bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative Approach to Procedure Skills: A Nurse Practitioner Educator's Response to COVID-19
Authors: Sharpe Elizabeth Li
Published: November 2020

Background:

The The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at The Ohio State University transitioned from a traditional face-to-face program to a distance-enhanced hybrid model providing course content online with campus visits for procedural skills and simulation in 2017. Although the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic necessitated cancellation of all in-person events across the university, the neonatal nurse practitioner students' learning needs remained the same.

Method:

The onsite experience was redesigned for virtual delivery. Procedural content was accomplished through student-led small-group collaborative critical thinking activities surrounding procedural complications, and other faculty-led scenario discussions.

Results:

Students collaborated for a Complications Rounds activity (1-day) that promoted learning about procedural skills from a global perspective including safe techniques, monitoring, risks, and troubleshooting complications.

Conclusion:

Procedural content can be achieved when in-person learning is not possible. The Complications Rounds approach can mitigate delays or gaps in practical experiences. Examining complications in-depth increases preparedness, promoting greater awareness of harm prevention when these present in future practice.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2020;59(12):692–696.]
Improving Portfolio Assessment: Addressing Challenges in Transition to Eportfolio
Authors: Sabio Cristan , Chen Jie , Moxley Elizabeth Annette , Taylor Linda , Kuchinski Anne-Marie , Peters Bradley T.
Published: November 2020

Background:

As health care education programs adopt electronic portfolios (eportfolios), a midwestern university baccalaureate nursing program faces challenges in transitioning from a 25-year-old paper-based system to eportfolio.

Method:

Process improvements and faculty development were implemented through collaboration with the information technology (IT) department and the involvement of students as ambassadors. Pre- and posttransition surveys and portfolio benchmarks were used to evaluate the efficacy of the new eportfolio system.

Results:

Results of faculty and student surveys revealed improved positive experiences regarding the value, clarity, and ease of use of the eportfolio system. Benchmark deficits decreased from six of eight portfolio criteria in Fall 2017 to none in Fall 2019.

Conclusion:

Buy-in through faculty and student involvement, along with a user-centered design, are essential for a successful eportfolio transition. Student and faculty engagement would be secured when they are well-informed in the transition process.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2020;59(12):705–708.]
The Role of Social Networks in the Educational Process
Authors: Berestova Anna , Alizade Turkan , Umirzakova Zaure
Published: November 2020

The purpose of the research is a comparative study of the use of social networks in the educational and sociocultural context. The comparison criteria include the following indicators: social status (student-teacher), demographic characteristics (gender and age), and sociocultural indicators (the country of residence – Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan). A questionnaire based on closed and open questions was used to collect data. The data were analyzed in SPSS. Various strategies (constructively individualistic and value-normative strategies) were identified for obtaining and using information through social networks that are mediated by ex-isting cultural and social practices. There is a qualitative difference in the use of social networks by teachers and students. Students are primarily attracted by the ability to communicate on social networks. The use of social networks by teach-ers is mediated by their professional activities. The results obtained allow us to build other forms of interaction between the teacher and students A teacher coor-dinates students' independent intellectual activities rather than transmits knowledge; students become not just consumers of educational information, but active participants in the creation of an intellectual product.
The Perceived Usefulness of Digital Simulators in the Acquisition of Professional Competencies by Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Qaisar Rabia , Lajane Halima , Lamiri Abderrahmane , Bouzoubaa Hind , Abidi Omar , Khyati Abderrahim
Published: November 2020

Abstract— Digital virtual simulators are considered one of the most innovative teaching methods currently available for overcoming training difficulties in clinical nursing practice. This study aimed to measure the perceived usefulness of digital simulators in the acquisition of professional nursing skills among undergraduate nursing students. A group of 50 students participated in an online training module on a digital simulator over six sessions. They then responded to a survey about the training. The results indicated that 80% of the participants found learning with a digital simulator to be an enriching experience and 82% of the students felt that it could be beneficial to adopt this mode of teaching in other areas of nursing education. It is hoped that these findings will encourage teachers to adopt this approach to nursing education as a solution to the various constraints related to student placements. It may be especially useful in situations where there is a lack of supervisors or a large number of students.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Strategies for Improving the Teaching Effect of Art Major Courses in Colleges
Authors: Yang Ran
Published: November 2020

