bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation of near-diffraction- and near-dispersion-free OAM pulses with controllable group velocity by combining multiple frequencies, each carrying a Bessel mode
Authors: Pang Kai , Zou Kaiheng , Song Hao , Zhao Zhe , Minoofar Amir , Zhang Runzhou , Song Haoqian , Zhou Huibin , Su Xinzhou , Liu Cong , Hu Nanzhe , Tur Moshe , Willner Alan E.
Published: August 2021

Optical pulses carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) have recently gained interest. In general, it might be beneficial to simultaneously achieve: (i) minimum diffraction, (ii) minimum dispersion, and (iii) controllable group velocity. Here, we explore via simulation the generation of near-diffraction-free and near-dispersion-free OAM pulses with arbitrary group velocities by coherently combining multiple frequencies. Each frequency carries a specific Bessel mode with the same topological charge (

ℓ

) but different

k
r

(spatial frequency) values based on space–time correlations. Moreover, we also find that (i) both positive and negative group velocities could be achieved and continuously controlled from the subluminal to superluminal values and (ii) when the

ℓ

is varied from 0 to 10, the simulated value of the group velocity remains the same. However, as the

ℓ

value increases, the pulse duration becomes longer for a given number of frequency lines.
Non-Hermitian topological phase transitions in superlattices and the optical Dirac equation
Authors: Longhi Stefano
Published: August 2021

Optical superlattices with sublattice symmetry subjected to a synthetic imaginary gauge field undergo a topological phase transition in the Bloch energy spectrum, characterized by the change of a spectral winding number. For a narrow gap, the phase transition is of universal form and described by a non-Hermitian Dirac equation with Lorentz-symmetry violation. A simple photonic system displaying such a phase transition is discussed, which is based on light coupling in co-propagating gratings.
XPS analysis of metallic trace contaminations on fused silica surfaces induced by classical optics manufacturing
Authors: Köhler Robert , Gerhard Christoph
Published: August 2021

Impurities on glass surfaces, such as metallic trace contaminations induced by manufacturing processes, can cause severely disturbing effects as for example, a reduction in laser resistance or optical performance. Both the amount and nature of such impurities was thus investigated in the present work. For this purpose, fused silica surfaces were produced by classical optics manufacturing consisting of cutting, grinding or lapping and polishing with different pad materials. After each production step, the amount and the chemical binding state of the trace contaminations of interest–calcium, cerium and sodium, originating from the used operating materials–were determined via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is shown that in the course of manufacturing the chemical bonds of these elements and its compounds are modified. The polished fused silica optics feature the trace elements sodium, cerium and calcium bound in the form of NaOH, Ce2O3 and CaF2. Such surfaces moreover feature the lowest grade of contamination in the range of 0.2–0.5 atom-%.
Plant pathogens convergently evolved to counteract redundant nodes of an NLR immune receptor network
Authors: Derevnina Lida , Contreras Mauricio P. , Adachi Hiroaki , Upson Jessica , Vergara Cruces Angel , Xie Rongrong , Skłenar Jan , Menke Frank L. H. , Mugford Sam T. , MacLean Dan , Ma Wenbo , Hogenhout Saskia A. , Goverse Aska , Maqbool Abbas , Wu Chih-Hang , Kamoun Sophien
Published: August 2021

In plants, nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (NLR)-containing proteins can form receptor networks to confer hypersensitive cell death and innate immunity. One class of NLRs, known as NLR required for cell death (NRCs), are central nodes in a complex network that protects against multiple pathogens and comprises up to half of the NLRome of solanaceous plants. Given the prevalence of this NLR network, we hypothesised that pathogens convergently evolved to secrete effectors that target NRC activities. To test this, we screened a library of 165 bacterial, oomycete, nematode, and aphid effectors for their capacity to suppress the cell death response triggered by the NRC-dependent disease resistance proteins Prf and Rpi-blb2. Among 5 of the identified suppressors, 1 cyst nematode protein and 1 oomycete protein suppress the activity of autoimmune mutants of NRC2 and NRC3, but not NRC4, indicating that they specifically counteract a subset of NRC proteins independently of their sensor NLR partners. Whereas the cyst nematode effector SPRYSEC15 binds the nucleotide-binding domain of NRC2 and NRC3, the oomycete effector AVRcap1b suppresses the response of these NRCs via the membrane trafficking-associated protein NbTOL9a (Target of Myb 1-like protein 9a). We conclude that plant pathogens have evolved to counteract central nodes of the NRC immune receptor network through different mechanisms. Coevolution with pathogen effectors may have driven NRC diversification into functionally redundant nodes in a massively expanded NLR network.
Multiscale representations of community structures in attractor neural networks
Authors: Haga Tatsuya , Fukai Tomoki
Published: August 2021

Our cognition relies on the ability of the brain to segment hierarchically structured events on multiple scales. Recent evidence suggests that the brain performs this event segmentation based on the structure of state-transition graphs behind sequential experiences. However, the underlying circuit mechanisms are poorly understood. In this paper we propose an extended attractor network model for graph-based hierarchical computation which we call the Laplacian associative memory. This model generates multiscale representations for communities (clusters) of associative links between memory items, and the scale is regulated by the heterogenous modulation of inhibitory circuits. We analytically and numerically show that these representations correspond to graph Laplacian eigenvectors, a popular method for graph segmentation and dimensionality reduction. Finally, we demonstrate that our model exhibits chunked sequential activity patterns resembling hippocampal theta sequences. Our model connects graph theory and attractor dynamics to provide a biologically plausible mechanism for abstraction in the brain.
Cognitive decline in Huntington’s disease in the Digitalized Arithmetic Task (DAT)
Authors: Lunven Marine , Hamet Bagnou Jennifer , Youssov Katia , Gabadinho Alexis , Fliss Rafika , Montillot Justine , Audureau Etienne , Bapst Blanche , Morgado Graça , Reilmann Ralf , Schubert Robin , Busse Monica , Craufurd David , Massart Renaud , Rosser Anne , Bachoud-Lévi Anne-Catherine
Published: August 2021

Background

Efficient cognitive tasks sensitive to longitudinal deterioration in small cohorts of Huntington’s disease (HD) patients are lacking in HD research. We thus developed and assessed the digitized arithmetic task (DAT), which combines inner language and executive functions in approximately 4 minutes.

