bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Problematic phonemes” and German /ɛ:/: An acoustic analysis
Authors: Predeck Kristin , Block Aleese , Arnett Carlee
Published: March 2021

The decision to include or exclude phonemes in the description of a language is not always straightforward; presentations of the phoneme inventory of Modern Standard German (MSG) often include a discussion of why /ɛ:/ is problematic as a phoneme. This study describes the acoustic realization of /ɛ:/ in comparison to /e:/ in spoken German, specifically South Westphalian. 39 native German speakers produced /ɛ:/ and /e:/ in hVt non-word frames and vowel productions were measured for: (1) first and second formants from the steady state of the vowel, (2) duration, and (3) fundamental frequency (f0). Measurements were analyzed with a logistic regression model using the glm package in R. The model showed that while the main effects of F2, duration, and pitch were not significant, F1 was; speakers reliably produced /ɛ:/ lower in the vowel space than /e:/, but not fronter. This preliminary investigation into the acoustic realizations of /ɛ:/ and /e:/ through the lens of the debate on whether these two sounds truly are phonetically and phonemically contrastive is a first step toward truly understanding these two sounds within the larger phonemic inventory of MSG. We hope that this study will reopen a discussion on this topic and help answer the question of whether /ɛ:/ really is a problematic phoneme.
Scalar properties of Japanese and English sense-based minimizers
Authors: Sawada Osamu
Published: March 2021

The Japanese minimizers kasukani ‘faintly’ and honokani ‘approx. faintly’ and the English minimizer faintly are similar to typical minimizers, such as the Japanese sukoshi ‘a bit’ and English a bit, in that they semantically represent a low degree. However, their meanings and distribution patterns are not the same. I argue that kasukani, honokani, and faintly are sense-based minimizers in that they not only semantically denote a small degree but also convey that thejudge (typically the speaker) measures degree based on his/her own sense ( the senses of sight, smell, taste, etc.) at the level of conventional implicature (CI) (e.g., Grice 1975; Potts 2005; McCready 2010; Gutzmann 2011). It will be shown that this characteristic restricts sense-based minimizers to occur only in a limited environment. This paper also shows that there are variations among the sense-based minimizers with regard to (i) the kind of sense, (ii) the presence/absence of evaluativity, and (iii) the possibility of a combination with an emotive predicate, and will explain them in the non-at-issue domain. In analyzing the meaning of sense-based minimizers, the relationship between a sense-based minimizer and a predicate of personal taste (e.g., Pearson 2013; Ninan 2014; Kennedy & Willer 2019; Willer & Kennedy 2019) will also be discussed.
D-linking and the semantics of wh-in-situ
Authors: Martin Joshua
Published: March 2021

Theories of pair-list readings of multiple wh-questions commonly posit an interpretive asymmetry between the fronted and in-situ wh-phrases, where the fronted wh-phrase is argued to function as the sortal key, have a requirement to be interpreted exhaustively, or be obligatorily D-linked. To clarify the empirical landscape of such debate, I present three experiments which tease apart the effects of these often-confounded discourse factors on the order and interpretation of multiple wh-questions. They are found to have either inconsistent or insignificant effects, arguing against a unique discourse-sensitivity of the fronted wh-phrase. Theories of questions which encode such an asymmetry should accordingly be revised.
Mind your weight: ‘Motionlessly’ sitting between the object and the verb in Japanese
Authors: Fung Hing-Yuet
Published: March 2021

The object in Japanese is often displaced from its canonical position next to the sentence-final verb, due to motivations such as information structure or animacy. Such flexibility allows for an adverb to be placed between the object and the verb. In the literature, there are suggestions for an almost equal preference to place Japanese manner adverbs before or after the object, inferred from both online and offline results. We will present a corpus study with a representative Japanese manner adverb zitto ‘motionlessly’ to show that either order may be preferred in different accounts of word order variation, but none can satisfy both requirements of distance minimization and accessibility, which are manifested in competing directions in Japanese, a verb-final language. In both accounts, weight has immense effect and should not be neglected. By using two heuristic methods to measure the weight effect, we propose that this case study with an object and an adverb sheds new light on the explanatory power of the distance minimization account, in particular by the Mimimize Domains principle (Hawkins 1994), which operates at both levels of (1) the constituency construction of the full VP, which favors the object-first order, and (2) the Phrasal Combination Domain between the head of object and the verb, which favors the adverb-first order. It is also proposed to implement a complement-and-adjunct distinction in the MiD principle, as a step toward a more effective study method of weight effect which I shall call efficiency profiling.
Deriving frequency effects from biases in learning
Authors: Baird Maggie
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a phonological learner that derives frequency effects – the propensity of more frequent items undergo deletion and reduction processes at higher rates. The model is a bidirectional Maximum Entropy grammar which has two distinct learning steps, one mapping from UR to SR, and another mapping back from SR to UR using Bayesian inference. The model is tested on the case of t/d deletion in English and correctly derives the frequency-based pattern of deletion without access to surface patterns.
Licensing of nominal ellipsis in Hungarian possessives
Authors: Ronai Eszter , Stigliano Laura
Published: March 2021

