bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on the influence of salinity interfaces on borehole seismoelectric wavefields
Authors: Duan Yunda , Hu Hengshan , Guan Wei
Published: July 2020

Previous theoretical and experimental studies on seismoelectric logging suggest that the electromagnetic head wave (EH wave) is much weaker than the electric field accompanying the Stoneley wave (ESt wave). Nevertheless, recent in situ measurements show that the EH wave amplitude can be greater than that of the ESt wave. We have addressed this issue according to the simulation of borehole seismoelectric wavefields and find that the amplitude ratio of EH to ESt waves is sensitive to the salinity contrast at the interfaces. Specifically, the EH wave amplitude can be greater than that of the ESt wave if the salinity of the borehole fluid is much higher than that of the pore fluid in a homogeneous porous formation. When an impermeable mud cake layer is taken into account between the borehole fluid and the formation, the amplitude ratio of EH to ESt waves can be even larger, although the amplitudes of the EH and ESt waves become smaller. For a radially stratified porous formation, the large amplitude ratio of EH to ESt waves also occurs if the salinity of the borehole fluid is much higher than that of the pore fluid in the inner layer, or if the salinity of the pore fluid in the inner layer is much higher than that in the outer layer. The large amplitude ratio of EH to ESt waves has potential for detecting interfaces with high salinity contrast, or it can be used as an indicator of mud cake.
Proximity to people with COVID-19 and anxiety among community residents during the epidemic in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Su Jinghua , Chen Xiyuan , Yang Ning , Sun Meng , Zhou Liang
Published: July 2020

The recent outbreak of a novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) may have acute psychological consequences, both in relation to the impact of the virus itself and the restrictions imposed to tackle its spread. We conducted an online survey of 403 residents in Guangzhou, China. We found the prevalence of anxiety (defined as Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 score ≥5) was 37.7%, and anxiety was significantly and moderately correlated with worry about COVID-19. Higher anxiety levels in community residents was associated with the presence of individuals with COVID-19 in the same building; a longer time spent each day gathering information about the virus; and choosing social media as their preferred source of information. Our findings provide an insight into the psychological support and guidance about information sources that are required in this type of public health emergency.
Overestimation of Late Distant Recurrences in High-Risk Patients With ER-Positive Breast Cancer: Validity and Accuracy of the CTS5 Risk Score in the TEAM and IDEAL Trials
Authors: Noordhoek Iris , Blok Erik J. , Meershoek-Klein Kranenbarg Elma , Putter Hein , Duijm-de Carpentier Marjolijn , Rutgers Emiel J. T. , Seynaeve Caroline , Bartlett John M. S. , Vannetzel Jean-Michel , Rea Daniel W. , Hasenburg Annette , Paridaens Robert , Markopoulos Christos J. , Hozumi Yasuo , Portielje Johanneke E. A. , Kroep Judith R. , van de Velde Cornelis J. H. , Liefers Gerrit-Jan
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

Most distant recurrences (DRs) in women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer occur after 5 years from diagnosis. The Clinical Treatment Score post-5 years (CTS5) estimates DRs after 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). The aim of this study was to externally validate the CTS5 as a prognostic/predictive tool.

METHODS

The CTS5 categorizes patients who have been disease free for 5 years into low, intermediate, and high risk and calculates an absolute risk for developing DRs between 5 and 10 years. Discrimination and calibration were assessed using data from the TEAM and IDEAL trials. The predictive value of the CTS5 was tested with data from the IDEAL trial.

RESULTS

A total of 5,895 patients from the TEAM trial and 1,591 patients from the IDEAL trial were included. When assessing the CTS5 discrimination, significantly more DRs were found at 10 years after diagnosis in the CTS5 high- and intermediate-risk groups than in the low-risk group (hazard ratio, 5.7 [95% CI, 3.6 to 8.8] and 2.8 [95% CI, 1.7 to 4.4], respectively). In low- and intermediate-risk patients, the CTS5-predicted DR rates were higher, although not statistically significantly so, than observed rates. However, in high-risk patients, the CTS5-predicted DR rates were significantly higher than observed rates (29% v 19%, respectively; P < .001). The CTS5 was not predictive for extended AET duration.

CONCLUSION

The CTS5 score as applied to patients treated in the TEAM and IDEAL cohorts discriminates between risk categories but overestimates the risk of late DRs in high-risk patients. Therefore, the numerical risk assessment from the CTS5 calculator in its current form should be interpreted with caution when used in daily clinical practice, particularly in high-risk patients.
Unequal rewarding of three metabolizable sugars, sucrose, fructose, and glucose, in olfactory learning and memory in Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Yu Jinxin , Yang Weiping , Lin Tao , Zeng Xinnian , Liu Jiali
Published: July 2020