Methods

We assessed the psychometric properties of DAT in three languages, across four European sites, in 77 early-stage HD patients (age: 52 ± 11 years; 27 females), and 57 controls (age: 50 ± 10, 31 females). Forty-eight HD patients and 34 controls were followed up to one year with 96 participants who underwent MRI brain imaging (HD patients = 46) at baseline and 50 participants (HD patients = 22) at one year. Linear mixed models and Pearson correlations were used to assess associations with clinical assessment.

Results

At baseline, HD patients were less accurate (p = 0.0002) with increased response time (p<0.0001) when compared to DAT in controls. Test-retest reliability in HD patients ranged from good to excellent for response time (range: 0.63–0.79) and from questionable to acceptable for accuracy (range: r = 0.52–0.69). Only DAT, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and Total Functional Capacity scores were able to detect a decline within a one-year follow-up in HD patients (all p< 0.05). In contrast with all the other cognitive tasks, DAT correlated with striatal atrophy over time (p = 0.037) but not with motor impairment.

Conclusions

DAT is fast, reliable, motor-free, applicable in several languages, and able to unmask cognitive decline correlated with striatal atrophy in small cohorts of HD patients. This likely makes it a useful endpoint in future trials for HD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Management of high cows-share-contribution of SCC to the bulk milk tank by acoustic pulse technology (APT)
Authors: Merin Uzi , Leitner Gabriel , Jacoby Shamay , Gilad Dani
Published: August 2021

A cow with mastitis has a high somatic cell count (SCC) in its milk. Cow-share-contribution of somatic cells to the bulk milk tank (BMTSCC) refers to the relative addition made by each cow’s milk to the bulk tank’s SCC. Since bulk milk is graded and priced according to the BMTSCC, high-yielding cows with mastitis are the main contributors to penalizations in milk price. The benefits of acoustic pulse technology (APT) application to tissues are well documented, including its anti-inflammatory effect and restoration of tissue function by triggering natural healing processes. An APT-based device was developed specifically for treating mastitis in dairy cows. It enables rapid and deep penetration of the acoustic pulses over a large area of the udder in a single session. A study was performed on six farms with a total of 3,900 cows. One unit of cow-share-contribution equaled the addition of 1,000 cells to each mL of the bulk milk volume above the mean BMTSCC. A total of 206 cows were selected: 103 were treated with APT and 103 served as controls. All of the cows contributed over 1.5 units to the BMTSCC at the time of treatment. Seventy-five days after APT treatment, 2 of the 103 treated cows (1.9%) were culled, compared to 19 (18.5%) of the 103 control cows, as well as infected quarter dry-off in 5 others (4.85%). Overall success was defined as a decrease of >75% in cow-share-contribution from treatment time in two of the three monthly milk recordings following treatment. Results indicated 57.3% success for the APT-treated cows vs. 14.6% for the untreated control groups. Highest share-contribution provide an additional tool for the farmer’s decision of how to control BMTSCC. Because the cow-share-contribution value is relative to herd size and BMTSCC, this study included a similar number of cows, with similar SCC and milk yield from each of the six herds.
The expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home model among Chinese elderly people: A mixed methods study protocol
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Sazlina Shariff-Ghazali , Rokhani Fakhrul Zaman , Su Jing , Chew Boon-How
Published: August 2021

Nursing homes integrated with smart information such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital health could improve not only the quality of care but also benefit the residents and health professionals by providing effective care and efficient medical services. However, a clear concept of a smart nursing home, the expectations and acceptability from the perspectives of the elderly people and their family members are still unclear. In addition, instruments to measure the expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home are also lacking. The study aims to explore and determine the levels of these expectations, acceptability and the associated sociodemographic factors. This exploratory sequential mixed methods study comprises a qualitative study which will be conducted through a semi-structured interview to explore the expectations and acceptability of a smart nursing home among Chinese elderly people and their family members (Phase I). Next, a questionnaire will be developed and validated based on the results of a qualitative study in Phase I and a preceding scoping review on smart nursing homes by the same authors (Phase II). Lastly, a nationwide survey will be carried out to examine the levels of expectations and acceptability, and the associated sociodemographic factors with the different categories of expectations and acceptability (Phase III). With a better understanding of the Chinese elderly people’s expectations and acceptability of smart technologies in nursing homes, a feasible smart nursing home model that incorporates appropriate technologies, integrates needed medical services and business concepts could be formulated and tested as a solution for the rapidly ageing societies in many developed and developing countries.
Pathways between caregiver body mass index, the home environment, child nutritional status, and development in children with severe acute malnutrition in Malawi
Authors: Daniel Allison I. , Bwanali Mike , Ohuma Eric O. , Bourdon Celine , Gladstone Melissa , Potani Isabel , Mbale Emmie , Voskuijl Wieger , van den Heuvel Meta , Bandsma Robert H. J.
Published: August 2021

Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) remain vulnerable after treatment at nutritional rehabilitation units (NRUs). The objective was to assess the concurrent pathways in a hypothesized model between caregiver body mass index (BMI), the home environment, and child nutritional status, and development (gross motor, fine motor, language, and social domains) in children with SAM following discharge from inpatient treatment. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was performed with data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial at the Moyo Nutritional Rehabilitation and Research Unit in Blantyre, Malawi. This approach was undertaken to explore simultaneous relationships between caregiver BMI, the home environment (Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory scores), child nutritional status (anthropometric indicators including weight-for-age z-scores [WAZ]), and child development (Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) z-scores as a latent variable) in children with SAM. These data were collected at participants’ homes six months after discharge from NRU treatment. This analysis included 85 children aged 6–59 months with SAM and their caregivers recruited to the trial at the NRU and followed up successfully six months after discharge. The model with WAZ as the nutritional indicator fit the data according to model fit indices (χ2= 28.92, p = 0.42). Caregiver BMI was predictive of better home environment scores (β = 0.23, p = 0.03) and child WAZ (β = 0.30, p = 0.005). The home environment scores were positively correlated with MDAT z-scores (β = 0.32, p = 0.001). Child nutritional status based on WAZ was also correlated with MDAT z-scores (β = 0.37, p<0.001). This study demonstrates that caregiver BMI could ultimately relate to child development in children with SAM, through its links to the home environment and child nutritional status.
A 16-week randomized controlled trial of a fish oil and whey protein-derived supplement to improve physical performance in older adults losing autonomy—A pilot study
Authors: Tessier Anne-Julie , Lévy-Ndejuru Julia , Moyen Audrey , Lawson Marissa , Lamarche Marie , Morais Joseé A. , Bhullar Amritpal , Andriamampionona Francis , Mazurak Vera C. , Chevalier Stéphanie
Published: August 2021

Background

Low functional capacity may lead to the loss of independence and institutionalization of older adults. A nutritional intervention within a rehabilitation program may attenuate loss of muscle function in this understudied population.

Objective

This pilot study assessed the feasibility for a larger RCT of a nutritional supplementation in older adults referred to an outpatient assessment and rehabilitation program.

Methods

Participants were randomized to receive a supplement (EXP: 2g fish oil with 1500 IU vitamin D3 1x/d + 20-30g whey protein powder with 3g leucine 2x/d) or isocaloric placebo (CTR: corn oil + maltodextrin powder) for 16 weeks. Handgrip and knee extension strength (using dynamometry), physical performance tests and plasma phospholipidn-3 fatty acids (using GCMS) were evaluated at weeks 0, 8 and 16; and lean soft tissue mass (using DXA), at weeks 0 and 16.

Results

Over 2 years, 244 patients were screened, 46 were eligible (18.9%), 20 were randomized, 10 completed the study (6 CTR, 4 EXP). Median age was 87 y (77–94 y; 75% women) and gait speed was 0.69 m/s; 55% had low strength, and all performed under 420m on the 6-minute walk test, at baseline. Overall self-reported compliance to powder and oil was high (96% and 85%) but declined at 16 weeks for fish oil (55%). The EXP median protein intake surpassed the target 1.2–1.5 g/kg/d, without altering usual diet. Proportions of plasma phospholipid EPA and DHA increased significantly 3- and 1.5-fold respectively, at week 8 in EXP, with no change in CTR. Participants were able to complete most assessments with sustained guidance.

Conclusion

Because of low eligibility, the pilot study was interrupted and deemed non-feasible; adherence to rigorous study assessments and to supplements was adequate except for long-term fish oil. The non-amended protocol may be applied to populations with greater functional capacity.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04454359.
Detection of Helicobacter Pylori infection by invasive and non-invasive techniques in patients with gastrointestinal diseases from Iraq: A validation study
Authors: Hussein Rawaa A. , Al-Ouqaili Mushtak T. S. , Majeed Yasin H.
Published: August 2021

There is still no agreement on the gold standard technique for diagnosing of H. Pylori in Iraq, as well as a paucity of data on the validity of different diagnostic techniques. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of this bacterium with different methods and compare them to the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a golden standard technique among Iraqi patients. In total, 115 Iraqi patients strongly suspected of H. pylori infection were enrolled in the current study. Invasive techniques including rapid urease testing (RUT) and gastric tissue culture in addition to non-invasive techniques including 14C-Urea breath test (14C-UBT), stool antigen test (SAT), CagA-IgG serology, and qPCR were performed to confirm the H. pylori infection. The qPCR was used as the gold standard to estimate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the studied diagnostic tests. Overall, the prevalence rate of H. pylori in Iraqi patients was ranged from 47.8 to 70.4% using different methods. The positive results for each test were as follows: qPCR 81, (70.4%) UBT 79 (68.7%), SAT 77 (67%), RUT 76 (66.1%), Cag-IgG 61 (53%), and culture 55 (47.8%). The 14C-UBT showed the highest overall performance with 97.5% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and total accuracy of 97.3% followed by SAT, RUT, Cag-IgG, and culture method. Based on the accuracy of the studied methods for H. pylori detection, they can be arranged in order as follows: qPCR > UBT > SAT > RUT> CagA IgG > culture. Since a universal gold standard assay for the diagnosis of H. pylori has not yet been established in Iraq, the UBT may be recommended as first choice due to its higher performance compared to other methods.
Associations between cerebral magnetic resonance imaging infarct volume and acute ischemic stroke etiology
Authors: Daneshvari Nicholas Omid , Johansen Michelle Christina
Published: August 2021

Background

Identifying ischemic stroke etiology is necessary for proper treatment and secondary prevention. We sought to define associations between infarct volume and stroke subtypes.