We argue, based on novel data, that the possessor head (Poss) can license ellipsis of its complement in Hungarian. That is, contra existing claims in the literature, possessor morphology can survive nominal ellipsis and be stranded on the remnant. Adopting Saab & Lipták (2016)’s of ellipsis licensing, we propose that there is variation in the size of the ellipsis site in Hungarian: nominal ellipsis can be licensed by either Num or Poss. We further propose that nominal ellipsis licensed by Poss can capture a previously unanalyzed variation in the Hungarian possessive pronoun paradigm. Specifically, the two variants of possessive pronouns correspond to two different structures: one is the anaphoric possessive (see Dékány 2015), while the other exists only as a consequence of nominal ellipsis, which, as we show, is a productive possibility.
Metatony, S-constituent linkage, and cognate objects
Authors: Schaefer Ronald P. , Egbokhare Francis O.
Published: March 2021

We examine metatony and its grammatical conditioning in an under described Edoid language of West Africa. In Emai, metatony on verbs is signaled by perfective suffix -í with underlying high tone. With a following adjunct, tone on this suffix is high and retained. When clause final, -í is retained but with low tone. When followed by a verb argument, the -í suffix is prohibited. Verbs with a following S-constituent exhibit metatonic asymmetry. Class one verbs prohibit suffix -í, treating S-constituents as verb arguments. Class two verbs require high tone -í, as if their S-constituent were an adjunct. When these same class two verbs occur with an immediately following cognate object nominal, they prohibit suffix -í. We interpret this asymmetric behavior of class two verbs in terms of boundary permeability (Berg 2014). We posit that class two forms are transitive and that their S-constituent derives historically from a complex Noun S-constituent structure that has become truncated and assumed a simple S-constituent form, having lost its erstwhile “cognate object noun.” It is thus the strict boundary for transitivity imposed by perfective suffix -í that signals a weakened status of S-constituents with class two verbs.
A novel argument for PF operations: STAMP morphs in Gã
Authors: Felice Lydia
Published: March 2021

A key question facing piece-based syntactic morphological frameworks is whether morphophonological structure may be read directly from syntactic structure, as in Spanning, or if postsyntactic operations mediate this relationship, as in Distributed Morphology. Additionally, it is necessary to determine whether linear order is relevant for determining locality. This paper brings new data from STAMP portmanteaux in Gã (Kwa, Ghana) to bear on this question. I demonstrate that STAMP portmanteaux are composed of terminal nodes which do not form a syntactic constituent, and thus are incompatible with syntax-only morphological frameworks like Spanning. PF operations which are sensitive to linear locality, like Fusion in DM, are necessary to generate the portmanteaux. Instrumental adjuncts are additionally demonstrated to block portmanteaux formation, confirming that linear locality is crucial for calculating portmanteaux. Gã STAMP portmanteaux thus provide empirical support for PF operations that are sensitive to linear locality.
The semi-complementizer shuō and non-referential CPs in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Huang Jiahui
Published: March 2021

The empirical focus of this paper is the syntactic status of the semi-complementizer shuō grammaticalized from verbs of saying, in Mandarin Chinese. Such elements have been shown to exhibit atypical patterns compared to that in English, which triggers discussions of whether shuō should be analyzed as a complementizer (Paul, 2014; Huang, 2018). This paper presents novel data surrounding the distributional patterns of shuō and argues that shuō is a C head that introduces a subtype of CPs called non-referential CPs, following de Cuba (2017).
Аналіз умов переходу від Безпеки-І до Безпеки-ІІ в автотранспортному процесі з точки зору соціотехнічної системи
Authors: Сакно Ольга
Published: March 2021

Для більшості людей безпека означає відсутність небажаних результатів, таких як нероботоздатність або аварії. Безпека в цілому визначається як якість системи, яка є необхідною та надійною для того, щоб забезпечити прийнятну кількість подій, які можуть завдати шкоди учасникам транспортного процесу, громадськості чи навколишньому середовищу.

У Безпеці-I відправною точкою управління безпекою автомобіля є або те, що щось пішло не так (відмова), або щось було визначено як ризик. В обох випадках використовується вищезазначений підхід «знайти та виправити». У першому випадку шляхом усунення причин, а потім вироблення відповідної реакції, у другому шляхом визначення небезпек з метою їх усунення або їх стримування. Іншим рішенням є запобігання переходу від «роботоздатного» до «нероботоздатного» стану (або несправності) незалежно від того, чи це пов’язано з раптовим переходом або поступовим «переходом у збій». Це досягається обмеженням експлуатації автомобіля в «роботоздатному» стані, підсиленням відповідності та усуненням змінності.

Основа Безпеки-I – розподіл автомобіля на складові частини. Передбачається, що «компоненти» системи можуть бути в одному з двох режимів, або функціонувати правильно (справний), або вийти з ладу (несправний стан).

Як і в більшості галузей, автомобіль зазнає постійно зростаючого потоку різноманітних змін та вдосконалень.

Деякі зміни виникають у відповідь на більш потужні технології, але інші - відповідь на підвищені вимоги до продуктивності, надійності, якості, екологічності.

