bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mikrovyučování jako prostor pro implementaci vrstevnického hodnocení do přípravy studentů učitelství
Authors: Rokos Lukáš
Published: May 2021

Příspěvek propojuje dva fenomény přípravy studentů učitelství. Jedním z nich je užití mikrovyučování při oborových didaktikách a druhým je užití vrstevnického hodnocení. V rámci mikrovyučování při didaktice přírodopisu a biologie si 66 studentů učitelství navzájem hodnotilo svůj výkon. Nástrojem, který jim k tomu pomáhal, byl strukturovaný hodnoticí formulář obsahující pět škálových položek a tři otevřené položky. Ukázalo se, že studenti učitelství nemají problém hodnotit na škálových položkách, ale slovní zpětnou vazbu poskytují již méně ochotně. Z analýzy poskytnutých zpětných vazeb bylo zjištěno, že nejčastěji se hodnotitelé zaměřili na jazykový projev studenta, způsob aktivizace a probuzení zájmu žáka o učivo. Dále si všímali vhodnosti navržené aktivity k věku žáků. Pozitivním zjištěním byl fakt, že se ve zpětné vazbě nijak neprojevovaly osobní vztahy mezi studenty. Komentáře s formativním charakterem se ve zpětné vazbě příliš často nevyskytovaly, ale v případě, že hodnotitel poskytl formativní zpětnou vazbu, tak byla správná a poskytovala hodnocenému studentovi důležitou informaci.
Prevalência e fatores associados ao diagnóstico de morte encefálica
Authors: Moura Kércia Dantas Oliveira de , Fernandes Flávia Emília Cavalcante Valença , Lira Gerlene Grudka , Fonseca Emily Oliveira Duarte , Melo Rosana Alves de
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de morte encefálica e os fatores associados. Método: estudo transversal com dados dos registros de pacientes neurocríticos e potenciais doadores de órgãos entre 2018 e 2019, sendo analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e regressão logística multinomial multivariada. Resultados: a prevalência de morte encefálica nos pacientes acompanhados foi de 46,6%, predominando homens, adultos, com Traumatismo Cranioencefálico (44,3%) como causa da morte. Os fatores associados à morte encefálica foram: score da Escala de Coma de Glasgow (RRR=0,30; p=0,001), uso de droga vasoativa (RRR=7,55; p=0,000) e Acidente Vascular Cerebral Hemorrágico e Isquêmico (RRR=2,14; p=0,031). Conclusão: houve uma alta prevalência de morte encefálica. O uso de droga vasoativa, o score da Escala de Coma de Glasgow e os diagnósticos de Acidente Vascular Cerebral Hemorrágico e Isquêmico mostraram-se associados à evolução para o quadro.
Easy to manage when recognized: Case report of Cutaneous Larva Migranss
Authors: Vesković Dunja , Ogorelica Dejan , Sević Siniša , Fejsa-Levakov Aleksandra , Gajić Branislava , Roš Tatjana
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a syndrome, defined by clinical appearance of slowly migrating cutaneous eruption caused by inoculation with animal hookworms larvae in the skin. Despite the typical clinical presentation, CLM is frequently misdiagnosed due to its rarity in temperate climate urban communities. Case Report: We report a case of a 42-year old female, admitted to an outpatient clinic with eruption of multiple intense pruritic, erythematous, exudative papules and oval plaques, located predominately on the back. The patient claimed that skin lesions started three weeks before the examination, during her vacation in Thailand, and at first, was taught to be caused by a contact with jelly fish. Lesions were treated unsuccessfully with oral antihistamines and various topical corticosteroids, which lead to more questions regarding the differential diagnosis. Dermoscopical and histopathological findings were indicative of parasitic infection, most likely CLM. A three-day course of oral albendazole, 400 mg daily, resulted in complete cure of the disease. Conclusions: Careful clinical examination and detailed history taken from the patient are fundamentals for creating a set of differential diagnoses, that can be further clarified by the use of laboratory findings, imaging methods (including dermoscopy) and biopsy with histopathology. Although CLM has a benign self-limiting course, intense itch may substantially impact the quality of life, and possible visceral involvement or concomitant parasitic infection may lead to serious health deterioration in unrecognized cases.
Financial management and control: A new management concept in the context of the Serbian public sector
Authors: Maksimović Snežana , Lunjić Arben , Parojčić Danijela
Published: May 2021