Materials and methods

Inclusion criteria necessitated a Johns Hopkins Hospital inpatient admission (2017–2019) for ischemic stroke with confirmatory brain magnetic resonance imaging. Infarct volume was calculated using MRIcron© by a masked reviewer. Ischemic strokes were adjudicated using TOAST classification. Multivariable/multinomial logistic regression determined associations between infarct volume and stroke subtypes with interaction terms for infarct number and location. Stepwise adjustment accounted for potential confounders.

Results

Patients (N = 150) were on average 61 years old, male (58%), and black (57%). Each 5mL increase in infarct volume was associated with cardioembolic (OR 1.07, 95%CI 1.01–1.14) and large-artery occlusions (OR 1.10, 95%CI 1.02–1.18), but lower odds of lacunar stroke (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.06–0.55). There was no difference in risk of cardioembolic (base) and large-artery atherosclerotic strokes with increasing infarct volume (RRR 1.01, 95%CI 0.94–1.09), but risk of lacunar stroke was decreased (RRR 0.17, 95%CI 0.06–0.53). Infarct number (single vs multiple) modified the association between volume and subtype for large-artery occlusions (p-interaction 0.09).

Conclusions

In this study, larger volume infarcts were significantly associated with both cardioembolic and large-artery atherosclerotic strokes (no difference in the degree of association) and decreased odds of lacunar stroke. A single, large-volume stroke was associated with large-artery atherosclerosis, while multiple infarcts were associated with cardioembolism. Given the differential associations between volume, number of lesions, and stroke etiology, defining stroke subtypes in light of infarct volume might aid in clinical practice.
COMPETENCIES OF MEDICAL LABORATORY PERSONNEL
Authors: Guerrero Christine
Published: August 2021

Competence is defined as the quality or state of having sufficientknowledge, judgment, skill, or strength for a particular duty or in a particularrespect.Thus, for medical technologists to be considered “competent” they haveto possess sufficient medical knowledge, practical judgment, skill in the laboratory,or demonstrable attributes necessary to the performance of being a medicallaboratory scientist.This study seeks to answer the problem of an observed competency gap in some areas in health care knowledge, literacy, and skills among medical laboratory personnel.

This study used a self-rated survey questionnaireas the descriptive survey method of researchtoassessed the level of competencies in the area of clinical work and fieldexpertise of selected medical laboratory personnel in Metro Manila in terms ofResearch, Quality Management Systems, General Laboratory Practices,Communication, Management and Leadership, Professional Ethics, WorkForceTraining, Emergency Management and Response, and Laboratory Safety.

Based on the result of the self-rated survey,the respondents are “moderately competent” inthe following areas:Research, Communication, WorkForce Training skills, and Laboratory Safety. In response, aproposed health matrix program was created inthese competencyareasthat showeda need for continuing education and training.

Although the respondents scored “highly competent” in Quality Management System, General Laboratory Practice, Management and Leadership, and Professional Ethics, the researcher still suggests further training in these areas to become more proficient and expert.
TIGA PILAR KEBIJAKAN PEMERINTAH DALAM PEMBINAAN PAUD
Authors: Istiqomah Laelatul
Published: August 2021

Various problems of Early childhood Education (ECD) in Indonesia is about the opportunity the acquisition of early childhood education have been uneven and is still concentrated in urban areas, lack of teachers and teaching staff in terms of quantity and quality, and there are still many learning-oriented on the wishes of the parents rather than on the needs of the child. Depart from the real conditions of the early childhood education, to lead the realization of educational system as a social institution is strong and authoritative, the government has issued the three pillars of government policy in early childhood education in the Strategic plan of the Ministry of National Education from 2009 to 2014, and now the government has fine-tune these policies in the Strategic Framework Ministry of Education and Culture of the 2014-2019 strategic plan (Strategic plan update)
Kemampuan Empati Mahasiswa Ditinjau Dari Latar Belakang Pendidikan Dan Pendidikan Orang Tua: Studi Terhadap Mahasiswa Prodi PGRA
Authors: Ichsan Ichsan
Published: August 2021

Penelitian ini memiliki dua tujuan, yaitu : Pertama, untuk  mengetahui perbedaan kemampuan empati mahasiswa  antara mahasiswa yang berasal dari Madrasah Aliyah (MA )  dan Sekolah Menengah Umum (SMA/SMK). Kedua, untuk mengetahui perbedaan kemampuan empati mahasiswa ditinjau dari tingkat pendidikan orang tua mahasiswa. Hipotesis penelitian yang diajukan : Petama, tidak ada  perbedaan kemampuan empati mahasiswa  antara mahasiswa yang berasal dari Madrasah Aliyah (MA)  dan Sekolah Menengah Umum. Kedua, Tidak ada perbedaan kemampuan empati mahasiswa dari  pendidikan orang tua mahasiswa yang rendah, menengah dan tinggi. Responden dalam penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa Program Studi PGRA angkatan 2013/2014 , 2014/2015, dan angkatan 2015/2016 dengan jumlah 213 mahasiswa. Alat pengumpulan data yang digunakan meliputi : angket (skala Empati) yang diadoposi dari C. Asri Budiningsih, angket Tingkat Pendidikan Orang Tua, dan dokumen. Dari hasil uji komparasi dengan menggunakan analisis varians (Anova) dua jalur diperoleh nilai F :  0,908  dengan p : 0,342  ( p  > 0,05) untuk hipoesis pertama, dan nilai F : 0,166  dengan p : 0,847 ( p ˃ 0,05) untuk hipotesis kedua. dengan hasil uji statistik dapat diambil kesimpulan : pertama, Tidak ada perbedaan kemampuan empati antara mahasiswa yang berasal dari Madrasah Aliyah (MA) dan sekolah umum (SMA/SMK ). Kedua, tidak ada perbedaan kemampuan empati mahasiswa yang memiliki orang tua (ayah) dengan tingkat pendidikan rendah, menengah dan tinggi.
Implementasi Pembelajaran Tari Dalam Mengembangkan Aspek Perkembangan Anak Usia Dini
Authors: Munawaroh Hidayatu
Published: August 2021

