bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Enhanced Machine Learning Framework for Type 2 Diabetes Classification Using Imbalanced Data with Missing Values
Authors: Roy Kumarmangal , Ahmad Muneer , Waqar Kinza , Priyaah Kirthanaah , Nebhen Jamel , Alshamrani Sultan S , Raza Muhammad Ahsan , Ali Ihsan
Published: July 2021

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases that cause high blood sugar. Early diagnosis of such a condition is challenging due to its complex interdependence on various factors. There is a need to develop critical decision support systems to assist medical practitioners in the diagnosis process. This research proposes developing a predictive model that can achieve a high classification accuracy of type 2 diabetes. The study consisted of two fundamental parts. Firstly, the study investigated handling missing data adopting data imputation, namely, median value imputation, K‐nearest neighbor imputation, and iterative imputation. Consequently, the study validated the implications of these imputations using various classification algorithms, i.e., linear, tree‐based, and ensemble algorithms, to see how each method affected classification accuracy. Secondly, Artificial Neural Network was employed to model the best performing imputed data, balanced with SMOTETomek ensuring each class is represented fairly. This approach provided the best accuracy of 98% on the test data, outperforming accuracies achieved in prior studies using the same dataset. The dataset used in this study is concerned with gender and population. As a prospect, the study recommends adopting a larger population sample without geographic boundaries. Additionally, as the developed Artificial Neural Network model did not undergo any specific hyperparameter tuning, it would be interesting to explore tuning on top of normalized data to optimize accuracy further.
A Comparative Study between Air Bubble Tamponade Alone versus Air Bubble Tamponade with Internal Fluid Aspiration for Nonplanar Descemet’s Membrane Detachment after Phacoemulsification
Authors: Gab-Alla Amr A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose. To compare the efficacy of air bubble tamponade alone versus air bubble tamponade with internal fluid aspiration for nonplanar Descemet’s membrane detachment after clear corneal incision phacoemulsification. Methods. This study is a prospective, intervention, comparative randomised clinical trial, conducted at a private eye centre, Ismailia, Egypt, from March 2019 to March 2020. It contained 30 eyes of 24 patients who had postphacoemulsification nonplanar Descemet’s membrane detachment involving the periphery and the central area of the cornea (>50% of the cornea) with corneal oedema. The patients were divided into two groups: group A: patients with nonplanar DMD affecting the central cornea treated by air bubble tamponade only and group B: patients with nonplanar DMD affecting the central cornea treated by air bubble tamponade augmented by internal fluid aspiration. Trial Registration: This trial was registered at www.pactr.org and the identification number for the registry is PACTR202006612296119. Results. During the 12-month study period, this study included 30 eyes (24 patients) out of 1356 phaco surgeries with postphacoemulsification nonplanar Descemet’s membrane detachment. Six patients had DMD in both eyes, eight patients had DMD in the right eye, and ten patients had DMD in the left eye. All patients have successful surgeries without complications. The calculated incidence rate for visually significant DMD was 2.2% per year. The mean ± SD time interval from cataract surgery to the primary intervention was 4.2 ± 1.1 days. Descemet’s membrane was attached in 56.25% of patients in group A (9 out of 16 eyes) and 92.6% of patients in group B (13 out of 14 eyes) with a minimum of one-month follow-up. Conclusion. Air descemetopexy combined with the internal fluid aspiration demonstrated to be more efficient than air descemetopexy only to treat Descemet’s membrane detachment following phacoemulsification. It should be tried before planning other major surgeries in patients with severe Descemet’s membrane detachment.
Medical Internet of Things to Realize Elderly Stroke Prevention and Nursing Management
Authors: Li Xin , Ren Sufen , Gu Fangqiu
Published: July 2021

Stroke is a major disease that seriously endangers the lives and health of middle-aged and elderly people in our country, but its implementation of secondary prevention needs to be improved urgently. The application of IoT technology in home health monitoring and telemedicine, as well as the popularization of cloud computing, contributes to the early identification of ischemic stroke and provides intelligent, humanized, and preventive medical and health services for patients at high risk of stroke. This article clarifies the networking structure and networking objects of the rehabilitation system Internet of Things, clarifies the functions of each part, and establishes an overall system architecture based on smart medical care; the design and optimization of the mechanical part of the stroke rehabilitation robot are carried out, as well as kinematics and dynamic analysis. According to the functions of different types of stroke rehabilitation robots, strategies are given for the use of lower limb rehabilitation robots; standardized codes are used to identify system objects, and RFID technology is used to automatically identify users and devices. Combined with the use of the Internet and GSM mobile communication network, construct a network database of system networking objects and, on this basis, establish information management software based on a smart medical rehabilitation system that takes care of both doctors and patients to realize the system’s Internet of Things architecture. In addition, this article also gives the recovery strategy generation in the system with the design method of resource scheduling method and the theoretical algorithm of rehabilitation strategy generation is given and verified. This research summarizes the application background, advantages, and past practice of the Internet of Things in stroke medical care, develops and applies a medical collaborative cloud computing system for systematic intervention of stroke, and realizes the module functions such as information sharing, regional monitoring, and collaborative consultation within the base.
The Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in the Management of Genetic and Nongenetic Plant Traits
Authors: Mutezo Wilbert , Sedibe Moosa M. , Mofokeng Alina , Shargie Nemera , Soko Tegwe
Published: July 2021

