bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Zimbabwean Mathematics Teachers’ Integration Of Ethnomathematics Approaches Into The Teaching And Learning Of Geometry
Authors:   Bindura University of Science Education and University of KwaZulu-Natal, Sunzuma Gladys , Maharaj Aneshkumar ,   University of KwaZulu-Natal
Published: November 2020

This article reports on a study that explored how a group of in-service mathematics teachers integrated ethnomathematics approaches into the teaching and learning of geometry. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, which combined both quantitative and qualitative methods, to provide a deeper understanding of how the participants integrate ethnomathematics approaches into the teaching and learning of geometry. The data for the study were gathered from 40 in-service mathematics teachers through the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. Results showed that the in-service teachers integrate ethnomathematics approaches into the teaching and learning of geometry as learning materials, resources, and the learning context. Based on the study, it is suggested that teachers should consider the incorporation of ethnomathematics approaches into the teaching and learning of geometry using technological means such as the internet, TV, and films. The findings have implications for continuous teacher professional development in the forms of workshops for the teachers involving the use of ethnomathematics approaches.
El cuidado de la casa común. Releyendo «Laudato si’» en su quinto aniversario
Authors: Madrigal Terrazas Santiago
Published: November 2020

Este artículo pretender ser una invitación a la lectura de la primera encíclica social del papa Francisco en su quinto aniversario. «El desafío urgente de proteger nuestra casa común —dice el papa— incluye la preocupación de unir a toda la familia humana en la búsqueda de un desarrollo sostenible e integral, pues sabemos que las cosas pueden cambiar». La primera parte de este artículo ofrece una presentación del contenido de la encíclica, iluminando las ideas principales y el encadenamiento de los diferentes capítulos: la actual crisis ecológica, el Evangelio de la creación, las raíces de la crisis, una ecología integral, propuestas de diálogo y acción, líneas para una educación y espiritualidad ecológicas. Nuestra relectura de Laudato si’ incluye el resultado de la celebración del Sínodo sobre la Amazonia, la exhortación apostólica Querida Amazonia. Este artículo concluye mostrando que la idea trinitaria de la creación es el principio que nos invita a desarrollar una espiritualidad de la solidaridad global, porque «en el mundo todo está conectado».
Los rostros de Mengore. Antropología teológica desde el via crucis de Marko I. Rupnik
Authors: Carrión Arias José Manuel
Published: November 2020

El arte de Marko I. Rupnik, uno de los principales artistas al servicio de la Iglesia, no resulta a primera vista asombroso. No es un arte para admirar, sino un arte de la presencia, capaz de poner en diálogo el arte paleocristiano y bizantino con el lenguaje de las vanguardias. Esta investigación se centra en las connotaciones teológicas y antropológicas que se pueden extraer del vía crucis que realizó en 2008, en su Eslovenia natal; unos mosaicos formados exclusivamente por rostros, en los que unos grandes ojos, más allá de interpelar al peregrino, le hablan de la constitución más profunda del ser humano y de la vocación a la que está llamado.
A public-private partnership to transform online education through high levels of academic student support
Authors: Walsh Chris , Mital Abhinav , Ratcliff Michael , Yap Ana , Jamaleddine Zeina
Published: November 2020

Online education often struggles to maintain a consistent, high quality academic experience. High attrition rates and low student satisfaction continue to challenge higher education providers. We present an innovative public-private partnership that delivers a resources-sufficient model of fully online postgraduate education with high levels of academic student support in an unbundled approach. The partnership overcomes the challenges that plague online education by leveraging learning analytics to provide highly responsive student support, 7 days a week and in the evenings. The success of this model is its ability to ameliorate problems inherent in online education. This includes the lack of ongoing staff training and support to successfully teach online, staff availability when students need support and insufficient staff-student ratios. As the sector moves towards a digitally integrated future, our model of online education illustrates how a public-private partnership can provide online learning that is effective as measured by high rates of student retention and transition, satisfaction, and academic success. We argue our resources-sufficient model provides a transformational roadmap for scaled online learning that creatively reimagines supported, personalised, engaged and student-centred digital learning as the sector moves towards a digitally integrated future.

Implications for practice or policy

Public-private partnerships can represent a rebundling of the university that explicates how the university should work to provide responsive, supported, and high-quality online education.

A resources-sufficient model of online education characterised by high levels of ongoing staff training, learning analytics to track student engagement, and optimum staff-student ratios, increases student retention and transition, satisfaction, and academic success.

Student engagement systems that leverage learning analytics can work to increase students’ academic success and decrease attrition rates.
Just when I needed you most: Establishing on-demand learning support in a regional university
Authors: Wilson Gail , McAuley Andrew , Ashton-Hay Sally , Van Eyk Tina
Published: November 2020

This article discusses the experiences and challenges of introducing a third-party learning support provider into the teaching and learning culture at Southern Cross University (SCU), a regional university with campus locations in New South Wales and Queensland. The provider was engaged to extend online study support after-hours to first year students to complement the on-campus and online academic skills consultations available during business hours. The case study covers a 2015 pilot, a wider roll-out in 2016, and finally, a 2017 university-wide access via the intranet as well as through nominated units. The project team collaborated, planned, and prepared for adding third-party student support with specific strategies used to implement institutional cultural change. The case study offers implications for practice and policy across the higher education sector through the lessons learned, including the need for a complementarity of services approach with existing student services, a team-based strategic approach with a provider representative, and the benefits from open and positive communication. The partnership between SCU and the third-party provider evolved to the mutual benefit of both organisations. Students received support and feedback when they needed it most, academic staff revitalised coursework, and the third-party provider fine-tuned a targeted service for the institution.

