bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fenotipska karakterizacija autohtonih sojeva rizobija koje noduliraju soju
Authors: Kajić Sanja , Skendrović Nika , Rajnović Ivana , Sikora Sanja
Published: May 2021

Kvržične bakterije u simbioznim zajednicama s mahunarkama omogućuju značajan unos biološki vezanog dušika u tlo. Veliku važnost ima odabir sojeva koji su otporni na stresne uvjete u tlu. Danas se sve više susrećemo s ekstremnim vremenskim uvjetima te je od iznimne važnosti selekcija visoko učinkovitih sojeva kvržičnih bakterija (rizobija) kako bi predsjetvena bakterizacija sjemena mahunarki bila uspješna. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi fenotipske karakteristike sojeva kvržičnih bakterija izoliranih iz kvržica soje u uvjetima koji su izvan optimalnih vrijednosti za njihov rast. Uzorci tla za izolaciju sojeva prikupljeni su s područja Koprivničko-križevačke, Bjelovarsko-bilogorske i Vukovarsko- srijemske županije. Sposobnost rasta sojeva ispitivana je na različitim pH vrijednostima, temperaturama, koncentracijama soli, izvorima ugljikohidrata te je testirana osjetljivost na antibiotike. U svrhu utvrđivanja biokemijskog statusa svakog pojedinog izolata provedena su tri biokemijska testa (oksidaza, ureaza i katalaza) te su istražene morfološke karakteristike izolata. Utvrđeno je da je većina autohtonih sojeva rizobija iz ovog istraživanja u in vitro uvjetima pokazala značajnu otpornost na ispitivane uvjete, ali i da se međusobno značajno razlikuju po određenim svojstvima. Izolati K2 i K3 iz Koprivničko-križevačke županije pokazali su najveću tolerantnost na povišene koncentracije soli. Od ispitivanih antibiotika, ampicilin je imao najslabiji utjecaj na izolate, dok su na streptomicin izolati bili najosjetljiviji. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju na značaj selekcije autohtonih sojeva rizobija.
Political Science and International Relations Department, Faculty of Law, Political Science and Management, SoranUniversity
Authors:   Law Department, College of Law, Khudhur Aoumid Saeed , Aziz Saman Abdulla ,   Law Department, Faculty of Law, Political Science and Management, Soran University
Published: May 2021

The research topic is based on the role of the job description in the current Iraqi Penal Code as an aggravating circumstance in the crime, and the legislator regulated it through the two cases: The first case: The perpetrator is an employee or entrusted with a public service in some crimes such as moral crimes, theft ... etc. The Iraqi legislator has tightened the penalty for these crimes when they are committed by those with a functional capacity, on the condition that they use their functional powers to carry out the crime, or that they exploit their position and job confidence in committing the crime. The second case: which is the fact that the victim is an employee or entrusted with a public service , such as crimes of assault, such as murder, abuse ... etc. In this case, the Iraqi legislator and some comparative legislation have tightened the punishment for these crimes when they occur on those with a functional capacity during or because of the performance of the job, and this is in order to provide adequate criminal protection for them to enable them to perform their job duties in the best way and away from fear, because they are exercising the job in the name of the state. The state must provide them with adequate protection.
Islamic Integrated-Based School Principal Decision Making In Junior High School
Authors: Devi Yana Vinda , Asmendri Asmendri
Published: May 2021

School principal decision-making is essentially a change in certain conditions. The purpose of this study was to describe the process of Islamic integrated-based decision-making by the junior high school principals. Descriptive qualitative was chosen as the method of the research. Sources of data in this study were principal, vice-principal, head of administration, and teachers at SMP IT Qurrata A’yun Batusangkar. The data were collected using observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The result of the study described that making decisions in an education organization could run well by doing the right procedures of analyzing problems, developing solution alternatives, making decisions after discussion, implementing the decision, and evaluating. The principal’s decision-making is a determinant of strategic policies in realizing programs at his/her school.
Madrasah Principal Leadership Role in Improving Teachers’ Performance
Authors: Putri Sarmi Sinta , Mardison Safri
Published: May 2021

This study aims to describe the role of the madrasah principal in improving teachers’ performance. This was a descriptive qualitative study. Observation, interviews, and documentation were used to collect the data. The source of data were the principal and teachers of MTsN 4 Muko-muko. Data were analyzed in two stages: the first stage was preliminary observation and the second stage was the research which included three steps, namely data reduction, data display, and data verification. Trustworthiness data were tested by conducting triangulation. The result indicated that principal leadership in improving the quality of teachers’ performance included Discipline Development Supervision Program (PPD), Supervision and Evaluation (SDE) activity, and Learning Program Planning. These findings are the basic of how discipline, supervision, and learning program planning become the indicators of guidance to improve the quality of teachers’ performance.
Optimizing Online Learning during Covid 19 Pandemic in Junior High School
Authors: Mualim Rojif , Saputra M Fachdir
Published: May 2021

