bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hearables: eLearning in the Workplace
Authors: McGreal Rory
Published: February 2021

Hearables, a term first coined by Hunn (2014), are wireless smart micro-computers with artificial intelligence that incorporate both speakers and microphones. They fit in the ears and can connect to the internet and to other devices; they are designed to be worn daily. These devices, such as the Bragi Dash, Vinci and Bose Hearphone are now appearing on the market, which is expected to exceed $40 billion in the USA by 2020 (Omnicom, 2018). Hearables are not headphones, nor hearing aids, nor ear plugs, although they could take on the affordances of any of these devices (Banks, 2018). Headphones are designed for listening to music. Hearing aids are designed as an aid for the hearing impaired. Ear plugs reduce unwanted sounds by cancelling noise. Hearables offer comparable features and additionally provide users with a microphone and connectivity to the internet supporting telephony and personal digital assistant (PDA) services (Computational Thinkers, n.d.). Prior to 2017, in the USA, such devices required the approval of the Food and Drug Administration. This approval is no longer required for hearables, as they are no longer considered to be medical hearing aids (Over the Counter Hearing Aid Act, 2017). This paves the way for the expansion in the market of significantly lower-priced hearables, undercutting the expensively-priced hearing aid market.
Towards Matching Access with Success: Using Technology to Create an Effective Learning Environment for Postgraduate Distance Learning Students
Authors: Muller Karin (Catharina) , Putter Marilize
Published: February 2021

Distance learning has been identified as a key enabler in providing greater access to education. Yet, in order to provide meaningful access and constitute a productive application of both the student and country’s resources, such access must include a reasonable chance of success (Department of Higher Education and Training – DHET, 2014). In the South African higher education environment, success – if measured by dropout and throughput rates– has been considerably lower on undergraduate distance learning programmes than on contact learning programmes (DHET, 2018b). On a postgraduate level, the graduation benchmark rate set by government similarly shows a significant disparity between contact and distance learning. For postgraduate qualifications (up to honours level), it is earmarked at 60% for contact learning; but for distance learning, the target is halved, and set at only 30% (Ministry of Education – MOE, 2001). These low rates indicate that for many distance learning students, they may have gained access to education, but have a small chance of converting such access into success.
Self-Evaluation Mandalas – An Innovative and Motivating Tool in Distance Learning Courses (Results from the VTT-Project)
Authors: Mazohl Peter , Makl Harald
Published: February 2021

This paper refers to the ERASMUS+ Project 2017-1-ES01-KA201-038199 (School Education). The project aims to develop a toolbox to assist teachers to develop and create high quality distance learning courses.The innovation in the project is the self-evaluation mandala. This is a newly developed tool used in distance learning courses and in blended learning.
Exploring the Emotions of Distance Learning Students in an Assessed, Online, Collaborative Project
Authors: Hilliard Jake , Kear Karen , Donelan Helen , Heaney Caroline
Published: February 2021

Previous research has highlighted the importance of emotions of learners in online learning settings. However, much of this research has tended to focus on individual learning situations rather than social learning activities. The exploration of the emotional experiences of distance learners has also received little attention when compared to other student groups (e.g. full-time or blended learning students). As many distance learners are in full- or part-time employment or have other commitments, the emotions experienced and the reasons for these emotions might be greatly different to other student populations. This study investigated these issues by exploring the emotional experiences of distance learners when undertaking an assessed, online, collaborative group project. Self-report data about the emotions experienced and their causes were gathered using a structured diary at six times points during the group activity. Findings revealed that learners experienced a ranged of pleasant and unpleasant emotions before, during and after the collaborative activity. Feelings of satisfaction and relief were the most reported pleasant emotions and feelings of anxiety and frustration were the most frequently reported unpleasant emotions. To conclude this paper, implications for educators are briefly discussed and reflections on using an online diary to explore student emotions are provided.
Massive, Partially Online CS1 Course
Authors: Vilner Tamar , Zur Ela
Published: February 2021

The Open University of Israel (OUI) has an open admissions policy and is based primarily on distance learning. As in other universities, our CS1 course includes the topics recommended in the Computer Science Curricula (2013). The large number of students who register for the course (from 700-900 students per semester) presents us with unique challenges in management. In this paper, we describe the efforts we have devoted to making the learning and teaching process as uniform as possible for all students taking the course. We describe the research we conducted in order to ascertain whether there is a correlation between regular or intensive tutoring groups and student success in CS1 and whether the specific tutors affect student success. We were satisfied that the teaching of our course is quite uniform.
Reasons for Attending a MOOC: A Survey on EduOpen Learners
Authors: De Santis Annamaria , Sannicandro Katia , Bellini Claudia , Minerva Tommaso
Published: February 2021

In the Italian university context, starting from 2016, EduOpen portal (https://learn.eduopen.org) was launched. It was realized within a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) for an extraordinary intervention based on art. 11 of the Ministerial Decree of November 4 n. 815 (distribution of the Ordinary Financing Fund). The MOOC platform is made up of 17 Italian universities and a set of selected partners; the network is open to the access of other universities and institutions, associations of scientific and cultural relevance.
Teaching the Generation Z
Authors: Chukurliev Hristo
Published: February 2021

