bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging Diagnosis in Colorectal Endometriosis
Authors:   „Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, ANTONOVICI Marina Rodica , IONESCU Oana Maria ,   „Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, ROMAN Horace ,   Endometriosis Center, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos, Bordeaux, France, MEHEDINTU Claudia ,   „Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: July 2021

Colorectal deep infiltrative endometriosis (DIE) can have a major impact on patient’s health and quality of life. Surgical treatment of colorectal DIE varies depending on the location and characteristics of the lesions, which is why the preoperative non-invasive diagnosis needs to be correct and complete. Multiple imaging methods are currently available, but their usefulness is still being studied, as none of them has proven itself perfect. In the present study we wanted to find out to what extent the combined use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) and computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy (CTC) helps perform the preoperative mapping of lesions. We conducted a retrospective study of prospectively collected data that included 49 patients operated for colorectal DIE. In identifying rectal nodules, MRI as a single diagnostic method was the most useful. When ERUS or CTC was added, the concordance between intraoperative and imaging results was very strong. CTC was the most useful in identifying sigmoid nodules. ERUS evaluates the depth of rectal nodules best. CTC assesses best the stenosis for both rectal and sigmoid nodules. Each method contributed to the completion of the diagnosis, so performing ERUS and CTC in addition to MRI seems to be preferable in patients with colorectal DIE.
Combined Spinal Epidural Anaesthesia Technique with Ketamine Infusion for Emergency Laparotomy of a Known COVID-19 Case at High Altitude of 12000 Feet Above Mean Sea Level
Authors:   Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, General Hospital Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, JOSHI Arjun , KUKREJA Yogesh ,   Department of Surgery, General Hospital Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, NAMBIAR Bala Chandran ,   Commandant 92 BH, Srinagar, India, SINGH Jung Bahadur ,   General Hospital Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Published: July 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus known to cause severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans known as COVID-19. It is well established that the mode of transmission is through aerosol generation. Since the invasive procedures like endotracheal intubation place the anaesthesiologist and the operating room staff highly exposed to the risk of infection it is prudent to follow regional anaesthesia technique wherever possible. The present case is of a 34-year-old COVID 19 positive male patient who underwent emergency laparotomy in a service hospital of armed forces at 12000 feet above sea level under combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia supplemented with sedation using intravenous infusion of Ketamine. After the attachment of standard ASA monitor and taking in account of baseline readings patient was administered an 18-gauge epidural secured in the T12-L1 level with the catheter was fix at 12 cm on the skin. Sub arachnoid block was administered to the patient using 2.75 ml of 0.5 % Bupivacaine (heavy) and 25 mcg of Fentanyl in L2-L3 space using a 26-gauge spinal needle in sitting position. Once the height of the block was ascertained at T6 level by loss of temperature sensation the surgery commenced. Patient was administered with 3.0 mg of Morphine in epidural space for perioperative analgesia. For allaying intraoperative discomfort patient was sedation infusion of Ketamine of 0.6mg/kg/hr to keep the Ramsay sedation score between 3-4. The intraoperative period was uneventful, and the patient did not require any supplemental analgesia during the surgery. Post operatively the patient was pain free and comfortable with no features of hypopnea, post-operative nausea vomiting and shivering and was shifted to the post-operative care unit in the covid facility of the hospital.
Investigating Integration of Writing Skills in Grade VIII English PTBB Textbook
Authors: Baig Sana , Javed Fareeha , Altaf Fasiha
Published: July 2021

The present study aimed to explore the integration of writing skills competency in the Grade VIII English textbook prescribed by the Punjab textbook board. A content analysis was carried out in the backdrop of a checklist based on the competencies and students' learning outcomes provided in the latest English National Curriculum (2006), Pakistan. The writing competency was proposed to improve learners' writing skills. The study employed a qualitative research design, and findings were analyzed thematically. In accordance with the curriculum, students are expected to write keeping in mind transactional and interactional purposes as well as descriptive, expository and narrative texts of language. But the findings are otherwise and unfolded that the textbook understudy does not provide students with adequate opportunities to improve their writing skills. Rather, writing skill was only found in the form of comprehension question exercises in which students merely have to answer the questions.
Schooling the Souls of the Savages: Theme of Negative Stereotyping in Native American Play
Authors: Aftab Asma , Akram Sadia
Published: July 2021

The present article deals with the theme of negative stereotyping in the backdrop of identity and representation in Native American drama with special reference to Scott Momaday's The Indolent Boys, The Moon in Two Windows, and Howe & Gordon's Indian Radio Days. By assuming an explicit postcolonial angle, these plays consciously subvert the project of negative stereotyping of the natives by employing the ideological vocabulary of the mainstream Euro-American discourse. In this way, the native American drama has become a significant site of deconstructing the binary of 'us' and 'them' by reversing the logic of imperialism and by resisting against the exploitative history of colonization.
Tracing China's contemporary interest in post-9/11 Afghanistan
Authors: Yousafzai Zafar Iqbal , Jan Inamullah , Akhtar Nasreen
Published: July 2021

