bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image translation with dual‐directional generative adversarial networks
Authors: Ruan Congcong , Yuan Liuchun , Hu Haifeng , Chen Dihu
Published: February 2021

Image‐to‐image translation is a class of vision and graphics problems where the goal is to learn the mapping between input images and output images. However, due to the unstable training and limited training samples, many existing GAN‐based works have difficulty in producing photo‐realistic images. Herein, dual‐directional generative adversarial networks are proposed, which consist of four adversarial networks, to produce images of high perceptual quality. In this framework, self‐reconstruction strategy is used to construct auxiliary sub‐networks, which impose more effective constraints on encoder‐generator pairs. Using this idea, this model can increase the use ratio of paired data conditioned on the same dataset and obtain well‐trained encoder‐generator pairs with the help of the proposed cross‐network skip connections. Moreover, the proposed framework not only produces realistic images but also addresses the problem where condition GAN produces sharp images containing many small, hallucinated objects. Training on multiple supervised datasets, convincing evidences are shown to prove that this model can achieve compelling results by latently learning a common feature representation. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons against other methods, demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the method.
Categorisation of power quality problems using long short‐term memory networks
Authors: Abdelsalam Abdelazeem A. , Hassanin Ahmed M. , Hasanien Hany M.
Published: February 2021

Recognition of power quality (PQ) troubles is a critical task in the electrical power system. All previous works solve this problem using two‐step methodology: Feature extraction and classification steps with each step using its own techniques, and this consumes a computation time. The purpose of this study is to utilise a novel artificial intelligence (AI) technique for recognition of PQ events. The proposed AI technique is the long short‐term memory (LSTM) network, which detects and classifies the PQ events in one step. This technique extracts amplitude, disturbance duration and total harmonic distortion from the captured waveform, and the LSTM uses its own rules to classify the PQ events. Many simple PQ events such as interruption, sag, flicker, swell and surge or complex PQ events such as sag plus harmonics and swell plus harmonics are generated using MATLAB programming environment to evaluate the performance of LSTM. Also, real‐time measurements are collected from an industrial substation and are used to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed LSTM technique. A comparison with other techniques is conducted and the results verify the good performance of LSTM in classifying the PQ problems.
Optimal power rescheduling in interconnected AC/DC networks to maintain the voltage stability
Authors: Dalali Milad , Karegar Hossein Kazemi , Zeineldin Hatem H.
Published: February 2021

The main remedial actions to prevent voltage instability problems are load shedding and rescheduling of generating units. In AC/DC networks, the presence of high voltage direct current (HVDC) links equipped with voltage source converter (VSC) provides an efficient active and reactive power support. As the voltage stability is a local phenomenon, the rescheduling of an HVDC link could change the arrangement of critical buses and the stability margin of the entire power system as a remedial action. Considering this problem, a new optimization algorithm is proposed to provide the desired voltage stability margin in interconnected AC/DC networks taking into account the post contingency conditions and minimizing the cost of remedial actions. The regulation of the converter operating point is presented as a novel remedial action. The well‐known loading margin (LM) index is used as the voltage stability criterion and different VSC‐HVDC structures, i.e. single‐infeed, multi‐infeed and multi‐terminal HVDC systems are considered. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using an AC/DC system comprising the IEEE 118‐bus and New England 39‐bus test systems. The results show that the proposed algorithm could provide the desired value of LM with the minimum value of load shedding and the control cost.
An optimal transmission line power control under non‐sinusoidal conditions using static synchronous series compensator
Authors: Nema Shruti , George Sincy
Published: February 2021

In view of the growing load demand in developing countries, overloading in existing transmission lines is a major concern. In addition to the voltage drop due to overloading, the proliferation of non‐linear loads in recent years distort the shape of sinusoidal voltage. Stable transmission of power through a transmission line under such condition is a challenge. In the presence of harmonics, control of transmittable power using static synchronous series compensator needs additional efforts, where increased power demand can be fulfilled by taking into consideration various other parameters. If an attempt is made to increase transmittable power through a transmission line using SSSC, power loss, the magnitude of voltage and its shape deteriorate in the presence of non‐linear loads. Thus, the trade‐off between transmittable power, transmission loss and voltage quality is tackled by optimal control of the compensator. In this study, a novel optimal control of SSSC is proposed with the objective of minimising transmission loss by maintaining the voltage within the limits while enhancing the transmittable power under non‐sinusoidal conditions. A two‐machine model of power system with 400 kV transmission line with parameters as per standards issued by the Central Electricity Authority is considered for validation of the algorithm using MATLAB platform and results are presented.
Bidding strategy of thermal power compound differential evolution game under the market mechanism of peak regulation auxiliary service
Authors: Dong Fugui , Li Wanying , Ji Zhengsen , Fatema Shafaq
Published: February 2021