The article presents the experience of New Bulgarian University to create a training program for its academic staff to resume bilateral communication with students born after 2000. It examines the alienation of the faculty from the students due to digital technologies and the change in the perception of knowledge as a value and access to information. It presents results of a survey of the professors’ opinion and presents a structure of a training program.
Technological Resources for Lifelong Learning of Teachers in the Digital Era: An Analysis from the Learning Ecologies
Authors: Souto-Seijo Alba , Estevez Iris , Gonzalez-Sanmamed Mercedes , Romero Patricia
Published: February 2021

Permanent education has become not only a requirement, but an unavoidable necessity to respond to the requirements of the school, as a precise change for the quality of teaching and teacher training (Imbernón, 2014). The need for a permanent education is driven and/or promoted by the changes that society is generating, simultaneously, in the training and education processes, since the incorporation of ICT in these processes has caused a change in the relationship between the didactic components. Therefore, pedagogical practice must adopt new forms of work that adapt to the new training needs. Consequently, it can be said that education does not remain external to changes and incorporates new media in its didactic relationship, which causes a redefinition of the teacher’s work and, surely of the teaching profession, of its formation and its development professional (Sangrà González Sanmamed, 2011).
Fostering Retention in Online Higher Education: Students’ Perceptions of an Intervention Addressing their First-Year Experience
Authors: Xavier Marlon , Meneses Julio
Published: February 2021

Dropout represents one of the greatest challenges faced by online higher education. This paper presents an institutional intervention aimed at fostering retention and success of first-year undergraduate students at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), an online and open University, through measures addressing learning design and academic support. Secondly, through analysing in-depth interviews with first-year students, the paper explores their perception of intervention measures and their possible advantages or risks. Results indicate that time-related factors represent the major issue for persistence and continuance. Intervention measures such as personalized course packages which prevent overlapping of submission deadlines; flexibility in continuous assessment; and personalized support and academic advising were valued highly by most students. Future retention interventions in open universities are also discussed.
Stories in Stones
Authors: Wolfson Susan J.
Published: February 2021

Stones are everywhere in Romantic poetry. And they can stir as intentional objects when (to call on Coleridge for the animations of poetry) ‘there is a meditative and feeling mind to seek after them, or to notice them, when they present themselves’ (
Biographia Literaria
). Between psychological animation and stubborn materiality stirs yet another behaviour, a ‘vibrant materiality’ that has ethical philosopher Jane Bennett wondering about things (stones included) as actants independent of human wants and purposes. Yet it takes human agency, human purposes even (a Bennett-bend), to consider unconsidering things this way. ‘Stories in Stones’ is a story of Shelley, Wordsworth, Byron, and Keats all tuned into the paradox.
TAXONOMY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION CAMPUS PLANNING
Authors: Terro Mohamad Jamil , Soliman Ashraf Mohamed , Angell Jerrell
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to present and discuss phases of planning and designing campuses for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The authors argue that creating a taxonomy to control an environment conducive to learning is of the same order of importance as that for education as depicted by Bloom, given the size, financial burden, and influence on learning outcomes. A specific model is proposed for the taxonomy of planning campuses for HEIs with four ordered phases: educational programming, spaces programming, master planning, and detailed design. The researchers followed four methodologies to support the proposed model: A literature review to seek relevant knowledge and terms used in previous studies; a descriptive discussion of the proposed campus planning and design taxonomy model; a survey of experts in educational and campus planning to examine the proposed phases; and, a case study of the campus of Kingdom University in Bahrain where the phases of taxonomy were implemented. This latter case study further exhibits how the executed campus planning process is developed in adherence with state-of-the-art educational demands and trends. This paper is concluded with guidelines of HEIs campus planning as illustrated a diagram for the proposed model of taxonomy showing the process and illustrating the model domains, together with its phases and planning process considerations. The model also analyses the relationship between the domains that are ordered according to the process flow starting with educational programming up to the detailed design phases.
The Mass-loss History of the Red Hypergiant VY CMa*
Authors: Humphreys Roberta M. , Davidson Kris , Richards A. M. S. , Ziurys L. M. , Jones Terry J. , Ishibashi Kazunori
Published: February 2021

Imaging and spectroscopy of the knots, clumps, and extended arcs in the complex ejecta of VY CMa confirm a record of high mass-loss events over the past few hundred years. Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph spectroscopy of numerous small knots close to the star allow us to measure their radial velocities from the strong K i emission and determine their separate motions, spatial orientations, and time since ejecta. Their ages concentrate around 70, 120, 200, and 250 yr ago. A K i emission knot only 50 mas from the star ejected as recently as 1985–1995 may coincide with an H2O maser. Comparison with VY CMa’s historic light curve from 1800 to the present shows several knots with ejection times that correspond with extended periods of variability and deep minima. The similarity of this correspondence in VY CMa with the remarkable recent dimming of Betelgeuse and an outflow of gas is apparent. The evidence for similar outflows from the surface of a more typical red supergiant suggests that discrete ejections are more common and surface or convective activity is a major source of mass loss for red supergiants.
Giant Outer Transiting Exoplanet Mass (GOT ‘EM) Survey. I. Confirmation of an Eccentric, Cool Jupiter with an Interior Earth-sized Planet Orbiting Kepler-1514*
Authors: Dalba Paul A. , Kane Stephen R. , Isaacson Howard , Giacalone Steven , Howard Andrew W. , Rodriguez Joseph E. , Vanderburg Andrew , Eastman Jason D. , Kraus Adam L. , Dupuy Trent J. , Weiss Lauren M. , Schwieterman Edward W.
Published: February 2021

