bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yu.G. Saushkin and geographical forecasting
Authors: Baburin V.L.
Published: March 2022

Thearticleconsidersthedevelopmentofideasaboutthegeographicalforecastfromthefi publications of Yu.G. Sashkin in the late 60s of the last century to the present day. The focus is on the process of diffusion of innovations launched by Yu.G. Saushkina in geographical science. The article shows how consistently representatives of various geographical disciplines develop the ideas set by Yu. G. Saushkin in relation to the objects of their research. Separate groups of methods and approaches that are most adequate to the geographical tasks being solved are also considered. Based on the proposed KP Kosmachev‘s principles of geographical expertise show the relationship between these important areas of geographical research. Along with the analysis of ideas about forecasting tasks of leading geographers in relation to their research objects, the article gives an idea of the methodological apparatus in this fi developed abroad, which allows signifi expanding the possibilities of geographical forecasting. In particular, the technological forecast schemes proposed by X. are considered.Ozbehanom and a set of methods for predicting scientifi and technological progress according to E. Yanch. Separately, the article considers a set of forecasting methods that are widely used not only in geography, but also in many other scientifi fi The main provisions of foresight analysis with an assessment of their capabilities in relation to solving geographical predictive tasks are considered separately.
Translation Historiography
Authors: Gürçağlar Şehnaz Tahir
Published: March 2022

The article offers an overview of the development of translation history during the past decade. It focuses on recent debates, research areas and methodological avenues in translation history with special emphasis on interdisciplinarity. Driven by a move away from a Euro-centric view of translation, researchers have become interested in producing connected and comparative histories of translation. The dialogue with the general field of history has led to the adoption of new methods and forms of analysis, such as microhistory, histoire croisée, archival research, oral history and digital translation history, and to the birth of new areas of research such as the role of translation in conflict and war.
Study on the Feasibility of Using Low-Cost Techniques and Tools to Manufacture a Scale Model of a Ship for Maneuvering Experiments
Authors: Varela J. M. , Soares C. Guedes
Published: March 2022

This article studies the feasibility of using low-cost materials, techniques, and tools to manufacture a 1/100-scale model of a VLCC. For this purpose, three main aspects were considered to reduce the production costs: 1) the bypass to the fabrication of a mold, by building directly the final hull with mid-density fiber wood; 2) the use of a 3 degrees of freedom computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine to cut and shape the pieces of the hull, which can be easily rented at affordable prices; 3) the automation as much as possible of the process to avoid contracting highly skilled personnel to do manual tasks, which would increase substantially the fabrication costs. The article is based on the practical case study of the fabrication of the KVLCC2 (KRISO Very Large Crude Carrier 2) scale model, which is used to describe the digital models, the milling process, and the finishing work. At the end, the validation of the model is done by comparing the final physical hull surface with the original digital one. This study is mainly directed to small maritime research centers and/or universities, which are interested in performing maneuvering experiments with homemade ship scale models.
E-Klausuren für die Hochschule: Zeit der Veränderung
Authors: Spoden Christian , Frey Andreas , Fink Aron , Naumann Patrick
Published: March 2022

Haben Sie sich einmal erzählen lassen, wie Hochschulklausuren in Deutschland vor fünfzig Jahren abliefen? Die Erzählungen werden Sie vielleicht überraschen: Nicht sehr viel anders als vielerorts noch heute! Elektronische Klausuren (E-Klausuren) finden derzeit jedoch im Rahmen von Digitalisierungsbewegungen verstärkt Eingang in deutsche Hochschulen und bringen frischen Wind ins Prüfungswesen. Im Zusammenhang mit der Einführung von E-Klausuren lassen sich eine ganze Reihe von sinnvollen Verbesserungen der derzeitigen Prüfungspraxis beschreiben und die Psychologie kann dabei wichtige Beiträge liefern.
Transformaciones y retos epistemológicos, políticos y sociales en las culturas alternativas menstruales
Authors: Guilló Arakistain Miren
Published: March 2022

Este artículo se centra en el análisis de las características sociales, políticas y emocionales de las políticas y culturas alternativas de la menstruación, así como en los cambios que están sucediendo a ese nivel. Para ello se atiende a su intensificación y diversificación y a las diversas estrategias político-sensoriales, así como a los afectos y a las ideologías de género, salud y consumo que subyacen y se generan en dichas propuestas. La hipótesis de partida es que analizar todos estos cambios puede servir para identificar y estudiar transformaciones más generales de la sociedad. El artículo concluye proponiendo algunos retos epistemológicos, políticos y sociales para seguir indagando en dichas culturas alternativas.
Similitudes y diferencias estratigráficas entre el Pridoliense-praguiense Celtibérico y Armoricano
Authors: Carls Peter , Valenzuela-Ríos José Ignacio
Published: March 2022

