bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
İkinci Dünya Savaşı Yıllarında Türkiye’de Beden Eğitimi ve Spor (1939-1945)
Authors: Yurtoğlu Nadir
Published: May 2022

İkinci Dünya Savaşı’nın gerçekleştiği 1 Eylül 1939 ile 2 Eylül 1945 tarihleri arasında Türkiye’de beden eğitimi ve spor alanında yapılan faaliyetler çalışmanın konusunu ortaya koymaktadır. Makale, İkinci Dünya Savaşı Dönemi’nde beden eğitim ve spor çalışmaları adı altında tek dönem dâhilinde ele alınmıştır. Bu dönem: Beden Terbiyesi Genel Müdürlüğünün (BTGM) faaliyetleri; Ülke içerisinde gerçekleştirilen spor müsabakaları; Yurt dışında iştirak edilen müsabakalar; Halkevleri aracılığıyla spora yapılan yardımlar ve bunlarla ilgili yazışmalar; Spora tahsis edilen alanlar olarak beş alt başlık hâlinde toplanmıştır. Savaş döneminde BTGM’nin icraatları sayısal verilerle tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmanın kaynakçasını, Devlet Arşivleri Başkanlığı Cumhuriyet Arşivi Belgeleri; Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi Zabıt Ceridesi ve kanunlar dergisi; Cumhurbaşkanlığı Resmî Gazetesi ve dönemin süreli yayınları meydana getirmektedir. Bu dönemde yabancı ülkelerle yapılan müsabakalar sayesinde sporda yaşanan gelişmeler belirlenip gerekli açıklamalarda bulunulmuştur. Çalışmanın neticeleri şunlardır: İkinci Dünya Savaşı yıllarında Türk ekonomisi sıkıntılı bir sürece girmesine rağmen BTGM bütçesine her yıl düzenli ödenekler tahsis edilmesi, sporun geliştirilerek yatırımların yapılması yönünde ilk adımı oluşturmuştur. Akabinde ulusal ve uluslararası düzeyde gerçekleştirilen müsabakalarla halkevleri etkinlikleri sporla ilgili ikinci önemli adımı teşkil etmiştir. Dahası dünyada yaşanan ikinci büyük harbin askerlikle sporu ilişkilendirmenin önünü açması ve sağlam zihin sağlam vücutta bulunur anlayışının ülkede hâkim bir unsur hâline gelmesi, Türkiye’de spor faaliyetlerine önem verilip beden ve ruh sağlığı bakımından sıhhatli gençler yetiştirilmesine önemli ölçüde katkı sağlamıştır.
Functional Results and Learning Curve of Endoscopic Ossiculoplasty
Authors: Lee Min Ki , An You Young , Lee Young Jeong , Lee Jeong Hyun , Lee Se A , Lee Jong Dae
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives Endoscopes are recently being used to manage various middle ear surgeries including ossiculoplasty. Here, we investigated hearing results of endoscopic ossiculoplasty and surgeon’ learning curve in gaining endoscopic ossiculoplasty proficiency. We compared the results with those of microscopic ossiculoplasty.Subjects and Method We analyzed 48 patients of ossiculoplasties performed from 2010 to 2020. Patients were divided into three groups: microscopic technique group (n=16); endoscopic early phase group (n=16); endoscopic late phase group (n=16). Operation time and hearing results including postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG closure were analyzed. Hearing outcomes were considered “successful” when the postoperative ABG was less than 20 dB and considered “excellent” when ABG was less than 10 dB. The learning curve of the outcomes were analyzed.Results Both operation time and postoperative ABG showed decreasing tendency, but only operation time showed statistical significance. The ratio of successful and excellent operations improved, but did not show statistical significance. Improvement in learning curve was not statistically significant presumably due to the lack of patient numbers.Conclusion Surgeon’s proficiency of endoscopic ossiculoplasty was correlated with the improved clinical outcomes, and proficiently conducted endoscopic ossiculoplasty could be used as a surgical technique comparable to microscopic ossiculoplasty.
Investigating the thermal physiology of Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis via aerial infrared thermography
Authors: Lonati GL , Zitterbart DP , Miller CA , Corkeron P , Murphy CT , Moore MJ
Published: May 2022

