bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction model for the onset risk of impaired fasting glucose: a 10-year longitudinal retrospective cohort health check-up study
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Wang Liangxu , Su Yanli , Zhong Li , Peng Bin
Published: October 2021

Background

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is a prediabetic condition. Considering that the clinical symptoms of IFG are inconspicuous, these tend to be easily ignored by individuals, leading to conversion to diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we established a prediction model for the onset risk of IFG in the Chongqing health check-up population to provide a reference for prevention in a health check-up cohort.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective longitudinal cohort study in Chongqing, China from January 2009 to December 2019. The qualified subjects were more than 20 years old and had more than two health check-ups. After following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the cohort population was randomly divided into a training set and a test set at a ratio of 7:3. We first selected the predictor variables through the univariate generalized estimation equation (GEE), and then the training set was used to establish the IFG risk model based on multivariate GEE. Finally, the sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to verify the performance of the model.

Results

A total of 4,926 subjects were included in this study, with an average of 3.87 check-up records, including 2,634 males and 2,292 females. There were 442 IFG cases during the follow-up period, including 286 men and 156 women. The incidence density was 26.88/1000 person-years for men and 18.53/1000 person-years for women (P<0.001). The predictor variables of our prediction model include male (relative risk (RR) =1.422, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.923-2.193, P=0.3849), age (RR=1.030, 95 %CI: 1.016-1.044, P<0.0001), waist circumference (RR=1.005, 95 %CI: 0.999-1.012, P=0.0975), systolic blood pressure (RR=1.004, 95 %CI: 0.993-1.016, P=0.4712), diastolic blood pressure (RR=1.023, 95 %CI: 1.005-1.041, P=0.0106), obesity (RR=1.797, 95 %CI: 1.126-2.867, P=0.0140), triglycerides (RR=1.107, 95 %CI: 0.943-1.299, P=0.2127), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (RR=0.992, 95 %CI: 0.476-2.063, P=0.9818), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (RR=1.793, 95 %CI: 1.085-2.963, P=0.0228), blood urea (RR=1.142, 95 %CI: 1.022-1.276, P=0.0192), serum uric acid (RR=1.004, 95 %CI: 1.002-1.005, P=0.0003), total cholesterol (RR=0.674, 95 %CI: 0.403-1.128, P=0.1331), and serum creatinine levels (RR=0.960, 95 %CI: 0.945-0.976, P<0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the training set was 0.740 (95 %CI: 0.712-0.768), and the AUC in the test set was 0.751 (95 %CI: 0.714-0.817).

Conclusions

The prediction model for the onset risk of IFG had good predictive ability in the health check-up cohort.
Factors related to autonomy among Lebanese women: a web-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Bou Malhab Sandrella , Sacre Hala , Malaeb Diana , Lahoud Nathalie , Khachman Dalia , Azzi Joelle , Haddad Chadia , Salameh Pascale
Published: October 2021

Background

Autonomy involves making independent decisions and creating lasting and equitable power relationships within families. Many factors, dependent on both the woman and her partner, can influence self-dependence, and subsequent decision-making, exerting a protective or triggering effect on its development. Therefore, the primary objective of the study was to assess autonomy in a sample of Lebanese women. The secondary objective was to evaluate the association between socioeconomic status, psychological factors, and autonomy.

Methods

A web based cross-sectional online study was conducted between June 8 and August 1, 2020. The questionnaire developed on Google Forms was distributed through social media and WhatsApp groups, using the snowball technique. The Women’s Autonomy Index (WAI) was created using three items adapted from a previous study. In addition, the Composite Abuse Scale Revised—Short Form (CASR-SF) was used to assess three domains of abuse: physical, sexual, and psychological. The Perceived stress scale short version to measure stress perception, the Lebanese Anxiety Scale to measure anxiety and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25 was used for data analysis. Linear regressions were performed, taking the Women’s Autonomy Index as the dependent variable.

Results

The sample consisted of 369 Lebanese women.University education level (beta = 1.263), alcohol consumption (beta = 0.586), intermediate income level (beta = 0.702), high income (beta = 0.911), employment (beta = 0.559), and older age (beta = 0.033) were significantly associated with higher WAI. Living in South Lebanon (beta = − 0.668) and being Druze (beta = − 323) were associated with lower WAI. Significantly higher mean scores of anxiety and perceived stress were found among women with low autonomy.

Conclusion

In Lebanon, the autonomy of women depends on several personal and partner-related characteristics (education, socioeconomic status, age), in addition to the cultural (geographic and religious) environment. Furthermore, low autonomy is associated with higher perceived stress and anxiety and probable depression and domestic abuse.
Clinical analysis of metastatic characteristics of infrapyloric lymph nodes (No.206) and terminal ileum lymph nodes in patients with right colon cancer
Authors: Liu Jiangrui , Su Yibin , Liu Xing , Zhuang Jinfu , Yang Yuanfeng , Guan Guoxian
Published: October 2021

Background

D3 or complete mesocolic excision (CME) surgery has become a common surgical procedure for the treatment of colon cancer metastasis. Clinical misuse and overuse of lymph node dissection bring unnecessary burdens to patients. A detailed guidance for lymph node dissection in patients with T3 and T4 stage right colon cancer at different locations is urgently needed.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed. Patients received D3 or CME surgery were divided into ileocecal group, ascending colon group, and hepatic flexure group according to the 9th edition of the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum guidelines. The distributions of lymph node metastases were analyzed according to tumor infiltration depth (T stage) and tumor location.

