bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Penerapan Metode Small Group Discussion untuk Meningkatkan Keaktifan Mahasiswa Bimbingan dan Konseling STKIP Bima
Authors: Mutahidah Ulfatul , Muhamadiah Muhamadiah
Published: October 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menerapkan small grup discussion untuk meningkatkan keaktifan mahasiswa Bimbingan dan Konseling pada mata kuliah konseling lintas budaya. Keaktifan dalam penelitian ini yaitu keaktifan dalam bertanya, menjawab pertanyaan, berdiskusi dan presentasi, serta menyampaikan refleksi diri. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kualitatif. Metode ini bersifat deskriptif, menggunakan analisis, mengacu pada data, dan memanfaatkan teori yang ada sebagai bahan pendukung. Peneliti melakukan analisis dengan pengamatan proses edukasi dan melakukan wawancara dengan mahasiswa Bimbingan dan Konseling STKIP Bima, untuk mendapatkan informasi terkait keefektifan metode Small Group Discussion. Sementara pendekatan penelitian menggunakan deskriptif kualitatif. Dalam penelitian ini populasi terdiri dari seluruh mahasiswa Kelas A semester 2 Bimbingan dan Konseling di STKIP Bima yang berjumlah 32 siswa.Teknik pengumpulan data yaitu observasi dan wawancara. Berdasarkan deskripsi data yang telah penulis paparkan dari data – data obsrvasi dan wawancara dengam mahasiswa bimbingan dan konseling stkip bima, dapat dianalisis bahwa metode Small group discussion dapat menumbuhkan pemahaman mahasiswa tentang materi yang terdapat dalam mata kuliah konseling lintas budaya tersebut dengan tujuan mahasiswa mampu memecahkan masalah dengan berkelompok secara demokratis, sehingga mempunyai kecakapan yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan yaitu mengenai pemahaman materi perkuliahan dan dapat mengamalkannya dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Selain itu mahasiswa dapat bertukar pikiran dengan teman sekelompoknya dan adanya saling menghargai satu sama lain dalam memberikan suatu pendapat mengenai persoalan atau permasalahan yang ada.
GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL, TELAAH TERHADAP KARAKTERISTIK KEPEMIMPINAN BIMA “MANGGUSU WARU” PADA MADRASAH ALIYAH NEGERI 2 KOTA BIMA
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad , INDRAJAYANTI MEI
Published: October 2021

The styles or ways of school principals in encouraging the creation of work discipline, work motivation, and the responsibility of teachers for their work are very diverse, one of which is the leadership style of the manggusu waru based school, this study aims to find out how the characteristics of the manggusu waru leadership style in Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 2 Kota Bima. Descriptive qualitative research methods with interview, observation and documentation data sources. The results of the study showed that the eight characteristics of waru manggusu values were set forth in the school restrat and the standard operating procedures for all school staff were inputed on the values of waru manggusu, so that their characters shaped the personality of employees and teachers in Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 2 Kota Bima.
PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN 5E UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KETERAMPILAN PROSES SAINS DAN SIKAP ILMIAH SISWA KELAS VIII SMP NEGRI 6 KOTA BIMA
Authors: Rahmah Yuri Yuri , Azmin Nikman , Nasir Muh
Published: October 2021

Model pembelajaran 5E terdiri dari lima fase, yaitu engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration/extension, dan evaluation. Model pembelajaran 5E adalah memberi kesempatan pada peserta didik untuk menemukan sendiri, menerapkan, dan menggunakan cara-cara belajar yang sesuai. Peserta didik harus membangun pengetahuannya secara individual di dalam pikirannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peningkatan keterampilan proses sains siswa melalui penggunaan model pembelajaran 5E dalam pembelajaran IPA terpadu di kelas VIII SMP Negeri 6 Kota Bima. Jenis Penelitian yang digunakan adalah PTK. Desain penelitian ini dilaksanakan melalui dua tahap yaitu tahap siklus I dan tahap siklus II dengan tahapan-tahapan yaitu perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan observasi, evaluasi dan refleksi. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di SMP Negeri 6 Kota Bima dan dilaksanakan selama 2 bulan. Subjek dalam penelitian ini siswa kelas VIII SMP Negeri 6 Kota Bima yang berjumlah 29 orang. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu berbentuk soal essay dan lembar observasi. Tehnik analisis data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan rumus N-Gain dan rumus ketuntasan. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dan pembahasan dapat ditarik kesimpulan bahwa; Penggunaan model pembelajaran 5E dapat meningkatkan keterampilan proses sains dan sikap ilmiah dalam pembelajaran IPA terpadu tentang Sistem Gerak Pada Manusia. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian bahwa nilai rata-rata pos tes pada siklus I 69,3 atau masih di bawah 80% (belum tuntas), maka penelitian dilanjutkan ke tahap siklus II yaitu sebesar 81,7 sudah diatas 80%(sudah tuntas). Ada peningkatan dan keaktifan siswa kelas VIII D pada mata pelajaran IPA terpadu tentang Sistem Gerak Pada Manusia
Cover Note: Communicating Climate Risk Toolkit
Authors: Walton Jo Lindsay , Levontin Polina
Published: October 2021