Covid 19 pandemic has changed people's life, including education, in Indonesia. This research aims to describe Islamic education (PAI) teachers’ efforts to optimize online learning during pandemics. Descriptive qualitative was chosen as the method of this research. The research subjects were Islamic education teachers at SMPN 7 Sukoharjo, and the informants were teachers, principals, and students at the school. Data were collected by using observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The trustworthiness of data was tested by doing triangulation. Then, the data were analyzed by using an interactive model which consisted of data reduction, display, and verification/concluding. The result of this study indicated that to optimize online learning during the covid 19 pandemics, PAI teachers used various platforms such as Whatsapp, google form, and google meet. The teaching and learning process was done interactively and evaluated by having the mid-term test, final test, and portfolio. Furthermore, the teachers also coordinated with parents about students’ difficulties in online learning, and whenever necessary, the teachers did home visits.
M2FBalancer: A mist-assisted fog computing-based load balancing strategy for smart cities
Authors: Tripathy Subhranshu Sekhar , Roy Diptendu Sinha , Barik Rabindra K.
Published: May 2021

Nowadays, cities are intended to change to a smart city. According to recent studies, the use of data from contributors and physical objects in many cities play a key element in the transformation towards a smart city. The ‘smart city’ standard is characterized by omnipresent computing resources for the observing and critical control of such city’s framework, healthcare management, environment, transportation, and utilities. Mist computing is considered a computing prototype that performs IoT applications at the edge of the network. To maintain the Quality of Service (QoS), it is impressive to employ context-aware computing as well as fog computing simultaneously. In this article, the author implements an optimization strategy applying a dynamic resource allocation method based upon genetic algorithm and reinforcement learning in combination with a load balancing procedure. The proposed model comprises four layers i.e. IoT layer, Mist layer, Fog layer, and Cloud layer. Authors have proposed a load balancing technique called M2F balancer which regulates the traffic in the network incessantly, accumulates the information about each server load, transfer the incoming query, and disseminate them among accessible servers equally using dynamic resources allocation method. To validate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm makespan, resource utilization, and the degree of imbalance (DOI) are considered as the scheduling parameter. The proposed method is being compared with the Least count, Round Robin, and Weighted Round Robin. In the end, the results demonstrate that the solutions enhance QoS in the mist assisted cloud environment concerning maximization resource utilization and minimizing the makespan. Therefore, M2FBalancer is an effective method to utilize the resources efficiently by ensuring uninterrupted service. Consequently, it improves performance even at peak times.
Comparative effects of different manual techniques on electromyography activity, kinematics, and muscle force in limited ankle dorsiflexion syndrome
Authors: Lee Jihoon , Park Chanhee , Cha Youngjoo , You Joshua (Sung) H.
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND: Although the instrument-assisted manual (IM) technique has been widely utilised to improve soft tissue and joint mobility, its therapeutic benefits and underlying neuromechanical mechanisms remain unknown compared to those of conventional static stretching (SS) and hold-relax (HR) manual techniques. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of the SS, HR, and IM techniques on muscle activity, kinematics, and strength during deep squatting in limited ankle dorsiflexion (DF) syndrome. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional randomised controlled study including 39 adults divided into three groups: SS group: 13, HR group: 13, IM group: 13. Outcome measures were the tibialis anterior (TA): gastrocnemius (GCM) balance ratio and ankle, knee, hip and thoracolumbar junction angles. TA muscle strength was analysed to evaluate the limited ankle DF. Analysis of variance was performed, with P< 0.05. RESULTS: The TA:GCM balance ratio, ranges of motion of ankle DF and knee flexion, and TA muscle strength in the IM group improved significantly compared to that in either the SS group or HR group (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel results demonstrated that IM was most effective in normalising TA:GCM balance, ankle DF range of motion, and TA muscle strength during deep squatting in adults with limited ankle DF.
On the equivalence between bimodal and unimodal students’ collaboration networks in distance learning
Authors: Tsoni Rozita , Sakkopoulos Evangelos , Panagiotakopoulos Christos T. , Verykios Vassilios S.
Published: May 2021

This work is aiming to contribute to the field of Distance Learning through Learning Analytics. We propose a methodological framework based on network analysis metrics to provide multiple indicators for Course Learning Analytics. Social Network Analysis is proposed for this purpose due to its capacity to provide an integrated representation of students’ interaction, where individual behavior is expressed within the context of a learning community. We perform experimental evaluation on real-life data from anonymized forum posts of postgraduate students and their tutors in the School of Science and Technology at the Hellenic Open University. Initially, we create and examine two-mode networks (participant-discussion) for two different modules. Subsequently, these networks are transformed into one-mode networks. Key measures are estimated and compared and the differences between their pedagogical interpretations are highlighted. We conclude that the choice between working with a bimodal network or projecting it into a unimodal one is determined by the nature of the research questions because of the distinct features that each one of them exhibits.
Structural characterization of hydrogen bonding for antipyrine derivatives: Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and theoretical studies
Authors: Rukk N. S. , Shamsiev R. S. , Albov D. V. , Mudretsova S. N.
Published: May 2021

Objectives. The paper is devoted to the crystal structure characterization of 5-methyl-2-phenyl4H-pyrazol-3-one (compound I) and 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-4H-pyrazol-3-one (compound II).

