bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Cooking Method on the Antioxidant Activity and Inhibition of Lipid Peroxidation of the Javanese Salad “Pecel” Vegetables and Its Peanut Sauce Dressing
Authors: Tsiompah Gregorius , Murwani Retno , Maharani Nani
Published: February 2021

Vegetables are essential in our diet to maintain health, partly due to their antioxidant properties. A well-known Javanese salad called “Pecel” is prepared by boiling the vegetables and dressed with seasoned peanut sauce. Cooking can reduce or improve the antioxidant properties of foods; therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of brief water boiling (1 min), steaming (1 min), and water blanching (20 s) of the Javanese Pecel vegetables, with or without the peanut sauce. We assessed the in vitro antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation inhibition of the salad samples prepared using each cooking method. Six vegetables, i.e., Sesbania grandiflora (turi) flower, Amaranthus hybridus L. (spinach), Carica papaya (papaya) leaves, Cosmos caudatus L. (kenikir) leaves, Vigna unguiculata ssp. Sesquipedalis (yard-long beans), and Vigna radiata (mung-bean) sprouts were cooked by boiling or steaming for 1 min or blanching for 20 s. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea), the raw material for peanut sauce, was fried in either fresh palm oil or repeatedly used palm oil. Our results revealed that the highest antioxidant capacity (percent inhibition of DPPH radicals) was observed following boiling for 1 min in case of spinach (

41.94
±
9.8

%), papaya (

59.04
±
5.35

%), kenikir (

54.93
%
±
6.32
%

), and yard-long beans (

70.21
±
8.91

%); steaming for 1 min in case of turi flower (

60.25
±
3.63

%); and blanching for 20 s in case of mung-bean sprouts (

49.27
±
3.69

%). Peanut sauce prepared by frying peanuts in fresh or repeatedly used palm oil reduces the natural antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition properties. However, seasoning the peanut sauce with fresh garlic and lime leaves can restore the lost antioxidant properties. Our study provides the first and clear evidence of the optimal cooking method for Pecel vegetables and sheds light on the wisdom behind the existing traditional cooking method.
Nonfragile H∞ Stabilizing Nonlinear Systems Described by Multivariable Hammerstein Models
Authors: Rayouf Zeineb , Ghorbel Chekib , Benhadj Braiek Naceur
Published: February 2021

This paper presents the problem of robust and nonfragile stabilization of nonlinear systems described by multivariable Hammerstein models. The objective is focused on the design of a nonfragile feedback controller such that the resulting closed‐loop system is globally asymptotically stable with robust H∞ disturbance attenuation in spite of controller gain variations. First, the parameters of linear and nonlinear blocks characterizing the multivariable Hammerstein model structure are separately estimated by using a subspace identification algorithm. Second, approximate inverse nonlinear functions of polynomial form are proposed to deal with nonbijective invertible nonlinearities. Thereafter, the Takagi–Sugeno model representation is used to decompose the composition of the static nonlinearities and their approximate inverses in series with the linear subspace dynamic submodel into linear fuzzy parts. Besides, sufficient stability conditions for the robust and nonfragile controller synthesis based on quadratic Lyapunov function, H∞ criterion, and linear matrix inequality approach are provided. Finally, a numerical example based on twin rotor multi‐input multi‐output system is considered to demonstrate the effectiveness.
Performance Optimization of the InGaP/GaAs Dual-Junction Solar Cell Using SILVACO TCAD
Authors: Salem Marwa S. , Saif Omar M. , Shaker Ahmed , Abouelatta Mohamed , Alzahrani Abdullah J. , Alanazi Adwan , Elsaid M. K. , Ramadan Rabie A.
Published: February 2021

In this work, an optimization of the InGaP/GaAs dual-junction (DJ) solar cell performance is presented. Firstly, a design for the DJ solar cell based on the GaAs tunnel diode is provided. Secondly, the used device simulator is calibrated with recent experimental results of an InGaP/GaAs DJ solar cell. After that, the optimization of the DJ solar cell performance is carried out for two different materials of the top window layer, AlGaAs and AlGaInP. For AlGaAs, the optimization is carried out for the following: aluminum (Al) mole fraction, top window thickness, top base thickness, and bottom BSF doping and thickness. The electrical performance parameters of the optimized cell are extracted:

J

SC

=
18.23
 
mA
/
c

m

2

,

V

OC

=
2.33
 
V

,

FF
=
86.42
%

, and the conversion efficiency (

η

c

) equals 36.71%. By using AlGaInP as a top cell window, the electrical performance parameters for the optimized cell are

J

SC

=
19.84
 
mA
/
c

m

2

,

V

OC

=
2.32
 
V

,

FF
=
83.9
%

, and

η

c

=
38.53
%

. So, AlGaInP is found to be the optimum material for the InGaP/GaAs DJ cell top window layer as it gives 4% higher conversion efficiency under 1 sun of the standard AM1.5G solar spectrum at 300 K in comparison with recent literature results. All optimization steps and simulation results are carried out using the SLVACO TCAD tool.
Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of the Lamina Cribrosa: Structural Biomarkers in Nonglaucomatous Diseases
Authors: Paulo Alice , Vaz Pedro G. , Andrade De Jesus Danilo , Sánchez Brea Luisa , Van Eijgen Jan , Cardoso João , van Walsum Theo , Klein Stefan , Stalmans Ingeborg , Barbosa Breda João
Published: February 2021

