they oversee facilitation of their students learning experiences. The effectiveness of their teaching is one of the factors that determine how well students' cadets would do in their voyage towards knowledge and acquisition. Thus, the advocacy to promote academic excellence and quality maritime education in the Philippines, as Philippine Merchant Marine Academy aims to be a center of maritime research making this institutional research in a regional scope to evaluate the instructional competence and faculty performance among maritime schools in Central Luzon. Descriptive survey design was used and this research was conducted in the ter-tiary level of the public and maritime schools in Region III. School year 2018-2019. The locale of the study is the three school duly rec-ognized by Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The respondents of the study were twenty-eight (28) technical maritime faculty from central Luzon offering a program of study of Bachelor of Science in marine transportation and in Bachelor of Science in marine engi-neering. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for the data collection. Pearson Moment Correlation, ANOVA, means, percentages and standard deviations were used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that the quality of teachers was high in terms of their academic and professional qualifications, and it did reflect much in the performance of the students.
Sleeping Habits, Classroom Behaviour and Academic Performance of Senior High School Students
Authors: Toyong Paul Junrey A.
Published: February 2021

Being sleepy in class can have a vital impact on the academic performance of a student. Lack of sufficient and adequate sleep can be harmful and even deadly. It is a basic necessity of life and important part of learning. This study utilized descriptive and correlational design to examine 119 senior high Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) students who were selected through simple random sampling. Findings revealed that 88 percent of the students were sleep deprived and they usually sleep for lessthan 6 hours only. Two of the reasons of sleeping late were using of Facebook and Messenger account and playing mobile games. The third reason was making assignments and homework. The most prevalent classroom behaviours were: students were sleepy during class discussions and they slept in class during vacant periods and the third prevalent behavior was they felt tired during classes. Sixty-one percent of the students have a general average of 75-79 which is only fairly satisfactory and 29 percent have 80-84 grade which is only satisfactory in the K-12 grading system. There was a significant negative relationship (cc= -0.420 and p=0.000) between number of hours of night sleep and sleepiness classroom behavior. This suggested that the less number of hours of night sleep is correlated to high occurrence of sleepiness classroom behavior. There was a significant positive relationship (cc=0.627 and p=0.000) between number of hours of night sleep and academic per-formance. This suggested that the high number of hours of night sleep is associated to high academic performance. On the other hand, students with less sleep had low academic performance. There was a significant negative relationship (cc= -0.544 and p=0.000) between sleepiness classroom behavior and the academic performance. This implied that high occurrence of sleepiness classroom behavior is associated to low academic performance. The implications may serve as basis for policy makers, school administrators and teachers to educate students including the parents on the proper use of mobile phones and other gadgets. The parents need to set sleeping time or lights-off rules and regulate the use of mobile phones. Sleeping time or routine shall be imposed. School administrators and teachers need to craft a well-planned and well-designed policy on giving assignments and homework to attain high scholastic achievement.
Sustaining Meaningful Work in a Crisis: Adopting and Conveying a Situational Purpose
Authors: Jiang Winnie Yun
Published: February 2021

This two-year inductive study of a refugee-resettlement agency examines how employees navigated a workload surge caused by a refugee crisis and sustained the perceived meaningfulness of their work during and after the surge. Employees shifted their conceptualization of meaningfulness from quality to quantity during the surge; post-surge, they again redefined meaningfulness, to encompass both quality and quantity. During these transitions, employees changed how they worked to resettle refugees via three subprocesses: negotiating emotional tension (“how I feel”), adopting a situational purpose (“what my work is for in this situation”), and adjusting their work practices (“what to do to achieve the situational purpose”). Though some refugees who arrived during the surge reported worse outcomes, those who had been told the rationale for employees’ quantity approach to work reported well-being and employment outcomes similar to those of refugees who had arrived during non-surge conditions. I offer a process model that elucidates how aid workers adapt their enactment of meaningful work in crisis conditions, highlighting finding a situational purpose—the provisional “why” or “for what” of their work in light of a new situation—while navigating a changing work environment.
Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of Aorta: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kinslow Kyle , Shepherd Aaron , McKenney Mark , Elkbuli Adel
Published: February 2021

Background

The data on resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) use continue to grow with its increasing use in trauma centers. The data in her last 5 years have not been systematically reviewed. We aim to assess current literature related to REBOA use and outcomes among civilian trauma populations.

Methods

A literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, and JAMA Network for studies regarding REBOA usage in civilian trauma from 2016 to 2020 is carried out. This review followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines.

Results

Our search yielded 35 studies for inclusion in our systematic review, involving 4073 patients. The most common indication for REBOA was patient presentation in hemorrhagic shock secondary to traumatic injury. REBOA was associated with significant systolic blood pressure improvement. Of 4 studies comparing REBOA to non-REBOA controls, 2 found significant mortality benefit with REBOA. Significant mortality improvement with REBOA compared to open aortic occlusion was seen in 4 studies. In the few studies investigating zone placement, highest survival rate was seen in patients undergoing zone 3. Overall, reports of complications directly related to overall REBOA use were relatively low.

