bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of positive socialization and dialogic speech in older preschoolers
Authors: Romanova Maria , Fedorenko Tatiana , Savenkova Tatiana , Ryabova Ekaterina
Published: March 2021

The article deals with the problem of positive socialization of children in the course of dialogic speech development. At the early stages, the effectiveness of the socialization process of the individual largely depends on the development of skills and abilities of oral speech, in particular dialogic speech. The study aimed to develop the content, organization form, personal enhancement methods, and methodology of dialogic speech advancing as a factor of positive socialization of the child’s personality during preschool age. Based on the purpose of the study, a methodology has been developed which proves that the level of positive socialization depends on the development of skills and abilities of dialogic speech. The proposed program and methodology focus not only on the ability to build a dialogue in question-and-answer form but also on the ability of optimal listening (to hear the interlocutor, to make replicas-responses according to what was heard, to change the course of the conversation without deviating from its main topic), as well as etiquette and behavioral skills. During classes on the “Program on positive socialization and development of dialogic speech in older preschool children” developed based on the proposed methodology, along with dialogic speech, children develop important components of emotional intelligence: the ability to adequately express their own emotions; understand the emotions and motives of other people’s behavior; improve the skills of using nonverbal means (facial expressions, gestures, etc.) of communication in the course of dialogue; as well as to enhance the parameters that characterize positive socialization, such as self-esteem, independence, and successfulness. The program has passed an empirical test, which confirmed its effectiveness.
Preschool teachers’ beliefs about child participation and its implementation in practice
Authors: Le-van Tatiana , Iakshina Anna
Published: March 2021

The implementation of the participatory approach in education allows forming important children’s competencies for life in a democratic society. However, in reality, child participation is often reduced. Children, especially young, have the right to make decisions only about their games and personal belongings, but a child’s opinion is not credible in the educational process. A more successful implementation of the participatory approach requires resorting to tools that allow objectively considering its strengths and weaknesses in terms of provisions for child participation in decision-making. The study aims to identify the connection between Russian teachers’ beliefs about child participation and the quality level of provisions for child participation in the educational process. The methods of survey and structured non-participant observation have been used. The authors have found that, in general, the majority of teachers share the idea of supporting child participation. However, the quality of the learning environment in the context of the examined aspect differs significantly. Sociometric characteristics do not determine these differences. Regardless of the quality level of child participation support, teachers do not seek to expand opportunities for children, and the participatory approach is used only in the preschool classroom. The authors have concluded that despite teachers’ stated beliefs about the importance of the participatory approach, its implementation is often falsified. To change the situation, it is necessary to discuss this gap with teachers, clarify true values, and provide them with the necessary means for real child participation.
Educational networks: a key driving force for school development in a time of crisis and change
Authors: O’Hara Joe , Shevlin Patrick , Brown Martin , McNamara Gerry
Published: March 2021

This paper examines the rise of networking in education, paying particular attention to the recent recognition of their importance during the unprecedented challenges that have emerged for schools during the COVID-19 period. The paper begins with an overview of the development of network theory, exploring how the concept has been adopted across a series of disciplines as a mode of organisational and personal development. It is evidentiated that networks are goal driven, rely on good communication, are challenging and seek to provide a way for school communities to uncover and transmit the knowledge that helps them ensure effective teaching and learning. The paper subsequently examines how networking has been adapted for educational settings and has become increasingly seen as a potential answer to many of the challenges facing rapidly changing social and educational contexts. Most notably, networking has a significant impact in the field of organisational leadership. The understanding of leadership as a mode that sees power and authority distributed among school communities as a whole has at its heart an awareness of the necessity to network, communicate and dialogue within schools and, perhaps as importantly, between schools. The paper concludes with a brief introduction to the emerging discourse surrounding the potential of networks to re-imaging educational provision in a Covid-19 context.
Elite education and problems of forming professional elites
Authors: Karabushchenko Pavel , Rekesheva Farida , Podvoisky Leonid
Published: March 2021

The real world is experiencing serious transformational changes associated with the crisis of the globalist (monopolar and multicultural) project and the growth of post-industrial trends. Under these conditions, the role of many professional elite communities is also changing, as well as the emphasis of their assessments and roles in the global social process. Since elites are in every field of professional activity, it is needed to study the phenomenon of the elite from the viewpoint of the community of certain selected groups responsible for forming a response to the challenge of their era. The goal of the present work is to show the role of elite (open and high-quality) university education in the formation of professional qualities of contemporary elite communities. The authors used various methods ranged from dialectics and hermeneutics to comparative studies and semiotics. This set of research methods allowed penetrating the depth of the qualitative parameters of elite communities, as well as giving them a comprehensive assessment. In this regard, a special role is given to the principles of personalism, which reveal the depth of the elite personality and the meaning of their creative process. It is this task, i.e. uncovering the meaning of the work of outstanding personalities that is a new word in the development of modern elitology as the science of elite (as a form) and elitism (as content). The results of the present work concern justification of the need for elite education in the implementation of meritocratic projects and gradual abandoning of the dominance of oligarchic interference in its technological processes. The novelty of this situation lies in the fact that universities have to strengthen their qualitative potential in a transition period from late industrialism to early post-industrialism, which makes its impact on the whole process.
Online education and best practices for the development of a distance education program
Authors: Koptelov Andrey , Turner Stephen
Published: March 2021

