bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Blended Teaching Strategies of College English Translation Based on Computer Corpus
Authors: Cheng Jing
Published: February 2022

The traditional teaching mode is still used in most college English courses today, and the results are not satisfactory. This article examines the effectiveness of college English graded teaching mode using a college English translation course combined with a network and classroom hybrid teaching mode. The definitions of international and foreign blended learning, related organizational strategies, and the use of learning styles in classroom teaching and online learning are summarized based on literature review. The differences in learning styles are analyzed and demonstrated from the perspective of learners while building blended learning organizational models. Based on differences in learning styles, the possibility of organizing blended learning based on the learning style model initially forms a blended learning organizational strategy. This article focuses on students’ comprehension of English grammar concepts in a blended learning environment. This article investigates whether college English translation instruction in a blended learning environment has aided students’ English comprehension. Teaching identifies a specific direction and presents corresponding teaching strategies based on a case study. The findings show that corpus-based mixed teaching can effectively stimulate students’ interest and motivation when compared to traditional teaching models. The study time and method have been made more flexible, and the ability to self-study and apply what has been learned has also been greatly improved.
Severe Infraclavicular Displacement of a Proximal Humerus Fracture with Concomitant Olecranon Fracture in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Shieh Andrew , McMichael Jessica C. , Knudsen-Robbins Chloe , Brindis Seth L. , Heyming Theodore W.
Published: February 2022

Proximal humerus fractures with severe medial displacement of the humeral head are rare in adults and especially so in children. Concomitant vascular/neurovascular injury is even more uncommon but must be considered as the associated complications can carry significant morbidity. We present a case of a 12-year-old transported to the ED after a mountain bike accident in which she lost control and hit a cement wall, injuring her left upper extremity (LUE). Despite a normal vascular/sensory exam, imaging demonstrated a left comminuted proximal humerus fracture with the humerus displaced medially into the thoracic inlet as well as concern for left subclavian vessel injury. Given the possibility of vascular injury and the severe humeral head displacement, she was taken to surgery with orthopedic and vascular surgical teams. Although surgical exploration did not reveal vascular injury, this case underlines the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for neurovascular injury with such fractures as prompt intervention may reduce the likelihood of complications. This case also underscores the need for further research into the management of pediatric proximal humerus fractures in early adolescence.
Electroacupuncture Enhances Neuroplasticity by Regulating the Orexin A-Mediated cAMP/PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Prone 8 (SAMP8) Mice
Authors: Hou Zhitao , Yang Xinyu , Li Yang , Chen Jing , Shang Hongcai
Published: February 2022

Learning and memory disorders and decreased neuroplasticity are the main clinical manifestations of age-induced cognitive dysfunction. Orexin A (OxA) has been reported to show abnormally elevated expression in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and to be associated with cognitive impairment. Here, we further assessed whether the excitatory neurotransmitter OxA is involved in neuroplasticity and cognitive function in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of OxA by using behavioral tests, CSF microdialysis, immunofluorescence, toluidine blue staining, gene silencing, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blotting. The results showed that 10 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) effectively alleviated learning and memory impairment in 7-month-old SAMP8 mice, reduced OxA levels in the CSF, increased the level of the neurotransmitter glutamate, alleviated pathological damage to hippocampal tissue, improved the synaptic structure, enhanced synaptic transmission, and regulated the expression of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway-related proteins. These results suggest that EA enhances neuroplasticity in SAMP8 mice by regulating the OxA-mediated cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway, thus improving cognitive function. These findings suggest that EA may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of age-induced cognitive impairment.
Demographic Risk Factors of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies
Authors: Yu Caberry W. , Popovic Marko M. , Dhoot Arjan S. , Arjmand Parnian , Muni Rajeev H. , Tehrani Nasrin N. , Mireskandari Kamiar , Kertes Peter J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Current national guidelines use gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) as their basis for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. The strength of association of these and other demographic risk factors is inconsistent across studies. This review aims to evaluate the strength of association of documented risk factors for ROP in large sample, population-based studies. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched from January 2010 to May 2020. Original studies reporting the risk of ROP in a region and demographic risk factors were included. Results: Eighteen studies comprising 342,005 infants were included. The overall risk of ROP in preterm infants was 18.8%. For every week decrease in GA, there was a median adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.4 times (range 1.2–1.9) of developing ROP. For every 100-g decrease in BW, the median aOR was 1.8 times (range 1.2–2.7). Higher risk was found in infants with neonatal sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The risk of any, severe, and treatment-requiring ROP was highest for 23 weeks GA, which was 66.5, 40.3, and 39.4%, respectively. Regions with higher neonatal mortality rates had the highest mean GA of infants with ROP. Conclusion: For every week decrease in GA and every 100-g decrease in BW, there was a median of 1.4 times and 1.8 times the odds of developing ROP, respectively. Further research is required to clarify the role of additional risk factors.
Fortgeschrittenes NSCLC: Prognostisches Modell für Langzeitüberlebende mit EGFR-Mutation
Authors: Horter Susanne , Schütte Wolfgang
Published: February 2022

