bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La gestión administrativa y compromiso organizacional en instituciones educativas
Authors: Anchelia-Gonzales Vanessa , Inga-Arias Miguel , Olivares-Rodríguez Pablo , Escalante-Flores Jorge Luis
Published: June 2021

El presente estudio se enfocó en determinar la relación de la gestión administrativa con el compromiso organizacional en trabajadores del sector educación. Se ha desarrollado según el paradigma positivista de enfoque cuantitativo, investigación básica, diseño no experimental, corte transversal, tipo correlacional, aplicando el método hipotético deductivo. La población estuvo conformada por 88 trabajadores del sector educación tales como docentes, personal administrativo y directivos. Se emplearon dos cuestionarios uno de gestión administrativa y otro de Compromiso organizacional, los que fueron sometidos a criterios de expertos; dichos instrumentos obtuvieron 0.885 y 0.801 de fiabilidad por alfa de Cronbach. La evaluación de los resultados fue hecha por Rho de Spearman, obteniéndose un valor de para Gestión administrativa y de para Compromiso organizacional. Se concluyó que existió una relación positiva y significativa entre ambas variables, estableciéndose que mientras exista una buena gestión, el compromiso de los trabajadores se incrementa progresivamente.
Covid-19 Lockdown Challenges or New Era for Higher Education
Authors: Didenko Iryna , Filatova Olena , Anisimova Lyudmyla
Published: June 2021

The findings of this research allow to assume that after lockdown it might be worth reconsidering the format of learning for Master’s Degree Programs and shift from conventional face-to-face learning to blended or even distance learning.
AN APPLICATION OF THE MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TO SERVICE QUALITY MEASUREMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Marković Suzana
Published: June 2021

The conceptualization of service quality and the development of measurement tools and techniques aimed at assessing service quality and customer satisfaction levels within the education sector, have been a central theme of recent years. The research has examined the student expectations and perceptions of service quality in higher education for tourism and hospitality management, using a modified version of SERVQUAL instrument. Data were collected using a questionnaire in two parts. The first part is concerned with student perceptions of higher education institutions in general, while the second part is concerned with Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management Opatija in particular. The aim of the present research is the multivariate statistical analysis (factor analysis and reliability analysis) of a SERVQUAL scale adjusted for higher education service quality. The final section of this study is devoted to developing and proposing new directions for future higher education service quality measurement.
MANAGEMENT OF COMMON STOCKS
Authors: Ivanović Saša
Published: June 2021

Common stocks are easier to describe than fixed-income securities such as bonds, but they are harder to analyse. Fixed-income securities almost always have a limited life and an upper kune limit on cash payments to investors. Common stocks have neither. Although the basic principles of valuation apply to both, the role of uncertainty is larger for common stocks, so much so that it often dominates all other elements in their valuation.
MINIMAL VOCABULARY OF GERMAN LANGUAGE IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY
Authors: Blažević Nevenka
Published: June 2021

The learning of vocabulary in foreign language learning has been considered as a significant problem. This article is concerned with the selection of minimal vocabulary in the hotel industry. The result of this research is a glossary, which contains the most frequent German words used in the communication situations in the hotel industry and its equivalents in Croatian.
THE RESOURCE BASIS OF WINTER TOURISM IN THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS OF CROATIA
Authors: Knežević Rade
Published: June 2021

The article examines the natural resources essential for the development of winter mountain tourism. The study involves the mountainous regions covering 7913 km2 or 14.0% of the area of Croatia. Upon surveying the geomorphologie and climatic resources, which, according to the opinion of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) constitute the resource basis of winter mountain tourism, the orographic units deemed most favourable for the development o f this type of tourism have been mapped.
ZINSSÄTZRISIKOMANAGEMENT DURCH ANWENDUNG DER OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) OPTIONEN
Authors: Mujačević Elvis , Ivanović Vanja
Published: June 2021

Außer den finanziellen Derivaten mit welchen auf dem Bursenmarkt gehandelt wird, besteht auch ein sehr verbreiteter over-the-counter Markt mit finaziellen Derivaten (Optionen, Terminvertrüge über Zinssätze und Swap-Zinssaätze). OTC Optionen stellen Optionen dar mit welchen auf dem dritten Kapitalmarkt oder auf dem OTC Markt gehandelt wird. OTC Optionen sind meistens gemäß den spezifischen Problemen der Kunden srukturiert, sadass jede Eigenschaft der Option spezifisch zu jeder Option ist und individuell vereinbart wird. Da jede Option einzigartige Eigenschaften einschließt, sind die Möglichkeiten der sekundären Markte in diesen Optionen einerseits begrenzt und andererseits bieten diese Optionen den Kunden die Möglichkeit selber die Art und Weise und das Instrument auszuwählen mit welchem sie sich von dem Zinssatzrisiko schützen werden. In dieser Arbeit werden die over-the-counter Optionen auf den Zinssatz und auch dessen Anwendung während des Management des Zinssatztrisikos analysiert.
DIE ROLLE DER STRATEGISCHEN LEITUNG IN DER KONZEPTION DER LANGFRISTIGEN ENTWICKLUNG DES KROATISCHEN TOURISMUS
Authors: Gračan Daniela
Published: June 2021

