bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deskripsi Keterampilan Dasar Laboratorium Mahasiswa Teknik pada Praktikum Kimia Dasar
Authors: Eliyart Eliyart , Rahayu Chichi
Published: May 2021

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi rendahnya hasil rata-rata nilai ujian praktikum kimia dasar mahasiswa teknik. Pelaksanaan perkuliahan kimia dasar tidak terlepas dari kegiatan praktikum. Praktikum mempunyai peranan yang krusial untuk mendukung kualitas hasil dan proses pembelajaran. Kegiatan praktikum dapat meningkatkan keahlian mahasiswa dalam pengamatan, keterampilan/aspek psikomotorik serta sebagai sarana berlatih menggunakan alat dan bahan yang ada di laboratorium. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mendeskripsikan keterampilan dasar laboratorium mahasiswa teknik pada praktikum kimia dasar. Jenis penelitian  ini  deksriptif  kuantitatif. Populasi penelitian merupakan mahasiswa tingkat I Fakultas Teknik dan Perencanaan Universitas Ekasakti dalam perkuliahan Kimia Dasar semester ganjil 2020/2021. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan lembar observasi (pengamatan). Penilaian lembar pengamatan keterampilan dasar mengacu pada rubrik penskoran. Rubrik penskoran berisi kriteria penilaian langkah-langkah kerja sistematis yang harus dilakukan mahasiswa saat praktikum. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data diperoleh keterampilan dasar laboratorium mahasiswa teknik sebagai berikut; mengambil bahan dengan persentase 80% menunjukan kriteria baik, menggunakan alat dengan persentase 60,5 % menujukan kriteria cukup, mengamati dengan persentase 67,75% menunjukan kriteria cukup, mengkomunikasikan dengan persentase 73,25% menunjukan kriteria cukup, dan keselamatan kerja dengan persentase 75,75% menunjukan kriteria baik. Secara keseluruhan keterampilan dasar laboratorium mahasiswa teknik berada pada kriteria cukup. Diharapkan pada praktikum semester berikutnya mahasiswa lebih termotivasi untuk mengikuti kegiatan praktikum, serta dosen dan instruktur membimbing mereka dengan memberikan pembelajaran sains yang menyenangkan dan inovatif
Laparoscopic staging of borderline ovarian tumours – Technique and results
Authors: Klimatsouda M , Donoudis C , Kontopoulos G , Daponte A
Published: May 2021

Borderline Ovarian Tumors (BOT) tend to present more frequently nowadays, especially in younger women. Furthermore fertility preservation and laparoscopic management is often desired and therefore appropriate counselling is challenging and the treatment selection must be made on evidence based medicine. Adnexal mass could be a random finding when a typical gynecologic examination is performed. The diagnostic algorithm for possible BOT is the same as for any ovarian tumor, but the treatment options and techniques may vary based on patient’s willing to preserve her fertility or not. Laparoscopic or laparotomy approach has similar results although intraoperative findings and frozen section may redirect the primary treatment planning. When an initial conservative approach is chosen, a secondary approach including total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with staging should be considered. Hence a full counselling is recommended before any primary approach.
Synergistic interactions of sperm impairing bacteria: Impact on pregnancy outcome in mouse model
Authors: Isheeta Jangra , Aditi Chauhan , Vijay Prabha
Published: May 2021

Earlier in our laboratory, the role of various individual sperm impairing microorganisms on sperm parameters and female infertility has been elucidated at higher doses. As, multiple bacterial species tend to exert more pathogenic effect in comparison to single organism hence, present study was carried out to evaluate that if consortia of these sperm impairing organisms can lead to infertility in female mice at sub fertility dose. For this, impact of individual bacterial strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and consortia of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was examined on the motility, viability of mouse spermatozoa and fertility outcome. The results showed that the individual bacterial strains of E. coli, S. marcescens and K. pneumoniae could led to immobilization of spermatozoa by agglutination and P. aeruginosa led to immobilization of spermatozoa without agglutination. Also, all of them led to 100% sperm death in 45 min of incubation. In case of consortia of bacterial strains, the results showed sperm agglutination in all the cases and they were able to induce 100% sperm death at 30 min of incubation time. Further, in vivo studies were carried out to evaluate the impact of individual bacterial strains and consortia of bacterial strains on the fertility outcome in female Balb/c mice. For this, female mice were administered intravaginally with 101 cfu/20µl of individual bacterial strains or consortia of strains for 10 consecutive days or PBS. The results showed that both individual bacterial strains and consortia of bacterial strains were able to efficiently colonize the mouse vagina. Further, control group receiving phosphate buffer saline and groups receiving individual bacterial strains showed all the pregnancy related changes viz. abdominal distension, string of pearls on palpation as well as delivery of pups on completion of gestation period and delivery of pups. The histological examination of reproductive organs viz. uterus and ovary, of the female mice receiving PBS or individual bacterial strains showed the formation of corpus luteum in the ovary and the formation of decidua’s in the uterus, indicative of pregnancy. However, mice receiving consortia of bacterial strains did not show any pregnancy related changes throughout the experiment. Thus, these results indicate that the presence of consortia of sperm impairing microorganisms in vaginal milieu is efficient in provoking infertility even at subfertility doses.
A Study of Doppler velocimetry in pre-eclampsia patients, and their perinatal outcome
Authors: Rahul Khatri , Bhoomika Jain , Sabrina Mhapankar , Sushil Kumar
Published: May 2021