Anak usia Taman Kanak-kanak (TK) merupakan sosok individu yang unik dan memiliki karakteristik yang unik, baik dari segi kognitif, sosial, emosi, bahasa, fisik, maupun motorik, dan sedang mengalami proses perkembangan yang sangat pesat. Pembelajaran tari merupakan pengalaman estetis anak yang dapat menumbuhkan kreativitas dan membantu perkembangan jasmani dan rohani anak. Pembelajaran tari untuk anak usia Taman Kanak-kanak dapat dilakukan melalui salah satu unsur dalam tari itu sendiri, salah satunya adalah unsur waktu. Dalam unsur waktu terdapat elemen tempo, ritme, aksen, dan durasi yang dapat digunakan untuk mengembangkan aspek perkembangan  anak. Dalam pelaksanaannya, diharapkan anak dapat diberikan pembelajaran secara aktif untuk mengembangkan aspek-aspek kemampuan yang sesuai dengan perkembangan anak. Peran guru sebagai fasilitator dan motivator dalam pelaksanaannya menjadi hal amat penting. Guru dapat menerapkan konsep melalui metode demontrasi dan praktek langsung dalam suasana pembelajaran yang menarik dan menyenangkan.
Peningkatan Kemampuan Mengenal Angka dengan Menggunakan Metode Snowball Throwing bagi Anak
Authors: Muntari Sri
Published: August 2021

This study aims to determine the ability to recognize the numbers of students in Group A TK Widya Tama Cabak and the use of the snowball throwing method can improve the ability to recognize the numbers of students in Group A TK Widya Tama Cabak Academic Year 2016/2017. The subjects studied were 31 students of group A TK Widya Tama Cabak. Data collection techniques using observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The data analysis technique uses descriptive qualitative and comparative. The research procedure consists of two cycles, namely: cycle I and cycle II, with each of the four stages of each cycle, namely: (1) planning the action (planning), (2) implementing the action (acting), (3) observing ( observing), and (4) reflection (reflecting). The results of the study concluded that: (1) Ability to recognize the numbers of students in Group A Widya Tama Cabak Kindergarten in the 2016/2017 Academic Year before the action was taken, namely at the pre-cycle level was still low. The ability to recognize the number of children included in the BSB and BSH categories in the pre-cycle was only 10 children (32.26%). (2) The use of the snowball throwing method can increase the ability to recognize the numbers of students in Group A TK Widya Tama Cabak for the 2016/2017 Academic Year. This is evidenced from: (a) Increasing the ability to recognize the number of children included in the BSB and BSH categories starting from the pre cycle, cycle I to cycle II, namely: the new pre cycle of 32.26%, the first cycle becomes 64.52% and the cycle II to be 90.32%. (b) Increasing the average value of the ability to recognize the number of children starting from the pre-cycle, the first cycle to the second cycle, namely: pre-cycle of 11.61 which included the Emerging (MM) category, cycle I increased to 13.16 which included the category Developing according to Expectations (BSH) and the second cycle the score increased again to 15.39 and included the Expectation Development Expectation (BSH) category.
Upaya Meningkatkan Kedisiplinan Anak Usia 3-4 Tahun Melalui Simulasi Lalu Lintas
Authors: Susiyah Susiyah , Subawi Subawi
Published: August 2021

This study aims to determine the discipline of children at KB Puri Siwi Tamansari Academic Year 2016/2017 and find out the improvement of children's discipline through playing traffic simulations at KB Puri Siwi Tamansari Academic Year 2016/2017. This research method uses a type of classroom action research. This research was conducted in two stages, namely cycle I and cycle II. The subjects of this study were Puri Siwi Play Group students aged 3-4 years Tamansari Tlogowungu Pati as many as 16 students. The results of this study indicate that traffic simulations to improve child discipline are carried out with two cycles, the first cycle is carried out by simulating traffic signs with micro equipment, sikus II is carried out by simulating traffic signs with macro equipment. The results of data analysis and observations through traffic simulations showed an increase from the pre-cycle of 30% of children who completed their discipline, rising in the first cycle to 56.7%. That is, an increase of 24%. And in the second cycle increased to 81% and an increase of 25%. The results achieved in the second cycle had met the intended completeness target, namely 80% of all children scored with a complete category of 85. This increase in the average value proved the success of traffic simulations can improve children's discipline.
Narcoestética en Chile: El lenguaje corporal y los imaginarios visuales y culturales de estudiantes vulnerables de un liceo en Santiago
Authors: Aravena Otárola Rodrigo Andrés , González Berríos Mario Edgardo , Dittus Benavente Rubén Ignacio , Romo López Eliana Verónica
Published: August 2021