In the context of artificial intelligence (AI), this paper attempts to develop strategies to improve the teaching effect of art major courses in colleges, and overcome the existing problems with the improvement process. Firstly, the authors analyzed the manifestations of the teaching effects of art major courses, and then discussed the relevant factors that affect the teaching effect of such courses. Next, the potential improving effects of the AI on the teaching effect of art major courses were expounded in details. On this basis, an evaluation model was developed to reflect the improving effects. Finally, several AI-based strategies were put forward to optimize the teaching of art major courses in collages. This research fully integrates theoretical analysis with model calculation, and innovatively introduces the AI to the teaching effect improvement in major courses.
Docência compartilhada como design de formação de professores de português como língua adicional
Authors: Schlatter Margarete , Vargas da Costa Everton
Published: November 2020

Com base em uma visão de formação docente como compartilhamento de experiências, reflexão prospectiva e retrospectiva e indução à prática profissional, neste artigo descrevemos as ações de duas professoras atuando em docência compartilhada e analisamos como constroem formação e negociam suas identidades. Desde uma perspectiva etnográfica, analisamos eventos de formação em que as professoras interagem na sala de aula e por e-mails. Observamos que o design de docência compartilhada e as identidades valorizadas nesse contexto, professor-autor e professor-autor-formador, favorecem a construção de uma relação de igualdade existencial e epistêmica entre as participantes. A experiência individual, quando socializada, passa a integrar o repertório de experiências coletivas das professoras, ao construírem trajetórias de participação que se sobrepõem e impactam as experiências, o acesso a recursos afetivos e cognitivos, e as identidades das participantes.Palavras-chave: Formação de professores; Docência compartilhada; Experiência.
Desafios discursivos em Português como meio de instrução nas aulas de Ciências Naturais em Moçambique
Authors: Chambo Gervásio Absolone
Published: November 2020

Este estudo analisa as práticas discursivas em Português (L2) nas aulas de Ciências Naturais na 4ª classe do programa de educação bilíngue cujo currículo determina a pedagogia de separação de línguas, exposição máxima do Português e evitação de uso da língua primeira (L1) nas classes de pós-transição. Com base na observação de aulas lecionadas em L1 antes da transição e nas lecionadas em Português depois da transição mais as entrevistas aos professores, o estudo constatou que os baixos níveis de proficiência dos alunos em Português contribuem para que não participem e não interajam nas aulas lecionadas com base no padrão discursivo “Initiation-Response-Feedback” (IRF). Alternativamente, os professores exploram o“Safetalk” como padrão discursivo para garantir o progresso da aula sem salvaguardar a aprendizagem. O estudo conclui que os professores lecionam à luz das pedagogias instituídas pelo currículo ao invés da pedagogia bilíngue na qual não foram capacitados.Palavras-chave: Práticas discursivas em Português; Educação bilíngue; Pós--transição.
Systemic design for territorial enhancement: An overview on design tools supporting socio-technical system innovation
Authors: Pereno Amina , Barbero Silvia
Published: November 2020

The sustainable transition of the regional and urban systems in which we live represents a crucial challenge for our societies and requires a new integrated vision of the social, environmental, cultural, political and economic dimensions. Territorial systems can be considered as socio-technical systems, made up of a complex network of infrastructure and facilities and also of human interactions and activities. So far, the sustainable innovation of socio-technical systems has often been concerned with the introduction of sustainable technological solutions, but today it is clear how specific solutions must be framed from a systems perspective. The paper aims at providing a comprehensive analysis of the design tools able to support this systemic transition, starting from the analysis of the macro-strategies developed by the transition studies, in particular the Multi-level Perspective model. Through a cross-analysis with the main design fields related to the systemic design domain, four types of tools are highlighted, which aim at (i) establishing learning processes;(ii) building multi-stakeholder networks; (iii) sharing foresight visions; (iv) enhancing green niche innovations. The comparison of the different tools enables pointing out the contribution of systemic design to territorial enhancement, stressing the contact points and potential synergies between different design approaches.
Systems Thinking for Bottom-Up Social Innovation: An Examination of Social Practices
Authors: Chon Harah
Published: November 2020

The principles of sustainability and social design have been widely adopted to develop new models of community practice, engagement and innovation. Considering the growing interest of social practices and sustainable models, systems thinking provides an opportunity to further frame and organise various design activities to develop a deeper understanding of the spaces of impact through social innovation. This paper examines the practices of existing social enterprise models and the complexities involved in implementing new structures for community involvement through co-creation, co-design and facilitation. Cybernetics, as a way of looking at and engaging with systems, is discussed to position the role of the designer. Using mapping as a visualisation tool and conversational activity, case-studies are evaluated to provide a broad framework of bottom-up systems thinking through participatory methods to enhance social and cultural values.
Institutional Dynamics and Support for Students With Disabilities in Botswana's Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges
Authors: Mosalagae Macdelyn Khutsafalo
Published: November 2020

