bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Visitor Understanding of Coastal Geotourism and Geoheritage Potential Based on Sustainable Regional Development in Western Black Sea Region, Turkey
Authors: Cengiz Canan , Şahin Şükran , Cengiz Bülent , Başkır Mükerrem Bahar , Keçecioğlu Dağlı Pelin
Published: October 2021

The Black Sea coasts of Turkey have important examples of geological heritage with coastal cliffs in terms of geological formations and features. The Güzelcehisar Basalt Columns (GBCs) formation and its coast have been chosen as a research area in this article in terms of its basalt columns, rare coastal geological diversity and coastal geotourism potential. This paper presents the results of a visitor survey undertaken at the GBCs formation and its coast, located in the rural coastal part of Bartın province in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. This survey was conducted in 2020 to assess the tourism shoulder season visitors to the Güzelcehisar village. With the survey, its aim was to determine the awareness of the visitors on geoconservation and geodiversity and to evaluate the understanding of geological heritage and geotourism. In addition, it was desired to set visitor expectations to improve the geotourism experience. It was found that visitors had a high level of understanding and awareness of the terms “geodiversity”, “geoheritage”, “geotourism” and “geoconservation”. However, this survey also shows that there is less emphasis on the need to protect the geodiversity in Güzelcehisar. Guided walking is preferred in order to improve visitor understanding and improve experiences. These survey findings contain guiding explanations for studies that could provide a wider interpretation of the perceptions, experiences and expectations of visitors regarding the sustainable development of areas with similar coastal geotourism potential in Turkey.
Techno-Economic Assessment of Fuel Cycle Facility of System Integrated Modular Advanced Reactor (SMART)
Authors: Khan Salah Ud-Din , Almutairi Zeyad , Alanazi Meshari
Published: October 2021

The economic assessment of advanced nuclear power reactors is very important, specifically during the early stages of concept design. Therefore, a study was performed to calculate the total cost estimation of fuel cycle supply for a system modular advanced reactor (SMART) by using the Generation-IV economic program called G4-ECONS (Generation 4 Excel-based Calculation of Nuclear Systems). In this study, the detailed description of each model and methodology are presented including facility, operations, construction matrix, post-production model, and fuel cycle cost estimation model. Based on these models, six Generation-III+ and Generation-IV nuclear reactors were simulated, namely System 80+ with benchmark data, System 80+ with uranium oxide (UOx) and mixed oxide (MOx) fuel assemblies, fast reactor, PBMR (Pebble Bed Modular Reactor), and PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor), with partially closed and benchmarked cases. The total levelized costs of these reactors were obtained, and it was observed that PBMR showed the lowest cost. The research was extended to work on the SMART reactor to calculate the total levelized fuel cycle cost, capital cost, capital component cost, fraction of capital spent, and sine curve spent pattern. To date, no work is being reported to calculate these parameters for the SMART reactor. It was observed that SMART is the most cost-effective reactor system among other proven and advanced pressurized water-based reactor systems. The main objective of the research is to verify and validate the G4-ECONS model to be used for other innovative nuclear reactors.
Single Application of Biochar Increases Fertilizer Efficiency, C Sequestration, and pH over the Long-Term in Sandy Soils of Senegal
Authors: Faye Aliou , Stewart Zachary P. , Diome Khady , Edward Calys-Tagoe , Fall Dioumacor , Ganyo Désiré Komla Kyky , Akplo Tobi Moriaque , Prasad P. V. Vara
Published: October 2021

This study evaluated the long-term effects of a single application of different biochar types and quantities in combination with cow manure and annual inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and grain yield under millet monocropping and millet–peanut rotation in sandy soils of the peanut basin of Senegal. Results of over six years showed that a single application of 5–10 t ha−1 biochar (rice husk or Typha australis) and/or manure significantly increased soil pH (from 5.5 to 6.3) and total C (from 1.84% to an average of 2.69%). Soil available P increased due to all treatments. These improved soil properties were maintained for at least eight years following a single application of 5–10 t ha−1 biochar and/or manure. There was limited or slightly negative effects of biochar application on soil N and total soil microbial activity. Applications of either one-third or half of national recommended NPK rate, in combination with a single application of biochar or cow manure, increased millet grain yield up to four to five times (i.e., 100 to 450 kg ha−1), which was equivalent to the yield of treatments receiving the full national recommended fertilizer rate. Limited improvement was observed on peanut yield. This research clearly shows the synergistic benefits of applying single low rates of organic materials in combination with annual low levels of inorganic fertilizer. Treatments receiving the national recommended inorganic fertilizer rates (150 kg ha−1 NPK 15-15-15 and 100 kg ha−1 of urea four weeks after planting) did not produce more than 400 kg ha−1. Biochar application alone did not increase millet yields. With a recommended biochar application rate of 5 t ha−1, we calculate that Senegal has enough biomass available for biochar to cover all of its cropland every 4.4 to 5.5 years. Of particular importance, the 0.85% increase in stable total C has the potential to sequester 27.2 tons C ha−1 and if scaled across Senegal’s 1.6–2.0 million ha of peanut and millet cropland, this practice could sequester 43.52 to 54.4 million tons of C having mutual benefits on crop productivity and climate change mitigation.
The Policy Effect, Spatial Heterogeneity, and Spillover Effect of Land System Pilots
Authors: Shang Haiyang , Kou Ying , Su Fang , Song Nini , Mao Shuxin
Published: October 2021