Bearing in mind the legislation that sets out the principles of sound financial management, a good understanding of the internal control mechanisms and how they work in practice is necessary. The established level of financial management and control among users of public funds is of unequal quality and has not sufficiently contributed to reducing weaknesses in internal control and raising management responsibility to the optimum level. In order to implement modern management concepts, public companies have to have large access to internal control mechanisms or "tools" to assist in management.Integrated management systems with their modern process approach in business organization and comprehensive and fast processing of information on business changes can significantly contribute to the quality of business control. Research on this issue is based on the fact that the introduction of control standards increases the orderliness and documentation of the system, which significantly contributes to the control of business processes. The aim of this paper is to show that the mutual interdependence of integrated management systems through the overall organization structure with the system of financial management and control, as their final outcome, ensure financial integrity and compliance with policies and procedures and promote effective management processes.
Influence of industrial accidents in defense industry on security in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Slavković Rade , Dumić Aleksandar , Gnjatović Marko
Published: May 2021

The security of people and property is one of the basic premises of the business of each company. Security as an important function of management of the organization, particularly evident in companies engaged in the production of explosives and flammable substances. In the category of security risk companies are the defense industry companies. Recently, these findings have been confirmed through several industrial accidents with serious consequences. Security vulnerability of these companies is reflected primarily in the sensitivity of certain production and technological processes in terms of exposure to destructive influences and possible occurrence of fire, explosion of a hazardous gases and liquids. Reasons for increased surveillance and a higher safety level can be found in the volume and sensitivity of explosives and flammable substances on a daily basis participate in the processes of production. Considering aforementioned clearly imposes the task of preventive action and preventing accidents and diminishes the effects of their possible manifestation (if they occur). This paper considers the most characteristic of industrial accidents that have occurred in the defense industry from the point of view of their phenomenological characteristics, with a view to identifying the causes of these phenomena and take measures to correct them, in order to prevent repeated and similar events. As the most relevant, addressed the issues of prevention of accidents and safety activities of operators in terms of prevention and elimination of consequences. Also, paper presents singled out the conclusions derived by treating these very complex and in modern times most of the current problems, which requires the full attention of all security subjects in the country, in order to prevent extremely dangerous and even disastrous consequences for security facilities in the Republic of Serbia and the destruction of valuable and scarce resources.
Developments in the IMS VPP Formulations
Authors: Claughton Andrew
Published: May 2021

The paper describes the improvements made to the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic force models of the Offshore Racing Council (ORC) International Measurement System (IMS) sailing yacht velocity prediction program (VPP) since 1990. The paper explains the mechanisms of the force modeling used in the IMS VPP to provide a framework within which the modifications and revisions to the VPP are described. The major revisions fall into three categories.

1) The hydrodynamic model, where a revised formulation for residuary resistance and characteristic length has been introduced, which includes modifications to both the residuary and viscous resistance components. Revisions to the drag due to heel and induced drag formulations are described that more accurately reflect the behavior observed from towing tank tests.

2) The added resistance in waves module was introduced to assist with the equitable handicapping of diverse bull types and construction methods, which affect the behavior of sailing yachts in waves. The mechanism by which the sea state is charaterised and the added resistance calculated is described.

3) The aerodynamic force model, which derives complete rig lift and drag coefficients from standard sail types is described. The behavior of the VPP force model is compared with wind tunnel test results, and the recent additions of coefficient sets for a range of different sail types is described. Finally the components of a more detailed model of hull and rig windage are outlined.
The Effect of Bow Steepness and Flare on the Resistance of Sailing Yachts in Calm Water and Waves
Authors: Keuning J. A. , Onnink R. , Damman A.
Published: May 2021

In this paper some results are presented of two studies carried out at the Ship hydromechanics Department of the Delft University of Technology: one, on the influence of an increase of stem steepness of a sailing yacht, and another, which was largely carried out by T.J.E. Tincelin as part of his master thesis at Delft University of Technology, on the effect of above waterline bow flare are presented.

To investigate the influence of bow steepness a model of the Delft Systematic Yacht Hull Series (DSYHS) has been used as a parent model of a new small subseries with two additional derivatives each with increased bow steepness. The influence on both the calm water resistance and the added resistance in head waves has been investigated.

To investigate the influence of bow flare, two models of a typical "Open 60" design have been used: one "normal" and one with almost no flare in the bowsections. These have been tested in calm water and in both head- and following­waves to investigate the effects of this difference in bow shape on the calm water resistance, on added resistance in waves, and on the relative motions at the bow. The results are presented and some comparisons with calculations made. Also some general conclusions with respect to resistance, performance and safety are drawn.
The Basiliscus Project - Return of the Cruising Hydrofoil Sailboat
Authors: Speer Thomas E.
Published: May 2021

Basiliscus will be a cruising hydrofoil sailboat, much along the lines of David Keiper's Williwaw, but incorporating experience that has been gained in multihull design in the thirty years since Williwaw's construction. This paper covers the development plan for the entire project and the technical results of design studies performed to date.