This chapter focuses on the dynamics surrounding inclusionary practices in Botswana's TVET institutions and how these impact on the experiences of students with disabilities. The chapter draws from interviews conducted for a doctoral study informed by the capability approach. The researcher argues that the nature of institutional support can produce enabling and constraining features within the structure and relations at hand. Support for students in TVET is of importance despite aspects such as inadequate resources and untrained personnel on disability matters. The chapter also focuses on the contradictions that have marked the education of students with disabilities. In particular, academics have different perceptions of inclusion and what constitutes good practices of the appropriate inclusion for students with disabilities. A group of 17 students with mild intellectual disabilities formed part of the participants, and the study used in-depth interviews for data collection.
Food Safety and Climate Change
Authors: Zinedine Abdellah , El Akhdari Samira
Published: November 2020

Mycotoxins are chemical compounds produced mainly by mounds of genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium on various grains and agricultural commodities at different stages in the field, before harvest, post-harvest, during processing, packaging, distribution, and storage. The production of mycotoxins depends on several environmental factors such as temperature and moisture. This chapter gives an overview about the major mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and Fusarium toxins), masked mycotoxins, and emerging mycotoxins. The toxicity of these mycotoxins and their negative economic impact was also discussed together with the effect of climate change on their production. A section on mycotoxins regulations by international agencies and organisms (WHO, FAO, EU, etc.) was discussed. Finally, the different strategies to reduce or eliminate the toxic effects of mycotoxins in contaminated foods and feeds by using chemical, physical, and biological/biotechnological methods or innovative approaches were explained.
Non-Thermal Preservation of Dairy Products
Authors: Koker Alperen , Okur İlhami , Ozturkoglu-Budak Sebnem , Alpas Hami
Published: November 2020

Dairy products include carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids, and different micronutrients, such as minerals and vitamins. Thermal treatment is generally used in dairy products to provide product safety and increase shelf life. But it can also lead to undesirable effects on dairy products such as protein denaturation, maillard reaction, and loss of vitamins. Non-thermal technology is an alternative method in the preservation of food products due to improving product safety and shelf life without any negative effects on food nutritional content. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), pulsed electric field (PEF), ultrasound, cold plasma (CP), and pulsed light (PL) are the main non-thermal techniques that are used in the food industry. This chapter gives general principles of the non-thermal techniques, current applications in the dairy products, and recent advances in the dairy industry.
Logistic Strategies to Minimize Losses and Waste in Food Supply Chains
Authors: Ruiz-Morales Betzabé , Miranda-Ackerman Marco A. , Espitia-Moreno Irma Cristina
Published: November 2020

This chapter proposes sustainable supply chains in agrifoods, achieved through logistical strategies to minimize food waste and losses. Proposals will recover organic and inorganic waste and reincorporate it into the supply chain or add it to new chains through new products generated from food waste. A literature review is presented regarding the causes of food losses and waste within the supply chain and the strategic opportunities in the logistical process to reduce such losses. The creation of models that include the three dimensions of sustainability in food logistics is required in order to achieve a reduction in waste and food losses in transport, as well as to minimize costs and environmental impacts. If a correct sustainable logistics is carried out, it would favor the reincorporation of waste into new supply chains.
An Exploratory Study on Blockchain Application in a Food Processing Supply Chain to Reduce Waste
Authors: Carey Emily Anne , Subramanian Nachiappan
Published: November 2020

This chapter aims to explore the feasibility of using blockchain in the beef supply chain to reduce waste. A mono-method, qualitative, inductive, single case study approach was taken on a cross-sectional scale from June 2018 to August 2018, with two individuals interviewed: a beef and a blockchain expert. The case study also involved observations, a field visit, and other secondary source data. Beef is a high demand, valuable food product with a limited shelf life. By using blockchain in conjunction with RFID and sensor technologies, farming and processing stages in the beef supply chain can be streamlined. Firstly, using the technology to monitor the animals on the farm and during transportation can reduce the amount of water and energy wasted. Secondly, blockchain can be used to establish exactly when and where the meat is cut and packaged, improving the accuracy of information between supply chain entities, resulting in improved inventory management, specifically more accurate delivery times and lengthened product shelf lives.
Economic and Environmental Costs of Meat Waste in the US
Authors: Hardersen Nicholas , Ziolkowska Jadwiga R.
Published: November 2020

Food waste is a major issue around the globe impacting food security, resource use, economic operations, and the environment. Meat waste, constituting approximately half of total annual meat production in the United States, is particularly relevant to address due to significant resource inputs used in livestock breeding and the meat production process. In this chapter, the authors monetize annual costs of natural resources including water, land, and energy, as well as emissions of methane and nitrous oxide embedded in wasted meat in the United States. Results indicate the total annual cost of $32-32.5 billion. The outcomes substantiate the need to reduce current levels of wasted meat in order to minimize economic, social, and environmental impacts on natural resources and make food and meat production more sustainable.
Nutritional Properties of Edible Insects
Authors: Żołnierczyk Anna K.
Published: November 2020