Despite the severe bias of the transit method of exoplanet discovery toward short orbital periods, a modest sample of transiting exoplanets with orbital periods greater than 100 days is known. Long-term radial velocity (RV) surveys are pivotal to confirming these signals and generating a set of planetary masses and densities for planets receiving moderate to low irradiation from their host stars. Here we conduct RV observations of Kepler-1514 from the Keck I telescope using the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer. From these data, we measure the mass of the statistically validated giant (1.108 ± 0.023 R
J) exoplanet Kepler-1514 b with a 218-day orbital period as 5.28 ± 0.22 M
J. The bulk density of this cool (∼390 K) giant planet is

g cm−3, consistent with a core supported by electron degeneracy pressure. We also infer an orbital eccentricity of

from the RV and transit observations, which is consistent with planet–planet scattering and disk cavity migration models. The Kepler-1514 system contains an Earth-size, Kepler Object of Interest on a 10.5-day orbit that we statistically validate against false-positive scenarios, including those involving a neighboring star. The combination of the brightness (V = 11.8) of the host star and the long period, low irradiation, and high density of Kepler-1514 b places this system among a rare group of known exoplanetary systems and as one that is amenable to continued study.
Contrast and Temperature Dependence of Multi-epoch High-resolution Cross-correlation Exoplanet Spectroscopy
Authors: Finnerty Luke , Buzard Cam , Pelletier Stefan , Piskorz Danielle , Lockwood Alexandra C. , Bender Chad F. , Benneke Björn , Blake Geoffrey A.
Published: February 2021

While high-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy (HRCCS) techniques have proven effective at characterizing the atmospheres of transiting and nontransiting hot Jupiters, the limitations of these techniques are not well understood. We present a series of simulations of one HRCCS technique, which combines the cross-correlation functions from multiple epochs, to place temperature and contrast limits on the accessible exoplanet population for the first time. We find that planets approximately Saturn-sized and larger within ∼0.2 au of a Sun-like star are likely to be detectable with current instrumentation in the L band, a significant expansion compared with the previously studied population. Cooler (T
eq ≤ 1000 K) exoplanets are more detectable than suggested by their photometric contrast alone as a result of chemical changes that increase spectroscopic contrast. The L-band CH4 spectrum of cooler exoplanets enables robust constraints on the atmospheric C/O ratio at T
eq ∼ 900 K, which have proven difficult to obtain for hot Jupiters. These results suggest that the multi-epoch approach to HRCCS can detect and characterize exoplanet atmospheres throughout the inner regions of Sun-like systems with existing high-resolution spectrographs. We find that many epochs of modest signal-to-noise ratio (S/Nepoch ∼ 1500) yield the clearest detections and constraints on C/O, emphasizing the need for high-precision near-infrared telluric correction with short integration times.
Spin Parity of Spiral Galaxies. III. Dipole Analysis of the Distribution of SDSS Spirals with 3D Random Walk Simulations
Authors: Iye Masanori , Yagi Masafumi , Fukumoto Hideya
Published: February 2021

Observation has not yet determined whether the distribution of spin vectors of galaxies is truly random. It is unclear whether is there any large-scale symmetry-breaking in the distribution of the vorticity field in the universe. Here, we present a formulation to evaluate the dipole component D
max of the observed spin distribution, whose statistical significance σ

D
can be calibrated by the expected amplitude for 3D random walk (random flight) simulations. We apply this formulation to evaluate the dipole component in the distribution of Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spirals. Shamir published a catalog of spiral galaxies from the SDSS DR8, classifying them with his pattern recognition tool into clockwise and counterclockwise (Z-spiral and S-spiral, respectively). He found significant photometric asymmetry in their distribution. We have confirmed that this sample provides dipole asymmetry up to a level of σ

D
= 4.00. However, we also found that the catalog contains a significant number of multiple entries of the same galaxies. After removing the duplicated entries, the number of samples shrunk considerably to 45%. The actual dipole asymmetry observed for the “cleaned” catalog is quite modest, σ

D
= 0.29. We conclude that SDSS data alone do not support the presence of a large-scale symmetry-breaking in the spin vector distribution of galaxies in the local universe. The data are compatible with a random distribution.
Model-independently Calibrating the Luminosity Correlations of Gamma-Ray Bursts Using Deep Learning
Authors: Tang Li , Li Xin , Lin Hai-Nan , Liu Liang
Published: February 2021