As the main provider of peak regulation auxiliary services, thermal power units are particularly important to ensure their revenue in an uncertain environment. To obtain the optimal bidding strategy for thermal power units, a thermal power peak regulation bidding model based on the Northeast Power Grid's auxiliary service market bidding mechanism is established. Secondly, the evolutionary game theory is introduced into the bidding strategy of thermal power units. Meanwhile, in order to solve the multi‐party game problem, a compound differential evolution game algorithm is constructed to solve the two‐tiers bidding. Finally, based on the actual operating data of a typical day, the efficiency of the compound differential evolution game algorithm bidding strategy is verified, and the bidding strategy of thermal power units in different situations is discussed. The results show that when all units participate in peak regulation, the first‐tier quotation is an optimal strategy at 0.19 yuan kWh−1 and below, and the second‐tier quotation is distributed between 0.6–0.8 yuan kWh−1. When only some units are involved in peak regulation, the first‐tier quotation of thermal power units adopts a high price strategy, mostly at 0.3 yuan kWh−1, and the second‐tier quotation is still based on a high price strategy.
Effectiveness of incentives offered by mobile phone app to encourage cycling: A long‐term study
Authors: Huang Bingyuan , Thomas Tom , Groenewolt Benjamin , Claasen Yorick , van Berkum Eric
Published: February 2021

Reduction of car use is one of the most effective ways to tackle congestion‐related problems. Using positive incentives to stimulate bicycle use is one possibility to reduce car use. Cycling is a sustainable transport mode that uses little space and is healthy. There is evidence that positive incentives may be more effective than punishing travellers for undesirable behaviour, and the emergence of mobile applications for delivering interventions has opened up new opportunities for influencing travellers. So far, few studies have focused on exploring the effectiveness of positive incentives on long‐term behavioural change. We used the SMART app to deliver positive incentives to more than 6000 travellers in the Dutch region of Twente. The app automatically tracks users and provides incentives such as challenges with rewards, feedback, and messages. This study covers the period from March 2017 to June 2018, in which more than 1000 SMART users participated in monthly challenges. We evaluated the effects of the challenges and rewards and found that the challenges did encourage cycling and reduced car use in the short term. There is also some evidence for behavioural change over a longer time period.
An alternative reliability method to evaluate the regional traffic congestion from GPS data obtained from floating cars
Authors: Yuan Wubei , Wang Ping , Yang Jingwen , Meng Yun
Published: February 2021

Fast and reliable evaluation of regional traffic congestion is beneficial to more effective traffic control. Based on data accumulation in modern society, more and more data‐driven methods are proposed. However, it is still not easy to process the raw data to an interpretable level in practical applications. In this article, the GPS data are obtained from floating cars covering a large scale region in Xi'an, China. To link the original data to the spatiotemporal relationship of driving behaviour, a pre‐processing method with specified time–frequency rules is proposed. Through map matching and landmark mapping, it can be seen that the data dispersion degree has decreased and the quality of the original data has been improved. At the same time, deep learning methods and non‐parametric survival analysis methods are used to compare and evaluate traffic congestion. In addition, four different distributions (Exponential, Weibull, Log‐normal, and Log‐logistic) are tested to fit the accelerated failure time model (AFT), which is then compared with the Cox proportional hazards model (Cox). It is concluded that the most suitable parameter model for the test section of Xi'an South Second Ring Road is AFT (Lognormal). All those methods are tested on a randomly selected segment on the ring road in Xi'an. The results suggest dramatic improvement of data quality and successful evaluation of traffic conditions with high reliability. Potential application could be effective methods for traffic control and management in the smart city.
Ageing of DC conduction in thermally aged oil‐impregnated pressboard
Authors: Haque Nasirul , Dalai Sovan , Chatterjee Biswendu , Chakravorti Sivaji
Published: February 2021

Ageing of the conduction process in a dielectric allows a better understanding of the phenomena. Available literature shows that the DC conductivity of oil impregnated pressboard increases with applied electric stress, particularly above 40 °C. However, the reason for this conductivity behaviour is not well understood. This paper attempts to understand the conduction mechanism of oil‐pressboard insulation and the effect of thermal ageing on it. For this purpose, DC conductivity measurements have been performed on oil impregnated pressboard specimens with varied ageing status at the electric field range 1 kV mm−1–15 kV mm−1 at 40 °C temperature. After a critical analysis, a new electric field dependent non‐linear conduction model was developed based on charge injection and thermally assisted “hopping” of charge carriers from one site to another site to explain charge transport in oil‐pressboard. The developed model fitted well with the measured experimental values of conductivity. It was also observed that certain model parameters, that is charge carrier density, charge mobility and potential barrier for charge hopping are dependent on the ageing status of the insulation that clearly affects the conduction process.
Framework for efficient dynamic analysis applied to a tubular generator for suspension applications
Authors: Kleijer Matthijs , Friedrich Léo A. J. , Gysen Bart L. J. , Lomonova Elena A.
Published: February 2021