As an important way to innovate the pattern of land reform, the land system pilots serve as the crucial driving force in promoting rural economic development under the background of rural revitalization. Based on the panel data of 10 pilots along the Yellow River basin, this paper chose 111 near and distant neighboring regions from 2009 to 2018. This paper tested the spillover effects and regional heterogeneity characteristics of the land system pilots using the propensity score matching-difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) method and regression discontinuity design (RDD). The results are as follows: first, the land system pilots have a significant and general impact on regional economic development; second, the establishment of the land system pilots has different impacts on the economic development of near and distant neighboring regions, which shows obvious policy-effect spillovers; and third, the land system pilots have the strongest stimulating effect on the economic development of the middle reaches of the Yellow River basin, as well as the weakest stimulating effect on upstream regional economic development, which shows the significant spatial heterogeneity of policy effects. The results of the research study are of great significance for the exploration of regionally differentiated system-supply pilots under the background of rural revitalization. Additionally, this study has important implications for further land system improvements and rural economic developments.
On the Relationship between Circular and Innovation Approach to Economy
Authors: Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Papacharalampopoulos Alexios , Tzimanis Konstantinos , Petrides Demetris , Chryssolouris George
Published: October 2021

The first and most important target of the industrial world is to offer products that appeal to customers’ demands (affordable prices), while at the same time, respect the global effort of CO2 emissions reductions, which is required under strict emissions rules. There is, however, an apparent contradiction between the two concepts; productivity and sustainability, leading to two strategies—innovation economy and circular economy, respectively. To this end, this work aims, through modeling the long-term environmental impact of producing new goods in short terms (innovation economy) and impact of rebuying, repairing and reusing products for extended use (circular economy), to study the relationship between the two economies. For this purpose, the terms of innovation and circular economy are introduced and described, in order to define the environmental impact during the lifecycle of a product. Two products are assessed for this study—a well-known, medium price vehicle, as well as an expensive mobile phone with several generations. The cost of purchase and the recurring costs are used as indicators of environmental impact, instead of calculating the impact directly for the production phase, due to the enormous size of the production data that are desired. The results, despite being indicative of the modelling complexity, can still be used to pave the way towards a modelling framework, proving, at the same time, that innovation and circular economy are not contradictive concepts.
Investigating Determinants of International Clean Energy Investments in Emerging Markets
Authors: Azarova Ekaterina , Jun Hannah
Published: October 2021

Although renewable energy investments in developing and emerging economies play a crucial role in accelerating the clean energy transition, investments remain limited. Building on previous research, this study takes a unique approach by analyzing determinants of clean energy investments from investors from one country, the United States, which represents the largest single source of investments. Based on panel data sourced from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF)’s Climatescope, we analyzed renewable energy investments by investors from the United States between 2008 and 2019. The analysis included four factors (i.e., economic, socio-environmental, political, and proactivity) and covered 61 emerging/developing countries. Our results suggest that the most significant factor that determines renewable energy investment by investors from the United States is commercial ties between the investing and recipient country. Our findings also demonstrate the importance of a strong legal system and clean energy promotion mechanisms, such as feed-in tariffs, in recipient countries. When breaking down investment flows, the effects of different economic factors may vary, depending on whether the renewable technology is solar or wind, which further highlights the importance of understanding determinants of renewable energy investments.
Towards Holistic System Models Including Domain-Specific Simulation Models Based on SysML
Authors: Zhang Yizhe , Hoepfner Gregor , Berroth Joerg , Pasch Gerwin , Jacobs Georg
Published: October 2021

In the face of the rapid growth in the scale and complexity of multidisciplinary systems, being able to develop reliable systems under ever-faster changing and more individual market requirements is becoming more and more challenging. The Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach has already been researched heavily, and started to be introduced for the management of complexity, maintaining consistency, and reducing development costs and the time-to-market. However, a major drawback of the current MBSE methodologies is the lack of capability to integrate with domain-specific simulation models to investigate design concepts in the early phases of the development process. In order to address this issue, we propose a holistic system modeling approach that allows system engineers to link descriptive system models with domain-specific simulation models. In this paper, the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) is used as the standard architecture modeling language. A system modeling approach in SysML based on the system’s functional architecture for system design and validation is defined. The approach was developed to integrate domain-specific models into the system model using a SysML modeler with the capability of running and reusing simulation tasks via the coupling of external tools, which helps to bridge the existing gap between models on the system level and detail level. The feasibility of the proposed approach will be evaluated based on the case study of a wind turbine (WT) system. The study shows that our approach has the potential to enable the consistent, parameter-based interlinkage of domain-specific models based on always-up-to-date data, and to assist engineers in making design decisions to meet the system requirements accurately and rapidly in different engineering fields.
Identification of Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus (CaMMV) and Cacao Yellow Vein-Banding Virus (CYVBV) in Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Germplasm
Authors: Ullah Ihsan , Daymond Andrew J. , Hadley Paul , End Michelle J. , Umaharan Pathmanathan , Dunwell Jim M.
Published: October 2021