Topics covered include scaling laws for model hydrofoils, the baseline design, and preliminary CFD modeling of the hydrofoils.
Restrictions on Active Inclusion and the Role of Social Services: The Case of Lithuania
Authors: Gruževskis Boguslavas , Krutulienė Sandra , Miežienė Rasa
Published: May 2021

The use of active inclusion (AI) policies is steadily growing worldwide, especially among developed (OECD) countries. This concept is most consistently applied in EU countries, with some countries spending more than 1% of their GDP on the activation policies. This concept is also well-known in the countries of the American continent, where it stands as the basis of the workfare model. The concept of AI is linked to the promotion of social inclusion and participation in the labour market for people of working age experiencing poverty or social exclusion. This article is the second work of the authors analysing the concept of AI and its implementation in Lithuania. The article analyses the content of AI concept, placing more emphasis on the limitations of AI and criticism from the right-wing and the left-wing politicians. The article also examines the issue of social services and their place in the concept of AI. The empirical part of the article analyses different dimensions of social services in Lithuania during the period from 2009 to 2018(9). On the basis of the performed analysis, it is concluded that the availability of enabling services in Lithuania is insufficient, despite the fact that positive changes in the availability and coverage of the above-mentioned services have been observed since 2009.
A Police Officer or a Social Worker? Research on the Professional Roles of Probation Officers
Authors: Nikartas Simonas , Paliauka Justinas , Tereškinas Artūras
Published: May 2021

The article discusses the results of the quantitative survey of Lithuanian probation officers. We attempt to answer the question of what roles officers choose in their professional service. Taking into account the specificity of probation officers’ duties and internationally accepted classifications, we use, in the article, the categories of the professional roles of policeman (or controlling agent) and social worker (or resocialising agent) to analyse Lithuanian probation officers. The conducted research demonstrates that the Lithuanian probation officers associate their professional service with the control-oriented and balanced roles. We explain the choice of the control-oriented role as influenced by such factors as strict punitive policies and punitive culture and the development of the Lithuanian probation system from the institution of police and control towards the institution of resocialisation and social support. The choice of the balanced role could be associated with the contrasting functions of control and resocialisation that the probation officers attempt to combine in their everyday professional activities.
Re-interpretation of the Nationalism-Economy Nexus: Nation-State Building via Neoliberal Reforms During Post-Socialist Transformations in the Baltic States
Authors: Dambrauskas Karolis
Published: May 2021

Building on the latest scholarship in the nationalism-economy nexus studies, the article examines how nationalism inhabits other ideologies in the economic realm. Firstly, the article presents the latest strands in the nationalism-economy nexus research, namely compatibility between economy and nationalism understood as ideology. Then, using Foucault’s concept of governmentality, the article shows how the two phenomena are compatible on the theoretical level. Going further, the article connects the latest nationalism-economy nexus scholarship with existing literature on national neoliberalism in the post-socialist Baltic states. The article argues that national neoliberalism in the Baltics provides an example of what the compatibility of nationalism and economy may look like in practice. The Baltic states’ Soviet experience encouraged their elites to undertake radical neoliberal reforms, in which the processes of nation-state and market economy building overlapped. The states were built to create the markets which would in turn guarantee the prosperity of their respective nations. The article juxtaposes different, yet related scholarships and provides a basic theoretical toolkit that could facilitate potential inquiries into the nationalism-economy nexus in Lithuania and abroad.
Comparative Analysis of Students’ Attitudes Towards Migration in Russian Borderlands
Authors: Simonyan Renald
Published: May 2021

Migration studies are a major area of interest in social science. Globalisation and mediatisation hasten the advent of open societies where anyone can easily compare their aspirations in life with the lifestyles of people living in other states and, most importantly, neighbouring countries. Young people, who are more digitally confident and socioculturally mobile, have more opportunities to compare. Young specialists living in border regions are of particular interest because they live in a direct contact with neighbouring states. For the first time in social sciences, this article – which is a follow up to the contribution published in Issue 4 in 2020 – carries out a comparative analysis of the emigration attitudes of students from Russian regions bordering on the EU, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and China.
Co-creating Social Change through Citizen Science: Systematic Literature Analysis
Authors: Mačiulienė Monika , Butkevičienė Eglė , Vaidelytė Eglė , Balázs Bálint
Published: May 2021