Pre eclampsia and IUGR are important causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Pre eclampsia is a multisystem disorder, in normal pregnancies trophoblastic invasion transforms high resistance spiral arteries into low impedance uteroplacental circulation. This uteroplacental circulation remains incomplete in pre eclampsia and IUGR. This study is to correlate the Doppler Findings with the Fetal Outcome in pre eclampsia patiens, and helps decide appropriate time for delivery with least perinatal morbidity.
Radionuclide contents in yam samples and health risks assessment in Oguta oil producing locality Imo State Nigeria
Authors: Nnamdi Norbert Jibiri , Benedict Chukwudi Eke
Published: May 2021

Oguta LGA is surrounded by 44 oil wells located around different communities. Preliminary investigations indicated that crude wastes were not properly managed and oil spillage occurred regularly in the LGA. Therefore, assessment of both radionuclide contents in yam matrix and health risks in Oguta was carried out to determine possible radiological health risks associated with improper management of crude wastes, and also evaluate haematological health profile in the LGA for future reference and research. A well calibrated NaI (Tl) detector was deployed for the radiological investigation, and about 5 ml of blood samples were collected from 190 participants each from Oguta and the control LGAs for haematological assessment. Mean activity concentrations due to 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in yam samples from Oguta LGA were 189.99 ± 59.14 Bqkg-1, 23.75 ± 5.69 Bqkg-1 and 30.99 ± 9.51 Bqkg-1, respectively while mean activity concentrations due to natural radionuclides in yam samples from control LGA were 110.40 ± 78.53 Bqkg-1, 10.12 ± 3.34 Bqkg-1 and 18.39 ± 8.74 Bqkg-1 for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th, respectively. Committed effective dose equivalent values in Oguta and the control LGAs were 704.95 ± 183.30 μSvy-1 and 403.65 ± 172.19 μSvy-1, respectively which are less than world average value of 1.1 mSvy-1. Crucially, one-way ANOVA at α0.05 has indicated that effects of radiological parameters due to natural radionuclides in yam from Oguta are significantly different from effects of radiological parameters due to natural radionuclides in yam from the control LGA. However, the percentage contributions of natural radiation exposures to incidence of cancer in Oguta and the control LGAs are just 1.7% and 1.4%, respectively, and haematological investigations have shown that overall health of the communities in the study LGAs has not been compromised due to environmental and human factors. Hence, natural radioactivity may have been elevated in Oguta but the concentration levels are not yet alarming. Radiological health risks could result from consistent exposure to those natural radionuclides in the long term.
Penerapan Uji Kompetensi Untuk Meningkatkan Kompetensi Lulusan SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Purwokerto
Authors: Marhendi Teguh
Published: May 2021

SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Purwokerto sebagai lembaga pendidikan islam fokus membina dan membekali siswa dengan ilmu-ilmu syar’i  dan keterampilan hidup  (life skill) di samping dibekali dengan penguasaan tekhnologi. Untuk meningkatkan ketrampilan hidup (skill life) dan meningkatkan kompetensi para peserta didik perlu disiapkan  uji kompetensi untuk membekali pada saat kerja di dunia kerja. Hal ini juga sesuai dengan UU no 13 2004, dan Peraturan Pemerintah No 23 tentang BNSP, Peraturan Pemerintah No 31 2006 tentang sistem Pelatihan Kerja Nasional. Program ini dimaksudkan agar sekolah mampu menyiapkan lembaga sertifikasi profesi terlebih dahulu dan natinya bisa melakukan uji kompetensi terhadap para peserta didiknya. Permasalahan mitra diatasi dengan metode transfer teknologi melalui sosialisasi, pelatihan, simulasi, dan pendampingan. Kegiatan  sosialisasi mampu meningkatkan  pemahaman peserta pelatihan  tentang   pentingnya pelaksanaan ujikom dan pendirian LSP P1. Setelah kegiatan pelatihan, pengetahuan peserta terkait LSP dan Ujikom menjadi meningkat, 55,74 %.  Pada item  pentingnya ujikom bagi peserta didik/siswa meningkat 37,78% menjadi 62 %. Sedangkan terkait persaingan di MEA dan sertifikasi kompetensi, meningkat ningkat 34,61 %. Kegiatan alih teknologi ini mampu meningkatkan pengetahuan dan ketrampilan peserta pelatihan dalam penyiapan berkas-berkas penyusunan dokumen pendirian LSP P1 (meningkat 65,75% dan 45,83%. Kegiatan sosialisasi penyusunan dokumen penting pendirian LSP P1 mampu meningkatkan pengetahuan peserta pelatihan tentang pengetahuan dan ketrampilan penyusunan dokumen sebesar 70,50 %. Kegiatan pelatihan penyusunan dokumen penting pendirian LSP P1 meningkatkan kemampuan peserta dalam menyusun dokumen sebesar 84,25 %
Pelatihan Pembangunan Jaringan Komputer Dalam Perencanaan Arsitektur Jaringan Komputer Kabupaten Banyumas
Authors: Harjono Harjono
Published: May 2021