Insects are the biggest animal group on earth. They constitute as much as 80% of the animal kingdom. Over 2000 species of insects are consumed in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Currently almost 1 billion people on this planet suffer from hunger, and we must strive to increase the efficiency of food production. One of the possible solutions is to use insects as a source of food. An important advantage of insect production is the high environmental safety compared to conventional livestock. Conventional animal husbandry is responsible for at least 18% of total greenhouse gas emissions and large consumption of drinking water. A much smaller amount of water is used to produce insect meat and insects require far less feed. Production of insect protein requires much less land and energy than the more widely consumed forms of animal protein. The nutritional usefulness of edible insects varies depending on the species, on the stage of development of the insect and the method of breeding and feeding. Insects have a high nutritional value. They are a rich source of protein which includes all eight essential amino acids (phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine). Edible insects contain on average 10-30% of fat in dry matter and they are good source of edible oil which contains more than 50% of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) desirable for nutritional and health reasons. The average energy value of edible insects is about 400-500 kcal/100g of dry matter. Insects also contain a variety of water soluble or lipophilic vitamins and minerals. Their consumption can build a well-balanced diet. Insects can be regarded as safe, if properly managed and consumed, but international food regulations are needed.
Using Picture Books With Instructional Strategies to Address New Challenges and Teach Literacy Skills in a Digital World
Authors: Bintz William , Ciecierski Lisa M. , Royan Emma
Published: November 2020

This chapter highlights new challenges that have developed over time in a digital world and use picture books with research-based instructional strategies to help teachers, K-8, address these challenges and develop student literacy skills at the same time. It identifies and describes picture books that teachers, K-8, can use as well as present instructional strategies that might be utilized to address these challenges and teach literacy skills in our ever-evolving digital world. This chapter consists of seven sections: 1) major technologies in the history of mass communication, 2) the digital world and pop culture, 3) using picture books to address new challenges in a digital world, 4) picture books and instructional strategies to support literacy skill development, 5) digital storytelling, 6) the need for caution, 7) suggested additional resources to address new challenges in a digital world.
Bridging New Media Literacies and the Common Core Through Narrative
Authors: Howell Emily , Kelley Alicia D.
Published: November 2020

This chapter discusses a formative experiment studying professional development given to fourth- and fifth-grade teachers to help improve their integration of digital tools and writing instruction. The authors focus on the need for teachers to study and integrate both the Common Core writing standards and new media literacies. The authors discuss which new media literacies elementary teachers of writing seemed to identify with most and why. Subsequently, the authors discuss where the new media literacies were implemented through digital storytelling. The authors focus here on narratives at the elementary level and give teachers practical suggestions not only for how they might make these stories digital, but also discuss the underlying skills that their students might gain from engaging in such practices.
Digital Storytelling to Enhance Social Studies Content Knowledge, Explore Multiple Perspectives, and Advocate for Social Justice
Authors: Yearta Lindsay , Kelly Katie
Published: November 2020

In this chapter, the authors discuss how digital storytelling expands traditional storytelling options to serve as an integrative approach to (1) deepen student understanding of social studies content, (2) learn history through multiple perspectives, and (3) seek social justice through civics engagement. Most stories told about our history tend to focus on the dominant narrative which portrays an inaccurate depiction of events and individuals. When students move beyond the “single story” of the dominant narrative to explore multiple perspectives, voices, and historical accounts through counter narratives, they develop essential critical thinking skills to help them not only deepen their understanding of content in social studies but to encourage them to actively engage as democratic citizens seeking social justice for a better world.
Migration, Globalization, and Xenophobia in Africa
Authors: Adejumo-Ayibiowu O. Damola
Published: November 2020

Globalization integrates the whole world into a global village. The opening up of economies to international trade is expected to lead to growth and poverty reduction. However, the benefits of globalization have been disproportionately skewed towards developed economies. Despite opening its economies to foreign goods and integrating to the global market, Africa remains the poorest region in the world. Xenophobia in Africa has particularly been a major concern as African migrants within the continent have been experiencing various forms of hostilities and xenophobic attacks. Many authors agree that globalization and economic inequality contribute to this trend. This chapter analyzes from an Afrocentric perspective, the various social, economic, and historical context in which globalization and other European capitalist quests in Africa affect migration pattern in the continent and contribute to xenophobia in Africa. This chapter provides an Afrocentric critique of the idea of globalization which mainly promotes free trade and capital but restricts the movement of African labour.
The Influence of Political Rhetoric on the Evolution of Xenophobia in Africa
Authors: Mafukata Mavhungu Abel
Published: November 2020

