bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a variant of the optomotor response as a visual defect detection assay in zebrafish
Authors: K. LeFauve Matthew , J. Rowe Cassie , Crowley-Perry Mikayla , L. Wiegand Jenna , G. Shapiro Arthur
Published: March 2021

We describe a visual stimulus that can be used with both larval and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). This protocol is a modification of a standard visual behavior analysis, the optomotor response (OMR). The OMR is often used to determine the spatial response or to detect directional visuomotor deficiencies. An OMR can be generated using a high contrast grated pattern, typically vertical bars. The spatial sensitivity is measured by detection and response to a change in grating bar width and is reported in cycles per degree (CPD). This test has been used extensively with zebrafish larvae and adults to identify visual- and/or motor-based mutations. Historically, when tested in adults, the grated pattern was presented from a vertical perspective, using a rotating cylinder around a holding tank, allowing the grating to be seen solely from the sides and front of the organism. In contrast, OMRs in zebrafish larvae are elicited using a stimulus projected below the fish. This difference in methodology means that two different experimental set-ups are required: one for adults and one for larvae. Our visual stimulus modifies the stimulation format so that a single OMR stimulus, suitable for use with both adults and larvae, is being presented underneath the fish. Analysis of visuomotor responses using this method does not require costly behavioral tracking software and, using a single behavioral paradigm, allows the observer to rapidly determine visual spatial response in both zebrafish larvae and adults.
Metabolizer phenotype prediction in different Peruvian ethnic groups through CYP2C9 polymorphisms
Authors: Valencia Ayala Edward , Chevarría Arriaga Mylenka , Coelho Eduardo Barbosa , Sandoval José Sandoval , Granara Alberto Salazar
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The CYP2C9 gene have three common alleles, CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3, associated with different homozygous (*1/*1, *2/*2 and *3/*3) and heterozygous (*1/*2 and *1/*3) genotypes, which in turn are related to extensive (gEM), intermediate (gIM) and poor (gPM) metabolizers. Likewise, the inter-ethnic variability was intimately associated with different drug metabolism. Therefore, the aim of the present study was predict the metabolizer phenotypes in different Peruvian ethnic groups from lowland (<2,500 m) and highland (>2,500 m).

Methods

TaqMan genotyping assays were performed in a group of 174 healthy unrelated Peruvian individuals.

Results

In this study, the allelic comparison between the three eco-regions showed that the CYP2C9*1 was the most common in Andean (96.32%); the *2 was the most frequent in Coast (7.45%, p<0.05). Regarding the *3 was the most common in Amazonian (6.25%, p<0.05). In a corroborative manner, the gEM was the most common in Andean (94.74%), the gIM in Coast (17.02%) and gPM in Amazonian (6.25%) populations.

Conclusions

Our study provides a valuable source of information about to metabolizer phenotype drugs in different Peruvian ethnic groups. In this way, it could be established suitable genetic-dosage medicaments for various common diseases in these heterogenetic populations.
Association of genetic polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (ApaI, TaqI and FokI) with vitamin D and glycemic status in type 2 diabetes patients from Southern India
Authors: Selvarajan Sandhiya , Srinivasan Akila , Surendran Deepanjali , Mathaiyan Jayanthi , Kamalanathan Sadishkumar
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the association of VDR polymorphisms (FokI, TaqI and ApaI) with vitamin D levels and glycemic status in type 2 diabetes patients from Southern India.

Methods

In this observational study, genotype frequencies and vitamin D levels of 200 cases (type 2 diabetes patients) were compared with 300 controls (unrelated anonymised stored samples of healthy volunteers) from south India. Serum 25 (OH) D levels were measured by immunoassay technique, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured using HPLC and genotyping of VDR polymorphisms were carried out using Real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT PCR).

Results

About 69.2% of type 2 diabetes patients were found to have vitamin D deficiency. FokI polymorphism showed variations in serum 25 (OH) D levels, with AA and AG genotypes having significantly lower serum 25 (OH) D levels as compared to GG [13.24 (8.4) ng/ml, 15.02 (7.07) ng/ml and 20.67 (13.64) ng/ml respectively]. There was no difference in HbA1c levels with respect to the vitamin D levels and VDR polymorphisms.

Conclusions

AA and AG genotypes of FokI polymorphisms are associated with low serum 25 (OH) D levels. However there was no association between VDR polymorphisms and glycemic status in south Indian type 2 diabetes patients.
Deformation mechanisms and plasticity of ultrafine-grained Al under complex stress state revealed by digital image correlation technique
Authors: Zhao Yonghao , Gu Yanglin
Published: March 2021

