bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Flipped Classroom Approach to Improve Fundus Examination Skills for Medical Students: a Mixed-methods Study
Authors: Shikino Kiyoshi , Rosu Claudia A , Yokokawa Daiki , Suzuki Shingo , Hirota Yusuke , Nishiya Katsumi , Ikusaka Masatomi
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND: Training for the fundus examination using traditional teaching is challenging, resulting in low generalist physicians’ confidence in performing the funduscopic exam. At the same time, there is growing evidence suggesting flipped classrooms’ value in teaching physical examination procedures. However, whether the flipped classroom is superior to the traditional, lecture-based teaching for the funduscopic exam and the cognitive processes supporting its effectiveness has not yet been determined. METHODS: We conducted a sequential explanatory mixed-method study to compare the flipped classroom approach’s effectiveness versus the traditional lecture-based classroom for teaching the funduscopic exam to the medical students at Chiba University in Japan. Medical students were randomly assigned to either a flipped classroom group or a traditional teaching group. We then quantitatively measured the diagnostic accuracy of funduscopic findings, the length of time to perform the fundus examination, and students’ confidence in performing funduscopic examinations, before and after attending the specific classrooms. Next, we conducted student focus groups to explore the students’ thinking processes in the flipped classroom and traditional teaching of fundus examination, respectively. The qualitative data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method.RESULTS: Diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher using the flipped classroom method (flipped: 36.6% to 63.4%, traditional: 28.3% to 34.6%, F (1,310) = 11.0, p = .001). The total examination time was significantly shorter using the flipped classroom teaching (flipped: 85.4s to 66.9s, traditional: 85.3s to 76.3s, F (1,310) = 14.7, p <.001). Six semi-structured focused group interviews were conducted (n=36). In the flipped classroom group, we identified 12 categories corresponding to five levels of the revised Bloom’s taxonomy: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate. Five categories were identified in the traditional classroom group corresponding only to three levels of the revised Bloom’s taxonomy: understand, apply, analyze. Interrater reliability was substantial (Cohen’s kappa = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Teaching medical students funduscopic examination using the flipped classroom methodology leads to improved diagnostic accuracy, confidence, and motivation for funduscopic examinations, while reducing total examination time. The flipped classroom teaching method enabled higher levels of cognitive activity than the traditional, lecture-based classroom, as assessed using the revised Bloom’s taxonomy.
Value of Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking at Rest and During Dobutmaine Stress Echocardiography in Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Saleh Ahmed M. , Zintl Konstantin , Mohrez Yamen , Brachmann Johannes
Published: January 2021

IntroductionCAD (coronary artery disease) is a major cause of death and disability in developed countries. Exercise testing is recommended as a first-line diagnostic test in patients with stable angina pectoris. However, the limited sensitivity and specificity have been criticized. Myocardial strain can predict the presence of significant coronary artery disease.Aim of workto assess the utility of myocardial strain obtained by 2D-speckle tracking at rest and under stress for the detection of CAD in patients referred to chest pain unit with stable and low risk unstable angina pectoris.Methods108 individuals matched the inclusion criteria and gave their written consent to be enrolled in this study. Coronary angiography was performed within 48 hours from admission to the chest pain unit. Myocardial strain by 2D-speckle tracking was obtained at rest and under dobutamine stress.ResultsGlobal longitudinal strain at stress revealed a moderate correlation with the presence of significant CAD; r= 0.41, p <0.0001. While a moderate correlation was established between global strain under stress with the severity of coronary occlusion, r= 0.62, p <0.0001. Global longitudinal strain under stress showed a sensitivity of 74.1% and a specificity of 76.7% in detecting significant CAD at a cut-off value of -19.1.ConclusionLongitudinal strain parameters at rest and under stress could predict the presence of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina pectoris. The obtained strain data could add value in detecting the severity of CAD.
The Psychometric Properties of Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale in Tic Disorders
Authors: Yan Junjuan , Gu Yi , Wen Fang , Yu Liping , Wang Fang , Liu Jingran , Wang Mengyu , Chu Jiahui , Li Yanlin , Cui Yonghua , Li Ying
Published: January 2021

Background: Patients with Tic Disorders (TD) usually comorbid with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) in TD is widely evaluated via the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). However, the reliability and validity of CY-BOCS in TD patients are still unclear. Methods: In this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the CY-BOCS in patients with tic disorders. Results: We examined the psychometric properties of the CY-BOCS in 367 patients with TD in China. We performed reliability and validity analyses on the CY-BOCS and found that the Cronbach’s Alpha and the test-retest reliability of CY-BOCS were 0.809 and 0.821 respectively. The CY-BOCS showed good consistency in the two-factor structure, namely the “obsession” and the “compulsive” factors (the comparative fit index was 0.84). Conclusion: The CY-BOCS has good psychometric properties in children and adolescents with TD. It suggests that the CY-BOCS could be widely used in Chinese children and adolescents with TD, especially for the TS patients.
Activity Level and Patient Outcome After Liver Surgery – A Prospective Study
Authors: Valdimarsson Valentinus , Holka Peter , Radberg John , Mania Jonathan , Sturesson Christian
Published: January 2021

