bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geoarchaeology of the Derkul River floodplain, west Kazakhstan: Soil formation, sediment accumulation and human settlement
Authors: Gavrilov Denis Aleksandrovich , Mamirov Talgat Bazarbaevich
Published: December 2020

The natural environment and prehistoric human activity in the Holocene floodplains of the Low Volga River and in the southern Urals are important research objects in geomorphology, soil science and archaeology. The alternating sequences of soil-alluvium sequences represent a sedimentary archive with chrono-stratigraphic records of human land use, sediment accumulation and soil formation. The central floodplain of the Derkul River (western Kazakhstan) was studied using the multiproxy approach to investigate the soil-alluvium sequence dating from 8000 years ago until the present and containing a buried Stagnic Fluvic Phaeozem. Alluvial deposition began with stream sedimentation in the early Holocene, followed by a prolonged period of soil formation under low water conditions (7.5–5.7 ka cal year BP). Humans started habitation the floodplain in 6.6–5.7 ka cal year BP. Increased atmospheric precipitation in 5.7–3.4 ka cal year BP accelerated alluvial sedimentation. Soil formation followed the synsedimentation model. Conditions for the stationary land use by humans in the floodplain were less optimal. In 3.4–2.1 ka cal year BP, alluvial sedimentation was less pronounced, and solonetz carbonated soils were formed, reflecting increased climate aridity and continentality. Humans returned to the floodplain area, but in 2.1–1.9 ka cal year BP, the flooding frequency increased, and in 1.9 ka cal year BP, the surface of the floodplain passes to function in a high floodplain. Thus, synsedimentation formation resumed, with colluvium discharge from the adjacent hills being the main source of material input.
What do we believe in? Rumors and processing strategies during the COVID-19 outbreak in China
Authors: Zou Wenxue , Tang Lu
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is called the first infodemic in history. Those first confronted by the enormous challenge of fighting this infodemic to save their lives were the people of Hubei Province in China. To understand how they defined and processed rumors, we conducted an interview study with Hubei residents when they were under lockdown. We found that they typically defined rumors in terms of one or two of three features: non-factual information, information unsanctioned by the government, and information causing panic. They reported low motivation in verifying the information and often either rejected any information they perceived as suspicious or waited for the government to debunk rumors. Even among those who tried to verify information, most relied exclusively on heuristic processing cues such as source credibility, linguistic and visual cues, and intuition. Systematic processing strategies such as fact-checking and discussing with family and friends were seldom used.
Assessment of platelet biology in equine patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Ehrmann Carolin , Engel Julia , Moritz Andreas , Roscher Katja
Published: December 2020

In addition to maintaining hemostasis, platelets have an important role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. A low platelet count has been found to be a negative prognostic factor for survival in humans and horses with critical illnesses, such as sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Decreased platelet aggregation, caused by in vivo activation, has been found in human patients with severe sepsis. In our prospective controlled study, we assessed platelet biology in blood samples from 20 equine SIRS cases and 120 healthy control horses. Platelet variables such as platelet count, large platelet count, clumps, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, and mean platelet component concentration were analyzed by laser flow cytometry (Advia 2120) from K3EDTA blood and from citrate blood. Hirudin blood samples were analyzed by impedance aggregometry (Multiplate analyzer; Roche) for platelet aggregation, including spontaneous aggregation and aggregation by 4 different agonists: adenosine diphosphate (ADPtest), ADP + prostaglandin E1 (ADPtestHS), arachidonic acid (ASPItest), and collagen (COLtest). SIRS cases had significantly lower platelet counts in K3EDTA blood ( p < 0.0001) compared to control horses. There were no significant differences in aggregation values between SIRS cases and controls. Non-surviving SIRS horses did not have statistically significant lower platelet counts or lower aggregation values for COLtest, ADPtest, or ADPtestHS compared to surviving SIRS horses, although 5 non-survivors were thrombocytopenic.
Experiential Education and Self-Authorship: An Examination of Students Enrolled in Immersion High Schools
Authors: Ricks Meagan , Meerts-Brandsma Lisa , Sibthorp Jim
Published: December 2020

Background: Research shows that people benefit from having an internally defined belief system and identity to guide their decision-making rather than depending exclusively on external authorities to make choices. Less is known about what types of developmental experiences facilitate progression toward self-authorship, which is a way of being where a person depends on their internally defined beliefs to make decisions and direct their future. Purpose: This study examined an experiential education setting and the influence the setting had on high school students’ progression toward self-authorship. Methodology/Approach: We used Pizzolato’s open-ended Experience Survey and semi-structured interviews to examine aspects of self-authorship in high school students attending a semester-long experiential education program. Findings/Conclusions: We found students returning from their semester-long program focused on decisions that had a greater impact on their personally defined, long-term identity rather than immediate decisions. In addition, students showed growth in the three domains of self-authorship—epistemological, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. The results could be attributed to the pedagogical approach of the experiential education program. Implications: Educators who seek to provide experiences that support self-authorship could implement developmentally effective practices situated in an experiential learning context.
Synchronous Renal Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma and Retroperitoneal Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma: A Case Report With Literature Review
Authors: Nie Ling , Chen Xueqin , Gong Jing , Zhang Mengni , Xu Miao , Chen Ni , Zhou Qiao
Published: December 2020

Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue malignancy and usually occurs in the retroperitoneum or the extremities but rarely in the kidney. In this article, we report a case of a 71-year-old female patient who presented with abdominal lump and left flank pain for 1 month. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan demonstrated a 12 cm × 7 cm solid mass arising from the upper pole of left kidney and another 8 cm × 6 cm low-density retroperitoneal mass with fat density. Radical nephrectomy of the left kidney and resection of the retroperitoneal mass were performed. Surprisingly, pathological examination revealed a high-grade sarcoma (with minor lipomatous component) in the left kidney and a retroperitoneal well-differentiated liposarcoma. MDM2 gene amplification was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization in both tumors, supporting final diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the kidney and well-differentiated liposarcoma of the retroperitoneum.
An Unusual Case of Human Papillomavirus–Related Anorectal Adenocarcinoma With Progression to Perianal Paget’s Disease
Authors: Katerji Roula , Liao Xiaoyan , Huber Aaron , Zhang Dongwei
Published: December 2020

Primary adenocarcinoma of the anorectum, compared with squamous cell carcinoma, is a rarer and more aggressive malignant neoplasm. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as a causal agent in a variety of tumors, including those of the cervix, head and neck, and anogenital region, especially squamous cell carcinoma. However, the relationship between HPV and anorectal adenocarcinoma has not been well studied. In this article, we report an HPV-related anorectal adenocarcinoma arising in a tubulovillous adenoma in a 76 years old female who presented initially with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The carcinoma cells were positive for cytokeratin 7 and p16 by immunohistochemistry. High-risk HPV RNA in situ hybridization was positive. A follow-up examination of the anal area showed perianal plaques. Histologically, the excision of the perianal lesion showed intraepithelial infiltration by sheets and clusters of large atypical neoplastic cells. The neoplastic cells showed the same immunoprofile compared with the anorectal adenocarcinoma with p16 and high-risk HPV positivity. The findings are consistent with extramammary perianal Paget’s disease secondary to anorectal adenocarcinoma. HPV-related adenocarcinoma in the anorectum is a newly recognized entity and was previously considered clinically indolent. Our case uniquely exhibits adenoma-carcinoma-perianal Paget’s disease sequence, which has not been reported before. Our findings suggest that evaluation of the patient’s lower genital tract for any HPV-associated lesions and long-term follow-up are required to monitor the disease progression in this type of malignancy.
Tying transnational activism to national protest: Facebook event pages in the 2017 Romanian #rezist demonstrations
Authors: Mercea Dan
Published: December 2020

This article considers the use of public social media in transnational expatriate activism. It is an investigation of connections among users of Facebook event pages associated with 122 cities worldwide where demonstrations took place in 2017, in support of the anti-corruption Romanian #rezist protests. An exploration of interconnections between socio-demographics, space and network characteristics, it probes the association of geographic location and the gender of page users to connectivity in comment and share networks to reveal a connectivity differential. Connections increased when users were active on the same pages whereas users’ common location related to comparatively lower levels of commenting but not sharing activity. At the same time, while a larger proportion of them were male, users displayed a systematic tendency to interact with the other gender. Renewed attention should thus be paid to socio-spatial variations in the use of social media that both localize and help bridge transnational activism.
Optimal berth allocation under regular and emergent vessel arrivals
Authors: Al-Refaie Abbas , Abedalqader Hala
Published: December 2020

This research proposes two optimization models to deal with the berth allocation problem. The first model considers the berth allocation problem under regular vessel arrivals to minimize the flow time of vessels in the marine container terminal, minimize the tardiness penalty costs, and maximize the satisfaction level of vessels’ operators on preferred times of departure. The second model optimizes the berth allocation problem under emergency conditions by maximizing the number of assigned vessels, minimizing the vessel’s waiting time, and maximizing the satisfaction level on the served ships. Two real examples are provided for model illustration under regular and emergent vessel arrivals. Results show that the proposed models effectively provide optimal vessel scheduling in the terminal, reduce costs at an acceptable satisfaction level of vessels’ operators, decrease the waiting time of vessels, and shorten the delay in departures under both regular and emergent vessel arrivals. In conclusion, the proposed models may provide valuable assistance to decision-makers in marine container terminals on determining optimal berth allocation under daily and emergency vessel arrivals. Future research considers quay crane assignment and scheduling problems.
Gender, Power, and Health: Measuring and Assessing Sexual Relationship Power Equity Among Young Sub-Saharan African Women and Men, a Systematic Review
Authors: Closson Kalysha , Ndungu Jane , Beksinska Mags , Ogilvie Gina , Dietrich Janan J , Gadermann Anne , Gibbs Andrew , Nduna Mzikazi , Smit Jenni , Gray Glenda , Kaida Angela
Published: December 2020

