bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balaibalan: An Artificial Islamic Language?
Authors: Olivieri Simona , Lancioni Giuliano
Published: January 2021

Balaibalan is a sacred invented language developed within the ḥurūfī sect in the 16th century. Not much is known about this language, but a religious text in Balaibalan has been transmitted. What emerges from this text is an original vocabulary, inserted in an Arabic-like syntax.

This paper aims to provide an historical and linguistic overview of Balaibalan, especially in relation to Bausani’s studies on the language, and ultimately describe its features in relation to those of the three languages that inspired its linguistic structure, namely Turkish, Persian, and Arabic.

The objective, with reference to Bausani’s controversial definition of “Islamic languages”, is to attempt an outline of Balaibalan as a language used both in the Muslim world and by Muslims. In describing the language, we will thus address aspects of orthography, pronunciation, and word-formation, finally accounting for how Arabic, Turkish, and Persian have been used as landmarks in the arrangement of specific aspects of the language.
An Analysis of the Modern South Arabian Languages as ‘Islamic Languages’
Authors: Castagna Giuliano
Published: January 2021

The Modern South Arabian languages (MSAL) are seldom mentioned in Islamic studies, as they never served as a literary vehicle. They began to be written only very recently, mainly in text messages, and their use is confined to the domestic environment and oral poetry.

Despite this, the MSAL fall neatly within Bausani’s concept of “lingua islamica”: firstly, they have been influenced by an Arabic superstratum since time immemorial, which left numerous traces in their lexis and, to a lesser extent, in other linguistic domains. Secondly, their speakers embraced Islam in the course of a slow but steady process, which began with the wars of apostasy (632-33 CE) and was still ongoing in mid-20th century. Hence, the Islamic culture, conveyed by their Arabic-speaking neighbours, whom they felt as more prestigious, exerted an enormous pressure on the cultural setting of MSAL speakers. Additionally, and in contrast with other Islamic languages, virtually every speaker of a MSAL is proficient in Arabic, and has been so for at least five centuries.

In light of the above-mentioned facts, this study describes the extent to which the MSAL can be considered Islamic languages, by looking at their phonetics, morphology, syntax and lexis through the lens of Bausani’s framework. The conclusions show that the MSAL retain remarkably resilient native elements which co-exist with likewise strong Arabic/Islamic elements in a culturally and linguistically functional system.
Judeo-Arabic Orthographies: Insights from a Fifteenth-Century Šarḥ
Authors: Lanza Valentina Bella
Published: January 2021

Judeo-Arabic is a religiolect that developed as a result of the great Arab-Islamic conquests during the 7th century. This linguistic variety shares some of those features common to Neoarabic dialects; nonetheless, it preserves its own uniqueness, such as the almost absolute use of Hebrew characters and the occurrence of Hebrew and Aramaic lexical and grammatical elements within the texts. The writing system of Judeo-Arabic was affected by the socio-political changes that occurred during its development. In particular, Judeo-Arabic was subjected to a dramatic change during the 15th century, as a result of the increasing isolation of the Jews. In this period the so-called ‘Hebraized’ orthography became more prevalent and turned out to be representative of the šurūḥ, i.e. Judeo-Arabic translations of Hebrew sacred texts.

In this contribution, we will focus on the issue of Judeo-Arabic graphic adaptation, through the linguistic analysis of an unpublished manuscript from the 15th century containing a šarḥ. Peculiarities and potential inconsistencies are discussed according to the wider and renowned Judeo-Arabic orthographic classification.
Is Telemachus a “Naturally Gifted Orator”? Odyssey 2.40–79 in Its Rhetorical Contexts
Authors: Driscoll David F.
Published: January 2021

Telemachus’s first speech to the Ithacan assembly in Odyssey 2 includes apparent misguided criticism of the very audience he is trying to persuade. This article considers his speech from two perspectives. First, it surveys ancient and Byzantine reception of the speech, showing how initial doubts about Telemachus’s effectiveness shift to Eustathius’s confidence in the “naturally gifted orator.” Second, it argues for a novel interpretation of Telemachus’s criticism as an intelligent but ultimately ineffective incorporation of features of battlefield exhortation into a supplication.
The Homeric Question: A Historical Sketch
Authors: Tsagalis Christos C.
Published: January 2021

The history of the Homeric Question stretches from antiquity to the present. I focus on its modern phase and its inauguration of the scientific study of Homeric poetry. The aim of this historical sketch is (a) to offer an up-to-date, concise, and critical presentation of the Homeric Question and (b) to review the main issues explored by the various schools of interpretation.
Myxomycetes biodiversity in Gaziantep Province (Turkey) with four new records
Authors: BABA HAYRİ , GÜNDOĞDU FATMA , SEVİNDİK MUSTAFA
Published: January 2021

