bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fisetin inhibits patulin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by regulating ROS/Grp78/Chop/Caspase-12
Authors: Xu Dongmei , Zhang Baigang , Huang Chenghui , Lu Jiao , Li Yang , Fu Binggang
Published: August 2024

Objectives of the Study
Fisetin (FIS) has a good protective effect on the heart. However, fisetin in regulating the role of the myocardial injury induced by patulin (PAT) is not clear. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible mechanism of fisetin in attenuating patulin induced myocardial injury.
Materials and Methods
Cardiomyocytes were treated with 25μM PAT to set the control group, FIS only group, PAT only group and PAT-FIS addition group. LDH activity, SOD content, and MDA content were evaluated using kits. ROS levels were determined by measuring the intensity of fluorescence. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 dye staining. The protein expressions of Grp78, Chop and Caspase-12 were detected by Western blot.
Results
In PAT-FIS group, LDH release and MDA content decreased, but SOD content increased. Compared with the control group, the level of ROS in PAT group increased more than 10 times. The level of ROS in the PAT-FIS group was still higher than that in the control group, but it was significantly lower than that in the PAT group. The proportion of red fluorescence in the mitochondrial membrane potential of cardiomyocytes increased from 75% to 85% in the PAT-FIS group. PAT up-regulated the expression of Chop, Grp78 and Caspase-12 proteins, while the overexpression of Chop, Grp78 and Caspase-12 proteins was inhibited after pretreatment with FIS and PAT .
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that FIS inhibits PAT-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by regulating ROS/Grp78/Chop/Caspase-12 signaling.
Electroacupuncture Improves the Motor Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury by regulating UCN2- Mediated cAMP-PKA Signaling in the Spinal Cord Microenvironment
Authors: Hu Yinjie , Tang Xiaolong , Li Siwen , Liu Peng , Zhang Kaiyong , Dou Fangfang , Zhao Ling , Zhang Bimeng
Published: August 2024

Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a high mortality and disability rate and can result in severe neurological deficits and complications. The process of SCI is complex and has a long duration. Studies suggest that urocortin 2 (UCN2) is associated with motor functions regulated by the spinal cord. However, the role of electroacupuncture (EA) in regulating UCN2 at different times after SCI and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.Methods The SCI animal model was established in SD rats by complete transection of the right spinal cord at the T10 level. EA was applied to the T9 and T11 Jiaji points. Behavioral analyses were performed at 1-, 3-, 7-, 14- and 28-days post-injury (d.p.i), and cellular morphology was observed in spinal cord tissue obtained from the injury site. RNA sequencing was carried out, and the results were validated.Results The use of EA significantly improved the behavioral scores and hind-limb locomotion in rats with SCI at 7, 14, and 28 d.p.i (p < 0.05). At 3 d.p.i, the treatment resulted in a reduction in the number of astrocytes in the periphery of the injury site (p < 0.05), as well as a reduction in the extent of glial scar formation. Additionally, the number of microglia was increased, while neuronal apoptosis was suppressed (p < 0.05). At 14 and 28 d.p.i, the number of astrocytes was increased (p < 0.05), the number of microglia was decreased (p < 0.05), and the positive staining ratio of neurofilaments (NF) and myelin basic protein (MBP) was elevated (p < 0.05). Post-injury RNA sequencing showed that there were significant changes in UCN2 expression. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated a strong connection between UCN2 and the downstream cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. Subsequent qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry experiments confirmed that EA significantly reduced the expression of UCN2, PKA, NF-κB, and NMDAR in rats with SCI at 1 and 3 d.p.i (p < 0.05) while increasing the expression of UCN2, PKA, and CREB at 7, 14, and 28 d.p.i (p < 0.05).Conclusion By modulating UCN2, EA can activate the downstream cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. This process improves the presence of astrocytes and microglia around the injury site, inhibits neuronal apoptosis, and increases the number of myelin sheaths and NF. As a result, hind-limb locomotor ability is restored in rats with SCI.
Mental health challenges faced by health workers who cared for patients infected with COVID-19 in Windhoek, Namibia
Authors: Shifeta Mekondjo Feinge , Hlongwana Khumbulani
Published: August 2024

