bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive role of serum rheumatoid factor in different disease pattern of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Zahran Enas , Youssof Ali , Shehata Wafaa , Bahgat Ahmed , Elshebiny Emad
Published: November 2021

Background

Psoriasis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with variable morphology, clinical pattern and multiple comorbidities. Interplay between genetic and environmental factors leading to an aberrant immune response in the skin may contribute to disease development. The assessment for risk factors, signs, and symptoms of potential comorbid diseases is an important component of patient management. The aim of this study is to determine rheumatoid factors (RF) positivity and its levels in psoriasis patients, and describe its relationship with the demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and disease patterns of psoriasis.

Results

Rheumatoid factor was positive in psoriatic patients more than control,30% of patients had positive rheumatoid factor while only 10% of control had positive results. Rheumatoid factor level was 63.8 ± 186.7 IU/ml in psoriasis vs. 9.3 ± 12.3 in control. Thirty percent of psoriasis patients have positive rheumatoid factor vs. 10% of control. There was no significant statistical difference between psoriasis patients with or without arthritis as regard rheumatoid factor positivity and titer; rheumatoid factor was positive in 20% in psoriatic patients with arthritis vs. 26% in psoriatic patients without arthritis. In psoriatic patients, the status of rheumatoid factor did not relate to disease severity, onset, course, site of affection, presence of scalp, nail affection, and presence of dactylitis (p value>0.5).

Conclusion

Psoriasis was associated with higher seropositivity of RF compared to age-matched non-psoriatic healthy controls. Occurrence and level of rheumatoid factor were not associated with severity or clinical pattern of psoriasis.
Evaluation of endoscopic assisted suction coagulation adenoidectomy versus traditional curettage technique
Authors: Ali Ayman Ali Abd Elfattah , Elsharnouby Mohammed Kamar , Khalil Yaser Abd Elwahab , Allah Rehab Nour Eldin Mohammad Gad , Khalifa Mohammed Abd Elhakeem
Published: November 2021

Background

Adenoidal hypertrophy is a common condition in children and can cause symptoms such as mouth breathing, nasal discharge, snoring, sleep apnea, and hyponasal speech. The curettage adenoidectomy has some disadvantages, especially the intranasal extension of the adenoid tissue that makes this technique inadequate. This study is conducted to evaluate and compare between assisted suction coagulation adenoidectomy and traditional curettage techniques.

Results

One hundred twenty-two patients with symptomatic adenoid hypertrophy such as nasal obstruction, snoring, and mouth breathing were included in our study. Patients underwent adenoidectomy either traditional curettage adenoidectomy (60 patients as group A) or endoscopic assisted suction coagulation adenoidectomy (62 patients as group B). Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits with respect to operative time, operative and postoperative complications. The mean age of groups A and B were 6.57+2.8 and 7+2.8 ranging from 3 to12 years. There was a statistically significant difference between groups as regard intraoperative blood loss, trauma, postoperative complications as neck stiffness and bad odor plus postoperative endoscopic and radiological grading after the operation.

Conclusions

Suction coagulation diathermy adenoidectomy is alternative to cold adenoidectomy with significantly fewer intraoperative complications such as blood loss and trauma of prevertebral muscle plus post-operative complications such as primary or secondary bleeding and rhinolalia aperta.
Gibberellin in tomato: metabolism, signaling and role in drought responses
Authors: Shohat Hagai , Eliaz Natanella Illouz , Weiss David
Published: November 2021

The growth-promoting hormone gibberellin (GA) regulates numerous developmental processes throughout the plant life cycle. It also affects plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. GA metabolism and signaling in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) have been studied in the last three decades and major components of the pathways were characterized. These include major biosynthesis and catabolism enzymes and signaling components, such as the three GA receptors GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF 1 (GID1) and DELLA protein PROCERA (PRO), the central response suppressor. The role of these components in tomato plant development and response to the environment have been investigated. Cultivated tomato, similar to many other crop plants, are susceptible to water deficiency. Numerous studies on tomato response to drought have been conducted, including the possible role of GA in tomato drought resistance. Most studies showed that reduced levels or activity of GA improves drought tolerance and drought avoidance. This review aims to provide an overview on GA biosynthesis and signaling in tomato, how drought affects these pathways and how changes in GA activity affect tomato plant response to water deficiency. It also presents the potential of using the GA pathway to generate drought-tolerant tomato plants with improved performance under both irrigation and water-limited conditions.
Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care expert consensus statement on the use of lung ultrasound in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (ITACO)
Authors: Vetrugno Luigi , Mojoli Francesco , Cortegiani Andrea , Bignami Elena Giovanna , Ippolito Mariachiara , Orso Daniele , Corradi Francesco , Cammarota Gianmaria , Mongodi Silvia , Boero Enrico , Iacovazzo Carmine , Vargas Maria , Poole Daniele , Biasucci Daniele Guerino , Persona Paolo , Bove Tiziana , Ball Lorenzo , Chiumello Davide , Forfori Francesco , de Robertis Edoardo , Pelosi Paolo , Navalesi Paolo , Giarratano Antonino , Petrini Flavia
Published: November 2021

Background

To produce statements based on the available evidence and an expert consensus (as members of the Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care, SIAARTI) on the use of lung ultrasound for the management of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit.