Dalam penyusunan rencana pembangunan tersebut dibutuhkan data pendukung yang lengkap dan valid, baik dari data kondisi makro pembangunan maupun data mikro untuk setiap bidang/sektor pembangunan yang dilaksanakan.    Ketersediaan data dan informasi pembangunan tersebut sangatlah penting sebagai dasar agar diperoleh sebuah dokumen perencanaan dengan tingkat akurasi yang tinggi dalam upaya mengatasi permasalahan yang ada serta mengantisipasi perkembangan dan permasalahan yang mungkin akan muncul di masa yang akan datang.Agar data-data tersebut dapat diperoleh dengan lancar, maka diperlukan jaringan komunikasi data yang terintegrasi antar SKPD (Satuan Kerja Perangkat Daerah).  Jaringan komunikasi data tersebut, yang berikutnya digunakan istilah Jaringan Komputer pada umumnya saat ini telah dibangun oleh Kantor Pengolahan Data Elektronik (KPDE).  Jaringan Komputer yang dibangun oleh KPDE setiap saat dilakukan pengembangan ataupun perbaikan, yang menggunakan dana APBD (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah) dalam bentuk program dan kegiatan yang diusulkannya.  Badan Perencanaan Pembanguna Daerah (Bappeda) Kabupaten Banyumas sebagai koordinator terhadap matriks kerja tiap SKPD perlu kiranya memahami beberapa dasar Jaringan Komputer untuk mendukung pembangunan infrastruktur jaringan komputer yang dibangun KPDE dan memanfaatkan jaringan komputer tersebut untuk mengkoordinir SKPD-SKPD untuk melaporkan matriks kegiatannya.
COVID-19 ile Mücadelede Akıllı Kent Uygulamalarının Önemi: Balıkesir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Örneği
Authors: Budak Sevim , Sezgin Sezgin
Published: May 2021

2019’un sonlarında Çin’de ortaya çıkan COVID-19, insanlığın karşılaştığı en büyük salgın hastalıklardan biridir. Hastalığın insandan insana çoğunlukla temas yoluyla geçmesi, insan etkileşiminin yüksek olduğu kentsel alanlarda yayılımını hızlandırmıştır. Nihayetinde kentler, hayalet kentlere dönüşmüş, sosyo-ekonomik aktiviteler asgari düzeye inmiştir. Geleneksel kent yönetimlerinden farklı olarak teknolojiyi kent yönetim sistemlerinde aktif kullanan akıllı kentler, salgınla mücadelede anlık veriye dayalı yönetim izlediklerinden daha hızlı hareket etme imkânı yakalamışlardır. Bu çalışmada; ‘Balıkesir’de akıllı kent uygulamaları COVID-19’la mücadelede nasıl kullanılmıştır?’ araştırma sorusunun cevabı aranacaktır. Bu çerçevede; öncelikle akıllı kentlerin neleri vaat ettiği ve bileşenleri incelenecek, dünyada COVID-19’la mücadelede kullanılan akıllı uygulamalardan örnekler verilecek ve sonunda Türkiye’de akıllı kent uygulamalarından yararlanan Balıkesir Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin COVID-19’la mücadeledeki akıllı uygulamaları ele alınacaktır. Çalışmada teorik çerçeve çizilirken literatür taraması yöntemi kullanılmış, Balıkesir örneği incelenirken derinlemesine mülakat yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın en önemli sınırlılığı; pandemi şartları nedeniyle derinlemesine mülakat yapılan kişiler, sadece yetki ve sorumluluk sahibi olan kişilerden seçilmiştir. İncelenen akıllı kent uygulamalarının çoğunluğu merkez ilçelerde uygulanmaktadır. Çalışma sonucunda Balıkesir Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin COVID-19 sürecine özgü bir akıllı kent uygulaması geliştirmediği görülmektedir. Pandemi öncesi uygulanan akıllı kent uygulamaları, revize edilerek salgınla mücadelede kullanılmaktadır.
Surgical Restoration of the Skin in Patients with Trophic Ulcers of Various Origins
Authors: Boyko V. V. , Kravtsov A. V. , Isaev Yu. I. , Kozin Yu. I. , Kurbanov T. A.
Published: May 2021

A study of the effectiveness of surgical treatment aimed at restoring the skin in 176 patients with trophic ulcers of vascular origin. An algorithm of conservative, local and surgical treatment has been developed, which provides full-fledged replacement of the ulcer defect by performing autodermoplasty operations.Objective. To improve the results of skin plastic operations in the treatment of trophic ulcers based on the optimization of the staged preparation, the performance of surgical intervention and the postoperative management of the wound defect.Materials and methods. The operations of skin grafting over the past 5 years have been performed by us in 176 patients with trophic ulcers. The area of the wound defect ranged from 10 cm2 to 1000 cm2. An algorithm of treatment was developed and used in clinical practice, consisting of 8 stages aimed at preparing ulcers, performing skin grafting, postoperative treatment, and post-transplant adaptation of skin flaps.

Results and discussion. In the course of the treatment, general infusion, drug therapy and local treatment were carried out against the background of which excision of pathological granulations, preparation of wounds, skin plasty and postoperative treatment were performed.A long-lasting positive functional and aesthetic effect was obtained.Conclusions. An algorithm has been developed for the complex treatment of trophic ulcers, including a skin transplantation operation, the clinical application of which provides a longterm healing of a wound defect and an improvement in the quality of life of patients.
Evaluation of Treatment Options for Ulcerative Dermatitis in the P Rat
Authors: Skiles Beth A , Boehm Chris A , Peveler Jessica L , Hickman Debra L
Published: May 2021