Xenophobia is historically an old phenomenon in Africa. It has had numerous causes. Political rhetoric has been cited as one of the causes of xenophobia. Franz Fanon predicted in 1968 that Africa would sink into acts of xenophobia at some stage post-liberation. Fanon's prediction was fulfilled when President Kofi Busia of Ghana expelled Nigerian nationals from Ghana in 1969. This chapter used qualitative desktop approach to investigate how political rhetoric influenced the evolution of xenophobia in Africa. Political posturing and grandstanding of political elite and government bureaucrats encouraged xenophobia among locals. This action impedes efforts to eradicate xenophobia in Africa. It is possible for Africa to defeat xenophobia, and to also emerge out of its impact. The state should cooperate with other stakeholders to find a long-lasting solution to xenophobia. Political elite and government bureaucrats should desist from inciting the public for xenophobia. Irresponsible political rhetoric encouraging hatred of one people by the other should be punishable by law.
How Apartheid Education Encouraged and Reinforced Tribalism and Xenophobia in South Africa
Authors: Makhado Mashudu Peter , Tshisikhawe Tshifhiwa Rachel
Published: November 2020

Apartheid like colonialism was anchored on the divisions of African people according to ethnic and tribal orientations among others. The idea of the South African apartheid government was to build tribal exceptionalism and superiority which would make one tribe feel more superior than the other. A Zulu would feel better human than a Sotho, while a Venda would feel the same over a Tsonga, for example. This is a qualitative desktop study investigating how apartheid education was used to fuel tribalism and xenophobia in South Africa.
A Levy Flight Sine Cosine Algorithm for Global Optimization Problems
Authors: Li Yu , Zhao Yiran , Liu Jingsen
Published: November 2020

The sine cosine algorithm (SCA) is a recently proposed global swarm intelligence algorithm based on mathematical functions. This paper proposes a Levy flight sine cosine algorithm (LSCA) to solve optimization problems. In the update equation, the levy flight is introduced to improve optimization ability of SCA. By generating a random walk to update the position, this strategy can effectively search for particles to maintain better population diversity. LSCA has been tested 15 benchmark functions and real-world engineering design optimization problems. The result of simulation experiments with LSCA, SCA, PSO, FPA, and other improvement SCA show that the LSCA has stronger robustness and better convergence accuracy. The engineering problems are also shown that the effectiveness of the levy flight sine cosine algorithm to ensure the efficient results in real-world optimization problem.
Research on a New Convolutional Neural Network Model Combined With Random Edges Adding
Authors: Zhang Jin , Tian Sen , Shu XuanYu , Chen Sheng , Chen LingYu
Published: November 2020

It is always a hot and difficult point to improve the accuracy of the convolutional neural network model and speed up its convergence. Based on the idea of the small world network, a random edge adding algorithm is proposed to improve the performance of the convolutional neural network model. This algorithm takes the convolutional neural network model as a benchmark and randomizes backwards and cross layer connections with probability p to form a new convolutional neural network model. The proposed idea can optimize the cross-layer connectivity by changing the topological structure of the convolutional neural network and provide a new idea for the improvement of the model. The simulation results based on Fashion-MINST and cifar10 data set show that the model recognition accuracy and training convergence speed are greatly improved by random edge adding reconstructed models with a probability of p = 0.1.
Determinants of Electronic Library Resources Access in Saudi Arabia Higher Institutions
Authors: Al-khateeb Bilal Ahmad Ali
Published: November 2020

Electronic library resources are believed to be recent development in the world of internet. However, access to electronic library resources appears to be lacking, and thus has become a major issue of concern among electronic libraries resources users, particularly the students. As a result, this study investigates the determinants of electronic library resources access in Saudi Arabia higher institutions. Specifically, it examined the relationship between two key variables and electronic library resources among the students of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Cross-sectional survey forms the research design while the population of the study covered all the students in Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. The sample size was determined using the formula by Tabachnick and Fidell (2001) with a sample of 128. The data collection was conducted using email procedure while the collected quantitative data was analysed using both correlation and regression analysis techniques. The findings revealed that the relationship between electronic library resources availability and electronic library resources access is statistically significant. Also, the finding shows that ease of use is statistically related to electronic library resources access among the students in higher institution. Therefore, the study concludes that electronic library resources availability significantly affects electronic library resources access among the students. Secondly, it is concluded that ease of use has a lot of impacts on the electronic library resources access among the students. The study offers several implications and suggestions for future studies.
Prediction of Environmental Pollution Using Hybrid PSO-K-Means Approach
Authors: Mahajan Manish , Kumar Santosh , Pant Bhasker
Published: November 2020