This paper considers a slotless three‐phase tubular permanent magnet generator located in an automotive suspension system for the application of vibration energy harvesting. A two‐dimensional finite element method model of the harvester is produced and an experimental setup that contains the generator is constructed. Signal decomposition methods are applied to measured suspension displacement data and the resulting signal components are used as input for the model. Two approaches for signal decomposition are discussed, namely, the discrete Fourier transform and the continuous wavelet transform. The individual emf responses of the model are reconstructed to a single output, while a sideband prediction algorithm accounts for the non‐linearities in the system. The simulation results are compared with the reference measurements conducted on the setup to determine the accuracy of each of the signal decomposition methods.
Studies on prospect of HTV silicone rubber as dielectric material when reinforced with TiO2 nano particles
Authors: Pal Argha Kamal , Baral Arijit , Lahiri Abhijit
Published: February 2021

The present work aims to improve both the thermal and dielectric properties at power frequency of millable high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (HTV SR) so that it can be used as housing material for transformer bushings or as a substitute to ceramic and glass insulators. For this purpose, nano sized titanium dioxide (TiO) particles have been incorporated into HTV SR. Samples of HTV SR, filled with different percentages by weight of nano TiO fillers have been synthesized along with one HTV SR sample without filler loading referred here as blank HTV SR sample in the subsequent sections. Morphological characterizations of these nano filler impregnated samples are carried out. Thermal, electrical and mechanical characterizations are performed and the results are compared with those obtained for blank HTV SR samples. Results showed that at lower filler concentrations, dielectric properties and thermal stability of HTV SR/TiO nanocomposites have improved to a considerable extent while retaining the mechanical properties.
Flexible capacitor characterisation using algebraic parameter identification approach
Authors: Martínez‐Lopez Andrea G. , Portillo‐Vélez Rogelio de J. , Rueda Diego Amador , Garcia Rodolfo , Tinoco Julio C.
Published: February 2021

Flexible capacitive sensor devices have gained attention because of their versatility and adaptability to several requirements. However, the proper implementation of those devices into flexible electronic systems imply some challenges related to the readout strategies necessary to adequately determine capacitance values. Usually, electronic circuits are used to develop signal conditioning and processing tasks, as well as estimation of parameters. In this study, a free‐of‐signal conditioning strategy for capacitance measurement based on an algebraic parameter identification approach is presented. Furthermore, flexible capacitors over polyethylene terephthalate substrates and polydimethylsiloxane as dielectric material are fabricated with the aim to validate the behaviour of the capacitance measurement method. Experimental results are compared with standard recursive least square technique as well as standard capacitance metre. Overall results demonstrate the good performance of the proposed approach.
On optimal anchor placement for area‐based localisation in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Cheriet Abdelhakim , Bachir Abdelmalik , Lasla Noureddine , Abdallah Mohamed
Published: February 2021

We consider the problem of optimal anchor placement for area‐based localisation algorithms with the goal of providing cost‐effective, simple, and robust positioning in wireless sensor networks. Due to the high complexity of the problem, we propose two placement algorithms based on heuristics. The first, called genetic algorithm anchors placement (GAAP), is based on genetic algorithms meta‐heuristic, and the second, called local search anchors placement (LSAP), is based on an intuitive heuristic inspired from search techniques used in quad‐trees. For the evaluation of these algorithms, we built a simulation framework, which we made publicly available for the community, and compared their performance against a Brute force (BF) algorithm, and against RND, a random walk‐inspired algorithm. Obtained results show that GAAP provides anchor placements that lead to a very high accuracy while keeping execution time drastically smaller compared to LSAP, BF, and RND.
Probing the innermost regions of AGN jets and their magnetic fields with RadioAstron
Authors: Pötzl F. M. , Lobanov A. P. , Ros E. , Gómez J. L. , Bruni G. , Bach U. , Fuentes A. , Gurvits L. I. , Jauncey D. L. , Kovalev Y. Y. , Kravchenko E. V. , Lisakov M. M. , Savolainen T. , Sokolovsky K. V. , Zensus J. A.
Published: February 2021

Context. Supermassive black holes in the centres of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) can produce collimated relativistic outflows (jets). Magnetic fields are thought to play a key role in the formation and collimation of these jets, but the details are much debated.

Aims. We study the innermost jet morphology and magnetic field strength in the AGN 3C 345 with an unprecedented resolution using images obtained within the framework of the key science programme on AGN polarisation of the Space VLBI mission RadioAstron.

Methods. We observed the flat spectrum radio quasar 3C 345 at 1.6 GHz on 2016 March 30 with RadioAstron and 18 ground-based radio telescopes in full polarisation mode.