The lamina cribrosa (LC) is an active structure that responds to the strain by changing its morphology. Abnormal changes in LC morphology are usually associated with, and indicative of, certain pathologies such as glaucoma, intraocular hypertension, and myopia. Recent developments in optical coherence tomography (OCT) have enabled detailed in vivo studies about the architectural characteristics of the LC. Structural characteristics of the LC have been widely explored in glaucoma management. However, information about which LC biomarkers could be useful for the diagnosis, and follow-up, of other diseases besides glaucoma is scarce. Hence, this literature review aims to summarize the role of the LC in nonophthalmic and ophthalmic diseases other than glaucoma. PubMed was used to perform a systematic review on the LC features that can be extracted from OCT images. All imaging features are presented and discussed in terms of their importance and applicability in clinical practice. A total of 56 studies were included in this review. Overall, LC depth (LCD) and thickness (LCT) have been the most studied features, appearing in 75% and 45% of the included studies, respectively. These biomarkers were followed by the prelaminar tissue thickness (21%), LC curvature index (5.4%), LC global shape index (3.6%), LC defects (3.6%), and LC strains/deformations (1.8%). Overall, the disease groups showed a thinner LC (smaller LCT) and a deeper ONH cup (larger LCD), with some exceptions. A large variability between approaches used to compute LC biomarkers has been observed, highlighting the importance of having automated and standardized methodologies in LC analysis. Moreover, further studies are needed to identify the pathologies where LC features have a diagnostic and/or prognostic value.
Quercetin Reverses Cardiac Systolic Dysfunction in Mice Fed with a High‐Fat Diet: Role of Angiogenesis
Authors: Yu Shasha , Kim Seo Rin , Jiang Kai , Ogrodnik Mikolaj , Zhu Xiang Y. , Ferguson Christopher M. , Tchkonia Tamara , Lerman Amir , Kirkland James L. , Lerman Lilach O.
Published: February 2021

Global consumption of high‐fat diets (HFD) is associated with an increased incidence of cardiometabolic syndrome and cardiac injury, warranting identification of cardioprotective strategies. Cardioprotective effects of quercetin (Q) have mostly been evaluated in ischemic heart disease models and attributed to senolysis. We hypothesized that Q could alleviate murine cardiac damage caused by HFD by restoring the myocardial microcirculation. C57BL/6J mice were fed standard chow or HFD for 6 months and then treated with Q (50 mg/kg) or vehicle 5‐day biweekly for 10 additional weeks. Left ventricular (LV) cardiac function was studied in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging, and intramyocardial fat deposition, microvascular density, oxidative stress, and senescence were analyzed ex vivo. Additionally, direct angiogenic effects of Q were studied in vitro in HUVECs. HFD increased body weight, heart weight, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, whereas Q normalized heart weight and triglycerides. LV ejection fraction was lower in HFD vs. control mice (56.20 ± 15.8% vs. 73.38 ± 5.04%, respectively, P < 0.05), but improved in HFD + Q mice (67.42 ± 7.50%, P < 0.05, vs. HFD). Q also prevented cardiac fat accumulation and reduced HFD‐induced cardiac fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, oxidative stress, and vascular rarefaction. Cardiac senescence was not observed in any group. In vitro, ox‐LDL reduced HUVEC tube formation activity, which Q effectively improved. Quercetin may directly induce angiogenesis and decrease myocardial oxidative stress, which might account for its cardioprotective effects in the murine HFD‐fed murine heart independently from senolytic activity. Furthermore, its beneficial effects might be partly attributed to a decrease in plasma triglycerides and intramyocardial fat deposition.
Land Use/Land Cover Change and Its Driving Forces in Shenkolla Watershed, South Central Ethiopia
Authors: Bufebo Belayneh , Elias Eyasu
Published: February 2021

