bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of HIV among newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients in Erbil Governorate, Iraq
Authors: Al-Khayat Zakarea Abdullah Yaseen , Agha Nabaz Fisal Shakir , Majeed Pshtiwan Dhahir , Alharmni Kawthar Ibrahim Fatah , Agha Derin Nabaz Fisal
Published: April 2021

Objectives: This study was accomplished with a purpose to determine the socio-demographic profile and the prevalence of HIV among TB patients.

Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology at the Chest and Respiratory Disease Specialized Centre in Erbil City (In collaboration with the Specialist physician)   through a period from January 2017 to December 2019. New TB patients were interviewed on a predesigned questionnaire. Collected samples were   processed in a special laboratory in TB center. The samples were subjected to microscopy with Ziehlâ€“Neelsen staining and inoculated on solid medium; the third sputum sample was tested directly by GeneXpert test. HIV testing was done using screening test and if the screening result was positive, the diagnosis was confirmed by Western Blot.

Results: A total of 397 approved new   tuberculosis patients underwent HIV testing. Among them, forty one cases 41 (10.3%) were found to be positive on ELISA screening and subsequently they were all confirmed by the Western Blot test. The highest prevalence of HIV positivity  according to gender, age range  and  occupation,  were as follows :  male (29 ; 70.7%) , 30-42 years ( 21 ; 51.2%) , laborers ( 13; 31.7%)  respectively  . The male to female ration is 2.7 statistically, the differences of distribution of the HIV positivity concerning the aboveâ€‘mentioned demography were as follows:  gender: significant (P â‰¤ 0.05), age range: no significant, occupation: no significant. The highest prevalence of HIV positivity  was among  pulmonary TB ( 25 ; 61% ) .Rifampicin resistant prevalence was higher among HIV positive in comparison to HIV negative TB case ( 23 ; 56.1% ) (134 ; 37.4%) respectively . Statistically, the differences of distribution of the HIV positivity in relation to both TB pattern & rifampicin mono drug resistant were significant (P â‰¤ 0.05). 

Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV infection in TB patients in current study was (10.3%). If HIV testing done by all TB patients then routine reporting of HIV status for all TB patients would provide even better information on which to base future planning.
Rates of depression, anxiety, and stress in King Abdulaziz University freshmen, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alfakeh Sulhi A. , Alghamdi Khaled Mesfer , Hilal Rawan Mostafa , Abdelmoaty Marwa Mohamed
Published: April 2021

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year university students in Saudi Arabia.

Method: We distributed an online survey through to 861 first-year students, aged 17-25, at King Abdulaziz University. The survey used a validated Arabic short version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, and sociodemographic factors.

Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 80.4%, 71.8%, and 69.3%, respectively. A plurality showed extremely severe depression and anxiety, and severe stress symptoms. The frequency of exercise was inversely related to depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 8.2% of students had visited a psychiatrist at some point in their lives, and 40.5% of students had suicidal thoughts.

Conclusion: Programs to identify students suffering from mental illness and offer adequate care and support are essential.
Analisa Mubadalah Hadis “Fitnah Perempuan” dan Implikasinya terhadap Relasi Gender
Authors: Haitomi Faisal , Sari Maula
Published: April 2021

Problems that have always been discussed up to now are gender and issues regarding the inequality of relations between women and men. Apart from the Qur'an, Hadith is also accused of being a contributor to discriminating against women. The understanding of the ulama also seems taken for granted in justifying a form of discrimination, so that the relationship between men and women becomes unstable with one another. In this study, the aim of this research is to understand religious texts and focus on the hadiths which can provide a balanced interpretation offer that does not defend either party. This study uses the mubadalah approach as an analysis knife. The conclusion of this research is that the hadith regarding “women's slander” is not something that can legalize discrimination by using stereotypes against one of them. But further than that the text suggests both men and women to be aware of each other from all possible slander ( charm) that both of them could evoke.
Post-acquisition integration and growth of farms: the case of Ukrainian agroholdings
Authors: Ostapchuk Igor , Gagalyuk Taras , Curtiss Jarmila
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a dynamic perspective on the processes of farm restructuring following farm acquisitions by large-scale agroholdings in Ukraine. In particular, the paper employs a large dataset of farm-level data and several quantitative techniques to explore how the acquired farms’ resource bases are integrated after acquisitions and what outcomes an acquisition brings about for farm growth, profitability and productivity. In general, acquisitions positively affect farm growth and productivity while agroholdings use various resource allocation, resource redeployment and investment/divestment instruments for the post-acquisition integration of farms. The variation in achieving profitable post-acquisition growth of farms is contingent upon a number of farm pre-acquisition characteristics, strategic growth orientations and timing of acquisitions.
UPAYA KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI KERJA GURU DI SDIT TAQIYYA ROSYIDA KARTASURA SUKOHARJO TAHUN AJARAN 2019/2020
Authors: Istiqomah Nur
Published: April 2021