This article aims at examining China's contemporary interests in post-9/11 Afghanistan. China's diplomatic engagement started in post-Taliban Afghanistan, yet it did not take any part in the US military campaign. Sine the US-Taliban engagement for peace talks, Beijing has been playing an active role and hosted a number of Taliban delegations for the peace process. The article argues the security threat from Afghanistan, vast natural resources in Afghanistan; concern of narcotic flow from Afghanistan; the market for Chinese goods, and most importantly, Chin's Belt and Road initiative needs a stable and peaceful Afghanistan are the main factors Beijing is active vis-�-vis contemporary Afghanistan. China's active socio-economic, political, and diplomatic rendezvous in Afghanistan will not only bring peace and stability to Afghanistan but will also augment China's political thump at the global level and provide it with a peaceful neighbourhood, the market for its goods and a corridor for its Belt and Road Initiative.
Reading Predictors in Croatian
Authors: Kelić Maja , Zelenika Zeba Mirta , Kuvač Kraljević Jelena
Published: July 2021

Phonological awareness (PA), rapid automatised naming (RAN) and working memory (WM) are considered to be the most important factors supporting reading development. However, their relative importance varies across orthographies and age. The goal of this study was to examine reading predictors in Croatian, a language with highly transparent orthography, after three years of formal reading instruction. The study included 80 participants (mean age: 10.07 years). Reading rate and accuracy were measured using lists of words and pseudowords, and PA was measured using phoneme deletion, phoneme addition and spoonerism tasks. RAN was measured using naming of colours, and WM was measured using the WM standardised measure of digit span (WISC-IV-HR) and pseudoword repetition. In order to find the best predictors of reading rate and accuracy for both words and pseudowords, three-stage hierarchical multiple regression was conducted. The results showed that in highly transparent language when reading is automatised, RAN is the most significant predictor of both reading rate and accuracy. Although this study did not show dissociation between the predictors supporting reading speed and reading accuracy, it confirmed the importance of PA as a suppressor variable for RAN in predicting pseudowords reading time.
Uloga utjelovljenja u razumijevanju pojmova
Authors: Šetić Beg Mia
Published: July 2021

Jedno je od središnjih pitanja kognitivne znanosti kako su pojmovi reprezentirani u ljudskome umu. Klasični je odgovor na to pitanje pretpostavka o odvojenome semantičkome modulu u kojemu je znanje pohranjeno putem apstraktnih simboličkih reprezentacija. Tako opisan semantički modul odvojen je od drugih sustava kao što su moduli za percepciju i motoriku. U posljednjih dvadesetak godina intenzivno se istražuje i razvija alternativni pristup poznat pod nazivom utjelovljena ili utemeljena spoznaja koji polazi od pretpostavke da je pojmovno znanje u stalnoj interakciji s percepcijom i motorikom, odnosno da je ukorijenjeno u njima putem mehanizma perceptivne simulacije. Cilj je ovoga rada dati pregled različitih teorijskih perspektiva na utjelovljenu spoznaju i evaluirati ih. Detaljno su prikazane teorija sustava perceptivnih simbola, model prožetoga iskustvenika i indeksna hipoteza te empirijski nalazi koji im idu ili ne idu u prilog. Zatim su prikazane i kritike utjelovljene spoznaje koje se odnose na razumijevanje apstraktnih pojmova, kao i odgovori na te kritike. Razmotrena je i ideja o stupnjevima ili kontinuumu utjelovljenja. Nakraju su dane smjernice za daljnja istraživanja koja bi trebala rasvijetliti točnu ulogu utjelovljenja u reprezentaciji znanja.
The Context of Inconclusive Elections and the Implications for Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria
Authors: Owonikoko Saheed , Ashindorbe Kelvin
Published: July 2021

This paper examines the phenomenon of inconclusive elections witnessed in the polity since 2011 but with increased frequency since 2015, a development that has put the electoral management body on the spot light. Since the conclusion of the 2015 General elections, there have been seven off-cycle governorship elections, three of these elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Osun state were initially declared inconclusive. In the 2019 General Election, six governorship contest in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto were determined inconclusive, this is beside the stalemate in River state. Does the increase in inconclusive elections signal progress or regression in the electoral process? What role has the ‘margin of lead’ principle and other factors such as violence play in the increased number of inconclusive elections in 2019? What are the cost and implications of the widespread nature of inconclusive elections for democratic consolidation? This paper interrogates these questions against a backdrop of mercantilist politics and a rentier economy and contends that the root cause of increased inconclusive elections is traceable to the inordinate ambitions of political gladiators and their desperation to win at all cost that is fueled by the prebendal character of the Nigerian state.  The paper concludes that impersonal application of the electoral law and guidelines can only enhance the integrity of the electoral process and strengthen democracy regardless of the associated social and financial cost of inconclusive elections. The methodology is qualitative in approach, data was analysed using the thematic and content analysis style.
China: Regional development on the way to ecological civilization
Authors: Makeeva Svetlana B.
Published: July 2021