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected at high redshift can be used to trace the Hubble diagram of the universe. However, the distance calibration of GRBs is not as easy as that of SNe Ia. For the calibration method based on the empirical luminosity correlations, there is an underlying assumption that the correlations should be universal over the whole redshift range. In this paper, we investigate the possible redshift dependence of six luminosity correlations with a completely model-independent deep-learning method. We construct a network combining the recurrent neural networks (RNN) and the Bayesian neural networks (BNN), where RNN is used to reconstruct the distance–redshift relation by training the network with the Pantheon compilation, and BNN is used to calculate the uncertainty of the reconstruction. Using the reconstructed distance–redshift relation of Pantheon, we test the redshift dependence of six luminosity correlations by dividing the full GRB sample into two subsamples (low-z and high-z subsamples), and find that only the E

p
 − E

γ
relation has no evidence for redshift dependence. We use the E

p
 − E

γ
relation to calibrate GRBs, and the calibrated GRBs give tight constraints on the flat ΛCDM model, with the best-fitting parameter

Ω

M

=

0.307

−
0.073

+
0.065

.
Modeling Light Curves of Bipolar Core Collapse Supernovae from the Equatorial Plane
Authors: Soker Noam , Kaplan Noa
Published: February 2021

We use the two-components bipolar toy model of core collapse supernova (CCSN) ejecta to fit the rapid decline from maximum luminosity in the light curve of the type IIb CCSN SN 2018gk (ASASSN-18am). In this toy model we use a template light curve from a different CCSN that is similar to SN 2018gk, but that has no rapid drop in its light curve. The bipolar morphology that we model with a polar ejecta and an equatorial ejecta increases the maximum luminosity and causes a steeper decline for an equatorial observer, relative to a similar spherical explosion. The total energy and mass of our toy model for SN 2018gk are

E

SN

=
5
×

10

51

erg

and

M

SN

=
2.7

M

⊙

. This explosion energy is more than what a neutrino driven explosion mechanism can supply, implying that jets exploded SN 2018gk. These energetic jets likely shaped the ejecta to a bipolar morphology, as our toy model requires. We crudely estimate that f ≈ 2%–5% of all CCSNe show this behavior, most being hydrogen deficient (stripped-envelope) CCSNe, as we observe them from the equatorial plane. We estimate the overall fraction of CCSNe that have a pronounced bipolar morphology to be f
bip ≈ 5%–15% of all CCSNe.
Deciphering the 3D Orion Nebula. II. A Low Ionization Region of Multiple Velocity Components Southwest of θ
1 Ori C Confounds Interpretation of Low Velocity Resolution Studies of Temperature, Density, and Abundance
Authors: O’Dell C. R. , Abel N. P. , Ferland G. J.
Published: February 2021

We establish that there are two velocity systems along lines of sight that contribute to the emission-line spectrum of the brightest parts of the Orion Nebula. These overlie the Orion-S embedded molecular cloud southwest of the dominant ionizing star (θ
1 Ori C). Examination of 10 × 10″ samples of high spectral resolution emission-line spectra of this region reveals it to be of low ionization, with velocities and ionization different from the central part of the nebula. These properties jeopardize earlier determinations of abundance and physical conditions since they indicate that this region is much more complex than has been assumed in analyzing earlier spectroscopic studies and argue for use of very high spectral resolution or known simple regions in future studies.
Dynamics and Emission of Wind-powered Afterglows of Gamma-Ray Bursts: Flares, Plateaus, and Steep Decays
Authors: Barkov Maxim V. , Luo Yonggang , Lyutikov Maxim
Published: February 2021

We have developed a model of early X-ray afterglows of gamma-ray bursts originating from the reverse shock (RS) propagating through ultrarelativistic, highly magnetized pulsar-like winds produced by long-lasting central engines. We first performed fluid and magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulations of relativistic double explosions. We demonstrate that even for constant properties of the wind a variety of temporal behaviors can be produced, depending on the energy of the initial explosion and the wind power, the delay time for the switch-on of the wind, and the magnetization of the wind. X-ray emission of the highly magnetized RS occurs in the fast-cooling regime—this ensures high radiative efficiency and allows fast intensity variations. We demonstrate that (i) RS emission naturally produces light curves, showing power-law temporal evolution with various temporal indices; (ii) mild wind power, of the order of ∼1046 erg s−1 (equivalent isotropic), can reproduce the afterglows’ plateau phase; (iii) termination of the wind can produce sudden steep decays; and (iv) short-duration afterglow flares are due to mild variations in the wind luminosity, with small total injected energy.
Cardiovascular Aspects of Coronavirus Disease-2019
Authors: Hasan Refli
Published: February 2021

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2. The disease has become a pandemic since March 11, 2020, with more than 47 million cases and 1 million deaths worldwide. Besides affecting respiratory system, the disease is also affects cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular involvement is hypothesized from direct invasion, inflammation, thrombosis, autoantibody, and imbalance of oxygen supply and demand. Cardiovascular damage from those processes manifests as acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Patients contracting COVID-19 with cardiovascular manifestations should undergo routine examinations and auxiliary examinations such as cardiac biomarkers, cardiac imaging, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and angiography. COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular manifestations are managed with supportive treatment, antivirals, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin. Immunomodulators and convalescent plasma are being investigated recently. Anticoagulant is utilized to manage coagulopathy. Survived COVID-19 patients with history of cardiovascular manifestations should undergo routine follow-up.
The Effect of Environmental Enrichment with Autistic-like Behavior Symptoms on a Rattus norvegicus Model
Authors: Yanis Amel , Yanwirasti Yanwirasti , Amir Nurmiati , Handharyani Ekowati
Published: February 2021

