bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Testing of the Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing Instrument – Revised (English Version Including a Practice Dimension)
Authors: Yokotani Tomoya , Tanioka Tetsuya , Betriana Feni , Yasuhara Yuko , Ito Hirokazu , Soriano Gil P. , Dino Michael Joseph , Locsin Rozzano C 
Published: December 2021

Background: The middle range theory Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing (TCCN) guides nursing practices. The TCCN Instrument (TCCNI) measures perception dimension of the theory and has been revised and translated into the Japanese language (TCCNI-R). Testing the translated version of the TCCNI-R to English language with the inclusion of a practice dimension is warranted.Purpose: This study aims to determine the psychometric properties of the TCCNI-Revised English version with Practice dimension (TCCNI-RePract).Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted with data from 202 valid questionnaire copies from professional nurses in selected hospitals and nurse educators in universities. Results: The suitability for factor analysis was determined using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index (0.93), Bartlett's sphericity test of 3256.93, p<0.001, the anti-image correlations ranged between 0.87 and 0.96, and an average value of communalities of 0.66. In the four rotations conducted with the maximum likelihood method with a Harris-Kaiser Orthoblique rotation, four items were excluded with factor loadings less than 0.40. These results determined the final scale with 21 items and four subscales, namely: (1) Knowing the person (8 items); (2) Technological competency as Caring (6 items); (3) Technology and caring (4 items); and (4) Expression of nursing as Caring (3 items). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.94. With two dimensions of the TCCNI-RePract, the perception dimension had significantly higher scores than the practice dimension. When comparing mean factor point among the dimensions, the perception scores were significantly higher for Factor 1 and Factor 3.Conclusion:The TCCNI-RePract is an acceptable tool that can reliably measure nurses’ perception and practice of TCCN. It is affirmed that with this tool, measuring perception and practice status of TCCN theory is possible. It is considered that the evaluation results can be used to plan in-hospital education.
ASSESSMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS’ COMPETENCE IN FACILITATING SCIENTIFIC PLAY- LEARN ACTIVITIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTRES IN DELTA STATE
Authors: Balota Ifelayo , Olajide Simeon 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

The study identified the scientific play-learn activities practiced in early childhood education centres in Delta state and investigated the academic qualifications of the early childhood educators. It also assessed the scientific play-learn skills of the early childhood educators and examined the relationship between early childhood educators’ qualifications and scientific play-learn activities facilitation skills in the study area. These were with a view to providing succinct information about early childhood educators’ competence in facilitating scientific play-learn activities in early childhood centres in the State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all early childhood educators in the State. The sample for the study consisted of 360 early childhood educators drawn from the three senatorial districts in the state using multistage sampling procedure. One self-designed instrument titled ‘‘Early Childhood Educators’ Competence in Science Play-learn Activities Questionnaire’’ (ECECSPAQ) was used for data collection. The data collected were analysed using frequency count, percentage, and regression analysis. The results of the study showed that 29.5% of early childhood educators in all the centres practised gravity, 22.3% practised motion, 16.4% practised electricity, 46.4% practised sound, and 24.2% practised air and wind. The results further showed that 16.1 % of the early childhood educators had senior school certificate, 11.4% had ND certificate, 20.6% had TC11 and NCE, 14.4% had HND, 4.7% had certificate in Nursery and Primary education while 10.5% also had certificate in science areas. The results also showed that early childhood educators possessed very low level of scientific play-learn skills (21.90%). The results finally showed a significant relationship of early childhood educators’ qualifications on scientific play-learn activities facilitation skills (F = 2.547, p < 0.05). The study concluded that early childhood educators possessed low competence in embarking on rich scientific play-learn activities necessary to promote science learning in children.
EMERGENCY ONLINE TEACHING DURING THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC – A REVIEW OF SELECTED CASES FROM INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH TO DATE
Authors: Kamiński Krystian 
Published: December 2021

At the beginning of 2020, educational systems around the world faced one of the greatest and most important challenges of the 21st century. Due to the global pandemic and the need to introduce social distancing rules, it was decided to close schools and switch to modes of learning that do not require physical contact between learners and teachers. This decision was associated with numerous problems and difficulties in various areas of school life and the necessity to introduce new rules. More than a year after the introduction of the new learning reality, teachers and students around the world have managed to adapt. International researchers are trying to describe this new order by asking questions about what the school looks like in the time of the pandemic, how students are doing, and what strategies teachers have adopted. The article focuses on research on education and foreign language teaching conducted in 2020 in China, South Korea, Germany, and Poland. The findings to date are combined with a brief description of the educational situation in these countries. Finally, the first conclusions and recommendations are formulated that can be drawn on the basis of data collected by international researchers.
Passion for Putin’s Palace: Political Protests in Modern Russia
Authors: Skiperskikh Aleksandr 
Published: December 2021