Results

The incidence of metastases in the paracolic area (or station), intermediate area, and main (or central) area was 38.4% (139/362), 12.7% (46/362), and 9.7% (35/362), respectively. The proportion of patients having No.206 and terminal ileum lymph nodes metastases was 7.7% (14/181) and 3.7% (9/244), respectively. No.206 lymph node metastasis is related to tumor location (χ2 = 7.955, p = 0.019) and degree of differentiation (χ2 = 18.99, p = 0.000), and terminal ileum lymph node metastasis is related to tumor location (χ2 = 6.273, p = 0.043). Patients with T3/T4 hepatic flexure cancer received radical right hemicolectomy in addition to No.206 lymph node dissection.

Conclusion

Radical right hemicolectomy and No.206 group lymph node dissection are necessary for T3 and T4 stage colon cancer therapy.
Reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with left bundle branch block after anesthesia induction in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case report
Authors: Choi Eun Kyung , Kim Jong-Hoon , Kim Minhyun
Published: October 2021

Cardiac dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is described as Takotsubo or reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy that shows transient left ventricular wall motion abnormalities with electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. ST change followed by T inversion is a common ECG finding complicated with these disorders, left bundle branch block (LBBB) may be a potential ECG pattern which is seen. In this case, we describe the clinical profile and outcomes of a patient with LBBB and reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after anesthetic induction, which was scheduled as an emergent external ventricular drainage after SAH. This is the first report of an LBBB pattern in reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Green bonds as an instrument for financing in Europe
Authors: Frydrych Sylwia
Published: October 2021

Motivation: The interest in sustainable, socially, environmentally and climatically stable development of the economy is growing. At the same time, issuers and investors are looking for financial instruments with which they can achieve their investment goals. The idea of the green bond market is to develop debt instruments in financing projects contributing to ecologically sustainable development, which should have a direct impact on the development of technologies and practices in the area of resource use that contribute to limiting adverse climate change. Bonds for financing or refinancing renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency are seen as a natural part of the transformation of the global economy.

Aim: The purpose of the article is to present an analysis and goals of green bond market in Europe based on currency of issue, geographic structure, issue period, sectors and issue targets as well as major stock exchanges on which green bonds are listed.

Results: Relevant data on the green bond market in Europe was analyzed and the objectives of issuing green debt finance in particular sectors by number of emission were identified. It was verified that green bonds, which are listed only on one stock exchange, mainly the Scandinavian one, have a lower average value of the issue.
Armia Krajowa w ocenach piśmiennictwa i białoruskiej doktryny politycznej w pierwszej dekadzie po rozwiązaniu Związku Sowieckiego
Authors: Winnicki Zdzisław Julian
Published: October 2021

THE HOME ARMY IN THE EVALUATION OF LITERATURE AND THE BELARUSIAN POLITICAL DOCTRINE IN THE FIRST DECADE AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION This work focuses on the negative attitude which is dominant in contemporary Belarusian literature towards the actions of the Home Army in the German-occupied areas of the Nowogródek and Polesie provinces. Currently, Belarusian literature describes these activities in the same way as Soviet literature – it denies Poles the right to conduct independent military operations in, as they call it, “temporarily occupied Western districts of the Belarus Socialist Soviet Republic”. Home Army soldiers, later citizens of the BSRS, most of them repressed during the Stalinist era, are currently not given any rights of WWII veterans. The article presents the unsuccessful efforts by the Union of Poles in Belarus to grant the few members of the Home Army such rights with the so-called rehabilitation of those sentenced in 1944-1956 for participation in the Polish resistance.
Kresowiana w zbiorach Muzeum Armii Krajowej. Zarys problematyki
Authors: Bąk Arkadiusz
Published: October 2021

MEMORABILIA OF POLISH EASTERN BORDERLANDS IN THE COLLECTIONS OF THE HOME ARMY MUSEUM – AN OUTLINE OF THE ISSUES The article is devoted to the presentation of Eastern Borderlands memorabilia from the collections of the Home Army Museum in Krakow. The author briefly presents the history of the facility, and then describes the most interesting and characteristic exhibits and archives from the former borderlands, entered into museum inventory books, secured and stored both in the warehouse and exhibition space. The artifacts have been grouped one by one in the following sections: Photography, Prints, Documents, Military, Historical Memorabilia, and Medallions and Phaleristics. The vast majority of these artifacts date back to the interwar period. Some of the documents were created during World War II. The aim of the study is to present the exhibits of the Krakow museum from the eastern territories of the Second Polish Republic, and to encourage further research on this issue.
An evidence-based approach to workplace anaesthesia training. Part 2
Authors: Taylor Susanna , Armitage-Chan Liz
Published: October 2021