Methods

A modified Delphi method was applied by a panel of anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians expert in the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 intensive critically ill patients to reach a consensus on ten clinical questions concerning the role of lung ultrasound in the following: COVID-19 diagnosis and monitoring (with and without invasive mechanical ventilation), positive end expiratory pressure titration, the use of prone position, the early diagnosis of pneumothorax- or ventilator-associated pneumonia, the process of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation, and the need for radiologic chest imaging.

Results

A total of 20 statements were produced by the panel. Agreement was reached on 18 out of 20 statements (scoring 7–9; “appropriate”) in the first round of voting, while 2 statements required a second round for agreement to be reached. At the end of the two Delphi rounds, the median score for the 20 statements was 8.5 [IQR 8.9], and the agreement percentage was 100%.

Conclusion

The Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care produced 20 consensus statements on the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. This expert consensus strongly suggests integrating lung ultrasound findings in the clinical management of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Long-Term Outcomes With Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab or Nivolumab Alone Versus Ipilimumab in Patients With Advanced Melanoma
Authors: Wolchok Jedd D. , Chiarion-Sileni Vanna , Gonzalez Rene , Grob Jean-Jacques , Rutkowski Piotr , Lao Christopher D. , Cowey C. Lance , Schadendorf Dirk , Wagstaff John , Dummer Reinhard , Ferrucci Pier Francesco , Smylie Michael , Butler Marcus O. , Hill Andrew , Márquez-Rodas Ivan , Haanen John B. A. G. , Guidoboni Massimo , Maio Michele , Schöffski Patrick , Carlino Matteo S. , Lebbé Céleste , McArthur Grant , Ascierto Paolo A. , Daniels Gregory A. , Long Georgina V. , Bas Tuba , Ritchings Corey , Larkin James , Hodi F. Stephen
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE

In the phase III CheckMate 067 trial, durable clinical benefit was demonstrated previously with nivolumab plus ipilimumab and nivolumab alone versus ipilimumab. Here, we report 6.5-year efficacy and safety outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with previously untreated unresectable stage III or stage IV melanoma were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks (four doses) followed by nivolumab 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks (n = 314), nivolumab 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks (n = 316), or ipilimumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks (four doses; n = 315). Coprimary end points were progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) with nivolumab plus ipilimumab or nivolumab versus ipilimumab. Secondary end points included objective response rate, descriptive efficacy assessments of nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab alone, and safety. Melanoma-specific survival (MSS; descriptive analysis), which excludes deaths unrelated to melanoma, was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Median OS (minimum follow-up, 6.5 years) was 72.1, 36.9, and 19.9 months in the combination, nivolumab, and ipilimumab groups, respectively. Median MSS was not reached, 58.7, and 21.9 months, respectively; 6.5-year OS rates were 57%, 43%, and 25% in patients with BRAF-mutant tumors and 46%, 42%, and 22% in those with BRAF–wild-type tumors, respectively. In patients who discontinued treatment, the median treatment-free interval was 27.6, 2.3, and 1.9 months, respectively. Since the 5-year analysis, no new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSION

These 6.5-year CheckMate 067 results, which include the longest median OS in a phase III melanoma trial reported to date and the first report of MSS, showed durable, improved clinical outcomes with nivolumab plus ipilimumab or nivolumab versus ipilimumab in patients with advanced melanoma and, in descriptive analyses, with the combination over nivolumab monotherapy.
Generalized variational principles of the Benney-Lin equation arising in fluid dynamics
Authors: Wang Kang-Jia , Wang Jian-Fang
Published: November 2021

Variational principle is important since it can not only reveal the possible solution structures of the equation but also provide the conservation laws in an energy form. Unfortunately, not all the differential equations can find their variational forms. In this work, the Benney-Lin equation is studied and its two different generalized variational principles are successfully established by using the semi-inverse method. The derivation process is given in detail. The finding in this work is expected to give an insight into the study of the nonlinear partial differential equations arising in fluid dynamics.
Wigner's friends, tunnelling times and Feynman's “only mystery of quantum mechanics”
Authors: Sokolovski D. , Akhmatskaya E.
Published: November 2021