Citizen science encompasses partnerships between professional scientists and society, opening opportunities for more active citizen engagement in co-creation of social change. Members of the scientific community and citizens are starting to experiment with digital and offline resources to collaborate with each other to solve societal problems. This article aims to discuss the possible role of citizen science in co-creating social change in society or local community settings. The article is based on systematic literature analysis. The findings* show that co‐created research might have a particularly strong impact on the wealth of society and wider outcomes in the local or regional settings. However, such cases are not very common yet. Although academic research on co-creative approaches to citizen science and stakeholder engagement is growing at a steady rate, it remains a relatively emergent domain.
Modelos predictivos de riesgo académico en carreras de computación con minería de datos educativos
Authors: Ayala Franco Enrique , López Martínez Rocío Edith , Menéndez Domínguez Víctor Hugo
Published: May 2021

Los problemas de bajo rendimiento académico y rezago son recurrentes en instituciones educativas de nivel superior, especialmente al inicio de los estudios universitarios. En el contexto local, análisis diagnósticos han mostrado altos índices de reprobación y bajo rendimiento académico. En este trabajo, se utilizaron datos sociodemográficos y resultados de exámenes de admisión de 415 alumnos de las carreras del área de computación de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (México), inscritos entre 2016 y 2019. El objetivo es generar modelos predictivos de riesgo académico, empleando métodos de la minería de datos educativa, que sirvan como herramientas de detección temprana de condiciones de riesgo académico y faciliten el despliegue de estrategias de intervención educativa. Se siguieron las etapas del Proceso de Extracción de Conocimiento en Bases de Datos, concretamente, se aplicaron técnicas de clasificación para el análisis, obtención y validación de los modelos. Los resultados muestran que el mejor modelo corresponde al algoritmo LMT, con un valor de precisión de 75.42% y un 0.805 para el área bajo la curva ROC. Se logró identificar a los mejores atributos predictores, particularmente las pruebas del examen de ingreso a licenciatura fueron muy significativas. Se propone el desarrollo de herramientas informáticas para la detección precoz de riesgo académico y estrategias de intervención educativa oportuna.

The problems of poor academic performance and lag are recurrent in higher-level educational institutions, especially at the beginning of university studies. The early detection of academic risk conditions enables the implementation of educational intervention measures to address factors of poor school performance, associated with the particular contexts of the students. The purpose of this study was to generate predictive models of academic risk, using educational data mining methods, specifically classification or prediction techniques, for the analysis, obtaining and validation of the models. The data used correspond to admission exam results and sociodemographic data of 415 students of the computer science majors at the Autonomous University of Yucatán (Mexico), enrolled between 2016 and 2019. The results show that the best model corresponding to the algorithm of LMT classification, with a precision value of 75.42% and 0.805 for the area under the ROC curve. It was possible to identify the best predictive attributes, particularly the bachelor entrance exam tests were very significant. The development of computer tools for the early detection of academic risk and strategies for timely educational intervention is proposed.
Benchmarking of 16S rRNA gene databases using known strain sequences
Authors:   Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences (SSBS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India, Dixit Kunal
Published: May 2021

16S rRNA gene analysis is the most convenient and robust method for microbiome studies. Inaccurate taxonomic assignment of bacterial strains could have deleterious effects as all downstream analyses rely heavily on the accurate assessment of microbial taxonomy. The use of mock communities to check the reliability of the results has been suggested. However, often the mock communities used in most of the studies represent only a small fraction of taxa and are used mostly as validation of sequencing run to estimate sequencing artifacts. Moreover, a large number of databases and tools available for classification and taxonomic assignment of the 16S rRNA gene make it challenging to select the best-suited method for a particular dataset. In the present study, we used authentic and validly published 16S rRNA gene type strain sequences (full length, V3-V4 region) and analyzed them using a widely used QIIME pipeline along with different parameters of OTU clustering and QIIME compatible databases. Data Analysis Measures (DAM) revealed a high discrepancy in ratifying the taxonomy at different taxonomic hierarchies. Beta diversity analysis showed clear segregation of different DAMs. Limited differences were observed in reference data set analysis using partial (V3-V4) and full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences, which signify the reliability of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences in microbiome studies. Our analysis also highlights common discrepancies observed at varioustaxonomic levels using various methods and databases.
Design, synthesis, docking, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations of 2-methylxanthen-9-with the FtsZ protein from Staphylococcus aureus
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, The National Institute of Engineering, Manandavadi Road, Mysuru 570008, Ranganatha V Lakshmi
Published: May 2021

It is of interest to document the design, synthesis, docking, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations of 2-methylxanthen-9-with the FtsZ protein (PDB ID: 3VOB) from Staphylococcus aureus for antimicrobial applications. We report the quantitative structure function data in this context.
Optimization of methods for peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolation and expansion of human gamma delta T cells
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il-2440, Saudi Arabia, Ali Khan Mohd Wajid
Published: May 2021