Part one of this article considered the value of using educational evidence to teach student veterinary nurses (SVNs), discussed the characteristics of SVNs as learners, and described the importance of developing SVNs—not only in their anaesthetic skills, but also in becoming more self-directed professionals. As part one highlighted some of the challenges that SVNs experience as they attempt to learn in a veterinary practice, this second part will consider some common questions about veterinary nursing teaching and provide examples of techniques that can be used by registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) to improve teaching strategies for anaesthesia in the workplace. While some of the educational theories mentioned may be dated, this article aims to use supportive contemporary evidence to show how they are still relevant to help guide our teaching.
Fungal infections in cats and dogs
Authors: Swales Nicola
Published: October 2021

Fungal infections are an easily diagnosable cause of skin disease in companion animals. This article aims to give an overview of the more common fungal infections seen in cats and dogs, how to investigate them, and how to treat them. A small section on rarer fungal infections is included for information. Veterinary nurses are often involved in dermatology clinics, so knowledge of both common and rarer dermatomycoses can be very useful.
Nursing the canine immunemediated haemolytic anaemia patient part 2: supportive care and nursing
Authors: Palin Rachel
Published: October 2021

Patients with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) require substantial nursing care considerations, and can be very unwell on presentation. The registered veterinary nurse (RVN) plays an important role, with comprehensive supportive care of vital importance. Patients with IMHA have the potential for many complications, therefore it is important for the RVN to have knowledge of the condition, its treatment options, and how they may impact the patient's needs. Alongside vigilant nursing, and frequent communication with the clinician, the RVN's impact on these patients can be vast, making them extremely rewarding cases to care for.
Firework season 2021 — whizzes, flashes and bangs
Authors: Hargrave Claire
Published: October 2021

With previously socially robust pets and younger less environmentally competent pets showing sensitivity to fresh exposures, it is important that people prepare well for the firework season. Claire Hargrave explains how.
From dissemination to engagement: learning over time from a national research intermediary centre (Four Fs)
Authors: Lamont Tara , Maxwell Elaine
Published: October 2021

Background:

There has been little applied learning from organisations engaged in making evidence useful for decision makers. More focus has been given either to the work of individuals as knowledge brokers or to theoretical frameworks on embedding evidence. More intelligence is needed on the practice of knowledge intermediation.

Aims and objectives:

This paper describes the evolution of approaches by one UK Centre to promote and embed evidence in health and care services. This is not a formal evaluation, given the lack of critical distance by authors who led work at the Centre, but a reflective analysis which may be helpful for other evidence intermediary bodies.

Conclusions:

We analyse the founding conditions and theoretical context at the start of our activity and describe four activities we developed over time. These were filter (screening research for relevance and quality); forge (engaging stakeholders in interpreting evidence); fuse (knowledge brokering with hybrid teams); and fulfil (sustained interaction with implementation partners). We reflect on the tensions between rigour and relevance in the evidence we shared and the way in which our approaches evolved from a programme of evidence outputs to greater focus on sustained engagement and deliberative activities to make sense of evidence and reach wider audiences. Over the lifetime of the Centre, we moved from linear and relational modes towards systems type approaches to embed and mobilise evidence.
Thermally responsive polymer-dispersed liquid crystal diffusers fabricated using laser speckle pattern irradiation
Authors: Ogiwara Akifumi , Kakiuchida Hiroshi
Published: October 2021

This study examined the thermal response of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) diffusers, patterned using a two-lens imaging system. Optical modulation was achieved by modifying the PDLC transmittance using temperature-induced changes to liquid crystal (LC) orientation. PDLCs with controllable scattering properties were obtained by irradiating LC-polymer composites with laser speckle patterns. The variation of the scattering characteristics of the PDLCs with temperature, average speckle size, and LC orientation order was analyzed to determine the most suitable parameters for a diffuser for smart window solar-ray control applications. The findings of these experiments demonstrate that using speckle patterns, a one-time laser exposure process, can provide a simple fabrication method of novel optical devices.
Acousto-optic modulator pulse-shaper compression of octave-spanning pulses from a stretched hollow-core fiber
Authors: Catanese Anthony , Kaufman Brian , Cheng Chuan , Jones Eric , Cohen Martin G. , Weinacht Thomas
Published: October 2021

We demonstrate spectral broadening and compression of amplified pulses from a titanium sapphire laser system using an argon-filled stretched, hollow-core fiber and an acousto-optic modulator based pulse-shaper. We characterize the pulses using pulse-shaper assisted collinear frequency resolved optical gating, pulse-shaper assisted D-scans, and D-scans using a variable path length water cell. The different compression and characterization approaches consistently compress the pulses down to < 6 fs, less than ∼1 fs from the transform limit. We discuss prospects for pulse shape spectroscopy with these broadband pulses, given our control over the spectral amplitude and phase.
Effects of intradialytic exercise for advanced-age patients undergoing hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yabe Hiroki , Kono Kenichi , Yamaguchi Tomoya , Ishikawa Yumiko , Yamaguchi Yoshiko , Azekura Hisanori
Published: October 2021