Air pollution is increasing day by day, decreasing the world economy, degrading the quality of life, and resulting in a major productivity loss. At present, this is one of the most critical problems. It has a significant impact on human health and ecosystem. Reliable air quality prediction can reduce the impact it has on the nearby population and ecosystem; hence, improving air quality prediction is the prime objective for the society. The air quality data collected from sensors usually contains deviant values called outliers which have a significant detrimental effect on the quality of prediction and need to be detected and eliminated prior to decision making. The effectiveness of the outlier detection method and the clustering methods in turn depends on the effective and efficient choice of parameters like initial centroids and number of clusters, etc. The authors have explored the hybrid approach combining k-means clustering optimized with particle swarm optimization (PSO) to optimize the cluster formation, thereby improving the efficiency of the prediction of the environmental pollution.
RMAC
Authors: Vats Hitender , Tomar Ranjeet Singh
Published: November 2020

One knows that smart transport is also an integrated part of healthcare technologies. To minimize the pollution for benefiting the healthcare, the traffic throughput on roundabout intersection has to be increased which will reduce wasted time and will also enhance passenger comfort. This paper presents a new approach by use of cooperative vehicular control utilizing VANET without compromising the safety of vehicles. This intersection side unit (ISU)-based system use lane change mechanism. The modular use of lane with lane change in newly designed protocol CARA (collision avoidance at roundabout algorithm) will greatly enhance the capacity utilization of roundabout. A new simulator ‘RoundSim' was also developed exclusively for simulation in roundabout. A new MAC protocol RMAC (roundabout MAC) is also designed which will suit the roundabout management utilizing lane change to minimize sudden jerk to passengers, thus enhancing healthcare of people. This RMAC utilizes message set with different prioritization scheme which results in better utilization of allotted frequency spectrum.
Efficiency and Equity in the Spatial Planning of Primary Schools
Authors: Wolf Jan , Feitosa Fillipe , Marques João Lourenço
Published: November 2020

The shrinking populations of many regions in Portugal have led to a debate on the criteria which should guide the restructuring of public services at the local scale, and namely how to balance raising per capita costs with guaranteeing equity in accessibility. This article contributes to this debate by analyzing the spatial distribution of primary schools in the municipality of Vagos. It is based on a linear programming approach to optimize the resources needed for the operation and installation of school facilities and the level of accessibility that is provided. The simulated configurations are used as benchmarks for the actual spatial distribution of schools, identifying how it could be made more efficient or equitable and the criteria which have been prioritized in recent school planning policies. This allowed to conclude that, in the analyzed context, changes to the spatial distribution of schools have been made with significant equity concerns and that, while it would be possible to decrease costs through further consolidation, this would pose significant equity challenges.
Free Vibration Analysis of a Spinning Smart Piezoelectrically Actuated Heterogeneous Nanoscale Shell with Nonlocal Strain Gradient Theory
Authors: Sadeghzadeh Sadegh , Mahinzare Mohammad
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a numerical procedure is proposed for analyzing the effects of length scale parameter, external electric field, angular speed and nonlocal parameter on the free vibration of a functionally graded piezoelectric cylindrical nanoshell. Nonlocal strain gradient theory (NSGT) is employed to study Eringen’s size-dependent effect and the length scale parameter. This new proposed method can be considered as a combination of Eringen’s nonlocal model and classical strain gradient theory. The obtained results show that this model can be used reliably for small-scale systems. The effects of boundary conditions, applied voltage, nonlocal parameter, rotational speed and length scale parameter on natural frequencies are presented. Compared to other elasticity theories, NSGT achieves the highest natural frequency and critical rotational speed and also a wider stability region. Doubling and tripling the length scale increases the natural frequency by approximately 1.8 and 2.6 times, respectively; while doubling and tripling the nonlocal parameter value reduces the natural frequency by approximately 1.2 and 1.4 times, respectively. Therefore, the natural frequency is more sensitive to the length scale parameter than the nonlocal parameter. Finally, it was shown that the critical angular speed goes up by increasing the length scale parameter, applied voltage, or nonlocal parameter.
Curcumin Nanoemulsion: Evaluation of Stability and Anti-Cancer Activity In Vitro
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Binh , Nguyen Thi Mai Huong , Le Thi Thu Huong , Phan Thi Thuy , Nguyen Trong Tinh , Melnikova Galina , Chizhik Sergey Antonovich , Le Hai Dang
Published: November 2020

