Global Measures Research Articles

Late-onset epilepsy with cognitive symptoms: Comparison of cognitive and imaging profiles with probable Alzheimer’s disease

ObjectiveWe aimed to (i) compare the clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging characteristics of unprovoked late-onset epilepsy (LOE) patients with cognitive symptoms against probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients; (ii) clarify how neurodegeneration and other processes could be implicated in the cognitive symptoms of unprovoked LOE patients; and (iii) characterize the longitudinal trajectory of unprovoked LOE patients with cognitive symptoms. MethodsTwenty-six unprovoked LOE patients with cognitive symptoms and 26 probable AD were retrospectively recruited from epilepsy and memory clinics at a single tertiary referral center. The patients underwent comprehensive clinical, neuropsychological, and 18Fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT assessments. All LOE patients had clinical follow-up and a subset of 17 patients had repeat neuropsychological assessments. ResultsAt baseline, 18% of LOE patients with cognitive symptoms had dementia-range cognitive impairment and one received a diagnosis of probable AD. Compared with the probable AD group, the LOE group did not perform significantly better in global measures of cognition (total ACE-III), neuropsychological tests for fluency, working memory, language, attention, or executive function, but performed better in naming, memory, and visuospatial ability. The commonest patterns of cognitive impairment in the LOE group were frontal and left temporal, whereas all AD patients exhibited parietotemporal patterns. The AD group had more 18Fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT hypometabolism in the parietal and occipital, but not the temporal and frontal lobes. During the 3.0 ± 3.2 years follow-up, improved seizure frequency in the LOE group covaried with improved total ACE-III score, there was no further conversion to probable AD and no group-level cognitive decline. ConclusionUnprovoked LOE patients with cognitive symptoms had varying severities of cognitive impairment, and different patterns of cognitive and imaging abnormalities compared with AD patients. They were rarely diagnosed with probable AD at presentation or follow-up. Cognitive outcome in LOE may be related to seizure control. Cerebral small vessel disease may play a role in LOE-associated cognitive impairment.

Examining the Psychometrics and Characteristics of the Assessing School Settings: Interactions of Students and Teachers

This article focuses on the psychometric properties and characteristics of the Assessing School Settings: Interactions of Students and Teachers (ASSIST), an observational assessment administered by trained external observers of teacher practices, classroom context, and student behaviors at the classroom level. Study 1 examines variability, reliability, and convergence between ASSIST scores with data from 3,298 classrooms nested within 185 elementary, middle, and high schools. We report school-level intraclass correlations (ICCs), standard deviations, means, and reliability estimates of ASSIST scales; investigate the correspondence among ASSIST-measured constructs with multilevel correlations; and explore school-level predictors of ASSIST global scale scores. Study 2 further examines reliability over time and convergent validity using repeated ASSIST and Classroom Assessment Scoring System–Secondary (CLASS-S) observations in classrooms of 335 teachers in 41 middle schools. The ASSIST global measures exhibited moderate to good reliability across three same-teacher observations (ICCs ranged from .69 to .82). Associations between all ASSIST and CLASS-S scales suggested close correspondence of the measures, especially at the teacher level and school level. Together, these findings highlight the utility of the ASSIST observational measure, both as a research and practice tool, across multiple school types and classroom contexts, and with potential to inform coaching to improve teachers’ classroom management.

The worldwide COVID-19 lockdown impacts on global secondary inorganic aerosols and radiative budget.

Global lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to air pollutant emission reductions. While the COVID-19 lockdown impacts on both trace gas and total particulate pollutants have been widely investigated, secondary aerosol formation from trace gases remains unclear. To that end, we quantify the COVID-19 lockdown impacts on NOx and SO2 emissions and sulfate-nitrate-ammonium aerosols using multiconstituent satellite data assimilation and model simulations. We find that anthropogenic emissions over major polluted regions were reduced by 19 to 25% for NOx and 14 to 20% for SO2 during April 2020. These emission reductions led to 8 to 21% decreases in sulfate and nitrate aerosols over highly polluted areas, corresponding to >34% of the observed aerosol optical depth declines and a global aerosol radiative forcing of +0.14 watts per square meter relative to business-as-usual scenario. These results point to the critical importance of secondary aerosol pollutants in quantifying climate impacts of future mitigation measures.