Background
No sector was spared from the devastations of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which subjected health workers to unrivalled distressing experiences owing to strained health systems. Despite documented evidence that COVID-19 exacerbated health workers’ mental health challenges in many parts of the world, there are limited qualitative data on how mental health of health workers in Windhoek, were affected. This study explored how the direct care of patients infected with COVID-19 affected the mental wellness of health workers in Windhoek.
Methods
This was a qualitative study using a grounded theory design to purposively recruit and interview health workers until data saturation, which was reached at 21 interviews. The interviews were conducted in English face-to-face, digitally recorded (with participants’ consent), transcribed word-for-word and manually analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
Results
Participants included three medical doctors, nine nurses, three physiotherapists, and six caregivers. Our analysis produced five main themes and twelve subthemes: (i) nature of participants’ COVID-19 experiences (negative experiences and positive experiences); (ii) triggers of mental health challenges (psychological distress, work-related psychosocial factors, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and moral distress); (iii) stress responses (iv) coping strategies (building and nurturing resilience, fulfilment of career obligation and maladaptive coping response); and (v) deterrents to mental health-seeking (stigma and fear of breach of confidentiality, prioritising patient-care over self-care and ignorance, participants’ unawareness of mental health services)
Conclusion
This study provides important insights into the mental health challenges faced by health workers while caring for patients infected with COVID-19 in Windhoek, Namibia. These lessons should be considered when developing psychosocial programmes for staff working in similar contexts.
Turbulent Flow Heat and Mass Transfer of CuO -Water Nano Fluid Through a Square Channel with Heated Inner Triangular Groove
Authors: Baradi Lavanya , Gosukonda Srinivas , Baluguri Suresh Babu
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the turbulent flow heat and mass transfer characteristics of CuO–Water nanofluid in a square channel with an inner triangular groove that is continuously heated. By applying a transverse magnetic field, the governing coupled and nonlinear equations are solved using the Galerkin finite element method across various flow regimes, including laminar, transitional, and turbulent flows. The analysis provides comprehensive insights into the effects of different parameters through stream plots and contour plots. The heat transfer rate, represented by the Nusselt number (Nu), is graphically presented for the heated inner triangular groove and thoroughly discussed. Results indicate that the flow rate significantly influences heat transfer, particularly in transitional and turbulent regimes, with notable effects observed in both the upper and lower parts of the channel. Optimal heat transfer is achieved at a 3% concentration of CuO nanoparticles, highlighting the potential for enhanced thermal performance in such configurations.
A Sequential Learning on Bengali News Title through Semantic Learning with Explainable AI
Authors: Naeen Md. Julkar , Das Sourav Kumar , Jisan Sakib Alam , Khushbu Sharun Akter , Saha Noyon Chandra
Published: August 2024

Classifying scattered Bengali text is the primary purpose of this study. Our study classified Bengali news titles with Machine Learning (ML) models, particularly focusing on LSTM networks. The goal was to categorize Bengali news into labeled categories and contributing to the growing field of NLP for low-resource languages. For classification, some supervised ML models are used and LSTM for sequential learning. However, LSTM scores the highest accuracy of 81.70%. Additionally, we incorporated explainable AI techniques to decipher the model’s predictions, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness in the classification process. Our study demonstrates the potentiality of deep learning models in improving text classification tasks for the Bengali language and highlights the importance of explainability in AI-driven solutions.
A multimodal deep learning method of weld defect detection based on 3D point cloud
Authors: Lin Kaiyuan , Li Fang , Huang Jiacheng , Shen Chen , Zhang Yuelong , Hua Xueming
Published: August 2024

Weld quality inspection is essential in modern manufacturing, requiring the automatic identification, localization, and measurement of defects in industrial environments. Although 2D images and 3D point clouds each have their unique advantages, most current inspection methods focus on only one of these data types. This study proposes a novel system integrating 3D point cloud data with 2D images using PointNet + + and YOLOv5. The 3D point cloud data is mapped into corresponding 2D feature maps and trained separately. Training results show that PointNet + + achieved an accuracy of 98.9% and an IoU of 79.3%, while YOLOv5 achieved an precision of 98.9%, a recall of 97.6%, a mAP@0.5 of 98.8%, and a mAP@0.5:0.95 of 72.2%. By combining the results of both models, the 2D bounding boxes from YOLOv5 are mapped back into 3D space and integrated with PointNet + + results to create 3D bounding boxes. Reassigning the defect point class weights within each 3D bounding box helps resolve issues where PointNet + + might classify points from a single defect into multiple classes. The proposed method in this study demonstrated an improvement on a test set of 100 samples in mIoU from 60.2–63.0% compared to using PointNet + + alone, resulting in effective identification and measurement of spatter, porosity, and burn-through.
Impact of the incorporation of clove and sesame flour in the formulation of dry chicken sausages on their quality during the fermentation stage
Authors: Sangaré Moriken , Bony Jérôme , Chèné Christine , Karoui Romdhane
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sesame flour and clove on the physico-chemical, colorimetric and structural quality of sausages during their fermentation stage. The results indicated that clove could be used as an antioxidant source in sausages containing sesame flour. The principal component analysis (PCA) applied to the physicochemical and colorimetric data set allowed to clearly differentiate the sausage samples according the fermentation stage and, to a lesser extent, their recipes. This trend was confirmed by factorial discriminant analysis (FDA), since 97.22% of correct overall classification was noted. The PCA applied on the MIR spectra allowed to differentiate the formulations, and 100% of correct classification were obtained following FDA application. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) allowed a very good prediction of the physicochemical parameters from the MIR spectra, since R2 higher than 0.85 was found for the calibration and validation model, respectively.
Incremental YOLOv5 for Federated Learning in Cotton Pest and Disease Detection with Blockchain Sharding
Authors: Nie Jing , Li Haochen , Li Yang , Li Jingbin , Chao Sherry
Published: August 2024

