bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Characterization, Detection and Impact of Batch Refactoring in Practice
Authors: Bibiano Ana Carla , Garcia Alessandro
Published: April 2021

Up to 60% of the refactorings in software projects are constituted of a set of interrelated transformations, the so-called batches (or composite refactoring), rather than single transformations applied in isolation. However, a systematic characterization of batch characterization is missing, which hampers the elaboration of proper tooling support and empirical studies of how (batch) refactoring is applied in practice. This paper summarizes the research performed under the context of a Master's dissertation, which aimed at taming the aforementioned problems. To the best of our knowledge, our research is the first work published that provides a conceptual foundation, detection support and an large impact analysis of batch refactoring on code maintainability. To this end, we performed two complementary empirical studies as well as designed a first heuristic aimed at explicitly detecting batch refactorings. Our first study consisted of a literature review that synthesizes the otherwise scattered, partial conceptualization of batch refactoring mentioned in 29 studies with different purposes. We identified and defined seven batch characteristics such as the scope and typology of batches, plus seven types of batch effect on software maintainability, including code smell removal. All batches' characteristics and possible impacts were systematized in a conceptual framework, which assists, for instance, the proper design of batch refactoring studies and batch detection heuristics. We defined a new heuristic for batch detection, which made it possible to conduct a large study involving 4,607 batches discovered in 57 open and closed software projects. Amongst various findings, we reveal that most batches in practice occur entirely within one commit (93%), affect multiple methods (90%). Surprisingly, batches mostly end up introducing (51%) or not removing (38%) code smells. These findings contradict previous investigations limited to the impact analysis of each transformation in isolation. Our findings also enabled us to reveal beneficial or harmful patterns of batches that respectively induces the introduction or removal of certain code smells. These patterns: (i) were not previously documented even in Fowler's refactoring catalog, and (ii) provide concrete guidance for both researchers, tool designers, and practitioners.
Supporting Creation of New iStar Extensions through a Process
Authors: Gonçalves Enyo , Araújo João , Castro Jaelson
Published: April 2021

iStar is a goal-oriented requirements modelling language which has been used by industrial and academic projects of different domains. Modelling languages are commonly extended to add new constructs giving more expressiveness. iStar is often extended to incorporate new constructs. A study performed on iStar extensions identified 96 extensions and the occurrence of problems related to their quality. It was pointed out by experts in iStar extensions the need to propose a way to support the proposal of iStar extensions systematically to prevent the problem occurrence, increase the quality of extensions, and make extension creation a less challenging task. This work investigates how iStar extensions have been created and proposes a systematic way to guide the creation of quality extensions. A process to support the creation of new iStar extensions was proposed. The process was used to propose a new iStar extension and was analysed by experts. The results point to the usefulness of the process to propose new iStar extensions.
A Lightweight Technique to Identify Equivalent Mutants
Authors: Souza Beatriz , Gheyi Rohit
Published: April 2021

Mutation analysis is a popular but costly approach to assess the quality of test suites. Equivalent mutants are useless and contribute to increase costs. We propose a lightweight technique to identify equivalent mutants by proving equivalences with Z3 in the context of weak mutation testing. To evaluate our approach, we apply our technique for 40 mutation targets (mutations of an expression or statement) and automatically identify 13 equivalent mutations for seven mutation targets. We manually confirm that the equivalent mutants detected by our technique are indeed equivalent. Moreover, we evaluate our approach in the context of strong mutation testing against mutants generated by MuJava for 5 projects. Our technique detects all equivalent mutants detected by TCE. The results of our technique can be useful to improve mutation testing tools by avoiding the application of 13 mutations for 7 mutation targets.
Lidando com Componentes Resistentes a Mudanças no Contexto de Internet das Coisas
Authors: Fonseca Adrilene , De Sousa Denis , Chagas Matheus , Maia Paulo Henrique M.
Published: April 2021

No contexto de smart homes, onde dispositivos de uma casa estão conectados, podem haver situações nas quais um conjunto de componentes independentes devem colaborar para atingir um objetivo em comum, formando um Sistema-de-Sistemas (SoS). Nesse contexto, podem haver componentes resistentes a mudanças que não atendem aos seus requisitos locais e ao requisito global do SoS. Neste trabalho propomos uma forma de adaptação cautelosa utilizando um componente Observer que ajusta o comportamento de componentes resistentes na ocorrência de cenários excepcionais em IoT. A proposta foi avaliada por meio de um experimento, com o qual foi possível demonstrar que a nossa solução contribui para atingir o requisito global.
Simulation of Systems-of-Systems Dynamic Architectures
Authors: Manzano Wallace , Graciano Neto Valdemar Vicente , Nakagawa Elisa Yumi
Published: April 2021

Systems-of-Systems (SoS) combine heterogeneous, independent systems to offer complex functionalities for highly dynamic smart applications. Due to their critical nature, SoS should be reliable and work without interruption since a failure could cause serious losses. SoS architectural design can facilitate the prediction of the impact of failures due to SoS behavior. However, existing approaches do not support such evaluation. The main contribution of this paper is to present Dynamic-SoS, an approach to predict, at design time, the SoS architectural behavior at runtime to evaluate whether the SoS can sustain their operation. Results of our multiple case studies reveal Dynamic-SoS is a promising approach that could contribute to the quality of SoS by reliably enabling prior assessment of their dynamic architecture.
Apoio à Utilização de Análise de Dados em Aplicações CSE por meio de Contêineres
Authors: Neves Liliane , Pina Débora , De Oliveira Daniel , Mattoso Marta
Published: April 2021