Implications for practice or policy:

Situate the academic skills support services provided in-house and the service provided by the third-party provider as complementary to each other.

Re-enforce this complementarity in all communication with students and academic staff.

Adopt a team-based approach to planning the introduction and implementation of a third-party provider’s services.

Utilise the provider’s strengths, such as data generation and reporting, that enable student usage information about the after-hours service to be disseminated across the university.
Poziom sytuacyjnej wrażliwości edukacyjnej uczniów z uszkodzonym słuchem w momencie startu edukacyjnego
Authors: Olempska-Wysocka Magdalena
Published: November 2020

Situational educational sensitivity is one of the components of the educational sensitivity model, which is the child's vulnerability to the implementation of tasks related to the role of the student. There are situational sensitivity of instrumental processes and situational educational sensitivity of directional processes. The study involved 74 children with hearing impairment in a profound and significant degree, beginning their studies in the first grade in primary school. The research was carried out in the first semester, in central Poland, in integration and special schools. The aim of the research was to determine the situational level of sensitivity of deaf pupils starting school education. The conducted research allows to determine which of the ranges are the best and the least developed, which enables orientation towards the rehabilitation and therapeutic interactions of this group of students.
Niewidzenie a kompetencje pragmatyczne w komunikacji
Authors: Czerwińska Kornelia , Piskorska Agnieszka
Published: November 2020

The paper argues that gaps in knowledge attested in congenitally blind individuals may negatively affect their performance in foreign language tasks testing reading comprehension. Characteristics of a blind learner at various stages of cognitive and educational development are presented, with focus on gaps in knowledge resulting from sight impairment. The concept of pragmatic competence is first explained generally in reference to communication and then it is applied to a case of a comprehension task taken from an EFL exam (Polish “matura”, basic level). An analysis of the text indicates that despite being relatively simple in linguistic terms, comprehension tasks may pose a significant processing challenge to blind students due to a large amount of implicitly communicated information dependent on visual experience.
Sprawozdanie z VII Spotkania Na Tak – Konferencji Naukowej, pt. (Nie)dyrektywnie, Poznań, 17-18 listopada 2017 r.
Authors: Socha Justyna
Published: November 2020

Sprawozdanie z VII Spotkania Na Tak – Konferencji Naukowej, pt. (Nie)dyrektywnie, Poznań, 17-18 listopada 2017 r.
Internetowe wsparcie społeczne
Authors: WALTER NATALIA
Published: November 2020

Natalia Walter, Internetowe wsparcie społeczne [Online social support]. Interdyscyplinarne Konteksty Pedagogiki Specjalnej, nr 23, Poznań 2018. Pp. 29-58. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-391X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/ikps.2018.23.02

New media are the tools that support human’s intellectual functioning. For many people with disabilities they may become the sole opportunity for accessing information, communicating, learning or working. On the other hand, new media also provide a space for social interactions that could affect the process of coping with critical events, both ordinary and traumatic ones. The key concept for the discussion is internet-based social support, defined as support available online to a person dealing with a critical event which needs to be overcome with external resources coming from virtual groups comprising people experiencing difficulties of a similar nature, in the past or currently. The author posed the question whether internet social support is ubiquitous, and what it manifests itself. To answer this, she conducted quantitative and qualitative research. The data collected then became thebasis for analysis and theoretical considerations.
Edukacja medialna w kontekście cyberpsychologii: nowe perspektywy badania mediów i ich użytkowników we współczesnej cywilizacji medialnej
Authors: OGONOWSKA AGNIESZKA
Published: November 2020

Agnieszka Ogonowska, Edukacja medialna w kontekście cyberpsychologii: nowe perspektywy badania mediów i ich użytkowników we współczesnej cywilizacji medialnej [Media education in the context of cyber-psychology: new perspectives for media and user research in contemporary media civilisation]. Interdyscyplinarne Konteksty Pedagogiki Specjalnej, nr 23, Poznań 2018. Pp. 93-109. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-391X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/ikps.2018.23.05

The aim of the article is to show new perspectives of research and development of media, digital and information competences in the context of knowledge and research in (cyber) psychology. It draws attention to the functions of media education in relation to civil society, the society of knowledge, and the society of communication democracy. In the modern media civilization, these competences, acquired through formal and informal education, are the basis for conscious functioning in many social roles (eg citizen, consumer) and dealing with disinformation. The last part of the article is dedicated to shaping media competences in young children (2.5-7 years old), who should develop these skills under the care of an adult. The task of educational environments is the systematic implementation of home media education that facilitates the child's functioning in the environment of traditionaland new media.
Cyfrowi komunikatorzy – twórcy czy odtwórcy?
Authors: WOBALIS MIROSŁAW
Published: November 2020