Background: There is a lack of useful diagnostic tools to identify EGFR mutated NSCLC patients with long-term survival. This study develops a prognostic model using real world data to assist clinicians to predict survival beyond 24 months. Methods: EGFR mutated stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2017 included in the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG) thoracic tumor registry. Long-term survival was defined as being alive 24 months after diagnosis. A multivariable prognostic model was carried out using binary logistic regression and internal validation through bootstrapping. A nomogram was developed to facilitate the interpretation and applicability of the model. Results: 505 of the 961 EGFR mutated patients identified in the registry were included, with a median survival of 27.73 months. Factors associated with overall survival longer than 24 months were: being a woman (OR 1.78); absence of the exon 20 insertion mutation (OR 2.77); functional status (ECOG 0–1) (OR 4.92); absence of central nervous system metastases (OR 2.22), absence of liver metastases (OR 1.90) or adrenal involvement (OR 2.35) and low number of metastatic sites (OR 1.22). The model had a good internal validation with a calibration slope equal to 0.781 and discrimination (optimism corrected C-index 0.680). Conclusions: Survival greater than 24 months can be predicted from six pre-treatment clinicopathological variables. The model has a good discrimination ability. We hypothesized that this model could help the selection of the best treatment sequence in EGFR mutation NSCLC patients.
Long-Term Effects on Preventing Frailty and Health Care Costs Associated with a Multifactorial Intervention in the Elderly: Three-Year Follow-Up Data from the Pre-Frail 80 Study
Authors: Gené Huguet Laia , Kostov Belchin , Navarro González Marta , Hervás Docon Amparo , Colungo Francia Cristina , Vilaseca Llobet Josep Maria , Benavent Àreu Jaume , González de Paz Lluís , Sisó-Almirall Antoni
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Preventing or delaying frailty has important benefits. Studies show the effectiveness of multifactorial interventions in the frail and pre-frail elderly, but few have evaluated their long-term effectiveness. Frailty and its consequences have been shown to increase the use of health resources. The main aim was to evaluate the long-term effect of a multifactorial primary healthcare intervention in pre-frail elderly people at 36 months and determine the health resources used and their cost. Methods: A follow-up of a cohort study of patients who participated in a randomized clinical trial in an urban primary care centre in Barcelona was carried out. We included 200 non-institutionalized people aged ≥80 years who met the Fried pre-frailty criteria. The intervention group (IG) received a 6-month interdisciplinary intervention based on physical exercise, Mediterranean diet advice, assessment of inadequate prescribing in polypharmacy patients, and social assessment, while the control group (CG) received standard of care primary healthcare treatment. Sociodemographic variables were collected at baseline. The Fried criteria, comorbidities, and geriatric syndromes were collected at baseline and 12 and 36 months. For the analysis of health costs, data were collected on visits, complementary tests, hospital admissions, and surgical interventions in the last 36 months. Complexity, the rate of expected emergency admission, and the rate of expected mortality were collected at 36 months. Between-group characteristics were compared at baseline and 36 months using the χ2 test and the t test for independent samples. The post-intervention (12-month follow-up) versus longitudinal follow-up (36-month follow-up) comparison used McNemar’s test for each group. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was used to compare health costs. Results: Of the 200 patients initially included, we evaluated 135 (67.5%) patients who completed the 36-month follow-up. The mean age was 88.5 years and 64.4% were female. At 36 months, the transition to frailty was much lower in the IG than in the CG (22.1% vs. 32.8%, p = 0.013). The total mean health cost at 36 months was 3,110 EUR in the CG and 2,679 EUR in the IG. No significant between-group differences were observed according to Clinical Risk Groups. Conclusions: A multifactorial, interdisciplinary intervention carried out in primary care prevented frailty in pre-frail elderly people at 36-month follow-up. Although the IG was grouped into higher grade Clinical Risk Groups and therefore had greater morbidity, the cost was lower than that in the CG.
A Retrospective Case Study Report of the Projectification and Quick Wins during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Governmental Healthcare Sector: Lessons Learned from Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsaqer Adnan Ahmed , Abduljawad Asaad Abdulrahman , Mustafa Hatim Sid Ahmed Mohammed , Mohammad Maha Salam
Published: February 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most challenging disasters healthcare institutions are facing, requiring healthcare systems to balance meeting general healthcare needs with those caused by the pandemic. Healthcare systems were not designed to deal with this crisis: an unpredictable, large-scale challenge that has required urgent resource mobilization, affecting whole populations. However, there has also been no time to debate systems’ abilities to deal with the crisis, not least because the pandemic opposes the general direction of these systems. The urgent need for new fast-track, quick-win projects was necessary because we were time-constrained. We also needed an effective approach – which globally known project management tools could be efficiently applied? The widely accepted Project Management Institute (PMI) model and the popular Six Sigma Define, Measure, Analyze, Implement, Control (DMAIC) approach were two reasonable methodologies to select, so we aimed to modify these tools to achieve quick results. An initial needs assessment of the pandemic’s challenges required careful consideration of our high-impact healthcare facilities’ ability to meet those challenges. Our assessment concluded that ability was limited, and as Lean Six Sigma DMAIC principles are more effectively applicable to quality improvement initiatives, the combined application of DMAIC and PMI principles, which enable robust and stable project initiation, governance, enterprise engagement, and measurable quality deliverables, enabled us to focus on structured project management and quality outcomes. Methods: This modified approach was applied to the 10 main Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals and 2 specialized care centers in the Al-Ahsa region, to design and initiate 40 mini-projects that could yield quick wins. This study was designed to measure the value of applying these tools and learn lessons retrospectively. Results: The successful ability to eliminate identified healthcare challenges within 5 weeks of launching the mini-projects, meeting an average of 74% of planned baseline targets.
Behandlung rheumatischer immunbedingter Nebenwirkungen bei der Krebsimmuntherapie mit Immun-Checkpoint-Inhibitoren – ist es Zeit für einen Paradigmenwechsel?
Authors: Chatzidionysiou Katerina , Liapi Matina , Tsakonas Georgios , Gunnarsson Iva , Catrina Anca
Published: February 2022