Los sedimentos marinos someros del Pridoliense al Praguiense temprano de Celtiberia (Fm. Luesma y Fm. Nogueras y sus equivalentes) tienen una marcada ritmicidad tanto lito1ógica como en la distribución de faunas (se estudian sobre todo braquiópodos y conodontos); algunos pulsos de aportes clásticos y de inmigración faunística se pueden trazar con cierto detalle a traves de toda Ibero-Armórica. Esto o muestra la continuidad paleogeográfica de la cuenca Asturoccidental-Leonesa con las partes medias y septentrionales de Armórica. Sin embargo, muchos cambios sedimentarios bien marcados y límites de ritmotemas se limitan a pequeñas áreas estructurales y no pueden utilizarse como indicadores para correlaciones ni en analisis sequenciales en Ibero Armórica ni en estratigrafía de eventos eustáticos globales. La actual zonación estandar con conodontos del Pridoliense-Praguiense es insuficiente como único criterio para establecer y correlacionar una curva T-R segura.
“Fumo de negro”: a criminalização da maconha no pós-abolição
Authors: Saad Luísa
Published: March 2022

Esta obra resulta de uma pesquisa cuidadosa sobre concepções científicas, razões políticas e mecanismos sociais que colaboraram para a proibição da maconha no Brasil no século XX. A autora rastreia polêmicas, evidenciando como a progressiva criminalização em torno dos usos da erva criaram terreno para a associação da planta a estigmas atribuídos à população negra no pós-abolição. Ao percorrer teses médicas, a autora também faz-nos perceber as inquietações, desafios e planos eugenistas presentes no processo de criminalização da cannabis, revelando os sentidos políticos das conclusões científicas.
Investigating the Efficiency of Combined Cycle Power Plants with the Data Envelopment Analysis Process (with an Emphasis on Air Pollution)
Authors: Sanjaranipour Noushin , Atabi Farideh , Momeni Mansour , Ghodousi Jamal , Lahijanian Akramolmolok
Published: March 2022

Performance management is one of the most significant strategies in promoting the efficiency of organizations and is highly sensitive. It is important to check the efficiency of combined cycle power plants because of their major contribution to power generation and air pollution. This study was conducted to evaluate the economic and environmental efficiency of Combined Cycle Power Plants (CCPPs). The inputs and outputs required to evaluate the performance of the power plants were determined according to expert opinions. Then, the 7-year statistics and information of the Qom, Neishabour, Shahid Rajaee, Yazd and Kerman power plants were collected as the desired CCPPs in Iran. The Window Data Envelopment Analysis (WDEA) method was used for evaluating the efficiency of the power plants. The 3-year window length showed that most of the power plants were efficient. Only the Rajaee, Neishabour and Yazd power plants were ineffective in some years. The mean efficiency of the power plants in the 4-year window length showed that the plants were efficient from 2008 to 2010.
The Prevention of Landslides Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in a Geographic Information System (GIS) Environment in the Province of Larache, Morocco
Authors: El Hamdouni Ikram , Ait Brahim Lahsen , El Mahsani Abderahman , Abdelouafi Abdellah
Published: March 2022

Landslides are one of the natural hazards that many countries around the world are facing. In Morocco, the Rif regions are the most affected by these phenomena. Each year they cause enormous damage to the road network and infrastructure, especially in our study region, the province of Larache.The study region is subject to several opening up and road construction projects, which is why it is necessary to predict and identify the most vulnerable areas beforehand, in order to propose measures and techniques which are adequate for protection and reinforcement.The main goal of this study is to develop a susceptibility map to ground movements using a multi-criteria spatial assessment approach, and in order to reduce subjectivity, we have used a method for analyzing such complex decisions, which is the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) implemented in the geographic information system (GIS). Seven factors have been considered as conditioning factors in the occurrence of landslides, which are: lithology, fracturing density, slope, aspect, land use, density of the hydrographic network, and altitude. To verify the results obtained, we performed a correlation analysis of ground movements, already inventoried and verified in the field, with the susceptibility classes that were calculated. This analysis is accompanied by a statistical study.
Research progress of tunneling magnetoresistance sensor
Authors: Zhou Zi-Tong , Yan Shao-Hua , Zhao Wei-Sheng , Leng Qun-Wen ,   School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China,   Institute of Beihang-Goertek Microelectronics, Qingdao Research Institute, Beihang University, Qingdao 266000, China
Published: March 2022