Mirosław Wobalis, Digital Communicators – creators or imitators?, Interdisciplinary Contexts of Special Pedagogy, No. 23, Poznań 2018. Pp. 117–133. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-391X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/ikps.2018.23.07

The article touches upon the issue of influence of modern digital media on the attitudes of recipients/ broadcasters (digital communicators) related to their creative activities. The first indication applies to the fact that the development of digital technologies introduces a new digital order of communication (from the primary order, through the secondary and hybrid order, to the digital order), which in turn provides communicators with a broad spectrum of new methods and tools of communication 0 including tools permitting creative activities. Second of all, it is noted that despite the mentioned rich offer of digital tools and the promotion of creative attitudes, digital media, in particular global social media, are dominated by attitudesof re-production related both to common re-distribution of existing content (sharing, copying and pasting, etc.), and even limiting creativity entirely (likes, tags). The remarks made are compared to opinions of digital media researchers and neurobiologists indicating on the one hand the weakening/ dissolution of the reception of content by digital media (the negative effect of multi-tasking), and on the other hand, the supersaturation of emotions related to the reception of content (negative influence of computer games). In conclusion, attention is turned to the necessity of establishing in contemporary communicators (on all levels of education) of digital communication competences, in particular the promotion of creative attitudesrelated to these competences.
Diagnostic performance of renal ultrasonography in detecting chronic kidney disease of various severity
Authors: Kodikara Iroshani , Gamage Dhanusha T. K. , Nanayakkara Ganananda , Ilayperuma Isurani
Published: November 2020

Background

Association between early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and low morbidity and mortality rate has been proven. Thus, tools for early CKD diagnosis are vital. Ultrasonography has been widely used to diagnose and monitor the progression of CKD.

Objectives

To determine the performance of selected renal ultrasonographic parameters for the diagnosis of early CKD.

Methods

In a cohort of patients diagnosed with CKD (n = 100), diagnostic performance of ultrasonographically measured renal length (RL), renal cortical thickness (RCT), and parenchymal thickness (PT) was determined using receiver operating curve analysis; correlation of each parameter with the associated comorbidities and serum creatinine (Scr) levels was also determined. Severity of CKD was graded with estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR).

Results

Of all patient participants, 85 had severity grades 2 or 3. Mean (standard deviation) Scr was 1.88 (0.60) mg/dL; eGFR was 43.3 (11.85) mL/min/1.73 m2. RL was 9.01 (0.83) cm, PT was 1.32 (0.22) cm, and RCT was 6.0 (0.10) mm. PT and RCT were positively correlated with eGFR (P = 0.01 and 0.002, respectively). Early CKD was better predicted by PT (area under the curve (AUC) 0.735; 82% sensitivity; 30% specificity; 68% positive predictive value (PPV)) and RCT (AUC 0.741; 82% sensitivity; 48% specificity; 51% PPV); severe CKD was better predicted by RL (AUC 0.809; 67% sensitivity; 26% specificity, 45% PPV; 13% negative predictive value).

Conclusion

Index ultrasonic parameters show a diagnostic role in different stages of CKD. The index ultrasound and biochemical parameters showed a complementary role in predicting renal dysfunction.
Minkowski inequalities and constrained inverse curvature flows in warped spaces
Authors: Scheuer Julian
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with locally constrained inverse curvature flows in a broad class of Riemannian warped spaces.
For a certain class of such flows, we prove long-time existence and smooth convergence to a radial coordinate slice.
In the case of two-dimensional surfaces and a suitable speed, these flows enjoy two monotone quantities.
In such cases, new Minkowski type inequalities are the consequence.
In higher dimensions, we use the inverse mean curvature flow to obtain new Minkowski inequalities when the ambient radial Ricci curvature is constantly negative.
Averroes’s Unity Argument Against Multiple Intellects
Authors: Ogden Stephen R.
Published: November 2020

Averroes (Ibn Rushd) is well-known for his controversial thesis that there is only one separate intellect for all humankind. This article provides a detailed analysis of Averroes’s Unity Argument from hisLong Commentary on De Anima, which argues from unified intelligible concepts to a single transcendent intellect. I set out the Unity Argument in its textual and philosophical context, explain exactly how the argument works on a new interpretation of its infinite regress (based on Averroes’s other assumptions about the mind-dependence of universals), and offer some brief suggestions as to how it might be further evaluated in light of alternative ancient and medieval theories. Ultimately, I demonstrate that the Unity Argument is Averroes’s most important philosophical argument for his distinctive view of intellect.
Comparación de tres métodos para la medida de la concentración de anticuerpos anti-receptor de tirotropina (TRAb) en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Graves. Validación clínica
Authors: Silvestre Ramona A. , Almería Lafuente Alejandro , Jiménez-Mendiguchía Lucía , García-Cano Ana , Romero López Rubén , García-Izquierdo Belén , Pardo de Santayana Cristina , Iglesias Pedro , Díez Juan J. , Arribas Gómez Ignacio , Bernabeu-Andreu Francisco A.
Published: November 2020

Objetivos

La enfermedad de Graves (EG) es una enfermedad secundaria a la presencia de autoanticuerpos anti-receptor de TSH (TRAb) que estimulan la producción de hormonas tiroideas. La medida de la concentración de TRAb es crucial para su diagnóstico etiológico. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron 1. Comparar dos métodos de medida de TRAb por quimioluminiscencia con el método habitual del laboratorio (TRACE-inmunofluorescencia). 2. Determinar la validez diagnóstica de los tres métodos.