Previous reports have shown the benefits of intradialytic exercise to patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, most of those studies assessed the effects of exercise in middle-aged patients and little is known about advanced-age patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, the present randomized controlled trial was performed to determine the effectiveness of exercise therapy in advanced-age patients undergoing hemodialysis. This non-blinded, randomized controlled parallel trial enrolled a total of 101 patients who were randomly assigned to intradialytic exercise (n = 51) or usual care (n = 50) groups. The training program included both resistance and aerobic exercises and was performed three times per week for 6 months. The aerobic exercise intensity was adjusted to a target Borg score of 13 for 20 minutes. Four types of resistance exercises were performed using elastic tubing, with three sets of 10 exercises performed at moderate intensity (13/20 on the Borg scale). The usual care group received standard care. Lower extremity muscle strength, Short Physical Performance Battery score, and 10-m walking speed were the outcomes and were evaluated before the hemodialysis session and after 6 months of training. There were statistically significant improvements in Short Physical Performance Battery score (effect size, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.15‒1.95) in the exercise group relative to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in lower extremity muscle strength or in the 10-m walking speed between the two groups. These findings suggest that 6 months of intradialytic training could improve physical function in older patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Migration and interbirth transition rate using Benin Demographic and Health Survey data: Does episode-splitting matter?
Authors: Banougnin Boladé Hamed , Somefun Oluwaseyi Dolapo , Olakunle Abibatou Agbéké
Published: October 2021

Background

The relationship between migration and fertility has vexed demographers for years. One issue missing in the literature is the lack of careful temporal consideration of when women migrate and specifically, the extent to which they do either before or after live births.

Objective

Here, we opt for a more appropriate methodological approach to help remedy the complexity of the temporal aspect of migration and childbirth processes: regression models using the episode-splitting method.

Methods

This paper applies a rarely used methodological approach (episode-splitting) in the literature of migration-fertility relationship to investigate how internal in-migration is associated with inter-birth intervals among women in Cotonou, the largest city of Benin. Data comes from the 2017–2018 Benin Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of women aged 15–49. Estimates from exponential regression models with episode-splitting were compared to estimates from exponential regression models without episode-splitting approach. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted to determine the robustness of the comparison between the two methods. Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) were used to identify the method that provides models with best fit.

Results

The results from (standard) exponential regression models without episode-splitting show that there is no significant association between migration and interbirth transition rate. However, significant associations between migration and interbirth transition rate emerge after applying the episode splitting method. The hazard ratios (HR) of the transition to the next live birth are higher among migrant women than among nonmigrant women. This trend is persistent even after 10 years spent in Cotonou by migrant women.

Conclusion

Exponential regression models with episode-splitting were of better fit than exponential regression models without episode-splitting. Sensitivity analysis conducted seems to confirm that models with episode-splitting produce estimates that are accurate, reliable and superior to models without episode-splitting. The results suggest a long-run process adaptation of migrants to lower fertility behaviours in Cotonou and are therefore consistent with the socialization hypothesis.
Increased wood biomass growth is associated with lower wood density in Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. saplings growing under elevated CO2
Authors: Arsić Janko , Stojanović Marko , Petrovičová Lucia , Noyer Estelle , Milanović Slobodan , Světlík Jan , Horáček Petr , Krejza Jan
Published: October 2021

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased substantially since the industrial revolution began, and physiological responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations reportedly alter the biometry and wood structure of trees. Additionally, soil nutrient availability may play an important role in regulating these responses. Therefore, in this study, we grew 288 two-year-old saplings of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in lamellar glass domes for three years to evaluate the effects of CO2 concentrations and nutrient supply on above- and belowground biomass, wood density, and wood structure. Elevated CO2 increased above- and belowground biomass by 44.3% and 46.9%, respectively. However, under elevated CO2 treatment, sapling wood density was markedly lower (approximately 1.7%), and notably wider growth rings—and larger, more efficient conduits leading to increased hydraulic conductance—were observed. Moreover, despite the vessels being larger in saplings under elevated CO2, the vessels were significantly fewer (p = 0.023). No direct effects of nutrient supply were observed on biomass growth, wood density, or wood structure, except for a notable decrease in specific leaf area. These results suggest that, although fewer and larger conduits may render the xylem more vulnerable to embolism formation under drought conditions, the high growth rate in sessile oak saplings under elevated CO2 is supported by an efficient vascular system and may increase biomass production in this tree species. Nevertheless, the decreased mechanical strength, indicated by low density and xylem vulnerability to drought, may lead to earlier mortality, offsetting the positive effects of elevated CO2 levels in the future.
Wuthigrai Siriphon: Highlighting tradition
Authors: Oakley Peter
Published: October 2021