Conventional engineering stress–strain curve could not accurately describe the local deformability of the tensile necking part because the strain is calculated by assuming that the tensile specimen was deformed uniformly. In this study, we used 3D optical measuring digital image correlation to systematically measure the full strain field and actual flow stress in the necking region of ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al. The post-necking elongation and strain hardening exponent of the UFG Al were measured as 80% and 0.10, slightly smaller than those of the coarse-grained Al (117% and 0.28), suggesting the high plastic deformability of the UFG Al under complex stress state. Microstructural studies revealed the shear and ductile fracture, numerous micro-shear bands, and elongated UFG grains in the UFG Al, which are controlled by cooperative grain boundary sliding and multiple dislocation slips.
Evaluation and Development of Performance-Engineered Specifications for Monotonic Loading Cracking Performance Assessment Tests and Indicators
Authors: Alkuime Hamza , Kassem Emad , Bayomy Fouad M. S. , Nielsen Richard J.
Published: March 2021

This study investigated the validity of various monotonic cracking performance assessment testing standards and indicators to describe the expected cracking performance in the field. A total number of 17 field test sections with known field cracking performance were selected and evaluated. Field cores were extracted from these sections, and a comprehensive laboratory testing program was carried out. The authors conducted four monotonic testing standards and calculated 11 performance indicators. The study findings showed that there was no direct correlation between the laboratory testing results of monotonic tests and indicators and the observed field cracking performance. The variable air void content and thickness of the extracted field cores are believed to influence the laboratory testing results of monotonic tests and indicators. Therefore, this study proposed an alternative approach to develop performance specifications (thresholds) for monotonic tests and indicators. The thresholds were developed indirectly using a correlation between cyclic testing and both monotonic tests and the observed field cracking performance. The results demonstrated the effectiveness and success of the proposed approach in developing performance thresholds. Pass/fail cracking performance assessment thresholds were proposed for various monotonic indicators to distinguish between asphalt mixes with good, fair, and poor cracking resistance. Besides, the study recommends the Weibull cracking resistance index, determined from the indirect tension test, as a simple performance indicator to assess mixes resistance to cracking.
ECONOMIC CRISIS AND FIRMS’ PERFORMANCE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE GREEK CHEESE INDUSTRY
Authors: KONTOGEORGOS Achilleas , PENDARAKI Konstantina , CHATZITHEODORIDIS Fotios
Published: March 2021

The main purpose of this paper is to empirically explore the characteristics of the cheesesector that lead businesses in Greece to profitability. It is also important to evaluate theimpact of the current economic crisis on the economic performance of cheese enterprises.This study uses a panel data set that come from balance sheets and income statements ofalmost 100 companies operating in the cheese sector for the period 2006 to 2011. Thefirst results show that during this economic crisis period, the profitability of cheesebusinesses has been affected adversely. Moreover, the smaller sized businesses arepresenting the most significant efficiency and profitability losses.
Dinamika Kepribadian Dalam Perspektif Psikologi Islam; Telaah Konsep Amarah, Lawwamah, dan Muthmainnah serta Korelasinya Dengan Iman, Islam, dan Ihsan
Authors: Khasanah Nur , Hamzani Achmad Irwan , Aravik Havis
Published: March 2021

This article discusses the dynamics of personality from the perspective of Islamic psychology; study the concepts of anger, lawwamah, and muthmainnah, and their correlation with faith, Islam and Ihsan. With the aim of knowing the dynamics of personality in the perspective of Islamic psychology; study the concepts of anger, lawwamah, and muthmainnah, and their correlation with faith, Islam and Ihsan. This article uses qualitative research based on literature (library research) with a qualitative descriptive approach and technical descriptive analysis and content analysis. The results of this study indicate that personality is a unique arrangement of traits in a person that lasts a long time. In Islamic psychology, true humans consist of physical and spiritual elements, and are equipped and given the gift of reason, heart, and lust as provisions for living life. In the context of lust, human personality is contained in three passions, namely anger, lawwamah, and muthmainnah. The three of them must be able to be well optimized, anger must be able to be suppressed, lawwamah must be able to be cultivated and reach the degree of mutmainnah, so that they are able to become religious people (Islam), which is based on true and complete religious understanding and driven by a true belief (faith), so that the dedication carried out will result in useful behavior (Ihsan).Keywords: Personality, Anger, Lawwamah, Mutmainnah, Islam, Faith, Ihsan AbstrakArtikel ini membahas tentang dinamika kepribadian dalam perspektif psikologi Islam; telaah konsep amarah, lawwamah, dan muthmainnah, serta korelasinya dengan Iman, Islam dan Ihsan. Dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui dinamika kepribadian dalam perspektif psikologi Islam; telaah konsep amarah, lawwamah, dan muthmainnah, serta korelasinya dengan Iman, Islam dan Ihsan. Artikel ini menggunakan penelitian kualitatif berbasis kepustakaan (library research) dengan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif dan teknis analisis deskriptif dan content analysis. Hasil penelitian ini memperlihatkan bahwa kepribadian adalah susunan yang unik dari sifat-sifat seseorang yang berlangsung lama. Dalam psikologi Islam manusia sejati terdiri dari unsur jasmani dan rohani, serta dilengkapi dan diberi anugerah akal, kalbu, dan nafsu sebagai bekal menjalani kehidupan. Dalam konteks nafsu, kepribadian manusia terdapat dalam tiga nafsu, yaitu amarah, lawwamah, dan muthmainnah. Ketiganya harus mampu dioptimalkan dengan baik, amarah harus dapat diredam, lawwamah harus mampu dipupuk dan mencapai derajat mutmainnah, sehingga mampu menjadi orang beragama (Islam),  yang didasarkan pada pemahaman keagamaan yang benar dan utuh dan didorong oleh sebuah keyakinan (Iman) yang benar, sehingga pengabdian yang dilakukan akan berbuah perilaku yang bermanfaat (Ihsan).Kata Kunci: Kepribadian, Amarah, Lawwamah, Muthmainnah, Islam, Iman, Ihsan
Searching for tainted vulnerabilities in static analysis tool Svace
Authors: Borodin Alexey Evgenevich , Goremykin Alexey Vyacheslavovich , Vartanov Sergey Pavlovitch , Belevantsev Andrey Andreevich
Published: March 2021