Land use change is one of the challenges that aggravate environmental problems. Understanding the scope of land use change, driving forces, and consequences is very crucial for proper management of land resources. We investigated land use/land cover changes using remote sensing data (for the years 1973, 1995, and 2017), and field observation, household survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussion were used to determine the drivers and consequences of land use/land cover changes in Shenkolla watershed, south central Ethiopia. Unsupervised and supervised classification techniques were employed to get thematic information from satellite imagery. ArcGIS 10.3 and QGIS v 3.0 softwares were used to accomplish the analysis. The results disclosed that Shenkolla watershed has changed significantly during the past 4 decades between 1973 and 2017. This observed change indicates a reduction in forest land and an increase in agricultural land. Forest land was reduced from 29.51% in 1973 to 20.52% in 2017, but agricultural land was expanded from 70.49% in 1973 to 79.48% in 2017. Agricultural expansion, policy change and social unrest, population pressure, shortage of farm land, and biophysical factors were major driving forces of the LU/LC changes. Environmental implications such as climate change, biodiversity loss, scarcity of basic forest products, habitat alteration, decline in quality and availability of water, and crop yield reduction are the consequences of the LU/LC change. The expansion of agricultural land at the expense of forest cover in Shenkolla watershed has negative implications on the natural resources and the livelihood of local people. Hence, appropriate measures need to be employed to reduce the dramatic change in land use and to harmonize environmental conservation with human livelihood.
Enteral Vitamin B12 Supplementation Is Effective for Improving Anemia in Patients Who Underwent Total Gastrectomy
Authors: Namikawa Tsutomu , Maeda Masahiro , Yokota Keiichiro , Iwabu Jun , Munekage Masaya , Uemura Sunao , Maeda Hiromichi , Kitagawa Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Michiya , Hanazaki Kazuhiro
Published: February 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of enteral supplementation of vitamin B12 for vitamin B12 deficiency in patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: The study enrolled 133 patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Kochi Medical School. Clinical data were obtained to investigate associations between vitamin B12 supplementation and vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as serum vitamin B12 less than 200 pg/mL. Baseline characteristics and changes in hematological variables, including vitamin B12 levels, were examined. Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 71.4% of the 133 patients. Vitamin B12 levels at 3, 6, and 12 months after enteral supplementation were 306 pg/mL, 294 pg/mL, and 367 pg/mL, respectively, which were all significantly higher than those before supplementation (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The median red blood cell count at 3, 6, and 12 months after enteral supplementation were 380 × 104/mm3, 394 × 104/mm3, and 395 × 104/mm3, respectively, which were all significantly higher than those before supplementation (p = 0.020, p = 0.001, and p = 0.003, respectively). Vitamin B12 levels at 3, 6, and 12 months after supplementation were significantly higher in patients supplemented enterally than those supplemented parenterally (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 71.4% of postoperative patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, and enteral vitamin B12 supplements might be effective to improve anemia in these patients.
Sonia Virginia Moreira e as geografias da comicação
Authors: Martini Mara Rovida , Almeida Filho Edgard Patrício de
Published: February 2021

No 10˚  aniversário do Grupo de Pesquisa da Intercom Geografias da Comunicação, foi feito um levantamento sobre a produção acadêmica na interface comunicação e geografia. Os dados observados dão o gancho para a entrevista com a professora doutora Sonia Virginia Moreira, umas das criadoras do GP.
A propagação de desinformação em tempos de coronavírus: considerações em torno do programa “Fato ou Fake”
Authors: Resende Leandro de , Souza Juliana Lopes de Almeida
Published: February 2021

O presente estudo tem como objetivo explorar o conceito de notícia e de desinformação, a fim de evidenciar os prejuízos que conteúdos falsos ou fora de contexto podem trazer para a sociedade. Foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa de caráter descritivo. Utilizou-se para a investigação considerações em torno de um estudo de caso, analisando o papel do programa “Fato ou Fake”, do G1, pelas fases de criação, produção e distribuição de informações. Destaca-se que o programa combate as desinformações relacionadas ao coronavírus no Brasil, caracterizado por três elementos: agente, mensagem e intérprete. O artigo propõe que a desinformação pode causar interferências, inclusive, na saúde e bem-estar da população. Por causa disso, é necessário combater conteúdos falsos e descontextualizados, tendo em vista a responsabilidade dos canais de comunicação, mas também dos indivíduos que compartilham as informações sem verificação das fontes.
Por quê a prisão de uma jovem negra é um problema público?
Authors: Sepulveda Lucas Afonso
Published: February 2021

O artigo presente investiga o acontecimento da prisão da Bárbara Querino de Oliveira, conhecida como Babiy, que responde em cárcere ao crime de roubo de um automóvel, em São Paulo. A proposta desse artigo é refletir sobre a forma como familiares e amigos, através dos discursos e conteúdos produzidos pela página do Facebook “Todos por Babiy”, articulam a prisão da jovem como um problema público e racial, estrutural e racista, que deve ser digno de atenção de todos e qualquer um.
Fausto Salvadori – debates sobre financiamento e autonomia editorial na mídia independente: o modelo de organização da Ponte Jornalismo
Authors: Bastos Jaqueline Suarez
Published: February 2021

Fausto Salvadori é jornalista e um dos fundadores da Ponte Jornalismo, um coletivo de mídia independente fundado em 2014, especializado em Segurança Pública e Direitos Humanos. Em entrevista, ele explica o modelo de organização adotado pelo grupo, discutindo também temas como financiamento e autonomia editorial. Alinhado a compreensão de independência assumida pelo coletivo, a Ponte tem como base a diversificação das fontes de recurso e uma estrutura organizativa menos hierarquizada e mais humanizada. Registrada como uma ONG, o objetivo final não é a obtenção de lucro, mas sim garantir a sustentabilidade econômica do projeto.
Por, para e da comunidade: a campanha contra o coronavírus do Observatório das Favelas
Authors: Rocha Daniella Guedes
Published: February 2021