Sensors play an important role in Internet of Things (IoT) industry and account for a rapidly growing market share. Among them, the magnetic sensor based on tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect possesses great potential applications in the fields of biomedical, navigation, positioning, current detection, and non-destructive testing due to its extremely high sensitivity, small device size and low power consumption. In this paper, we focus on the development of TMR sensor technology routes, covering a series of research advances from a sensor transducer to three-dimensional magnetic field detection, and then to the applications. Firstly, we recall the development history of TMR sensors, explain its working principle, and discuss the method to improve the output linearity of single magnetic tunnel junction. Next, we state the Wheatstone-bridge structure, which can inhibit temperature drift in detail and review several methods of fabricating the full bridge of TMR sensors. Furthermore, for the market demand of three-dimensional magnetic field detection, we summarize the methods of designing and fabricating three-dimensional sensing structure of the TMR sensor. At the same time, we list several optimization schemes of TMR sensor performance in terms of sensitivity and noise level. Finally, we discuss two types of emerging applications of TMR sensors in recent years. The TMR sensors can also be used in intelligence healthcare due to their ultra-high sensitivity. In addition, devices from the combination of spin materials and MEMS structure have attracted wide attention, especially, because of the large commercial market of microphones, spin-MEMS microphones utilized TMR techniques will be the next research hotspot in this interdisciplinary field.
Establishment of composite leakage model and design of GaN Schottky barrier diode with stepped field plate
Authors: Liu Cheng , Li Ming , Wen Zhang , Gu Zhao-Yuan , Yang Ming-Chao , Liu Wei-Hua , Han Chuan-Yu , Zhang Yong , Geng Li , Hao Yue ,   The Key Lab of Micro-nano Electronics and System Integration of Xi’an City, School of Microelectronics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China,   School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China,   School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Published: March 2022

Quasi-vertical GaN barrier Schottky diodes have attracted much attention due to their low cost and high current transfer capability. The main problem is that the reverse characteristics of the devices may not be well estimated, which affects the design of the diodes. In this paper, the defects of GaN materials and the leakage related tunneling mechanisms accompanied with other mechanisms are considered. Based on the established composite device models, the reverse leakage current is simulated which is well consistent with the recent experimental result. With the assistance of the proposed models, several field plate structures are discussed and simulated to obtain a quasi-vertical GaN barrier Schottky diode with high breakdown voltage. The major leakage mechanisms are also analyzed according to the relation among leakage current, temperature and electric field at various reverse voltages. High BFOM up to 73.81 MW/cm2 is achieved by adopting the proposed stepped field plate structure.
Optimal resonance response of nonlinear system excited by nonlinear frequency modulation signal
Authors: Gong Tao , Yang Jian-Hua , Shan Zhen , Wang Zhi-Le , Liu Hou-Guang ,   Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Mine Mechanical and Electrical Equipment, School of Mechatronic Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Published: March 2022

Nonlinear frequency modulation (NLFM) signal is widely used in radar, communication and signal processing. The response of nonlinear system excited by this kind of signal has rich information. At the same time, enhancing different types of signals by resonance phenomenon has unique advantages in the field of signal processing. Compared with other signal processing methods, such as empirical mode decomposition, variational mode decomposition, wavelet transform, signal filtering, etc., this kind of method can not only enhance the signal, but also effectively suppress the interference noise. Therefore, it has certain significance to study the nonlinear system optimal response excited by different NLFM signals and enhance the NLFM signal through resonance phenomenon. In this paper, what is mainly studied is the nonlinear system resonance phenomenon excited by different NLFM signals, which is different from in previous studies. Firstly, a real-time scale transformation method is proposed to process the NLFM signals, and its basic principle is to match different NLFM signals by real-time scale coefficients and system parameters. The signal frequency at each time corresponds to the coefficients with different scales and system parameters, thereby realizing the optimal resonance response at each time. In order to describe the optimal resonance response excited by the NLFM signal more accurately, unlike the traditional spectral amplification factor, the real-time spectral amplification factor is introduced as an evaluation index. Then, the influence of system parameters on the optimal system resonance response is discussed, and the optimal resonance region is obtained, which means that the optimal resonance response can be achieved by selecting the parameters in a reasonable range. This method not only greatly enhances the signal characteristics, but also maintains the continuity of signal time-frequency characteristics. Finally, the real-time scale transformation method is compared with the general scale transformation method, showing the superiority of the proposed method in processing NLFM signal. The method and the results of this paper show some potential in dealing with complex NLFM, which provides a reference for NLFM signal enhancement and detection, and has a certain practical significance in signal enhancement. Furthermore, the relevant influence law of the system optimal response excited by the NLFM signal is given, which has a certain reference value for studying the system dynamic behavior under different signal excitations.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae Species Associated with Dieback and Gummosis on Plum Trees in Turkey
Authors: Endes Ali , Kayım Mukaddes
Published: March 2022

Plum (Prunus salicina) is among the most important and common fruit species in Turkey. Worldwide, Botryosphaeriaceae family, including significant plant pathogens causes disease in several woody plants including plums. Botryosphaeriaceae-induced dieback and gummosis symptoms have recently been encountered in plum orchards in Adana and Mersin provinces of Turkey. In the present study, morphological and molecular characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae isolates were performed and the obtained isolates were identified as Diplodia seriata, Neofusicoccum parvum and Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. Pathogenicity tests revealed the virulence of all three species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of D. seriata, N. parvum and L. pseudotheobromae causing disease on plums in Turkey.
Recognition of discrete export signals in early flagellar subunits during bacterial type III secretion
Authors: Bryant Owain J , Dhillon Paraminder , Hughes Colin , Fraser Gillian M
Published: March 2022