The paper is dedicated to search for taint-based errors in the source code of programs, i.e. errors caused by unsafe use of data obtained from external sources, which could potentially be modified by an attacker. The interprocedural static analyzer Svace was used as a basis. The analyzer searches both for defects in the program and searches for suspicious places where the logic of the program may be violated. The goal is to find as many errors as possible at an acceptable speed and a low level of false positives (< 20-35%). To find errors, Svace with help of modified compiler builds a low-level typed intermediate representation, which is used as an input to the main SvEng analyzer. The analyzer builds a call graph and then performs summary-based analysis. In this analysis, the functions are traversed according to the call graph starting from the leaves. After analyzing the function, its summary is created, which will then be used to analyze the call instructions. The analysis has both high speed and good scalability. Intra-procedural analysis is based on symbolic execution with the union of states at merge points of paths. An SMT solver can be used to filter out infeasible paths for some checkers. In this case, the SMT-solver is called only if there is a suspicion of an error. The analyzer has been expanded to find defects of tainted data using. The checkers are implemented as plugins by using the source-sink scheme. The sources are calls of library functions that receive data from outside the program, as well as the arguments of the main function. Sinks are accessing to arrays, using variables as a step or loop boundary, calling functions that require checked arguments. Checkers covering most of the possible types of vulnerabilities for tainted integers and strings have been implemented. The Juliet project was used to assess the coverage. The false negative rate ranged from 46,31% to 81.17% with a small number of false positives.
Mitigating Uncertainty in Developing Scientific Applications in Integrated Environment
Authors: Tchernykh Andrei Nikolaevitch , Bychkov Igor Vyacheslavovich , Feoktistov Alexander Gennadevich , Gorsky Sergei Alexeevich , Sidorov Ivan Alexandrovich , Kostromin Roman Olegovich , Edelev Aleksey Vladimirovich , Zorkaltsev Valeriy Ivanovich , Avetisyan Arutyun I.
Published: March 2021

The paper represents new means of the Orlando Tools framework. This framework is used as the basis of an integrated software environment for developing distributed applied software packages. The additional means are focused on mitigating various types of uncertainties arising from the job distribution in an integrated computing environment. They provide continuous integration, delivery, and deployment of applied and system software of packages. This helps to significantly reduce the negative impact of uncertainty on problem-solving time, computing reliability, and resource efficiency. An experimental analysis of the results of solving practical problems clearly demonstrates the advantages of applying these means.
A Design Guide for Usable Web APIs
Authors: Tello-Rodríguez Maribel , Ocharán-Hernández Jorge Octavio , Pérez-Arriaga Juan Carlos , Limón Xavier , Sánchez-García Ángel J.
Published: March 2021

Cloud computing trends such as Software as a Service (SaaS) enable providers to host complex applications over the Internet, making them available to external consumers through an Application Programming Interface (API). The success of a SaaS, and in some sense any distributed system, is greatly influenced by its API. Highly usable APIs improve the efficiency of the development process and its quality, ensuring that programmers continue to appreciate other aspects of the API while increasing their productivity. Different studies state that the design phase within the development process of an API is the most appropriate to address usability issues. Therefore, usability should be considered as an explicit criterion in the design of an API. In this paper, we propose a design guide for web APIs with an emphasis on usability, using the best practices of usable web APIs design. Our design guide is based on an adaptation of the design science research methodology (DSRM), and it is complemented with a systematic literature review and gray literature analysis concerning methods, techniques, and tools used to develop usable APIs.
Plagiarism Detection in Armenian Texts Using Intrinsic Stylometric Analysis
Authors: Yeshilbashian Yeva Maksimovna , Asatryan Ariana Armenovna , Ghukasyan Tsolak Gukasovitch
Published: March 2021