In this paper, an incremental YOLOv5 model based on blockchain partitioning technology is proposed, aiming at solving the problem of spatio-temporal heterogeneity in cotton pest and disease identification in Xinjiang, as well as improving the automation, accuracy and efficiency of detection. Through the lightweight improvement and the introduction of attention mechanism with deep separable convolution, the model's inference speed and accuracy are enhanced under different computing environments. Combining federated learning and knowledge distillation techniques, the proposed IFOD framework effectively mitigates the catastrophic forgetting problem in incremental learning, reducing the amount of model parameters by 69.95% and the training time by about 60%, despite a 5.7% decrease in accuracy compared to the original model. The designed reputation evaluation and reward distribution mechanism, based on blockchain slicing, ensures high-quality contribution of data and system security. Experimental results show that the IFOD-shard framework excels in reducing the amount of model parameters and computation, increasing the detection speed, while maintaining the memory of the old target while incrementally learning the new target, and significantly reducing the training and communication costs. The reputation evaluation mechanism has excellent ability to recognize malicious nodes and ensures the fairness of reward distribution. This framework not only improves the level of intelligent identification of cotton pests and diseases, but also provides an effective solution to solve the problems of data privacy and computational resource limitations in other fields.
Client satisfaction and associated factors among family planning service users in public health facilities of zuway dugda district, arsi zone, oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Belachwe Yohanes Abera , Meka Beka Teressa , Hussen Abubeker Ahimed , Seifu Befikad Assefa , Negussie Yohannes Mekuria
Published: August 2024

Background: Dissatisfaction with family planning services is a significant cause of high rates of discontinuation, reduced utilization of family planning services, noncompliance, and high rates of unintended pregnancy. Risk factor of client satisfaction varies across different settings according to sociocultural variations. However, there is a dearth of evidences on those factors in the country and the study area in particular. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the level and factors associated with client satisfaction of FP services among family planning users.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess client’s satisfaction and associated factors among women family planning users at Zuway Dugda district Oromia, Ethiopia.
Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among reproductive-age women attending a family planning unit in Zuway Dugda district, from August 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. A total of 315 clients were selected by simple random sampling and interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered using the EPI-INFO7.2.6 and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 25.0. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to see the association between outcome and explanatory variables. Finally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with client satisfaction. Confidence interval of 95% with respective odds ratio was used to show strength of association and the level of significance was taken at α < 0.05.
Results: The overall client satisfaction of this study was 61.9% (95% CI :( 0.56 - 0.67)). Waiting time [AOR = 1.79 (1.06-3.00)], follow-up [AOR = 2.23 (1.30-3.80)], demonstrate how to use method [AOR = 1.94 (1.11-3.38)] and method side effect explained [AOR = 2.41 (1.37-4.24)] were factors associated with client satisfaction among family planning users.
Conclusion: The overall level of client satisfaction with family planning services was low in this study area compared to other studies. This study found out that waiting time, follow-up, demonstrate how to use method and method side effect explained were factors associated with client satisfaction among family planning users.
Gross Metropolitan Product and Okun’s Law in Urban Cores
Authors: Vincent
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the behavior of Okun’s Law in the United States’ three largest metropolitan regions: New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Two separate autoregressive distributed lagged (ARDL) model forms are tested to incorporate delayed impacts of prior real output growth and unemployment rate changes on oscillations in current unemployment rates. The first model comprises a simple ARDL model with first-order lags, while the second model incorporates two additional binary indicators for both quarterly recessions and post-coronavirus quarterly recovery periods. This paper finds that the impacts are significantly more pronounced in the three urban cores studied than for the United States as a whole, although the presence of the additional binary indicators modestly lowers the estimates. Dynamics such as more heterogeneous workforces and greater sensitivity to output shifts are attributed as important causes of these higher estimates, as well as the impact that density may have on worker turnover that contributes to more volatile labor markets.
JEL Classifications: E2 , J21 , R11
Proteomics profile of serum and liver samples in women with morbid obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Authors: Bertran Laia , Rusu Elena Cristina , Aguilar Carmen , Auguet Teresa , Richart Cristóbal
Published: August 2024