The Communicating Climate Risk Toolkit (‘the Toolkit’), from the COP26 Universities Network (COP26 UN) and the Analysis under Uncertainty for Decision Makers network (AU4DM), seeks to narrow the gap between climate science and climate action, by providing insights, recommendations, and practical tools to support dialogue between scientists, decision-makers, and diverse stakeholders and communities. The Toolkit also endeavours to identify open problems and pose questions for further study and debate. The Toolkit builds on previous work by AU4DM and partly emerges from conversations at and around the COP26 Universities Network Climate Risk Summit, in September 2021, as well as survey questions shared with its participants.
COP26 Futures We Want - UK Country Profile
Authors: Aines Ethan , Clulow Zeynep , Neilson Alasdair , Shuckburgh Emily , Evans Steve
Published: October 2021

This regional profile for the UK was developed in the context of the BEIS COP26 Futures We Want project. It has been developed with input from in-country academic experts Dr Emily Shuckburgh (University of Cambridge, UK) and Professor Steve Evans (University of Cambridge, UK). It sets out a synthesis of the available evidence base on regional challenges and opportunities for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience measures for India associated with climate change and a global transition to an inclusive, desirable, and resilient net-zero future.
Characterization of Natural and Synthetic Sialoglycans Targeting the Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase of Mumps Virus
Authors: Forgione Rosa Ester , Di Carluccio Cristina , Milanesi Francesco , Kubota Marie , Fabregat Nieto Ferran , Molinaro Antonio , Hashiguchi Takao , Francesconi Oscar , Marchetti Roberta , Silipo Alba
Published: October 2021

The inhibition of surface viral glycoproteins offers great potential to hamper the attachment of viruses to the host cells surface and the spreading of viral infection. Mumps virus (MuV) is the etiological agent of the mumps infectious disease and causes a wide spectrum of mild to severe symptoms due to the inflammation of the salivary glands. Here we focus our attention on the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) isolated from MuV SBL-1 strain. We describe the molecular features of host sialoglycans recognition by HN protein by means of NMR, fluorescence assays and computational studies. Furthermore, we also describe the synthesis of a N-acetylneuraminic acid-derived thiotrisaccharide targeting the viral protein, and the corresponding 3D-complex. Our results provide the basis to improve the design and synthesis of potent viral hemagglutinin-neuraminidase inhibitors.
Impaired Relaxation and Reduced Lusitropic Reserve in Atrial Myocardium in the Obese Patients
Authors: Wen Yan , Deißler Peter M. , Primeßnig Uwe , Dushe Simon , Falk Volkmar , Parwani Abdul Shokor , Boldt Leif-Hendrik , Blaschke Florian , Knosalla Christoph , Grubitzsch Herko , Pieske Burkert M. , Heinzel Frank R.
Published: October 2021

Background: Obesity can influence the structure and function of the atrium, but most studies focused on the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and overt left atrium (LA) dysfunction as assessed by clinical imaging. We combined the assessment of right atrium (RA) function in vivo and in vitro in obese and non-obese patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery.

Methods: Atrial structure and function were quantified pre-operatively by echocardiography. RA tissue removed for the establishment of extracorporeal support was collected and RA trabeculae function was quantified in vitro at baseline and with adrenergic stimulation (isoproterenol). Fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) was quantified in RA tissue. Results were stratified according to the BMI of the patients.

Results: About 76 patients were included pre-operatively for the echocardiographic analysis. RA trabeculae function at baseline was finally quantified from 46 patients and RA function in 28 patients was also assessed with isoproterenol. There was no significant correlation between BMI and the parameters of atrial function measured by the clinical echocardiography. However, in vitro measurements revealed a significant correlation between BMI and a prolonged relaxation of the atrial myocardium at baseline, which persisted after controlling for the atrial fibrillation and diabetes by the partial correlation analysis. Acceleration of relaxation with isoproterenol was significantly lower in the obese group (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). As a result, relaxation with adrenergic stimulation in the obese group remained significantly higher compared to the overweight group (25 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2, p = 0.027) and normal group (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2, p = 0.036). There were no differences on impacts of the isoproterenol on (systolic) developed force between groups. The expression of FABP3 in the obese group was significantly higher compared to the normal group (p = 0.049) and the correlation analysis showed the significant correlations between the level of FABP3 in the RA trabeculae function.

Conclusion: A higher BMI is associated with the early subclinical changes of RA myocardial function with the slowed relaxation and reduced adrenergic lusitropy.
Response of Abundance and Distribution of Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas) to Short-Lived Eddies in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean From April to June 2017
Authors: Fang Xingnan , Yu Wei , Chen Xinjun , Zhang Yang
Published: October 2021