Standard versus innovative robotic balance assessment for people with multiple sclerosis: a correlational study

IntroductionBalance disorders are common in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) and, together with other impairments and disabilities, often prevent PwMS from performing their daily living activities. Besides clinical scales and performance tests, robotic platforms can provide more sensitive, specific, and objective monitoring. Validated technologies have been adopted as gold standard, but innovative robotic solutions would represent an opportunity to detect balance impairment in PwMS.AimStudy’s aim was to compare postural assessment of 46 PwMS with a relapsing–remitting form during static tasks performed with the novel robotic platform hunova® and the gold standard EquiTest®,MethodsPearson’s r was run on Center of Pressure (COP)-related parameters and global static balance measures computed from hunova® and EquiTest® in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. In addition, agreeableness level toward the use of both devices was tested through numeric rating scale.ResultsConsidering COP-related parameters, correlations were significant for all measures (p < .001). Interestingly, in EO, a strong correlation was shown for sway area (r = .770), while Medio-Lateral (ML) and Anterior–Posterior (AP) oscillation range, path length, ML and AP speed, ML and AP root mean square distance had a relatively strong association (.454 ≤ r ≤ .576). In EC, except for ML oscillation range showing a relatively strong correlation (r = .532), other parameters were strongly associated (.603 ≤ r ≤ .782). Correlations between global balance indexes of hunova® and EquiTest® revealed a relatively strong association between the Somatosensory Score in EquiTest® and the Somatosensory Index in hunova® (r = − .488). While in EO Static Balance Index from hunova® was highly correlated with Equilibrium score of EquiTest® (r = .416), Static Balance Index had a relatively strong association with both the Equilibrium (r = .482) and Strategy Score (r = .583) of EquiTest® in EC. Results from agreeableness rating scale revealed that hunova® was highly appreciated compared to EquiTest® (p = .044).Conclusionshunova® represents an innovative adjunct to standard robotic balance evaluation for PwMS. This confirms that combining traditional and robotic assessments can more accurately detect balance impairments in MS.

Myocardial strain-curve deformation patterns after Fontan operation.

Myocardial deformation analysis by cardiac MRI (CMR) yielding global circumferential and longitudinal strain (GCS and GLS) is an increasingly utilized method to accurately quantify systolic function and predict clinical events in patients with Fontan circulation. The purpose of this study was to use principal component analysis (PCA) to investigate myocardial temporal deformation patterns derived from strain-time curves to learn about latent strain features beyond peak values. We conducted the study with specific attention to dominant single left or right ventricle (SLV and SRV) morphologies. Methods and Results: Patients remote from Fontan operation who underwent follow-up CMR were analyzed for standard volumetric and function hemodynamics including myocardial deformation parameters including GCS and GLS. We applied PCA to investigate in an unbiased fashion the strain-time curve morphology and to calculate patient specific shape scores. All variables were subjected to single variable Cox regression analysis to detect composite clinical outcome including death, heart transplant, protein losing enteropathy and plastic bronchitis. A total of 122 patients, (SLV = 67, SRV = 55) with a mean age of 12.7years underwent comprehensive CMR analysis. The PCA revealed 3 primary modes of strain-curve variation regardless of single ventricle morphology and type of strain investigated. Principle components (PCs) described changes in (1) strain-time curve amplitude, (2) time-to-peak strain, and (3) post-systolic slope of the strain-time curve. Considering only SLV patients, GCS was only CMR variable predictive of clinical events (HR 1.46, p = 0.020). In the SRV group, significant CMR predictors of clinical events were derived indexed end-diastolic (HR 1.02, p = 0.023) and end-systolic (HR 1.03, p = 0.022) volumes, GCS (HR 1.91, p = 0.003) and its related first component score (HR 1.20, p = 0.005), GLS (HR 1.32, p = 0.029) and its third component score (HR 1.58, p = 0.017). CMR derived global strain measures are sensitive markers of clinical outcomes in patients with Fontan circulation, particularly in patients with the SRV morphology. Myocardial strain-time curve morphology specific to SLV and SRV patients inspired by unbiased PCA technique can further aid with predicting clinical outcomes.

