bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasmon-enhanced strong exciton–polariton coupling in single microwire-based heterojunction light-emitting diodes
Authors: Kan Caixia , Wu Yuting , Xu Juan , Wan Peng , Jiang Mingming
Published: December 2020

Manipulating the strong light–matter coupling interaction in optical microresonators that are naturally formed by semiconductor micro- or nanostructures is crucial for fabricating high-performance exciton–polariton devices. Such devices can function as coherent light sources having considerably lower emission threshold. In this study, an exciton–polariton light-emitting diode (LED), made of a single ZnO microwire (MW) and a p-GaN substrate, serving as the hole injector, was fabricated, and its working characteristics, in the near-ultraviolet region, were demonstrated. To further improve the quality of the single ZnO MW-based optical microresonator, Ag nanowires (AgNWs) with ultraviolet plasmonic response were deposited on the MW. Apart from the improvement of the electrical and optical properties of the hexagonal ZnO MW, the optically pumped whispering-gallery-mode lasing characteristics were significantly enhanced. Furthermore, a single ZnO MW not covered, and covered by AgNWs, was used to construct a heterojunction LED. Compared with single bare ZnO MW-based LED, significant enhancement of the device performance was achieved, including a significant enhancement in the light output and a small emission band blueshift. Specifically, the exciton–polariton emission was observably enhanced, and the corresponding Rabi splitting energy (∼ 495 meV) was significantly higher than that of the bare ZnO MW-based LED (∼ 370 meV). That ultraviolet plasmons of AgNWs enhanced the exciton–polariton coupling strength was further confirmed via angle-resolved electroluminescence measurements of the single MW-based polaritonic devices, which clearly illustrated the presence of Rabi splitting and subband anti-crossing characteristics. The experimental results provide new avenues to achieve extremely high coupling strengths, which can accelerate the advancements in electrically driven high-efficiency polaritonic coherent emitters and nonlinear devices.
Evaluation of underweight status may improve identification of the highest-risk patients during outpatient evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Kitonsa Peter J. , Nalutaaya Annet , Mukiibi James , Nakasolya Olga , Isooba David , Kamoga Caleb , Baik Yeonsoo , Robsky Katherine , Dowdy David W. , Katamba Achilles , Kendall Emily A.
Published: December 2020

Background

When evaluating symptomatic patients for tuberculosis (TB) without access to same-day diagnostic test results, clinicians often make empiric decisions about starting treatment. The number of TB symptoms and/or underweight status could help identify patients at highest risk for a positive result. We sought to evaluate the usefulness of BMI assessment and a count of characteristic TB symptoms for identifying patients at highest risk for TB.

Methods

We enrolled adult patients receiving pulmonary TB diagnoses and a representative sample with negative TB evaluations at four outpatient health facilities in Kampala, Uganda. We asked patients about symptoms of chronic cough, night sweats, chest pain, fever, hemoptysis, or weight loss; measured height and weight; and collected sputum for mycobacterial culture. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy (for culture-positive TB) of two simple scoring systems: (a) number of TB symptoms, and (b) number of TB symptoms plus one or more additional points for underweight status (body mass index [BMI] ≤ 18.5 kg/m2).

Results

We included 121 patients with culture-positive TB and 370 patients with negative culture results (44 of whom had been recommended for TB treatment by evaluating clinicians). Of the six symptoms assessed, the median number of symptoms that patients reported was two (interquartile range [IQR]: 1, 3). The median BMI was 20.9 kg/m2 (IQR: 18.6, 24.0), and 118 (24%) patients were underweight. Counting the number of symptoms provided an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (c-statistic) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.72, 0.81) for identifying culture-positive TB; adding two points for underweight status increased the c-statistic to 0.81 (95%CI: 0.76, 0.85). A cutoff of ≥3 symptoms had sensitivity and specificity of 65% and 74%, whereas a score of ≥4 on the combined score (≥2 symptoms if underweight, ≥4 symptoms if not underweight) gave higher sensitivity and specificity of 69% and 81% respectively. A sensitivity analysis defining TB by Xpert MTB/RIF status produced similar results.

Conclusion

A count of patients’ TB symptoms may be useful in clinical decision-making about TB diagnosis. Consideration of underweight status adds additional diagnostic value.
Behavioral preventive measures and the use of medicines and herbal products among the public in response to Covid-19 in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ahmed Iftekhar , Hasan Maruf , Akter Rahima , Sarkar Bidduth Kumar , Rahman Marufa , Sarker Md Samun , Samad Mohammed A.
Published: December 2020