This article discusses the benefits and challenges of online teaching and learning and details the process for creating a distance education program from the formation of a development team through the creation, implementation and evaluation of courses. It explores current networking technologies and pedagogical approaches that are combined to create a student experience that is satisfying for the current generation of students. The demand for online learning has rapidly increased over the years, especially with the recent COVID-19 situation around the world. Schools transitioned to online teaching and learning. Teachers adapted to the changes and with the help of technology, created collaborative and engaging online experiences. These experiences will be memorable for students. New skills were learned along the way such as organization, time management, communication, etc. These skills can help students and prepare them for their future. Many studies have focused on the topic of teaching and learning online. This study is aimed to target parents, students, and teachers who are looking into furthering or completing their education online. With the recent events in the world happening with COVID-19, children and teachers had to resort to continue their education online. Many families and teachers struggled with technology while others adapted to the situation quickly. To be prepared for any situation we must inform ourselves about how teaching and learning online happens and how to be successful.
Digital competences in the aspect of sociocultural education
Authors: Zhardemova Madina , Khristidis Tatyana , Karmazina Natalya , Fedorova Svetlana , Yakovleva Ekaterina
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this paper is to examine different social and academic activities related to the development of a digital culture of bachelors and masters of culture and arts. It analyses the achieved results of the research project aimed at the study of educational and pedagogical opportunities and resources for the more effective development of digital competencies of students and graduates in the life-long system of sociocultural education and realized in the Moscow State University of Culture (Khimki, Moscow region), the Petrozavodsk State University (Petrozavods, Republic of Karelia) and in the Ulyanovsk State Agrarian University named after P.A. Stolypin (Ulyanovsk) in 2010-2019. The authors consider digital competences as a core of a digital culture of graduated in arts and culture is a multi-level, complex, interdisciplinary phenomenon, and therefore it needs a comprehensive analysis from the standpoint of several sciences (philosophy, sociology, psychology and pedagogy, etc.). The results of the implementation of educational technologies orientated to values and competences of a digital culture are discussed. The paper focuses on the importance of the educational process orientated on creation of values of digital culture which are significant for the organization of social and cultural activities in the frame of the state policy on digitalization of education and culture.
Social PR campaign in promoting sustainable education within urban environment
Authors: Sergienko Polina , Minyar-Beloroucheva Alla , Vishnyakova Olga , Vishnyakova Elizaveta
Published: March 2021

The article reveals social PR campaign particularities aimed at raising awareness of the citizens in the urban environment. For the first time PR campaigns dealing with the urban environment decoration devoted to commemorative events, environmental protection measures, and social issues are investigated from the position of education for sustainable development. The urban area implies the encouragement of refashioned, renovated, changed, restructured and reconstructed environments necessary for edutainment of the citizens. It means that the analysis of the urban area focuses on the study of themes dealing with history, art, urgent domestic social issues and the problems of the natural environment. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a perfect opportunity to give knowledge in the ‘soft’ way to the citizens, in addition to traditional ‘hard’ education within the urban environment. The methods used during the work on the article are comprehensive. They include observation, analysis, synthesis, description and interview. As a result of the study of the stated issues, the following conclusion was made. Urban area is an ideal platform to arouse the interest of its citizens by means of the thematic adornment of the city that expands their knowledge, makes them more persuasive and thus fosters the improvement of their behaviour. Information perceived laterally is better remembered and stored longer in memory. The citizens become more susceptible to any information offered to them by the officials of the city.
Information culture of a teacher as a factor of the development of the city human resources
Authors: Sotnikova Svetlana , Semenova Yuliya , Zabelina Nadezhda
Published: March 2021