Learning and memory are the most characteristic advanced neurological activities of insects, which can associate information with food. Our previous studies on Bactrocera dorsalis have shown that this fly can learn to evaluate the nutritional value of sugar rewards, although whether all metabolizable sugars are equally rewarding to flies is still unclear. To address this question, we used three sweet and metabolizable sugars, sucrose, fructose, and glucose, as rewards for conditioning. The flies showed differences in learning and memory among the three sugar rewards. The level of learning performance in sucrose-rewarded flies was higher than that in fructose-rewarded and glucose-rewarded flies, and strikingly, only sucrose and glucose could form robust 24-hr memory. Furthermore, the unequal rewarding of three sugars was observed in two distinct processes of memory formation: preingestive and postingestive processes. When flies received the positive tastes (preingestive signal) by touching their tarsi and proboscis (mouthparts) to three sugars, they showed differences in learning among the three sugar rewards. The formation of a robust 24-hr memory was dependent on the postingestive signal triggered by feeding a sugar. A deficit of 24-hr memory was observed only in fructose-feeding flies no matter what sugar was stimulated on tarsi. Taken together, our results suggest that three sweet and metabolizable sugars unequally rewarded B. dorsalis, which might be a strategy for flies to discriminate the nature of sugars.
Respirometry and cutaneous oxygen flux measurements reveal a negligible aerobic cost of ion regulation in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Parker Julian J. , Zimmer Alex M. , Perry Steve F.
Published: July 2020

Fishes living in fresh water counter the passive loss of salts by actively absorbing ions through specialized cells termed ionocytes. Ionocytes contain ATP-dependent transporters, are enriched with mitochondria, and therefore ionic regulation is an energy-consuming process. The purpose of this study was to assess the aerobic costs of ion transport in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). We hypothesized that changes in rates of Na+ uptake evoked by acidic or low Na+ rearing conditions would result in corresponding changes in whole-body oxygen consumption (ṀO2) and/or cutaneous oxygen flux (JO2), measured at the ionocyte-expressing yolk sac epithelium using the scanning micro-optrode technique (SMOT). Larvae at 4 days post-fertilisation (dpf) that were reared under low pH (pH 4) exhibited a higher rate of Na+ uptake compared to fish reared under control conditions (pH 7.6) yet displayed a lower ṀO2 and no difference in cutaneous JO2. Despite a higher Na+ uptake capacity in larvae reared under low Na+ conditions, there were no differences in ṀO2 ­and JO2 at 4 dpf. Furthermore, although Na+ uptake was nearly abolished in 2 dpf larvae lacking ionocytes after morpholino knockdown of the ionocyte proliferation regulating transcription factor foxi3a, ṀO2 ­and JO2 were unaffected. Finally, laser ablation of ionocytes did not affect cutaneous JO2. Thus, we conclude that the aerobic costs of ion uptake by ionocytes in larval zebrafish, at least in the case of Na+, are below detection using whole-body respirometry or cutaneous SMOT scans, providing evidence that ion regulation in zebrafish larvae incurs a low aerobic cost.
Three Different Learning Curves Have an Independent Impact on Perioperative Outcomes After Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Zeuschner Philip , Meyer Irmengard , Siemer Stefan , Stoeckle Michael , Wagenpfeil Gudrun , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Saar Matthias , Janssen Martin
Published: July 2020

Background

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has become widely accepted, but its different underlying types of learning curves have not been comparatively analyzed to date. This study aimed to determine and compare the impact that the learning curve of the department, the console surgeon, and the bedside assistant as well as patient-related factors has on the perioperative outcomes of RAPN.

Methods

The study retrospectively analyzed 500 consecutive transperitoneal RAPNs (2007–2018) performed in a tertiary referral center by 7 surgeons and 37 bedside assistants. Patient characteristics and surgical data were obtained. Experience (EXP) was defined as the current number of RAPNs performed by the department, the surgeon, and the assistant. As the primary outcome, the impact of EXP and patient-related factors on perioperative outcomes were analyzed and compared. As the secondary outcome, a cutoff between “experienced” and “inexperienced” was defined. Correlation and regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, Fisher’s exact test, and the Mann–Whitney U test were performed, with p values lower than 0.05 denoting significance.

Results

The EXP of the department, the surgeon, and the assistant each has a major influence on perioperative outcome in RAPN irrespective of patient-related factors. Perioperative outcomes improve significantly with EXP greater than 100 for the department, EXP greater than 35 for the surgeon, and EXP greater than 15 for the assistant.

Conclusions

The perioperative results of RAPN are influenced by three different types of learning curves including those for the surgical department, the console surgeon, and the assistant. The influence of the bedside assistant clearly has been underestimated to date because it has a significant impact on the perioperative outcomes of RAPN.
MRI for the diagnosis and staging of deeply infiltrating endometriosis: a national survey of BSGE accredited endometriosis centres and review of the literature
Authors: Wild Marianne , Pandhi Shikha , Rendle John , Swift Ian , Ofuasia Emmanuel
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

Our objective was to establish the primary mode of imaging and MR protocols utilised in the preoperative staging of deeply infiltrating endometriosis in centres accredited by the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE).

Methods:

The lead consultant radiologist in each centre was invited to complete an online survey detailing their protocols.