Myxomycetes were cultured in moist chambers using substrate material collected in Gaziantep province, Turkey, during 2017–2019. Fruit bodies of wild myxomycetes were collected at ten locations. Rotten or live tree bark, leaves, debris, vegetable, and animal material, which were considered likely to contain spores, were also collected. Natural samples were immediately dried, and potential spore-bearing material was kept in a warm and humid environment with the moist chamber technique. A total of 537 samples were studied and 203 myxomycetes isolates were obtained, 33 of which were natural samples, 76 were obtained with the moist chamber technique and 94 were obtained both naturally and with the moist chamber technique in the laboratory. Six orders, 9 families, 16 genera and 42 species were identified in 3 subclasses. All species were new in Gaziantep province and four myxomycetes were identified as new records in Turkey; Didymium atrichum Henney & Alexop., Didymium serpula Fr., Craterium obovatum Peck and Physarum bivalve Pers. were added to the Turkish mycota.
Various effects of the expression of the xyloglucanase gene from Penicillium canescens in transgenic aspen under semi-natural conditions
Authors: Vidyagina Elena O. , Subbotina Natalia M. , Belyi Vladimir A. , Lebedev Vadim G. , Krutovsky Konstantin V. , Shestibratov Konstantin A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Recombinant carbohydrases genes are used to produce transgenic woody plants with improved phenotypic traits. However, cultivation of such plants in open field is challenging due to a number of problems. Therefore, additional research is needed to alleviate them.

Results

Results of successful cultivation of the transgenic aspens (Populus tremula) carrying the recombinant xyloglucanase gene (sp-Xeg) from Penicillium canescens in semi-natural conditions are reported in this paper for the first time. Change of carbohydrate composition of wood was observed in transgenic aspens carrying the sp-Xeg gene. The transformed transgenic line Xeg-2-1b demonstrated accelerated growth and increased content of cellulose in wood of trees growing in both greenhouse and outside in comparison with the control untransformed line Pt. The accelerated growth was observed also in the transgenic line Xeg-1-1c. Thicker cell-wall and longer xylem fiber were also observed in both these transgenic lines. Undescribed earlier considerable reduction in the wood decomposition rate of the transgenic aspen stems was also revealed for the transformed transgenic lines. The decomposition rate was approximately twice as lower for the transgenic line Xeg-2-3b in comparison with the control untransformed line Pt.

Conclusion

A direct dependence of the phenotypic and biochemical traits on the expression of the recombinant gene sp-Xeg was demonstrated. The higher was the level of the sp-Xeg gene expression, the more pronounced were changes in the phenotypic and biochemical traits. All lines showed phenotypic changes in the leave traits. Our results showed that the plants carrying the recombinant sp-Xeg gene do not demonstrate a decrease in growth parameters in semi-natural conditions. In some transgenic lines, a change in the carbohydrate composition of the wood, an increase in the cell wall thickness, and a decrease in the rate of decomposition of wood were observed.
The association between ATM variants and risk of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Moslemi Masoumeh , Moradi Yousef , Dehghanbanadaki Hojat , Afkhami Hamed , Khaledi Mansoor , Sedighimehr Najmeh , Fathi Javad , Sohrabi Ehsan
Published: January 2021

Background

Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene contributes to repair damaged DNA and to regulate cell cycle; therefore, ATM variants seem to increase breast cancer risk; however, the results are controversial. So we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the pooled association between various ATM variants and the risk of breast cancer.

Methods

The relevant studies were searched through Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane. Stratified and subgroup analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity between studies and assess effects of study quality. The pooled estimates logarithm with standard error logarithm of odds ratio and relative risk with confidence interval were calculated.

Results

This study revealed that there is association between ATM variants and the risk of breast cancer; according to the seven adjusted case-control studies, OR of this association was estimated as 1.67 (95%CI: 0.73–3.82), according to nine unadjusted case-control studies, the crude OR was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.17–4.40) and according to two cohorts, the RR was estimated as 1.68 (95% CI: 1.17–2.40).

Conclusions

The ATM variants are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer that ATM V2424G mutation is detected as the most predisposing factor while ATM D1853V, L546V, and S707P variants have the least predictive ability.
A rare case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia in a newborn with 58 perforations in the small intestine
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Jin Danqun , Ye Huan , Liang Youfeng
Published: January 2021

Background

Community-acquired infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) occur very rarely.

Case presentation

P. aeruginos was detected in cultures of venous blood and peritoneal exudate of a newborn with 58 perforations in the small intestine. Intravenous administration of imipenem cilastratin sodium and emergency abdominal surgery were performed. The patient fully recovered and was discharged 17 days after the operation.

Conclusions

Mild symptoms of systemic infections in newborns may delay the diagnosis. Early detection and timely treatment are the key to improved prognosis.
Prevalence of tick-transmitted pathogens in cattle reveals that Theileria parva, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale are endemic in Burundi
Authors: Nyabongo Lionel , Kanduma Esther G. , Bishop Richard P. , Machuka Eunice , Njeri Alice , Bimenyimana Alain V. , Nkundwanayo Canesius , Odongo David O. , Pelle Roger
Published: January 2021

Background

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) constitute a major constraint for livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa, with East Coast fever (ECF) being the most devastating TBD of cattle. However, in Burundi, detailed information is lacking on the current prevalence of TBDs and on the associated economic losses from mortality and morbidity in cattle as well as the costs associated with TBD control and treatment. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the prevalence and spatial distribution of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in cattle across the major agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in Burundi.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study conducted in ten communes spanning the five main AEZs in Burundi, blood samples were taken from 828 cattle from 305 farms between October and December 2017. Evidence of Theileria parva infection was assessed by antibody level, measured using a polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM) antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by a T. parva-specific p104 gene-based nested PCR. Antibodies against Theileria mutans infection were detected using the 32-kDa antigen-based indirect ELISA, while the 200-kDa antigen and the major surface protein 5 (MSP5)-based indirect ELISA were used to detect antibodies against Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale, respectively.