In this study, the eddy characteristics on the fishing ground of the Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean were detected based on geometrical characteristics with the flow field during April–June 2017. The influence of the eddies on the biophysical environment, D. gigas abundance, and habitat distribution were explored. The habitat was identified by fishery data, sea surface temperature (SST), vertical water temperature, and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a). Results indicated that the eddy lifetime was relatively short, with only three eddies persisting for more than 2 weeks. The number of eddies in each month showed a similar variability trend with the monthly average catch per unit effort (CPUE) of D. gigas. Two eddies were taken with a lifetime of above 2 weeks, which revealed that the environmental conditions around the eddies significantly changed. When the eddy persisted for 8–10 days, SST and vertical temperature gradually decreased, but Chl-a significantly increased. The habitat quality of D. gigas gradually increased, and the gravity center of the fishing ground was consistent with eddy movement. The eddy-induced Ekman pumping led to the transportation of deep waters with rich nutrients into the euphotic layer, promoted the reproduction of bait organisms, and yielded favorable water temperature conditions for D. gigas. These environmental changes aided the formation of high-quality habitats, which increase D. gigas abundance and catch and drive the shift of the gravity centers of fishing grounds with the eddy. Our findings suggested that eddy activities have significant impacts on D. gigas abundance and habitat distribution.
Characterization and Comparison of Intestinal Bacterial Microbiomes of Euschistus heros and Piezodorus guildinii Collected in Brazil and the United States
Authors: Moro Matheus Sartori , Wu Xing , Wei Wei , Mendes Lucas William , Allen Kerry Clint , Pinheiro José Baldin , Clough Steven J. , Zucchi Maria Imaculada
Published: October 2021

Background: Herbivorous insects are one of the main biological threats to crops. One such group of insects, stink bugs, do not eat large amounts of tissue when feeding on soybean, but are damaging to the quality of the seed yield as they feed on green developing seeds leading to poorly marketable harvests. In addition to causing physical damage during sucking-feeding activities, the insects can also transmit microbial pathogens, leading to even greater yield loss. Conducting surveys of the insect intestinal microbiome can help identify possible pathogens, as well as detail what healthy stink bug digestive systems have in common.

Methods: We used the conserved V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial microbiome of the red-banded stink bug Piezodorus guildinii collected in Brazil and the United States, as well as the neotropical brown stink bug Euschistus heros collected in Brazil.

Results: After quality filtering of the data, 192 samples were kept for analyses: 117 samples from P. guildinii covering three sites in Brazil and four sites in the United States, and 75 samples for E. heros covering 10 sites in Brazil. The most interesting observations were that the diversity and abundance of some bacterial families were different in the different ecoregions of Brazil and the United States.

Conclusion: Some families, such as Acetobacteraceae, Bacillaceae, Moraxellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Rhodocyclaceae, may be related to the better adaptation in some localities in providing nutrients, break down cellulose, detoxify phytochemicals, and degrade organic compounds, which makes it difficult to control these species.
Quantification of Daily-Living Gait Quantity and Quality Using a Wrist-Worn Accelerometer in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Keren Karin , Busse Monica , Fritz Nora E. , Muratori Lisa M. , Gazit Eran , Hillel Inbar , Scheinowitz Micky , Gurevich Tanya , Inbar Noit , Omer Nurit , Hausdorff Jeffrey M. , Quinn Lori
Published: October 2021

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) leads to altered gait patterns and reduced daily-living physical activity. Accurate measurement of daily-living walking that takes into account involuntary movements (e.g. chorea) is needed.

Objective: To evaluate daily-living gait quantity and quality in HD, taking into account irregular movements.

Methods: Forty-two individuals with HD and fourteen age-matched non-HD peers completed clinic-based assessments and a standardized laboratory-based circuit of functional activities, wearing inertial measurement units on the wrists, legs, and trunk. These activities were used to train and test an algorithm for the automated detection of walking. Subsequently, 29 HD participants and 22 age-matched non-HD peers wore a tri-axial accelerometer on their non-dominant wrist for 7 days. Measures included gait quantity (e.g., steps per day), gait quality (e.g., regularity) metrics, and percentage of walking bouts with irregular movements.

Results: Measures of daily-living gait quantity including step counts, walking time and bouts per day were similar in HD participants and non-HD peers (p > 0.05). HD participants with higher clinician-rated upper body chorea had a greater percentage of walking bouts with irregular movements compared to those with lower chorea (p = 0.060) and non-HD peers (p < 0.001). Even after accounting for irregular movements, within-bout walking consistency was lower in HD participants compared to non-HD peers (p < 0.001), while across-bout variability of these measures was higher (p < 0.001). Many of the daily-living measures were associated with disease-specific measures of motor function.

Conclusions: Results suggest that a wrist-worn accelerometer can be used to evaluate the quantity and quality of daily-living gait in people with HD, while accounting for the influence of irregular (choreic-like) movements, and that gait features related to within- and across-bout consistency markedly differ in individuals with HD and non-HD peers.
Optimization of Near-Infrared Fluorescence Voltage-Sensitive Dye Imaging for Neuronal Activity Monitoring in the Rodent Brain
Authors: Pak Rebecca W. , Kang Jeeun , Boctor Emad , Kang Jin U.
Published: October 2021

Many currently employed clinical brain functional imaging technologies rely on indirect measures of activity such as hemodynamics resulting in low temporal and spatial resolutions. To improve upon this, optical systems were developed in conjunction with methods to deliver near-IR voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) to provide activity-dependent optical contrast to establish a clinical tool to facilitate direct monitoring of neuron depolarization through the intact skull. Following the previously developed VSD delivery protocol through the blood-brain barrier, IR-780 perchlorate VSD concentrations in the brain were varied and stimulus-evoked responses were observed. In this paper, a range of optimal VSD tissue concentrations was established that maximized fluorescence fractional change for detection of membrane potential responses to external stimuli through a series of phantom, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments in mouse models.
Deviation Analyses of Computer-Assisted, Template-Guided Mandibular Reconstruction With Combined Osteotomy and Reconstruction Pre-Shaped Plate Position Technology: A Comparative Study
Authors: Chen Jie , Zhang Ruipu , Liang Ye , Ma Yujie , Song Saiwen , Jiang Canhua
Published: October 2021