Methods. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and theoretical calculations: Density functional theory and quantum theory of atoms in molecules.

Results. In the solid state, the crystal structure of compound I is characterized by the alternation of OH and NH tautomers connected via O–H---O and N–H---N hydrogen bonds. For compound II, the existence of chains built from the NH monomers via hydrogen bonding can be explained by the peculiarities of cooperative effects. In the framework of quantum theory of atoms in molecules, the following topological characteristics are calculated for all dimers: electron density, Laplacian of electron density, density of kinetic, potential, and total energy in the critical point of the intermolecular hydrogen bond. It is concluded that the hydrogen bond in dimers 1–4, 7 (compound I), and 8–11 (compound II) can be assigned to the intermediate (between covalent and dispersion types) interaction owing to hydrogen bond formation with the participation of electronegative oxygen- (and/or nitrogen-) atoms, whereas H-bond in dimers 5 and 6 (compound I) can be attributed to the dispersion one (no hydrogen bond formation or weak H-bond formation), and it represents the weak interaction, being in agreement with length for intermolecular hydrogen bond in dimers. The electron density and total energy density values demonstrate that the strongest intermolecular H-bonds take place in dimers 1 (OH---O), 4 (OH---O), 7 (OH---N), 8 (OH---O), 9 (NH---N), and 11 (OH---N). The results obtained for compounds I and II are compared with data for antipyrine (1,2-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one; compound III)

Conclusions. An important role of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal packing, molecule association and self-organization via dimer- or more extended species formation has been demonstrated.
L.M. Montgomery’s Letters to Scotland: Reading Between the Lines
Authors: Cavert Mary Beth
Published: May 2021

This paper provides an overview of L.M. Montgomery’s literary friendship with her Scottish pen friend, George Boyd MacMillan, and considers how their compatibility was grounded in the writers they read and loved, a bond which was acknowledged with a dedication to MacMillan in Emily of New Moon. This paper will explore an epistolary conversation they launched from verses they exchanged and identify favoured books that MacMillan sent to her as gifts.
Reading Rilla through COVID-19
Authors: McKenzie Andrea
Published: May 2021

The Rilla of Ingleside Readathon, founded by Andrea McKenzie and Benjamin Lefebvre on March 30th, 2020, began as a response to the first COVID-19 lockdowns. This collection of short illustrated essays captures founding members' responses to Rilla and the sense of community created through reading L.M. Montgomery's novel during that difficult, challenging time.
Developing university brand image in the awareness of student and employers
Authors: Cẩm Trần Thị Ái , Trinh Đỗ Thùy
Published: May 2021

The brand has become one of the most important Marketing instruments and is used in every selling/buying transaction. However, a scale measurement of a brand image has not been developed that is applicable to all types of services as the brand image is mainly formed from the customer’s practical experience. The purpose of this research is to build a scale of the university’s brand image in the perception of students and employers. The methodology is based on two main surveys: (1) the exploratory qualitative study conducted with 57 students at Nha Trang University and 18 enterprises by the direct interview method; (2) The confirmatory quantitative study is based on a sample of 532 students at NTU. The research results identify six factors of Nha Trang university’s brand image scale and the other institutions, consisting of University landscape, facilities, teaching quality, service quality, characteristics, style. Based on the result, the paper theoretically and practically contributes to the management boards of universities and further research.
The Relationship between Plasma Hypocretin Levels and Sleep Disorders in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Afdal Ahmad , Syarif Indra  , Hendra Permana
Published: May 2021

Introduction: There are many areas of brain degeneration in people with Parkinson's disease. The dopaminergic degeneration process in the midbrain causes early symptoms of sleep disturbances. Hypocretin produced by the hypothalamus is involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Some research results regarding the relationship between plasma hypocretin levels and sleep disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease are still controversial.

Method: This research is a cross sectional study in Neurology Polyclinic Dr. M. Djamil Padang and Network Hospital. All research subjects measured hypocretin levels and sleep disorders using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Statistical analysis was performed on a computerized basis using IBM SPSS statistics version 23.0 for windows.

Result: A total of 60 patients with Parkinson's disease were included in this study, 30 subjects experienced sleep disorders and 30 others had no sleep disorders. There was a significant difference in lower plasma hypocretin levels in the Parkinson's group with sleep disorders, namely 81.817 ± 22.770 and in the group without sleep disorders, plasma hypocretin levels were found to be 255.416 ± 226.590 (p = 0.000). There was no statistical difference in clinical degree, age, duration of illness between the Parkinson's group with sleep disorders and the group without sleep disorders p > 0.05.