In this work we study the application of intrinsic stylometric methods to the task of plagiarism detection in Armenian texts. We use two task setups from PAN’s series of conferences on text forensics and stylometry: style change detection and style breach detection. Style change detection aims to determine whether the text is written by more than one author, while style breach detection detects the boundaries of stylistically distinct text fragments. For these tasks, we generate synthetic test sets for three genres of text: academic, literature, and news, and then use them to evaluate the effectiveness of hierarchical clustering and other relevant models from PAN conferences. We employ a standard set of character-level, lexical and readability features, and additionally perform morphological and dependency parsing of text fragments to extract syntactic features encoding author style information. The evaluation results show that the clustering-based approach fails to correctly detect style change detection in longer texts and is only marginally better for shorter texts. For style breach detection, hierarchical clustering-based approach performs better than a random baseline classifier, but the difference is not sufficient to warrant its practical use. In a complementary experiment, we show that reducing the number of features and multicollinearity in them via PCA helps to increase the precision of style breach detection methods for certain text categories.
Stateful Stream Processing Containerized as Microservice to Support Digital Twins in Fog Computing
Authors: Alaasam Ameer Basim Abdulameer , Radchenko Gleb Igorevich , Tchernykh Andrei Nikolaevitch , González-Compeán José Luis González-Compeán
Published: March 2021

Digital twins of processes and devices use information from sensors to synchronize their state with the entities of the physical world. The concept of stream computing enables effective processing of events generated by such sensors. However, the need to track the state of an instance of the object leads to the impossibility of organizing instances of digital twins as stateless services. Another feature of digital twins is that several tasks implemented on their basis require the ability to respond to incoming events at near-real-time speed. In this case, the use of cloud computing becomes unacceptable due to high latency. Fog computing manages this problem by moving some computational tasks closer to the data sources. One of the recent solutions providing the development of loosely coupled distributed systems is a Microservice approach, which implies the organization of the distributed system as a set of coherent and independent services interacting with each other using messages. The microservice is most often isolated by utilizing containers to overcome the high overheads of using virtual machines. The main problem is that microservices and containers together are stateless by nature. The container technology still does not fully support live container migration between physical hosts without data loss. It causes challenges in ensuring the uninterrupted operation of services in fog computing environments. Thus, an essential challenge is to create a containerized stateful stream processing based microservice to support digital twins in the fog computing environment. Within the scope of this article, we study live stateful stream processing migration and how to redistribute computational activity across cloud and fog nodes using Kafka middleware and its Stream DSL API.
Secure Implementing a Virtual Network on the SDN Data Plane
Authors: Burdonov Igor Borisovich , Yevtushenko Nina Vladimirovna , Kossatchev Alexander Sergeevitch
Published: March 2021

The paper continues the investigations on the implementation of virtual networks on the SDN data plane which is modeled by a graph of physical connections between network nodes. A virtual network is defined as a set of ordered host pairs (sender, receiver), and it is implemented by a set of host-host paths that uniquely determine the switch settings. The opportunities to transmit a packet are limited by the host weights (priorities): a packet can be only transmitted from a host to a host if the sender has at most the same priority as the recipient, and thus, a set of paths is permissible if its every subset connects permissible host pairs. In the paper, it is proven that differently from the case when every host pair is permissible, in the graph with priorities a permissible path implementation does not exist for every set of permissible hosts. Moreover, it is shown that is some cases when such an implementation exists, the implementation is not possible without paths with cycles where packets can move infinite and without duplicate paths when a host can get the same packet several times. Using the notion of a perfect set of paths a criterion is established when every permissible set of hosts can be safely implemented by a set of paths without cycles but possibly with duplicate paths.
Sixth- and Seventh-Century Elephant Ivory Finds from the Carpathian Basin •
Authors: Bollók Ádám , Koncz István
Published: March 2021

Jelen tanulmány célja az elefántcsont mint nyersanyag lehetséges forrásaira és értékére vonatkozó, a római és a késő ókori mediterrán világból származó adatok áttekintése, információkat nyerve ezáltal a 6–7. századi Kárpát-medence régészeti hagyatékából előkerült elefántcsonttárgyak eredetére, elérhetőségére és árára vonatkozólag. A hellenisztikus kortól a kora középkorig terjedő időszakban a Földközi-tenger vidéki elefántcsont-kereskedelem dinamikáját megvilágító írott és tárgyi források áttekintése nyomán úgy tűnik, hogy a 6–7. századi Közép-Duna-vidéki elefántcsonttárgyak nyersanyaga a Földközi-tenger medencéjén keresztül Afrikából, ezen belül is talán a kontinens keleti feléről érkezett. Megállapítható emellett, hogy a mediterrán világ keleti és középső régióiban készült, a Kárpát-medencébe elkerült elefántcsonttárgyak nem tekinthetők kiemelkedően drága luxusjavaknak, többségük viszonylag szerény áron megvásárolható volt.