Results

Out of 49 centres, 32 (65%) responded to the survey. Two centres performed transvaginal ultrasound as the primary method for preoperative staging of deeply infiltrating endometriosis and the remainder performed MRI. 21/25 centres did not recommend a period of fasting prior to MRI and 22/25 administered hyoscine butylbromide. None of the centres routinely offered bowel preparation or recommended a specific pre-procedure diet. 21/25 centres did not time imaging according to the woman’s menstrual cycle, and instructions regarding bladder filling were varied. Rectal and vaginal opacification methods were infrequently utilised. All centres preferentially performed MRI in the supine position – six used an abdominal strap and four could facilitate prone imaging. Just under half of centres used pelvic-phased array coils and three centres used gadolinium contrast agents routinely. All centres performed T1W with fat-suppression and T2W without fat-suppression sequences. There was significant variation relating to other MR sequences depending on the unit.

Conclusions:

There was significant inconsistency between centres in terms of MR protocols, patient preparation and the sequences performed. Many practices were out of line with current published evidence.

Advances in knowledge:

Our survey demonstrates a need for evidence-based standardisation of imaging in BSGE accredited endometriosis centres.
Diagnostic accuracy of initial chest radiograph compared to SARS-CoV-2 PCR in patients with suspected COVID-19
Authors: Tsakok Maria , Shaw Robert , Murchison Andrew , Ather Sarim , Xie Cheng , Watson Robert , Brent Andrew , Andersson Monique , Benamore Rachel , MacLeod Fiona , Gleeson Fergus
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The chest radiograph (CXR) is the predominant imaging investigation being used to triage patients prior to either performing a SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or a diagnostic CT scan, but there are limited studies that assess the diagnostic accuracy of CXRs in COVID-19. To determine the accuracy of CXR diagnosis of COVID-19 compared with PCR in patients presenting with a clinical suspicion of COVID-19.

Methods and materials:

The CXR reports of 569 consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of COVID-19 were reviewed, blinded to the PCR result and classified into the following categories: normal, indeterminate for COVID-19, classic/probable COVID-19, non-COVID-19 pathology, and not specified. Severity reporting and reporter expertise were documented. The subset of this cohort that had CXR and PCR within 3 days of each other were included for further analysis for diagnostic accuracy.

Results:

Classic/probable COVID-19 was reported in 29% (166/569) of the initial cohort. 67% (382/569) had PCR tests. 344 patients had CXR and PCR within 3 days of each other. Compared to PCR as the reference test, initial CXR had a 61% sensitivity and 76% specificity in the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Conclusion:

Initial CXR is useful as a triage tool with a sensitivity of 61% and specificity of 76% in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in a hospital setting.

Advances in knowledge:

. Diagnostic accuracy does not differ significantly between specialist thoracic radiologists and general radiologists including trainees following training. There was a 40% prevalence of PCR positive disease in the cohort of patients (n = 344) having CXR and PCR within 3 days of each other. Classic/probable COVID-19 was reported in 29% of total cohort of patients presenting with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 (n = 569). Initial CXR is useful as a triage tool with a sensitivity of 61% and specificity of 76% in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in a hospital setting
Correlations between hormone levels and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in menopausal patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Guiling , Wei Wei , Tan Bo , Liu Jingqin
Published: July 2020

Objective: To discuss the correlation between hormone levels and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in menopausal patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This clinical research study was conducted at Department of Endocrinology, Baoding No. 1 Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017. In this study a total of 386 menopausal female patients with T2DM were selected and classified into two groups according to the CAN function test: the CAN group (80 cases) and the DM group (306 cases). The Kupperman score (KI integral) was calculated for all participants in the study, and the following indexes were measured: body mass index (BMI), blood estrogen (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), fasting blood-glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum lipids, uric acid (SUA), hypersensitive c-reactive protein (CRP), etc.

Results: The FBG, HbA1c, TGs, Hs-CRP, SUA, KI score, TSH, FSH and LH of the CAN group were obviously higher than the same parameters in the DM group (P﹤0.01, P﹤0.05), while HDL-C, E2, FT3 and FT4 were significantly lower (P﹤0.01, P﹤0.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that CAN presents a positive correlation with HbA1c, TGs, hs-CRP and SUA and a negative correlation with HDL-C and E2, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The multifactor logistic regression analysis results showed that HbA1c (OR=3.980, 95%CI=1.268~10.319) and E2 (OR=3.075, 95%CI=1.167~7.366) are independent risk factors for CAN.

Conclusion: The CAN morbidity of menopausal female patients with T2DM is high, and HbA1c and E2 should be mainly monitored to identify and treat CAN early.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2088

How to cite this:Zhang G, Wei W, Tan B, Liu J. Correlations between hormone levels and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in menopausal patients with diabetes mellitus. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1382-1386. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2088

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Bed side teaching: Student’s perception and its correlation with academic performance
Authors: Sarwar Shahid , Aleem Abdul , Nadeem Muhammad Arif
Published: July 2020

Objective: To determine student’s perception of bedside clinical teaching and to correlate it with their performance in assessment.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of correlational survey was conducted at Services Institute of Medical Sciences in September 2019, involving students of final professional year who filled a proforma to rate their bedside teaching experience during clinical rotations using rating scale. Mean scores of items were determined with score < 3 reflecting dis-satisfaction. Mean scores were compared between high and low performing students using student’s t test.