Conclusion: There is a significant difference in hypocretin levels against the sleep disorder group in people with Parkinson's disease. In this study, there was no association between age, clinical degree of Parkinson's disease, and duration of Parkinson's disease and sleep disturbances. Degeneration in the olfactory bulb area, hypothalamus, and brainstem can precede dopaminergic degeneration in the midbrain and cause sleep disturbance symptoms.
A STUDY ON ATTITUDE, BEHAVIOR AND UMBILICAL CORD CLAMPING ON NEONATAL JAUNDICE IN PREGNANCY: TREATMENT APPROACHES AFTER PARTURITION
Authors: Gupte Nitin Sharadchandra , Gupte Suvarna Nitin
Published: May 2021

The aim of the present study was to investigate cord clamping practice and treatment approaches for term vaginal births in Indian hospital, where the majority of births have an Obstetrician as the lead. A stopwatch was used to time the cord clamping interval at 55 term vaginal births in a tertiary hospital. The stopwatch was pressed once at the time of the birth and once when the first clamp was applied to the umbilical cord. Mode of birth, maternal position for birth and whether midwives and or doctors and neonatal health practitioners were involved in the birth was documented alongside the cord clamping timing. Cord clamping timing ranged from a minimum of 14 seconds to a maximum of 34 minutes.  The median umbilical cord clamping time for all births in the study was 3.5 minutes.  The median cord clamping time was likely to be longer when the woman had a spontaneous vaginal birth rather than an instrumental birth; when she birthed in a side-lying or upright position rather than a seated position; when a midwife facilitated the birth rather than a doctor and when there was no neonatal team present at the birth. The median cord clamping time of 3.5 minutes is aligned with current local, national and international guidelines.  Midwives are likely to facilitate longer cord clamping times as they are more likely than doctors to attend spontaneous uncomplicated births which do not warrant immediate separation of mother and baby for preventative or resuscitative measures.