Partindo de discussões teóricas sobre comunicação comunitária, este artigo realiza a análise de conteúdo da campanha “Como se proteger do coronavírus”, do Observatório de Favelas do Rio de Janeiro, a fim de identificar que elementos da comunicação comunitária são acionados nas narrativas visando a produzir mensagens que se aproximam do interlocutor, gerando assimilação da mensagem. O objetivo deste artigo consiste em compreender como a teoria sobre produção de conteúdo na comunicação comunitária se reflete no conteúdo produzido pelo Observatório, estritamente pensado para alcançar o propósito do movimento #covid19nasfavelas, que seria o de conscientizar moradores sobre a prevenção à doença.
José María Arguedas y la Revista Pumaccahua: creación literaria e investigación etnográfica
Authors: Salazar Mejía Nécker
Published: February 2021

José María Arguedas, además de escritor y antropólogo, fue docente de educación básica en el Colegio Nacional Mateo Pumaccahua, de Sicuani, en el Cusco, entre los años de 1939 y 1941. En dicho colegio, su experiencia pedagógica se caracterizó por incentivar la creación literaria, la investigación de campo y la recopilación de las tradiciones locales de los pueblos de la sierra del Perú. De esta manera, despertó entre los alumnos el gusto literario, la escritura creativa, la lectura crítica, así como el interés por las manifestaciones y los valores de la cultura andina. Producto de su experiencia pedagógica fue la publicación de la revista Pumaccahua, que reúne poesías, comentarios de textos, breves ensayos y descripciones de tradiciones y costumbres locales realizados por los propios alumnos. Enfocando la educación y el trabajo del docente en el aula de clase desde otra perspectiva, para Arguedas, el protagonismo del estudiante es el núcleo fundamental de la educación. En el pensamiento del conocido escritor indigenista, tiene mucho valor la promoción de la lectura, la creación artística, la producción escrita y la reflexión crítica; igualmente, es importante la articulación entre la escuela, la comunidad y el mundo andino.
Colección Aquelarre: editar después del naufragio
Authors: Agustí Lluís , Rueda Ramírez Pedro
Published: February 2021

Tras la derrota de las fuerzas republicanas en Cataluña, cerca de medio millón de españoles cruzaron la frontera francesa. De estos refugiados, entre 20.000 y 25.000 fueron acogidos en México entre los años 1939 y 1942.

Se calcula que durante la década de los cuarenta y cincuenta, 111 nuevos sellos editoriales fueron creados por estos españoles transterrados en México.

Simón Otaola (San Sebastián, 1907 - Ciudad de México, 1980) y José Ramón Arana (seudónimo de José Ruiz Borau, Garrapinillos, 1905 - Zaragoza, 1973), junto con otros miembros de la llamada tertulia Aquelarre, crearon en la Ciudad de México entre los años 1950 y 1954 una editorial bajo el nombre de Colección Aquelarre.

Como en otros casos de editoriales de la época, no se conservan los archivos de Aquelarre; a partir de la recuperación de las obras editadas bajo este sello, de otros textos y testimonios del exilio español en México, hemos reconstruido y recuperado aquí su historia.

La primera obra apareció bajo el sello Ediciones Corzo y, dentro de éste, en la Colección Aquelarre: Otaola, Unos hombres: retratos (1950): A partir de esta obra, las siguientes tomarían como nombre de editorial el de la colección. La última de las obras editadas fue: Ramón J. Sender, Ariadna: novela (1955 [i.e. 1954]).

Las 19 obras editadas por la Colección Aquelarre estuvieron financiadas por los propios autores. Fueron ediciones cuidadas desde el punto de vista tipográfico, con papel de calidad y encuadernaciones en rústica de diseños sobrios pero bellos y de colores llamativos.
Machado de Assis e Borges: Dois Classicistas em Plena Modernidade
Authors: Barros André Luiz
Published: February 2021

Analisamos as relações de personagens específicos, bem como do próprio narrador malicioso criado por Machado de Assis, com um personagem surgido no século XVII inglês: o libertino. Do Don Juan transposto para o teatro inglês naquele século ao romance de libertinagem francês do XVIII, ele se caracteriza pelo ímpeto erótico-amoroso e pelo cinismo elitista, cruel e amoral. Em quatro contos-chave de Machado – “Missa do Galo”, “Singular ocorrência”, “D. Paula” e “Almas agradecidas” –, notamos a incidência maior de libertinas mulheres. Traços dos personagens se acham no narrador típico do autor, nos romances da fase madura. A partir do debate crítico sobre tal narrador, propomos que, em sua constituição, a influência dos moralistas franceses do século XVII, incluindo seus precursores (por ex., Castiglione e Gracián), é maior que a de Voltaire. Isso indicaria proximidade desse narrador com o pessimismo amoral e a aversão a transcendências do libertino. Por fim, comparamos tal narrador com o do argentino Jorge Luis Borges. Como o autor brasileiro, Borges criou um narrador elitista e cínico, a dispor com ironia da tradição literária pré-moderna. Se os elementos do conto de horror fantasista em Borges afastam os dois autores, ambos refletem a indiferença cruel do tom elitista em um continente marcado por violenta desigualdade social.
China and the Uighurs: Options for Legal Accountability
Authors: Garwood-Gowers Andrew
Published: February 2021