Cocoa, Theobroma cacao, is an important tropical perennial crop grown widely in the humid tropics. The exchange of cocoa germplasm between germplasm collections and breeding centres is vital for varietal development. Intermediate quarantine facilities, such as the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, Reading UK (ICQC-R) play a vital role in ensuring the transfer of germplasm whilst minimising the risk of spreading pests and diseases. Current screening procedures combine visual inspection and molecular techniques, which are effective in detecting Cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV), a badnavirus, which causes severe losses but are restricted to West Africa. However, the detection of latent or mild virus infections that produce no visual symptoms has been a challenge. Recently two badnavirus species of cocoa producing mild symptoms, cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and cacao yellow vein-banding virus (CYVBV), have been sequenced. Here, we report new assays for the detection of these two species, for the first time in non-symptomatic accessions. Evolutionary and bioinformatic analyses of the viruses suggest their most recent source was from Trinidad, though there is historic evidence that these viruses may have their origin in South America and then become widespread globally over the last century. We also report a novel colorimetric Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of CYVBV. This simple and accurate method could be employed in field virus testing.
Immunogenicity of Novel Live Vaccine Based on an Artificial rHN20 Strain against Emerging Fowl Adenovirus 4
Authors: Zhang Yu , Pan Qing , Guo Rongrong , Liu Aijing , Xu Zhuangzhuang , Gao Yulong , Cui Hongyu , Liu Changjun , Qi Xiaole , Zhang Yanping , Li Kai , Gao Li , Wang Xiaomei
Published: October 2021

In recent years, hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), caused by novel fowl adenovirus 4 (FAdV-4), has caused serious economic losses to the poultry industry. Vaccines are important for preventing and controlling HHS. Current FAdV-4 vaccine research and development are mainly focuses on inactivated vaccines and relatively fewer live vaccines. We previously demonstrated that the hexon gene is the key gene responsible for the high pathogenicity of FAdV-4 and constructed a non-pathogenic chimeric virus rHN20 strain based on the emerging FAdV-4. In this study, the immunogenicity of artificially rescued rHN20 was evaluated in chickens using different routes and doses as a live vaccine. The live rHN20 vaccine induced high titers of neutralizing antibodies against FAdV-4 and fully protected the immunized chickens against a lethal dose of FAdV-4. Furthermore, immunized chickens showed no clinical symptoms or histopathological changes in the FAdV-4-targeted liver, and the viral load in the tissues of immunized chickens was significantly lower than that of chickens in the challenge control group. Collectively, the live rHN20 vaccine effectively protected our sample against FAdV-4 infection and can be considered a live vaccine candidate for preventing HHS in the poultry industry.
RETRACTED: Samaha et al. Effects of a Single Dose of Ivermectin on Viral and Clinical Outcomes in Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infected Subjects: A Pilot Clinical Trial in Lebanon. Viruses 2021, 13, 989
Authors: Samaha Ali , Mouawia Hussein , Fawaz Mirna , Hassan Hamad , Salami Ali , Bazzal Ali , Saab Hamid , Al-Wakeel Mohamed , Alsaabi Ahmad , Chouman Mohamad , Moussawi Mahmoud , Ayoub Hassan , Raad Ali , Hajjeh Ola , Eid Ali , Raad Houssam
Published: October 2021

The journal retracts the article, Effects of a Single Dose of Ivermectin on Viral and Clinical Outcomes in Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infected Subjects: A Pilot Clinical Trial in Lebanon [...]
Novel Cyclovirus Species in Dogs with Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Authors: Gainor Kerry , Malik Yashpal S. , Ghosh Souvik
Published: October 2021

Nested PCRs with circovirus/cyclovirus pan-rep (replicase gene) primers detected eukaryotic circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA (CRESS DNA) viruses in three (samples CN9E, CN16E and CN34) of 18 canine parvovirus-2-positive fecal samples from household dogs with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis on the Caribbean island of Nevis. The complete genomes of CRESS DNA virus CN9E, CN16E and CN34 were determined by inverse nested PCRs. Based on (i) genome organization, (ii) location of the putative origin of replication, (iii) pairwise genome-wide sequence identities, (iv) the presence of conserved motifs in the putative replication-associated protein (Rep) and the arginine-rich region in the amino terminus of the putative capsid protein (Cp) and (v) a phylogenetic analysis, CN9E, CN16E and CN34 were classified as cycloviruses. Canine-associated cycloviruses CN16E and CN34 were closely related to each other and shared low genome-wide nucleotide (59.642–59.704%), deduced Rep (35.018–35.379%) and Cp (26.601%) amino acid sequence identities with CN9E. All the three canine-associated cycloviruses shared < 80% genome-wide pairwise nucleotide sequence identities with cycloviruses from other animals/environmental samples, constituting two novel species (CN9E and CN16E/34) within the genus Cyclovirus. Considering the feeding habits of dogs, we could not determine whether the cycloviruses were of dietary origin or infected the host. Interestingly, the CN9E putative Rep-encoding open reading frame was found to use the invertebrate mitochondrial genetic code with an alternative initiation codon (ATA) for translation, corroborating the hypothesis that cycloviruses are actually arthropod-infecting viruses. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection and complete genome analysis of cycloviruses from domestic dogs.
Modelling of Water Drop Movement and Distribution in No Wind and Windy Conditions for Different Nozzle Sizes
Authors: Zhu Xingye , Lewballah Joseph , Fordjour Alexander , Jiang Xiaoping , Liu Junping , Ofosu Samuel , Dwomoh Frank
Published: October 2021