Conclusion

REBOA has been shown to be effective in promoting hemodynamic stability in civilian trauma. Mortality data on REBOA use are conflicting, but most studies investigating REBOA vs. open occlusion methods suggest a significant survival advantage. Recent data on the REBOA technique (zone placement and partial REBOA) are sparse and currently insufficient to determine advantage with any particular variation. Overall, larger prospective civilian trauma studies are needed to better understand the benefits of REBOA in high-mortality civilian trauma populations.

Study Type

Systematic Review.

Level of evidence

III- Therapeutic.
Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers as Surrogate Markers for Stage in Colon Cancer
Authors: Uludag Server Sezgin , Sanli Ahmet Necati , Zengin Abdullah Kagan , Ozcelik Mehmet Faik
Published: February 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate whether the systemic inflammatory parameters currently in use in staging the disease can be used as biomarker tests operated colon cancer patients. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil/monocyte ratio (NMR), CRP, albumin, lymphocyte/CRP ratio, CRP/albumin ratio, and neutrophil/albumin ratio as systemic inflammatory biomarkers and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were evaluated.

Methods

This retrospective study included 592 patients. Patients with colon cancer in the cohort were divided into 2 subgroups: Tumor, nodes, metastases (TNM) stage 0, TNM stage 1, and TNM stage 2; early stage (n: 332) and TNM stage 3 and TNM stage 4; late stage (n: 260) colon cancer patients.

Results

LDH ( P < .001), NLR ( P < .001), PLR ( P < .05), CRP/albumin ( P < .01), and neutrophil/albumin ( P < .01) were significantly higher, while monocyte count ( P < .05) and PNI ( P < .01) were found to be significantly lower in late stage colon cancer patients than in early stage colon cancer patients. Moderate negative correlation was found between the PNI and the neutrophil/albumin ratio in late stage colon cancer patients (r: −.568, P < .001).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that high serum LDH, NLR, PLR, CRP/albumin, and neutrophil/albumin may be useful predictive markers for advanced stage in colon cancer. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis results, CRP/albumin ratio can be used to discriminate early from late stage. Preoperative low monocyte count and PNI are associated with postoperative staging patients with colon cancer.
Determination of Spectroscopic Parameters of Ag(I) and Ag(II) Emission Lines Using Time-Independent Extended C-Sigma Method
Authors: Safi Ali , Aberkane Sabrina Messaoud , Botto Asia , Campanella Beatrice , Legnaioli Stefano , Poggialini Francesco , Raneri Simona , Rezaei Fatemeh , Palleschi Vincenzo
Published: February 2021

The knowledge of the spectroscopic parameters of the elemental emission lines is important for diagnostics of laser-induced plasmas and the application of calibration-free/fundamental parameters analytical methods. In this paper, we used the recently proposed time-independent extended C-sigma method for determining, for the first time, the transition probabilities and Stark broadening coefficients of several neutral (TIECS) and ionic silver emission lines. The method allows for a compensation of self-absorption in the plasma, thus providing a measure of the spectroscopic parameters which is not affected by the optical thickness of the plasma.
Troponin least significant change (z-score) is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients presenting to the emergency department
Authors: Smith Joel D , Leong Kai'En , Fazio Timothy , Chiang Cherie
Published: February 2021

Background

A rise and/or fall in high sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-Tn) is critical in defining acute myocardial injury and therefore the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. A significant rise in hs-Tn is not well defined in current guidelines. Calculation of a z-score for two consecutive hs-Tn measurements is a method-independent measure of dynamic troponin elevation. However, the association of hs-Tn z-score with outcomes for unselected emergency department admissions is unknown. Moreover, the association of non-dynamic troponin elevations, as defined by a normal z-score, with clinical outcomes remains to be assessed.

Methods

We retrospectively calculated z-scores for patients presenting to emergency department over 18 months who had serial troponin measurements with at least one result >99th percentile using the Abbott hs-TnI assay. We assessed the association of z-score with discharge diagnosis, cardiac interventions, inpatient mortality, length of stay and readmission rates.

Results

There were 2062 presentations for 1830 patients where a z-score was calculated. Z-score was elevated in 1080 presentations. Dynamic troponin elevation (z-score ≥ 2) was associated with acute myocardial infarction (OR = 9.1, P < 0.01), admission to an inpatient unit (95 vs. 88%, P < 0.01), increased inpatient length of stay (97 vs. 65 days, P < 0.01), inpatient coronary intervention (21 vs. 6%, P < 0.01) and mortality (4.4 vs. 2.4%, P < 0.05) compared with myocardial injury with a static troponin elevation.