Métodos

Estudio retrospectivo de 194 pacientes con petición de TRAb, analizado por: inmunofluorescencia (Kryptor, ThermoFisher) y quimioluminiscencia (Immulite, Siemens y Maglumi, Snibe). Validación clínica: revisión de historias clínicas y clasificación según función tiroidea. Análisis estadísticos: Variables cuantitativas, coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI) y gráfica de Bland-Altman, diferencia de medias (Dm). Variables cualitativas, dicotomizadas según puntos de corte, coeficiente Kappa. Correlación: Pearson y regresión de Passing-Bablok. Se estudió la validez diagnóstica de los tres métodos.

Resultados

Kryptor-Immulite: Dm: 1,2 (IC95%: –16 a+18). Passing-Bablok: Error constante (IC95%: –0,8349 a–0,5987). Error proporcional (IC95%: 0,7862–1,0387). CCI: 0,86 (IC95%: 0,82–0,89). Coeficiente-Kappa: 0,68 (IC95%: 0,59–0,78). Kryptor-Maglumi: Dm: −0,3 (IC95%: −12 a+12). Passing-Bablok: Error constante (IC95%): −0,7701 a+0,1621. Error proporcional (IC95%): 0,8571 a 1,3179. CCI: 0,93 (IC95%: 0,89–0,97). Coeficiente-Kappa: 0,53 (IC95%: 0,32–0,74). La enfermedad de Graves se confirmó en 113 pacientes (Kryptor: mejor especificidad y valor predictivo positivo [VPP]. Immulite: mejor sensibilidad y valor predictivo negativo [VPN]).

Conclusiones

Los tres métodos presentan buen rendimiento diagnóstico en la enfermedad de Graves, con resultados superponibles en la intercomparación de Bland-Altman, aunque el estudio de regresión y concordancia muestran no intercambiabilidad y presencia de sesgos.
Use of predictive tools in the management of COVID-19 patients: a key role of clinical laboratories
Authors: Martín Grau Carla , Benavent Bofill Clara , Picó-Plana Ester , Recio Comí Gemma , Terrón-Puig Margarida , Bastón Paz Natalia , Sans Mateu MaTeresa , Gutiérrez Fornés Cristina
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is widely spreading and represents a critical threat to global health. In the fight against this pandemic, provincial hospitals urgently need rapid diagnostic of COVID-19 infected patients to avoid collapsing of emergency units. However, the high demand of patients with severe acute respiratory symptoms limits the fast delivery of results by the gold standard method reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction real time (rRT-PCR) for the identification of COVID-19 positive pneumonia. The principal aim is to find other useful laboratory indicators to assist rRT-PCR tests and to help controlling of this outbreak.

Methods

Blood, coagulation and inflammatory parameters were collected from a total of 309 patients classified as negative (128) and positive (181) rRT-PCR test groups. Patients were classified as positive by molecular diagnostic test.

Results

Leukocyte count (WBC), neutrophils count, lymphocytes count and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were statistically different between both groups of patients. The use of LDH/WBC ratio increases the diagnostic performance with the best area under the curve (0.783), sensibility (82%) and the best percentage (80.5%) of correctly identified COVID-19 positive patients.

Conclusions

The combination of predictive LDH/WBC ratio with clinical illness features could help in medical management of patients and improve the technical resources of hospitals, especially in a critical scenario with a large shortage of medical equipment and lack of reagents for performing rRT-PCR.
Circ_0084043 promotes cell proliferation and glycolysis but blocks cell apoptosis in melanoma via circ_0084043-miR-31-KLF3 axis
Authors: Wu Songjiang , Tang Yuhan , Liu Wenli
Published: November 2020

Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor. The crucial role of circular RNAs has been documented in many types of cancer, including melanoma. The objective of this study was to uncover the function of circ_0084043 in the biological process of melanoma and associated mechanism of action. The expression of circ_0084043, miR-31, and Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) was determined by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were monitored by the MTT assay and flow cytometry assay, respectively. The progression of glycolysis was evaluated according to the levels of glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP concentration using appropriate detection kits. The relationship between miR-31 and circ_0084043 or KLF3 was predicted by the bioinformatics tool and ascertained by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The protein levels of KLF3 and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) were quantified by western blot. A xenograft model was established to ascertain the role of circ_0084043in vivo. As a result, circ_0084043 expression was reinforced in melanoma tissues and cells. Circ_0084043 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and restrained glycolysis. MiR-31 was a target of circ_0084043, and miR-31 deficiency reversed the role of circ_0084043 knockdown. KLF3 was targeted by miR-31, and KLF3 upregulation abolished the effects of miR-31 enrichment. Moreover, circ_0084043 knockdown impeded tumor growthin vivoand suppressed the level of Glut1 by modulating miR-31 and KLF3. Circ_0084043 promoted cell proliferation and glycolysis, and blocked apoptosis through the circ_0084043–miR-31–KLF3 regulatory axis in melanoma.
Comparative analysis of chemical composition of some commercially important fishes with an emphasis on various Malaysian diets
Authors: Rahman Mustafizur M. , Hajar Siti , Yunus Kamaruzzaman B.
Published: November 2020