Gender inequity, including low sexual relationship power (SRP), is an important determinant of intimate partner violence (IPV) and negative sexual, reproductive, and mental health. Different versions of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) are commonly used within youth studies to examine how gender inequities, including controlling behaviors, in heterosexual relationships impact the lives of young people in sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to (1) describe definitions and measures of SRP within sub-Saharan African youth studies and (2) review and summarize associations between SRP equity, IPV, and sexual, reproductive, and mental health. After searching Pubmed, Ovid Med, Psych info, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and relevant research forums, 304 papers were identified, of which 29 papers based on 15 distinct studies (published 2004–2019) met our criteria for being youth-specific, conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, and including a quantitative measure of SRP. Details of each SRPS are described, including any adaptations and psychometric properties, as well as associations with IPV, sexual, reproductive, and mental health behaviors and outcomes. Results indicate that there are variations to the SRPS, and a paucity of evidence has detailed the psychometric properties of such measures within sub-Saharan African youth studies. Measures of SRP equity are associated with experiences (among women) and perpetration of (among men) IPV as numerous pathways to HIV risk; however, the evidence remains mixed. In order to address overlapping epidemics of violence against women and HIV, efforts are needed to ensure that measures, including the SRPS, are valid and reliable among highly affected populations.
Effects of multiple injections on combustion and emissions in a heavy-duty diesel engine at high load and low speed
Authors: Lu Yingying , Liu Yize
Published: December 2020

Advanced multiple injection strategies have been suggested for compression ignition engines in order to meet the increasingly stringent emission regulations. Experiments and simulations were used to study effects of the main-injection mode (times), the post-injection proportion, and timing on combustion and emissions in a heavy-duty diesel engine at high load and constant low speed. The results reveal the following. The NOx emissions of 1main+1post, 2main+1post, and 3main+1post injections are all lower than those of single injection; the higher the number of main-injection pluses, the lower the NOx emissions. Enough main-post injection interval is needed to ensure post and main injections are relatively independent to entrain more fresh air to decrease the soot. Over-retarded post-injection timing tends to increase the soot due to the lower in-cylinder temperature. The combined effects of formation and oxidation determine the final soot. To gain the best trade-off of NOx and soot, compared with single injection, for the three multiple injections, the lowest soot emissions are gained at post-injection proportions of 15% and post-injection timings of 25°, 30°, and 35° CA ATDC, with soot reductions of 26.7%, −34.5%, and −112.8%, and NOx reductions of 5.88%, 21.2%, and 40.3%, respectively, for 1main+1post, 2main+1post, and 3main+1post injections.
Do elite soccer players cover longer distance when losing? Differences between attackers and defenders
Authors: Lago-Peñas Carlos , Kalén Anton , Lorenzo-Martinez Miguel , López-Del Campo Roberto , Resta Ricardo , Rey Ezequiel
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the effects playing position, match location (home or away), quality of opposition (strong or weak), effective playing time (total time minus stoppages), and score-line on physical match performance in professional soccer players using a large-scale analysis. A total of 10,739 individual match observations of outfield players competing in the Spanish La Liga during the 2018–2019 season were recorded using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, USA). The players were classified into five positions (central defenders, players = 94; external defenders, players = 82; central midfielders, players = 101; external midfielders, players = 72; and forwards, players = 67) and the following match running performance categories were considered: total distance covered, low-speed running (LSR) distance (0–14 km · h−1), medium-speed running (MSR) distance (14–21 km · h−1), high-speed running (HSR) distance (>21 km · h−1), very HSR (VHSR) distance (21–24 km · h−1), sprint distance (>24 km · h−1) Overall, match running performance was highly dependent on situational variables, especially the score-line condition (winning, drawing, losing). Moreover, the score-line affected players running performance differently depending on their playing position. Losing status increased the total distance and the distance covered at MSR, HSR, VHSR and Sprint by defenders, while attacking players showed the opposite trend. These findings may help coaches and managers to better understand the effects of situational variables on physical performance in La Liga and could be used to develop a model for predicting the physical activity profile in competition.
Adherence to antihypertensive medications and associated factors among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tola Gemeda Assefa , Regassa Lemma Demissie , Weldesenbet Adisu Birhanu , Merga Bedasa Taye , Legesse Nanti , Tusa Biruk Shalmeno
Published: December 2020