The present paper seeks to examine the available data on the possible sources and monetary value of elephant ivory, both as raw material and finished products, in the Roman to late antique Mediterranean world in order to gain a better understanding of the wider context of elephant ivory artefacts dating from the sixth and seventh centuries discovered in the Carpathian Basin. After reviewing the written and material evidence on the dynamics of the Mediterranean elephant ivory trade from the Hellenistic period until the Early Middle Ages, our main conclusion is that the raw material of the sixth- to seventh-century ivory objects of the Middle Danube Region in in all probability originated from Africa, possibly from the continent’s eastern parts, and arrived to this area through the Mediterranean. It is further argued that the few artefacts manufactured of elephant ivory in the eastern and central regions of the Mediterranean that reached the Carpathian Basin cannot be regarded as extremely expensive luxury goods – in fact, their majority would have been quite affordable to customers of more modest means.
Szarmata Érmek Fejdíszként Egy Békésszentandrási Késő Szarmata Női Sírból
Authors: Juhász Lajos
Published: March 2021

Békésszentandrás-Fabó-tanyán egy késő szarmata sírba temetett nő fején négy szarmata érmet viselt fejdíszként, holdsarlót és csillagokat mintázó hátlappal. Az ilyen vereteket már korábban is amulettként interpretálta a tudomány, amely összhangban áll a lunulák elterjedtségével ezen népesség körében. Az együttes külön érdekessége, hogy az eltemetett nő az érmeket a férfiportréval kifelé viselte.

Four perforated Sarmatian coins were uncovered on the forehead of a Sarmatian woman in a late Sarmatian grave at Békésszentandrás-Fabó-tanya. All coins have a crescent moon and stars on their reverses, correlates with the widespread use of lunulae by this population. Fortunately, it was possible to determine that the woman wore the coins with the male portraits facing outwards.
Features of the functional state of the pituitary-ovarian systems in women with polycystic ovary syndrome at different periods of reproductive age
Authors: Krusko O. V. , Sholokhov L. F. , Belenkaya L. V. , Rashidova M. A. , Danusevich I. N. , Nadelyaeva Ya. G. , Lazareva L. М. , Kolesnikova L. I.
Published: March 2021

Background. PCOS is one of the most common endocrinological pathologies in women of reproductive age, manifested by a wide range of clinical manifestations. There are many unresolved issues related to the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this pathological condition in different periods of reproductive age. Aim the objective of the study was to identify the features of the functioning of the pituitary-ovarian system in women with PCOS at different periods of reproductive age. Methods. Study was performed in 20172019 at the FSPSI SCFHHRP, and involved women aged 1845 years. The study groups included women (a group of women with PCOS and a control group) in the follicular phase from 1 to 12 days of the menstrual cycle. As a result of the survey, a group of 44 women with PCOS and a group of 56 healthy women were formed. PCOS was diagnosed according to ESHRE/ASRM criteria (Rotterdam, 2003). Next, subgroups of women in early reproductive age from 35 to 45 years were formed: a group of women with PCOS (n = 29) and a control group (n = 22). And groups of women in late reproductive age from 35 to 45 years were formed: a group of women with PCOS (n = 15) and a control group (n = 34). Conducted: questionnaire survey, general and gynecological examination, ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, laboratory tests, statistical data analysis. Results. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome of early reproductive age (1835 years), we detected an increase in the level of testosterone by 2 times, DHEA-S by 1.3 times, 17-OH-progesterone by 2 times, sex steroid-binding globulin by 1.4 times, in comparison with control group. The ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone increased by 52%. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome of late reproductive age (3545 years), we detected an increase in the level of testosterone by 1.5 times, 17-OH-progesterone by 1.9 times, luteinizing hormone by 1.4 times, sex steroid-binding globulin by 1.6 times, in comparison with control group, without any significant differences in DHEA-S. At the same time, the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone increased by 60%. Conclusion. The hormonal profile of women with PCOS of early and late reproductive period is characterized by series of age-related changes in the pituitary-ovarian system, which should be taken into account in preventive and therapeutic measures.
A study to understand the inclusion of learners with and without visual impairment in a secondary school in Lesotho
Authors: Ralejoe Malehlanye
Published: March 2021

The study reported on here was conducted to investigate the perceptions of 8 learners in a secondary school in the Maseru district of Lesotho about inclusive education as it relates to learners with visual impairment. This school had integrated children with visual impairment. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, and a case study format was adopted. Eight participants (aged 16–23; 5 girls and 3 boys) participated in the study. Two focus groups were formed: one comprised 4 learners without visual impairment, and another 4 learners with visual impairment. Focus-group discussions were followed up with individual interviews. The results reveal that learners (with and without visual impairment) had mixed opinions about the integration of learners with visual impairment in their mainstream school. On the one hand they pointed out that inadequate resources and the unwelcoming infrastructure of their school discouraged this integration. Those with visual impairment also pointed to their exclusion from sports activities by their peers, as well as the occasional use of exclusionary language by some of their teachers, as indicating that special schools were better places for them. On the other hand, the learners stated some of the benefits of including learners with visual impairment in their school. These included enabling peer tutoring, peer consultations, and a slower pace of teaching. Learners with visual impairment also stated that inclusion had improved their social life, by enabling them to learn better ways of living with people without visual impairment. Based on these benefits, learners welcomed the inclusion of those with visual impairment in mainstream schools.
Boys and bullying in primary school: Young masculinities and the negotiation of power
Authors: Mayeza Emmanuel , Bhana Deevia
Published: March 2021