The present study was conducted to assess the behavioral preventive measures and the use of medicines and herbal foods/products among the public in response to Covid-19. A cross-sectional survey comprised of 1222 participants was conducted from 27 June to 20 July 2020. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to identify the differences in behavioral preventive practices across different demographic categories. To identify the factors associated with the use of preventive medicines and herbal foods/products, multivariable logistic regression was performed. Most participants adopted the recommended preventive practices such as washing hands more frequently (87.5%), staying home more often (85.5%), avoiding crowds (86%), and wearing masks (91.6%). About half of the smokers reported a decreased rate of smoking during the pandemic. Also, 14.8% took medicines, 57.6% took herbal foods/products, and 11.2% took both medicines and herbal foods/products as preventive measure against Covid-19. Arsenicum album, vitamin supplements, and zinc supplements were the most commonly used preventive medicines. Gender, age, and fear of Covid-19 were significantly associated with the use of both preventive medicines and herbal foods/products. For the management of Covid-19 related symptoms, paracetamol, antihistamines, antibiotics, and mineral (zinc and calcium) supplements were used most often. Most participants sought information from non-medical sources while using medicines and herbal products. Moreover, potentially inappropriate and unnecessary use of certain drugs was identified.
Un estudio antropológico-jurídico de la conducta ética del etnógrafo en el espacio hospitalario en México
Authors: Sánchez Edith Yesenia Peña , López Diana Socorro Gómez , Albarrán Lilia Hernández
Published: December 2020

El presente trabajo busca reflexionar sobre las implicaciones éticas y legales de las prácticas etnográficas del antropólogo médico y/o de la salud dentro de los espacios hospitalarios, así como la validez, eficacia y legitimación de su participación en ellos. Partimos de reconocer que en estos espacios convergen diversos actores sociales normados por un marco regulatorio sanitario, y que a razón de su construcción disciplinaria, se presentan tensiones axiológicas que hace las veces necesario generar nuevos mecanismos jurídico-éticos de aproximación a los usuarios a través de los cuales el antropólogo encuentre una entrada en el desempeño de sus investigaciones para la contribución de la mejora de los servicios hospitalarios, sin olvidar que la adscripción de principios deónticos para la antropología no puede desvincularse de la historicidad social de la disciplina y de la ética.
Novo método de extração de amidos do cálculo dentário e criação de uma coleção identificada para a reconstrução das dietas do passado
Authors: Monge Calleja Álvaro M. , Pereira Coutinho António Xavier , Santos Ana Luísa
Published: December 2020

A identificação de amidos vegetais embebidos no cálculo dentário tem vindo a potenciar os estudos paleodietéticos. Este trabalho apresenta um novo protocolo de extração e tratamento de amidos vegetais e divulga a criação duma coleção identificada para a subsequente identificação.
O protocolo de extração consta de três fases – extração, preparação e identificação –, com uma duração de 4 dias, onde o cálculo dentário é sujeito à dissolução ácida ligeira da matriz fosfocálcica, à precipitação dos amidos, e à observação e identificação morfométrica em microscópica ótica ou eletrónica. Para tal, foi criada uma coleção identificada, a partir de alimentos habituais na dieta em território Português em fresco, secos ou em farinha. Adicionou-se uma chave dicotómica de consulta rápida para facilitar o processo de identificação.
Esta coleção conta com 19 espécies, estando prevista a sua ampliação caso surjam novos projetos de investigação.
Esperamos que novos estudos beneficiem desta metodologia para a reconstrução das dietas do passado.
Fiscal Consolidation: Welfare Effects of the Adjustment Speed
Authors: Fonseca Miguel
Published: December 2020

This article studies the response of social welfare to fiscal consolidations, by focusing on a less debated characteristic of fiscal plans: the speed of deleveraging. A neoclassical overlapping generations model is calibrated to the German economy, and a sequence of reductions of the same size in the debt‑ to GDP ratio are simulated considering different adjustment periods. Welfare gains are found to be larger in slow, delayed fiscal consolidations, due to the presence of incomplete markets. It is also found that the aggregate welfare response depends on the distribution of wealth and the type of fiscal instrument used.
The genetic profiles and maternal origin of local sheep breeds on Java Island (Indonesia) based on complete mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences
Authors: Ibrahim Alek , Budisatria I Gede Suparta , Widayanti Rini , Artama Wayan Tunas
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim: Java Island is one of the islands in Indonesia which has local sheep breeds with specific characteristics and native development geography in certain regions. This study aimed to determine the genetic profiles and maternal origin of six local sheep breeds on Java Island. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by identifying the profiles of complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displacement loop (D-loop) region sequences on a total of 22 individual in six local sheep breeds on Java Island, including Javanese thin-tailed (JTT), Javanese Fat-Tailed (JFT), Batur (BTR), Wonosobo (WSB), Garut (GRT), and Priangan (PRG) sheep. The D-loop region was amplified using specific primers, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. The PCR products were purified and sequenced. Results: The mtDNA D-loop analysis identified 21 haplotypes in the analyzed 22 animals with 123 polymorphic sites (V) consisting of 60 singleton variable sites (S) and 63 parsimony informative sites (P). Within all breeds tested, the haplotype diversity, the average number of pairwise differences (K), and nucleotide diversity (Pi) were 0.99567, 25.36364, and 0.02153, respectively. The genetic distance (D) within groups and between groups was 0.001-0.006 and 0.004-0.036, respectively. The phylogeny resulted in the presence of two haplogroups (Hap), which are 5 Hap A and 16 Hap B. All JTT, JFT, BTR, and WSB breeds were in the same cluster in Hap B, whereas GRT and PRG breeds were in clusters in both Hap A and Hap B. Conclusion: The high genetic diversity in six local sheep breeds on Java Island suggests that they originated from different genetic sources. JTT sheep have closer genetic relationships to JFT, BTR, and WSB sheep, and they are close to European sheep, whereas GRT sheep have closer genetic relationships to PRG sheep. Both are closer to Asian sheep than to European sheep.
A responsabilidade compartilhada no Direito da Criança e Adolescente como dimensão da solidariedade: intersecção entre público e privado.
Authors: Souza Ismael Francisco de
Published: December 2020