Keywords: Resuscitative measures, Cord clamping, Spontaneous vaginal birth, Behavior and Umbilical Cord Clamping, Neonatal Jaundice
Lentiviral Mediated Expression of Soluble Neuropilin 1 Inhibits Semaphorin 3A-mediated Collapse Activity in Vitro
Authors:   Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran., Nedaei Keivan , Hesaraki Mahdi ,   Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran., Mazloomzadeh Saeideh ,   Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran., Totonchi Mehdi ,   Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran., Biglari Ali Reza ,   Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Semaphorin 3A (Sema 3A) is a secreted protein, which plays an integral part in developing the nervous system. It has collapse activity on the growth cone of dorsal root ganglia. After the development of the nervous system, Sema 3A expression decreases. Neuropilin 1 is a membrane receptor of Sema 3A. When semaphorin binds to neuropilin 1, the recruitment of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to the demyelinated site decreases. In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Sema 3A expression increases and inhibits oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation. Therefore, the remyelination of axons gets impaired. We hypothesized that the function of Sema 3A could be inhibited by neutralizing its binding to membrane NRP1. Methods: we cloned a soluble form of mouse Neuropilin 1 (msNRP1) in a lentiviral vector and expressed the recombinant protein in HEK293T cells. Then, the conditioned medium of the transduced cells was used to evaluate the effects of the msNRP1 on the inhibition of Sema 3A-induced growth cone collapse activity. Dorsal root ganglion explants of timed pregnant (E13) mice were prepared. Then, the growth cone collapse activity of Sema 3A was assessed in the presence and absence of msNRP1-containing conditioned media of transduced and non-transduced HEK293T cells. Comparisons between groups were performed by 1-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests. Results: msNRP1 was successfully cloned and transduced in HEK293T cells. The supernatant of transduced cells was concentrated and evaluated for the production of msNRP1. ELISA results indicated that transduced cells secreted msNRP1. Growth cone collapse assay showed that Sema 3A activity was significantly reduced in the presence of the conditioned medium of msNRP1-transduced HEK293T cells. Conversely, a conditioned medium of non-transduced HEK293T cells could not effectively prevent Sema 3A growth cone collapse activity. Conclusion: Our results indicated that msNRP1 was successfully produced in HEK293T cells. The secreted msNRP1 effectively prevented Sema 3A collapse activity. Therefore, msNRP1 can increase remyelination in MS lesions, although more studies using animal models are required.
Safety and Efficacy of Fingolimod in Iranian Patients with Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors:   Department of Neurology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Yavari Fatemeh , Oliazadeh Pardis ,   School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Radfar Meisam ,   Department of Biotechnology and Plant Breeding, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Recourses, Golestan, Iran., Foroughipour Mohsen ,   Department of Neurology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Nikkhah Karim ,   Department of Neurology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Heidari Bakavoli Alireza ,   Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Saeidi Morteza ,   Department of Neurology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Fingolimod is the first confirmed oral immune-modulator to treat Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of fingolimod therapy in Iranian patients with RRMS. Methods: In our trial, 50 patients resistant to conventional interferon therapy were assigned to receive fingolimod 0.5 mg per day for 12 months. The number of Dadolinium (Gd)-enhanced lesions, enlarged T2 lesions, and relapses over 12 months were considered as endpoints and compared to baseline. Liver biochemical evaluations and lymphocyte count were done at baseline and in months 3, 6, and 12 of the study. Patients were also monitored for possible cardiovascular events within the first 24 h and other side effects routinely. Results: Among the patients who completed the trial, the number of Gd-enhanced and enlarged T2 lesions over 12 months significantly decreased (P=0.03 and P<0.001, respectively). The proportion of relapse-free patients was higher compared to the onset of fingolimod administration. There were no significant alterations in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. A slight, transient increase was recorded in liver enzymes among the participants. Lymphocyte count reduced by 61% at month 1 and displayed a gradual increase until month 12. No bradycardia and macular edema were recorded. Conclusion: These findings indicate an effective first-line fingolimod therapy for the first time in Iranian patients with RRMS. The decrease in the number of new attacks and the amelioration of MRI lesions were the benefits of fingolimod therapy, suggesting that it is preferred to other medicines to treat RRMS in Iran.
Behavioral and Molecular Analysis of Antioxidative Potential of Rosmarinic Acid Against Methamphetamine-induced Augmentation of Casp3a mRNA in the Zebrafish Brain
Authors:   Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran., Nikshenas Shahrestani Vida , Haddadi Mohammad ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran., Samzadeh Kermani Ali Reza ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Methamphetamine (MA) acts as a powerful oxidant agent, while Rosmarinic Acid (RA) is an effective herbal antioxidant. Oxidative stress-mediated by MA results in apoptosis, and caspase-3 is one of the critical enzymes in the apoptosis process. MA can epigenetically alter gene regulation. In this paper, to investigate the effects of RA on MA-mediated oxidative stress, changes in the level of casp3a mRNA were demonstrated in zebrafish. Methods: The animals were grouped in 3 treatment conditions for the behavioral test: control, MA, MA pretreated by RA, and 6 treatment conditions for the molecular test: control, RA, MA, MA co-treated with RA, MA co-treated with RA/ZnO/chitosan nanoparticle, and ZnO/chitosan nanoparticle. Then molecular and behavioral investigations were carried out, and critical comparisons were made between the groups. MA solution was prepared with a concentration of 25 mg/L, and RA solution was prepared by DPPH test with the antioxidant power of about 97%. Each solution was administered by immersing 20 zebrafish for 20 minutes, once per day for 7 days. The level of casp3a mRNA was quantified by using qRT-PCR. One-sided trapezoidal tank diving test was applied to study behavioral alterations. Results: The qPCR analysis demonstrated the high potential of RA/ZnO/chitosan in counteracting the MA-mediated elevation in casp3a mRNA level. Based on the diving test results of MA-treated fish, MA was found to be anxiolytic compared to the control. While the resulted diving pattern of the MA-treated animals pretreated by RA was novel and different from both the control and MA-treated groups. Conclusion: The potential of RA combined with a suitable nanoparticle against MA-induced oxidative stress was supported. The high efficiency of ZnO/chitosan in increasing RA penetration to the brain cells was evident. MA at a dose of 25 mg/L is anxiolytic for zebrafish. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes should be studied.
Assessment of Anesthesia Depth Using Effective Brain Connectivity Based on Transfer Entropy on EEG Signal
Authors:   Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Sanjari Neda , Shalbaf Ahmad ,   Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Shalbaf Reza ,   Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran., Sleigh Jamie ,   Department of Anesthesia, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Ensuring an adequate Depth of Anesthesia (DOA) during surgery is essential for anesthesiologists. Since the effect of anesthetic drugs is on the central nervous system, brain signals such as Electroencephalogram (EEG) can be used for DOA estimation. Anesthesia can interfere among brain regions, so the relationship among different areas can be a key factor in the anesthetic process. Methods: In this paper, by combining the Wiener causality concept and the conditional mutual information, a nonlinear effective connectivity measure called Transfer Entropy (TE) is presented to describe the relationship between EEG signals at frontal and temporal regions from eight volunteers in three anesthetic states (awake, unconscious and recovery). This index is also compared with Granger causality and partial directional coherence methods as common effective connectivity indexes. Results: Based on a statistical analysis of the probability predictive value and Kruskal-Wallis statistical method, TE can effectively fallow the effect-site concentration of propofol and distinguish the anesthetic states well, and perform better than the other effective connectivity indexes. This index is also better than Bispectral Index (BIS) as commercial DOA monitor because of the faster response and higher correlation with the drug concentration effect-site, less irregularity in the unconscious state and better ability to distinguish three states of anesthestesia. Conclusion: TE index is a confident indicator for designing a new monitoring system of the two EEG channels for DOA estimation.
Cortical Activity During Postural Recovery in Response to Predictable and Unpredictable Perturbations in Healthy Young and Older Adults: A Quantitative EEG Assessment
Authors:   Student Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran., Saadat Zahra , Sinaei Ehsan ,   Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran., Pirouzi Soraya ,   Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran., Ghofrani Mohsen ,   Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran., Nami Mohammad ,   Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: To investigate the effects of predictable and unpredictable external perturbations on cortical activity in healthy young and older adults. Methods: Twenty healthy older and 19 healthy young adults were exposed to predictable and unpredictable external perturbations, and their cortical activity upon postural recovery was measured using a 32-channel quantitative encephalography. The absolute spectral power and coherence z-scores of cortical waves were analyzed through a 3-way mixed ANOVA. Results: During postural recovery from predictable perturbations, older adults exhibited higher frontoparietal beta power and higher alpha and beta coherence during the late-phase recovery than the young individuals. After unpredictable perturbations, the older group showed lower alpha power in the early phase and higher beta power in the late phase as compared to the young group. Results for the group × time and group × location interactions in the older group showed a higher alpha and beta coherence over the late phase, a higher alpha coherence in F3−P3 and F4−P4 regions, and a higher beta coherence in the F4−P4 region compared to the younger group. Conclusion: Our results revealed that the cortical activation after external perturbations increases with aging, particularly in frontoparietal areas. A shift from automatic (subcortical level) to attentional (cortical level) processing may reflect the contribution of attentional resources for postural recovery from an external threat in older individuals.
Emergency Accommodation and Post-earthquake Logistics Management Using Damage Analysis Results
Authors:   Isfahan Water Regional Company, Isfahan, Iran., Ghaderi Saadi , Norouzi Khatiri Khadijeh ,   Department of Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Iran., Ganjehi Sajad ,   Disaster Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Published: May 2021