Rotational outbred adult rats, phenotypically selected to prefer drinking alcohol ("P" rats) frequently present with selfinflicted wounds and ulcerative dermatitis, similar to that seen in C57BL/6 mice. Historically, veterinary interventions used to address this clinical condition have
included triple antibiotic ointment (TABO), Columbia wound powder (CPW), nail trims, or plastic tubes that allow affected animals to hide. More recent studies have suggested that nail trims are the most successful intervention in mice, but this has not been evaluated previously in rats. In
this study, we evaluated nail trims in rats and also tested whether placing a pumice stone in the cage would reduce the need for nail trims to reduce self-inflicted wounds. Our hypothesis was that interacting with the pumice stone would dull/trim the rats' nails without causing stress or illness
and allow the wounds time to heal. We used 66 P rats that were assigned to 1 of 6 treatment groups (pumice stone, TABO, CWP, huts, nail trims, and an untreated control group) of 11 rats each. Rats were transferred to this study from a colony of experimentally naïve animals that had evidence
of dermatitis. The wounds were photographed and measured for 12 wk at 2 wk intervals. At the end of the study, representative skin samples from the site of the wound were collected for histopathologic evaluation of inflammation. Our data showed no significant differences in the inflammation
scores. The rats treated with nail trims healed significantly more often than did all of the other treatment groups. This suggests that nail trims are the most effective intervention for treating self-inflicted wounds in P rats.
Coeficiente de dilatación: diseño y construcción de un dilatómetro
Authors: Pérez Gabriel S. , Cabrera César A. , Provasi Patricio F.
Published: May 2021

En prácticamente cualquier curso de termodinámica aparece el tema de dilatación, en particular la dilatación lineal. Pero también resulta de mucha importancia en la naturaleza ya que ésta se toma muy seriamente el tema al crear seres capaces de mantener constante su temperatura. Con la ayuda de materiales de descarte logramos realizar un dilatómetro que presenta una precisión muy alta y nos permite estimar el coeficiente de dilatación de, por ejemplo, el acero con una precisión inferior al 6%.
La valorización como medio de concientización del cuidado del ambiente
Authors: Sogari Elena , Sogari Noemí
Published: May 2021

La educación ambiental a lo largo de las vida humana es una estrategias necesa-
ria, para incentivar y propiciar el cuidado ambiental, motivando la participación y
 compromiso de la sociedad correntina. Este artículo presenta los resultados obtenidos en el marco de un proyecto de
Extensión aprobado y subsidiado por la Facultad de Derecho de la UNNE, cuyo ob-
jetivo fue difundir el conocimiento científico en el ámbito de la educación referente
al cuidado del ambiente.
Se trabajó en este proyecto con algunas disciplinas curriculares del último año
lectivo del establecimiento C.E.S.P.A N 5, es un colegio nocturno para adultos. Cuyo
eje central fue el ambiente, con el objeto de concientizar y valorar los recursos na-
turales de nuestra provincia, señalando la necesidad del compromiso como consu-
midores responsables para favorecer un uso sostenible, aportando soluciones a los
problemas locales, mediante la necesidad de cambios de conductas con el ambiente.Induciendo a la cooperación y colaboración para mayor desarrollo y articulación entre el cuidado al ambiente y las conductas humanas al momento de utilizar los recursos naturales para la producción y consumo.
Flujo viscoso: diseño y construcción de un dispositivo para determinar el coeficiente de viscosidad dinámica del agua
Authors: Delugo Lucero , Cabrera Cesar A. , Provasi Patricio F.
Published: May 2021

La viscosidad dinámica es una propiedad de los fluidos que caracteriza la resistencia a fluir, es decir el equivalente al rozamiento entre sólidos y se debe principalmente a las fuerzas de adhesión y cohesión existente entre las moléculas que los componen y con las del contenedor. El conocimiento del valor de esta propiedad para cada fluido es de importancia en diversos procesos industriales, físicos y, por supuesto, biológicos. Considerando además la escasez de experimentos para determinar la viscosidad de líquidos con coeficientes bajos, en este trabajo se diseñó y construyó un dispositivo para el estudio y determinación de la viscosidad del agua con la finalidad de que sea utilizado en propuestas de trabajo experimental para alumnos del nivel secundario.
Los desafíos de la virtualidad y la enseñanza de la física en tiempos de pandemia
Authors: Medina Griselda , Sogari Noemí , Lasala Gustavo
Published: May 2021

La siguiente publicación detalla el desarrollo de estrategias metodológicas aplicadas a la asignatura Electricidad, Magnetismo, Óptica y Sonido en un marco virtual de enseñanza, que compromete a los alumnos de segundo año de las carreras de Bioquímica, Licenciatura en Ciencias Químicas y Profesorado en Ciencias Químicas y del Ambiente de la FaCENA de la UNNE. La propuesta educativa plantea como objetivo la articulación de la enseñanza que involucra las clases de problemas, prácticas de laboratorio virtuales y teorías, ajustadas a una educación en línea. La
metodología aplicada promueve desarrollo de un aprendizaje autónomo y reflexivo
que favorece la comprensión e interpretación de los fenómenos físicos estudiados, mediante estrategia educativa que interiorizan en una serie de actividades que ofrece e impulsa un aprendizaje en línea acorde a las necesidades del educando.
Second-order self-Similar time series and complex telecommunication systems analysis
Authors: Millán Ginno
Published: May 2021