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of environmental enrichment with autistic-like behavior symptoms on a Rattus norvegicus model.
METHODS: The post-test control only group design is used in this study. The study sample is baby of Rattus norvegicus Sprague Dawley strain who were born to cows who gave birth for the 1st time and children from cows who had been injected with valproic acid (VPA) who gave birth for the 1st time. This study has been divided into three groups, namely, negative control, positive control, and intervention: the negative control group; the VPA without enrichment as positive control; and the VPA group with enrichment as intervention group. One-way ANOVA tests were used to data analysis. Data are processed using SPSS version 23.0.
RESULTS: This study showed that the mean of social interaction in the negative control group was 359.11 ± 39.33 s higher than the positive control, namely, 182.00 ± 35.80 s and 244.56 ± 19.06 s for intervention. The mean of repetitive movement in the negative control group was 48.00 ± 9.03 s lower than the positive control, namely, 212.11 ± 41.43 s and intervention 160.00 ± 18.91 s. There has been an influence of environmental enrichment with social interaction and repetitive movements on a Rattus norvegicus model (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that there has been an influence of environmental enrichment with social interaction and repetitive movements on a Rattus norvegicus model.
Avaliação da mobilidade e fatores desencadeantes de quedas em idosos / Assessment of mobility and risk factors for falls among elderly individuals
Authors: Silva Izamara Regina Guedes da , Dias Cláudia Maria Duarte , Silva Tatiane Peniche da , Carvalho Dayara de Nazaré Rosa de , Aguiar Viviane Ferraz Ferreira de , Lima Fernando Conceição de
Published: February 2021

Objetivo: Avaliar a mobilidade funcional, e os fatores de riscos que desencadeiam quedas em idosos atendidos em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde. Método: Estudo descritivo, estudo de campo com abordagem quantitativa, realizado em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde com uma amostra de 197 idosos. Foi utilizado um formulário sobre os aspectos sociais de saúde do idoso, fatores de risco intrínsecos, extrínsecos e comportamentais que desencadeiam as quedas e o teste de mobilidade funcional. Utilizaram-se métodos estatísticos descritivos e inferenciais como teste de D’Agostino-Pearson, Qui-Quadrado(10), teste t de Student e Análise de Variância (ANOVA). Resultados: A maioria dos idosos tinham escolaridade fundamental incompleto (65.5%), casados (45.7%), que residem com filho (54.8%), lazer e televisão (47.2%) e auto percepção da saúde regular (46.7%) e sexo feminino (70.1%). Entre os fatores relacionados a maior probabilidade de risco de queda estão: presença de fratura, luxação e dificuldade para andar, iluminação ruim na residência, utilização de 5 ou mais medicamentos. Conclusão: Percebe-se nos resultados que os idosos têm risco de queda, mas, ainda apresentam uma mobilidade funcional adequada nos idosos mais jovens.
A percepção dos familiares sobre a unidade de internação psiquiátrica em um hospital geral/Perception of family members about the psychiatric hospitalization unit in a general hospital
Authors: Aparecida Buriola Aline , Stefani Torquato da Silva Amanda , Elias de Freitas Ribeiro Jorge , Possa Juliana , Liberati Silingovschi Guilherme , Ângela Zamora Arruda Gregolin Maria , Mori Pires de Camargo Raquel
Published: February 2021

Objetivo: identificar a percepção dos familiares sobre assistência e organização da unidade de internação psiquiátrica em um hospital geral. Método: Pesquisa descritiva exploratória, com abordagem qualitativa, realizada em um hospital geral no interior do Oeste Paulista, junto a 13 familiares de pessoas com transtorno mental. O instrumento de coleta de dados foi um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturado e a análise ocorreu mediante ao referencial metodológico da análise temática de conteúdo proposta por Bardin. Resultados: A partir da análise dos discursos, emergiram duas categorias: a) “Relevância da ambiência e equipe multidisciplinar no tratamento de pessoas com transtornos mentais”, destacando o ambiente físico, o tratamento ministrado pela equipe multidisciplinar e o contato e participação dos familiares durante a internação; e b) “Fragilidades da dinâmica assistencial como suporte nas relações interpessoais”, na qual foram evidenciados os aspectos apontados como ainda frágeis na assistência. Considerações Finais: A percepção familiar foi predominantemente positiva em relação ao serviço oferecido e, mesmo com as fragilidades apontadas, estes sentem-se satisfeitos com o ambiente hospitalar no que tange ao trabalho realizado pela equipe multidisciplinar e o cuidado inclusivo da família na terapêutica.
Demonstration of Autonomic Nervous Function and Cervical Sensorimotor Control After Cervical Lordosis Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moustafa Ibrahim , Youssef Ahmed S.A. , Ahbouch Amal , Harrison Deed
Published: February 2021

Context

Sagittal-plane cervical spine alignment has emerged as one of the most important clinical outcomes in health care. Nevertheless, the quantity and quality of research on the role that cervical sagittal alignment plays in improving sensorimotor and autonomic nervous functions are limited.