Der Tourismus, als eine der wichtigsten wirtschaftlichen, kulturellen und gesellschaftlichen Tätigkeiten unserer Zeit, impliziert jetzt und in der bevorstehenden Periode die wirtschaftliche und soziale/gesellschaftliche/ Entwicklung der Republik Kroatien. Mit Rücksicht darauf, dass mehr als ein Drittel der europäischen Bevölkerung in den Fremdenverkehr in der Welt eingeschlossen ist und da gleichzeitig persönliche und gesellschaftliche Bedürfnisse nach touristischen Dienstleistungen und Reisen in neue Destinationen ständig größer werden, ist es wichtig, dass Kroatien sich an diese modernen Trends von Angebot und Anfrage im Fremdenverkehr anpasst. Als ausgesprochen touristisch orientiertes Land mit sehr entwickelten Natur-, menschlichen und kapitalen Ressourcen für die Entwicklung des Fremdenverkehrs, die wichtige komparative Vorteile in Bezug auf die anderen europäischen Länder darstellen, würde Kroatien durch seine Werbung und angemessene Entwicklungsstrategie einen der wichtigsten Plätze auf dem europäischen touristischen Markt einnehmen. Gerade diese angemessene Entwicklungsstrategie würde relativ große Finanzmittel vom Tourismus sichern, deren Folge das Wachstum des Bruttosozialproduktes und des Nationaleinkommens sowie des wirtschaftlichen Wohlstandes wäre.
DIE MARKETINGASPEKTE IN DER ENTWICKLUNG DER TOURISTISCHEN DESTINATION
Authors: Alkier Radnić Romina
Published: June 2021

Es ist Tatsache, dass es nicht möglich ist, die weiterer touristische Entwicklung hinsichtlich der Qualität ohne systematische Anwendung von Marketingsprinzipien als geschäftliche Philosophie und Strategie zu erzielen. Ohne Anerkennung des Marketingszutritts, der auf die Trends auf der touristischen Weltszene hinweist, sie analysiert und eine langtristige Vision des touristischen Produktes der Destination im Kontext ihrer Entwicklungsstrategie definiert, kann eine erfolgreiche Entwicklung der Destination nicht realisiert werden. Durch Bemühungen im Mareketing muss auf die Fragen über relevante Vor- und Nachteile einer tourististischen Destination beantwortet werden, mit dem Ziel einen höheren Grad der Übereinstimmung mit Wünschen und Ansprüchen der touristischen Anfrage z.u erreichen. Dadurch beeinflusst man auch eine weitere Formung des touristischen Produktes der Destination, das erkennbar sein und ein entsprechendes Image erwerben muss. All touristischen Destinationen bieten zahlreiche und sehr ähnliche Diensleistungen an, aber nur manche von ihnen können gesuchte Erfindungsgabe, Originalität und Verschiedenartigkeit in Bezug auf die Konkurrenz erzielen. Unter diesen Komponenten ist die richtlinie der zukünftigen touristischen Identität der Destination zu suchen, die von den Touristikleuten durch Anwendung aller Bemühungen im Marketing sorgfältig zu pflegen und zu synchronisieren ist.
DIE TOURISTISCHE DESTINATION KVARNER DURCH DIE EINWIRKUNG DER TOURISTISCHEN GEMEINSCHAFT DER GESPANSCHAFT
Authors: Medved Gordana
Published: June 2021

Der Begriff Destination ist (an sich selbst) seghr ungenau. Viele Mitwirker sin din der Schaffungskette für ein touristisches Produkt aktiv. Im grossen oder geringerem Umfang der Zusammenarbeit mid diesen Mitwirkem führt die öffentliche Organisation für das Destinationsmanagement Förderungsaktivitäten ohne Einwirkung auf die gesamte Marketingpolitik (produkt - Dienstleistung, Preis, Distributionskanälen) durch. Damit ist das Schaffen einer Schutzmarke, welce die Destination identifiziert und diferenziert noch zusammengesetzter. Der Bereich welchen die touristische Destination Kvarner «deckt» ist ziemlich «fluid». Es stellt sich die Frage: sind die geographischen, kulturologischen, touristischen und andere Unterschiedlichkeiten ein «Stein des Anstosses» oder ein komparativer Vorteil?! Destination Kvarner: 160 Jahre alte Tourismustradition, nach einer Reihe Indikatoren stellt sie ein Viertel des kroatischen Tourismus dar, zahlreiche touristische Orte sind auf dem Tourismusmarkt affirmiert, auch der Bedarf nach Repositionierung besteht, hat noch immer nicht (ungenügend) valorisierte touristische Ressourcen, die «Zugehörigkeit» der Destination - Kvarner fehlt. Die Gründung der touristischen Gemeinschaft Kvarner, die Marktpositionierung und die bisherige Einwirkung sin din der Abeil umfasst. Das Management der touristischen Gemeinschaft ist in Zusammenarbeit mit dem System der touristischen Gemeinschaften, im touristischen und auch weiterem Umkreis bemüht eine touristische Schutzmarket zu schaffen.
THE INNOVATIVE TOURIST PRODUCT IN THE FUNCTION OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY
Authors: Ivanović Slobodan
Published: June 2021