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui upaya kepala sekolah dalam meningkatkan motivasi kerja guru di SDIT Taqiyya Rosyida Kartasura Sukoharjo. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif yang dilaksanakkan pada bulan November 2019 hingga Mei 2020. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah Kepala Sekolah SDIT Taqiyya Rosyida Kartasura. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Uji validitas data melalui triangulasi sumber, metode dan teori. Sedangkan teknik analisis datanya menggunakan model analisis interaktif yang meliputi: pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa upaya kepala sekolah dalam meningkatkan motivasi kerja guru adalah melalui pengaturan lingkungan fisik, pengaturan suasana kerja, pemberian motivasi, pendisiplinan, pemberian penghargaan, peningkatan pengembangan pusat sumber belajar, pelatihan atau pelatihan guru secara berkala dan piknik untuk guru.
Evolutionary Shift from Purifying Selection towards Divergent Selection of SARS-CoV2 Favors its Invasion into Multiple Human Organs
Authors: Maiti Amit K
Published: April 2021

SARS-CoV2 virus is believed to be originated from a closely related bat
Coronavirus RaTG13 lineage after gaining insertions of RBD of spike (S)
protein by exchanged recombination with pangolin virus Pan_SL_COV_GD.
SARSCoV2 uses its entry-point key residues in S1 protein to attach with
human ACE2 receptor. SARS-CoV2 evolution comprises any of these
possibilities: it entered human from bat with its poorly developed
entry-point residues much before its known appearance with slower
mutation rate; or recently with efficiently developed entry-point
residues having more infective power with higher mutation rate; or
through an intermediate host. RaTG13 has 96.3% identity with SARS-CoV2
genome implying that it substituted ~1106 nucleotides to
evolute as present-day virus. Temporal analysis of SARS-CoV2 genome from
December 2019 shows that its nucleotide substitution rate is as low as
27nt/year with an evolutionary rate of 9x10-4 /site/year, which is a
little less than other retrovirus (10-4 to 10-6 /site/year). Estimation
of TMRCA of SARS-CoV2 from bat RaTG13 lineage appears to be in between
9-14 years. Furthermore, evolution of a critical entry-point residue
Y493Q needs two substitutions with an intermediate virus carrying Y493H
(Y>H>Q), although such an intermediate virus
has not been identified in known twenty-nine bat CoV virus. Genetic
codon analysis indicates that SARS-CoV2 evolution from RaTG13 lineage
strictly follows neutral evolution with strong purifying selection
whereas its propagation in human disobeys neutral evolution as
nonsynonymous mutations surpasses synonymous mutations with the increase
of ω (dn/ds) signifying its proceedings towards divergent selection
predictably for its infection power to evade multiple organs.
Will fencing floodplain and riverine wetlands from feral pig damage conserve fish community values?
Authors: Waltham Nathan , Schaffer Jason
Published: April 2021

Installation of feral pig (Sus scrofa) exclusion fences to conserve and
rehabilitate coastal floodplain habitat for fish production and water
quality services remains untested. Twenty-one floodplain and riverine
wetlands in the Archer River catchment (north Queensland) were surveyed
during post-wet (June-August) and late-dry season (November-December) in
2016, 2017 and 2018, using a fyke net soaked overnight
(~14-15hrs) to test: 1) whether the fish assemblage are
similar in wetlands with and without fences; and 2) whether specific
environmental conditions influence fish composition between fenced and
unfenced wetlands. A total of 6,353 fish representing twenty-six species
from 15 families were captured. There were no wetland differences in
fish assemblages across seasons, years and for fenced and unfenced
(PERMANOVA, Pseudo-F <0.589, P<0.84). Interestingly
the late-dry season fish were far smaller compared to post-wet season
fish: a strategy presumably in place to maximise rapid disposal
following rain and floodplain connectivity. In each wetland a calibrated
Hydrolab was deployed (between 2-4 days, with 20min logging) in the
epilimnion (0.2m) and revealed distinct diel water quality cycling of
temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH (conductivity represented
freshwater wetlands), which was more obvious in the late-dry season
survey because of extreme summer conditions. Water quality varied among
wetlands in terms of the daily amplitude and extent of daily
photosynthesis recovery, which highlights the need to consider local
conditions and that applying general assumptions around water quality
conditions for these types of wetlands is problematic for managers.
Though many fish access wetlands during wet season connection, the
seasonal effect of reduced water level conditions seems more
over-improvised when compared to whether fences are installed, as all
wetlands supported few, juvenile, or no fish species because they had
dried completely regardless of the presence of fences.
COVENANTS CONTRATUAIS DE RATING: UMA ANÁLISE DE ASSOCIAÇÃO COM AS BOOK-TAX DIFFERENCES
Authors: Sene Ibrahim Alexia , Barbosa Josilene da Silva , De Souza Costa Patrícia
Published: April 2021