Human Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells (γδ T cells) are immune surveillance cells both in innate and adaptive immunity and are a possible target for anticancer therapies, which can induce immune responses in a variety of cancers. Small non-peptide antigens such as zoledronate can do activation and expansion of T cells in vitro. It is evident that for adoptive cancer therapies, large numbers of functional cells are needed into cancer patients. Hence, optimization of methods needs to be carried out for the efficient expansion of these T cells. Standardization of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolation was devised. Cytokines (interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 15 (IL-15)) and zoledronate were also standardized for different concentrations. It was found that an increased number of PBMCs were recovered when washing was done at 1100 revolution per minute (rpm). Significantly high expansion fold was (2524 ± 787 expansion fold) achieved when stimulation of PBMCs was done with 1 μM of zoledronate and both cytokines IL-2 and IL-15 supported the expansion and survival of cells ISSN 0973-2063 (online) 0973-8894 (print) Bioinformation 17(3): 460-469 (2021) ©Biomedical Informatics (2021) 461 at the concentrations of 100 IU/ml and 10 ng/ml respectively. 14-day cultures showed highly pure (91.6 ± 5.1%) and live (96.5 ± 2.5%) expanded γδ T cells. This study aimed to standardize an easy to manipulate technique for the expansion of γδ T cells, giving a higher yield.
PHASE FORMATION PROCESSES AT LOW-TEMPERATURE FLUORINATION OF ZIRCONIUM SILICATE
Authors: Sharafeev Sharif M. , Vereshchagin Vladimir I.
Published: May 2021

Zirconium silicate ceramics is widely used in different fields of engineering. One of the most actual problem of zircon ceramics is the requiring of high temperatures for its sintering. Perspective method for activation of silicate materials with the aim of intensification of synthesis and sintering processes is the low-temperature fluoridation with the ammonium hydrofluoride. In accordance with that, processes occurring during the interaction of plasma dissociated zircon and natural zircon with ammonium hydrodifluoride were studied. It was established that plasma dissociated zircon actively interacts with ammonium hydrofluoride in the solid phase. Natural zircon because of its chemical inertness reacts with ammonium hydrofluoride only when latter melts. The main product of fluorinating is ammonium hexafluorosilicate. By-products are ammonium hexafluorozirconate and ammonium heptafluorozirconate. Their quantity increases with the content of ammonium hydrofluoride in mixtures. Kinetic equation of reaction between zircon and ammonium hydrofluoride is k×τ = 1-(1-α)1/n. Activation energy of plasma dissociated zircon and natural zircon fluorinating reactions are 13.9 and 32.7 kJ/mol, respectively. Order of reactions (n) are 2.0 and 1.5, respectively. Thermal treatment of fluorinated materials at 400 °C leads to ammonium hexafluorosilicate sublimation and thermal dissociation of ammonium fluorozirconates to zirconium fluoride and fluorozirconate intermediates. It was established that low-temperature fluoridation of zircon makes possible to regulate chemical composition of minerals. Materials obtained by ammonium hydrofluoride treatment of plasma dissociated and natural zircon can be potentialy used in the functional zircon and zirconia-zircon ceramics technology.
Yang-Mills Equations of General Connections and a Certain Solutions in the Quaternionic Hopf Fibration Over Four-Sphere
Authors: Kitada Kensaku
Published: May 2021

We investigate a version of Yang-Mills theory by means of general connections. In order to deduce a basic equation, which we regard as a version of Yang-Mills equation, we construct a self-action density using the curvature of general connections. The most different point from the usual theory is that the solutions are given in pairs of two general connections. This enables us to get nontrivial solutions as general connections. Especially, in the quaternionic Hopf fibration over four-sphere, we demonstrate that there certainly exist nontrivial solutions, which are made by twisting the well-known BPST anti-instanton.
Cayley Map for Symplectic Groups
Authors: Mladenova Clementina D. , Mladenov Ivaïlo M.
Published: May 2021

Despite of their importance, the symplectic groups are not so popular like orthogonal ones as they deserve. The only explanation of this fact seems to be that their algebras can not be described so simply. While in the case of the orthogonal groups they are just the anti-symmetric matrices, those of the symplectic ones should be split in four blocks that have to be specified separately. It turns out however that in some sense they can be presented by the even dimensional symmetric matrices. Here, we present such a scheme and illustrate it in the lowest possible dimension via the Cayley map. Besides, it is proved that by means of the exponential map all such matrices generate genuine symplectic matrices.
Integrated transcriptomic and neuroimaging brain model decodes biological mechanisms in aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Adewale Quadri , Khan Ahmed F , Carbonell Felix , Iturria-Medina Yasser ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2021