Технічні системи сьогодні стають все більш непереборними. Це означає, що їх принципи функціонування відомі лише частково (або в більшій кількості випадків, абсолютно невідомі), що описи розроблені з багатьма деталями, і що системи, ймовірно, змінюються до того, як описи можуть бути завершені, а це означає, що описи завжди будуть неповними.

Метою підвищення безпеки руху дуже важливо звернути увагу на заходи, спрямовані на усунення виявлених переважних факторів ризику, що сприяють виникненню рівня аварій та впливають на вагу наслідків дорожньо-транспортних пригод та включають працює над моніторингом рівня аварій у планах та надає рекомендації щодо чорних плям.

Таким чином, Безпека-I - усунення причин несправностей та небезпек, чи то, що містять їх наслідки, Безпека-ІІ – забезпечення максимально можливих умов для успішних результатів в процесі експлуатації автомобілів.
Проблеми, що викликають при автоматизації кранів мостового типу
Authors: Свиргун Владимир
Published: March 2021

З розвитком мікропроцесорної техніки поступово почалося застосування її на самих різноманітних вантажопідйомних машинах. В кожному випадку мета, що переслідується може бути різна, Це і покращення техніко-економічних показників машини, і покращення безпеки робіт і умов праці персоналу, що експлуатують їх, також може бути підвищення виробності перевантажувальних робіт тощо. Для деяких вантажопідйомних машин перехід на автоматичний режим роботи пов’язано зі значними труднощами, такі як агресивна середа експлуатації, під час величезні розміри самої машини, але головною перешкодою для застосування мікропроцесорної техніки для кранів мостового типу є наявність гнучкого підвісу вантажу. Це призводить до виникнення під час руху значних коливань вантажу і робить задачу наведення його на ціль вельми складною. Тому є потреба в розробці програмного забезпечення для мікропроцесора, яке дозволить не тільки перемістити вантаж у зазначене місце, а і повністю усунути його коливання після зупинки  крану в автоматичному режимі.  Суттєва різниця запропонованих авторами алгоритмів керування полягає в том, що досягнуто значне скорочення у часі перевантажувального циклу, що дасть можливість вийти на максимальну виробність крану
The Core Mass Function in the Orion Nebula Cluster Region: What Determines the Final Stellar Masses?
Authors: Takemura Hideaki , Nakamura Fumitaka , Kong Shuo , Arce Héctor G. , Carpenter John M. , Ossenkopf-Okada Volker , Klessen Ralf , Sanhueza Patricio , Shimajiri Yoshito , Tsukagoshi Takashi , Kawabe Ryohei , Ishii Shun , Dobashi Kazuhito , Shimoikura Tomomi , Goldsmith Paul F. , Sánchez-Monge Álvaro , Kauffmann Jens , Pillai Thushara G. S. , Padoan Paolo , Ginsberg Adam , Smith Rowan J. , Bally John , Mairs Steve , Pineda Jaime E. , Lis Dariusz C. , Burkhart Blakesley , Schilke Peter , Chen Hope How-Huan , Isella Andrea , Friesen Rachel K. , Goodman Alyssa A. , Harper Doyal A.
Published: March 2021