Recent developments in elementary quantum mechanics have seen a number of extraordinary claims regarding quantum behaviour, and even questioning internal consistency of the theory. These are, we argue, different disguises of what Feynman described as quantum theory's “only mystery”.
Research on characteristics of dual-frequency coupling electroaerodynamic thruster
Authors: Zhou Desheng , Tang Jingfeng , Liu Qiang , Zhou Liwei , Wei Liqiu , Yu Daren
Published: November 2021

Breaking through the corona discharge current limit and improving the ionization and acceleration process are beneficial to improve the performance of the electroaerodynamic thruster. In this paper, a dual-frequency source of DC and NSP (nanosecond pulse) are applied to generate ionic wind. Electrical, optical and thrust characteristics are compared for the electroaerodynamic thruster with and without the NSPD (nanosecond pulse discharge). The experimental results indicate that the thrust characteristics are enhanced under the effect of dual-frequency sources. Moreover, the inception DC voltage to generate ionic wind is much lower.
Infrastructures of Minoritization
Authors: Barak On
Published: November 2021

Figurations of body, community, and politics traversed India and the Ottoman world along the artificial coaling archipelago that connected both via legal islands of extraterritoriality and other technologies in the Red Sea. Examining this system and the ethnic groups that operated and subverted it reveals how minority formation and other forms of making community and autonomy were linked to processes of anatomization and a rearticulation of ideas about race, blood, and soil. This “infrastructural turn” meant that sociability, religion, identity, and political legitimacy in the inter- and intra-imperial domains were biologized and thus fastened to the material and technological systems these groups were part of. Parsis and their Muslim competitors naturalized this system and made it and themselves into parts of the landscape. Such ecologies of ethnicity and extrastatecraft flourished on the margins of large-scale infrastructures, underpinning the emergence of minorities and diasporas in the twentieth century.
On the Huihui Question
Authors: Glasserman Aaron
Published: November 2021

In Western discourse today the charge that Islam is “not just a religion” but a comprehensive social system is leveled to cast doubt over Muslims' ability to integrate into a political community. In the People's Republic of China, this understanding of Islam has served the opposite purpose. From the perspective of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), religion cannot be the basis for legitimate political identity. Islam, however, is not just a religion. Rather, as a “social system,” Islam constitutes a legitimate basis for national identity, and the Hui (Huihui), or Chinese Muslims, therefore constitute a minority nationality. This essay explores the origins of the CCP's understanding of Islam in the 1930s and 1940s, when the Party first formulated its policy vis-à-vis the Hui. Glasserman shows how this understanding of Islam as “not just a religion” suited the political, geopolitical, and ideological circumstances of the Yan'an period (1936–48). He also shows how this understanding was informed by contemporary Hui discourse and activism.
Thinking the Question of Religious Minorities in Colonial South Asia
Authors: Tareen SherAli
Published: November 2021

This conceptual essay pivots on the following problem: Tethered to a context of Muslim empire, how is the legacy of the premodern Islamic legal tradition engaged and negotiated in the modern colonial moment in South Asia, marked by the loss of Muslim political sovereignty and the emergence of South Asian Muslims as a minority community? It engages this question through the example of intra-Muslim debates and contestations on the boundaries of friendship between Muslims and non-Muslims in modern South Asia, with a focus on the thought of certain prominent traditionalist ‘ulama’.
From the Subcontinent with Love
Authors: Patel Trishula
Published: November 2021

“Africa weaves a magic spell around even a temporary visitor,” wrote the former Indian high commissioner to East and Central Africa, Apa Pant, in 1987, echoing the allure that the continent had over him and other fellow Indian diplomats. But the diplomatic roles of men like Pant and the history of Indian engagement with Rhodesia has not, until now, been explored. This article argues that the central role of India in the colonial world ensured that London reined in the white settler Rhodesian government from enacting discriminatory legislation against its minority Indian populations. After Indian independence in 1947, the postcolonial government shifted from advocating specifically for the rights of Indians overseas to ideological support for the independence of oppressed peoples across the British colonial world, a mission with which it tasked its diplomatic representatives. But after India left its post in Salisbury in 1965, Indian public rhetorical support for African nationalist movements in Rhodesia was not matched by its private support for British settlement plans that were largely opposed by the leading African political parties in the country, colored by private patronizing attitudes by India's representatives toward African nationalists and the assumption that they were not yet ready to govern themselves.
Highly Cushioned Shoes Improve Running Performance in Both the Absence and Presence of Muscle Damage
Authors: Black Matthew I. , Kranen Sascha H. , Kadach Stefan , Vanhatalo Anni , Winn Brad , Farina Emily M. , Kirby Brett S. , Jones Andrew M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

We tested the hypotheses that a highly cushioned running shoe (HCS) would 1) improve incremental exercise performance and reduce the oxygen cost (Oc) of submaximal running, and 2) attenuate the deterioration in Oc elicited by muscle damage consequent to a downhill run.