Both healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are characterized by concurrent alterations in several biological factors. However, generative brain models of aging and AD are limited in incorporating the measures of these biological factors at different spatial resolutions. Here, we propose a personalized bottom-up spatiotemporal brain model that accounts for the direct interplay between hundreds of RNA transcripts and multiple macroscopic neuroimaging modalities (PET, MRI). In normal elderly and AD participants, the model identifies top genes modulating tau and amyloid-β burdens, vascular flow, glucose metabolism, functional activity, and atrophy to drive cognitive decline. The results also revealed that AD and healthy aging share specific biological mechanisms, even though AD is a separate entity with considerably more altered pathways. Overall, this personalized model offers novel insights into the multiscale alterations in the elderly brain, with important implications for identifying effective genetic targets for extending healthy aging and treating AD progression.
Moments of entanglement
Authors: Vega Luis , Mäkelä Maarit , Chen Tzuyu , Seitamaa-Hakkarainen Pirita
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the sociomateriality of collective creation in the context of a design studio project. Grounded in a relational approach that has influenced a multitude of studies in various fields, the notion of sociomateriality accounts for the constitutive entanglement of the social and the material in practice. How this entanglement occurs or what exactly is subjected to it, however, remains largely unarticulated, especially in studies where the handling of materials lies at the heart of the research process. By adopting a relational approach operationalized through qualitative network analysis, we traced the sociomaterial trajectories of a studio project to identify the moments in which various actors were entangled. The resulting network visualizes these moments and assists in explicating how they enabled the instantiation of intersubjective design ideas.
Artistic Expression and Material Limitations
Authors: Solberg Anne
Published: May 2021

This paper explores the iterative process of striving for artistic expressivity and developing crafting techniques in a porcelain-making project. The paper is about mitigating the tensions and flaws in porcelain bodies by trying out technical solutions while searching for genuine porcelaneous expressivity in artmaking. The paper presents examples of a working process of material-based art, from the first samples of material collapse to an exhibition of finished works in an art gallery, allowing the reader to see how faults and failures contribute to this development. The paper advocates that craft science and artistic research are closely integrated and intertwined.
Approaches to Craft Studies at Higher Education
Authors: Kokko Sirpa
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this article is to explore the various approaches to craft studies at higher education institutions. Based on fieldwork observations and document analysis of the curricula of four European and one US university craft study programmes, similarities and differences were found. The similarities concerned the pedagogy to acquire basic skills and the urge to keep up craft traditions. The differences concerned the broader aims of study and the students’ prospective career paths. The following approaches to craft studies in higher education were detected: 1. Educational crafts, 2. Traditional crafts, 3. Critical crafts, 4. Cultural heritage of crafts, and 5. Design-based crafts.
Practitioners’ Experience in Clay 3D Printing
Authors: Falin Priska , Horsanali Nur , Tvede Hansen Flemming , Mäkelä Maarit
Published: May 2021

In the context of artistic research, making has been traditionally understood as a process between the maker and the material. However, the digitalization that influences all practices brings us new kinds of making processes in which the ‘digital tools’ have a profound impact on the practitioner’s experience – also in the context of art, craft and design. This study explores the maker’s experience from a practice-led approach to understanding the subjective experience with clay 3D printing. To open up the 3D printing process with clay using our embodied understanding, the full process is viewed metaphorically – borrowing from music. The preliminary findings show that metaphorical viewing and the use of a score enables a successful review of the nature of computer-based practices in a way that all aspects and potentials fall naturally into place.
Canoe-carving, Lamotrek style
Authors: Penny Simon
Published: May 2021

Micronesian traditional canoe carvers of Lamotrek Atoll are one of the few Pacific communities whose canoe carving, ocean seafaring and indigenous navigation techniques are living traditions. They sail long distances on open ocean in these craft without instruments or maps, using traditional navigation techniques. Their building procedures involve no plans, no measuring devices or numbers. This kind of indigenous boatbuilding and seafaring was once practiced by virtually all Pacific island communities over hundreds or thousands of years, but the traditional knowledge has been eradicated in all but the most isolated and impoverished communities.
Hospital-based case control study and animal study on the relationship between nonylphenol exposure and depression
Authors: Luo Ya , Xu Weihong , Ou Wei , Wang Ting , Yang Changwei , Xie Songying , Yu Jie , Xu Jie
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The aim of this work is to explore the association between chronic exposure to nonylphenol (NP), a representative environmental endocrine disruptor (EED), and the risk of depression and its potential mechanism.

Methods

A hospital-based case control study was conducted from August to December 2018. Forty-one patients with confirmed depression and 47 healthy volunteers were recruited. In vitro, 20 rats were randomly divided into the control group (corn oil) and NP exposure group (n = 10 per group), which were gavaged at a dose of 4 mg/kg w/day for 180 days.