Die Immuntherapie hat die Krebsbehandlung in den letzten Jahren revolutioniert. Mehrere monoklonale Antikörper, die spezifisch für regulatorische Checkpoint-Moleküle sind, d.h. Immuncheckpoint-Inhibitoren (ICI), sind zugelassen worden und werden derzeit für verschiedene Krebsarten in unterschiedlichen Behandlungslinien eingesetzt. Die Krebsimmuntherapie zielt auf die Stärkung der Immunantwort gegen Krebszellen ab. Trotz ihrer hohen Wirksamkeit stehen ICI mit einem neuen Spektrum von unerwünschten Ereignissen in Zusammenhang, die auf ein autoimmunes Erscheinungsbild zurückzuführen sind und häufig als immunbedingte unerwünschte Ereignisse (irAE) bezeichnet werden, wodurch der Nutzwert dieser Arzneimittel eingeschränkt wird. Diese irAE sind recht häufig und können fast jedes Organ betreffen. Der Grad der Toxizität variiert von sehr leicht bis lebensbedrohlich. Die pathophysiologischen Mechanismen, die diesen Ereignissen zugrunde liegen, sind nicht vollständig geklärt. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit fassen wir die aktuellen Erkenntnisse speziell zu den rheumatischen irAE zusammen und befassen uns mit aktuellen und zukünftigen Behandlungsstrategien. In den Behandlungsleitlinien wird der Einsatz von Glukokortikoiden als Erstlinientherapie weitgehend empfohlen, wenn die symptomatische Therapie nicht wirksam ist sowie bei anhaltender und/oder mittelschwerer/schwerer Entzündung. Zielgerichtete Therapien stehen in der Behandlungspyramide weiter oben, wenn die Reaktion auf Glukokortikoide und herkömmliche, breit wirkende Immunsuppressiva unzureichend ist sowie bei schweren Formen von irAE. Präklinische Daten geben jedoch Anlass zu Bedenken hinsichtlich des potenziellen Risikos einer Beeinträchtigung der antitumoralen Wirkung. Dieses potenzielle Risiko von Glukokortikoiden könnte zusammen mit der hohen Wirksamkeit und dem potenziellen synergistischen Effekt neuerer, gezielter Immunmodulationen wie dem Tumornekrosefaktor und der Interleukin-6-Blockade einen Paradigmenwechsel unterstützen, bei dem gezieltere Behandlungen früher in der Behandlungssequenz erwogen werden.
Measuring Adolescent Chronic Stress: A Review of Established Biomarkers and Psychometric Instruments
Authors: Kokka Ioulia , Chrousos George P. , Darviri Christina , Bacopoulou Flora
Published: February 2022

Adolescence is a period of stressful physiological and psychosocial changes. Exposure to chronic stress can cause specific structural and functional changes in an organism, which can be appraised objectively. Some of these alterations are an expected reaction of the body in its attempt to adapt to a stressful situation, while others are signs of possible disease development. The aim of this review was to present the most widely used methods of stress evaluation in adolescence research. Primary biomarkers associated with different biological systems, such as the stress hormones glucocorticoids, and catecholamines, as well as the available methods of extraction and assessment of each biomarker, are presented. This work also includes secondary outcomes, which can also provide an estimation of an individual’s stress level. Also, most available psychometric instruments of stress, constructed to address specifically this period of life, are presented and discussed. In addition, this paper addresses possible confounding factors that may affect stress measurements, which should be taken under consideration when conducting stress research. To objectively evaluate stress, it is of great importance for a researcher to be familiar with the condition under examination and its representative stress indices. Adequate evaluation of adolescents with the selection of proper psychometric tests and biological markers can help design targeted interventions aiming to prevent or reverse the effects of physical and mental stressors that occur during adolescence, effects that can be carried into adulthood with detrimental consequences.
Influence of Baseline Diastolic Blood Pressure on the Effects of Intensive Systolic Blood Pressure Lowering on the Risk of Stroke
Authors: Shihab Saeed , Boucher Robert E. , Abraham Nikita , Wei Guo , Beddhu Srinivasan
Published: February 2022

Background:

Guidelines recommend lowering systolic blood pressure below 130 mm Hg, irrespective of previous strokes. However, there is a concern that lowering systolic blood pressure in people with low baseline diastolic blood pressure might increase the risk of stroke.