In this contribution the author examines options for legal accountability in relation to possible crimes against humanity and genocide against the Uighurs. While China’s reluctance to accede to international adjudication mechanisms means there are limited avenues for accountability, recent developments in relation to the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over crimes with a transboundary element may open the door to possible investigation and prosecution of Chinese nationals. However, more immediate steps to respond to the situation in Xinjiang will focus on securing access for an independent fact-finding investigation and persuading China to uphold its responsibility to protect.
Corporate Governance and the Environmental Politics of Shipping
Authors: Alger Justin , Lister Jane , Dauvergne Peter
Published: February 2021

A handful of companies dominate the world’s shipping industry. These firms have gained political leverage over the global governance of container shipping in particular. Intriguingly, in recent years the Danish conglomerate Maersk—the world’s biggest container and shipping vessel company since the mid-1990s—has been using its influence to push for higher environmental standards for the industry as a whole. To some extent these initiatives are helping to promote environmental efficiencies, cleaner fuels, and greener technology. But they are also raising costs for small and midsized companies with extremely low profit margins, further enhancing the competitiveness of the biggest shipping conglomerates in an increasingly oligopolistic market. While voluntary self-governance by companies such as Maersk is incrementally improving the environmental management of global shipping, it is also further concentrating governance power within a few transnational corporations, potentially taking more ambitious regulation off the agenda.
Challenges to Global Health Governance from the International Trade in Organ Transplants
Authors: Langran Irene
Published: February 2021

The internationalization of medical services—including organ transplantations—is driven by advances in technology and integration of trade. Patients in need of organ transplants began to seek these services outside their countries of origin in the 1980s and 1990s, and this practice expanded in the ensuing decades. While these transplants yielded benefits to some, abuses included human trafficking, preying on vulnerable populations, and negative outcomes in health equity. This case study of efforts to regulate the international transplant trade yields important findings for our understanding of global health governance. First, it provides support to the “globalization reformers” who maintain that if globalization’s benefits are to be widely distributed, institutional mechanisms must be enacted. Second, it provides another example of the externalities that occur when health concerns are absent, poorly represented, or weakened in trade negotiations. Finally, it demonstrates limits of a global health regime that lacks a centralized authority.
Brazil’s Role in Latin America’s Regionalism
Authors: Vadell Javier A. , Giaccaglia Clarisa
Published: February 2021

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Brazil became a crucial player as the principal advocate of South American integration. To Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur) was added the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), reaffirming regional policies around the idea of “South America.” Today, however, the withdrawal of Brazilian leadership along with the reversals and loss of focus in UNASUR and Mercosur have damaged the credibility of the region’s initiatives, as well as finding South America’s common voice. Despite this, this article argues that Brazil has not entirely disengaged from the region or abandoned the principle of regionalism. Recognition of Latin America’s distinctive history the authors to construct a model that incorporates complexity and disorder in which Brazil’s institutional political development will have significant repercussions for the future of the region.
Writing-Mediated Interaction Face-to-Face: Sinitic Brushtalk in the Japanese Missions’ Transnational Encounters with Foreigners During the Mid-Nineteenth Century
Authors: Aoyama Reijiro
Published: February 2021

Drawing on Chinese-Japanese transnational and transcultural interaction in the mid-nineteenth century, this article illustrates how Sinitic brushtalk functioned as an effective modality of communication between Chinese and Japanese literati who did not have a shared spoken language. The illustrations are adapted from personal diary-like travelogues of Japanese travelers to Shanghai on board the Senzaimaru in 1862 and participants in the Japanese mission to the United States in 1860. The recollection of the brushtalkers with their Chinese interlocutors whom they met on the way, including those during their return journey from the US while calling at trading ports like Batavia and Hong Kong, provides elaborate details on how writing-mediated improvisation using brush, ink, and paper allowed Japanese travelers with literacy in Sinitic to engage in “silent conversation” with their literate Chinese counterparts. A third historical context where Sinitic brushtalk was put to meaningful use was US–Japanese negotiations during Commodore Perry’s naval expedition to Edo Bay in 1854, where Luo Sen, bilingual in Chinese (spoken Cantonese) and English, was hired to perform the role of secretary. Throughout the negotiations, Luo was able to perform his duties admirably in part by impressing the Japanese side with his fine brushtalk improvisations. While misunderstanding and miscommunication could not be entirely avoided, the article concludes that until the early 1900s writing-mediated interaction through Sinitic brushtalk in face-to-face encounters functioned adequately and effectively as a scripta franca between literate Japanese and their Chinese “silent conversation” partners both within and beyond Sinographic East Asia. Such a unique modality of communication remained vibrant until the advent of nationalism and the vernacularization of East Asian national languages at the turn of the century.
Unattended Emotional Prosody Affects Visual Processing of Facial Expressions in Mandarin-Speaking Chinese: A Comparison With English-Speaking Canadians
Authors: Liu Pan , Rigoulot Simon , Jiang Xiaoming , Zhang Shuyi , Pell Marc D.
Published: February 2021