The Critically Endangered status of North Atlantic right whalesEubalaena glacialis(NARWs) warrants the development of new, less invasive technology to monitor the health of individuals. Combined with advancements in remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, commonly ‘drones’), infrared thermography (IRT) is being increasingly used to detect and count marine mammals and study their physiology. We conducted RPAS-based IRT over NARWs in Cape Cod Bay, MA, USA, in 2017 and 2018. Observations demonstrated 3 particularly useful applications of RPAS-based IRT to study large whales: (1) exploring patterns of cranial heat loss and providing insight into the physiological mechanisms that produce these patterns; (2) tracking subsurface individuals in real-time (depending on the thermal stratification of the water column) using cold surface water anomalies resulting from fluke upstrokes; and (3) detecting natural changes in superficial blood circulation or diagnosing pathology based on heat anomalies on post-cranial body surfaces. These qualitative applications present a new, important opportunity to study, monitor, and conserve large whales, particularly rare and at-risk species such as NARWs. Despite the challenges of using this technology in aquatic environments, the applications of RPAS-based IRT for monitoring the health and behavior of endangered marine mammals, including the collection of quantitative data on thermal physiology, will continue to diversify.
Optimizing sexual reproduction of Montipora capitata for restoration: effects of abiotic conditions and light acclimation on juvenile survival and growth
Authors: Rahnke SA , Hancock JR , Munk NJ , Caruso C , Drury C
Published: May 2022

The worldwide decline of coral reefs necessitates development of tools and methods for active conservation of reef structures and their ecological function. Aquaculture of sexually produced corals is a potential strategy for reef restoration efforts, but existing methods require greater scalability and optimization. To address these needs, we reared Montipora capitata larvae from Kāne’ohe Bay and raised them in an ex situ facility to examine patterns of growth and survivorship under different abiotic conditions, building from previous best practices and manipulating light levels during early life-history stages. Larvae were reared using different stocking densities and settled at varied densities (25, 125, and 225 larvae per plug) on conditioned plugs (1 or 4 wk). Juveniles were raised and tracked under different flow, shade, and light acclimation regimes for 135 d. Results show that recruitment increased with settlement density. Juvenile survivorship was maximized in high flow and intermediate shade levels, while growth was maximized by low shade environments in both aggregate and individual settlers. Light acclimation treatments yielded intermediate survivorship and tradeoffs between growth and survival compared to corals reared in static shade conditions. Importantly, no abiotic treatment combinations optimized growth and survivorship simultaneously. This study demonstrates interactions of abiotic factors and provides insight into how they can be manipulated to scale the sexual reproduction of corals for conservation.
Stall Inception Analysis Of A Transonic Compressor Based On A Global Stability Method
Authors:   Tianjin University, Xie Xingao , Liu Zhengxian ,   Tianjin University, Li Xiaojian ,   Tianjin University
Published: May 2022

A general form of the eigenvalue-based model for flow instability analysis is firstly introduced. It is simplified and applied to two sorts of classical flows: Poiseuille flow and Couette flow. The spectrums of eigenvalues show good agreements with the well-recognized references. Then, the model is used to predict the stall inception of the transonic axial compressor NASA Rotor 37. The multiple spectrums derived from eigenvalues are compared with the Fourier analysis of the full-passage unsteady flow field. It is found that the small disturbance responsible for the stall inception is well predicted by the global stability method.
Aerodynamic Improvement Of The 16-Stage Axial Compressor
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Popov G.М. , Miheev M.G. ,   Samara National Research University, Baturin Oleg V. ,   Samara National Research University, Zubanov V. M. ,   Samara National Research University, Goriachkin E. S. ,   Samara National Research University, Nepomnyaschiy V. O. ,   JSC Power machines, Fisher E. R. ,   JSC Power machines, Vorobyev A. K. ,   JSC Power machines
Published: May 2022

The paper describes the process of gas-dynamic modernization of a 16-stage axial compressor of an industrial gas turbine unit. During the modernization of the unit, it became necessary to significantly increase the working parameters of the engine, which resulted in a change in the operating conditions of the compressor. As a result, it was necessary to modify it while maintaining the design as much as possible. Using the results of experimental studies of the initial compressor, a numerical model of the compressor was developed and validated. It was used to investigate the specifics of the compressor's working process and to propose solutions to the problem posed. Modernization works were significantly hampered by the presence of many stages and many independent variables. For this reason, the problem was solved in several stages. A separate modernization of the first and rear groups of stages was performed. Then the working processes of the compressor parts were matched. As a result of the research, a variant was found to modernize the existing 16-stage axial compressor, providing an increase in the air mass flow rate by 18%, adiabatic efficiency by 3.5%, and margins of gas-dynamic stability up to 16%.
Property taxation: background of fiscal decentralization in Ukraine
Authors:   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, IEFYMENKO Tetiana
Published: May 2022