Background: Perioperative measurement to enhance recovery after surgery has been introduced as a prognostic factor. The effect of surgery on activity level during and after hospital discharge has been relatively under-explored. The present study aims to measure perioperative activity for patients undergoing liver surgery as a 23 benchmark for further interventional studies on the relationship between postoperative mobilization and outcome.Methods: In this prospective cohort study we measured activity levels for patients selected for liver surgery at a single liver surgical center. The activity level was measured before, during hospital admission, and after discharge with patients wearing pedometers. Clinical parameters and outcomes were documented.Results: Thirty-three patients were included. Median activity level was 4303 (2381- 6912), 293 (170-665), and 1250 (613-3300) steps per day preoperatively, perioperatively, and postoperatively after discharge, respectively. The activity level decreased to 38 (22-62) % after discharge compared to preoperative levels. Conclusion: This study quantified the decrease in activity level after liver surgery. Future studies could further evaluate the intervention effect of perioperative care on postoperative outcome measures.
Optimizing SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategies in France: Results from a stochastic agent-based model
Authors: Hoertel Nicolas , Blachier Martin , Limosin Frédéric , Rico Marina Sánchez , Blanco Carlos , Olfson Mark , Luchini Stéphane , Schwarzinger Michaël , Leleu Henri
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major global societal, economic and health threat. The availability of COVID-19 vaccines has raised hopes for a decline in the pandemic. We built upon a stochastic agent-based microsimulation model of the COVID-19 epidemic in France. We examined the potential impact of different vaccination strategies, defined according to the age, medical conditions, and expected vaccination acceptance of the target non-immunized adult population, on disease cumulative incidence, mortality, and number of hospital admissions. Specifically, we examined whether these vaccination strategies would allow to lift all non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs), based on a sufficiently low cumulative mortality and number of hospital admissions. While vaccinating the full adult non-immunized population, if performed immediately, would be highly effective in reducing incidence, mortality and hospital-bed occupancy, and would allow discontinuing all NPIs, this strategy would require a large number of vaccine doses. Vaccinating only adults at higher risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, i.e. those aged over 65 years or with medical conditions, would be insufficient to lift NPIs. Immediately vaccinating only adults aged over 45 years, or only adults aged over 55 years with mandatory vaccination of those aged over 65 years, would enable lifting all NPIs with a substantially lower number of vaccine doses, particularly with the latter vaccination strategy. Benefits of these strategies would be markedly reduced if the vaccination was delayed, was less effective than expected on virus transmission or in preventing COVID-19 among older adults, or was not widely accepted.
The Influential Associating Factors for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Propensity Score-matched Analysis
Authors: Chang Yung-Hsin , Hsu Chih-Yu , Lee Tse-Han , Chuang Yun-Shiuan , Wu Ming-Tsang , Lee Chun-Ying
Published: January 2021

Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common painful nuisance for reproductive women. This study was to investigate the influential and modifiable factors, regarding health behaviors, lifestyles and dietary habits, for primary dysmenorrhea in a Taiwanese population.Methods:This cross-sectional study retrieved data from 5,000 individuals in the Taiwan Biobank. After excluding men, menopausal and cigarette smoke women and missing values, the 1,325 individuals aged 30 to 56 were analyzed. We used propensity score-matching (PSM) at 1:3 ratio, and the final sample size was 824. The data were analyzed in SPSS 22.0 using Chi-square test, Fisher’s test, Student’s t-test and conditional logistic regression method.Results:After PSM, univariable analysis showed that the higher incidence rates of dysmenorrhea were in exposure to tobacco smoke (P=0.007), less likely to cook at home (P=0.01) and more tendency of tea consumption (P=0.036). On multivariable analysis, compared with non-dysmenorrhea group, the risk of exposure to tobacco smoke was 1.42 times with AOR (CI) = 1.42(1.00, 2.02), P=0.048 and of having the habit of home-cooking was 0.74 times with AOR (CI) = 0.74(0.56, 0.98), P=0.034.Conclusion:The findings implied that exposure to tobacco smoke and no habit of home-cooking habit were the potential risk factors for developing primary dysmenorrhea.
Artificial Intelligence Paradigm for Ligand-Based Virtual Screening on the Drug Discovery of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Bustamam Alhadi , Hamzah Haris , Husna Nadya Asanul , Syarofina Sarah , Dwimantara Nalendra , Yanuar Arry , Sarwinda Devvi
Published: January 2021