Results. Our images, in both total intensity and linear polarisation, reveal a complex jet structure at 300 μas angular resolution, corresponding to a projected linear scale of about 2 pc or a few thousand gravitational radii. We identify the synchrotron self-absorbed core at the jet base and find the brightest feature in the jet 1.5 mas downstream of the core. Several polarised components appear in the Space VLBI images that cannot be seen from ground array-only images. Except for the core, the electric vector position angles follow the local jet direction, suggesting a magnetic field perpendicular to the jet. This indicates the presence of plane perpendicular shocks in these regions. Additionally, we infer a minimum brightness temperature at the largest (u, v)-distances of 1.1 × 1012 K in the source frame, which is above the inverse Compton limit and an order of magnitude larger than the equipartition value. This indicates locally efficient injection or re-acceleration of particles in the jet to counter the inverse Compton cooling or the geometry of the jet creates significant changes in the Doppler factor, which has to be > 11 to explain the high brightness temperatures.
High-accuracy estimation of magnetic field strength in the interstellar medium from dust polarization
Authors: Skalidis Raphael , Tassis Konstantinos
Published: February 2021

Context. A large-scale magnetic field permeates our Galaxy and is involved in a variety of astrophysical processes, such as star formation and cosmic ray propagation. Dust polarization has been proven to be one of the most powerful observables for studying the field properties in the interstellar medium (ISM). However, it does not provide a direct measurement of its strength. Different methods have been developed that employ both polarization and spectroscopic data in order to infer the field strength. The most widely applied method was developed by Davis (1951, Phys. Rev., 81, 890) and Chandrasekhar & Fermi (1953, ApJ, 118, 1137), hereafter DCF. The DCF method relies on the assumption that isotropic turbulent motions initiate the propagation of Alfvén waves. Observations, however, indicate that turbulence in the ISM is anisotropic and that non-Alfvénic (compressible) modes may be important.

Aims. Our goal is to develop a new method for estimating the field strength in the ISM that includes the compressible modes and does not contradict the anisotropic properties of turbulence.

Methods. We adopt the following assumptions: (1) gas is perfectly attached to the field lines; (2) field line perturbations propagate in the form of small-amplitude magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves; and (3) turbulent kinetic energy is equal to the fluctuating magnetic energy. We use simple energetics arguments that take the compressible modes into account to estimate the strength of the magnetic field.

Results. We derive the following equation: B0 = √2πρδv/√δθ, where ρ is the gas density, δv is the rms velocity as derived from the spread of emission lines, and δθ is the dispersion of polarization angles. We produce synthetic observations from 3D MHD simulations, and we assess the accuracy of our method by comparing the true field strength with the estimates derived from our equation. We find a mean relative deviation of 17%. The accuracy of our method does not depend on the turbulence properties of the simulated model. In contrast, the DCF method, even when combined with the Hildebrand et al. (2009, ApJ, 696, 567) and Houde et al. (2009, ApJ, 706, 1504) method, systematically overestimates the field strength.

Conclusions. Compressible modes can significantly affect the accuracy of methods that are based solely on Alfvénic modes. The formula that we propose includes compressible modes; however, it is applicable only in regions with no self-gravity. Density inhomogeneities may bias our estimates to lower values.
Retraction Note: Land subsidence in Beijing from 2017-2018 revealed by Sentinel-1A TOPS time series interferometry
Authors: Ran Peilian , Li Shaoda , Dai Keren , Yang Xiaoxia
Published: February 2021

The Guest Editors and the Publisher have retracted this article. This paper has been formally retracted from publication by the authors on ethical grounds. Actually, one of the authors (Mr. Peilian Ran) neglected that a similar paper was already presented and published in a previous conference proceedings. The authors are responsible for this mistake and apologise for it.
Request approved by the proceedings Editor and the Publisher on February 2, 2021.
A high-efficiency and ultrathin transmission-type circular polarization converter based on surface structure
Authors: Xu Peng , Jiang Wei Xiang , Cai Xiao , Gou Yue , Cui Tie Jun
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we propose, design and fabricate a kind of ultrathin and high-efficiency circularly polarization converter based on artificially engineered surfaces in the transmission mode. The converter is composed of double-layer periodic surface structures with cross slots. The top and bottom layers are printed on both sides of the F4B substrate and connected by metallic via holes. The proposed converter can transform the right-handed circularly polarized incident electromagnetic (EM) wave to a left-handed circularly-polarized one with near-unity efficiency in the transmission mode, or vice versa. We explain the conversion mechanism based on numerical simulations and equivalent circuit (EC) theory. The measured result has a good agreement with the simulated one in the working frequency band. Such ultrathin polarization converters can be used in wireless microwave communication, remote sensing, and EM imaging where circularly polarization diversity is needed.
Effects of acute triclosan exposure on gill and liver tissues of zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Arman Sezgi
Published: February 2021

Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent found in personal care, household, veterinary, medical, and industrial products. TCS has been detected in soil, sediment, and surface water. In the current work, the effects of acute exposure to TCS on gill and liver tissues of zebrafish were evaluated. Adult zebrafish were treated with sublethal concentrations of TCS (34, 85, and 170 μg/L) for 120 h. Gill and liver samples were removed and embedded in paraffin for histopathological investigations. TCS induced aneurysm, capillary dilation, lamellar disorganization, hyperplasia, epithelial lifting, and desquamation in the gills. Liver specimens showed sinusoidal dilation, congestion, vacuolization, hepatocellular degeneration, and necrosis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to observe the apoptotic effect of TCS. Accordingly, no apoptotic cells were detected in the specimens of 34 μg/L of TCS exposed gills, while the slides of 85 and 170 μg/L of TCS treated gills showed a high number of TUNEL-positive cells. In the liver, no TUNEL-positive cells were identified in 34 μg/L of TCS treated samples of zebrafish. 85 and 170 μg/L of TCS exposed livers showed few hepatic parenchymal cells undergoing apoptosis.
Retailer’s joint pricing model through an effective preservation strategy under a trade-credit policy
Authors: Hashan Md Mashud Abu , Sarkar Biswajit
Published: February 2021

Sustainable inventory management is a common issue for any industry. This proposed study explains a representation of mathematical modelling for maintaining sustainability through the preservation technology for deteriorating products and trade-credit strategy for sustainable marketing. Based on the actual life circumstances, it is found that the demand for deteriorated products is influenced by the increasing frequency of advertising and preservation technology. The foremost aim of this study is to maintain sustainability with optimal pricing and optimal strategies to invest in preservation technology and optimal cycle length to take full advantage of the total profit. For solving the model, a classical optimization technique is utilized, and some theoretical results are shown with a graph of the profit function. Couples of experiments compare the proposed results and the existing literature and give some outcomes for different deterioration types. To illustrate and justify the model, a sensitivity analysis conceded for demonstrating the proposed model’s flexibility by changing one parameter while keeping others fixed. The result shows that the trade-credit strategy under the preservation technology makes the management’s most substantial marketing benefit.
Based on the Public Quality Perception Satisfaction Evaluation Theory System Research and Yunnan Province Application Practice
Authors: Feng Lei , Huang Juxiu , Liao Jingxing
Published: February 2021

Survey on public satisfaction of quality work is one of the effective methods for connecting the quality management department with the public. In this paper, the application of techniques and methods of survey on public satisfaction of quality work is studied and explored from the aspects of the design of survey content index system, data collection, and statistical result analysis based on the survey on public satisfaction of quality work in Yunnan Province, so as to provide enlightenment and reference for the relevant research work in the field of quality.
On the Main Problems and Countermeasures of Green Travel in Wuhan
Authors: Cheng Liang-Bin , Hu Mengke
Published: February 2021

At present, the main problems of green travel in Wuhan are as follows: serious segmentation, insufficient promotion of green new energy vehicles, single way of QR code scanning, low public participation, etc. In order to solve these problems and further improve the green travel rate and air quality in Wuhan, the following countermeasures need to be adopted: improving the top-level design, strengthening tax relief and financial support, establishing a market-oriented incentive mechanism, developing green public transport, regularly making statistics and releasing relevant data of green travel, strengthening the education and publicity of green travel, etc.
Study on the Right of Residents in Urban Residential District
Authors: Guo Feng , Sun Haocheng , Chen Yuye , Fang Jiangning
Published: February 2021

Due to the lack of the urban household registration or property owner, many residents of urban residential areas in China have been in the state of lack of rights. The policy of "Equal rights for home tenants and owners" cannot play a practical role due to the lack of legal norms. "Home ownership" and "Right of residents" contain different contents. That is, "equal access to basic public services and social welfare of the place of residence, as well as the right to participate in decision-making, management and supervision of public affairs in residential communities and residential areas due to the fact of stable residence." The rights of the occupants is different from housing right and habitation right. The right of the occupants has not only legal basis, but also practical basis.
Early Childhood Education and Care in a Post-pandemic Economy: Lessons from China
Authors: Ma Jincheng , Guo Lei
Published: February 2021

The mismatch between the demand side and the supply side in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector has been a recurring pattern for a long period of time. Unlike the other levels and types of education, over 60% of provision in the ECEC sector comes from private organizations in China. Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, challenges have emerged in the high-level customer contact services and the classic labour-intensive industries. From the "regular epidemic prevention and control" point of view, regulatory reform is necessary, such as translating the "price cap regulation" into the "rate of return regulation", enforcing the demand side incentive, combining regulatory innovation and technical innovation, and creating good conditions for the professional development of teachers in the ECEC sector.
Exploration of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Model in Higher Vocational Colleges based on Rural Revitalization Strategy
Authors: Su Guohui
Published: February 2021

The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has had a great impact on economic and social development, the task of poverty alleviation has become more difficult, and the strategy of rural revitalization is facing greater challenges. Higher vocational colleges undertake the important mission of training and conveying advanced skilled talents needed for the country's economic and social development, and are bound to assume their own responsibilities in the strategy of rural revitalization. The innovation and entrepreneurship education for college students promoted by higher vocational colleges in recent years provides a feasible implementation path for higher vocational colleges to participate in the country's rural revitalization strategy. Based on the background of the national rural revitalization strategy, this paper points out the great significance of the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship education in higher vocational colleges into the rural revitalization strategy, and puts forward specific measures to realize the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship education into the rural revitalization strategy.
Development of Universal Skills at the Russian Universities: Challenges and Experience
Authors: Ahmetova Svetlana D. , Nevskaya Larisa V. , Esaulova Irena A.
Published: February 2021