Methods:

We conducted a secondary analysis of the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes trial that randomly assigned participants with a history of subcortical strokes to an intensive (<130 mm Hg; N=1519) or standard (130–149 mm Hg; N=1501) systolic targets. We examined the effects of blood pressure intervention on stroke and cardiovascular composite across the range of baseline diastolic blood pressure in spline regression models and tested for interaction of baseline diastolic blood pressure with the intervention on outcomes.

Results:

Mean baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 143±19 and 78±11 mm Hg, respectively. Within each baseline diastolic blood pressure tertile, the achieved diastolic was lower in the intensive versus standard arm. There were 275 stroke events over 10 889 years of follow-up. Lower baseline diastolic blood pressure was associated with increased risk of stroke in an observational spline regression model. Hazard ratios relating blood pressure intervention with the risk of stroke in the lowest (hazard ratio, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.52–1.16]) and the highest (hazard ratio, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.53–1.21]) baseline diastolic tertiles were similar (
P
=0.95). Results were similar for the cardiovascular composite.

Conclusions:

Intensive systolic control does not appear to increase the risk of stroke in those with low baseline diastolic blood pressure and prior stroke.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00059306.
One‐Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Bioresorbable Polymer Everolimus‐Eluting Stents in High Bleeding Risk Patients
Authors: Pivato Carlo A. , Reimers Bernhard , Testa Luca , Pacchioni Andrea , Briguori Carlo , Musto Carmine , Esposito Giovanni , Piccolo Raffaele , Lucisano Luigi , De Luca Leonardo , Conrotto Federico , De Marco Andrea , Franzone Anna , Presbitero Patrizia , Ferrante Giuseppe , Condorelli Gerolama , Paradies Valeria , Sardella Gennaro , Indolfi Ciro , Condorelli Gianluigi , Stefanini Giulio G.
Published: February 2022

Background

It is unknown whether contemporary drug‐eluting stents have a similar safety profile in high bleeding risk patients treated with 1‐month dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary interventions.

Methods and Results

We performed an interventional, prospective, multicenter, single‐arm trial, powered for noninferiority with respect to an objective performance criterion to evaluate the safety of percutaneous coronary interventions with Synergy bioresorbable‐polymer everolimus‐eluting stent followed by 1‐month dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with high bleeding risk. In case of need for an oral anticoagulant, patients received an oral anticoagulant in addition to a P2Y
12
inhibitor for 1 month, followed by an oral anticoagulant only. The primary end point was the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or definite or probable stent thrombosis at 1‐year follow‐up. The study was prematurely interrupted because of slow recruitment. From April 2017 to October 2019, 443 patients (age, 74.8±9.2 years; women, 29.1%) at 10 Italian centers were included. The 1‐year primary outcome occurred in 4.82% (95% CI, 3.17%–7.31%) of patients, meeting the noninferiority compared with the predefined objective performance criterion of 9.4% and the noninferiority margin of 3.85% (

P
noninferiority

<0.001) notwithstanding the lower‐than‐expected sample size. The rates of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and definite or probable stent thrombosis were 1.88% (95% CI, 0.36%–2.50%), 3.42% (95% CI, 2.08%–5.62%), and 0.94% (95% CI, 0.35%–2.49%), respectively.

Conclusions

Among high bleeding risk patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions with the Synergy bioresorbable‐polymer everolimus‐eluting stent, a 1‐month dual antiplatelet therapy regimen is safe, with low rates of ischemic and bleeding events.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier:
NCT03112707
.
Ā-Probing for the Closest DP
Authors: Branan Kenyon , Erlewine Michael Yoshitaka
Published: February 2022

We consider the typology of attested Ā-extraction asymmetries between core argument DPs and argue that an Ā-probe can be required to specifically target the closest DP. Such an Ā-probe specification is part of Aldridge’s (2004, 2008) influential analysis of syntactically ergative extraction restrictions, but has not been widely adopted outside of work on ergative languages. We argue that restricted probing of this form underlies subject-only extraction behaviors in a number of nonergative languages, including some of those in Keenan and Comrie’s (1977) typology of relativization asymmetries. We describe the behaviors of such probes in detail and relate them to other probe-goal behaviors in recent work on composite A /Ā probes.
The Informativeness/Complexity Trade-Off in the Domain of Boolean Connectives
Authors: Uegaki Wataru
Published: February 2022