The article examines the modern regional history of the PRC, which includes the evolution of regional policy in the framework of the implementation of large projects for the spatial development of Western, Central, Eastern and Northeastern China in the context of building an ecological civilization. A comprehensive analysis of the implementation of projects for the development of the PRC in accordance with the world principles of regional environmental transformations is carried out by the Chinese scientific school of regional studies of ecological civilization.
It is noted that the unevenness and disproportionality of the position of Chinese regions, as well as the strengthening in a short historical period of China's development of a whole complex of socio-economic and natural-ecological problems, determined a special Chinese way in choosing a model of sustainable development of China, combining the sustainability of the ecological system, the uniformity and balance of the development of Chinese regions. The article discusses the «General plan of reforming the system of ecological civilization in China».
At present, in the PRC, the principles of building an ecological civilization have an impact on innovative rural regional economic construction and urbanization processes in accordance with the requirements of maintaining an ecological balance in the regions of China. At the same time, there is an uneven regional development of the PRC in terms of building an ecological civilization. Along with the leading regions in «green development» in China, there are also regions with relatively low rates of eco-civilization change, which are mainly located in Central China, some areas of Heilongjiang , Gansu and Shaanxi.
Health benefits of olive oil and by-products and possible innovative applications for industrial processes
Authors: Centrone Mariangela , Ranieri Marianna , Di Mise Annarita , D'Agostino Mariagrazia , Venneri Maria , Valenti Giovanna , Tamma Grazia
Published: July 2021

In the last few years, the production of olive oil has incredibly increased due to its beneficial properties on human health. On the other hand, the amount of waste and by-products derived from the olive oil industry has increased as well, prompting the development of new fields of research aiming to reduce disposal costs and valorize bioactive compounds from the viewpoint of the green economy. Interestingly, olive oil and by-products contain numerous molecules, including phenols, exhibiting pleiotropic effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This review aims to describe the more recent studies focusing to identify and describe the potential roles and the new applications of extracts isolated from wastes and by-products or specific compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol (HT) and oleuropein. Extracts or bioactive molecules from olive oil and by-products have been proposed as a food additive, to produce biofuel, for animal feeding, and to create new matrices in bioremediation protocols. Moreover, bio-compounds have been described to have numerous beneficial effects on human health as they reduce the risk of developing certain chronic diseases. Despite the already published studies, more research is necessary to valorize bioactive compounds in olive oil and by-products, as well as their potential use to improve human health and green applications in different industrial processes.                 Keywords: extra virgin olive oil, by-products, olive leaf extract, bioactive compounds, human health, and industrial application
Effects of the consumption of proanthocyanidins derived from acacia bark on blood pressure in healthy Japanese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison study
Authors: Baba Asami , Hoshino Tomohiro , Ogawa Sosuke , Takara Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2021

Objective: The aim of this study is to verify the effects of consuming proanthocyanidins derived from acacia bark on improving blood pressure and blood circulation in healthy Japanese adult subjects. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-comparison study involving 66 healthy Japanese adults. Subjects were allocated into either acacia or placebo group (n = 33 each) using a random number generator. Subjects consumed six tablets/day of either acacia bark extract tablets or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the measured value of sitting systolic blood pressure at 12 weeks, whereas the secondary outcomes were sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressures, superoxide dismutase activity in blood, and blood flow.Results: The number of subjects analyzed as full analysis set was 33 (20 men and 13 women) in the Acacia group and 31 (23 men and 8 women) in the placebo group. Compared with the placebo group, the measured values and changes from baseline at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of the sitting systolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the Acacia group. Furthermore, “the ratio of the number of subjects whose sitting systolic blood pressure <130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≤89 mmHg at 12 weeks” of the Acacia group was significantly higher than that of the placebo group. No adverse event was observed. Conclusions: Proanthocyanidins derived from acacia bark showed a hypotensive effect. Trial registration: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000039416. Foundation: Acacia-No-Ki Co., Ltd. Keywords: Acacia bark extract, Proanthocyanidins, Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure
NEW SPECIES RECORDS OF MANTODEA, ORTHOPTERA, AND PHASMATODEA IN THE STATE OF TEXAS (USA)
Authors: Stidham John , Stidham Thomas A.
Published: July 2021

With its large size and range of habitats, Texas has one of the most diverse insect faunas of the United States with many endemic species. Despite more than a century of active study, knowledge of the insect diversity in Texas remains incomplete. Here, we report 19 species and subspecies records of Mantodea, Orthoptera, and Phasmatodea for the first time in Texas (USA) based on museum specimens. These records include several significant geographic range extensions (from eastern, southern, and western species) such as the phasmid Diapheromera carolina Scudder, the band-winged grasshopper Arphia granulata Saussure, and the mantid Stagmomantis montana Saussure & Zehntner. These records also include the first documentation of Melanoplus torridus (Roberts) and Phaedrotettix gracilis (Bruner) in the United States and the first records of the invasive cricket Velarifictorus micado (Saussure) in Texas. While some of these discoveries only extend known ranges somewhat, others represent disjunct and ecologically different populations.
Sense of Purpose in Life Is Associated with Lower Risk of Incident Dementia: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sutin Angelina R. , Aschwanden Damaris , Luchetti Martina , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio
Published: July 2021