Aplicações científicas em larga escala se caracterizam por invocar diversas bibliotecas de software e produzir grandes quantidades de dados por meio de scripts. A virtualização baseada em contêineres é uma maneira ainda pouco utilizada pela comunidade de HPC para auxiliar a portabilidade dessas aplicações, em especial aquelas que possuem abordagens para análise de dados acopladas. Para auxiliar a adoção de tecnologia de contêineres esse artigo apresenta a ProvDeploy com um modelo voltado a incorporar serviços a aplicações desenvolvidas para ambientes PAD.
Estudo e Análise de Processamento Paralelo em Simulações de Fluidodinâmica Computacional com OpenFOAM
Authors: Sousa Valesca Moura de , Passos Fernanda Gonçalves de Oliveira
Published: April 2021

Este artigo tem o objetivo de analisar o desempenho dos métodos paralelos implementados na ferramenta de fluidodinâmica computacional, OpenFOAM. Esta análise é feita com base em dois casos de contextos e complexidades distintas. Os resultados mostram que os métodos paralelos avaliados da ferramenta não escalam e que é necessário um esforço específico de ajuste de parâmetros para haver convergência em casos complexos e paralelos.
DiffMutAnalyze: uma ferramenta para auxiliar a análise dos mutantes equivalentes no ensino do teste de mutação
Authors: Botelho Juliana , Souza Maurício , Durelli Vinicius H. S. , Durelli Rafael S.
Published: April 2021

O teste de mutação é uma técnica que visa avaliar os casos de teste e, consequentemente, ajudar a melhorar sua qualidade. O teste de mutação é uma técnica promissora para ajudar os alunos a desenvolverem habilidades em testes de software. Assim, este artigo apresenta a utilização da ferramenta DiffMutAnalyze no âmbito acadêmico. Ela fornece um ambiente que: (i) promove a geração de mutantes, (ii) promove a execução de casos de teste nos mutantes gerados, (iii) permite a identificação dos mutantes detectados e (iv) disponibiliza para análise dos possíveis mutantes equivalentes. A DiffMutAnalyze foi avaliada com 11 estudantes de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Computação, para apoiar o ensino de testes de mutantes e para mostrar a aplicação prática de mutação e análise de mutantes. Foi realizado um estudo, junto aos estudantes, para verificar o custo da análise dos mutantes equivalentes, sendo comparado de duas maneiras: (i) pelo uso da DiffMutAnalyze; e (ii) por meio da análise manual, sem o uso da DiffMutAnalyze. Os resultados mostraram uma redução significativa de tempo em comparação com a análise manual.
Einleitung Themenheft „Technik und Zukunft“ – Introduction
Authors: Popplow Marcus
Published: April 2021

Im Rahmen der Kooperation von Technikgeschichte und dem Jahrbuch Technikphilosophie haben sich im Jahr 2020 beide Fachzeitschriften dem Thema „Zeit“ gewidmet. Die Zeitschrift Technikgeschichte hat im Zuge dessen auf der Basis eines entsprechenden Call for papers das Thema „Technik und Zukunft“ in den Mittelpunkt des vorliegenden Themenheftes gestellt. Als Einleitung zu den drei an dieser Stelle abgedruckten Beiträgen von Moritz Müller, Szilvia Gellai sowie Christoph Ernst und Jens Schröter werden im Folgenden kurz der Stand technikhistorischer Arbeiten zum Thema „Technik und Zukunft“ sowie Perspektiven der methodischen Fundierung dieses Themas umrissen. Argumentiert wird, dass „Technik und Zukunft“ für die Technikgeschichte zwar von jeher ein zentraler, jedoch bislang eher implizit behandelter Forschungsgegenstand ist. Als explizit adressiertes Thema wurde „Technik und Zukunft“ lange Zeit vornehmlich mit der Analyse von Technikvisionen und Science-Fiction assoziiert. Wie gerade die drei Beiträge dieses Themenheftes zeigen, lässt sich dieses Forschungsfeld jedoch auch weit umfassender konzipieren.
Eine Renaissance der Gabenökonomie? Generosität im Markt und Gratisofferten im E-Commerce
Authors: Priddat Birger P.
Published: April 2021

Die Gabenökonomie ist keine ethnologische Sonderform, sondern inmitten der modernen Ökonomie vielfältig präsent. Das wird besonders auffällig in den Transaktionsformen des E-Commerce, der viele Gratisofferten kennt, deren reziprozitäre Auszahlungen in nicht-monetären Währungen erfolgen: in Daten, Informationen. Die digitale Ökonomie arbeitet binär: mit monetären Transaktionen und mit gabenökonomischen Infrastrukturen. In diesem Essay wird eine klassische Thematisierung der Gabenökonomie von jenen neuen Formen unterschieden, die im E-Commerce Raum greifen.
Kriminalpräventive Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung von Fehlverhalten im Gesundheitswesen
Authors: Reinelt-Broll Angelika
Published: April 2021