Non-invasive methods are necessary for the diagnostic and follow-up of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This study aims to perform a proteomic analysis on serum and liver samples from morbid obese (MO) women to identify key mediators of MASH. HPLC-MS/MS proteomics was conducted on serum and liver samples from a cohort of 174 MO women classified by liver histology: 44 normal liver (NL), 66 simple steatosis (SS) and 64 MASH. Serum proteomics identified 257 proteins. The MASH individuals had 13 altered proteins, 11 upregulated and 2 downregulated. Altered proteins are primarily involved in molecular pathways of the initial triggering and complement cascade (50%). Liver proteomics identified 2081 proteins, with 72 upregulated and 84 downregulated in MASH. These proteins are mostly involved in molecular pathways of amino acid metabolism (31,25%), antimicrobial peptides (20%), fatty acid metabolism (17,5%). We identified 13 altered proteins in serum of MASH: increased levels of fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, clusterin, collectin-10 and − 11, scavenger receptor cysteine-rich-M130, attractin, pigment epithelium-derived factor, vitronectin, complement factor-H, thrombospondin-4 and apolipoprotein-AIV and decreased levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and adiponectin. These proteins can be part of a panel of biomolecules for the diagnosis or follow-up of MASH.
THE EFFECT OF INSTITUTIONAL OWNERSHIP, MANAGERIAL OWNERSHIP, PUBLIC OWNERSHIP ON ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE WITH PROFITABILITY AS A MODERATING VARIABLE
Authors: Novianti Nur Ana Eka , Waharini, M.Si Faqiatul Mariya
Published: August 2024

Shareholders really think about the strategy that should be used to start investing their shares in a company. One of them is by tending to invest in companies that have high concern for the environment and good social insight towards society. This study aims to empirically examine the effect of institutional ownership, managerial ownership and public ownership on environmental performance. The moderating variable used is profitability. Environmental performance proxies use PROPER (company assessment in managing the environment). The sample used is a company listed on the Jakarta Islamic Index for 2018-2022. Sampling using purposive sampling technique. The number of samples in this study were 9 companies with a total of 45 observations. Test the hypothesis using multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the research show that institutional ownership has a negative effect on environmental performance. Meanwhile, managerial ownership and public ownership have no effect on environmental performance. Profitability is able to moderate the effect of managerial ownership and public ownership on environmental performance.
The Role of Religiosity and Spirituality as Efforts to Prevent Financial Reporting Fraud
Authors: Istiariani Irma
Published: August 2024

The research about fraudlent financial reporting prevention has been often done to be researched, but when it was linked with religiousity and spirituality it has been rarely done. This study aims to explain how the role of religiousity, and spirituality in prevent fraudulent financial reporting. This study used qualitative research methodology with descriptive analysis. The results of this study state that it is necessary to strengthen the role of religiosity and spirituality so that fraudulent financial reporting not happen again in many corporation in Indonesia. This study recommended that there are needed strengthen of religiousity and spirituality to prevent fraudulent financial reporting practice many company in Indonesia.
Determinant Of Stakeholders Reliance On Indonesian Islamic Banking
Authors: Suharto Sonia Maulina , Himawan Hilmi Satria , Mubarok Arif , Hakim Sofyan , Amelia Verra Rizki
Published: August 2024

Islamic banking carries out business activities based on sharia principles. The economic growth of a country can be seen from the growth of financial institutions such as the banking sector. The influence of the banking sector in a country's economy is very large. The failure of a bank can have systemic consequences for a country's economy, whether conventional banking or sharia banking. This research aims to analyze and test the influence of sharia compliance reports towards the level of stakeholder trust on Indonesian Islamic banking. The indicators used in sharia compliance are profit sharing ratio, Islamic income ratio, and zakat performance ratio, while the indicators used in the level of stakeholder trust are third party funds This research approach uses quantitative methods with ex-post facto (cause-and-effect) research. The population in this research is Sharia Commercial Banks and Sharia Business Units registered with the Financial Services Authority in 2020-2022. Sample selection was carried out using a purposive sampling method, resulting in 13 Sharia Commercial Banks and Sharia Business Units for the 2020-2022 period. The data analysis method in this research is using Eviews 12. The results of this research show that partially the profit sharing  ratio and Islamic income ratio have a positive and significant effect towards the level of stakeholder trust. The zakat performance ratio does not have a significant effect towards the level of stakeholder trust. Meanwhile, simultaneously sharia compliance has a positive and significant effect towards the level of stakeholder trust of 26.45%.
BEST PRACTICE OF TOEIC LISTENING COURSE ADULT LERNERS AT ENGLISH INSTITUTE IN PARE KEDIRI
Authors: Azizin Muhammad , Wahyuni Sri
Published: August 2024