Gene editing (GE) has yielded positive results in the management of genetic and nongenetic plant traits. Clustered interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) (together known as the CRISPR/Cas system) are relatively easy to use, compared to other existing genome editing technologies. The CRISPR/Cas tool produces unchanging gene mutations, with the ability to segregate from the Cas9/sgRNA construct to avoid similar modifications by CRISPR/Cas. CRISPR/Cas GE is fast and accurate; crops developed using this technique are resistant to viruses, fungi, and bacteria and resilient to abiotic and biotic stresses, while crops established using conventional methods take between 10 and 15 years to develop resistance. Therefore, CRISPR/Cas is a useful tool for sustainable agricultural production. Plant traits have been successfully manipulated using this technology. Notwithstanding the technical challenges of transferring CRISPR/Cas9 developed crops from the laboratory to the field, additional obstacles include uncertain policy systems, dispute over intellectual property ownership, and acceptability by consumers. Several Cas9-based applied techniques have gained popularity that enable researchers to enhance plants with speed and accuracy. In conclusion, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful technology for genetically modifying crops.
Pharmacologic Activation of p53 Triggers Viral Mimicry Response Thereby Abolishing Tumor Immune Evasion and Promoting Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Zhou Xiaolei , Singh Madhurendra , Sanz Santos Gema , Guerlavais Vincent , Carvajal Luis A. , Aivado Manuel , Zhan Yue , Oliveira Mariana M.S. , Westerberg Lisa S. , Annis D. Allen , Johnsen John Inge , Selivanova Galina
Published: July 2021

The repression of repetitive elements is an important facet of p53's function as a guardian of the genome. Paradoxically, we found that p53 activated by MDM2 inhibitors induced the expression of endogenous retroviruses (ERV) via increased occupancy on ERV promoters and inhibition of two major ERV repressors, histone demethylase LSD1 and DNA methyltransferase DNMT1. Double-stranded RNA stress caused by ERVs triggered type I/III interferon expression and antigen processing and presentation. Pharmacologic activation of p53 in vivo unleashed the IFN program, promoted T-cell infiltration, and significantly enhanced the efficacy of checkpoint therapy in an allograft tumor model. Furthermore, the MDM2 inhibitor ALRN-6924 induced a viral mimicry pathway and tumor inflammation signature genes in patients with melanoma. Our results identify ERV expression as the central mechanism whereby p53 induction overcomes tumor immune evasion and transforms tumor microenvironment to a favorable phenotype, providing a rationale for the synergy of MDM2 inhibitors and immunotherapy.

Significance:

We found that p53 activated by MDM2 inhibitors induced the expression of ERVs, in part via epigenetic factors LSD1 and DNMT1. Induction of IFN response caused by ERV derepression upon p53-targeting therapies provides a possibility to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade and potentially transform “cold” tumors into “hot.”

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2945
Eosinophils Correlate with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
Authors: Wang Mingjie , Sun Yan , Li Cheng , Qu Jing , Zhou Bing
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling always occur together in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in airway remodeling. Objective: Changes of epithelial cells in sinus mucosa in different subtypes of CRS, especially in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and the role of EMT and eosinophils (EOS) in airway remodeling are still unknown. Methods: We included 85 patients in this study. They were divided into 4 groups: a normal control (NC) group, a chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) group, an eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) group, and a noneosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (non-ECRSwNP) group. Clinical data were all collected and analyzed. Standard hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, and 2-color immunofluorescence staining were performed. Biomarkers of EMT, epithelial cadherin, and vimentin were labeled. The immunohistochemistry results of each group were counted and statistically analyzed. Results and Conclusion: E-cadherin was downregulated, and vimentin was upregulated in epithelial tissue from the ECRSwNP group, compared with that from the control group and the other groups. The number of vimentin-expressing epithelial cells correlated with sinus CT imaging Lund-Mackay scores (r = 0.560, p < 0.001). Moreover, expression levels of vimentin in the epithelium were associated with numbers of infiltrating EOS in tissues (r = 0.710, p < 0.001) and the peripheral blood EOS ratio (r = 0.594, p < 0.001). EMT occurred in patients with CRSwNP, especially in those with ECRSwNP. Epithelial reprogramming correlates with eosinophil infiltration and disease severity. Eosinophils contributed to impairment of epithelial function and promoted EMT in CRSwNP.
Áustria presente! Levantamento e Análise de Referências à Áustria no livro DaF kompakt neu
Authors: Voerkel Jean Paul , Jeucken Carla
Published: July 2021