Applying dendrogram analysis to the CARMA-NRO C18O (J = 1–0) data having an angular resolution of ∼8″, we identified 692 dense cores in the Orion Nebula Cluster region. Using this core sample, we compare the core and initial stellar mass functions in the same area to quantify the step from cores to stars. About 22% of the identified cores are gravitationally bound. The derived core mass function (CMF) for starless cores has a slope similar to Salpeter’s stellar initial mass function (IMF) for the mass range above 1 M
⊙, consistent with previous studies. Our CMF has a peak at a subsolar mass of ∼0.1 M
⊙, which is comparable to the peak mass of the IMF derived in the same area. We also find that the current star formation rate is consistent with the picture in which stars are born only from self-gravitating starless cores. However, the cores must gain additional gas from the surroundings to reproduce the current IMF (e.g., its slope and peak mass), because the core mass cannot be accreted onto the star with 100% efficiency. Thus, the mass accretion from the surroundings may play a crucial role in determining the final stellar masses of stars.
Determinant of Smoking Behavior among Elementary Student in Indonesia: A Structure Equation Model
Authors: Novita Haryanto Astrid , Noer Melinda , Kusumayati Agustin , Machmud Rizanda , Hafizurrachman Muhammad , Bachtiar Adang
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND:Initial smoking exposure may occur during early adolescence (aged 10 to 12 years old), and it increases over time.  Although several factors for smoking behaviors exist among adolescents, there is few studies address determinant of smoking behavior by adding others variables in theory of plan behavior such as smoking refusal skills, self-regulation, parenting, family function, environment, and culture.
AIM:The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the determinant of smoking behavior among elementary student in Indonesia using a structural equation model.
METHOD:A cross-sectional survey was carried out from June to October 2019 in West Java, Indonesia. For each school, students were selected using a systematic random sampling. technique. The study included girls and boys ages 10-12. The consent was obtained by the parent or guardian. Structural equation modelling was used for analysis.
RESULTS:The mean age was 10.56 years (SD= 0.37). About 28.6% of them were currently smoking with aged of first use was 10.02 (SD=0.19). more than half (56%) of their family were currently smoking too and friend smoking was 41.7%. The final model accounted for 27% and 39% of the variance of intention and smoking behaviour, respectivelyhas both direct and indirect effect through empowerment on self-care behaviors toward pregnancy-related complication. CONCLUSION:The present study was intended to expand the theory of planned behavior by including additional variables in its model: smoking refusal skills, self-regulation, parenting, family function, environment, and culture. This study also provides a significant contribute for clinical a practice and policy maker as a basic data to establish future intervention to promote no tobacco use among elementary student to achieve optimal well-being to prevent a fatal disease.
A Review of the Efficacy of the Dietary Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Taha Zainab , Abdalhai Khalid A.
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder with 1 in 68 children prevalence. The key symptoms of ASD include social deficits, verbal and non-verbal communication deficits, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. For unknown reasons, gastrointestinal symptoms are related to ASD. The aim of the current paper is to review the available literature on dietary interventions in children with ASD and provide up-to-date evidence.
METHODS: Searches in online databases, using the search terms’ dietary intervention, “autism spectrum disorders,” and “autism” were conducted. The search targeted publications ranging from 2010 to 2020.
RESULTS: Twenty-six studies with different study designs which evaluated the effectiveness of specific dietary interventions in children with ASD were included in our review. Several dietary interventions were of popular practice in the management of children with ASD, including elimination (gluten-/casein-free diet and oligoantigenic diet), modification (modified ketogenic diet), supplementation (minerals, vitamins, omega 3, and omega 6), and exclusion (food additives). Studies showed different results with varying degrees of evidence. Overall, data were inadequate to make accurate conclusions.
CONCLUSION: There is little evidence to support the use of dietary interventions for children with ASD. Additional high-quality studies and further research are, therefore, needed.
Husband’s Support in the Taking-hold Phase of Postpartum (Phenomenology Study)
Authors: Rosa Elsye Maria , Apriyanti Popy , Astuti Dhesi Ari
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND: The puerperium is a period that begins after the birth of the placenta and ends when the uterus organs return to their pre-pregnancy state, which lasts for about 6 weeks or after delivery until 42 days of delivery. This period is a crucial period for mothers and newborns because, at this time, mothers are required to adapt to their new role of being a mother.
AIM: This study aims to explore the husband’s support in the taking-hold phase of postpartum primigravida cesarean section and normal labor.
METHODS: This study used a qualitative research design employing a phenomenological approach. The purposive sampling method was utilized in selecting 10 informants. Data analysis used a Colaizzi analysis and Nvivo 12 Plus software.
RESULTS: The results showed that the husband’s support influenced postpartum mothers in the (1) emotional changes, (2) baby care, (3) wound care, and (4) nutritional fulfillment.
CONCLUSION: The husband’s support in the taking-hold postpartum phase was proven to deal with psychological adaptation and help postpartum maternal health care.
Géopolitique de la diaspora dodécanésienne : la spécificité régionale d’un réseau grec
Authors: Georgikopoulos Ioannis
Published: March 2021

Le présent article étudie l’évolution spatio-temporelle d’une branche spécifique de la diaspora grecque, issue des îles du Dodécanèse. En s’appuyant sur ses spécificités géoculturelles, cette diaspora devint un acteur à part entière de la politique étrangère grecque et contribua, par son lobbying, au rattachement de l’archipel au territoire de la Grèce (1947). Malgré la centralisation étatique menaçant d’écraser les spécificités du réseau, la diaspora dodécanésienne se recompose aujourd’hui en tant que partie infranationale de la diaspora grecque, avantagée par sa résilience et ses attaches multiples.
De l’éthique du care et du travail émotionnel : quelle réalité dans les EHPAD français installés en Tunisie ?
Authors: Hachana Rym , Gharbi Samiha , Chichti Fatma
Published: March 2021

En croisant deux littératures, celle sur l’éthique du care et celle sur le travail émotionnel, cette recherche tente de comprendre comment s’opère le travail émotionnel chez les aidants professionnels (auxiliaires de vie, animateurs, techniciens de santé) qui travaillent dans les EHPAD français installés en Tunisie. Nous chercherons à dévoiler les spécificités culturelles liées à l’exercice du métier du care et quelles en seraient les conséquences éventuelles en termes d’efficacité et de sens attribué à ce métier. Nous approchons ainsi le care sous l’angle de l’investissement émotionnel qu’il suscite chez 14 aidants professionnels. Cette recherche de nature qualitative s’est déroulée durant le mois de juin 2020, après la fin du confinement, et a duré trois mois. Les données collectées ont été rajoutées à la recherche documentaire, et tout le matériau collecté à fait l’objet d’une analyse de contenu thématique en suivant la méthodologie de Bardin (2005). Les résultats démontrent que le travail émotionnel est une forme de socialisation émotionnelle ancrée culturellement et puise ses racines dans la religiosité des acteurs. Néanmoins, nous n’avons pas pu relever un effet genre lié au contexte de caring .
Discuter l’héritage social et culturel des grands événements sportifs. Une revue de littérature internationale
Authors: Viersac Mathys , Attali Michaël
Published: March 2021