Results: Total of 160 students participated. Physical environment domain was assigned lowest scores by students (mean 2.94±0.74) followed by teaching task by teachers (3.04±0.72), group dynamics (3.16±0.81) and patient comfort and attitude towards patient (3.87±0.60). Teaching task by teacher had maximum stems with scores < 3 needing significant improvement. Students with low academic performance were more unsatisfied with group dynamics of bedside teaching (p value 0.009), especially lack of equal opportunities of participation for every member (p value <0.000) in clinical rotations.

Conclusion: Small size group with adequate space for bedside training and faculty training can enhance learning experience of students. Ensuring active participation of each group member during bedside learning can improve academic performance of students.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2120

How to cite this:Sarwar S, Aleem A, Nadeem MA. Bed side teaching: Student’s perception and its correlation with academic performance. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1204-1209. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2120

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Η τεχνική του βιομιμητισμού
Authors: Ατματζίδη Μαρία-Ελένη , Ντούσκας Ιάσονας , Καραβιώτη Σοφία
Published: July 2020

Ο βιομιμητισμός είναι η καινοτόμα πρακτική της εφαρμογής και της μίμησης μοντέλων της φύσης με σκοπό την επίλυση σύγχρονων προβλημάτων και την δημιουργία τεχνολογιών πιο αποτελεσματικών και πιο φιλικών ως προς το περιβάλλον. Η φύση λειτουργεί αποτελεσματικά και με βιώσιμο τρόπο όλα αυτά τα χρόνια και αυτό έχει εμπνεύσει πολλούς επιστήμονες να χρησιμοποιήσουν τα χαρακτηριστικά των μηχανισμών και τις στρατηγικές σχεδιασμού της φύσης στις ανθρώπινες καινοτομίες. Μέσω των εφαρμοσμένων χρήσεων του βιομιμητισμού μπορούν να παρατηρηθούν τα πολλά πλεονεκτήματα της τεχνικής αυτής.
ΤΟ ΠΟΣΙΜΟ ΝΕΡΟ
Authors: Βουρλιώτης Ιωάννης , Ευσταθίου Παναγιώτης , Αλεξανδρή Εύα , Αγγελόπουλος Θεόδωρος , Γιαλλούση Δρ. Μαρία
Published: July 2020

Το αντικείμενο της εργασίας είναι το “πόσιμο νερό”, με πληροφορίες για τη σημασία που έχει στη ζωή μας, τη ρύπανση που δέχεται ή προκαλεί κατά τη διάθεσή του ως εμφιαλωμένο καθώς και στοιχεία για την ποιότητά τους, μέσω χημικών αναλύσεων.Η εργασία εστιάζεται στη σύγκριση και αξιολόγηση του πόσιμου νερού, που διατίθεται από το δημόσιο δίκτυο στην Αττική σε σχέση με το νερό, που διατίθεται ως εμφιαλωμένο και στοχεύει στην ανάδειξη των αποτελεσμάτων της σύγκρισης και την ενημέρωση των καταναλωτών, με στόχο την ορθή χρήση του πόσιμου νερού, σε συνδυασμό με τις επιπτώσεις στο περιβάλλον.Στην εργασία περιλαμβάνεται ενδεικτική κοινωνική έρευνα, που δείχνει την τάση των επιλογών των καταναλωτών, σχετικά με την κατανάλωση πόσιμου νερού.
Εμβόλια: ωφέλειες και πιθανοί κίνδυνοι
Authors: Κατή Κωνσταντίνα , Κεβεζιτίδου Ελένη , Κώτη Δέσποινα , Ζαρφτζιάν Μαριλένα
Published: July 2020

Με τον εμβολιασμό εισάγεται στο σώμα μας μία μικρή ποσότητα νεκρών ή ανενεργών μικροοργανισμών ή και τμημάτων τους δημιουργώντας έτσι ανοσία για το συγκεκριμένο μικρόβιο. Τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες ο εμβολιασμός έχει αρχίσει να αμφισβητείται αρκετά σε όλο τον κόσμο αλλά και στην Ελλάδα. Αυτό έχει ως αποτέλεσμα κάποιες παλιές αρρώστιες που έχουν εκλείψει από τη χώρα μας να ξαναεμφανιστούν. Από τα βασικότερα πλεονεκτήματα του εμβολιασμού είναι ότι ορισμένες ασθένειες έχουν σχεδόν εξαφανιστεί ή έχουν γίνει σπάνιες. Επίσης τα εμβόλια βοηθούν τη λειτουργία του ανοσοποιητικού συστήματος, το οποίο αν δεν λειτουργεί καλά, ο οργανισμός θα παρουσιάζει συνεχώς λοιμώξεις και σοβαρές ασθένειες. Στα μειονεκτήματα των εμβολίων περιλαμβάνονται παρενέργειες όπως : πυρετός, διαβήτης, αυτοάνοσα νοσήματα, νευρολογικές ασθένειες αλλεργικές αντιδράσεις κ.λπ.
A cardiac surgeon's perspective on the treatment of coronavirus
Authors: Westaby S
Published: July 2020