Devido à relevância dos ratings para o custo da dívida e obtenção de recursos, os gestores podem ser motivados a solucionar questões que interferem negativamente no rating. Nesse sentido, uma vez que a book-tax differences (BTD) podem impactar negativamente no rating, acredita-se que os covenants contratuais de rating também possam interferir nas BTDs, pois os gestores poderão tomar decisões de forma a resultar em BTD que favoreçam a classificação de crédito. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa consistiu em verificar se a emissão de títulos de dívida, que envolvam covenants contratuais de rating, está associada com alterações nos valores das BTD. A amostra é composta pelas companhias abertas brasileiras listadas no Brasil, Bolsa e Balcão (B3) no período de 2000 a 2016. Os testes para dados em painel foram realizados com a variação da BTD e seus valores absolutos, considerando também o período pré e pós adoção das IFRS. Os achados demonstram que a emissão de debêntures com covenants contratuais de rating reduzem as variações e os valores absolutos das BTD, apenas para o período pré-IFRS. Isso sugere que as agências de rating podem entender grandes variações de BTD como sinal de risco e incerteza, e grandes valores de BTD como sendo decorrentes do gerenciamento de resultado e, assim, oferecer uma nota de rating mais baixa. Infere-se que os covenants de rating durante o período pré-IFRS podem ser considerados determinantes da BTD, porém, após essa adoção tal variável pode ter deixado de ser um determinante da BTD.
EFEITO DA COMPLEXIDADE EMPRESARIAL NO GERENCIAMENTO DE RESULTADOS DE EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Da Silva Alini , Klann Roberto Carlos
Published: April 2021

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o efeito da complexidade empresarial no gerenciamento de resultados de empresas brasileiras. A metodologia pode ser caracterizada como descritiva, documental e quantitativa. A amostra foi composta por 110 empresas listadas na B3, no período compreendido entre os anos de 2010 a 2013. A coleta de dados foi realizada pela base de dados Thomson, formulários de referências das empresas, notas explicativas e dados cadastrais. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se de técnicas estatísticas, tais como: regressão linear múltipla, estatística descritiva, entropia da informação, método TOPSIS e regressão de dados em painel, por meio dos softwares SPSS e STATA. Os resultados demonstraram que a experiência de mercado das empresas e a rentabilidade do patrimônio líquido aumentaram o nível de gerenciamento de resultados das empresas analisadas. Por outro lado, as dívidas de longo prazo e a complexidade total auxiliaram na redução desta prática oportunista dos gestores. Conclui-se que a complexidade de empresas aumenta a prática oportunista de gestores, quando na empesa apresentam-se formas de complexidade de forma individualizada, mas também pode contribuir para a sua diminuição, principalmente quando a empresa possui de forma conjunta várias medidas de complexidade.
Optimization of intelligent heating ventilation air conditioning system in urban building based on BIM and artificial intelligence technology
Authors: Liu Zhonghui , Jiang Gongyi
Published: April 2021

The study aims to effectively reduce building energy consumption, improve the utilization efficiency of building resources, reduce the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases, and protect the ecological environment. A prediction model of heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption is established by using back propagation neural network (BPNN) and adapted boosting (Adaboost) algorithm. Then, the HVAC system is optimized by building information modeling (BIM). Finally, the effectiveness of the urban intelligent HVAC optimization prediction model based on BIM and artificial intelligence (AI) is further verified by simulation experiments. The research shows that the error of the prediction model is reduced, the accuracy is higher after the Adaboost algorithm is added to BPNN, and the average prediction accuracy is 86%. When the BIM is combined with the prediction model, the HVAC programme of hybrid cooling beam + variable air volume reheating is taken as the optimal programme of HVAC system. The power consumption and gas consumption of the programme are the least, and the CO2 emission is also the lowest. Programme 1 is compared with programme 3, and the cost is saved by 37% and 15%, respectively. Through the combination of BIM technology and AI technology, the energy consumption of HVAC is effectively reduced, and the resource utilization rate is significantly improved, which can provide theoretical basis for the research of energy-saving equipment.
Emotions and Managerial Judgment: Evidence from Sunshine Exposure
Authors: Chen Chen , Chen Yangyang , Pittman Jeffrey A. , Podolski Edward J. , Veeraraghavan Madhu
Published: April 2021

We examine the role and economic consequences of emotions in shaping the judgment of corporate executives. Analyzing a large sample of U.S. public firms, we find that sunshine-induced good mood leads managers to make upwardly biased earnings forecasts. Importantly, our evidence implies that managers become less susceptible to the sunshine priming effect in unambiguous settings, when their forecasts are subject to stricter external monitoring, and when they have stronger incentives to issue accurate forecasts. Additional tests show that equity market participants discern less informative signals from forecasts influenced by sunshine and that managers prone to the sunshine priming effect impose costs on their firms in the form of higher information risk and equity financing costs. Reflecting that labor markets also play a disciplinary role, we find that mood-prone managers suffer adverse career outcomes. We provide the first large-scale analysis on the nuanced ways in which emotions affect top executives.

JEL Classifications: G02; G30; M40; M41.
FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA DE PROFESSORES INICIANTES NA PROFISSÃO: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DO PROJETO “SABERES EM DIÁLOGO”
Authors: Ferreira da Silva Gilberto , Aquino Machado Juliana , Silva Ana Paula da , Cristina da Silva Juliana
Published: April 2021