Fiscal decentralization has strengthened the capacity of governments to finance and provide public goods and services. Fulfillment of local government functions helps to balance the consumers’ individual preferences according to their needs. In Ukraine, each local authority should be entrusted with the management of the lands of relevant community in compliance with the principle of ubiquity as well as with the right to collect land tax. Local taxes on real estate and transport, typical for countries with capable local self-government, have also been introduced. Global challenges, international obligations, insufficient effectiveness of modern budgetary instruments of anti-crisis regulation make the improvement of property taxation necessary. Given new economic realities and the best world practice, it is necessary to reconsider the use of tools to support and stimulate regional development. The diversity of sources of payment and objects of taxation is one of essential problems in the collection of property tax. Its solution is the differentiated application of benefits, rates, deferrals, installments or to objects of taxation (according to the degree of participation of a property in the production process), or to entities (depending on their investment, social, environmental activity in the context of sustainable development). Such approaches are extremely important given the current trends of urbanization - their application will give the property tax an opportunity to perform the function of stimulating better use of funds and distribution of net income of enterprises and households in favor of budget revenues. Property taxes are progressive for those who have low incomes and can receive discounts when paying them. The spread of this approach during the post-crisis recovery of the national economy should be facilitated by the best practices of local authorities focused on the tax potential of SMBs. The main advantage of property taxes is a high degree of stability of the tax base. Further improvement of real estate taxation in Ukraine should focus on the prospects of its use in order to form stable sources of budget revenues and de-shadowing of property relations through the establishment of property owners. However, the risks of a low level of production incentives, as well as the understatement of the tax base through the transfer of property rights, still needs considering coordinated tax regimes for legal entities and individuals.
Optimization of business models of state banks in the conditions of strengthening requirements for financial security in 2022
Authors:   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, DROBIAZKO Anatolii , LYUBICH Oleksandr ,   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, OLIINYK Dmytro ,   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”
Published: May 2022

The article focuses on the financial results of Ukrainian banks with the participation of the state in capital for 2021. The authors analyze the contribution of each bank with state participation in the capital to the overall result of the banking system, as well as their share in the markets of deposits, loans, securities. The authors present calculations that compare the results of activities with 2020, as well as the results of twenty banks of foreign financial groups and banks with private capital. The comparative dynamics of the indicators of the main markets of active and passive banking operations for the period 2008 - 2021 is calculated. In a tense external economic situation, the authors propose approaches to the strategic direction of development of public sector banks and ways to increase their impact on the overall security of money circulation in the country in the event of a special period. The calculations that allow specialists to compare the financial results, the role and place of each bank with state participation with foreign financial groups banks and banks with private capital. The dynamics of changes in the resource base of banks at the expense of legal entities and individuals, as well as the dynamics of credit and investment portfolios of legal entities and individuals are presented. Proposals for the organization of bank management control, where the state is a shareholder, are provided, and independent supervisory boards of banks are formed. The main macroeconomic trends that influenced the development of banks in 2021 are considered. The importance of resuming the Government's cooperation with the International Monetary Fund in 2021, as well as the importance of implementing the strategy of development of banks with participation of the state in capital in order to increase the capitalization of this sector and attract foreign capital to direct investment in the banking sector is stressed. The article provides an opportunity for potential investors in the Ukrainian banking market to assess the attractiveness of working in Ukraine, taking into account the results of two dozen foreign financial groups that have been in business for more than twenty years.
How Does American Public Opinion React to Overt Anti-Democratic Behavior by Politicians? Natural Experimental Evidence from the January 6 Insurrection
Authors: van Noort Sam
Published: May 2022

Do American politicians that clearly violate democratic norms lose significant public support, or does the American public form little constraint on democratic backsliding? Existing studies have examined this fundamental question using hypothetical survey experiments which suffer from limited ecological validity and potential weak treatment bias. I overcome these problems by studying a novel natural experiment created by the fact that Donald Trump's incitement of the January 6 insurrection unexpectedly occurred while Gallup was conducting a nationally representative public opinion survey using random digit dialing. Comparing party identification among respondents that were interviewed just before, and just after, January 6, 2021 suggests that the Republican Party retained 78% of its pre-insurrection support base during the first 1.5 weeks. Even this modest loss was short-lived---in February 2021 the Republican Party already stood at 93% of its pre-insurrection support level. While not zero, the public constraint on democratic backsliding is remarkably limited.
ANALOGIC NON-PROPERLY PREPARED TEACHERS VERSUS NOISY CONTAMINATED OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION REGARDING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, ADOPTING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS’ MODELING
Authors:   Banha University, Banha, Egypt., Mustafa1 Hassan M. H. , Ibrahim2 Mohamed I. A. ,   Banha University, Banha, Egypt., Ramzy3 Hany S. ,   Banha University, Banha, Egypt.
Published: May 2022