Background: New dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors need to be developed to be used as agents with low adverse effects for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aims to build quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models using the artificial intelligence paradigm. Random Forest and Deep Neural Network are used to predict QSAR models. We compared principal component analysis (PCA) with sparse PCA as methods for transforming Rotation Forest. K-modes clustering with Levenshtein distance was used for the selection method of molecules, and CatBoost was used for the feature selection method. Results: The amount of the DPP-4 inhibitor molecules resulting from the selection process of molecules using K-Modes clustering algorithm is 1020 with logP range value of -1.6693 to 4.99044. Several fingerprint methods such as extended connectivity fingerprint and functional class fingerprint with diameters of 4 and 6 were used to construct four fingerprint datasets, ECFP_4, ECFP_6, FCFP_4, and FCFP_6. There are 1024 features from the four fingerprint datasets that are then selected using the CatBoost method. CatBoost can represent QSAR models with good performance for machine learning and deep learning methods respectively with evaluation metrics, such as Sensitivity, Specificity, Accuracy, and Matthew's correlation coefficient, all valued above 70% with a feature importance level of 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%.Conclusions: The K-Modes clustering algorithm can produce a representative subset of DPP-4 inhibitor molecules. Feature selection in the fingerprint dataset using CatBoost is best used before making QSAR Classification and QSAR Regression models. QSAR Classification using Machine Learning and QSAR Classification using Deep Learning, each of which has an accuracy of above 70%. The Rotation Forest (PCA) model performed better than the Rotation Forest (Sparse PCA) model, both in the QSAR Classification and QSAR Regression model because the Rotation Forest (PCA) has a more effective time than the Rotation Forest (Sparse PCA).
Frond Architecture of The Rootless Duckweed Wolffia Globosa
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Zhao Xuyao , Li Gaojie , Hu Shiqi , Hou Hongwei
Published: January 2021

Background: The plant body of duckweed species has undergone reduction and simplification from the ancient Spirodela species towards more-derived Wolffia species. Among the five duckweed genera, Wolffia members are rootless and represent the smallest and most-reduced species. However, we lack detailed knowledge about their structure. Results: We conducted a comprehensive study of the morphology and anatomy of Wolffia globosa, the only Wolffia species in China. We first used X-ray microtomography imaging to reveal the three-dimensional and internal structure of the W. globosa frond. This showed that new fronds rapidly budded from the hollow reproductive pocket of the mother fronds and that several generations at various developmental stages could coexist in a single W. globosa frond. Using light microscopy, we observed that the meristem area of the W. globosa frond was located at the base of the reproductive pocket and composed of undifferentiated cells that continued to produce new buds. A single epidermal layer surrounded the W. globosa frond, and the mesophyll cells varied from small and dense palisade-like parenchyma cells to large, vacuolated cells from the ventral to the dorsal part. Furthermore, W. globosa fronds contained all the same organelles as other angiosperms; the most prominent organelles were chloroplasts with abundant starch grains. Conclusions: Our study revealed that the reproductive strategy of W. globosa plants enables the rapid accumulation of biomass and the wide distribution of this species in various habitats. Despite their reduced body plan and size, the simplicity of the W. globosa frond might be overestimated. We propose that W. globosa plants are not only suitable for the study of structural reduction in higher plants, but also an ideal system to explore fundamental developmental processes of higher plants that cannot be addressed using other model plants.
Impacts of nursing work environment and burnout on turnover intentions among nurses in Ghana
Authors: Poku Collins Atta , Donkor Ernestina , Naab Florence
Published: January 2021

Background

Professional practice environment supports excellence and decent work and has the influence to entice and retain quality-nursing workforce. In high-resourced settings, significant number of studies exist to prove that professional practice environment with low levels of burnout play important role in enhancing patients’ and staff job outcomes. Appreciating the dynamics that affect turnover intention of nurses offer reasonable solutions to the challenges of nursing shortage, which directly influence quality of nursing care. Few studies undertaken on the subject in Ghana, however focused on miners, workers in the hotel industry, and worker telecommunication. There is evidently paucity of information on the impacts of nursing practice environment on turnover intentions among nurses in Sub-Saharan African. The study therefore aimed at determining the predictors of turnover intentions among nurses in Ghana.
Methods

A cross-sectional approach using a simple random and proportionate stratified sampling with a sample of 232 nurses completed validated instruments measuring work environment, burnout and turnover intentions. Descriptive and regression analysis were done on the various variables.
Results

While most nurses had positive perception about their work environment, greater number of them had turnover intentions. There was also significant associations between nursing work environment facets and turnover intention. The age of the nurse, years in nursing and the personal accomplishment of the nurse were significant predictors of turnover intentions of the nurse.
Conclusion

Burnout in any dimension results from unhealthy workplace; and unduly influences nurses’ turnover intention. This phenomenon can potentially affect the human resource management and the consequentially poor quality of nursing care provided to patients. Ensuring positive work setting and reduced burnout can therefore improves retention of nurses at their workplace.
Effect of Additional Administration of Topical Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Primary Total hip Arthroplasty Without Drainage
Authors: Jin Jing Yao , Li Qing Song , Yoon Taek Rim , Jin Sheng Yu , Kim Min Gwang , Park Kyung-Soon
Published: January 2021