Methods

Thirty-two recreationally active participants completed an incremental treadmill test in an HCS and a control running shoe (CON) for the determination of Oc and maximal performance. Subsequently, participants were pair matched and randomly assigned to one of the two footwear conditions to perform a moderate-intensity running bout before and 48 h after a 30-min downhill run designed to elicit muscle damage.

Results

Incremental treadmill test performance was improved (+5.7%; +1:16 min:ss; P < 0.01) in the HCS when assessed in the nondamaged state, relative to CON. This coincided with a significantly lower Oc (−3.2%; −6 mL·kg−1·km−1; P < 0.001) at a range of running speeds and an increase in the speed corresponding to 3 mM blood lactate (+3.2%; +0.4 km·h−1; P < 0.05). As anticipated, the downhill run resulted in significant changes in biochemical, histological, and perceptual markers of muscle damage, and a significant increase in Oc (+5.2%; 10.1 mL·kg−1·km−1) was observed 48 h post. In the presence of muscle damage, Oc was significantly lower in HCS (−4.6%; −10 mL·kg−1·km−1) compared with CON.

Conclusions

These results indicate that HCS improved incremental exercise performance and Oc in the absence of muscle damage and show, for the first time, that despite worsening of Oc consequent to muscle damage, improved Oc in HCS is maintained.
Platelet count can predict the grade of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Afsar Anum , Nadeem Muhammad , Shah Syed Asim Ali , Hussain Huma , Rani Aysha , Ghaffar Sadaf
Published: November 2021

Background: Bleeding from esophageal varices is a life-threatening complication in cirrhosis. Screening endoscopy is recommended in cirrhotic patients to identify patients at risk of variceal hemorrhage, but this is an invasive procedure and has limitations. Therefore, thrombocytopenia has been proposed to predict the existence and grade of esophageal varices. The aim of the current study was to determine a correlation between platelet count and grades of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the POF Hospital, Wah Cantt from 1st October, 2017 to 30th May, 2018. Newly diagnosed cases of cirrhosis having varices of any grade on endoscopy were included. Endoscopic findings of patients were standardized using Paquet grading system. On the basis of platelet count, patients were divided into four subgroups. Platelet count groups were correlated with grading of esophageal varices using Spearman rank correlations. Chi Square test was used to see association between the platelet count and grade of esophageal varices.

Results: 110 patients were included in the study, 55.5% (n=61) were male. Mean age of the patients was 59.89±9.01 years. Platelet count was <50,000/uL in 35.5% patients, 50,000-99,000/uL in 26.4%, 100,000-150000 in 12.7%, and >150,000/uL in 25.5% patients. Grade I esophageal varices were found in 23.6% of patients, whereas grade II, III and IV were found in 24.5%, 33.6% and 18.2% of patients, respectively. Mean platelet count was 213884.62/mm3 in patients with grade I varices, whereas it was 119518.52/mm3, 58386.49/mm3 and 21600.00/mm3 in patients with grade II, III and IV varices, respectively (p=<0.0001). A significant negative correlation between platelet count and grades of esophageal varices was found (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Platelet count can predict the grade of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients. There is significant negative correlation between platelet count and grades of esophageal varices.
Acedia, loneliness, and the mandatory celibacy of Catholic parish clergy: a theological-sociological exploratory analysis
Authors: Ballano Vivencio
Published: November 2021

This article utilizes the analytical concept of acedia as the fundamental theoretical framework and applies a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed materials and documents on spiritual sloth, spiritual dryness, Catholic clerical celibacy, social bonding and communal spirituality. This article explores how the Catholic parish clergy’s mandatory celibacy intensifies loneliness and facilitates the spiritual sloth of parish clergy or what is theologically known as acedia. Unlike religious priests who live in religious communities, parish clerics fundamentally live, work, and pray alone in the parish, without strong communal support from fellow priests, bishops, and lay parishioners; thus, making them prone to loneliness, a main component of acedia. This article argues that mandatory celibacy further deprives parish clerics of the social and spiritual support necessary to enhance diocesan clerical spirituality and strengthen spiritual resistance against acedia. It recommends a structural adjustment in the social and spiritual life of parish priests, creating small communities of priests situated in similar territory or districts to allow them to live and work as a team with strong social and spiritual support in the spirit of “living baptismally” to overcome priestly acedia.
Case Report: Therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects of plasmapheresis in long-haul COVID
Authors: Kiprov Dobri D. , Herskowitz Ahvie , Kim Daehwan , Lieb Michael , Liu Chao , Watanabe Etsuko , Hoffman Jan C. , Rohe Regina , Conboy Michael J. , Conboy Irina M.
Published: November 2021