This study deals for the first time with evaluation questions in connection with the activities of the control units in accordance with § 197a SGB V, because the phenomenon of Healthcare-fraud as well as the demand for evidence-based crime prevention is increasingly becoming part of the public discourse. On the basis of a statistical analysis of activity reports from three reporting periods and a written questionnaire, the study shows the necessity of the activities of the control units regarding the fight against white-collar crime in the health sector and at the same time describes various factors increasing their effectiveness on an organisational and procedural level.
Freiheit – Sicherheit – Unsicherheit
Authors: Germann Barbara
Published: April 2021

This work examines the tension between security and freedom in biosecurity situations where there is a concern that scientific results could potentially be abused by terrorists. In these situations, the probability of a security threat cannot be predicted and the mechanisms of risk law can only be applied to a limited extent.

The Dual-Use Regulation, which imposes approval requirements for publications in the field of influenza virus research, is considered as a reference area. In doing so, however, the importance of communication for the system of science, as well as the security-creating character resulting from scientific progress, are not sufficiently taken into account.
New and poorly known giant scale insects (Homoptera: Coccinea: Margarodidae s. lat.) from the Oriental region with taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on the subfamily Monophlebinae
Authors: Gavrilov-Zimin Ilya A.
Published: April 2021

A new scale insect genus and species, Gompholopium quercicola gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated, based on material from China (Yunnan Prov.). Hemaspidoproctus cinereus (Green, 1922) is redescribed, based on material from India (Allahabad). Walkeriana tosariensis Reyne, 1957 is transferred to the genus Hemaspidoproctus Morrison, 1927 – H. tosariensis (Reyne, 1957) comb. nov. Monophlebus neglectus Gavrilov-Zimin, 2018 syn. nov. is formally synonymized with the unrecognizable Monophlebus atripennis Burmeister, 1835 in order to resolve an old taxonomic and nomenclatural problem in the subfamily Monophlebinae.
Human resource management patterns in Indonesia's construction companies
Authors: Susilowati Fajar , Prawenti Herlita , Puspitasari Evi
Published: April 2021

Research in several countries from different continents related to human resources in construction continues to be developed. However, one fact shows that human resources in Indonesia's construction field are still not ready to compete in terms of quality with the workforce of several countries in Asia. This research was conducted to determine the condition of Human Resource Management in the construction company in Indonesia. Data retrieval instruments use questionnaires and structured interviews at 50 randomly selected construction companies from different Indonesian regions. The data obtained is processed using quantitative data analysis using parametric statistics analysis. The results showed that Human Resource Management in Indonesia's construction company is in good or excellent condition provide 92%. This indicates that most of this industry has enforced and implemented policies related to human resource management. However, human resource planning patterns in Indonesia's construction company focus more heavily on Operational Planning, which means that this planning on construction companies in Indonesia is still project-oriented or short-term.
Predictores de síntomas de ansiedad, depresión y estrés a partir del brote epidémico de COVID-19
Authors: Andrades-Tobar Mariela , García Felipe E. , Concha-Ponce Pablo , Valiente Carmen , Lucero Cibelle
Published: April 2021

Predictors of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms from the COVID-19 outbreakAbstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented global crisis, with dramatic changes in people’s living conditions and mental health. The aim of this study is to establish predictors of depression, anxiety and stress in people affected by the epidemiological outbreak of COVID-19. Participants comprised 2,376 individuals over 18 years old, 79.6% women, who answered the Scale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21), in addition to scales to assess subjective severity, the search for social support and data related to COVID-19. It was observed that their main predictors were younger age, sleep problems, feeling lonely, not talking about their fears and subjective severity. The conclusion is that there are population groups at risk of experiencing higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress, which evidences the need to develop prevention and intervention strategies to reduce the psychological impact of the pandemic.Keywords: Mental health; COVID-19; pandemic; confinement; quarantine.Resumen: La pandemia de COVID-19 ha provocado una crisis mundial sin precedentes, con cambios drásticos en las condiciones de vida y en la salud mental de las personas. El propósito de este estudio es establecer predictores de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en personas afectadas por el brote epidemiológico de COVID-19. Participaron 2,376 personas mayores de 18 años, un 79.6% mujeres, quienes contestaron la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21), además de escalas para evaluar la severidad subjetiva, la búsqueda de apoyo social y datos relacionados con COVID-19. Se observó que sus principales predictores fueron tener menor edad, problemas para dormir, sentirse solo, no hablar de sus temores y la severidad subjetiva. Se concluye que existen grupos de población en riesgo de experimentar niveles más altos de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, lo que evidencia la necesidad de desarrollar estrategias de prevención e intervención para reducir el impacto psicológico de la pandemia.Palabras clave: Salud mental; COVID-19; pandemia; confinamiento; cuarentena.
Somos todas iguais ou somos todas diferentes?
Authors: Grützmacher dos Santos Flavia , Berselli Marcia
Published: April 2021