Background: Iran is an earthquake-prone country, and a considerable rural population lives in earthquake-prone areas. With many worn-out areas, incompetent houses, and relatively underdeveloped rural areas, it is necessary to pay special attention to risk reduction and subsequent measures in these areas. Materials and Methods: Among the current methods, HAZUS is one of the most common methods in estimating potential losses in an earthquake. We used it to calculate the buildings’ estimated losses in the earthquake based on the instructions. Because one of the main issues in disaster management is to choose locations for emergency or temporary settlement of population affected by the distracter, this research tries to carry this out based on the derived results from the damage using fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). After reviewing the previous studies and the experts’ opinions, the major and minor criteria affecting the selection of temporary settlement locations were identified. Results: Results suggested that using the damage rate of the studied buildings in the studied area and after choosing six priorities in the pilot village of Vaneshan, priority number 1 was chosen as the best option for temporary settlement in this village. Ultimately, the required items for the evacuees were determined by using the standards of supplying the essentials for the evacuees. Conclusion: Regarding the study area, the results of the damage analysis of the area show that the rate of damage with extensive and complete levels in the villages is very high, which leads to a large number of homeless people with the urgent need to provide adequate shelter. This endower requires a lot of money, and the relevant managers should already be thinking about finding financial resources for it. This issue is not only related to the study area and applies to the whole of Iran.
Modeling in the environment of three-dimensional graphics as a method of forming students' critical thinking
Authors:   Vyatka State University, Mamaeva Ekaterina A. , Isupova Natalya I. ,   Vyatka State University, Masharova Tatyana V. ,   Moscow City Pedagogical University, Vekua Natalia N. ,   Sochi Institute (branch) RUDN University
Published: May 2021

The problem and the aim of the study. The formation of critical thinking is one of the most important tasks that teachers face in the vocational education system. The complexity, versatility of the studied objects, phenomena and processes of reality make it necessary for the mentors of the digital school to look for universal methods of cognition. The authors propose to use the modeling method in 3D graphics environments to form critical thinking as an important skill that meets the challenges of globalization and transformation. Research methods. The main method is modeling, as a general scientific method for studying the phenomena of reality using the analogy between the model and the original. The research was carried out on the basis of Vyatka State University for students of the training programme 44.04.01 Pedagogical education, profile Informatization of Education (master degree level). A software tool for organizing modeling as a method of teaching and scientific cognition is SketchUp. The Pearson’s χ2 (chi-square) criterion was used as a method for statistical processing of the experimental data. Results. The students of the experimental group used modeling in the environment of three-dimensional graphics at the following stages: acquiring theoretical information about the original object, creating a substitute model, developing a system of research problems, reflection, checking and adjusting the results in the conditions of the original object, the statement of a qualitatively new knowledge. The assessment of the levels of formation of critical thinking was carried out and statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the pedagogical system were revealed, χ2emp.2 > χ2crit0.05 (6.42 > 5.99). In conclusion, the conditions under which three-dimensional modeling contributes to the development of basic properties that ensure the formation of critical thinking are generalized: application together with other methods of scientific knowledge; modeling not only in a software environment for creating a 3D project, but also developing an Instruction as a model for its practical application; obtaining qualitatively new knowledge, etc.
Philosophical understanding of the concept of success and its modern interpretation by students of a technical university
Authors:   Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Kapustina Daria M.
Published: May 2021