Can interventions that surgeons use for prophylaxis protect against the cytokine storm in COVID-positive patients?
Automated full-field polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography diagnostic systems for breast cancer
Authors: Kansal Shaify , Bhattacharya Jhilik , Srivastava Vishal
Published: July 2020

Intraoperative delineation of breast cancer is a major challenge. An effective breast tissue screening technique may reduce the risk of re-excision during surgery by specifically identifying positive margins. In this study, a high-resolution automated full-field polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (FF-PS-OCT) system was developed to classify healthy and malignant human breast tissue from quantitative phase retardation information of the tissues in ex vivo. Twelve breast tissue samples [four healthy, eight malignant (cancerous)] were imaged with the FF-PS-OCT system and the different phase features were extracted from the acquired OCT images (106), based on the differences in the optical signatures of the healthy and malignant tissues. A linear support vector model classifier was trained using 75 images, with a sensitivity of 92.10% and specificity of 89.18% was achieved. Thirty-one images were used to test the model, with a sensitivity of 90.90% and specificity of 85.0% achieved.
Precision in-cylinder H2O vapor absorption thermometry and the associated uncertainties
Authors: Janecek D. , Melin S. , Sanders S. , Rothamer D. , Ghandhi J.
Published: July 2020

Water vapor absorption spectroscopy was used to measure crank-angle resolved temperature in an internal combustion engine for two intake pressures and a range of intake temperatures from 323 to 423 K. Measurements were acquired throughout the full engine cycle, for both motored and fired operating conditions. The methodology to convert absorbance measurements to processed temperatures up to values of 650 K are detailed in this work. The sensitivity of the processed temperature to the processing parameters was analyzed and quantified. The precision of the sampled mean with 95% confidence uncertainty bounds was 0.5%, and a comparison of the temperature estimates using the band shape thermometry technique was compared to both fast-response thermocouple measurements as well as a trapped-mass thermodynamic model.
Eigenlenses: a new model for full crystalline lens shape representation and its applications
Authors: Martinez-Enriquez Eduardo , de Castro Alberto , Marcos Susana
Published: July 2020

The crystalline lens is an important optical element in the eye, responsible for focusing, and which experiences significant changes throughout life. The shape of the lens is usually studied only in the optical area (central 4 to 6 mm). However, for a great number of applications, a description of the full shape of the crystalline lens is required. We propose a new method for the representation of the full shape of the crystalline lens, constructed from 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography images of 133 isolated crystalline lenses (0-71 y/o), which we have called eigenlenses. The method is shown to be compact and accurate to describe not only the full shape of the crystalline lens, but also the optical zone in comparison with other methods. We also demonstrate its application to the extrapolation of the full shape of the crystalline lens from in-vivo optical images of the anterior segment of the eye, where only the central part of the lens visible through the pupil is available, and in the generation (synthesis) of realistic full lenses of a given age. The method has critical applications, among others, in improving and evaluating myopia and presbyopia treatments.
High dynamic range head-up displays
Authors: Zou Junyu , Hsiang En-Lin , Zhan Tao , Yin Kun , He Ziqian , Wu Shin-Tson
Published: July 2020

We demonstrate a full-color high dynamic range head-up display (HUD) based on a polarization selective optical combiner, which is a three-layer cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) film. Such a CLC film has three reflection bands corresponding to the three primary colors. A key component in our HUD system is a polarization modulation layer (PML) consisting of a twisted-nematic LC polarization rotator sandwiched by two quarter-wave plates. This spatially switchable PML generates opposite polarization states for the displayed image and its background area. Thus, this optical combiner reflects the displayed image to the observer and transmits the background noise, making the black state darker. Furthermore, by matching the reflection spectra of the optical combiner with the colors of the display panel, the bright state gets brighter. Therefore, both bright state and dark state are improved simultaneously. Our experimental results show that the dark state of the new HUD is lowered by 3x and bright state is boosted by 2.5x. By applying antireflection coating to the optical components and optimizing the degree of polarization, our simulation results indicate that the dynamic range can be improved by ∼50x (17 dB). Potential applications of the proposed HUDs for improving the driver’s safety are foreseeable.
Pedagogy and youth civic engagement: Shifting understandings, emergent considerations and persisting challenges
Authors: Evans Mark , Peterson Andrew , Fülöp Márta , Kiwan Dina , Sim Jasmine B.-Y. , Davies Ian
Published: July 2020