Plus qu’un simple élément de discours, la notion d’héritage est devenue décisive dans le processus de candidature pour l’organisation d’un grand événement sportif international (GESI). En parallèle, un nombre croissant de travaux scientifiques se sont penchés sur son utilisation dans la perspective de mesurer les effets produits par ce type d’événement. L’utilisation de la notion d’héritage fait écho aux termes de legacy , d’ impact ou encore d’ heritage dans la littérature scientifique internationale, et renvoie à des domaines de recherche variés. Or ces termes correspondent certes à une diversité sémantique mais aussi à une pluralité d’acceptations que cette étude envisage de clarifier. L’article a ainsi pour objectif d’identifier la complexité de ce que l’on nomme communément en France « héritage » en analysant les modalités d’emploi des termes anglo-saxons et en rendant compte de l’étendue des domaines d’application de ses effets. Cet état de l’art de l’héritage des GESI se fonde à la fois sur l’analyse d’une vaste littérature et des positions de sept auteurs spécialisés dans le domaine, avant de proposer une discussion sur les possibilités d’investir un objet de recherche complexe.
Study of sediment transport in the Jordão River, located in the mesoregion of the Triângulo Mineiro-MG
Authors: Peixoto Rodrigo de Almeida Oliveira , Pereira Carlos Eugenio , Salla Marcio Ricardo , Alamy Filho José Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Hydrosedimentological studies are fundamental for the adequate management of water resources. The Jordão River, the research study area, has the potential to generate electricity to serve a region of the TriânguloMineiro and Alto Paranaíba. In this sense, the understanding of sediment transport resources is important, since it represents a fundamental contribution for ensuring adequate management of water resources in the region. This research study has the general objective of examining sediment transport in the Jordão River, with the aim of obtaining a preliminary understanding into the dynamics of solid particles in this water body. To this end, the determination of the key curves of Flow vs Sediment concentration, the characterization of the sediment granulometry and the hydraulic and geometric aspects of the studied stations, as well as the analysis of the factors that influence the dynamics of sediments in the river, will be carried out. For this purpose, four sampling stations were established, fourteen campaigns were carried out for flow measurements and water and sediment collections for the analysis of suspended and bed sediments in dry and rainy seasons from August 2017 to December 2018. A relationship between suspended sediment concentration and liquid discharge is found in the literature as Css = α·Qβ, at the four stations on the Jordan River during the measured period, with a value of 14.593 <α <26.904 and 0.6722 <β <0.9462, along with the graph representing all values Css = 22.944·Q0.6991. Noteworthy from the collections carried out is the relationship between rainy and dry seasons, where there is no increase verified in the filming of sediments with the increase in the flow of the river. Regarding the bed solids obtained through granulometric curves, there is a noted deposit of sediments with less granulometry in the dry season, mainly in seasons 3 and 4.
Prediction of Urban Air Mobility Multirotor VTOL Broadband Noise Using UCD-QuietFly
Authors: (Kevin) Li Sicheng , Lee Seongkyu
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates broadband noise of multirotor urban air mobility (UAM) vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles. Based on an earlier single-rotor trailing-edge noise prediction method, a multirotor broadband noise prediction program is developed, where the multirotor coordinate
transformation is included, and the amplitude modulation capability is introduced. Thereafter, the program is used to predict broadband noise from three UAM VTOL conceptual designs and a vertiport conceptual design. It is found that UAM VTOL vehicles' broadband noise is important in the high-frequency
range, where the community background noise level is typically low. For the same mission specifications, broadband noise is found to be higher for VTOL designs with more rotors. UAM vehicle noise is compared to conventional helicopter noise. It is found that the amplitude modulation of broadband
noise of a single rotor is insignificant when the observer distance is larger than four rotor radii. Multirotor vehicles at the same rotational speeds have weaker amplitude modulations than a single rotor, which demonstrates the benefits of using multiple rotors in terms of noise annoyance.
Finally, noise contours from a vertiport design show an increase in the broadband noise level when multiple VTOL vehicles are operated simultaneously.
Detection limits of significant prostate cancer using multiparametric MR and digital rectal examination in men with low serum PSA: Up-date of the Italian Society of Integrated Diagnostic in Urology
Authors: Galosi Andrea B. , Palagonia Erika , Scarcella Simone , Cimadamore Alessia , Lacetera Vito , Delle Fave Rocco F. , Antezza Angelo , Dell'Atti Lucio
Published: March 2021

Reasons why significant prostate cancer is still missed in early stage were investigated at the 22nd National SIEUN (Italian Society of integrated diagnostic in Urology, Andrology, Nephrology) congress took place from 30th November to 1st December 2020, in virtual modality. Even if multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) has been introduced in the clinical practice several, limitations are emerging in patient with regular digital rectal examination (DRE) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels approaching the normal limits. The present paper summarizes highlights observed in those cases where significant prostate cancer may be missed by PSA or imaging and DRE. The issue of multidisciplinary interest had been subdivided and deepened under four main topics: biochemical, clinical, pathological and radiological point of view with a focus on PI-RADS 3 lesions.
Consensus Statement on Neurorehabilitation during COVID-19 Times
Authors: Dhamija Rajinder K. , Srivastava Abhishek , Chauhan Sonal , Shah Urvashi , Nagda Taral , Palande Deepak , Chitnis Sonal , Dantala P. S. , Solomon John M. , Krishnan S. Murali , Someshwar Hitav , Surya Nirmal
Published: March 2021