Type III Secretion Systems (T3SS) deliver subunits from the bacterial cytosol to nascent cell surface flagella. Early flagellar subunits that form the rod and hook substructures are unchaperoned and contain their own export signals. A gate recognition motif (GRM) docks them at the FlhBc component of the FlhAB-FliPQR export gate, but the gate must then be opened and subunits must be unfolded to pass through the flagellar channel. This induced us to seek further signals on the subunits. Here, we identify a second signal at the extreme N-terminus of flagellar rod and hook subunits and determine that key to the signal is its hydrophobicity. We show that the two export signal elements are recognised separately and sequentially, as the N-terminal signal is recognised by the flagellar export machinery only after subunits have docked at FlhBC via the GRM. The position of the N-terminal hydrophobic signal in the subunit sequence relative to the GRM appeared to be important, as a FlgD deletion variant (FlgDshort), in which the distance between the N-terminal signal and the GRM was shortened, ‘stalled’ at the export machinery and was not exported. The attenuation of motility caused by FlgDshort was suppressed by mutations that destabilised the closed conformation of the FlhAB-FliPQR export gate, suggesting that the hydrophobic N-terminal signal might trigger opening of the flagellar export gate.
CaV2.1 channel mutations causing familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 increase the susceptibility for cortical spreading depolarizations and seizures and worsen outcome after experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Terpolilli Nicole A , Dolp Reinhard , Waehner Kai , Schwarzmaier Susanne M , Rumbler Elisabeth , Todorov Boyan , Ferrari Michel D , van den Maagdenberg Arn MJM , Plesnila Nikolaus
Published: March 2022

Patients suffering from familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1) may have a disproportionally severe outcome after head trauma, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Hence, we subjected knock-in mice carrying the severer S218L or milder R192Q FHM1 gain-of-function missense mutation in the CACNA1A gene that encodes the α1A subunit of neuronal voltage-gated CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) calcium channels and their wild-type (WT) littermates to experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) by controlled cortical impact and investigated cortical spreading depolarizations (CSDs), lesion volume, brain edema formation, and functional outcome. After TBI, all mutant mice displayed considerably more CSDs and seizures than WT mice, while S218L mutant mice had a substantially higher mortality. Brain edema formation and the resulting increase in intracranial pressure were more pronounced in mutant mice, while only S218L mutant mice had larger lesion volumes and worse functional outcome. Here, we show that gain of CaV2.1 channel function worsens histopathological and functional outcome after TBI in mice. This phenotype was associated with a higher number of CSDs, increased seizure activity, and more pronounced brain edema formation. Hence, our results suggest increased susceptibility for CSDs and seizures as potential mechanisms for bad outcome after TBI in FHM1 mutation carriers.
Sampling alternative conformational states of transporters and receptors with AlphaFold2
Authors: del Alamo Diego , Sala Davide , Mchaourab Hassane S , Meiler Jens
Published: March 2022

Equilibrium fluctuations and triggered conformational changes often underlie the functional cycles of membrane proteins. For example, transporters mediate the passage of molecules across cell membranes by alternating between inward- and outward-facing states, while receptors undergo intracellular structural rearrangements that initiate signaling cascades. Although the conformational plasticity of these proteins has historically posed a challenge for traditional de novo protein structure prediction pipelines, the recent success of AlphaFold2 (AF2) in CASP14 culminated in the modeling of a transporter in multiple conformations to high accuracy. Given that AF2 was designed to predict static structures of proteins, it remains unclear if this result represents an underexplored capability to accurately predict multiple conformations and/or structural heterogeneity. Here, we present an approach to drive AF2 to sample alternative conformations of topologically diverse transporters and G-protein-coupled receptors that are absent from the AF2 training set. Whereas models of most proteins generated using the default AF2 pipeline are conformationally homogeneous and nearly identical to one another, reducing the depth of the input multiple sequence alignments by stochastic subsampling led to the generation of accurate models in multiple conformations. In our benchmark, these conformations spanned the range between two experimental structures of interest, with models at the extremes of these conformational distributions observed to be among the most accurate (average template modeling score of 0.94). These results suggest a straightforward approach to identifying native-like alternative states, while also highlighting the need for the next generation of deep learning algorithms to be designed to predict ensembles of biophysically relevant states.
Hurricane María drives increased indoor proliferation of filamentous fungi in San Juan, Puerto Rico: a two-year culture-based approach
Authors: Vélez-Torres Lorraine N. , Bolaños-Rosero Benjamín , Godoy-Vitorino Filipa , Rivera-Mariani Felix E. , Maestre Juan P. , Kinney Kerry , Cavallin Humberto
Published: March 2022