Many patients with COVID-19 experience a range of debilitating symptoms months after being infected, a syndrome termed long-haul COVID. A 68-year-old male presented with lung opacity, fatigue, physical and cognitive weaknesses, loss of smell and lymphocytopenia. After rounds of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), the patient returned to normal activities and work. Mechanistically in the patient’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), markers of inflammatory macrophages diminished and markers of lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic CD8 T-cells, increased. Circulating inflammatory proteins diminished, while positive regulators of tissue repair increased. This case study suggests that TPE has the capacity to treat long-haul COVID.
The genome sequence of the seven-spotted ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, 1758
Authors: Crowley Liam ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Coccinella septempunctata (the seven-spotted ladybird; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Coccinellidae). The genome sequence is 399 megabases in span. The majority (99.96%) of the assembly is scaffolded into 9 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled.
Methods and devices of environmental control. Environmental monitoring
Authors: Pustovaya Larisa , Meshi Besik
Published: November 2021

The textbook is designed to meet the need for a highly specialized set of professional knowledge necessary for the training of highly qualified personnel of environmental specialties.
The presented material allows us to get an idea of the organization and effective implementation of environmental monitoring, the organization of industrial environmental control and management, the analysis of characteristics and changes of objects of economic activity using the necessary methods and means of such research.
The basic principles of sampling and sample preparation, modern methods and means of environmental monitoring, the basics of metrological and laboratory-analytical support for environmental control are described. The training material is accompanied by up-to-date references to the current legislative framework of the Russian Federation.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation and the current bachelor's degree program in the areas of training "Technosphere Safety", "Biotechnical systems and Technologies".
It can be useful and interesting for students, undergraduates, postgraduates, as well as teachers specializing in environmental safety.
Philosophy (with case problems)
Authors: Mahamatov Timur
Published: November 2021

The textbook describes the history of philosophy, based on the generalization of the latest achievements of philosophical knowledge, the main sections of the theory of philosophy are covered in a new way, and the appendix contains cases that contribute to consolidating the knowledge gained on the history of philosophy and form independent and critical thinking among undergraduate students.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
It is recommended to undergraduate students of various fields of study and undergraduates, graduate students, teachers, as well as anyone interested in philosophical science.
Introduction to Territory Marketing
Authors: Aleshnikova Vera
Published: November 2021

The textbook allows you to form competencies in the field of specialized marketing activities - territory marketing. In the theoretical part of the manual, modern concepts, technologies, methods and strategic aspects of territory marketing are outlined; an idea is given about the specifics of the tools of marketing management of the territory, including digital marketing, cluster marketing, crowdsourcing, branding; individual aspects of interaction with consulting firms are considered. To consolidate theoretical knowledge and form practical skills in each chapter, the theoretical material is accompanied by self-control questions and practical tasks.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For students in the bachelor's degree 38.03.02 "Management", it can also be useful for students in the master's degree 38.04.02 "Management", students of business schools, advanced training programs, practitioners engaged in regional management and marketing.
Methods of research work in the youth environment
Authors: Evseev Vadim
Published: November 2021

The textbook examines the components of the research culture of the youth environment, the information environment of research and methods of system analysis of the youth environment. Research methods and calculations of economic efficiency from the introduction of new social technologies, types of researchers and their professional parameters are given. Special attention is paid to the technology of extracting knowledge from the object of research, as well as types of knowledge, problems and thinking. Examples of specific application of research methods are given. The disadvantages that hinder the development of research potential are considered. Aspects of the presentation of the research results are considered.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
It is intended for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as graduate students, teachers, and professional researchers. It can be useful for those who are engaged in research in the socio-political and social spheres, the field of personnel management, in particular, the study of the youth environment.
Management: Bachelor's final qualifying work
Authors: Reznik Semen , Baulin Aleksey , Dzhevickaya Ekaterina , Dvoeglazov Vladimir , Levina Sof'ya , Repina Ol'ga , Sazykina Ol'ga
Published: November 2021

The content and procedure of the final state exam, the system of preparation of the bachelor's final qualifying work, an approximate list of topics of bachelor's work on the profiles of activity, methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of the proposed management decisions are considered.
Special attention is paid to the documents for admission of graduates to the protection of the WRC and the procedure for their protection.
Materials Science: Workbook
Authors: Truevceva Marina , Krasnova Elena
Published: November 2021

The textbook is intended both for theoretical study of the discipline and for practical and laboratory work. Any part of the tasks can be offered to students for independent performance. The workbook serves as a means of knowledge control, as well as a basic summary, a source of information and reference material in preparation for control papers, exams.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation.
For students studying in the specialty 29.02.04 "Design, modeling and technology of sewing products".
What You Need to Know When Estimating Impact Functions with Panel Data for Demographic Research
Authors: Ludwig Volker , Brüderl Josef
Published: November 2021

The estimation of impact functions – that is the time-varying causal effect of a dichotomous treatment (e.g., marriage, divorce, parenthood) on outcomes (e.g., earnings, well-being, health) – has become a standard procedure in demographic applications. The basic methodology of estimating impact functions with panel data and fixed-effects regressions is now widely known. However, many researchers may not be fully aware of the methodological subtleties of the approach, which may lead to biased estimates of the impact function. In this paper, we highlight potential pitfalls and provide guidance on how to avoid these in practice. We demonstrate these issues with exemplary analyses, using data from the German Family Panel (pairfam) study and estimating the effect of motherhood on life satisfaction.