The innovative output of Wuthigrai Siriphon draws on his Thai heritage and extensive knowledge and practical experience of regional textile craft techniques. But whilst his work often references historical forms and colour palettes, his studio textiles are far from staid, exhibiting a modernist sensibility frequently verging on the spectacular. Securely pigeonholing such a creative practitioner is always problematic, but any attempt at categorization is made even more difficult so once the viewer acknowledges the layered nature of South East Asian textile practice. This is a region where traditional understandings of fabric and colour still compete with modernist perspectives on design, material selection and colour application and rural craft weavers continue to make a living alongside industrial factories. Wuthigrai and his ouvre is a product of this complex and vibrant material culture, highlighting tradition whilst retaining its contemporary relevance.
Ceramic, Art and Civilisation, Paul Greenhalgh (2020)
Authors: McLaren Graham
Published: October 2021

Review of: Ceramic, Art and Civilisation, Paul Greenhalgh (2020)

London: Bloomsbury, 512 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47423-979-7, h/bk, £30.00;

ISBN 978-1-47423-972-1, ePDF, £27.00;

ISBN 978-1-47423-973-8, eBook, £27.00
The Material Culture of Basketry: Practice, Skill and Embodied Knowledge, Stephanie Bunn and Victoria Mitchell (eds) (2021)
Authors: Bertram Greta
Published: October 2021

Review of: The Material Culture of Basketry: Practice, Skill and Embodied Knowledge, Stephanie Bunn and Victoria Mitchell (eds) (2021)

London and New York: Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 286 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-35009-403-1, h/bk, £85.00
Rethinking Deduction Five of Plato’s Parmenides (160b5-163b6)
Authors: Tuozzo Thomas
Published: October 2021

The fifth “deduction” in Plato’s Parmenides (160b5-163b6) concerns the consequences that follow for a (or the) one from the hypothesis that it is not. I argue that the subject of this hypothesis is, effectively, any Form, considered just insofar as it is one Form. The hypothesis, I further argue, does not concern any essential aspect of a Form, but rather posits its contingent non-instantation (“a one is not” = “a Form is not instantiated”). The motion this deduction attributes to its one is a special type of motion: motion into and out of instantiation.
Beta-thalassemia in Mediterranean countries. Findings and outlook
Authors: Bellis Gil , Parant Alain
Published: October 2021

Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders among humans. It occurs in many world regions, but the highest levels are recorded in the Mediterranean countries. This study reviews the epidemiology of β-thalassemia in these countries, as well as their resources for fighting the disease, and establishes an outlook on the trends in the pathology between now and 2050. The epidemiological parameters are based on information from specialised databases, while the outlook is derived from the global population forecasts of the United Nations. With an incidence rate at birth of 15.9 cases per 100,000 newborns, the Northern coast of the Mediterranean is the least impacted and has significant health infrastructures; the number of newborns concerned could decrease by 2050. The incidence rate on the Eastern Mediterranean coast, where numerous prevention programmes are available, is twice as high, at 31.4 per 100,000 newborns; over the next 30 years, the number of new cases at birth could increase. The incidence rate on the Southern Mediterranean coast is highest, at 36.8 per 100,000 newborns, and the region continues to suffer from a shortage of health infrastructures; the number of new cases at birth could increase considerably in the region between now and 2050. These long-term projections are based on population growth in the Mediterranean countries and will be changed only by the widespread use of antenatal practices against β-thalassemia. The findings of this study could enable the countries concerned to adapt their healthcare policies.
The representation of the rural exodus in Spanish cinema (1900-2020): evolution, causes and territorial consequences
Authors: Martinez-Puche Antonio , Martínez Puche Salvador , García Delgado Francisco Javier , Amat Montesinos Xavier
Published: October 2021

Rural depopulation has been a constant feature of contemporary Spanish history and has been amply studied from the perspective of geography. Recently, however, there has been considerable media attention given to the consequences of internal migration. Behind the alarming demographic statistics lies a nexus of processes which have been reflected in the cinema since its beginning. This paper explores these processes at work in the rural sending environment and receiving urban destination through an analysis of six representative Spanish films. The fictional representation through film of a complex reality provides insights into the internal and contextual keys to understanding the phenomenon of ‘empty Spain’ or ‘hollowed-out Spain’. The films illustrate the persistence of two conflicting ideas (the rural and urban), divergence about what constitutes development and the quality of life, and the processes leading to ‘demotanasia’.
Comparative Assessment of Target-Detection Algorithms for Urban Targets Using Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Gakhar Shalini , Tiwari K.C.
Published: October 2021