The COVID19 pandemic in India is causing significant morbidity and disruptions of healthcare delivery. The rapidly escalating contagion is straining our public health system, which is already under pressure due to a shortage of infrastructure and inadequate workforce. Neuro rehabilitation services that are still in its infancy in our country have been significantly interrupted in the last six months. An expert group from Indian Federation of Neurorehabilitation (IFNR) have formulated the guidelines and consensus recommendations for Neurologists, Physiatrists, and Therapists managing neurological disabilities during COVID 19. The aim of this consensus paper is to sensitize the clinicians and therapists about maintaining the continuum of care and rehabilitation needs of Covid patients as well as non Covid patients with neurological disorders during the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic
A Rare Case of Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma in an Infant
Authors: Singh Khushboo , Gupta Shikha , Hussain Itrat , Augustine Jeyaseelan , Ghosh Sujoy , Gupta Sunita
Published: March 2021

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) associated with natal/neonatal teeth is extremely rare. In general, POF occurs as a soft-tissue gingival nodule occurring in young adults. We report an unusual and a rare case in a 5-month-old male child who had two, localized, soft-tissue growth over the mandibular anterior alveolar ridge. History revealed the presence of natal teeth in the same mandibular anterior region, which exfoliated at the age of 2 months. Intraoral periapical radiograph showed soft tissue density with evidence of calcifications that also corroborated with the histopathological finding of masses of mineralized areas. Excision of the lesions followed by histopathological examination proved the final diagnosis of POF. Inspite of being a benign reactive lesion, a high recurrence rate has been reported. Such lesions require long-term follow-up subsequent to excision with histopathological examination due to a high recurrence rate.
Grading of Oral Leukoplakia
Authors: Bavle Radhika Manoj , Paremala K. , Venugopal Reshma , Rudramuni Amulya S. , Khan Nawal , Hosthor Sreenitha S.
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is usually preceded by potentially malignant disorders (PMDs), the most common being oral leukoplakia. A conservative management protocol is followed for milder dysplastic cases, while severe dysplastic lesions are surgically excised. Several classification systems have been developed based mainly on histopathological features with a lot of inter-observer variations. The present study was done to assess the use of immunohistochemical (IHC) markers in grading leukoplakic lesions in addition to histopathological grading.

Aims and Objectives:

To grade leukoplakia using different grading systems and assess if IHC markers can aid in categorizing leukoplakia.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-five cases of leukoplakia were graded using Ljubljana, 2005 World Health Organization (WHO), and Binary System followed by IHC staining with p63 and CD31.

Results and Statistics:

Variation was noted in 12 cases while using WHO, 11 using Ljubljana, and 7 using Binary System and was significant on Cohen-Kappa statistics, with the least significant variation noted on Binary System. p63 staining assisted to group doubtful cases and even identify variation in cases graded positively on histopathology. In total, 17 cases stained one-third (mild/low), while 15 cases stained one-half or more (higher grade) epithelial thickness. A weak correlation was observed between all grading systems and p63 on Kendall's Tau-b analysis and the weak correlation was significant for the WHO and binary grading systems. Analyzing p63 and CD31 using Kruskal–Wallis test, an increase in mean vessel density (MVD) was noted for mild/moderate cases but decreased for severe cases.

Conclusion:

Addressing histological categorization of PMDs assisted by IHC markers to understand the biological behavior of the tissues is currently essential with studies on more markers to assist in the management protocol.
Non-dysraphism intradural cervical lipoma
Authors: Liu Zhao-Quan , Hsieh Cheng-Ta , Sun Jui-Ming , Huang Chih-Ta
Published: March 2021

Intradural spinal lipomas not associated with spinal dysraphism account are rare entity. The pure cervical intradural lipomas are rarer and only eleven cases have been reported in the literature. The median age at diagnosis was 35 (8m-52y) years old and the ratio of men to female was 1.4:1. The possible risk factor included weight increase or rapid metabolic change. Only one case had recurrent condition during follow-up period. Here, we reported a 32-year-old male who presented with posterior neck pain and radiating numbness from neck to bilateral upper extremities. The radiograph of cervical spine showed a widening spinal canal diameter. Further study confirmed a pure cervical intradural intramedullary lipoma without spinal dysraphism. For preventing the neurologic deficit, early diagnosis and adequately surgical decompression were needed. Subtotal removal with cavitational ultrasonic surgical aspirator has been widely use as it minimizes any traction on already compromised neural tissues.
Comparative evaluation of Air-Q blocker and Proseal laryngeal mask airway in patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia
Authors: Jindal Swati , Mittal Ankita , Anand Lakesh K , Singh Manpreet , Kapoor Dheeraj
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims:

The Air-Q blocker (Cook gas LLC, Mercury Medical, Clearwater, FL, USA) is a relatively new supraglottic airway device (SAD) with capability to serve as a conduit for intubation. As there is limited data on Air-Q blocker, the present study was performed to compare the efficacy of Air-Q blocker and Proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in patients undergoing elective surgery.