Introduction. The globalization of social and economic processes, the digitalization of all spheres of human activity, the increase in competition leads to a rethinking of the phenomenon of success. The purpose of the study is to analyze the attitude and motivation to success of students. Materials and methods. The survey involved students of 1-3 courses of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) (95 people). To diagnose the motivation for success of students, the method of T. Ehlers was used. Methods of descriptive statistics (arithmetic mean) were used. The results of the study. The results obtained after the survey and this methodology allow us to conclude that, in general, students of 1-3 courses are motivated to succeed. Thus, the preferred success criteria for 54% of 1st year respondents are recognition in a peer group and in social networks. For 63 % of the respondents, the 2nd year – financial well-being, for 68% of the respondents, the 3rd year-professional implementation. The overall indicator of the respondents ' motivation for success corresponds to the average level of education. The study showed that in the course of forming their own attitude to success, the individual is based on the value orientations that have developed in the context of the current situation of the development of society, and also allows them to identify problem points in the training of future specialists. Conclusion. Learning a foreign language for students in assessing their own success is a prerequisite for both educational and future professional activities. The effectiveness was determined using numerical meters that allow accurate diagnosis of the success of the survey participants.
PANEM ET CIRCENSES: Imbricações Dialógicas Em Discursos Publicitários E Jornalísticos Da Copa Do Mundo De 2014
Authors: Lima Daniella Oliveira de , Carvalho Helba
Published: May 2021

Objetivamos analisar, a partir dos conceitos de Bakhtin e do Círculo, o dialogismo, a cronotopia, o tom valorativo das linguagens verbal, visual e sonora, os valores éticos e estéticos e a carnavalização, que subjazem ao enunciado da campanha “Cidades Viajando”, produzida pela Agência África e patrocinada pelo Banco Itaú, para Copa de 2014, impressos na sua trilha sonora e em seu vídeo. Para a realização desse estudo, foram feitas pesquisas teóricas em bases de revistas indexadas, em livros, jornais, pesquisas, vídeos, entre outros, que nos deram fundamentos para documentar os fatos analisados, com base na teoria dialógica da linguagem, sob os postulados de Bakhtin e do Círculo (1981), Berti-Santos (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016), Fiorin (2016), entre outros. De forma a atingir tal objetivo com embasamento teórico e contextual, o presente trabalho, se propõe a resgatar conceitos importantes de linguagem, ética e estética dentro do discurso publicitário. Através deste estudo e comparações, concluímos que, em um enunciado, seja jornalístico, seja publicitário, por mais imparcialidade que o autor aplique, sempre haverá sua opinião imbricada.
Associação Do Uso Dos Inibidores De Bomba De Prótons Ao Câncer Gástrico
Authors: Finck Eduardo Madrid , Sugawara Alexandre Massao
Published: May 2021

A associação dos inibidores de bomba de prótons (IBPs) ao câncer gástrico é uma informação facilmente encontrada na internet, na maioria das vezes em páginas sem caráter científico. Os IBPs são medicamentos amplamente utilizados nos distúrbios gastrointestinais, tendo o omeprazol como um dos seus representantes. Segundo o Instituto Nacional do Câncer – INCA, no Brasil, o câncer gástrico é o terceiro tipo de câncer mais frequente em homens e o quinto mais frequente em mulheres. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar à associação do uso de IBPs ao desenvolvimento de câncer gástrico. A metodologia consistiu em uma revisão integrativa da literatura seguindo a estratégia PICO na formulação da pergunta da pesquisa. O levantamento bibliográfico buscou artigos publicados que possuem como população-alvo indivíduos adultos, maiores de 18 anos, independente do sexo, que estiveram sob uso de IBPs, comparados com controles sem intervenção ou placebo, associados ao desenvolvimento do câncer gástrico. As bases de dados utilizadas foram PUBMED e BVS. Foram incluídos artigos em inglês e português, publicados entre 2017 a 2020. Esta pesquisa analisa que a relação entre os IBPs e o câncer gástrico ainda não está plenamente estabelecida. Nos casos em que se observou correlação positiva pode-se concluir, ao menos parcialmente, que o câncer gástrico é um evento de curto prazo, incluindo de menos de 1 ano de uso, suportando a ideia de que o câncer gástrico como um evento agudo.
Characteristics of heteroblasty in Hladnikia pastinacifolia (Apiaceae), a rare endemic from Slovenia
Authors: Pintarič Teja , Šajna Nina
Published: May 2021