Na prática do ensino de Alemão como Língua Estrangeira (ALE), os conteúdos de Landeskunde são abordados cada vez mais sob a perspectiva de que culturas heterogêneas permeiam os diferentes países de idioma alemão. Questionando-nos acerca da representatividade, em materiais didáticos, de países cujo idioma oficial é alemão, dedicamo-nos ao levantamento e à análise de dados sobre os aspectos culturais da Áustria presentes no livro didático DaF Kompakt neu (2016), material utilizado em boa parte dos cursos de graduação para formação de professores de alemão no Brasil. Os dados coletados foram categorizados e, então, analisados, de forma que pudéssemos averiguar a inclusão de informações implícitas e explícitas sobre a Áustria e seu potencial para incentivar discusses em sala de aula. Destacamos na exposição dos resultados que o material selecionado apresenta menções profícuas e, mais ainda, que a quantidade e complexidade dessas aumentariam conforme o avanço dos níveis de línguas ensinados. Concluímos ressaltando que, apesar da representatividade do material didático, outros elementos como preparo e disposição do professor, além de materiais suplementares, seriam indispensáveis para a presentificação do DACH-Prinzip no ensino de ALE.
Rückzug, Rampenlicht und Integration: Leopold von Andrian, Paul Frischauer und Otto Maria Carpeaux im Exil
Authors: Prutsch Ursula
Published: July 2021

Der Aufsatz nimmt die literarisch-publizistischen Lebenswelten der österreichischen Exilanten Leopold von Andrian, Paul Frischauer und Otto Maria Carpeaux in den Blick. Sie hatten ähnliche politische Sozialisationen im Österreich der Zwischenkriegszeit, mussten aufgrund ihrer ethnischen Zugehörigkeit und ihres politischen Engagements Österreich verlassen und lebten in oder nahe Rio de Janeiro. Was Carpeaux, Frischauer und Andrian von Tausenden anderer Flüchtlinge unterschied, waren ihr Status und ihre politischen Kontakte. Sie waren materiell privilegierter, der harte Überlebenskampf vieler anderer blieb ihnen erspart; trotzdem waren sie Vertriebene und Heimatlose. Frischauer und Andrian kehrten nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs über Umwege in ihre Heimatländer zurück, Carpeaux blieb, wurde zum Brasilianer und hinterließ ein starkes Vermächtnis. Dieser Aufsatz beleuchtet ihre Haltung, ihre Rollen und Arbeiten im brasilianischen Exil kritisch und analytisch. Er bietet und verknüpft drei biographische Erzählungen. Während der Monarchist Leopold von Andrian an der Restauration der Habsburgermonarchie festhielt, öffnete sich der jüngere, opportunistische Flüchtling Paul Frischauer als Biograph des Diktators Vargas Türen zur Macht. Otto Maria Carpeaux hingegen, der wie Andrian ein Theoretiker des autoritären österreichischen Ständestaats gewesen war, transformierte sich zum Brasilianer, zum heimischen Literaturpapst und transatlantischen Brückenbauer.
Veterinary phytotherapy in Algeria
Authors: Berghiche Amine , Djebrane Chahinése , Belahcene Nabiha , Boulebda Nadji
Published: July 2021

Currently, the use of alternative medicine is necessary, even in animals. Our study focused on the valorisation of the use of herbal products in Algerian veterinary medicine. This study is based on a 6-month exploratory survey of 257 private practicing veterinarians, followed by a study of the bacteriological activity of the essential oil of the Pistacia lentiscus plant. The survey results generally  indicate that private veterinarians support phytotherapy as an alternative to conventional drugs in several areas and species. Also, the results of research conducted on the antibacterial activity of Pistacia lentiscus essential oil show that it inactivates 50% of the bacterial strains. This confirms the well defined role of this medicinal plant used as an alternative in veterinary medicine.
Thomas Paine e a Revolução Francesa: entre o Liberalismo e a Democracia (1794-1795)
Authors: Carvalho Daniel Gomes de
Published: July 2021

O propósito deste artigo é explorar a especificidade de um panfleto de Thomas Paine pouquíssimo estudado pelos historiadores, Dissertation on First Principles of Government (1795), no cenário das relações entre liberalismo e democracia na passagem do século XVIII ao século XIX. Trata-se de discutir a maneira como o revolucionário inglês – que foi ator, testemunho e intérprete da Era das Revoluções – elaborou uma formulação teórica que o afastou tanto do pensamento e das práticas jacobinas quanto das legislações e discursos dos deputados termidorianos durante o período da República Termidoriana (1794-1795) da Revolução Francesa. Para tanto, iremos recorrer também a outros textos e cartas do autor e discutir suas mudanças em relação aos panfletos anteriores, como Common Sense e Rights of Man. Com isso, pretende-se abrir novas perspectivas a respeito da obra de Paine e de seu lugar na história do pensamento político.
Interregno estadunidense. Entrevista de Nancy Fraser a Alessandra Spano
Authors: Fraser Nancy , Spano Alessandra , Herscovici Nicole
Published: July 2021