A numerical model was developed to determine the water drop movement and mean droplet size diameter at any distance from a sprinkler as a function of nozzle size and pressure. Droplet size data from 4, 5, 6, and 7 mm nozzle sizes verified the model. Data for model prediction were generated throughout lab experiments. The results demonstrated that the correlation between the observed and predicted droplet size diameter values for all the nozzle sizes and pressures is quite good. Nozzle size and pressure had a major influence on droplet size. Higher pressure produced smaller droplets over the entire application profile. The wetted distance downwind from the sprinkler increased as wind velocity increased, for example at a constant working pressure of 300 kPa, at wind speeds of 3.5 m/s and 4.5 m/s, 20% and 32% of the total volume exceeded the wet radius respectively. Larger droplets (3.9–4.5 mm), accounting for 3.6% and 6.3% of the total number of distributed droplets, respectively. The model can also predict the droplet size distribution at any wind direction overall the irrigated pattern.
UKURAN PERUSAHAAN MEMODERASI DETERMINAN AUDIT DELAY
Authors: Maharsa Agustinus Guntur , Darminto Dwi Prastowo , Merawati Endang Etty
Published: October 2021

Abstract

 

The time span between the issuance date of the audit report and the closing date of the financial year is called the audit delay. This study aims to examine the effect of good corporate governance represented  by the board of commissioners and audit committee, leverage, auditor switching, profitability, on audit delay with company size as a moderating variable. This research was conducted at trade service and investment companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2015-2019. The number of samples was selected by purposive sampling method is 268 samples from 56 companies for five years. The type of data used is secondary data in the form of financial statements of trade service and investment companies. The data analysis technique used is Moderated Regression Analysis. The results showed that the board of commissioners and audit committee, leverage, profitability have an effect on audit delay, while auditor switching has no effect on audit delay. Company size moderates the effect of leverage and profitability on audit delay, but company size is unable to moderate the effect of auditor switching on audit delay. 

Keywords: good corporate governance, board of commissioners, audit committee, leverage, auditor switching, profitability, company size, audit delay
ANALISIS KONTEN POST INSTAGRAM TERHADAP ONLINE ENGAGEMENT
Authors: Flaviana Aneu Karlob , Syahputra Syahputra
Published: October 2021

Penelitian ini didasari oleh latar belakang untuk mencari tahu bagaimana pengaruh tipe post terhadap online engagement di lima coffee shop di Bandung dan bagaimana pengaruh waktu posting terhadap online engagement di lima coffee shop tersebut. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga bertujuan untuk menemukan rekomendasi pengelolaan posting di lima akun coffee shop untuk meningkatkan online engagement. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan jenis penelitian deskriptif dengan mengambil data post yang diunggah oleh lima akun Instagram coffee shop dari bulan September 2018 hingga Agustus 2019 untuk dijadikan objek penelitian. Post yang dianalisis dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 448 post. Teknik analisis data pada penelitian ini adalah analisis deskriptif dan uji beda Kruskal Wallis dan Post Hoc. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa tipe post dan waktu posting (bulan dan hari), hanya bulan yang memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap online engagement, sedangkan hari tidak memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap like dan komentar. Waktu posting pada bulan yang memiliki pengaruh paling signifikan terhadap like dan komentar adalah bulan Januari, Mei, Juni, dan Agustus.Tipe post informasi memiliki pengaruh paling signifikan terhadap like dan komentar dibandingkan dengan tipe post lainnya. Kata Kunci : Sosial Media; Instagram; Online Engagement.
Statistical Estimates of the Decline of the Russian Fertility: Regional Specifcs
Authors: Shubat O. M.
Published: October 2021

The study focuses on analyzing regional features of the decline in the birth rate in Russia in 2016–2019. Taking into account regional specifcs is crucial when perfecting the implemented measures for improving the general demographic situation in the Russian Federation.

The information base of the study contained time series of the total fertility rate in selected Russian regions. The author used methods of descriptive statistics and assessed convergent trends based on the sigma-, beta- and gamma-convergence methods. Spatial eﬀects in regional diﬀerentiation of fertility were assessed based on Moran's I.

As a result of the analysis, the following features were established. Firstly, in recent years in Russia, there has been a high degree of diﬀerentiation in the recorded declining birth rates. Secondly, the processes of falling fertility in the regions have specifc characteristics, the absence of typical trajectories in those subjects where it fell most or least of all. Thirdly, in Russia, there are no pronounced territo rial localizations of the processes of fertility decline. And fourthly, based on a comparison of the birth rate dynamics in Russian regions, no convergent trends have been identifed, i. e., there is no convergence of territorial entities in terms of the birth rate.