Background

Computer-assisted and template-guided mandibular reconstruction provides higher accuracy and less variation than conventional freehand surgeries. The combined osteotomy and reconstruction pre-shaped plate position (CORPPP) technique is a reliable choice for mandibular reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of CORPPP-guided fibular flap mandibular reconstruction and analyze the possible causes of the deviations.

Patients and Methods

From June 2015 to December 2016, 28 patients underwent fibular flap mandibular reconstruction. Virtual planning and personalized CORPPP-guided templates were applied in 15 patients while 13 patients received conventional freehand surgeries. Deviations during mandibulectomy and fibular osteotomy, and overall and triaxial deviation of the corresponding mandibular anatomical landmarks were measured by superimposing the pre- and postoperative virtual models.

Results

The deviation of the resection line and resection angle was 1.23 ± 0.98 mm and 4.11° ± 2.60°. The actual length of fibula segments was longer than the designed length in 7 cases (mean: 0.35 ± 0.32 mm) and shorter in 22 cases (mean: 1.53 ± 1.19 mm). In patients without ramus reconstruction, deviations of the ipsilateral condylar head point (Co.), gonion point (Go.), and coracoid process point (Cor.) were 6.71 ± 3.42 mm, 5.38 ± 1.71 mm, and 11.05 ± 3.24 mm in the freehand group and 1.73 ± 1.13 mm, 1.86 ± 0.96 mm, and 2.54 ± 0.50 mm in the CORPPP group, respectively, with significant statistical differences (p < 0.05). In patients with ramus reconstruction, deviations of ipsilateral Co. and Go. were 9.79 ± 4.74 mm vs. 3.57 ± 1.62 mm (p < 0.05), and 15.17 ± 6.53 mm vs. 4.36 ± 1.68 mm (p < 0.05) in the freehand group and CORPPP group, respectively.

Conclusion

Mandibular reconstructions employing virtual planning and personalized CORPPP-guided templates show significantly higher predictability, convenience, and accuracy of mandibular reconstruction compared with conventional freehand surgeries. However, more clinical cases were required for further dimensional deviation analysis. The application and exploration of clinical practice would also continuously improve the design of templates.
Case Report: Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation in Two Brothers With Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome Using Their Father as the Donor
Authors: Smith Jasmine , Alfonso Jessica Hass , Reddivalla Naresh , Angulo Pablo , Katsanis Emmanuel
Published: October 2021

Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked genetic disorder with a variable phenotypic expression that includes thrombocytopenia, eczema, and immunodeficiency. Some patients may also exhibit autoimmune manifestations. Patients with WAS are at increased risk of developing malignancies such as lymphoma. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation remains the only curative treatment. Haploidentical bone marrow transplantation (haplo-BMT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-CY) has more recently been applied in WAS. Here, we report two brothers who underwent successful T-cell replete haplo-BMT with PT-CY at ages 9 months and 4 years using their father as the donor. Our myeloablative regimen was well-tolerated with minimal organ toxicity and no acute or chronic graft vs. host disease (GvHD). Haplo-BMT may be considered as a safe and effective option for patients with WAS who do not have available human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched donors.
Case Report: Prenatal Diagnosis for a Rett Syndrome Family Caused by a Novel MECP2 Deletion With Heteroduplexes of PCR Product
Authors: Zhang Honghong , Sun Yixi , Zhu Yuxia , Hong Jiali , Zheng Miaomiao
Published: October 2021

Rett syndrome is an X-linked dominant, postnatal neurological disorder. Approximately 80–90% of classic Rett syndrome patients harbor mutations in the coding region of MECP2. Somatic or germline MECP2 mosaicism is not rare, and paternal germline MECP2 mosaicism occurs in especially high proportions. Here, we report the case of a Chinese girl with Rett syndrome in whom a heterozygous deletion was found in exon 4 of MECP2 using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. To obtain an accurate region of deletion, we narrowed down the deletion region using real-time quantitative PCR, and subsequent long-range PCR was performed to detect the deletion breakpoints. Surprisingly, three DNA bands from long-range PCR products were observed after gel electrophoresis. To exclude somatic mosaicism, we performed T-A cloning and DNA sequencing, the middle DNA band was proved to be a heteroduplex of the PCR product in vitro. Meanwhile, a prenatal diagnosis was performed for the pregnant mother of the patient. Our study showed that the patient was heterozygous for the deletion of 713-base pairs in exon 4 of MECP2 (MECP2: c.441_1153del713), resulting in a frameshift and premature termination of the 487 amino acid protein at the 154th codon. In summary, we reported a novel heterozygous deletion in the MECP2 gene with heteroduplexes of the PCR product in vitro, which can help in the genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of disorders of MECP2 defects.
Individual Differences in Sequential Movement Coordination in Hip-Hop Dance: Capturing Joint Articulation in Practicing the Wave
Authors: Brown Derrick D. , Wijffels Guido , Meulenbroek Ruud G. J.
Published: October 2021