I apply the model of semantic universals in terms of informativeness/complexity trade-off (Kemp, Xu, and Regier 2018) to Boolean connectives. The model explains the crosslinguistic absence of the connective , once theoretical insights from Horn 1972 and Katzir and Singh 2013 are incorporated. The lack of follows if languages optimize the trade-off between (a) simplicity of the lexicon measured in terms of primitive symbols and (b) informativeness of the lexicon measured in terms of accurate transfer of information, given scalar implicature. The analysis demonstrates that the model provides a promising insight into the nature of lexicalization in logical vocabularies.
Deconstructing Subcategorization: Conditions on Insertion vs. Conditions on Position
Authors: Kalin Laura , Rolle Nicholas
Published: February 2022

The mechanism of subcategorization has been used for decades to account for many sorts of idiosyncratic behaviors of lexical items. We home in on the use of subcategorization for regulating the behaviors of individual exponents (morphs, vocabulary items), in particular, for infixation and suppletive allomorphy. We compare two distinct approaches, (a) enriched subcategorization, which takes there to be one mechanism governing both infixation and suppletive allomorphy, with their differences coming from enrichments to the (single) condition on an exponent’s realization, and (b) split subcategorization, which teases apart a mechanism governing infixation (a condition on an exponent’s position) from one governing suppletive allomorphy (a condition on the choice/insertion of an exponent). On the basis of a number of empirical and theoretical considerations, we argue for the latter approach: subcategorization at the exponent level must be deconstructed into (at least) two distinct conditions/mechanisms.
Cohesive Institutions and Political Violence
Authors: Fetzer Thiemo , Kyburz Stephan
Published: February 2022

Can revenue sharing of resource rents be a source of distributive conflict? Can cohesive institutions avoid such conflicts? We exploit exogenous variation in local government revenues and new data on local democratic institutions in Nigeria to study these questions. We find a strong link between rents and conflict. Conflicts are highly organized and concentrated in districts and time periods with unelected local governments. Once local governments are elected these relationships are much weaker. We argue that elections produce more cohesive institutions that help limit distributional conflict between groups. Throughout, we confirm these findings using individual level survey data.
Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization
Authors: Boxell Levi , Gentzkow Matthew , Shapiro Jesse M.
Published: February 2022

We measure trends in affective polarization in twelve OECD countries over the past four decades. According to our baseline estimates, the United States experienced the largest increase in polarization over this period. Five countries experienced a smaller increase in polarization. Six countries experienced a decrease in polarization. We relate trends in polarization to trends in potential explanatory factors.
Learning Disabilities in Primary School. How to Diagnose and Remediate the Difficulties with a Team Approach: The First Results
Authors: Glozman Janna M. , Plotnikova Anna
Published: February 2022

Background. An important problem of our day is the significant increase in the number of learning-disabled pupils all over the world. This has led to the emergence of a new branch of neuropsychology — “school neuropsychology” or the “Neuropsychology of learning.” Objective. This paper analyzes the role and functions of a neuropsychologist in primary schools and the possibilities of his/her collaboration with other specialists in diagnosing children’s problems and organizing remediation for problematic kids. Design. We established four steps for launching neuropsychological work at primary schools: 1) setting up a screening group for neuropsychological assessment of all children entering the first year of school; 2) a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of the children who showed poor results in the first step of the study; 3) a team remediation program; and 4) evaluation of the remediation results by a new neuropsychological assessment at the end of the remediation program. Results. The results of the first step of our study showed a very high percentage of children with cognitive problems — 37% of 202 6–8 year-old schoolchildren entering the first year of school. They formed a group at risk for future learning disabilities and maladjustment at school. Age and gender differences, and the structure of cognitive underdevelopment, were discussed in the second step of our study. In the third step, a team of school specialists, including a neuropsychologist, a teacher, a school psychologist, and a school social worker, implemented a remediation program which was created and supervised by a neuropsychologist. Conclusion. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of the pupils revealed a complex structure of cognitive disturbances which interfere with pupils’ learning abilities in primary school. The team approach can efficiently prevent learning disabilities and help children with cognitive underdevelopment and risks of future unsuccess at school, when this collaboration of school specialists has a common theoretical approach and is based upon comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.
Neuropsychological Assessment of Difficulties in Reading Spanish: A Cultural-Historical Approach
Authors: Solovieva Yulia , Koutsoklenis Athanasios , Quintanar Luis
Published: February 2022

Background. This paper argues that Cultural-Historical neuropsychology provides a solid theoretical framework for the assessment of reading difficulties. Objective. The objective of the paper is to discuss how reading process and reading difficulties are perceived through the prism of Cultural-Historical neuropsychology. Design. This paper is of a theoretical and methodological nature, directed to practice and research in the field of neuropsychology. Results. This paper provides an outline of the fundamental concepts and principles of Cultural–Historical theory that are relevant to the assessment of reading difficulties. It provides a blueprint for the assessment of difficulties in reading Spanish via a presentation of data on common mistakes and their relationship to neuropsychological factors. Conclusion. The crucial role of in-school teaching in facilitating students to avoid developing reading difficulties, or to overcome them, is highlighted.
A Picture of Trait Anxiety and Aggressiveness among Adolescents from Different Types of Educational Institutions
Authors: Tarasova Sofya Yu.
Published: February 2022