This study compares the chemical composition of cockle (Anadara granosa) and some commercially important marine (Asian seabass Lates calcarifer, grouper Epinephelus bleekeri, hardtail scad Megalaspis cordyla, longtail tuna Thunnus tonggol and Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta) and freshwater (sutchi catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus, Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and eel Monopterus albus) fishes in Peninsular Malaysia. The results show that the proximate composition and trace metal content were significantly different (P < 0.05) among species investigated. The mean protein content was the highest in eel (19.1%) and the lowest in sutchi catfish (13.0%) and cockle (13.0%). The mean lipid content of Indian mackerel (3.9%) was higher than cockle (2.0%), followed by eel (1.3%) and longtail tuna (0.8%). The mean ash content was the highest in Indian mackerel (1.4%) and the lowest in cockle (0.9%). Zinc and manganese contents in cockle (Zn: 61.2 mg kg−1, Mn: 22.7 mg kg−1) were very high compared to other species investigated. The copper content was minimum in sutchi catfish (1.0 mg kg−1) and a maximum in the hardtail scad (11.7 mg kg−1). Trace metal content in sutchi catfish, Nile tilapia, grouper, longtail tuna, eel and cockle followed an order Zn > Mn > Cu, whereas Asian seabass, hardtail scad and Indian mackerel followed a different order Zn > Cu > Mn. Trace metal content in the tissue of the fishes examined was within safe limits for human consumption except Mn content in the cockle and Cu content in the hardtail scad, which is a matter of concern. When considering the daily fish fat, mineral and trace metal intake, marine fishes and shellfish are better than freshwater fishes.
A multimodal cognitive approach to aid the conceptualization of Spanish utterances with ‘se’
Authors: Lopez-Ozieblo Renia
Published: November 2020

Most native speakers of Spanish are intuitively able to construct correct structures with the marker ‘se’. On the other hand, non-native speakers, even those at advanced proficiency levels, have difficulties producing most constructions with ‘se’. This is hardly surprising as the marker ‘se’, one of the most common words in Spanish, can convey highly pragmatic nuances with a variety of functions that are still much debated among linguists. This study analyses some of the most used functions of the marker in the oral production of 18 Peninsular Spanish speakers from a multimodal Cognitive Grammar approach, identifying how gestures might be employed by speakers to create or clarify meaning. Our results confirm that gestures are used differently depending on the function of the marker. Middle voices where ‘se’ marks high levels of subject involvement and/or energy co-occur with related gestures, while middle voices or impersonal structures, where the involvement and/or energy is low, co-occur more often with unrelated gestures, if any.
Diagramming discursive intentionality—A cognitive-pragmatic model of intentional verbs
Authors: Briese Joschka
Published: November 2020

This article presents a sign- and usage-based model of intentionality following the works of Robert B. Brandom and T. L. Short. The concept of discursive intentionality is established within Brandom’s theory of language explains discursive and practical reasoning as well as attributive and ascriptive practices. Discursive intentionality is distinguished from other intentionalities of conceptual proximity. Because Brandom’s concept of signs is underdetermined in his works, it will be complemented with T. L. Short’s theory of intentional signs. This dual theoretical framework leads to an innovative analysis of verbs which locates discursive intentionality at the semantic/pragmatic interface. After giving a definition of discursive intentionality, it will be diagrammed by breaking it down into different components (relata, relations, and predicates). Finally, it is tested regarding the plausibility of the diagrammatics of discursive intentionality, using the intentional verb “to promise” to differentiate between the ascription of intentionality and intention.
Effect of small amounts of chalcogen alloying elements on the oxidation resistance of copper
Authors: Zhu Yongfu , Wang Yaru , Zhang Jian , Li Chunhe , Ji Zhengtong , Liu Guojun
Published: November 2020

The effect of small amounts of chalcogen alloying elements (S, Se and Te) on the oxidation resistance (OR) of Cu has been investigated at 300–800 °C in 0.1 MPa oxygen atmospheres. Compared to pure copper, the addition of S, Se and Te could effectively improve the OR below 600 °C mainly owing to the chalcogen-element inclusions which hinder the diffusion of Cu. However, it becomes weak above 800 °C. In contrast, the failure at 800 °C is associated with the absence of those inclusions. The results are discussed in detail by the thermodynamic methods.
The science of alternating current-induced corrosion: a review of literature on pipeline corrosion induced due to high-voltage alternating current transmission pipelines
Authors: Thakur Ajit Kumar , Arya Adarsh Kumar , Sharma Pushpa
Published: November 2020