In this article, the author analyzes the protest activity in Russia in January–February 2021. Protest activity came to Russia after A. Navalny’s investigation of V. Putin’s palace in Gelendzhik. Like the Belarusian protests in August 2021, the Russian protests were suppressed by the police.
A feature of the Russian protests was their mass character. A large number of cities in almost all Russian regions were involved in the protest. Based on the data of secondary analysis, the author tries to give his own research of the Russian protest activity in January–February 2021. Protest activity in a number of Russian regions did not look accidental. One could observe protest activity in them before, but with a different agenda. The factor of unpopular government is of great importance in regional protests. The authorities no longer have the proper stock of legitimacy. This fully applies to the governors appointed by V. Putin, and, often, not directly related to the regions that have their own specificity.
Case studies of protests in Russian regions show new trends. The protests are increasingly carnival-like. Power is ridiculed and discussed with irony. Familiar dialogue with the authorities is confirmed in various forms and languages of protest.
From the author’s point of view, protest activity in Russia will increase by the fall of 2021. In September 2021, elections to the Russian Parliament are to be held. The author assumes that disappointment with the authorities in Russia will grow. The social base of new protests can be broader.
Sexual size dimorphism and geographic variation in forearm length of Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and Southeastern Myotis (Myotis austroriparius)
Authors: Vannatta Jessica M. , Carver Brian D. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism is common in many taxa and results from various pressures, including competition, reproductive requirements, functional differences, and sexual recognition. For mammals, males are typically the larger sex; however, for vespertilionid bats, females are more often the larger sex. Forearm length, a feature that influences overall wing and body size and is often sexually dimorphic, is a standard morphological measurement taken from bats. Forearm length was measured in two vesper bat species (Corynorhinus rafinesquii and Myotis austroriparius) that co-occur across much of the southeastern United States. Forearm length was greater in females of both species, and females of both species also exhibited regional variation in forearm length. By having a longer forearm and therefore being larger in size, females may be more maneuverable and better equipped to carry young. While this study did not directly investigate the mechanisms behind regional variation in forearm length, it is possible this is the result of variability in habitat types, resources, or thermodynamic constraints. Knowledge of sexually dimorphic characteristics is important for obtaining a general understanding of a species and its morphology.
Vocalizations of the Sepia short-tailed Opossum Monodelphis adusta (Thomas, 1897, Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae)
Authors: Nivelo-Villavicencio Carlos , Vieira Jose 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
As part of their behavior, various groups of species, including marsupials and other mammals, have evolved vocalizations, with varying degrees of complexity, for different communication purposes. Despite the growing interest in the bioacoustics of species, there are groups in which the study in this field is still unknown. A clear example is the genus Monodelphis, the most diverse group of didelphid marsupials. In this work we present the first description of the vocalizations of Monodelphis adusta, the only species of the genus registered in Ecuador, which shows the ability to produce audible phrases with different numbers of syllables.
Local Connections of Pyramidal Neurons to Parvalbumin-Producing Interneurons in Motor-Associated Cortical Areas of Mice
Authors: Kuramoto Eriko , Tanaka Yasuhiro R. , Hioki Hiroyuki , Goto Tetsuya , Kaneko Takeshi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractParvalbumin (PV)-producing neurons are the largest subpopulation of cortical GABAergic interneurons, which mediate lateral, feedforward, and feedback inhibition in local circuits and modulate the activity of pyramidal neurons. Clarifying the specific connectivity between pyramidal and PV neurons is essential for understanding the role of PV neurons in local circuits. In the present study, we visualized somas and dendrites of PV neurons using transgenic mice in which PV neurons specifically express membrane-targeted GFP, and intracellularly labeled local axons of 26 pyramidal neurons in layers 2–6 in acute slices of the motor-associated cortex from transgenic mice. We mapped morphologically distribution of inputs from a pyramidal neuron to PV neurons based on contact sites (appositions) between the axons from an intracellularly filled pyramidal neuron and the dendrites of PV neurons. Layer 6 corticothalamic (CT)-like pyramidal neurons formed appositions to PV neurons at a significantly higher rate than other pyramidal neurons. The percentage of apposed varicosities to all the labeled varicosities of layer 6 CT-like neurons was 28%, and that of the other pyramidal neurons was 12–19%. Layer 6 CT-like neurons preferentially formed appositions with PV neurons in layers 5b–6, while other pyramidal neurons uniformly formed appositions with PV neurons in all layers. Furthermore, both layer 6 CT-like and corticocortical-like neurons more frequently formed compound appositions, where two or more appositions were located on a dendritic branch, than other pyramidal neurons. Layer 6 CT neurons may contribute to intracortical information processing through preferential connections with PV neurons in layers 5b–6.
Biased Orientation and Color Tuning of the Human Visual Gamma Rhythm
Authors: Li Ye , Bosking William , Beauchamp Michael S. , Sheth Sameer A. , Yoshor Daniel , Bartoli Eleonora , Foster Brett L. 
Published: December 2021