Rapid technological development and digital transformation in all areas of life have resulted in a dramatic change in the nature of thinking and requirements to skills. In the information economy, it is not money or natural resources, or territory but people with their critical thinking and high-quality skills, who have become a valuable asset. In this regard, the educational sector advances to the forefront. However, education hardly complies with the requirements of the new economy and retains its basic features of the industrial era. The curricula and educational processes at universities fail to prepare young people for life in our complicated world, or develop critical thinking; they discourage creativity and ability to cooperate. Curricula tend to focus on the development of professional skills and neglect the development of social and cognitive skills. The study sets out to investigate the usefulness of higher social and cognitive skills in the educational process at the Faculty of Humanities in Perm National Research Polytechnic University and offers recommendations on the development of these skills in the educational process.
Business Simulators in the Educational Process: Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Use
Authors: Chuvaev Aleksey , Nagapetyan Kristina , Borisova Alena , Kirichenko Elena
Published: February 2021

There is considerable mobility in the educational services market: stakeholders’ requirements, the forms of organizing the educational process, and the training tools used are changing. Testing of changes requires monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of improvements and the impact on changes in content parameters, the quality of learning materials and the demand for formed managerial competencies. There is a surge in researchers ‘interest in developing methods for evaluating and justifying the increase in improvements from introducing changes to the educational process. This work reflects the results of an experiment conducted by a research group to expand the tools for teaching students of management training programs. The hypothesis is put about a higher rate of information assimilation and the formation of managerial competencies in groups of students in which classes are organized using business simulators, in contrast to those groups of students who master the course using traditional means - problem solving and case presentation. The authors believe that simulators based on the principles of gamification, to a greater extent satisfy the Generation Z students’ needs for mobility, rapid feedback, change of impressions and locations. The proof of the hypothesis is based on the differentiation of the student group into two subgroups, with a preliminary assessment of students ‘ academic performance in economic and management disciplines and input testing of knowledge in Unit Economics.
Audiobooks: Reading Practices and Educational Technologies
Authors: Mikidenko Natalia , Storozheva Svetlana
Published: February 2021

Digital technologies have made it possible to create and replicate educational content in various forms: text, video, and audio. The post-PC generation actively uses audio content. There is a tendency to demand audiobooks as a format of educational resources. The purpose of the article is to identify and describe educational technologies and reading practices related to audiobooks. The novelty of the research is the analysis of student practices of audio reading. Methods: The first stage includes a desk study of audio reading as an educational technology, its capabilities and limitations, the representation of audiobooks in universities’ electronic libraries and the use of audiobooks in the educational process, educational technologies and practices of working with audiobooks. The second stage includes an empirical study of students ‘practices of accessing and using electronic libraries in the process of educational (1), leisure (2) activities, readers’ preferences for the reading format (traditional, audio reading) (3). Research results: With the development of digital technologies, electronic libraries have become a popular educational resource. The e-libraries extend the representation of the audio books. The possibilities and limitations of audio reading remain debatable. Audio reading as a resourcesaving technology (carefulness to vision, time optimization) has a number of advantages and at the same time requires the development of listening skills and critical perception of audio text.
Humour as a Professionally Significant Competence of a Teacher
Authors: Astapchuk Sviatlana , Barun Alena , Vayavodzina Sviatlana , Dauhiala Natallia , Dauhiala Dzmitry , Zhukava Tatsiana
Published: February 2021

The article examines the issue of humour development as a professionally significant competence of a teacher. Conducted theoretical and empirical studies among students of secondary schools, tertiary education students, teachers and university professors have shown that students of secondary schools and university students, in comparison with school and university teachers, used humour more often in complicated situations. There were also differences in the choice of types of jokes by the respondents. The results of the study of humour reflects the ambiguous attitude towards humour that still exists in the teaching environment. The researchers have recorded the insufficient use of the possibilities of humour by teachers as an effective tool of pedagogical activity. The reason might be found in the current educational paradigm. A teacher is perceived as serious and even authoritarian. The development of this professionally significant quality is not given much attention in the process of training of future teachers. The use of humour as a pedagogical tool will help create conditions for the development of an individual style of professional activity, contribute to an increase in professional competence, pedagogical skills and will become one of the conditions for the effectiveness of solving various professional problems.
Creating an online training course for medical students to prepare them for professional communication in English
Authors: Myasnikova Irina , Ignateva Tatiana , Pushkina Klara
Published: February 2021