Objective

To investigate the immediate and long-term effects of cervical lordosis restoration and correction of anterior head translation (AHT) on pain, disability, autonomic nervous system function, and cervical sensorimotor control in athletes with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Design

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting

University research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 110 patients (59 males, 51 females) with chronic nonspecific neck pain and a defined hypolordotic cervical spine and AHT posture.

Intervention(s)

Patients were randomly assigned to the control or intervention group. Both groups received a multimodal program; the intervention group also received Denneroll cervical traction. Treatments were applied 3 times per week for 10 weeks.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Outcome measures were cervical lordosis from C2 to C7, AHT, neck disability index, pain intensity, smooth-pursuit neck-torsion test, overall stability index, left- and right-rotation head repositioning accuracy, and amplitude and latency of skin sympathetic response. The measures were assessed 3 times: at baseline, after 10 weeks of treatment, and at 1-year follow-up.

Results

The general linear model with repeated measures indicated group × time effects in favor of the intervention group for the following management outcomes: cervical lordosis, AHT, neck disability index, pain intensity, smooth-pursuit neck-torsion test, overall stability index, left- and right-rotation head repositioning accuracy, and amplitude and latency of the skin sympathetic response (P values < .001).

Conclusions

Restoration of cervical sagittal alignment in the athletic population had a direct influence on pain, disability, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and sensorimotor control. Our results should guide treatment planning for athletes and optimize their recovery time.

Trial Registration Number

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04306640
RADARSAT For stereoscopy? The quest for radar stereo pairs for DEM generation
Authors: Toutin T
Published: February 2021

In the 1960's, stereoscopic methods were first applied to radar images to derive ground elevation. Unfortunately, research uncovered contradictions and a dichotomy between error propagation theory and practical results, particularly over high relief areas. This
dichotomy combined with the lack of stereo radar pairs led to the decline of radargrammetry. The launch in 1995 of Canada's first earth observation satellite, RADARSAT with its various operating modes and specific geometric characteristics has turned the tide. We are now able to understand and
resolve this dichotomy, and to define general guidelines for selecting RADARSAT stereo pairs for DEM generation as a function of terrain relief.
Waterfront land use in metropolitan Vancouver, British Columbia.
Authors: Forward C N
Published: February 2021

Waterfront land varies greatly in quality and suitability depending on its use. In metropolitan Vancouver the nature of the site and topography make it a very limited resource. As a basis for planning waterfront land use it was the aim of this study to determine
present use and future demand in terms of the physical qualities of the shoreline zone. Distinctions are made between land that can be served by deep-sea, coastal and small vessel traffic, and land suitable for shipping terminals, manufacturing plants, residences or parks. The forecast of waterfront
land requirements for port facilities is based on an investigation of the nature and growth of commodity trade and of trends in vessel and terminal design.
Most port requirements would appear capable of being met by development of facilities in Burrard Inlet. Certain manufacturing industries are strongly water-oriented and, although there appears to be an ample supply of industrial waterfront land on the Fraser-Pitt river system, there is a danger it
may be occupied by industries that do not use water transportation. Additional marine parkland developed for swimming is an urgent recreational requirement and the Boundary Bay shoreline seems to offer the only suitable zone for such development.
Residential use of waterfront land such as occurs extensively on the north shore of Burrard Inlet and in limited stretches elsewhere, would seem in most cases to merit only a low priority relative to shipping terminal, industrial and recreational uses. Waterfront land could probably be best
developed on a metropolitan basis by an agency entrusted with sufficient power to achieve coordinated planning and control of this resource.
Meconium Peritonitis in Trisomy 21 Masquerading as Hydrops Fetalis
Authors: Ng Pamela Si Min , Edison Priyantha Ebenezer , Laksmi Narasimhan Kannan , Bhatia Ashwani , Arunachalam Sridhar
Published: February 2021

Meconium peritonitis (MP) is a rare etiology for nonimmune hydrops fetalis. We report a neonate delivered at 32 weeks' gestation in the context of antenatally diagnosed hydrops fetalis and first-trimester screening at high risk for Trisomy 21. The postnatal abdominal radiograph was striking for gross ascites, the paucity of bowel gas, and widespread calcifications, suggestive of MP and chromosomal analysis confirmed Trisomy 21. Exploratory laparotomy performed on day 3 of life revealed a large pseudocyst, ileal atresia with ileal perforation. MP masquerading as nonimmune hydrops fetalis in Trisomy 21 with ileal atresia is an extremely rare presentation, seldom reported in the literature.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Ahmedhussain Huda Khalid , Khayyat Waleed W. , Aldhahwani Bashaer M. , Aljuwaybiri Abdullah Omar , Badeeb Nooran Osama , Khan Muhammad Anwar , Al-Qurashi Mansour Abdullah , Almarzouki Hashem S.
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

This study aims to estimate the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and investigate its perinatal and neonatal risk factors in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology:

This was a retrospective cohort study of premature infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit at a tertiary hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January 2016 to December 2017. Participants who met the screening criteria for ROP were included and followed up until spontaneous recovery or laser treatment.