Introduction: This study was designed to compare the clinical results of additional administration of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) with intravenous TXA (IV-TXA) and to determine its effect in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) without drainage using propensity score matching analysis.Methods: A total of 248 patients (248 hips) underwent primary THA from March 2016 to June 2018. Patients who received topical TXA and IV-TXA were included in the combined group (46 patients), and patients who received IV-TXA were included in the IV only group (202 patients). After propensity score matching, both groups consisted of 44 patients (88 patients in total). We compared the results of total blood loss (TBL), haemoglobin (Hb) level, Hb drop, and the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Results: In the combined group, the TBL was 280.4 ± 64.2 mL, which was significantly lower than that in the IV only group (335.3 ± 75.3 mL; p < 0.001). From the preoperative period to 1-week postoperatively, Hb levels were not significantly different between the two groups. There was significantly more Hb drop in the IV only Group from immediate postoperative to postoperative day 3 (POD 3). In both groups, no patient presented with postoperative symptomatic DVT or PE. Conclusion: In patients undergoing primary THA without drainage, combined use of IV-TXA and topical TXA can significantly decrease blood loss without influencing postoperative complications.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Displaced Salter-Harris type II Fractures of the Distal Tibia: A Retrospective Study of Eighty-Five Cases in Children
Authors: Yuan Quanwen , Zhen Yunfang , Guo Zhixiong , Zhang Fuyong , Fang Jianfeng , Zhu Zhenhua , Zhu Lunqing , Shen Xiaofang , Yin Chunhua , Liu Yao , Yao Feng , Wu Lin , Wang Xiaodong
Published: January 2021

Background: The treatment for displaced Salter-Harris Ⅱ distal tibia fractures remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of premature physeal closure (PPC) and to identify the risk factors treated by open reduction and internal fixation.Methods: We reviewed the charts and radiographs of patients with Salter-Harris Ⅱ fractures of the distal tibia with displacement >3mm between 2012 and 2019. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed for all patients. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 4 months. Contralateral ankle radiograph or CT scans were obtained if there was any evidence of premature physeal closure. Any angular deformity or shortening of the involved leg was documented.Results: A total of 85 patients with a mean age of 12.3years were included in the study. The mean initial displacement was 8.5 mm. All patients but one were treated within seven days after injury and the mean interval was 3.7 days. SER injuries occurred in 65 patients (76.5%), PER in 17 (20.0%), and SPF in three (3.5%). The rate of PPC was 29.4% and two patients with PPC had varus deformities. The rate of PPC was significantly greater in patients with associated fibular fracture as compared with those with intact fibular (P=0.005). Patient age, gender, injured side, mechanism of injury (only SER vs PER), amount of initial displacement, interval from injury to surgery, or energy of injury did not affect the rate of PPC significantly. Conclusions: PPC is a common complication for displaced S-H Ⅱ distal tibia physeal fractures. We suggest that open reduction internal fixation is an effective choice to reduce the risk of PPC. The presence of concomitant fibula fracture was associated with PPC.
Clinical Analysis of 9 Cases of Neonatal Influenza A
Authors: Zhang Yanlan , Xu Lin , Wang Caiying , Pang Lin
Published: January 2021

Background: The population is generally susceptible to influenza A, while neonatal cases are relatively rare. The study aims to explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of neonates with influenza A.Methods: The clinical data from neonates with influenza A who were treated in the neonatal department of Beijing Ditan Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from November 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: A total of 9 neonates with influenza A were admitted and treated, with a distribution of 7 males and 2 females. The onset was 1.44 ± 1.46 days (mean ± SD), and age at diagnosis was 21.44 ±6. 53 days. All cases had a history of exposure to febrile patients, The main symptoms are fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, other respiratory symptoms and digestive symptoms such as vomiting milk, choking milk, less milk, diarrhea. Laboratory tests showed 7 cases of decreased white blood cell counts, 3 cases of increased plasma C-reactive protein concentrations. All cases were administered antiviral therapy on the day of admission. Eight neonates reverted to a normal temperature within 48 hours after hospitalization, one neonate’s temperature returned to normal after 48 hours of hospitalization, and all cases' symptoms gradually improved.Conclusion: The symptoms of influenza A in neonates are atypical, once a diagnosis is confirmed, the prognosis is likely to be favorable as long as antiviral treatment with antiviral is initiated as soon as possible.
Postoperative Pain Treatment with Transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum Block and Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Xia Qin , Ding Wenping , Lin Chao , Xia Jiayi , Xu Yahui , Jia Mengxing
Published: January 2021