Methods:

A total of 90 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II patients were randomly allocated to Air-Q blocker or PLMA group. Oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), insertion success, insertion time, ease of orogastric tube (OGT) insertion, fibreoptic visualisation of the glottis, haemodynamic and ventilation parameters, and complications at emergence and postoperatively were investigated.

Results:

OLPs were higher in PLMA group as compared to Air-Q blocker group (P = 0.002). Still, the OLP (27.5 ± 5.8 cm H2O) was clinically effective in Air-Q blocker group. The mean time for successful insertion was significantly shorter for Air-Q blocker than PLMA (P = 0.019). The number of attempts to insert both the devices was comparable (P ≥ 0.05). Air-Q blocker provided a significantly better fibreoptic score than PLMA (P = 0.038). The two groups were comparable in terms of ease of OGT insertion, haemodynamics and ventilation parameters, and complications at emergence and postoperatively.

Conclusions:

Air-Q blocker provides a clinically effective OLP though PLMA provides a slightly better sealing function in patients undergoing laparoscopic and non-laparoscopic surgeries under general anaesthesia requiring neuromuscular blockade. Air-Q blocker has shorter insertion time and a better fibreoptic view of glottis as compared to PLMA.
Discharge readiness after minor gynaecological surgeries comparing dexmedetomidine and ketamine premedication in bispectral index (BIS) guided propofol-based anaesthesia
Authors: Kaur Gaganjot , Kaur Preetveen , Gupta Ruchi , Kullar Keerat , Bhangu Gurpreet Singh , Sandhu Sartaj Singh
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims:

Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are commonly used pre-medicants to propofol. Previous literature shows a delay in recovery with their use without any clarity on discharge. This study was planned to find out whether adding these premedicants to Bispectral index (BIS) guided propofol anaesthesia led to delayed discharge in minor gynaecological surgeries.

Methods:

Totally, 120 adult females belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II undergoing minor gynaecological surgeries under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine (Group D), 0.5 mg/kg ketamine (Group K) and normal saline (Group P) as premedication. Propofol 1% was used for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia keeping BIS between 55 and 70. After the procedure, patients were assessed primarily for discharge readiness using Modified Post Anaesthesia Discharge Scoring System (MPADSS).The secondary outcomes were Modified Aldrete Score (MAS), total dose of propofol used and haemodynamics.

Results:

The percentage of patients ready for discharge were 22.5%, 30% and 15%at 1 hour in group D, K and P, respectively (p = 0.275). Median MAS was 5, 4 and 6 respectively for group D, K and P immediately post-surgery (p = 0.000). The mean dose of propofol used was 69.75 ± 12.56 mg in group D and 135.25 ± 9.2 mg in group P (p = 0.001). There were significant haemodynamic variations in group D (16.4% fall in heart rate at 5 minutes and 24.18% fall in mean arterial pressure at 15 minutes).

Conclusion:

Premedication with dexmedetomidine and ketamine in propofol anaesthesia does not delay discharge. However, stable haemodynamics and good analgesia with ketamine make it a better option.
Spirituality and the Sense of Self: An Inductive Analysis
Authors: Kavar Louis
Published: March 2021

The investigation examined the understanding of spirituality as related to the sense of self. Self-reports from semi-structured interviews of participants with a stated value for spirituality are analyzed inductively. Using a Rogerian understanding of self, the analysis identified six themes related to how participants understand spirituality as related to their sense of self. The themes demonstrate that spirituality is a key dimension to self understanding and is part of relationships, social engagement, an understanding of meaning and purpose in life, and an overall sense of happiness and joy.
Conducting Qualitative Research on Parental Incarceration: Personal Reflections on Challenges and Contributions
Authors: Easterling Beth , Johnson Elizabeth
Published: March 2021

Methodological challenges of conducting research with protected populations using qualitative methods are abundant. Inmates and children are two vulnerable populations, requiring rigorous processes and permissions to gain access to individuals in these populations. Qualitative research requires intimate interactions and discussions of sensitive topics, posing challenges related to extracting information and creating emotional responses from researcher and participant. Drawing on interviews with incarcerated mothers and children with incarcerated parents, we discuss challenges and benefits of qualitative methodology for research on parental incarceration and offer suggestions for overcoming barriers to access, data collection, and publication.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND INNOVATION PERFORMANCE AFFECTED BY HR GENERIC STRATEGIES: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF SMES IN CHINA AND PAKISTAN
Authors:   Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan., Hanif Muhammad Imran
Published: March 2021

This study examines how Chinese and Pakistani SMEs use HR Generic Strategies specifically about the mediating role of affective management that influences ‘knowledge sharing” and‘innovation performance”. It specifically focuses how HR practices adds value to knowledge sharing and innovation by providing essential assurance and dedication to workers and induce them to be enthusiastic to share their knowledge and perform well in innovation. The finding suggests that Affective Commitment mediates high-commitment, knowledge-sharing behavior and Innovation performance in SMEs. This study has also explored the level to which employees are sharing knowledge within Organizations is positive and significant influence to the Organization’s innovation performance.
Exploring Potential Mechanisms Underlying the Lack of Uncertainty Monitoring in Capuchin Monkeys
Authors: Perdue Bonnie M. , Church Barbara A. , Smith J. David , Beran Michael J.
Published: March 2021