Results

The prevalence of T. parva across the ten communes sampled ranged from 77.5 to 93.1% and from 67.8 to 90.0% based on the ELISA and PCR analysis, respectively. A statistically significant difference in infection was observed between calves and adult cattle; however, T. parva infection levels were not significantly associated with sex and breed. The seroprevalence indicating exposure to T. mutans, B. bigemina and A. marginale ranged from 30 to 92.1%, 33.7 to 90% and 50 to 96.2%, respectively. Mixed infections of TBPs were detected in 82.91% of cattle sampled, with 11 different combinations of pathogen species detected .

Conclusions

The findings indicate that T. parva, A. marginale and B. bigemina infections are endemic in Burundi. Knowledge of the spatial distribution of TBPs will facilitate the design of effective targeted strategies to control these diseases. There is a need for further investigations of the distribution of tick vectors and the population structure of TBPs in order to identify the key epidemiological factors contributing to TBD outbreaks in Burundi.
Drivers of realized satellite tracking duration in marine turtles
Authors: Hart Kristen M. , Guzy Jacquelyn C. , Smith Brian J.
Published: January 2021

Background

Satellite tags have revolutionized our understanding of marine animal movements. However, tags may stop transmitting for many reasons and little research has rigorously examined tag failure. Using a long-term, large-scale, multi-species dataset, we evaluated factors influencing tracking duration of satellite tags to inform study design for future tracking studies.

Methods

We leveraged data on battery status transmitted with location data, recapture events, and number of transmission days to probabilistically quantify multiple potential causes of failure (i.e., battery failure, premature detachment, and tag damage/fouling). We used a combination of logistic regressions and an ordinary linear model including several predictor variables (i.e., tag type, battery life, species, sex, size, and foraging region).

Results

We examined subsets of data from 360 satellite tags encompassing 86,889 tracking days deployed on four species of marine turtles throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Bahamas from 2008 to 2019. Only 4.1% of batteries died before failure due to other causes. We observed species-specific variation in how long tags remain attached: hawksbills retained 50% of their tags for 1649 days (95% CI 995–1800), loggerheads for 584 days (95% CI 400–690), and green turtles for 294 days (95% CI 198–450). Estimated tracking duration varied by foraging region (Caribbean: 385 days; Bahamas: 356; southern Gulf of Mexico [SGOM]: 276, northern Gulf of Mexico [NGOM]: 177). Additionally, we documented species-specific variation in estimated tracking duration among foraging regions. Based on sensor data, within the Gulf of Mexico, across species, we estimated that 50% of tags began to foul after 83 95% CI (70–120) days.

Conclusions

The main factor that limited tracking duration was tag damage (i.e., fouling and/or antenna breakage). Turtles that spent most of their time in the Gulf of Mexico had shorter tracking durations than those in the Bahamas and Caribbean, with shortest durations observed in the NGOM. Additionally, tracking duration varied by species, likely as a result of behaviors that damage tags. This information will help researchers, tag companies, permitting agencies, and funders better predict expected tracking durations, improving study designs for imperiled marine turtles. Our results highlight the heterogeneity in telemetry device longevity, and we provide a framework for researchers to evaluate telemetry devices with respect to their study objectives.
Knowledge and attitudes towards contraceptives among adolescents and young adults
Authors: Sharma Aanchal , McCabe Edward , Jani Sona , Gonzalez Anthony , Demissie Seleshi , Lee April
Published: January 2021

Background

Despite endorsements supporting the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) for adolescents and young adult women (AYA), they have limited knowledge about them Male partners can influence contraceptive decisions, however their perceived knowledge about IUDs is lower than their objective knowledge. We aim to establish current AYA baseline contraceptive knowledge and attitudes so providers can better target their sexual health educational interventions.

Methods

Females and males, aged 13 to 23 years old, from our suburban adolescent clinic, completed an anonymous survey that assessed their knowledge and attitudes towards methods of contraception, with an emphasis on the IUD.

Results

Completed surveys totaled 130 (99 females/31 males). Demographic results revealed 31.3% Black/African-American, 30.5% Latino/Hispanic, 17.6% White, 3.0% Asian, and 14.5% Other. The majority of participants (80%) were sexually active. The majority (69.5%) stated they/their partner were currently using a contraceptive method; only 2.6% used IUDs. Half of females (56.6%) and 10.1% of males had heard of IUDs. Despite this, male and female participants lacked knowledge regarding specific IUD facts. Of the participants who had used emergency contraception (EC), only 6.4% knew the copper IUD could be used for EC.