According to the author, the demographic policy of recent years has not yet responded positively either in terms of birth rate growth or leveling of regional diﬀerences. The results obtained indicate that unifed approaches are unsuited to solving the demographic problems of Russian territories, and there is a need for demographic policy measures that take into account regional variability and are aimed at smoothing regional disproportions. Consequently, it is necessary to conduct regular statistical and demographic studies of the specificity of regional situations using methods of convergence and spatial autocorrelation analysis, rarely used in demography
Os DIREITOS HUMANOS E O DIREITO À PROTEÇÃO INTEGRAL AO ADOLESCENTE EM CONFLITO COM A LEI
Authors: Gomes Soares Paulo Sérgio Gomes Soares , Sandes Pedreira Hélvia Túlia
Published: October 2021

Tendo em vista os Direitos Humanos, para além de uma análise da responsabilização do adolescente em conflito com a lei, a partir dos instrumentos normativos e do marco teórico do Direito Penal Juvenil, a proposta deste artigo é refletir sobre a atuação do legislador guiada pelo princípio da proporcionalidade adequada e limitada à proteção aos bens jurídicos fundamentais, bem como da subsidiariedade para a intervenção socioeducativa mínima ao adolescente em conflito com a lei. A atuação repressiva e punitiva desvinculada da medida socioeducativa mínima impõe um caráter sancionatório e pedagógico que não coaduna com o agir proporcional do legislador por desrespeito ao direito à proteção integral, considerando os tratados internacionais dos quais o Brasil é signatário. O artigo apresenta uma pesquisa teórica de cunho fenomenológico que possibilita uma reflexão crítica acerca da atuação do legislador em consonância com os tratados internacionais e com o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente aos paradigmas do estado democrático de direito diante da condição do adolescente como sujeito de direito com prioridade absoluta.
O RESPEITO AO DIREITO À VIDA VISTO PELOS ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS E SUA REPRESENTAÇÃO SOCIAL
Authors: Amaral Santos Cinthya , César Machado Humberto , Alves Ferreira Filho Odesson
Published: October 2021

A pesquisa “O direito à vida vista pelos estudantes universitários e sua representação social” está inserida no contexto do macroprojeto Constituição Federal, Direitos Fundamentais e Representação Social. Busca-se com essa proposta científica estudar o princípio do direito à vida na perspectiva representacional do acadêmico, abrangendo os cursos de Direito, Ciências Biológicas e Agronomia, do campus de Palmeiras de Goiás da Universidade Estadual de Goiás. Foi uma pesquisa promissora que trouxe conhecimentos teóricos a respeito do direito fundamental do conceito de vida para a nossa Constituição Federal, de 1988, e sua origem como direito fundamental de primeira geração, e é um dos direitos especificados e assim exposto no artigo 1º da Carta Magna brasileira. A pesquisa também teve como objetivo analisar, utilizando-se a Teoria das Representações Sociais, qual o significado desse princípio para os estudantes, tanto na perspectiva social quanto na atuação do Estado, como defensor do interesse público. O estudo usou como metodologia de pesquisa de caráter qualitativo e quantitativo, bem como pesquisas bibliográficas e aplicação de instrumento de coleta de dados, com 126 sujeitos divididos da seguinte forma: 63 alunos do curso de direito; 26 alunos do curso de Ciências biológicas; e 37 alunos do curso de Agronomia. Foi utilizado o software Iramuteq para análise das frequências das palavras evocadas, bem como a análise de similitude e nuvem de palavras para aferição da questão subjetiva. Além das questões para verificação da representação social também foi realizado questionário sociodemográfico, com perguntas sobre idade, sexualidade e cursos de graduação. As contribuições científicas para este estudo foi a produção textual a respeito do pensamento representacional do acadêmico de três cursos de graduação diferentes. Ele buscou também analisar a respeito do sentido do fundamento vida, quanto à atuação do Estado no cumprimento de sua função social, e no aspecto de sua abrangência para o próprio ser humano.
COMPLIANCE, CULTURA DE INTEGRIDADE E ALIANÇA PARA BOAS PRÁTICAS NA GOVERNANÇA INSTITUCIONAL
Authors: Oliveira Edmundo
Published: October 2021

Com o seu caráter universal, a segurança humana é o ponto fulcral na ligação entre os 17 Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável – Agenda de 2015 a 2030 da ONU, porque a segurança humana junta todas as preocupações que estimulam o diálogo e a cooperação entre os Governos, as instituições e a sociedade civil rumo à formulação de políticas integradas para suplantar as dores agudas de pobrezas, doenças, injustiças, riscos, desastres, crises, conflitos, crimes, violências, desigualdades, manipulações, preconceitos, discriminações, exclusões, intolerâncias e violações do meio ambiente, que criam percalços ao desenvolvimento humano, dificultando a elevação da dignidade, da qualidade de vida e do bem-estar aliados ao grau de satisfação das pessoas, em qualquer lugar, a qualquer tempo, de geração em geração. Sem o potencial da segurança humana não há como gerar sólidas fontes de valores e mecanismos de governança, em condições de produzir o desempenho proativo do crescimento econômico, do progresso social e da proteção ambiental em todos os níveis e circunstâncias.
A ADOÇÃO DE POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS PARA A DEMOCRATIZAÇÃO DO ENSINO SUPERIOR:UMA ANÁLISE ACERCA DA LEI DE RESPONSABILIDADE FISCAL
Authors: José Matos Rebêlo Felipe Cesar
Published: October 2021