The prerequisite for the study has been the need to develop a model for the formation of information culture for bachelors as future foreign language teachers, taking into account the requirements of the contemporary labor market of pedagogical specialties in the framework of developing the urban human resources potential. The purpose of the research is to study the problem in the context of training qualified humanitarian personnel who can meet professional challenges and be competitive candidates in the educational market of a contemporary city. The article discusses the concept of information culture and describes its functions and structural components. The research methods used include a conversation with teachers and students, a survey of teachers and students on key issues, generalization of experience in organizing work with students in the framework of contact and independent work at school and university, as well as experimental training. The authors describe the model of information culture formation in bachelors specialized in the humanities, the means of information culture formation, and identify the levels of its formedness. The formedness level of a bachelor’s information culture is proposed to be evaluated according to motivational, substantive, professional and technological, and evaluative-performative criteria. The authors cover in detail the content of the information culture forming process of future foreign language teachers. Research results and novelty are presented by the described model of information culture formation in bachelors as future teachers of a foreign language reflected in the special authorial course. The article offers sample topics and control tasks on a developed course. The article may be of interest to specialists in the field of teacher education, e-learning, and the design of information and educational environments in the humanitarian sector of a contemporary city. The proposed model can be used in the system of professional development of foreign language teachers.
European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB): An Update on the Pediatric CEUS Registry on Behalf of the “EFSUMB Pediatric CEUS Registry Working Group”
Authors: Dietrich Christoph F. , Augustiniene Rasa , Batko Tomasz , Cantisani Vito , Cekuolis Andrius , Deganello Annamaria , Dong Yi , Franke Doris , Harkanyi Zoltan , Humphries Paul D. , Jędrzejczyk Maciej , Jüngert Jörg , Kinkel Horst , Koller Orsolya , Kosiak Wojciech , Kunze Christian , Ljutikov Anoushka , Madzik Jaroslaw , Mentzel Hans-Joachim , Piskunowicz Maciej , Rafailidis Vasileios , Schreiber-Dietrich Dagmar , Sellars Maria E. , Stenzel Martin , Taut Heike , Yusuf Gibran T. , Sidhu Paul S.
Published: March 2021

The European Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) created the “EFSUMB Pediatric Registry” (EFSUMB EPR) with the purpose of collecting data regarding the intravenous application of pediatric contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The primary aim was to document the current clinical practice and usefulness of the technique and secondarily to assess CEUS safety in children. We issue the preliminary results of this database and examine the overall practice of CEUS in children in Europe.
Transition of care in a case of obesity with metabolic surgery
Authors: Stroh Christine , Luderer Daniel , Meyer Frank
Published: March 2021

The World Health Summit 2011 confirmed the epidemic-like occurrence of diabetes mellitus and obesity. In Germany, 62.7 % and 21.9 % of the population have a BMI of more than 25 kg/m² and more than 30 kg/m2, respectively. Currently, 10.5 obese people per 100 000 German inhabitants undergo bariatric surgery, while 86 and 114.8 per 100 000 in France and in Sweden, respectively, favor bariatric surgical interventions.

Aim By means of a scientific case report, the instructive case of a young patient with morbid obesity is illustrated based on 1) selective references from the medical literature and 2) insights from the daily clinical practice in the case-specific medical and perioperative management after successful surgery for malformation in his childhood and, thus, the limited therapeutic options of metabolic surgery.

Case report (case-, diagnostic-, and treatment-specific aspects) 35-year-old patient with morbid obesity.

Medical history: Status after surgical intervention for gastroschisis as a newborn (surgery report not available).

Clinical findings: Super obesity characterized by 234 kg and 174 cm (→ BMI: 77.3 kg/m²), hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

Approach & course:

Outcome (early postoperative and mid- to long-term): The patient tolerated the intervention well. Postoperative course was uneventful with regard to mobilization, beginning of oral nutrition, and wound healing; there was a subsequent weight reduction due to a “common channel” of 250 cm.

Conclusion While the increase of obesity prevalence in adults has currently stopped, incidence in children and teenagers is rapidly rising. The consequence might be that children and young adults who have undergone bariatric surgery in childhood and adolescence can develop complications from these former interventions as adults. Therefore, it is reasonable to recommend follow-up investigations within specialized centers according to well-established standards. On the other hand, the increasing prevalence of obesity in childhood leads to the possibility that adults who underwent pediatric surgery because of embryonal malformations may require an appointment with a bariatric surgeon at some point. For these patients (as a representative example of the transition of care phenomenon), the risk of metabolic surgical intervention is increased; such operations require the appropriate knowledge and expertise of the bariatric surgeon on embryonal malformations and their approach by pediatric surgery.
Kongenitale Pulmonalarterienstenosen als seltene Ursache einer pulmonalen Hypertonie
Authors: Kovacs Z. , Guth S. , Fistera D. , Taube C. , Wiedenroth C. B.
Published: March 2021

Kongenitale Pulmonalarterienstenosen sind eine seltene Ursache der pulmonalen Hypertonie (PH). Die Erkrankung wird in ihrer Häufigkeit vermutlich unterschätzt, und sie sollte in der Abklärung einer PH bedacht werden.

Die Vorstellung einer 43-jährigen Patientin erfolgte zur Therapieoptimierung und Evaluation einer möglichen Lungentransplantation mit der Arbeitsdiagnose kongenitale Pulmonalarterienstenosen.

Die Patientin beklagte eine seit der frühen Kindheit bestehende Belastungsdyspnoe aktuell entsprechend WHO-FC-Klasse II–III.