Hyperspectral data present better opportunities to exploit the treasure of spectral and spatial content that lies within their spectral bands. Hyperspectral data are increasingly being considered for exploring levels of urbanization, due to their capability to capture the spectral variability
that a modern urban landscape offers. Data and algorithms are two sides of a coin: while the data capture the variations, the algorithms provide suitable methods to extract relevant information. The literature reports a variety of algorithms for extraction of urban information from any given
data, with varying accuracies. This article aims to explore the binary-classifier approach to target detection to extract certain features. Roads and roofs are the most common features present in any urban scene. These experiments were conducted on a subset of AVIRIS-NG hyperspectral data
from the Udaipur region of India, with roads and roofs as targets. Four categories of target-detection algorithms are identified from a literature survey and our previous experience—distance measures, angle-based measures, information measures, and machine-learning measures—followed
by performance evaluation. The article also presents a brief taxonomy of algorithms; explores methods such as the Mahalanobis angle, which has been reported to be effective for extraction of urban targets; and explores newer machine-learning algorithms to increase accuracy. This work is likely
to aid in city planning, sustainable development, and various other governmental and nongovernmental efforts related to urbanization.
Experiências com o ensino híbrido a partir de seminários virtuais assíncronos: contribuições para um cenário de mudanças
Authors: Félix Viviane Patrícia Pereira , Silva Ivanderson Pereira da
Published: October 2021

O Ensino de Ciências da Saúde em nível Superior ainda percebe, de forma predominante, seus aprendizes como receptores de informações. Diante desse cenário, foram propostos seminários virtuais assíncronos de Histologia, a fim de promover o protagonismo dos estudantes do 1º ano do Curso de Enfermagem de uma Universidade Pública de Alagoas. O presente estudo teve por objetivos: compreender as demandas formativas que se apresentam na sociedade em face do contexto da cibercultura; explorar as potencialidades dos ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem para o desenvolvimento de experiências formativas no contexto do Ensino de Saúde; e analisar os limites e possibilidades dos seminários virtuais assíncronos para o ensino de Histologia. A coleta e análise dos dados se deu, respectivamente, por meio de Grupo Focal e Análise de Conteúdo. Constatou-se que esse tipo de estratégia favorece o protagonismo discente.
A formação do/a educador/a social que atua em instituições de acolhimento: um estado da arte (2009-2019)
Authors: Silva Léslie Amanda da , França Fabiane Freire , Yaegashi Solange Franci Raimundo
Published: October 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um estado da arte sobre a formação dos/as educadores/as sociais que atuam em instituições de acolhimento, com o recorte temporal de 2009 a 2019. As pesquisas foram mapeadas no banco de periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) e nas plataformas de difusão científica online Scielo e Google Acadêmico. Os resultados encontrados evidenciam a necessidade de pesquisas sobre a formação dos/as educadores/as sociais, visto que desde o Projeto de Lei 5346, apresentado no ano de 2009, foi proposta a regulamentação profissional da educação social no Brasil. Constatou-se que até a presente data, o Projeto de Lei 2941/2019, que também trata da regulamentação da profissionalização dos/as educadores/as sociais encontra-se em tramitação e aguarda a aprovação do Congresso. Dessa forma, as pesquisas encontradas dialogam com as legislações que são abordadas pelas autorias e propiciam discussões acerca da formação do/a educador/a social e sua atuação em instituições de acolhimento.
DEGROWTH, STEADY STATE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMIES: ALTERNATIVE DISCOURSES TO ECONOMIC GROWTH
Authors: CHARONIS GEORGE-KONSTANTINOS
Published: October 2021

Criticisms of the neoclassical economic framework and perpetual growth in GDP terms are not a new phenomenon, although recent years have seen increasing interest in alternative and ecological discourses including degrowth, steady-state and circular economics. Although these may initially appear as distinctly different discourses, they are highly compatible and comparable, sharing similar, often nearly identical principles and policy proposals. A more collaborative, joined-up approach aimed at integrating alternative discourses is required in order to build a coherent, credible, well-supported alternative, as there is more uniting than dividing these critical voices, particularly in the face of mainstream political and economic debates that are shaped by neoclassical economics.
AUTOGR
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Li Cheng , Ma Kai , Huo Jingze , Yan Feng , Feng Xinyu , Xu Yinlong
Published: October 2021

Geo-replication is essential for providing low latency response and quality Internet services. However, designing fast and correct geo-replicated services is challenging due to the complex trade-off between performance and consistency semantics in optimizing the expensive cross-site coordination. State-of-the-art solutions rely on programmers to derive sufficient application-specific invariants and code specifications, which is both time-consuming and error-prone. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end geo-replication deployment framework AUTOGR (AUTOmated Geo-Replication) to free programmers from such label-intensive tasks. AutoGR enables the geo-replication features for non-replicated, serializable applications in an automated way with optimized performance and correct application semantics. Driven by a novel static analyzer RIGI, AUTOGR can extract application invariants by verifying whether their geo-replicated versions obey the serializable semantics of the non-replicated application. RIGI takes application codes as inputs and infers a set of side effects and path conditions possibly leading to consistency violations. RIGI employs the Z3 theorem prover to identify pairs of conflicting side effects and feed them to a geo-replication framework for automated across-site deployment. We evaluate AUTOGR by transforming four serializable and originally non-replicated DB-compliant applications to geo-replicated ones across 3 sites. Compared with state-of-the-art human-intervention-free automated approaches (e.g., strong consistency), AUTOGR reduces up to 61.8% latency and achieves up to 2.12X higher peak throughput. Compared with state-of-the-art approaches relying on a manual analysis (e.g., PoR), AUTOGR can quickly enable the geo-replication feature with zero human intervention while offering similarly low latency and high throughput.
Local algorithms for distance-generalized core decomposition over large dynamic graphs
Authors: Liu Qing , Zhu Xuliang , Huang Xin , Xu Jianliang
Published: October 2021