The foundation of controlling hypertension is adherence to antihypertensive medication adherence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of adherence to antihypertensive medication among adult hypertensive patients in Ethiopia. A comprehensible bibliographic searching was conducted from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science core collection. All published and unpublished studies that had been accessible before 31 May 2020, and written in English were eligible. Joanna Briggs Institute assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the findings of the included studies. Stata software 16.0 was used to analyze the data. Study-specific estimates were pooled to determine the overall prevalence estimate across studies using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Publication bias and heterogeneity were checked. Fourteen studies with a total of 4938 hypertensive patients were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of medication adherence among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia was 65.41% (95% confidence interval: 58.91–71.91). Sub-group analysis shown that the pooled prevalence of medication adherence was the highest (69.07%, 95% confidence interval: 57.83–80.31, I2 = 93.51) among studies using questionnaire technique whereas the lowest in Morisky Medication Adherence Scale eight-items (60.66%, 95% confidence interval: 48.92–72.40, I2 = 97.16). Moreover, medication adherence was associated with the presence of comorbidities (pooled odds ratio = 0.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.07–0.38, p = 0.030, I2 = 54.9%) and knowledge about the disease and its management (pooled odds ratio = 2.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.72–4.24, p = 0.04, I2 = 55.55%) but not with place of residence (pooled odds ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval: 0.51–1.93, p = 0.00, I2 = 76.9%). Despite a lack of uniformity among included studies, adherence to antihypertensive medication among the hypertensive population in Ethiopia was moderate. The presence of comorbidities and/or complications reduced the odds of adherence whereas having good knowledge about the disease increased chance of medication adherence among hypertensive patients.
A Pilot Study on the Effect of the Flipped Classroom Model on Pre-Calculus Performance
Authors: Spotts Jeffrey D. , Gutierrez de Blume Antonio P.
Published: December 2020

A more effective math education has never been more pressing than in today’s world. However, it is no mystery that students continue to struggle with basic mathematics concepts, let alone more advanced math such as Pre-Calculus. Thus, in the present study, two Pre-Calculus math classrooms were randomly assigned to either a flipped classroom model of instruction or one that employed traditional lecture. Data on two aspects of Pre-Calculus—matrices and vectors (operations and application)—were collected at pretest and again at posttest. Results revealed that students who were exposed to the flipped classroom model outperformed students in the control classroom but only on matrices items. We discuss implications and recommendations for math education.
Economic Abuse of Women in Amman, Jordan: A Quantitative Study
Authors: Alsawalqa Rula Odeh
Published: December 2020

As the literature on the economic abuse of women in Arabic contexts is quite limited, we aimed to detect the correlation between this economic abuse and a variety of demographic variables. Specifically, we considered women’s age, education, income, number of children, and length of marriage, as well as the husband’s education and employment status. We distributed questionnaires that included the economic, psychological, and community composite abuse scales to 500 married working women in the capital of Amman, Jordan. The results revealed that the economic abuse of women decreased as their education levels and length of marriage increased, as long as the husband worked full-time. In addition, a husband’s high education level would also increase the likelihood of economic abuse. Most importantly, the findings showed that economic abuse definitively heightened the probability of intimate partner violence (psychological, emotional, and physical abuse, as well as harassment).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Levi Paula , Patrician Patricia A. , Vance David E. , Montgomery Aoyjai P. , Moss Jacqueline
Published: December 2020

Background:

Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses are at an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their stressful work environment. Using the Walker and Avant conceptual analysis method, we sought to review the literature to better understand PTSD as it pertained to ICU nurses and its impact on their lives, patient care, and health care organizations.

Methods:

For the review, we searched the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, and PsycINFO. The keyword searches included the terms “post-traumatic stress disorder” AND “psychological stress” AND “intensive care unit nurses.” Abstract and full text reviews were conducted. Ten articles met our inclusion criteria of being published in the past 10 years (2010–2020), peer reviewed, written in English, and referred specifically to PTSD and psychological stress in ICU nurses.

Findings:

Antecedents for PTSD in ICU nurses are their stressful work environment, where exposure to traumatic events is experienced, and a lack of support from their manager, coworkers, and organization. Defining attributes for ICU nurses with PTSD included reexperiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal. Consequences identified included burnout, job dissatisfaction, and the intention to leave their job. The conceptual definition of PTSD in ICU nurses was illustrated by the attributes, antecedents, consequences, model case, empirical referents, and by the negative impact on the nurse, patients, and the health care organization.

Conclusion/Application to Practice:

Hospital administrators, nurse managers, and occupational health nurses should ensure that policies and interventions are in place to recognize and reduce the risk of PTSD among ICU nurses.
Feral violence: The Pelorus experiment
Authors: Probyn-Rapsey Fiona , Lennox Rowena
Published: December 2020

In early July 2016, two male dingoes were brought by ferry to a small island called Pelorus in the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of north Queensland, Australia, as part of an experimental ‘feral’ goat eradication project. What was remarkable about this project was that the two dingoes released on the island had been implanted with a slow-release capsule containing sodium fluoroacetate, commonly known as ‘1080’. These so-called ‘Tik Toks’, produced by a firm called Scientec, were designed to release their poison into the bodies of the dingoes in approximately 600 days, after they had served their purpose as goat exterminators. The public and political backlash that the Pelorus experiment aroused reveals a gap between the team’s ambitions to ‘set the platform’ for the conservation of ‘pristine’ islands and community sentiment concerning animal cruelty. Just how this ‘bizarre’ experiment (as it was described in State parliament) gained ethics approval is one part of this story. Another relates to implants themselves and what this ‘innovation’ (‘the stuff of horror films’ as one petitioner described it) reveals about attitudes to ‘killing for conservation’. The Pelorus experiment also shows us what is frequently concealed by eradication programmes, which is that they rely not on a single act of eradication, but a cycle of violence that we describe here as a form of ‘feral violence’. In the case of Pelorus, the ‘implants’ tipped Conservation’s motif from the romance of ‘rescuing nature’ to that of horror, imperilling the social licence that conservation projects assume.
Automated detection of activity onset after postictal generalized EEG suppression
Authors: Lamichhane Bishal , Kim Yejin , Segarra Santiago , Zhang Guoqiang , Lhatoo Samden , Hampson Jaison , Jiang Xiaoqian
Published: December 2020