Die Krankengeschichte zeigte die Erstdiagnose einer primären pulmonalarteriellen Hypertonie (IPAH) vor 17 Jahren. Es erfolgte eine PH-spezifische Medikation in wechselnden Kombinationen. Im Rahmen eines Zentrumswechsels erfolgte eine Reevaluation, und bei Nachweis eines typischen Mismatch mit normaler Ventilation, jedoch keilförmig gestörter Perfusion in der Lungenszintigrafie wurde eine chronisch thromboembolische pulmonale Hypertonie (CTEPH) vermutet. Die Pulmonalis-Angiografie zeigte ausschließlich subsegmental gelegene Stenosierungen sowie Gefäßabbrüche mit korrespondierenden Minderperfusionen, passend zu einer CTEPH. Im Rahmen der ersten Intervention erfolgte aufgrund der ungewöhnlichen Morphologie der pulmonalarteriellen Läsionen eine Erweiterung der Diagnostik mittels optischer Kohärenztomografie (OCT). Bei der Patientin fand sich kein endoluminales Material, jedoch eine kräftige Gefäßwand. Damit wurde die Diagnose einer pumonalen Hypertonie bei kongenitalen Pulmonalarterienstenosen mit In-situ-Thrombosierung gestellt.
Pituitary in the Spotlight
Authors: Reincke Martin , Honegger Jürgen
Published: March 2021

The German Society of Endocrinology (DGE) has a long-standing scientific and clinical focus on the pituitary. The pituitary working group ‘Arbeitsgemeinschaft Hypophyse’ is an interdisciplinary special interest group with a focus on advancing diagnosis and treatment of pituitary conditions. On the occasion of the English publication of the S2K clinical guideline Diagnosis and therapy of clinically hormonally inactive pituitary tumors, we present here a series of 12 articles from internationally renowned authors from inside and outside of Germany.
A Unique Subset: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Presenting as Spontaneous CSF Leak of the Anterior Skull Base
Authors: Hong Christopher S. , Kundishora Adam J. , Elsamadicy Aladine A. , Vining Eugenia M. , Manes R. Peter , Omay Sacit Bulent
Published: March 2021

Introduction Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks represent a unique clinical presentation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), lacking classical features of IIH, including severe headaches, papilledema, and markedly elevated opening pressures.

Methods Following a single-institution retrospective review of patients undergoing spontaneous CSF leak repair, we performed a literature review of spontaneous CSF leak in patients previously undiagnosed with IIH, querying PubMed.

Results Our literature review yielded 26 studies, comprising 716 patients. Average age was 51 years with 80.8% female predominance, and average body mass index was 35.5. Presenting symptoms included headaches (32.5%), visual disturbances (4.2%), and a history of meningitis (15.3%). Papilledema occurred in 14.1%. An empty sella was present in 77.7%. Slit ventricles and venous sinus stenosis comprised 7.7 and 31.8%, respectively. CSF leak most commonly originated from the sphenoid sinus (41.1%), cribriform plate (25.4%), and ethmoid skull base (20.4%). Preoperative opening pressures were normal at 22.4 cm H2O and elevated postoperatively to 30.8 cm H2O. 19.1% of patients underwent shunt placement. CSF leak recurred after repair in 10.5% of patients, 78.6% involving the initial site. A total of 85.7% of these patients were managed with repeat surgical intervention, and 23.2% underwent a shunting procedure.

Conclusion Spontaneous CSF leaks represent a distinct variant of IIH, distinguished by decreased prevalence of headaches, lack of visual deficits, and normal opening pressures. Delayed measurement of opening pressure after leak repair may be helpful to diagnose IIH. Permanent CSF diversion may be indicated in patients exhibiting significantly elevated opening pressures postoperatively, refractory symptoms of IIH, or recurrent CSF leak.
Endoscope-Assisted Neuroportal Transcerebellar Approach to the Fourth Ventricle: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Piloni Martina , Gagliardi Filippo , Bailo Michele , Barzaghi Lina R. , Caputy Anthony J. , Mortini Pietro
Published: March 2021

Background and Study Aims Minimally invasive approaches to deep-seated lesions still represent a fundamental issue in modern neurosurgery. Tubular retractors allow to enhance the operability of intraventricular lesions, minimizing the risk of damages to brain parenchyma. Increasing interest for portal devices has been mainly focused on supratentorial pathologies, while transportal approaches in the posterior cranial fossa have been rarely described. In the present study, the authors aimed to investigate the surgical exposure and operability obtained with a microsurgical neuroportal transcerebellar approach targeting the fourth ventricle, assisted by endoscopic exploration.

Material and Methods Six cadaveric specimens were provided for anatomical microsurgical dissection and Vycor ViewSite Brain Access System was used as tubular retractor. Surgical feasibility of the neuroportal transcerebellar approach was demonstrated through a definable and measurable parameter, the operability score.