Background: Patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) often suffered moderate or even severe pain, seriously affecting the early postoperative recovery. This study aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (T-QLB) combined with fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) for elderly patients undergoing THA.Methods: Sixty-four patients scheduled for THA were included in this randomized controlled study. The patients were divided into two groups: group Q and group QF. Before anesthesia induction, group Q was injected with 0.375% ropivacaine 40ml. In the QF group, T-QLB combined with FICB was injected with 0.375% ropivacaine 20ml, respectively. Paracetamol 1g regularly at 6 h intervals and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) were administrated in both groups postoperatively. The primary outcome was cumulative sufentanil consumption via PCIA on postoperative 24 h. The secondary outcomes included pain degree, time to the first analgesic requirement, range of motion, quality of recovery, and the incidence of postoperative complications.Results: Compared with the group Q, the cumulative sufentanil consumption were significantly lower in group QF at 6-12, 12-18, 18-24, and 24h (49.29±16.76 vs. 31.42±18.81μg, P <0.001) after surgery. The postoperative pain intensity was lower in group QF at rest after 6, 12, and 24 h (P <0.05) and at activity after 6, 12, 18, and 24 h (P <0.05). Group QF had higher Qor-15 scores at postoperative 24 h and 48 h (P <0.001) and longer duration before the first opioid require via PCIA (P <0.001) postoperatively than group Q. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for complications postoperatively of elderly.Conclusions: Our study provides a multimodal, opioid-sparing analgesic regimen for elderly patients in THA. The combination of T-QLB and FICB provides a significant advantage for early postoperative functional recovery. Further studies are required to confirm the minimum effective dose.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(ChiCTR2000038686).
SLC6A3 (DAT1) as a novel candidate biomarker gene for suicidal behavior: a pilot study
Authors: Rafikova Ekaterina , Shadrina Maria I. , Slominsky Peter A. , Guekht Alla B. , Ryskov Aleksei P. , Shibalev Dmitry V. , Vasilyev Vasiliy A.
Published: January 2021

Objective This study aims to estimate the contribution of 11 polymorphisms in the genes SLC6A4 (5HTT), HTR1A, HTR2A, HTR1B, SLC6A3 (DAT1), DRD4, DRD2, COMT and BDNF to suicidal behavior and severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety in Russian population.Methods The study was performed on 100 patients with repeated suicide attempts and 154 controls. The SNP and VNTR genotyping was carried out using locus-specific PCR. Logistic regression approach was applied to establish associations between gene polymorphisms and risk of suicidal attempts. Negative binomial regression was used to analyze association between genotypes and count variables: severity of depressive symptoms, personal anxiety and situational anxiety. Results We have first found an association between SLC6A3 (DAT1) 40 bp VNTR locus and suicidal behavior. This association was significant in the co-dominant (P = 0.006), dominant (P = 0.001), over-dominant (P = 0.004) and log-additive (P = 0.004) models, LL genotype played a protective role (OR = 0.48, 0.29–0.82). Difference in the genotypes distribution of COMT rs4680 was significant in the co-dominant (P = 0.04), dominant (P = 0.013) and log-additive (P = 0.02) models, and AA genotype might protect against suicide (OR = 0.49, 0.26–0.91). SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR+rs25531 locus was significant only in the recessive model (P = 0.024) and also affected the severity of symptoms of depression (P = 0.044) and personal anxiety (P = 0.029). Conclusions Our results suggest that allelic variants of SLC6A3, COMT and SLC6A4 genes might be considered as risk factors for suicidal attempts.
Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Think Pair Share Menggunakan Media Google Classroom terhadap Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematis Mahasiswa IAIN Tulungagung
Authors: Rahma Nadya Alvi , Rochayati Masithoh Yessi , Muniri Muniri
Published: January 2021

Mathematical communication skill is very important for university students because through communication, students can convey their mathematical ideas, knowledge and arguments. However, the facts show that the written mathematical communication skills of students majoring in Mathematics Education at IAIN Tulungagung are classified as low. The low written mathematical communication skill of students is indicated by errors in writing mathematical symbols on an equation and unsystematic writing of the steps to solve mathematical problems. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Think Pair Share (TPS) learning model using Google Classroom media to improve the written mathematical communication skill of IAIN Tulungagung students. Several previous researchers have reviewed the use of Google Classroom in learning, but it was not integrated with the TPS learning model and did not focus on the influence on students' mathematical communication skill. The study sample was 40 students of the 5th semester in 2019/2020 academic year majoring in Mathematics Education at IAIN Tulungagung who took the Differential Equation course. The data collection was carried out by providing a pretest and posttest before and after implementing the learning using the TPS model with Google Classroom media. Then, the data from the pretest and posttest results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test because the data were not normally distributed. The results of this study showed that the TPS learning model using Google Classroom media could improve the students' mathematical communication skill.
Herramientas tecnológicas en la enseñanza de las matemáticas durante la pandemia COVID-19
Authors: Sánchez Pachas Cynthia Iris
Published: January 2021

La educación en nuestros días ha tenido un cambio vertiginoso, al pasar de la enseñanza presencial a la virtual debido al aislamiento generado por la pandemia del Covid-19, en este escenario los docentes han recurrido a las herramientas tecnológicas para el proceso de enseñanza – aprendizaje. Por lo que en este estudio documental se hace una revisión y análisis de la literatura, acerca de herramientas tecnológicas utilizadas en el área de matemáticas, con una temporalización de los últimos cinco años: 2016 – 2020, complementando con la experiencia de aula en estos primeros meses del año escolar 2020 con estudiantes del VII ciclo de la Educación Básica Regular.
Índice de Madurez Digital para Empresas Hoteleras Familiares de Veracruz, México
Authors: Salas Parada Beatriz Eugenia , Juárez Gómez Guadalupe , Carmona Cuervo Tomás Cuauhtémoc
Published: January 2021