Extensive flooding caused by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico (PR) created favorable conditions for indoor growth of filamentous fungi. These conditions represent a public health concern as contamination by environmental fungi is associated with a higher prevalence of inflammatory respiratory conditions. This work compares culturable fungal spore communities present in homes that sustained water damage after Hurricane María to those present in dry, non-flooded homes. We collected air samples from 50 houses in a neighborhood in San Juan, PR, 12 and 22 months after Hurricane María. Self-reported data was used to classify the homes as flooded, water-damage or dry non-flooded. Fungi abundances, composition and diversity were analyzed by culturing on two media. Our results showed no significant differences in indoor fungal concentrations (CFU/m3) one year after the Hurricane in both culture media studied (MEA and G25N). During the second sampling period fungal levels were 2.7 times higher in previously flooded homes (Median = 758) when compared to dry homes (Median = 283), (p-value < 0.005). Fungal profiles showed enrichment of Aspergillus species inside flooded homes compared to outdoor samples during the first sampling period (FDR-adjusted p-value = 0.05). In contrast, 22 months after the storm, indoor fungal composition consisted primarily of non-sporulated fungi, most likely basidiospores, which are characteristic of the outdoor air in PR. Together, this data highlights that homes that suffered water damage not only have higher indoor proliferation of filamentous fungi, but their indoor fungal populations change over time following the Hurricane. Ultimately, after nearly two years, indoor and outdoor fungal communities converged in this sample of naturally ventilated homes.
LncRNA CCAT1 facilitates the proliferation, invasion and migration of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells via the miR-218-5p/BMI1
Authors: Hong Jing , Hong Ali , Tu Houshu , Wan Zhichao , Deng Yuqiao , Deng Chengcheng , Tao Bo , Yu Yanjin , Zhou Lanfei
Published: March 2022

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are vital in the treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). This study estimated the mechanism of lncRNA CCAT1 (CCAT1) in LSCC cells. The expression of CCAT1 in the human laryngeal mucosal epithelial cells (HLCs) and LSCC cells (Hep-2 and TU177) was detected. CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the cell proliferative, migrative, and invasive abilities, respectively. The subcellular localization of CCAT1 was verified by RNA-FISH and cytoplasmic isolation assays. The targeted relationship among CCAT1, miR-218-5p, and BMI1 was verified by dual-luciferase assay. Expressions of miR-218-5p and BMI1 were detected by RT-qPCR. Our results depicted that CCAT1 was highly-expressed in Hep-2 and TU177 cells. Silencing CCAT1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Hep-2 and TU177 cells. Mechanically, CCAT1 regulated the BMI1 expression by competitively binding to miR-218-5p as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), and thus facilitated the growth of Hep-2 and TU177 cells. Downregulation of miR-218-5p or upregulation of BMI1 inhibited the inhibitory effect of silencing CCAT1 on Hep-2 and TU177 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. In conclusion, our study elicited that lncRNA CCAT1 facilitated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Hep-2 and TU177 cells by sponging miR-218-5p and regulating the downstream BMI1.
East palearctic treefrog past and present habitat suitability using ecological niche models
Authors: Andersen Desiree , Maslova Irina , Purevdorj Zoljargal , Li Jia-Tang , Messenger Kevin R. , Ren Jin-Long , Jang Yikweon , Borzée Amaël
Published: March 2022

Ecological niche modeling is a tool used to determine current potential species’ distribution or habitat suitability models which can then be used to project suitable areas in time. Projections of suitability into past climates can identify locations of climate refugia, or areas with high climatic stability likely to contain the highest levels of genetic diversity and stable populations when climatic conditions are less suitable in other parts of the range. Modeling habitat suitability for closely related species in recent past can also reveal potential periods and regions of contact and possible admixture. In the east palearctic, there are fiveDryophytes(Hylid treefrog) clades belonging to two groups:Dryophytes japonicusgroup: Clades A and B; andDryophytes immaculatusgroup:Dryophytes immaculatus,Dryophytes flaviventris, andDryophytes suweonensis. We used maximum entropy modeling to determine the suitable ranges of these five clades during the present and projected to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Last Interglacial (LIG) periods. We also calculated climatic stability for each clade to identify possible areas of climate refugia. Our models indicated suitable range expansion during the LGM for four clades with the exclusion ofD. immaculatus. High climatic stability in our models corresponded to areas with the highest numbers of recorded occurrences in the present. The models produced here can additionally serve as baselines for models of suitability under climate change scenarios and indicate species ecological requirements.
Tracking multiple fish
Authors: Děchtěrenko Filip , Jakubková Daniela , Lukavský Jiří , Howard Christina J.
Published: March 2022

Although the Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) task is a widely used experimental method for studying divided attention, tracking objects in the real world usually looks different. For example, in the real world, objects are usually clearly distinguishable from each other and also possess different movement patterns. One such case is tracking groups of creatures, such as tracking fish in an aquarium. We used movies of fish in an aquarium and measured general tracking performance in this task (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, we compared tracking accuracy within-subjects in fish tracking, tracking typical MOT stimuli, and in a third condition using standard MOT uniform objects which possessed movement patterns similar to the real fish. This third condition was added to further examine the impact of different motion characteristics on tracking performance. Results within a Bayesian framework showed that tracking real fish shares similarities with tracking simple objects in a typical laboratory MOT task. Furthermore, we observed a close relationship between performance in both laboratory MOT tasks (typical and fish-like) and real fish tracking, suggesting that the commonly used laboratory MOT task possesses a good level of ecological validity.
Lacunes and type 2 diabetes mellitus have a joint effect on cognitive impairment: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhou Hong , Hu Jun , Xie Peihan , Dong Yulan , Chen Wen , Wu Huiting , Jiang Yihong , Lei Hao , Luo Guanghua , Liu Jincai
Published: March 2022

Objective

To evaluate the joint effects of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD)-related imaging biomarkers in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with cognitive impairment.