It is well-known that fractal signals appear in many fields of science. LAN and WWW traces, wireless traffic, VBR resources, etc. are among the ones with this behavior in computer networks traffic flows. An important question in these applications is how long a measured trace should be to obtain reliable estimates of de Hurst index (H). This paper addresses this question by first providing a thorough study of estimator for short series based on the behavior of bias, standard deviation (s), Root-Mean-Square Error (RMSE), and convergence when using Gaussian H-Self-Similar with Stationary Increments signals (H-sssi signals). Results show that Whittle-type estimators behave the best when estimating H for short signals. Based on the results, empirically derived the minimum trace length for the estimators is proposed. Finally for testing the results, the application of estimators to real traces is accomplished. Immediate applications from this can be found in the real-time estimation of H which is useful in agent-based control of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters in the high-speed computer network traffic flows.
Quan hệ giữa sự hài lòng và truyền miệng tại các trung tâm Anh ngữ ở TP.HCM
Authors: Giao Ha Nam Khanh , Truong Nguyen Quang
Published: May 2021

Nghiên cứu này xem xét mối quan hệ của sự hài lòng và truyền miệng các trung tâm Anh ngữ tại TPHCM thông qua khảo sát 200 học viên. Nghiên cứu sử dụng hệ số tin cậy Cronbach’s Alpha và phân tích nhân tố khám phá, phân tích nhân tố khẳng định, phương trình cấu trúc tuyến tính bằng chương trình AMOS. Kết quả cho thấy truyền miệng khen ngợi và hành vi truyền miệng chịu ảnh hưởng mạnh bởi yếu tố cam kết tình cảm. Sự hài lòng chịu tác động mạnh từ chất lượng dịch vụ chức năng hơn là chất lượng dịch vụ kỹ thuật; tiếp đó sự hài lòng sẽ tác động trực tiếp và tích cực đến cam kết tình cảm và cam kết hy sinh cao, giúp cho trung tâm ngoại ngữ tạo được hình ảnh tốt đẹp trong cảm nhận của học viên; dẫn đến hành vi truyền miệng và truyền miệng khen ngợi của học viên.
Sustainability matchmaking: Linking renewable sources to electric water heating through machine learning
Authors: Mabina Paseka , Mukoma Peter , Booysen MJ
Published: May 2021

A high penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind power generation and photo-voltaic generation causes some problems in power systems such as the duck curve and unreliability dueto environmental variability. An effective solution to this problem is Demand Response (DR). ElectricWater Heaters (EWHs) are considered ideal candidates for DR due to their energy storage capability.Due to the benefi?ts, control strategies or techniques for EWHs have received considerable academic attention. The energy sector has recently tapped into the disruptive arti?ficial intelligence world to learn,among other related priorities, how to enhance operations, maintain energy resilience and improve consumer service. Consequently, this paper reviews the use of machine learning (ML) for optimization andscheduling of EWHs. The main contributions of this review paper are, ?firstly, to identify state of the artof energy optimization and scheduling of EWHs. Secondly, to review the current ML models for energyoptimization and scheduling of EWHs in smart grids and smart building environment. While classicalcontrol strategies may deliver substantial improvements, optimum effciency may not be reached. MLhas demonstrated clear advantages over classical control. Based on these conclusions, recommendationsfor further research topics are drawn.
Lower multisensory temporal acuity in individuals with high schizotypal traits: a web-based study
Authors: Marsicano Gianluca , Cerpelloni Filippo , Melcher David , Ronconi Luca
Published: May 2021

Natural events are often multisensory, requiring the brain to combine information from the same spatial location and timing, across different senses. The importance of temporal coincidence has led to the introduction of the temporal binding window (TBW) construct, defined as the time range within which multisensory inputs are highly likely to be perceptually bound into a single entity. Anomalies in TBWs have been linked to confused perceptual experiences and inaccurate filtering of sensory inputs coming from different environmental sources. Indeed, larger TBWs have been associated with disorders such as schizophrenia and autism and are also correlated to a higher level of subclinical traits of these conditions in the general population. Here, we tested the feasibility of using a web-based version of a classic audio-visual simultaneity judgment (SJ) task with simple flash-beep stimuli in order to measure multisensory temporal acuity and its relationship with schizotypal traits as measured in the general population. Results show that: (i) the response distribution obtained in the web-based SJ task was strongly similar to those reported by studies carried out in controlled laboratory settings, and (ii) lower multisensory temporal acuity was associated with higher schizotypal traits in the “disorganized” domains. Our findings reveal the possibility of adequately using a web-based audio-visual SJ task outside a controlled laboratory setting, available to a more diverse and representative pool of participants. These results provide additional evidence for a close relationship between lower multisensory acuity and the expression schizotypal traits in the general population.
Who Can I Count On: Honor, Self-Reliance, and Family in the United States and Iran
Authors: Wang Peter , Atari Mohammad , Oyserman Daphna
Published: May 2021

Honor requires that individuals demonstrate their worth in the eyes of others. However, it is unclear how honor and its implications for behavior vary between societies. Here, we explore the tension between competing views about how to make sense of honor – as narrowly defined through self-reliance and self-defense or as broadly defined through strength of character. The former suggests that demonstrating the ability to defend one’s self, is a crucial component of honor, while the latter allows the centrality of self-reliance to vary depending on circumstances. To examine these implications, we conducted studies in the U.S., where self-reliance is central to honor , and in Iran, where individual agency must be balanced against the interests of kin. Americans (Studies 1, 2a; n = 978) who endorsed honor values tended to ignore governmental COVID-19 measures because they preferred relying on themselves. In contrast, honor-minded Iranians (Study 2b; n = 201) adhered to public-health guidelines and did not prefer self-reliance. Moreover, honor-minded Iranians endorsed family-reliance, but did not moralize self-reliance (Study 3; n = 107), while honor-minded Americans endorsed family-reliance and moralized self-reliance (Study 3; n = 120). Results suggest that local norms may shape how honor is expressed across cultures.
Fitting Problems: Evaluating Model Fit in Behavior Genetic Models
Authors: Garrison S. Mason , Rodgers Joseph Lee
Published: May 2021