O artigo analisará a responsabilização estendida aos particulares por meio da solidariedade, caracterizadora da vinculação dos mesmos aos direitos fundamentais de crianças e adolescentes e que se reveste de verdadeiro dever de agir e de não omissão nos casos de violação. Assim, inicialmente abordar-se-á a constitucionalização do direito privado no paradigma do Estado Democrático de Direito contemporâneo; a solidariedade em seus aspectos conceituais e como princípio basilar do ordenamento constitucional brasileiro para, finalizar com a caracterização da responsabilidade compartilhada com a família e sociedade em geral, instâncias de excelência das relações privadas, pela garantia dos direitos de crianças e adolescentes como uma das dimensões da solidariedade. Por fim, entende-se que a sociedade se torna lócus ideal de liberdade do indivíduo, de colaboração mútua e, ainda, espaço harmonioso por meio do qual dialogicamente serão efetivados direitos e deveres numa lógica de solidariedade. O método adotado foi o dedutivo com pesquisa bibliográfica.
O “velho” Lemos como transformador do orphanato municipal
Authors: Nunes Marcia Cristina Ribeiro Gonçalves
Published: December 2020

Durante os anos de 1897-1911, Lemos foi a autoridade política do município, sendo, portanto, quem regia as ações governamentais municipais, administrando os recursos para o “embelezamento da cidade”. Durante seu cargo de Intendente e dentre as ações realizadas em prol do embelezamento da cidade, estava o abrigo e amparo dos órfãos desvalidos, o que levou as políticas instituídas por Lemos a ter ligação direta com o Orphelinato Paraense até, tal instituição, passar a ser responsabilidade do município, criada por uma lei municipal que lhe dava autonomia para reorganizar e modelar o ensino das órfãs. Na concepção de Antônio Lemos, como deveria se dar a educação dessas meninas órfãs? Este artigo visa analisar as práticas educativas e socioassistenciais destas meninas órfãs, na Intendência de Antônio Lemos, da passagem do “Orphelinato Paraense” produzido no passado para o “Orphanato Antônio Lemos” de responsabilidade municipal.
Understanding of Contemporary Human Resource Management
Authors: Mushtaq Khawaja Asif
Published: December 2020

In recent era human resource management (HRM) got a considerable popularity and attraction among corporates. Chief operation officers of corporate world are enthusiastically engaging in HRM to understand its financial worth for the organizations. Human resource management (HRM) is a set of formal systems of an organization that ensures the most effective and efficient use of available human capital for the attainment of organizational objective. Human Resource management has become the best source for organizational competitive advantage.
Prostaglandin E-Major Urinary Metabolite Predicts Relapse in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis in Clinical Remission
Authors: Ishida Natsuki , Sugiura Kiichi , Miyazu Takahiro , Tamura Satoshi , Suzuki Satoshi , Tani Shinya , Yamade Mihoko , Iwaizumi Moriya , Hamaya Yasushi , Osawa Satoshi , Furuta Takahisa , Sugimoto Ken
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM) is a novel biomarker reflecting endoscopic activity in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, there are no studies investigating the efficacy of PGE-MUM as a biomarker for predicting relapse. We investigated whether PGE-MUM can predict clinical relapse of UC.

METHODS:

The measurement of PGE-MUM and endoscopic evaluation were performed in 70 patients with UC in clinical remission. The optimal cutoff values predicting relapse and relapse-free rate were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Sixteen patients (22.9%) relapsed during the 12-month follow-up. The median PGE-MUM value of relapsed patients at entry was significantly higher than that of patients in clinical remission (P= 0.008). The cutoff value of PGE-MUM predicting future relapse was 25.2 μg/g Cr by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.721 (95% confidence interval: 0.556–0.886). The relapse-free rate of patients with PGE-MUM ≥25.2 μg/g Cr was significantly lower than that in patients with PGE-MUM <25.2 μg/g Cr (log-rank test:P< 0.001). The ROC analysis of UC patients with disease duration more than 1–8 years showed that duration of more than 5 years had the largest area under the ROC curve 0.821 (95% confidence interval: 0.583–1.000) and that the optimal cutoff value was 26.3 μg/g Cr.