Conclusion

Contraceptive knowledge deficits, especially regarding the IUD, continue to exist for AYA patients. Many participants stated they required EC despite “satisfaction” with their birth control method(s) and most were unaware that the copper IUD could be used as EC. These discrepancies highlight the importance of comprehensive contraceptive education for AYA patients. Enhanced and consistent contraceptive options counseling can help providers ensure that their AYA patients make well-informed decisions about family planning, thus improving their quality of life.
Impact of immediate postpartum insertion of TCu380A on the quantity and duration of lochia discharges in Tanzania
Authors: Muganyizi Projestine Selestine , Kimario Grasiana Festus , Rwegoshora France John , Paul Ponsian Patrick , Makins Anita
Published: January 2021

Background

The insertion of Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (PPIUD) for the purpose of contraception immediately after delivery is becoming popular in countries where the use of IUD for contraception has been extremely low. Since 2015, Tanzania implemented the initiative by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) to institutionalize PPIUD. As a result of capacity building and information delivery under the initiative, there have been increased uptake of the method. Working in this context, the focus of the study was to generate evidence on the effect of TCu380A IUD on amount and duration of lochia and equip service providers with evidence-based knowledge which can help them in counselling their PPIUD clients.

Objective

Establish impact of postpartum TCu380A on amount and duration of lochia.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of delivered women in two teaching hospitals in Tanzania with immediate insertion of TCu380A or without use of postpartum contraception in 2018. TCu380A models; Optima (Injeflex Co. Brazil) and Pregna (Pregna International, Chakan, India) were used. Follow-up was done by weekly calls and examination at 6th week. Lochia was estimated by Likert Scale 0–4 relative to the amount of lochia on the delivery day. An estimated 250 women sample (125 each group) would give 80% power to detect a desired 20% difference in the proportion of women with prolonged lochia discharges among the Exposed and Unexposed groups. Data analysis was by SPSS.

Results

Two hundred sixty women were analysed, 127 Exposed and 133 Unexposed. Medical complaints were reported by 41 (28.9%) Exposed and 37 Unexposed (27.8%), p = 0.655. Lack of dryness by end of 6th week was to 31 (23.3%) Exposed and 9 (7.1%) Unexposed, p < 0.001. Exposed had higher weekly mean lochia scores throughout with the difference most marked in 5th week (3.556 Versus 2.039, p < 0.001) and 6th week (1.44 Versus 0.449, p<0.001).

Conclusion

PPIUD is associated with increased amount of lochia and slows progression to dryness within 6 weeks of delivery. The implications of PPIUD clients’ needs to be informed about the possibility of delayed dryness of lochia at time of counseling are discussed.
‘The future of regulation is culture’: opportunities to change unethical behaviour in business and public administration in Brazil
Authors: Hodges Christopher , Steinholtz Ruth , Aroeira Salles Alexandre
Published: January 2021

Isolated application of the deterrence theory isn’t enough to solve most of the problems regarding unethical behavior in business and enterprises, as demonstrated by some works cited in the text. If that were the case, Brazil, a country marked by the vigorous application of such theory, as shown by the traditional application of Brazilian legislation, would not suffer from recurring problems of corruption, such as those denounced by the “car wash” operation, “Petrolão”, etc. Differently from this traditional approach, recent studies presented in the body of this article, based in the behavioral science, show that deterrence is frequently ineffective in affecting future behavior, which conducts enterprises to a “compliance trap”: a false belief that the merely institution of compliance policies would reverse the current ethical crises. The thesis of the article is that such change requires the adoption of an ethical culture, which concerns a switch in regulatory approach, able to modify the nature of lawenforcement, but also the engagement of enterprises, it´s directors and collaboratives with this culture. The article also confronts evidence based on behavioral science and recommended by international bodies (such as the OECD) with recent legislative changes in Brazil (in particular the new LINDB and the Economic Freedom Act) that expand the strength of consensus between Public Administration and individuals.
Governo digital e direito administrativo: entre a burocracia, a confiança e a inovação
Authors: Borges de Carvalho Lucas
Published: January 2021

Apesar da ampla disseminação do acesso à internet e do uso de novas tecnologias nos últimos anos, os serviços públicos permanecem, em regra, baseados em procedimentos desconectados, lentos e ineficientes. Considerando este contexto, o artigo analisa as políticas de governo digital no Brasil a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema e de discussão da legislação aplicável, de dados concretos e de casos paradigmáticos recentes. Argumenta-se que essas iniciativas, ao se basearem nos princípios da transparência, da inovação e da confiança, podem contribuir, de forma decisiva, para a transformação das práticas da administração pública, com a consequente redução da burocracia, do formalismo e da cultura da desconfiança. Propõe-se, nesse sentido, um direito administrativo para o governo digital, fundado em uma abordagem pragmática do direito e no pressuposto da confiança.
Systematic review on the incidence of low back pain as well as on the rehabilitation treatment methods used
Authors: IONITE Catalin , ROTARIU Mariana , CONDURACHE Iustina
Published: January 2021