Background: A sense of purpose in life has been associated with healthier cognitive outcomes across adulthood, including risk of dementia. The robustness and replicability of this association, however, has yet to be evaluated systematically. Objective: To test whether a greater sense of purpose in life is associated with lower risk of dementia in four population-based cohorts and combined with the published literature. Methods: Random-effect meta-analysis of prospective studies (individual participant data and from the published literature identified through a systematic review) that examined sense of purpose and risk of incident dementia. Results: In six samples followed up to 17 years (four primary data and two published; total N = 53,499; n = 5,862 incident dementia), greater sense of purpose in life was associated with lower dementia risk (HR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.73–0.81, p < 0.001). The association was generally consistent across cohorts (I2 = 47%), remained significant controlling for clinical (e.g., depression) and behavioral (e.g., physical inactivity) risk factors, and was not moderated by age, gender, or education. Conclusion: Sense of purpose is a replicable and robust predictor of lower risk of incident dementia and is a promising target of intervention for cognitive health outcomes.
Porphyromonas gingivalis Outer Membrane Vesicles as the Major Driver of and Explanation for Neuropathogenesis, the Cholinergic Hypothesis, Iron Dyshomeostasis, and Salivary Lactoferrin in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Nara Peter L. , Sindelar Daniel , Penn Marc S. , Potempa Jan , Griffin W. Sue T.
Published: July 2021

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is a primary oral pathogen in the widespread biofilm-induced “chronic” multi-systems inflammatory disease(s) including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is possibly the only second identified unique example of a biological extremophile in the human body. Having a better understanding of the key microbiological and genetic mechanisms of its pathogenesis and disease induction are central to its future diagnosis, treatment, and possible prevention. The published literature around the role of Pg in AD highlights the bacteria’s direct role within the brain to cause disease. The available evidence, although somewhat adopted, does not fully support this as the major process. There are alternative pathogenic/virulence features associated with Pg that have been overlooked and may better explain the pathogenic processes found in the “infection hypothesis” of AD. A better explanation is offered here for the discrepancy in the relatively low amounts of “Pg bacteria” residing in the brain compared to the rather florid amounts and broad distribution of one or more of its major bacterial protein toxins. Related to this, the “Gingipains Hypothesis”, AD-related iron dyshomeostasis, and the early reduced salivary lactoferrin, along with the resurrection of the Cholinergic Hypothesis may now be integrated into one working model. The current paper suggests the highly evolved and developed Type IX secretory cargo system of Pg producing outer membrane vesicles may better explain the observed diseases. Thus it is hoped this paper can provide a unifying model for the sporadic form of AD and guide the direction of research, treatment, and possible prevention.
Application of fuzzy modelling to predict the earthquake damage degree of buildings based on field data
Authors: Amiri Shahmirani Mohammad Reza , Akbarpour Nikghalb Rashti Abbas , Adib Ramezani Mohammad Reza , Golafshani Emadaldin Mohammadi
Published: July 2021

Prediction of structural damage prior to earthquake occurrence provides an early warning for stakeholders of building such as owners and urban managers and can lead to necessary decisions for retrofitting of structures before a disaster occurs, legislating urban provisions of execution of building particularly in earthquake prone areas and also management of critical situations and managing of relief and rescue. For proper prediction, an effective model should be produced according to field data that can predict damage degree of local buildings. In this paper in accordance with field data and Fuzzy logic, damage degree of building is evaluated. Effective parameters of this model as an input data of model consist of height and age of the building, shear wave velocity of soil, plan equivalent moment of inertia, fault distance, earthquake acceleration, the number of residents, the width of the street for 527 buildings in the city. The output parameter of the model, which was the damage degree of the buildings, was also classified as five groups of no damage, slight damage, moderate damage, extensive damage, and complete damage. The ranges of input and output classification were obtained based on the supervised center classification (SCC-FCM) method in accordance with field data.
Vehicle trajectory-clustering method based on road-network-sensitive features
Authors: Chen Chuanming , Ye Zhen , Hu Fan , Gong Shan , Sun Liping , Yu Qingying
Published: July 2021