O texto original “American Interregnum” foi publicado na New Left Review - Sidecar no dia 09 Abr. 2021, no sítio oficial da revista: .
Tradução de Nicole Herscovici.
A estrutura afetiva dos tipos de governo em Hobbes. I Pressupostos
Authors: Andrade Fernando Dias
Published: July 2021

Os pressupostos da estrutura afetiva dos tipos de governo em Hobbes dizem respeito aos afetos fundamentais que determinam as ações humanas desde o estado de natureza, em especial o medo, o egoísmo e a glória. O medo, para Hobbes, talvez seja o afeto mais restritivo da liberdade natural no estado de natureza e, ao contrário, a principal condição para a obtenção da paz no estado civil, mas a esperança de glória é tão relevante quanto o medo para a transformação do homem natural num ser social e, posteriormente, num súdito e num cidadão.
Aspectos da ação voluntária em Hobbes
Authors: Hirata Celi
Published: July 2021

Hobbes concede uma importância inédita à ação voluntária, na medida em que defende que a origem de toda obrigação é um ato voluntário daquele que se obriga, uma vez que todos são naturalmente livres e iguais e não há obrigações naturais. Por um lado, Hobbes desloca a discussão sobre a voluntariedade das ações e alarga a concepção do que pode ser considerado uma ação voluntária em relação à tradição que remonta a Aristóteles, sendo que, para ele, uma ação praticada por medo é tão voluntária quanto uma outra realizada por algum desejo. Por outro, o autor limita as ações voluntárias àquelas ações que visam ao bem do agente. Trata-se de uma impossibilidade: ninguém age senão em vista de seu próprio bem. Neste artigo pretendo explorar esses aspectos da teoria da ação voluntária em Hobbes e indicar como esses posicionamentos se acentuam no Leviatã.
Left Atrioventricular Coupling Index as a Prognostic Marker of Cardiovascular Events: The MESA Study
Authors: Pezel Theo , Venkatesh Bharath Ambale , De Vasconcellos Henrique Doria , Kato Yoko , Shabani Mahsima , Xie Eric , Heckbert Susan R. , Post Wendy S. , Shea Steven J. , Allen Norrina B. , Watson Karol E. , Wu Colin O. , Bluemke David A. , Lima João A.C.
Published: July 2021

Both left atrial and left ventricular functional parameters influence the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of a novel left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) in a population without history of cardiovascular diseases at baseline. Participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who underwent a baseline cardiovascular magnetic resonance study were analyzed. LACI was defined by the ratio of the left atrial end-diastolic volume divided by the left ventricular end-diastolic volume. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between LACI and atrial fibrillation, heart failure, coronary heart disease death, and hard cardiovascular disease defined by myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, fatal and nonfatal stroke, or coronary heart disease death. Among the 4124 participants (61.5±10.1 years, 47.4% men), 1074 cardiovascular events were observed (mean follow-up, 13.0±3.2 years). Greater LACI was independently associated with atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.69–2.04]), heart failure (hazard ratio, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.38–1.62]), hard cardiovascular disease (1.23 [95% CI, 1.13–1.34]), and coronary heart disease death (hazard ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.15–1.45]; all
P
<0.0001). After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, LACI showed significant improvement in model discrimination and reclassification compared with currently used standard models to predict outcomes. LACI is a strong predictor for the incidence of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hard cardiovascular disease, and coronary heart disease death. LACI has incremental prognostic value to predict cardiovascular events over traditional risk factors and better discrimination and reclassification power compared with individual left atrial or left ventricular parameters.
Predictors of the Use of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction Post‐ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Wong Eric C. , Fordyce Christopher B. , Wong Graham , Lee Terry , Perry‐Arnesen Michele , Mackay Martha , Singer Joel , Cairns John A. , Turgeon Ricky D.
Published: July 2021

Background

Guidelines recommend mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) use in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% following a myocardial infarction plus heart failure or diabetes mellitus, based on mortality benefit in the EPHESUS (Eplerenone Post‐Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study) trial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the real‐world utilization of MRAs for patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with left ventricular dysfunction.

Methods and Results

The prospective, population‐based, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority STEMI database was linked with local outpatient cardiology records from 2007 to 2018. EPHESUS criteria were used to define post‐STEMI MRA eligibility (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% plus clinical heart failure or diabetes mellitus, and no dialysis‐dependent renal dysfunction). The primary outcome was MRA prescription among eligible patients at discharge and the secondary outcome was MRA prescription within 3 months postdischarge. Of 2691 patients with STEMI, 317 (12%) were MRA eligible, and 70 (22%) eligible patients were prescribed an MRA at discharge. Among eligible patients with no MRA at discharge, 12/126 (9.5%) with documented postdischarge follow‐up were prescribed an MRA within 3 months. In multivariable analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio [OR], 1.55 per 5% left ventricular ejection fraction decrease; 95% CI, 1.26–1.90) and calendar year (OR, 1.23 per year, 95% CI, 1.11–1.37) were associated with MRA prescription at discharge. Other prespecified variables were not associated with MRA prescription.