Introduction. Low back pain is a growing condition both in terms of sampling and incidence, reaching to affect any of us at some point. Material and method. In order to write the article, four international libraries were used, where search criteria were used such as: "low back pain", "low back pain incidence" and "low back pain treatment". The articles used in this paper were carefully selected according to their relevance for this study, but only considered articles published in 2020. Results and discussions. The obtained results indicated that both physical therapy and physiotherapy have beneficial effects in ameliorating the symptoms generated by low back pain, but due to the lack of an optimal protocol patients turn to alternative therapies that have shown greater efficacy than physical therapy in amelioration. symptoms generated by low back pain. Conclusions. The lack of an optimal physiotherapeutic treatment protocol causes patients to turn to alternative therapies that are more effective, as well as a lower cost per treatment.
Study on the postural rehabilitation devices used in the prevention of postural defects and the need to use a smart orthosis
Authors: LUCA Cătălina , FUIOR Robert , CORCIOVĂ Călin
Published: January 2021

Introduction. Postural defects are a real challenge for the contemporary world. Scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis are diseases of the spine, with various evolutions and multiple changes of the other components of the thorax (shoulders, shoulder blades, ribs), as well as of the intrathoracic and even abdominal organs. Material and method. This paper presents a study on the need to use a smart orthosis in the prevention of postural defects, a study that is the preamble to the physical realization of such an orthosis. The smart orthosis will use inertial sensors capable of calculating orientation angles in a portable monitoring system that will calculate and represent the curvature of the spine. It is hoped that finding a non-invasive solution to identify the shape of the human back can help reduce the time required for medical rehabilitation sessions or can prevent possible postural defects. Results and discussions. In this study, the existing orthoses on the market that could fall into the category of rehabilitation devices used in the prevention of postural defects were evaluated and an intelligent orthosis was designed. Conclusions. At this time, the existence of an intelligent orthosis in the prevention of postural defects would lead to an improvement in health among the population. Also, this prosthesis would crown the work of physiotherapists by maintaining the results obtained.

Keywords: postural defects, smart orthosis, prevention, rehabilitation, health improvement,
Current aspects regarding “smart homes”/ ambient assisted living (AAL) including rehabilitation specific devices, for people with disabilities/ special needs
Authors: ANDONE Ioana , POPESCU Cristina , SPINU Aura , DAIA Cristina , STOICA Simona , ONOSE Liliana , ANGHEL Irina , ONOSE Gelu
Published: January 2021

Introduction: The population life expectancy has increased (“over half the EU’s population predicted to be over-65 by 2070”), according to recent prevalence studies, being a result of the advancement of technology and medical science. This aging population has implications for society because there is increased number of older people requiring better quality of life.
Materials and Methods: AAL represents the systems that may support completely the living area of a person and has the potential to facilitate the elderly to live longer and more safety in their family environments, allowing them to continue their current activities, facilitating participation in more activities at home and in the community and improving the cost-effectiveness, the quality of health and social services. A practical use of technology is the introduction of home networks, which involve notions such as: "smart homes ", “tele-health / tele-care” and even, possibly, “tele-medicine” to allow people with serious illnesses / conditions / and special needs to maintain an appropriate quality of life (QOL) at home.
Discussions and Conclusions: AAL can contribute to an increased autonomy, self-confidence and mobility in people whose activity is limited to home environment, such as "the oldest olds” and/ or those with severe neuro-/ loco-motors disabilities, and so to reduce the risk of institutionalization, enhance security, prevent social isolation, thus allowing “older adults to age in place”. An important role in achieving this goal is representing by working in a multidisciplinary team (experts in the field of health - rehabilitation, gerontology -, social experts, technical/ informatics experts, engineering and robotics experts).

Keywords: ambient assistive living, quality of life, special needs, tele-medicine, rehabilitation,
Clinical-imagistic and rehabilitation features in a young patient traumatized by road accident- with vegetative state and evolution towards a state of minimum consciousness at 6 months after the accident
Authors: STOICA Simona-Isabelle , CHIPĂRUȘ Carmen Elena , LAPĂDAT Magdalena Vasilica , NOHAI Iulia- Maria , DUMITRAȘCU Andreea , ANDONE Ioana , POPESCU Cristina , ONOSE Gelu
Published: January 2021

Introduction: The frequency of road accidents is increasing due to the continuous enhancement of cars and unpredictable elements such as state of the roads and individual factors; their individual consequences can be very severe. Materials and Methods: With the permission of the THEBA Ethics Committee (no 3159/ 30.01.2019), we present an interesting case of a young patient who suffered a severe head injury after a road accident. We will talk about the evolution of clinical, paraclinical and functional parameters. We will also highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic features encountered in this case. Results: Despite the unfavorable clinical and functional prognosis and the multiple post-traumatic complications that occurred, the patient survived and evolved to better psycho-cognitive and functional status. Disccussion and conclusions: Road accidents represent a real social problem through individual, family and professional consequences. In this context, primary and secondary preventive education of the population, as well as the promotion of neuro-muscular – and, if necessary cognitive and or communication - rehabilitation programs are essential. Keywords: traumatic brain injury, neuro-muscular and cognitive rehabilitation, post-traumatic complication,
F-supplemented modules
Authors:   Dokuz Eylül University, Özdemir S.
Published: January 2021