Results

The depressed patient group had higher Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) (P < 0.001) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (P < 0.001) scores than the healthy group. The serum NP level (P = 0.009) in the depressed group was higher than that in the healthy group, and the BDNF level (P = 0.001) was lower. The serum levels of monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine (DA) (P = 0.070), epinephrine (E) (P = 0.001), and noradrenaline (NE) (P = 0.000) were lower than those in the healthy group. In the sucrose preference test, the sucrose preference time for the exposure group of rats was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). In the forced swim test, a longer resting time was measured for the exposure group of rats as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The level of NP (P < 0.001) in the brain tissue of the NP exposure group was higher than that in the control group, and the serum level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (P = 0.004) was lower. Histopathological examination of the brain biopsies illustrated that the neuronal cells and nuclei in the hippocampus of the exposed group exhibited slight shrinkage.

Conclusion

Chronic exposure to NP at environmental doses will result in the accumulation of NP in the brain and blood, and induction of depression, which might be associated with the alterations in the expression levels of BDNF and monoamine neurotransmitters.
Umbilical Cord Abnormalities and Maternal and Perinatal Outcome: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Kulshrestha Kalpna , Sukla Debbarma , Verma Kalpana
Published: May 2021

Introduction: The umbilical cord is the vital extension of the fetal circulatory system which regulates blood flow in both directions, thus allowing mother-child communications viz., immunological, oxygenation, fetal nutrition, cardiac function. Umbilical cord abnormalities are associated with the adverse maternal and perinatal outcome.. Aim: To assess prevalence of various umbilical cord abnormalities and its association with maternal complications and perinatal outcome. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India from June 2019 till March 2020. The approval for the study was taken from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Total number of deliveries during this period were 1284. After satisfying exclusion criteria, total 600 deliveries of more than 37 weeks of gestation were included in the study at random. Examination of cord was done during delivery for presence of loops of cord around the neck or body, any knots, true or false. After the delivery, the cord was clamped 5 cm from the fetal end and the total length was measured from the cut end till the placental insertion site, and 5 cm added therein. Umbilical cord was examined for any abnormalities and numbers of coils recorded and Umbilical Coiling Index (UCI) measured. Apgar score and NICU admissions noted. Results: Out of 600 patients, umbilical cord abnormalities were seen in 194 (32.33%) patients, while in 406 (67.67%) no abnormality was detected. The mode of delivery was vaginal in 441 cases (73.5%) while 159 (26.5%) had Lower Segment Cesarian Section (LSCS). Out of 194 cases with umbilical cord abnormality, 89 (45.87%) had LSCS and out of 406 cases with no cord abnormality, only 70 cases (17.24%) had LSCS (p-value<0.0001). Mean UCI was 0.25±0.09. Total 269(44.83%) had maternal complications and 143 cases (53.16%) had umbilical cord abnormalities. While 126 (46.84%) cases with maternal complications did not show any cord abnormality. Apgar score of <7 at one minute was seen in 43 cases (22.16%) and 23 (11.86%) were admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with umbilical cord abnormality. Conclusion: The umbilical cord abnormalities were associated with the adverse maternal and perinatal outcome and increased rate of LSCS (p-value <0.0001). The study shows the importance of knowledge of cord abnormalities. The cord abnormality should be looked for after each delivery, with the aim to reduce perinatal morbidity.
Presence of Chaperone during Pelvic Examination: Women’s Opinions and Preferences in a Tertiary Hospital in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Anikwe Chidebe Christian , Irechukwu Chiadikobi John , Ogah Christian Okechukwu , Ikeoha Cyril Chijioke , Okorochukwu Bartholomew Chukwunonye , Okoroafor Francis Chigozie , Ndukwe Okechukwu Emmanuel
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Pelvic examination in the evaluation of patients can be a source of dissatisfaction and litigation from patients. A chaperone is beneficial in militating against unforeseen circumstances surrounding this clinical examination. Aim: To access the opinions and preferences of patients in pelvic examinations and factors associated with the use of chaperones in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study. Women were recruited between October 2017 to April 2018 among patients attending the Gynaecological Clinic at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data such as the socio-demographic characteristics, feelings towards pelvic examinations, and preferences about the gender of the examining doctor as well as the presence of a chaperone. Data analysis was done using International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) Statistics version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Out of 423 questionnaires distributed, 395 respondents completed the survey giving a response rate of 93.4%. The mean age of the respondents were 29.2±6.2 years. Majority of the respondents would prefer to be seen by a female gynaecologist 342 (86.6%). About 50 (12.7%) respondents would decline pelvic examination. The commonest reason given for refusing gynaecologic examination was uncomfortable environment 25 (50%). More than two-third 264 (76.5%) would prefer to have a chaperone present at any pelvic examination. Avoidance of sexual molestation was the commonest reason given for wanting a chaperone to be present 207 (78.4%). Nulliparous women (OR=2.25 95% CI 1.13-4.50) and those with at least a secondary education (OR=7.91 95% CI 4.54-13.78) were also more likely to request a chaperone. Conclusion: Majority of the women in present study wanted the presence of a chaperone during a pelvic examination. It is therefore recommended that chaperones should routinely be offered during pelvic examination in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria.
Early Quadriceps Wasting after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Young Adults: A Prospective Study
Authors: Agarwal Shubham , Jain Hemant , Raichandani Kishore , Godara Jagdish , Choudhary Sunil
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee that requires surgical intervention. The weakness of quadriceps muscle is a sequele of ACL tear that can persist even after reconstruction. Muscle wasting if identified in early postoperative period can help to formulate structured protocols for rehabilitation that can help patient to recover. Best available method for scan of the same includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scan, but it is neither accessible nor affordable to masses of population. Aim: To evaluate the quadriceps thickness using an easily available modality i.e., Ultrasonography (USG) and thigh circumference to detect early wasting. Materials and Methods: This prospective longitudinal study was done on 48 patients between the ages of 18-45 years with ACL tear operated arthroscopically. After six months of surgery, all patients were evaluated for quadriceps thickness using USG and thigh circumference using traditional measuring tape at the same points. Paired t-test was used for evaluation of the results. Results: This study quantifies quadriceps thickness using USG at two distinct levels of the thigh and found a significant deficit of 13.05% in the involved extremity at 1/3rd of femur length from knee joint and a deficit of 11.72% in involved extremity at 2/3rd of femur length from knee joint. This study established that the quadriceps of the involved extremity definitely goes under atrophy despite early rehabilitation. Also, there was a deficit of 5.04% in thigh circumference at 1/3rd of femur length from knee joint and 4.43% at 2/3rd of femur length from knee joint in the operated limb. There was no positive correlation between both the methods. Conclusion: This study concluded that USG is an easily available and affordable method to determine quadriceps thickness and it’s wasting early in the postoperative rehabilitation phase. It can assist in establishing early vigorous rehabilitation protocols. The traditional method of measuring thigh circumference using measuring tape to quantify quadriceps muscle bulk can be misleading as its underestimates the atrophy due to various factors.
Genital Wart during Pregnancy: A Rare Case
Authors: Verma Vandana , Shree Pragya , Kumar Shweta
Published: May 2021