O Ensino Superior cumpre importância na sistematicidade constitucional brasileira, bem como na legislação infraconstitucional, mormente na lei de responsabilidade fiscal. Nesse sentido, os princípios constitucionais oponíveis ao tema merecem ser estudados, bem como as características basilares da lei de responsabilidade fiscal como norte para a intelecção da possibilidade de uma maior democratização no acesso ao Ensino Superior, respeitadas as determinantes citadas. Trata-se de indagar acerca da extensão de tais determinantes, e se estas encontram identificação com as demandas sociais, e com os requintes estruturais da democracia participativa que se alastram no decorrer das últimas três décadas, de forma incisiva, no caso brasileiro. Adota-se o método hipotético-dedutivo.
LA RESPONSABILITE CIVILE EN CAS DE LA NEGLIGENCE ET D’ERREUR MEDICALE
Authors: Stępniak Piotr
Published: October 2021

L'article est consacré au problème de l'erreur médicale et de la négligence dans la prestation des services de santé. Il présente cette question sur la base de la jurisprudence des tribunaux. Le texte montre des exemples de cas spécifiques dans lesquels des patients ont été indemnisés. L'auteur analyse les motifs des décisions, tente d'identifier les problèmes médicaux et juridiques typiques, ainsi que la ligne dominante de la jurisprudence dans les affaires d'indemnisation des dommages causés aux patients.
Impact of gender, C-reactive protein and body mass index on erythropoietin resistance index in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Osman Asim , Alkareem Nada Awad , Elawad Baha eldin , Dawod Ogail , Elshiekh Mohammed
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Anemia is caused by a variety of mechanisms in chronic kidney disease (CKD), including erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency, resistance to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), impaired iron metabolism and its clinical management remains challenging. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of CRP, BMI, gender and duration of hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: A total of 94 maintenance HD patients participated in this study. Laboratory investigation included CBC, renal function test and qualitatively C-reactive protein was performed. Erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) was calculated as weekly EPO dose/ body weight in kg/hemoglobin level. Results: Female gender had significantly higher ERI (11.36 ± 1.52) compared to male HD patients (10.68 ± 1.56) (P ˃ 0.05). Patients with low BMI had significant higher ERI (12.08 ± 1.09) compared to HD patients with overweight (10.62 ± 0.79) and obese (9.62 ± 1.68) (P ˃ 0.05). The highest ERI were found in the positive CPR group (P ˃ 0.05) compared to negative CRP group. There is no significant difference between duration of hemodialysis. Conclusion: Our data exposed that female gender; low BMI and inflammation (positive CRP) contributed to EPO hyporesponsiveness. In addition, there is no significant difference between lengths on hemodialysis.
Effects of combined ethanol extract of Funtumia africana and Abutilon mauritianum leaves on prostate biomarkers and serum mineral levels in prostatic hyperplasia induced male rats
Authors: Ikechukwu Uroko Robert , Amin Adamude Fatima , Ikechukwu Egba Simeon , Paulinus Nwuke Chinedu , Lilian Asadu Chidimma , Anyaorah Peter
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prostate disorder in ageing males that negatively affects the quality of life and requires multidimensional approaches to ameliorate its adverse health effects. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of combined ethanol extract of Funtumia africana and Abutilon mauritianum leaves on the prostate biomarkers, serum mineral levels and prostate histomorphology of BPH induced rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats randomly distributed into 5 groups containing 6 rats each was used for this study. Group 1 served as the normal control rats without BPH induction while groups 2–5 were BPH induced rats that served as BPH control (untreated), finasteride control, and BPH induced treated with 200 and 600 mg/kg/d of the combined ethanol extract of F. africana and A. mauritianum leaves respectively. BPH was induced in the rats by subcutaneous injection of 5 mg/kg/d of testosterone propionate injection and treatment followed 1h after the induction for 28 consecutive days. All the biochemical analyses and prostate histological examinations were carried out using standard methods. Results: BPH induction significantly elevated serum prostatic acid phosphatase activities and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations in the BPH control rats relative to the normal control. The BPH induction caused significant (P<0.05) reductions in the serum levels of calcium and selenium levels and significantly increased the serum inorganic phosphate concentration in the BPH control when compared with the normal control. Treatment with the combined extract significantly (P<0.05) increased the serum zinc, calcium, copper, iron and inorganic phosphate and significantly reduced serum selenium level when compared with the BPH control. The combined extract further significant (P<0.0) reduced the serum prostatic acid phosphatase activities and PSA level relative to the BPH control. The BPH control showed severe prostate histomorphological alterations consistent with BPH which were largely reduced to mild alterations in combined extract-treated BPH induced rats. Conclusion: This study revealed that the combined ethanol extract of F. africana and A. mauritianum leaves positively regulate the serum mineral levels, serum prostatic acid phosphatase activities, PSA levels and improves prostate histomorphology BPH induced rats.
Examination of the relationship between health literacy and health perceptions in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Mollaoğlu Mukadder , Başer Esra , Candan Ferhan
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Patients’ high levels of health literacy and positive perception of health are effective in their compliance with the treatment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between health literacy and the perception of health of hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: In the study, the sampling method was not performed, but it was performed with patients who received hemodialysis treatment and fulfilled the research criteria within the 3-month period. The descriptive study was conducted with a total of 110 patients in two dialysis centers Sivas province of Turkey. Results: Data were collected using the patient information form, Health Literacy Index (HLI) and perception of health scale (PHS) to determine demographic characteristics. Around 56.4% of the patients had been receiving hemodialysis treatment for 0-4 years. The mean score of patients’ health literacy was 77.40±12.94, and they received the highest score from the appraisal of the subscales. Perception of health mean score was 47.56±4.10. When sociodemographic characteristics were examined, health literacy levels were found to be high in males between the ages of 36-45 years, those with a long duration of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those with higher education level. Conclusion: According to results patients’ health literacy and disease perception were found to be slightly above the middle level. We found a positive relationship between health literacy level and perception of health, and patients’ health literacy since the perception of health should be increased in order for the hemodialysis treatment process to be effective.
Frailty at the beginning of dialysis; is it a prognostic factor?
Authors: Silva Santiago , Milano Cristina , García Gonzalo , Abib Anabel , Díaz Carlos , Laham Gustavo
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Frailty (F) refers to the cumulative organic damage caused by aging, as a consequence of a diminished physiological reserve. Frailty’s prevalence is 73% in dialysis. Objectives: Our aim was to identify the prevalence of F in patients starting hemodialysis (HD) or hemodiafiltration online (HDF) treatment. To asses change in frailty during a six-month period of dialysis. Patients and Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated 67 incident patient starting-HD or HDF at one year, with a follow-up period of at least six months. The frailty was assessed by the Fried frailty method. According to this test, we divided the population in two groups: Pre-frail (0-2) and frail (3-5). Results: Mean age was 64 years, 64% were male and 92% were treated with HD. A total of 35.8% of the patients were admitted to dialysis with a prosthetic or native fistula. The prevalence of F at the beginning of dialysis was 65.7%. The mean value of Charlson index (CHI) was 5.2 ± 2. There was a significant correlation between CHI and frailty test (P<0.0001). Basal F score (n=67) improved after 6 month (n=52): 3 (2-4) versus1 (1-2) (P<0.0001). Hematocrit (28 versus 32% P=0.05) and calcium levels (8.6 and 8.9 mg/dL, P<0.002) also increased after sixth-month. Global mortality was 7.5%. In the multivariate analysis CHI (P<0.001) and albumin (P=0.003) were frailty predictors. Conclusion: The prevalence of F in patients who start dialysis therapy is high. There was an improvement in F score after six-month of dialysis treatment. Patients with higher F score had higher mortality with higher CHI.
Congestive kidney failure; recent knowledge and new trends
Authors: Rabiee Rad Mehrdad , Ghasempour Dabaghi Ghazal , Hassanzadeh Shakiba
Published: October 2021