The distance-generalized core, also called (
k
,
h
)-core, is defined as the maximal subgraph in which every vertex has at least
k
vertices at distance no longer than
h.
Compared with
k
-core, (
k
,
h
)-core can identify more fine-grained subgraphs and, hence, is more useful for the applications such as network analysis and graph coloring. The state-of-the-art algorithms for (
k
,
h
)-core decomposition are peeling algorithms, which iteratively delete the vertex with the minimum
h
-degree (i.e., the least number of neighbors within
h
hops). However, they suffer from some limitations, such as low parallelism and incapability of supporting dynamic graphs. To address these limitations, in this paper, we revisit the problem of (
k
,
h
)-core decomposition. First, we introduce two novel concepts of
pairwise h-attainability index
and
n-order H-index
based on an insightful observation. Then, we thoroughly analyze the properties of
n
-order H-index and propose a parallelizable local algorithm for (
k
,
h
)-core decomposition. Moreover, several optimizations are presented to accelerate the local algorithm. Furthermore, we extend the proposed local algorithm to address the (
k
,
h
)-core maintenance problem for dynamic graphs. Experimental studies on real-world graphs show that, compared to the best existing solution, our proposed algorithms can reduce the (
k
,
h
)-core decomposition time by 1--3 orders of magnitude and save the maintenance cost by 1--2 orders of magnitude.
Estimating spread of contact-based contagions in a population through sub-sampling
Authors: Zeighami Sepanta , Shahabi Cyrus , Krumm John
Published: October 2021

Various phenomena such as viruses, gossips, and physical objects (e.g., packages and marketing pamphlets) can be spread through physical contacts. The spread depends on how people move, i.e., their mobility patterns. In practice, mobility patterns of an entire population is never available, and we usually have access to location data of a subset of individuals. In this paper, we formalize and study the problem of estimating the spread of a phenomena in a population, given that we only have access to sub-samples of location visits of some individuals in the population. We show that simple solutions that estimate the spread in the sub-sample and scale it to the population, or more sophisticated solutions that rely on modeling location visits of individuals do not perform well in practice. Instead, we directly model the co-locations between the individuals. We introduce PollSpreader and PollSusceptible, two novel approaches that model the co-locations between individuals using a
contact network
, and infer the properties of the contact network using the sub-sample to estimate the spread of the phenomena in the entire population. We analytically show that our estimates provide an upper bound and a lower bound on the spread of the disease in expectation. Finally, using a large high-resolution real-world mobility dataset, we experimentally show that our estimates are accurate in practice, while other methods that do not correctly account for co-locations between individuals result in entirely wrong observations (e.g, premature prediction of herd-immunity).
Automated feature engineering for algorithmic fairness
Authors: Salazar Ricardo , Neutatz Felix , Abedjan Ziawasch
Published: October 2021

One of the fundamental problems of machine ethics is to avoid the perpetuation and amplification of discrimination through machine learning applications. In particular, it is desired to exclude the influence of attributes with sensitive information, such as gender or race, and other causally related attributes on the machine learning task. The state-of-the-art bias reduction algorithm Capuchin breaks the causality chain of such attributes by adding and removing tuples. However, this horizontal approach can be considered invasive because it changes the data distribution. A vertical approach would be to prune sensitive features entirely. While this would ensure fairness without tampering with the data, it could also hurt the machine learning accuracy. Therefore, we propose a novel multi-objective feature selection strategy that leverages feature construction to generate more features that lead to both high accuracy and fairness. On three well-known datasets, our system achieves higher accuracy than other fairness-aware approaches while maintaining similar or higher fairness.
Hörmander Fourier multiplier theorems with optimal Besov regularity on multi-parameter Hardy spaces
Authors: Chen Jiao , Huang Liang , Lu Guozhen
Published: October 2021

We will establish the boundedness of the Fourier multiplier operator

T
m

⁢
f

T_{m}f

on multi-parameter Hardy spaces

H
p

⁢

(

R

n
1

×
⋯
×

R

n
r

)

H^{p}(\mathbb{R}^{n_{1}}\times\cdots\times\mathbb{R}^{n_{r}})

(

0
<
p
≤
1

0

n
i

⁢

(

1
p

-

1
2

)

s_{i}>n_{i}\bigl{(}\frac{1}{p}-\frac{1}{2}\bigr{)}

.
Here we have used the notation

m

j
1

,
…
,

j
r

⁢

(
ξ
)

=

m
⁢

(

2

j
1

⁢

ξ
1

,
…
,

2

j
r

⁢

ξ
r

)

⁢

ψ

(
1
)