Background

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading cause of premature death in patients with epilepsy. If timely assessment of SUDEP risk can be made, early interventions for optimized treatments might be provided. One of the biomarkers being investigated for SUDEP risk assessment is postictal generalized EEG suppression [postictal generalized EEG suppression (PGES)]. For example, prolonged PGES has been found to be associated with a higher risk for SUDEP. Accurate characterization of PGES requires correct identification of the end of PGES, which is often complicated due to signal noise and artifacts, and has been reported to be a difficult task even for trained clinical professionals. In this work we present a method for automatic detection of the end of PGES using multi-channel EEG recordings, thus enabling the downstream task of SUDEP risk assessment by PGES characterization.

Methods

We address the detection of the end of PGES as a classification problem. Given a short EEG snippet, a trained model classifies whether it consists of the end of PGES or not. Scalp EEG recordings from a total of 134 patients with epilepsy are used for training a random forest based classification model. Various time-series based features are used to characterize the EEG signal for the classification task. The features that we have used are computationally inexpensive, making it suitable for real-time implementations and low-power solutions. The reference labels for classification are based on annotations by trained clinicians identifying the end of PGES in an EEG recording.

Results

We evaluated our classification model on an independent test dataset from 34 epileptic patients and obtained an AUreceiver operating characteristic (ROC) (area under the curve) of 0.84. We found that inclusion of multiple EEG channels is important for better classification results, possibly owing to the generalized nature of PGES. Of among the channels included in our analysis, the central EEG channels were found to provide the best discriminative representation for the detection of the end of PGES.

Conclusion

Accurate detection of the end of PGES is important for PGES characterization and SUDEP risk assessment. In this work, we showed that it is feasible to automatically detect the end of PGES—otherwise difficult to detect due to EEG noise and artifacts—using time-series features derived from multi-channel EEG recordings. In future work, we will explore deep learning based models for improved detection and investigate the downstream task of PGES characterization for SUDEP risk assessment.
Capability of oxygen-scavenger sachets and modified atmosphere packaging to extend fresh barberry shelf life
Authors: Niazmand Razieh , Yeganehzad Samira
Published: December 2020

Background

Barberry has long been used as an herbal remedy since ancient times which is found throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world. Given the short harvesting season and limited shelf life of the barberry, we evaluated the possibility of using modified atmosphere packaging and oxygen-scavenger sachets to increase its storage period. For this purpose, the physicochemical characterization (antioxidant activity, anthocyanin, phenolic compounds, and ascorbic acid content, acidity, firmness, color, and decay incident) of fresh barberry samples packaged within different atmospheres was investigated over 4 weeks of storage at 4 and 25 °C. The barberries were packaged with low-density polyethylene/polyester (LDPE/PET) films under natural atmosphere (C), N2 gas (N), vacuum (V), or in the presence of an oxygen scavenger (OS).

Results

The results revealed that with increased storage period, the O2 and CO2 levels inside the packages decreased and increased, respectively. The antioxidant activity and amounts of anthocyanin, phenolic compounds, and ascorbic acid all decreased with increasing storage period. Among the studied atmospheres, the OS and, subsequently, V packages were most capable of maintaining the quality of fresh barberries, with the decay incidence being approximately 30 times lower inside these packages relative to the control. Increasing the storage temperature accelerated the intensity of chemical changes and decay across all samples.

Conclusion

The barberries inside the OS packages stored at 4 °C (and even at 25 °C) still had good sensory properties in terms of chemical properties, texture, and color after 4 weeks. Fortunately, it seems that this packaging technology makes the exportation and delayed consumption of the fresh barberry possible by maintaining its quality.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from dairy wastewater effluent: bacterial accumulation, structural characterization and physical properties
Authors: Pagliano Giorgia , Gugliucci Wanda , Torrieri Elena , Piccolo Alessandro , Cangemi Silvana , Di Giuseppe Fabio Angelo , Robertiello Alessandro , Faraco Vincenza , Pepe Olimpia , Ventorino Valeria
Published: December 2020

Background

To establish bioplastics as a real alternative to conventional plastics, high production costs must be constrained by using different kinds of wastewater streams as organic substrates and novel microbial strains as material-accumulating bacteria with high performance. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from the effluent of dairy wastewater biodigestion represent a new and inexpensive feedstock, which was used in this study for biopolymer production through microbial processes.