Final Paper Version of my Dissertation
Heterogeneity of effects of cognitive reserve on performance in probable Alzheimer’s disease and in subjective cognitive decline
Authors: Montemurro Sonia , Mondini Sara , Arcara Giorgio
Published: May 2021

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive reserve (CR) is a term used to describe the adaptability of cognitive processes to brain changes. It helps to explain the differential cognitive adaptation to daily functioning in aging individuals and in individuals with brain pathology, with a higher CR associated with a delay in the manifestation of cognitive symptoms. CR can be estimated using different proxies, such as education, life experience, premorbid IQ, and vocabulary size. Despite the complexity of CR, little research to date has systematically focused on the heterogeneity of its effects. METHOD: We investigated this issue in individuals with probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in those with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) by focusing on two variables: 1) the type of CR proxy (i.e., Education and Life-experience); and 2) the type of test used to assess cognitive performance (i.e., the MMSE screening test and the extensive ENB-2 test battery).RESULTS: Our results suggested that effects on CR varied: in individuals with probable AD, we found a positive relationship of Education with performance on both the MMSE and the ENB-2 tests. In contrast, individuals with SCD showed a positive relationship of Life-experience selectively with the ENB-2 global score. CONCLUSIONS: Different proxies can detect different compensatory effects of CR depending on task demand and on an individual’s global cognitive condition. In particular, while the Education proxy can capture CR-related cognitive compensation in pathological conditions such as probable AD, the more complex Life-experience proxy might be useful for capturing CR-related effects when signs of cognitive decline are subtle.
T-Ridership: a web tool for reprogramming public transportation fleet to minimize COVID-19 transmission
Authors: Imani Saba , Vahed Majid , Vahed Mohammad
Published: May 2021

IntroductionAs the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread rapidly throughout the world, steps are being taken to limit the impact on public health. In the realm of infectious diseases like COVID-19, social distancing is effective to avoid exposure to the virus and reduce its spread. However, current studies about public transit did not consider social distancing which plays a fundamental role in the current outbreak. Therefore, it is vital to study how to optimally manage public transit systems in order to minimize risks related to COVID-19. MethodsIn this study we present a novel web-based application, T-Ridership based on a hybrid optimized dynamic programming inspired by neural networks algorithm to optimize public transit for safety with respect to COVID-19. Two main steps are taken in the analysis through Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA): the first is detecting high-density stations by input data normalization, and then, using these results, the T-Ridership tool automatically determines optimal station order planning. ResultsWe evaluated the performance of our web tool by comparing the results with real data extracted from MTA. The number of passengers in a route dropped significantly after normalization by T-Ridership. These results can be used in expanding on and improving policy in public transit, to better plan the scheduled time of trains in a way that prevents high-volume human contact, increasing social distance and reducing the possibility of disease transmission (available at: http://t-ridership.com).
Housing Market Appreciation and the White-Black Wealth Gap
Authors: LaBriola Joe
Published: May 2021

Real house prices in the United States have risen by 55% over the last four decades, driving substantial wealth benefits to homeowners. However, research has not explored how this rise in house prices has affected White-Black wealth gaps, or the mechanisms that may underlie this relationship. Using geocoded longitudinal household-level wealth data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and tract-level house price index data, I estimate that housing market appreciation between 1984-2021 explains 70% of the increase in the median White-Black wealth gap over this period. I find that most of this effect is due to White-Black gaps in homeownership, while White-Black gaps in house values playing a smaller role. In contrast to recent findings about racialized housing markets, I do not find that gaps in neighborhood house price appreciation between White and Black homeowners contributed to White-Black wealth gaps in the 2000s and 2010s. These results highlight the importance of cumulative advantage processes in driving wealth inequalities, and demonstrate how the legacies of institutional racism contribute to contemporary racial wealth gaps.
Sequential movement pattern-mining (SMP) in field-based team-sport: A framework for quantifying spatiotemporal data and improve training specificity?
Authors: White Ryan , Palczewska Anna , Weaving Dan , Collins Neil , Jone Ben
Published: May 2021

Athlete external load is typically quantified as volumes or discretised threshold values using distance, speed and time. A framework that accounts for the movement sequences of athletes has previously been proposed using radio frequency data. This study developed a framework to identify sequential movement sequences using GPS-derived spatiotemporal data in team-sports and establish it’s stability. 13 rugby league players during one match were analysed to demonstrate the application of the framework. The framework (Sequential Movement Pattern-mining [SMP]) applies analysis techniques to handle i) geospatial data (i.e., decimal degree latitude and longitude), ii) determined players turning angles, iii) improved movement descriptor assignment thus, improving movement unit formation and iv) improved the classification and identification of players frequent SMP. The SMP framework allows for sub-sequences of movement units to be condensed, removing repeated elements, which offers a novel technique for the quantification of similarities or dissimilarities between players and playing positions. The SMP framework provides a robust and stable method which allows, for the first time the analysis of GPS-derived data and identifies the frequent SMP of field-based team-sport athletes. The application of the SMP framework in practice could optimise the outcomes of training of field-based team-sport athletes by improving training specificity.
Comparison of exercise therapies across multiple tendinopathies: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Swinton Paul , Shim Joanna , Pavlova Anastasia , Moss Rachel , MacLean Colin , Brandie David , Mitchell Laura , Greig Leon , Parkinson Eva , Morrissey Dylan , alexander lyndsay , Cooper Kay
Published: May 2021