Pedagogies about and for civic engagement are not clearly defined. We consider how these understandings have been constructed and how these pedagogical developments reveal a gradual yet fundamental shift from more transmission-oriented learning intentions and practices to more transformative orientations. We examine how particular broad and interrelated pedagogical considerations and experiences appear to enhance civic engagement learning (e.g. a focus on real-life and relevant political questions and issues, classroom to community, local to global). We review experiences that allow for the practice of different forms of civic engagement; varied ways of knowing and active involvement in the process of constructing knowledge in relation to these political questions and issues rather than simply receiving information passively; and building capacities for decision-making, public issue investigation, ethical thinking, peace-building and conflict management. We recognize that these matters are approached differently in the literature and in classrooms, schools and communities with varying degrees of emphasis and levels of sophistication. We contend that these contrasting approaches and practices reflect differing cultural and historical traditions and contexts, pressures being experienced locally and globally, and the guidance of educational policies and study programmes. The enactment of these developing understandings of civic engagement pedagogy is nominal and uneven in classrooms, schools and community sites within and across countries. Most forms of civic engagement pedagogy for youth tend to occur randomly in their communities, while school-based programmes are limited and most often involved in forms of civic action that are perceived as safe and minimal. We highlight – in the form of questions – some of the persisting challenges that face educators in developing appropriate pedagogies for civic engagement. This work originated from a three-year (2016–19), six-country project, ‘Youth Activism, Engagement and the Development of New Civic Learning Spaces’, undertaken by an international network of researchers (based in Australia, Canada, England, Hungary, Lebanon and Singapore) and funded by a Leverhulme Network Grant. We explore key ideas and issues about the ways in which young people participate in society and discuss what implications there are for education.
Finnish teachers as civic educators: From vision to action
Authors: Fornaciari Aleksi , Rautiainen Matti
Published: July 2020

In this article, we examine Finnish class teachers as citizenship educators. Over the last ten years, the autonomous position of the Finnish teacher has become a symbol of the world-famous education system, and this study aims to illustrate how this freedom comes true in the framework of teacher as a citizenship educator. A prior study shows that teachers mostly share the same universal values, emphasizing altruism rather than individualism. Socially, teachers are more focused on maintaining the status quo and continuity of society than changing it radically. This article aims to answer the question how teachers define their role between society and individual learners and how they prioritize their social educational objectives. We collected our empirical data from teachers and conceptualized it using the framework of three kinds of citizens by Joel Westheimer and Joseph Kahne. This study demonstrates that the level of understanding and interest towards social and societal issues does not easily develop into preparedness or willingness to participate or act. This is a concern worth noticing in teacher education and studies regarding teacher profession in general.
Qualitative findings from a systematic review: Visual arts engagement for adults with mental health conditions1
Authors: Tomlinson Alan , Lane Jack , Julier Guy , Grigsby-Duffy Lily , Payne Annette , Mansfield Louise , Kay Tess , John Alistair , Meads Catherine , Daykin Norma , Golding Alex , Victor Christina
Published: July 2020

This article reports on an investigation of the effects of ‘visual arts’-based programmes on subjective well-being (SWB) outcomes for adults with mental health conditions. In a systematic review, electronic databases were searched for articles published from January 2007 to April 2017. Grey literature completed from January 2014 to April 2017 was also considered. Six published articles of mostly moderate quality and six evaluation reports (grey literature) covering a wide range of visual arts practice, population groups and settings were included. Key themes emerged connected to the concept of ‘bonding’, sense of belonging, appreciation of self-identity and the confidence that engagement in visual arts can facilitate. The overall conclusion supports that visual arts have the potential to enhance the SWB of adults with mental health conditions. The evidence is relatively limited in terms of scope and quality – increased funding across sectors should be secured to support more extensive and long-term research.
Expanding practice: Script development with new Deaf screenwriting talent
Authors: Davies Abigail
Published: July 2020

In Deaf film and television, modest production budgets and limited training opportunities present considerable challenges for emerging screenwriting talent. This article argues that orthodox approaches to developing screenplays must be expanded when working in this context. The analysis focuses on an individual case study: the development of a half-hour television drama between a professional hearing script editor and a novice Deaf screenwriter. The article discusses the creative and cultural complexity of the editor–writer relationship, drawing on Schon’s ‘reflective practitioner’ concept, Ladd’s analysis of Deaf culture, Gramsci’s elaboration of the subaltern and the theories of Bourdieu, Foucault and Freire. More specifically, Macdonald’s Screen Idea Work Group is employed to explore the dialogical process of shared creation, which expands out to include production team, actors and interpreters via a uniquely adapted ‘table read’ situated at the heart of the development process. Reflecting on the value of this powerful encounter, the aim of the study is to address a gap in knowledge about this practice phenomenon and to contribute to Deaf filmmaking practice by proposing an original methodology. Overall, it is contended that greater investment is required to develop assured screenwriting voices to serve Deaf film and television audiences.
Assessment of Digital Competences in Communication Students across four Latin American Universities
Authors: Crawford-Visbal Joseph Livingston , Crawford-Tirado Livingston , Ortiz-Záccaro Zulma Zoraida , Abalo Facundo
Published: July 2020

Professional skills deemed necessary to work in the field of Communication in Latin America have shifted due to the ever more pressing necessities regarding Information and Communication Technologies. This study analyzes the cases of 4 different academic programs in Communications, belonging to 4 universities in the region (Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela), comparing their students in 3 phases of their formation (first semester, fourth semester, eight or last semester). We employed questionnaires for new students, focus groups for fourth-semester students, and semi-structured interviews those who were close to graduation. The results reveal that while students do have high levels of internet connectivity, they lack digital competencies such as basic information literacy, which are crucial for their future as professionals.
A sport-elköteleződés modell összefüggéseinek vizsgálata serdülő sportolók körében
Authors: Berki Tamás László
Published: July 2020