This Research papers tackles an important and interestingly complex, and a challenging educational problematic phenomenon. Specifically, it addresses two analogously interrelated issues namely: the non-properly prepared teachers that characterized by undesirable impact on students' academic achievement inside classrooms. Additionally, Herein, this issue shown to be analogous to recognition process of noisy contaminated Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Briefly, this comparative study objectively illustrates analogous relationship between contaminated noisy information provided by non-properly prepared teaching process versus noisy contaminated (OCR) process By more details, various noisy power level values which changed in learning environment, results in considerable correspondence with different learning rate values. The unfavorable amount of teacher’s improperness is mapped similar to well-known communication technology term namely signal to noise (S/N) ratio. Which quantitatively measures the clarity degree related to received desired learning / teaching signal across the educational communication channel. In other words, it illustrates simulated outcome presented as percentage of lessons’ focusing degree versus # Neurons for different learning rate values. More properly. Performance of non-properly prepared teacher results in noisy information submitted to children’s brain in classrooms. Accordingly. it observed annoyance of learning environment and negatively affects the quality of children’s learning performance. Herein, this research work illustrates specifically the analogy between learning under noisy data environment in Artificial Neural Networks (ANNS) models versus the effect of physical environment on quality of education in classrooms. The observed non-properly prepared teachers' phenomenon in classrooms observed to have negatively undesired effect on the evaluated educational process performance. Analogously, the observed effect of additively contaminating noise power on any of map size made with the resolution of (3x3) pixels. These pixels were associated to diverse three English clear characters (T&L, or H) which originally written over (3x3) binary (black & white) digitized retina. Herein; obtained interesting findings shaded light over more complex challenging research directions towards in future more elaborated investigational study for such interdisciplinary observed educational phenomena.
Influencia del pensamiento computacional en las habilidades cognitivas propias de los métodos de resolución de problemas
Authors: Brugés Romero Augusto Ramiro , Camperos Villamizar Yadira del Pilar
Published: May 2022

El desarrollo de software se ha convertido en un aspecto fundamental en la formación de ingenieros y se ha establecido como una competencia diferenciadora al momento de acceder al campo laboral; sin embargo, su aprendizaje no es una tarea fácil y muchos estudios apuntan a que el principal inconveniente se encuentra en la debilidad cognitiva de los estudiantes para resolver problemas, lo cual es un problema recurrente en otras áreas de formación, por lo que se hace necesario fortalecer la comprensión, el análisis, la síntesis y la evaluación a nivel general. Desde esta perspectiva, se planteó una investigación con un enfoque cualitativo y diseño fenomenológico, cuyo objetivo principal estuvo en analizar la influencia del pensamiento computacional en el mejoramiento de las habilidades cognitivas propias de los métodos de resolución de problemas. Los informantes de la investigación fueron 10 estudiantes del curso de programación I y II en el periodo 2021-I, y utilizó como técnicas de recolección de información pruebas al iniciar y al finalizar el curso, la observación participante y la entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados de los instrumentos aplicados evidenciaron que los estudiantes presentan problemas de comprensión e interpretación, así como desconocimiento de conceptos básicos que obstaculizaron el correcto planteamiento de soluciones a los problemas presentados en las pruebas iniciales. En la prueba diagnóstica la mayoría de los estudiantes obtuvieron bajos resultados, lo que indica que existen deficiencias para solucionar problemas, ya que los elementos del pensamiento computacional son aplicados de manera mínima y los aciertos obedecen más a procesos mentales de orden inferior como memoria, observación y comparación. Los resultados de la prueba final y el análisis de los demás instrumentos aplicados muestran que la adquisición de conocimientos sobre programación mejoró las habilidades de abstracción y análisis; aumentaron la creatividad; incluyeron elementos de diseño, planificación y seguimiento; desarrollaron la metacognición, la síntesis y la evaluación. La presente investigación arrojó como resultado que el desarrollo del pensamiento computacional le permite al estudiante mejorar la forma en que resuelve los problemas, adquiriendo habilidades cognitivas y metacognitivas para utilizar nuevos métodos y estrategias que generan alternativas de solución más creativas, ágiles y eficientes. El uso adecuado del conocimiento y los elementos adquiridos en torno al pensamiento computacional y el aprendizaje de la programación, así como la mejora de habilidades asociadas al análisis y la comprensión, permiten optimizar la forma en que solucionan problemas.
aprendizaje del español en Senegal
Authors: Diouf Abdoulaye
Published: May 2022

A través de este artículo, se intenta profundizar en las principales líneas de pensamiento que han abordado el tema de la enseñanza-aprendizaje de ELE en los niveles medio y secundario del sistema de enseñanza de Senegal, así como en la evolución de los métodos pedagógicos empleados en este país. También, se procura demostrar la incoherencia de los libros de texto que no abogan por una enseñanza comunicativa de las lenguas. Para ello., nos proponemos en esta investigación sugerir propuestas innovadoras para docentes y diseñadores de manuales orientados a los estudiantes de África subsahariana que tengan especial interés en aprender cualquier lengua extranjera a través de textos didácticos, ya que el habla precede a la expresión escrita.
Functional Verification of the Citrate Transporter Gene in a Wine Lactic Acid Bacterium, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Authors: Yang Xiangke , Zhao Lili , Chen Qiling , Wang Nan , Shi Kan , Liu Shuwen
Published: May 2022