Let R be a ring, let M be a left R-module, and let U,V,F be submodules of M with F proper. We call V an F-supplement of U in M if V is minimal in the set F⊆X⊆M such that U+X=M, or equivalently, F⊆V, U+V=M and U∩V is F-small in V. If every submodule of M has an F-supplement, then we call M an F-supplemented module. In this paper, we introduce and investigate F-supplement submodules and (amply) F-supplemented modules. We give some properties of these modules, and characterize finitely generated (amply) F-supplemented modules in terms of their certain submodules.
On small world non-Sunada twins and cellular Voronoi diagrams
Authors:   Institute of Mathematics Maria Curie-Skłdowska University, Institute of Telecommunications and Global Information Space NAS of Ukraine, Ustimenko V.
Published: January 2021

Special infinite families of regular graphs of unbounded degree and of bounded diameter (small world graphs) are considered. Two families of small world graphs Gi and Hi form a family of non-Sunada twins if Gi and Hi are isospectral of bounded diameter but groups Aut(Gi) and Aut(Hi) are nonisomorphic. We say that a family of non-Sunada twins is unbalanced if each Gi is edge-transitive but each Hi is edge-intransitive. If all Gi and Hi are edge-transitive we have a balanced family of small world non-Sunada twins. We say that a family of non-Sunada twins is strongly unbalanced if each Gi is edge-transitive but each Hi is edge-intransitive. We use term edge disbalanced for the family of non-Sunada twins such that all graphs Gi and Hi are edge-intransitive. We present explicit constructions of the above defined families. Two new families of distance-regular—but not distance-transitive—graphs will be introduced.
Zero-sum subsets of decomposable sets in Abelian groups
Authors:   Ivan Franko National University, Banakh T. , Ravsky A. ,   Pidstryhach Institute for Applied Problems of Mechanics and Mathematics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Published: January 2021

A subset D of an abelian group is decomposable if ∅≠D⊂D+D. In the paper we give partial answers to an open problem asking whether every finite decomposable subset D of an abelian group contains a non-empty subset Z⊂D with ∑Z=0. For every n∈N we present a decomposable subset D of cardinality |D|=n in the cyclic group of order 2n−1 such that ∑D=0, but ∑T≠0 for any proper non-empty subset T⊂D. On the other hand, we prove that every decomposable subset D⊂R of cardinality |D|≤7 contains a non-empty subset T⊂D of cardinality |Z|≤12|D| with ∑Z=0. For every n∈N we present a subset D⊂Z of cardinality |D|=2n such that ∑Z=0 for some subset Z⊂D of cardinality |Z|=n and ∑T≠0 for any non-empty subset T⊂D of cardinality |T|<n=12|D|. Also we prove that every finite decomposable subset D of an Abelian group contains two non-empty subsets A,B such that ∑A+∑B=0.
A Critical Thinking Assessment Model Integrated with Science Process Skills on Chemistry for Senior High School
Authors: Kriswantoro Kriswantoro , Kartowagiran Badrun , Rohaeti Eli
Published: January 2021

Every school should be able to equip students to have the ability to integrate the knowledge gained with real life in responding to global challenges. Assessment of learning outcomes in the form of cognitive and skill aspects must go hand in hand. This study aims to produce: (1) a critical thinking model integrated with the science process, (2) construct validity and reliability instruments that measure the integrated critical thinking skills of science process skills in high school chemistry learning. This assessment model uses the Design and Development approach which refers to the Ellis & Levy model, namely: (1) problem (2) goal setting, (3) model design and development, (4) model testing, (5) evaluation of the test result model, and (6) application model. The validity assessment consisted of 3 measurement and measurement experts, 2 chemistry education experts, and 2 treatments. The trial sample described 289 high school students in Sleman Regency. Proving the validity of the content using the Aiken formula gets a value of 0.923 in the good category. Internal instrument reliability is included in the reliable category with a value of 0.886 (> 0.7), while the Composite Reliability ranges from 0.88 to 0.90. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the value of the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) was 0.021 <0.08, the Chi-Square obtained from <2df testing was 38.29 <2 (34) and the Goodness of fit Index (GFI) was 0.97. > 0.90 or a model declared according to the data obtained in the field and can be used in extensive measurements.
Experiences of Participants in Teacher Professional Education on Obtaining Soft Skills: A Case Study in Indonesia
Authors: SA Nurul Huda , Suyanto Suyanto , Arifi Ahmad , Putranta Himawan , Azizah Amiroh Nichayatun Munir
Published: January 2021