DISCUSSION:

PGE-MUM is a reliable biomarker for predicting future relapse, particularly in UC patients with long-disease duration.
Development of an online tense and aspect identifier for English
Authors: Blake John
Published: December 2020

This article describes the development of a tense and aspect identifier,
an online tool designed to help learners of English by harnessing a natural
language processing pipeline to automatically classify verb groups into one
of 12 grammatical tenses. Currently, there is no website or application that
can automatically identify tense in context, and the tense and aspect
identifier fills that niche. Learners can use the tool to see how
grammatical tenses are used in context. Finite verb groups are automatically
identified, and the relevant words in the verb group are highlighted and
colorized according to the tense identified. The latest deployed system can
identify tenses in simple, compound, and complex sentences. False positive
results occur when there is ellipsis of auxiliary verbs or when the tagger
assigns the incorrect part-of-speech tag. The user interface of the tense
identifier is a web app created using the Flask framework and deployed from
the Heroku platform. The tool can be used for inductive and deductive
teaching approaches, or even to check for tense consistency in a
thesis.
Understanding participation in CALL vocabulary tasks through complexity
theory
Authors: Dickinson Paul
Published: December 2020

This study explored participation by Japanese university English as a
Foreign Language (EFL) learners in Computer Assisted Language
Learning/Mobile Assisted Language Learning (CALL/MALL) vocabulary tasks
through the lens of Complexity Theory (CT). CT, which studies how complex
systems are influenced by changes in interconnected variables
(Larsen-Freeman & Cameron, 2008), has been advocated as an approach that
aligns well with Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and CALL research
(Godwin-Jones, 2019). In this study, CT was applied to action research
involving learners using smartphones to create game-based vocabulary
quizzes. It aimed to understand how the context, personal attributes, and
in-class interactions affected participation and learning outcomes. The
results show the variability and nonlinearity of learners’ language
development, the importance of initial conditions, and the vital role of
teacher input. It also demonstrated that there are various ways to
successfully complete a task, so viewing tasks as dynamic systems may be a
fruitful approach.
Crowdsourcing for widening participation and learning opportunities: a
view from language learners’ window
Authors: Hatipoğlu Çiler , Gajek Elżbieta , Miloshevska Lina , Delibegović Džanić Nihada
Published: December 2020

Online crowdsourcing sites/platforms have become popular in recent
years. This study aims to uncover when, where, and how language learners in
Turkey (TUR), Poland (POL), Macedonia (MAC), and Bosnia and Herzegovina
(B&H) make use of the available crowdsourcing websites/games to learn
foreign languages. To ensure parallelism among the data collected in the
four countries, a cross-culturally appropriate online questionnaire in
English comprised of two parts was designed for this study. Part one
gathered information about the use of crowdsourcing sites, tools, and games,
while part two elicited background information related to the participants
(N=211). The data were analysed considering country- and context-specific
variables. The results show that there are more similarities than
differences in the ways informants in the studied countries perceive, and
employ crowdsourcing resources to learn languages. Therefore, the findings
might provide insights for experts, material developers and teacher trainers
striving to create cross-culturally valid crowdsourcing
platforms/games.
Intelligent speaker is watching you: alleviation of L2 learners’ social
anxiety
Authors: Hayashi Kotaro , Sato Takeshi
Published: December 2020

This study investigates the effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence
(AI) speaker as a device used for interactions in a foreign language (L2),
and a tracking eye installed on the speaker to reduce L2 anxiety. L2 anxiety
is an urgent issue since the anxiety derived from a fear of being judged,
being negatively evaluated, or being rejected by others is hindering active
L2 use. Our study hypothesizes that the question–response functions of the
AI speakers would encourage L2 learners to input and output a considerable
amount of L2 without the feeling of anxiety toward the speakers. We then
asked eight Japanese undergraduates to conduct daily L2 interactions with
the speakers in their homes for one month. The findings from pre-and
post-listening tests, questionnaire surveys, and interviews revealed that
intelligence speakers – Google Home (GH) – could enhance the learners’ L2
motivations, gave them positive impressions, and helped eradicate their
anxiety toward L2 interactions.
Analysis of a Japan-Philippines telecollaboration from a social realist
perspective
Authors: Healy Sandra , Tsubota Yasushi , Kennedy Olivia
Published: December 2020