Organic acid metabolism by lactic acid bacteria plays a significant role in improving wine quality. During this process, the uptake of extracellular organic acids by the transporters is the first rate-limiting step. However, up to now, there is very little published research on the functional verification of organic acid transporter genes in wine lactic acid bacteria. In this study, a predicted citrate transporter gene JKL54_04345 (citP) by protein homology analysis was knocked out using a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing system, and then complemented using the modified pMG36e vectors in a major wine lactic acid bacterium, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum XJ25, to verify its function in citrate metabolism for the first time. The results showed that the gene knockout mutant XJ25-ΔcitP lost the ability to utilize citric acid, while the gene complement mutant XJ25-ΔcitP-pMG36ek11-citP fully recovered the ability of citric acid utilization. Meanwhile, citP knockout and complement barely affected the utilization of l-malic acid. These indicated that citP in L. plantarum functioned as a citrate transporter and was the only gene responsible for citrate transporter. In addition, two modified plasmid vectors used for gene supplement in L. plantarum showed distinct transcription efficiency. The transcription efficiency of citP in XJ25-ΔcitP-pMG36ek11-citP mutant was 4.01 times higher than that in XJ25-ΔcitP-pMG36ek-citP mutant, and the utilization rate of citric acid in the former was 3.95 times higher than that in the latter, indicating that pMG36ek11 can be used as a high-level expression vector in lactic acid bacteria.
Myocilin Gene Mutation Induced Autophagy Activation Causes Dysfunction of Trabecular Meshwork Cells
Authors: Yan Xuejing , Wu Shen , Liu Qian , Cheng Ying , Zhang Jingxue , Wang Ningli
Published: May 2022

Trabecular meshwork dysfunction is the main cause of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Mutant myocilin causes glaucoma mainly via elevating IOP. Previously we have found that accumulated Asn 450 Tyr (N450Y) mutant myocilin impairs human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells by inducing chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in vitro. However, it is unclear how ER stress leads to TM damage and whether N450Y myocilin mutation is associated with POAG in vivo. Here we found that N450Y mutant myocilin induces autophagy, which worsens cell viability, whereas inhibition of autophagy increases viability and decreases cell death in human TM cells. Furthermore, we construct a transgenic mouse model of N450Y myocilin mutation (Tg-MYOCN450Y) and Tg-MYOCN450Y mice exhibiting glaucoma phenotypes: IOP elevation, retinal ganglion cell loss and visual impairment. Consistent with our published in vitro studies, mutant myocilin fails to secrete into aqueous humor, causes ER stress and actives autophagy in Tg-MYOCN450Y mice, and aqueous humor dynamics are altered in Tg-MYOCN450Y mice. In summary, our studies demonstrate that activation of autophagy is correlated with pathogenesis of POAG.
Mitochondria-Targeted Mesoporous Organic Silica Nanoplatforms for Overcoming Cisplatin Resistance by Disturbing Mitochondrial Redox Homeostasis
Authors: Lv Bin , Ma Jingru , Wang Yumeng , Qu Xinyu , Qiu Junjun , Hua Keqin
Published: May 2022

Cisplatin (also known as DDP) resistance is one of the biggest challenges in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Recent studies have found that mitochondrion, as a potential target of DDP, participates in drug-related apoptosis and resistance. Overexpressed glutathione (GSH) in resistant cells is involved in protecting mitochondria from DDP or DDP-induced ROS. In this work, triphenylphosphonium (TPP) modified disulfide bond-rich (S-S) mesoporous organic silica nanoplatforms (DMON) were developed to deliver DDP (TPP-DMON@DDP) to mitochondria for overcoming DDP resistance. TPP supported the migration of nanoplatforms to the mitochondria, with consequent depletion of mitochondrial GSH by the S-S bond of DMON, leading to mitochondria in redox dyshomeostasis. These treated cells seemed more susceptible to the DDP released from the nanoplatforms. Significantly increased ROS production, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis were observed in TPP-DMON@DDP-treated cells. Overall, interference of mitochondrial redox homeostasis provides a new opportunity for improving DDP cytotoxicity against resistant cells.
The Spatial Leaky Competing Accumulator Model
Authors: Zemliak Viktoria , MacInnes W. Joseph
Published: May 2022

The Leaky Competing Accumulator model (LCA) of Usher and McClelland is able to simulate the time course of perceptual decision making between an arbitrary number of stimuli. Reaction times, such as saccadic latencies, produce a typical distribution that is skewed toward longer latencies and accumulator models have shown excellent fit to these distributions. We propose a new implementation called the Spatial Leaky Competing Accumulator (SLCA), which can be used to predict the timing of subsequent fixation durations during a visual task. SLCA uses a pre-existing saliency map as input and represents accumulation neurons as a two-dimensional grid to generate predictions in visual space. The SLCA builds on several biologically motivated parameters: leakage, recurrent self-excitation, randomness and non-linearity, and we also test two implementations of lateral inhibition. A global lateral inhibition, as implemented in the original model of Usher and McClelland, is applied to all competing neurons, while a local implementation allows only inhibition of immediate neighbors. We trained and compared versions of the SLCA with both global and local lateral inhibition with use of a genetic algorithm, and compared their performance in simulating human fixation latency distribution in a foraging task. Although both implementations were able to produce a positively skewed latency distribution, only the local SLCA was able to match the human data distribution from the foraging task. Our model is discussed for its potential in models of salience and priority, and its benefits as compared to other models like the Leaky integrate and fire network.
Development and Validation of Predictive Model—HASBLAD Score—For Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events During Perioperative Period of Non-cardiac Surgery: A Single Center Experience in China
Authors: Zhao Menglin , Shang Zhi , Cai Jiageng , Wu Cencen , Xu Yuan , Zeng Lin , Cai Hong , Xu Mao , Fan Yuanyuan , Li Yanguang , Gao Wei , Xu Weixian , Zu Lingyun
Published: May 2022