Emotional cues from different modalities have to be integrated during communication, a process that can be shaped by an individual’s cultural background. We explored this issue in 25 Chinese participants by examining how listening to emotional prosody in Mandarin influenced participants’ gazes at emotional faces in a modified visual search task. We also conducted a cross-cultural comparison between data of this study and that of our previous work in English-speaking Canadians using analogous methodology. In both studies, eye movements were recorded as participants scanned an array of four faces portraying fear, anger, happy, and neutral expressions, while passively listening to a pseudo-utterance expressing one of the four emotions (Mandarin utterance in this study; English utterance in our previous study). The frequency and duration of fixations to each face were analyzed during 5 seconds after the onset of faces, both during the presence of the speech (early time window) and after the utterance ended (late time window). During the late window, Chinese participants looked more frequently and longer at faces conveying congruent emotions as the speech, consistent with findings from English-speaking Canadians. Cross-cultural comparison further showed that Chinese, but not Canadians, looked more frequently and longer at angry faces, which may signal potential conflicts and social threats. We hypothesize that the socio-cultural norms related to harmony maintenance in the Eastern culture promoted Chinese participants’ heightened sensitivity to, and deeper processing of, angry cues, highlighting culture-specific patterns in how individuals scan their social environment during emotion processing.
E-Classroom Interactional Competencies: Mediating and Assisting Language Learning During Synchronous Online Lessons
Authors: Moorhouse Benjamin Luke , Li Yanna , Walsh Steve
Published: February 2021

Interaction is seen by many English language teachers and scholars as an essential part of face-to-face English language classrooms. Teachers require specific competencies to effectively use interaction as a tool for mediating and assisting learning. These can be referred to as classroom interactional competence (CIC). However, the situation created by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic which began in early 2020, and the recent advancement in technologies have led to teachers conducting synchronous online lessons through video-conferencing software. The online environment is distinctly different from the face-to-face classroom and teachers require new and additional skills to effectively utilise interaction online in real time. This exploratory study used an online mixed-method survey of 75 university level English language teachers who had engaged in synchronous online teaching due to COVID-19, to explore the competencies that teachers need to use interaction as a tool to mediate and assist language learning in synchronous online lessons. Teachers were found to require three competencies, in addition to their CIC – technological competencies, online environment management competencies, and online teacher interactional competencies – which together constitute e-CIC. The findings provide greater insights into the needs of teachers required to teach synchronously online and will be of interest to teachers and teacher educators.
Who Will Become Productive Adults? Longitudinal Patterns of Gainful Activities Among Serious Adolescent Offenders
Authors: Lee JoAnn S. , Taxman Faye S. , Mulvey Edward P. , Schubert Carol A.
Published: February 2021

The juvenile justice system is charged with the welfare of the children it serves, yet less is known about the prosocial behaviors of adolescent youthful offenders. This study identifies patterns of prosocial behavior for 7 years among serious adolescent offenders, the correlates of each pattern, and associated patterns of secure placement. Using 7 years of monthly data from the Pathways to Desistance Study ( N = 1,354), we used group-based trajectory models to identify longitudinal patterns of positive youth behaviors related to school and work among serious adolescent offenders and a joint trajectory model to assess the relationship between trajectories of institutional placement and positive youth behaviors. Four groups were identified that demonstrated a high, low, medium, and dips-then-rises likelihood of gainful activities throughout the study period. Gainful activities were negatively associated with risk for delinquency across multiple domains. Juvenile justice interventions should consider prosocial promise in addition to risk for delinquency.
A Clinical Decision Analysis for Use of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Nonabsorbable Nasal Packing
Authors: Maul Ximena , Dincer Berkay C. , Wu Arthur W. , Thamboo Andrew V. , Higgins Thomas S. , Scangas George A. , Oliveira Kristin , Ho Allen S. , Mallen‐St Clair Jon , Walgama Evan
Published: February 2021

Objective

Nonabsorbable nasal packing is often placed for the treatment of epistaxis or after sinonasal or skull base surgery. Antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare, potentially fatal occurrence. However, the risk of TSS must be balanced against the major risk of antibiotic use, specifically Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC). The purpose of this study is to evaluate in terms of cost‐effectiveness whether antibiotics should be prescribed when nasal packing is placed.

Study Design

A clinical decision analysis was performed using a Markov model to evaluate whether antibiotics should be given.

Setting

Patients with nonabsorbable nasal packing placed.