Conclusions

In this contemporary STEMI cohort, only 1 in 4 MRA‐eligible patients were prescribed an MRA within 3 months following hospitalization despite high‐quality evidence for use. Novel decision‐support tools are required to optimize pharmacotherapy decisions during hospitalization and follow‐up to target this gap in post‐STEMI care.
Types of Vertical Smart Farms and Awareness of their use in Korean Cities Types and Feasibility Analysis of Vertical Smart Farms in Korean Cities
Authors: Heo Han Kyul , Lee Eunseok
Published: July 2021

Background and objective Vertical smart farm (VSF) is an alternative that contributes to solving various problems such as climate change and food shortage. This study focused on the types and awareness of VSF to introduce and diffuse VSF. We aimed to investigate the types of VSF and citizens’ awareness on VSF. We analyzed 1) where the smart farm technology could be implemented on a building; 2) what citizens think about VSF; and 3) suggested what is most necessary for the introduction and diffusion of VSF in the future based on citizens’ perception. Methods VSF types were investigated through case studies on VSF in Korea and overseas. Citizens’ perception on VSF was investigated through a questionnaire survey. A statistical analysis was conducted with the survey results for implications of the introduction and diffusion of VSF. Results Four types of VSF were derived: rooftop farms, facade farms, indoor farms, and farms using the whole building. The survey showed that 29.2%, 27.8%, and 22.2% of respondents knew well about urban agriculture, smart farms, and vertical smart farms, respectively. Respondents answered that improving awareness is the most important factor to introduce VSF. According to the statistical analysis, it was determined that education and promotion of the necessity of VSF would be important to diffuse the VSF. Conclusion VSF can be a solution to a variety of problems we face. The results of this study suggest a direction for the introduction and diffusion of VSF. In order to introduce VSF in the future, additional studies must be conducted on the legal system.
The Effects of Agricultural Experience Program on Agricultural Literacy and Hand Function Improvement of Adolescents Living in Self-reliance Residence Hall
Authors: Ryu Ja Yeong , Kim Mi Jin , Yun Suk Young
Published: July 2021

Background and objective This study was conducted to increase understanding of agriculture through agricultural experience programs for adolescents living in self-reliance residence hall, and to investigate changes in work performance ability through changes in hand function. Methods There were 11 subjects, and the average age was 18.2 years, all males without disabilities. The agricultural experience program consists of a total of 10 sessions including orientation and watching videos on future agriculture, creating vegetable gardens, planting, managing each crop, harvesting, visiting the processing room, and selling at a local food store. Results The change in agricultural literacy by the agricultural experience program positively improved from a score of 113.73 to 127.91 (p = .008). The changes by sub-item are as follows. The value and safety of agri-foods (p = .020) and agriculture and natural environment (p = .007) were significantly improved. The function and value of rural areas (p = .050), production of agricultural products (p = .160), processing and distribution of agricultural products (p = .248), and agricultural policies (p = .058) were not significantly changed. The simple function of the hands was measured by the number of pegs inserted during 30 seconds, and the assembly function was measured by the number of pegs inserted during 60 seconds. In the case of simple function, the dominant hand was improved from 14.82 to 15.83 (p = .014), and the non-dominant hand was also significantly improved from 13.79 to 15.01 (p = .002). There was no significant improvement in the simple function (p = .153) and assembly function (p = .770) of both hands. Conclusion It is considered that the agricultural experience program will enable youths living in self-reliance residence halls to enhance their understanding of agriculture as an occupation, and enable them to play a role as wise consumers by positively affecting improvements in their agricultural literacy and simple hand functions.
Cabo Verde giant gecko: how many units for conservation?
Authors: Delgado Katelene , Lopes Evandro P. , Vasconcelos Raquel
Published: July 2021

Tarentola gigas (Bocage, 1875) is the largest gecko living in the Cabo Verde Archipelago. It is subdivided into two subspecies, one confined to the Branco Islet, Tarentola gigas brancoensis (Schleich, 1984), and another to the Raso Islet, Tarentola gigas gigas (Bocage, 1875). These islets were classified as Integral Natural Reserves and further studies on the species are needed to outline more assertive conservation measures. Thus, this study aims to integrate for the first time genetic, morphometric and meristic data to test if there are significant differences between these two taxonomical groups that would support the subspecific designation. The results indicated that they are two closely related subspecies, with some visible differences in size and shape, possibly related to diet, habitat conditions or drift. Given the conservation status of the species, this should be further investigated, aiming an adequate management of these two evolutionarily significant units.
When the Beasts Lost Their Voice: Fables, Qiṣaṣ al-anbiyāʾ and Dramatic Irony in The Case of the Animals versus Man of the Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ
Authors: Sánchez Ignacio
Published: July 2021