In this article, we draw on data from focus group discussions to examine the ways in which some young boys in a South African township primary school construct and negotiate hegemonic masculinity through bullying, and other forms of violence, within the school. Deviating from the simplistic victim-bully binary, we draw from critical masculinity studies to show how younger boys exert power over girls through violence but are, themselves, also victims of violence which, they say, is perpetrated by girls. Boys are often identified as bullies at school, but when we gave them the opportunity to talk about what it meant to be a bully, we gained a far more complex picture of how bullying behaviour manifests between learners at school. Indeed, our participants’ accounts of violence at school gave us great insights into the complexities of gender violence and highlighted the broader socio-cultural and economic conditions that produce it. We conclude that it is vital to understand the mechanisms of gender power relations among primary school learners, if primary school violence prevention interventions are to be effective.
Oral Reading Skills and Comprehension Test-II (SOBAT®-II): Assessment of reading fluency and comprehension of Turkish students with specific learning disabilities
Authors: Melekoğlu Macid Ayhan , Erden H. Gülsen , Çakıroğlu Orhan
Published: March 2021

Efforts to diagnose students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) have increased in recent years in Turkey. However, the limited number of assessment tools used to identify students with SLD is one of the most important concerns in this area, since 8 out of 10 students with SLD have difficulty in reading, which affects other academic areas. Considering reading performance scores from standardised reading tests may help eliminate difficulties in SLD assessment. Reading problems are often observed with or without SLD, especially in primary and middle school age groups. However, standardised reading tests are usually not used in screening and diagnosis of these children, and in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the effectiveness of reading intervention programmes in Turkey. The purpose of the study reported on here was to provide findings of a project that was carried out to develop a standardised reading test, SOBAT®-II, for the assessment of reading and reading comprehension skills development of children with SLD between 7 and 14 years of age. A total of 1,133 test administrations were performed within the scope of this study. As a result of this study, the Oral Reading Skills and Comprehension Test (SOBAT®), of which the preliminary study was conducted between 2002 and 2012, was expanded to include children between the ages of 7 and 14, and the parallel form of the test, A and B, was formed. In future studies, expanding the number and diversity of the sample by including students from different provinces, and adding motivation resources to increase voluntary participation may be beneficial for standardisation of the test.
My Early Researches on Fuzzy Set and Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Shi Yong
Published: March 2021

This paper presents the author’s works on fuzzy sets and fuzzy systems in early 1980’s to celebrate the 100-year birthday of Lotfi A. Zadeh. They were originally published in Chinese. The first part of the paper is about an isomorphic theorem on fuzzy subgroups and fuzzy series of invariant subgroups, which could be a theoretical basis when the multiple-valued computer system will be reconsidered or redeveloped in the future. The second part of the paper describes the convergence theorem of fuzzy integral of type II which was contributed by Wenxiu Zhang and Ruhuai Zhao. Both fuzzy integral of type I developed by M. Sugeno and the fuzzy integral of type II have been playing an important role in the design of various engineering devices for last 40 years.
Silver nano particles from low dilution homeopathic medicine
Authors: Ghosh S , Ray Arpita
Published: March 2021

Recently there have been many attempts for the biosynthesis of silver or gold nano particles from plant (root, leaves, stem etc.) extracts. In the present article, we have shown, for the first time, that low dilution China or Cina (Homeopathic medicines both of strength theta) can also
dissociate AgNO3 producing Ag nanoparticles. We have stabilized these Ag nanoparticles in some bioactive polymers (like polyvinyl alcohol ,PVA) and studied their electrical and dielectric properties. Enhancement of conductivity and dielectric constants of these Ag stabilized polymer nanocomposite
films compared to those of the corresponding pure polymer films indicated the presence of Ag nanoparticles in the films.
Determinants of cost deviations and overruns in UK transport projects
Authors: Catalão Francisco Pinheiro , Cruz Carlos Oliveira , Sarmento Joaquim Miranda
Published: March 2021

Cost deviations have long been a relevant research topic within the field of public works and infrastructure. Attempts to evaluate the frequency of cost deviations and overruns (CDOs), and the magnitude of these deviations, have been reported in the literature. Using data published by the UK National Audit Office in the period 1985–2018, a unique overview of 175 UK transport projects is provided in this paper. The aim of this work was to evaluate CDOs in the UK and to identify the main determinants, with a focus on exogenous determinants (context-related), which have been neglected in the existing literature. The results confirm that transport projects show a tendency towards overruns, although there are significant differences between road projects (with an average deviation of 18%) and other types of transport projects (with an average deviation of 60%). The results show that an increase in government efficiency levels leads to a decrease in cost overruns. The findings support an existing theory that there is evidence of the existence of political determinants in cost overruns, but also that economic dynamics play a role in explaining cost overruns. Whether the political bias is psychologically or strategically driven is yet to be demonstrated.
Predicted impact of design parameters in asphalt concrete layers on pavement performance
Authors: Shakhan Mohammad Razeq , Topal Ali , Sengoz Burak , Ozturk Hande Isik
Published: March 2021