Methods

This study is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 227 participants (115 patients with T2DM and 112 healthy control subjects) were enrolled in this study. Cognitive function assessments were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The burden of CSVD markers, including the lacunes, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS), was identified by magnetic resonance imaging and evaluated using small vessel disease (SVD) scores (0–4). The subjects were divided into two groups based on the results of the cognitive function assessments. The synergy index was used to estimate the biological interactions between T2DM and lacunes.

Results

There was a significant correlation between T2DM and cognitive impairment (p < 0.001, χ2 test). In patients with diabetes, cognitive impairment was significantly associated with both the presence of lacunes (p < 0.01, χ2 test) and increased total SVD burden scores (p < 0.01, χ2 test). Regarding CMBs, only the existence of lobar CMBs was correlated with cognitive impairment (p < 0.05, χ2 test). The joint effect tended to be larger than the independent effects of T2DM and lacunes on cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 7.084, 95% CI [2.836–17.698]; synergy index: 10.018, 95% CI [0.344–291.414]).

Conclusions

T2DM and the presence of lacunes are significantly correlated with cognitive impairment. There was a joint effect of T2DM and lacunes on cognitive impairment.
Las condiciones de la urbanización y la producción de naturaleza en ciudades litorales chilenas. Los casos de Valparaíso y Coquimbo
Authors: Hidalgo Rodrigo , Vergara-Constela Carlos , González-Rodríguez Miguel
Published: March 2022

A través de un método descriptivo general (análisis documental, estadísticas de población y vivienda, y la observación), en el artículo se examina el proceso de urbanización y su relación con la naturaleza en ciudades costeras chilenas, tomando como ejemplos las comunas litorales de Coquimbo y Valparaíso. Mediante un marco conceptual asociado al paradigma marxista-urbano de la producción del espacio, se caracteriza y analiza ambas comunas, dando cuenta de las formas que ha adquirido la relación entre el entorno construido y la naturaleza, centrándonos principalmente en el papel de la vivienda y, en específico, de la vivienda subsidiada. Se concluye demostrando el proceso contradictorio de urbanización en el que se encuentran ambas comunas
Personas mayores en situación de riesgo residencial extremo en España: un diagnóstico regional
Authors: Lebrusán Irene
Published: March 2022