Results

Cupriavidus necator DSM 13513 was particularly able to accumulate PHAs when operating in fed-batch mode by limiting the oxygen level together with intermittent feeding of a carbon source; maximum poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation was achieved in 48 h without compromising microbial growth. The complex VFAs mixture from the digestate did not influence PHA homopolymer accumulation. In fact, structural characterization by NMR analysis revealed PHB synthesis by C. necator DSM 13513 grown with different VFAs mixtures. Moreover, the bioplastic disk obtained from C. necator DSM 13513 cells grown on VFAs from digested dairy wastewater effluent presented good thermic properties and low affinity to water.

Conclusions

Overall, the results make digested dairy wastewater effluent suitable for PHB production for specific biobased industrial applications.
Cystic mass of the right iliac fossa: don't forget about lymphatic malformation
Authors: Bellamlih Habib , El Farouki Ayman , Mssrouri Rahal , Derqaoui Sabrine , Jahid Ahmed , Moatassim Billah Nabil , Nassar Ittimade
Published: December 2020

Lymphatic malformation or cystic lymphangioma is a benign tumour of the lymphatic vessels. It is more commonly reported among children and has polymorphic clinical presentations. The diagnosis is based on imaging but requires histological confirmation. The treatment of choice is surgical excision for the abdominal and symptomatic localization.

We report the case of a 30-year-old female who consulted for right iliac fossa pain mimicking an acute appendicitis. The physical examination revealed a slight tenderness in the right iliac fossa without fever or palpable mass. Though the biological screening was normal, the imaging exploration has revealed the presence of a multiloculated cyst located in the right iliac fossa at the ascending colon and measuring 15 cm. The mass matches with lymphatic malformation. Therefore, a laparoscopy was performed, and complete resection of the cystic tumor was accomplished with right hemicolectomy. The histologic exam has confirmed the diagnosis.

Colonic lymphatic malformation is a rare and benign tumour, requiring a complete surgical excision to minimise any recidivism. The definitive diagnosis remains histological.
Depression in diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Tsirigotis Stavros
Published: December 2020

No abstract available
Developing support networks for successful implementation of innovative education-al programmes: the case of “evidence-based practice in nursing” continuing education programme in Greece
Authors: Fasoi Georgia , Kelesi Martha , Stavropoulou Areti
Published: December 2020

Developing and evaluating programmes of continuing education in nursing proved to be a challenging and yet a complex task. Nurse educators and evaluators confront a number of demanding issues regarding the development and implementation of continuing education programmes. Exploration of peers’ and stakeholders’ experience in programme development and evaluation appeared to be a valuable source of knowledge in the field.  The aim of the present paper is to share the experience of planning and evaluating the stage of developing support networks during the implementation of an innovative continuing educational programme in nursing. Throughout the development and evaluation of different programme stages, several issues evolved that attracted programme planners’ attention. Development of support networks, group dynamics and communication appeared to be of critical importance for the successful implementation of continuing education programmes in nursing.
Effects of rapid recruitment and dissemination on Covid-19 mortality: the RECOVERY trial
Authors: Knowlson Catherine , Torgerson David J.
Published: December 2020

The RECOVERY trial is a large multi-armed, adaptive randomised controlled trial of treatments for Covid-19.  It has rapidly recruited and demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine is ineffective in reducing mortality for hospitalised patients, whilst dexamethasone significantly reduces mortality among those patients using supplemental oxygen or on a ventilator.  We estimate that the speed of recruitment and dissemination has probably decreased mortality in the UK by at least 200 hospitalised patients in the first month since the British Prime Minister announced the results.  Despite its impressive speed, the trial only recruited about 10-15% of eligible patients, with recruitment rates ranging between 3% to 80% at participating hospitals.  Had the trial recruited 50% of the eligible patients then our analysis suggests that more than 2,000 additional lives could have been saved.  In a pandemic, rapid recruitment with high centre recruitment is absolutely essential to reduce deaths.  Methods of improving site specific recruitment rates need investigating urgently.
Chlorpyrifos and other pesticide exposure and suspected developmental delay in children aged under 5 years: a case-control study in Phitsanulok, Thailand
Authors: Juntarawijit Yuwayong , Chaichanawirote Uraiwan , Rakmeesri Paphada , Chairattanasakda Punaphop , Pumyim Varintorn , Juntarawijit Chudchawal
Published: December 2020

Background: Developmental delay among children under 5 years of age is a serious global public health problem and much research has been carried out to find potential causes. Pesticides - especially organophosphates - are suspected to be one of the main causes of the problem.  This study aimed to investigate the association between pesticide use by the mother during pregnancy and preschool children development using a case-control study.

Methods: Data on prenatal and postnatal pesticide exposure of 442 children with suspected developmental delay, and 413 controls with normal development were included for analysis. The children were matched for gender, age, and residency. Data on pesticide exposure were collected via interview with the mother, and data on pregnancy outcomes abstracted from hospital records.  