Very often, there are more imitators than innovators in the hotel industry. There are very few hotel enterprises engaged in continually innovating their services. Creative imitators help to diffuse innovations and to meet the needs of certain segments o f the tourist market. They realise the improvement possibilities of the tourism product or service, which requires innovation. Changes to certain features o f the product or service can help to increase their value for both domestic and foreign tourists. Hence, it is maintained that creative imitation is sooner to take hold on the tourist market than on the tourism product or service. The globalisation process of the world economy, as well as the hotel industries, has imposed a certain way of thinking referred to in journalism as "change as a constant necessity" or putting it harshly "innovate or disappear from the business scene”. Anything that is different represents change. Innovation means accepting ideas for services which are new to hotel enterprise. Because innovations disturb the status quo of the hotel enterprise, they are met with resistance by some members of the organisation. Strategic thinking is what every hotel enterprise needs to prevent it being caught off guard by the affects of changes in its micro and macro environment. Namely, troubles begin for the hotel enterprise when it fails to adapt in an adequate and acceptable way to the changes occuring within the hotel industry. Adverse changes in the environment and the inability of the hotel enterprise to respond to these changes are the cause of incongruity between the hotel’s potential (accommodation and other facilities) and the demands of the hotel industry i.e. the tourist markets on which it is present.
A REPERCUSSÃO DA QUEBRA DA CADEIA DE CUSTÓDIA DA PROVA NO PROCESSO PENAL
Authors: Espírito Santo Renata Ribeiro , Barbosa Igor de Andrade , Silva Osnilson Rodrigues
Published: June 2021

O presente artigo descreve o instituto implementado no ordenamento jurídico com aaprovação da Lei Anticrime, a chamada cadeia de custódia da prova penal. Oobjetivo do mesmo é apresentar a repercussão da quebra da cadeia de custódiadentro do processo penal. Para tanto, foram realizados levantamentos doutrináriosnos sentidos favoráveis e contrários. Após a análise desses posicionamentos,constatou-se que é preciso cautela antes de optar pela exclusão da provadecorrente da quebra do instituto mencionado anteriormente, uma vez que o Brasil éum país com enorme desigualdade social, e, portanto, os estados não gozam dosmesmos recursos financeiros para a execução deste como um todo.
Microcosm Study on Allelopathic Effects of Leaf Litter Leachates and Purified Condensed Tannins from Kandelia obovata on Germination and Growth of Aegiceras corniculatum
Authors: Lang Tao , Wei Pingping , Chen Xiaoxia , Fu Yijian , Tam Nora Fung-yee , Hu Zhangli , Chen Zhiteng , Li Fenglan , Zhou Haichao
Published: June 2021

Kandelia obovata (Ko) and Aegiceras corniculatum (Ac) are common and dominant plant species in mangrove wetlands in South China, and distribute in the similar tidal zones along the coastline. The present study aimed to determine the allelopathic effects of leaf litter leachates (LLLs) from Ko and their purified condensed tannins (PCTs) on the germination and growth of Ac by mangrove microcosms. Replicate pots containing five different levels of LLLs and PCTs were separately prepared and propagules of Ac were placed in each treatment. Both LLLs and PCTs significantly inhibited the germination and growth of Ac, especially in high levels. The final germination rates of roots, stems, and the number of fine roots declined continuously while other growth indicators, including the lengths of fine roots, nutritive roots, the biomasses of roots, stems, leaves, increased firstly and then decreased with increasing levels. These results indicated that LLLs from the leaf litter of Ko, in particular, their PCTs exerted an inhibition effect on propagule germination and seedling growth of Ac, and the inhibitory effects were concentration dependent. This study suggested that condensed tannins from leaf litter, acting as allelochemicals, could regulate the natural regeneration of a mangrove forest.
User Monitoring in Autonomous Driving System Using Gamified Task: A Case for vr/AR in-Car Gaming
Authors: Muguro Joseph K. , Laksono Pringgo Widyo , Sasatake Yuta , Matsushita Kojiro , Sasaki Minoru
Published: June 2021

As Automated Driving Systems (ADS) technology gets assimilated into the market, the driver’s obligation will be changed to a supervisory role. A key point to consider is the driver’s engagement in the secondary task to maintain the driver/user in the control loop. The paper’s objective is to monitor driver engagement with a game and identify any impacts the task has on hazard recognition. We designed a driving simulation using Unity3D and incorporated three tasks: No-task, AR-Video, and AR-Game tasks. The driver engaged in an AR object interception game while monitoring the road for threatening road scenarios. From the results, there was less than 1 second difference between the means of gaming task (mean = 2.55s, std = 0.1002s) to no-task (mean = 2.55s, std = 0.1002s). Game scoring followed three profiles/phases: learning, saturation, and decline profile. From the profiles, it is possible to quantify/infer drivers’ engagement with the game task. The paper proposes alternative monitoring that has utility, i.e., entertaining the user. Further experiments AR-Game focusing on real-world car environment will be performed to confirm the performance following the recommendations derived from the current test.
COVID-19: More than a Respiratory Virus, An Optical Coherence Tomography Study
Authors: SEKER ESRA DAG , TIMUR Elif Inci ERBAHCECI
Published: June 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate anatomic and morphologic features of inner and outer retinal layers in patients recovered from COVID-19 with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT), whwther correlate with any symptoms during disease process.Methods: 32 patients recovered from COVID-19; age and gender matched 36 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, macular and periapiller retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), outer plexiform layer (OPL) and the outer retinal hyperreflective bands including external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone (IZ) were examined with SD-OCT. The differences of each retinal layers thickness among subgroup analysis of ocular pain and headache were also compared. Results: Macular RNFL of inner and outer nasal and outer inferior quadrants were thinner in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy control group. (p=0.046, p=0.014 and p=0.016, respectively). Thinning in outer superior quadrant of GCIPL and INL quadrants were detected in patients with headache (p=0.026 and p=0.01). Superonasal and inferotemporal sectors of pRNFL were thinner in patients with ocular pain compared to patients without ocular pain (p=0.024 an p=0.015). Integrity of EZ, ELM and IZ were evaluated as continious line and protected on each OCT scans. Conclusion: The study demostrated convincing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can affect the inner and outer retinal layers, with subclinical localized alterations particularly in patients with headache and ocular pain symptoms during COVID-19 period.
Evolution of Distributed Detection Performance over Balanced Binary Relay Tree Networks with Bit Errors
Authors: Tian Yu-Ping , Zhu Wenbo
Published: June 2021