Results The neuroport provided a surgical corridor away from eloquent structures to target the whole fourth ventricle cavity, preventing injury to cerebellar nuclei and white matter pathways and, potentially, minimizing the risk of surgical morbidity. Maximal operability was reached in the pontomedullary junction and medullary area of the ventricular floor. Transportal endoscopic assistance contributed to a further extension of surgical exposure in blind spots, corresponding to the ipsilateral lateral recess, the uppermost part of the fourth ventricle, and the obex.

Conclusion The neuroportal transcerebellar approach represents a viable alternative route to the fourth ventricle, avoiding vermian splitting or subarachnoid dissection of the cerebellomedullary cistern. Endoscopic assistance enhances the exposure of the surgical field and accomplishes a valid instrument for intraventricular orientation to ease microsurgical procedures.
Use of Radiofrequency Technology in Endonasal Skull Base and Transcranial Procedures
Authors: Tish Shahed , Habboub Ghaith , Borghei-Razavi Hamid , Woodard Troy D. , Sindwani Raj , Kshettry Varun R. , Recinos Pablo F.
Published: March 2021

Objective Radiofrequency ablation is widely utilized in otorhinolaryngology. It is used for ablation, coagulation and resection, and hemostasis. It causes tissue destruction through a chemical interaction of ions. The potential benefit is to cause less thermal injury to surrounding tissues compared with other coagulative tools. In this article, we present novel uses of radiofrequency ablation in endoscopic endonasal, and transcranial surgery. This is the first study to describe its use in transcranial cases.

Design, Setting, and Participants This is a retrospective study of patients between 2016 and 2018 who underwent either endoscopic endonasal or transcranial surgery where radiofrequency ablation was used.

Main Outcome Measures We looked at indication for usage, blood loss, postoperative imaging to identify any stroke or edema, and clinical outcomes of these patients.

Results The radiofrequency device was used in eight endoscopic endonasal cases and four craniotomies. Four cases were for encephalocele repair and eight were for various intracranial pathologies. In endonasal encephalocele repair, the radiofrequency ablation helped in shrinking the herniated brain while minimizing thermal injury to the surrounding tissue. In tumors resection, the combination of ablation and coagulation effect was particularly effective for highly vascularized tumors. There were no vascular or major neurologic injuries. Postoperative periencephalocele edema was noted in one case.

Conclusion Initial experience with radiofrequency ablation showed that it was a safe technique to use in both endonasal skull-base and transcranial procedures. It seemed particularly useful for highly vascularized tumors but a greater experience is needed to further clarify its role in these procedures.
Assessing Toxicity in Drug Trials in Liver Disease
Authors: Sherman Morris
Published: March 2021

Since the early trials in viral hepatitis, more and more new drugs are being tested for use in various liver diseases. Since drug hepatotoxicity is a major cause of drugs under investigation not making it to market, the assessment of drug-induced liver injury in clinical trials of new drugs is crucial. This review will focus on the systems that are used to assess drug-induced liver injury in clinical trials and will discuss how some of these criteria are inappropriate or inaccurate in this function together with suggestions for improvement.
Impact of an Evidence-Based Antibiotic Protocol on Common Gram-Negative Bacteria's Antibiotic Resistance in a Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Singh Sarvesh Pal , Yagani Seshagiribabu , TP Shamsiya , Pandey Shivam , Sahu Manoj Kumar , Dhatterwal Ummed Singh ,   Parul
Published: March 2021

Background Based on the analysis of infections and antibiotic usage in the years 2013 and 2014, an evidence-based antibiotic protocol was developed and implemented in our cardiac surgical intensive care unit (CSICU). This study intends to study the impact of this new protocol on the sensitivity profiles of common gram-negative bacteria in our CSICU.

Methods The medical records of patients who underwent cardiac surgery at our center, between January 2017 and December 2018, were reviewed and the incidence of different hospital-acquired bacteria and their antibiotic sensitivity profiles were recorded. The antibiotic-sensitivity profiles of common gram-negative bacteria, for the years 2017 and 2018, were compared with the published data of 2013 and 2014 from our department.

Results There was a significant decrease in the incidence of Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems during 2017 and 2018. The incidence of colistin-resistant A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa also decreased significantly in 2017 and 2018. A significant increase in the proportion of amikacin resistant A. baumannii and E. coli and A. baumannii resistant to B lactam/B lactamase inhibitors also occurred.

Conclusion Antibiotic stewardship can reverse the antibiotic resistance of common gram-negative bacteria in the ICU.
Tracheostomy in Postoperative Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patients—The Earlier, the Better
Authors: Bipin Chalattil , Sahu Manoj K. , Singh Sarvesh P. , Devagourou Velayoudam , Rajashekar Palleti , Hote Milind P. , Talwar Sachin , Choudhary Shiv K.
Published: March 2021

Objectives This study was aimed to assess the benefits of early tracheostomy (ET) compared with late tracheostomy (LT) on postoperative outcomes in pediatric cardiac surgical patients.

Design Present one is a prospective, observational study.

Setting The study was conducted at a cardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital.