Concerns of job applicants have in meeting the requirements for the test of English International Communication (TOEIC). This research aims to analyze the preparation, implementation, evaluation, and obstacle of teaching listening for TOEIC at Merry Institute. The methodology used descriptive qualitative research, meaning the data obtained are described qualitatively. There were 18 students as the subject in this study. The results of observations, interviews, and documentation, as well as interviews with teachers that the teaching and learning process in the classroom has been going well, but some things, such as lesson plans, are not used in the listening for TOEIC program. In the teaching and learning process, the teacher prepares the material well and explains the material using the drilling method to increase the student's grades weekly. Furthermore, the evaluation carried out on listening for TOEIC is to take students' scores on the test simulation every week, and the teacher will evaluate it by discussion after the simulation test if the students do not have an increase in the TOEIC score. The results of this study are a beneficial reference for other institutions in implementing TOEIC listening preparation. Students can use them to improve their scores in understanding the topic of discussion. Further research may be needed to explore Reading comprehension to complement best practices in the test of English international communication.
INTERACTIVE PATHWAYS: EXPLORING STUDENTS’ ACCEPTANCE OF USING NEARPOD FOR ENGLISH GRAMMAR PROFICIENCY
Authors: Sholikhah Nur Mafissamawati , Ningsih Fitria
Published: August 2024

Lately, technology-enhanced learning tools, such as Nearpod, demonstrate the efficacy of integrating learning, particularly in an English grammar class. This study aims to investigate students' reactions to technology used for teaching grammar, precisely the acceptance of using Nearpod for grammar class. This study employed a mixed-method design with questionnaire and in-depth interview. The questionnaire used in this study was based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in a Likert scale. Thirty-eight undergraduate students were selected purposefully from Informatics Engineering Department who enrolled in Grammar class. The findings revealed a highly positive perception of Nearpod's utility for grammar instruction, confirming on students’ acceptance and highlighting its benefits for enhancing language skills, especially in grammar. Students agreed that Nearpod was beneficial to help understand and practice the language. The findings demonstrate that Nearpod is an effective tool for enhancing grammar instruction and suggest its implications for language educators and curriculum designers. This study contributes to our understanding of the role of technology in fostering integrative learning in grammar classes and highlights the need for further research in this area.
Analisis Permasalahan Bentuk Konstruksi Rangka Atap di Indonesia
Authors: Koesmartadi Christophorus , Kusyanto Mohhamad , Nurhayati B. Resti
Published: August 2024

Title: Analysis of The Problems in the Form of Roof Truss Construction in Indonesia
The Nusantara archipelago has various architectural forms, such as traditional houses with various roof shapes. These roof shapes consist of various forms of roof support frame construction. Problems arose when the Dutch came and brought the concept of truss construction. This concept was massively applied throughout the Nusantara archipelago, even making the architectural construction learning system in Indonesia use methods developed by the Dutch, making it hard to align with construction in the archipelago. This study uses a qualitative method with data collection through observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The analysis was carried out by identifying and comparing traditional houses' roof frame construction supports and their roof slabs with houses with horse-horse construction from the Netherlands to gain knowledge of the problems in the roof construction of both. The findings of this study are that the roof shape and support construction are one package as an interaction between the shape and support construction. These diverse forms also give birth to various roof support frame construction forms. However, the influence of the Dutch horse-horse construction has made experts more inclined to use the Dutch hanging horse concept rather than developing roof support frame construction that has been proven to be integrated with the roof shape. Nowadays, the hanging truss concept has many applications in the construction of traditional houses, which is considered less suitable.
CO2 Adsorption on Nanocomposite Pollen-Derived Carbons: Synergic Effect of KOH Activation and MgO Incorporation
Authors: Granados-Correa Francisco , Bonifacio-Martínez Juan , Jiménez-Reyes Melania
Published: August 2024

Novel nanocomposites synthesized with pollen grain, as a precursor, were tested for CO2 adsorption performance. The pollen-derived carbons were obtained by direct calcination (PC), calcination followed by KOH-chemical activation (PCKOH), and MgO incorporation using high-energy ball-milling (PC-MgO and PCKOH-MgO). All the as-prepared materials were texturally, morphologically and structurally characterized by N2 physisorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD); CO2 adsorption/desorption was measured by thermogravimetry. The four materials were able to adsorb CO2 at 30 ºC and 1 bar, but PCKOH-MgO, with the high surface area (12.4 m2 g-1), total pore volume of (0.13 cm3 g-1) and microporosity, was the best (2.06 mmol g-1 and percentage of adsorption (Qad) = 9.06%, at 1 bar). This result is due to the synergic effect of both synthesis methods. Neither temperature (from 30 to 100 ºC), nor pressure (from 1 to 15 bar), improved the adsorption process of PCKOH-MgO. CO2 desorption times at 300 ºC were 47 min for PCKOH-MgO and 30 min for the other adsorbents, showing the possibility of cycling. Based on the obtained results, the PCKOH-MgO activated carbon nanocomposite stands as a promising adsorbent to be potentially used for industrial CO2 capture applications and to contribute to long-term solutions to avoid dangerous climate-change and reduce CO2 emissions.
An approach on the estimation and temporal interaction of runoff: the band similarity method
Authors: Yilmaz Volkan , Koycegiz Cihangir , Buyukyildiz Meral
Published: August 2024