Target detection based on wireless sensor networks can be considered as a distributed binary hypothesis testing problem. In this paper, the evolution of detection error probability with the increase of network scale is studied for the balanced binary relay tree network with channel noise. Firstly, the iterative expressions of false-alarm probability and missed-detection probability depending on the number of tree network layers are given. Then, the iterative process of two types of error probabilities in the network space is described as a discrete nonlinear switched dynamic system, and the dynamic properties of two types of error probabilities are analyzed in a plane rectangular coordinate system. A globally attractive invariant set of the state of the dynamic system, which is not related to the channel noise, is derived. The switching mode of the system and the total error probability in the invariant set are further analyzed, and a necessary and sufficient convergence condition of the total error probability is provided. Based on this condition the following detection properties of the network are revealed: (1) as long as the channel bit error probability is not zero, the total error probability does not tend to zero with the increasing network size; (2) when the channel bit error probability is greater than 2-/3/ 2 the total error probability will continue to increase with the increase of network size.
Postoperative 20% Albumin Vs Standard Care and Acute Kidney Injury After High-risk Cardiac Surgery (ALBICS): Study Protocol for a Randomised Trial
Authors: Balachandran Mayurathan , Banneheke Piyusha , Pakavakis Adrian , Al-Bassam Wisam , Sarode Vineet , Rowland Michael , Shehabi Yahya
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of cardiac surgery. Factors such as cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping and surgical stress may precipitate renal hypoperfusion and ischaemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress are associated with development of AKI. Albumin’s pharmacological properties and widespread availability have the potential to mitigate these factors. However, the effect of albumin on cardiac surgery associated AKI is unknown.ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of postoperative 20% albumin infusion on kidney function after high-risk cardiac surgery.MethodsWe designed an open label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial – the ALBICS study (ALBumin Infusion and acute kidney injury following Cardiac Surgery). A total of 590 patients undergoing high-risk cardiac surgery (combined procedure or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60mL/min/1.73m2) will be enrolled into the study and randomly allocated to receive a postoperative 20% albumin infusion or standard care in a 1:1 ratio, stratified by centre and baseline renal function. The study fluid will be administered upon arrival in intensive care for 16 hours. Patients will be followed up until 28 days after surgery or until discharge from the hospital. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients who develop AKI in both groups. Secondary outcomes to be measured are proportions of AKI stage II and III, 28-day mortality, mechanical ventilation time and length of stay in intensive care and hospital.ConclusionThis trial aims to determine if a postoperative infusion of concentrated albumin reduces the risk of AKI following high-risk cardiac surgery. Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN1261900135516703. Registered 03 October 2019 – retrospectively registered, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378383.
The Effect of Progesterone Administration on the Expression of Metastasis Tumor Antigens (MTA1 and MTA3) in Placentas of Normal and Dexamethasone-Treated Rats
Authors: Alawadhia Mariam , Shammari Farah Al , Ali Fatemah Mulla , Almatar Rama , Al-Duwaikhi Ayat , Al-Bader Maie D.
Published: June 2021