El artículo muestra la definición y medición del índice de madurez digital en hoteles ubicados en el centro histórico de la ciudad de Veracruz, se resalta la importancia de este como parámetro para iniciar la transformación digital; es fundamental que las empresas tengan una hoja de ruta ante tareas impostergables como la Transformación Digital. Medir la madurez digital es un primer paso que refleja en sus diversas dimensiones, dónde se encuentran situadas las empresas seleccionadas, para con ello no retrasar más la decisión que tanta reticencia ha generado: usar tecnologías e incrementar su productividad y con ello su competitividad. La población de estudio se integró por Pymes hoteleras que ofrecen servicio de alojamiento. Se utilizó el cuestionario para la recolección de datos, permitiendo estudiar las dimensiones: Aprendizaje Organizacional, Cambio Organizacional, Recursos Humanos y Tecnología. Y se tuvo como objetivo el evaluar el índice de madurez digital. Los resultados muestran que las empresas se encuentran en niveles incipientes de uso de tecnologías, por lo que el nivel de madurez digital es prácticamente inexistente. Las 4 dimensiones estudiadas con las cuáles podían alcanzar 99 puntos en total, se encontraron con los siguientes puntajes promedios: Cambio Organizacional con 4.33 de 22 puntos totales, Tecnología 14.16 de 48 puntos totales, Aprendizaje Organizacional 8.26 de 19 puntos totales, Recursos Humanos 2.66 de 10 puntos totales.
Seguridad IoT: Principales amenazas en una taxonomía de activos
Authors: Cartuche Calva Joffre J. , Hernández Rojas Dixys L. , Morocho Román Rodrigo F. , Radicelli García Ciro D.
Published: January 2021

El Internet de las Cosas (IoT) es una extensión de internet al integrar redes móviles, internet, redes sociales y cosas inteligentes para proporcionar mejores servicios o aplicaciones a los usuarios, uno de los mayores retos que tiene IoT son los problemas de seguridad relacionados con las amenazas, ataques, vulnerabilidades, etc. En este artículo, se proporciona una taxonomía de sus activos mediante la agrupación de los diferentes elementos que conforman un ecosistema IoT, para determinar qué elementos podrían estar afectados en la adquisición, el intercambio y el procesamiento de información ante las posibles amenazas existentes. La metodología utilizada consta de cuatro pasos, comenzando con la definición del alcance y juicios de expertos en el área de IoT, la investigación de escritorio, el análisis y desarrollo, redacción y validación del informe, llegando a obtener una clasificación y análisis de las principales amenazas según la categorización de los diferentes tipos de amenazas existentes y el nivel de impacto de riesgo que estas generan identificando qué amenazas pueden mitigarse y el riesgo que puedan tener en cada entorno IoT. Como resultado se aporta con una taxonomía de seguridad que podrá ser usada para evaluar el nivel de impacto de riesgo de toda una arquitectura IoT.
Agrobc: Gestión Descentralizada de Cadenas de Valor Agrícolas Usando Tecnología Blockchain
Authors: Mosquera Jean , Piedra Nelson
Published: January 2021

La tecnología blockchain gracias a sus características innatas que son la transparencia, descentralización, trazabilidad, entre otras durante los últimos años está siendo ampliamente usada en diversos sectores entre estos el sector agrícola. Además, en el mundo se pueden encontrar diversas soluciones enfocadas en la educación, finanzas, transporte y diversas industrias entre estas la industria agrícola. Mediante el presente trabajo se busca proponer una aplicación descentralizada empleando la tecnología blockchain para lograr la transparencia en el sector agrícola, además de buscar permitir la gestión descentralizada de la cadena de suministros de forma descentralizada. Así, en este trabajo se presenta el proceso seguido para el desarrollo de una aplicación descentralizada para la gestión de la cadena de suministros. Como resultados se presenta la aplicación descentralizada la cual demuestra que es posible lograr transparentar la cadena de suministros del sector agrícola, convirtiendo así a este sector aún más atractivo ante los consumidores, además de permitir mejorar la gestión de la cadena de suministros que ya de por si su naturaleza es compleja. Finalmente, los autores concluyen que es posible el empleo de la tecnología blockchain en el ámbito agrícola con el objetivo de lograr la transparencia de este sector productivo, también discuten aspectos adicionales que deben ser considerados y han demostrado el potencial de la tecnología blockchain en el desarrollo de soluciones en diversas industrias.
An Exploration of Special Education Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development
Authors: ALGAHTANI Faris
Published: January 2021