Hladnikia pastinacifolia, the most prominent endemic plant species in Slovenia, is rare and protected because it is a stenoendemic and paleoendemic species restricted to area of Trnovski gozd (W Slovenia). However, this species can be found in various habitats. The disparity between the non-specific habitat preference of the species and its rarity has not been sufficiently explained. Here we focus on the functional morphological features that are most indicative for the ecology of plant species: the anatomical and morphological characteristics of leaves. Hladnikia pastinacifolia exhibits heterophylly during ontogeny (heteroblasty). We aimed to describe and compare the anatomical characteristics of three H. pastinacifolia leaf morphotypes among them and in relation to various habitats. Therefore, we compared leaf functional features that are indicative for the ecology
of plant species: the thickness of the leaf lamina, the spongy and palisade parenchyma, the thickness of the upper and lower epidermis and the number of leaf stomata in the upper and lower epidermis. These measurements were further used to calculate the ratio between the spongy
and palisade parenchyma, leaf stomata index and the density of leaf stomata. We determined that the H. pastinacifolia heteroblasty belongs to the Apium-type. Results showed that the five-pinnate leaves were the most distinct type, being the thickest, with the highest numbers of stomata abaxially. When compared among habitats, leaves from the scree habitat were the thickest according to all the tissue layers studied. The indices calculated were less useful for the distinction between leaf
types and habitats.
Prikaz visinskog gradijenta vegetacije od Malog Platka prema vrhu Snježnika (Hrvatska)
Authors: Prlić Dragan
Published: May 2021

Provođenje studentske terenske nastave podrazumijeva primjenu aktualnih teorijskih spoznaja na praktičan način čime je obuhvaćen obilazak različitih terenskih lokacija, samostalno ispunjavanje terenskih obrazaca te prezentaciju dobivenih rezultata. "Terenska nastava 3 – botanika" naziv je višednevnog terenskog programa koji se izvodi u sklopu preddiplomskog studija biologije na Odjelu za biologiju Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku.
Prolazeći kroz različite vegetacijske zone i pojaseve na području Hrvatske, studenti će ciljano upoznavati karakteristične stanišne tipove
i biljne zajednice, pripadajući floristički sastav, zanimljive vegetacijske fenomene poput obrata visinskih pojaseva kao i temeljne ekološke mehanizme koji omogućavaju njihovu pojavnost. Glavnu okosnicu svakog terenskog lokaliteta čini klimazonalna vegetacija čiju izmjenu promatramo kroz visinski gradijent, od nizinskog pojasa Lonjskog polja prema planinskim vrhovima u Gorskom kotaru.
Jedan segment terenske nastave čini upoznavanje vegetacije na potezu od Malog Platka (brdski pojas) prema vrhu Snježnika (planinski pojas). Klimatske prilike područja i dinamika reljefa doprinose izmjeni vegetacije: najniži dio gradi primorska bukova šuma, zatim se redom prolaze gorska šuma bukve i jele, čiste bukove šume pretplaninskog pojasa, klekovina bora krivulja te, konačno, planinski travnjaci na najvišim dijelovima Snježnika. Dodatno, pogledom s vrha Snježnika prema susjednom Risnjaku ili Guslici moguće je upoznati visinski gradijent vegetacije vrlo širokog područja Gorskog kotara.
Predviđene terenske aktivnosti prilika su studentima za nadogradnju teorijskih spoznaja te stjecanje praktičnih vještina iz područja botanike i ekologije koja proizlaze iz stvarnih primjera flore i vegetacije na području Hrvatske.
A computational study of soot formation and flame structure of coflow laminar methane/air diffusion flames under microgravity and normal gravity
Authors: Veshkini Armin , Dworkin Seth
Published: May 2021

A numerical study is conducted of methane-air coflow diffusion flames at microgravity (μg) and normal gravity (lg), and comparisons are made with experimental data in the literature. The model employed uses a detailed gas phase chemical kinetic mechanism that includes PAH formation and growth, and is coupled to a sectional soot particle dynamics model. The model is able to accurately predict the trends observed experimentally with reduction of gravity without any tuning of the model for different flames. The microgravity sooting flames were found to have lower temperatures and higher volume fraction than their normal gravity counterparts. In the absence of gravity, the flame radii increase due to elimination of buoyance forces and reduction of flow velocity, which is consistent with experimental observations. Soot formation along the wings is seen to be surface growth dominated, while PAH condensation plays a more major role on centerline soot formation. Surface growth and PAH growth increase in microgravity primarily due to increases in the residence time inside the flame. The rate of increase of surface growth is more significant compared to PAH growth, which causes soot distribution to shift from the centerline of the flame to the wings in microgravity.

Keywords: laminar diffusion flame,methane-air,microgravity, soot formation, numerical modelling
Evaluating successful partnerships in planning for healthy communities
Authors: Reeder Joanna (Joey)
Published: May 2021

Intersectoral collaborations between planning and health partners have emerged as a solution to mitigating the problems of urban health. Understanding what makes these partnerships successful by evaluating precedents in the local context provides a useful resource for action. Adequately evaluating the successes of intersect oral evaluation requires work in developing an analytic framework for assessment. This study analyzes a case study around the partnership work evolving around the Region of Peel's built environment and health initiatives. Through the analysis of key informant interviews and documentation a logic model framework for the partnership is hypothesized and discussed in the context of its potential application within an evaluation program.