⁢

(

ξ
1

)

⁢
⋯
⁢

ψ

(
r
)

⁢

(

ξ
r

)

,

m_{j_{1},\ldots,j_{r}}(\xi)=m(2^{j_{1}}\xi_{1},\ldots,2^{j_{r}}\xi_{r})\psi^{(1)}(\xi_{1})\cdots\psi^{(r)}(\xi_{r}),

and

ψ

(
i
)

⁢

(

ξ
i

)

\psi^{(i)}(\xi_{i})

is a suitable cut-off function on

R

n
i

\mathbb{R}^{n_{i}}

for

1
≤
i
≤
r

1\leq i\leq r

.
This multi-parameter Hörmander multiplier theorem is in the spirit of the earlier work of Baernstein and Sawyer in the one-parameter setting and sharpens our recent result of Hörmander multiplier theorem in the bi-parameter case which was established using R. Fefferman’s boundedness criterion.
Because R. Fefferman’s boundedness criterion fails in the cases of three or more parameters, it is substantially more difficult to establish such Hörmander multiplier theorems in three or more parameters than in the bi-parameter case.
To assume only the optimal smoothness on the multipliers, delicate and hard analysis on the sharp estimates of the square functions on arbitrary atoms are required.
Our main theorems give the boundedness on the multi-parameter Hardy spaces under the smoothness assumption of the multipliers in multi-parameter Besov spaces and show the regularity conditions to be sharp.
3-M syndrome – a primordial short stature disorder with novel CUL7 mutation in two Indian patients
Authors: Akella Radha Rama Devi
Published: October 2021

Objective

To evaluate the cause of short stature in children.

Case presentation

Two children with suspected skeletal dysplasia and short stature were evaluated.

Conclusions

The 3-M syndrome is a primordial growth disorder manifesting severe postnatal growth restriction, skeletal anomalies and prominent fleshy heels. The 3-M syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous disorder and the phenotype is similar. This is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with normal intellect. Two affected children have been identified by whole-exome sequencing. One patient harboured a compound heterozygous variant and the other was a homozygous missense variant. The genetic diagnosis helped in counselling the families and facilitated prenatal diagnosis in one (case 1) family.
Effect of patch dimension and fiber orientation on non-linear buckling of hybrid composites
Authors: Erdem Serkan , Gur Mustafa , Kaman Mete Onur
Published: October 2021

In this study, first circular hole layered hybrid composite plates were repaired by wet patch method, and then buckling behavior was investigated experimentally and numerically. In the experimental study, composite plates were produced by vacuum infusion method using hybrid fabrics made of carbon and aramid. Circular holes were drilled in the produced plates and then these holes were repaired with the same material. In the wet patch repair method, wet hybrid fabrics impregnated with epoxy resin were placed around the hole and then this area was subjected to pressure and temperature by vacuum infusion method. In experimental tests, pressure force was applied to the fixed sides and force-displacement graphs were obtained. In a numerical study, non-linear buckling analysis was performed by creating numerical models of plates and patches using the finite element method. As a result, experimental and numerical load-displacement graphs were obtained in accordance with pre- and post-buckling. Thanks to the repair in accordance with practical applications, no interface debonding damage occurred in ideal samples. Increasing the patch length from 30 mm to 40 mm increased the maximum damage load by 6 %, while increasing the patch length to 50 mm increased damage load by 12 %. Increasing the patch thickness from 0.65 mm to 1.1 mm increased the load by 67 %, while increasing it to 2.16 mm increased the load to 247 %. Fiber orientation was found to be a more influencing factor in critical buckling and damage load than the ply sequence.
Comparison between acidic electroless deposited Cu, Ni coating and a physical vapor deposited (PVD) Al coating on an acrylonitrile– butadiene–styrene (ABS) substrate
Authors: Gultekin Toroslu Aysegul , Tekiner Zafer
Published: October 2021

The coating is used to provide protection or functional properties to the surfaces of the substrate. In this study, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene plastic was coated with copper/ nickel by using an acidic electrolysis deposition method and with aluminum using the physical vapor deposition method. It has been investigated to find out which of these coating methods can be used as an outdoor lighting reflector. Therefore, these two coating methods were compared using sodium carbonate test, scratch test, surface roughness and reflection efficiency tests. In addition, copper/nickel deposited and aluminum deposited on acrylonitrile– butadiene–styrene plastic surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The surface roughness and reflection efficiency of acrylonitrile–butadiene– styrene plastic coated with aluminum applying the plasma vapor deposition method was more efficient than copper/ nickel coated acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene obtained by applying a non-electric bath method. It has been determined that the samples with electroless copper/nickel coating have a better outdoor resistance than the aluminum coated samples. On the other hand, it was also determined that the surface roughness and reflection efficiency of the aluminum coated samples was better with the plasma vapor deposition method than that of the electroless copper and nickel coated samples. The results show that aluminum coating with the physical vapor deposition method on acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene plastic is more suitable for reflector technology in terms of light efficiency.