The state of art in alternating current (AC)-induced corrosion in pipelines is reviewed. Growing pipeline networks and their co-location with high-voltage (HV) transmission networks have brought into focus the issue of induced AC corrosion on the pipeline networks. Induced AC corrosion may quickly and severely affect the integrity of pipeline networks, especially considering that a number of such pipelines are transporting huge quantities of hazardous fluids. Any breach in pipeline integrity due to AC corrosion may result in disastrous consequences. In the last 30 years, it has been established that the induced AC corrosion can affect the buried pipeline integrity severely. During operations, the resistive as well as inductive coupling with transmission lines pose a significant risk of pipeline corrosion. The literature is reviewed to put together various issues and factors responsible for AC-induced corrosion in pipelines. The various publications on induced AC corrosion are reviewed to identify characteristics of AC-induced corrosion and major factors that determine the severity and impact of AC-induced corrosion. The areas have been identified wherein scope exists for additional studies on AC corrosion.
Attribute-efficient learning of Boolean functions from Post closed classes
Authors: Bistrigova Anastasiya V.
Published: November 2020

We consider exact attribute-efficient learning of functions from Post closed classes using membership queries and obtain bounds on learning complexity.
Post theorem for strongly dependent n-ary semigroups
Authors: Cheremushkin Aleksandr V.
Published: November 2020

We use an analogue of Gluskin–Hosszú theorem for strongly dependent finite n-ary semigroups to prove an analogue of Post coset theorem. We show that in fact these theorems are equivalent. Thus it turns our that the case of n-ary semigroups is fully similar to the case of n-groups.
Effective parallelization strategy for the solution of subset sum problems by the branch-and-bound method
Authors: Kolpakov Roman M. , Posypkin Mikhail A.
Published: November 2020

An easily implementable recursive parallelization strategy for solving the subset sum problem by the branch-and-bound method is proposed. Two different frontal and balanced variants of this strategy are compared. On an example of a particular case of the subset sum problem we show that the balanced variant is more effective than the frontal one. Moreover, we show that, for the considered particular case of the subset sum problem, the balanced variant is also time optimal.
The number of sumsets in Abelian group
Authors: Sapozhenko Aleksandr A. , Sargsyan Vahe G.
Published: November 2020

Asymptotic upper and lower bounds for the numbers of distinct subsets A + B in Abelian group of order n are derived, where |A|, |B| ≥ n(log n)−1/8.
Generalized allocation scheme with cell occupancies from a fixed finite set
Authors: Timashev Aleksandr N.
Published: November 2020

We consider a generalized scheme of allocation of n particles (elements) over unordered cells (components) under the condition that the number of particles in each cell belongs to a fixed finite set A of positive integers. A new asymptotic estimates for the total number In
(A) of variants of allocations of n particles are obtained under some conditions on the set A; these estimates have an explicit form (up to equivalence). Some examples of combinatorial-probabilistic character are given to illustrate by particular cases the notions introduced and results obtained. For previously known theorems on the convergence to the normal law of the total number of components and numbers of components with given cardinalities the norming parameters are obtained in the explicit form without using roots of algebraic or transcendent equations.
Resident-faculty overnight discrepancy rates as a function of number of consecutive nights during a week of night float
Authors: Peterson Christine , Moore Michael , Sarwani Nabeel , Gagnon Eric , Bruno Michael A. , Kanekar Sangam
Published: November 2020

Objectives

In 2018, the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) made a change to the maximum permissible number of consecutive nights a resident trainee can be on “night float,” from six to seven nights. To our knowledge, although investigators have studied overall discrepancy rates and discrepancy rates as a function of shift length or perceived workload of a particular shift, no study has been performed to evaluate resident-faculty discrepancy rates as a quality/performance proxy, to see whether resident performance declines as a function of the number of consecutive nights. Our hypothesis is that we would observe a progressive increase in significant overnight resident – attending discrepancies over the 7 days’ time.

Methods

A total of 8,488 reports were extracted between 4/26/2019 to 8/22/2019 retrospectively. Data was obtained from the voice dictation system report server. Exported query was saved as a .csv file format and analyzed using Python packages. A “discrepancy checker” was created to search all finalized reports for the departmental standard heading of “Final Attending Report,” used to specify any significant changes from the preliminary interpretation.

Results

Model estimates varied on different days however there were no trends or patterns to indicate a deterioration in resident performance throughout the week. There were comparable probabilities throughout the week, with 2.17% on Monday, 2.35% on Thursday and 2.05% on Friday.