Narrowband γ oscillations (NBG: ∼20-60 Hz) in visual cortex reflect rhythmic fluctuations in population activity generated by underlying circuits tuned for stimulus location, orientation, and color. A variety of theories posit a specific role for NBG in encoding and communicating this information within visual cortex. However, recent findings suggest a more nuanced role for NBG, given its dependence on certain stimulus feature configurations, such as coherent-oriented edges and specific hues. Motivated by these factors, we sought to quantify the independent and joint tuning properties of NBG to oriented and color stimuli using intracranial recordings from the human visual cortex (male and female). NBG was shown to display a cardinal orientation bias (horizontal) and also an end- and mid-spectral color bias (red/blue and green). When jointly probed, the cardinal bias for orientation was attenuated and an end-spectral preference for red and blue predominated. This loss of mid-spectral tuning occurred even for recording sites showing large responses to uniform green stimuli. Our results demonstrate the close, yet complex, link between the population dynamics driving NBG oscillations and known feature selectivity biases for orientation and color within visual cortex. Such a bias in stimulus tuning imposes new constraints on the functional significance of the visual γ rhythm. More generally, these biases in population electrophysiology will need to be considered in experiments using orientation or color features to examine the role of visual cortex in other domains, such as working memory and decision-making.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOscillations in electrophysiological activity occur in visual cortex in response to stimuli that strongly drive the orientation or color selectivity of visual neurons. The significance of this induced “γ rhythm” to brain function remains unclear. Answering this question requires understanding how and why some stimuli can reliably generate oscillatory γ activity while others do not. We examined how different orientations and colors independently and jointly modulate γ oscillations in the human brain. Our data show that γ oscillations are greatest for certain orientations and colors that reflect known response biases in visual cortex. Such findings complicate the functional significance of γ oscillations but open new avenues for linking circuits to population dynamics in visual cortex.
Educational Internship Analysis Using CIPP Model in the Economic Education Study Program
Authors: Jaryono Jaryono , Indrayanto Adi , Tohir Tohir , Krisnaresanti Aldila 
Published: December 2021

The Educational Internship Program is a form of self-actualization for those who have received various educational theories ranging from codes of ethics and the teaching profession, classroom learning planning, making learning instruments, classroom management to learning evaluation. This research is a qualitative descriptive study that aims to analyze the implementation of Educational Internships Economic Education students at Jenderal Soedirman University in Senior Highschool and Islamic Senior Highschool in Banyumas Regency in terms of (1) Study Program Readiness in the Implementation of Educational Internships (2) School readiness in implementing Educational Internships (3) Students' readiness in implementing Educational Internships. The subjects in this study were Lecturers in the Economics Education Study Program, students who had carried out educational internships, teachers and students from SMA and MAN in Banyumas Regency which became the internship places for economic education students. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling method. The research respondents included 8 civil servant teachers, 8 principals, 7 supervising lecturers, 48 students participating in educational internships, and 40 students who had been taught by practical students. Data was collected using in-depth interview, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) observation and documentation techniques. The results of data collection were then analyzed using interactive model analysis techniques consisting of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, data quality testing, and drawing conclusions. In addition, the data obtained were analyzed using the CIPP model analysis (context, input, process, and product) which is a comprehensive evaluation mode based on its components.
The Use of Cohesive Devices to Provide Coherence in Argumentative Essays of Universitas Negeri Semarang Graduate Students
Authors: Alfitri Bahya , Yuliasri Issy 
Published: December 2021

This study aims to analyze the use of cohesive devices and the chain interaction of cohesive devices to achieve coherence in argumentative essays of Universitas Negeri Semarang graduate students. This study employed descriptive qualitative research design. It focused on cohesion and coherence analysis of students’ writing. The findings of the study showed that all of the types of cohesive devices such as reference, substitution, ellipsis, and reiteration were found in the students’ essays. These cohesive devices provide the coherence of the text through their semantic relation or bound which create the two cohesive chains; identity chains and similarity chains. The interaction between both chains can give explicit signals to guide readers towards the intended interpretation of the text. The result of this chain interaction is known as cohesive harmony. Most of students’ essays achieve coherence because the total tokens of the students’ essays enter more than 50% of chain interaction. Unfortunately, the students overuse certain types of cohesive devices such as repetition in creating the chains.
Procalcitonin Use: Variation Across Hospitals and Trends Over Time
Authors: Cotter Jillian M. , Hardee Isabel , Moss Angela , Dempsey Amanda , Ambroggio Lilliam 
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a relatively novel biomarker that may be superior to C-reactive protein (CRP) in identifying bacterial infection. PCT use in pediatric hospitals is relatively unknown. We aimed to evaluate PCT and CRP use, describe PCT testing variability across children’s hospitals, and compare temporal rates of PCT and CRP testing for patients admitted with pneumonia, sepsis, or fever in young infants.