Background. This study is an attempt to identify psychological markers for pupils’ maladaptive states. Аggression is seen as behavior while aggressiveness is seen as the state of being ready for such behavior. Anxiety is considered a stable personality trait. Two hundred and sixty pupils of the 8th grade from five different schools took part in the research. Schools that have a selection principle for admission are called prestige schools. Objective. The purpose of this study was to discover correlations between trait anxiety and aggressiveness among adolescents in different types of educational institutions. At the same time, we were interested in manifestations of maladaptive perfectionism and destructive personality tendencies as revealed by quantitative and qualitative research methods. Design. The first stage of the study was a survey to define risk groups for hostility and anxiety among the adolescents. All tests except the one for sociometry were done on an individual basis. The second stage included methods for qualitative analysis of personality. The pupils from identified risk groups were paid special attention. We were interested in the recurrence of destructive personality tendencies as they appeared in each method. Results. About one third of all the participants from four out of the five schools formed the hostility risk group. In the prestige and non-prestige schools alike, hostile adolescents were more likely to find themselves at least somewhat isolated in their social group (class). Hostile teenagers have more self-esteem problems and issues with forming a Self-concept in general, as well as pronounced destructive personality tendencies in some cases. However, the pictures of trait anxiety in prestige and non-prestige schools were different. Hostile teenagers from non-prestige schools were more likely to greatly underestimate their intelligence and communication skills. In this case, according to the teachers’ expert opinion and the results of participant observation, that assessment reflected the reality.
Three new species, one new record and an updated checklist of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: RANDI AGUSTI , ARDI WISNU H. , GIRMANSYAH DEDEN , SITEPU BINA SWASTA , HUGHES MARK
Published: February 2022

Three new Begonia species from Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo are described here, namely Begonia kapuashuluensis, B. patar and B. sangkulirangensis, and one species is reported as a new record for Kalimantan. Colour plates, as well as notes on distribution, habitat and conservation status are provided. On conservation status, we provisionally assess B. kapuashuluensis as near threatened, B. patar as critically endangered and B. sangkulirangensis as vulnerable.
Irpex jinshaensis sp. nov. and I. subulatus comb. nov. (Irpicaceae, Polyporales), evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis
Authors: TIAN XUE-MEI , MAN XIAO-WU , LIU ZHAN-BO
Published: February 2022

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungus in the family Irpicaceae, Irpex jinshaensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from China based on morphological and molecular evidence. The species was collected in Yunnan Province, where it grew on the undersides of fallen angiosperm branches. I. jinshaensis is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarp with white to cream pores when fresh becoming salmon to cinnamon upon drying, a monomitic hyphal system, generative hyphae thick-walled with simple septa, and occasionally covered with small crystal granules, the presence of encrusted cystidia and subglobose to globose basidiospores. The phylogenetic analysis based on ITS + nLSU rDNA sequences shows that the new species belongs to Irpex, clustering with I. hydnoides, I. hacksungii and I. lacteus with strong support. In addition, a new combination, I. subulatus, is proposed based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Morphological and molecular characters confirm the placement of both the new species and the combination in Irpex. A key to the species of Irpex known from China is provided.
Passiflora rupestris, a new synonym of Passiflora pohlii (Passifloraceae sensu stricto)
Authors: MILWARD-DE-AZEVEDO MICHAELE A.
Published: February 2022

Passiflora rupestris Bernacci, Mezzonato & Salimena (2014: 517) (Passifloraceae sensu stricto) belongs to the genus Passiflora L. (1753: 955) subgenus Decaloba (DC.) Reichenbach (1828: 132) supersection Decaloba (DC.) J.M. MacDougal & Feuillet (2003 [2004]: 37) section Decaloba DC. (1822: 435). It was described based on a single collection from Serra Negra, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (L. Menini Neto et al. 284 - CESJ 48511). The authors stated in the protologue that the species was closely related to P. condorita P. Jørg. (2004: 18), native to Ecuador, P. magdalenae Triana & Planch. (1873: 166) from Colombia, and a couple of Brazilian species: P. pardifolia Vanderplank (2006: 243) and P. pohlii Mast. (1872: 586). All of those have similarities with respect to leaf shape and the blade lobe apex, but differ in a wider set of features, such as the blades not having ocelli.
Clear-Sky Direct Aerosol Radiative Forcing Uncertainty Associated with Aerosol Optical Properties Based on CMIP6 models
Authors: Zhang Lu , Li Jing , Jiang Zhongjing , Dong Yueming , Ying Tong , Zhang Zhenyu
Published: February 2022