Given the extensive use and initial support for exercise therapies across the tendinopathy literature, and the lack of previous attempts to quantitatively synthesise large amounts of effectiveness data across multiple tendinopathy types, the following systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted. Network structures will be used to compare exercise treatments and treatment classes in attempts to identify a treatment hierarchy. Additionally, the large amount of data synthesised will be used to explore relevant factors that may explain statistical heterogeneity.
Evoking the Ethics of Freedom in the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
Authors: Dahal Arvind
Published: May 2021

In this article an attempt has been made to analyze how the abolitionist literature of the Enlightenment Period worked to evoke sympathy for the slaves and hatred for the slavers by using the same doctrines used by the Christians to inflict atrocities and exert superiority over Non-Christians. In doing so, the article explores how these narratives debunked the notion of enlightenment and argues that it was used not to emancipate mankind but to endorse slavery.
Evolving Dimensions of Security and Its Relevance in Nepal
Authors: Kharel Aswasthama Bhakta
Published: May 2021

“Security” has been defined in different ways by different political scientists, economists, researchers and authors according to the change in course of time and the emergence of the feel of its necessity in various fields. Security includes absence or resilience against potential damage or harm, presence of essential goods, containment and feel of being secured and protected. The evolving dimensions of security concerns about the  protection of people not only against war and several forms of unstructured violence but also against hunger, diseases, terrorism, environmental degradation and other global issues. This sketches the globalization of security concept dealing with the state-security and the human security. Numbers of new and challenging security issues are being observed as the world has entered into the economy and power competition among different countries and allies of the countries. This demands for the implication of reformed and effective security strategies. Whereas, Nepal being a South Asian country and a country that is just transitioning from a decade long insurgency and political instabilities, has been facing numerous security matters in national and international levels that are required to be resolved through fruitful initiatives and practical approaches. There is a need of comprehensive and co-ordinate approach to reform the security sectors of Nepal for overall peace and prosperity in the country. The research here is done for the same on the basis of documentary analysis of different journals, public documents, reports, articles, books and research papers from which factual data are included.
Economic Condition of the Tharu: A Study of Kalika Municipality of Chitwan District
Authors: Dhakal Chadra Prasad
Published: May 2021

The study analyzes the socio-economic status of the Tharu living in Kalika municipality of Chitwan.  Kalika municipality ward number 4 is the traditional home land of Tharus. This ward is the Padampur VDC which was shifted from the area of Chitwan national park (Chiriya) to current place in 2057. The study is only limited on ward number 4 of Kalika municipality and focuses on current economic situation and the factors that play important role in to form economic status of the Tharu of Study area. The study follows the both qualitative and quantitative research design and both primary and secondary source of data were used in this study. Conclusion of this study has based on data analysis and presentation.
A Study on Impact of Foreign Trade In GDP of Nepal
Authors: Parajuli Rita
Published: May 2021

Foreign trade is a major source of economic revenue for any nation. This study investigates the linkage between economic growth with import and export. The objectives of study are to study the growth trend of foreign trade and to examine the relationship between exports, imports and economy growth of Nepal. The ARDL model has been used to examine the relationship between foreign trade and economic growth of Nepal. The analysis is based on data for the period of 1994/95 to 2018/19. The empirical evidence indicates that there is a stable long run relation of economic growth with foreign trade.
Entrepreneurial Performance Construct, Its Dimensions, Measures and Issues
Authors: Subedi Rita
Published: May 2021

Entrepreneurial performance is a construct evolved from organizational theory and strategic management. It is extensively researched and discussed to define venture success or failure in entrepreneurship domain. However, there is lack of consensus between scholars to choose measures and data sources used to identify the behavior of entrepreneurial performance construct. Due to this they have been facing considerable difficulty to choose accurate and adequate performance measure which is critical to consistent results.  Present paper reviews existing literature focusing on entrepreneurial performance construct and its measurements. The purpose of this paper is to identify current position regarding the entrepreneurial performance construct and its measurements and issues. The existing literature related to measurements of entrepreneurial performance were reviewed. The results depicted that vast majority of the studies have considered unidimensional measures especially financial measures as core which covers mostly efficiency, profit and growth dimensions. Very few studies have considered operational, and stakeholder satisfaction dimensions. As like as measures, most of the studies, (more than 75 percent) were used primary data, very few studies were used secondary and triangulated data source. This leads the inaccuracy in results.
‘अँध्यारामा बाँच्नेहरू’ एकाङ्कीको समाजशास्त्रीय अध्ययन
Authors: Upadhyaya Mukta Raj
Published: May 2021