Existing trajectory-clustering methods do not consider road-network connectivity, road directionality, and real path length while measuring the similarity between different road-network trajectories. This paper proposes a trajectory-clustering method based on road-network-sensitive features, which can solve the problem of similarity metrics among trajectories in the road network, and effectively combine their local and overall similarity features. First, the method performs the primary clustering of trajectories based on the overall vehicle motion trends. Then, the map-matched trajectories are clustered based on the road segment density, connectivity, and corner characteristics. Finally, clustering is then merged based on the multi-area similarity measure. The visualization and experimental results on real road-network trajectories show that the proposed method is more effective and comprehensive than existing methods, and more suitable for urban road planning, public transportation planning, and congested road detection.
Process design and capability analysis using penthagorean fuzzy sets: surgical mask production machines comparison
Authors: Haktanır Elif , Kahraman Cengiz
Published: July 2021

Process capability analysis (PCA) is a tool for measuring a process’s ability to meet specification limits (SLs), which the customers define. Process capability indices (PCIs) are used for establishing a relationship between SLs and the considered process’s ability to meet these limits as an index. PCA compares the output of a process with the SLs through these capability indices. If the customers’ needs contain vague or imprecise terms, the classical methods are inadequate to solve the problem. In such cases, the information can be processed by the fuzzy set theory. Recently, ordinary fuzzy sets have been extended to several new types of fuzzy sets such as intuitionistic fuzzy sets, Pythagorean fuzzy sets, picture fuzzy sets, and spherical fuzzy sets. In this paper, a new extension of intuitionistic fuzzy sets, which is called penthagorean fuzzy sets, is proposed, and penthagorean fuzzy PCIs are developed. The design of production processes for COVID-19 has gained tremendous importance today. Surgical mask production and design have been chosen as the application area of the penthagorean fuzzy PCIs developed in this paper. PCA of the two machines used in surgical mask production has been handled under the penthagorean fuzzy environment.
A new model for risk assessment in glass manufacturing using Risk Matrix based IVIF-TOPSIS method
Authors: Seker Sukran
Published: July 2021

The glass manufacturing includes operations, such as batch forming using raw materials, melting, forming, annealing, quality check and package. Due to risky processes in glass manufacturing, significant health hazards for workers are present in the glass industry. Risk assessment is effective way to prevent accidents and protect workers from serious accidents during glass manufacturing. To assess health hazards associated with glass manufacturing, in this study Risk Matrix and The Technique for Order Preferences by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method are integrated under Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy (IVIF) environment to prioritize risk factors and suggest required preventive and protective measures. Suggested preventive and protective measures provide technical, economic and environmental challenges for glass manufacturing firms. Once the importance weight of risk parameters in Risk Matrix’ are determined, the risk factors are assessed by performing IVIF-TOPSIS method during glass manufacturing. In order to verify the validity and stability of the proposed risk assessment model, sensitivity and comparative analysis are accomplished at the end of the study.
Sustainable supplier selection by using spherical fuzzy AHP
Authors: Unal Yagmur , Temur Gul T.
Published: July 2021

In today’s highly competitive business market, the issue of sustainable supplier selection attracts great attention due to increased awareness of both social and environmental issues. The power of companies in the supply chain is determined not only by their own performance, but also by the power of other actors in the chain. As a field of study, the selection of sustainable suppliers remains its popularity because it requires developing a systematic procedure that addresses conflicting quantifiable and non-quantifiable factors simultaneously. In this study, one of the advanced fuzzy approaches called Spherical Fuzzy Sets (SFS) has been used to prioritize criteria that affect sustainable supplier selection. The proposed methodology combines the Spherical Fuzzy Sets and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and takes into account four main criteria: economic, quality, social and environmental criteria. In order to prioritize the main and sub criteria, questionnaires were conducted with three experts who have valuable experience in this field of study. After then, for the selection of the best sustainable supplier, a real selection problem in an international company was handled. The figured out ranking of the criteria and supplier alternatives can be used as a guide by the researchers and industrial experts who are responsible for sustainable supplier selection. To measure how much unit increase in weights assigned to key criteria affects supplier selection, a sensitivity analysis was carried out. It was noticed that the selection procedure for the selected company is not highly sensitive to changes.
Unhealthy Behaviours and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Mendelian Randomisation Study
Authors: Heilbron Karl ,   The 23andMe Research Team, Jensen Melanie P. , Bandres-Ciga Sara , Fontanillas Pierre , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Nalls Mike A. , Singleton Andrew B. , Smith George Davey , Cannon Paul , Noyce Alastair J.
Published: July 2021