The scope of this study was to assess the predicted impact of design factors (voids percentage (Va), effective binder content (Vbe) and aggregate gradation) in each asphalt concrete (AC) layer on pavement performance for conditions in Izmir, Turkey. Research was conducted on three flexible pavement structures for three traffic levels and three subgrade types using AashtoWare Pavement ME Design software. The results indicated that increasing Vbe (from 8% to 15%) and Va (from 3% to 5%) in the wearing course resulted in, respectively, almost 1.0 mm and 0.2 mm increases in AC rutting depth, 17 m/km and 145 m/km reductions in thermal cracking length and a 55.8 m/km decrease and 85 m/km increase in top-down cracking length. For the binder course, an increase in Vbe (from 7% to 14%) and Va (from 4% to 6%) led to, respectively, nearly 1.0 mm and 0.3 mm increases in AC rutting depth and a 35 m/km increase in top-down cracking length. For the AC base course, an increase in Vbe (from 6% to 12%) and Va (from 5% to 6%) resulted in a 26.3% reduction and 14.2% increase in alligator cracking area, respectively. An increase in the fine aggregate percentage and a decrease in the coarse aggregate gradation in the hot-mix asphalt mixture led to improved performance.
A United Kingdom Pilot Study of Kinetic Shift Therapy and Mindfulness Based Therapy for Clients Living with Intellectual Disabilities and Enduring Mental Health Problems
Authors: J Collins-McGroarty , E Faulkes-Sharrock , R Wilkes
Published: March 2021

Objective: Clients with moderate intellectual disabilities are reported to struggle with ongoing mental health problems, especially around emotional and behavioral issues around sensitive topics like their sexuality, which is not always easy to communicate through traditional talking therapies for this client group, therefore a group of individuals were selected to determine the impact of a newer energy psychotherapy technique called Kinetic Shift Therapy (KS) alongside Mindfulness based therapy (MBT) which is utilized more, however with limited published research to determine the positive impact on the symptoms and behaviors that affect this client group.
Differentiation of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Serotypes in Animals in High-Risk Zones of Georgia
Authors: N Toklikishvili , T Tchigitashvili , M Turmanidze , T Tigilauri , E Mamisashvili , K Goginashvili , M Donduashvili , L Kerdzevadze , V Lagani
Published: March 2021

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is the most important economic threat to the livestock industry. Outbreaks of FMD can have a devastating impact on livestock production and trade, resulting in significant economic losses in the agricultural sector. As a result, vaccination and containment programs have been implemented internationally to minimize the spread of FMDV. The national vaccination program has been implemented in Georgia since 2012, vaccinating Large Ruminants (LR) and Small Ruminants (SR) with trivalent (A, O, Asia1) vaccine twice annually. However, active seromonitoring surveillance still shows a high seroprevalence of the disease, indicating virus circulation. In this study we attempted to estimate the prevalence of different FMDV serotypes in various risk zones within Georgia. A total of 4991 small and large ruminants were tested for the presence of FMDV nonstructural proteins (NSP) in the blood, and the exact serotypes of positive animals were further investigated through structural protein (SP) based assays. The results show that significant percentages (6.6%) of vaccinated animals were affected by FMD, and those positive animals are usually affected by more than one FMDV serotype. As such, our data call upon a stricter vaccination and monitoring program for FMDV in Georgia, especially considering that due to the geographic location of Georgia, the presence of FMD can have significant impact on transit and can be a threat for other countries as well.
A New Fuzzy Approach for Analyzing the Smartness of Cities: Case Study for Turkey
Authors: ERDOĞAN Melike
Published: March 2021

Smart cities, developed as alternative to classical urbanism, are areas where information and communication technologies are used to make places more livable, sustainable and efficient. If a city offers solutions to problems related to governance, people, economy, mobility, environment and living issues, it can be defined as "smart city". The smartness of cities can be measured on these six basic axes. By analyzing the smartness of cities, evaluations can be made on the quality of life, health, public safety, environment and services. Hereby, appropriate measures can be taken against problems and strategies can be developed to increase the smartness of cities. This paper proposes a new decision making analysis to evaluate and compare the smartness of cities. For this aim, we considered the cities which are the candidates to be smart areas in Turkey. At this point, we applied multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) analysis to evaluate criteria and alternatives in the decision process. We also utilized from fuzzy logic to model the uncertainty in the best way. Furthermore, we applied extended version of ordinary fuzzy sets which is named spherical fuzzy sets for the first time with QUALIFLEX method. Thus, one of the most comprehensive qualitative analyses ever made in the evaluation of smart cities is revealed and the usability of spherical fuzzy sets by MCDM methods is demonstrated. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was used to examine the robustness of the proposed method. As a result, a novel fuzzy decision-making approach has been proposed in the evaluation of smart cities.
Elections to EU Parliament in 2019 as Сovered by Russian Media
Authors: Urina Natalia , Grusha Anastasia
Published: March 2021