Background

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) represent a significant reason of morbidity and mortality in non-cardiac surgery during perioperative period. The prevention of perioperative MACEs has always been one of the hotspots in the research field. Current existing models have not been validated in Chinese population, and have become increasingly unable to adapt to current clinical needs.

Objectives

To establish and validate several simple bedside tools for predicting MACEs during perioperative period of non-cardiac surgery in Chinese hospitalized patients.

Design

We used a nested case-control study to establish our prediction models. A nomogram along with a risk score were developed using logistic regression analysis. An internal cohort was used to evaluate the performance of discrimination and calibration of these predictive models including the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) score recommended by current guidelines.

Setting

Peking University Third Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020.

Patients

Two hundred and fifty three patients with MACEs and 1,012 patients without were included in the training set from January 2010 to December 2019 while 38,897 patients were included in the validation set from January 2020 and December 2020, of whom 112 patients had MACEs.

Main Outcome Measures

The MACEs included the composite outcomes of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal congestive cardiac failure or hemodynamically significant ventricular arrhythmia, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Results

Seven predictors, including Hemoglobin, CARDIAC diseases, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), high Blood pressure, Leukocyte count, general Anesthesia, and Diabetes mellitus (HASBLAD), were selected in the final model. The nomogram and HASBLAD score all achieved satisfactory prediction performance in the training set (C statistic, 0.781 vs. 0.768) and the validation set (C statistic, 0.865 vs. 0.843). Good calibration was observed for the probability of MACEs in the training set and the validation set. The two predictive models both had excellent discrimination that performed better than RCRI in the validation set (C statistic, 0.660, P < 0.05 vs. nomogram and HASBLAD score).

Conclusion

The nomogram and HASBLAD score could be useful bedside tools for predicting perioperative MACEs of non-cardiac surgery in Chinese hospitalized patients.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants vs. Vitamin K Antagonists in Atrial Fibrillation Patients at Risk of Falling: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gao Xinxing , Huang Donghua , Hu Yuting , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhang Haidong , Liu Fuwei , Luo Jun
Published: May 2022

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin are usually used for people with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, for the AF patients at risk of falling, the effectiveness and safety outcomes of DOACs compared with warfarin remain unclear. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness and safety of DOACs vs. warfarin in AF patients at risk of falling.

Methods

A search of the PubMed and Embase databases until November 2021 was performed. We included studies if they satisfied the following criteria: (1) study type: randomized clinical trials or observational cohort studies. (2) Comparisons: effectiveness and/or safety of DOACs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban) compared with warfarin. (3) Study data: the sample size, the number of events in the VKAs or DOACs groups, adjusted risk ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). (4) Study outcomes: stroke or systemic embolism (SSE), ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause death, and cardiovascular death; major bleeding, major or clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) bleeding, intracranial bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and any bleeding. (5) Study population: patients at risk of falling. According to the Morse Fall Scale, the risk of falling relates to the history of falling, secondary diagnosis, ambulatory aids, intravenous therapy, type of gait, and mental status. In this meta-analysis, if the patient's MFS score is ≥25 points, he will be thought of as having the risk of falling. The adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by a random-effects model with an inverse variance method.

Results

Three cohort studies were included in our study. For the effectiveness outcomes, the use of DOACs was only associated with a significantly reduced risk of hemorrhagic stroke (RR = 0.28, 95%CI:0.10–0.75) compared with warfarin, but there were no significant differences in stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) (RR = 0.87, 95%CI:0.70–1.08), cardiovascular death (RR = 0.97, 95%CI:0.73–1.29) and all-cause death (RR = 0.90, 95%CI:0.72–1.11). For the safety outcomes, the use of DOACs was significantly associated with reduced risks of major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (RR = 0.77, 95%CI:0.61–0.98) and intracranial bleeding (RR = 0.26, 95%CI:0.11–0.66) but not major bleeding (RR = 0.78, 95%CI:0.58–1.06).