Teachers in the constitution in Indonesia are professionals who must meet pedagogical, social, personal, and professional competencies. This qualitative research with a phenomenological approach aims to explore the experiences of the teacher professional education program (PPG) participants in gaining soft skills. The research data were collected through in-depth interviews conducted on fifteen PPG participants consisting of seven females and eight males. The fifteen participants attended PPG in five universities spread out from universities in Central Java, West Java, Yogyakarta Special Region, and Jakarta Special Capital Region. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. Data analysis was carried out through the horizontalization, texturally, structurally, and essential descriptions stages. The results of this research found that PPG participants received soft skills learning in hidden curriculum patterns so that each participant had an initial understanding and how to get various soft skill understandings. Soft skills obtained by participants during the PPG implementation are self-confidence, collaboration, hard work, respect for culture, patience, wisdom, maturity, mental resilience, humility, responsibility, creative thinking, positive thinking, cooperation, humility, respect for others, and tolerance. This research recommends that soft skills learning at PPG be implemented with a structured curriculum so that participants have better abilities as teachers.
Paediatric hip ultrasound: Uncertainties in examination and choice of treatment
Authors: Bucher Florian , Görg Christian , Weber Stefanie , Peterlein Christian-Dominik
Published: January 2021

Purpose

In Germany, neonates undergo hip sonography examination using the Graf method during the routine U3 screening examination, performed by consultant physicians four to five weeks after birth, and are referred to specialized orthopaedic departments if there are any uncertainties. This study evaluated the quality of sonographic screening in the outpatient sector and the treatment requirements of referred children.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of the patient data of 384 neonates collected in consultations performed between April 2016 and April 2019.

Results

In total, 74% (n = 284) of neonates presented a hip type Ia/b. Treatment (abduction brace or Fettweis cast) was required in 32% (n = 122) of cases. The treatment duration was significantly correlated with age at first presentation (Pearson's r = 0.678; p = 0.001). The treatment duration for patients aged > 200 days old at first presentation was twice as long as those aged 100 days at first presentation. Patients with public health insurance require referral by a consultant. Developmental dysplasia of the hip as referral diagnosis could not be confirmed in control examination in 64% (n = 132) of cases. Of the public health insured children, 97% (n = 200) were referred through a consultant paediatrician.

Conclusion

We identified deficits in performing and interpreting the Graf method of ultrasound examination. A total of 64% of referred pathological hips turned out to be physiological configurations in our control examination. The future goal should be to increase anatomical knowledge of the newborn hip and ensure the correct use of Graf ultrasound method. Advanced training courses are recommended and necessary.

Level of evidence

IV
Dynamics of Texture Change and in Vitro Starch Digestibility with High-Pressure, Freeze-Thaw Cycle, and Germination-Parboiling Treatments of Brown Rice
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhu Songming , Ramaswamy Hosahalli S. , Du Yang , Yu Yong , Wu Jian
Published: January 2021

Highlights

Freeze-thaw cycle (FTC) treated brown rice texture was much closer to white rice texture.

Both high-pressure (HP) and FTC treatment helped to moderate the bran layer of brown rice.

FTC treatment of brown rice resulted in higher conversion to resistant starch.

The glycemic index of treated rice correlated positively with the amylose/amylopectin ratio.

Abstract. High-pressure (HP), freeze-thaw cycle (FTC), and germination-parboiling (GP) treatments were used to improve the texture characteristics and in vitro digestibility of starch in brown rice (BR). The texture of FTC-treated BR was the closest to the texture of white rice. Improved water absorption ratio, HP and FTC induced modification of the bran layer, and GP induced partial starch gelatinization were considered to be responsible for improving the texture of BR. All treatments improved the in vitro digestibility of BR starch, and FTC < HP < GP with respect to the order of increase. FTC treatment also resulted in the minimal glycemic index (GI), while GP treatment resulted in higher GI. In general, the amylose content was lower for untreated BR than for treated BR. Further, the HP, GP, and FTC treatments showed improved amylose/amylopectin ratios. HP and GP decreased the gelatinization enthalpy, while FTC increased it. GI had a positive correlation with amylose content and amylose/amylopectin ratio, while gelatinization enthalpy had a negative correlation. Keywords: Brown rice, Freeze-thaw cycle, Germination-parboiling, High pressure, Starch in vitro digestibility, Texture.
A Rapid Manufacturing Method for Rectangular Splines Based on Laser Cutting and Welding
Authors: Wang Shenying , Hu Zhichao , Gu Fengwei , Peng Baoliang , Chen Youqing , Wu Feng , Wang Yongwei
Published: January 2021

Highlights

A rapid manufacturing method for internal and external rectangular spline shafts for use in agricultural machinery was developed using a combination of laser cutting and welding.

The shear strength of the internal spline welds, extrusion strength of the spline tooth surfaces, and extrusion and shear strength of the external spline pins were tested.

Threshold values were obtained for the average diameter of the internal and external splines.

Two case studies (light load and heavy load) were performed to verify the feasibility and reliability of the method.