 

* This article belongs to a special issue on “Identification of causal mechanisms in demographic research: The contribution of panel data”.
Gender Role Attitudes and Parents’ Intention to Continue Childbearing in Turkey
Authors: Kavas Serap
Published: November 2021

It is increasingly acknowledged that gender (in-) equality is one of the most significant factors underlying change in fertility behavior. Researchers have extensively studied the link between gender (in-) equality and fertility decision-making in various settings. However, most of these studies have focused on industrialized countries in North America, Europe, and East Asia, while very few examine this relationship in a non-western, developing country context. Employing individual-level survey data, this paper examines the relationship between parents’ gender role attitudes and their fertility intentions for an additional child in urban Turkey, surveyed in 2014. The findings of this study show that parents’ attitudes toward gender roles were not an important predictor of fertility decision-making in Turkey. This study suggests that the lack of significant findings supporting the expected association may be related to the measurement of gender role attitudes, suggesting a need to construct a measure that addresses culture-specific aspects of gender roles. This study contributes to the literature by providing a new data point, Turkey, and bringing a comparative perspective to the existing research.
The Distortion in Prices Due to Passive Investing
Authors: Baruch Shmuel , Zhang Xiaodi
Published: November 2021

In the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), it is ex post optimal to index. To examine the implications of market indexing, we develop a conditional CAPM with costless private information in which some investors are, for exogenous reasons, ex ante indexers. We show that, as more nonindexers become indexers, the price efficiency of stocks diminishes, asset prices comove, and the statistical fit (measured by R2) of the CAPM regression decreases. We also report asset prices at the limit, when 100% of the investors are market indexers.

This paper was accepted by Tyler Shumway, finance.
Quantile Inverse Optimization: Improving Stability in Inverse Linear Programming
Authors: Shahmoradi Zahed , Lee Taewoo
Published: November 2021

Although inverse linear programming (LP) has received increasing attention as a technique to identify an LP that can reproduce observed decisions that are originally from a complex system, the performance of the linear objective function inferred by existing inverse LP methods is often highly sensitive to noise, errors, and uncertainty in the underlying decision data. Inspired by robust regression techniques that mitigate the impact of noisy data on the model fitting, in “Quantile Inverse Optimization: Improving Stability in Inverse Linear Programming,” Shahmoradi and Lee propose a notion of stability in inverse LP and develop an inverse optimization model that identities objective functions that are stable against data imperfection. Although such a stability consideration renders the inverse model a large-scale mixed-integer program, the authors analyze the connection between the model and well-known biclique problems and propose an efficient exact algorithm as well as heuristics.
Front Matter: Volume 2
Authors: Hájek Petr , Vít Ondřej
Published: November 2021

This PDF file contains the front matter of the Proceedings of CBU in Proceedings of CBU in Medicine and Pharmacy Volume 2 including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.
Development and Validation of Teachers’ Assessment Belief of Mathematical Thinking Instrument
Authors: Alhunaini Saoud , Osman Kamisah , Abdurab Naser
Published: November 2021

This study was conducted to corroborate in understanding the teachers’ beliefs about assessment practices. The prior studies related to teachers’ assessment beliefs in mathematics have been done to assess teachers’ beliefs in the general context of mathematics teaching. This study developed an instrument to assess teachers’ assessment beliefs of mathematical thinking. The research aimed to develop and validate a scale of assessment beliefs of mathematical thinking by using the confirmatory factor analysis. The first draft of the scale contained 25 items. The sample of the study consisted of 537 mathematics teachers from public schools in Oman. The instrument was a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. The scale was validated by asking a number of experts in mathematics educational measurement and evaluation. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was applied to test the model of assessment beliefs of mathematical thinking scale using AMOS 25.0. All constructs had acceptable reliability. The model had a good model fit for the assessment beliefs of mathematical thinking scale which obtainable from the fit indices tests. The findings revealed that all fit criteria indices were realized. The results also showed acceptable validity and construct reliability for the scale.
The Pattern of Hybrid Learning to Maintain Learning Effectiveness at the Higher Education Level Post-COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sukiman Sukiman , Haningsih Sri , Rohmi Puspo
Published: November 2021