Background: Tobacco smoking and alcohol intake have been identified in observational studies as potentially protective factors against developing Parkinson’s disease (PD); the impact of body mass index (BMI) on PD risk is debated. Whether such epidemiological associations are causal remains unclear. Mendelian randomsation (MR) uses genetic variants to explore the effects of exposures on outcomes; potentially reducing bias from residual confounding and reverse causation. Objective: Using MR, we examined relationships between PD risk and three unhealthy behaviours: tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, and higher BMI. Methods: 19,924 PD cases and 2,413,087 controls were included in the analysis. We performed genome-wide association studies to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, and BMI. MR analysis of the relationship between each exposure and PD was undertaken using a split-sample design. Results: Ever-smoking reduced the risk of PD (OR 0.955; 95%confidence interval [CI] 0.921–0.991; p = 0.013). Higher daily alcohol intake increased the risk of PD (OR 1.125, 95%CI 1.025–1.235; p = 0.013) and a 1 kg/m2 higher BMI reduced the risk of PD (OR 0.988, 95%CI 0.979–0.997; p = 0.008). Sensitivity analyses did not suggest bias from horizontal pleiotropy or invalid instruments. Conclusion: Using split-sample MR in over 2.4 million participants, we observed a protective effect of smoking on risk of PD. In contrast to observational data, alcohol consumption appeared to increase the risk of PD. Higher BMI had a protective effect on PD, but the effect was small.
Health risk assessment and countermeasure analysis of the elderly population exposed to PM2.5 microenvironment
Authors: Xu Yan , Cui Wantian
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: China’s atmospheric PM2.5 pollution is serious, and PM2.5 exerts a negative impact on the human respiratory system, cardiovascular, and mental health, and even more serious health risk for the elderly with weak immunity. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to analyse the impacts of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure on the health of the elderly and provide corresponding countermeasures. METHODS: The survey subjects are 118 retired elderly people in the community. PM2.5 exposure concentrations are monitored in summer (June 10 ∼ July 10, 2019) and winter (November 25 ∼ December 25, 2019). RESULTS: The exposure concentration in winter is higher than that in summer, with statistical difference (P <  0.05). Under the impact of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure, smoking in the elderly can increase the concentration of PM2.5, and long-term exposure to PM2.5 in the elderly can cause mental health problems. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure of the elderly to the PM2.5 microenvironment leads to physical diseases and even psychological problems, which requires attention.
Морфологічні зміни при експериментальному лікуванні цукрового діабету 2 типу солями гумінових кислот.
Authors: Kovalchuk Olena , Pedorenko Kateryna , Kovalchuk Svitlana
Published: July 2021

Захворюваність на цукровий діабет невпинно зростає набуваючи характеру справжньої епідемії  та стає викликом не тільки для медицини, але й суспільства вцілому. Зважаючи на те, що близько 90% усіх хворих припадає на хворих з цукровим діабетом 2 типу. Пріоритетним напрямком серед дослідників є пошук нових методів лікування цукрового діабету 2 типу. Існує ряд статей про лікування цукрового діабету 2 типу солями гумінових кислот. Дана стаття висвітлює проведене експериментальне дослідження лікувальних властивостей солей гуматів на щурах. Отримані дані під час дослідження та після дослідження морфологічних змін органів-мішеней (печінка, нирки міокард) свідчать про недостатню терапевтичну дію солей гумінових кислот.
Water denitrification by displacement biofiltration
Authors:   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Gevod V.S. , Chernova A.S.
Published: July 2021

This work was aimed creating a simple and reliable submersed biofilter for the decentralized treatment of nitrate-contaminated water. Denitrification of water was studied by the method of displacement (piston) bio-filtration in specially designed devices intended for home application. At certain sizes of grains of bio-filtration bed and filtration flow directions in it, the change in operating mode of denitrifying biofilter from direct flow to displacement mode offers the following advantages. There is no need to maintain a continuous and slow flow of water through the biofilter. The consumers have the opportunity to feed big portions of water into the bio-filter in one gulp (pulse) and nevertheless get the same quantity of denitrified water. The design of created biofilters is simple. Assembling these bio-filters implies the use of materials with a minimum carbon footprint.
Properties of composite materials based on epoxy resin modified with dibutyltin dibromide
Authors:   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Sukhyy K.M. , Belyanovskaya E.A. ,   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Nosova A. ,   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Sukhyy M.K. ,   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Huang Y. ,   Harbin Institute of Technology, Kochergin Yu. ,   Harbin Institute of Technology, Hryhorenko T. ,   Harbin Institute of Technology
Published: July 2021

A tin-bromine-containing resin was prepared by the interaction of industrial ED-16 epoxy resin with dibutyltin dibromide. A comparative study of the physical, mechanical and relaxation properties of composites based on the original and modified resins cured at different temperatures has been carried out. It has been shown that the composite materials based on a modified resin are characterized by lower values of tensile strength, elastic modulus, fracture work and glass transition temperature as compared with the samples based on the original epoxy resin. The effect of water on the deformation and strength properties of composites was studied. A complex mechanism of the influence of moisture sorbed by the polymer on the complex of properties has been established, which may result from the imposition of the effects of plasticization and additional curing of the epoxy matrix. At short exposure times, the effect of the sorbed liquid is mainly aimed at weakening the intermolecular interaction in the sample, as a result of which its tensile strength decreases and its deformation capacity increases. At long exposure times, post-curing processes prevail, leading to an increase in the crosslinking density and, as a consequence, to a decrease in deformation capacity and an increase in the strength index. It has been shown that epoxy composites containing resin modified with dibutyltin dibromide are characterized by increased fungitoxicity and fire resistance. The studied polymers can be considered as promising for the production of antifouling coatings for hydraulic equipment on their basis.
MUHAWALATU QISMI TA’LIMI AL-LUGHAH AL-‘ARABIYAH LITARQIYATI QUDRATI AT-THALABATI ‘ALA AL-KALAMI IAIN LANGSA
Authors: Isnaini  , Rahmah Meutia
Published: July 2021