Introduction: This interpretive qualitative study explored professional development needs and practices for supporting and promoting the development of special education teachers in Saudi Arabia. There is an increasing demand for highly effective special education teachers in Saudi Arabia. Method: Nine teachers were interviewed. The study used the interpretive approach. Semi-structured interviews were carried out. Thematic analysis was used in data analysis. Despite positive experiences regarding the supportive environment.Findings: The majority of the participants expressed their frustration with workloads especially including administrative tasks. They clearly articulated their needs for professional development in areas specific to special education, notably more effective management of the whole process involving Individualized Educational Plans. In particular, they sought ways of improving the instruction and student attainment based on classroom situations. Discussion: They wished to have access to mentoring and online resources so that their needs were met. This would require a sufficient number of experienced and knowledgeable teachers to act as mentors, a need which could potentially be met through access to one or more digital platforms.
Multi-source data fusion method for structural safety assessment of water diversion structures
Authors: Zhang Sherong , Liu Ting , Wang Chao
Published: January 2021

Building safety assessment based on single sensor data has the problems of low reliability and high uncertainty. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel multi-source sensor data fusion method based on Improved Dempster–Shafer (D-S) evidence theory and Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN). Before data fusion, the improved self-support function is adopted to preprocess the original data. The process of data fusion is divided into three steps: Firstly, the feature of the same kind of sensor data is extracted by the adaptive weighted average method as the input source of BPNN. Then, BPNN is trained and its output is used as the basic probability assignment (BPA) of D-S evidence theory. Finally, Bhattacharyya Distance (BD) is introduced to improve D-S evidence theory from two aspects of evidence distance and conflict factors, and multi-source data fusion is realized by D-S synthesis rules. In practical application, a three-level information fusion framework of the data level, the feature level, and the decision level is proposed, and the safety status of buildings is evaluated by using multi-source sensor data. The results show that compared with the fusion result of the traditional D-S evidence theory, the algorithm improves the accuracy of the overall safety state assessment of the building and reduces the MSE from 0.18 to 0.01%.
Conflict or cooperation? How does precipitation change affect transboundary hydropolitics?
Authors: Xia Qifan , Qian Chaofeng , Du Debin , Zhang Yang
Published: January 2021

Global climate change affects hydrology and ecology, and aggravates the contradiction between water resources supply and demand, thus leading to transboundary water conflict and cooperation attracting increasing attention. This paper uses the precipitation data sourced from the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre, hydropolitical data collected from the Transboundary Freshwater Disputes Database and, for approximately half a century of socioeconomic indicator for countries, to discuss the relationship between precipitation change and transboundary hydropolitics. As demonstrated by the panel regression results, lower precipitation would lead to more water conflicts and more significant change of precipitation would lead to more water hydropolitical events. This result remains robust after adjustment being made to the defined thresholds of conflict and cooperation. The findings suggest that the countries in a transboundary river ought to avoid conflict and seek more cooperation, considering the uncertain prospect of precipitation changes.
A comparison of regionalization methods in monsoon dominated tropical river basins
Authors: Soni Pramod , Tripathi Shivam , Srivastava Rajesh
Published: January 2021

The present study evaluated five regionalization methods: global averaging; regression; spatial proximity; behavioral similarity and artificial neural network (ANN) for Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), using data from 24 river basins in monsoon dominated tropical river basins of peninsular India. Regionalization was performed for each basin using the remaining 23 basins. The performance of the calibration and thus the regionalization method is limited by the unreliable or erroneous data at the basins. Overall, we found that the regression method outperforms other regionalization methods in terms of predicting the daily as well as peak discharges. It was found that despite showing a better R2 in training, testing and validation, the ANN method performed poorly probably due to a lower number of training data. Therefore, it is suggested that the ANN should be avoided for regionalization in the absence of sufficient training data. Moreover, the regression equations developed in the present study can be utilized to predict SWAT parameters of basins located in the vicinity of the study area. However, the basins located far away from the group of catchments or having diverse characteristics should be avoided for regionalization.
Modelling the impact of water temperature, pipe, and hydraulic conditions on water quality in water distribution networks
Authors: Mohammed Hadi , Tornyeviadzi Hoese Michel , Seidu Razak
Published: January 2021

Identifying and controlling the drivers of change in the quality of water within distribution systems requires a comprehensive understanding of the individual and interactive effects of relevant factors. This article examines the impact of water temperature, pipe characteristics, and hydraulic conditions on the microbiological, physical, and chemical parameters of water quality in the distribution network using Bayesian Dirichlet process mixture of linear models and random forest method. The study was based on a database of the distribution network for the city of Ålesund in Norway and records of water quality data measured at seven different locations in the network from 2013 to 2019. In both modelling approaches applied, temperature was identified as the main factor that controls the microbiological stability of water in the network. From the minimum to the maximum values of temperature in the pipes (3.35 °C–11.14 °C respectively), the probabilities of occurrence of bacteria in water increased from 0.36 to 0.95. Temperature was also shown to be an important factor that affects the chemical parameters of water quality (pH, alkalinity and electrical conductivity). Among the input parameters included in this study, concentration of residual chlorine was shown to have the strongest growth-inhibiting effect on Total Bacteria in the pipes. The results further showed that changes in the hydraulic conditions in the pipes (residence time and flow) were among the most important determinants of the physical, chemical and microbiological quality of water in the distribution network. The random forest models assigned minimal importance to the pipe characteristics and conditions on changes in the water quality parameters. However, the Bayesian models revealed that these parameters have significant impact on the quality of water in the pipes.
Removal of lead from aqueous solutions and wastewaters using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) roots
Authors: Jahangiri Farah Monowara , Moutushi Hasina Tasmin , Moniruzzaman Md. , Hoque Sirajul , Hossain Mohammad Enayet
Published: January 2021