The current study highlights individual differences in the joint articulation strategies used by novices practicing a hip-hop dance movement, the wave. Twelve young adults, all naive regarding hip-hop dance performance, practized the wave in 120 trials separated into four blocks with the order of internal or external attentional focus counterbalanced across subjects. Various kinematic analyses were analyzed to capture performance success while exploiting the observed individual differences in order to establish the reliability of the proposed performance indicators. An external focus of attention marginally facilitated the smooth transfer of a wave motion across neighboring limb segments as characterized by a constant propagation speed combined with large wave amplitudes. Systematic correlations between the success indicators were found, exemplifying the various degrees of joint articulation that novices prove capable of during an initial practicing session to try and perform a novel complex motor task.
Patient Engagement in Health Management as a Mediator Between Perceived Risk and COVID-19 Related Distress in Patients With IBD: A Structural Equation Model
Authors: Castellini Greta , Palamenghi Lorenzo , Savarese Mariarosaria , Barello Serena , Leone Salvatore , Previtali Enrica , Armuzzi Alessandro , Graffigna Guendalina
Published: October 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 emergency on patients with IBD's psychological distress, understanding the role of patient engagement as a mediator.

Methods: An online questionnaire was created, measuring perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19, perceived stress, and patient engagement. The questionnaire was distributed to a purposive sample of IBD patients who belonged to the Italian Association for patients with IBD (AMICI Onlus) in April 2020. Structural equation models were implemented.

Results: The effect of the perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19 contagion on the perceived stress is fully mediated by patient engagement (β = 0.306, p < 0.001). Moreover, the patient engagement mitigates the perceived stress (β = −0.748, p < 0.001) in our sample of IBD patients, and it is negatively influenced by the perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19 (β = −0.410, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Patient engagement is the key factor that explains how the perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19 affects the perceived psychological distress in patients with IBD, underlining that the perceived risk of contagion increases their perceived level of stress through a decrease of patient engagement.
The Linkages Between Reimbursement and Prevention: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Zwaagstra Salvado Ellen , van Elten Hilco J. , van Raaij Erik M.
Published: October 2021

Background: The benefits of prevention are widely recognized; ranging from avoiding disease onset to substantially reducing disease burden, which is especially relevant considering the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. However, its delivery has encountered numerous obstacles in healthcare. While healthcare professionals play an important role in stimulating prevention, their behaviors can be influenced by incentives related to reimbursement schemes.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to obtain a detailed description and explanation of how reimbursement schemes specifically impact primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary prevention.

Methods: Our study takes a mixed-methods approach. Based on a rapid review of the literature, we include and assess 27 studies. Moreover, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight Dutch healthcare professionals and two representatives of insurance companies, to obtain a deeper understanding of healthcare professionals' behaviors in response to incentives.

Results: Nor fee-for-service (FFS) nor salary can be unambiguously linked to higher or lower provision of preventive services. However, results suggest that FFS's widely reported incentive to increase production might work in favor of preventive services such as immunizations but provide less incentives for chronic disease management. Salary's incentive toward prevention will be (partially) determined by provider-organization's characteristics and reimbursement. Pay-for-performance (P4P) is not always necessarily translated into better health outcomes, effective prevention, or adequate chronic disease management. P4P is considered disruptive by professionals and our results expose how it can lead professionals to resort to (over)medicalization in order to achieve targets. Relatively new forms of reimbursement such as population-based payment may incentivize professionals to adapt the delivery of care to facilitate the delivery of some forms of prevention.

Conclusion: There is not one reimbursement scheme that will stimulate all levels of prevention. Certain types of reimbursement work well for certain types of preventive care services. A volume incentive could be beneficial for prevention activities that are easy to specify. Population-based capitation can help promote preventive activities that require efforts that are not incentivized under other reimbursements, for instance activities that are not easily specified, such as providing education on lifestyle factors related to a patient's (chronic) disease.
Levitating Objects Using Sound
Authors: Drinkwater Bruce W.
Published: October 2021

Acoustic levitation uses sound waves to hold objects in mid-air. We are all familiar with the power of sound to make us dance and change our moods, but sound can also exert a physical force that is strong enough to levitate objects. To harness this force, we use loudspeakers to form a sound pattern so that the object is surrounded by very loud sound. Scientists have used these ideas to levitate small objects such as insects, as well as extremely small objects like individual cells. They can then manipulate these objects, much like a robot would, but without any moving parts. So far, only relatively small levitating forces have been generated but, in theory, much higher forces could be produced and levitation of objects even the size of humans might be possible. Despite this exciting possibility, you might not want to be acoustically levitated yourself, for good reason!
Perspektywa cyklu i biegu życia w polityce społecznej
Authors: Szatur-Jaworska Barbara , Rysz-Kowalczyk Barbara , Petelczyc Janina
Published: October 2021