Methods

Utility scores, probabilities, and costs were obtained from the literature. We assess the cost‐effectiveness of antibiotic use when the risk of community‐acquired CDC is balanced against the risk of TSS from nasal packing. Sensitivity analysis was performed for assumptions used in the model.

Results

The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for antibiotic use was 334,493 US dollars (USD)/quality‐adjusted life year (QALY). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that not prescribing antibiotics was cost‐effective in 98.0% of iterations at a willingness to pay of 50,000 USD/QALY. Sensitivity analysis showed that when the risk of CDC from antibiotics was greater than 910/100,000 or when the incidence of TSS after nasal packing was less than 49/100,000 cases, the decision to withhold antibiotics was cost‐effective.

Conclusions

Routine antibiotic prophylaxis in the setting of nasal packing is not cost‐effective and should be reconsidered. Even if antibiotics are assumed to prevent TSS, the risk of complications from antibiotic use is of greater consequence.

Level of Evidence

3a
Do Employment Experience and Attractiveness Rankings Matter in Employee Recommendation? A Firm-level Analysis of Employers
Authors: Saini Gordhan K. , Jawahar I. M.
Published: February 2021

In this article, we draw on psychological contract theory to examine the influence of employees’ experiences on their ‘employer of choice’ recommendation and on signalling theory to examine the influence of employer rankings on ‘employer of choice’ recommendation. Using firm-level data representing 387 firms, we used Tobit regression model to assess the effect of employment experience and employer attractiveness rankings on employees’ recommendation of a company as an ‘employer of choice’. We found that employment experience of current and former employees positively influenced employees’ endorsement of their employer. Culture and values, and career opportunities are the most significant variables in generating positive employee recommendation. In addition, appearing in most attractive employer rankings also influenced their recommendation. However, employer rankings lower than the median rank had no effect on whether or not employees recommended their organizations. Being ranked lower than the median did not influence employees’ decisions to endorse their organization because it does not have the same potency for employees as when a firm is ranked higher than the median. Results provide us with a nuanced understanding of the effects of employer attractiveness rankings. Our study has important conceptual and methodological strengths (including the firm-level measure of employment experience and word of mouth) over previous studies in the area of employer branding.

JEL Classification: M370, M510, M540, C340, M190
Rehabilitation training based on virtual reality for patients with Parkinson’s disease in improving balance, quality of life, activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis
Authors: Li Runze , Zhang Yanran , Jiang Yunxia , Wang Mengyao , Ang Wei How Darryl , Lau Ying
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To examine the effectiveness of rehabilitation training based on virtual reality in improving balance, quality of life, activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Data sources:

PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, IEEE Xplore, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP Information databases were searched from their inception to October 15, 2020. Trial registries, gray literature, and target journals were also searched.

Methods:

Eligible randomized controlled trials included studies with patients with Parkinson’s disease in rehabilitation training based on virtual reality. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 software was used. Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale and the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system were used to assess the methodological quality of individual trials and the overall quality of the evidence, respectively.

Results:

A total of 22 randomized controlled trials with 836 patients were included. Meta-analysis revealed that training significantly improved balance ( g = 0.66, P < 0.001), quality of life ( g = 0.28, P = 0.015), activities of daily living ( g = 0.62, P < 0.001), and depressive symptoms ( g = 0.67, P = 0.021) compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis indicated that training should utilize video game consoles. Meta-regression analyses showed that age, sessions, and frequency of training had statistically significant impacts on balance scores. Quality of individual trials was high and overall evidence ranged from very low to low.

Conclusion:

Virtual rehabilitation training could be adopted in healthcare institutions as supplementary training for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Delirium screening tools validated in the context of palliative care: A systematic review
Authors: Watt Christine L , Scott Mary , Webber Colleen , Sikora Lindsey , Bush Shirley H , Kabir Monisha , Boland Jason W , Woodhouse Rebecca , Sands Megan B , Lawlor Peter G
Published: February 2021

Background:

Delirium is a distressing neuropsychiatric disorder affecting patients in palliative care. Although many delirium screening tools exist, their utility, and validation within palliative care settings has not undergone systematic review.

Aim:

To systematically review studies that validate delirium screening tools conducted in palliative care settings.

Design:

Systematic review with narrative synthesis (PROSPERO ID: CRD42019125481). A risk of bias assessment via Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was performed.

Data sources:

Five electronic databases were systematically searched (January 1, 1982–May 3, 2020). Quantitative studies validating a screening tool in adult palliative care patient populations were included. Studies involving alcohol withdrawal, critical or perioperative care were excluded.

Results:

Dual-reviewer screening of 3749 unique titles and abstracts identified 95 studies for full-text review and of these, 17 studies of 14 screening tools were included ( n = 3496 patients). Data analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity in patient demographics and variability in screening and diagnostic practices that limited generalizability between study populations and care settings. A risk of bias assessment revealed methodological and reporting deficits, with only 3/17 studies at low risk of bias.