Objetivo: Describir e interpretar las percepciones de un grupo de estudiantes de secundaria, sus docentes y expertos escogidos, respecto a la influencia de la narcoestética como lenguaje corporal, y cómo esta afecta sus imaginarios visuales y culturales. Metodología: Se realizaron entrevistas previamente aprobadas entre los meses de junio y agosto de 2020. En esta microetnografía de corte cualitativo constructivista, se entrevistaron a 12 estudiantes de grados 1° y 3° de educación media y a cuatro de sus profesores, todos del mismo liceo de Santiago de Chile, más un asistente social, una psicóloga y una antropóloga como expertos. Resultados: Los estudiantes percibieron la narcoestética como un fenómeno social y colectivo donde son reproducidos y apropiados los imaginarios visuales y culturales producto de las culturas híbridas que luchan por descolonizarse del poder hegemónico que las margina. Conclusiones: El cuerpo es usado como un lenguaje que se hace político buscando emigrar constantemente de las fronteras simbólicas que lo someten.
Movimiento Circular Primario: Un vector fundamental en la historia de la composición académica
Authors: Agustín Staneff José
Published: August 2021

Este artículo presenta un recurso compositivo aplicado a la melodía que he denominado Movimiento Circular Primario. Esta combinación de sonidos funciona como vector fundamental a la hora de componer. Cada vez que se utiliza, produce un dinamismo interesante, proporcionando al oyente sensaciones de continuidad y recreación. Este tratamiento melódico está compuesto por un tono y un semitono. Puede estar primero el tono y luego el semitono, o al contrario, pero lo imprescindible es que uno de los intervalos debe ser ascendente y el otro descendente o viceversa, partiendo de una nota “x”, independientemente de la escala, estructura o técnica que se utilice. Gracias a los análisis que se hicieron de las obras que se van a exponer, se puede evidenciar que este fenómeno musical existió a lo largo de varios períodos musicales y tuvo consecuencias de trascendencia. Justamente por ese motivo se deduce que los compositores cuyas obras se analizan en este trabajo ya poseían intrínsecamente esta herramienta compositiva.
De muertes, círculos, y manos: lo audiovisual en Circus (1989) de Margarita Becerra Cano
Authors: Guerrero-Hernández Juan Carlos
Published: August 2021

Circus es una interesante meditación sobre la creación videográfica, la opacidad y plasticidad del video. Becerra Cano se apropia del cine y dos de sus muertes en el siglo XX, para atender a las posibilidades históricas y conceptuales del video como formato que posibilita un ejercicio de memoria y apropiación de imágenes, medios y técnicas del pasado, sin pretender funcionar independientemente de significados culturales. Como se sugiere en su uso de Un perro andaluz, Becerra Cano toma el video como herramienta con la cual evidenciar algunos de algunos de esos significados y contraproponer una poética que fracture el vínculo histórico entre la imagen y las metáforas de violencia y trauma como modos de acceso al conocimiento, y que subvierta o disloque fuerzas combinadas de tecnología y género.
Multiplicity of positive solutions for a degenerate nonlocal problem with p-Laplacian
Authors: Candito Pasquale , Gasiński Leszek , Livrea Roberto , Santos Júnior João R.
Published: August 2021

We consider a nonlinear boundary value problem with degenerate nonlocal term depending on the L
q
-norm of the solution and the p-Laplace operator. We prove the multiplicity of positive solutions for the problem, where the number of solutions doubles the number of “positive bumps” of the degenerate term. The solutions are also ordered according to their L
q
-norms.
Performance improvements of a short glass fiber-reinforced PA66 composite
Authors: Lou Shumei , Zhang Hui , Liu Fang , Wang Jianchao , Yin Wenying , Chen Zhiyuan , Su Chunjian
Published: August 2021

A plate used in a medium voltage switch, made by a 25 wt% glass fiber-reinforced polyamide 66 composite filled with flame-retardant red phosphorus (RP) (PA66-GF25 FR (RP)), was injection molded. To satisfy the relatively high dimensional accuracy requirement, a “supporting mold” was used to compensate for the difference between the transverse and longitudinal linear shrinkage of the PA66-GF25 FR (RP). To reduce the internal residual stress caused by the “supporting mold,” hygrothermal conditioning treatments, including boiling water bath at 90–100°C and re-drying at 110°C, were used. To determine the effects of boiling water bath and re-drying on the dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties of the product, three treatment routes were applied. It was found that the route in which the boiling water bath is applied after the “supporting mold” is preferred to ensure the dimensional accuracies and the mechanical properties as a whole. Using a boiling water bath as a hygrothermal conditioning treatment can improve the mechanical properties and increase the dimensional accuracy of the product. In addition, by using the preferred route, re-drying can further improve the tensile, bending, and even impact strength.
The Echo of War: The Issue of World War II Reparations and Occupation Loan in Contemporary Greece
Authors:   Institute for Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Aleksandrova Anna
Published: August 2021

In World War II Greece suffered immense devastation; aside from the damage itself, the country was forced to provide the Third Reich with an occupation loan. After the war, Athens claimed reparations and repayment of the loan, but not all such claims were settled. The final solution was postponed until the eventual reunification of Germany and the signing of a peace treaty. All attempts of Greek diplomats to address the issue were met with the position that the issue has already been resolved diplomatically and in legal terms. The simmering conflict gained new prominence during the financial and economic crisis of 2010s. Greek citizens, frustrated over the strict austerity policies, blamed not only their own government, but also the “troika” of creditors, which forced Greece to adopt such measures. Since the financial assistance program was developed largely by Germany, the Greek collective memory provided a number of vivid negative images connected to Germany, the Nazi crimes in particular. In the public space of Greece the issues of reparations and the occupation credit were constantly discussed, putting further strain on Greek-German relations. These attitudes among the Greek public were used by Greek politicians who strived to shift the blame for the ongoing crisis onto the Germany. Stereotypes of the past became a tool ofGreek populists. During the crisis the issue of post-war payments reached a new level, and a desire for historic justice was accompanied by the blamegame against Germany.
Do Successor Parties Influence Public Attitudes toward the Past? Evidence from Young Democracies
Authors: Raimundo Filipa , Santana-Pereira José
Published: August 2021