Abstract. In recent years, special-sized spline shafts and gears have been widely used in the trial production of new agricultural machinery in China. However, due to the high production cost and long development cycle of these common components, the development of new agricultural machinery has been affected. To solve these problems, this article proposes a method for rapid manufacturing of rectangular internal and external splines using a combination of laser cutting and welding. Through analysis of the weld shear strength of the internal splines, the extrusion strength of the spline tooth surfaces, and the extrusion and shear strength of the external spline pins, it was calculated that the threshold of the average diameter (dm) of the internal splines, commonly used in agricultural machinery, was dm = 31.17 mm, and that of the external splines was dm = 33.45 mm. The feasibility and reliability of the method were verified with two case studies using light and heavy load conditions. The light load case study was the splines of the power input shaft of the pickup platform of a peanut harvester, and the heavy load case study was the splines of the total power input shaft of a peanut no-till planter. The case studies indicated that under the light load conditions (average power of 1.13 kW, average torque of 64.1 N·m, average speed of 168.7 rpm, cumulative working time of 48 h, and harvested area of 46.4 ha) and heavy load conditions (average power of 89.36 kW, average torque of 1029.9 N·m, average speed of 828.6 rpm, cumulative working time of 51.5 h, and planted area of 31.7 ha), no spline failure was observed, and the reliability was 100.0%. This article provides a technical reference for the rapid production of special-sized rectangular splines as single pieces or in small batches for trial production, which requires low processing accuracy, of new agricultural machinery products. Keywords: Agricultural machinery, Laser cutting, Manufacturing method, Rectangular spline, Strength test, Torque.
Master equation approach to propagation in nonlinear fibers
Authors: Bonetti J. , Hernandez S. M. , Grosz D. F.
Published: January 2021

In this Letter, we revisit the quantum theory of propagation in nonlinear fibers. Unlike previous works, we present an effective propagation equation for the reduced density matrix of the complex envelope of the electric field. This original proposal is shown to be in agreement with the theory of quantum noise in fibers and puts forth a powerful tool for the study of fiber-based quantum devices. To underscore its applicability, we analyze the performance of a heralded single-photon scheme in terms of probabilities, an approach that conveniently lends itself to the optimization of such sources.
Probe into the targeted poverty mitigation policy in China based on causal inference: Evidence from Chongqing in the Three Gorges Reservoir region
Authors: Zhu Min , Shuai Chuanmin
Published: January 2021

A quantitative analysis of the panel data of 21 districts in Chongqing City in the Three Gorges Reservoir region from 1998 to 2015 was conducted to determine the influence of China’s focused poverty reduction policy in terms of causal inference. Specifically, the effects of this policy at the initial phase of execution through break-point regression; the impacts of this policy during the implementation period by using an instrumental variable panel regression; and comparative studies of the policy impacts by using the generalized synthetic control method. The outcomes showed that: (1) China’s state policy for specific poverty mitigation has a substantial impact on reducing poverty, which has been observed from the start of the enactment, namely, peasants' net income per capita from 2011 to 2013 increased by 13.9%, as compared to that during 2008–2010. Meanwhile, the net earnings of each farmer grew by 22% from 2011 to 2015 throughout the implementation phase of the policy, as opposed to that in 1998–2010. (2) Economic behavior in the marketplace and agricultural output figure of impoverished regions has significantly improved farmers' individual net income. (3) The comparative study further proves that the poverty mitigation policy has the effect of reducing poverty. Based on these findings, it is proposed that China should increase investment to consolidate its poverty alleviation policy in the most poverty-stricken areas, activate rural markets and develop agricultural production at the local level to accelerate poverty reduction in the region. The method of causal inference was utilized as an innovative method to study China’s focused poverty reduction policy for both immediate and permanent effects. It is the first time to use the generalized integrated control method, which is a causal inference frontier method, to further verify the effectiveness of poverty reduction policies.
HISTORICAL ELECTRONIC RESOURCES FOR STUDYING THE SOCIAL TOPOGRAPHY OF SIBERIAN CITIES AT THE END OF XIX — THE BEGINNINGS XX CENTURIES (SPECIAL ASPECTS OF THE CREATION AND THE USE)
Authors: Chekryzhova Oksana I. , Bryukhanova Elena A.
Published: January 2021

Creating historical Internet resources, databases and informational systems, which are available to a wide user community in on-line mode, is one of the relevant directions of modern historical research. The use of spatial analysis to study the social topography of Siberian cities at the turn of the XIX - XX centuries based on the geographic information system created on the NextGISWeb platform is especially relevant due to the contemplation of creating an information system, containing a various body of data, which are presented as an open user resource with the use of a Web-GIS platform and availabled to a wide circle of researchers. The main source of this study are one of the most complete and representative collections of census forms of the Tobolsk Governorate cities, kept in the State Archives of Tobolsk city, the Tyumen Region (GATO). The types and structure of the census forms formed the basis of the created database, which has an analogous structure with the census forms. Working with maps and city plans, which act as sources for creating a base map  and include not only digitizing the source map, but also attracting additional materials containing a description of the infrastructure and urban areas, which involves a broad analytical effort, which is not transfer of information from historical maps to the digital environment, but reconstruction of urban space. The integrated approach and the use of all possible sources allow to achieve the maximum possible effect of the reconstructed space of the urban environment.