A sociedade contemporânea tem muitos padrões a serem seguidos: estéticos, formas de pensar e formas de agir. Pessoas que fogem de tais padrões, muitas vezes são vistas como desencaixadas (BERSELLI; ISAACSSON, 2018) e o ambiente escolar é um dos lugares que mais reforça padrões: estudantes enfileiradas, aprendendo os mesmos conteúdos, buscando as mesmas notas e não podendo dialogar. Práticas cênicas que vão contra o discurso dominante (FORTIN, 2011), são vistas aqui como possíveis potencializadoras de debates acerca das diferenças, promovendo uma revisão de entendimentos acerca da deficiência e eficiência ao colocarem a pessoa como centro das pesquisas a partir de experiências práticas. Com tamanha potencialidade, elas podem estar no ambiente escolar a partir dos anos iniciais, proporcionando práticas e experiências que evidenciem as singularidades de cada pessoa e o respeito por cada corpo.
ASH Highlights and Commentary: Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Faiman, PhD, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN®, FAAN Beth
Published: April 2021

Dr. Faiman considers the use of qualitative interviews to understand the patient perspective on the clinical benefits and tolerability of belamaf. She also highlights the safety profile and noninferiority of subcutaneous daratumumab compared with IV daratumumab, as described in the APOLLO trial. Finally, Dr. Faiman emphasizes the importance of achieving MRD negativity measured by multiparameter flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing.
ASH Highlights and Commentary: Additional Topics of Interest
Authors: Tinsley, PhD, APRN, AOCN® Sara , E. Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN Sandra
Published: April 2021

Dr. Tinsley provides insight for APs on the use of pevonedistat, a new small-molecule inhibitor. Dr. Kurtin considers the use of the CRISPR technique to detect COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies and data from a retrospective observational cohort study describing the disease burden of primary cold agglutinin disease.
Student Loans Financing in Tanza:
Authors: Dachi Hillary A.
Published: April 2021

This study examined the mechanisms employed to finance student loans in Tanzania and who benefits and how. The findings show that student loans are financed by the public exchequer. The number of students fromhigh-income families accessing these loans is disproportionate to their representation in Higher Education Institutions, while the share for middle and low-income students reflects their representation. There is also animbalance between male and female beneficiaries across programmes, notably in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines. It is concluded that such disparities are the result of the fact thatthe student loan scheme seeks to satisfy a number of government policy objectives in relation to higher education beyond access and equity, and that means testing is not rigorously conducted.

Key words: Higher Education, higher education policy, financing higher education, higher education student loans, public subsidisation of higher education
Who Guards the Guard?
Authors: Lipumbu Nangula
Published: April 2021

Meta-evaluations by Quality Assurance Agencies (QAAs) aim to evaluate the quality of the evaluators of quality assurance. While such evaluations are the norm, especially in Europe, they are rare in Africa. A critical literaturereview was conducted to ascertain whether meta-evaluations were conducted in Namibia. The study estab-        -lished that such evaluations have yet to be practiced in the country. Drawing on Clark’s model of the organisa- -tional analysis of higher education institutions and the higher education system as an analytical lens, and based on the African Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance and some cases of meta-evaluation byQAAs, we argue for the need to conduct such evaluations in Namibia. The article provides an overview of QAAs’ operations and functions, as well as the current external quality assurance system for higher education inNamibia and justifies the necessity of meta-evaluation in the Namibian context in order to enhance the capacity of QAAs and the quality of higher education institutions.

Key words: Higher Education, meta-evaluation, Namibia, quality assurance, Quality Assurance Agencies
Academic Staff Practices and Challenges of Publishing:
Authors: Alehegn Abatihun
Published: April 2021

This article reports on the findings of a study undertaken to establish practices and challenges to academic publishing at a higher education institution in Ethiopia. A descriptive survey design was employed and con- -venience and purposive sampling were used to select the sample. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions and were analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis. The results show that, despite the benefits of publishing, not all academics in the university are publishing in local and international journals due to a number of challenges. These include a lack of commitment and motivation, lack of experience and exposure to publishing, and inadequate information,knowledge and skills to access accredited journals. Academics also suffer from work overload, a lack of support from the university to publish, and challenges emanating from journals themselves. It is recommended thatthe university, the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and other relevant stakeholders should collaborate to address this situation.

Key words: academics, academic publishing, higher education institution, challenges, practices, university
Neural networks for classifying probability distributions
Authors: Khoussi Siham , Heckert Alan , Battou Abdella , Bensalem Saddek
Published: April 2021

Probability distribution fitting of an unknown stochastic process is an important preliminary step for any further analysis in science or engineering. However, it requires some background in statistics and prior considerations of the process or phenomenon under study. As such, this paper presents an alternative approach which doesn't require prior knowledge of statistical methods nor previous assumption on the available data. Instead, using Deep Learning, the correct distributional model is extracted from the output of a neural network that was previously trained on a large suitable dataset in order to classify any array of observations into a matching distributional model. We find that our classifier can perform this task comparably to using maximum likelihood estimation with an Anderson-Darling goodness of fit.
William Paley, William Buckland and the Oxford University Museum
Authors: Peacocke Emma
Published: April 2021