Curcumin is a phytochemical compound extracted from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa and shows intrinsic anti-cancer properties. Its medical application remains limited due to its extremely low water solubility and bioavailability. Addressing this problem, drug delivery systems based on nano-scale technology have emerged. Among the advanced techniques, the self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) has been considered as an ideal method to enhance the oral absorption and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The objectives of present study are to prepare a formulation of nanoemulsion containing curcuminoids of natural origin, assess its micro properties, stabilities and evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity against some cancer cells using tetrazolium dye MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazo- lium bromide] (MTT assay). Measurement results showed that the curcumin nanoemulsion was successfully synthesized with typical mean droplet sizes from 9 to 11 nm, and revealed an excellent stability over time. Curcumin in a nanoemulsion was more stable than unencapsulated curcumin. In vitro experiments on cytotoxic activities against Hela, HepG2 and H460 cancer cell lines indicated that the prepared curcumin nanoemulsion effectively inhibited the growth of all three cell lines with IC50 values of 8.6 µM, 14.5 µM and 5.3 µM respectively. Results of this study suggest that curcumin nanoemulsion can be considered as novel and promising chemo-preventive and therapeutic drug in treatment of cancer, and it may supply some useful ideas in developing anticancer drugs for further in vivo studies.
Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae as a cause of urinary tract infection in a diabetic woman: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Bansal Yashik , Tak Vibhor , Nag Vijaya Lakshmi
Published: November 2020

Group C Streptococci comprises of Streptococcus dysgalatiae that is further divided into two subspecies, namely S. dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis and S. dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae. S. dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae is mainly an animal pathogen but few cases of human infections have been described in the literature. A 40 year old patient presented to the hospital with complaints of pain in pelvis and suprapubic area. Urine sample of the patient was subjected to microscopy and culture for isolation and identification of the etiological agent. S. dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae was identified from the clinical specimen of the patient by conventional and automated methods. The patient was successfully treated with third generation cephalosporin. With newer or rarely reported pathogens causing human diseases and increase in number of immunocompromised individuals in the population, the pathogenic potential of such isolates should not be undermined and a careful correlation with the clinical profile should help guide a clinician in optimum treatment of the patient.
At “half mask” or “nose commando:” A note demonstrating nasal breaths can spread microorganisms when improperly wearing a mask during COVID-19
Authors: Wolff Robert J.
Published: November 2020

Many individuals are wearing face masks improperly at ‘half mask’ and potentially breathing out microbes that can contaminate the air as well as anything below the nose. This note provides the first report that bacteria and fungi breathed out during nasal air exhalation are able to be cultured after landing on blood agar plates. The CFU’s are higher after both 10 breaths and extremely significant for 20 breaths compared to the control plates exposed to the air. Implications of this finding are that going ‘nose commando’ may be able to continue the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. Minute bioaerosols carrying bacteria may be designated as microsnot.
Microbial findings and the role of difficult-to-treat pathogens in patients with periprosthetic infection admitted to the intensive care unit
Authors: Ull Christopher , Yilmaz Emre , Baecker Hinnerk , Schildhauer Thomas , Waydhas Christian , Hamsen Uwe
Published: November 2020

Little is known about patients with Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The purpose of this study was threefold: i) To report the microbiological findings of ICUpatients with PJI. ii) To compare the clinical data between Difficult-To-Treat (DTT) and non-DTT PJI. iii) To identify risk factors for mortality. This is a retrospective study from a tertiary healthcare center in Germany from 2012-2016. A total of 124 patients with 169 pathogens were included. The most common bacteria were Staphyloccous aureus (26.6%), Staphyloccus epidermidis (12.4%), Enterococci ssp. and Escherichia coli (respectively 9.4%). DTT PJI was diagnosed in 28 patients (22.6%). The main pathogens of DTT PJI were Staphylococus epidermidis (14.5%), Escherichia coli (12.7%), Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp. (respectively 9.1%). Polymicrobial PJI, number of pathogens, ICU stay and mortality were significantly differrent between DTT PJI and non-DTT PJI (p≤0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified prolonged ICU stay and DTT PJI as risk factors for mortality. In conclusion, we suggest, that the term of DTT pathogens is useful for the intensivist to assess the clinical outcome in ICU-patients with PJI.
Evaluation of the blue code system established in the health campus of a university hospital
Authors: Topeli Arzu , Cakir Banu
Published: November 2020

OBJECTIVE:

We report the hospital outcomes after implementing the blue code system in our hospital and health campus. We also aimed to determine factors related to mortality.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective observational study of the patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). All blue code calls for all age groups between March 15, 2013, and April 30, 2015 were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS:

A total of 155 patients from the blue code calls were evaluated. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 45.5% of patients, and 54.8% of the patients had died at the end of the CPR. The hospital discharge rate was 20%. Of all patients, 65% were adults with a survival rate of 7.9%, whereas pediatric patients had a 44.2% survival rate. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity were the predominant electrocardiography rhythms in 92.4% of patients. The comparison of survivors and nonsurvivors revealed that nonsurvivors were older, had more cancer as the comorbidity, had a more cardiac arrest, and sepsis as the underlying cause and had >20 min of CPR. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated the independent risk factors for mortality as arrest at a hospital ward, and sepsis as the underlying cause and being adult patient.