Maharah kalam adalah salah satu maharah pembelajaran pada bahasa Arab.Peneliti melihat bahwa kemampuan mahasiswa pada maharah lemah, akan tetapi jurusan memberikan Upaya-Upaya untuk meningkatkan kemampuan maharah kalam mahasiswa. Adapun tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui faktor penghambat mahasiswa dalam kalam, faktor penghambat jurusan pendidikan bahasa Arab untuk meningkatkan kemampuan mahasiswa dalam kalam, dan upaya jurusan pendidikan bahasa Arab untuk meningkatkan kemampuan kalam mahasiswa/i di IAIN Langsa. Metode yang digunakan pada penelitian adalah metode deskriptif dan analisis yaitu metode yang digunakan untuk mengumpulkan berbagai data, karena peneliti ingin menjelaskan segala data yang didapat dan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Dan instrumen penelitiannya adalah wawancara dan angket.
Organization of project-heuristic activity of future mathematics teachers in creating multimedia teaching tools
Authors: Skafa E. I.
Published: July 2021

Now we can see a widespread introduction of modern digital technologies into the educational process in mathematics. These technologies can make learning more visual and accessible, implement an individual approach in teaching and manage the educationalcognitive heuristic activity of schoolchildren. The organization of project-heuristic activities in a higher pedagogical school can help prepare a future teacher for the development of computer-related tools. We refer to the means of digitalization of modern education as heuristic-didactic constructions in the form of computer programs for “non-rigid” control of educational activities of students in mathematical disciplines. The article describes the procedure for constructing such constructions in the form of accentuated, branched, chained programs and programs with delayed correction. The organization of project-heuristic activities of students — future mathematics teachers is aimed at teaching the creation of heuristic training and corrective simulators for schoolchildren based on the above programs. When designing multimedia heuristic simulators, students include a variety of heuristic tasks, systems of heuristically oriented tasks and other means of managing the educational and cognitive heuristic activity of students in their content. Teaching future mathematics teachers to build such simulators and manage them when working with schoolchildren is an important competence that should be formed in students in the context of digitalization of education.
To the question about selecting software to support the Learning process in informatics at secondary school realized online
Authors: Markushevich M. V.
Published: July 2021

The article analyzes the experience of teaching informatics in a comprehensive Moscow school in a distance form in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Of all the variety of problems and issues generated by the pandemic, the issue of choosing the optimal system and application software to support the learning process stands out. The possibility of using various types of domestic free operating systems for these purposes is analyzed, and their brief comparative characteristics are given. It's considered what kind of application software, which is included in the distribution of the Alt Education 9 operating system, can be used to support the teaching of all topics of the informatics course in primary, secondary and high school. The advantages of the Alt Education 9 operating system over similar domestic operating systems are listed, and the conclusion is drawn about the need to select this type of operating system as the optimal option for implementing the educational process in a remote form.
Account Receivable Flow Test to Prove Real Sales Case: A Study Case of a Tax Court Decision in Indonesia
Authors: Santoso Muhammad Rifky
Published: July 2021

The data in the financial statements and the corporate tax return must be supported by accurate and valid evidence. When the Directorate General of Taxation (DGT) as a tax authority in Indonesia conducts a tax audit by an account receivable flow test (ARFT), the taxpayer net sales can be corrected to be larger due to a lack of evidence. This paper applied a case study of a tax court decision in Indonesia by a desk-based literature study. The DGT audited a taxpayer and produced a stipulation of additional taxable income. The taxpayer did not agree with the provision and the taxpayer filed an appeal to the tax court. This paper finds the taxpayer’s unorganized and inaccurate bookkeeping leads the judges to reject the taxpayer’s appealing.
The Impact of Using Cashless Payment during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Maybank
Authors: Kee Daisy Mui Hung , Binti Nor Hisam Nur Nuha , Binti Abd Rashid Nur Hidayu , Binti Abdul Aziz Nur Sobbah , Binti Mazlan Nur Aqilah , Binti Mahadi Nur Aimi Zayani
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of using cashless payment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Maybank is the largest bank in Malaysia and listed as the top ranking of banking institutions. Maybank offers various types of services including cashless payment or e-payment methods. During the Covid 19 pandemic, most Malaysians would normally use their online payment since the physical distancing policy was encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO). The study used articles, blogs, Wikipedia, and other information obtained from the website to collect data. The result shows that there are many positive impacts of using the cashless method.
New Norm in Consumer Buying Pattern: Online Shopping Swing amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Sinha Rupesh , Nair Rajesh Kumar , Naik Veena , Ganatra Varsha , Singri Prarthana , Singh Padmalini , Kamble Ashwin Ravindra , Kaakandikar Rishikaysh , KJ Sirisha , Modawal Ishaan
Published: July 2021