Conclusions

Compared with warfarin, the use of DOACs in AF patients at risk of falling is significantly associated with reduced risks of hemorrhagic stroke, major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding, and intracranial bleeding.
Switching From Proximal to Distal Radial Artery Access for Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Recanalization
Authors: Achim Alexandru , Szigethy Tímea , Olajos Dorottya , Molnár Levente , Papp Roland , Bárczi György , Kákonyi Kornél , Édes István F. , Becker Dávid , Merkely Béla , Van den Eynde Jef , Ruzsa Zoltán
Published: May 2022

Background

Distal radial access (DRA) was recently introduced in the hopes of improving patient comfort by allowing the hand to rest in a more ergonomic position throughout percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and potentially to further reduce the rate of complications (mainly radial artery occlusion, [RAO]). Its safety and feasibility in chronic total occlusion (CTO) PCI have not been thoroughly explored, although the role of DRA could be even more valuable in these procedures.

Methods

From 2016 to 2021, all patients who underwent CTO PCI in 3 Hungarian centers were included, divided into 2 groups: one receiving proximal radial access (PRA) and another DRA. The primary endpoints were the procedural and clinical success and vascular access-related complications. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and procedural characteristics (volume of contrast, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, procedure time, hospitalization time).

Results

A total of 337 consecutive patients (mean age 64.6 ± 9.92 years, 72.4% male) were enrolled (PRA = 257, DRA = 80). When compared with DRA, the PRA group had a higher prevalence of smoking (53.8% vs. 25.7%, SMD = 0.643), family history of cardiovascular disease (35.0% vs. 15.2%, SMD = 0.553), and dyslipidemia (95.0% vs. 72.8%, SMD = 0.500). The complexity of the CTOs was slightly higher in the DRA group, with higher degrees of calcification and tortuosity (both SMD >0.250), more bifurcation lesions (45.0% vs. 13.2%, SMD = 0.938), more blunt entries (67.5% vs. 47.1%, SMD = 0.409). Contrast volumes (median 120 ml vs. 146 ml, p = 0.045) and dose area product (median 928 mGy×cm2 vs. 1,300 mGy×cm2, p < 0.001) were lower in the DRA group. Numerically, local vascular complications were more common in the PRA group, although these did not meet statistical significance (RAO: 2.72% vs. 1.25%, p = 0.450; large hematoma: 0.72% vs. 0%, p = 1.000). Hospitalization duration was similar (2.5 vs. 3.0 days, p = 0.4). The procedural and clinical success rates were comparable through DRA vs. PRA (p = 0.6), moreover, the 12-months rate of MACCE was similar across the 2 groups (9.09% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.35).

Conclusion

Using DRA for complex CTO interventions is safe, feasible, lowers radiation dose and makes dual radial access more achievable. At the same time, there was no signal of increased risk of periprocedural or long-term adverse outcomes.
Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Transcriptomic Reprogramming in Aging Cardiovascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Gou Bo , Chu Xiaojing , Xiao Yi , Liu Pinxuan , Zhang Hao , Gao Zeyu , Song Moshi
Published: May 2022

The senescence of cardiovascular endothelial cells (ECs) is a major risk factor in the development of aging-related cardiovascular diseases. However, the molecular dynamics in cardiovascular EC aging are poorly understood. Here, we characterized the transcriptomic landscape of cardiovascular ECs during aging and observed that ribosome biogenesis, inflammation, apoptosis and angiogenesis-related genes and pathways changed with age. We also highlighted the importance of collagen genes in the crosstalk between ECs and other cell types in cardiovascular aging. Moreover, transcriptional regulatory network analysis revealed Jun as a candidate transcription factor involved in murine cardiovascular senescence and we validated the upregulation of Jun in aged cardiovascular ECs both in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, our study reveals the transcriptomic reprogramming in the aging murine cardiovascular ECs, which deepens the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular aging and provides new insights into potential therapeutic targets against age-related cardiovascular diseases.
Experimental Study on Work of Adsorption Gas Expansion After Coal and Gas Outburst Excitation
Authors: Zhao Yi , Niu XinGang
Published: May 2022

Coal and gas outburst is an extremely complex dynamic phenomenon of mine gas, which is mainly manifested in a very short time. A large amount of coal and rock are thrown out from the coal body to the mining space and accompanied by a large volume of high-pressure gas. In the process of coal and gas outburst, the internal energy consumption of gas is composed of two parts: one is used to throw out broken coal and rock mass, and the other is used to pulverize broken coal. In this article, from the perspective of energy dissipation, the experiment of broken coal ejection with different coal particle sizes, different adsorption gas, and pressure is studied. The characteristics of coal ejection are studied and analyzed, and the proportion of adsorbed gas participating in the outburst work is quantitatively analyzed. The results show that after outburst excitation, residual gas will continue to desorb and work on outburst until the power is insufficient to throw coal body; compared with air, CO2 gas has a stronger ability to work on the outburst, and the outburst coal is thrown far away, and the pulverization effect is stronger. Through the energy analysis in the process of outburst, the results show that when the particle size of the coal sample is consistent, the greater the outburst pressure is, the larger the desorption amount of the adsorbed gas is, and the larger the volume involved in the outburst work is. When the test gas is consistent with the outburst pressure, the gas desorption amount of the small-size coal sample is more, the desorption gas has a stronger ability to work on the outburst, and the proportion of participating in outburst work is higher. The crushing degree of coal plays an important role in the expansion and release of gas internal energy.
Ground Motion Time History Simulation for Seismic Response History Analysis
Authors: Yang Lanlan , Fu Ziyue , Wang Dengfeng
Published: May 2022