Online learning during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has awakened and affirmed the necessity of learning based on digital technology. The article was aimed to analyze the effectiveness of online learning at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees of Islamic Religious Education as a reference to develop a learning pattern post-COVID-19 pandemic. The research employed a mixed-method design with a concurrent triangulation model. The samples were taken using stratified random and purposive sampling. Meanwhile, the data were collected through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and forum group discussion. A descriptive analysis and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the quantitative data, while interpretative descriptive for the qualitative data. The research showed that online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees of Islamic Religious Education have been effective. In detail, online learning at the doctoral degree was the most effective among all. On the other hand, face-to-face learning is still necessary. Therefore, the learning pattern developed post-COVID-19 pandemic combines face-to-face and online learning (hybrid learning). The formulation is adjusted to the characteristics, educational purpose and orientation, level of ability, readiness, and learning autonomy of the students at each educational level.
To Rule Eurasia's Waves
Authors: Gresh Geoffrey F.
Published: November 2021

This book to weaves Eurasia together through the perspective of the oceans and seas. Eurasia's emerging powers — India, China, and Russia — have increasingly embraced their maritime geographies as they have expanded and strengthened their economies, military capabilities, and global influence. Maritime Eurasia, a region that facilitates international commerce and contains some of the world's most strategic maritime chokepoints, has already caused a shift in the global political economy and challenged the dominance of the Atlantic world and the United States. Climate change is set to further affect global politics. The book considers how the melting of the Arctic ice cap will create new shipping lanes and exacerbate a contest for the control of Arctic natural resources. It also explores the strategic maritime shifts under way from Europe to the Indian Ocean and Pacific Asia. The race for great power status and the earth's changing landscape, the book shows, are rapidly transforming Eurasia and thus creating a new world order.
Adaptive Dragonfly Optimization Based Placement of Capacitor Banks for Voltage Stability Enhancement in Distribution Networks
Authors: Babu B. Suresh
Published: November 2021

The present day ever escalating power demand moves the operating point ofthe distribution networks in the vicinity of the voltage stability boundaries.Any small reactive power unbalance between the generation and demandmay trigger voltage instability, which makes the voltage magnitude to fallslowly until a rapid change occurs. This paper presents an adaptive dragonflyoptimization based method for placement of shunt capacitor banks witha view of improving the voltage stability besides enhancing the voltageprofile and lowering the network losses. Simulation results on 33 and 69-node distribution networks exhibit the greater performances of the suggestedalgorithm.
Setting Up Optimal Meteorological Networks: An Example From Italy
Authors: Aromolo Rita , Moretti Valerio , Sorgi Tiziano
Published: November 2021

A permanent assessment of climate regime in forest sites has a key role in forest resource conservation and preservation of ecosystem services, biodiversity and landscape multi-functionality, informing sustainable forest management. In this view, time-series of meteorological data relative to several monitoring sites from the ICP-Forest network in Italy, were analyzed with the aim to define the number of site-specific observations, which can be considered adequate for further analysis on forest resource management. The relative importance of each factor accounted in our analysis (season, year, variable, plot, sampling proportion) was investigated comparing results through the use of descriptive statistics.
Conservation conditions of chainsaws and electric chainsaws and safety of the farmers who operate these machines
Authors: Benetti Bruno Bortoluzzi , Brandelero Catize , Werner Valmir , Ottonelli Jaqueline , Silva Rodrigo Pinto da , Fortes Fabiano de Oliveira
Published: November 2021

The increasing use of chainsaws in rural areas has demanded the health of rural producers who operate these machines. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the conservation conditions of chainsaws with a 2-stroke Otto Cycle engine and check if they meet NR12 Annex V, as well as confirm whether users meet NR31 in terms of training for use. With the aid of a questionnaire and visits to farms, 103 chainsaws were verified in six municipalities in the central region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. After organizing the data in an electronic spreadsheet, descriptive statistics and canonical correlation were performed. The questions were divided into four groups, namely: operational, mandatory machine safety equipment, cutting set, and engine. The conservation condition of the machines was seen as worrisome. This is because it was found that 66.01% of machines did not have a saber guard and 49.51% of these were worn out. In addition, 97.08% of the producers did not take a chainsaw operation course, and 85.44% reported not using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), therefore, in disagreement with the NR6, NR12 Annex V, and NR31 standards. It was clear the need for the operators to carry out training on the safe use and handling of chainsaws.
Pescanova S. A. (1960-1973): entre la iniciativa privada y el empuje del Estado
Authors: Giráldez Rivero Jesús , Espido Bello Miaría del Carmen
Published: November 2021