Conclusions

Our results reveal no convincing trend in terms of overnight report discrepancies between the preliminary report generated by the night float resident and the final report issued by a faculty the following morning. These results are in support of the ACGME’s recent change in the permissible number of consecutive nights on night float. We did not prove our hypothesis that resident performance on-call in the domain of report accuracy would diminish over seven consecutive nights while on the night float rotation. Our results found that performance remained fairly uniform over the course of the week.
Auf den Spuren des Schreibers
Authors: Dahm Margit
Published: November 2020

This contribution addresses colophons, notes of the scribes which are mostly found at the end of premodern manuscripts respectively of the contained texts, as a specific form of paratexts. Besides pragmatical information like the name of the scribe or place and date of production, many colophons contain different forms of commenting, for example on the process of writing, the written text or on the scribe himself. With these comments, colophons are of high significance for they allow insights into the text comprehension and the self-conception of medieval scribes. The contribution outlines a project proposal that aims for a systematical collection and evaluation of colophons in German manuscripts of the 12th up to the 15th century in a digital data-collection. A web application with specifically tailored evaluation features enables the request and statistical analysis of various quantitative as well as qualitative parameters.
Pasticcio-Daten und Daten-Pasticcio – zur Edition kompilierter musikalischer Werke
Authors: Albrecht-Hohmaier Martin , Over Berthold , Pelliccia Emilia , Wronkowska Sonia
Published: November 2020

This text, which was written by members of the project Pasticcio. Ways of arranging attractive operas, uses Gérard Genette’s term ‘paratext’ in a broader sense. Assuming that every text besides the edited work, which is part of the genesis of these oscillating works compiled of pre-existing musical material called pasticcios, can be understood as a paratext, it reveals the importance of printed librettos, related musical sources and philological contexts (like the often underestimated influence of the singers in the creation of a musical work) for their understanding and edition. Aiming at connecting a database with the online edition of four operatic works via XML, the project members present ideas and structures of the project’s data which can be described as a paratext as well.
Additive manufacturing of PLA-based scaffolds intended for bone regeneration and strategies to improve their biological properties
Authors: Donate Ricardo , Monzón Mario , Alemán-Domínguez María Elena
Published: November 2020

Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most commonly used materials in the biomedical sector because of its processability, mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Among the different techniques that are feasible to process this biomaterial, additive manufacturing (AM) has gained attention recently, as it provides the possibility of tuning the design of the structures. This flexibility in the design stage allows the customization of the parts in order to optimize their use in the tissue engineering field. In the recent years, the application of PLA for the manufacture of bone scaffolds has been especially relevant, since numerous studies have proven the potential of this biomaterial for bone regeneration. This review contains a description of the specific requirements in the regeneration of bone and how the state of the art have tried to address them with different strategies to develop PLA-based scaffolds by AM techniques and with improved biofunctionality.
A dynamical approach to the variational inequality on modified elastic graphs
Authors: Okabe Shinya , Yoshizawa Kensuke
Published: November 2020

We consider the variational inequality on modified elastic graphs. Since the variational inequality is derived from the minimization problem for the modified elastic energy defined on graphs with the unilateral constraint, a solution to the variational inequality can be constructed by the direct method of calculus of variations. In this paper we prove the existence of solutions to the variational inequality via a dynamical approach. More precisely, we construct an L2-type gradient flow corresponding to the variational inequality and prove the existence of solutions to the variational inequality via the study on the limit of the flow.
Income-(in)dependent equivalence scales and inequality measurement
Authors: Dudel Christian , Garbuszus Jan Marvin , Ott Notburga , Werding Martin
Published: November 2020

Most equivalence scales that are applied in research on inequality do not depend on income, even though there is strong empirical evidence that equivalence scales are actually income-dependent. This paper explores the consistency of results derived from income-independent and income-dependent scales. We show that applying income-independent scales when income-dependent scales would be appropriate leads to violations of the transfer principle. Surprisingly, there are some exceptions, but these require unrealistic and strong assumptions. Thus, the use of income-dependent equivalence scales almost always leads to different assessments of inequality than the use of income-independent equivalence scales. Two examples illustrate our findings.
Friction correction when predicting wood basic density using drilling resistance
Authors: Gendvilas Vilius , Downes Geoffrey M. , Neyland Mark , Hunt Mark , Jacobs Andrew , O’Reilly-Wapstra Julianne
Published: November 2020

Basic density is a fundamental wood property of pulp and sawn wood. An IML Resi PD 400 drilling resistance tool (IML System GmbH, Wiesloch, Germany) was used to evaluate the basic density of Eucalyptus nitens discs and the impact of needle friction on basic density prediction. To determine the accuracy of that prediction with the commonly used linear drill bit shaft friction correction and determine whether this correction is linear, 40 discs were drilled radially, then cut into segments which were measured for basic density. Drilling resistance had a strong relationship with basic density in the outer wood; it was weaker at the pith but this did not compromise prediction accuracy. When using a linear friction correction, the drilling resistance underpredicts basic density by 7.6% in the first 2–3 cm after stem entry, after which the prediction error ranged from 0.6–1.9%. The friction correction was found to be nonlinear, especially at the first few centimeters. To apply this friction correction, basic density values from the model should be added to predict basic density values until 2.9 cm from Resi entry point and after that subtracted to account for the drill bit shaft friction.
Seeking transformation: how students in nursing view their academic writing context – a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Mitchell Kim M. , Blanchard Laurie , Roberts Tara
Published: November 2020