Disszertációim céljául tűztem ki a sport iránti elköteleződés megismerését és kapcsolatainak feltárását az egészségmagatartás változóival és más motivációs elméletekkel. A kutatásom keretét az ún. Sport-elköteleződés modell adta, mely megkülönböztet kétféle elköteleződés típust (lelkes és erőltetett elköteleződés) és annak hét forrását. A kérdőíves felmérésben összesen 860 serdülő sportoló vett részt két adatfelvételen keresztül, akik budapesti köznevelési típusú sport iskolákból kerültek ki. A vizsgálatom folyamán adaptálásra került három skála is (sport elköteleződés-2 kérdőív, sportélvezet skála, sportolói identitás skála). Eredményeimből kiderült, hogy ha a mintában szereplő sportolókra a lelkes köteleződés jellemző, akkor azért sportolnak, mert szeretik, és olyan lehetőségeket kapnak tőle, amelyek arra sarkallják őket, hogy még többet fektessenek a sportágukba, amelynek űzése a céljaik között is szerepel. Ők többet és magasabb szinten is sportolnak és érdekes módon azokban a csapatsportágakban magasabb a lelkes elköteleződés aránya, ahol a sport egyfajta alternatívaként szolgál a későbbi karrier szempontjából. Ezzel szemben az erőltetett elköteleződésnek a sportra ugyan pozitív, de a serdülők motivációs attitűdjére már negatív hatása van. Esetükben az alternatívák komoly szerepet játszanak, és inkább azért maradnak a sportban, hogy valaminek vagy valakinek megfeleljenek, valamint a már addig befektetett energiát sem hagynák kárba veszni. Az erőltetetten elköteleződött fiatalok nem is sportolnak magas szinten, és nem vesznek részt sok edzésen sem. A kutatásaim megmutatták, hogy a sport-elköteleződés tényezőinek erősítésével nemcsak a sportolási kedvet növelhetjük, hanem azok hatással lehetnek az egyén, azaz a serdülő egészségpszichológiájára, így a jóllétére vagy céljaikra is. A vizsgálataimból kiderült, hogy a szubjektív jóllét, a perfekcionizmus, az aspirációk és a jövőorientáció nemcsak magától a rendszeres fizikai aktivitástól függ, hanem az elköteleződés is hatással van rá. A magasabb sport-elköteleződésű és belsőleg motivált sportolónál találhattunk magasabb értéket ezen a téren. Összességében megállapítható, hogy ezek az eredmények arra ösztönözhetik a pszichológusokat, pedagógusokat, sportszakembereket, hogy minél jobban megszerettessék a sportot a serdülőkkel, hiszen így nagyobb hatással lehetnek rájuk, mintha valamilyen külső tényezővel erőltetnék a sportolást.
Envelhecimento e Facebook
Authors: Araujo Denise Castilhos de
Published: July 2020

Este artigo reflete a respeito da circulação de discursos e sentidos sobre o envelhecimento, realizados em materiais publicados, postados em páginas de Facebook, produzidas e acessadas por mulheres idosas.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Midiatização. Envelhecimento. Circulação.
Presentismo del pasado
Authors: Chartier Roger
Published: July 2020

Este artículo analiza cómo los historiadores de hoy saben que el conocimiento que producen no es más que una de las modalidades de la relación que las sociedades mantienen con el pasado. La memoria, sea colectiva o individual, las obras de ficción, al menos algunas de ellas, también remiten a una presencia al pasado; a veces de una manera más poderosa que la que establecen los libros de historia. A través del pensamiento de grandes autores como Paul Ricoeur y Michel de Certeau, entre otros, se efectúa un recorrido que permite identificar los parentescos narrativos o retóricos entre la ficción y la historia. Ello nos hace recordar que la especificidad de la historia, dentro de las ciencias sociales y humanas, es su capacidad de distinguir y articular los diferentes tiempos que resultan contemporáneos en cada momento histórico. En una época en que nuestra relación con el pasado está amenazada por la fuerte tentación de crear historias imaginadas o imaginarias, la reflexión sobre las condiciones que permiten sostener un discurso histórico –como una representación y una explicación adecuada de la realidad que fue– es fundamental y urgente.
Proposed fMRI Study: The Role of Self-Generated Object Formation in Novel Object Category Learning
Authors: George Evin
Published: July 2020

Recent research indicates that the self-produced visual-motor nature of handwriting provides variable visual output that better facilitates symbol understanding (Li & James 2016). In addition, viewing novel objects/hearing novel verbs that were learned through active manipulation resulted in greater motor activation in the brain than learning through passive viewing (James & Swain 2011). The proposed study attempts to investigate the understanding and neural underpinnings of novel objects when learned in a self-production condition similar to handwriting: forming objects with clay. 7-8 year-old participants will learn novel object categories through three conditions: a high active condition in which participants form objects with clay, a low active condition in which participants actively hold/explore pre-made objects, and a passive condition in which participants watch the experimenter hold pre-made objects. Following this training session, an object-sorting task will be used to assess the participants’ knowledge of the object categories. Finally, a fMRI session will attempt to investigate motor and whole-brain activation differences between the two active conditions.
Performance Audit of the Use of Budget Funds Aimed at the Development of the Agricultural Sector of Kazakhstan
Authors: BEISENOVA Lyazzat Z. , SPATAYEVA Saule B. , SHAKHAROVA Aliya Ye.
Published: July 2020