In the seismic design and analysis of important structures, ground motion time histories are generally required as the input for the conduction of seismic response history analysis. Taking a selected spectrum as the target, the approaches for generating spectral compatible time histories based on artificial or synthetic ground motion and real recorded earthquake ground motion, respectively, are commonly used and discussed in this review. The pure artificial approaches have relative higher effectiveness and computational efficiency, while the approaches by adjusting the real records could simulate the nonstationary in both time domain and frequency domain.
Engagement in Online Learning: Student Attitudes and Behavior During COVID-19
Authors: Hollister Brooke , Nair Praveen , Hill-Lindsay Sloan , Chukoskie Leanne
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in nearly all universities switching courses to online formats. We surveyed the online learning experience of undergraduate students (n= 187) at a large, public research institution in course structure, interpersonal interaction, and academic resources. Data was also collected from course evaluations. Students reported decreases in live lecture engagement and attendance, with 72 percent reporting that low engagement during lectures hurt their online learning experience. A majority of students reported that they struggled with staying connected to their peers and instructors and managing the pace of coursework. Students had positive impressions, however, of their instructional staff. Majorities of students felt more comfortable asking and answering questions in online classes, suggesting that there might be features of learning online to which students are receptive, and which may also benefit in-person classes.
Digital-First Learning and Assessment Systems for the 21st Century
Authors: Langenfeld Thomas , Burstein Jill , von Davier Alina A.
Published: May 2022

In the past few years, our lives have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; many of these changes resulted in pivoting our activities to a virtual environment, forcing many of us out of traditional face-to-face activities into digital environments. Digital-first learning and assessment systems (LAS) are delivered online, anytime, and anywhere at scale, contributing to greater access and more equitable educational opportunities. These systems focus on the learner or test-taker experience while adhering to the psychometric, pedagogical, and validity standards for high-stakes learning and assessment systems. Digital-first LAS leverage human-in-the-loop artificial intelligence to enable personalized experience, feedback, and adaptation; automated content generation; and automated scoring of text, speech, and video. Digital-first LAS are a product of an ecosystem of integrated theoretical learning and assessment frameworks that align theory and application of design and measurement practices with technology and data management, while being end-to-end digital. To illustrate, we present two examples—a digital-first learning tool with an embedded assessment, theHolistic Educational Resources and Assessment(HERA)Science, and a digital-first assessment, theDuolingo English Test.
Increasing Sustainability in Open Learning: Prospects of a Distributed Learning Ecosystem for Open Educational Resources
Authors: Otto Daniel , Kerres Michael
Published: May 2022

The proliferation of Open Educational Resources (OER) constitutes an essential element for establishing education as a “public good” on the internet. A core objective of OER is to broaden access to educational material and improve the overall quality of teaching and learning. In this manner, OER contributes to the sustainable (re)use and (re)distribution of (educational) resources. The goal of sustainability is also visible in the latest UNSECO recommendation concerning OER, which intends to support the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, namely SDG 4 (Quality education). The support of SDG 4 is combined with the call to create sustainability models for OER at national, regional and institutional levels and the planning and pilot testing of new sustainable forms of education and learning. As a result, several repositories and referatories for OER provision have been developed and tested in educational institutions worldwide. However, each of these platforms contains only a relatively limited number of resources. In our article, we argue that when considered through the lens of learning innovation and sustainable development, it would be necessary to increase the discoverability of available resources at the different locations and platforms that currently are visible to only a limited number of teachers and students. To achieve this goal, the focus needs to shift from the creation and growth of new and competing platforms to intelligent ways of linking and increasing their interconnectedness. We use the concept of “learning ecosystems” to illustrate this approach of interconnected resources. Ecosystems go beyond the spatial dimension of learning by focussing on actors’ diversity and interactions. Digital (networked) learning technology is part of an ecosystem and has itself to be understood as an actor. However, we discuss that ecosystems should be reflected with caution as they can themselves entail opening and closing mechanisms. Therefore, ecosystems that rely on mechanisms of opening their contents to other platforms can realise the full potential of open learning. We describe the implications of the concept of a distributed ecosystem by presenting case studies that show how technical solutions, including metadata standards and plugins, can link contents in repositories and referatories within ecosystems. The overarching objective is that the different repositories and referatories expand and improve the sustainable use of OER by merging into a distributed learning ecosystem.