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History appears to be quintessentially Victorian, with its iron-and-glass architecture. It even bears the seal of approval of the great doyen of Victorian taste, John Ruskin (1819-1900). However, this museum also embodies William Paley’s (1743-1805) Romantic-era Christian philosophy of divine design. Paley was the great synthesizer of the tradition of Natural Theology, which held that God’s benevolence and ingenuity could be “read” from nature just as they could from the Bible. I argue that Paley’s influence persisted long after the Romantic era and pervaded the Oxford University Museum (founded 1860) and its program of architectural decoration. To enter the museum, we walk under the arm of the carved angel who holds the book of nature. The teaching and popular writings of the clergyman and geologist William Buckland (1784-1856) also form a bridge between Paley and the Oxford University Museum. Buckland’s pupils included Ruskin and Henry Acland, two of the great advocates of the Oxford University Museum. Buckland’s popular Bridgewater Treatise (1836) exemplifies Natural Theology, and features an imaginary walk through the mineral deposits of Britain. Paralleling this imaginary walk, the Oxford University Museum had columns made from different kinds of British stone. In these ways—and in others that this essay explores—this groundbreaking Victorian building quite literally embodies a much older intellectual heritage.
Towards a Reading of Wordsworth’s “Now ye meet in the cave”
Authors: Hugues John
Published: April 2021

Wordsworth’s very early “Now ye meet in the cave” (dating from 1786 or a little later) is a strange fragment. It emanates from a desperate, unidentified speaker and bears on the burial of a mysterious female whose death is yet uncertain. It has been largely passed over by critics, with the exception of Duncan Wu—who suggested the poem might be about Wordsworth’s mother. This article follows this intuition, and explores common features of language and theme with a range of works of Wordsworth’s early youth. The conclusion is that “Now ye meet in the cave” is a significant document, and expresses fundamental, yet inevitably covert, facets of Wordsworth’s sensibility. In broadening this case, the article relates a final close reading of the poem to two important, inter-related contexts. The first is Stanley Cavell’s discussion of Romantic scepticism as a metaphysical fantasy involving the refusal of finitude, and a suspended sense of the world’s existence. The second references recent research in child psychology that demonstrates the automatic unconscious fantasy of a young orphaned child who affectively bargains his knowledge of his parent’s death for the belief that she still somehow is incorporated, within himself, and
Could the Tree of Life Model Be a Useful Approach for UK Mental Health Contexts?
Authors: Parham Sophie , Ibrahim Jeyda , Foxwell Kate
Published: April 2021

Some suggest the ethos of the Tree of Life (ToL) group aligns with the concept of “personal-recovery” promoted in mental health policy. Thus, it is claimed that the group could be a useful approach within UK mental health services. This review collated 14 papers to explore whether existing literature regarding the ToL group supports this assertion. The papers were synthesized using the thematic analysis method and three broad themes were identified, which support the argument for its utility within services. These were recovery-aligned themes, the inclusivity of the model, and group processes relevant to mental health contexts. The papers are critically appraised, key concerns regarding the wider literature discussed, and clinical implications summarized.
Identity and Masculinity in Two Cases of Early-Onset Disability Autobiography
Authors: Pohjola Hanna , Tarvainen Merja
Published: April 2021

This article examines the construction of identity and masculinity in two cases of disability autobiography. Retrospectively written autobiographical accounts of early-onset disability were analyzed abductively by using the model of narrative circulation (MNC), with a thematic content analysis being used to organize the data. Both narrators constructed their adult identity as men in relation to the available disability narratives and living conditions. Three intertwined dimensions regarding the construction of identity could be observed: external expectations, internal intentions, and locally situated narratives of work. The narratives may be considered to represent an alternative way to bypass, overcome, and refresh the culturally dominant stock of stories.
El mito de la máquina y la tecnodiversidad
Authors: Aranda Daniel
Published: April 2021

«La duración de 800 vidas encadenadas puede abarcar más de 5.000 años. Pero de estas 800 personas, 650 pasaron sus vidas en cuevas o en sitios peores; solo las últimas 70 han crecido teniendo algún medio realmente efectivo para comunicarse con los demás, solo las últimas 6 han podido ver alguna palabra impresa o tenido los recursos para medir el frío o el calor, solo las últimas 4 ha podido medir el tiempo con cierta precisión; solo las 2 últimas han usado un motor eléctrico; y la inmensa mayoría de los elementos que componen nuestro mundo material fue desarrollada en el intervalo correspondiente a la última de las 800 personas» (Buchanan, 2010).
PECULIARITIES OF TEACHING OF MASTER’S DEGREE STUDENTS IN PEDAGOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF DISTANCE LEARNING INTERACTION
Authors:   Chelyabinsk State University, Bobykina I.A. , Abramova E.N. ,   International Institute of Design and Service
Published: April 2021

The paper describes the experience of organization and implementation of e-learning and distance educational technologies in the foreign language Master’s degree program at the Chelyabinsk State University. The authors dwell upon the advantages and disadvantages of this process and consider Microsoft Teams to be one of the promising online learning platforms. The prospects for the development of the master’s program based on the results of the survey of students, employers and teachers are outlined.
Extensions of dissipative operators with closable imaginary part
Authors: Fischbacher Christoph
Published: April 2021