O objetivo é compreender como os professores, com até 5 anos de inserção profissional, percebem os efeitos da formação continuada experimentada e que contribuições são possíveis desprender da experiência para a sua qualificação profissional. A produção dos dados amparou-se em um questionário, aplicado ao conjunto de educadores participantes do projeto Saberes em Diálogo. Recorreu-se às orientações oferecidas pela hermenêutica-dialética para o tratamento dos dados. Para a análise e interpretação, buscou-se as contribuições da descolonialidade. O estudo evidenciou o quanto a inserção de novos profissionais na área da docência se apresenta como um campo ainda a ser explorado a partir da perspectiva da produção acadêmica e na formulação de políticas públicas formativas. Na percepção dos professores identificou-se que o Projeto Saberes em Diálogo contribui para a inserção docente na profissão, estimula o diálogo entre pares e possibilita um maior entrosamento na relação com a Secretaria Municipal da Educação.
Izmeneniya mikrobioty kishechnika i ih svyaz' s kortizolom, melatoninom i interlejkinom-6 u lic s hronicheskoj insomniej
Authors: Масютина А. А. , Гуменюк Л. Н. , Фатовенко Ю. В. , Сорокина Л. Е. , Байрамова С. С. , Алексеенко А. И. , Шавров Ю. В. , Романова А. А. , Сейдаметова Д. И.
Published: April 2021

Na segodnyashnij den' aktual'noj ostaetsya problema vzaimosvyazi mikrobioty kishechnika i hronicheskoj insomnii. Cel'yu issledovaniya bylo izuchit' izmeneniya taksonomicheskogo sostava mikrobioty kishechnika i harakter ih vzaimosvyazi s kortizolom, melatoninom i IL6 u lic s hronicheskoj insomniej. V odnomomentnom sravnitel'nom prospektivnom issledovanii prinyali uchastie 55 lic s hronicheskoj insomniej (osnovnaya gruppa: zhenshchiny — 58,2%, muzhchiny — 41,8%; srednij vozrast — 31,6 ± 7,4 let) i 50 lic bez insomnii (kontrol'naya gruppa: zhenshchiny — 68,0%, muzhchiny — 32,0%; srednij vozrast — 33,2 ± 6,6 let). Ocenivali taksonomicheskij sostav mikrobioty kishechnika metodom sekvenirovaniya gena 16S rRNA. Opredelyali urovni kortizola i IL6 v plazme krovi, melatonina v moche s pomoshch'yu immunofermentnogo analiza. Dlya ocenki kachestva sna ispol'zovali oprosnik PSQI. U lic s hronicheskoj insomniej obnaruzheny statisticheski znachimoe cnizhenie chislennosti Faecalibacterium (p = 0,048), Prevotella 9 (p < 0,001) i Lachnospira (p = 0,036) i povyshenie chislennosti Blautia (p = 0,012) i Eubacteriumhallii (p = 0,003). Ustanovleny statisticheski znachimye korrelyacii znachenij IL6 s urovnem bakterij Faecalibacterium (r = –0,44; p = 0,001) i Blautia (r = 0,42; p < 0,001), koncentracii kortizola i urovnya bakterij Lachnospira (r = –0,41; p = 0,048). Vyyavlena sopryazhennost' urovnya bakterij Faecalibacterium, Blautias s bolee vysokimi ballami po oprosniku PSQI (r = –0,47, p = 0,001; r = 0,45, p < 0,001 sootvetstvenno). Takim obrazom, polucheny dopolnitel'nye dannye ob osobennostyah izmenenij mikrobioty kishechnika i ih svyazi s nekotorymi gormonal'nymi i vospalitel'nymi biomarkerami pri hronicheskoj insomnii, pozvolyayushchie primenyat' novye terapevticheskie strategii v personificirovannom lechenii i diagnostike insomnii, napravlennye na normalizaciyu kishechnoj mikrobioty.
Development of international commercial project management
Authors: Konstantinov Igor , Fedotova Marina A. , Binh Yin
Published: April 2021

The article talks about the issues identified with data logical help of the administration/technique improvement for global instruction business projects inside preparing program advancement. The article portrays in detail the improvement of MAI-chains of command produced for this level. Computations of multi-master appraisals during the execution of the global instructive business project "New training” and break down the fundamental issues related with the settled-on decision made were given. A short outline of extra models of the instructive interaction advancement/defense is accommodated this level. Thought of the VS-connection between the MAI chains of importance of advantages and expenses permits us to reason that the most favored type of preparing association for some HR association is TF groups, albeit the other two structures are additionally very alluring.
An Analysis of Budget Planning in Public Hospitals in Limpopo Province: South Africa
Authors: Mathobo Nkhumeleni , Maserumule Mashupye , Moeti Kabelo
Published: April 2021

Budget planning is a challenge regarding the delivery of cost-effective health services in public hospitals. Budget planning is part of broader planning process in the organisations. The purpose of this article is to analyse budget planning in public hospitals in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The research approach used for the study is quantitative research design. The sample size of 20 public hospitals was drawn from the population of 40 public hospitals. A survey questionnaire was used as the primary data-gathering instrument. The findings of the research show that budget planning is a management challenge for non-finance managers in public hospitals. The result for this is ineffective budget management in public hospitals. The study recommended that non-finance managers be capacitated on the alignment of budget with a strategy to improve budget management in public hospitals.
KEBIJAKAN SURAT KEPUTUSAN BERSAMA 3 MENTERI (SKB 3 MENTERI) SEBAGAI IMPLEMENTASI PLURALISME DAN MULTIKULTURALISME DI INDONESIA
Authors: Roza Prima , Ramadhan Muhammad Hafizh , Ahmadi Fajar
Published: April 2021