The issues of performance audit of the use of budget funds aimed at the development of the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan are investigated. The relevance of the problem under consideration is due to the significant influence exerted by such a performance audit of the use of budget funds on all processes that subsequently occur in the agricultural and agro-industrial sector of Kazakhstan. Proper execution of the audit helps to increase responsibility, transparency, as well as accountability for the activities of government bodies responsible for its implementation. A comparative analysis of the development of the audit of the distribution of budget allocations in other countries is given. The formulations of the performance audit of the use of budget allocations adopted in various state systems are sequentially considered. The article provides a detailed analysis of the performance audit of the state programs implementation in the field of agriculture. The current state programs are assessed in relation to targeted budget allocations and established financial irregularities, and it is clearly demonstrated that the performance audit occupies an appropriate place in the system of state and local financial control in Kazakhstan. Prospects for research in this direction are determined by the possibility of developing clear criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the use of budget funds that are directed to the development of the agricultural industry and other economic sectors of Kazakhstan. Fundamental criteria are being developed to compare the effectiveness of targeted budget allocations in Kazakhstan, in comparison with other states. The applied value of the research in this direction is determined by: identification of the mandatory criteria for evaluating the performance audit in this direction, determination of the influence degree of the targeted use of budget funds for the further fully-fledged development of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan and other regions as a whole. It is also important to identify the main shortcomings of the agrarian policy of Kazakhstan in comparison with other states and to identify the main opportunities to overcome this problem through the competent spending of budget funds.
Access to Justice: Ukraine and Europe
Authors: BREZINA Tetiana M. , BORTNYK Nadiia P. , KHOMYSHYN Iryna Yu.
Published: July 2020

The paper examines the right of access to justice through the lens of domestic and European experience. The purpose of the study is to improve the theoretical and legal provisions of the content of the right of access to justice based on European experience, the formation of its modern concept, including the construction of proposals for defining this concept in the domestic doctrine of the judiciary. The methodological basis of the study comprises a set of methods that have been comprehensively used to achieve the purposes of this paper: the study of the legal nature of the right of access to justice, the establishment of its structural elements, the formulation of conclusions and proposals for the implementation of European Court of Human Rights standards in Ukrainian legislation was carried out with the use of system-structural and Aristotelian methods. It is noted that the access to justice is the availability, legal consolidation, and direct functioning of guarantees stipulated by law, which allow everyone to freely exercise their right to judicial protection and restoration of the violated right. It is concluded that the right to judicial protection cannot be exercised without a mechanism of access to justice and legal regulation. Ukraine, as a full subject of international law, must guarantee, based on universal standards, the personal right of every individual to free access to justice. However, identification of the social nature of the right of access to justice, for any state, including Ukraine, means an assertion of a fairly wide margin of appreciation both upon specifying forms of support for citizens to exercise the right, and upon determining the categories of citizens who need such support. This obliges the legislator to respect the constitutional principles of justice, equality, proportionality, as well as stability and guarantee of human and civil rights in Ukraine.
Legal Science Methodology through the Lens of Legal Thinking Innovations
Authors: GARASYMIV Taras Z. , PAVLIV-SAMOYIL Nadiya P. , HODIAK Andrii I.
Published: July 2020

The relevance of the subject matter lies in the low efficiency of generally accepted methods of legal research, the lack of modification and transformation from due to obsolescence and inconsistency with modern tendencies in the development of the legal scientific framework and legal thinking of subjects of such activities. This paper is not limited to the classical methods of cognition, it also touches on the topics of basic legal concepts, theories, and well-known approaches in legal science. The main purpose of this paper is to designate the modern methodology of legal science through the lens of innovations in legal thinking, methods of applying methodological approaches, including an in-depth analysis of research methods in legal disciplines with the use of a comparative analysis of Ukraine and countries of the European economic zone. To achieve this purpose, the following special methods of legal analysis were applied in the scientific paper: analysis, synthesis, generalization, hermeneutic method, historical method, comparative and structural-functional methods. As a result of the study, the already existing methodological approaches will be expressly outlined, as well as those that emerged due to innovations in legal thinking and are capable of covering the features of knowledge of law as a social phenomenon. Furthermore, urgent problems of theoretical and methodological aspects of the study of modern legal systems were identified on the example of different states. One of the successes of the scientific analysis of the methodology of legal science lies in the proposal of methods for conducting complex legal research, described by the features of modernity, relevance, and compliance with the information and technological development of social relations. In addition, the sources regarding the methodology of law in Ukraine and foreign countries are systematized. A historical insight into the becoming of the main tendencies and qualities of the evolution of views on the methodology of law will be the subject of comparative analysis in order to identify new methods of legal cognition. Recommendations regarding the subject matter are expressed in the prospects for further research on the problems of the methodology of legal science and the creation of ways to overcome them. Furthermore, research materials can be used in the preparation of training materials, teaching aids, as well as in the learning process in various areas of legal disciplines.