Given a dissipative operator \(A\) on a complex Hilbert space \(\mathcal{H}\) such that the quadratic form \(f \mapsto \text{Im}\langle f, Af \rangle\) is closable, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for an extension of \(A\) to still be dissipative. As applications, we describe all maximally accretive extensions of strictly positive symmetric operators and all maximally dissipative extensions of a highly singular first-order operator on the interval.
Spontaneous and evoked activity patterns diverge over development
Authors: Avitan Lilach , Pujic Zac , Mölter Jan , Zhu Shuyu , Sun Biao , Goodhill Geoffrey J
Published: April 2021

The immature brain is highly spontaneously active. Over development this activity must be integrated with emerging patterns of stimulus-evoked activity, but little is known about how this occurs. Here we investigated this question by recording spontaneous and evoked neural activity in the larval zebrafish tectum from 4 to 15 days post-fertilisation. Correlations within spontaneous and evoked activity epochs were comparable over development, and their neural assemblies refined in similar ways. However, both the similarity between evoked and spontaneous assemblies, and also the geometric distance between spontaneous and evoked patterns, decreased over development. At all stages of development, evoked activity was of higher dimension than spontaneous activity. Thus, spontaneous and evoked activity do not converge over development in this system, and these results do not support the hypothesis that spontaneous activity evolves to form a Bayesian prior for evoked activity.
Repeated introductions and intensive community transmission fueled a mumps virus outbreak in Washington State
Authors: Moncla Louise H , Black Allison , DeBolt Chas , Lang Misty , Graff Nicholas R , Pérez-Osorio Ailyn C , Müller Nicola F , Haselow Dirk , Lindquist Scott , Bedford Trevor
Published: April 2021

In 2016/2017, Washington State experienced a mumps outbreak despite high childhood vaccination rates, with cases more frequently detected among school-aged children and members of the Marshallese community. We sequenced 166 mumps virus genomes collected in Washington and other US states, and traced mumps introductions and transmission within Washington. We uncover that mumps was introduced into Washington approximately 13 times, primarily from Arkansas, sparking multiple co-circulating transmission chains. Although age and vaccination status may have impacted transmission, our data set could not quantify their precise effects. Instead, the outbreak in Washington was overwhelmingly sustained by transmission within the Marshallese community. Our findings underscore the utility of genomic data to clarify epidemiologic factors driving transmission and pinpoint contact networks as critical for mumps transmission. These results imply that contact structures and historic disparities may leave populations at increased risk for respiratory virus disease even when a vaccine is effective and widely used.
Genetic determinants facilitating the evolution of resistance to carbapenem antibiotics
Authors: Ma Peijun , He Lorrie L , Pironti Alejandro , Laibinis Hannah H , Ernst Christoph M , Manson Abigail L , Bhattacharyya Roby P , Earl Ashlee M , Livny Jonathan , Hung Deborah T
Published: April 2021

In this era of rising antibiotic resistance, in contrast to our increasing understanding of mechanisms that cause resistance, our understanding of mechanisms that influence the propensity to evolve resistance remains limited. Here, we identified genetic factors that facilitate the evolution of resistance to carbapenems, the antibiotic of ‘last resort’, in Klebsiella pneumoniae, the major carbapenem-resistant species. In clinical isolates, we found that high-level transposon insertional mutagenesis plays an important role in contributing to high-level resistance frequencies in several major and emerging carbapenem-resistant lineages. A broader spectrum of resistance-conferring mutations for select carbapenems such as ertapenem also enables higher resistance frequencies and, importantly, creates stepping-stones to achieve high-level resistance to all carbapenems. These mutational mechanisms can contribute to the evolution of resistance, in conjunction with the loss of systems that restrict horizontal resistance gene uptake, such as the CRISPR-Cas system. Given the need for greater antibiotic stewardship, these findings argue that in addition to considering the current efficacy of an antibiotic for a clinical isolate in antibiotic selection, considerations of future efficacy are also important. The genetic background of a clinical isolate and the exact antibiotic identity can and should also be considered as they are determinants of a strain's propensity to become resistant. Together, these findings thus provide a molecular framework for understanding acquisition of carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae with important implications for diagnosing and treating this important class of pathogens.
Characterizing the hum of hovering animals
Authors: Niese Robert
Published: April 2021

The sounds of flying animals, such as the hum of a hummingbird as it hovers, are influenced by the unique forces generated by the flapping of their wings.
Active triggering control of pneumatic rehabilitation gloves based on surface electromyography sensors
Authors: Feng Yongfei , Zhong Mingwei , Wang Xusheng , Lu Hao , Wang Hongbo , Liu Pengcheng , Vladareanu Luige
Published: April 2021