In a widely used animal-metacognition paradigm, monkeys are positively reinforced with food for correct classifications of stimuli as sparse or dense and punished with timeouts for incorrect responses, but they also have access to an “uncertainty” response that moves them to the next trial without either of these forms of feedback. Rhesus monkeys use this uncertainty response most often for trials on which they are at greatest risk for making an error, suggesting that they are monitoring their ability to make these classifications. Capuchin monkeys do not succeed to the same degree on these tasks—conceivably as a result of differential contingencies in place between the sparse/dense responses (food delivery or timeout) and the uncertainty response (avoidance of a timeout but also no chance for food reward). Here, we used a novel variation of this task in which the outcomes of the three response classes (sparse, dense, uncertain) were functionally equivalent. All responses simply determined the delay interval before presentation of a second task (matching-to-sample), and that task yielded potential food rewards. Overall, capuchin monkeys used the dense and sparse responses appropriately, including some animals that had no prior experience in performing this classification task. However, none used the uncertainty response appropriately even when it was placed on the same contingency plane as the dense and sparse responses. This suggests that the failure of capuchin monkeys to use an uncertainty response is not the result of that response producing a qualitatively different outcome compared to the dense and sparse responses.
Partial Reinforcement Reduces Vulnerability to Anti-anxiety Self-medication During Appetitive Extinction
Authors: Manzo Lidia , Gómez M. José , Callejas-Aguilera José E. , Fernández-Teruel Alberto , Papini Mauricio R. , Torres Carmen
Published: March 2021

Inbred rats from the Roman low-avoidance strain (RLA-I), but not from the Roman high-avoidance strain (RHA-I) increased preference for ethanol after being exposed to sessions of appetitive extinction (Manzo et al. Physiol Behav 2014 123:86-92). RLA-I rats have shown greater sensitivity than RHA-I rats to a variety of anxiogenic situations, including those involving reward loss. Such increased fluid preference did not occur after acquisition (reinforced) sessions or in control groups with postsession access to water, rather than ethanol. Because ethanol has anxiolytic properties in tasks involving reward loss, oral consumption after extinction sessions was interpreted as anti-anxiety or emotional self-medication (ESM). The present research was an attempt to reduce or eliminate the ESM effect in RLA-I rats by giving them 50% partial reinforcement training during the acquisition of an instrumental response, a treatment known to induce resilience to loss-induced anxiety. As expected, partially reinforced RLA-I rats showed a higher resistance to extinction in comparison to continuously reinforced animals, displaying lower ethanol consumption than continuously reinforced rats during the postsession preference test. Partial and continuous control groups receiving water during the preference tests showed no changes in preference. These results suggest that exposure to reward uncertainty typical of partial reinforcement training can reduce ESM in rats genetically selected for high levels of anxiety.
Alerts for Assessing “Biological Constraints” on Learning
Authors: Overmier J. Bruce , Meyers-Manor Julia E.
Published: March 2021

Many researchers have reported differential rates of learning and inferred selective associations between events reflecting biological constraints on learning that have evolved for each given species. Although we do not doubt that there are such biological constraints on learning, we suggest that some of the many claims may actually be spurious due to use of less than optimal research designs. We propose six methodological and inferential concerns that current researchers and reviewers of past research may find useful.
Misbehavior in a Neural Network Model
Authors: Burgos José E.
Published: March 2021

This paper describes a neural network account of misbehavior with an extant neural network model of conditioning. The model makes no distinction between learning (weight-change mechanisms) in operant and Pavlovian conditioning, but preserves the standard behavioral distinctions between types of stimuli, responses, and contingencies, with connectionist interpretations of some possible neuroanatomical substrates. Misbehavior has been traditionally conceived as a species-specific response R* that is unnecessary for a biologically significant reward S* but interferes with another response R that is necessary for S*. Misbehavior thus conceived has been explained as interfering Pavlovian conditioned responding. Three four-layer feedforward neural networks were designed to differ only in their output layers, as a connectionist interpretation of three hypothetical operant-Pavlovian relations in misbehavior, namely, interference (Pavlovian output to operant output lateral inhibitory connection), compatibility (Pavlovian output to operant output lateral excitatory connection), and independence (no lateral connection in the output layer). These relations are proposed as neural-network interpretations of neuroanatomical substrates of conditioning with three biologically significant stimuli, namely, food, water, and sexual mate, respectively. Each network first received pairings of contextual cues with its respective S*, to simulate pretraining with such stimuli. Then, networks received operant contingencies where S* was paired with the same contextual cues, as well as cues from a token dependently on R responding, defined as a minimal R activation of 0.5. Networks showed substantial misbehavior (qua conditioned R* responding) that interfered with R to different extents, food causing the most, sexual mate the least interference. Limitations, future directions, and implications for biological constraints and the generality of learning are discussed.