This study applies social realist theory to the analysis of an ongoing
online telecollaboration between Japanese undergraduate students in a
classroom setting in Japan and Filipino teachers in an English conversation
school in Cebu, the Philippines. The accepted goals of telecollaboration in
an international context are the development of intercultural communication
and linguistic skills. Analysis showed that, without guidance, the influence
of Japanese educational policies on students, including a version of
internationalisation known as kokusaika, can result in intracultural –
rather than intercultural – communication. It is suggested that a focus on
“small” – rather than “large” – culture may help address this issue in
Japan, and improve intercultural and linguistic awareness.
Constructing digital ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ gamebooks to enhance
creative writing and collaboration skills
Authors: Irwin Bradley
Published: December 2020

This paper explains details of a creative writing project aimed at
increasing students’ motivation to write in English and develop
collaboration skills. Forty-eight first-year – A2-B1 Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level – English as a Foreign
Language (EFL) learners enrolled in a reading and writing course at a
Japanese university and participated in a collaborative, project-based
language learning task. In small groups, students created gamebooks (approx.
1,500 words) in the Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) style using Google
Slides. Both experiences from class and survey results suggest that students
found the activity highly enjoyable and that their motivation to write in
English increased. In the survey, many students also commented about the
positive impact that this project had on their ability to express themselves
in English while collaborating with their classmates, suggesting that the
project fulfilled its two aims.
Exploring marginalised communities with online student portfolios using
Google Drive and TEDx Talks
Authors: Jolley Kym , Perez Mario
Published: December 2020

Two university writing classes (N=49) in Japan completed three writing
tasks that focused on marginalised communities utilising Google Drive and
TEDxKyoto Talks as part of a writing portfolio assessment. Participants also
completed a voluntary reflective survey. The reflective survey results
indicated that students demonstrated an increased awareness of the
communities discussed and a desire to undertake further similar exercises.
Furthermore, the portfolio responses indicated that the students were
capable of tackling complex topics effectively in the L2 writing classroom
when combining TEDx Talks with Google Drive. This indicates that tasks which
focus on issues of social importance utilising Computer Assisted Language
Learning (CALL) inside the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing
classroom can be both pedagogically and socially meaningful.
Finnish students’ perceptions of key elements in effective online
language courses: insights from the KiVAKO project
Authors: Korkealehto Kirsi , Ohinen-Salvén Maarit
Published: December 2020

This study explored Finnish students’ perceptions of online language
courses with the KiVAKO project (KiVAKO is an acronym in Finnish meaning
strengthening the language capital at higher education institutions). The
aim was to identify and make visible the aspects that need to be taken into
account in designing an effective online language course. The research
context included eight pilot courses created and implemented within the
framework of the KiVAKO project, which seeks to develop a nationwide online
language course offering. Language instruction is offered in Chinese,
Estonian, Finnish Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish on Common European Framework of Reference
(CEFR) levels A1-C1. The research data consisted of responses to a
post-course online questionnaire. The data were analysed according to a
qualitative content analysis method. The findings indicate that clearly
structured course design, relevant learning materials, appropriate teacher
activities, and aligned assignments enhanced the students’ positive learning
experiences.
Beyond frequency: evaluating the lexical demands of reading materials
with open-access corpus tools
Authors: Martini Juliane
Published: December 2020

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the appropriateness of
open-access reading materials for an intensive English for Academic Purposes
(EAP) course, and to provide teachers with a set of criteria to select
online texts systematically and efficiently. The Corpus for Veterinarians
(VetCorpus) was compiled and analyzed using Lextutor corpus tools. Taking
into account students’ vocabulary size, background knowledge, word
frequency, proper nouns, compound words, and cognates, the VetCorpus was
considered useful and appropriate for intermediate level students, but too
difficult for elementary level students. Further lexical analysis showed
that the VetCorpus also provides learners with opportunities to encounter
technical and academic vocabulary.
A situation creation system to enable experiential learning in virtual
worlds for developing cross-cultural competencies
Authors: Mirzaei Maryam Sadat , Meshgi Kourosh , Nishida Toyoaki
Published: December 2020

The emergence of virtual worlds and simulation games provide ample
opportunities for developing cultural competence by offering a visual,
contextual, immersive, and interactive experience. Learners can benefit from
contextual interactions and develop cultural competencies by fulfilling
quests or exploring the environment. However, most of the existing systems
contain few pre-designed scenarios, inadequate for covering unique aspects
of different cultures. This study introduces a situation creation toolkit
for teachers and learners to design their culture-specific scenarios in a 3D
environment and share it with others to experience such situations. In a
preliminary experiment, 37 English learners with different cultural
backgrounds created a scenario, specific to their culture, and provided
proper/improper communicative choices as well as cultural-related notes.
Scenarios were then exchanged to those of different cultures for
role-playing and decision-making. Results highlighted the influence of L1
culture and stereotyping when facing an unfamiliar cultural context, thus
leading to culturally unacceptable behavior. Findings suggest that through
real-life scenario design and experience, our platform can prepare learners
to interact in culturally appropriate ways and encourages them to gain
cross-cultural competence.
An exploratory analysis of the impact of learners’ first language on
vocabulary recall using immersive technologies
Authors: Papin Kevin , Kaplan-Rakowski Regina
Published: December 2020