The most famous piece of the collection of Rasāʾil written by the Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ is probably the animal fable included in Epistle 22, known in its English translation as “The Case of the Animals versus Man before the King of the Jinn.” The complexity and thematic richness of the work allows multiple readings and it has often been interpreted as a fable denouncing cruelty against animals. The abrupt ending of the work recognising the superiority of men, however, seems to contradict the ecological spirit that animates the debate. This article approaches this contradiction from a narratological point of view. Together with the genre of animal fables, especially the Kalīla wa-Dimna, the Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ rely heavily on the tradition of the qiṣaṣ al-anbiyāʾ to recreate a setting that would have evoked in the educated audiences both the descriptions of the pre-Adamite era, where animals were free and had the ability to speak, and the consequences of the creation of Adam and his preordained fall. The recognition of these parallelisms and other proleptic clues creates a gap between the expectations of the characters and those of the readers, which can be interpreted as dramatic irony.
Corydalis nanchuanensis (Papaveraceae), a new species from Chongqing, China
Authors: ZHANG BU-YUN , XIAO JIN-FEI , YI SI-RONG
Published: July 2021

Corydalis nanchuanensis (Papaveraceae), a new species from Nanchuan district in south-west Chongqing, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the new species is similar to C. sheareri, a species mainly distributed in south China and Vietnam, in having conical corolla spurs, divided lower bracts, rounded stigmas, larger elaiosomes (usually longer than seeds), and tubers, but differs by having tapering-to-base (vs. uniformly sized) stems; entire (vs. usually crenate) leaf lobes, straight (vs. declined) pedicels in fruit, concave (vs. subacute) apices of outer petals, white (vs. usually purple) abaxial side of inner petals, and reticulate (vs. tuberculate) seeds.
Illustrated type specimens catalogue of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Zoology Museum of the Faculty of Fisheries
Authors: KAYA CÜNEYT , BAYÇELEBİ ESRA , TURAN DAVUT
Published: July 2021

The first type specimens catalogue of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Zoology Museum of the Faculty of Fisheries, Rize (FFR) is presented. The catalog includes 3030 specimens from 249 lots, representing 55 holotypes and 2974 paratypes of 62 nominal species. Corrections and comments on the original descriptions are included in the remarks for each species if necessary. The current distribution range of all species is given. Photos of all holotypes and one paratype of each nominal species are presented to show the current condition of the types.
Two new species of Pseudophanias Raffray from Myanmar (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)
Authors: INOUE SHOTA , NOMURA SHÛHEI
Published: July 2021

Two new species of the genus Pseudophanias Raffray, P. spinicornis sp. nov. and P. tanintharyiensis sp. nov., are described as the first named species of the genus from Myanmar.
Grammatonotus bianchi, a new species of splendid perch (Percoidei: Callanthiidae) from Myanmar, northeastern Indian Ocean
Authors: LISHER MARK W. , THEIN HTUN , PSOMADAKIS PETER N.
Published: July 2021

A new splendid perch, Grammatonotus bianchi sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens (45.9–68.7 mm SL) collected at 184 m depth in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Myanmar during bottom surveys conducted by the R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen in 2018. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by its large head (37.7–38.6% SL), large orbit (14.4–15.3% SL), caudal-fin shape, and fresh coloration. A key to Indian Ocean species of Grammatonotus is provided.
WMO Evaluation of Two Extreme High Temperatures Occurring in February 2020 for the Antarctic Peninsula Region
Authors: Francelino Márcio Rocha , Schaefer Carlos , Skansi Maria de Los Milagros , Colwell Steve , Bromwich David H. , Jones Phil , King John C. , Lazzara Matthew A. , Renwick James , Solomon Susan , Brunet Manola , Cerveny Randall S.
Published: July 2021

Two reports of Antarctic region potential new record high temperature observations (18.3°C, 6 February 2020 at Esperanza station and 20.8°C, 9 February 2020 at a Brazilian automated permafrost monitoring station on Seymour Island) were evaluated by a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) panel of atmospheric scientists. The latter figure was reported as 20.75°C in the media. The panel considered the synoptic situation and instrumental setups. It determined that a large high pressure system over the area created föhn conditions and resulted in local warming for both situations. Examination of the data and metadata of the Esperanza station observation revealed no major concerns. However, analysis of data and metadata of the Seymour Island permafrost monitoring station indicated that an improvised radiation shield led to a demonstrable thermal bias error for the temperature sensor. Consequently, the WMO has accepted the 18.3°C value for 1200 LST 6 February 2020 (1500 UTC 6 February 2020) at the Argentine Esperanza station as the new “Antarctic region (continental, including mainland and surrounding islands) highest temperature recorded observation” but rejected the 20.8°C observation at the Brazilian automated Seymour Island permafrost monitoring station as biased. The committee strongly emphasizes the permafrost monitoring station was not badly designed for its purpose, but the project investigators were forced to improvise a nonoptimal radiation shield after losing the original covering. Second, with regard to media dissemination of this type of information, the committee urges increased caution in early announcements as many media outlets often tend to sensationalize and mischaracterize potential records.
The “U-Tube”: An improved aspirated temperature system for mobile meteorological observations, especially in severe weather
Authors: Waugh Sean M.
Published: July 2021

Obtaining quality air temperature measurements in complex mesoscale environments, such as thunderstorms or frontal zones, is problematic, and particularly challenging from a moving platform. For some time mobile weather platforms known as Mobile Mesonets (MMs) have used custom aspirated temperature shields. The original design was known as the “J-Tube”, which addresses some but not all of the unique problems associated with mobile temperature measurements. For VORTEX-2 2009, a second, well documented shield, the R.M. Young (RMY) 43408 was included but was also found to have certain shortcomings in some severe weather environments. Between the end of VORTEX2 2009 and the start of VORTEX2 2010, a third and new shield called the “U-tube” was designed, tested and installed.