W książce autorki przedstawiają, między innymi, propozycję porządku terminologicznego dotyczącego pojęć „cykl życia” i „bieg życia”. W ich bowiem ocenie są one zarówno w języku potocznym, jak i w publikacjach naukowych stosowane w sposób dowolny, dość przypadkowy i nie zawsze dogłębnie przemyślany. Pomimo że w dorobku nauk społecznych można znaleźć wiele publikacji dotyczących relacji między zagadnieniami biegu lub cyklu życia a polityką (polityką publiczną, polityką społeczną), istnieje, zdaniem autorek, potrzeba dokonania systematycznej analizy specyfiki każdej z tych dwóch kategorii w nauce o polityce społecznej. Celem autorek jest zarówno ukazanie zalet i ograniczeń obu omawianych podejść badawczych, jak i usytuowanie ich w szerszym kontekście teorii polityki społecznej. Autorki proponują, by w nauce o polityce społecznej używać – jako podstawowych – dwóch pojęć: cykl życia (ang. life cycle) i bieg życia (ang. life course) – nadając im specyficzne dla polityki społecznej definicje i traktując je nie tylko jako kategorie nauki, lecz także jako dwie swoiste perspektywy badawcze. Te perspektywy charakteryzują zarówno różnice, jak i podobieństwa. Uznają jednak, że w każdej z nich należy uwzględniać m.in.: temporalny wymiar dystrybucji osobistych i społecznych zasobów, jakie jednostki mają lub mogłyby mieć do dyspozycji, holistyczne podejście do życia człowieka, wielość czynników kształtujących cykl i bieg życia oraz występowanie momentów przełomowych (kryzysów) w cyklu i biegu życia.
On the Achievable Rate Region of the K-Receiver Broadcast Channels via Exhaustive Message Splitting
Authors: Tang Rui , Xie Songjie , Wu Youlong
Published: October 2021

This paper focuses on K-receiver discrete-time memoryless broadcast channels (DM-BCs) with private messages, where the transmitter wishes to convey K private messages to K receivers. A general inner bound on the capacity region is proposed based on an exhaustive message splitting and a K-level modified Marton’s coding. The key idea is to split every message into ∑j=1KKj−1 submessages each corresponding to a set of users who are assigned to recover them, and then send these submessages via codewords chosen from a K-level structure codebooks. To guarantee the joint typicality among all transmitted codewords, a sufficient condition on the subcodebooks’ sizes is derived through a newly establishing hierarchical covering lemma, which extends the 2-level multivariate covering lemma to the K-level case with more intricate dependences. As the number of auxiliary random variables and rate conditions both increase exponentially with K, the standard Fourier–Motzkin elimination procedure becomes infeasible when K is large. To tackle this problem, we obtain a closed form of achievable rate region with a special observation of disjoint unions of sets that constitute the power set of {1,⋯,K}. The proposed achievable rate region allows arbitrary input probability mass functions and improves over previously known achievable (closed form) rate regions for K-receiver (K≥3) BCs.
Micro CT and Experimental Study of Carbonate Precipitation from CO2 and Produced Water Co-Injection into Sandstone
Authors: Pearce Julie K. , Dawson Grant K. W. , Sommacal Silvano , Golding Suzanne D.
Published: October 2021

Carbon dioxide geological storage involves injecting captured CO2 streams into a suitable reservoir. Subsequent mineral trapping of the CO2 as carbonate minerals is one of the most secure forms of trapping. Injection of CO2 dissolved in water or co-injection of CO2 with water may enhance trapping mechanisms. Produced waters are already re-injected into reservoirs worldwide, and their co-injection with CO2 could enhance mineral trapping in low reactivity rock by providing a source of cations. Sandstone drill core from a reservoir proposed for CO2 storage was experimentally reacted with supercritical CO2 and a synthetic produced water. Micro computed tomography (CT), QEMSCAN, and SEM were performed before and after the reaction. The sandstone sample was predominantly quartz with minor illite/muscovite and kaolinite. The sandstone sub-plug micro-CT porosity was 11.1% and 11.4% after the reaction. Dissolved Ca, Mg, and Sr decreased during the reaction. After the reaction with CO2 and synthetic produced water, precipitation of crystalline carbonate minerals calcite and dolomite was observed in the pore space and on the rock surface. In addition, the movement of pore filling and bridging clays, as well as grains was observed. Co-injection of CO2 with produced waters into suitable reservoirs has the potential to encourage CO2 mineral trapping.
Destabilization of Boron-Based Compounds for Hydrogen Storage in the Solid-State: Recent Advances
Authors: Castilla-Martinez Carlos A. , Moury Romain , Ould-Amara Salem , Demirci Umit B.
Published: October 2021

Boron-based materials have been widely studied for hydrogen storage applications. Examples of these compounds are borohydrides and boranes. However, all of these present some disadvantages that have hindered their potential application as hydrogen storage materials in the solid-state. Thus, different strategies have been developed to improve the dehydrogenation properties of these materials. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent advances (for the period 2015–2021) in the destabilization strategies that have been considered for selected boron-based compounds. With this aim, we selected seven of the most investigated boron-based compounds for hydrogen storage applications: lithium borohydride, sodium borohydride, magnesium borohydride, calcium borohydride, ammonia borane, hydrazine borane and hydrazine bisborane. The destabilization strategies include the use of additives, the chemical modification and the nanosizing of these compounds. These approaches were analyzed for each one of the selected boron-based compounds and these are discussed in the present review.
From Two- to Three-Dimensional Model of Heat Flow in Edge-Emitting Laser: Theory, Experiment and Numerical Tools
Authors: Szymański Michał , Kozłowska Anna , Tomm Jens , Huk Roman , Maląg Andrzej , Rusek Marian
Published: October 2021