Condyloma Acuminata (CA) or wart is a benign lesion which is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type-6 or type-11 infection. During pregnancy, condyloma has a tendency to proliferate and may have recurrence. This is because during pregnancy physiological changes takes place to the external genitalia and immunological effects during pregnancy promote HPV replication, and increased vaginal secretions contacting the skin and mucous membranes in pregnancy also lead to proliferation of CA in pregnancy. A 25-year-old primigravida presented to our hospital at 36 weeks pregnancy with extensive genital warts. These lesions regressed itself one month postpartum and remained only on vulva. Podophyllum resin application was planned for remaining lesions two months postpartum. The few treatments that have been tested and recommended for use in pregnancy are Bi and Tri Chloro Acetic Acid (BCA/TCA) application, cryotherapy, electrocautery and surgical excision, including laser treatment.
Functional and Radiological Outcome of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fracture in Old Age Treated with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-2
Authors: Jamshad OP , Mathew Jacob , Karuppal Raju
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Intertrochanteric fractures are prevalent in the elderly, which leave patients with functional restrictions. Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-2 (PFNA) was developed to achieve better fixation strength, particularly in the presence of osteoporotic unstable intertrochanteric fractures. Aim: To evaluate the role and result of PFNA-2 in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in geriatric patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective analytical study was conducted in 35 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures. They were followed-up clinically and radiologically for one year. The quality of fixation was assessed, by neck-shaft angle and Tip Apex Distance (TAD). A functional assessment was done with the Harris Hip Score (HHS). Results: The mean follow-up period was 13 months (range, 12-14). The mean age of patients was 65.6 years and the majority were female patients (62.85%). Functional results according to modified HHS were found to be excellent in 6 (17.1%) patients, good in 14 (40%) patients, fair in 12 (34.3%) patients and poor in 3 (8.6%) patients. The average HHS in this study was 81.6. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Conclusion: PFNA-2 helps in achieving biological reduction and good stability which enables early mobilisation and prevention of excessive collapse. A good functional outcome could be achieved when the radiological parameters are restored, i.e., TAD <25 mm and neck-shaft angle difference <5° (compared to the opposite side).