लेखकले आफु बाँचेको युग र आफुले भोगेको सामाजिक, आर्थिक, भौगोलिक आदि पर्यावरणलाई दृष्टिगत गरी कृतिभित्रको समाजको वैज्ञानिक एवं वस्तुपरक ढङ्गले अध्ययन एवं विश्लेषण गर्ने सिद्धान्तलाई साहित्यको समाजशास्त्र भनिन्छ । अर्को शब्दमा साहित्यिक कृतिहरूमा अन्तर्निहित समाजको अध्ययन गर्ने एक विशिष्ट पद्धति वा सिद्धान्त हो साहित्यको समाजशास्त्र । साहित्यमा समाजकै चित्रण हुने हुँदा साहित्यिक कृतिका माध्यमबाट तत्कालीन समाजको अध्ययन गर्न सकिने कुरामा यस सिद्धान्तले विश्वास राख्दछ । प्रस्तुत अध्ययनमा ‘अँध्यारामा बाँच्नेहरू’ एकाङ्कीको समाजशास्त्रीय अध्ययन गर्दा हिपोलाइट एडोल्फ टेनले अघि सारेको जाति, क्षण र पर्यावरणसम्बन्धी मान्यतालाई प्रमुख आधार बनाई उक्त मान्यता प्रस्तुत एकाङ्कीमा केकसरी प्रयोग भएको छ भन्ने जिज्ञासाको प्राज्ञिक समाधानका निम्ति एकाङ्कीमा प्रयुक्त विभिन्न पात्रहरूले बोलेका संवादहरूलाई साक्ष्यका रूपमा लिई वस्तुनिष्ठ ढङ्गले अध्ययन विश्लेषण गरिएको छ ।
‘The Sagacity of Words’
Authors: Cardozo Elloit
Published: May 2021

Best known for his ideas of ahimsa and satyagraha, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a prominent figure in the Indian freedom movement. Even today, he is highly revered for his philosophy of non-violence which was also an integral part of India’s freedom struggle. Gandhi was responsible for making non-violent protests an important part of the movement. Now famous as a global expressive culture including forms of dance and music, Hip Hop, too, was conceived as a reaction to the violence that pervaded the gang culture of the late-1960s to early-1970s in The Bronx, New York City. Drawing from this thread of similarity, this article fleshes out parallels between the ideas of Gandhi and Hip Hop culture. Divided into three sections, it begins by establishing the cultural linkages between Gandhi, the Gandhian foundations of Hip Hop, and marking out the rationale of the study. The following section goes on to discuss the intertwining strings between Gandhi’s perceptions of knowledge and the significance of knowledge in Hip Hop culture. Finally, the third section discusses references to and representations of Gandhi in selected works of 21st century Hip Hop. In doing so, the article posits that Gandhism and Hip Hop culture belong to a similar lineage of ideas, if not the same one.
Exchanges Discourse Podcast
In Conversation with Elloit Cardozo [14:01]
Characterization of an interstitial current model around a cancer nodule using optical tweezers.
Authors: Torres-Saucedo O. L. , Morales-Cruzado B. , Pérez-Gutiérrez F. G.
Published: May 2021

Currently, the process of diagnosis and treatment of a patient with metastatic cancer is highly inefficient due to the complexity of the disease (metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from a primary tumor to secondary tumors at distant sites [1]). However, recent studies have shown that shear stress, caused by natural microfluidic currents, causes cancer cells to break away, spreading them to secondary sites [2] and aggravating the disease. The extent of shear stress on nodules due to microfluidic currents has not been experimentally proven. In the present study, a methodology developed to induce local shear stresses on a cancer nodule model from velocity field measurements is presented. Such methodology is based on the use of the optical tweezers velocimetry technique reported by Eom, et al. [3] and Almendarez, et al. [4]. The methodology consists on using the holographic optical tweezers velocimetry technique (i.e. multiple trapping in one domain), in order to measure, in a discretized way, the flow field at different positions, and approximate through least squares the velocity profiles; with such information, the shear stresses on the surface of the nodule model will be approximated. The methodology contributes to the understanding of metastasis process and other applications, such as: the development of thrombosis, tumor formation, stopping bleeding, etc.
Una mirada a los sistemas complejos desde la termodinámica
Authors: Nieto-Villar J. M.
Published: May 2021

Se presenta una panorámica del formalismo termodinámico irreversible y su vinculación con los sistemas complejos. Se muestra como la velocidad de producción de entropía constituye per se una función natural de Lyapunov. Una extensión a los sistemas biofísico-químicos, evidenció como la velocidad de producción de entropía representa una vía magnitud física para medir la complejidad y la robustez del cáncer.
Optical-fiber ring cavity with saturable rare-earth-doped fiber
Authors: Aguilar E. , Srepanov S. , Hernandez E.
Published: May 2021

Resonance properties of the all-fiber ring cavity filled with  nonlinear material - saturable rare-earth-doped fiber are analyzed and experimentally investigated. Unlike the earlier investigated erbium-doped fiber at 1550nm where the optical absorption photo-induced change (saturation) is observed only, the ytterbium-doped fiber at 1064nm demonstrates the saturation of the refractive index mainly. For this configuration we report experimental observation of the optical bistability and hysteresis in the transmitted output light at the 10mW-scale incident light power. The experimental results are in qualitative agreement with the theoretical analysis that takes into account the saturation of both parameters: the optical absorption and the refractive index of the doped fiber. The reported results seem promising for applications in high-sensitivity interferometric configurations at 1064nm operation wavelength.
Polarization control for fiber systems and devices
Authors: Tentori D. , Cortez Herrera M. A. , Rojas-Sanchez A.
Published: May 2021

Nulling the birefringence effect of a light signal traveling through a single-mode fiber when the fiber behaves as an elliptical retarder can be achieved by winding the fiber as a double-helix. We present a resume of the theory and procedures developed at CICESE to demonstrate this polarization control in fiber systems.