Mathematical modeling of thermal behavior of edge-emitting lasers requires the usage of sophisticated time-consuming numerical methods like FEM (Finite Element Method) or very complicated 3D analytical approaches. In this work, we present an approach, which is based on a relatively simple 2D analytical solution of heat conduction equation. Our method enables extremely fast calculation of two crucial physical quantities; namely, junction and mirror temperature. As an example subject of research, we chose self-made p-side-down mounted InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs laser. Purpose-designed axial heat source function was introduced to take into account various mirror heating mechanisms, namely, surface recombination, reabsorption of radiation, Joule, and bulk heating. Our theoretical investigations were accompanied by experiments. We used micro-Raman spectroscopy for measuring the temperature of the laser front facet. We show excellent convergence of calculated and experimental results. In addition, we present links to freely available self-written Matlab functions, and we give some hints on how to use them for thermal analysis of laser bars or quantum cascade lasers.
Mathematical Programming and Solution Approaches for Transportation Optimisation in Supply Network
Authors: Szkutnik-Rogoż Joanna , Ziółkowski Jarosław , Małachowski Jerzy , Oszczypała Mateusz
Published: October 2021

The problem of transport is a special type of mathematical programming designed to search for the optimal distribution network, taking into account the set of suppliers and the set of recipients. This article proposes an innovative approach to solving the transportation problem and devises source codes in GNU Octave (version 3.4.3) to avoid the necessity of carrying out enormous calculations in traditional methods and to minimize transportation costs, fuel consumption, and CO2 emission. The paper presents a numerical example of a solution to the transportation problem using: the northwest corner, the least cost in the matrix, the row minimum, and Vogel’s Approximation Methods (VAM). The joint use of mathematical programming and optimization was applicable to real conditions. The transport was carried out with medium load trucks. Both suppliers and recipients of materials were located geographically within the territory of the Republic of Poland. The presented model was supported by a numerical example with interpretation and visualization of the obtained results. The implementation of the proposed solution enables the user to develop an optimal transport plan for individually defined criteria.
A Circuit Model for Energy Harvesting from Fringing Electric Fields for Mobile Wearable Device Applications
Authors: Khan Mohammad Rezwan , Islam Mohammad Ariful , Rana Mohammad Masum , Haque Tohfa , Joy Shahal Ibn Islam
Published: October 2021

Harvesting energy from the fringing electric field of power lines is a topic of recent interest. So far, most of the reported energy harvesting processes used a fixed ground connection that makes the harvesting process immobile. This paper presents a new idea to avoid the fixed ground connection and make the extraction process mobile, which can lead to charging of wearable and mobile devices, reducing the frequency of battery charging and enhancing the longevity of the batteries. A comprehensive circuit model for the energy extraction system is still absent, and this research proposes a circuit model that forms a basis for the circuit design and prediction of the energy extraction efficacy. The circuit model provides the analytical basis to estimate charging time, optimum operating voltage and optimum power for such circuits. Experimental results are also presented to justify the circuit model. Although the actual amount of power extracted was very small, further research is needed to enhance the energy extraction efficacy.
Decentralized Data Management Privacy-Aware Framework for Positive Energy Districts
Authors: Aslam Sidra , Bukovszki Viktor , Mrissa Michael
Published: October 2021

Energy Transition (ET) needs actors to perform independent actions on multiple levels of governance. These actors may need to write and read their data, and at the same time they want to protect their data from unauthorized access. This is particularly the case for positive energy districts (PED), a growing trend in the EU that requires actors to perform, write and read operations on a neighborhood scale where governance competences are typically absent. This paper presents a decentralized privacy-aware data management framework that enables actors to store, read, and modify data in PEDs. Our framework design integrates blockchain with a Distributed Hash Table (DHT), role-based access control, ring signature, and different encryption techniques. The proposed framework stores encrypted data on the DHT, and metadata and hash key are sent to the blockchain, which allows the data owner to keep track of their data. The proposed framework components handle multi-level data access in PEDs and enable data security at run-time. Moreover, we show security and privacy analysis and performance evaluation in time overhead. The results show that the proposed solution is effective, secure, and scalable.
Analysis of the Possibilities of Selective Detection of a Single Line-to-Ground Fault in a Medium Voltage Network with Isolated Neutral
Authors: Toader Dumitru , Vintan Maria , Solea Claudiu , Vesa Daniela , Greconici Marian
Published: October 2021