The portable and inexpensive hand rehabilitation robot has become a practical rehabilitation device for patients with hand dysfunction. A pneumatic rehabilitation glove with an active trigger control system is proposed, which is based on surface electromyography (sEMG) signals. It can trigger the hand movement based on the patient’s hand movement trend, which may improve the enthusiasm and efficiency of patient training. Firstly, analysis of sEMG sensor installation position on human’s arm and signal acquisition process were carried out. Then, according to the statistical law, three optimal eigenvalues of sEMG signals were selected as the follow-up neural network classification input. Using the back propagation (BP) neural network, the classifier of hand movement is established. Moreover, the mapping relationship between hand sEMG signals and hand actions is built by training and testing. Different patients choose the same optimal eigenvalues, and the calculation formula of eigenvalues’ amplitude is unique. Due to the differences among individuals, the weights and thresholds of each node in the BP neural network model corresponding to different patients are not the same. Therefore, the BP neural network model library is established, and the corresponding network is called for operation when different patients are trained. Finally, based on sEMG signal trigger, the pneumatic glove training control algorithm was proposed. The combination of the trigger signal waveform and the motion signal waveform indicates that the pneumatic rehabilitation glove is triggered to drive the patient’s hand movement. Preliminary tests have confirmed that the accuracy rate of trend recognition for hand movement is about 90%. In the future, clinical trials of patients will be conducted to prove the effectiveness of this system.
Geology and taphonomy of a unique tyrannosaurid bonebed from the upper Campanian Kaiparowits Formation of southern Utah: implications for tyrannosaurid gregariousness
Authors: Titus Alan L. , Knoll Katja , Sertich Joseph J.W. , Yamamura Daigo , Suarez Celina A. , Glasspool Ian J. , Ginouves Jonathan E. , Lukacic Abigail K. , Roberts Eric M.
Published: April 2021

Tyrannosaurids are hypothesized to be gregarious, possibly parasocial carnivores engaging in cooperative hunting and extended parental care. A tyrannosaurid (cf.Teratophoneus curriei) bonebed in the late Campanian age Kaiparowits Formation of southern Utah, nicknamed the Rainbows and Unicorns Quarry (RUQ), provides the first opportunity to investigate possible tyrannosaurid gregariousness in a taxon unique to southern Laramidia. Analyses of the site’s sedimentology, fauna, flora, stable isotopes, rare earth elements (REE), charcoal content and taphonomy suggest a complex history starting with the deaths and transport of tyrannosaurids into a peri-fluvial, low-energy lacustrine setting. Isotopic and REE analyses of the fossil material yields a relatively homogeneous signature indicating the assemblage was derived from the same source and represents a fauna living in a single ecospace. Subsequent drying of the lake and fluctuating water tables simultaneously overprinted the bones with pedogenic carbonate and structurally weakened them through wet-dry cycling. Abundant charcoal recovered from the primary bone layer indicate a low temperature fire played a role in the site history, possibly triggering an avulsion that exhumed and reburied skeletal material on the margin of a new channel with minimal transport. Possible causes of mortality and concentration of the tyrannosaurids include cyanobacterial toxicosis, fire, and flooding, the latter being the preferred hypothesis. Comparisons of the RUQ site with other North American tyrannosaur bonebeds (Dry Island-Alberta;Daspletosaurus horneri-Montana) suggest all formed through similar processes. Combined with ichnological evidence, these tyrannosaur mass-burial sites could be part of an emerging pattern throughout Laramidia reflecting innate tyrannosaurid behavior such as habitual gregariousness.
Diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes: a review of pathogenic mechanisms, patient-related factors and therapeutic options
Authors: Woodhams Louise , Sim Tin Fei , Chalmers Leanne , Yeap Bu , Green Daniel , Schlaich Markus , Schultz Carl , Hillis Graham
Published: April 2021

The global prevalence of diabetic kidney disease is rapidly accelerating due to an increasing number of people living with type 2 diabetes. It has become a significant global problem, increasing human and financial pressures on already overburdened healthcare systems. Interest in diabetic kidney disease has increased over the last decade and progress has been made in determining the pathogenic mechanisms and patient-related factors involved in the development and pathogenesis of this disease. A greater understanding of these factors will catalyse the development of novel treatments and influence current practice. This review summarises the latest evidence for the factors involved in the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease, which will inform better management strategies targeting such factors to improve therapeutic outcomes in patients living with diabetes.
A DNA barcode library for the butterflies of North America
Authors: D’Ercole Jacopo , Dincă Vlad , Opler Paul A. , Kondla Norbert , Schmidt Christian , Phillips Jarrett D. , Robbins Robert , Burns John M. , Miller Scott E. , Grishin Nick , Zakharov Evgeny V. , DeWaard Jeremy R. , Ratnasingham Sujeevan , Hebert Paul D.N.
Published: April 2021