In the context of emergence of new political communication channels and new players in the international arena, the problem of perceiving actors of international politics by the public and the content of information about them provided by the media is especially relevant. Not only the exponentially growing number of publications on this topic but also their quality needs particular attention and deep analysis. The EU, whose legislative power is executed by the European Parliament, is one of the key actors of international politics. This work, being part of a full-scale research of Russian media coverage of EU Parliament elections in 2019, aims at studying qualitative and quantitative characteristics of publications on this topic and determining elements of the EU’s media image in Russian media. The quantitative analysis required studying “Medailogia” database and covered both traditional and online national and regional media whose texts mention key words on the elections between May 13 and June 9, 2019 more than twice. The qualitative analysis involved examining the content of publications in the media in the period of April–June 2019, focusing on the topics, volume and completeness of information on the elections, the dynamic of coverage and news hooks in various media, and the genre features of the publications. The results of the study show that EU Parliament elections in 2019 were not a top theme in Russian media. However, the media presented quite a wide range of opinions on the political event and demonstrated a high degree of personification of international politics.
Desenvolvimento de habilidades em ambientes controlados e simulação para segurança dos usuários SUS na graduação
Authors: Bizario João Carlos da Silva , Vaccarezza Gabriela Furst , Brandão Carolina Felipe Soares
Published: March 2021

INTRODUÇÃO: A inserção do estudante de medicina desde o início do curso em atividades aplicadas à realidade profissional, propicia um campo potencial e necessário para o desenvolvimento de desempenhos e competências norteados pelas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais de 2014. A familiarização do estudante com a prática profissional em ambientes controlados também contribui para a compreensão da realidade, garantindo o desenvolvimento de habilidadesque contribuem e mantém a segurança dos pacientes. OBJETIVO: Descrever a inserção curricular realizada do eixo das habilidades profissionais e simulação clínica como cenário de aprendizagem controlado concomitantemente às atividades desenvolvidas nos diferentes níveis de atenção à saúde, como ambientes não controlados. METODOLOGIA: Relato de experiência das atividades acadêmicas do Curso de Medicina da Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul desde sua concepção. RESULTADOS: As habilidades e simulação clínica ao longo dos semestres possuem diversas atividades com pacientes padronizados (atores), manequins específicos (Task Trainer), simulação híbrida, práticas deliberadas em ciclo rápido e simulação padrão com a finalidade de propiciar o desenvolvimento de competências médicas desde o primeiro semestre do curso. CONCLUSÃO: A inserção dos estudantes de medicina na rede de atenção à saúde desde o ingresso no curso associado a simulação clínica, têm exercido um papel importante e complementar no currículo, mantendo o objetivo central em promover melhores práticas com foco na segurança do paciente.
Challenges for Education during the Pandemic: An Overview of Literature
Authors: Radina Nadezhda , Balakina Yulia
Published: March 2021

This article overviews studies exploring the COVID‑19 pandemic’s impact on education systems and their responses to lockdown restrictions, comparing available findings with international statistics based on continuous education system monitoring. Global organizations acknowledge disruption of classical educational processes and emergency transition to distance learning during the pandemic. Scientific literature examines accessibility of online education, alternative forms of distance learning, and the pandemic-induced financial constraints on universities inhibiting new construction, social support for students, scholarship application, professional development of faculty members, and research growth. The pandemic illuminated the issue of inequality in education, which worsened as a result of emergency transition to online studies. In particular, researchers focus on the most vulnerable groups of students, such as children from low-income families, children from migrant backgrounds, and students with disabilities.Projects aimed at studying the digitalization of education account for the biggest chunk of research inspired by the new pandemic reality. A number of studies discuss not just a formal transition to distance learning but a major technological turn that allows using the unique opportunities provided by digital technologies, which is especially important when teaching medical students.Theoretical inquiry is a distinctive feature of scientific discourse, as compared to the discourse of international expert and analytical reports on the problems of education in the context of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Research on changes to the learning process makes it possible to reconstruct the direct and indirect, as well as latent, threats of the pandemic.
The Interplay of Law, Economics and Culture in the Modern Era and Its Influence on the Development Prospects of Educational Institutions. The Screeching Wheels of Social Machines
Authors: Lyubzhin Aleksey
Published: March 2021

This article is a response to Georgy Lyubarsky’s profound and farsighted speculations about the functioning of educational institutions in the new social context, where conventional approaches cannot be applied anymore. In a situation where mass media take over the school’s function of producing meanings for the public, it becomes impossible to speak about the “majority” and, consequently, about any classical culture common for that majority. Meanwhile, it appears a good idea to create a new mythology (perhaps, a university mythology) that would allow elaborating the theory of general education, first of all in universities, at a new level. If the concepts proposed are considered as viable, development models should also be proposed for institutions of secondary education, where it would make sense to use traditional western and pre-Soviet models of school organization, in much the same way that investors in a recession turn to conservative assets.