The modern stage of social development requires medical specialists to be proficient in a foreign language using it as a means of communication to solve professional and social problems. To achieve this purpose, it is necessary to establish a close link between the training process and the criteria and the content of the trainee’s professional activity. This involves solving the next task - identifying the communicative needs of a medical specialist when using a foreign language. To solve this problem, we undertook a study, which used a complex of methods: the study and analysis of scientific literature on the research topic, a survey using the developed questionnaire; methods of mathematical statistics for processing the results obtained during the survey. The survey was carried out among medical specialists of different categories working in medical institutions of the town of Cheboksary of the Chuvash Republic. The study revealed that the communicative needs of a medical specialist when using a foreign language are primarily pragmatic, so the process of teaching a foreign language should be profession-oriented, be subject to the main professional activity and contribute to solving professional problems. The result of the given study is the creation of an online English course for higher medical schools students with the help of distance educational technologies. This course is created taking into account the functional and psychological features peculiar to this contingent of students as well as specifics of their future work activity, past language experience and specific aims and objectives.
Das Polypill-Modell: Konzeptionelle Überlegungen zu den körperlichen, psychischen und sozialen Wirkungen des Sports
Authors: Schneider Sven
Published: February 2021

Hintergrund Angesichts seiner mannigfaltigen physiologischen Wirkungen wird Sport in der Literatur zunehmend als „Polypille“ bezeichnet. Sport gleiche demnach einem pleiotrop wirksamen Medikament. Die Sportwissenschaft kritisiert diese eher klinische Sichtweise als zu einseitig und warnt vor einer Medikalisierung des Sports.

Methode Der vorliegende Beitrag greift diesen Einwand auf und fasst die biopsychosozialen Wirkungen des Sports zusammen. Besondere Beachtung finden dabei die psychischen und sozialen Wirkungen sportlicher Aktivität. Die Überlegungen münden in einem konzeptionellen Modellentwurf, dem Polypill-Modell des Sports.

Ergebnisse Der Sport wird zunächst in seine Organisationsformen differenziert. Anschließend werden die individuellen Wirkungen sportlicher Aktivität auf körperliche, psychische und soziale Ressourcen beschrieben: Diese erstrecken sich auf motorische, also konditionelle und koordinative, Fähigkeiten, auf kognitive, emotionale und motivationale Aspekte sowie auf selbstbezogene und fremdbezogene Sozialkompetenzen. Wenngleich – insbesondere regelmäßiger – Sport körperliche, psychische und soziale Ressourcen zu stärken vermag, bergen beispielsweise unphysiologische Belastungen, mangelhafte Betreuung und normative Strukturen dennoch stets ein individuelles latentes Schädigungspotenzial. Darüber hinaus werden die sportspezifischen Sozialisations- und Enkulturationsprozesse unter den Begriffen „Sozialisation in den Sport“, „Sozialisation im Sport“ und „Sozialisation durch den Sport“ in das Modell integriert. So können viele im Sport erlernte – insbesondere psychische und soziale – Kompetenzen auch für andere Lebensbereiche von Bedeutung sein.

Schlussfolgerungen Unter dem Begriff der Polypille werden neben körperlichen auch psychische und soziale Wirkungen des Sports systematisiert. Das hier vorgeschlagene Polypill-Modell des Sports kann in der universitären und außeruniversitären Lehre ebenso eingesetzt werden wie in der konkreten Studien- und Trainingsplanung.
Zur Passung von Person und Sportaktivität
Authors: Schmid Julia , Sudeck Gorden , Conzelmann Achim
Published: February 2021

Ein Ziel der Sport- und Bewegungsförderung ist, eine möglichst gute Passung zwischen der Person und dem Sport herzustellen. Dabei sind insbesondere die sportbezogenen Motive und Ziele von Menschen in den Blick zu nehmen. Denn werden diese befriedigt, so fördert dies das Wohlbefinden und die Bindung an die Aktivität. Folgende Motive und Ziele lassen sich im Sport finden: Figur / Aussehen, Kontakt, Wettkampf / Leistung, Ästhetik, Ablenkung / Katharsis, Aktivierung / Freude, Fitness und Gesundheit. Wie wichtig diese Motive und Ziele für jemand sind, ist sehr unterschiedlich. Jede Person weist daher ein einzigartiges Motiv- und Zielprofil auf. Die Person-Sport-Passung kann gefördert werden, indem maßgeschneiderten Sportprogramme angeboten, eine bestehende Angebotspalette angepasst bzw. erweitert oder eine individuelle Sportberatung durchgeführt wird.
MultiPill Exercise: Konzeption eines individualisierten Bewegungsprogramms für Personen mit multiplen chronischen Erkrankungen an den Schnittstellen der Gesundheitsversorgung sowie des Freizeit- und Gesundheitssports
Authors: Schweda Simone , Sudeck Gorden , Schmid Julia , Janßen Pia , Krauß Inga
Published: February 2021