Indonesia is rich in diversity. The socio-cultural diversity in Indonesia is relatively abundant. This can be a strength, but at the same time it can also create friction ad conflict in the society. Recently, the government issued a Joint Decree of 3 Ministers (SKB 3 Menteri) in response to the friction. This decree organize dress procedures in the learning process at schools. As a result of this implementation, various responses emerged from the Indonesian people, either agreement or disagreement. Part of the society that may be relevant to this policy are students. This article will study the perspectives of undergraduate students of Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), especially of the School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development’s (SAPPK) on the Joint Decree. This article uses quantitative and qualitative methods by distributing questionnaires and interviews to SAPPK’s students. From the results of this study,  the researchers are able to see the perspectives and the trends of SAPPK ITB Students towards the SKB 3 Ministerial Policy as a solution to social issues related to diversity. It is hoped that these results can be used as a reference for campus policy makers in overcoming the same problem.
arte das musas!
Authors: Carderaro Lidiane
Published: April 2021

Não é difícil encontrarmos em narrativas mitológicas da Grécia Antiga episódios em que a música exerça papel fundamental. São numerosos os seres mitológicos considerados músicos ou que possuem atributos musicais, com maior ou menor relevância para sua trajetória mitológica. Este artigo apresenta uma introdução a essas relações entre música e mitologia, tendo por base as representações em vasos cerâmicos. Baseado em um minicurso desenvolvido para promover o primeiro contato com o estudo da relação entre música e mitologia na Grécia Antiga, o texto apresenta algumas discussões sobre as interpretações da iconografia de temática musical na cerâmica grega, as relações sociais implicadas na imagem e a evolução formal dos instrumentos e personagens mitológicos. Assim, intenta-se demonstrar a importância da mitologia para o estudo da música grega antiga e vice-versa, e a importância dessa relação para a compreensão dos aspectos técnico, teórico e social da música na Antiguidade Grega.
Orfeu e noções de música em Proclo
Authors: Mendes Michel , Cerqueira Fábio Vergara
Published: April 2021

In this article we investigate the place of Orpheus and of music in Proclus’ works, more specifically in Platonic Theology and analyze how the mythical musician is devoid of his epic-musical feats, characteristic of the representations about him, found in ancient mythology. In the Proclean text, he is represented as a theologian, guardian of the initiatory mysteries that were passed on by the musician to the philosophers, among which Plato receives the greatest prominence. The place of auctoritas occupied by Orpheus is reinforced by his presence always beside Plato in the religious interpretations of the divinities linked to the orphism, presented by Proclus. We seek to present, via passages of Platonic Theology and the orphic hymns attributed to the late-ancient philosopher, the concept of cosmic music revealed in the excerpts and how it relates to the perception of universal harmony and with this conception of Orpheus and Plato theologians. Throughout the work we propose our translation into Portuguese of the excerpts in Greek, based on the most recent Italian translation by Michele Abbate (2019).
A Tool Development Framework to Support Design Thinking for Software Engineering
Authors: Arslan Ayse Kok
Published: April 2021

This research aims to create a framework to guide the development of design thinking support tools - that is, tools that enable people to express themselves creatively and develop as creative thinkers. The main goal is to develop advanced software and social networking sites that empower users to not only be productive, but also have new technologies. Potential users of these interfaces include software with other engineers, various scientists, product and image designers, builders, teachers, students and many more. Improved communication methods can enable effective psychological search, improved interaction between groups, and faster recovery processes. These advanced combinations should also provide strong support for hypothesis formation, rapid testing of alternatives, improved visual perception, and better distribution of results.
Traditional Chinese herb, Astragalus: possible for treatment and prevention of COVID-19?
Authors: Law Siukan , Lo Chuiman , Han Jie , Leung Albert Wingnang , Xu Chuanshan
Published: April 2021

Astragalus is a traditional herb which has been used in China for a long time. It regulates blood circulation (vital energy), invigorates body fluid circulation, protects the flow of blood to fight against the attack of pathogens, and strengthens “blood deficiencies” according to Bencao Congxin. Astragalus was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2009 as a dietary supplement for upper respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic kidney disease. Thirty journals published in the past ten years were reviewed by using library search engines such as SCI/SCIE, PubMed, and Scopus. In this mini-review, we focus on the anti-inflammatory of Astragalus features, discuss the background of Astragalus and its function in various diseases from water-extracted Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus saponins, and Astragalus polysaccharides. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory, Astragalus is a potential candidate to treat and prevent COVID-19.
Composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of cold-pressed and distilled essential oils of Origanum onites L. and Lavandula officinalis L. relationships evaluated by SEM microscopy
Authors: Ertürk Ömer , Aydin Gülçin , Ayvaz Melek Col , Başkan Ceren
Published: April 2021

Introduction: In order to prevent increased bacterial resistance, it is important to use herbal medicines with less side effects.

Objective: In this study, the chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and SEM images of Lavandula officinalis and Origanum onites oils obtained in two different ways were determined.

Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the oils was determined against reference and multiple strains of foodborne and pathogenic bacteria. The each essential oil sample were analyzed by GC–MS. Antioxidant activities of the samples were examined through DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenging and FRAP assays.