This exploratory post-hoc analysis examined the impact of learners’
first language (L1) on learning vocabulary annotated in immersive 360º
pictures. This analysis is a part of a larger, between-subjects study (Papin
& Kaplan-Rakowski, 2020) in which learners (N=63) of French as a second
language (L2) studied vocabulary annotated in (1) Two-Dimensional (2D)
pictures viewed on a desktop monitor, (2) 360º pictures viewed on a desktop
monitor, and (3) 360º pictures viewed using a Virtual Reality (VR) headset.
A multiple regression linear model revealed that native speakers of English
benefited significantly more from immersive technologies compared with L1
Chinese speakers. When low-immersion and high-immersion technologies were
used, Chinese L1 speakers were significantly disadvantaged by high-immersion
VR. This study has implications in the field of L2 vocabulary research and
learning materials design.
Students’ intention to use high-immersion virtual reality systems for
learning paragraph structure: a PLS-SEM exploratory study
Authors: Quaid Ethan Douglas , Pack Austin , Barrett Alex James , Zhou Litong
Published: December 2020

This short paper reports the findings of a study exploring English for
Academic Purposes (EAP) students’ behavioral intention to use a
high-immersion Virtual Reality (VR) system for learning paragraph structure.
The study measured relationships between variables that may lead to
learners’ intention to use the high-immersion VR Reality system through
leveraging a hypothesized theoretical framework based upon a widely used
technology acceptance model. Quantitative data were collected from 134
Sino-British English as a medium of instruction by university undergraduate
students enrolled in EAP classes by means of a post-participation
questionnaire. A Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling
(PLS-SEM) exploratory analysis was executed. Results suggested that
students’ intention to use the high-immersion VR learning environment was
primarily determined by its usefulness for learning and not how easy it was
to use. Furthermore, the degree to which the learners felt confident in
their ability to operate the system had a large impact on how easy they
perceived it was to use. And finally, the antecedent conditions of learners
had little impact on the students’ perceived usefulness of the VR
system.
Motivational effects of open badges in MOOCs. A learner perception study in OpenVM Learning Hub and MiriadaX
Authors:   Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin, Buchem Ilona , Borrás Gené Oriol ,   Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Published: December 2020

Open Badges have become a metadata standard that has been used to transform digital credentialing practices in learning contexts including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Badges may be designed and used in diverse ways to enhance learner motivation in MOOCs. However, empirical research about the motivational effects of the badging process has been limited to anecdotal evidence. Objective: The goal of this study was to explore the motivational effects of open badges in MOOCs. The primary research question was whether and how open badges motivate participants to: a) learn in MOOCs, b) to complete MOOCs, and c) to use Open Badges outside of the MOOC environment. Method: An exploratory learner perception study was conducted in two platforms: OpenVM and MiriadaX. Both platforms issue Open Badges to recognize learning outcomes in MOOCs. The research sample included 1788 participants with diverse backgrounds, who participated in OpenVM (n = 1412) and in MiriadaX (n = 376) courses. Learner perceptions were self-reported via two online surveys, which included an aligned set of items in English (OpenVM) and Spanish (MiriadaX). Results: The findings show that regardless of the MOOC platform, the topic of the course and the language of instruction, MOOC participants were motivated by open badges, especially by an adequate description of the skills developed in the MOOCs. A regression analysis indicated that an adequate skill description in the open badges had the greatest predictive value for motivation to learn in MOOCs and to complete the course (r2 = 56.3%). The instrument with five items showed high internal consistency (α = 0.92).
Mudanzas e continuidades na estrutura económica de Galicia tras a crise financeira. Unha análise a través de táboas input-output (TIO) dos anos 2008 e 2016
Authors: De la Torre Cuevas Fernando
Published: December 2020

O presente traballo investiga as mudanzas e as continuidades na estrutura económica de Galicia asociadas á crise iniciada no ano 2008 e ao posterior ciclo de recuperación. Abordaremos esta cuestión baixo o prisma da teoría crítica do desenvolvemento económico. Para iso, empregamos a información que nos proporcionan as táboas input-output dos anos 2008 e 2016, realizando un estudo comparativo delas. Comparamos, en primeiro lugar, os sectores claves que definen o núcleo da estrutura produtiva interior da economía galega. Seguidamente, estudamos as vantaxes e as desvantaxes comparativas da súa inserción exterior co resto de España, da Unión Europea e do mundo. Os resultados obtidos indican que a estrutura económica de Galicia non mudou, no fundamental, tras a crise económica. Este resultado empírico suxire que as causas do crecemento económico e da mellora no saldo da balanza comercial posteriores á crise deben ser buscadas noutro lugar.
New Dictionary Lithuanian-French
Authors: Blanco Escoda Xavier
Published: December 2020