This study is based on the investigation of the performance of the band similarity (BS) method, which is quite new in the literature, in the prediction of flow and in determining the memory properties of the flow phenomenon. For this purpose, flow prediction models for the monthly flow data of the Sarız station, located in the Seyhan Basin in Türkiye, were produced first with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Second, these models were used in the BS method to create the BSPSO approach. Then, flow prediction was made for the same data set with support vector regression (SVR). In the test period, the standalone PSO, BSPSO, and SVR models achieved the most successful Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) values of 0.516, 0.691, and 0.659, respectively. As a result, it was seen that BS increased the success of PSO by approximately 35%.
Aortic valve replacement with the MedInzh-ST full-flow mechanical implant and modern bicuspid model: comparison of short-term results
Authors: Lepilin M.A. , Tsekhanovich V.N. , Sharifulin R.M. , Bogachev-Prokophiev A.V.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Mechanical heart valves prostheses have certain disadvantages related to impeding blood flow due to their shape and the design principle of the locking elements. The design of the new model of mechanical prostheses is based on the principle of full flow, which enables to increase the effective area of the valve opening and retain the identical dimensions of the implant. The results of using this type of prosthesis have not been sufficiently studied. Objective: The study aimed to compare the short-term results of aortic valve replacement with the mechanical full-flow prosthesis and with the standard mechanical prosthesis. Methods: The retrospective study included 246 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis over the period from 2015 to 2021. The MedInzh-2 classical bicuspid valve was implanted in 134 patients, and the new full-flow prosthesis was used in 112 patients. A pseudorandomization procedure (Propensity score matching) was performed to equalize the groups. The level of the transprosthetic gradient was used as the primary endpoint. Results: Propensity score matching resulted into forming two groups of 90 patients each. Hospital mortality in the MedInzh-ST group and the MedInzh-2 group amounted to 2.2% and 6.7%, respectively (Р = 0.178). In the early postoperative period, no differences in the processes of left ventricular cavity remodeling were found between the groups. In the MedInzh-ST full-flow prosthesis group, significantly lower values of transprosthetic gradients were revealed (mean gradients 12.6 versus 16.1 mm Hg, P < 0.001). The effective prosthetic orifice area was statistically higher in the full-flow implant group (2.04 versus 1.89 cm2, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Application of the MedInzh-ST mechanical valve proved to be safe at surgical correction of aortic valve diseases. The prosthesis was hemodynamically effective that was confirmed by a significantly lower level of transprosthetic gradient and a larger effective valve orifice area in comparison to the standard bicuspid mechanical prosthesis.
Received 4 April 2024. Revised 18 August 2024. Accepted 20 August 2024.
FundingThe study was supported by the Grant of the Russian Science Foundation No. 23-15-00434.
Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflict of interest.
Contribution of the authorsThe authors contributed equally to this article.
Nombrar y circular, gitanos entre Europa y las Américas. Innovación, creatividad y resistencia.
Authors: Muñoz López Mayra Margarita
Published: August 2024

El presente documento es una reseña del libro: Nombrar y circular, gitanos entre Europa y las Américas. Innovación, creatividad y resistencia.  La obra en cuestión aborda desde diversas perspectivas el campo de lo gitano: reflexiona el sentido etimológico e histórico de los etnónimos  que han adquirido los "gitanos" en diversas geografías, reconstruye la figura del gitano en la literatura y la narrativa popular y  explora  la experiencia del gitano y lo no gitano a partir  sucesos históricos relevantes para cada grupo. 
La reseña entabla un diálogo  que  invita a reflexionar sobre la experiencia personal  en el espectáculo de los gitanos, los discursos emitidos por el Estado para erradicar la vagancia y la tragedia de la fragmentación de los diversos grupos de gitanos en el mundo. Al final, proporciono algunos datos actuales que quedan expuestos a manera de herida sobre la visión denigrante que se tiene sobre lo gitano y cómo el termino se sigue empleando para señalar a los "otros" como un sinónimo de desprecio. ¨Por lo tanto,  el Estado continua  justificando  el ejercicio de la violencia sobre los desplazados y aquellos que en nuestro siglo, siguen vagando.
Rozproszony system człowiek-artefakt jako autonomiczny sprawca. Racje i wątpliwości
Authors: Tomczyk Barbara
Published: August 2024