Results: The results indicate that the oils of obtained from Origanum onites and Lavandula officinalis exhibited relatively strong antibacterial and antifungal activity. In addition, the antioxidant activities detected were remarkable. Morphological changes in bacterial cells treated with essential oil samples were demon-

strated with SEM images. In addition, the chemical components of the oil samples obtained by both water steam and cold press were revealed by GC-MS analysis and compared.

Conclusion: When all the obtained results are evaluated together; these plants could be suitable for using as antimicrobial and antioxidative agents in several industries such as food, cosmetic, etc.
“A farmer’s time is expensive”: A qualitative study exploring the knowledge attitudes and perceptions of farmers regrading health and safety in Northern Ireland
Authors: Girvan Aoife , Mitchell Graeme
Published: April 2021

The agricultural sector is important to Northern Ireland (NI) as it accounts for almost 10% of all jobs and 75% of all land usage. Despite a reduction in fatalities in other sectors, the number of fatalities in the agricultural sector in NI has remained stubbornly consistent. This research looked to use qualitative data to explore the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and factors that influence health and safety measures and controls. Using a snowball sampling technique, a number of semi structure interviews were undertaken with participants to explore these areas. The findings of these semi-structured interviews identified six key themes: the importance of health and safety; the impact of poor health and safety; different generational attitudes; fear; time management and finance. This revealed that although participants feel they have some level of knowledge around health and safety, they felt this was lacking. However, a lack of knowledge did not mean they were unaware of the importance of health and safety and its potential impacts, although they perceived that farmers of a different generation to themselves were more at risk. Participants also indicated they were willing to make value judgements, where the need for action and cost of health and safety outweighs the importance implementing appropriate measures and control. Therefore, despite understanding the importance of health and safety, until the cost benefit equation is rebalanced for farmers in NI they still face significant risks to their health and safety.
Foundations of Ring Sampling
Authors: Ronge Viktoria , Egger Christoph , Lai Russell W. F. , Schröder Dominique , Yin Hoover H. F.
Published: April 2021

A ring signature scheme allows the signer to sign on behalf of an ad hoc set of users, called a ring. The verifier can be convinced that a ring member signs, but cannot point to the exact signer. Ring signatures have become increasingly important today with their deployment in anonymous cryptocurrencies. Conventionally, it is implicitly assumed that all ring members are equally likely to be the signer. This assumption is generally false in reality, leading to various practical and devastating deanonymizing attacks in Monero, one of the largest anonymous cryptocurrencies. These attacks highlight the unsatisfactory situation that how a ring should be chosen is poorly understood.

We propose an analytical model of ring samplers towards a deeper understanding of them through systematic studies. Our model helps to describe how anonymous a ring sampler is with respect to a given signer distribution as an information-theoretic measure. We show that this measure is robust – it only varies slightly when the signer distribution varies slightly. We then analyze three natural samplers – uniform, mimicking, and partitioning – under our model with respect to a family of signer distributions modeled after empirical Bitcoin data. We hope that our work paves the way towards researching ring samplers from a theoretical point of view.
Data Portability between Online Services: An Empirical Analysis on the Effectiveness of GDPR Art. 20
Authors: Syrmoudis Emmanuel , Mager Stefan , Kuebler-Wachendorff Sophie , Pizzinini Paul , Grossklags Jens , Kranz Johann
Published: April 2021

Data portability regulation has promised that individuals will be easily able to transfer their personal data between online service providers. Yet, after more than two years of an active privacy regulation regime in the European Union, this promise is far from being fulfilled. Given the lack of a functioning infrastructure for direct data portability between multiple providers, we investigate in our study how easily an individual could currently make use of an indirect data transfer between providers. We define such porting as a two-step transfer: firstly, requesting a data export from one provider, followed secondly by the import of the obtained data to another provider. To answer this question, we examine the data export practices of 182 online services, including the top one hundred visited websites in Germany according to the Alexa ranking, as well as their data import capabilities. Our main results show that high-ranking services, which primarily represent incumbents of key online markets, provide significantly larger data export scope and increased import possibilities than their lower-ranking competitors. Moreover, they establish more thorough authentication of individuals before export. These first empirical results challenge the theoretical literature on data portability, according to which, it would be expected that incumbents only complied with the minimal possible export scope in order to not lose exclusive consumer data to market competitors free-of-charge. We attribute the practices of incumbents observed in our study to the absence of an infrastructure realizing direct data portability.
Prognostic value of serum lactate dehydrogenase in hospitalized patients with Covid-19
Authors: Aguadero Vicente , Nuez Elisa , García-Miralles Carlos , Sole-Enrech Gemma , Cano-Corres Ruth
Published: April 2021

Background: Biochemical markers in COVID-19 remain to be defined. We analyzed the usefulness of LDH and ferritin in predicting outcome.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed ferritin and LDH concentrations obtained during the first 11 days of hospitalization in COVID-19 patients. We compared the change in ferritin and LDH concentrations obtained on each day of hospital admission with respect to baseline values between patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes. We used receiver operating curve analysis to determine cutoffs for predicting outcomes.

Results: We analyzed 387 patients. For determinations done on the 9th day, increases in LDH concentrations > 14.6% over the baseline yielded 80% positive predictive value, and a lack of increase yielded 96% negative predictive value for unfavorable outcomes. The change in ferritin concentration yielded lower predictive values.