What explains how citizens living in young democracies feel about their authoritarian past? While the impact of autocratic legacies on support for democracy and left–right placement has been thoroughly studied, we know less about the determinants of attitudes toward the past in post-authoritarian democracies. This study relies on survey data collected in Southern and Central European countries ten years after their transitions to democracy in order to test context-dependent variance in the relevance of ideology and party identification on citizen attitudes toward the past. The results show that classical factors such as regime type and mode of transition are not the main determinants of the politicization of attitudes toward the past and that the existence of a strong authoritarian successor party is associated with stronger politicization of the past.
Tales of (Self-)Destruction
Authors: Díaz-Dávalos Angel M.
Published: August 2021

Narconarratives often portray drug-trafficking culture through an “us versus them” or “friend versus enemy” Manicheism. This dichotomy erases the role of the government in the history of narcoviolence and reproduces a formulaic and a marketable “good versus evil” distinction commonly found throughout the Mexican literary field. In this article, I analyze two short stories that deconstruct this narrative, “Z” (Julián Herbert) and “Hombres armados” (Daniel Espartaco Sánchez), from the collection Narcocuentos. I approach these stories through the concept of biopolitics, emphasizing the relationship between state and (il)legal violence(s), as well as the authors’ positions in the literary field. These stories reframe the friend-versus-enemy rhetoric, offering unidentifiable perpetrators and victims instead. Moreover, they challenge the hegemonic discourse by using two figures that thrive at the boundaries between life and death: the zombie and the homo sacer. However, the anthology’s failure to attract a wide readership reveals that Herbert’s and Espartaco Sánchez’s attempts to subvert the traditional drug-trafficking “grand narrative” has not been commercially successful in challenging the deeply engrained us-versus-them Manicheism.
Rany przewlekłe stopy – rosnący problem kliniczny i społeczny?
Authors: Włodarczyk Jakub , Stępniak Julita , Płoski Karol , Płoska Martyna , Włodarczyk Marcin
Published: August 2021

Owrzodzenia stóp są częstym powikłaniem w większości źle kontrolowanej cukrzycy i słabego krążenia, powstają w wyniku rozpadu tkanki skórnej i odsłonięcia warstw pod nią. Ze względu na częstość występowania, trudności w leczeniu oraz przewlekły charakter, zmiany troficzne pozostają istotnym problemem społecznym, epidemiologicznym i klinicznym. Bez szybkiej i właściwej terapii owrzodzenie stopy może wymagać leczenia szpitalnego i skutkować dalszymi poważnymi powikłaniami, takimi jak: głęboka infekcja, zgorzel i amputacja. Celem pracy była ocena i przedstawienie sytuacji polskiej populacji pod kątem epidemiologii owrzodzeń stóp, leczenia operacyjnego i finansowania w latach 2011–2015. Materiał i metody W pracy zaprezentowano przekrojową analizę populacji polskiej, dotyczącą leczenia chirurgicznego owrzodzeń stóp. W celu oceny rozpowszechnienia i pośrednich kosztów opieki zdrowotnej związanych z tym schorzeniem przeanalizowano dane zgromadzone przez Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia w latach 2011–2015. Wyniki W 2015 roku w Polsce leczono 176 860 pacjentów z powodu owrzodzeń stóp. Całkowity koszt opieki medycznej w tej grupie oszacowano na blisko 85 milionów zł. Ponad 95% (168 162) osób leczono w ambulatoryjnej opiece specjalistycznej, a tylko 4,5% (8040) było hospitalizowanych. Jednocześnie łączne wydatki związane z pobytem w szpitalu prawie potroiły koszty opieki ambulatoryjnej (62 534 550,48 vs. 21 864 721,1 zł). Oddziały chirurgii ogólnej nadal stanowią większość (93,17%) wszystkich oddziałów specjalistycznych w trakcie hospitalizacji. Cukrzyca insulinozależna i miażdżyca są najczęstszą przyczyną przyjęcia do szpitala (kolejno 21,17% i 17,75%). Można zaobserwować znaczny wzrost liczby hospitalizacji. W 2015 roku, w porównaniu do 2011 roku, odnotowano wzrost o około 35% (8828 vs. 6570 pacjentów), przy jednoczesnym wzroście kosztów całkowitych z 48 milionów do 62,5 miliona zł. Wydaje się, że zmiany troficzne częściej występują u mężczyzn niż u kobiet (64,15% vs. 35,85%) oraz u pacjentów w wieku powyżej 60 lat (62,05% leczonych). Wnioski Liczba chorych z owrzodzeniami stóp w polskim społeczeństwie stale rośnie. Zdecydowana większość hospitalizowanych pacjentów wymaga interwencji chirurgicznej, co znacznie obciąża budżet systemu opieki zdrowotnej i stwarza liczne zagrożenia. Można zaobserwować wyraźną nierównowagę pomiędzy środkami przeznaczonymi na hospitalizację a ambulatoryjną opiekę specjalistyczną. Biorąc pod uwagę skalę emisji, należy przewartościować dotychczasowe strategie leczenia i finansowania.
Blizna jako problem nie tylko estetyczny
Authors: Książek-Czekaj Agnieszka
Published: August 2021