Participants All pediatric patients below 10 years of age, who underwent tracheostomy after cardiac surgery from January2019 to december2019, were subdivided into two groups according to the timing of tracheostomy: “early” if done before 7 days or “late” if done after 7 days postcardiac surgery.

Interventions ET versus LT was measured in the study.

Results Out of all 1,084 pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery over the study period, 41 (3.7%) received tracheostomy. Sixteen (39%) patients underwent ET and 25 (61%) underwent LT. ET had advantages by having reduced risk associations with the following variables: preoperative hospital stay (p = 0.0016), sepsis (p = 0.03), high risk surgery (p = 0.04), postoperative sepsis (p = 0.001), C-reactive protein (p = 0.04), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP; p = 0.006), antibiotic escalation (p = 0.006), and antifungal therapy (p = 0.01) requirement. Furthermore, ET was associated with lesser duration of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.0027), length of ICU stay (LOICUS; p = 0.01), length of hospital stay (LOHS; p = 0.001), lesser days of feed interruption (p = 0.0017), and tracheostomy tube change (p = 0.02). ET group of children, who had higher total ventilation-free days (p = 0.02), were decannulated earlier (p = 0.03) and discharged earlier (p = 0.0089).

Conclusion ET had significant benefits in reduction of postoperative morbidities with overall shorter mechanical ventilation, LOICUS, and LOHS, better nutrition supplementation, lesser infection, etc. These benefits may promote faster patient convalescence and rehabilitation with reduced hospital costs.
Gut–Liver Axis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: the Impact of the Metagenome, End Products, and the Epithelial and Vascular Barriers
Authors: Gil-Gómez Antonio , Brescia Paola , Rescigno Maria , Romero-Gómez Manuel
Published: March 2021

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a systemic, dynamic, heterogeneous, and multiaxis entity, the pathogenesis of which is still uncertain. The gut–liver axis is regulated and stabilized by a complex network encompassing a metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine cross-talk between the gut, the microbiota, and the liver. Changes in the gut–liver axis affect the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates in the hepatocytes, and they impact the balance of inflammatory mediators and cause metabolic deregulation, promoting NAFLD and its progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Moreover, the microbiota and its metabolites can play direct and indirect roles in gut barrier function and fibrosis development. In this review, we will highlight findings from the recent literature focusing on the gut–liver axis and its relation to NAFLD. Finally, we will discuss the impact of technical issues, design bias, and other limitations on current knowledge of the gut microbiota in the context of NAFLD.
“The rebirth of the West begins with you!”—Self-improvement as radicalisation on 4chan
Authors: Elley Ben
Published: March 2021

Among the discussion threads devoted to racism, conspiracies, and fascist dogma on 4chan’s notorious ‘Politically Incorrect’ board, there is also a small but significant number of posts on the topic of far-right self-improvement. These posts speak in a style that blends the language of self-help and fitness with far-right propaganda and conspiracies, and are designed to turn the movement from aimless online ‘shitposters’ into survivalists and soldiers. This article describes the unique form of self-improvement advice known on 4chan as the ‘iron pill,’ and considers the role that self-improvement plays in radicalisation among the far right online. It addresses how this plays into the history of fascism, looking in particular at the concept of the ‘New Man’ in Italian fascism, and discusses how a political narrative of conspiracy and resistance to imagined tyranny is used to motivate self-improvement, and how this in turn builds and cements radicalisation.
AV futures or futures with AVs? Bridging sociotechnical imaginaries and a multi-level perspective of autonomous vehicle visualisations in praxis
Authors: Martin Robert
Published: March 2021

Current depictions of autonomous vehicle (AV) futures are produced primarily by automobile manufacturers that largely reflect and reinforce existing sociotechnical systems in a ‘business as usual’ model that frames this technology within a narrative of crisis and technological salvation. This article argues for a more complex analysis of AV futures in which images are understood as vessels for sociotechnical imaginaries that direct and delimit what we think is possible in the future. Through an analytical framework incorporating automobility, transitions, and imaginaries, I explore how depictions of AVs frame the technology as responding to various system pressures over time through a comparative analysis of two actors. The analysis suggests that regime actors deploy visual discursive material as a tool of regime stability or change to benefit their own agendas. The intention of the article is not to anticipate current trajectories but is a methodological exploration of how policymakers and planners can interpret AV visualisations. Therefore, the paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these imaginaries for future transportation systems. It further suggests that policymakers and planners need to take a more active role in the development of AV futures by paying much more attention to the latent meanings behind AV visualisations and working collaboratively with those who produce them.
Enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of molybdenum disulfide
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: March 2021

Modulation of the electronic structure improves performance of MoS 2 — an inexpensive, Earth-abundant alternative to platinum — as an electrocatalyst.
Two co-existing turbulent regimes discovered in magnetically confined plasma
Authors: Frank Jodi Ackerman
Published: March 2021