Conclusion: The percentage of change in LDH with respect to the baseline on the 9th day of hospitalization can predict outcome..
Analysis of a Topsoil Moisture Regime Through an Effective Precipitation Index for the Locality of Nitra, Slovakia
Authors: Rončák Peter , Šurda Peter , Vitková Justína
Published: April 2021

The aim of this work was to analyze and statistically confirm the relationship between the computed daily values of the Effective Precipitation Index (EP365) and the measured moisture content of the topsoil of a research site near Nitra, Slovakia. The statistical analysis (coefficients of determination) confirmed the strong correlation. Subsequently each day’s mean of EP365 (MEP) was used to quantify the long-term deficit or surplus of the soil water supply in the individual years. The daily values of the EP365 index provide a more detailed view of the development of the topsoil’s moisture regime. According to the deviation of EP (DEP) from the 14-year MEP, the most extreme dry periods prevailed during the years 2015, 2017 and 2018. Therefore, the 2012–2018period was evaluated as dry, and the topsoil moisture regime described through the MEP index was compared with the course of the MEP index from the normal (slightly humid) period of the years 2005 – 2011.
Necrotizing Fasciitis: a Clinical Case and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Temelkova Ivanka Danchova , Milev Yordan Stoyanov , Garkova Zhasmina Krasimirova , Kalinova Tsveta Ivanova , Dimitrova Zhenya Krasimirova , Ivanova Bogdana Dimitrova , Kazandjieva Jana Stoyanova , Márina Sonya Stoyanova
Published: April 2021

Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue, life-threatening infection with a fulminant and often fatal course. Early diagnosis is usually delayed as the onset of the disease is often masked in the form of erysipelas or cellulite. The condition is characterized by necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and underlying fascia. We describe a case of a 42-year-old man with a complaint of erythema, fever and severe pain in his right leg 4 days before hospitalization. The patient was admitted and treated with a diagnosis of erysipelas. A few hours after admission, in connection with a drastic deterioration in the general condition and dermatological status, he was transferred to a purulentseptic ward with a fulminant picture of necrotizing fasciitis. Debridement and fasciotomy were performed successfully and timely. Good prognosis and survival in patients with NF correlate directly with the complex of measures. Appropriate antibiotics and intensive general support avoid massive systemic diffusion. Early and adequate surgical debridement and fasciotomy are associated with improved survival.
Analyzing the dynamics of indicators of the Russian economy
Authors: SMIRNOV Valerii V.
Published: April 2021

Subject. The article addresses the dynamics of the Russian economy indicators.
Objectives. The aim is to identify sources and opportunities for the Russian economy growth.
Methods. The study rests on the systems approach, using methods of statistical, neural network, and cluster analysis.
Results. The analysis of the currency, stock, and commodity market unveils the impulse effect on the MOEX index through the devaluation of the national currency and the issue of Russian Government Bonds. The analysis of the importance of GDP deflator by industry identifies the priority of economic activity ‘public administration and military security; social security’, which suppresses the economic activity ‘household activities as employers; undifferentiated activities of households to produce goods and provide services for their own consumption’. The structural integrity of economic activities is maintained through taxes on products. The dynamics of the share of GDP deflator growth and the index of output of goods and services revealed a low level of purchasing power and a rise in food inflation, as well as a significant upturn in inflation in the manufacturing sector after Q1 2020, which was caused by the increase in the cost of production and unit sales.
Conclusions. The analyzed trends in the Russian economy indicators show a qualitative source of growth of the Russian economy, i.e. ‘people as an alternative oil’. This enables to move away from commodity dependence (RTSI) and actively use wide opportunities of growth (IMOEX).
APLIKASI â€œPENGENALAN BUAH DAN BINATANGâ€ BERBASIS AUGMENTED REALITY SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN PADA PENDIDIKAN ANAK USIA DINI
Authors: Suwoto Noer Azizah Rosita Dewi
Published: April 2021

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a continuation of the Melenial Development Goals (MDGs) as joint development ambitions in the period of 2015 to 2030. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have 17 development goals with 169 targets, one of which is to ensure the quality of education inclusive and equitable for all levels. Quality education in this case is intended to ensure that all children, both girls and boys, can complete quality basic education and lead to relevant and effective education.Improving the quality of education carried out by the government aims to prepare alpha generations so that they can compete with other countries in the future. The preparation starts from early childhood education which is taken by children aged 0-6 years who tend to think in a concrete way. The need for learning media to explain something abstract and can be understood by early childhood. Therefore interesting media is highly recommended as an alternative in learning. However, in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 has not been optimally entered into all fields including education. In this decade there emerged technological development innovations that could be used in education, especially for the Early Childhood Education. Augmented Reality is a technology that has been developed by Programmers to improve the quality of Indonesian education. Seeing the problems and opportunities that are being experienced by the development of education in Indonesia, through the technology of Augmented Reality developed an application called the Pengenalan Buah dan Binatang that can be used as a medium of learning that involves and trains the senses in early childhood. According to research conducted by the British Audio Visual Association shows that 75% of people obtain information from visual, 13% from hearing audio, 6% from touch and touch, and 6% from kiss/tongue. It also needs support and cooperation between children, parents and the community to foster cooperation in the face of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era.
PENGEMBANGAN KREATIVITAS ANAK USIA DINI MELALUI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN TEKNIK INFORMASI DAN KOMUNIKASI (TIK)
Authors: Hidayat Heri , Aulia Nanda , Tania Nita , Salsabila G Tasya
Published: April 2021