The direct perturbation of anthropogenic aerosols on Earth’s energy balance [i.e., direct aerosol radiative forcing (DARF)] remains uncertain in climate models. These uncertainties critically depend on aerosol optical properties, primarily aerosol optical depth (AOD), single scattering albedo (SSA), and the asymmetry factorg. In this study, we investigate the intermodel spread of DARF across 14 global models within phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), using unified radiative transfer calculation and aerosol optical parameter assumptions. The global mean DARF for clear sky in 2014 with respect to 1850 is estimated as −0.77 ± 0.52 W m−2assuming an externally mixed state and −0.68 ± 0.53 W m−2for an internally mixed state. We further conduct a quantitative analysis and find that globally, for the external mixing assumption, AOD is the dominant factor, whose intermodel spread results in 36% of the total DARF uncertainty. For the internal mixing assumption, SSA becomes the major factor, which also leads to 36% DARF uncertainty. Thegparameter and aerosol vertical distribution combined contribute to ∼30% of the DARF uncertainty. Regionally, DARF uncertainty is typically more sensitive to SSA where the absorbing aerosol fraction is high, such as South Asia and central Africa. Substantial differences between model-averaged and observed aerosol optical parameters are still noticed, with external mixing in general yielding closer agreement with observations. Our results highlight the importance of aerosol scattering and absorption properties in DARF estimation.
Management of Complex Transmediastinal Stab Wound With Cardiac, Esophageal, and Arterial Injury
Authors: Yu Yasong , Guerra Jarot , Rattigan Deviney A. , Kunac Anastasia
Published: February 2022

Penetrating transmediastinal traumatic injuries often carry a high mortality given the vital structures this type of injury often involves. Here, we describe a case of 24-year-old man who suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest and back with associated cardiac, esophageal, and arterial injury, requiring immediate operative intervention. He underwent sternotomy and left thoracotomy with pericardiotomy, repair of 2 right ventricular lacerations, and ligation of internal mammary artery. The esophageal injury was repaired with endoscopic clips. Patient had an uncomplicated recovery. Despite high mortality often associated with transmediastinal penetrating injuries, good outcomes are achievable with rapid identification of injuries and appropriate operative intervention alongside adequate resuscitation.
Historical Institutionalism, Hybridity and Institutional Logics in Public Transport History
Authors: Fowler James
Published: February 2022

This paper responds to calls for new theoretical frameworks within which to examine transport history and bring it into contact with other disciplines with a view to overcoming some of its alleged previous preoccupations with Anglocentric economic data. It offers three interconnected ideas from other fields, historical institutionalism, hybridity and institutional logics and it proposes that these tools can assist historians in making sense of the qualitative material from archival records. The paper also suggests that by explicitly framing the history of public transport as a political process, historians can engage with a wider social ecology of interest groups than those represented by economic interests. Whilst recognising the assumptions inherent in an institutional approach and the limitations of the scope of the author's own research, the paper argues that these frameworks can nevertheless be used widely and effectively.
Future agricultures: The promise and pitfalls of a (re)turn to nature
Authors: Sumberg James
Published: February 2022

This paper introduces the Outlook on Agriculture Special Issue on biomimicry and nature-based solutions. It provides a selective overview that will help frame and situate the collection, with a particular focus on agriculture and food production. The relationship between agriculture and nature is a central concern, and particularly how this relationship is framed by those promoting the idea that to overcome the multiple challenges it faces, agriculture must (re)turn to nature. The significance of different understandings of ‘nature-based solutions’, and the relative importance of biomimicry, are explored.
Hybrid sol-gel-derived method for the synthesis of silicon rubber composites with hBN for characteristic applications in elastomeric thermal pads
Authors: Meraje Warga Chegeno , Huang Chang-Chiun , Ahmad Naveed , Dewangga Garuda Raka Satria , Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey
Published: February 2022

The thermal conductivity of silicone rubber is very low and does not meet the required thermal conductive applications, so inorganic fillers are added to increase heat transfer which ultimately improves the thermally conductive path. In this study, silicone rubber/hexagonal boron nitride composite was synthesized by the hydrolysis-polycondensation method to enhance the thermal conductivity of the material while retaining acceptable flexibility properties. The introduction of MQ resin reduced crosslink density, thermal stability, tensile strength, and hardness of the silicone resin composite and improved elongation. The addition of vinyl-based MQT and aluminum-based MQT resins improved the properties of the silicone rubber, while the addition of vinyl-based MQT resin reduced the crosslink density, tensile strength and hardness, and improved its elongation and thermal stability properties. While aluminum-based MQT resin did not have a significant effect on crosslink density, tensile strength, or hardness, it also improved elongation and reduced thermal stability. The high filler concentration of hexagonal boron nitride in the composite enhanced thermal conductivity up to 3.253 Wm−1 K−1, while it reduced tensile strength to 1.248 MPa and elongation to 22% but increased hardness up to 75 shore A. The addition of silicone resin improved the thermal conductivity of all MQ, vinyl-based MQT3 and aluminum-based MQT3 resin composites up to 3.661, 3.962 and 4.817 Wm−1 K−1, respectively. For the same three resins, tensile strength was increased up to 1.274, 1.290, and 1.312 MPa, elongation at break was raised to 125%, 188%, and 150%, and hardness was reduced to 69, 71, and 72 shore A, respectively. The addition of silicone resin also showed an effect on density, volatile content, flame resistance, and volume resistivity.
Is Constructive Engagement Online a Lost Cause? Toxic Outrage in Online User Comments Across Democratic Political Systems and Discussion Arenas
Authors: Jakob Julia , Dobbrick Timo , Freudenthaler Rainer , Haffner Patrik , Wessler Hartmut
Published: February 2022