The paper analyses how the characteristics of the medium-voltage network with insulated neutral and the conditions under which the single line-to-ground fault occurs (insulation condition and value of the fault resistance) influence the zero-sequence components of the voltage of the transformer station medium-voltage bus bar, the fault current, the currents of the faulted line and the currents of the other non-faulted power lines connected to the transformer station bus bars. Assuming the waveform of the medium voltage bus voltages in the transformer station is known, the influence of the fault resistance on the total distortion coefficient of the fault current is analysed. This establishes the conditions under which a single line-to-ground fault can be detected by controlling the total distortion coefficient of the fault current and the currents of the fault-free lines. It also examines the conditions under which a single line-to-ground fault can be selectively detected by checking the effective value and direction of flow of the zero-sequence currents of the medium-voltage lines during the fault. The results obtained by the calculation were verified experimentally in the medium voltage network considered in the study. The acceptable differences, considering the degree of accuracy with which the parameters of a medium voltage network are known, between the results obtained by calculation and those obtained experimentally show that the simplifying assumptions accepted for the mathematical models used in the calculation are correct.
Symptom Analysis Using Fuzzy Logic for Detection and Monitoring of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Ilyas Tayyaba , Mahmood Danish , Ahmed Ghufran , Akhunzada Adnan
Published: October 2021

Recent developments regarding the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) opened new horizons of healthcare opportunities. Moreover, these technological advancements give strength to face upcoming healthcare challenges. One of such challenges is the advent of COVID-19, which has adverse effects beyond comprehension. Therefore, utilizing the basic functionalities of IoT, this work presents a real-time rule-based Fuzzy Logic classifier for COVID-19 Detection (FLCD). The proposed model deploys the IoT framework to collect real-time symptoms data from users to detect symptomatic and asymptomatic Covid-19 patients. Moreover, the proposed framework is also capable of monitoring the treatment response of infected people. FLCD constitutes three components: symptom data collection using wearable sensors, data fusion through Rule-Based Fuzzy Logic classifier, and cloud infrastructure to store data with a possible verdict (normal, mild, serious, or critical). After extracting the relevant features, experiments with a synthetic COVID-19 symptom dataset are conducted to ensure effective and accurate detection of COVID-19 cases. As a result, FLCD successfully acquired 95% accuracy, 94.73% precision, 93.35% recall, and showed a minimum error rate of 2.52%.
The Pollution Status of Heavy Metals in the Surface Seawater and Sediments of the Tianjin Coastal Area, North China
Authors: Han Xuemeng , Wang Junqiang , Cai Wenqian , Xu Xiangqin , Sun Mingdong
Published: October 2021

Heavy metal pollution has become a great concern due to its adverse effects on the ecological system and human health. The present study investigated the concentrations of six common heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in the Tianjin coastal area to understand their distribution, enrichment, sources, and potential ecological risk levels, focusing on the main contributors. The results showed that the concentration of Cu was high in the surface seawater (6.89 µg/L for the average), while Cd was the main contaminating metal in the sediments, with an average concentration of 0.77 mg/kg. The potential ecological risk index (RI) implied that the heavy metals in the sediments could cause considerable ecological risk, and Cd was the major contributor to ecological risk in this area. In particular, the field investigation showed that Cd contamination occurred as a result of anthropogenic activities, including port transportation, mariculture, and metal fabrication along the coastal area. Therefore, it is necessary to control Cd contamination in the future to improve the quality of the marine environment in Bohai Bay.
CNN-LSTM-Based Prognostics of Bidirectional Converters for Electric Vehicles’ Machine
Authors: Rojas-Dueñas Gabriel , Riba Jordi-Roger , Moreno-Eguilaz Manuel
Published: October 2021

This paper proposes an approach to estimate the state of health of DC-DC converters that feed the electrical system of an electric vehicle. They have an important role in providing a smooth and rectified DC voltage to the electric machine. Thus, it is important to diagnose the actual status and predict the future performance of the converter and specifically of the electrolytic capacitors, in order to avoid malfunctioning and failures, since it is known they have the highest failure rates among power converter components. To this end, accelerated aging tests of the electrolytic capacitors are performed by applying an electrical overstress. The gathered data are used to train a CNN-LSTM model that is capable of predicting the future values of the capacitance and the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the electrolytic capacitor. This model can be used to estimate the remaining useful life of the device, thus, increasing the reliability of the system and ensuring an adequate operating condition of the electric motor.
ConcrEITS: An Electrical Impedance Interrogator for Concrete Damage Detection Using Self-Sensing Repairs
Authors: McAlorum Jack , Perry Marcus , Ward Andrew C. , Vlachakis Christos
Published: October 2021

Concrete infrastructure requires continuous monitoring to ensure any new damage or repair failures are detected promptly. A cost-effective combination of monitoring and maintenance would be highly beneficial in the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. Alkali-activated materials have been used as concrete repairs and as sensing elements for temperature, moisture, and chlorides. However, damage detection using self-sensing repairs has yet to be demonstrated, and commercial interrogation solutions are expensive. Here, we present the design of a low-cost tomographic impedance interrogator, denoted the “ConcrEITS”, capable of crack detection and location in concrete using conductive repair patches. Results show that for pure material blocks ConcrEITS is capable of measuring 4-probe impedance with a root mean square error of ±5.4% when compared to a commercially available device. For tomographic measurements, ConcrEITS is able to detect and locate cracks in patches adhered to small concrete beam samples undergoing 4-point bending. In all six samples tested, crack locations were clearly identified by the contour images gained from tomographic reconstruction. Overall, this system shows promise as a cost-effective combined solution for monitoring and maintenance of concrete infrastructure. We believe further up-scaled testing should follow this research before implementing the technology in a field trial.