BackgroundDexamethasone (DEX) induces intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in pregnant rats. IUGR can occur due to apoptosis of trophoblasts, which is believed to be inhibited by progesterone (P4). A group of genes called MTAs play a role in proliferation and apoptosis. MTA1 upregulates trophoblasts proliferation and differentiation, while MTA3 downregulates proliferation and induces apoptosis. Hence, we hypothesized that during IUGR, placental MTA1 decreases and MTA3 increases and this is reversed by P4 treatment. MethodsPregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups based on daily intraperitoneal injections: control (C, saline), DEX (DEX, 0.2 mg/kg/day), DEX and P4 (DEX + P4, DEX: 0.2 mg/kg/day, P4: 5 mg/kg/day) and P4-treated (P4, 5 mg/kg/day) groups. Injections were started on 15 dg until the day of dissection (19 or 21 dg). Gene and protein expressions of MTA1 and MTA3 were studied in the labyrinth (LZ) and basal (BZ) zones using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ResultsDEX treatment induced 18% reduction in fetal body weight (p<0.001) and 30% reduction in placental weight (p<0.01). Maternal P4 level was also significantly lower in DEX treated groups (p<0.05). MTA1 expression was decreased in the LZ (gene, p< 0.001) and BZ (protein p<0.01), while MTA3 protein expression was upregulated in the LZ with DEX treatment (p<0.001). These changes were reversed with P4 treatment. ConclusionThe findings of the present study indicate that DEX induces IUGR through changing the expression of placental MTA1 and MTA3 antigens and P4 improved pregnancy outcome by preventing the changes in MTAs expression.
Comparison The Early Clinical Efficacy of SuperPath Approach Versus The Modified Hardinge Approach In Total Hip Arthroplasty For Femoral Neck Fractures In Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Shen Jiquan , Ji Weiping , Shen Yonghui , He Shijie , Lin Youbin , Ye Zhijun , Wang Bo
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Femoral neck fracture is a common form of hip fracture in the elderly. Minimally invasive surgery is very popular in recent years. This study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and advantages of the SuperPath approach to total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in the elderly. Methods: From February 2018 to March 2019, 120 patients were random divided into two groups with 60 patients each: the SuperPath group and conventional group. The results evaluated the general operation situation, Serum markers, blood loss, pain score, hip function and prosthesis location analysis.Results: There was no difference demographically between two groups. Compared with the conventional group, the SuperPath group had a shorter operation time (78.4 vs 93.0 min), smaller incision length (5.8 vs 12.5 cm), less intraoperative blood loss (121.5 vs 178.8 ml), shorter hospitalization time (8.0 vs 10.8 day) and less drainage volume (77.8 vs 141.2 ml). The creatine kinase (CK) in the SuperPath group was significantly lower, while there was no difference in the C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The visual analog scale (VAS) was lower in one month and Harris Hip Score (HHS) were higher in three months in the SuperPath group. There was no difference in the cup abduction angle and anteversion angle of the two groups.Conclusion: We found the better clinical efficacy after the SuperPath approach with less muscle damage, less postoperative pain and better postoperative function compared with the modified Hardinge approach.Trial registration: Retrospectively registered. The randomized clinical trial was retrospective registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on December 31, 2020 (ChiCTR-2000041583, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=57008).
Sub-MHz spectral dip in a resonator-free twistedgain medium
Authors: Choksi Neel , Liu Yi , Ghasemi Rojina , Qian Li
Published: June 2021

Ultra-narrow optical spectral features have broad applications in spectroscopy, slow light, and sensing. Features approaching sub-MHz, or equivalently, Q-factors approaching 1 billion and beyond, are challenging to obtain in solid-state systems, ultimately limited by loss. We present a new paradigm to achieve tunable sub-MHz spectral features at room temperature without resonators. We exploit gain-enhanced polarization pulling in a twisted birefringent medium where polarization eigenmodes are frequency-dependent. Using Brillouin gain in a commercial spun fiber, we experimentally achieve a 0.72 MHz spectral dip, the narrowest backward Brillouin scattering feature ever reported. Further optimization can potentially reduce the linewidth to <0.1 MHz. Our approach is simple and broadly applicable, offering on-demand tunability and high sensitivity, opening a new paradigm for microwave photonic filters, slow light, and optical sensing.
“Will my Young Adult Years be Spent Socially Distancing?”: A Qualitative Exploration of UK Adolescents’ Lockdown Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Demkowicz Ola , Ashworth Emma , O'Neill Alisha , Hanley Terry , Pert Kirsty
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims: For older adolescents, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated UK restrictions arrived during a critical period in the transition to adulthood. Early research exploring impact of the pandemic paints a picture of worsened adolescent wellbeing and mental health. We explore the subjective experiences of 16- to 19-year-olds during the first UK lockdown, with an emphasis on wellbeing and coping, in order to complement emergent quantitative evidence and inform strategies and provision for support. Methods: In May 2020, we invited UK-based 16- to 19-year-olds to share their experiences of the initial lockdown for ‘[project name redacted for blinded peer review]’. 109 participants took part, submitting anonymous written accounts via an online portal. We used inductive reflexive thematic analysis to develop rich experiential themes.Findings: We constructed seven main themes: heightened emotionality; feelings of loss, change, and uncertainty; recognising the value of self-care; efforts to think positively; opportunities for relief, growth, and development; the importance of togetherness; and frustration with government and media. Implications: Findings highlight the multifaceted nature of adolescents’ lockdown experiences, and offer insight into emotional impact and new concerns as well as the value placed on self-care and staying connected. We offer directions for supporting adolescents as pandemic consequences continue.
Performance evaluation and analysis of four waves mixing in DWDM optical communications
Authors: Elsayed Ebrahim E.
Published: June 2021

Optical nonlinearities give rise to many ubiquitous effects in optical fibres ’. These effects are interesting in themselves and can be detrimental in optical communication. In the Dense Wave length division multiplexing system (DWDM) the nonlinear effects plays important role .DWDM system offers component reliability, system availability and system margin. DWDM system carries different channels. Hence power level carried by fiber increases which generates nonlinear effect such as SPM, XPM, SRS, SBS and FWM. Four wave mixing (FWM) is one of the most troubling issues. The FWM gives crosstalk in DWDM system whose channel spacing is narrow. Wavelength exchanging enables data swapping between two different wavelengths simultaneously. These phenomena have been used in many applications in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) optical networks such as, wavelength conversion, wavelength sampling, optical 3R, optical interconnects and optical add-drop multiplexing.
Contributions of winter and spring warming to the temporal shifts of leaf unfolding
Authors: Zhang Haicheng , Regnier Pierre , Chuine Isabelle , Ciais Philippe , Yuan Wenping
Published: June 2021