Results: Chlorpyrifos exposure significantly increased the risk of developmental delay with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.71 (95% CI 1.03-13.36) for ever use of the pesticide, and an OR of 5.92 (95% CI 1.01-34.68) for postnatal exposure (p <0.05). Some other pesticides also had a positive association with developmental delay but none were statistically significant (p <0.05). Those pesticides were insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, and molluscicide. Individual pesticides with a positive association were glyphosate, paraquat, butachlor, methyl parathion (pholidon), savin, methomyl, endosulfan, carbosulfan, methamidophos, monochrotofos, mancozeb, and bordeaumixture.

Conclusions: This case-control study found that chlorpyrifos and some other pesticide exposure during pregnancy was positively associated with developmental delay in children aged under 5 years. Further research should be conducted to better understand this potential effect of pesticides on child neurodevelopment, and the public - especially those who plan to have families - should be informed.
КОНФЛИКТОГЕННОСТЬ СИСТЕМЫ ЦИФРОВОГО ВЫСШЕГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ РОССИИ
Authors: Gryaznova Elena Vladimirovna , Treushnikov Ilya Anatolyevich , Goncharuk Aleksey Gennadievich
Published: December 2020

Затяжной кризис в образовательной системе в нашей стране связан с общей экономической ситуацией, сопровождаемый постоянными социальными преобразованиями. Первый и серьезный стресс система высшего образования как социальный феномен получила в процессе информатизации. В результате возникли серьезные противоречия между традиционными и информационными элементами данной системы. Педагогический конфликт – одно из базовых противоречий современного общества. Исследования конфликтов в системе цифрового образования ведутся в различных сферах научного знания и пока имеют разрозненный характер. Для разработки комплексных мер по предупреждению развития конфликтогенности в образовании необходима систематизация возможных причин данного вида конфликтов. Предметом исследования является выявление и систематизация причин педагогического конфликта в современном социуме в условиях цифровизации системы высшего образования в России. В качестве методологии исследования использовался метод аналитического обзора, сравнения, обобщения, деятельностный подход, принципы диалектики. Основными выводами проведенного исследования является предположение о том, что даже при частичном переходе высшего образования в цифровой формат возрастает степень конфликтогенности между основными элементами не только педагогической деятельности, но и между сферами общественной жизни. Цифровое образование, являясь базовым элементом цифровой экономики, повышает общий уровень конфликтогенности в социуме. Педагогический конфликт в цифровом образовании сегодня пока еще мало изучен и требует системных исследований в сфере психолого-педагогических, философских и социальных наук. Необходима разработка типологии педагогического конфликта в цифровом образовании, изучение новых моделей педагогического взаимодействия и проведение серьезных и масштабных социологических исследований данного вида конфликтов.
Optimization of Taxation and Accounting As a Condition of Small Innovative Business Development
Authors: Protasov M. , Aynazarov A. , Ahmadeev R. , Morozova T.
Published: December 2020

The article assesses the impact of the tax burden and optimization of the accounting system on the deterrent effect of choosing an innovative direction of activity by small businesses. Based on the results of the study, it was determined that the range of tax benefits and simplifications for accounting provided is quite a wide range and cannot be a deterrent to choosing an innovative type of activity. At the same time, a rather low innovative activity of small business was noted. Despite the fact that small innovative business has the ability to optimize taxation and accounting, many other factors have a complex effect on the choice of companies' activities, which leads to the effect of holding back the development of small enterprises in the innovative sector of the economy.
Diagnostic errors in autism spectrum disorder and their consequences – case studies
Authors: Ochojska Danuta , Pasternak Jacek
Published: December 2020

Artykuł odnosi się do ewaluacji zagadnienia błędów diagnostycznych w zaburzeniach ze spektrum autyzmu. Propagowanie wiedzy na temat autyzmu sprzyja zauważaniu cech zaburzeń autystycznych przez coraz większe grono specjalistów oraz innych osób zawodowo uczestniczących w procesie edukacji i wychowania dziecka u coraz to młodszych dzieci. Z jednej strony dobrze, że poziom wiedzy o symptomach zaburzeń ze spektrum autyzmu (ASD) sprzyja zauważaniu trudności dziecka. Z drugiej jednak można mieć wątpliwości, czy wiedza, którą dysponujemy, jest wystarczająca do diagnozowania subtelnych i zmieniających się obrazów zaburzeń. Szczególnie u małych dzieci zaburzenia neurorozwojowe są trudne do oceny z powodu zachodzących na siebie objawów z kręgu różnych zaburzeń. Nakładają się na to okresy wzmożonego rozwoju, czasem okresy regresji. U dwu-, trzyletnich dzieci nie występują jeszcze niektóre charakterystyczne dla ASD zachowania, a ocena rozwoju mowy i jej zrozumienia może być zwodnicza. Diagnoza „obserwacja w kierunku autyzmu” często jest stawiana na wyrost. Artykuł zawiera opisy przypadków odnoszące się do błędów w diagnozowaniu w kierunku ASD, ich konsekwencji oraz wnioski praktyczne.
QUEERING AMERICAN SPACE IN PIRI THOMAS’ DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS: A GLISSANTIAN APPROACH TO KINSHIP.
Authors: Fernández Mónica
Published: December 2020