Transition between two turbulent regimes depends on radial position when electrostatic bias is used to suppress bursts.
Ground state of the polaron hydrogenic atom in a strong magnetic field
Authors: Ghanta Rohan
Published: March 2021

The ground-state electron density of a polaron bound to a Coulomb potential in a homogeneous magnetic field—the transverse coordinates integrated out—converges pointwise and weakly in the strong magnetic field limit to the square of a hyperbolic secant function.
Classification of solutions for self-dual Chern–Simons CP(1) model
Authors: Chern Jann-Long , Chen Zhi-You , Shen Hung-Ying
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we consider the nonlinear equation arising from the Chern–Simons theory of planar matter fields interacting with the Chern–Simons gauge field in a CP(1) invariant fashion. Then, we establish the sharp region of flux for non-topological solutions and prove the classification of solutions of all types in the case of one vortex point. Moreover, we also give the complete result of Theorem 1.3 in the work by Choe et al. [J. Differ. Equations, 255, 2136 (2013)] from Theorem 1.4(ii) as follows.
A robust edge-based template matching algorithm for displacement measurement of compliant mechanisms under scanning electron microscope
Authors: Lu Yihua , Zhang Xianmin , Pang Shuiquan , Li Hai , Zhu Benliang
Published: March 2021

This paper develops a robust edge-based template matching algorithm for displacement measurement of compliant mechanisms under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The algorithm consists of three steps. First, the Sobel gradient operator and a self-adaptive segment strategy are used to establish the shape model in which the gradient directions of the object’s edge points are calculated. Second, a similarity criterion based on image gradients that is robust to illumination change and image noise is utilized for template matching to obtain the coarse results. The third step is to refine the matching results by using an orientation-guided subpixel interpolation strategy. A series of simulations is conducted, and the results show that the proposed algorithm enjoys great robustness against strong image noise and gray-value fluctuation, as well as small rotations and background interferences, and thus is suitable for processing SEM images of compliant mechanisms. Finally, the application of the proposed algorithm in the measurement of the spring constant of the flexure hinges with a straight beam form under a SEM is demonstrated.
Electrodynamics in flat spacetime of six dimensions
Authors: Yaremko Yurij
Published: March 2021

This paper considers the dynamics of a classical charge in flat spacetime of six dimensions. The mass-shell relation of a free charge allows nonlinear oscillations. Having analyzed the problem of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the Faraday tensor, we established the algebraic structure of the electromagnetic field in 6D. The classification scheme based on three field invariants is thoroughly elaborated. Using the basic algebraic properties of the electromagnetic field tensor, we examine the motion of a charge in a constant electromagnetic field. Its world line is a combination of hyperbolic and circular orbits that lie in three mutually orthogonal sheets of two dimensions. Within the braneworld scenario, we project the theory on the de Sitter space of four dimensions. As it turns out, spins of elementary particles themselves are manifestations of extra dimensions.
Investigating the explosion process of nine-point exploding foil bridge
Authors: Li Jiao , Jiao Qingjie , Chu Enyi , Chen Jianhua , Wu Shenjiang , Wang Jia , Cheng Junxia , Wang Jiangxu , Wang Xinmei
Published: March 2021

The exploding foil initiator has been developed to satisfy the requirements of modern high-performance artillery and aerospace technologies with respect to speed, consistency, and safety. This study examines the explosive process of the nine-point exploding foil bridge through simulations and experiments. The factors affecting the detonation-related performance, such as the firing circuit, detonation mode, bridge foil shapes, and output charge are analyzed and discussed. The results could provide theoretical guidance and numerical support for practical application and testing.
Luminescence based temperature bio-imaging: Status, challenges, and perspectives
Authors: Bednarkiewicz A. , Drabik J. , Trejgis K. , Jaque D. , Ximendes E. , Marciniak L.
Published: March 2021

The only way to get thermal images of living organisms without perturbing them is to use luminescent probes with temperature-dependent spectral properties. The acquisition of such thermal images becomes essential to distinguish various states of cells, to monitor thermogenesis, to study cellular activity, and to control hyperthermia therapy. Current efforts are focused on the development and optimization of luminescent reporters such as small molecules, proteins, quantum dots, and lanthanide-doped nanoparticles. However, much less attention is devoted to the methods and technologies that are required to image temperature distribution at both in vitro or in vivo levels. Indeed, rare examples can be found in the scientific literature showing technologies and materials capable of providing reliable 2D thermal images of living organisms. In this review article, examples of 2D luminescence thermometry are presented alongside new possibilities and directions that should be followed to achieve the required level of simplicity and reliability that ensure their future implementation at the clinical level. This review will inspire specialists in chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, and engineering to collaborate with materials scientists to jointly develop novel more accurate temperature probes and enable mapping of temperature with simplified technical means.
Characteristics of self-oscillating twin jets
Authors: Mosavati M. , Balachandar R. , Barron R. M.
Published: March 2021