Danguolė MELNIKIENĖ. Dictionnaire lituanien-français. Lietuvių-prancūzų kalbų žodynas. Collection Vertige de la langue, Paris, Hermann Éditions, 2020, 1200 p.
Ta-Nb mineralization in rare-metal pegmatite from north-western frame of Lypniazhka granite-migmatite structure
Authors:   Earth Science Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kurуlo S.I. ,   M.P. Semenenko Institute Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Lуzhachenko N.M. ,   State Institution «The Institute of Environmental Geochemistry of National Academy of Science of Ukraine», Bondarenko S.M. ,   M.P. Semenenko Institute Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Syomka V.O. ,   M.P. Semenenko Institute Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Hrinchenko O.V. ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Geology
Published: December 2020

The three type of rare-metal pegmatites are know in Stankuvatske ore field (Ingul megablock, the Ukraianian Shield), such as: Li-bearing, Bi-As-U and Ta-Nb pegmatites. For the first time Ta-Nb mineralisation from Ta-Nb bearing albite-K-Feldspar rare metal pegmatite have been described. Investigated pegmatite is located on the Norh-West frame of the Lypnazky granitemigmatite massive among hosted amphibolites. Rare-metal pegmatite doesn’t have obvious zonality and consist of alkaline feldspar, biotite, muscovite, dark to black colour quartz, blue-greenish apatite, nigerite, gachnite, tourmaline, monazite. The primary ferrocolumbite and Nb-rutile-II have undergone strong hydrothermal alteration. Thus primary rutile-II decomposed with formation of skeletal intergrowths of secondary cassiterite and rutile-III with a much lower volume of Nb and Ta under the influence of hydrothermal fluid. Primary homogenous Nb-rutile-I (Nb2O5+Ta2O5 from 33,5 to 42,9 wt.%) exsolved a fine trellis-like pattern and lamellar of Nb-pure rutile-III, cassiterite and Mn-rich ilmenite. The Nb-rutile-II is occurred in tabular grains with unclear internal zonation. Primary ferrcolumbite breakdown to Ti-ixiolite and Nb-rutile-III. Primary oscillatory zonality is transformed into irregularly patchy and veinlety. Recrystallized ferrotantalite is secondary and uncommon mineral. Ferrocolumbite contains 2.93 to 4.74 wt.%TiO2, and titanian ixiolite 7,33-10,76 wt.%. The (Ti,Nb)>Ta mineral assemblages, and compositional trend of columbite with very low Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/ (Mn+Fe) imply a general low level of fractionation in comparison with typical beryl-columbite rare-metal pegmatites.
U-Pb geochronology by zircon of fine-grained granite of the Osnitsky complex. (Volinsky megablok US)
Authors:   M.P. Semenenko Institute Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Vysotsky O.B. , Stepanyuk L.M. ,   M.P. Semenenko Institute Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Dovbush T.I. ,   M.P. Semenenko Institute Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Kovalenko N.O. ,   M.P. Semenenko Institute Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine
Published: December 2020

The article presents the results of uranium-lead dating of zircon from fine-grained granite of the Osnytsia block of the Volyn megablock of the Ukrainian Shield. The variety of granites of the Osnitsky complex is manifested starting from their appearance. They are dominated by massive medium-grained rocks, limitedly developed fine-grained, even less common coarse-grained varieties. The age of typical Osnitsky granites, determined by the uranium-lead method according to zircon, is 1980-1950 million years. Granitoids after gabbroids were formed, and their rooting took place in two stages. At the first stage, depending on the physicochemical and tectonic conditions, a whole range of acid rocks was formed – from leptitelike (fine-grained) to large-medium-grained granites. In the second stage, coarse-grained, typical Osnitsky granites took root. One of the most characteristic macroscopic features of Osnitsky granites is that quartz is almost always represented by lilac-gray rounded grains. According to the results of uranium-lead isotope dating, the age of zircon from fine-grained granite is 1973.6 ± 8.4 million years, and 14 ± 24 million years, according to the lower. The weighted average value of the isotopic age in the isotope ratio 207Pb/206Pb is 1969.3 ± 6 million years. The obtained age for zircon from fine-grained granite of the Osnitsky complex corresponds to the time of formation of granites of the Osnitsky block.
Pathological features of the sequence in pregnant women with delayed fetal growth
Authors:   Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kyiv, Golyanovskiy V.O. , Didyk Ye.O. ,   Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kyiv
Published: December 2020

Pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have an increased risk of adverse perinatal and long-term complications compared with the birth of children with normal body weight. Thus, IUGR is one of the main challenges for the global health system, especially in poor and developing countries. Morpho-functional studies of the placentas help in determining the causes of IUGR, and therefore, timely prevent complications in pregnant women with IUGR. The objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate various morphometric and pathomorphological changes in the placenta, including inflammatory, in cases of IUGR, and to establish a correlation of these results with the etiology and complications for the fetus. Materials and methods. In the current study, 54 placentas of the fetuses with IUGR (the main group) were compared with 50 placentas of the fetuses with normal development (control group). The criteria for the inclusion of IUGR were gestational age more than 30 weeks and all fetuses with a weight less than 10th percentile for this period of pregnancy. The placenta material was studied pathomorphologically with laboratory screening for infection and inflammation. Similarly, the results were determined for placentas of the fetuses with normal development compared to placentas with IUGR. Results. The placenta study showed the presence of calcification in the case of IUGR, as well as in the case of prolonged pregnancy. However, calcification of the placenta in the case of IUGR was more progressive compared with placenta in the normal pregnancy. In addition, the presence of intrauterine infection and inflammation was observed, which could also lead to an adverse outcome for the further progression of pregnancy with IUGR. Conclusion. A comparative macro- and microscopic pathomorphological study of the placentas in the two groups has shown a significant increase in the pathological changes in all the anatomical structures of the fetuses with IUGR. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal weight, pathomorphological changes of the placenta.
The structure of antiphospholipid antibodies circulation investigated in pregnancy І and ІІ trimester
Authors:   Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Leush S.St. , Ventskivs’ka I.B. ,   Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Zahorodnia O.S. ,   Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv
Published: December 2020

The article presents the results of a prospective study on the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in healthy primagravida with the analysis of further gestational complications. The objective: to determine the serum circulation of antibodies to different types of phospholipids in the first and second gestational trimester and to study the incidence of obstetric complications depending on this circulation. Materials and methods. Determination of antibodies to phospholipids in 11–12 and 18–20 gestational weeks by immunoassay analysis. The study included 150 primagravida (11-12 weeks) without reproductive impairment in history, a re-study was performed in 148 women, since 2 cases of spontaneus abortion were observed. The relative risk of development of major obstetric complications in women with the appearance of antibodies to phospholipids in the second trimester of pregnancy is calculated. Results. At the first inspection, the frequency of detection of antibodies to phospholipids ranged from 3 to 4%, which corresponds to global data on the prevalence of antibody circulation in a healthy population. However, in 18-20 weeks, a statistically significant increase in the frequency of antibody circulation, mainly to phosphatidylserine (21.6%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (17.4%), was detected. The peculiarities of the structure of the cell membrane are asymmetry of the location of phospholipids, in which negatively charged molecules, including phosphatidylserine and phosphotadylethanolamine, are located dominantly in a inner layer. The emergence of antibodies precisely to these molecules in the dynamics of pregnancy is evidence of their externalization, which may be the result of a violation of the normal functioning of the endothelium. Analysis of the course of the second half of pregnancy in patients with detected antibody subtypes showed an increase in the relative risk of severe preeclampsia, placental dysfunction and premature labor. Conclusions: 1. The APA circulation frequency by healthy primagravida in first gestational trimester is in accordance to world population. 2. In the second trimester an increasing of APA detection is registered, exactly for phosphatidylserin (21.6%) and phosphatidyletanolamin (17.4%) antibodies 3. Appearance of antibodies to negative phospholipids in the second pregnancy trimester lets propose destabilization of endothelium membranes in these patients, what is confirmed by a higher frequency of main obstetrics complications prospectively. Key words: antibodies to phospholipids, phosphatidylserine antibodies, phosphatidylethanolamine antibodies, endothelial dysfunction.
Infantile hemangioma
Authors:   Danylo Halytsky Lviv national medical university, Ukraine, Pereyaslov A.A. , Rybalchenko V.F. ,   Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kyiv, Ukraine, Losev О.О. ,   Odessa national medical university, Ukraine
Published: December 2020

Infantile hemangioma is one of the most common benign vascular malformations in children. Besides that, some questions about classification, diagnostic, and choice of method of treatment remains the questionable. The modern data about classification, clinical course, diagnostic, and main principles of treatment of infantile hemangioma are presented in this work. In most cases, the uncomplicated clinical course of infantile hemangioma was observed. However, in some patients the complications may arise. Ulceration, obstruction, functional impairment, and disfigurement are the most often complications of infantile hemangioma. Although, most infantile hemangiomas tend to regress spontaneously, some of them required the treatment. Applying of the β-blockers (systemic or topical), laser therapy, and surgery are the main methods that used for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas. Patients with infantile hemangiomas, despite the simplicity of diagnostic, should be treated on specialized centers. Early detection of at-risk infantile haemangioma is a major point, requiring an increased awareness by paediatricians, with the aim to prevent the complications development. However, it was proven the efficacy of propranolol treatment for the all types of infantile hemangiomas, the long-term follow-up studies are needed to assess its safety with regard to neurodevelopment. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: infantile hemangioma, diagnostic, treatment.