Reported here are the results of efforts to better characterize the J-Tube, RMY 43408, and the U-Tube. Several tests designed to isolate key aspects of a radiation shield’s performance, such as performance in rain, high solar radiation, varying wind conditions, and general response time were completed. A period of intercomparison between the three shields during the 2010 season of VORTEX 2 is also used to highlight each shield being used in “real world” conditions. Results indicate that the U-Tube has several significant advantages over the J-tube and 43408 in terms of aspiration rate, sampling efficiency, performance during rain, variable winds, and high solar radiation periods, as well as response time. Given these results, the U-tube should be utilized for mobile observations going forward.
Legacies of Racial Violence: Clarifying and Addressing the Presence of the Past
Authors: Cunningham David , Lee Hedwig , Ward Geoff
Published: July 2021

Scholars increasingly agree that histories of racial violence relate to contemporary patterns of conflict and inequality, and growing interest exists among civic leaders in reckoning with these legacies today. This volume examines the contributions and limitations of scientific research on legacies of racial violence and suggests implications for policy, practice, and other forms of intervention aimed at redress.
Sexual Diversity: Peer and Family Rejection or Acceptance in Lesotho?
Authors: Hlalele Dipane , Matsumunyane Keneuoe
Published: July 2021

The emergence of “new” sexualities inflicted lots of confusions among Basotho. It is not surprising, therefore, that diverse attitudes towards these minority populations were also likely to emerge. Families and peers (or friends) also demonstrated diverse attitudes towards the minority population. This qualitative, evidence-based paper tapped into social constructivism to explore peer and family attitudes (rejection or acceptance) towards sexually diverse populations. Data for the study were collected from community dialogues of approximately 50 members. The study revealed peers and parental support as key to living positively as LGBTQI.
Accuracy and Stability in English Speakers’ Production of Japanese Pitch Accent
Authors: Muradás-Taylor Becky
Published: July 2021

Standard Japanese uses pitch accent to distinguish words such as initially-accented hashi “chopsticks” and finally-accented hashi “bridge.” Research on the second language acquisition of pitch accent shows considerable variation: in accuracy scores in identification, in different dominant accent types in production, and in the unstable accent types of repeated words. This study investigates pitch accent production in English-speaking learners of Japanese, asking how accuracy and stability vary (a) with amount of Japanese experience and (b) between learners. Two groups of learners (13 less experienced; 8 more experienced) produced 180 words in three contexts (e.g., ame “rain,” ame da “it’s rain,” and ame ga furu “rain falls”). Three Japanese phoneticians identified the accent types of the words that the learners produced. The results showed no difference in accuracy or stability between the two groups and little inter-learner variation in accuracy: all had low accuracy. Although some learners had relatively high stability, they did not maintain accent type contrasts across contexts. These results suggest that first language English speakers do not encode pitch accent in long-term memory, raising questions for future research and language teaching.
Cultural Differences in Advance Care Planning and Implications for Practice
Authors: Ha Jung-Hwa , Lee Changsook , Yoo Jennifer
Published: July 2021

This study examined cultural differences in advance care planning (ACP) and various strategies that social workers use to initiate conversations on ACP. We conducted qualitative interviews with 12 social workers in South Korea and the US and a thematic content analysis of the transcribed data. Our findings show that different cultural norms and generational viewpoints surrounding death and health-related decision-making influence how people prepare for end-of-life care (EOLC). Whereas principles of self-determination and autonomy guide ACP practices in the US, decisions regarding EOLC are more often made in consultation with family members in Korean and Korean-American communities. Nevertheless, social workers in both countries identified relationship-building, empowerment, and individualized approaches as common strategies in initiating discussions on ACP.
Contemporary friendships and social vulnerability among youth: Understanding the role of online and offline contexts of interaction in friendship quality
Authors: Scott Riley A. , Stuart Jaimee , Barber Bonnie L.
Published: July 2021