Changes in winter and spring temperatures have been widely used to explain the diverse responses of spring phenology to climate change. However, our understanding of their respective roles remain incomplete. Using >300,000 in situ observations of leaf unfolding date (LUD) in Europe, we show that the advancement of LUD since 1950 is due both to accelerated spring thermal accumulation and changes in winter chilling which explain 61% and 39% of the LUD shifts, respectively. Winter warming did not substantially retard the releasing of bud dormancy, but increased the thermal requirement to reach leaf unfolding. The increase of thermal requirement and decreased efficiency of spring warming on accelerating thermal accumulation partly explained the temporally (1950s-2010s) decreasing response of LUD to warming. Our study stresses the need to better assess the antagonistic and heterogeneous effects of winter and spring warming on leaf phenology, which is key to projection of future vegetation-climate feedbacks.
Nigella Sativa Prevented Parkinson's-Like Motor Functions Impairment, Dopamine Depletion and Neuronal Degeneration in the Striatum of Mptp-Induced Balb/C Mice
Authors: Folarin Royhaan , Olonade Akinola , Aminu Imam , Ogunkunle Praise , Folarin Paul
Published: June 2021

Background
Parkinsonism is a neurological disease characterised by dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantial nigra and dopamine deficiency in the brain, with motor and psycho-cognitive implications, while limitations masked the efficacy of the available drugs, thus the need to find alternatives with less side effects are essential. Nigella sativa is a multi-potent plant with therapeutic potentials in the brain and other body organs. This study investigated the effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the cognitive and other Parkinsonism endophenotypes elicited by MPTP in the BALB/c strain mice.
Materials and Methods
Body weights, brain-body ratios, recognition memory (through novel object recognition test), as well as fronto-cortical, striatal and cerebellar dopamine and neuronal density were assayed in thirty-two (32) male BALB/c mice (18 g − 25 g). They were randomized into four groups exposed to; normal feed, 18 mg/kg MPTP i.p, 1 ml/kgbw NSO p.o., and NSO + MPTP respectively, for 5 consecutive days. Behaviours were analysed 24 hours after the last exposure, subsequently euthanized, the brains removed and processed for biomarkers analysis and histochemistry.
Results
Parkinsonism-like traits such as mild tremor, down-regulation of striatal and fronto-cortical dopamine and neurons were recorded in the BALB/c mice administered with MPTP only. However, significant increase (p < 0.05) in appetite, body weight, brain-body weight ratio, and recognition memory was also recorded in the MPTP-administered mice, though Nigella sativa was significantly prophylactic against the negative Parkinsonic features, and ‘moderative’ of the up-regulations induced by MPTP.
Conclusion
While this suggests selective MPTP sensitivity and resistance in BALB/c strains, this study recommends the investigation of possible (though ironic) beneficial potentials of MPTP.
Real-Time Motion Onset Recognition for Robot-Assisted Gait Rehabilitation
Authors: Hassani Roushanak Haji , Bannwart Mathias , Bolliger Marc , Seel Thomas , Brunner Reinald , Rauter Georg
Published: June 2021

Background Many Patients with neurological movement disorders fear to fall while performing postural transitions without assistance, which prevents them from participating in daily life. To overcome this limitation, multi-directional Body Weight Support (BWS) systems have been developed allowing them to perform training in a safe environment. In addition to overground walking, these innovative/novel systems can assist patients to train many more mobility/gait-related tasks needed for daily life under very realistic conditions. The necessary assistance during the users' movements can be provided via task-dependent support designs. One remaining challenge is the manual switching between task-dependent supports. It is error-prone, cumbersome, distracts therapists and patients, and interrupts the training workflow. Hence, we propose a real-time motion onset recognition model that performs automatic support switching between standing-up and sitting-down transitions and other gait-related tasks (8 classes in total). Methods To predict the onsets of the gait-related tasks, three Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were attached to the sternum and middle of outer thighs of 19 controls without neurological movement disorders and two individuals with incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (iSCI). The data of IMUs obtained from different gait tasks was sent synchronously to a real-time data acquisition system through a custom-made Bluetooth-EtherCAT gateway. In the first step, data was applied offline for training five different classifiers. The best classifier was chosen based on F1-score results of a Leave-One-Participant-Out Cross-Validation (LOPOCV). In a final step, the chosen classifier was tested in real time with an additional control participant to demonstrate feasibility for real-time classification. Results Testing five different classifiers, the best performance was obtained in a single-layer neural network with 25 neurons. The F1-score of 86.83%± 6.2% and 92.01% are achieved on testing using LOPOCV and test data (30%, n=20), respectively. Furthermore, the results from the implemented real-time classifier were compared with the offline classifier and revealed nearly identical performance. Conclusions A neural network classifier was trained for identifying the onset of gait-related tasks in real time. Test data showed convincing performance for offline and real-time classification. This demonstrates the feasibility and potential for implementing real-time onset recognition in rehabilitation devices in future.
The Effects of Dietary Nutrients On Serum Liquids in Chinese Dietary: A Community-Based Population Study
Authors: Yin Lu , Li Ying , Mente Andrew , Rangarajan Sumathy , Ding Lijuan , Hu Bo , Yao Chenrui , Wang Yuebo , Liu Xiaoyun , Zhao Congke , Ma Haibin , Zhang Peng , Zhang Li , Zhang Xiaolin , Li Wei
Published: June 2021