CONCLUSION:

The performance of the blue code system should be evaluated periodically. Every effort should be made to prevent unexpected cardiac arrests and increase hospital discharge with good neurologic outcomes.
Magnificent four
Authors: Nekrasov Nikita
Published: November 2020

We present a statistical mechanical model whose random variables are solid partitions, i.e. Young diagrams built by stacking up four dimensional hypercubes. Equivalently, it can be viewed as the model of random tessellations of

\bf R^3

by squashed cubes of four fixed orientations. The model computes the refined index of a system of

D0

-branes in the presence of

D8–\overline{D8}

system, with a

B

-field strong enough to support the bound states. Mathematically, it is the equivariant K-theoretic version of integration over the Hilbert scheme of points on

\mathbb C^4

and its higher rank analogues, albeit the definition is real-, not complex analytic. The model is a mother of all random partition models, including the equivariant Donaldson–Thomas theory and the four dimensional instanton counting. Finally, a version of our model with infinite solid partitions with four fixed plane partition asymptotics is the vertex contribution to the equivariant count of instantons on toric Calabi–Yau fourfolds.

The conjectured partition function of the model is presented. We have checked it up to six instantons (which is one step beyond the checks of the celebrated P. MacMahon's failed conjectures of the early

XX

century). A specialization of the formula is our earlier (2004) conjecture on the equivariant K-theoretic Donaldson–Thomas theory, recently proven by A. Okounkov [63].
O słoweńskich zainteresowaniach Bułgarami i Bułgarią (1850–1908)
Authors: Vodopivec Peter
Published: November 2020

The Slovene interest for Bulgaria and the Bulgarians (1850–1908) During the time of the socialist Yugoslavia, Slovene historians devoted considerable attention to the Yugoslav movement before World War I, but they mainly focused on the Slovene relations with Croats and Serbs. It was only rarely mentioned that Slovene political leaders and intellectuals considered also the Bulgarians to be Yugoslavs and looked with great sympathy to them. The article presents and discusses the interest of the Slovene newspapers, intellectuals and literary authors for the Bulgarians and Bulgaria in the second half of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century, pointing out their support to the Bulgarian struggle for independence and their belief that the Bulgarians belonged to the same “great Yugoslav nation”as did the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Chorwaci a zjazd neoslawistów w Pradze w 1908 roku (na podstawie ówczesnej prasy chorwackiej)
Authors: Agičić Damir
Published: November 2020

The Croats and and the 1908 neo-Slavic congress in Prague (on the basis of the Croatian press) The first congress of the Neo-Slavists took place in Prague, in July 1908. It was the culmination of the movement: the largest and most successful meeting of supporters of Slavic solidarity and mutual cooperation of the Slavic peoples at the beginning of the 20th century. The congress had an anniversary character: it was organized on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the 1848 Slavic congress in Prague. However, the Prague congress was also a preparatory meeting for the planned great congress and Slavic exhibition in Moscow. The author shows the reactions of the Croatian political public to the preparations for the congress in Prague, as well as to the congress itself.
Management by Values: A Case Study of a Recruitment Company
Authors: Piwowar-Sulej Katarzyna , Mroziewski Rafał
Published: November 2020

Background. Although one can find in the subject literature how to implement management by values (MBV), this concept is still relatively new and not devel‑ oped enough. Over the years, it has been proven that there is a direct relationship between management by values and the economic performance of an organization. Research aims. The aim of the paper is to answer the following research ques‑ tions: “What are the origin and assumptions of the concept of management by values?” and “How should an organization implement and maintain MBV?”. Methodology. The authors used literature studies and the longitudinal case study method. Within the case study the authors applied participant observations (conducted in 8 years), analysis of documentation and other information about the enterprise under study such as internal reports or website. They interviewed 3 management board members and 8 employees, as well. Then they confronted empirical findings with the “Road Map” concept which is presented in the literature. Key findings. The research revealed some differences between practice and the “Road Map”. The study delivers guidelines for managers (e.g., on how to oper‑ ationalize the company’s values, how to build a reward system, or how to measure the success of MBV implementation). The paper also presents the directions for further research.