Los beneficios de envejecer en la vivienda han sido ampliamente estudiados. No obstante, la situación residencial de las personas mayores permanece poco explorada, bajo la asunción de que sus necesidades residenciales están adecuadamente cubiertas. Este artículo analiza las condiciones en que residen las personas mayores de 65 años en España, desde una perspectiva regional comparada. La finalidad es obtener un diagnóstico residencial exhaustivo que señale qué regiones necesitan de medidas más urgentes para eliminar la infravivienda entre las personas mayores. Con base en el Censo de Población y Viviendas 2011 (último disponible), se implementan varios indicadores dirigidos a medir la vulnerabilidad residencial, la ausencia de confort, la Exclusión Residencial Ampliada y las situaciones de riesgo extremo. Los resultados confirman que existen situaciones de infravivienda con acusada desigualdad entre regiones. Además, determinados territorios registran una profunda desigualdad intraterritorial, donde quienes sufren vulnerabilidad se enfrentan a situaciones muy graves en materia residencial.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Giant Cell Tumour of Tendon Sheath
Authors: Jain Sonam , Nanda Saumya , Shastri Malvika , Nanda Annu , Garg Vaibhav
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Giant Cell Tumour of Tendon Sheath (GCTTS), also known as localised nodular tenosynovitis, is a slow growing benign soft tissue tumour arising from synovium of tendon sheath, bursa or joint. Clinically, the lesions occur as skin-coloured nodules typically on the extremities. These tumours occur more frequently on the upper limbs especially hands (77%) where they form the second most common tumour following simple ganglion cyst. Aim: To describe the cytomorphologic findings in GCTTS and their histopathological features. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Department of Pathology, ESI Hospital, Delhi, India, in 12 diagnosed GCTTS cases for their cytological features from January 2015 to December 2017. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) was performed with a 22-gauge needle attached to a 10 mL syringe. Smears were air-dried and stained with Giemsa stain. Cytomorphology of all the selected cases were analysed and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the cases. Results: A total of 12 cases of GCTTS were retrieved. Diagnosis of GCTTS was made by FNAC in all the cases and confirmed by histopathological examination in half of the cases. The mean age of presentation was 39 years. Of these, 8 (66.67%) were women and 4 (33.33%) were men. The lesions were found most commonly over the index finger (n=5) followed by the ring finger (n=3), thumb (n=2), middle finger (n=1) and little finger (n=1). The most frequent clinical presentation was a painless, nodular, slow growing firm swelling over the finger. FNAC revealed cellular smears with few clusters and numerous scattered stromal cells along with interspersed multinucleated giant cells. Conclusion: A definitive preoperative diagnosis of GCTTS obtained through FNAC helps in formulating appropriate treatment plan. Histopathologic examination will confirm the cytological diagnosis and can help to predict recurrence by providing information on the resection margin, any satellite nodules, variable cell types and mitotic activity.
White Blood Cells in COVID-19: A Study on Viral Induced Cytopathic Changes in the Peripheral Smear
Authors: Gaffoor Nidha , Shetty Archana , Muralidhar Aparna , Minal Jessica , Nikhil PV , Edupuganti Hima Sree
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Laboratory parameters are crucial in diagnosis and prognosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It would be of interest to explore morphological changes in infected White Blood Cells (WBCs). A detailed examination of peripheral smears may shed light on pathophysiology of infected cell lines and differentiate them from those in established viral infections like dengue and infectious mononucleosis. Aim: To study morphological changes of WBCs in peripheral smears of severe and non severe cases of COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre, Dr. Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education and Research, Ramanagara, Karnataka, India, from April 2021 to August 2021 on 120 peripheral smears of adult COVID-19 positive cases. Abnormal morphological features were graded by counting 100 cells in each of neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocyte lineage. Changes were compared and analysed between severe and non severe groups using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26.0. A p-value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The study included total of 120 cases (59 severe and 61 non severe) with a mean age of 47 years. Male to female ratio in severe and non severe categories were 1:1.2 and 1:0.6, respectively. Severe category patients (n=59) were associated with statistically significant leucocytosis (p-value=0.04), absolute neutrophilia (p-value=0.03) and higher grades of morphological changes- abnormal nuclear morphology (p-value=0.002) and Pseudo-Pelger-Huët anomaly in neutrophils (p-value=0.029), plasmacytoid lymphocytes (p-value=0.03), cytoplasmic granularity and atypical lymphocytes (p-value=0.04). Monocytes showed large coalescent vacuoles and cytoplasmic granules (p-value=0.03). Though present in non severe category (n=61), they were proportionately of lesser grades. Conclusion: Viral cytopathic effects in WBC cell lines on peripheral smear had significant clinical implications on disease severity, undermining need for a comprehensive study of viral induced morphological changes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
Deregulation of Interest Rate in Nigeria and Deposit Money Bank’s Performance (1996 – 2018)
Authors: C. Otiwu Kingsley
Published: March 2022

This study looked at the relationship between interest rate deregulation and performance of Nigerian deposit money banks for the period 1996-2018.  Interest rate deregulation was broken down into prime lending rate, maximum lending rate, 3-month deposit rate, and over 12-month deposit rate, with return on assets (ROA) serving as a proxy for deposit money bank performance. Dates for the variables listed above were obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin (2018 edition) and the World Bank data base. The data were assessed for stationarity with the Dickey-Fuller (D-F) test, long-run relationship with the Bound's co-integration test, and ARDL reliability with serial correlation, heteroscedasticity, and normality tests. The results of the tests revealed that all of the variables were integrated of order zero or one, and that the variables have a long-run relationship. As a result, the ARDL model for parameter estimation revealed that only prime lending rate was positively connected to bank ROA, whereas none of the explanatory factors were statistically significant. The researcher then claimed that there is no meaningful association between interest rate deregulation and the performance of Nigerian deposit money banks during the study period. As a result, deposit money institutions should attempt to mobilise appropriate savings from surplus units by offering deposit rates capable of enticing savers to grow their savings and increasing the availability of loanable funds.
An Empirical Investigation of Remittance Shocks on ‎Economic Growth in ‎‎Nigeria: Effect COVID-19 on Economic Growth for ‎‎2019-2020 Years
Authors: Salisu Ali , Ibrahim, Haladu Adahama , Suwaid Zainab Said
Published: March 2022

Aims: The study investigates the impact of remittances shocks on economic growth in Nigeria in the midst of Covid-19.

Study Design: This study is design to investigate the shocks effect of remittances on the economic growth in Nigeria in the midst of Covid-19. The analysis is based on monthly data, the period which study intends to cover is 24 months i.e. (2019 m1-2020 m12). Quantitative technique of data analysis is employed due to the nature of the study. The analysis is based on time series econometric modeling that establishes link between the variables of interest and controls for other variables affecting the relationship.

Place and Duration of the Study: Nigerian Economy in the midst of Covid-19 from 2019m1 to 2020m12.

Methodology: The study employed Structural Vector Autoregressive (SVAR) model.