Smaller Australian raptors have greater urban tolerance

Urbanisation is occurring around the world at a rapid rate and is generally associated with negative impacts on biodiversity at local, regional, and global scales. Examining the behavioural response profiles of wildlife to urbanisation helps differentiate between species that do or do not show adaptive responses to changing landscapes and hence are more or less likely to persist in such environments. Species-specific responses to urbanisation are poorly understood in the Southern Hemisphere compared to the Northern Hemisphere, where most of the published literature is focussed. This is also true for raptors, despite their high diversity and comparably high conservation concern in the Southern Hemisphere, and their critical role within ecosystems as bioindicators of environmental health. Here, we explore this knowledge gap using community science data sourced from eBird to investigate the urban tolerance of 24 Australian raptor species at a continental scale. We integrated eBird data with a global continuous measure of urbanisation, artificial light at night (ALAN), to derive an urban tolerance index, ranking species from positive to negative responses according to their tolerance of urban environments. We then gathered trait data from the published literature to assess whether certain traits (body mass, nest substrate, habitat type, feeding guild, and migratory status) were associated with urban tolerance. Body size was negatively associated with urban tolerance, as smaller raptors had greater urban tolerance than larger raptors. Out of the 24 species analysed, 13 species showed tolerance profiles for urban environments (positive response), and 11 species showed avoidance profiles for urban environments (negative response). The results of this study provide impetus to conserve native habitat and improve urban conditions for larger-bodied raptor species to conserve Australian raptor diversity in an increasingly urbanised world.

Infrared small target detection using reinforced MSER-induced saliency measure

This paper presents a robust scheme to extract weak small target under intricate backgrounds. Firstly, the maximally stable extremal regions (MSER) algorithm is employed to seek extremal regions whose size and shape are consistent with the definition of small target and whose gray level is relatively stable. Then, in view of the fact that small targets are relatively sparse defect areas in the whole image, the MSER-induced global saliency measure (MGSM) is developed to reduce regular backgrounds and enhance target signal. Meanwhile, based on the characteristics of small targets with compact gray levels and a certain contrast with its surrounding background, the MSER-induced local saliency measure (MLSM) is designed to reliably enlarge the target signal and remove strong clutter interferences. Finally, the reinforced MSER-induced saliency measure (RMSM) defined by fusing MGSM and MLSM can successfully eliminate complex backgrounds and highlight real targets. Results demonstrate that this method has superiority in enhancing dim target against various backgrounds and has strong robustness to different target shapes and sizes.

Detach and unite: A simple meta-transfer for few-shot learning

Few-shot Learning (FSL) is a challenging problem that aims to learn and generalize from limited examples. Recent works have adopted a combination of meta-learning and transfer learning strategies for FSL tasks. These methods perform pre-training and transfer the learned knowledge to meta-learning. However, it remains unclear whether this transfer pattern is appropriate, and the objectives of the two learning strategies have not been explored. In addition, the inference of meta-learning in FSL relies on sample relations that require further consideration. In this paper, we uncover an overlooked discrepancy in learning objectives between pre-training and meta-learning strategies and propose a simple yet effective learning paradigm for the few-shot classification task. Specifically, the proposed method comprises two components: (i) Detach: We formulate an effective learning paradigm, Adaptive Meta-Transfer (A-MET), which adaptively eliminates undesired representations learned by pre-training to address the discrepancy. (ii) Unite: We propose a Global Similarity Compatibility Measure (GSCM) to jointly consider sample correlation at a global level for more consistent predictions. The proposed method is simple to implement without any complex components. Extensive experiments on four public benchmarks demonstrate that our method outperforms other state-of-the-art methods under more challenging scenarios with large domain differences between the base and novel classes and less support information available. Code is available at: https://github.com/yaoyz96/a-met.