Zwolennicy poznania rozproszonego deklarują odchodzenie od indywidualizmu metodologicznego i poznawczego w stronę ujęcia systemowego, na gruncie którego poznanie traktowane jest jako własność całego szerokiego systemu, a nie pojedynczego człowieka. W artykule skupiam się na problemie sprawczości systemu człowiek-artefakt i wykazuję, że przyjęcie perspektywy indywidualistycznej jest przy jego rozpatrywaniu niezbędne, a ujmowanie go jako systemu rozproszonego nie stanowi przewagi wyjaśniającej. Analizy reprezentacji zewnętrznych, afordancji i dizajnu, przeprowadzone przez Witolda Wachowskiego w książce Poznanie rozproszone. Od heurystyk do mechanizmów (2022), nie odchodzą od podejścia skoncentrowanego na indywidualnym podmiocie, a zastosowana heurystyka „od kultury do mózgu” jest zgodna z podejściem podmiotowo-centrycznym. W artykule argumentuję, że wątpliwości wiązane z odrzuceniem indywidualizmu na rzecz ujęcia systemowego, przy analizie działalności poznawczej systemu człowiek-artefakt, przeważają nad racjami uzasadniającymi takie rozwiązanie.
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Zgłoszono: 22/03/2023. Zrecenzowano: 10/01/2024. Zaakceptowano do publikacji: 24/04/2024.
Sprawozdanie z ogólnopolskiej konferencji naukowej pt. "Oblicza współczesnej etyki", Instytut Filozofii Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie, Warszawa, 9.12.2023 r.
Authors: Kobyliński Andrzej
Published: August 2024

9 grudnia 2023 roku w Instytucie Filozofii Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie miała miejsce ogólnopolska konferencja naukowa pt. Oblicza współczesnej etyki. Sympozjum połączone było z jubileuszem pracy naukowej i dydaktycznej ks. prof. dr. hab. Ryszarda Monia i dr hab. Ewy Podrez. W trakcie konferencji wygłoszono dziewięć referatów, które dotyczyły rozumienia etyki w filozofii chrześcijańskiej, zagadnienia powinności i normatywności etycznej, antropologicznych podstaw etyki, dialogu między etyką a literaturą, postrzegania wartości dumy i honoru dawniej i dziś, wartości w społeczeństwie zmęczenia oraz etyki miłości, jaką wypracował Dante Alighieri.
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Zgłoszono: 04/01/2024. Zrecenzowano: 16/02/2024. Zaakceptowano do publikacji: 04/03/2024.
Factors Affecting the Quality of Audit Process “The External Auditors’ Perceptions”
Authors: Almasria Nashat Ali
Published: August 2024

Purpose — This research aims to investigate the factors that affect audit quality, including the board of directors’ characteristics and performance, the audit committee's responsibilities, internal audit factors and performance, and the quality of the external audit.
Design/methodology/approach—This study expanded on previous research that has used different proxies to measure audit quality. It employed a questionnaire to measure audit quality and internal governance mechanisms by adopting some practical indicators from previous literature that could reflect and affect audit quality.
Findings — According to the regression results, it has been found that there is a strong positive relationship, which is statistically significant, between the work performance of internal auditors and the audit quality (β =0.280, p=.000); the strongest relationship was between audit quality and work performance, and it contributes to the model, and this is consistent with prior studies.  Further, the board of directors’ responsibilities has been determined to have a significant impact on audit quality where the coefficient of determination is .085 at a significant level.
Practical implications — Due to prevalent corporate scandals and audit failures worldwide in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the relationship between Internal Corporate Governance Mechanisms (ICGM) and External Audit Quality (EAQ). Audit quality and corporate governance mechanisms are significant aspects of today’s business practices. Hence, these issues have evoked interest and received the attention of regulators, researchers, and practitioners. They have become the centre of the argument due to their role in boosting investors’ confidence and improving the reliability of financial reports.
Originality/value—The current study contributed to the auditing and corporate governance literature. It expanded on previous research that used different proxies to measure audit quality and factors influencing audit quality. 
Keywords — Pancasila, accounting education, accountant, financial fraud
Paper type — Research Paper
Precise Description Of The Economic Responsibility Of The Departement Of Purchases And Storehouses According To The Concepts Of Effectiveness And Efficiency: A New Initiative To Enrich The Thought Of Csr
Authors: Saleh Younis A. Battal
Published: August 2024

Purpose: This study aims to identify and describe the economic responsibility of PWD based on the concepts of effectiveness and efficiency.
Method: To determine and describe the economic responsibilities of the departments that make up the FOS in any corporation, the concepts of effectiveness and efficiency in accomplishing the tasks assigned to those departments were chosen, considering the criteria for evaluating the quality of effectiveness and efficiency.
Result: Through the concepts of effectiveness and efficiency in completing tasks, this study was able to determine and describe the economic responsibility for PWD that was chosen to be the subject of this study, as follows: Providing the tangible and intangible needs for other departments included in the corporation’s FOS in a timely manner, with the specified specifications, and at the lowest possible cost.
Originality/Value: The idea of this study, which depends on the concepts of effectiveness and efficiency in performing tasks, can be adopted in defining and describing the economic responsibilities of the departments included in the FOS of any for-profit corporation. The economic responsibility of the departments lies in the extent of their commitment to the standards of effectiveness and efficiency in the performance of the tasks assigned to them. This study enriches the thought of CSR and will be considered the starting point for many studies and research in this field.
Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility. Economic Responsibility. Effectiveness and Efficiency. Functional Organizational Structure.  Purchasing and Warehouse Department.
Abbreviations: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Functional Organizational Structure\ Structures (FOS\ FOSs). Purchasing and Warehouse Department (PWD).
Efficacy Training As An Effort To Increase Employee Job Engagement In Review Of Employment Status
Authors: Sulastri  , Soetjipto Noer , Hidayat Arif
Published: August 2024