Writing practices in nursing education programs are situated in a tension-filled context resulting from competing medical-technical and relational nursing discourses. The goal of this qualitative meta-study is to understand, from the student perspective, how the context for writing in nursing is constructed and the benefits of writing to nursing knowledge development. A literature search using the CINHAL, Medline, ERIC, and Academic Search complete databases, using systematic methods identified 21 papers and dissertations which gathered qualitative interview or survey data from students in nursing at the pre-registration, continuing education, and graduate levels. The studies provided evidence that writing assignments promote professional identity development but overemphasis on writing mechanics when grading have a deleterious effect on learning and student engagement with writing. Relationship building with faculty should extend beyond what is needed to maximize grades. Suggestions for writing pedagogical reform are identified to facilitate a change in focus from mechanical-technical to transformative writing.
Existence, stability and controllability results of fractional dynamic system on time scales with application to population dynamics
Authors: Kumar Vipin , Malik Muslim
Published: November 2020

In this manuscript, we investigate the existence, uniqueness, Hyer-Ulam stability and controllability analysis for a fractional dynamic system on time scales. Mainly, this manuscript has three segments: In the first segment, we give the existence of solutions. The second segment is devoted to the study of stability analysis while in the last segment, we establish the controllability results. We use the Banach and nonlinear alternative Lery-Schauder–type fixed point theorem to establish these results. Also, we give some numerical examples for different time scales. Moreover, we give two applications to outline the effectiveness of these obtained results.
Surgical aspects in craniopharyngioma treatment
Authors: Fujio Shingo , Hanada Tomoko , Yonenaga Masanori , Nagano Yushi , Habu Mika , Arita Kazunori , Yoshimoto Koji
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Total surgical resection is the gold standard in the treatment of craniopharyngioma. However, there is concern that aggressive surgical resection might result in high rates of endocrinologic, metabolic, and behavioral morbidities. Subtotal resection (SR) with subsequent radiation therapy (RT) may reduce surgical complications, but it may also increase the risk of tumor recurrence and radiation-induced side effects. Therefore, the optimal surgical strategy remains debatable.

Methods

To determine the optimal surgical strategy, we assessed the clinical courses of 39 patients (19 male patients and 20 female patients) with newly diagnosed craniopharyngioma who were treated at our institute. The median age at diagnosis was 34 years (range: 0–76 years). The median follow-up period was 8.5 years (range: 3–160 months). Our treatment strategy comprised gross total resection (GTR) for craniopharyngioma in patients that were not at surgical risk. Conversely, after adequate tumor decompression, we used RT, mainly Gamma Knife radiosurgery, in patients at risk. We divided the patients into the following three groups depending on the treatment course: GTR, SR with RT, and SR with staged surgery. We compared tumor characteristics, as well as patients’ conditions at the preoperative stage and last follow-up, among the three groups.

Results

There were 8, 21, and 10 patients in the GTR, SR with RT, and SR with staged surgery groups, respectively. There were no differences in the maximum tumor diameter, tumor volume, composition, and presence of calcification among the groups. Among the 39 patients, 24 underwent transcranial microsurgery and 15 underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery as the initial treatment. No cases involving surgical mortality, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, severely deteriorated visual function, or severe hypothalamic damage were observed. No tumor recurrence was noted in the GTR group. One patient required additional RT, and one patient underwent second surgery for tumor recurrence in the SR with RT group. In the SR with staged surgery group, 8 of the 10 patients eventually underwent RT, but tumor control was achieved in all patients at the latest follow-up. In this group, the third trans-sphenoidal surgery caused a severe vascular injury in one patient. At the final follow-up, 33 (85%) patients were undergoing anterior pituitary hormone replacement, and the rate of diabetes insipidus was 51%. There was no significant difference in the pituitary dysfunction rate among the groups.

Conclusions

We observed a low rate of surgical complications and a sufficient tumor control rate in response to our treatment strategy. Despite attempting preservation of the pituitary stalk, we found it difficult to rescue anterior pituitary function.
In vitro effect of dibenzyl trisulfide on the p50 of the oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curve
Authors: Pepple Dagogo John , Marsh Darien-Andrew Theodore , McKoy Marsha-Lyn Grace-Ann
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Dibenzyl trisulfide (DTS) has been reported to have cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects. It also affects erythrocyte deformability. We investigated the effects of DTS on the p50 of the oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curve.

Methods

Blood samples from 10 healthy male volunteers with normal haemoglobin AA were exposed to 50, 100, 200 and 400 ng/mL, respectively, of DTS. A hemox-analyzer was used to obtain the p50 values.

Results

The mean p50 value for the control samples was 25.89 ± 2.18 mm Hg. The values for the samples exposed to 50, 100, 200 and 400 ng/mL were 23.53 ± 1.81 mm Hg, 22.62 ± 1.61 mm Hg, 21.88 ± 1.67 mm Hg and 21.68 ± 1.88 mm Hg, respectively.

Conclusions

DTS caused a significant (p<0.001) reduction in p50 values indicating a shift of the oxygen- haemoglobin dissociation curve to the left in all the samples compared with control, suggesting that the administration of DTS could result in decrease in oxygen supply to tissues.