Interprofessional implementation of the Global Malnutrition Composite Score quality measure.

Malnutrition in hospitalized patients can impact health outcomes, quality of life, and health equity. Quality improvement initiatives and quality measurement can help improve the care of those hospitalized patients with malnutrition. The new Global Malnutrition Composite Score (GMCS) was recently adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a health equity-focused measure. Beginning in 2024, the GMCS is available for reporting through the CMS Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program. The GMCS provides an opportunity to elevate the importance of patient nutrition status and evidence-based interventions throughout the interdisciplinary hospital decision-making process. To promote this opportunity, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) held an "Interprofessional implementation of the Global Malnutrition Composite Score" webinar as part of its 2022 Malnutrition Awareness Week programming. This article summarizes the underlying rationale and significance of the GMCS measure and showcases clinical observations about integrating quality improvement and measurement into the acute care setting, as presented during the webinar.

Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging of white matter microstructure in sensory processing dysfunction with versus without comorbid ADHD.

Sensory Processing Dysfunction (SPD) is common yet understudied, affecting up to one in six children with 40% experiencing co-occurring challenges with attention. The neural architecture of SPD with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (SPD+ADHD) versus SPD without ADHD (SPD-ADHD) has yet to be explored in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) has yet to be examined. The present study computed DTI and NODDI biophysical model parameter maps of one hundred children with SPD. Global, regional and voxel-level white matter tract measures were analyzed and compared between SPD+ADHD and SPD-ADHD groups. SPD+ADHD children had global WM Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Neurite Density Index (NDI) that trended lower than SPD-ADHD children, primarily in boys only. Data-driven voxelwise and WM tract-based analysis revealed statistically significant decreases of NDI in boys with SPD+ADHD compared to those with SPD-ADHD, primarily in projection tracts of the internal capsule and commissural fibers of the splenium of the corpus callosum. We conclude that WM microstructure is more delayed/disrupted in boys with SPD+ADHD compared to SPD-ADHD, with NODDI showing a larger effect than DTI. This may represent the combined WM pathology of SPD and ADHD, or it may result from a greater degree of SPD WM pathology causing the development of ADHD.

Early and intensive motor training to enhance neurological recovery in people with spinal cord injury: trial protocol

Study designProtocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the SCI-MT trial).ObjectivesTo determine whether 10 weeks of intensive motor training enhances neurological recovery in people with recent spinal cord injury (SCI).SettingFifteen spinal injury units in Australia, Scotland, England, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium.MethodsA pragmatic randomised controlled trial will be undertaken. Two hundred and twenty people with recent SCI (onset in the preceding 10 weeks, American Spinal Injuries Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A lesion with motor function more than three levels below the motor level on one or both sides, or an AIS C or D lesion) will be randomised to receive either usual care plus intensive motor training (12 h of motor training per week for 10 weeks) or usual care alone. The primary outcome is neurological recovery at 10 weeks, measured with the Total Motor Score from the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI. Secondary outcomes include global measures of motor function, ability to walk, quality of life, participants’ perceptions about ability to perform self-selected goals, length of hospital stay and participants’ impressions of therapeutic benefit at 10 weeks and 6 months. A cost-effectiveness study and process evaluation will be run alongside the trial. The first participant was randomised in June 2021 and the trial is due for completion in 2025.ConclusionsThe findings of the SCI-MT Trial will guide recommendations about the type and dose of inpatient therapy that optimises neurological recovery in people with SCI.Trial registrationACTRN12621000091808 (1.2.2021).