Purpose — This study aims to determine the influence of self-efficacy training on employees 'job engagement while distinguishing employees' job engagement based on employment status for employees of PT in a similar field of work. Telkomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk in Surabaya.
Design/methodology/approach—The research method used was comparative studies, which were designed using experimental design techniques (experiments). Sampling was done through the cluster sampling technique, which involves taking two sample groups of employees. Research samples were taken from 60 respondents.
Findings — This study indicates that the results of the independent t-test before being enforced on permanent and contract employees have a higher average job engagement value compared to permanent employees, with the same level of self-efficacy. After getting self-efficacy training employees, the value of T = -52.006 and P = 0,000 (p <0.05) prove the existence of significant changes in employee work involvement after obtaining efficacy training. For contract employees, the value of t = -56.542 and p = 0,000 (p <0.05) proves that employment contracts experience significant changes after receiving self-efficacy training for employees. The correlation coefficient value still explains that efficacy training is related to a work engagement of 74.8%, with a 56% effective contribution to job engagement. For employee contracts, the correlation coefficient value is 93.5%, which means the relationship between efficacy and work involvement is very strong, with the value of determination proving that the efficacy of 94.8% affects increasing the work involvement of contract employees.
Practical implications—To improve employee job engagement, a company can hold efficacy training for both permanent and contract employees.
Originality / Value—Efficacy Training Impacts or Influences Job Engagement, which is distinguished from employment status.
Keywords — Efficacy Training, Job Engagement, Employment.
Paper type — Research Paper
The effect of management control system with four lever's of control model and remuneration on employees’ performance: A study at Brawijaya University
Authors: Indika Sari Asri , Ludigdo Unti , Djamhuri Ali
Published: August 2024

Purpose—This study applies contingency theory to examine the effect of the management control system (MCS) and remuneration scheme on Brawijaya University's employees' performance. The MCS in this study is understood following the Four Levers of Control (LOC), which includes belief systems, boundary systems, diagnostic control systems, and interactive control systems.
Design/methodology/approach—For this analysis, the data collection method employed in this study was cluster random sampling of all employees except structural officials of Brawijaya University (UB). 355 respondents from Headquarters and 7 Faculties participated in this study. The data were collected, and the technique analysis used was SEM—PLS programs.
Findings—Based on the analysis and discussion, the results of this study showed that employees’ performance was positively impacted by the boundary system, diagnostic control system, and remuneration. Employees’ performance could be improved by implementing an effective boundary system and diagnostic control system and providing fair and adequate remuneration. Employees’ performance was unaffected by the belief or interactive control systems.
Practical implications—This study's Empirical evidence also showed that beliefs systems and interactive control systems do not affect the performance of UB employees.
Originality/value — A management Control System with the LOC model (Simons, 1995) is implemented in private organizations. The researchers want to adopt the LOC model (Simons, 1995) in public organizations at Brawijaya University. This research is able to provide benefits for related officials in Universitas Brawijaya to implement a Management Control System with the LOC model as a means of controlling employee performance. Employees can be motivated to improve their performance with the management control system and the LOC model.
Paper type — Case study
Defining the Joint Cost in the Field of CSR and Disclosing it in the Financial Statements: An Initiative to Enrich the Thought of Accounting for CSR
Authors: Saleh Younis A. Battal
Published: August 2024

Purpose: This study aims to establish a precise definition of the term ʺjoint costʺ in the field of CSR and discuss the issues of disclosing this cost in the financial statements.
Method: To raise a meaningful discussion about the meaning of joint cost in the field of CSR, through which an accurate definition can be developed regarding it, this study adopted the following concepts: 1) Overlapping CSRs; 2) The real sacrifice; 3) Independent legal personality; 4) Untargeted social or economic benefits; 5) Mixed costs resulting from loaning fixed assets and providing non-material assistance such as advisory services, construction and maintenance works, etc. By adopting the possible behavior method and supporting justifications, the researcher will discuss all expected scenarios regarding disclosing these costs in the financial statements.
Result: This study developed a precise definition of the term ″joint cost″ ′′ in the field of CSR. It also provided a meaningful discussion on the issues of disclosing this cost in reports and financial statements. Also, this study identified three basic principles for achieving transparency when disclosing charitable activities, including a joint cost.
Originality /Value: This study is considered an enrichment of accounting thought in the field of CSR. It will enhance companies' capabilities in adequately and transparently disclosing their commitment to CSR. Also, this study is considered an invitation to international accounting organizations to issue recommendations regarding how to disclose in the financial statements about charitable activities, especially those that reflect the concept of joint cost or whose costs are small but produce great benefits.