One of the possible causes of renal failure due to heart failure is congestive kidney failure (CKF). Venous congestion has a key role in the development of renal dysfunction and damage in patients with heart failure. This condition is named congestive nephropathy. In this mini-review the common causes of congestive kidney failure, its pathophysiology, histopathological changes and treatment are discussed.
Vitamin D and COVID-19 infection; recent findings
Authors: Pouramini Alireza , Kafi Fatemeh , Hassanzadeh Shakiba
Published: October 2021

COVID-19 infection increases the risk of death in patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or obesity. The exact role of vitamin D in COVID-19 infection is unknown and controversial. Furthermore, the exact prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is still unknown but it affects individuals worldwide regardless of ethnicity and age. Herein, we give an overview of vitamin D deficiency as a global public health problem, the role of vitamin D in COVID-19 infection, and the proper approach to treating vitamin D deficiency.
Experience of pharmacological cardioversion with refralon in persistent atrial fibrillation and flutter according to the data of the cardiology department of Orenburg regional clinical hospital
Authors: Kozlova L. K. , Sokolova N. V. , Sivkova A. V. , Kamyshanova A. E. , Abramova O. Y. , Kuchma G. B. , Turmukhambetova B. T. , Nikonova E. N.
Published: October 2021

Aim. To assess the effectiveness and safety of refralon based cardioversion on the experience of the cardiology department of Orenburg Regional Clinical Hospital.

Methods. The archival medical histories of 14 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and 2 patients with persistent atrial flutter (AFL) (overall 16 patients), who underwent an attempt to restore sinus rhythm with refralon, were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 51.7±10.4 years. The mean duration of AF/AFL since its last detection was 8.0±6.5 weeks (from 8 days to 8 months). Fifteen patients had hypertension, 3 of them had coronary artery disease (CAD), and 1 patient had CAD with type 2 diabetes mellitus. One of the patients had lone AF. Before cardioversion, all patients underwent the following examination: clinical and biochemical blood tests, clinical urine tests, electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (Echo), transesophageal Echo, Holter ECG, the determination of the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium.