Background

To examine the association between dietary nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, total fats, saturated fatty acids [SFA], monounsaturated fatty acids [MUFA], polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA], and cholesterol) and various serum liquids in Chinese adults.
Methods

As a part of Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, 46,285 Chinese participants were recruited. Dietary nutrients from various foods were computed using the Chinese Food Composition Table databases. Blood were collected to test total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).
Results

42,054 participants in PURE-China study were included. Mean TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG were 4.68 ± 0.99 mmol/L, 2.63 ± 0.76 mmol/L, 1.36 ± 0.33 mmol/L, and 1.55 ± 1.09 mmol/L in our study, respectively. Subjects consuming higher proteins were more likely to have higher TC, TG, LDL-C (all Ptrend<0.001). High carbohydrate intake may play a role on reduction of TC (Ptrend<0.001), TG (Ptrend=0.031), LDL-C (Ptrend<0.001) and HDL-C (Ptrend<0.001). Higher fat intake was associated with increase of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C (all Ptrend <0.001). Unlike SFAs and MUFAs, those consuming higher PUFAs are likely to have higher TG (Ptrend<0.001), but have stable LDL-C (Ptrend=0.136).
Conclusions

High carbohydrate intake could decrease significantly various liquids, while high-fat and high-protein intake might have harmful impacts on profile of serum liquids. Subjects consuming higher SFAs and MUFAs were more likely to have higher levels of TC and LDL-C, but the intake of PUFAs has no influence on LDL-C level.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Small Scale Fishers (SSF) Engaged in Floodplain Wetland Fisheries: Evidences from Three States in India
Authors: Das Basanta Kumar , Roy Aparna , Som Sukanya , Chandra Ganesh , Kumari Suman , Sarkar Uttam Kumar , Bhattacharjya Birendra Kumar , Das Archan Kanti , Pandit Arun
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented human health crisis in recent global history with rippling social and economic effects. The outbreak in India has resulted in emergency lockdown in the country for more than two months and that caused decline in the fish catch has severely affected the life and livelihoods of the fishers. The wetlands offers tremendous scope for expanding both culture and capture based fisheries for livelihood security of fishers. They also play a key role in socio-economic development by generating employment and livelihood in the studied regions. In the present study a systematic rapid assessment was conducted to find the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on floodplain wetland fisheries in India to evaluate the impact of lockdown on wetland fisheries production, income and food access. We undertook a rapid telephone survey with 176 wetland fishers in 3 states. Fishers of three Indian States Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam lost 20, 25, and 9 fishing days respectively. Fish harvest during March to May was 32, 44 and 20 percentage lower respectively than the previous year in Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. Fishers of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam lost income of INR 10000/-, 12500/- and 4500/-due to lockdown. Demand supply gap during the lockdown led to the in 20–40 percent increase in farm gate price of fishes at the wetland level. The wetland fisheries potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ‘eradication of poverty’; ‘zero hunger’ and ‘good health and well being’ have also been considerably impacted due to this pandemic. The paper discusses several magnitudes of immediate impacts of lockdown on floodplain wetland fishers livelihood, income and food access, highlights issues and suggests strategies, advisories and decisions support to mitigate the impact.
Rapid Evidence Review of Community Engagement in The UK During The COVID-19 Pandemic: How Can Community Assets Redress Health Inequities?
Authors: Mughal Rabya , Thomson Linda , Daykin Norma , Chatterjee Helen
Published: June 2021

Background

Community-based engagement has been crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering informal and local mutual aid between individuals, community groups, charities, community interest companies and local authorities. The current rapid evidence review examines the emergence of community-based arts, nature, music, theatre and other types of cultural engagement amongst UK communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on all community engagement with a sub-focus on provisions accessed by and targeted towards vulnerable groups.
Methods

Two hundred and fifty-six resources created between February 2020 and January 2021 were reviewed. Resources were identified through Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, MedRXic, PsycharXiv, and supplemented with searches for grey literature and items in the public domain. The majority reported services that had been adapted to become online, telephone based or delivered at a distance from doorsteps. Over a third of identified resources (37%) were targeted towards socioeconomic outcomes, such as social isolation, financial difficulty or caregiver responsibilities. Over a quarter of resources (28%) were targeted towards psychological outcomes, including individuals with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, acute mental health needs, or neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Under a fifth of resources (17%) were targeted towards physiological outcomes, including individuals with health conditions such as dementia, chronic pain, immunological conditions, or other conditions requiring shielding. The remaining resources were open to everyone, or targeted towards other groups that did not fall into vulnerability categories such as parents or university students. Several quality assessment frameworks were used to evaluate the quality of data. Whilst a number of peer reviewed, grey literature and public domain items were identified, less than half of the identified literature met quality thresholds. The pace of the response to the pandemic may have meant robust evaluation procedures were not always in place.
Conclusions