METHODS
In this multicenter cohort study, we identified children ≤18 years old hospitalized from 2014–2018 with pneumonia, sepsis, or fever in infants &lt;2 months by using the Pediatric Health Information System. To determine use, we evaluated the proportion of encounters with PCT or CRP testing from 2017-2018. We generated heat maps to describe PCT use across hospitals. We also compared PCT and CRP rates over time from 2014 to 2018.

RESULTS
From 2017–2018, PCT testing occurred in 3988 of 34c231 (12%) hospitalizations. Febrile infants had the highest PCT testing proportion (18%), followed by sepsis (15%) and pneumonia (9%). There was across-hospital variability in PCT testing, particularly for febrile infants. Over time, the odds of PCT testing increased at a significantly greater rate than that of CRP.

CONCLUSIONS
Despite limited guideline recommendations for PCT testing during the study period, PCT use increased over time with across-hospital variability. For pneumonia and sepsis, given the importance of high-value care, we need to understand the impact of PCT on patient outcomes. With recent guidelines recommending PCT in the evaluation of febrile infants, we identified baseline testing behaviors for future studies on guideline impact.
Appraisal of the Quality Parameters of the Groundwater used for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in the Hard Rock Aquifer System of the Vasishta sub- basin of the Vellar River, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Poongodi R . , Venkateswaran S. , Suresh R. , Vimala R. 
Published: December 2021

This article presents an appraisal of the quality of groundwater in the hard Received in revised form: 15.07.2021 rock aquifer system of the Vasishta sub basin, of the Vellar River Basin. Seventy nine representative groundwater samples were collected from dug and bore wells which are intensively used for domestic and irrigational purposes. The physical parameters viz. PH, EC and TDS were estimated in the field using a portable multiparameter meter. The groundwater samples were transported to the laboratory for measuring major ionic concentrations viz, Ca, Mg, Na, K, CO3, HCO3, Cl, SO4, F and NO3. The hydrochemical data were graphically projected and spatial temporal thematic maps generated with reference to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian (BIS) Standards. The peoples living in the sub basin engage in agricultural activities where the groundwater availability is sufficient. The groundwater is a major source for meeting their basic needs, such as for domestic, irrigational and industrial purposes. Good correlation is exhibited between EC and TDS Cl, SO4.Cl exhibits good correlation with Mg and Ca (0.817), (0.751) indicating leaching of secondary salts. TDS and EC showed strong correlation with Cl, SO4. Clustering groundwater samples based on their similarity is known as Q-mode type clustering method. Spatial and temporal maps of the water quality index reveal that the majority of the groundwater samples fall under the categories excellent to good.
The formation of economic and marketing prospects for the development of the market of information services
Authors: Pererva Petro , Nazarenko Stanislav , Maistro Ruslana , Danko Taras , Doronina Maya , Sokolova Liudmyla 
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the current state and prospects of the development of the European IT services market. A detailed analysis of the economic indicators of the IT market in European countries has been conducted. Marketing characteristics of the external market of IT services were considered, in whose formation a leading role belongs to export deliveries. It has been determined that the capacity of the international segment of the IT services market in most European countries increases by an average of 20 % annually, and the share of IT technologies exports in the overall export structure exceeds 8 %. The forecast of changes in the internal market of IT technologies in the post-Soviet countries was analyzed. Based on the results, it was concluded that in the future the capacity of the domestic IT services market could increase and, in 2024, in particular in Ukraine, would exceed the volume of USD 2 billion. The results of studying the level of prices for IT services in the post-Soviet countries suggest that they mainly correspond to the prices for similar services in different groups of European countries (with different material capabilities). That means that for IT service consumers in countries with a low standard of living, price characteristics are not an obstacle to obtaining the highest quality services from domestic or foreign suppliers. The role and importance of personnel support of the information industry, which is key in the formation and development of the IT services market, have been determined. It has been proven that specialists who attained IT education mostly work according to the skills and competencies obtained, which distinguishes them favorably from specialists in other fields. Despite the tendencies of a certain outflow of specialists outside the countries with a low living level, the number of IT specialists is growing progressively in their economies. In many ways, these trends are facilitated by an increase in the number of graduates from specialized educational institutions.