Dried ground roots of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) were used for removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with the dried roots (0.1 g dry weight) using 100 mg/L of Pb(II) aqueous solution adjusted at pH 5.0. Equilibrium was obtained in 90 min with a 92% removal of Pb(II). The effect of contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration on the adsorption of Pb(II) were also studied. Kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption of Pb(II) followed the pseudo-second-order model with a reaction rate constant (k) of 0.0127 mg/(g.min). Kinetics data conforming to the pseudo-second-order model suggest that chemisorption was the rate-limiting step in the adsorption process. The adsorption data were found to fit best into the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.986). The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be ∼50 mg Pb(II) per g of dried roots. To investigate the feasibility of using the water hyacinth roots in a more realistic situation, wastewaters collected from various sources were also tested with the biosorbent. Significant removal of Pb(II) (∼88% to ∼100%) was observed from the wastewaters at pH 5.0. High adsorption capacity, rapid kinetics, and its low cost make water hyacinth dried roots a good candidate for the removal of Pb(II) from wastewaters.
Investigation of correlation between surface runoff rate and stream water quality
Authors: Jang Sunsook , Ji Hyunseo , Choi Jiyong , Suh Kyo , Kim Hakkwan
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between stream water quality and the surface runoff rate defined as the ratio of annual surface runoff to annual average precipitation. The surface runoff rate was first estimated in the Han River basin located in South Korea using the calibrated and validated HSPF model. Then a linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between the computed surface runoff rate and the observed water quality. It was found that there were statistically significant relationships between the surface runoff rate and concentrations of BOD, COD, and T-P and higher surface runoff rate led to the deterioration of water quality in streams. Finally, the applicability of the surface runoff rate as an indicator to measure the impact of land development on stream water quality was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The ROC curve analysis indicated that the surface runoff rate could be utilized as a useful indicator to illustrate the degradation of stream water quality at the watershed scale. The results from this study also suggest that the surface runoff rate needs to be managed and controlled within about 15% to prevent the degradation of stream water quality.
Analyzing barriers for stormwater management utilities
Authors: Veiga Marcelo Motta , Castiglia-Feitosa Renato , Marques Rui Cunha
Published: January 2021

This study analyzed barriers for implementing stormwater utilities. Public budget constraints imply a need for prioritizing scarce public funds for financing water-related investment. In this sense, municipalities have ranked stormwater management services as a low priority compared to other public needs, causing them to be underfunded. The creation of stormwater utilities for securing resources should be supported through economic, technical, and legal arguments. There is a global water and sanitation access gap. Municipalities should dedicate themselves more to investigate how these gaps can be reduced, which will bring a higher benefit–cost ratio. Overruling these local governments and financing low priority interventions seems immoral. Furthermore, compulsory charges on public services that supply universal benefits are illegal.
Immobilization of polyphenol oxidase on chitosan/organic rectorite composites for phenolic compounds removal
Authors: Zhong Lian , Li Jin , Tian Dawei , Cai Jun , Wang Han , Ma Qimin
Published: January 2021

Chitosan/organic rectorite (CTS/OREC) composites were prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was immobilized on CTS/OREC by physical adsorption (APPO) and covalent binding (CPPO). Taguchi method was applied in the optimization of immobilization conditions resulting in the highest enzyme activity of 16.37 × 103 and 8.92 × 103U/g for APPO and CPPO, respectively. APPO enzyme activity was higher than that of CPPO, while CPPO showed the higher enzyme loading capacity than that of APPO. The removal percentage of phenolic compound, including phenol (PH), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), by immobilized PPO was also explored. The results indicated that APPO was more efficient in phenolic compounds removal than CPPO. APPO contributed to a quick removal in the first hour, and the removal percentage of PH, 4-CP and 2,4-DCP could reach 69.3 ± 4.2%, 89.8 ± 2.5% and 93.8 ± 1.7% within 2 h, respectively. The order of removal percentage of phenolic compounds for both immobilized PPO was 2,4-DCP > 4-CP > PH. After 10 consecutive operations, the removal percentage of 2,4-DCP reached 73.2 ± 2.6% and 60.3 ± 1.5% for APPO and CPPO, respectively. The results introduced a novel support for PPO immobilization, and the immobilized PPO had great potential in wastewater treatment.