The prevalence of internet-connected devices in everyday life means that social interactions now frequently take place online. However, for socially vulnerable youth, it may be particularly important to examine distinctions between online and offline contexts of friendships. The current study sought to increase understanding of friendships in the digital era by exploring the associations of social anxiety and loneliness with frequency of interactions with friends, and in turn, friendship quality, as moderated by primary context of interaction with friends (online, offline, or equally online and offline). A sample of Australian young adults ( N = 658; 59.8% female; Mage = 19.41, SD = 2.04) who reported having friendships conducted across both online and offline contexts were included in the study. A serial mediation model tested the effects of social anxiety on perceptions of friendship quality, through loneliness and frequency of interacting with friends. The findings suggest that social vulnerabilities are negatively associated with friendship quality for young adults who primarily interact with friends offline or both online and offline. However, among those who primarily interact with friends online, social vulnerabilities are not significantly associated with friendship quality. These results provide insight into contemporary friendships and highlight how social vulnerabilities are associated with perceptions of friendship quality across online and offline settings.
Is Call Karma Real? Resident After-Hours On-Call Imaging at the University of Saskatchewan: An Assessment of Call Volumes Including Inter-Resident Variability
Authors: Huynh James , Horne David , Bryce Rhonda , Leswick David A
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

Quantify resident caseload during call and determine if there are consistent differences in call volumes for individuals or resident subgroups.

Methods:

Accession codes for after-hours computed tomography (CT) cases dictated by residents between July 1, 2012 and January 9, 2017 were reviewed. Case volumes by patient visits and body regions scanned were determined and categorized according to time period, year, and individual resident. Mean shift Relative Value Units (RVUs) were calculated by year. Descriptive statistics, linear mixed modeling, and linear regression determined mean values, differences between residents, associations between independent variables and outcomes, and changes over time. Consistent differences between residents were assessed as a measure of good or bad luck / karma on call.

Results:

During this time there were 23,032 patients and 30,766 anatomic regions scanned during 1,652 call shifts among 32 residents. Over the whole period, there were on average 10.6 patients and 14.3 body regions scanned on weekday shifts and 22.3 patients and 29.4 body regions scanned during weekend shifts. Annually, the mean number of patients, body regions, and RVUs scanned per shift increased by an average of 0.2 (1%), 0.4 (2%), and 1.2 (5%) (all p < 0.05) respectively in regression models. There was variability in call experiences, but only 1 resident had a disproportionate number of higher volume calls and fewer lower volume shifts than expected.

Conclusions:

Annual increases in scan volumes were modest. Although residents’ experiences varied, little of this was attributable to consistent personal differences, including luck or call karma.
“They Are Nothing More Than His Spies on the Floor”: Local Employees’ Sensemaking and Interpretation of Expatriates’ Roles and Responsibilities
Authors: Wyant Mizuki H. , Kramer Michael W.
Published: July 2021

This study examines how local employees gain information and make sense of new expatriates’ roles and responsibilities in multinational corporations by applying Weick’s sensemaking theory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of 17 local employees working for a Japan-based automotive manufacturing company in a Midwestern U.S. city. Results revealed that local employees extracted cues from their environment to make sense of expatriates’ roles and responsibilities by communicating directly with others, observing expatriates communicating with others, and applying knowledge from previous experiences with expatriates. In making sense of the information, local employees compared their expectations for expatriates with their experiences and interpreted expatriates’ roles and responsibilities negatively when there was a discrepancy between them. This study provides valuable insights into the sensemaking process of local employees as they adapt to expatriates as part of their ongoing socialization process.
Designing Social Media Fundraising Messages: An Experimental Approach to Understanding How Message Concreteness and Framing Influence Donation Intentions
Authors: Xiao Anli , Huang Yan , Bortree Denise S. , Waters Richard D.
Published: July 2021

This experiment examined the effects of fundraising message characteristics on donation intentions through a simulated social media campaign. A 2 (abstract vs. concrete message) × 2 (gain vs. loss framing) between-subjects experiment ( n = 213) revealed that a message with detailed fundraising outcomes elicited a greater intention to donate through heightened perceived message credibility, perceived transparency, cognitive elaboration, and empathy. Gain and loss framing, however, did not result in significant differences in donation intentions. Theoretically, this study uncovered the psychological mechanisms through which message concreteness increases donation intentions. Practically, results of this study provided implications for drafting effective fundraising messages that can be disseminated on social media.
Fault diagnosis of railway freight car wheelset based on deep belief network and cuckoo search algorithm
Authors: Li Honghui , Wang Hongkun , Xie Ziwen , He Mengqi
Published: July 2021

As the key running part of the railway freight transportation system, the wheel not only bears the load of the vehicle, but also ensures the running and steering of the car body on the rails. The frequent high-speed friction with the rail and brake is the main reason for early failure of wheelset tread. Therefore, real-time status monitoring and early fault diagnosis of wheel treads have become key technical issues that must be solved in the reform of the railway freight maintenance system. In this paper, an adaptive hybrid Simulated Annealing Cuckoo Search algorithm (SA-ACS) is proposed and applied to the Deep Belief Network (DBN). The SA-ACS-DBN algorithm is used to improve the training speed and convergence accuracy of the diagnosis model. Finally, it is found through the comparison experiment of wheel tread fault data that the data results prove the feasibility of the SA-ACS-DBN model in the application of wheelset fault diagnosis.