This paper reconsiders the Chicana girlhood narratives of Mary Helen Ponce and Norma E. Cantú, Hoyt Street and Canícula respectively, as instances of the ambiguous gender identities that lie at the core of much post-Borderlands theory. Drawing on Jose Esteban Muñoz’s theory of disidentification, Jennifer Ayala’s concept of “mothering in the borderlands” and Gloria Anzaldúa’s latest insights on liminality and fluidity, I contend that the female characters of the novels under analysis enter into a contradictory dialogue with the patriarchal archetypes of the mother, the virgin and the whore. Thus, this paper departs from previous feminist approaches to these texts, which have disregarded the characters’ allegiance and non-allegiance to patriarchal discourses on Chicana femininity. My aim with this essay is to advance new readings of these girlhood narratives as well as to contribute to research into the fragmentary and largely evasive character of Chicana identities.
Çalışan Kadınlarda Evlilik Doyumunun Yordayıcısı Olarak Kişiler Arası Yeterlilik ve İş-Aile Çatışmasını Yönetme Öz Yetkinliği
Authors: HABİBOVA Gülnar , TOPKAYA Nursel
Published: December 2020

Bu araştırmanın amacı, evli ve çalışan kadınlarda evlilik doyumunun yordayıcısı olarak kişilerarası yeterlilik ve iş-aile çatışmasını yönetme öz-yetkinliği düzeylerini incelemektir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Ankara, Malatya, Samsun ve Kastamonu illerinde farklı kurum ve kuruluşlarda çalışan 515 kadın oluşturmuştur. Katılımcılara Kişilerarası Yeterlilik Ölçeği, İş-Aile Çatışmasını Yönetme Öz-yeterliği Ölçeği, Evlilik Doyum Ölçeği ve Demografik Bilgi Formu uygulanmıştır. Araştırma verilerinin analizi SPSS 23 istatistik programında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda evlilik doyumu puanlarının öğrenim düzeyi ve aylık gelir ile düşük düzeyde pozitif yönde ilişkili olduğu; evlilik süresi, evlilik biçimi ve çocuk sayısı değişkenleriyle evlilik doyumu puanlarının düşük düzeyde negatif yönde ilişkili olduğu; kişilerin evlilik sayısı, eşleri ile aralarındaki yaş farkı ve evlenme yaşları ile evlilik doyumu ise ilişkili değildir. Ayrıca, kişilerarası yeterlik ve iş-aile çatışmasını yönetme öz-yetkinliğinin evlilik doyumunu yordadığı bulunmuştur. Elde edilen sonuçlar ilgili literatüre kapsamında tartışılmıştır.
ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP) AND ANALYTIC NETWORK PROCESS METHODS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS: A TWENTY YEAR REVIEW FROM 2000-2019
Authors: Khan Amin Ullah , Ali Yousaf
Published: December 2020

This research aims to analyze a literature review of publications that have incorporated the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) methods. The AHP and ANP methods have contributed to decision-making in complex situations in recent years and possess widespread applications. Such applications are spread over the years with publications in various major areas such as engineering/technology/applied sciences, social sciences, health sciences, and environmental studies. These two methods provide multiple solutions to researchers in these fields, which is why they are being considered in the current study. For this purpose, data was collected from 920 research papers after a vigorous literature review using different search engines. This paper aims to classify the publications on AHP and ANP methods from the years 2000 to 2019 to identify recognized journals based on their indexes. Furthermore, another objective of this study is to compare total publications by year, publications by field by year, and lastly, observe the distribution by country of the studies. This paper concludes that the highest number of publications are from Turkey, and the highest number of publications used AHP method applications in every category. Most of the publications belonged to the technical fields, followed by social sciences. The study concluded that the AHP method is more widely preferred by researchers in almost every field and application because it tends to produce more accurate results than the ANP.
Design of achromatic augmented reality visors based on composite metasurfaces
Authors: Bayati Elyas , Wolfram Andrew , Colburn Shane , Huang Luocheng , Majumdar Arka
Published: December 2020

A compact near-eye visor (NEV) system that can guide light from a display to the eye could transform augmented reality (AR) technology. Unfortunately, existing implementations of such an NEV either suffer from small field of view or chromatic aberrations. See-through quality and bulkiness further make the overall performance of the visors unsuitable for a seamless user experience. Metasurfaces are an emerging class of nanophotonic elements that can dramatically reduce the size of optical elements while enhancing functionality. In this paper, we present a design of composite metasurfaces for an ultracompact NEV. We simulate the performance of a proof-of-principle visor corrected for chromatic aberrations while providing a large display field of view (

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both horizontally and vertically) and good see-through quality [

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transmission and less than a wavelength root mean-square (RMS) wavefront error over the whole visible wavelength range] as needed for an immersive AR experience.