Bisher hat die Behandlung von Patienten mit mehreren chronischen Erkrankungen (Multimorbidität) wenig Aufmerksamkeit in der Gesundheitspolitik erhalten, obwohl chronische Erkrankungen heute zu den häufigsten Gesundheitsproblemen der Industrieländer gehören und nicht nur auf individueller Ebene, sondern auch aus ökonomischer Sicht eine große Herausforderung darstellen. Präventive Therapien erscheinen demzufolge zwingend notwendig. Obwohl der Nutzen von körperlicher Aktivität zur Prävention und Behandlung chronischer Erkrankungen bekannt ist, hat körperliche und sportliche Aktivität in der Therapie einen vergleichsweise geringen Stellenwert. Viele Personen scheitern an der regelmäßigen Integration von körperlichen und sportlichen Aktivitäten in Freizeit und Alltag. Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrags ist es, ein Interventionsprogramm vorzustellen, welches Personen mit Risikofaktoren oder bereits manifestierten Mehrfacherkrankungen auf dem Weg zu einer körperlich aktiven Lebensweise unterstützen soll. Das Konzept orientiert sich übergeordnet am biopsychosozialen Gesundheitsmodell der Internationalen Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF). Ein besonderes Augenmerk der Intervention liegt auf personalen und strukturellen Kontextfaktoren der Teilnehmenden. Die Intervention kennzeichnet sich im Wesentlichen durch eine Kombination systematischen körperlichen Trainings und einer gesundheitspädagogisch und -psychologisch fundierten Kompetenz- und Verhaltensorientierung mit Blick auf eine regelmäßige Fortführung körperlicher und sportlicher Aktivitäten. Neben einer spezifischen Berücksichtigung von individuellen sportbezogenen Motiven und Zielen werden weitere Förderfaktoren und Barrieren der Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer zur Individualisierung des Programms einbezogen.
Clinico-pathological correlation of homologous recombination status in epithelial ovarian cancer: Surgeon’s perspective
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Asima , Curtin Nicola , Edmondson Richard
Published: February 2021

Background: TCGA data using expensive multi-modality diagnostic platforms have shown that 50% epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are estimated to be homologous recombination (HR) deficient (HRD). We developed a functional assay for HR using gamma H2AX-Rad51 immunofluoresence.[1]

Methods: Primary cultures were developed in 50 consecutive EOCs from ascetic fluid and HR assay was performed.

Results: 50% patients were HRD based on the functional assay and show improved ex-vivo chemosensitivity to PARP inhibitor (PARPi) (PPV = 92%, NPV = 100%). HRD patients showed improved platinum sensitivity (53.8% vs 16.7%), survival (12 month OS - 41.7% vs. 11.5%) and optimal cytoreduction (80% vs. 62%) rates compared to HR competent (HRC) tumours which are less responsive and represent an unmet clinical need.

Conclusions: Personalised surgical and chemotherapeutic strategies may be developed for HR stratified EOCs. Primary surgery may be the preferred approach in HRC due to poor chemoresponse; surgical expertise/environment should be optimised to ensure optimal surgical outcome. Intra-operative hyperthermic treatment and selective HR inhibitors may improve subsequent chemoresponse in HRC and are currently being investigated.
A Critical Analysis of Rectal Biopsy to Exclude Hirschsprung's Disease
Authors: Tan Yew-Wei , Chacon Carmen Sofia , Sherwood William , Haddad Munther , Choudhry Muhammad
Published: February 2021

Introduction Most Hirschsprung's disease (HD) are diagnosed in young children with increased risk (”red flag”). Older children (>6 months) require open rectal biopsy (ORB) with its own impact on risk and resources. We investigated if “red flag”, age, and sex used in combination could exclude HD.

Materials and Methods “Red flags” are risk factors associated with HD, including neonatal bowel obstruction, genetic association, failure of passage of meconium in <48 hours, infantile constipation, distension with vomiting, or family history. All rectal biopsies (2015–2018) were reviewed for indications, methods, and histopathological findings. Logistic regression analysis was adopted to assess predictive value of “red flag,” age, and sex (p < 0.05* was significant).

Results A total of 187 children underwent 84 suction rectal biopsies and 113 ORBs (n = 197 in total). Final histopathological diagnoses were non-HD (n = 154) and HD (n = 43). Total 78% of rectal biopsies were non-HD, of which 63% by ORB. Non-HD was associated with absence of “red flag” (49 vs. 16%*), increased age at biopsy (22 months vs. 28 days*), >6 months old (62 vs. 30%*), and female gender (54 vs. 16%*), compared with HD. In the absence of “red flag,” 7/82 (9%) had HD (negative predictive value = 91%). Logistic regression analysis found absent “red flag” predicted non-HD biopsy with odds ratio 4.77 (1.38, 16.47), corrected for age and sex.

Conclusion Negative rectal biopsy rate for HD is very high. The majority required ORB. Although “red flag” and gender, but not age, have strong predictive values, it is inadequate for excluding HD. This study supports the need for alternative strategies in excluding HD.