Conclusions:

The processes of selecting a delirium screening tool and determining optimal screening practices in palliative care are complex. One tool is unlikely to fit the needs of the entire palliative care population across all palliative care settings. Further research should be directed at evaluating and/or adapting screening tools and practices to fit the needs of specific palliative care settings and populations.
It’s About Time! Advancing Justice Through Joyful Inquiry With Young Children
Authors: Erwin Elizabeth J. , Bacon Jessica K. , Lalvani Priya
Published: February 2021

Young learners often are enchanted with the world, fascinated by the ordinary, and absorbed in the present moment. We explore interconnected ideas about how young children’s natural proclivity toward being curious and noticing differences among people should be harnessed toward socially just ends. We consider ways in which joyfulness in learning are preserved, as teachers partner with young learners to cultivate their sense of justice in the classroom and beyond. We use disability studies in education as a theoretical framework for doing anti-bias work within early childhood education. We also describe global and neoliberal trends that directly and negatively impact the lives of young children by escalating injustice through educational practices and policies often disguised as reform. Ultimately, we propose reimagining equity-based practices, positive disability narratives, freedom and humanity, and the concept of place within pedagogy to transform early childhood education.
A model predictive approach for online mobile manipulation of non-holonomic objects using learned dynamics
Authors: Sabbagh Novin Roya , Yazdani Amir , Merryweather Andrew , Hermans Tucker
Published: February 2021

Assistive robots designed for physical interaction with objects will play an important role in assisting with mobility and fall prevention in healthcare facilities. Autonomous mobile manipulation presents a hurdle prior to safely using robots in real-life applications. In this article, we introduce a mobile manipulation framework based on model predictive control using learned dynamics models of objects. We focus on the specific problem of manipulating legged objects such as those commonly found in healthcare environments and personal dwellings (e.g., walkers, tables, chairs). We describe a probabilistic method for autonomous learning of an approximate dynamics model for these objects. In this method, we learn dynamic parameters using a small dataset consisting of force and motion data from interactions between the robot and object. Moreover, we account for multiple manipulation strategies by formulating manipulation planning as a mixed-integer convex optimization. The proposed framework considers the hybrid control system composed of (i) choosing which leg to grasp and (ii) control of continuous applied forces for manipulation. We formalize our algorithm based on model predictive control to compensate for modeling errors and find an optimal path to manipulate the object from one configuration to another. We present results for several objects with various wheel configurations. Simulation and physical experiments show that the obtained dynamics models are sufficiently accurate for safe and collision-free manipulation. When combined with the proposed manipulation planning algorithm, the robot successfully moves the object to the desired pose while avoiding any collision.
Radiotherapy after testis-sparing surgery for seminoma in monorchid patients: safety and efficacy
Authors: Avuzzi Barbara , Tittarelli Andrea , Andreani Stefano , Noris Chiorda Barbara , Seregni Ettore , Villa Sergio , Tana Silvia , Valdagni Riccardo , Salvioni Roberto , Biasoni Davide , Catanzaro Mario , Stagni Silvia , Nicolai Nicola
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate local control and longitudinal endocrine data in monorchid patients treated with testicular-sparing surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for seminomatous germ-cell tumors.

Methods:

We searched our database established in 2009 for patients with seminoma who received testis irradiation following partial orchiectomy up to 2018. Eleven patients were identified. All had associated germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) in surrounding parenchyma. Analysis focused on local control and testosterone levels preservation after RT. We considered age, baseline (pre-RT) testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, residual testicular volume, tumor size, and testosterone and LH levels trend over time in order to identify any association with endocrine impairment leading to hormonal replacement need.

Results:

After a median follow-up of 21 months, no local or distant relapses were observed and hormonal function was maintained in 54.5% of patients (6/11). No significant interactions were observed for the investigated covariates. Notably, we observed an association between higher baseline testosterone levels and a decreased risk of exogenous androgen replacement (hazard ratio [HR] 0.409, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.161–1.039, p = 0.060), whereas tumor size was associated with an increased risk of exogenous androgen replacement (HR 1.847, 95% CI 0.940–3.627, p = 0.075).

Conclusions:

Radiotherapy after testicular sparing surgery is effective in preventing local disease relapse in presence of GCNIS in the medium term. This strategy allows a preservation of adequate endocrine function in about half of patients. More patients and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.
Constrained neural adaptive predictive control of SMES for dynamic performance improvement of power systems
Authors: Syed Asima , Mufti Mairaj ud din
Published: February 2021

For dynamic performance improvement of modern power systems, the use of fast acting energy systems like superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is imperative. In this paper, incorporation of a small rating SMES in a solar and wind power penetrated multi-area power system is proposed. A non-linear neural adaptive predictive controller is used to generate an optimal power command taking into account the converter rating and energy level constraints of SMES unit. The SMES is represented by a control relevant model comprising of a first order lag compensator cascaded by an integrator to translate the hardware constraints pertaining to its coil current into modified power constraints. Moreover for avoiding the sudden SMES outage, the power thresholds are forcibly varied as the SMES current reaches near its maximum and minimum values. The uprightness of the designed scheme is illustrated by simulation studies performed on a three area power system.