Results:

A total of 119 infants screened, the incidence of ROP was 21.8% (26/119). A plus disease was diagnosed in 15.4% (4/26) of the ROP infants. For most, 80.7% (21/26) of the ROP regressed spontaneously, and 19.2% (5/26) required a laser intervention. The mean gestational age (GA) of infants diagnosed with ROP was 25.62 ± 1.58 weeks and the median birth weight (BW) 750 (interquartile range: 280) g. Lower GA, lower BW, prolonged oxygen therapy, and mechanical ventilation (MV) were significantly related to ROP disease and severity. Requiring resuscitation at birth, a lower Apgar score at 1-min, poor weight gain proportion at 6 weeks, and requiring a blood transfusion were significantly associated with ROP disease.

Conclusion:

Compared to other local studies, the incidence of ROP was lower in our population. Lower GA, low BW, prolonged oxygen therapy and MV, and poor weight gain at 6 weeks are well-documented risk factors. We recommend close monitoring of weight gain and oxygen therapy and modifying risk factors in preterm infants to lower the incidence and the severity of ROP.
Comparison of Perfusion Index and Echocardiographic Parameters in Preterm Infants with Hemodynamically Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Authors: Buyukeren Melek , Yiğit Şule , Aykan Hayrettin Hakan , Karagöz Tevfik , Çelik Hasan Togla , Yurdakök Murat
Published: February 2021

Background/Aim:

The aim of the study was to compare echocardiographic parameters and the perfusion index (PI) and plethysmographic variability index (PVI) values obtained by routine pulse oximetry in the diagnosis of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).

Materials and Methods:

This prospective study was conducted between 2016 and 2017 at the HacettepeUniversity Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The study included premature neonates who had a birth weight below 1500 g. Patients were routinely monitored from the right wrist and right foot using a pulse oximeter (Masimo Radical-7® Pulse CO-Oximetry), and PI and PVI values were recorded. The difference between right-hand and right-leg PI values was calculated as the delta PI (ΔPI). A cardiologist blinded to the results evaluated the presence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with echocardiography on postnatal days 1th, 3rd, and 7th.

Results:

Of the 66 preterm neonates included in the study, 23 had hsPDA. On postnatal day 1, the hsPDA group had a significantly greater ductal diameter, PDA/left pulmonary artery (LPA) ratio, and left ventricle (LA)/aortic (Ao) ratio (P < 0.05). On day 7, the hsPDA group had a significantly higher ductal velocity, PDA/LPA ratio, LA/Ao ratio, antegrade PA and LPA diastolic flow, and LV/Ao ratio (P < 0.05). In hsPDA group, the median ΔPI values were 0.85 (25–75 interquartile range [IQR]; 0.62–1.15) on day 1; 1.03 (25–75 IQR; 0.85–1.26) on day 3; and 0.89 (25–75 IQR; 0.64–1.22) on day 7. The median (25–75 IQR) ΔPI values were higher in the hsPDA group than in the non-hsPDA group on postnatal days 1, 3, and 7 (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). The ΔPI cutoff values for the diagnosis of hsPDA were 0.47 on day 1 (91.3% specificity; 90.5% sensitivity), 0.41 on day 3 (100% specificity; 97.3% sensitivity), and 0.47 on day 7 (90% specificity; 100% sensitivity).

Conclusions:

Our study shows that the difference between PI values (ΔPI) in the right hand and right leg obtained by pulse oximetry has diagnostic value in hsPDA and can assist diagnosis when echocardiography is not available.
Congenital Mandibular Granular Cell Tumor in a Male Neonate
Authors: Rattan Ananta , Rattan Kamal Nain
Published: February 2021

Congenital epulis or granular cell tumors are rare neonatal oral tumors. We report the case scenario of a male neonate presenting with congenital epulis on day 2 of life on the mandibular alveolar ridge. It was successfully treated with surgical resection under general anesthesia. During our wide review of the literature, we could not find a single case reporting a mandibular granular cell tumor in a male neonate.
Tyrosine Hydroxylase-Immunopositive Cells and Melanin in the Mesencephalon of Yugan Black-Bone Fowl
Authors: Chu Meng , Liu Yangquan , Si Yu , Yu Hang , Ye Yaqiong , Zhao Haiquan , Zhang Hui
Published: February 2021

Background:

The Yugan blackbone fowl (YBF) is a special poultry with hyperpigmentation in various organs, including feather. However, the mechanism of hyperpigmentation is limited, and the melanic information of other organs except skin is rare.

Aims and Objectives:

In this study, we attempt to get an insight of the mechanism of melanogenesis of birds.

Materials and Methods:

The mesencephalon of YBF was observed by light microscopy with hematoxylineosin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry.

Results:

The TH immunopositive cells were found in the mesencephalon. Moreover, the melanin was also observed in the connective tissue of the mesencephalon.