Results: The results revealed that, the shock of remittances on real gross domestic product was found to be positive. Exchange rate has negative effect on real gross domestic product in Nigeria. Foreign direct investment has negative effect on real gross domestic product in Nigeria. The result from impulse response function shows that, the shock of remittances to real GDP in the midst of to Covid-19 pandemic has impacted positively. The Granger causality test shows that remittances granger cause real gross domestic product and real gross product granger cause remittances in Nigeria. Exchange rate granger cause real gross domestic product and real gross product granger cause exchange rate in Nigeria. Foreign direct investment granger cause real gross domestic product and real gross product granger cause foreign direct investment in Nigeria.

Conclusions: According to the report, the Nigerian government should give measures to make remittances cheaper because bigger remittance inflows will compensate for any losses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, and remittances should be used for both investment and consumption.
Design and Construction of a Smart-home Automation System (SHAS) using Nodemcu and Google Assistant
Authors: Efenji G. I. , Zhimwang J. T. , Gwani M. M. , Uzer J. M. , Kazeem S. A.
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the design and construction of a smart-home automation system using nodeMCU and Google assistant. The device consist of Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART) module that contains all clock generators, shift registers and data buffers necessary to perform an input or output serial data transfer independently of the device program execution. The NodeMCU (ESP8266) Wi-fi Shield connected the microcontroller to the provided Wi-fi network. The Arduino and MPLAB Programming Interface with the help of PICKit3 were used to run the code on PIC16F877A. Home appliances were controlled via a web page created using IFTTT for the voice command and the Blynk app for controlling hardware remotely and also display sensor data. IFTTT is a simple to use internet service that easily enables IoT devices to GET and POST data. The device was constructed based on low cost and reliable home controlled monitoring system for accessing and controlling electronics appliances remotely using any Smart phone with access to Google assistance or Computer web application. The device was test under different electronics appliances with different voltage capacities and was found efficient. Therefore, this device when used is capable of improving the living standard at home, reduces human effort, save energy and time thus make homes have sufficient automation.
Understanding the Intricacies between Southeast Asia and Russia
Authors: Mahaseth Harsh , Wong Natalie , . Shalika
Published: March 2022

Over the past thirty years, the Russian Federation has continuously made efforts to tighten its ties with the Southeast Asian region. Yet, Russia has made rather insignificant progress in the region when compared to powers like China and the U.S. This article seeks to examine the ASEAN-Russia relationship in terms of its historical relation, cultural relation, political and security relation and economic and trade relation. From these areas of cooperation, it can be observed that Russia has remained a peripheral player in the region. Despite this, Russia has an increasingly important role in countering the geostrategic influence of China and the U.S. The article moves on to analyzing Russia’s role in the region, particularly how it attempts to achieve its foreign policy goals amidst the power rivalry between China and the U.S. Finally, the paper looks at how Southeast Asian countries have a growing interest in tightening their connections with Russia, for both economic and security reasons in light of the China-U.S. struggle for power, ASEAN’s economic future and the novel COVID-19.
Psychometric Properties of Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale - A Study among Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors: Jabeen Bushra , Salahuddin Amra , Kassab Yaman W. , Bethala Krupavaram , Salih Ahmed Abdelrahman Gadelseed , Paneerselvam Ganesh Sritheran , Matias Winsthon Carpo , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid
Published: March 2022

Objective: This study aimed to perform the psychometric properties of Perceived Stress Scale 10 among AF patients.

Methodology: A study was performed among AF patients using the Perceived Stress Scale 10. Sociodemographic and patients reported clinical data were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Out of total 310 study participants, there were more female patients 185 (59.7%) than the male patients 125 (40.3%). No major issues regarding internal consistency, factorial validity, and convergent validity were observed.

Conclusion: The present study confirmed the reliability and validity of Perceived Stress Scale 10 among the studied cohort of the AF patients.
Effect of Sociodemographic Correlates on Quality of Life of Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Zahid , Kassab Yaman W. , Shah Mehr Ali , Menon Shashidharan , Salih Ahmed Abdelrahman Gadelseed , Salahuddin Amra , Moiz Muhammad Umer Abdul , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid
Published: March 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine effect of sociodemographic correlates on quality of life (QoL) in heart failure patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using a newly developed and validated research tool and MLHF research tool, was conducted in heart failure patients. Data was collected by convenience sampling method. Descriptive, comparative, and inferential statistics were used by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) ver. 24 to determine the sociodemographic correlates of QoL in heart failure patients.

Results: Out of total 177 studied patients, the majority of the studied heart failure patients were male 103 (58.2%) and the females were 74 (41.8%). The most of the studied heart failure patients were from > 60 years of age group 73 (41.2%). In Spearman’s correlation analysis, statistically non-significant (p >0.05), weak and positive associations were observed. The studied demographic variables like gender, age, marital status, educational level, monthly income, smoking, family history and weight were found to have positive correlation with patients overall QoL

Conclusion: The study results concluded a weak but positive correlation between various studied demographic variables and QoL of the heart failure patients.