ULOGA AKADEMSKE ZAJEDNICE I VISOKOG OBRAZOVANJA U UPRAVLJANJU KRIZOM I STVARANJU DRUŠTVA PRIPRAVNOG NA GLOBALNE IZAZOVE / THE ROLE OF THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SOCIETY PREPAREDNESS FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES

According to the WHO data from May 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a global health crisis with more than 515 million infected and over 6 million deaths as a result of COVID-19. Just over 11.5 billion vaccines have been administered to prevent severe disease and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition to that, COVID-19 had dramatic effects on all aspects of the society, including the fundamental factors of its functionality - education and health, preventing the continuity of its "normal" functioning. Crisis management measures have had more or less successful results in different countries, but no health system has been able to fully address the effects of the pandemic on the health of the population. The course of the epidemiological crisis and the success of the implementation of global vaccination measures are directly related to the adaptability of individual societies / its capacity to change and adapt. in analyzing the situation and predicting the course of the pandemic. Analytical ability, reliability of prediction, but also flexibility of legislative and executive power, are the most prominent parameters of a society that is ready for the unpredictability of the course and outcome of the global social crisis caused by the pandemic. In the local concept of the development of higher education until 2030, it is necessary to include the mentioned, global principles of adaptability to crises in all spheres of social activity. One of the most powerful instruments of social understanding is education, and here lies the potential of society to adapt and change in order to adapt to the challenges of the modern world through the acceptance of values and norms based on knowledge.

A Real Estate Focuses on Covid-19 Accounting Considerations – The Case of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic quarantine has affected every sector and area, including families, communities, and economies worldwide. Global businesses have suffered income losses, higher operational expenses, and delayed credit collection. To address these challenges, the government should implement fiscal stimuli for the real estate industry through central banks and mortgage financing regulators. This will preserve investments, save low-paying jobs, and maintain housing affordability for low-income families. Lowering mortgage interest rates and expanding access to preferential home finance loans are crucial measures. This research focuses on accountants' roles in Abuja's real estate business and examines the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Understanding the effects of mortgage financing difficulties is essential for assessing market competitiveness. The pandemic has affected every aspect of the real estate sector, making it important to consider the perspectives of stakeholders. The regulatory framework implemented due to COVID-19 has reduced rental prices and operating income for real estate businesses. The pandemic's global quarantine measures have made financial instruments less attractive, leading to income losses, increased operating costs, and delayed credit collection for organizations worldwide. In Nigeria, property owners are allowed to postpone annual reports by up to three months. This research employs a cross-sectional design and investigates the impact of COVID-19 on accounting practices in Abuja's real estate market. Quantitative data is used for statistical analysis, adopting a deductive approach. The study examines accounting problems faced by real estate businesses in Abuja following the COVID-19 outbreak. It reveals significant challenges such as decreased demand, disrupted supply chains, and increased expenses. Consequently, accounting practices, especially in areas like cash management, cost control, and financial reporting, have been greatly affected. Transparent and effective communication of financial information is crucial during crises to maintain stakeholder and investor confidence.&#x0D;

Work alienation and its relationship with job crafting and job embeddedness among a group of Iranian nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The difficult work conditions of nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can cause them work alienation. Work alienation is in turn associated with negative consequences such as turnover intention. Therefore, identifying the contributing factors of work alienation is essential. This study aimed to assess the relationship of work alienation with job crafting and job embeddedness among a group of Iranian nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 332 eligible nurses participated in this descriptive correlational study. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the work alienation measure, the job crafting scale and the global measure of job embeddedness. The mean scores of work alienation, job embeddedness and job crafting were 22.67 ± 6.46 (possible range: 7-49), 21.05 ± 3.65 (possible range: 7-35) and 77.54 ± 11.93 (possible range: 21-105), respectively. Work alienation had a significant inverse correlation with job embeddedness and job crafting. Job crafting and job embeddedness significantly predicted 44% of the variance of work alienation. Around half of the variance of work alienation is explained by job crafting and job embeddedness. Nursing managers can use strategies to improve nurses' job embeddedness and job crafting in order to reduce the probability of their work alienation.

Vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with allergy: experience of the allergological center in Dnipro

Vaccination against COVID-19 is the main global preventive measure in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. As the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered to billions of individuals worldwide during the pandemic, there exists a reasonable fear of severe adverse reactions requiring constant vigilance and careful treatment, particularly in individuals with a history of severe allergy. The aim of our study was to develop and implement an algorithm for the safe vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with pathology associated with hypersensitivity reactions. From January to June 2022, after signing the informed consent, 126 adult patients with relevant diseases in remission were included in a prospective single-center study. Complaints and case histories were collected from all patients, including comorbidity and medications received, anthropometric data were studied, a standard clinical examination was performed, tryptase in venous blood was measured, the level of control was additionally assessed in patients with asthma using the asthma control test and spirography. According to the results of the study, it was proven that vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with pathology associated with hypersensitivity reactions is safe, on condition of prior consultation with an allergist and performing vaccination in a medical institution. The algorithm developed for preparing for vaccination in the mentioned above persons consists of a careful collection of case history; assessment and, in case of absence – achieving control of the underlying disease; analysis and correction of therapy with temporary replacement of medications that are potential cofactors of anaphylaxis; determination of blood tryptase level. For safe vaccination in patients with severe allergic anamnesis, administration of 20 mg of desloratadine before each dose of the vaccine with observation after vaccination within 30 minutes is suggested.

Promoting Public Value Through International Organization

Purpose: This article explores the evolution of practical global governance measures aimed at promoting public values in an anarchic (in the sense of without government) international operating environment. The process of international organization has occupied a central position in the discourse, and the physical manifestations of various formal international organizations and informal institutions have provided practical experiments in policy implementation. From the starting point of the universal lowest common denominator of values generated by an overlapping consensus of competing epistemological traditions (that of avoiding interstate war), the process of international organization has gradually expanded to embrace non-traditional security public values. Middle powers have played a key role in the expansion of the global governance paradigm, and aspirations for more comprehensive public value generation. The centrality of multilateralism and the roles of middle powers have, however, increasingly come under pressure from the realities of great power contestation in the international operating environment. The relatively new “minilateral” manifestations of international organization are also demonstrated as coming up short when providing public value promotion. This article, therefore, asks and attempts to answer the central global governance question of how can public values be promoted in the international operating environment in the absence of a central governing authority?&#x0D; Method: This research project used a qualitative approach consisting of literature review and document analysis. The results of this study should be supplemented by quantitative and qualitative studies in the future. The literature review consists of a comprehensive assessment of scholarly academic publications from competing perspectives in the fields of political and moral philosophy, public administration, and international relations. The document survey is mainly related to the policy documentation output of national governments and international organizations, as well as media reports.&#x0D; Results: The research identifies how new practical challenges to established multilateral manifestations of international organization and the global normative aspirations of middle powers, as well as shortcomings of the more recent minilateral arrangements require radical out of the box thinking. Hence, new modalities and conceptualizations are proposed to address the challenges of public value provision through the process of international organization. These include non-traditional security minilaterals, regional international commissions, and a central role for the new conceptualization of “second-tier” powers.&#x0D; Conclusion: Global public values are generated at the international level, in the absence of global government, through the process of international organization. Various models of practical manifestation of the related theoretical concepts have been proposed, and have been implemented, with varying degrees of success. In a time of increased great power contestation, however, multilateral institutions and middle powers, their chief proponents, have been undermined. The proliferation of minilaterals and minilateralism has proven to be an inadequate procedural replacement. Hence the need to explore additional agencies of “disruptive innovation.”

The Protection of Refugees and Displaced Persons under International Law

The research paper explores the complex network of global legal measures designed to protect refugees and individuals who have been forced to leave their homes. The research carefully analyses the important rules, tools, and systems established in global law to protect the rights and welfare of people forced to leave their homes because of persecution, conflict, or humanitarian emergencies. This paper aims to shed light on the rights and responsibilities concerning refugees and displaced individuals worldwide by examining relevant treaties, conventions, and case law. The paper examines the effectiveness of current methods in addressing the difficulties encountered in maintaining these safeguards. The research helps us understand the complex problem of protecting refugees and displaced people, and it can guide future academic and policy work.