Although the butterflies of North America have received considerable taxonomic attention, overlooked species and instances of hybridization continue to be revealed. The present study assembles a DNA barcode reference library for this fauna to identify groups whose patterns of sequence variation suggest the need for further taxonomic study. Based on 14,626 records from 814 species, DNA barcodes were obtained for 96% of the fauna. The maximum intraspecific distance averaged 1/4 the minimum distance to the nearest neighbor, producing a barcode gap in 76% of the species. Most species (80%) were monophyletic, the others were para- or polyphyletic. Although 15% of currently recognized species shared barcodes, the incidence of such taxa was far higher in regions exposed to Pleistocene glaciations than in those that were ice-free. Nearly 10% of species displayed high intraspecific variation (>2.5%), suggesting the need for further investigation to assess potential cryptic diversity. Aside from aiding the identification of all life stages of North American butterflies, the reference library has provided new perspectives on the incidence of both cryptic and potentially over-split species, setting the stage for future studies that can further explore the evolutionary dynamics of this group.
Historical effective population size of North American hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and challenges to estimating trends in contemporary effective breeding population size from archived samples
Authors: Cornman Robert S. , Fike Jennifer A. , Oyler-McCance Sara J. , Cryan Paul M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) are among the bat species most commonly killed by wind turbine strikes in the midwestern United States. The impact of this mortality on species census size is not understood, due in part to the difficulty of estimating population size for this highly migratory and elusive species. Genetic effective population size (Ne) could provide an index of changing census population size if other factors affecting Ne are stable.

Methods

We used the NeEstimator package to derive effective breeding population size (Nb) estimates for two temporally spaced cohorts: 93 hoary bats collected in 2009–2010 and an additional 93 collected in 2017–2018. We sequenced restriction-site associated polymorphisms and generated a de novo genome assembly to guide the removal of sex-linked and multi-copy loci, as well as identify physically linked markers.

Results

Analysis of the reference genome withpsmcsuggested at least a doubling of Ne in the last 100,000 years, likely exceeding Ne = 10,000 in the Holocene. Allele and genotype frequency analyses confirmed that the two cohorts were comparable, although some samples had unusually high or low observed heterozygosities. Additionally, the older cohort had lower mean coverage and greater variability in coverage, and batch effects of sampling locality were observed that were consistent with sample degradation. We therefore excluded samples with low coverage or outlier heterozygosity, as well as loci with sequence coverage far from the mode value, from the final data set. Prior to excluding these outliers, contemporary Nb estimates were significantly higher in the more recent cohort, but this finding was driven by high values for the 2018 sample year and low values for all other years. In the reduced data set, Nb did not differ significantly between cohorts. We found base substitutions to be strongly biased toward cytosine to thymine or the complement, and further partitioning loci by substitution type had a strong effect on Nb estimates. Minor allele frequency and base quality bias thresholds also had strong effects on Nb estimates. Instability of Nb with respect to common data filtering parameters and empirically identified factors prevented robust comparison of the two cohorts. Given that confidence intervals frequently included infinity as the stringency of data filtering increased, contemporary trends in Nb of North American hoary bats may not be tractable with the linkage disequilibrium method, at least using the protocol employed here.
Teaching and Learning Arabic as a Second Language: A Case Study of Dubai
Authors: MOGHAZY MOHMED
Published: April 2021

Enrolment into Arabic as a second language (ASL) in Dubai has increased steadily due to the high influx of immigrant populations. Although Arabic is the primary language in Dubai mandatory taught in primary schools in Dubai, training and learning face challenges that affect learning a teaching objective. The extant investigation aimed to examine the teaching and learning of ASL in Dubai through exploring the importance of ASL, ALS programs in Dubai, ASL changes and solutions, and the role of technology infusion and motivation in ASL training and learning. The examination utilized a qualitative case study where seven teachers and eight learners were interviewed. The researcher analyzed the data using thematic analysis. The data obtained revealed that ASL is important among non-Arabic natives and immigrants since its improved communication and interaction. The main challenge noted included curriculum shortcomings, inadequate training and learning, poor technology utilization, and insufficient learning times. The findings suggested curriculum review, increase in the technology used in training and learning, and allocation of more time for ASL lessons to curb the challenges. The examinations discuss the policy, practice, and research implications of the findings. Although the findings are insightful in ASL training and learning in Dubai, the researcher recommended extensive research using different methodologies, sample sizes, and other cities in the UAE.
GASTRONOMICAL CONCEPTS IN AYURVEDA: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Amrutha C R , Meena Shveta , K S Sakhitha , Rao K Shankar
Published: April 2021

Gastronomy, an intelligent knowledge of whatever concerns with man's nourishment, is a broad and fertile field that is increasingly explored during recent decades. But, far from the ancient period Ayurveda explains the concepts of Matrasan, Aharavidhi, Anupan, Aharakal etc. A compiled knowledge of both concepts will be fruitful for the mankind in different ways. The main objective is to correlate the ancient Ayurvedic concepts and modern gastronomy to establish a food habit for proper nourishment and prevention of diseases. An extensive analysis and compilation of salient information regarding the concepts of food and nutrients were done by reviewing Ayurveda literature, Pubmed and other scientific databases. Ayurveda has its own universally accepted principles, methods and practices revolving around the concept of food. According to that food is one among the factors used to determine the health of an individual. Several examples given in Ayurveda literature in terms of wholesome food supplement (Pathya) are practically indicated in disease management. Understanding of incompatibilities of food materials and processing i.e. Virudhaahara, Prakriti as a key determinant of effect of food on body system, rules and regulations while intake and preparation of food were other gastronomical concepts in Ayurveda. Since the incidences of lifestyle disorders are increasingly demanding a proper food habit, both Ayurvedic and gastronomic concepts can be utilized for a better life.