Conclusion:

Our results confirmed the existence of melanin andTH immunopositive cells in the mesencephalon of YBF. These results provide a reference for further study on the mechanism of melanogenesis/hyperpigmentation in birds.
Role of Direct Immunofluorescence Microscopy in Spectrum of Diffuse Proliferative Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Jain Sonal , Chauhan Shivangi , Dixit Sonali , Garg Neha , Sharma Sonal
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy is an essential tool for the analysis of glomerular diseases. In this study, we studied the significance of the IF technique together with light microscopy (LM) and clinical details in the diagnosis of different types of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN). We intended to evaluate the spectrum of Diffuse Proliferative Glomerulonephritis (DPGN) in our institute.

Materials and Methods:

We evaluated a total of 95 kidney biopsies received in the past 10 years. All biopsies were scrutinized by LM and IF techniques. Clinical details were documented in a predesigned form.

Results:

The predominant clinical presentation in this study was nephrotic syndrome (49.4%) followed by systemic lupus erythromatosus with suspected renal involvement (24.2%). On microscopy, lupus nephritis (LN) was the most common DPGN in the study (35.7%), followed by immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy (25.2%) and postinfectious GN (PIGN) (16.8%). The majority of patients were in the <30 years age group (72.6%), with the average age of patients being 24.4 years. The dominant deposit on IF in LN was C3 and IgG (100%). A high deposit of IgA (100%) in IgA nephropathy and of IgG and C3 (100%) in membranoproliferative GN was seen. PIGN showed dominant positive staining of IgG (92.8%).

Conclusion:

The predominant clinical presentation was of nephrotic syndrome and on LM LN was the most commonly diagnosed DPGN in this study. Direct IF is vital for classifying DPGN, followed by electron microscopy, which is an essential tool. This article describes a rational evaluation of kidney biopsies with DPGN pattern on LM in a way that guides toward the logical assessment to reach the diagnosis. Using the IF technique and comparing it with LM and clinical details, we evaluated the spectrum DPGN in our center.
Effects of different urodynamic characteristics on therapeutic outcomes of overactive bladder medication in a real-life clinical practice
Authors: Wang Hsiu-Jen , Kuo Hann-Chorng
Published: February 2021

Objective:

This study retrospectively investigated the influence of urodynamic parameters and patient characteristics on success rates among patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and urodynamic detrusor overactivity (DO).

Materials and Methods:

Consecutive patients with OAB and urodynamic DO initially received solifenacin, mirabegron, or combination of both for 1–3 months. If failed, patients were switched to another OAB medication subtype or provided additional OAB medication for a total of 6 months. A successful treatment was defined as an improvement in urgency severity and a global response assessment of ≥1. Success rates after initial or modulated OAB medication were analyzed based on patient and urodynamic characteristics.

Results:

A total of 453 patients were enrolled, among whom 144, 255, and 54 received solifenacin, mirabegron, and combined medications, respectively. Among the patients, 259 (57.2%) had OAB dry and 194 (42.8%) had OAB wet. Patients receiving mirabegron alone had a significantly higher initial medication success rate compared to that of others. Patients with a phasic DO (50.7%), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO, 52.5%), and no central nervous system (CNS) lesions (47.5%) exhibited higher success rates than those with a terminal DO (42.0%), no BOO (42.7%), and CNS lesions (31.6%), respectively. After switching or modulating the initial OAB medication following treatment failure, 115 (62.2%) of 185 patients still showed improvement in OAB symptoms, with an overall success rate of 70.2% after 6 months of treatment.

Conclusion:

Initial solifenacin or mirabegron treatment had a success rate of around 50%. In general, patients with a phasic DO, urodynamic BOO, and no CNS lesions have higher success rates than those with a terminal DO, no BOO, and CNS lesions, respectively. Success rates can further be improved by switching or modulating OAB medication.
Improvised multi-robot cooperation strategy for hunting a dynamic target
Authors: Hamed Oussama , Hamlich Mohamed
Published: February 2021

Hunting moving targets with random motions and behavior is a challenge for robotic systems, and it occupies a significant position in the research on coordination and cooperation in multi-robot systems. Cooperative hunting between robots is used in a wide range of fields such as industry, military, rescue and other fields. The aim of this paper is to present a new strategy for target hunting by means of a cooperative multi-robot system in two-dimensional space, especially moving targets with random and unexpected behavior. The strategy is inspired from the behavior of wolves in hunting and Wolf Swarm Algorithm, as it summarizes the roles of robots in the system in three roles: the leader wolf, the antagonist wolf, and the follower wolf. This diversity of roles contributed to improve the convergence performance of the algorithm and reduce significantly the pursuit time. The validity of this strategy is supported by computer simulations.
K-theory and homotopies of twists on ample groupoids
Authors: Bönicke Christian
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the K-theory of twisted groupoid C*-algebras. It is shown that a homotopy of twists on an ample groupoid satisfying the Baum–Connes conjecture with coefficients gives rise to an isomorphism between the K-theory groups of the respective twisted groupoid C*-algebras. The results are also interpreted in an inverse semigroup setting and applied to generalized Renault–Deaconu groupoids and

P

-graph algebras.