Results. According to Echo, initially, the transverse size of the left atrium in patients was 4.3±0.3 cm. Its increase was noted in 68.7% of patients (from 4.3 to 5.0 cm). Restoration of sinus rhythm after the first step of refralon administration at a dose of 10 μg/kg was achieved in 8 patients, after the second step of administration (total dose 20 μg/kg) - in 5 patients and after the third step (total dose 30 μg/kg) - in 2 patients. In 1 patient, restoration of sinus rhythm was not achieved after the administration of the third bolus. Out of 15 patients with restored sinus rhythm, AF recurrence occurred in three. In one of the patients with successful cardioversion, the sinus rhythm was restored the next day. The duration of the last episode of AF and the size of the left atrium did not significantly affect the effectiveness of cardioversion and amounted to 62±54 days and 4.3±0.35 cm, respectively, in patients with successful cardioversion, and with a recurrence of AF - 34.3±28 days and 4.2±0.35 cm (p=0.2; р=0.6). The efficacy of cardioversion with refralon was 71.4% in patients with AF, and 100% in patients with AFL. No adverse events of refralon were found in patients.

Conclusion. At the time of discharge, sinus rhythm was recorded in 12 out of 16 patients (75%). The ineffectiveness of cardioversion with refralon was noted only in patients with AF; in all patients with AFL the sinus rhythm was restored.
Efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy in real clinical practice in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after interventional treatment
Authors: Eshmatov O. R. , Batalov R. E. , Dragunova M. A. , Archakov E. A. , Popov S. V.
Published: October 2021

Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after interventional treatment during 36 months of follow-up.

Material and methods. The study included 135 patients (78 men and 58 women) in the age from 31 to 80 years (mean age 61.0 [55; 66]) with persistent AF who underwent catheter treatment. All patients were treated in the arrhythmia department of the Research Institute of Cardiology (Tomsk National Research Medical Center from 01.01.2017 to 31.12.2017.

Results. In patients with persistent AF, the effectiveness of catheter treatment was 60% after 12 months of follow-up (81 patients had no documented AF during this period) and 63.7 % (n=86) - after 24 and 36 months. No fatal outcomes, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke were observed within 12 months after catheter treatment in patients with an effective procedure. During 36 months of follow-up, the incidence of ischemic stroke on the background of receiving anticoagulant therapy and effective catheter treatment of persistent AF was significantly lower than in patients with unsuccessful ablation (1.16% and 10%, respectively), even though not all patients from the first group received prescribed medication.

Conclusion. Successful radiofrequency procedure/cryo-ablation of AF persistent form significantly reduced the risk of ischemic stroke from 10% to 1.16% and almost eliminated the likelihood of other thromboembolic complications, while the invasive strategy did not increase the risk of large and small bleeding in this group of patients.
Atrial fibrillation and stroke risk factors in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices
Authors: Rakhimova I. R. , Khaibullin T. N. , Kovalchuk V. V. , Abdrakhmanov A. S.
Published: October 2021

Purpose. Determination the proportion and burden of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and without prior AF and assessing the incidence of risk factors for stroke in patients with AF.

Methods. The medical history of 111 patients with CIED with remote monitoring function were analyzed. AF diagnosed by the device was interpreted by an arrhythmologist and cases of significant AF were selected. The group of patients with and without AF was compared for several factors. To clarify the influence of risk factors on the duration of AF, all AF cases were divided into 3 categories depending on the AF burden per day. The first group included patients with an AF burden per day of 0.1% or less (n=10, (45.5%)), the second - from 0.3% to 12.2% (n=7, (31.8%)), and the third group - with 100% (n=5, (22.7%)). Patients with a burden of 0.2%, 12.3-99.9% were absent.

Results. Newly diagnosed AF was registered in 19.8% of cases. The risk of stroke among these patients was high - 2 [1; 3] points on the CHA2 DS2 -VASc for men, and 3 [2,75; 3,75] points for women. Hypertension of 2 and 3 degrees was recorded in all patients in the group with an AF burden of 100% per day. That significantly differed from the other 2 groups (p=0.043). In the group with an AF burden of 100%, the levels of NT-proBNP, D-dimer, and creatinine were significantly higher than in the other groups (p=0.037, p=0.031 and p=0.036, respectively). When analyzing the dependence of creatinine level on the presence of AF, the area under the ROC-curve was 0.653 with 95% confidence interval 0.528-0.779 (p=0.017). The proportion of right ventricular pacing in patients with ICD was higher in the group of patients with AF.

Conclusion. AF occurs in 1/5 of patients with CIED. All patients with AF were potential candidates for anticoagulation due to their high risk of stroke. The daily burden of AF is positively correlated with the presence and degree of hypertension, as well as with markers of renal dysfunction, chronic heart failure, and thrombosis. Elevated creatinine levels are a predictor of AF.