This study is focused on the behavior of self-oscillating twin jets emanating from round and square cross section nozzles into a narrow cavity. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are carried out in a confined rectangular cavity using the Reynolds stress turbulence model. Flow field characteristics are evaluated at nozzle spacing-to-diameter ratios (S/d) of 2, 3, 4, 5, at a jet Reynolds number of 27 000 based on nozzle exit velocity and diameter (d). Effects of nozzle spacing on the frequency of oscillation, mean velocity, vortex structure, and turbulence features are examined. For S/d up to four, the two jets merge downstream and oscillate as an equivalent single jet. At larger spacing, the two jets do not merge but oscillate separately between the sidewalls and cavity centerline. Comparison of round and square twin jets demonstrates that the nozzle shape does not significantly affect the jet decay. The turbulence intensity of twin jets shows higher values at the center of the cavity for S/d < 5 and around the centerline of each jet for S/d = 5. With increasing nozzle spacing, the Reynolds shear stress demonstrates that mixing increases in the inner shear layer region and the Reynolds shear stress values for S/d < 5 are lower than for S/d = 5. Twin oscillating jets produce higher spread and turbulence intensity over a wider area which may be beneficial for cooling of hot devices in industrial applications.
Diffusion-induced regular and chaotic patterns in a ratio-dependent predator–prey model with fear factor and prey refuge
Authors: Chakraborty Bhaskar , Baek Hunki , Bairagi Nandadulal
Published: March 2021

Population distribution of interacting species in a large scale natural system is heterogeneous and subject to change for various reasons. Here, we explore how behavioral modification in prey species due to fear of predator and mutual interference between predators can create different spatiotemporal patterns in population distribution. We show that the fear factor and diffusion in a ratio-dependent predator–prey model may show more complex dynamics than observed earlier. It is shown that when prey diffusivity is low, prey remains concentrated at different patches throughout the domain. However, prey density becomes low at the patches as they disperse at a higher rate. Mixed and stripe patterns are observed during the transition from a hot spot pattern at the lower prey diffusivity to a cold spot pattern at its higher value. Pattern transition is, however, completely opposite if the antipredator behavior is gradually increased. Our simulation results reveal that the spatiotemporal chaotic pattern may also be observed in the Hopf–Turing region of instability provided prey shows a higher level of antipredator behavior. The chaotic pattern of the Hopf–Turing region may be shifted to a spot type pattern of the Turing region depending on the refuge level of the habitat.
Ekman boundary layers in a fluid filled precessing cylinder
Authors: Pizzi F. , Giesecke A. , Stefani F.
Published: March 2021

The fluid flow in a precessing cylinder is investigated numerically with focus on the Ekman boundary layers in the strongly forced regime. Not surprisingly, in that regime, we find deviations from the linear theory due to significant modifications of the base flow in terms of an axisymmetric geostrophic mode whose rotation is opposite to that of the container. The transition of the bulk flow from a three-dimensional non-axisymmetric base flow to a geostrophic axisymmetric pattern is reflected in the scaling of both the sidewall boundary layers and the Ekman boundary layers on top and bottom of the cylinder. In our simulations, the Ekman layers surpass the threshold of the first instability (class A) and show an increase in the thickness together with a marked vertical flow advection inside the boundary layer in a limited range of the forcing magnitude. However, due to numerical restrictions in our simulations, which limit the range of achievable Ekman numbers, no developed boundary layer turbulence is found. An estimation by extrapolation shows that, for this purpose, Ekman numbers smaller by a factor of two have to be achieved.
Numerical validation and physical explanation of the universal force theory of three-dimensional steady viscous and compressible flow
Authors: Zou Shufan , Liu Luoqin , Wu Jiezhi
Published: March 2021

In a recent paper, Liu et al. [“Lift and drag in three-dimensional steady viscous and compressible flow”, Phys. Fluids 29, 116105 (2017)] obtained a universal theory for the aerodynamic force on a body in three-dimensional steady flow, effective from incompressible all the way to supersonic regimes. In this theory, the total aerodynamic force can be determined solely with the vorticity distribution on a single wake plane locating in the steady linear far field. Despite the vital importance of this result, its validity and performance in practice has not been investigated yet. In this paper, we performed Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations of subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flows over a three-dimensional wing. The aerodynamic forces obtained from the universal force theory are compared with those from the standard wall-stress integrals. The agreement between these two formulas confirms for the first time the validity of the theory in three-dimensional steady viscous and compressible flow. The good performance of the universal formula is mainly due to the fact that the turbulent viscosity in the wake is much larger than the molecular viscosity therein, which can reduce significantly the distance of the steady linear far field from the body. To further confirm the correctness of the theory, comparisons are made for the flow structures on the wake plane obtained from the analytical results and numerical simulations. The underlying physics relevant to the universality of the theory is explained by identifying different sources of vorticity in the wake.