Efektem procesu gojenia ran w ciele człowieka jest powstanie blizny. Niejednokrotnie proces ten przebiega w pełni prawidłowo, dzięki czemu nie ma konieczności dodatkowych działań w jej obszarze. Niestety nie zawsze tak się dzieje. Nieprawidłowo przebudowana blizna może nieść ze sobą wiele negatywnych dla pacjenta problemów fizjologicznych i estetycznych, a także psychologicznych związanych z brakiem akceptacji blizny bądź traumatycznymi wspomnieniami odnoszącymi się do jej powstania.
Postępowanie miejscowe i rola opatrunków specjalistycznych w leczeniu oparzenia termicznego II stopnia goleni – opis przypadku
Authors: Manowska Małgorzata
Published: August 2021

Rany oparzeniowe należą do powszechnie występujących uszkodzeń skóry, które w znakomitej większości nie wymagają hospitalizacji i mogą być leczone ambulatoryjnie. Do takich oparzeń należą oparzenia I i II stopnia, nieprzekraczające 15% całkowitej powierzchni ciała. Miejscowe postępowanie z raną oparzeniową ma na celu opracowanie i oczyszczenie jej w taki sposób, aby utrzymać czyste, poddające się terapii środowisko. Opatrunek zastosowany na ranę oparzeniową powinien m.in.: zapobiegać infekcji, zapewnić wilgotne środowisko w łożysku rany, a także zmniejszać dolegliwości bólowe chorego. W pracy przedstawiono opis przypadku mężczyzny z oparzeniem termicznym, leczonego początkowo opatrunkiem hydrożelowym, a następnie opatrunkiem lipidokoloidowym zawierającym jony srebra (UrgoClean® Ag), który szybko pomógł w opanowaniu miejscowej infekcji. W dalszej kolejności zastosowano opatrunek skracający czas leczenia – UrgoStart® Plus Border. Podczas każdej zmiany opatrunku rana była oczyszczana łyżką kostną oraz dezynfekowana. Efektem takiego postępowania było wyleczenie rany w czasie 21 dni.
Nie każda rana jest widoczna – poznawcze skutki pandemii u dzieci
Authors: Stachura Anna , Siudak Anna
Published: August 2021

Trwająca od 12 marca 2020 roku pandemia wirusa SARS-CoV-2 wywiera wpływ na całe społeczeństwo we wszystkich aspektach i w każdej grupie wiekowej. Dotychczas niewiele badań dotyczy trudności małych dzieci urodzonych tuż przed pandemią i w czasie jej trwania. Niniejsza praca ma na celu zaprezentowanie, jak wiele czynników mających wpływ na rozwój dziecka zostało zaburzonych w czasie pandemii i jak niekorzystnie zmiany te odbijają się na dzieciach. Przeprowadzone przez Autorki wstępne badania wskazują na konieczność edukacji i zwrócenia uwagi na trudności rozwojowe nie tylko przez rodziców i opiekunów, lecz także specjalistów, którzy na co dzień w swojej pracy spotykają się z dziećmi. Istotne bowiem jest wczesne wykrywanie nieprawidłowości, a następnie podjęcie działań terapeutycznych. Metody i techniki terapii dzieci z zaburzeniami opracowane na gruncie neurobiologii dają możliwość niwelowania dysfunkcji, o ile zostaną podjęte zanim nastąpią trudne do skompensowania zmiany. Autorki niniejszej pracy dokonały analizy dotyczącej określenia dzieci z grup ryzyka, u których konieczne jest wprowadzenie stymulacji neurobiologicznej w formie profilaktyki.
A case-based reasoning method for discriminating damage levels in ancient wood components based on fuzzy similarity priority
Authors: Wang Ziyi , Ma Donghui , Wang Wei , Qian Wei , Guo Xiaodong , Huan Junhong , Gao Zhongwei
Published: August 2021

In order to rapidly identify internal damage levels accurately in ancient wood components, stress wave detection technology was used to perform simulated damage tests on pine specimens. Based on the detected wave velocity data, the diameter of the specimen, the attenuation coefficient, and the ratio of the wave velocities on the four paths were selected as the discriminant factors for identifying the level of internal damage in the specimens. A case-based reasoning method for discriminating internal damage levels in ancient wood components based on fuzzy similarity priority was proposed. A fuzzy similarity priority relationship between the target case and the source case was established. By introducing the idea of variable weights, the weight of each discriminant factor was determined via the “penalize-excitation” variable weight function. The comprehensive similarity sequences between the target case and the source case were obtained. The source case that was most similar to the target case was used to determine the damage level of the target case. The results showed that this method can quickly and accurately identify the damage levels in ancient wood components, which provides a new method for the safe evaluation of ancient wood buildings.
Normal stress distribution of timber-concrete composite panels with an adhesive shear connection under thermal and humidity loadings
Authors: Bajzecerová Viktória , Kanócz Ján , Kormaníková Eva , Karľa Viktor , Orolin Peter , Vranay František
Published: August 2021

Humidity and temperature conditions have a substantial influence on the stresses and total deformation of timber-concrete composite panels, especially in terms of the high rigidity of the shear connection. In the present research, the normal stresses that resulted from the hygrothermal load of timber-concrete composite panels with an adhesive shear connection were analyzed. Three timber-concrete composite panel specimens were placed in controlled climate conditions. Strains in two orthogonal directions were measured. The stress distribution resulted from an approximate analytical calculation model. The results show that the highest stresses occurred near the shear connection. An increase in timber moisture content by 2.1% was predicted to result in exceeding the flexural tensile strength in the concrete perpendicular to the timber grain direction. At an outdoor temperature range, stresses influenced only by the temperature alone will possibly not cause a failure of timber or concrete. Under winter environmental conditions, the stress in timber can possibly reach 12% of the bending strength of the timber used.