A drastic shift in the market environment was observed with the pandemic situation spread all around the world. The number of people at the workplace or marketplace also shrunk from thousands to hundreds, tens, and one-digit numbers with the thought of avoiding the crowd and being in isolation or separations to avoid contact. This rapid change in situation has brought huge overnight changes in the shopping behaviors of the customers from bulk buying in a physical market or family shopping to online shopping of all fast-moving consumer goods. There are beginnings of a shift in this approach in India. The study emphasizes the factors influencing online shopping, benefits, and challenges faced by the customers, and the preferred mode of buying for listed products along with the mode of payment. Suggestive measures to bring positive change are also discussed in the paper.
Az Európai Unió tagállamainak csoportosítása gazdasági változók mentén – fókuszban Kelet-Közép-Európa
Authors: Drabancz Áron , El-Meouch Nedim Márton , Bajkán Domonkos
Published: July 2021

Tanulmányunkban a kelet-közép-európai országok – kiemelten a Visegrádi országok – gazdasági homogenitását elemezzük az európai uniós gazdasági térben hat  gazdasági változó alapján, klaszterelemzés segítségével.  Megvizsgáljuk, hogy 2004 óta miként változott a kelet- közép-európai országok gazdasági változók mellett képzett  klasztereinek stabilitása, a térség országainak egymáshoz  viszonyított helyzetében történt-e érdemi elmozdulás, az  eurózónához való csatlakozás esetlegesen jó indikátora-e a  felzárkózásnak. Eredményeink alapján a Visegrádi országok  nem kerültek egyik időpontban sem ugyanabba a  klaszterbe, Csehország pedig sok tekintetben inkább már  a magországokra jellemző gazdasági adatokkal  rendelkezik. Az eurózónához való csatlakozás sem volt  meghatározó, a zónához csatlakozó térségbeli államok  továbbra is a térség államaival kerültek egy klaszterbe.
Cosmetic Outcomes of Scalp in Standard Reverse Question Mark Incision and L.G. Kempe Incision in Large Craniotomies
Authors:   Department of Neurological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Safari Hossein , Bagheri Shahram ,   Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Ahmadi Halili Behnia ,   Department of Neurological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Published: July 2021

Background and Aim: Craniotomy is a surgery in which a flap of the skull is opened to access the affected area in the brain. Since paying attention to the aesthetic aspects of the patient’s head after surgery is very important for the patient’s mental health and social life, surgeons should try to adopt a method that minimizes damage to the scalp and follicles. Methods and Materials/Patients: In this clinical trial study, patients who were candidates for frontotemporoparietal craniotomy surgery were selected. Twenty-three selected patients were randomly divided into 2 groups consisting of a 12-member intervention group (L.G. Kempe) and an 11-member control group (Standard Reverse Question mark). Patients underwent a pre-operative biopsy of the scalp and a follow-up biopsy 6 months post-operatively. In the evaluation of aesthetic aspects, the created scar was scored using the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES). Patients were also directly asked about their satisfaction with the operation and the scar created. Results: In 23 patients, the results showed that patients who underwent LG Kempe incision craniotomy received significantly higher scores in SBSES scoring evaluations (P=0.005). There was no significant difference in subjective evaluations by asking patients about their satisfaction with the scar site and the operation area (P=0.75). In the analysis of post-operative hair follicle density between the 2 groups (P=0.910), general changes in pre-operative and post-operative follicle density in all samples (P= 0.657) as well as comparing the changes between 2 groups, no significant difference was found between follicular density changes between the intervention and control groups (P=0.137). Conclusion: Patients treated with L.G. Kempe incision had significantly higher SBSES scores, which can be considered an aesthetically superior method that could prevent the formation of undesirable scar.
Torticollis as a Rare Presentation of Cerebellopontine Angle Choroid Plexus Papilloma in Children
Authors:   Department of Neurosurgery, Qaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Faraji-Rad Mohammad , Alipour Einollah ,   Department of Neurosurgery, Qaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Farajirad Elnaz ,   Department of Medical Imaging, LHSC Victoria Hospital, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Published: July 2021

Background and Importance: The rare intracranial neoplasms are Choroid Plexus Papillomas (CPPs), especially in the cerebellopontine angle. The main location of choroid plexus papillomas in adults and children are 4th ventricle and lateral ventricles, respectively. Case Presentation: We report on a little girl with a cerebellopontine angle CPP who presented with symptoms of torticollis. Assessment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed a mass in the right cerebellopontine angle, next to the brain stem. The tumor was completely resected using the right retrosigmoid approach method. A pathological examination determine a typical CPP that this being should be considered an extremely rare cause of a lesion in the posterior fossa. Conclusion: CPP is usually presented in the atrium of the lateral ventricle in children; however, we reported a rare case in the cerebellopontine angle.