El presente trabajo analiza los primeros años de Pescanova S. A., empresa pionera en la producción y la comercialización de pescado congelado en España. Sus estrategias empresariales y el decidido apoyo del Estado al sector pesquero le permitieron hacerse con una posición dominante en el mercado español, por lo que no tardó en convertirse en la primera empresa pesquera española y europea. El artículo se plantea desde la perspectiva de las estrategias empresariales adoptadas. En primer lugar, se aborda la constitución de Pescanova y su integración vertical. A continuación, se atiende a la multinacionalización de la empresa en los países africanos. En tercer lugar, se observa su diversificación productiva y su recurso al marketing. Finalmente, se recogen las principales conclusiones del estudio.
Training Healthcare Professionals to Work With People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Smith Sydnie E. , McCann Hannah P. , Urbano Richard C. , Dykens Elisabeth M. , Hodapp Robert M.
Published: November 2021

This study assessed 155 healthcare providers, from nine disciplines, who work professionally with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Using a national, web-based survey, respondents rated their experience, comfort, and competence in treating individuals with different disability types and preferred methods of continuing education; respondents also provided suggestions for attracting others to work with the IDD population. Findings revealed that experiences, comfort, and competence were all higher concerning persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), lower for those with deaf-blindness. Overall, levels of experience exceeded levels of comfort, which in turn exceeded levels of competence. The most helpful venues for continued training involved day-to-day contact with persons with IDD, which also characterized open-ended responses. Research and practical implications are discussed.
Where Are Students With Autism and Intellectual Disability Learning? Placement Trends in California
Authors: Cosier Meghan , Gomez Audri Sandoval , Ricks-Oddie Joni , McKee Aja , Doty Megan C. , Bonham Erin , Cardinal Donald N.
Published: November 2021

The variability in placement of students with autism and intellectual disability and lack of access to general education for these students suggests the need to identify factors associated with placement and then address the role of current policy. This article presents the results of a 5-year trend analysis of placement of students with autism and intellectual disability in California and the relationship between these trends in placement and district factors. Results suggest trends in increased access to general education environments for both groups of students and relationships between the probability of placement in general education settings and the percentage of students in the district who receive free or reduced-price meals. Implications for district and state leaders are discussed.
Compensated differential Zernike fitting method for wavefront aberration metrology based on grating lateral shearing
Authors: Li Peng , Tang Feng , Wang Xiangzhao
Published: November 2021

Lateral shearing based on the grating is one of the classical configurations when measuring the wavefront aberration of optical systems such as the lithographic projection lens. Because the wavefront under test is spherical, but a detector surface is a plane, the coordinate of the wavefront surface will be distorted on the detector surface. As the numerical aperture (NA) of the optics under test increases, the shear ratios at different positions within the shearing region are significantly different due to the coordinate distortion. Therefore, the reconstructed wavefront from the traditional lateral-shearing reconstruction method designed for a fixed shearing ratio will contain a non-negligible error. In this work, we use the ray-tracing method to calculate the shearing ratio distribution in the shearing region and propose a compensated differential Zernike fitting method to solve the coordinate distortion and shearing ratio variation problem. The relative error of the uncompensated result will increase as the NA increases. This error is around 1% for a 0.1 NA, 10% for a 0.3 NA, and over 100% for an NA above 0.7. Compensation for the shearing ratio variation is necessary when the NA is larger than 0.3. The proposed method has been validated by simulations and experiments.
Demonstration of a 2 × 2 MIMO-UWOC system with large spot against air bubbles
Authors: Chen Xiao , Dai Yizhan , Tong Zhijian , Yang Xingqi , Li Xin , Song Guangbin , Zou Haiwu , Jia Bowen , Qin Sitong , Zhang Zejun , Zhao Jian , Xu Jing
Published: November 2021

In order to reduce turbulence-induced scintillation and deal with alignment problems, a

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multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) system is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. With help of the large divergence angle of light beams and large field of view (FOV) of the detectors, the effect of high-density air bubbles is greatly eliminated. Simulation and experimental results confirm that, in most intensity-modulation/direct-detection (IM/DD) MIMO-UWOC systems, the repetition coding (RC) scheme performs better than the space–time block coding (STBC) scheme. In a 50 m swimming pool, the maximum horizontal offset can reach 97.9 cm, which is 421% and 192% higher than that of STBC multiple-input single-output (MISO) and RC-MISO/STBC-MIMO schemes, respectively. With a data rate of 233 Mbps and a transmission distance of 50 m, the large detection range can meet a variety of underwater wireless communication requirements. The experiment indicates that, when the difference in the transmission distance between the two optical signals is higher than 1 m, the bit error rate (BER) of the RC scheme increases sharply, while the BER of the STBC scheme is stable. The MIMO coding scheme needs to be selected according to the actual application environment.