This study is the first to simultaneously investigate country-level and platform-related context factors of toxic outrage, that is, destructive incivility, in online discussions. It compares user comments on the public role of religion and secularism from 2015/16 in four democracies (Australia, United States, Germany, Switzerland) and four discussion arenas on three platforms (News websites, Facebook, Twitter). A novel automated content analysis ( N = 1,236,551) combines LIWC dictionaries with machine learning. The level of toxic outrage is higher in majoritarian than in consensus-oriented democracies and in arenas that afford plural, issue-driven rather than like-minded, preference-driven debates. Yet, toxic outrage is lower in forums that tend to separate public and private conversations than in those that collapse varying contexts. This suggests that user-generated discussions flourish in environments that incentivize actors to strive for compromise, put relevant issues center stage and make room for public debate at a relative distance from purely social conversation.
Does Empathy Matter? An Exploratory Study of Class-Transition Satisfaction in Unplanned Course Interruptions
Authors: Munoz Laura , Fergurson J. Ricky , Harris Eric G. , Fleming David
Published: February 2022

The sudden transition to online course delivery necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant service interruption in the academic lives of college students. Some challenges posed were immediately present such as to how to deliver course material and handle student concerns about classes and life in a new, unexpected, and abrupt “normal.” One aspect that arguably can generate a much-improved recovery is the pivotal role that a professor’s empathy can provide. This study captures the role of empathy regarding professorial behaviors directly related to the course, those not directly tied to the class, and how they all merge to influence student perceptions of the course. Student’s level of perceived stressors related to their life and ultimately their stress level are impacted as well. Findings show empathy plays a key role in positively impacting student satisfaction and well-being while reducing students’ sources of concerns such as household conflict, lack of Wi-Fi reliability, lack of access to a constant computer, and financial and food insecurity.
Burned phytoliths absorbing black carbon as a potential proxy for paleofire
Authors: Dong Haiyan , Wei Xiaobei , Li Rencheng , Vachula Richard S , Tan Shuhui , Zhou Lintong , Gan Tianxi
Published: February 2022

Developing and refining fire proxies is paramount for reliable reconstructions and the inferences that they gain about fire in the Earth System. Burned phytolith index is an important tool for fire reconstruction. However, the source of the darkened color which appears on burned phytoliths is controversial and requires additional study to understand the relationship between phytolith characteristics and fire activity. By simulating burning of six grass species under open conditions, we extracted phytoliths from the ashes using a microwave digestion method. Then, we measured the carbon content of the ashed phytolith and the unburned phytolith (from modern plant). Next, we measured the carbon content of burned phytolith when treated with bleach. Our results show that the carbon contents of ashed phytoliths are higher than phytoliths extracted from plants, and ashed phytoliths after bleaching. The increased carbon content probably resulted from adsorption of black carbon by phytoliths exposed to open flames. We conclude that phytolith- related carbon might be a potential indicator of paleofire using soils and sediments.
Recovery of the breast screening programme following pandemic-related delays: Should we focus on round length or uptake?
Authors: Duffy Stephen W. , Hudson Sue , Vulkan Daniel , Duffy Thomas E. , Binysh Kathie
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The NHS Breast Screening programme is recovering from the hiatus in screening in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, open rather than timed invitations are issued, which leads to lower uptake but more rapid coverage of the eligible population by invitation and therefore closer adherence to a round length of 3 years. We aimed to estimate the likely effect on numbers of cancers detected at incident screens of a range of round lengths and uptake rates.

Methods

We assumed exponential distributions of time to incidence of preclinical screen-detectable cancer and of time to progression thereafter to symptomatic clinical disease. We derived numerical values of these, along with screening sensitivity, from published research results and statistics from the NHS Breast Screening programme. These were used to calculate numbers of cancers detected at incident screens at ages 51–70 by round length and uptake rates.

Results

We found that in a homogeneous population of cancers, a 4-year round length with uptake of 62%, as observed with timed appointments in London before the pandemic, would result in 295 cancers screen detected per 10,000 invited, compared to 222 cancers with a 3-year round and uptake of 46%, as observed in London during the recovery period. Similar results were found when we posited two populations, one of rapidly progressing and one of slowly progressing cancers.

Conclusions

It may be more productive in terms of early detection to focus on uptake rather than round length in the programme's recovery from the pandemic.