Outreach to vulnerable audiences was generally observed via a plethora of organisations, however more robust and longitudinal evidence is needed as to the efficacy and impact of community programmes, services and activities.
Mental Health Status Among Frontline Prison Police During The Prevention and Control of The COVID-19 Epidemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey From China
Authors: Tian Yong , Feng Tingyong , Wen Zhen , Yang Yipeng , Huang Jingting
Published: June 2021

Background

A global public health emergency triggered by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic may have a remarkable psychological impact on the population. There is still limited psychological research on police officers, especially on prison police. The present study aims to identify prevalence and influencing factors on mental health status among frontline prison police in China during the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Methods

A cross-sectional survey with a sample of 981 frontline prison police was conducted by using snowball sampling approach. The self-administered questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: (i) informed consent form; (ii) socio-demographic section; (iii) work and life situations during the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic; (iv) the Chinese version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify factors influencing mental health status.
Results

The prevalence of being prone to mental health problems (GHQ-12 score ≥ 4) was 33.43% among frontline prison police. The results of GHQ-12 factors analysis that the prison police suffered from psychological issues related to anxiety and depression, which main symptoms were unhappy and depressed, lost sleep over worry and constantly under strain. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male (OR = 1.573, 95% CI: 1.385–1.853), work in closed jail (OR = 2.203, 95% CI: 2.139–2.297), more night shifts (OR = 2.163, 95% CI: 2.031–2.317 ; OR = 2.749, 95% CI: 2.194–2.901), more smoking (OR = 1.100, 95% CI: 1.037–2.168), poor physical condition (OR = 1.947, 95% CI: 1.478–2.250), chronic or serious illness history (OR = 1.870, 95% CI: 1.314–2.660; OR = 2.214, 95% CI: 1.460–2.812) were risk factor for mental health among frontline prison police, while regular diet (OR = 0.779, 95% CI: 0.539–0.928), more physical exercise (OR = 0.702, 95% CI: 0.548–0.899; OR = 0.641, 95% CI: 0.316–0.887), more communication with family members (OR = 0.437, 95% CI: 0.295–0.616) were protective factor.
Conclusion

The frontline prison police exhibited a high tendency toward mental health problems during the prevention and control of this epidemic. Therefore, continued surveillance of psychological problems and targeted mental health care for frontline prison police were urgently.
Developmental Toxicity and Neurotoxicity Assessment of R-, S-, and RS-Propylene Glycol Enantiomers in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Larvae
Authors: Shen Chao , Zhao Xijing , He Chengyong , Zuo Zhenghong
Published: June 2021

Propylene glycol (PG) is widely used in the foods, pharmaceuticals, oil industry, animal feed, cosmetics and other industries. Because of the existence of a chiral carbon center, PG forms R (Rectus)- and S (Sinister)-enantiomers. Currently, the toxicity study of its R-, S-enantiomers is still very scarce. In this study, we have assessed the developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity of the R-, S-, and RS-PG enantiomers in zebrafish larvae. We found that exposure to R-, S-, and RS-PG enantiomers did not significantly affect the basic developmental endpoints of embryos or larvae (i.e., embryonic movement, hatching, mortality, malformation, heartbeat, body length), indicating that R-, S-, and RS-PG exposures did not exhibit the basic developmental toxicity in zebrafish larvae. The toxicity of the three enantiomers was lower than that of ethanol, and there was no significant difference between them. However, R-, S-, and RS-PG exposures with high doses could significantly change the eye diameter and the locomotor activity of larval zebrafish, indicating that R-, S-, and RS-PG enantiomers of high doses can potentially exhibit the neurotoxicity and ocular developmental toxicity in zebrafish larvae. Therefore, the potential neurotoxicity and ocular developmental toxicity of R-, S-, and RS-PG enantiomers for infants and toddlers should be considered.
Transcriptome-Derived Microsatellite Markers for Population Diversity Analysis in Archidendron Clypearia (Jack) I.C. Nielsen
Authors: Li Dandan , Li Mei , Li Fagen , Weng Qijie , Zhou Changpin , Huang Shineng , Gan Siming
Published: June 2021

Genomic resources including transcriptomic sequences and molecular markers remain scarce in the medicinally important woody legume genus Archidendron F. Mueller. Here we conducted transcriptome sequencing, genic microsatellite marker development, and population diversity analysis in Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I.C. Nielsen. Flower and flower bud transcriptomes were de novo assembled into 173,172 transcripts, with an average transcript length of 1597.3 bp and an N50 length of 2427 bp. A total of 34,701 microsatellite loci were identified from 26,716 (15.4%) transcripts. Primer pairs were designed for 718 microsatellite loci, of which 456 (63.5%) were polymorphic. Of the 456 polymorphic markers, 391 (85.7%) and 402 (88.1%) were transferable to A. lucidum (Benth.) I.C. Nielsen and A. multifoliolatum (H.Q. Wen) T.L. Wu, respectively. Using a subset of 15 microsatellite markers, relatively high genetic diversity was detected over two A. clypearia populations, with overall mean expected heterozygosity (He) being 0.707 and demonstrating the necessity of conservation. Relatively low differentiation between the two populations was revealed despite the distant separation (about 700 km), with overall inbreeding coefficient of sub-population to the total population (Fst) being 8.7%. This suggests that A. clypearia has mainly an outcrossing mating system and weak genetic structure. These results will offer valuable resources and information for further genetic studies and practical applications in Archidendron and the related taxa.