Altered brain functional connectivity in vegetative state and minimally conscious state.

The pathological mechanism for a disorder of consciousness (DoC) is still not fully understood. Based on traditional behavioral scales, there is a high rate of misdiagnosis for subtypes of DoC. We aimed to explore whether topological characterization may explain the pathological mechanisms of DoC and be effective in diagnosing the subtypes of DoC. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data, the weighted brain functional networks for normal control subjects and patients with vegetative state (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) were constructed. Global and local network characteristics of each group were analyzed. A support vector machine was employed to identify MCS and VS patients. The average connection strength was reduced in DoC patients and roughly equivalent in MCS and VS groups. Global efficiency, local efficiency, and clustering coefficients were reduced, and characteristic path length was increased in DoC patients (p < 0.05). For patients of both groups, global network measures were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Nodal efficiency, nodal local efficiency, and nodal clustering coefficient were reduced in frontoparietal brain areas, limbic structures, and occipital and temporal brain areas (p < 0.05). The comparison of nodal centrality suggested that DoC causes reorganization of the network structure on a large scale, especially the thalamus. Lobal network measures emphasized that the differences between the two groups of patients mainly involved frontoparietal brain areas. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the classifier for identifying MCS and VS patients were 89.83, 78.95, and 95%, respectively. There is an association between altered network structures and clinical symptoms of DoC. With the help of network metrics, it is feasible to differentiate MCS and VS patients.

A complex networks based approach to nonlinear aeroelasticity

The present study investigates the effect of low intensity additive noise on a subcritical pitch-plunge aeroelastic system through the lens of complex networks. In the deterministic system, the 0→ fixed point loses its stability at the flutter point, via subcritical Hopf bifurcation. The unstable LCO becomes a high-amplitude stable LCO at the turning point, posing danger to structural integrity. The system displays bi-stability, and an analysis of the basin stability has revealed it to be highly susceptible to external perturbations. The external perturbations, modelled here as a direct random forcing in the form of a Gaussian white noise, could drastically change the deterministic dynamics. It brought in new dynamical states like noise induced intermittency and an advancement in the onset of LCO. Phenomenological and Dynamical bifurcations (for the stochastic system) were tracked and found to capture only the qualitative changes. To quantify the changes in the dynamics, response time-series were converted into complex networks, based on recurrences in the phase-space. Various network theory based measures such as edge density, clustering coefficient etc., were successful in capturing the dynamical transitions well quantitatively and to potentially serve as precursors for the aeroelastic system. Average path length, global efficiency measures signified the average separation of states and the robustness of the attractor, respectively. The networks also displayed the famous “small-world” property, indicating that transition between states occurs through very few intermediate states. The results have shown that a careful consideration of the stochastic perturbations is needed in the design and operations of such systems, and that complex networks based methods are successful in providing novel perspectives on the topology of the phase-space.

Evaluation on quality learning environment of an Islamic-based child care and education centre

Quality learning environment of early childhood setting has long been debated and discussed, foreseeing the impact on children’s physical, cognitive, emotional and social outcomes. The widespread usage of global quality measures such as the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised (ECERS-R) has led to a new perspective of assessing the quality. Therefore, this paper focuses on an evaluation on quality learning environment of an Islamic-based child care and education centre using four subscales of ECERS-R, namely space and furnishings, personal care routines, language reasoning and programme structure. The findings indicate that the daily planning and implementation of activities do reflect the quality. To a certain extent, by using ECERS-R as a reference, it was noted that the subscales of language reasoning and programme structure are closely followed, even though there is a gap in terms of some items in space and furnishings and personal care routines. In addition, there are significant practices exclusively practised by the centre with the aim of inculcating religious values among the children. This preliminary study adds to the small but growing literatures on Islamic-based early child care and education centre in Malaysia.