Conclusions

Z-score is an assay-independent tool to alert clinicians of significant, dynamic troponin elevation and acute myocardial injury. It is associated with poorer clinical outcomes.
Personal social networks as a superdiversity dimension: A qualitative approach with second-generation Americans
Authors: Álvarez-Pérez Pablo , Harris Victor W
Published: February 2021

The United States of America is a country with a long tradition of migration in which second- and third-generation Americans have been assimilated into a cultural ‘melting pot.’ This multicultural reality highlights the many varied elements of superdiversity that make up the complex characteristics of contemporary society in this country. In the present study, the authors seek to identify some of these elements of superdiversity by viewing them qualitatively through the eyes and experiences of offspring of multicultural transnational couples with a migratory background living in the US. The primary data collection consisted of 90-minute personal interviews with 29 subjects between 15 and 30 years of age who reside in the state of Florida and whose parents identified as being from different national origins. The results show significant differences in interpretations between the classic definitions of nationality and cultural identity, highlighting personal networks as a dimension to be taken into account for the analysis of superdiversity. Implications for practice and some directions for future research are discussed.
The Effects of Environmental Sustainability Labels on Selection, Purchase, and Consumption of Food and Drink Products: A Systematic Review
Authors: Potter Christina , Bastounis Anastasios , Hartmann-Boyce Jamie , Stewart Cristina , Frie Kerstin , Tudor Kate , Bianchi Filippo , Cartwright Emma , Cook Brian , Rayner Mike , Jebb Susan A.
Published: February 2021

This review assessed the effects of environmental labels on consumers’ demand for more sustainable food products. Six electronic databases were searched for experimental studies of ecolabels and food choices. We followed standard Cochrane methods and results were synthesized using vote counting. Fifty-six studies ( N = 42,768 participants, 76 interventions) were included. Outcomes comprised selection ( n = 14), purchase ( n = 40) and consumption ( n = 2). The ecolabel was presented as text ( n = 36), logo ( n = 13) or combination ( n = 27). Message types included: organic ( n = 25), environmentally sustainable ( n = 27), greenhouse gas emissions ( n = 17), and assorted “other” message types ( n = 7). Ecolabels were tested in actual ( n = 15) and hypothetical ( n = 41) environments. Thirty-nine studies received an unclear or high RoB rating. Sixty comparisons favored the intervention and 16 favored control. Ecolabeling with a variety of messages and formats was associated with the selection and purchase of more sustainable food products.
Effect of Hearing and Head Protection on the Localization of Tonal and Broadband Reverse Alarms
Authors: Laroche Chantal , Giguère Christian , Vaillancourt Véronique , Marleau Claudia , Cadieux Marie-France , Laprise-Girard Karina , Gula Emily , Carroll Véronique , Bibeau Manuelle , Nélisse Hugues
Published: February 2021

Objective

This study explored the effects of hearing protection devices (HPDs) and head protection on the ability of normal-hearing individuals to localize reverse alarms in background noise.

Background

Among factors potentially contributing to accidents involving heavy vehicles, reverse alarms can be difficult to localize in space, leading to errors in identifying the source of danger. Previous studies have shown that traditional tonal alarms are more difficult to localize than broadband alarms. In addition, HPDs and safety helmets may further impair localization.

Method

Standing in the middle of an array of eight loudspeakers, participants with and without HPDs (passive and level-dependent) had to identify the loudspeaker emitting a single cycle of the alarm while performing a task on a tablet computer.

Results

The broadband alarm was easier to localize than the tonal alarm. Passive HPDs had a significant impact on sound localization (earmuffs generally more so than earplugs), particularly double hearing protection, and level-dependent HPDs did not fully restore sound localization abilities. The safety helmet had a much lesser impact on performance than HPDs.

Conclusion

Where good sound localization abilities are essential in noisy workplaces, the broadband alarm should be used, double hearing protection should be avoided, and earplug-style passive or level-dependent devices may be a better choice than earmuff-style devices. Construction safety helmets, however, seem to have only a minimal effect on sound localization.

Application

Results of this study will help stakeholders make decisions that are more informed in promoting safer workplaces.
Economic conditions and perceptions of immigrants as an economic threat in Europe: Temporal dynamics and mediating processes
Authors: Heizmann Boris , Huth Nora
Published: February 2021

This article addresses the extent to which economic downturns influence the perception of immigrants as an economic threat and through which channels this occurs. Our primary objective is an investigation of the specific mechanisms that connect economic conditions to the perception of immigrants as a threat. We therefore also contribute to theoretical discussions based on group threat and realistic group conflict theory by exposing the dominant source of competition relevant to these relationships. Furthermore, we investigate whether people react more sensitive to short-term economic dynamics within countries than to the long-term economic circumstances. Our database comprises all waves of the European Social Survey from 2002 to 2017. The macro-economic indicators we use include GDP per capita, unemployment, and national debt levels, covering the most salient economic dimensions. We furthermore control for the country’s migration situation and aggregate party positions toward cultural diversity. Our results show that the dynamic short-term developments of the economy and migration within countries are of greater relevance for perceived immigrant threat than the long-term situation. In contrast, the long-term political climate appears to be more important than short-term changes in the aggregate party positions. Further mediation analyses show that objective economic conditions influence anti-immigrant attitudes primarily through individual perceptions of the country’s economic performance and that unemployment rates are of primary importance.