Writing this journal aims to collect data on the results of research that has been done on Early Childhood Creativity Development through Information and Communication Technique (ICT) Learning Media. This journal is written in the background to find out whether through ICT learning media can help develop early childhood creativity. The data collected through the library method by collecting journals from the internet. The results showed that the development of early childhood creativity can be influenced by Information and Communication Engineering (ICT) learning media. This can be proven from the results of research from several journals that we take as data and sources.
Don Quijote of La Mancha: Symbol of the Spanish Spirit
Authors: Downs Tara
Published: April 2021

In his masterpiece Don Quijote of La Mancha, Miguel de Cervantes uses protagonists Don Quijote and his squire, Sancho Panza, to discuss various important themes, including the juxtaposition of reality and illusion, and the Spanish culture itself—both of which continue to be relevant today.  He attributes ideas such as illusion and idealism to Don Quijote, and reality and realism to Sancho Panza.  All of these attributes can be applied to Spain, a country with a history full of contrasts.  This is especially clear through the history of Spain in the twentieth century.  At this time Spain lost its last colonies, had a civil war which resulted in a 36 year dictatorship, and, obtained freedom with the death of Franco in 1975.  This study examines poems by writers such as Miguel de Unamuno, Miguel Hernández, and Mario Hernández and analyses the attitudes present towards each of these historic events.  In doing so, it becomes clear that the Spanish mindset shifts between moments of“quijotismo” and moments of “sanchismo.” Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate that by analyzing twentieth century Spanish poetry, it is clear that Cervantes’ masterpiece Don Quijote serves as the symbol of the Spanish spirit throughout history.
YOĞUN BAKIM HASTALARINDA İNFLAMASYON BELİRTEÇLERİNİN MORTALİTE TAHMİNİNDE KULLANIMI
Authors: ÖZKAN KUŞCU Özlem , AKTAY Meltem , DESTEGÜL Dilek , KUŞCU Ferit , ÖZCENGİZ Dilek
Published: April 2021

Amaç: Yoğun bakım hastalarının beklenilen ölüm oranlarının hesaplanması, mevcut tıbbi durumu acil teşhis ve tedavi gerektirecek hastaların hızlıca belirlenmesi, yoğun bakımların standardizasyonu, hizmet kalitesinin değerlendirilmesi ve sağlanması açısından önemlidir. Bu nedenle mortalite tahmininde geliştirilen ölçekler kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada mortalite prediktörü olabilecek inflamasyon belirteçlerinden C-reaktif protein, prokalsitonin, albümin ve beyaz küre değerlerinin mortalite tahminindeki etkinliğinin araştırılması amaçlandı.Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Reanimasyon Yoğun Bakım ünitesine Ağustos 2017 ve Ocak 2018 arasında kabul edilen, 18 yaş üstü hastalar prospektif ve gözlemsel olarak incelendi. Hastaların demografik, klinik ve laboratuvar verileri kaydedildi. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) skoru hesaplandı. Skor sonuçları ve yatış anındaki laboratuvar verilerinin yoğun bakım yatış süresi ve yoğun bakım tedavisi sonlanımı ile ilişkisi değerlendirildi.Bulgular: C-reaktif protein, yoğun bakım yatış süresi (p=0.044) ve APACHE-II skoru (p=0.02) ile korelasyon gösterirken; prokalsitonin ise APACHE II skoru ile (p=0.001) korele bulundu. Tüm hastalar değerlendirildiğinde C-reaktif protein (p<0.001) ve prokalsitonin (p=0.004) düzeylerinin ölen hastalarda istatistiksel anlamlı daha yüksek olduğu görüldü. Cerrahi grubundaki hastalar acil ve elektif cerrahi hastaları olarak değerlendirildiğinde; acil cerrahi grubunda, ölen ve sağ kalan hastalardaki C-reaktif protein (p>0.05) ve prokalsitonin (p>0.05) düzeyleri arasında istatistiksel anlamlı fark bulunmazken, elektif cerrahi grubunda ölen hastalarda C-reaktif protein (p=0.011) ve prokalsitonin (p=0.017) değerleri istatistiksel anlamlı daha yüksek idi. Medikal hasta grubu incelendiğinde ise ölen hastalarda C-reaktif protein değeri (p=0.001) istatistiksel anlamlı daha yüksek iken, albümin (p<0.001) değeri istatistiksel anlamlı düşük idi.Sonuç: Bu çalışmada elde edilen verilere göre C-reaktif protein ve prokalsitonin değerlerinin mortalite tahmininde iyi bir belirteç olarak kullanabileceği düşünülmektedir. Elektif cerrahi sonrasında yoğun bakıma kabul edilen hastalarda C-reaktif protein ve prokalsitonin değerlerinin; medikal hasta grubunda ise C-reaktif protein, albümin ve APACHE-II skorunun birlikte değerlendirilmesiyle, daha yüksek olasılıkla mortalite tahmini yapılabileceğini düşünmekteyiz.